bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimitochondrial Rather than Antinuclear Antibodies Correlate with Severe Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Weber Sabine , Benesic Andreas , Buchholtz Marie-Luise , Rotter Isabelle , Gerbes Alexander L.
Published: September 2020

Introduction: A proportion of patients with drug-induced liver injury (DILI) present with autoantibodies, which has led to the current concept of autoimmune-like DILI. However, no standardized definition exists and the clinical relevance has not been studied in detail yet. Methods: 143 patients with DILI enrolled in a prospective study were analyzed. DILI diagnosis was based on the monocyte-derived hepatocyte-like cell test and supported by Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) and expert adjudication. Testing for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and antimitochondrial antibodies (AMA) was performed using immunofluorescence. ANA titers ≥1:100 were considered positive and ≥1:400 clinically relevant; AMA positivity was considered at titers ≥1:100. Results: 67% exhibited ANA ≥1:100 and 29% ANA ≥1:400; 10% were AMA positive. There was no significant correlation between the ANA titers and the causative drug, while AMA positive patients had taken nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs more frequently. No difference was seen regarding clinical characteristics or laboratory parameters in patients with ANA ≥1:400, while patients with positive AMA presented with higher aminotransferases, bilirubin, and international normalized ratio. Significantly higher proportions of patients with ANA ≥1:400 or AMA positivity exhibited elevated immunoglobulin G levels. AMA positivity but not elevated ANA titers correlated with a higher proportion of Hy’s law positivity. Conclusion: A closer look in a causality proven DILI cohort provided no evidence that presence of ANA titers is specific for DILI by a certain medication. AMA rather than ANA positivity was related to a more pronounced liver injury.
Revision of the fern genus Didymochlaena (Didymochlaenaceae) from Madagascar

Authors: SHANG HUI , XUE ZHI-QING , GU YU-FENG , ZHANG LI-BING
Published: September 2020

The fern family Didymochlaenaceae contains the genus Didymochlaena only. This genus is generally believed to comprise one species only, while morphological polymorphism in this species has long been observed. Here we conducted a taxonomic revision of Didymochlaena from Madagascar and recognized six species including two new species, three new statuses, and one new combination. A key to the Malagasy species and detailed descriptions of all species recognized are provided.
Neoconopodium paddarensis, a new species of Apiaceae from Jammu and Kashmir, Western Himalaya, India

Authors: THAKUR SAJAN , SINGH BIKARMA , TASHI NAWANG , DUTT HARISH CHANDER
Published: September 2020

Neoconopodium paddarensis, belonging to the family Apiaceae from the Paddar valley, Himalayan Jammu & Kashmir, India is described here as a new species. It shows restricted distributional range and so far, is only known from the Atholi mountain, Paddar valley, within the Himalayan centre of endemism. It is a pinkish white flowered species, and unusual in being a small herb with tripinnate leaves. Other diagnostic features include pubescent stem and leaf base, root hairs, leaflet size and structure, defined carpel and fruit size. The species shows certain similarities with N. capnoides, but differs in both vegetative and reproductive characters.
Nomenclatural novelties in Brazilian Verbenaceae

Authors: CARDOSO PEDRO HENRIQUE , SANTANA ITAJILANDA DO NASCIMENTO , THODE VERÔNICA A. , SILVA TÂNIA REGINA DOS SANTOS , SALIMENA FÁTIMA REGINA GONÇALVES
Published: September 2020

Lippia subracemosa var. harleyi Moldenke and Verbena subpetiolata N.O’Leary, previously considered synonyms of Lippia lasiocalycina Chamisso and Glandularia jordanensis (Moldenke) N.O’Leary & P.Peralta, respectively, are being here recognized as distinct species in the genera Lippia and Glandularia. The nomenclatural changes needed are herein proposed: Lippia deltata I.N.Santana & T.R.S.Silva stat. & nom. nov. and Glandularia subpetiolata (N.O’Leary) P.H.Cardoso & V.Thode comb. nov. Comments on the distribution and morphological characters to differentiate these species from their most similar congeneric taxa are provided.
The Complexities of Criminal Responsibility and Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: How Can Therapeutic Jurisprudence Help?
Authors: Marinos Voula , Whittingham Lisa
Published: September 2020

This article examines issues regarding legal capacity and criminal responsibility relating to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We examined the case of a 28-year-old male identified as having the mental age of an 8-year-old, accused of four counts of possessing child pornography in Ontario, Canada. If convicted, the offenses carried a minimum mandatory sentence of 1-year imprisonment. The defense attorney argued that since persons are not criminally responsible when they are chronologically less than 12 years old, the same ought to be extended to those with a mental age of less than 12. The Crown prosecutor asserted that the defense’s connection of disability to a lack of capacity reverts our conceptualization of persons with IDD back to a time when they were infantilized. Using therapeutic jurisprudence as a framework, we examined whether problem-solving courts (e.g., mental health court) could be used to address the needs of a person with IDD and offer a different understanding and potential solution to nonjudicial decision makers that satisfies the principles of both criminal responsibility and public safety.
A scientometric analysis and critical review of gas turbine aero-engines control: From Whittle engine to more-electric propulsion
Authors: Mohammadi Seyed Jalal , Miran Fashandi Seyed Alireza , Jafari Soheil , Nikolaidis Theoklis
Published: September 2020

The gas turbine aero-engine control systems over the past eight decades have been thoroughly investigated. This review purposes are to present a comprehensive reference for aero-engine control design and development based on a systematic scientometric analysis and to categorize different methods, algorithms, and approaches taken into account to improve the performance and operability of aircraft engines from the first days to present to enable this challenging technology to be adopted by aero-engine manufacturers. Initially, the benefits of the control systems are restated in terms of improved engine efficiency, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and improved fuel economy. This is followed by a historical coverage of the proposed concepts dating back to 1936. A comprehensive scientometric analysis is then presented to introduce the main milestones in aero-engines control. Possible control strategies and concepts are classified into four distinct phases, including Single input- single output control algorithms, MIN-MAX or Cascade control algorithms, advanced control algorithms, More-electric and electronic control algorithms and critically reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of milestones are discussed to cover all practical aspects of the review to enable the researchers to identify the current challenges in aircraft engine control systems.
Conveyor belt experiment setup for programmable logic controller education
Authors: Tepe Cengiz , Aslan Abidin Sefa , Eminoğlu İlyas
Published: September 2020

Programmable logic controllers (PLC) have been one of the most widely used controllers in industry. They have a graphical programming language interface resambling the relay panels which they are intended to replace so that the transition from relay panels might be swift and smooth. Although learning this programming language is easy, real life experiments are essential for students to gain greater understanding of the logic behind the language. However, it is generally too expensive to provide an experimental set-up for students to test their theoretical knowledge. For this reason, a conveyor and feeder system was developed as a low cost 3D printable design using a CAD program and implemented for use in a control laboratory. Using this conveyor set-up, students can experience how to program a practical example of a PLC devices used in industry together with an introduction to actuators and sensors. Reading actual sensors and using actuators via the inputs and outputs of a PLC to control a real life system will be far more effective than simulator alternatives.
Serine Metabolism Controls Dental Pulp Stem Cell Aging by Regulating the DNA Methylation of p16
Authors: Yang R.L. , Huang H.M. , Han C.S. , Cui S.J. , Zhou Y.K. , Zhou Y.H.
Published: September 2020

To investigate the characteristics and molecular events of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) for tissue regeneration with aging, we isolated and analyzed the stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and permanent teeth of young (Y-DPSCs) and old (A-DPSCs) adults. Results showed that the stemness and osteogenic differentiation capacity of DPSCs decreased with aging. The RNA sequencing results showed that glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism was one of the most enriched gene clusters among SHED, Y-DPSCs, and A-DPSCs, according to analysis based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. The expression of serine metabolism–related enzymes phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) and phosphoglycerate (PHGDH) decreased in A-DPSCs and provided less methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) for DNA methylation, leading to the hypomethylation of the senescence marker p16 (CDNK2A). Furthermore, the proliferation and differentiation capacity of Y-DPSCs and SHED decreased after PHGDH siRNA treatment, which reduced the level of SAM. Convincingly, the ratios of PSAT1-, PHGDH-, or proliferating cell nuclear antigen–positive cells in the dental pulp of old permanent teeth were less than those in the dental pulp of deciduous teeth and young permanent teeth. In summary, the stemness and differentiation capacity of DPSCs decreased with aging. The decreased serine metabolism in A-DPSCs upregulated the expression of p16 via attenuating its DNA methylation, resulting in DPSC aging. Our finding indicated that serine metabolism and 1 carbon unit participated in stem cell aging, which provided new direction for stem cell aging study and intervention.
Color segmentation and extraction of yarn-dyed fabric based on a hyperspectral imaging system
Authors: Jianxin Zhang , Kangping Zhang , Junkai Wu , Xudong Hu
Published: September 2020

For multi-color yarn-dyed fabrics which are cross-woven by yarns with different colors, the different colors cannot be directly measured by a traditional spectrophotometer because it can only obtain the average color of solid-color sample in the limited aperture. In this paper, a novel method for color segmentation and extraction for multi-color yarn-woven fabrics based on a Hyperspectral Imaging System (HIS) was proposed. First, the multi-color yarn-woven fabric images were acquired with the HIS. Then a space transformation based on Fréchet distance was used to transform the pre-processed hyperspectral fabric images into gray images, and then an improved watershed algorithm was used to segment the transformed gray images into different color regions. Finally, to solve the problems of over-segmentation with the improved watershed algorithm, an improved k-means clustering algorithm was adopted to merge the over-segmented color regions. The experimental results on four multi-color yarn-woven fabrics showed that the color segmentation accuracy of the proposed method outperformed the ordinary k-means, Fuzzy C-means (FCM), and Density peak cluster (DPC) algorithms on evaluation indexes of compactness (CP) and separation (SP), and the execution efficiency was improved by at least 55%. Furthermore, the color difference between the proposed method and the spectrophotometric measurements ranged from 0.60 to 0.88 CMC (2:1) (Color Measurement Committee) units, which almost satisfied the accuracy of color measurement.
Application of parabolic blending for the estimation of thickness distribution in thermoformed products
Authors: Ekşi Olcay , Üstünel Hakan
Published: September 2020

The Parabolic Blending (PB) technique has been widely used in various research fields, such as rotor noise prediction, over the last few decades. However, in the literature, PB is not utilised for the thickness prediction of thermoformed products. In this study, Polystyrene (PS) sheets of various thicknesses were thermoformed using a lab-scale thermoforming machine. Firstly, thickness distributions in thermoformed PS products were obtained by the experimental method. Then, PB was used to estimate the thickness distribution of conical semi-finished thermoformed parts. The obtained results were then compared with the ones obtained experimentally. A comparison reveals that the use of PB provides more accurate thickness values than the experimental results. As a result, PB can be utilised for the prediction of thickness distribution in thermoformed products which have been formed by the same mould.
Extramedullary Plasmacytoma: Long-Term Clinical Outcomes in a Single-Center in China and Literature Review
Authors: Zhu Xiaoli , Wang Li , Zhu Yingying , Diao Wenwen , Li Wuyi , Gao Zhiqiang , Chen Xingming
Published: September 2020

The aim is to analyze the clinical outcomes of patients with extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) and review the characteristics of this disease. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of a cohort of 22 patients diagnosed with EMP between 1983 and 2017. Baseline characteristics and progression data were collected to calculate the incidence of progression to multiple myeloma (MM) and to analyze survival rates and outcomes. Previous major cohort studies were reviewed and compared with this study. Extramedullary plasmacytomas were located in the head and neck in 17 (77%) of the 22 patients. The median time between onset and diagnosis was 7 months, and the median age at diagnosis was 52.5 years (range 15-72 years). Extramedullary plasmacytoma occurred more frequently in men with an approximate ratio of 2.1:1. The majority of patients underwent surgery (13/22, 59.1%) and half received radiation (11/22, 50%). A small proportion of patients received chemotherapy (2/22, 9.1%). There was a median follow-up time of 98.5 months. The 5-year overall survival, progression-free survival, and MM-free survival rates were 84.2%, 67.3% and 75.9%, respectively. Complete resection without major functional damage is a promising option that can favorably improve prognosis in patients with resectable disease. Patients with regional lymph node metastasis or positive immunoelectrophoresis results require more aggressive treatment and may have poorer prognosis.
Political meritocracy versus ethical democracy: The Confucian political ideal revisited
Authors: Tseng Roy
Published: September 2020

Counter to ‘political meritocracy’, the goal of this article is to present a different approach to incorporating the Confucian political ideal into an ethical modification of liberal democracy, namely ‘ethical democracy’, encouraged by Mou Zongsan. In Mou’s words, ethical democracy arises from a synthesis of ‘the way of politics’ related to liberal democracy and ‘the way of governance’ underlining ‘humane government’. Rather than restricting his focus to a process of selecting the virtuous leaders, Mou’s project, as I hope to show, has the deeper purpose of resting the basis of liberal democracy on a set of political virtues rooted in ‘humane government’. Having given a detailed analysis of Confucian political virtues in terms of the purpose of government and the limits on the abuse of power, I intend to conclude this article by indicating Mou’s pioneering contributions to the recent development of Confucian democratic theory in opposition to Confucian meritocratic discourse.
Outcomes of emergency or urgent mitral valve repair in patients with papillary muscle rupture and active infective endocarditis
Authors: Li Jun , Wang Chunsheng , Zhou Tianyu , Sun Yiping , Zhu Kai , Zhai Junyu , Sun Yongxin , Wei Lai , Lai Hao , Ding Wenjun , Hong Tao
Published: September 2020

Background

Emergency or urgent surgery is often required in patients with papillary muscle rupture and active mitral valve infective endocarditis. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of patients with active endocarditis who underwent emergency or urgent mitral valve repair.

Methods

From 2005 to 2014, 154 ischemic mitral regurgitation patients and 41 infective endocarditis patients underwent mitral valve repair in our institution; 23 had emergency operations due to papillary muscle rupture, and 18 with active infective endocarditis underwent urgent surgery.

Results

Cardiopulmonary bypass time (141.4 ± 43.3 versus 145.3 ± 46.5 min) and crossclamp time (77.7 ± 34.1 versus 79.2 ± 33.0 min) were similar in the papillary muscle rupture and elective ischemic mitral regurgitation subgroups, and major postoperative complications were comparable. Hospital mortality was 17.4% in the papillary muscle rupture subgroup and 8.4% in the elective ischemic mitral regurgitation subgroup. Cardiopulmonary bypass time (103.6 ± 37.0 versus 75.5 ± 20.8 min) and crossclamp time (61.7 ± 21.2 versus 45.3 ± 18.0 min) were significantly longer in infective endocarditis patients. There were no major complications or hospital deaths. Eight years postoperatively, overall survival was 94.4% and 86.5% in the papillary muscle rupture and elective ischemic mitral regurgitation subgroups, respectively ( p = 0.730). Overall survival was 100% in both infective endocarditis subgroups.

Conclusion

The feasibility and effectiveness of emergency or urgent mitral valve repair in patients with papillary muscle rupture and active infective endocarditis are satisfactory. Early and mid-term outcomes are comparable to those of elective operations.
Repetitive aortic dissection in a patient with giant cell arteritis
Authors: Motoji Yusuke , Kurita Jiro , Kawase Yasuhiro , Ishii Yosuke , Morota Tetsuro , Nitta Takashi
Published: September 2020

Giant cell arteritis is reportedly associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm and acute aortic dissection. We encountered a patient with giant cell arteritis who suffered acute aortic dissection three times within a short period. A pathological specimen of the ascending aorta taken at surgery for type A acute aortic dissection revealed the typical features of giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis patients might be at greater risk of acute aortic dissection than healthy individuals.
Relationship of intraoperative perfusion parameters to the need for immediate extracorporeal support following heart transplantation
Authors: Magruder J Trent , Sperry Alexandra , Atluri Pavan , Bermudez Christian , Cantu Edward , Broniec Gerald , Choi Chloe , Acker Michael A , Cevasco Marisa
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

We sought to assess the relationship of intraoperative perfusion parameters while on cardiopulmonary bypass, including oxygen delivery (DO2), to the need for ECMO following orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).

Methods:

We included all adult (>18 years old) OHTs performed at our institution since implementation of an electronic perfusion record (March 2019-February 2020). Multi-organ transplants were excluded. The primary outcome was the need for immediate venoarterial ECMO in the OR following OHT. Univariable statistics were computed across demographic, clinical, operative, and perfusion variables, including oxygen delivery (DO2) measured each minute.

Results:

Fifty-three OHT were included with a median age of 54 years (interquartile range, 45-61). The primary outcome occurred in eight patients (15.1%). A significantly greater proportion of patients requiring ECMO had ischemic cardiomyopathy (50.0% (4/8) vs. 15.6% (7/45), p = 0.02) and had preoperative ventricular assist devices (37.5% (3/8) vs. 8.9% (4/45), p = 0.03). Median bypass times were longer in the ECMO group (217 vs. 147 minutes, p = 0.001). Phenylephrine doses were nonsignificantly higher in ECMO patients (4.1 vs. 1.9 mg, p = 0.10). No significant differences were observed in single-point median DO2 (275 vs. 294 mL O2/min/m2 BSA, p = 0.17) and nadir DO2 (226 vs. 222, p = 0.94), but increasing time and depth of DO2 below a threshold of 300 mL O2/min/m2 BSA (i.e. area over the DO2 curve (AOC) but below threshold) was significantly associated with the need for postoperative ECMO (p = 0.04).

Conclusion:

This is the first study to examine the relationship of perfusion parameters, including oxygen delivery, to outcomes following heart transplantation. We note that DO2 < 300-AOC was significantly associated with the need for postoperative ECMO following heart transplant. Further study will clarify whether potential DO2 differences in patients who require post-OHT ECMO reflect vasoplegia, or a more causative relationship which might be leveraged to improve outcomes.
Sliding from majoritarianism toward fascism: Educating India under the Modi regime
Authors: Bhatty Kiran , Sundar Nandini
Published: September 2020

While the Modi regime in India shares many exclusionary features in common with authoritarian populists elsewhere, one distinguishing feature is its umbilical relationship to the semi-fascist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), whose long-term goal has been the establishment of a Hindu rashtra (nation). One of the major instruments for achieving this has been education, with the RSS seeing cultural hegemony as more foundational than political control. This article examines the transformation of school and higher education under the Modi regime in an effort to bring India more in line with the Hindu nationalist vision of its parent body, and the degree to which being in government supports or creates contradictions with the RSS vision.
Configuration of enterprise support towards the clean growth challenge: A place-based perspective
Authors: Baranova Polina , Paterson Fred , Gallotta Bruno
Published: September 2020

Although clean growth has been identified as one of the grand challenges of the UK Industrial Strategy, public policy paid little attention to the configuration of business support towards enhancing clean growth potential of small and medium-sized enterprises. The dominant approach of policymakers to the design of enterprise support interventions appears to be ‘place-blind’ and downplays the challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises face in engaging with the clean growth policy agenda. Based on a mixed methods methodology, involving a survey of 306 businesses, a range of public engagement exercises and an extensive interview schedule, the study explores small and medium-sized enterprises engagement with the clean growth challenge and associated business support mechanisms. We conceptualise the nexus of place–policy–practice as a way of framing policymaking approach in addressing the challenge. As part of the clean growth policy implementation, business support mechanisms need to move beyond a singular focus on energy efficiency and shift towards a holistic approach to capacity building for sustainable development. Small business needs to project a district voice in the definition of place in the local industrial strategies and have access to enterprise support which is place-based, policy-informed and practice-relevant.
Portal vein embolization with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate before hepatectomy: a single-center retrospective analysis of 46 consecutive patients
Authors: Moreno Berggren Marijela , Isaksson Bengt , Nyman Rickard , Ebeling Barbier Charlotte
Published: September 2020

Background

Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is performed to induce hypertrophy of the future liver remnant enabling major liver resection in patients with various types of liver tumors.

Purpose

To evaluate safety and effectiveness of PVE with n-butyl-cyanoacrylate (NBCA).

Material and Methods

All consecutive patients referred to our hospital for PVE between July 2006 and July 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Volumetry was performed on computed tomography images before and after PVE, segmenting the total liver volume and the future liver remnant (FLR), i.e. liver segments I–III.

Results

PVE was performed in 46 patients (18 women, 28 men; mean age = 61 years) using local anesthesia. The ipsilateral technique was used in 45 patients. Adverse events were rare. The mean FLR volume increase was 56%, the degree of hypertrophy was 9.7%, and the kinetic growth rate was 2.1%/week. The median ± SD period between PVE and liver surgery was 7 ± 3 weeks. Forty-two patients (91%) had surgery; liver resection was performed in 37 (80%) patients. Three patients (7%) developed transient liver failure after surgery. There was no 90-day post-PVE or postoperative mortality.

Conclusion

PVE using NBCA through the ipsilateral approach in local anesthesia is safe and effective in inducing hypertrophy of the future liver remnant enabling surgery, and thereby increasing survival in patients with liver tumors.
Measurement of iliotibial band diameter in iliotibial band friction syndrome and comparison with an asymptomatic population
Authors: Agridag Ucpinar Burcin , Bankaoglu Mujdat , Eren Osman Tugrul , Erturk Sukru Mehmet
Published: September 2020

Background

Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) is an overuse injury of the lateral aspect of the knee. This syndrome classically affects the active young population.

Purpose

To determine the diameter of the ITB using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients clinically diagnosed with ITBFS, compare the results with asymptomatic patients, and assess the inter-observer agreement between a senior and a junior radiologist with different levels of experience in musculoskeletal imaging.

Material and Methods

From April 2014 to October 2019, 78 knee MRI scans of 78 patients were included in the study group who were referred from the orthopedic clinic with a clinical diagnosis of ITBFS. In the control group, there were 114 knee MRI scans of 114 patients who had knee MRI for various reasons and had no radiological abnormality on the performed knee MRI. The ITB diameters, cut-off values, and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated.

Results

Mean thickness of the ITB was higher in the study group compared to the control group in measurements done by both the senior and junior radiologists and this was statistically significant ( P < 0.001). Cut-off values of the diameters of the ITB were calculated as 2.385 for the senior radiologist and 2.420 for the junior radiologist. ICC of 0.80 was determined, which showed excellent agreement among interpreters.

Conclusion

ITB thickness in the study group was significantly higher than in the control group. There was also excellent agreement among the two observers. Measurement of ITB thickness on axial plane knee MRI is one of the reliable criteria for ITBFS.
Efficacy of different treatment times of mild cerebral hypothermia on oxidative factors and neuroprotective effects in neonatal patients with moderate/severe hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy
Authors: Yang Tingting , Li Shan
Published: September 2020

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of different treatment times of mild cerebral hypothermia for treating moderate/severe hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonatal patients and its effects on oxidative factors.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, controlled study included 92 neonatal patients with moderate/severe HIE and 30 controls. The patients with HIE received routine treatment, 48 hours of hypothermia, or 72 hours of hypothermia.

Results

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) values were significantly lower and malondialdehyde (MDA) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) values were higher in patients with HIE than in controls before the study. After 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment, SOD values in all patients with HIE gradually increased and MDA and NSE values gradually decreased. At 3, 7, and 10 days, the Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment scores were highest in the mild hypothermia for 72 hours group than in the other groups. The Mental and Psychomotor Development Indices scores of the Bayley Scales were significantly higher in the mild hypothermia for 72 hours group than in the other groups.

Conclusion

Hypothermia treatment of 72 hours is better than 48 hours for improving oxidative conditions, reducing NSE values, and improving neurological behavior and development for neonates with moderate/severe HIE.
Deferasirox, an iron-chelating agent, alleviates acute lung inflammation by inhibiting neutrophil activation and extracellular trap formation
Authors: Kono Mari , Matsuhiroya Shiori , Obuchi Ayako , Takahashi Takayuki , Imoto Shion , Kawano Seiji , Saigo Katsuyasu
Published: September 2020

Objective

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by neutrophils induces pulmonary endothelial cell damage and results in acute lung injury (ALI). We previously reported that deferasirox (DFS), an iron-chelating agent, inhibits the ROS production and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation induced by phorbol myristate acetate and formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DFS in vivo using a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI.

Methods

After DFS administration for 7 days, ALI was induced in mice by LPS via intratracheal administration.

Results

LPS treatment induced neutrophil invasion in the lung tissues, along with NET formation and a significant increase in the quantity of double-stranded DNA in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, while pre-administered DFS inhibited these phenomena. However, alteration of neutrophil morphology in the cytoplasm in terms of shape and vacuolization was not inhibited by the pre-administration of DFS, possibly through ROS production.

Conclusions

DFS suppressed neutrophil invasion into lung tissues and reduced the double-stranded DNA content released by the neutrophils. These results suggest that DFS can potentially be used to prevent diseases related to neutrophil activation including ALI, thrombosis, and vascular endothelial dysfunction.
Safety and feasibility of trial of labor in pregnant women with cesarean scar diverticulum
Authors: Zheng Xiuqiong , Yan Jianying , Liu Zhaozhen , Wang Xuechun , Xu Rongli , Li Liying , Lin Zhi , Zheng Lianghui , Liu Min , Chen Yan
Published: September 2020

Objective

Literature on trial of labor after cesarean section (TOLAC) in women with isthmoceles is scarce because of complications associated with the procedure. This study investigated TOLAC's safety and feasibility in patients with isthmoceles.

Methods

The study group comprised 34 pregnant women with isthmoceles who vaginally delivered. The control group comprised 102 pregnant women without isthmoceles who vaginally delivered during the same period. Scar diverticula were measured using color Doppler ultrasonography; between-group delivery outcomes were compared.

Results

Of the study group patients, 27/34 had isthmoceles diagnosed by ultrasound before pregnancy. Nineteen (70.37%) of these patients had mild defects and eight (29.63%) had moderate defects. The scar diverticula's mean length, depth, and width were 1.05 ± 0.62, 0.54 ± 0.28, and 1.20 ± 0.70 cm, respectively. The residual muscle layer's mean thickness was 0.27 ± 0.07 cm. The mean diverticulum depth/residual muscular thickness ratio was 2.39 ± 2.58. The duration of the first stage of labor was significantly shorter and the neonatal weight was significantly lower in the study group than control group.

Conclusion

Successful vaginal delivery is possible for women with mild and moderate isthmoceles. Further large-scale studies are needed to improve TOLAC's safety in pregnant women with isthmoceles.
Large left paraduodenal hernia with intestinal ischemia: a case report and literature review
Authors: Xu Hao , Nie Ning , Kong Fanmin , Zhong Banghua
Published: September 2020

A left paraduodenal hernia is a rare type of internal hernia but the most common type of peritoneal recess hernia. Preoperative diagnosis of a left paraduodenal hernia is difficult because of its nonspecific clinical manifestations, and it is often confused with other causes of acute abdomen. Diagnosis is therefore often delayed, resulting in serious clinical outcomes. We herein report a case of a large paraduodenal hernia with small intestinal obstruction and ischemia without abdominal pain. The patient was successfully discharged after emergency hernia repair. This case reveals the importance of diagnosing a left paraduodenal hernia with or without abdominal pain, especially in patients with no history of abdominal surgery.
Inhibitory effect of baicalin on orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption in rats
Authors: Lin Peng , Guo Xin-xing , Wang Yi-ling , Wei Zhu-liang , Xin Hai-yan , Liu Tong-bin
Published: September 2020

Objective

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of baicalin on orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption in rats.

Methods

Forty-five male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of 15 rats each. Fifty grams of force was used to establish an orthodontic tooth movement model. Baicalin (40 mg/kg) was locally injected into rats in the baicalin group at 3-day intervals; concurrently, normal saline was injected into rats in the negative control group. On the 21st day after orthodontic treatment, the tooth movement distance and root resorption area ratio were measured. Histomorphology changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry.

Results

There was no significant difference in tooth movement distance between groups. The root resorption area ratio was significantly lower in the baicalin group than in the negative control group. Runx-2 expression was significantly higher in the baicalin group than in the negative control group, while tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression was significantly lower in the baicalin group than in the negative control group.

Conclusions

Baicalin inhibits orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption by enhancing the expression of Runx-2 and reducing the expression of TNF-α, but does not affect tooth movement distance.
A brief history of contact in fostering and adoption: practice and power, and the coming of the mobile phone
Authors: Simpson Jennifer E , Clapton Gary
Published: September 2020

This article charts the UK history of contact in fostering and adoption as it relates to looked after children and their birth relatives. It builds on a recent publication in this journal by one of the authors based on her research on the use of social media by children in care. Here we look at previous practices relating to the question of whether or not contact ought to be ‘allowed’ in which words such as ‘access’ were used, betokening the child as object. We also come up to date with reference to contemporary efforts to recast contact as ‘family time’ that is significant in the child’s continuation of understanding of self. Other words in the lexicon are problematised, including ‘contact’ itself. Attention is also devoted to the social work profession's conception and management of contact. We argue that a critical history of contact reveals the various ways that formal and informal power operates to both regulate and discipline those involved, most centrally the child and birth family members. Drawing upon emerging research relating to social media and contact, the article concludes with a discussion of how young people’s access to, and use of, social media has altered, how contact is managed and ‘policed’, and how this has shifted the balance of power in contact towards greater egalitarianism.
Profile of neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems and associated psychosocial factors among a cohort of newly looked after children in an English local authority
Authors: Ogundele Michael
Published: September 2020

Limited research has been undertaken into the neurodevelopmental profile of looked after children and young people who are known to be highly vulnerable to mental and physical health morbidities. This study seeks to assess the prevalence of childhood neurodisabilities and related neurodevelopmental, emotional, behavioural and intellectual problems (NDEBIPs) among a cohort of children coming into care in an English local authority. A retrospective review of all referrals to a local authority health team between January and December 2018 was carried out as part of its clinical governance strategies. No identifiable patient record was used and no research ethical approval was required. A total of 56 out of 80 (70%) children had at least one or more NDEBIPs (average of two), including behavioural (32.5%) and emotional problems (16%), attachment difficulties (14%) and speech/language delay (12.5%). This compares with a prevalence of up to 15% reported in normal childhood populations. Fifty-one (91%) of the looked after children and young people with NDEBIPs experienced at least one or more psychosocial adversities/trauma (average of five). Each of them received help from an average of four multidisciplinary professionals including social workers, dentists, opticians and health visitors and had an average of three physical/mental health diagnoses. The implications of this high prevalence are discussed together with recommendations arising from clinical experience. Particularly salient is the need for planning future integrated multi-agency services to meet children’s complex needs.
Comparative Efficacy and Patient-Specific Moderating Factors of Nonsurgical Treatment Strategies for Frozen Shoulder: An Updated Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhong Shuchang , Tan Tongcai , Li Juebao , Liu Shuang , Cheng Ruidong , Tian Liang , Zhang Li , Wang Yuanjiao , Liu Fei , Zhou Panpan , Ye Xiangming
Published: September 2020

Background:

Frozen shoulder is a common shoulder disorder characterized by pain and restriction. Various nonsurgical treatments have been reported, but there is no consensus about their comparative efficacy and the effects of moderators.

Purpose:

To compare the efficacy of different nonsurgical interventions and identify potential patient-specific moderating factors for frozen shoulder.

Study Design:

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Methods:

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched from their inception to February 18, 2019. The search was supplemented by manual review of relevant reference lists. Randomized controlled trials of participants with frozen shoulder that compared nonsurgical interventions were selected. Measured outcomes included pain, shoulder function in daily activities, and range of motion.

Results:

Of 3136 records identified, 92 trials were eligible, evaluating 32 nonsurgical interventions in 5946 patients. Intra-articular injection improved pain (pooled standardized mean difference [95% CI]: steroid injection, 1.68 [1.03-2.34]; capsular distension, 2.68 [1.32-4.05]) and shoulder function (steroid injection, 2.16 [1.52-2.81]; distension, 2.89 [1.71-4.06]) to a greater extent than placebo. Capsular distension and extracorporeal shockwave therapy showed the highest ranking for pain relief and functional improvement, respectively. Laser therapy also showed benefits for pain relief (3.02 [1.84-4.20]) and functional improvement (3.66 [1.65-5.67]). Subgroup analyses by disease stages revealed that steroid injection combined with physical therapy provided more benefits during the freezing phase, whereas joint manipulation provided more benefits in the adhesive phase. Adjunctive therapies, female sex, and diabetes were also identified as moderators of effectiveness.

Conclusion:

Capsular distension is a highly recommended choice for treatment of frozen shoulder, contributing greatly to pain relief and functional improvement; steroid injection is also a prevailing effective intervention. Among new options, extracorporeal shockwave therapy and laser therapy show potential benefits for multiple outcomes. Individualized optimal intervention should be considered, given that treatment effect is moderated by factors including the disease stage, time of assessment, adjunctive therapies, female sex, and diabetes.
The Role of Helplessness in the Appraisal of Illness Uncertainty in Women With Fibromyalgia
Authors: Reibel Melody D. , Hutti Marianne H.
Published: September 2020

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by uncertainty in etiology, symptomatology, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. The high level of illness uncertainty that results from fibromyalgia is a risk factor for maladjustment to illness. A cross-sectional survey design was used to examine the relationships among illness uncertainty, helplessness, and subjective well-being in 138 women with fibromyalgia. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine a predictive model for mediation. We found illness uncertainty is negatively associated with subjective well-being and that helplessness strongly influences the impact of illness uncertainty on subjective well-being in women with fibromyalgia.
Moments of Fragility and Vitality
Authors: Bunkers Sandra Schmidt
Published: September 2020

In this article, the author examines fragility and vitality as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear and courage are also explored from a humanbecoming paradigm perspective as well as from philosophical perspectives. Humanbecoming inquiries related to these topics are presented along with personal experiences of the author.
Negotiating Space and Making Place: Punjabi-Sikh Cabbies in New York City
Authors: Mitra Diditi
Published: September 2020

I examine how immigrant Punjabi-Sikhs make sense of themselves as yellow cabbies in New York with two complementary frameworks—Hill Collins’ “matrix of domination” and insights from the literature exploring the interplay between race and ethnicity. The cabbies discussed their immigrant status, non-whiteness, and social class as influential, emphasizing the effects of all three forms of marginalization as occurring simultaneously. They deployed “money” to frame this subordination and to negotiate dimensions of social location and identity. The transnational space they occupied emerges noteworthy too in their identity making. This analysis, based on interviews with 56 cabbies, advances scholarship on race and immigration/transnationalism, Asian and South Asian American identities, specifically research on immigrant Sikhs of lower socioeconomic status, attention on whom is scant.
Investigations into the microwave shielding behavior of oriented Polycaprolactone/Carbonyl iron particles composites fabricated using magnetic field assisted extrusion 3D printing
Authors: Rath Usharani , Pandey Pulak M
Published: September 2020

In the present study, development of a novel oriented polymeric composite comprising of Polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer and carbonyl iron filler particles (CIP) is presented. Incorporation of permanent magnets into solvent based extrusion 3 D printing set up produced the oriented polymeric composites. The microwave absorption properties of the oriented composite were investigated and compared with non-oriented composite and pristine PCL by utilizing vector network analyzer (VNA) and Nicolson-Ross-Weir (NRW) methodology. Higher values of permeability, permittivity, dielectric loss and magnetic loss of the oriented composite indicated the micro capacitor behaviour and domain wall motion of the parallel aligned CIP chains in the PCL matrix. The reflection and transmission loss values for the oriented composite were found to be -34 dB and -26 dB respectively. The microwave absorption of the oriented PCL/CIP composite was found to be approximately 93% suggesting the efficacy of the 3 D printed oriented composite as an excellent microwave absorber.
Resveratrol prevents acute renal injury in a model of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
Authors: Hemsinli D , Tumkaya L , Ergene S , Karakisi SO , Mercantepe T , Çınar S , Yilmaz A
Published: September 2020

Objective:

To examine the biochemical and histopathological effects of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA) model in rats, and to investigate the potential protective role of resveratrol.

Methods:

Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups—control, I/R, sham (I/R + solvent/dimethyl sulfoxide), and I/R + resveratrol. The control group underwent midline laparotomy only. In the other groups, infrarenal vascular clamps were attached following 60-min shock to the abdominal aorta. Ischemia was applied for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min. In the I/R + resveratrol group, intraperitoneal 10 mg/kg resveratrol was administered 15 min prior to ischemia and immediately before reperfusion. The I/R + dimethyl sulfoxide group received dimethyl sulfoxide, and the I/R group was given saline solution. All animals were sacrificed by exsanguination from the carotid artery at the end of the experiment. In addition to histopathological examination of the rat kidney tissues, malondialdehyde, glutathione, catalase, and nitric oxide levels were also investigated.

Results:

A decrease in glutathione, catalase and nitric oxide levels, together with increases in malondialdehyde levels, numbers of apoptotic renal tubular cells, caspase-3 levels, and tubular necrosis scores, were observed in the IR and I/R + dimethyl sulfoxide groups. In contrast, resveratrol increased glutathione, catalase and nitric oxide levels in renal tissues exposed to I/R, while reducing malondialdehyde levels, apoptotic renal tubular cell numbers, caspase-3 levels, and tubular necrosis scores.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest that resveratrol can be effective against I/R-related acute kidney damage developing during RAAA surgery by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.
Detection of putative autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematous using a novel native-conformation protein microarray platform
Authors: Mak Anselm , Kow Nien Yee , Ismail Nur Hafiza , Anuar Nur Diana , Rutt Nurul H , Cho Jiacai , Rosli Nurul Shielawati Binti Mohamed , Dharmahidari Bhushan
Published: September 2020

Objective

Conventional immunoassays detect autoantibodies related to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) via recognition of epitopes on autoantigens expressed in their denatured rather than native conformational state, casting difficulty in evaluating the genuine pathogenicity of the autoantibodies. We aimed to use a novel high-throughput protein microarray platform to identify autoantibodies against native autoantigens in SLE sera.

Methods

Sera from SLE patients and those of gender-, age-, and ethnicity-matched healthy controls (HC) were screened against more than 1,600 immune-related antigens of native conformation. The relative fluorescent unit readout from post-assay imaging were subjected to bioinformatics pre-processing and composite normalization. A penetrance fold change (pFC) analysis between SLE and HC samples shortlisted 50 autoantigens that were subjected to an unsupervised cluster analysis. Correlations between the pFC of putative autoantigens and clinical parameters including SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI-2K) and recent SLE flares were explored.

Results

381 autoantigens were identified when 15 SLE and 15 HC serum samples were compared. The top 20 autoantigens which elicited autoantibody responses in SLE sera filtered based on the highest pFC were further analyzed. Autoantigens which the putative autoantibodies reacted against are those involved in chromatin organization such as DEK, regulation of transcription activity including REOX4 and ELF4, and negative regulation of NFkB activity such as TRIB3. Additionally, the pFC of these autoantibodies significantly and positively correlated with SLEDAI-2K and recent SLE flares.

Conclusion

A high-throughput protein microarray platform allows detection and quantification of putative lupus-related autoantibodies which are of potential pathophysiological and prognostic significance in SLE patients.