bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health and social impacts of COPD and the problem of under-diagnosis
Authors: Carlone Stefano , Balbi Bruno , Bezzi Michela , Brunori Marco , Calabro Stefano , Foschino Barbaro Maria Pia , Micheletto Claudio , Privitera Salvatore , Torchio Roberto , Schino Pietro , Vianello Andrea
Published: January 2020

This article deals with the prevalence and the possible reasons of COPD underestimation in the population and gives suggestions on how to overcome the obstacles and make the correct diagnosis in order to provide the patients with the appropriate therapy. COPD is diagnosed in later or very advanced stages. In Italy the rate of COPD under-diagnosis ranges between 25 and 50% and, as a consequence, the patient does not consult his doctor until the symptoms have worsened, mainly due to exacerbations. A missed diagnosis influences the timing of therapeutic intervention, thus contributing to the evolution into more severe stages of the illness. An incisive intervention to limit under-diagnosis cannot act only in remittance (passive diagnosis), but must be the promoter for a series of preventive actions: primary, secondary and rehabilitative. To reduce under-diagnosis, some actions need to be taken, such as screening programs for smokers subjects, use of questionnaires aimed to qualify and monitor the disease severity, spirometry, early diagnosis. There is a consensus regarding diagnoses based on screening of at-risk subjects and symptoms, rather than screening of the general population. In practice, all individuals over 40 years of age with risk factors should make a spirometry test. Screening actions on a national scale can be the following: compilation of questionnaires in waiting rooms of doctor’s offices or performing simple maneuvers to evaluate the expiratory force at pharmacies. It is now widely recognized that COPD is a complex syndrome with several pulmonary and extrapulmonary components; as a result, the airway obstruction as assessed by FEV1 by itself does not adequately describe the complexity of the disease and FEV1 cannot be used alone for the optimal diagnosis, assessment, and management of the disease. The identification and subsequent grouping of key elements of the COPD syndrome into clinically meaningful and useful subgroups (phenotypes) can guide therapy more effectively. In conclusion, we firmly believe that an early and correct diagnosis can influence positively the progress of the disease (lowering the lung function impairment), decrease the risk of exacerbations, relieve symptoms and increase the patients’ quality of life leading also to a decrease in costs associated to the exacerbations and hospitalization of the patient.
Ultrasonography in lung pathologies: new perspectives
Authors: Demi Libertario , Demi Marcello , Smargiassi Andrea , Inchingolo Riccardo , Faita Francesco , Soldati Gino , Force Group And Task
Published: January 2020

Background: Nowadays, ultrasound techniques have not gained importance in the diagnosis and monitoring of lung pathologies yet because of the high mismatch in acoustic impedance between air and intercostal tissues. However, it is evident that B-mode imaging provides important information on pulmonary tissue, although in the form of image artifacts.

Findings: Notwithstanding medical evidences, there exists no ultrasound-based method dedicated to the lung, hampering de facto the full exploitation of ultrasound potentials. A chance is given by the experience acquired in other fields, where acoustic attenuation is used to estimate concentrations of suspended particles in liquids and of air-bubbles in aerated foods.

Conclusions: Custom hardware must be developed since commercial echographic equipment has been optimized to work with low acoustic impedance mismatches, and, in general, does not provide the primitive radiofrequency (RF) signals nor the possibility to tune key acquisition parameters such as ultrasound carrier frequency and pulse bandwidth, which are surely needed for our application.
Levodropropizine for treating cough in adult and children: a meta-analysis of published studies
Authors: Zanasi Alessandro , Lanata Luigi , Fontana Giovanni , Saibene Federico , Dicpinigaitis Peter , De Blasio Francesco
Published: January 2020

Background: Cough is one of the most common symptoms for which patients seek medical attention from primary care physicians and lung specialists. About 40% of the population at any one time report cough. Cough is associated with significantly impaired health-related quality of life. Levodropropizine is an effective and very well tolerated peripheral antitussive drug. We want to compare it to central cough suppressants efficacy (opioids and non-opioids) that may be associated with side effects limiting their use.

Methods: After a comprehensive literature search, a meta-analysis of 7 clinical studies of levodropropizine vs. control, including a total of 1,178 patients, was performed with the aim to evaluate the overall comparative efficacy of levodropropizine in the pediatric and adult population. Three electronic databases and reference list were used to search for studies that assessed the efficacy of levodropropizine for treating cough in children and adults using as standardized efficacy parameters the cough frequency and severity, and number of night awakenings as outcome parameters.

Results: The meta-analysis of all standardized efficacy parameters showed a highly statistically significant difference in the overall antitussive efficacy in favor of levodropropizine vs. control treatments (p = 0.0015). The heterogeneity test for the efficacy outcome was not statistically significant (p = 0.0534). Seven studies met out inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis of the eligible ones showed a statistically significant difference in the overall anti-tussive effect of levodropropizine versus control (p = 0.0015).

Conclusions: This analysis indicates that levodropropizine is an effective antitussive drug in children and adults, with statistically significant better overall efficacy outcomes vs. central antitussive drugs (codeine, cloperastine, dextromethorphan) in terms of reducing cough intensity and frequency, and nocturnal awakenings. This result further reinforces the favorable benefit/risk profile of levodropropizine in the management of cough. The efficacy of levodropropizine in the treatment of cough in children and adults is higher than that of the common centrally-acting anti-tussive.
Kartagener’s syndrome: review of a case series
Authors: Ciancio Nicola , De Santi Maria Margherita , Campisi Raffaele , Amato Laura , Di Martino Giuseppina , Di Maria Giuseppe
Published: January 2020

Background: Kartagener Syndrome (KS) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder, resulting in a group of clinical manifestations, including bronchiectasis, chronic pansinusitis and situs inversus.

Methods: We hereby reviewed eight cases of this rare entity selected from patients attending our outpatients Respiratory Unit since 2006. Samples of respiratory epithelium were obtained with the method of nasal brushing and sent to a specialized center in order to be studied with electron microscopy. At least 50 cross sections of different cilia from different cells were observed in each specimen to study the axonemal structure. Electron micrographs were taken at a magnification of X 50,000 to determine the orientation of the cilia and at a magnification of X 110,000 to study the axonemal pattern. The incidence of abnormal cilia was expressed as a percentage.

Results: We observed different ultrastructural defects in our KS patients, including absence of outer dynein arms, absence of outer and inner dynein arms, and absence of the central pair with transposition of a peripheral doublet into the central position. Patient’s follow up lasted till 2014, however two patients with more severe clinical behavior died before.

Conclusions: This is a review of a case series, yet our data has shown that nasal brushing with ultrastructural pathological differentiation may be useful to identify patients with high risk and to develop more complex clinical presentations.
Each day is a new beginning
Authors: Blasi Francesco , Sanguinetti Claudio M.
Published: January 2020

Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine (MRM) is changing, as new Editors-in Chief we are pleased to introduce the new MRM to our readers and authors. MRM history dates back to 2006, still a young Journal but with the aim to become a major player in the scientific field of respiratory diseases [...]
Using PaCO2 values to grade obesity-hypoventilation syndrome severity: a retrospective study
Authors: Damiani Mario Francesco , Falcone Vito Antonio , Carratù Pierluigi , Scoditti Cristina , Bega Elioda , Dragonieri Silvano , Scoditti Alfredo , Resta Onofrio
Published: January 2020

Background Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is a common diffuse parenchymal lung disease in Egypt which can be difficult to recognize due to the dynamic symptoms & associated environmental factors.
Methods Forty-three Egyptian patients were enrolled in this study, presenting with dyspnea and cough, predominant ground-glass opacity (GGO) in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) where lung biopsy was needed to establish the diagnosis.
Results The age range was 15 to 60 years. Females represented 90.7% (39 patients) while 9.3% (4 patients) of our patients were males. History of contact with birds was detected in 9 (20.9%) patients. Most of our patients (60.5%) didn’t have exposure history, and only 8 patients (18.6%) were living in geographic areas in Egypt that are known for the exposure to environmental etiologic factors (cane sugar exhaust fumes). The most common HRCT pattern was GGO with mosaic parenchyma in 18 patients (41.86%), followed by GGO with centrilobular nodules in 9 patients (20.93%), then isolated diffuse GGO in 5 patients (11.62%), GGO with traction bronchiectasis in 4 patients (9.3%), GGO with consolidation in 3 patients (6.97%), GGO with reticulations in 2 patients (4.65%), and GGO with cysts in 2 patients (4.65%). The most common histologic finding was isolated multinucleated giant cells in 38 patients (88.3%) commonly found in airspaces (24 patients) and less commonly in the interstitium (14 patients), followed by interstitial pneumonia and cellular bronchiolitis in 36 patients (83.7% each), interstitial ill-formed non-necrotizing granulomas in 12 patients (27.9%), fibrosis in 10 patients (23.2%), and organizing pneumonia pattern in 4 patients (9.3%).
Conclusion. The diagnosis of HP presenting with predominant GGO pattern in HRCT requires a close interaction among clinicians, radiologists, and pathologists. Some environmental and household factors may be underestimated as etiologic factors. Further environmental and genetic studies are needed especially in patients with negative exposure history.
Onsite production of medical air: is purity a problem?
Authors: Edwards Paul , Therriault Patricia-Ann , Katz Ira
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Medical air (MA) is widely used in hospitals, often manufactured onsite by compressing external ambient air and supplied through a local network piping system. Onsite production gives rise to a risk of impurities that are governed by the same pharmacopoeia purity standards applicable to commercially produced MA. The question to be addressed in this paper is how to assess if a lack of purity poses a medical problem? Methods: The MA produced onsite at a major Canadian hospital was monitored for carbon dioxide (CO2) and other impurity gases at high frequency (one per minute) over a two-month period. Results: The average CO2 concentration was 255 ppm. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) threshold of 500 ppm was exceeded during 1% of the total study period, and the average while exceeding the threshold was 526 ppm. The maximum concentration was 634 ppm. Discussion and conclusion: To our knowledge, there is only one study that evaluated the effects suffered by respiratory patients of elevated nitric oxide in MA; thus, it is not clear what are the medical bases for the thresholds stated in the USP. To perform a Quality Risk Assessment, the threshold and the time above threshold should be considered in determining the frequency of sampling and analysis, and operating methods required to ensure the quality of MA entering the pipeline meets the clinical, regulatory, and patient safety standards. In conclusion, because the USP does not provide impurity thresholds for specific patients nor time above thresholds, there is a need for the medical community to determine these quantities before it can be known if the purity of MA is a problem.
An uncommon cause of hemoptysis: aortobronchial fistula
Authors: Tonelli Roberto , Fontana Matteo , Gozzi Filippo , Castaniere Ivana , Marchioni Alessandro , Fantini Riccardo , Coppi Francesca , Natali Filippo , Rovatti Elisabetta , Clini Enrico
Published: January 2020

Background: Hemoptysis is a frequent sign of respiratory and non-respiratory diseases. While in most cases the underlying cause is rapidly identified, sometimes the real etiology might be misdiagnosed with dramatic delay in treatment. Case presentation: A 46-year-old man with hiatal hernia and a history of aortic surgery for aortic coarctation presented with dramatic episodes of hemoptysis and subsequent severe anemia (6,9 g/dl). Digestive and respiratory endoscopy resulted not exhaustive, thus he underwent a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest that showed an aneurysmal dilatation of the descending thoracic aorta with suspected aortobronchial fistula. He underwent cardiac surgery that confirmed the diagnosis and successfully treated the fistula. Conclusion: We briefly review the literature to raise clinical awareness on this uncommon cause of hemoptysis.
Utility of the six-minute walk test in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Lancaster Lisa
Published: January 2020

The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is a simple test that is widely used to assess functional exercise capacity in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Patients with IPF have reduced exercise capacity due to a number of factors, such as impaired respiratory mechanics and circulatory problems. As a self-paced and usually submaximal exercise test, the 6MWT reflects the exercise level of everyday activities. Variables measured during the 6MWT, such as six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and desaturation, are strong predictors of mortality in patients with IPF. However, the results of a 6MWT are affected by numerous factors, including age, body size, comorbidities and the use of supplemental oxygen during the test, and these need to be borne in mind when interpreting the results of individual and serial tests. Clinical studies, including trials of potential therapies for IPF, have differed in the methodology used to implement the 6MWT, hindering the comparison of results across studies. In this review, I describe the utility of the 6MWT in patients with IPF and provide recommendations for standardisation of the test for use both in clinical practice and research. A brief video
Sensitization to inhaled allergens in asthmatic children in southern Jordan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Al-Zayadneh Enas M. , Alnawaiseh Nedal Awad , Altarawneh Areej Hamed , Aldmour Ibrahim Hamed , Albataineh Eman M. , Al-Shagahin Hani , Alharazneh Abdelrahman , Alzayadneh Ebaa
Published: January 2020

Background: Sensitization to inhaled allergens in children with bronchial asthma significantly affects asthma pathogenesis, severity and persistence into late childhood and adulthood. The present study determined the prevalence of sensitization to inhaled allergens in children with bronchial asthma and wheezing episodes in order to investigate the effect of positive sensitization on the severity and control of asthma symptoms and to screen for other associated allergic conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, including children between 6 months and 14 years of age attending the chest clinic of Al-Karak, south of Jordan, between November 2013 and February 2016. Skin prick tests (SPTs) using 11 standardized allergen extracts were conducted in 277 children. The severity of asthma was determined based on the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) assessment and the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) in addition to the history of use of systemic steroids and hospital admissions within the past 12 months. Results: Sixty-seven percent of children with bronchial asthma reported sensitization to one or more of the inhaled allergens. The most common allergens were olive pollens (18%), cat fur (13.5%), and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (11.9%). There was a significant increase in allergen sensitization with age (p < 0.001). The most common concomitant allergic condition among children was allergic rhinitis (71.5%); however, allergic conjunctivitis was the only allergic condition that correlated with the skin test reactivity (p = 0.01). A family history of bronchial asthma was confirmed in 40.4% of children. Children with positive SPTs had lower ACT scores and reported more frequent use of systemic steroids and admissions to hospital within the past 12 months; however, this effect was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Sensitization to inhaled allergens is highly prevalent in children with asthma and wheezing episodes in southern Jordan and may be correlated with the severity of the disease. Therefore, appropriate measures to recognize and avoid these allergens are highly recommended. Most children in our study suffered from concomitant allergic rhinitis, indicating that an appropriate diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis could significantly improve asthma control and thus the quality of life of these children.
Zimbabwe in the 80's: Challenges and threats
Authors: Biesheuvel Simon
Published: January 2020

Opening address delivered to the Delta Corporation Personnel Management Conference, March 1980.
The managerial power of compensation: A contingency model
Authors: Templer Andrew J.
Published: January 2020

In this final article in a series of three on power, an attempt is made to integrate the organization compensation system into the models of managerial power presented earlier. It is argued that compensation is an area in which management has a considerable opportunity for exercising power. This opportunity is the result of the extreme importance of compensation to employees and the relative ease with which it can be manipulated by management. It is considered that the model presented in this article provides some of the basis for understanding and utilizing the power of compensation.In hierdie finale artikel in 'n reeks van drie oor mag word 'n poging aangewend om die organisasie-vergoedingstelsel binne die modelle van bestuursmag voorheen aangebied, te integreer. Dit word aangevoer dat 'n gebied is waarin bestuur 'n aansienlike geleentheid het om mag uit te oefen. Hierdie geleentheid is die resultaat van die uiterste belang van vergoeding vir werknemers en die relatiewe gemak waarmee dit deur bestuur hanteer kan word. Die model wat in hierdie artikel aangebied word, dra by tot die basis vir die begrip en aanwending van die mag van vergoeding.
Manpower: Government planning and legislation
Authors: Van Der Merwe P. J.
Published: January 2020

No abstract available.
Plant location as a function of the standard of maintenance efficiency: An empirical perspective
Authors: Palmer P. N.
Published: January 2020

In this article, aspects relating to the management of the maintenance function within a production system are discussed. Inordinate disparities undermining the execution of the maintenance function - as a result of inter-regional differences regarding the availability of maintenance skills - are identified on the basis of empirical evidence and with the aid of inferential statistics. The cause/effect impact that such disparities have on the maintenance of equipment in a plant are singled out, and the reasons therefore discussed, while the comparative, inter-regional differences referred to stem from the tenets of industrial centralization versus industrial decentralization. The locales affected are the Johannesburg economic region as opposed to the economic growth point of Babelegi, in the Republic of Bophuthatswana. In conclusion, certain observations and recommendations are postulated with a view to highlighting the impact of locational differences on both the efficiency and effectiveness with which the maintenance function can be executed.In hierdie artikel word sekere aspekte wat op die bestuur van die onderhoudsfunksie betrekking het, bespreek. Buitengewone teenstrydighede wat die uitvoering van die onderhoudsfunksie ondermyn - as gevolg van interstreekse verskille sover dit die beskikbaarheid van onderhoudsvaardighede betref - word geidentifiseer op die basis van empiriese getuienis en met behulp van afgeleide statistiek. Die oorsaak/gevolg impak wat sulke teenstrydighede op die onderhoud van toerusting in 'n aanleg het, word uitgesonder en die redes daarvoor word bespreek, terwyl verwys word na die vergelykende, interstreekse verskille wat vanuit die beginsel van industriele sentralisasie teenoor industriele desentralisasie voortspruit. Die gebiede wat geaffekteer word is die Johannesburg ekonomiese streek teenoor die ekonomiese groeipunt van Babelegi in die Republiek van Bophuthatswana. Ten slotte word sekere waarnemings en aanbevelings gemaak ten einde die impak van liggingsverskille op die doeltreffendheid sowel as die effektiwiteit waarmee die onderhoudsfunksie uitgevoer kan word, uit te lig.
A new approach to small business development in South Africa
Authors: Harper Malcolm
Published: January 2020

Extracts from a speech delivered in the field of small business development by Professor Malcolm Harper at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Codes of practice: The implications for job advancement
Authors: Marsden Ron
Published: January 2020

The various codes of practice proposed and applied as guidelines regarding employee rights in South Africa are discussed. There are three groups of codes: codes developed by companies, 'internal codes' developed by other South African organizations such as SACCOLA and TUCSA, and 'external codes' imposed on South African employers from abroad, like the Sullivan principles. While all codes aim at removing discrimination in the work place, local codes focus mainly on economic and some social aspects, and external codes have a stronger political intent. Many problems still exist with the measuring and monitoring of the implementation of these employment codes, sometimes done in-company, sometimes by independent external organizations. Generally trade unions support the codes, some seeing codes as a tool to increase union recognition and power. The codes, however, also have some dysfunctional aspects, because they can shift the focus and priority away from education and training, the all-important factor in Black advancement.Die verskillende gebruikskodes wat voorgestel en toegepas word as riglyne wat betref werknemersregte in Suid-Afrika word bespreek. Daar is drie soorte kodes: die wat deur maatskappye ontwikkel is, 'interne kodes' ontwikkel deur ander Suid-Afrikaanse organisasies soos SACCOLA en TUCSA, en 'eksterne kodes' wat van oorsee vir Suid-Afrikaanse werkgewers voorgeskryf word, soos die Sullivan-beginsels. Terwyl alle kodes gerig is op die verwydering van diskriminasie in die werksituasie, konsentreer plaaslike kodes meestal op ekonomiese en sommige sosiale aspekte en het eksterne kodes 'n sterker politieke oogmerk. Baie probleme bestaan nog met die meting en opvolging van die implementering van hierdie indiens-kodes, soms binne maatskappye gedoen, soms deur onafhanklike eksterne organisasies. Vakbonde ondersteun in die algemeen die kodes, sommiges sien hulle as 'n hulpmiddel om vakbond-erkenning en -mag te bevorder. Die kodes het egter ook sekere disfunksionele aspekte, omdat hulle die fokus en prioriteit van onderrig en opleiding, die belangrikste faktor in Swart vooruitgang, kan wegskuif.
P.U.V.A.- Photochemotherapy of psoriasis with oral 8: Methoxypsoralen and long wave ultra violet radiation
Authors: McMullan Elizabeth S.
Published: January 2020

The incidence, aetiology and clinical features of psoriasis are, reviewed. The author discusses P.U.V.A., a treatment which combines the use of 8-MOP and long wave ultra violet radiation. Some encouraging results have been noted in a one-year trial at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
The thermal effects of pulsed ultrasound
Authors: Sandler V. , Feingold P.
Published: January 2020

Heat production by pulsed ultrasound was investigated. Four thermocouples were inserted into the thighs of each of six rabbits at specified depths. Temperature changes were recorded during insonation at different frequencies, intensities and duration of insonation. Significant thermal effects were recorded at both pulse ratios. These temperature increases were greater using a pulse ratio of 1:1 than a pulse ratio of 1:4, but less than those produced by a continuous beam.
Reconstrucción virtual tridimensional de entornos urbanos complejos
Authors: García-Moreno A. , González-Barbosa J.
Published: January 2020

Este trabajo presenta una metodología para la generación de modelos tridimensionales de entornos urbanos. Se utiliza una plataforma terrestre multi-sensores compuesta por un LIDAR, una cámara esférica, GPS y otros sistemas inerciales. Los datos de los sensores están sincronizados con el sistema de navegación y georrefenciados. La metodología de digitalizaciónn se centra en 3 procesos principales. (1) La reconstrucción tridimensional, en el cual se elimina el ruido en los datos 3D y se disminuye la distorsión en las imágenes. Posteriormente se construye una imagen panorámica. (2) La texturización, se describe a detalle el algoritmo para asegurar la menor incertidumbre en el proceso de extracción de color. (3) La generación de mallas, se describe el proceso de mallado basado en octree’s, desde la generación de la semilla, el teselado, así como la eliminación de huecos en las mallas. Por último, se realiza una evaluación cuantitativa de la propuesta y se compara con otros enfoques existentes en el estado del arte. Se discuten a detalle los resultados obtenidos.
Helicobacter pylori rate and histopathological evaluation in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Özdoğan Osman , Yaras Serkan
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Studies of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in liver diseases and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been increasingly discussed. Most studies investigating the relationship between HP and HBV have been conducted in patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and usually involving noninvasive tests. The HP frequency in these patients was higher than in healthy controls. No histopathological evaluation was performed in these studies. We investigated the incidence of HP in HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection (previously termed “inactive carrier”) by using invasive gastric biopsies and carried out histopathological evaluation.

Material and methods

We included 90 treatment-naive inactive hepatitis-B carriers as patients. The control group comprised 107 healthy subjects. Biopsies were obtained from the antrum and corpus and were evaluated histopathologically using the Sydney system of classification for gastritis.

Results

The rate of HP in inactive hepatitis-B carriers was significantly higher than the control group (75.6% vs. 53.3%, respectively; p = 0.001). There was no difference in incidence of atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, activity, or inflammation (p > 0.05). Peptic ulcer was detected in 11 (12.2%) patients in the HBV group and in 7 (6.5%) patients in the control group (p = 0.360). The incidence of HP was higher in patients with HBV DNA ≥ 2000 IU/ml than in patients with HBV DNA < 2000 IU/ml, but this difference was not statistically significant (85% vs. 68%, respectively; p = 0.062).

Conclusions

Although the HP rate in inactive hepatitis-B carriers was higher than the control group, there were no intergroup differences with respect to atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, activity, inflammation, and peptic ulcer frequency.
Oxidative stress, immunological and cellular hypoxia biomarkers in hepatitis C treatment-naïve and cirrhotic patients
Authors: Almaeen Abdulrahman , Alduraywish Abdulrahman , Mobasher Maysa , Almadhi Omar , Nafeh Hanan , El-Metwally Tarek
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of chronic liver disease, with calamitous complications. Its highest rate is recorded in Egypt. This study investigated whether oxidative stress, immunological chaos and cellular hypoxia are implicated in the pathophysiology of the disease.

Material and methods

This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the changes in blood oxidative stress, cellular hypoxia/angiogenesis and cellular immunological biomarkers in hospital-diagnosed treatment-naïve HCV-infected Upper Egyptian chronic liver disease patients vs. healthy controls (n = 40). The consecutively included patients comprised 120 with normal serum enzymes (HCV-NE) and 130 with high serum enzymes (HCV-HE), along with 120 cirrhotic patients.

Results

Oxidative stress biomarkers – malondialdehyde (MDA), total peroxides and oxidative stress index (OSI) – were significantly lower in controls vs. each of the patient groups. Cirrhotic patients presented the highest levels. However, total antioxidants (TAO) showed non-significant differences among the four groups. The cellular hypoxia/angiogenesis biomarkers – lactate, vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and its soluble receptor 1 (sVEGFR1) – vs. controls were massively increased in patient groups. VEGF was lowest while sVEGFR1 was highest among cirrhotic patients. Immunological biomarkers, – granulocyte/monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and total immunoglobulin G (IgG) – were massively increased in patient groups vs. controls. GM-CSF was lowest in HCV-HE and IgG was highest in cirrhotic patients. sVEGFR1 correlated with the progression towards cirrhosis.

Conclusions

Oxidative stress is implicated in the progress of HCV infection with marked induction of cellular hypoxia and dysfunctional angiogenesis, and a futile immunological reaction. sVEGFR1 level correlated with progression towards HCV-induced liver fibrosis.
Comparison of area under the curve in various models of diabetic rats receiving chronic medication
Authors: Liu Keng-Fan , Niu Chiang-Shan , Tsai Jen-Chieh , Yang Chao-Lin , Peng Wen-Huang , Niu Ho-Shan
Published: January 2020

Introduction

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is widely used as a diagnostic tool for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in clinical settings and animal experiments. The area under the curve (AUC) is then developed to quantify the total increase in blood glucose during the OGTT. Similarly, attenuation of the increased AUC indicates the improvement of IGT in animals. Variations in fasting plasma glucose between individuals stimulate the development of incremental area under the curve (iAUC). However, the iAUC determined from subtracting the baseline value of fasting plasma glucose (similar to ΔAUC) has been challenged as problematic without evidence.

Material and methods

We developed four different diabetic animal models. In each model, rats were treated with metformin, dapagliflozin, and insulin respectively for one week. OGTTs were performed after 7 days of the drug treatment. The acute blood glucose changes induced by one-time treatment of drugs were also compared.

Results

After a daily application of each drug at an effective dose for 7 days, results indicated potency in the following order: insulin > dapagliflozin > metformin. This was determined by calculation using the AUC in all diabetic models. However, the order changed when using the calculation with iAUC. Additionally, signals were changed before the OGTT in each model that received repeated treatment of each drug. Notably, drug potency was shown to be the same in OGTT calculated from iAUC and AUC in diabetic rats receiving acute treatment.

Conclusions

iAUC seems unsuitable for application in cases where subjects are receiving chronic medication(s).
miR-29a activates expression of α-cardiac myosin heavy chain via β1 thyroid hormone receptor
in neonatal rats
Authors: Wang Chengbin , He Ru , Liu Xiaohui , Li Junhua , Pan Rui
Published: January 2020

Introduction

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs which are regulators of gene expression and also regulate the genes in heart tissues. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of miRs on the expression level of myosin heavy chain (MHC), which is responsible for regulation of cardiac functions in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes and mice.

Material and methods

The miRs were suppressed in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes using small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against Dicer followed by evaluation of MHC levels. For in vivo study the C57 black/6 Jacksonian mice were subjected to the transverse aortic constriction (TAC) procedure.

Results

The Dicer siRNA suppressed the endogenous miRs and the -MHC gene but failed to down-regulate the -MHC. Among the 17 selected miRs, miR-29a was found to up-regulate the -MHC gene significantly but not -MHC. The expression of -MHC was suppressed by silencing the expression of miR-29a. Bioinformatics study done by TargetScan suggested thyroid hormone receptor-1 (TR-1) as a potential target of miR-29a. Additionally, miR-29a was found to regulate the expression of -MHC via TR-1 signaling.

Conclusions

The findings of the present study indicated that miR-29a modulates expression of -the MHC gene by targeting TR-1 in cardiac cells. The study may provide a new direction for treating cardiac failure and cardiac hypertrophy.
South Pacific Subtropical High from the late Holocene to the end of the 21st century: insights from climate proxies and general circulation models
Authors: Flores-Aqueveque Valentina , Rojas Maisa , Aguirre Catalina , Arias Paola A. , González Charles
Published: January 2020

Abstract. The South Pacific Subtropical High (SPSH) is a
predominant feature of the South American climate. The variability of this
high-pressure center induces changes in the intensity of coastal alongshore
winds and precipitation, among others, over southwestern South America. In
recent decades, strengthening and expansion of the SPSH have been observed
and attributed to the current global warming. These changes have led to an
intensification of the southerly winds along the coast of northern to
central Chile and a decrease in precipitation from central to southern
Chile. Motivated by improving our understanding about the regional impacts
of climate change in this part of the Southern Hemisphere, we analyzed SPSH
changes during the two most extreme climate events of the last millennium,
the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the Current Warm Period (CWP: 1970–2000), based
on paleoclimate records and CMIP5/PMIP3 model simulations. In order to
assess the level of agreement of general circulation models, we also compare
them with ERA-Interim reanalysis data for the 1979–2009 period as a
complementary analysis. Finally, with the aim of evaluating future SPSH
behavior, we include 21st century projections under a Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP8.5) scenario in
our analyses. Our results indicate that during the relative warm (cold)
period, the SPSH expands (contracts). Together with this change, alongshore
winds intensify (weaken) south (north) of ∼35∘ S; also, southern westerly winds become stronger
(weaker) and shift southward (northward). Model results generally
underestimate reanalysis data. These changes are in good agreement with
paleoclimate records, which suggest that these variations could be related
to tropical climate dynamics but also to extratropical phenomena. However,
although models adequately represent most of the South American climate
changes, they fail to represent the Intertropical Convergence Zone–Hadley cell system dynamics, emphasizing the importance of improving
tropical system dynamics in simulations for a better understanding of its
effects on South America. Climate model projections indicate that changes
recently observed will continue during the next decades, highlighting the need
to establish effective mitigation and adaptation strategies against their
environmental and socioeconomic impacts.
Conditional simulation of surface rainfall fields using modified phase annealing
Authors: Yan Jieru , Bárdossy András , Hörning Sebastian , Tao Tao
Published: January 2020

Abstract. The accuracy of quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) over a certain region and period is of vital importance across multiple domains and disciplines. However, due to the intricate tempo-spatial variability and the intermittent nature of precipitation, it is challenging to obtain QPE with adequate accuracy. This paper aims at simulating rainfall fields honoring both the local constraints subject by the point-wise rain-gauge observations and the global constraints subject by the field measurement from weather radar. The employed conditional simulation method is the modified phase annealing (PA), which is practically an evolvement of the traditional simulated annealing (SA). Yet, unlike SA which implements perturbations in the spatial field, PA implements perturbations in the Fourier space, making it superior to SA in many aspects. The modification of PA is reflected in two aspects. First, taking advantage of the global characteristic of PA, the method is only used to deal with global constraints, and the local ones are handed over to residual kriging. Second, except for the system temperature, the number of perturbed phases is also annealed during the simulation process, making the influence of the perturbation more global at initial phases. The impact of the perturbation decreases gradually as the number of the perturbed phases decreases. The proposed method is used to simulate the rainfall field for a 30-min-event using different scenarios: with and without integrating the uncertainty of the radar-indicated rainfall pattern and with different objective functions.
Yttrium speciation in subduction zone fluids from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Stefanski Johannes , Jahn Sandro
Published: January 2020

Abstract. The rare earth elements (REE) are important geochemical tracers for geological processes such as high grade metamorphism. Aqueous fluids are considered important carriers for the REE in a variety of geological environments including settings associated with subduction zones. The capacity of a fluid to mobilize REE strongly depends on its chemical composition and on the presence of suitable ligands such as fluoride and chloride. In this study we present structural and thermodynamic properties of aqueous yttrium chloride and fluoride species at a temperature of 800 °C in a pressure range between 1.3 and 4.5 GPa derived from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The total yttrium coordination by H2O and halide ions changes from seven to eight within the pressure range. For the yttrium chloride species a maximum number of three chloride ligands was observed. The derived thermodynamic data show that aqueous yttrium fluoride complexes are more stable than their yttrium chloride counterparts at conditions relevant to slab dehydration. Mixed Y-(Cl,F) complexes are found to be unstable. Furthermore, in contrast to field observations thermodynamic modeling indicates that yttrium should be mobilized at rather low fluoride concentrations in high-grade metasomatic systems. These results suggest a rather low fluoride activity in the majority of subduction zone fluids because yttrium is one of the least mobile REE. Additionally, the simulations indicate that yttrium drives the self-ionization of hydration water molecules as it was observed for other high field strength elements. This might be a general property for highly charged cations in aqueous solutions under high temperature and high pressure conditions.
Interações atmosfera-terra-oceano e suas repercussões na precipitação média registrada no leste da Região Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Diniz Marco Túlio Mendonça , Souza Rosemeri Melo e
Published: January 2020

O texto trata de explicar diferenciações climáticas existentes no leste da Região Nordeste do Brasil motivadas por fenômenos de circulação atmosférica local, influenciados pelas diferenças de pressão atmosférica no estado médio da atmosfera, atentando para as interações atmosfera-terra-oceano na área. Foram realizadas revisão de literatura, análise e interpretação de imagens de satélite e das normais climatológicas da área. Foi identificado que os fenômenos de brisa terra-mar e diferenças locais nos contrastes barométricos oceano-terra são responsáveis por importantes diferenciações climáticas na área. Esse trabalho de Geografia em escala Regional preencheu uma lacuna no conhecimento científico identificada desde a década de 1970.

Palavras-chave: Geografia Regional, Climatologia Regional, Litoral do Nordeste, Costa dos Recifes.
SONHOS E PESADELOS DE RESISTÊNCIA AO PATRIMÔNIO: OS PEDIDOS DE IMPUGNAÇÃO DO TOMBAMENTO DO CENTRO HISTÓRICO DE CUIABÁ (ANOS 1980)
Authors: Lacerda Marina Duque Coutinho de Abreu , Ribeiro Renilson Rosa
Published: January 2020

Ao abordar tombamento como uma regulamentação do Estado que busca a preservação dos bens materiais, este artigo faz uma reflexão acerca da demanda de impugnação impetrada contra o tombamento do Centro Histórico de Cuiabá, fazendo uma breve análise das motivações dos proprietários em confrontação com a argumentação do órgão de preservação do governo federal na década de 1980. Neste sentido, buscamos uma reflexão crítica acerca das políticas de conservação e preservação do patrimônio de Cuiabá e das resistências dos proprietários dos imóveis tombados em aceitar a “monumentalidade” da história que suas edificações abrigariam, o que transformaria sua propriedade em bem simbólico da identidade nacional brasileira.
Pensar o antissemitismo em aula - ensinar e aprender em História
Authors: Lagarto MARIANA DE JESUS SERRANO
Published: January 2020

Este artigo aborda uma situação de boas práticas de ensino e aprendizagem em História, com alunos entre os 14 e os 17 anos, sobre uma questão tão complexa quanto difícil: o antissemitismo na Alemanha nazi. Esta situação foi observada numa investigação conduzida em Portugal (e orientada por Isabel Barca) sobre a forma como as práticas de ensino e de aprendizagem em História no 3º ciclo contribuíam para o desenvolvimento das competências históricas dos alunos. Procurava-se compreender se estas promoviam, ou não, uma orientação temporal dos alunos adequada aos desafios da sociedade atual.
A metodologia do estudo foi inspirada na Grounded Theory por permitir um constante repensar das categorias. A recolha de dados foi feita através da observação direta de aulas, de entrevistas a professores e das respostas dos alunos. A análise indutiva e a triangulação dos dados mostrou que: a) os professores não revelam um único perfil de docência, tendendo antes a oscilar entre perfis de momentos de ensino e de aprendizagem desde a simples transmissão até a momentos centrados em tarefas sofisticadas e desafiantes; b) foi possível estabelecer uma relação entre esses perfis e o tipo de competências desenvolvidas nos alunos (expresso num modelo de três níveis), sendo evidente que a sofisticação das tarefas potencia o aumento da compreensão dos alunos em História.
Leitores e leituras da obra de Sérgio Buarque de Holanda nos anos 1940 e 1950
Authors: Roiz Diogo Da Silva
Published: January 2020

Pretende-se analisar as leituras que foram propostas sobre a obra de Sérgio Buarque de Holanda produzida ao longo dos anos 1940 e 1950, por meio do estudo detalhado das resenhas e dos comentários elaborados a respeito de seus livros. Como veremos abaixo, apesar de não haver certamente a totalidade das notícias que foram publicadas, as edições seguintes de Raízes do Brasil (em 1948, a segunda, e em 1956, a terceira), ou as primeiras de: Cobra de vidro (1944), Monções (1945), Caminhos e fronteiras (1957) e Visão do Paraíso (1958, 1959), não chegaram a gerar um número tão representativo e diversificado de comentários e críticas, como no caso de seu livro de estreia. Ainda mais se considerarmos que nos anos 1950, SBH estava no auge de sua carreira profissional, como diretor do Museu Paulista, e, depois, como catedrático da cadeira de História da Civilização Brasileira do curso de Geografia e História da Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras da Universidade de São Paulo (FFFCL/USP), a partir de 1958.
A linguagem da violência: a teoria política de Giorgio Agamben
Authors: Souza Ronaldo Tadeu de
Published: January 2020

A compreensão do problema da violência nas sociedades contemporâneas, sobretudo quando praticada contra grupos minoritários, é fundamental para qualquer teoria política e social que tenha a pretensão de ser crítica. No Brasil atual, essa questão tornou-se urgente para pesquisadores das ciências sociais e da filosofia. Assim, pretende-se neste ensaio evidenciar que a teoria política construída pelo filósofo, ensaísta e teórico do direito Giorgio Agamben fornece eixos teóricos e conceituais sugestivos para interpretar a questão da violência como fenômeno constituinte das sociedades contemporâneas, e em especial da brasileira. Para mostrar o alcance dessa abordagem, propomos analisar, com base na teoria política agambeniana, um caso particular de violência, o de Cláudia Silva Ferreira, ocorrido no Brasil em 2014.
Viajar nas experiências de mulheres: reflexões sobre os sentidos da mobilidade
Authors: Salata Rosemeire
Published: January 2020

Com base em pesquisa empírica realizada em Santa Lúcia, pequeno município localizado no centro da produção canavieira paulista, o objetivo deste artigo é analisar experiências de mobilidade de mulheres que viajaram do Maranhão para São Paulo. Baseada na expressão nativa viajar, busco evidenciar as múltiplas motivações e formas de atribuição de sentido às mobilidades no universo pesquisado. Parte considerável dos estudos migratórios, centrada na perspectiva de análise dos deslocamentos laborais, acaba por restringir as mobilidades à esfera do trabalho. De outro modo, no universo das migrações, as mulheres também são vistas como aquelas que esperam pelos maridos que partiram, ou como aquelas que os seguem ou os acompanham. Argumento, com base em relatos de campo, que as mulheres participam ativamente das decisões e negociações sobre o ir e vir das famílias. Para além das relações com o trabalho, destaco também os projetos de construção de autonomia individual e/ou familiar, as dimensões associadas aos atos de conhecer e cuidar, além dos acontecimentos relativos às separações, nascimentos e doenças como principais motivações e sentidos que emergem das narrativas das mulheres. As trajetórias aqui discutidas foram reconstruídas com base em materiais de pesquisa compostos por entrevistas em profundidade e fragmentos de conversas informais, ocorridos durante a realização do trabalho de campo.
As múltiplas maneiras de ser dos pombos e seus afetos: como pombos e outras aves cativam os seres humanos
Authors: Moreno Sarah Faria
Published: January 2020

Este artigo propõe uma reflexão a respeito da cativação das pessoas por alguns animais, em determinados contextos e situações específicas, com especial foco nas múltiplas maneiras de ser dos pombos urbanos e em sua capacidade de afetar, além de algumas distinções perante outras aves. Essas reflexões partem, sobretudo, da noção de unloved others e do que concerne às presenças cotidianas para pensar até que ponto é a espécie que determina certa cativação dos seres humanos. Além disso, ao compreendermos as múltiplas maneiras de ser dos pombos e sua capacidade de afetar, vemos interações destes com os humanos que podem ser traduzidas em combate, nojo, controle, apreciação, proteção e convívio. Entendendo que estas interações se dão de maneiras diversas, procuro refletir como a noção de unloved others pode auxiliar para se pensar os pombos, uma vez que estes, em determinados contextos e situações, podem se tratar de uma espécie tida como não querida pelas pessoas, mas também podem ser, em essência, de maneira múltipla.