bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The characteristics and clinical significance of mucin levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with interstitial lung disease
Authors: Wei Li , Zhao Jing , Bao Jing , Ma Yanliang , Shang Ying , Gao Zhancheng
Published: December 2018

To investigate the expression and clinical significance of secretory mucins in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) concentrations of mucins (MUCs) from 27 patients with ILD, 6 patients with lung cancer, 8 patients with pleural effusion and 9 patients with bronchiectasis were determined by ELISA. The concentration of MUC5AC was significantly increased in patients with ILD (12.84±15.02 ng/mL) compared with patients with pleural effusion (4.33±2.51 ng/mL), lung cancer (8.02±5.57 ng/mL) or bronchiectasis (6.08±2.40 ng/mL) (p<0.01). The MUC2 level (10.23±9.27 ng/mL) was significantly elevated in patients with ILD than in those with pleural effusion (6.21±3.28 ng/mL) or bronchiectasis (5.73±1.51 ng/mL) (both p<0.05). Patients with ILD (104.64±61.61 ng/mL), lung cancer (148.45±169.24 ng/mL) or bronchiectasis (123.68±63.28 ng/mL) had significantly greater IL-8 levels than in those with pleural effusion (76.46±2.16 ng/mL) (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was detected between the MUC5AC concentration and the lymphocyte percentage in BALF of patients with ILD (r=0.504, p=0.007). Lung function tests of patients with ILD exhibited various degrees of restrictive ventilation dysfunction and reduced diffusing capacity. The MUC5AC levels in BALF were negatively correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (r=−0.761, p=0.000), FEV1 predicted value (FEV1/pred) (r=−0.668, p=0.002), and diffusing capacity (r=−0.606, p=0.006). Secretory mucins MUC5AC, MUC2 and IL-8 were highly expressed in ILD. MUC5AC level was closely correlated with the amount of inflammatory cells in BALF and the lung function parameters.
Defence Clinical Psychology Service: an overview of clinical psychology in the UK Ministry of Defence
Authors: Norris Rachel , McCauley M
Published: December 2018

The Defence Clinical Psychology Service (DCPS) is the professional clinical psychology service and community of clinical psychology practice within UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). The DCPS provides professional clinical care, consultation and research in support of the UK Armed Forces. Regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council, DCPS psychologists are employed as Crown (Civil) Servants within the MoD. Serving as assets of Joint Forces Command within the Defence Primary Healthcare organisation, the professional leadership for such personnel is provided by the office of the Defence Consultant Advisor (DCA) for clinical psychology. The following paper offers an overview of the history, service context, training and mission of the DCPS. Areas for future development are also considered.
Habitat filtering influences plant–pollinator interactions in prairie ecosystems
Authors: Bizecki Robson Diana , Hamel Cary , Neufeld Rebekah , Bleho Barbara I.
Published: December 2018

The xeric hypothesis is that bees are more abundant pollinators than anthophilous flies in dry, temperate biomes, and the habitat filtering hypothesis is that differences in the proportions will impact plant community composition because different pollinators favour different floral traits. However, few studies have examined the predictive value of these hypotheses. In particular, differences in plant–pollinator compositions within biomes, such as the Prairie Ecozone, have not been compared. We documented plant–pollinator interactions and plant abundance in three Canadian prairie types. Flower visits in moist tall grass prairie were mainly by flies in the Syrphidae, whereas visits in the drier fescue and mixed grass prairie were mainly by long-tongued bees in the Apidae. Short-tongued bee visits were not significantly different between the prairie types. Insect visits to tubular, zygomorphic, violet/blue-, and white-flowered plants were higher in drier fescue and mixed grass prairie than in moister tall grass prairie. Further, proportions of plants with these features were lower in the tall grass prairie. Thus differences in the proportion of flies and long-tongued bees, likely affected by habitat conditions including moisture levels, appear to be influencing the types of plants that dominate each prairie type, providing some support for these hypotheses.
Temperature and breeding success for Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) nesting on man-made structures: ecological traps?
Authors: Imlay Tara L. , Nickerson Donavon , Horn Andrew G.
Published: December 2018

When an environmental cue that previously signaled a suitable habitat leads an animal to use an unsuitable site, individual fitness can decrease, ultimately leading to population declines. Such “ecological traps” may be particularly likely for birds that use human infrastructure for nesting. Here we tested whether high nest temperatures and the physical properties of barns are associated with lower breeding success for a declining population of Cliff Swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota (Vieillot, 1817)). We monitored nests under barn eaves below wood and metal roofs to determine nestling survival and mass, and recorded temperature under barn eaves, to relate ambient temperature to eave temperature. We found that eave temperature increased with ambient temperatures and was higher at high temperatures and lower at cool temperatures under metal roofs than wood roofs. Nestling survival was lower during periods with higher ambient temperatures, and both survival and mass were lower under metal roofs. Our findings suggest that barn eaves, especially those with metal roofs, may be an ecological trap for Cliff Swallows, where a seemingly suitable nesting site early in the breeding season results in low breeding success. Furthermore, warming temperatures may lead to ecological traps for other bird species, particularly those nesting in man-made structures.
Multi-View Product Image Search with Deep ConvNets Representations
Authors: Baştan Muhammet , Yılmaz Özgür
Published: December 2018

Multi-view product image queries can improve retrieval performance over single view queries significantly. In this paper, we investigated the performance of deep convolutional neural networks (ConvNets) on multi-view product image search. First, we trained a VGG-like network to learn deep ConvNets representations of product images. Then, we computed the deep ConvNets representations of database and query images and performed single view queries, and multi-view queries using several early and late fusion approaches.

We performed extensive experiments on the publicly available Multi-View Object Image Dataset (MVOD 5K) with both clean background queries from the internet and cluttered background queries from a mobile phone. We compared the performance of ConvNets to the classical bag-of-visual-words (BoWs). We concluded that (1) multi-view queries with deep ConvNets representations perform significantly better than single view queries, (2) ConvNets perform much better than BoWs and have room for further improvement, (3) pre-training of ConvNets on a different image dataset with background clutter is needed to obtain good performance on cluttered product image queries obtained with a mobile phone.
PSP-AMS
Authors: Jaysawal Bijay Prasad , Huang Jen-Wei
Published: December 2018

Sequential pattern mining is used to find frequent data sequences over time. When sequential patterns are generated, the newly arriving patterns may not be identified as frequent sequential patterns due to the existence of old data and sequences. Progressive sequential pattern mining aims to find the most up-to-date sequential patterns given that obsolete items will be deleted from the sequences. When sequences come with multiple data streams, it is difficult to maintain and update the current sequential patterns. Even worse, when we consider the sequences across multiple streams, previous methods cannot efficiently compute the frequent sequential patterns. In this work, we propose an efficient algorithm PSP-AMS to address this problem. PSP-AMS uses a novel data structure PSP-MS-tree to insert new items, update current items, and delete obsolete items. By maintaining a PSP-MS-tree, PSP-AMS efficiently finds the frequent sequential patterns across multiple streams. The experimental results show that PSP-AMS significantly outperforms previous algorithms for mining of progressive sequential patterns across multiple streams on synthetic data as well as real data.
Who owns 3D scans of historic sites?
Authors: Shein Esther
Published: December 2018

Three-dimensional scanning can be used to protect or rebuild historic structures, but who owns that digital data?
A Dual Descent Algorithm for Node-capacitated Multiflow Problems and Its Applications
Authors: Hirai Hiroshi
Published: December 2018

In this article, we develop an
O
((
m
log
k
)MSF(
n,m
,1))-time algorithm to find a half-integral node-capacitated multiflow of the maximum total flow-value in a network with
n
nodes,
m
edges, and
k
terminals, where MSF(
n
′
,
m
′
,γ) denotes the time complexity of solving the maximum submodular flow problem in a network with
n
′
nodes,
m
′
edges, and the complexity γ of computing the exchange capacity of the submodular function describing the problem. By using Fujishige-Zhang algorithm for submodular flow, we can find a maximum half-integral multiflow in
O
(
m n
3
log
k
) time. This is the first combinatorial strongly polynomial time algorithm for this problem. Our algorithm is built on a developing theory of discrete convex functions on certain graph structures. Applications include “ellipsoid-free” combinatorial implementations of a 2-approximation algorithm for the minimum node-multiway cut problem by Garg, Vazirani, and Yannakakis.
Modifiability of the history dependence of force through chronic eccentric and concentric biased resistance training
Authors: Chen Jackey , Power Geoffrey A.
Published: December 2018

The increase and decrease in steady-state isometric force following active muscle lengthening and shortening are referred to as residual force enhancement (RFE) and force depression (FD), respectively. The RFE and FD states are associated with decreased (activation reduction; AR) and increased (activation increase; AI) neuromuscular activity, respectively. Although the mechanisms have been discussed over the last 60 years, no studies have systematically investigated the modifiability of RFE and FD with training. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether RFE and FD could be modulated through eccentric and concentric biased resistance training. Fifteen healthy young adult men (age: 24 ± 2 yr, weight: 77 ± 8 kg, height: 178 ± 5 cm) underwent 4 wk of isokinetic dorsiflexion training, in which one leg was trained eccentrically (−25°/s) and the other concentrically (+25°/s) over a 50° ankle excursion. Maximal and submaximal (40% maximum voluntary contraction) steady-state isometric torque and EMG values following active lengthening and shortening were compared to purely isometric values at the same joint angles and torque levels. Residual torque enhancement (rTE) decreased by ~36% after eccentric training ( P < 0.05) and increased by ~89% after concentric training ( P < 0.05), whereas residual torque depression (rTD), AR, AI, and optimal angles for torque production were not significantly altered by resistance training ( P ≥ 0.05). It appears that rTE, but not rTD, for the human ankle dorsiflexors is differentially modifiable through contraction type-dependent resistance training.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The history dependence of force production is a property of muscle unexplained by current cross bridge and sliding filament theories. Whether a muscle is actively lengthened (residual force enhancement; RFE) or shortened (force depression) to a given length, the isometric force should be equal to a purely isometric contraction—but it is not! In this study we show that eccentric training decreased RFE, whereas concentric training increased RFE and converted all nonresponders (i.e., not exhibiting RFE) into responders.
A Retrospective Analysis of Patients with Short Stature in the South of China between 2007 and 2015
Authors: Wu Su , Liu Qian-qi , Gu Wei , Ni Shi-ning , Shi Xing , Zhu Zi-yang
Published: December 2018

Objective. To describe the demographic features of children with short stature and poor growth in the south of China and provide better guidance on clinical strategy and decisions. Study Design. This retrospective, chart review study analyzed children with short stature and poor growth admitted to the Department of Endocrinology of Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from Jan 2007 to Dec 2015. Results. The chart review yielded 4142 patients, including 2546 boys and 1596 girls (P < 0.001); the number of patients gradually increased per year from 2007 to 2015. There was an upward trend in the average levels of height standard deviations (SDs) during the study period (P < 0.001), both in males (P < 0.001) and females (P < 0.001). Mean height SDs were smaller in females (-2.42±1.09) than males (-2.33±1.03; P = 0.01). The percentage of females admitted at normal height (33.83%) was lower than that of males (37.20%; P = 0.028). The peak age range of hospitalization in males was 10–12 years of age, while females were generally admitted earlier—8–10 years. Conclusions. There was an increasing tendency to focus on children’s height. Parents and pediatricians were recommended to pay more attention to the treatment needs of girls while avoiding excessive treatment of those who merely appear not to be tall enough without a clear medical issue related to growth, especially for boys.
Albendazole Degradation Possibilities by UV-Based Advanced Oxidation Processes
Authors: Ljubas Davor , Čizmić Mirta , Vrbat Katarina , Stipaničev Draženka , Repec Siniša , Ćurković Lidija , Babić Sandra
Published: December 2018

Pharmaceuticals are present in an aquatic environment usually in low (ng/L) concentrations. Their continuous release can lead to unwanted effects on the nontarget organisms. The main points of their collection and release into the environment are wastewater treatment plants. The wastewater treatment plants should be upgraded by new technologies, like advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), to be able to degrade these new pollutants. In this study, the degradation of albendazole (ALB), a drug against parasitic helminths, was investigated using four UV-based AOPs: UV photolysis, UV photocatalysis (over TiO2 film), UV + O3, and UV + H2O2. The ranking of the degradation process degree of the ALB and its degradation products for studied processes is as follows: UV photolysis < UV photocatalysis with TiO2 < UV + O3 < UV + H2O2. The fastest degradation of ALB and its degradation products was obtained by UV-C + H2O2 process with a degradation efficiency of 99.95%, achieved in 15 minutes.
Finite Time Stability of Finance Systems with or without Market Confidence Using Less Control Input
Authors: Ma Chao , Tian Yujuan , Qu Zhongfeng
Published: December 2018

In this paper, we make an exploration of a technique to control a class of finance chaotic systems. This technique allows one to achieve the finite time stability of the finance system more effectively with less control input energy. First, the finite time stability of three dimension finance system without market confidence is analyzed by using a single controller. Then, two controllers are designed to stabilize the four-dimension finance system with market confidence. Moreover, the finite time stability of the three-dimension and four-dimension finance system with unknown parameter is also studied. Finally, simulation results are presented to show the chaotic behaviour of the finance systems, verify the effectiveness of the proposed control method, and illustrate its advantages compared with other methods.
“Dose-Response” Vulnerability Assessment of Urban Power Supply Network: Foundation for Its Sustainability and Resilience
Authors: Tang Haizhou , Zhao Xudong , Chen Zhilong , Xu Jiheng , Su Xiaochao
Published: December 2018

Urban power supply network plays a vital role in maintaining the city operation. The vulnerability of power supply network in the face of events has been one of significant concerns. This study presents a new methodology and framework for “dose-response” vulnerability assessment of urban power supply network. This framework can explore the vulnerability of power supply network under two types of events: random type and intentional type. It also integrates a new metric that calculates the vulnerability of power supply network in both structural dimension and functional dimension. Taking the power supply network of a city in east China as an example, network vulnerability under different types of events was assessed, and the “dose-response” interrelationships between network performance and event scale under different types of events were thoroughly discussed. The results demonstrated that power supply network was more vulnerable to intentional events in both dimensions. For intentional events, power supply network was more vulnerable to degree-based attack than to betweenness-based attack. After that, the redundancy coefficient α of power supply network was optimized. The conclusion and some suggestions for future research were given in the end.
Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Mental and Neurological Disorders in Ghana
Authors: Amoateng Patrick , Quansah Emmanuel , Karikari Thomas K. , Asase Alex , Osei-Safo Dorcas , Kukuia Kennedy Kwami Edem , Amponsah Isaac Kingsley , Nyarko Alexander K.
Published: December 2018

Ethnopharmacological Relevance. Mental and neurological disorders are a serious public health challenge globally, particularly in developing countries where cultural factors and limited access to standard healthcare have led to a reliance on traditional medicines. However, ethnopharmacological characterization of traditional medicines used to treat these diseases is lacking. In this study, an ethnobotanical description of plant species used in treating mental and neurological disorders in Ghana and an update of their experimentally validated pharmacological relevance are provided. Materials and Methods. Two hundred herbalists agreed to participate but sixty‐six specialized in treating mental and neurological disorders were interviewed on their traditional medical practice. Literature review was conducted to verify the experimentally validated pharmacological importance of the reported plants. Results. Thirty‐two plant species belonging to twenty‐eight families were identified. Most plant species had either analgesic (50%), anxiolytic (18.8%), or anticonvulsant (15.6%) properties. Others had reported sedative, anti‐Alzheimer’s disease, motor coordination, antipsychotic, antidepressant, cognitive enhancement, and neuroprotective properties. While Ageratum conyzoides L. (Asteraceae) and Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiaceae) were the most commonly mentioned species with analgesic properties, Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) was the most‐reported anxiolytic product, with Cymbopogon citratus DC. (Gramineae), Mangifera indica L., Tetrapleura tetraptera Schum Taub. (Fabaceae), and Persea Americana Mill (Lauraceae) being the most studied anticonvulsants. Conclusions. This study provides the first report specifically on medicinal plants used in treating mental and neurological disorders in Ghana. Most of the identified plants have been scientifically confirmed to possess neuro‐ and psychopharmacological properties and may serve as templates for drug development.
Early Noninvasive Detection of Response to Targeted Therapy in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Phallen Jillian , Leal Alessandro , Woodward Brian D. , Forde Patrick M. , Naidoo Jarushka , Marrone Kristen A. , Brahmer Julie R. , Fiksel Jacob , Medina Jamie E. , Cristiano Stephen , Palsgrove Doreen N. , Gocke Christopher D. , Bruhm Daniel C. , Keshavarzian Parissa , Adleff Vilmos , Weihe Elizabeth , Anagnostou Valsamo , Scharpf Robert B. , Velculescu Victor E. , Husain Hatim
Published: December 2018

With the advent of precision oncology, there is an urgent need to develop improved methods for rapidly detecting responses to targeted therapies. Here, we have developed an ultrasensitive measure of cell-free tumor load using targeted and whole-genome sequencing approaches to assess responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced lung cancer. Analyses of 28 patients treated with anti-EGFR or HER2 therapies revealed a bimodal distribution of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) after therapy initiation, with molecular responders having nearly complete elimination of ctDNA (>98%). Molecular nonresponders displayed limited changes in ctDNA levels posttreatment and experienced significantly shorter progression-free survival (median 1.6 vs. 13.7 months, P < 0.0001; HR = 66.6; 95% confidence interval, 13.0–341.7), which was detected on average 4 weeks earlier than CT imaging. ctDNA analyses of patients with radiographic stable or nonmeasurable disease improved prediction of clinical outcome compared with CT imaging. These analyses provide a rapid approach for evaluating therapeutic response to targeted therapies and have important implications for the management of patients with cancer and the development of new therapeutics.

Significance: Cell-free tumor load provides a novel approach for evaluating longitudinal changes in ctDNA during systemic treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and serves an unmet clinical need for real-time, noninvasive detection of tumor response to targeted therapies before radiographic assessment.

See related commentary by Zou and Meyerson, p. 1038
EGFR and c-MET Cooperate to Enhance Resistance to PARP Inhibitors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Dong Qiongzhu , Du Yi , Li Hui , Liu Chunxiao , Wei Yongkun , Chen Mei-Kuang , Zhao Xixi , Chu Yu-Yi , Qiu Yufan , Qin Lunxiu , Yamaguchi Hirohito , Hung Mien-Chie
Published: December 2018

PARP1 inhibitors (PARPi) are currently used in the clinic for the treatment of ovarian and breast cancers, yet their therapeutic efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been disappointing. To ensure therapeutic efficacy of PARPi against HCC, a disease often diagnosed at intermediate to advanced stages with no effective treatment options, it is critical to identify not only biomarkers to predict PARPi resistance but also rational treatments to overcome this. Here, we report that a heterodimer of EGFR and MET interacts with and phosphorylates Y907 of PARP1 in the nucleus, which contributes to PARPi resistance. Inhibition of both EGFR and MET sensitized HCC cells to PARPi, and both EGFR and MET are known to be overexpressed in HCC. This report provides an explanation for the poor efficacy of PARPi against HCC and suggests combinatorial treatment consisting of EGFR, MET, and PARP inhibitors may be an effective therapeutic strategy in HCC.

Significance:

Regulation of PARP by the c-MET and EGFR heterodimer suggests a potentially effective combination therapy to sensitize HCC to PARPi.
How Online Family History Tool Design and Message Content Impact User Perceptions: An Examination of Family HealthLink
Authors: Thomas Sarah N. , Hovick Shelly R. , Tan Naomi , Sturm Amy C. , Sweet Kevin
Published: December 2018

Background: Family health history tools have the ability to improve health outcomes and promote patient-provider communication, but some research suggests their effectiveness is limited. Tool design features may heavily influence users’ perceptions of the tools. Aims: This study provides a summative evaluation of the Family HealthLink tool, which assesses cancer and coronary heart disease risk based on personal and family health history, to better understand how tool design and message content impact user perceptions. Method: User observations and semi-structured interviews were conducted with breast cancer patients (n = 16) and support persons (n = 18) at an academic comprehensive breast center. Results: The users responded positively to many of Family HealthLink’s features, but they noted that it lacked a modern design. The participants felt much of the risk information was too generic and did not account for lifestyle factors. The users also did not consistently interpret the qualitative risk assessments provided by Family HealthLink. Conclusion: Our data analysis suggests that certain aspects of the Family HealthLink tool could be executed more effectively to take fuller advantage of opportunities for online personalization.
Downregulation of Microparticle Release and Pro-Inflammatory Properties of Activated Human Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils by LMW Fucoidan
Authors: Moraes João Alfredo , Frony Ana Clara , Barcellos-de-Souza Pedro , Menezes da Cunha Marcel , Brasil Barbosa Calcia Thayanne , Benjamim Claudia Farias , Boisson-Vidal Catherine , Barja-Fidalgo Christina
Published: December 2018

Exposition of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear neutrophils, PMNs) to bacterial products triggers exacerbated activation of these cells, increasing their harmful effects on host tissues. We evaluated the possibility of interfering with the classic immune innate responses of human PMNs exposed to bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), and further stimulated with bacterial formyl peptide (N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine, fMLP). We showed that the low- molecular-weight fucoidan (LMW-Fuc), a polysaccharide extracted from brown algae, attenuated the exacerbated activation induced by fMLP on LPS-primed PMNs, in vitro, impairing chemotaxis, NET formation, and the pro-survival and pro-oxidative effects. LMW-Fuc also inhibited the activation of canonical signaling pathways, AKT, bad, p47phox and MLC, activated by the exposition of PMN to bacterial products. The activation of PMN by sequential exposure to LPS and fMLP induced the release of L-selectin+ microparticles, which were able to trigger extracellular reactive oxygen species production by fresh PMNs and macrophages. Furthermore, we observed that LMW-Fuc inhibited microparticle release from activated PMN. In vivo experiments showed that circulating PMN-derived microparticles could be detected in mice exposed to bacterial products (LPS/fMLP), being downregulated in animals treated with LMW-Fuc. The data highlight the autocrine and paracrine role of pro-inflammatory microparticles derived from activated PMN and demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of LMW-Fuc on these cells.
Primary Human Neutrophils Exhibit a Unique HIV-Directed Antibody-Dependent Phagocytosis Profile
Authors: Powell Rebecca L.R. , Fox Alisa , Itri Vincenza , Zolla-Pazner Susan
Published: December 2018

The only clinical HIV vaccine trial to demonstrate efficacy, RV144, correlated protection with the antibodies (Abs) mediating function via the “constant” immunoglobulin region, the crystallizable fragment (Fc). These data have supported a focus on the induction of Abs by vaccines that trigger antiviral activities by relevant leukocytes via Fc receptors (FcRs). Neutrophils are phagocytes that comprise > 50% of leukocytes and display unique FcRs. We sought to compare the Ab-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP) activity of human neutrophils to the commonly assayed THP-1 cell line. HIV-specific Abs were employed to elicit ADCP of beads coated with HIV envelope protein. Overall, trends were noted among neutrophil donors and the ADCP profile was different from that of THP-1 cells. mAb ELISA titers correlated with ADCP by THP-1 cells but not neutrophils. Monoclonal (m)Abs were also tested with primary monocytes. Donor-to-donor variation was high, and hindered the analysis of this dataset, but it was, in itself, an important finding. This study illustrates the concept that the assessment of FcR-mediated Ab activity with a frequently used cell line such as THP-1 is not necessarily indicative of relevant Ab functionality in vivo, and this calls for in-depth study of the properties of the HIV antibodies best-suited to eliciting antiviral activities by primary cells.
Bacterial Infections in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis in an Internal Medicine Department
Authors: Lameirão Gomes Cristina , Violante Silva Renata , Carrola Paulo , Presa José
Published: December 2018

Background and Aims: Liver cirrhosis (LC) is the end stage of multiple processes that lead to hepatic failure and is the 10th most common cause of death in the Western world. Bacterial infections are one of the most important clinical problems in patients with LC, as their underlying immune status is compromised. Approximately 60% of bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients are community acquired (CA) and 40% are nosocomial. The most common infections in cirrhotic patients are spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) (25%), urinary tract infection (UTI) (20%), pneumonia (15%), bacteremia (12%), and cellulitis (2–11%). The aim of this study was to evaluate the most frequent infections in patients with LC and describe the evolution of the microbiology in these patients. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 4 interspersed years (2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014) that included 372 patients. Demographic characteristics were evaluated, including gender, age, type of infection, bacteria resistance profile, antibiotic use, Child-Pugh-Turcotte and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores, and mortality rate. Results: The mean age of all patients enrolled in this study was 64.5 ± 12.2 years. Male patients were significantly more prevalent than female ones (72 vs. 28%). In the 4 analyzed years, the following numbers of infections occurred: 71 infections (49% CA and 51% nosocomial) in 2008; 86 infections (60.5% CA and 39.5% nosocomial) in 2010; 99 infections (56.6% CA and 43.4% nosocomial) in 2012; and 116 infections (70.7% CA and 29.3% nosocomial) in 2014. The most frequent infections were UTI (32.5%), respiratory tract infection (29.3%), SBP (26.1%), and cellulitis (6.2%). A microbiological agent was identified in 32.4, 59.3, 53.5, and 61.2% of infections in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014, respectively, with a predominance of gram-negative bacilli. In all series, a third-generation cephalosporin was the most frequent antibiotic used empirically. The majority of patients was in stage B (42.7%) of the Child-Pugh-Turcotte score, followed by stage C (39.3%) and stage A (18%). Mortality increased significantly over the years, from 7% in 2008 to 25% in 2014 (p = 0.016). Conclusions: The present study showed a high prevalence of bacterial infections in patients with LC. A high rate of suspicion is needed for an infectious process in these patients, and an appropriate antibiotic treatment can decrease the morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic patients.
Management of Gastrointestinal Toxicity from Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor
Authors: Rocha Marta , Correia de Sousa João , Salgado Marta , Araújo António , Pedroto Isabel
Published: December 2018

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown anti-tumour activity in cancers such as melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Though immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment and prognosis of some advanced malignancies, they are also associated with a significant risk of immune-related adverse events. These adverse events can occur in any organ system, but gastrointestinal side effects are among the most commonly reported, with manifestations ranging from mild diarrhoea to severe colitis, sharing some features with inflammatory bowel disease. Anticipating a greater use of these drugs in the future, gastroenterologists should expect to be increasingly faced with gastrointestinal immune-related adverse events. Knowledge of these toxicities, as well as effective management algorithms, is essential to enable early diagnosis and treatment, decreasing morbidity and mortality. We reviewed the currently available literature on gastrointestinal toxicity induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors, namely the clinical features, diagnosis, and management.
Towards Understanding the Molecular Basis of Nitric Oxide-Regulated Group Behaviors in Pathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Williams Dominique E. , Boon Elizabeth M.
Published: December 2018

Pathogenic bacteria have many strategies for causing disease in humans. One such strategy is the ability to live both as single-celled motile organisms or as part of a community of bacteria called a biofilm. Biofilms are frequently adhered to biotic or abiotic surfaces and are extremely antibiotic resistant. Upon biofilm dispersal, bacteria become more antibiotic susceptible but are also able to readily infect another host. Various studies have shown that low, nontoxic levels of nitric oxide (NO) may induce biofilm dispersal in many bacterial species. While the molecular details of this phenotype remain largely unknown, in several species, NO has been implicated in biofilm-to-planktonic cell transitions via ligation to 1 of 2 characterized NO sensors, NosP or H-NOX. Based on the data available to date, it appears that NO binding to H-NOX or NosP triggers a downstream response based on changes in cellular cyclic di-GMP concentrations and/or the modulation of quorum sensing. In order to develop applications for control of biofilm infections, the identification and characterization of biofilm dispersal mechanisms is vital. This review focuses on the efforts made to understand NO-mediated control of H-NOX and NosP pathways in the 3 pathogenic bacteria Legionella pneumophila, Vibrio cholerae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Maternal Stress During Pregnancy Is Associated with Decreased Cortisol and Cortisone Levels in Neonatal Hair
Authors: van der Voorn Bibian , Hollanders Jonneke J. , Kieviet Noera , Dolman Koert M. , de Rijke Yolanda B. , van Rossum Elisabeth F.C. , Rotteveel Joost , Honig Adriaan , Finken Martijn J.J.
Published: December 2018

Background: Hair glucocorticoids (GCs) offer a retrospective view on chronic GC exposure. We assessed whether maternal pre- and postnatal stress was associated with neonatal and maternal hair GCs postpartum (pp). Methods: On the first day pp 172 mother-infant pairs donated hair, of whom 67 had consulted a centre of expertise for psychiatric disorders during pregnancy. Maternal stress was scored on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale during the first/second (n = 46), third trimester (n = 57), and pp (n = 172). Hair cortisol and cortisone levels were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and associations with maternal hospital anxiety subscale (HAS) and hospital depression subscale (HDS) scores, and antidepressant use were analyzed with linear regression. Results: Neonatal hair GCs were negatively associated with elevated HAS-scores during the first/second trimester, log 10 (β [95% CI]) cortisol –0.19 (–0.39 to 0.02) p = 0.07, cortisone –0.10 (–0.25 to 0.05) p = 0.17; third trimester, cortisol –0.17 (–0.33 to 0.00) p = 0.05, cortisone –0.17 (–0.28 to –0.05) p = 0.01; and pp, cortisol –0.14 (–0.25 to –0.02) p = 0.02, cortisone –0.07 (–0.16 to 0.02) p = 0.10. A similar pattern was observed for elevated HDS-scores. Maternal hair GCs were positively associated with elevated HAS-scores pp (cortisol 0.17 [0.01 to 0.32] p = 0.04, cortisone 0.18 [0.06 to 0.31] p = 0.01), but not prenatally or with elevated HDS-scores. Antidepressant use was associated with elevated maternal hair GCs (p ≤ 0.05), but not with neonatal hair GCs. Conclusion: Exposure to excessive pre- and perinatal maternal stress was associated with a decrease in neonatal hair GCs, while elevated stress-scores around birth were associated with increased maternal hair GCs and elevated stress-scores earlier in gestation were not associated with maternal hair GCs pp. Further studies are needed to test associations with infant neurodevelopment.
Pulse Granulomas in Interval Appendectomy Specimens: Histochemical Identification of Cellulose Matter
Authors: Ban Shinichi , Fujii Akiko , Takimoto Toshiro , Kikuchi Kenta , Kang Woodea , Namiki Yukiko , Koyatsu Junichi , Ueda Yoshihiko
Published: December 2018

Pulse granuloma is a rare pathologic condition considered to be a benign inflammatory reaction to foreign materials originated from ingested legume matter. As for pulse granulomas of the gastrointestinal tract, association with diverticular diseases is relatively common, but only a few pulse granuloma cases associated with appendicitis have been reported. This report presents histopathologic findings of pulse granuloma lesions observed in two appendectomy cases, with some histochemical examinations of cellulose matter which is reportedly a major component to provoke pulse granuloma reaction. Our patients in both cases were girls in their teens, and they underwent interval appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Both appendectomy specimens revealed ruptured walls with inflammatory granulation tissue with marked foreign body reaction including characteristic collections of ring-like, curled ribbon-like, and/or lobulated nephrosclerosis-like hyaline structures and various foreign bodies, in which microorganisms or amyloid deposition were not identified. The presence of cellulose matter was suggested by Sirius red stain, the IKI (iodine potassium iodide)-H2SO4 method, and birefringence by polarized light. Appendectomy materials due to acute appendicitis would include pulse granuloma reaction provoked by ingested materials with cellulose. Pathologists should be familiar with the concept and histopathologic features of pulse granulomas to avoid misinterpreting them as vascular lesions and/or amyloid deposition, or any infectious organisms.
Rare Case of Intracardiac Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis with Response to Nivolumab: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ansari Jawaher , Alhelali Sumaya , Albinmousa Zakariya , Farrag Ashraf , Ali Arwa M. , Abdelgelil Mai , Alhamad Abdulaziz , Alzahrani Ghormallah , Ansari Asif , Glaholm John
Published: December 2018

Intracardiac metastases in the absence of inferior vena cava involvement is a rare occurrence in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). There is limited evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of standard treatment modalities for mRCC patients with intracardiac metastases. Presence of intracardiac metastases is known to indicate poor prognosis and may potentially increase risk of treatment-related complications. Recent advances in RCC management have integrated nivolumab, a programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor inhibitor, as a preferred treatment option in the second-line setting after failure of prior anti-angiogenic therapy; or in combination with ipilimumab, an anti-Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 antibody as first-line therapy for intermediate to poor risk patients with mRCC. The efficacy and toxicity of nivolumab in patients with mRCC and intracardiac metastases has never been reported previously. We herein present the first reported case of mRCC with intracardiac metastasis and a resultant excellent response to nivolumab treatment and discuss the imaging techniques and treatment options for this rare presentation.
The “Difficult” Colorectal Polyps and Adenomas: Practical Aspects
Authors: Herszényi László
Published: December 2018

Background: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for adenoma detection. All endoscopists who perform colonoscopy must by mandate be skilled to perform polypectomy. However, there are significant differences between endoscopists in terms of the polyp detection rate and in the effectiveness of polypectomy. Summary: Most polyps identified can be managed by conventional polypectomy and do not pose a significant challenge for resection to an adequately skilled and trained endoscopist. Up to 15% of polyps may be considered “difficult”, unsuitable for conventional endoscopic removal because of size, morphology, site, or access grade. Endoscopist-, patient- and polyp-specific viewpoints influence the management of difficult polyps. Advances in endoscopic resection techniques have led to extended indications for polypectomy. Conventional endoscopic removal of colorectal polyps is associated with a small but not negligible incidence of complications, most commonly bleeding and perforation. Advanced techniques for difficult polyps can potentially cause significant, even life-threatening complications. In addition, in the presence of “difficult” polyps, complications are more common. Key Messages: Multiple techniques are now available for the resection of difficult polyps. The endoscopist should individualize the appropriate approach for the treatment of difficult polyp in order to maximize oncological safety, efficacy and minimize complications and unnecessary surgery.
Como ter sucesso nas artes sem ser um homem?
Authors: Sofio Séverine
Published: December 2018

Neste artigo propõe-se um conjunto de conselhos para art istas mulheres do passado para que sejam reconhecidas em vida e organizem a  preservação póstuma de seus nomes e suas obras, com vistas a inscrevê-los na história. Inspiramo-nos em pesquisas sobre a população de  pintoras, escultoras e gravadoras ativas na França na primeira metade do século XIX e em trabalhos sociológicos e históricos acerca da construção da reputação artística e da inscrição dos nomes na memória coletiva. Assim, de um modo não desprovido de distanciamento irônico, sugerese às  artistas mulheres: partir com boas cartas na mão; fazer boas escolhas; não perder tempo em se fazer (re)conhecer; saber se vender; e pensar na  posteridade.
Preservação, acesso e participação no patrimônio cultural
Authors: Sarraf Viviane Panelli
Published: December 2018

Este texto apresenta um apanhado geral sobre a breve trajetória profissional de Waldisa Rússio Camargo Guarnieri (1935-1990) no cenário cultural brasileiro e sua influência na fundamentação da museologia como disciplina científica em âmbito internacional. A pesquisa, que está sendo realizada no Arquivo do Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros da USP, resulta na organização e sistematização das informações sobre seu legado teórico para a museologia internacional, envolvendo aproximadamente 25 mil documentos do Fundo Waldisa Rússio Camargo Guarnieri, além de documentos de outras instituições nas quais a museóloga atuou, como a Fundação Escola de Sociologia e Política de São Paulo e o Museu de Arte de São Paulo.
Otras protagonistas del arte argentino
Authors: Gluzman Georgina
Published: December 2018

A partir de 1911, os Salões Nacionais da Argentina ofereceram às mulheres artistas a opor tunidade de tornar seu trabalho notório e ganhar reconhecimento. Este artigo analisa suas participações desde 1924, ano da consagração de Raquel Forner, até 1939, quando Ana Weiss de Rossi obteve o prêmio máximo. Além disso, são analisadas as trajetórias de três artistas (Catalina Mórtola de Bianchi, María Carmen Portela Cantilo e Hildara Pérez de Llansó) que encontraram no Salão Nacional um caminho (embora não fosse o único) para serem apresentadas ao público e à crítica. A recepção, a fortuna crítica e a inserção nos museus dessas cinco mulheres artistas, quatro das quais foram eliminadas da história da arte, são   examinadas.
Júlia Lopes de Almeida em cena
Authors: Fanini Michele Asmar
Published: December 2018

O artigo elege como fonte privilegiada de investigação o arquivo pessoal da escritora carioca Júlia Lopes de Almeida (1862-1934), aqui apreendido como um projeto, a um só tempo, (auto)biográfico e estético, e busca oferecer uma visão panorâmica do repertório dramatúrgico inédito neleabrigado, composto de documentos autógrafos e datiloscritos. Como tencionamos evidenciar, tais manuscritos contribuem não apenas para o redimensionamento do legado literário da escritora, mas para os estudos dedicados ao cultivo de uma memór ia das artes dramáticas que vicejaram ao longo da “belle époque tropical”, da qual as teatrólogas foram, quando não eclipsadas, expressamente subrepresentadas.
Loss of 2 Akt (Protein Kinase B) Isoforms in Hematopoietic Cells Diminished Monocyte and Macrophage Survival and Reduces Atherosclerosis in
Ldl
Receptor-Null Mice
Authors: Babaev Vladimir R. , Ding Lei , Zhang Youmin , May James M. , Ramsey Stephen A. , Vickers Kasey C. , Linton MacRae F.
Published: December 2018

Objective—

Macrophages express 3 Akt (protein kinase B) isoforms, Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3, which display isoform-specific functions but may be redundant in terms of Akt survival signaling. We hypothesize that loss of 2 Akt isoforms in macrophages will suppress their ability to survive and modulate the development of atherosclerosis.

Approach and Results—

To test this hypothesis, we reconstituted male
Ldlr
−/−
mice with double
Akt2/Akt3
knockout hematopoietic cells expressing only the Akt1 isoform (Akt1
only
). There were no differences in body weight and plasma lipid levels between the groups after 8 weeks of the Western diet; however, Akt1
only
→
Ldlr
−/−
mice developed smaller (57.6% reduction) atherosclerotic lesions with more apoptotic macrophages than control mice transplanted with WT (wild type) cells. Next, male and female
Ldlr
−/−
mice were reconstituted with double
Akt1/Akt2
knockout hematopoietic cells expressing the Akt3 isoform (Akt3
only
). Female and male Akt3
only
→
Ldlr
−/−
recipients had significantly smaller (61% and 41%, respectively) lesions than the control WT→
Ldlr
−/−
mice. Loss of 2 Akt isoforms in hematopoietic cells resulted in markedly diminished levels of white blood cells, B cells, and monocytes and compromised viability of monocytes and peritoneal macrophages compared with WT cells. In response to lipopolysaccharides, macrophages with a single Akt isoform expressed low levels of inflammatory cytokines; however, Akt1
only
macrophages were distinct in expressing high levels of antiapoptotic
Il10
compared with WT and Akt3
only
cells.

Conclusions—

Loss of 2 Akt isoforms in hematopoietic cells, preserving only a single Akt1 or Akt3 isoform, markedly compromises monocyte and macrophage viability and diminishes early atherosclerosis in
Ldlr
−/−
mice.
New insights on the phylogenetic relationships of the Proseriata (Platyhelminthes), with proposal of a new genus of the family Coelogynoporidae
Authors: CURINI-GALLETTI MARCO , WEBSTER BONNIE L. , HUYSE TINE , CASU MARCO , SCHOCKAERT ERNEST R. , ARTOIS TOM J. , LITTLEWOOD D. TIMOTHY J.
Published: December 2018

Proseriata is a diverse and species-rich taxon of Neoophora (Platyhelminthes). The group is divided into two morphologically well-characterised taxa: Lithophora and Unguiphora. Previous molecular analyses, aimed at ascertaining in-group relationships of the Proseriata, were equivocal in supporting the monophyly of the Lithophora, and of one of its families, the Coelogynoporidae. Here we present a new phylogeny of the Proseriata, based on complete ssrDNA and partial (D1-D6) lsrDNA. The analysis includes 36 proseriate species. 13 new sequences from seven species are used, four of which from species of the Coelogynoporidae and one from a new species of the recently established family Calviriidae. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian Inference (BI), maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum parsimony (MP). Clades were considered to have high nodal support if BI posterior probability and ML and MP bootstrap percentages were >90%. The resulting cladogram strongly supports the monophyly of the Lithophora. In addition, the monophyly of the Coelogynoporidae and their inclusion in the Lithophora are corroborated. Within the Lithophora, two sister clades are supported, including Coelogynoporidae+Calviriidae, and Otoplanidae+Archimonocelididae+Monocelididae respectively. In the Coelogynoporidae, there was a poor correspondence between estimates of phylogeny and the monophyly of genera, suggesting the family is in need of systematic revision. Current morphology-based systematic arrangements of Otoplanidae and Monocelididae are not supported by molecular results. The enigmatic taxon Ciliopharyngiella (formerly included in the Rhabdocoela) clusters with the Unguiphora, although with low support. One new species of Coelogynoporidae (Parainvenusta englarorum n. gen n. sp.) is described and discussed in the appendix.