bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity, Ankle-Brachial Index, and Malondialdehyde in Older Adults with or without Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Sri-amad Ruchada , Huipao Nawiya , Prasertsri Piyapong , Roengrit Thapanee
Published: February 2020

Metabolic syndrome is an important health problem associated with both subclinical atherosclerosis and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and it leads to an elevated total mortality. Aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV) is widely used for noninvasive assessment of arterial stiffness. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) predicts peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower extremities. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) is thought to be involved in the development of arterial stiffness. The present study aimed to: (1) compare aPWV, ABI, and MDA between participants with MetS and those without MetS and (2) investigate the correlation of aPWV and ABI with the components of MetS and MDA. A total of 48 Thai elderly subjects were divided into 2 groups (MetS and non-MetS) according to the parameters set by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). aPWV and ABI were measured using the VaSera VS-1500 system (Fukuda Denshi Co., Tokyo, Japan). MDA was determined by spectrophotometry. aPWV and MDA were significantly higher in the MetS group compared to the participants in the non-MetS group (9.33 ± 2.72 vs. 7.95 ± 1.37 m/s, p = 0.03, and 0.74 ± 0.71 vs. 0.45 ± 0.20 μmol, p = 0.02, respectively). However, ABI did not differ between the groups. Analysis of the risk factors of aPWV in each group revealed that there were no statistical associations between the components of MetS and MDA and aPWV in both the MetS and the non-MetS groups. A high aPWV is more prevalent among patients with MetS than among those without MetS. Monitoring of aPWV might help to explore potential detection of vascular damage in the elderly.
Comparative Analysis of the 3-Year Persistence Rate with Second-Line Vedolizumab and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitors in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Followed in Gastroenterology Practices in Germany
Authors: Helwig Ulf , Braegger Fiona , Kostev Karel , Schmidt Carsten
Published: February 2020

Background: Our goal was to investigate the 3-year persistence rates with second-line vedolizumab and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors (i.e., adalimumab, golimumab, infliximab) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were followed in gastroenterology practices in Germany. Methods: This study included patients aged ≥18 years who had received prescriptions for second-line biological drugs in Germany between 2014 and 2017 (n = 5,150) retrieved from the longitudinal prescription database. Vedolizumab users were matched to adalimumab, golimumab, and infliximab users based on age, sex, and index year. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of persistence with vedolizumab compared with the rate of persistence with adalimumab, golimumab, and infliximab within 3 years of second-line therapy initiation in IBD patients. Persistence was estimated as therapy time without discontinuation, with discontinuation being defined as at least 90 days without any prescription for the biological drug of interest. Results: After matching patients who had received vedolizumab with those who had received adalimumab, the rate of persistence after 3 therapy years was 30.3% for vedolizumab and 27.9% for adalimumab (log-rank p = 0.005). The corresponding figures were 27.8 and 20.8% in the vedolizumab-golimumab matched-pair analysis (log-rank p < 0.001) and 29.5 and 25.2% in the vedolizumab-infliximab matched-pair analysis (log-rank p value = 0.008). Vedolizumab was associated with a significant 0.85-, 0.72-, and 0.86-fold decrease in the risk of discontinuation within 3 years of therapy initiation compared to adalimumab, golimumab, and infliximab, respectively. Conclusions: Treatment persistence was higher for vedolizumab than for TNF-α inhibitors up to 3 years after initiating second-line biological therapy.
Prevalence and Its Feto-Maternal Outcome in Placental Abruption: A Retrospective Study for 5 Years from Dubai Hospital
Authors: Saquib Shabnam , Hamza Lama Khalid , AlSayed Azza , Saeed Faiza , Abbas Masuma
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Placental abruption (PA) is a major obstetric complication leading to increased risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. This study aims to determine the prevalence and its feto-maternal outcome in cases of placental abruption in our population. Methods: A retrospective descriptive case study was conducted from January 2013 till December 2017 in Dubai Hospital, Dubai, UAE. All patients admitted with suspicion of placental abruption at 28 weeks of gestation and beyond were included in the study. The clinical information like maternal age, parity, antenatal risk factors, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, postpartum complications and perinatal outcome were studied. Result: A total of 15,079 deliveries occurred during the study period; PA accounted for 0.61%. 62% of the women had revealed abruption and 38% had concealed abruption. The antenatal risk factors associated with abruption were diabetes (26%), chronic hypertension (2.2%), pre-eclampsia (19.5%), previous cesarean section (26%), and multiple pregnancy (9.8%). Cesarean section was the mode of delivery in 78% of abruption cases. 33% had postpartum hemorrhage and 20% had received blood products. Adverse fetal outcomes were as follows: 51% of the cases had preterm delivery, 47% of the babies had a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg, 8 cases died of intrauterine fetal death and there was 1 neonatal death. Conclusion: Even when being aware of the risk factors, placental abruption still remains unpredictable or unpreventable. Having better equipped obstetric and neonatal units with multidisciplinary management can improve both maternal and perinatal outcome in cases of placental abruption.
ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ ЕНТЕРОСОРБЕНТУ АУТ ДЛЯ КОРЕКЦІЇ ОКИСНЮВАЛЬНИХ ПРОЦЕСІВ ЗА ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОГО КОЛОРЕКТАЛЬНОГО КАНЦЕРОГЕНЕЗУ В ЩУРІВ
Authors: Kachur O. I. , Fira L. S. , Lykhatskyi P. H.
Published: February 2020

РЕЗЮМЕ. Злоякісні новоутворення товстої кишки є одним з найпоширеніших захворювань шлунко-кишкового тракту. Для лікування цих захворювань, окрім протипухлинної терапії, застосовують терапію супроводу, зокрема, ентеросорбцію, яка призначена для виведення токсичних речовин із організму.

Мета – оцінити ефективність використання ентеросорбенту АУТ та його вплив на показники оксидативного стресу в організмі щурів за умов експериментального канцерогенезу.

Матеріал і методи. Експерименти виконано на білих щурах-самцях, яким моделювали рак товстої кишки шляхом щотижневого підшкірного введення 1,2-диметилгідразину в дозі 7,2 мг/кг маси тіла впродовж 30 тижнів. Ентеросорбент АУТ вводили інтрагастрально щоденно впродовж 21 доби після моделювання пухлини в дозі 1 мл на 100 г маси тіла тварини. Розвиток оксидативного стресу вивчали за активністю окисної модифікації протеїнів, концентрацією продуктів пероксидного окиснення ліпідів, супероксиддисмутазною та каталазною активністю.

Результати. Встановлено, що після ураження 1,2-диметилгідразин гідрохлоридом розвивається оксидативний стрес, який підтверджується підвищенням у сироватці крові та печінці щурів вмісту ТБК-активних продуктів та 2,4-динітрофенілгідразонів. В експериментальних тварин порушується проксидантно-антиоксидантний баланс, на що вказує зниження активності показників ензиматичної ланки антиоксидантної системи. Застосування ентеросорбенту АУТ сприяло нормалізації окиснювальних процесів та відновленню активності ензиматичної ланки антиоксидантної системи в умовах індукованого канцерогенезу.

Висновок. Отримані результати підтверджують позитивну динаміку використання детоксикаційної терапії сорбентом АУТ під час прогресуючого розвитку оксидативного стресу за умов змодельованого канцерогенезу.
РОЛЬ ДИСФУНКЦІЇ ЕНДОТЕЛІЮ У ФОРМУВАННІ ВАД КЛАПАНІВ СЕРЦЯ
Authors: Fedoniuk L. Ya.
Published: February 2020

РЕЗЮМЕ. На сьогодні встановлено, що ендотелій є динамічною системою, яка може змінюватись, а її структурно-функціональні властивості тісно пов’язані з численними локальними, системними чинниками, а також із особливостями структурної організації. Пошкодження або активація ендотеліоцитів порушує нормальні регуляторні механізми та призводить до фенотипових змін, які загалом визначаються як ендотеліальна дис­функція. Ендотеліальна дисфункція – це порушення взаємовід­ношень між факторами, які підтримують гомеостаз та регулюють численні функції ендотелію. Мета – навести сучасні відомості про структурно-функціональні властивості ендотелію та патогенез ендотеліальної дисфункції; висвітлити взаємозалежні впливи вазоактивних субстанцій ендотеліального походження, передусім оксиду азоту. До найбільш значущих механізмів ендотеліальної дисфункції належить порушення метаболізму L-аргінін – оксид азоту (NO), який є основною ефекторною молекулою, що продукується ендотеліоцитами. Зміни функції судинного ендотелію можуть бути наслідком як зменшення синтезу NO ендотеліальними клітинами, так і активацією процесів його деградації в умовах оксидативного стресу. Порушення функціо­нального стану ендотелію описані при різноманітних патологічних станах, таких як атеросклероз, артеріальна гіпертензія, гіперхолестеринемія, хронічна серцева недостатність, цукровий діабет. Ендотеліальна дисфункція практично закономірно розвивається при ревматичних хворобах, а також при інфекційному ендокардиті, що є однією з головних причин кардіоваскулярних ускладнень захворювань.
ОСОБЛИВОСТІ КЛІНІЧНОГО ПЕРЕБІГУ РЕВМАТОЇДНОГО АРТРИТУ, АСОЦІЙОВАНОГО З BORRELIA BURGDORFERI
Authors: Smiyan S. I. , Yuskevych V. V.
Published: February 2020

Із кожним роком усе актуальнішим стає вивчення інфекційних артритів в ревматологічній практиці, оскільки на сьогодні артрити, асоційовані з Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi), є серйозною медико-біологічною та медико-соціальною проблемою з огляду на схильність до хронізації та розвитку уражень опорно-рухового апарату, що призводить до несприятливих наслідків – тривалої непрацездатності й інвалідизації людей різного віку та статі. Мета – встановити особливості клінічного перебігу РА, асоційованого з B. burgdorferi. Матеріал і методи. Під нашим спостереженням перебували 63 пацієнти віком від 19 до 73 років, що зверталися в ревматологічне відділення Тернопільської університетської лікарні. Серед них було 19 (30,15 %) чоловіків і 44 (69,85 %) жінки. Пацієнти були поділені на 2 групи: 34 (1 група) – хворі з РА, асоційованим з B. burgdorferi, 29 (2 група) – з ізольованим РА. Діагноз РА верифікований згідно з класифікаційними критеріями (ACR/EULAR 2010). Для аналізу інтенсивності болю було використано візуальну аналогову шкалу болю (ВАШ), для характеристики активності РА застосовували шкалу активності хвороби DAS 28. Специфічні IgМ та IgG до комплексу B. burgdorferi визначали за допомогою реакції імунного блотингу. Результати. При проведенні дослідження встановлено, що наявність B. burgdorferi у хворих на РА асоціювалась із швидшим розвитком захворювання та високим ступенем активності запального процесу. Серед обстежених з лабораторно підтвердженою B. burgdorferi була більша кількість пацієнтів позитивних за АТ до ЦЦП та РФ. Серед когорти обстежених на РА з B. burgdorferi продемонстровано високий процент хворих з наявністю кіст Бейкера та структурними змінами на рентгенограмі (Ro-грамі). Показники больового синдрому за ВАШ були достовірно вищими у пацієнтів із РА, асоційованим з B. burgdorferi (р<0,05). Висновки. Продемонстровано, що наявність B. burgdorferi серед когорти обстежуваних сприяє прогресуванню артриту, викликає тяжчу клінічну картину захворювання та є предиктором розвитку більш вираженого ступеня суглобової деструкції.
Оптимізація хірургічного лікування та профілактика розвитку гострої спайкової тонкокишкової непрохідності
Authors: Deykalo I. M. , Bukata V. V. , Donchenko L. S.
Published: February 2020

Мета роботи: покращити результати лікування хворих з гострою спайковою тонкокишковою непрохідністю шляхом вдосконалення лікувально-діагностичної тактики та розробки методів профілактики розвитку ускладнень та рецидиву захворювання.

Матеріали і методи. Проведено аналіз спостереження за 226 хворими на гостру кишкову непрохідність. 111 пацієнтів з гострою спайковою тонкокишковою непрохідністю прооперовані. Усі пацієнти були поділені на контрольну та основну групи: до контрольної групи увійшли 57 хворих (31 хворий прооперований лапаротомно, 26 – лапароскопічно); до основної – 54 (26 хворих оперовані лапаротомно, 28 – лапароскопічно).

Клінічні дослідження проводили в три етапи. Для аналізу стану системної мікроциркуляції та механізмів регуляції мікро­цир­куля­то­рного русла проведено лазерну доплерівську флоуметрію на одноканаль­но­му лазерному аналізаторі мікроциркуляції “ЛАКК-02”. Обстеження проводили до оперативного втручання, під час операції та на 3 добу післяопераційного періоду. При обстеженні оцінювали базові показники мікроциркуляції та амплітудно-частотний спектр коливань кровотоку. 

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Під час проведення лазерної доплерівської флоуметрії характер змін перфузії та її регуляції перед оперативним втручанням залежав від стадії патологічного процесу. Зниження показника шунтування до операції, порушення кровонаповнення тканин та зниження температури тіла в кінці операції свідчать про можливість розвитку ускладнень у післяопераційному періоді.

При використанні малоінвазивних технологій спостерігалося зменшення порушення мікроциркуляції. Тривалість оперативного втручання знижувалась  удвічі, відновлення моторно-евакуаторної функції кишечника наставало в першу добу післяопераційного періоду, проти другої–третьої доби при використанні традиційних технологій, післяопераційний період зменшився на 3,5 ліжко-дні.

Використання у комплексному лікуванні хворих із гострою спайковою тонкокишковою непрохідністю препаратів Дефенсаль та Цитофлавін дозволило знизити час відновлення моторно-евакуа­торної функції кишечника в післяопераційному періоді, зменшити кількість усклад­нень та скоротити термін перебування хворих у стаціонарі на 1–2 доби, незалежно від тяжкості перебігу захворювання та обраної хірургічної методики.
Досвід використання довготривалої електростимуляції при ушкодженнях нервів, поєднаних з ішемією м’язів передпліччя
Authors: Gatsky O. O. , Tretiakova A. I. , Kovalenko I. V. , Tretyak I. B.
Published: February 2020

Мета роботи: підвищити ефективність лікування хворих з ушкодженнями нервів, поєднаних з ішемією мʼязів передпліччя шляхом використання методик реконструктивної хірургії та довготривалої електростимуляції нервів.

Матеріали і методи. Проведено аналіз хірургічного лікування десяти хворих з травмою нервів, поєднаних з супракондилярними переломи плечової кістки, ускладнених ішемією м’язів передпліччя. Представники чоловічої статі складали 80 % обстежених, жіночої – 20 %. Середній термін від моменту отримання травми до проведення реконструктивного втручання становив 4,7 місяців. В усіх випадках проведено хірургічне лікування – невроліз, аутопластика, зшивання нервів, ангіоліз,  видалення дегенеративно змінених тканин в межах найбільшої щільності фасціально-кісткових проміжків. У 8 випадках реконструктивне нейрохірургічне втручання завершувалось імплантацією системи для довготривалої прямої електростимуляції нервів “Ней-Сі 3М” (ВЕЛ, Україна).

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Запропонована методика дозволила досягти суттєвого поліпшення результатів лікування у 80 % постраждалих. Враховуючи складний механізм розвитку змін м’язового апарату внаслідок денерваційного та ішемічного ґенезу, усунення щонайменше денерваційних ефектів, шляхом стимуляції регенераційного потенціалу ушкодженого периферичного нерва є доволі перспективним напрямком.
Травма грудної клітки: особливості перебігу, ускладнення та лікувальна тактика
Authors: Bedeniuk A. D. , Malovanyy V. V. , Viytovych L. E. , Dovha I. I.
Published: February 2020

Мета роботи: узагальнити досвід лікування хворих з ускладненою травмою грудної клітки.

На базі відділення торакальної хірургії КНП “Тернопільська університетська лікарня” ТОР за період 2015–2019 рр. проліковано 447 хворих із торакальною травмою.

У 185 пацієнтів проведено металоостеосинтез (МОС) ребер LCP, що сприяє ранній мобілізації пацієнтів, забезпечуючи стійку фіксацію уламків та зменшення больового синдрому. Торакотомію виконано у 198 (44,3 %) пацієнтів, VATS було успішно проведено у 19 (4,3 %) пацієнтів. Проведені втручання полягали в ліквідації згорнутого гемотораксу, гемостазі при внутрішньоплевральних кровотечах, ушиванні розривів діафрагми, резекціях легень при наявності масивних розривів чи пневмоцеле. Поранення серця є одним із найтяжчих при лікуванні проникаючих поранень грудної клітки. За наявності рани в зоні Грекова проводилась екстрена торакотомія з ушиванням рани серця, реінфузією крові та зашиваням перикарда вузловими рідкими швами з накладанням контрапертури.
Pathways to Crisis: Structural Liability, Global Contingency, and State-Business Relationships in the East Asian Economic Turmoil
Authors: Tsai Ming-Chang
Published: February 2020

The financial crisis of 1997 in East Asia evoked extensive academic discussion and re-interpretation of the region’s economic growth strategy. In contrast to prevailing theorization through singling out certain principal elements for explanation, a theory of structural liability is proposed herein to examine both the structural liability of problematic economic institutions and the contingency of global contexts that instigated the crisis. This study argues that a context-dependent causation model helps untangle causal complexion of this economic upheaval. After identifying weak financial/market regulation as a structural liability accompanying East Asia’s industrial development, we further discern the distinctive transformation of the state-business relationship in Thailand and South Korea (decreasing state regulation), which differs from that of Indonesia (increasing state predation), and suggest that there were two pathways toward such liability. The changing global economy and geopolitics are included in the structural liability model as the contingent contexts enabling problematic institutions to develop into crisis. The concluding section discusses both theoretical and methodological implications of the realist model for explaining the crisis.
Subalternity across the Indian Ocean: the Sidis of Gujarat
Authors: Perez Rosa Maria
Published: February 2020

In Gujarat, as in other states of India, the Sidis illustrate the long-term African existence in India, which was dominantly analyzed through Eurocentric categories substantiated either by the semantics of slavery or, more recently, by the paradigm of the African diaspora in the world. Both were mainly produced in and for the North Atlantic realm. This article aims at identifying the intersection between the two margins of the Indian Ocean grounded on an ethnohistory of the Sidis of Gir, in Saurashtra. As an anthropologist, it is at the level of contemporary Indian society within the dialectic and dialogic framework of relationships between the Sidis and the other groups that I observed them, being aware of the discontinuities existing within this category on the one hand and, on the other, of a common idiom through which the Sidis communicate their “Africanness.”
Multiperiod Contracting and Salesperson Effort Profiles: The Optimality of “Hockey Stick,” “Giving Up,” and “Resting on Laurels”
Authors: Jerath Kinshuk , Long Fei
Published: February 2020

The authors study multiperiod sales force incentive contracting in which salespeople can engage in effort gaming, a phenomenon that has extensive empirical support. Focusing on a repeated moral hazard scenario with two independent periods and a risk-neutral agent with limited liability, the authors conduct a theoretical investigation to understand which effort profiles the firm can expect under the optimal contract. The authors show that various effort profiles that may give the appearance of being suboptimal, such as postponing effort exertion (“hockey stick”) and not exerting effort after a bad or a good initial demand outcome (“giving up” and “resting on laurels,” respectively) may indeed be induced optimally by the firm. This is because, under certain conditions that depend on how severe the contracting frictions are and how effective effort exertion is in increasing demand, the firm wants to concentrate rewards on extreme demand outcomes. Doing this induces gaming and reduces expected demand but also makes motivating effort cheaper, thus saving on incentive payments. On introducing dependence between time periods, such as when the agent can transfer demands between periods, this insight continues to hold and, furthermore, “hockey stick,” “giving up,” and “resting on laurels” can be optimal for the firm even under repeated short time horizon contracting. The results imply that one must carefully consider the setting and environmental factors when making inferences about contract effectiveness from dynamic effort profiles of agents.
Service Providers’ Decision to Use Ethics Committees and Consultation in Complex Services
Authors: Zyung J. Daniel , Mittal Vikas , Kekre Sunder , Hegde Gajanan G. , Shang Jennifer , Marcus Brian S. , Venkat Arvind
Published: February 2020

Ethics has long been, and continues to be, a central topic among marketing scholars and practitioners. When providing complex services—multiple interactions over time that are predicated on the evolving needs of customers—service providers face ethical dilemmas, which are often resolved by engaging an ethics committee (EC). Despite the prevalence of ECs, research on service providers’ preference to engage with an EC is sparse. This study examines whether the role that health care providers play, as either task manager or relationship manager, makes a difference in their preference for engaging with and utilizing an EC for resolving ethical dilemmas. Results based on 1,440 observations collected from health care service providers show that service providers’ task or relationship management role, as well as prior experience with an ethics consultation, influences their preference both for engaging an EC and for having the EC prescribe a specific outcome to resolve an ethical dilemma. This study extends prior work on conceptual models examining ethical decision-making processes in marketing.
The ambiguity of diversity: Management of ethnic and class transitions in a gentrifying local shopping street
Authors: van Eck Emil , Hagemans Iris , Rath Jan
Published: February 2020

As a malleable concept with a relatively positive resonance, ‘diversity’ proves to be a useful tool to legitimise a range of policy strategies, goals and outcomes. In the Netherlands, the concept has gained a central role in the implementation of social mixing policies targeting so-called problematic neighbourhoods by introducing a better ‘mixed’ or ‘balanced’ population. The discursive celebration of such a mixed neighbourhood, however, often carefully evades the question: ‘A mix of what?’ Closer inspection of policy interventions reveals that the different meanings of diversity are employed to claim urban space for some groups, while excluding others. This is illustrated by a range of micro-management strategies in a shopping street in Amsterdam, Javastraat. Framed as promoting diversity, they form a symbolically loaded strategy to covertly manage ethnic and class transition by targeting the retail landscape. This article explores the (discursive) remaking of the shopping street and the consequences thereof for shopkeepers and local residents.
ICG‐Guided Sentinel Lymph Node Sampling during Robotic Retroauricular Neck Dissection in cN0 Oral Cancer
Authors: Kim Ji Hoon , Byeon Hyung Kwon , Kim Da Hee , Kim Se‐Heon , Choi Eun Chang , Koh Yoon Woo
Published: February 2020

In this study, we sought to evaluate the clinical feasibility of indocyanine green (ICG)–guided sentinel lymph node (SLN) sampling during robotic retroauricular neck dissection (RAND) in patients with cN0 oral cancer. Nine adult patients diagnosed with T1 to T2 oral squamous cell carcinoma were consecutively recruited. All of them underwent transoral partial glossectomy and robotic RAND (levels I‐III) simultaneously. Twelve hours prior to surgery, ICG was injected into the 4 quadrants around primary tongue tumors. During robotic RAND, intraoperative and ex vivo ICG‐stained LNs were identified using the Firefly system and examined for the presence of fluorescence. ICG‐stained LNs were identified in all patients. Thirty‐one ICG‐stained LNs were detected in 313 retrieved LNs (9.9%). Occult metastases were detected among the ICG‐stained LNs in 2 patients (22.2%). There was no metastasis identified in the ICG‐unstained LNs. Upstaging rates, sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of ICG‐guided SLN sampling were 22.2%, 100%, 91.5%, and 100%, respectively.
Role of Free Radical Formation in Murine Cytomegalovirus–Induced Hearing Loss
Authors: Pecha Phayvanh P. , Almishaal Ali A. , Mathur Pranav D. , Hillas Elaine , Johnson Taelor , Price Melissa S. , Haller Travis , Yang Jun , Rajasekaran Namakkal S. , Firpo Matthew A. , Park Albert H.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The goal of the study was to determine whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediates cytomegalovirus (CMV)–induced labyrinthitis.

Study Design

Murine model of CMV infection.

Setting

University of Utah laboratory.

Subjects and Methods

Nrf2 knockout mice were inoculated with murine CMV. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were then performed on these and uninfected controls. BALB/c mice were inoculated with murine CMV to determine whether a marker for ROS production, dihydroethidium (DHE), is expressed 7 days after inoculation. Finally, 2 antioxidants—D‐methionine and ACE‐Mg (vitamins A, C, and E with magnesium)—were administered 1 hour before and after infection in inoculated mice for 14 days. Temporal bones were harvested at postnatal day 10 for DHE detection. ABR and DPOAE testing was done at postnatal day 30. Scanning electron microscopy was also performed at postnatal day 30 to evaluate outer hair cell integrity.

Results

Nrf2‐infected mice had worse hearing than uninfected mice (P <. 001). A statistically significant increase in DHE fluorescence was detected in BALB/c‐infected mice as compared with uninfected mice 7 days after inoculation. D‐methionine‐ and ACE‐Mg‐treated mice demonstrated an attenuation of the DHE fluorescence and a significant improvement in ABR and DPOAE thresholds when compared with untreated infected controls (P <. 0001). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated less outer hair cell loss in the treated versus untreated infected controls.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate for the first time that excessive ROS mediates CMV‐induced hearing loss in a mouse model.
Why do people use new psychoactive substances? Development of a new measurement tool in six European countries
Authors: Benschop Annemieke , Urbán Róbert , Kapitány-Fövény Máté , Van Hout Marie Claire , Dąbrowska Katarzyna , Felvinczi Katalin , Hearne Evelyn , Henriques Susana , Kaló Zsuzsa , Kamphausen Gerrit , Silva Joana Paula , Wieczorek Łukasz , Werse Bernd , Bujalski Michal , Korf Dirk , Demetrovics Zsolt
Published: February 2020

Introduction:

New psychoactive substances (NPS) pose a public health threat. Many studies have tried to identify the reasons of NPS use; however, none of them have so far used any standardised measures. The aim of this study was (i) to develop and cross-culturally validate the New Psychoactive Substance Use Motives Measure (NPSMM) and (ii) to compare motives of NPS use across countries and user types.

Methods:

Three subgroups (socially marginalised users, nightlife attendees and members of online communities) of NPS users ( N = 3023) were recruited from six EU member countries. Demographics, motives and types of NPS used were assessed. NPS use motives were measured by adapting the extended six-factor version of the Marijuana Motives Measure.

Results:

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a similar five-factor solution across most of the countries: coping, enhancement, social, conformity and expansion motives. Marginalised users scored higher on coping and conformity motives, nightlife groups showed higher endorsement of social motive, whereas online community users showed higher scores on expansion motives. Various types of NPS were also associated with different motives.

Conclusion:

NPS use motives might be associated with both the groups of users and the specific types of NPS being consumed. Expansion (psychedelics) and enhancement (stimulants) motives seemed to be linked to the chosen NPS product type, while coping, social and conformity motives were rather associated with user groups. NPSMM was found to be a valid instrument to measure NPS motives.
Efficacy of povidone-iodine against accidental tumor incision during nephron-sparing surgery: experimental study in patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Gang , Zhi Chao , Zhu Dongsheng , Liu Zihao , Niu Yuanjie
Published: February 2020

Purpose

Accidental tumor incision (ATI) can occur during nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) and correlates with recurrence and metastasis. This study investigated risk factors of intraoperative ATI in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients after NSS and the efficacy of povidone-iodine for ATI.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 150 consecutive stage I (pT1N0M0) RCC patients who underwent NSS at The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between May 2010 and October 2015 for the causes of ATI. Furthermore, in vitro experiments investigated whether tumor cells remained on the surface of scissors and the effect of treatment with povidone-iodine on the number of remaining 786-O cells.

Results

Among the 150 cases, 15 showed ATI, of which three suffered local recurrence during a median follow-up of 56 months. Pseudocapsules, satellite nodules, and renal cystic tumors were observed in ATI cases. In vitro experiments showed that tumor cells remained on the surface of scissors after ATI during NSS and that 0.5% povidone-iodine effectively killed tumor cells in 30 minutes.

Conclusions

The probability of ATI is high in patients with complex-type RCC during NSS. ATI potentially increases the chance of metastasis and local recurrence, and 0.5% povidone-iodine kills tumor cells more effectively than distilled water.
Bone mineral density and its correlation with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with hyperthyroidism
Authors: Liu Haixia , Ma Qihang , Han Xinli , Huang Wenwen
Published: February 2020

Objective

This study aimed to determine the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with hyperthyroidism after undergoing treatment.

Methods

A total of 120 patients with hyperthyroidism were selected as participants. Methimazole tablets were provided to all of the participants, with an initial dose of 20 mg/day and a maintenance dose of 2.5 mg/day for 1 year. Blood calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and thyroid hormone levels were assayed using an automatic biochemical analyzer. Levels of 25(OH)D and bone alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

Serum phosphorus, PTH, and 25(OH)D levels in patients with hyperthyroidism were significantly higher, and bone ALP and 24-hour urinary calcium levels were significantly lower after treatment compared with before treatment. BMD in patients with hyperthyroidism was significantly improved after treatment. In logistic regression analysis of BMD-related risk factors, bone ALP, PTH, and 25(OH)D levels were risk factors of BMD.

Conclusion

Treatment for hyperthyroidism should be supplemented with vitamin D and calcium, which have important clinical significance for adjusting bone metabolism and delaying the process of osteoporosis.
Preparation and antitumor effects of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff base derivative
Authors: Jiang Guo-wei , Chang Qing , Liang Dong-yu , Zhang Yu-ting , Meng Yong-jun , Yi Qing-qing
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The purpose of this paper was to synthesize 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff base derivative and to evaluate its antitumor activity.

Methods

2,4,6-Tris (4-formylphenoxy)-1,3,5-triazine was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution with reaction of p-hydroxybenzaldehyde with cyanuric chloride. Then, the intermediate was reacted with 1,2,4-triazole to form 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff base derivative by reduction and ammonification of aldehydes. The 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff base derivative was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and elemental analyses. Finally, the anticancer effect of 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff base derivative was evaluated by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay on a lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) and a human hepatoma cell line (Bel7402).

Results

The product synthesized in this study was confirmed to be 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff base derivative, and it significantly suppressed the proliferation of cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions

We successfully prepared 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole Schiff base derivative and verified its antitumor activity.
Nivolumab efficacy in leptomeningeal metastasis of renal cell carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Bonomi Lucia , Bettini Anna Cecilia , Arnoldi Ermenegildo , Chirco Alessandra , Ghilardi Laura , Manara Ornella , Roscigno Marco , Da Pozzo Luigi Filippo , Tondini Carlo Alberto
Published: February 2020

Background:

Meningeal carcinomatosis is rare in patients with kidney cancer and treatment options are limited. Few patients treated with systemic approaches have been reported. We describe a case of complete remission of leptomeningeal metastasis in a patient with renal cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab. To our knowledge, this is the first report of nivolumab safety and efficacy in this particular site of metastasis.

Case presentation:

Our patient was a 60-year-old Caucasian man with bone and lung metastases from renal cell carcinoma. He developed leptomeningeal metastasis and progression of bone and lung lesions after only 2 months of his first-line treatment. He was then treated with nivolumab in second-line setting and experienced a rapid improvement of cancer-related symptoms, complete remission of leptomeningeal and lung lesions, and increased bone mineral density in bone metastasis. The patient did not experience any drug-related toxicity.

Conclusions:

Meningeal carcinomatosis metastasis from renal cancer is a rare condition. Diagnosis is often challenging: the onset of nonspecific presenting symptoms could be initially attributed to bone involvement, side effects of oncologic therapy, or paraneoplastic syndromes. Our case suggests that nivolumab could be an effective and safe treatment option in patients with pretreated renal cancer with leptomeningeal metastasis.
Establishing and measuring treatment fidelity of a complex cognitive rehabilitation intervention: The multicontext approach
Authors: Toglia Joan , Lee Alyson , Steinberg Chelsea , Waldman-Levi Amiya
Published: February 2020

Introduction

This article describes the process of establishing and measuring treatment fidelity of a complex cognitive rehabilitation intervention that uses a metacognitive strategy framework (the multicontext approach). We adapted treatment guidelines for use within an inpatient rehabilitation setting for people with acquired brain injury; explored training methods and therapist perspectives; developed and examined inter-rater reliability of a fidelity measure; and examined adherence to and proficiency of treatment methods.

Method

Therapist perspectives of the intervention and training were obtained from written questionnaires and reflections. Inter-rater reliability of 21 treatment components across 22 video-recorded treatment sessions was assessed by examining absolute agreement between two raters using Cohen’s kappa. The proportion of treatment components implemented in individual sessions as well as average proficiency ratings was calculated.

Results

The fidelity measure demonstrated good inter-rater agreement, ranging from 91–100% for treatment adherence and kappa of .77 to .94 for therapist proficiency. Adherence and proficiency varied between therapists but increased to nearly proficient levels with adjustments to training and procedures. Therapists highlighted the critical importance of video review as a training tool.

Conclusion

The fidelity measure provides a clinical tool for therapist self-reflection, supervision and training, as well as a tool for future research.
The effect of HIV status on post-stroke outcomes in personal activities of daily living
Authors: Augustyn Hymeri , de Witt Patricia , Franzsen Denise
Published: February 2020

Introduction

This study explored the impact of HIV on the functional recovery of personal activities of daily living of stroke survivors. This assisted in identifying possible implications for the rehabilitation of stroke survivors who are also HIV-positive.

Method

A quantitative, descriptive, longitudinal comparative research design was used to determine the change in personal activities of daily living scores of HIV-negative and HIV-positive stroke survivors from admission to 1 month after discharge. Data were collected at a rehabilitation unit using the South African Database Functional Measure.

Results

There was no difference in the rate and nature of functional recovery of personal activities of daily living between the two groups between admission and discharge. A difference was noticed during the period from admission to 1 month after discharge, during which the HIV-negative group continued to show improvement, while the HIV-positive group showed little improvement or a decline in personal activities of daily living scores.

Conclusions

While the rate and nature of functional recovery related to personal activities of daily living for HIV-positive and HIV-negative stroke survivors is similar during inpatient care, discharge planning for the HIV-positive group needs to consider the decline in personal activities of daily living functioning post discharge. Regular follow-ups and the inclusion of the stroke survivors in an outpatient treatment programme is recommended.
Flutter analysis of a one-and-a-half-stage fan at low speed using nonlinear harmonic method
Authors: Yang Weichao , Wang Yanrong , Jiang Xianghua , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: February 2020

Multirow effects on flutter stability of a 1.5-stage fan at low speed are investigated using nonlinear harmonic method in a one-way coupled fashion. In the first part, the mesh-independence verification and validation of nonlinear harmonic method to simulate multirow effects are performed. In the second part, multirow effects are separated into two parts including acoustic reflection and rotor–stator interaction induced by relative motion between rotor and stators with each part investigated individually. Effect of acoustic reflection from upstream and downstream blade rows is investigated separately using a harmonic truncation method to avoid the change of time-mean flow. The results show that acoustic reflection can have a large effect on flutter stability of rotor blade. The simulation of the rotor–stator interaction effect indicates that the rotor–stator interaction does not significantly affect the flutter stability of rotor blade in this case. Lastly, the variation of aerodynamic modal damping ratio with the size of gap between inlet guide vane and rotor is investigated. Aerodynamic modal damping ratio at a nodal diameter whose fundamental mode is cut-on varies periodically with gap size. Wave splitting method is employed to further investigate the relation between the phase difference between incoming and outgoing wave and aero damping, which can be used to improve the flutter stability at the design stage.
Do People Want to Be More Moral?
Authors: Sun Jessie , Goodwin Geoffrey P.
Published: February 2020

Most people want to change some aspects of their personality, but does this phenomenon extend to moral character and to close others? Targets ( n = 800) rated their personality traits and reported how much they wanted to change on each trait; well-acquainted informants ( n = 958) rated targets’ personality traits and how much they wanted the targets to change on those same traits. Targets and informants reported a lower desire to change more morally relevant traits (e.g., honesty, compassion, fairness) compared with less morally relevant traits (e.g., anxiety, sociability, productiveness)—even after we controlled for current trait levels. Moreover, although targets generally wanted to improve more on traits that they had less desirable levels of, and informants wanted their targets to improve more on those traits as well, targets’ moral change goals were less calibrated to their current trait levels. Finally, informants wanted targets to change in similar ways, but to a lesser extent, than targets themselves did. These findings suggest that moral considerations take a back seat when it comes to self-improvement.
Subjective Well-Being Around the World: Trends and Predictors Across the Life Span
Authors: Jebb Andrew T. , Morrison Mike , Tay Louis , Diener Ed
Published: February 2020

Using representative cross-sections from 166 nations (more than 1.7 million respondents), we examined differences in three measures of subjective well-being over the life span. Globally, and in the individual regions of the world, we found only very small differences in life satisfaction and negative affect. By contrast, decreases in positive affect were larger. We then examined four important predictors of subjective well-being and how their associations changed: marriage, employment, prosociality, and life meaning. These predictors were typically associated with higher subjective well-being over the life span in every world region. Marriage showed only very small associations for the three outcomes, whereas employment had larger effects that peaked around age 50 years. Prosociality had practically significant associations only with positive affect, and life meaning had strong, consistent associations with all subjective-well-being measures across regions and ages. These findings enhance our understanding of subjective-well-being patterns and what matters for subjective well-being across the life span.
Stable expression ratios of five pyroptosis-inducing cytokines in the spleen and thymus of mice showed potential immune regulation at the organ level
Authors: Fan H , Zhang S , Li N , Fan P , Hu X , Liang K , Cheng X , Wu Y
Published: February 2020

Background

The immune system is one of the most complex regulatory systems in the body and is essential for the maintenance of homeostasis. Despite recent breakthroughs in immunology, the regulation of the immune system and the etiology of autoimmune diseases such as lupus remain unclear. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a systemic autoimmune disease with abnormally and inconsistently expressed pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pyroptosis is a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death that is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. The thymus and spleen are important immune organs involved in systemic lupus erythematosus. Therefore, this study investigated the difference in expression of pyroptosis-inducing pro-inflammatory cytokines between the spleen and thymus in lupus model mice and in control mice, to describe immune regulation at the organ level.

Objective

To investigate differences in the expression of pyroptosis-inducing cytokines in the spleen and thymus and to explore immune regulatory networks at the organ level.

Methods

Two groups of lupus mice and two groups of control mice were utilized for this study. Using the thymus and spleen of experimental animals, mRNA expression levels of five pyroptosis-inducing cytokines (interleukin 1β, interleukin 18, NLRP3, caspase-1 and TNF-α) were determined via quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, tissue distribution of these cytokines was investigated via immunohistochemistry.

Results

All five pyroptosis-inducing inflammatory cytokines showed higher expression in the spleen than in the thymus ( p < 0.05). Moreover, the spleen/thymus expression ratios of all five pyroptosis-inducing cytokines were not statistically different between the four experimental groups. Expression of all five cytokines exhibited a stable ratio (spleen/thymus ratios). This distinctive stable spleen/thymus ratio was consistent in all four experimental groups. The stable spleen/thymus ratios of the five inflammatory cytokines were as follows: interleukin 1β (2.02 ± 0.9), interleukin 18 (2.07 ± 1.06), caspase-1 (1.93 ± 0.66), NLRP3 (3.14 ± 1.61) and TNF-α (3.16 ± 1.36). Immunohistochemical analysis showed the cytokines were mainly expressed in the red pulp region of the spleen and the medullary region of the thymus, where immune-activated cells aggregated.

Conclusion

The stable spleen/thymus expression ratios of pyroptosis-inducing cytokines indicated that immune organs exhibit strictly regulated functions to maintain immune homeostasis and adapt to the environment.
Double trouble: myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries as a presentation of Hughes syndrome in monozygotic twins
Authors: Djokovic A , Stojanovich L , Stanisavljevic N , Popovic M , Zdravkovic M
Published: February 2020

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a recently described, clinically significant entity, with prevalence rates ranging from 1% to 14% and a mean of 6% of all patients with myocardial infarction. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS; Hughes syndrome) is characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies associated with thrombosis (arterial and/or venous) and/or pregnancy morbidity and could be the cause of MINOCA. Data on genetic predisposition to APS are scarce. The present study describes a unique case of monozygotic twin brothers who, at a young age, developed the same clinical presentation of APS. The diagnosis of APS was later confirmed, along with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in one brother.
The cure model in perinatal epidemiology
Authors: Stoltenberg Emil A , Nordeng Hedvig ME , Ystrom Eivind , Samuelsen Sven O
Published: February 2020

In the statistical literature, the class of survival analysis models known as cure models has received much attention in recent years. Cure models seem not, however, to be part of the statistical toolbox of perinatal epidemiologists. In this paper, we demonstrate that in perinatal epidemiological studies where one investigates the relation between a gestational exposure and a condition that can only be ascertained after several years, cure models may provide the correct statistical framework. The reason for this is that the hypotheses being tested often concern an unobservable outcome that, in view of the hypothesis, should be thought of as occurring at birth, even though it is only detectable much later in life. The outcome of interest can therefore be viewed as a censored binary variable. We illustrate our argument with a simple cure model analysis of the possible relation between gestational exposure to paracetamol and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, using data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study conducted by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, and information about the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnoses obtained from the Norwegian Patient Registry.