bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emphysematous Gastritis Associated with Sarcina ventriculi
Authors: Singh Kevin
Published: April 2019

Emphysematous gastritis is a rare and lethal gastrointestinal emergency if not promptly identified and managed. In rare cases, emphysematous gastritis is associated with Sarcina ventriculi infection, usually in patients with delayed gastric emptying. Here we report a lethal case of S. ventriculi-associated emphysematous gastritis in the absence of delayed gastric emptying in which the diagnosis was confirmed postmortem. This case provides an opportunity to review the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and management of emphysematous gastritis so that the condition can be promptly diagnosed and managed to prevent significant morbidity and mortality.
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy with the Adsorbing Filter oXiris in Septic Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Turani Franco , Barchetta Riccardo , Falco Mauro , Busatti Silvia , Weltert Luca
Published: April 2019

Background: Extracorporeal treatment may be useful during sepsis, but definitive recommendations are lacking. Aim of this study is to review retrospectively the medical records of septic patients submitted to continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with the adsorbing membrane oXiris and evaluate (1) the safety of the device, (2) the cardiorenal response, and (3) the immunological response. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 60 septic patients submitted to CRRT with the membrane oXiris from April 2011 to December 2018 have been reviewed. The adsorbing membrane oXiris® (Baxter, IL, USA) was used through a Prisma plataform (Prismaflex – Baxter, IL, USA). At basal time (T0), at 24 h (T1), and at the end of the treatment (T2) were analyzed the clinical data, the cytokines, and the time course of endotoxin. Results: Sixty patients were included in the study. In total, 85% of patients had acute kidney injury (AKI). Every CRRT treatment was of 72 ± 13 h, with the consumption of 3.2 ± 1 filters. No AE events were reported. The main cardiorenal and respiratory parameters improved with a decrease of the noradrenaline dosage. Cytokines, procalcitonin, and endotoxin activity assay decreased too. SOFA total improved from 12.4 ± 2 to 9 ± 2. Conclusion: In sepsis/septic shock patients with AKI, CRRT with the adsorbing membrane oXiris may be safe and improves the cardiorenal – function and the clinical condition. The effect on cytokines and endotoxin may explain in part these results. A RCT is warranted to confirm these data.
Therapeutic Challenge of Minicircle Vector Encoding Klotho in Animal Model
Authors: Shin Yoo Jin , Luo Kang , Quan Yi , Ko Eun Jeong , Chung Byung Ha , Lim Sun Woo , Yang Chul Woo
Published: April 2019

Background: Klotho treatment is a promising approach against kidney injury, but its clinical application is still undetermined. We developed a novel strategy to allow self-production of Klotho protein, using minicircle (MC) technology, and evaluated its feasibility in therapeutic Klotho delivery. Methods: We engineered MC vectors to carry cassette sequences of Klotho and verified the self-production of Klotho protein from in HEK293T cells. We evaluated the location and persistence of delivered MC in vivo, and the duration of Klotho protein production from MCs by serial measurement of Klotho protein in blood. We subsequently evaluated the therapeutic potential of Klotho-encoding MCs in experimental model of renal injury. Results: We confirmed the production of Klotho from MC by its significant availability in cells transfected with the MC, as well as in its conditioned medium, compared to that in cells transfected with parent vector. MCs were delivered in vivo by hydrodynamic injection via tail vein. After a single injection of MCs, red fluorescence protein was detected until 30 days in liver, and Klotho protein was maintained until 10 days in the blood, suggesting the production of Klotho protein from MCs via protein synthesis machinery in liver. Therapeutic effect of MC was confirmed by functional and histological improvement seen in mouse model of acute ischemia-reperfusion injury and unilateral ureteral obstruction. Conclusion: Together, these findings implied that self-generated Klotho protein, using MC technology, is functionally active and relevant as a therapeutic approach in renal injury.
Хірургічне лікування поєднаного оклюзійно-стенотичного ураження екстракраніальних артерій та аорто/клубово-стегнового сегмента в умовах високого ризику розвитку реперфузійно-реоксигенаційних ускладнень
Authors: Venher I. K. , Herasymiuk N. I. , Kostiv S. Ya. , Vayda A. R. , Loyko I. I.
Published: April 2019

Мета роботи: покращити результати хірургічного лікування поєднаного оклюзійно-стенотичного ураження екстракраніальних артерій та аорто/клубово-стегнового сегмента в умовах високого ризику розвитку реперфузійно-реоксигенаційних ускладнень.

Матеріали і методи. Оперативні втручання виконано 47 пацієнтам із поєднаним ураженням екстракраніальних артерій та аорто/клубово-стегнового артеріального русла в умовах високого ризику розвитку реперфузійно-реоксигенаційних ускладнень. При поєднаному оклюзійно-стенотичному ураженні екстракраніальних артерій та аорто/клубово-стегнового сегмента в умовах ризику розвитку реперфузійно-реоксигенаційних ускладнень відновні операційні втручання необхідно здійснювати одномоментно: перший етап – реваскуляризація естракраніальних артерій, другий – операційне втручання на аорто/клубово-стегновому судинному руслі.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. При одномоментній реваскуляризації обох гемодинамічно значимих артеріальних сегментів вдається запобігти розвитку таких ускладнень, як прогресування ішемічних розладів мозкового кровотоку, поглиблення ішемії нижніх кінцівок, вираженої ниркової недостатності та деяких інших грізних реперфузійних ускладнень. Поряд із наведеним, на  інтраопераційному етапі та у ранньому післяопераційному періоді діагностували один прояв транзиторної ішемічної атаки (розширене втручання на екстракраніальних судинах), 3 випадки порушення ритму і провідності серцевого м’яза та 2 прояви минущої ниркової недостатності.
Новий погляд на питання діагностики ендогенної інтоксикації у хворих з опіковою травмою
Authors: Savchin V. S. , Ostapiuk L. R. , Voloshinovsky A. S. , Malyi T. S.
Published: April 2019

Мета роботи: діагностика запальних змін у хворих з опіковою травмою в рамках методу флуоресцентної спектроскопії.

Матеріали і методи.  Клінічною базою дослідження сироватки крові (СК) хворих із опіковою травмою  було опікове відділення Комунальної міської клінічної лікарні № 8 м. Львова. Експериментальна база – лабораторія люмінесценції кафедри експериментальної фізики Львівського національного університету імені Івана Франка. Об’єктами дослідження були 48 проб СК 10 пацієнтів віком від 24 до 58 років (7 чоловічої статі і 3 жіночої) з опіками полум’ям та окропом  І-ІІА-ІІБ ступеня загальною площею від 18 до 45 % поверхні тіла, в тому числі голови та шиї.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Вивчено спектри флуоресценції (СФ) СК хворих з опіковою травмою, які являють λ-подібні криві у діапазоні 300 нм <l< 450 нм. Основними показниками, які використано для аналізу СФ СК, є інтенсивність флуоресценції (Iф) та положення максимуму смуги флуоресценції (lmax). Дослідження СК розпочиналися при появі загрозливих ознак щодо розвитку гнійно-септичних ускладнень і проводилося в динаміці з інтервалом 3–8 днів аж до одужання.
Віддалені результати артропластики та ендопротезування ліктьового суглоба у хворих з наслідками травм
Authors: Strafun O. S.
Published: April 2019

Мета роботи: порівняння функціональних результатів, отриманих від артропластичних процедур та ендопротезування у хворих із наслідками травм  ліктьового суглоба.

Матеріали і методи. Під спостереженням перебували 53 пацієнти з тяжкими наслідками травм ліктьового суглоба. Хворі були розділені на 2 групи. Перша група – 39 пацієнтів (73,58 %), яким виконували інтерпозиційну (12 пацієнтів) артропластику та моделюючу резекційну артропластику з одномоментним артролізом без використання інтерпозиційних матеріалів (27 пацієнтів). Другу групу склали 14 пацієнтів (26,42 %) після ендопротезування ліктьового суглоба, яких було обстежено в терміни від 2-х до 9-ти років після операції.

Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Аналіз віддалених результатів підтвердив, що інтерпозиційна та резекційно-моделююча артропластика є ефективним способом відновлення рухів в ліктьовому суглобі, однак з часом функціональні результати мають тенденцію до погіршення за рахунок збільшення больового синдрому та нестабільності. При виконанні артропластики ліктьового суглоба у хворих із тяжкими наслідками травми ліктьового суглоба відмінні та хороші результати склали 38,1 %, 47,62 % – задовільні та 14,28 % – незадовільні. Ендопротезування ліктьового суглоба є найбільш дієвим засобом в лікуванні тяжких післятравматичних деформацій та анкілозів ліктьового суглоба і дозволяє отримати відмінні та хороші результати лікування в 85,72 % випадків. Оптимальним для лікування тяжких післятравматичних деформацій та анкілозів ліктьового суглоба є використання напіврозімкнутих конструкцій, що дозволяє проводити ранню дозовану активну реабілітацію. Нестабільність ліктьового суглоба, яка спостерігалась у всіх пацієнтів після артропластики та наявність залишкової згинально-розгинальної контрактури ліктьового суглоба є передумовами до швидкого прогресування остеоартрозу.
Первый опыт применения флюоресцентной лимфографии при раке желудка
Authors: Malinovsky A. V. , Galimon M. M. , Badion S. Y.
Published: April 2019

Цель работы: оценка результатов первого опыта применения флюоресцентной лимфографии в ходе лимфодиссекции D2 при раке желудка.Материалы и методы. Флюоресцентная лимфография выполнена двум пациентам. Первому пациенту с раком верхней трети желудка без проростания кардии с регионарной лимфаденопатией была выполнена гастрэктомия с лимфодиссекцией D2.Послеоперационных осложнений не было. Начиная с 5-х суток проводилось зондовое питание. На 10 сутки зонд извлечёни начато энтеральное питание. Больной выписан на 12 сутки. Второму пациенту с инфильтративной опухолью антрального отдела со стенозом привратника и регионарной лимфаденопатией выполнена субтотальная резекция с лимфодиссекцией D2. В послеоперационном периоде развился наружный панкреатический свищ, закрывшийся через 14 суток. Зонд извлечен на 10 сутки. Больной выписался на 15 сутки. В обоих случаях в начале операции перитуморозно введено по 10 мл растворённого индоцианина зелёного. Использовалась специальная видеосистема фирмы KarlStorz с оптикой-экзоскопом Vitom II.Результаты исследований и их обсуждение. Через 50–60 минут в обоих случаях при осмотре в свете, близком к инфракрасному, была зафиксирована не только флюоресценция первичной опухоли, но и достаточно яркое свечение регионарных лимфоузлов, причём более активная флюоресценция наблюдалась в лимфоузлах, относящихся к основному пути лимфоотока. Также флюоресценция позволила визуализировать лимфоузлы в толще жировой ткани, которые на первый взгляд не определялись, и позволила проконтролировать их полное отсутствие по завершению систематической лимфодиссекции. После завершения лимфодиссекции флюорисцирующих лимфоузлов не наблюдалось. Таким образом, флюоресцентная лимфография позволила проконтролировать полноту выполненной лимфодиссекции.
Перший досвід виконання лапароскопічної резекції шлунка за методикою Більрот-ІІ з модифікацією Гофмейстера–Фінстерера
Authors: Haley M. M. , Babin I. O. , Marchuk I. P.
Published: April 2019

Мета роботи: у статті розглянуто використання малоінвазивних технологій в абдомінальній хірургії.
The genus Coeloides Wesmael of subfamily Braconinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in China
Authors: WANG YI-PING , CHEN XUE-XIN , WU HONG , HE JUN-HUA
Published: April 2019

The species of Coeloides Wesmael of the tribe Coeloidini (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Braconinae) are revised in China, and eleven species are recognized. Among them, four new species: C. glaboventris Wang et Chen, sp. nov., C. longquanus Wang et Chen, sp. nov., C. flavus Wang et Chen, sp. nov. and C. changbaiensis Wang et Chen, sp. nov., are described and illustrated in detail. Some of the known species of this genus and one new species, C. flavus Wang et Chen described in this paper are parasitoids of larvae of various species of Scolytidae, Curculionidae and Buprestidae (Coleoptera), many of which are notorious pests in coniferous and broadleaved trees. The type and other voucher specimens are deposited in the Parasitic Hymenoptera Collection, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, and Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China.
Description of a new endemic species of mountain lizard from Northwestern Spain: Iberolacerta galani sp. nov. (Squamata : Lacertidae)
Authors: ARRIBAS OSCAR , CARRANZA SALVADOR , ODIERNA GAETANO
Published: April 2019

A new species of Iberolacerta is described from the Montes de León (northwest Iberia). This new species, Iberolacerta galani sp. nov., is characterized by its relatively large size, high number of blue ocelli on the shoulders and the relatively frequent contact or near-contact between the supranasal and the first loreal scale, the fairly straight squamosal bone (only curved on its posterior part), a unique karyotype in Iberolacerta combining 2n=36 chromosomes, an L-type NOR and differentiated W and Z sex chromosomes, and unique mitochondrial DNA sequences for the cytochrome b and 12S rRNA genes. The correlation analyses show that morphology in general, but especially scalation, is strongly correlated with the amount of precipitation during the months of lizard activity, which suggests that these are not good taxonomic characters, and that other characters apparently independent of the climate like for instance osteological, karyological and DNA features are much more reliable in delimiting species boundaries in Iberolacerta. According to our phylogenetic analyses, I. galani nov. is part of a very well supported clade that originated around 2.5 mya and also includes I. monticola and I. martinezricai. Phylogeny suggests I.martinezricai might be the sister taxon to I. galani nov. from which it split approximately 2 mya, at the beginning of the Pleistocene. The clade containing I. galani nov., I. martinezricai and I. monticola was probably widely distributed across western Iberia during moderately cool and moist phases of the Pleistocene, but it was probably restricted to its present range as a result of the general temperature increase during the Holocene and competition with other lacertid lizards. Iberolacerta galani nov. is endemic to the Montes de León, where it is isolated from the other species of the “monticola-group” by the Duero and Miño-Sil Rivers, but particularly by the Bibei river valley.
Aerosol–Cloud–Meteorology Interaction Airborne Field Investigations: Using Lessons Learned from the U.S. West Coast in the Design of ACTIVATE off the U.S. East Coast
Authors: Sorooshian Armin , Anderson Bruce , Bauer Susanne E. , Braun Rachel A. , Cairns Brian , Crosbie Ewan , Dadashazar Hossein , Diskin Glenn , Ferrare Richard , Flagan Richard C. , Hair Johnathan , Hostetler Chris , Jonsson Haflidi H. , Kleb Mary M. , Liu Hongyu , MacDonald Alexander B. , McComiskey Allison , Moore Richard , Painemal David , Russell Lynn M. , Seinfeld John H. , Shook Michael , Smith William L. , Thornhill Kenneth , Tselioudis George , Wang Hailong , Zeng Xubin , Zhang Bo , Ziemba Luke , Zuidema Paquita
Published: April 2019

We report on a multiyear set of airborne field campaigns (2005–16) off the California coast to examine aerosols, clouds, and meteorology, and how lessons learned tie into the upcoming NASA Earth Venture Suborbital (EVS-3) campaign: Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE; 2019–23). The largest uncertainty in estimating global anthropogenic radiative forcing is associated with the interactions of aerosol particles with clouds, which stems from the variability of cloud systems and the multiple feedbacks that affect and hamper efforts to ascribe changes in cloud properties to aerosol perturbations. While past campaigns have been limited in flight hours and the ability to fly in and around clouds, efforts sponsored by the Office of Naval Research have resulted in 113 single aircraft flights (>500 flight hours) in a fixed region with warm marine boundary layer clouds. All flights used nearly the same payload of instruments on a Twin Otter to fly below, in, and above clouds, producing an unprecedented dataset. We provide here i) an overview of statistics of aerosol, cloud, and meteorological conditions encountered in those campaigns and ii) quantification of model-relevant metrics associated with aerosol–cloud interactions leveraging the high data volume and statistics. Based on lessons learned from those flights, we describe the pragmatic innovation in sampling strategy (dual-aircraft approach with combined in situ and remote sensing) that will be used in ACTIVATE to generate a dataset that can advance scientific understanding and improve physical parameterizations for Earth system and weather forecasting models, and for assessing next-generation remote sensing retrieval algorithms.
Synoptic to Microscale Processes Affecting the Evolution of a Cold-Air Pool in a Northern New England Forested Mountain Valley
Authors: Kelsey Eric P. , Cann Matthew D. , Lupo Kevin M. , Haddad Liana J.
Published: April 2019

The formation of katabatic winds and pooling of cold air in mountain valleys impact air quality, precipitation type, and local ecosystem functions. Much is still poorly understood about the multiscale interaction of processes in a mature mixed-hardwood forest that cause the formation and evolution of cold-air pools (CAPs). Processes involved in the evolution of a CAP in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest valley in New Hampshire were investigated during a field campaign on 4–5 November 2015. Vertical profiles of temperature and humidity were measured along a 150-m-long tethered balloon in the center of the valley and were compared with temperature and wind observations on the surrounding slopes to identify and assess the impacts of multiscale processes on a CAP. A CAP formed rapidly during the afternoon of 4 November and attained its maximum depth of ~150 m by sunset. This maximum depth is likely a result of the topography of the valley. Warm-air advection (WAA) occurred during the second half of the night at high elevations, and warm air mixed downward into the valley. As a result, the vertical thermal gradient strengthened and static stability increased, which allowed the lowest part of the CAP to continue to radiatively cool while the upper part of the CAP was warmed and eroded by the WAA. Results suggest that the canopy acts as the primary cooling surface for air at night, which causes split katabatic flow: cold and fast flow above canopy and warmer and slower flow below canopy. Understanding these processes in sloped forests has implications for eddy covariance research and montane microclimates.
The Aftermath of Tougher Immigration Enforcement: E-Verify and Perceptions of Discrimination Among Hispanic Citizens
Authors: Amuedo-Dorantes Catalina , Pozo Susan
Published: April 2019

Using the 2002-2012 National Latino Surveys, we assess whether enforcement of immigration law through employment verification (E-Verify) mandates has affected perceptions of discrimination among Hispanic citizens—a group that is clearly authorized to work. E-Verify could adversely affect Hispanic citizens if employers avoid hiring Hispanics for fear they could be found ineligible through this program. We find, instead, that naturalized Mexicans perceive less employment discrimination after E-Verify is mandated. Perhaps, the program provides employers with an unobtrusive mechanism to ascertain work eligibility of prospective employees, avoiding more arbitrary screening. Nonetheless, naturalized Mexicans in E-Verify states are more likely to perceive that discrimination is getting in the way of Latinos’ success than their counterparts in other states. While this sentiment precedes the implementation of E-Verify and cannot be attributed to the mandates, its recognition is important because of its spillover effects on self-esteem, life dissatisfaction, and social cohesiveness.
The pathway for introducing novel examination procedures in routine practice in accordance with ISO 15189:2012: 17-Hydroxy progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and vitamin D as examples
Authors: Antonelli Giorgia , Sciacovelli Laura , Aita Ada , Bozzato Dania , Plebani Mario
Published: April 2019

Background

In a medical laboratory, changes may be made to the analytical phase of diagnostic testing whenever a new test or the issue of a ‘new generation’ kit or new diagnostic system is required. In such cases, ISO 15189:2012 accreditation can assist laboratory professionals. The aim of the present study was to propose a working pathway for introducing new examination procedures into clinical practice in accordance with the ISO 15189:2012 standard, through the exemplars of 17-hydroxy progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate and vitamin D.

Methods

The working pathway includes the following steps: (i) analysing examination procedures under evaluation, (ii) analysing examination procedures currently in use, (iii) verifying metrological traceability, (iv) verifying examination procedures and (v) evaluating comparability of results.

Results

The analysis of instructions for use issued by manufacturers revealed that metrological traceability was reported only for vitamin D. The imprecision verification was satisfactory, the imprecision obtained by the laboratory in terms of total imprecision always being less than the specified total imprecision. In only one case (IQC level 1, 17-hydroxy progesterone), the total upper verification limit was calculated. The trueness verification was satisfactory for all examination procedures, except for 17-hydroxy progesterone (second material). Passing–Bablok regression analyses in the comparability study demonstrated significant differences for all the examination procedures.

Conclusions

The working pathway described for examination procedures in routine practice is in accordance with the requirements of ISO 15189:2012 accreditation and takes feasibility into account (as its main goal), based on the cost/patient benefit ratio.
Results of a pilot test of effects of an online resource on lay audience understanding of media reports on breast cancer research
Authors: Yi Robin H Pugh , Rezende Lisa , Dearfield Craig T , Welcsh Piri , Friedman Susan J
Published: April 2019

Objective:

This study aimed to assess the effects of eXamining Relevance of Articles to Young Survivors (XRAYS), an online resource that provides brief articles discussing recent research relevant to young women with or at risk for breast cancer, on users’ knowledge about information covered in media reports. An evaluator also assessed the degree to which XRAYS facilitated awareness of recent research findings and how users recommended improving the resource.

Design:

Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention condition, whose members read original news reports and the corresponding XRAYS review or to a control condition, whose members read only original news reports. Participants also discussed XRAYS’ utility and cultural appropriateness.

Setting:

Data were collected in a meeting room at a Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE) conference. All participants were registered for a conference for women with or at risk for genetic breast or ovarian cancer.

Method:

Participants answered multiple choice questions about research before reading the assigned materials and again after reading the assigned materials. T-tests were used to assess pre-post-test change for both groups and to compare groups’ change in knowledge.

Results:

Both groups improved between pre- and post-test. The treatment group increased knowledge significantly more than the control group. Focus group results indicate that XRAYS is a valuable resource for identifying relevant recent research findings and for explaining limitations in research methods, relevance, and reporting quality. Results also indicate that it is critical for XRAYS and similar resources to be brief, use non-technical language and address the most recent trends in media coverage.

Conclusion:

Online resources that use plain language to help users to interpret science reporting critically help meet an important health education need.
Work motivation in patients with bipolar disorder: Associated factors
Authors: Martínez-Camarillo Sara , Yoldi-Negrete María , Fresán-Orellana Ana , Ortega-Ortiz Hiram , Becerra-Palars Claudia
Published: April 2019

Background:

Occupational functioning is severely impaired in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). Work motivation (WM), defined as the psychological processes that determine the direction, intensity, and persistence of action within the work, is an essential component of work-related functioning.

Aim:

To assess whether WM is affected in patients with BD and which clinical and sociodemographic factors are related to low WM.

Methods:

In all, 95 euthymic BD patients were invited to answer the Motivation for Work Questionnaire and the Rating Scale on Subjective Cognitive Deficits in Bipolar Disorder (COBRA).

Results:

A total of 49.5% ( n = 47) of the patients were classified in the Low Motivated (LM) group. Unemployment and the report of more subjective cognitive complaints were predictors of poor WM in this sample ((OR) = 3.01 and 7.10, respectively).

Conclusions:

Perceived cognitive deficits related to the disorder and current unemployment negatively impact WM in patients with BD. In addition to symptomatic recovery, the need of the inclusion of personal and occupational areas in the comprehensive treatment of patients with BD is necessary.
The Anthropocene event in social theory: On ways of problematizing nonhuman materiality differently
Authors: Blok Anders , Jensen Casper Bruun
Published: April 2019

Signalling that ‘humanity’ has radically changed the Earth’s environmental parameters, the Anthropocene currently generates debate across the socio-cultural sciences. In this context, neo-Marxist and new materialist approaches stand out for the way they oblige social theory to catch up with new material realities. We share the conviction that the Anthropocene might constitute a genuine event for social theory and practice. However, we argue that the search for alternative ways of problematizing and ‘dramatizing’ our eco-political predicament confronts these approaches with unresolved issues of scientism and economic totalization. Looking for another path, we turn to Science and Technology Studies (STS), and especially Actor-Network Theory (ANT). We relay the long-standing focus on nonhuman agency characteristic of this field via Isabelle Stengers’ argument that we must ‘accept’ the reality of Gaia’s intrusion into collective historicity. The challenge posed by Stengers, we suggest, requires the development of an art of immanent attention to the politics of varied matters as they unfold across diverse ecologies of practice. Extending further than the present preoccupations of Euro-American social theory, other areas within and across environmental history, activism and politics offer sites of resistance as well as experimentation whose conceptual possibilities and practical efficacies have yet to be explored. Slowing down theory sufficiently to learn from these multiple sites, we argue, is the starting point for an approach more adequate to the problems posed by the Anthropocene event.
Evaluation of Type III Tympanoplasty Using Cartilage Ossiculoplasty in Cholesteatoma Ear Surgery
Authors: Singh Gautam Bir , Solo Medozhanuo , Rana Nishant , Kumar Sunil
Published: April 2019

This prospective observational study evaluates the role of tympanoplasty type III in cholesteatoma ear disease during same sitting with mastoid surgery using cartilage ossiculoplasty. Forty patients of chronic suppurative otitis media-cholesteatoma disease were recruited in the study. All the patients had extensive cholesteatoma and underwent canal wall down mastoid surgery. Tympanoplasty type III, that is, stapes columella, minor columella, or major columella, was done in each case along with mastoid surgery depending upon the remnant ossicular status. Conchal cartilage graft was used for ossiculoplasty along with temporalis fascia graft. Hearing and graft uptake results were evaluated at the end of 6 months postoperatively. Of the 40 cases, 3 cases failed tympanoplasty. In the remaining 37 cases, a statistically significant hearing improvement (air–bone gap of 33 dB) was observed postoperatively. Seven cases underwent stapes columella, 13 cases underwent minor columella, and 17 cases underwent major columella tympanoplasty type III. Although a hearing improvement was recorded in all these subgroups, a statistically significant hearing gain was present only in tympanoplasty type III minor columella cases thereby underlying the importance of intact stapes. However, it is difficult to discern the type of tympanoplasty type III that the patient would undergo prior to the ear surgery
Spatial and Sensory Aspects of Battle in Biblical and Ancient near Eastern Texts
Authors: Matthews Victor H.
Published: April 2019

The intent here is to combine spatial and sensory evaluation of biblical and ancient Near Eastern texts that describe events leading up to, during, and after a battle. Drawing on both factors adds an extra dimension that considers the sense of place, the effect of geo-spatiality on human communities, and the role that the senses play in eliciting human emotions and actions. Use of comparative textual materials demonstrates the universality of these experiences and the impact that the senses have on them.
Social Dominance Orientation Predicts Opposition to Hierarchy-Attenuating Intergroup Apologies
Authors: Karunaratne Kanishka , Laham Simon M.
Published: April 2019

People who value social hierarchy may resist giving intergroup apologies because such apologies may attenuate the very hierarchies that these people value. We tested this claim across four studies (total N = 541) by examining associations between social dominance orientation (SDO)—a measure of preference for social hierarchy—and support for intergroup apologies. We found that higher SDO scores, and specifically the antiegalitarianism subdimension (social dominance orientation–egalitarianism [SDO-E]), predicted less apology support among U.S. residents in both domestic (Study 1) and international (Study 2) contexts. In Study 3, we found that the effect generalizes to an Australian cultural context. In Study 4, we demonstrated that the negative effect of SDO-E can extend to third-party contexts and is only observed when apologizing would be hierarchy attenuating. These studies show that the desire to maintain social hierarchies is an important driver of opposition to hierarchy-attenuating intergroup apologies.
Challenges to Traditional Narratives of Intractable Conflict Decrease Ingroup Glorification
Authors: McLamore Quinnehtukqut , Adelman Levi , Leidner Bernhard
Published: April 2019

Conflict narratives are cornerstones of group identity, but often facilitate violence by framing the group’s actions in ways that foster defensive forms of group identification (i.e., glorification). Three experiments tested whether alternative narratives inclusive of the ingroup’s and the adversarial group’s suffering can reduce glorification. Israeli Jews (Study 1) and Americans (Study 2) reported less glorification after reading inclusive narratives rather than narratives that dismiss the outgroup’s suffering. Study 3 found that through reducing glorification, inclusive narratives indirectly weakened support for retributive justice and militaristic policies and strengthened support for reconciliation. These effects were specific to people high in both (preexisting) glorification and attachment—people identified by prior research as the strongest supporters of violent approaches to conflict. These findings suggest that alternative narratives can reduce glorification by challenging the myopic focus of traditional conflict narratives on ingroup victimization, helping societies move beyond intractable conflict toward lasting peace.
Toxicity and Safety Study of D-PLEX100 in a Sternal Surgical Defect in New Zealand White Rabbits
Authors: Ramot Yuval , Nedvetzki Shlomo , Rosenfeld Sefi , Emanuel Noam , Nyska Abraham
Published: April 2019

Bacterial infections are a common complication after surgical procedures. Therefore, local delivery of antibiotics has been developed, including the use of biodegradable polymers. A newly developed product for prevention of surgical site infections is a polymer–lipid encapsulation matrix loaded with doxycycline, named D-PLEX100 (D-PLEX). We evaluated the toxicity and safety of D-PLEX using a sternal surgical defect model in rabbits. D-PLEX was tested with three different concentrations of doxycycline in comparison to sham-operated control after administration into the sternal surgical defect and on the ventral side of the sternum in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, following 15 months of exposure. No mortality or abnormal clinical findings were attributed to D-PLEX, and clinical pathology assays were normal. Histological examinations revealed no treatment-related adverse findings in any of the examined tissues, including the osseous and surrounding soft tissues. It has been shown that D-PLEX gradually degraded until complete disappearance after 9 months, and mainly during the first 3 months, in parallel to normal bone formation. In addition, the administration of D-PLEX did not affect sternal bone strength. This study adds to the growing data on preclinical safety studies utilizing biodegradable materials and provides information on the expected normal reaction to biodegradable materials in the sternum of NZW rabbits.
Assessing the Transit Agency Business Case for Partial and Full Automation of Bus Services
Authors: Peirce Sean , Cregger Joshua , Burkman Eric , Richardson Heather , Machek Elizabeth , Mortensen Steven , Mahavier Kendall
Published: April 2019

This paper analyzes the cost-effectiveness of vehicle automation investments for public transit bus services. The calculations are developed for a set of illustrative use cases, using information from market surveys of available technologies and findings from demonstration projects and simulations. Overall, the results indicate that advanced driver assistance systems generally have a strong business case, in that they can provide operational savings that exceed their costs when considered over the life cycle of the bus. For full automation, the situation is more complex: there is the potential for very large labor cost savings, but considerable uncertainty about whether unstaffed scenarios are compatible with the continued need to perform nondriving tasks such as customer assistance and fare collection.
Comparing the high-dimensional propensity score for use with administrative data with propensity scores derived from high-quality clinical data
Authors: Austin Peter C , Wu C Fangyun , Lee Douglas S , Tu Jack V
Published: April 2019

Administrative healthcare databases are increasingly being used for research purposes. When used to estimate the effects of treatments and interventions, an important limitation of these databases is the lack of information on important confounding variables. The high-dimensional propensity score (hdPS) is an algorithm that generates a large number of empirically-derived covariates using administrative healthcare databases. The hdPS has been described as enabling adjustment by proxy, in which a large number of empirically-derived covariates may serve as proxies for unmeasured confounding variables. We examined the validity of this assumption using samples of patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and congestive heart failure (CHF), for whom both administrative data and detailed clinical data were available. We considered three treatments in AMI patients: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, and statins, while the first two treatments were also considered in CHF patients. We considered three propensity scores: (a) one derived using detailed clinical data; (b) the hdPS derived from administrative data; and (c) one derived from administrative data using expert opinion. Using each propensity score, we estimated inverse probability of treatment (IPT) weights. For each sample and treatment combination, and for each of the two propensity scores derived using administrative data, there were clinical variables not measured in administrative data that remained imbalanced after incorporating the IPT weights. However, the propensity score derived using clinical data always resulted in all clinical variables being balanced. When estimating hazard ratios, for some samples and treatment combinations, the hazard ratios estimated using the hdPS were more similar to those obtained using the clinical propensity score than were those obtained using the expert-derived propensity score. However, for other combinations, the effects estimated using the expert-derived propensity score were more similar to those obtained using the clinical propensity score than were those derived using the hdPS.
Participation in Online Research Examining End-of-Life Experiences: Is It Beneficial, Burdensome, or Both for Parents Bereaved by Childhood Cancer?
Authors: Tager Julia , Battles Haven , Bedoya Sima Zadeh , Gerhardt Cynthia A. , Young-Saleme Tammi , Wiener Lori
Published: April 2019

It is important for the health care community to understand the impact of a child’s death on parent functioning. Yet involving bereaved parents in research that enquires about such a stressful time in their life can potentially bring harm to them. The current study examines the perceived benefit and burden of parents participating in a survey exploring their perceptions of their child’s end-of-life (EoL) and bereavement experiences. Parents whose child died from cancer or complications of cancer treatment were invited to complete a survey developed by pediatric psychosocial oncology professionals with input from bereaved parent advocates through a closed social media (Facebook) group. One hundred seventy-eight parents of children aged 0 to 37 years at death (median age 12 years) participated. More than three quarters of parents reported at least “a little benefit” and half reported at least “a little burden” associated with participation. Less burden was perceived by younger and female parents, parents of younger children, those who had felt prepared to meet their children’s emotional needs at EoL, and those not using bereavement services at the time of the survey. With the increasing use of social media as a source for bereaved parents to receive and provide emotional support, it is important for clinicians and researchers to understand the perceived benefits and risks of participating in research about EoL experiences via online recruitment. Our findings suggest that the benefit and burden of online research participation may vary for bereaved parents, but further research is necessary to replicate the findings and explore ways to optimize the use of this approach.
Auricular Reconstructive Surgery Improvement to the Firmin Technique for Placing an Earring
Authors: Parri Francisco , Alonso Veronica , Albert Asteria , Bejarano Miguel , Vicario Francisco , Rubio-Palau Josep
Published: April 2019

Microtia has an incidence of 1 in 7000 to 8000 births. Ear reconstruction has 2 main aims: reconstructive and aesthetic, and a considerable number of patients ask for an earring at the end of their treatment. Herein, we explain our team’s modification to the Firmin technique, perforating the lowest part of the autologous cartilage framework (Parri’s modification). The orifice is cartilaginous and the skin covering both sides is easily perforable without contacting the rest of the framework. In conclusion, our modification for placing an earring is simple; it does not increase the surgical time and contributes to approach the perfection of auricular reconstructive surgery.
Enhancing object, action, and effect recognition using probabilistic affordances
Authors: Jaramillo-Cabrera Esteban , Morales Eduardo F , Martinez-Carranza Jose
Published: April 2019

Recent advances in deep learning, in particular in convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have been widely used in robotics for object classification and action recognition, among others, with very high performance. Nevertheless, this high performance, mostly in classification tasks, is rarely accompanied by reasoning processes that consider the relationships between objects, actions, and effects. In this article, we used three CNNs to classify objects, actions, and effects that were trained with the CERTH-SOR3D dataset that has more than 20,000 RGB-D videos. This dataset involves 14 objects, 13 actions, and in this article was augmented with seven effects. The probabilistic vector output of each trained CNN was combined into a Bayesian network (BN) to capture the relationships between objects, actions, and effects. It is shown that by probabilistically combining information from the three classifiers, it is possible to improve the classification performance of each CNN or to level the same performance with less training data. In particular, the recognition performance improved from 71.2% to 79.7% for actions, 85.0%–86.7% for objects, and 77.0%–82.1% for effects. In the article, it is also shown that with missing information, the model can still produce reasonable classification performance. In particular, the system can be used for reasoning purposes in robotics, as it can make action planning with information from object and effects or it can predict effects with information from objects and actions.
Every Second Is a Life: Ulla-Carin Lindquist’s Rowing Without Oars
Authors: Yoo Joanne
Published: April 2019

Ulla-Carin Lindquist’s Rowing Without Oars relates a life constrained by illness, in which one’s sense of “I am” becomes increasingly faint. She depicts how physical losses can inadvertently open opportunities to explore humanity’s “potential consciousness.” In seeking an answer to the question, “Who am I become to live well in this new world?” Lindquist demonstrates what it means to “become fully human, and everything that the person can become.” She captures this movement toward “potential consciousness” through simple, lyrical language and artfully constructed grammar and syntax that is devoid of deception.
Passive-specific immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies for prostate cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Khalili Neda , Keshavarz-Fathi Mahsa , Shahkarami Sepideh , Hirbod-Mobarakeh Armin , Rezaei Nima
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer with conventional therapies is still not successful. Therefore, application of novel biological approaches such as immunotherapy, which appears to be more effective and less toxic, is necessary. Monoclonal antibodies against cancer specific antigens are a kind of immunotherapy that have been approved for specific types of cancer and are being investigated for prostate cancer as well. The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness and safety of monoclonal antibodies for treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Method

According to the search strategy stated in our systematic review protocol, Scopus, Medline, TRIP, CENTRAL, ProQuest, DART and OpenGrey databases were searched. Data collection and quality assessment were done independently by two authors and any disagreements between the collected data were resolved by a third author. A meta-analysis was not feasible as there was a considerable statistical heterogeneity among the trials. Hence, this review was limited to a narrative analysis of the included studies.

Results

We found 9756 references by applying search strategy in 4 databases of journal articles and 3 databases of grey literature. We then discarded 3957 duplicate citations using Endnote software and 5143 articles due to obvious irrelevancy of their topics in primary screening. In secondary screening of 656 fulltexts, we excluded 538 articles, and finally included 12 trials in this systematic review, updated on 23 June 2017. The overall quality of the studies was fair. In general, results of this systematic review show promising advances in the treatment of prostate cancer patients with monoclonal antibodies against prostate-specific antigens with regard to PSA/disease response. Some of the studies reported pain relief after treatment as well.

Conclusion

Currently, the role of immunotherapy in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer still remains debated. Although passive specific immunotherapy could be offered as a novel therapeutic option in the coming years, patients should be informed about the risks and benefits of this therapy. One of the obstacles in this review was the lack of adequate assessment of survival-related endpoints reported in the included studies. Our study provides support for further research in this field.
Phorbol 12-Myristate 13-Acetate-Induced Changes in Chicken Enterocytes
Authors: Rath Narayan C , Gupta Anamika , Liyanage Rohana , Lay Jackson O
Published: April 2019

Increased intestinal epithelial permeability has been linked to many enteric diseases because it allows easy access of microbial pathogens and toxins into the system. In poultry production, the restrictions in the use of antibiotic growth promoters have increased the chances of birds being susceptible to different enteric diseases. Thus, understanding the mechanisms which compromise intestinal function is pertinent. Based on our previous observation which showed the primary chicken enterocytes in culture undergoing dystrophic changes on treatment with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), we surmised that this model, which appeared to mimic increased intestinal permeability, may help to understand the mechanisms of this problem. As genomic and proteomic changes are associated with many physiological and pathological problems, we were interested to find whether certain proteomic changes underlie the morphological alterations in the enterocytes induced by PMA. We exposed primary enterocyte cultures to a sub-lethal concentration of PMA, extracted the proteins, and analyzed by mass spectrometry for differentially regulated proteins. Our results showed that PMA affected several biological processes which negatively affected their energy metabolism, nuclear activities, and differentially regulated the levels of several stress proteins, chaperon, cytoskeletal, and signal transduction proteins that appear to be relevant in the cause of enterocyte dystrophy. Phorbol myristate acetate-affected signal transduction activities also raise the possibilities of their increased susceptibility to pathogens. The changes in enterocyte integrity can make intestine vulnerable to invasion by microbial pathogens and disrupt gut homeostasis.
Materialized ideology and environmental problems: The cases of solar geoengineering and agricultural biotechnology
Authors: Gunderson Ryan , Stuart Diana , Petersen Brian
Published: April 2019

This article expands upon the notion of ideology as a material phenomenon, usually in the form of institutionalized, taken-for-granted practices. It draws on Herbert Marcuse and related thinkers to conceptualize technological solutions to environmental problems as materialized ideological responses to social-ecological contradictions, which, by concealing these contradictions, reproduce existing social conditions. This article outlines a method of technology assessment as ideology critique that draws attention to: (1) the social determinants of the given technology; (2) whether the technology conceals or masks social-ecological contradictions; (3) whether the technology reproduces existing social conditions; and (4) whether the technology may be used for more rational or emancipatory ends in different social conditions. The examples of solar geoengineering and agricultural biotechnology are examined and it is found that, in each case, these technological solutions conceal social-ecological contradictions and support the current economic system and those benefiting from it, while precluding other alternatives.