bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advertising in India: The Journey So Far and Road Ahead
Authors: Maheshwari Prateek
Published: October 2019

The present research article is an attempt to chronicle and examine the journey of seven decades of Indian advertising, from the era of Indian independence to contemporary India. The Indian advertising journey is divided into three broad phases. While the first phase takes pre- and post-independence years of advertising in India into account, the second phase discusses, in detail, the changing Indian economic, political and social scenario which redefined the women’s and children’s role in Indian advertising. The last phase describes the contemporary era when Indian advertising is gaining global attention and appreciation. Indian advertising has made a long and transformative journey. Beginning as a direct factual presentation of offerings, Indian advertising has changed significantly, employing creative and unconventional methods to present products and services. This research article is first-of-its-kind attempt to chronicle and examine the evolution of the Indian advertising industry since independence.
Patient-Reported Use of the After Visit Summary in a Primary Care Internal Medicine Practice
Authors: Pathak Sarita , Summerville Gregory , Kaplan Celia P , Nouri Sarah S , Karliner Leah S
Published: October 2019

Participants completed a cross-sectional survey about their use of the after visit summary (AVS) at a previous primary care visit. Of 355 participants, 294 (82.8%) recalled receiving it, 67.4% consulted it, 45.9% consulted it more than once, and 31.6% shared the AVS. In multivariable analysis, higher education and older age were associated with AVS consultation. Among the subset of 133 patients recalling personalized free-text instructions, 96% found them easy to understand and 94.4% found them useful. Our findings suggest that the AVS is a useful communication tool and improvement efforts should emphasize clarity for those most vulnerable to communication errors.
Variables Associated With Culture-Positive Endophthalmitis After Intravitreal Injection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors
Authors: Xu Kunyong , Chin Eric K. , Almeida David R.P.
Published: October 2019

Purpose:

This work identifies predictive variables associated with culture-positive cases of acute endophthalmitis after vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor injection.

Methods:

A retrospective review of cases of endophthalmitis following intravitreal anti-VEGF injection was performed. All patients received a vitreous biopsy or anterior chamber aqueous biopsy (if vitreous biopsy was not successful) that was sent for microbial cultures before initiation of treatment.

Results:

During a 10-year period, 258 357 anti-VEGF agent injections were performed, of which 40 patients (0.016%) developed presumed endophthalmitis. Sixty percent (n = 24) of the presumed endophthalmitis patients had a positive culture. In multivariable logistic analysis, patients who had a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) worse than 20/400 were 35.3 times (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 95% CI, 2.2-576.1, P = .012) more likely to have a positive culture compared with those who had a BCVA of 20/400 or better. Patients who had pain at initial presentation were 27.0 times (AOR, 95% CI, 1.4-523.9, P = .029) more likely to have a positive culture compared with those who did not have pain at initial presentation. Age, sex, clinical diagnosis, smoking status, anti-VEGF agent injected, duration between last anti-VEGF injection and symptoms of endophthalmitis, duration between endophthalmitis symptoms and initial treatment, intraocular pressure at initial presentation, and presence of hypopyon were not associated with a difference in positive-culture yield.

Conclusions:

Visual acuity worse than 20/400 and pain at time of initial presentation secondary to endophthalmitis following anti-VEGF injection were strongly associated with a positive culture. Our data support consideration of vitrectomy in cases in which microbe identification is paramount.
Geographies of hope in cultural resources protection
Authors: Middleton Manning Beth Rose
Published: October 2019

This work to articulate a geography of hope in the face of institutionalized epistemic injustice extends the emerging Indigenous political ecology approach through engagement with cultural resources law and policy. While Indigenous political ecology offers a framework to understand the context in which geographies of hope are created, geographies of hope are specific spatial processes that exemplify resilience, vision, and ingenuity in adverse circumstances. This paper focuses on such hopeful, place-based work to bring US and, specifically, California, cultural resources and repatriation law and policy into alignment with contemporary international Indigenous human rights standards. The Native and non-Native allies advocating for legal and political change are both focused on protecting particular places and their entwined epistemologies, and on altering processes of decision-making that privilege non-Indigenous epistemologies. Hope is specifically fostered in efforts to educate non-Native citizens on the continuities between past and present, in highlighting the efforts of Indigenous people working to care for and protect their heritage on/in/with the land, and in fostering legal frameworks that center justice.
Creative, Yet Practical: 20 Years of Distance Education Teacher Preparation
Authors: Jordan LuAnn , Spooner Fred , Anderson Kelly , Dillon Ann S.
Published: October 2019

For more than 20 years, distance education has provided an option for prospective special education teachers to achieve licensure and a graduate degree. The program began as a two-way interactive television endeavor located at area community college sites. Over time, the program evolved to include online coursework with synchronous class meetings. In addition, changes in licensure and the graduate program have affected the schedule and offerings. Although changes are part of the story, the mission has remained the same, to provide quality graduate instruction to teachers of students with disabilities in a convenient, connected manner. This article includes a reflection on the original program and highlights of four major transitions over the 20 years of the program.
The discreditation of oboyerite and a note on the crystal structure of plumbotellurite
Authors: Missen Owen P. , Rumsey Michael S. , Kampf Anthony R. , Mills Stuart J. , Back Malcolm E. , Spratt John
Published: October 2019

The mineral ‘oboyerite’, first described in 1979 from the Grand Central mine, Tombstone, Cochise County, Arizona, USA, has been re-examined. The type specimen from the Natural History Museum, London and a specimen from the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (traceable to S. A Williams, who first described ‘oboyerite’) were analysed in this study. The discreditation of ‘oboyerite’ as a valid mineral species has been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (Proposal 19-D). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis and scanning electron microscopy were all employed to show that ‘oboyerite’ is formed of at least two distinct phases, including the lead–tellurium oxysalt minerals ottoite and plumbotellurite. During the course of the discreditation, plumbotellurite was confirmed to be identical to the synthetic compound α-Pb2+Te4+O3. Previously, in some mineralogical literature plumbotellurite was described as orthorhombic with no known crystal structure.
Butyrogenic bacteria after acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are associated with the development of steroid-refractory GVHD
Authors: Golob Jonathan L. , DeMeules Martha M. , Loeffelholz Tillie , Quinn Z. Z. , Dame Michael K. , Silvestri Sabrina S. , Wu Michael C. , Schmidt Thomas M. , Fiedler Tina L. , Hoostal Matthew J. , Mielcarek Marco , Spence Jason , Pergam Steven A. , Fredricks David N.
Published: October 2019

Key Points

The presence of butyrogenic bacteria after the onset of acute GVHD associates with subsequent steroid-refractory GVHD or chronic GVHD. Butyrate inhibits human colonic stem cells from forming an intact epithelial monolayer.
High-level protein production in erythroid cells derived from in vivo transduced hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Wang Hongjie , Liu Zhinan , Li Chang , Gil Sucheol , Papayannopoulou Thalia , Doering Christopher B. , Lieber André
Published: October 2019

Key Points

An in vivo HSC transduction/selection allows for high-level protein expression from erythroid cells without side effects on erythropoiesis. This approach that did not require ex vivo HSC manipulation and transplantation resulted in phenotypic correction of murine hemophilia A.
Potential vectors of bluetongue virus in high altitude areas of Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Duan Ying Liang , Bellis Glenn , Li Le , Li Hua Chun , Miao Hai Sheng , Kou Mei Ling , Liao De Fang , Wang Zheng , Gao Lin , Li Ji Zhong
Published: October 2019

Background

Bluetongue disease of ruminants is a typical insect-borne disease caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) of the genus Orbivirus (family Reoviridae) and transmitted by some species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Recently, the detection of BTV in yaks in high altitude meadows of the Shangri-La district of Yunnan Province, China, prompted an investigation of the Culicoides fauna as potential vectors of BTV.

Methods

A total of 806 Culicoides midges were collected by light trapping at three sites at altitudes ranging from 1800 to 3300 m. The species were identified based on morphology and the DNA sequences of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1). PCR and quantitative PCR following reverse transcription were used to test for the presence of BTV RNA in Culicoides spp. A phylogenetic analysis was used to analyze the cox1 sequences of some specimens.

Results

Four species dominated these collections and cox1 barcoding revealed that at least two of these appear to belong to species new to science. Culicoides tainanus and a cryptic species morphologically similar to C. tainanus dominated low altitude valley collections while C. nielamensis was the most abundant species in the high-altitude meadow. A species related to C. obsoletus occurred at all altitudes but did not dominate any of the collections. BTV RT-qPCR analysis detected BTV RNA in two specimens of C. tainanus, in one specimen closely related to C. tainanus and in one specimen closely related to C. obsoletus by barcode sequencing.

Conclusions

This study suggests that BTV in high altitude areas of Yunnan is being transmitted by three species of Culicoides, two of which appear to be new to science. This research may be useful in improving understanding of the effects of global warming on arboviral disease epidemiology and further study is important in research into disease control and prevention.
The contribution of dietary and non-dietary factors to socioeconomic inequality in childhood anemia in Ethiopia: a regression-based decomposition analysis
Authors: Mohammed Shimels Hussien , Habtewold Tesfa Dejenie , Muhammad Fatima , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad
Published: October 2019

Objective

There is a scarcity of evidence on socioeconomic inequalities of childhood anemia in Ethiopia. We determined the magnitude of socioeconomic inequality in anemia and the contribution of dietary and non-dietary factors to the observed inequality, using a nationally representative data of 2902 children included in the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey. The data were collected following a multistage, stratified cluster sampling strategy. We followed the Blinder–Oaxaca regression-based approach to decompose the inequality and determine the relative contribution (%) of the dietary and non-dietary factors to the observed inequality.

Result

We found a significant pro-poor socioeconomic inequality in childhood anemia in Ethiopia. A third (~ 33%) of the inequality was attributable to compositional differences in the dietary determinants of anemia (dietary diversity, meal frequency, and breastfeeding factors). Non-dietary factors like residence place, maternal education, and birth weight) jointly explained ~ 36% of the inequality. Maternal education was the single most important factor, accounting alone for ~ 28% the inequality, followed by rural residence (~ 17%) and dietary diversity (~ 16%). Efforts to narrow socioeconomic gaps and/or designing equity sensitive interventions by prioritizing the poor in health/nutrition interventions stands worth of consideration to reduce the burden of childhood anemia in Ethiopia and beyond.
Debutant iOS app and gene‐disease complexities in clinical genomics and precision medicine
Authors: Ahmed Zeeshan , Zeeshan Saman , Xiong Ruoyun , Liang Bruce T.
Published: October 2019

Background

The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in the availability of scientific data, where human‐related biological databases have grown not only in count but also in volume, posing unprecedented challenges in data storage, processing, analysis, exchange, and curation. Next generation sequencing (NGS) advancements have facilitated and accelerated the process of identifying genetic variations. Adopting NGS with Whole‐Genome and RNA sequencing in a diagnostic context has the potential to improve disease‐risk detection in support of precision medicine and drug discovery. Several bioinformatics pipelines have been developed to strengthen variant interpretation by efficiently processing and analyzing sequence data, whereas many published results show how genomics data can be proactively incorporated into medical practices and improve utilization of clinical information. To utilize the wealth of genomics and health, there is a crucial need to generate appropriate gene‐disease annotation repositories accessed through modern technology.

Results

Our focus here is to create a comprehensive database with mobile access to actionable genes and classified diseases, considered the foundation for clinical genomics and precision medicine. We present a publicly available iOS app, PAS‐Gen, which invites global users to freely download it on iPhone and iPad devices, quickly adopt its easy to use interface, and search for genes and related diseases. PAS‐Gen was developed using Swift, XCODE, and PHP scripting that uses Web and MySQL database servers, which includes over 59,000 protein‐coding and non‐coding genes, and over 90,000 classified gene‐disease associations. PAS‐Gen is founded on the clinical and scientific premise that easier healthcare and genomics data sharing will accelerate future medical discoveries.

Conclusions

We present a cutting‐edge gene‐disease database with a smart phone application, integrating information on classified diseases and related genes. The PAS‐Gen app will assist researchers, medical practitioners, and pharmacists by providing a broad and view of genes that may be implicated in the likelihood of developing certain diseases. This tool with accelerate users’ abilities to understand the genetic basis of human complex diseases and by assimilating genomic and phenotypic data will support future work to identify gene‐specific designer drugs, target precise molecular fingerprints for tumors, suggest appropriate drug therapies, predict individual susceptibility to disease, and diagnose and treat rare illnesses.
Solid-state fermentation as an efficient strategy for the biotransformation of lentils: enhancing their antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials
Authors: Magro Ana Elisa Alves , Silva Laura Carvalho , Rasera Gabriela Boscariol , de Castro Ruann Janser Soares
Published: October 2019

Background

Fermentation is a classic industrial process that can be applied as an efficient strategy to increase the release of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.

Methods

This work reported the effects of solid-state fermentation (SSF) performed using strains of Aspergillus oryzae and Aspergillus niger on the antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS and FRAP) and in vitro antidiabetic (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities) potential of lentils.

Results

The results showed that the profiles of the biological activities of the extracts obtained from the fermented samples varied greatly with respect to both the microorganism involved and the fermentation time. The extracts obtained from the fermented lentils by A. oryzae after 72 h and by A. niger after 48 h using the FRAP assay showed the most remarkable changes in the antioxidant activity, increasing by 107 and 81%, respectively, compared to the nonfermented lentils. The lentil extracts produced by fermentation with A. niger after 48 h were able to inhibit the α-glucosidase activity by up to 90%, while a maximal inhibition of amylase (~ 75%) was achieved by the lentil extract obtained after 24 h of fermentation with A. oryzae. The content of the total phenolic compounds (TPCs) and the identification of them in lentil extracts correlated well with the improvement of the biological activities.

Conclusion

These results suggested that SSF was feasible to obtain extracts of fermented lentils with improved antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Additionally, these results indicated that the proper choice of microorganism is crucial to direct the process for the production of compounds with specific biological activities.
microRNA in Early-Stage Breast Cancer in Lebanese Women
Authors: Nassar Farah , Tfayli Arafat , Itani Abdul Rahman , Chamandi Ghada , Zgheib Nathalie , Makoukji Joelle , Boustany Rosemary , Talhouk Rabih , Nasr Rihab
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE

Breast cancer is the most prevalent female cancer and has a higher incidence in young Lebanese patients as compared with the West. Interestingly, this particularity of breast cancer in the Lebanese population was not found to be associated with higher BRCA1/2 gene mutations. Hence, our research focuses on investigating molecular mechanisms and associated epigenetic signatures that underlie breast cancer in young patients. We are specifically interested in microRNA (miRNA), small noncoding RNAs that act as master players at all stages of breast cancer development and that are increasingly recognized as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. We have previously shown that differential expression of certain miRNAs in Lebanese breast cancer tissues could be different than what is reported in the West.

METHODS

We recently assessed the miRNA microarray profile expression in Lebanese breast cancer tissues, performed a comparative miRNA profile analysis with matched American samples, and predicted the role of dysregulated miRNA in early breast cancer through mRNA-miRNA integration analysis.

RESULTS

Although most of the dysregulated miRNA in Lebanese patients with breast cancer is similar to that in American population, differences in miRNA expression exist and can be attributed either to the patient’s age at diagnosis or to an ethnic variation. We are currently studying circulating miRNA in the blood of Lebanese patients with breast cancer, and a dysregulated signature will be presented.

CONCLUSION

Our data provide a basis for additional investigation that should be performed to comprehend dysregulated miRNA implication in breast cancer, especially in young patients, and the role of circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers for breast cancer early detection.
Índice de Governança Corporativa, Desempenho e Valor da Firma no Brasil
Authors: Carvalhal da Silva André Luiz , Leal Ricardo Pereira Câmara
Published: October 2019

Este estudo investiga a relação entre a qualidade das práticas de governança corporativa das empresas e seu valor de mercado e desempenho, através da construção de um índice de governança corporativa para as empresas brasileiras listadas. Os resultados empíricos indicam um alto grau de concentração do controle e propriedade. Pode-se notar também uma diferença signiﬁcativa entre o capital votante e o capital total dos maiores acionistas, principalmente através da existência de ações sem direito de voto. Os resultados da análise de painel indicam que menos de 4% das ﬁrmas brasileiras possuem “boas” práticas de governança corporativa e que as ﬁrmas com melhor governança corporativa têm um desempenho (retorno sobre o ativo) signiﬁcativamente superior. Existe também uma relação positiva entre o Q de Tobin e a qualidade das práticas de governança corporativa, embora os resultados não sejam estatisticamente signiﬁcativos.
Teoria de Aprendizagem e Avaliação de Ações: Uma Análise Empírica
Authors: Sanvicente Antonio Zoratto , Delgado Renato Teles
Published: October 2019

Este trabalho apresenta um teste da hipótese de Pástor e Veronesi (2003) de que o quociente preço de mercado/valor patrimonial (M/B) está inversamente relacionado ao número de anos (“idade”) pelos quais uma empresa já tem ações negociadas numa bolsa de valores. A redução prevista se dá em decorrência do processo de um processo de aprendizagem por parte dos investidores. Os autores testaram esta implicação no mercado americano usando a metodologia Fama-MacBeth (1973). No presente trabalho, é adotado um enfoque econométrico mais geral, com o uso de dados em painel e estimadores de efeitos fixos, aplicados a ações negociadas na Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo (BOVESPA). A evidência não rejeita a hipótese de Pástor e Veronesi. Fazemos conjecturas adicionais a respeito do processo de aprendizagem. Tais testes indicam que a maior disponibilidade de dados sobre uma empresa amplifica o efeito da variável idade sobre o quociente M/B, o que implica num processo de aprendizagem mais acelerado. Este trabalho conclui que a evidência para o mercado brasileiro apóia a teoria de que há um processo de aprendizagem por parte dos investidores.
Traditional eye medicine use in microbial keratitis in Uganda: a mixed methods study
Authors: Arunga Simon , Asiimwe Allen , Apio Olet Eunice , Kagoro-Rugunda Grace , Ayebazibwe Bosco , Onyango John , Newton Robert , Leck Astrid , Macleod David , Hu Victor H. , Seeley Janet , Burton Matthew J.
Published: October 2019

Background: Traditional eye medicine (TEM) is frequently used to treat microbial keratitis (MK) in many parts of Africa. Few reports have suggested that this is associated with a worse outcome. We undertook this large prospective study to determine how TEM use impacts presentation and outcome of MK and to explore reasons why people use TEM for treatment in Uganda.

Methods: In a mixed method prospective cohort study, we enrolled patients presenting with MK at the two main eye units in Southern Uganda between December 2016 and March 2018 and collected information on history, TEM use, microbiology and 3-month outcomes. We conducted qualitative interviews with patients, carers traditional healers on reasons why people use TEM. Outcome measures included presenting vision and at 3-months, comparing TEM Users versus Non-Users. A thematic coding framework was deployed to explore reasons for use of TEM.

Results: Out of 313 participants enrolled, 188 reported TEM use. TEM Users had a delayed presentation; median presenting time 18 days versus 14 days, p= 0.005; had larger ulcers 5.6 mm versus 4.3 mm p=0.0005; a worse presenting visual acuity median logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (Log MAR) 1.5 versus 0.6, p=0.005; and, a worse visual acuity at 3 months median Log MAR 0.6 versus 0.2, p=0.010. In a multivariable logistic regression model, distance from the eye hospital  and delayed presentation were associated with TEM use. Reasons for TEM use included lack of confidence in conventional medicine, health system breakdown, poverty, fear of the eye hospital, cultural belief in TEM, influence from traditional healers, personal circumstances and ignorance.

Conclusion: TEM users had poorer clinical presentation and outcomes. Capacity building of the primary health centres to improve access to eye care and community behavioural change initiatives against TEM use should be encouraged.
Self- or caregiver-delivered manual remote ischemic conditioning therapy in acute ischemic stroke is feasible: the Early Remote Ischemic Conditioning in Stroke (ERICS) trial
Authors: Kate Mahesh , Brar Sumair , George Uttam , Rathore Shubhra , Butcher Kenneth , Pandian Jeyaraj , Hess David
Published: October 2019

Background: Infarct growth and recurrent stroke may be responsible for early morbidity and mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) may reduce infarct growth and prevent recurrent stroke; however, the exact dose remains to be investigated. We hypothesized that self- or caregiver-delivered six cycles of RIC intervention in acute ischaemic stroke for the first 12 weeks is feasible and safe compared to the four cycles RIC intervention.

Methods: Adult ischemic stroke patients presenting within the first 48 h of symptom onset were screened. Patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of acute infarct were randomized (1:1) to receive either four or six cycles of RIC therapy sessions two times daily in both arms for 12 weeks. All patients underwent MRI for infarct volume assessment and endothelial-dependent flow-mediated dilation (EDFMD) testing at baseline, 7 days and 12 weeks.  

Results: A total of 57 patients with mean±SD age of 59.4±12.4 years and median National Institute of Stroke Scale, 4 (IQR, 3-7) were randomised at a median of 23 h 30 min (IQR, 10 h 20 min to 30 h) after symptom onset to either the four-cycle (n=27) or six-cycle group (n=30). A total of 18 (66%) patients completed ≥50% sessions in 12 weeks in the four-cycles group; 21 (69.7%) patients completed ≥50% sessions in 12 weeks in the six-cycle group (p=0.4). There was no between-group differences in infarct growth, early neurological deterioration, recurrent stroke, and EDFMD at 7 days and 90 days.

Conclusion: Both four and six cycles of short-term self- or caregiver-delivered RIC therapy is safe and may be feasible in acute ischaemic stroke patients. Randomised clinical trials are needed to assess efficacy to decrease infarct growth and prevent early neurological deterioration.

Registration: Clinical Trial Registry - India: CTRI/2016/11/007495; registered on 25/11/2016.
Fighting flu: what needs to be done
Authors: Silverton Louise
Published: October 2019

Contracting a virus while pregnant can have catastrophic consequences. Louise Silverton highlights the importance of vaccinations for mothers and their unborn babies
Soybean extract increases telomerase reverse transcriptase protein expression in pancreatic β-cells of diabetes mellitus-induced rats
Authors: Mustofa Muhammad Samsul , Suyatna Franciscus Dhyanagiri , Sadikin Mohamad , Pujianto Dwi Ari , Royhan Aan , Suwardji Kenconoviati
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND A number of studies on the benefits of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) have already been conducted; however, the effects of soybean extracts on telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression in improving telomerase activity in pancreatic cells is currently unknown. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of soybean extracts on TERT protein expression in the pancreatic β-cells of rats with DM. 

METHODS Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups: (1) negative control (N); (2) DM rats induced by alloxan (DMA); (3) DM rats with glibenclamide (DMG; positive control); (4) DM rats with 1 mg/kgBW/day soybean extract (DM1E); (5) DM rats with 5 mg/kgBW/day soybean extract (DM5E); (6) DM rats with 25 mg/kgBW/day soybean extract (DM25E). The treatments were carried out over 28 days. The measured variables included fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, TERT protein expression, and the number of pancreatic β-cells. 

RESULTS All parameters were measured against the diabetes control group. The FBG levels in rats DM1E, DM5E, and DM25E were significantly reduced on the 28th day (p < 0.05). TERT protein expression and the number of pancreatic β-cells (DM25E) also showed significant improvements compared to DM rats (p < 0.05). 

CONCLUSIONS Soybean extracts can increase TERT protein expression in pancreatic β-cells in diabetes-induced rats.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: Clinical Features and Therapeutic Management
Authors: Rao Satish S. C. , Bhagatwala Jigar
Published: October 2019

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a common, yet underrecognized, problem. Its prevalence is unknown because SIBO requires diagnostic testing. Although abdominal bloating, gas, distension, and diarrhea are common symptoms, they do not predict positive diagnosis. Predisposing factors include proton-pump inhibitors, opioids, gastric bypass, colectomy, and dysmotility. Small bowel aspirate/culture with growth of 103–105 cfu/mL is generally accepted as the “best diagnostic method,” but it is invasive. Glucose or lactulose breath testing is noninvasive but an indirect method that requires further standardization and validation for SIBO. Treatment, usually with antibiotics, aims to provide symptom relief through eradication of bacteria in the small intestine. Limited numbers of controlled studies have shown systemic antibiotics (norfloxacin and metronidazole) to be efficacious. However, 15 studies have shown rifaximin, a nonsystemic antibiotic, to be effective against SIBO and well tolerated. Through improved awareness and scientific rigor, the SIBO landscape is poised for transformation.
Hepatobiliary function in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kravets Ye. B. , Biryulina Ye. A. , Mironova Z. G.
Published: October 2019

The hepatobiliary system plays the crucial role in the development of metabolic disorders in diabetics. Involvement of the hepatobiliary system may develop at the early stages of diabetes mellitus. The present study was aimed at elucidation of the specific features of bile excretion and production in children with type I diabetes making use of present-day diagnostic methods. Fifty-two patients with type 1 diabetes aged 6 to 15 and 20 healthy controls were examined. Besides common clinical studies, fractionated duodenal probing followed by biochemical analysis of the bile, ultrasonic examination of the hepatobiliary system, and dynamic hepatobiliscintigraphy were carried out. Typical changes in liver parenchyma developing after fatty hepatosis type were found to play the main role in the structure of hepatobiliary involvement occurring in insulin-dependent diabetes. Disorders of bile excretion are caused by dyskinetic disorders of extrahepatic bile duct and choleresis changes. Bile excretion arrhythmia manifests most frequently as hypertensive dyskinesia. In patients with a longstanding disease bile excretion changes are mainly due to increased tone of the sphincter of Oddi and decelerated contractility of the gallbladder. Biochemical composition of the bile was characterized by decreased concentration of bile acids, phospholipids, and bilirubin, by a lower cholate-cholesterol coefficient, and increased levels of cholesterol and total lipids.
Treatment of uncomplicated non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (lecture)
Authors: Dreval` A. V.
Published: October 2019

Type II diabetes mellitus, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is a common endocrine disease, it affects up to 5-10% of the population aged 60-70 years, the frequency of NIDDM increases rapidly in individuals over 40, although it can occur at an earlier age. Mortality among patients with NIDDM is approximately 2 times higher than among people without diabetes. In particular, in patients with NIDDM under the age of 50 years, life expectancy is reduced by 5-10 years. Moreover, the life expectancy of women is less than that of men, but this difference disappears with age. The main cause of death with NIDDM is cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the prognosis of the disease depends not only on the degree of normalization of metabolism, but also on the effectiveness of the treatment of such often concomitant NIDDM conditions as hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, as well as the elimination of bad habits, in particular smoking.
Relationship between functional activity of the adrenals and gonads in monkeys during puberty
Authors: Butnev V. Yu. , Goncharov N. P.
Published: October 2019

Testicular and adrenocortical endocrine function was followed up for 1 year in pubertal male Papio hamadryas. Blood levels of androgens (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone), corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, progesterone, 17-hydtpxyprogesterone, 17-hydroxvpregnanediol), and aldosterone were radioimmunoassayed. An increase of androgen levels (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) in the blood of experimental animals during puberty was associated with a reliable reduction of corticosteroid concentration, most expressed in monkeys with the maximal increase of testosterone content. The detected hormonal changes did not influence the mineralocorticoid function of the adrenal cortex, because aldosterone level was unchanged over the entire follow-up period.
Sexual disorders in diabetic men: a lecture
Authors: Kozlov G. I. , Slonimsky B. Yu.
Published: October 2019

Sexual dysfunctions in men are associated with the defeat of one or more components that ensure the copulative cycle: neurohumoral, mental, erection, ejaculatory. Sexual dysfunctions in diabetes mellitus are a fairly common phenomenon (according to various authors 24-74%). In addition to the well-known patterns of the development of sexual disorders, diabetes mellitus leaves a specific imprint associated with the degree of compensation of carbohydrate metabolism, the development of microangiopathies, visceral and distal polyneuropathies. In this regard, timely diagnosis of the nature of sexual dysfunction, its effective treatment, and sustainable rehabilitation of the sexual sphere in patients with diabetes are an urgent problem.
Distribution of endothelial NO synthase gene alleles and locus D6S392 near Mn-dependent superox ide dismutase gene in patients with type I diabetes with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Voronko O. Ye. , Chistyakov D. A. , Savostyanov К. V. , Chugunova L. A. , Shamkhalova M. Sh. , Shestakova M. V. , Nosikov V. V. , Dedov I. I.
Published: October 2019

Distribution of alleles and genotypes of microsatellite D6S392 neighboring mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2) gene and of two polymorphous markers (minisatellite ecNOS4a/4b and mutation in codone 298: replacement of glutamic acid (Glu) with asparaginic (Asp) acid) was studied in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with and without diabetic nephropathy (DN) (36 and 56 patients, respectively). Distribution of locus D6S392 alleles and polymorphous marker Glu298Asp was virtually the same in both groups. Differences were observed for minisatellite ecNOS4a/4b. In DN patients the content of allele 4a and of genotype 4a/4b is increased in comparison with patients without DN (38.9 vs. 22.3%, p < 0.02, and 61.1 vs. 41.7%, p < 0.05, respectively). Decrease in the percent age of 4b/4b genotype and allele 4b in DN patients are also significant (30.6 vs. 57.1%, p < 0.02, and 61.1 vs. 77.1%, p < 0.02). Hence, polymorphous site ecNOS4b/4a of NOS3 gene is associated with DN development in patients with IDDM living in Moscow.
Contribution of various sections of the hypothalamus to the pathogenesis of experimental diabetes mellitus in rats
Authors: Kolesnik Yu. M. , Abramov A. V. , Vasilenko G. V. , Zhulinsky V. A.
Published: October 2019

The status of subnuclei of the paraventricular and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus in the pathogenesis of experimental diabetes mellitus was studied in Wistar rats by morphohistochemical, radioimmunological, immunocytochemical, and electrophysiological methods. A close correlation was revealed between morphohistochemical and hormonal characteristics of the neuronal status of the studied hypothalamic subnuclei, on the one hand, and of their bioelectrical activity, on the other. The reactions of the subnuclei of paraventricular and ventromedial nuclei during development of diabetes were found to differ. The hypofunction of the ventrolateral subnucleus of the ventromedial nucleus was shown to be one of the mechanisms of compensation of diabetes mellitus, directed, together with other mechanisms, at stimulation of insulin biosynthesis. The results confirm the important role of the hypothalamic structures in the regulation of the endocrine function of the pancreas and in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.
Hyperprolactinemia with the predominance of high-molecular immunoreactive prolactin: differences in the regulation of the levels of high-molecular and monomer forms in the blood
Authors: Bulatov A. A. , Makarovskaya Ye. Ye. , Marova Ye. I. , Melnichenko G. A.
Published: October 2019

The effect of drug stimulation of prolactin secretion on the level of its high-molecular (100 kD) and monomeric (23 kD) immunoreactive forms in the blood serum was studied in 5 women with idiopathic hyperprolactinemia with the predominance of the high-molecular form of the hormone. Metoclopramide, a dopamine receptor antagonist, was used for stimulation of prolactin secretion. Fractionation of blood serum immunoreactive prolactin was earned out using gel filtration. A single intravenous infusion of metoclopramide caused a rapid appreciable increase of the total level of immunoreactive hormone, mainly at the expense of its monomer fraction. In contrast to the monomer form, high-molecular prolactin poorly reacted to suppression of the dopaminergic tone. The time course of high- and low-molecular (monomer) forms’ response to metoclopramide differed. The results indicate differences in the regulation of the levels of high- and low-molecular immunoreactive forms of prolactin in the blood of patients with hyperprolactinemia with the predominance of high-molecular hormone and, hence, permit a hypothesis on a different biochemical nature of these two forms and on other than hypophyseal origin of the high-molecular form or its bulk.
In memory of A. M. Granovsky-Tsvetkova
Authors: Journal Staff Problems Of Endocrinology
Published: October 2019

The necrology devoted to the memory of A. M. Granovsky-Tsvetkova
Subclinical hypothyrosis
Authors: Levchenko I. A , Fadeev V. V.
Published: October 2019

The article devoted to the subclinical hypothyrosis
Computer-aided tomography and anthropometry in the diagnosis of visceral obesity in men
Authors: Dvoryashina I. V. , Ivanova T. N. , Rogozina I. A. , Korobitsyn A. A.
Published: October 2019

A total of 153 men with obesity of different degree and 51 men with normal body weight aged 40-60 years were examined in order to detect a relationship between anthropometric parameters and computer tomography data characterizing the accumulation of abdominal fat at different sites. Body weight, height, waist and hips circumferences, and cutaneo-fatty folds were measured. The area of total abdominal fatty tissue, vis- ceral and subcutaneous fat were evaluated by computer tomography; scanning of the abdominal cavity showed images of two sections (at the levels of the 2-3 and 4-5 lumbar verte brae). The results indicate that abdominal obesity in men is characterized by predominant accumulation of fatty tissue in visceral fat depots. The most informative anthropometric markers of the degree of visceral fat accumulation are sagittal diameter and waist circumference. Sagittal diameter 21.1 cm and waist circumference 95.9 cm and more indicate pronounced visceral obesity (93.2 and 88.9% examinees, respectively). These anthropometric parameters are recommended for the diagnosis of visceral obesity in clinical practice.
Total iodination of table salt for prevention of iodine deficiency diseases: The advantages essentially surpass the risk
Authors: Gerasimov G. A.
Published: October 2019

The article is devoted to the total iodination of table salt for prevention of iodine deficiency diseases.
Steroid hormone receptors and their role in development
pituitary tumors
Authors: Babichev V. N.
Published: October 2019

The process of reception of extracellular regulators occupies a special place in a complex system of biological recognition mechanisms. According to modern concepts, hormones exert their regulatory effect on competent cells due to the presence in the composition of the latter special receptor proteins that perform 2 functions: discriminated reception of the incoming signal and initiation of the corresponding cell responses
La dificultad de la implementación de una enseñanza por competencias en España
Authors: Contreras Jordán Onofre Ricardo , González-Martí Irene , Gil-Madrona Pedro
Published: October 2019

Este artículo afronta uno de los aspectos claves de la última reforma educativa realizada en España, como es la enseñanza orientada al desarrollo de las competencias. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer las dificultades del profesorado español para adaptarse al modelo competencial. Para ello, se utilizó una metodología de investigación cualitativa por medio de entrevistas y un grupo de discusión a través de la opinión de 32 participantes (directores, inspectores de educación, maestros, profesores y responsables de la administración educativa) pertenecientes a las etapas educativas de Educación Primaria y Secundaria, por ser la etapa de educación obligatoria, de las asignaturas de Matemáticas, Ciencias de la Naturaleza y Educación Física. Los resultados confirman que el trabajo por competencias no se lleva a la práctica. El enfoque por competencias se queda solo en las tareas burocráticas. No existe unanimidad de criterios de cómo aplicar el modelo de enseñanza por competencias, si bien, todos coinciden en que es positivo para el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje.
Halaman Sampul
Authors: Editor Editor
Published: October 2019

Halaman Sampul
Sexualised landscapes and gentry masculinity in Victorian scenery: An ecostylistic examination of a pornographic novel from the magazineThe Pearl
Authors: Virdis Daniela Francesca
Published: October 2019

This article is an ecostylistic examination ofSub-Umbra, one of the six serialised novels in the Victorian pornographic magazineThe Pearl(1879–1881). It explores the stylistic strategies utilised to depict landscapes and masculinity – stylistic choices at word- and phrase-level, collocation and compounding, semantic crescendo, humour and point of view – applying an ecostylistic approach. The investigation reveals that the unfolding of the licentious narrative develops from the description of the setting, more precisely the landscape and natural scenery, as feminised and sexualised (Kolodny. 1975.The lay of the land: Metaphor as experience and history in American life and letters. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press). It also demonstrates that the sociological model of gentry masculinity (Connell. 2005.Masculinities. Oxford: Blackwell), characterised by landownership and domination of the physical environment, is the most appropriate to define the main character and narrator interacting with the gendered countryside setting.
Power to methanol technologies via CO2recovery: CO2hydrogenation and electrocatalytic routes
Authors: Samiee Leila , Gandzha Sergey
Published: October 2019

Various strategies are proposed to date in order to convert CO2to large diversity of useful chemicals. The following review discusses two important approaches that produce methanol from CO2. These two includes CO2hydrogenation and electrocatalytic routes. These processes could recycle CO2, permitting a carbon neutral, closed loop of fuel combustion and CO2reduction to prevent a rising concentration of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Besides, intermittent electricity generation can be stored in an energy-dense, portable form in chemical bonds. The present review reports more recent findings and drawbacks of these two processes. The present review study revealed that the hydrogenation process could become readily operational in comparison to electrocatalytic process. The electrocatalytic approach still has serious technical issues in terms of kinetically sluggish multi-electron transfer process during CO2reduction reaction that requires excessive over-potential, relatively poor selectivity, poor durability in the long term, and the absence of the optimized standard experimental and commercial systems.
Changes in inflammatory plasma proteins from patients with chronic pain associated with treatment in an interdisciplinary multimodal rehabilitation program – an explorative multivariate pilot study
Authors: Gerdle Björn , Bäckryd Emmanuel , Falkenberg Torkel , Lundström Erik , Ghafouri Bijar
Published: October 2019

It has been suggested that alterations in inflammation molecules maintain chronic pain although little is known about how these factors influence homeostatic and inflammatory events in common chronic pain conditions. Nonpharmacological interventions might be associated with alterations in inflammation markers in blood. This study of patients with chronic pain investigates whether an interdisciplinary multimodal rehabilitation program (IMMRP) was associated with significant alterations in the plasma pattern of 68 cytokines/chemokines 1 year after rehabilitation and whether such changes were associated with clinical changes. Blood samples and self-reports of pain, psychological distress, and physical activity of 25 complex chronic pain patients were collected pre-IMMRP and at 12-month follow-up. Analyses of inflammatory proteins (cytokines/chemokines/growth factors) were performed directly in plasma using the multiplex immunoassay technology Meso Scale Discovery. This explorative pilot study found that 12 substances, mainly pro-inflammatory, decreased after IMMRP. In two other relatively small IMMRP studies, four of these proinflammatory markers were also associated with decreases. The pattern of cytokines/chemokines pre-IMMRP was associated with changes in psychological distress but not with pain or physical activity. The present study cannot impute cause and effect. These results together with the results of the two previous IMMRP studies suggest that there is a need for larger and more strictly controlled studies of IMMRP with respect to inflammatory markers in blood. Such studies need to consider responders/non-responders, additional therapies, involved pain mechanisms and diagnoses. This and the two other studies open up for developing biologically measurable outcomes from plasma. Such biomarkers will be an important tool for further development of IMMRP and possibly other treatments for patients w ith chronic pain.
Autoria e internacionalização na escrita acadêmica: análise da principal organização profissional das Engenharias Elétrica e Eletrônica
Authors: Paris Larissa Giacometti , Laranjeira Rómina De Mello
Published: October 2019

Este artigo identifica e analisa as concepções de escrita acadêmica do IEEE (Instituto de          Engenheiros Eletricistas e Eletrônicos), uma organização de relevância internacional na área. Para tal, utiliza procedimentos investigativos de base documental, caracterizando-se como uma pesquisa qualitativo-interpretativa. A partir do quadro teórico-epistemológico dos Letramentos Acadêmicos, analisa documentos do Instituto referentes à escrita e publicação de artigos científicos, com foco na autoria e internacionalização da produção científica. Em relação ao primeiro elemento, observa-se que a definição de autoria, associada a questões de ética na publicação, evidencia relações implícitas de poder institucional, no âmbito da cultura da velocidade. Em segundo lugar, conclui-se que as orientações disponibilizadas pelo IEEE, no que concerne à escrita em inglês, evidenciam uma perspectiva centrada no domínio das habilidades técnicas, perpetuando desigualdades entre o centro anglo-americano e os falantes não nativos de Inglês, na conjuntura atual da internacionalização da ciência.