bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trade union responses to precarious employment: the role of power resources in defending precarious flight attendants at Ryanair
Authors: Mendonça Pedro 
Published: August 2020

Drawing on a case study on the civil airline industry in Portugal, this article addresses the impact of precarious employment on trade union action and examines the conditions under which trade unions defend precarious workers’ interests. Using a power-resource theoretical framework, findings in this article highlight that cost-cutting employment practices are used strategically by employers to curb collectivisation and trade unionism. In addition, this article shows that when trade unions engage in an inclusive strategy to defend precarious workers’ interests, the compounded and inter-linked effect of trade union power resources, network embeddedness and international solidarity may be key to achieving success. S’appuyant sur une étude de cas portant sur l’industrie du transport aérien civil au Portugal, cet article traite de l’impact de l’emploi précaire sur l’action syndicale et examine les conditions dans lesquelles les syndicats défendent les intérêts des travailleurs précaires. À partir d’un cadre théorique fondé sur les ressources du pouvoir, les conclusions de cet article soulignent que les pratiques de réduction des coûts de l’emploi sont utilisées de manière stratégique par les employeurs pour freiner la collectivisation et le syndicalisme. En outre, cet article montre que lorsque les syndicats s’engagent dans une stratégie inclusive pour défendre les intérêts des travailleurs précaires, les effets combinés et interdépendants des ressources de pouvoir des syndicats, de leur ancrage dans les réseaux et de la solidarité internationale peuvent être la clé du succès. Der vorliegende Artikel beruht auf einer Fallstudie über die zivile Luftfahrt in Portugal und befasst sich mit den Auswirkungen prekärer Beschäftigung auf gewerkschaftliches Handeln sowie mit den Bedingungen, unter denen die Gewerkschaften die Interessen prekär beschäftigter Arbeitnehmer wahrnehmen. Die Autoren nutzen den Rahmen der Machtressourcentheorie für ihre Untersuchung und kommen zu dem Schluss, dass kostensenkende Beschäftigungspraktiken von Arbeitgebern strategisch genutzt werden, um gegen kollektives Handeln und Gewerkschaftsbewegung zu agieren. Darüber hinaus zeigt der Artikel, dass es für die Gewerkschaften ein Schlüssel zum Erfolg sein kann, wenn sie zur Wahrnehmung der Interessen prekär beschäftigter Arbeitnehmer eine inklusive Strategie nutzen, die auf sich gegenseitig verstärkende und ergänzende gewerkschaftliche Machtressourcen, Einbettung in Netzwerke und internationale Solidarität setzt.
Social Experiences of Turkish Parents Raising a Child With Apert Syndrome: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Saydam Senem Zeytinoğlu , Çüçülayef Darina , Doğan Tuğçe Nur , Crerand Canice E. , Özek Memet 
Published: August 2020

Objective: Apert syndrome is a rare and understudied craniofacial condition with regard to its psychosocial impact on children and their parents. Due to the lack of studies focusing solely on the social experiences of children and families with Apert syndrome, it is difficult to develop interventions and strategies to support well-being and positive adjustment for this particular population. This study addressed this gap by assessing the unique social experiences of parents who are raising their children with Apert syndrome including difficulties they face and strategies they use to cope with challenges. Design: Descriptive qualitative study using thematic analysis. Participants: Participants included 21 parents of 12 children (aged 1-12 years) with Apert syndrome (9 couples, 2 fathers, and 1 mother) who were recruited from a pediatric neurosurgery unit in Turkey. Results: The qualitative analysis yielded four main themes describing the experiences of parents including (1) social challenges; (2) coping with negative reactions; (3) promoting socialization and independence; and (4) sources of strength. Conclusions: Parents reported several challenges, including social stigmatization, and utilized a range of strategies to support both their own and their child’s positive adaptation and resiliency, including the use of religion and reliance on their spouses for support. Results offer clinically relevant insights about the strengths and challenges of families coping with Apert syndrome.
STAT1 regulates interferon-γ-induced angiotensinogen and MCP-1 expression in a bidirectional manner in primary cultured mesangial cells
Authors: Penrose Harrison M , Katsurada Akemi , Miyata Kayoko , Urushihara Maki , Satou Ryousuke 
Published: August 2020

Objective: Intrarenal interferon-γ significantly contributes to the development of glomerular injury in which angiotensinogen and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels are elevated. However, the exact nature of the role that interferon-γ plays in regulating angiotensinogen and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression has not been fully delineated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role that interferon-γ plays in angiotensinogen and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression. Methods: Primary cultured rat mesangial cells were treated with 0–20 ng/mL interferon-γ for 2, 8 or 24 hours. Expression levels of angiotensinogen, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, suppressors of cytokine signaling 1, an intracellular suppressor of Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription signaling and activity of the Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription pathway were evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Results: Interferon-γ increased angiotensinogen expression in mesangial cells with maximal augmentation observed following 5 ng/mL interferon-γ at 8 hours of treatment (1.87 ± 0.05, mRNA, relative ratio). Further increases were reduced or absent using higher concentrations of interferon-γ. Following treatments, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression was induced in a linear dose-dependent manner (6.85 ± 0.62-fold by 20 ng/mL interferon-γ at 24 hours). In addition, interferon-γ induced STAT1 phosphorylation and suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 expression in a linear dose-dependent manner. The suppression of STAT1 and suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 expression by small interference RNAs facilitated an increase in interferon-γ-induced angiotensinogen expression, indicating that these two factors negatively regulate angiotensinogen expression. In contrast, the increase in interferon-γ-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression was attenuated in STAT1-deficient mesangial cells, suggesting that STAT1 positively regulates monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression in mesangial cells. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that while interferon-γ increases both angiotensinogen and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression, STAT1 plays an opposing role in the regulation of each factor in mesangial cells.
Prognostic Significance of the Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fu Wen , Wang Kun , Yan Shan , Wang Xie , Tang Bo , Chang Jiang , Wang Ran , Wu Tao 
Published: August 2020

Background: The prognostic value of the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) in patients with pancreatic cancer is controversial, based on previous studies. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to explore the relationship between mGPS and prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Methods: The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify eligible studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the associations between mGPS score and survival outcomes. Results: A total of 26 studies with 5198 patients were included in this meta-analysis. In a pooled analysis, elevated mGPS predicted poorer overall survival (OS; HR = 1.98, 95% CI, 1.65-2.37, P < .001). In addition, elevated mGPS was also significantly associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS; HR = 1.95, 95% CI, 1.36-2.80, P < .001). Subgroup analyses confirmed a significant association between mGPS and survival outcomes. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that high mGPS was correlated to worse OS, PFS, DFS, and CSS in patients with pancreatic cancer. Therefore, mGPS could be employed as an effective prognostic factor for pancreatic cancer in clinical practice.
Lag-Screw Osteosynthesis in Thoracolumbar Pincer Fractures
Authors: Auerswald Marc , Messer-Hannemann Philipp , Sellenschloh Kay , Wahlefeld Jan , Püschel Klaus , Araujo Sven Hirschfeld , Morlock Michael M. , Schulz Arndt P. , Huber Gerd 
Published: August 2020

Study Design: Biomechanical. Objective: This study evaluates the biomechanical properties of lag-screws used in vertebral pincer fractures at the thoracolumbar junction. Methods: Pincer fractures were created in 18 bisegmental human specimens. The specimens were assigned to three groups depending on their treatment perspective, either bolted, with the thread positioned in the cortical or cancellous bone, or control. The specimens were mounted in a servo-hydraulic testing machine and loaded with a 500 N follower load. They were consecutively tested in 3 different conditions: intact, fractured, and bolted/control. For each condition 10 cycles in extension/flexion, torsion, and lateral bending were applied. After each tested condition, a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed. Finally, an extension/flexion fatigue loading was applied to all specimens. Results: Biomechanical results revealed a nonsignificant increase in stiffness in extension/flexion of the fractured specimens compared with the intact ones. For lateral bending and torsion, the stiffness was significantly lower. Compared with the fractured specimens, no changes in stiffness due to bolting were discovered. CT scans showed an increasing fracture gap during axial loading both in extension/flexion, torsion, and lateral bending in the control specimens. In bolted specimens, the anterior fragment was approximated, and the fracture gap nullified. This refers to both the cortical and the cancellous thread positions. Conclusion: The results of this study concerning the effect of lag-screws on pincer fractures appear promising. Though there was little effect on stiffness, CT scans reveal a bony contact in the bolted specimens, which is a requirement for bony healing.
The Impact of Vertebral End Plate Lesions on the Radiological Outcome in Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion
Authors: Chung Nam-Su , Lee Han-Dong , Jeon Chang-Hoon 
Published: August 2020

Study Design: Retrospective case-control study. Objectives: Vertebral end plate (EP) lesions include Modic changes, Schmorl’s nodes, EP erosion, EP sclerosis, and so on. While previous studies have mostly focused on the association between vertebral EP lesions and low back pain, few studies evaluated the influence of vertebral EP lesions on the radiological outcomes in lumbar interbody fusion. Methods: This study included a total of 125 operated disc levels from 86 consecutive patients who underwent a 1- or 2-level oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) and had more than 1-year regular follow-up. The presence of vertebral EP lesions, changes in disc heights/angle, cage subsidence, and fusion grade were examined. The associations between vertebral EP lesions and radiological parameters were analyzed. Result: The presence of Modic changes, Schmorl’s node, EP cartilage erosion, and EP sclerosis were found in 72 (57.6%), 26 (20.8%), 31 (24.8%), and 44 (35.2%) disc levels, respectively. The mean anterior disc height increased from 6.9 ± 3.8 mm to 13.1 ± 2.7 mm ( P < .001) and the mean segmental angle increased from 2.9° ± 5.8° to 9.2° ± 4.8° ( P < .001) at the last follow-up. The overall fusion rate was 98.4% (123/125) and cage subsidence rate was 7.2% (9/125). All radiological parameters and cage subsidence rate were not different regardless of vertebral EP lesions. Conclusions: Vertebral EP lesions did not affect the overall radiological outcome in 1- or 2-level OLIF. These results come from the stable contact between lateral cage and peripheral rim of vertebral EP.
Sleep-related breathing disorders and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Adir Yochai , Humbert Marc , Chaouat Ari 
Published: August 2020

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SBDs) include obstructive apnoea, central apnoea and sleep-related hypoventilation. These nocturnal events have the potential to increase pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) during sleep but also in the waking state. “Pure” obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is responsible for a small increase in PAP whose clinical impact has not been demonstrated. By contrast, in obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) or overlap syndrome (the association of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)), nocturnal respiratory events contribute to the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is often severe. In the latter circumstances, treatment of SBDs is essential in order to improve pulmonary haemodynamics.Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are at risk of developing SBDs. Obstructive and central apnoea, as well as a worsening of ventilation–perfusion mismatch, can be observed during sleep. There should be a strong suspicion of SBDs in such a patient population; however, the precise indications for sleep studies and the type of recording remain to be specified. The diagnosis of OSAS in patients with PAH or CTEPH should encourage treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The presence of isolated nocturnal hypoxaemia should also prompt the initiation of long-term oxygen therapy. These treatments are likely to avoid worsening of PH; however, it is prudent not to treat central apnoea and Cheyne–Stokes respiration (CSR) with adaptive servo-ventilation in patients with chronic right-heart failure because of a potential risk of serious adverse effects from such treatment.In this review we will consider the current knowledge of the consequences of SBDs on pulmonary haemodynamics in patients with and without chronic respiratory disease (group 3 of the clinical classification of PH) and the effect of treatments of respiratory events during sleep on PH. The prevalence and consequences of SBDs in PAH and CTEPH (groups 1 and 4 of the clinical classification of PH, respectively), as well as therapeutic options, will also be discussed.
Characteristics and reference ranges of CD4+T cell subpopulations among healthy adult Han Chinese in Shanxi Province, North China
Authors: Niu Hong-Qing , Zhao Xiang-Cong , Li Wei , Xie Jian-Fang , Liu Xiao-Qing , Luo Jing , Zhao Wen-Peng , Li Xiao-Feng 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Immunophenotyping of blood lymphocytes is an essential tool to evaluate the immune function of patients with immunodeficiency or autoimmunity. Predominately identified CD4+T cell subsets, Th1, Th2, Th17, as well as regulatory T (Treg) cells, play crucial roles in several immunological and pathological conditions. Considering the variations in cell counts among populations and ethnicities, specific CD4+T cell subset reference values need to be locally established to enable meaningful comparisons and accurate data interpretation in clinical and research settings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish distributions and reference ranges for blood CD4+T cell subpopulations in age- and sex-balanced healthy adults of a Han Chinese population in Shanxi Province, North China.

Methods
Peripheral blood CD4+T cell subsets were examined in 150 healthy volunteers (75 males, 75 females) aged 20–70 years with a four-color FACSCalibur flow cytometer.

Results
Reference value percentages (absolute counts, cells/μl) were defined as 95% of the population for cell types as follows: CD4+T, 23.78–51.07 (360–1127); Th1, 0.43–39.62 (2.64–276.21); Th2, 0.27–3.57 (1.80–27.14); Th17, 0.22–2.62 (1.10–19.54); and Treg, 2.17–7.94 (13.47–64.58). The ranges for the Th1:Th2 and Th17:Treg ratios were 0.59–52.37 and 0.04–0.76, respectively. Notably, a significant increase was observed in the values of Treg cells in older individuals, and the numbers of Treg cells in females also tended to decrease when compared to those in males. Therefore, we established the distribution and reference range of CD4+T cell subsets based on age and sex, demonstrating the lowest values of Treg cells in younger females.

Conclusions
Collectively, our data provide population-, age-, and sex-specific distributions and reference ranges of circulating CD4+T cell subpopulations, which can be adopted to guide clinical decisions and interpretation of immunophenotyping data in the Han Chinese population in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China. In addition, the low expression of peripheral Treg cells in younger females may be associated with the predisposition of females to autoimmune diseases.
Pseudonajide peptide derived from snake venom alters cell envelope integrity interfering on biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Schneider Rafael , Primon-Barros Muriel , Von Borowski Rafael Gomes , Chat Sophie , Nonin-Lecomte Sylvie , Gillet Reynald , Macedo Alexandre José 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
The increase in bacterial resistance phenotype cases is a global health problem. New strategies must be explored by the scientific community in order to create new treatment alternatives. Animal venoms are a good source for antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are excellent candidates for new antimicrobial drug development. Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptides (CRAMPs) from snake venoms have been studied as a model for the design of new antimicrobial pharmaceuticals against bacterial infections.

Results
In this study we present an 11 amino acid-long peptide, named pseudonajide, which is derived from a Pseudonaja textilis venom peptide and has antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. Pseudonajide was selected based on the sequence alignments of various snake venom peptides that displayed activity against bacteria. Antibiofilm activity assays with pseudonajide concentrations ranging from 3.12 to 100 μM showed that the lowest concentration to inhibit biofilm formation was 25 μM. Microscopy analysis demonstrated that pseudonajide interacts with the bacterial cell envelope, disrupting the cell walls and membranes, leading to morphological defects in prokaryotes.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that pseudonajide’s positives charges interact with negatively charged cell wall components of S. epidermidis, leading to cell damage and inhibiting biofilm formation.
Two cases of idiopathic steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Nishi Kentaro , Sato Mai , Ogura Masao , Okutsu Mika , Ishikura Kenji , Kamei Koichi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a histopathological entity associated with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and end-organ ischemic damage. Although TMA is caused by various diseases, there have been few reports regarding children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) and TMA. Here we report two 1-year-old infants with steroid-resistant NS (SRNS) who presented with severe hypertension, acute kidney injury (AKI), and TMA.

Case presentation
The diagnosis of NS was complicated with anemia, AKI, and hypertension. Maximum blood pressure was 150/70 mmHg in Case 1 and 136/86 mmHg in Case 2. There was no thrombocytopenia during their clinical course in both cases. Renal biopsy showed the features of TMA, including endothelial cell swelling, capillarectasia or marked mesangiolysis, along with mesangial proliferation in Case 1 and TMA with minor glomerular abnormalities in Case 2. Hemolytic uremic syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and secondary TMA other than that caused by hypertension were excluded. Oral prednisolone therapy, frequent infusion of albumin and diuretics, and multiple anti-hypertensive drugs were initiated. Blood pressure was controlled after 6 and 7 days from initiation of multiple anti-hypertensive drugs and lisinopril was added due to persistent mild proteinuria and mild hypertension after improvement of renal function in both cases. Proteinuria resolved completely 4 months after admission with daily oral prednisolone for 4 weeks followed by alternative daily oral prednisolone for 4 weeks in Case 1. Proteinuria resolved completely 10 months after admission with initial prednisolone treatment for 4 weeks followed by cyclosporine A and intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy in Case 2. The follow-up biopsy showed no TMA findings in both patients. Because the patient in Case 1 subsequently developed frequent relapsing NS, cyclosporine A was commenced after the second biopsy and he did not have any flares for 2 years. Renal function was normal in Case 1 and mildly decreased in Case 2 at last follow-up (creatinine-eGFR of 136.2 mL/min/cm2 in Case 1 and 79.5 mL/min/cm2 in Case 2).

Conclusion
Severe hypertension and AKI can be signs of TMA in patients with SRNS. Strict anti-hypertensive therapy might improve renal outcomes.
The value of a vaginal sample for detecting PAMG-1 (Partosure®) in women with a threatened preterm delivery (the MAPOSURE Study): protocol for a multicenter prospective study
Authors: Marie Emilie , Ducarme Guillaume , Boivin Marion , Badon Virginie , Pelerin Hélène , Le Thuaut Aurélie , Lamoureux Zeineb , Riche Valéry-Pierre , Winer Norbert , Thubert Thibault , Dochez Vincent 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Threatened preterm delivery (TPD) is the leading cause of inpatient admissions during pregnancy. The ability to predict the risk of imminent preterm delivery is thus a major priority in obstetrics. The aim of our study is to assess the diagnostic performance of the test to detect the placental alpha microglobulin 1 (PAMG-1) for the prediction of delivery within 7 days in women with TPD.

Methods
This is a prospective multicenter diagnostic study. Inclusion criteria are singleton pregnancy, gestational age between 24 + 0 and 33 + 6 weeks inclusive, cervical measurement 25 mm or less assessed by transvaginal ultrasound (with or without uterine contractions), clinically intact membranes and cervical dilatation < 3 cm assessed by digital examination.
According to the current protocol, when a women presents with TPD and the diagnosis is confirmed by transvaginal ultrasound, a vaginal sample to test for genital infection is performed. At the same time, the midwife will perform the PartoSure® test. To perform this analysis, a sample of cervicovaginal secretions is taken with the vaginal swab furnished in the test kit.
The primary outcome is the specificity of the PartoSure® test of women who gave birth more than 7 days after their hospitalization for TPD. The secondary outcomes are the sensitivity, PPV, and NPV of the Partosure® test and the factors associated with false positives (with a univariate logistic regression model).
Starting with the hypothesis of an anticipated specificity of 89%, if we want to estimate this specificity with a confidence interval of ± 5%, we will require 151 women who do not give birth within 7 days. We therefore decided to include 400 women over a period of two years to have a larger number of events (deliveries within 7 days).

Discussion
The different tests already used such as fetal fibronectin and phIGFBP-1, are not sufficiently relevant to recommend their use in daily practice. The different studies of PAMG-1 described above thus provide support for the use of this substance, tested by PartoSure®. Nonetheless, other larger studies are necessary to validate its use in daily practice and our study could answer this question.

Trial registration
NCT03401255 (January 15, 2018)