bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Genetic System for the Thermophilic Acetogenic Bacterium Thermoanaerobacter kivui
Authors: Basen Mirko , Geiger Irina , Henke Laura , Müller Volker
Published: November 2017

Thermoanaerobacter kivui
is one of the very few thermophilic acetogenic microorganisms. It grows optimally at 66°C on sugars but also lithotrophically with H
2
+ CO
2
or with CO, producing acetate as the major product. While a genome-derived model of acetogenesis has been developed, only a few physiological or biochemical experiments regarding the function of important enzymes in carbon and energy metabolism have been carried out. To address this issue, we developed a method for targeted markerless gene deletions and for integration of genes into the genome of
T. kivui
. The strain naturally took up plasmid DNA in the exponential growth phase, with a transformation frequency of up to 3.9 × 10
−6
. A nonreplicating plasmid and selection with 5-fluoroorotate was used to delete the gene encoding the orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (
pyrE
), resulting in a Δ
pyrE
uracil-auxotrophic strain, TKV002. Reintroduction of
pyrE
on a plasmid or insertion of
pyrE
into different loci within the genome restored growth without uracil. We subsequently studied fructose metabolism in
T. kivui
. The gene
fruK
(TKV_c23150) encoding 1-phosphofructosekinase (1-PFK) was deleted, using
pyrE
as a selective marker via two single homologous recombination events. The resulting Δ
fruK
strain, TKV003, did not grow on fructose; however, growth on glucose (or on mannose) was unaffected. The combination of
pyrE
as a selective marker and the natural competence of the strain for DNA uptake will be the basis for future studies on CO
2
reduction and energy conservation and their regulation in this thermophilic acetogenic bacterium.

IMPORTANCE
Acetogenic bacteria are currently the focus of research toward biotechnological applications due to their potential for
de novo
synthesis of carbon compounds such as acetate, butyrate, or ethanol from H
2
+ CO
2
or from synthesis gas. Based on available genome sequences and on biochemical experiments, acetogens differ in their energy metabolism. Thus, there is an urgent need to understand the carbon and electron flows through the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway and their links to energy conservation, which requires genetic manipulations such as deletion or overexpression of genes encoding putative key enzymes. Unfortunately, genetic systems have been reported for only a few acetogenic bacteria. Here, we demonstrate proof of concept for the genetic modification of the thermophilic acetogenic species
Thermoanaerobacter kivui
. The genetic system will be used to study genes involved in biosynthesis and energy metabolism, and may further be applied to metabolically engineer
T. kivui
to produce fuels and chemicals.
Complete Genome Sequences of Vibrio cholerae-Specific Bacteriophages 24 and X29
Authors: Bhandare Sudhakar G. , Warry Andrew , Emes Richard D. , Hooton Steven P. T. , Barrow Paul A. , Atterbury Robert J.
Published: November 2017

The complete genomes of two
Vibrio cholerae
bacteriophages of potential interest for cholera bacteriophage (phage) therapy were sequenced and annotated. The genome size of phage 24 is 44,395 bp encoding 71 putative proteins, and that of phage X29 is 41,569 bp encoding 68 putative proteins.
Complete Genome Sequence of Acetobacter tropicalis Oregon-R-modENCODE Strain BDGP1, an Acetic Acid Bacterium Found in the Drosophila melanogaster Gut
Authors: Wan Kenneth H. , Yu Charles , Park Soo , Hammonds Ann S. , Booth Benjamin W. , Celniker Susan E.
Published: November 2017

Acetobacter tropicalis
Oregon-R-modENCODE strain BDGP1 was isolated from
Drosophila melanogaster
for functional host-microbe interaction studies. The complete genome comprises a single chromosomal circle of 3,988,649 bp with a G+C content of 56% and a conjugative plasmid of 151,013 bp.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Periodontal Pathobionts Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Tannerella forsythia Contain Phase-Variable Restriction-Modification Systems
Authors: Haigh Richard D. , Crawford Liam A. , Ralph Joseph D. , Wanford Joseph J. , Vartoukian Sonia R. , Hijazi Karolin , Wade William , Oggioni Marco R.
Published: November 2017

Periodontal disease comprises mild to severe inflammatory host responses to oral bacteria that can cause destruction of the tooth-supporting tissue. We report genome sequences for 18 clinical isolates of
Porphyromonas gingivalis
,
Prevotella intermedia
, and
Tannerella forsythia
, Gram-negative obligate anaerobes that play a role in the periodontal disease process.
Complete Genomic Sequences of Two Salmonella enterica subsp.
enterica
Serogroup C2 (O:6,8) Strains from Central California
Authors: Gorski Lisa , Huynh Steven , Cooper Kerry K. , Parker Craig T.
Published: November 2017

Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
strains RM11060, serotype 6,8:d:−, and RM11065, serotype 6,8:−:e,n,z
15
, were isolated from environmental samples collected in central California in 2009. We report the complete genome sequences of these two strains. These genomic sequences are distinct and will provide additional data to our understanding of
S. enterica
genomics.
Draft Genome Sequence of Entomopathogenic Brevibacillus laterosporus Strain Lak 1210, an Alkaliphilic Chitin Degrader
Authors: Prasanna Lakshmi , Moharana Tushar Ranjan , Sheikh Nizamuddin , Arravapalli Veerabhadra Rao , Kumaraswamy Thangaraj , Eijsink Vincent G. H. , Nalam Madhusudhana Rao
Published: November 2017

We announce here the draft genome sequence of
Brevibacillus laterosporus
strain Lak 1210, isolated from mangrove soil. This alkaliphilic strain is an efficient chitin degrader and has the ability to control insects and inhibit phytopathogenic fungi. The assembly consists of 5,082,926 bp, with 4,321 protein-coding sequences and a GC content of 41.15%.
Design of a Lyme Disease Vaccine as an Active Learning Approach in a Novel Interdisciplinary Graduate-Level Course
Authors: Jessen Condry Danielle L. , Bradley David S. , Brissette Catherine A.
Published: November 2017

A biomedical sciences graduate program needed an introductory class that would develop skills for students interested in a wide variety of disciplines, such as microbiology or cancer biology, and a diverse array of biomedical careers. Faculty created a year-long student-centered course, Scientific Discovery, to serve this need. The course was divided into four modules with progressive skill outcomes. Each module had a focus related to each of the major research areas of the collective faculty: molecular biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, and infectious disease. First-year graduate students enter the program with relevant college-level biology and chemistry coursework but not in-depth content knowledge of any of the focus areas. Each module features a biomedical problem for the students to gain specific content knowledge while developing skills outcomes, such as the ability to conduct scholarly inquiry. In 2015, the theme of the infectious disease module was to create an effective human vaccine to prevent Lyme disease. The module required students to learn fundamental concepts of microbiology and immunology and then apply that knowledge to design their own Lyme disease vaccine. The class culminated with students communicating their creative designs in the form of a “white paper” and a pitch to “potential investors.” By the end of the module, students had developed fundamental knowledge, applied that knowledge with great creativity, and met the skills learning outcomes, as evidenced by their ability to conduct scholarly inquiry and apply knowledge gained during this module to a novel problem, as part of their final exam.
Development and Validation of the Microbiology for Health Sciences Concept Inventory
Authors: Seitz Heather M. , Horak Rachel E. A. , Howard Megan W. , Kluckhohn Jones Lucy W. , Muth Theodore , Parker Christopher , Rediske Andrea Pratt , Whitehurst Maureen M.
Published: November 2017

Identifying misconceptions in student learning is a valuable practice for evaluating student learning gains and directing educational interventions. By accurately identifying students’ knowledge and misconceptions about microbiology concepts, instructors can design effective classroom practices centered on student understanding. Following the development of ASM’s Curriculum Guidelines in 2012, we developed a concept inventory, the Microbiology for Health Sciences Concept Inventory (MHSCI), that measures learning gains and identifies student misconceptions in health sciences microbiology classrooms. The 23-question MHSCI was delivered to a wide variety of students at multiple institution types. Psychometric analysis identified that the MHSCI instrument is both discriminatory and reliable in measuring student learning gains. The MHSCI results correlated with course outcomes, showing the value of using the instrument alongside course level assessments to measure student learning. The MHSCI is a reliable and efficient way to measure student learning in microbiology and can be used both as a faculty development tool and an effective student assessment tool.
Are food and drink retailers within NHS venues adhering to NICE Quality standard 94 guidance on childhood obesity? A cross-sectional study of two large secondary care NHS hospitals in England
Authors: James Alice , Birch Laura , Fletcher Peter , Pearson Sally , Boyce Catherine , Ness Andy R , Hamilton-Shield Julian P , Lithander Fiona E
Published: November 2017

Objective

To assess whether the food and drink retail outlets in two major National Health Service (NHS) district general hospitals in England adhere to quality statements 1–3 of the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standard 94.

Design

Cross-sectional, descriptive study to assess the food and drink options available in vending machines, restaurants, cafes and shops in two secondary care hospitals.

Main outcome measures

Adherence to quality statement 1 whereby the food and drink items available in the vending machines were classified as either healthy or less healthy using the Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM). Compliance with quality statements 2 and 3 was assessed through the measurement of how clearly the shops, cafes and restaurants displayed nutrition information on menus, and the availability and prominent display of healthy food and drink options in retail outlets, respectively.

Results

Adherence to quality statement 1 was poor. Of the 18 vending machines assessed, only 7 (39%) served both a healthy food and a healthy drink option. Neither hospital was compliant with quality statement 2 wherein nutritional information was not available on menus of food providers in either hospital. There was inconsistent compliance with quality standard 3 whereby healthy food and drink options were prominently displayed in the two main hospital restaurants, but all shops and cafes prioritised the display of unhealthy items.

Conclusions

Neither hospital was consistently compliant with quality statements 1–3 of the NICE quality standard 94. Improving the availability of healthy foods and drinks while reducing the display and accessibility to less healthy options in NHS venues may improve family awareness of healthy alternatives. Making it easier for parents to direct their children to healthier choices is an ostensibly central component of our healthcare system.
Predictive value of apelin-12 in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction with different renal function: a prospective observational study
Authors: Yang Lingchang , Zheng Ting , Wu Haopeng , Xin Wenwei , Mou Xiongneng , Lin Hui , Chen Yide , Wu Xiaoyu
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To investigate factors predicting the onset of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) .

Background

Apelin-12 plays an essential role in cardiovascular homoeostasis. However, current knowledge of its predictive prognostic value is limited.

Methods

464 patients with STEMI (63.0±11.9 years, 355 men) who underwent successful pPCI were enrolled and followed for 2.5 years. Multivariate cox regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to determine the factors predicting MACEs.

Results

118 patients (25.4%) experienced MACEs in the follow-up period. Multivariate cox regression analysis found low apelin-12 (HR=0.132, 95% CI 0.060 to 0.292, P<0.001), low left ventricular ejection fraction (HR=0.965, 95% CI 0.941 to 0.991, P=0.007), low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (HR=0.985, 95% CI 0.977 to 0.993, P<0.001), Killip’s classification>I (HR=0.610, 95% CI 0.408 to 0.912, P=0.016) and pathological Q-wave (HR=1.536, 95% CI 1.058 to 2.230, P=0.024) were independent predictors of MACEs in the 2.5 year follow-up period. Low apelin-12 also predicted poorer in-hospital prognosis and MACEs in the 2.5 years follow-up period compared with Δapelin-12 (P=0.0115) and eGFR (P=0.0071) among patients with eGFR>90 mL/min×1.73 m2. Further analysis showed Δapelin-12 <20% was associated with MACEs in patients whose apelin-12 was below 0.76 ng/mL (P=0.0075) on admission.

Conclusions

Patients with STEMI receiving pPCI with lower apelin-12 are more likely to suffer MACEs in hospital and 2.5 years postprocedure, particularly in those with normal eGFR levels.
Megan Brannigan
Authors: Brown Leigh‐Anne
Published: November 2017

An unconventional boss with an astonishing sense of humour, Megan welcomed a diverse team into her practices. She was a humanist, feminist and connoisseur of fine food and wine.
A Fault-Tolerant and Efficient XOR Structure for Modular Design of Complex QCA Circuits
Authors: Poorhosseini Mehrdad , Hejazi Ali Reza
Published: November 2017

Despite its important existing challenges, quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is one of the promising replacement candidates of the traditional VLSI technology. Practical implementation issues such as fault tolerance and lack of customized CAD tools and algorithms for automatic synthesis of large complex systems are some important instances of QCA circuit design challenges. Currently, most of the research papers focus only on development of individually efficient QCA gates and circuits in terms of only their physical properties such as area and delay. However, throughout this paper, it is demonstrated that these compressed and fast individual QCA gates and circuits cause serious concerns when they are exploited as building blocks in modular design of higher level complex circuits. Some simple but effective design rules are then emphasized to solve this problem by preserving the “modular design efficiency” of the developed underlying QCA gates and circuits. As a case study, two new instances of fault-tolerant QCA XOR gates are introduced which are designed by simultaneously considering both area/delay and modular design efficiency rules. A wide range of numerical experiments are provided throughout the paper to prove the priority of the proposed gates with respect to eight other samples of the most efficient existing XOR structures, when exploiting them to build more complex circuits such as adders and error detection/correction circuits.
A High-Speed Temperature Sensor with Low Supply Sensitivity for SoC Thermal Monitoring
Authors: Bao Yuanxin , Li Wenyuan
Published: November 2017

A high-speed low-supply-sensitivity temperature sensor is presented for thermal monitoring of system on a chip (SoC). The proposed sensor transforms the temperature to complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) frequency and then into digital code. A CTAT voltage reference supplies a temperature-sensitive ring oscillator, which enhances temperature sensitivity and conversion rate. To reduce the supply sensitivity, an operational amplifier with a unity gain for power supply is proposed. A frequency-to-digital converter with piecewise linear fitting is used to convert the frequency into the digital code corresponding to temperature and correct nonlinearity. These additional characteristics are distinct from the conventional oscillator-based temperature sensors. The sensor is fabricated in a 180[Formula: see text]nm CMOS process and occupies a small area of 0.048[Formula: see text]mm2 excluding bondpads. After a one-point calibration, the sensor achieves an inaccuracy of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1.5[Formula: see text]C from [Formula: see text]45[Formula: see text]C to 85[Formula: see text]C under a supply voltage of 1.4–2.4[Formula: see text]V showing a worst-case supply sensitivity of 0.5[Formula: see text]C/V. The sensor maintains a high conversion rate of 45[Formula: see text]KS/s with a fine resolution of 0.25[Formula: see text]C/LSB, which is suitable for SoC thermal monitoring. Under a supply voltage of 1.8[Formula: see text]V, the maximum energy consumption per conversion is only 7.8[Formula: see text]nJ at [Formula: see text]45[Formula: see text]C.
Intermodal Transport Terminal Location Selection Using a Novel Hybrid MCDM Model
Authors: Zečević Slobodan , Tadić Snežana , Krstić Mladen
Published: November 2017

Intermodal Transport (IT) allows savings in energy, time and costs, improves the quality of services and supports sustainable development of the transport system. In order to make IT more competitive it is necessary to support the development of intermodal transport terminal (ITT), whereby it is very important to make adequate decision on its location. This paper proposes a framework for the selection of the ITT location which would be most appropriate for the various stakeholders (investors, users, administration and residents). They often have conflicting goals and interests, so it is necessary to define a large number of criteria for the evaluation. A novel hybrid MCDM model that combines fuzzy Delphi, fuzzy Delphi based fuzzy ANP (fuzzy DANP) and fuzzy Delphi based fuzzy Višekriterijumska Optimizacija i kompromisno Rešenje (fuzzy DVIKOR) methods is developed in this paper with the aim of providing support to decision makers. The model is developed in the fuzzy environment in order to overcome the ambiguity and uncertainty of the decision makers’ evaluations of the criteria, sub-criteria and alternatives. The validity and applicability of the model is demonstrated by successfully resolving the problem of selecting the location of the ITT in the City of Belgrade.
Certain Algorithms for Computing Strength of Competition in Bipolar Fuzzy Graphs
Authors: Sarwar Musavarah , Akram Muhammad
Published: November 2017

Fuzzy graph theory is one of the most developing area of research, which has a variety of applications in different fields, including computer science, communication networks, biological sciences, social networks, decision-making and optimization problems. A wide variety of human decision making is based on double-sided or bipolar judgmental thinking on a positive side and a negative side. In this research article, we present some interesting applications of bipolar fuzzy competition graphs in business marketing, social network and wireless communication network. We design and implement algorithms for computing the strength of competition in the bipolar fuzzy graphs. We also compute time complexity of each algorithm.
BEHAVIORAL VALUE ADJUSTMENTS
Authors: BISSIRI MATTEO , COGO RICCARDO
Published: November 2017

Assets or liabilities with embedded prepayment/extension options can be subject to behavioral risk, due to the unpredictable exercise strategy followed by the option holder who does not act purely on the strength of financial convenience. When seen from the viewpoint of the option seller, such behavior results in a lower option value and an additional source of uncertainty in future cash flows. In this paper, we propose a general framework to model behavioral risk by taking advantage of a full parallel with credit portfolio modeling and by combining the features of option-based and intensity models. Our approach is micro-structural, meaning that the aggregate prepayment rate derives from the sum of individual decisions. In principle, a detailed characterization of the behavior of a pool of investors can be performed depending on available data. A particular emphasis is placed on the precise definition of behavioral risk and on the modeling of nonmarket factors, which may contribute significantly to the variance of future cash flows. Finally, we discuss the calibration of a behavioral risk premium and the pricing of contracts with embedded options by introducing the concept of behavioral risk adjustment ([Formula: see text]VA), in line with the recent development of XVA methodology.
Tipping Points in the Anthropocene: Crafting a Just and Sustainable Earth
Authors: Eisenhauer David C.
Published: November 2017

The arrival of the Anthropocene entails an evolutionary tipping point that challenges basic precepts of political theory and modern science. Within this paper, emerging scholarship in political science, science and technology studies, and sustainability science are brought together to sketch out an approach for crafting more just and sustainable pathways in response to the crossing of critical thresholds in the Earth system. Accomplishing this task requires responding to the emerging reality of possibility, irreversibility, entanglement, and novelty that the Anthropocene and tipping points entail. I argue that grounding political projects in recognition of the unfolding and unpredictable terrain tipping points present allows for the opening of novel pathways toward a still possible just and sustainable planet.
TinyLFU
Authors: Einziger Gil , Friedman Roy , Manes Ben
Published: November 2017

This article proposes to use a
frequency-based cache admission policy
in order to boost the effectiveness of caches subject to skewed access distributions. Given a newly accessed item and an eviction candidate from the cache, our scheme decides, based on the recent access history, whether it is worth admitting the new item into the cache at the expense of the eviction candidate.

This concept is enabled through a novel approximate LFU structure called
TinyLFU
, which maintains an approximate representation of the access frequency of a
large sample
of recently accessed items. TinyLFU is very compact and lightweight as it builds upon Bloom filter theory.

We study the properties of TinyLFU through simulations of both synthetic workloads and multiple real traces from several sources. These simulations demonstrate the performance boost obtained by enhancing various replacement policies with the TinyLFU admission policy. Also, a new combined replacement and eviction policy scheme nicknamed
W-TinyLFU
is presented. W-TinyLFU is demonstrated to obtain equal or better hit ratios than other state-of-the-art replacement policies on these traces. It is the only scheme to obtain such good results on all traces.
Client-Side Journaling for Durable Shared Storage
Authors: Hatzieleftheriou Andromachi , Anastasiadis Stergios V.
Published: November 2017

Hardware consolidation in the datacenter often leads to scalability bottlenecks from heavy utilization of critical resources, such as the storage and network bandwidth. Client-side caching on durable media is already applied at block level to reduce the storage backend load but has received criticism for added overhead, restricted sharing, and possible data loss at client crash. We introduce a journal to the kernel-level client of an object-based distributed filesystem to improve durability at high I/O performance and reduced shared resource utilization. Storage virtualization at the file interface achieves clear consistency semantics across data and metadata, supports native file sharing among clients, and provides flexible configuration of durable data staging at the host. Over a prototype that we have implemented, we experimentally quantify the performance and efficiency of the proposed Arion system in comparison to a production system. We run microbenchmarks and application-level workloads over a local cluster and a public cloud. We demonstrate reduced latency by 60% and improved performance up to 150% at reduced server network and disk bandwidth by 41% and 77%, respectively. The performance improvement reaches 92% for 16 relational databases as clients and gets as high as 11.3x with two key-value stores as clients.
Influence of Enzalutamide on Cabazitaxel Pharmacokinetics: a Drug–Drug Interaction Study in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) Patients
Authors: Belderbos Bodine P.S. , Bins Sander , van Leeuwen Roelof W.F. , Oomen-de Hoop Esther , van der Meer Nelly , de Bruijn Peter , Hamberg Paul , Overkleeft Esther N.M. , van der Deure Wendy M. , Lolkema Martijn P. , de Wit Ronald , Mathijssen Ron H.J.
Published: November 2017

Purpose: In ongoing clinical research on metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treatment, the potential enhanced efficacy of the combination of taxanes with AR-targeted agents, that is, enzalutamide and abiraterone, is currently being explored. Because enzalutamide induces the CYP3A4 enzyme and taxanes are metabolized by this enzyme, a potential drug–drug interaction needs to be investigated.

Experimental Design: Therefore, we performed a pharmacokinetic cross-over study in mCRPC patients who were scheduled for treatment with cabazitaxel Q3W (25 mg/m2). Patients were studied for three consecutive cabazitaxel cycles. Enzalutamide (160 mg once daily) was administered concomitantly after the first cabazitaxel cycle, during 6 weeks. Primary endpoint was the difference in mean area under the curve (AUC) between the first (cabazitaxel monotherapy) and third cabazitaxel cycle, when enzalutamide was added.

Results: A potential clinically relevant 22% (95% CI, 9%–34%; P = 0.005) reduction in cabazitaxel exposure was found with concomitant enzalutamide use. The geometric mean AUC0–24h of cabazitaxel was 181 ng*h/mL (95% CI, 150–219 ng*h/mL) in cycle 3 and 234 ng*h/mL (95% CI, 209–261 ng*h/mL) in cycle 1. This combination did not result in excessive toxicity, whereas PSA response was promising.

Conclusions: We found a significant decrease in cabazitaxel exposure when combined with enzalutamide. In an era of clinical trials on combination strategies for mCRPC, it is important to be aware of clinically relevant drug–drug interactions. Because recent study results support the use of a lower standard cabazitaxel dose of 20 mg/m2, the clinical relevance of this interaction may be substantial, because the addition of enzalutamide may result in subtherapeutic cabazitaxel exposure. Clin Cancer Res; 24(3); 541–6. ©2017 AACR.
Repeated Micro-Trauma of the Penile Tunica Albuginea: A New Animal Model of Peyronie's Disease
Authors: Jiang Hesong , Gao Qingqiang , Che Xiaoyan , Zhu Leilei , Zhang Zheng , Chen Yun , Dai Yutian
Published: November 2017

Objectives: To compare effects of repairing injured tunica albuginea (PTA) of rat penis by single or repeated local injections of chlorhexidine ethanol (ChE) into the PTA and to establish a new animal model of Peyronie's disease (PD). Materials and Methods: Forty-two rats were divided into 7 groups. Rats either served as the normal control group with 1-5 injections of 0.9% saline or they received a single injection, 2, 3, 4, or 5 injections of ChE (0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate plus 15% ethanol dissolved in saline); rats in the positive control group were injected with TGF-β1. At 60 days after the last injection, the intracavernous pressure, degree of penile curvature, and histology were evaluated. Results: Compared with the single injection of the ChE group, we found the following in the repeat ChE injections groups: an increase in the degree of penile curvature, fibrous plaques in the PTA and/or corpus cavernosum, broken elastic fibers, slightly decreased erectile function, and an increased expression of TGF-β1 and αSMA. Conclusions: Repeated ChE injuries of PTA may lead to fibrosis. This represents an excellent model of PD that involves repeated injections of ChE into the local PTA as well as reveals the pathophysiologic mechanism of PD.
A Novel Mutation in the Critical P-Box Residue of Steroidogenic Factor-1 Presenting with XY Sex Reversal and Transient Adrenal Failure
Authors: Orekhova Anna S. , Kalinchenko Natalia , Morozov Ivan A. , Vasilyev Evgeny V. , Rubtsov Petr M. , Dedov Ivan I. , Tiulpakov Anatoly
Published: November 2017

Background: Although the importance of steroidogenic factor-1 (SF1, NR5A1) for adrenal development is supported by numerous in vitro and in vivo studies, cases of SF1 deficiency associated with adrenal failure are exceptionally rare. The first human NR5A1 mutation was a heterozygous de novo p.G35E variant identified in a patient with disorder of sex development (DSD) 46,XY and primary adrenal insufficiency. Here we describe another association of the “classic” SF1 phenotype with a novel NR5A1 mutation affecting G35 residue. Methods: We describe the clinical characteristics of a phenotypically female patient presenting at 2 months with signs of adrenal insufficiency. DSD 46,XY was diagnosed at 4 years. The NR5A1 gene was analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Minigene splicing and dual luciferase reporter assays were used to characterize effects of the novel mutation on splicing and transcription, respectively. Results: Sequencing of the NR5A1 gene revealed a de novo heterozygous c.104G>A:p.G35D substitution. The minigene experiments demonstrated that c.104G>A substitution did not affect splicing. However, transactivation activity of the p.G35D mutant was clearly impaired, which was comparable with the effect of the p.G35E mutation. Conclusions: The findings stress the importance of G35 residue for adrenal development. The current observation also suggests that some patients with SF1 deficiency may present with transient adrenal failure.
Survey on Paediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Care in Europe
Authors: Dekker Bernadette L. , Newbold Kate L. , Führer Dagmar , Waguespack Steven G. , Handkiewicz-Junak Daria , Links Thera P. ,   on behalf of the European Initiative on Collaboration on Paediatric Thyroid Cancer
Published: November 2017

Background/Aims: Thyroid cancer among children is a very rare disease. Although survival is favourable, morbidity caused by the treatment remains considerable, so there is a great need to optimize management by international cooperation. For this reason, the 2016 European Thyroid Association-Cancer Research Network (ETA-CRN) meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, paid considerable attention to this topic and aimed to give an overview of the care for this paediatric patient group in different European countries. Methods: An inventory of data on thyroid cancer treatment among children in Europe was generated by questionnaires focused on treatment and organization of care. Results: The treatment of paediatric thyroid cancer appears to be scattered in each European country with limited centralization of care, and different European countries use different treatment and follow-up protocols. Conclusion: Collaboration in a European network to optimize treatment and minimize long-term consequences for paediatric thyroid cancer survivors is necessary. During this meeting, the ETA-CRN has endorsed the initiative to collaborate on this rare endocrine cancer within a European network.
Sonoridades e ambiências nos filmes: Cão branco e A missão
Authors: Magno Maria Ignes Carlos , Costa Eliana
Published: November 2017

Tendo como fundamento os estudos do teórico alemão Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht1 e seu instigante conceito de Stimmung, nas diversas camadas de significações que o compõem (clima, atmosfera, som, humores, ambiência), esta resenha pretende explorar como essa categoria estética influi na construção e leitura da obra cinematográfica. O foco central de nossas reflexões será a dimensão sonora do filme, especificamente na música ou trilha sonora, e em como ela participa do Stimmung, sugerindo efeitos de intensa presença, que redimensionam a obra. Para realizar esta proposta de leitura, apresentaremos dois filmes: Cão branco (1982), de Samuel Fuller, e A missão (1986), de Roland Joffé; ambos com trilha do compositor italiano Ennio Morricone. Investigaremos também como o Stimmung permeia várias etapas do processo de criação da música, tornando-se parte intrínseca da práxis do compositor, no transcorrer da realização da obra.
O talk show na escola
Authors: Giannini Myrian Clark , Costa Maria Cristina Castilho
Published: November 2017

A passagem pelo ensino médio impõe aos jovens decisões, desafios e mudanças. No entanto, há um esvaziamento dos espaços de diálogo nas escolas. Nesta experiência – executada como monografia apresentada para obtenção do título de especialista em Educomunicação em 2015 –, alunos atuaram em grupo e desempenharam diferentes papéis na produção de um talk show, desfrutando de diálogos enriquecedores e de uma vivência do universo do trabalho e da pesquisa. Esse processo permitiu avaliar relacionamentos interpessoais, práticas educomunicativas, além de possibilitar a leitura crítica dos meios de comunicação e a ressignificação das informações do mundo complexo em que vivemos. As práticas educomunicativas da pesquisa foram registradas num diário de campo e somam forças para que outros educadores reflitam, renovem e ampliem a comunicação no ambiente escolar.
O discurso político-educacional contra o bullying: uma abordagem sociossemiótica
Authors: Prados Rosália Maria Netto , Oliveira Marinete Pereira de Souza
Published: November 2017

Este artigo apresenta uma pesquisa cujo objetivo é analisar o discurso manifestado no texto do slogan de uma campanha da Secretaria da Educação do Estado de São Paulo, promovida pelo Sistema de Proteção Escolar que, em parceria com o canal Cartoon Network, incentiva a denúncia como mecanismo de prevenção e combate ao bullying. Fundamenta-se na teoria semiótica greimasiana e nos princípios da semiótica visual para compreensão do discurso subjacente ao texto. De acordo com a análise sociossemiótica do discurso, pretende-se descrever a estrutura narrativa da campanha, as relações entre sujeitos e objetos de valor, a fim de identificar mecanismos de persuasão e manipulação.
Do prazer ao pensamento crítico em Harry Potter
Authors: Venancio Milena De Azeredo Pacheco , Farbiarz Alexandre
Published: November 2017

A proposta deste artigo é discutir a construção de um pensamento crítico em jovens através da difusão de narrativas elaboradas por fãs de cultura pop. Serão considerados para análise fanfics e memes sobre política e sociedade que se encontram na Internet e estão ligados à obra Harry Potter, em articulação com estudos sobre educação, letramento midiático e cultura.
A literacia digital e as estratégias para o desenvolvimento de competências na aprendizagem em EAD: perspectivas do centro de recurso de Maputo, Moçambique
Authors: Matussi Olivia Maria , Fofonca Eduardo
Published: November 2017

Este artigo tem por finalidade apresentar uma breve reflexão sobre literacia digital dos estudantes da Educação a Distância (EaD) do Centro de Recursos de Maputo, da Universidade Católica de Moçambique. Objetiva-se perceber, sobretudo, como ocorre a literacia digital dos estudantes do curso on-line e como esta é compreendida por eles. Trata-se de uma pesquisa básica, de natureza qualitativa, porque busca compreender os fenômenos no seu ambiente natural, sem qualquer tipo de manipulação e, ainda, do tipo bibliográfico e documental, porque foi elaborada por meio de referenciais teóricos e documentos orientadores do Governo Moçambicano, que elucidam sobre as principais políticas das Tecnologias Digitais de Informação e Comunicação (TDIC) na EaD. De forma geral, foi possível perceber neste estudo que educar para a “tecnoliteracia” é um dos maiores desafios da educação neste século XXI, pois se vive em uma sociedade que migrou do meio geográfico (físico) para o meio virtual oferecido pela internet, o que mudou radicalmente a dinâmica das relações que envolvem a troca de informações. Diante desse contexto, a internet e a comunicação em rede trouxeram novas linguagens e a tessitura de textos mediados pelas TDIC.
Prognostic Stratification of Patients With ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction (PROSPECT)
Authors: Pontone Gianluca , Guaricci Andrea I. , Andreini Daniele , Ferro Giovanni , Guglielmo Marco , Baggiano Andrea , Fusini Laura , Muscogiuri Giuseppe , Lorenzoni Valentina , Mushtaq Saima , Conte Edoardo , Annoni Andrea , Formenti Alberto , Mancini Maria Elisabetta , Carità Patrizia , Verdecchia Massimo , Pica Silvia , Fazzari Fabio , Cosentino Nicola , Marenzi Giancarlo , Rabbat Mark G. , Agostoni Piergiuseppe , Bartorelli Antonio L. , Pepi Mauro , Masci Pier Giorgio
Published: November 2017

Background—

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a robust tool to evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), myocardial salvage index, microvascular obstruction, and myocardial hemorrhage in patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. We evaluated the additional prognostic benefit of a CMR score over standard prognostic stratification with global registry of acute coronary events (GRACE) score and transthoracic echocardiography LVEF measurement.

Methods and Results—

Two hundred nine consecutive patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (age, 61.4±11.4 years; 162 men) underwent transthoracic echocardiography and CMR after succesful primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were assessed at a mean follow-up of 2.5±1.2 years. MACE occurred in 24 (12%) patients who at baseline showed higher GRACE risk score (
P
<0.01), lower LVEF with both transthoracic echocardiography and CMR, lower myocardial salvage index, and higher per-patient myocardial hemorrhage and microvascular obstruction prevalence and amount as compared with patients without MACE (
P
<0.01). The best cut-off values of transthoracic echocardiography-LVEF, CMR-LVEF, myocardial salvage index, and microvascular obstruction to predict MACE were 46.7%, 37.5%, 0.4, and 2.6% of left ventricular mass, respectively. Accordingly, a weighted CMR score, including the following 4 variables (CMR-LVEF, myocardial salvage index, microvascular obstruction, and myocardial hemorrhage), with a maximum of 17 points was calculated and included in the multivariable analysis showing that only CMR score (hazard ratio, 1.867 per SD increase [1.311–2.658];
P
<0.001) was independently associated with MACE with the highest net reclassification improvement as compared to GRACE score and transthoracic echocardiography-LVEF measurement.

Conclusions—

CMR score provides incremental prognostic stratification as compared with GRACE score and transthoracic echocardiography-LVEF and may impact the management of patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction.
Association Between Stroke Risk and Metformin Use in Hemodialysis Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Nested Case–Control Study
Authors: Chien Li‐Nien , Chou Chu‐Lin , Chen His‐Hsien , Kao Chih‐Chin , Lin Yen‐Chung , Wu Yueh‐Lin , Chen Jin‐Shuen , Chen Li‐Ying , Fang Te‐Chao
Published: November 2017

Background

Metformin use reduces the incidence and severity of stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (
DM
). The benefits of metformin for stroke have not been examined in hemodialysis patients with
DM
.

Methods and Results

Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, we identified 17 760 patients with
DM
and new‐onset hemodialysis between 2001 and 2013. Of these, 1898 patients hospitalized for either ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were matched to 7592 control patients according to sex, age, and year of initial hemodialysis therapy by using incidence sampling. The association between metformin use and stroke risk was estimated using conditional logistic regression after adjustment for hemodialysis frequency, comorbidity, and prescribed medications. Metformin use was recorded before the date of stroke admission and the date of pseudostroke of the case and control patients, respectively. Results showed that hemodialysis patients with ischemic stroke were more likely to use metformin than the controls 1 year before the date of stroke admission (adjusted odds ratio: 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 1.32–2.04). The association was evident within 90 days before the index date (adjusted odds ratio: 1.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.27–2.60). The results were consistent with those of hemodialysis patients with hemorrhagic stroke. Metformin use remained a risk factor for stroke in patients treated with antihypertensive, sulfonylurea, and antiplatelet drugs.

Conclusions

This nested case–control study is the first to show that metformin use is associated with stroke risk in hemodialysis patients with
DM
. We suggest that metformin should not be used by hemodialysis patients with
DM
.
Prolegomena to a Philosophical Phenomenology of Religion
Authors: Tuckett Jonathan
Published: November 2017

The aim of this paper is to deal with a slightly erroneous claim made in previous research that philosophical phenomenology has shown little interest in the topic of “religion”. The majority of this article deals with the branch of the Movement that I have dubbed Sociological Phenomenology which stems out of the work of Alfred Schutz and Max Scheler and has influenced scholars of religion like Peter Berger, Thomas Luckmann and James Spickard. I offer a Husserlian critique of this branch of phenomenology for failing to appreciate the key insights of his later phenomenology’s “ontological turn” where he turned to an analysis on the natural attitude and the life-world. I conclude by showing what a phenomenology or religion consistent with these later insights may look like.
Truth, Meaning, and the Study of Religion
Authors: Godlove Terry F.
Published: November 2017

This paper focuses on two contrasting approaches to the theory of linguistic meaning and asks how they color a range of issues of interest to scholars of religion. The so-called truth-conditional approach makes truth basic. It trades on the thought that we sometimes or perhaps often know what someone has said when we know what it would be for what she has said to be true. The other approach pegs meaning to how expressions and sentences are used in communicative situations. Dummett and Davidson are front and center. Davidson is of course in one sense a champion of truth-conditional semantics, but, over the issues I have in view, his case is instructively mixed. This discussion leads us toward an account of linguistic meaning which elevates over truth a family of concepts associated with use, including verification, justification, and pragmatic success.
Consonance and Communal Membership in the Didache
Authors: Campbell Warren C.
Published: November 2017

The Didache community reflects a group of Jewish Christ-devotees receiving both Jews and Gentiles into communal membership through the entrance pattern outlined in Did. 1-7. In light of Jewish and Gentile co-membership, the statement concerning Torah obedience in Did. 6:2-3, which promotes full Torah obedience and yet provides room for selective degrees of adherence for Gentile members, is a point of interest. Do the varying degrees of Torah adherence generate dissonance for the Jewish members? How is this apparent equanimity maintained? The argument advanced here is that since the ritual structure for communal entrance reflects conceptual and structural affinities with sectarian induction (1QS) and Rabbinic proselytism (b. Yeb 47a-b), the Jewish audience is able to draw associations between the ritual pattern used for the Didache community and wider Jewish processes for communal entrance. Did. 1-7 is then available as a resource to preserve consonance by providing a holistic association with a Jewish heritage.
Origen’s Vacillating Stances toward his “Valentinian” Colleague Heracleon
Authors: Berglund Carl Johan
Published: November 2017

When Origen of Alexandria presents numerous extensive quotations from Heracleon, whom he explicitly presents as a follower of Valentinus, one might expect a uniformly adversarial attitude toward this “Valentinian” sectarian. Instead, Origen’s stances are found to vacillate significantly from general renunciation and emphatic criticism, via considered disagreement and hypothetical approval, all the way to agreement and praise. The fascinating interplay between the stance taken and the dogmatic and philological matters in view implies that while dogmatic issues at stake are decisive for whether Origen agrees or disagrees with Heracleon, the full range of variance in Origen’s stances is determined by Heracleon’s philological methodology and presentation of evidence. Origen’s responses to Heracleon reveal that he viewed this predecessor not simply as a heterodox teacher, but also as a colleague in interpreting the New Testament using methods from Greco-Roman literary criticism.
Ancient Greek Tragedy Speaks to Democracy Theory
Authors: Saxonhouse Arlene W.
Published: November 2017

This essay initially distinguishes Athenian democracy from what I call ‘hyphenated-democracies’, each of which adds a conceptual framework developed in early modern Europe to the language of democracy: representative-democracy, liberal-democracy, constitutional-democracy, republican-democracy. These hyphenated-democracies emphasize the restraints placed on the power of political authorities. In contrast, Athenian democracy with the people ruling over themselves rested on the fundamental principle of equality rather than the limitations placed on that rule. However, equality as the defining normative principle of democracy raises its own problems, namely: How do we – of limited vision – identify who is equal, and what injustices attend the criteria used to establish who is equal? Consideration of several ancient tragedies illustrates how the Athenian playwrights explored these questions and how they identified the challenges faced by those who understand democracy as grounded on egalitarian principles.
Sophocles and Democracy
Authors: Sommerstein Alan H.
Published: November 2017

Sophocles was both a great dramatist and a significant figure in Athenian public life. As a public figure, he was elected to important offices by the Athenian demos, but he also had a hand in the abolition of democracy in 411 bc – and then won first prize in the first tragic contest held after democracy was restored. As a dramatist, he frequently gives the impression that the common people are helpless without strong and wise leadership; but he can also suggest that a leader is worth nothing if he neglects his people or ignores their opinions, and in Antigone he seems to go out of his way to highlight the importance of the opinion of the ordinary man as well as that of the elite.
Democracy’s Humility: A Reading of Sophocles’ Antigone
Authors: Kierstead James
Published: November 2017

Hegelian readings of Antigone would have us believe that Creon and Antigone are both heroes and villains at once. In this essay, I argue that Creon is in fact the villain of the piece, and a paradigmatic tyrant. Far from representing democratic rationalism, Creon is in fact the antitype of the epistemic humility that was one of the foundational ideals of Athenian democracy. As the Ode to Man and Protagoras’ Great Speech in Plato’s dialogue both suggest, human expertise ultimately reaches its limits in the sphere of ethics, an area overseen by the gods. For both Protagoras and Sophocles, in my reconstruction, democratic and religious practices are not an arrogant attempt to deny this fact, but a way of humbly accepting it. Through the humbling of Creon and the piety and reasonableness of Teiresias, Haimon, and even the Guard, Antigone illustrates an essential characteristic of democracy: its humility.