bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Period of residence in prefabricated temporary housing and psychological distress after the Great East Japan Earthquake: a longitudinal study
Authors: Tanji Fumiya , Tomata Yasutake , Sekiguchi Takuya , Tsuji Ichiro
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Previous studies have reported that displacement from one’s own home after a natural disaster is associated with a higher degree of psychological distress. The present study investigated the longitudinal association between the period of residence in prefabricated temporary housing and psychological distress after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Design, setting and participants

We conducted a longitudinal observation of 284 adults (aged ≥18 years) who had lived in prefabricated temporary housing in Miyagi, Northeastern Japan. The period of residence in prefabricated temporary housing was classified into three categories: <3, 3–4 and >4 years (ie, still living in prefabricated temporary housing).

Outcomes

The Kessler 6-item Psychological Distress Scale (K6) was assessed in both a baseline survey (2011) and a follow-up survey (2016). Higher psychological distress was defined by a K6 score of ≥5. We used Firth’s penalised likelihood method in the multivariate logistic regression model to estimate the adjusted ORs and 95% CIs.

Results

Among the total participants, the proportion of individuals with higher psychological distress at the follow-up survey was significantly higher in the >4 years category (multivariate OR=4.00, 95% CI 1.67 to 10.16) than in the <3 years category. Among participants who had a lower degree of psychological distress at the baseline, the proportion of those whose psychological distress deteriorated was significantly higher in the >4 years category (multivariate OR=4.87, 95% CI 1.26 to 20.28) than in the <3 years category. On the other hand, among the participants who had a higher degree of psychological distress at the baseline, the proportion of those whose psychological distress ameliorated was significantly lower in the >4 years category (multivariate OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.85) than in the <3 years category.

Conclusions

The proportion of individuals with more severe psychological distress was higher among participants who had lived in prefabricated temporary housing for a long period.
Assessing health, quality of life and urogenital function in a sample of the Swedish general population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bock David , Angenete Eva , Gonzales Elisabeth , Heath Jane , Haglind Eva
Published: May 2018

Objective

Evaluate the urinary, bowel and sexual function as well as stress symptoms and depression in a sample of the Swedish population.

Design

A random sample of Swedish men and women in age groups from 30 to 89 years, a total of 3000 individuals, were contacted and after receiving informed consent, a questionnaire was sent.

Main outcome measures

Measures of urinary, bowel, sexual function and quality of life.

Results

The questionnaire was sent to 2094 individuals who gave informed consent. The questionnaire was answered by 1078 individuals. Quality of life, stress symptoms and depressed mood were relatively constant across age groups for both men and women. Urinary function differed significantly across gender and age groups, but bowel function was relatively unaffected by age. Overall bowel dysfunction was slightly more prevalent among women compared with men. For both men and women, the frequency of intercourse or other sexual activities decreased with age, whereas sexually associated distress increased by age in men, but decreased among women.

Conclusions

In a general population, the urinary function varied across age and sex. Overall bowel dysfunction was slightly more prevalent among women compared with men. Sexually associated distress increased by age for men, but decreased for women.

Trial registration number

NCT02392923; Results.
Chlamydia pneumoniae-induced tumour necrosis factor alpha responses are lower in children with asthma compared with non-asthma
Authors: Smith-Norowitz Tamar Anne , Chotikanatis Kobkul , Weaver Diana , Ditkowsky Jared , Norowitz Yitzchok Meir , Hammerschlag Margaret R , Joks Rauno , Kohlhoff Stephan
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Chlamydia pneumoniaerespiratory tract infection has been implicated in the pathogenesis of reactive airway disease and asthma. Innate cytokine responses that are protective of infection with intracellular pathogens may be impaired in patients with asthma. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine related to functions of monocytes and may inhibitC. pneumoniaeinfection. We investigated TNF-α responses inC. pneumoniae-infected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with asthma and non-asthma, and whether ciprofloxacin, azithromycin or doxycycline affects TNF-α responses.

Methods

PBMC (1.5×106) from paediatric patients with asthma (n=19) and non-asthmatic controls (n=6) were infected or mock infected for 1 hour with or withoutC. pneumoniaeAR-39 at a multiplicity of infection=0.1, and cultured+ciprofloxacin, azithromycin or doxycycline (0.1 ug/mL) for 48 hours. TNF-α levels were measured in supernatants by ELISA.

Results

When PBMC from patients with asthma were infected withC. pneumoniae, levels of TNF-α were significantly lower than in subjects without asthma (48 hours) (5.5±5.6, 38.4±53.7; p=0.0113). However, baseline responses (no infection withC. pneumoniae) were similar in asthma and non-asthma (1.0±1.7, 1.1±1.2; p=0.89). When PBMC frompatiens with asthma were infected withC. pneumoniae+ciprofloxacin, azithromycin or doxycycline, TNF-α levels increased (25%–45%); this affect was not observed in PBMC from patients without asthma.

Conclusions

We identified differences in the quantity of TNF-α produced byC. pneumoniae-infected PBMC in asthma compared with non-asthma.
Efficacy of pharmacological therapies for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation: systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Luthra Pavit , Burr Nicholas E , Brenner Darren M , Ford Alexander C
Published: May 2018

Objective

Opioids are increasingly prescribed in the West and have deleterious GI consequences. Pharmacological therapies to treat opioid-induced constipation (OIC) are available, but their relative efficacy is unclear. We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis to address this deficit in current knowledge.

Design

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMBASE Classic and the Cochrane central register of controlled trials through to December 2017 to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of pharmacological therapies in the treatment of adults with OIC. Trials had to report a dichotomous assessment of overall response to therapy, and data were pooled using a random effects model. Efficacy and safety of pharmacological therapies was reported as a pooled relative risk (RR) with 95% CIs to summarise the effect of each comparison tested and ranked treatments according to their P-score.

Results

Twenty-seven eligible RCTs of pharmacological therapies, containing 9149 patients, were identified. In our primary analysis, using failure to achieve an average of ≥3 bowel movements (BMs) per week with an increase of ≥1 BM per week over baseline or an average of ≥3 BMs per week, to define non-response, the network meta-analysis ranked naloxone first in terms of efficacy (RR=0.65; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.80, P-score=0.84), and it was also the safest drug. When non-response to therapy was defined using failure to achieve an average of ≥3 BMs per week, with an increase of ≥1 BM per week over baseline, naldemedinewas ranked first (RR=0.66; 95% CI 0.56 to 0.77, P score=0.91) and alvimopan second (RR=0.74; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.94, P-score=0.71).

Conclusion

In network meta-analysis, naloxone and naldemedine appear to be the most efficacious treatments for OIC. Naloxone was the safest of these agents.
Deep learning Radiomics of shear wave elastography significantly improved diagnostic performance for assessing liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B: a prospective multicentre study
Authors: Wang Kun , Lu Xue , Zhou Hui , Gao Yongyan , Zheng Jian , Tong Minghui , Wu Changjun , Liu Changzhu , Huang Liping , Jiang Tian’an , Meng Fankun , Lu Yongping , Ai Hong , Xie Xiao-Yan , Yin Li-ping , Liang Ping , Tian Jie , Zheng Rongqin
Published: May 2018

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the performance of the newly developed deep learning Radiomics of elastography (DLRE) for assessing liver fibrosis stages. DLRE adopts the radiomic strategy for quantitative analysis of the heterogeneity in two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) images.

Design

A prospective multicentre study was conducted to assess its accuracy in patients with chronic hepatitis B, in comparison with 2D-SWE, aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index and fibrosis index based on four factors, by using liver biopsy as the reference standard. Its accuracy and robustness were also investigated by applying different number of acquisitions and different training cohorts, respectively. Data of 654 potentially eligible patients were prospectively enrolled from 12 hospitals, and finally 398 patients with 1990 images were included. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves was performed to calculate the optimal area under the ROC curve (AUC) for cirrhosis (F4), advanced fibrosis (≥F3) and significance fibrosis (≥F2).

Results

AUCs of DLRE were 0.97 for F4 (95% CI 0.94 to 0.99), 0.98 for ≥F3 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.00) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.89) for ≥F2, which were significantly better than other methods except 2D-SWE in ≥F2. Its diagnostic accuracy improved as more images (especially ≥3 images) were acquired from each individual. No significant variation of the performance was found if different training cohorts were applied.

Conclusion

DLRE shows the best overall performance in predicting liver fibrosis stages compared with 2D-SWE and biomarkers. It is valuable and practical for the non-invasive accurate diagnosis of liver fibrosis stages in HBV-infected patients.

Trial registration number

NCT02313649; Post-results.
Перший досвід лапароскопічної ехінококектомії при рецидивній Ехінококовій кисті селезінки
Authors: Malinovsky A. V. , Mayorenko M. N. , Serhiieva A. S.
Published: May 2018

Мета роботи: оцінка результатів лапароскопічної ехінококектомії в пацієнтки з локалізацією рецидивної кісти в селезінці.Матеріали та методи. Лапароскопічна ехінококектомія (напівзакритий варіант) виконана пацієнтці 37-ми років з рецидивною ехінококовою кістою діаметром 6 см, локалізованою в верхньому полюсі селезінки і частково інтрапаренхіматозно. Під час операції використовували 4 троакари: два 10 мм і два 5 мм. Після аспірації хітинових оболонок за допомогою 10 мм тубуса відсмоктувача (з високим розрідженням) порожнину дренували двома поліхлорвініловими трубками з герметизацією отвору фіброзної капсули прошиванням.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Операція тривала 100 хвилин, пацієнтку виписали зі стаціонару на 4-й день післяопераційного періоду з добре взаємно функціонуючими дренажами. Надалі пацієнтці проводили промивання залишкової порожнини розчином бетадину 1:100 в амбулаторному порядку щодня. Післяопераційних ускладнень не було.
“Свіжі” пошкодження позапечінкових жовчних проток
Authors: Askarov P. A.
Published: May 2018

У статті проведено аналіз клінічних спостережень (вітчизняних та закордонних) з початку 1990 років щодо причин, сприятливих обставин, факторів ризику, профілактики та лікування ятрогенних пошкоджень позапечінкових жовчних проток, в тому числі так званих “свіжих”. Наведено різні класифікації, фактори ризику цього ускладнення. Узагальнено можливості інструментальних методів діагностики (черезшкірна черезпечінкова холангіографія, ендоскопічна ретроградна панкреатохолангіографія, магнітно-резонансна томографія, комп’ютерна томографія, ультразвукове дослідження) та методів профілактики, особливості їх застосування. Також наведено способи та методи лікування інтраопераційних пошкоджень жовчних проток.Як свідчать отримані дані, ні тривалість захворювання, ні характер операційного втручання (планове чи ургентне), ні діаметр протоки, ні навіть професійний стаж хірурга не впливають на ймовірність пошкодження жовчних протоків.Вказані обставини вказують на необхідність подальшого удосконалення системного розгляду даної проблеми.
Випадок казуїстичного перебігу гострого деструктивного холециститу в поєднанні з холедохолітіазом
Authors: Deikalo I. M. , Osadchuk D. V. , Karel O. I. , Lipsky V. M.
Published: May 2018

Мета роботи: вказати на казуїстичний перебіг гострого деструктивного холециститу в поєднанні з холедохолітіазом. Відобразити високу ефективність сучасних малоінвазивних технологій в лікуванні ускладнених випадків жовчнокам’яної хвороби
Результати хірургічного лікування хворих на післяопераційний перитоніт
Authors: Shevchuk I. M. , Dronyak M. M. , Popadyuk O. Ya. , Fedorkiv M. B. , Dronyak V. M.
Published: May 2018

Мета роботи: покращити результати хірургічного лікування хворих на післяопераційний перитоніт, ускладнений абдомінальним сепсисом, шляхом покращення своєчасної діагностики та впровадження оптимальної хірургічної тактики.Матеріали і методи. За 2010–2017 рр. внутрішньоочеревинні ускладнення діагностовано у 209 (2,4 %) із 8762 хворих, прооперованих у клініці із приводу гострих і хронічних захворювань органів черевної порожнини.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Абсцеси черевної порожнини спостерігали у 142 (67,9 %) хворих, розповсюджений перитоніт – 67 (42,1 %) хворих. Міні-інвазивні технології (лапароскопічні втручання, дренування гнійника під контролем УЗД) були ефективними у 129 (61,7 %) хворих. Релапаротомію (РЛ) виконали у 80 (38,3 %) хворих, з них при розповсюдженому перитоніті – у 61 (91 %) із 67 хворих, при абсцесах черевної порожнини – у 19 (13,4 %) із 142 хворих. Перші прояви інтраабдомінальних ускладнень мали характер гострої дихальної недостатності – у 95 (45,5 %), серцево-судинної недостатності – у 68 (32,5 %), печінково-ниркової дисфункції – у 46 (22 %) хворих за відсутності чітких місцевих ознак захворювання. Серед 80 хворих, яким виконали РЛ за шкалою Marshall J.C., 9–12 балів встановлено у 34 (42,5 %). Одну РЛ виконано у 46 (57,5 %) хворих. По дві РЛ виконано у 26 (32,5 %), по три РЛ – у 8 (10 %) хворих. Виникнення потреби у проведенні повторних РЛ у 34 (42,5 %) супроводжувалося значним зростанням рівня летальності. Так, після першої РЛ померли 7 (15,2 %) із 46 хворих, після другої РЛ – 12 (63,2 %) із 19, після третьої РЛ 6 (75 %) із 8 хворих. Застосування прецизійної техніки, лаважу черевної порожнини розчинами антисептиків (8–12 л) до чистих промивних вод, інтраабдомінальне застосування “Екстранілу”, назоінтестинальної інтубації тонкої кишки, поряд з іншими методами лікування, сприяли більш швидкій ліквідації ознак абдомінального сепсису, зниженню числа повторних РЛ, зменшенню післяопераційної летальності з 47,7 до 11,1 %.
Бактеріальний “пейзаж” гнійного осередку та принципи антибактеріальної терапії у хворих із синдромом діабетичної стопи
Authors: Dzyubanovsky I. Ya. , Atoshchuk R. Ya.
Published: May 2018

Мета роботи: оцінка бактеріального спектра та ефективності призначення антибактеріальної терапії у хворих з синдромом діабетичної стопи.Матеріали і методи. Проаналізовано результати лікування 269 хворих (148 (55,01%) чоловіків і 121 (44,09%) жінок), які перебували на стаціонарному лікуванні в хірургічному відділенні з остеомієлітним центром на базі Волинського обласного госпіталю ветеранів війни з приводу гнійно-некротичних ускладнень СДС. Всі обстежені пацієнти попередньо проходили лікування в хірургічних стаціонарах області з приводу гнійно-некротичних процесів СДС, яким проводили емпіричну антибіотикотерапію тривалістю до 10 днів. Нейропатичну форму СДС встановлено у 84 (31,2 %) пацієнтів, змішану – 148 (55,01 %), ішемічну – 37 (13,7 %). Поширеність гнійно-некротичного процесу у хворих з СДС, відповідно до класифікації Wagner: I ступінь – 20 (7,4 %), II ступінь – 92 (34,2 %), III ступінь – 70 (26 %), IV ступінь – 65 (24,2 %), V ступінь – 22 (8,2 %). Комплекс бактеріологічних досліджень полягав у дослідженні ранового ексудату з ідентифікацією мікрофлори гнійно- некротичного вогнища й оцінкою її чутливості до антибіотиків та цитологічному дослідженні мазків-відбитків з ранової поверхні. Ідентифікацію збудників інфекційного процесу здійснювали методом посівів на відповідні живильні середовища, а чутливість до антибіотиків визначали диско-дифузійним методом.Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. Мікробний пейзаж гнійно-некротичних вогнищ у хворих із ЦД мав переважно полівалентний характер у 54,6 % випадків, а монокультуру у 45,4% пацієнтів. Найбільшу кількість мікробних асоціацій, що висівалися з первинного гнійного осередку, склали аеробні асоціації – 54,6 %. Аеробно-анаеробні асоціації висівалися в поодиноких випадках, а висівання анаеробних асоціацій не спостерігали. Основним представником змішаної аеробної інфекції був Staphylococcus aureus. Найчастіше Staphylococcus aureus висівався разом з грампозитивними паличками – Entero­coccus faecalis, Corynebacterium xerosis та Staphilococcus epidermidis. Найбільше клінічне значення з групи неферментуючих мікроорганізмів у складі аеробних асоціацій має Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Результати дослідження чутливості мікроорганізмів при госпіталізації свідчать про високу стійкість мікрофлори до антибіотиків I–II поколінь групи пеніцилінів, цефалоспоринів. Антибіотиками резерву залишаються препарати групи карбапенемів, оксазолідінонів, глікопептидів.
До 100-річчя від дня народження О. О. Шалімова
Authors: хірургія Шпитальна
Published: May 2018

Олександр Олексійович Шалімов народився 20 січня 1918 р. у селянській багатодітній родині в селі Введенка Липецької області (Росія).
Novel Phospholipid Signature of Depressive Symptoms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Chan Parco , Suridjan Ivonne , Mohammad Dana , Herrmann Nathan , Mazereeuw Graham , Hillyer Lyn M. , Ma David W. L. , Oh Paul I. , Lanctôt Krista L.
Published: May 2018

Background

Depression in patients with coronary artery disease (
CAD
) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. Given the proinflammatory actions of phospholipids, aberrant phospholipid metabolism may be an etiological mechanism linking
CAD
and depression. Our primary objective was to identify a phospholipid biomarker panel that characterizes
CAD
patients with significant depressive symptoms from those without.

Methods and Results

We performed a targeted lipidomic analysis on
CAD
patients with significant depressive symptoms (n=37, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression score ≥16) and those without (n=49). Phospholipid species were selected using partial least‐square discriminant analysis, and the ability of the resulting model to discriminate between groups was evaluated using receiver operator characteristic curves. Biosignature scores were calculated from this model, and analyses of covariance were performed to compare intergroup differences in biosignature scores, with adjustment for clinical differences between patients. Those with significant depressive symptoms had lower cardiopulmonary fitness, more prevalent history of depression, and a greater number of vascular risk factors. A model of 10 phospholipid species had an area under the curve value of 0.84 (95% confidence interval 0.72‐0.95), sensitivity of 0.73, and specificity of 0.71. This model passed permutation testing (n=1000,
P
<0.001). Biosignature scores were higher in those with significant depressive symptoms after adjustment for potential confounders (F[1.86]=14.39,
P
<0.0005).

Conclusions

The present findings support the role of proinflammatory phospholipid species in the presence of depression in
CAD
patients from the
CAROTID
trial (Coronary Artery Disease Randomized Omega‐3 Trial in Depression). Future investigations should aim to replicate findings in larger data sets and clarify possible pathophysiological mechanisms.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier:
NCT
00981383.
Pope Francis at Lund, 2016, and the Relevance of Wolfhart Pannenberg’s Ecumenical Theology
Authors: Wen Clement Yung
Published: May 2018

After a long ecumenical Winter, it seems that Spring may finally be on the way, especially in light of the joint liturgical event in Lund, Sweden, between Pope Francis and leaders of the Lutheran World Federation, in 2016, heralding the symbolic quincentenary of Martin Luther’s Reformation. Against this background, this article suggests that Wolfhart Pannenberg’s (1928–2014) ecumenical theology deserves a fresh hearing. Pannenberg’s view of the ecumenical place of the Bishop of Rome, his re-appropriation of transubstantiation as a ‘transignification’, and his defence of Lutheran ordinations against Vatican II’s pronouncement that they suffer from a defectus ordinis, are outlined. At this juncture Pannenberg’s legacy can chart a way forward for Christian unity, especially eucharistic communion, for the Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches.
Reconciliation in Ecumenical Relations: The Priority of Grace
Authors: Knorn Bernhard
Published: May 2018

This article proposes a theological understanding of ‘reconciliation’ for the ecumenical model ‘unity in reconciled diversity’. Although reconciliation has become an important task in ecumenical relations, particularly after condemnations and violence in the past, the concept itself has not yet found sufficient theological grounding. Discussing a theology of the cross, the paper highlights the grace of being reconciled with God which stands before any division in the church and calls for re-establishing Christian unity. In order to relate this priority of grace to an understanding of reconciliation in the world and among Christian communities, the concept of the church as sacrament proves helpful. Both the theology of the cross and the church as sacrament provide significant specifications to the idea of a ‘unity in reconciled diversity’.
Model of the final borehole geometry for helical laser drilling
Authors: Kroschel Alexander , Michalowski Andreas , Graf Thomas
Published: May 2018

A model for predicting the borehole geometry for laser drilling is presented based on the calculation of a surface of constant absorbed fluence. It is applicable to helical drilling of through-holes with ultrashort laser pulses. The threshold fluence describing the borehole surface is fitted for best agreement with experimental data in the form of cross-sections of through-holes of different shapes and sizes in stainless steel samples. The fitted value is similar to ablation threshold fluence values reported for laser ablation models.
Ablation dynamics – from absorption to heat accumulation/ultra-fast laser matter interaction
Authors: Kramer Thorsten , Remund Stefan , Jäggi Beat , Schmid Marc , Neuenschwander Beat
Published: May 2018

Ultra-short laser radiation is used in manifold industrial applications today. Although state-of-the-art laser sources are providing an average power of 10–100 W with repetition rates of up to several megahertz, most applications do not benefit from it. On the one hand, the processing speed is limited to some hundred millimeters per second by the dynamics of mechanical axes or galvanometric scanners. On the other hand, high repetition rates require consideration of new physical effects such as heat accumulation and shielding that might reduce the process efficiency. For ablation processes, process efficiency can be expressed by the specific removal rate, ablated volume per time, and average power. The analysis of the specific removal rate for different laser parameters, like average power, repetition rate or pulse duration, and process parameters, like scanning speed or material, can be used to find the best operation point for microprocessing applications. Analytical models and molecular dynamics simulations based on the so-called two-temperature model reveal the causes for the appearance of limiting physical effects. The findings of models and simulations can be used to take advantage and optimize processing strategies.
Endogenous Mergers in Markets with Vertically Differentiated Products
Authors: Gabszewicz Jean J. , Marini Marco A. , Tarola Ornella
Published: May 2018

This paper studies the incentives of firms selling vertically differentiated products to merge. To this aim, we introduce a three-stage game in which, at the first stage, three independent firms can decide to merge with their competitors via a sequential game of coalition formation and, at the second and third stage, they can optimally revise their qualities and prices, respectively. We study whether such binding agreements (i.e. full or partial mergers) can be sustained as subgame perfect equilibria of the coalition formation game, and analyze their effects on equilibrium qualities, prices and profits. We find that, although profitable, the merger-to-monopoly of all firms is not an outcome of the finite-horizon negotiation, where only partial mergers arise. Moreover, we show that all stable mergers always include the firm initially producing the bottom quality good and reduce the number of variants on sale.
mTOR modulates CD8+ T cell differentiation in mice with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Wang Hao , Xiao Yu , Su Longxiang , Cui Na , Liu Dawei
Published: May 2018

CD8+ T cells are a vital component of the adaptive immune system and important for eliminating intracellular pathogens. Notably, mTOR activity is associated with CD8+ T effector memory (Tem) cell differentiation in fungal infections. This study investigates the molecular mechanisms of CD8+ Tem cell proliferation and differentiation mediated by the mTOR pathway in immunosuppressed mice with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). We first established the immunosuppressed IPA mouse model, then mice were subjected to rapamycin treatment daily or interleukin (IL)-12 treatment every other day. Lung tissues and blood samples were obtained seven days later. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured from the lung tissue of mice inoculated with A. fumigatus spores. After IL-12 treatment, the expression of mTOR and its downstream signaling molecule S6 kinase, number of CD8+ Tem cells and interferon-γ expression were significantly increased, while they were significantly decreased after treatment with rapamycin. Additionally, IL-12 treatment induced T-bet but inhibited Eomesodermin expression, while the opposite was seen when the mTOR pathway was blocked by rapamycin. In conclusion, we found that the mTOR pathway induced CD8+ T cell proliferation and differentiation by regulating T-bet and Eomesodermin expression, which significantly influenced immune regulation during IPA and enhanced the immune response against fungal infection.
Quantification of human complement C2 protein using an automated turbidimetric immunoassay
Authors: Tange Clare Elizabeth , Johnson-Brett Bridget , Cook Alex , Stordeur Patrick , Brohet Fabian , Jolles Stephen , Steven Rachel , Ponsford Mark , Roberts Andrew , El-Shanawany Tariq , Harding Stephen , Wallis Gregg , Parker Antony Richard
Published: May 2018

Background:

The measurement of complement components is clinically useful where a deficiency is suspected, or where excessive activation and consumption are present in disease. C2 deficiency carries an increased risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus, recurrent infections and atherosclerosis. In this study, we have evaluated The Binding Site’s Human Complement C2 SPAPLUS®assay.

Methods:

Linearity was tested using 13 sample dilutions covering the standard measuring range. Within- and between-assay variabilities were calculated using five samples with different C2 concentrations. The correlation between C2 concentrations in EDTA-plasma and serum was assessed, as was the correlation between C2 measurements by the automated assay and radial immunodiffusion. C2 concentrations were compared with CH50 activity, and quantified in individuals with homozygous or heterozygous C2 deficiency, acquired angioedema and patients with chronic inflammatory conditions.

Results:

The assay was linear across the measuring range (3.8–42.3 mg/L). Intra- and interassay variability were 2.3%–3.8% and 0%–3.3%, respectively. Comparison between C2 measurements in EDTA-plasma and serum provided a strong correlation (p<0.0001, R2=0.82, slope 0.92), as did the correlation between the automated and radial immunodiffusion methods (p<0.0001, R2=0.89, slope 1.07). A positive correlation between C2 concentration and CH50 activity was demonstrated (p<0.0001, R2=0.48). Significant differences were observed between the median C2 concentrations obtained in healthy controls and the patient clinical samples, with homozygous C2-deficient patients giving below detectable results.

Conclusions:

This C2 SPAPLUS®assay allows the automated, rapid and precice quantification of complement C2 protein and could therefore be considered as a replacement for older, more time-consuming methods.
Toward harmonization of clinical molecular diagnostic reports: findings of an international survey
Authors: Payne Deborah A. , Baluchova Katarina , Russomando Graciela , Ahmad-Nejad Parviz , Mamotte Cyril , Rousseau Francois , van Schaik Ron H.N. , Marriott Kristin , Maekawa Masato , Chan K.C. Allen
Published: May 2018

Background:

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189 standard provides recommendations for the postexamination reporting phase to enhance quality in clinical laboratories. The purpose of this study was to encourage a broad discussion on current reporting practices for molecular diagnostic tests by conducting a global survey of such practices.

Methods:

The International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine’s Committee for Molecular Diagnostics (IFCC C-MD) surveyed laboratories on selected ISO 15189 recommendations and topics. The survey addressed the following aspects: (1) laboratory demographics, (2) report format, (3) result reporting/layout, (4) comments in report and (5) interpretation and clinical decision-making information. Additionally, participants indicated categories needing standardization.

Results:

Sixteen responses from laboratories located in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America were received. Several categories yielded 100% agreement between laboratories, whereas other categories had less than or equal to 50% concordance. Participants scored “nomenclature” and “description of methodologies” as the two most frequently cited aspects needing standardization.

Conclusions:

The postexamination phase requires extensive and consistent communication between the laboratory, the healthcare provider and the end user. Surveyed laboratories were most likely to follow explicit ISO 15189 recommendations vs. recommendations when the term(s) “where appropriate or where applicable” was used. Interpretation and reporting of critical values varied among participants. Although the outcome of this study may not fully represent the practices of all molecular testing laboratories in countries around the world, the survey identified and specified several recommendations that are requirements for harmonized reporting in molecular diagnostics.
Harmonization in autoimmune thyroid disease diagnostics
Authors: Tozzoli Renato , Bizzaro Nicola
Published: May 2018

In this review we analyze all aspects of total testing process regarding the measurement of antithyroid peroxidase, antithyroglobulin and antithyrotropin receptor autoantibodies. The main critical points related to the preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical steps of autoimmune thyroid disease diagnostics are considered, focusing on harmonization of autoimmune thyroid tests request, retesting intervals, terminology of thyroid autoantibodies, measurement units and definition of reference limits. Harmonization in thyroid autoantibody testing is a relevant example of feasible harmonization in autoimmunology.
Verification of reference intervals in routine clinical laboratories: practical challenges and recommendations
Authors: Ozarda Yesim , Higgins Victoria , Adeli Khosrow
Published: May 2018

Reference intervals (RIs) are fundamental tools used by healthcare and laboratory professionals to interpret patient laboratory test results, ideally enabling differentiation of healthy and unhealthy individuals. Under optimal conditions, a laboratory should perform its own RI study to establish RIs specific for its method and local population. However, the process of developing RIs is often beyond the capabilities of an individual laboratory due to the complex, expensive and time-consuming process to develop them. Therefore, a laboratory can alternatively verify RIs established by an external source. Common RIs can be established by large, multicenter studies and can subsequently be received by local laboratories using various verification procedures. The standard approach to verify RIs recommended by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) EP28-A3c guideline for routine clinical laboratories is to collect and analyze a minimum of 20 samples from healthy subjects from the local population. Alternatively, “data mining” techniques using large amounts of patient test results can be used to verify RIs, considering both the laboratory method and local population. Although procedures for verifying RIs in the literature and guidelines are clear in theory, gaps remain for the implementation of these procedures in routine clinical laboratories. Pediatric and geriatric age-groups also continue to pose additional challenges in respect of acquiring and verifying RIs. In this article, we review the current guidelines/approaches and challenges to RI verification and provide a practical guide for routine implementation in clinical laboratories.
Improving IBD diagnosis and monitoring by understanding preanalytical, analytical and biological fecal calprotectin variability
Authors: Padoan Andrea , D’Incà Renata , Scapellato Maria Luisa , De Bastiani Rudi , Caccaro Roberta , Mescoli Claudia , Moz Stefania , Bozzato Dania , Zambon Carlo-Federico , Lorenzon Greta , Rugge Massimo , Plebani Mario , Basso Daniela
Published: May 2018

Background:

The appropriate clinical use of fecal calprotectin (fCal) might be compromised by incomplete harmonization between assays and within- and between-subjects variability. Our aim was to investigate the analytical and biological variability of fCal in order to provide tools for interpreting fCal in the clinical setting.

Methods:

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of temperature and storage time on fCal. Thirty-nine controls were enrolled to verify biological variability, and a case-control study was conducted on 134 controls and 110 IBD patients to compare the clinical effectiveness of three different fCal assays: ELISA, CLIA and turbidimetry.

Results:

A 12% decline in fCal levels was observed within 24 h following stool collection irrespective of storage temperature. Samples were unstable following a longer storage time interval at room temperature. Within- and between-subjects fCal biological variability, at 31% and 72% respectively, resulted in a reference change value (RCV) in the region of 100%. fCal sensitivity in distinguishing between controls and IBD patients is satisfactory (68%), and the specificity high (93%) among young (<65 years), but not among older (≥65 years) subjects (ROC area: 0.584; 95% CI: 0.399–0.769). Among the young, assays have different optimal thresholds (120 μg/g for ELISA, 50 μg/g for CLIA and 100 μg/g for turbidimetry).

Conclusions:

We recommend a standardized preanalytical protocol for fCal, avoiding storage at room temperature for more than 24 h. Different cutoffs are recommended for different fCal assays. In monitoring, the difference between two consecutive measurements appears clinically significant when higher than 100%, the fCal biological variability-derived RCV.
Strategies of Dividend policy of the companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange
Authors: Jabłoński Bartłomiej , Kuczowic Jacek
Published: May 2018

Research into the determinants of companies’ decisions about paying out dividends, which has been described in the Polish specialist literature, concentrates mainly on the dividends actually paid out. The research presented in the article refers to declarations of the companies included in their dividend policies. The aim of the article is to present an attitude to dividend policy exhibited by the companies listed on the Warsaw stock exchange. A particular attempt was made at identifying various formulas of constructing dividend policies by the companies and the declared conditions for dividend payments and their amounts. 118 dividend companies took part in the research and they were selected from among the companies listed on the Warsaw stock exchange in the years 2006-2012. The authors have analysed the dividend policy of the companies in terms of its components and the way it was formulated, as well as the determinants of decisions about dividend payments declared by the companies. The results of the analysis were referred to the types of strategies of the dividend policy presented in the specialist literature. The research results indicate that the boards of many companies do not consider formulating and publicising the principles of making dividend payments to be a relevant area of investor relations. The dividend policy of the companies is usually formulated too generally, with the use of general statements. Satisfying capital needs for the planned development processes appears to be a basic determinant of the distribution of profit, which is why residual dividend policy is prevalent in the analysed companies.
Geometric Method of Determining Hazard for the Continuous Survival Function
Authors: Bieszk-Stolorz Beata
Published: May 2018

A basic assumption in proportional intensity models is the proportionality, that each covariate has a multiplicative effect on the intensity. The proportionality assumption is a strong assumption which is not always necessarily reasonable and thus needs to be checked. The survival analysis often employs graphic methods to study hazard proportionality. In this paper a geometrical method for determining the value of the hazard function on the basis of the continuous survival function was proposed. This method can be used to compare the intensity of the event for objects belonging to two subgroups of the analysed population. If we have graphs of survival function, then an analysis of the tangents at a specific time and their roots enables us to find the intensity and to study the relationship between them for different subgroups. This method can also be useful when studying the proportionality of hazard. It is a condition for the use of the Cox proportional hazards model. The above method was used to evaluate the effect of unemployment benefit and gender on unemployment and on the intensity of finding a job.
The effect of selected gaseous air pollutants on woody plants
Authors: Baciak Michał , Warmiński Kazimierz , Bęś Agnieszka
Published: May 2018

The article discusses gaseous air pollutants that have the greatest impact on forest ecosystems. This group of pollutants ncludes sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxides (NO and NO2) and ozone (O3).

In the 20th century, the major contributor to forest degradation was sulfur dioxide, a gaseous substance with direct and powerful phytotoxic and acidifying effects. Since then, sulfur dioxide emissions have been significantly reduced in Europe and North America, but they continue to grow in East Asia along with China’s economic boom. Nitric oxides affect woody plants directly by entering through the stomata and indirectly through soil acidification and environmental eutrophication. Ozone, in turn, is found in photochemical smog and is produced by conversion of its precursors (nitric oxides, organic compounds and carbon monoxide). It is a strong oxidizing agent which disrupts various physiological processes, mostly photosynthesis and water use in plants, but is also the air pollutant that exerts the most toxic effect on forest ecosystems.
Density of red squirrels and their use of non-native tree species in the Rogów Arboretum
Authors: Krauze-Gryz Dagny , Mazur Kinga , Gryz Jakub
Published: May 2018

The aim of the study was to compare the densities of red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the arboretum and a neighbouring forest and to investigate which tree species the squirrels used. The study was conducted in the area of the Rogów Arboretum (53.76 ha) and the so-called Zimna Woda and Wilczy Dół forest complexes (altogether 536 ha), all being part of an Experimental Forest Station in Rogów. The density of squirrels in the arboretum and the neighbouring forest was estimated and compared by means of snow tracks on transect routes. Changes in the abundance of squirrels throughout one year as well as their behaviour were determined on the basis of direct observations along transects running through the arboretum. More than half of the area of the arboretum was searched in order to record feeding signs of squirrels. Additionally, trees with bark stripping were recorded.

The density of snow tracks was higher in the arboretum (0.19 tracks/100 m/24 h) than in the neighbouring forest (0.09 tracks/100 m/24 h). The largest number of observations of red squirrels along transects was made between February and April, in July and August and in October and November. In about half of the cases, squirrels were feeding on one of six non-native tree species (most often on cones of Macedonian pine, Pinus peuce). Feeding signs were found on 39 plots (17%) and 16 different tree species. The most numerous feeding signs were found on plots with Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and also on plots with the western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Swiss pine (Pinus cembra), mountain silverbell (Halesia monticola) as well as shagbark (Carya ovata) and shellbark hickories (C. laciniosa). On eight plots, trees with signs of bark stripping were found, most commonly on Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera). Its soft bark was probably used to build dreys. In the area of the arboretum, the natural food sources (seeds of native trees) are supplemented with numerous non-native tree species, which seeds are also consumed by squirrels. The highly abundant and diverse food sources promote a higher density of the red squirrel in the area of the arboretum. Additionally, when tree seeds are scarce in the neighbouring forest, squirrels migrate into the arboretum.
Children’s Liability in Negligence
Authors: Pantaleón Díaz Marta
Published: May 2018

This article enquires as to the principles that should govern children’s liability in the tort of negligence in England and Wales and its functional equivalents in other European legal systems. Infants are currently exempted from liability in negligence in virtually every European jurisdiction. In most of them, this result is achieved by making basic moral responsibility a requirement for liability under this tort, while in others it is brought about by tailoring to the defendant’s age the standard against which her conduct is measured. I argue that, whereas neither of these approaches is entirely consistent with the internal logic of the tort of negligence, their common practical outcome is grounded in the combined force of two main policy reasons: children’s general impecuniosity and their inherent inability rationally to manage their own affairs. It is my contention that these reasons can be honoured, while at the same time preserving doctrinal and theoretical integrity, by recognising a (defeasible) infancy defence to liability in negligence.
Extending the Frontiers of Tort Law: Liability for Ecological Harm in the French Civil Code
Authors: Taylor Simon
Published: May 2018

In August 2016 the French Parliament adopted legislation introducing civil liability for ecological harm into the civil code. Since tort law is traditionally concerned with the compensation of harm to individuals, the recognition of ecological harm as a basis of liability extends the boundaries of tort by requiring an alternative approach to what constitutes harm, who will have standing to bring claims and what remedies are appropriate. Through a discussion of the French reform, this article analyses the issues raised in adapting civil liability to deal with ecological harm and considers how French law seeks to overcome the challenges that these issues present. The article also reflects on whether the new civil code provisions are likely to provide an attractive model for reform in other legal systems by considering the extent to which they may represent an effective additional source of environmental protection in France and prove financially sustainable.
Assessment of dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with asthma
Authors: Nar Rukiye , Çalış Aliye Gamze
Published: May 2018

Background:

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease and oxidative stress is an important component in airway inflammation. This study aims to investigate dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with asthma.

Methods:

A total of 103 subjects, including 56 patients with asthma and 47 healthy controls, of similar age and gender were included in the study. The native thiol, total thiol and disulfide levels and the disulfide-native thiol, disulfide-total thiol and native thiol-total thiol ratios were analyzed and compared between the asthma and control groups using a novel automatized spectrophotometric assay.

Results:

The levels of native thiol (p<0.001), total thiol (p<0.001) and disulfide (p<0.001) were significantly lower and the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p<0.001) were significantly higher in patients with asthma when compared with those in the control group. A negative correlation was detected between CRP levels and native thiol, total thiol and disulfide levels (p<0.05). A significant positive correlation was detected between forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) levels and native thiol and total thiol levels (p<0.01).

Conclusions:

The thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters may be used as novel oxidative stress markers in asthma but further studies are needed to investigate the role of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in asthma.
Reconciling the Right to Learn with Copyright Protection in the Digital Age: Limitations of Contemporary Copyright Treaties
Authors: Ugwu Uchenna Felicia
Published: May 2018

This article examines whether the current exceptions to copyright granted in contemporary intellectual property agreements give effect to the user rights to learn. It looks into the nature of the user rights to learn and how it is affected by copyright, technological protection measures, and digital rights management. Critical analysis is made of the effectiveness of exceptions to copyrights in international law, for advancing the users’ right to learn in the digital age. The article proposes the right to learn as an independent user right and examines how it can be incorporated in the copyright regulations by maximizing the differentiation principle, so as to advance the overall development in society.