bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extensive
in situ
radiation of feather lice on tinamous
Authors: Virrueta Herrera Stephany , Sweet Andrew D. , Allen Julie M. , Walden Kimberly K. O. , Weckstein Jason D. , Johnson Kevin P.
Published: February 2020

Tinamous host the highest generic diversity of lice of any group of birds, as well as hosting representatives of all four avian feather louse ecomorphs. Although the generic diversity of tinamou feather lice is well documented, few attempts have been made to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among these lice. To test whether tinamou feather lice form a monophyletic group as a whole, we used whole-genome sequencing to estimate a higher-level phylogeny of tinamou feather lice, together with a broad diversity of other avian feather louse groups. In total, we analysed sequences from over 1000 genes for 48 genera of avian lice using both concatenated and coalescent approaches to estimate the phylogeny of this diverse group of avian feather lice. Although the body louse ecomorph of tinamou feather lice formed a monophyletic group, they did not strictly form a monophyletic group together with the other three ecomorphs of tinamou feather lice. In particular, a clade comprised of several feather louse genera, mainly from South America, is nested phylogenetically within tinamou lice, which also have their main centre of diversity in South America. These results suggest
in situ
radiation of these parasites in South America.
Promoting career awareness among IT students in a South African context
Authors: Janse van Rensburg J.T. , Goede Roelien
Published: February 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present an intervention strategy for promoting career awareness among IT students in a South African context, followed by a reflection thereof based on qualitative data collected from students. Career awareness during study has shown to be a factor in the work-readiness of IT graduates.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper suggests an intervention strategy aimed at promoting IT students' career awareness. It provides context of the exit-level higher education (HE) module used to implement the intervention. Career awareness is achieved by industry talks, projects and events. Interpretive data collection and content analysis are used to understand the impact of the intervention from the students' perspective.

Findings

Recommendations are made towards productive interventions for raising career awareness among IT students using industry participation in higher education. The proposed intervention comprises of a combination of industry talks, capstone projects and specific events. Students had largely positive reactions and made suggestions for additional interventions they would find beneficial. A hackathon attended proved the most influential where seven out of eight involved students received job offers from one company. Other students became aware of their own employability, limitations and preferred career paths.

Originality/value

Findings provide confirmation on existing feasible approaches and also introduces new interventions that may be generalised to other fields of study. The paper not only provides an instructional design for a module to raise career awareness but also reflects on the feedback of the students. The reflection provided by students acts as a point of reference to ensure that the process followed for the intervention is practical within a South African context. The paper highlights the perceived benefits of involving industry in higher education to raise career awareness, factors that may prevent career awareness among IT students and valuable suggestions made by students to further enhance the intervention strategy. An implication of the research is a set of guidelines identified towards bridging the IT theory–practice gap. These guidelines can be used by many educators in similar environments to justify their interventions.
Innovation in project management through framing and challenge redefinition
Authors: Sanz-Llopis Jorge , Ostermann Matthias
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates the framing and redefinition of innovation challenges as an approach to generate creative solutions in the field of project management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies the Innovation Challenge Canvas (ICC), a new conceptual model that redefines innovation challenges. The research undertakes a review of the literature in the field of project management, followed by seven in-depth interviews with innovation directors to ascertain the professional view. Finally, usefulness of ICC was tested in three case studies.

Findings

An innovative approach focusing on redefining a challenge instead of proposing solutions to a problem fosters creative thinking and encourages innovative proposals. This ideation challenges the organization's traditional way of managing innovation projects. The ICC provides a better means by which to manage projects that embody high uncertainty, while helping to generate more innovative solutions.

Originality/value

The review of the literature shows that project management has given little attention to the redefining of innovation challenges. This study aims to fill this gap by orienting and adapting the traditional literature on framing to project management. From a practical point of view, the ICC is proposed as a model that can be used to consider the most relevant elements needed to redefine an innovation challenge and enhance the management of those projects.
Negotiating Municipal Merger
Authors: Nygård Stine Ravndal , Holmen Ann‐Karin Tennås
Published: February 2020

This article contributes to organizational research by describing the format and space of negotiation arenas – temporary arenas with diverse social order characteristics. The article also contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of different logics of negotiation. We compare two cases from the Norwegian Local Government Reform. The empirical phenomena of a negotiation arena, where municipalities negotiate potential mergers, provides relevant knowledge. Results from the study show that, despite similar conditional factors, we find significant differences in how the municipalities approach and organize the process, how it evolves and how it ends. We argue that the motivation and design of the negotiation arena not only affect the dominating logic of negotiation through the processes, but also the foundation for any potential mergers. Logics of negotiation are related to the initial characteristics of the negotiation arena, but also become an important variable in the development of this negotiation arena. In this way, the article illustrates a two‐way interaction between social order and logics of negotiation, and shows why negotiation arenas differ and change over time.
Christian economics at the origin
Authors: Koehler Benedikt
Published: February 2020

The New Testament contained copious information on how Jesus and the Apostles managed their households and personal finances. Christian economics originated in references made by Jesus, Paul, and Peter to oikonomia. Peter in Jerusalem introduced the incipient practice of Christian oikonomia through dispensing welfare, and Christians in Rome unfolded oikonomia when they acquired the catacombs. The funding and owning of built structures transformed Christianity from a private collective to a corporate institution. Constantine the Great marked this transition when he designated the recipient of a substantial endowment as the Corpus Christianorum. A trajectory that began in New Testament oikonomia concluded when Christianity had become an institutional actor in the economic sphere.
Code‐switching in conversation‐for‐learning: Creating opportunities for learning while on study abroad
Authors: Zimmerman Erica
Published: February 2020

This article evaluates the use of audio‐recorded conversations and reflections for assisting study abroad participants in critically analyzing conversational interactions. The participants recorded a series of conversations with native speakers of Japanese using digital audio recorders, and, subsequently, analyzed the recordings in a journal and a final paper. After noticing the use of code‐switching by native speakers of Japanese, the participants concluded that the use of English code‐switching was disadvantageous to their learning process. This article explores code‐switching in conversations recorded on study abroad to examine if code‐switching creates opportunities for learning and, if so, what conclusions learners/researchers made based on their observations and analysis. The native speakers used code‐switching for various purposes: repairing a source of trouble, indexing their identities as speakers of another language, and marking opportunities for learning. The results exposed the participants’ misconceptions and demonstrated that code‐switching offered opportunities for learning.
Synthesis and characterization of a titanium phosphate‐tellurite glass for Faraday rotators
Authors: Elisa Mihail , Boroica Lucica , Sava Bogdan Alexandru , Iordache Stefan Marian , Iordache Ana‐Maria , Vasiliu Ileana Cristina , Stefan Raluca Constantina , Galca Aurelian Catalin , Kuncser Victor , Eftimie Mihai
Published: February 2020

This work is focused on investigation of thermal, structural, optical, magnetic, and magneto‐optical properties of novel titanium phosphate‐tellurite glass applied as Faraday rotators. The glass belonging to the system 35Li2O–10Al2O3–5TiO2–45P2O5–5TeO2was prepared by a nonconventional wet route of raw materials processing, followed by melting‐quenching‐annealing steps. Some important physical properties of the investigated glass have been measured and calculated, providing knowledge related to glass compactness, electronic structure, glass forming capability, etc. XRD analysis evidenced an amorphous network structure of the investigated glass. The optical absorption in the Vis domain is mainly due to Ti3+ions and Te2clusters formed during the glass melting process. A relatively low optical absorption is noticed over 600 nm that activates a significant Faraday magneto‐optical effect. Photoluminescence bands in the blue, red, and infrared domains are observed, caused by Te2clusters formed during the glass melting process. The magnetization in dependency on applied magnetic field reveals a complex behavior of the glass, depending on temperature. Thus, it is found a ferromagnetic behavior up to 2000 Oe, a paramagnetic component up to 40 000 Oe, followed by a diamagnetic one over 40 000 Oe. Faraday rotation angle and Verdet constant values in the visible domain are correlated with the reduced TeO2content of the glass.
Australians with intellectual disability share their experiences of retirement from mainstream employment
Authors: Brotherton Michelle , Stancliffe Roger J. , Wilson Nathan J. , O'Loughlin Kate
Published: February 2020

Background

As part of a larger study exploring the transition to retirement for people with intellectual disability from a working life in mainstream employment, this paper reports on retirement from the perspective of those who have already retired.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with five Australian retirees with intellectual disability. Data were analysed using grounded theory methodology. Employment service records provided background information on participants' employment and supports.

Results

Retirement occurred as the solution to ongoing problems primarily related to health. Retirement decisions were made in conjunction with family and support staff, with participants reporting varying levels of self‐determination in the process, and mixed feelings about their retirement. None of the participants were participating in mainstream community groups in retirement.

Conclusions

There is a need for retirement preparation for this emerging population to support self‐determination in retirement‐related decisions including individualized training to facilitate independent participation in mainstream social activities in retirement.
Hyperlipidemia inhibits the protective effect of lisinopril after myocardial infarction via activation of dendritic cells
Authors: Ma Yuanji , Ma Leilei , Ma Jiaqi , Wu Runda , Zou Yunzeng , Ge Junbo
Published: February 2020

To investigate the prevention of cardiac remodelling and inflammatory immune response after myocardial infarction (MI) via ACEI regulating dendritic cells (DCs), we explored whether the protective effect of ACEI was repressed under hyperlipidemic environment. In vivo, the survival rate and left ventricular function of the mice were recorded on day 7 after MI. Tissue samples of the myocardium, spleen, bone marrow and peripheral blood were assessed for Ang II concentration, inflammatory cytokines and DCs expression. In vitro, DCs were treated with ox‐LDL + Ang II, simulating the internal environment of MI in ApoE−/− mice to explore the mechanism involved in the DCs maturation and inflammation. Under hyperlipidemic circumstances, we found that the cardioprotective effect of ACEI was attenuated through regulating DCs maturation and inflammation after MI, affecting survival rate and left ventricular function. Effects of lisinopril on the release of spleen‐derived DCs and myocardial infiltration were also reduced under hyperlipidemic conditions. In vitro, immune maturation and inflammation of DCs were further induced by ox‐LDL on the basis of Ang II treatment, as indicated by the upregulation of CD83, CD86, and the expressions of cytokines and chemokines. Furthermore, ox‐LDL could activate TLR4‐MyD88 signalling pathway, promoting IRAK‐4 and NF‐κB. The present study demonstrated that ACEI reduced the recruitment of DCs to the infarct site, leading to a higher survival rate and improved function. However, this effect was inhibited under hyperlipidemic environment. TLR4‐MyD88 signalling pathway may be responsible for the molecular mechanism involved in the immune maturation and inflammation of DCs induced by ox‐LDL.
Effect of dietary supplementation of whey powder and Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, gut and hepatic function, and muscle antioxidant capacity of Japanese quail
Authors: Jazi Vahid , Farahi Majid , Khajali Fariborz , Abousaad Shaymma , Ferket Peter , Assadi Soumeh Elham
Published: February 2020

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of whey powder (WP), Bacillus subtilis (BAS), and their combination (MIX) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, caecal microflora, hepatic gene expression, blood metabolites, and skeletal muscle antioxidant capacity in Japanese quails. A total of 400 one‐day‐old Japanese quails were randomly distributed to 20‐floor pens (4 dietary treatments, 5 replications per treatment, 20 birds per pen). The birds were fed a basal diet (control, CON) or the basal diet supplemented with 40 g/kg WP, 1 g/kg BAS probiotic or 40 g/kg WP plus 1 g/kg BAS probiotic for five weeks. Feed intake was not affected by the treatments at any stage of the trial. However, the WP, BAS, and MIX feed had better weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to the CON during the entire production period (day 1–35; p < .05). Feeding the WP, BAS, and MIX diets caused no significant difference in morphometric measures in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum other than the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum (p < .05). The expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) and growth hormone genes was highly upregulated in the liver of the birds fed the MIX diet (p < .05). Feeding birds with the diets containing WP, BAS, and MIX increased the population of caecal lactic acid bacteria and reduced serum cholesterol concentration compared to the CON diet (p < .05). Likewise, the tested feed additives increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities in the thigh muscle (p < .05). No synergistic effect was found between WP and BAS in studied parameters other than IGF‐1 gene expression. Improved growth performance of Japanese quails by feeding the WP, BAS, and the MIX feed could be linked to improved absorptive capacity of the small intestine as well as over‐expression of anabolic growth factors. In conclusion, WP with or without BAS could be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement to enhance productive performance, gut functionality, and antioxidant capacity of Japanese quail.
The Influence of Maturity Status on Muscle Architecture in School-Aged Boys
Authors: Radnor John M. , Oliver Jon L. , Waugh Charlotte M. , Myer Gregory D. , Lloyd Rhodri S.
Published: February 2020

Purpose: To determine the differences in muscle architecture of the lower limb in pre-peak height velocity (PHV), circa-PHV, and post-PHV boys. Method: Muscle architecture variables from both the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and vastus lateralis (VL) were derived from ultrasonographic images in 126 school-aged boys. One-way analysis of variance using Bonferroni post hoc comparisons was employed to determine between-group differences, and effect sizes were calculated to establish the magnitude of these differences. Results: All muscle architecture variables showed significant small to large increases from pre-PHV to post-PHV, excluding GM fascicle length (d = 0.59–1.39; P < .05). More discrete between-group differences were evident as GM and VL muscle thickness, and physiological thickness significantly increased between pre-PHV and circa-PHV (d > 0.57; P < .05); however, only the VL muscle thickness and physiological thickness increased from circa-PHV to post-PHV (d = 0.68; P < .05). The post-PHV group also showed larger GM pennation angles than the circa-PHV group (d = 0.59; P < .05). Conclusion: The combined results showed that maturation is associated with changes in muscle morphology. These data quantify that the maturity-related changes in muscle architecture variables provide a reference to differentiate between training-induced adaptations versus changes associated with normal growth and maturation.
Early–Middle Ordovician brachiopod diversification in the middle Yangtze region of South China
Authors: Song Zhenyu , Xiao Yunpeng , Xiao Chuantao
Published: February 2020

The evolution of the Early–Middle Ordovician brachiopod diversity in the middle Yangtze region of South China has been analyzed. The brachiopods in this region originated in the early Tremadocian and radiated from the late Floian to the late Dapingian. The composition of rhynchonelliformean brachiopods underwent major changes in the late Floian, and endemic genera migrated from the upper Yangtze region to replace the cosmopolitan genera. A global comparison of the brachiopod diversity curves of South China, Laurentia, and Baltica reveals that (1) the processes and scales of brachiopod radiation in different paleocontinents were distinct; (2) unlike the global evolution of graptolites and chitinozoans, the correlation between brachiopod diversification and regional habitat change was more obvious, and the impact of habitat heterogeneity was reflected not only between plates but also in the interior of the plates, such as the closely connected middle and upper Yangtze regions of South China; and (3) geographical isolation was a key factor in the differential radiation on different paleocontinents.
The effect of radiation exposure on the electrical conductivity of LDPE + x vol.%TlInSe2
Authors: Gojayev E. M. , Osmanova S. S. , Damirov A. H. , Safarova S. I.
Published: February 2020

The paper presents results of studying temperature dependences of the specific volume resistance of nonirradiated and irradiated [Formula: see text]-rays with a different dose of [Formula: see text] vol.%TlInSe2 composites in the temperature range 300–380 K. The technique for modifying the structure of composites with semiconductor filler was carried out on a [Formula: see text]Co-type MPX [Formula: see text]-25 M isotope [Formula: see text]-emitter at a temperature of 300 K in vacuum ampoules at doses of [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] Gy. The electrical properties of the composites were studied before and after irradiation with [Formula: see text]-rays. Samples were prepared by mechanically mixing the filler [Formula: see text] powder with a low density polyethylene powder until obtaining a uniform mixture. The mixture is kept for 5 min at the melting temperature of the polymer under a pressure of 5 MPa. At the same temperature, by pressing a homogeneous mixture, the pressure rises to 15 MPa, at this pressure the sample is held for another 5 min, and then quickly cooled in water. The specific volume resistivity of the composites was measured using a DC bridge of the P-4053 type with additional measuring electrodes. Samples before testing are aged for 24 h at a temperature of [Formula: see text]C and a relative humidity of [Formula: see text]%. It was revealed that with an increase in the volume content [Formula: see text], the specific volume of resistivity of composites decreases. Under the action of [Formula: see text]-radiation and a change in the filler content, the magnitude and nature of [Formula: see text] dependence changes, and this allows to manage the physical parameters of studied composites by varying the filler content and [Formula: see text]-radiation dose.
Epidemiological Study of Uveal Melanoma from US Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (2010–2015)
Authors: Xu Yufeng , Lou Lixia , Wang Yijie , Miao Qi , Jin Kai , Chen Menglu , Ye Juan
Published: February 2020

Purpose. Uveal melanoma is the most common intraocular malignancy, and the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) changed its staging methodology from 2010, incorporating notable changes into the T-staging. There were few literatures evaluating the epidemiological trend and risk factors of survival in multicenter longitudinal studies regarding the new staging system.Methods. We performed population-based cohort analyses using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify patients with primary uveal melanoma from 2010 to 2015. Patients and potential prognosis indicators were extracted from SEER 18. Incidence rates, incidence rates ratios (IRR), annual percent changes (APC) in rate, hazard ratios (HR), 5-year accumulative overall survival (OS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated.Results. A total of 2631 patients for incidence analysis and 1142 patients for survival analysis were retrieved. The overall incidence of uveal melanoma was 4.637 per million (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.458–4.821), which was significantly elevated by average APC of 4.215% (p=0.03). Females had significantly lower incidence (4.076 per million, IRR, 0.768, 95% CI, 0.710–0.832) with noticeable differences among age, race, origin, and laterality in sex-stratified analyses as well. Survival analyses revealed 5-year accumulative OS and DSS for patients with uveal melanoma of 61.8% and 66.5%, respectively. Age, AJCC stage, and radiation therapy were found to be consistent predictors in both univariate and multivariate analysis models.Conclusion. Incidence of uveal melanoma increased by significant APC and varied between genders. Determinants of survival included age at diagnosis, AJCC stage, and radiation therapy.
Biological Pathways of Long‐Term Visit‐to‐Visit Blood Pressure Variability in the American Population: Cardiovascular Health Study and Women’s Health Initiatives
Authors: Faramawi Mohammed F. , Orloff Mohammed S. , Delongchamp Robert , Wang Yan , Feingold Eleanor , Thapa Susan , Jin Jing , Delhey Leanna , Abouelenein Saly , Zhang Qing , Singh Karan P.
Published: February 2020

Studies reported a positive relationship between visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability (VVBPV) and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality independently of the mean arterial blood pressure across clinical visits. The literature is scarce on the genes and biological mechanisms that regulate long‐term VVBPV. We sought to identify biological pathways that regulate visit‐to‐visit blood pressure variability. We used phenotypic and genotype data from the Women’s Health Initiatives and Cardiovascular Health Studies. We defined VVBPV of systolic and diastolic blood pressure phenotypes as the standard deviation about the participant’s regression line with systolic and diastolic blood pressure regressed separately across visits. We imputed missing genotypes and then conducted a genome‐wide association analysis to identify genomic variants related to the VVBPV and detect biological pathways. For systolic VVBPV, we identified a neurological pathway, the GABAergic pathway (P values = 1.1E − 2), and a vascular pathway, the RAP1 signaling pathway (P values = 5.8E − 2). For diastolic VVBPV, the hippo signaling (P values = 4.1E − 2), CDO myogenesis (P values = 7.0E − 2), and O‐glycosylation of TSR domain‐containing protein pathways (P values = 9.0E − 2) were the significant pathways. Future studies are warranted to validate these results. Further understanding of the roles of the genes regulating the identified pathways will help researchers to improve future pharmacological interventions to treat VVBPV in clinical practice.
Clinical Relevance and Antimicrobial Profiling of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on Routine Antibiotics and Ethanol Extract of Mango Kernel (Mangifera indica L.)
Authors: Al Bshabshe Ali , Joseph Martin R. P. , Awad El-Gied Amgad A. , Fadul Abdalla N. , Chandramoorthy Harish C. , Hamid Mohamed E.
Published: February 2020

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is known for serious health problems. Testing new inexpensive natural products such as mango kernel (Mangifera indica L., Anacardiaceae) may provide alternative and economically viable anti‐MRSA drugs. In the current study, we screened clinical isolates from Aseer Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia, during 2012–2017 for MRSA and tested an ethanolic extract of mango kernel for anti‐MRSA activity. Brief confirmation of MRSA was performed by the Vitek 2 system, while antibiotic sensitivity of strains was tested for their clinical relevance. The In vitro disc diffusion method was used to test the anti‐MRSA activity of the ethanolic mango kernel extract. The antimicrobial activity of mango kernel was compared to that of standard drugs (oxacillin and vancomycin). Of the identified 132 S. aureus strains, 42 (31.8%) were found to be MRSA and their prevalence showed a clear increase during the last two years (2016‐2017; p < 0.001). MRSA strains showed 100% sensitivity to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, tetracycline, daptomycin, tigecycline, and tobramycin and 100% resistance to ampicillin and 98% to penicillin. The ethanolic extracts of mango kernel were found active against both S. aureus and the MRSA strains. Inhibitory activities (mean ± SE) were achieved at concentrations of 50 mg/mL (20.77 ± 0.61), 5 mg/mL (16.18 ± 0.34), and 0.5 mg/mL (8.39 ± 0.33) exceeding that of vancomycin (p = 0.0162). MRSA strains were sensitive to mango kernel extracts when compared to vancomycin. Therefore, ethanolic extracts of mango kernel can be escalated to animal model studies as a promising leading anti‐MRSA drug candidate and can be an economic alternative to high‐priced synthetic antibiotics.
Distribution Pattern of Anchorage Stress and Water Sensitivity Analysis of Red Clay
Authors: Li Lifeng , Gong Weili , Deng Huilin , Zhang Xiaohu , Li Gan
Published: February 2020

Red clay is a special soil layer with complex engineering properties distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. An anchor cable support is a common form of red clay slope support. The effectiveness of the anchor cable support is mainly determined by the anchoring force provided by the red clay stratum. Increase of the water content will lead to the rapid deterioration of the mechanical properties of red clay, which will lead to the reduction of the anchoring force of the slope anchor cable and lead to the failure of the support. Based on the classical Phillips and uniform anchorage shear stress distribution theory, this paper puts forward a uniform-exponential distribution pattern of anchorage shear stress according to the specific characteristics of red clay by using the characteristics of the peak shear strength and residual shear strength of the rock and soil mass. With increasing anchorage force, the dynamic evolution (single exponential distribution ⟶ double single exponential distribution ⟶ uniform index exponential complex distribution ⟶ uniform distribution) of the anchorage shear stress is analysed. Based on the peak and residual test of the cohesive force and internal friction angle, the relationship between the anchoring force and buried depth and water content is established by analysing the factors influencing the anchoring force. It can be found from the field test that, according to the relationship established, the limit anchorage force of the anchor cable in the red clay stratum can be calculated and the water sensitivity of the anchor cable’s limit anchorage force can be quantitatively analysed.
Catharanthus roseus Combined with Ursolic Acid Attenuates Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes through Insulin Secretion and Glycogen Storage
Authors: Alkreathy Huda Mohammed , Ahmad Aftab
Published: February 2020

Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) and ursolic acid (UA) are ayurvedic medicines with multiple pharmacological activities including antidiabetic activity, but till date, no study is available on their combination. This study documented the antidiabetic efficacy of the combination of C. roseus and UA in rats. Rats were divided into six groups. All groups were given a single dose of Streptozotocin (STZ) at a dose of 50 mg/kg by intraperitoneal route for induction of diabetes, except the normal control group. Group 1 was treated as a normal control (NC) group and fed with saline water, Group 2 as a Diabetes Control group, Group 3 as a STZ+C. roseus ethanolic extract (CREE) group at 50 mg/kg p.o., Group 4 as a STZ+UA group orally at 50 mg/kg, Group 5 as a STZ+CREE (25 mg/kg p.o.)+UA (25 mg/kg p.o.) group, and Group 6 as a STZ+Glimepiride (0.1 mg/kg) group. Diabetes was confirmed after 72 hours by estimation of blood glucose level, and then treatment was given for the next 28 days. During the course of treatment, plasma insulin and blood glucose were measured regularly at the interval of 7 days. At the end of the protocol, blood was collected and animals were sacrificed. The glucose level, insulin level, liver glycogen storage level, and antioxidant enzymes (LPO, CAT, SOD, GPx, GST) were measured. The blood glucose level in Group 5 significantly (P<0.001) reduced to 98.35±2.45 mg/dl in comparison with that in Group 2 (321.75±5.46 mg/dl). The level of plasma insulin in Group 5 increased (13.65±0.10 μU/ml) significantly (P<0.01) as compared with that in Group 2 (05.93±0.31 μU/ml). In Group 5, the level of glycogen in liver was significantly (P<0.01) increased as compared with that in Group 2 rats. The level of antioxidant enzymes in Group 5 restored toward normal values significantly (P<0.01; P<0.001) as compared with that in Group 2 animals. These findings suggest that low-dose combination of CREE and UA is effective in the treatment of diabetes.
Preference Graph of Potential Method as a Fuzzy Graph
Authors: Mamat Siti Salwana , Awang Siti Rahmah , Ahmad Tahir
Published: February 2020

An autocatalytic set (ACS) is a graph. On the other hand, the Potential Method (PM) is an established graph based concept for optimization purpose. Firstly, a restricted form of ACS, namely, weak autocatalytic set (WACS), a derivation of transitive tournament, is introduced in this study. Then, a new mathematical concept, namely, fuzzy weak autocatalytic set (FWACS), is defined and its relations to transitive PM are established. Some theorems are proven to highlight their relations. Finally, this paper concludes that any preference graph is a fuzzy graph Type 5.
Postpartum Involution and Cancer: An Opportunity for Targeted Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatments?
Authors: Borges Virginia F. , Lyons Traci R. , Germain Doris , Schedin Pepper
Published: February 2020

Childbirth at any age confers a transient increased risk for breast cancer in the first decade postpartum and this window of adverse effect extends over two decades in women with late-age first childbirth (>35 years of age). Crossover to the protective effect of pregnancy is dependent on age at first pregnancy, with young mothers receiving the most benefit. Furthermore, breast cancer diagnosis during the 5- to 10-year postpartum window associates with high risk for subsequent metastatic disease. Notably, lactation has been shown to be protective against breast cancer incidence overall, with varying degrees of protection by race, multiparity, and lifetime duration of lactation. An effect for lactation on breast cancer outcome after diagnosis has not been described. We discuss the most recent data and mechanistic insights underlying these epidemiologic findings. Postpartum involution of the breast has been identified as a key mediator of the increased risk for metastasis in women diagnosed within 5–10 years of a completed pregnancy. During breast involution, immune avoidance, increased lymphatic network, extracellular matrix remodeling, and increased seeding to the liver and lymph node work as interconnected pathways, leading to the adverse effect of a postpartum diagnosis. We al discuss a novel mechanism underlying the protective effect of breastfeeding. Collectively, these mechanistic insights offer potential therapeutic avenues for the prevention and/or improved treatment of postpartum breast cancer.
Association Analysis of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Promoter Polymorphisms and Vitiligo Susceptibility in South Indian Tamils
Authors: Rajendiran Kalai Selvi , Rajappa Medha , Chandrashekar Laxmisha , Thappa Devinder Mohan , Devaraju Panneer
Published: February 2020

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) has been associated with the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. Also, various studies in different ethnics showed an association between TNF-α gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to vitiligo. The paucity of genetic data led us to undertake this study to evaluate the association of five TNF-α SNPs (rs1799964, rs1800630, rs1799724, rs1800629, and rs361525) with the development of vitiligo in South Indian Tamils. A total of 264 vitiligo patients and 264 healthy controls were recruited and TNF-α genotyping was performed using amplification-refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction and TaqMan allele discrimination assay. Circulatory TNF-α levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We observed that a single polymorphic allele A in the promoter region -308 (rs1800629) conferred significant risk to develop vitiligo (p = 0.0002, OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.28–2.25), whereas the other polymorphisms failed to contribute to disease risk (p > 0.05). From the constructed haplotypes, TCCAG was found to be a significant risk factor for vitiligo (p < 0.05). Also, a strong linkage disequilibrium was observed between the following SNPs: (1) rs1799964 and rs1800629 (2) rs1800630 and rs1799724 (D’ = 0.90). Analysis of the influence of genotype on phenotypes revealed that the A allele of rs361525 was a risk factor for vitiligo in females (p = 0.04, OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.21–0.95), whilst the rs1800629 allele conferred protection against early disease onset (p < 0.05). A statistically significant difference in plasma TNF-α levels was found between cases and controls (p < 0.05). The TNF-α -308A allele and TCCAG haplotype were identified as genetic risk factors for vitiligo susceptibility in South Indian Tamils.
Differential Diagnosis in Patients with Substance Use Disorder and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Using Continuous Performance Test
Authors: Slobodin Ortal , Blankers Matthijs , Kapitány-Fövény Máté , Kaye Sharlene , Berger Itai , Johnson Brian , Demetrovics Zsolt , van den Brink Wim , van de Glind Geurt
Published: February 2020

Background: Although substance use disorders (SUD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show significant symptomatic overlap, ADHD is often overlooked in SUD patients. Objective: The aim of the present study was to characterize aspects of attention and inhibition (as assessed by a continuous performance test [CPT]) in SUD patients with and without a comorbid diagnosis of ADHD and in healthy controls, expecting the most severe deficits in patients with a combined diagnosis. Methods: The MOXO-CPT version, which incorporates visual and auditory environmental distractors, was administered to 486 adults, including healthy controls (n = 172), ADHD (n = 56), SUD (n = 150), and combined SUD and ADHD (n = 108). Results: CPT performance of healthy controls was better than that of individuals in each of the 3 clinical groups. The only exception was that the healthy control group did not differ from the ADHD group on the Timing index. The 3 clinical groups differed from each other in 2 indices: (a) patients with ADHD (with or without SUD) showed increased hyperactivity compared to patients with SUD only and (b) patients with ADHD showed more responses on correct timing as compared with the SUD groups (with or without ADHD). Conclusion: The CPT is sensitive to ADHD-related deficits, such as disinhibition, poor timing, and inattention, and is able to consistently differentiate healthy controls from patients with ADHD, SUD, or both. Our results are in line with previous research associating both ADHD and SUD with multiple disruptions across a broad set of cognitive domains such as planning, working memory, decision-making, inhibition control, and attention. The lack of consistent differences in cognitive performance between the 3 diagnostic groups might be attributed to various methodological aspects (e.g., heterogeneity in severity, type, and duration of substances use). Our results support the view that motor activity should be considered a significant marker of ADHD.
Emirates Diabetes Society Consensus Guidelines for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus – 2020
Authors: Alawadi Fatheya , Abusnana Salah , Afandi Bachar , Aldahmani Khaled M. , Alhajeri Omniyat , Aljaberi Khaled , Alkaabi Juma , Almadani Abdulrazzaq , Bashier Alaaeldin , Beshyah Salem A. , bin Belaila Buthaina , Fargaly Mohammad , Farooqi Muhammad H. , Hafidh Khadija , Hassanein Mohamed , Hassoun Ahmed , Jabbar Abdul , Ksseiry Iyad , Mustafa Huda E. , Saadi Hussein , Suliman Sara
Published: February 2020

Rapid urbanisation and socioeconomic development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have led to the widespread adoption of a sedentary lifestyle and Westernised diet in the local population and consequently a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes. In 2019, International Diabetes Federation statistics reported a diabetes prevalence rate of 16.3% for the adult population in the UAE. In view of the wealth of recent literature on diabetes care and new pharmacotherapeutics, the Emirates Diabetes Society convened a panel of experts to update existing local guidelines with international management recommendations. The goal is to improve the standard of care for people with diabetes through increased awareness of these management practices among healthcare providers licensed by national health authorities. These consensus guidelines address the screening, diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults including individuals at risk of developing the disease.
Constructing time in uncertainty: Temporal regimes among missing persons’ families
Authors: Katz Ori , Shalev Greene Karen
Published: February 2020

This article examines how concepts of time undergo transformation in cases of extreme uncertainty by examining the experiences of missing persons’ families in Israel. Living with uncertainty, the relatives of those who go missing fluctuate among imaginations of past, present and future and among ontological assumptions about the missing persons’ fate. Taking a relational view of time, the authors claim that – in contrast to the passivity usually attributed to them – families of the missing dynamically construct different temporal regimes in a process that both reflects and shapes the missing’s ontological status. Drawing on in-depth interviews with families of long-term missing persons in Israel, the authors identify three such temporal regimes: Parallel Time, Presumed Dead Time and Perpetual Time. Their analysis draws attention to time’s role in negotiations over ambiguous categories in late modernity, particularly over those categories that blur the life–death dichotomy.
Personality and attitudes towards people with mental disorders: Preliminary studies results
Authors: Wolska Aleksandra , Malina Alicja
Published: February 2020

Background:

The subject of psychological research all over the world is to understand the factors conditioning relationships between healthy people and people with mental disorders. Authors analysing attitudes towards people with mental disorders emphasize the importance of two types of determinants: personality factors and demographic and social variables.

Aim:

The aim of the research was to determine the interdependencies between personality traits and attitudes towards people with mental disorders, taking into account the moderating role of social distance and demographic and environmental variables.

Method:

Polish version of Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness (CAMI) – Kwestionariusz Postaw (KP) was used to measure attitudes towards people with mental disorders. Personality traits were measured using the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory (FFI) Personality Inventory by Costa and McCrae–Polish Adaptation, and the polish version of the Social Distance Scale was used to measure the declared social distance. In all, 204 people participated in the research: 133 women and 71 men, aged 18–65 years, living in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Greater Poland voivodeships.

Results:

The results showed that there is a relationship between personality traits: neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience and agreeableness and an attitude towards people with mental disorders. Social distance, as the proposed moderator, did not significantly change the relationship between the variables.

Conclusion:

The results of the research have confirmed the important role of personality factors for attitudes, what should be remembered to exploration of presented phenomenon.
Sciatic nerve injury model in rabbits: What to expect
Authors: Farinas Angel F , Stephanides Michael , Kassis Salam , Keller Patrick , Colazo Juan M. , Thayer Wesley P.
Published: February 2020

Rabbits are commonly used for sciatic nerve injuries larger than 1.5 cm. This report provides insight into risks and benefits associated with using rabbit models in sciatic nerve injury models and proposes interventions that researchers can use to prevent experimental complications. Fifty-six rabbits from a sciatic nerve injury study that involved a 40 mm sciatic nerve injury were analyzed to examine postoperative complication rates. Autophagy of the phalanges and plantar pressure ulcer development were the most common and serious complications faced. These complications led to 23.2% ( n = 13) of rabbits not being used for data in the original experiment due to euthanasia outside of intended postoperative time points. This increased the cost needed to complete the experiment by $25,038.44. It is our recommendation that alternative models be used instead of rabbits for sciatic nerve injuries. If rabbits must be used, a treatment protocol for preventing autophagy and pressure ulcers is outlined below.
Open Surgical Excision Versus Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation for Piriform Fossa Fistula
Authors: Pu Shilei , Li Wanpeng , Xu Hongming , Zhao Liming , Liu Xiaojun , Li Xiaoyan
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

The purpose of this study is to explore the curative effect of open surgical excision and endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RA) in the treatment of piriform fossa fistula (PSF).

Methods:

Retrospective study of 80 cases of PSF in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Children’s Hospital, from June 2009 to June 2017.

Results:

In this series, there were 43 males and 37 females, and the mean age was 5.2 years (17 days to 12 years). Surgical excision was performed for 62 patients. Radiofrequency ablation was performed for 18 patients. Six cases of postoperative temporary hoarseness occurred, and the hoarseness rates were not significantly different between the excision and RA groups (6.4% vs 11.1%, respectively, P = .88). Two cases of temporary neck abscess occurred in the RA group. After the mean follow-up period of 3.1 years (1-8 years), no recurrence was found between the excision and RA groups.

Conclusions:

The curative effect of excision and RA for PSF is not significantly different; each of the 2 methods has its advantages and disadvantages. However, RA for PSF has the merit of being minimally invasive, easy to operate, and safe; this procedure seems to be more suitable in the clinic.
Impact of delayed systemic heparinization on postoperative bleeding and thromboembolism during post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonates
Authors: von Stumm Maria , Subbotina Irina , Biermann Daniel , Gottschalk Urda , Mueller Goetz , Kozlik-Feldmann Rainer , Reichenspurner Hermann , Riso Arlindo , Sachweh Joerg S
Published: February 2020

Introduction:

Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is well-established for pediatric patients with post-cardiotomy heart failure. However, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support is associated with major complications, that is, hemorrhage and thromboembolism. We seek to report our experience with delayed systemic heparinization during neonatal cardiac extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and its impact on bleeding and thromboembolism.

Methods:

We retrospectively identified 15 consecutive neonates who were placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation after congenital heart surgery during a period of 3 years (2015-2017). Our anticoagulation protocol consisted of full heparin reversal by protamine after switching from cardiopulmonary bypass to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (target activated clotting time: 120 ± 20 seconds). Administration of systemic heparinization was delayed until postoperative drainage volume declined to <1 mL/kg/h. Primary study endpoints were thromboembolism, bleeding, and requirement of blood products on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Results:

Our cohort (mean age: 13 ± 2.6 days; mean weight: 3.1 ± 0.3 kg; 66.7% male) required post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation with a mean support time of 4.5 ± 2.2 days. Systemic heparinization was delayed averagely for 18.1 ± 9.3 hours. No thromboembolic events were observed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or after weaning. Relevant surgical site bleeding occurred in two patients (13.3%) requiring re-thoracotomy on the first postoperative day. Analysis of transfusion volumes revealed 24.5 ± 21.9 mL/kg/d mean packed red blood cells, 9.6 ± 7.1 mL/kg/d mean fresh frozen plasma, and 7.5 ± 5.7 mL/kg/d mean platelets. In-hospital survival was 86.6% (n = 13).

Conclusion:

In this retrospective analysis, the results of delayed systemic heparinization in neonatal post-cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation could lead one to conclude that this routine is safe and favorable with low risk for thromboembolic events, reduced postoperative hemorrhage, and reduced blood product utilization.