bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alter between gut bacteria and blood metabolites and the anti-tumor effects of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in breast cancer
Authors: Ma Ji , Sun Lingqi , Liu Ying , Ren Hui , Shen Yali , Bi Feng , Zhang Tao , Wang Xin
Published: April 2020

Background

The aim was to evaluate the changes of 16S rDNA sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics in breast cancer and explore the growth inhibition of breast cancer cells by Faecalibacterium prausnitzii.

Results

Total 49 significantly different flora and 26 different metabolites were screened between two groups, and the correlation was calculated. Relative abudance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were decreased, while relative abundance of verrucomicrobla, proteobacteria and actinobacteria was increased in breast cancer group. Differentially expressed metabolites were mainly enriched in pathways such as linoleic acid metabolism, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, choline metabolism in cancer and arachidonic acid metabolism. Lipid upregulation was found in breast cancer patients, especially phosphorocholine. The abundance of Faecalibacterium was reduced in breast cancer patients, which was negatively correlated with various phosphorylcholines. Moreover, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, the most well-known species in Faecalibacterium genus, could inhibit the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the phosphorylation of Janus kinases 2 (JAK2)/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) in breast cancer cells. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii also suppressed the proliferation and invasion and promoted the apoptosis of breast cancer cells, while these effects disappeared after adding recombinant human IL-6.

Conclusions

Flora-metabolites combined with the flora-bacteria (such as Faecalibacterium combined with phosphorocholine) might a new detection method for breast cancer. Faecalibacterium may be helpful for prevention of breast cancer. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii suppresses the growth of breast cancer cells through inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 pathway.
β-blockers after myocardial infarction and 1-year clinical outcome – a retrospective study
Authors: Hagsund Tora , Olsson Sven-Erik , Smith J. Gustav , Madsen Hardig Bjarne , Wagner Henrik
Published: April 2020

Background

Long term β-blocker therapy after myocardial infarction (MI) reduces mortality and recurrent MI but evidence for this treatment predates contemporary acute coronary care. β-blocker treatment is a key quality of care indicator in the Swedish national quality register for acute coronary care, Riks-HIA. Between 2011 and 2015 a declining number of MI-patients discharged with a β-blocker from the coronary care unit (CCU) at Helsingborg and other hospitals was reported. This retrospective observational study aimed to investigate the causes for discharge without a β-blocker and relate it to outcome, compared to patients discharged with a β-blocker.

Methods

MI-patients registered in Riks-HIA discharged without β-blocker during 2011–2015 (no-β-group) and a control group (β-group) comprised of patients discharged with β-blocker treatment between January 1 to December 31, 2013, were matched by RIKS-HIA criteria for β-blocker use. Clinical characteristics, date of death, readmission for MI, other cardiovascular events were collected from Riks-HIA and medical records.

Results

The no-β-group included 141 patients, where 65.2% had a justified reason for non-β-blocker use. The β-group included 206 patients. There was no difference in cardiovascular risk factor profile. There were a trend towards a higher number of readmissions for MI in the no-β-group was (n = 8 (5.7%) vs n = 2 (1.0%), p = 0.02), but not mortality (6 (4.3%) vs 2 (1.0%), p = 0.07) and combined readmission for angina pectoris, heart failure, arrhythmias or stroke/TIA (n = 23 (16.3%) vs n = 25 (12.1%), p = 0.27).

Conclusion

A majority of the patients in the no-β-group had a justified absence of a β-blocker. β-blocker treatment post-MI showed a trend towards fewer readmissions for MI. But important quality information is lacking to make a firm conclusion of the effect on outcome.
A dual efficacy-implementation trial of a novel mobile application for childhood nephrotic syndrome management: the UrApp for childhood nephrotic syndrome management pilot study protocol (UrApp pilot study)
Authors: Wang Chia-shi , Escoffery Cam , Patzer Rachel E. , McCracken Courtney , Ross Diana , Rheault Michelle N. , Al-Uzri Amira , Greenbaum Larry A.
Published: April 2020

Background

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome has a relapsing-remitting course in the majority of pediatric patients, demanding vigilant monitoring and self-management. A novel, expert-designed, user-informed mobile application (app), UrApp©, was created to support management tasks, including home urine protein monitoring.

Methods

The UrApp Pilot Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04075656) is a randomized trial comparing UrApp-supported nephrotic syndrome management with standard-of-care with parallel process evaluation of the intervention delivery. Sixty caregivers of children with newly diagnosed, steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome will be randomized 1:1 to UrApp-supported care or standard-of-care. Follow-up will be 1 year, with primary outcomes of adherence to urine monitoring and medications assessed at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes at 6 and 12 months include self-efficacy, quality-of-life, hospitalizations and delayed relapse diagnoses. A mixed-methods approach will evaluate UrApp engagement, use retention, features used, user perceptions, and contextual barriers and facilitators of UrApp use. User behavior will be assessed for relationships to the primary and secondary outcomes. A Stakeholder Committee of volunteer trial participants, clinicians, and engineers will examine the trial results and design a pragmatic UrApp-enhanced nephrotic syndrome intervention with potential for wide implementation. The final UrApp intervention will be tested in a user-centered hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial designed with stakeholder input.

Discussion

The UrApp Pilot Study examines the efficacy of a novel app designed specifically for nephrotic syndrome. The protocol involves dual efficacy and process evaluation aims to increase efficiency and incorporates the stakeholders’ perspective in formative assessment to inform intervention redesign and the design of a future user-centered trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04075656. Registered on September 2, 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04075656
Prevalence, outcomes and associated factors of labor induction among women delivered at public hospitals of MEKELLE town-(a hospital based cross sectional study)
Authors: Lueth Garang Dakjur , Kebede Angesom , Medhanyie Araya Abrha
Published: April 2020

Background

Induction of labor refers to iatrogenic stimulation of uterine contractions before the onset of spontaneous labor as a therapeutic option when benefits of expeditious delivery outweigh the risks of continuing the pregnancy. This research was to study the prevalence, outcomes and associated factors of labor induction among women delivered at Ayder comprehensive specialized hospital and Mekelle general hospital in Mekelle town, Tigray, North Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on 346 laboring mothers who delivered after induction of labor, from January 1st, to July 31st, 2017. Using structured questionnaire and quota sampling techniques, all eligible participants were immediately enrolled upon admission until the desired sample size was achieved. SPSS windows version 23.0 was used for analysis and both descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted; statistical significance to declare relationship between the dependent and independent variables was set at p < 0.05.

Results

Total of 3834 women delivered at the study area out of which 346 were induced making (9%) prevalence of induction. Out of this, 244 (70.5%) delivered vaginally, 19 (5.5%) were instrumental deliveries and 83 (24%) by Cesarean section, induction was successful in 263 (76%) while the failure rate was 25 (7.2%).

All who failed induction (25) were delivered by cesarean section making a 3.3% contribution of failed induction into the overall rate of the institutions cesarean deliveries during the study period.

Prolonged rupture of membranes was the commonest indication and Bishop’s score after cervical ripening significantly predicted the success of induction [AOR = 8.150, 95% CI = (1.265, 52.526)].

Conclusion

Our prevalence of labor induction is very low compared to the rate of other institutions in developed countries, rate of successful inductions (76%) is slightly higher than the rate of similar institutions in Ethiopia but comparable to the regional rates while failed induction is very low in comparison to both local and regional institutions. Bishop’s score significantly predicted the success of induction.
Acceptance of the ‘Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (Chinese)’ as a standardised evaluation of professional competency in Chinese physiotherapy students: an observational study
Authors: Hu Jia , Jones Alice Y.M. , Zhou Xuelian , Zhai Hua , Ngai Shirley P. C. , Siu Ka-Chun , Dalton Megan
Published: April 2020

Background

Development of an entry-level physiotherapy curriculum in China currently follows the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) guidelines, however there is no standard, validated, assessment tool for physiotherapy practice in use in China. This article reports the process of translation of the “Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice” (APP), a validated assessment instrument adopted by all universities in Australia and New Zealand, into Chinese (APP-Chinese) and its implementation by Chinese physiotherapy clinical educators (CEs) and students during clinical placements.

Methods

The process of forward and backward translation of the APP was undertaken by a team of academics from universities in Shanghai, Hong Kong, United States and Australia. An APP-Chinese version was produced and used for assessment of the clinical performance of 4th year students at a university in Shanghai. Feedback on the implementation of the APP-Chinese was solicited from students and CEs using the same two questionnaires employed to assess implementation of the original APP.

Results

All CEs agreed that the rules used to score the APP-Chinese were helpful in assessing student performance. Over 90% of the CEs considered the APP-Chinese was pragmatic for use in the clinical environment in China. All students agreed with the rating of their performance on the APP-Chinese marked by their educators, and that the performance indicators were useful in guiding their expected performance behaviour.

Conclusion

The APP-Chinese is the first standardised assessment tool for evaluation of clinical performance of physiotherapy students in China and was shown to be well accepted by both students and CEs in the clinical education unit and university involved in this study.
Using a rapid environmental scan methodology to map country-level global health research expertise in Canada
Authors: Nagi Ranjana , Rogers Van Katwyk Susan , Hoffman Steven J.
Published: April 2020

Background

Many countries are currently rethinking their global health research funding priorities. When resources are limited, it is important to understand and use information about existing research strengths to inform research strategies and investments and to drive impact. This study describes a method to rapidly assess a country’s global health research expertise and applies this method in the Canadian context.

Methods

We developed a three-pronged rapid environmental scan to evaluate Canadian global health research expertise that focused on research funding inputs, research activities and research outputs. We assessed research funding inputs from Canada’s national health research funding agency and identified the 30 Canadian universities that received the most global health research funding. We systematically searched university websites and secondary databases to identify research activities, including research centres, research chairs and research training programmes. To evaluate research outputs, we searched PubMed to identify global health research publications by Canadian university-affiliated researchers. We used these three perspectives to develop a more nuanced understanding of Canadian strengths in global health research from different perspectives.

Results

Canada’s main global health research funder, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, invested a total of $314 M from 2000 to 2016 on global health research grants. This investment has contributed to Canada’s wealth of global health research expertise, including 12 training programmes, 27 Canada Research Chairs, 6 research centres and 30 WHO Collaborating Centres across 27 universities. Research activities were concentrated in Canada’s biggest cities and most commonly focused on health equity and globalisation issues. Canadian-affiliated researchers have contributed to a research output of 822 unique publications on PubMed. There is an opportunity to build global health expertise in regions not already concentrated with research activity, focusing on transnational risks and neglected conditions research.

Conclusions

Our three-pronged approach allowed us to rapidly identify clear geographic and substantive areas of strength in Canadian global health research, including urban regions and research focused on health equity and globalisation topics. This information can be used to support research policy directives, including to inform a Canadian global health research strategy, and to allow relevant academic institutions and funding organisations to make more strategic decisions regarding their future investments.
The role of intraoperative radiation therapy in resectable pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Jin Liang , Shi Ning , Ruan Shiye , Hou Baohua , Zou Yiping , Zou Xiongfeng , Jin Haosheng , Jian Zhixiang
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Several studies investigating the role of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) in the treatment of resectable pancreatic cancer (PC) have been published; however, their results remain inconsistent. By conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, this study aimed to compare clinical outcomes in patients with resectable PC who underwent surgery with or without IORT.

Methods and materials

The MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify relevant studies published up to February 28, 2019. The main outcome measures included median survival time (MST), local recurrence (LR), postoperative complications, and operation-related mortality. Pooled effect estimates were obtained by performing a random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 1095 studies were screened for inclusion, of which 15 studies with 834 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, 401 patients underwent pancreatic resection with IORT and 433 underwent surgery without IORT. The pooled analysis revealed that IORT group experienced favorable overall survival (median survival rate [MSR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–1.37, P = 0.005), compared with patients who did not receive IORT. Additionally, the pooled data showed a significantly reduced LR rate in the IORT group compared with that in the non-IORT group (relative risk [RR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51–0.97, P = 0.03). The incidences of postoperative complications (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.73–1.23) and operation-related mortality (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.44–2.63) were similar between the IORT and non-IORT groups.

Conclusion

IORT significantly improved locoregional control and overall survival in patients with resectable PC, without increasing postoperative complications and operation-related mortality rates.
MR-PROTECT: Clinical feasibility of a prostate MRI-only radiotherapy treatment workflow and investigation of acceptance criteria
Authors: Persson Emilia , Jamtheim Gustafsson Christian , Ambolt Petra , Engelholm Silke , Ceberg Sofie , Bäck Sven , Olsson Lars E. , Gunnlaugsson Adalsteinn
Published: April 2020

Background

Retrospective studies on MRI-only radiotherapy have been presented. Widespread clinical implementations of MRI-only workflows are however limited by the absence of guidelines. The MR-PROTECT trial presents an MRI-only radiotherapy workflow for prostate cancer using a new single sequence strategy. The workflow incorporated the commercial synthetic CT (sCT) generation software MriPlanner™ (Spectronic Medical, Helsingborg, Sweden). Feasibility of the workflow and limits for acceptance criteria were investigated for the suggested workflow with the aim to facilitate future clinical implementations.

Methods

An MRI-only workflow including imaging, post imaging tasks, treatment plan creation, quality assurance and treatment delivery was created with questionnaires. All tasks were performed in a single MR-sequence geometry, eliminating image registrations. Prospective CT-quality assurance (QA) was performed prior treatment comparing the PTV mean dose between sCT and CT dose-distributions. Retrospective analysis of the MRI-only gold fiducial marker (GFM) identification, DVH- analysis, gamma evaluation and patient set-up verification using GFMs and cone beam CT were performed.

Results

An MRI-only treatment was delivered to 39 out of 40 patients. The excluded patient was too large for the predefined imaging field-of-view. All tasks could successfully be performed for the treated patients. There was a maximum deviation of 1.2% in PTV mean dose was seen in the prospective CT-QA. Retrospective analysis showed a maximum deviation below 2% in the DVH-analysis after correction for rectal gas and gamma pass-rates above 98%. MRI-only patient set-up deviation was below 2 mm for all but one investigated case and a maximum of 2.2 mm deviation in the GFM-identification compared to CT.

Conclusions

The MR-PROTECT trial shows the feasibility of an MRI-only prostate radiotherapy workflow. A major advantage with the presented workflow is the incorporation of a sCT-generation method with multi-vendor capability. The presented single sequence approach are easily adapted by other clinics and the general implementation procedure can be replicated. The dose deviation and the gamma pass-rate acceptance criteria earlier suggested was achievable, and these limits can thereby be confirmed. GFM-identification acceptance criteria are depending on the choice of identification method and slice thickness. Patient positioning strategies needs further investigations to establish acceptance criteria.
Clinical evaluations of diaphysis malignant tumors of femur and tibia treated with microwave ablation in situ
Authors: Yu Zhe , Dong Chuan , Zhang Minghua , Gao Tongshuan , Ding Rui , Yang Yindi , Fan Qingyu
Published: April 2020

Background

This study was designed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with diaphysis malignant tumors of femur and tibia treated with microwave ablation (MWA) in situ.

Methods

Retrospective study of 32 patients with diaphysis malignant bone tumors of femur or tibia have been treated by microwave ablation. Instead of en bloc resection, hyperthermia ablation in situ was carried out followed by strengthen procedure. The patients were followed up for a period ranging from 36 to 180 months.

Results

Twenty-five patients survived over 3 years and all of the patients alive have a satisfactory functional and cosmetic limb. The postoperative survival rate of MWA group was significantly higher than the amputation group in consecutive inclusions.

Conclusions

MWA is a feasible and effective surgical method for limb salvage operation and it might offer an innovative and distinctive therapeutic alternative for diaphysis malignant bone tumors, which avoiding osteotomy or prosthesis replacement.

Level of evidence

Level IV, clinical cohort study
The Joint Associations of Maternal BMI and Glycemia with Childhood Adiposity
Authors: Josefson Jami L , Catalano Patrick M , Lowe William L , Scholtens Denise M , Kuang Alan , Dyer Alan R , Lowe Lynn P , Metzger Boyd E
Published: April 2020

Context

An obesogenic perinatal environment contributes to adverse offspring metabolic health. Previous studies have been limited by lack of direct adiposity measurements and failure to account for potential confounders.

Objective

Examine the joint associations of maternal midpregnancy body mass index (BMI) and glycemia with direct adiposity measures in 10-14 year old offspring.

Design and Setting

International, epidemiological study: Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) and HAPO Follow-up Study, conducted between 2000-2006 and 2013-2016, respectively.

Participants and Main Outcome Measures

In 4832 children, adiposity measures for body mass index (BMI), body fat with air displacement plethysmography, skinfold thickness, and waist circumference were obtained at mean age 11.4 years.

Results

Maternal BMI and glucose, as continuous and categorical variables, were the primary predictors. In fully adjusted models controlling for child age, sex, field center, and maternal characteristics, maternal BMI had significant, positive associations with all childhood adiposity outcomes, while maternal glycemia had significant, positive associations with childhood adiposity outcomes except BMI. In joint analyses, and compared with a nonobese, nongestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) reference group, maternal obesity and GDM were associated with higher odds (maternal obesity odds ratio; OR [95% confidence interval; CI], GDM OR [95% CI]; combined OR [95% CI]) of childhood overweight/obese BMI (3.00 [2.42-3.74], 1.39 [1.14-1.71], 3.55 [2.49-5.05]), obese BMI (3.54 [2.70-4.64], 1.73 [1.29-2.30], 6.10 [4.14-8.99]), percent body fat >85th percentile (2.15 [1.68-2.75], 1.33 [1.03-1.72], 3.88 [2.72-5.55]), sum of skinfolds >85th percentile (2.35 [1.83-3.00], 1.75 [1.37-2.24], 3.66 [2.55-5.27]), and waist circumference >85th percentile (2.52 [1.99-3.21], 1.39 [1.07-1.80], 4.18 [2.93-5.96]).

Conclusions

Midpregnancy maternal BMI and glycemia are independently and additively associated with direct adiposity measures in 10-14 year old children. The combination of maternal obesity and GDM is associated with the highest odds of childhood adiposity.
The Genetic Basis of Thyroid Function: Novel Findings and New Approaches
Authors: Kuś Aleksander , Chaker Layal , Teumer Alexander , Peeters Robin P , Medici Marco
Published: April 2020

Context

Genetic factors are major determinants of thyroid function. Over the last two decades, multiple genetic variants have been associated with variations in normal range thyroid function tests. Most recently, a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) doubled the number of known variants associated with normal range thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels.

Evidence Acquisition

This review summarizes the results of genetic association studies on normal range thyroid function and explores how these genetic variants can be used in future studies to improve our understanding of thyroid hormone regulation and disease.

Evidence Synthesis

Serum TSH and FT4 levels are determined by multiple genetic variants on virtually all levels of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Functional follow-up studies on top of GWAS hits has the potential to discover new key players in thyroid hormone regulation, as exemplified by the identification of the thyroid hormone transporter SLC17A4 and the metabolizing enzyme AADAT. Translational studies may use these genetic variants to investigate causal associations between thyroid function and various outcomes in Mendelian Randomization (MR) studies, to identify individuals with an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction, and to predict the individual HPT axis setpoint.

Conclusions

Recent genetic studies have greatly improved our understanding of the genetic basis of thyroid function, and have revealed novel pathways involved in its regulation. In addition, these findings have paved the way for various lines of research that can improve our understanding of thyroid hormone regulation and thyroid diseases, as well as the potential use of these markers in future clinical practice.
Peptide Hormone Regulation of DNA Damage Responses
Authors: Chesnokova Vera , Melmed Shlomo
Published: April 2020

DNA damage response (DDR) and DNA repair pathways determine neoplastic cell transformation and therapeutic responses, as well as the aging process. Altered DDR functioning results in accumulation of unrepaired DNA damage, increased frequency of tumorigenic mutations, and premature aging. Recent evidence suggests that polypeptide hormones play a role in modulating DDR and DNA damage repair, while DNA damage accumulation may also affect hormonal status. We review the available reports elucidating involvement of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), growth hormone (GH), α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/gonadotropins in DDR and DNA repair as well as the current understanding of pathways enabling these actions. We discuss effects of DNA damage pathway mutations, including Fanconi anemia, on endocrine function and consider mechanisms underlying these phenotypes. (Endocrine Reviews 41: 1 – 19, 2020)
Local failure after definitive radiation treatment of lymph-node positive prostate cancer: supporting the use of novel imaging techniques to personalize treatment options
Authors: Chaurasia Avinash R , Smith Clayton P , Pinto Peter , Wood Bradford , Schott Erica , Cooley-Zgela Theresa , Madan Ravi , Lindenberg Liza , Mena Esther , Choyke Peter , Citrin Deborah , Turkbey Baris
Published: April 2020

Patients with lymph-node positive prostate cancer are often treated with external beam radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy 1 , but are expected to have a high rate of biochemical failure. Recently, MRI and molecular imaging have afforded the opportunity to elucidate otherwise occult sites of recurrence after conventional imaging. We present an unusual case of local failure within the prostate after definitive radiation treatment of lymph-node positive prostate cancer, in which advanced imaging allowed for a potentially curative salvage treatment option.
Cancer cachexia has many symptoms but only one cause: anoxia
Authors: Koltai Tomas
Published: April 2020

During nearly 100 years of research on cancer cachexia (CC), science has been reciting the same mantra: it is a multifactorial syndrome. The aim of this paper is to show that the symptoms are many, but they have a single cause: anoxia.

CC is a complex and devastating condition that affects a high proportion of advanced cancer patients. Unfortunately, it cannot be reversed by traditional nutritional support and it generally reduces survival time. It is characterized by significant weight loss, mainly from fat deposits and skeletal muscles. The occurrence of cachexia in cancer patients is usually a late phenomenon. The conundrum is why do similar patients with similar tumors, develop cachexia and others do not? Even if cachexia is mainly a metabolic dysfunction, there are other issues involved such as the activation of inflammatory responses and crosstalk between different cell types.  The exact mechanism leading to a wasting syndrome is not known, however there are some factors that are surely involved, such as anorexia with lower calorie intake, increased glycolytic flux, gluconeogenesis, increased lipolysis and severe tumor hypoxia. Based on this incomplete knowledge we put together a scheme explaining the molecular mechanisms behind cancer cachexia, and surprisingly, there is one cause that explains all of its characteristics: anoxia.  With this different view of CC we propose a treatment based on the physiopathology that leads from anoxia to the symptoms of CC.  The fundamentals of this hypothesis are based on the idea that CC is the result of anoxia causing intracellular lactic acidosis. This is a dangerous situation for cell survival which can be solved by activating energy consuming gluconeogenesis. The process is conducted by the hypoxia inducible factor-1α. This hypothesis was built by putting together pieces of evidence produced by authors working on related topics.
Dancing with Giants: How Small Women- and Minority-Owned Firms Use Soft Power to Manage Asymmetric Relationships with Larger Partners
Authors: Lashley Kisha , Pollock Timothy G.
Published: April 2020

We explore how minority- and women-owned suppliers lacking hard power manage asymmetric relationships with larger, more powerful buyers in the context of supplier diversity relationships. We examine how these suppliers create and use soft power to manage the opportunities and challenges they encounter trying to maintain their positions in large buyers’ supply chains. We find that these easily substitutable firms use a variety of information sources to identify and make themselves cognitively central to individuals inside and outside the buyer organizations who can serve as functional and political influencers. They then employ these influencers to affect the buyer’s decisions when their position in the supply chain is threatened, largely without the buyer noticing. Our study contributes to the literatures on the use of soft power buyer-supplier power relationships and supplier diversity.
GRÁFICOS DE FUNÇÕES UTILIZANDO O GEOGEBRA EM SMARTPHONES
Authors: Barbosa Augusto Cesar de Castro , Concordido Cláudia Ferreira Reis , Silva Bruno Guimarães da
Published: April 2020

Mudanças tecnológicas alteram constantemente nossa maneira de viver e, na vida escolar, professores se deparam com uma crescente demanda por métodos de ensino que as incorporem. Muitos trabalhos focam em como ensinar Matemática de forma diferente, utilizando softwares, origamis, jogos e diversas atividades lúdicas. Esta mudança pode ser percebida nos livros e na evolução do método de ensino de vários tópicos, dentre eles o de funções. Levando-se em conta o avanço tecnológico mencionado, principalmente dos celulares, tornando-os smartphones, acreditamos que seja prazeroso, didático e renovador lançar mão do GeoGebra, software utilizado em computadores por muitos professores, para uso em smartphones. Foram propostas atividades para o 9º do Ensino Fundamental e o 1º ano do Ensino Médio, e feita uma análise das dificuldades dos alunos na utilização deste aplicativo em sala de aula com gráficos de funções.
Escavações para lidar com as ruínas e os soterramentos decorrentes do trauma colonial
Authors: Donini Angela
Published: April 2020

Este ensaio problematiza as relações entre ontologia e corpo, considerando que a invenção de ambos se articula por meio do racismo, do eurocentrismo, do capitalismo e da colonialidade.  As práticas sustentadas a partir de tais relações vêm atuando de maneira brutal nos corpos definidos como “Outros” e se converteram no eixo organizador da topologia central implicada na categorização da vida. Tal movimento opera por meio de dispositivos ligados às práticas de marcação, exclusão e violência cujos efeitos têm gerado soterramentos contínuos de povos, culturas e práticas. Trabalhar as compreensões de si elaborando os efeitos conscientes e inconscientes de tais marcações pode colaborar para a construção de cosmopercepções advindas de movimentos capazes de acessar as experiências soterradas e ativá-las como guiança.
As Semelhanças Entre os Governos Temer e Bolsonaro na Política Externa (2016-2019)
Authors: Oliveira Moreira Danilo Sorato
Published: April 2020

A Política Externa Brasileira do ultimo triênio (2016-2019) é marcada por mudanças em relação ao período anterior do Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT). Assim, o objetivo desse artigo é apontar essas alterações através da continuidade entre os governos Temer e Bolsonaro nas áreas de desideologização, comércio e segurança. Para cumprir essa finalidade, a metodologia é a análise bibliográfica, as notas do Itamaraty e documentos oficiais. Portanto, argumenta-se que no período assinalado, a ação internacional brasileira é pautada pela crítica aos parceiros Sul-Sul, além da defesa de agendas como a busca de acordos comerciais e investimentos, bem como a ampliação do debate sobre o combate aos crimes transnacionais nas fronteiras brasileiras.
Two-layer reduced compression system for lower limb wounds: a non-comparative evaluation
Authors: Ivins Nicola , Jones Nia
Published: April 2020

Leg ulceration is a debilitating condition in which various factors play a role in determining patients' quality of life (QoL), and compression therapy has been shown to improve QoL. The 3M Coban 2 Lite Compression System provides reduced compression (25–30 mmHg) ideal for patients with painful venous leg ulcers (VLU) who are unable to tolerate high-strength compression or those with mixed-aetiology leg ulcers (MLU) who have an ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI)≥0.5. This non-comparative evaluation aims to report the initial clinical experiences with 3M Coban 2 Lite and evaluate the performance of this two-layer reduced compression bandage system in treating chronic VLUs and MLUs. In total, 30 patients (12 men (40%); mean age=68.5 years) were enroled for evaluation. The duration of the chronic wounds was 28 months (range=1.5–144 months); 16 patients had VLUs, while 14 had MLUs. Complete healing was achieved in 6 (20%) patients, and an overall mean reduction in wound surface area (4.11 cm2) was observed between the baseline and study endpoint (16 weeks). Thus, 3M Coban 2 Lite seems safe and effective for treating painful VLUs and MLUs in patients unable to tolerate high-strength compression.
Depth-resolved optimization of a real-time sensorless adaptive optics optical coherence tomography
Authors: Camino Acner , Ng Ringo , Huang Joey , Guo Yukun , Ni Shuibin , Jia Yali , Huang David , Jian Yifan
Published: April 2020

Sensorless adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) is a technology to image retinal tissue with high resolution by compensating ocular aberrations without wavefront sensors. In this Letter, a fast and robust hill-climbing algorithm is developed to optimize five Zernike modes in AO-OCT with a numerical aperture between that of conventional AO and commercial OCT systems. The merit function is generated in real time using graphics processing unit while axially tracking the retinal layer of interest. A new method is proposed to estimate the largest achievable field of view for which aberrations are corrected uniformly in sensorless AO-OCT.
Terahertz wave modulation properties of thermally processed BST/PZT ferroelectric photonic crystals
Authors: Zeng Ying , Wang Weijun , Ling Furi , Yao Jianquan
Published: April 2020

BST

(

Ba

0.5

Sr

0.5

TiO

3

)
/
PZT
(

Pb

0.52

Zr

0.48

TiO

3

)

photonic crystals were fabricated by magnetron sputtering and annealed at

620
°
C
−
700
°
C

. By controlling the crystallinity and the oxygen vacancies of the ferroelectric photonic crystals, the optically and electrically controllable terahertz wave modulations were realized. The variation in refractive index of the 680°C annealed sample showed the highest modulation to the optical pump and increased to 11.9 due to the highest absorption near 532 nm. In the optical pump, the electrons from

Ti

3
+

 
2

p

3
/
2

ions could be stimulated and captured by

Ti

4
+

 
2

p

3
/
2

ions, and the ratio of

Ti

3
+

/

Ti

4
+

observed increased with the increasing annealing temperature, indicating the increasing oxygen vacancies concentration, which increased the 532 nm optical absorption and contributed to the improved optical modulation. The excess Pb migrating to the surface at higher annealing temperature might be one reason for the degradation of optical modulation. The increasing polarization and leakage current could contribute to the increasing permittivity and loss with the increasing annealing temperature. Two different results were observed on the sample annealed at 680°C when the order of applying external optical and electric fields was changed, due to the different migration mechanisms of excited carriers. This work provides a potentially effective approach to fabricate THz sensing, imaging, and communications devices with multi-function in the modulation of optical and electric multi-fields.
Comparison of Plyometric Training With Two Different Jumping Techniques on Achilles Tendon Properties and Jump Performances
Authors: Laurent Cédric , Baudry Stéphane , Duchateau Jacques
Published: April 2020

Laurent, C, Baudry, S, and Duchateau, J. Comparison of plyometric training with two different jumping techniques on Achilles tendon properties and jump performances. J Strength Cond Res 34(6): 1503–1510, 2020—This study compared the influence of 10 weeks of plyometric training with 2 different jumping techniques on Achilles tendon properties and the height achieved in drop jumps (from 20, 40, and 60 cm) and countermovement jumps (CMJ). Subjects were allocated to 2 training groups (n = 11 in each group) and 1 control group (CON, n = 10). One training group kept the knees extended (KE) during ground contact, whereas the other training group flexed the knees to ∼80–90° (KF). Achilles tendon stiffness was assessed with ultrasonography, and jump performance was derived from force platform recording. Training increased jump height (p < 0.01) in both groups. The increase for the 20-cm drop jump was greater (p < 0.05) for the KE group (11.3%) thanfor the KF group (6.3%), with no statistical difference between groups for the 40- and 60-cm drop jumps. Contact time during the 20-cm drop jump decreased (∼8%; p < 0.01) after training, with no difference between the training groups. The increase in CMJ height was greater (p = 0.05) for the KF group (17.5%) than for the KE group (11.8%). Achilles tendon stiffness increased (32%; p < 0.001) for the KE group but not for the KF group (11%; p = 0.28). There was a positive association (p < 0.001) between the changes in tendon stiffness and jump height for 20-cm drop jump in both KE group (r
2 = 0.49) and KF group (r
2 = 0.62). None of these parameters changed in CON group. In conclusion, the extent of increase in jump height (20-cm drop jump and CMJ) and in Achilles tendon stiffness after training differed between the 2 jumping techniques.
Deficiency of Complement Component C1Q Prevents Cerebrovascular Damage and White Matter Loss in a Mouse Model of Chronic Obesity
Authors: Graham Leah C. , Kocalis Heidi E. , Soto Ileana , Howell Gareth R.
Published: April 2020

Age-related cognitive decline and many dementias involve complex interactions of both genetic and environmental risk factors. Recent evidence has demonstrated a strong association of obesity with the development of dementia. Furthermore, white matter damage is found in obese subjects and mouse models of obesity. Here, we found that components of the complement cascade, including complement component 1qa (C1QA) and C3 are increased in the brain of Western diet (WD)-fed obese mice, particularly in white matter regions. To functionally test the role of the complement cascade in obesity-induced brain pathology, female and male mice deficient in C1QA, an essential molecule in the activation of the classical pathway of the complement cascade, were fed a WD and compared with WD-fed wild type (WT) mice, and toC1qaknock-out (KO) and WT mice fed a control diet (CD).C1qaKO mice fed a WD became obese but did not show pericyte loss or a decrease in laminin density in the cortex and hippocampus that was observed in obese WT controls. Furthermore, obesity-induced microglia phagocytosis and breakdown of myelin in the corpus callosum were also prevented by deficiency of C1QA. Collectively, these data show that C1QA is necessary for damage to the cerebrovasculature and white matter damage in diet-induced obesity.
Streaming of Repeated Noise in Primary and Secondary Fields of Auditory Cortex
Authors: Saderi Daniela , Buran Brad N. , David Stephen V.
Published: April 2020

Statistical regularities in natural sounds facilitate the perceptual segregation of auditory sources, or streams. Repetition is one cue that drives stream segregation in humans, but the neural basis of this perceptual phenomenon remains unknown. We demonstrated a similar perceptual ability in animals by training ferrets of both sexes to detect a stream of repeating noise samples (foreground) embedded in a stream of random samples (background). During passive listening, we recorded neural activity in primary auditory cortex (A1) and secondary auditory cortex (posterior ectosylvian gyrus, PEG). We used two context-dependent encoding models to test for evidence of streaming of the repeating stimulus. The first was based on average evoked activity per noise sample and the second on the spectro-temporal receptive field. Both approaches tested whether differences in neural responses to repeating versus random stimuli were better modeled by scaling the response to both streams equally (global gain) or by separately scaling the response to the foreground versus background stream (stream-specific gain). Consistent with previous observations of adaptation, we found an overall reduction in global gain when the stimulus began to repeat. However, when we measured stream-specific changes in gain, responses to the foreground were enhanced relative to the background. This enhancement was stronger in PEG than A1. In A1, enhancement was strongest in units with low sparseness (i.e., broad sensory tuning) and with tuning selective for the repeated sample. Enhancement of responses to the foreground relative to the background provides evidence for stream segregation that emerges in A1 and is refined in PEG.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTTo interact with the world successfully, the brain must parse behaviorally important information from a complex sensory environment. Complex mixtures of sounds often arrive at the ears simultaneously or in close succession, yet they are effortlessly segregated into distinct perceptual sources. This process breaks down in hearing-impaired individuals and speech recognition devices. By identifying the underlying neural mechanisms that facilitate perceptual segregation, we can develop strategies for ameliorating hearing loss and improving speech recognition technology in the presence of background noise. Here, we present evidence to support a hierarchical process, present in primary auditory cortex and refined in secondary auditory cortex, in which sound repetition facilitates segregation.
Prothrombotic fibrin network characteristics in patients with acromegaly: a novel mechanism for vascular complications
Authors: Kyriakakis Nikolaos , Pechlivani Nikoletta , Lynch Julie , Oxley Natalie , Phoenix Fladia , Seejore Khyatisha , Orme Steve M , Ajjan Ramzi , Murray Robert D
Published: April 2020

Objective

There remains increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with acromegaly. This study aims to evaluate whether GH/IGF-1 excess increases vascular disease by adversely affecting fibrin network characteristics.

Design

Cross-sectional study in 40 patients with acromegaly (21 males, age 53 ± 13 years) and 40 age/gender-matched controls.

Methods

Clot structure was analysed using a validated turbidimetric assay and fibrin networks were visualised by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Metabolic profile parameters, body composition, plasma fibrinogen and PAI-1 were also assessed.

Results

Twenty-two patients had active acromegaly and 18 were in remission. There was no difference in qualitative patient characteristics between the two groups. Both groups had less favourable body composition and cardiovascular risk profile compared with controls. Despite no difference in clot formation and lysis parameters between the two patient groups, active disease patients had higher fibrinogen and clot maximum absorbance compared with controls, after adjusting for BMI (3.8 ± 0.2 vs 2.6 ± 0.2 mg/mL, P < 0.001; and 0.39 ± 0.02 vs 0.33 ± 0.01 arbitrary units, P = 0.03, respectively). Patients in remission had higher fibrinogen compared with controls following adjustment for BMI (3.3 ± 0.2 vs 2.6 ± 0.2 mg/mL, P = 0.02) but not clot maximum absorbance (0.35 ± 0.03 vs 0.33 ± 0.02 arbitrary units, P = 0.6). LSCM showed increased fibrin network density only in active disease patients, consistent with turbidimetric analysis. In addition to active disease, BMI, fat mass and skinfold thickness were associated with higher clot density and longer lysis time.

Conclusions

Patients with active acromegaly have more compact clots, thus conferring increased thrombosis risk. Prothrombotic fibrin networks may represent one mechanism for enhanced vascular risk in active acromegaly.
Психологічні особливості самореалізації жінок у ситуації безробіття
Authors: Чуйко Оксана , Левкун Галина
Published: April 2020

У статті проаналізовано психологічні особливості самореалізації жінок у ситуації безробіття. На основі результатів емпіричного дослідження виявлено, що серед безробітних жінок відсутня мотивація до саморозвитку; домінує стратегія самоствердження агресія; характерні низькі показники вираженості самоактуалізації особистості; проаналізовано домінуючі (любов, допомога і милосердя іншим, визнання та повага людей, вплив на оточення) та малозначущі цінності (здоров’я, пізнання нового у світі, природі, людині, спілкування, пошук і насолода прекрасним, соціальна активність для досягнення позитивних змін в суспільстві). Відсутність роботи жінки переважно сприймають як безвихідь, шлях виходу із ситуації безробіття – робота за наймом у своїй країні або ж кордоном. Виявлено деякі незначні відмінності у самореалізації безробітних чоловіків і жінок.
Problems of technical magistracy and their solutions
Authors: Ovchinnikov Ilya , Ovchinnikov Igor
Published: April 2020

The problems of the Russian technical master degree are considered on the example of the “pain points” of the Russian bridge-building education. The analysis is carried out in the school-university group, and the university examines the chain of undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate studies, preparation and defense of a thesis and writing books, textbooks for bachelors, undergraduates and graduate students.

It is noted that the selection of «humanists» and «techies» at the school level by allowing the first not to pass the exam in physics leads to a decrease in potential candidates for admission to technical specialties of universities and the creation in society of a large group of young people who are not ready for further activities in technical areas . Also, a large number of humanitarian subjects are taught in technical specialties of higher education institutions and therefore “techies” are also ready to work in these areas, but not even a general technical subject is studied in humanitarian and economic specialties.

A brief description and comparison of 12 master’s programs (including foreign) in bridge building is given. The problems of modern 4 year postgraduate studies are described, as well as the organization of defending a thesis with a small number of dissertation councils and limiting the number of suitable opponents. We also briefly reviewed the «pain points» concerning teachers of engineering universities, their workload, salary, and the ability to engage in scientific research. In conclusion, considered a number of ways to solve these problems.