bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in vascular aging in response to testosterone
Authors: Moreau Kerrie L. , Babcock Matthew C. , Hildreth Kerry L.
Published: April 2020

Large elastic arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction are phenotypic characteristics of vascular aging, a major risk factor for age-associated cardiovascular diseases. Compared to men, vascular aging in women appears to be slowed until menopause, whereafter vascular aging accelerates to match that seen in men. These sex differences in vascular aging have been attributed to changes in sex hormones that occur with aging. Although the role of estradiol in vascular aging in women has been highlighted in recent aging research, little is known about the impact of declining testosterone concentrations in both sexes. Importantly, while androgen concentrations generally decline with age in men, there are data that indicate reductions in androgen concentrations in women as well. Evidence suggests that low testosterone is associated with impaired endothelial function and increased arterial stiffness in men, although the effect of androgens on vascular aging in women remains unclear. Testosterone may modulate vascular aging by mitigating the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation, although there is sex specificity to this effect. The purpose of this review is to present and summarize the research regarding sex differences in vascular aging in response to androgens, specifically testosterone. Because exercise is a potent lifestyle factor for slowing and reversing vascular aging, we briefly summarize the available literature regarding the regulatory function of testosterone on vascular adaptations to exercise training.
Heterologous expression of genes for bioconversion of xylose to xylonic acid in Corynebacterium glutamicum and optimization of the bioprocess
Authors: Sundar M. S. Lekshmi , Susmitha Aliyath , Rajan Devi , Hannibal Silvin , Sasikumar Keerthi , Wendisch Volker F. , Nampoothiri K. Madhavan
Published: April 2020

In bacterial system, direct conversion of xylose to xylonic acid is mediated through NAD-dependent xylose dehydrogenase (xylB) and xylonolactonase (xylC) genes. Heterologous expression of these genes from Caulobacter crescentus into recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 and C. glutamicum ATCC 31831 (with an innate pentose transporter, araE) resulted in an efficient bioconversion process to produce xylonic acid from xylose. Process parameters including the design of production medium was optimized using a statistical tool, Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Maximum xylonic acid of 56.32 g/L from 60 g/L xylose, i.e. about 76.67% of the maximum theoretical yield was obtained after 120 h fermentation from pure xylose with recombinant C. glutamicum ATCC 31831 containing the plasmid pVWEx1 xylB. Under the same condition, the production with recombinant C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 (with pVWEx1 xylB) was 50.66 g/L, i.e. 69% of the theoretical yield. There was no significant improvement in production with the simultaneous expression of xylB and xylC genes together indicating xylose dehydrogenase activity as one of the rate limiting factor in the bioconversion. Finally, proof of concept experiment in utilizing biomass derived pentose sugar, xylose, for xylonic acid production was also carried out and obtained 42.94 g/L xylonic acid from 60 g/L xylose. These results promise a significant value addition for the future bio refinery programs.
Production, characterization and bioinformatics analysis of l-asparaginase from a new Stenotrophomonas maltophilia EMCC2297 soil isolate
Authors: Abdelrazek Nada A. , Elkhatib Walid F. , Raafat Marwa M. , Aboulwafa Mohammad M.
Published: April 2020

An exhaustive screening program was applied for scoring a promising l-asparaginase producing-isolate. The recovered isolate was identified biochemically and molecularly and its l-asparaginase productivity was optimized experimentally and by Response Surface Methodology. The produced enzyme was characterized experimentally for its catalytic properties and by bioinformatics analysis for its immunogenicity. The promising l-asparaginase producing-isolate was selected from 722 recovered isolates and identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and deposited at Microbiological Resources Centre (Cairo Mircen) under the code EMCC2297. This isolate produces both intracellular (type I) and extracellular (type II) l-asparaginases with about 4.7 fold higher extracellular l-asparaginase productivity. Bioinformatics analysis revealed clustering of Stenotrophomonas maltophilial-asparaginase with those of Pseudomonas species and considerable closeness to the two commercially available l-asparaginases of E. coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi. Fourteen antigenic regions are predicted for Stenotrophomonas maltophilial-asparaginase versus 16 and 18 antigenic regions for the Erwinia chrysanthemi and E. colil-asparaginases. Type II l-asparaginase productivity of the test isolate reached 4.7 IU/ml/h and exhibited maximum activity with no metal ion requirement at 37 °C, pH 8.6, 40 mM asparagine concentration and could tolerate NaCl concentration up to 500 mM and retain residual activity of 55% at 70 °C after half an hour treatment period. Application both of random mutation by gamma irradiation and Response Surface Methodology that determined 38.11 °C, 6.89 pH, 19.85 h and 179.15 rpm as optimum process parameters could improve the isolate l-asparaginase productivity. Maximum production of about 8 IU/ml/h was obtained with 0.4% dextrose, 0.1% yeast extract and 10 mM magnesium sulphate. In conclusion l-asparaginase of the recovered Stenotrophomonas maltophilia EMCC2297 isolate has characters enabling it to be used for medical therapeutic application.
Integrated analysis of transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling reveal the p53 associated pathways underlying the response to ionizing radiation in HBE cells
Authors: Huang Ruixue , Liu Xiaodan , Li He , Zhou Yao , Zhou Ping-Kun
Published: April 2020

Background

Radiation damage to normal tissues is a serious concern. P53 is a well-known transcription factor which is closely associated with radiation-induced cell damage. Increasing evidence has indicated that regulation of metabolism by p53 represents a reviving mechanism vital to protect cell survival. We aimed to explore the interactions of radiation-induced transcripts with the cellular metabolism regulated by p53.

Methods

Human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell line was used to knockout p53 using CRISPR/cas9. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted by microarray and metabolomic analysis was conducted by GC–MS. Integrative omics was performed using MetaboAnalyst.

Results

326 mRNAs showed significantly altered expression in HBE p53-/- cells post-radiation, of which 269 were upregulated and 57 were downregulated. A total of 147 metabolites were altered, including 45 that increased and 102 that decreased. By integrated analysis of both omic data, we found that in response to radiation insult, nitrogen metabolism, glutathione metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and glycolysis or gluconeogenesis may be dysregulated due to p53.

Conclusions

Our study provided a pilot comprehensive view of the metabolism regulated by p53 in response to radiation exposure. Detailed evaluation of these important p53-regulated metabolic pathways, including their roles in the response to radiation of cells, is essential to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of radiation-induced damage.
Solution of fuzzy singular integral equation with Abel’s type kernel using a novel hybrid method
Authors: Bushnaq S. , Ullah Z. , Ullah A. , Shah K.
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we are applying a novel analytical hybrid method to find the solution of a fuzzy Volterra Abel’s integral equation of the second kind. The fuzzy number is used in its parametric form under which the fuzzy Volterra Abel’s integral equation will be converted into a system of integral equations as in a crisp case. Moreover, to solve the general fuzzy Volterra integral equation with Abel’s type kernel, and to show that the proposed method is efficient, a few accurate and simple examples are given for the demonstration of our results.
Factors associated with postnatal care utilization among postpartum women in Ethiopia: a multi-level analysis of the 2016 Ethiopia demographic and health survey
Authors: Adane Bezawit , Fisseha Girmatsion , Walle Getaw , Yalew Melaku
Published: April 2020

Background

Most postpartum women and newborns do not utilize postnatal care due to less emphasis given especially in developing countries. Understanding individual and community-level factors associated with postnatal care will help to design appropriate strategies and policies for improving service utilization. Therefore, this study aimed to assess individual and community-level factors associated with postnatal care utilization in Ethiopia.

Method

This study used the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) data of 2016. A total of 4489 women who gave birth 2 years before the survey were included. Two-stage stratified cluster sampling technique was used. The analysis was done using Stata version 14.0 after checking for basic assumptions of multilevel logistic regression. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was used to identify determinants of postnatal care utilization. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to show the strength and direction of the association.

Results

Husband with secondary education [AOR = 0.17, 95% CI = (0.04, 0.68)], four or more antenatal care visit [AOR = 10.77, 95% CI = (2.65, 43.70)], middle wealth quintile [AOR = 3.10, 95% CI = (1.12, 8.58)] were individual level factors. Community level education [AOR = 2.53, 95% CI = (1.06, 6.06)] and community level of health service utilization [AOR = 2.32, 95% CI = (1.14, 4.73)] were the predictors at community level.

Conclusion

Wealth index, number of antenatal care visits, husband education, community level of education and health service utilization were significantly associated with PNC service utilization. Provision of quality antenatal care, improvement of the educational status of women and husband involvement in PNC are important strategies to increase PNC service utilization.
Freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease: pathophysiology, risk factors and treatments
Authors: Gao Chao , Liu Jun , Tan Yuyan , Chen Shengdi
Published: April 2020

Background

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common, disabling symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but the mechanisms and treatments of FOG remain great challenges for clinicians and researchers. The main focus of this review is to summarize the possible mechanisms underlying FOG, the risk factors for screening and predicting the onset of FOG, and the clinical trials involving various therapeutic strategies. In addition, the limitations and recommendations for future research design are also discussed.

Main body

In the mechanism section, we briefly introduced the physiological process of gait control and hypotheses about the mechanism of FOG. In the risk factor section, gait disorders, PIGD phenotype, lower striatal DAT uptake were found to be independent risk factors of FOG with consistent evidence. In the treatment section, we summarized the clinical trials of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Despite the limited effectiveness of current medications for FOG, especially levodopa resistant FOG, there were some drugs that showed promise such as istradefylline and rasagiline. Non-pharmacological treatments encompass invasive brain and spinal cord stimulation, noninvasive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and physiotherapeutic approaches including cues and other training strategies. Several novel therapeutic strategies seem to be effective, such as rTMS over supplementary motor area (SMA), dual-site DBS, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and VNS. Of physiotherapy, wearable cueing devices seem to be generally effective and promising.

Conclusion

FOG model hypotheses are helpful for better understanding and characterizing FOG and they provide clues for further research exploration. Several risk factors of FOG have been identified, but need combinatorial optimization for predicting FOG more precisely. Although firm conclusions cannot be drawn on therapeutic efficacy, the literature suggested that some therapeutic strategies showed promise.
Identification of two divergent swine Noroviruses detected at the slaughterhouse in North East Italy
Authors: Laconi Andrea , Cavicchio Lara , Tassoni Luca , Cunial Giovanni , Milani Adelaide , Ustulin Martina , Di Martino Guido , Forzan Mario , Campalto Mery , Monne Isabella , Beato Maria Serena
Published: April 2020

Norovirus (NoV) has emerged as one of the major causative agents of non-bacterial, food- and water-borne gastroenteritis in humans, with the main genogroup involved in human outbreaks (GII), which has been detected worldwide in different animal species including swine. A four-month investigation at the slaughterhouse aiming to examine the presence of NoV in the swine in North-Eastern Italy, enabled the detection of two divergent Noroviruses (NoVs) (GII.P11) in two swine farms. This represents the first study in the swine population of North-Eastern Italy, which has paved the way for future integrated virological and epidemiological investigations on swine NoVs.
Cellular and molecular aspects of oocyte maturation and fertilization: a perspective from the actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Santella Luigia , Limatola Nunzia , Chun Jong Tai
Published: April 2020

Much of the scientific knowledge on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development has come from the experiments using gametes of marine organisms that reproduce by external fertilization. In particular, echinoderm eggs have enabled the study of structural and biochemical changes related to meiotic maturation and fertilization owing to the abundant availability of large and transparent oocytes and eggs. Thus, in vitro studies of oocyte maturation and sperm-induced egg activation in starfish are carried out under experimental conditions that resemble those occurring in nature. During the maturation process, immature oocytes of starfish are released from the prophase of the first meiotic division, and acquire the competence to be fertilized through a highly programmed sequence of morphological and physiological changes at the oocyte surface. In addition, the changes in the cortical and nuclear regions are essential for normal and monospermic fertilization. This review summarizes the current state of research on the cortical actin cytoskeleton in mediating structural and physiological changes during oocyte maturation and sperm and egg activation in starfish and sea urchin. The common denominator in these studies with echinoderms is that exquisite rearrangements of the egg cortical actin filaments play pivotal roles in gamete interactions, Ca2+signaling, exocytosis of cortical granules, and control of monospermic fertilization. In this review, we also compare findings from studies using invertebrate eggs with what is known about the contributions made by the actin cytoskeleton in mammalian eggs. Since the cortical actin cytoskeleton affects microvillar morphology, movement, and positioning of organelles and vesicles, and the topography of the egg surface, these changes have impacts on the fertilization process, as has been suggested by recent morphological studies on starfish oocytes and eggs using scanning electron microscopy. Drawing the parallelism between vitelline layer of echinoderm eggs and the zona pellucida of mammalian eggs, we also discuss the importance of the egg surface in mediating monospermic fertilization.

Graphical abstract
Interaction between retanning agents and wet white tanned by a novel bimetal complex tanning agent
Authors: Huang Wanli , Song Ying , Yu Yue , Wang Ya-nan , Shi Bi
Published: April 2020

A promising and practical chrome-free tanning system has been developed based on a novel Al–Zr bimetal complex tanning agent. However, to achieve satisfactory resultant leather, the retanning process that is compatible with this emerging tannage needs to be investigated systematically. This paper aims to explore the interaction between the bimetal complex tanned wet white and retanning agents. The isoelectric point (pI) of wet white was 7.2, which was nearly the same as wet blue. The electropositivity of wet white was even higher than that of wet blue during post-tanning processes, resulting in higher uptake rate of retanning agents. The distribution of various retanning agents in wet white was analyzed by pI measurement of layered leather and fluorescent tracing technique. The retanning agents were unevenly distributed throughout the cross-section, which might be an important restriction factor in obtaining satisfactory organoleptic properties of the crust leather. This fact is mainly due to the strong electrostatic interaction between anionic retanning agents and wet white. Applying a high dosage of multiple retanning agents in a proper sequence of addition benefited the full penetration of retanning agents in leather matrix and thus improved the organoleptic properties of crust leather. This work provides guidance for optimizing retanning process of the wet white leather.

Graphical abstract
Role of QRS fragmentation in 12-lead surface ECG in prediction of isolated epicardial coronary artery ectasia and its anatomical distribution in patients without acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Kamal Diaa , Hashem Moataz
Published: April 2020

Background

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a form of abnormal coronary artery lumen dilatation associated with epicardial flow disturbances and microvascular dysfunction. QRS complex fragmentation (fQRS) in surface ECG is caused by abnormal depolarization due to myocardial ischemia and scarring. It has been proved in different studies to be positively correlated with adverse cardiac events. This study aimed to assess the role of fQRS as a non-invasive predictor of CAE and its anatomical distribution. A total of 100 patients referred for elective coronary angiography were included and divided into 2 groups: 50 patients with isolated CAE (group A) and 50 patients with angiographically normal coronaries (group B, control group). Both groups were compared regarding clinical, echocardiographic, and ECG characteristics.

Results

Univariate analysis showed a significant correlation between male sex, smoking, diabetes mellitus, increased systolic blood pressure, fQRS, echocardiographic evidence of diastolic dysfunction, and CAE (P values of 0.005, 0.002, 0.016, 0.027, 0.0001, and 0.04, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed that fQRS is the most important independent predictor for the presence of CAE (P < 0.00001) with sensitivity 94%, specificity 88%, PPV 88.7%, and NPV 93.6%. We also found a significant correlation between fQRS distribution in surface ECG and anatomical distribution of CAE [increased territories with multivessel affection (P = 0.00001), anterior leads with LAD affection (P = 0.00001), lateral and inferior leads with LCX affection (P = 0.003 and 0.04, respectively), inferior leads with RCA affection (P = 0.00001)].

Conclusion

fQRS in surface ECG can potentially be used as an effective non-invasive method to predict isolated CAE and its anatomical distribution.
Characterization of analog and digital control loops for bidirectional buck–boost converter using PID/PIDN algorithms
Authors: Viswanatha V. , Reddy R. Venkata Siva , Rajeswari
Published: April 2020

This article presents the characterization of analog and digital control loops using PID/PIDN control algorithms for bidirectional buck–boost converter (BBC). Control loops of BBC are designed and implemented in MATLAB code using transfer functions in time domain with unit step response and in frequency domain with bode plots and pole-zero plots. These transfer functions are obtained by average large signal modeling of BBC. Actions of analog and digital control loops are characterized in order to ensure stability and dynamic response of BBC which is a bottleneck in renewable energy applications. Improvement in dynamic response and stability of BBC with PIDN control algorithm is demonstrated using bode plots, pole-zero plots, and step response. Control loop gain due to transfer functions of power stage and controllers is demonstrated, and it is found stable in both analog and digital control loops. PIDN compensator is proposed to maintain a healthy balance between the stability and transient behavior since both are indirectly proportional. BBC is modeled using average large signal modeling technique, simulated using MATLAB tool, and analysis of dynamic and stability response is done through unit step input, bode plot, and pole-zero plot. Hardware is designed and implemented using TMS320F28335 controller.
Demographic, Clinical, and Pathologic Features of Patients With Cutaneous Melanoma: Final Analysis of the Brazilian Melanoma Group Database
Authors: Wainstein Alberto Julius Alves , Duprat Neto João Pedreira , Enokihara Mauro Yoshiaki , Brechtbühl Eduard René , Riccardi Felice , Landman Gilles , de Melo Andreia Cristina , de Lima Vazquez Vinicius , Munhoz Rodrigo Ramella , Dunshee De Abranches Oliveira Santos Filho Ivan , Bertolli Eduardo , Drummond-Lage Ana Paula , Costa Soares de Sá Bianca , Botelho Luciane , Higino Steck Jose , Belfort Francisco Aparecido , Maia Marcus , Bakos Renato Marchiori , Gomes Elimar Elias , Schmerling Rafael , Cavarsan Flavio
Published: April 2020

PURPOSE

National epidemiologic data on melanoma are scarce in Brazil. The current work presents final demographic, clinical, and pathologic results from the Brazilian Melanoma Group database to detail how patients with melanoma present at diagnosis.

METHODS

The online database includes patients diagnosed between 1982 and 2015 and evaluated at their centers of origin between 2001 and 2016. The primary objective was to describe the demographic, clinical, and pathologic characteristics of the patients, and secondary objectives were to investigate the association between clinical and pathologic variables of interest.

RESULTS

A total of 1,596 patients were included. Median age was 52 years, 57% were women, and the majority were identified as white. Invasive melanoma was diagnosed in 1,297 patients, mostly localized, whereas 299 (19%) had in situ disease (TisN0M0). Only 165 patients had initial lymph node involvement. Fitzpatrick skin types I or II were slightly more frequent with in situ melanoma (73%) than with invasive disease (67%; P = .054). The median Breslow thickness was 0.95 mm, Clark levels 2 and 3 comprised nearly 70% of cases, and ulceration was present in 18% of patients. The mitotic rate was significantly associated with the presence of ulceration and both vascular and perineural invasion but not with margin positivity, whereas histologic regression was associated with both intratumoral and peritumoral inflammatory infiltrates.

CONCLUSION

Despite the limitations of an observational, registry-based study, the current results provide a general profile of patients with cutaneous melanoma in Brazil at the time of diagnosis.
The Prevalence of the Chimeric TNXA/TNXB Gene and Clinical Symptoms of Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome with 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Gao Yinjie , Lu Lin , Yu Bingqing , Mao Jiangfeng , Wang Xi , Nie Min , Wu Xueyan
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Defects in both CYP21A2 and TNXB genes can cause congenital adrenal hyperplasia combined with hypermobility-type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS), which has recently been named CAH-X syndrome. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of the chimeric TNXA/TNXB gene and clinical symptoms in a Chinese cohort with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD).

Methods

A total of 424 patients with 21-OHD who were genetically diagnosed were recruited for this study. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and sequencing were used to identify the CAH-X genotype. Clinical features of joints, skin, and other systems were evaluated in 125 patients.

Results

Ninety-four of the 424 patients had a deletion on at least 1 allele of CYP21A2 and 59 of them harbored the heterozygotic TNXA/TNXB chimera. Frequencies of CAH-X CH-1, CH-2, and CH-3 were 8.2%, 3.1%, and 2.6%, respectively. The incidences of clinical features of EDS were 71.0% and 26.6% in patients with the chimeric TNXA/TNXB genes or without (P < .001). There were statistically significant differences in manifestations among articular (P < .001 in generalized hypermobility) and dermatologic features (P < .001 in hyperextensible skin, P = .015 in velvety skin and P = .033 in poor wound healing). The prevalence of generalized hypermobility was more common in CAH-X CH-2 or CH-3 than CH-1 patients (60% vs 20%, P = .028).

Conclusions

In summary, about 14% of patients with 21-OHD may have chimeric TNXA/TNXB gene mutations in our study and most of them showed EDS-related clinical symptoms. The correlation between CAH-X genotypes and clinical features in connective tissue, like joint or skin, needs to be further investigated.
Juan Gallardo: A Native American Buccaneer
Authors: Bialuschewski Arne
Published: April 2020

In 1665 a native man named Juan Gallardo joined a raiding gang near Granada, Nicaragua, and remained for the next five years among the most notorious English, Dutch, and French freebooters. He stayed in the raiding bases of Port Royal and Tortuga, he sailed with Henry Morgan and François L'Olonnais, and he took part in a remarkable series of assaults on Spanish targets. Gallardo's life during these five years provides a unique insight into cross-cultural relations involving multinational outlaw gangs at the height of Caribbean raiding. This article shifts the focus from a Eurocentric, often-romanticized image of the age of buccaneers to the contributions of indigenous people, not only as voluntary and forced participants in violent raids but also as defenders of Spanish colonies and, above all, as defenseless victims.
Beyond Contempt: Injunctions, Land Defense, and the Criminalization of Indigenous Resistance
Authors: Ceric Irina
Published: April 2020

Claiming that the criminal justice system fails to effectively prohibit protest and civil disobedience, corporate lawyers embrace the pervasive use of injunctions and contempt of court charges in struggles over resource extraction in British Columbia, dubbing this approach the “new normal.” Yet even a cursory review of protest policing in Canada reveals that state intervention in resistance movements is alive and well and that Indigenous peoples and allied social movements are made subject to repression, surveillance, and criminalization through the mechanism of injunctions and contempt, among other legal tools. Based on my direct experience with injunctions and contempt in BC as an activist legal support organizer and a settler ally, this article argues that the reliance on injunctions by extractive industries embroils the courts and police in struggles over public and/or collectively held lands and resources that are nonetheless constructed by the law as private disputes, largely insulated from the reach of constitutionally-derived Aboriginal rights. After tracing the long history of BC’s “injunction habit,” I examine the judicial and policy practices that make the “new normal” claim possible—and show how it is ultimately not accurate. As crucial tools in the legal arsenal of settler-colonial states, injunctions and the subsequent use of contempt charges carve out a distinctly colonial space within Canadian law for the criminalization of Indigenous resistance, facilitating access to resources and lands and easing the operation of extractive capitalism.
Decolonizing Decolonization: An Indigenous Feminist Perspective on the Recognition and Rights Framework
Authors: Pictou Sherry
Published: April 2020

The “Recognition and Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework,” announced in 2018 by the federal government was originally hailed as a process for decolonization. Though the framework was withdrawn in December 2018, several policy and legislative initiatives give every indication that the framework is moving forward. In this regard, the paper seeks to open up a discussion about how decolonization is being conceptualized in the new Rights Framework from an Indigenous feminist perspective. I highlight tensions between patriarchy, neoliberalism, and contradictory concepts of decolonization to demonstrate how the Rights Framework manifests a contemporary form of patriarchal colonialism in state-Indigenous politics, especially self-government negotiations, that will continue to negatively impact Indigenous women and gender diverse persons. I further argue how the MMIWG Inquiry Final Report released in June 2019, cannot be mobilized as a tool for decolonization in seeking social justice for Indigenous women and gender diverse persons without their active knowledge and experience in directing how the recommendations are implemented. By foregrounding this experience with an intersectional, gender based analysis + or GBA+ (gender and gender diverse inclusive), and a human rights approach, I suggest there is potential for achieving Indigenous sovereignty over our bodies as well as over the land and waters in ways that are conducive to our resilience and freedom as Indigenous people.
Coupled regulations of enzymatic activity and structure formation of aldehyde dehydrogenase Ald4p
Authors: Noree Chalongrat , Sirinonthanawech Naraporn
Published: April 2020

Previously, we have developed an extramitochondrial assembly system, where mitochondrial targeting signal (MTS) can be removed from a given mitochondrial enzyme, which could be used to characterize the regulatory factors involved in enzyme assembly/disassembly in vivo. Here, we demonstrate that addition of exogenous acetaldehyde can shortly induce the supramolecular assembly of MTS-deleted aldehyde dehydrogenase Ald4p in yeast cytoplasm. Also, by using PCR-based modification of the yeast genome, cytoplasmically targeted Ald4p cannot polymerize into long filaments when key functional amino acid residues are substituted, as shown by N192D, S269A, E290K, and C324A mutations. This study has confirmed that extramitochondrial assembly could be a powerful external system for studying mitochondrial enzyme assembly and its regulatory factors, outside the mitochondria. And we propose that mitochondrial enzyme assembly/disassembly is coupled to the regulation of a given mitochondrial enzyme activity.
Structure and ligand binding of the ADP-binding domain of the NAD+ riboswitch
Authors: Huang Lin , Wang Jia , Lilley David M.J.
Published: April 2020

The nadA motif is the first known NAD+-dependent riboswitch, comprising two similar tandem bulged stem–loop structures. We have determined the structure of the 5′ domain 1 of the riboswitch. It has three coaxial helical segments, separated by an ACANCCCC bulge and by an internal loop, with a tertiary contact between them that includes two C:G base pairs. We have determined the structure with a number of ligands related to NADH, but in each case only the ADP moiety is observed. The adenosine adopts an anti conformation, forms multiple hydrogen bonds across the width of the sugar edge of the penultimate C:G base pair of the helix preceding the bulge, and the observed contacts have been confirmed by mutagenesis and calorimetry. Two divalent metal ions play a key structural role at the narrow neck of the bulge. One makes direct bonding contacts to the diphosphate moiety, locking it into position. Thus the nucleobase, ribose, and phosphate groups of the ADP moiety are all specifically recognized by the RNA. The NAD+ riboswitch is modular. Domain 1 is an ADP binding domain that may be ancient and could potentially be used in combination with other ligand binding motifs such as CoA.
Parasite infection in Serranus cabrilla (Perciformes, Serranidae): histopathological aspects and new host record for nematode genus Philometra from Aegean Sea, Turkey
Authors: INNAL D. , STAVRESCU-BEDIVAN M.M. , OZMEN O.
Published: April 2020

This study was conducted to determine infection with nematode parasite Philometra sp. in gonads of Serranus cabrilla recorded in Izmir Gulf between October 2016 and July 2017. The overall prevalence was 14.46% and the mean intensity of infection 1.2 parasites per fish. The occurrence of philometrid infection on comber hosts was assessed according to several risk factors (fish length class, sex and season). Our findings suggest that the highest rates of parasite infection occur in larger sized fish, hermaphrodite individuals and during April month. The present report also revealed that marked hyperemia was the major findings of infected gonads of S. cabrilla, where parasitic nematodes caused a marked inflammatory reaction at the histopathological examination. As far as we know, this paper represents the first mention of genus Philometra in S. cabrilla from Turkey and the first presence of philometrid parasites in Aegean coast of Turkey. Furthermore, the present work is the first record of the effects of Philometra sp. parasitism on a serranid species in Izmir Gulf.
Effects of Indigenous Spore-Forming Probiotic as Feed Supplement on Performance and Safety in Broilers
Authors: HOSSEINI N.G. , MODARRESSI M.H. , MOUSAVI S.N. , EBRAHIMI M.T.
Published: April 2020

Probiotics colonize the intestine of animals and birds and provide useful effects on their performance and immune status. This study describes a high throughput screening and characterization of spore-forming bacteria from Iranian poultry farms with the aim to identify potential probiotic native Bacillus spp. and determine its effects on growth performance, hemato-biochemical parameters, immunity, intestinal microflora, morphology and MUC2 gene expression of broiler chickens. A total of 300 one-day-old female Ross 308 broilers (42.6 ± 0.6 g) were used in a 6-wk study. Broilers were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 dietary treatments consisting of 4 replicate cages with 25 broilers each: 1- Control (Corn-soy-based diet: C), 2- C + 200 g/ton of the GalliPro® (Bacillus subtilis DSM 17299, 4×109 CFU/g, as positive control group: PC), 3- C + 200 g/ton of the native probiotic (B. tequilensis K03, 4×109 CFU/g: NP) identified in this study. During the experiment parameters were measured weekly. The results revealed that birds of the NP and PC groups exhibited improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increased body weight (BW), carcass and breast meat yield compared with the birds of the C group (P<0.05). Also, lymphocytes level, antibody titers against Newcastle diseases virus (NDV) and infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) of vaccinated birds were increased, while serum triglycerides, total cholesterol levels and abdominal fat of birds fed NP and PC were decreased compared to birds of the C group (P<0.05). The villus height, the relative expression of MUC2 gene and Bacillus spp. populations were increased, while E. coli was significantly decreased in the ileum content of treated groups (P<0.05). These results indicate that the identified native B.tequilensis K03 strain can improve immunity and broiler performance by modifying intestinal microflora and morphology. Studied native probiotic Bacillus tequilensis K03 has useful effects on health status and it can be used as poultry feed supplement.
Trans-diaphragmatic pressure measurement as a prognostic factor in the Intensive Care Unit in dogs
Authors: PAVLIDOU K. , SAVVAS I.
Published: April 2020

In the last decade, attempts to improve the quality of the services provided to the critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are of great interest in human medicine. The aim of the majority of the clinical studies is the correlation of the survival rate of a critically ill patient with specific prognostic factors at the time of admission. The detailed assessment of a patient at admission in the ICU and during hospitalization seems to affect the management and the outcome. The main aim of this study was to evaluate if the trans-diaphragmatic pressure measurement can be a prognostic factor of the outcome in the ICU in dogs. Thirty-one dogs, 21 male and 10 female was included in this prospective, cohort study. Age, breed, sex, body weight and clinical diagnosis were recorded. The type of admission, the mentation status, physiological and biochemical parameters were measured at the admission of the dog in the ICU. All the variables were assessed over the first 24 hours following ICU admission. The animals were allocated into sixgroups: peritonitis/intra-abdominal surgery, intra-thoracic surgery, respiratory disease, neurologic disease, neoplasia, and systematic disease. The trans-diaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) was measured under the same anesthetic level in all animals with two oesophageal balloon catheters. The most frequent problem for admission in ICU was peritonitis (5/31). Seventeen out of 31 were admitted in acute status while 14/31 had a chronic problem. Mean±standard deviation of Pdi was 10.7±5.6 mmHg and of lactate concentration 2.3±1.2 mmol/L. Both, they can predict outcome (p=0.071 and p=0.076, respectively). Seven out of 31 dogs died, 2 were euthanized and 22 were discharged from the ICU after hospitalization. The technique of Pdi measurement with balloon catheters can be successfully applied in dogs in the ICU. Pdi measurement, as well as lactate concentration may be used as prognostic indicators for the outcome, in dogs in the ICU. However, a bigger sample size is need to support these findings.
Arthrectomy for traumatic proximal interphalangeal arthritis in the lateral digit in a heifer
Authors: GOTO A. , TSUZUKI N. , KAJIHARA A. Tsuzuki@obihiro.ac.jp , MORIYAMA T. , SASAKI Y. , ZUSHI N. , HATATE K. , IINO K. , YAMAGISHI N.
Published: April 2020

Instructive information on the treatment for chronic deep infections of digital joints in a 9-month-old Holstein heifer is described in this report. Preoperative ultrasonographic and radiographic examinations revealed soft tissue swelling and subchondral bone lysis at the distal part of the proximal phalanx in the lateral digit. Arthrectomy was performed under xylazine sedation to remove infectious articular cartilage tissues. Immature callus formation was observed via radiography at the surgical site by the 28th postoperative day. On the 48th postoperative day, callus fellinto disrepair on the radiographs along with aggravation of the locomotion score. After the application of a half-limb cast, the immature callus formed again by the 62nd postoperative day (11 months), and bony callus formation was observed by the 74th postoperative day. Thereafter, the heifer could walk well with marked improvement in the locomotion score. The withers height of the heifer at 13 months (136 cm) was within the range of that in control heifers of the same age on this farm (133 ± 3 cm); however, the body weight (BW) of this heifer (322 kg) was lower than the BW of controls (384 ± 26 kg). The BW gain from 11 to 13 months of age seemed to be higher in the present heifer (+76 kg) than in controls (+55±20 kg), suggesting that BW of the present heifer was returning to the original BW. Based on these observations, we suggested that arthrectomy was an effective treatment option for the present case of digital joint arthritis.
The Pacific Alliance Towards a Strategy on Digital Economy?
Authors: Corredor Castellanos Rodrigo
Published: April 2020

Countries of the Pacific Alliance (PA) share a common interest in the development of a regional regulatory framework that can give impetus to the dynamism of the embryonic digital economy in the region. The trend towards the progressive implementation of new and stricter rules on e-commerce fosters increments on foreign investment and generation of spill over effects. However, the preference for the models inspired by the FTAs negotiated by the United States, as well as a clear predilection for self-regulation schemes, reflect the dominant role of the private sector in the negotiations within the PA. This scenario raises serious doubts about the institutional model of the Alliance and its suitability to frame sustainable solutions to the complex social and economic consequences derived from the deepening of the digital economy.
Efecto de los factores protectores sobre los estilos de vida saludable en pacientes con riesgo cardiovascular: un análisis de ruta
Authors: Guerrero Alcedo Jesús Manuel , Sánchez Angulo Johanna Gabriela , López Guerra Víctor Manuel
Published: April 2020

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue verificar la influencia de factores individuales como la edad, el sexo, el nivel socioeconómico, y factores protectores como la resiliencia, la autoeficacia generalizada y el apoyo social percibido sobre los estilos de vida saludable, en personas con riesgo cardiovascular, además de sus posibles interacciones. Se utilizó una muestra de 290 personas, compuesta por 140 hombres y 150 mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 35 y 65 años. A través de un análisis de ruta, se obtuvo que las variables con mayor predicción sobre el estilo de vida saludable fueron el apoyo social percibido, específicamente de amigos, y la resiliencia. Así mismo, se encontró que la autoeficacia influye significativamente sobre la resiliencia, y el apoyo social percibido es un predictor relevante para la primera. En conclusión, el estilo de vida saludable se puede predecir en gran medida por variables de contenido psicológico, de forma directa e indirecta. Además, puede verse diferenciado dependiendo de la dimensión específica de la variable predicha y el número de variables que se relacionen en conjunto.
La influencia de los recursos audiovisuales para el aprendizaje autónomo en el aula
Authors: Marcos Ramos María , Moreno Méndez Miguel
Published: April 2020

El rápido avance de las nuevas tecnologías y de las dinámicas económicas ha sembrado una gran incertidumbre sobre a qué retos habrá de enfrentarse la sociedad. Ello incrementa la importancia del aprendizaje autónomo al favorecer la adaptación constante a lo largo de la vida. Debido al auge del consumo de contenidos audiovisuales entre los jóvenes, el empleo de estos contenidos como recursos didácticos en el aula puede ser una herramienta eficaz para comprender conceptos y fomentar su aprendizaje autónomo. Esto potenciará la capacidad de Aprender a aprender del alumnado para conseguir en el futuro una mayor autonomía y adaptación laboral.En este artículo se muestran los resultados más significativos de un cuasi experimento realizado a cuarenta y siete alumnos/as de 3º de eso que buscaba conocer si el uso de recursos audiovisuales en el aula era relevante para su aprendizaje. Uno de los principales objetivos era hallar la utilidad didáctica que pueden tener estos recursos, la cual aumentó de manera significativa, según los datos del cuasi experimento, tras el visionado de un fragmento de la película Tiempos Modernos (Charles Chaplin, 1936). Entre las conclusiones, destaca que puede existir relación entre la percepción de utilidad de los contenidos audiovisuales y el nivel de aprendizaje autónomo del alumnado.
Opiniones de agentes sociales: una propuesta desde la sociofísica para investigar comportamientos colectivos
Authors: Arias Karen P. , Pinilla Bernarda , Pinilla Bernarda , Cosenza Mario G , Cosenza Mario
Published: April 2020

En este artículo consideramos un problema específico de formación de opiniones: si los agentes sociales que califican un producto o servicio con una escala de opiniones discretas valoradas (por ejemplo, una escala de Likert) están conectados entre sí formando una red, real o virtual, ¿bajo qué condiciones pueden converger sus opiniones? Para abordar este problema, proponemos un modelo computacionalmente simple para la dinámica de opiniones discretas valoradas en una red de agentes que poseen un umbral para la interacción o comunicación entre ellos. El valor del umbral se interpreta como el nivel de tolerancia necesario para que ocurra una interacción entre agentes. Investigamos la influencia del umbral de tolerancia y de la topología de la red subyacente en el comportamiento colectivo del sistema. En redes complejas con conectividad local, incluyendo redes bidimensionales, redes de pequeño mundo, redes aleatorias y redes fractales surgen dos fases o estados colectivos diferentes, separados por un cierto valor crítico del umbral: (i) una fase caracterizada por la persistencia de diversidad de opiniones para valores del umbral menores que el valor crítico, y (ii) una fase en la que prevalece una opinión mayoritaria cuando el valor del umbral es mayor que el valor crítico. La fase diversa no surge en redes con conectividad global. Nuestros resultados permiten establecer condiciones para la emergencia de consenso o de polarización en sistemas sujetos a opiniones valoradas discretas.
Casting Conference Calls
Authors: Cohen Lauren , Lou Dong , Malloy Christopher J.
Published: April 2020

We explore a subtle but important mechanism through which firms can control information flow to the markets. We find that firms that “cast” their conference calls by disproportionately calling on bullish analysts tend to underperform in the future. Firms that call on more favorable analysts experience more negative future earnings surprises and more future earnings restatements. A long–short portfolio that exploits this differential firm behavior earns abnormal returns of up to 149 basis points per month or almost 18% per year. We find similar evidence in an international sample of earnings call transcripts from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Japan. Firms with higher discretionary accruals, firms that barely meet/exceed earnings expectations, and firms (and their executives) that are about to issue equity, sell shares, and exercise options are all significantly more likely to cast their earnings calls.

This paper was accepted by Tyler Shumway, finance.
Tofu consumption, coronary heart disease risk and all-cause mortality
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: April 2020

In this monthly feature, Sarah Jane Palmer delves into topical news, the latest research and what the experts are saying on subjects related to cardiology and cardiac nursing practice.
Highlighting the latest research: April 2020
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane
Published: April 2020

Sarah Jane Palmer presents a selection of recently published articles of interest to nurses working in cardiovascular nursing. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview of the research papers selected. A full reference is provided for those who wish to take a look at the research in further detail.
Our ‘new normal’
Authors: Davis Emma
Published: April 2020

Where settings are closed due to coronavirus, practitioners can gain a sense of purpose by finding new ways to support their children and families, whose well-being will be under pressure.
Cause and effect
Authors: White Hilary
Published: April 2020

Developing children's environmental literacy hinges on promoting their intellectual skills. Learning to think critically and finding ways to solve problems is key to creating a better future.
New paths needed for a qualified workforce
Authors: Cowley Sue
Published: April 2020

With uptake for Early Years Teacher programmes hitting an all time low and the recruitment and retention crisis intensifying, it's time the Government invested in a new workforce strategy.
Straying from its roots
Authors: Lambert Tina
Published: April 2020

Is there a danger that ‘Forest School’ has become an easy marketing term in the UK? Tina Lambert weighs whether practice is now too structured and far removed from its Scandinavian origins.
How curiosity is key to learning
Authors: Berliner Wendy
Published: April 2020

All children are natural intellectuals when they are given opportunities to test their powers of inquiry. Wendy Berliner argues for a new approach in the classroom which embraces a culture of curiosity, fuelling children with a thirst for knowledge that can empower their educational careers.
‘We will survive’
Authors: Gold Jo Morris
Published: April 2020

Despite the many uncertainties ‘we are all in this together’ says Jo Morris Gold. She believes the sector has the resilience to continue to support its critical workers and the determination to rebuild businesses when the crisis is over.