bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PSCA is a target of chimeric antigen receptor T cells in gastric cancer
Authors: Wu Di , Lv Jiang , Zhao Ruocong , Wu Zhiping , Zheng Diwei , Shi Jingxuan , Lin Simiao , Wang Suna , Wu Qiting , Long Youguo , Li Peng , Yao Yao
Published: January 2020

Background

Gastric cancer is a deadly malignancy and is a prognostically unfavorable entity with restricted therapeutic strategies available. Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface protein widely expressed in bladder, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. Existing studies have thoroughly recognized the availability of utilizing anti-PSCA CAR-T cells in the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer. However, no previous study has investigated the feasibility of using anti-PSCA CAR-T cells to treat gastric cancer, irrespective of the proven expression of PSCA on the gastric cancer cell surface.

Methods

We determined the expression of PSCA in several primary tumor tissues and constructed third-generation anti-PSCA CAR-T cells. We then incubated anti-PSCA CAR-T cells and GFP-T cells with target tumor cell lines at E:T ratios of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PSCA CAR-T cells in vitro. We also assayed canonical T cell activation markers after coculturing anti-PSCA CAR-T cells with target cell lines by flow cytometry. The detection of a functional cytokine profile was carried out via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We then evaluated the antitumor activity of anti-PSCA CAR-T cells in vivo by establishing two different xenograft GC mouse models.

Results

Anti-PSCA CAR-T cells exhibited upregulated activation markers and increased cytokine production profiles related to T cell cytotoxicity in an antigen-dependent manner. Moreover, anti-PSCA CAR-T cells exhibited robust anti-tumor cytotoxicity in vitro. Importantly, we demonstrated that anti-PSCA CAR-T cells delivered by peritumoral injection successfully stunted tumor progression in vivo. However, intravenous administration of anti-PSCA CAR-T cells failed to reveal any therapeutic improvements.

Conclusions

Our findings corroborated the feasibility of anti-PSCA CAR-T cells and their efficacy against gastric cancer, implicating the potential of applying anti-PSCA CAR-T cells to treat GC patients in the clinic.
Effect of concentration, aging, and annealing on sol gel ZnO and Al-doped ZnO thin films
Authors: Speaks D. T.
Published: January 2020

Presented are experimental results on the effect of concentration, aging, and annealing time on the optical and structural properties of sol gel zinc oxide (ZnO) and Al-doped ZnO thin films. ZnO and ZnO:Al thin films were fabricated on glass substrates using spin coating followed by annealing. XRD confirmed that the films are polycrystalline wurtzite. For low concentration films (0.2 and 0.4 M), grain size increased with aging time up to 72 hours. For high concentration samples (0.6 and 0.8 M), grain size increased only up to 48 hours. Additional aging resulted in a decrease in the grain size. The largest grain sizes were found for 0.4 M at 72 hours and 0.6 M at 48 hours. The band gap tended to decrease with increasing aging time for all concentrations. The smallest band gap for each aging time (24, 48, and 72 hours) was observed for 0.6 M films. These results suggest that higher concentration sol gel near 0.6 M may yield better properties with shorter aging times than 0.2 and 0.4 M films. Annealing data suggests that 350oC is the minimum annealing at 1 hour to achieve high-quality films and higher concentration ZnO films have stronger diffraction peaks. ZnO:Al also exhibits stronger diffraction peaks and a larger blue shift of the band edge with increasing sol gel concentration.
Three-dimensional finite element analysis of extra short implants focusing on implant designs and materials
Authors: Araki Haruka , Nakano Tamaki , Ono Shinji , Yatani Hirofumi
Published: January 2020

Aim

When using short implants, fracture of the implant body and bone resorption are a concern because stress concentrates on and around a short implant. The purpose of this research is to investigate the differences in stress distribution between tissue level (TL) and bone level (BL) implant body designs, and between commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and the newer titanium–zirconium (TiZr) alloy in using short implants.

Materials and methods

Models of TL and BL implants were prepared for three-dimensional finite element analysis. The implants were produced in 10 mm, 8 mm, and 6 mm lengths, and the TL was also produced in a 4-mm length. A static load of 100 N inclined at 30° to the long axis was applied to the buccal side of the model. The largest maximum principal stress value in the cortical bone and the largest von Mises stress value in the implant body were evaluated.

Results

Stress concentration was observed at the connection part of the implant, especially above the bone in TL and within the bone in BL. In the TL design, tensile stress occurred on the buccal side and compressive stress on the lingual side of the cortical bone. Conversely, in the BL design, tensile stress occurred on the lingual side of the cortical bone. CpTi and TiZr showed a similar stress distribution pattern. The maximum stress values were lower in the TL design than the BL design, and they were lower with TiZr than cpTi for both the cortical bone and implant body. The maximum value tended to increase as the length of the implant body decreased. In addition, the implant body design was more influential than its length, with the TL design showing a stress value similar to the longer BL design.

Conclusion

Using TiZr and a TL design may be more useful mechanically than cpTi and a BL design when the length of the implant body must be shorter because of insufficient vertical bone mass in the mandible.
Molecular epidemiology of malaria parasite amongst patients in a displaced people’s camp in Sudan
Authors: Eshag Hamza Adam , Elnzer Elfadel , Nahied Elkhatieb , Talib Mustafa , Mussa Ali , Muhajir Abd Elhafiz M. A. , Ibrahim Ibrahim Khider , Sabo Abdulwali , Elzaki Salah-Eldin Gumma , Mohamed Zeehaida , Hajissa Khalid
Published: January 2020

Background

Despite the importance of epidemiological studies in the development of effective control strategies and provision of basic health services for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), data on the prevalence of malaria are limited. Thus, this study was conducted to estimate the molecular prevalence of malaria amongst the displaced population in Ardamata IDP camp in Al-Geneina City, Sudan.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2018 to December 2018 to estimate malaria prevalence amongst the displaced population in Ardamata IDP camp in Al-Geneina City, Sudan. A total of 380 patients with suspected malaria were recruited. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assays were performed to detect thePlasmodiumgenus and species.

Results

Of 380 patients, 232 (61.1%) were positive for malaria.Plasmodium falciparumwas the only prevalent species detected amongst the study population. nPCR analysis revealed that none of the samples hadPlasmodium vivax,Plasmodium ovaleorPlasmodium malariae. The malaria prevalence rate was higher amongst males (67.1%) than in females (56.8%), and gender was the only risk factor that was significantly associated with malaria infection (p = .042).

Conclusions

Despite control programmes, malaria remains a significant cause of illness amongst a displaced population. The high prevalence of malaria infection in this study indicates that additional health facilities and control strategies should be implemented in displaced camps and the surrounding areas.
Estimated cost for cardiovascular disease risk-based management at a primary healthcare center in Nepal
Authors: Aryal Anu , Citrin David , Halliday Scott , Kumar Anirudh , Nepal Prajwol , Shrestha Archana , Nugent Rachel , Schwarz Dan
Published: January 2020

Background

Low- and middle-income countries are facing an increasing burden of disability and death due to cardiovascular diseases. Policy makers and healthcare providers alike need resource estimation tools to improve healthcare delivery and to strengthen healthcare systems to address this burden. We estimated the direct medical costs of primary prevention, screening, and management for cardiovascular diseases in a primary healthcare center in Nepal based on the Global Hearts evidence based treatment protocols for risk-based management.

Methods

We adapted the World Health Organization’s non-communicable disease costing tool and built a model to predict the annual cost of primary CVD prevention, screening, and management at a primary healthcare center level. We used a one-year time horizon and estimated the cost from the Nepal government’s perspective. We used Nepal health insurance board’s price for medicines and laboratory tests, and used Nepal government’s salary for human resource cost. With the model, we estimated annual incremental cost per case, cost for the entire population, and cost per capita. We also estimated the amount of medicines for one-year, annual number of laboratory tests, and the monthly incremental work load of physicians and nurses who deliver these services.

Results

For a primary healthcare center with a catchment population of 10,000, the estimated cost to screen and treat 50% of eligible patients is USD21.53 per case and averages USD1.86 per capita across the catchment population. The cost of screening and risk profiling only was estimated to be USD2.49 per case. At same coverage level, we estimated that an average physician’s workload will increase annually by 190 h and by 111 h for nurses, i.e., additional 28.5 workdays for physicians and 16.7 workdays for nurses. The total annual cost could amount up to USD18,621 for such a primary healthcare center.

Conclusion

This is a novel study for a PHC-based, primary CVD risk-based management program in Nepal, which can provide insights for programmatic and policy planners at the Nepalese municipal, provincial and central levels in implementing the WHO Global Hearts Initiative. The costing model can serve as a tool for financial resource planning for primary prevention, screening, and management for cardiovascular diseases in other low- and middle-income country settings globally.
Prediction of present and future distribution of the Schlegel’s Japanese gecko (Gekko japonicus) using MaxEnt modeling
Authors: Kim Dae-In , Park Il-Kook , Bae So-Yeon , Fong Jonathan J. , Zhang Yong-Pu , Li Shu-Ran , Ota Hidetoshi , Kim Jong-Sun , Park Daesik
Published: January 2020

Background

Understanding the geographical distribution of a species is a key component of studying its ecology, evolution, and conservation. Although Schlegel’s Japanese gecko (Gekko japonicus) is widely distributed in Northeast Asia, its distribution has not been studied in detail. We predicted the present and future distribution of G. japonicus across China, Japan, and Korea based on 19 climatic and 5 environmental variables using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution model.

Results

Present time major suitable habitats for G. japonicus, having greater than 0.55 probability of presence (threshold based on the average predicted probability of the presence records), are located at coastal and inland cities of China; western, southern, and northern coasts of Kyushu and Honshu in Japan; and southern coastal cities of Korea. Japan contained 69.3% of the suitable habitats, followed by China (27.1%) and Korea (4.2%). Temperature seasonality (66.5% of permutation importance) was the most important predictor of the distribution. Future distributions according to two climate change scenarios predicted that by 2070, and overall suitable habitats would decrease compared to the present habitats by 18.4% (scenario RCP 4.5) and 10.4% (scenario RCP 8.5). In contrast to these overall trends, range expansions are expected in inland areas of China and southern parts of Korea.

Conclusions

Suitable habitats predicted for G. japonicus are currently located in coastal cities of Japan, China, and Korea, as well as in isolated patches of inland China. Due to climate change, suitable habitats are expected to shrink along coastlines, particularly at the coastal-edge of climate change zones. Overall, our results provide essential distribution range information for future ecological studies of G. japonicus across its distribution range.
Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with status epilepticus and acute cardiomyopathy with acute heart failure: case report
Authors: Herath H. M. M. T. B. , Kulatunga Aruna
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a connective tissue disorder, which causes complex multi organ involvement. Neurological and cardiac manifestations have been well noted but complications such as status epilepticus and acute myocarditis with heart failure at presentation remains uncommon.

Case description

A 15-year-old, previously healthy, South Asian, Sri Lankan female presented with status epilepticus and the seizures only responded to intravenous midazolam and thiopentone sodium. On the fourth day, she developed tachycardia and shortness of breath and was found to have cardiomyopathy with heart failure with an ejection fraction 40%. Along with a positive urinary sediment, a positive ANA with a very high level of ds-DNA and low C3 and C4 levels confirmed our suspicion of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Discussion and evaluation

Systemic lupus erythematosus presents in a variety of clinical presentations and the spectrum may range from unique to ubiquitous. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion specially when encountering atypical presentations with multi-organ involvement, especially when patients tend to be young females. Status epilepticus and myocarditis are uncommon manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus, and should be appreciated early, as if inappropriately managed would have a deleterious impact on mortality and morbidity.
Comparison of the Effects of Midazolam-Ketamine or Midazolam-Propofol Combinations on Hemodynamic Stability, Patient Comfort, and Post-anesthesia Recovery in Children Undergoing Sedation for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Procedures
Authors: Uludağ Öznur , Doğukan Mevlüt , Kaya Recai , Tutak Atilla , Dumlupınar Ebru
Published: January 2020

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) requires complete immobility of the subject during the acquisition of each sequence, which is highly important for image quality. MRI may necessitate sedation, particularly in young children and in some adolescent and adult patients, although the ideal sedation procedure leading to minimal side effects with the highest patient comfort in children undergoing MRI procedures remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of midazolam-ketamine and midazolam-propofol combinations on hemodynamic stability, patient comfort, and post-anesthesia recovery in pediatric patients undergoing sedation for MRI and also to determine the ideal sedation procedure with minimal side effects.

Materials and Methods

The retrospective study included 40 pediatric patients aged between 2 and 12 years with normal growth and an American Society of Anesthesiology physical status (ASA-PS) 1-2 who were sedated with a combination of midazolam-ketamin or midazolam-propofol for the MRI procedure. The 40 patients were divided into two groups based on the drug combination used for sedation: (I) midazolam-ketamine (M-K) (n = 20) and (II) midazolam-propofol (M-P) (n = 20). Demographic characteristics, duration of MRI procedure, total duration of procedure, MRI image quality, family satisfaction, peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and Ramsay Sedation Score (RSS) scores were compared between the two groups.

Results

No significant difference was detected between the groups with regard to gender, duration of MRI procedure, and total duration of procedure. The MRI scanning quality was very good in 14 (70%) and moderately good in 6 (30%) subjects in the M-K group, whereas the scanning quality was very good in 9 (45%) and moderately good in 11 (55%) subjects in the M-P group. There were significant differences between the two groups at different times in terms of SBP, DBP, and HR values. No complication was observed in any patient and no patient required additional sedation throughout the procedure.

Conclusion

The midazolam-ketamine combination provided better hemodynamic stability than the midazolam-propofol combination, although the two combinations were similar with regard to patient comfort and post-anesthesia recovery.
Bacterial vaccines in poultry
Authors: Rabie Nagwa S. , Amin Girh Zeinab M. S.
Published: January 2020

Background

Poultry bacterial pathogens are mainly controlled by using high-cost sanitary measures and medical treatment. However, the drug-resistant strains of pathogens continuously emerge, and medical treatments are often ineffective. Moreover, there is increasing public objections to drug residues in poultry products. The other important type of control is the vaccination which depends on immunity. This immunological control is the major practical alternative to chemotherapy. Success of vaccines in combating poultry diseases depends mainly on the choice of the proper type of vaccines, correct time of its usage, and method of administration.

The types of vaccines include attenuated live vaccines, and these vaccines were shown to be effective in inducing protection. The second type is killed vaccine or whole bacteria extracts which is less successful in providing protection compared to live vaccines. The metabolic product vaccine (toxoids) is the third type of vaccine. The recombinant DNA technique was adopted to produce the protective antigens in a sufficient amount and in cost-effective ways.

Conclusions

Protection studies against bacterial diseases were performed by using several trials: living vaccines (live attenuated vaccines; live, non-pathogenic microorganisms; live, low virulence microorganism), inactivated (killed) vaccines (heat-inactivated, chemical inactivates, radiation), metabolic product vaccines (toxoids), subunit vaccines (whole cell proteins, outer membrane proteins, purified flagellar proteins (flagellin), fimbrial proteins, pilus proteins, lipopolysaccharides), vaccines produced by recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology, and DNA vaccines.
Knowledge and attitudes about the use of emergency contraception among college students in Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Davis Prem , Sarasveni Malaimala , Krishnan Jayalakshmi , Bhat Lekha Diwakara , Kodali Naveen Kumar
Published: January 2020

Background

In India, a large number of pregnancies are unplanned resulting in unsafe and illegal abortion. For every legal abortion, 10 to 11 illegal abortions are occurring which endangers the health and survival of the women. In recent years, there is an increase in unwanted and unintended pregnancy at the early age group. Usage of emergency contraception (EC) can decrease the unwanted pregnancy and provide a healthier life.

Aim

The aim of study is to assess the knowledge and attitude regarding EC among college students in Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the college students of Thiruvarur district, Tamil Nadu, India. A total of 758 students were selected by convenient sampling technique. Data was collected by administering a pretested semi-structured questionnaire.

Results

Out of 758 students, 183(24%) heard about EC. The commonest source of information was the internet 91 (49.7%). The majority 116 (63.4%) knew that it does not prevent STDs. Of those who were aware, 42% were aware of 42.6% are aware of the time limit to use EC. The knowledge level of about the EC was moderate (60.1%), and it was significantly (p< 0.05) more among students > 25 years old, married participants, students in private institution, of lower socio-economic status, Muslim students and days’ scholars. The negative attitude towards EC was 59%. Nearly 38.8% believed that the EC will affect the next menstrual period, and 35.5% informed it will increase high risk behaviour among adults. The attitude level was significantly associated with the same factors associated with the awareness level with the factors Christian religion replacing Muslim and higher socioeconomic class replacing lower class participants.

Conclusion

The knowledge level of the studied college students was moderate, and they mostly had negative attitude towards the EC. Reproductive health education should be given in educational institutions to promote awareness and to remove misconceptions about EC.
Comparison of femoral tunnel widening after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using cortical button fixation versus transfemoral cross-pin fixation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Dae-Hee , Son Dong-Wook , Seo Yi-Rak , Lee In-Gyu
Published: January 2020

Background

The aim was to compare tunnel widening of autogenous hamstring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using cortical button versus cross-pin femoral fixation.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from inception to 11 April 2019. The study included all levels of evidence in studies that reported femoral tunnel widening and compared cortical button and cross-pin femoral fixation for ACLR.

Results

Six studies were included, covering a total of 344 knees. Using transtibial techniques for ACLR, the mean absolute amount of femoral tunnel widening was significantly greater with cortical button fixation than with transfemoral cross-pin fixation (−0.30 mm; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.56,−0.05 mm; p= 0.02). Using the transtibial technique, the mean relative percentage of femoral tunnel widening was significantly greater with cortical button fixation than with transfemoral cross pin fixation (−5.73%; 95% CI −10.32, −1.14% ; p= 0.01).

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis revealed greater widening of the femoral tunnel when using cortical button fixation for hamstring ACLR via the transtibial technique than when using transfemoral cross-pin fixation.
Online mood monitoring in treatment-resistant depression: qualitative study of patients' perspectives in the NHS
Authors: Incecik Emma , Taylor Rachael W. , Valentini Beatrice , Hatch Stephani L. , Geddes John R. , Cleare Anthony J. , Marwood Lindsey
Published: January 2020

Aims and method

True Colours is an automated symptom monitoring programme used by National Health Service psychiatric services. This study explored whether patients with unipolar treatment-resistant depression (TRD) found this a useful addition to their treatment regimes. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 patients with TRD, who had engaged in True Colours monitoring as part of the Lithium versus Quetiapine in Depression study. A thematic analysis was used to assess participant experiences of the system.

Results

Six main themes emerged from the data, the most notable indicating that mood monitoring increased patients' insight into their disorder, but that subsequent behaviour change was absent.

Clinical implications

Patients with TRD can benefit from mood monitoring via True Colours, making it a worthwhile addition to treatment. Further development of such systems and additional support may be required for patients with TRD to experience further benefits as reported by other patient groups.
Associations of Innate and Adaptive Immune Cell Subsets With Incident Type 2 Diabetes Risk: The MESA Study
Authors: Olson Nels C , Doyle Margaret F , Sitlani Colleen M , de Boer Ian H , Rich Stephen S , Huber Sally A , Landay Alan L , Tracy Russell P , Psaty Bruce M , Delaney Joseph A
Published: January 2020

Objective

Cell-mediated immunity is implicated in glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. Whether the levels of innate and adaptive immune cells in peripheral blood are risk factors for incident type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unknown. We hypothesized that the proportions of naive, memory, CD28−, Th17, and T regulatory CD4+ cells would be associated with incident T2D. In secondary analyses, we evaluated the relationships of 28 additional immune cell phenotypes with T2D.

Design

Immune cell phenotypes (n = 33) were measured by flow cytometry using cryopreserved cells collected from 1113 participants of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) at the baseline examination (2000–2002). Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations of immune cell phenotypes with incident T2D over a median follow-up of 9.1 years, adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, educational status, and body mass index.

Results

Incident T2D was observed for 120 participants. None of the cell phenotypes included in the primary hypotheses were significantly associated with T2D (all P > 0.05). Among the secondary immune cells studied, a higher proportion of CD19+CD27+ B cells was associated with a reduced risk of T2D (hazard ratio: 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.56, 0.93), per 1-standard deviation (16%) increase). This association was no longer significant after correction for the multiple cell phenotypes tested (P > 0.0015).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the frequencies of several subsets of monocytes, innate lymphocytes, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in circulating blood are not related to the future onset of T2D. Higher levels of CD19+CD27+ B cells may be associated with decreased T2D risk.
Thyrotoxicosis in an Indigenous New Zealand Population – a Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Tamatea Jade A U , Reid Papaarangi , Conaglen John V , Elston Marianne S
Published: January 2020

Background

Reported international incidence rates of thyrotoxicosis vary markedly, ranging from 6 to 93 cases per 100 000 per annum. Along with population demographics, exposures, and study design factors, ethnicity is increasingly being recognized as a potential factor influencing incidence. This study aimed to document the epidemiology and clinical presentation of thyrotoxicosis for Māori, the indigenous population in New Zealand.

Methods

A prospective study of adult patients presenting with a first diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis between January 2013 and October 2014 to a single New Zealand center. Demographic data were collected, and detailed clinical assessment performed.

Results

With 375 patients, an incidence rate of thyrotoxicosis of 73.0 per 100 000 per annum was identified. Of these, 353 (94.1%) participated in the study. The median age of the cohort was 47 years, 81% were female, and 58% had Graves disease. The overall incidence of thyrotoxicosis for Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, was higher than non-Māori (123.9 vs 57.3 per 100 000 per annum). Rates of both Graves disease and toxic multinodular goiter were higher in Māori as compared to non-Māori (incidence rate ratios of 1.9 [1.4, 2.6] and 5.3 [3.4, 8.3], respectively), with this increase being maintained after controlling for age, deprivation, and smoking.

Conclusions

Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have an increased incidence of thyrotoxicosis compared to non-Māori and, in particular, toxic multinodular goiter. A greater understanding of the epidemiology of thyrotoxicosis in other indigenous and marginalized ethnic groups may help to optimize therapeutic pathways, equitable care and outcomes.
Recentering the History of Jews in North Africa
Authors: Schreier Joshua
Published: January 2020

Recent work that readjusts French Jewish historians' lenses to include France's empire in North Africa is essential, but it does not necessarily expand the range of questions beyond the logic or contradictions of empire. Looking at Jewish history from “outside” the empire, in contrast, may de-emphasize the critical focus on the failures of enlightenment, assimilation, or civilization that have been central both to colonialists' self-definition and to subsequent historiography. Drawing on work that traces the history of a group of powerful Jewish merchants in mid-nineteenth-century Oran, this article posits that North African Jews influenced the early French colonial order. In so doing, it underlines the inadequacy of imported (but enduring) anthropological, popular, or legal identifiers such as indigènes, subjects, or citizens while emphasizing how Maghrebi Jews were often influential figures in the extra- or transimperial networks that both defied and shaped France's early North African empire.

Pour importantes qu'elles soient, les recherches récentes plaçant l'Empire français en Afrique du Nord au centre de l'histoire juive française ne se sont pas dégagées de certaines problématiques bien établies, notamment celles centrées sur la logique interne de l'Empire et ses contradictions. Cet essai constitue une tentative de considérer l'histoire juive de « l'extérieur » de l'Empire, visant par là à repenser l'importance longtemps mise sur les échecs (ou les réussites) des Lumières, de l'assimilation, ou de la mission civilisatrice—idées qui ont longtemps joué un rôle essentiel dans la façon dont les colons se sont définis et dans la formulation des questions historiographiques liées à l'entreprise coloniale. Cet article traite d'un groupe de grands négociants juifs d'Oran au milieu du dix-neuvième siècle pour montrer que les juifs d'Afrique du Nord étaient des agents puissants ayant non seulement exercé une influence déterminante sur l'ordre précolonial, mais aussi sur les premières décennies de la colonisation française. Ce travail souligne ainsi les limites d'identifiants anthropologiques, populaires, ou légaux tels qu’« indigènes », « sujets », ou « citoyens ». Il souligne en outre que les juifs maghrébins avaient souvent une influence considérable sur les réseaux trans-impériaux qui ont à la fois défié le nouvel Empire français en Afrique, et qui lui ont donné forme.
Afro-Mexican Women in Saint-Domingue: Piracy, Captivity, and Community in the 1680s and 1690s
Authors: Sierra Silva Pablo Miguel
Published: January 2020

This article focuses on the experiences of women of African descent who were made captives (and, in some cases, recaptives) after the 1683 buccaneer raid on Veracruz, the most important port in the Viceroyalty of New Spain (colonial Mexico). Although the raid is well known to historians of piracy, its implications for women's history and African diaspora studies have not been properly contextualized in a period of expanding Atlantic slavery. This article proposes a close reading of contraband cases, parochial registers, slave codes, and eyewitness accounts centered on Afro-Mexican women who were kidnapped to Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti). A focus on displacement and resilience opens new narratives through which to understand women who transcended their captivity by becoming spouses to French colonists and free mothers to Saint-Domingue's gens de couleur (people of mixed race).
The Fever of War: Epidemic Typhus and Public Health in Revolutionary Mexico City, 1915–1917
Authors: Alexander Ryan M.
Published: January 2020

This article examines Mexico City's typhus epidemic of 1915–16 and makes three central claims. First, the federal response to the outbreak, while laudable in light of the grim circumstances, was disjointed and excessively bureaucratic. Second, the epidemic drew out long-standing stereotypes of poor indigenous populations, leading people to make misguided linkages between the high incidence of typhus within those populations and their supposed moral or intellectual shortcomings. Third, the typhus epidemic prompted fundamental reforms to the nation's public health system. As a delegate to the constitutional convention of 1917, the nation's chief public health officer, general and doctor José María Rodríguez, successfully promoted his vision of a “sanitary dictatorship” that would operate according to strict authoritarian principles for the sake of efficiency. The epidemic thus shaped not only the human experience in that moment but also the course of revolutionary political reform in the years to come.
The Limitations of Liberation in the Classroom
Authors: Navickas Kate
Published: January 2020

In this interview, poet and LGBTQIA activist Minnie Bruce Pratt shares the development of her pedagogy as a new teacher, the connections between her classroom practices and the women’s liberation movement, and some of the assignments she teaches to help people understand themselves. Paradoxically, Pratt offers both a reminder of the limitations of the classroom as a site for change and specific classroom practices and assignments that thoughtfully enact a pedagogy developed from her life’s work for liberation.
Threat Assessment
Authors: Chandler Gena E. , Sano-Franchini Jennifer
Published: January 2020

While the term neoliberalism is commonly used to explain libertarian and conservative economic perspectives, its rapidly expanding contexts influence every aspect of our cultural environment, even the contexts of higher education. This article explores how neoliberal ideology affects the contemporary teaching environment for women of color teaching ideological critique.
Thinking Critically, Thinking Again in Core Literature
Authors: Clark Miriam Marty
Published: January 2020

Ideological transparency is an issue in core literature classes, particularly where teachers understand literature as social critique. This article argues that the critical and prosocial growth we hope students will achieve in a semester with us requires a longer and more incremental process, one in which literature courses have a limited but potentially meaningful role.
Predicting Futures, Performing Feminisms
Authors: Detweiler Eric , Pantelides Kate Lisbeth
Published: January 2020

This article emphasizes time’s effects on student resistance. Drawing on kairos and chronos, the authors argue that when teachers perform ideological neutrality is at least as significant as whether or how they do so. They explore their own temporal approaches to two pedagogical ecologies: first-year composition and an upper-level feminist rhetorics course.
The role of microtubules in secretory protein transport
Authors: Fourriere Lou , Jimenez Ana Joaquina , Perez Franck , Boncompain Gaelle
Published: January 2020

Microtubules are part of the dynamic cytoskeleton network and composed of tubulin dimers. They are the main tracks used in cells to organize organelle positioning and trafficking of cargos. In this Review, we compile recent findings on the involvement of microtubules in anterograde protein transport. First, we highlight the importance of microtubules in organelle positioning. Second, we discuss the involvement of microtubules within different trafficking steps, in particular between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex, traffic through the Golgi complex itself and in post-Golgi processes. A large number of studies have assessed the involvement of microtubules in transport of cargo from the Golgi complex to the cell surface. We focus here on the role of kinesin motor proteins and protein interactions in post-Golgi transport, as well as the impact of tubulin post-translational modifications. Last, in light of recent findings, we highlight the role microtubules have in exocytosis, the final step of secretory protein transport, occurring close to focal adhesions.
Searching for Service
Authors: Janssen Maarten C.W. , Ke T. Tony
Published: January 2020

Since Telser (1960), there is a well-established argument that a competitive market will not provide service due to freeriding. We show that with search frictions, the market may well provide service if the cost of doing so is not too large. Any market equilibrium with service provision has two or more firms providing service, implying overprovision of service as the social optimum mandates at most one service provider. Firms that provide service and those that do not can coexist, where consumers direct their search to service providers first to obtain service, and to nonservice providers later to enjoy lower prices. (JEL D11, D21, D83, L42, L81)
Sarek: A portable workflow for whole-genome sequencing analysis of germline and somatic variants
Authors: Garcia Maxime , Juhos Szilveszter , Larsson Malin , Olason Pall I. , Martin Marcel , Eisfeldt Jesper , DiLorenzo Sebastian , Sandgren Johanna , Díaz De Ståhl Teresita , Ewels Philip , Wirta Valtteri , Nistér Monica , Käller Max , Nystedt Björn
Published: January 2020

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is a fundamental technology for research to advance precision medicine, but the limited availability of portable and user-friendly workflows for WGS analyses poses a major challenge for many research groups and hampers scientific progress. Here we present Sarek, an open-source workflow to detect germline variants and somatic mutations based on sequencing data from WGS, whole-exome sequencing (WES), or gene panels. Sarek features (i) easy installation, (ii) robust portability across different computer environments, (iii) comprehensive documentation, (iv) transparent and easy-to-read code, and (v) extensive quality metrics reporting. Sarek is implemented in the Nextflow workflow language and supports both Docker and Singularity containers as well as Conda environments, making it ideal for easy deployment on any POSIX-compatible computers and cloud compute environments. Sarek follows the GATK best-practice recommendations for read alignment and pre-processing, and includes a wide range of software for the identification and annotation of germline and somatic single-nucleotide variants, insertion and deletion variants, structural variants, tumour sample purity, and variations in ploidy and copy number. Sarek offers easy, efficient, and reproducible WGS analyses, and can readily be used both as a production workflow at sequencing facilities and as a powerful stand-alone tool for individual research groups. The Sarek source code, documentation and installation instructions are freely available at https://github.com/nf-core/sarek and at https://nf-co.re/sarek/.
Clinical parameters and biomarkers predicting spontaneous operational tolerance after liver transplantation: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Appenzeller-Herzog Christian , Hartleif Steffen , Vionnet Julien
Published: January 2020

Objective: This scoping review aims at systematically mapping reported prognostic factors for spontaneous immunosuppression (IS) free allograft tolerance (operational tolerance, OT) in non-viral hepatitis and non-autoimmune disease liver transplant (LT) recipients who are undergoing immunosuppression withdrawal (ISW). The results may inform the subsequent conduct of a systematic review with a more specific review question.

Background: LT is currently the most effective treatment for end-stage liver diseases. Whereas the short-term outcomes after LT have dramatically improved over the last decades, the long-term outcomes remain unsatisfactory, mainly because of side effects of lifelong IS, such as infections, cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, and nephrotoxicity. ISW studies have shown that OT can be achieved by a subset of LT recipients and recent research has identified biomarkers of OT in these patients. However, an evidence-based selection algorithm for patients that can predictably benefit from ISW is not available to date. The planned review will, therefore, map existing knowledge on prognostic clinical parameters and biomarkers for OT.

Inclusion criteria: We will consider studies that record any clinical parameter or biomarker before the initiation of ISW in paediatric or adult non-viral hepatitis and non-autoimmune disease LT recipients and analyse their possible association with ISW outcomes (OT or non-tolerance). Studies addressing the effectiveness of OT-inducing treatments will be excluded.

Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library will be searched for relevant articles or conference abstracts. Full-texts of selected abstracts will be independently screened for inclusion by two reviewers. References and citing articles of included records will be screened for additional relevant records. Clinical trial registries will be searched for ongoing studies, and their investigators contacted for the sharing of unpublished data. Data from included records will be independently extracted by two reviewers using a prespecified data extraction table and presented in both tabular and narrative form.
Microbiology
Authors: Il'yashenko Natal'ya , Shaburova Lyubov' , Gernet Marina
Published: January 2020

The book outlines a brief history of the development of Microbiology, General properties of microorganisms, their position in nature, modern conceptions of the morphology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms. Presents the basic principles of classification of microorganisms, basic physiology and genetics. Describes the methods and conditions of cultivation of microorganisms. Considered the most important biochemical processes caused chemoheterotrophic microorganisms and their practical significance in food production in the national economy. The considered methods of immobilization of cells of microorganisms and their practical significance. The role of microorganisms in food production from vegetable raw materials and to obtain practically important for the national economy of organic acids.
The textbook is accompanied by illustrations. At the end of each Chapter test questions for self-examination.
Meets the requirements of Federal state educational standards of higher education of the last generation.
Designed for students majoring in "food from vegetable raw materials, production Technology and organization of public catering".
Intercultural Perspective on Impact of Video Games on Players: Insights from a Systematic Review of Recent Literature
Authors: Shliakhovchuk Elena , Muñoz Garcia Adolfo
Published: January 2020

The video-game industry has become a significant force in the business and entertainment world. Video games have become so widespread and pervasive that they are now considered a part of the mass media, a common method of storytelling and representation. Despite the massive popularity of video games, their increasing variety, and the diversification of the player base, until very recently little attention was devoted to understanding how playing video games affects the way people think and collaborate across cultures. This paper examines the recent literature regarding the impact of video games on players from an intercultural perspective. Sixty-two studies are identified whose aim is to analyze behavioral-change, content understanding, knowledge acquisition, and perceptional impacts. Their findings suggest that video games have the potential to help to acquire cultural knowledge and develop intercultural literacy, socio-cultural literacy, cultural awareness, self-awareness, and the cultural understanding of different geopolitical spaces, to reinforce or weaken stereotypes, and to some extent also facilitate the development of intercultural skills. The paper provides valuable insights to the scholars, teachers, and practitioners of cultural studies, education, social studies, as well as to the researchers, pointing out areas for future research.
The Effect of Mobile Learning on Learning Performance: A Meta-Analysis Study
Authors: Talan Tarik
Published: January 2020

The importance of mobile technologies in the educational process has directed the attention of many researchers to this field and has created an important body of academic research. The main purpose of this study is to determine the effect of mobile learning on students' learning performance. In this study, the meta-analysis method was employed. The literature was reviewed through different databases in order to access the relevant researches within the scope of the study. After reviewing the literature, study aspects and inclusion criteria were applied. The studies to be included in the meta-analysis were examined, and 104 studies conducted between the years of 2009 and 2019 that met the inclusion criteria were subjected to a meta-analysis. Education level, course/subject and the implementation period of the studies were determined as moderating variables. The sample of the study consists of 7,568 participants. As a result of the analysis performed according to the random effects model, the mean effect size value was calculated as 0.85 with an error of 0.07. It was determined that there was no publication bias in the meta-analysis. According to the results of the moderator analysis, it was found that the effect of mobile learning on the learning performance of the students did not change according to the education level and the implementation period, but it changed according to the course/subject. In addition to the aforementioned research results, this article also contains descriptive analysis of the results of the studies included in the meta-analysis.
Well-being among PhD candidates
Authors: Pizuńska Daria , Golińska Paulina , Małek Agnieszka , Radziwiłłowicz Wioletta
Published: January 2020

Cel pracy

Celem badania było wykazanie, że doktoranci deklarują niższy dobrostan psychiczny, częściej skarżą się na choroby i dolegliwości psychosomatyczne w porównaniu do osób z wykształceniem wyższym niekontynuujących nauki.

Metoda

W badaniu łącznie wzięło udział 270 osób: 135 doktorantów (średni wiek = 30,03 lat) oraz 135 osób z grupy porównawczej (średni wiek = 30,13 lat), którą stanowiły osoby z wykształceniem wyższym, niekontynuujące nauki po studiach drugiego stopnia. Wykorzystano następujące metody: ankietę socjodemograficzną dodatkowo uwzględniającą wykaz chorób oraz objawów psychosomatycznych oraz Kwestionariusz Ogólnej Jakości Życia (GHQ-28, Goldberg, 2001).

Wyniki

Przeprowadzono analizę wyników za pomocą testu ANOVA. Uzyskane wyniki wykazują istotnie wyższe nasilenie: symptomów somatycznych [F = 12,913; p < 0,001], niepokoju i bezsenności [F = 19,769; p < 0,001], zaburzeń funkcjonowania [F = 8,782; p = 0,003], objawów depresyjnych [F = 8,560; p = 0,004] wśród słuchaczy studiów doktoranckich w porównaniu z grupą osób niekontynuujących nauki.

Wnioski

Uzyskane wyniki sugerują, że doktoranci wykazują istotnie niższy ogólny dobrostan psychiczny, wyższe nasilenie zaburzeń funkcjonowania, symptomów somatycznych, niepokoju i problemów ze snem oraz symptomów depresyjnych w porównaniu do osób z tytułem magistra.
The Only Prescription Is Transparency: The Effect of Charge-Price-Transparency Regulation on Healthcare Prices
Authors: Christensen Hans B. , Floyd Eric , Maffett Mark
Published: January 2020

We examine the effect of charge-price-transparency regulation (PTR)—a common policy solution intended to curb rising healthcare costs—on hospitals’ prices. We find that, although PTR does not affect payments or consumer search, it does cause hospitals to reduce charges by approximately 5%. The reputational costs of perceived overcharging appear to be one impetus for the reduction in charges, suggesting that certain stakeholders who are able to impose costs on hospitals are unaware that hospitals can decouple charges from payments. The ineffectiveness of PTR policies in reducing payments and the apparent inability of some stakeholders to realize this fact could explain why charge-transparency policies have been widely adopted with little opposition. Overall, our findings provide a cautionary note—transparency regulation focusing on an indicator that can be decoupled from the construct of interest might placate some stakeholders without actually solving the underlying problem.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivasan, accounting.