bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Reliable Massive Capacity SSDs through a Flash Aware RAID-Like Protection
Authors: Kim Jaeho , Park Jung Kyu
Published: December 2020

The demand for mass storage devices has become an inevitable consequence of the explosive increase in data volume. The three-dimensional (3D) vertical NAND (V-NAND) and quad-level cell (QLC) technologies rapidly accelerate the capacity increase of flash memory based storage system, such as SSDs (Solid State Drives). Massive capacity SSDs adopt dozens or hundreds of flash memory chips in order to implement large capacity storage. However, employing such a large number of flash chips increases the error rate in SSDs. A RAID-like technique inside an SSD has been used in a variety of commercial products, along with various studies, in order to protect user data. With the advent of new types of massive storage devices, studies on the design of RAID-like protection techniques for such huge capacity SSDs are important and essential. In this paper, we propose a massive SSD-Aware Parity Logging (mSAPL) scheme that protects against n-failures at the same time in a stripe, where n is protection strength that is specified by the user. The proposed technique allows for us to choose the strength of protection for user data. We implemented mSAPL on a trace-based simulator and evaluated it with real-world I/O workload traces. In addition, we quantitatively analyze the error rates of a flash based SSD for different RAID-like configurations with analytic models. We show that mSAPL outperforms the state-of-the-art RAID-like technique in the performance and reliability.
Complications of Teeth Affected by Molar-Incisor Malformation and Pathogenesis According to Microbiome Analysis
Authors: Lee Hyo-Seol , Kim Hee Jin , Lee Koeun , Kim Mi Sun , Nam Ok Hyung , Choi Sung-Chul
Published: December 2020

A molar-incisor malformation (MIM) is a recently reported dental anomaly that causes premature loss of the first molar with severe dentoalveolar infection. However, there has been no research on the pathogenesis yet. The aim of this study was to report the clinical process of MIMs and investigate the pathogenesis by conducting a microbiome analysis. An eight-year-old girl was diagnosed with MIM and after two years, four permanent first molars were sequentially extracted due to severe dentoalveolar infection. We recorded the patient`s clinical progress and collected oral microbiome samples from the extracted teeth with MIM and sound teeth as controls. The sites of microbiome sampling were represented by five habitats in two groups. Group (1) was the perio group: ① supragingival plaque, ② subgingival plaque, and ③ a pical abscess; and group (2) was the endo group: ④ coronal pulp chamber and ⑤ root canal. The perio group was composed predominantly of genera Streptococcus, Veilonella, and Leptotrichia. Spirochetes appeared in one sample from a severe periodontal abscess. Aggregatibacter actinomyces were not identified. In the endo groups, pulp necrosis was observed in all MIM and the genera Peptostreptococcus and Parvimonas predominated. In conclusion, MIM teeth caused localized tooth-related periodontitis with pulp necrosis rather than localized juvenile periodontitis, resulting in a poor prognosis, and timely extraction is highly recommended.
Brassica oleracea Prevents HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Damages in Mice
Authors: Kim Mi-Ryung , Kim Tae-Il , Choi Beom-Rak , Kim Moon Bong , Cho Il Je , Lee Keun-Woo , Ku Sae Kwang
Published: December 2020

Brassica oleracea var. capitata L. (cabbage) is a popular vegetable with a wide range of pharmacological activities that help to promote human health. The present study investigated the beneficial effects of B. oleracea var. capitata L. extract (BOE) on HCl/ethanol (H/E)-induced gastric damages in mice. Pre-administration of BOE (25–100 mg/kg) for 7 consecutive days significantly decreased macroscopically visible lesion on the gastric mucosa induced by H/E. In addition, results from hematoxylin and eosin-stained gastric tissue showed that BOE inhibited invaded percentage of lesion and prevented the reduction in mucosal thickness in peri-ulcerative region. BOE significantly alleviated the H/E-mediated decreases in Alcian blue binding, total hexose, sialic acid, and collagen in the gastric tissue, suggesting BOE attenuates the gastric damage via preserving the integrity of gastric mucus. Moreover, BOE significantly decreased histamine level in the plasma and reduced mRNA levels associated with secreting gastric acid. Furthermore, BOE inhibited myeloperoxidase activity and suppressed nuclear factor-κB mRNA and its dependent inflammatory genes expression induced by H/E. BOE also strengthened antioxidant enzyme activity, with a mitigating H/E-mediated increase in malondialdehyde level of the gastric tissue. Thus, these results suggest that BOE has the potential to protect the gastric tissue via inhibiting gastric acid secretion, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
Evaluation of the Potential of Agricultural Waste Recovery: Energy Densification as a Factor for Residual Biomass Logistics Optimization
Authors: Nunes Leonel J. R. , Matias João C. O. , Loureiro Liliana M. E. F. , Sá Letícia C. R. , Silva Hugo F. C. , Rodrigues Abel M. , Causer Thomas P. , DeVallance David B. , Ciolkosz Daniel E.
Published: December 2020

The use of residual forms of biomass, resulting from processes of transformation of the agri-food and/or forest industries, presents itself as an alternative with high potential for energy recovery, given the existing availability, both from the perspective of quantities, but also from the perspective of geographic distribution. In this work, samples of four by-products originating from the agri-food industry were collected, namely coconut shells, sugarcane bagasse, cashew nutshells, and palm kernel shells, which were characterized in the laboratory by determining their Thermogravimetric and Elemental analysis, subsequently calculating the High Heating Value, Low Heating Value, Hardgrove Grindability Index, Mass Yield, Energy Yield, and Energy Densification Ratio. The values obtained show the potential to optimize logistical operations related to transportation, demonstrating that energy densification operations, especially if associated with physical densification processes, enable the use of these residual forms of biomass in the replacement of fossil fuels, such as coal.
The Effects of Smoking Cigarettes on Immediate Dental Implant Stability—A Prospective Case Series Study
Authors: Wychowański Piotr , Starzyńska Anna , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara Alicja , Iwanicka-Grzegorek Ewa , Kosewski Przemysław , Adamska Paulina , Woliński Jarosław
Published: December 2020

Background: Smoking tobacco significantly affects the biology of periodontal tissues and contributes to the increased risk of peri-implant diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate whether smoking cigarettes affects the primary and secondary stability of maxillary dental implants, inserted into fresh sockets immediately after extraction. Methods: The study was conducted on 164 patients between the ages of 27–71 years old. 67 individuals smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily and 97 were non-smokers. 190 immediate implants were inserted in the maxilla. Immediate implantations were performed with simultaneous augmentation of the socket with xenogenic bone grafting material. In the posterior region, implants were inserted into the palatal alveolus. The stability of the implants was measured using Insertion Torque Value (ITV) and two types of devices: Periotest (PT) and Osstell (ISQ). Marginal bone loss was evaluated on cone beam computed tomography scans. Results: In an aesthetic area, the PT values at 6 months post-implantation were higher for smokers than non-smokers (p < 0.05), respectively. The ISQ values were significantly lower in smokers compared to non-smokers at 6 months post-implantation (p = 0.0226), respectively. In the posterior region PT values were higher in smokers both on the day of implantation (p = 0.0179), 6 months after surgery (p = 0.0003) as well as 24 months after surgery (p < 0.0001), as compared to non-smokers, respectively. Smokers revealed lower ISQ values than non-smokers (p = 0.0047) on the day of implantation, as well as 6 months after implantation (p = 0.0002), respectively. There were no significant differences in marginal bone loss after 18 months of loading between smokers and non-smokers in the aesthetic, as well as posterior regions (p > 0.05). ITV measurements were lower in smokers than non-smokers in the aesthetic (16.3 vs. 17.5 Ncm) and posterior area (16.8 vs. 17.9 Ncm). Conclusions: This study indicate that smoking cigarettes has a negative effect on the stability of immediate implants in the maxilla. Primary stability of immediate implants may be lower in the posterior area of the maxilla in smokers when compared to non-smokers, which may eliminate smokers from immediate implants in this region. Secondary stability of immediate implants may be lower in both the aesthetic and posterior areas in smokers compared to non-smokers, which may encourage the postponement of final crowns delivery at 6 months post op and the extension of the occlusaly temporary crowns use in some smoker cases.
The Impacts of Fish Oil and/or Probiotic Intervention on Low-Grade Inflammation, IGFBP-1 and MMP-8 in Pregnancy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Clinical Trial
Authors: Houttu Noora , Mokkala Kati , Koivuniemi Ella , Pellonperä Outi , Juhila Juuso , Sorsa Timo , Laitinen Kirsi
Published: December 2020

Background: We investigated the impact of fish oil and/or probiotics on serum and vaginal inflammatory and metabolic proteins and their relation to the onset of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Overweight/obese pregnant women received fish oil + placebo, probiotics + placebo, fish oil + probiotics or placebo + placebo from early pregnancy until six months postpartum (fish oil: 1.9 g docosahexaenoic acid and 0.22 g eicosapentaenoic acid; probiotics: Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420, 1010 colony-forming units each). Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and serum/vaginal (s/v) phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding-protein-1 (phIGFBP-1), IGFBP-1 and matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP-8) were analyzed. GDM was diagnosed according to 2 h 75 g OGTT. Results: The intervention had no impact on the change in proteins during pregnancy. Nevertheless, s-MMP-8 decreased and s-IGFBP-1 increased more in obese than in overweight women in the fish oil + probiotics group, while a decrease in s-MMP-8 was seen in obese women and an increase was seen in overweight women in the probiotics + placebo group. The late pregnancy s-phIGFBP-1 was higher in women who developed GDM in fish oil + probiotics-group compared to fish oil + placebo-group. The concentrations of s-phIGFBP-1 (635.9 ± 315.3 ng/mL vs. 753.2 ± 335.1 ng/mL, p = 0.005) and s-IGFBP-1 (3.78 ± 0.72 ng/mL vs. 3.96 ± 0.69 ng/mL, p = 0.042) were lower in early pregnancy in women who developed GDM than in women remaining healthy. Conclusions: The intervention per se had no impact on the proteins, but obesity and GDM may modify the effect. IGFBPs may affect the development of GDM.
The Behaviour of Fresh Concrete with Varying Coarse Aggregate Content at the Concrete-Steel Wall Interface
Authors: Rugytė Audrė , Daukšys Mindaugas , Juočiūnas Svajūnas , Borg Ruben
Published: December 2020

The interaction between concrete and steel occurs during concrete mixing and finishing processes, during filling of concrete moulds, formwork, composite columns and during pumping of concrete mixtures. More experimental investigation is required to predict variations in interface friction, as a result of the composition of the lubrication layer which depends on the composition of concrete. This study provides experimental results to allow for a better understanding of friction at concrete-steel interface, with changes in the coarse aggregate (CA) content in the aggregate mixture (AM). Friction tests on fresh concrete have been carried out using the BTRHEOM tribometer (Nantes, France) and the interface parameters were calculated on the basis of the interface friction between the concrete and the steel wall, through the ADRHEO software. The roughness parameters were measured along the length of the rotary steel cylinder of the tribometer. In addition, the roughness of new and modified metal form-lining in steel composite columns was also measured. Variations in the CA content in the AM in the 42 to 52% range had minimal effects on the yield stress of the interface. The viscous constant of the interface as measured with a tribometer decreased, when the roughness parameter Rt values of the rotary cylinder wall, which refer to the absolute vertical distance between the maximum profile peak height and the maximum profile valley depth along the sampling length, were in the 17.10 to 28.73 μm range. The roughness profile peaks’ asperity recorded, was higher for the worn metal form-lining and for the steel composite columns with the inner surface covered in rust, when compared to the rotary cylinder roughness profile. The hypothesis is based on the principle that a sufficient lubrication layer, with the required thickness of fine mortar is created at the interface between the concrete and the metal form-lining or steel composite column wall, when the CA content in the AM varies in the range from 42 to 52% and the wall roughness parameters (Rt) of these elements varies in the 15.00 to 30.00 μm range.
Stem Cells and Extrusion 3D Printing for Hyaline Cartilage Engineering
Authors: Messaoudi Océane , Henrionnet Christel , Bourge Kevin , Loeuille Damien , Gillet Pierre , Pinzano Astrid
Published: December 2020

Hyaline cartilage is deficient in self-healing properties. The early treatment of focal cartilage lesions is a public health challenge to prevent long-term degradation and the occurrence of osteoarthritis. Cartilage tissue engineering represents a promising alternative to the current insufficient surgical solutions. 3D printing is a thriving technology and offers new possibilities for personalized regenerative medicine. Extrusion-based processes permit the deposition of cell-seeded bioinks, in a layer-by-layer manner, allowing mimicry of the native zonal organization of hyaline cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source for cartilage tissue engineering. Originally isolated from bone marrow, they can now be derived from many different cell sources (e.g., synovium, dental pulp, Wharton’s jelly). Their proliferation and differentiation potential are well characterized, and they possess good chondrogenic potential, making them appropriate candidates for cartilage reconstruction. This review summarizes the different sources, origins, and densities of MSCs used in extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB) processes, as alternatives to chondrocytes. The different bioink constituents and their advantages for producing substitutes mimicking healthy hyaline cartilage is also discussed.
Direct Neuronal Reprogramming of Common Marmoset Fibroblasts by ASCL1, microRNA-9/9*, and microRNA-124 Overexpression
Authors: Nemoto Akisa , Kobayashi Reona , Yoshimatsu Sho , Sato Yuta , Kondo Takahiro , Yoo Andrew S. , Shiozawa Seiji , Okano Hideyuki
Published: December 2020

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) has attracted considerable attention, especially in the biomedical science and neuroscience research fields, because of its potential to recapitulate the complex and multidimensional phenotypes of human diseases, and several neurodegenerative transgenic models have been reported. However, there remain several issues as (i) it takes years to generate late-onset disease models, and (ii) the onset age and severity of phenotypes can vary among individuals due to differences in genetic background. In the present study, we established an efficient and rapid direct neuronal induction method (induced neurons; iNs) from embryonic and adult marmoset fibroblasts to investigate cellular-level phenotypes in the marmoset brain in vitro. We overexpressed reprogramming effectors, i.e., microRNA-9/9*, microRNA-124, and Achaete-Scute family bHLH transcription factor 1, in fibroblasts with a small molecule cocktail that facilitates neuronal induction. The resultant iNs from embryonic and adult marmoset fibroblasts showed neuronal characteristics within two weeks, including neuron-specific gene expression and spontaneous neuronal activity. As directly reprogrammed neurons have been shown to model neurodegenerative disorders, the neuronal reprogramming of marmoset fibroblasts may offer new tools for investigating neurological phenotypes associated with disease progression in non-human primate neurological disease models.
Design and Evaluation of Anthropomorphic Robotic Hand for Object Grasping and Shape Recognition
Authors: Devaraja Rahul Raj , Maskeliūnas Rytis , Damaševičius Robertas
Published: December 2020

We developed an anthropomorphic multi-finger artificial hand for a fine-scale object grasping task, sensing the grasped object’s shape. The robotic hand was created using the 3D printer and has the servo bed for stand-alone finger movement. The data containing the robotic fingers’ angular position are acquired using the Leap Motion device, and a hybrid Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier is used for object shape identification. We trained the designed robotic hand on a few monotonous convex-shaped items similar to everyday objects (ball, cylinder, and rectangular box) using supervised learning techniques. We achieve the mean accuracy of object shape recognition of 94.4%.
Usefulness of 18f-FDG PET-CT in Staging, Restaging, and Response Assessment in Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Donner Davide , Feraco Paola , Meneghello Linda , Rombi Barbara , Picori Lorena , Chierichetti Franca
Published: December 2020

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of childhood. Despite clinical advances, subsets of these patients continue to suffer high morbidity and mortality rates associated with their disease. Following the European guidelines for 18F-FDG PET and PET-CT imaging in pediatric oncology, the routine use of 18F-FDG PET-CT may be useful for patients affected by rhabdomyosarcoma, in staging, in the evaluation of response to therapy, and for restaging/detection of relapse. The European Pediatric Protocols are very old, and for staging and restaging, they recommend only radionuclide bone scan. The 18F-FDG PET-CT exam is listed as an optional investigation prescribed according to local availability and local protocols in the investigations panel required at the end of the treatment. We present two cases highlighting the usefulness of 18F-FDG PET-CT in managing pediatric patients affected by rhabdomyosarcoma, providing some bibliographic references.
Endometriosis of the Canal of Nuck: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Prodromidou Anastasia , Pandraklakis Anastasios , Rodolakis Alexandros , Thomakos Nikolaos
Published: December 2020

Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological condition defined as the presence of endometrial tissue in tissues outside the uterine cavity. Apart from the common sites of endometriosis, rare sites other have also been reported including the liver, the thoracic cavity, the muscles, nerves, and more rarely in a patent Nuck canal. We aim to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic features, and management of the Nuck endometriosis. A meticulous search of three electronic databases was performed until May 2020 for articles reporting cases of Nuck endometriosis. A total of 36 patients from 20 studies were analyzed. Median age of patients was 36 years with 33 women being of reproductive age. A right-sided lesion was identified in 30 cases (83.3%), while all patients suffer from a groin mass with cyclic pain in a proportion of 22%. All the patients finally underwent surgery for investigation of the lesion and fixation of the defect. Five cases of malignancy were detected at final pathology. All of them were alive with a median reported overall survival of 37 months. Nuck endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of female patients with groin swelling. An evaluation by a gynecologist is important when endometriosis is suspected.
Evaluating the Chemical Components and Flavor Characteristics Responsible for Triggering the Perception of “Beer Flavor” in Non-Alcoholic Beer
Authors: Lafontaine Scott , Senn Kay , Knoke Laura , Schubert Christian , Dennenlöhr Johanna , Maxminer Jörg , Cantu Annegret , Rettberg Nils , Heymann Hildegarde
Published: December 2020

Forty-two commercial non-alcoholic beer (NAB) brands were analyzed using sensory and chemical techniques to understand which analytes and/or flavors were most responsible for invoking the perception of “beer flavor” (for Northern Californian consumers). The aroma and taste profiles of the commercial NABs, a commercial soda, and a carbonated seltzer water (n = 44) were characterized using replicated descriptive and CATA analyses performed by a trained sensory panel (i.e., 11 panelists). A number of non-volatile and volatile techniques were then used to chemically deconstruct the products. Consumer analysis (i.e., 129 Northern Californian consumers) was also used to evaluate a selection of these NABs (i.e., 12) and how similar they thought the aroma, taste and mouthfeels of these products were to beer, soda, and water. The results show that certain constituents drive the aroma and taste profiles which are responsible for invoking beer perception for these North American consumers. Further, beer likeness might not be a driver of preference in this diverse beverage class for Northern Californian consumers. These are important insights for brewers planning to create products for similar markets and/or more broadly for companies interested in designing other functional/alternative food and beverage products.
The Multifaceted Role of Epoxide Hydrolases in Human Health and Disease
Authors: Gautheron Jérémie , Jéru Isabelle
Published: December 2020

Epoxide hydrolases (EHs) are key enzymes involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics and biotransformation of endogenous epoxides. They catalyze the hydrolysis of highly reactive epoxides to less reactive diols. EHs thereby orchestrate crucial signaling pathways for cell homeostasis. The EH family comprises 5 proteins and 2 candidate members, for which the corresponding genes are not yet identified. Although the first EHs were identified more than 30 years ago, the full spectrum of their substrates and associated biological functions remain partly unknown. The two best-known EHs are EPHX1 and EPHX2. Their wide expression pattern and multiple functions led to the development of specific inhibitors. This review summarizes the most important points regarding the current knowledge on this protein family and highlights the particularities of each EH. These different enzymes can be distinguished by their expression pattern, spectrum of associated substrates, sub-cellular localization, and enzymatic characteristics. We also reevaluated the pathogenicity of previously reported variants in genes that encode EHs and are involved in multiple disorders, in light of large datasets that were made available due to the broad development of next generation sequencing. Although association studies underline the pleiotropic and crucial role of EHs, no data on high-effect variants are confirmed to date.
Molecular and Metabolic Subtypes Correspondence for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Classification
Authors: Espiau-Romera Pilar , Courtois Sarah , Parejo-Alonso Beatriz , Sancho Patricia
Published: December 2020

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, is an extremely lethal disease due to late diagnosis, aggressiveness and lack of effective therapies. Considering its intrinsic heterogeneity, patient stratification models based on transcriptomic and genomic signatures, with partially overlapping subgroups, have been established. Besides molecular alterations, PDAC tumours show a strong desmoplastic response, resulting in profound metabolic reprogramming involving increased glucose and amino acid consumption, as well as lipid scavenging and biosynthesis. Interestingly, recent works have also revealed the existence of metabolic subtypes with differential prognosis within PDAC, which correlated to defined molecular subclasses in patients: lipogenic subtype correlated with a classical/progenitor signature, while glycolytic tumours associated with the highly aggressive basal/squamous profile. Bioinformatic analyses have demonstrated that the representative genes of each metabolic subtype are up-regulated in PDAC samples and predict patient survival. This suggests a relationship between the genetic signature, metabolic profile, and aggressiveness of the tumour. Considering all this, defining metabolic subtypes represents a clear opportunity for patient stratification considering tumour functional behaviour independently of their mutational background.
Effects of Prone Ventilation on Oxygenation, Inflammation, and Lung Infiltrates in COVID-19 Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Khullar Rohit , Shah Shrey , Singh Gagandeep , Bae Joseph , Gattu Rishabh , Jain Shubham , Green Jeremy , Anandarangam Thiruvengadam , Cohen Marc , Madan Nikhil , Prasanna Prateek
Published: December 2020

Patients receiving mechanical ventilation for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related, moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) have mortality rates between 76–98%. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to identify differences in prone ventilation effects on oxygenation, pulmonary infiltrates (as observed on chest X-ray (CXR)), and systemic inflammation in CARDS patients by survivorship and to identify baseline characteristics associated with survival after prone ventilation. The study cohort included 23 patients with moderate-to-severe CARDS who received prone ventilation for ≥16 h/day and was segmented by living status: living (n = 6) and deceased (n = 17). Immediately after prone ventilation, PaO2/FiO2 improved by 108% (p < 0.03) for the living and 150% (p < 3 × 10−4) for the deceased. However, the 48 h change in lung infiltrate severity in gravity-dependent lung zones was significantly better for the living than for the deceased (p < 0.02). In CXRs of the lower lungs before prone ventilation, we observed 5 patients with confluent infiltrates bilaterally, 12 patients with ground-glass opacities (GGOs) bilaterally, and 6 patients with mixed infiltrate patterns; 80% of patients with confluent infiltrates were alive vs. 8% of patients with GGOs. In conclusion, our small study indicates that CXRs may offer clinical utility in selecting patients with moderate-to-severe CARDS who will benefit from prone ventilation. Additionally, our study suggests that lung infiltrate severity may be a better indicator of patient disposition after prone ventilation than PaO2/FiO2.
Reduced Kidney Function and Relative Hypocalciuria—Observational, Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Data
Authors: Cirillo Massimo , Bilancio Giancarlo , Cavallo Pierpaolo , Giordano Francesco , Iesce Gennaro , Costanzo Simona , De Curtis Amalia , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Iacoviello Licia
Published: December 2020

This observational, cross-sectional, epidemiological analysis investigated relationships of kidney function to urine calcium and other variables. The analyses targeted two population-based samples of adults (Gubbio study and Moli-sani study: n = 3508 and 955, respectively). Kidney function was assessed as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Calcium/creatinine ratio (Ca/Cr) was used as index of urinary calcium in timed overnight urine under fed condition (Gubbio study), morning urine after overnight fast (Gubbio study), and first-void morning urine (Moli-sani study). Moli-sani study included also data for glomerular filtered calcium load, tubular calcium handling, and serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcium, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D. eGFR positively and independently related to Ca/Cr (p < 0.001). In multivariate analyses, eGFR lower by 10 mL/min × 1.73 m2 related to overnight urine Ca/Cr lower by 14.0 mg/g in men and 17.8 mg/g in women, to morning urine Ca/Cr lower by 9.3 mg/g in men and 11.2 mg/g in women, and to first-void urine Ca/Cr lower by 7.7 mg/g in men and 9.6 mg/g in women (p < 0.001). eGFR independently related to glomerular filtered calcium load (p < 0.001) and did not relate to tubular calcium handling (p ≥ 0.35). In reduced eGFR only (<90 mL/min × 1.73 m2), low urine Ca/Cr independently related to low serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (p = 0.002) and did not relate to hyperphosphatemia, high serum parathyroid hormone, or hypocalcemia (p ≥ 0.14). Population-based data indicated consistent associations of lower kidney function with lower urine calcium due to reduction in glomerular filtered calcium. In reduced kidney function, relative hypocalciuria associated with higher prevalence of low serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.
Metabolomics for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Uterine Diseases? A Systematic Review
Authors: Tokarz Janina , Adamski Jerzy , Rižner Tea Lanišnik
Published: December 2020

This systematic review analyses the contribution of metabolomics to the identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for uterine diseases. These diseases are diagnosed invasively, which entails delayed treatment and a worse clinical outcome. New options for diagnosis and prognosis are needed. PubMed, OVID, and Scopus were searched for research papers on metabolomics in physiological fluids and tissues from patients with uterine diseases. The search identified 484 records. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 44 studies were included into the review. Relevant data were extracted following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) checklist and quality was assessed using the QUADOMICS tool. The selected metabolomics studies analysed plasma, serum, urine, peritoneal, endometrial, and cervico-vaginal fluid, ectopic/eutopic endometrium, and cervical tissue. In endometriosis, diagnostic models discriminated patients from healthy and infertile controls. In cervical cancer, diagnostic algorithms discriminated patients from controls, patients with good/bad prognosis, and with/without response to chemotherapy. In endometrial cancer, several models stratified patients from controls and recurrent from non-recurrent patients. Metabolomics is valuable for constructing diagnostic models. However, the majority of studies were in the discovery phase and require additional research to select reliable biomarkers for validation and translation into clinical practice. This review identifies bottlenecks that currently prevent the translation of these findings into clinical practice.
Polyethylene Oxide Hydrogels Crosslinked by Peroxide for the Controlled Release of Proteins
Authors: Papagiannopoulos Aristeidis , Vlassi Eleni , Pispas Stergios , Tsitsilianis Constantinos , Radulescu Aurel
Published: December 2020

Crosslinking of polyethylene oxide (PEO) using a peroxide in the melt is employed to synthesize soft hydrogels with the ability of controlled release of proteins. The viscoelastic properties of the swollen networks confirm the elastic nature of the synthesized material and they are in agreement with swelling characteristics. The hydrogels have mesh sizes at the nm scale as it is estimated by swelling measurements and measured by small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Diffusion of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYZ) out of the hydrogels is restricted by the presence of the network. The diffusion coefficient in the hydrogels is lower for BSA in comparison to LYZ, while in both cases it drops as the mesh size of the network becomes smaller. This study introduces the use of peroxide-crosslinked PEO networks in the investigation of protein transport within hydrogels, the development of hydrogel-based protein delivery patches and polymeric constructs.
Validation of a Novel Commercial ELISA Test for the Detection of Antibodies against Coxiella burnetii
Authors: Ledda Salvatore , Santucciu Cinzia , Chisu Valentina , Masala Giovanna
Published: December 2020

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, a Gram-negative pathogen with a complex life cycle and a high impact on public and animal health all over the world. The symptoms are indistinguishable from those belonging to other diseases, and the disease could be symptomless. For these reasons, reliable laboratory tests are essential for an accurate diagnosis. The aim of this study was to validate a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, named the Chorus Q Fever Phase II IgG and IgM Kit (DIESSE, Diagnostica Senese S.p.A), which is performed by an instrument named Chorus, a new device in medical diagnostics. This diagnostic test is employed for the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii Phase II antigens in acute disease. Our validation protocol was performed according to the Italian Accreditation Body (ACCREDIA) (Regulation UNI CEI EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 and 17043:2010), OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), and Statement for Reporting Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD). Operator performance was evaluated along with the analytical specificity and sensitivity (ASp and ASe) and diagnostic accuracy of the kit, with parameters such as diagnostic specificity and sensitivity (DSp and DSe) and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), in addition to the repeatability. According to the evaluated parameters, the diagnostic ELISA test was shown to be suitable for validation and commercialization as a screening method in human sera and a valid support for clinical diagnostics.
Analysis of Risk Factors for African Swine Fever in Lombardy to Identify Pig Holdings and Areas Most at Risk of Introduction in Order to Plan Preventive Measures
Authors: Bellini Silvia , Scaburri Alessandra , Tironi Marco , Calò Stefania
Published: December 2020

In 2019, the area of the European Union (EU) affected by African swine fever (ASF) expanded progressively in a southwestern direction from Baltic and eastern countries. The disease can severely affect and disrupt regional and international trade of pigs and pork products with serious socioeconomic damages to the pig industry. Lombardy is one of the most important European pig producers and the introduction of ASF into the pig population could adversely affect the entire sector. A study was carried out to identify the farms and territories in the region most at risk of ASF introduction to plan preventive measures. The pig holdings were identified through a descriptive analysis of pig movements and Social Network Analysis (SNA), while, for the identification of the most exposed municipalities, an assessment of risk factors was carried out using the ranking of summed scores attributed to the Z-score. From the analysis, it was found that 109 municipalities and 297 pig holdings of the region were potentially more at risk, and these holdings were selected for target surveillance. This information was provided to veterinary authority to target surveillance in pig farms, in order to early detect a possible incursion of ASF and prevent its spread.
Differential Regulation of Drought Responses in Two Phaseolus vulgaris Genotypes
Authors: López Cristina María , Pineda Manuel , Alamillo Josefa M.
Published: December 2020

Drought is probably the most harmful stress affecting common bean crops. Domestication, worldwide spread and local farming practices has entailed the development of a wide variety of common bean genotypes with different degrees of resistance to water stress. In this work, physiological and molecular responses to water stress have been compared in two common bean accessions, PHA-0683 and PMB-0220, previously identified as highly and moderately resistant to water stress, respectively. Our hypothesis was that only quantitative differences in the expression patterns of key genes should be found if molecular mechanisms regulating drought resistance are similar in the two accessions. However, results presented here indicate that the resistance to drought in PMB-0220 and PHA-0683 common bean accessions is regulated by different molecular mechanisms. Differential regulation of ABA synthesis and ABA signaling related genes among the two genotypes, and the control of the drought-induced senescence have a relevant contribution to the higher resistance level of PHA-0683 accession. Our results also suggest that expression patterns of key senescence-related transcription factors could be considered in the screening for drought resistance in common bean germplasm collections.
Com Um Toque de Criação: a mediação pedagógica na formação de leitores e escritores na Educação de Jovens e Adultos
Authors: Viella Maria Dos Anjos Lopes , Spessatto Marizete Bortolanza
Published: December 2020

Este texto trata da mediação do professor em experiências de formação de leitores e escritores na Educação de Jovens e Adultos. As atividades relatadas foram desenvolvidas com turmas do Programa Nacional de Integração da Educação Profissional Técnica de Nível Médio na modalidade de Jovens e Adultos – PROEJA. A partir desse trabalho, foi possível a organização de cinco livros, dois deles publicados pelo IFSC e os demais produzidos artesanalmente. Ao longo deste texto, são submetidas à análise quatro produções relacionadas a essa experiência. Elas se constituem em exemplares vivos de alternativas didáticas que podem ser colocadas em prática por outros docentes e estudantes que têm histórias para ler e para contar, contanto que sejam abertas possibilidades para tal, o que é um papel, mesmo que tardio, da Educação de Jovens e Adultos.
The Narcissistic Rage in Making of a Psychopath: A Psychological Inquiry of Anita Nair’s Cut Like Wound
Authors: Krishna Yadu R , Ashitha Varghese M
Published: December 2020

Crime fictions are always celebrated in literature and among which psychopaths are the major interest of the crowd. Deeply analysing these characters of psychopaths one can find various psychological reasons behind them and this paper is intended to analyse one reasonbehind the psychopathic behaviour. The researcher has selected the character of Chikka from Anita Nair’s Cut like Wound.The objective of this paper is to analyse and understand the narcissism in the psychopath and then to identify the role narcissistic rage has played in the making of the psychopath. The researcher follows a step wise analysis of identifying the characters of a narcissist in the psychopath and then identifying the traces of narcissistic rage in the life of the psychopath which brings out the psychopath in him. The researcher has done a psychological reading of the text to understand these characteristics features of the psychopath.
Comunicación para la salud y pandemia. Modelos y analogías en la COVID-19 desde dos perspectivas en México
Authors: Ramírez Beltrán Rafael Tonatiuh
Published: December 2020

El propósito es aproximarnos a la comunicación oficial y al de la sociedad civil en la pandemia de COVID-19 en México, situándolo como otro síntoma de crisis ambiental y sanitaria. Es relevante el trabajo al utilizar herramientas de comunicación ambiental y para la salud, dar seguimiento a investigaciones de comunicación para el desarrollo, la salud y el ambiente tratando de integrarlas interdisciplinariamente. Se recuperan elementos contextuales que posibilitan estudiar las pandemias y detenernos en la del 2020. Teóricamente se toman las generaciones de modelos de salud que contrastamos con las metáforas de la pandemia, la forma comunicativa de la información oficial durante 120 días y la recuperación de algunas narrativas que publicó la prensa nacional. El eje central es trabajar con diferentes núcleos de la comunicación como son: la gubernamental, la social, ambiental y de salud. Uno de los principales hallazgos es que la comunicación oficial de los meses iniciales, respaldada con algunas políticas públicas, contuvieron el crecimiento acelerado del contagio masivo, pero fueron insuficientes según el relato de la gente.
ASSOCIATION OF PREGESTATIONAL BMI AND ANTENATAL WEIGHT GAIN WITH PREGNANCY OUTCOME
Authors: Kumari Madhu , Bibha Kumari , Sinha Abha , Jana Debarshi
Published: December 2020

Objectives: A prospective observational study to analyze whether optimal weight gain in pregnancy with respect to pregestational body mass index (BMI) can influence pregnancy outcome.
Materials and Methods: The study was done in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital, Muzaffarpur, Bihar over a period of one year. Two hundred early booked (before 10 weeks) singleton pregnant women were involved. According to pregestational BMI, and total antenatal weight gain all women were categorized into groups and the pregnancy outcome was compared in different groups. All the data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test for categorical variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for continuous variables using the SPSS version16.
Results: Analysis shows antenatal weight gain has a statistically significant (P < 0.001) relation with pregestational BMI with a significant increase in antenatal complications and caesarean section associated with obesity but not with the total antenatal weight gain. However the birth weight of the baby has a significant relation with total antenatal weight gain.
Conclusion: Our study concluded that most of the Indian women do not have weight gain as per Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendation, with increased risk of medical and surgical complications in obese group of women.
ROLE OF TRIPLE VESSEL DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN PREDICTION OF PERINATAL OUTCOME IN HIGH RISK PREGNANCY
Authors: R Manasa , Priyanka Priyanka
Published: December 2020

Background and Objectives:
To evaluate the role of Doppler ultrasonography in predicting the perinatal outcome in high-risk pregnancy and to establish its role in management of high-risk pregnancy.
Materials and Methods:
The present study is a prospective study of Doppler ultrasound evaluation of uterine artery, umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery in 100 high-risk pregnant women, performed between 28 and 34 weeks of gestation. Doppler index Pulsatility index (PI) for each above mentioned artery and cerebro-placental ratio (CPR) will be calculated. Doppler Pulsatility index for the corresponding gestational age were compared with the reference values. The results of the Doppler ultrasound and AFI will be used for analysis of mode of delivery and perinatal outcome in the form of birth weight, APGAR score, NICU admission, perinatal mortality.
Results:
Among newborns 46(46%) were admitted to NICU, 64(64%) of neonates had birth weight less than 2.5kg, there were 17 perinatal deaths. Of the 17 perinatal deaths, 2 cases had reverse end diastolic Flow (REDF) and 12 had absent end diastolic Flow (AEDF).
Uterine artery PI was most sensitive(72.3%) than Umbilical artery PI(sensitivity 59.6%) and MCA PI(sensitivity 68.1%).
Diagnostic accuracy of Cerebroplacental ratio (accuracy71%) was better than Umbilical artery PI (accuracy 65%) and MCA PI(accuracy 70%) in predicting adverse outcomes.
Conclusion:
Triple vessel colour Doppler sonography is very useful in high-risk pregnancy diagnosis and in predicting perinatal outcome.
Политическая культура современной России
Authors: Филатова Анна Сергеевна , Матвеева Елена Викторовна
Published: December 2020

В статье рассматриваются теоретические аспекты политической культуры, уделяется внимание понятию и западным классическим типологиям политической культуры. Представлены особенности современной российской политической культуры, а также ключевые факторы ее формирования.
Antipatros of Derbe, Akmoneia and Rome in a Notebook of William Mitchell Ramsay
Authors: CHIN Marcus , LAZAR Leah
Published: December 2020

This article presents new readings in a late Hellenistic honorific inscription found at Uşak, recorded by William Mitchell Ramsay in 1914. The inscription, erected by an unidentified Phrygian community, honours Antipatros of Derbe, a Lycaonian dynast known from passages in Cicero and Strabo. After presenting a revised text and translation, the authors discuss the unpublished rea-dings and explore the historical significance of this fragmentary and enigmatic inscription. They build on previous discussions of Antipatros’ role as a supra-civic intermediary between Asia Minor and Rome but also explore what this text, somewhat unusual in its first century B.C. context for its honouring of a foreign individual, can tell about the development of civic culture in Phrygia in the late Hellenistic period.
Der Gutsbesitzer Ligys im phrygisch-pisidischen Grenzgebiet
Authors: CORSTEN Thomas
Published: December 2020

The author identifies the landowner Ligys in an inscription from Sazak near Yeşilova with his namesake, who erected a dedication to Poseidon in the village of Çaltepe, not far from Sazak. An overview of private and imperial estates in the region shows that Ligys’s land laid between several large domains, characteristic of the Phrygian-Pisidian borderland. However, a possible belonging of his land to a city cannot be proven since the region’s historical geography is poorly known. The dedication to Poseidon, in comparison to similar inscriptions from the surroundings, points out the importance of the god for the fertility of the soil.
Coins Found on Aedilicus Hill of Pisidian Antioch
Authors: SANCAKTAR Hacer
Published: December 2020

Pisidia Antiokheia’sı, Isparta İli Yalvaç ilçesinin yaklaşık 1 km kuzeydoğusunda ve Sultan Dağları’nın güney yamaçlarında batı bakışımlı yedi tepeden oluşan alanda kurulmuştur. Yazar Antiokheia kentinde 2015–2016 ve 2019 yıllarında Aedilicus Tepesi’nde kilise ve postamentlerdeki kazılarda ele geçen toplam 62 adet sikkeyi incelemektedir. Hem bu kazıların hem de kentteki diğer yapıların sikke buluntuları arasında Bizans Dönemi çok yoğun bir şekilde temsil edilirken, İslami sikke yok denecek kadar azdır. Kilisede ve postamentlerde ele geçen buluntular içerisinde en erken sikkeler MS II., IV.–V. yüzyıla aitken, en geç sikkeler ise 1092 tarihlidir. Sikkeler ve diğer buluntular yapının farklı dönemlerde onarımlar geçirerek MS 12. yüzyıla kadar kullanılmış olduğunu düşündürmektedir.
Sikkeler, sakinlerinin yanı sıra kentteki ekonomik ve siyasal hareketlilik konusunda da fikir vermektedir. Çalışma öncelikle Aedilicus Tepesi’ndeki kazılarda ele geçen sikkeleri dönemsel olarak değerlendirmekte ve ardından bir katalogla son bulmaktadır.
Erratum: TRAF4 Regulates Migration, Invasion, and Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition via PI3K/AKT Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Kairui , Wu Xiaolin , Zang Xian , Huang Zejian , Lin Zeyu , Tan Wenliang , Wu Xiang , Hu Wenrou , Li Baoqi , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2020

Overexpression of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) has been detected in many cancer types and is considered to foster tumor progression. However, the role of TRAF4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. In this study, we found that TRAF4 was
highly expressed in HCC cell lines and HCC tissues compared with normal liver cell lines and adjacent noncancerous tissues. TRAF4 overexpression in HCC tissues was correlated with tumor quantity and vascular invasion. In vitro studies showed that TRAF4 was associated with HCC cell migration
and invasion. An in vivo study verified that TRAF4 overexpression facilitated metastasis in nude mice. In addition, overexpressed TRAF4 promoted the phosphorylation of Akt and induced Slug overexpression, leading to downregulated E-cadherin and upregulated vimentin, while silencing TRAF4 moderated
the phosphorylation of Akt and repressed the expression of Slug, which resulted in upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated vimentin. These effects were inversed after pretreatment of the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 or overexpression of constitutively active Akt1. Our study demonstrated that
TRAF4 was involved in promoting HCC cell migration and invasion. The process was induced by the EMT through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.