bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiropractic students’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to joining a professional association”
Authors: Innes Stanley I. , Stomski Norman , Theroux Jean
Published: November 2019

Background

In Australia, about 1 in 3 chiropractors choose not to belong to either of the two professional associations and this is considerably lower compared to other health professional organisations in this country. The reasons for this remain unknown. We sought to explore possible reasons by asking chiropractic students their perceptions of barriers and facilitators to joining a professional association. However, we were unable to identify validated survey instruments that could be used to obtain information about reasons for joining health professional associations.

Aim

Therefore, the objectives of this study were to: 1) develop a survey instrument that captures information about what influences chiropractic students in joining professional association; and 2) identify factors that promote association membership among chiropractic students.

Methods

A literature review was undertaken to identify known determinants of professional association membership and were used to construct a preliminary survey instrument, which comprised 47 items. Six fourth-year chiropractic students assessed the preliminary survey instrument’s content validity. Principal components analysis was used to establish the structure of the scales. Cronbach’s alpha was derived to determine whether all items in each scale tapped a discrete construct. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between the scale scores and having joined a chiropractic professional association.

Results

In March 2019, 348 chiropractic students from Murdoch University (71.0%) responded to a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire. Principal components analysis resulted in the retention of 21 items that strongly loaded onto 6 factors. Internal consistency was found to be adequate. The results of the logistic regression analysis demonstrated that only “development of the profession” was significantly associated with have joined a professional chiropractic association (p = 0.049, OR = 2.22; 95% CI = 1.26–3.40).

Conclusion

Chiropractic organisations can probably most effectively increase membership numbers through raising awareness of their contribution to the development of the profession.
Differential regulation of Cav2.2 channel exon 37 variants by alternatively spliced μ-opioid receptors
Authors: Gandini Maria A. , Souza Ivana A. , Raval Dvij , Xu Jin , Pan Ying-Xian , Zamponi Gerald W.
Published: November 2019

We have examined the regulation of mutually exclusive Cav2.2 exon 37a and b variants by the mouse μ-opioid receptor (mMOR) C-terminal splice variants 1, 1C and 1O in tsA-201 cells. Electrophysiological analyses revealed that both channel isoforms exhibit DAMGO-induced voltage-dependent (Gβγ-mediated) inhibition and its recovery by voltage pre-pulses, as well as a voltage-independent component. However, the two channel isoforms differ in their relative extent of voltage-dependent and independent inhibition, with Cav2.2-37b showing significantly more voltage-dependent inhibition upon activation of the three mMOR receptors studied. In addition, coexpression of either mMOR1 or mMOR1C results in an agonist-independent reduction in the peak current density of Cav2.2-37a channels, whereas the peak current density of Cav2.2-37b does not appear to be affected. Interestingly, this decrease is not due to an effect on channel expression at the plasma membrane, as demonstrated by biotinylation experiments. We further examined the mechanism underlying the agonist-independent modulation of Cav2.2-37a by mMOR1C. Incubation of cells with pertussis toxin did not affect the mMOR1C mediated inhibition of Cav2.2-37a currents, indicating a lack of involvement of Gi/o signaling. However, when a Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor was applied, the effect of mMOR1C was lost. Moreover, when we recorded currents using a Cav2.2-37a mutant in which tyrosine 1747 was replaced with phenylalanine (Y1747F), the agonist independent effects of mMOR1C were abolished. Altogether our findings show that Cav2.2-37a and Cav2.2-37b isoforms are subject to differential regulation by C-terminal splice variants of mMORs, and that constitutive mMOR1C activity and downstream tyrosine kinase activity exert a selective inhibition of the Cav2.2-37a splice variant, an N-type channel isoform that is highly enriched in nociceptors. Our study provides new insights into the roles of the MOR full-length C-terminal variants in modulating Cav2.2 channel isoform activities.
Tumor-intrinsic signaling pathways: key roles in the regulation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment
Authors: Yang Li , Li Aitian , Lei Qingyang , Zhang Yi
Published: November 2019

Immunotherapy is a currently popular treatment strategy for cancer patients. Although recent developments in cancer immunotherapy have had significant clinical impact, only a subset of patients exhibits clinical response. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance is necessary. The mechanisms of immune escape appear to consist of two distinct tumor characteristics: a decrease in effective immunocyte infiltration and function and the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment. Several host-derived factors may also contribute to immune escape. Moreover, inter-patient heterogeneity predominantly results from differences in somatic mutations between cancers, which has led to the hypothesis that differential activation of specific tumor-intrinsic pathways may explain the phenomenon of immune exclusion in a subset of cancers. Increasing evidence has also shown that tumor-intrinsic signaling plays a key role in regulating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and tumor immune escape. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying immune avoidance mediated by tumor-intrinsic signaling may help identify new therapeutic targets for expanding the efficacy of cancer immunotherapies.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Forkhead box (FOX) G1 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma epithelial-Mesenchymal transition by activating Wnt signal through forming T-cell factor-4/Beta-catenin/FOXG1 complex
Authors: Zheng Xingrong , Lin Jiaxin , Wu Hewei , Mo Zhishuo , Lian Yunwen , Wang Peipei , Hu Zhaoxia , Gao Zhiliang , Peng Liang , Xie Chan
Published: November 2019

Background

Forkhead box G1 (FOXG1) is a member of the Fox transcription factor family involved in regulation of many cancers. However, the role of FOXG1 in hepatocellular carcinogenesisis largely unclear. The present study aimed at examining the biological function and underlying mechanism of FOXG1 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumor metastasis as well as its clinical significance.

Methods

Levels of FOXG1 were determined by immunohistochemical and real-time PCR analysis in HCC cell lines and human HCC samples. The effect of FOXG1 on cancer cell invasion and metastasis was investigated in vitro and in vivo in either FOXG1-silenced or overexpressing human HCC cell lines. Immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were performed to investigate the interaction of FOXG1, β-catenin, TCF4 and the effect on Wnt target-gene promoters.

Results

In human HCC, the level of FOXG1 progressively increased from surrounding non tumorous livers to HCC, reaching the highest levels in metastatic HCC. Furthermore, expression levels of FOXG1 directly correlated with cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype. In FOXG1-overexpressing cells, FOXG1 promotes the stabilization and nuclear accumulation of β-catenin by directly binding to β-catenin and it associates with the lymphoid enhancer factor/T cell factor proteins (LEF/TCFs) on Wnt responsive enhancers (WREs) in chromatin.

Conclusions

The results show that FOXG1 plays a key role in mediating cancer cell metastasis through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC cells and predicts HCC prognosis after surgery. Targeting FOXG1 may provide a new approach for therapeutic treatment in the future.
Exosomal lncRNA ZFAS1 regulates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis via microRNA-124/STAT3 axis
Authors: Li Zhirong , Qin Xuebo , Bian Wei , Li Yishuai , Shan Baoen , Yao Zhimeng , Li Shujun
Published: November 2019

Background

In recent years, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are of great importance in development of different types of tumors, while the function of lncRNA ZFAS1 is rarely discussed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, we performed this study to explore the expression of exosomal lncRNA ZFAS1 and its molecular mechanism on ESCC progression.

Methods

Expression of ZFAS1 and miR-124 in ESCC tissues was detected. LncRNA ZFAS1 was silenced to detect its function in the biological functions of ESCC cells. A stable donor and recipient culture model was established. Eca109 cells transfected with overexpressed and low expressed ZFAS1 plasmid and miR-124 inhibitor labeled by Cy3 were the donor cells, and then co-cultured with recipient cells to observe the transmission of Cy3-ZFAS1 between donor cells and recipient cells. The changes of cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration in recipient cells were detected. The in vivo experiment was conducted for verifying the in vitro results.

Results

LncRNA ZFAS1 was upregulated and miR-124 was down-regulated in ESCC tissues. Silencing of ZFAS1 contributed to suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor growth in vitro and induced apoptosis of ESCC cells. LncRNA ZFAS1 was considered to be a competing endogenous RNA to regulate miR-124, thereby elevating STAT3 expression. Exosomes shuttled ZFAS1 stimulated proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells and restricted their apoptosis with increased STAT3 and declined miR-124. Furthermore, in vivo experiment suggested that elevated ZFAS1-exo promoted tumor growth in nude mice.

Conclusion

This study highlights that exosomal ZFAS1 promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells and inhibits their apoptosis by upregulating STAT3 and downregulating miR-124, thereby resulting in the development of tumorigenesis of ESCC.
MFAP5 facilitates the aggressiveness of intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma by activating the Notch1 signaling pathway
Authors: Li Jian-Hui , Zhu Xiao-Xu , Li Fu-Xi , Huang Chen-Song , Huang Xi-Tai , Wang Jie-Qin , Gao Zhuo-Xing , Li Shi-Jin , Xu Qiong-Cong , Zhao Wei , Yin Xiao-Yu
Published: November 2019

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer. The dismal outcome of ICC patients is due to lack of early diagnosis, the aggressive biological behavior of ICC and the lack of effective therapeutic options. Early diagnosis and prognosis of ICC by non-invasive methods would be helpful in providing valuable information and developing effective treatment strategies.

Methods

Expression of microfibrillar-associated protein 5 (MFAP5) in the serum of ICC patients was detected by ELISA. Human ICC specimens were immunostained by MFAP5 antibodies. The growth rate of human ICC cell lines treated with MFAP5 or MFAP5 shRNAs was examined by CCK8 and colony formation assays. Cell cycle analysis was performed with PI staining. The effect of MFAP5 inhibition was assessed by xenograft models in nude mice. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analyses were used to dissect the molecular mechanism by which MFAP5 promoted ICC aggressiveness.

Results

We identified MFAP5 as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of ICC. Upregulated MFAP5 is a common feature in aggressive ICC patients’ tissues. Importantly, MFAP5 level in the serum of ICC patients and healthy individuals showed significant differential expression profiles. Furthermore, we showed that MFAP5 promoted ICC cell growth and G1 to S-phase transition. Using RNA-seq expression and ATAC-seq chromatin accessibility profiling of ICC cells with suppressed MFAP5 secretion, we showed that MFAP5 regulated the expression of genes involved in the Notch1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, FLI-06, a Notch signaling inhibitor, completely abolished the MFAP5-dependent transcriptional programs.

Conclusions

Raised MFAP5 serum level is useful for differentiating ICC patients from healthy individuals, and could be helpful in ICC diagnosis, prognosis and therapies.
Molecular identification of Bulinus spp. intermediate host snails of Schistosoma spp. in crater lakes of western Uganda with implications for the transmission of the Schistosoma haematobium group parasites
Authors: Tumwebaze Immaculate , Clewing Catharina , Dusabe Marie Claire , Tumusiime Julius , Kagoro-Rugunda Grace , Hammoud Cyril , Albrecht Christian
Published: November 2019

Background

Human schistosomiasis is the second most important tropical disease and occurs in two forms in Africa (intestinal and urogenital) caused by the digenetic trematodes Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium, respectively. A proposed recent shift of schistosomiasis above a previously established altitudinal threshold of 1400 m above sea level in western Ugandan crater lakes has triggered more research interest there.

Methods

Based on extensive field sampling in western Uganda and beyond and employing an approach using sequences of the mitochondrial barcoding gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) this study aims were: (i) identification and establishment of the phylogenetic affinities of Bulinus species as potential hosts for Schistosoma spp.; (ii) determining diversity, frequency and distribution patterns of Bulinus spp.; and (iii) establishing genetic variability and phylogeographical patterns using Bayesian inference and parsimony network analyses.

Results

Out of the 58 crater lakes surveyed, three species of Bulinus snails were found in 34 crater lakes. Bulinus tropicus was dominating, Bulinus forskalii was found in two lakes and Bulinus truncatus in one. The latter two species are unconfirmed potential hosts for S. haematobium in this region. However, Bulinus tropicus is an important species for schistosomiasis transmission in ruminants. Bulinus tropicus comprised 31 haplotypes while both B. forskalii and B. truncatus exhibited only a single haplotype in the crater lakes. All species clustered with most of the haplotypes from surrounding lake systems forming source regions for the colonization of the crater lakes.

Conclusions

This first detailed malacological study of the crater lakes systems in western Uganda revealed presence of Bulinus species that are either not known or not regionally known to be hosts for S. haematobium, the causing agent of human urogenital schistosomiasis. Though this disease risk is almost negligible, the observed dominance of B. tropicus in the crater lakes shows that there is a likelihood of a high risk of infections with Schistosoma bovis. Thus, extra attention should be accorded to safeguard wild and domestic ruminants in this region as the population benefits from these animals.
Comparison of visceral adipose tissue DNA methylation and gene expression profiles in female adolescents with obesity
Authors: Barberio Matthew D. , Nadler Evan P. , Sevilla Samantha , Lu Rosemary , Harmon Brennan , Hubal Monica J.
Published: November 2019

Background

Epigenetic changes in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with obesity and their effects on gene expression are poorly understood, especially during emergent obesity in youth. The current study tested the hypothesis that methylation and gene expression profiles of key growth factor and inflammatory pathways are altered in VAT from obese compared to non-obese youth.

Methods

VAT samples from adolescent females grouped as Lean (L; n = 15; age = 15 ± 3 years, BMI = 21.9 ± 3.0 kg/m2) or Obese (Ob; n = 15, age = 16 ± 2 years, BMI = 45.8 ± 9.8 kg/m2) were collected. Global methylation (n = 20) and gene expression (N = 30) patterns were profiled via microarray and interrogated for differences between groups by ANCOVA (p < 0.05), followed by biological pathway analyses.

Results

Overlapping differences in methylation and gene expression in 317 genes were found in VAT from obese compared to lean groups. PI3K/AKT Signaling (p = 1.83 × 10−6; 11/121 molecules in dataset/pathway) was significantly overrepresented in Ob VAT according to pathway analysis. Upregulations in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway mRNAs TFAM (p = 0.03; fold change = 1.8) and PPP2R5C (p = 0.03, FC = 2.6) were confirmed via qRT-PCR.

Conclusion

Our analyses show obesity-related differences in DNA methylation and gene expression in visceral adipose tissue of adolescent females. Specifically, we identified methylation site/gene expression pairs differentially regulated and mapped these differences to pathways including PI3K/AKT signaling, suggesting that PI3K/AKT signaling pathway dysfunction in obesity may be driven in part by changes in DNA methylation.
Candida vaginitis among symptomatic pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Mwanza, Tanzania
Authors: Mushi Martha F. , Mmole Amani , Mshana Stephen E.
Published: November 2019

Objective

This study was done to determine the patterns of Candida spp. causing vaginitis and associated factors among pregnant women attending antennal clinic in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Results

A total of 197 (65.6%) out of 300 non-repetitive swabs had positive growth of Candida spp. Candida albicans 125 (63.4%) was the most predominant isolated specie followed by C. tropicalis 35 (17.8%) and C. glabrata 33 (16.8%). Laboratory confirmed candida vaginitis was independently predicted by douching practices (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3–7.5 P = 0.007), history of antibiotics use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.02–3.0, P = 0.04) and low social economic status (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.1–3.7 P = 0.02). About two-third of pregnant women with clinical features of vaginitis attending antenatal clinic in Mwanza, Tanzania were confirmed to have Candida vaginitis mainly caused by Candida albicans.
Intra-aortic balloon pump does not influence cerebral hemodynamics and neurological outcomes in high-risk cardiac patients undergoing cardiac surgery: an analysis of the IABCS trial
Authors: Caldas Juliana R. , Panerai Ronney B. , Bor-Seng-Shu Edson , Ferreira Graziela S. R. , Camara Ligia , Passos Rogério H. , Salinet Angela M. , Azevedo Daniel S. , de-Lima-Oliveira Marcelo , Galas Filomena R. B. G. , Fukushima Julia T. , Nogueira Ricardo , Taccone Fabio S. , Landoni Giovanni , Almeida Juliano P. , Robinson Thompson G. , Hajjar Ludhmila A.
Published: November 2019

Background

The intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) is often used in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery to improve coronary perfusion and decrease afterload. The effects of the IABP on cerebral hemodynamics are unknown. We therefore assessed the effect of the IABP on cerebral hemodynamics and on neurological complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery who were randomized to receive or not receive preoperative IABP in the ‘Intra-aortic Balloon Counterpulsation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery’ (IABCS) trial.

Methods

This is a prospectively planned analysis of the previously published IABCS trial. Patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery with ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% or EuroSCORE ≥ 6 received preoperative IABP (n = 90) or no IABP (n = 91). Cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) of the middle cerebral artery through transcranial Doppler and blood pressure through Finometer or intra-arterial line were recorded preoperatively (T1) and 24 h (T2) and 7 days after surgery (T3) in patients with preoperative IABP (n = 34) and without IABP (n = 33). Cerebral autoregulation was assessed by the autoregulation index that was estimated from the CBFV response to a step change in blood pressure derived by transfer function analysis. Delirium, stroke and cognitive decline 6 months after surgery were recorded.

Results

There were no differences between the IABP and control patients in the autoregulation index (T1: 5.5 ± 1.9 vs. 5.7 ± 1.7; T2: 4.0 ± 1.9 vs. 4.1 ± 1.6; T3: 5.7 ± 2.0 vs. 5.7 ± 1.6, p = 0.97) or CBFV (T1: 57.3 ± 19.4 vs. 59.3 ± 11.8; T2: 74.0 ± 21.6 vs. 74.7 ± 17.5; T3: 71.1 ± 21.3 vs. 68.1 ± 15.1 cm/s; p = 0.952) at all time points. Groups were not different regarding postoperative rates of delirium (26.5% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.83), stroke (3.0% vs. 2.9%, p = 1.00) or cognitive decline through analysis of the Mini-Mental State Examination (16.7% vs. 40.7%; p = 0.07) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (79.16% vs. 81.5%; p = 1.00).

Conclusions

The preoperative use of the IABP in high-risk patients undergoing cardiac surgery did not affect cerebral hemodynamics and was not associated with a higher incidence of neurological complications.

Trial registrationhttp://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02143544).
High-resolution image reconstruction for portable ultrasound imaging devices
Authors: Wang Ruoyao , Fang Zhenghan , Gu Jiaqi , Guo Yi , Zhou Shicong , Wang Yuanyuan , Chang Cai , Yu Jinhua
Published: November 2019

Pursuing better imaging quality and miniaturizing imaging devices are two trends in the current development of ultrasound imaging. While the first one leads to more complex and expensive imaging equipment, poor image quality is a common problem of portable ultrasound imaging systems. In this paper, an image reconstruction method was proposed to break through the imaging quality limitation of portable devices by introducing generative adversarial network (GAN) model into the field of ultrasound image reconstruction. We combined two GAN generator models, the encoder-decoder model and the U-Net model to build a sparse skip connection U-Net (SSC U-Net) to tackle this problem. To produce more realistic output, stabilize the training procedure, and improve spatial resolution in the reconstructed ultrasound images, a new loss function which combines adversarial loss, L1 loss, and differential loss was proposed. Three datasets including 50 pairs of simulation, 40 pairs of phantom, and 72 pairs of in vivo images were used to evaluate the reconstruction performance. Experimental results show that our SSC U-Net is able to reconstruct ultrasound images with improved quality. Compared with U-Net, our SSC U-Net is able to preserve more details in the reconstructed images and improve full width at half maximum (FWHM) of point targets by 3.23%.
Mechanical power at a glance: a simple surrogate for volume-controlled ventilation
Authors: Giosa Lorenzo , Busana Mattia , Pasticci Iacopo , Bonifazi Matteo , Macrì Matteo Maria , Romitti Federica , Vassalli Francesco , Chiumello Davide , Quintel Michael , Marini J. J. , Gattinoni Luciano
Published: November 2019

Background

Mechanical power is a summary variable including all the components which can possibly cause VILI (pressures, volume, flow, respiratory rate). Since the complexity of its mathematical computation is one of the major factors that delay its clinical use, we propose here a simple and easy to remember equation to estimate mechanical power under volume-controlled ventilation:$$ \mathrm{Mechanical}\ \mathrm{Power}=\frac{\mathrm{VE}\times \left(\mathrm{Peak}\ \mathrm{Pressure}+\mathrm{PEEP}+F/6\right)}{20} $$Mechanical Power=VE×Peak Pressure+PEEP+F/620

where the mechanical power is expressed in Joules/minute, the minute ventilation (VE) in liters/minute, the inspiratory flow (F) in liters/minute, and peak pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in centimeter of water. All the components of this equation are continuously displayed by any ventilator under volume-controlled ventilation without the need for clinician intervention.

To test the accuracy of this new equation, we compared it with the reference formula of mechanical power that we proposed for volume-controlled ventilation in the past. The comparisons were made in a cohort of mechanically ventilated pigs (485 observations) and in a cohort of ICU patients (265 observations).

Results

Both in pigs and in ICU patients, the correlation between our equation and the reference one was close to the identity. Indeed, theR2ranged from 0.97 to 0.99 and the Bland-Altman showed small biases (ranging from + 0.35 to − 0.53 J/min) and proportional errors (ranging from + 0.02 to − 0.05).

Conclusions

Our new equation of mechanical power for volume-controlled ventilation represents a simple and accurate alternative to the more complex ones available to date. This equation does not need any clinical intervention on the ventilator (such as an inspiratory hold) and could be easily implemented in the software of any ventilator in volume-controlled mode. This would allow the clinician to have an estimation of mechanical power at a simple glance and thus increase the clinical consciousness of this variable which is still far from being used at the bedside. Our equation carries the same limitations of all other formulas of mechanical power, the most important of which, as far as it concerns VILI prevention, are the lack of normalization and its application to the whole respiratory system (including the chest wall) and not only to the lung parenchyma.
Improvement of biohistological response of facial implant materials by tantalum surface treatment
Authors: Bakri Mohammed Mousa , Lee Sung Ho , Lee Jong Ho
Published: November 2019

Background

A compact passive oxide layer can grow on tantalum (Ta). It has been reported that this oxide layer can facilitate bone ingrowth in vivo though the development of bone-like apatite, which promotes hard and soft tissue adhesion. Thus, Ta surface treatment on facial implant materials may improve the tissue response, which could result in less fibrotic encapsulation and make the implant more stable on the bone surface. The purposes of this study were to verify whether surface treatment of facial implant materials using Ta can improve the biohistobiological response and to determine the possibility of potential clinical applications.

Methods

Two different and commonly used implant materials, silicone and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), were treated via Ta ion implantation using a Ta sputtering gun. Ta-treated samples were compared with untreated samples using in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Osteoblast (MG-63) and fibroblast (NIH3T3) cell viability with the Ta-treated implant material was assessed, and the tissue response was observed by placing the implants over the rat calvarium (n = 48) for two different lengths of time. Foreign body and inflammatory reactions were observed, and soft tissue thickness between the calvarium and the implant as well as the bone response was measured.

Results

The treatment of facial implant materials using Ta showed a tendency toward increased fibroblast and osteoblast viability, although this result was not statistically significant. During the in vivo study, both Ta-treated and untreated implants showed similar foreign body reactions. However, the Ta-treated implant materials (silicone and ePTFE) showed a tendency toward better histological features: lower soft tissue thickness between the implant and the underlying calvarium as well as an increase in new bone activity.

Conclusion

Ta surface treatment using ion implantation on silicone and ePTFE facial implant materials showed the possibility of reducing soft tissue intervention between the calvarium and the implant to make the implant more stable on the bone surface. Although no statistically significant improvement was observed, Ta treatment revealed a tendency toward an improved biohistological response of silicone and ePTFE facial implants. Conclusively, tantalum treatment is beneficial and has the potential for clinical applications.
Sex differences in uric acid levels in kidney transplant recipients and their donors: a preliminary retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Kitamura Mineaki , Mochizuki Yasushi , Matsuda Tsuyoshi , Mukae Yuta , Nakanishi Hiromi , Ota Yuki , Uramatsu Tadashi , Obata Yoko , Sakai Hideki , Mukae Hiroshi , Nishino Tomoya
Published: November 2019

Background

Higher serum uric acid (UA) levels are associated with poorer renal prognosis. In kidney transplantation, both donors and recipients are diagnosed as having chronic kidney diseases (CKD) based on renal function; however, their UA levels slightly vary. Elucidating the differences in UA would help improve kidney prognosis, especially for recipients. Therefore, we investigated UA levels in kidney transplant recipients by comparing them to those in their donors.

Methods

In this retrospective cross-sectional survey, background information and blood examination results were collected from the donors just before donation and after transplantation in the donors and recipients. Associations between UA and sex estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated. Data were assessed by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and the chi-squared test for categorical variables; multiple linear regression analyses were performed to determine which factors were associated with renal function before and after transplantation.

Results

Participant characteristics were as follows. The mean donor age (n = 45, 16 men and 29 women) was 55 ± 11 years, and the mean recipient age (n = 45, 25 men and 20 women) was 46 ± 16 years. Sex-related differences (UA levels in men were predominant) existed in the UA of donors before (P < 0.001) and after donation (P < 0.001). Conversely, there were no significant sex-related differences in the UA of recipients (P = 0.51); the mean standardized eGFRs were similar in donors and recipients after transplantation. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed donor UA only correlated with donor sex before donation (P = 0.008). After donation, donor UA was associated with donor sex (P = 0.006), eGFR (P < 0.001), and BMI (P = 0.02). Notably, the UA of recipients after transplantation was only associated with eGFR (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Sex has less impact on UA in recipients than in donors. UA has a greater impact on renal prognosis in women than men, even at the same UA level. Therefore, attention should be given to UA levels in female recipients. These findings can be useful for determining patient prognosis following kidney transplantation in both donors and recipients.
Dietary supplementation effects of Chlorella vulgaris on performances, oxidative stress status and antioxidant enzymes activities of prepubertal New Zealand White rabbits
Authors: Sikiru A. B. , Arangasamy A. , Alemede I. C. , Egena S. S. A. , Bhatta R.
Published: November 2019

Background

Chlorella vulgaris(CV) is a natural source of functional antioxidants capable of protecting against oxidative stress; its dietary supplementation in animals can serve as a way of improving animals’ performance and productive output; on this background, the microalgae was supplemented to growing New Zealand white rabbits and its effects on performances and oxidative stress status were evaluated.

Method

Thirty-five (35) 6-week-old New Zealand White rabbits (935.48 ± 5.92 g) were divided into five groups (n= 7 per group) in a completely randomized design experiment; rabbits in control groups were fed only commercial rabbits feed, while rabbits in treatment groups were supplemented with 200, 300, 400, and 500 mgChlorella vulgarisbiomass per kilogram of the body weight along with commercial rabbits feed daily. Feed intake and body weight changes were recorded daily and weekly; at the end of the study, blood was collected and subjected to chemical assays for evaluation of serum oxidative stress markers and antioxidant activities.

Results

Dietary supplementation of the microalgae significantly increased the rabbits’ growth weights (p< 0.01) without significant increase or reduction in feed intakes (p< 0.56), but significantly enhanced feed to gain ratio. The microalgae supplementation significantly protected the rabbits against oxidative stress damages through the reduction of malondialdehyde concentrations (p< 0.001) and increased total antioxidant capacity (p< 0.003). It also led to higher superoxide dismutase activity (p< 0.001), increased catalase activity (p< 0.003), and higher concentration of reduced glutathione (p< 0.001).

Conclusion

It was concluded from outcomes of both performance and biochemical analysis of the rabbits that daily supplementation ofChlorella vulgarisbetween 200 and 500 mg per kilogram of the body weight in prepubertal rabbits significantly improved performances in forms of higher weight gains and enhanced feed utilization; it also protected against oxidative stress damages hence it was recommended as dietary antioxidant supplement for growing prepubertal rabbits.
Shallow tunnel detection using SH-wave diffraction imaging
Authors: Peterie Shelby L. , Miller Richard D. , Ivanov Julian , Sloan Steven D.
Published: November 2019

Clandestine tunnels, used for drug or human trafficking and tactical operations, pose a security threat worldwide and remain elusive targets for detection with geophysical methods. P-wave diffraction imaging is an increasingly common technique for detecting subsurface discontinuities that are smaller than the seismic wavelength (such as faults, pinch outs, and small voids) and has been successfully used to detect shallow tunnels. P-wave diffractions from tunnels typically have very low signal-to-noise ratios and are therefore challenging wavefield components for imaging. Mode-specific amplitude characteristics of theoretical diffractions from a shallow tunnel were evaluated using 9C seismic modeling. Results indicate that SH-wave diffraction has the largest amplitude and coherent phase characteristics along the traveltime hyperbola, making it ideal for diffraction imaging. In real data acquired over a 9.2 m deep tunnel, amplitudes of SH-wave diffractions are 20 dB greater than P-wave diffractions. The tunnel signature on the P-wave diffraction section is of low amplitude relative to the background. The SH-wave diffraction section has a high-amplitude signal focused at the horizontal location and a traveltime consistent with the tunnel location, indicating that the SH-wave may be optimal for diffraction imaging to detect shallow tunnels.
Diagenetic characteristics and quantitative evolution of porosity in tight gas sandstone reservoirs: A case study from the middle and lower Permian in the northwestern Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Gao Yang , Wang Zhizhang , Yi Shiwei , She Yuanqi , Lin Shiguo , Li Mingpeng , Yang Zhen , Chen Shanshan
Published: November 2019

Tight sandstone gas is widespread in the middle and lower Permian Shan 1 and He 8 Members in the northwestern Ordos Basin. We have studied the diagenesis by means of many petrographic techniques and determined its important influence on reservoir quality. The quantitative characterization of porosity evolution is important when analyzing reservoir consolidation. We found that reservoir rock types are mainly sublitharenite, quartz arenite, and litharenite in the deltaic facies through petrological and mineralogical analyses. Metamorphic rock (quartzite), followed by volcanic rock, dominates the lithic fragment types. In the early diagenetic stage, the reservoirs mainly underwent intensive compaction, hydrolysis, and alteration of volcanic debris. Sandstones in the middle diagenesis stage were characterized by quartz overgrowth, volcanic debris dissolution, cementation, and calcite and kaolinite replacement. Based on the formula from Beard and Weyl, we calculated that the original porosity of tight gas sandstones was 38.61%. The porosity loss during compaction was 26.64%; by cementation, it was 11.46%; and carbonate, siliceous, and authigenic clay cements accounted for 1.31%, 3.61%, and 6.44% loss in porosity, respectively. Dissolution was relatively weak, with an average increase in porosity of 4.86%, whereas the present porosity is 7.47%. We observed that the pore types in the study area are composed of intragranular dissolution pores and kaolinite intercrystalline pores, followed by residual primary pores and intergranular dissolution pores. However, microcracks were not common. Based on the results of the rate-controlled mercury intrusion, the pore diameters in different samples are similar but there were clear differences in the throat diameters. Nuclear magnetic resonance results indicate that the cutoff value is 13 ms with the movable fluid mainly distributed in larger pores. As the pressure increased, fluid in the larger pores was discharged in large quantities but there was no discharge of nonmovable fluid in the small pores. We conclude that intensive diagenetic transformation was the main cause of reservoir consolidation and multistage cementation resulted in a complicated pore-throat network and reduced reservoir permeability.
Patterns of use of the Mental Health Act 1983, from 2007–2008 to 2016–2017, in two major London secondary mental healthcare providers
Authors: Oram Sian , Colling Craig , Pritchard Megan , Khondoker Mizanur , Fonseca de Freitas Daniela , Ter-Minassian Lucile , Downs Johnny , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor , Markham Sarah , Werbeloff Nomi , Chang Chin-Kuo , Johnson Sonia , Hotopf Matthew , Hayes Richard D.
Published: November 2019

Trends in detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 in two major London secondary mental healthcare providers were explored using patient-level data in a historical cohort study between 2007–2008 and 2016–2017. An increase in the number of detention episodes initiated per fiscal year was observed at both sites. The rise was accompanied by an increase in the number of active patients; the proportion of active patients detained per year remained relatively stable. Findings suggest that the rise in the number of detentions reflects the rise of the number of people receiving secondary mental healthcare.
Phase II Study of Nonmetastatic Desmoplastic Medulloblastoma in Children Younger Than 4 Years of Age: A Report of the Children’s Oncology Group (ACNS1221)
Authors: Lafay-Cousin Lucie , Bouffet Eric , Strother Douglas , Rudneva Vasilisa , Hawkins Cynthia , Eberhart Charles , Horbinski Craig , Heier Linda , Souweidane Mark , Williams-Hughes Chris , Onar-Thomas Arzu , Billups Catherine A. , Fouladi Maryam , Northcott Paul , Robinson Giles , Gajjar Amar
Published: November 2019

PURPOSE

Nodular desmoplastic medulloblastoma (ND) and medulloblastoma with extensive nodularity (MBEN) have been associated with a more favorable outcome in younger children. However, treatment-related neurotoxicity remains a significant concern in this vulnerable group of patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

ACNS1221 was a prospective single-arm trial of conventional chemotherapy for nonmetastatic ND and MBEN based on a modified HIT SKK 2000 regimen excluding intraventricular methotrexate, aiming to achieve similar outcome (2-year progression-free survival [PFS] ≥ 90%) with reduced treatment-related neurotoxicity. Secondary objectives included feasibility of timely central pathology review and evaluation of tumor molecular profile.

RESULTS

Twenty-five eligible patients (15 males and 10 females; median age, 18.7 months) were enrolled. Eighteen patients had ND and 7 had MBEN histology. Three patients had residual disease at baseline. The study closed early because of a higher than expected relapse rate. Twelve patients experienced relapse—local (n= 6), distant (n = 3), and combined (n = 3)—at a median of 9.8 months from diagnosis (range, 8.9-13.7 months), and 2 patients died of disease. Two-year PFS and overall survival rates were 52% (95% CI, 32.4% to 71.6%) and 92% (95% CI, 80.8% to 100.0%) respectively. Patients older than 12 months of age ( P = .036) and ND histology ( P = .005) were associated with worse PFS. No patients with MBEN histology experienced relapse. All tumor samples clustered within the sonic hedgehog (SHH) group. Methylation analysis delineated 2 subgroups, SHH-I and SHH-II, which were associated with 2-year PFS rates of 30.0% (95% CI, 1.6% to 58.4%) and 66.7% (95% CI, 44.0% to 89.4%), respectively ( P = .099).

CONCLUSION

The proposed modified regimen of conventional systemic chemotherapy without serial intraventricular methotrexate injection failed to achieve the targeted 2-year PFS of 90%. With this cohort, we prospectively confirmed the existence of two SHH subgroups and observed a trend toward worse outcome for SHH-I patients.
Epidemiology of Hematologic Malignancies in Real-World Settings: Findings From the Hemato-Oncology Latin America Observational Registry Study
Authors: Tietsche de Moraes Hungria Vania , Chiattone Carlos , Pavlovsky Miguel , Abenoza Lina M. , Agreda Gladys P. , Armenta Jorge , Arrais Celso , Avendaño Flores Oscar , Barroso Fernando , Basquiera Ana L. , Cao Carmen , Cugliari Maria S. , Enrico Alicia , Foggliatto Laura M. , Galvez Kenny M. , Gomez David , Gomez Alvaro , de Iracema Daniel , Farias Danielle , Lopez Lineth , Mantilla William Armando , Martínez Deborah , Mela Maria Jose , Miguel Carlos E. , Ovilla Roberto , Palmer Luis , Pavlovsky Carolina , Ramos Christian , Remaggi Guillermina , Santucci Rodrigo , Schusterschitz Sergio , Sossa Claudia Lucia , Tuna-Aguilar Elena , Vela Jorge , Santos Telma , de la Mora Odin , Machnicki Gerardo , Fernandez Mariana , Barreyro Paula
Published: November 2019

PURPOSE

Limited information is available on multiple myeloma (MM), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) management in Latin America. The primary objective of the Hemato-Oncology Latin America (HOLA) study was to describe patient characteristics and treatment patterns of Latin American patients with MM, CLL, and NHL.

METHODS

This study was a multicenter, retrospective, medical chart review of patients with MM, CLL, and NHL in Latin America identified between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2015. Included were adults with at least 1 year of follow-up (except in cases of death within 1 year of diagnosis) treated at 30 oncology hospitals (Argentina, 5; Brazil, 9; Chile, 1; Colombia, 5; Mexico, 6; Panama/Guatemala, 4).

RESULTS

Of 5,140 patients, 2,967 (57.7%) had NHL, 1,518 (29.5%) MM, and 655 (12.7%) CLL. Median follow-up was 2.2 years for MM, 3.0 years for CLL, and 2.2 years for NHL, and approximately 26% died during the study observation period. Most patients had at least one comorbidity at diagnosis. The most frequent induction regimen was thalidomide-based chemotherapy for MM and chlorambucil with or without prednisone for CLL. Most patients with NHL had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL; 49.1%) or follicular lymphoma (FL; 19.5%). The majority of patients with DLBCL or FL received rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.

CONCLUSION

The HOLA study generated an unprecedented level of high-quality, real-world evidence on characteristics and treatment patterns of patients with hematologic malignancies. Regional disparities in patient characteristics may reflect differences in ethnoracial identity and level of access to care. These data provide needed real-world evidence to understand the disease landscape in Latin America and may be used to inform clinical and health policy decision making.
Where the Blessed One Paced Mindfully
Authors: Kim Minku
Published: November 2019

Caṅkrama is mindful locomotion, a notion and practice well developed in classical India. Within the Buddhist tradition, a series of such ambulations performed by the historical Buddha in the wake of his Enlightenment is widely recognized; in Bodhgayā itself, the monument known as Caṅkramaṇa has long commemorated the path he took. The early stupas of Bhārhut and Sāñcī also bear representations of this ambulation path and other noteworthy occurrences. In connection to caṅkrama, a fact that has been neglected until now is that the earliest and largest known freestanding statues of the Buddha made in Kuṣān Mathurā were all made to be installed at the venerated caṅkrama sites in Śrāvastī, Vārāṇasī, and Kauśāmbī. This essay groups these specimens together under the rubric of “caṅkrama type,” and suggests that this new taxonomy can be extended to other early standing statues of Mathurā with similar traits—kapardas, scalloped nimbi, akimbo arms, splayed feet, and so forth. Arguably, the very first appearances of Mathurā's “standing” Buddha-images might be closely related to the cult of caṅkrama, and thus should be factored into the historical transition from the previous aniconic period. The essay also presents a new interpretation of the term bodhisattva as it appears in the dedicatory inscriptions of the caṅkrama types and other early Mathurān statues depicting the Buddha. Here “bodhisattva” can be understood literally, and even symbolically, as equivalent to “image”; that is, the term may signify the representation itself rather than pointing to the Buddha's previous career as a bodhisattva.
A Bias of Screening
Authors: Lagziel David , Lehrer Ehud
Published: November 2019

This paper deals with the issue of screening. It focuses on a decision maker who, based on noisy unbiased assessments, screens elements from a general set. Our analysis shows that stricter screening not only reduces the number of accepted elements, but possibly reduces their average expected value. We provide a characterization for optimal threshold strategies for screening and also derive implications to cases where such screening strategies are suboptimal. We further provide various applications of our results to credit ratings, auctions, general trade, the Peter Principle, and affirmative action. (JEL C38, D44, F10, G24, J15)
Subjective Approach to Assessment Quality of Working Life of Working-Age Population of the Region
Authors: Belehova G.
Published: November 2019

The article studies the issue of assessment quality of work life of the population (QWL) on the basis of a subjective approach. The article indicates relevance of the debate surrounding the category of «quality of work life», gives an overview of methods of assessment quality of work life of the population, corresponding to the subjective approach, substantiates the possibility of assessment quality of work life within of a subjective approach based on indicators of satisfaction with aspects of work life. The author developed a methodology for assessing the quality of working life of the population, involving the use of sociological survey tools and the Likert scale. The methodology was tested based on the data of the sociological poll «The monitoring of the labor potential quality», conducted with the direct participation of the author in 2018. According to the results, it was revealed that the composite index of QWL was 0.254, i.e. more than half of the working-age population of the Vologda Oblast are satisfied with the current quality of life in their workplace. The article highlights that all partial indices take positive values, i.e. the majority of respondents are more or less satisfied with the components of the quality of work life. Private indices of employment stability and psychological climate in the organization are of greatest importance, private indices of remuneration of labor and career opportunities are least. The author also discovers the differences in the assessment of QWL by socio-demographic characteristics, level of education and the characteristics of employment.
Entrevista com Inocência Mata
Authors: Amorim Claudia
Published: November 2019

Entrevista concedida à revista Matraga sobre o panorama atual das Literaturas Africanas de Língua Portuguesa.
Találóak-e Hegel Kanttal szembeni ellenvetései a diszkurzusetikára is?
Authors: Habermas Jürgen
Published: November 2019

E tanulmányában Habermas a könyv formában 1983-ban, tehát két évvel e szöveg megjelenése előtt közölt (Diskursethik Notizen zu einem Begründungsprogram) diskurzusetikai elméletét ért vádakat igyekszik kivédeni egy elképzelt Kant-Hegel ütköztetés képében. Módszere, hogy kiválaszt néhány szerinte Kantot illető hegeli kritikát, majd egy részüket elfogadja, a többit pedig rövid érvelés után elutasítja. Mindeközben saját diskurzusetikai elméletét tisztázza Kant normatív filozófiájához képest pozicionálva azt.