bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potentilla reptans L. postconditioning protects reperfusion injury via the RISK/SAFE pathways in an isolated rat heart
Authors: Enayati Ayesheh , Salehi Aref , Alilou Mostafa , Stuppner Hermann , Polshekan Mirali , Rajaei Maryam , Pourabouk Mona , Jabbari Ali , Mazaheri Zohreh , Yassa Narguess , Moheimani Hamid Reza , Khori Vahid
Published: November 2021

Background

Our previous study indicated that Potentilla reptans root has a preconditioning effect by its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects in an isolated rat heart ischemia/reperfusion (IR) model. In the present study, we investigated the post-conditioning cardio-protective effects of Potentilla reptans and its active substances.

Methods

The ethyl acetate fraction of P. reptans root (Et) was subjected to an IR model under 30 min of ischemia and 100 min of reperfusion. To investigate the postconditioning effect, Et was perfused for 15 min at the early phase of reperfusion. RISK/SAFE pathway inhibitors, 5HD and L-NAME, were applied individually 10 min before the ischemia, either alone or in combination with Et during the early reperfusion phase. The hemodynamic factors and ventricular arrhythmia were calculated during the reperfusion. Oxidative stress, apoptosis markers, GSK-3β and SGK1 proteins were assessed at the end of experiments.

Results

Et postconditioning (Etpost) significantly reduced the infarct size, arrhythmia score, ventricular fibrillation incidence, and enhanced the hemodynamic parameters by decreasing the MDA level and increasing expression of Nrf2, SOD and CAT activities. Meanwhile, Etpost increased the BCl-2/BAX ratio and decreased Caspase-3 expression. The cardioprotective effect of Etpost was abrogated by L-NAME, Wortmannin (a PI3K/Akt inhibitor), and AG490 (a JAK/STAT3 inhibitor). Finally, Etpost reduced the expression of GSK-3β and SGK1 proteins pertaining to the IR group.

Conclusion

P. reptans reveals the post-conditioning effects via the Nrf2 pathway, NO release, and the RISK/SAFE pathway. Also, Etpost decreased apoptotic indexes by inhibiting GSK-3β and SGK1 expressions. Hence, our data suggest that Etpost can be a suitable natural candidate to protect cardiomyocytes during reperfusion injury.
The impact of “4 + 7” volume-based drug procurement on the volume, expenditures, and daily costs of antihypertensive drugs in Shenzhen, China: an interrupted time series analysis
Authors: Yang Ying , Tong Ruiwen , Yin Shicheng , Mao Lining , Xu Luxinyi , Hao Siyu , Mao Zongfu
Published: November 2021

Background

In 2019, Chinese government launched a nationwide volume-based drug procurement aiming at reducing drug prices and saving drug costs through economies of scale, which aroused widespread attention. The first round of the policy pilot was implemented in 4 municipalities and 7 sub-provincial cities, referred to as “4 + 7” policy. In the “4 + 7” policy, 7 antihypertensive drugs were included. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of “4 + 7” policy on the use of policy-related antihypertensive drugs.

Method

This study applied single-group Interrupted Time Series (ITS) design. We used drug purchasing data from the Centralized Drug Procurement Survey in Shenzhen 2019, covering 24 months from January 2018 to December 2019. Antihypertensive drugs related to “4 + 7” policy were selected as study samples, including 7 drugs in the “4 + 7” List and 17 alternative drugs. Alternative drugs refer to antihypertensive drugs that have an alternative relationship with “4 + 7” List drugs in clinical use and have not yet been covered by the policy. “4 + 7” List drugs were then divided into bid-winning and bid-non-winning products according to the bidding results. Purchase volume, expenditures, and daily costs were selected as outcome variables, and were measured using Defined Daily Doses (DDDs), Chinese Yuan (CNY), and Defined Daily Drug cost (DDDc).

Results

After “4 + 7” policy intervention, the procurement volume of bid-winning antihypertensive drugs significantly increased (3.12 million DDD, 95 % CI = 2.14 to 4.10, p < 0.001), while the volume of non-winning drugs decreased (-2.33 million DDD, 95 % CI= -2.83 to -1.82, p < 0.01). The use proportion of bid-winning antihypertensive drugs increased from 12.31 to 87.74 % after policy intervention. The overall costs of the seven “4 + 7” List antihypertensive drugs significantly declined (-5.96 million CNY, 95 % CI= -7.87 to -4.04, p < 0.001) after policy intervention, with an absolute reduction of 36.37 million CNY compared with the pre-“4 + 7” period. The DDDc of bid-winning antihypertensive drugs significantly decreased (-1.30 CNY, 95 % CI= -1.43 to -1.18, p < 0.001), while the DDDc of non-winning (0.28 CNY, 95 % CI = 0.11 to 0.46, p < 0.01) and alternative (0.14 CNY, 95 % CI = 0.03 to 0.25, p < 0.05) antihypertensive drugs increased markedly.

Conclusions

The implementation of “4 + 7” policy promoted the drug use hypertensive patients gradually concentrated on the quality-guaranteed bid-winning drugs, which might be conducive to improve the overall quality level of drug use of Chinese hypertensive patients. Besides, a preliminary positive policy effect of price cut and cost-saving was observed in the antihypertensive drug category. In the future, price monitoring and drug use management regarding policy-related drugs should also be strengthened.
Population analysis of retrotransposons in giraffe genomes supports RTE decline and widespread LINE1 activity in Giraffidae
Authors: Petersen Malte , Winter Sven , Coimbra Raphael , J. de Jong Menno , Kapitonov Vladimir V. , Nilsson Maria A.
Published: November 2021

Background

The majority of structural variation in genomes is caused by insertions of transposable elements (TEs). In mammalian genomes, the main TE fraction is made up of autonomous and non-autonomous non-LTR retrotransposons commonly known as LINEs and SINEs (Long and Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements). Here we present one of the first population-level analysis of TE insertions in a non-model organism, the giraffe. Giraffes are ruminant artiodactyls, one of the few mammalian groups with genomes that are colonized by putatively active LINEs of two different clades of non-LTR retrotransposons, namely the LINE1 and RTE/BovB LINEs as well as their associated SINEs. We analyzed TE insertions of both types, and their associated SINEs in three giraffe genome assemblies, as well as across a population level sampling of 48 individuals covering all extant giraffe species.

Results

The comparative genome screen identified 139,525 recent LINE1 and RTE insertions in the sampled giraffe population. The analysis revealed a drastically reduced RTE activity in giraffes, whereas LINE1 is still actively propagating in the genomes of extant (sub)-species. In concert with the extremely low activity of the giraffe RTE, we also found that RTE-dependent SINEs, namely Bov-tA and Bov-A2, have been virtually immobile in the last 2 million years. Despite the high current activity of the giraffe LINE1, we did not find evidence for the presence of currently active LINE1-dependent SINEs. TE insertion heterozygosity rates differ among the different (sub)-species, likely due to divergent population histories.

Conclusions

The horizontally transferred RTE/BovB and its derived SINEs appear to be close to inactivation and subsequent extinction in the genomes of extant giraffe species. This is the first time that the decline of a TE family has been meticulously analyzed from a population genetics perspective. Our study shows how detailed information about past and present TE activity can be obtained by analyzing large-scale population-level genomic data sets.
Discussing human values in digital immortality: towards a value-oriented perspective
Authors: Galvão Vinícius Ferreira , Maciel Cristiano , Pereira Roberto , Gasparini Isabela , Viterbo José , Bicharra Garcia Ana Cristina
Published: November 2021

Intense social media interaction, wearable devices, mobile applications, and pervasive use of sensors have created a personal information ecosystem for gathering traces of individual behavior. These traces are the digital legacy individuals build all through their lives. Advances in artificial intelligence have fed our dream to build artificial agents trained with these digital traces to behave similarly to a deceased person, and individuals are facing the possibility of immortalizing their ideas, reasoning and behavior. Are people prepared for that? Are people willing to do that? How do people perceive the possibility of letting digital avatars take care of their digital legacy? This paper sheds light on these questions by discussing users’ perceptions towards digital immortality in a focus group analysis with 8 participants. Our findings suggest some key human values must be addressed. These findings can serve as preliminary thoughts to inform system design, from the very early stage of development, that preserve the digital legacy while respecting the human needs and values concerning the delicate emotional moment that death provides. This qualitative research analyzes the data, and based on the insights learned, proposes important considerations for future developments in this area.
Remarkably coherent population structure for a dominant Antarctic Chlorobium species
Authors: Panwar Pratibha , Allen Michelle A. , Williams Timothy J. , Haque Sabrina , Brazendale Sarah , Hancock Alyce M. , Paez-Espino David , Cavicchioli Ricardo
Published: November 2021

Background

In Antarctica, summer sunlight enables phototrophic microorganisms to drive primary production, thereby “feeding” ecosystems to enable their persistence through the long, dark winter months. In Ace Lake, a stratified marine-derived system in the Vestfold Hills of East Antarctica, aChlorobiumspecies of green sulphur bacteria (GSB) is the dominant phototroph, although its seasonal abundance changes more than 100-fold. Here, we analysed 413 Gb of Antarctic metagenome data including 59Chlorobiummetagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from Ace Lake and nearby stratified marine basins to determine how genome variation and population structure across a 7-year period impacted ecosystem function.

Results

A single species,CandidatusChlorobium antarcticum (most similar toChlorobium phaeovibrioidesDSM265) prevails in all three aquatic systems and harbours very little genomic variation (≥ 99% average nucleotide identity). A notable feature of variation that did exist related to the genomic capacity to biosynthesize cobalamin. The abundance of phylotypes with this capacity changed seasonally ~ 2-fold, consistent with the population balancing the value of a bolstered photosynthetic capacity in summer against an energetic cost in winter. The very high GSB concentration (> 108cells ml−1in Ace Lake) and seasonal cycle of cell lysis likely makeCa.Chlorobium antarcticum a major provider of cobalamin to the food web. Analysis ofCa.Chlorobium antarcticum viruses revealed the species to be infected by generalist (rather than specialist) viruses with a broad host range (e.g., infecting Gammaproteobacteria) that were present in diverse Antarctic lakes. The marked seasonal decrease inCa.Chlorobium antarcticum abundance may restrict specialist viruses from establishing effective lifecycles, whereas generalist viruses may augment their proliferation using other hosts.

Conclusion

The factors shaping Antarctic microbial communities are gradually being defined. In addition to the cold, the annual variation in sunlight hours dictates which phototrophic species can grow and the extent to which they contribute to ecosystem processes. TheChlorobiumpopulation studied was inferred to provide cobalamin, in addition to carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulphur cycling, as critical ecosystem services. The specific Antarctic environmental factors and major ecosystem benefits afforded by this GSB likely explain why such a coherent population structure has developed in thisChlorobiumspecies.
Behaviour, temperature and terrain slope impact estimates of energy expenditure using oxygen and dynamic body acceleration
Authors: Dickinson Eleanor R. , Stephens Philip A. , Marks Nikki J. , Wilson Rory P. , Scantlebury David M.
Published: November 2021

The energy used by animals is influenced by intrinsic (e.g. physiological) and extrinsic (e.g. environmental) factors. Accelerometers within biologging devices have proven useful for assessing energy expenditures and their behavioural context in free-ranging animals. However, certain assumptions are frequently made when acceleration is used as a proxy for energy expenditure, with factors, such as environmental variation (e.g. ambient temperature or slope of terrain), seldom accounted for. To determine the possible interactions between behaviour, energy expenditure and the environment (ambient temperature and terrain slope), the rate of oxygen consumption ($${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2}$$V˙O2) was measured in pygmy goats (Capra hircus aegarus) using open-flow indirect calorimetry. The effect of temperature (9.7–31.5 °C) on resting energy expenditure was measured. The relationship between$${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2}$$V˙O2and dynamic body acceleration (DBA) was measured at different walking speeds (0.8–3.0 km h−1) and on different inclines (0, + 15°, − 15°). The daily behaviour of individuals was measured in two enclosures: enclosure A (level terrain during summer) and enclosure B (sloped terrain during winter) andper diemenergy expenditures of behaviours estimated using behaviour, DBA, temperature, terrain slope and$${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2}$$V˙O2. During rest, energy expenditure increased below 22 °C and above 30.5 °C.$${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2}$$V˙O2(ml min−1) increased with DBA when walking on the level. Walking uphill (+ 15°) increased energetic costs three-fold, whereas walking downhill (− 15°) increased energetic costs by one third. Based on these results, although activity levels were higher in animals in enclosure A during summer, energy expenditure was found to be significantly higher in the sloped enclosure B in winter (means of enclosures A and B: 485.3 ± 103.6 kJ day−1and 744.5 ± 132.4 kJ day−1). We show that it is essential to account for extrinsic factors when calculating animal energy budgets. Our estimates of the impacts of extrinsic factors should be applicable to other free ranging ungulates.
CMOS voltage-controlled oscillator with high-performance MEMS tunable inductor
Authors: Chae Uikyu , Park Jeongsoo , Kim Jeong-Geun , Yu Hyun-Yong , Cho Il-Joo
Published: November 2021

LC CMOS voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) with tunable inductors are essential for high-performance, multi-band communication systems, such as IoT applications and 5G communication. However, VCOs that use CMOS tunable inductors have difficulty in achieving high RF performance due to the low Q-factor of the inductor. In addition, previously reported CMOS VCOs integrated with MEMS inductors have used CMOS switches for tuning frequency bands, but they also had large signal losses on the switch. Herein, we propose a CMOS VCO that is integrated with a MEMS tunable inductor that tunes the frequency band with three MEMS switches. The proposed MEMS tunable inductor enables us to achieve high RF performance due to the suspended structure, and RF MEMS switches enable lower signal loss than CMOS switches. In this work, we successfully fabricated the proposed CMOS VCO integrated with a MEMS tunable inductor using the flip-chip bonding process, and we measured oscillation frequencies according to the actuation of the three switches. The oscillation powers were measured as − 3.03 dBm @ 1.39 GHz, − 5.80 @ 1.98 GHz, − 7.44 dBm @ 2.81 GHz, and − 8.77 dBm @ 3.68 GHz.
Role of the eastern boundary-generated waves on the termination of 1997 Indian Ocean Dipole event
Authors: Iskandar Iskhaq , Nagura Motoki , McPhaden Michael J.
Published: November 2021

The termination of Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events is examined in terms of equatorial wave dynamics. In situ and satellite observations combined with an output from a linear wave model are used in this study. Our emphasis is on the 1997 IOD event but our results apply to other positive IOD events as well. We find that the termination of anomalously cold sea surface temperature (SST) in the eastern pole of the dipole is associated with a warming tendency caused by the net surface heat fluxes. However, net surface heat fluxes alone cannot explain the total change in the SST. We show that during the peak phase of an IOD event, the weakening of zonal heat advection caused by eastern boundary-generated Rossby waves combined with the reduction of vertical entrainment and diffusion creates favorable conditions for surface heat fluxes to warm the SST in the eastern basin.
Software-defined radio-based HF doppler receiving system
Authors: Nakata Hiroyuki , Nozaki Kenro , Oki Yuhei , Hosokawa Keisuke , Hashimoto Kumiko K. , Kikuchi Takashi , Sakai Jun , Tomizawa Ichiro , Saita Satoko
Published: November 2021

High-frequency Doppler (HFD) sounding is one of the major remote sensing techniques used for monitoring the ionosphere. Conventional systems for HFDs mainly utilize analog circuits. However, existing analog systems have become difficult to maintain as the number of people capable of working with analog circuits has declined. To solve this problem, we developed an alternate HFD receiver system based on digital signal processing. The software-defined radio (SDR) technique enables the receiver to be set up without the knowledge of analog circuit devices. This approach also downsizes the system and reduces costs. A highly stabilized radio system for both the transmitter and receiver is necessary for stable long-term observations of various phenomena in the ionosphere. The global positioning system disciplined oscillator with an accuracy of $${10}^{-11}$$

10

-
11

compensates for the frequency stability required by the new receiving system. In the new system, four frequencies are received and signal-processed simultaneously. The dynamic range of the new system is wider (> 130 dB) than that of the conventional system used in HFD observations conducted by the University of Electro-Communications in Japan. The signal-to-noise ratio significantly improved by 20 dB. The new digital system enables radio waves to be received with much smaller amplitudes at four different frequencies. The new digital receivers have been installed at some of the stations in the HFD observation network in Japan and have already captured various ionospheric phenomena, including medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances and sudden commencement induced electric field fluctuations, which indicates the feasibility of SDR for actual ionospheric observations. The new digital receiver is simple, inexpensive, and small in size, which makes it easy to deploy new receiving stations in Japan and elsewhere. These advantages of the new system will help drive the construction of a wide HFD observation network.

Graphical Abstract
Plantain based dough meal: nutritional property, antioxidant activity and dyslipidemia ameliorating potential in high-fat induced rats
Authors: Oluwajuyitan Timilehin David , Ijarotimi Oluwole Steve , Fagbemi Tayo Nathaniel
Published: November 2021

Abstracts

Background

Dyslipidemia is an aberrant rise in blood lipids due to diet and lifestyle. It has implicated as the major risk factor for developing hypertension among other diseases. This study was designed to evaluate plantain based dough meal nutritional property, antioxidant activity and dyslipidemia ameliorating potential in high-fat induced rats.

Methods

The flour blends, i.e., PSC (Plantain 70%, Soycake 30%), PSR (Plantain 65%, Soycake 30%, Rice-bran 5%), PSO (Plantain 65%, Soycake 30%, Oat-bran 5%), PSRO (Plantain 60%, Soycake 30%, Rice-bran 5%, Oat-bran 5%) and controls (100% Plantain flour & Cerolina) were evaluated for chemical, antioxidants and antihyperlipidemia.

Results

Protein, fiber and energy composition varied from 2.2–4.97 g/100 g, 16.44–19.59 g/100 g and 369.7–385.5 kcal/100 g, respectively. Essential amino acid index and predicted-biological values of the foods ranged from 68.31–76.31% and 62.19–71.48%, respectively. Phenolic profiles (mg/g) were gallic acid (25.33–31.26), caffeic acid (2.75–4.61), ferulic acid (5.16–12.73), luteolin (16.31–23.60), kaempferol (21.51–30.64), quercetin (24.28–37.13), chlorogenic acid (42.25–59.78), myricetin (28.41–38.41), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (27.17–41.59) and 4, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (39.96–51.28). The antioxidant activity of PSRO on ABTS, DPPH, FRAP, Fe2+ chelation and OH free radicals was higher than other foods. Atherogenic index, coronary risk index and log (TG/HDL-conc.) of rats fed on experimental foods were lower than recommended values.

Conclusion

The study established that PSRO had higher antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemia properties; hence, it may be suitable as a functional food.
Non-functional urinary bladder paraganglioma with negative Ga-DOTA-NOC PET/CT uptake
Authors: Kalliath Linda , Karthikeyan D. , Ramakrishna Banumathi , Kripesh Gokul , Chandran Nivedita
Published: November 2021

Background

Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder is a very rare benign tumor that constitutes less than 0.5% of all bladder tumors. It can be functional and non-functional. Functional tumors present with symptoms of catecholamine excess, and non-functional tumors usually remain asymptomatic.

Case presentation

Here, we present a case of non-functional urinary bladder paraganglioma in a 36-year-old female who presented to us with a history of intermittent hematuria. The routine hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal limits. Diagnostic computed tomography (CT) revealed a hypervascular lesion in the urinary bladder dome with no significant uptake in gallium-68-labelled-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid peptides-NaI3-octreotide positron emission tomography (DOTA-NOC PET/CT). Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of paraganglioma.

Conclusion

We present this case because of the rare location of paraganglioma in the urinary bladder and being non-functional with low/absent somatostatin receptor expression.
Closing the circle: a key collaborative opportunity for general practice and psychiatry
Authors: Tylee André , Cohen Alan , Thurston Lydia
Published: November 2021

Two of the authors were general practitioners (GPs) in the 1980s, when there was much interest in consultation, stimulated by the psychoanalyst Michael Balint. Around one in five psychiatrists worked in consultation liaison in general practice at that time, but in the 1990s this was stopped to increase the focus on psychosis. However, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Royal College of General Practitioners have a strong history of collaboration, and many psychiatrists, nurses and GPs trained together in the national Trailblazers programme, focusing on service delivery in all areas of mental health. Recent proposals for mental health community collaborative networks from the NHS provide an opportunity for psychiatrists to work with GPs and a range of other professionals once more, for complex non-psychotic illness that cannot be helped by Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services. The circle is closing for GPs like us, who were working in the 1980s.
Unravelling the large-scale circulation modes in turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection
(a)
Authors: Horn Susanne , Schmid Peter J. , Aurnou Jonathan M.
Published: November 2021

The large-scale circulation (LSC) is the most fundamental turbulent coherent flow structure in Rayleigh-Bénard convection. Further, LSCs provide the foundation upon which superstructures, the largest observable features in convective systems, are formed. In confined cylindrical geometries with diameter-to-height aspect ratios of

, LSC dynamics are known to be governed by a quasi-two-dimensional, coupled horizontal sloshing and torsional (ST) oscillatory mode. In contrast, in

cylinders, a three-dimensional jump rope vortex (JRV) motion dominates the LSC dynamics. Here, we use dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) on direct numerical simulation data of liquid metal to show that both types of modes co-exist in

and

cylinders but with opposite dynamical importance. Furthermore, with this analysis, we demonstrate that ST oscillations originate from a tilted elliptical mean flow superposed with a symmetric higher-order mode, which is connected to the four rolls in the plane perpendicular to the LSC in

tanks.
Association between breast cancer’s prognostic factors and 3D textural features of non-contrast-enhanced T
1 weighted breast MRI
Authors: Lepola Anni , Arponen Otso , Okuma Hidemi , Holli-Helenius Kirsi , Junkkari Heikki , Könönen Mervi , Auvinen Päivi , Sudah Mazen , Sutela Anna , Vanninen Ritva
Published: November 2021

Objectives:

The aim of this exploratory study was to evaluate whether three-dimensional texture analysis (3D-TA) features of non-contrast-enhanced T  1 weighted MRI associate with traditional prognostic factors and disease-free survival (DFS) of breast cancer.

Methods:

3D-T  1 weighted images from 78 patients with 81 malignant histopathologically verified breast lesions were retrospectively analysed using standard-size volumes of interest. Grey-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM)-based features were selected for statistical analysis. In statistics the Mann–Whitney U and the Kruskal–Wallis tests, the Cox proportional hazards model and the Kaplan–Meier method were used.

Results:

Tumours with higher histological grade were significantly associated with higher contrast (1 voxel: p = 0.033, 2 voxels: p = 0.036). All the entropy parameters showed significant correlation with tumour grade (p = 0.015–0.050) but there were no statistically significant associations between other TA parameters and tumour grade. The Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI) was correlated with contrast and sum entropy parameters. A higher sum variance TA parameter was a significant predictor of shorter DFS.

Conclusion:

Texture parameters, assessed by 3D-TA from non-enhanced T  1 weighted images, indicate tumour heterogeneity but have limited independent prognostic value. However, they are associated with tumour grade, NPI, and DFS. These parameters could be used as an adjunct to contrast-enhanced TA parameters.

Advances in knowledge:

3D-TA of non-contrast enhanced T  1 weighted breast MRI associates with tumour grade, NPI, and DFS. The use of non-contrast 3D-TA parameters in adjunct with contrast-enhanced 3D-TA parameters warrants further research.
Is perfect the enemy of good? Weighing the evidence for biparametric MRI in prostate cancer
Authors: Cole Alexander P. , Langbein Bjoern J. , Giganti Francesco , Fennessy Fiona M. , Tempany Clare M. , Emberton Mark
Published: November 2021

The role of multiparametric MRI in diagnosis, staging and treatment planning for prostate cancer is well established. However, there remain several challenges to widespread adoption. One such challenge is the duration and cost of the examination. Abbreviated exams omitting contrast-enhanced sequences may help address this challenge. In this review, we will discuss the rationale for biparametric MRI for detection and characterization of clinically significant prostate cancer prior to biopsy and synthesize the published literature. We will weigh up the advantages and disadvantages to this approach and lay out a conceptual cost/benefit analysis regarding adoption of biparametric MRI.
Child gigantomastia revealing juvenile giant fibroadenomas
Authors: Belkouchi Lina , El Haddad Siham , Mrani Alaoui Nidal , Allali Nazik , Chat Latifa
Published: November 2021

Breast masses in children and adolescents are uncommon. They can be caused by tumors such as fibroadenomas and phyllode tumors. These masses can cause gigantomastia, due to their rapidly increasing size. We report the case of a 12- year-old patient admitted in our department for a rapidly growing gigantomastia evolving in a matter of 8 months. Imaging features were in favor of juvenile giant fibroadenomas and diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. Juvenile giant fibroadenomas are rare and represent 0.5–2% of all fibroadenomas, their exact etiology is unknown. They affect children and adolescents, with a predominance in African-American females. They may cause breast enlargement and asymmetry. The rapid growth causes anxiety and is the main cause of consultation. These tumors although benign, have to be treated rapidly because they can destruct up to 80% of the surrounding normal breast tissue, and conservatory treatment cannot be done.
A systematic review of ePCR systems on reducing the response time of prehospital medical care
Authors: JASBI ALI , Muthaiyah Saravanan , Kyaw Zaw Thein Oak
Published: November 2021

Background

Poor communication at the time of patient handover is recognized as a root cause of a considerable proportion of preventable deaths. Despite several advantages, the Patient Care Report (PCR) implementation may include insufficient details for demonstrating the functional status of the patients during the actual response which can further prolong the response time. Healthcare entities have been emphasizing the need to implement e-PCR systems. This systematic review aimed to examine the impact of e-PCR systems on reducing response time of prehospital care.

Methods

Literature search was carried out using the relevant search terms and keywords with inclusion and exclusion criteria. N=6 researchers that focused on the impact of e-PCR systems on reducing response time of prehospital medical care were included within this review.

Results

The findings indicated that ePCR implementation led to prominent improvements in the quality of the care services provided by the healthcare organisation. Additionally, ePCR reduces the response rate by data standardization.

Conclusion

The implementation of e-PCR systems ensures the availability of records and automates reporting on given quality metrics. Moreover, the implementation of e-PCR systems also improved response time and increased the out of hospital rates of survival. However, fear of increasing the ambulance run time, compromise on the availability of ambulance, and challenges in integration with the existing information systems implemented within the hospitals, were some of the most common challenging situations associated with implementing e-PCR systems.
Hafty krakowskie do połowy wieku XV i ich twórcy
Authors: Moskal Katarzyna
Published: November 2021

KRAKOW EMBROIDERIES TO THE MIDDLE OF THE 15TH CENTURY, AND THEIR CREATORS The book constitutes a monographic study of embroideries created to the middle of 15th century in Krakow, the main artistic centre of Lesser Poland (Małopolska). The publication presents many new findings concerning Krakow embroiderers and their works. It was possible to determine that over a dozen embroiderers worked in Krakow from the 1390s to the middle of the 15th century. Five of them engaged in silk embroidery (Klemens, an embroiderer at the court of Władysław Jagiełło, and town embroiderers: Michał, Wojtek, Grzegorz and Johannes). At least four of them used the golden thread (probably Johannes, an embroiderer creating works for the king Władysław Jagiełło, town embroiderers Mikołaj and Jan Hassow, as well as Jakusz working for Jan Melsztyński), and women – Małgorzata and Biesiatka – used pearls. Specialisation of four embroiderers is not well known (of two artists with the name Piotr as well as Zygmunt and Hannus Burghardt). It is also not known whether embroiderers belonged in a guild before the middle of the 15th century. In the second half of this century – as sources indicate – they acted within the guild of goldsmiths. Only in 1627, they established their own association.
Vicent Andrés Estellés i Ovidi Montllor
Authors: Luberda Aleksandra
Published: November 2021

Niniejszy artykuł ma na celu przybliżyć polskiemu czytelnikowi postaci walenckiego poety Vicenta Andrésa Estellésa oraz pieśniarza Ovidiego Montllora. Obaj artyści wnieśli nową jakość do poezji katalońskiej i sztuki piosenki tworzonej w tym języku w XX wieku. Twórczość Estellésa i Montllora można z powodzeniem analizować z osobna i takie właśnie podejście dominuje w dyskursie historycznoliterackim. Autorka chce pokazać jednak, że w interpretacjach Montllora wiersze Estellésa i muzyka tworzą całość, którą można interpretować jako odrębne dzieło sztuki, niejako wyemancypowane z indywidualnej twórczości obu artystów. Skrótowo przedstawione biografie obu artystów służą umiejscowieniu ich dzieł w szerszym kontekście kulturowym i społecznym regionu Walencji w drugiej połowie XX wieku. Podobieństwa i różnice w życiorysach artystów okazują się interesującym punktem wyjścia do porównywania ich twórczości zarówno pod względem podejmowanej tematyki, jak i reakcji na otaczające twórców realia. Autorka podejmuje próbę opisania miejsca, które Estellés zajmuje w panoramie intelektualnej Walencji połowy ubiegłego wieku, obok takich postaci jak na przykład Joan Fuster. Wskazuje także najważniejsze wątki jego poezji: śmierć, miłość, opresja polityczna i społeczna. Poezja Estellésa była protestem przeciw kulturowej dyskryminacji społeczności walenckiej. Poeta nie godził się na usunięcie z dyskursu publicznego kultury i języka swojego regionu. Duch oporu przeciw reżimowi politycznemu sprawił, że najważniejszych pieśniarzy, którzy wykonywali wiersze poety, był Ovidi Montllor. Jako przedstawiciel katalońskiego ruchu muzycznego Nova Cançó współpracował on blisko z walenckim poetą. Jego niezrównane aktorsko i muzycznie interpretacje wierszy Estellésa sprawiły, że dorobek poety trafił do szerokiej publiczności i stał się synonimem walenckiej tożsamości. Owocem współpracy poety i muzyka są utwory gorzkie, ironiczne, a czasem też liryczne, które trwale zapisały się w kulturze Walencji, a także w świadomości mieszkańców regionu. Dzieła te pozostają inspiracją dla młodych twórców realizujących się w różnych dziedzinach sztuki.
Ruch niepodległościowy w Katalonii i jego znaczenie dla Katalończyków w drugiej dekadzie XXI wieku
Authors: Molenda Przemysław
Published: November 2021

Independence Movement in Catalonia and Its Significance for Catalans in the Second Decade of the 21st Century
The paper focuses on the issues of the independence movement in Catalonia in the second decade of the 21st century. The aim of this study is to explore the evolution of Catalonia’s separatist aspirations in this period in terms of politics and especially society, and thus the position of Catalans towards this phenomenon. A significant element of the author’s considerations is the demonstration and analysis of the specificity and factors determining contemporary Catalan separatism, as well as concerning the context of perceiving Catalans as a nation. The independence process in the second decade of the 21st century, including treatment of events such as the judgment of the Spanish Constitutional Court in 2010, the independence referendum in 2017, or the trial and judgment of Catalan politicians in 2019, taken into account by the author, hold considerable importance for this work. The key part of the paper is to present the issues of the independence movement in the discussed period in terms of society; its emerging role in the Catalan society, and the impact of the activities and actions of Catalans themselves on the politics and development of the region’s separatist aspirations.
Notes on the behavior of opossum (Didelphis sp.) in the wild in Usumacinta Canyon, México
Authors: Luna-Jiménez Fabiola , Botello Francisco , Jiménez-Gómez Ángel , Lopez-Moreno Vicente , Romero-Gil Juan Carlos , Belmont-Buenrostro Francisco
Published: November 2021

Los tlacuaches son animales nocturnos, generalistas y oportunistas; no obstante, se conoce poco de su conducta en vida silvestre, ya que la mayoría de los estudios existentes son en cautiverio.  En esta nota se reporta la conducta de Didelphis sp. en vida silvestre utilizando fotos y videos de una cámara trampa, resaltando el uso de la cola para transportar material.  En el Cañón del Usumacinta, Estado de Tabasco, México, se colocó una cámara trampa el 8 de abril de 2020; se dejó funcionando y programada para tomar fotografías y videos.  Se revisó el 2 de mayo del mismo año, identificando y separando los archivos correspondientes a Didelphis sp.  Se identificó la conducta observada, considerando la hora y el sexo de cada individuo identificado.  Se obtuvieron 209 registros de fauna silvestre, de los cuales 55 correspondieron a Didelphis sp., todos capturados durante la noche.  Se identificaron 5 conductas principales dentro de las que destacan el tránsito con crías en el lomo y el transporte de material vegetal con la cola, probablemente hojas de garabato (Celtis iguanaea) para la construcción del nido.  La mayoría de las conductas observadas corresponden al forrajeo; sin embargo, se reporta, por primera vez para México, el comportamiento de transportar material vegetal con la cola, presumiblemente para construir su nido.  También, se reportan 3 picos de actividad durante la noche y se observa a una hembra con crías en el marsupio y posteriormente en su lomo.
Plusaetis sibynus (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae): a new record of flea on Didelphis virginiana, with a checklist of fleas for this host
Authors: Glebskiy Yury , Acosta-Gutiérrez Roxana , Cano-Santana Zenón
Published: November 2021

El tlacuache de Virginia (Didelphis virginiana) es hospedero para una variedad de pulgas que pueden ser importantes vectores para la transmisión de enfermedades, incluyendo zoonosis; por lo tanto, es importante generar conocimiento sobre las pulgas que parasitan a este animal.  En este trabajo, presentamos la lista de pulgas que parasitan a los tlacuaches, con la adición de una especie que no ha sido registrada previamente en D. virginiana, ni en otros marsupiales.  Colectamos pulgas de tlacuaches de Virginia en el área urbana de la Ciudad de México, México, y también realizamos una búsqueda bibliográfica para determinar las especies de pulgas reportadas previamente.  Encontramos registros de 26 especies de pulgas en los tlacuaches y añadimos a esta lista la especie de pulga Plusaetis sibynus.  Plusaetis sibynus es una pulga común en roedores (principalmente Peromyscus y Neotoma), por lo que representa un vector potencial para la transmisión de enfermedades de estos roedores a los tlacuaches, y posteriormente a las poblaciones humanas.  Se requieren más estudios para determinar el papel de esta pulga como vector de enfermedades zoonóticas.
Report of white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) rubbing itself with feces of tayra (Eira barbara) in Costa Rica
Authors: Fleming Frank , Weldon Paul J.
Published: November 2021

Se sabe que los coatis cautivos (Nasua sp.) frotan su pelaje con diversos materiales antropogénicos, como productos químicos manufacturados como jabones y plantas no nativas. Sin embargo, poco se sabe de su comportamiento de unción o de los materiales de unción que utilizan en la naturaleza.  Registramos las actividades de los mamíferos en libertad en un claro del bosque en Costa Rica utilizando una cámara automática ScoutGuard SG565F equipada con un flash blanco incandescente de largo alcance para grabar imágenes nocturnas.  Obtuvimos un registro de un macho de tayra (Eira barbara), un mustélido omnívoro, que defecó en un árbol caído en un claro del bosque.  Posteriormente, 4.3 días después, un coatí de nariz blanca (Nasua narica) macho adulto se acercó y tocó las heces de tayra con su hocico y sus patas delanteras.  Luego mordió un bolo fecal, lo llevó en su boca a la base de su cola y lo frotó en su cola usando rápidos movimientos alternos de sus patas delanteras.  Ésta es una documentación poco común del frotamiento del pelaje por un prociónido con materiales naturales y del uso de heces para la unción por parte de un mamífero.
Occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli in broiler farm workers and the farm environment in Chiang Mai-Lamphun, Thailand
Authors:   Department of Food Animal Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Rodroo Jutamart , Intanon Montira ,   Department of Veterinary Bioscience and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand Research Center of Producing and Development of Products and Innovations for Animal Health and Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Kreausukon Khwanchai ,   Department of Food Animal Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand, Kongkaew Aphisek ,   Research Administration Section, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand, Bender Jeff ,   School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, USA, Awaiwanont Nattakarn ,   Department of Food Animal Clinics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety Centre for Asia Pacific (VPHCAP), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Published: November 2021

Antimicrobial resistance has become a major global public health threat. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli appears as an emergence cause of treatment failure and increase mortality due to limited available effective antimicrobial agents. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of ESBL producing E. coli in broilers, farm workers and environment in broiler farms in Chiang Mai-Lamphun, Thailand. The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli in the broiler farms was 60.4% (29/48). The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli from boot swabs, farm worker’s rectal swabs, feed and water samples were 43.8%, 55.7%, 12.5% and 2.1%, respectively. All isolates showed susceptible to imipenem and, in contrast, resistant to ampicillin. The results demonstrated high antimicrobial resistant rate to streptomycin (94.3%), gentamicin (86.8%), tetracycline (77.4%), chloramphenicol (66.0%), nalidixic acid (58.5%), and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (56.6%). High percentage (96.2%) of isolates was classified as multidrug resistance (MDR). Thirty-five antimicrobial resistance profiles were identified with AMP-GEN-SXT-NAL-TET-CHL-STR, AMP-GEN-SXT-TET-CHL-STR (14.3%) as the 2 most prevalent profiles. The common resistance profiles between farm workers and broilers was demonstrated. These findings are suggestive for possible transmission between poultry and humans in broiler farms, most likely via close contact. Antimicrobial usage should be strictly controlled together with increase awareness on hygiene practices in broiler farms.
Tube-like preputial mucosa urethrostomy for correction of urethrorectal fistula in a young male cat
Authors:   Kasetsart University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Hua Hin, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Prachuap Khiri Khan 77110, Thailand, Danpanang Nut , Yippaditr Wanchart ,   Veterinary Research and Academic Service, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand
Published: November 2021

A 10-month-old cat exhibited simultaneously penile urethra obstruction and rectourethral fistula. The pubic osteotomy was a method to approach the fistula to locate the pelvic urethra opening into the rectum. Surgical correction consisted of ligation and cutting of the urethra connecting to the rectum, and a primary suture to connect the urethra to prepuce for a new opening. The tomcat catheter was placed in the urethra for a ten days-period. Ten days after the surgery, the cat was transferred to have urethrography to examine the lumen of the defective urethra, and the result showed no sign of urine leakage and stricture. After the catheter removal, the cat could urinate normally, and there was no sign of complications during urination, and no urine coming from the rectum found. In brief, this case report describes a successful urethral reconstruction for repairing the urethrorectal fistula by primary suture connecting the urethra with prepuce mucosa.
Efficiency of Fresh and Fermented Banana Stem in Low Protein Diet on Nutrient Digestibility, Productive Performance and Intestinal Morphology of Crossbred Pig ((Thai native x Meishan) x Duroc)
Authors:   Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand, Arjin Chaiwat , Souphannavong Chanmany ,   Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand, Sartsook Apinya ,   Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand, Seel-audom Mintra ,   Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand, Mekchay Supamit ,   Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand 2 Cluster of Research and Development of Pharmaceutical and Natural Products Innovation for Human or Animal, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Thailand, Sringarm Korawan ,   Department of Animal and Aquatic Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand 2 Cluster of Research and Development of Pharmaceutical and Natural Products Innovation for Human or Animal, Chiang Mai University, 50200, Thailand
Published: November 2021

Banana stem is a common feed component for raising pigs in mountainous Southeast Asia. However, its nutritive value and digestibility are low. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of unfermented and fermented banana stems on crossbred pigs concerning nutrient digestibility, productive performance, and intestinal morphology. Initially, an in vitro ileal digestibility test was performed for the following feedstuffs: fresh banana stem (BS), fermented banana stem (FBS), concentrate (C), fresh banana stem + concentrate (BSC), and fermented banana stem + concentrate (FBSC). For the 120-day experiment, 16 crossbred pigs were divided into two groups and fed with BSC and FBSC. They were placed in individual cages and subsequently moved to metabolic cages for seven days to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD). Finally, all pigs were slaughtered and their small intestines were analyzed for intestinal morphology. The results show that pure fresh and fermented banana stems had low digestibility. However, their digestibility increased by 50% when mixed with concentrate. Crossbred pigs fed BSC and FBSC did not exhibit significant differences in their performance, but the intestinal morphology of the FBSC group had improved intestinal morphology, especially the villi height. In conclusion, both fresh and fermented banana stems can be recommended in a low protein diet as feed for crossbred pigs in an improved production system. This is relevant for raising pigs in mountainous areas, as it has the potential to reduce feed cost and maintain production performance.