bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Femoral artery plaque characteristics, lower extremity collaterals, and mobility loss in peripheral artery disease
Authors: McDermott Mary M , Carroll Timothy , Carr James , Yuan Chun , Ferrucci Luigi , Guralnik Jack M , Kibbe Melina , Criqui Michael H , Tian Lu , Polonsky Tamar , Zhao Lihui , Gao Ying , Hippe Daniel S , Xu Dongxiang , McCarthy Walter , Kramer Christopher M
Published: September 2017

Little is known about the prognostic significance of specific characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measured plaque in the superficial femoral artery (SFA). Associations of MRI-measured plaque quantity, lumen area, and plaque composition in the SFA with subsequent mobility loss were studied in people with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). Participants with an ankle–brachial index (ABI) < 1.00 were identified from Chicago medical centers and underwent direct visualization of atherosclerotic plaque in the SFA using MRI. Participants were followed annually for up to 4 years. Mobility loss was defined as becoming unable to walk up and down a flight of stairs or walk one-quarter of a mile without assistance among participants without mobility impairment at baseline. Analyses adjusted for age, sex, race, comorbidities, ABI, physical activity, and other confounders. Of 308 PAD participants without baseline mobility impairment, 100 (32.5%) developed mobility loss during follow-up. Compared to the lowest mean plaque area tertile at baseline, participants in the highest (worst) plaque area tertile had a higher rate of mobility loss (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.14–3.79, p = 0.018). Compared to the highest mean lumen area tertile, the smallest (worst) mean lumen area tertile was associated with greater mobility loss (HR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.20–3.96, p = 0.011). Neither lipid rich necrotic core nor calcium in the SFA were associated with mobility loss. In conclusion, greater plaque quantity and smaller lumen area in the proximal SFA, but not lipid rich necrotic core or calcium, were associated with higher mobility loss in people with PAD.
The effects of articulatory gestures on L2 pronunciation learning: A classroom-based study
Authors: Li Ying , Somlak Taylor
Published: September 2017

Research on second-language (L2) speech acquisition suggests that audio-visual aids could be effective in helping learners acquire difficult L2 speech sounds (Li, 2016a). However, most previous studies have been restricted to laboratory settings rather than the classroom environment. The present study, therefore, was designed to fill this knowledge gap by analysing the effectiveness of audio-visual aids, particularly articulatory gestures, in teaching L2 speech sounds in actual classrooms. The participants were students from two classes of non-English majors who had severe difficulties with the differentiation of /θ/–/s/ and /ð/–/z/. ‘Read-aloud’ tasks were employed for pronunciation tests. The baseline data of the students’ pronunciation of the two contrasts was collected with a pre-test, and the intuitive–imitative approach was adopted for teaching. Specifically, the students were exposed to seven audio- or audio-visually recorded poems (one poem per week over the course of seven weeks) containing the target contrasts. The students in Class 1 were taught with the audio-recordings without images of the speaker’s face being displayed; in contrast, students in Class 2 were taught using audio-visual recordings, which allowed them to observe the speakers’ articulatory gestures of /θ/–/s/ and /ð/–/z/. To detect the teaching effect, a post-test was carried out after the teaching programme was completed. A delayed post-test was conducted one month after the post-test. Comparisons with the respective pre-test results indicated that students in Class 2 had a significant improvement in the pronunciation of the target contrasts in the post-test, whereas those in Class 1 did not. In the delayed post-test, neither class showed any significant difference in the pronunciation performance in comparison with the post-test. The findings, therefore, confirmed the effectiveness of exposure to audio-visual aids in teaching L2 pronunciation.
Linguistically responsive professional development: An apprenticeship model
Authors: Heineke Amy , Papola-Ellis Aimee , Cohen Sarah , Davin Kristin
Published: September 2017

Across the globe, schools serve students from increasingly diverse backgrounds, including those still learning the dominant language. But schools have struggled to maintain pace with the changing population, resulting in a lack of prepared teachers and subsequent gaps in student achievement. In this article, we share a theoretically grounded and research-based approach to build capacity in linguistically diverse schools through multi-faceted professional development (PD) efforts with teachers and leaders. Based on a 3-year project that successfully built foundations, structures, and supports for culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in 32 urban schools in the United States, we provide readers with pertinent foci and facets to design and implement linguistically responsive practice and PD.
Treasure in the vault: The guardianship of ‘heritage’ seeds, fruit and vegetables
Authors: Wincott Abigail
Published: October 2017

Crop heritage is a growing global phenomenon whereby people conceive of change to agriculture in terms of loss, issuing calls to safeguard what remains for future generations. This article seeks to understand what it means to think about food and the politics of its production and consumption through the frame of ‘heritage’ by interrogating a prevalent metaphor of plants and seeds as ‘treasure’. It argues the metaphor is more than decorative; it is strategic in producing certain conceptualizations of heritage value. While crop diversity is held to be important, and the great range of food plants a ‘common heritage of humankind’, the treasure metaphor is used in ways that impede the maintenance of that diversity, establishing seeds, plants and genes as precious materials best looked after by expert guardians in secure ‘vaults’, ‘banks’ and walled gardens. Thus this particular conception of ‘treasure’ as a universal good actually plays an important role in legitimizing and normalizing the privatization of crops heritage resources.
How Brexit was made in England
Authors: Henderson Ailsa , Jeffery Charlie , Wincott Dan , Wyn Jones Richard
Published: October 2017

The Leave majority recorded in England was decisive in determining the UK-wide referendum result. Brexit was made in England. We take this as a prompt to challenge the conventional Anglo-British mindset that animates most studies of ‘British politics’ and has shaped public attitudes research on the United Kingdom. We explore the persistence of distinctive Eurosceptic views in England and their relationship to English national identity prior to the referendum. We then model referendum vote choice using data from the Future of England Survey. Our analysis shows that immigration concerns played a major role in the Brexit referendum, alongside a general willingness to take risks, right-wing views, older age, and English national identity. Therefore, Brexit was not just made in England, but English ness was also a significant driver of the choice for Leave.
Book Review: Fforde, A. 2013: Understanding Development Economics: Its Challenge to Development Studies (Economics as Social Theory)
Authors: Laki Balazs
Published: October 2017

Fforde, A. 2013: Understanding Development Economics: Its Challenge to Development Studies (Economics as Social Theory). Abingdon: Routledge. 384 pp. £39.99 (Paperback). ISBN: 9780415869829.
Book Review: Reid, H. 2014: Climate Change and Human Development
Authors: Tebboth Mark
Published: October 2017

Reid, H. 2014: Climate Change and Human Development. London: Zed Books. X + 287 pp. £70 (Hardback), £23.99 (Paperback). ISBN: 978 1 78032 441 8 (Hardback), ISBN: 978 1 78032 440 1 (Paperback).
Book Review: Murphy, J.T. and Carmody, P. 2015: Africa’s Information Revolution: Technical Regimes and Production Networks in South Africa and Tanzania
Authors: Wanjiru Roseline
Published: October 2017

Murphy, J.T. and Carmody, P. 2015: Africa’s Information Revolution: Technical Regimes and Production Networks in South Africa and Tanzania. Chichester, UK: Wiley. 249 pp. £60.00 (Hardcover), £24.99 (Paperback). ISBN: 9781118751329 (Hardcover), ISBN: 9781118751336 (Paperback).
Long Noncoding RNA H19 Inhibits Cell Viability, Migration, and Invasion Via Downregulation of IRS-1 in Thyroid Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Peng , Liu Guoqing , Xu Weimin , Liu Haixia , Bu Qingao , Sun Diwen
Published: October 2017

Thyroid cancer is a common endocrine gland malignancy which exhibited rapid increased incidence worldwide in recent decades. This study was aimed to investigate the role of long noncoding RNA H19 in thyroid cancer. Long noncoding RNA H19 was overexpressed or knockdown in thyroid cancer cells SW579 and TPC-1, and the expression of long noncoding RNA H19 was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cell viability, migration, and invasion were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide assay, Transwell assay, and wound healing assay, respectively. Furthermore, cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry, and expressions of some factors that were related to phosphatidyl inositide 3-kinases/protein kinase B and nuclear factor κB signal pathway were measured by Western blotting. This study revealed that cell viability and migration/invasion of SW579 and TPC-1 were significantly decreased by long noncoding RNA H19 overexpression compared with the control group ( P < .05), whereas cell apoptosis was statistically increased ( P < .001). Meanwhile, cell viability and migration/invasion were significantly increased after long noncoding RNA H19 knockdown ( P < .05). Furthermore, long noncoding RNA H19 negatively regulated the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 and thus effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Insulin receptor substrate 1 regulated the activation of phosphatidyl inositide 3-kinases/AKT and nuclear factor κB signal pathways. In conclusion, long noncoding RNA H19 could suppress cell viability, migration, and invasion via downregulation of insulin receptor substrate 1 in SW579 and TPC-1 cells. These results suggested the important role of long noncoding RNA H19 in thyroid cancer, and long noncoding RNA H19 might be a potential target of thyroid cancer treatment.
Improving medication practices for persons with intellectual and developmental disability: Educating direct support staff using simulation, debriefing, and reflection
Authors: Auberry Kathy , Wills Katherine , Shaver Carrie
Published: October 2017

Direct support professionals (DSPs) are increasingly active in medication administration for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, thus supplementing nursing and family caretakers. Providing workplace training for DSPs is often the duty of nursing personnel. This article presents empirical data and design suggestions for including simulations, debriefing, and written reflective practice during in-service training for DSPs in order to improve DSPs’ skills and confidence related to medication administration. Quantitative study results demonstrate that DSPs acknowledge that their skill level and confidence rose significantly after hands-on simulations. The skill-level effect was statistically significant for general medication management −4.5 ( p < 0.001) and gastrointestinal medication management −4.4 ( p < 0.001). Qualitative findings show a deep desire by DSPs to not just be “pill poppers” but to understand the medical processes, causalities, and consequences of their medication administration. On the basis of our results, the authors make recommendations regarding how to combine DSP workplace simulations and debriefing with written reflective practice in DSP continuing education.
The Best Way to Measure Explicit Racial Attitudes Is to Ask About Them
Authors: Axt Jordan R.
Published: October 2017

Direct assessments of explicit racial attitudes, such as reporting an overt preference for White versus Black people, may raise social desirability concerns and reduce measurement quality. As a result, researchers have developed more indirect self-report measures of explicit racial attitudes. While such measures dampen social desirability concerns, they may weaken measurement quality by assessing construct-irrelevant attitudes, thereby lowering correspondence between measure and construct. To investigate whether direct or indirect self-report measures better assess explicit racial attitudes, participants ( N > 800,000) completed an implicit racial attitude measure and a subset of over 400 items that varied in the degree to which they were indirect or direct assessments of self-reported racial attitudes. More direct assessments of racial preferences were better predictors of implicit racial attitudes and maximized differences between Black and White participants. These results suggest that the best method to measure individuals’ explicit racial attitudes is to ask about them directly.
Major Sporting Events and National Identification
Authors: Mutz Michael , Gerke Markus
Published: October 2017

Research suggests that major sporting events can affect identification with the nation-state. Complementing previous research, it is argued in this article that identification with the national in-group should be enhanced especially among emotionally involved spectators. Emotional involvement, however, can be induced by the sport itself but also by an emotionalized framing of the events by the media. Two studies are presented which test these claims: In Study #1, it is shown that a single, victorious Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup match suffices to increase national identification among emotionally highly involved subjects, whereas no effects are revealed for individuals with lower emotional involvement. In Study #2, participants reported higher levels of national identification and associated Germany with more positive emotions and values after watching a highly emotional and patriotic broadcast of a kayak competition from the 2016 Summer Olympic Games compared to individuals who had watched the same competition with a factual and neutral commentary. It is concluded from both studies that emotional involvement is a key mechanism through which higher levels of national identification are produced in the realm of sport.
When to start and when to stop antifibrotic therapies
Authors: Torrisi Sebastiano Emanuele , Pavone Mauro , Vancheri Ada , Vancheri Carlo
Published: October 2017

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterised by progressive changes of the lung architecture causing cough and dyspnoea and ultimately leading to lung failure and death. Today, for the first time, two drugs that may reduce the inexorable progression of the disease are available, suggesting that treatment with specific drugs for IPF should be started as soon as diagnosis is made. This applies to any disease and particularly to IPF, which is marked by a 5-year survival comparable or even worse than many cancers. However, despite common sense and even worse, in spite of scientific data coming from clinical trials,post hocanalysis, long-term safety studies and real-life experiences, the question of when to start and when to stop treatment with antifibrotics is still debated. In IPF, particularly when the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, “wait and watch” behaviour is not rare to observe. This is largely due to the lack of awareness of both patients and clinicians regarding the progression of the disease and its prognosis. Another important issue is when treatment should be stopped. In general, there are two main reasons to stop a therapy: unbearable side-effects and/or lack of efficacy. According to current (although preliminary) evidence, antifibrotic drugs should not be discontinued except for safety issues.
Pharmacokinetics of carfilzomib in patients with advanced malignancies and varying degrees of hepatic impairment: an open-label, single-arm, phase 1 study
Authors: Brown Jennifer , Plummer Ruth , Bauer Todd M. , Anthony Stephen , Sarantopoulos John , De Vos Filip , White Mike , Schupp Marco , Ou Ying , Vaishampayan Ulka
Published: October 2017

Background

Carfilzomib is approved in the United States and Europe for treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). This study evaluated pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of carfilzomib in patients with relapsed or progressive advanced malignancies and varying degrees of impaired hepatic function.

Methods

Patients with normal hepatic function (normal) or hepatic impairment (mild, moderate, or severe) received carfilzomib infusion in 28-day cycles. The primary objective was to assess the influence of hepatic impairment on carfilzomib PK following 27 and 56 mg/m2 doses.

Results

The majority of patients enrolled in this study had solid tumors (n = 44) vs. MM (n = 2) since patients with multiple myeloma do not tend to have severe hepatic impairment in the same way as patients with solid tumors. A total of 11 normal and 17 mild, 14 moderate, and 4 severe hepatic impairment patients were enrolled. Compared with patients with normal hepatic function, patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment had 44 and 26% higher carfilzomib AUC0–last, respectively (27 mg/m2 dose); increases at the 56 mg/m2 dose were 45 and 21%, respectively. Considerable PK variability (% coefficient of variation in AUC ≤100%) was discerned and no consistent trend of increasing exposure resulting from increasing hepatic impairment severity (moderate vs. mild) was seen. The observed adverse event (AE) profile in patients of mostly solid tumors was consistent with the known safety profile of carfilzomib, with the exception of an increased frequency of AEs consistent with hepatic function abnormalities.

Conclusions

In this population of primarily advanced solid tumor patients, patients with mild and moderate hepatic impairment had approximately 20–50% higher carfilzomib AUC vs. normal hepatic function patients. These increases are unlikely to be clinically significant, in light of the intrinsic PK variability and exposure–response relationship of carfilzomib.

Trial registrationhttp://clinicaltrials.gov NCT01949545; date of registration: September 6, 2013
Circulating microRNAs in patients with hormone receptor‐positive, metastatic breast cancer treated with dovitinib
Authors: Shivapurkar Narayan , Vietsch Eveline E. , Carney Erin , Isaacs Claudine , Wellstein Anton
Published: October 2017

Background

Serial analysis of biomarkers in the circulation of patients undergoing treatment (“liquid biopsies”) can provide new insights into drug effects. In particular the analysis of cell‐free, circulating nucleic acids such as microRNAs (miRs) can reveal altered expression patterns indicative of mechanism of drug action, cancer growth, and tumor–stroma interactions.

Results

Here we analyzed plasma miRs in patients with hormone receptor positive, metastatic breast cancer with prior disease progression during aromatase inhibitor therapy (n = 8) in a phase I/II trial with the multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor dovitinib (TKI258). Plasma miR levels were measured by quantitative RT‐qPCR before and after treatment with dovitinib. A candidate miR signature of drug response was established from a 379 miR screen for detectable plasma miRs as well as from the published literature. Changes in miR expression patterns and tumor sizes were compared. In this analysis we identified miR‐21‐5p, miR‐100‐5p, miR‐125b‐5p, miR‐126‐3p, miR‐375 and miR‐424‐5p as potential indicators of a response to dovitinib. The altered expression patterns observed for the six circulating miRs separated patients with resistant disease from those with drug responsive disease. There was no relationship between adverse effects of dovitinib treatment and identifiable changes in miR patterns.

Conclusion

We conclude that changes in the expression patterns of circulating miRs can be indicators of drug responses that merit prospective studies for validation.
Virus interferes with host-seeking behaviour of mosquito
Authors: Vogels Chantal B. F. , Fros Jelke J. , Pijlman Gorben P. , van Loon Joop J. A. , Gort Gerrit , Koenraadt Constantianus J. M.
Published: October 2017

Transmission of vector-borne pathogens is dependent on the host-seeking behaviour of their vector. Pathogen manipulation of the host-seeking behaviour of vectors towards susceptible hosts is supposedly beneficial for transmission. For West Nile virus (WNV), manipulation of the host-seeking behaviour of the main mosquito vector towards birds would be advantageous, because mammals are dead-end hosts. We hypothesised that WNV infection induces a stronger host-seeking response and a shift in host preference towards birds, to enhance its transmission by mosquitoes. However, here we show that WNV infection decreases the host-seeking response, and does not induce a shift in mosquito host preference. Other fitness-related traits are not affected by WNV infection. No effect of WNV infection was found on antennal electrophysiological responsiveness. Thus, the reduced host-seeking response is likely to result from interference in the mosquito's central nervous system. This is the first study that shows changes, specifically in the host-seeking behaviour induced by a pathogen, that do not favour transmission.
Case Report: Managing a giant, high-grade carotid body tumor in a resource-limited setting
Authors: Munakomi Sunil , Chaudhary Samrita , Cherian Iype
Published: October 2017

Herein we report the management of a giant, high-grade and vascular carotid body tumor in a young woman. She presented with slowly progressive neck swelling. Vascular imaging revealed a left-sided, high-grade giant carotid body tumor (> 8cm).  The tumor was completely excised by caudocranial subadventitial dissection. Histology of the tumor revealed a characteristic Zellballen pattern of the lesion, suggestive of a paraganglioma. The patient made an uneventful recovery. We also discuss newer insights regarding the management of such highly vascular lesions.
Proactive Roleof Control and Supervisory Activity in the Field of Education
Authors: Феклин С. , Feklin S.
Published: October 2017

In accordance with the Federal Law No. 294-FZ of 26.12.2008 “On the Protection of the Rights of Legal Entities and Individual Entrepreneurs in the Conduct of State Control (Supervision) and Municipal Control”, the warning, detection and suppression of violations by legal entities, their leaders and other offi cials, individual entrepreneurs, their authorized representatives of the requirements established by law. At the same time, the legislator did not formulate the notion and signs of “warning” in the sphere of control (supervision), did not specify the list of preventive measures, allowing the executive authorities to independently determine the odds, types, timeframes, methods and solve other problems of preventing violations of legislation by the controlled entities. The author of the articlehas analyzed the normative legal acts, studied the practice of conducting inspections in the sphere of education in the city of Moscow and other subjects of the Russian Federation, describes a possible system of preventive measures when conducting control and supervisory activities in the fi eld of education.
Logic, Reasoning, Argumentation: Insights from the Wild
Authors: Zenker Frank
Published: October 2017

This article provides a brief selective overview and discussion of recent research into natural language argumentation that may inform the study of human reasoning on the assumption that an episode of argumentation issues an invitation to accept a corresponding inference. As this research shows, arguers typically seek to establish new consequences based on prior information. And they typically do so vis-à-vis a real or an imagined opponent, or an opponent-position, in ways that remain sensitive to considerations of context, audiences, and goals. Deductively valid inferences remain a limiting case of such reasoning. In view of these insights, it may appear less surprising that allegedly “irrational” behavior can regularly be produced in experimental settings that expose subjects to standardized reasoning tasks.
Managing real world venous leg ulcers with fetal bovine acellular dermal matrix: a single centre retrospective study
Authors: Paredes J.A. , Bhagwandin S. , T. Polanco , Lantis J.C.
Published: October 2017

Objective:

As compression treatment offers moderate improvement, especially to recurrent venous leg ulcers (VLUs), several alternative therapies using cellular based and/or tissue-derived products (CTPs) have emerged from bovine, porcine, and equine sources. Our aim was to look at the effect of a CTP in ‘real-life’ VLUs.

Methods:

This study looked at complex patients with chronic, large wounds in a single-centre retrospective review. All patients were treated with fetal bovine acellular dermal matrix (FBADM) for VLUs at our outpatient urban wound care programme.

Results:

A total of 40 wounds in 33 patients were analysed. At week four, 6% of wounds were closed; at week eight, 9% were closed; at week 12, 25% were closed; and at week 16, 38% of wounds were closed. The median time to wound closure was 67 days (range: 23–100 days) and the median percent wound closure through re-epithelialisation was 11% per week (range: 7–30% per week). At 4 weeks the median area reduction of all wounds was 23.5%, with 40% of VLUs having a ≥40% area reduction at the same point in time.

Conclusion:

There are limitations to any retrospective review; however; patients deemed to have a limited chance of closure at 4 months did better than expected, either healing or having a wound area reduction at 16 weeks, making their wound care much easier. Prospective studies should be conducted to optimise the treatment algorithm to determine if better clinical outcomes can be obtained for the ‘real-life’ VLU population.
STRATEGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF RHEUMATOLOGY: FROM SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS TO PRACTICAL HEALTHCARE
Authors: Nasonov E. L. , Lila A. M. , Galushko E. A. , Amirdzhanova V. N.
Published: September 2017

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GUIDELINES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF DISEASE ACTIVITY AND FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE
Authors: Dubinina T. V. , Gaidukova I. Z. , Godzenko A. A. , Lapshina S. A. , Rebrov A. P. , Rumyantseva O. A. , Badokin V. V. , Bochkova A. G. , Bugrova O. V. , Dubikov A. I. , Ivanova O. N. , Korotaeva T. V. , Nesmeyanova O. B. , Nikishina I. P. , Otteva E. N. , Raskina T. A. , Smirnov A. V. , Sitalo A. V. , Erdes Sh. F.
Published: September 2017

The paper gives the recommendations for the assessment of disease activity and functional status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in clinical practice, which have been developed by experts, by taking into account international and Russian experience in managing these patients.
THE EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF RITUXIMAB BIOSIMILAR (ACELLBIA®) IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AS THE FIRST BIOLOGICAL AGENT: RESULTS OF PHASE III (ALTERRA) CLINICAL TRIAL
Authors: Nasonov E. L. , Mazurov V. I. , Zonova E. V. , Knyazeva L. A. , Marusenko I. M. , Nesmeyanova O. B. , Plaksina T. V. , Shapovalova Yu. S. , Ilivanova E. P. , Krechikova D. G. , Petrochenkova N. A. , Reshetko O. V. , Denisov L. N. , Gordeev I. G. , Davydova A. F. , Eremina N. A. , Zemerova E. V. , Ivanova T. B. , Kastanayan A. A. , Pokrovskaya T. G. , Smakotina S. A. , Smolyarchuk E. A. , Artemyeva A. V. , Ivanov R. A. , Usacheva Yu. V. , Chernyaeva E. V.
Published: September 2017

The Russian biotechnological company «BIOCAD» has designed a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20 (BCD-020, Acellbia®) that is a biosimilar of rituximab (RTM; MabThera®, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Switzerland). In recent years, there has been evidence that RTM can be used at lower doses than those given in the standard recommendations and instructions for the use of this drug. This serves as the basis for the BCD-020-4/ALTERRA (ALTErnative Rituximab regimen in Rheumatoid Arthritis) trial, the objective of which was to investigate the efficiency and safety of using Acellbia® (at a dose of 600 mg twice at a 2-week interval) as the first biological agent (BA) for methotrexate (MTX)-resistant active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The investigation enrolled 159 patients aged 18 to 80 years with active RA. After 24 weeks 65.7 and 29.4% of patients achieved 20% improvement by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria in the Acellbia® + MTX and placebo (PL) + MTX groups, respectively (p<0.0001). The differences in the ACR20 response rate in the two groups were 36.3% (95% CI, 19.27–53.28%). There were significant differences between the groups in the ACR50 response rates: 28.4% and 5.9% (p=0.001) and in the ACR70 ones: 12.8% and only 2.0%, respectively (p=0.036). Analysis of all recorded adverse events (AE) frequency showed no significant differences between the patients in the study and control groups and demonstrates its equivalence with that of RTM (MabThera®); all the AE were expectable. It is noted that antibodies to RTM with binding and neutralizing activities had no impact on the efficiency and safety of therapy.
LINGUISTIC AND CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND VALIDATION OF THE KUJALA QUESTIONNAIRE AMONG PATIENTS WITH PAIN IN THE ANTERIOR PART OF KNEE JOINT
Authors: Kuznetsov I. A. , Maikov S. V , Salikhov M. R. , Shulepov D. A. , Avdeev A. I.
Published: September 2017

Objective: to carry out linguistic and cultural adaptation and validation of the Kujala questionnaire that is today one of the most popular orthopedic tools used to evaluate the severity of pain in the anterior part of knee joint.

Subjects and methods. In accordance with protocols on this type of investigations, the questionnaire was first translated directly and then back. Furthermore, an intermediate Russian-language version of the Kujala questionnaire was tested in 15 patients, followed by error correction and approval of its final Russian-language version. A study group included 50 patients who complained of obvious pain in the anterior part of knee joint and answered the questionnaire twice (for its test-retest reliability) every two or three days.

Results and discussion. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) equal to 0.948 (95% confidence interval, 0.025–0.967) indicated a high test-retest reliability of the Russian-language version of the Kujala questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.956 corresponded to a high level of internal consistency, which also suggested that the proposed version of the questionnaire had a high reliability. The criterion-related validity assessment, by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient between the results of primary and repeated surveys using the Russian-language version of the Kujala questionnaire, as well as between the Russian- language versions of the Kujala questionnaire and the SF-36, showed their high correlation.

Conclusion. The findings indicate that the Russian-language version of the Kujala questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for subjective assessment of the severity of pain in the anterior part of knee joint.
INFLIXIMAB-INDUCED LUPUS-LIKE SYNDROME IN A FEMALE PATIENT WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (A CASE REPORT): AN ACCIDENT OR REGULARITY?
Authors: Muravyev Yu. V. , Lebedeva V. V. , Alamankina S. Yu.
Published: September 2017

The paper describes a case of infliximab-induced lupus-like syndrome in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis and discusses the possible causes of this pathology.
DRAFT NATIONAL CLINICAL GUIDELINES (GENERAL PROVISIONS) RATIONAL USE OF NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS According to the results of the expert group meeting, Moscow, 01.04.2017
Authors: Karateev A. E.
Published: September 2017

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Paraesophageal Hernia as a Cause of Chronic Asymptomatic Anemia in a 6 Years Old Boy; Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Patoulias Dimitrios , Kalogirou Maria , Feidantsis Thomas , Kallergis Ignatios , Patoulias Ioannis
Published: October 2017

Esophageal hiatal hernia is defined as the prolapse of one or more intra-abdominal organs through the esophageal hiatus. Four types are identified: type Ι or sliding hiatal hernia, type II or paraesophageal hernia (PEH), type III or mixed hernia and type IV. Congenital type II esophageal hiatal hernia is caused by a remaining gap after the formation of pleuroperitoneal membrane. We present a case of a six years old boy admitted to our department, appearing with asymptomatic anemia, who was incidentally diagnosed with Type II esophageal hiatal hernia. After diagnostic investigation, the prolapsing stomach pouch was reduced, the hernia sac was excised, the crura of diaphragm were converged and a total fundoplication was performed, via open method. The patient had an uncomplicated postoperative period. We conclude that: 1) esophageal hiatal hernia should be included within diagnostic approach of a child with chronic non-hereditary anemia, 2) after a Type II esophageal hiatal hernia is diagnosed, a hernia repair surgery is indicated in short time, due to the severity of possible complications and 3) through the performance of total fundoplication, it is secured that the subdiaphragmatic abdominal part of esophagus will be retained, preventing the development of post-operative gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Parathyroidectomy in Hyperparathyroidism-Associated Calciphylaxis in End-Stage Renal Disease Should be Prompt and Radical – a Case Report with Two Original Therapeutic Modifications and Successful Outcome
Authors: Dusilová Sulková Sylvie , Horáček Jiří , Vykoukalová Eva , Šafránek Roman , Malá Alena , Palička Vladimír
Published: October 2017

We present a case of severe calciphylaxis in both thighs and calves in a patient with end-stage renal disease and advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism with successful outcome after modified therapeutic approach. The cause of calciphylaxis is multifactorial. In our case, not only severe hyperparathyroidism and mediocalcinosis, but also medication (warfarin, calcium and active vitamin D) was involved. Because the initial conservative therapy was not successful, we indicated parathyroidectomy. However, we were not able to localize parathyroid glands and we contraindicated bilateral neck exploration due to the patientʼs critical status. Therefore, we decided for total thyroidectomy with total parathyroidectomy. Surgery was uncomplicated and histology confirmed that all four parathyroid glands were removed. The expected post-operative hypocalcaemia was asymptomatic and we did not use any calcium supplementation or vitamin D. Thyroid hormone replacement was easy. After surgery, the large and multiple subcutaneous defects started to heal. We achieved complete healing within several months of continuing dedicated care. There is no recurrence after three years. Prompt and radical surgical parathyroidectomy was extremely useful in our patient.
Cortisol Levels and Autonomic Control of Heart Rate in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Santana Milana Drumond Ramos , Martiniano Eli Carlos , Monteiro Larissa Raylane Lucas , Oliveira Maria Do Socorro Santos De , Valenti Vitor E. , Garner David M. , Vanderlei Franciele Marques , Abreu Luiz Carlos De
Published: October 2017

Introduction: There is an increase in level of stress in the general population because of the social, personal and professional demands. Currently, there are only simple tools that can safely measure this stress such as levels of cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV). Objective: To analyze the relationship between salivary cortisol and the cardiac autonomic modulation. Methods: A total of fifty-one male and female subjects between 18 and 40 years old were evaluated. Saliva collection was achieved for the salivary cortisol dosage. The collection was performed through the SalivetteR tube. After this collection, the median cortisol levels (0.24 ug/dl) were analyzed and the volunteers were divided into two groups: i) cortisol below the mediane ii) cortisol above the median. After this division, each group consisted of 25 volunteers and then was verified the following information: age, gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure. Shortly thereafter was assessment of cardiac autonomic modulation por meio da HRV. The Polar RS800cx heart rate receiver was placed on the chest of the volunteers, in the vicinity of the distal third of the sternum. The volunteers were instructed to remain in rest with spontaneous breathing in dorsal position for 20 minutes. HRV analysis included geometric, time and frequency domain indices. Results: There were no statistical differences for the two groups regarding systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, RR intervals or linear and frequency indices for the volunteers. In addition, also there was no correlation the cortisol with the analyzed variables (SAP, p=0.460; DAP, p = 0.270; HR, p = 0.360; RR, p = 0.380; SDNN, p = 0.510; rMSSD, p = 0.660; pNN50, p = 0.820; RRtri, p = 0.170; TINN, p = 0.470; SD1, p = 0.650; SD2, p = 0.500; LF [ms2], p = 0.880; LF [nu], p = 0.970; HF [ms2], p = 0.870; HF [nu], p = 0.960; LF/HF, p = 0.380 Conclusion: Heart rate variability autonomic control was unchanged in healthy subjects with physiological distribution of salivary cortisol levels. There was no association between normal salivary cortisol and resting autonomic regulation of heart rate.
Dual hesitant pythagorean fuzzy Hamacher aggregation operators in multiple attribute decision making
Authors: Wei Guiwu , Lu Mao
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we investigate the multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problem based on the Hamacher aggregation operators with dual Pythagorean hesitant fuzzy information. Then, motivated by the ideal of Hamacher operation, we have developed some Hamacher aggregation operators for aggregating dual hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy information. The prominent characteristic of these proposed operators are studied. Then, we have utilized these operators to develop some approaches to solve the dual hesitant Pythagorean fuzzy multiple attribute decision making problems. Finally, a practical example for supplier selection in supply chain management is given to verify the developed approach and to demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness.
Late Ordovician palaeogeography and the positions of the Kazakh terranes through analysis of their brachiopod faunas
Authors: Popov Leonid E. , Cocks Robin M.
Published: October 2017

Detailed biogeographical and biofacies analyses of the Late Ordovician brachiopod faunas with 160 genera, grouped into 94 faunas from individual lithotectonic units within the Kazakh Orogen strongly support an archipelago model for that time in that area. The Kazakh island arcs and microcontinents within several separate clusters were located in the tropics on both sides of the Equator. Key units, from which the Late Ordovician faunas are now well known, include the Boshchekul, Chingiz-Tarbagatai, and Chu-Ili terranes. The development of brachiopod biogeography within the nearly ten million year time span of the Late Ordovician from about 458 to 443 Ma (Sandbian, Katian, and Hirnantian), is supported by much new data, including our revised identifications from the Kazakh Orogen and elsewhere. The Kazakh archipelago was west of the Australasian segment of the Gondwana Supercontinent, and relatively near the Tarim, South China and North China continents, apart from the Atashu-Zhamshi Microcontinent, which probably occupied a relatively isolated position on the south-western margin of the archipelago. Distinct faunal signatures indicate that the Kazakh terranes were far away from Baltica and Siberia throughout the Ordovician. Although some earlier terranes had joined each other before the Middle Ordovician, the amalgamation of Kazakh terranes into the single continent of Kazakhstania by the end of the Ordovician is very unlikely. The Late Ordovician brachiopods from the other continents are also compared with the Kazakh faunas and global provincialisation statistically determined.
Leisure-time physical activity and absenteeism
Authors: Kerner Ivana , Rakovac Marija , Lazinica Bruno
Published: October 2017

Regular physical activity has a significant impact on health. There is scientific evidence for prescription of exercise in the treatment of at least 26 different chronic non-communicable diseases. Furthermore, it has an indirect role in the preservation of work capacity. The aim of this study was to review the published results of research on the relationship between leisure-time PA and absenteeism due to sickness. Medline database was searched using the keywords “leisuretime physical activity AND (sick leave OR sickness absence OR absenteeism)”. Fifteen studies were included in the final analysis. A negative correlation between leisure-time PA and absenteeism due to sickness in working population was determined in 11 studies. The results support the inclusion of PA promotion in the programmes intended to reduce absenteeism prevalence, the latter being an important public health issue.
Preliminary Report on the Eleventh Excavation Season of the Archaeological Expedition to Wad Ben Naga
Authors: Onderka Pavel , Vrtal Vlastimil
Published: October 2017

The eleventh excavation season of the Archaeological Expedition to Wad Ben Naga focused on the rescue excavations around the rail track intersecting the western part of the archaeological site, excavations around the so-called Circular Building (WBN 50), conservation of the Palace of Queen Amanishakheto (WBN 100) and other minor projects.
Migration of Graduates Within a Sequential Decision Framework: Evidence from Poland
Authors: Herbst Mikołaj , Kaczmarczyk Paweł , Wójcik Piotr
Published: September 2017

The aim of this paper is to identify the main drivers of highly skilled migration between regions. We argue that the spatial mobility of individuals should not be considered in terms of one-off displacements, but rather as a sequence of migration decisions within a certain time period. The important context of the research is provided by the economic transformation of Poland, accompanied by the growing demand for education, and the lack of well-established patterns of graduate mobility. By applying multinomial logit modelling on a unique database of Polish graduates, we find that all the tested migration strategies can be explained in terms of structural factors, human capital characteristics or aspirations/capabilities related variables.
Up or Down the Value Chain? A Comparative Analysis of the GVC Position of the Economies of the New EU Member States
Authors: Hagemejer Jan , Ghodsi Mahdi
Published: September 2017

The pattern of trade of the Central and Eastern European countries has been changing since the beginning of the economic transition in the early 1990s. By the end of the century this process was additionally strengthened by their integration with the European Union and overlapped with the development of global value chains (GVC) spanning across Europe with which the new member states (NMS) have become increasingly integrated.

In this paper, we shed light on these changes by analysing the position of the NMS within the global value chains. We employ the upstreamness measure proposed by Antràs et al. (2012) and use the World Input–Output Database. Although we observe a global increasing trend in the upstreamness of all countries, we find that the NMS have in many cases gone against this trend while converging in their production structure within their group and with the EU-15. This convergence is mostly observed in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia where the level of upstreamness in the most important exporting sectors was close to that of Germany by the end of the analysed period 1995−2011.
What Determines Export Performances in High‑tech Industries
Authors: Śledziewska Katarzyna , Akhvlediani Tinatin
Published: September 2017

The paper aims to identify the determinants of exports in high-technology sectors (high-tech, HT) of Visegrad countries (the Visegrad four, V4: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) and the core member states of the European Union (EU). Based on the augmented gravity model, we estimate the regressions on panel data of the bilateral export flows of the EU-15 and V4 with the rest of the world in 1999−2011, by employing the Poisson pseudo-maximum-likelihood (PPML) estimator. The comparison of the estimations of overall export flows with the estimates explicitly done for the high-tech sectors allows us to outline the main characteristics of the existing gap in high-tech export performances of the EU-15 and V4. Estimation results find that while for the EU-15, human capital accumulation is statistically significant and export flows increase with similarity in physical capital accumulation of the trade partner; for V4, instead of similarity, the difference in physical capital stock increases exports and human capital accumulation does not yield statistically significant effects.
Combining the DPG Method with Finite Elements
Authors: Führer Thomas , Heuer Norbert , Karkulik Michael , Rodríguez Rodolfo
Published: September 2017

We propose and analyze a discretization scheme that combines the discontinuous Petrov–Galerkin
and finite element methods. The underlying model problem is of general diffusion-advection-reaction
type on bounded domains, with decomposition into two sub-domains. We propose
a heterogeneous variational formulation that is of the ultra-weak (Petrov–Galerkin)
form with broken test space in one part, and of Bubnov–Galerkin form in the other.
A standard discretization with conforming approximation spaces and appropriate test spaces
(optimal test functions for the ultra-weak part and standard test functions for the Bubnov–Galerkin
part) gives rise to a coupled DPG-FEM scheme. We prove its well-posedness and quasi-optimal
convergence. Numerical results confirm expected convergence orders.
Nuts and Bolts of Oil and Temperature in Topical Preparations of Salicylic Acid
Authors: Ashara Kalpesh C. , Shah Ketan V.
Published: October 2017

Background:Traditional formulations of salicylic acid in ointment bases have disadvantages of being greasy and irritant due to free crystals.

Aim:To explore the method for selection of oils and their ratio for topical preparation on the basis of equilibrium solubility study of salicylic acid and to evaluate temperature effect.

Materials and methods:Scanning and calibration curve of salicylic acid in methanol were developed. Among available oils, those that had no interference of absorbance of salicylic acid were short-listed for screening purpose. Selections of oils were carried out on the basis of equilibrium solubility study. Compatibility study was made by Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy analysis. Primitive study of oil mixtures was done. Selections of the ratio of oils were carried out on basis of constrained simplex-centroid design.

Results:Salicylic acid had shown linearity in the range of 15-65 μg/mL in methanol at wavelength maximum (300 nm). From the equilibrium solubility study, Parker Neem®Oil (11.81 ± 0.5 mg/g), Isopropyl Myristate (11.29 ± 0.04 mg/g), Mogra Oil (9.62 ± 0.94 mg/g) were selected. The study possessed the same main Fourier transform infra-red peaks of salicylic acid in the salicylic acid-oils physical mixture. 58.64% Parker Neem®oil and 41.36% isopropyl myristate mixture was selected as optimized batch with the desirability of 0.391.

Conclusion:The oils mixture could be selected for topical preparation of salicylic acid like paste, cream, ointment etc.