bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Norms-Shifting for Digital and Online Arts Practice: Copyright and Fair Use in the Visual Arts Community
Authors: Aufderheide Patricia , Sinnreich Aram , Silvernail Carolyn
Published: December 2019

This study tracks changes in behavior and attitude among visual arts professionals after the development of a code of best practices in the copyright doctrine of fair use. A survey of 2,400 professionals fielded only months after its publication demonstrated broad awareness of the code, informing practice and inspiring efforts to spread awareness. The greatest degree of awareness and change was among editors, several of whose publications altered their copyright policies. Professional and social networks were critical to spreading awareness. Despite a continuing lack of confidence in interpreting the law among individual professionals, the existence of a code contributed to significant change in norms and practices via institutional adoption. This study demonstrates that codes of best practices can affect field behavior, but that change depends on publicity, formal education, continuing support for early adopters, and institutional policy changes.
Attitudes Towards Exogenous and Endogenous Uses of English: Ugandan’s Judgements of English Structures in Varieties of English
Authors: Meierkord Christiane
Published: December 2019

Uganda is a former British protectorate, where English has contributed to the country’s linguistic ecology since 1894, when the British established a protectorate over the area of the Buganda kingdom. Over time, Ugandan English has developed as a nativised second language variety, spoken by Uganda’s indigenous population. At the same time, due to migrations, globalisation and the influence of international media and the Internet, its speakers have increasingly been in contact with varieties other than British English: American English, Indian English, Kenyan English, and Nigerian English may all influence Ugandan English. This paper looks at how Ugandan English can be conceptualised as a variety shaped by other varieties. It reports on the results of acceptability tests carried out with 184 informants in the North, the Central and the West of Uganda and discusses how speakers assess individual grammatical structures used in Ugandan English and in those varieties they are potentially in contact with.
Tocochromanols and fatty acid composition in flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) accessions
Authors: Trela Agnieszka , Silska Grażyna , Chyc Marek , Latowski Dariusz , Kruk Jerzy , Szymańska Renata
Published: December 2019

Flax, Linum usitatissimum, cultivars are grown throughout the world. Flax oil is a dietary source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, as well as phospholipids, sterols, and phenolic acids. Linseed plays a pivotal role in protecting cells from oxidative damage associated diseases, i.e., atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and inflammation. In this study, two groups of L. usitatissimum seeds were used to evaluate and compare the content and composition of tocochromanols (vitamin E) and fatty acids. Group I included accessions originating from Poland and the Ukraine, while Group II encompassed worldwide flax cultivars (such as from the United States, Argentina, and Italy). A comparison of the tocochromanol profiles showed a higher content in Group I, although there were no significant differences in tocopherol content and composition between the genotypes within this group. All accessions in Groups I and II contained γ-tocotrienol and plastochromanol-8, which confirms the high nutritional value of flaxseeds. The composition of fatty acids varied depending on the varieties, with linolenic acid showing the greatest discrepancy. Based on the tocochromanol content and fatty acid composition, we conducted a principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis, which revealed a greater similarity among the accessions in Group I. An analysis of the tocochromanol and fatty acid composition of flaxseeds is important from an agronomic and medicinal perspective and can be used to select the most appropriate flax cultivar.
Ginsenoside and phenolic compounds in hydromethanolic extracts of American ginseng cell cultures and their antioxidant properties
Authors: Kochan Ewa , Szymańska Grażyna , Grzegorczy-Karolak Izabela , Szymczyk Piotr , Sienkiewicz Monika
Published: December 2019

The present study was performed to investigate the antioxidant properties of callus and suspension culture extracts of Panax quinquefolium (American ginseng). The ginsenoside content and the total phenolic content (TPC) in these cultures were also examined. The total amount of the nine studied saponins was found to be 2.08, 1.69, and 0.202 mg g−1 dry weight in red callus line (RCL), green callus line (GCL), and suspension cultures, respectively, by HPLC analysis. The TPC was estimated using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The TPC of the suspension culture extracts was approximately 36.7% and 17.6% higher than that of the RCL and GCL, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated using the in vitro ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)] and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays; the methanolic P. quinquefolium suspension culture extracts demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity than that of the callus cultures.
Impact of Technologies on Employee Development and on the Process of Human Resource Management in Enterprise
Authors: Nowastowska Małgorzata , Stroińska Ewa
Published: December 2019

The impact of new technologies on the work system is reflected not only in the process
of perceiving an employee as a resource that requires improvement, but also on the
whole process of human resources management. The modern employee increasingly often
not only undertakes remote work, but in the process of its execution, strives to develop
and expand skills and knowledge conducive to the performance of professional activities.
The way it functions in the workspace changes, as well as the system managed by
a modern employee. This article addresses issues related to the impact of technology on
employee development in the aspect of the possibility of improving their competencies
and skills, using information and communication technologies. The popularization of the
trend towards the electronic system of human resources management in the enterprise
will also be described in the context of improvement of employee’s professional activities.
The Impact of Performance Review Practices on Continuous Improvement in Kaizen Requirements in Services
Authors: Ulrych Wojciech
Published: December 2019

The aim of the article is to present the literature and empirical premises of the impact of performance review practices on continuous improvements requirements kaizen in selected departments providing services. The author’s own research was conducted on a purposefully selected group of 143 service departments of various organizations that declared the implementation of the aforementioned solutions. Based on the structural equations modeling a theoretical model and variable constructs were developed. The hypotheses put forward are a reflection of the theoretical model. The results indicate that there is no set of consistent, mutually supportive performance review practices. However, there are single practices in this regard that affect the implementation of kaizen. With the continuous acquisition of lean experience in the studied departments the impact of these practices keeps on strengthening.
Multigenerational Management – Building Relationships in a Diverse Team in Terms of Age
Authors: Gruszczyńska-Malec Grażyna , Waligóra Łucja
Published: December 2019

The labor market has evolved in recent years. Not only are the style of work and the requirements for employees changing, but also are children, generation X and generation of children and young people as well as the opportunity to work in other professions, the possibility of a different approach to work at work. Employee involvement in work is treated as a contribution to activities that are carried out on a voluntary basis. This article has made recordings for other employees and made them characterize for generations. The overall objective of the article was to define work with employees from different generations.
Frequency of various craniofacial clefts observed in a single center during a period of 34 years
Authors: Fijałkowska Marta , Antoszewski Bogusław
Published: December 2019

Background. Orofacial clefts are the most common congenital anomalies of the head and neck. The aim of this paper is to present own group of patients with different types of isolated orofacial clefts.
Material and method. A retrospective study presenting patients with different facial clefts was carried out in the group of 473 patients born in the city of Lodz.
Results. In the whole group there were: 434 patients with cleft lip and/or palate, 28 with nose clefts and 11 with rare facial clefts classified according to Tessier categorization.
Conclusion. In our group, the majority of cases comprised of typical cleft lip and/or palate. Nose clefts are not always a part of craniofacial clefts, but isolated nose clefts can occur and can be observed as midline defects or ala nasi anomaly. A simple system may be adequate for surgical repair, with the more detailed classification schemes important for further understanding of the disease.
MSSB to Prevent Cable Termination Faults for Long High Voltage Underground Cable Lines
Authors: Akbal Bahadir
Published: December 2019

Cable termination fault is one of the most important problems for high voltage underground cable lines (HVUCL). Harmonic current (HC) and the sheath current (SC) are causes of cable termination faults of HVUCL. The sheath voltage (SV) of cable increases due to SC and HC also. So, the electroshock risk for human occurs. In this study, cable termination faults are examined for long HVUCL that is connected to electric network with high harmonic distortion rate. In literature, solid bonding (SB) and sectional solid bonding (SSB) methods are used to reduce harmonic distortion rate and SC effect in HVUCL. However, when SB and SSB methods are used for bonding of long HVUCL, harmonic distortion limit and touch voltage limit are exceeded. Therefore, the modified SSB (MSSB) method is developed for bonding of long HVUCL. SV of HVUCL should be known to use MSSB for bonding of long HVUCL. Then SV of HVUCL is forecasted by using artificial neural network and hybrid artificial neural networks (HANN) before the long HVUCL is installed. MSSB parameters should be optimized, so that optimization methods are used for optimization of MSSB and HANN. When MSSB method is used for bonding of long HVUCL, harmonic distortion limit and touch voltage limit are not exceeded under high harmonic distortion conditions.
A Hardware Approach of a Low-Power IoT Communication Interface by NXP FlexIO Module
Authors: Chrastecky Libor , Konecny Jaromir , Stankus Martin , Prauzek Michal
Published: December 2019

This article describes implementation possibilities of specialized microcontroller peripherals, as hardware solution for Internet of Things (IoT) low-power communication, interfaces. In this contribution, authors use the NXP FlexIO periphery. Meanwhile, RFC1662 is used as a reference communication standard. Implementation of RFC1662 is performed by software and hardware approaches. The total power consumption is measured during experiments. In the result section, authors evaluate a time-consumption trade-off between the software approach running in Central Processing Unit (CPU) and hardware implementation using NXP FlexIO periphery. The results confirm that the hardware-based approach is effective in terms of power consumption. This method is applicable in IoT embedded devices.
Die Grenzen der Demokratie
Authors: Falter Matthias
Published: December 2019

Political reactions to right-wing extremism are a seismograph for a society’s democratic culture. A glance at Austria suggests that far-right politics is not limited to the so-called fringe but can actually be found at the centre of society. Therefore, the debate over that issue does not only imply the setting of outward boundaries, but it also includes the struggle for the democratic and, by extension, its normative foundations. This book examines parliamentary debates on right-wing extremism and far-right politics in the Austrian National Council during the period 1999 to 2013. Matthias Falter reconstructs four main argumentative frames and analyses their specific effects on the contestation of far-right ideology and politics.
Collage digital y TICs, nuevas herramientas para la Historia y Teoría de la Arquitectura
Authors: García Rubio Rubén , Cornaro Annarita
Published: December 2019

Este texto tiene la intención de describir la parte práctica de la experiencia docente en los cursos de Historia y Teoría de la Arquitectura, donde los estudiantes usan paquetes de software y aplicaciones de dispositivos móviles para dar una respuesta los conceptos arquitectónicos a través de capricci o collages digitales. Para ello se les pide que produzcan sus propios collages creando una composición digital de espacios simulados que se pueden obtener combinando fragmentos de edificios conocidos o componiendo formas más abstractas, con el objetivo de expresar un concepto detrás de un arquitecto, un estilo o un movimiento. De esta forma, la experiencia sigue la teoría de Walter Benjamin del "arte en la era de la reproducción mecánica" trasladando al mundo arquitectónico el concepto de ser un simulacro de la fuente original.

The paper intends to describe the practical part of the teaching experience in History and Theory of Architecture courses, where students use software packages and mobile devices apps in order to give a response to architectural concepts through digital capricci o collage. They are requested to produce their own collages creating a digital composition of simulated spaces that can be obtained by combining fragments of renowned buildings or composing together more abstract forms, with the aim of express a concept behind an architect, a style or a movement. The experiment follows the theory by Walter Benjamin of the “art in the age of mechanical reproduction” bringing architecture to the same concept of being a simulacrum of the original source.
Matrioska docente: un experimento pedagógico en MACA ETSAM
Authors: Coca Leicher José de , Mallo Zurdo María , Ruíz Plaza Ángela
Published: December 2019

Matrioska docente recoge la experiencia pedagógica de la asignatura: “Proyecto Docente” del Máster de Comunicación Arquitectónica (MACA) como formación especializada del Doctorado en Comunicación Arquitectónica de la ETSAM-UPM. El objetivo principal de la asignatura es “enseñar a enseñar”, como parte del aprendizaje de la comunicación arquitectónica. Es una asignatura de 45 créditos, que se desarrolla de forma intensiva en dos semanas consecutivas. Tras las tres primeras ediciones de esta asignatura: Matrioska (16-17), Madrid Héroes y Villanos (17-18) y Mestizo Madrid (18-19), analizamos los aciertos y desaciertos de un experimento pedagógico innovador, que trata de dar herramientas para la docencia a través del empoderamiento, el autoaprendizaje y autoconocimiento de lxs alumnxs para que puedan potenciar sus capacidades para abordar nuevos retos en la enseñanza práctica en tiempo real a otros alumnos (aprender haciendo), invirtiendo los roles y eliminando jerarquías.

Educational Matrioska collects the pedagogical experience of the subject: "Academic Project" of the Master's Degree in Architectural Communication (MACA) as specialized training of the Doctorate in Architectural Communication of the ETSAM-UPM. The main objective of the subject is "how to teach to teach", as part of the learning of architectural communication. It is a 45-credit subject, which develops intensively in two consecutive weeks. After the first three editions of this subject: Matrioska (16-17), Madrid Heroes and Vilains (17-18) and Mestizo Madrid (18-19), we analyze the successes and mistakes of an innovative pedagogical experiment, which tries to give tools for teaching through empowerment, self-learning and self-knowledge of students so that they can enhance their abilities to address new challenges in real-time practical teaching to other students (learn by doing), reversing roles and eliminating hierarchies.
Hybrid actions into the landscape: in between art and architecture
Authors: Lapayese Luque Concha , Arques Soler Francisco , De la O Rodrigo Manuel
Published: December 2019

The teaching research project “HYBRID ACTIONS INTO THE LANDSCAPE: IN BETWEEN ART AND ARCHITECTURE” is integrated within the interdisciplinary research framework of the “Cultural Landscape Research Group”, GIPC, Based in the Superior Technical School of Architecture (Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura) of the Technical University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid). The AH project is an Experimental Workshop DPA-ETSAM at fourth year and operate as a training process for the regular’s students of Architecture, part of them Erasmus and international students, to obtain a sensibility within the contemporary landscape trough Actions on Art. From these premises, the teaching research project aims at revealing landscapes within the European framework of “Contemporary Cultural Landscape”. The present work synthesizes the research developed through the last courses, showing the evolution and the main targets of AH Lab, inside DPA and GIPC since 2006. JIDA2019 will focus into the open teaching process so we would like to share our researches and produce a critic discussion on it.
Boletín Proyecta: herramienta, archivo y registro docente
Authors: Domingo Santos Juan , García Píriz Tomás , Moreno Álvarez Carmen
Published: December 2019

El texto tiene por objetivo ahondar en el papel activo que la edición puede ocupar en la comunicación, divulgación y registro de la actividad docente a través de un caso concreto: el Boletín Proyecta, publicación editada desde 2015 por los profesores del Área de Proyectos Arquitectónicos de la Escuela de Arquitectura de Granada. La intención de este Boletín es establecer nuevos lazos de comunicación e intercambio entre el cuerpo docente y el alumnado a partir de una publicación novedosa, con un formato ágil de edición libre, mediante textos, fotografías, dibujos, recortables, collages o postérs, como parte del contenido didáctico que ofrece. El Boletín Proyecta presenta como novedad una vinculación de la docencia con el edificio de la Escuela proyectado por el arquitecto Víctor López Cotelo, que se convierte en continua referencia en sus páginas como soporte e hilo conductor.

This text aims to delve into the active role that the edition can assume in the communication, dissemination and registration of teaching activity through a specific case: the Proyecta Bulletin, a publication published since 2015 by the members professors of Architectural Projects Area from the Granada School of Architecture. The intention of this Bulletin is to establish new communication and exchange links between the teaching staff and the student body making use of a novel publication, with a free edition and quick format, through texts, photographs, drawings, cutouts, collages or posters, as part of the didactic content it offers. The Proyecta Bulletin presents as a novelty the entailment between the teaching and the school building itself designed by the architect Víctor López Cotelo, which becomes a continuous reference in its pages as support and thread.
Arquitectura y conflicto en Ahmedabad, India. Docencia más allá de los cuerpos normados
Authors: Cano Ciborro Víctor
Published: December 2019

Esta comunicación visibiliza un método docente desarrollado en CEPT University (Ahmedabad, India), durante 16 semanas, en la que nuestro equipo docente, y quince alumnos indios, analizaron, testaron y propusieron soluciones en un territorio –Bhadra Fort Precincts- cuyo conflicto radica en la imposición de formas espaciales impropias del contexto. El rechazo a dichas imposiciones –arquitecturas y programas normados- crea múltiples espacialidades no reconocidas –arquitecturas rebeldes- protagonizadas por cuerpos subalternos. Estos habitantes, alejados de la norma, reivindican sus identidades mediante dichas construcciones singulares, que cercanas a la supervivencia y/o el crimen, son rechazadas e invisibilizadas por los diseñadores e instituciones competentes. En la primera parte, se explicará el programa docente “Rebel Bodies Rebel Cities” cuyo objetivo es aportar soluciones reales a dichos conflictos, para finalmente, exponer dos experiencias docentes que abordaron, con dispares resultados, las condiciones espaciales del conflicto: “DGEI”, en Detroit, y “Harvard Project on the City”, en Lagos.

This paper makes visible a teaching method developed at CEPT University (Ahmedabad, India), throughout 16 weeks, in which our teaching team, and fifteen Indian students, analyzed, tested and proposed solutions in a territory -Bhadra Fort Precincts- whose conflict lies in the imposition of spatial forms unsuitable for the context. The rejection of these impositions -normative architectures and programs- creates unrecognised spatialities - rebellious architectures- led by subaltern bodies. These inhabitants, far from the norm, claim their identities through these singular constructions, which, close to survival and/or crime, are rejected and made invisible by competent designers and institutions. The first part will explain the teaching programme "Rebel Bodies Rebel Cities", the aim of which was to provide real solutions to these conflicts, and finally, to present two teaching experiences that addressed, with disparate results, the spatial conditions of the conflict: "DGEI", in Detroit, and "Harvard Project on the City", in Lagos.
Las TIC como apoyo al desarrollo de pensamiento creativo en la docencia de la arquitectura
Authors: Alba Dorado María Isabel , Muñoz González Carmen María , Joyanes Díaz María Dolores , Jiménez Morales Eduardo
Published: December 2019

La presente comunicación tiene como objetivo difundir los resultados de un proyecto de innovación educativa desarrollado en la Escuela de Arquitectura de la Universidad de Málaga titulado “Las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) como apoyo al desarrollo y fomento de los procesos de pensamiento creativo en la docencia universitaria”. Este proyecto, en el que han participado profesores de varias áreas de conocimiento, ha profundizado en el aprovechamiento máximo de las oportunidades que estos recursos brindan no solo para la consecución de los objetivos pedagógicos, sino también para fomentar, estimular y desarrollar el pensamiento creativo, crítico e innovador.  Los resultados obtenidos han puesto de manifiesto que la utilización de las TIC en la docencia de la arquitectura fomenta la creatividad en el alumnado y permite desarrollar un enfoque proactivo de la creatividad en el aula ejercitando competencias relacionadas con el pensamiento y el comportamiento creativo en los estudiantes.

The purpose of this paper is to disseminate the results of an educational innovation project developed at the School of Architecture of the University of Malaga entitled “Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as support for the development and promotion of creative thinking processes in university teaching”. This project, in which professors from various areas of knowledge have participated, has deepened in the maximum use of the opportunities that these resources provide not only for the achievement of pedagogical objectives, but also to encourage, stimulate and develop creative thinking, Critical and innovative. The results have shown that the use of ICT in architecture teaching encourages creativity in students and allows the development of a proactive approach to creativity in the classroom by exercising skills related to creative thinking and creative behavior in students.
Partnership as a Model for Mission
Authors: Bonnette Kathleen ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: December 2019

This paper highlights the partnership approach to mission adopted by the Atlantic-Midwest Province of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (AMSSND), which is working to empower the people of Haiti through collaboration with Beyond Borders, an established NGO in the region. I explore this approach in light of the spirituality of St. Augustine that grounds the charism of unity of the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND). Examining the connections between Augustine and the mission and ministry of the SSND community, through reflecting on the ways partnership has been an effective means of engaging the SSND mission of facilitating unity, or “oneness,” illuminates helpful ways to conceive of solidarity.
10 år efter COP15: samfundsvidenskabelige perspektiver på bæredygtig udvikling
Authors: Berg Rasmus Kehlet , Hansen Anette Høite , Mangor Ida , Nielsen Anne Bach
Published: December 2019

Introduktion.
Belleza es INSINUACIÓN
Authors: Llort Núria
Published: December 2019

Núria Llort comparte su práctica de realización de anuncios siguiendo un programa de identidad a elegir y teniendo en cuenta la letra trabajada en una práctica previa. Con su práctica, Llort se propuso ligar el mensaje comunicativo de la empresa elegida con dos fragmentos de texto de dicha práctica. Su principal reto fue encontrar un concepto que las uniera.
Linking glycemic dysregulation in diabetes to symptoms, comorbidities, and genetics through EHR data mining
Authors: Kirk Isa Kristina , Simon Christian , Banasik Karina , Holm Peter Christoffer , Haue Amalie Dahl , Jensen Peter Bjødstrup , Juhl Jensen Lars , Rodríguez Cristina Leal , Pedersen Mette Krogh , Eriksson Robert , Andersen Henrik Ullits , Almdal Thomas , Bork-Jensen Jette , Grarup Niels , Borch-Johnsen Knut , Pedersen Oluf , Pociot Flemming , Hansen Torben , Bergholdt Regine , Rossing Peter , Brunak Søren
Published: December 2019

Diabetes is a diverse and complex disease, with considerable variation in phenotypic manifestation and severity. This variation hampers the study of etiological differences and reduces the statistical power of analyses of associations to genetics, treatment outcomes, and complications. We address these issues through deep, fine-grained phenotypic stratification of a diabetes cohort. Text mining the electronic health records of 14,017 patients, we matched two controlled vocabularies (ICD-10 and a custom vocabulary developed at the clinical center Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen) to clinical narratives spanning a 19 year period. The two matched vocabularies comprise over 20,000 medical terms describing symptoms, other diagnoses, and lifestyle factors. The cohort is genetically homogeneous (Caucasian diabetes patients from Denmark) so the resulting stratification is not driven by ethnic differences, but rather by inherently dissimilar progression patterns and lifestyle related risk factors. Using unsupervised Markov clustering, we defined 71 clusters of at least 50 individuals within the diabetes spectrum. The clusters display both distinct and shared longitudinal glycemic dysregulation patterns, temporal co-occurrences of comorbidities, and associations to single nucleotide polymorphisms in or near genes relevant for diabetes comorbidities.
Dzip1 and Fam92 form a ciliary transition zone complex with cell type specific roles in Drosophila
Authors: Lapart Jean-André , Gottardo Marco , Cortier Elisabeth , Duteyrat Jean-Luc , Augière Céline , Mangé Alain , Jerber Julie , Solassol Jérôme , Gopalakrishnan Jay , Thomas Joëlle , Durand Bénédicte
Published: December 2019

Cilia and flagella are conserved eukaryotic organelles essential for cellular signaling and motility. Cilia dysfunctions cause life-threatening ciliopathies, many of which are due to defects in the transition zone (TZ), a complex structure of the ciliary base. Therefore, understanding TZ assembly, which relies on ordered interactions of multiprotein modules, is of critical importance. Here, we show that Drosophila Dzip1 and Fam92 form a functional module which constrains the conserved core TZ protein, Cep290, to the ciliary base. We identify cell type specific roles of this functional module in two different tissues. While it is required for TZ assembly in all Drosophila ciliated cells, it also regulates basal-body growth and docking to the plasma membrane during spermatogenesis. We therefore demonstrate a novel regulatory role for Dzip1 and Fam92 in mediating membrane/basal-body interactions and show that these interactions exhibit cell type specific functions in basal-body maturation and TZ organization.
A novel lineage of candidate pheromone receptors for sex communication in moths
Authors: Bastin-Héline Lucie , de Fouchier Arthur , Cao Song , Koutroumpa Fotini , Caballero-Vidal Gabriela , Robakiewicz Stefania , Monsempes Christelle , François Marie-Christine , Ribeyre Tatiana , Maria Annick , Chertemps Thomas , de Cian Anne , Walker William B , Wang Guirong , Jacquin-Joly Emmanuelle , Montagné Nicolas
Published: December 2019

Sex pheromone receptors (PRs) are key players in chemical communication between mating partners in insects. In the highly diversified insect order Lepidoptera, male PRs tuned to female-emitted type I pheromones (which make up the vast majority of pheromones identified) form a dedicated subfamily of odorant receptors (ORs). Here, using a combination of heterologous expression and in vivo genome editing methods, we bring functional evidence that at least one moth PR does not belong to this subfamily but to a distantly related OR lineage. This PR, identified in the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis, is highly expressed in male antennae and is specifically tuned to the major sex pheromone component emitted by females. Together with a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of moth ORs, our functional data suggest two independent apparitions of PRs tuned to type I pheromones in Lepidoptera, opening up a new path for studying the evolution of moth pheromone communication.
Long-lived metabolic enzymes in the crystalline lens identified by pulse-labeling of mice and mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Pan , Edassery Seby Louis , Ali Laith , Thomson Benjamin R , Savas Jeffrey N , Jin Jing
Published: December 2019

The lenticular fiber cells are comprised of extremely long-lived proteins while still maintaining an active biochemical state. Dysregulation of these activities has been implicated in diseases such as age-related cataracts. However, the lenticular protein dynamics underlying health and disease is unclear. We sought to measure the global protein turnover rates in the eye using nitrogen-15 labeling of mice and mass spectrometry. We measured the 14N/15N-peptide ratios of 248 lens proteins, including Crystallin, Aquaporin, Collagen and enzymes that catalyze glycolysis and oxidation/reduction reactions. Direct comparison of lens cortex versus nucleus revealed little or no 15N-protein contents in most nuclear proteins, while there were a broad range of 14N/15N ratios in cortex proteins. Unexpectedly, like Crystallins, many enzymes with relatively high abundance in nucleus were also exceedingly long-lived. The slow replacement of these enzymes in spite of young age of mice suggests their potential roles in age-related metabolic changes in the lens.
Retinal oxygen supply shaped the functional evolution of the vertebrate eye
Authors: Damsgaard Christian , Lauridsen Henrik , Funder Anette MD , Thomsen Jesper S , Desvignes Thomas , Crossley Dane A , Møller Peter R , Huong Do TT , Phuong Nguyen T , Detrich H William , Brüel Annemarie , Wilkens Horst , Warrant Eric , Wang Tobias , Nyengaard Jens R , Berenbrink Michael , Bayley Mark
Published: December 2019

The retina has a very high energy demand but lacks an internal blood supply in most vertebrates. Here we explore the hypothesis that oxygen diffusion limited the evolution of retinal morphology by reconstructing the evolution of retinal thickness and the various mechanisms for retinal oxygen supply, including capillarization and acid-induced haemoglobin oxygen unloading. We show that a common ancestor of bony fishes likely had a thin retina without additional retinal oxygen supply mechanisms and that three different types of retinal capillaries were gained and lost independently multiple times during the radiation of vertebrates, and that these were invariably associated with parallel changes in retinal thickness. Since retinal thickness confers multiple advantages to vision, we propose that insufficient retinal oxygen supply constrained the functional evolution of the eye in early vertebrates, and that recurrent origins of additional retinal oxygen supply mechanisms facilitated the phenotypic evolution of improved functional eye morphology.
Primer reporte de Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse) en la Orinoquia colombiana
Authors: Camacho-Gómez Malenna , Zuleta Liliana Patricia
Published: December 2019

Introducción. Aedes albopictus es vector de arbovirus, como Flavivirus, Alphavirus, Bunyavirus, Phlebovirus, Orbivirus y Picornavirus. Muchos son agentes etiológicos de enfermedades en humanos. Actualmente, A. albopictus se encuentra en expansión geográfica por su adaptación a diversos ambientes y tipos de criaderos. En Colombia, este mosquito fue reportado por primera vez en 1998 y, hasta el momento, se ha registrado en 10 departamentos.Objetivo. Determinar la presencia de A. albopictus en Yopal, Casanare. Materiales y métodos. En una búsqueda activa de larvas de A. aegypti en la zona industrial de Yopal, se observaron por primera vez mosquitos adultos de A. albopictus. Por lo anterior, se realizó la inspección en el intradomicilio y el peridomicilio de las viviendas en ocho localidades del municipio, en la cual se recolectaron larvas y pupas al inspeccionar hábitats larvarios, y hembras adultas, mediante capturas sobre atrayente humano protegido. Resultados. Se identificaron 755 larvas de mosquitos, 71,5 % de A. aegypti, 24,8 % de A. albopictus, 3,2 % de Culex quinquefasciatus y 0,8 % de C. coronator y C. nigripalpus. Se capturaron 37 mosquitos adultos de A. albopictus. Los depósitos con mayor abundancia de este vector fueron las llantas.Conclusión. Ante la presencia de A. albopictus se sugiere intensificar el sistema de vigilancia entomológica para detectar nuevas poblaciones dentro del departamento y en las áreas cercanas. Se debe poner atención a los criaderos artificiales de las zonas cercanas a los parqueaderos de vehículos de transporte de alimentos, insumos y maquinaria, procedentes de áreas con presencia del vector.
Efectividad de las intervenciones para revertir el diagnóstico del síndrome metabólico: actualización de un metaanálisis de comparación mixta de tratamientos
Authors: Guzmán Adriana , Navarro Esteban , Obando Leidy , Pacheco Jorge , Quirós Korina , Vásquez Leticia , Castro Milena , Ramírez Fernando
Published: December 2019

Introducción. El conocer las intervenciones más efectivas para revertir el síndrome metabólico es clave para el diseño de estrategias clínicas de prevención de enfermedades como la diabetes mellitus de tipo 2 y la enfermedad cardiovascular.Objetivo. Sintetizar el tamaño del efecto de las intervenciones disponibles para revertir un diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo la búsqueda en Embase y Medline, incluyendo los ensayos clínicos en los que la variable “respuesta” se definía como la reversión del diagnóstico del síndrome metabólico. Se categorizaron las intervenciones en cuatro dimensiones: 1) estilo de vida (dieta y ejercicio); 2) farmacia; 3) combinación de estilo de vida y farmacia, y 4) grupos de control; finalmente, se hizo una comparación mixta de tratamientos. Resultados. Se detectaron dos estudios adicionales a los incluidos en el metaanálisis publicado por Dunkley, et al., en el 2012. Se estimó que las intervenciones relacionadas con el estilo de vida tuvieron 2,61 veces (intervalo de credibilidad entre 1,00 y 5,47) más probabilidades de revertir el síndrome metabólico que las de los grupos de control y las relacionadas con los tratamientos farmacéuticos, una probabilidad de 3,39 veces más que las del grupo de control, pero con un intervalo de credibilidad entre 0,81 y 9,99. Las intervenciones sobre el estilo de vida tuvieron 1,59 veces más probabilidades de revertir el síndrome metabólico que las del tratamiento farmacéutico.Conclusión. Las estrategias basadas en la dieta y la actividad física de las personas, tuvieron una mayor probabilidad de ser más efectivas para revertir el diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico.
Paciente masculino con cariotipo 46 XX negativo para el gen SRY y sin ambigüedad genital: reporte de un caso
Authors: Casas-Vargas Andrea , Galvis Johanna , Blanco Jenny , Rengifo Laura , Usaquén William , Velasco Harvy
Published: December 2019

En la mayoría de los casos, la diferenciación sexual masculina ocurre con la participación del gen SRY. Sin embargo, se pueden presentar otros genotipos excepcionales, como en el caso que se presenta en este reporte.Se trata de un paciente adulto de sexo masculino atendido en el Servicio de Paternidades del Instituto de Genética de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Se le hicieron los análisis del gen de la amelogenina y de repeticiones cortas en tándem (Short Tandem Repeat, STR) específicas para el gen SRY con estuches comerciales de identificación humana, así como los de cariotipo convencional e hibridación in situ fluorescente del SRY, y el estudio de microdeleciones del cromosoma Y mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR). Se le hizo la evaluación clínica y se le brindó asesoramiento genético.El paciente no presentaba ambigüedad genital, su cariotipo era 46 XX, y el perfil molecular era negativo para el gen SRY y positivo para el ZFY. Se le diagnosticó un trastorno de diferenciación sexual 46 XX testicular no sindrómico, una rara condición genética. Solo el 20 % de los pacientes con este diagnóstico son negativos para SRY y exhiben perfiles moleculares diversos. La información disponible parece indicar que el ZFY está relacionado con la diferenciación sexual masculina, aún en ausencia del gen SRY.
Lipid-lowering drug prescriptions in a group of Colombian patients
Authors: Gaviria-Mendoza Andres , Machado-Duque Manuel E. , Machado-Alba Jorge E.
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Lipid-lowering drugs, especially statins, have shown great relevance in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.Objective. To determine the prescription patterns of lipid-lowering drugs and the variables associated with their use in a Colombian population.Materials and methods. This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. From a drug dispensing database of approximately 4.5 million Colombian health system affiliates, patients of all ages and both sexes treated with lipid-lowering agents (statins, fibrates, ezetimibe) were identified between January and March, 2017. Demographic, pharmacological and co-medication variables were included.Results. In total, 103,624 patients were identified as being treated with lipid-lowering agents. The average age was 67.5 years, and 49.8% were 65 years or older. Women comprised 58.0% of the patients. Statins were the most used (n=96,910; 93.5%), and atorvastatin (n=80,812; 78.0%) and lovastatin (n=12,621; 12.2%) were the most frequent. The mean atorvastatin dose was 30.3 mg/day, and 49.9% of its users received presentations of 40 mg or more. A total of 9,258 (8.9%) patients received fibrates, and only 780 (0.8%) were taking ezetimibe. Of this population, 94.9% were treated with lipid-lowering monotherapy, and 97.3% (n=100,813) had co-medication for their comorbidities, with the most frequent being antihypertensive (89.1%), antiplatelet (57.8%), antidiabetic (31.5%) and antiulcerative agents (34.2%).Conclusions. Atorvastatin is currently the most frequently used lipid-lowering drug in this group of Colombian patients, especially in monotherapy and at doses close to the defined daily dose. Only half received high-intensity doses. New studies are required to verify the efficacy of these therapies.
Frequency of emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations in patients included in two models of care
Authors: Alí Abraham , Giraldo-Cadavid Luis Fernando , Karpf Elizabeth , Quintero Luz Adriana , Aguirre Carlos Eduardo , Rincón Emily , Vejarano Alma Irina , Perlaza Ivonne , Torres-Duque Carlos A. , Casas Alejandro
Published: December 2019

Introduction: Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a huge impact on lung function, quality of life and mortality of patients. Emergency Department visits and hospitalizations due to exacerbations cause a significant economic burden on the health system.Objective: To describe the differences in the number of emergency visits and hospitalizations due to exacerbations of COPD among patients included in two models of care of the same institution.Materials and methods: A historical cohort study in which COPD patients who are users of two models of care were included: COPD integrated care program (CICP) and general consultation of pulmonology (GCP). The first model, unlike the second one, offers additional educational activities, 24/7 telephone service, and priority consultations. The number of emergency visits and hospitalizations due to COPD exacerbations in patients who had completed at least one year of follow-up was evaluated. The multivariable Poisson regression model was used for calculating the incidence rate (IR) and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) with an adjustment for confounding factors.Results: We included 316 COPD patients (166 from the CICP and 150 from the GCP). During the year of follow-up, the CICP patients had 50% fewer emergency visits and hospitalizations than patients from the GCP (IRR=0.50, 95%CI: 0.29-0.87, p=0.014). Conclusions: COPD patients in the CICP had fewer emergency visits and hospitalizations due to exacerbations. Prospective clinical studies are required to confirm the results and to evaluate the factors that contribute to the differences.
Exploring profile and potential influencers of vaginal microbiome among asymptomatic pregnant Chinese women
Authors: He Yining , Huang Yun , Zhang Zhengyin , Yu Fengping , Zheng Yingjie
Published: December 2019

Background

This study was designed to explore the profile and potential influencers of the vaginal microbiome (VMB) among asymptomatic pregnant Chinese women and its possible association with pregnancy outcomes.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted among pregnant Chinese women receiving regular prenatal care at a hospital in Shanghai, China from March 2017 to March 2018. Vaginal swabs were obtained from 113 asymptomatic pregnant women in mid-pregnancy and sequenced by the V3–V4 region of 16S rRNA on an Ion S5™ XL platform. Demographic characteristics and major pregnancy outcomes were collected through questionnaires and electronic medical records.

Results

The predominant vaginal community state types (CSTs) were CST I (45.1%) and CST III (31.9%). Participants were divided into a lactobacilli-dominant group (LD, CST I/II/III/I–III/V, n = 100, 88.5%) and a less lactobacilli-dominant group (LLD, CST IV-A/B, n = 13, 11.5%). Women in the LLD group showed an increased alpha diversity [median (interquartile range, IQR): 2.41 (1.67, 2.49) vs. 0.30 (0.17, 0.59), P < 0.001], which was related to a lower pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.012), and a greater instance of passive smoking (P = 0.033). The relative abundance of Lactobacillus was correlated positively with the pre-pregnancy BMI (r = 0.177, P = 0.041), but negatively with passive smoking (r =  − 0.204, P = 0.030).

Conclusion

The vaginal flora of asymptomatic pregnant Chinese women was mostly dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus and L. iners. A lower BMI and greater instance of passive smoking may contribute to a less lactobacilli-dominant VMB. However, a larger sample size is needed.
Retrospective clinical study of renin-angiotensin system blockers in lung cancer patients with hypertension
Authors: Wei Jie , Zhou Zhiyang , Xu Zhijie , Zeng Shuangshuang , Chen Xi , Wang Xiang , Liu Wanli , Liu Min , Gong Zhicheng , Yan Yuanliang
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Renin-angiotensin system blockers (RASBs), which include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin-2 receptor 1 blockers (ARBs), have been reported to be associated with lung cancer metastasis, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Until now, very limited clinical data for RASBs’ diagnostic and prognostic effects has existed for lung cancer chemotherapy in Chinese patients.

Methods

There were a total of 678 lung cancer patients with hypertension, of which 461 (68%) were in the non-RASBs group and 217 (32%) were in the RASBs group. Patients’ gender, age, smoking status, histologic differentiation, tumor size, pathological grade, lymph node metastasis, pathological stage and progression-free survival (PFS) were retrospectively analyzed between these two groups. The clinical effects of ACEIs and ARBs in lung cancer patients were compared via t tests, and χ2 test, and potential prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

Significant differences were observed in lymph node metastasis between the RASBs and non-RASBs groups. The RASBs group (62.8% vs 71.7%, p = 0.037) and ARBs group (60.0% vs 71.7%, p = 0.030) had lower lymph node metastasis, and patients with RASBs had a lower pathological stage than those in non-RASBs groups (67.1% vs 77.4%, p = 0.044 ). The PFS of the RASBs (10.7 vs. 6.7 months, p = 0.040) and ACEIs (12.9 vs 6.7 months, p = 0.021) groups were longer than that of the non-RASBs group, while no statistical difference was shown between the ACEIs and ARBs groups. Moreover, the significant results of PFS were further confirmed in pathological stage III–IV patients. In the non-RASB group, 55% of patients took calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and the ACEIs group have a significantly longer PFS compared to the non-CCBs group (6.4 vs 12.9 months, p = 0.036).

Conclusion

In this study, we showed that the use of RASBs is a positive factor for pathological stage and prognosis of lung cancer patients. Therefore, it is necessary to actively evaluate medical history, especially the use of anti-hypertension medication, in patients with lung cancer and reflect medical history in the treatment and management plans of these patients.
Icaritin, an inhibitor of beta-site amyloid cleaving enzyme-1, inhibits secretion of amyloid precursor protein in APP-PS1-HEK293 cells by impeding the amyloidogenic pathway
Authors: Feng Fei , Li Yuanyuan , Huang Nanqu , Luo Yong
Published: December 2019

Background

Icaritin (ICT) is a prenylflavonoid derivative from Epimedium brevicornum Maxim. ICT has been shown to have neuroprotective effects. We investigate how ICT affects secretion of amyloid precursor protein (APP).

Methods

We exposed APP-PS1-HEK293 cells to ICT to investigate its effect on beta-site amyloid cleaving enzyme (BACE)1. Cell viability was evaluated by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of ICT for BACE1 was measured using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Effects of ICT on the mRNA expression of APP were assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression was measured by western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Results

Icaritin inhibited BACE1 activity and IC50 was 5.70 ± 1.09 μM. Compared with the control group, at ICT concentrations of 5 μM and 10 μM, the viability increased and LDH leakage decreased in APP-PS1-293 cells. Also, mRNA expression of A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 10 (ADAM10) increased, while that of BACE1 and presenilin-1 (PS1) decreased, upon ICT treatment. Western blotting and immunofluorescence confirmed that protein expression of ADAM10, BACE1 and PS1 showed the same trend. Expression of the APP fragments sAPPβ and C-terminal fragment β decreased, while that of sAPPα increased, upon ICT treatment. Expression of amyloid β peptides in APP-PS1-HEK293 cells was lower in ICT-treated groups compared with that in the control group.

Conclusions

Icaritin, as a BACE1 inhibitor, inhibits APP secretion in APP-PS1-HEK293 cells by impeding the amyloidogenic pathway.