bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extensive Recontouring of the Femoral Head with Osteochondral Allografting: A Case Report with Histological and MicroCT Analysis
Authors: Jamali Amir A. , Rowland Douglas , Vandewalker Kristen N.
Published: November 2019

Morphological abnormalities such as cam deformity or growth disturbances can have a detrimental effect on the smooth function of the hip joint. This case reports an attempt to salvage the hip joint of a young patient with a posttraumatic growth disturbance of the femoral head using a fresh osteochondral allograft. This treatment has been used very rarely in the femoral head due to the presumed tenuous blood supply of the head and the perceived risk of nonunion or progressive avascular necrosis. The patient in this case had persistent pain and mechanical symptoms leading to hip replacement. A detailed analysis of the retrieved femoral head demonstrated durability and healing of the grafts based on gross inspection, histology of bone and cartilage, and microCT analysis. This case is the first report to our knowledge of a detailed histological and radiographic analysis of the fate of osteochondral allografts of the femoral head. We hope that this case provides justification for the use of osteochondral allografts of the femoral head for other indications such as femoral head fractures, avascular necrosis, and benign epiphyseal tumors of the femoral head in an effort to avoid arthroplasty in young patients. The authors have obtained the patient’s informed written consent for print and electronic publication of the case report.
Synthetic Imine Resveratrol Analog 2-Methoxyl-3,6-Dihydroxyl-IRA Ameliorates Colitis by Activating Protective Nrf2 Pathway and Inhibiting NLRP3 Expression
Authors: Chen Yeru , Zheng Zhaohong , Li Chang , Pan Yuanjiang , Tang Xiuwen , Wang Xiu Jun
Published: November 2019

Resveratrol (RSV) is a naturally occurring polyphenol that exhibits pleiotropic health benefits, including anticolitis and colon cancer-protective activity. Recently, we identified the novel imine RSV analog (IRA), 2-methoxyl-3,6-dihydroxyl-IRA 3,4,5,4-tetramethoxystilbene (C33), as a putative activator of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The present study was designed to evaluate the ability of C33 to activate the Nrf2 signaling pathway and its anticolitis effect in comparison to RSV. The anticolitis action of C33 was assessed in a mouse model of colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). The effect of C33 on the Nrf2 signaling pathway was examined in vitro and in vivo. Compared to RSV, C33 triggered a more dramatic increase in the expression of genes downstream of Nrf2 in LS174T cells as well as in the small intestine and colon of wild-type (WT) mice. Correlated with its superior ability to activate the cytoprotective Nrf2 pathway, C33 was significantly better in ameliorating DSS-induced colitis by improving the inflammation score, as well as downregulating the markers of inflammation in WT mice. Moreover, induction of the NOD-like receptors family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome by colitis was also significantly inhibited by the IRA. Nrf2 knockout completely abolished the effects of C33, indicating that Nrf2 is the important mechanistic target of C33 in vivo. In conclusion, the novel IRA, C33, has stronger anticolitis effects than RSV. Further studies are warranted to evaluate C33 as a potential therapeutic agent for inflammatory bowel disease and cancer chemoprevention.
Purity Independent Subtyping of Tumors (PurIST), A Clinically Robust, Single-sample Classifier for Tumor Subtyping in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Rashid Naim U. , Peng Xianlu L. , Jin Chong , Moffitt Richard A. , Volmar Keith E. , Belt Brian A. , Panni Roheena Z. , Nywening Timothy M. , Herrera Silvia G. , Moore Kristin J. , Hennessey Sarah G. , Morrison Ashley B. , Kawalerski Ryan , Nayyar Apoorve , Chang Audrey E. , Schmidt Benjamin , Kim Hong Jin , Linehan David C. , Yeh Jen Jen
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

Molecular subtyping for pancreatic cancer has made substantial progress in recent years, facilitating the optimization of existing therapeutic approaches to improve clinical outcomes in pancreatic cancer. With advances in treatment combinations and choices, it is becoming increasingly important to determine ways to place patients on the best therapies upfront. Although various molecular subtyping systems for pancreatic cancer have been proposed, consensus regarding proposed subtypes, as well as their relative clinical utility, remains largely unknown and presents a natural barrier to wider clinical adoption.

Experimental Design:

We assess three major subtype classification schemas in the context of results from two clinical trials and by meta-analysis of publicly available expression data to assess statistical criteria of subtype robustness and overall clinical relevance. We then developed a single-sample classifier (SSC) using penalized logistic regression based on the most robust and replicable schema.

Results:

We demonstrate that a tumor-intrinsic two-subtype schema is most robust, replicable, and clinically relevant. We developed Purity Independent Subtyping of Tumors (PurIST), a SSC with robust and highly replicable performance on a wide range of platforms and sample types. We show that PurIST subtypes have meaningful associations with patient prognosis and have significant implications for treatment response to FOLIFIRNOX.

Conclusions:

The flexibility and utility of PurIST on low-input samples such as tumor biopsies allows it to be used at the time of diagnosis to facilitate the choice of effective therapies for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and should be considered in the context of future clinical trials.
Statin Use Is Associated with Lower Risk of PTEN-Null and Lethal Prostate Cancer
Authors: Allott Emma H. , Ebot Ericka M. , Stopsack Konrad H. , Gonzalez-Feliciano Amparo G. , Markt Sarah C. , Wilson Kathryn M. , Ahearn Thomas U. , Gerke Travis A. , Downer Mary K. , Rider Jennifer R. , Freedland Stephen J. , Lotan Tamara L. , Kantoff Philip W. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Loda Massimo , Stampfer Meir J. , Giovannucci Edward , Sweeney Christopher J. , Finn Stephen P. , Mucci Lorelei A.
Published: November 2019

Purpose:

Statins are associated with lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer, but lethal prostate cancer is understudied and contributing mechanisms are unclear. We prospectively examined statins and lethal prostate cancer risk in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS), tested associations with molecular subtypes, and integrated gene expression profiling to identify putative mechanisms.

Experimental Design:

Our study included 44,126 men cancer-free in 1990, followed for prostate cancer incidence through 2014, with statin use recorded on biennial questionnaires. We used multivariable Cox regression to examine associations between statins and prostate cancer risk overall, by measures of clinically significant disease, and by ERG and PTEN status. In an exploratory analysis, age-adjusted gene set enrichment analysis identified statin-associated pathways enriched in tumor and adjacent normal prostate tissue.

Results:

During 24 years of follow-up, 6,305 prostate cancers were diagnosed and 801 (13%) were lethal (metastatic at diagnosis or metastatic/fatal during follow-up). Relative to never/past use, current statin use was inversely associated with risk of lethal prostate cancer [HR, 0.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.60–0.96] but not overall disease. We found a strong inverse association for risk of PTEN-null cancers (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.19–0.87) but not PTEN-intact cancers (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.95–1.48; P heterogeneity = 0.01). Associations did not differ by ERG. Inflammation and immune pathways were enriched in normal prostate tissue of statin ever (n = 10) versus never users (n = 103).

Conclusions:

Molecular tumor classification identified PTEN and inflammation/immune activation as potential mechanisms linking statins with lower lethal prostate cancer risk. These findings support a potential causal association and could inform selection of relevant biomarkers for statin clinical trials.
A Novel Zebrafish Model of Metastasis Identifies the HSD11β1 Inhibitor Adrenosterone as a Suppressor of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Metastatic Dissemination
Authors: Nakayama Joji , Lu Jeng-Wei , Makinoshima Hideki , Gong Zhiyuan
Published: November 2019

Metastasis of cancer cells is multi-step process and dissemination is an initial step. Here we report a tamoxifen-controllable Twist1a-ERT2 transgenic zebrafish line as a new animal model for metastasis research, and demonstrate that this model can serve as a novel platform for discovery of antimetastasis drugs targeting metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. By crossing Twist1a-ERT2 with xmrk (a homolog of hyperactive form of EGFR) transgenic zebrafish, which develops hepatocellular carcinoma, approximately 80% of the double transgenic zebrafish showed spontaneous cell dissemination of mCherry-labeled hepatocytes from the liver to the entire abdomen region and the tail region. The dissemination is accomplished in 5 days through induction of an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Using this model, we conducted in vivo drug screening and identified three hit drugs. One of them, adrenosterone, an inhibitor for hydroxysteroid (11-beta) dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11β1), has a suppressor effect on cell dissemination in this model. Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition of HSD11β1 suppressed metastatic dissemination of highly metastatic human cell lines in a zebrafish xenotransplantation model. Through downregulation of Snail and Slug, adrenosterone-treated cells recovered expression of E-cadherin and other epithelial markers and lost partial expression of mesenchymal markers compared with vehicle-treated cells. Taken together, our model offers a useful platform for the discovery of antimetastasis drugs targeting metastatic dissemination of cancer cells.

Implications:

This study describes a transgenic zebrafish model for liver tumor metastasis and it has been successfully used for identification of some drugs to inhibit metastatic dissemination of human cancer cells.
СТРУКТУРНО-ФУНКЦІОНАЛЬНІ ЗМІНИ ВНУТРІШНІХ ОРГАНІВ БІЛИХ ЩУРІВ ПРИ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНОМУ ЗАСТОСУВАННІ РІЗНИХ ДОЗ КАРАГІНАНУ
Authors: Kopanytsia O. M. , Mialiuk O. P.
Published: November 2019

Мета роботи. Вивчити структурну організацію стінки тонкої кишки, міокарда і печінки експериментальних тварин при застосуванні різних концентрацій κ-карагінану.

Матеріали і методи. Дослідження проведено на 36 статевозрілих білих нелінійних щурах-самцях. Тваринам експериментальних груп забезпечили вільний доступ до 0,5 і 1,0 % розчину карагінану в питній воді протягом 1 місяця.

Результати й обговорення. Результати гістологічного дослідження стінки тонкої кишки експерементальних тварин, які отримували 0,5 % розчин карагінану, продемонстрували картину помірно виражених дистрофічних змін епітелію слизової оболонки та ознаки запального процесу (лімфоцитарно-макрофагальна інтоксикація, деформація ворсинок тонкої кишки, відсутність базальної мембрани на деяких ділянках). На світлооптичному рівні мікроскопії патологічні зміни у печінці були мінімальними; будова серцевого м’яза у більшості щурів не відрізнялася від інтактних тварин. При мікроскопічному дослідженні внутрішніх органів білих щурів, які отримували 1 % розчин карагінану, в епітелії слизової оболонки тонкої кишки відмічали ознаки дистрофії: вакуолізацію епітеліоцитів, зміну тинкторіальних властивостей їх цитоплазми, місцями відсутність війчастої облямівки. У печінці балкова структура органа зберігалася. Спостерігали помірно виражений стромальний набряк. Подекуди мали місце помірно виражені альтеративні зміни гепатоцитів, що проявлялися розвитком дрібнокраплинної жирової дистрофії. Зміни серцевого м’яза в експерементальних тварин були виражені помірно. В деяких полях зору поперечна посмугованість кардіоміоцитів визначалася нечітко. Простежували помірно виражений набряк, місцями повнокров’я судин та наявність поодиноких еритроцитів у перивазальних ділянках. Також подекуди були незначні скупчення лімфоцитів.

Висновки. Морфологічні дослідження показали, що введення щурам 0,5 % розчину карагінану зумовлює запальні зміни у тонкій кишці, проте не призводить до значних структурних змін у печінці й серці. Ушкодження епітеліоцитів та їх дистрофія, дезорганізація сполучнотканинних елементів підслизового шару тонкої кишки при застосуванні 1 % карагінану супроводжується морфологічними змінами у печінці й серці.
PREDICTING OF RESPIRATORY TRACT PATHOLOGY RISK FACTORS AND THE NURSES’ KNOWLEDGE IN NOSOCOMIAL PNEUMONIA PREVENTING
Authors: Krynytska I. Ya. , Marushchak M. I. , Mazur L. P. , Dzetsiukh T. I. , Hrad A. O. , Habor H. H.
Published: November 2019

The aim of the work. To analyze the prevalence of nosocomial pneumonias (NP) in surgical and therapeutic departments and determine the nurses’ knowledge on the problem of preventing hospital pneumonia.

Materials and Methods. In order to determine the nurses’ level of knowledge on the problems of preventing nosocomial pneumonia, a questionnaire was developed and applied, which included 20 questions with answers.

Results and Discussion. The prevalence of hospital pneumonia in the departments of the therapeutic and surgical profiles is high. The incidence of NP in the surgical department is predominant in males, among the risk factors in which tobacco smoking prevails. In females with NP, the main etiological factors include poor nutrition and obesity. Comparing the level of nurses’ knowledge in therapeutic and surgical departments it was found that nurses of surgical department have shown better knowledge of NP identifying and epidemiology. Nursing stuff of both profiles has poor knowledge about pathogens of NP. The most problematic for nurses of both departments is the issue of preventing NP in case of various surgical interventions during preoperative period.

Conclusions. The results of the surveys with this questionnaire can be used to focus educational programs on NP prevention.
МОРФОМЕТРИЧНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ТОНКОЇ КИШКИ ЩУРІВ ІЗ ХРОНІЧНИМ ЕНТЕРОКОЛІТОМ НА ТЛІ СТРЕПТОЗОТОЦИНОВОГО ДІАБЕТУ
Authors: Lisnianska N. V. , Buchko P. I. , Musienko V. A.
Published: November 2019

Мета роботи. Встановити морфометричні зміни стінки тонкої кишки тварин із стрептозотоциновим діабетом (СТД), хронічним ентероколітом (ХЕК) та їх поєднанням.

Матеріали і методи. Дослідження проведено на 120 білих нелінійних самцях-щурах з дотриманням принципів Європейської конвенції про захист хребетних тварин, що використовуються для дослідних та інших наукових цілей (Страсбург, 1986) . Цукровий діабет моделювали шляхом однократного внутрішньочеревного введення тваринам стрептозотоцину («Sigma Aldrich», США, в дозі 60 мг/кг маси тіла). Хронічний ентероколіт відтворювали шляхом вільного доступу тварин до 1,0 % розчину карагінану в питній воді протягом 1 місяця.

Результати й обговорення. За результатами мікроморфометрії важливим індикатором дистрофічних змін слизової оболонки у щурів із СТД було істотне зростання частки ушкоджених епітеліоцитів: від контрольного значення (4,47±0,34) % до (16,00±0,59) %. При ХЕК мали місце прояви дистрофії та атрофії, хоча і менш виражені, ніж при експериментальній гіперглікемії: кількість ворсинок зменшувалася на 7,23 %, крипти поглиблювалися на 12,84 %, частка уражених клітин епітелію зростала на 7,83 %. Максимально вираженими були патологічні зміни, які реєстрували при ХЕК на тлі СТД: слизова оболонка стоншувалася на 12,49 %, кількість ворсинок істотно зменшувалася на 44,03 %, частка ушкоджених епітеліоцитів сягала (23,63±0,79) %, зростаючи на 19,17 % щодо контрольної групи.

Висновки. Структурні зміни стінки тонкої кишки білих щурів із СТД характеризуються превалюванням дистрофічних і атрофічних процесів, у тварин із ХЕК переважає картина хронічного запалення, тоді як моделювання ХЕК на тлі СТД указує на поєднання дистрофічних і атрофічних змін та ентериту.
ІСТОРІЯ КВАНТОВО-МЕХАНІЧНИХ МЕТОДІВ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ МЕДИКО-БІОЛОГІЧНИХ І ХІМІЧНИХ СИСТЕМ
Authors: Didukh V. D. , Rudyak Yu. A. , Bahrii-Zaiats O. A. , Naumovа L. V.
Published: November 2019

Мета роботи. Висвітлити історичні шляхи розвитку квантово-механічних методів дослідження, показати їх значущість для минувшини і сьогодення. Матеріали і методи.  Результати й обговорення. Історичні шляхи розвитку науки, розкриття закономірностей мають особливе значення для сьогодення. Процес історії становлення та розвитку фізико-медичних і біологічних знань нерозривно пов’язаний із загальною історією людства, науки і змінював наукову картину світу упродовж тисячоліть. Луї де Бройль, Нобелівський лауреат з фізики, писав: «…історія науки не може не цікавити вчених природознавців: учений знаходить у ній… багаточисельні уроки і, навчений власним досвідом, він може краще, ніж будь-хто інший, тлумачити із знанням справи ці уроки». Фізика і медицина – могутні гілки дерева філософії, коріння якого сягає правікових часів. В історії науки шляхи розвитку медицини і фізики і збігалися й перетиналися. Відкриття у медицині та біології породжували нові фізичні ідеї, а досягнення у фізиці сприяли новітнім медико-біологічним дослідженням. У роботі висвітлено роль квантово-механічних методів дослідження медико-біологічних та хімічних систем. Висновки. У статті віддзеркалено історію розвитку квантово-механічних знань, показано як змінювалась наукова картина світу впродовж тисячоліть, розглянуто взаємодоповнюваність і спадкоємність наукових знань, що визначали напрямок розвитку науки та показано ефективність резонансних методів у медико-біологічних дослідженнях.
As Cirandas para piano de Villa-Lobos
Authors: Tarquinio Daniel Junqueira
Published: November 2019

Neste trabalho busca-se entender o tratamento dado por Villa-Lobos às melodias do cancioneiro infantil utilizadas nas Cirandas Terezinha de Jesus, Xô xô passarinho e Fui no Tororó, através análises entonacionais das melodias homônimas arranjadas no Guia Prático e também das próprias Cirandas. Essas análises são fundamentadas nos conceitos do musicólogo russo B. Asafiev e permitiram entender o universo cultural e histórico relacionado a essas três peças, que integram o conjunto de 16 Cirandas, obra importante no repertório para piano do século XX
Cumulative Blood Pressure Exposure During Young Adulthood and Mobility and Cognitive Function in Midlife
Authors: Mahinrad Simin , Kurian Shawn , Garner Chaney R. , Sedaghat Sanaz , Nemeth Alexander J. , Moscufo Nicola , Higgins James P. , Jacobs David R. , Hausdorff Jeffrey M. , Lloyd-Jones Donald M. , Sorond Farzaneh A.
Published: November 2019

Background:

High blood pressure (BP) is a known risk factor for mobility and cognitive impairment in older adults. This study tested the association of cumulative BP exposure from young adulthood to midlife with gait and cognitive function in midlife. Furthermore, we tested whether these associations were modified by cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden.

Methods:

We included 191 participants from the CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults), a community-based cohort of young individuals followed over 30 years. Cumulative BP was calculated as the area under the curve (mm Hg×years) from baseline up to year 30 examination. Gait and cognition were assessed at the year 30 examination. Cerebral WMH was available at year 30 in a subset of participants (n=144) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association of cumulative BP exposure with gait and cognition. To test effect modification by WMH burden, participants were stratified at the median of WMH and tested for interaction.

Results:

Higher cumulative systolic and diastolic BPs were associated with slower walking speed (both
P
=0.010), smaller step length (
P
=0.011 and 0.005, respectively), and higher gait variability (
P
=0.018 and 0.001, respectively). Higher cumulative systolic BP was associated with lower cognitive performance in the executive (
P
=0.021), memory (
P
=0.015), and global domains (
P
=0.010), and higher cumulative diastolic BP was associated with lower cognitive performance in the memory domain (
P
=0.012). All associations were independent of socio-demographics and vascular risk factors (body mass index, smoking, diabetes mellitus and total cholesterol). The association between cumulative BP and gait was moderated by WMH burden (interaction
P
<0.05). However, the relation between cumulative BP and cognitive function was not different based on the WMH burden (interaction
P
>0.05).

Conclusions:

Exposure to higher BP levels from young to midlife is associated with worse gait and cognitive performance in midlife. Furthermore, WMH moderates the association of cumulative BP exposure with gait, but not with cognitive function in midlife. The mechanisms underpinning the impact of BP exposure on brain structure and function must be investigated in longitudinal studies using a life course approach.
Pasolini’s Pauls
Authors: Aichele George
Published: November 2019

Because Pier Paolo Pasolini never completed his movie Saint Paul, any discussion of it must be speculative. However, insofar as the film appears in Pasolini’s screenplay outline and plan, it depicts Paul, in relation to the Pauline writings of the Bible, as a seriously fragmented person. This Paul struggles with multiple personalities that are continually fragmenting and at war with one another. In this way the film fuses together in a single cinematic narrative the many “Pauls” who appear in the Pauline letters and the Acts of the Apostles. The “remixed” quality that then appears in the screenplay contrasts sharply to Pasolini’s The Gospel According to St. Matthew. The resulting story echoes some of the writings of Italo Calvino, as well as Spike Jonze’s movie Adaptation.
Publish or Perish in Social Science?
Authors: Lu Jinjin
Published: November 2019

The national “Double First-class” strategic plan, a new ambitious higher education policy, which was officially launched at the end of September 2017. This emphasises that 42 Chinese universities have a target of being ranked in the global “First-class” category within ten years. Under the guidance of the strategic plan, Chinese academics in Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) will face significant opportunities and challenges. Compared with those in Science and Technology (S&T), academics in the HSS have less internationalisation in terms of academic discourse power. This study used a mixed-research method to investigate Chinese HSS academics’ perceptions of this innovative strategic plan across different types of universities, academics’ ranks and locations of academic training. Findings showed that these three variables have significant influences on Chinese academics’ perceptions in research publications, research policy understandings and academic promotion strategies.
Inclusive Urban Eco-systems
Authors: Sekhani Richa , Mohan Deepanshu , Roy Sneha
Published: November 2019

Informality, associated with street vendors, is now seen as a generalised mode of metropolitan urbanisation. Street vendors form an important part of several economies around the world and are seen as a vital source of livelihood and employment opportunity for the low-skilled, lower-income class of the population. A closer understanding of profiles of street vendors and the nature of complexities present in the business of street vending—studied through the supply chain processes of product procurement and distribution—helps one in observing an entwined relationship between what are perceived as “informal” or “formal” in the urban ecosystem. This study on street vendors working across Kolkata emphasises the need to adopt an inclusive view to urban “informal” arrangements, providing a comprehensive picture in identified local market spaces. Our research focuses on two critical aspects: (a) capturing samples of oral account(s) from merchants/vendors operating in local markets across Kolkata, and (b) gauging the supply-chain (inventory) process of products procured and sold by street vendors in these markets. The observations made from the field help highlight the complexities present in studying urban supply-chain processes—especially street vending businesses—that form the core of most urban metropolises in cities (such as Kolkata) and are representative of the Global South.
Contentions and Confirmations over Genetically Modified Technology
Authors: Kumar Avinash , Mallick Sambit
Published: November 2019

The present study, from sociology of science and technology perspectives, examines the socio-political construal of innovations in rice biotechnology research in India with special reference to genetically modified (GM) technology. The primary data for the study has been collected through in-depth personal interviews with 68 molecular biologists and plant breeders engaged in rice biotechnology research in 20 scientific institutions coming under the aegis of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and State Agricultural Universities (SAU s). Two different case studies have been used to substantiate the arguments. The findings of the study suggest that there is a lack of consensus among the scientific communities over the application of GM technology in rice biotechnology research in India. The initial attempt to develop an Indian version of Golden Rice has failed. The occurrence of multiple anomalies during the experiment of Golden Rice poses serious questions on the scientific and technical reliability of GM technology. Holistically, it has cast doubt on the safety and predictability of Golden Rice in the Indian context. The existing policy framework pertaining to GM technology, particularly technical regulations, suffers from design faults (structural problem) and operator failure (agency failure). The Intellectual Property Rights regime, in one or many forms, appears to obstruct R&D activities in rice biotechnology. The practitioners of rice biotechnology research are resisting such institutional regimes by keeping the Mertonian ethos of science in mind.
The Ascent of Ishmael: Genealogy, Covenant, and Identity in Early Islam
Authors: Goudarzi Mohsen
Published: November 2019

This essay argues that biblical genealogy serves as a fundamental organizing principle in the Qurʾān. In particular, the Qurʾān anchors the cultic and scriptural aspects of the Prophet’s mission squarely on his community’s descent from Abraham via Ishmael. The first part of the essay marshals qurʾānic evidence in support of this claim and critiques a number of recent studies that downplay or deny the significance of Abrahamic-Ishmaelite genealogy in the Qurʾān. The second part reinforces this significance by demonstrating that Ishmael’s qurʾānic characterization as an upright prophet sharply contrasts with his predominantly negative portrayals in pre-Islamic writings. The final part shows that modern scholars initially acknowledged Abraham and Ishmael’s key ancestral and cultic roles in the Qurʾān but came to see these roles as exclusively Medinan constructs. The essay challenge this view and offers a different explanation for the Qurʾān’s varying portrayals of Abraham and Ishmael.
Jews and Muslims in the Works of John of Naples
Authors: Schut Kirsten
Published: November 2019

This article seeks to shed light on attitudes towards Jews and Muslims in the Kingdom of Naples during the early fourteenth century by examining references to non-Christians in the quodlibets, disputed questions, and sermons of the Dominican theologian John of Naples (Giovanni Regina, d. ca. 1348). John’s patron, King Robert of Naples (r. 1309–1343) has traditionally been portrayed as a more tolerant monarch than his predecessor Charles II, and John’s views seem to accord well with Robert’s: he does not advocate conversion, but rather allows Jews and Muslims a limited place within Christian society. Treating topics as diverse as biblical exegesis, blasphemy, sorcery, slavery, mercenaries, and medical ethics, John’s writings on Jews and Muslims were inspired both by traditional scholastic questions and contemporary events. While his views on non-Christians are far from positive, John stops short of disseminating the more virulent polemics of his time.
Between Latin Theology and Arabic Kalām: Samson’s Apologeticus contra perfidos (864 CE) and Ḥafṣ b. Albar al-Qūṭī’s Extant Works (fl. Late Ninth/Early Tenth Centuries)
Authors: Busic Jason
Published: November 2019

The Latin authors of ninth-century Umayyad Córdoba Eulogius, Albarus, and Samson are known for their opposition to acculturation, Arabic learning, and, in the case of Eulogius and Albarus, their defense of the martyrs’ movement of the 850s. One generation later, the first known Christian-Arabic theologian of Hispanic origin appears, Ḥafṣ b. Albar. His adoption of Islamized Arabic has traditionally represented an ideological break from the previous generation of Christian intellectuals in Córdoba. This article questions this discontinuity through analysis of Samson’s Apologeticus contra perfidos (864 CE) and Ḥafṣ’s extant work. The article argues that the Apologeticus engages kalām and proves relevant for its Islamic context. Further, the article argues that Ḥafṣ’s work continues the project laid out by Samson, though with a more polemical eye towards Islam.
Visual Enhancement of Relevant Speech in a ‘Cocktail Party’
Authors: Jaha Niti , Shen Stanley , Kerlin Jess R. , Shahin Antoine J.
Published: November 2019

Lip-reading improves intelligibility in noisy acoustical environments. We hypothesized that watching mouth movements benefits speech comprehension in a ‘cocktail party’ by strengthening the encoding of the neural representations of the visually paired speech stream. In an audiovisual (AV) task, EEG was recorded as participants watched and listened to videos of a speaker uttering a sentence while also hearing a concurrent sentence by a speaker of the opposite gender. A key manipulation was that each audio sentence had a 200-ms segment replaced by white noise. To assess comprehension, subjects were tasked with transcribing the AV-attended sentence on randomly selected trials. In the auditory-only trials, subjects listened to the same sentences and completed the same task while watching a static picture of a speaker of either gender. Subjects directed their listening to the voice of the gender of the speaker in the video. We found that the N1 auditory-evoked potential (AEP) time-locked to white noise onsets was significantly more inhibited for the AV-attended sentences than for those of the auditorily-attended (A-attended) and AV-unattended sentences. N1 inhibition to noise onsets has been shown to index restoration of phonemic representations of degraded speech. These results underscore that attention and congruency in the AV setting help streamline the complex auditory scene, partly by reinforcing the neural representations of the visually attended stream, heightening the perception of continuity and comprehension.
Critical Entanglements: Postmodern Theory in Biblical Studies
Authors: Wilson Andrew P.
Published: November 2019

While postmodernism remains an ambiguous and messy phenomenon to represent, it also remains a compelling prophetic voice in the ongoing development of contemporary biblical studies. This article tracks the various strands of postmodernism threaded through the discipline, drawing on a range of evocative biblical readings as well as key examples from the art world. It demonstrates that the scholarly “entanglement” with postmodern theory provides a valuable critical sensibility to biblical readings, and referring to specific examples from reception history, one that has the potential to showcase biblical studies at its best. When it comes to reading practices, scholarly voices and identities, postmodern theory shows that biblical scholarship is ethically oriented and has an expansive sense of the text and textual effects. The distinctive ways in which postmodern theory has shaped scholarship of the bible are plotted, while continuing to beckon in unanticipated ways from unexpected vantage points.
Targeting Regulation of Dually Modified Liposomes by Polyethylene Glycol Length of Vesicle Surface
Authors: Liu Xiaoying , Tang Shukun , Liu Yuncui , Hu Dandan , Zhang Changmei , Zhang Wenyuan , Chai Yanqun , Tang Xuefeng , Jiang Lei , Gong Chen , Peng Haisheng , Li Minghui
Published: November 2019

With aging of population, changing of living habits, and intake of high-fat diet, more and more people have been suffering from cardio-cerebral apoplexy. The synchronous treatment of cardio-cerebral conditions based on an integral strategy may bring benefit to the better clinical efficacy.
The simultaneously-targeting delivery of active molecules by nanoscale carriers to heart and brain remains unmet problem. The physiological difference of targets between heart and brain makes it a huge challenge which one targeting ligand modification acquires the delivery of two organs and
treatment, simultaneously. Traditionally, dually targeting strategies are introduced to enhance the selectivity for one aimed tissue and delivery efficiency of these particles. However, the interference between two targeting ligands on the surface of nanoscale carriers may influence the affinity
of these ligands with their receptors or transporters, resulting to the change distribution of carriers. Herein, we observed that how anti-cardiac troponin I (cTnI) antibody (Ab) conjugated with the linker, polyethylene glycol (PEG), on the surface of liposomes influenced the affinity of mannose
derivatives with transporter and regulated distribution of these vesicles in the heart and brain. The dually targeting liposomes can target to the heart and brain tissue simultaneously by the regulation length of PEG chain linking with p -pentanoic acid phenyl-α-D-acetylmannosamine
(Ac4MAN). These results may bring benefit to design the multi-modification of nanocarriers and the treatment of cardio-cerebral diseases.
Intra-Seminiferous Tubular Injection of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C Sustained-Release Ultrafine Particles: A Novel Method for Improving the Regeneration of Spermatogenesis After Chemotherapy
Authors: Zhao Liangyu , Yao Chencheng , Zhu Zijue , Liu Nachuan , Zhai Jing , Wang Yizhou , Yang Chao , Tian Ruhui , Li Peng , Chen Huixing , Wan Zhong , Zhi Erlei , Huang Yuhua , Zhou Zhi , Li Zheng
Published: November 2019

Busulfan and other chemotherapeutic drugs used in the treatment of cancer may result in temporary or even permanent damage to spermatogenesis. During spermatogenesis, the rapidly dividing spermatogonia are highly susceptible to chemotherapy. Consequently, there is significant interest
in developing an approach that could provide stimulation and regenerate spermatogenesis after chemotherapy. In a previous study, we suggested the potential application for vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) because of its key role in stimulating the proliferation of spermatogonia.
However, methods to facilitate the recovery of spermatogenesis in such patients using VEGFC, or other regulatory factors, are sorely lacking because of the rapid degradation of these proteins and restrictions created by the blood-testis-barrier. To this end, we loaded VEGFC into polyanion
dextran sulfate incorporated in a polycation chitosan shell to produce VEGFC sustained-release ultrafine particles (UFPs, CS-DS-VEGFC). We tested such particles in an azoospermic mouse model, created using busulfan. For each mouse, CS-DS-VEGFC was injected into the seminiferous tubules of
one testis, while unloaded UFPs (CS-DS), or the VEGFC protein alone, was injected into the opposite testis as a control. All mice were sacrificed and evaluated 5 weeks later. Spermatogenesis in the tubules that were injected with CS-DS-VEGFC was clearly better than those injected with controls,
and contained more spermatogonia and spermatocytes, along with Ki67 and PCNA positive-cells per tubule. In addition, the phosphorylation levels of AKT and MAPK in these tubules were also higher than in controls, indicating that CS-DS-VEGFC could induce the sustained activation of these pathways.
In conclusion, CS-DS-VEGFC, combined with the efferent tubule injection technique, is a feasible approach with which to improve the regeneration of spermatogenesis in busulfan-induced azoospermic mice.
Biological Synthesis of CdTe Quantum Dots and Their Anti-Proliferative Assessment Against Prostate Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Jigyasu Aditya Kumar , Siddiqui Sahabjada , Jafri Asif , Arshad Md , Lohani Mohatashim , Khan Irfan Ali
Published: November 2019

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconducting materials which have a wide array of applications starting from semiconducting devices, in humidity and pressure sensors and in medical imaging including cancer therapy. In the present study, cadmium telluride (CdTe) QDs were synthesized by a biological
method using yeast cells, Saccharomyces cerevisiae in modified Czapek’s medium. QDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Cancer cells were treated with 2, 4, 8 and 16 μM concentrations of CdTe QDs for 24 h. The anti-proliferative
activity was determined by using MTT assay, by evaluating the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and also by nuclear apoptosis and cell cycle analysis using a flow cytometer against human prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3. The size of the CdTe QDs was approximately 2 nm. In vitro
anti-proliferative study showed that CdTe QDs induced cell death and nuclear apoptosis in a dosedependent manner. CdTe QDs induced significant increase in ROS level in PC-3 cells which was dose-dependent. Moreover, CdTe also arrested growth of PC-3 cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle.
This study elucidates the apoptotic activity of CdTe QDs on prostate carcinoma which could provide useful insights to researchers for its clinical application.
Novel High-Selectivity Fluorescent Probe for Detecting Alkaline Phosphatase Activity in Marine Environment
Authors: Sun Jingya , Liu Mei , Wang Peng , Gao Zhiwei , Mu Jun , Chen Qingguo
Published: November 2019

In marine environment, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a nonspecific phosphatase with metal ions as its active site. Metal ions have different effects on ALP activity. Therefore, a probe that specifically detects ALP needs to be developed. In this paper, to eliminate the interference
of acid phosphatase, we designed and synthesized a highly selective fluorescent probe CyP based on pH to detect ALP activity. The response mechanism of detecting ALP was explained. The photophysical properties, enzyme kinetics, stability, selectivity, and potential quantitative ability of
the probe under different pH values were investigated. The effects of metal ions on the ALP activity of marine Chlorella vulgaris and Escherichia coli were also analyzed. Excessive metal ions such as Zn2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+
inhibit while Mn2+, Co2+, and alkaline-earth metal ions promote the ALP activity of Chlorella and E. coli.
Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) Conjugated with Andrographolide Ameliorated Viper (Daboia russellii russellii) Venom-Induced Toxicities in Animal Model
Authors: Ghosh Sourav , Dasgupta Subir Chandra , Dasgupta Anjan Kumar , Gomes Aparna , Gomes Antony
Published: November 2019

Andrographolide, a diterpenoid compound found in the aerial parts of Andrographis paniculata (a well known anti snake venom plant) was conjugated with gold nanoparticle (andrographolide-AuNPs) and its efficacy against Daboia russellii russellii venom (DRRV) induced local
damage, organ toxicity and inflammatory response was evaluated in animal models. Ethical clearance was obtained before animal experiments. Andrographolide-AuNPs was formed by adsorption method. Physico-chemical characterization of particle was done by dynamic light scattering (DLS), field
emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Swiss albino male mice were divided into 5 groups: Gr. 1-Sham control, Gr. 2-DRRV control, Gr. 3-anti snake venom serum treated, Gr. 4-andrographolide treated and Gr. 4-andrographolide-AuNPs
treated. 1/5th minimum lethal dose of DRRV (10 μg/s.c./20 g mice) was induced in animals of group 2, 3, 4 and 5 animals, followed by treatment with anti snake venom serum (2 mg/20 g mice, i.v.) andrographolide (50 μg/20g mice, i.p.) and andrographolide-AuNPs
(50 μg/20 g mice, i.v.) in group 3, 4 and 5 animals, respectively. Blood was collected after 18 h, serum was prepared and organ toxicity markers (transaminases, phosphatases, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphate, urea, creatinine, Ca2+, phosphorous), inflammatory
markers (interleukin 1β, 6, 17a, 10, tumor necrosis factor α) and local damage testings (defibrination, edema, hemorrhage) were assessed. Values were expressed as mean ± SEM (n = 4), one way analysis of variance was done, P < 0.05 was considered
as statistically significant. Formed andrographolide-AuNPs were pink in color with hydrodynamic diameter 30–50 nm, polydispersity index 0.412 and zeta potential −16.21 mV. XRD data confirmed the presence of crystalline gold in andrographolide-AuNPs. TEM (20–50 nm) and FE-SEM
(20–25 nm) indicated the presence of nearly spherical particle. DRRV envenomation followed by treatment with andrographolide-AuNPs provided protection against venom induced edema, hemorrhage, defibrination, organ toxicity and inflammation in animal model. Venom neutralization by andrographolide-AuNPs
was > andrographolide, which confirmed the increased efficacy of andrographolide after gold nanoparticle conjugation, may be due to anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory activity of andrographolide, showing increased efficacy after gold nanoparticle tagging. Thus, andrographolide-AuNPs may serve
as a supportive therapy in snakebite (against venom induced local damage, organ toxicity and inflammatory response) subject to further detail studies.
Efficiency Enhancement in Organic Solar Cells by Use of Cobalt Phthalocyanine (CoPc) Thin Films
Authors: Rawat S. S. , Kumar Ashish , Srivastava R. , Suman C. K.
Published: November 2019

Cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) nano thin films have been introduced as a hole buffer layer in organic solar cells with active layer of Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The surface morphology and opto-electrical properties
of the CoPc thin films have made it an applicable materials for organic solar cells. The nano-thin films of CoPc are continuously distributed over the studied area and the roughness are around 5 to 7 nm for all thickness. The dominant optical absorptions are in the visible range of wavelengths
500 to 800 nm. The CoPc buffer layer is suitable for energy level matching in energy level diagram and enhances the absorption spectrum as well, which facilitate the charge carrier generation, increases charge transport, decreases charge recombination, hence enhance the all device parameters
short circuit current density (Jsc), open circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF). The solar cells efficiency increases by ˜70% and the fill factor increases by ˜45% in comparison to the standard cells. The increase in efficiency and the fill
factors of the solar cells may also be attributed to the increasing of shunt and lowering the series resistance of the cells. The cole–cole plots of the devices may be modeled in electrical circuit as a single parallel resistance Rb and capacitance Cb
network with a series resistance Rc.
Electrochromic Properties of Reactive Magnetron Sputtered WO3 Thin Films Prepared by Neon as Sputter Gas
Authors: Uday Kumar K. , Subrahmanyam A.
Published: November 2019

Electrochromic phenomenon is an emerging technology for renewable energy applications. Several material oxides used for the electrochromic application, the tungsten oxide (WO3) has shown good coloration efficiency (CE). Present manuscript, we are reporting the results of
the coloration efficiency of DC magnetron sputtered WO3 films for electrochromic applications (thicknesses 190 nm to 700 nm) with sputter gas neon at 300 K. Hydrogen and Lithium ions have been intercalated into WO3 lattice for coloration. The CE value is increasing with
increase of thickness of WO3 thin films; CE for 700 nm thick films are: 87 cm2/C and 137 cm2/C for H+ and Li+ respectively. The coloration efficiency (CE) observed to be increasing with wavelength. The maximum efficiency of the hydrogen
intercalated neon sputtered films achieved at 860 nm wavelength is about 129.9 cm2/C and for the lithium intercalatedWO3 films the maximum efficiency achieved at 780 nm with 238.5 cm2/C. These neon sputtered WO3 thin films show good stability of
coloration efficiency even after 500 cycles of coloring and bleaching cycles. The work function of the colored and transparent states of WO3 thin films are 4.513 eV and 4.755 eV respectively. Finally we have fabricated the electrochromic device (ECD) prepared with nafion thin film
as an ion conducting layer and the ECD has shown a maximum coloration efficiency (CE) of 112.1 cm2/C.
Study of the Electrical Properties of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) Thin Film Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Techniques
Authors: Nadarajah Muhunthan , Singh Om Pal , Gour Kuldeep Singh , Singh Vidya Nand
Published: November 2019

CZTS is a compound semiconductor made from elements which are plainly available and nonpoisonous having favorable optoelectronic properties for thin film solar cell (TFSC) applications. In this study, Cu-poor CZTS thin film was fabricated on soda lime glass (SLG)/Mo-deposited substrate
using cosputtering followed by post sulfurization in H2S atmosphere. Local electrical transport study was carried out by using conductive atomic force microscopy (C-AFM) for small bias voltage (100 mV). Here we observed that most of the dark current (Idark) flow
through grain boundaries (GBs) than grain interiors. The positive high current about 3.4 nA and sharp C-AFM signal at the GBs, dips to the zero (0) value at the grain interior. Local surface potential (Vsurface) study was carried out using kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM),
which showed that the positive Vsurface potential about 175 mV in the vicinity of GBs in a Cu-poor CZTS sample. On the basis of these results we inferred a potential landscape (VL) around the GBs. All result shows that due to variation in elemental composition
which creates Cu-deficit or CuZn anti site defects at GBs, leads reduced effective band gap (Eeff) than the bulk towards grain inner to GBs.[-2pt]
Insights into the Mixed Oxide Thin Film Cathodes of LiCoO2, LiMn2O4 and TiO2 Deposited from Powder Target
Authors: Yellareswara Rao K. , Shaik Habibuddin , Mohan Rao G.
Published: November 2019

The present work describes the preparation of mixed oxide powder target of LiCoO2, LiMn2O4 and preparation of thin films. Electrochemical investigations have been carried out in the potential range 2.0–4.3 V with respect to Li. There after TiO2
mesoporous (2–50 nm) powder was also added to the above composition and deposited thin films. XRD, XPS and electrochemical characterisation have been carried out for thin film cathodes. The potential window as well as discharge capacity enhanced after TiO2 doping to the mixed
oxide target of LiCoO2 and LiMn2O4. Electrochemical characterization have been carried out in potential range 1.4–4.5 V, delivered a discharge capacity of 137 μAh μm−1 cm−2. The deposited cathode thin
films will be a good choice as electrodes for high voltage solid state batteries.