bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acanthamoeba keratitis related to contact lens use in a tertiary hospital in China
Authors: Li Weiwei , Wang Zhiqun , Qu Jinghao , Zhang Yang , Sun Xuguang
Published: September 2019

Background: To report the clinical and microbiological features of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) related to contact lens use in a tertiary hospital in China.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the medical results of 61 cases of AK related to contact lens use from January 2000 to December 2017 were reviewed. The data included patients’ demographics, lens type, history, risk factors, disease stages, corneal scraping and culture reports, and treatments. Moreover, genotypic identification of some of the isolates was carried out with a PCR assay and sequence analysis of the 18S ribosomal DNA gene.

Results: There were 64 eyes included in the study. A total of 32.8% of the patients wore soft contact lenses, and 67.2% of patients used overnight orthokeratology. In the cases (20 eyes) in the early stage, 65% (13 eyes) had positive results according to Giemsa-stained smears, and 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl) wet mounts revealed trophozoites in 7 eyes (35%). Six eyes (30%) were diagnosed by confocal microscopy combined with clinical signs. In the orthokeratology patients, 87.8% (36/41) rinsed their lenses and/or cases with tap water; 55% of soft-lens wearers wore their lenses while showering. The genotype of 9 isolates was determined, and all the strains belonged to genotype T4. In the orthokeratology group, the number of patients who required therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty after 2005 was less than that before 2005 (chi-square test, χ 2 = 4.209, P = 0.04).

Conclusions: More than two-thirds of the cases were associated with orthokeratology. Examinations with Giemsa-stained smears, 0.9% NaCl wet mounts and confocal microscopy should be performed for patients who are highly suspected of having early-stage AK to help with early diagnosis. In the orthokeratology group, the rate of therapeutic keratoplasty after 2005 was less than that before 2005.
Methodology for sampling women at high maternal risk in administrative data
Authors: Vanderlaan Jennifer , Dunlop Anne , Rochat Roger , Williams Bryan , Shapiro Susan E.
Published: September 2019

Background In population level studies, the conventional practice of categorizing women into low and high maternal risk samples relies upon ascertaining the presence of various comorbid conditions in administrative data. Two problems with the conventional method include variability in the recommended comorbidities to consider and inability to distinguish between maternal and fetal risks. High maternal risk sample selection may be improved by using the Obstetric Comorbidity Index (OCI), a system of risk scoring based on weighting comorbidities associated with maternal end organ damage. The purpose of this study was to compare the net benefit of using OCI risk scoring vs the conventional risk identification method to identify a sample of women at high maternal risk in administrative data. Methods This was a net benefit analysis using linked delivery hospitalization discharge and vital records data for women experiencing singleton births in Georgia from 2008-2012. We compared the value identifying a sample of women at high maternal risk using the OCI score to the conventional method of dichotomous identification of any comorbidities. Value was measured by the ability to select a sample of women designated as high maternal risk who experienced severe maternal morbidity or mortality. Results The high maternal risk sample created with the OCI had a small but positive net benefit (+ 0.6), while the conventionally derived sample had a negative net benefit indicating the sample selection performed worse than identifying no woman as high maternal risk. Conclusions The OCI can be used to select women at high maternal risk in administrative data. The OCI provides a consistent method of identification for women at risk of maternal morbidity and mortality and avoids confounding all obstetric risk factors with specific maternal risk factors. Using the OCI may help reduce misclassification as high maternal risk and improve the consistency in identifying women at high maternal risk in administrative data.
Fibrin-Associated Large B-Cell Lymphoma: First Case Report Within A Cerebral Artery Aneurysm And Literature Review
Authors: Zanelli Magda , Zizzo Maurizio , Montanaro Marco , Gomes Vito , Martino Giovanni , De Marco Loredana , Orcioni Giulio Fraternali , Martelli Maria Paola , Ascani Stefano
Published: September 2019

Background: Fibrin-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (FA-DLBCL) is a rare Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive lymphoproliferative disorder included in the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification. It arises within fibrinous material in the context of hematomas, pseudocysts, cardiac myxoma or in relation with prosthetic devices. In these clinical settings the diagnosis requires an high index of suspicion, because it does not form a mass itself, being composed of small foci of neoplastic cells. Despite overlapping features with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma associated with chronic inflammation, it deserves a separate classification, being not mass-forming and often following an indolent course. Case presentation: A 64-year-old immunocompetent woman required medical care for cerebral hemorrhage. Computed Tomography (CT) angiography identified an aneurysm in the left middle cerebral artery. A FA-DLBCL was incidentally identified within thrombotic material in the context of the arterial aneurysm. After surgical removal, it followed a benign course with no further treatment. Conclusions: The current case represents the first report of FA-DLBCL identified in a cerebral artery aneurysm, expanding the clinicopathologic spectrum of this rare entity. A complete literature review is additionally made.
Reducing violent discipline by teachers using Interaction Competencies with Children for Teachers (ICC-T): Study protocol for a matched cluster randomized controlled trial in Tanzanian public primary schools
Authors: Masath Faustine Bwire , Hermenau Katharin , Nkuba Mabula , Hecker Tobias
Published: September 2019

Background Despite the existing national and international plans of action to end violent discipline strategies used by teachers in schools, it still prevails in Tanzanian schools. This underlines the need to implement school-based interventions that aim at reducing violent discipline by teachers. In this study, we will evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the preventative intervention Interaction Competencies with Children for Teachers in Tanzanian primary schools. Following its success in secondary schools, we hypothesize that the intervention will reduce teachers’ positive attitudes towards and their use of violent discipline at school. Methods The study will be conducted in six randomly selected regions in Tanzania. We have already randomly selected two schools in each region (12 in total) that fulfill our inclusion criteria. From each region, one school will be randomly assigned to the intervention and the other to the monitoring group (no intervention). Eighty students between the ages of nine to twelve years (N = 960) and 20 teachers from each school (N = 240) will be included in the trial. We will collect data directly before the intervention (t1) and six months after the intervention (t2) both at intervention and monitoring schools. Using guided questionnaire assessments, we will measure violence by teachers using students’ reports on their exposure to and teachers’ reports on their use of violence using the Conflict Tactics Scale. Furthermore, we will assess teachers’ positive attitudes towards violent discipline using a modified version of the Conflict Tactic Scale. The feasibility of the intervention will be evaluated using purpose-built measures assessing the demand, applicability, acceptability and integration of core elements into the daily work in the participating schools. Discussion The proposed study will allow us to test the feasibility and effectiveness of an intervention aiming to reduce positive attitudes towards and the use of violent discipline by teachers in school settings. With the reduction of violent discipline by teachers, this study contributes to national and international efforts towards ending violence against children as well as the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals that also aim for preventing children from all types of maltreatment.
Energy Balance-Related Factors Associating with Adolescent Weight Loss Intent: Evidence from the 2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Authors: Burns Ryan Donald
Published: September 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine specific energy balance-related behaviors (sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and dietary) associating with adolescent weight loss intent using data from the 2017 US Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that employeda multi-stage cluster sampling procedure to obtain a representative sample of US adolescents. The target population consisted of public and private high schoolers from grades 9 through 12. The number of sampled adolescents was 18,324 with 14,765 of the 18,324 sampled students (Mean age = 15.9 (1.3) years) submitting questionnaires with usable data (81% response rate). The outcome was intent to lose weight with specific energy-balance related behaviors examined as predictor variables. A weighted logistic regression model was employed to examine the associations between sedentary behaviors, physical activity, and dietary-related variables with weight loss intent controlling for age, sex, BMI percentile, and race/ethnicity.
Results: Variables associating with adolescent intent to lose weight included 3 or more hours of video game playing (OR=1.15, 95%CI: 1.01-1.31, p =0.028), achieving 60 minutes of physical activity daily (OR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.59-0.73, p <0.001), daily breakfast consumption (OR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.67-0.87, p <0.001) and weekly salad consumption (OR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.12-1.52, p =0.001).
Conclusions: Meeting physical activity guidelines and regular breakfast consumption associated with lower odds of weight loss intent and video game playing and salad consumption associated with higher odds of weight loss intent in a representative sample of US adolescents.Therefore, there is a discordance between adolescent weight loss intent and the engagement in specific energy balance-related health behaviors, particularly physical activity.
Comparison of the Safety and efficacy of enucleation of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer versus transurethral resection of nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Ting , Wu Haixiao , Yang Qing , Wu Han , Zhang Heng
Published: September 2019

Purpose: Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) via a wire loop has been regarded as a standard procedure dealing with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) for a long time, and en-bloc resection of bladder tumors (ERBT) is a promising alternative to conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumor. A few studys assessing the two techniques were reported. The objective of our study is to review the published literature and compare en-bloc resection for non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) with conventional transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) in terms of safety and efficacy. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials(nRCTs) and some retrospective studys which were searched and sreened. A systematic search up to the 1st of March 2019 was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science,the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Embase. Data such as resection techniques, morbidity, specimens’ quality, and recurrence were collected from the manuscripts.Results: Sixteen studies were included in this systematic review finnally.No statistical difference is detectded between the two techniques regarding operative time,the 2-year recurrence-free survival and the occurrence of ureterostenosis.Analysis of some complications showed that ERBT was better than TURBT for NMIBC, including obturator nerve reflex, cystic stimulation rate, bladder perforation, operation time,duration of catheterization, postoperation duration of postoperation bladder irritation and length of hospital stay. In addition, detrusor miss rate is lower in ERBT group,the 1-year and 3-year recurrence-free survival improved in the ERBT group than in the TURBT group. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that ERBT technique is a feasible, safe procedures that may provide an alternative treatment for NMIBC.
Stress ulcer prophylaxis with proton pump inhibitors or histamine 2 receptor antagonists in critically ill adults - A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with trial sequential analysis.
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyang , Fang Hanyuan , Xu Jianfei , Chen Peifu , Hu Xujun , Chen Bixin , Wang Hua , Hu Caibao , Xu Zhaojun
Published: September 2019

Background Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RA) have been widely used as stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in critically ill patients, however, its efficacy and safety remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of SUP on clinical outcomes in critically ill adults.Methods Literature search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane database of clinical trials for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated SUP, with PPI or H2RA, versus placebo or no prophylaxis in critically ill patients from database inception through 1 June 2019. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplicate. The primary outcomes were clinically important gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and overt GI bleeding. Conventional meta-analysis with random-effects model and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were performed.Results Twenty-nine RCTs were identified, of which four RCTs were judged as low risk of bias. Overall, SUP could reduce the incident of clinically important GI bleeding [relative risk(RR)= 0.58; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.42–0.81] and overt GI bleeding (RR= 0.48; 95% CI: 0.36–0.63), these results were confirmed by the sub-analysis of trials with low risk of bias, TSA indicated a firm evidence on its beneficial effects on the overt GI bleeding (TSA-adjusted CI: 0.31–0.75), but lack of sufficient evidence on the clinically important GI bleeding (TSA-adjusted CI: 0.23–1.51). Among patients who received enteral nutrition (EN), SUP was associated with a decreased risk of clinically important GI bleeding (RR=0.61; 95% CI: 0.44–0.85; TSA-adjusted CI: 0.16–2.38) and overt GI bleeding (RR=0.64; 95% CI: 0.42–0.96; TSA-adjusted CI: 0.12–3.35), but these benefits disappeared after adjustment with TSA. Among patients who did not receive EN, SUP had only benefits in reducing the risk of overt GI bleeding (RR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.25–0.55; TSA-adjusted CI: 0.22–0.63), but not the clinically important GI bleeding (RR=0.27; 95% CI: 0.04–2.09).Conclusions SUP has benefits on the overt GI bleeding in critically ill patients who did not receive EN, however, its benefits on clinically important GI bleeding still needs more evidence to confirm.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Microalbuminuria in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in the King Abdulaziz University Hospital: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Alzahrani Yahya A , Algarni Malak Ali , Alnashri Maryam Mohammed , AlSayyad Hanan Mohammad , Aljahdali Khadijah Mohammed , Alead Joud Emad , Alhjrsy Yara Ali , Alzahrani Fatma Salih , Safder Osama
Published: September 2019

Objectives Studies have not addressed microalbuminuria in the sickle cell disease (SCD) pediatric population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria and to identify associated risk factors in children with SCD in the King Abdulaziz University Hospital.Results Overall, 42.5% of the patients enrolled were Saudi Arabian and 51% were boys. Patients’ mean age was 12.4 years, and the highest percentage (40%) was in the age group of 15–18 years. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 9.6%, and hematuria was present in 8% of cases. The percentage of patients with hematuria in the microalbuminuria group (22.6%) was significantly higher than that in the non-microalbuminuria group (6.5%) (P=.007). The percentage of patients with acute chest syndrome was higher in the microalbuminuria group (26%) than in the non-microalbuminuria group (8%) (P=0.005). The percentage of patients with gallbladder stones was higher in the microalbuminuria group (13%) than in the non-microalbuminuria group (2.4%) (P=.014). The mean number of blood transfusions was higher in the non-microalbuminuria group than in the microalbuminuria group (P=.002). Sickle cell nephropathy manifests as microalbuminuria, begins in the early ages of life, occurs in all types of SCD, and is associated with disease severity.
Diagnostic value of serum Aspergillus IgG antibody for pulmonary aspergillosis in non-agranulocytic patients
Authors: Yu Qihong , He Jingdong , Xing Bin , Li Xin , Qian Hongyu , Zhang Hong , Xu Meilin , Peng Haiying
Published: September 2019

Background: At present, serum Aspergillus IgG and IgM antibodies are mainly used in the diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), but the diagnostic value in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in non-agranulocytic patients is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of serum Aspergillus IgG and IgM antibody detection for pulmonary aspergillosis in non-agranulocytic patients.. Methods: 58 cases of pulmonary aspergillosis (37 IPA and 21 CPA cases), 15 cases of bacterial pneumonia and 50 cases of healthy control group were collected. Serum G test and GM test were performed, and Aspergillus IgG and IgM antibody were detected in all patients. The sensitivity and specificity, cut off value and AUC of Aspergillus IgG and IgM antibodies were further obtained by the ROC curves. Results: The positive rates of G test and Aspergillus IgG antibody in pulmonary aspergillosis group were significantly higher compared with bacterial pneumonia group or healthy group (P = 0.015 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Aspergillus IgG antibody can preferably distinguish CPA from bacterial pneumonia and healthy controls (sensitivity = 0.952, specificity = 0.692, cut off value = 75.46, AUC = 0.873). However, the performance of it was poor in distinguishing IPA from CPA, healthy group and pneumonia group (AUC < 0.7). Conclusions: Serum Aspergillus IgG has certain clinical value in the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis in non-agranulocytic patients.
AN APPLICATION OF FUNCTIONAL DATA ANALYSIS TO LOCAL DAMAGE DETECTION
Authors: Leśkow Jacek , Skupień Maria
Published: September 2019

Vibration signals sampled with a high frequency constitute a basic source of information about machine behaviour. Few minutes of signal observations easily translate into several millions of data points to be processed with the purpose of the damage detection. Big dimensionality of data sets creates serious difficulties with detection of frequencies specific for a particular local damage. In view of that, traditional spectral analysis tools like spectrograms should be improved to efficiently identify the frequency bands where the impulsivity is most marked (the so-called informative frequency bands or IFB). We propose the functional approach known in modern time series analysis to overcome these difficulties. We will process data sets as collections of random functions to apply techniques of the functional data analysis. As a result, we will be able to represent massive data sets through few real-valued functions and corresponding parameters, which are the eigenfunctions and eigen-values of the covariance operator describing the signal. We will also propose a new technique based on the bootstrap resampling to choose the optimal dimension in representing big data sets that we process. Using real data generated by a gearbox and a wheel bearings we will show how these techniques work in practice.
DE DEFENSOR DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN A PRINCIPAL INTÉRPRETE DEL TEXTO CONSTITUCIONAL Y DE LOS DERECHOS FUNDAMENTALES: EL TRIBUNAL CONSTITUCIONAL EN PERSPECTIVA ¿ACTIVISTA VS GARANTISTA?
Authors: Belloso Martín Nuria
Published: September 2019

El garantismo y el activismo gravitan como dos posibilidades enfrentadas sobre el Poder Judicial en general y, también, sobre la justicia constitucional. Se pondrá de relieve la evolución de la Corte Constitucional española (Tribunal Constitucional) que ha pasado de empezar siendo defensora de la Constitución, a tener como función primordial la interpretación del texto constitucional. Se citarán varias sentencias polémicas del Tribunal Constitucional español para poder entender la difícil labor que ha realizado en relación a delimitar las fronteras en el ejercicio de los derechos fundamentales. Se pondrá de manifiesto que el TC, además de sus luces, tiene también sus sombras y que convendría proceder a realizar algunas modificaciones, en aras de reforzar una de sus funciones como es la de ser garante de los derechos fundamentales.
DIREITOS HUMANOS E FRONTEIRAS: A REPRESENTAÇÃO DA MULHER NA MÍDIA
Authors: Raddatz Vera Lucia Spacil , Bock Marjorie Barros
Published: September 2019

Este texto pretende discutir as fronteiras e os direitos humanos, a partir da perspectiva de como a mulher é representada na mídia de fronteira e a que tipo de violência ela é exposta. A pesquisa é de caráter qualitativo e interdisciplinar, aproximando os estudos sobre a mídia de fronteira e as perspectivas de gênero e direitos humanos. Baseia-se no resultado de projeto de pesquisa e na coleta de dados sobre as formas de representação da mulher na mídia de fronteira, no período de agosto de 2017 a maio de 2018. A pesquisa constata a vulnerabilidade da mulher e a sua exposição às diversas formas de violência, tanto física quanto simbólica, fenômeno que se verifica em regiões de fronteira.
Optimal water quality sensor positioning in urban drainage systems for illicit intrusion identification
Authors: Sambito Mariacrocetta , Di Cristo Cristiana , Freni Gabriele , Leopardi Angelo
Published: September 2019

In the last decade, the growth of the micro-industry in urban areas has produced an increase in the frequency of xenobiotic polluting discharges in drainage systems. Wastewater treatment plants are usually characterized by low removal efficiencies in respect of such pollutants, which may have an acute or cumulative impact on environmental and public health. To facilitate the early isolation of illicit intrusions, this study aims to develop an approach for positioning water quality sensors based on the Bayesian decision network (BDN). The analysis is focused on soluble conservative pollutants, such as metals. The proposed methodology incorporates several sources of information, including network topology, flows and non-formal ‘grey’ information about the possible locations of contamination sources. The methodology is tested using two sewer systems with increasing complexity: a literature scheme from the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) manual and a real combined sewer in Italy. In both cases, the approach identifies the optimal sensor location gaining advantage from additional information, which reduces the computational effort needed to obtain the solution. In the real case, the application of the method yielded a better solution with regards to the real position of the implemented sensor network.
Nanomedicines to Treat Skin Pathologies with Natural Molecules
Authors: Esposito Elisabetta , Nastruzzi Claudio , Sguizzato Maddalena , Cortesi Rita
Published: September 2019

The skin and mucous membranes are subjected to many disorders and pathological conditions. Nature
offers a wide range of molecules with antioxidant activity able to neutralize, at least in part, the formation of free
radicals and therefore to counteract the phenomena of cellular aging. Since synthetic drugs for the treatment of
skin diseases can induce resistance, it is particularly interesting to use compounds of plant origin, transporting
them in pharmaceutical forms capable of controlling their release and absorption. This review provides an overview
of new findings about the use of lipid-based nanosystems for the delivery of natural molecules useful on the
topical treatment of skin disorders. Several natural molecules encapsulated in lipid nanosystems have been considered
in the treatment of some skin pathologies or diseases. Particularly, the use of rosemary and eucalyptus
essential oil, saffron derivatives, curcumin, eugenol, capsaicin, thymol and lycopene has been reported. The
molecules have been alternatively encapsulated in viscous systems, such as the organogels, or in liquid systems,
such as ethosomes, transferosomes, solid lipid nanoparticles and monoolein based dispersions thickened by inclusion
in carbomer gels. The nanostructured forms have been in vitro and in vivo investigated for the treatment of
skin disorders due to dehydration, inflammation, melanoma, wound healing, fungal infections or psoriasis. The
data reported in the different studies have suggested that the cutaneous application of lipid nanosystems allows a
deep interaction between lipid matrix and skin strata, promoting a prolonged release and efficacy of the loaded
natural molecules. This review suggests that the application of natural molecules onto the skin by lipid-based
nanosystems can provide numerous clinician benefits in dermatology and cosmetics.
A Novel PCR-RFLP Method for Detection of POR*28 Polymorphism and its Genotype/Allele Frequencies in a Turkish Population
Authors: Ozdemir Fezile , Oz Merve Demirbugen , Suzen Hilat S.
Published: September 2019

Background:

The Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are involved in the metabolism of many endogenous and exogenous substances. They need electrons for their activity. CYP mediated oxidation reactions require cytochrome oxidoreductase (POR) as an electron donor. A common genetic variation identified in the coding region of POR gene (POR*28) leads to an alteration in POR activity by causing amino acid change. The current study aimed to determine the allele and genotype frequencies of POR*28 in a healthy Turkish population by using a novel genotyping assay.

Methods:

A novel PCR-RFLP assay was developed for the detection of POR*28 (rs1057868) polymorphism and the obtained frequencies were compared with the data established in various ethnic groups.

Results:

Genotypic analysis revealed that of 209 healthy, unrelated individuals tested for POR*28 polymorphism, 55.5% of the studied subjects were homozygous for the CC genotype, 34.9% were heterozygous for the CT genotype and 9.6% were homozygous for the TT genotype. The allele frequencies were 0.73 (C) and 0.27 (T). The present results were in accordance with the Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium. The distribution of POR*28 allele varies between populations. The frequency of the T allele among members of the Turkish population was similar to frequencies in Caucasian populations but was lower than in Japanese and Chinese populations.

Conclusions:

In this study, a novel method was developed, which could be applied easily in every laboratory for the genotyping of POR *28 polymorphism. The developed genotyping method and documented allele frequencies may have potential in understanding and predicting the variations in drug response/adverse reactions in pharmacotherapy and susceptibility to diseases in POR-mediated metabolism reactions.
OctaGel Resin - A New PEG-PS-based Solid Support for Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis
Authors: Ramkisson Shaveer , Jad Yahaya E. , Sharma Anamika , de la Torre Beatriz G. , Albericio Fernando
Published: September 2019

:

OctaGel resin is a unique, highly uniformed surface-active resin. Here, we compared the
performance of OctaGel with that of known resins on the market, namely polystyrene and ChemMatrix,
in Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis. The synthesis of the ‘difficult’ Aib-ACP (65-74) decapeptide
showed that OctaGel has the potential to yield molecules with satisfactory purity. Given its high swelling
capacity and large bead size, OctaGel also shows efficient interaction with various solvents, including
those mainly used for SPPS (DMF and DCM).
Tegaserod for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Madia Valentina Noemi , Messore Antonella , Saccoliti Francesco , Tudino Valeria , De Leo Alessandro , De Vita Daniela , Bortolami Martina , Scipione Luigi , Pindinello Ivano , Costi Roberta , Di Santo Roberto
Published: September 2019

Background:

Tegaserod (Zelnorm®) is a 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) type
4 receptor agonist for the treatment of hypomotility disorders of the lower gastrointestinal
tract associated with the irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

Objective:

The authors provide the reader with a better understanding on tegaserod mechanism
of action, on its pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties, on safety and
tolerability, with a summary of the key published clinical trials conducted in patients with
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Its effects on colon inflammation have also been described.

Results:

Tegaserod was withdrawn in 2007 due to increased risks of cardiovascular adverse
effects. The manufacturer denied this, because pre-existing cardiovascular disease or
risk factors were attributed to all affected patients. Thus, no causal relationship between
tegaserod use and cardiovascular events was clearly shown. A matched case-control study
of tegaserod-treated with untreated patients found no association between tegaserod and
adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Despite its adverse effects, tegaserod resulted to be effective
in treating chronic constipation in adult women aged < 65 years with IBS-C, while
the safety and effectiveness of tegaserod in men with IBS-C have not been established.

Conclusion:

Tegaserod was resubmitted to the Food and Drug Administration in 2018 for
use in a low-risk population. Moreover, tegaserod has also been shown to improve symptoms,
enhance gastric accommodation and significantly attenuate visceral pain arising from
the colon in functional dyspepsia patients. Treatment with tegaserod seems also to exert a
protective effect in inflamed colons, reducing the severity of colitis in animal models.
Effect of Visual Search Training on Saccades in Age-related Macular Degeneration Subjects
Authors: Chatard Hortense , Tepenier Laure , Beydoun Talal , Offret Olivier , Salah Sawsen , Sahel José-Alain , Mohand-Said Saddek , Bucci Maria Pia
Published: September 2019

Objective:

To compare the impact of unilateral versus bilateral Age-related Macular Degeneration
(AMD) on saccadic movements, and to show the effect of visual search training on these
eye movement performances in AMD subjects. We hypothesized that unilateral and bilateral AMD
subjects had abnormal saccadic performances, and that visual search training could improve their
performances.

Methods:

Three groups participated in visual search training: 13 elderly unilateral AMD subjects
(mean age: 74.6 ± 1.6 years), 15 elderly bilateral AMD subjects (mean age: 74.2 ± 1.2 years), and
15 healthy age-matched control subjects (mean age: 70.9 ± 1.3 years). Horizontal saccadic performances
were recorded before and after visual search training (Metrisquare®) with the Mobile
Eye Tracker (Mobile EBT®). We analyzed the saccadic movement performances: latency, mean velocity
and gain. We measured the training performances for each exercise: the time, the number of
omissions and the number of errors. We analyzed the performances with Kruskal-Wallis and posthoc
tests.

Results:

The latency of saccades in AMD subjects is significantly longer compared to healthy elderly
for 15° (p<0.03), 10° (p<0.003) and 5° (p<10-3). Unilateral and bilateral AMD subjects normalized
their latency of saccades after training for small saccades (respectively p=0.30 and p=0.23
for 10°, and p=0.09 and p=0.52 for 5°). In elderly, performances depend on the saccade’s amplitude.

Conclusion:

AMD subjects’ saccadic movements are disrupted: the execution needs more time but
is efficient. The visual search training improved the saccadic performances in AMD subjects. Further
studies will aim to improve knowledge on such issues and to explore the benefit of training
over time in unilateral AMD subjects.
Spectrometric, Thermodynamic, pH Metric and Viscometric Studies on the Binding of TEALS as Surfactant with Albumin as Biopolymer
Authors: Acharya Shveta , Sharma Arun Kumar
Published: September 2019

Background::

Since the interactions of small anions with protein are very important
in their transportation and distribution processes in biological systems, it is helpful
to study these interactions to understand the nature of the transportation and distribution
processes. Therefore, it is aimed to study the interaction of albumin with surfactant molecule
by different physical methods.

Objective::

Present work attempts to work on assessing the structure, characterization of the
surfactants as TEALS (tri-ethanalamine lauryl sulphate) binding sites, with albumin involved
in various process of living being are discussed.

Method::

The binding of surfactant TEALS to egg protein has been studied at different pH
values and temperatures by spectrophotometric and equilibrium dialysis methods. The
binding data were found to be pH and temperature dependent. The binding data studied by
the absorbance method, were found approximately identical with those obtained from the
equilibrium dialysis method.

Results::

The association constants and the number of binding sites were calculated from
Scatchard plots and found to be at maximum at lower pH and at lower temperature. The
free energy of the combining sites was lowest at higher pH and highest at low pH. Therefore,
a lower temperature and a lower pH offered more sites in the protein molecule for interaction
with surfactant. The ΔG (free energies of aggregation) associated with the binding
interaction of the surfactants and protein were calculated. The negative values of the
ΔG confirm the feasibility of interaction between the surfactant and protein. All the observations
recorded in this paper indicate that the TEALS has a good affinity of binding with
egg protein and the number of binding sites is dependent on various physical and chemical
factors.

Conclusion::

On the basis of the results of the experiments which were conducted to examine
the interaction between anionic surfactant and protein by measuring the various parameters
of the solutions, it is concluded that the interaction of surfactant and protein gives an
idea of fundamental understanding of the structure of surfactant-protein complex and their
practical applications in every field.
History and Dramatic Imagination in Ahmed Yerima's Attahiru
Authors: Liman Rasheedah
Published: September 2019

The thematic concerns of some dramatic creations among postcolonial African playwrights often bear witness to moments of ideological encounter between the colonizer and the colonized. The dramatic space also serves as an avenue where the encounter is revisited, reassessed, or challenged. In this way, Attahiru, a play by Ahmed Yerima introduces a new perspective that insists on the presentation of a version of history that is different from the dominant position of colonial power. On the one hand, colonial accounts portrayed Sultan Attahiru, the Sultan of the Sokoto Caliphate during the late 19th century, as an element of destabilization and a threat to the power and order established by the British colonialists, particularly in the northern protectorate. On the other hand, through narrative technique, Ahmed Yerima illustrates political resistance and the discourses of tradition and modernity, conflicts of religion and culture and the question of identity and power. The historical figure Attahiru is revived as a resistance fighter, a religious figure, a revolutionary leader who is sensitive to power and the demands of his people. However, the major problem arising from a comparison between the historical figure of Attahiru and the dramatic character remains that of the credibility of their representations. The question then is, can narrative technique in a dramatic text give credence to a dramatic character, represented in the synchronic present over the historic one that is constructed by a method aspiring to be objective and rigorous? This paper attempts to answer this question through the textual analysis of the play text against the backdrop of various historical accounts.

KEYWORDS: AHMED YERIMA, DRAMA, SOKOTO CALIPHATE, HISTORY, MEMORY
Citation Mining of Humanities Journals: The Progress to Date and the Challenges Ahead
Authors: Colavizza Giovanni , Romanello Matteo
Published: September 2019

Even large citation indexes such as the Web of Science, Scopus or Google Scholar cover only a small fraction of the literature in the humanities. This coverage sensibly decreases going backwards in time. Citation mining of humanities publications — defined as an instance of bibliometric data mining and as a means to the end of building comprehensive citation indexes — remains an open problem. In this contribution we discuss the results of two recent projects in this area: Cited Loci and Linked Books. The former focused on the domain of classics, using journal articles in JSTOR as a corpus; the latter considered the historiography on Venice and a novel corpus of journals and monographs. Both projects attempted to mine citations of all kinds — abbreviated and not, to all types of sources, including primary sources — and considered a wide time span (19th to 21st century). We first discuss the current state of research in citation mining of humanities publications. We then present the various steps involved into this process, from corpus selection to data publication, discussing the peculiarities of the humanities. The approaches taken by the two projects are compared, allowing us to highlight disciplinary differences and commonalities, as well as shared challenges between historiography and classics on this respect. The resulting picture portrays humanities citation mining as a field with a great, yet mostly untapped potential, and a few still open challenges. The potential lies in using citations as a means to interconnect digitized collections at a large scale, by making explicit the linking function of bibliographic citations. As for the open challenges, a key issue is the existing need for an integrated metadata infrastructure and an appropriate legal framework to facilitate citation mining in the humanities.
A National Public Sphere? Analyzing the Language, Location, and Form of Newspapers in Finland, 1771–1917
Authors: Marjanen Jani , Vaara Ville , Kanner Antti , Roivainen Hege , Mäkelä Eetu , Lahti Leo , Tolonen Mikko
Published: September 2019

This article uses metadata from serial publications as a means of modelling the historical development of the public sphere. Given that a great deal of historical knowledge is generated through narratives relying on anecdotal evidence, any attempt to rely on newspapers for modeling the past challenges customary approaches in political and cultural history. The focus in this article is on Finland, but our approach is also scalable to other regions. During the period 1771–1917 newspapers developed as a mass medium in the Grand Duchy of Finland within two imperial configurations (Sweden until 1809 and Russia in 1809–1917), and in the two main languages – Swedish and Finnish. Finland is an ideal starting point for conducting comparative studies in that its bilingual profile already includes two linguistically separated public spheres that nonetheless were heavily connected. Our particular interest here is in newspaper metadata, which we use to trace the expansion of public discourse in Finland by statistical means. We coordinate information on publication places, language, number of issues, number of words, newspaper size, and publishers, which we compare with existing scholarship on newspaper history and censorship, and thereby offer a more robust statistical analysis of newspaper publishing in Finland than has previously been possible. We specifically examine the interplay between the Swedish- and Finnish-language newspapers and show that, whereas the public discussions were inherently bilingual, the technological and journalistic developments advanced at different pace in the two language forums. This analysis challenges the perception of a uniform public sphere in the country. In addition, we assess the development of the press in comparison with the production of books and periodicals, which points toward the specialization of newspapers as a medium in the period after 1860. This confirms some earlier findings about Finnish print production. We then show how this specialization came about through the establishment of forums for local debates that other less localized print media such as magazines and books could not provide.
Review of Catherine Clay, Maria DiCenzo, Barbara Green, and Fiona Hackney, eds, Women’s Periodicals and Print Culture, 1918–1939: The Interwar Period (2018)
Authors: Collier Patrick
Published: September 2019

Review of Catherine Clay, Maria DiCenzo, Barbara Green, and Fiona Hackney, eds, Women’s Periodicals and Print Culture, 1918–1939: The Interwar Period (2018)
Images of Medieval Art in the French Surrealist Periodicals Documents (1929–31) and Minotaure (1933–39)
Authors: Bauduin Tessel M. , Krikke Julia W.
Published: September 2019

The avant-garde movement Surrealism claimed historical figures as supposed ancesters, as is well known, but also interacted with the past, and especially art of the past, in other ways. This article explores the reception of the European Middle Ages in French Surrealism, in particular medieval art, by means of a case study: illustrations of medieval and early-modern Western art in the surrealist periodicals Documents (1929-1931) and Minotaure (1933-1939). The cerebral and contrary Documents challenged the canon of art by actively looking at the margins of European art, reproducing medieval art from a wide variety of periods and geographic locations, and in very differing media, including jewelry and vessels, murals, bronze church doors, and manuscript illuminations. The glossy art review Minotaure, which came with coloured inserts, was more conventional in its selection, reproducing primarily late-medieval and renaissance art works, mainly (panel) paintings. However, the intention is just as contrary, as late-medieval and renaissance art in Minotaure is framed in terms of surrealist aesthetics in a manner undermining the conventional canon. In Documents medieval art primarily serves to makes points about style and iconography, which is often posited as primitive or exotic. In Minotaure, medieval art serves to make points about Surrealism, about the oneiric qualities of form or iconography. Both periodicals offered an interesting array of medieval and renaissance art and introduced this art into the surrealist discours.
El impacto en la legislación civil chilena de la recepción de las nociones de autonomía e independencia contenidas en la Convención Interamericana de los Derechos Humanos de las Personas Mayores
Authors: Ruz Lártiga Gonzalo
Published: September 2019

The impact is analyzed of  the notion of autonomy and independence contained in the Inter-American Convention on the Protection of the Human Rights of the Elderly in Chilean civil-private legislation. The author proposes to begin by determining the legal contours of both notions and then analyzing the impact that this will bring in civil-private, particularly in the status of disabilities and associated protection rules, based on comparative experience. It is postulated that any system that is embraced to fulfill this task, should seek to give due protection to this age segment on the basis of pillars or fundamental principles (necessity, subsidiarity and proportionality) with full respect for their dignity as individuals, their individual freedoms And of the fundamental rights (autonomy and independence) established by the Convention.
Uma análise da acessibilidade para deficientes visuais na seção Braille da Biblioteca Central da UFPB
Authors: Matias Costa Maricélia , Teixeira da Silva Maria Amélia
Published: September 2019

Na pesquisa foram analisadas as necessidades informacionais dos usuários com deficiência visual total da Seção Braille da Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Para tanto, buscou identificar as necessidades dos usuários da Seção Braille da Universidade Federal da Paraíba (UFPB); descrever as barreiras informacionais existentes sob a perspectiva dos usuários da Seção Braille da UFPB e; apontar soluções para que essas barreiras sejam desarticuladas satisfazendo as necessidades de informação dos usuários da Seção Braille da UFPB. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, com abordagem quanti-qualitativa, na qual um formulário foi utilizado para coleta de dados, cuja aplicação em virtude da deficiência dos respondentes, foi preenchido pela própria pesquisadora que interagiu com eles. Após a análise dos dados foi possível concluir que no que concerne à acessibilidade, a Biblioteca Central e a Seção Braille da UFPB não possuía até o momento da pesquisa, uma proposta estruturada de serviços que atendam a demanda atual da Universidade. Sugere-se, desse modo, a adequação do ambiente para atender as demandas futuras de estudantes com deficiência visual, utilizando-se para isso a ABNT NBR 9050.
Catalogação de Jogos Eletrônicos
Authors: Salm Jackson , Hillesheim Araci Isaltina de Andrade
Published: September 2019

A pesquisa aborda a catalogação de jogos eletrônicos. Tem como objetivo analisar as normas definidas pelo Resource Description and Access (RDA) para catalogação de jogos eletrônicos. Apresenta algumas diferenças entre o Código de Catalogação Anglo-Americano 2ª edição (AACR2) e o RDA. Por meio de uma pesquisa bibliográfica, com caráter exploratório, lista e conceitua elementos considerados importantes para catalogar jogos eletrônicos. Faz uma releitura das regras de catalogação do RDA para jogos eletrônicos, apresentando-as de forma mais simples. Aplica as regras de catalogação para descrever alguns itens. Apresenta as principais dificuldades encontradas para a catalogação de jogos e sugere um maior aprofundamento sobre os conceitos envolvidos acerca do RDA e suas funcionalidades para a catalogação de jogos eletrônicos, bem como o desenvolvimento de pesquisas empíricas que demonstrem os problemas e vantagens do uso do RDA para a descrição de jogos eletrônicos.
Educação e bibliotecas multiníveis: um olhar sobre os documentos norteadores das bibliotecas da Rede Federal de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica em Rondônia
Authors: Veiga Miriã Santana , Pimenta Jussara Santos
Published: September 2019

Este trabalho é resultado de pesquisa realizada no Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Rondônia (IFRO). Tem como objetivo apresentar conceitos sobre educação, sociedade da informação, letramento informacional, biblioteca escolar e biblioteca multinível e por fim, relacionar esses conceitos com os principais documentos norteadores das bibliotecas do IFRO, que são eles: a Resolução nº 21, que trata do Plano de Desenvolvimento de Coleções e a Resolução nº 22, que dispõe sobre o Regulamento de Bibliotecas do Instituto. Trata-se de uma pesquisa exploratória, bibliográfica e documental. Como resultado foi evidenciado um distanciamento, das resoluções 21 e 22 do real objetivo de uma biblioteca escolar e multinível de se tornarem espaços educativos no que tange ao incentivo a leitura e o letramento informacional. Nos documentos não foram localizadas diretrizes específicas para as funções educativas das bibliotecas e dos bibliotecários, o que distancia as bibliotecas dos eixos norteadores da instituição e da Rede Federal de Educação, Profissional, Científica e Tecnológica (RFEPCT), que busca estimular e apoiar processos educativos que levem à geração de trabalho e renda e à emancipação do cidadão na perspectiva do desenvolvimento socioeconômico local e regional.

Palavras-chave: Educação. Biblioteca escolar. Biblioteca multinível. Documentos norteadores. IFRO.