bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of zinc, boron and sulfur on grain yield, activity of some antioxidant enzymes and fatty acid composition of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)
Authors: SHOJA Tayebeh , MAJIDIAN Majid , RABIEE Mohammad
Published: May 2018

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of elements zinc (Zn), boron (B) and sulfur (S) and their interactions on quantitative and qualitative agronomic characteristics of rapeseed. Minimum grain oil and seed yield were obtained from control treatments and the highest seed yield were obtained from S + B + Zn treatments. The maximum of oleic acid (229.6 mg g-1) and linolenic acid (27.14 mg g-1) were obtained from B + Zn + S treatment. Maximum of linoleic acid (55.55 mg g-1) were obtained from B + Zn treatment. However, the highest superoxide dismutase activity was obtained from S + B + Zn treatments 10.24 unit mg-1 and the highest peroxidase activity were obtained from Zn treatment 0.87 µmol g-1 FM min. Regard to this experiment results, application of B, S and Zn fertilizers with NPK fertilizer can help to increase the yield and yield components in rapeseed. Also fatty acids composition of rapeseed are influenced by nutrients and since quality of edible oils depends on unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic and linolenic acids and these acids are essential fatty acids for the human body that must be supplied through diet. Therefore this research showed that we are not only able only to increase oil yield but also oil quality with desired fatty acid composition.
CUPRAC assay-guided profiling of antioxidant compounds in methanol extract of Lentinus squarrosulus Mont. mycelium
Authors: ABDULLAH Sumaiyah , ABDULLAH Noorlidah , SABARATNAM Vikineswary , YAP Ken Choy
Published: May 2018

A cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC)-guided purification approach was performed on a methanol extract of Lentinus squarrosulus (LsqMeOH) by using reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography. Using reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography, three fractions were separated arbitrarily named FR1, FR2 and FR3. Results showed that FR2 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in CUPRAC assay (A450, 0.86) but not significantly different from LsqMeOH (A450, 0.84). FR1 and FR3 showed much lower absorbance, with values (A450, 0.21) and (A450, 0.36) respectively at 1 mg ml-1. The most active fraction (F3) was further subjected to LC-MS/MS to obtain its detailed chemical profile. Uridine, ganoderic acid derivative, and flavonoids were the first time being found in L. squarrosulus antioxidative fractions. The present results indicate that the fraction extracts of L. squarrosulus possess antioxidant properties and can be used as free radical inhibitors. Therefore, this research suggested the potentials of L. squarrosulus as a source of antioxidant extract to be used in food industries (functional food).
Effectiveness of different control measures against western corn rootworm larvae Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, 1868
Authors: MODIC Špela , ŽIGON Primož , KOLMANIČ Aleš , GODEŠA Tone , RAZINGER Jaka
Published: May 2018

The Western Corn Rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, 1868, [Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae], whose larvae cause damage to maize roots, is an important economic insect pest in America and Europe. Its larvae are usually controlled by granular soil insecticides or insecticide-treated seeds. Biological control options, such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have played an important role as an alternative for synthetic chemical insecticides. Therefore, for the WCR larvae control we compared the effectiveness of inundative biological control on the basis of EPN Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, 1976 (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae); (commercial product Dianem®) and the conventional insecticides Force 1.5 g (active substance tefluthrin) from the group of synthetic pyrethriods and Sonido (active substance thiacloprid) from the group of neonicotinoids. Field experiments were carried out at geographically different locations under different population pressure of the insect pest in a), Bučečovci (Prlekija; Eastern Slovenia) and b), Šmartno (Gorenjska: northern Slovenia). The differences between the treatments were very similar at both locations; although the population of WCR in Gorenjska was approximately 5-fold lower than in Prlekija. The highest number of WCR beetles was caught in the negative control, followed by the product Sonido, Force and Dianem®, in decreasing order. Statistical analysis showed that only in the treatment where EPN were used, significantly less WCR was caught than in the control. The results of the WCR larvae control in maize using Heterorhabditis bacteriophora are comparable to published literature. However, the weather conditions in the 2016 trial were very favorable for the development and survival of EPN in the soil.
HERBAGE YIELD, MORPHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRITIVE VALUE OF LUCERNE DURING GROWTH SEASON IN CENTRAL SLOVENIA: ANALYSIS OF TIME PATTERNS
Authors: ČOP Jure , KOŠMELJ Katarina , ŽNIDARŠIČ Tomaž , VERBIČ Jože
Published: May 2018

Cutting time is a pivotal factor affecting herbage yield and nutritive value of forage crop monocultures. Therefore, our objectives in this lucerne study were to analyse temporal patterns of herbage yield, morphological development and quality parameters over growth season, and to relate these patterns to the time of cutting. A field experiment in split-plot design with two block replications was conducted in Ljubljana in 2016. Four growth cycles (C1-C4) were assigned to the main plots, and nine weekly intervals at which herbage yield was measured and herbage samples taken were assigned to the sub-plots. Dry-matter herbage yield accumulated faster during the first half of the season than during the second one. It peaked early in each of the last two growth cycles and after that started to decrease. Statistical analysis showed that linear regression models are acceptable to describe time patterns of morphological development stages (MSW) and contents of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and net energy for lactation (NEL). MSW increased faster during the summer than during the spring or autumn, but only C1 was distinct in this pattern. Lucerne forage quality was generally the highest in C1 mainly due to slower morphological development. This high quality reflected more in NDF and NEL than in CP. In respect of the quality, only C4 at the beginning of the growth was equivalent to C1. Considering yield and content of NEL optimal age of lucerne at cutting was from 28 to 35 days in spring and summer and from 35 to 42 days in autumn.
About the role of trehalose in plants
Authors: GORJANC Tjaša , VODNIK Dominik
Published: May 2018

Trehalose is an important disaccharide which takes a major role of a stress protector in many organisms, including green algae and lower plants. It has long been thought that trehalose functions in higher plants are marginal and that they have been overtaken by sucrose. In the last years it has been discovered that trehalose takes on a lot of important physiological roles in vascular plants metabolism. It is an important signal metabolite of sucrose availability and maintains sucrose concentrations within an appropriate range. It also contributes to starch synthesis and degradation and to synthesis of organic acids. Trehalose-sucrose nexus was found to be very important in plant interactions with pathogenic organisms and herbivorous insects. Furthermore, trehalose is involved in response of plant to abiotic stressors such as drought, cold, salinity and hypoxia. It contributes in regulation of stomatal conductivity where it interacts with abscisic acid. All this makes trehalose an important primary metabolite which significantly influences plant growth and development such as induction of flowering and stimulation of photosynthesis.
Critical Perspectives on Euro-Mediterranean Relations after the “Arab Spring”
Authors: GOZZİ Gustavo
Published: May 2018

The essay points out that the transformations caused by the uprisings of the “Arab Spring” imply thenecessity of rethinking the history of the Euro-Mediterranean relations – since the Treaty of Rome(1957) until the Review of the European Neighbourhood Policy in 2015 – and of reconsidering theirfuture perspectives. In these relations the cultural legacy of colonialism is still very strong through theinfluence that the western powers have continued to exercise towards the postcolonial States both inAfrica and the southern shore of Mediterranean. In particular the study outlines the colonial concernsthat played central role in the establishment of the EEC in 1957 through the association agreementswith the postcolonial States in the frame of the project called “Eurafrica”.The overcoming of the colonial heritage ought to radically change the European protectionist policiesand the conditionality clause towards the countries of the southern shore of Mediterranean in orderto realise a condition of interdependence and a real partnership of equals in the common space ofMediterranean. In this perspective, a different migration policy which considers the migrant as atransnational actor able to contribute to the development of both his country of origin and of thereceiving one is also necessary.
mRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells based on ADRB1 Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly polymorphisms in essential hypertension — a case-control pilot investigation in South Indian population
Authors: Varakantham Varsha , Kurakula Sailoo Ashok Kumar , Nagalla Balakrishna , Bharatraj Dinesh Kumar
Published: May 2018

Background:

β1-Adrenoreceptor (ADRB1) genetic polymorphisms are widely studied for susceptibility to many cardiovascular diseases such as essential hypertension. However, the mRNA expression ofADRB1is rarely studied.

Methods:

A case-control pilot study with 292 hypertensives and 324 controls was designed to evaluate the role of the Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly, which are commonly studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), in the mRNA levels ofADRB1, in conjunction with its genetic predisposition to essential hypertension.

Results:

Differential expression ofADRB1mRNA was seen between hypertensives and controls (p<0.01) based on genetic variants of Ser49Gly. Among hypertensive subjects, Ser49Ser and Gly49Gly were highly expressed in comparison to Ser49Gly (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively), whereas genetic variants of Arg389Gly did not demonstrate any such variations. We found no association between theADRB1SNPs viz., Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly and essential hypertension.

Conclusions:

The increased mRNA levels of Gly49Gly may indicate a plausible role in the interindividual variations in drug response. Further,ADRB1polymorphisms did not contribute to the genetic risk of essential hypertension. Studies with larger sample size are warranted to confirm these observations in the South Indian population.
Harmonization of units and reference intervals of plasma proteins: state of the art from an External Quality Assessment Scheme
Authors: Secchiero Sandra , Sciacovelli Laura , Plebani Mario
Published: May 2018

Background:

The need to harmonize laboratory information is particularly intense in the field of plasma proteins, considering their clinical impact and relevance in monitoring diseases.

Methods:

We evaluated units and reference intervals (RIs) utilized by participants of the External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for plasma proteins of the Centre of Biomedical Research. Moreover, we evaluated inter-laboratory analytical variability from 2001 to 2017.

Results:

The census of participants’ units employed in 2017 showed that for albumin (ALB), ~66% of laboratories still used dL instead of L, and for most other proteins, ~70% still expressed the results in mg/dL. Laboratories primarily used the RIs reported in the packaging inserts of their analytical systems, but for each protein, there was a wide variability of RIs, also among laboratories using the same analytical method. Mean CVs% of the 13 certified proteins in the last five EQA cycles ranged from 3.8% of haptoglobin (HPT) to 12.4% of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and decreased from 2001 to 2017 for most of them, in particular for C3, ALB, α2-macroglobulin (A2M), HPT and transferrin (TRF).

Conclusions:

In the face of a reduction in inter-laboratory variability for a lot of proteins, there has not been a substantial change in the units and in the RIs used by the participants. To change old habits is difficult and requires coordination and collaboration. The EQAS plays an important role in the assessment and monitoring of all elements that contribute to the formulation of laboratory information and may be useful to contribute to their harmonization.
Circulating steroid levels as correlates of adipose tissue phenotype in premenopausal women
Authors: Marchand Geneviève B. , Carreau Anne-Marie , Laforest Sofia , Côté Julie-Anne , Daris Marleen , Cianflone Katherine , Prehn Cornelia , Adamski Jerzy , Tchernof André
Published: May 2018

Background

Obesity-related alterations in the circulating steroid hormone profile remain equivocal in women. Our objective was to identify circulating steroid levels that relate to increased adiposity and altered adipose phenotype in premenopausal women.

Materials and methods

In a sample of 42 premenopausal women [age 46 ± 3 years; body mass index (BMI) 27.1 ± 4.2 kg/m2], 19 plasma steroids were quantified by electrospray ionization-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (ESI-LC-MS/MS). Body composition and fat distribution were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT), respectively. Markers of adipose tissue function including adipocyte size distributions, radiological attenuation and macrophage infiltration were also analyzed in surgically obtained visceral and subcutaneous fat samples.

Results

Many negative correlations were observed between adiposity measurements such as BMI, body fat percentage or total abdominal adipose tissue area and plasma levels of androstenedione (Δ4) (r = −0.33 to −0.39, p ≤ 0.04), androsterone (ADT) (r = −0.30 to −0.38, p ≤ 0.05) and steroid precursor pregnenolone (PREG) (r = −0.36 to −0.46, p ≤ 0.02). Visceral adipocyte hypertrophy was observed in patients with low PREG concentrations (p < 0.05). Visceral adipose tissue radiologic attenuation, a potential marker of adipocyte size, was also positively correlated with PREG levels (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). Low levels of PREG were related to increased number of macrophages infiltrating visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Plasma levels of androgens and their precursors are lower in women with increased adiposity and visceral adipocyte hypertrophy. Low circulating PREG concentration may represent a marker of adipose tissue dysfunction.
NOx process inhibition and energy efficiency improvement in new swirl modification device for steel slag based on coal combustion
Authors: Guo Junxiang , Zhang Lingling , Cang Daqiang , Qi Liying , Dai Wenbin , Wei Rufei
Published: May 2018

In this study, a novel swirl combustion modified device for steel slag was designed and enhanced with the objective of achieving highly efficient and clean coal combustion and also for achieving the whole elements utilization of coal. Coal ash and steel slag were melted in the combustion chamber and subsequently entered the slag chamber. The detrimental substances solidified and formed crystals, which allowed for the comprehensive utilization of the ash and slag. Our experiments mainly aimed to mitigate the formation of NOx, while using the heat and slag simultaneously during the coal combustion without a combustion efficiency penalty. The increase in the device’s energy efficiency and reduction in the NOx emissions are important requirements for industrialization.

The experiments were carried out in an optimized swirling combustion device, which had a different structure and various coal feeding conditions in comparison to previously reported devices. The fuel-staged and non-staged combustion experiments were compared under different coal ratios (bitumite:anthracite). For the fuel-staged combustion experiments, the NOx concentration in the flue gas was observed to decrease significantly when the coal ratio of 1:1, an excess air coefficient of 1.2, and a fuel-staged ratio of 15:85 were used. Under these conditions, the flue gas temperature was as high as 1,620°C, while the NOx concentration was as low as 320 mg/m3 at 6 % O2. The air-surrounding-fuel structure that formed in the furnace was very beneficial in reducing the formation of NOx. In comparison to other types of coal burners, the experimental combustion device designed in this study achieved a significant reduction of NOx emissions (approximately 80 %).
Exertional rhabdomyolysis in carbonic anhydrase 12 deficiency
Authors: Avital Dekel , Hershkovitz Eli , Loewenthal Neta
Published: May 2018

Background:

Carbonic anhydrase 12 (CA12) deficiency, a newly recognized rare disorder, has been described among Israeli Bedouin kindred as an autosomal recessive form of isolated salt wasting in sweat, which leads to severe infantile hyponatremic dehydration, visible salt precipitation after sweating, poor feeding and slow weight gain in infancy.

Case presentation:

We present two adolescents diagnosed with CA12 deficiency who developed severe rhabdomyolysis as a result of physical activity in a hot climate.

Conclusions:

This presentation highlights a previously unreported but significant clinical complication of this disorder and emphasizes the persistent risk of excessive salt loss via sweat and a need for certain precautions, such as increased salt intake and avoidance of prolonged and/or strenuous exercise.
Definition of reference ranges for β-isomerized carboxy-terminal telopeptide collagen type I for children and adolescents
Authors: de Melo Veronica C.P. , Ferreira Paulo R.S. , Ricardi Lucelia O. , Batista Marcelo C. , França Carolina N. , Ferreira Carlos E. dos S.
Published: May 2018

Background:

Bone metabolism involves many complex pathways that are disturbed by several bone diseases. The literature shows some limitations concerning pediatric reference intervals to bone markers, mainly because of the low number of patients included in the studies, the heterogeneity of methods, beyond the fact that it is time-consuming and expensive. The aim of this study was to determine reference values for β-isomerized carboxy-terminal telopeptides collagen type I (β-CTX), a marker of bone resorption, for children and adolescents.

Methods:

Blood samples from 246 patients were collected and β-CTX was measured using an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLI).

Results and conclusions:

We propose reference ranges for β-CTX concentration from the 2.5 percentile and 97.5 percentile for each age group. The reference values obtained, concerning children and adolescents, might be useful in the evaluation of diseases such as osteosarcoma and anorexia in both childhood as adolescence.
Risk of hypoglycemia in youth with type 2 diabetes on insulin
Authors: Shahid Madhia , Shaibi Gabriel Q. , Baines Hayley , Garcia-Filion Pamela , Gonzalez-Garcia Zoe , Olson Micah
Published: May 2018

Background:

The objective of this study was to ascertain the risk of hypoglycemia among youth with type 2 diabetes (T2D) on insulin therapy.

Methods:

Twenty-two youth with T2D on insulin therapy (M=12, F=10, age=14.4±4.0 years) were enrolled from a single pediatric endocrine practice. They were followed-up for 3 months with weekly phone calls and monthly in-person visits to review blood glucose logs and document any signs or symptoms of hypoglycemia (defined as finger stick glucose of ≤70 mg/dL). Episodes of hypoglycemia were categorized into five categories: severe, documented symptomatic, asymptomatic, probable symptomatic and relative hypoglycemia. In addition to examining the risk of hypoglycemia, the degree to which hypoglycemia was associated with patient demographics (e.g. age, gender and body mass index [BMI]) or clinical factors (i.e. duration of diabetes, duration of insulin treatment, glycemic control or insulin dose and regimen) was determined.

Results:

Nine hypoglycemic events occurred during the study period in five patients with an incidence rate of nine events per 5.3 patient-years. Of the hypoglycemic events, five were symptomatic and four were asymptomatic. No severe hypoglycemic events occurred. Hypoglycemia was not associated with age, ethnicity, duration of insulin treatment, insulin dose or initial hemoglobin (HbA1c). However, a significant difference in BMI was noted, with T2D youth who experienced hypoglycemia having a lower BMI than those who did not experience hypoglycemia.

Conclusions:

The results of this study suggest that the risk of hypoglycemia in youth with T2D on insulin therapy is low.
Initial presentations and associated clinical findings in patients with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Milyani Asmaa Adel , Al-Agha Abdulmoein Eid , Al-zanbagi Mashael
Published: May 2018

Background:

The objective of this study was to investigate the initial presenting features of children with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Methods:

This is a descriptive retrospective study over a period of 5 years. Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Science.

Results:

Ambiguous genitalia (AG) was the commonest initial presentation marking 50.7% of the patients. On the other hand, 33.3% presented with a salt-losing crisis, 4.1% of whom presented with shock, while 14.5% had a combined presentation of both AG and a salt-losing crisis.

Conclusions:

CAH should be highly suspected in all females born with AG. Contrarily, affected male newborns more frequently present with a salt-losing crisis, and considering the recent institution of newborn screening in Saudi Arabia, earlier detection in these children is anticipated.
Constacyclic codes over 𝔽pm[u1,u2,⋯,uk]/〈ui2=ui,uiuj=ujui〉
Authors: Zheng Xiying , Kong Bo
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we study linear codes over ringRk= 𝔽pm[u1,u2,⋯,uk]/〈ui2$\begin{array}{} u^{2}_{i} \end{array} $=ui,uiuj=ujui〉 wherek≥ 1 and 1 ≤i,j≤k. We define a Gray map fromRkntoFpm2kn$\begin{array}{} R_{k}^n\,\,\text{to}\,\,{\mathbb F}_{p^m}^{2^kn} \end{array} $and give the generator polynomials of constacyclic codes overRk. We also study the MacWilliams identities of linear codes overRk.
Topological entropy for positively weak measure expansive shadowable maps
Authors: Lee Manseob , Oh Jumi
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we consider positively weak measure expansive homeomorphisms and flows with the shadowing property on a compact metric space X. Moreover, we prove that if a homeomorphism (or flow) has a positively weak expansive measure and the shadowing property on its nonwandering set, then its topological entropy is positive.
DFT computations on vibrational spectra: Scaling procedures to improve the wavenumbers
Authors: Palafox M. Alcolea
Published: May 2018

The performance of ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) methods in calculating the vibrational wavenumbers in the isolated state was analyzed. To correct the calculated values, several scaling procedures were described in detail. The two linear scaling equation (TLSE) procedure leads to the lowest error and it is recommended for scaling. A comprehensive compendium of the main scale factors and scaling equations available to date for a good accurate prediction of the wavenumbers was also shown. Examples of each case were presented, with special attention to the benzene and uracil molecules and to some of their derivatives. Several DFT methods and basis sets were used. After scaling, the X3LYP/DFT method leads to the lowest error in these molecules. The B3LYP method appears closely in accuracy, and it is also recommended to be used. The accuracy of the results in the solid state was shown and several additional corrections are presented.
Potential thermally activated delayed fluorescence properties of a series of 2,3-dicyanopyrazine based compounds
Authors: Gümüş Ayşegül , Gümüş Selçuk
Published: May 2018

2,3-Dicyanopyrazine based acceptor was combined with a series of well studied donors to obtain donor-acceptor type potential thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters. Their structural and electronic properties were computed theoretically at the level of density functional theory and time dependent density functional theory with the application of two different hybrid functionals and various basis sets. Almost all of the designed structures were computed to have the potential of being TADF compounds since they possess very narrow singlet-triplet gaps. Indeed, acridine-pyrazine (9) derivative was calculated to be the best candidate for the purpose among them.
Wastes generated by automotive industry – Spent automotive catalysts
Authors: Rzelewska Martyna , Regel-Rosocka Magdalena
Published: May 2018

Rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, and platinum are classified as platinum group metals (PGM). A demand for PGM has increased in recent years. Their natural sources are limited, therefore it is important, and both from economical and environmental point of view, to develop effective process to recover PGM from waste/secondary sources, such as spent automotive catalysts. Pyrometallurgical methods have always been used for separation of PGM from various materials. However, recently, an increasing interest in hydrometallurgical techniques for the removal of precious metals from secondary sources has been noted. Among them, liquid-liquid extraction by contacting two liquid phases: aqueous solution of metal ions and organic solution of extractant is considered an efficient technique to separate valuable metal ions from solutions after leaching from spent catalysts.
Circulating microparticles in patients after ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Botao , Cai Wang , Zhang Zhen , Zhang Hui , Tang Ke , Zhang Qi , Wang Ximo
Published: May 2018

Microparticles (MPs), a class of cell products with biological activities, have been found to participate in a series of vascular activities. The aim of this article is to investigate the changes in the concentrations of MPs after ischemic stroke by meta-analysis. According to pre-established criteria, a strict screening of articles was performed through the Medline and Embase databases. Subsequently, the included studies were subjected to quality assessment and data extraction. Finally, a meta-analysis was performed on seven major outcomes from 985 noncerebrovascular disease controls and 988 ischemic stroke patients. The pooled concentrations of total MPs (TMPs), endotheliocyte-derived MPs (EMPs), platelet-derived MPs (PMPs), erythrocyte-derived MPs (RMPs), leukocyte-derived MPs (LMPs), and monocyte-derived MPs (MMPs) were significantly increased in the ischemic stroke patients compared to the noncerebrovascular disease controls, with the results as follows: TMPs [standardized mean difference (SMD), 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.26–1.97; p=0.01], EMPs (SMD, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.67–1.13; p<0.00001), PMPs (SMD, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.69–1.60; p<0.00001), RMPs (SMD, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.57–1.71; p<0.0001), LMPs (SMD, 1.42; 95% CI, 0.74–2.10; p<0.0001), and MMPs (SMD, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.59–1.60; p<0.0001). However, the pooled concentration of lymphocyte-derived MPs (LyMPs) demonstrated no significant difference between the patients and the controls (SMD, 0.22; 95% CI, −0.19 to 0.63; p=0.29). The available data indicated that the circulating MPs, except for LyMPs, play an important role in the development and prognosis of ischemic stroke.
Lues Maligna as an Initial Presentation of Underlying HIV Infection in a Homosexual Man
Authors: Bjekić Milan
Published: May 2018

Lues maligna is a rare ulcerative form of secondary syphilis. This clinical entity is predominantly found in patients living with HIV or AIDS. We report a case of a 32-year-old homosexual man with diffuse non-pruritic, papular skin lesions, ulcerated nodules and plaques disseminated on the face, trunk and extremities. The rash was followed by fever, malaise and joint pains. Serological tests for syphilis were positive. The patient was treated with intramuscular penicillin and the lesions resolved completely. Lues maligna was an initial presentation of underlying HIV infection. The HIV seropositivity was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Due to the increased number of syphilis cases and frequent HIV co-infection in Serbia, dermatologists must be able to recognize this condition based on clinical characteristics and risk factors and to diagnose and treat it promptly.
Dbx1 Pre-Bötzinger Complex Interneurons Comprise the Core Inspiratory Oscillator for Breathing in Unanesthetized Adult Mice
Authors: Vann Nikolas C. , Pham Francis D. , Dorst Kaitlyn E. , Del Negro Christopher A.
Published: May 2018

The brainstem pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC) generates inspiratory breathing rhythms, but which neurons comprise its rhythmogenic core? Dbx1-derived neurons may play the preeminent role in rhythm generation, an idea well founded at perinatal stages of development but incompletely evaluated in adulthood. We expressed archaerhodopsin or channelrhodopsin in Dbx1 preBötC neurons in intact adult mice to interrogate their function. Prolonged photoinhibition slowed down or stopped breathing, whereas prolonged photostimulation sped up breathing. Brief inspiratory-phase photoinhibition evoked the next breath earlier than expected, whereas brief expiratory-phase photoinhibition delayed the subsequent breath. Conversely, brief inspiratory-phase photostimulation increased inspiratory duration and delayed the subsequent breath, whereas brief expiratory-phase photostimulation evoked the next breath earlier than expected. Because they govern the frequency and precise timing of breaths in awake adult mice with sensorimotor feedback intact, Dbx1 preBötC neurons constitute an essential core component of the inspiratory oscillator, knowledge directly relevant to human health and physiology.
Lactational programming of glucose homeostasis: a window of opportunity
Authors: Ellsworth Lindsay , Harman Emma , Padmanabhan Vasantha , Gregg Brigid
Published: May 2018

The window of lactation is a critical period during which nutritional and environmental exposures impact lifelong metabolic disease risk. Significant organ and tissue development, organ expansion and maturation of cellular functions occur during the lactation period, making this a vulnerable time during which transient insults can have lasting effects. This review will cover current literature on factors influencing lactational programming such as milk composition, maternal health status and environmental endocrine disruptors. The underlying mechanisms that have the potential to contribute to lactational programming of glucose homeostasis will also be addressed, as well as potential interventions to reduce offspring metabolic disease risk.
ThedominoSWI2/SNF2 Gene Product Represses Cell Death inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Ellis Kaitlyn , Wardwell-Ozgo Joanna , Moberg Kenneth H , Yedvobnick Barry
Published: May 2018

The Drosophila domino locus encodes DNA-dependent ATPases of the SWI2/SNF2 class. This class of chromatin remodeler is associated with an array of cellular activities encompassing transcription, replication, repair and recombination. Moreover, domino was observed initially to maintain a repressive chromatin state via genetic interaction studies with homeotic genes. Although domino mutations were also characterized with a cell death phenotype, its association with a death pathway has not been investigated. Here we have used targeted RNA interference to depress domino function in the wing. Resultant wing damage phenotypes were found to be enhanced through overexpression of pro-apoptotic loci, and suppressed through loss of function of these loci. Loss of wing margin and blade tissue was correlated with activation of the effector Caspase Dcp-1, a marker for apoptosis. The affected wing regions also exhibited lower levels of the DIAP1 protein, an inhibitor of apoptosis. The lower level of DIAP1 protein was not correlated with an effect on the activity of a DIAP1 gene transgenic reporter (thread-LacZ), suggesting that loss of DIAP1 occurred post transcriptionally. In some cases excessive cell proliferation within the targeted tissue, measured through BrdU incorporation, was also observed. Finally, we used a transgenic reporter construct to monitor the chromatin state upstream of the proapoptotic reaper locus. In genotypes exhibiting targeted domino loss and wing phenotypes, we observed increased reporter activity only in the affected areas. These data support the conclusion that domino normally functions to maintain pro-apoptotic genes in a repressed state.
L.S. Vygotsky and Education by L. C. Moll (2014)
Authors: Amory Michael
Published: May 2018

L.S. Vygotsky and Education by L. C. Moll (2014)
Expert-novice interaction as the basis for L2 developmental activity
Authors: Gánem-Gutiérrez Gabriela Adela , Gilmore Alex
Published: May 2018

This study investigated interaction between an adult EFL university student in Japan and her EFL tutor/researcher while they observed the student’s L2 writing event during a stimulated retrospective recall session. Interaction is considered both a methodological instrument to investigate the complex cognitive activity underpinning L2 writing and a pedagogic tool to encourage linguistic – as well as strategic – awareness and change. Informed by Sociocultural Theory, this paper argues that interaction which is sensitive to learners’ potential development can be a powerful tool to promote the co-construction of L2 knowledge. Data were collected through eye-tracking and real-time screen capture of the writing event and analysed using descriptive statistics and microgenetic multimodal interaction analysis. The paper aims to illustrate the potential value of a mixed-methods, multimodal, design to better understand the dual role of interaction: (a) to support development; and (b) as a methodological instrument to investigate the unfolding history of that development.
Learning the sociopragmatics of an artificial language
Authors: van Compernolle Rémi A.
Published: May 2018

This article reports findings from an experimental study of adults (n = 103) learning the sociopragmatics of an artificial language, ‘Ravenese’. The main purpose of the study was to compare the effects of: (a) rule-based instruction; versus (b) conceptbased instruction. No statistical differences were found between the two instructional conditions on an appropriateness judgment task (pretest, immediate posttest, and delayed posttest). However, differences were observed in participants’ understanding of the meaning and significance of the target pragmatic forms as revealed through qualitative data. The data suggest that rule-based instruction reinforces previously acquired everyday knowledge, whereas concept-based instruction supports learners’ development of new ways of understanding language and social relationships. The discussion centers on implications for teaching pragmatics in second/foreign language classrooms.
CONTROL OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION IN THE COUNTRIES OF NORTHERN DIMENSION PARTNERSHIP IN PUBLIC HEALTH ABD SOCIAL WELL­BEING
Authors: Oganov R. G. , Maslennikova G. Ya. , Imaeva A. E.
Published: May 2018

Alcohol consumption is one of the causes of premature death from the main non­communicable diseases (NCD), such as cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, diabetes. In the countries of Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well­being (NDPHW) alcohol consumption calculated for pure ethanol per person per year ranges from low ~8 L to high ≥12 L. In NDPHW countries where the inhabitants consume alcohol in low amounts, the probability of premature death from NCD is lower than in the countries with high consumption. It was shown that the events on alcohol approachability restriction were stricter in the countries with low consumption rate and hence with lower probability of premature NCD death. All NDPHW countries, except Germany and Estonia, are in the 20 of the countries with the highest score according to the politics of alcohol control that witness on effective implementation of the events for consumption control. Therefore acception and implementation of strict politics may facilitate the decrease of alcohol consumption and then, the rate of NCD premature death.
CLINICAL ASPECTS OF ETHYLMETHYLHYDROXYPYRIDINE SUCCINATE IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY
Authors: Martemianova E. G.
Published: May 2018

Aim. To evaluate efficacy and safety of original ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (Mexidol) in cardiological patients ≥75 year old.

Material and methods. In the observational study, according to ethical standards of Khelsinki Declaration, with informed consent, 24 patients participated, age 75­88 y. o. Inclusion criteria: age ≥75 y. o.; already diagnosed coronary heart disease (CHD) and/or chronic heart failure (CHF); Mexidol usage. Exclusion criteria: absent informed consent, severe comorbidities. Mean age of the patients at inclusion 80,33±4,06 y. o.; 16 (66,7%) females and 8 (33,3%) males. Patients consequently visited office of cardiologist with the diagnoses: chronic CHD (I25.0­I25.9), CHF with preserved systolic function (I50.0­I50.9). All patients were consulted by neurologist, had an established diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease (I65­67). To reduce the symptoms of frailty, among the neurologist recommendations, with accordance to routine clinical practice, the original Mexidol was included. Mexidol was prescribed by a scheme of manufacturer: intravenous infusions 500 mg x 5 days, then per os 125 mg t. i.d.; overall treatment — 8 weeks.

Results. Statistically significant results were noted in 6 months from the study start. There was significant increase of 6 minute walking distance in men from 304,00±87,09 to 388,63±92,28 m (р=0,01), in women from 346,06±56,81 to 427,69±76,87 m (р=0,003); also there were less signs of frailty. No one patient showed significant worsening of the condition; during the overall follow­up, patients did not call emergency or primary care physicians and did not hospitalize.

Conclusion. In comorbidity patients aged ≥75 y. o. at Mexidol treatment, there was increase of 6­minute walking test distance, decrease of asthenia signs, that witness for the medication efficacy. All patients showed good tolerability of the drug that witness for safety. Obviously, there are broad trials needed to sum up a gerontological algorithm of CHD and CHF patient management in outpatient setting.
NUCLEAR IMAGING IN SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH RISK ASSESSMENT
Authors: Ansheles A. A. , Zavadovsky К. V. , Sazonova S. I. , Sergienko V. B. , Karpov R. S.
Published: May 2018

Sudden cardiac death is a cause of fatal outcomes in large proportion of cardiovascular patients. Left ventricle ejection fraction at the moment is the main criteria for sudden cardiac death risk stratification, however the parameter is not enough reliable. Nuclear imaging methods make it to visualize finer pathophysiological processes representing the probability of the life threatening ventricular arrhythmias development. The review is focused on recent data on nuclear imaging for cellular perfusion assessment, transient ischemia, vitality of myocardium and myocardial blood flow, metabolic disorders and sympathetic innervation.
PREDICTION SCORE IN SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS ESTIMATION IN THE PRACTICE OF INTERNIST
Authors: Kotova D. P. , Kotov S. V. , Gilyarov M. Yu. , Shemenkova V. S.
Published: May 2018

Recently, development of medicine leads to the increase of the number and complexity of surgical interventions, explaining high significance of the risk assessments for post­surgical complications and probability of fatal outcome; this requires participation of internist in patients management with correction of therapy. The article is focused on the main scores and indexes utilized in clinical practice for prediction of possible complications, incl. cardial. A detailed description provided, for every calculator, features and limitations for usage and results interpretation.
NUTRITION AS THE RISK FACTOR FOR CARDIOVASCULAR PATHOLOGY FROM EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Tsygankova D. P. , Krivoshapova K. Е. , Barbarash O. L.
Published: May 2018

Nutrition is a crucial element of patient management in cardiovascular disorders. Recently, a variety of diets considered, for prevention of obesity as for risk reduction of severe cardiovascular pathology. In most countries there are ongoing studies on various diet models among the population. The review is focused on the range of large epidemiological trials of nutrition in cardiovascular pathology. The tasks discussed and the main results, stronger and weaker aspects of the works represented.
THE RATE OF CARDIAC RHYTHM RECOVERY POST EXERTION IN PHYSICAL REHABILITATION OF CARDIOLOGICAL PATIENTS
Authors: Ivanova O. А. , Kuklin S. G.
Published: May 2018

Taken the rising mortality and morbidity of the population due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), rehabilitation of cardiovascular patients remains actual. Regular exercises are the leading components of cardiorehabilitation, that is evidently beneficial. Taken this, the question raises on the adequacy and efficacy of training regimens. Utilization of the parameter representing the velocity of heart rate decline by every minute of recovery phase after the exertion, is quite informative. The borderline set for heart rate, with increasing cardiovascular risk if below. Dynamics of such parameter during the programs of physical rehabilitation might be a marker of the events efficacy. Recently, there is a deficiency of information on the normal parameters of heart rate recovery rate in CVD patients. Hence a question raises, on the unification of approaches in evaluation of recovery period and data collection on the influence of long term exercises on CVD prognosis.
Everolimus with Reduced Calcineurin Inhibitor Exposure in Renal Transplantation
Authors: Pascual Julio , Berger Stefan P. , Witzke Oliver , Tedesco Helio , Mulgaonkar Shamkant , Qazi Yasir , Chadban Steven , Oppenheimer Federico , Sommerer Claudia , Oberbauer Rainer , Watarai Yoshihiko , Legendre Christophe , Citterio Franco , Henry Mitchell , Srinivas Titte R. , Luo Wen-Lin , Marti AnaMaria , Bernhardt Peter , Vincenti Flavio ,   on behalf of the TRANSFORM Investigators
Published: May 2018

Background Everolimus permits reduced calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) exposure, but the efficacy and safety outcomes of this treatment after kidney transplant require confirmation.

Methods In a multicenter noninferiority trial, we randomized 2037 de novo kidney transplant recipients to receive, in combination with induction therapy and corticosteroids, everolimus with reduced-exposure CNI (everolimus arm) or mycophenolic acid (MPA) with standard-exposure CNI (MPA arm). The primary end point was treated biopsy-proven acute rejection or eGFR<50 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at post-transplant month 12 using a 10% noninferiority margin.

Results In the intent-to-treat population (everolimus n=1022, MPA n=1015), the primary end point incidence was 48.2% (493) with everolimus and 45.1% (457) with MPA (difference 3.2%; 95% confidence interval, −1.3% to 7.6%). Similar between-treatment differences in incidence were observed in the subgroups of patients who received tacrolimus or cyclosporine. Treated biopsy-proven acute rejection, graft loss, or death at post-transplant month 12 occurred in 14.9% and 12.5% of patients treated with everolimus and MPA, respectively (difference 2.3%; 95% confidence interval, −1.7% to 6.4%). De novo donor-specific antibody incidence at 12 months and antibody-mediated rejection rate did not differ between arms. Cytomegalovirus (3.6% versus 13.3%) and BK virus infections (4.3% versus 8.0%) were less frequent in the everolimus arm than in the MPA arm. Overall, 23.0% and 11.9% of patients treated with everolimus and MPA, respectively, discontinued the study drug because of adverse events.

Conclusions In kidney transplant recipients at mild-to-moderate immunologic risk, everolimus was noninferior to MPA for a binary composite end point assessing immunosuppressive efficacy and preservation of graft function.
Introducción: Comunicación, ambiente y ecologías: prácticas locales, institucionales y periodísticas
Authors: Herrera Huérfano Eliana , Vega Casanova Jair
Published: May 2018

En este número Monográfico se intenta presentar una actualización del debate sobre las problemáticas ambientales desde la comunicación, con tendencias contemporáneas que nos llevan al debate sobre la complejidad ambiental desde la comprensión de las diferencias y el reconocimiento de las relaciones entre la naturaleza, lo ecológico, lo ambiental y lo cultural. Este debate contemporáneo implica revisar el desarrollo industrial y los impactos de la era del antropoceno, las relaciones entre naturaleza y cultura, humano y no humano, y los conceptos de sustentabilidad o sostenibilidad, conciencia ambiental, ciudadanía ambiental, conciencia ambiental antropocentrista o conciencia ambiental biocentrista; en fin, retomando, entre otras preguntas: ¿cómo comprender lo ambiental hoy? ¿Cómo gestar y gestionar iniciativas o acciones relacionadas con lo ambiental? ¿Cómo son los discursos, las narrativas y el tratamiento de lo ambiental en los ámbitos de la comunicación? ¿Desde dónde pensar en la adaptación frente a los irreversibles efectos del cambio climático? ¿Es posible un cambio de modelo socio-cultural en relación con lo ambiental?
Publication Bias and the Cross-Section of Stock Returns
Authors: Chen Andrew Y. , Zimmermann Tom
Published: May 2018

We develop an estimator for publication bias and apply it to 156 hedge portfolios based on published cross-sectional return predictors. Publication bias adjusted returns are only 12% smaller than in-sample returns. The small bias comes from the dispersion of returns across predictors, which is too large to be accounted for by data-mined noise. Among predictors that can survive journal review, a low t-stat hurdle of 1.8 controls for multiple testing using statistics recommended by Harvey, Liu, and Zhu (2015). The estimated bias is too small to account for the deterioration in returns after publication, suggesting an important role for mispricing.
Nos Están Matando [They are Killing Us]
Authors: Davies Maria C.
Published: May 2018

Despite the attention given to violence against women in Latin America, little is reported about the effect of women’s movement protests on legal decisions pertaining to femicide, gender violence, and abortion. However, protests within the last five years in Argentina and Chile regarding these issues have caught media attention. I intend to discover how grassroots feminist protests in each country influence decisions about the issues. I used two newspapers from each country to collect data on protests. Additionally, I collected data from one court website for each country along with the United States Library of Congress about legal decisions regarding the topics. After examining how the protests influence decisions in each country, I compared the two countries. The findings suggest protestors demanded legal changes and the courts reacted by approving the changes. Further, I discovered machismo interacts notably with violence against women in both countries.
A new genus of anthophorine bees from Brunei (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Engel Michael S.
Published: May 2018

A new genus of anthophorine bees (Apinae: Anthophorini) is described and figured from a remarkable female collected in eastern Brunei (northern Borneo).  Varthemapistra edentata Engel, new genus and species, is most similar to species of Habrophorula Lieftinck, which occur in southeastern China, and Elaphropoda Lieftinck, found broadly across Southeast Asia.  Habrophorula and the new genus both have the third submarginal cell broad anteriorly and posteriorly.  Unique among anthophorines, V. edentata has a simple female mandible, while other Anthophorini have bidentate or tridentate mandibles.  The genus is described and figured, and a revised key to the genera of Anthophorini provided.