bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noncoding RNAs regulating cardiac muscle mass
Authors: Wadley Glenn D. , Lamon Séverine , Alexander Sarah E. , McMullen Julie R. , Bernardo Bianca C.
Published: December 2018

Noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) play roles in the development and homeostasis of nearly every tissue of the body, including the regulation of processes underlying heart growth. Cardiac hypertrophy can be classified as either physiological (beneficial heart growth) or pathological (detrimental heart growth), the latter of which results in impaired cardiac function and heart failure and is predictive of a higher incidence of death due to cardiovascular disease. Several miRNAs have a functional role in exercise-induced cardiac hypertrophy, while both miRNAs and lncRNAs are heavily involved in pathological heart growth and heart failure. The latter have the potential to act as an endogenous sponge RNA and interact with specific miRNAs to control cardiac hypertrophy, adding another level of complexity to our understanding of the regulation of cardiac muscle mass. In addition to tissue-specific effects, ncRNA-mediated tissue cross talk occurs via exosomes. In particular, miRNAs can be internalized in exosomes and secreted from various cardiac and vascular cell types to promote angiogenesis, as well as protection and repair of ischemic tissues. ncRNAs hold promising therapeutic potential to protect the heart against ischemic injury and aid in regeneration. Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of ncRNAs, specifically miRNAs, for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Most of these studies employ antisense oligonucleotides to inhibit miRNAs of interest; however, off-target effects often limit their potential to be translated to the clinic. In this context, approaches using viral and nonviral delivery tools are promising means to provide targeted delivery in vivo.
A Max-Plus Algebra Approach to Study Time Disturbance Propagation within a Robustness Improvement Context
Authors: Martínez-Olvera César , Mora-Vargas Jaime
Published: December 2018

Industry 4.0 aims to ensure the future competitiveness of the manufacturing industry, where one of the major challenges faced by its implementation is the manufacturing/production system robustness (that is, able to perform in the presence of noise), as they may not be able to absorb input disruptions without bending or breaking. In this paper we propose to use the Max-Plus algebra approach to study the propagation of manufacturing disturbances (i.e., processing time variations), presenting a case study and performing a sensitivity analysis, with the idea of understanding under which conditions disturbance propagation takes place. Findings show that the impact propagation depends on where the variation source is located within the manufacturing system. Two are the main original contributions of this paper: the use of Max-Plus algebra to study the impact propagation of processing time variations and a four-step methodology to derive the equations representing the deterministic manufacturing system.
Analytical Synthesis of Regulators for Nonlinear Systems with a Terminal State Method on Examples of Motion Control of a Wheeled Robot and a Vessel
Authors: Shushlyapin E. A. , Bezuglaya A. E.
Published: December 2018

The paper is devoted to several examples of control algorithm development for two-wheeled double-track robot and low-tonnage vessel-catamaran with two Azipods that show practical aspects of the application of one nonlinear system control method — terminal state method. This method, developed by the authors of the present paper, belongs to the class of methods for inverse dynamics problem solving. Mathematical models of control objects in the form of normal systems of third-order nonlinear differential equations for the wheeled robot and seventh-order ones for the vessel are presented. Design formulas of the method in general form for terminal and stabilizing controls are shown. A routine of obtaining calculation expressions for control actions is shown. Results of computer simulation of bringing the robot to a given point in a given time, as well as bringing the vessel to a given course during a “strong” maneuver, are described.
Assessment of Self-Medication Practices and Its Associated Factors among Undergraduates of a Private University in Nigeria
Authors: Esan Deborah Tolulope , Fasoro Ayodeji Akinwande , Odesanya Opeoluwa Esther , Esan Theophilus Olaide , Ojo Elizabeth Funmilayo , Faeji Charles Oluwafemi
Published: December 2018

Background. Self-medication is the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms or the intermittent or continued use of prescribed drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms, and it is mostly common in developing countries. This study therefore assessed the practice of self-medication among undergraduate students of a private university in Nigeria. Methods. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A pretested questionnaire was self-administered to 384 undergraduate students of the university. Data were analysed and summarised using descriptive and inferential statistics such as chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests. Results. Overall, 297 (81.8%) undergraduate students practiced self-medication. About 71% of the students had used analgesic, antibiotics (10.5%), and antimalarial drugs (33%) without prescription within one month prior to the survey. The most commonly used drug for self-medication was paracetamol (75.1%). Furthermore, self-medication was found to be significantly associated with age (p=0.021), gender (p<0.001), college (p=0.025), and year of study (p=0.004). Some of the reasons why undergraduate students practiced self-medication were because of the unfriendly attitude of health care workers (27.7%), lack of time to go to school clinic (26.7%), school clinic is too far from hostel (15.3%), and drugs prescribed in the school clinic do not improve health condition (15.3%). Conclusion. Majority of the students attributed the practice of self-medication to unfriendly attitude of health care workers in the university clinic.
Generation of Uniform Hazard Spectrum Based on the Stochastic Method of Simulating Ground Motion and Its Use in Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Zhang Xueming , Yan Weiming , He Haoxiang , Sun Yunlun , Chen Shicai
Published: December 2018

To obtain an accurate uniform hazard spectrum (UHS), this paper proposes combining a stochastic simulation with probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. The stochastic method fully accounts for the effect of the source mechanism, path, and site effect. Historical ground motions in the site specific to the nuclear power plant (NPP) are simulated, and a UHS with an equal exceeding probability is proposed. To compare the seismic performance of the NPP under different ground motions generated by the existing site spectrum (SL‐2), the UHS generated by the safety evaluation report, and the US RG1.60 spectrum, respectively, a three‐dimensional finite element model is established, and dynamic analysis is performed. Results show that the structural responses to different spectra varied; the UHS response was slightly larger than that of RG1.60. This finding is relatively more reasonable than prior research results. The UHS generated using the stochastic simulation method can provide a reference for the seismic design of NPPs.
Upper Limb Neuromuscular Activities and Synergies Comparison between Elite and Nonelite Athletics in Badminton Overhead Forehand Smash
Authors: Barnamehei Hamidreza , Tabatabai Ghomsheh Farhad , Safar Cherati Afsaneh , Pouladian Majid
Published: December 2018

This study is aimed at comparing muscle activations and synergies in badminton forehand overhead smash (BFOS) between elite and nonelite players to clarify how the central nervous system (CNS) controls neuromuscular synergy and activation to generate complex overhead movements. EMG of five upper limb muscles was recorded through surface electromyography (EMG) electrodes from twenty players. Athletics is divided into two groups: elite and nonelite. Eventually, nonnegative matrix factorization (NNMF) was utilized to the calculated electromyography signals for muscle synergy comparison. Similarities between elite and nonelite groups were calculated by scalar product method. Results presented that three muscles synergies could sufficiently delineate the found electromyography signals for elite and nonelite players. Individual muscle patterns were moderately to highly similar between elite and nonelite groups (between-group similarity range: 0.52 to 0.90). In addition, high similarities between groups were found for the shape of synergy activation coefficients (range: 0.85 to 0.89). These results indicate that the synergistic organization of muscle coordination during badminton forehand overhead smash is not profoundly affected by expertise.
Risk Factors for Neonatal Sepsis: A Retrospective Case-Control Study among Neonates Who Were Delivered by Caesarean Section at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba, Ghana
Authors: Adatara Peter , Afaya Agani , Salia Solomon Mohammed , Afaya Richard Adongo , Kuug Anthony K. , Agbinku Ethel , Agyabeng-Fandoh Eric
Published: December 2018

The third Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) for child health, which targets ending preventable deaths of neonates and children under five years of age by 2030, may not be met without substantial reduction of neonatal sepsis-specific mortality in developing countries. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence and risk factors for neonatal sepsis among neonates who were delivered via caesarean section. A retrospective case-control study was conducted among neonates who were delivered via caesarean section at the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, Winneba, Ghana. Data collection lasted for 4 weeks. The extracted data were double-entered using Epidata software version 3.1 to address discrepancies of data entry. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages of neonatal characteristics were generated from the data. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine associations between neonatal sepsis and neonatal characteristics with odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and p values calculated using variables that showed significant association (p<0.05) in the chi-square analysis for the multivariate logistic regression. A total of 383 neonates were recruited; 67 (17.5%) had sepsis (cases). The neonatal risk factors associated with sepsis were birth weight (χ2=6.64, p=0.036), neonatal age (χ2=38.31, p<0.001), meconium passed (χ2=12.95, p<0.001), reason for CS (χ2=24.27, p<0.001), and the duration of stay on admission (χ2=36.69, p<0.001). Neonatal sepsis poses a serious threat to the survival of the newborn as the current study uncovered 6.0% deaths among sepsis cases. The findings of this study highlight the need for routine assessment of neonates in order to identify risk factors for neonatal sepsis and to curb the disease burden on neonatal mortality.
Using Phytochemicals to Investigate the Activation of Nicotine Detoxification via Upregulation of CYP2A6 in Animal Models Exposed Tobacco Smoke Condensate by Intratracheal Instillation
Authors: Lee Dayeon , Seo Seung-Beom , Lee Hyun Jeong , Park Tae-Sik , Shim Soon-Mi
Published: December 2018

This study examined the efficacy of standardized Smilax china L. root extract (SSCR) containing chlorogenic acid on detoxifying nicotine from tobacco smoke condensate (TSC) in vitro and in vivo. Chlorogenic acid is an identified bioactive component in SSCR by ultraperformance liquid chromatography/photodiode array/electrospray ionization/mass spectroscopy (UPLC/PDA/ESI/MS). HepG2 liver cells and A549 lung cells were carried for measuring ROS and antioxidant enzymes. Sprague‐Dawley rats were treated with nicotine by intratracheal instillation (ITI). Cell viabilities by pretreatments of 5, 12.5, and 25, 50 μg SSCR/mL ranged from 41 to 76% in HepG2 and 65 to 95% in A549. Pretreatments of SSCR inhibited TSC‐mediated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 8 and 10% in HepG2 and A549 cells, respectively. However, the expression of CAT, SOD1, and AOX1 was downregulated by SSCR in the both cells. The highest conversion of cotinine was observed at 50 μg/mL of SSCR after 120 min of incubation. SSCR upregulated CYP2A6 3‐fold in A549 cells regardless of TSC cotreatment. When Sprague‐Dawley rats were treated with nicotine by ITI or subjected to SSCR administration for 14 days, the levels of cotinine in urine increased in SSCR treatment only. The cellular level of antioxidant capacity at 10 or 100 mg/kg body weight/day of SSCR treatment was 1.89 and 1.86 times higher than those of nicotine‐control. Results suggest that the intake of SSCR can detoxify nicotine by elevating nicotine conversion to cotinine and antioxidant capacity.
The Perception of Psychosocial Risks and Work-Related Stress in Relation to Job Insecurity and Gender Differences: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: De Sio Simone , Cedrone Fabrizio , Trovato Battagliola Edoardo , Buomprisco Giuseppe , Perri Roberto , Greco Emilio
Published: December 2018

Introduction. The perception of psychosocial risks exposes workers to develop work-related stress. Recently the attention of scientific research has focused on a psychosocial risk already identified as “job insecurity” that regards the “overall concern about the continued existence of the job in the future” and that also depends on worker’s perception, different for each gender. Aim of the Study. The aim of this cross sectional study is to show if job insecurity, in the form of temporary contracts, can influence the perception of psychosocial risks and therefore increase worker’s vulnerability to work-related stress and how the magnitude of this effect differs between genders. Materials and Methods. 338 administrative technical workers (113 males and 225 females) were administered a questionnaire, enquiring contract typology (permanent or temporary contracts), and the Health Safety Executive questionnaire to assess work-related stress. The Health Safety Executive Analysis Tool software was used to process collected questionnaires and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to evaluate the statistical significance of the differences obtained. Results. Workers with temporary contracts obtained lower scores than workers with permanent contracts in all the domains explored by the Health Safety Executive Analysis questionnaire, statistically significant (P<0,05). The female workers obtained lower scores than male workers in all domains explored by the Health Safety Executive questionnaire. Conclusions. Authors conclude that perception of psychosocial risks can be influenced by job insecurity, in the form of temporary contracts, and increases worker’s vulnerability to work-related stress and differs between genders.
A Robust Data Interpolation Based on a Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network Operator for Incomplete Acquisition in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Xie Mingshan , Huang Mengxing , Bai Yong , Hu Zhuhua , Deng Yanfang
Published: December 2018

The data space collected by a wireless sensor network (WSN) is the basis of data mining and data visualization. In the process of monitoring physical quantities with large time and space correlations, incomplete acquisition strategy with data interpolation can be adopted to reduce the deployment cost. To improve the performance of data interpolation in such a scenario, we proposed a robust data interpolation based on a back propagation artificial neural network operator. In this paper, a neural network learning operator is proposed based on the strong fault tolerance of artificial neural networks. The learning operator is trained by using the historical data of the data acquisition nodes of WSN and is transferred to estimate the value of physical quantities at the locations where sensors are not deployed. The experimental results show that our proposed method yields smaller interpolation error than the traditional inverse-distance-weighted interpolation (IDWI) method.
Ecofriendly Isolation of Cellulose from Eucalyptus lenceolata: A Novel Approach
Authors: Rehman Noor , Alam Sultan , Amin Noor Ul , Mian Inamullah , Ullah Hidayat
Published: December 2018

This study reports the extraction of cellulose by means of an environment-friendly multistep procedure involving alkaline treatment and totally chlorine-free bleaching. The multistep process begins with the removal of pectin, cutin, waxes, and other extractives from Eucalyptus lenceolata straw, followed by the removal of hemicelluloses and lignin using an alkaline treatment, and lastly by further delignification of the cellulose pulp through a two-step bleaching process, first with the use of hydrogen peroxide/tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) and then with the use of a mixture of acetic and nitric acids. The Eucalyptus lenceolata samples were collected from the mountains of the Malakand division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and were ground into smaller particles. The pulp resulting from each step was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to detect structural changes. The purified cellulose was characterized through different analytical techniques such as Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The isolated cellulose has a high degree of purity and crystallinity (73%) and thermal stability as verified by XRD and TGA, respectively. SEM was used to study the surface morphology of cellulose, indicating that the surface was free from lignin and hemicelluloses due to the chemical treatment. This study indicates that the multistep procedure is quite adequate for the extraction of cellulose.
Radiosynthesis and Preliminary Biological Evaluation of 18F-Fluoropropionyl-Chlorotoxin as a Potential PET Tracer for Glioma Imaging
Authors: Zhao Jing , Wang Yu-liang , Li Xin-bei , Gao Si-yuan , Liu Shao-yu , Song Yu-kun , Wang Jing-yan , Xiong Ying , Ma Hui , Jiang Li , Yang Zhi-yun , Tang Gang-hua , Chu Jian-ping
Published: December 2018

Purposes. Chlorotoxin can specifically bind to matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), which are overexpressed in the glioma. In this work, radiosynthesis of [18F]-fluoropropionyl-chlorotoxin ([18F]-FP-chlorotoxin) as a novel PET tracer was investigated, and biodistribution in vivo and PET imaging were performed in the C6 glioma model. Procedures. [18F]-FP-chlorotoxin was prepared from the reaction of chlorotoxin with [18F]-NFB (4-nitrophenyl 2-[18F]-fluoropropionate), which was synthesized from multistep reactions. Biodistribution was determined in 20 normal Kunming mice. Small-animal PET imaging with [18F]-FP-chlorotoxin was performed on the same rats bearing orthotopic C6 glioma at different time points (60 min, 90 min, and 120 min) after injection and compared with 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]-FDG). Results. [18F]-FP-Chlorotoxin was successfully synthesized in the radiochemical yield of 41% and the radiochemical purity of more than 98%. Among all the organs, the brain had the lowest and stable uptake of [18F]-FP-chlorotoxin, while the kidney showed the highest uptake. Compared with [18F]-FDG, a low uptake of [18F]-FP-chlorotoxin was detected in normal brain parenchyma and a high accumulation of [18F]-FP-chlorotoxin was found in the gliomas tissue. The glioma to normal brain uptake ratio of [18F]-FP-chlorotoxin was higher than that of [18F]-FDG. Furthermore, the uptake of [18F]-FP-chlorotoxin at 90 min after injection was better than that at 60 min after injection. Conclusions. Compared with [18F]-FDG, [18F]-FP-chlorotoxin has a low and stable uptake in normal brain parenchyma. [18F]-FP-Chlorotoxin seems to be a potential PET tracer with a good performance in diagnosis of the glioma.
Cost-Sensitive Distributed Machine Learning for NetFlow-Based Botnet Activity Detection
Authors: Kozik Rafał , Pawlicki Marek , Choraś Michał
Published: December 2018

The recent advancements of malevolent techniques have caused a situation where the traditional signature-based approach to cyberattack detection is rendered ineffective. Currently, new, improved, potent solutions incorporating Big Data technologies, effective distributed machine learning, and algorithms countering data imbalance problem are needed. Therefore, the major contribution of this paper is the proposal of the cost-sensitive distributed machine learning approach for cybersecurity. In particular, we proposed to use and implemented cost-sensitive distributed machine learning by means of distributed Extreme Learning Machines (ELM), distributed Random Forest, and Distributed Random Boosted-Trees to detect botnets. The system’s concept and architecture are based on the Big Data processing framework with data mining and machine learning techniques. In practical terms in this paper, as a use case, we consider the problem of botnet detection by means of analysing the data in form of NetFlows. The reported results are promising and show that the proposed system can be considered as a useful tool for the improvement of cybersecurity.
Outcomes of Vertical Split Conjunctival Autograft Using Fibrin Glue in Treatment of Primary Double-Headed Pterygia
Authors: Elhamaky Tarek Roshdy , Elbarky Ahmed Mohammed
Published: December 2018

Purpose. To evaluate the efficiency of pterygium excision with the vertical split conjunctival technique using fibrin glue in treatment of primary double-headed pterygia. Patients and Methods. 15 eyes of 15 patients with primary double-headed pterygia that underwent vertical split conjunctival autograft pterygium surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Recurrence was defined as fibrovascular proliferation over the limbus onto the cornea. Results. The patients’ mean age was 36.92 ± 10.8 years. At 12-month follow-up, recurrence was not seen in any cases. Regarding postoperative cosmetic grading, grade 1 (the appearance of the operated site is not different from the normal appearance) was found in 12 eyes (80%) and grade 2 (some fine episcleral vessels in the excised area extending up to but not beyond the limbus and without fibrous tissue) was found in 3 eyes (20%). None of the cases showed conjunctival scarring or fibrosis at the conjunctival donor area. Preoperative Sim K astigmatism at the central 3 mm and BCVA were 3.05 ± 1.5 diopters (D) and 0.64 ± 0.26 logMAR, which improved significantly to 1.15 ± 0.84 D and 0.26 ± 0.18 logMAR at 12-month follow-up postoperatively, respectively. Conclusion. Vertical split conjunctival autograft using fibrin glue is an effective technique with good cosmetic results and low to no recurrence for primary double-headed pterygia treatment. This trial is registered with NCT03507283.
Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors α and δ Synergizes with Inflammatory Signals to Enhance Adoptive Cell Therapy
Authors: Saibil Samuel D. , St. Paul Michael , Laister Robert C. , Garcia-Batres Carlos R. , Israni-Winger Kavita , Elford Alisha R. , Grimshaw Natasha , Robert-Tissot Céline , Roy Dominic G. , Jones Russell G. , Nguyen Linh T. , Ohashi Pamela S.
Published: December 2018

Memory CD8+ T cells (Tmem) are superior mediators of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) compared with effector CD8+ T cells (Teff) due to increased persistence in vivo. Underpinning Tmem survival is a shift in cellular metabolism away from aerobic glycolysis towards fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Here we investigated the impact of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist GW501516 (GW), an agent known to boost FAO in other tissues, on CD8+ T-cell metabolism, function, and efficacy in a murine ACT model. Via activation of both PPARα and PPARδ/β, GW treatment increased expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1a, the rate-limiting enzyme of FAO, in activated CD8+ T cells. Using a metabolomics approach, we demonstrated that GW increased the abundance of multiple different acylcarnitines, consistent with enhanced FAO. T cells activated in the presence of GW and inflammatory signals, either mature dendritic cells or IL12, also demonstrated enhanced production of IFNγ and expression of T-bet. Despite high expression of T-bet, a characteristic of short-lived effector cells, GW-treated cells demonstrated enhanced persistence in vivo and superior efficacy in a model of ACT. Collectively, these data identify combined PPARα and PPARδ/β agonists as attractive candidates for further studies and rapid translation into clinical trials of ACT.

Significance:

Dual activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and δ improves the efficacy of adoptive cell therapy by reprogramming T-cell metabolism and cytokine expression.
Clinical and Genomic Implications of Luminal and Basal Subtypes Across Carcinomas
Authors: Zhao Shuang G. , Chen William S. , Das Rajdeep , Chang S. Laura , Tomlins Scott A. , Chou Jonathan , Quigley David A. , Dang Ha X. , Barnard Travis J. , Mahal Brandon A. , Gibb Ewan A. , Liu Yang , Davicioni Elai , Duska Linda R. , Posadas Edwin M. , Jolly Shruti , Spratt Daniel E. , Nguyen Paul L. , Maher Christopher A. , Small Eric J. , Feng Felix Y.
Published: December 2018

Purpose:

Carcinomas originate from epithelial tissues, which have apical (luminal) and basal orientations. The degree of luminal versus basal differentiation in cancer has been shown to be biologically important in some carcinomas and impacts treatment response.

Experimental Design:

Although prior studies have focused on individual cancer types, we used a modified clinical-grade classifier (PAM50) to subtype 8,764 tumors across 22 different carcinomas into luminal A, luminal B, and basal-like tumors.

Results:

We found that all epithelial tumors demonstrated similar gene expression–based luminal/basal subtypes. As expected, basal-like tumors were associated with increased expression of the basal markers KRT5/6 and KRT14, and luminal-like tumors were associated with increased expression of the luminal markers KRT20. Luminal A tumors consistently had improved outcomes compared with basal across many tumor types, with luminal B tumors falling between the two. Basal tumors had the highest rates of TP53 and RB1 mutations and copy number loss. Luminal breast, cervical, ovarian, and endometrial tumors had increased ESR1 expression, and luminal prostate, breast, cervical, and bladder tumors had increased androgen receptor (AR) expression. Furthermore, luminal B tumors had the highest rates of AR and ESR1 mutations and had increased sensitivity in vitro to bicalutamide and tamoxifen. Luminal B tumors were more sensitive to gemcitabine, and basal tumors were more sensitive to docetaxel.

Conclusions:

This first pan-carcinoma luminal/basal subtyping across epithelial tumors reveals global similarities across carcinomas in the transcriptome, genome, clinical outcomes, and drug sensitivity, emphasizing the biological and translational importance of these luminal versus basal subtypes.
Traditional Health Practitioners in Indonesia: Their Profile, Practice and Treatment Characteristics
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa
Published: December 2018

Background: The demand for traditional health care is rising. The study aims to investigate the profile, practice and treatment characteristics of traditional health practitioners who participated in the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS-5) in 2015. Methods: A national community facility cross-sectional survey was carried out with a probability sample of 4,461 traditional health practitioners in Indonesia. Results: Traditional health practitioners were typically female, over 50 years old, had no or lower levels of education, worked only as a healer, saw 8 patients a week and consulted for 60 min per patient. The most common treatment types provided included massage for babies (71.4%), followed by massage (reflexive massage) (25.6%), herbal remedies (23.4%), and delivery (22.0%). Many claimed to cure or solve the problems of stomachache or diarrhea (67.7%), flu or headache (64.7%), pain during pregnancy (52.0%), rheumatism (36.4%), and insomnia, stress or nervousness (35.5%). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, younger age, being male, having completed grades 1-6, urban residence, more years of practice, lower average consultation time, using tools or equipment, providing herbal remedies, and charging service fees were associated with high patient throughput. Conclusions: Our analysis provides insights into the profile, practice and treatment characteristics of traditional health practitioners in Indonesia. Sociodemographic, practice and treatment characteristics are accountable for a high patient throughput.
Complex Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosome Leading to Partial 4q/21q Duplications: Clinical Implication and Review of the Literature
Authors: Bellucco Fernanda T. , Fock Rodrigo A. , de Oliveira-Júnior Hélio R. , Perez Ana B. , Melaragno Maria I.
Published: December 2018

Complex small marker chromosomes (sSMCs) consist of chromosomal material derived from more than 1 chromosome. Complex sSMCs derived from chromosomes 4 and 21 are rare, with only 7 cases reported. Here, we describe a patient who presented with a complex sSMC derived from a maternal translocation between chromosomes 4 and 21, which was revealed by G-banding, MLPA, and array techniques. The marker chromosome der(21)t(4;21)(q32.1; q21.2)mat is composed of a 25.6-Mb 21pterq21.2 duplication and a 32.1-Mb 4q32.1q35.2 duplication. In comparison to patients with sSMCs derived from chromosomes 4 and 21, our patient showed a similar phenotype with neuropsychomotor developmental delay and facial dysmorphism as the most important finding, being a composition of the findings found in pure 4q and 21q duplications. The wide range of phenotypes associated with sSMCs emphasizes the importance of detailed cytogenomic analyses for an accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and genetic counseling.
Case Report: Oxaliplatin-Induced Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Pan Elizabeth , Hsieh Eric , Piatek Caroline
Published: December 2018

Thrombocytopenia is a frequent complication of cancer may be due to a variety of causes including malignancy itself, acute disease processes, or cancer therapy. Systemic cancer therapy is the most common cause of thrombocytopenia in cancer patients observed nearly two-thirds of patients with solid tumors. Thrombocytopenia with traditional chemotherapy agents is most frequently the result of megakaryocyte cytotoxicity. Oxaliplatin is a platinum derivative commonly used in gastrointestinal malignancies and is associated with drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia.
Functions of the Microbiota for the Physiology of Animal Metaorganisms
Authors: Esser Daniela , Lange Janina , Marinos Georgios , Sieber Michael , Best Lena , Prasse Daniela , Bathia Jay , Rühlemann Malte C. , Boersch Kathrin , Jaspers Cornelia , Sommer Felix
Published: December 2018

Animals are usually regarded as independent entities within their respective environments. However, within an organism, eukaryotes and prokaryotes interact dynamically to form the so-called metaorganism or holobiont, where each partner fulfils its versatile and crucial role. This review focuses on the interplay between microorganisms and multicellular eukaryotes in the context of host physiology, in particular aging and mucus-associated crosstalk. In addition to the interactions between bacteria and the host, we highlight the importance of viruses and nonmodel organisms. Moreover, we discuss current culturing and computational methodologies that allow a deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms controlling the physiology of metaorganisms.
Shorter Relapse-Free Period after Leukocyte Removal Therapy in Younger than Older Patients with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Yamasaki Satoko , Sakata Yasuhisa , Yoshida Hisako , Shirai Sinpei , Tanaka Yuichiro , Nakano Ryo , Yukimoto Takahiro , Tsuruoka Nanae , Shimoda Ryo , Fukuda Makoto , Miyazono Motoaki , Ikeda Yuji , Iwakiri Ryuichi , Anzai Keizo , Fujimoto Kazuma
Published: December 2018

Background: Leukocyte removal therapy (LRT) is an effective treatment for active ulcerative colitis (UC). The present study was performed to evaluate the relapse-free period after LRT and identify risk factors for relapse. Methods: In total, 94 patients who underwent first-time LRT for remission of moderate to severe UC from April 2004 to March 2016 were enrolled in the present study. The patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 treatments: leukocytapheresis (LCAP; n = 43) or granulocyte and monocyte/macrophage adsorptive apheresis (GMA; n = 51). The 5-year cumulative relapse-free rate and risk factors for relapse were evaluated. Results: The therapeutic response rate was 82% for GMA and 70% for LCAP without a statistically significant difference. The 5-year relapse-free rate was 34.7% in the LRT group. The 5-year relapse-free rate in patients aged > 40 years was 49.9%, which was significantly higher than that in patients aged ≤40 years (22.9%, p < 0.01). The relapse-free period was longer in the older than younger patients. Conclusions: The relapse-free period after LRT was examined in patients with UC, and 34.7% of patients achieved clinical remission within a 5-year period. The risk factor for early relapse after LRT was younger age.
Efficacy and Safety of Agents in IgA Nephropathy: An Update Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Pingping , Wang Qi , Xie Chen , Xu Gaosi , Wu Qinghua
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: The present network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to explore the efficacy and safety of different pharmacologic interventions in IgA nephropathy with proteinuria more than 0.75 g/d. Methods: We systematically searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed database for studies compared the rate of clinical remission and/or serious adverse events in IgA nephropathy patients with proteinuria (> 0.75 g/d) up to August 1, 2018. We ranked the comparative effects of all drugs against placebo on the surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) probabilities. Results: There were 29 RCTs comprising 2517 participants included for the comparisons of 9 interventions. The rank of the most effective treatments for inducing clinical remission was renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) in combination with steroid, tonsillectomy combined with steroid pulse therapy, and azathioprine plus RASi with SUCRA of 82.9%, 80.5%, and 67.6%, respectively. RASi in combination with steroid (SUCRA 3.9%) was the most effective in prevention of end-stage renal disease or doubling serum creatinine, followed by RASi monotherapy (SUCRA 38.4%) and azathioprine combined with steroid (SUCRA 49.0%). As for the occurrence of serious adverse events, azathioprine combined with RASi (SUCRA 88.0%) and steroid plus RASi (SUCRA 74.6%) showed the first and second highest incidence of adverse events, respectively. Conclusion: RASi combined with steroid demonstrated the most effective therapeutic approach for IgA nephropathy patients in terms of reducing proteinuria and stabilizing renal function.
Overproduction of Mitochondrial Fission Proteins in Membranous Nephropathy in Children
Authors: Wei Qi-Jiao , Xu Han , Guan Na , Ren Ya-Li , Liu Xiao-Ya , Wu Guo-Hong , Zhu Sai-Nan
Published: December 2018

Background/Aims: The molecules involved in nephrotic syndrome (NS) have not been fully clarified. Mitochondrial fission proteins are found to be involved in podocyte injury in vitro. Increased glomerular expression of mitochondrial fission proteins was found in adriamycin nephropathy in our previous study. Whether or not mitochondrial fission proteins are involved in podocyte injury in NS is not clear. This study explored the glomerular expression and possible pathological significance of mitochondrial fission-associated proteins, including dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission protein 1 (Fis1), in children with NS. Methods: Eighteen children with primary NS, including 6 with minimal change disease, 6 with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, 6 with membranous nephropathy, 6 children with isolated haematuria and 3 normal controls were included. The glomerular expression of Drp1, phospho-Drp1 (Ser616) and Fis1, urinary protein measurements, and podocyte mitochondrial density under electron microscopy were investigated and compared. Results: Glomerular expression of Drp1, phospho-Drp1 (Ser616) and Fis1 was mainly increased in children with NS with membranous nephropathy. No relationship was found between glomerular expression of Drp1, phospho-Drp1 (Ser616) and Fis1 and podocyte mitochondrial density or urinary protein measurements. Conclusion: Glomerular overproduction of Drp1, phospho-Drp1 (Ser 616) and Fis1 occurred mainly in children with membranous nephropathy. The pathological significance deserves further investigation.
Sistema de arte e relações de gênero
Authors: Costa Helouise
Published: December 2018

A ascensão dos regimes totalitários na Europa na década de 1930 provocou grande fluxo imigratório para as Américas. Nesse contexto chegaram ao Brasil as jovens Hildegard Rosenthal e Alice Brill, oriundas da Alemanha, que iriam se dedicar profissionalmente à fotografia nas décadas de 1940 e 1950, respectivamente. O crescimento industrial e urbano do país no pós-guerra expandiu o campo das artes, o que resultou no surgimento dos primeiros museus de arte moderna, da Bienal de São Paulo e no aumento do número de galerias comerciais. Tais mudanças foram registradas  por Rosenthal e Brill, que fotografaram artistas, reproduziram obras e documentaram exposições. Este ensaio se propõe a analisarretratos de artistas produzidos por Rosenthal e Brill, refletindo sobre o papel da fotografia na representação da identidade feminina em transformação na sociedade brasileira do período pós-guerra.
As mulheres e seus arquivos
Authors: Barbosa Alexandre de Freitas , Paixão Fernando , Dantas Mônica Duarte
Published: December 2018

O número 71 da Revista do Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros (RIEB) conta com o dossiê Mulheres, Arquivos e Memórias, organizado pelas professoras Ana Paula Cavalcanti Simioni (Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros – IEB/USP) e Maria de Lourdes Eleutério (Fundação Armando Álvares Penteado – FAAP). Tal dossiê é resultado de um encontro realizado, em março de 2017, a partir de uma parceria entre o IEB e o CPF-Sesc, com apoio da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes). Os nove artigos que o compõem exploram as várias facetas relacionadas à preservação da memória das mulheres artistas e intelectuais em arquivos nacionais e internacionais. Na Apresentação, partindo de uma citação de Virginia Woolf, as responsáveis pelo dossiê se questionam sobre a ainda reduzida existência de acervos de mulheres no Brasil, problematizando a forma como elas estão neles representadas. (...)
Uma artista completa, a imprensa e a reputação de Guiomar Novaes
Authors: Binder Fernando Pereira
Published: December 2018

Na década de 1920 Guiomar Novaes (1894-1979) possuía uma posição única no universo artístico brasileiro, posição mantida por toda a sua vida mas que não garantiu a segurança de seu arquivo pessoal. Este artigo relaciona brevemente a fragmentação e as ameaças sofridas pelo acervo da pianista às distinções de gênero entre intérpretes e compositores que existiam (e ainda existem) na chamada música erudita. A cobertura daimprensa de recitais realizados entre 1913 e 1914 é usada para investigar a criação da reputação de artista da pianista. O conceito de mundo artístico de Becker (1982) revelou o papel de jornais e revistas para mobilizar expectativas e afetos no público paulista e brasileiro, colaborando, assim, para torná-la um símbolo nacional.
S. Bernardo (Graciliano Ramos, 1934) & S. Bernardo (Leon Hirszman, 1972)
Authors: Tomelin Junior Nelson
Published: December 2018

O presente artigo busca refletir sobre literatura, história e sentimentos a partir do romance S. Bernardo (1934), de Graciliano Ramos, e da adaptação dessa obra para o cinema por Leon Hirszman (1972). Pretende-se assim discutir dimensões do livro, como reflexão sobre o momento em que ele surgiu (anos 1930, anúncio de “revolução” de 30 e Brasil moderno), e do filme (anos 1970, ditadura civil-militar de 1964 e mais um anúncio do Brasil moderno e sem comunismo). Experiência e ambiguidade, como dimensões constitutivas das narrativas traçadas nessas duas importantes obras da cultura brasileira, são evidenciadas aqui como possibilidades de compreensão do lugar da prática e das memórias em campos históricos marcados por fortes contradições sociais.
Phylogenetic relationships among Unionicola (Acari: Unionicolidae) mussel-mites of North America based on mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequences
Authors: EDWARDS DALE D. , VIDRINE MALCOLM F. , ERNSTING BRIAN R.
Published: December 2018

Water mites of the genus Unionicola Haldeman, 1842 are common symbionts of molluscs, living on the gills or mantle and foot of their hosts and using these tissues as sites of oviposition. Phylogenetic relationships among species that comprise the genus are poorly understood and what is known has been based on a limited number of morphological and life history characters or molecular sequence data using closely-related taxa. The present study uses sequence data from the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (cox1) gene (664 bp) to reconstruct evolutionary relationships among representative species of North American Unionicola from eight subgenera that occur in symbiotic association with freshwater mussels. Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analysis yielded trees with similar topologies, and most of the branches have moderate to high bootstrap support. The topologies of these gene trees are mostly congruent with a previously published morphologically-derived tree. Specifically, the gene trees support monophyly among mites from subgenera that occur in association with the gill tissues of host mussels. The molecular trees of Unionicola mites generated by this study must, however, be interpreted with caution, given that the analysis is based exclusively on Unionicola subgenera from North America. A more robust phylogeny of Unionicola mussel-mites will require the addition of molecular sequence data from taxa outside of North America.
Redescription of species of the Neotropical parasitoid Notiospathius Mathews et Marsh (Braconidae: Doryctinae) based on their nineteenth and early twentieth century types
Authors: ZALDÍVAR-RIVERÓN ALEJANDRO , DE JESÚS-BONILLA VLADIMIR SALVADOR
Published: December 2018

Seven species of the speciose Neotropical parasitoid wasp genus Notiospathius Mathews et Marsh are redescribed. These species were originally described during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Examination of the holotpyes of N. meliorator and N. necator revealed that they actually belong to an undescribed doryctine genus that is similar to Ptesimogaster Marsh, 1965. A key is provided to distinguish these species.
Review of the genus Epacanthaclisis Okamoto, 1910 in China (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae)
Authors: AO WEIGUANG , WAN XIA , WANG XINLI
Published: December 2018

Nine antlion species of the genus Epacanthaclisis Okamoto, 1910 from China are reviewed. Two new species, E. amydrovittata Wan et Wang sp. nov. and E. ningshana Wan et Wang sp. nov., are described and illustrated. Epacanthaclisis moiwana (Okamoto, 1905) is newly recorded in China. A key to the species of Epacanthaclisis from China is provided.
Three new species of mites in the genus Castriidinychus Hirschmann from Tasmania (Acari: Uropodidae)
Authors: DYLEWSKA M. , BŁOSZYK J. , HALLIDAY R. B.
Published: December 2018

Three new endemic Tasmanian species of mites in the genus Castriidinychus Hirschmann are described (Acari: Uropodidae). These species are clearly different from those previously described from the Australian mainland. Castriidinychus tasmanicus sp. nov. was found at a number of localities in northern and western Tasmania, and C. longisetosus sp. nov. was more frequent in the east. The rarest species, C. robynae sp. nov. was recorded only at three localities in the southeastern part of the island. The confused taxonomic history of the genus Castriidinychus is reviewed and clarified.
Observations on the biology of Afro–tropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) principally from Kenya. Part 1. Introduction and Coeliadinae
Authors: COCK MATTHEW J. W.
Published: December 2018

Partial life histories for eight Afro–tropical Coeliadinae are described and illustrated: Pyrrhochalcia iphis (Drury) (Côte d’Ivoire), Pyrrhiades lucagus (Cramer) (Ghana), P. anchises anchises (Gerstaecker) (Kenya), Coeliades chalybe chalybe (Westwood) (Côte d’Ivoire), C. forestan forestan (Stoll) (Kenya), C. pisistratus (Fabricius) (Kenya), C. sejuncta (Mabille & Vuillot) (Kenya), C. kenya Evans stat. rev. (Kenya). Descriptions of a further six species or subspecies are provided from the literature: P. anchises jucunda (Butler) (Oman), P. aeschylus (Plötz) (Republic of Guinea), P. pansa (Hewitson) (Réunion), C. bixana Evans (Democratic Republic of the Congo), C. libeon (Druce) (Democratic Republic of the Congo), C. keithloa (Wallengren) (South Africa), C. lorenzo Evans stat. rev. (South Africa). Unpublished photographs provided by T.C.E. Congdon illustrate early stages of C. sp. probably fervida (Butler) and C. rama Evans (Madagascar). Notes based on museum material are presented for C. ramanatek (Boisduval). Generalisations are made for the subfamily in Africa and the implications for generic groupings in the subfamily are considered. All except C. libeon are known4 · Zootaxa 2547 © 2010 Magnolia Pressto feed on at least one species of Malpighiaceae, while C. libeon feeds on at species of at least two other families of Malpigiales. A new type of leaf shelter, the four–cut shelter, is introduced, characteristic of African Coeliadinae.
A new subspecies of Delias agostina Hewitson (Lepidoptera: Pieridae: Pierinae) from Hainan Island
Authors: LO YIK-FUI PHILIP
Published: December 2018

The taxonomic status of the population of Delias agostina on Hainan Island is clarified and previous taxonomic treatments are reviewed. The insular population is found distinctive from continental races and is described herein as, Delias agostina sushii ssp. nov., a new subspecies endemic to Hainan Island. Notes on immature stages of the new taxon are also provided.
Elite Conflict, Compromise, and Enduring Authoritarianism: Polarization in Zimbabwe, 1980–2008
Authors: LeBas Adrienne , Munemo Ngonidzashe
Published: December 2018

How do elites play a role in crafting polarization? And what effects do elite-led conflicts have on democracy and mass politics? To examine these questions, we compare two separate episodes of party-based polarization in Zimbabwe, from 1980 to 1987 and from 2000 to 2008. Each of these moments of polarization ended in an elite power-sharing settlement, but a comparison of the two moments yields insights about both the causes of polarization and its effects. We find that the episodes of polarization were rooted in elite instrumentalization of conflict. They differed, however, in the extent to which they activated foundational myths and built larger master cleavages. We suggest that the latter episode conforms more closely to McCoy, Rahman, and Somer’s pernicious polarization, which we argue is marked by deeper societal penetration and segregation than other forms of political polarization and is also less amenable to resolution.