bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temperature stability of oxytocin ampoules labelled for storage at 2°C–8°C and below 25°C: an observational assessment under controlled accelerated and temperature cycling conditions
Authors: Nguyen Tri-Hung , Lambert Peter , Minhas Rajpreet Singh , McEvoy Claire , Deadman Kim , Wright Philip , Prankerd Richard J , Mogatle Seloi , McIntosh Michelle P
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Oxytocin, administered via injection, is recommended by WHO for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage. However, the susceptibility of oxytocin injection to thermal degradation has led WHO and UNICEF to recommend cold-chain storage of all oxytocin products. Nevertheless, some oxytocin products supplied to the global market are labelled for storage at ≤25°C, often with a shorter shelf-life relative to products labelled for refrigeration. Differences in labelled storage requirements can lead to uncertainties among stakeholders around the relative stability of oxytocin products and specifically whether ≤25°C products are more resistant to degradation. Such confusion can potentially influence policies associated with procurement, distribution, storage and the use of oxytocin in resource-poor settings.

Objectives

To compare the stability of oxytocin injection ampoules formulated for storage at ≤25°C with those labelled for refrigerated storage.

Design

Accelerated and temperature cycling stability studies were performed with oxytocin ampoules procured by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) from four manufacturers.

Method

Using oxytocin ampoules procured by UNFPA, accelerated stability (up to 120 days) and temperature cycling (up to 135 days between elevated and refrigerated temperatures) studies were performed at 30°C, 40°C and 50°C. Oxytocin content was quantified using a validated HPLC-UV method.

Results

All ampoules evaluated exhibited similar stability profiles under accelerated degradation conditions with the exception of one product formulated for ≤25°C storage, where the rate of degradation increased at 50°C relative to other formulations. Similar degradation trends at elevated temperatures were observed during temperature cycling, while no significant degradation was observed during refrigerated periods of the study.

Conclusion

Oxytocin ampoules formulated for non-refrigerated storage demonstrated comparable stability to those labelled for refrigerated storage and should not be interpreted by stakeholders as offering a more stable alternative. Furthermore, these products should not be procured for use in territories with high ambient temperatures, where all oxytocin injection products should be supplied and stored under refrigerated conditions.
A multicentre randomised feasibility STUdy evaluating the impact of a prognostic model for Management of BLunt chest wall trauma patients: STUMBL Trial
Authors: Battle Ceri , Hutchings Hayley A , Driscoll Timothy , O’Neill Claire , Groves Sam , Watkins Alan , Lecky Fiona Elizabeth , Jones Sally , Gagg James , Body Richard , Abbott Zoe , Evans Phillip A
Published: July 2019

Objective

A new prognostic model has been developed and externally validated, the aim of which is to assist in the management of the blunt chest wall trauma patient in the emergency department (ED). The aim of this trial is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a definitive impact trial investigating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a new prognostic model for the management of patients with blunt chest wall trauma in the ED.

Design

Stepped wedge feasibility trial.

Setting

Four EDs in England and Wales.

Participants

Adult blunt chest wall trauma patients presenting to the ED with no concurrent, life-threatening injuries.

Intervention

A prognostic model (the STUMBL score) to guide clinical decision-making.

Outcome measures

Primary: participant recruitment rate and clinicians’ use of the STUMBL score. Secondary: composite outcome measure (mortality, pulmonary complications, delayed upgrade in care, unplanned representations to the ED), physical and mental components of quality of life, clinician feedback and health economic data gathering methodology for healthcare resource utilisation.

Results

Quantitative data were analysed using the intention-to-treat principle. 176 patients were recruited; recruitment targets were achieved at all sites. Clinicians used the model in 96% of intervention cases. All feasibility criteria were fully or partially met. After adjusting for predefined covariates, there were no statistically significant differences between the control and intervention periods. Qualitative analysis highlighted that STUMBL was well-received and clinicians would support a definitive trial. Collecting data on intervention costs, health-related quality of life and healthcare resource use was feasible.

Discussion

We have demonstrated that a fully powered randomised clinical trial of the STUMBL score is feasible and desirable to clinicians. Minor methodological modifications will be made for the full trial.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN95571506; Post-results.
Health status of care home residents: practicality and construct validity of data collection by staff at scale
Authors: Benson Tim , Bowman Clive
Published: July 2019

Background

Medical diagnoses and assessed need for care are the prerequisites for planning and delivery of care to residents of care homes. Assessing the effectiveness of care is difficult. The aim of this study was to test the practicality and construct validity of thehowRuhealth status measure using secondary analysis of a large data set.

Method

The data came from a Bupa Care Homes Census in 2012, which covered 24 506 residents in 395 homes internationally (UK, Australia and New Zealand). Staff completed optical mark readable forms about each resident using a short generic health status measure,howRu. Response rates were used to assess practicality and expected relationships between health status and independent variables were used to assess the construct validity.

Results and discussion

19,438 forms were returned (79.3%) in 360 care homes (91.1%); complete health status data were recorded for 18 617 residents (95.8% of those returned). Missing values for any health status items mostly came from a small number of homes. The relationships betweenhowRuand independent variables support construct validity. Factor analysis suggests three latent variables (discomfort, distress and disability/dependence).

Conclusions

HowRuproved easy to use and practical at scale. ThehowRuhealth status measure shows good construct validity.
Heart failure risk predictions in adult patients with congenital heart disease: a systematic review
Authors: Wang Fei , Harel-Sterling Lee , Cohen Sarah , Liu Aihua , Brophy James M , Paradis Gilles , Marelli Ariane J
Published: July 2019

To summarise existing heart failure (HF) risk prediction models and describe the risk factors for HF-related adverse outcomes in adult patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). We performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases from January 1996 to December 2018. Studies were eligible if they developed multivariable models for risk prediction of decompensated HF in adult patients with CHD (ACHD), death in patients with ACHD-HF or both, or if they reported corresponding predictors. A standardised form was used to extract information from selected studies. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria and all studies were at moderate to high risk of bias. One study derived a model to predict the risk of a composite outcome (HF, death or arrhythmia) with a c-statistic of 0.85. Two studies applied an existing general HF model to patients with ACHD but did not report model performance. Twenty studies presented predictors of decompensated HF, and four examined patient characteristics associated with mortality (two reported predictors of both). A wide variation in population characteristics, outcome of interest and candidate risk factors was observed between studies. Although there were substantial inconsistencies regarding which patient characteristics were predictive of HF-related adverse outcomes, brain natriuretic peptide, New York Heart Association class and CHD lesion characteristics were shown to be important predictors. To date, evidence in the published literature is insufficient to accurately profile patients with ACHD. High-quality studies are required to develop a unique ACHD-HF prediction model and confirm the predictive roles of potential risk factors.
Transradial access for neurointerventions: management of access challenges and complications
Authors: Brunet Marie-Christine , Chen Stephanie H , Peterson Eric C
Published: July 2019

Background

Numerous large randomized trials have shown a significant morbidity and mortality benefit with the transradial approach (TRA) over the transfemoral approach (TFA) for endovascular procedures. However, this technique is routinely avoided or aborted due to unfamiliarity with the technique and the associated anatomical difficulties that may be faced in this approach. The objective of this review is to identify both the common and uncommon challenges that may be encountered during a transradial approach for cerebrovascular catheterization and to provide tips and tricks to overcome the transradial learning curve.

Method

A careful review of the literature and of all our transradial cases was carried out to identify the common challenges and complications that are encountered when using TRA for diagnostic cerebral angiography and neurointerventions.

Results

A stepwise approach is provided to prevent and manage common challenges including radial artery access failure, radial artery spasm, radial artery anomalies and tortuosity, radial artery occlusion, radial artery perforation and hematoma, subclavian tortuosity and anomalies, and catheter knots and kinks.

Conclusion

The ability to recognize and navigate anatomical variations and complications unique to TRA will accelerate learning, decrease unnecessary morbidity and mortality, and further advance the neurovascular field.
Thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in nonagenarians compared with octogenarians
Authors: Sussman Eric S , Martin Blake , Mlynash Michael , Marks Michael P , Marcellus David , Albers Gregory , Lansberg Maarten , Dodd Robert , Do Huy M , Heit Jeremy J
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Multiple randomized trials have shown that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) leads to improved outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). Elderly patients were poorly represented in these trials, and the efficacy of EVT in nonagenarian patients remains uncertain.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study at a single center. Inclusion criteria were: age 80–99, LVO, core infarct <70 mL, and salvageable penumbra. Patients were stratified into octogenarian (80–89) and nonagenarian (90–99) cohorts. The primary outcome was the ordinal score on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days. Secondary outcomes included dichotomized functional outcome (mRS ≤2 vs mRS ≥3), successful revascularization, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), and mortality.

Results

108 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 79 octogenarians (73%) and 29 nonagenarians (27%). Nonagenarians were more likely to be female (86% vs 58%; p<0.01); there were no other differences between groups in terms of demographics, medical comorbidities, or treatment characteristics. Successful revascularization (TICI 2b–3) was achieved in 79% in both cohorts. Median mRS at 90 days was 5 in octogenarians and 6 in nonagenarians (p=0.09). Functional independence (mRS ≤2) at 90 days was achieved in 12.5% and 19.7% of nonagenarians and octogenarians, respectively (p=0.54). Symptomatic ICH occurred in 21.4% and 6.4% (p=0.03), and 90-day mortality rate was 63% and 40.9% (p=0.07) in nonagenarians and octogenarians, respectively.

Conclusions

Nonagenarians may be at higher risk of symptomatic ICH than octogenarians, despite similar stroke- and treatment-related factors. While there was a trend towards higher mortality and worse functional outcomes in nonagenarians, the difference was not statistically significant in this relatively small retrospective study.
No longer beeting around the bush: a review of potential sex differences with dietary nitrate supplementation
Authors: Wickham Kate A. , Spriet Lawrence L.
Published: July 2019

Over the last decade there has been substantial interest in the health and athletic performance benefits associated with acute and chronic dietary nitrate (NO3–) supplementation. Dietary NO3–, commonly found in leafy green and root vegetables, undergoes sequential reduction to nitrite and nitric oxide (NO) via the enterosalivary circulation. Importantly, NO has been shown to elicit a number of biological effects ranging from blood pressure reduction to improved exercise economy and athletic performance. However, a common absence within biological research is the lack of female participants, which is often attributed to the added complexity of hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle. Despite mounting evidence supporting significant anthropometric, metabolic, and physiological differences between the sexes, this problem extends to the field of dietary NO3–supplementation where women are underrepresented as research participants. This review examines the existing dietary NO3–supplementation research with regards to dietary NO3–pharmacokinetics, resting blood pressure, exercise economy and performance, and mechanisms of action. It also provides evidence and rationale for potential sex differences in response to dietary NO3–supplementation and future directions for this field of research.

Novelty Dietary NO3–supplementation has been shown to have positive impacts on health and athletic performance in generally male populations. However, women are underrepresented in dietary NO3–supplementation research. The present evidence suggests that sex differences exist in response to dietary NO3–supplementation and this review highlights avenues for future research.
I-divergence and I∗-divergence in cone metric spaces
Authors: Banerjee Amar Kumar , Paul Anirban
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we have studied the ideas of [Formula: see text]-divergence and [Formula: see text]-divergence of sequences in cone metric spaces. We have investigated the relationship between [Formula: see text]-divergence and [Formula: see text]-divergence and their equivalence under certain condition. Further, we prove a decomposition theorem for [Formula: see text]-convergent sequences in a cone normed space.
Chromosomal Instability in Tumor Initiation and Development
Authors: Bach Duc-Hiep , Zhang Wei , Sood Anil K.
Published: July 2019

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is one of the major forms of genomic instability in various human cancers and is recognized as a common hallmark of tumorigenesis and heterogeneity. However, some malignant tumors show a paucity of chromosomal alterations, suggesting that tumor progression and evolution can occur in the absence of CIN. It is unclear whether CIN is stable between precursor lesions, primary tumor, and metastases or if it evolves during these steps. In this review, we describe the influence of CIN on the various steps in tumor initiation and development. Given the recognized significant effects of CIN in cancer, CIN-targeted therapeutics could have a major impact on improving clinical outcomes.
The Epidemiology of Gastric Cancers in the Era of Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Nationwide Cancer Registry-Based Study in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Jeffrey S. , Kuo Sung-Hsin , Chu Pei-Yi , Shan Yan-Shen , Tsai Chia-Rung , Tsai Hui-Jen , Chen Li-Tzong
Published: July 2019

Background:

Helicobacter pylori eradication has been shown to decrease gastric adenocarcinoma risk. The epidemiology of gastric lymphoma, which is also associated with H. pylori, and other rare subtypes of gastric cancer is less clear. This study comprehensively evaluated the incidence trend and the survival of gastric cancer in Taiwan by histologic subtype.

Methods:

The incidence trends of gastric cancer in Taiwan from 1996 and 2013 were evaluated using data from the Taiwan Cancer Registry. The life-table method and the Cox proportional hazards analysis were used to evaluate the survival of gastric cancer.

Results:

The incidence of all gastric cancers in Taiwan decreased from 15.97 per 100,000 in 1996 to 11.57 per 100,000 in 2013. The most frequent histologic subtype of gastric cancer in Taiwan was adenocarcinoma, followed by lymphoma and sarcoma (mainly gastrointestinal stromal tumor). The best survival was in patients with sarcoma, followed by lymphoma, neuroendocrine tumor, and adenocarcinoma. Generally, women had a better survival than men. The incidence of adenocarcinoma significantly decreased from 13.56 per 100,000 in 1996 to 9.82 per 100,000 in 2013 (P < 0.0001). In contrast, the incidences of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma did not decrease.

Conclusions:

The incidence of adenocarcinoma and lymphoma, both of which are associated with H. pylori, showed diverging trends. The survival of gastric cancer differed by histologic subtype and sex.

Impact:

The disparity in the incidence trends between gastric lymphoma and adenocarcinoma, both associated with H. pylori, warranted the need to search for additional risk factors of gastric lymphoma.
Enhanced Activity of Variant DNA Polymerase β (D160G) Contributes to Cisplatin Therapy by Impeding the Efficiency of NER
Authors: Wang Meina , Li Enjie , Lin Lin , Kumar Alagamuthu Karthick , Pan Feiyan , He Lingfeng , Zhang Jing , Hu Zhigang , Guo Zhigang
Published: July 2019

Cisplatin, commonly used in a variety of cancer treatments, induces apoptosis in cancer cells by causing lethal DNA damage. Several DNA repair pathways participate in regulation of cisplatin treatment, leading to cisplatin sensitivity or resistance in cancer cells. DNA polymerase β (pol β), a key protein involved in base excision repair, confers a response to cisplatin therapy that is dependent on polymerase activity. Pol β D160G mutation with enhanced polymerase activity, previously identified in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, enhances the sensitivity of human cancer cells and mouse xenografts to cisplatin by limiting the efficiency of nucleotide excision repair (NER). Notably, the D160G mutation impedes the recruitment of XPA to cisplatin-induced sites of DNA damage, leading to unrepaired damage and further inducing cell death. Molecular architecture analysis indicated that the D160G mutation alters protein–DNA interactions and the surface electrostatic properties of the DNA-binding regions, resulting in greater DNA affinity and polymerase activity compared with wild-type pol β. Collectively, these results indicate that enhancing pol β activity impedes the efficiency of NER and provide a promising adjuvant therapeutic strategy for cisplatin chemotherapy.

Implications:

Our studies demonstrate that polβ D160G mutation with enhanced polymerase activity impedes NER efficiency during the repair of cisplatin-induced DNA damage, leading to increased cisplatin sensitivity in cancer cells.
An LKB1–SIK Axis Suppresses Lung Tumor Growth and Controls Differentiation
Authors: Murray Christopher W. , Brady Jennifer J. , Tsai Min K. , Li Chuan , Winters Ian P. , Tang Rui , Andrejka Laura , Ma Rosanna K. , Kunder Christian A. , Chu Pauline , Winslow Monte M.
Published: July 2019

The kinase LKB1 is a critical tumor suppressor in sporadic and familial human cancers, yet the mechanisms by which it suppresses tumor growth remain poorly understood. To investigate the tumor-suppressive capacity of four canonical families of LKB1 substrates in vivo, we used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated combinatorial genome editing in a mouse model of oncogenic KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma. We demonstrate that members of the SIK family are critical for constraining tumor development. Histologic and gene-expression similarities between LKB1- and SIK-deficient tumors suggest that SIKs and LKB1 operate within the same axis. Furthermore, a gene-expression signature reflecting SIK deficiency is enriched in LKB1-mutant human lung adenocarcinomas and is regulated by LKB1 in human cancer cell lines. Together, these findings reveal a key LKB1–SIK tumor-suppressive axis and underscore the need to redirect efforts to elucidate the mechanisms through which LKB1 mediates tumor suppression.

Significance:

Uncovering the effectors of frequently altered tumor suppressor genes is critical for understanding the fundamental driving forces of cancer growth. Our identification of the SIK family of kinases as effectors of LKB1-mediated tumor suppression will refocus future mechanistic studies and may lead to new avenues for genotype-specific therapeutic interventions.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1469
Effect of Air Tamponade on Postoperative Visual Acuity and Intraretinal Cystoid Changes after Peeling of Idiopathic Epiretinal Membranes in Pseudophakic Patients
Authors: Leisser Christoph , Hirnschall Nino , Döller Birgit , Varsits Ralph , Ullrich Marlies , Kefer Katharina , Findl Oliver
Published: July 2019

Purpose: Epiretinal membrane is a macular disorder leading to metamorphopsia and decreased visual acuity. The aim of the present study was to assess the possible effects of air tamponade, balanced salt solution (BSS), and combined phacoemulsification on functional and anatomical outcomes. Procedures: This prospective exploratory analysis included 72 eyes with idiopathic epiretinal membranes, scheduled to undergo 23-G pars plana vitrectomy with membrane peeling. Air tamponade or BSS was used in all cases. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging was performed intraoperatively, and follow-up including visual acuity testing and OCT measurements was conducted until 3 months postoperatively. Results: Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved between +2.1 and +3.1 letters, and mean central subfield thickness of the macula decreased between –29.6 and –76 µm in the examined groups, without significant differences between the air tamponade and BSS groups. There was no significant difference in the presence of intraretinal cystoid changes between the groups. Conclusions: The use of air tamponade did not show any significant differences in the anatomical and functional postoperative results compared to BSS. Furthermore, phacovitrectomy did not result in significantly more intraretinal cystoid changes 3 months after surgery.
Mitochondrial Disease Caused by a Novel Homozygous Mutation (Gly106del) in the SCO1 Gene
Authors: Brix Ninna , Jensen Janni Majgaard , Pedersen Inge Søkilde , Ernst Anja , Frost Simon , Bogaard Pauline , Petersen Michael B. , Bender Lars
Published: July 2019

The cytochrome C oxidase assembly protein SCO1 gene encodes a mitochondrial protein essential for the mammalian energy metabolism. Only three pedigrees of SCO1mutations have thus far been reported. They all presented with lactate acidosis and encephalopathy. Two had hepatopathy and hypotonia, and the other presented with intrauterine growth retardation and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy leading to cardiac failure. Mitochondrial disease may manifest in neonates, but early diagnosis has so far been difficult. Here, we present a novel mutation in the SCO1 gene: in-frame deletion (Gly106del)with a different phenotype without encephalopathy, hepatopathy, hypotonia, or cardiac involvement. Within the first 2 h the girl developed hypoglycemia and severe chronic lactate acidosis. Because of the improved technique in whole exome sequencing, an early diagnosis was made when the girl was only 9 days old, which enabled the prediction of prognosis as well as level of treatment. She died at 1 month of age.
Sonographic Detection of Seizure-Like Activity in Fetuses with Congenital Infection: Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ochoa Jose Hector , Sosa-Olavarria Alberto , Quiroga Hector , Sepulveda Waldo
Published: July 2019

Fetal seizure is a very rare prenatal finding and associated with an almost invariably poor outcome, the most common causes being hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, congenital anomalies of either the central nervous system (CNS) or musculoskeletal system, and metabolic disorders. The prenatal detection of seizure-like activity in fetuses with congenital infection has not been previously reported. In this report, we describe 3 cases of seizures in fetuses with congenital infection including Zika virus (n = 2) and toxoplasmosis (n = 1). All 3 fetuses had associated CNS abnormalities and the perinatal outcome was uniformly poor. This report suggests that for fetuses with proven congenital infections an extended and targeted sonographic examination may be helpful in ­detecting associated fetal seizures that may even worsen the neonatal outcome.
In vivo Change of Keratin-Bound Molecules in the Human Stratum Corneum following Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: Yoon So Hyun , Park Jong Il , Lee Ji Eun , Myung Cheol Hwan , Hwang Jae Sung
Published: July 2019

Background/Objectives: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation damages the stratum corneum (SC) and disrupts the skin barrier. The damaged skin changes in the molecular composition of the SC, including its water content. However, it is difficult to examine the in vivo SC changes with existing methods, so those have not been well characterized. Therefore, we investigated in vivo changes of UV-induced SC damage using confocal Raman spectroscopy. Method: We irradiated the volar forearm of 10 subjects with 0.5, 1, and 1.5 minimal erythemal doses of UV radiation. Then, we examined erythema, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), the water content, the natural moisturizing factor (NMF), and the lipids of the skin. Results: After UV irradiation, erythema and TEWL of the skin were both increased. The bound water content of the SC was also increased following UV irradiation. The NMF of the SC revealed different tendencies. All free amino acids (FAAs) of the NMF were increased after UV irradiation, except proline. trans-urocanic acid, pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, lactate, and urea, which are NMF components produced by the subsequent catabolism of FAAs and sweat, were decreased after UV irradiation. The amount of ceramide in the SC was also decreased after UV exposure, while cholesterol was increased. Conclusions: The bound water content of the SC was increased by UV exposure along with increasing TEWL, several NMF components, and cholesterol. These in vivo results for UV-damaged SC obtained via Raman spectroscopy could be applied to research with regard to protecting the SC from UV radiation and treating UV-damaged SC.
Association between Preoperative Pelvic Irradiation and Toxicity of Subsequent Chemotherapy in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Spałek Mateusz , Michalski Krzysztof , Bujko Krzysztof , Wyrwicz Lucjan
Published: July 2019

Background: Randomized trials have shown a lower efficacy of postoperative chemotherapy in rectal cancer patients having received preoperative radiotherapy than in nonirradiated colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We hypothesized that preoperative radio(chemo)therapy impairs the relative dose intensity (RDI) of further chemotherapy because of long-term radiation damage. This retrospective study aimed to test this hypothesis. Methods: The analysis was conducted on 220 consecutive patients with CRC who received FOLFOX-4 postoperatively or because of cancer relapse. Of these, 41 patients with rectal cancer had preoperatively received radio(chemo)therapy (study group) and the remaining 179 with CRC had not (control group). The RDI of oxaliplatin at 8 and 16 weeks was calculated. Results: The median RDI of oxaliplatin at 8 weeks was 95.91% in the study group and 96.15% in the control group (p = 0.79). The corresponding percentages at 16 weeks were 87.6 and 86.5%, respectively (p = 0.55). It was found that within 0–8 weeks, 26.9% of the patients in the study group and 26.3% in the control group had grade 3+ toxicity, hypersensitivity reactions, or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration (p = 0.94). The corresponding percentages for 0–16 weeks were 44.8 and 43.9%, respectively (p = 0.92). Conclusions: We found no association between preoperative radio(chemo)therapy and the RDI of FOLFOX-4. We failed to explain the inferior efficacy of postoperative chemotherapy in patients with rectal cancer who had preoperatively received irradiation compared to those with CRC who had not.
As leis da estética na arte russa
Authors: Zwick Ludmila Menezes
Published: July 2019

Em concordância com o uso das leis da estética, propostas por Vilayanur S. Ramachandran, ora referidas a algumas pinturas russas, este texto dialoga com um possível método de leitura da pintura que seja capaz de compreender parte do processo de elaboração de uma obra de arte, ou seja, o ordenamento de seus elementos, suas formas, suas cores e o seu movimento, enfim, os recursos artísticos de caráter universal que, por serem a aplicação do conhecimento de princípios que almejam determinados resultados, instrumentalizam o artista para que ele consiga consubstanciar o imaginativo de suas ideias na efetiva criação de uma imagem expressa.
«Ленин» Владимира Маяковского
Authors: Niero Alessandro
Published: July 2019

Темой статьи является перевод поэмы Владимирa Маяковскoго «Ленин», выполненный профессором, переводчиком, поэтом, литературоведом и специалистом по русской литературе ХХ века Анджело Марией Рипеллино по поручению Туринского издательства Эйнауди в 1967 году (через пятьдесят лет после Октябрьской революции!). Перевод Рипеллино – наглядный пример работы, которая проводится не по личному выбору переводчика, а по приглашению издателя (своего рода «социальный заказ»). При подобных обстоятельствах, можно предполагать, что между переводчиком и переведенным существует относительно низкая степень конгениальности. Это подтверждается не только в «Предисловии» Рипеллино к переводу, а также в письме Рипеллино к Гвидо Давико Бонино, редактору издательства, написанном в период работы над «Лениным».  Несмотря на это, перевод, сделанный Рипеллино чрезвычайно интересен. В его подходе к стихотворному переводу, есть разительное отличие от его же переводов Б.Пастернака (1957) и А.Блока (1960), и в последствии В.Хлебникова (1968). Для «Ленина» Рипеллино употребляет как можно больше рифм, ассонансов, консонансов и т.д. – словом он настолько заботится о формальных особенностях поэмы, что (идеологическое) содержание ее частично отходит на задний план. По всей вероятности, Рипеллино таким образом хочет привлечь внимание читателя скорее к Маяковскому, как к «революционному поэту», чем к Маяковскому, как к «поэту Революции».
Extended distribution record of two bellflower species of Codonopsis (Campanulaceae) from the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh
Authors: Kanwal Khilendra Singh , Tiwari Umeshkumar Lalchand , Yama Lod , Lodhi Mahendra Singh
Published: July 2019

Codonopsis foetens Hook.f. and C. thalictrifolia Wall., two high altitude plants occurring at an elevation of 3300–4800 m, are recorded from Arunachal Pradesh State in India for the first time.  These species were collected from Nagula Wetland complex of Tawang District of the state.  Detailed description, occurrence, distribution, flowering and fruiting season, and picture pale  of the species are provided in this paper for their easy identification in the field.
Diurnal Serianthes nelsonii Merr. leaflet paraheliotropism reduces leaflet temperature, relieves photoinhibition, and alters nyctinastic behavior
Authors: Marler Thomas Edward
Published: July 2019

The diel cycle of Serianthes nelsonii leaflet movements was characterized under four levels of shade from full sun to 22% sunlight transmission to determine the photoprotective components of diurnal leaflet movements and the relationship to patterns of nocturnal leaflet movements.  Treatments also included negating paraheliotropism by re-orienting plants every 15min throughout the photoperiod such that the plants never experienced a predictable solar vector.  The timing of leaflet closure to avoid high light, the shape of the diurnal curve depicting leaflet angle, and the maximum extent of leaflet closure were influenced by the shade treatments.  Protection of leaf function by paraheliotropism was also influenced by shade treatment, with the full sun plants exhibiting the greatest level of protection.  Leaflet heat gain was reduced 50% by leaflet movement as determined by direct measurements of leaf-to-air temperature differences.  Midday quantum efficiency of photosystem II was increased 120% by leaflet movement as determined by direct measurements of pulse modulated chlorophyll fluorescence.  The extent of nyctinastic leaflet closure was greatest in the high light plants that moved the most midday and least in the shaded plants that moved the least midday, indicating the extent of diurnal paraheliotropism controlled the amplitude of nocturnal leaflet movement.  Serianthes nelsonii is highly skilled at using movement to reduce leaflet exposure to the solar vector, providing instantaneous behavioral control over heat gain and photoinhibition.  This case study of an endemic tree species in Micronesia has added to the nascent field of conservation physiology, and indicated that heliotropism of S. nelsonii leaves may provide the species with the ability to minimize high light damage during increased temperatures associated with climate change.
Corticosterone-Mediated Body Weight Loss Is an Important Catabolic Process for Poststroke Immunity and Survival
Authors: Yang Jiwon , Kim Eunhee , Beltran Cesar , Cho Sunghee
Published: July 2019

Background and Purpose—

Stroke-induced acute severe body weight (BW) loss is associated with a high rate of mortality during a critical poststroke period. Several interventions to reduce weight loss, however, have not been successful. Currently, the biological significance of this extraordinary catabolic process is not well understood. Spleen-derived monocytes/macrophages (MMs) are the major immune cells recruited to the injured brain. The trafficking of MMs has been shown to be important for tissue repair and recovery. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether the BW reduction is essential for MM-mediated immune response for mice to survive and whether a corticosterone-mediated catabolic event underlies the processes.

Methods—

C57BL/6 male mice (12-week-old) were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. BW, total MMs, and their Ly-6C
high
and Ly-6C
low
subsets were determined in the spleen, blood, and the brain in poststroke mice. Poststroke survival rate and MM subsets were determined in mice with adrenalectomy, sham-adrenalectomy, and adrenalectomy mice supplemented with corticosterone.

Results—

Stroke reduced BW with a maximum reduction at day 3 poststroke (17.2±5.2%). The reduction at day 3 was positively linked to injury severity and selective depletion of MMs, but no other types of immune cells, in the spleen. Notably, the splenic MM depletion was significantly greater in mice with severe BW reduction (≥18% at day 3). In the blood, stroke depleted circulating MMs to a similar degree in animals with moderate and severe BW loss. Ly-6C+ monocyte infiltration in the poststroke brain was greater in mice with severe BW loss. Blocking the catabolic process by adrenalectomy significantly increased poststroke mortality, but the mortality was partially rescued by corticosterone supplement in adrenalectomy mice.

Conclusions—

Stroke-induced BW loss facilitates MM-mediated immune response, and the adrenal corticosterone-mediated catabolic process is necessary for poststroke survival.

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Still a Pain in the Neck: Evaluating Text Representations on Lexical Composition
Authors: Shwartz Vered , Dagan Ido
Published: July 2019

Building meaningful phrase representations is challenging because phrase meanings are not simply the sum of their constituent meanings. Lexical composition can shift the meanings of the constituent words and introduce implicit information. We tested a broad range of textual representations for their capacity to address these issues. We found that, as expected, contextualized word representations perform better than static word embeddings, more so on detecting meaning shift than in recovering implicit information, in which their performance is still far from that of humans. Our evaluation suite, consisting of six tasks related to lexical composition effects, can serve future research aiming to improve representations.
“With Length of Days I Will Gratify Him”
Authors: Dunn Geoffrey D.
Published: July 2019

The Bible has a variety of perspectives on old age. On the one hand, as exemplified in Ps 91(90):16 and 92(91):15, old age is a sign of God’s blessing and the elderly are held in high regard as valuable, while on the other, as exemplified in Ps 39(38):5; 71(70):9; and 90(89):10, life is seen as fleeting and length of days as insignificant and the elderly fear neglect. The psalms held a high place in Augustine’s Christian identity. This paper explores Augustine’s use of these verses to consider the extent to which his religious outlook shaped his perspectives on ageing, as well as addressing the question of whether or not he was aware of the conflict between the two perspectives. It will be argued that Augustine was not interested in the contradictions presented by the psalmist, and that he interpreted all the verses through an eschatological framework, such that an evaluation of the meaning and value of life is to be found only through a perception of eternity.
Death, Decay and Delight in Cyprian of Carthage
Authors: Murphy Edwina
Published: July 2019

A martyr’s suffering and death is glorious, says Cyprian of Carthage. No surprises there. But what about the ageing, suffering and death common to humanity? Old age is naturally associated with physical decline in people, just as the ageing world is diminishing in vigour. Elders must be respected, however, and signs of age should be valued, not erased. Furthermore, just as the end of the world is a matter of hope for the Christian, so is the end of one’s life – the gateway to everlasting joy. As Cyprian emphasises in De mortalitate, even the suffering caused by the plague is to be embraced rather than spurned; afflictions are cause for rejoicing as by them Christians are proved, strengthened and ultimately crowned. Cyprian’s characteristic distinction between the physical and the spiritual, the temporal and the eternal, is prominent as he encourages his flock to persevere in the midst of turbulent times.
The Blessings of Blindness: Divine Illumination as Spiritual Health
Authors: Steiger Peter
Published: July 2019

Among early Christian writers, Didymus of Alexandria occupies an unusual position being a theologian who garnered renown while enduring a significant physical disability, since he became blind in early childhood. Scholars of Didymus have frequently bemoaned the lack of biographical information concerning this famous teacher, and some suggest that Didymus never expresses regret for losing his physical eyesight in his own writing, arguing that he considered spiritual insight more valuable. Most recent monographs on Didymus have been content to cite traditions about Didymus’ blindness, but few have sought to track the emergence of the few traditions about him and how these sources might relate to each other and have conflicting theological agendas. This paper seeks to address these lacunae by closely examining references to Didymus from his own contemporaries, all of whom personally met him, in order to make some suggestions of how this might open some new avenues for better understanding attitudes toward physical disability in early Christianity and particularly Didymus as a blind Christian theologian.
Moses in the Wilderness: Basil of Caesarea on Formation of the Prophet
Authors: Alieva Olga
Published: July 2019

Basil of Caesarea’s treatment of the life of Moses in his Hexaemeron is traditionally taken to be dependent on Philo of Alexandria and the Jewish exegetical tradition. Without questioning the fact that Basil knew Philo’s Life of Moses, this paper seeks to demonstrate, however, that in this respect Basil was more indebted to Origen and his tripartite division of philosophy into ethics, physics, and epoptics. This allows not only to make a more balanced assessment of Origen’s influence on Basil, increasingly stressed in recent scholarship, but also to suggest a more nuanced interpretation of Basil’s Address to the youth and his program of the Christian paideia.
An Irreproachable Dogmatics? Plotinus, Theodore Metochites and the Sixth Chapter of the Letter On Education
Authors: Makarov Dmitry I.
Published: July 2019

In the chapters 6 to 9 of his On Education (ca. 1305) Theodore Metochites (ca. 1270-1332) expounded his understanding of the fundamentals of Orthodox dogmatics. Basing his Triadological views on Plotinus, he went so far as to dissociate the divine essence from the Persons. By additionally exalting God the Father as the Keeper of Providence over all the beings and God the Son as the Redeemer, our thinker assigned to the Holy Spirit only a subsidiary role in the Economy of our salvation perforce. So, it was his deliberate choice not to say even a word concerning Filioque, the psychological trauma ensuing from his father’s death being not the only reason for this omission (in addition to what Ihor Ševčenko thought). In Christology Theodore moved away from John of Damascus’ teaching on the immaculate passions of Jesus Christ’s humanity taken in its post­laparian state, but then he repeatedly quoted Gregory of Nazianzus. In doing so Metochites might have thought that Gregory had terminated “the Golden Age” of patristics. I have identified an important quote from Gregory which remained unnoticed by the editor.
Difficulties in Particular: Theological and Historical Context of the Anonymous Treatise “On the Common Nature and the Trinity”
Authors: Shchukin Timur , Nogovitsin Oleg
Published: July 2019

The anti-Monophysitic anonymous treatise On the common nature and the Trinity was written in the 550-560s for the educational purposes in philosophy and theology. Therefore, its content was perceived in those days as something certainly traditional. It reflects theological discussions of its time, thus making feel the degree of complication of the current theological situation and the extent of mutual comprehension between the rival parties. The anonymous author normally keeps himself within the conceptual language of the late Neoplatonism, especially the school of Ammonius of Alexandria known by its interest to peripatetic instruments. The author himself is a Chalcedonian. When rejecting both “Nestorian” and “Severian” Christologies, he claims that the human nature became a constitutive element of the hypostasis of Christ (consisting of two common natures) and by no means an independent hypostasis. There are some similarities with the teaching of Leontius of Byzantium’s Against the Nestorians and the Eutychians and Solution of the Syllogisms of Severus, whereas the present author is much more succinct, and his exposition is simplified. For instance, unlike Leontius of Byzantium, he does not distinguish the contexts, where the notions of nature and substance could be used differently; he does not state explicitly that the human nature within the hypostasis of Christ is the common nature and not a particular nature. The latter term is used but never explained. The treatise is a curious witness of the relevance of an intra-Monophysite controversy for Chalcedonites.
Kyiv Metropolia and Moscow Diplomacy: an Ottoman Viewpoint
Authors: Kulchynskyy Оles , Kul Ömer
Published: July 2019

The Muscovite legation to the Ottoman Empire in 1686 enabled the final stage of annexation of the Kyiv Metropolia by the Patriarchate of Moscow at the end of the 17th century. However, previously ignored Ottoman sources (the official register of Ottoman affairs in 1686-1687, the History of Silahdar chronicle, and a fragment of the European chronicle Relazione di Constantinopoli) contradict the Russian narrative. This casts doubt on the veracity of the Muscovite diplomatic mission in 1686 and, therefore, the process of separation of the Kyiv Metropolia from the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
CasaPound Italia: ‘Back to Believing. The Struggle Continues’
Authors: Wolff Elisabetta Cassina
Published: July 2019

This article aims to be a contribution to the ongoing debate among scholars concerning the question whether recently formed right-wing radical parties represent a new phenomenon and a break with the fascist tradition or whether they remain close to a fascist ideology. The author focuses on a specific national radical right-wing party: CasaPound Italia (cpi), founded at the beginning of this century, which declares itself to be ‘fascist’. While existing research insists on the intervention of external factors such as the economic crisis of 2008 in order to explain a new ‘wave’ of right-wing radicalism in Italy, this article will show the constant evolving of right-wing radical discourse over a longer historical period. The analysis will mainly delve into the ideological and political role played by three leading exponents of the Italian and European radical right: Pino Rauti, Roberto Fiore and Gabriele Adinolfi. Through a narrative style, and using a historical approach and qualitative analysis, this paper argues that their experiences represent the roots and sources for Gianluca Iannone’s project with cpi.
Comparative Fascist Studies and the Transnational Turn: First comfas Convention
Authors: Warmuth Nick
Published: July 2019

Between 27 and 29 April 2018, approximately seventy academics from all over Europe met in Budapest to discuss fascism at the first comfas convention. The theme for this inaugural convention was ‘Comparative Fascist Studies and the Transnational Turn’. The International Association for Comparative Fascist Studies (comfas) was originally conceived in 2015 with the idea of creating a nonprofit and non-political community of researchers, ranging from graduate students to established professors. Not restricting itself exclusively to the narrow topic of European fascism of the mid-twentieth century, the organization would aspire to facilitate an interdisciplinary and collaborative scholarly-network that includes the whole spectrum of right-of-center politics and related social issues, including ultra-nationalism, authoritarianism, political violence, racism, genocide, and the Holocaust. Three years later, the original idea was finally put into action. The conference incorporated an overwhelming amount of presentation panels, public lectures, open debates, and would culminate in a reflection discussion on how the association could grow and improve in the future.
First record of the hygropetric genus Oocyclus Sharp (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from Laos, with description of a new species
Authors: MINOSHIMA YÛSUKE
Published: July 2019

The genus Oocyclus Sharp, 1882 is recorded from Laos for the first time. Two species are recognized, including a new species: O. rupicola sp. n. and O. thailensis Short et Swanson, 2005. Male genital segments and female spermathecal organs are illustrated, and the latter is also described for each species. SEM photographs of several useful taxonomic features are provided. Digital photographs of the holotype of O. rupicola are provided (online version in color). A key to the species of the genus from the Indochina peninsula is given.