bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedative and analgesic effects of propofol–ketamine versus propofol–fentanyl for emergency department procedures
Authors: Tajoddini Shahrad , Motaghi Mojdeh
Published: January 2020

Background:

To manage and reduce painful procedures in the emergency wards, procedural sedation as well as analgesia can be used. Propofol combinations are the most common short‐acting intravenous sedative drugs in the field of emergency medicine.

Objectives:

This research aimed to compare the effectiveness, safety, and complications of intravenous infusion of ketofol with fentofol in painful emergency procedures.

Methods:

This study was a randomized, double‐blind clinical trial. Sampling was simple and used random assignment; 196 participants were randomly assigned to two groups of 98 patients each. In each group, injection was done with fentanyl–propofol or ketamine–propofol. For data gathering, pre‐procedure, and procedure, modified Aldrete's scoring checklist was used. In order to determine the levels of sedation, we used the Ramsay Sedation Scale. Data analysis was performed via SPSS Version 20 using statistical tests such as mean ± standard division, t‐test, chi‐square test, and analysis of variance.

Results:

Among the participants in this study, shoulder procedure was performed more than other procedures (56.6%). The mean of recovery time was significantly different in the two groups (ketofol: 5.65 ± 0.35 vs fentofol: 9.33 ± 0.78); the recovery time in group B (fentofol) was longer than that in group A (ketofol) (p = 0.001). Drug complications were statistically significant in the two groups, and complications by ketofol were less than those by fentofol (p = 0.001). “Hypotension and bradycardia” were observed with fentofol and “tachycardia” was observed with ketofol. The performance of these two drugs was not the same when subject to various procedures.

Conclusion:

Results of this study revealed that ketofol provided better analgesia and sedation, faster recovery time, lesser complications and adverse events, and reduced bradycardia and hypotension.
Antibodies against the erythroferrone N-terminal domain prevent hepcidin suppression and ameliorate murine thalassemia
Authors: Arezes João , Foy Niall , McHugh Kirsty , Quinkert Doris , Benard Susan , Sawant Anagha , Frost Joe N. , Armitage Andrew E. , Pasricha Sant-Rayn , Lim Pei Jin , Tam May S. , Lavallie Edward , Pittman Debra D. , Cunningham Orla , Lambert Matthew , Murphy John E. , Draper Simon J. , Jasuja Reema , Drakesmith Hal
Published: January 2020

Erythroferrone (ERFE) is produced by erythroblasts in response to erythropoietin (EPO) and acts in the liver to prevent hepcidin stimulation by BMP6. Hepcidin suppression allows for the mobilization of iron to the bone marrow for the production of red blood cells. Aberrantly high circulating ERFE in conditions of stress erythropoiesis, such as in patients with β-thalassemia, promotes the tissue iron accumulation that substantially contributes to morbidity in these patients. Here we developed antibodies against ERFE to prevent hepcidin suppression and to correct the iron loading phenotype in a mouse model of β-thalassemia [Hbb(th3/+) mice] and used these antibodies as tools to further characterize ERFE’s mechanism of action. We show that ERFE binds to BMP6 with nanomolar affinity and binds BMP2 and BMP4 with somewhat weaker affinities. We found that BMP6 binds the N-terminal domain of ERFE, and a polypeptide derived from the N terminus of ERFE was sufficient to cause hepcidin suppression in Huh7 hepatoma cells and in wild-type mice. Anti-ERFE antibodies targeting the N-terminal domain prevented hepcidin suppression in ERFE-treated Huh7 cells and in EPO-treated mice. Finally, we observed a decrease in splenomegaly and serum and liver iron in anti–ERFE-treated Hbb(th3/+) mice, accompanied by an increase in red blood cells and hemoglobin and a decrease in reticulocyte counts. In summary, we show that ERFE binds BMP6 directly and with high affinity, and that antibodies targeting the N-terminal domain of ERFE that prevent ERFE–BMP6 interactions constitute a potential therapeutic tool for iron loading anemias.
Tissue-specific gene expression and protein abundance patterns are associated with fractionation bias in maize
Authors: Walsh Jesse R. , Woodhouse Margaret R. , Andorf Carson M. , Sen Taner Z.
Published: January 2020

Background

Maize experienced a whole-genome duplication event approximately 5 to 12 million years ago. Because this event occurred after speciation from sorghum, the pre-duplication subgenomes can be partially reconstructed by mapping syntenic regions to the sorghum chromosomes. During evolution, maize has had uneven gene loss between each ancient subgenome. Fractionation and divergence between these genomes continue today, constantly changing genetic make-up and phenotypes and influencing agronomic traits.

Results

Here we regenerate the subgenome reconstructions for the most recent maize reference genome assembly. Based on both expression and abundance data for homeologous gene pairs across multiple tissues, we observed functional divergence of genes across subgenomes. Although the genes in the larger maize subgenome are often expressing more highly than their homeologs in the smaller subgenome, we observed cases where homeolog expression dominance switches in different tissues. We demonstrate for the first time that protein abundances are higher in the larger subgenome, but they also show tissue-specific dominance, a pattern similar to RNA expression dominance. We also find that pollen expression is uniquely decoupled from protein abundance.

Conclusion

Our study shows that the larger subgenome has a greater range of functional assignments and that there is a relative lack of overlap between the subgenomes in terms of gene functions than would be suggested by similar patterns of gene expression and protein abundance. Our study also revealed that some reactions are catalyzed uniquely by the larger and smaller subgenomes. The tissue-specific, nonequivalent expression-level dominance pattern observed here implies a change in regulatory control which favors differentiated selective pressure on the retained duplicates leading to eventual change in gene functions.
Best practices for collecting repeated measures data using text messages
Authors: Shimoni Noa’a , Nippita Siripanth , Castaño Paula M.
Published: January 2020

Background

Researchers and clinicians use text messages to collect data with the advantage of real time capture when compared with standard data collection methods. This article reviews project setup and management for successfully collecting patient-reported data through text messages.

Methods

We review our experience enrolling over 2600 participants in six clinical trials that used text messages to relay information or collect data. We also reviewed the literature on text messages used for repeated data collection. We classify recommendations according to common themes: the text message, the data submitted and the phone used.

Results

We present lessons learned and discuss how to create text message content, select a data collection platform with practical features, manage the data thoughtfully and consistently, and work with patients, participants and their phones to protect privacy. Researchers and clinicians should design text messages to include short, simple prompts and answer choices. They should decide whether and when to send reminders if participants do not respond and set parameters regarding when and how often to contact patients for missing data. Data collection platforms send, receive, and store messages. They can validate responses and send error messages. Researchers should develop a protocol to append and correct data in order to improve consistency with data handling. At the time of enrollment, researchers should ensure that participants can receive and respond to messages. Researchers should address privacy concerns and plan for service interruptions by obtaining alternate participant contact information and providing participants with a backup data collection method.

Conclusions

Careful planning and execution can reward clinicians and investigators with complete, timely and accurate data sets.
Clinical characteristics and prognostic analysis of anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABA-B) receptor encephalitis in Northeast China
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Lang Yue , Sun Lichao , Zhang Weiguanliu , Lin Weihong , Cui Li
Published: January 2020

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABA-B) receptor encephalitis.

Methods

This retrospective study enrolled nineteen patients with anti-GABA-B receptor encephalitis. Clinical manifestations, radiological and electroencephalogram features, treatment and outcomes were collected and analyzed. The neurological function was evaluated according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS).

Results

There were eleven patients in the favorable-prognosis group (mRS ≤ 2) and eight patients in the poor-prognosis group (mRS > 2). In the favorable-prognosis group, clinical symptoms included memory deterioration (n = 10; 90.9%), epileptic seizures (n = 9; 81.8%), psychiatric disorders (n = 9; 81.8%), and conscious disturbance (n = 5; 45.5%); magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated an involvement of the limbic system in three (27.3%) cases in this group. Lung cancer was detected in one patient (9.1%). After an average follow-up period of 11.7 months, four (36.4%) patients were cured, and seven (63.6%) patients showed significant improvements. In the poor-prognosis group, all patients presented with memory deterioration, epileptic seizures, psychiatric disorders, and conscious disturbance; five (62.5%) patients had convulsive status epilepticus, and five (62.5%) patients developed respiratory failure; MRI indicated an involvement of the limbic system in seven (87.5%) cases. Malignant tumors were detected in five (62.5%) patients. After an average follow-up period of 14.8 months, seven (87.5%) patients died and one (12.5%) patient remained dependent in daily life.

Conclusions

The clinical manifestations of anti-GABA-B receptor encephalitis include epileptic seizures, cognitive impairment and psychiatric disorders. Patients with convulsive status epilepticus or respiratory failure have poor outcomes. In anti-GABA-B receptor encephalitis, limbic system involvement is associated with a poor prognosis in and radiological examinations can reflect disease progression. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment should be highlighted.
Chinese families with autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia caused by mutations in SPG11
Authors: Chen Xueping , Liu Jiao , Wei Qian-Qian , Ou Ru Wei , Cao Bei , Yuan Xiaoqin , Hou Yanbing , Zhang Lingyu , Shang Huifang
Published: January 2020

Background

Spastic paraplegia type 11 (SPG11) mutations are the most frequent cause of autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia (ARHSP). We are aiming to identify the causative mutations in SPG11 among families referred to our center with ARHSP in a Chinese population.

Methods

Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed on the patients to identify disease-causing mutations. Variants were analyzed according to their predicted pathogenicity and their relevance to the clinical phenotypes. The segregation in the family members was validated by Sanger sequencing.

Results

A total of 12 mutations in SPG11 gene from 9 index cases were identified, including 6 frameshift mutations, 3 missense mutations, 1 nonsense mutation, 1 splicing mutation, and 1 intron deletion mutation. In 6 of these patients, the mutations were homozygous, and the other 3 patients carried two compound heterozygous mutations. Six mutations were novel; 2 were classified as pathogenic, 1 were considered as likely pathogenic, and the other 3 were variants of unknown significance. Additionally, 1 missense heterozygous variant we found was also carried by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient. Clinically and electrophysiologically, some of our ARHSP patients partially shared various features of autosomal-recessive juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ARJALS), including combination of both UMN and LMN degeneration.

Conclusions

The results contribute to extending of the SPG11 gene mutation spectrum and emphasizing a putative link between ARHSP and ARJALS.
The postpartum depression literacy scale (PoDLiS): development and psychometric properties
Authors: Mirsalimi Fatemeh , Ghofranipour Fazlollah , Noroozi Azita , Montazeri Ali
Published: January 2020

Background

Maternal mental health including postpartum mental health is essential to women’s health. This study aimed to develop a specific measure for assessing postpartum depression literacy and consequently evaluate its psychometric properties among a sample of perinatal women.

Methods

This investigation was composed of two studies: developing the measure, and evaluating of psychometric properties of the developed questionnaire. In development stage an item pool was created. Then, based on definition of mental health literacy and preliminary screening, an initial questionnaire was developed. The content and face validity of the questionnaire were then assessed. In the second study psychometric properties of the questionnaire were examined. Overall 692 perinatal women with the mean age of 27.63 years (ranging from 17 to 43) participated in the study.

Results

In all an item pool of 86 items was generated. Of these, 31 items were removed and the remaining 55 items subjected to content and face validity and further 16 items removed. In the second stage a 39-item questionnaire namely the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLis) was evaluated. In principal component factor analysis, 31 items were loaded indicating a 7-factor solution for the questionnaire. The factors designated the following constructs: ability to recognize postpartum depression, knowledge of risk factors and causes, knowledge and belief of self-care activities, knowledge about professional help available, beliefs about professional help available, attitudes which facilitate recognition of postpartum depression and appropriate help-seeking, and knowledge of how to seek information related to postpartum depression. Finally performing the confirmatory factor analysis, the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale with 31 items was supported for the structures suggested by theoretical model and findings from the exploratory factor analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the scale was .78 and it ranged from .70 to .83 for each factor lending support to the internal consistency of the questionnaire.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that the Postpartum Depression Literacy Scale (PoDLiS) is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring the postpartum depression literacy and now can be used in studies of mental health literacy in women.
Decision coaching using a patient decision aid for youth and parents considering insulin delivery methods for type 1 diabetes: a pre/post study
Authors: Lawson Margaret L. , Shephard Allyson L. , Feenstra Bryan , Boland Laura , Sourial Nadia , Stacey Dawn
Published: January 2020

Background

Choice of insulin delivery for type 1 diabetes can be difficult for many parents and children. We evaluated decision coaching using a patient decision aid for helping youth with type 1 diabetes and parents decide about insulin delivery method.

Methods

A pre/post design. Youth and parent(s) attending a pediatric diabetes clinic in a tertiary care centre were referred to the intervention by their pediatric endocrinologist or diabetes physician between September 2013 and May 2015. A decision coach guided youth and their parents in completing a patient decision aid that was pre-populated with evidence on insulin delivery options. Primary outcomes were youth and parent scores on the low literary version of the validated Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS).

Results

Forty-five youth (mean age = 12.5 ± 2.9 years) and 66 parents (45.8 ± 5.6 years) participated. From pre- to post-intervention, youth and parent decisional conflict decreased significantly (youth mean DCS score was 32.0 vs 6.6, p < 0.0001; parent 37.6 vs 3.5, p < 0.0001). Youth’s and parents’ mean decisional conflict scores were also significantly improved for DCS subscales (informed, values clarity, support, and certainty). 92% of youth and 94% of parents were satisfied with the decision coaching and patient decision aid. Coaching sessions averaged 55 min. Parents (90%) reported that the session was the right length of time; some youth (16%) reported that it was too long.

Conclusion

Decision coaching with a patient decision aid reduced decisional conflict for youth and parents facing a decision about insulin delivery method.
A comprehensive overview of the cystic fibrosis on the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal)
Authors: Rosa Joana , Gaspar-Silva Patrícia , Pacheco Paula , Silva Conceição , Branco Cláudia C. , Vieira Barbara S. , Carreiro Alexandra , Gonçalves Juan , Mota-Vieira Luisa
Published: January 2020

Background

Early diagnosis and treatment are improving significantly the quality of life of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This recessive disease is caused by a great variability of mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance (CFTR) gene, whose spectrum and frequency can be different across populations.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of CF patients from the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal) through a clinical, genealogical, genetic and epidemiological investigation. The clinical course of patients was analyzed as a whole and according to their genotype.

Results

We identified 14 CF patients within a 23-year period, corresponding to a cumulative incidence of 1:3012 births, being three of them born from consanguineous unions. Genetic analysis revealed three CFTR genotypes: p.[Ser4Ter];[Gln1100Pro] was present in one patient with a less severe phenotype (1/14); c.[120del23];p.[Phe508del], a very rare one (2/14); and p.[Phe508del];[Phe508del] in the remaining patients (11/14). Clinically, respiratory infections (8/14) and growth failure (6/14) were the most common initial manifestations. All patients presented pancreatic dysfunction, with 21.4 and 100% of them showing endocrine and exocrine insufficiency, respectively. As expected, patients with severe phenotype were homozygous for p.Phe508del and had the lowest value of body mass index.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that São Miguel Island has an increased incidence of CF when compared to recent Portuguese data (1:7500 live births). It also allowed a comprehensive overview of CF in São Miguel, improving medical practice along with genetic counselling and creating opportunities for genotype-targeted therapies.
Species traits, patch turnover and successional dynamics: when does intermediate disturbance favour metapopulation occupancy?
Authors: Mestre Frederico , Pita Ricardo , Mira António , Beja Pedro
Published: January 2020

Background

In fragmented landscapes, natural and anthropogenic disturbances coupled with successional processes result in the destruction and creation of habitat patches. Disturbances are expected to reduce metapopulation occupancy for species associated with stable habitats, but they may benefit species adapted to transitory habitats by maintaining a dynamic mosaic of successional stages. However, while early-successional species may be favoured by very frequent disturbances resetting successional dynamics, metapopulation occupancy may be highest at intermediate disturbance levels for species with mid-successional habitat preferences, though this may be conditional on species traits and patch network characteristics. Here we test this ‘intermediate disturbance hypothesis’ applied to metapopulations (MIDH), using stochastic patch occupancy simulation modelling to assess when does intermediate disturbance favour metapopulation occupancy. We focused on 54 virtual species varying in their habitat preferences, dispersal abilities and local extinction and colonization rates. Long-term metapopulation dynamics was estimated in landscapes with different habitat amounts and patch turnover rates (i.e. disturbance frequency).

Results

Equilibrium metapopulation occupancy by late-successional species strongly declined with increasing disturbance frequency, while occupancy by early-successional species increased with disturbance frequency at low disturbance levels and tended to level-off thereafter. Occupancy by mid-successional species tended to increase along with disturbance frequency at low disturbance levels and declining thereafter. Irrespective of habitat preferences, occupancy increased with the amount of habitat, and with species dispersal ability and colonisation efficiency.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that MIDH is verified only for species associated with mid-successional habitats. These species may be particularly sensitive to land use changes causing either increases or decreases in disturbance frequency. This may be the case, for instance, of species associated with traditional agricultural and pastoral mosaic landscapes, where many species disappear either through intensification or abandonment processes that change disturbance frequency.
A comparison of undergraduate outcomes for students from gateway courses and standard entry medicine courses
Authors: Curtis Sally , Smith Daniel
Published: January 2020

Background

Gateway courses are increasingly popular widening participation routes into medicine. These six year courses provide a more accessible entry route into medical school and aim to support under-represented students’ progress and graduation as doctors. There is little evidence on the performance of gateway students and this study compares attainment and aptitude on entry, and outcomes at graduation of students on the UK’s three longest running gateway courses with students studying on a standard entry medical degree (SEMED) course at the same institutions.

Methods

Data were obtained from the UK Medical Education Database for students starting between 2007 and 2012 at three UK institutions. These data included A-levels and Universities Clinical Aptitude Test scores on entry to medical school and the Educational Performance Measure (EPM) decile, Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) scores as outcomes measures. Multiple regression models were used to test for difference in outcomes between the two types of course, controlling for attainment and aptitude on entry.

Results

Four thounsand three hundred forty students were included in the analysis, 560 on gateway courses and 3785 on SEMED courses. Students on SEMED courses had higher attainment (Cohen’sd = 1.338) and aptitude (Cohen’sd = 1.078) on entry. On exit SEMED students had higher EPM scores (Cohen’sd = 0.616) and PSA scores (Cohen’sd = 0.653). When accounting for attainment and aptitude on entry course type is still a significant predictor of EPM and PSA, but the proportion of the variation in outcome explained by course type drops from 6.4 to 1.6% for EPM Decile and from 5.3% to less than 1% for the PSA score.

There is a smaller significant difference in SJT scores, with SEMED having higher scores (Cohen’sd = 0.114). However, when measures of performance on entry are accounted for, course type is no longer a significant predictor of SJT scores.

Conclusions

This study shows the differences of the available measures between gateway students and SEMED students on entry to their medical degrees are greater than the differences on exit. This provides modest evidence that gateway courses allow students from under-represented groups to achieve greater academic potential.
Role of microRNAs in antiviral responses to dengue infection
Authors: Wong Rui Rui , Abd-Aziz Noraini , Affendi Sarah , Poh Chit Laa
Published: January 2020

Dengue virus (DENV) is the etiological agent of dengue fever. Severe dengue could be fatal and there is currently no effective antiviral agent or vaccine. The only licensed vaccine, Dengvaxia, has low efficacy against serotypes 1 and 2. Cellular miRNAs are post-transcriptional regulators that could play a role in direct regulation of viral genes. Host miRNA expressions could either promote or repress viral replications. Induction of some cellular miRNAs could help the virus to evade the host immune response by suppressing the IFN-α/β signaling pathway while others could upregulate IFN-α/β production and inhibit the viral infection. Understanding miRNA expressions and functions during dengue infections would provide insights into the development of miRNA-based therapeutics which could be strategized to act either as miRNA antagonists or miRNA mimics. The known mechanisms of how miRNAs impact DENV replication are diverse. They could suppress DENV multiplication by directly binding to the viral genome, resulting in translational repression. Other miRNA actions include modulation of host factors. In addition, miRNAs that could modulate immunopathogenesis are discussed. Major hurdles lie in the development of chemical modifications and delivery systems for in vivo delivery. Nevertheless, advancement in miRNA formulations and delivery systems hold great promise for the therapeutic potential of miRNA-based therapy, as supported by Miravirsen for treatment of Hepatitis C infection which has successfully completed phase II clinical trial.
Separation characteristics between time domain and frequency domain of wireless power communication signal in wind farm
Authors: Wan Jie , Yao Kun , Peng E. , Cao Yong , NIU Yuguang , Yu Jilai
Published: January 2020

Understanding the intrinsic characteristics of wind power is important for the safe and efficient parallel function of wind turbines in large-scale wind farms. Current research on the spectrum characteristics of wind power focuses on estimation of power spectral density, particularly the structural characteristics of Kolmogorov’s scaling law. In this study, the wavelet Mallat algorithm, which is different from the conventional Fourier transform, with compactly supported characteristics is used to extract the envelope of the signal and analyze the instantaneous spectral characteristics of wind power signals. Then, the theory for the change in the center frequency of the wind power is obtained. The results showed that within a certain range, the center frequency decreases as the wind power increases by using enough wind farm data. In addition, the center frequency remains unchanged when the wind power is sufficiently large. Together with the time domain characteristics of wind power fluctuation, we put forward the time-frequency separation characteristics of wind power and the corresponding physical parameter expressions, which corresponds to wind speed’s amplitude and frequency modulation characteristics. Lastly, the physical connotation of the time-frequency separation characteristics of wind power from the perspective of atmospheric turbulent energy transport mechanism and wind turbine energy transfer mechanism is established.
Oil production and reservoir damage during miscible CO2 injection
Authors: Wang Qian , Lorinczi Piroska , Glover Paul W. J.
Published: January 2020

The blockage and alteration of wettability in reservoirs caused by asphaltene deposits are problems that contribute to poor oil recovery performance during carbon dioxide (CO2) injection. Oil production and reservoir damage are both controlled by macroscopic interlayer heterogeneity and microscopic pore-throat structure and may be optimized by the choice of flooding method. In this work, the residual oil distribution and the permeability decline caused by organic and inorganic precipitation after miscible CO2 flooding and water-alternating-CO2 (CO2-WAG) flooding have been studied by carrying out core-flooding experiments on a model heterogeneous three-layer reservoir. For CO2, flooding experimental results indicate that the low-permeability layers retain a large oil production potential even in the late stages of production, while the permeability decline due to formation damage is larger in the high-permeability layer. We found that CO2-WAG can reduce the influence of heterogeneity on the oil production, but it results in more serious reservoir damage, with permeability decline caused by CO2–brine–rock interactions becoming significant. In addition, miscible CO2 flooding has been carried out for rocks with similar permeabilities but different wettabilities and different pore-throat microstructures in order to study the effects of wettability and pore-throat microstructure on formation damage. Reservoir rocks with smaller pore-throat sizes and more heterogeneous pore-throat microstructures were found to be more sensitive to asphaltene precipitation, with corresponding lower oil recovery and greater decreases in permeability. However, it was found that the degree of water wetness for cores with larger, more connected pore-throat microstructures became weaker due to asphaltene precipitation to pore surfaces. Decreasing the degree of water wetness was found to be exacerbated by increases in the sweep volume of injected CO2 that arise from cores with larger and better connected pore throats. Erosion of water wetness is a disadvantage for enhanced oil recovery operations as asphaltene precipitation prevention and control measures become more necessary.
Seismic Soundoff
Authors: Geary Andrew
Published: January 2020

The following is an excerpt from SEG's Seismic Soundoff podcast. In this episode, Igor Kvasov, engineering manager at Google and cofounder of SeismoTrack, joins host Andrew Geary to discuss his new book, Numerical Modeling of Seismic Responses from Fractured Reservoirs by the Grid-characteristic Method. This episode is sponsored by TGS. Listen to the full episode at https://seg.org/podcast/post/8688 .
X chromosome inactivation in human development
Authors: Patrat Catherine , Ouimette Jean-François , Rougeulle Claire
Published: January 2020

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a key developmental process taking place in female mammals to compensate for the imbalance in the dosage of X-chromosomal genes between sexes. It is a formidable example of concerted gene regulation and a paradigm for epigenetic processes. Although XCI has been substantially deciphered in the mouse model, how this process is initiated in humans has long remained unexplored. However, recent advances in the experimental capacity to access human embryonic-derived material and in the laws governing ethical considerations of human embryonic research have allowed us to enlighten this black box. Here, we will summarize the current knowledge of human XCI, mainly based on the analyses of embryos derived from in vitro fertilization and of pluripotent stem cells, and highlight any unanswered questions.
The neuropeptide Drosulfakinin regulates social isolation-induced aggression inDrosophila
Authors: Agrawal Pavan , Kao Damian , Chung Phuong , Looger Loren L.
Published: January 2020

Social isolation strongly modulates behavior across the animal kingdom. We utilized the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to study social isolation-driven changes in animal behavior and gene expression in the brain. RNA-seq identified several head-expressed genes strongly responding to social isolation or enrichment. Of particular interest, social isolation downregulated expression of the gene encoding the neuropeptide Drosulfakinin (Dsk), the homologue of vertebrate cholecystokinin (CCK), which is critical for many mammalian social behaviors. Dsk knockdown significantly increased social isolation-induced aggression. Genetic activation or silencing of Dsk neurons each similarly increased isolation-driven aggression. Our results suggest a U-shaped dependence of social isolation-induced aggressive behavior on Dsk signaling, similar to the actions of many neuromodulators in other contexts.
Spectral organization of the compound eye of a migrating nymphalid, the Chestnut tiger butterfly, Parantica sita
Authors: Nagloo Nicolas , Kinoshita Michiyo , Arikawa Kentaro
Published: January 2020

Several butterflies of family Nymphalidae perform long-distance migration. Orientation during migration has been extensively studied in the monarch, Danaus plexippus. Extensive studies on D. plexippus have revealed that vision plays a crucial role in orientation during migration. Differences in the migratory patterns of butterflies suggest that not all species are exposed to the same visual conditions and yet, little is known about the visual system across migratory species. Here we used intracellular electrophysiology, dye injection and electron microscopy to assess the spectral and polarization properties of the photoreceptors of a migrating nymphalid, Parantica sita. Our findings reveal three spectral classes of photoreceptors including ultraviolet, blue and green receptors. The green receptor class contains three subclasses, which are broad, narrow, and double-peaking green receptors. Ultraviolet and blue receptors are sensitive to polarized light parallel to the dorso-ventral axis of the animal, while the variety of green receptors are sensitive to light polarized at 45°, 90° and 135° away from the dorso-ventral axis. The polarization sensitivity ratio is constant across spectral receptor classes at around 1.8. Although P. sita has a typical nymphalid eye with three classes of spectral receptors, subtle differences exist among the eye of different nymphalids, which may be genus-specific.
Morphological alterations in endometrium after use of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system: a case report
Authors: Medeiros Francisco das Chagas , Pimentel Matheus Duarte , Custódio Rodrigo Dias , De Menezes Dalgimar Beserra
Published: January 2020

Case Report: A 44-year-old patient attended the gynecology service for routine consultation. The patient reported implantation of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), five years ago. No macroscopic changes were seen in the uterus or in the endometrium cavity during the procedure, but an endometrial biopsy was performed. Histopathological analysis revealed an endometrium with an expanded stroma by pseudo-decidualization and mucoid (mucinous) alterations, forming small puddles of mucin, also presenting with polypoid indentations, ectatic vessels, lymphoid cell foci, including plasma cells and deposits of calcium salts. Conclusion: As the use of this type of contraceptive method becomes more usual, knowledge of LNG-IUS-induced changes becomes increasingly relevant for the assessment of its long-term efficacy and safety.
Professional Ethics in Three Professions during the Holocaust
Authors: Polgar Michael F.
Published: January 2020

Modern scholars and bioethicists continue to learn from the Holocaust. Scholarship and history show that the authoritarian Nazi state limited and steered the development and power of professions and professional ethics during the Holocaust. Eliminationist anti-Semitism drove German professions and many professionals to join in policies and programs of mass deportation and ultimately genocidal mass murder, while also excluding many professionals (including most Jewish professionals) from paid work. For many physicians and other medical professionals, humane and truly ethical practices were limited by constrained professional autonomy and coercive state laws. Education and research in natural sciences were distorted by applications of racist eugenic policies and practices. In law schools and legal professions, professionals were rewarded as judgmental enforcers of state policies, often working with limited independent agency and in the public sphere. Mass harm and mass crimes were therefore perpetrated in accordance with Nazi laws and policies, incorporating professions and professionals into destructive practices, along with other occupational groups.
Lebensunwertes Leben: Roots and Memory of Aktion T4
Authors: Silvestri Erika
Published: January 2020

What the Nazis called Aktion T4 was a euthanasia program, officially started on August 18th, 1939. The registration operations for individuals with physical or mental handicaps were followed by forced sterilization and transfer to clinics organized to kill. In this article, I try to explain the mechanisms that allowed the memory of Aktion T4 to be preserved and passed from one generation to the next; memories of the “merciful death” of approximately 70,000 “lives unworthy of life,” that find themselves embedded in family records and family history. In the first section, I summarize the discussion that resulted from the theories of Charles Darwin and Francis Galton. Even if those theories do not in any way allude to the consequences that we have witnessed decades after their publication, they started a debate about the value of life and the legitimacy of human intervention in the selection of hereditary character traits, as well as the concept of race and the different methods and forms of theories and eugenics that were later adopted in Europe and in the United States. In the case of Germany, translated into Rassenhygiene, those concepts flowed into the Nazi project of purification of the German people. Through interviews with families who had a relative interned in one of the program's clinics spread across the Reich territory between 1939 and 1945, I investigate the evolution and passage of memories stored within the family sphere, paying attention to the generational steps and processes of trauma. These stories are born from a complicated process of reconstructing these memories via interviews. Their recollections were full of painful silences and negations, similar to the thought process which led the victims to live in a condition that they could not understand, and separated them from the world before they were each made to face a solitary death, far from any contact with their families. The trauma that I analyze concerns actions that had been carried out by previous generations; in the majority of cases, younger generations were not aware of the destiny of their murdered relatives and therefore tried to rebuild the stories of people who they never had the opportunity to meet. I examine the problematic relationship of those being interviewed with the end-of-life issue and also the sense of guilt which is generated by the awareness of crimes that were committed. Aktion T4 was not a crime committed outside the national borders, nor a crime that extended beyond the private sphere to the “others.” Instead, it existed within the most central and intimate place of Nazi culture: the family.
Pre-energize Analysis on 3 Phase Transformer by Considering Each Phase Flux
Authors: Septiawan Hadwim
Published: January 2020

Inrush current is a transient phenomenon that occurs when a transformer is first energized to a voltage source at no-load conditions. It causes a very high inrush current. Inrush currents can adversely affect the electric power system and can cause improper work of a relay protection errors. The purpose of this study is to determine the amount of inrush current and minimize the amount of inrush current by using the pre-fluxing method.In this study, a test was carried out using a 3-kVA core type 3 phase transformer. This test is done by giving DC flux before the transformer is connected to the voltage source, then the three transformer phases are energized simultaneously at a certain voltage angle so that the inrush current may could be minimized. The test results show that the transformer that is given a DC flux always has a relatively small inrush current. In this test the inrush current is reduced to a minimum value at an ignition angle of 90 degrees with an inrush current value of 0.74 A in phase R, 3.41 A in phase S, and 3.80 A in phase T.
Compansation of Electrical Voltage in Distribution System by Dynamic Voltage Restorer
Authors: Aung Soe Soe Ei , Thit May Phone
Published: January 2020

Electrical ac power systems consist of generation systems, transmission and distribution networks. The large three phase industrial loads at various distribution and transmission voltages as well as single-phase residential and commercial loads are supplied by the networks. Nowadays, the power quality such as voltage sags/swell, transient interrupts and harmonic distortions in sinusoidal waveforms are concerned with most of the electrical loads. The power quality problems such as voltage sags, swells and harmonics are caused by the widespread using of power electronics devices in power system. In this paper, electrical voltage sags/swells of power quality problems are considered because this problem is one of the most severe disturbances to the industrial equipment of distribution system. Thus, mitigation of these voltages in distribution system is necessary. So, series connected power electronics based device such as Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is chosen to compensate these voltage for mitigating quickly the voltage sag/swell in the system and restoring the load voltage to the nominal value. For case study, Myaungtagar industrial zone is chosen due to furnaces and large motor drives that cause the common problems such as voltage sag/swell in this system. In this paper, performance analysis of voltage sag/swell compensation of power distribution system with Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) under various fault conditions is carried out. The proposed configuration model uses MATLAB/SIMULINK and the performance of voltage compensation and restoration of load voltage to the nominal value with DVR under various fault conditions is verified by the simulation results.
Surgical performance when inserting non-locking screws: a systematic review
Authors: Fletcher James W.A. , Wenzel Lisa , Neumann Verena , Richards R. Geoff , Gueorguiev Boyko , Gill Harinderjit S. , Preatoni Ezio , Whitehouse Michael R.
Published: January 2020

Billions of screws are inserted by surgeons each year, making them the most commonly inserted implant. When using non-locking screws, insertion technique is decided by the surgeon, including how much to tighten each screw. The aims of this study were to assess, through a systematic review, the screw tightness and rate of material stripping produced by surgeons and the effect of different variables related to screw insertion. Twelve studies were included, with 260 surgeons inserting a total of 2793 screws; an average of 11 screws each, although only 1510 screws have been inserted by 145 surgeons where tightness was measured – average tightness was 78±10% for cortical (n = 1079) and 80±6% for cancellous screw insertions (n = 431). An average of 26% of all inserted screws irreparably damaged and stripped screw holes, reducing the construct pullout strength. Furthermore, awareness of bone stripping is very poor, meaning that screws must be considerably overtightened before a surgeon will typically detect it. Variation between individual surgeons’ ability to optimally insert screws was seen, with some surgeons stripping more than 90% of samples and others hardly any. Contradictory findings were seen for the relationship between the tightness achieved and bone density. The optimum tightness for screws remains unknown, thus subjectively chosen screw tightness, which varies greatly, remains without an established target to generate the best possible construct for any given situation. Work is needed to establish these targets, and to develop methods to accurately and repeatably achieve them.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:26-36. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.180066
CALLIDIOPINI BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE) IN THE COLLECTION OF MUSEUM ZOOLOGICUM BOGORIENSE, INDONESIA
Authors: Yokoi Yaheita , Makihara Hiroshi , Noerdjito Woro A.
Published: January 2020

Callidiopini species in the collection of Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) were examined. Three new species of the genus Ceresium Newman, 1842, are described, i.e. C. clytinioides sp. nov., C. sugiartoi sp. nov., both from Kalimantan, and C. emarginatum sp. nov. from Papua. One new species of the genus Examnes Pascoe, 1869, from Kalimantan, E. subvermiculatus sp. nov. is described.
Intenção Empreendedora, Comportamento Empreendedor Inicial e Teoria So-ciocognitiva do Desenvolvimento de Carreira
Authors: Vasconcelos Vanessa Nunes de Souza Alencar , Silveira Amélia , Pedron Cristiane Drebes , Andrade Diego César Terra de
Published: January 2020

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar, a partir da Teoria Sociocognitiva do Desenvolvimento de Carreira, como os fatores que explicam a intenção empreendedora de estudantes universitários de uma IES brasileira podem influenciar o desenvolvimento do comportamento empreendedor inicial, considerando a variável recessão econômica. Método: Esta pesquisa é caracterizada como descritiva e foram adotados procedimentos estatísticos de Análise Fatorial Confirmatória e de Modelagem de Equações Estruturais para validação do modelo conceitual proposto. Foram analisados 498 questionários, respondidos por estudantes universitários de uma instituição de Ensino Superior de uma capital do Nordeste brasileiro. Resultados: Dentre os principais resultados verifica-se a inferência de que estudantes universitários desenvolvem o comportamento empreendedor individual à medida em que a intenção empreendedora aumenta. Ademais, destaca-se que a variável contexto econômico recessão tem impacto direto e positivo no interesse empreendedor, na intenção empreendedora e no comportamento empreendedor inicial dos estudantes universitários. Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: Dentre as contribuições teóricas salienta-se a comprovação de que a Teoria Sociocognitiva do Desenvolvimento de Carreira é apropriada e aderente aos estudos de intenção empreendedora. Já a confirmação do modelo teórico adotado torna ainda mais relevante os achados do trabalho, uma vez que esse gap foi identificado em estudos anteriores.
Educação Empreendedora: o que dizem os artigos mais relevantes? Proposição de uma revisão de literatura e panorama de pesquisa.
Authors: Ribeiro Artur Tavares Vilas Boas , Plonski Guilherme Ary
Published: January 2020

Objetivo do estudo: o presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar o panorama da literatura acadêmica em ensino de empreendedorismo, identificando tópicos de concentração e tendências para estudos futuros. Metodologia: este trabalho adotou como método a Revisão Sistemática de Literatura, implementando um algoritmo de ranqueamento para organização de relevância de uma amostra de 934 trabalhos sobre ensino de empreendedorismo. Principais resultados: com o algoritmo, foram identificados 54 artigos correspondentes a 50% do volume total de citações médias acumuladas em toda a amostra, o que permitiu uma análise de conteúdo e organização de tópicos e tendências. Foram identificados 9 grupos principais, com grande concentração de trabalhos no tópico “intenção empreendedora”. Três horizontes de pesquisa ainda a serem explorados emergiram da análise: a) ensino de empreendedorismo e novas abordagens em sala de aula; b) a ótica de ecossistemas de empreendedorismo no ensino e estudantes como atores no processo de formação; c) temas emergentes, como cultura, gênero e negócios sociais. Contribuições teóricas/metodológicas: o trabalho contribui em apresentar um método diferenciado para definição de relevância de artigos em estudos bibliométricos, método este não encontrado nas revisões anteriores sobre ensino de empreendedorismo. Além disso, dos resultados emergiram provocações para estudos robustos, tais como estudos qualitativos que permitam a identificação de variáveis moderadoras relevantes para o tema. Relevância/originalidade: além do diferencial metodológico, esta pesquisa mostra-se original pela organização dos diversos trabalhos em ensino de empreendedorismo, podendo ser um material de consulta sobre referências fundamentais para diferentes pesquisadores no tema em começo de jornada.