bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 cases and testing in 53 prison systems
Authors: Lemasters Katherine , McCauley Erin , Nowotny Kathryn , Brinkley-Rubinstein Lauren
Published: December 2020

Background

COVID-19 has entered United States prison systems at alarming rates. Disparities in social and structural determinants of health disproportionately affect those experiencing incarceration, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Additionally, prisons are sites of congregate living, making it impossible to practice social distancing, and most prisons have relied only on incremental measures to reduce risk and spread of COVID-19. To more fully understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on incarcerated populations, it is critical to have systematic data on testing, test positivity, cases, and case fatality. Using data from the COVID Prison Project, we present data on 53 prison systems COVID-19 testing, test positivity, case, and case fatality by state and compare these data with each state’s general population. We do this for the early stages of the pandemic, utilizing data through July 15, 2020.

Results

Many states are not reporting full information on COVID testing with some also not reporting on case fatality. Among those reporting data, there is a wide variation between testing, test positivity, and case rates within prison systems and as compared to the general population. However, when more tests are deployed more cases are identified with the majority of state prisons having higher case rates than their general population.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the need for the implementation and study of COVID-19 mitigation and surveillance strategies to flatten the COVID-19 curve in prisons across the country. We call for future research to build on these data from the COVID Prison Project to protect the health of our nations’ often forgotten residents.
Arabic text summarization using deep learning approach
Authors: Al-Maleh Molham , Desouki Said
Published: December 2020

Natural language processing has witnessed remarkable progress with the advent of deep learning techniques. Text summarization, along other tasks like text translation and sentiment analysis, used deep neural network models to enhance results. The new methods of text summarization are subject to a sequence-to-sequence framework of encoder–decoder model, which is composed of neural networks trained jointly on both input and output. Deep neural networks take advantage of big datasets to improve their results. These networks are supported by the attention mechanism, which can deal with long texts more efficiently by identifying focus points in the text. They are also supported by the copy mechanism that allows the model to copy words from the source to the summary directly. In this research, we are re-implementing the basic summarization model that applies the sequence-to-sequence framework on the Arabic language, which has not witnessed the employment of this model in the text summarization before. Initially, we build an Arabic data set of summarized article headlines. This data set consists of approximately 300 thousand entries, each consisting of an article introduction and the headline corresponding to this introduction. We then apply baseline summarization models to the previous data set and compare the results using the ROUGE scale.
Predictive factors for intrauterine insemination outcomes: a review
Authors: Starosta Anabel , Gordon Catherine E. , Hornstein Mark D.
Published: December 2020

Purpose

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a frequently utilized method of assisted reproduction for patients with mild male factor infertility, anovulation, endometriosis, and unexplained infertility. The purpose of this review is to discuss factors that affect IUI outcomes, including infertility diagnosis, semen parameters, and stimulation regimens.

Methods

We reviewed the published literature to evaluate how patient and cycle specific factors affect IUI outcomes, specifically clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, spontaneous abortion rate and multiple pregnancy rate.

Results

Most data support IUI for men with a total motile count > 5 million and post-wash sperm count > 1 million. High sperm DNA fragmentation does not consistently affect pregnancy rates in IUI cycles. Advancing maternal and paternal age negatively impact pregnancy rates. Paternal obesity contributes to infertility while elevated maternal BMI increases medication requirements without impacting pregnancy outcomes. For ovulation induction, letrozole and clomiphene citrate result in similar pregnancy outcomes and are recommended over gonadotropins given increased risk for multiple pregnancies with gonadotropins. Letrozole is preferred for obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. IUI is most effective for women with ovulatory dysfunction and unexplained infertility, and least effective for women with tubal factor and stage III-IV endometriosis. Outcomes are similar when IUI is performed with ovulation trigger or spontaneous ovulatory surge, and ovulation may be monitored by urine or serum. Most pregnancies occur within the first four IUI cycles, after which in vitro fertilization should be considered.

Conclusions

Providers recommending IUI for treatment of infertility should take into account all of these factors when evaluating patients and making treatment recommendations.
The impact of parturition induction with cloprostenol on immunological parameters in the sow colostrum
Authors: Hlavová Karolina , Kudláčková Hana , Faldyna Martin
Published: December 2020

Background

Farrowing induction with prostaglandin F2 analogue cloprostenol is commonly used on commercial farms to manage the timing of farrowing. When labour induction is applied, the questions arise about possible side effects of such a hormonal intervention on physiological processes connected with labour and lactation, including colostral immunity.

Results

In this study, immune cells composition, lysozyme concentration, complement bacteriolytic activity and proinflamatory (GM-CSF2, IL-1β, IL-6, a TNFα) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-10, TGFβ1 a TGFβ2) cytokines were measured in colostrum samples from sows farrowing naturally (NP) and from sows with farrowing induced using cloprostenol administration on day 113 of gestation (IP). A significantly higher proportion of lymphocytes was found in colostrum of induced sows compared to colostrum of non-induced sows. No significant differences between NP and IP were found in complement activity, in the proportions of granulocytes, macrophages and lymphocyte subpopulations. Lower lysozyme concentration and higher IL-1β, IL-6, TGFβ1 and TNFα concentrations were found in IP sow colostrum compared to colostrum from NP sows.

Conclusions

An increased proportion of colostral lymphocytes can positively influence the cellular immunity transmission from sow to her offspring. On the other hand, a lower lysozyme concentration can adversely affect newborn’s intestinal immunity, as well as changes in cytokine concentrations can have an adverse effect on newborn piglet intestinal epithelium development and its defence function.
Does in utero HIV exposure and the early nutritional environment influence infant development and immune outcomes? Findings from a pilot study in Pretoria, South Africa
Authors: White Marina , Feucht Ute D. , Duffley Eleanor , Molokoane Felicia , Durandt Chrisna , Cassol Edana , Rossouw Theresa , Connor Kristin L.
Published: December 2020

Background

As mother-to-child transmission of HIV decreases, and the population of infants who are born HIV-exposed, but uninfected (HEU) continues to rise, there is a growing need to understand the development and health outcomes of infants who are HEU to ensure that they have the healthiest start to life.

Methods

In a prospective cohort pilot study at Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa, we aimed to determine if we could recruit new mothers living with HIV on antiretrovirals (ART;n= 20) and not on ART (n= 20) and new mothers without HIV (n= 20) through our clinics to study the effects of HEU on growth and immune- and neurodevelopment in infants in early life, and test the hypothesis that infants who were HEU would have poorer health outcomes compared to infants who were HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU). We also undertook exploratory analyses to investigate relationships between the early nutritional environment, food insecurity and infant development. Infant growth, neurodevelopment (Guide for Monitoring Child Development [GMCD]) and levels of monocyte subsets (CD14, CD16 and CCR2 expression [flow cytometry]) were measured in infants at birth and 12 weeks (range 8–16 weeks).

Results

We recruited 33 women living with HIV on ART and 22 women living without HIV within 4 days of delivery from June to December 2016. Twenty-one women living with HIV and 10 without HIV returned for a follow-up appointment at 12 weeks postpartum. The high mobility of this population presented major challenges to participant retention. Preliminary analyses revealed lower head circumference and elevated CCR2+ (% and median fluorescence intensity) on monocytes at birth among infants who were HEU compared to HUU. Maternal reports of food insecurity were associated with lower maternal nutrient intakes at 12 weeks postpartum and increased risk of stunting at birth for infants who were HEU, but not infants who were HUU.

Conclusions

Our small feasibility pilot study suggests that HEU may adversely affect infant development, and further, infants who are HEU may be even more vulnerable to the programming effects of suboptimal nutrition in utero and postnatally. This pilot and preliminary analyses have been used to inform our research questions and protocol in our ongoing, full-scale study.
Investigation of the nutritional value and antioxidant activities of common Bangladeshi edible mushrooms
Authors: Sifat Nazifa , Lovely Farhana , Zihad S. M. Neamul Kabir , Hossain Md. Golam , Shilpi Jamil A. , Grice I. Darren , Mubarak Mohammad S. , Uddin Shaikh Jamal
Published: December 2020

Background

Mushrooms have been recognized both as medicine and nutritional food in many countries for thousands of years, owing to the presence of significant amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibers, and antioxidants. This study aims at evaluating the nutritional contents and antioxidant potentials of seven types of mushrooms cultivated in Bangladesh.

Methods

Proximate composition analysis of the collected mushrooms was performed to determine moisture content, pH, lipid, crude fibre, total ash, protein, carbohydrate content, and calorific value. Antioxidant potential of collected mushrooms were evaluated by mean of eight different methods including total flavonoid content, phenolic content, tannin content, total antioxidant activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, DPPH assay and reducing power capacity.

Results

The results demonstrated that investigated mushrooms were found rich in proteins (20–45 g/100 g), carbohydrate (11–61 g/100 g in dry sample) and fibre (5–40 g/100 g). The ash content was found 6–10 g/100 g and glucose content 54–160 mg/100 g. However, all the mushrooms showed a lower content of lipid (1–4%). Results also revealed that the total antioxidant capacity of the extracts were found in the concentration range of 0.08–0.21 mg/mL, whereas the hydroxyl radical and DPPH radical scavenging activity were 0.88–1.40 and 0.05–0.63 mg/mL.

Conclusion

The findings of the current investigation proved that the studied Bangladeshi mushrooms are good source of nutritional and antioxidant components. Therefore, this study can help spreading awareness among Bangladeshi people regarding consumption of mushrooms as functional foods.
Evaluation of serum14-3-3η protein and Sema3A levels in rheumatoid arthritis: diagnostic and prognostic value
Authors: Darwish Nivine Fathi , Hablas Shymaa Ahmed , Baiomy Nivin Naeem , Rageh El Sayed Mohamed Hamid
Published: December 2020

Background

Serum14-3-3η protein plays an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as it is a joint-derived proinflammatory mediator. Semaphorin3A (Sema3A) plays an immune regulatory and bone remodeling role in many autoimmune diseases. Their role in rheumatoid arthritis needs to be evaluated for diagnostic and prognostic prospective values.

Results

The serum level of protein 14-3-3n was significantly higher in patients with RA than those in healthy controls. Serum 14-3-3η has a significant positive correlation with RF and ACPA, but not with either DAS28, ESR, or CRP. Serum 14-3-3η levels were significantly correlated with radiographically assessed joint damage. Serum Sema3A levels were decreased in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to controls. There were also negative correlations with disease duration and activity score (DAS28), ESR, CRP, and RF.

Conclusion

The discriminative ability of 14-3-3η was comparable to RF and ACPA enhancing its diagnostic capacity. Sema 3A might serve as a predictive marker for radiographic severity and could have a potential therapeutic role in RA.
Articular manifestations in Egyptian children with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Farag Yomna , Taher Heba , Seleem Noha Mostafa , Fahim Diana , Marzouk Huda
Published: December 2020

Background

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive auto-inflammatory disease. Arthritis in early-onset FMF is a common finding. The aim of this study was to assess frequency of arthritis in 200 Egyptian children with FMF and also to detect its clinical characteristics, response to colchicine treatment, its effect on disease severity, and the most common MEFV gene mutations in patients with arthritis.

Results

We studied 200 children with FMF. We analyzed joint involvement in FMF attacks regarding its clinical characteristics, its effect on the disease severity, and response to colchicine treatment. We found arthritis in 20.5% of the studied population. Most of the children with arthritis had mono-articularjoint involvement during the FMF attack (73.1%), followed by oligo-articularjoint (22%). The knees and ankles were the most commonly affected joints. Arthritis was the presenting symptom in only 4%. We observed redness of the affected joints in 70.7%, and persistence of swelling after the attacks only in 17.1%. The majority of patients (85.4%) had a 75–100% decrease in the frequency of arthritic attacks after colchicine treatment. We did not find any joint disability in all studied patients, and arthritis was only present during attacks. The most frequent MEFV gene mutations in arthritic patients wereV726A and E148Q, each occurring in 28.6%. We observed an earlier age of disease onset and a more disease severity in patients with arthritis (p = 0.031 and p ≤ 0.001, respectively). We also observed that chest pain, erysipelas-like-erythema, and testicular affection were more observed in patients with arthritis (p values 0.001, 0.001, and 0.006, respectively).

Conclusion

This study showed that around 20% of Egyptian children with FMF can develop arthritis during the attacks, which usually runs a benign course. The presence of arthritis can denote a more severe disease course.
Diagnostic accuracy of non-contrast abdominopelvic computed tomography scans in follow-up of breast cancer patients
Authors: Nam Sang Yu , Ahn Su Joa , Jang Young Rock , Chun Yong Soon , Park Heung Kyu , Choi Seung Joon , Choi Hye Young , Kim Jeong Ho
Published: December 2020

Objectives:

To evaluate the effectiveness of follow-up with non-enhanced CT (NECT) in patients with breast cancer.

Methods:

The present retrospective study included 1396 patients with breast cancer. Group A included patients with no metastasis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of NECT in detecting newly developed metastasis. Group B included patients with known hepatic metastasis to evaluate the accuracy of NECT for the assessment of hepatic metastasis.

Results:

Group A included 895 patients (mean age 52.8 years). Among them, 145 patients had 160 metastases. The per-patient sensitivities for diagnosing newly developed metastasis were 68.3 and 53.8% according to the two reviewers, while the per-lesion sensitivities were 89.4 and 85.0%. Sensitivities for bone metastasis were 98.9 and 95.9%, while sensitivities for hepatic metastasis were 73.7 and 68.4%. In group B, the accuracy of hepatic metastasis response evaluation according to the RECIST criteria was 70.8% for reviewer 1 and 63.8% for reviewer 2.

Conclusions:

NECT showed inadequate diagnostic performance in detecting newly developed metastasis and in evaluating the response of hepatic metastasis. However, NECT can be utilized as a follow-up modality in patients with decreased renal function or hypersensitivity to iodinated contrast media.

Advances in knowledge:

The risk of side effects of contrast media should be considered as important when NECT can be utilized as a follow-up modality in decreased renal function patients.
Mirabai in Popular Imagination
Authors: Varghese Ritu
Published: December 2020

The immense popularity of Mirabai, the sixteenth-century bhakti poet-saint, transcends time and space. Beliefs have it that she renounced her kshatriya and royal identity for spiritual pursuits in the public domain. She was challenged, critiqued, ostracised, and castigated within her community and was labelled as a woman of questionable character. Mirabai wandered to various places, singing and dancing to bhajans negotiating the public and the private while becoming both virtuous and promiscuous in multiple narratives. Mirabai has been accommodated within the marginalised and subaltern communities and gradually, a community of destitute women has formed around her. With the revival of Mirabai during the Indian ‘nationalist’ period by popular spokespersons such as Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi as an ‘ideal’ and ‘chaste’ historical character in their public speeches and private letters, the promiscuous image of Mirabai, perpetuated through centuries, witnessed transgressions and she was eventually elevated to the status of a saint. This paper with literary, biographical and hagiographical representations explores the mechanism of the paradoxical plane that allowed the promiscuous image of Mirabai to achieve sainthood and become a cult name in the bhakti tradition.
Toward a Theory of Atypical Media Work and Social Hope
Authors: Deuze Mark , Kotišová Johana , Newlands Gemma , Van‘t Hof Erwin
Published: December 2020

Most media work today takes place under atypical conditions, i.e. media professionals such as journalists, musicians, filmmakers, advertising creatives and game developers generally work without open-ended contracts. In this essay, a theory of atypical media work is outlined highlighting this way of working and being at work from the current culture of capitalism. Further, it also throws light on how dualisms, dominating the discourse on media work – such as contracted versus freelance labour, primary and secondary sector employment, good versus bad jobs, paid versus unpaid work – are not as useful as they seem to be is shown. It also delves into the different ways of making precarity, precariousness, constrained autonomy and lack of agency and highlights themas the key problematic features of atypical work – productive (beyond productivity narratives). Throughout the argument, the reasons and motivations for (doing and studying) atypical media work are articulated with a distinct sense of shared social hope.
The uses of botulinum toxin A in facial aesthetics
Authors: Fromage Gemma
Published: December 2020

The demand for non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures is rising, and they are more popular than ever, with the aesthetic uses of botulinum toxin dramatically changing the landscape of facial rejuvenation. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that works within cholinergic synapses present at neuromuscular endplates, preventing the transmission of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, from nerves to muscles. This interference with nerve impulses leads to the muscles being temporarily weakened (paralysis). Botulinum toxin A was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the glabella in 2002, followed by crow's feet in 2013 and then the forehead in 2017, with other aesthetic uses being classed as off-license. Botulinum toxin A yields good results in carefully selected patients, and a thorough consultation should always take place. Consultations should include management of expectations and the explanation that botulinum toxin A works on dynamic lines, rather than static lines. Treatment areas can be split into the upper face (glabellar, transverse forehead lines and lateral orbicularis oculi); mid face (bunny lines and perioral vertical lip lines); and lower face (masseter hypertrophy, mentalis, platysmal bands and gummy smile). Each patient should be assessed individually to determine individual anatomy, including the size, strength and location of muscles, with doses being adjusted accordingly.
Towards a politics of uncertainty: difficulties of naming the relationship between gender and violence
Authors: Carbin Maria
Published: December 2020

This article discusses how the relationship between gender and violence can be articulated, both in policy and theory, in order to unsettle the feminist orthodoxy that equates gender-based violence with violence against (heterosexual, white) women. Through an interview study with Swedish policymakers in public-sector healthcare, the author discusses the work done by different conceptualisations, in particular the new and seemingly neutral category of ‘violence within close relationships’, and shows that there is a need to open up a discussion about the ambiguities involved in trying to find the right language to talk about the relationship between gender and violence. While uncertainty and anxiety are often regarded as negative feelings, as something to be overcome, this article argues that holding onto doubts about the possibility of fixing meaning helps to avoid reduced understandings. Thus, the attempt to lay down one correct version should be dismissed, and instead the author emphasises the need for a politics of uncertainty – both in policy and theory.
Machine learning-aided classification of beams carrying orbital angular momentum propagated in highly turbid water: publisher’s note
Authors: Avramov-Zamurovic Svetlana , Watnik Abbie T. , Lindle James R. , Judd K. Peter , Esposito Joel M.
Published: December 2020

This publisher’s note corrects the name of an author of J. Opt. Soc. Am. A
37, 1662 (2020)JOAOD60740-323210.1364/JOSAA.401153.
Mid-infrared spectrally-uncorrelated biphotons generation from doped PPLN: a theoretical investigation
Authors: Wei Bei , Cai Wu-Hao , Ding Chunling , Deng Guang-Wei , Shimizu Ryosuke , Zhou Qiang , Jin Rui-Bo
Published: December 2020

We theoretically investigate the preparation of mid-infrared (MIR) spectrally-uncorrelated biphotons from a spontaneous parametric down-conversion process using doped LN crystals, including MgO doped LN, ZnO doped LN, and In2O3 doped ZnLN with doping ratio from 0 to 7 mol%. The tilt angle of the phase-matching function and the corresponding poling period are calculated under type-II, type-I, and type-0 phase-matching conditions. We also calculate the thermal properties of the doped LN crystals and their performance in Hong-Ou-Mandel interference. It is found that the doping ratio has a substantial impact on the group-velocity-matching (GVM) wavelengths. Especially, the GVM2 wavelength of co-doped InZnLN crystal has a tunable range of 678.7 nm, which is much broader than the tunable range of less than 100 nm achieved by the conventional method of adjusting the temperature. It can be concluded that the doping ratio can be utilized as a degree of freedom to manipulate the biphoton state. The spectrally uncorrelated biphotons can be used to prepare pure single-photon source and entangled photon source, which may have promising applications for quantum-enhanced sensing, imaging, and communications at the MIR range.
Watt-level, high wall plug efficiency, continuous-wave room temperature quantum cascade laser emitting at 7.7µm
Authors: Wang Huan , Zhang Jinchuan , Cheng Fengmin , Zhuo Ning , Zhai Shenqiang , Liu Junqi , Wang Lijun , Liu Shuman , Liu Fengqi , Wang Zhanguo
Published: December 2020

In this article, a InP based strain-balanced In0.58Ga0.42As/In0.47Al0.53As quantum cascade laser emitting at 7.7µm is reported. The active region is based on a slightly-diagonal bound to continuum design with 50 cascade stages and a low voltage defect Δinj of 96 meV. By optimizing the active region and waveguide structure, the waveguide loss αw of 1.18cm−1 are obtained, which contribute to a high wall-plug efficiency (WPE) of 9.08% and low threshold current of only 1.09 kA/cm2 in continuous-wave(CW) operation at 293K. The maximum single facet output power of 1.17W in CW operation and 2.3W in pulsed operation are measured at 293K. The narrow ridge and buried ridge structure epi-side-down-mounted on the diamond heatsink improved the heat dissipation of the device. A beam of pure zero order mode and a broad external-cavity tuning range from 7.16µm to 8.16µm are also achieved.
Effects of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on functional status and disability in young stroke patients
Authors: Braun Robynne G. , Kittner Steven J. , Ryan Kathleen A. , Cole John W.
Published: December 2020

Background and purpose

The preponderance of evidence from recent studies in human subjects supports a negative effect of the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism on motor outcomes and motor recovery. However prior studies have generally reported the effect of the Met allele in older stroke patients, while potential effects in younger stroke patients have remained essentially unexamined. The lack of research in younger patients is significant since aging effects on CNS repair and functional recovery after stroke are known to interact with the effects of genetic polymorphisms. Here we present a study of first-ever ischemic stroke patients aged 15–49 years that examines the effect of Met carrier status on functional disability.

Methods

829 patients with a first ischemic stroke (Average age = 41.4 years, SD = 6.9) were recruited from the Baltimore-Washington region. Genotyping was performed at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR). Data cleaning and harmonization were done at the GEI-funded GENEVA Coordinating Center at the University of Washington. Our sample contained 165 Met carriers and 664 non-Met carriers. Modified Rankin scores as recorded at discharge were obtained from the hospital records by study personnel blinded to genotype, and binarized into “Good” versus “Poor” outcomes (mRS 0–2 vs. 3+), with mRS scores 3+ reflecting a degree of disability that causes loss of independence.

Results

Our analysis showed that the Met allele conveyed a proportionally greater risk for poor outcomes and disability-related loss of independence with mRS scores 3+ (adjusted OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.13–2.64, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism was negatively associated with functional outcomes at discharge in our sample of 829 young stroke patients. This finding stands in contrast to what would be predicted under the tenets of the resource modulation hypothesis (i.e. that younger patients would be spared from the negative effect of the Met allele on recovery since it is posited to arise as a manifestation of age-related decline in physiologic resources).
Elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and predominance of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma prediction of poor hepatectomy outcomes in patients with combined hepatocellular–cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Chiu Tai-Jan , Chen Yi-Ju , Kuo Fang-Ying , Chen Yen-Yang
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Although elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been associated with survival in some liver cancers, its prognostic relevance has not been studied in the context of combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma CHCC-CC, a rare primary liver cancer. We investigated whether elevated NLR and a predominance of cholangiocarcinoma might predict poor prognosis in patients with resectable CHCC-CC.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic data of forty-two patients with CHCC-CC receiving hepatectomies at our hospital. We used Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression to analyze survival.

Results

Two-year disease-free survival and five-year overall survival rates were 43.2% and 32.9%, respectively. Univariate analyses showed that patients with NLR ≥3 had significantly worse 2-year DFS and 5-year OS rates. Univariant Kaplan-Meier survival analysis also associated these rates with a predominance in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, AJCC tumor stage, pathological T stage and lymph-vascular invasion. However, our multivariate analysis found NLR ≥3 to be the only independent predictor of disease recurrence and poorer survival.

Conclusions

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was the most important independent predictor of poorer survival in patients with resectable CHCC-CC. Predominance of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, advanced AJCC tumor stage and pathological T stage, and lymph-vascular invasion also may affect poor prognosis in patients receiving complete tumor resections.
Associations between serum trace elements and inflammation in two animal models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Palladini Giuseppina , Ferrigno Andrea , Di Pasqua Laura Giuseppina , Berardo Clarissa , Rizzo Vittoria , Perlini Stefano , Vairetti Mariapia
Published: December 2020

Background

The comparison of hepatic steatosis animal models has allowed the understanding of mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We investigated the changes in serum levels of trace elements and inflammation markers in fatty livers using two rat models of NAFLD, the methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet model and Obese-Zucker rats.

Material and methods

NAFLD was induced in male Wistar rats by 3-week MCD diet administration, after which, blood samples were collected. 12-week old Obese (fa/fa) and Lean (fa/-) male Zucker rats were also used. Serum levels of hepatic enzymes, Urea, Uric acid, Ca2+, Cl, Fe, K, Na, Mg and Zn were quantified, as well as the inflammation markers TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6.

Results

In MCD rats, a serum increase in Cl, Mg and Na and a decrease in Ca2+, Zn were detected in comparison with control rats. An increase in only serum Ca2+ was found in Obese-Zucker rats. In MCD rat serum, Zn was inversely correlated with IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, Urea and Uric Acid; Ca2+ was inversely correlated with IL-1beta, IL-6 and Urea; Cl and Mg were directly correlated with Uric Acid and Urea, respectively. In Obese-Zucker rats, Cl and IL-1beta were inversely correlated, whereas Ca2+ and Urea where directly correlated, as well Fe and TNF-alpha.

Conclusions

The serum concentrations of trace elements change significantly only in MCD rats, which spontaneously progress to NASH. The causes of these changes may be a result of defense strategies of the organism, which is regulated by immunoregulatory cytokines. These results might suggest that the impairment of trace element status should be taken into account when the effectiveness of a pharmacological treatment is under evaluation.
Landscape variables affecting the Himalayan red panda Ailurus fulgens occupancy in wet season along the mountains in Nepal
Authors: Thapa Kanchan , Thapa Gokarna Jung , Bista Damber , Jnawali Shant Raj , Acharya Krishna Prasad , Khanal Kapil , Kandel Ram Chandra , Karki Thapa Madhuri , Shrestha Saroj , Lama Sonam Tashi , Sapkota Netra Sharma
Published: December 2020

The Himalayan red panda is an endangered mammal endemic to Eastern Himalayan and South Western China. Data deficiency often hinders understanding of their spatial distribution and habitat use, which is critical for species conservation planning. We used sign surveys covering the entire potential red panda habitat over 22,453 km2along the mid-hills and high mountains encompassing six conservation complexes in Nepal. To estimate red panda distribution using an occupancy framework, we walked 1,451 km along 446 sampled grid cells out of 4,631 grid cells in the wet season of 2016. We used single-species, single-season models to make inferences regarding covariates influencing detection and occupancy. We estimated the probability of detection and occupancy based on model-averaging techniques and drew predictive maps showing site-specific occupancy estimates. We observed red panda in 213 grid cells and found covariates such as elevation, distance to water sources, and bamboo cover influencing the occupancy. Red panda detection probabilityp^(SE)estimated at 0.70 (0.02). We estimated red panda site occupancy (sampled grid cells) and landscape occupancy (across the potential habitat)Ψ^(SE)at 0.48 (0.01) and 0.40 (0.02) respectively. The predictive map shows a site-specific variation in the spatial distribution of this arboreal species along the priority red panda conservation complexes. Data on their spatial distribution may serve as a baseline for future studies and are expected to aid in species conservation planning in priority conservation complexes.
Type and amount of help as predictors for impression of helpers
Authors: Erlandsson Arvid , Wingren Mattias , Andersson Per A.
Published: December 2020

Impression of helpers can vary as a function of the magnitude of helping (amount of help) and of situational and motivational aspects (type of help). Over three studies conducted in Sweden and the US, we manipulated both the amount and the type of help in ten diverse vignettes and measured participants’ impressions of the described helpers. Impressions were almost unaffected when increasing the amount of help by 500%, but clearly affected by several type of help-manipulations. Particularly, helpers were less positively evaluated if they had mixed motives for helping, did not experience intense emotions or empathy, or if helping involved no personal sacrifice. In line with the person-centered theory of moral judgment, people seem to form impressions of helpers primarily based on the presumed underlying processes and motives of prosociality rather than its consequences.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 and cognitive impairment: The health, aging, and body composition study
Authors: Drew David A. , Katz Ronit , Kritchevsky Stephen , Ix Joachim H. , Shlipak Michael , Newman Anne B. , Hoofnagle Andy , Fried Linda , Gutiérrez Orlando M. , Sarnak Mark
Published: December 2020

Background

Concentrations of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), a hormone that regulates phosphorus and vitamin D metabolism, increase as kidney function declines. Excess fibroblast growth factor 23 may impact brain function through promotion of vascular disease or through direct effects on neuronal tissue.

Methods

In the Healthy Aging and Body Composition Study, a longitudinal observational cohort of well-functioning older adults, intact serum FGF-23 was assayed in 2,738 individuals. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and longitudinally at years 3, 5, and 8 by administration of the Modified Mini Mental State Examination (3MSE), a test of global cognitive function, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), a test primarily of executive function. The associations between FGF-23 and baseline cognitive function and incident cognitive impairment were evaluated using logistic and Poisson regression respectively, and were adjusted for demographics, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urine albumin/creatinine ratio, comorbidity, and other measures of mineral metabolism including soluble klotho.

Results

The mean (SD) age was 74(3) years, with 51% female, and 39% black. The median (25th, 75th) FGF-23 concentration was 47 pg/mL (37, 60). Three hundred ninety-two individuals had prevalent cognitive impairment by the 3MSE and 461 by the DSST. There was no observed association between FGF-23 and baseline cognitive function for either cognitive test. There were 277 persons with incident cognitive impairment by 3MSE, and 333 persons with incident cognitive impairment by DSST. In fully adjusted models, each two-fold higher concentration of baseline FGF-23 was not associated with incident cognitive impairment by the 3MSE (IRR = 1.02[0.88, 1.19] fully adjusted model) or by the DSST (IRR = 0.98 [0.84, 1.15]. We saw no difference when analyses were stratified by eGFR greater than or less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2.

Conclusion

Intact FGF-23 was not associated with baseline cognitive function or incident cognitive impairment in this cohort well-functioning older adults.
Cognitive flexibility and perceived threat from COVID-19 mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and state anxiety
Authors: Kalia Vrinda , Knauft Katherine , Hayatbini Niki
Published: December 2020

Converging empirical evidence indicates that exposure to adversity in childhood is associated with increased vulnerability to mental health problems in adulthood. As early life adversity has the potential to alter an individual’s appraisal of threat, we hypothesized that individuals exposed to adversity in childhood may also exhibit increased threat from environmental stressors, which in turn may impact their state anxiety levels. We examined the relations between adverse childhood experiences, assessed using the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACEs), perceived threat from COVID-19, and state anxiety in a sample of adults. Additionally, flexibility is implicated in adaptive coping with life’s stressors so we also assessed participants’ cognitive flexibility. Parallel mediation regression analyses revealed that both perceived threat from COVID-19 and flexibility in the appraisal of challenges mediated the influence of maltreatment, but not household dysfunction, on state anxiety. Our data indicate that experience with early life adversity in the form of maltreatment is associated with increased perceived threat from COVID-19, which results in higher anxiety levels for the individual. In contrast, childhood maltreatment is associated with reduced flexibility in appraising challenges, which in turn mediates the relationship between maltreatment and anxiety. The findings of this study adds to the limited literature on the impact of early life adversity on cognitive flexibility and highlights the psychological toll of COVID-19 on individuals who have been exposed to adverse childhood experiences.
Os Caminhos Portugueses a Santiago de Compostela - Fragmentos Holísticos da Patrimonialização
Authors: Gomes Leandro Eustáquio , Florêncio Fernando
Published: December 2020

Este artigo é uma síntese da pesquisa realizadas no âmbito doutorado em Antropologia Social e Cultura, realizado entre os anos de 2013 à 2017, na Universidade de Coimbra/Portugal, tendo como objeto de estudo/pesquisa, os Caminhos Portugueses a Santiago de Compostela, a segunda maior rota praticada de peregrinação jacobeia, rota crescente que atrai dezenas de milhares de peregrinos todos os anos, e que está em vias de reconhecimento como Património Nacional Português e Património da Humanidade junta a UNESCO. Neste sentido, buscamos com este artigo, esboçar uma visão holística da (re)construção da cultura e património, nessa dinâmica de patrimonialização dos Caminhos Portugueses a Santiago de Compostela, num registro sincrônico da percepção, relação e ação para com este património pelas comunidades onde ele está inserido, as ações das organizações envolvidas e também as motivações, visões e interpretação das pessoas que realização a esta rota de peregrinação, registro de todo o trajeto de peregrinação, locais de frequentados e das demais atividades comumente realizadas pelas pessoas que realizam a rota Medieval do Caminho de Santiago Português.
SCIENTIFIC WORK DISSEMINATION IN INDONESIA: A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Devi Katrin Setio , Rahmi Rahmi , Triasih Hermin
Published: December 2020

This article describes the research dissemination activities of lecturers and researchers in Indonesia. Data were collected through an online survey with 39 questions distributed to respondents via social media from 21 to 31 July 2020. Thirty out of 77 respondents completed the online questionnaire. The results identified variables, such as resources available for dissemination, planning and targeting dissemination activity, evaluating the effects, and capturing research influence. The results revealed that almost all respondents realised the importance of dissemination and wanted to participate. The results show that 80% dissemination activities are conducted through academic journals. Assistance and instruction from specialize divisions or institutions are needed for the dissemination process so that results are maximally employed and so that the role of research is increased in policymaking. Although only 3 % researchers evaluated their research, when asked about the influence of their research, most researchers provided examples of the influence of their research. Researchers understand the importance of dissemination and have been putting it into practice. Researchers require clear guidance from institutions that can assist them in the dissemination process from the planning stage to dissemination.
PROVIDING RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND PRACTICES AT PDDI-LIPI: PREPAREDNESS, ROLES, CHALLENGES, AND TRAINING
Authors: Triasih Hermin , Rahmi Rahmi , Devi Katrin Setio
Published: December 2020

This study aims to analyse the implementation of RDM at PDDI-LIPI and to assess its staff’s understanding about RDM services. This article also discusses the challenges and obstacles PDDI faces in providing RDM services. The data was collected via an online survey from 28 July to 7 August 2020. The survey consisted of 35 questions and was shared with 36 respondents via social media. The results identified categories such as research data management services, data management planning services, data archiving services, funding, and staff competency and training needs. In addition, this article also discusses the approach and assessment of RDM services, challenges in providing RDM services, and plans for further developing RDM services at PDDI-LIPI. The results showed that the PDDI staff's understanding of RDM services is adequate. As a new service, the implementation of RDM at PDDI-LIPI continues to develop toward optimisation. RIN is a platform used by PDDI to support this goal. The three biggest obstacles faced by PDDI-LIPI in developing RDM services are limited human resources, competence and budget.  Various trainings related to RDM, both sending staff off campus and inviting trainers to campus, were carried out by PDDI to overcome these obstacles. It is recommended to conduct further research on the mapping and upskilling of staff in charge of RDM services.
Internethasználati szokások feltérképezése a Rogers-féle elmélet szerint a magyarországi idősödők körében
Authors: Bernschütz Mária , Danó Györgyi , Kovács István , Petruska Ildikó
Published: December 2020

A fejlett társadalmakban egyre nagyobb arányt képviselő idős generáció innovációs magatartásának kutatása – az információtechnológia rohamos fejlődését figyelembe véve – üzleti, társadalmi és erkölcsi szempontból nézve sem megkerülhető feladat. Az idős korosztálynál a szükséges tudás és képességek hiánya az online aktivitásnak jellemzően korlátokat szab, ugyanakkor a használati előnyök is egyre inkább kirajzolódnak számukra, sőt, ez a fajta felkészültség akár megkerülhetetlenné válik. Mindez ráirányítja a figyelmet az idősek innovációs magatartásának minél többoldalúbb feltérképezésére. Figyelembe kell venni, hogy az idős korosztály is erősen tagozódik, az egészségi állapot, az életkörülmények, az életstílus, az értékek és más tényezők innovációs elfogadás szempontjából is eltérő magatartásmintákat rajzolnak ki. De különbségek vannak az idősek két generációja, az érettek (veteránok) és a baby boomerek (Ratkó-korszak szülöttei) között is, hiszen más életszakaszban érte el őket az internet berobbanása. Primer kutatásukban a szerzők ennek a két időskori generációnak az információtechnológia használatára vonatkozó magatartását vizsgálják hazai viszonylatban, a Rogers-féle innovációelfogadási modellt elméleti alapul véve.
Szervezetközi kapcsolatok vizsgálata az egészségügyi prevencióban
Authors: Szalkai Zsuzsanna , Dóra Tímea Beatrice
Published: December 2020

A tanulmány célja a magyarországi egészségügyi prevencióban részt vevő szereplők azonosítása, és a szervezetek közötti kapcsolatok vizsgálata esettanulmány segítségével. Az üzleti kapcsolatokra vonatkozó elméleti hátteret az Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) Group megközelítésére alapozták a szerzők, mely kapcsolatok összefonódása napjainkban még inkább érezhető, mint valaha. E megközelítés szerint az üzleti kapcsolatok a szereplők, a tevékenységek és az erőforrások köteléke által jönnek létre és működnek. Az egészségügyi prevenció egy tipikusan olyan terület, ahol a magán- és a közszféra együttműködése elengedhetetlen. A tanulmányban bemutatják a szereplőket, elemzik a közöttük lévő kapcsolatokat egy szervezett egészségügyi prevenciós program (Magyarország átfogó egészségügyi szűrőprogramja 2010-2020) mentén. A kutatás eredményei rámutatnak arra, hogy az erőforrások kombinációjának fontos szerepe van a program sikerességében. Eredményeik alapján kirajzolódott, hogy az információ az egyik legfontosabb erőforrás és motiváló tényező a szereplők számára. A tanulmány kiemeli a program vezetőjének (mint aktor) kulcsszerepét a kapcsolatok kialakításában, fenntartásában.
Infância, adolescência e direitos humanos no conflituoso século XX:
Authors: De Moura Esmeralda Blanco Bolsonaro
Published: December 2020

Este artigo tem, como finalidade, situar os direitos humanos, em particular os direitos reconhecidos à infância e à adolescência, a partir de suas premissas históricas, como desdobramentos do conflituoso século XX, cenário de duas guerras mundiais e de conflitos armados em várias partes do mundo, com inegável impacto sobre crianças e adolescentes. Ao elenco de decisões emanadas da Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU), acrescenta as discussões sobre o teor da Constituição Federal de 1988 quanto ao reconhecimento desses direitos no Brasil, as contestações de que são objeto, sua recorrente violação. Finalmente, reflete sobre o direito à informação como suporte dos demais direitos reconhecidos a crianças e adolescentes e, por esse meio, como fundamento de uma sociedade democrática disposta a firmar-se no presente e a sobreviver no futuro.
De Menores Incapazes e Imputáveis a Sujeitos de Direitos: os Direitos Humanos das Crianças e Adolescentes desde as Históricas normativas Internacionais
Authors: Stolz Sheila
Published: December 2020

As pesquisas bibliográficas e, sobretudo, normativas levadas a termo e transcritas neste artigo, formaram a base da reconstrução sintética das precaríssimas condições de vida das crianças e de sua exploração como mão de obra barata a partir da Revolução Industrial (1760 e 1850) e, também, das ações que foram realizadas por associações caritativas e profissionais e seus respectivos congressos para o enfrentamento destas condições injustas. Enfoque analítico descritivo que evidenciará que ao longo dos séculos XIX e XX novas concepções sobre a infância e a adolescência foram tomando corpo e sendo integralizadas nos tratados e outros documentos internacionais a ponto de garantirem as crianças e adolescentes o reconhecimento internacional e, também, em âmbito latino-americano, de sua condição humana e, respetivamente, de seus específicos direitos.
The Cost of Clipping—How Much Does Price Matter?
Authors: Pohl Heiko
Published: December 2020

Clip closure is effective for large (≥ 20 mm) nonpedunculated polyps in the proximal colon. The cost-effectiveness analysis by Albeniz et al. found that selective clipping of polyps at a minimum risk (>13% in the United States, >10% in Spain) is worthwhile clipping. Although such model is theoretically sound, clinical practice should be primarily guided by efficacy data. Moreover, the analysis is very sensitive to the high price of clips, which is likely to reduce in the foreseeable future.