bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interferon-γ Mediated Pathways And Mitogen Stimulated Proliferation During And After An Acute Infection
Authors: Knoll Miriam , Fuchs Dietmar , Weiss Guenter , Bellmann-Weiler Rosa , Kovrlija Bojana , Kurz Katharina 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackground: Interferon-γ (IFN- γ) regulates the degradation of tryptophan to kynurenine via induction of indoleamine- 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Local tryptophan depletion and accumulation of toxic metabolites might impair the proliferative capacity of lymphocytes. The aim of this study was to assess the actual status of immune system activation of patients with bacterial infection in the acute phase and during convalescence in vivo and in vitro. Parameters of systemic immune system activation were evaluated for associations with proliferative responsiveness of immune cells, and compared with healthy controls. Methods: 24 patients with various acute bacterial infections were included in the group of acutely ill patients. Sixteen patients participated in a follow-up examination after convalescence. The control group consisted of 6 healthy people. To assess the status of immune system activation in vivo, inflammation parameters C-reactive protein and differential blood counts were determined. Neopterin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tryptophan and kynurenine measurements were performed with high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the patients’ blood and stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in vitro proliferation rates were evaluated by ³H-thymidine incorporation and neopterin production and tryptophan degradation were determined in supernatants of mitogen stimulated PBMCs. Results: Patients with acute bacterial infections showed reduced tryptophan and elevated neopterin concentrations, which did not normalize after convalescence period. Higher plasma neopterin values and increased IDO-activity were associated with reduced proliferative responses in vitro after stimulation with PHA. Associations were observed during acute infection as well as convalescence. Conclusions: Results of this study show that increased immune system activation in vivo is associated with impaired proliferative responsiveness of immune cells in vitro in acute bacterial infections as well as during convalescence.
Selection Bias and Outcomes for Preterm Neonates
Authors: Atwell Kerryn , Callander Emily , Lindsay Daniel , Marshall Peter Blake , Morris Scott Adam 
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND:Reported survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 23 weeks’ gestation are based on the infants admitted to NICUs. In this study, we aim to describe the association between clinical characteristics and admission to NICU at 23, 24 and 25 weeks’ gestation.METHODS:Cohort data from 2 national databases enabled comparison of the clinical characteristics all Australian births and all NICU admissions during 2010–2013 at 23, 24, and 25 weeks’ gestation.RESULTS:NICU admission occurred in 15% of all births at 23 weeks, in comparison with 49% at 24 weeks and 64% at 25 weeks. At 23 weeks, live-born infants were less likely to be admitted to NICU with birth weight &lt;500 g compared with &gt;500 g (13% vs 43%, P &lt; .0001), and boys were admitted less compared with girls (33% vs 43%, P &lt; .018). In contrast, birth weight (including birth weight &lt;500 g) and sex had little or no impact on NICU admission at 24 and 25 weeks. Only 8% of live births were born by caesarean delivery at 23 weeks compared with 33% at 24 weeks and 48% at 25 weeks’ gestation.CONCLUSIONS:In the Australian population, admission to the NICU is more likely to be influenced by birth weight and sex at 23 weeks’ gestation when compared with 24 and 25 weeks’ gestation. Survival outcomes at 23 weeks may be affected by less active perinatal care. Uncertainty exists regarding the generalizability of current data regarding survival and developmental potential of live-born 23-week infants.
Sur l'Entropie Contrôlée des Systèmes: Transformations de la Matière Condensée (On the Controlled Entropy of the Systems: Condensed Matter Transformations)
Authors: Serpa Nilo 
Published: June 2018

<p>Cette thèse traite de la mise en ouvre d'un nouveau mode de gestion des déchets urbains en termes de la destination non-agressif et productif des débris, à de faibles coûts énergétiques et à forte réutilisation des sous-produits. Il repose sur les fondements scientifiques établies par la thermodynamique, la théorie classique du champ et par les disciplines empiriques qui traitent de propriétés des éléments chimiques et des technologies de capture calorifique à partir de sources éloignées. Visant à la transformation de toute forme de matière condensée, ce travail est principalement intéressés par les déchets dits infectieux, parce qu'ils ont dune plus grande virulence, l'infectiosité et concentration, et les déchets de type &lt;&lt;peau-ciseaux-perçage&gt;&gt;, qui sont des objets et instruments contenant des coins, des arêtes ou des protubérances rigides et aiguës capables de coupe ou de forage. Néanmoins, le modèle s'applique également à tous les types de déchets, à l'exception des déchets radioactifs pour des raisons évidentes de sécurité. Cet essai propose un système industriel de recyclage des déchets basé sur la pyrolyse induite par plasma et guidé par la théorie proposée des champs caloriques sous entropie contrôlée.</p><p><strong>Mots-clés</strong>: déchets nosocomiales, thermodynamique, champ calorique, plasma, pyrolyse, énergie solaire, durabilité</p><p><span>======================================================================================================</span> </p><p>This thesis discusses the implementation of a new way of urban waste management in terms of its non-aggressive and productive destination, at low energy costs and with high reuse of byproducts. It is based on scientific foundations established by thermodynamics, classical field theory and empirical disciplines that deal with properties of chemical elements and with technologies of calorific capture from remote sources. Aiming at the transformation of any form of condensed matter, it is primarily interested in the so-called infectious waste, because they have greater virulence, infectivity and concentration, and wastes of type &lt;&lt;skin-scissoring-piercing&gt;&gt;, which are objects and instruments containing corners, edges or rigid and acute protuberances capable of cutting or drilling. Nevertheless, the model also applies to all types of waste, with the exception of radioactive waste for obvious safety reasons. Present work proposes an industrial system to recycling waste based on pyrolysis induced by plasma and guided by the proposed theory of caloric fields under controlled entropy.</p><p><strong>Key words</strong>: nosocomial waste, thermodynamics, caloric field, plasma, pyrolysis, solar energy, sustainability</p><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
Magic Mike, Dirty Dancing, and the (Empty) Promise of Heteromasculinity
Authors: Tsai Addie 
Published: June 2018

In 1987, Eddie Murphy performed a comic sketch about white men dancing that would inform future movers and makers of white male dancing in American popular culture, helping to create a trope mocking white men for their inability to dance, most often referred to as the “white man dance.” At that time, Saturday Night Live, with the help of its host Patrick Swayze, fresh off the popularity of his work in sleeper hit Dirty Dancing, contributed to the trope itself with a sketch comparing the hypermuscular physique of Swayze vs. the flabby physique of comedian Chris Farley. Almost thirty years later, American popular culture would see a return to a renewed interest in the dance film with the stripper film Magic Mike. This article argues that although Magic Mike, like Dirty Dancing, relies on the makeover trope as its narrative and thematic engine, Magic Mike revises the popular dance film format to instead focus on the relationship between two men, Mike and Adam, rather than on a heterosexual partnering. Magic Mike’s focus on this male-to-male relationship inevitably comments on the exchange between heteronormative masculinity and compulsory heterosexuality and their assumed whiteness.
Protected geographical indication recognition and willingness to pay: A case of grojec apple
Authors: Ahrendsen Bruce L. , Majewski Edward 
Published: June 2018

The Grojec region of Poland is an important region for apple production and accounts for 40 percent of domestic apple production. Apple growers from the region made an attempt to strengthen their competitive position through registering their apples as Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) products. The European Commission’s PGI allows food producers to obtain market recognition and a premium price for their products. Although the Grojec Apple received PGI registration in 2011, little has been done to promote apples with the PGI label. Two important research questions are addressed: 1) Does the Polish market recognize Grojec Apple PGI, and 2) Does the market value Grojec Apple PGI? Logit and regression models are estimated using survey data collected during an International MBA in Agribusiness and Commerce study week in Warsaw. Only 22% of consumers recognize Grojec Apple PGI. Yet, 70% of consumers indicate they are willing to pay more for the product and their average willingness to pay (WTP) premium is 32%. Results indicate use of the PGI label may be effective in improving sales and profit margins for Grojec Apple producers and their affiliated cooperatives. Older consumers are more likely to indicate a WTP premium. Males, smaller households, and consumers less sensitive to apple price indicate a higher WTP premium. An advertising campaign promoting Grojec Apple PGI as a better product may be effective at increasing consumer likelihood to pay more and WTP premium. Although “Grojec” is already familiar to most consumers in central Poland as a region for apples, a Grojec Apple with PGI label would assure consumers they are purchasing apples from the Grojec region and the apples are high quality.
JEL Code: D12, Q13, Q18
Increasing palinka recognition with tourism and gastronomy
Authors: Harcsa Imre Milan 
Published: June 2018

The history of Hungarian palinka distillation dates back thousands of years. Palinka is a special product; its quality features are being increasingly recognized and appreciated by consumers. Our national drink went through considerable transformations in the past years, as it left the village environment behind and has become a Hungaricum, popular with young people. The authorization of home distilling in September 2010 was a key factor in its gaining ground in the country. In connection with this topic, the international practice of beverage tourism has been reviewed. After that, the Hungarian practice was examined, including the selection of palinka festivals, thematic palinka tours and palinka product ranges in 19 counties and in Budapest based on a total of 100 restaurants. Using SWOT analysis I revealed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of palinka gastronomy and pálinka industry. Overall, it was found that the popularity of pálinka is increasing, but the thematic pálinka tours have not yet widened, and there is a need for more procedures supported by community marketing.
JEL Code: Z30, E83
Local antimagic vertex coloring of unicyclic graphs
Authors: Nazula Nuris Hisan , Slamin S , Dafik D 
Published: June 2018

The local antimagic labeling on a graph G with |V| vertices and |E| edges is defined to be an assignment f : E --&gt; {1, 2,..., |E|} so that the weights of any two adjacent vertices u and v are distinct, that is, w(u)̸ ̸= w(v) where w(u) = Σe∈<sub>E(u)</sub> f(e) and E(u) is the set of edges incident to u. Therefore, any local antimagic labeling induces a proper vertex coloring of G where the vertex u is assigned the color w(u). The local antimagic chromatic number, denoted by χla(G), is the minimum number of colors taken over all colorings induced by local antimagic labelings of G. In this paper, we present the local antimagic chromatic number of unicyclic graphs that is the graphs containing exactly one cycle such as kite and cycle with two neighbour pendants.
Development of Predictive Algorithms for Pre-Treatment Motor Deficit and 90-Day Mortality in Spinal Epidural Abscess
Authors: Shah Akash A. , Ogink Paul T. , Harris Mitchel B. , Schwab Joseph H. 
Published: June 2018

Background:
Spinal epidural abscess is a high-risk condition that can lead to paralysis or death. It would be of clinical and prognostic utility to identify which subset of patients with spinal epidural abscess is likely to develop a motor deficit or die within 90 days of discharge.

Methods:
We identified all patients ≥18 years of age who were admitted to our hospital system with a diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess during the period of 1993 to 2016. Explanatory variables were collected retrospectively. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was performed using these variables to identify independent predictors of motor deficit and 90-day mortality. Nomograms were then constructed to quantify the risk of these outcomes.

Results:
Of the 1,053 patients we identified with spinal epidural abscess, 362 presented with motor weakness. One hundred and thirty-four patients died within 90 days of discharge, inclusive of those who died during hospitalization. Multivariable logistic regression yielded 8 independent predictors of pre-treatment motor deficit and 8 independent predictors of 90-day mortality. We constructed nomograms that generated a probability of pre-treatment motor deficit or 90-day mortality on the basis of the presence of these factors.

Conclusions:
By quantifying the risk of pre-treatment motor deficit and 90-day mortality, our nomograms may provide useful prognostic information for the treatment team. Timely treatment of neurologically intact patients with a high risk of developing a motor deficit is necessary to avoid residual motor weakness and improve survival.

Level of Evidence:
Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of Levels of Evidence.
Evolution of water wells focusing on Balkan and Asian civilizations
Authors: Voudouris Konstantinos , Valipour Mohammad , Kaiafa Asimina , Zheng Xiao Yun , Kumar Rohitashw , Zanier Katharina , Kolokytha Elpida , Angelakis Andreas 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe provision of water has been a major enterprise in human history. Groundwater was one of the first sources since the prehistoric times to cover human needs. Initially, the exploitation of groundwater has been made by shallow wells and later by boreholes. A water well is constructed through excavation in the ground by digging, driving, boring, or drilling to access groundwater in aquifers. Groundwater wells were used in the Helladic world since Neolithic times. Ancient China developed a sophisticated tool for drilling water wells that is similar to modern machines. Qanat, a system of wells, originated in Iran (Persia), but was adopted by other countries. Moreover, the Indus valley civilization had well-constructed wells mainly for drinking purposes. The construction of wells varied according to local conditions, determined by geology, hydrogeology, and morphology, as well as by local tradition. Furthermore, a well was not just a water source but also became a cultural symbol throughout history, related to local religion and custom. The stepwells in India became not only sources of drinking water, but also holy places (sanctuaries) for bathing, meditation and prayer. In the present review, the evolution of wells through the centuries is examined. The study of water well technologies demonstrates their diachronic evolution and, furthermore, reveals that the ancient people had an outstanding engineering knowledge of water exploitation, which is interesting for water engineering and hydrogeologists, even nowadays.
A Review of Medical Waste Management in South Africa
Authors: FC Olaniyi , JS Ogola , TG Tshitangano 
Published: June 2018

Background:Poor medical waste management has been implicated in an increase in the number of epidemics and waste-related diseases in the past years. South Africa is resource-constrained in the management of medical waste.Objectives:A review of studies regarding medical waste management in South Africa in the past decade was undertaken to explore the practices of medical waste management and the challenges being faced by stakeholders.Method:Published articles, South African government documents, reports of hospital surveys, unpublished theses and dissertations were consulted, analysed and synthesised. The studies employed quantitative, qualitative and mixed research methods and documented comparable results from all provinces.Results:The absence of a national policy to guide the medical waste management practice in the provinces was identified as the principal problem. Poor practices were reported across the country from the point of medical waste generation to disposal, as well as non-enforcement of guidelines in the provinces where they exit. The authorized disposal sites nationally are currently unable to cope with the enormous amount of the medical waste being generated and illegal dumping of the waste in unapproved sites have been reported. The challenges range from lack of adequate facilities for temporary storage of waste to final disposal.Conclusion:These challenges must be addressed and the practices corrected to forestall the adverse effects of poorly managed medical waste on the country. There is a need to develop a medical waste policy to assist in the management of such waste.
Структура ускладнень, причини летальності та клініко-морфологічні паралелі при гострих отруєннях метадону гідрохлоридом
Authors: Andryuishchenko V.V. , Kalish N.M. , Kurdil N.V. 
Published: June 2018

Актуальність. Актуальність дослідження отруєнь метадону гідрохлоридом в м. Києві обумовлена значним збільшенням кількості отруєнь серед населення останніми роками та високими показниками летальності. Мета. Визначення факторів, що спричинили летальні наслідки при отруєнні метадону гідрохлоридом, з метою розробки заходів зниження летальності серед цієї категорії хворих. Матеріали та методи. Предметом дослідження є 35 летальних випадків, що сталися внаслідок отруєння «вуличним» метадоном у період 2005–2017 рр. і результати їх судово-медичного дослідження. Результати. Авторами встановлено, що в середньому кількість отруєнь метадону гідрохлоридом становить 20 % від загальної кількості пролікованих пацієнтів із гострими отруєннями. Найбільші показники летальності були зареєстровані у 2009 (8,33 %) та 2015 (7,82 %) роках. Основні причини смерті: висока доза отрути, наявність супутніх захворювань у пацієнтів із наркотичною залежністю; наявність ускладнень у токсикогенній фазі отруєння; розвиток ускладнень у соматогенній фазі отруєння. Аналіз частоти і термінів настання летальних випадків у хворих із гострими отруєннями метадону гідрохлоридом демонструє, що 38 % летальних випадків було зареєстровано в першу добу після отруєння. Серед інфекційних ускладнень найчастіше виявлено гнійну пневмонію — 80 %, серед неінфекційних — токсичну гепатонефропатію (34,3 %) і синдром тривалої компресії м’яких тканин, ускладнений розвитком гострої ниркової недостатності, — 22,9 %. За результатами морфологічного дослідження встановлено ознаки системного запального процесу — сепсису (14,2 % випадків). Висновки. Сьогодні в Україні отруєння метадону гідрохлоридом є найбільш небезпечним видом отруєння, що підтверджується найвищою серед інших отруєнь кількістю смертельних випадків, раннім розвитком смертельних ускладнень, тривалим періодом лікування, що потребує застосування складних методів штучної детоксикації та тривалого періоду реабілітації.
Ризик розвитку синдрому обструктивного апное сну у хворих на цукровий діабет 2-го типу
Authors: Daminova L.T. , Esimova D.M. , Muminova S.U. , Sadikova D.Sh. , Sultanova F.T. 
Published: June 2018

Актуальність. Поширеність синдрому обструктивного апное сну (СОАС) у осіб із цукровим діабетом (ЦД) 2-го типу становить від 18 до 36 %. Мета дослідження: вивчити частоту СОАС і особливості його перебігу у хворих на ЦД 2-го типу. Матеріали та методи. Обстежено 300 пацієнтів (середній вік 59,40 ± 6,66 року) з ЦД 2-го типу (150 жінок і 150 чоловіків). Результати. За результатами анкетування відзначено, що хропіння уві сні зустрічалося у 45,4 % чоловіків і 75,7 % жінок з ЦД 2-го типу. 87 % пацієнтів пред’являли скарги на слабкість упродовж дня. У 25,7 % жінок і 10,6 % чоловіків виявлені періодичні зупинки дихання уві сні. Підвищення артеріального тиску, переважно в уранішні години, спостерігалося у пацієнтів з ЦД 2-го типу серед жінок частіше (96,9 %), ніж у чоловіків (65,1 %). Високий ризик розвитку СОАС мали 37,5 % чоловіків і 40,9 % жінок з ЦД 2-го типу. Висновки. СОАС має негативний вплив на якість життя хворих на ЦД 2-го типу, а також знижує показники загального здоров’я і фізіологічного сну, що позначається на фізичному і психологічному стані пацієнтів. Пацієнти з надмірною масою тіла більше зазнають ризику розвитку СОАС. Отримані результати дозволяють рекомендувати подальше дослі­дження хворих з полісомнографом для постановки діагнозу СОАС і його лікування.
Неалкогольная жировая болезнь печени: особенности метаболических изменений на разных этапах развития болезни
Authors: Stepanov Yu.M. , Nedzvetskaya N.V. , Yagmur V.B. , Klenina I.A. 
Published: June 2018

Актуальность. Неалкогольная жировая болезнь печени (НАЖБП) — хроническое диффузное заболевание печени, которое включает простой стеатоз, неалкогольный стеатогепатит (НАСГ) с возможностью прогрессирования до цирроза или даже гепатоцеллюлярной карциномы. Известно много причин стеатоза печени, однако НАЖБП ассоциируется преимущественно с инсулинорезистентностью и метаболическим синдромом (МС), что дало основание рассматривать НАЖБП как печеночную манифестацию последнего. Печень играет ключевую роль в обмене жирных кислот (ЖК) и триглицеридов, обеспечивая синтез, накопление, секрецию и окисление ЖК. При свойственном МС абдоминальном ожирении отмечается эксцессивный поток ЖК от висцерального жира через портальную вену в печень с развитием стеатоза. Накопление липидов в печени запускает каскад прооксидативных гепатотоксических событий, которые приводят к развитию НАСГ и возможного его прогрессирования. Цель: определение особенностей метаболических изменений на разных этапах развития НАЖБП. Материалы и методы. В исследование вошли пациенты с НАЖБП, которые проходили обследование и лечение в отделении заболеваний печени и поджелудочной железы ГУ «Институт гастроэнтерологии НАМН Украины». Всем больным проводилось ультразвуковое исследование органов брюшной полости, проводились стандартные биохимические исследования и определения в сыворотке крови общего холестерина, b-липопротеидов, триглицеридов, липопротеидов низкой плотности, липопротеидов очень низкой плотности, липопротеидов высокой плотности, глюкозы, инсулина. Результаты. Метаболические изменения в виде инсулинорезистентности и проатерогенных изменений липидограммы, характерные для всех больных с НАЖБП, были более выражены при стеатозе печени. Выводы. Полученные результаты обусловливают необходимость обязательного исследования показателей липидного и углеводного обмена у пациентов со стеатозом печенки для своевременной коррекции нарушений, что уменьшит прогрессирование НАЖБП.