bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A randomised feasibility trial comparing needle fasciotomy with limited fasciectomy treatment for Dupuytren’s contractures
Authors:   the HAND-1 Study group, Davis T. R. C. , Tan W. , Harrison E. F. , Hollingworth W. , Karantana A. , Mills N. , Hepburn T. , Sprange K. , Duley L. , Blazeby J. M. , Bainbridge C. G. , Murali S. R. , Montgomery A. A.
Published: January 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a large, multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparing needle fasciotomy with limited fasciectomy for treatment of Dupuytren’s contractures.

Design

The design of this study is a parallel, two-arm, multicentre, randomised feasibility trial with embedded QuinteT Recruitment Intervention.

Participants

Patients aged 18 years or over who were referred from primary to secondary care for treatment of a hand with Dupuytren’s contractures of one or more fingers of more than 30° at the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and/or proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints and well-defined cord(s). Patients were excluded if they had undergone previous Dupuytren’s contracture surgery on the same hand.

Methods

Potential participants were screened for eligibility. Recruited participants randomised (1:1) to treatment with either needle fasciotomy or limited fasciectomy and followed-up for up to 6 months after treatment. Data on recruitment rates, completion of follow-up, and procedure costs were collected. Four patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and objective outcome measures were collected before intervention and 6 weeks and 6 months afterwards.

Results

One hundred and fifty-three of 267 (57%) primary-care referrals for Dupuytren’s contractures met the eligibility criteria for the study. Seventy-one of the 153 (46%) agreed to participate and were randomly allocated to treatment with needle fasciotomy or limited fasciectomy. Sixty-seven of these underwent their allocated treatment, two were crossovers from limited fasciectomy to needle fasciotomy, and two (both allocated limited fasciectomy) received no treatment. Fifty-nine participants (85%) completed 6-month follow-up PROMs. Participants felt the MYMOP, PEM and URAM PROMs allowed them to better describe how their treatment affected their hand function than the DASH PROM. The estimated costs of limited fasciectomy (in an operating theatre) and needle fasciotomy (in a clinic room) were £777 and £111 respectively.

Conclusion

A large RCT comparing treatment of Dupuytren’s contractures by needle fasciotomy and limited fasciectomy is feasible. Data from this study will help determine the number of sites and duration of recruitment required to complete an adequately powered RCT and will assist the selection of PROMs in future studies on the treatment of Dupuytren’s contractures. (Level 1 feasibility study).

Trial registration

Trial registered with ISRCTN (registration number: ISRCTN11164292), date assigned - 28/08/2015.
Exploring the perspectives of community members as research partners in rural and remote areas
Authors: Pelletier Chelsea A. , Pousette Anne , Ward Kirsten , Fox Gloria
Published: January 2020

Background

Community engagement in research has the potential to support the development of meaningful health promotion interventions to address health inequities. People living in rural and remote areas face increased barriers to participation in health research and may be unjustly excluded from participation. It is necessary to understand the process of patient and public engagement from the perspective of community members to support partnered research in underserved areas. The aim of this project was to increase understanding on how to include community members from rural and remote areas as partners on research teams.

Methods

Using purposive sampling, we completed semi-structured interviews with a representative sample of 12 community members in rural and remote areas of northern British Columbia, Canada. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Following an integrated knowledge translation approach, an inductive thematic analysis was completed to incorporate researcher and knowledge user perspectives.

Results

The factors important to community members for becoming involved in research include: 1) relevance; 2) communication; and 3) empowering participation. The analysis suggests projects must be relevant to both communities and individuals. Most participants stated that they would not be interested in becoming partners on research projects that did not have a direct benefit or value for their communities. Participants expressed the need for clear expectations and clarification of preferred communication mechanisms. Communication must be regular, appropriate in length and content, and written in a language that is accessible. It is essential to ensure that community members are recognized as subject matter experts, to provide appropriate training on the research process, and to use research outcomes to support decision making.

Conclusions

To engage research partners in rural and remote communities, research questions and outcomes should be co-produced with community members. In-person relationships can help establish trust and bidirectional communication mechanisms are prudent throughout the research process, including the appropriate sharing of research findings. Although this project did not include community members as research team members or in the co-production of this research article, we present guidelines for research teams interested in adding a patient or public perspective to their integrated knowledge translation teams.
Detecting heterogeneity in and between breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Shen Yang , Schmidt B. U. Sebastian , Kubitschke Hans , Morawetz Erik W. , Wolf Benjamin , Käs Josef A. , Losert Wolfgang
Published: February 2020

Background

Cellular heterogeneity in tumor cells is a well-established phenomenon. Genetic and phenotypic cell-to-cell variability have been observed in numerous studies both within the same type of cancer cells and across different types of cancers. Another known fact for metastatic tumor cells is that they tend to be softer than their normal or non-metastatic counterparts. However, the heterogeneity of mechanical properties in tumor cells are not widely studied.

Results

Here we analyzed single-cell optical stretcher data with machine learning algorithms on three different breast tumor cell lines and show that similar heterogeneity can also be seen in mechanical properties of cells both within and between breast tumor cell lines. We identified two clusters within MDA-MB-231 cells, with cells in one cluster being softer than in the other. In addition, we show that MDA-MB-231 cells and MDA-MB-436 cells which are both epithelial breast cancer cell lines with a mesenchymal-like phenotype derived from metastatic cancers are mechanically more different from each other than from non-malignant epithelial MCF-10A cells.

Conclusion

Since stiffness of tumor cells can be an indicator of metastatic potential, this result suggests that metastatic abilities could vary within the same monoclonal tumor cell line.
Increasing the efficacy of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrosis virus using certain essential oils
Authors: Sayed Waheed Ahmed Abdelhanid , El-Bendary Helmy , El-Helaly Alexandra
Published: February 2020

Baculoviruses inactivation by UV sunlight is considered one of the most important factors that reduce their potential use in insect management programs. The three antioxidant essential oils, marjoram, orange, and tea tree were tested as protective additives to the multiple nucleopolyhedrosis virus (SpliMNPV) against UV. The results revealed that the orange oil was promising for virus protection, while the tea tree oil and marjoram oil did not protect the virus. The results also showed that the pathogenicity of the combination treatment of SpliMNPV and orange oil was increased drastically by adding the LC50 (1.0%) concentration of the oil to the virus concentrations. Consequently, the LC50 of the mixture was reduced to 5.3 × 103 PIB/ml compared to 3.2 × 105 PIB/ml concentration of virus alone. Concomitantly, the ovicidal and larvicidal effects of orange oils were determined. The results suggested that the combination treatment of orange oil and SpliMNPV could be used as an effective method for the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), management.
An overview of oral health status, socio-economic and behavioral risk factors, and the pattern of tooth loss in a sample of Egyptian rural population
Authors: Moussa Amani , Ibrahim Eman , Esmat Ahmed , Eissa Sherihan , Ramzy Magda
Published: January 2020

Background

The lack of adequate data on the oral health status among the Egyptians is a challenging barrier for the assessment and improvement of oral health needs.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to collect data on oral health status among a sample of Egyptian rural population and to assess the possible role of the socio-demographic, socio-economic, and behavioral risk factors on the status of the present dentition (the pattern of tooth loss and edentulism).

Materials and methods

Data was collected from 530 patients with age ranged from 20 to 70 years using a modified World Health Organization (WHO) questionnaire. The questionnaire included information about oral health status, socio-demographic (age and sex), socio-economic (educational levels and income), and behavioral factors (smoking and oral hygiene measures). A complete intra- and extraoral examination and free dental health care services were provided by a team of qualified dental specialists from National Research Centre (NRC). Data was analyzed using chi-square and Spearman’s correlation tests, and the significance level was validated at p < 0.05.

Results

Females comprised 79% while males were 21% of the surveyed rural sample. Concerning socio-economic aspects including the level of education and income, it was found that 50% of the individuals completed their secondary educational levels, followed by illiterates 35.5% and preparatory levels, while college graduates were minority 4.7%. On the other hand, only 27.5% of rural had income while 72.5% of them had no income. Assessment of behavioral risk factors (oral hygiene procedures and smoking) showed that only 34.3% of the individuals claimed to brush their teeth and only a minority were male smokers (13.8%). The results demonstrated poor oral health status and increased incidence of partial edentulism (45%), where Kennedy class III was the most common type (34.6%).

Conclusions

Lack of oral hygiene measures specifically tooth brushing is the most significant behavioral risk factor for the poor oral health status and tooth loss in this survey.

Sociodemographic and socio-economic factors are influential risk factors for tooth loss.

Cigarette smoking was not a main behavioral risk factor that impacts the oral health status in the present survey
Effects of subjective feeling of environmental temperature on appetite and food intake in Chinese sociodemographic and ethnic groups
Authors: Halawa Abdelhadi
Published: February 2020

Background

A better understanding of the effect of environmental temperature variation on appetite and food intake may inform the public of adopting appropriate prophylactic eating behaviors. Seasonal weather temperature variation has been shown to have adverse effects on appetite and food intake in humans. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effect of environmental temperature variation on the appetite and eating patterns in Chinese adults.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from 1297 Chinese adults, including two Chinese ethnic groups, Han (N= 897) and Hui (N= 400). Participants responded to a modified paper-and-pencil self-administered dietary habits and food intake survey. In addition to sociodemographic factors and ethnic group affiliation questions, the survey included a question regarding the effect of the subjective feeling of environmental temperature variation (SFETV) on appetite and food intake as an independent variable.ttests and chi-square analyses were performed to analyze the parametric and nonparametric variables respectively.

Results

No significant difference was found in the effect of SFETV between the following dependent variables: male and female respondents (p< .998), married and single respondents (p< .281), full-time and part-time employed or retired participants (p< .187). Although it has not affected their SFETV responses, there was a statistically significant difference in the education level between the married and single respondents (p< .001). The single respondents were more likely to be college educated with a rate of (68.48%) compared with their married counterparts with a rate of 30.2%. There was a statistically significant difference between the eight cities and one rural town (p< .001). The appetite and food intake of the respondents from these cities were more likely to be affected by the SFETV. The appetite and food intake of the Han ethnic group were more likely to be affected by the SFETV with a rate of 28.09% juxtaposed to the Hui ethnic group with a rate of 12.64%.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that exposure to outdoor temperature variation (hot or cold) has a limited effect on the appetite and food intake of Chinese adults. However, the appetite and food intake of the permanent residents of the eight cities and one rural town were more likely to be affected by the exposure to outdoor temperature variation (hot or cold).
Unmasking lymphoma immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in a patient with pyrexia of unknown origin: a case report
Authors: Mahajan Mansi , Venkatesulu Bhanu Prasad , Sallam Omar , Taneja Kanika , Scott Megan , Brar Indira
Published: January 2020

Background

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is a constellation of inflammatory disorders that are unmasked after the initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. Unmasking lymphoma IRIS is a relatively rare manifestation after initiation of anti-retroviral therapy.

Case presentation

We report a 44-year-old male with HIV on 4 months of ART presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin with a diagnosis of unmasking Hodgkin’s lymphoma IRIS stage IV with B symptoms. This case portrays the importance of recognizing the possibility of Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a possible manifestation of IRIS within the first 6 months of initiation of ART.

Conclusion

Patients presenting with pyrexia of unknown origin and lymphadenopathy within the first 6 months of initiation of ART, lymphoma diagnosis should be on the high threshold of suspicion as portrayed by our case.
A time-lapse case study in West Africa: Integrating disciplines for a complete reservoir study and field management
Authors: Webb Bruce , Salerno Salvatore , Rizzetto Catia , Panizzardi Jacopo , Marchesini Marco , Fervari Massimo , De Draganich Christina , Colombi Nazzarena , Calderoni Mirko
Published: February 2020

Development and management of deepwater oil fields requires material investment and must be supported by application of quality technological solutions and tools. To maximize the advantages that can derive from these, it is essential to integrate technologies and disciplines throughout the field cycle. This integration makes it possible to identify and fix issues early and seize business opportunities quickly. We describe the activity carried out on a field characterized by a high-quality oil-bearing clastic reservoir located in a deepwater belt along a West African continental passive margin. We highlight how geoscience specialists from both geologic and geophysical branches have contributed to construction of the static and dynamic reservoir model, field monitoring, model updating, and operations optimization. The wide geologic and geophysical experience in the area made it possible to build a petroelastic model and a sedimentological model that were integrated in the population of a geocellular model. Seismic data also were used to support reservoir monitoring of the producing field. A dedicated 4D seismic project helped our understanding of fluid movement and fault behaviors in the field. The 4D information was interpreted and shared within the integrated team with the goal of identifying further business opportunities and driving decision making over our area of interest.
Phthalates and Sex Steroid Hormones Among Men From NHANES, 2013–2016
Authors: Woodward Miriam J , Obsekov Vladislav , Jacobson Melanie H , Kahn Linda G , Trasande Leonardo
Published: January 2020

Context

Phthalates are commonly found in commercial packaging, solvents, vinyl, and personal care products, and there is concern for potential endocrine-disrupting effects in males. The commonly used di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) has progressively been replaced by seldom studied compounds, such as bis-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate and 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid di-isononyl ester (DINCH).

Objective

To investigate the associations between the urinary phthalate metabolites and serum sex steroid hormone concentrations in a nationally representative sample of adult males.

Design, Setting, Participants, and Intervention

This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2013–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey among 1420 male participants aged ≥20 years.

Main Outcome Measures

Serum levels of total testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, and derived sex hormone measurements of free testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and free androgen index were examined as log-transformed continuous variables.

Results

Phthalate metabolites were not statistically significantly associated with sex hormone concentrations among all men. However, associations varied by age. High molecular weight phthalates were associated with lower total, free, and bioavailable testosterone among men age ≥60. Specifically, each doubling of ΣDEHP was associated with 7.72% lower total testosterone among older men (95% confidence interval, -12.76% to -2.39%). Low molecular phthalates were associated with lower total, free, and bioavailable testosterone among men age 20 to 39 and ∑DINCH was associated with lower total testosterone among men age ≥40.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that males may be vulnerable to different phthalate metabolites in age-specific ways. These results support further investigation into the endocrine-disrupting effects of phthalates.
CTG Expansion in the DMPK Gene: Semen Quality Assessment and Outcome of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
Authors: Puy Vincent , Mayeur Anne , Levy Alexandre , Hesters Laetitia , Raad Jade , Monnot Sophie , Steffann Julie , Frydman Nelly
Published: January 2020

Context

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized mainly by myotonia but also by primary hypogonadism. No study has reported on fertility management of patients affected by DM type 1 (DM1).

Objective

This study investigates the impact of CTG repeats in the DMPK gene on semen quality and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) outcome.

Design

This is a monocentric retrospective observational study conducted from January 2003 to January 2019.

Setting

Antoine Béclère University Hospital, Clamart, France.

Patients

Three groups were compared in this study: male DM1 patients (Group A, n = 18), unaffected partners of DM1 female patients (Group B, n = 30), and proven fertile men (Group C, n = 33). Reproductive outcomes after PGD were compared between groups A and B.

Results

Sperm volume was reduced in group A (2.0 mL) when compared with groups B (3.0 mL; P < 0.01) and C (3.5 mL; P < 0.01). Progressive motility in raw sperm was also decreased in group A (30%) as compared to group C (40%; P < 0.01). The median number of progressive spermatozoa retrieved after sperm preparation was 2.7 million (M) in group A, which was significantly less than those of groups B (10.0 M; P < 0.01) and C (62.2 M; P < 0.01). Sperm motility was inversely correlated to the number of CTG repeats (Spearman r2 = 0.48, Pearson r2 = 0.35). Cumulative live birth rate per transfer was similar between groups, with 32.2% in group A versus 26.8% in group B.

Conclusions

As a precautionary measure, we advise physicians to perform regular monitoring of semen quality in affected males, which would allow sperm cryopreservation should semen parameters fall. PGD allows good reproductive outcomes without disease transmission.
The Impact of Obesity On Insulin Sensitivity and Secretion During Pubertal Progression: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Kelsey Megan M , Pyle Laura , Hilkin Allison , Severn Cameron D , Utzschneider Kristina , Van Pelt Rachael E , Nadeau Kristen J , Zeitler Philip S
Published: January 2020

Context

Physiologic changes in glucose metabolism are well-described to occur during puberty. However, there are important gaps in understanding the interaction between obesity and the normal physiologic changes during puberty, as well as how these changes could contribute to the increased risk of comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, in youth with obesity.

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare longitudinal changes in insulin sensitivity (Si) and secretion during pubertal progression in youth with obesity versus those with normal weight.

Design

Longitudinal observational study evaluating youth from early puberty (Tanner [T]2-T3) until puberty completion (T5).

Setting

Pediatric academic hospital Clinical Translational Research Center.

Participants

Pubertal youth with normal weight (n = 47; 22 female, 25 male) and obesity (n = 37; 23 female, 14 male)

Main Outcome Measures

Si, insulin response (acute insulin response to glucose, AIRg) and disposition index (DI) by intravenous glucose tolerance test at baseline (T2-T3), T4, and T5

Results

Youth with obesity had significantly lower Si and higher AIRg at each time point (P < 0.001), but DI was similar between the groups. There were no group differences in trajectory of Si, AIRg or DI over time. Leptin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and obesity were most strongly associated with Si and AIRg at all time points.

Conclusions

Obesity significantly impacts Si during puberty, even at the earliest stages. However, in general, obese youth have adequate β-cell compensation for the significantly reduced Si of puberty. Future studies are needed to better predict the subset of youth who fail to maintain β-cell compensation during puberty.
High Molecular Diagnosis Rate in Undermasculinized Males with Differences in Sex Development Using a Stepwise Approach
Authors: Jacobson Jill D , Willig Laurel K , Gatti John , Strickland Julie , Egan Anna , Saunders Carol , Farrow Emily , Heckert Leslie L
Published: February 2020

Differences of sex development (DSDs) are a constellation of conditions that result in genital ambiguity or complete sex reversal. Although determining the underlying genetic variants can affect clinical management, fewer than half of undermasculinized males ever receive molecular diagnoses. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has improved diagnostic capabilities in several other diseases, and a few small studies suggest that it may improve molecular diagnostic capabilities in DSDs. However, the overall diagnostic rate that can be achieved with NGS for larger groups of patients with DSDs remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to implement a tiered approach to genetic testing in undermasculinized males seen in an interdisciplinary DSD clinic to increase the molecular diagnosis rate in this group. We determined the diagnosis rate in patients undergoing all clinically available testing. Patients underwent a stepwise approach to testing beginning with a karyotype and progressing through individual gene testing, microarray, panel testing, and then to whole-exome sequencing (WES) if no molecular cause was found. Deletion/duplication studies were also done if deletions were suspected. Sixty undermasculinized male participants were seen in an interdisciplinary DSD clinic from 2008 to 2016. Overall, 37/60 (62%) of patients with Y chromosomes and 46% of those who were 46XY received molecular diagnoses. Of the 46,XY patients who underwent all available genetic testing, 18/28 (64%) achieved molecular diagnoses. This study suggests that the addition of WES testing can result in a higher rate of molecular diagnoses compared to genetic panel testing.
Autonomic History, Examination, and Laboratory Evaluation
Authors: Cheshire William P.
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Autonomic disorders offer a fascinating view of the complexity of the nervous system. Their impact on human health ranges from benign to severe. Deciphering autonomic symptoms and signs draws on the cognitive skills and personal interest in the plight of patients that first attracted many physicians to the field of neurology. This article provides tools to sharpen those skills.

RECENT FINDINGS

Autonomic neuroscience and accumulated clinical knowledge have led to the categorization of autonomic disorders into specific syndromes that can be identified on the basis of clinical phenotypes and physiologic responses to standardized stimuli in the autonomic laboratory. A key development has been the ability to distinguish neurogenic orthostatic hypotension from other causes of hypotension. Quantification of sudomotor responses has proven valuable in the diagnosis of thermoregulatory disorders and small fiber neuropathies such as those related to diabetes mellitus. Increasing attention has focused on autonomic failure as a defining feature of neurodegenerative α-synucleinopathies, especially multiple system atrophy. As awareness of autonomic disorders has increased, the once obscure term dysautonomia has entered into common parlance.

With appropriate knowledge and experience, neurologists can diagnose autonomic dysfunction accurately and with confidence. The opportunity to play an important role in caring for patients with autonomic disorders is worth the effort.
Synucleinopathies
Authors: Coon Elizabeth A. , Singer Wolfgang
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews the α-synucleinopathies pure autonomic failure, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson disease with respect to autonomic failure.

RECENT FINDINGS

The pattern and severity of autonomic involvement in the synucleinopathies is related to differences in cellular deposition and neuronal populations affected by α-synuclein aggregation, which influences the degree and manifestation of autonomic failure. Clinical and laboratory autonomic features distinguish the different synucleinopathies based on pattern and severity. These features also determine which patients are at risk for evolution from pure autonomic failure to the synucleinopathies with prominent motor involvement, such as multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies, or Parkinson disease.

Autonomic failure is a key feature of the synucleinopathies, with varying type and degree of dysfunction from predominantly peripheral involvement in the Lewy body disorders to central involvement in multiple system atrophy.
Music and Economic Planning
Authors:   Le Mardi Gras Listening Collective
Published: February 2020

The Le Mardi Gras Listening Collective is a group of friends who listen to music together and is named after a bar in Pittsburgh where the collective was conceived. In this article we consider ways by which music might be a mode of planning opposed to individuation and measure, and beyond the instrumentalities to which music itself is often submitted. We do so by thinking about how jazz—where it takes on the improvisatory character of the busker, rehearsal, or jam—becomes a form of love. We consider the song as an expression of antagonism that the song itself cannot contain. We ask if we might conceive music as a mode of criminality opposed to the violence and discipline imposed upon the body by capital. We look to understand capitalism by situating the plantation system at its center. We ask what sort of place our listening takes place in and how the song might inhabit it. We wonder what it might mean for all of this to remain unresolved, and how to remain attuned to that irresolution as a form of planning social life.
Disruption of dmrt1 rescues the all-male phenotype of cyp19a1a mutant in zebrafish – A Novel insight into the roles of aromatase/estrogens in gonadal differentiation and early folliculogenesis
Authors: WU Kun , Song Weiyi , Zhang Zhiwei , Ge Wei
Published: January 2020

Sex determination and differentiation are complex processes controlled by many different factors; however, the relationships among these factors are poorly understood. Zebrafish gonadal differentiation exhibits high plasticity involving multiple factors and pathways, which provides an excellent model for investigating the interactions among them. Ovarian aromatase (cyp19a1a) and dmrt1 are key factors in directing vertebrate ovary and testis differentiation, respectively. Knockout of zebrafish cyp19a1a led to all-male offspring, whereas the loss of dmrt1 resulted in a female-biased sex ratio. In the present study, we established dmrt1−/−;cyp19a1a−/− double mutant zebrafish and discovered that the introduction of the dmrt1 mutation into the cyp19a1a mutant could rescue the all-male phenotype of the latter. Interestingly, despite the lack of aromatase/estrogens, the follicles in the ovary of the rescued cyp19a1a mutant could develop normally up to the previtellogenic stage (PV). Further evidence suggested the ovarian aromatase directed ovarian differentiation by suppressing dmrt1 expression via nuclear estrogen receptors (nERs). Our results provide solid evidence for an interaction between cyp19a1a and dmrt1 in zebrafish gonadal differentiation and for the dispensability of estrogens in controlling early folliculogenesis.
The Mechanics of Seated and Nonseated Cycling at Very-High-Power Output: A Joint-Level Analysis
Authors: WILKINSON ROSS D. , LICHTWARK GLEN A. , CRESSWELL ANDREW G.
Published: January 2020

Cyclists frequently use a nonseated posture when accelerating, climbing steep hills, and sprinting; yet, the biomechanical difference between seated and nonseated cycling remains unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to test the effects of posture (seated and nonseated) and cadence (70 and 120 rpm) on joint power contributions, effective mechanical advantage, and muscle activations within the leg during very-high-power output cycling.

Methods

Fifteen male participants rode on an instrumented ergometer at 50% of their individualized instantaneous maximal power (10.74 ± 1.99 W·kg−1; above the reported threshold for seated to nonseated transition) in different postures (seated and nonseated) and at different cadences (70 and 120 rpm) while leg muscle activity, full-body motion capture, and crank radial and tangential forces were recorded. A scaled, full-body model was used to solve inverse kinematics and inverse dynamics to determine joint displacements and net joint moments. Statistical comparisons were made using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (posture–cadence).

Results

There were significant main effects of posture and cadence on joint power contributions. A key finding was that the nonseated posture increased negative power at the knee, with an associated significant decrease of net power at the knee. The contribution of knee power decreased by 15% at both 70 and 120 rpm (~0.8 W·kg−1) when nonseated compared with seated. Subsequently, hip power and ankle power contributions were significantly higher when nonseated compared with seated at both cadences. In both postures, knee power was 9% lower at 120 rpm compared with 70 rpm (~0.4 W·kg−1).

Conclusion

These results evidenced that the contribution of knee joint power to leg power was reduced by switching from a seated to nonseated posture during very-high-power output cycling; however, the size of the reduction is cadence dependent.
Radiology for medical students (1925–2018): an overview
Authors: Chew Cindy , Cannon Paul , O'Dwyer Patrick J
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Radiology has been espoused as an excellent tool for educating medical students since 1925. Advances in technology and PACS mean it has never been easier to demonstrate living anatomy and clinical pathology in exquisite detail to students. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of radiologic publications related to teaching medical students and its evolution through time.

Methods

A literature search was performed from inception to November 2018. The search strategies used both text words and relevant indexing related to “radiology”, “medical students” and “curriculum”.

Results:

3589 records were identified of which 377 were included. There was a 100 fold increase in rate of publication over time—most were expository or surveys (60%), with few truly experimental articles. Radiology was used in clinical teaching (67%) and anatomy (33%). Almost half of radiologic anatomy teaching was conducted without the input of a Radiologist. Compulsory clinical clerkships/blocks in radiology was offered infrequently (35%). Female first authorship had increased in the last decade (47%).

Conclusion:

There is a significant increase in articles published on the role of radiology in medical student teaching in the last decade. Research in this area is required in order to investigate the role of radiology in improving the modern medical students’ education.
A IMPORTÂNCIA DAS PRÁTICAS DE MARKETING INTERNO PARA O SUCESSO ORGANIZACIONAL
Authors: Santiago Mafalda Maria Pinto Farrim Fernandes
Published: February 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo geral analisar se as organizações adotam práticas de marketing interno e se este contribui para o sucesso organizacional destas e de seus recursos humanos em particular. Simultaneamente, também se pretende contribuir para um melhor entendimento desse conceito, de sua aplicabilidade e consequências. Para isso, recorreu-se ao método de amostragem não probabilística por conveniência, aplicando-se 428 questionários válidos a trabalhadores em território português. Para testar as hipóteses, utilizou-se o método das equações estruturais por meio do software IBM SPSS AMOS v.25. Os resultados evidenciaram que as práticas de marketing interno promovem comprometimento afetivo, atitude de superação e satisfação no trabalho e levam a que os trabalhadores tenham uma personalidade proativa no desenvolvimento de suas funções na organização.
Measurement of the 234U(n,f) and 236U(n,f) cross-sections in the MeV region with MicroMegas detectors
Authors: Michalopoulou V. , Stamatopoulos A. , Kalamara A. , Diakaki M. , Axiotis A. , Chasapoglou S. , Kokkoris M. , Lagoyannis A. , Vlastou R.
Published: February 2020

N/A
In vitro human stem cell derived cultures to monitor calcium signaling in neuronal development and function
Authors: Sharma Yojet , Saha Sankhanil , Joseph Annu , Krishnan Harini , Raghu Padinjat
Published: February 2020

The development of the human brain involves multiple cellular processes including cell division, migration, and dendritic growth. These processes are triggered by developmental cues and lead to interactions of neurons and glial cells to derive the final complex organization of the brain. Developmental cues are transduced into cellular processes through the action of multiple intracellular second messengers including calcium. Calcium signals in cells are shaped by large number of proteins and mutations in several of these have been reported in human patients with brain disorders.  However, the manner in which such mutations impact human brain developmentin vivoremains poorly understood. A key limitation in this regard is the need for a model system in which calcium signaling can be studied in neurons of patients with specific brain disorders. Here we describe a protocol to differentiate human neural stem cells into cortical neuronal networks that can be maintained as live cultures up to 120 days in a dish. Our protocol generates a 2Din vitroculture that exhibits molecular features of several layers of the human cerebral cortex. Using fluorescence imaging of intracellular calcium levels, we describe the development of neuronal activity as measured by intracellular calcium transients during developmentin vitro. These transients were dependent on the activity of voltage gated calcium channels and were abolished by blocking sodium channel activity. Using transcriptome analysis, we describe the full molecular composition of such cultures following differentiationin vitrothus offering an insight into the molecular basis of activity. Our approach will facilitate the understanding of calcium signaling defects during cortical neuron development in patients with specific brain disorders and a mechanistic analysis of these defects using genetic manipulations coupled with cell biological and physiological analysis.
MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS OF SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITIES IN SDN MANGGARAI 05 SOUTH JAKARTA
Authors: Ritonga Rudi
Published: January 2020

Educational institutions must be supported jointly by all parties, both families, schools, and communities. This third component must work together in harmony so that it can produce quality educational outcomes. Untul, the school is expected to improve relations with the family or guardians of students, and the community, in general, to work together in realizing the management of school relationships with good community management. This study aims to describe how to manage school relations with the community, also to find out what is in SDN Manggarai 05, South Jakarta. This type of research is qualitative research, while the form is field research, by taking location at SDN Manggarai 05 South Jakarta. Data collection methods used are, observation, interview and documentation. Whereas the process of data analysis used Miles and Huberman model analysis, namely interactive model analysis with steps: data collection, data reduction, data display, data verification and data interpretation. The results of this study are in accordance with the Public Relations indicators show; first, related to educational relationships formed by the formation of schools. However, meetings or meetings are conducted at the time of report cards, so it is not yet at an intensive stage. This results in the absence of effective planning, implementation and evaluation. Second, the cooperative relationship between SDN Manggarai 05 and institutions such as Puskesmas, Kelurahan, Kecamatan, Polsek, BNN and Universities has been established. However, it has not been fully done. Third, what is the challenges in public relations management are known by two factors, namely internal factors, and external factors. The first is internal factors, which are known to have no special personnel given regarding the relationship between SDN Manggarai 05 and the community. While the external factor is known as the guardian, the students give up the children's education process at school.
A região metropolitana da grande Vitória e a aplicação da lei de acesso à informação: uma análise acerca da transparência ativa e passiva
Authors: Zanganelli Juliana Costa , Bussinguer Elda Coelho de Azevedo
Published: February 2020

O presente artigo se propôs a analisar em que medida os sítios eletrônicos das prefeituras localizadas na Região Metropolitana da Grande Vitória (RMGV) estão em conformidade com a Lei 12.527/11 (mais conhecida como Lei de Acesso à Informação), de modo a avaliar e a contribuir para com o grau de transparência municipal. Esta pesquisa se trata de natureza exploratória e descritiva, além de conferir uma abordagem quantitativa, ao analisar, por meio de doze quesitos, a transparência nos sítios eletrônicos dos sete municípios localizados na RMGV (Cariacica, Fundão, Vitória, Vila Velha, Viana, Serra e Guarapari). Esta pesquisa se justifica na medida em que o Brasil permanece entre os trinta países do mundo a apresentar os melhores índices de legislação de acesso à informação por meio do ranking elaborado pelo Access Info Europe (AIE) e pelo Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD).
IGUALDADE DE GÊNERO E DIREITOS SOCIAIS NO CONTEXTO DO ESTADO CONSTITUCIONAL DE DIREITO
Authors: Campinho Bernardo Brasil
Published: January 2020

Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar como a formulação e aplicação de direitos sociais, trabalhistas ou prestacionais, se relacionam com as pretensões de igualdade de gênero que emergem nas intersecções contemporâneas entre Estado de Direito, constitucionalismo e democracia, particularmente no contexto brasileiro. A busca pela compreensão das conexões entre direitos sociais e igualdade de gênero deve necessariamente se ater ao papel mediador que a noção de Estado de Direito exerce quanto à dicotomia universalidade/singularidade (igualdade/diferença), bem como deve buscar analisar como as diferentes funções realizadas pelos direitos humanos e fundamentais atuam neste processo de afirmação da igualdade de gênero. Neste sentido, os direitos sociais exercem um papel importante na promoção não apenas de reconhecimento, mas da inclusão como efetivação do mesmo, e como base mesmo para a construção da participação política.
Indústria da espionagem: ponte comercial ou obstáculo à paz?
Authors: Marques Silva Arthur , Bonaldo Frederico
Published: February 2020

O presente artigo visa trazer à tona a questão da indústria da espionagem em uma perspectiva filosófica e antropológica decorrente de paradoxal diferença havida entre seus objetivos. Com efeito, a relação simbiótica existente entre os Estados e a indústria de espionagem se assemelha, em muito, àquela retratada por Mary Shelley em sua obra clássica Frankenstein. Isto porque, embora esta tenha sido criada e prosperado como um produto precioso dos Estados, atualmente vem se desvencilhando de seu senhor e agindo, muitas vezes, contrariamente aos interesses daqueles que a nutriram. Chega-se, então, a um paradoxo: de um lado as relações comerciais são aptas a manter a paz, porém, sob outro prisma, a atuação da indústria da espionagem é intrinsecamente impeditiva das relações baseadas na boa-fé entre os Estados, o que, como consequência, funcionaria como fator impeditivo do alcance da paz perpétua.
The impact of the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants into a general practice and hospital anticoagulant services: two local service evaluations
Authors: Cahill Tom , Broughton Julie , Ferguson Thomas , Jenkins Stephen
Published: January 2020

Background/Aims

Anticoagulants are indicated for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, and treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism. The aim of this study was to describe the impact of introducing direct oral anticoagulants on anticoagulation services.

Methods

One primary and one secondary care anticoagulation service evaluation compared pre-direct oral anticoagulant (2012) and post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction (2015).

Findings

In the secondary care service, anticoagulant monitoring clinics decreased by 20% and service capacity increased by 38.5% post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction. Direct oral anticoagulants comprised 87.6% of newly-initiated anticoagulants post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction. In patients newly initiated on anticoagulation, a total of 62 anticoagulation-related inpatient admissions were recorded in 12.6% of patients in the pre-direct oral anticoagulant period, compared with a total of 21 anticoagulation-related admissions in 3.6% of patients in the post-direct oral anticoagulant period. In the primary care service, warfarin comprised 62.9% of all anticoagulants prescribed post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction. Overall, patients attended a mean of 14.2 anticoagulation service visits in 6 months pre-direct oral anticoagulant and 13.3 visits in 6 months post-direct oral anticoagulant introduction (non-direct oral anticoagulant-treated: 16.1/patient; direct oral anticoagulant treated: 0.8/patient). Few patients were offered a choice of anticoagulant; however, overall patient satisfaction was high in both services.

Conclusions

Direct oral anticoagulant introduction in secondary care was associated with increased service capacity and decreased patient visits. Patient choice was limited; however, satisfaction was high in both services.
Keep this in mind
Authors: Skinner Don
Published: January 2020

The historical backlash to rote learning has resulted in the importance of memory being downplayed in early education. However, understanding more about its role is vital, argues Don Skinner.
Wake up to spring
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: January 2020

The Very Hungry Hedgehog is a spring story with a message about sharing. Claire Hewson suggests ways to use the experiences it describes to extend children's vocabulary and comprehension skills.
How well do you know your cognitive bias?
Authors: Aubrey-Smith Fiona
Published: January 2020

Cognitive bias can present itself in many forms and can hamper your school's work to raise attainment and close the gaps. Fiona Aubrey-Smith asks whether cognitive bias is holding you, your colleagues or your school back
The Nankai Trough Margin, Record 55-8
Authors: Kawamura T. , Aoki Y.
Published: February 2020

The Nankai Trough marks the convergent boundary between the oceanic Philippine plate and the continental Eurasian plate. The trough extends from central Honshu Island, where a triple junction separates it from the Japan Trench, southwest along the platform from which the southwestern Japanese islands emerge. The direction of plate convergence is nearly normal to the regional trend of the continental slope and proceeds at about 2 mm/yr.

The northern Philippine plate is covered with a 1.5- to 2-km thick sediment sequence near the area of the trough. The ocean crust flexes downward as it enters the trough, but apparently flexure is not enough to produce the normal faulting commonly found on the seaward slope of deep ocean trenches. The Philippine plate sediment sequence was sampled at DSDP site 297 (Karig et al., 1975). The sediment consists mainly of hemipelagic muds, thin layers of sand and silt, and some local sand turbidites. This sediment sequence begins to fail compressionally in front of the trough, and at the topographic trough it separates into an offscraped sequence above a major decollement and a subducted sequence below it. Approximately 1300 m of soft sediment are thus detached from the subducting plate to form an accretionary complex at the front of the Eurasian plate, whereas the lower 600 m remain attached to the oceanic plate and are subducted below the front of the margin.

The structure and tectonic history of the Eurasian plate is poorly known in the area from the front of the margin
Aleutian Trench, Shumagin Segment, Seismic Section 104
Authors: Bruns Terry R. , Huene Roland von
Published: February 2020

The Shumagin segment of the eastern Aleutian convergent margin extends into the Gulf of Alaska from the Alaska Peninsula. Here the shelf is narrower and the Shumagin Islands are much smaller than islands, in the adjacent Kodiak shelf area, but many of the rocks are similar. Insular exposures are comprised of late Cretaceous sedimentary rocks metamorphosed in a low-temperature environment and once buried about 10 km deep. Paleogene rocks that crop out in the Kodiak area may continue into the Shumagin area, but they have not yet been sampled beneath the Shumagin shelf. The Paleogene rocks are cut by a major unconformity that is overlain by upper Miocene rocks in the Kodiak area. A Neogene forearc basin, Shumagin basin (Bruns and von Huene, 1977; Bruns et al., in press), contains about 2.5-km-thick strata of probable late Miocene and younger age. Landward of the basin is the Border Ranges fault (Fisher and von Huene, 1984), which probably isolates the pre-Upper Cretaceous geology of the Alaska Peninsula from that of the Shumagin shelf. The Aleutian volcanic arc forms the backbone of the Alaska Peninsula. Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea shelf constitute the backarc basin.

Structurally, the Shumagin margin has all the elements associated with a major subduction zone. However, this segment differs from the central and eastern Aleutian sections (p. 10 and 20, this volume) in having no sediment ponded in the trench axis (von Huene, 1972). Seaward of the trench axis is Zodiak fan, a Paleogene deep-sea fan complex that