bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resveratrol Mitigates Hippocampal Tau Acetylation and Cognitive Deficit by Activation SIRT1 in Aged Rats following Anesthesia and Surgery
Authors: Yan Jing , Luo Ailin , Sun Rao , Tang Xiaole , Zhao Yilin , Zhang Jie , Zhou Biyun , Zheng Hua , Yu Honghui , Li Shiyong
Published: December 2020

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a sever postsurgical neurological complication in the elderly population. As the global acceleration of population ageing, POCD is proved to be a great challenge to the present labor market and healthcare system. In the present study, our findings showed that tau acetylation mediated by SIRT1 deficiency resulted in tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus of the aged POCD model and consequently contributed to cognitive impairment. Interestingly, pretreatment with resveratrol almost restored the expression of SIRT1, reduced the levels of acetylated tau and hyperphosphorylated tau in the hippocampus, and improved the cognitive performance in the behavioral tests. What is more, we observed that microglia-derived neuroinflammation resulting from SIRT1 inhibition in microglia probably aggravated the tau acetylation in cultured neurons in vitro. Our findings supported the notion that activation SIRT1 provided dually beneficial effect in the aged POCD model. Taken together, our findings provided the initial evidence that tau acetylation was associated with cognitive impairment in the aged POCD model and paved a promising avenue to prevent POCD by inhibiting tau acetylation in a SIRT1-dependent manner.
Three-Dimensional Stability Characteristics of Finite Electrified Conducting Fluids Streaming through a Porous Medium
Authors: Metwaly T. M. N. , Gharsseldien Zakaria M.
Published: December 2020

A novel procedure is utilized to investigate the surface waves between two finite conducting fluids streaming through a porous medium in the presence of a horizontal electric field. Normal mode analysis is applied to study two- and three-dimension disturbances cases. The quadratic dispersion equation of complex coefficients representing the system is derived and discussed. It is noted that based on appropriate data selections, the stability criteria do not depend on the medium permeability. It is found that electrical conductivities, viscosities, medium porosity, and surface tension enhance the stability of the system while the dimension and the fluid velocities decrease the stability of the system. Finally, the fluid depths have a dual role (stabilizing as well as destabilizing effects) on the system.
A Great Masquerader: Nasal Type, Extranodal Natural Killer/T-cell Lymphoma Presenting as Recalcitrant Bacterial Sinusitis and Periorbital Cellulitis
Authors: Min Zaw , Bhanot Nitin
Published: December 2020

Nasal extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKL) is a rare clinical entity. It may, however, masquerade as a commonly encountered disease, such as sinusitis. A high index of clinical suspicion of nasal ENKL should be raised when there is inadequate clinical response despite appropriate therapeutic intervention of sinusitis. Biopsy would be warranted and crucial in those instances to make an accurate and timely diagnosis.
A Novel and Efficient Numerical Algorithm for Solving 2D Fredholm Integral Equations
Authors: Jebreen H. Bin
Published: December 2020

A novel and efficient numerical method is developed based on interpolating scaling functions to solve 2D Fredholm integral equations (FIE). Using the operational matrix of integral for interpolating scaling functions, FIE reduces to a set of algebraic equations that one can obtain an approximate solution by solving this system. The convergence analysis is investigated, and some numerical experiments confirm the accuracy and validity of the method. To show the ability of the proposed method, we compare it with others.
The Function and Role of the Th17/Treg Cell Balance in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Yan Jun-bin , Luo Min-min , Chen Zhi-yun , He Bei-hui
Published: December 2020

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune disorder. The pathogenesis of IBD is not yet clear. Studies have shown that the imbalance between T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells, which differentiate from CD4+ T cells, contributes to IBD. Th17 cells promote tissue inflammation, and Treg cells suppress autoimmunity in IBD. Therefore, Th17/Treg cell balance is crucial. Some regulatory factors affecting the production and maintenance of these cells are also important for the proper regulation of the Th17/Treg balance; these factors include T cell receptor (TCR) signaling, costimulatory signals, cytokine signaling, bile acid metabolites, and the intestinal microbiota. This article focuses on our understanding of the function and role of the balance between Th17/Treg cells in IBD and these regulatory factors and their clinical significance in IBD.
Serum Amyloid A Is a Biomarker of Disease Activity and Health-Related Quality-of-Life in Patients with Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Yoon Taejun , Ahn Sung Soo , Yoo Juyoung , Song Jason Jungsik , Park Yong-Beom , Lee Sang-Won
Published: December 2020

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is one of the acute phase proteins synthesized in hepatocytes and secreted by various inflammation or infectious stimuli. We investigated the clinical implication of measuring SAA in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody- (ANCA-) associated vasculitis (AAV). Seventy-five patients who had been classified as AAV and enrolled in our prospective observational cohort for AAV patients were included. Clinical and laboratory data were obtained on the day of blood sampling, and SAA was measured by ELISA kits. Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) and Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) were assessed for disease activity and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) measures. We stratified patients into having high BVAS when the BVAS was over the median values, and those with either low SF-36 PCS or low SF-36 MCS were defined as having poor HRQoL. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate independent predictors of high BVAS. The relative risk (RR) was analyzed using the contingency tables and the chi-squared test. SAA was positively correlated with BVAS (

r
=
0.642

) and FFS (

r
=
0.367

) and was inversely correlated with both the SF-36 physical component summary (

r
=
−
0.456

) and mental component summary scores (

r
=
−
0.394

). Furthermore, SAA was significantly correlated with acute phase reactants ESR (

r
=
0.611

) and CRP (

r
=
0.629

). Patients with high BVAS exhibited significantly higher SAA than those with low BVAS (1317.1 ng/mL vs. 423.1 ng/mL). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, serum albumin (odds ratio (OR) 0.132) and

SAA
>
1173.6
 
ng
/
mL

(OR 15.132) were independently associated with high BVAS. The risk of having high BVAS and poor HRQoL in patients with

SAA
>
1173.6
 
ng
/
mL

was higher than in those with

SAA
≤
1173.6
 
ng
/
mL

(RR 3.419 and 1.493). Our results suggest that SAA might be a useful biomarker in assessing disease activity and HRQoL in AAV.
Selection of In-Domain Bilingual Sentence Pairs Based on Topic Information
Authors: Li Bin , Yao Jianmin
Published: December 2020

The performance of a machine translation system (MTS) depends on the quality and size of the training data. How to extend the training dataset for the MTS in specific domains with effective methods to enhance the performance of machine translation needs to be explored. A method for selecting in-domain bilingual sentence pairs based on the topic information is proposed. With the aid of the topic relevance of the bilingual sentence pairs to the target domain, subsets of sentence pairs related to the texts to be translated are selected from a large-scale bilingual corpus to train the translation system in specific domains to improve the translation quality for in-domain texts. Through the test, the bilingual sentence pairs are selected by using the proposed method, and further the MTS is trained. In this way, the translation performance is greatly enhanced.
Implications and Considerations of Dental Materials in MRI: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Wilson Brenton J. , O’hare Phoebe E. , Zacariah John
Published: December 2020

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has an increasing role as a diagnostic imaging modality. Dental materials have important implications on the use of MRI as a diagnostic imaging modality. A case of a dislodged crown while in an MRI machine prompted a review of the literature for the implications and considerations of dental materials with magnetic resonance technology. An understanding of the basic physics involved in magnetic resonance is required to appreciate the relevance of dental materials in an MRI scanner. This case report supported by a literature review recommends assessing a patient’s crown retention prior to and after MRI scanning.
Immediate Choroidal Expansion after Bleb Needling
Authors: Marenco Maria , Vagge Aldo , Traverso Carlo E. , Iester Michele
Published: December 2020

The purpose was to report a case of immediate choroidal expansion after a needling procedure. This is a retrospective case report of an 80-year-old male with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma who underwent Xen 45 Gel stent implantation and then trabeculectomy in the right eye. During follow-up, several bleb needling procedures were required to treat bleb fibrosis. Before and after the last bleb needling, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was performed to investigate choroidal changes. SD-OCT was also repeated 1 week later. SD-OCT showed instant choroidal expansion (both in the macular and peripapillary area) that was quite sustained throughout the 1 week-follow-up and after 5 months. Bleb needling can cause immediate choroidal expansion that can be quite sustained throughout several months of follow-up. SD-OCT is essential for detecting choroidal changes.
Red Blood Cell Distribution Width as a 5-Year Prognostic Marker in Patients Submitted to Carotid Endarterectomy
Authors: Duarte-Gamas Luís , Pereira-Neves António , Jácome Filipa , Fragão-Marques Mariana , Vaz Ricardo P. , Andrade Jose Paulo , Rocha-Neves João P.
Published: December 2020

Objective: Patients submitted to carotid artery endarterectomy (CEA) have a long-term risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) of 6–9% at 2 years. Hematological parameters have been shown to have a predictive function in atherosclerotic diseases, namely the red blood cell distribution width-coefficient of variation (RDW-CV). This parameter has been associated with worse outcomes such as myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause mortality. This study aims to evaluate the potential role of preoperative hematologic parameters such as RDW-CV in predicting perioperative and long-term cardiovascular adverse events and mortality in patients submitted to CEA. Methods: From January 2012 to January 2019, 180 patients who underwent CEA with regional anesthesia in a tertiary care and referral center were selected from a prospective cohort database. Blood samples were collected preoperatively 2 weeks before admission, including a full blood count. The primary outcome included long-term MACE. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, stroke, MI, acute heart failure, and major adverse limb events (MALE). Results: At baseline, 27.2% of patients had increased RDW-CV. Increased RDW-CV was independently associated with baseline hemoglobin (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.715, 95% CI 0.588–0.869, p = 0.001) and atrial fibrillation (aOR 4.028, 95% CI 1.037–15.639, p = 0.001). After a median follow-up of 50 months, log-rank univariate analysis of RDW-CV demonstrated a significant association between increased RDW-CV and long-term all-cause mortality (log-rank <0.001), MACE (log-rank <0.001), and MI (log-rank = 0.017). After multivariate Cox regression analysis, increased RDW-CV was associated with increased long-term mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.455, 95% CI 1.231–4.894, p = 0.011) and MACE (aHR 2.047, 95% CI 1.202–3.487, p = 0.008). A decreased hemoglobin to platelet ratio (aHR 2.650e–8, 95% CI 9.049e–15 to 0.078, p = 0.019) was also associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusion: RDW is a widely available and low-cost marker that independently predicts long-term mortality, MACE, and MI after CEA. This biomarker could prove useful in assessing which patients would likely benefit from CEA in the long term.
АНАЛІЗ АНТИБІОТИКОРЕЗИСТЕНТНОСТІ УМОВНО-ПАТОГЕННОЇ МІКРОФЛОРИ, ВИДІЛЕНОЇ ПРИ НЕГОСПІТАЛЬНИХ ПНЕВМОНІЯХ
Authors: Kovalenko N. I. , Zamaziy T. M. , Novikova I. V.
Published: December 2020

Метою дослідження було вивчення чутливості до антибіотиків мікрофлори, виділеної від хворих на негоспітальні пневмонії.

Матеріали і методи. Визначення чутливості мікрофлори до антибіотиків проводили методом дифузії в агар (метод стандартних дисків) відповідно до Наказу МОЗ України № 167 від 05.04.2007 р.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. У ході досліджень було виявлено абсолютну чутливість стафілококів до кларитроміцину та ампіциліну, S. pyogenes – до ципрофлоксацину, азитроміцину, кларитроміцину, цефтриаксону та левоміцетину, S. anhaemolyticus – до ампіциліну, амоксиклаву, пеніциліну, цефоперазону, кліндаміцину, кларитроміцину, левоміцетину та амікацину, S. pneumoniae – до амоксиклаву, цефоперазону, цефтриаксону, іміпенему, левофлоксациину, азитроміцину, кларитроміцину і ванкоміцину. Стрептококи групи viridans були чутливими до левоміцетину в 93 % випадків, а щодо інших антибіотиків вони виявилися резистентними у 30-84 % випадків.

Більшість досліджених штамів кокової мікрофлори була резистентною до інших антибіотиків. Так, до меронему показали стійкість від 33 до 72 % штамів, до іміпенему – 12-46 %, до оксациліну – 61-90 %, до цефтазидиму – 33-71 %, до цефепіму – 18-56 %, до азитроміцину – 25-48 % штамів, до левофлоксацину – 25-46 %. Усі досліджені штами P. aeruginosa були резистентними до ампіциліну, оксациліну, амоксиклаву, цефтазидиму, цефепіму, а чутливість до інших антибіотиків коливалася в межах від 5 до 38 % штамів.

Гриби роду Candida проявили найбільшу чутливість до ністатину (88,1 %). Клотримазол був ефективний у 40,3 % випадків, кетоконазол – у 39,2 %. Найнижча активність була у амфотерицину (13,6 %), ітраконазолу (11,9 %) та флуконазолу (11,4 %).

Висновки. Таким чином, відзначається зростання резистентності грибів роду Candida до триазольних антимікотиків, а бактерійної флори, виділеної від хворих на негоспітальну пневмонію, до фторхінолонів, амінопеніцилінів, цефалоспоринів, макролідів (азитроміцин), із збереженням її чутливості до кларитроміцину.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПОРУШЕННЯ СИСТЕМИ ГЕМОСТАЗУ У ХВОРИХ НА КОРОНАВІРУСНУ ІНФЕКЦІЮ
Authors: Yurko K. V. , Merkulova N. F. , Solomennyk H. O. , Liesna A. S. , Kucheriavchenko V. V.
Published: December 2020

Мета роботи – проаналізувати особливості порушення системи гемостазу у хворих на коронавірусну інфекцію.

Матеріали та методи. Проаналізовано 78 медичних карт стаціонарних хворих, госпіталізованих в обласну клінічну інфекційну лікарню м. Харкова за період з травня по вересень 2020 р. Для оцінки стану системи гемостазу та ризику виникнення тромбогеморагічних ускладнень проводили моніторинг рівня тромбоцитів, фібриногену, D-димеру, активного часткового тромбопластинового часу (АЧТЧ), міжнародного нормалізованого відношення (МНВ).

Результати дослідження. Під час дослідження були проаналізовані порушення клітинних і плазматичних показників гемостазу. Хворі були поділені на групи, залежно від ступеня тяжкості дихальної недостатності. Моніторинг коагуляційних тестів проводили кожні 48 год.

Висновок. У пацієнтів із середнім ступенем тяжкості переважали порушення системи гемостазу у вигляді гіперкоагуляції. Тривалий перебіг хвороби понад 21 добу або у хворих із тяжким чи вкрай тяжким ступенем гіперкоагуляція змінювалася на гіпокоагуляцію та виникав ДВЗ-синдром. Показники гемостазу прямо корелювали зі ступенем тяжкості коронавірусної інфекції.
АНАЛІЗ РІВНЯ ЕКСПРЕСІЇ МІКРОРНК-29A У ХВОРИХ З РІЗНИМИ КЛІНІЧНИМИ ВАРІАНТАМИ ХРОНІЧНОЇ HCV-ІНФЕКЦІЇ
Authors: Shevchenko-Makarenko O. P.
Published: December 2020

Мета роботи – провести аналіз базового рівня експресії мікроРНК-29a у хворих на хронічний гепатит С (ХГС) з 1-м генотипом HCV залежно від ступеня фіброзу печінки, наявності цирозу печінки, навантаження HCV, часу хвороби та інших чинників.
Пацієнти і методи. Обстежено 74 пацієнти з 1-м генотипом хронічної HCV-інфекції віком (47,5±1,4) років. Контрольну групу склали 11 здорових осіб з негативними маркерами до вірусних гепатитів віком (38,5±5,5) років. За ступенем фіброзу за шкалою METAVIR хворі розподілились наступним чином, кількість ( %): F1 – 25 (33,8), F2 – 21 (28,4), F3 – 11 (14,9), F4 – 17 (22,9). Серед хворих зі стадією фіброзу F4 лише 10 (58,8  %) хворих мали клінічні ознаки цирозу печінки та стадію цирозу печінки класу А за класифікацією Чайлд-П’ю. Рівень експресії мікроРНК-29a (синоніми: miR-29a, hsa-miRNA-29a) визначався двохетапним дослідженням згідно з протоколом виробника на базі відділу загальної та молекулярної патофізіології Інституту фізіології ім. О.О. Богомольця НАН України, де після виділення тотальної РНК з плазми крові проводили зворотну транскрипцію методом кількісної ПЛР в реальному часі з використанням аналізу мікроРНК TaqMan® (Applied Biosystems, США). Статистична обробка і аналіз даних проводилися за допомогою програмного продукту Statistica v.6.1®.
Результати та висновки. Результати дослідження продемонстрували аберрантну гіперекспресію мікроРНК-29a у хворих на ХГС порівняно із здоровими особами: медіана рівня експресії miR-29a у всіх хворих у 20,6 разу перевищувала показник у здорових осіб та Log10 miR-29a в 4,9 разу вище відповідно (p<0,001, U). Не виявлено достовірної різниці між рівнями експресії мікроРНК-29a у групі хворих залежно від статі (p=0,940), віку (p=0,473), терміну хвороби від моменту детекції HCV (p=0,771) та навантаження HCV (p=0,505). Визначено різницю (p=0,002, H) рівня експресії мікроРНК-29a між хворими на ХГС з різним ступенем фіброзу та контрольною групою: F0-F1 (p<0,001), F0–F2 (p=0,007), F0-F3 (p<0,001), F0-F4 (p=0,027). Середній рівень експресії miR-29 у хворих дозволяє (p<0,001) виключити початкові стадії фіброзу печінки у хворих на хронічну HCV-інфекцію та стати додатковим високоінформативним неінвазивним біомаркером при диференціюванні між ранніми стадіями фіброзу печінки та розвиненим фіброзом печінки у хворих на ХГС. Рівень експресії мікроРНК-29a дозволяє диференціювати прогресування фіброзу та цирозу печінки у хворих і дає можливість швидко і чітко відокремлювати хворих на цироз печінки класу А за класифікацією Чайлд-П’ю (p=0,025, H) для подальшого ефективного менеджменту і призначення відповідних схем противірусної терапії.
ОЦІНКА РІВНЯ ЗНАНЬ, ПРИХИЛЬНОСТІ ТА ПРАКТИКИ МЕДИЧНИХ ПРАЦІВНИКІВ ЩОДО РОБОТИ ІЗ СУДИННИМИ КАТЕТЕРАМИ ТА ЗАПОБІГАННЯ ІНФЕКЦІЙНИМ УСКЛАДНЕННЯМ КАТЕТЕРИЗАЦІЇ СУДИН
Authors: Berezhna A. V. , Novikov S. D. , Chumachenko T. O.
Published: December 2020

Мета роботи – вивчити рівень знань, прихильності та практики медичних працівників (МП) щодо роботи із судинними катетерами (СК) та запобігання інфекційним ускладненням  процедури катетеризації.

Пацієнти і методи. Проведено поперечне епідеміологічне дослідження серед 123 МП закладів охорони здоров’я України протягом вересня-листопада 2019 р. та січня 2020 р. з використанням авторського опитувальника. Опитувальник складався з трьох блоків і містив 48 питань. Статистична обробка даних проводилась з використанням методів описової статистики за допомогою програм Microsoft Excel 2007 та Epi Info™ for Windows version 7.2. Аналіз номінативних величин проводився з використанням критерію Пірсона χ2. Достовірно значущими вважалися відмінності при Р<0,05.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Більшість респондентів (78,3 %) вказала на необхідність отримувати більше інформації про можливі ускладнення катетеризації судин, а 79,3 % опитаних потребують додаткової інформації щодо інфекційного контролю та профілактики інфекцій, пов’язаних з катетеризацією судин. Виявлено статистично достовірний зв’язок між потребою отримувати додаткову інформацію про ускладнення катетеризації судин і посадою, яку займає респондент (молодший спеціаліст з медичною освітою): χ2=7,9758, p=0,004741.

Виявлено недостатню обізнаність МП щодо груп і факторів ризику інфекційних ускладнень катетеризації судин. Майже третина опитаних (31,1 %) вважала, що медичний персонал має незначний вплив на рівень інфекційних ускладнень катетеризації судин. В середньому тільки 33,4 % респондентів знали, що рутинну заміну центральних венозних катетерів (ЦВК), периферично імплантованих ЦВК і катетерів для гемодіалізу для профілактики катетер-асоційованих інфекцій кровоплину застосовувати не доцільно. 99,2 % МП вважали, що перед будь-якою маніпуляцією із СК та після неї необхідно обов’язково проводити гігієнічну обробку рук із застосовуванням води з милом та спиртового антисептика. У рутинній практиці завжди користувались рукавичками під час маніпуляцій із СК 97,5 % респондентів. 11,6 % МП допускає, що використання рукавичок може замінити гігієнічну обробку рук при роботі із СК.

Встановлено, що найчастіше МП нехтували використанням рукавичок при роботі із СК через недостатню забезпеченість рукавичками (29,7 %). Чверть респондентів (25,0 %) замінювала рукавички процедурою гігієнічної обробки рук. Через виникнення алергічних реакцій або контактного дерматиту в результаті застосування рукавичок від їх використання відмовлялось 20,3 % опитаних.

Висновки. Виявлено недостатній рівень знань, прихильності та практики МП з питань епідеміології, інфекційного контролю та профілактики інфекційних ускладнень катетеризації судин.
СЛАВНИЙ ЮВІЛЕЙ ОСТЯКА РОМАНА-ЙОСИФА СТЕПАНОВИЧА
Authors: Avtoriv Kolektyv
Published: December 2020

Висвітлено основні біографічні віхи та творчі досягнення головного лікаря Івано-Франківської обласної клінічної інфекційної лікарні, Заслуженого лікаря України, члена президії ГО «Асоціація інфекціоністів України» Остяка Романа-Йосифа Степановича.
СВІТЛОЇ ПАМ’ЯТІ ПРОФЕСОРА АНТОНІНИ ОЛЕКСІЇВНИ РУДЕНКО
Authors: Avtoriv Kolektyv
Published: December 2020

На 84-му році життя відійшла у вічність відома українська вчена, інфекціоністка, Заслужена лікарка України, кавалер відзнаки НАМН України «Знак пошани», доктор медичних наук, професорка Антоніна Олексіївна Руденко. Висвітлено її основні біографічні віхи та творчі досягнення.
Uma língua para falar com os mortos: uma leitura de “Kaddish”, de Tamara Kamenszain
Authors: Castro Thiago Ernesto
Published: December 2020

Publicado em 2003, El ghetto, de Tamara Kamenszain, marca uma inflexão na obra poética da escritora argentina. Após negar insistentemente o caráter autobiográfico de sua poesia, se mostra nessa obra menos relutante em admitir as bases autobiográficas de sua escrita. Em seu livro, a poeta aborda a experiência pessoal do luto pelo pai, no nome de quem se inscreve e a quem dedica esse seu trabalho. Para expressar sua ausência, se valerá da herança judaica deixada pelo pai, trabalhando com elementos, lugares e cenas do judaísmo que lhe permitem di- zer da perda paterna. Este ensaio, a partir da análise do poema “Kaddish” buscará refletir sobre algumas figurações do judaísmo no livro de Kamenszain, procurando compreender o uso feito pela poeta dessa tradição em seu livro.
Feasibility and Validity of Computed Tomography-Derived Fractional Flow Reserve in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Michail Michael , Ihdayhid Abdul-Rahman , Comella Andrea , Thakur Udit , Cameron James D. , McCormick Liam M. , Gooley Robert P. , Nicholls Stephen J. , Mathur Anthony , Hughes Alun D. , Ko Brian S. , Brown Adam J.
Published: December 2020

Background:

Coronary artery disease is common in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Computed tomography-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) is a clinically used modality for assessing coronary artery disease, however, its use has not been validated in patients with severe aortic stenosis. This study assesses the safety, feasibility, and validity of CT-FFR in patients with severe aortic stenosis.

Methods:

Prospectively recruited patients underwent standard-protocol invasive FFR and coronary CT angiography (CTA). CTA images were analyzed by central core laboratory (HeartFlow, Inc) for independent evaluation of CT-FFR. CT-FFR data were compared with FFR (ischemia defined as FFR ≤0.80).

Results:

Forty-two patients (68 vessels) underwent FFR and CTA; 39 patients (92.3%) and 60 vessels (88.2%) had interpretable CTA enabling CT-FFR computation. Mean age was 76.2±6.7 years (71.8% male). No patients incurred complications relating to premedication, CTA, or FFR protocol. Mean FFR and CT-FFR were 0.83±0.10 and 0.77±0.14, respectively. CT calcium score was 1373.3±1392.9 Agatston units. On per vessel analysis, there was positive correlation between FFR and CT-FFR (Pearson correlation coefficient,
R
=0.64,
P
<0.0001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values were 73.9%, 78.4%, 68.0%, and 82.9%, respectively, with 76.7% diagnostic accuracy. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for CT-FFR was 0.83 (0.72–0.93,
P
<0.0001), which was higher than that of CTA and quantitative coronary angiography (
P
=0.01 and
P
<0.001, respectively). Bland-Altman plot showed mean bias between FFR and CT-FFR as 0.059±0.110. On per patient analysis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values were 76.5%, 77.3%, 72.2%, and 81.0% with 76.9% diagnostic accuracy. The per patient area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was 0.81 (0.67–0.95,
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions:

CT-FFR is safe and feasible in patients with severe aortic stenosis. Our data suggests that the diagnostic accuracy of CT-FFR in this cohort potentially enables its use in clinical practice and provides the foundation for future research into the use of CT-FFR for coronary evaluation pre-aortic valve replacement.
CAN STATE ACTION ON BEHALF OF VICTIMS BE AN ALTERNATIVE TO INDIVIDUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN CASE OF GRAVE BREACHES OF HUMAN RIGHTS?
Authors: Palchetti Paolo
Published: December 2020

In judgment No. 238/2014 the Constitutional Court unhesitatingly gave prevalence to the right to jurisdictional protection over compliance with international law. The present paper argues that, at least in its reasoning, the Constitutional Court, instead of targeting exclusively the way in which international law regulates State immunity, should have assessed the possible role of alternative forms of protection of the rights of the victims of Nazi crimes. In particular, the Court should have considered whether negotiation can be an alternative form of protection of the rights of the victims and whether State action at the international level can substitute for individual access to justice. By taking into consideration the role of political organs of the State in the protection of the rights of nationals at the international level, it could have given its contribution to the current trend towards limiting the discretionary nature of diplomatic protection, particularly when grave breaches of human rights are at stake. It would also have contributed to delineate a possible way out of a situation of serious disrespect for international law.
SOVEREIGN DEFAULT AND LITIGATION: NML CAPITAL V. ARGENTINA
Authors: Mauro Maria Rosaria
Published: December 2020

In recent times private creditors have increasingly begun to resort to litigation against States in case of sovereign debt default. One of the most complex recent cases concerns the legal proceedings brought against Argentina by NML Capital Limited before the courts of the United States (US). The plaintiffs are primarily “vulture funds”, seeking profit by buying heavily discounted distressed debt, that have rejected the restructuring terms accepted by the majority of Argentina’s creditors. There are two main questions at the heart of the present dispute: sovereign immunity and the alleged breach of the US Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), and the interpretation of the pari passu clause. The US Supreme Court held that the FSIA does not limit the scope of discovery against foreign sovereign assets and rejected Argentina’s petition for certiorari to review the Second Circuit decision upholding the injunction orders that required Argentina to pay NML Capital and the other plaintiffs whenever it pays the holders of its restructured debt. This comment assesses the approach of the US courts in relation to discovery and their interpretation of the pari passu provision. In particular, it argues that the outcome of this legal battle threatens future sovereign debt restructurings and confirms the gravity of the lack of a binding central restructuring mechanism.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY OF STATES AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE EXTRATERRITORIAL PROCESSING OF ASYLUM CLAIMS
Authors: Liguori Anna
Published: December 2020

The idea of establishing centres for the “external processing” of asylum claims – already supported by some European Union (EU) Member States, and actually realized in the Caribbean by the United States and in the Pacific area by Australia – has recently come to the fore again in European debates. The recent proposals – which tend to create offshore centres in Turkey and probably in African countries too – envisage various levels of involvement of EU Member States and of the EU itself. The present contribution aims to analyse, in particular, which of the various actors implicated would be responsible, and to what extent, in cases of violation of asylum seekers’ human rights. The scenario that could be envisaged is extremely complex. Disentangling the web of action/attribution/responsibility is very difficult and the risk of “blame shifting” or “passing the buck” among the various actors is high. The possibility of the extraterritorial application of the European Convention on Human Rights will also be explored, in order to assess to what extent individuals would have access to a remedy before the European Court of Human Rights.
THE PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE: BALANCING “LEGAL FORCE” AND “GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE”
Authors: Bakker Christine
Published: December 2020

The Paris Agreement on Climate Change has been acclaimed as a “historic turning point”, but it has also been dismissed as “an epic failure”. This note presents some critical considerations on this Agreement, focusing on two questions: first, to what extent will the Paris Agreement be legally binding for its Parties; and second, which of two essential concerns has a higher weight when balancing “legal force” and “geographical scope”? The author concludes that, while the Paris Agreement in itself will be legally binding on its States Parties, its individual provisions provide little scope for their judicial enforcement. In order to restore the balance, which has tipped towards the geographical scope, considerable weight must now be put on the scales in the next phase of the process, so as to render the modalities of the Agreement’s transparency and facilitation mechanisms as effective as possible.
THE UNITED KINGDOM’S INVOLVEMENT IN the 2003 IRAQI WAR: JUS AD BELLUM AND JUS IN BELLO ISSUES BEFORE THE IRAQ (CHILCOT) INQUIRY
Authors: Silingardi Stefano
Published: December 2020

The Report of the Iraq (Chilcot) Inquiry was published on 6 July 2016. The Inquiry was a very vast and complex undertaking both in scope (it aimed to scrutinize UK policy decisions linked to the 2003 Iraq war adopted in the period 2001-2009) and in size (the Report comprises 12 volumes which ran to over 2.6 million words). By way of contrast, the aim of this short comment is very limited as it examines only a few sections of the Report, namely those concerning the decision to go to war (sections 5, 6.5, 9.1, 9.2 and 9.8) and the period of belligerent occupation (sections 10.1 and 10.3).
The UK’s Post-Brexit Investment Policy: An Opportunity for New Design Choices
Authors: Chan Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Brexit presents an important opportunity for the UK to reimagine its investment policy. The UK formulated its independent investment policy, separate from the European Union’s, more than a decade ago. Since then, State practice relating to investment protection, facilitation, liberalisation and dispute resolution has changed. New model bilateral investment treaties (BITS) and other recent international investment agreements offer innovations. The UK can learn from these developments in formulating its post-Brexit investment policy. The UK’s recent policy documents suggest that its investment policy will closely track its historical practice. The UK has historically offered investment protection to foreign investors in its bit s. Investors have been allowed to initiate arbitration against States. However, the UK’s current negotiations with the EU suggest that investor protections may be more limited. This article begins by describing the UK’s existing trade agreements and recent trade practice as an EU Member State. It also describes the anticipated impact of Brexit on these arrangements and practices. The next section explains the likely direction of the UK’s future investment policy, as indicated in recent policy documents. The final section offers ideas for selected design choices that the UK could make in formulating its investment policy.
The World after the Termination of Intra-EU BIT S
Authors: Lavranos Nikos
Published: December 2020

This article examines the potential consequences of the termination agreement recently signed by 23 EU Member States, which will soon terminate the existing intra- EU BIT S of the signatory Member States. The author concludes that the retroactive application of the termination agreement to disputes that have been initiated before this termination agreement enters into force is a serious violation of the Rule of Law. He also finds that the Facilitator procedure offered by the termination agreement is not a suitable tool to settle any ongoing intra- EU BIT disputes. In light of the significant shortcomings in the judicial legal systems of many EU Member States, the author calls for the adoption of an EU Investment Protection Regulation as well as the creation of a European Investment Court. Finally, despite the fact that the termination agreement is not intended to apply to intra- EU ECT disputes, the author expects that the fallout of the Achmea judgment will lead to substantial “reforms” of the ECT in due course. All these developments will inevitably lead to a lower standard of investment and investor protection within the EU.
The Hague Court of Appeal Reinstates the Yukos Awards
Authors: Verburg Cees
Published: December 2020

In February 2020, the Court of Appeal in The Hague rendered its long-awaited judgment in the Yukos v. Russian Federation cases. These cases concern a series of awards rendered by an UNCITRAL tribunal constituted on the basis of the Energy Charter Treaty. In 2016, the District Court of The Hague had annulled the awards due to the UNCITRAL tribunal’s alleged lack of jurisdiction. That decision is now overturned and the awards are revived. This case note recalls and comments on the findings of the Court of Appeal.
Investment Arbitration and Police Powers: Emerging Issues
Authors: Baltag Crina
Published: December 2020

The doctrine of police powers is increasingly raised as a defence by host States in investment arbitration proceedings, in particular in the context of claims with an environmental component. The succinct analysis below highlights that while the doctrine can effectively be enforced by arbitral tribunals in determining that a measure taken by a host State and resulting in loss of property of an investor does not constitute expropriation, certain concerns with the application of this doctrine must still be addressed. The limitations to the police powers, as well as the issue of burden of proof, as recently discussed in Les Laboratoires Servier v. Poland, are few of the matters of concern. Further, the discussion is even more timely in the context of the investor-State dispute settlement reform and the discussions in the UNCITRAL Working Group III.
Environmental Counterclaims in Investment Arbitration
Authors: Bilanová Anna
Published: December 2020

This article explores the possibility of environmental counterclaims in the context of investment arbitration and arbitral rules, focusing in particular on the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and ICSID Arbitration Rules. States have only rarely raised counterclaims against investors in investment arbitration. Yet, in disputes raising environmental issues, counterclaims could prove useful to States to obtain compensation for environmental damage caused by an investor’s economic activities. This article examines first the procedural and legal requirements for raising counterclaims in investment arbitration, including the provisions set out by the arbitral rules and relevant case law. It then proceeds to consider recent cases in which States have raised environmental counterclaims with varying degrees of success. Finally, the article considers the conclusions to be drawn for policy making and investment treaty negotiations.
The (ab)use of Third-Party Submissions
Authors: Lavranos Nikos
Published: December 2020

This contribution examines the use of third-party submissions, such as amicus curiae submissions, in investment treaty arbitrations. The author shows that a surprisingly low number of amicus curiae submissions have been submitted so far and consequently have not resulted in any discernible impact on the jurisprudence of arbitral tribunals. At the same time, interventions by non-disputing treaty parties appear to be more effective. The author also discusses the ambiguous nature of amicus curiae submissions made by the European Commission, which – it is argued – are actually more akin to non-disputing party interventions. The author concludes that amicus curiae submissions could be better crafted and used more often to achieve greater impact. In addition, they could also be targeted more often against States and their failures in implementing their international environmental obligations.
Lessons from Beauvoir for a Transnational Feminist Ethics
Authors: Durmuş Deniz
Published: December 2020

The prospect of a transnational feminist coalition is one of the most challenging questions that feminism faces today. The author analyzes Beauvoir’s involvement with the Algerian decolonization movement and her own self-critique as instructive tools for forming better ways for feminists to engage transnationally. Beauvoir’s existentialist ethics, political writings, and activism continue to offer models for developing an anticolonial and anti-imperialist transnational feminist ethics and are an underexplored resource in transnational feminist scholarship.
When Living Is Only Not Dying
Authors: Ruonakoski Erika
Published: December 2020

This article examines the intertwining of oppression, animality, and biological life in Simone de Beauvoir’s concept of immanence. Analyzing the roots of this discussion in G.W.F. Hegel’s philosophy and tracing its development from Pyrrhus and Cineas to The Second Sex, the author suggests that Beauvoir’s insight that oppression involves a deprivation of transcendence is of lasting value, whereas her concept of immanence remains problematic.
Overview and comparison of modelling methods for foams
Authors: Hössinger-Kalteis Anna , Reiter Martin , Jerabek Michael , Major Zoltán
Published: December 2020

Cellular materials, especially foams, are widely used in several applications because of their special mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Their properties are determined by three factors: bulk material properties, cell topology and shape as well as relative density. The bulk material properties include the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the matrix. The cell topology determines if the foam exhibits stretch or bending dominated behaviour. The relative density corresponds to the foaming degree. It is defined by the cell edge length and cell wall thickness. Especially for the linear elastic properties there are many different modelling approaches. In general, these methods can be divided into two groups namely direct modelling, e.g. analytical and finite element models and constitutive modelling, e.g. models which are generated through homogenization methods. This paper presents an overview of the different modelling methods for foams. Furthermore, sensitivity studies are presented which enable the comparison of the models with regard to the estimation of the elastic properties, show the limits of those models and enable the investigation of the influence of the above mentioned factors on the elastic properties. Selected models are validated with experimental data of a low density foam regarding the Young’s modulus.
Science–policy dimensions of research on climate change and conflict
Authors: Mach Katharine J , Kraan Caroline M
Published: December 2020

A large body of research now indicates that climate likely matters for conflict. This climate–conflict scholarship, however, has involved divergent findings, sometimes strident disagreement, and resulting limits to the usability of the scholarship for policymakers and practitioners. This viewpoint essay draws from recent expert assessments of climate–conflict linkages to position the research field among climate change research and assessment more broadly. We explore potential insights from the climate realm. As is often the case for climate change research, science–society dynamics are inherent in scholarship on climate and conflict. They contribute to contestation about the state of knowledge, the best ways to characterize it, and its implications for societal choices and investments. Our critique is grounded in the literature evaluating policy-relevant climate change assessment across diverse disciplines, from sea-level-rise adaptation science to energy-system modeling. Through comparisons with such fields, this perspective article considers several implications for climate–conflict knowledge production. We examine, in particular, the necessity of integrating diverse lines of evidence to understand the risks of responding to societally relevant uncertainties and priorities, and of encouraging interactions among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. The experiences of other climate change disciplines can provide inspiration for potential directions for climate, conflict, and security scholarship. They include risk framings in integrating underlying evidence, through to options for supporting the interactions among researchers and societies.
Online Peer Review of Oral Presentations
Authors: Ho Eric
Published: December 2020

Peer review has been promoted for decades in order to engage students in the assessment process which then leads to better learning outcomes. This teaching pedagogy is relatively innovative in the Hong Kong language classroom because English as a Second Language (ESL) students are not aware of their responsibility in the language learning process and they think that all assessment-related tasks are the teachers’ sole responsibility. The focus on the language system also hinders the importance of skills. Engaging students in the assessment process is challenging.

In this Innovations in Practice article, the integration and implementation of online peer review of oral presentations into an undergraduate English Literature curriculum will be presented. The aim of the integration is to bridge the gap between tertiary education and the workplace, equipping students with better oral presentation skills. The two-staged setting could encourage learners to reflect on their performance and bring the feedback forward to the next assessment. Being a reviewer and reviewee provided them with opportunities to learn from the enhanced number of exemplars and peer feedback. They could also realize the discrepancies between their own and their classmates’ performances. Such realization allowed them to better understand the assessment requirements and the required skills, and then develop their own personalized plans for improvement before the actual assessment. As a result, they could learn and improve throughout the semester, both inside and outside the classroom. Involving learners in the assessment process and enhancing their assessment literacy seemed to counter-balance the dominance of content-based, summative assessment in the ESL context.
The effect of COVID-19 lockdown on the incidence of deliberate self-harm injuries presenting to the emergency room
Authors: Henry Nader , Parthiban Sunil , Farroha Azzam
Published: December 2020

Objective

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on 11th March 2020. The UK government introduced strict social distancing measures on 23rd March 2020, with the country put into a full lockdown to further halt the spread of the virus. The aims of this article are to ascertain whether there was a rise in the incidence of deliberate self-harm (DSH) presentations to the emergency department at a level one trauma center associated with the introduction of lockdown measures.

Method

An observational study from a level one trauma center was carried out. Retrospective data from 23rd March 2020 to 1st May 2020 was collected and compared to the same time period in 2019. Data was collected from coded electronic patient records.

Results

Total attendances to the Emergency Department (ED) reduced from 2019 to 2020 (5198 and 3059 respectively). There was a significant increase in the total number of self-harm presentations between 2019 and 2020 (103 vs 113, p-value <0.001) as well as paracetamol, NSAID and opiate overdoses, with more cases requiring hospital admission in 2020 vs 2019.

Conclusions

Societal lockdown measures secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic have had a significant effect on the mental health of patients. One way this can be detected is through an increased incidence and severity of deliberate self-harm injuries presenting to the ED. These findings, in conjunction with the available, literature provide valuable implications for community and emergency physicians and psychiatrists for any future wave of disease or pandemic.
Cold War, Neoliberal War, and Disappearance: Observations from Mexico
Authors: Paley Dawn Marie
Published: December 2020

A comparison of Cold War disappearance drawing examples from conflicts in the last half of the twentieth century in the Southern Cone, Colombia, and Central America with the instances of violence during the subsequent period of consolidation of neoliberalism distinguishes the latter as neoliberal war, operating discursively through a state-promoted linkage of victims and perpetrators to delinquency and organized crime. Examination of neoliberal disappearance in the Mexican state of Coahuila leads to a proposal to consider it as connected not only to the establishment but also to the ongoing maintenance of neoliberal capitalism.

Una comparación de la desaparición de la Guerra Fría (con ejemplos de conflictos en la última mitad del siglo XX en el Cono Sur, Colombia y Centroamérica) y los casos de violencia durante el período posterior de consolidación del neoliberalismo distingue a esta última etapa como una guerra neoliberal que opera discursivamente a través de una vinculación, promovida por el Estado, de víctimas y perpetradores a la delincuencia y crimen organizado. Un análisis de la desaparición neoliberal en el estado mexicano de Coahuila nos lleva a la propuesta de considerarla como relacionada no sólo al establecimiento sino también al mantenimiento continuo del capitalismo neoliberal.