bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety of incremental inhaled lipopolysaccharide challenge in humans
Authors: Sundy John S. , Wood William A. , Watt Janet L. , Kline Joel N. , Schwartz David A.
Published: July 2017

Background: Inhalation of environmental endotoxin is important in the pathogenesis of asthma and other environmental airway diseases. Inhaled airway challenge using lipopolysaccharide in humans has been performed for over 20 years to assess the airway response to endotoxin. However, there are no published data on the short-term safety of endotoxin inhalation protocols.

Objective: To characterize the safety and tolerability of incremental inhaled lipopolysaccharide challenge in humans.

Patients and Methods : We performed a retrospective analysis of data obtained from 119 subjects who underwent inhaled challenge with up to 41.5 µg of lipopolysaccharide. We measured pulmonary function, temperature, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and systemic symptoms for 3 h after challenge. Results: Fever occurred in 30% of subjects and was associated with a higher cumulative dose of lipopolysaccharide. Reduced mean arterial pressure occurred in 21% of subjects and was dose-related. There was no association between fever or decreased mean arterial pressure and airway responsiveness to inhaled lipopolysaccharide. Common symptoms reported by subjects included: chills (64%), malaise (56%), cough (56%), chest tightness (49%), headache (43%), and myalgias (27%). None of the subjects experienced delayed discharge or a serious adverse event.

Conclusions: Inhaled lipopolysaccharide causes dose-related systemic responses that include fever, reduced blood pressure, and constitutional symptoms that are not associated with the airway response to inhaled lipopolysaccharide. Systemic responses to inhaled lipopolysaccharide should be expected and subjects undergoing inhaled lipopolysaccharide challenge in the research setting should be carefully monitored for non-pulmonary adverse events for several hours after challenge.
TLR2- and TLR4-dependent activation of STAT1 serine phosphorylation in murine macrophages is protein kinase C-δ-independent
Authors: Shoenfelt Joanna L. , Fenton Matthew J.
Published: July 2017

Engagement of Toll-like receptor (TLR) proteins activates multiple signal transduction pathways. Previous studies demonstrated that TLR2 and TLR4 engagement leads to rapid phosphorylation of the transcription factor STAT1 at serine 727 (Ser-727 STAT1) in murine macrophages. Only TLR4 engagement induced STAT1 phosphorylation at tyrosine 701, although this response was delayed compared with Ser-727 STAT1 phosphorylation. Unlike other cell types, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase was necessary, but not sufficient, for TLR-induced phosphorylation of Ser-727 STAT1 in macrophages. We and others had previously shown that Ser-727 STAT1 phosphorylation could be blocked by rottlerin, an inhibitor of protein kinase C-δ (PKC—δ). Here we report that peritoneal exudate macrophages from PKC-δ-deficient mice can be activated through TLR2 and TLR4 to elicit rapid phosphorylation of Ser-727 STAT1, which was blocked by both rottlerin and the p38 inhibitor SB203580, but not by the pan-PKC inhibitor bisindoylmaleamide. Furthermore, both normal and PKC-δ-deficient macrophages secreted comparable amounts of IL-6, IP-10, and RANTES following TLR engagement. In contrast, IFN-γ-induced STAT1 serine phosphorylation was independent of both PKC-δ and p38. Overall, these studies demonstrate that a PKC-δindependent signaling pathway downstream of both TLR2 and TLR4 is necessary for Ser-727 STAT1 phosphorylation in primary murine macrophages.
Expression of acute phase proteins by bone marrow stromal cells
Authors: Hill M.R. , Wu X. , Sullivan M. , King B.O. , Webb C.F. , Gimble J.M.
Published: July 2017

The current work examines the expression of acute phase genes in a murine-derived bone marrow stromal cell model (BMS2) which exhibits adipocyte and osteoblast characteristics and supports lymphopoiesis in vitro. Each of these physiologic processes is responsive to inflammatory events such as endotoxemia. Exposure of BMS2 cells to pro-inflammatory cytokines induced the expression of the serum amyloid A and complement factor B. During adipocyte differentiation, expression of complement C3, complement factor D (adipsin), and angiotensinogen increased in a time dependent manner. The bone metabolic steroid, 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D3, specifically induced complement C3 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Based on gel retention analysis, BMS2 nuclear extract contained proteins recognizing specific response elements from the complement C3, angiotensinogen, and complement factor B promoters. These results suggest that the bone marrow's repertoire of acute phase proteins is dependent on the stromal cell's phenotype or activation state.
Future Paradigm or False Idol: A Cautionary Tale of Evidence-Based Practice for Adventure Education and Therapy
Authors: Harper Nevin J.
Published: July 2017

Evidence-based practice is an approach that narrowly classifies research results by utilising a hierarchy of evidence. This process renders much available knowledge and experience redundant within its value structure. Currently a dominating ideology across medical and health fields, evidence-based practice is now being promoted in adventure education and therapy (activity-based practices steeped in outdoor and experiential learning). In this paper, I challenge the evidence-based practice paradigm and its relationship to adventure education and therapy. I suggest that evidence-based practice ideology, guided by political and economic forces, may be detrimental to the development of a long-term, multifaceted, and meaningful research agenda. Critical dialogue between academics and practitioners in adventure education and therapy is advised, and caution offered to those entering the evidence-based paradigm.
Changing News Treatment in the Stars and Stripes
Authors: Walk Richard D.
Published: July 2017

In the September 1946 issue of Journalism Quarterly William Peery appraised the GI Fourth Estate. This article analyzes news treatment in one of the leading servicemen's papers. The author, formerly in the O.S.S., now is doing graduate work at Harvard.
An Annotated Bibliography of Journalism Subjects in American Magazines
Authors: Swindler William F. ,   Assisted, Reddick Dewitt C. , Price Granville
Published: July 2017

The crisis in newspaper labor relations was still the most important development in the winter of 1947-48 as newspapers in Chicago, Springfield, Mass., and various other cities undertook to circumvent the rash of typographical union strikes which sought to test the Taft-Hartley act. In the radio field, the prospect of a general revision of the Federal Communications Act excited charges of censorship clauses and other threats to freedom of speech on the air. Radio expansion for 1948, however, was anticipated to be of record proportions.—W. F. S.
A Closer Look at Readability Formulas
Authors: Kearl Bryant
Published: July 2017

Readability scores can give a reasonably accurate measurement of reading difficulty, but they cannot guarantee good writing, Mr. Kearl warns. He began this article at Wisconsin, where he is assistant professor of agricultural journalism, and finished it while completing residence for the Ph. D. at Minnesota.
Against Word-internal Codeswitching: Evidence from Ukrainian-English Bilingualism
Authors: Budzhak-Jones Svitlana
Published: July 2017

In this paper I develop diagnostics for distinguishing word-internal codeswitching from borrowing, based on Ukrainian-English bilingual discourse; a typologically different language pair. Assuming that a codeswitched noun will retain its original characteristics, and a borrowed noun will acquire language-specific properties of the recipient language, I focus on conflict sites in the morphosyntactic structure of Ukrainian (a fusional language) and English (an analytical one). Using quantitative variationist methodologies, I show that English-origin nouns with overt Ukrainian morphology occurring in otherwise Ukrainian discourse do not behave as if they were English. Instead, they replicate the patterns of behavior of monolingual Ukrainian nouns with respect to gender assignment, modifier-noun agreement, inflectional variability and flagging. I found no evidence for lone item codeswitching within a word boundary, and conclude that all English-origin utterances occurring with overt morphology of the recipient language are borrowed.
Evidence-based Practices in Infection Control
Authors: Ayliffe Graham AJ
Published: July 2017

Abstract Evidence can be obtained from clinical trials and bacteriological studies. The latter consist mainly of measuring reductions in colonization, or reductions in bacterial counts on naturally or artificially contaminated surfaces, following the introduction of the measure to be tested. Controlled clinical trials usually provide the best evidence, but are infrequently carried out due to the large number of subjects required, low initial infection rates and a multiplicity of associated factors. Bacteriological studies can be carried out more easily and can often provide statistically significant results not readily available in clinical studies, but they require care in interpretation. Studies involving bacterial counts in the inanimate environment are particularly likely to give misleading results, but have often provided useful confirmatory evidence in eliminating rituals.
Infection control nursing in the US military
Authors: Stokes Captain R.
Published: July 2017

I have been a military infection control nurse for six years and have been stationed in California, Turkey and now in England. Each of these assignments has afforded unique and wonderful experiences. In this article, I will describe these assignments and the amazing differences among them. I will touch on the educational differences and levels of infection control practitioners I have found, my specific US Air Force assignments, and the special circumstances I have encountered in all three locations that continue to intrigue and amaze me.

I hope this synopsis, from the view of only one ICN in the military. has given some perspective to the unique challenges and opportunities that are afforded us as we move all over the world and perform the job that we are called to do.

I daresay that in the US, Turkey, UK and all over the world, ICNs face many similar problems and frustrations. I know that we all face issues with non-compliance from staff members, and that the only time the staff really want to see us is in the event of an outbreak, when we get the phone call frantically stating: ‘Come quick, something truly terrible is going on!’

All of us have certainly felt unappreciated (probably on a daily basis) and known as a nuisance. However, the tremendous passion for the job, and knowing that we are making a difference in the world around us in the hospital or community setting, should encourage each of us to continue in our perseverance for the practice of infection control.

If anyone really took time to evaluate all that we must know and learn to perform our jobs, they would clearly see that the hospitals and communities would fall apart without our efforts. Commendation medals should go to all.
The history of infection control: Florence Nightingale part 2: 1820-1856
Authors: Newsom SWB
Published: July 2017

This is the tenth in a series of articles outlining the key developments in the history of infection control.
Improving Polymer Processability Utilizing Constrained Geometry Single Sue Catalyst Technology
Authors: Swogger K. W. , Lancaster G. M. , Lai S. Y. , Butler T. I.
Published: July 2017

Constrained geometry single site catalyst technology has enabled Dow Chemical to produce a new family of homogeneous copolymers which expand the horizons of polyolefins. This INSITE'0 technology makes it possible to control the amounts of long chain branching (LCB) and short chain branching (SCB) to produce a polymer that has the good physical properties obtained with a narrow molecular weight distribution (MWD, where Mw/M. 2) and yet has good processability-as described in this paper. For example, in a typical melt extrusion process, these new polymers are less susceptible to melt fracture than the other homogeneous (narrow MWD) polyolefins and even the broader MWD heterogeneous polyolefins such as linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE).
Growth and Development of the Asian Flexible Packaging Industry
Authors: Kant Roger
Published: July 2017

This paper provides an introduction to the flexible packaging industry in the Asian region. It deals with the area from Korea in the north to Indonesia in the south and across to India/Pakistan but largely excludes Japan due to the very different nature and dynamics of the Japanese market. The paper describes the economic structure and groupings in the region. It looks at the history and background of flexible packaging in Asia, the factors that influenced growth and describes the current state of the industry and future directions. Converting equipment trends are discussed along with general development trends. Some typical Asian packaging solutions will be highlighted to demonstrate the direction of the industry.
Autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells transplantation in type 2 diabetes mellitus: effect on β-cell function and insulin sensitivity
Authors: Bhansali Shobhit , Dutta Pinaki , Yadav Mukesh Kumar , Jain Ashish , Mudaliar Sunder , Hawkins Meredith , Kurpad Anura V. , Pahwa Deepak , Yadav Ashok Kumar , Sharma Ratti Ram , Jha Vivekanand , Marwaha Neelam , Bhansali Shipra , Bhansali Anil
Published: July 2017

Background

Insulin resistance and insulin deficiency are the cardinal defects in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite the plethora of anti-diabetic medications, drugs specifically targeting the β-cells are still desired. Stem cell therapy has emerged as a novel therapeutics strategy to target β-cells; however, their mechanism of action has not been well defined. This study aims to examine the efficacy and safety of autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (ABM-MNCs) transplantation in T2DM, and explores the mechanistic insights into stem cells action through metabolic studies.

Methods

Seven T2DM patients with the duration of disease ≥5 years, receiving triple oral anti-diabetic drugs along with insulin (≥0.4 IU per kg per day) and HbA1c ≤ 7.5% (≤58.0 mmol/mol) were enrolled for ABM-MNCs administration through a targeted approach. The primary end-point was a reduction in insulin requirement by ≥50% from baseline, while maintaining HbA1c < 7.0% (<53.0 mmol/mol) with improvement in insulin secretion, and/or insulin sensitivity after ABM-MNCs transplantation.

Results

Six out of 7 (90%) patients achieved the primary end-point. At 6 months, there was a significant reduction in insulin requirement by 51% as compared to baseline (p < 0.003). This was accompanied by a significant increase in the 2nd phase C-peptide response during hyperglycemic clamp (p = 0.018), whereas there were no significant alterations in insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal rate during hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp relative to the baseline. Other measures of β-cell indices like HOMA-β, and stimulated C-peptide response to glucagon and mixed meal tolerance test were non-contributory.

Conclusion

ABM-MNCs transplantation results in significant reduction in insulin doses and improvement in C-peptide response in patients with T2DM. Metabolic studies may be more useful than conventional indices to predict β-cell function in patients with advanced duration of T2DM.

Trial registration-Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01759823
Anesthesia Adverse Events Voluntarily Reported in the Veterans Health Administration and Lessons Learned
Authors: Neily Julia , Silla Elda S. , Sum-Ping Sam (John) T. , Reedy Roberta , Paull Douglas E. , Mazzia Lisa , Mills Peter D. , Hemphill Robin R.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND:

Anesthesia providers have long been pioneers in patient safety. Despite remarkable efforts, anesthesia errors still occur, resulting in complications, injuries, and even death. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Center of Patient Safety uses root cause analysis (RCA) to examine why system-related adverse events occur and how to prevent future similar events. This study describes the types of anesthesia adverse events reported in VHA hospitals and their root causes and preventative actions.

METHODS:

RCA reports from VHA hospitals from May 30, 2012, to May 1, 2015, were reviewed for root causes, severity of patient outcomes, and actions. These elements were coded by consensus and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS:

During the study period, 3228 RCAs were submitted, of which 292 involved an anesthesia provider. Thirty-six of these were specific to anesthesia care. We reviewed these 36 RCA reports of adverse events specific to anesthesia care. Types of event included medication errors (28%, 10), regional blocks (14%, 5), airway management (14%, 5), skin integrity or position (11%, 4), other (11%, 4), consent issues (8%, 3), equipment (8%, 3), and intravenous access and anesthesia awareness (3%, 1 each). Of the 36 anesthesia events reported, 5 (14%) were identified as being catastrophic, 10 (28%) major, 12 (34%) moderate, and 9 (26%) minor. The majority of root causes identified a need for improved standardization of processes.

CONCLUSIONS:

This analysis points to the need for systemwide implementation of human factors engineering–based approaches to work toward further eliminating anesthesia-related adverse events. Such actions include standardization of processes, forcing functions, separating storage of look-alike sound-alike medications, limiting stock of high-risk medication strengths, bar coding medications, use of cognitive aids such as checklists, and high-fidelity simulation.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Mitral Stenosis Orifice Area: A Comparison of a Novel Three-Dimensional Method Versus Conventional Techniques
Authors: Karamnov Sergey , Burbano-Vera Nelson , Huang Chuan-Chin , Fox John A. , Shernan Stanton K.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND:

A comprehensive evaluation of mitral stenosis (MS) severity commonly utilizes two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography techniques. However, the complex three-dimensional (3D) structure of the mitral valve (MV) poses challenges to accurate measurements of its orifice area by 2D imaging modalities. We aimed to assess MS severity by comparing measurements of the MV orifice area using conventional echocardiography methods to 3D orifice area (3DOA), a novel echocardiographic technique which minimizes geometric assumptions.

METHODS:

Routine 2D and 3D intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic images from 26 adult cardiac surgery patients with at least moderate rheumatic MS were retrospectively reviewed. Measurements of the MV orifice area obtained by pressure half-time (PHT), proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA), continuity equation, and 3D planimetry were compared to those acquired using 3DOA.

RESULTS:

MV areas derived by PHT, PISA, continuity equation, 3D planimetry, and 3DOA (mean value ± standard deviation) were 1.12 ± 0.27, 1.03 ± 0.27, 1.16 ± 0.35, 0.97 ± 0.25, and 0.76 ± 0.21 cm2, respectively. Areas obtained from the 3DOA method were significantly smaller than areas derived from PHT (mean difference 0.35 cm2, P < .0001), PISA (mean difference: 0.28 cm2, P = .0002), continuity equation (mean difference: 0.43 cm2, P = .0015), and 3D planimetry (mean difference: 0.19 cm2, P < .0001). MV 3DOAs also identified a significantly greater percentage of patients with severe MS (88%) compared to PHT (31%, P = .006), PISA (42%, P = .01), and continuity equation (39%, P = .017) but not in comparison to 3D planimetry (62%, P = .165).

CONCLUSIONS:

Novel measures of the stenotic MV 3DOA in patients with rheumatic heart disease are significantly smaller than calculated values obtained by conventional methods and may be consistent with a higher incidence of severe MS compared to 2D techniques. Further investigation is warranted to determine the clinical relevance of 3D echocardiographic techniques used to measure MV area.
Human haematopoietic stem cell development: from the embryo to the dish
Authors: Ivanovs Andrejs , Rybtsov Stanislav , Ng Elizabeth S. , Stanley Edouard G. , Elefanty Andrew G. , Medvinsky Alexander
Published: July 2017

Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge during embryogenesis and give rise to the adult haematopoietic system. Understanding how early haematopoietic development occurs is of fundamental importance for basic biology and medical sciences, but our knowledge is still limited compared with what we know of adult HSCs and their microenvironment. This is particularly true for human haematopoiesis, and is reflected in our current inability to recapitulate the development of HSCs from pluripotent stem cells in vitro. In this Review, we discuss what is known of human haematopoietic development: the anatomical sites at which it occurs, the different temporal waves of haematopoiesis, the emergence of the first HSCs and the signalling landscape of the haematopoietic niche. We also discuss the extent to which in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells recapitulates bona fide human developmental haematopoiesis, and outline some future directions in the field.
MicroRNAs in neural development: from master regulators to fine-tuners
Authors: Rajman Marek , Schratt Gerhard
Published: July 2017

The proper formation and function of neuronal networks is required for cognition and behavior. Indeed, pathophysiological states that disrupt neuronal networks can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, schizophrenia or intellectual disability. It is well-established that transcriptional programs play major roles in neural circuit development. However, in recent years, post-transcriptional control of gene expression has emerged as an additional, and probably equally important, regulatory layer. In particular, it has been shown that microRNAs (miRNAs), an abundant class of small regulatory RNAs, can regulate neuronal circuit development, maturation and function by controlling, for example, local mRNA translation. It is also becoming clear that miRNAs are frequently dysregulated in neurodevelopmental disorders, suggesting a role for miRNAs in the etiology and/or maintenance of neurological disease states. Here, we provide an overview of the most prominent regulatory miRNAs that control neural development, highlighting how they act as ‘master regulators’ or ‘fine-tuners’ of gene expression, depending on context, to influence processes such as cell fate determination, cell migration, neuronal polarization and synapse formation.
Salvage Embolization and Histologic Analysis of Gastric Cancer with Hemorrhagic Shock Using Spherical Embolic Material
Authors: Kennoki Norifumi , Saguchi Toru , Otaka Jun , Makuuchi Yosuke , Watanabe Takafumi , Katayanagi So , Serizawa Hiromi , Koizumi Kiyoshi , Tokuuye Koichi
Published: July 2017

Background: In a recent study, it was reported that transcatheter arterial embolization with spherical embolic material for life-threatening hemorrhages in various cancer patients was safe and effective. Calibrated microspheres are able to access distal regions of the target arteries, which results in the disappearance of tumor staining. However, there are few reports on the pathological behavior of EmboSpheres in gastric cancer specimens. In this case, we succeeded in salvage embolization for advanced gastric cancer with hemorrhagic shock using spherical embolic material. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a pathological evaluation of spherical embolic microspheres in a gastric cancer specimen.

Case Report: A 70-year-old man with scirrhous gastric cancer was admitted to our hospital for staging laparoscopy. Unfortunately, he had a sudden onset of hematemesis and melena leading to hemorrhagic shock due to bleeding from the gastric cancer. While undergoing a rapid blood transfusion, he underwent emergent embolization to achieve hemostasis. The left gastric and right gastroepiploic arteries were embolized with spherical embolic material, and the patient survived. Two days later, the patient was able to undergo gastrectomy. A large number of microspheres were observed in areas of hemorrhage. The range and median diameter of the minor axis were 177–1048 μm and 281 μm, respectively.

Conclusions: Transcatheter arterial embolization using spherical embolic material could become one of safe and effective options, especially when there is no extravasation or pseudoaneurysm but only tumor staining from the clinical and pathological point of view.
On systematisation of Estonians’ body build data
Authors: Kaarma Helje , Veldre Gudrun , Saluste Liidia , Lintsi Mart , Kasmel Jaan , Tiit Ene-Margit , Stamm Raini , Toomsalu Maie , Arend Andres
Published: July 2017

Based on research results of women’s, men’s and children’s body build, we present the arithmetic means of adult Estonian men and women (aged 20–70 years) as the national norms. Classifications based on gender and age enable to somatotype the subjects according to the classes of the classification.
On preservation and development of Estonian as a research language in anthropology – the role of the Yearbooks of the Estonian Anthropometric Register (1998–2002) in it
Authors: Kasmel Jaan , Kasmel Tiiu
Published: July 2017

A few years after its foundation (1993), the Centre for Physical Anthro pology at the University started cooperation with the Estonian Anthropometric Register. Together, it was decided to publish the Estonian-language Yearbook of the Estonian Anthropometric Register to preserve and develop Estonian as the language of research in anthropology. By that time, the Centre for Physical Anthropology had also started to publish the collection Papers on Anthropology in English.The article provides an overview of the Yearbooks of the Estonian Anthropometric Register 1998–2002. The covers of the yearbooks were designed by Michael Walsh and the language editor was Leelo Jago. From 1999, all the articles were accompanied by summaries in English. The Yearbook of 2002 is indexed in SPORTDiscus database. All the Yearbooks were printed by University of Tartu Press.The overview presents the cover, title page and contents of the first Yearbook; the following Yearbooks are represented only by the contents and summaries of prefaces by editor-in-chief Helje Kaarma.General characterisation of the five Yearbooks: 1129 pages in total, 125 published publications, 125 researchers as their first authors, in addition to them 171 co-authors; thus, 296 researchers participated as authors of articles. Actually, these numbers turn out to be smaller, as the number of authors of articles ranges between one and eight.Based on this, a table has been compiled about the distribution of articles per number of authors.The second part of the overview presents, as Tables, the distribution of articles according to their first authors by years and the distribution of articles between the authors from Tartu and Tallinn, and from the institutions of these towns. We also add the list of co-authors and the numbers of their participation in the articles of the Yearbooks.Based on the overview, it can be said that the five Yearbooks of the Estonian Anthropometric Register published from 1998–2002, their 125 publications and 56 researchers as first authors and their 77 co-authors, thus a total of 133 authors have a definite and constant role and significance in the preservation and development of Estonian as a language of research in this period.The question arises whether there is any other branch of research in Estonia, the representatives of which would have done anything similar in these years or earlier for the preservation and development of Estonian as a research language in their area, not only published articles in English.
Sports anthropological and somatotypical comparison between male wrestlers and hapkidoin of different performance levels
Authors: Raschka Christoph , Müller Jasmin
Published: July 2017

The present study compares the anthropometry and somatotyping of n = 40 healthy male wrestlers (age range 15–37 years) and n = 40 Hapkidoin (age range 23–29 years) with respect to various performance categories.On average, the mean age of wrestlers was lower, compared to hapkidoin. The wrestlers of both performance classes are considerably smaller (mean height 170 cm) than the hapkidoin (high performance class 176.5 cm, lower performance class 180 cm). When comparing the weight classes of the wrestlers, the average body height increases continuously with increasing weight class in conjunction with most other anthropometric parameters.In the chessboard pattern graphic to Conrad, the hapkidoin appear rather moderately pyknomorphic as well as slender, the wrestlers are moderately leptomorphic and metrosome as well as smaller.In Parnell’s somatochart, the wrestlers have an average somatotype of 5 – 3 – 3, the hapkidoin of 5 – 3 – 4. In the somatochart of Heath & Carter, an average somatotype of 6 – 3 – 2 is shown for both combat sport collectives, whereby the wrestlers tend to the endomorphic axis.
A study on the lifestyle of school-aged children in Pärnu City and County
Authors: Übner Monika , Õun Kandela , Mägi Merle
Published: July 2017

In 2013/2014, a study on students’ health behaviour was conducted in Estonia. In 2016, a school-aged children’s lifestyle study was carried out in Pärnu City and Pärnu County. The survey explored the students’ relations with their family and friends, family affluence, physical activity, use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. 2,512 respondents participated in the study, 48% of them were boys and 52% girls. The respondents mainly had a family with two biological parents and their family financial status was mostly “good”. About half of the respondents played computer games 0.5–3 hours a day, but those who were physically active spent less hours behind the computer and had higher family financial status. Respondents who were not physically very active met friends less frequently. In communication with friends, they used more social media. The questionnaire included several questions about risk behaviours. If the respondent had one bad habit, this was likely to lead to other bad habits, too.
Fertility modelling
Authors: Vähi Mare
Published: July 2017

In order to describe age-specific fertility curves, different theoretical approaches are employed. By modelling a time-variant fertility curve, it is possible to forecast reproductive behaviour of Estonian women in the future. The approach provided here is a novel way to forecast fertility.
A Possible Extension of Henslowe's and Alleyn's Sussex Network?
Authors: Quinn Paul
Published: July 2017

In the following note, I present evidence of a relationship between Edward Alleyn and the Sherley family of Wiston in Sussex. Through an examination of local archives, Henslowe’s diary, and other theatre history, the note argues that the ‘Edward Allen’ recorded in Anne Sherley’s will could be Edward Alleyn. In so doing, it suggests a connection between Alleyn and the Sherley brothers dramatized by Day, Rowley, and Wilkins in The Travels of the Three English Brothers (1607), and Henry Sherley, the author of The Martyred Soldier (1622/3).
Leicester’s Men and the Lost Telomo of 1583
Authors: Lovascio Domenico
Published: July 2017

This article proposes a new identification for the lost play Telomo, performed at court by Leicester’s Men in 1583. Challenging previous hypotheses that the play might have been either about a character named Ptolemy or about one of the main character’s friends from the Spanish romance Palmerin d’Oliva, this article suggests that the play may have dramatized either episodes involving Ajax Telamonius or his father or, as appears more likely, the episode of ‘The Vnkindly Loue of Telamon to Castibula His Frends Wife’ from Brian Melbancke’s euphuistic romance Philotimus. The Warre betwixt Nature and Fortune (1583).
Allison P. Hobgood. Passionate Playgoing in Early Modern England. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014. Pp x, 236.
Authors: Goodland Katharine
Published: July 2017

This review considers Passionate Playgoing in Early Modern England.
Nicoleta Cinpoeş (ed.). Doing Kyd: Essays on The Spanish Tragedy. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2016. Pp 240.
Authors: Montgomery Marianne
Published: July 2017

This review considers Doing Kyd: Essays on The Spanish Tragedy.
Growth and sexual retardation in a boy with celiac disease
Authors: Brzhezinski Lubov B. , Latyshev Oleg Yu. , Samsonova Lubov N. , Okminyan Goar F. , Kiseleva Elena V. , Kasatkina Elvira P. , Pykov Mihail I.
Published: July 2017

Growth and sexual retardation in boys can be caused by both endocrine and somatogenic causes. One of the somatogenic causes of growth and puberty retardation is celiac disease that is a genetic disorder of the small intestine, which is associated with deficiency of enzymes breaking down the gluten peptide. The clinical picture of celiac disease may be dominated by gastrointestinal manifestations (diarrhea, recurrent abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, appetite disorders) and nonspecific symptoms (irritability, apathy, physical and sexual retardation, impaired reproductive function, anemia, etc.). We present a case of late diagnosis of celiac disease in a 15-year-old boy with physical (height SDS, -4.1; bone age SDS, -8.2) and sexual (Tanner 1) retardation. The negative results of gonadoliberin (max LH, 2 mIU/mL) and chorionic gonadotropin (Δ-testosterone, 2,3 nmol/L) tests indicated the lack of activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal system. However, inhibin B (29.9 pg/mL) and anti-Mullerian hormone (43.8 ng/mL) levels indicated preservation of the reserve capabilities of this system. During follow-up, after treatment with a gluten-free diet for 10 months, the patient demonstrated an improved growth rate (2.7 SDS), progression of the sexual development stage (Tanner 2), and positive results of diagnostic diphereline (max LH, 16.8 IU/mL) and chorionic gonadotropin (Δ-testosterone, 11.8 nmol/L) tests. This case demonstrates the need to exclude celiac disease in patients with growth and sexual retardation, especially when these pathologies are combined with protein-energy deficiency, gastrointestinal symptoms, and anemia, as well as the need to use additional indicators of the reproductive system condition in boys, e.g. inhibin B and anti-Mullerian hormone.
Papillary thyroid cancer in an adolescent with a toxic single nodular goiter
Authors: Rogova Olga S. , Okminyan Goar F. , Samsonova Lubov N. , Kiseleva Elena V. , Latyshev Oleg Yu. , Egarmina Natalja N. , Kasatkina Elvira P.
Published: July 2017

The rate of nodular goiter in children ranges from 0.05 to 5.1%; in this case, the risk of thyroid cancer in childhood amounts to 3―70% of all cases of thyroid pathology. Therefore, the main issue is the differential diagnosis of a nosological variant of a thyroid nodule, which defines the optimal therapeutic tactics for a particular patient. The risk of malignancy is traditionally believed to be low in the case of decompensated functional autonomy of a thyroid nodule; therefore, the need for fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) followed by cytomorphological analysis of the aspirate is avoided in most cases. The presented clinical case demonstrates papillary cancer in an adolescent with a toxic single nodular goiter. A thyroid ultrasound examination revealed a nodular lesion in the boy. An increase in the thyroid size and thyrotoxicosis manifestation occurred 3 years later. A cytomorphological study identified follicular neoplasia; scintigraphy revealed a hot nodule. Surgical treatment was planned. Antithyroid therapy was prescribed to prepare for surgery. After compensation of thyrotoxicosis, hemithyroidectomy was performed. A histological examination diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer, which required repeated thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine I131 ablation. The postoperative period was uneventful; the patient well tolerated suppressive levothyroxine therapy. Therefore, the presence of a toxic single nodular goiter does not exclude thyroid cancer, which defines the need to discuss the indications for FNAB of thyroid nodules in children.
De la Chapelle syndrome: clinical and laboratory characteristics of 4 patients
Authors: Sannikova Ekaterina S. , Latyshev Oleg Yu. , Samsonova Lubov N. , Kiseleva Elena V. , Okminyan Goar F. , Kasatkina Elvira P.
Published: July 2017

We describe 4 cases of 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development. Depending on the presence of the SRY gene, two variants of this disease are distinguished: SRY-positive and SRY-negative ones. The SRY (sex-determining region Y) gene is involved in differentiation of Sertoli cells and development of the testes. The pathogenesis of the disease in SRY-positive patients is related to translocation of the SRY gene from the Y chromosome to the X chromosome. The pathogenesis of the disease in SRY-negative patients is associated with overexpression of genes (SOX9, SOX3, etc.) responsible for the development of male genitalia or inadequate gene expression (WNT4, RSPO1, etc.) responsible for the development of female genitalia. The patients had a hermaphroditic genital structure with a masculinization score (EMS) of 6 and 11 and were SRY-negative in 50% of cases; 50% of the patients were SRY-positive with full masculinization, microorchidism, and gynecomastia. All children underwent a hormonal examination in the neutral and pubertal periods. Patients who reached pubertal age developed partial and total hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. The patients have had no need in substitution therapy with testosterone. One of the patients underwent a semiological analysis that revealed necrozoospermia and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. A SRY-negative patient with cryptorchidism underwent biopsy of the cryptorchid gonad; no Leydig cells were found.
Combination of lipoatrophic diabetes mellitus with systemic scleroderma and phenylketonuria
Authors: Svetlova Galina N. , Kuraeva Tamara L. , Alekseev Dmitriy L. , Peterkova Valentina A.
Published: July 2017

We present the first report of a rare form of lipoatrophic diabetes mellitus in a child with partial autoimmune lipodystrophy combined with systemic scleroderma and phenylketonuria. We describe the features of clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and therapy. To exclude the monogenic form of lipodystrophy, we performed a molecular genetic analysis of genes ZMPSTE24, LMNA, BSCL2, PLIN1, PTRF, LMNB2, POLD1, AKT2, CIDEC, PIK3CA, PPARG, PSMB8, CAV1, PPP1R3A, and AGPAT2 that are responsible for the development of lipodystrophy and insulin resistance. No mutations were found. The presence of systemic scleroderma of autoimmune genesis enabled the diagnosis of autoimmune lipodystrophy. Treatment of insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus in lipodystrophy is a challenge: biguanide therapy is dangerous due to impairment of liver functions, and insulin therapy is not effective enough; administration of high doses is required. The presence of phenylketonuria further complicates compliance with the dietary regimen. The combination of three rare diseases ― lipoatrophic diabetes, phenylketonuria, and systemic scleroderma ― in one patient has not been found in the available literature.
Economic and social aspects of pituitary dwarfism treatment with recombinant growth hormone
Authors: Vorontsova Maria V. , Nagaeva Elena V. , Naygovzina Nelli B.
Published: July 2017

Rationale. Pituitary dwarfism is an orphan disease requiring pathogenetic treatment. The domestic literature lacks studies devoted to the medical and economic effectiveness of treatment for growth hormone deficiency (GHD) using recombinant growth hormone (rGH) drugs.
Aim. To analyze the cost effectiveness of rGH therapy in GHD children in the Russian Federation under the Program «7 High-Cost Nosologies».
Material and methods. We analyzed data of 50 GHD children living in 4 regions of the Russian Federation and receiving rGH therapy under the Program «7 High-Cost Nosologies». We evaluated the amount of drug consumption and the economic component: the cost of treatment and monitoring for ≥ 6 years. The incremental cost was calculated as the difference between a program providing a GHD child with rGH treatment and monitoring and an alternative program providing a GHD child with financial and social assistance and medical examination.
Results. The median cost of treatment of a single child with rGH at a dose of 0.033 mg/kg/day was 437.5 thousand rubles or 8.12 thousand US dollars for the entire analyzed period (mean, 6.95 years). The median cost of treatment per child per year was 63.6 thousand rubles/year or 1.09 thousand USD/year. Given the cost of treatment and monitoring, the integrated management of one patient cost 68.4 thousand rubles per year (470.7 thousand rubles for 6.95 years), on average, with monitoring accounting for 7.05%. The total cost of all benefits and examinations for one disabled child was 178.97 thousand rubles per year or 1,243.86 thousand rubles for 6.95 years (medical examinations accounted for 1.2%). Upon calculating the cost difference between the program providing a GHD child with treatment and monitoring and the alternative program when a GHD child was not provided with treatment, but received appropriate disability payments and medical examination, the incremental cost amounted to 110.6 thousand rubles per child per year (773.18 thousand rubles for 6.95 years).
Conclusion. The study demonstrates that treatment of GHD children under Program «7 High-Cost Nosologies» is cost-effective for both the patient and society and the state in general. For example, the incremental cost between the two programs is 110.6 thousand rubles for a year or 773.18 thousand rubles for 6.95 years. The study results indicate the importance of thorough analysis of the effects and costs in assessing the effectiveness of medical programs, especially in the case of orphan diseases.
Cushing’s syndrome in an infant
Authors: Kareva Maria A. , Makazan Nadezda V. , Orlova Elizaveta M. , Poddubnyi Igor V. , Peterkova Valentina A.
Published: July 2017

Endogenous hypercorticism in infants occurs extremely rare. The causes of Cushing’s syndrome in early childhood include space-occupying lesions and bilateral hyperplasia of the adrenal glands. ACTH-independent hypercorticism due to bilateral nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal glands in children in the first months of life is most often associated with McCune-Albright-Braitsev syndrome. This syndrome is a rare disease caused by hyperfunction of the stimulatory G-protein alpha-subunit due to somatic mutations in the GNAS gene. The McCune-Albright-Braitsev syndrome is a multicomponent disease, the clinical manifestations of which include café-au-lait spots, fibrous dysplasia, and different types of endocrine hyperfunction, among which hypercorticism is one of the rare cases. The clinical picture of Cushing’s syndrome manifested in early childhood is characterized by some peculiarities that can delay the correct diagnosis: the first manifestations include low weight and height at birth, physical retarfation in the absence of a redistribution of subcutaneous fat typical of Cushing’s syndrome, psychomotor retardation, and complications caused by immunodeficiency and hypertension. We present a case of ACTH-independent hypercorticism in an infant.
Structural change and non-constant biased technical change
Authors: Cruz Edgar
Published: July 2017

Empirical evidence suggests that the differences in rates of technical progress across sectors are time-variant, implying that the bias in technological change is not constant. In this paper, we analyze the implications of this non-constant sectoral biased technical change for structural change and we assess whether this is an important factor behind structural transformations. To this end, we develop a multi-sectoral growth model where TFP growth rates across sectors are non-constant. We calibrate our model to match the development of the U.S. economy during the twentieth century. Our findings show that, by assuming non-constant biased technical change, a purely technological approach is able to replicate the sectoral transformations in the U.S. economy not only after but also prior to World War II.
Can removing the tax cap save Social Security?
Authors: Bagchi Shantanu
Published: July 2017

The maximum amount of earnings in a calendar year that can be taxed by Social Security is currently set at $118,500. In this paper, I examine if removing this cap can solve Social Security’s future budgetary problems. I find that when this cap is removed, benefits need to decline by less than 4% to keep Social Security solvent, compared to by almost 12% when the cap is held fixed at its current level. Households for whom the cap expires respond by working and saving less, which reduces labor supply, capital stock, and output, and also reverses some of the initial expansion in Social Security’s revenues. Elimination of the cap alters the pattern of redistribution implicit in Social Security, and also imposes larger distortions on labor supply and saving, which reduces overall welfare.
A preliminary study for the assessment of hypertension using static and dynamic IR thermograms
Authors: Thiruvengadam Jayanthi , Mariamichael Anburajan
Published: July 2017

Structural changes in blood vessels occur due to prolonged hypertension. Early detection of blood pressure (mm Hg) is essential for disease prevention. The aim of this work is to propose a computer-aided diagnostic (CADx) model for the diagnosis of hypertension using variables derived from non-contact static and dynamic thermal imaging in comparison with the pulse wave velocity (PWV)-derived parameters. Static and dynamic infrared (IR) thermograms of selected skin areas of the body from known hypertensive (n=14) and age- and sex-matched normal subjects were captured. The average skin surface temperature [SST (°C)] of selected skin areas of the body was calculated from a static IR thermogram. After denoising the dynamic IR thermogram using wavelets, the statistical variables power, mean, standard deviation (SD), variance, skewness and kurtosis were calculated. The variables derived from both static and dynamic thermograms were used to develop the CADx model. The performance of the CAD model was also tested by feature selection using principal component analysis (PCA). An accuracy of 75% (sensitivity=78.6%, specificity=71.4%) could be achieved with the average SST (°C) of the static IR thermogram alone. The statistical variables derived from the dynamic IR thermogram alone gave an accuracy of 82% (and 85% after feature selection by PCA), whereas the accuracy using standard methods like variables derived from PWV was only 71.4% (with and without feature selection). The highest accuracy of 89% could be achieved by combining variables like average SST (°C) measured from static and dynamic IR thermograms and PWV-derived variables.
Evanescent-Wave Reconstruction in Time Reversal System
Authors: Zang Rui , Wang Bing-Zhong , Ding Shuai , Gong Zhi-Shuang
Published: July 2017

The evanescent wave re-construction performance in the time reversal system with periodic sub-wavelength grating is studied in this paper. Both the analysis and calculation results show that the evanescent components of the initial wave can’t be re-constructed directly by far field time reversal processing. The results indicate the uncertainty of the super-resolution performance of the time reversal technique with randomly arranged scatters. A new method to achieve super-resolution imaging by using evanescent-to-propagation wave conversion also been proposed at the end of this paper.
A simple one-pot synthesis of 2,4-diaryl- 9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indoles under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Khoshneviszadeh Mehdi , Yahagh Aida , Soheilizad Mehdi , Mahdavi Mohammad
Published: July 2017

A novel, simple, one-pot synthesis of 2,4-diaryl-9H-pyrido[2,3-b]indoles is described. Heating a mixture of chalcone, oxindole and ammonium acetate in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide under solvent-free conditions afforded the title compounds in good to excellent yields.