bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transient expression analysis of synthetic promoters containing F and D cis-acting elements in response to Ascochyta rabiei and two plant defense hormones
Authors: Shokouhifar Farhad , Bahrabadi Marjan , Bagheri Abdolreza , Mamarabadi Mojtaba
Published: December 2019

Introduction of a foreign gene coding for a pathogen resistant protein into the target plant and constitutive expression of Resistance (R) proteins may confer high level of resistance. However, genetic engineering could lead to reprogramming of molecular mechanisms that manage physiological behavior, which in turn could lead to undesired results. Therefore, using a pathogen-inducible synthetic promoter approach, response to pathogens could be more specific. Ascochyta rabiei is a destructive fungal pathogen in chickpea production. In this study, we analyzed the expression pattern of three synthetic promoters in response to pathogen and two defense hormones. We have tested three synthetic pathogen-inducible promoters designated as (1) synthetic promoter-D box-D box (SP-DD), (2) synthetic promoter-F element-F element (SP-FF) and (3) synthetic promoter-F element-F element-D box-D box (SP-FFDD) via Agrobacterium transient expression assay. The cis-acting element designated as ‘D’ is a 31 base pair sequence from the promoter of parsley pathogenesis-related gene 2 (PR2 gene) and the cis-acting element designated as ‘F’ is a 39 base pairs sequence from the promoter of Arabidopsis AtCMPG1 gene. We used mycelial extracts from two pathotypes of A. rabiei as elicitor to define the responsiveness of the promoters against pathogen. Plant phytohormones including salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate were also used to study the promoter sensitivity in plant signaling pathways. Our results showed that the SP-FF promoter was highly inducible to A. rabiei and methyl jasmonate as well, while the SP-DD promoter was more sensitive to salicylic acid. The SP-FFDD promoter was equally responsive to both pathotypes of A. rabiei which is probably due to the complex nature of box D cis-acting element.
DOA estimation of spectrally overlapped LFM signals based on STFT and Hough transform
Authors: Zhang Xiaofa , Zhang Weike , Yuan Ye , Cui Kaibo , Xie Tao , Yuan Naichang
Published: December 2019

Traditional subspace methods which are based on the spatial time-frequency distribution (STFD) matrix have been investigated for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation of linear frequency modulation (LFM) signals. However, the DOA estimation performance may degrade substantially when multiple LFM signals are spectrally overlapped in time-frequency (TF) domain. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes single-source TF points selection algorithm based on Hough transform and short-time Fourier transform (STFT). Firstly, the signal intersections in TF domain can be solved based on the Hough transform, and multiple-source TF points around the intersections are removed, so that the single-source TF points set is reserved. Then, based on the Euclidean distance operator, the single-source TF points set belonging to each signal can be obtained according to the property that TF points of the same signal have same eigenvector. Finally, the averaged STFD matrix is constructed for each signal, and DOA estimation is achieved based on multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm. In this way, the proposed algorithm exhibit remarkable superiority in estimation accuracy and angular resolution over the state-of-the-art schemes and can achieve DOA estimation in the underdetermined cases. In addition, the proposed algorithm can still perform DOA estimation when multiple LFM signals intersect at one point. Numerical simulations demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Some invariant solutions and conservation laws of a type of long-water wave system
Authors: Zhang Xiangzhi , Zhang Yufeng
Published: December 2019

We propose a generalized long-water wave system that reduces to the standard water wave system. We also obtain the Lax pair and symmetries of the generalized shallow-water wave system and single out some their similarity reductions, group-invariant solutions, and series solutions. We further investigate the corresponding self-adjointness and the conservation laws of the generalized system.
Projective synchronization of different uncertain fractional-order multiple chaotic systems with input nonlinearity via adaptive sliding mode control
Authors: Rashidnejad Heydari Zahra , Karimaghaee Paknosh
Published: December 2019

This paper introduces the projective synchronization of different fractional-order multiple chaotic systems with uncertainties, disturbances, unknown parameters, and input nonlinearities. A fractional adaptive sliding surface is suggested to guarantee that more slave systems synchronize with one master system. First, an adaptive sliding mode controller is proposed for the synchronization of fractional-order multiple chaotic systems with unknown parameters and disturbances. Then, the synchronization of fractional-order multiple chaotic systems in the presence of uncertainties and input nonlinearity is obtained. The developed method can be used for many of fractional-order multiple chaotic systems. The bounds of the uncertainties and disturbances are unknown. Suitable adaptive rules are established to overcome the unknown parameters. Based on the fractional Lyapunov theorem, the stability of the suggested technique is proved. Finally, the simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of our suggested scheme.
A combined compact difference scheme for option pricing in the exponential jump-diffusion models
Authors: Akbari Rahman , Mokhtari Reza , Jahandideh Mohammad Taghi
Published: December 2019

In the present paper, starting with the Black–Scholes equations, whose solutions are the values of European options, we describe the exponential jump-diffusion model of Levy process type. Here, a jump-diffusion model for a single-asset market is considered. Under this assumption the value of a European contingency claim satisfies a general “partial integro-differential equation” (PIDE). With a combined compact difference (CCD) scheme for the spatial discretization, a high-order method is proposed for solving exponential jump-diffusion models. The method is sixth-order accurate in space and second-order accurate in time. A known analytical solution to the model is used to evaluate the performance of the numerical scheme.
Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to examine implementation determinants of specialty mental health probation
Authors: Van Deinse Tonya B. , Bunger Alicia , Burgin Stacey , Wilson Amy Blank , Cuddeback Gary S.
Published: December 2019

Background

Specialty mental health probation (SMHP) is designed to improve outcomes for the large number of people with serious mental illnesses who are on probation and/or parole. The evidence for specialty mental health probation is promising; however, little is known about the implementation challenges and facilitators associated with SMHP. To address this gap, we used the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR) to analyze 26 interviews with stakeholders representing multiple agencies involved in the implementation of SMHP.

Results

Results indicate a number of challenges and facilitators related to the inner setting, outer setting, implementation process, and characteristics of individuals.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that complex and cross-sectoral interventions are context-dependent and introduce a number of challenges and facilitators related to multiple CFIR domains. Consequently, agency administrators implementing these types of interventions should consider small pilot studies and develop implementation strategies tailored to the local implementation context.
Esmolol for cardioprotection during resuscitation with adrenaline in an ischaemic porcine cardiac arrest model
Authors: Karlsen Hilde , Bergan Harald Arne , Halvorsen Per Steinar , Sunde Kjetil , Qvigstad Eirik , Andersen Geir Øystein , Bugge Jan Frederik , Olasveengen Theresa Mariero
Published: December 2019

Background

The effectiveness of adrenaline during resuscitation continues to be debated despite being recommended in international guidelines. There is evidence that the β-adrenergic receptor (AR) effects of adrenaline are harmful due to increased myocardial oxygen consumption, post-defibrillation ventricular arrhythmias and increased severity of post-arrest myocardial dysfunction. Esmolol may counteract these unfavourable β-AR effects and thus preserve post-arrest myocardial function. We evaluated whether a single dose of esmolol administered prior to adrenaline preserves post-arrest cardiac output among successfully resuscitated animals in a novel, ischaemic cardiac arrest porcine model.

Methods

Myocardial infarction was induced in 20 anaesthetized pigs by inflating a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) balloon in the circumflex artery 15 min prior to induction of ventricular fibrillation. After 10 min of untreated VF, resuscitation with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was initiated and the animals were randomized to receive an injection of either 1 mg/kg esmolol or 9 mg/ml NaCl, prior to adrenaline. Investigators were blinded to allocation. Successful defibrillation was followed by a 1-h high-flow VA-ECMO before weaning and an additional 1-h stabilization period. The PCI-balloon was deflated 40 min after inflation. Cardiac function pre- and post-arrest (including cardiac output) was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and invasive pressure measurements. Myocardial injury was estimated with MRI, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and serum concentrations of cardiac troponin T.

Results

Only seven esmolol and five placebo-treated pigs were successfully resuscitated and available for post-arrest measurements (p = 0.7). MRI revealed severe but similar reductions in post-arrest cardiac function with cardiac output 3.5 (3.3, 3.7) and 3.3 (3.2, 3.9) l/min for esmolol and control (placebo) groups, respectively (p = 0.7). The control group had larger left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic ventricular volumes compared to the esmolol group (75 (65, 100) vs. 62 (53, 70) ml, p = 0.03 and 103 (86, 124) vs. 87 (72, 91) ml, p = 0.03 for control and esmolol groups, respectively). There were no other significant differences in MRI characteristics, myocardial infarct size or other haemodynamic measurements between the two groups.

Conclusions

We observed similar post-arrest cardiac output with and without a single dose of esmolol prior to adrenaline administration during low-flow VA-ECMO in an ischaemic cardiac arrest pig model.
On mycohuman performances: fungi in current artistic research
Authors: Rapp Regine
Published: December 2019

This review reflects several artists and their artistic research in the field of hybrid art, bio art, or science art, working with Fungi as both subject matter and medium. The work of Saša Spačal, Tarsh Bates and Theresa Schubert is not representational in the manner of traditional fine art, but works rather through performative, multidisciplinary and research-based strategies to produce artwork through fungal material as such. My research results are based on the series “Nonhuman subjectivities” and “Nonhuman agents” that Christian de Lutz and I conceived and realized at Art Laboratory Berlin (2016–18) in various formats—exhibitions, workshops, lectures and a conference. The work of Saša Spačal and her colleagues involves creating interactive situations of symbiosis between the fungal and the human. An example of this is Myconnect, in which a biofeedback loop is related between the human participant and Oyster mushroom mycelia through a special encounter, which is mediated by non-linguistic forms of awareness and exchange—sonic, electronic and metabolic. Tarsh Bates’ work with Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis refers to a complex and intimate relation between the human and yeasts that form part of the human microbiome. Bates considers the relationship between humans and yeast as “CandidaHomo Ecologies” and sees both partners as equals. She explores this relationship through her work The Surface dynamics of adhesion, examines it from historical and metabolic levels through an installation that includes the live yeast growing on agar mixed with the artist’s own blood. Theresa Schubert’s installations and site-specific interventions treat living organisms, especially Fungi, as collaborators and co-creators. Her work Growing Geometries—Tattooing Mushrooms follows the morphological development of fungal fruiting bodies through the intervention of a tattoo. Her performative forest walks, especially the Forestal Psyche and also new actions for the “Mind the Fungi” project, engage the public in an intimate and multi sensory encounter with Fungi and their surrounding environment.
Axial torsion of Meckel’s diverticulum causing acute peritonitis in the first trimester of pregnancy: a case report
Authors: Nagata Hiromitsu , Nishizawa Hiroyasu , Mashima Susumu , Shimahara Yasuyuki
Published: December 2019

Background

Meckel’s diverticulum is considered the most prevalent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Approximately 4% of patients are symptomatic with complications such as bleeding, intestinal obstruction, and inflammation, while axial torsion of Meckel’s diverticulum is rare, particularly in pregnancy.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old woman in week 15 of pregnancy complained of epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting. Clinical diagnosis was severe hyperemesis gravidarum. Because the symptoms persisted during hospitalization, CT was performed and revealed dilated small bowel loops with multiple air-fluid levels. In the right mid-abdomen, there was a large part of air containing a cavity connected to the small intestine, which was considered a dilated bowel loop. Emergency laparotomy was performed and axial torsion of a large Meckel’s diverticulum measuring 11 cm was found at a few centimeters proximal to the ileocecal valve. Ileocecal resection including Meckel’s diverticulum was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. At 40 weeks gestation, she had vaginal delivery of normal baby.

Conclusion

The physiological and anatomical changes in pregnancy can make a straightforward clinical diagnosis difficult. Prompt diagnosis and management were needed in order to avoid significant maternal and fetal risks. The use of imaging examinations, especially CT examination, with proper timing may be helpful to prevent delay in diagnosis and surgical intervention. Here, we report the case of a patient with axial torsion of Meckel’s diverticulum in pregnancy. To our knowledge, axial torsion of Meckel’s diverticulum in the first trimester of pregnancy has not been reported in the English medical literature.
Investigating clinical characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with chronic osteomyelitis of humerus
Authors: Wu Hongri , Yu Shengpeng , Fu Jingshu , Sun Dong , Wang Shulin , Xie Zhao , Wang Yungui
Published: December 2019

Background

Chronic osteomyelitis in the humerus, which has complex neuroanatomy and a good soft tissue envelope, represents a unique clinical challenge. However, there are relatively few related studies in the literature. This article retrospectively reviewed a large case series with the aims of sharing our management experiences and further determining factors associated with the outcomes.

Methods

Twenty-eight consecutive adult patients with a mean age of 36 years were identified by reviewing the osteomyelitis database of our clinic centre. The database was used to prospectively identify all osteomyelitis cases between 2013 and 2017, and all data then was retrospectively analysed.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 35 months (range 24–60). The aetiology was trauma in 43% (12) of the patients and haematogenous in 57% (16) of the patients, and Staphylococcus aureus was a solitary agent in 50% (14) of the patients. Host-type (Cierny’s classification) was IA in 8, IIIB in 11 and IVB in 9 patients. All patients required debridement followed by the placement of a temporary antibiotic-impregnated cement spacer (rod). Seventeen patients received a cement-coated plate for internal fixation after debridement, and 13 patients needed bone grafts when the spacer was staged removed. All patients attained an infection-free bone healing state at the final follow-up. The final average DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) score was 18.14 ± 5.39, while 6 patients (two developed traumatic olecranarthritis, four developed radial nerve injuries) showed the lowest levels of limb function (p = 0.000) and were unemployed. Three patients (type I; significant difference between type I versus type III and type IV patients, p < 0.05) experienced recurrence after debridement and underwent a second revision, which was not related to the bone graft (p = 0.226) or plate fixation (p = 0.050).

Conclusions

Humeral chronic osteomyelitis can be treated with general surgery and anti-infective therapy; medullary (type I) infection presents a challenge, and the antibiotic-coated cement plate provides favourable fixation without increasing recurrence of infections. Clinicians should be aware of potential iatrogenic nerve injuries when treating these patients with complicated cases, and an experienced surgeon may improve the outcome.
Successively expressed cuticular protein genes at the prepupal stage in wing discs of Bombyx mori
Authors: Ali Md Saheb , Mishra Birendra , Swapon Ahsanul Haque , Yamaguchi Masamitsu
Published: December 2019

Background

We classified cuticular protein genes expressed at prepupal stage in wing discs ofBombyx moriinto six groups according to their developmental expression and ecdysone responsiveness. Their expression pattern is suggested to be regulated by ecdysone-responsive transcription factors, whose transcripts showed resemblance with those of cuticular protein gene expression.

Result

Group1 and Group2 CP genes showed peak expression at stage W2. Group3 CP genes showed high expression at stage W3E and W3L and were upregulated by 20E addition, showing a peak 12 h after 20E pulse treatment. Group4 CP gene transcripts started expression from stage V5 and peaked at stage W3L. Some genes showed significant increase 4 or 6 h after 20E addition and were induced 6 h and showed a peak 18 h after the 20E pulse treatment. Group5 CP gene transcripts peaked at the same stage W3L. Some Group5 genes showed significant increase 6 h after the 20E addition, while others were not induced by the 20E addition. These different sub-groups showed different expression profiles in the feeding stage. Transcripts of this group genes were induced 12 h and showed a peak 18 h after the 20E pulse treatment. Group6 CP genes peaked at the stage P0, were not induced by the 20E addition, and showed a peak 24 h after the 20E pulse treatment. Group3, 4, 5, and 6 CP genes are suggested to be regulated by BHR4, BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1, respectively. ERTFs showed different responsiveness to 20E concentration. BR-C was most and E74A was least insensitive. The addition of cycloheximide inhibited BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1 expression depending on the length of treatment after ecdysone pulse treatment, which suggests that BHR4 induced BR-C, E74A, and βFTZ-F1.

Conclusion

Expression patterns of CPs were determined by the ecdysone-responsiveness and the related ERTFs expressed in the prepupal stage inB. moriwing discs.
Role of minimally invasive percutaneous fixation in thoracolumbar fractures: a prospective study
Authors: Elenany Sherief Ahmed , Alkosha Hazem Adel , Ibrahiem Mohamed Safwat
Published: December 2019

Background

Each year, there are approximately 5 million new vertebral fractures worldwide. Being a mobile flexible segment that is prone to severe stresses and loads, thoracolumbar fractures are considered one of the most controversial and challenging fracture types to manage.

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore the technique and to evaluate feasibility, safety, and outcome of percutaneous transpedicular fixation in the management of thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods

This study was carried out in the period between May 2016 and June 2017, where 20 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar fractures, based on TLICS scoring and neurological status, underwent a posterior percutaneous transpedicular fixation. The mean age was 33.85 years, range 20–49 years. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Patients had their clinical outcomes reviewed and evaluated in terms of cosmesis by visual analog scale (VAS) and in terms of Cobb angle correction.

Results

The length of the procedure varied from 120 to 180 min with mean time of 154.50 min. There was no significant blood loss in all cases. The volume of blood loss ranged from 150 to 200 cc with mean loss of 174.25 cc.

No major intraoperative complications happened in our study cases. Six cases had only one laterally malpositioned screw each. All cases returned to their previous activity without limitations (E5). Those who were completely pain free (F5) were 15 patients. Only five patients were suffering from moderate pain (F4). The Prolo scale was either 9 or 10 with mean of 9.60.

Conclusion

By comparing our results with other studies, we found more or less equivalence in terms of neurological recovery, functional outcome, fusion rate, and maintenance of correction gain. However, the cosmesis scores for patients in the study were great.
Awareness about breast cancer and mammogram among women attending outpatient clinics, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Egypt
Authors: Manzour Ayat F. , Gamal Eldin Dina A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Breast diseases in women, whether benign or malignant, are very commonly encountered. The breast is the commonest site for female cancer in Egypt (38.8%). Breast cancer screening can reduce morbidity and mortality and improve the survival rate for this malignancy. Mammogram can be used as a screening technique beside its role as diagnostic, especially in women over 40 years of age.

Objectives

To assess knowledge, attitude and practice regarding breast cancer and awareness about mammogram as a screening method among a group of females attending Ain Shams University outpatient clinics.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed from August to September 2017. A systematic random sample was taken from attending females (18–70 years) in Ain Shams University outpatient clinics (Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics Hospital, and Maternity hospital). They were interviewed using a questionnaire inquiring about sociodemographic background, participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practice towards breast cancer and its screening.

Results

The mean age ± SD of attending females (18–70 years) was 37 ± 11 years. Most study participants had correct information about mammography. They showed poor knowledge level about risk factors. Mass media such as TV and internet were identified as the main source of information on breast cancer by 43% and 23.9%, respectively. In general, participants had positive attitude towards breast cancer screening by mammography. Around 90% agreed that mammogram was the best way to find a very small lump in the breast, and 91.4% agreed that women who have regular screening by mammogram have better disease outcome than those who do not screen. Regarding mammography practice rate, a small percent of participants (8.1%) was advised by their doctors to conduct a screening mammography. The level of knowledge was significantly and positively correlated with their attitude towards breast cancer screening.

Conclusion

The poor knowledge and practices of women illustrate the need for health education program directed to Egyptian females to improve their knowledge about breast cancer—especially its risk factors—and its screening. Using TV and Internet as media for spreading information about this disease is crucial.
Rationalizing Choice: A Review Essay on Peter Leeson’s WTF?!: An Economic Tour of the Weird
Authors: Sethi Rajiv
Published: December 2019

The methodology of economics has been applied with increasing frequency to non-market behavior and interactions. Peter Leeson’s book WTF?!: An Economic Tour of the Weird illustrates both the promise and the perils of this practice. When applied judiciously to environments in which the strategic obfuscation of true motives is widespread, the economic approach can yield valuable insights. But when applied without proper attention to prevailing norms and values, the attempt to rationalize behavior can fall flat and invite ridicule. Economists seeking to understand cultural practices would do well to import insights from other disciplines, and temper their eagerness to export narrow conceptions of rationality. (JEL A12, B41, D01, D10, D23, Z13)
Review of Walter Scheidel’s The Great Leveler: Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-first Century
Authors: Easterly William
Published: December 2019

The Great Leveler: Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-first Century’s thesis is that violence and only violence significantly reduces inequality. It shows supportive cases of violence reducing inequality, especially World War II and the Russian and Chinese Revolutions, and highlights recent peacetime increases in within-country inequality. The great virtue of the book is to present a lot of evidence on both sides for the readers to judge the thesis for themselves. Other historical evidence is not supportive. Other measures of inequality, like absolute poverty or inequality between countries or groups, show many examples of violence making inequality or deprivation worse. The unequal burden of conscription, rationing, and casualties may also show war to be dis-equalizing. Also against the thesis is that recent peaceful globalization of trade, investment, and migration flows, including the rapid growth of China and India, has arguably reduced global inequality and absolute poverty to a historic extent. (JEL D31, D63, D74, F60, N30, N40)
Extended indications for sperm retrieval: summary of current literature
Authors: Esteves Sandro C. , Roque Matheus
Published: December 2019

Sperm retrieval combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the treatment of choice for couples with untreatable azoospermia-related infertility. However, an increasing body of evidence has been mounting, suggesting that ICSI with testicular sperm instead of ejaculated sperm (when both are available) increases pregnancy outcomes in some specific scenarios. This has led to the exploration of extended indications for sperm retrieval. This review summarizes the current literature concerning sperm retrieval and ICSI for non-azoospermic men with elevated sperm DNA fragmentation, oligozoospermia, and cryptozoospermia.
Computational study of the interactions among structural analogues of acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) and the Agrobacterium tumefaciens TraR binding site
Authors: Pérez Daniela , Ahumedo Maicol , Herrera Eileen , Vivas-Gomez Catalina , Vivas-Reyes Ricardo
Published: December 2019

Background: In the present investigation, relationships between a set of 34 analogues of N-acyl-L-homoserine lactones (AHL) and the TraR receptor were studied. The aim was to use molecular modeling as a strategy for elucidating important aspects of the mechanism of chemical signaling in the Gram-negative bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens, with the idea of ​​identifying some of analogues’ structural characteristics and molecular interactions with the active site of the TraR receptor.

Methods: For this purpose, we combine two molecular modeling strategies: molecular docking and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR). First, the molecular docking methodology was applied to a series of 34 analogues of AHL on the TraR transcriptional receptor to simulate the binding of analogues at the active TraR site. Secondly, 3D-QSAR models were generated to describe the correlation with the experimental biological activity using partial least squares (PLS) calculations and steric and electrostatic properties, which theoretically predict the activity of the 34 AHL analogues through statistical parameters and evaluate the prediction of the models obtained. Two alignment models were constructed; one using the optimized structures of the 34 analogues (ligand-based model) and another using the conformations of the best poses generated in the docking with TraR (receptor-based model). 

Results: The outcomes obtained for each protein-ligand complex showed that the Aspartic acid 70 and Threonine 129 residues are residues that participate in the formation of hydrogen bonds, while residues Alanine 38, Leucine, 40, Tyrosine 53, Glutamine 58, Tyrosine 61, Phenylalanine 62 and Valine 72 form hydrophobic interactions. These interactions are important in determining the antagonistic activity of the analogues under study against TraR.

Conclusions: The ligand-based model produces better statistical results expressed in terms of several rigorous evaluation criteria, such as Q2 and R2 for the data sets than those of the receptor-based model.
Clinical parameters and biomarkers predicting spontaneous operational tolerance after liver transplantation: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Appenzeller-Herzog Christian , Hartleif Steffen , Vionnet Julien
Published: December 2019

Objective: This scoping review aims at systematically identifying prognostic factors for spontaneous immunosuppression (IS) free allograft tolerance (operational tolerance, OT) in non-viral hepatitis and non-autoimmune disease liver transplant (LT) recipients who are undergoing immunosuppression withdrawal (ISW). The results may inform the subsequent conduct of a systematic review with a more specific review question.

Background: LT is currently the most effective treatment for end-stage liver diseases. Whereas the short-term outcomes after LT have dramatically improved over the last decades, the long-term outcomes remain unsatisfactory, mainly because of side effects of lifelong IS, such as infections, cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, and nephrotoxicity. ISW studies have shown that OT can be achieved by a subset of LT recipients and recent research has identified biomarkers of OT in these patients. However, an evidence-based selection algorithm for patients that can predictably benefit from ISW is not available to date. The planned review will, therefore, map existing knowledge on prognostic clinical parameters and biomarkers for OT.

Inclusion criteria: We will consider studies that record any clinical parameter or biomarker before the initiation of ISW in non-viral hepatitis and non-autoimmune disease LT recipients and analyse their possible association with ISW outcomes (OT or non-tolerance). Studies addressing the effectiveness of OT-inducing treatments will be excluded.

Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library will be searched for relevant articles or conference abstracts. Full-texts of selected abstracts will be independently screened for inclusion by two reviewers. References and citing articles of included records will be screened for additional relevant records. Clinical trial registries will be searched for ongoing studies, and their investigators contacted for the sharing of unpublished data. Data from included records will be independently extracted by two reviewers using a prespecified data extraction table and presented in both tabular and narrative form.
An open toolkit for tracking open science partnership implementation and impact
Authors: Gold E. Richard , Ali-Khan Sarah E. , Allen Liz , Ballell Lluis , Barral-Netto Manoel , Carr David , Chalaud Damien , Chaplin Simon , Clancy Matthew S. , Clarke Patricia , Cook-Deegan Robert , Dinsmore A. P. , Doerr Megan , Federer Lisa , Hill Steven A. , Jacobs Neil , Jean Antoine , Jefferson Osmat Azzam , Jones Chonnettia , Kahl Linda J. , Kariuki Thomas M. , Kassel Sophie N. , Kiley Robert , Kittrie Elizabeth Robboy , Kramer Bianca , Lee Wen Hwa , MacDonald Emily , Mangravite Lara M. , Marincola Elizabeth , Mietchen Daniel , Molloy Jennifer C. , Namchuk Mark , Nosek Brian A. , Paquet Sébastien , Pirmez Claude , Seyller Annabel , Skingle Malcolm , Spadotto S. Nicole , Staniszewska Sophie , Thelwall Mike
Published: December 2019

Serious concerns about the way research is organized collectively are increasingly being raised. They include the escalating costs of research and lower research productivity, low public trust in researchers to report the truth, lack of diversity, poor community engagement, ethical concerns over research practices, and irreproducibility. Open science (OS) collaborations comprise of a subset of open practices including open access publication, open data sharing and the absence of restrictive intellectual property rights with which institutions, firms, governments and communities are experimenting in order to overcome these concerns. We gathered two groups of international representatives from a large variety of stakeholders to construct a toolkit to guide and facilitate data collection about OS and non-OS collaborations. Ultimately, the toolkit will be used to assess and study the impact of OS collaborations on research and innovation. The toolkit contains the following four elements: 1) an annual report form of quantitative data to be completed by OS partnership administrators; 2) a series of semi-structured interview guides of stakeholders; 3) a survey form of participants in OS collaborations; and 4) a set of other quantitative measures best collected by other organizations, such as research foundations and governmental or intergovernmental agencies. We opened our toolkit to community comment and input. We present the resulting toolkit for use by government and philanthropic grantors, institutions, researchers and community organizations with the aim of measuring the implementation and impact of OS partnership across these organizations. We invite these and other stakeholders to not only measure, but to share the resulting data so that social scientists and policy makers can analyse the data across projects.
Insights from quantitative analysis and mathematical modelling on the proposed WHO 2030 goals for soil-transmitted helminths
Authors:   NTD Modelling Consortium discussion group on soil-transmitted helminths
Published: December 2019

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) are a group of parasitic worms that infect humans, causing a wide spectrum of disease, notably anaemia, growth retardation, and delayed cognitive development. The three main STHs are Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm (Necator americanus and Ancylostoma duodenale). Approximately 1.5 billion people are infected with STHs worldwide. The World Health Organization goal for 2030 is morbidity control, defined as reaching <2% prevalence of medium-to-high intensity infections in preschool-age children and school-age children (SAC). Treatment guidelines for achieving this goal have been recommended. The Neglected Tropical Diseases Modelling Consortium has developed mathematical and statistical models to quantify, predict, and evaluate the impact of control measures on STHs. These models show that the morbidity target can be achieved following current guidelines in moderate prevalence settings (20-50% in SAC). In high prevalence settings, semi-annual preventive chemotherapy (PC) ideally including adults, or at least women of reproductive age, is required. For T. trichiura, dual therapy with albendazole and ivermectin is required. In general, stopping PC is not possible without infection resurgence, unless effective measures for improved access to water, hygiene, and sanitation have been implemented, or elimination of transmission has been achieved. Current diagnostic methods are based on egg counts in stool samples, but these are known to have poor sensitivity at low prevalence levels. A target threshold for novel, more sensitive diagnostics should be defined relative to currently preferred diagnostics (Kato-Katz). Our analyses identify the extent of systematic non-access to treatment and the individual patterns of compliance over multiple rounds of treatment as the biggest unknowns and the main impediment to reaching the target. Moreover, the link between morbidity and infection intensity has not been fully elucidated. By providing more insights on all the above, we aim to inform discussions on the goals and treatment guidelines for STHs.
Body weight and the management of lymphoedema
Authors: Provan Debbie
Published: December 2019

Overweight and obesity are known risk factors for the development of lymphoedema, and are also well-recognised factors complicating the management of lymphoedema. However, a degree of uncertainty remains regarding the way in which obesity impacts upon the condition, and there is little detail about the practical application of weight management strategies in the population with lymphoedema. This article provides the background for ongoing research into the association between lymphoedema management and obesity. It is hoped that this research will provide important insights into the long-term management of lymphoedema.
Practising asepsis during dressing changes in community settings
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: December 2019

Community nurses often face challenges when going into a patient's home to change a dressing, particularly if the surroundings are likely to be contaminated by multiple strains of bacteria or viruses. For housebound patients, cleaning the house can be an extremely difficult task due to physical or mental illness. They may also experience a large amount of exudate as a result of possibly debilitating painful wounds, for example, leg ulcers, and may be prone to infection as a result of the difficulties posed in keeping a dressing covering a heavily exuding wound in a possibly unclean environment. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that a community nurse or healthcare worker be able to change the wound dressing in the cleanest and most supportive manner. This article covers the most recent guidance and research relevant to the practice of aseptic or clean technique when changing dressings in the community.
Midwives in 2020: time to flourish and change perceptions
Authors: Pezaro Sally
Published: December 2019

The World Health Organization has declared 2020 as the international year of the midwife and nurse—Dr Sally Pezaro details how midwives can maximise this opportunity
Choice as the cornerstone of woman-centred care
Authors: Marshall Olivia
Published: December 2019

At reproductive healthcare charity the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), midwives play an essential role in providing a high-quality service and upholding women's choices
‘Please mind the gap’
Authors: Horne Hannah
Published: December 2019

Midwifery manager, Hannah Horne, explores the perceived gap between leadership and frontline staff when implementing continuity of care
Rabies: an update for nurses in general practice
Authors: Simons Hilary , Fletcher Rachael , Russell Katherine
Published: December 2019

Practice nurses have an important role to play in raising the profile of rabies as a travel-related hazard. Hilary Simons, Rachael Fletcher and Katherine Russell give an update for nurses working in this area of practice

Many thousands of human deaths are attributed to rabies infection globally each year; once the symptoms of rabies occur, death is almost always inevitable. Rabies is a zoonosis—a disease of animals that can be transmitted to humans—and can occur in all warm-blooded animals. Rabies remains a neglected disease that impacts most on impoverished and disadvantaged populations living in rabies endemic regions, who may have limited or no access to good healthcare facilities and safe rabies vaccine products. Practice nurses are well placed to raise travellers' awareness of the risk of rabies at a destination, and provide guidance on pre-travel vaccination and post-exposure treatment.
Diversity and health inequalities: the role of the practice nurse
Authors: Heaslip Vanessa , Nadaf Claire
Published: December 2019

As the patient populations continue to diversify, Vanessa Healsip and Claire Nadaf explore the health inequalities that certain patient groups are experiencing. For practice nurses, cultural competence is a key skill in improving healthcare for all patients

General practice is becoming increasingly diverse due to a changing patient base and political climate, which impacts on the practice nurse's role. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in the number of foreign-born individuals living in the UK, the number of individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBQT+) as well as the number of people living with a long-term health condition or disability. All of these groups experience greater health inequalities, despite increasing political drives in the UK and internationally to address this. Practice nurses are ideally placed to address health inequalities by facilitating health access for diverse groups; however, in order to do this they have to recognise and respond to the cultural values of the patient they are working with.
Understanding indemnity in practice nursing: part 2
Authors: Finch John
Published: December 2019

In the second article of a two-part series, John Finch looks at indemnity schemes and their practical implications for practice nurses
Broadband optical modulation in a zinc-oxide-based heterojunction via optical lifting
Authors: Kaushik Vishal , Rajput Swati , Kumar Mukesh
Published: December 2019

Broadband electro-absorptive optical modulation in a zinc-oxide (ZnO)-based heterojunction is demonstrated. The presence of high-density two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the bottom of conduction band offset in a MgZnO-CdZnO heterojunction is shown to exhibit electrically tunable optical absorption in the regions well below the material bandgap. Electrons confined near the heterojunction are lifted across the potential barrier on optical excitation. Optical modulation with an extinction ratio of 8 dB is reported at an operating wavelength of 527 nm. The extinction ratio remains around 7–8 dB over a wide bandwidth of 115 nm, providing an excellent opportunity to explore ZnO-based heterojunctions to realize a broadband optical modulator for applications in optical communication and interconnects.
Single-shot achromatic imaging for broadband soft x-ray pulses
Authors: Egawa Satoru , Motoyama Hiroto , Iwasaki Atsushi , Yamaguchi Gota , Kume Takehiro , Yamanouchi Kaoru , Mimura Hidekazu
Published: December 2019

An achromatic soft x-ray imaging system based on a transmission microscope equipped with a pair of Wolter mirrors was constructed. The two Wolter mirrors for the condenser and the objective were fabricated precisely by using an electroforming replication process. The samples were illuminated by broadband high harmonic pulses in the wavelength range of 26 nm to 35 nm via the condenser mirror, and transmission bright-field images without chromatic aberration were formed by the objective mirror. A single-shot image illuminated by a femtosecond laser pulse was recorded at a spatial resolution of about 200 nm. The fundamental capability of the microscope to realize broadband images without chromatic aberration will lead to the development of soft x-ray microscopes with extremely short illumination pulses on the order of attoseconds.
The Xenoi and Greeks between Opposition and ‘Hybridization’.
Authors: Amendola Stefano
Published: December 2019

The paper examines the opposition between Greeks and the so-called Others (foreigners, barbarians, etc.) as represented in Aeschylus’ surviving plays. This antithesis has become a major focus of scholarly interest not only in philological studies, but also in the modern historical, philosophical and political thought, where it corresponds to the radical opposition between ‘Greekness’ and ‘Otherness’, as well as between West and East. By focusing on this topic, the paper presents an innovative interpretation of some aeschylean texts taken from Suppliants, Agamemnon and Seven against Thebes, looking at foreign characters such as Suppliants’ Egyptian herald or Agamemnon’s Cassandra, but also at ethnically hybrid characters (the Danaids’ Chorus of the Suppliants, whose ancient bond with the Argive land is explicit, and Polynices’ army, described as an external foreign enemy). The aim of the texts’ selection is to capture the interest on Aeschylus’ lexis related to the semantic sphere of the foreigner. The assumption is that a methodology based on semantic values (especially of the terms ξένος or ξενόω, and of some compounds such as ἀστόξενος and ἐχθρόξενος) well witnesses how the Aeschylean lexicon maintains the broad semantic spectrum of the term ξένος, with the frequent co-presence of the meaning of ‘guest’ alongside that of ‘foreigner’. The argument is that in Aeschylean theatre the Greek/Others polarity is presented not only in terms of a contrast/opposition with Greekness (with the positive element of the pair destined to predominate over the Otherness), but also in terms of intermingling/confusion. Aeschylus is not only the poet of the conflict between Greeks and Barbarians, but also the inventor of collective characters in which Greek and foreign elements constantly co-exist, in order to determine hybrid identities.
A complexidade da figura de Dejanira. Um modelo de 'rainha vingativa'
Authors: Silva Maria De Fátima
Published: December 2019

A personalidade complexa e o comportamento que Sófocles atribui a Dejanira, em Traquínias, permite uma teia de cruzamentos frutuosos com figuras e situações que a narrativa de Heródoto e a tragédia de Ésquilo e de Eurípides põem também em evidência. E a primeira convenção manifesta a que a Dejanira de Sófocles obedece é, sem dúvida, a do famoso episódio que, a partir das criações de Heródoto, ficou conhecido como da 'rainha vingativa'. É, portanto, à luz de uma certa dinâmica narrativa e teatral, submissa a uma convenção reconhecível - mesmo se renovada em cada recriação -, que nos propomos voltar à análise da Dejanira de Traquínias.
Hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex against fatty liver in rat model
Authors: Hegazy Ahmed Medhat , Farid Ayman Samir , Hafez Ahmed S. , Eid Rania M. , Nasr Soad M.
Published: December 2019

Aim: The current study was designed to evaluate the potential hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory effects of copper-nicotinate complex (CNC) against methionine- and choline-deficient diet (MCDD)-induced fatty liver in rats. Materials and Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into one of four equal-sized groups (G1-G4). The G1 group was fed a balanced diet and kept under normal conditions; the G2 group received CNC orally at a dose of 0.043 mg/kg body weight, 3 times/week for 4 weeks, and a balanced diet; the G3 group was fed an MCDD for 4 weeks; and the G4 group was fed an MCDD and administered CNC at the same dose and route as G2. Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum enzyme activity. After 4 weeks of treatment, liver specimens were collected for the evaluation of the oxidative/antioxidative markers, cytokine gene expression, and histopathological examination. Results: CNC improved MCDD-induced liver dysfunctions by recovering serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities to their normal levels. The glutathione (GSH) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly decreased, while lipid peroxidation (as reflected by malondialdehyde [MDA]) markedly increased in the liver tissue of the MCDD group. After cotreatment with MCDD and CNC, the GSH level and SOD activity markedly increased and the MDA level significantly decreased to return to normal levels. After cotreatment with MCDD and CNC, significant downregulation of the mRNA expression of hepatic interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, macrophage inflammatory protein-1a, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 genes was found. Moreover, CNC reduced fatty liver complications by reducing the number of hepatic vacuolations, degenerative changes in the hepatocytes, and hemorrhage. Conclusion: CNC has the potential to limit tissue injury and possibly prevent the progression to severe liver disease caused by an MCDD.