bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Localising Humanitarianism, Peace Making, and Diplomacy: The Challenges Facing Muslim INGOs
Authors: Mohamed-Saleem Amjad
Published: May 2020

Since the World Humanitarian Summit in 2016, the concept of localisation has dominated the narrative of international donor engagement. Traditionally, this is something that Muslim charities have supposedly been doing. Yet Muslim charities are conspicuous by their absence in the global debate despite the fact that over the last 20 years, there has been an explosion in the number of International Islamic Development organisations or charities. The localisation debate highlights a weakness for the Muslim charities in terms of operations on the ground. Muslim International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs) appear to be struggling to articulate a modus operandi for operation. As a consequence, Muslim charities respond in a schizophrenic manner brought about by a lack of information on how Muslim organisations work in the field of charity and also an internal understanding of how Muslim charities should operate. This article discusses the need for a paradigm shift for Muslim INGOs within the localisation debate in terms of how they operate, identify, and work with local partners.
Development of advanced sanitary materials with the use of probiotic paste
Authors: Sauperl Olivera , Zabret Andrej , Fras Zemljič Lidija
Published: May 2020

Cotton sanitary towels were functionalized by probiotic paste with incorporated Lactobacillus L. fermentum LN99, L. rhamnosus LN113, and L. gasseri LN40 in order to reduce the possibility of infection or inflammation during menstruation and to develop a friendlier product. These towels were characterized through elemental composition using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, determination of the pH of aqueous extract, water retention, capillary properties, determination of absorption capacity, and microbiological testing, to assess the antimicrobials’ function and stability of lactic bacteria paste as a coating for sanitary towels. The results of the used methods show that the physical–mechanical properties of towels functionalized by probiotic paste are not significantly different if compared to non-treated ones. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy set the successful functionalization of sanitary towels with probiotic paste due to the occurrence of typical probiotics paste peaks. The pH of the probiotic-functionalized sanitary towels was reduced in comparison to the reference material to an acidified region of pH = 5.6, which is an ideal environment for maintaining physiological pH. The decrease in water retention of towels after functionalization is relatively low (8.48 %). The sorption behavior of towels was worse by up to 15% regardless of the reference material, which is still acceptable from a practical point of view and internal standards of the included company Tosama d.o.o. The probiotic-functionalized sanitary towels absorb synthetic blood faster than the reference ones, due to compatibility of the paste with synthetic blood. Moreover, towels obtain functionalities such as good condition for lactobacilli growth with simultaneous pH adjusting, as well as introducing of Staphylococcus aureus reduction. Functionalization of sanitary towels with probiotic paste showed a commercial potential to reduce the probability of infection during the menstruation cycle, as well as being a more customer-friendly product.
A real-time walking pattern recognition method for soft knee power assist wear
Authors: Wang Wenkang , Zhang Liancun , Liu Juan , Zhang Bainan , Huang Qiang
Published: May 2020

Real-time recognition of walking-related activities is an important function that lower extremity assistive devices should possess. This article presents a real-time walking pattern recognition method for soft knee power assist wear. The recognition method employs the rotation angles of thighs and shanks as well as the knee joint angles collected by the inertial measurement units as input signals and adopts the rule-based classification algorithm to achieve the real-time recognition of three most common walking patterns, that is, level-ground walking, stair ascent, and stair descent. To evaluate the recognition performance, 18 subjects are recruited in the experiments. During the experiments, subjects wear the knee power assist wear and carry out a series of walking activities in an out-of-lab scenario. The results show that the average recognition accuracy of three walking patterns reaches 98.2%, and the average recognition delay of all transitions is slightly less than one step.
State measurement of isolating switch using cost fusion and smoothness prior based stereo matching
Authors: Xu Jinxin , Li Qingwu , Luo Ying , Zhou Yan , Wang Jiayu
Published: May 2020

To better monitor the state of isolating switches, an efficient binocular vision-based state measurement system is proposed in this article. Two optimal cameras are selected as the vision of our inspection system. Firstly, stereo calibration and distortion rectification are performed on acquired image pair. Secondly, to recover the three-dimensional information of switch, we propose a semi-global stereo matching method by using data- and structure-driven cost volume fusion and then optimizing raw disparity map with weighted- and edge discriminated-smoothness prior. Gradient content is enforced on the weight for suppressing small-weight-accumulation problem in weak-textured regions. Besides, Hough transform with feature constraints is implemented for removing the chaotic lines and extracting center line of the switch arm. Finally, based on the center line and corresponding disparity map of the switch arm, triangulation principle is used for calculating the true angle between the switch arm and insulator such that whether or not the isolating switch is fully closed can be detected. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed stereo matching method can achieve good performance in Middlebury v.3 data set and switch images, and the system can precisely measure the state of switches.
Depth estimation for a road scene using a monocular image sequence based on fully convolutional neural network
Authors: Wang Haixia , Sun Yehao , Zhang Zhiguo , Lu Xiao , Sheng Chunyang
Published: May 2020

An advanced driving assistant system is one of the most popular topics nowadays, and depth estimation is an important cue for advanced driving assistant system. Depth prediction is a key problem in understanding the geometry of a road scene for advanced driving assistant system. In comparison to other depth estimation methods using stereo depth perception, determining depth relation using a monocular camera is considerably challenging. In this article, a fully convolutional neural network with skip connection based on a monocular video sequence is proposed. With the integration framework that combines skip connection, fully convolutional network and the consistency between consecutive frames of the input sequence, high-resolution depth maps are obtained with lightweight network training and fewer computations. The proposed method models depth estimation as a regression problem and trains the proposed network using a scale invariance optimization based on L2 loss function, which measures the relationships between points in the consecutive frames. The proposed method can be used for depth estimation of a road scene without the need for any extra information or geometric priors. Experiments on road scene data sets demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms previous methods for monocular depth estimation in dynamic scenes. Compared with the currently proposed method, our method has achieved good results when using the Eigen split evaluation method. The obvious prominent one is that the linear root mean squared error result is 3.462 and the δ < 1.25 result is 0.892.
Even in a global pandemic, there’s no such thing as a crisis
Authors: Spector Bert
Published: May 2020

In my 2019 publication, Constructing Crisis: Leaders, Crisis, and Claims of Urgency, I argued that “crisis” is a label, a claim of urgency employed, typically by leaders, to characterize a set of contingencies that are, together, taken to pose a serious and immediate threat. I then proposed a typology for sorting through any such claim in order to reach a judgment concerning the legitimacy of the claim. Classification systems such as typologies are foundational to knowledge creation in that they enable pattern recognition.. How we classify phenomenon has a real impact on how we consider and behave in response to that phenomenon. In the context of a global pandemic, the importance of critical judgment is especially salient. Labeling the global pandemic as a crisis may be non-controversial (to most). But there are enumerable claims being made under the general rubric of that pandemic that are not nearly so widely and easily accepted. Furthermore, claims of urgency will continue long after this particular contingency passes. It is never advisable to relax a critical perspective, especially when assertions of power and interests are involved and the stakes are so high.
Packaging House of Cards and The Knick: How talent intermediaries manage the indie-auteur brand to sell premium television
Authors: Stubbs Andrew
Published: May 2020

The article explores the migration of indie-auteurs to television during the 2010s. Using David Fincher and Steven Soderbergh’s work on House of Cards and The Knick as case studies, the article argues that talent intermediaries such as producers and talent managers have sought to mobilize the indie-auteur, a branded identity and authorial discourse, to package premium television programmes to exploit growing competition between channels and platforms. The article also explores repercussions of the indie-auteur’s insertion in television as a mark of distinction, arguing that it becomes increasingly important to be aware of the systems behind it.
Child’s play: Addressing the young Cold War audience in Captain Video and His Video Rangers (1949–1955)
Authors: Baker Djoymi
Published: May 2020

This article argues the early science fiction television programme, Captain Video and His Video Rangers (DuMont, 1949–1955), addressed its young target audience directly as Cold War citizens, while encouraging them to undertake imaginative play in a form of early television fandom. The moral panic about the programme’s perceived high levels of violence led to the negative portrayal of its young viewers in popular culture. Yet Captain Video’s modes of direct address reveal a concerted effort to constitute the early children’s television audience around a playful intertextuality, bringing together consumerism, Cold War ideology and imaginative multi-genre engagement through child’s play.
‘Queering’ TV, one character at a time: How audiences respond to gender-diverse TV series on social media platforms
Authors: Boisvert Stéfany
Published: May 2020

This article builds further on research in gender/queer TV studies to understand how interpretive communities form around gender-diverse TV series on social media platforms, while questioning the influence a broadcaster/content provider may still have on the reception of LGBTQ characters. Since recent technological innovations have deeply upset normative definitions of television and of its ‘identity’, this article seeks to understand whether the inclusion of LGBTQ characters in TV series has a similar potential to encourage viewers to queer or challenge normative knowledges about human sexualities and identities. To this end, the article provides a qualitative analysis of discourses that have been published on the official Facebook page of two US serialised dramas: Sense8 (Netflix 2015–2018) and Billions (Showtime 2016–). This research reveals that conversations around Sense8 and Billions differ significantly, ranging from a tendency to deflect criticism and promote progressive readings of the show ( Sense8), to more aggressive debates and frequent attempts to ‘solve’ gender ambiguities ( Billions). Through a detailed analysis of comments and interactions on a popular social media platform, this article, therefore, argues that the nature of a particular content provider might still affect – though never determine – the formation of interpretive communities online, and the nature of comments published around a series featuring LGBTQ character(s).
Endovascular approach for acute limb ischemia without thrombolytic therapy
Authors: Fukuda Keisuke , Yokoi Yoshiaki
Published: May 2020

Background:

Endovascular therapy for acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) has developed and demonstrated safety and efficacy. The purpose of this study was to assess clinical outcomes in patients treated for ALLI with conventional endovascular or surgical revascularization.

Method:

This study was a retrospective single-center review. Consecutive patients with ALLI treated with conventional endovascular revascularization (ER) without thrombolytic agent or surgical revascularization (SR) between 2008 and 2014 were investigated. The 1 year and 3 year amputation rate and mortality rate were assessed by time-to-event methods, including Kaplan–Meier estimation.

Result:

A total of 64 limbs in 62 patients with ALLI due to thromboembolism or thrombosis of a native artery, bypass graft, or previous stented vessel were included. The majority of limbs (90.9%) presented with Rutherford clinical categories 1 to 2 ischemia. Technical success rate was 95.5% in ER and 92.9% in SR group ( p = 0.547). Overall amputation rates were 9.1% in ER versus 9.5% in SR after 1 year ( p = 0.971) and 9.1% in ER versus 11.9% in SR after 3 year ( p = 0.742). Overall mortality rates were 15% in ER versus 7.1% in SR after 1 year ( p = 0.491) and 15% in ER versus 11.2% in SR after 3 year ( p = 0.878).

Conclusion:

Endovascular or surgical revascularization of ALLI resulted in comparable outcomes in limb salvage and mortality rate at 1 year and 3 year. Conventional endovascular therapy without thrombolytic agent such as stenting, balloon angioplasty, or catheter-directed thrombosuction may be considered as a treatment option for ALLI.
Pre- and peroperative diagnosis of Cutibacterium acnes infections in shoulder surgery: A systematic review
Authors: Pruijn Nathalie , Schuncken Antonius CH , Kosse Nienke M , Hofstad Cheriel J , Dorrestijn Oscar
Published: May 2020

Background

Cutibacterium acnes is the most commonly detected pathogen during shoulder surgery. Lack of typical infection signs make Cutibacterium acnes infections difficult to diagnose. This systematic review aims to determine which pre- and peroperative diagnostic tools are most reliable to identify Cutibacterium acnes infections after shoulder surgery.

Methods

PubMed/Embase were searched for diagnostic studies. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed using QUADAS-2. Forest plots summarized results (sensitivity and specificity) for each pre- and peroperative diagnostic tool.

Results

Twenty-two studies were included, of which 8 described preoperative, 10 peroperative, and 4 both pre- and peroperative diagnostic tools. Quality of the studies varied widely. For preoperative tools, synovial calprotectin, interleukin-6, and combined interleukin-6/interleukin-2/tumor necrosis factor-α had the best efficacy measures. Pre-revision biopsies and arthroscopic tissue cultures were the best peroperative tools.

Conclusion

Despite a lack of evidence and the use of different Cutibacterium acnes infection criteria and reference standards, the use of combined interleukin-6/interleukin-2/tumor necrosis factor-α as preoperative and arthroscopic tissue cultures as peroperative diagnostic tool is for now recommended based on results and validity. More research should be performed to provide valid evidence on these tools. In order to do so, an internationally accepted definition of Cutibacterium acnes infections is essential.

Level of evidence

Systematic review.
Agrarian struggle and food system injustice in the Anglo-Caribbean: centering social reproduction by (re)turning to Creft and Fanon
Authors: Barry Tessa , Gahman Levi
Published: May 2020

This piece offers a critical commentary on the historical-systemic marginalization and food system injustice being experienced by women farmers, agro-producers, and cottage industry owners in the Caribbean. In doing so, we provide an overview of the structural barriers and systemic negligence rural working-class and cash-poor women across the Anglo-Caribbean face as a result of the ongoing trajectories of colonialism, neoliberal logics, and patriarchal norms. In addition, the piece details the disproportionate amount of (devalued) socially reproductive labor women perform within the agrarian Majority World. We end by proposing that the radical potentials, emancipatory praxis, and clarion calls for transformative change offered by the region’s very own Jacqueline Creft and Frantz Fanon are revolutionary voices to pay heed to with respect to advancing a sustainable and (gender) just Caribbean future.
Chondroitinase ABC Enhances Integration of Self-Assembled Articular Cartilage, but Its Dosage Needs to Be Moderated Based on Neocartilage Maturity
Authors: Link Jarrett M. , Hu Jerry C. , Athanasiou Kyriacos A.
Published: May 2020

Objective

To enhance the in vitro integration of self-assembled articular cartilage to native articular cartilage using chondroitinase ABC.

Design

To examine the hypothesis that chondroitinase ABC (C-ABC) integration treatment (C-ABCint) would enhance integration of neocartilage of different maturity levels, this study was conducted in 2 phases. In phase I, the impact on integration of 2 treatments, TCL (TGF-β1, C-ABC, and lysyl oxidase like 2) and C-ABCint, was examined via a 2-factor, full factorial design. In phase II, construct maturity (2 levels) and C-ABCint concentration (3 levels) were the factors in a full factorial design to determine whether the effective C-ABCint dose was dependent on neocartilage maturity level. Neocartilages formed or treated per the factors above were placed into native cartilage rings, cultured for 2 weeks, and, then, integration was studied histologically and mechanically. Prior to integration, in phase II, a set of treated constructs were also assayed to provide a baseline of properties.

Results

In phase I, C-ABCint and TCL treatments synergistically enhanced interface Young’s modulus by 6.2-fold ( P = 0.004) and increased interface tensile strength by 3.8-fold ( P = 0.02) compared with control. In phase II, the interaction of the factors C-ABCint and construct maturity was significant ( P = 0.0004), indicating that the effective C-ABCint dose to improve interface Young’s modulus is dependent on construct maturity. Construct mechanical properties were preserved regardless of C-ABCint dose.

Conclusions

Applying C-ABCint to neocartilage is an effective integration strategy with translational potential, provided its dose is calibrated appropriately based on implant maturity, that also preserves implant biomechanical properties.
Mechanisms of pain in sickle cell disease
Authors: Takaoka Kensuke , Cyril Asha Caroline , Jinesh Sandhya , Radhakrishnan Rajan
Published: May 2020

Objectives:

The hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD) is acute and chronic pain, and the pain dominates the clinical characteristics of SCD patients. Although pharmacological treatments of SCD targeting the disease mechanisms have been improved, many SCD patients suffer from pain. To overcome the pain of the disease, there have been renewed requirements to understand the novel molecular mechanisms of the pain in SCD.

Methods:

We concisely summarized the molecular mechanisms of SCD-related acute and chronic pain, focusing on potential drug targets to treat pain.

Results:

Acute pain of SCD is caused by vaso-occulusive crisis (VOC), impaired oxygen supply or infarction-reperfusion tissue injuries. In VOC, inflammatory cytokines include tryptase activate nociceptors and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1. In tissue injury, the secondary inflammatory response is triggered and causes further tissue injuries. Tissue injury generates cytokines and pain mediators including bradykinin, and they activate nociceptive afferent nerves and trigger pain. The main causes of chronic pain are from extended hyperalgesia after a VOC and central sensitization. Neuropathic pain could be due to central or peripheral nerve injury, and protein kinase C might be associated with the pain. In central sensitization, neuroplasticity in the brain and the activation of glial cells may be related with the pain.

Discussion:

In this review, we summarized the molecular mechanisms of SCD-related acute and chronic pain. The novel treatments targeting the disease mechanisms would interrupt complications of SCD and reduce the pain of the SCD patients.
Evidence-Based Policies in Education: Initiatives and Challenges in Europe
Authors: Pellegrini Marta , Vivanet Giuliano
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

This article examines the state of progress of evidence-based educational policies in Europe and identifies organizations for the generation and dissemination of evidence. Further, it discusses some of the most relevant challenges facing the development of evidence-informed education policies in Europe.

Design/Approach/Methods:

This article analyzes official documents by the European Commission (EC) and other organizations. Literature in the field of evidence-based education worldwide is examined to identify the primary challenges and issues related to the development of a culture of evidence in Europe’s education sector.

Findings:

The EC has recently prioritized evidence-informed policy and practice in education, increasingly encouraging member states to utilize evidence in the policy decision-making process. According to official documents, this process began in 2006 and has since enjoyed remarkable progress through several initiatives intended to spread a culture of evidence in education. However, several challenges and issues remain regarding the promotion of evidence-informed policymaking.

Originality/Value:

Having prioritized evidence-informed policy and practice, the EC strongly encourages the adoption of evidence in the policymaking process. This article provides a point of reference regarding the initiatives already undertaken and the challenges facing evidence-based educational policies and policymaking in Europe.
Predictors of Mental Health in Adolescence: The Role of Personality, Dispositional Optimism, and Social Support
Authors: Burešová Iva , Jelínek Martin , Dosedlová Jaroslava , Klimusová Helena
Published: May 2020

In line with the current psychological approach to health in general, mental health is perceived not only as the absence of psychopathological disorders, but also the presence of well-being. The study contributes to the identification of possible sources affecting mental health in adolescence. This cross-sectional study focuses on the role of personality traits, dispositional optimism, and perceived social support in predicting mental health in adolescence. Mental health was assessed using Mental Health Continuum, personality traits using Big Five Inventory, dispositional optimism using Life Orientation Test—Revised and social support by Close Relationships and Social Support Scale. The research sample consisted of 1,239 respondents aged 12 to 19 years (mean age 15.56 years), 54.3% females and 45.7 % males. Sequential regression analysis revealed that demographic variables and personality characteristics together explained 33.5% of mental health variance, the strongest predictors being extraversion and neuroticism. Including dispositional optimism and perceived social support resulted in a significant increase of the explained variance. All predictors together explained 46.0% of the mental health variance.
Construction and Evaluation of Talent Training Mode of Engineering Specialty Based on Excellence Engineer Program
Authors: Zhao Bin , Xudong Hu , Gao Diankui , Xu Lizhi
Published: May 2020

Engineering talent training quality is important for the development of engineering education in China, and the excellence engineer program is an important measure for talent training, and the reform of engineering specialty can be also carried out depending on it; therefore, the construction and evaluation of talent training mode of engineering specialty based on excellent engineer program are studied in this research. First, relevant studies in engineering education are analyzed. Second, the engineering education status in China is discussed. Third, the main problems of engineering education in China are analyzed according to the questionnaire interview data. And the reform measures of the engineering talent training mode for a process equipment and control engineering specialty in a university are analyzed. And then the talent training reform evaluation of this process equipment and control engineering specialty is carried out based on a novel hierarchical analysis method, the evaluation index system is established by questionnaire survey, and optimal membership degree is obtained, which shows the superiority of the excellent engineer program. Finally, several countermeasures and suggestions are put forward to promote the smooth implementation of excellent engineer program.
M-Learning Improves Knowledge Sharing Over e-Learning Platforms to Build Higher Education Students’ Social Capital
Authors: Razzaque Anjum
Published: May 2020

The education sector is transforming from e-learning to m-learning due to its motivation capabilities that drive students toward self-motivated learning. However, this requires online participation through quality knowledge sharing (KS) of the social capital (SC) of resources. Past-reported low student participation calls for confirming whether social capital affects KS in m-learning. Scholars assessed this effect—however, not in the education sector—and revealed scant clarification of whether m-learning regulates SC through KS. Hence, this is the motivated aim reflected through a conceptual framework, that is, tested using multiple-regression analysis after collecting data from 334 Ahlia University undergraduate business students. The results confirm that m-learning moderates students’ SC through KS in e-/m-learning on Moodle. Implications for theory, practice, and society are revealed in this article.
Lidocaine in Liposuction Wetting Solution has a Minimal Effect on Analgesic Requirements when used in Conjunction with General Anesthesia
Authors: Nickerson Da , Clugston Pa , Warren Rj
Published: May 2020

Lidocaine has become a common additive to liposuction wetting solutions, even for liposuction conducted under general anesthesia. Recent focus on the morbidity associated with liposuction has prompted a review of this practice. The analgesic requirements of patients undergoing liposuction of multiple sites under general anesthetic, with and without a lidocaine-containing wetting solution, were reviewed. The results suggest that while lidocaine does provide a reduction in analgesic requirements, this reduction is small, is readily compensated for by oral analgesics, and may not balance the potential risks associated with lidocaine.
Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of the Skin
Authors: Peters Daniel A , Watkins J Frederick , Young Iain D
Published: May 2020

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin is a very rare malignancy of undetermined histogenesis that typically presents as a firm, slowly enlarging, nonulcerated, nonpigmented cutaneous nodule on the face and scalp of older individuals. Despite having histological features of an anaplastic large cell carcinoma, this tumour follows an indolent course and complete excision is usually curative. A case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin on the arm of a 38-year-old white woman is presented and the literature on this rare skin malignancy is reviewed.
Outcome of Surgical Treatment in Posterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome
Authors: Thoma Achilleas , Ching Shim , Nelluri Pramod
Published: May 2020

Isolated paralysis of muscles innervated by the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) is rare. Nine such cases of PIN palsy were reviewed over a period of seven years. Apart from one case with a traumatic etiology, the remaining cases did not have a significant clinical history identifying the cause of their neuropathy. Seven cases underwent surgical decompression, five of which improved dramatically. The remaining two patients required tendon transfers, resulting in a fully functional recovery.
Securing accumulation by restoration – Exploring spectacular corporate conservation, coal mining and biodiversity compensation in the German Rhineland
Authors: Brock Andrea
Published: May 2020

German energy giant and coal mine operator RWE makes two products: cheap electricity and ‘pretty new landscapes’. These ‘pretty new landscapes’ are biodiversity offsets to compensate for the destruction of the ancient Hambacher Forest for the world’s largest opencast lignite coal mine in the German Rhineland. Drawing on in-depth fieldwork including participant observation and interviews in and around the mine and its offset sites, this paper explores the relationship between coal mining, spectacularisation of conservation, the ecotourism–extraction nexus and accumulation by restoration. I illustrate the historic and contemporary importance of restoration activities to the accumulation process and explore the recent engagement of mine operator RWE in the provision of restored nature (in the form of ‘eco-points’), which constitute new business opportunities. The significance of RWE’s biodiversity work for accumulation by restoration lies not only in its profit opportunities but its productive power: the legitimation of coal mining and the making of new, ordered ‘ecologies of repair’. This productive power operates through the mobilising function of RWE’s offsetting work, which forms the foundation for corporate partnerships and alliances with conservation groups and volunteers. These lend legitimacy to RWE’s ‘repair work’ and form the basis for the ecotourism–extraction nexus by turning the mine and its offsets into ‘extractive attractions’ for visitors and ‘nature lovers’. Its power further manifests in the way it captures imaginations through novel imaginaries and narratives of sustainable coal mining, supposedly creating not only a ‘better nature’ but a ‘better future’. Positioning offsetting as social technology of governance, I explore RWE’s spectacular performance of sustainability and the ontological flattening to facilitate claims of commensurability and ‘offsettability’ of nature. These are integral to the ecotourism–extraction nexus and grounded in the belief in the human/corporate ability to recreate nature, a fascination with huge earth-shifting machinery and a commitment to high-modernist ideologies of control.
New Cellular Dimensions on Glioblastoma Progression
Authors: Portela Marta , Casas-Tintó Sergio
Published: May 2020

Gliomas are brain tumors originated from glial cells. The most frequent form of glioma is the glioblastoma (GB). This lethal tumor is frequently originated from genetic alterations in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and PI3K pathways. Recent results suggest that signaling pathways, other than primary founder mutations, play a central role in GB progression. Some of these signals are depleted by GB cells from healthy neurons via specialized filopodia known as tumor microtubes (TMs). Here, we discuss the contribution of TMs to vampirize wingless/WNT ligand from neurons. In consequence, wingless/WNT pathway is upregulated in GB to promote tumor progression, and the reduction of these signals in neurons causes the reduction of synapse number and neurodegeneration. These processes contribute to neurological defects and premature death.
The stair-step approach in treatment of anovulatory PCOS patients
Authors: Horowitz Eran , Weissman Ariel
Published: May 2020

Clomiphene citrate (CC) is a widely accepted first-line treatment for anovulatory patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The current practice is to prescribe CC with gradual dose increments until ovulation is achieved. Typically, progesterone withdrawal bleeding is induced between each dose increment and before the commencement of gonadotropin therapy in CC-resistant patients. It has been recently suggested that dose increments of CC can be administered once failure to induce ovulation at a certain dose has been documented, without induction of progesterone withdrawal bleeding, and this approach has been nicknamed the clomiphene-citrate stair-step (CC-SS) protocol. The same principle has been found feasible before introducing gonadotropin therapy in CC-resistant PCOS patients. Our objective was to review the world literature on the CC-SS protocol and to summarize our own experience with extending the CC-SS approach to initiation of gonadotropin therapy. Studies on CC-SS protocol ( n = 4) have found that this approach leads to a significant reduction of the time to ovulation and to an increased ovulation rate. In our own retrospective case series, 18 CC-resistant PCOS patients initiated gonadotropin stimulation without induction of progesterone withdrawal bleeding, using the chronic low-dose regimen. The time to ovulation in the study group was 54.2 ± 6.2 days, while the estimated time to ovulation calculated according to the traditional approach was approximately 110 days. The clinical pregnancy rate was 44% (8/18), and all pregnancies were singletons. One patient miscarried; hence, the live birth rate was 38.9% (7/18). In summary, the CC-SS approach and its extension to the initiation of gonadotropin therapy results in considerable reduction of the time to ovulation, and favorable ovulation rates and reproductive outcome. Large-scale confirmation of these findings by properly designed randomized controlled trials may lead to a change of practice in the treatment of anovulatory infertility in PCOS patients, allowing simplification of treatment and a shorter time to ovulation and pregnancy.
New arsenate minerals from the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. XIV. Badalovite, NaNaMg(MgFe3+)(AsO4)3, a member of the alluaudite group
Authors: Pekov Igor V. , Koshlyakova Natalia N. , Agakhanov Atali A. , Zubkova Natalia V. , Belakovskiy Dmitry I. , Vigasina Marina F. , Turchkova Anna G. , Sidorov Evgeny G. , Pushcharovsky Dmitry Yu.
Published: May 2020

The new alluaudite-group mineral badalovite was found in the Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with hematite, tenorite, cassiterite, johillerite, nickenichite, calciojohillerite, bradaczekite, metathénardite, aphthitalite, langbeinite, calciolangbeinite, sanidine, fluorophlogopite, fluoborite, tilasite, anhydrite, pseudobrookite, sylvite, halite, lammerite, urusovite, ericlaxmanite, arsmirandite, svabite, krasheninnikovite, euchlorine, wulffite and alumoklyuchevskite. Badalovite forms oblique-angled prismatic crystals up to 1 mm × 1 mm × 5 mm, typically combined in groups or crusts up to several hundred cm2 in area. The mineral is transparent, green, grey, yellow or colourless, with vitreous lustre. It is brittle, the Mohs hardness is 3½. Cleavage was not observed, the fracture is uneven. Dcalc is 4.02 g cm–3. Badalovite is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.753(3), β = 1.757(3), γ = 1.758(3) and 2Vmeas. = 50(10)°. Chemical composition (wt.%, electron-microprobe; holotype) is: Na2O 9.23, K2O 0.19, CaO 2.04, MgO 13.78, MnO 0.31, CuO 0.12, ZnO 0.24, Al2O3 0.06, Fe2O3 12.77, TiO2 0.01, SiO2 0.06, P2O5 0.33, V2O5 0.05, As2O5 61.51, SO3 0.02, total 100.72. The empirical formula based on 12 O apfu is Na1.67Ca0.20K0.02Mg1.92Zn0.02Mn0.02Cu0.01Fe3+0.90Al0.01(As3.01P0.03Si0.01)Σ3.05O12. The simplified formula is Na2Mg2Fe3+(AsO4)3. Badalovite is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 11.9034(3), b = 12.7832(2), c = 6.66340(16) Å, β = 112.523(3)°, V = 936.59(4) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest reflections of the powder XRD pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 6.41(38)(020), 5.505(20)(200), 3.577(23)($\bar{1}$31), 3.523(25)(310), 3.211(46)($\bar{1}$12), 2.911(28)($\bar{2}$22, $\bar{3}$12), 2.765(100)(240, 400) and 2.618(26)($\bar{1}$32). The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal XRD data with an R1 of = 2.49%. Badalovite is isostructural with other alluaudite-group minerals. Its simplified crystal chemical formula is A(1)NaA(1)’□A(2) □A(2)’NaM(1)MgM(2)(Mg0.5Fe3+0.5)2(AsO4)3 (□ – vacancy) and the end-member formula is NaNaMg(MgFe3+)(AsO4)3. The mineral is named in honour of the outstanding mineralogist and geochemist Stepan Tigranovich Badalov (1919–2014).
Clonal hematopoiesis in angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma with divergent evolution to myeloid neoplasms
Authors: Lewis Natasha E. , Petrova-Drus Kseniya , Huet Sarah , Epstein-Peterson Zachary D. , Gao Qi , Sigler Allison E. , Baik Jeeyeon , Ozkaya Neval , Moskowitz Alison J. , Kumar Anita , Horwitz Steven M. , Zhang Yanming , Arcila Maria E. , Levine Ross L. , Roshal Mikhail , Dogan Ahmet , Xiao Wenbin
Published: May 2020

TET2 and DNMT3A mutations are frequently identified in T-cell lymphomas of T follicular helper cell origin (TCL-TFH), clonal hematopoiesis (CH), and myeloid neoplasms (MNs). The relationships among these 3 entities, however, are not well understood. We performed comprehensive genomic studies on paired bone marrow and tissue samples as well as on flow cytometry–sorted bone marrow and peripheral blood subpopulations from a cohort of 22 patients with TCL-TFH to identify shared CH-type mutations in various hematopoietic cell compartments. Identical mutations were detected in the neoplastic T-cell and myeloid compartments of 15 out of 22 patients (68%), including TET2 (14/15) and DNMT3A (10/15). Four patients developed MNs, all of which shared CH-type mutations with their TCL-TFH; additional unique genetic alterations were also detected in each patient’s TCL-TFH and MN. These data demonstrate that CH is prevalent in patients with TCL-TFH and that divergent evolution of a CH clone may give rise to both TCL-TFH and MNs.
Recurrent lumbar-origin osteoblastoma treated with multiple surgery and carbon ion radiotherapy: a case report
Authors: Honda Akira , Iizuka Yoichi , Imai Reiko , Nishinome Masahiro , Hirato Junko , Koshi Hiromi , Mieda Tokue , Sonoda Hiroyuki , Ishiwata Sho , Kakuta Yohei , Tajika Tsuyoshi , Chikuda Hirotaka
Published: May 2020

Background

Although osteoblastoma is an uncommon benign bone tumor, it sometimes behaves in a locally aggressive fashion. We herein report a case of recurrent lumbar spine osteoblastoma that was treated by repeated surgery and carbon ion radiotherapy.

Case presentation

A 13-year-old Japanese girl presented with left side lumbar pain. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine demonstrated a tumorous lesion in the left side pedicle of L4. Although gross total resection of the mass, including the nidus, was performed in the initial surgery, recurrence was observed repeatedly in the short term and the pathological diagnosis of all of the resected tumors was conventional osteoblastoma. We finally performed carbon ion radiotherapy after the patient’s 3rd palliative operation, and achieved a good outcome. No further recurrence has been observed in 10 years of follow-up.

Conclusion

We performed carbon ion radiotherapy for a case of recurrent spinal osteoblastoma and achieved a good outcome without recurrence at 10 years after carbon ion radiotherapy treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of osteoblastoma that was treated with carbon ion radiotherapy after multiple surgeries.
Interaction between N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification and noncoding RNAs in cancer
Authors: Chen Yi , Lin Yu , Shu Yongqian , He Jing , Gao Wen
Published: May 2020

As a critical internal RNA modification in higher eukaryotes, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has become the hotspot of epigenetics research in recent years. Extensive studies on messenger RNAs have revealed that m6A affects RNA fate and cell functions in various bioprocesses, such as RNA splicing, export, translation, and stability, some of which seem to be directly or indirectly regulated by noncoding RNAs. Intriguingly, abundant noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs, small nuclear RNAs, and ribosomal RNAs are also highly modified with m6A and require m6A modification for their biogenesis and functions. Here, we discuss the interaction between m6A modification and noncoding RNAs by focusing on the functional relevance of m6A in cancer progression, metastasis, drug resistance, and immune response. Furthermore, the investigation of m6A regulatory proteins and its inhibitors provides new opportunities for early diagnosis and effective treatment of cancer, especially in combination with immunotherapy.
Bridging the gap: an economic case study of the impact and cost effectiveness of comprehensive healthcare intermediaries in rural Mexico
Authors: Williamson Anne , de León Lorena Ponce , Garza Francisco Rodríguez , Macías Valeria , Flores Navarro Hugo
Published: May 2020

Background

In rural settings where patients face significant structural barriers to accessing healthcare services, the formal existence of government-provided health coverage does not necessarily translate to meaningful care delivery. This paper analyses the effectiveness of an innovative approach to overcome these barriers, the Right to Health Care programme offered by Compañeros en Salud in Chiapas, Mexico. This programme provides comprehensive free coverage of all additional direct and indirect medical costs as well as accompaniment through the medical system. Over 550 patients had participated from 2013 until November 2018.

Methods

Focusing on ten of the most frequently treated conditions, including hernias, cataracts and congenital heart defects, we performed a retrospective case study analysis of the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained from treatment and the cost per QALY for 69 patients. This analysis used disability weights and uncertainty intervals from the Global Burden of Disease study and organisational micro-costing data for each patient. Each patient was compared to their own hypothetical counterfactual health outcome had they not received the secondary and tertiary care required for the specific condition. A mixed methods approach is used to establish this counterfactual baseline, drawing on pre-intervention observations, qualitative interviews and established literature precedent.

Results

The programme was found to deliver an average of 14.4 additional QALYs (95% uncertainty interval 12.4–15.8) without time discounting. The mean cost per QALY over these conditions was $388 USD (95% UI $262–588) at purchasing power parity.

Conclusions

These numbers compare favourably with studies of other health services and international cost per QALY guidelines. They reflect the on-treatment effect for the ten conditions analysed and are presented as a case study indicative of the promise of healthcare intermediaries rather than a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness. Nonetheless, these results show the potential feasibility and cost effectiveness of a more comprehensive approach to healthcare provision in a resource-limited rural setting.

Trial registration

This study involves economic analysis of a programme facilitating access to public healthcare services. Thus, there was no associated clinical trial to be registered.
Prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients treated by Radiochemotherapy for locally advanced oesophageal cancer
Authors: Mallet Romain , Modzelewski Romain , Lequesne Justine , Mihailescu Sorina , Decazes Pierre , Auvray Hugues , Benyoucef Ahmed , Di Fiore Fréderic , Vera Pierre , Dubray Bernard , Thureau Sébastien
Published: May 2020

Background

Sarcopenia is defined by a loss of skeletal muscle mass with or without loss of fat mass. Sarcopenia has been associated to reduced tolerance to treatment and worse prognosis in cancer patients, including patients undergoing surgery for limited oesophageal cancer. Concomitant chemo-radiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally-advanced tumour, not accessible to surgical resection. Using automated delineation of the skeletal muscle, we have investigated the prognostic value of sarcopenia in locally advanced oesophageal cancer (LAOC) patients treated by curative-intent chemo-radiotherapy.

Methods

The clinical, nutritional, anthropometric, and functional-imaging (18FDG-PET/CT) data were collected in 97 patients treated between 2006 and 2012 in our institution. The skeletal muscle area was automatically delineated on cross-sectional CT images acquired at the 3rd. lumbar vertebra level and divided by the patient’s squared height (SML3/h2) to obtain the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI). The primary endpoint was overall survival probability.

Results

Seventy-six deaths were reported. The median survival time was 27 [95% Confidence Interval 23–40] months for the whole population. Univariate analyses (Cox Proportional Hazard Model) showed decreased survival probabilities in patients with reduced SMI, WHO > 0, Body Mass Index ≤21, and Nutritional Risk Index ≤97.5. Multivariate analyses showed that sarcopenia was the only significant prognostic factor (HR 2.32 [1.24–4.34], p = 0.008). Using Receiver Operating Characteristics curves, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.73 in males (p = 0.0002], the optimal threshold being 51.5 cm2/m2. In women, the AUC was 0.65 (p = 0.19).

Conclusion

Sarcopenia is a powerful independent prognostic factor, associated with a rise of the overall mortality in patients treated exclusively by radiochemotherapy for a locally advanced oesophageal cancer. L3 CT images are easily gathered from 18FDG-PET/CT acquisitions.
In vivo chromatin organization on native yeast telomeric regions is independent of a cis-telomere loopback conformation
Authors: Pasquier Emeline , Wellinger Raymund J.
Published: May 2020

Background

DNA packaging into chromatin regulates all DNA-related processes and at chromosomal ends could affect both essential functions of telomeres: protection against DNA damage response and telomere replication. Despite this primordial role of chromatin, little is known about chromatin organization, and in particular about nucleosome positioning on unmodified subtelomere–telomere junctions inSaccharomyces cerevisiae.

Results

By ChEC experiments and indirect end-labeling, we characterized nucleosome positioning as well as specialized protein–DNA associations on most subtelomere–telomere junctions present in budding yeast. The results show that there is a relatively large nucleosome-free region at chromosome ends. Despite the absence of sequence homologies between the two major classes of subtelomere–telomere junctions (i.e.: Y’-telomeres and X-telomeres), all analyzed subtelomere–telomere junctions show a terminal nucleosome-free region just distally from the known Rap1-covered telomeric repeats. Moreover, previous evidence suggested a telomeric chromatin fold-back structure onto subtelomeric areas that supposedly was implicated in chromosome end protection. The in vivo ChEC method used herein in conjunction with several proteins in a natural context revealed no evidence for such structures in bulk chromatin.

Conclusions

Our study allows a structural definition of the chromatin found at chromosome ends in budding yeast. This definition, derived with direct in vivo approaches, includes a terminal area that is free of nucleosomes, certain positioned nucleosomes and conserved DNA-bound protein complexes. This organization of subtelomeric and telomeric areas however does not include a telomeric cis-loopback conformation. We propose that the observations on such fold-back structures may report rare and/or transient associations and not stable or constitutive structures.