bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constitutive elevation of serum alpha-fetoprotein in Fanconi anemia
Authors: Cassinat Bruno , Guardiola Philippe , Chevret Sylvie , Schlageter Marie-Hélène , Toubert Marie-Elisabeth , Rain Jean-Didier , Gluckman Eliane
Published: October 2019

The diagnosis of Fanconi anemia (FA) is based on the association of congenital malformations, bone marrow failure syndrome, and hypersensitivity to chromosomal breaks induced by cross-linking agents. In the absence of typical features, the diagnosis is not easy to establish because there is no simple and cost-effective test; thus, investigators must rely on specialized analyses of chromosomal breaks. Because we observed elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (sAFP) levels in FA patients, we investigated this parameter as a possible diagnostic tool. Serum AFP levels from 61 FA patients and 27 controls with acquired aplastic anemia or other inherited bone marrow failure syndromes were analyzed using a fluoroimmunoassay based on the TRACE technology. Serum AFP levels were significantly more elevated (P < .0001) in FA than in non-FA aplastic patients. In the detection of FA patients among patients with bone marrow failure syndromes, this assay had a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 100%. This elevation was not explained by liver abnormalities. Levels of sAFP were unchanged during at least 4 years of follow-up, and allogeneic bone marrow transplantation did not modify sAFP levels. Three of 4 FA patients with mosaicism as well as 5 of 6 FA patients with myelodysplastic syndrome were detected by this test. Heterozygous parents of FA patients had normal sAFP levels. Measurement of sAFP levels with this automated, cost-effective, and reproducible fluoroimmunoassay could be proposed for the preliminary diagnosis of FA whenever this disorder is suspected.
Elevated soluble MUC1 levels and decreased anti-MUC1 antibody levels in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Treon Steven P. , Maimonis Peter , Bua Deborah , Young Gloria , Raje Noopur , Mollick Joseph , Chauhan Dharminder , Tai Yu-Tzu , Hideshima Teru , Shima Yoshihito , Hilgers Jo , von Mensdorff-Pouilly Silvia , Belch Andrew R. , Pilarski Linda M. , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: October 2019

Soluble MUC1 (sMUC1) levels are elevated in many MUC1+cancers. We and others have shown that MUC1 is expressed on multiple myeloma (MM) plasma cells and B cells. In this study, we measured sMUC1 levels in bone marrow (BM) plasma from 71 MM patients and 21 healthy donors (HDs), and in peripheral blood (PB) plasma from 42 MM patients and 13 HDs using an immunoassay that detects the CA27.29 epitope of MUC1. sMUC1 levels were found to be significantly greater (mean 31.76 U/mL, range 5.69 to 142.48 U/mL) in MM patient BM plasma versus HD BM plasma (mean 9.68 U/mL, range 0.65 to 39.83 U/mL) (P < .001). Importantly, BM plasma sMUC1 levels were related to tumor burden because sMUC1 levels were significantly higher for MM patients with active disease (34.62 U/mL, range 5.69 to 142.48 U/mL) versus MM patients with minimal residual disease (16.16 U/mL, range 5.7 to 56.68 U/mL) (P = .0026). sMUC1 levels were also elevated in the PB plasma of MM patients (32.79 U/mL, range 4.15 to 148.84 U/mL) versus HDs (18.47 U/mL, range 8.84 to 42.49) (P = .0052). Lastly, circulating immunglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies to MUC1 were measured in 114 MM patients and 31 HDs, because natural antibodies to MUC1 have been detected in patients with other MUC1-bearing malignancies. These studies demonstrated lower levels of circulating IgM (P < .001) and IgG (P = .078) antibodies to MUC1 in MM patients compared with HDs. Our data therefore show that in MM patients, sMUC1 levels are elevated and correlate with disease burden, whereas anti-MUC1 antibody levels are decreased.
Trends in canine seroprevalence to Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp. in the eastern USA, 2010–2017
Authors: Dewage Bhagya Galkissa , Little Susan , Payton Mark , Beall Melissa , Braff Jennifer , Szlosek Donald , Buch Jesse , Knupp Andrew
Published: October 2019

Background

Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum are tick-borne infections transmitted by Ixodes scapularis in the eastern USA; both agents cause disease in dogs and people. To characterize changes in seroprevalence over time, Cochran Armitage trend tests were used to evaluate percent positive test results for antibodies to B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma spp. in approximately 20 million canine tests from 2010–2017 in 25 states and 905 counties in the eastern USA.

Results

A significant decreasing trend in seroprevalence to B. burgdorferi was evident in eight states along the mid-Atlantic coast from Virginia to New Hampshire, and in Wisconsin. In contrast, a continued increasing trend was evident in five northeastern and Midwestern states where Lyme borreliosis is endemic or emerging, as well as in three southern states where endemicity has not yet been widely established. Similarly, seroprevalence to Anaplasma spp. showed a significant, although smaller, decreasing trend in five states along the mid-Atlantic coast from Virginia to Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as in Minnesota and Wisconsin in the Midwest; despite the fact that those trends were significant they were weak. However, a strong increasing trend was evident in Massachusetts and three states in northern New England as well as in Pennsylvania.

Conclusions

As expected, seroprevalence continued to increase in regions where Lyme borreliosis and anaplasmosis are more newly endemic. However, the declining seroprevalence evident in other areas was not anticipated. Although the reasons for the decreasing trends are not clear, our finding may reflect shifting ecologic factors that have resulted in decreased infection risk or the combined positive influence of canine vaccination, tick control, and routine testing of dogs in regions where these infections have long been endemic. Analysis of trends in canine test results for tick-borne infections continues to be a valuable tool to understand relative geographical and temporal risk for these zoonotic agents.
Unintentional firearm deaths in the United States 2005–2015
Authors: Solnick Sara J. , Hemenway David
Published: October 2019

Background

Unintentional gun death occurs four times more often in the United States than other high-income countries. Research on these deaths typically has a narrow scope. We believe this is the first study describing the circumstances of these deaths in the United States that covers more than a single state or municipality.

Methods

We use data on all unintentional firearm fatalities in the sixteen states reporting to the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) for all years 2005–2015. Our final count of unintentional firearm deaths in these states and years is 1260. The detailed nature of the data allows us to categorize and compare the circumstances of the incident.

Results

We estimate 430 unintentional firearm fatalities in the United States per year. The rate is highest for older children to young adults, ages 10 to 29, and the vast majority of the victims are male. Common circumstances include playing with the gun (28.3% of incidents), thinking the gun was unloaded (17.2%), and hunting (13.8%). The victim is suspected to have consumed alcohol in nearly a quarter of the deaths and in 46.8% of deaths among those aged 20–29.

Conclusions

Certain circumstances, such as consuming alcohol, playing with the gun, and hunting, are common settings for unintentional firearm deaths. Firearm safety instructors, firearm manufacturers, and firearm owners can all contribute to preventing these deaths.
Cross-sectional study of seropositivity, lung lesions and associated risk factors of the main pathogens of Porcine Respiratory Diseases Complex (PRDC) in Goiás, Brazil
Authors: Galdeano José Vanderlei Burim , Baraldi Thaís Gasparini , Ferraz Maria Eugênia Silveira , de Souza Almeida Henrique Meiroz , Mechler-Dreibi Marina Lopes , Costa Willian Marcos Teixeira , Montassier Hélio José , Mathias Luis Antonio , de Oliveira Luís Guilherme
Published: October 2019

Background

The objective of the study was to evaluate the occurrence and severity of Porcine Respiratory Diseases Complex (PRDC) pathogens in the Goiás State, Brazil. Were assessed the serological antibodies occurrency ofMycoplasma hyopneumoniae,Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniaeand swine influenza virus (SIV), as well as the evaluation of pulmonary Mycoplasma-like lung lesions, pleuritis, histopathological lesions and diseases occurrence associated with risk factors, such as management, housing and productive indexes. We conveniently selected 2536 animals for serology testing, and 900 lungs at slaughtering of animals from 30 multisite herds in Goiás State, Brazil.

Results

ForM. hyopneumoniae,all herds presented seropositive animals at some stage of production. Even though most herds (29/30) vaccinated against this pathogen, 90.0% (27/30) of the herds presented at least 50.0% of seropositive animals in finishing and slaughter. Overall, antibodies againstA. pleuropneumoniaewere present in lower occurrence, varying from 22.4% of the animals in the nursery phase to 1.3% of the animals at slaughter. Conversely, SIV circulated in most herds, with 29 seropositive herds without vaccination. The occurrence of anti-SIV antibodies was higher at slaughter (74.5% of the animals) than nursery (41.8% of the animals), and at slaughter, 23 herds (76.7%) presented at least 50.0% of seropositive animals. All herds presented animals with pulmonary Mycoplasma-like lung lesions, and of the 900 lungs evaluated in the slaughterhouse, 665 (73.9%) presented an average Mycoplasma-like lung lesions of 7.3%. Evaluations of the pneumonia index (PI) showed that 73.3% of the herds were strongly affected by a pathology that manifested itself in different presentation forms. Microscopically, there was a predominance of bronchopneumonia lesions (74.6% of affected lungs), with a high occurrence of the chronic form (57.1%), and there was a moderate to marked proliferation of bronchial associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) in 64.1% of the affected lungs. Pleuritis were observed in 13.5% of the animals.

Conclusion

Serological tests evidenced that antibodies against App and SIV were present in the Goiás State herds, and high occurrence ofM. hyopneumoniaeantibodies in finishing phases and slaughter may be influenced by pathogen circulation in vaccinated herds, leading to respiratory lesions at slaughter. Additionally, swine influenza virus was broadly disseminated in technified herds in Goiás State.
Mental disorders, suicide attempt and suicide: differences in the association in refugees compared with Swedish-born individuals
Authors: Björkenstam Emma , Helgesson Magnus , Amin Ridwanul , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor
Published: October 2019

Background

Mental disorders are associated with an elevated risk for suicide attempt and suicide. Whether the strength of the associations also holds for refugees is unclear.

Aims

To examine the relationship between specific mental disorders and suicide attempt and suicide in refugees and Swedish-born individuals.

Method

This longitudinal cohort study included 5 083 447 individuals aged 16–64 years, residing in Sweden in 2004, where 196 757 were refugees. Mental disorders were defined as having a diagnosis in psychiatric care during 2000–2004. Estimates of risk of suicide attempt and suicide were calculated as hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Adjustments were made for important confounding factors, including history of attempt. The reference group comprised Swedish-born individuals without mental disorders.

Results

Rates for suicide attempt in individuals with a mental disorder were lower in refugees compared with Swedish-born individuals (480 v. 850 per 100 000 person-years, respectively). This pattern was true for most specific disorders: compared with the reference group, among refugees, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for suicide attempt ranged from 3.0 (anxiety) to 7.4 (substance misuse), and among Swedish-born individuals, from 4.9 (stress-related disorder) to 9.3 (substance misuse). For schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and personality disorder, estimates for suicide attempt were comparable between refugees and Swedish-born individuals. Similar patterns were seen for suicide.

Conclusions

For most mental disorders, refugees were less likely to be admitted to hospital for suicide attempt or die by suicide compared with Swedish-born individuals. Further research on risk and protective factors for suicide attempt and suicide among refugees with mental disorders is warranted.

Declaration of interest

None.
A regional evaluation of lessepsian migrant Upeneus moluccensis (Bleeker, 1855) length and weight relationships from the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Bengil Elizabeth Grace Tunka
Published: October 2019

The length and weight relationships (LWRs) of goldband goatfish found in the coasts of Cyprus was studied, and both prediction capacity of the model as well as a regional prediction capacity by testing developed models from the Mediterranean basin were evaluated. A total of 219 individuals were obtained monthly between November 2017-April 2018. LWR models taken from total length and fork length measurements were developed for female and male samples and combined with a maximum 36% error in estimations. Results indicated that LWR modelling based on sexes does not provide any improvement for uncertainty in the estimations. Evaluations of previously developed models indicate that the majority share a similar performance regarding the distribution of error in estimations. In conclusion, the population of this species shows that there are similar growth properties in both sexes throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Using the same TLWR model for all individuals is therefore applicable for the purpose of further modelling within the Mediterranean basin-scale.
Gas bubble disease in Nile Tilapia and Hybrid Red Tilapia (Cichlidae, Oreochromis spp.) under culture conditions
Authors: Midilli Sema , Çoban Deniz , Güler Mehmet , Küçük Semra
Published: October 2019

The supersaturated gases in water can cause gas bubble disease in fish and this can result in death. At the present study a case of gas bubble disease resulted from the gas supersaturation were investigated in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). Macroscopic and histological findings were obtained from the culture conditions to find more knowledge on this disease which is frequently seen in fish farming. Study was conducted as two steps in summer (August) and winter (December) months with experimentally cultured fish. According to clinical and histological examinations gas bubbles were found in the dorsal, pectoral and caudal fin, and petechial bleeding were found on pectoral, dorsal, caudal fins and the gill cover. The necropsy were revealed that the stomach and intestines were filled with gas bubbles and the gills were hemorrhagic. According to the histological findings hyperplasia and edema in the gills and hemorrhage in the liver and spleen were found, and gastrointestinal mucosa destruction was observed. The clinical findings were similar for both fishes except for a few special cases and it was observed that the effects of supersaturation were severe for both fish species.
Comparison of selectivity of the trawl codends for whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus) in the Black Sea
Authors: Zengin Mustafa , Akpınar İlkay Özcan , Kaykaç Muharrem Hakan , Tosunoğlu Zafer
Published: October 2019

A large part of the total whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus) fishing in the Black Sea is carried out with the traditional bottom trawl nets along the coast of Turkey. Diamond mesh shape with 40 mm mesh size (40D) has been used in the codends of these trawls. In this study, the traditional trawl codend (40D) and square-mesh codend with different size (36S and 40S) were compared for whiting size selectivity in August 2014. Selectivity data were collected by using a covered codend method and analysed taking between haul variations in to account. The selectivity parameters were estimated by using CC2000 software. Results showed that commercially used 40D trawl codend is not selective enough to release immature of whiting. However, the net change in square mesh (36S and 40S) instead of a diamond-shaped (40D) mesh significantly improved the mesh selectivity for whiting. The 40S trawl codend is even higher than the first maturity size (LM50) with a length at fifty percent retention (L50) of 15.74 cm. In conclusion all square mesh codends with different mesh size tested here supplied appropriate selection considering minimum landing size (MLS) of whiting.
Imaginario sobre la intervención ante el bullying bifóbico en trabajadores/as sociales gallegos
Authors: Gallego Jiménez María Gloria , Rodríguez Otero Luis Manuel
Published: October 2019

La violencia representa una conducta fuertemente arraigada en la sociedad debido a diferentes factores. Una de las formas en las que puede materializarse es a través de la violencia entre iguales en el ámbito educativo (bullying), siendo la orientación sexual uno de los factores determinantes. La intervención social, en este tipo de violencia, resulta un aspecto esencial y comunitario. Es por ello que se plantea una investigación cualitativa, partiendo del paradigma fenomenológico (con una perspectiva epistemológica subjetivista y teórica interpretativa), con el objetivo de analizar el tipo de intervención y los principales aspectos sobre los que incidir. Para ello, mediante la técnica de la entrevista abierta, se plantea la resolución de un caso sobre bullying bifóbico a 14 trabajadores/as social gallegos (8 de los Servicios Sociales Comunitarios Básicos, 3 de los Servicios Sociales Especializados y 3 del ámbito público de la Salud) seleccionados a través de un muestreo por conveniencia. Los resultados revelan que el empoderamiento, el uso de lenguaje no estigmatizante y heteronormativo, así como el fomento de redes, el conocimiento de la realidad social y la vinculación con los colectivos LGTBI por parte del Trabajo Social son determinantes. También las medidas tanto micro como macrosociales se muestran esenciales, así como la utilización de la pedagogía social y la transdisciplinariedad.
Tenofovir Versus Entecavir for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prevention in an International Consortium of Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Hsu Yao-Chun , Wong Grace Lai-Hung , Chen Chien-Hung , Peng Cheng-Yuan , Yeh Ming-Lun , Cheung Ka-Shing , Toyoda Hidenori , Huang Chung-Feng , Trinh Huy , Xie Qing , Enomoto Masaru , Liu Li , Yasuda Satoshi , Tanaka Yasuhito , Kozuka Ritsuzo , Tsai Pei-Chien , Huang Yen-Tsung , Wong Christopher , Huang Rui , Jang Tyng-Yuan , Hoang Joseph , Yang Hwai-I , Li Jiayi , Lee Dong-Hyun , Takahashi Hirokazu , Zhang Jian Q. , Ogawa Eiichi , Zhao Changqing , Liu Chenghai , Furusyo Norihiro , Eguchi Yuichiro , Wong Clifford , Wu Chao , Kumada Takashi , Yuen Man-Fung , Yu Ming-Lung , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: October 2019

INTRODUCTION:

It is unclear whether entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) differ in their effectiveness for preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODS:

This retrospective cohort study analyzed an international consortium that encompassed 19 centers from 6 countries or regions composed of previously untreated CHB patients then treated with either ETV or TDF monotherapy. Those who developed HCC before antiviral treatment or within 1 year of therapy were excluded. The association between antiviral regimen and HCC risk was evaluated using competing-risk survival regression. We also applied propensity score matching (PSM) to 1:1 balance the 2 treatment cohorts. A total of 5,537 patients were eligible (n = 4,837 received ETV and n = 700 received TDF) and observed for HCC occurrence until December 23, 2018. Before PSM, the TDF cohort was significantly younger and had generally less advanced diseases.

RESULTS:

In the unadjusted analysis, TDF was associated with a lower risk of HCC (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26–0.79; P = 0.005). The multivariable analysis, however, found that the association between TDF and HCC no longer existed (SHR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.42–1.56; P = 0.52) after adjustment for age, sex, country, albumin, platelet, α-fetoprotein, cirrhosis, and diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, the PSM analysis (n = 1,040) found no between-cohort differences in HCC incidences (P = 0.51) and no association between regimens (TDF or ETV) and HCC risk in the multivariable-adjusted analysis (adjusted SHR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.41–1.92; P = 0.77).

DISCUSSION:

TDF and ETV did not significantly differ in the prevention of HCC in patients with CHB.
Notes from the Editors, October 2019
Authors: The Editors -
Published: October 2019

buy this issue

If there is one thing that is clear about the economic situation in the mature capitalist economies, as we write these notes in mid–August 2019, it is that the financial world is increasingly running scared and looking for safe havens, worrying about the storm clouds ahead. There is now little doubt that the world economy is on the verge of a recession after a long sluggish recovery from the Great Financial Crisis of 2007–09. In itself this should not give occasion to surprise. In this instance, however, there lurks a bigger fear, the possibility of a financial Armageddon on the level of the Great Financial Crisis of 2008—or worse.
The Rise of the Right
Authors: Foster John Bellamy , Chowdhury Farooque
Published: October 2019

In an interview with Farooque Chowdhury, Monthly Review editor John Bellamy Foster speaks about the historical conditions associated with the rise of new far-right movements of a broadly neofascist character. What we are witnessing, especially in the advanced capitalist world, is the development of a neoliberal-neofascist alliance, reflecting the decline of the liberal-democratic state. Neofascism is the most dangerous and volatile phenomenon in this emerging right-wing historical bloc. All of this has to be seen in relation to the structural crisis of capitalism and growing ruling-class attempts to restructure the state-capital relationship so as to create regimes more exclusively for capital.
Green Card
Authors: Salzmann Kenneth
Published: October 2019

A new poem by Kenneth Salzmann, author of The Last Jazz and Other Poems.
Marginalisation in education systems: The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the failure discourse around the Italian education system
Authors: De Freitas Rogério Gonçalves , Chaves Vera Lucia Jacob , Nozaki Hajime Takeuchi
Published: October 2019

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) created the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) as a political actor in global education through a logic of governance by numbers (Grek, 2009). This article discusses how PISA has became a major showcase for the OECD as an assessment tool par excellence while also producing marginalisation discourses. By approaching neoliberal globalisation and its aim at restoring the transnational capitalist class’ power over the “dangerous” classes (Harvey, 2005; Holman, 2006; Van Apeldoorn, 2001; Van der Pijl, 2010), this article analyses how school privatisation has grown in the Italian system over the last few years in the face of the PISA discourse (Bertozzi & Graziano, 2004). Building on document research and reports by Italian teachers, it traces how PISA’s pressure over the Italian school system has produced a twofold marginalizing effect. The first effect is the periodical disclosure of PISA rankings to distinguish successful from failed education systems. In fact, recent PISA results have placed the Italian system as a failed, technologically retarded system compared to those of high-performance countries. The second effect is the burst of neoliberal feelings among teachers, who report both stigma and guilt.
A Rational Model for the Evaluation Map
Authors: Kuribayashi Katsuhiko
Published: October 2019

Let 𝑋 be an 𝑙-connected space and 𝑈 a connected CW complex with dim 𝑈 ≤ 𝑙. Let 𝐹(𝑈,𝑋) be the space of continuous maps from 𝑈 to 𝑋. In this paper, an algebraic model for the evaluation map 𝐹(𝑈,𝑋) × 𝑈 → 𝑋 is considered in terms of the model for the function space due to Brown and Szczarba [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 349: 4931-4951, 1997]. It turns out that the Brown and Szczarba model for the function space coincides with Haefliger's model.
On the Full Transitivity of a Cotorsion Hull
Authors: Kemoklidze Tariel
Published: October 2019

A cotorsion hull of the separable 𝑝-group 𝑇 is considered when 𝑇 is a direct sum of torsion-complete groups. It is proved that in the considered case its cotorsion hull is fully transitive if and only if 𝑇 is a direct sum of cyclic groups or is a torsion-complete group.
On Generating Relations Involving Generalized Gegenbauer Polynomials
Authors: Khan Subuhi , Yasmin Ghazala , Mittal Archana
Published: October 2019

In this paper, generating relations involving generalized Gegenbauer polynomials are obtained by constructing a three-dimensional Lie algebra isomorphic to special linear algebra sl(2). Further, a number of new interesting relations involving various generalized polynomials are obtained as applications of these generating relations.
Identificação do ruído ao longo dos turnos na terapia intensiva neonatal de hospital de ensino
Authors: Barsam Fabiana Jorge Bueno Galdino , Silva Natália Yasmin Elisiário Barreto da , Uramoto Larissa Cristina Lima , Teixeira Cinthia Lorena Silva Barbosa , Camargo Fernanda Carolina , Zullo Sérgio Antônio
Published: October 2019

Objetivo: quantificar o ruído ao longo e após turnos de trabalho em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal de um hospital público de ensino para controle ambiental. Métodos: estudo observacional, descritivo em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal, referência para macrorregião de saúde em Minas Gerais. Foram realizadas quantificações do ruído em parceria com serviço de saúde ocupacional e segurança do trabalho a partir de quatro sessões de aferição entre agosto e setembro de 2017. Resultados: apesar da redução do ruído no período noturno, todos valores aferidos nos diferentes turnos encontravam-se acima dos valores confortáveis para o ambiente, medições entre 62 e 82 dB. Maiores valores identificados devem-se pela: circulação de profissionais, docentes e discentes e necessidade de comunicação verbal. Conclusão: os valores das medições de ruído tem se apresentado acima de recomendações, similar às diferentes localidades mundiais, fato que exige medidas urgentes e sistemáticas para o seu controle.
Social Constructionism and the Significance of Political Rumors in Contemporary China
Authors: Tsai Wen-Hsuan , Lin Zheng-Wei
Published: October 2019

Rumors are a set of collective discussions used by cadres or the masses to attain specific goals. Both political elites and the general public reveal their dissatisfaction or concern with the Chinese Communist Party regime through the dissemination of politically charged rumors, fueled by the party-state system’s habit of withholding information and amplified by traditional Chinese superstition.
Methotrexate-associated lymphoproliferative disorder with hypopituitarism and central diabetes insipidus
Authors: Aoshima Misaki , Nagayama Koji , Takeshita Kei , Ajima Hiroshi , Orikasa Sakurako , Iwazaki Ayana , Takatori Hiroaki , Oki Yutaka
Published: October 2019

Patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs, especially methotrexate (MTX), rarely develop lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs), known as MTX-related LPD (MTX–LPD). The primary site of MTX–LPD is often extranodal. This is the first reported case of MTX–LPD in the pituitary. A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of oculomotor nerve palsy and multiple subcutaneous nodules. She had been treated with MTX for 11 years for rheumatoid arthritis. Computed tomography showed multiple masses in the orbit, sinuses, lung fields, anterior mediastinum, kidney, and subcutaneous tissue. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a sellar mass. She was diagnosed with hypopituitarism and central diabetes insipidus based on endocrine examination. Although pituitary biopsy could not be performed, we concluded that the pituitary lesion was from MTX–LPD, similar to the lesions in the sinuses, anterior mediastinum, and subcutaneous tissue, which showed polymorphic LPD on biopsy. MTX was discontinued, and methylprednisolone was administered to improve the neurologic symptoms. After several weeks, there was marked improvement of all lesions, including the pituitary lesion, but the pituitary function did not improve. When pituitary lesions are caused by MTX–LPD, the possibility of anterior hypopituitarism and central diabetes insipidus needs to be considered. Further studies are needed to investigate the effectiveness of early diagnosis and treatment of MTX–LPD in restoring pituitary dysfunction.

Learning points

Pituitary lesions from MTX–LPD may cause hypopituitarism and central diabetes insipidus.

Pituitary metastasis of malignant lymphoma and primary pituitary lymphoma, which have the same tissue types with MTX–LPD, have poor prognosis, but the lesions of MTX–LPD can regress only after MTX discontinuation.

In cases of pituitary lesions alone, a diagnosis of MTX–LPD may be difficult, unless pituitary biopsy is performed. This possibility should be considered in patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs.

Pituitary hypofunction and diabetes insipidus may persist, even after regression of the lesions on imaging due to MTX discontinuation.
IDENTIFICATION OF VIRULENCE GENES, β-LACTAMS AND QUINOLONES RESISTANCE-ASSOCIATED GENES AND INTEGRONS IN SALMONELLA ISOLATED FROM RETAIL CHICKEN MEAT AND GIBLETS IN EGYPT
Authors: H.A. Hassan Abdelrahim , S.H. Salam Hala , K. Abdel-Latef Gihan
Published: October 2019

The study investigated the prevalence of virulent and antibiotic resistant Salmonella (S) in retail chicken meat (CM) and pooled giblets (PG) in Egypt. Seventy-two and 64 % of examined CM and PG samples harbored Salmonellae, respectively. When S. Infantis was the most predominant serovar, followed by S. Kentucky, and then S. Virchow. The antibiotic resistance experiment showed a high rate of multiple drug resistant (MDR) Salmonellae. Remarkably, 64.7% of the isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin (the drug of choice for Salmonella infection). Molecularly, a noteworthy correlation between the MDR and the presence of integrons class 1 and 3. When, integrons 1 and 3 were detected in 100 and 92 % of identified MDR isolates, respectively, while class 2 integrons were not found. Surprisingly, 53.8 and 100% of the molecularly identified isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and nalidixic acid, despite the absence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR)-associated genes (qnrA, qnrB and qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr and qepA) from all MDR isolates. This indicates that other genetic factors could be incriminated in this pattern. Beta-lactam resistance was explored by the existence of blaTEM, blaCTX, and blaCMY-2 genes in most MDR isolates. Additionally, 4 virulence genes were detected in almost all serovars. Concerning virulence genes, invA, hilA, sopB, and stn were detected in 100, 100, 100 and 94.7 % of MDR serovars, respectively. While, spvC was detected in only 7.6 %, and pef was absent. The high prevalence of MDR virulent Salmonella strains in retail chicken meat and giblets in Egypt should be faced with a great worry, as consumers could be under a great public health risk.
SOIL AMENDED WITH ORGANIC FERTILIZERS AS A SOURCE OF ACTINOMYCETES WITH HIGH POTENTIAL AS BIOCONTROL AGENTS
Authors: Javoreková SoÅa , Kovácsová Silvia , Medo Juraj , Maková Jana , Petrová Jana , Hleba LukÃ¡Å¡ , Košťálová Daniela , Cinkocki Renata
Published: October 2019

Plant diseases caused by pathogenic fungi are a severe problem for agriculture, and some organic fertilizers have shown a suppressive capacity due to the antagonistic action of microbial communities inhabiting those substrates. The purpose of this work was to isolate and identify actinomycetes from soil, compost and vermicompost able to antagonize phytopathogens. In total, out of 352 actinomycetes successfully recovered on Pochon medium and of which were selected representative 22 mycelium forming isolates, which were subjected to morphological and genotypic characterization. Genetic characterization based on 16S rDNA fragment sequencing revealed that, all the actinomycete isolates belong to the genus Streptomyces. The antifungal activity of isolates was tested against eight phytopathogenic fungi, and they were most activated against Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria tenuissima, Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum. Isolates 51VK13 (Streptomyces sampsonii) and 12VK13 (Streptomyces flavovariabilis) isolated from soil amended with vermicompost showed the greatest antagonistic activity. Their bioactive potential was also confirmed by presence of genes for nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase types I and II (PKS-I and PKS-II). It can, therefore, be concluded that soil amended with organic fertilizers such as compost, and in particular vermicompost, provides a lower incidence of phytopathogens, especially fungi. Isolated actinomycetes have also shown high potential for the production of bioactive compounds useful in the control of plant diseases.
Suicidality Disparities Between Transgender and Cisgender Adolescents
Authors: Thoma Brian C. , Salk Rachel H. , Choukas-Bradley Sophia , Goldstein Tina R. , Levine Michele D. , Marshal Michael P.
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Emerging evidence indicates transgender adolescents (TGAs) exhibit elevated rates of suicidal ideation and attempt compared with cisgender adolescents (CGAs). Less is known about risk among subgroups of TGAs because of limited measures of gender identity in previous studies. We examined disparities in suicidality across the full spectrum of suicidality between TGAs and CGAs and examined risk for suicidality within TGA subgroups.

METHODS:

Adolescents aged 14 to 18 completed a cross-sectional online survey (N = 2020, including 1148 TGAs). Participants reported gender assigned at birth and current gender identity (categorized as cisgender males, cisgender females, transgender males, transgender females, nonbinary adolescents assigned female at birth, nonbinary adolescents assigned male at birth, and questioning gender identity). Lifetime suicidality (passive death wish, suicidal ideation, suicide plan, suicide attempt, and attempt requiring medical care) and nonsuicidal self-injury were assessed.

RESULTS:

Aggregated into 1 group, TGAs had higher odds of all outcomes as compared with CGAs. Within TGA subgroups, transgender males and transgender females had higher odds of suicidal ideation and attempt than CGA groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this study, we used comprehensive measures of gender assigned at birth and current gender identity within a large nationwide survey of adolescents in the United States to examine suicidality among TGAs and CGAs. TGAs had higher odds of all suicidality outcomes, and transgender males and transgender females had high risk for suicidal ideation and attempt. Authors of future adolescent suicidality research must assess both gender assigned at birth and current gender identity to accurately identify and categorize TGAs.
ANALYZE THE EFFECT OF THIRD PARTY FUND (TPF), NON-PERFORMING FINANCING (NPF), FINANCING TO DEPOSIT RATIO (FDR) AND PROFIT MARGIN ON MURABAHAH FINANCING OF SHARIA COMMERCIAL BANK
Authors: HASNADINA PUTRI SAULA , MULAZID ADE SOFYAN
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of each variable, Deposits of Third Party Fund (TPF) (X1), Non-Performing Financing (NPF) (X2), Financing to Deposit Ratio (FDR) (X3) and Profit Margin (X4) on Murabahah Financing (Y1). The population of this study was conducted on eleven Sharia Commercial Banks in Indonesia, namely Bank Muamalat, Bank Victoria Syariah, Bank BRI Syariah, Bank BNI Syariah, Bank Syariah Mandiri, Bank Syariah Mega Indonesia, Bank Panin Syariah, Bank Syariah Bukopin, Bank BCA Syariah and Bank Maybank Syariah Indonesia. The sample taken was the annual financial report for five periods, namely 2011-2015 periods. The analysis technique used panel data regression analysis was tested by F-test and T-test, with a significant value of 5%. Based on the results of the T-test and F-test, it can be known that TPF, FDR and Profit Margin simultaneously have a significant positive effect and the NPF partially have no effect of murabahah financing on Sharia Commercial Banks. Adjusted R Square value of 0.275352 indicates that the independent variable could give effect the dependent variable of 0.000429%.
MANAKAH PRIORITAS SEKTOR PENGEMBANGAN WAKAF DI INDONESIA?
Authors: RUSYDIANA AAM SLAMET , SUDANA SUDANA , MARLINA LINA
Published: October 2019

In order to create a comprehensive policy, waqf institutions should determine the view of waqif [someone who takes waqf] related to which sector should be the priority of Indonesian waqf development in the future. This research would determine the preference of waqif related to the Indonesian waqf development in the future. This research used Analytic Network Process (ANP) method which was developed by Thomas L. Saaty to identify priority rank of waqf development. Based on the analysis result, it could be seen that the most prioritize of Indonesian waqf development was on the education sector. Waqif tended to trust waqf institution which have been actively involved in the education sector. It showed that education sector was the most important sector in Indonesia. Beside education, the second important ranked sector was the health sector. Beside waqf development sector, analysis result found that priority of Indonesian development waqf was more to the cash waqf. It showed that the cash waqf was viewed to be more important to be developed in Indonesia because the waqf property was liquid (in cash money).
FASILITAS DISKONTO (DISCOUNT WINDOWS) SEBAGAI INSTRUMEN MONETER DITINJAU DALAM PERSPEKTIF EKONOMI ISLAM
Authors: MAZA RINA EL , SETIAWAN EGI PUTRA
Published: October 2019

The government has an important role in the welfare of the people's economy. One of them is through the role of the central bank by carrying out monetary policy. This policy was adopted by the central bank or Bank Indonesia (BI) through several instruments, including through regulating discount rates for commercial banks. In this case, BI sets the inflation target as a reference for determining interest rates. When the inflation rate exceeds the targeted, BI will raise interest rates which in turn will reduce the credit issued by commercial banks to the public, because commercial banks must pay higher interest rates to the central bank. And the results of the analysis that the interest rate charged in the credit (Lending Facility) discount facility is classified as an act of usury. Meanwhile, the profits obtained from the deposit of funds in the Facility Deposit transaction are not permitted in the Islamic economy, because in the Islamic economy there is no interest rate but profit sharing, given the fixed and concrete interest rates. In addition, the discount facility is also incompatible with some Islamic economic principles, including; the principle of Illahiyah, Justice, and the government.
Monomorphisms in categories of firm acts
Authors: Laan Valdis , Reimaa Ülo
Published: October 2019

We prove that in the category of firm acts over a firm semigroup monomorphisms co-incide with regular monomorphisms and we give an example of a non-injective monomorphism in this category. We also study conditions under which monomorphisms are injective and we prove that the lattice of subobjects of a firm act over a firm semigroup is isomorphic to the lattice unitary subacts of that act.
Self-directed Motion in Spontaneous and Translated English: A Comparable Corpora Study
Authors: Darriba Patricia Gonzalez
Published: October 2019

This paper tests Tirkkonen-Condit's (2004) Unique Item (UI) Hypothesis, which claims that UI are under-represented in translated texts and, on the other hand, Baker's (1993) Simplification Hypothesis and Halverson's (2003) Gravitational Pull Hypothesis, which predict over-representation of UI in translated texts. These hypotheses are contrasted by comparing the presence of English self-directed motion in English texts translated from Spanish from the Translational English Corpus (TEC, Baker 2003) and texts spontaneously produced in English from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA, Davies 2008). Self-directed motion expressions are employed because of their linguistic divergences in English and Spanish. Twenty-eight English manner-of-motion verbs and eight English path-denoting satellites were selected to compare the number of self-directed motion expressions in the TEC and the COCA. This study yielded a total of 41,852 tokens from both corpora, that is, 209.2 expressions per million words in the TEC and 395.5 expressions per million words in the COCA. An independent samples t-test revealed that the number of expressions is significantly higher in the COCA (M= 3.32) than in the TEC (M= 1.76). A two-way ANOVA revealed significant main effects forCorpusandLexical Frequency, but noCorpus*Lexical Frequencyinteraction effect was found. These results support Tirkkonen-Condit's UI Hypothesis and confirm that non-translated English is significantly richer in self-directed motion expressions than translated (from Spanish) English.
Lenvatinib in Management of Solid Tumors
Authors: Hao Zhonglin , Wang Peng
Published: October 2019

Lenvatinib is a type I tyrosine kinase inhibitor exhibiting powerful antiangiogenic activity in cancer therapy. Displaying activity in multiple solid tumors, it has been approved in differentiated thyroid cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma as single agent or in combination. In addition, lenvatinib has shown promise in several other tumor types including medullary, anaplastic thyroid, adenoid cystic, and endometrial cancer. Exploring synergy between angiogenic and immune checkpoint inhibitors, the lenvatinib/pembrolizumab combination is poised to become the next pair of active drugs in endometrial, lung, and gastrointestinal malignancies. Despite robust activity, the drug can be difficult to tolerate. Optimization of dose and biomarkers for prediction of efficacy and toxicities will be of great help.
Lymph Node Imaging in Patients with Primary Breast Cancer: Concurrent Diagnostic Tools
Authors: Marino Maria Adele , Avendano Daly , Zapata Pedro , Riedl Christopher C. , Pinker Katja
Published: October 2019

The detection of lymph node metastasis affects the management of patients with primary breast cancer significantly in terms of staging, treatment, and prognosis. The main goal for the radiologist is to determine and detect the presence of metastatic disease in nonpalpable axillary lymph nodes with a positive predictive value that is high enough to initially select patients for upfront axillary lymph node dissection. Features that are suggestive of axillary adenopathy may be seen with different imaging modalities, but ultrasound is the method of choice for evaluating axillary lymph nodes and for performing image-guided lymph node interventions. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the available imaging modalities for lymph node assessment in patients diagnosed with primary breast cancer.
Temperature effects on sorption behaviour of compressed and cement-stabilised earth blocks
Authors: Miloudi Yassine , Fezzioui Naima , Benidir Adel , Labbaci Boudjamaa , Oumeziane Yacine Ait , Bennaceur Said
Published: October 2019

This paper seeks, as a part of Algerian policy, to encourage the reconstruction of the ground in order to achieve economic reconstruction and the safety of inhabitants and the environment. The study focuses on the hygrothermal behaviour of compressed and stabilised earth blocks that can be used in different climate zones, like the south of Algeria, where the temperature is up to 50°C in summer, and the coastal towns, where humidity exceeds 80%. Accordingly, an experimental study has been conducted to determine the influence of temperature on the sorption isotherms for compressed and stabilised earth blocks stabilised with 6% of cement. The sorption isotherms were measured at temperatures of 10, 23, 30, 40 and 50°C. Twelve equations have been fit to the experimental isotherms to find the one that gives the best agreement. An experimental model was then developed based on the Oswin model describing the dependence of temperature on the sorption characteristics of compressed and stabilised earth blocks. The results show a significant influence of the increase in temperature on the hygrothermal behaviour, in particular a reduction of 11% in the equivalent water content between 10°C and 50°C.
Pattern Recognition: Description of Modes of Teaching Boys Aged 7 Throwing a Small Ball at a Vertical Target
Authors: Ivashchenko O. V. , Nosko M. O. , Nosko Yu. M. , Chernenko S. O.
Published: October 2019

The study purpose was to determine the possibility of using pattern recognition methods to study the impact of physical exercises modes on teaching primary school children throwing a small ball at a vertical target.
Materials and methods. The study participants were boys aged 7 years (n=48). The paper relied on analysis and generalization of data of scientific and methodological literature, general scientific methods of theoretical level, such as analogy, analysis, synthesis, abstraction, induction, as well as general scientific methods of empirical level: observation, testing, experiment.
Results. The effectiveness of teaching boys aged 7 “throwing a ball at a vertical target” is positively influenced by 6-12 sets, 3 repetitions per set, rest interval of 60-180 seconds. The focus in choosing a teaching mode is on the number of repetitions per set.
Conclusions. A full factorial experiment method makes it possible to mathematically describe the process in some local area of the factorial space and to verify the regression model. Regression equations provide an opportunity to select the modes of performing for each exercise being studied. Discriminant analysis has made it possible to determine the modes of physical exercises in the process of motor skills development; to answer the question as to how significantly the modes of training differ by the effectiveness of motor skills development; what motor tasks most substantially influence the differentiation of classes; what class the object belongs to based on the values of discriminant variables. To select the most rational mode of performing exercises in the process of motor skills development in boys aged 7, the first and second discriminant functions can be used, with a focus on the most informative variables.
Salvage Treatment Option for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer:Regorafenib
Authors: YESİL CİNKİR Havva
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Colorectal
cancer (CRC) is an important cause of
cancer-related deaths. The aim of this study was to
evaluate the efficacy and toxicity profile of regorafenib treatment in metastatic
CRC patients.Methods: This was a
retrospective study of 25 mCRC patients from a single center. All patients had
previously progressed fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin with or without
biologic agents such as epidermal growth factor receptör (anti-EGFR) or
vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (anti-VEGF).Results: The median age
was 58 years
(range, 27 to 84 years), and there were 14 males and 11 females. Patients had received a median of 3 lines of systemic
therapy before regorafenib initiation. The most common grade 3 or 4
toxicities were fatigue 20%, daire 16% and mucositis 16%. Median PFS was 2.07
months (0.43-5.13) and median OS was 4.14 months (0.62-19.88). No factors were
significantly associated with PFS and OS 
in the univariate analysis.

                        Conclusion: Regorafenib shows a small but significant
survival benefit in patients with metastatic CRC who do not have any                        further
treatment options after the failure over standard therapies. Its toxicity
profile along with the absence of predictive factors                        suggest a careful
evaluation before its use in clinical practice