bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BET protein inhibition regulates cytokine production and promotes neuroprotection after spinal cord injury
Authors: Sánchez-Ventura Judith , Amo-Aparicio Jesús , Navarro Xavier , Penas Clara
Published: June 2019

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) usually causes a devastating lifelong disability for patients. After a traumatic lesion, disruption of the blood-spinal cord barrier induces the infiltration of macrophages into the lesion site and the activation of resident glial cells, which release cytokines and chemokines. These events result in a persistent inflammation, which has both detrimental and beneficial effects, but eventually limits functional recovery and contributes to the appearance of neuropathic pain. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers that regulate the expression of inflammatory genes by interacting with acetylated lysine residues. While BET inhibitors are a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer, little is known about their implication after SCI. Thus, the current study was aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory role of BET inhibitors in this pathologic condition.

Methods

We evaluated the effectiveness of the BET inhibitor JQ1 to modify macrophage reactivity in vitro and to modulate inflammation in a SCI mice model. We analyzed the effects of BET inhibition in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. We determined the effectiveness of BET inhibition in tissue sparing, inflammation, neuronal protection, and behavioral outcome after SCI.

Results

We have found that the BET inhibitor JQ1 reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. A prolonged treatment with JQ1 also decreased reactivity of microglia/macrophages, enhanced neuroprotection and functional recovery, and acutely reduced neuropathic pain after SCI.

Conclusions

BET protein inhibition is an effective treatment to regulate cytokine production and promote neuroprotection after SCI. These novel results demonstrate for the first time that targeting BET proteins is an encouraging approach for SCI repair and a potential strategy to treat other inflammatory pathologies.
The 1-D and 2-D Seismic Modeling of Deep Quaternary Basin (Downtown L'Aquila, Central Italy)
Authors: Macerola Luca , Tallini Marco , Di Giulio Giuseppe , Nocentini Marco , Milana Giuliano
Published: June 2019

We compare the results of one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) modeling of the up-to-date geological section of downtown L'Aquila. The section transects a 300-m-deep Quaternary graben assumed as a “deep basin.” It is placed in the southern zone of downtown L'Aquila and is mainly filled up by silt and clay. The northern zone of downtown L'Aquila is conversely characterized by stiff rock (breccia superposed onto limestone). The study's aim is to validate this upgraded subsoil model and to investigate possible 2-D seismic effects. Considering both the experimental and simulated data, all the sites exhibit a clear resonance frequency ( F0:0.4–0.6 Hz), and its amplitude ( A0) decreases northward. The linear modeling is in good agreement with experimental data, confirming the subsoil model. In the southern zone, the A0 of the 2-D transfer function is higher than the A0 of the 1-D transfer function, which can be attributed to a bidimensional deep basin effect.
Significant and Distinctive n-Grams in Oncology Notes: A Text-Mining Method to Analyze the Effect of OpenNotes on Clinical Documentation
Authors: Rahimian Maryam , Warner Jeremy L. , Jain Sandeep K. , Davis Roger B. , Zerillo Jessica A. , Joyce Robin M.
Published: June 2019

PURPOSE

OpenNotes is a national movement established in 2010 that gives patients access to their visit notes through online patient portals, and its goal is to improve transparency and communication. To determine whether granting patients access to their medical notes will have a measurable effect on provider behavior, we developed novel methods to quantify changes in the length and frequency of use of n-grams (sets of words used in exact sequence) in the notes.

METHODS

We analyzed 102,135 notes of 36 hematology/oncology clinicians before and after the OpenNotes debut at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. We applied methods to quantify changes in the length and frequency of use of sequential co-occurrence of words ( n-grams) in the unstructured content of the notes by unsupervised hierarchical clustering and proportional analysis of n-grams.

RESULTS

The number of significant n-grams averaged over all providers did not change, but for individual providers, there were significant changes. That is, all significant observed changes were provider specific. We identified eight providers who were late note signers. This group significantly reduced its late signing behavior after OpenNotes implementation.

CONCLUSION

Although the number of significant n-grams averaged over all providers did not change, our text-mining method detected major content changes in specific providers’ documentation at the n-gram level. The method successfully identified a group of providers who decreased their late note signing behavior.
Impact of Travel Time on Health Care Costs and Resource Use by Phase of Care for Older Patients With Cancer
Authors: Rocque Gabrielle B. , Williams Courtney P. , Miller Harold D. , Azuero Andres , Wheeler Stephanie B. , Pisu Maria , Hull Olivia , Rocconi Rodney P. , Kenzik Kelly M.
Published: June 2019

PURPOSE

Many community cancer clinics closed between 2008 and 2016, with additional closings potentially expected. Limited data exist on the impact of travel time on health care costs and resource use.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study (2012 to 2015) evaluated travel time to cancer care site for Medicare beneficiaries age 65 years or older in the southeastern United States. The primary outcome was Medicare spending by phase of care (ie, initial, survivorship, end of life). Secondary outcomes included patient cost responsibility and resource use measured by hospitalization rates, intensive care unit admissions, and chemotherapy-related hospitalization rates. Hierarchical linear models with patients clustered within cancer care site (CCS) were used to determine the effects of travel time on average monthly phase-specific Medicare spending and patient cost responsibility.

RESULTS

Median travel time was 32 (interquartile range, 18-59) minutes for the 23,382 included Medicare beneficiaries, with 24% of patients traveling longer than 1 hour to their CCS. During the initial phase of care, Medicare spending was 14% higher and patient cost responsibility was 10% higher for patients traveling longer than 1 hour than those traveling 30 minutes or less. Hospitalization rates were 4% to 13% higher for patients traveling longer than 1 hour versus 30 minutes or less in the initial (61 v 54), survivorship (27 v 26), and end-of-life (310 v 286) phases of care (all P < .05). Most patients traveling longer than 1 hour were hospitalized at a local hospital rather than at their CCS, whereas the converse was true for patients traveling 30 minutes or less.

CONCLUSION

As health care locations close, patients living farther from treatment sites may experience more limited access to care, and health care spending could increase for patients and Medicare.
Has nigga Been Reappropriated as a Term of Endearment?
Authors: Smith Hiram L.
Published: June 2019

It is commonly believed that nigga has been reappropriated as a term of endearment. Perhaps this perception persists incorrectly because public conversations on this word are often dominated by nonlinguists. In contrast, linguists lack comparative studies of nigga’s historical and modern-day use. Addressing this misperception requires a multilayered approach, employed here. This study begins with a qualitative inquiry into the historical, linguistic, and social factors that have fueled the current perception of the nigger/nigga two-word dichotomy and of how nigga was used by blacks in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The second part is a quantitative study that examines the current apportionment of nigga by speaker race and gender, and linguistic context, as observed in computer-mediated conversations. Multivariate analysis reveals differences among black and white speakers, males and females, and in various linguistic contexts. Comparative analysis uncovers that many of nigga’s current meanings, referents, and uses have existed since at least the nineteenth century and that any changes to the meanings occurred gradually and not through abrupt reanalysis. This fnding lends no support to the reappropriation hypothesis. And crucially, the data show that the epitomized example of reappropriation, my nigga, does not function primarily as a genuine term of endearment but as a masculinizing marker of social identity.
Lexical Complexities in the St. Louis Dialect Island
Authors: Lafond Larry , Moffett Kenneth W.
Published: June 2019

The Greater St. Louis “dialect island” poses interesting problems for dialect documentation, partly because Greater St. Louis is a transitional area where many overlapping linguistic influences have left their mark and because it is an area with new immigrant communities, racial divides, and an aging population. Using a sample from survey and interview data from 815 participants over a seven-year period, the authors examine lexical diversity in Greater St. Louis, comprising counties in both Missouri and Illinois. They discover that both age and place are robust indicators of lexical selection in Southern Illinois and St. Louis. Their findings provide a concurring rationale with phonologically based studies that supports the existence of a unique dialect island in Greater St. Louis.
Quantitative contrast-enhanced perfusion kinetics in multiparametric MRI in differentiating prostate cancer from chronic prostatitis: results from a pilot study
Authors: Sureka Binit , Elhence Poonam , Khera Pushpinder Singh , Choudhary Gautam Ram , Pandey Himanshu , Garg Pawan Kumar , Yadav Kuldeep , Goel Akhil
Published: June 2019

Objective:

The objectives of the study were to analyze the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), ktrans, kep metrics in dynamic contrast-enhanced multiparametric MRI (DCE-mpMRI) in biopsy proven cases of prostate cancer (PCa) and prostatitis and to establish “cut-off” values for various pharmacokinetic parameters that may distinguish PCa from chronic prostatitis.

Methods:

A retrospective review of all cases of PCa and chronic prostatitis patients, who underwent DCE-mpMRI in our institute was done from July 2017 to January 2019. Mean ADC, ktrans , kep for lesion “L” (ADCL, ktrans  L , kepL) and normal prostate tissue “N” (ADCN, ktrans  N , kepN ,) were calculated for each region of interest. Different ratios ADC ratio (defined as ADCL/ ADCN), ktrans ratio (ktrans  L/ ktrans  N), kepratio (kepL/kepN) were calculated to differentiate PCa from chronic prostatitis.

Results:

Total of biopsy proven 14 cases of PCa and 18 cases of chronic prostatitis were included in the study. For ktrans ratio, the optimal cut-off was at 1.49 units where sensitivity was 85.7%, specificity was 61.1 % and Youden’s index was 0.468 %. Similarly, optimal cut-offs determined for kep lesion was 0.86 (sensitivity 85.7%, specificity 66.7%, J = 0.524) and for kep ratio was 1.34 units (sensitivity 78.6%, specificity 66.7%, J = 0.543).

Conclusion:

DCE-mpMRI metrics could differentiate between PCa and chronic prostatitis with good specificity and sensitivity, while ProstateImaging Reporting and Data System v. 2 alone, did not differentiate between these patterns.

Advances in knowledge:

ktrans ratio, kep lesion and kep ratio can differentiate PCa from chronic prostatitis.
Examining the role of funders in ensuring value and reducing waste in research: An organizational case-study of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Authors: Whitlock Evelyn P. , Selby Joe V. , Dunham Kelly M. , Fernandez Alicia , Forsythe Laura P. , Norquist Grayson
Published: June 2019

International experts have recommended actions that funders can take to improve the value of research investments. They state that self-assessment and public sharing are the basis for accountability and improvement. We examined our policies and practice to determine the extent to which the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s (PCORI) policies and practices as a research funder align with international best practice recommendations. A self-audit of current policies and practice against 17 recommendations and 35 sub-recommendations representing five major stages of research production, based on adapted methods used for self-assessment by another funder, was performed.  Fit of existing PCORI policies and practices with 35 sub-recommendations, qualitative assessment of adequacy (area of strength; area of partial strength; area of growth; not applicable) for 17 recommendations for five stages of research production was assessed. Of the 17 recommendations, 15 were applicable to PCORI’s research mission and focus.  PCORI has policies and practices in place for all elements of six recommendations (“area of strength”) and policies that address each element but with some still in active development for three (“area of partial strength”). PCORI is partially addressing six of the 15 relevant recommendations (“area of growth”). Areas for growth include making study protocols publicly available, improving policies on data sharing, and enhancing collaboration with other funders to reduce redundant funding. A voluntary consortium of international funders is underway to encourage further progress, including additional self-assessment and public sharing for accountability. These findings indicate PCORI has undertaken efforts to align its funding practices with international recommendations to ensure the value of public dollars invested in research.  Further efforts will likely require additional coordination and collaboration between funders and stakeholders.
Information network geography
Authors: Блануца Виктор , Blanutsa Viktor
Published: June 2019

The monograph presents the results of research in the framework of a new scientific area - information network geography, aimed at understanding the territorial organization of the information society. The key concepts and basic methods are presented, the processes of deployment, diffusion, regionalization and structuring of information and communication networks are analyzed, the network effects of frontierity, multi-vectorness, curvature and coherence are given. On the example of cities and regions of Russia, the possibilities of implementing the results in the digital economy, the allocation of clusters, Tactile Internet and geopolitical programs are shown. Perspectives associated with “big data”, artificial intelligence, multiservice networks and problems of the information society are highlighted.
The publication is intended for professionals, students and graduate students.
Low Speed Wind Tunnel Design and Optimization Using Computational Techniques and Experimental Validation
Authors: ABOELEZZ Ahmed
Published: June 2019

Generally, the experimental aerodynamics is related to wind tunnel experiments. The wind tunnel design topic is very old but the development in computational fluid dynamics led to improvement in the wind tunnel design. This paper describes the design and optimization of low speed wind tunnel using CFD techniques. The new optimum wind tunnel will replace the old one featuring poor air quality and small area with lower wind speed at the test section. A computational domain was generated and adopted using ANSYS mesh generator and the solution domain was analysed by simulation technique using FLUENT CFD code in ANSYS Workbench package. The pressure drop calculations comparison between analytical, computational and experimental is included for different sections in the wind tunnel. The contraction cone was optimized using the response surface technique. The results identified that the pressure drop and turbulence level are modified as compared to the old wind tunnel.
Growth performance and meat characteristics of the first filial Awassi Rambouillet callipyge ram lambs
Authors: Jawasreh Khaleel I. Z. , Al-Amareen A. H. , Aad P. Y.
Published: June 2019

Aim: This study was designed to introduce the callipyge (CLPG) and 50% of Rambouillet sheep genes to improve meat quality and quantity of Awassi (AW) sheep. Materials and Methods: The CLPG mutation was introduced into the AW sheep through frozen semen of homozygous Rambouillet rams for the CLPG mutation. Four ram lambs from the first-generation Rambouillet callipyge Awassi (F1-RCA) and five from pure AW were recruited for a fattening trial conducted in individual pens using standard ration, following which ram lambs were slaughtered for carcass and meat evaluation. Results: Final body weight, dry matter intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio were significantly higher in F1-RCA than AW. Hot and cold carcass weights and the other carcass cuts' weights, except for the fat tail, were heavier in F1-RCA than AW. There was no difference in dressing percentage between the two genetic groups (p>0.05). All non-carcass components' weights, except spleen, kidney, and testis, were higher in F1-RCA. Total lean, total bone, and intermuscular fat weight were greater in F1-RCA, but bone-to-lean ratio was lower in F1-RCA when compared with AW (p<0.01). No differences (p>0.05) were observed in all meat quality parameters for muscle longissimus with the exception of pH, redness color, and tenderness that were lower (p<0.05) in F1-RCA than AW. F1-RCA lambs had larger longissimus muscle area (30.9 vs. 16.9 cm2) and less leg fat depth (11.1 vs. 17.4 mm). Conclusion: The implications of this research show the potential of 50% of Rambouillet genes and the CLPG mutation to improve growth and meat characteristics in AW-Rambouillet crosses and can be used further to develop a meat-type AW with improved productivity and muscle mass.
Experiências Criadoras na(s) Infância(s)
Authors: Delorme Maria Inês de Carvalho
Published: June 2019

Esse artigo apresenta e põe em discussão um trabalho que vem sendo desenvolvido por um grupo de alunos graduandos da Pedagogia da UERJ na disciplina Pesquisa e Prática Pedagógica (PPP, 2017-2019), referenciada no Departamento de Estudos da Infância. O objetivo é contribuir para a construção de um corpo teórico-prático multidisciplinar, voltado para professores, pedagogos e pais, que seja capaz de defender a importância de as crianças se desemparedarem, se reengajarem à cidade para brincar livremente com o fim de desenvolverem experiências criadoras com a natureza.Esse trabalho pretende propor outras formas de estar com as crianças, de conhecê-las, de respeitá-las e de atendê-las como sujeitos únicos que excedam à racionalidade pura, por um escopo mais humanizado em que pesem a experiência e o sentido.
Entrevista: Maria Victoria de Mesquita Benevides: “Não existe nenhuma escola sem partido”
Authors: Prado Ricardo , Gomes Lisandra Ogg
Published: June 2019

Educação, política e direitos humanos sempre se entrelaçam na vida acadêmica da socióloga Maria Victoria de Mesquita Benevides, professora-titular aposentada da Faculdade de Educação da Universidade de São Paulo (USP), onde lecionou Sociologia e orientou teses de mestrado e doutorado na cátedra de Direitos Humanos. E foi com preocupação quanto ao encontro da política com os direitos humanos, e sob o impacto da indicação ocorrida na véspera de Ricardo Vélez-Rodriguez, um egresso da Escola de Comando e Estado-Maior do Exército, para o Ministério da Educação do governo que tomará posse em janeiro de 2019, que ela recebeu a revista Veras para uma entrevista. Nela, que segue transcrita abaixo, a professora abordou o movimento escola sem partido, um nome que para ela é “uma contradição em termos”, e a perspectiva de uma “lei da mordaça” que possa ameaçar, de forma velada ou explícita, o que ela considera a outra face da educação, tão imprescindível quanto a transmissão de conhecimentos: a educação para a cidadania, aquela “que vai preparar a criança, e depois o adolescente, a participar no futuro mais ativamente da política, nas eleições e nos processos decisórios da sociedade”.
Lo permanente del aprendizaje humano para responder al continuo cambio
Authors: Martínez Domínguez Luis Manuel
Published: June 2019

Cuando nos encontramos en esta era de rápidos y continuos cambios en los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje, resulta pertinente revisar qué es lo esencial en el aprendizaje; aquello que por mucho que cambien las cosas no puede cambiar para que al fenómeno aprendizaje, se le pueda seguir llamando aprendizaje. Este es el objetivo de este artículo, y desde una perspectiva fenomenológica, se propone una descripción que recoge la esencia del aprendizaje humano. Esta descripción se ha dispuesto de forma que resulte válida para cualquier momento de la historia de la educación, y sirve de contraste para garantizar que las innovaciones educativas que se plantean en cada lugar y tiempo, respondan al fenómeno del aprendizaje en todas sus dimensiones.
Problemas y limitaciones de la educación en América Latina. Un estudio comparado
Authors: Lorente Rodríguez Míriam
Published: June 2019

En plena vigencia e impulso de la agenda de Educación 2030, bajo el marco del objetivo cuarto de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible post-2015, se hace necesario un análisis y un balance actual de los problemas que aquejan los sistemas educativos de la región latinoamericana que sirva a los países como punto de partida para establecer planes de acciones específicos que incidan en las carencias detectadas con la finalidad última de favorecer la consecución exitosa de los objetivos propuestos en dicha agenda. Para ello, nos serviremos del método comparado en educación. Tomando como unidades de comparación los países que conforman América Latina y partiendo, entre otras, de variables como rezago o retraso escolar, tasa de escolarización o tasa analfabetismo, realizamos una comparación cuyos resultados apuntan a la incapacidad de los sistemas educativos para paliar o revertir las desigualdades de origen.
La ciudad como contexto educativo: Desarrollo de la competencia cívica en las aulas infantiles y en el alumnado con necesidades de apoyo educativo
Authors: Latorre Madueño Gloria , Mérida Serrano Rosario
Published: June 2019

Este artículo describe y evalúa una experiencia de innovación educativa desarrollada en la etapa infantil en cinco colegios y en un centro específico para alumnado con necesidades específicas de apoyo educativo. La innovación se centra en un enfoque de aprendizaje basado en proyectos para indagar el patrimonio histórico-cultural de la ciudad de Córdoba. El marco teórico que sustenta esta innovación integra cuatro conceptos básicos: (1) La Educación Infantil como etapa de especial plasticidad educativa; (2) La Educación Patrimonial; (3) La Educación Intercultural y (4) El Aprendizaje Basado en Proyectos. Se selecciona el proyecto «La Mezquita» para evaluar el nivel de cumplimiento de los objetivos establecidos, los cuales se relacionan con el análisis del potencial educativo de la ciudad de Córdoba, con la identificación de las competencias que adquieren los niños y niñas implicados y con las fortalezas y debilidades de esta experiencia. Se trata de un estudio exploratorio y transversal que se realiza a través de un estudio de caso. Se utilizan diversos instrumentos y técnicas: Análisis documental, entrevistas y documentación pedagógica. Los hallazgos más relevantes son: (1) Descubrimiento del potencial de la ciudad como contexto educativo para el desarrollo de la infancia y del alumnado con necesidades específicas de apoyo educativo; (2) Desarrollo de la competencia cívica y de respeto a las diferencias; (3) La transferencia y continuidad que propicia la Educación Patrimonial como espacio educativo en el que intervienen tanto la familia como la escuela.
Coaching educativo: ¿Qué identidad docente nos revela esta nueva corriente?
Authors: Valero Moya Aída
Published: June 2019

Nuevas metodologías relacionadas con la corriente pedagógica del coaching están incrementando su presencia en los espacios educativos, dando pie a nuevas formas de concebir la identidad docente. El objetivo de este trabajo es averiguar, desde la teoría de la educación, el tipo de identidad docente que subyace bajo esta perspectiva, haciendo un estudio crítico-pedagógico de sus fundamentos e implicaciones. Concretamente, se analiza de qué manera cambia el rol docente, la relación educativa y la influencia que se ejerce en el estudiantado respecto a las pedagogías más tradicionales, a partir de una revisión de la literatura más relevante. La principal conclusión que cabe extraer es que el coaching educativo, a pesar de encontrar en su metodología influencia de pedagogías más clásicas, promueve un aumento de protagonismo del alumnado, quien, gracias al acompañamiento del docente, será conducido hacia su mejor versión. Para ello, nuevas formas de comunicación más horizontales favorecidas por el uso de preguntas y prácticas relacionadas con la educación emocional y la escucha, ocuparán un lugar central en dicho proceso.
Dependence of Deciduous Tooth Eruption Terms and Tooth Growth Rate on the Weight-Height Index at Birth in Macrosomic Children over the First Year of Life
Authors: Garmash Olga
Published: June 2019

The aim of this research is to study the effect of body overweight at birth (fetal macrosomia) on the processes of tooth eruption and tooth growth during the first year of life in children in the Kharkiv City (Ukraine) population. One of the research tasks is to examine the features of deciduous teeth eruption in children who were born with macrosomia with different values of the weight-height index at birth. Materials and methods. The medical records of the children born between 1977 and 2013 have been analyzed. The database has been collected in one of the Kharkiv City clinic. The Main Group is comprised of the medical records of the children (separately for boys and girls) born with fetal macrosomia. All the medical records of the Main Group have been divided into subgroups taking into account the gender and the harmonious (well-balanced) development coefficient. The Comparison Group is comprised of the medical records of the children also born within the normal term range, but with weight and height that correspond to the gestation age (fetal normosomia). To determine the average time of the first tooth eruption, as well as the deciduous teeth growth rate for each of the groups under the study, we have used the hypothesis about a linear dependence between the number of erupted teeth and the age of the child. The statistical data processing and verification of the consistency of this hypothesis is performed using the multiple linear regression analysis with the STATISTICA 6.0 software package (Multiple Regression module). The number of delayed eruption and premature eruption cases observed is calculated along with the corresponding confidence intervals for the significance level, p, of less than 0.05, taking into account the binomial distribution of the random variable. The results of the study indicate a slowed growth rate of deciduous teeth in children born with macrosomia, as well as an increased number of cases (by a factor of 2 to 4 times) of deviations in the timing of teeth eruption compared to regional norms. The smallest growth rate of deciduous teeth and the smallest number of teeth at the age of one year are registered in macrosomic boys and macrosomic girls with a long body and a relatively reduced birth weight, as well as in macrosomic girls with intrauterine obesity. The macrosomic girls with intrauterine acceleration with obesity at the background have the largest average tooth growth rate and the largest percentage of premature eruption cases among all subgroups. Conclusions. The somatometric features of fetal macrosomia suggest the influence on the number of teeth that erupt by a certain age. The data on the deviation from the generally accepted terms of teeth eruption in children born with macrosomia, can be the basis for developing new and improving existing prevention programs aimed at preserving dental health.
Virtual Identity, Plastic Identity. The „eighth Basque Province“ and the Genetically Imaginative Community
Authors: Volpi Laura
Published: June 2019

In this paper I propose to demonstrate how the anthropological view can highlight the effects of the relationship between ethnic nationalism and global processes. Showing the results of an ethnographical research conducted in 2015, I focus on the representation of social identity in the contemporary Basque Country. I emphasize the central role played by the new technologies for the identification of the Basque communities’ boundaries. The creation of „the eighth province“ (or province of the diaspora) shows how, in this context, Internet could transform the “imagined community” into a virtual reality. The ethnographical view proves to be useful to understand how local practices and discourses can interact with global phenomena: particularly significant is the spreading of archaeogenetic investigations in Euskal Herria, in order to verify the hypothesis of a reproductive isolation of Basque people. Moreover, a big part of local population is using genetic tests proposed online by DNA consulting agencies. It is important to identify how these genetic narratives are absorbed and reused by local populations and if they can reshape the past of a mnemonic community, influencing the representation of its future.
Arne Naess: A Tragic Ecosophy
Authors: Troiano Ambra
Published: June 2019

Arne Naess was one of the first philosopher who try to find out a way to resolve the ecological crisis through philosophy. By analysing some of the main point of Naess‘ philosophy, the essay shows that his main interest was to legitimize the ecological movement. Philosophy becomes a political instrument and assumes a tragical character, because it takes on an impossible project. For Naess philosophy should provide a new total view to change man‘s attitude to nature. This analysis could help us to find out some critical points of a philosophy that try to be useful in the ecological crisis.
Understanding Health Professional Responses to Service Disinvestment: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Mitchel Deb , O’Brien Lisa , Bardoel Anne , Haines Terry
Published: June 2019

Background: Disinvestment from inefficient health services may be a potential solution to rising healthcare costs, but there has been poor uptake of disinvestment recommendations. This Australian study aims to understand how health professionals react when confronted with a plan to disinvest from a health service they previously provided to their patients. Methods: This qualitative study took place prior to the disinvestment phase of a trial which removed weekend allied health services from acute hospital wards, to evaluate the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of the service. Observations and focus groups were used to collect data from 156 participants which was analysed thematically. Results: Initial reactions to the disinvestment were almost universally negative, with staff extremely concerned about the impact on the safety and quality of patient care and planning ways to circumvent the trial. Removal of existing services was perceived as a loss and created a direct threat to some clinicians’ professional identity. With time, discussion, and understanding of the project’s context, some staff moved towards acceptance and perceived the trial as an opportunity, particularly given the service was to be reinstated after the disinvestment. Conclusion: Clinicians and health service managers are protective of the services they deliver and can create barriers to disinvestment. Even when services are removed to ascertain their value, health professionals may continue to provide services to their patients. Measuring the impact of the disinvestment may assist staff to accept the removal of a service.
Monitoring Frameworks for Universal Health Coverage: What About High-Income Countries?
Authors: Bergen Nicole , Ruckert Arne , Labonté Ronald
Published: June 2019

Implementing universal health coverage (UHC) is widely perceived to be central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and is a work program priority of the World Health Organization (WHO). Much has already been written about how low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can monitor progress towards UHC, with various UHC monitoring frameworks available in the literature. However, we suggest that these frameworks are largely irrelevant in high-income contexts and that the international community still needs to develop UHC monitoring framework meaningful for high-income countries (HICs). As a first step, this short communication presents preliminary findings from a literature review and document analysis on how various countries monitor their own progress towards achieving UHC. It furthermore offers considerations to guide meaningful UHC monitoring and reflects on pertinent challenges and tensions to inform future research on UHC implementation in HIC settings.
"Big" Food, Tobacco, and Alcohol: Reducing Industry Influence on Noncommunicable Disease Prevention Laws and Policies Comment on "Addressing NCDs: Challenges From Industry Market Promotion and Interferences"
Authors: Reeve Belinda , Gostin Lawrence O.
Published: June 2019

The food, tobacco and alcohol industries have penetrated markets in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a significant impact on these countries’ burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Tangcharoensathien and colleagues describe the aggressive marketing of unhealthy food, alcohol and tobacco in LMICs, as well as key tactics used by these industries to resist laws and policies designed to reduce behavioural risk factors for NCDs. This commentary expands on the recommendations made by Tangcharoensathien and colleagues for preventing or managing conflicts of interest and reducing undue industry influence on NCD prevention policies and laws, focusing on the needs of LMICs. A growing body of research proposes ways to design voluntary industry initiatives to make them more effective, transparent and accountable, but governments should also consider whether collaboration with health-harming industries is ever appropriate. More fundamentally, mechanisms for identifying, managing and mitigating conflicts of interest and reducing industry influence must be woven into – and supported by – broader governance and regulatory structures at both national and international levels.
Epidemiology of Inflight Medical Events
Authors: Guiu Gaetan , Monin Jonathan , Perrier Eric , Manen Olivier
Published: June 2019

Introduction: Since the 1950s, air travel has grown exponentially. In 2018, the number of international air passengers was estimated at 4.1 billion. Air travel exposes the passenger to a number of constraints (like physical constraints, stress) that can be correlated and lead to an inflight medical event, especially for passengers with chronic conditions or fragile health. Methods: In June 2017, a mini review of the literature was conducted in order to summarize the data on inflight medical events and their frequency, types, and consequences. Results: The most frequent inflight medical events are syncope and lipothymic discomfort, followed by digestive disorders, cardiorespiratory symptoms, neuropsychiatric disorders, and trauma. In almost two-thirds of all cases, these medical events are linked to a pre-existing pathology. There is no reliable register of inflight medical events, but their number is estimated to be between 120 to 350 each day throughout the world. Conclusion: The definition of an inflight medical event deserves to be specified, and the collection of these events needs to be standardized. This will help bring about a better understanding of the issue and maybe raise awareness among passengers with chronic diseases or fragile health and their general practitioners.
POTENCIAL DE APROVEITAMENTO DE ÁGUA PLUVIAL EM ÁREAS URBANAS NA BACIA DO RIO VERDE
Authors: Neves Filho Antonio Otto , Pereira Daiane Fernandes , Mendes Luana Ferreira , Almeida Marianne S. Teixeira , Borges Talilian J. , De Melo Marília Carvalho
Published: June 2019

A água é essencial à vida e sua qualidade e disponibilidade são fatores primordiais. Quando as concessionárias de abastecimento público destinam água potável à população, grande parte dos usuários não a utiliza de modo consciente, utilizando-se grande quantidade desta água para fins não potáveis. Tem-se por objetivo neste estudo analisar as condições e respostas de um sistema de captação e aproveitamento de águas pluviais para fins não potáveis em uma edificação modelo na Bacia do Rio Verde, no município de Três Corações/MG, para a redução do consumo de água potável da própria edificação. Como metodologia optou-se por realizar uma pesquisa de abordagem quantitativa que busca analisar a viabilidade econômica da instalação de um sistema de capitação de chuva e seu armazenamento. Com base nos resultados obtidos, constatou-se uma economia significativa na tarifa de água potável de R$93,44 mensais, ou seja, 53,64% com a utilização do sistema de captação de água chuva. Concluiu-se, assim, que diante do cenário de incertezas hidrológicas, considerando a economia financeira e a redução de utilização de águas potáveis para fins não potáveis, é de suma importância a utilização de recursos sustentáveis capazes de reduzir os impactos que o homem causa ao ambiente, como os sistemas de captação e aproveitamento de água da chuva.

Palavras-chave: Captação de água pluvial. Aproveitamento. Economia.
ACTH signalling and adrenal development: lessons from mouse models
Authors: Novoselova Tatiana V , King Peter J , Guasti Leonardo , Metherell Louise A , Clark Adrian J L , Chan Li F
Published: June 2019

The melanocortin-2-receptor (MC2R), also known as the ACTH receptor, is a critical component of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The importance of MC2R in adrenal physiology is exemplified by the condition familial glucocorticoid deficiency (FGD), a potentially fatal disease characterised by isolated cortisol deficiency. MC2R mutations cause ~25% of cases. The discovery of a MC2R accessory protein MRAP, mutations of which account for ~20% of FGD, has provided insight into MC2R trafficking and signalling. MRAP is a single transmembrane domain accessory protein highly expressed in the adrenal gland and essential for MC2R expression and function. Mouse models helped elucidate the action of ACTH. The Mc2r-knockout (Mc2r
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) mice was the first mouse model developed to have adrenal insufficiency with deficiencies in glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid and catecholamines. We recently reported the generation of the Mrap
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mice which better mimics the human FGD phenotype with isolated glucocorticoid deficiency alone. The adrenal glands of adult Mrap
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mice were grossly dysmorphic with a thickened capsule, deranged zonation and deranged WNT4/beta-catenin and sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway signalling. Collectively, these mouse models of FGD highlight the importance of ACTH and MRAP in adrenal progenitor cell regulation, cortex maintenance and zonation.
Tratamiento quirúrgico con injerto óseo en fisuras alveolares de pacientes operados de labio y paladar fisurado: revisión de la literatura
Authors: Campos Arenas Carlos , Huapaya Paricoto Olinda
Published: June 2019

El labio y paladar fisurado (FLAP) se consideran como defectos anatómicos de profundo impacto estético como funcional lo cual lleva una serie de secuelas físicas, funcionales y psicológicas. Dentro del amplio tratamiento multidisciplinario que son sometidos los pacientes, el injerto alveolar secundario es fundamental para resolver diferentes secuelas como el defecto anatómico, la función y buscar continuar con el desarrollo adecuado del paciente. El objetivo del presente trabajo de investigación es hacer una revisión de la amplia literatura que existe entre los parámetros y consideraciones de esta técnica quirúrgica, ya que existe gran controversia entre los diversos estudios. El injerto alveolar secundario se realiza comúnmente entre los 9 y 12 años de edad durante la dentición mixta y antes de la erupción del canino permanente. Según la literatura el hueso esponjoso autólogo presenta los mejores resultados para este tipo de procedimientos, por sus diferentes mecanismos biológicos para la integración ósea. La zona dadora más utilizada sigue siendo la cresta ilíaca debido a su gran disponibilidad de tejido esponjoso y cortical, junto a su baja morbilidad. Actualmente los injertos óseos secundarios presentan una gran tasa de éxito y una reabsorción razonable, siendo el tratamiento más efectivo para las fisuras alveolares.
Manejo interdisciplinario: ortodoncia osteogénica periodontalmente acelerada en paciente con recesión gingival. Reporte de caso
Authors: Huertas Campos Mariana Cecilia , Coronado Lopez Samantha Lucely , Tovar Zevallos Manuel Alberto , Morzán Valderrama Eduardo Javier , Noriega Castañeda Jorge Roberto
Published: June 2019

La ortodoncia osteogénica periodontalmente acelerada es un procedimiento indicado para minimizar el tiempo de tratamiento ortodóncico brindando una alternativa de tratamiento a pacientes periodontalmente comprometidos, con presencia de reabsorciones radiculares, periodonto reducido, entre otros. Los problemas periodontales no diagnosticados pueden ser agravados durante el tratamiento ortodóncico y dependiendo de su severidad, pueden requerir un tratamiento previo. El objetivo de este reporte es presentar el caso de una paciente con maloclusión Clase I con apiñamiento y recesión gingival, tratada con injerto conectivo de tejido libre, corticotomía con injerto óseo y técnica de arco recto prescripción CCO. Finalmente, se puede concluir que el manejo interdisciplinario es importante para el correcto diagnóstico y tratamiento de los pacientes. La ortodoncia osteogénica periodontalmente acelerada es una alternativa viable que reduce el tiempo de tratamiento ortodóncico y mantiene o mejorá la condición periodontal de los pacientes.
Sleep Quality Associated with the Onset of NAFLD: Suggested Hypotheses
Authors: Tarantino Giovanni
Published: June 2019

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Faster Detection of Helicobacter pylori Infection by 13 C-Urea Breath Test. Comparing Short versus Standard Sampling Time
Authors: Molina-Molina Emilio , Bonfrate Leonilde , Lorusso Michele , Shanmugam Harshitha , Scaccianoce Giuseppe , Rokkas Theodore , Portincasa Piero
Published: June 2019

Background & Aims: 13 C-Urea Breath Test (UBT) is a non-invasive, highly accurate and recommended test to detect Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and to confirm post-therapy eradication. However, differences exist in terms of manufacturers, dose of labelled urea, addition of citric acid, solid vs. liquid formulation, and sampling times of breath samples. In this study, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of “short” (15 minutes) vs. “standard” (30 minutes) time for a single type of liquid UBT. Methods: We compared the performance of a single UBT type (BREATHQUALITY, AB Analitica, Padua, Italy, 10 mL of 75 mg 13 C-Urea and 1.4 g citric acid) during a “short” vs. “standard” breath sampling time. Enrolled were 151 subjects requiring UBT as naïve (N=92) or post-eradication (N=59) checks. Results: UBT at 15 and 30 minutes were highly comparable, showing optimal correlation in all subsets of patients (i.e. naïve vs. post eradication, negative vs. post eradication check). One discrepant result occurred at the borderline zone of the DOB 4‰, but proved to be true positive at a later confirmation by a second UBT and stool antigen test. Conclusions: By shortening the testing time of BREATHQUALITY to 15 minutes (-50%) comparable accuracy will be maintained and in addition, it will bring some benefits to patients’ waiting lists, compliance, and hospital staff.
Physical Activity and Trajectories of Cardiovascular Health Indicators During Early Childhood
Authors: Proudfoot Nicole A. , King-Dowling Sara , Cairney John , Bray Steven R. , MacDonald Maureen J. , Timmons Brian W.
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVES:

Cardiovascular disease prevention should begin in childhood. However, the influence of physical activity on cardiovascular health in early childhood is unknown. Our purpose in this study was to determine the effect of physical activity on trajectories of cardiovascular health indicators during early childhood.

METHODS:

This prospective, observational cohort study (Health Outcomes and Physical Activity in Preschoolers) enrolled 418 3- to 5-year-olds with annual assessments for 3 years. Total physical activity (TPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured over 7 days via accelerometry. Cardiovascular health indicators included cardiovascular fitness (exercise time on a maximal treadmill test [treadmill time] and 1-minute heart rate recovery), resting arterial stiffness (whole-body pulse wave velocity and carotid β stiffness index), and seated systolic blood pressure. Data were analyzed by using linear mixed-effects modeling; effects are reported as unstandardized estimates (Est).

RESULTS:

There were main effects of TPA and MVPA on treadmill time (Est = 0.004 [P = .005] and 0.008 [P = .001], respectively) and heart rate recovery (Est = 0.05 [P < .001] and 0.08 [P < .001], respectively). There was a main effect of TPA on pulse wave velocity (Est = −0.001; P = .02) and an MVPA × time interaction (Est = −0.002; P = .01). For carotid β stiffness index, the effect of a TPA × time interaction was not significant (Est = −0.002; P = .051); however, there was a significant MVPA × time interaction (Est = −0.003; P = .03). MVPA was associated with a slower rate of change in systolic blood pressure for girls (Est = 0.06; P = .009).

CONCLUSIONS:

Children who engage in higher levels of physical activity during early childhood have better cardiovascular health indicators, with more intense physical activity (ie, MVPA) attenuating the stiffening of arteries.
Rhythm Control in AF: Have We Reached the Last Frontier?
Authors: Dan Gheorghe-Andrei
Published: June 2019

AF is a worldwide epidemic, affecting approximately 33 million people, and its rising prevalence is expected to account for increasing clinical and public health costs. AF is associated with an increased risk of MI, heart failure, stroke, dementia, chronic kidney disease and mortality. Preserving sinus rhythm is essential for a better outcome. However, because of the inherent limits of both pharmacological and interventional methods, rhythm strategy management is reserved for symptom and quality-of-life improvement. While ‘classical’ antiarrhythmic drug therapy remains the first-line therapy for rhythm control, its efficacy and safety are limited by empirical use, proarrhythmic risk and organ toxicity. Ablative techniques have had an impressive development, but AF ablation still failed to demonstrate a significant impact on hard endpoints. Understanding of the complex mechanisms of AF will help to develop new vulnerable targets to therapy. Promising molecules are under development, intended to fill the gap between the current pharmacological treatment aimed at maintaining sinus rhythm and the expectations from rhythm strategy.