bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inverted Rearfoot posture in subjects with coexisting patellofemoral osteoarthritis in medial knee osteoarthritis: an exploratory study
Authors: Iijima Hirotaka , Ohi Hiroshi , Fukutani Naoto , Aoyama Tomoki , Kaneda Eishi , Abe Kaoru , Takahashi Masaki , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: May 2018

Background

While abnormal rearfoot posture and its relationship to patellofemoral (PF) pain has been thoroughly discussed in the literature, its relationship to patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) has not been determined. This study aimed to examine whether rearfoot posture is associated with a higher prevalence of radiographic PFOA in a compartment‐specific manner in patients with medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (TFOA).

Methods

Participants from orthopedic clinics (n = 68, age 56–90 years, 75.0% female), diagnosed with radiographic medial TFOA (Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] grade ≥ 2) were included in this study. The presence of PFOA and static rearfoot posture were evaluated using a radiographic skyline view and a footprint automatic measurement apparatus, respectively. The relationship between rearfoot posture and PFOA was examined using analysis of covariance and propensity score‐adjusted logistic regression analysis.

Results

On average, patients with coexisting PFOA and medial TFOA (n = 39) had an inverted calcaneus 3.1° greater than those with isolated medial TFOA (n = 29). Increased calcaneus inverted angle was significantly associated with a higher probability of the presence of medial PFOA (odds ratio: 1.180, 95% confidence interval: [1.005, 1.439]; p = 0.043). Calcaneus inverted angle was not associated with higher odds of lateral PFOA presence based on the adjusted values.

Conclusions

The presence of an inverted rearfoot was associated with PFOA. Although these findings do not clearly indicate a biomechanical link between rearfoot posture and PFOA, this study shed light on the potential relationship between altered rearfoot posture and PFOA, as can be seen between rearfoot abnormality and PF pain.
An evaluation of in-office flexible fiber-optic biopsies for laryngopharyngeal lesions
Authors: Lee Francisco , Smith Kristine A. , Chandarana Shamir , Matthews T. Wayne , Bosch J. Douglas , Nakoneshny Steven C. , Dort Joseph C.
Published: May 2018

Background

Operative endoscopy and flexible fiber-optic in-office tissue biopsy are common techniques to assess suspicious laryngopharyngeal lesions.

Methods

The primary outcome was the delay to the initiation of treatment. Secondary outcomes were delay to biopsy, histopathological diagnosis, and assessment at a multidisciplinary oncology clinic. A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the relative delays between these approaches to biopsy of laryngopharyngeal lesions.

Results

There were 114 patients in the study cohort; 44 in-office and 70 operative endoscopic biopsies). The mean delay from consultation to biopsy was 17.4 days for the operative endoscopy group and 1.3 days for the in-office group. The mean delay from initial otolaryngology consultation to initiation of treatment was 51.7 days and 44.6 days for the operative endoscopy and in-office groups, respectively.

Conclusion

In-office biopsy reduced the time from initial consultation to biopsy. The temporal gains via in-office biopsy did not translate into faster access to treatment. This outcome highlights the opportunity to improve access to treatment for patients with early diagnosis.
Smartphone adapters for flexible Nasolaryngoscopy: A systematic review
Authors: Quimby A. E. , Kohlert S. , Caulley L. , Bromwich M.
Published: May 2018

Background

Flexible nasolaryngoscopy is an essential component of the otolaryngological physical exam. Historically, the ability to create and share video recordings of these endoscopic exams has been limited by poor mobility of fixed endoscopy towers. The advent of smartphone endoscope adapters has allowed physicians to create and share video recordings of endoscopy in a wide variety of locations that would not have previously been feasible. This paper sought to review the literature on the effect of smartphone endoscope adapters on patient care, patient satisfaction, and resident learning.

Methods

This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic literature search was performed for all relevant English language studies (1946–2017) using Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, and EMBASE. The study protocol was registered with the PROSPERO database.

Results

A total of 91 abstracts were identified and screened by two independent reviewers. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, three studies were selected and subjected to full-text extraction as well as quality assessment. These studies demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and quality of smartphone adapter-recorded videos, and a benefit of these devices on resident education. Due to the heterogeneity of included studies’ methods and measures, a meta-analysis was not possible, so a qualitative synthesis of the literature results was performed.

Conclusion

Despite a paucity of data on the subject, the present study provided a comprehensive review of the literature, and suggested overall high diagnostic accuracy, quality, and enhancement of resident education with the use of smartphone endoscope adapters for flexible nasolaryngoscopy.

Trial registration

CRD42018086714.
Xenograft tumors derived from malignant pleural effusion of the patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer as models to explore drug resistance
Authors: Xu Yunhua , Zhang Feifei , Pan Xiaoqing , Wang Guan , Zhu Lei , Zhang Jie , Wen Danyi , Lu Shun
Published: May 2018

Background

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations or anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusions show dramatic responses to specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs); however, after 10–12 months, secondary mutations arise that confer resistance. We generated a murine xenograft model using patient‐derived NSCLC cells isolated from the pleural fluid of two patients with NSCLC to investigate the mechanisms of resistance against the ALK‐ and EGFR‐targeted TKIs crizotinib and osimertinib, respectively.

Methods

Genotypes of patient biopsies and xenograft tumors were determined by whole exome sequencing (WES), and patients and xenograft‐bearing mice received targeted treatment (crizotinib or osimertinib) accordingly. Xenograft mice were also treated for prolonged periods to identify whether the development of drug resistance and/or treatment responses were associated with tumor size. Finally, the pathology of patients biopsies and xenograft tumors were compared histologically.

Results

The histological characteristics and chemotherapy responses of xenograft tumors were similar to the actual patients. WES showed that the genotypes of the xenograft and patient tumors were similar (an echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 4‐ALK (EML4–ALK) gene fusion (patient/xenograft: CTC15035EML4–ALK) and EGFR L858R and T790M mutations (patient/xenograft: CTC15063EGFR L858R, T790M)). After continuous crizotinib or osimertinib treatment, WES data suggested that acquired ALK E1210K mutation conferred crizotinib resistance in the CTC15035EML4–ALK xenograft, while decreased frequencies of EGFR L858R and T790M mutations plus the appearance of v‐RAF murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) G7V mutations and phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate 3‐kinase catalytic subunit type 2 alpha (PIK3C2A) A86fs frame shift mutations led to osimertinib resistance in the CTC15063EGFR L858R, T790M xenografts.

Conclusions

We successfully developed a new method of generating drug resistance xenograft models from liquid biopsies using microfluidic technology, which might be a useful tool to investigate the mechanisms of drug resistance in NSCLC.
Anti-Lipopolysaccharide egg yolk antibody enhance the phagocytosis of mammalian phagocytes
Authors: Zhou Xin , Ma Siyuan
Published: May 2018

Macrophages play crucial roles in combatting infectious disease by promoting inflammation and phagocytosis. The decline of macrophage phagocytic function will bring many serious consequence，include weakened pathogen clearance. As an avain antibody, IgY has been widely used in preventing and treating infectious diseases,but,whether it can enhance the phagocytic ability of mammalian macrophage in order to clear phathogens is still unknown. In this study, mouse peritoneal macrophages and THP-1 cells were cultured with anti-LPS IgY in vivo or in vitro respectively. Morphological observation, ELISA, fluorescence immunoassays and flow cytometry were used to study whether IgY could enhance phagocytosis of mammalian macrophages. It was found that without anti-LPS IgY, mouse peritoneal macrophages showed adherent growth with no differentiation and few pseudopod extension; but with effect of anti-LPS IgY, peritoneal macrophages presented more significant characteristics in adherent growth, extension deformation and protruding pseudopods. By flow cytometry, the macrophages from anti-LPS IgY injectioned group mice exhibited increased phagocytosis percentage(90.83±2.59%) and index(4.45±0.13) significantly compared to PBS groups(64.32±1.5%, and 2.36±0.11) and non-immunized IgY groups(65.94%±1.4%, and 2.4±0.15); to PMA-induced THP-1 cells, the similar results could be found. The percentage and index were significantly increased with much larger body and more pseudopods for THP-1 cells co-incubated with anti-LPS IgY(79.83±0.38% and 2.64±0.03), compared to cells co-incubated with PBS (68.07±0.52%, and 1.88±0.03) or non-immunized IgY(74.89±1.14% and 2.30±0.02). The results showed that anti-LPS IgY was effective in promoting growth of macrophages, the pseudopod extension and stronger phagocytic capacity. Our study indicated that anti-lps IgY could enhance phagocytic capacity of mammalian macrophages to internalize phathegens more effectively by larger body and more pseudopods. This may be important for IgY to prevent and treat infectious diseases.
Cacna1c haploinsufficiency leads to pro-social 50-kHz ultrasonic communication deficits in rats
Authors: Kisko Theresa M. , Braun Moria D. , Michels Susanne , Witt Stephanie H. , Rietschel Marcella , Culmsee Carsten , Schwarting Rainer K. W. , Wöhr Markus
Published: May 2018

The cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C is strongly implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder (BPD), and schizophrenia (SCZ), with deficits in social functioning being common for all major neuropsychiatric disorders. In the present study, we explored the role of Cacna1c in regulating disorder-relevant behavioral phenotypes, focusing on socio-affective communication after weaning during the critical developmental period of adolescence in rats. To this aim, we used a newly developed genetic Cacna1c rat model and applied a truly reciprocal approach for studying communication through ultrasonic vocalizations, including both sender and receiver. Our results show that a deletion of Cacna1c leads to deficits in social behavior and pro-social 50-kHz ultrasonic communication in rats. Reduced levels of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations emitted during rough-and-tumble play may suggest that Cacna1c haploinsufficient rats derive less reward from playful social interactions. Besides the emission of fewer 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in the sender, Cacna1c deletion reduced social approach behavior elicited by playback of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations. This indicates that Cacna1c haploinsufficiency has detrimental effects on 50-kHz ultrasonic communication in both, sender and receiver. Together, these data suggest that Cacna1c plays a prominent role in regulating socio-affective communication in rats with relevance for ASD, BPD, and SCZ.
Role of Kip2 during early mitosis – impact on spindle pole body separation and chromosome capture
Authors: Augustine Beryl , Chin Cheen Fei , Yeong Foong May
Published: May 2018

Mitotic spindle dynamics are regulated during the cell cycle by microtubule motor proteins. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, one such protein is Kip2p, a plus-end motor that regulates the polymerization and stability of cytoplasmic microtubules (cMTs). Kip2p levels are regulated during the cell cycle, and its overexpression leads to the formation of hyper-elongated cMTs. To investigate the significance of varying Kip2p levels during the cell cycle and the hyper-elongated cMTs, we overexpressed KIP2 in the G1 phase and examined the effects on the separation of spindle pole bodies (SPBs) and chromosome segregation. Our results show that failure to regulate the cMT lengths during G1-S phase prevents the separation of SPBs. This, in turn, affects chromosome capture and leads to the activation of spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) and causes mitotic arrest. These defects could be rescued by either the inactivation of checkpoint components or by co-overexpression of CIN8, which encodes a motor protein that elongates inter-polar microtubules (ipMTs). Hence, we propose that the maintenance of Kip2p level and cMT lengths during early cell division is important to ensure coordination between SPB separation and chromosome capture by kinetochore microtubules (kMTs).
BMPR2 inhibits activin and BMP signaling via wild-type ALK2
Authors: Olsen Oddrun Elise , Sankar Meenu , Elsaadi Samah , Hella Hanne , Buene Glenn , Darvekar Sagar Ramesh , Misund Kristine , Katagiri Takenobu , Knaus Petra , Holien Toril
Published: May 2018

TGF-β/BMP superfamily ligands require heteromeric complexes of type 1 and 2 receptors for ligand-dependent downstream signaling. Activin A, a TGF-β superfamily member, inhibits growth of multiple myeloma cells, but the mechanism for this is unknown. We therefore aimed to clarify how activins affect myeloma cell survival. Activin A activates the transcription factors SMAD2/3 through the ALK4 type 1 receptor, but may also activate SMAD1/5/8 through mutated variants of the type 1 receptor ALK2 (also known as ACVR1). We demonstrate that activin A and B activate SMAD1/5/8 in myeloma cells through endogenous wild-type ALK2. Knockdown of the type 2 receptor BMPR2 strongly potentiated activin A- and activin B-induced activation of SMAD1/5/8 and subsequent cell death. Furthermore, activity of BMP6, BMP7 or BMP9, which may also signal via ALK2, was potentiated by knockdown of BMPR2. Similar results were seen in HepG2 liver carcinoma cells. We propose that BMPR2 inhibits ALK2-mediated signaling by preventing ALK2 from oligomerizing with the type 2 receptors ACVR2A and ACVR2B, which are necessary for activation of ALK2 by activins and several BMPs. In conclusion, BMPR2 could be explored as a possible target for therapy in patients with multiple myeloma.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Tricellular junction proteins promote disentanglement of daughter and neighbour cells during epithelial cytokinesis
Authors: Wang Zhimin , Bosveld Floris , Bellaïche Yohanns
Published: May 2018

In epithelial tissue, new cell-cell junctions are formed upon cytokinesis. To understand junction formation during cytokinesis, we explored de novo formation of tricellular septate junctions (TCJs) in Drosophila epithelium. We found that upon midbody formation, the membranes of the two daughter cells and of the neighbouring cells located below the adherens junction (AJ) remain entangled in a 4-cell structure apposed to the midbody. The septate junction protein Discs-Large and components of the TCJ, Gliotactin and Anakonda accumulate in this 4-cell structure. Subsequently, a basal movement of the midbody parallels the detachment of the neighbouring cell membranes from the midbody, the disengagement of the daughter cells from their neighbours and the reorganisation of TCJs between the two daughter cells and their neighbouring cells. While the movement of midbody is independent of the Alix and Shrub abscission regulators, the loss of Gliotactin or Anakonda function impedes both the resolution of the connection between the daughter-neighbour cells and midbody movement. TCJ proteins therefore control an additional step of cytokinesis necessary for the disentanglement of the daughter cells from their neighbours during cytokinesis.
The sea urchinDiadema africanumuses low resolution vision to find shelter and deter enemies
Authors: Kirwan John D. , Bok Michael J. , Smolka Jochen , Foster James J. , Hernández José Carlos , Nilsson Dan-Eric
Published: May 2018

Many sea urchins can detect light on their body surface and some species are reported to possess image-resolving vision. Here we measure the spatial resolution of vision in the long-spined sea urchin Diadema africanum, using two different visual responses: a taxis towards dark objects and an alarm response of spine-pointing towards looming stimuli. For the taxis response we used visual stimuli, which were isoluminant to the background, to discriminate spatial vision from phototaxis. Individual animals were placed in the centre of a cylindrical arena under bright down-welling light, with stimuli of varying angular width placed on the arena wall at pseudorandom directions from the centre. We tracked the direction of movement of individual animals in relation to the stimuli to determine whether the animals oriented towards the stimulus. We found that D. africanum responds by taxis towards isoluminant stimuli with a spatial resolution in the range 29°–69°. This corresponds to a theoretical acceptance angle of 38°–89°, assuming a contrast threshold of 10%. The visual acuity of the alarm response of D. africanum was tested by exposing animals to different sized dark looming and appearing stimuli on a monitor. We found that D. africanum displays a spine-pointing response to appearing black circles of 13°-25° angular width, corresponding to an acceptance angle of 60°–116°, assuming the same contrast threshold as above.
Expression of calcium channel transcripts in the zebrafish heart: dominance of T-type channels
Authors: Haverinen Jaakko , Hassinen Minna , Dash Surjya Narayan , Vornanen Matti
Published: May 2018

Calcium (Ca) channels are necessary for cardiac excitation-contraction (e-c) coupling, but Ca channel composition of fish hearts is still largely unknown. To this end, we determined transcript expression of Ca channels in the heart of zebrafish (Danio rerio), a popular model species. Altogether 18 Ca channel α-subunit genes were expressed in both atrium and ventricle. Transcripts for 7 L-type (Cav1.1a, Cav1.1b, Cav1.2, Cav1.3a, Cav1.3b, Cav1.4a, Cav1.4b), 5 T-type (Cav3.1, Cav3.2a, Cav3.2b, Cav3.3a, Cav3.3b) and 6 P/Q-, N- and R-type Ca channels (Cav2.1a, Cav2.1b, Cav2.2a, Cav2.2b, Cav2.3a, Cav2.3b) were expressed. In the ventricle, T-type channels formed 54.9%, L-type channels 41.1% and P/Q-, N- and R-type Ca channels 4.0% of the Ca channel transcripts. In the atrium, the relative expression of T-type and L-type Ca channel transcripts was 64.1% and 33.8%, respectively (others accounted for 2.1%). Thus, at the transcript level T-type Ca channels are prevalent in zebrafish atrium and ventricle. At the functional level, peak densities of ventricular T-type (ICaT) and L-type (ICaL) Ca current were 6.3±0.8 and 7.7±0.8 pA pF−1, respectively. ICaT mediated a sizeable sarcolemmal Ca influx into ventricular myocyte: increment in total cellular Ca content via ICaT was 41.2±7.3 µmol L−1, which was 31.7% of the combined Ca influx (129 µmol L−1) via ICaT and ICaL (88.5±20.5 µmol L−1). The diversity of expressed Ca channel genes in zebrafish heart is high, but dominated by the members of the T-type subfamily. The large ventricular ICaT is likely to play a significant role in e-c coupling.
Hypotheses, rationale, design, and methods for evaluation of a randomized controlled trial using Tocotrienol, an isomer of Vitamin E derived from palm oil, on the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery
Authors: Musa Ahmad Farouk , Dillon Jeswant , Md Taib Mohamed Ezani , Mohamed Yunus Alwi , Nordin Rusli Bin , Kah Hay Yuen
Published: May 2018

Background: One of the most common complications following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is atrial fibrillation (AF), which contributes towards increasing morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay (LoHS) and reduced quality of life (QoL) of patients.

Objectives: To determine whether the intake of Tocotrienol, a Vitamin E isomer derived from palm oil, before and immediately following CABG prevents AF, reduces LoHS, and improves the QoL of patients.

Protocol: The study is registered with the National Medical Research Register with a trial number NMRR-17-1994-34963 and designed as a prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with parallel groups. The experimental group will receive two 200mg Tocotrienol capsules each day, while the control group will receive two identical placebo (palm Super Olein) capsules per day. ECG readings will be used to detect AF post operatively, LoHS will be measured by checking the records from the National Heart Institute Hospital register, and the health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) analysis (the Malay version of the Short Form 36 Questionnaire) will be used to analyse QoL. The sample size was calculated to be 140 in each arm of the RCT for a power of 0.8 and a significance level of 0.05.

Funding: HOVID Berhad funds this research project.

Expected outcomes: The primary endpoint is the development of postoperative AF, whilst the secondary endpoints are the LoHS and HRQoL of patients post CABG.

Future implications: Prevention of AF and its complications such as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, especially stroke, is an important output. Malaysia is one of the biggest producers and exporters of palm oil and palm oil products. Thus, the possibility of marketing Tocotrienol, in reducing AF post CABG surgery, is a very important proposition indeed.

Trial number: NMRR-17-1994-34963
Knowledge discovery for Deep Phenotyping serious mental illness from Electronic Mental Health records
Authors: Jackson Richard , Patel Rashmi , Velupillai Sumithra , Gkotsis George , Hoyle David , Stewart Robert
Published: May 2018

Background: Deep Phenotyping is the precise and comprehensive analysis of phenotypic features in which the individual components of the phenotype are observed and described. In UK mental health clinical practice, most clinically relevant information is recorded as free text in the Electronic Health Record, and offers a granularity of information beyond what is expressed in most medical knowledge bases. The SNOMED CT nomenclature potentially offers the means to model such information at scale, yet given a sufficiently large body of clinical text collected over many years, it is difficult to identify the language that clinicians favour to express concepts.

Methods: By utilising a large corpus of healthcare data, we sought to make use of semantic modelling and clustering techniques to represent the relationship between the clinical vocabulary of internationally recognised SMI symptoms and the preferred language used by clinicians within a care setting. We explore how such models can be used for discovering novel vocabulary relevant to the task of phenotyping Serious Mental Illness (SMI) with only a small amount of prior knowledge. 

Results: 20 403 terms were derived and curated via a two stage methodology. The list was reduced to 557 putative concepts based on eliminating redundant information content. These were then organised into 9 distinct categories pertaining to different aspects of psychiatric assessment. 235 concepts were found to be expressions of putative clinical significance. Of these, 53 were identified having novel synonymy with existing SNOMED CT concepts. 106 had no mapping to SNOMED CT.

Conclusions: We demonstrate a scalable approach to discovering new concepts of SMI symptomatology based on real-world clinical observation. Such approaches may offer the opportunity to consider broader manifestations of SMI symptomatology than is typically assessed via current diagnostic frameworks, and create the potential for enhancing nomenclatures such as SNOMED CT based on real-world expressions.
In vitro evaluation of the antifungal activity of Marco (Ambrosia arborescens Mill.) and Matico (Aristeguietia glutinosa Lam.) on the pathogenic fungi that cause dermatomycosis (ringworm)
Authors: de los Ángeles Mosquera Tayupanta Tatiana , Ayala Valarezo Sandra Elizabeth , Vasquez Villareal Tatiana Alexandra , Montaluisa Álvarez María Belén
Published: May 2018

Background: Currently, there is a trend towards using natural and ethnopharmacological species with therapeutic potential. This investigation evaluated the antifungal activity of two species in the Ecuadorian Andes, which are used in treating dermatomycosis: Ambrosia arborescens Mill. (Marco) and Aristeguietia glutinosa Lam. (Matico).

Methods: We worked with seven concentrations (100 to 700ppm) of Ambrosia arborescens Mill. extract and ten concentrations (0.5 to 5%) of essential oil (EO) of Aristeguietia glutinosa Lam. on Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 9533, Trichophyton rubrum ATCC 28188, Microsporum canis ATCC 36299 and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The methodology used was a modified version of the Kirby-Bauer method, using diffusion in agar wells.

Results: The Tukey test, after the one-way Anova, determined effective concentrations of EO: 5% for Trichophyton mentagrophytes, 4.5% for Trichophyton rubrum, 5% for Microsporum canis and 2% for Candida albicans. In the extracts, the concentration of 700ppm was used for Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, and 600ppm for Microsporum canis and Candida albicans.

Conclusions: The evaluation of the antifungal activity of the Ambrosia arborescens extract showed inhibition in the studied dermatophytes in each one of the planted concentrations (100 to 700ppm). The evaluation of the antifungal activity of Aristeguietia glutinosa EO showed inhibition in the studied dermatophytes in each of the planted concentrations (0.5 to 5%).
Case Report: First report of Elizabethkingia miricola infection in a patient with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Frost Freddy , Nazareth Dilip
Published: May 2018

Elizabethkingia miricola is a rare non-fermenting Gram-negative rod that has previously been reported to be associated with blood stream and pulmonary abscess infections, but never before in cystic fibrosis (CF). Here we present the first reported case of Elizabethkingia miricola infection in a patient with CF and discuss the management options. We describe a patient with CF in whom we observed clinical and spirometric evidence of pulmonary exacerbation with the associated growth of E. miricola in sputum culture. The period of clinical instability was observed to coincide with the obtainment of four sputum samples from which E. miricola was cultured; improvement was seen following treatment with ciprofloxacin and the subsequent eradication of E. miricola. We conclude that E. miricola is able to survive in the CF lung and in this case was associated with pulmonary exacerbation. Empirical treatment with fluoroquinolones is appropriate, based on our experience.
Theatres of surgery: The cultural pre-history of the face transplant
Authors: Biernoff Suzannah
Published: May 2018

The first facial transplant, using a donor’s nose, chin and mouth, was performed on Isabelle Dinoire in France in 2005, but the idea of removing or replacing the face – either with a mask, or with a living face – has been around for much longer. This article explores the cultural pre-history of face transplantation: its speculative existence in legend, literature and film before it became a medical possibility at the beginning of the twenty-first century. One of the questions posed here is: how (and for what purpose) do medical ‘firsts’ like Dinoire’s surgery acquire a history? The article begins by considering the uses of the past by transplant surgeons themselves, and by those who are concerned about the ethical or psychological implications of organ and face transplantation. Having considered these different investments in the past – one emphasising medical progress, the other highlighting enduring anxieties about medical experimentation – we turn to the first cinematic portrayal of face transplantation, in Georges Franju’s horror classic Les Yeux sans Visage (Eyes Without a Face, 1959). An exploration of Franju’s sources suggests a more complicated relationship between medical innovations and their cultural contexts and highlights the changing significance of the face as a site of medical and aesthetic intervention.
A Case-Based Undergraduate Operations Research Course
Authors: Frances Daniel M. , Terekhov Daria
Published: May 2018

This paper describes a purely case-based undergraduate operations research course that has been successfully run in the industrial engineering program at the University of Toronto for 11 years. We describe the structure of the course, including the process adopted for solving the weekly cases, student assessment methods, and the choice of cases. Student feedback suggests that the course enhances the learning experience through the principle of learning by doing, provides a platform for integration of operations research methods learned in earlier classes, can be conducive to improving communication skills, and addresses the gap between theory and practice through a simulated workplace environment.
Service Systems with Heterogeneous Customers: Investigating the Effect of Telemedicine on Chronic Care
Authors: Rajan Balaraman , Tezcan Tolga , Seidmann Abraham
Published: May 2018

Medical specialists treating chronic conditions typically face a heterogeneous set of patients. Such heterogeneity arises because of differences in medical conditions as well as the travel burden each patient faces to visit the clinic periodically. Given this heterogeneity, we compare the strategic behavior of revenue-maximizing and welfare-maximizing specialists and prove that the former will serve a smaller patient population, spend more time with the patients, and have shorter waiting times. We also analyze the impact of telemedicine technology on patient utility and the specialists’ operating decisions. We consider both the case when specialists can freely set their own fee for service and the case when fees are set exogenously by a third-party payer. We prove that with the introduction of telemedicine, the specialists become more productive and the overall social welfare increases, although some patients, unexpectedly, will be worse off. Our analytical results lead to some important policy implications for facilitating the further deployment of telemedicine in the care of chronically ill patients.

This paper was accepted by Serguei Netessine, operations management.
Clinical application of a 3D-printed scaffold in chronic wound treatment: a case series
Authors: Sun Haining , Lv Huayao , Qiu Fanghui , Sun Duolun , Gao Yue , Chen Ning , Zheng YongKe , Deng Kunxue , Yang Yaya , Zhang Haitao , Xu Tao , Ren Dongni
Published: May 2018

Objective:

This case series evaluates the safety and effectiveness of 3D-printed scaffold in chronic wounds. The scaffold is a composite of natural and synthetic materials, and can be prepared in the form of powder or membrane.

Method:

We recruited patients with pressure ulcera (PU) and/or a diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). We used two methods: 3D-printed scaffolds alone, or 3D-printing powder mixed with platelet-rich fibrinogen (PRF). Clinicians and patients were asked to rate the scaffold's ease of application and comfort during use.

Results:

A total of five patients were recruited; four with a PU and one with a DFU. For the patient treated with the 3D-printed scaffold membrane (n=1), their PU healed in 28 days, and for patients treated with the 3D-printed scaffold powder (n=2), their PUs healed in 54 days. For the patients treated with the 3D-printing powder mixed with PRF (n=2), the patient with a PU healed in 11 days, and the patient with the DFU healed in 14 days. All clinicians rated the 3D-printed scaffold as ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ to use, and patients rated their comfort during wear and at dressing change as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrated that 3D-printed scaffold was convenient to use, have the potential to improve wound healing rates, and provided a safe and effective way for treating chronic wounds.
Antibiotic resistance and biofilm tolerance: a combined threat in the treatment of chronic infections
Authors: Bowler Philip G.
Published: May 2018

Since the introduction of antibiotics into human medicine in the 1940's, antibiotic resistance has emerged at an alarming rate and is now a major threat to public health. This problem is amplified by pathogenic bacteria existing most commonly in biofilm form, creating additional bacterial tolerance to antimicrobial agents. Biofilm is now considered to be a primary cause of chronic infection, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria are prevalent in biofilm form. In particular, chronic non-healing wounds commonly harbour complex polymicrobial, pathogenic biofilm that is tolerant to systemic and topical antimicrobial therapy. Antibiotic stewardship programmes have emerged globally to improve antibiotic prescribing practices, and to curb the emergence and spread of bacterial resistance. In this regard, new antimicrobial strategies must be considered, one of which is to use antibiofilm/antimicrobial combinations to disrupt biofilm, thereby facilitating effectiveness of antimicrobial agents, and reducing the opportunity for antibiotic resistance gene transfer within biofilm. This strategy is being considered in several clinical conditions, one of which is chronic non-healing wounds, where antibiotics are used excessively and often indiscriminately. A combination antibiofilm/antimicrobial wound dressing has been shown to facilitate healing in previously biofilm-impaired non-healing wounds. This approach must be considered as part of antibiotic stewardship programmes to reduce the usage and implications of antibiotic therapy, and improve outcomes associated with chronic infections
Perception of diabetic foot ulcers among general practitioners in four European countries: knowledge, skills and urgency
Authors: Garcia-Klepzig José Luis , Sánchez-Ríos Juan Pedro , Manu Chris , Ahluwalia Raju , Lüdemann Claas , Meloni Marco , Lacopi Elisabetta , De Buruaga Víctor Rodriguez-Saenz , Bouillet Benjamin , Vouillarmet Julien , Lázaro-Martinez Jose Luis , Van Acker Kristien
Published: May 2018

Objective:

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) have the potential to deteriorate rapidly, in the absence of prompt assessment and treatment. The aim of this study was to analyse the awareness and perception of DFU among general practitioners (GPs) from four European countries, and to find possible differences between these countries in terms of management.

Method:

A two-part, quantitative, online questionnaire was distributed to GPs across four countries in Europe—the UK, France, Germany and Spain. The first part entailed a survey on the perception and knowledge of the pathogenesis and management of DFU, among GPs. The second part of the questionnaire was used for the collection of data on recently-managed DFU cases.

Results:

For the first part of the study, 600 questionnaires were collected (150 per country) and 1188 patient cases of DFU management were included in the second part. In France, only 49% of GPs mentioned neuropathy as the main causative process in DFU development. However, in Germany and the UK, 82% and 83% of GPs, respectively, considered neuropathy as an important causative factor. DFU care in Spain and the UK is thought to be organised by multidisciplinary teams (MDT) (83% and 84% of GPs, respectively, completely agreed with this statement). In France and Germany, GPs are responsible for follow-up and management. Only UK physicians have clearly identified specialised podiatrists to refer patients to, if needed. Approximately 29–40% of GPs in all countries did not feel they were sufficiently trained in the DFU treatment protocol. Almost 30% of GPs in France and Germany thought that DFU treatment was not well-established due to the absence of clinical guidelines and protocols.

Conclusion:

The intra-country and inter-country management of the complex aspects of DFU is quite heterogeneous. The cause of this finding is multifactorial. Although there are international guidelines, it would be beneficial to establish clear and specific competencies for the different health professionals involved in DFU management. As a minimum, intra-country heterogeneity should improve with their development.
Anticipatory prescribing and advance care planning in palliative care for children and young people
Authors: Tatterton Michael J
Published: May 2018

The ability to manage the distressing symptoms of life-limiting conditions in children outside of hospital is essential if families are to receive care in their place of choice. A key tool to support practitioners achieve this is the advance care plan. Issues of polypharmacy and comorbidity are common in this population. Many medicines used in children's palliative care are prescribed off-label. Assessment, anticipation and management of symptoms should be child-focused, family-centred, holistic and interdisciplinary, and should be considered a continual process rather than as a single event. In this context, there are a number of barriers to effective interdisciplinary working. Practitioners must ensure effective relationships and communication between health professionals, teams and across organisational boundaries, where individuals work together to share knowledge, skills and expertise. Practitioners must also have access to training and ongoing support and supervision in order to practise safely.
Traços do cotidiano, essa vida de "pouco caso"
Authors: Lacerda Mitsi Pinheiro de
Published: May 2018

O artigo, de natureza ensaística, objetiva agregar à defesa da relevância dos estudos em cotidianos, uma modesta contribuição. A princípio, é estabelecido diálogo entre teóricos que se dedicaram aos estudos da vida cotidiana, e a literatura – compreendida enquanto possibilidade de conexão entre a vida comum e a ciência. Na segunda seção é estabelecida conversação com algumas tentativas de “menorização” da vida cotidiana, o que tem sido feito, continuamente, por meio da alegação de que esta esfera seria, tão somente, a repetição diária de si, alimentada por conhecimentos que não são oriundos do campo científico. A seguir, é inserido uma narrativa de forma a vitalizar esta conversação, buscando na memória, um pouco da escola. Por fim, a conclusão do ensaio conduz o leitor a aproximar-se deste estranho, o pesquisador em cotidianos.
Cinema Brasileiro, Cultura e formação: Um encontro na sala universitária de cinema
Authors: Langie Cíntia , Rodrigues Carla Gonçalves
Published: May 2018

Neste artigo, busco investigar relações entre o cinema brasileiro independente e a educação na atualidade. O objetivo é pensar em possibilidades para uma formação singular, aqui materializada na ideia de experiência estética, a partir de sessões alternativas de filmes nacionais. Para isso, invoco o conceito de cultura como encontro (DELEUZE, 1997), considerando a produção de sentido a partir da fruição de obras cinematográficas. Pensando em circuitos paralelos, que oferecem repertório fílmico diversificado e permitem encontros mais potentes, invisto em uma breve análise de salas universitárias de cinema. Daí advém matéria para uma experiência singular com a personagem Clara do filme brasileiro Aquarius (Kleber Mendonça Filho, 2016), e os desdobramentos provocados por esse encontro.
Juventudes e Pedagogias Culturais: experimentações de si e (re)produção de feminilidades nas práticas de tirar selfies
Authors: Pereira Evelyn Santos , Guizzo Bianca Salazar , Zago Luiz Felipe
Published: May 2018

O principal objetivo do artigo é analisar como são ensinadas e aprendidas determinadas formas de incorporar o gênero feminino através da produção e publicação de selfies entre meninas, a partir da perspectiva teórica dos Estudos Culturais e dos Estudos de Gênero pós-estruturalistas. Metodologicamente foram propostos grupos de debates com jovens meninas estudantes dos anos finais do ensino fundamental pertencentes a uma escola pública estadual do Rio Grande do Sul. Os resultados sublinham aspectos do gênero feminino que são valorizados culturalmente quando as meninas produzem seus corpos como imagem. Além disso, mostra-se que a publicação e a publicação das imagens de si geram efeitos nas formas como as feminilidades são significadas e vividas pelas meninas.
Pedagogias Culturais do Projeto “Caixa de Memórias POA”
Authors: Zubaran Maria Angélica , Da Costa Nathália Santos
Published: May 2018

Resumo: Este estudo investiga as pedagogias culturais produzidas e disseminadas pelo projeto de ação educativa “Caixa de Memórias POA”, do Setor Educativo do Museu Joaquim José Felizardo. A análise tem como objetivo central investigar as pedagogias culturais mais recorrentes produzidas sobre o patrimônio cultural da cidade nos relatos produzidos por alunos (as) de uma Escola Municipal de Porto Alegre. A abordagem teórica articula a perspectiva dos Estudos Culturais com o campo do Patrimônio Cultural. A análise dos “relatos pessoais” de alunos (as) registrados no Diário de Bordo do projeto revela que os patrimônios culturais da cidade apropriados pelos alunos (as) não têm como foco apenas os patrimônios culturais materiais e consagrados, mas refere-se também aos patrimônios cotidianos da cidade, mobilizados a partir das vivências desses alunos (as).
Reflexões sobre música, televisão e Educação
Authors: Martinoff Eliane Hilario da Silva , Ferreira Sarita Raquel Belo
Published: May 2018

Observa-se que atualmente a televisão está presente nos hábitos cotidianos de crianças e jovens, exercendo um papel formador- em termos de atitudes, vestimentas, vocabulário, repertório musical, entre outros aspectos -, sobre o qual a escola deve refletir. Esse estudo de natureza bibliográfica, tendo como aporte teórico Gardner (1999) e Magalhães (2003, 2007) objetiva refletir a respeito da influência dos programas televisivos infantis sobre as crianças nas décadas de 1960, 1970 e 1980, no que tange à cultura musical e o ensino de música na escola pública brasileira nesse período e suas possíveis consequências para os dias atuais. Concluiu-se que é importante saber utilizar o que a criança traz consigo em termos de repertório musical, pois a fruição da música está sujeita a diferentes mediações e a escola pode vir a ser o lugar de construção de um conhecimento significativo e reflexivo sobre a música presente no cotidiano.
Aprender por intermédio de discursos e imagens corporais: tensões contemporâneas
Authors: Camozzato Viviane Castro
Published: May 2018

O artigo analisa, num primeiro movimento, práticas de controle e cuidado corporal. Num segundo movimento, foca em escritas que narram os que não reverberam, em seus corpos, os discursos corporais normativos associados às práticas de controle e cuidados corporais. Em ambos movimentos sobressai o quanto se aprende por intermédio de discursos e imagens que dizem de nós e dos outros, demarcando os efeitos das pedagogias culturais para a produção do que somos. As discussões são realizadas em torno de escritas que circulam em espaços da internet.
La innovación y la tecnología como recursos en el proceso de internacionalización de empresas colombianas
Authors: Donado Mercado Alexandra , Núñez López Viridiana , Arechavala Vargas Ricardo
Published: May 2018

El objetivo de esta investigación es probar la incidencia de ciertas variables en el desempeño exportador de empresas MIPYMES asentadas en Colombia. A diferencia de la mayoría de los estudios empíricos, enfocados a nivel país o industria, esta investigación es a nivel de empresa. Utilizando análisis estadístico se prueba la incidencia de las variables: innovación, intensividad de conocimiento, así como características del emprendedor y de la empresa (edad del emprendedor, escolaridad del emprendedor y tamaño de la empresa) en un total de 241 empresas de todos los sectores, ubicadas en Cali. Los principales hallazgos son que las variables: innovación, intensividad de conocimiento y escolaridad del emprendedor están correlacionados positivamente con el desempeño exportador. Los resultados obtenidos en la presente investigación pueden servir de guía al momento de tomar decisiones sobre a qué tipo de empresas apoyar en su proceso de internacionalización.
Equidad como principio: una interpretación de su contenido
Authors: Jáuregui María de los Ángeles
Published: May 2018

El presente artículo desarrolla la teoría de la justicia y los principios fundamentales de la misma que formuló John Rawls (1990). Esta se considera de ineludible conocimiento a fin de que sea la base de toda decisión social. Asimismo, se trata de relacionar dicha concepción con la equidad, definiendo esta última como la justicia en su aplicación al caso concreto de la obligación tributaria. Además, se hace mención de las distintas dimensiones de la equidad planteadas por Grazzo y Torres González (1992).Luego, se hace hincapié en el concepto de García Belsunce (1989), quien considera que la equidad es un principio de imposición más que una garantía constitucional. Se la relaciona con otros principios tributarios como ser: razonabilidad, igualdad, proporcionalidad, no confiscatoriedad, generalidad y capacidad contributiva. Finalmente, se analizan la compatibilidad de los principios y su relación última con la justicia y los incentivos fiscales.
The North Pole Region as an Indicator of the Changing Arctic Ocean: The Need for Sustaining Observations
Authors: Morison James , Wilkinson Jeremy , Alkire Matthew , Nilsen Frank , Polyakov Igor , Smethie Jr. William , Schlosser Peter , Vivier Frédéric , Lourenco Antonio , Provost Christine , Pelon Jacques , Ferriz Cecilia Peralta , Karcher Michael , Rabe Benjamin , Lee Craig
Published: May 2018

Sustained observations of environmental conditions in the North Pole region are critical to understanding the changing Arctic Ocean. The Transpolar Drift conduit of sea ice and freshened upper-ocean waters across the Arctic Ocean passes over the North Pole region on its way to the North Atlantic through Fram and Nares Straits. The exported ice and freshened water stratifies the sub-Arctic seas and limits the vertical convection that ventilates the world ocean. Key variables such as ice thickness, bottom pressure, and hydrography in the North Pole region are thus sensitive indicators of changes over the whole Arctic Basin and how these affect the global ocean. Drifting buoys installed in the North Pole region by Great Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and the U.S. address what would otherwise be a dearth of ocean, ice, and atmosphere observations in the central Arctic. A suite of satellite remote sensing tools such as ICESat/ICESat-2 from the U.S., GRACE from the U.S. and Germany, and CryoSat2 from the European Union extend the conclusions from central Arctic Ocean in situ observations to other regions. Detecting and understanding climate change requires observations over decadal and longer scales. We propose an international program as the key to sustaining these observations in the North Pole region. Such an international program would help immeasurably by 1) facilitating financial sharing of the burden of long-term measurements among several nations, (2) reducing logistics costs through economies of scale, and 3) providing a buffer against national funding, logistics, and geopolitical difficulties.