bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal hemosiderosis presenting with acute kidney Injury and macroscopic hematuria in Immunoglobulin A nephropathy: a case report
Authors: Taguchi Shinya , Hidaka Sumi , Yanai Mitsuru , Ishioka Kunihiro , Matsui Kenji , Mochida Yasuhiro , Moriya Hidekazu , Ohtake Takayasu , Kobayashi Shuzo
Published: April 2021

Background

Macroscopic hematuria-associated acute kidney injury (AKI) is a well-known complication of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. In such cases, intratubular obstruction by red blood cell (RBC) casts and acute tubular necrosis are mainly observed pathologically. Herein, we report the case of a patient with IgA nephropathy presenting with AKI following an episode of macrohematuria. The patient presented with severe renal tubular hemosiderosis and acute tubular necrosis and without any obvious obstructive RBC casts.

Case presentation

A 68-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy on renal biopsy 6 years ago, was admitted to our hospital after an episode of macroscopic glomerular hematuria and AKI following upper respiratory tract infection. Renal biopsy showed mesangial proliferation of the glomeruli, including crescent formation in 17 % of the glomeruli, and acute tubular necrosis without obvious hemorrhage or obstructive RBC casts. The application of Perls’ Prussian blue stain showed hemosiderin deposition in the renal proximal tubular cells. Immunofluorescence showed granular mesangial deposits of IgA and C3. Based on these findings, she was diagnosed with acute tubular necrosis with a concurrent IgA nephropathy flare-up. Moreover, direct tubular injury by heme and iron was considered to be the cause of AKI. She was treated with intravenous pulse methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisolone. Thereafter, the gross hematuria gradually faded, and her serum creatinine levels decreased.

Conclusions

IgA nephropathy presenting with acute kidney injury accompanied by macrohematuria may cause renal hemosiderosis and acute tubular necrosis without obstructive RBC casts. Hemosiderosis may be a useful indicator for determining the pathophysiology of macroscopic hematuria-associated AKI. However, renal hemosiderosis may remain undiagnosed. Thus, Perls’ Prussian blue iron staining should be more widely used in patients presenting with hematuria.
Orthopedic surgery-induced cognitive dysfunction is mediated by CX3CL1/R1 signaling
Authors: Cho Inja , Kim Jeong Min , Kim Eun Jung , Kim So Yeon , Kam Eun Hee , Cheong Eunji , Suh Minah , Koo Bon-Nyeo
Published: April 2021

Background

Postoperative pain is a common phenomenon after surgery and is closely associated with the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Persistent pain and systemic inflammation caused by surgery have been suggested as key factors for the development of POCD. Fractalkine (CX3CL1) and its receptor, the CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), are known to play a key role in pain and inflammation signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that the regulation of CX3CR1/L1 signaling influences the development of various diseases including neuronal diseases. We determined whether CX3CR1/L1 signaling is a putative therapeutic target for POCD in a mouse model.

Methods

Adult (9–11 weeks) male mice were treated with neutralizing antibody to block CX3CR1/L1 signaling both before and after surgery. Inflammatory and behavioral responses including pain were assessed postoperatively. Also, CX3CR1 mRNA level was assessed. Hippocampal astrocyte activation, Mao B expression, and GABA expression were assessed at 2 days after surgery following neutralizing antibody administration.

Results

The behavioral response indicated cognitive dysfunction and development of pain in the surgery group compared with the control group. Also, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CX3CR1 mRNA were observed in the surgery group. In addition, increased levels of GABA and increased Mao B expression were observed in reactive astrocytes in the surgery group; these responses were attenuated by neutralizing antibody administration.

Conclusions

Increased CX3CR1 after surgery is both necessary and sufficient to induce cognitive dysfunction. CX3CR1 could be an important target for therapeutic strategies to prevent the development of POCD.
Knowledge and utilisation of preconception care and associated factors among women in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ayele Alemu Degu , Belay Habtamu Gebrehana , Kassa Bekalu Getnet , Worke Mulugeta Dile
Published: April 2021

Background

Preconception care is the provision of biomedical, behavioural, and social health interventions provided to women and couples before conception. However, in Ethiopia, little is known and practised to support preconception care. Therefore, this study aimed to assess women’s knowledge and utilisation of preconception care and its associated factors in Ethiopia using systematic review and meta-analysis.

Method

In the current meta-analysis, variables were searched from different electronic database systems, which included PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, HINAR, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and Grey literature. Data were extracted using a standardised data collection measurement tool. The data were analysed by using STATA 14 statistical software. I2 tests assessed heterogeneity between the studies. A random-effect model was used to forecast the pooled knowledge and utilisation of preconception care.

Results

Thirteen full-text studies were included. The pooled prevalence of knowledge and utilisation of preconception care among women in Ethiopia was 30.95% and 16.27% respectivelly. Secondary education (OR = 2.78, 95% CI,2.01–3.85), college and above (OR = 5.05, 95% CI,2.70–9.44), and antenatal care (OR = 3.89, 95% CI, 1.69–8.98) were significantly associated with knowledge level whereas; age (OR = 2.43, 95% CI, 1.30–4.53) and knowledge on preconception care (OR = 3.95, 95% CI,2.35–6.62) were positively associated with utilisation of preconception.

Conclusions

Women’s level of knowledge and utilisation of preconception care was significantly low. Educational status and antenatal care follow-up were factors shown to affect knowledge of preconception care. Age and having a sound knowledge of preconception care indicated a significant association towards utilisation of preconception care. Thus, integrating preconception care strategies and policies that can address all the components of preconception care services with other maternal and child health services will be essential when designing effective implementation strategies to improve preconception care uptake. Besides this, advocating for better education for women, awareness creation, and increasing antenatal care services are essential.

Prospero registration: CRD42020218062
I felt so much conflict instead of joy: an analysis of open-ended comments from people in British Columbia who declined care recommendations during pregnancy and childbirth
Authors: Stoll Kathrin , Wang Jessie J. , Niles Paulomi , Wells Lindsay , Vedam Saraswathi
Published: April 2021

Background

No Canadian studies to date have examined the experiences of people who decline aspects of care during pregnancy and birth. The current analysis bridges this gap by describing comments from 1123 people in British Columbia (BC) who declined a test or procedure that their care provider recommended.

Methods

In the Changing Childbirth in BC study, childbearing people designed a mixed-methods study, including a cross-sectional survey on experiences of provider-patient interactions over the course of maternity care. We conducted a descriptive quantitative content analysis of 1540 open ended comments about declining care recommendations.

Results

More than half of all study participants (n = 2100) declined care at some point during pregnancy, birth, or the postpartum period (53.5%), making this a common phenomenon. Participants most commonly declined genetic or gestational diabetes testing, ultrasounds, induction of labour, pharmaceutical pain management during labour, and eye prophylaxis for the newborn. Some people reported that care providers accepted or supported their decision, and others described pressure and coercion from providers. These negative interactions resulted in childbearing people feeling invisible, disempowered and in some cases traumatized. Loss of trust in healthcare providers were also described by childbearing people whose preferences were not respected whereas those who felt informed about their options and supported to make decisions about their care reported positive birth experiences.

Conclusions

Declining care is common during pregnancy and birth and care provider reactions and behaviours greatly influence how childbearing people experience these events. Our findings confirm that clinicians need further training in person-centred decision-making, including respectful communication even when choices fall outside of standard care.
STING and cGAS gene expressions were downregulated among HIV-1-infected persons after antiretroviral therapy
Authors: de Lima Lorena Leticia Peixoto , de Oliveira Allysson Quintino Tenório , Moura Tuane Carolina Ferreira , da Silva Graça Amoras Ednelza , Lima Sandra Souza , da Silva Andrea Nazaré Monteiro Rangel , Queiroz Maria Alice Freitas , Cayres-Vallinoto Izaura Maria Vieira , Ishak Ricardo , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário
Published: April 2021

Background

The HIV-1 epidemic is still considered a global public health problem, but great advances have been made in fighting it by antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has a considerable impact on viral replication and host immunity. The production of type I interferon (IFN) is key to the innate immune response to viral infections. The STING and cGAS proteins have proven roles in the antiviral cascade. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of ART on innate immunity, which was represented by STING and cGAS gene expression and plasma IFN-α level.

Methods

This cohort study evaluated a group of 33 individuals who were initially naïve to therapy and who were treated at a reference center and reassessed 12 months after starting ART. Gene expression levels and viral load were evaluated by real-time PCR, CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte counts by flow cytometry, and IFN-α level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

From before to after ART, the CD4+ T cell count and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio significantly increased (p < 0.0001), the CD8+ T cell count slightly decreased, and viral load decreased to undetectable levels in most of the group (84.85%). The expression of STING and cGAS significantly decreased (p = 0.0034 and p = 0.0001, respectively) after the use of ART, but IFN-α did not (p = 0.1558). Among the markers evaluated, the only markers that showed a correlation with each other were STING and CD4+ T at the time of the first collection.

Conclusions

ART provided immune recovery and viral suppression to the studied group and indirectly downregulated the STING and cGAS genes. In contrast, ART did not influence IFN-α. The expression of STING and cGAS was not correlated with the plasma level of IFN-α, which suggests that there is another pathway regulating this cytokine in addition to the STING–cGAS pathway.
Comparison of the drug retention and reasons for discontinuation of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and interleukin-6 inhibitors in Japanese patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis—the ANSWER cohort study
Authors: Jinno Sadao , Onishi Akira , Dubreuil Maureen , Hashimoto Motomu , Yamamoto Wataru , Murata Koichi , Takeuchi Tohru , Kotani Takuya , Maeda Yuichi , Ebina Kosuke , Son Yonsu , Amuro Hideki , Hara Ryota , Katayama Masaki , Saegusa Jun
Published: April 2021

Background

This multi-center, retrospective study aimed to clarify retention rates and reasons for discontinuation of either tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) or interleukin-6 inhibitors (IL-6i) in patients with elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA).

Methods

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) enrolled in a Japanese multicenter observational registry between 2011 and 2020 were included. EORA was defined as RA with onset at 60 or over. To adjust confounding by indication for treatment with TNFi or IL-6i, a propensity score based on multiple baseline characteristics variables was used to compare the drug retention and causes for discontinuation between TNFi and IL-6i. Adjusted cumulative incidence of drug discontinuation for each reason was compared between the two groups using the Fine-Gray model.

Results

Among a total of 9,550 patients in the registry, 674 TNFi and 297 IL-6i initiators with EORA were identified. Age, the proportion of females, disease duration, and baseline disease activity at the time of TNFi or IL-6i initiation were similar between the two groups. After adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups, overall drug discontinuation was significantly lower in the IL-6i as compared to the TNFi (HR = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.59–0.86, p < 0.001). The adjusted cumulative incidence of discontinuation due to lack of effectiveness was lower with the IL-6i (HR = 0.46, 95%CI = 0.33–0.63, p < 0.001) while those due to adverse events (HR = 0.82, 95%CI = 0.56–1.18, p = 0.28) or achievement of clinical remission (HR = 1.09, 95%CI = 0.62–1.91, p = 0.76) were similar between the two groups.

Conclusions

In EORA patients initiating a TNFi or IL-6i, significantly higher drug retention was observed with IL-6i. Discontinuation due to lack of effectiveness was significantly less frequent in IL-6i while discontinuations due to adverse event or achievement of clinical remission were similar between the two groups.
Intra- and inter-rater reliability of rectus femoris muscle thickness measured using ultrasonography in healthy individuals
Authors: Takahashi Yosuke , Fujino Yuji , Miura Kohei , Toida Ayumi , Matsuda Tadamitsu , Makita Shigeru
Published: April 2021

Background

Ultrasonography (US) is a feasible and accessible method for the measurement of skeletal muscle mass. This technique presents acceptable intra-rater reliability; however, there are a few reports on its inter-rater reliability. Additionally, relative reliability should equally be inspected to determine the presence of systematic errors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities and absolute reliability of rectus femoris muscle thickness as measured using US.

Methods

The participants included in our study comprised 12 healthy young men (26.5 ± 3.9 years. Rectus femoris muscle thickness was measured from the right side of the thigh using US by two trained physical therapists. Inter- and intra-rater reliabilities were determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (1, 1) and ICC (2, 1) methods, respectively. Absolute reliability was evaluated using Bland − Altman analysis. Additionally, we calculated the minimal detectable change at the 95% level of confidence (MDC95).

Result

According to the results of the Bland − Altman analysis, no fixed or proportional errors were present. The ICC (1, 1) was 0.95, and the ICC (2, 1) was 0.70. The MDC95 values of rectus femoris thickness for the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were 2.0 mm and 4.3 mm, respectively.

Conclusions

In our study, intra- and inter-rater reliabilities were measured at “excellent” and “moderate” levels in the healthy individuals based on a previously defined scale. Moreover, we determined the measurement error for quantifying rectus femoris thickness. Therefore, the measurement of rectus femoris thickness using US could be considered applicable in clinical research.
Project Rosetta: a childhood social, emotional, and behavioral developmental feature mapping
Authors: Maslowski Alyson , Abbas Halim , Abrams Kelley , Taraman Sharief , Garberson Ford , Segar Susan
Published: April 2021

Background

A wide array of existing instruments are commonly used to assess childhood behavior and development for the evaluation of social, emotional and behavioral disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety. Many of these instruments either focus on one diagnostic category or encompass a broad set of childhood behaviors. We analyze a wide range of standardized behavioral instruments and identify a comprehensive, structured semantic hierarchical grouping of child behavioral observational features. We use the hierarchy to create Rosetta: a new set of behavioral assessment questions, designed to be minimal yet comprehensive in its coverage of clinically relevant behaviors. We maintain a full mapping from every functional feature in every covered instrument to a corresponding question in Rosetta.

Results

In all, 209 Rosetta questions are shown to cover all the behavioral concepts targeted in the eight existing standardized instruments.

Conclusion

The resulting hierarchy can be used to create more concise instruments across various ages and conditions, as well as create more robust overlapping datasets for both clinical and research use.
Interobserver variability of injury severity assessment in polytrauma patients: does the anatomical region play a role?
Authors: Bolierakis Eftychios , Schick Sylvia , Sprengel Kai , Jensen Kai Oliver , Hildebrand Frank , Pape Hans-Christoph , Pfeifer Roman
Published: April 2021

Background

The Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) are widely used to assess trauma patients. In this study, the interobserver variability of the injury severity assessment for severely injured patients was analyzed based on different injured anatomical regions, and the various demographic backgrounds of the observers.

Methods

A standardized questionnaire was presented to surgical experts and participants of clinical polytrauma courses. It contained medical information and initial X-rays/CT-scans of 10 cases of severely injured patients. Participants estimated the severity of each injury based on the AIS. Interobserver variability for the AIS, ISS, and New Injury Severity Score (NISS) was calculated by employing the statistical method of Krippendorff's α coefficient.

Results

Overall, 54 participants were included. The major contributing medical specialties were orthopedic trauma surgery (N = 36, 67%) and general surgery (N = 13, 24%). The measured interobserver variability in the assessment of the overall injury severity was high (α ISS: 0.33 / α NISS: 0.23). Moreover, there were differences in the interobserver variability of the maximum AIS (MAIS) depending on the anatomical region: αhead and neck: 0.06, αthorax: 0.45, αabdomen: 0.27 and αextremities: 0.55.

Conclusions

Interobserver agreement concerning injury severity assessment appears to be low among clinicians. We also noted marked differences in variability according to injury anatomy. The study shows that the assessment of injury severity is also highly variable between experts in the field. This implies the need for appropriate education to improve the accuracy of trauma evaluation in the respective trauma registries.
Differences in glycemic control between the treatment arms in cardiovascular outcome trials of type 2 diabetes medications do not explain cardiovascular benefits
Authors: McGuire Darren K. , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Johansen Odd Erik , Rosenstock Julio , George Jyothis T. , Marx Nikolaus
Published: April 2021

Hyperglycemia is an undisputed epidemiological risk factor for microvascular complications in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, integral in their causal pathways. Importantly, interventions that reduce the hyperglycemic burden in patients with either type of diabetes reduce the risk of microvascular complications (e.g., retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy). Hence, for microvascular risk, hyperglycemia is a proven risk factor and a proven treatment target, as reflected by treatment recommendations and guidelines across most scientific societies world-wide. However, although reducing the hyperglycemic burden to reduce microvascular risk remains a cornerstone of care for patients with type 2 diabetes, this therapeutic imperative does not apply to cardiovascular risk mitigation. This latter aspect is important in the context of interpreting therapeutic impact of treating hyperglycemia on risk for macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes. This letter, in response to a previous paper, discuss how modest differential glucose control contribute little if anything to the results observed of contemporary cardiovascular outcome trials in type 2 diabetes.
Posterior cruciate ligament repair with suture tape augmentation: a case series with minimum 2-year follow-up
Authors: Hopper Graeme P. , Irfan Ahmer , Jenkins Joanne M. , Wilson William T. , Mackay Gordon M.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is an important stabilizer of the knee and can be damaged in up to 20% of ligamentous injuries. Numerous techniques for surgical treatment have been described in the literature with none shown to be clearly superior. The aim of this study was to assess the 2-year outcomes of PCL repair with suture tape augmentation.

Methods

Seventeen patients undergoing PCL repair with suture tape augmentation were prospectively followed up for a minimum of two years. One patient was lost to follow-up leaving sixteen patients in the final analysis (94.1%). Indications for this procedure were acute Grade III PCL ruptures, symptomatic chronic tears and PCL tears as part of a multi-ligament injury. Exclusion criteria were patients with retracted PCL remnants or poor tissue quality. Patient-reported outcomes were measured using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS-pain), Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12) and Marx Activity Scale. Patients with any postoperative complications were identified. Mean differences between the outcomes pre-operatively and at two years postoperatively were evaluated using paired t-tests with significance set at p < 0.05.

Results

The mean KOOS at 2 years was 87.0, 75.5, 93.0, 69.6 and 54.2 for pain, symptoms, ADL, sport/recreation and QOL respectively. These improved significantly from 60.2, 49.8, 65.0, 33.0 and 34.2 preoperatively (p < 0.05). The mean WOMAC scores at 2 years were 91.0, 78.3 and 93.0 for pain, stiffness and function respectively. These improved significantly from 63.0, 51.7 and 65.0 preoperatively (p < 0.01). The VAS score improved from 3.0 to 0.8 (p < 0.01) and the VR-12 score improved from 34.9 to 50.9 at 2 years (p < 0.001). However, the Marx activity scale decreased from 8.7 pre-injury to 6.3 at 2 years (N.S.). One patient (6.3%) suffered a re-rupture.

Conclusion

PCL repair with suture tape augmentation demonstrates satisfactory patient reported outcome measures at minimum 2-year follow-up. These figures compare favorably with success rates described in the literature for PCL reconstruction techniques. Therefore, PCL repair with suture tape augmentation is an effective treatment option in selected patients.

Level of evidence

IV
Variations in structural MRI quality significantly impact commonly used measures of brain anatomy
Authors: Gilmore Alysha D. , Buser Nicholas J. , Hanson Jamie L.
Published: April 2021

Subject motion can introduce noise into neuroimaging data and result in biased estimations of brain structure. In-scanner motion can compromise data quality in a number of ways and varies widely across developmental and clinical populations. However, quantification of structural image quality is often limited to proxy or indirect measures gathered from functional scans; this may be missing true differences related to these potential artifacts. In this study, we take advantage of novel informatic tools, the CAT12 toolbox, to more directly measure image quality from T1-weighted images to understand if these measures of image quality: (1) relate to rigorous quality-control checks visually completed by human raters; (2) are associated with sociodemographic variables of interest; (3) influence regional estimates of cortical surface area, cortical thickness, and subcortical volumes from the commonly used Freesurfer tool suite. We leverage public-access data that includes a community-based sample of children and adolescents, spanning a large age-range (N = 388; ages 5–21). Interestingly, even after visually inspecting our data, we find image quality significantly impacts derived cortical surface area, cortical thickness, and subcortical volumes from multiple regions across the brain (~ 23.4% of all areas investigated). We believe these results are important for research groups completing structural MRI studies using Freesurfer or other morphometric tools. As such, future studies should consider using measures of image quality to minimize the influence of this potential confound in group comparisons or studies focused on individual differences.
“Modern Biography”: Form, Function, and Celebrity in Eighteenth-Century Genre Theory
Authors: Bannet Eve Tavor
Published: April 2021

This essay outlines the comprehensive theory of “modern” eighteenth-century biography that was articulated throughout the century in the often lengthy prefaces to collections of lives, disseminated in periodical essays, and applied in reviews to stand-alone lives. This theory addressed the proper selection, presentation, and treatment of both individual and collected “lives.” It gave biography national, historical, commercial, and educational functions; detailed the components of its life-historical narrative and of its critical portions; set standards for what constituted “a fair and full account” of a character, life, and works; and contained in embryo virtually all aspects of biography that would later be singled out as the primary or most valued characteristic of biographical writing. This essay describes the ways biographers and theorists confronted and resolved two ubiquitous difficulties arising from their consensus that “fame or celebrity among us in their generation” was “the grand principle” on which biography was founded: first, how to “do justice” to a person on the basis of sources and testimonials that reflected the partisanship of a country “rent by faction” since the Reformation; and second, how to represent people who had been celebrated in their own time, but not in the biographer's later generation.
Topics in the syntax-semantics of greek particles
Authors: Μπαρούνη Μαρία
Published: April 2021

Στα πρώτα πέντε κεφάλαια της διατριβής παρουσιάζονται επιχειρήματα υπέρ της μη σημασιολογικής διάκρισης ανάμεσα στις γλώσσες Αυστηρής Αρνητικής Συμφωνίας και σε αυτές μη Αυστηρής Αρνητικής Συμφωνίας. Υποστηρίζεται ότι αυτό που διαφοροποιεί τις δύο ομάδες γλωσσών είναι ένα τυπικό χαρακτηριστικό το οποίο εισάγεται είτε από τους αρνητικούς δείκτες είτε από τις αρνητικές λέξεις. Παρουσιάζονται νέα στοιχεία από την Ελληνική τα οποία αμφισβητούν την ιδέα ότι η Ελληνική είναι μια κοινή γλώσσα Αυστηρής Αρνητικής Συμφωνίας αποτελώντας μια πρόκληση για μια θεωρία Αρνητικής Συμφωνίας. Η προτεινόμενη ανάλυση ασπάζεται τη βασική ιδέα του Zeijlstra (2004) ότι η Αρνητική Συμφωνία προκύπτει από την αρνητική συμφωνία ανάμεσα σε ένα στοιχείο με ερμηνεύσιμα χαρακτηριστικά και πολλαπλά στοιχεία με μη ερμηνεύσιμα χαρακτηριστικά. Ωστόσο, αποκλίνει από αυτήν σε βασικές υποθέσεις, καθώς υποστηρίζεται ότι δεν υπάρχει σημασιολογική διαφορά μεταξύ των σημασιολογικών ιδιοτήτων των αρνητικών λέξεων και των αρνητικών δεικτών, επομένως και μεταξύ των γλωσσών Αυστηρής Αρνητικής Συμφωνίας και μη Αυστηρής Αρνητικής Συμφωνίας εν γένει. Επιπλέον, προκύπτει ότι αν υιοθετηθεί η άποψη ότι ο έλεγχος χαρακτηριστικών είναι ξεχωριστή διαδικασία από την αξιολόγηση χαρακτηριστικών (Pesetsky & Torrego, 2007), τότε το φαινόμενο της Αρνητικής Συμφωνίας μπορεί να εξηγηθεί στη βάση ότι οι γλώσσες διακρίνονται σε σχέση με ένα τυπικό χαρακτηριστικό. Τα δύο τελευταία κεφάλαια της διατριβής εστιάζουν στη σημασιολογία αμφίσημων στοιχείων που έχουν ήδη εισαχθεί στη συζήτηση της Αρνητικής Συμφωνίας. Έπειτα, η συζήτηση εκτείνεται στα επιστημικά και στα παραχωρητικά στοιχεία, καθώς και στα απόλυτα υπερθετικά. Φαινομενικά μη συνδεόμενα στοιχεία (π.χ. επιστημικά, παραχωρητικά και υπερθετικά) συνδέονται λόγω ενός ομόφωνου στοιχείου με διακριτή σημασιολογική ερμηνεία, διακριτή συντακτική κατανομή και προσωδία. Το βασικό ερώτημα πίσω από αυτήν την κατηγοριοποίηση είναι εάν υπάρχει κάποια σύνδεση πίσω από μη συνδεόμενες ερμηνείες του ίδιου στοιχείου. Αν και δεν προκύπτει μια σαφής απάντηση σε όλες τις περιπτώσεις, προσφέρεται μια εικόνα των συντακτικών και σημασιολογικών τους ιδιοτήτων. Αυτό που συμπεραίνεται από τα προαναφερθέντα ζητήματα είναι ότι οποιαδήποτε θεωρία πρέπει να είναι αρκετά ευέλικτη, ώστε να μπορεί να εξηγήσει τις ιδιότητες στοιχείων με υβριδικές ιδιότητες σε συντακτικό και σημασιολογικό επίπεδο.
Τhe role of metalloproteinases 13 and 9 in abdominal aortic aneurysm development
Authors: Μακρυγιάννης Γεώργιος
Published: April 2021

Περιβαλλοντικοί και γενετικοί παράγοντες κινδύνου συνεισφέρουν στην αιτιολογία του ανευρύσματος της κοιλιακής αορτής (ΑΚΑ). Μεταλλοπρωτεϊνάσες της θεμέλιας ουσίας (MMPs) έχουν επίσης συσχετιστεί με την παθοφυσιολογία του ΑΚΑ. Το θέμα της διατριβής αφορά τη μελέτη περιβαλλοντικών και γενετικών παραγόντων ως προς το ΑΚΑ. Για αυτό το λόγο, πραγματοποίθηκε μία προοπτική, μη τυχαιοποιημένη μελέτη ασθενών και μαρτύρων με σκοπό να διερευνηθούν οι παράγοντες κινδύνου σε μεγάλα ΑΚΑ (≥5.5 cm) σε 175 άνδρες ασθενείς με ΑΚΑ, οι παράγοντες των οποίων συγκρίθηκαν με 166 άνδρες μάρτυρες. Οι μάρτυρες δεν παρουσίαζαν διάταση της κοιλιακής αορτής όπως επιβεβαιώθηκε υπερηχογραφικά από το υπάρχον προληπτικό πρόγραμμα για ανεύρεση ΑΚΑ που πραγατοποιέιται στην περιοχή της Θεσσαλίας υπό την αιγίδα της αγγειοχειρουργικής κλινικής του Πανεπιστημιακού Νοσοκομείου της Λάρισας. Επίσης μελετήθηκε η πιθανή συσχέτιση δύο λειτουργικών μονήρων νουκλεοτιδικών πολυμορφισμών των γονιδίων MMP9 (-1561C/T; rs3918242) και MMP13 (-77A/G; rs2252070) με την παρουσία μεγάλων ΑΚΑ (≥5.5 cm). Η στατιστική ανάλυση ανέδειξε το οικογενειακό ιστορικό για ΑΚΑ (P = .028), την υπερχολεστερολαιμία (P < .001) και το τρέχων κάπνισμα (P < .001) ως παράγοντες κινδύνου για ΑΚΑ. Στατιστική διαφορά βρέθηκε στη συχνότητα των γονοτύπων (P = .047) και των αλληλίων (P = .037) για τον πολυμορφισμό rs2252070, χωρίς ωστόσο τα αποτελέσματα να παραμένουν σημαντικά μετά από πολλαπλή στατιστική ανάλυση. Επίσης δεν βρέθηκαν διαφορές στη συχνότητα των γονοτύπων και των αλληλίων για τον πολυμορφισμό rs3918242.
Δυναμική ανάλυση τρισδιάστατων μεταλλικών κατασκευών με χρήση του συστήματος Seesaw
Authors: Κατσιμπίνη Παναγιώτα
Published: April 2021

Στην παρούσα διδακτορική Διατριβή παρουσιάζονται τα αποτελέσματα σεισμικής απόκρισης τρισδιάστατων μεταλλικών κατασκευών χαμηλού ύψους εξοπλισμένων με το σύστημα seesaw. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά προέρχονται από μη-γραμμικές αναλύσεις χρονοϊστορίας μεταλλικών κατασκευών 2, 5 και 8 ορόφων και περιλαμβάνουν τις καθ’ ύψος κατανομές των μεγίστων σχετικών μετακινήσεων ορόφων, των μεγίστων παραμενουσών σχετικών μετακινήσεων ορόφων καθώς επίσης και τις δυσμενέστερες κατανομές πλαστικών αρθρώσεων. Οι κατασκευές αυτές θεωρούνται είτε πλήρως πακτωμένες στο έδαφος είτε σε αλληλεπίδραση με αυτό. Από τα αποτελέσματα αυτά συμπεραίνεται ότι το σύστημα seesaw μπορεί να αποτελέσει μια ελκυστική λύση για μεταλλικές κατασκευές χαμηλού ύψους παραμερίζοντας τους συμβατικούς συνδέσμους δυσκαμψίας με τα προβλήματα λυγισμού τους.
Μελέτη της καταστατικής εξίσωσης της πυρηνικής ύλης και εφαρμογές σε στατικούς και γρήγορα περιστρεφόμενους αστέρες νετρονίων
Authors: Μαργαρίτης Χρυσοβαλάντης
Published: April 2021

Στην παρούσα διατριβή κάνουμε μια προσπάθεια να μελετήσουμε τη συμπεριφορά της καταστατικής εξίσωσης (ΚΕ) των αστέρων νετρονίων αξιοποιώντας διάφορα πυρηνικά μοντέλα, συγκρίνοντας τις ΚΕς που προκύπτουν από αυτά. Για το σκοπό αυτό εισάγουμε περιορισμούς στην ΚΕ μέσα από διάφορα φυσικά μεγέθη και επεκτείνουμε την επίδραση πάνω στα τελευταία όχι μόνο για στατικούς αλλά και για αστέρες νετρονίων που βρίσκονται στην ακολουθία Κέπλερ (δηλαδή οι οποίοι περιστρέφονται με τη μέγιστη επιτρεπόμενη γωνιακή ταχύτητα). Ταυτόχρονα εξετάζουμε την περιοχή ανάμεσα στο φλοιό και τον εξωτερικό πυρήνα (χαμηλές πυκνότητες) με εφαρμογή σε θέματα αστροφυσικής, που αφορούν τους αστέρες νετρονίων, ενώ η μελέτη μας για το άνω όριο που πρέπει να έχει η ταχύτητα του ήχου γίνεται κύρια μέσω κατάλληλης παραμετροποίησης ώστε να βγουν συμπεράσματα για την ΚΕ στις υψηλές πυκνότητες (μεγαλύτερες της πυρηνικής πυκνότητας κορεσμού). Τέλος, επεκτείνουμε τη δουλειά γύρω από την περιοχή πυρήνα-φλοιού με τη μελέτη των επιδράσεων που προκαλούν όροι ανώτερης τάξης του αναπτύγματος της ενέργειας στις τιμές της πυκνότητας μετάβασης και της αντίστοιχης πίεσης. Στη συνέχεια εξετάζουμε πως αυτά τα αποτελέσματα με τη σειρά τους επηρεάζουν ιδιότητες στατικών και αργά περιστρεφόμενων αστέρων νετρονίων.
Improved chromosome-level genome assembly and annotation of the seagrass, Zostera marina (eelgrass)
Authors: Ma Xiao , Olsen Jeanine L. , Reusch Thorsten B.H. , Procaccini Gabriele , Kudrna Dave , Williams Melissa , Grimwood Jane , Rajasekar Shanmugam , Jenkins Jerry , Schmutz Jeremy , Van de Peer Yves
Published: April 2021

Background: Seagrasses (Alismatales) are the only fully marine angiosperms. Zostera marina (eelgrass) plays a crucial role in the functioning of coastal marine ecosystems and global carbon sequestration. It is the most widely studied seagrass and has become a marine model system for exploring adaptation under rapid climate change. The original draft genome (v.1.0) of the seagrass Z. marina (L.) was based on a combination of Illumina mate-pair libraries and fosmid-ends. A total of 25.55 Gb of Illumina and 0.14 Gb of Sanger sequence was obtained representing 47.7× genomic coverage. The assembly resulted in ~2000 unordered scaffolds (L50 of 486 Kb), a final genome assembly size of 203MB, 20,450 protein coding genes and 63% TE content. Here, we present an upgraded chromosome-scale genome assembly and compare v.1.0 and the new v.3.1, reconfirming previous results from Olsen et al. (2016), as well as pointing out new findings.  

Methods: The same high molecular weight DNA used in the original sequencing of the Finnish clone was used. A high-quality reference genome was assembled with the MECAT assembly pipeline combining PacBio long-read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding. 

Results: In total, 75.97 Gb PacBio data was produced. The final assembly comprises six pseudo-chromosomes and 304 unanchored scaffolds with a total length of 260.5Mb and an N50 of 34.6 MB, showing high contiguity and few gaps (~0.5%). 21,483 protein-encoding genes are annotated in this assembly, of which 20,665 (96.2%) obtained at least one functional assignment based on similarity to known proteins. 

Conclusions: As an important marine angiosperm, the improved Z. marina genome assembly will further assist evolutionary, ecological, and comparative genomics at the chromosome level. The new genome assembly will further our understanding into the structural and physiological adaptations from land to marine life.
Sets of exercises for education workers in the Far North
Authors: Shkodin Andrey
Published: April 2021

Complexes of exercises for educational workers of the Far North is an electronic resource developed specifically for pedagogical workers living in the Far North. The selection and description of exercise complexes was developed on the basis of a study of the peculiarities of living in the Far North, common diseases characteristic of the inhabitants of the Far North and the peculiarities of the profession of a teacher. Access to the electronic resource is free, hosted on the google cloud service and youtube video hosting, contains video resources and comments on use. Available through a browser, no additional software required.
Eddy Current Experience of Pipe NPP Heat Exchange Equipment Testing
Authors: Chichigin Boris , Kleshchuk Sergey , Spiridonov Pavel , Malushin Dmitry
Published: April 2021

The article describes the results of the application of the eddy current method for nondestructive testing of heat-exchange tubes at operating NPPs. Typically tubes are produced of copper-nickel alloys and stainless steel. For the purpose of examining tubes of different materials eddy current probes of different types were used in order to increase reliability and precision. In order to obtain information on real flaw dimensions tubes were cut and examined using metallography equipment.
Random-Coefficients Logit Demand Estimation with Zero-Valued Market Shares
Authors: Dubé Jean-Pierre , Hortaçsu Ali , Joo Joonhwi
Published: April 2021

This paper provides a new estimator to address the zero-valued market shares in the BLP random-coefficient logit demand estimation.
LA CALLE Y EL COMERCIO: TRANSFORMACIONES DEL JIRÓN CUSCO (LIMA) Y DE LA CALLE EL SOL (CUSCO) – PERÚ
Authors: Andrade Rita de Cássia Gregório de , Romero Tania Herrera
Published: April 2021

Introdução: Estudamos duas ruas, a Jirón Cusco (na cidade de Lima, Peru) e a El Sol, (cidade de Cuzco, Peru). Objetivo: Nosso objetivo foi analisar as transformações espaço-temporais, especialmente no uso. Fizemos leitura bibliográfica, de fontes documentais, trabalho de campo (reconhecimento e levantamento fotográfico) e elaboração de mapas. Resultados: Jirón Cusco foi uma rua residencial e comercial, ocupada pelos migrantes chineses no século XIX e integrou a parte pericentral do centro histórico de Lima no século XX, com comércio intenso, várias edificações foram degradadas e gestaram-se conflitos de diversos por sua apropriação. Hoje, predomina o uso comercial, especialmente o informal. El Sol foi uma via, no século XIX, que possuía um rio em seu transcurso, com casas de uso residencial, passando a ser uma artéria moderna no início do século XX. Atualmente é a principal via do centro histórico de Cuzco, com uso financeiro, comercial e turístico. Conclusão: O caráter diverso destas ruas manifesta-se nos usos diferenciados, ora sendo lugares de passagem, ora residencial, comercial, de visita turística, reuniões, encontros e trabalho.
Social Prevention of Alcoholism Among Young People in Ukraine: Prospects and Realities of Today
Authors:   National Academy of the National Guard of Ukraine, Trubavina Iryna , Kalina Kateryna ,   H. S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to a topical issue – prevention of alcoholism among children, families and youth. The authors reveal on the basis of a theoretical analysis of the regulatory framework of Ukraine and international documents on the problem of alcoholism prevention measures that have been taken and implemented in the daily life of Ukrainians. In their article, the authors allocate new resources for such work among social prevention with children, youth, families. The authors propose a 3-level system of social prevention of alcoholism, which shows the purpose and group of effects for each level. This is primary, secondary, tertiary social prevention. Primary social prevention requires information work among children, youth and their families. Secondary social prevention is dedicated to risk groups for alcoholism. Tertiary social prevention is aimed at working with those who already have this negative habit and their family members. For the first time in the theory of social work scientific approaches to social prevention of alcoholism among children, young people and their families are allocated: environmental, social-educational, system, resource. This allowed the authors to identify new resources for social prevention of alcoholism among children, young people and their families in the form of: work with micro- and macro-environment, preventive education of schoolchildren and teaching their life skills in secondary education, systematic social work with families of alcoholics, family strengthening techniques, motivation to deprive this negative habit. Prospects for further research are: development of a curriculum for life skills of students in grades 1-11, preventive education for alcoholism, the state program for the prevention of alcoholism, parental lectures on alcoholism.
Patriotic Education of the Youth in Conditions of Information Warfare: Experience of Organization of Social and Pedagogical Work in the Displaced University
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Savchenko Serhii
Published: April 2021

The article deals with the analysis of the experience of the organization of social and pedagogical work on patriotic education of the youth in the displaced higher educational establishment – Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University. It has been stated that the role of patriotism in the process of socialization of young people is greatly preconditioned by its versatility as a social phenomenon, by the polysemanticism of its manifestation, by its integrated interrelations with other personal formations significant for an individual. It has been stressed that patriotic education must be aimed at the formation and development of an individual who possesses the qualities of a citizen and a patriot, the one who is ready and eager to fulfill his civil obligations in peacetime and wartime. The authors arrive at the conclusion that the priority direction in the organization of the social and pedagogical work of displaced higher educational establishments is the patriotic education of an individual aimed at the formation of his national and patriotic awareness, personal identification with his nation, belief in his moral strengths and confidence in the future of his country, striving for work for the benefit of the people, understanding the moral and cultural values of Ukraine.
Prospects in the Formation of Gender Culture for Social Specialists in Non-Formal Adult Education
Authors:   MI ", Beloliptseva Olena ,   Kharkiv Humanitarian and Pedagogical Academy",   of the Kharkiv Regional Council
Published: April 2021

The article reveals experience of non-formal gender education of social employees in terms of introduction a gender – sensitive approach. We analyzed scientific works in relation to the concept of gender culture, gave the author’s definition for the concept “gender culture for social specialist” as special realization’s system of professional skills which appear through the complex of formed appropriate intellectual, value – based, motivational and behavioral characteristics. They are based on gender theory knowledge, development of mental needs, learned values and rules of sexual – role behavior in line with the gender parity and democracy. The experience of introduction an innovative pilot partnership project Gender Open University was revealed. We analyzed the experience of the Gender Educational center, which is the academic structural research unit that provides scientific and practical assistance to social workers, social pedagogues, schoolteachers and students of higher educational institutions on the introduction of ideas gender equality in professional activities. It was determined that functioning such organization gives us wide opportunities for educational professionals who work in different social areas.
¿Usamos las mascarillas correctas para la COVID-19?
Authors: Agún González Juan José , Aguilar-Elena Raúl
Published: April 2021

El uso de las mascarillas es un factor de protección muy importante en salud pública y en Prevención de Riesgos Laborales, por lo tanto, nos planteamos la siguiente pregunta ¿Usamos las mascarillas correctas para la COVID-19?
Revisión sistemática y metaanálisis sobre la relación entre la productividad laboral y la enfermedad de ojo seco en pacientes con ojo seco no relacionado con Sjögren y con el Síndrome de Sjögren
Authors: Cantó-Sancho Natalia , Seguí Crespo María del Mar
Published: April 2021

Este trabajo es un comentario del artículo: Sivakumar GK, Patel J, Malvankar-Mehta MS, Mather R. Work productivity among Sjögren’s Syndrome and non-Sjögren’s dry eye patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eye (Lond). 2021; Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1038/s41433-020-01282-3.
Inability of Laplace's law to estimate sub-bandage pressures after applying a compressive bandage: a clinical study
Authors: Garrigues-Ramón Marta , Julián Mariano , Zaragoza Cristóbal , Barrios Carlos
Published: April 2021

Objective:

The aim of the current study was to compare pressures exerted on the lower limb by a high compression bandage as recorded by sub-bandage sensors and those estimated by Laplace's law. The correlation between pressures obtained in each anatomical zone and the corresponding limb perimeters were explored.

Method:

For the measurement of sub-bandage pressures, four anatomical zones in the lower right limb were determined. Pressures were recorded by nine pneumatic sensors and a PicoPress transducer. A two-layer compression bandage system (UrgoK2, Urgo Group, France) was used for the dressing. Pressures were registered in supine position. Sensor pressures were compared with those estimated by a modified Laplace's equation.

Results:

A total of 47 female volunteers were recruited (mean age: 21.9±2.3 years) to the study. In the four anatomical segments studied, pressures obtained by the sensors were lower than would be expected by applying Laplace's law (p<0.05). The biggest difference between the two methods was found at the supramalleolar level (42.1% lower by sensors compared with Laplace's equation). The correlation coefficient between pressure recorded by the sensors and that calculated at the perimeters was very weak, ranging from 0.5233 to 0.9634.

Conclusion:

Laplace's law, used to predict the sub-bandage pressure after applying a compressive bandage in the lower limb, was not useful, providing significantly higher pressures than those obtained by pneumatic sensors. Laplace's law underestimates the variable musculoskeletal components at the different segments of lower limb that act as compression damping forces.
Benefits of sucrose octasulfate (TLC-NOSF) dressings in the treatment of chronic wounds: a systematic review
Authors: Nair Harikrishna , Venkateshwaran N , Seetharaman S Selva , Deng Wuquan , Uthaipaisanwong Apinan , Galea Emilio
Published: April 2021

Objective:

Management of chronic wounds remains one of the major challenges for health professionals and patients. An evidence-based decision is important to ensure that patients are receiving the best treatment proven to reduce healing time and improve outcomes, including economic benefits and patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Due to recent restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic, including closure of wound care centres within hospitals and a drop in patient volume, chronic wound management needs simple-to-use dressings which are still effective and evidence-based solutions. This systematic review was conducted to identify the clinical evidence available on a sucrose octasulfate dressing (TLC-NOSF, UrgoStart dressing range, Laboratoires Urgo, France) to explore its efficacy in the management of chronic wounds, particularly lower limb ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers and pressure ulcers.

Method:

A literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar was conducted based on the PICO model (patient/population, intervention, comparison and outcomes) to retrieve publications of different levels of evidence in order to evaluate outcomes of the use of TLC-NOSF dressings.

Results:

A total of 21 publications of different levels, ranging from double-blind randomised control trials to case reports, involving over 12,000 patients, were identified through PubMed, with a further eight publications through Google Scholar and two publications through Cochrane Library. A total of seven results were omitted due to the lack of relevance or repetition.

Conclusion:

All the evidence provided suggest that these dressings provide clinicians with an evidence-based option for the management of chronic wounds; that the TLC-NOSF dressings are beneficial in promoting the healing process, reducing healing times, enhancing patients' HRQoL, and in allowing a more cost-effective procedure.