bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of CytosolicShigella flexnerivia a C-Terminal Triple-Arginine Motif of GBP1 Inhibits Actin-Based Motility
Authors: Piro Anthony S. , Hernandez Dulcemaria , Luoma Sarah , Feeley Eric M. , Finethy Ryan , Yirga Azeb , Frickel Eva M. , Lesser Cammie F. , Coers Jörn
Published: December 2017

Dynamin-like guanylate binding proteins (GBPs) are gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-inducible host defense proteins that can associate with cytosol-invading bacterial pathogens. Mouse GBPs promote the lytic destruction of targeted bacteria in the host cell cytosol, but the antimicrobial function of human GBPs and the mechanism by which these proteins associate with cytosolic bacteria are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that human GBP1 is unique among the seven human GBP paralogs in its ability to associate with at least two cytosolic Gram-negative bacteria,Burkholderia thailandensisandShigella flexneri. Rough lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mutants ofS. flexnericolocalize with GBP1 less frequently than wild-typeS. flexneridoes, suggesting that host recognition of O antigen promotes GBP1 targeting to Gram-negative bacteria. The targeting of GBP1 to cytosolic bacteria, via a unique triple-arginine motif present in its C terminus, promotes the corecruitment of four additional GBP paralogs (GBP2, GBP3, GBP4, and GBP6). GBP1-decoratedShigellaorganisms replicate but fail to form actin tails, leading to their intracellular aggregation. Consequentially, the wild type but not the triple-arginine GBP1 mutant restrictsS. flexnericell-to-cell spread. Furthermore, human-adaptedS. flexneri, through the action of one its secreted effectors, IpaH9.8, is more resistant to GBP1 targeting than the non-human-adapted bacillusB. thailandensis. These studies reveal that human GBP1 uniquely functions as an intracellular “glue trap,” inhibiting the cytosolic movement of normally actin-propelled Gram-negative bacteria. In response to this powerful human defense program,S. flexnerihas evolved an effective counterdefense to restrict GBP1 recruitment.

IMPORTANCESeveral pathogenic bacterial species evolved to invade, reside in, and replicate inside the cytosol of their host cells. One adaptation common to most cytosolic bacterial pathogens is the ability to coopt the host’s actin polymerization machinery in order to generate force for intracellular movement. This actin-based motility enables Gram-negative bacteria, such asShigellaspecies, to propel themselves into neighboring cells, thereby spreading from host cell to host cell without exiting the intracellular environment. Here, we show that the human protein GBP1 acts as a cytosolic “glue trap,” capturing cytosolic Gram-negative bacteria through a unique protein motif and preventing disseminated infections in cell culture models. To escape from this GBP1-mediated host defense,Shigellaemploys a virulence factor that prevents or dislodges the association of GBP1 with cytosolic bacteria. Thus, therapeutic strategies to restore GBP1 binding toShigellamay lead to novel treatment options for shigellosis in the future.
Systematic CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Modifications of
Plasmodium yoelii
ApiAP2 Genes Reveal Functional Insights into Parasite Development
Authors: Zhang Cui , Li Zhenkui , Cui Huiting , Jiang Yuanyuan , Yang Zhenke , Wang Xu , Gao Han , Liu Cong , Zhang Shujia , Su Xin-zhuan , Yuan Jing
Published: December 2017

Malaria parasites have a complex life cycle with multiple developmental stages in mosquito and vertebrate hosts, and different developmental stages express unique sets of genes. Unexpectedly, many transcription factors (TFs) commonly found in eukaryotic organisms are absent in malaria parasites; instead, a family of genes encoding proteins similar to the plant Apetala2 (ApiAP2) transcription factors is expanded in the parasites. Several malaria ApiAP2 genes have been shown to play a critical role in parasite development; however, the functions of the majority of the ApiAP2 genes remain to be elucidated. In particular, no study on the
Plasmodium yoelii
ApiAP2 (PyApiAP2) gene family has been reported so far. This study systematically investigated the functional roles of PyApiAP2 genes in parasite development. Twenty-four of the 26 PyApiAP2 genes were selected for disruption, and 12 were successfully knocked out using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat–CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) method. The effects of gene knockout (KO) on parasite development in mouse and mosquito stages were evaluated. Ten of 12 successfully disrupted genes, including two genes that have not been functionally characterized in any
Plasmodium
species previously, were shown to be critical for
P. yoelii
development of sexual and mosquito stages. Additionally, seven of the genes were labeled for protein expression analysis, revealing important information supporting their functions. This study represents the first systematic functional characterization of the
P. yoelii
ApiAP2 gene family and discovers important insights on the roles of the ApiAP2 genes in parasite development.

IMPORTANCE
Malaria is a parasitic disease that infects hundreds of millions of people, leading to an estimated 0.35 million deaths in 2015. A better understanding of the mechanism of gene expression regulation during parasite development may provide important clues for disease control and prevention. In this study, systematic gene disruption experiments were performed to study the functional roles of members of the
Plasmodium yoelii
ApiAP2 (PyApiAP2) gene family in parasite development. Genes that are critical for the development of male and female gametocytes, oocysts, and sporozoites were characterized. The protein expression profiles for seven of the PyApiAP2 gene products were also analyzed, revealing important information on their functions. This study provides expression and functional information for many PyApiAP2 genes, which can be explored for disease management.
Epstein-Barr Virus Induces Adhesion Receptor CD226 (DNAM-1) Expression during Primary B-Cell Transformation into Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines
Authors: Grossman Lisa , Chang Chris , Dai Joanne , Nikitin Pavel A. , Jima Dereje D. , Dave Sandeep S. , Luftig Micah A.
Published: December 2017

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus that establishes latency in B cells. While EBV infection is asymptomatic for most individuals, immune-suppressed individuals are at significantly higher risk of a form of EBV latent infection in which infected B cells are reactivated, grow unchecked, and generate lymphomas. This form of latency is modeled in the laboratory by infecting B cells from the blood of normal human donorsin vitro. In this model, we identified a protein called CD226 that is induced by EBV but is not normally expressed on B cells. Rather, it is known to play a role in aggregation and survival signaling of non-B cells in the immune system. Cultures of EBV-infected cells adhere to one another in “clumps,” and while the proteins that are responsible for this cellular aggregation are not fully understood, we hypothesized that this form of cellular aggregation may provide a survival advantage. In this article, we characterize the mechanism by which EBV induces this protein and its expression on lymphoma tissue and cell lines and characterize EBV-infected cell lines in which CD226 has been knocked out.
Characterization of the Mechanisms of Daptomycin Resistance among Gram-Positive Bacterial Pathogens by Multidimensional Lipidomics
Authors: Hines Kelly M. , Waalkes Adam , Penewit Kelsi , Holmes Elizabeth A. , Salipante Stephen J. , Werth Brian J. , Xu Libin
Published: December 2017

This work comprehensively characterizes lipidomic changes underlying daptomycin resistance in three Gram-positive bacterial species,
E. faecalis
,
S. aureus
, and
C. striatum
, by using a novel three-dimensional lipidomics methodology based on advanced mass spectrometry. We demonstrated a number of advantages of our method in comparison with other methods commonly used in the field, such as high molecular specificity, sensitivity, and throughput. Whole-genome sequencing of the
S. aureus
and
C. striatum
strains identified mutations in
pgsA
, which encodes phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase, in both resistant strains. Lipidomics revealed significantly decreased levels of lipids downstream of PgsA, as well as accumulation of lipids upstream of PgsA in the resistant strains. Furthermore, we found that changes in individual molecular species of each lipid class depend on the their specific fatty acid compositions. The characteristic changes in individual lipid species could be used as biomarkers for identifying underlying resistance mechanisms and for evaluating potential therapies.
Evidence-based recommendations on care for breast cancer survivors for primary care providers: a review of evidence-based breast cancer guidelines
Authors: Spronk Inge , Korevaar Joke C , Schellevis Francois G , Albreht Tit , Burgers Jako S
Published: December 2017

Objective

To review evidence-based (EB) recommendations on survivorship care for primary care providers (PCPs) in EB breast cancer guidelines.

Design and setting

Guidelines were collected via experts and via literature database, guideline database and cancer agency websites searches.

Method

EB guidelines in any language published between 2012 and 2017 were collected. EB recommendations on survivorship care relevant for PCPs were extracted and grouped into three categories (recurrence detection, long-term effects and recurrence prevention). The content of the recommendations was analysed and summarised in the number and type of clinical topics addressed. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the guidelines.

Results

Six guidelines, of which two were of acceptable methodological quality, were included. One was specifically made for general practitioners. Fifteen clinical topics were identified. Guidelines differed in the clinical topics addressed and for some identical topics in the content of the recommendations. Many recommendations were based on low-quality evidence. Recurrence detection received most attention, physical examination and mammography were often highlighted. Potential complications largely varied in number and type. Intimacy concerns, vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, fatigue, menopausal symptoms, peripheral neuropathy and lymphedema were reported in more than one guideline. Recurrence prevention was mentioned in four guidelines; all recommended physical activity.

Conclusion

The number of EB recommendations in guidelines is limited. Moreover, recommendations differ between guidelines and most are based on low-quality evidence. More high-quality research is needed to develop and adapt guidelines to support PCPs in providing optimal breast cancer survivorship care.
An impact analysis of climate change on the forestry industry in Quebec
Authors: Boccanfuso Dorothée , Savard Luc , Goyette Jonathan , Gosselin Véronique , Mangoua Clovis Tanekou
Published: December 2017

Quebec’s forests represent 20% of Canadian forests and 2% of the world forests. Over the entire planet, forests play a major role in habitat preservation and in supplying goods and services to the population. However, climate change will have an impact on the forest through inter alia increased droughts, forest fires, warmer weather, and infestations. In this paper, we analyze the economic impact of climate change on the forest industry in Quebec over a 40-year period using a recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium model. We find that the climate change effects will be relatively weak on most macroeconomic variables as agents adjust their behavior over time and factors are reallocated across sectors. We find that climate change could generate losses in gross domestic product of up to Can$300 million (0.12% of gross domestic product) at the end of a 40-year period for Quebec’s economy. However, we find relatively more important effects within the sectors of the forest industry, with losses ranging from 3% to 7.5%.
Supporting Exploratory Search with a Visual User-Driven Approach
Authors: Sciascio Cecilia Di , Sabol Vedran , Veas Eduardo
Published: December 2017

Whenever users engage in gathering and organizing new information, searching and browsing activities emerge at the core of the exploration process. As the process unfolds and new knowledge is acquired, interest drifts occur inevitably and need to be accounted for. Despite the advances in retrieval and recommender algorithms, real-world interfaces have remained largely unchanged: results are delivered in a relevance-ranked list. However, it quickly becomes cumbersome to reorganize resources along new interests, as any new search brings new results. We introduce an interactive user-driven tool that aims at supporting users in understanding, refining, and reorganizing documents on the fly as information needs evolve. Decisions regarding visual and interactive design aspects are tightly grounded on a conceptual model for exploratory search. In other words, the different views in the user interface address stages of awareness, exploration, and explanation unfolding along the discovery process, supported by a set of text-mining methods. A formal evaluation showed that gathering items relevant to a particular topic of interest with our tool incurs in a lower cognitive load compared to a traditional ranked list. A second study reports on usage patterns and usability of the various interaction techniques within a free, unsupervised setting.
Fast and Cycle-Accurate Emulation of Large-Scale Networks-on-Chip Using a Single FPGA
Authors: Chu Thiem Van , Sato Shimpei , Kise Kenji
Published: December 2017

Modeling and simulation/emulation play a major role in research and development of novel Networks-on-Chip (NoCs). However, conventional software simulators are so slow that studying NoCs for emerging many-core systems with hundreds to thousands of cores is challenging. State-of-the-art FPGA-based NoC emulators have shown great potential in speeding up the NoC simulation, but they cannot emulate large-scale NoCs due to the FPGA capacity constraints. Moreover, emulating large-scale NoCs under synthetic workloads on FPGAs typically requires a large amount of memory and thus involves the use of off-chip memory, which makes the overall design much more complicated and may substantially degrade the emulation speed. This article presents methods for fast and cycle-accurate emulation of NoCs with up to thousands of nodes using a single FPGA. We first describe how to emulate a NoC under a synthetic workload using only FPGA on-chip memory (BRAMs). We next present a novel use of time-division multiplexing where BRAMs are effectively used for emulating a network using a small number of nodes, thereby overcoming the FPGA capacity constraints. We propose methods for emulating both direct and indirect networks, focusing on the commonly used meshes and fat-trees (
k
-ary
n
-trees). This is different from prior work that considers only direct networks. Using the proposed methods, we build a NoC emulator, called FNoC, and demonstrate the emulation of some mesh-based and fat-tree-based NoCs with canonical router architectures. Our evaluation results show that (1) the size of the largest NoC that can be emulated depends on only the FPGA on-chip memory capacity; (2) a mesh-based NoC with 16,384 nodes (128×128 NoC) and a fat-tree-based NoC with 6,144 switch nodes and 4,096 terminal nodes (4-ary 6-tree NoC) can be emulated using a single Virtex-7 FPGA; and (3) when emulating these two NoCs, we achieve, respectively, 5,047× and 232× speedups over BookSim, one of the most widely used software-based NoC simulators, while maintaining the same level of accuracy.
Start-Up and Aeration Strategies for a Completely Autotrophic Nitrogen Removal Process in an SBR
Authors: Zhang Xiaoling , Zhang Fan , Zhao Yanhong , Li Zhengqun
Published: December 2017

The start-up and performance of the completely autotrophic nitrogen removal via nitrite (CANON) process were examined in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with intermittent aeration. Initially, partial nitrification was established, and then the DO concentration was lowered further, surplus water in the SBR with high nitrite was replaced with tap water, and continuous aeration mode was turned into intermittent aeration mode, while the removal of total nitrogen was still weak. However, the total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency and nitrogen removal loading reached 83.07% and 0.422 kgN/(m3·d), respectively, 14 days after inoculating 0.15 g of CANON biofilm biomass into the SBR. The aggregates formed in SBR were the mixture of activated sludge and granular sludge; the volume ratio of floc and granular sludge was 7 : 3. DNA analysis showed that Planctomycetes-like anammox bacteria and Nitrosomonas-like aerobic ammonium oxidization bacteria were dominant bacteria in the reactor. The influence of aeration strategies on CANON process was investigated using batch tests. The result showed that the strategy of alternating aeration (1 h) and nonaeration (1 h) was optimum, which can obtain almost the same TN removal efficiency as continuous aeration while reducing the energy consumption, inhibiting the activity of NOB, and enhancing the activity of AAOB.
Managing an Older Adult with Cancer: Considerations for Radiation Oncologists
Authors: Chang Sanders , Goldstein Nathan E. , Dharmarajan Kavita V.
Published: December 2017

Older adults with cancer present a unique set of management complexities for oncologists and radiation oncologists. Prognosis and resilience to cancer treatments are notably dependent on the presence or risk of “geriatric syndromes,” in addition to cancer stage and histology. Recognition, proper evaluation, and management of these conditions in conjunction with management of the cancer itself are critical and can be accomplished by utilization of various geriatric assessment tools. Here we review principles of the geriatric assessment, common geriatric syndromes, and application of these concepts to multidisciplinary oncologic treatment. Older patients may experience toxicities related to treatments that impact treatment effectiveness, quality of life, treatment-related mortality, and treatment compliance. Treatment-related burdens from radiotherapy are increasingly important considerations and include procedural demands, travel, costs, and temporary or permanent loss of functional independence. An overall approach to delivering radiotherapy to an older cancer patient requires a comprehensive assessment of both physical and nonphysical factors that may impact treatment outcome. Patient and family-centered communication is also an important part of developing a shared understanding of illness and reasonable expectations of treatment.
Acute Hepatitis E Virus Infection in Two Geographical Regions of Nigeria
Authors: Ifeorah I. M. , Faleye T. O. C. , Bakarey A. S. , Adewumi M. O. , Akere A. , Omoruyi E. C. , Ogunwale A. O. , Adeniji J. A.
Published: December 2017

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) remains a major public health concern in resource limited regions of the world. Yet data reporting is suboptimal and surveillance system is inadequate. In Nigeria, there is dearth of information on prevalence of acute HEV infection. This study was therefore designed to describe acute HEV infection among antenatal clinic attendees and community dwellers from two geographical regions in Nigeria. Seven hundred and fifty plasma samples were tested for HEV IgM by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. The tested samples were randomly selected from a pool of 1,115 blood specimens previously collected for viral hepatitis studies among selected populations (pregnant women, 272; Oyo community dwellers, 438; Anambra community dwellers, 405) between September 2012 and August 2013. One (0.4%) pregnant woman in her 3rd trimester had detectable HEV IgM, while community dwellers from the two study locations had zero prevalence rates of HEV IgM. Detection of HEV IgM in a pregnant woman, especially in her 3rd trimester, is of clinical and epidemiological significance. The need therefore exists for establishment of a robust HEV surveillance system in Nigeria and especially amidst the pregnant population in a bid to improve maternal and child health.
Fixed Point Results for Weakφ-Contractions in Cone Metric Spaces over Banach Algebras and Applications
Authors: Li Biwen , Huang Huaping
Published: December 2017

By using a nontrivial proof method, the purpose of this paper is to obtain some fixed point results for weakφ-contractions in cone metric spaces over Banach algebras. Several examples and applications to the existence and uniqueness of a solution to two classes of equations are also given.
A Comparative Study of Actinidia deliciosa and Garcinia mangostana in Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis in Female Wistar Rats
Authors: Vellapandian Chitra , Sukumaran Evelyn Sharon , Sivasubramanian Logeshwaran Ramalingam , Rajabatar Vetrivelan Venkataramanan
Published: December 2017

The present study was designed to evaluate antiosteoporotic activity of the fresh juice mixtures obtained from Actinidia deliciosa and Garcinia mangostana as well as the pericarp extract of Garcinia mangostana on postmenopausal osteoporosis. 3-month-old female Wistar rats were ovariectiomized and the treatment began 14 days after ovariectomy and continued for 40 days. Statistically significant changes were noticed in body weight, ash weight, bone mineral content, and femur length and weight followed by serum evaluation and histopathology of femur bone. Administration of the fresh juice mixtures of the fruits of Actinidia deliciosa and Garcinia mangostana prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss. The administration of the fresh juice mixtures resulted in an increase in the femur length and weight, followed by an increase in the body weight as well as the calcium content obtained from the ash of the femur bone. It is evident that the fresh juice mixtures can be used as a remedy as well as a prophylactic for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The present study showed that the combined effect of the fruit juice mixtures of Actinidia deliciosa and Garcinia mangostana was found to be a better treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis when compared to the pericarp extract of Garcinia mangostana.
Modulation of Multidrug Resistance Gene Expression by Coumarin Derivatives in Human Leukemic Cells
Authors: Kubrak Tomasz , Bogucka-Kocka Anna , Komsta Łukasz , Załuski Daniel , Bogucki Jacek , Galkowski Dariusz , Kaczmarczyk Robert , Feldo Marcin , Cioch Maria , Kocki Janusz
Published: December 2017

The presence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumor cells is considered as the major cause of failure of cancer chemotherapy. The mechanism responsible for the phenomenon of multidrug resistance is explained, among others, as overexpression of membrane transporters primarily from the ABC family which actively remove cytostatics from the tumor cell. The effect of 20 coumarin derivatives on the cytotoxicity and expression of MDR1, MRP1, BCRP, and LRP genes (encoding proteins responsible for multidrug resistance) in cancer cells was analyzed in the study. The aim of this research included determination of IC10 and IC50 values of selected coumarin derivatives in the presence and absence of mitoxantrone in leukemia cells and analysis of changes in the expression of genes involved in multidrug resistance: MDR1, MRP, LRP, and BCRP after 24‐hour exposure of the investigated cell lines to selected coumarins in the presence and absence of mitoxantrone in IC10 and IC50 concentrations. The designed research was conducted on 5 cell lines derived from the human hematopoietic system: CCRF/CEM, CEM/C1, HL‐60, HL‐60/MX1, and HL‐60/MX2. Cell lines CEM/C1, HL‐60/MX1, and HL‐60/MX2 exhibit a multidrug resistance phenotype.
Face-to-Face or Telematic Cognitive Stimulation in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Cognitive Impairment: Why Not Both?
Authors: Guijarro-Castro C. , Aladro-Benito Y. , Sánchez-Musulim A. , Belen-Caminero A. , Pérez Molina I. , Gómez-Moreno I. , Gómez-Romero L. , Millán-Pascual J. , Laredo M. J. , Cerezo-García M.
Published: December 2017

Introduction. Cognitive impairment (CI) affects 40–65% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Few studies address telematic cognitive stimulation (TCS) in MS. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and impact of telestimulation or distance cognitive stimulation (TCS), with and without the support of face-to-face cognitive stimulation (FCS) in cognitive impairment in MS. Methods. Multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled study. We will include 98 MS patients with EDSS ≤ 6, symbol digit modality test (SDMT) ≤ Pc 25, and Multiple Sclerosis Neuropsychological Screening Questionnaire (MSNQ) > 26 points. Patients will be randomised into 3 groups, a TCS group, a mixed TCS/FCS group, and a control group. CS is performed 3 days a week for 3 months. Processing speed, memory, attention, and executive functions will be rehabilitated. FCS will include ecological exercises and strategies. EDSS and a cognitive evaluation (SDMT, CTMT, PASAT, and TAVEC), MSNQ, psychological impact scales (MSIS), and depression (BDI) will be carried out, baseline, postrehabilitation, and also 6 and 12 months later, to evaluate the effect of CS in the longer term. Conclusion. This study could help to establish the usefulness of TCS or, in its absence, TCS with face-to-face help for CI in MS. The interest lies in the clear benefits of remote rehabilitation in the daily life of patients.
A Rare Clinical Presentation of Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Gravito-Soares Elisa , Gravito-Soares Marta , Figueiredo Pedro , Tomé Luis
Published: December 2017

Cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon tumor, often diagnosed in the context of obstructive jaundice. Brain metastasis rarely occurs with the cerebellum being a rare site of spread of this type of tumor. Few cases of cholangiocarcinoma have been reported in the literature and this type of tumor is associated with a very poor outcome. We present a very rare form of clinical presentation of cholangiocarcinoma with neurologic symptoms due to cerebellar metastases.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Weight Gain in Children and Adults: A Systematic Review from 2013 to 2015 and a Comparison with Previous Studies
Authors: Luger Maria , Lafontan Max , Bes-Rastrollo Maira , Winzer Eva , Yumuk Volkan , Farpour-Lambert Nathalie
Published: December 2017

Objective: Partly inconsistent findings from previous reviews have fueled discussions on the impact of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on obesity development. The aim was to systematically review the recent evidence in children and adults. Methods: Data were retrieved from the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library for the period January 2013 to October 2015. A systematic review of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) relating SSBs to weight measures was conducted. Results: 30 publications met the inclusion criteria. Prospective cohort studies (96%; n = 26) showed a positive association between consumption of SSBs and weight/BMI in adults and children (n = 242,352), and only one cohort study in children showed no association. Findings from three RCTs in children demonstrated that SSB consumption had an effect on BMI/BMI z-score. The one RCT in adults showed no significant effect of the intervention. 63% of the studies were of good, 30% of medium quality, and none was funded by industry. Conclusion: Recent evidence suggests that SSB consumption is positively associated with or has an effect on obesity indices in children and adults. By combining the already published evidence with the new one, we conclude that public health policies should aim to reduce the consumption of SSBs and encourage healthy alternatives such as water.
Dermoscopy of Morphea and Cutaneous Lichen Sclerosus: Clinicopathological Correlation Study and Comparative Analysis
Authors: Errichetti Enzo , Lallas Aimilios , Apalla Zoe , Di Stefani Alessandro , Stinco Giuseppe
Published: December 2017

Background: Dermoscopy of morphea and cutaneous lichen sclerosus (CLS) has been described by various studies, with none of them considering variability according to clinical phases and investigating dermoscopic-histological correlations. Objective: To evaluate dermoscopic features in general and according to clinical stage, identify possible distinctive dermoscopic clues, and assess dermoscopy accuracy in detecting subclinical alterations in morphea and CLS. Methods: A representative dermoscopic image of target lesions was evaluated for the presence of specific features, correlating them with clinical subtype (inflammatory, inflammatory-sclerotic, sclerotic, or sclerotic-atrophic). In case of clinical-dermoscopic discordance (inflammatory, sclerotic, and atrophic findings in noninflammatory, nonsclerotic, and nonatrophic lesions, respectively), dermoscopic-pathological correspondence was assessed. Results: A total of 86 lesions (51 morphea/35 CLS) were analyzed, with most of them displaying an inflammatory-sclerotic or sclerotic clinical pattern. The most common dermoscopic findings of morphea were “fibrotic beams,” while CLS was mainly characterized by bright white/white-yellowish patches and yellowish-white keratotic follicular plugs; all these structures displayed complete specificity for the correspondent dermatosis. Additionally, pigmentary structures were significantly more frequent in morphea and white scaling and hemorrhagic spots in CLS. Only few dermoscopic features reached a statistical significance for a specific clinical stage. Regarding the clinical-dermoscopic discordance rate, it was significantly more common in morphea than CLS; in all cases there was a correspondence between dermoscopic and pathological findings. Conclusion: Dermoscopy of morphea and CLS reveals distinctive dermoscopic clues which are often unrelated to clinical stage but show a constant histological correspondence, thus emphasizing its usefulness in diagnosis and therapeutic management of these conditions.
Candian: o último caipira
Authors: Cordova Vitor Sartori , Victal Jane
Published: December 2017

O artigo reúne algumas peculiaridades de um ser humano identificado na antropologia como caipira. Em seu âmago existencial,  reúnem-se particularidades como a relaçãocom o bairro rural, o mutirão e os cânticos do cururu. Dessa forma, partindo dos documentos iconográficos do historiador e intelectual Ernani Silva Bruno disponíveis no Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros da Universidade de São Paulo (IEB/USP) e dos estudos do sociólogo e literato Antonio Candido, o presente trabalho intenta demonstrar as ações e relações sociais dessa cultura na cidade de Iracemápolis por meio dos hábitos cotidianos do senhor Candian, membro responsável pela transmissão do modo de vida tradicional do campo na zona urbana.
O “Tantum ergo virado acalanto”: o vigor da brasilidade
Authors: Machado Silvia De Ambrosis Pinheiro
Published: December 2017

“Fonte Boa/ Foi aqui que ouvi um Tantum ergo virado acalanto que relatei no Compêndio”. Esse é o conteúdo de um lembrete autógrafo de Mário de Andrade, fixado ao texto datiloscrito do dia 14 de junho nos originais de O Turista Aprendiz. A análise da inserção desse lembrete no corpo da obra acima mencionada e a análise da narrativa dessa experiência de viagem do autor, presente na primeira e na segunda edições do Compêndio da história da música, permitiram identificar o lugar central, para Mário de Andrade, do acalanto no universo da cultura oral. Este artigo é resultado da pesquisa realizada para a tese Canção de ninar brasileira: aproximações, apresentada ao Departamento de Teoria Literária e Literatura Comparada da Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas – FFLCH/USP, em 2012. O livro com o mesmo título da tese está no prelo da Edusp.
Indigenização de práticas de numeramento no desenvolvimento e na gestão de projetos sociais do povo indígena Xakriabá
Authors: Mendonça Augusta Aparecida Neves de , Fonseca Maria Da Conceição Ferreira Reis
Published: December 2017

Este artigo analisa processos de apropriação de práticas de numeramento que se configuram no desenvolvimento e na gestão de projetos sociais do povo indígena Xakriabá. A perspectiva etnográfica adotada permite reconhecer tais processos como instâncias de “indigenização dos projetos”, termo tomado dos estudos do antropólogo Marshall Sahlins, que se refere à “indigenização da modernidade” para explicitar a maneira como os povos indígenas “vêm elaborando culturalmente tudo aquilo que lhes foi infligido”. As práticas de numeramento analisadas veiculam diferentes racionalidades que permeiam os projetos, e é no confronto entre racionalidades de matriz cartesiana e racionalidades táticas que aqui se identifica o movimento dos sujeitos para “indigenizá-las”.
Pannexin 1 Channels as an Unexpected New Target of the Anti-Hypertensive Drug Spironolactone
Authors: Good Miranda E. , Chiu Yu-Hsin , Poon Ivan K.H. , Medina Christopher B. , Butcher Joshua T. , Mendu Suresh K. , DeLalio Leon J. , Lohman Alexander W. , Leitinger Norbert , Barrett Eugene , Lorenz Ulrike M. , Desai Bimal N. , Jaffe Iris Z. , Bayliss Douglas A. , Isakson Brant E. , Ravichandran Kodi S.
Published: December 2017

Rationale:

Resistant hypertension is a major health concern with unknown cause. Spironolactone is an effective antihypertensive drug, especially for patients with resistant hypertension, and is considered by the World Health Organization as an essential medication. Although spironolactone can act at the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR; NR3C2), there is increasing evidence of MR-independent effects of spironolactone.

Objective:

Here, we detail the unexpected discovery that Panx1 (pannexin 1) channels could be a relevant in vivo target of spironolactone.

Methods and Results:

First, we identified spironolactone as a potent inhibitor of Panx1 in an unbiased small molecule screen, which was confirmed by electrophysiological analysis. Next, spironolactone inhibited α-adrenergic vasoconstriction in arterioles from mice and hypertensive humans, an effect dependent on smooth muscle Panx1, but independent of the MR NR3C2. Last, spironolactone acutely lowered blood pressure, which was dependent on smooth muscle cell expression of Panx1 and independent of NR3C2. This effect, however, was restricted to steroidal MR antagonists as a nonsteroidal MR antagonist failed to reduced blood pressure.

Conclusions:

These data suggest new therapeutic modalities for resistant hypertension based on Panx1 inhibition.
From Magician to Epistemologist: Vertov's The Man with a Movie Camera
Authors: Michelson Annette
Published: December 2017

In this essay from 1972, first published in Artforum, Annette Michelson explores Dziga Vertov's masterpiece The Man with a Movie Camera (1929) at a moment when the name of the master of Soviet documentary style was gaining traction but his work was under-analyzed. Rigorously inventorying the many techniques Vertov uses to disrupt cinematic illusionism, Michelson argues that the film marks a significant transition in Vertov's practice—from the “world of naked truth” of the Kino-Eye to the more complex “exploration of the terrain of consciousness itself” that structures The Man with a Movie Camera.
Montage October: Dialectic of the Shot
Authors: Krauss Rosalind E.
Published: December 2017

In “Montage October,” which appeared in Artforum in January 1973, Rosalind Krauss argues that Sergei Eisenstein's 1928 film was not only a celebration of a Marxist victory but also a demonstration of Marxist dialectical reasoning through montage. Krauss contends that rather than passively reconstructing the chain of circumstances that culminated in the storming of the Winter Palace in 1917, Eisenstein hoped to draw a filmic equivalence between the leap of revolutionary consciousness, which opens up access to the future by transcending the real, and the leap of visual consciousness, which goes beyond the normal bounds of filmic space.
Unveiling Christ in the Islamicate World: Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s Prophetology as a Model for Christian Apologetics in Gregory Bar ʿEbrōyō’s Treatise on the Incarnation
Authors: Jacobs Bert
Published: December 2017

When looking for original lines of Christian apologetics in response to Islam from later periods, a unique vantage point is offered by the bilingual authors of the ‘Syriac Renaissance’, such as the West Syrian (‘Jacobite’) scholarly bishop of the thirteenth century, Gregory Bar ʿEbrōyō. This contribution builds upon previous scholarship on the latter author’s borrowings from Muslim sources in composing his own writings, and in particular on his use of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s theological compendium Muḥaṣṣal afkār al-mutaqaddimīn wa-l-mutaʾakhkhirīn, in his principal work on Christian theology, the Lamp of the Sanctuary (Mnōrat qudšē). It is argued that Bar ʿEbrōyō’s reliance on Rāzī’s proofs of prophecy in the treatise on the Incarnation goes much further than hitherto assumed, as the Muslim theologian’s prophetology served as the model for his Christian apologetic defense of the doctrine of the Incarnation.
Post-Avicennan Physics in the Medical Commentaries of the Mamluk Period
Authors: Fancy Nahyan
Published: December 2017

Recent work has shown that Islamicate philosophers engaged meaningfully with Ibn Sīnā’s transformation of Aristotelian physics, particularly his new understanding of motion at an instant and his new category of positional motion. Although Ibn Sīnā considered medicine a derivative science of physics, little work has been done to determine the impact of the new Avicennan physics on medicine. In this paper, I shall examine the discussions on motion contained in the sections on pulse within seven medical commentaries produced between 1200 and 1520 CE. The examination will reveal that Ibn al-Nafīs’s novel, non-Galenic application of the Avicennan category of positional motion to pulse generated an invigorating debate amongst later commentators. Consequently, the paper shows that: a) Ibn al-Nafīs’s transformations of Galenic/Avicennan medical theory were widely discussed in subsequent commentaries; and b) Mamluk-era medical writers continued to engage in philosophical discussions despite Ibn Sīnā’s epistemological arguments against doing so.
Is There a Path to Peaceful Resolution in the Dokdo/Takeshima Dispute?
Authors: Huth Paul , Kim Sunwoong
Published: December 2017

Japan and South Korea have been locked in a territorial dispute over the islands of Dokdo/Takeshima since the end of wwii. In this essay, we analyze the reasons why the issue has been a thorny issue for such a long time in their bilateral relationship. The calculus of domestic and international benefits and costs of the top decision makers in both countries reveal that neither party is likely to change their current position in the absence of a clear legal focal point, because both will have to come up with a substantial concession in order to achieve a peaceful resolution.
Outcomes From a Pharmacist - led Proton Pump Inhibitor Stewardship Program at a Single Institution
Authors: Wahking Rebekah A. , Steele Randal L. , Hanners Rachel E. , Lockwood Sean M. , Davis Kelly W.
Published: December 2017

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective medications for acid-related disorders; however, they are also overused and may be associated with several adverse effects. A PPI stewardship program was implemented at one institution to combat the overuse of PPIs. Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an inpatient PPI stewardship program in reducing PPI use, both during hospitalization and upon discharge. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to an internal medicine service at a single institution from March 14, 2016, to August 14, 2016, with an intervention by the PPI stewardship team. The primary objective was to determine the percentage of patients who tolerated inpatient and outpatient PPI discontinuation, or dose de-escalations upon discharge. Secondary objectives included the identification of risk factors for intolerance of PPI discontinuation, the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) complications after PPI discontinuation, and the percentage of patients who required “as needed” acid suppressive therapy (AST) with an antacid or histamine-2 receptor antagonist (H2RA) to control their symptoms while hospitalized. Results: During the study time period, 537 patients with an active outpatient prescription for a PPI were admitted to an internal medicine team with 41.0% (n = 220) not meeting criteria for inpatient continuation. Of these patients, 95.9% (n = 211) tolerated inpatient PPI discontinuation, with 83.4% (n = 176) not requiring any “as needed” AST during hospitalization. Upon discharge, 57.1% patients (n = 24 of 42) tolerated PPI discontinuation at 3 months, while 81.8% patients (n = 18 of 22) tolerated PPI dose de-escalations at 3 months. Risk factors for intolerance of inpatient PPI discontinuation were a higher body mass index (BMI) (33.7 vs 30.3 kg/m2, P = .046) and longer length of stay (7.0 vs 4.0 days, P = .03), while longer duration of PPI use (9.0 vs 5.5 years, P = 0.03) was identified as a risk factor for intolerance of outpatient PPI discontinuation. One patient experienced reflux esophagitis 2 months after PPI discontinuation. Conclusion: A PPI stewardship program at a single institution resulted in the reduction of inappropriate PPI use in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.
The role of Balint group training in the professional and personal development of family medicine residents
Authors: Player Marty , Freedy John R , Diaz Vanessa , Brock Clive , Chessman Alexander , Thiedke Carolyn , Johnson Alan
Published: December 2017

This paper presents a study based on the participation of PGY2 and PGY3 family medicine residents in Balint seminars that occurred twice monthly for 24 months. Balint groups were cofacilitated by leader pairs experienced with the Balint method. Prior to residency graduation, 18 of 19 eligible resident physicians (94.5%) completed 30- to 60-min semistructured interviews conducted by a research assistant. Resident physicians were told that these individual interviews concerned “…how we teach communication in residency.” The deidentified transcripts from these interviews formed the raw data that were coded for positive (n = 9) and negative (n = 3) valence themes by four faculty coders utilizing an iterative process based on grounded theory. The consensus positive themes included several elements that have previously been discussed in published literature concerning the nature of Balint groups (e.g., being the doctor that the patient needs, reflection, empathy, blind spots, bonding, venting, acceptance, perspective taking, and developing appreciation for individual experiences). The negative themes pointed to ways of possibly improving future Balint offerings in the residency setting ( repetitive, uneasiness, uncertain impact). These findings appear to have consistency with seminal writings of both Michael and Enid Balint regarding the complex nature of intrapsychic and interpersonal skills required to effectively manage troubling doctor–patient relationships. The implications of findings for medical education (curriculum) development as well as future research efforts are discussed.
Self-represented witnessing: the use of social media by asylum seekers in Australia’s offshore immigration detention centres
Authors: Rae Maria , Holman Rosa , Nethery Amy
Published: December 2017

The act of witnessing connects audiences with distant suffering. But what happens when bearing witness becomes severely restricted? External parties, including the mainstream news media, are constrained from accessing Australia’s offshore immigration detention centres. The effect is that people seeking asylum are hidden from the public and excluded from national debates. Some detainees have adopted social media as a platform to communicate their stories of flight, and their experiences of immigration detention, to a wider audience. This article examines the ways in which social media, and particularly Facebook, has facilitated what we call self-represented witnessing. We analyse two public Facebook pages to assess how detainees use such social media networks to document their experiences, and we observe the interaction between detainees, other social media users and mainstream media. Significantly, these social media networks enable detained asylum seekers to conduct an unmediated form of self-represented witnessing that exposes human rights abuses and documents justice claims.
The iconicity advantage in sign production: The case of bimodal bilinguals
Authors: Pretato Elena , Peressotti Francesca , Bertone Carmela , Navarrete Eduardo
Published: December 2017

Recent evidence demonstrates that pictures corresponding to iconic signs are named faster than pictures corresponding to non-iconic signs. The present study investigates the locus of the iconicity advantage in hearing bimodal bilinguals. A naming experiment with iconic and non-iconic pictures in Italian Sign Language (LIS) was conducted. Bimodal bilinguals named the pictures either using a noun construction that involved the production of the sign corresponding to the picture or using a marked demonstrative pronoun construction replacing the picture sign. In this last condition, the pictures were colored and participants were instructed to name the pronoun together with the color. The iconicity advantage was reliable in the noun utterance but not in the marked demonstrative pronoun utterance. In a third condition, the colored pictures were presented as distractor stimuli and participants required to name the color. In this last condition, distractor pictures with iconic signs elicited faster naming latencies than non-iconic signs. The results suggest that the advantage of iconic signs in production arises at the level of semantic-to-phonological links. In addition, we conclude that bimodal bilinguals and native signers do not differ in terms of the activation flow within the sign production system.
A systematic review of exercise and psychosocial rehabilitation interventions to improve health-related outcomes in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy
Authors: Rammant Elke , Decaestecker Karel , Bultijnck Renée , Sundahl Nora , Ost Piet , Pauwels Nele S , Deforche Benedicte , Pieters Ronny , Fonteyne Valérie
Published: December 2017

Objective:

Summarizing the evidence on the effects of pre- and postoperative exercise and psychosocial rehabilitation interventions on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and physical fitness in bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

Data sources:

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database were searched independently by two authors from inception until 10 November 2017. Cited references of the studies and citing references retrieved via Web of Science were also checked.

Review methods:

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies assessing effects of exercise and psychosocial interventions in bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy were eligible. Primary outcome measures were PROs and physical fitness. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale.

Results:

Five RCTs (three exercise and two psychosocial studies) and one non-randomized psychosocial study comprising 317 bladder cancer patients were included. Timing of the intervention was preoperative ( n = 2), postoperative ( n = 2) or both pre- and postoperative ( n = 2). Positive effects of exercise were found for physical fitness ( n = 3), some health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) domains ( n = 2), personal activities in daily living ( n = 1) and muscle strength ( n = 1). Psychosocial interventions showed positive effects on anxiety ( n = 1), fatigue ( n = 1), depression ( n = 1), HRQoL ( n = 1) and posttraumatic growth ( n = 1). Quality assessment showed most shortcomings with sample sizes and strong heterogeneity was observed between studies.

Conclusion:

The evidence relating to the effects of exercise in bladder cancer is very limited and is even less for psychosocial interventions.