bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The nuclear receptor FXR inhibits Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 secretion in response to microbiota-derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids
Authors: Ducastel Sarah , Touche Véronique , Trabelsi Mohamed-Sami , Boulinguiez Alexis , Butruille Laura , Nawrot Margaux , Peschard Simon , Chávez-Talavera Oscar , Dorchies Emilie , Vallez Emmanuelle , Annicotte Jean-Sébastien , Lancel Steve , Briand Olivier , Bantubungi Kadiombo , Caron Sandrine , Bindels Laure B. , Delzenne Nathalie M. , Tailleux Anne , Staels Bart , Lestavel Sophie
Published: January 2020

The gut microbiota participates in the control of energy homeostasis partly through fermentation of dietary fibers hence producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which in turn promote the secretion of the incretin Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) by binding to the SCFA receptors FFAR2 and FFAR3 on enteroendocrine L-cells. We have previously shown that activation of the nuclear Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR) decreases the L-cell response to glucose. Here, we investigated whether FXR also regulates the SCFA-induced GLP-1 secretion. GLP-1 secretion in response to SCFAs was evaluated ex vivo in murine colonic biopsies and in colonoids of wild-type (WT) and FXR knock-out (KO) mice, in vitro in GLUTag and NCI-H716 L-cells activated with the synthetic FXR agonist GW4064 and in vivo in WT and FXR KO mice after prebiotic supplementation. SCFA-induced GLP-1 secretion was blunted in colonic biopsies from GW4064-treated mice and enhanced in FXR KO colonoids. In vitro FXR activation inhibited GLP-1 secretion in response to SCFAs and FFAR2 synthetic ligands, mainly by decreasing FFAR2 expression and downstream Gαq-signaling. FXR KO mice displayed elevated colonic FFAR2 mRNA levels and increased plasma GLP-1 levels upon local supply of SCFAs with prebiotic supplementation. Our results demonstrate that FXR activation decreases L-cell GLP-1 secretion in response to inulin-derived SCFA by reducing FFAR2 expression and signaling. Inactivation of intestinal FXR using bile acid sequestrants or synthetic antagonists in combination with prebiotic supplementation may be a promising therapeutic approach to boost the incretin axis in type 2 diabetes.
Precision Medicine and Artificial Intelligence: A Pilot Study on Deep Learning for Hypoglycemic Events Detection based on ECG
Authors: Porumb Mihaela , Stranges Saverio , Pescapè Antonio , Pecchia Leandro
Published: January 2020

Tracking the fluctuations in blood glucose levels is important for healthy subjects and crucial diabetic patients. Tight glucose monitoring reduces the risk of hypoglycemia, which can result in a series of complications, especially in diabetic patients, such as confusion, irritability, seizure and can even be fatal in specific conditions. Hypoglycemia affects the electrophysiology of the heart. However, due to strong inter-subject heterogeneity, previous studies based on a cohort of subjects failed to deploy electrocardiogram (ECG)-based hypoglycemic detection systems reliably. The current study used personalised medicine approach and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automatically detect nocturnal hypoglycemia using a few heartbeats of raw ECG signal recorded with non-invasive, wearable devices, in healthy individuals, monitored 24 hours for 14 consecutive days. Additionally, we present a visualisation method enabling clinicians to visualise which part of the ECG signal (e.g., T-wave, ST-interval) is significantly associated with the hypoglycemic event in each subject, overcoming the intelligibility problem of deep-learning methods. These results advance the feasibility of a real-time, non-invasive hypoglycemia alarming system using short excerpts of ECG signal.
Regulatory mechanisms involved in muscle and bone remodeling during refeeding in gilthead sea bream
Authors: Lavajoo F. , Perelló-Amorós M. , Vélez E. J. , Sánchez-Moya A. , Balbuena-Pecino S. , Riera-Heredia N. , Fernández-Borràs J. , Blasco J. , Navarro I. , Capilla E. , Gutiérrez J.
Published: January 2020

The tolerance of fish to fasting offers a model to study the regulatory mechanisms and changes produced when feeding is restored. Gilthead sea bream juveniles were exposed to a 21-days fasting period followed by 2 h to 7-days refeeding. Fasting provoked a decrease in body weight, somatic indexes, and muscle gene expression of members of the Gh/Igf system, signaling molecules (akt, tor and downstream effectors), proliferation marker pcna, myogenic regulatory factors, myostatin, and proteolytic molecules such as cathepsins or calpains, while most ubiquitin-proteasome system members increased or remained stable. In bone, downregulated expression of Gh/Igf members and osteogenic factors was observed, whereas expression of the osteoclastic marker ctsk was increased. Refeeding recovered the expression of Gh/Igf system, myogenic and osteogenic factors in a sequence similar to that of development. Akt and Tor phosphorylation raised at 2 and 5 h post-refeeding, much faster than its gene expression increased, which occurred at day 7. The expression in bone and muscle of the inhibitor myostatin (mstn2) showed an inverse profile suggesting an inter-organ coordination that needs to be further explored in fish. Overall, this study provides new information on the molecules involved in the musculoskeletal system remodeling during the early stages of refeeding in fish.
A Novel Cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 11802 has Distinct Genomic and Metabolomic Characteristics Compared to its Neighbor PCC 11801
Authors: Jaiswal Damini , Sengupta Annesha , Sengupta Shinjinee , Madhu Swati , Pakrasi Himadri B. , Wangikar Pramod P.
Published: January 2020

Cyanobacteria, a group of photosynthetic prokaryotes, are attractive hosts for biotechnological applications. It is envisaged that future biorefineries will deploy engineered cyanobacteria for the conversion of carbon dioxide to useful chemicals via light-driven, endergonic reactions. Fast-growing, genetically amenable, and stress-tolerant cyanobacteria are desirable as chassis for such applications. The recently reported strains such as Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 and PCC 11801 hold promise, but additional strains may be needed for the ongoing efforts of metabolic engineering. Here, we report a novel, fast-growing, and naturally transformable cyanobacterium, S. elongatus PCC 11802, that shares 97% genome identity with its closest neighbor S. elongatus PCC 11801. The new isolate has a doubling time of 2.8 h at 1% CO2, 1000 µmole photons.m−2.s−1 and grows faster under high CO2 and temperature compared to PCC 11801 thus making it an attractive host for outdoor cultivations and eventual applications in the biorefinery. Furthermore, S. elongatus PCC 11802 shows higher levels of key intermediate metabolites suggesting that this strain might be better suited for achieving high metabolic flux in engineered pathways. Importantly, metabolite profiles suggest that the key enzymes of the Calvin cycle are not repressed under elevated CO2 in the new isolate, unlike its closest neighbor.
What is the clinical value of mHealth for patients?
Authors: Rowland Simon P. , Fitzgerald J. Edward , Holme Thomas , Powell John , McGregor Alison
Published: January 2020

Despite growing interest from both patients and healthcare providers, there is little clinical guidance on how mobile apps should be utilized to add value to patient care. We categorize apps according to their functionality (e.g. preventative behavior change, digital self-management of a specific condition, diagnostic) and discuss evidence for effectiveness from published systematic reviews and meta-analyses and the relevance to patient care. We discuss the limitations of the current literature describing clinical outcomes from mHealth apps, what FDA clearance means now (510(k)/de novo FDA clearance) and in the future. We discuss data security and privacy as a major concern for patients when using mHealth apps. Patients are often not involved in the development of mobile health guidelines, and professionals’ views regarding high-quality health apps may not reflect patients’ views. We discuss efforts to develop guidelines for the development of safe and effective mHealth apps in the US and elsewhere and the role of independent app reviews sites in identifying mHealth apps for patient care. There are only a small number of clinical scenarios where published evidence suggests that mHealth apps may improve patient outcomes.
Surface coordination chemistry of germanium nanocrystals synthesized by microwave-assisted reduction in oleylamine
Authors: Smock Sara R. , Tabatabaei Katayoon , Williams Travis J. , Kauzlarich Susan M. , Brutchey Richard L.
Published: January 2020

Comprehensive solution NMR experiments reveal the binding modes of the native ligands to Ge nanocrystals synthesized via microwave-assisted reduction in oleylamine.
Bright and fast-response perovskite light-emitting diodes with an ICBA:modified-C60 nanocomposite electrical confinement layer
Authors: Tsai Chia-Lung , Lu Yi-Chen , Chiang Shou-En , Yu Chih-Min , Cheng Hsin-Ming , Hsu Ching-Ling , Chiu Kuo Yuan , Chang Sheng Hsiung
Published: January 2020

Bright and fast-response CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are realized by using ICBA:modified C60 (MC60) nanocomposites as the hole blocking layer (HBL) and electron transport layer (ETL).
A non-surfactant self-templating strategy for mesoporous silica nanospheres: beyond the Stöber method
Authors: Chen Zhe , Peng Bo , Xu Jia-Qiong , Xiang Xue-Chen , Ren Dong-Fang , Yang Tai-Qun , Ma Shi-Yu , Zhang Kun , Chen Qi-Ming
Published: January 2020

The “pre-Ouzo” structure directed synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) in the absence of surfactant templates probably also explains the origin of highly monodisperse size distribution of classical Stöber silica NPs.
Analytical modeling framework for performance degradation of PEM fuel cells during startup–shutdown cycles
Authors: Li Yunqi , Chen Xiran , Liu Yuwei , Xiong Danping , Li Jing , Yin Sha , Chen Liang , Li Congxin , Xu Jun
Published: January 2020

An analytical modeling framework coupling carbon corrosion and an agglomerate model is established to predict the performance degradation of the cathode catalyst layer (cCL) during startup–shutdown cycles.
Target identification among known drugs by deep learning from heterogeneous networks
Authors: Zeng Xiangxiang , Zhu Siyi , Lu Weiqiang , Liu Zehui , Huang Jin , Zhou Yadi , Fang Jiansong , Huang Yin , Guo Huimin , Li Lang , Trapp Bruce D. , Nussinov Ruth , Eng Charis , Loscalzo Joseph , Cheng Feixiong
Published: January 2020

Target identification and drug repurposing could benefit from network-based, rational deep learning prediction, and explore the relationship between drugs and targets in the heterogeneous drug–gene–disease network.
Coordinating bioorthogonal reactions with two tumor-microenvironment-responsive nanovehicles for spatiotemporally controlled prodrug activation
Authors: Zuo Liping , Ding Jingjing , Li Changkun , Lin Feng , Chen Peng R. , Wang Peilin , Lu Guihong , Zhang Jinfeng , Huang Li-Li , Xie Hai-Yan
Published: January 2020

Spatiotemporally controlled activation: Dox-TCO loaded low pH-sensitive nanovehicles and Tz-containing MMP-2-sensitive nanocarriers simultaneously dissociated in tumor microenvironment, with Dox locally liberated through IEDDA biorthogonal reaction.
Effects of ring-strain on the ultrafast photochemistry of cyclic ketones
Authors: Kao Min-Hsien , Venkatraman Ravi Kumar , Ashfold Michael N. R. , Orr-Ewing Andrew J.
Published: January 2020

Ultrafast spectroscopy of ring-opening in three cyclic ketones reveals how ring-strain affects Norrish Type-I α-cleavage mechanisms.
A borane-mediated palladium-catalyzed reductive allylic alkylation of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds
Authors: Trost Barry M. , Zuo Zhijun , Schultz Johnathan E. , Anugula Nagaraju , Carr Katherine A.
Published: January 2020

A palladium-catalyzed allylation of ester-derived boron enolates, which is prepared through 1,4-reduction of α,β-unsaturated ester analogues.
Power-to-gas systems utilizing methanation reaction in solid oxide electrolysis cell cathodes: a model-based study
Authors: Fujiwara Naoya , Tada Shohei , Kikuchi Ryuji
Published: January 2020

A novel direct power-to-gas system utilizing solid oxide electrolysis cells was modelled and evaluated to clarify its potential advantages.
PIM-1-based carbon–sulfur composites for sodium–sulfur batteries that operate without the shuttle effect
Authors: Jeon Jun Woo , Kim Dong-Min , Lee Jinyoung , Lee Jong-Chan , Kim Yong Seok , Lee Kyu Tae , Kim Byoung Gak
Published: January 2020

PIM-1-based carbon–sulfur composites, combining covalent bonds and physical confinement concepts, operate without the shuttle effect in room-temperature sodium–sulfur batteries.
Synergetic effect of pyrrolic-N and doped boron in mesoporous carbon for electrocatalytic ozone production
Authors: Zhang Qiaoqiao , Cao Yongyong , Yan Yilong , Yuan Bowen , Zheng Haiyang , Gu Yu , Zhong Xing , Wang Jianguo
Published: January 2020

A pyrrolic-N, B co-doped defective mesoporous carbon (D-BNC) material exhibiting excellent electrochemical ozone production electrocatalytic activity was successfully synthesized.
Correction: A fast-dissolving microneedle array loaded with chitosan nanoparticles to evoke systemic immune responses in mice
Authors: Li Zhilin , He Yingju , Deng Li , Zhang Zhi-Rong , Lin Yunzhu
Published: January 2020

Correction for ‘A fast-dissolving microneedle array loaded with chitosan nanoparticles to evoke systemic immune responses in mice’ by Zhilin Li et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2020, DOI: 10.1039/c9tb02061f.
Nondoped organic light-emitting diodes with low efficiency roll-off: the combination of aggregation-induced emission, hybridized local and charge-transfer state as well as high photoluminescence efficiency
Authors: Yang Sheng-Yi , Zhang Yuan-Lan , Khan Aziz , Yu You-Jun , Kumar Sarvendra , Jiang Zuo-Quan , Liao Liang-Sheng
Published: January 2020

In this study, two isomers, namely 2P-BT-N-2TPA and 2TPA-BT-N-2P, have been designed and synthesized with hybridized local and charge transfer (HLCT) properties.
Some flow patterns within ventilation strategy coupled to energy efficiency
Authors: Morsli Souad , Bennacer Rachid , El Ganaoui Mohammed , Ramenah Harry , Carmasol Alain
Published: January 2020

Energy and buildings are increasingly becoming subjects for investigations, especially for the indoor air quality domain coupled to energy demand. The physics of fluids flowing inside enclosures bring basic models to understand and build better schemes. This paper is devoted to studying ventilation strategies in regards to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency in floor refreshing houses. A room model is considered in a simplified level, as a cavity heated on the external sidewall and cooled on the bottom ground surface. The external air injector is at variable positions and interacting with the needed cooling power; the air quality (mixing ability) and thermal comfort are also studied. The cooling efficiency inside the considered volume and the average air temperature are analyzed for a given temperature difference characterizing the natural convection level (Rayleigh number, Ra = 106) and a horizontal ventilation (moderate Reynolds number Re = 102). An obtained complex flow structure indicates that the natural convection and the forced flow (ventilation) act directly on the resulting patterns, mixing ability, heat exchange which in a straight line affect the thermal comfort and in fine the energy cost (cooling requirement).
The Peculiarities of the Budgetary Policy of Georgia and the Directions of Improvement in Association with EU
Authors: Abuselidze George , Mamuladze Linda
Published: January 2020

The work deals with the role of budgetary policy on socio-economic development of the country, the practical significance of budgetary policy improvement, the peculiarities of program financing, the problems of rationalization of budget resources, the existing reality and the main directions of improvement the effectiveness. The aspects of research are compared to the advanced international practice. The research is focused on the problems and the anti-rational usage of budget funds in the budgetary process, the peculiarities and efficiency of forming the program budget, the problems in the formation of expected results and budget performance indicators of the programs/sub-programs.
Machine learning forecasting of CR and PRC balance of trade
Authors: Brabenec Tomàš , Šuleř Petr
Published: January 2020

International trade is an important factor of economic growth. While foreign trade has existed throughout the history, its political, economic and social importance has grown significantly in the last centuries. The objective of the contribution is to use machine learning forecasting for predicting the balance of trade of the Czech Republic (CR) and the People´s Republic of China (PRC) through analysing and machine learning forecasting of the CR import from the PRC and the CR export to the PRC. The data set includes monthly trade balance intervals from January 2000 to June 2019. The contribution investigates and subsequently smooths two time series: the CR import from the PRC; the CR export to the PRC. The balance of trade of both countries in the entire monitored period is negative from the perspective of the CR. A total of 10,000 neural networks are generated. 5 neural structures with the best characteristics are retained. Neural networks are able to capture both the trend of the entire time series and its seasonal fluctuations, but it is necessary to work with time series lag. The CR import from the PRC is growing and it is expected to grow in the future. The CR export to the PRC is growing and it is expected to grow in the future, but its increase in absolute values will be slower than the increase of the CR import from the PRC.
Family and related link as a cradle of behavior of youth in political rent-seeking society
Authors: Burganov Rais , Altynbaeva Emina , Sinnurova Regina
Published: January 2020

Among the pressing problems of any society, a special place is occupied by the desire of various categories of people to receive a political rent-seeking society. To start solving this sensitive problem, it is necessary to have baseline data, including on the views of young people on the possibility of obtaining political rent through the use of family-family ties in social development. This paper presents some of the research results on the basis of a survey of student youth. The results of the study are divided into three groups: students' perception of the modern political and economic atmosphere of society, assessment of opportunities for access to political rent through family and family ties, evaluation of measures for state regulation of the process of obtaining political rent by representatives of family and related groups of society. According to the author, it is necessary to consider in depth and wider regulations on the participation of family-related groups in the implementation of political rent.
Fuzzy Approach to Short-Term Youth Unemployment Forecast
Authors: Hašková Simona
Published: January 2020

The practical output of the paper is the prediction of the percentage of the short-term youth unemployment in the following two consecutive years. For this purpose, the non-traditional fuzzy model of the relevant prediction task is formulated in its theoretical-methodological part, which is subsequently applied in the application part. By means of the exact tools of the fuzzy approach (fuzzy sets and inference rules for manipulation with them), the synergy, uncertainty and complexity of the values (terms) of vaguely defined linguistic variables of an economic-psychological nature represented by sets of selected macroeconomic indicators is reflected. Despite the fact that the results of the fuzzy prediction are not significantly different from the results of conventional statistical prediction, the demonstration of the approach of the case of knowledgeable expertise to the choice of the relevant fuzzy sets and the formulation of the set of inference rules can be considered as a secondary benefit.
The Level of Production Localization of Automotive Industry Enterprises in Russia
Authors: Kandrashina E.A. , Ashmarina S.I. , Aleshkova D.V. , Vorotnikova M.V.
Published: January 2020

Currently, in Russia there is a need for inclusion of Russian companies in the global value chains. The international alliances created in the automotive industry are able to influence this situation to a certain extent. Increasing the level of localization of such enterprises is a possible solution to the problem of production value chains formation. The aim of this research is to compare the level of production localization of automotive industry enterprises in Russia. The main research methods are comparison, analysis and synthesis of the obtained information. The authors analyzed the degree of localization of the largest automobile enterprises included in international alliances.
Impact of digitalization on consumer behaviour and marketing activity in financial markets
Authors: Korobov Yury
Published: January 2020

The article reveals the impact of digitalization of the economy on the behaviour of consumers of financial services: increasing the relevance of financial needs, increasing the consumer independence, changing the model of consumer behaviour. The directions for improving the marketing activities of banks were identified: a shift in focus from image advertising to product advertising, and increased attention on quality characteristics of financial products.
Modern Aspects of the Motivation of the Staff of a Commercial Enterprise Through the Social Menu System
Authors: Pecherskaya Evelina P. , Tarasova Tatiana M.
Published: January 2020

At present, a very difficult situation is developing in the economy, which should be characterized as ‘personnel shortage’. Every year this situation is complicated by the deteriorating demographic situation. Moreover, at present, in most companies, the incentive process is imperfect, since in most cases it does not depend on the results of the employee’s work.

Well-thought-out stimulation helps to best manage the business behavior of staff, ensuring the welfare of the organization. Most domestic enterprises strive to create conditions to meet the needs of their employees and are very successful in this. Therefore, a high wage level and the offer of a full social package, training and career planning for employees, organizing corporate events, diagnosing the situation in a company with the involvement of external consultants and conducting surveys among staff gradually become familiar working conditions for employees of commercial organizations.

The article conducts a study of the incentive system for the labor activity of the ‘Fix Price’ sales department, which was carried out on the basis of an analysis of the company’s internal regulatory documents and by questioning the employees. This study revealed the main problems in the functioning of the current system of motivation, on the basis of which measures were proposed to improve the personnel incentive system and a model of external motivation of staff was proposed.
Machine prediction of US imports from the PRC in the context of mutual sanctions
Authors: Šuleř Petr , Mareček Jan
Published: January 2020

The aim of this paper is to mechanically predict the import of the United States of America (USA) from the People's Republic of China (PRC). The trade restrictions of the USA and the PRC caused by the USA feeling of imbalance of trade between the two states have significantly influenced not only the trade between the two players, but also the overall climate of international trade. The result of this paper is the finding that multilayer perceptron networks (MLP) appear to be an excellent tool for predicting USA imports from the PRC. MLP networks can capture both the trend of the entire time series and its seasonal fluctuations. It also emerged that time series delays need to be applied. Acceptable results are shown to delay series of the order of 5 and 10 months. The mutual sanctions of both countries did not have a significant impact on the outcome of the machine learning prediction.
The factors effecting entrepreneurial intention of university students: case of Mongolia
Authors: Zanabazar Altanchimeg , Jigjiddorj Sarantuya
Published: January 2020

Small and medium sized businesses with entrepreneur orientation have been developing rapidly creating wealth for the nations and often become large global enterprises. The researches on the entrepreneur intention, entrepreneur education, attitude as well as the factors affecting to them are getting popular. Simultaneously, the study on whether the university is nurturing the entrepreneur intention, attitude or boosts students’ willingness starting their own businesses has been remaining an interesting topic. The current study aimed at researching various factors affecting the entrepreneur intention, attitude of the students, subjective norms, entrepreneur education, and perceived behaviour control using sample survey involving 568 university students. The survey results demonstrated that the personal attitude had an influence on entrepreneur intention and the participants expressed their willingness starting their own businesses having an awareness on prospective challenges and opportunities. The determinants such as subjective norms and perceived behaviour control had both positive impacts on becoming an entrepreneur; however, an entrepreneur education demonstrated a slight impact in entrepreneur intention.
Value generators in forestry and logging
Authors: Machová Veronika , Horák Jakub
Published: January 2020

The aim of business is the company value which depends on its ability to generate future profits. It means that all the future decisions must be1 adopted with regard to the influence on the company value. The subject of interest in this paper concerns forestry and logging companies, particularly financial statements of companies that were active on the Czech market in 2016 and thus showed a profit. Aim of this paper is to identify particular value generators of forestry and logging companies in the Czech Republic in 2016. For this reason, the best possible methodology was developed to determine them and the objective was eventually achieved. Using artificial neural networks, a total of 14 indicators, entering a company value creation process most frequently, were identified and measured by the EVA equity indicator. The following key variables were identified as company value generators: external sources, long-term liabilities, material and energy consumption, other operating expenses and sales of goods.
The Development of Organizational and Management Structures in Small-scale and Mid-scale Entrepreneurship in the Czech Republic
Authors: Váchal Jan , Talíř Milan
Published: January 2020

The business architecture, whose integral part is an organizational and management company structure, will be playing more important role in the future while pursuing its business goals. As a matter of fact, the organization and management of business processes that constitute its organizational and management structure demonstrate significant changes as a result of the changeable business environment. These issues are discussed in this article. The testing data set 381 SMEs (from which 114 were micro-enterprises, 141 small-scaled enterprises and 126 mid-scale enterprises, including without limitations enterprises from South Bohemian Region) analyzed applied organizational and management structures in separate scale categories of enterprises including degrees and stages of management. Pearson’s chi-squared test was used as a statistical method; p-value was employed to test zero and alternative hypotheses. SMEs manifested a transition from linear and line-staff structures to matrix and functional ones; mid-scale enterprises used strategic business units. Microenterprises and partly small-scale enterprises employed degree of management, mid-scale 3 and more degrees of management. The conclusion of the article specifies the estimated development of the organizational architecture in SMEs in the Czech Republic in relation to expected changes in the external business environment in particular.
Zika Virus and Pregnancy: Association between Acute Infection and Microcephaly in Newborns in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Pereira Alessandra Mendelski , Araujo Júnior Edward , Werner Heron , Monteiro Denise Leite Maia
Published: January 2020

Introduction Aim of the study was to evaluate the association between microcephaly and acute infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) in pregnant women in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Infection was confirmed by laboratory testing.

Materials and Methods A cross-sectional retrospective study of pregnant women with symptoms occurring between 2015 and 2016 suggestive of acute ZIKV infection was carried out, with confirmation of infection done by blood or urine RT-PCR. The relative proportions of categorical variables were calculated for two distinct groups: pregnant women whose newborns had microcephaly and pregnant women who gave birth to infants without microcephaly. Confidence intervals with a 95% level of agreement were estimated for the relative ratios.

Results A total of 1609 pregnant women with a mean age of 26.4 ± 6.5 years were evaluated. As regards the time of acute infection, 19.6% (316) of cases occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy. Nineteen (76%) of the 25 cases with microcephaly (1.5%) were associated with an infection contracted in the first trimester of pregnancy (p < 0.001, OR = 13.7, 95% CI: 5.6 – 37.7). 48% (12/25) of the newborns with microcephaly had a birth weight of < 2500 grams, while only 7% (116/1597) of the group of newborns without microcephaly had a similarly low birth weight (p < 0.001, OR = 11.7, 95% CI: 5.2 – 26.2). Logistic regression showed that a birth weight of < 2500 g (OR = 12.54) and ZIKV infection in the first trimester of pregnancy (OR = 14.05) were associated with microcephaly (area under ROC curve = 0.86).

Conclusion Acute ZIKV infection in the first trimester of pregnancy and low birth weight are associated with microcephaly.
The Change in Attitudes Towards Abortion in Former West and East Germany After Reunification: A Latent Class Analysis and Implications for Abortion Access
Authors: Hanschmidt Franz , Kaiser Julia , Stepan Holger , Kersting Anette
Published: January 2020

Introduction The legal status of abortion has changed in the regions of former East Germany after reunification due to the adoption of restrictive West German abortion policies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on attitudes towards abortion and the associated health care implications in Western and Eastern Germany.

Materials and Methods Nationally representative data on public support for legally restricting abortion access were taken from the German General Social Survey and included the surveys 1992, 1996, 2000, 2006 and 2012 (N = 14 459). Two indicators of barriers to access to abortion care were calculated for each federal state, based on the number of abortion facilities and the proportion of women seeking abortion outside their state of residency. Data were analysed using latent class analysis.

Results Results suggested that abortion attitudes could be classified into three distinct subgroups: 1) support for abortion access independent of womenʼs reason; 2) support on the basis of maternal or foetal health reasons but not for socio-economic reasons (e.g. financial restrictions); and 3) no support. The size of subgroups in favour of partial or complete restriction on abortion access increased in both regions over the study period and this trend could not be explained by changes in socio-demographic characteristics. Respondents living in a federal state with more barriers to access to abortion care were more likely to hold restrictive abortion attitudes.

Conclusion Negative attitudes towards abortion have increased in Western and Eastern Germany during the two decades following reunification and may harm women by limiting acceptability and accessibility of abortion care. Abortion policies, public discourse and provision of abortion care should be informed by international guidelines protecting womenʼs health and rights.
Effects of neutron irradiation on magnetic first-order reversal curves in reactor pressure vessel steels
Authors: Kobayashi Satoru , Murakami Hiroaki , Horváth Ákos , Almásy László , Gillemot Ferenc , Feoktystov Artem
Published: January 2020

We report results of measurements of first-order reversal curves (FORCs) for neutron irradiated reactor pressure vessel steels to seek their possible application to a nondestructive evaluation of the irradiation hardening. We find a peak position of the FORC distribution, which is the second derivative of measured FORCs, shifts towards zero field after neutron irradiation, associated with the narrowing of the peak width. The observations indicate the progress of the magnetic softening and magnetic homogeneity under neutron irradiation. The present investigations demonstrate that FORCs can offer additional information on microstructural changes due to neutron irradiation, which can not be obtained by a conventional hysteresis method.
High rate detection of entangled photon pairs opens the door to quantum applications
Authors: Bandari Anashe
Published: January 2020

An efficient way to generate and detect high rates of polarization-entangled photon pairs.
Eliminating structural material imperfections to improve electronics
Authors: Lim Alane
Published: January 2020

Researchers have developed a method for improving the structural quality of gallium nitride nanocolumns.
Polymetastatic testicular cancer turns out to be secondary syphilis: a case report
Authors: Polaczek Mateusz M. , Smolarczyk Katarzyna , Baranska Inga , Langfort Renata , Majewski Slawomir
Published: January 2020

Syphilis is a sexually transmissible infection, with increasing rates of infection worldwide. The differential diagnosis of syphilis should include various diseases, not excluding cancer. Making the right diagnosis can protect the patient against life-threatening complications and the repercussions of a misdiagnosis, as in the present case (orchidectomy).
Single-nucleus RNA sequencing reveals transcriptional changes of hippocampal neurons in APP23 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Zhong Shan , Wang Mengdi , Zhan Yaxi , Zhang Jie , Yang Xiaoli , Fu Shumei , Bi Danlei , Gao Feng , Shen Yong , Chen Zuolong
Published: January 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that mostly strikes the elderly. However, the exact molecular and cellular pathogenesis of AD, especially the dynamic changes of neurons during disease progression, remains poorly understood. Here we used single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to access the transcriptional changes of hippocampal neurons in APP23 mouse model of AD. We performed snRNA-seq using a modified Smart-seq2 technique on 3,280 neuronal nuclei from the hippocampus of young and aged APP23 and control mice and identified four distinct subpopulations. Comparative transcriptional analysis showed multiple changes in different subtypes of hippocampal neurons of APP23 mice in comparison to control mice, as well as the transcriptional changes in these neurons during disease progression. Our findings revealed multiple neuronal subtype-specific transcriptional changes that may lead to targets for future studies of AD.
Nanostructured graphene for nanoscale electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Marie Luke St , El Fatimy Abdel , Hrubý Jakub , Nemec Ivan , Hunt James , Myers-Ward Rachael , Gaskill D Kurt , Kruskopf Mattias , Yang Yanfei , Elmquist Randolph , Marx Raphael , van Slageren Joris , Neugebauer Petr , Barbara Paola
Published: January 2020

The opening of a quantum confinement gap in nanostructured graphene yields extremely sensitive photodetectors, with electrical noise equivalent power lower than 10−15 W Hz−0.5 at temperatures below 3 K, for detection of radiation in a very broad frequency range, including ultraviolet, visible and terahertz. Here we demonstrate the operation of these detectors in the presence of magnetic field as high as 7 T, paving the way to in situ spectroscopy of molecular nanomagnets.
Antithrombotic therapy for postinterventional management of peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Zavgorodnyaya Daria , Knight Tamara B , Daley Mitchell J , Teixeira Pedro G
Published: January 2020

Purpose

Evidence on the use of antithrombotic pharmacotherapy in patients undergoing revascularization of lower extremities for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is reviewed.

Individuals with PAD can experience leg pain, intermittent claudication, critical limb ischemia, and acute limb ischemia. In such patients, revascularization may be indicated to improve the quality of life and to prevent amputations. Antithrombotic therapy is often intensified in the postrevascularization period to prevent restenosis of the index artery and to counteract the prothrombotic state induced by the intervention. Therapeutic modalities include dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), anticoagulation, a combination of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, and addition of cilostazol to single antiplatelet therapy. Subgroup analyses of data from randomized clinical trials provided low-quality evidence for the use of DAPT in patients with a below-knee prosthetic bypass graft and anticoagulation for those with a venous bypass graft. Cilostazol, when added to aspirin therapy, has been shown to prevent index vessel reocclusion after an endovascular intervention in patients at low risk for thrombosis in several small randomized trials.

Conclusion

There is a considerable paucity of high-quality evidence on the optimal antithrombotic regimen for patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization, with no particular therapy shown to consistently improve patient outcomes. The decision to initiate intensified antithrombotic therapy should include a close examination of its risk–benefit profile. The demonstrated benefit of such treatment is restricted to the prevention of index artery reocclusion, while an increased risk of bleeding may lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
Language and Trauma: An Introduction
Authors: Busch Brigitta , McNamara Tim
Published: January 2020

This paper introduces the conceptual framing of studies of trauma. It considers how, on the one hand, applied linguistics may contribute to this study, responding to the suggestion that trauma ‘can be best understood through plural, multi-disciplinary perspectives’ (Luckhurst 2008: 214), and, on the other hand, the extent to which linguistic studies of trauma can contribute to a better understanding of what Coupland and Coupland (1997: 117) have called ‘discourses of the unsayable’. It argues that the tools of linguistic analysis may be used to understand the role of language in how individuals may experience, recount, and potentially recover from psychological trauma, in personal, literary, and institutional contexts, as exemplified by the papers in this volume.
Low factor H-related 5 levels contribute to infection-triggered haemolytic uraemic syndrome and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Authors: Gómez Delgado Irene , Gutiérrez-Tenorio Josué , Fraga Rodríguez Gloria M , Cavero Teresa , Arjona Emilia , Sánchez-Corral Pilar
Published: January 2020

Dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway is a major pathogenic mechanism in two rare renal diseases: atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). We report on a 66-year-old male with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and a combined liver–kidney transplant that was diagnosed with MPGN at the age of 63 years and a 5-year-old boy who presented with aHUS at the age of 21 months following a Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Both patients carried similar frameshift variants in the complement CFHR5 gene that segregate with reduced levels of factor H–related 5 (FHR-5). We conclude that low FHR-5 levels may predispose to viral and bacterial infections that then trigger different renal phenotypes.
Cathepsin D concentration in breast cancer cytosols: correlation with biochemical, histological, and clinical findings
Authors: Duffy M J , Brouillet J P , Reilly D , McDermott E , O'Higgins N , Fennelly J J , Maudelonde T , Rochefort H
Published: January 2020

Cathepsin D (CD, EC 3.4.23.5) is a lysosomal protease induced by estrogen in certain estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cell lines but produced constitutively by ER-negative cell lines. Our aims in this investigation were to study the distribution of CD in human breast cancers and to relate its concentrations to various biochemical, histological, and clinical characteristics. The concentrations of CD were significantly higher in breast carcinomas than in either normal breast tissues or benign breast tumors. In primary carcinomas, CD concentrations did not correlate with the concentrations of ER or with the estrogen-inducible protease t-PA. However, CD concentrations did correlate weakly but significantly with both UK-PA antigen and UK-PA activity. Also, CD concentrations did not correlate with either tumor stage or axillary node status but did correlate significantly with tumor grade. Patients with cancers containing high concentrations of CD had a significantly shorter overall survival than did patients with low concentrations of the enzyme.
Elastase inhibitory activity in serum of patients with thyroid dysfunction
Authors: Wortsman Jacobo , Matsuoka LolS V , Kueppers Friedrich
Published: January 2020

Dermal elastic fiber fragmentation and decreased fiber density are characteristic cutaneous abnormalities in myxedema. We therefore evaluated elastase inhibitory activity in serum in thyroid dysfunctional states by measuring the protease inhibitor alpha 1-antitrypsin (A-1-AT), as well as by directly determining the inhibition of porcine pancreatic elastase activity. Overall there was a strong correlation between A-1-AT concentration and elastase inhibitory activity in serum (r = 0.95, P less than 0.001). Mean (+/- SE) A-1-AT concentrations were greatest in hyperthyroidism (39 +/- 3 mumol/L, n = 13), followed by normal controls (29 +/- 1, n = 11), subclinical hypothyroidism (27 +/- 2, n = 7), and hypothyroidism (25 +/- 1, n = 12). Concentrations of both A-1-AT and porcine pancreatic elastase inhibitory activity were significantly greater in subjects with hyperthyroidism than in the other groups (P less than 0.01). The correlations (r) between the overall free thyroxin (T4) index and A-1-AT and elastase inhibitory activity were 0.68 and 0.61, respectively (P less than 0.01), implying that free T4 variations account for 46% of the variance in A-1-AT concentrations and 37% of the variance in elastase inhibitory activity. We conclude that serum elastase inhibitory activity is increased in hyperthyroid patients.
Urinary neopterin in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Leohirun Lakana , Thuvasethakul Phlchal , Sumethkul Vasant , Pholcharoen Trithar , Boonpucknavig VlJitr
Published: January 2020

Concentrations of neopterin were measured in urine specimens from 35 patients with active and eight with inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Compared with those of apparently healthy controls, neopterin concentrations were higher in patients with active disease (P less than 0.001) and with inactive disease (P less than 0.01), those in patients with active disease being significantly higher than those in patients with inactive disease (P less than 0.001). The correlation between the neopterin concentration and evidence of disease activity was good. All of the patients with clinically active SLE had increased neopterin, but for only 37.5% (three of eight) did the neopterin concentration exceed the upper normal limit during clinical remission. The increase in neopterin concentration did not correlate with clinical courses or severity of renal function. Moreover, serial determinations of neopterin in active SLE patients showed a rapid decrease of initially high concentration, paralleling a decline of clinical activity after initiation of medical therapy. Thus, urinary neopterin may be a useful marker for monitoring disease activity in SLE patients.
Protein A-sepharose used to measure free insulin in plasma
Authors: Chevenne Didler , Valade Franclne , Bridel Marle-Pascal , Rigal Odlie , Demelier Jean-Francols , Sachs Charles , Porquet DomInique
Published: January 2020

Diabetic patients receiving insulin therapy generally develop anti-insulin antibodies that must be eliminated, usually by extraction with polyethylene glycol (PEG), before determining the concentration of free (active) insulin in plasma. We describe a new method for removing such antibodies, with the use of Protein A coupled to Sepharose microspheres. The results correlate well with those by the PEG method, although values are systematically higher or lower for given samples, according to the initial titer of the antibody measured in terms of binding capacity. Further studies are required to clarify this observation.
Excretion of beta 2-glycoprotein I (apolipoprotein H) in renal tubular disease
Authors: Norden A G W , Fulcher L M , Lapsley M , Flynn F V
Published: January 2020

beta 2-Glycoprotein I (beta 2GI) was identified as a major urinary protein excreted by patients with several renal tubular diseases, including adult Fanconi syndrome, nephrocalcinosis associated with autoimmune diseases, Lowe's syndrome, and Dent's disease (a familial renal tubular disease). Sixteen patients excreted between 2 and 40 mg of beta 2GI per millimole of creatinine. In contrast, 18 healthy controls had undetectable amounts of beta 2GI in urine. Isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting demonstrated multiple forms of beta 2GI with pls between 6.4 and 8.2. These pls are higher than for several other "tubular proteins"; beta 2GI may therefore be less retarded than more-anionic proteins by the glomerular charge-barrier. This could explain why large quantities of beta 2GI are excreted despite its relatively high molecular mass (50 kDa). Excretion of beta 2GI was easily demonstrated by routine electrophoresis of urine proteins. beta 2GI migrates in the beta-gamma region and may be confused with Bence Jones protein. beta 2GI is stable for at least two years in urine frozen at -25 degrees C.
Displacement of phenytoin from serum protein carriers by antibiotics: studies with ceftriaxone, nafcillin, and sulfamethoxazole
Authors: Dasgupta Amltava , Dennen David A , Dean Roger , McLawhon Ronald W
Published: January 2020

Increased concentrations of free phenytoin in serum, attributable to the displacement of this anticonvulsant by other drugs, e.g., valproic acid and salicylic acid, have been reported. We observed in vitro and in vivo displacement of phenytoin by the antibiotics ceftriaxone, nafcillin, and sulfamethoxazole. In vitro studies demonstrated statistically significant (P less than 0.05) increases in free phenytoin after the addition of specific antibiotics to patients' sera and to phenytoin-supplemented sera from controls. Concentrations of free phenytoin in vivo, predicted by an equation we have found to be accurate for albumin concentrations greater than or equal to 32 g/L, were consistently underestimated in patients receiving concomitant therapy with the antibiotics studied. The concentrations of free phenytoin decreased towards the predicted values when the antibiotic therapy was discontinued. We conclude that ceftriaxone, nafcillin, and sulfamethoxazole can displace phenytoin from the usual protein carriers found in serum, in vitro and in vivo.