bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blood bioactive sphingolipids in patients with advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer – mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Knapp Paweł , Bodnar Lubomir , Błachnio-Zabielska Agnieszka , Reszeć Joanna , Świderska Magdalena , Chabowski Adrian
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Due to the lack of highly specific and sensitive methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer at advanced stages (according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification stage III–IV), new noninvasive biomarkers are urgently needed. This study aims to investigate how the levels of plasma bioactive sphingolipids (ceramides, sphingosine-1-phosphate, sphingosine and sphinganine) are altered in serum, erythrocytes and platelets of patients with advanced serous ovarian cancer.

Material and methods

A total of 135 patients with advanced serous ovarian cancer and 159 women with normal ovarian morphology were enrolled. Plasma levels of sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, sphinganine, ceramide C14:0-Cer, C16:0-Cer, C18:1-Cer, C18:0-Cer, C20:0-Cer, C22:0-Cer, C24:1-Cer and C24:0-Cer were assessed by LC/MS/MS.

Results

Plasma concentrations of C16-Cer, C18:1-Cer and C18-Cer were significantly higher in the advanced ovarian cancer group than in the control group (1.5-fold, p = 0.021; 1.8-fold, p = 0.036 and 1.5-fold, p = 0.031, respectively). Plasma concentration of C18:1-Cer was significantly higher in erythrocytes of women with advanced serous cancer compared to the control group (p = 0.027). Plasma C16-Cer and C18:1-Cer levels and erythrocyte C18:1-Cer levels were able to distinguish patients with moderate/severe serous ovarian cancer from patients with mild ovarian cancer (AUC: 0.86, 0.898, 0.795, respectively). Plasma concentrations of C16, C18.1 and C18 significantly correlated with FIGO staging (p = 0.001, p = 0.024 and p = 0.005), and grading (p = 0.021, p = 0.021 and p = 0.033).

Conclusions

Plasma concentrations of C16, C18.1 and C18 correlated with the progression of ovarian cancer (FIGO staging and grading). Plasma levels of C16-Cer and C18:1-Cer and erythrocyte C18:1-Cer levels could be used to distinguish patients with advanced serous ovarian cancer.
A global monthly climatology of total alkalinity: a neural network approach
Authors: Broullón Daniel , Pérez Fiz F. , Velo Antón , Hoppema Mario , Olsen Are , Takahashi Taro , Key Robert M. , González-Dávila Melchor , Tanhua Toste , Jeansson Emil , Kozyr Alex , van Heuven Seven M. A. C.
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Global climatologies of the seawater CO2 chemistry variables are necessary to assess the marine carbon cycle in depth. The seasonal variability should be adequately captured in them to properly address issues such as ocean acidification. Total alkalinity (AT) is one variable of the seawater CO2 chemistry system involved in ocean acidification and frequently measured during campaigns assessing the marine carbon cycle. We took advantage of the data product Global Ocean Data Analysis Project version 2 (GLODAPv2) to extract the relations between the drivers of the AT variability and this variable using a neural network to generate a monthly climatology. 99% of the GLODAPv2 dataset used was modelled by the network with a root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of 5.1 µmol kg-1. The validation carried out using independent datasets revealed the good generalization of the network. Five ocean time-series stations used as an independent test showed an acceptable RMSE in the range of 3.1-6.2 µmol kg-1. The successful modeling of the monthly variability of AT in the time-series makes our network a good candidate to generate a monthly climatology. It was obtained passing the climatologies of the World Ocean Atlas 2013 (WOA13) through the network. The spatiotemporal resolution of the climatology is determined by the one of WOA13: 1ºx1º in the horizontal, 102 depth levels (0-5500m) in the vertical, and 12 months. We offer the product as a service to the scientific community at the data repository of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.20350/digitalCSIC/8564) with the purpose to contribute to a continuous improvement of the understanding of the global carbon cycle.
Evaluation of lacustrine groundwater discharge, hydrologic partitioning, and nutrient budgets in a proglacial lake in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: using 222Rn and stable isotopes
Authors: Luo Xin , Kuang Xingxing , Jiao Jiu Jimmy , Liang Sihai , Mao Rong , Zhang Xiaolang , Li Hailong
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Proglacial lakes are good natural laboratories to
investigate groundwater and glacier dynamics under current climate conditions
and to explore biogeochemical cycling under pristine lake status. This study
conducted a series of investigations of 222Rn, stable isotopes,
nutrients, and other hydrogeochemical parameters in Ximen Co Lake, a remote
proglacial lake in the east of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP). A radon mass
balance model was used to quantify the lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD)
of the lake, leading to an LGD estimate of 10.3±8.2 mm d−1.
Based on the three-endmember models of stable 18O and
Cl−, the hydrologic partitioning of the lake is obtained, which
shows that groundwater discharge only accounts for 7.0 % of the total
water input. The groundwater-derived DIN and DIP loadings constitute
42.9 % and 5.5 % of the total nutrient loading to the lakes,
indicating the significance of LGD in delivering disproportionate DIN into
the lake. This study presents the first attempt to evaluate the LGD and
hydrologic partitioning in the glacial lake by coupling radioactive and
stable isotopic approaches and the findings advance the understanding of
nutrient budgets in the proglacial lakes of the QTP. The study is also
instructional in revealing the hydrogeochemical processes in proglacial lakes
elsewhere.
Modeling the response of Northwest Greenland to enhanced ocean thermal forcing and subglacial discharge
Authors: Morlighem Mathieu , Wood Michael , Seroussi Hélène , Choi Youngmin , Rignot Eric
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Calving front dynamics is an important control on Greenland's ice mass balance. Ice front retreat of marine-terminating glaciers may, for example, lead to a loss in resistive stress, which ultimately results in glacier acceleration and thinning. Over the past decade, it has been suggested that such retreats may be triggered by warm and salty Atlantic water, which is typically found at a depth below 200–300 m. An increase in subglacial water discharge at glacier ice fronts due to enhanced surface runoff may also be responsible for an intensification of undercutting and calving. An increase in ocean thermal forcing or subglacial discharge therefore has the potential to destabilize marine terminating glaciers along the coast of Greenland. It remains unclear which glaciers are currently stable but may retreat in the future, and how far inland and how fast they will retreat. Here, we quantify the sensitivity and vulnerability of marine-terminating glaciers along the Northwest coast of Greenland (from 72.5º to 76º N) to the ocean forcing and subglacial discharge using the Ice Sheet System Model (ISSM). We rely on the undercutting parameterization based on ocean thermal forcing and subglacial discharge, and use ocean temperature and salinity from high-resolution ECCO2 (Estimating the Circulation & Climate of the Ocean, Phase II) simulations at the fjords mouth to constrain the ocean thermal forcing. The ice flow model includes a calving law based on a tensile Von Mises criterion. While these parameterizations remain approximations and do not include all the physical processes at play, they have been shown to provide reliable estimates of undercutting and calving rates, respectively, on a number of glaciers along the coast of Greenland. We find that some glaciers, such as Dietrichson Gletscher or Alison Gletscher, are sensitive to small increases in ocean thermal forcing, while others, such as Illullip Sermia or Cornell Gletscher, are remarkably stable and remain stable, even in a 3-degree ocean warming scenario. Under the most intense experiment, we find that Hayes Gletscher retreats by more than 50 km inland into a deep trough and its velocity increases by a factor of 10 over only 15 years. The model confirms that ice-ocean interactions can trigger extensive and rapid glacier retreat, but the bed controls the rate and magnitude of the retreat. Under current oceanic and atmospheric condition, we find that this sector alone will contribute more than 1 cm to sea level, and up to 3 cm under the most extreme scenario.
Assesment of molecular diversity of internal transcribed spacer region in some lines and landrace of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.)
Authors: Ansari Sahar , Solouki Mahmood , Fakheri Baratali , Fazeli-Nasab Bahman , Mahdinezhad Nafiseh
Published: October 2018

Clover which is an herbaceous, annual, and self-pollinated plant belongs to fabaceae family (legumes) and has become naturalized in Iran, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean eastern suburban countries. The aim of the present study is ITS molecular evaluation of the nuclear ribosomal genes of lines and landraces of Persian Clover. The sequences were aligned using ClustalW method and by MegAlign software and the dendrogram of different phylogenetic and matrix relationships between the sequences were drawn. The results showed little genetic diversity between the lines and the landrace. The conserved sequence of the analyzed gene in the Persian clover is 561 base. Totally, 740 loci (69 and 671 loci, respectively, with and without removal and addition), 9 Singletons, and 5 haplotypes were identified. The highest rate of transfer was observed in pyrimidine (%16.3). The numerical value of the ratio (dN/dS) was 0.86, and since it was less than 1, the pure selection on the studied gene happened. The lines and landraces were not separated based on their geographic locations. In general, the results indicated that the highest rate of the regional diversity belonged to the clover plants in Lorestan region. Moreover, ITS markers did not seem suitable enough for evaluating the intra- species genetic variation, but it was quite well- suited for inter-species or intergeneric evaluation.
Mapping and development strategy of Pempek — a specialty traditional food of south Sumatra Indonesia
Authors: Supriadi Agus , Saputra Daniel , Priyanto Gatot , Pambayun Rindit , Oswari Liniyanti Djanuri
Published: October 2018

Pempek, a specialty traditional food of South Sumatra, has not been developed toward industrialization. A development process should not negate the preference taste of the consumer who is used to the taste of the traditional food. The innovation in the development of pempek to overcome its limitation for improving the marketing access as well as leading toward its industrilization was needed. A SWOT and AHP analysis were used to select the criteria and priority of consumer toward pempek development followed by the PCA to cluster the criteria and the preference of consumer. The analysis of the samples shows that pempek development requires a change in packaging design that meets the aspects of convinient and the right size by doing the engineering process to suppress the influence of inconsistent fish raw material quality. The analysis also shows that the pempek samples collected from the city of Palembang could be classified into 4 classes. The first one was the pempek which have a higher value and similarities in elasticity, chewiness, and hardness. The second one was the pempek which have a higher value and similarities in stickiness, aroma, taste, and brittleness. The third one was the pempek which have a lower value and similarities in the value of smoothness, colour, and juiciness. And the fourth one was the pempek which are not related in any of the quality attribute of pempek. The main characteristic of Pempek which could be used as the control variable on the development and processing of Pempek were taste, brittleness, stickiness, and aroma. The variables which needed an attention due to negative contribution to the development of pempek were hardness, ease of chew, elasticity, smoothness, juiciness, and color. The development of pempek should suppresed the variable aroma especially fish aroma and while the taste and brittleness should be improved.
Bovine mucous membranes as a source of antimicrobial compounds
Authors: Kotenkova Elena , Lukinova Ekaterina , Kovalyov Leonid
Published: October 2018

Loss of food quality, deterioration of organoleptic properties and accumulation of anti-alimentary compounds are in focus of modern food science. Nowadays, such traditional methods as processing, physical and chemical treatment are used for improving of shelf life. An alternative ways of shelf life increasing are quite a sharp problem. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) could be an actual alternative. According to Antimicrobial Peptide Database (http://aps.unmc.edu/AP/main.php), 2884 antimicrobial peptides from six kingdoms were found and identified. Mucous membranes of farm animals due to their border position and intensive contact with different pathogens could be a capacious source of such substances. Objects of the study were bovine oral cavity mucosa, nasal cavity mucosa, tracheal cavity mucosa, rectal mucosa, tongue mucosa, saliva gland and submandibular lymph nodes. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) was performed according to the method of O'Farrell, 35 protein fractions were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and MS/MS mass spectrometry. A number of qualitative and quantitative differences were revealed. A large number of histones (H2bd-like, H2BC, HIST1H2BD, HIST2H2AC, HIST1H2AH, histone H3.3 and H2bl-like, HIST2H2AC and histone H3.3, mixture HIST1H2AJ, HIST2H2BE and histone H2A type 2-C) were found in all mucous membranes as well as several tissue-specific proteins (proteins S100-A12 and AGR2, isoforms of ribosomal proteins, myelin P2, odorant-binding protein, secretoglobin), which could be a precusors of bioactive peptides
Constitucionalismo climático global
Authors: Contipelli Ernani
Published: October 2018

Resumo: O presente artigo tem o objetivo de analisar a relação entre constitucionalismo global e mudança climática no contexto da ordem internacional globalizada e fragmentada. A primeira parte deste artigo dedica-se ao estudo do processo de globalização e seus efeitos na esfera de poder dos Estados-nação. Posteriormente, analisa-se a construção da definição de constitucionalismo global, considerando a fragmentação da ordem internacional e o aspecto constitutivo de alguns tratados internacionais ambientais. Na terceira parte, introduz-se o conceito de micro-constitucionalismo-global-climático e suas respectivas normas superiores, como a Convenção-Quadro das Nações Unidas sobre Mudança Climática e os demais documentos normativos criados desde o processo de tomada de decisões das Conferencias das Partes (COPs), para elaboração de um esquema de valores, princípios e regras que orientam iniciativas coordenadas em diferentes níveis de governança. Constatam-se, ainda, as possibilidades de aplicação do micro-constitucionalismo-global-climático, com base na perspectiva de sua relação com os direitos humanos e de sua atuação no campo do litigio e da migração climática.Palavras-chave: Constitucionalismo Global. Direitos Humanos. Estados-Nação. Globalização. Mudança Climática.
“Crise migratória” e a criação do imaginário social: a necessidade de desconstrução de abordagens midiáticas a luz da nova lei de migração
Authors: Tybusch Jerônimo Siqueira , Benini Agne Tybusch Francielle , Oliveira Rafael Santos de
Published: October 2018

Resumo: Conviver com o diferente e aceitar a diferença - o cenário reportado pela mídia com relação aos refugiados não representa um panorama inclusivo e menos desigual. A mobilidade humana, além de ser uma característica constante e influente da humanidade, é hoje uma componente integral da economia mundial. No Brasil, a mídia relata uma crise migratória e conduz a população a pensar com medo e ansiedade, campos altamente nutritivos que atraem um número crescente de discursos políticos. Diante desse cenário, este artigo busca abordar a temática da globalização, ou do globalismo e seus reflexos no movimento migratório, para após verificar a influência da mídia na construção de discursos acerca da crise migratória e seus reflexos na sociedade contemporânea. Na sequência, são feitas breves considerações sobre a Lei de Migração, a Lei 13.445 de 2017, e o Estatuto do Estrangeiro à luz da Constituição Federal Brasileira de 1988.Palavras-chave: Brasil. Crise migratória. Desconstrução de abordagens midiáticas. Direito constitucional. Lei de migração.
Direitos Humanos no Estado de Direito (em crise): uma perspectiva contemporânea
Authors: Oliveira Junior José Alcebíades de , Raminelli Francieli Puntel
Published: October 2018

Resumo:Frente à nova ordem mundial que se estabelece na contemporaneidade, o Estado tem uma diminuição de seus poderes, um enfraquecimento de sua soberania absoluta e, no campo jurídico, uma incerteza quanto à aplicação do ordenamento nacional. Existe grande expectativa de que o direito internacional consiga preencher as lacunas deixadas pelos Estados. Neste contexto, questiona-se: de que forma os direitos humanos podem ser protegidos e efetivados, e quanto o direito internacional poderá colaborar com isso? Atentar a este problema e trazer conceitos relevantes para a reflexão do tema é o objetivo central deste trabalho. Conclui-se que, embora o Estado esteja enfraquecido em seus poderes em alguns âmbitos, ele ainda exerce um papel central na proteção dos direitos humanos fundamentais dos indivíduos.Palavras-chave: Crise. Direitos Humanos. Direito Internacional. Estado Democrático de Direito. Globalização.
Caracterización molecular y serológica de Escherichia coli en Quesos artesanales de seis departamentos de Honduras
Authors: Fiallos López Jeniffer Denisse , Enriquez Maria De Lourdes , Montoya Brayan D , Navarra Ocaña Armando
Published: October 2018

Un estudio realizado durante el año 2015 donde se evaluó la calidad e inocuidad en quesos artesanales de seis departamentos de Honduras que están dentro de las regiones productoras de quesos del país. Los resultados de este estudio de calidad microbiología en este tipo de alimentos son algo alarmantes ya que el recuento de bacterias totales y coliformes fecales fueron superiores a 1 x 103 UFC/g lo cual supera los límites establecidos en reglamentos para este tipo de productos. Esto debido a malas prácticas de manufactura que puedan tener los pequeños y medianos productores. Escherichia coli es un patógeno que sirve como indicador de contaminación fecal en agua y alimentos. Esta bacteria ha evolucionado a ser un versátil patógeno intestinal que puede albergar varios genes de virulencia que crean lesiones en células intestinales. Objetivos: El objetivo principal fue clasificar molecularmente los patotipos y grupos filogenéticos de E. coli de cepas obtenidas a partir de muestras de quesos. Adicionalmente se logró la clasificación de las cepas en serotipos lo cual brindo más información y coincidencias epidemiológicas con otros estudios de otras fuentes. El estudio comprendió el año 2016 donde se realizó toda la parte experimental y 2017 se concluyó el análisis de todos los datos obtenidos. Resultados: Un total de 48 cepas obtenidas del estudio del 2015 donde un 86% (n=41) fueron obtenidas de queso semiseco, y el resto de ellas de queso fresco y seco. Un 58% (n=28) amplificaron para dos patotipos principales EPEC (en un 54%) y ETEC (46%). El grupo filogenético predominante fue el B1 con un 50% (n=24). Los serogrupos predominantes en las cepas fueron O6, O8, O159. Conclusiones: El saber que existen patotipos que albergan factores de virulencia causantes de patologías intestinales; en alimentos de alto consumo como los quesos artesanales, es un problema de inocuidad alimentaria que debe tomarse en serio. Existen muchas preguntas que responder después de esta descripción de situación de un patógeno que puede causar brotes en cualquier momento.
Frecuencia de órganos dentarios incluidos en pacientes de la Facultad de Odontología UNAH
Authors: Pérez Espinoza Javier Arturo , Romero Alvarenga Hugo Humberto
Published: October 2018

Los órganos dentarios incluidos son aquellos que se encuentra dentro del hueso maxilar pero que sin embargo la posibilidad de que concluya su proceso de erupción no se ha descartado, la presencia de ellos en los maxilares es un problema frecuente al que se enfrentan los profesionales de la odontología. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo, transversal con enfoque cuantitativo en una muestra obtenida durante un periodo de tres meses en el cual se analizaron 338 radiografías panorámicas digitales obtenidas al azar; evaluándose terceros molares, caninos y premolares. Se obtuvieron 113 hallazgos, de los cuales 98 (86%) fueron terceros molares, 8 (7%) fueron caninos y 7 (6%) fueron premolares, encontrando también múltiples lesiones radiográficas asociadas a la inclusión dentaria compatibles con quistes o tumores odontogénicos.
La investigación como carga académica en la normativa de la UNAH
Authors: Gómez Jorska Pamela
Published: October 2018

La asignación académica, conocida también como carga académica o trabajo académico es una figura jurídica que ha venido siendo construida en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras incluso antes de la puesta en marcha de la actual reforma universitaria, que data de 2004, por lo que las construcciones normativas al respecto han rebasado con amplio margen a la realidad práctica durante muchos años.
13 Reasons Why: uma análise filosófica a respeito do suicídio sob a ótica de Camus, Freud e Schopenhauer e sua abordagem pedagógica no Ensino Médio.
Authors: Nardi Edson Renato , Brigagão Leticia Rossi Feliciano
Published: October 2018

O objetivo deste artigo é reexaminar o fenômeno do suicídio, substanciado na série televisiva 13 reasons why, criada por Brian Yorkey no ano de 2017. Neste reexame, analisa-se o conteúdo do seriado, a polêmica oriunda de seu tema e as razões que impulsionaram a protagonista ao auto-extermínio. A investigação é direcionada ao estudo das teorias de alguns filósofos, que teceram considerações relevantes sobre a questão: Albert Camus, Sigmund Freud e Arthur Schopenhauer. Objetiva-se ainda, pela pesquisa bibliográfica e filmológica, a diferenciação das motivações que estruturam a autodestruição, os posicionamentos filosóficos que esclarecem essa conduta e, por fim, busca-se expressar a possibilidade da abordagem do tema do suicídio aos adolescentes no ambiente educacional.
Profile of cases suspected of attempted suicide by exogenous intoxication
Authors: Machado Fernanda Pamela , Soares Marcos Hirata , Francisquini Patricia Dias , Ramos Layla Karina Ferrari
Published: October 2018

Objective: To characterize the profile of patients suspected of attempting suicide, based on cases reported by the Toxicological Information Center of the University hospital of Southern Brazil.Methods: This is a retrospective aggregate study, based on the analysis of medical records and files between January 2009 and December 2012, aiming to collect information that would create the profile of patients suspected of attempting suicide, from the cases notified by the Toxicological Information Center.Results: Regarding the physical consequences and the danger of the suicide attempt, 97% of the suicide attempts did not present life threatening (n = 1,605); 85.4% were not referred to any professional service (n = 1,412). The year 2012 was the year with the highest number of suicide attempts that the other years.Conclusions: It is considered important to improve the notification form for poisoning injuries, to better detect information about suicide attempts.
Can the WRAT-4 Math Computation Subtest Predict Final Grade in College-Level Science
Authors: Zagar Robert John , Kovach Joseph W. , Lakhani Ahmed , Stone Tracy , Singh Ishup , Portela Mariana , Berroa Bernie
Published: October 2018

Seventy-one, freshman through senior undergraduate college students 28 males and 43 females, M age =22.34 yr., SD = 4.20 in 5 different science classes were administered the Wide Range Achievement Test Fourth Edition (WRAT-4) Math Computation Subtest. Predictive validity coefficients were calculated relative to the criterion of the final class grade. The validity coefficient for the pre-course WRAT score was statistically significant. The WRAT-4 Math subtest can be used by instructors to examine performance on specific items to judge the appropriateness of a student’s placement in either entry-level or advanced science courses. However, high school grades are also a good predictor of completing the college curriculum and should be used along with math computation skills scores. Also motivation to complete college level science courses and socioeconomic status may be covariates in predicting college science final grade and eventual graduation from college.
Which diagnostic method should be used in which age interval in the diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy?
Authors: Kaya Kamil Hakan , Bilece Zeki Tolga , Acıpayam Harun , Koçak Hasan , Ulusoy Hüseyin Avni , Keskin Mehmet
Published: October 2018

Aim: This study aims to determine the age interval for which the flexible nasopharyngoscopy (FNP) and lateral nasopharyngeal X-ray radiography (LNX) used in the diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy more effectively in a pediatric population.
Study Design: Prospective Cohort Study.
Materials and Methods: 281 pediatric patients (1 to 15 years old) who were admitted to our ENT outpatient clinic with the complaints of nasal obstruction, snoring, sleep apnea through April 2016 and February 2017 and who were examined with FNP with the pre-diagnosis of adenoid hypertrophy were included in our study. All FNP examinations were evaluated by a single physician. The degree of choanal obstruction was recorded as percentage (%) with the help of the adenoid tissue image. The patients were divided into four groups according to the quality of the endoscopic examination performed during FNP examination; optimal assessment (group-1), assisted optimal assessment (group-2), assisted suboptimal assessment (group-3), and inability to assess despite assistance (group-4). LNX was performed for the re-evaluation of adenoid tissue in the patients in Group-3 and 4. Statistical analysis was performed among the groups according to the ages of the patients.
Results: Optimal images were obtained with FNP in the patients aged between 1 and 2 years and 8-15 years and the expected images were obtained for choanal obstruction. However, no image could be obtained with FNP for assessment of choanal obstruction in more than 30% of patients between the ages of 3 and 8 years (31.2% and 33.3%, respectively), also in more than 50% of the patients who were 4,5,6 and 7 years old (60.6%, 56.7%, 55.8%, 66 , 6%, respectively). For this reason, their degrees of choanal obstruction were determined with LNX.
Conclusion: For the optimal assessment of adenoid hypertrophy, we suggest that using LNX for the pediatric patients who are 4, 5, 6 and 7 years old and using FNP for the other age groups are more appropriate methods respectively in order not to disturb the polyclinic process of physician and for patient compliance.
High-level of circulating progranulin and its relationship with plasma glycosaminoglycans, as biochemical indicators of proteolytic and oxidative aggrecan modification, in the course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Winsz-Szczotka Katarzyna , Kuźnik-Trocha Kornelia , Komosińska-Vassev Katarzyna , Lemski Wojciech , Olczyk Krystyna
Published: October 2018

Aim: Progranulin (PGRN) plays an important role in cartilage metabolism. The disturbed interaction between PGRN and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), as biochemical indicators of aggrecan modification, may contribute to articular damage observed in the course of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Hence, the aim of this study was to assess quantitatively the level of progranulin in children with JIA as well as to evaluate the correlation between PGRN and GAGs, MMP-3 (matrix metalloproteinase 3), ADAMTS-4 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4) as well as the total oxidative status (TOS) and the total antioxidative status (TAS). We have also evaluated interactions between PGRN and inflammatory and anemia indicators, i.e. C-reactive protein (CRP), and hemoglobin (Hb), respectively.
Material/Methods: The PRGN level was measured using the immunoenzymatic method, in blind tested coded plasma samples, obtained from both JIA patients before and after treatment and from healthy children.
Results: Increased (p<0.001) plasma progranulin in JIA patients before treatment was observed. Therapy resulted in a decrease in the PRGN level. However, the plasma PRGN level still remained higher (p<0.05) than in the controls. In both groups of patients, we have revealed an insignificant correlation between plasma PGRN and GAGs levels. Moreover, a significant correlation between plasma PGRN level and MMP-3, ADAMTS-4, TOS, TAS, CRP and Hb levels, was stated in untreated JIA patients.
Conclusions: The obtained results may indicate that PGRN has antioxidative properties in the course of JIA, but do not confirm the protective roles of this glycoprotein in respect to the destructive effects of proteolytic factors.
Parenting style in family and the risk of psychopathology
Authors: Konopka Anna , Rek-Owodziń Katarzyna , Pełka-Wysiecka Justyna , Samochowiec Jerzy
Published: October 2018

Parenting style is one of the exogenous factors, participating both in the etiology of psychopathology and in the healthy development of a child. Four main parenting styles, investigated so far, which evoke researchers interest most frequently, are: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive (liberal) loving and permissive uninvolved style. Research conducted in different countries has allowed us to describe connections between applying particular upbringing models and the occurrence of depression, eating disorders, addictions or violence. It has been evidenced that liberal- unloving parenting style, based on little control, and lack of emotional support, is positively associated with aggressive behavior. Parenting models based on excessive control and emotional coldness increase the risk of depression and substance abuse in children and adolescent, whereas authoritative parenting style applied by both parents minimalizes the risk of depression, suicidal tendencies and is also negatively correlated with substance abuse, bulimia and anorexia nervosa. Scientific reports indicate cross-cultural differences in young people’s perception of their parent’s style. For example, uninvolved parenting style was associated with higher depressiveness in Asian females than in African-American. Our paper presents a review of investigations on parenting styles and their results, conducted in different times and often in different cultures. The presented data allows us to formulate general conclusions and recommendations concerning parenting methods which may minimize the risk of psychopathology in youth. Authoritative style, consisting in high control combined with expression of emotional warmth, seems to be the most advantageous for the child’s development.
Electoral Support for the Czech Green Party in Relation to Post-Materialism, 2006–2013
Authors: Pink Michal , Sax Ondřej , Smolková Andrea
Published: October 2018

The article analyses the relationship between electoral support of the Green Party in the Czech Republic and the level of post-materialism on municipal level. Indicators of post-materialism (lower age, university education, middle and upper class/income, lower unemployment rate in the municipality, and larger municipality size) are based on the concept of post-materialism developed by Ronald Inglehart as well as other studies. The study analyses data aggregated at the municipal level, first for the whole nation and then in more depth for two selected regions. Quantitative methods and techniques, mainly correlation and regression, are used to determine the relationship between the variables.
Ondřej Preuss: Klauzule věčnosti: Je možné odstranit liberální demokracii?
Authors: Sekerák Marián
Published: October 2018

Knižní recenze / book review.
Znalosti a pozice v politickém prostoru: případ parlamentních voleb v Česku 2017
Authors: Jaroš Bronislav , Voda Petr
Published: October 2018

The aim of this article is to clarify connections between citizens’ knowledge and their positions in a political space in the Czech Republic. Rather than a political space as a whole, previous studies examined particular issues, values, participation or accuracy of citizens’ positions compared to positions of their preferred candidates in association with the knowledge variable. Thus, this study provides a new piece of the puzzle. The election study 2017 of Centrum pro výzkum veřejného mínění (Public Opinion Research Centre) is a source of the data for this analysis. The results suggest, in contrary to our presumptions, that the knowledge does not significantly influence if a person advocates rather central or clear-cut positions. On the other hand, more knowledgeable citizens are slightly more liberal in the conservative – liberal dimension. The interesting contradiction is seen in the left – right dimension in the Czech specific context. Compared to people with less knowledge, more knowledgeable people tend to be positioned in more right positions in the left-right dimension related to the economy and in more left positions in the dimension related to the transition.
Definice semiprezidencialismu – řešení či nové otázky?
Authors: Šedo Jakub
Published: October 2018

This review essay discusses new definition of a semipresidential system, which has been introduced by Miloš Brunclík and Michal Kubát in their book Kdo vládne Česku? (Who Governs in Czechia?). Advantages and problems of their definition are discussed, with the result that the definition is interesting and generally correct. However, some modifications to the definition are proposed. Subsequently, arguments put forward against the Post-duvergerian definition of semipresidentialism are critically evaluated, including alternatives to the definition proposed by Brunclík and Kubát. The essay closes by presenting alternative ways of dealing with the dispute over the definition of semipresidentialism among Czech political scientists.
Practical challenges for biomedical modeling using HPC
Authors: Wright David W , Richardson Robin A , Coveney Peter V
Published: October 2018

The concept underlying precision medicine is that prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pathologies such as cancer can be improved through an understanding of the influence of individual patient characteristics. Predictive medicine seeks to derive this understanding through mechanistic models of the causes and (potential) progression of diseases within a given individual. This represents a grand challenge for computational biomedicine as it requires the integration of highly varied (and potentially vast) quantitative experimental datasets into models of complex biological systems. It is becoming increasingly clear that this challenge can only be answered through the use of complex workflows that combine diverse analyses and whose design is informed by an understanding of how predictions must be accompanied by estimates of uncertainty. Each stage in such a workflow can, in general, have very different computational requirements. If funding bodies and the HPC community are serious about the desire to support such approaches, they must consider the need for portable, persistent and stable tools designed to promote extensive long term development and testing of these workflows. From the perspective of model developers (and with even greater relevance to potential clinical or experimental collaborators) the enormous diversity of interfaces and supercomputer policies, frequently designed with monolithic applications in mind, can represent a serious barrier to innovation. Here we use experiences from work on two very different biomedical modeling scenarios - brain bloodflow and small molecule drug selection - to highlight issues with the current programming and execution environments and suggest potential solutions.
Not so benign
Authors: Rivera Barbara
Published: October 2018

Susceptibility to uterine fibroids, benign tumors that affect the health of many women, is linked to genes that are responsible for preserving genome integrity and promoting genitourinary development.
Considerations for Academic Medical Centers Moving AHEAD
Authors: Bhatla Anjali , Berkowitz Scott A.
Published: November 2024

This Viewpoint describes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) model for academic medical centers.
Global metabolomic profiling of tumor tissue and paired serum samples to identify biomarkers for response to neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX treatment of human pancreatic cancer
Authors: Amrutkar Manoj , Guttorm Sander Johannes Thorbjørnsen , Finstadsveen Anette Vefferstad , Labori Knut Jørgen , Eide Lars , Rootwelt Helge , Elgstøen Katja Benedikte Prestø , Gladhaug Ivar P. , Verbeke Caroline S.
Published: November 2024

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAT) is increasingly used for the treatment of non‐metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and is established as a standard of care for borderline resectable and locally advanced PDAC. However, full exploitation of its clinical benefits is limited by the lack of biomarkers that assess treatment response. To address this unmet need, global metabolomic profiling was performed on tumor tissue and paired serum samples from patients with treatment‐naïve (TN; n = 18) and neoadjuvant leucovorin calcium (folinic acid), fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX)‐treated (NAT; n = 17) PDAC using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) in TN versus NAT groups were identified and their correlation with various clinical parameters was assessed. Metabolomics profiling identified 40 tissue and five serum DAMs in TN versus NAT PDAC. In general, DAMs associated with amino acid and nucleotide metabolism were lower in NAT compared to TN. Four DAMs—3‐hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), 3‐carboxy‐4‐methyl‐5‐propyl‐2‐furanpropanoic acid (CMPF), glycochenodeoxycholate and citrulline—were common to both tissue and serum and showed a similar pattern of differential abundance in both groups. A strong positive correlation was observed between serum carbohydrate 19‐9 antigen (CA 19‐9) and tissue carnitines (C12, C18, C18:2) and N8‐acetylspermidine. The reduction in CA 19‐9 following NAT correlated negatively with serum deoxycholate levels, and the latter correlated positively with survival. This study revealed neoadjuvant‐chemotherapy‐induced changes in metabolic pathways in PDAC, mainly amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, and these correlated with reduced CA 19‐9 following neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX treatment.
DDX3 participates in miRNA biogenesis and RNA interference through translational control of PACT and interaction with AGO2
Authors: Lai Ming‐Chih , Yu Yen‐Ling , Chen Chiao‐Nung , Yu Jau‐Song , Hung Hsin‐Yuan , Chan Shih‐Peng
Published: November 2024

DDX3 is a DEAD‐box RNA helicase that plays multiple roles in RNA metabolism, including translation. We previously reported that DDX3 is required for translation of PACT, a binding partner of Dicer, suggesting a role for DDX3 in microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and RNA interference (RNAi). Emerging evidence suggests that DDX3 plays a vital role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, however, its underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. Here, we showed that the control of PACT by DDX3 is conserved in human cells and Caenorhabditis elegans. Using a miRNA microarray, we found that DDX3 regulates the expression of a small subset of cancer‐related miRNAs. These oncogenic miRNAs were down‐regulated by knockdown of DDX3 or PACT and up‐regulated by overexpression of DDX3 or PACT in HEK293T cells. Similar results were obtained in human cancer HCT116 and HeLa cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that DDX3 and PACT are required for short hairpin RNA (shRNA)‐induced RNAi. We also performed co‐immunoprecipitation to confirm the interaction between DDX3 and AGO2, a significant component of the RNA‐induced silencing complex, supporting a role for DDX3 in the RNAi pathway. We further examined the effects of DDX3 and PACT on cell proliferation, and stable overexpression of DDX3 in HEK293 cells results in loss of contact inhibition of cell growth. Hence, we propose that DDX3 may participate in cancer development by regulating the RNAi pathway.
Incidence of and Risk of Mortality After Hip Fractures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Relative to the General Population
Authors: Jones C. Allyson , Guy Pierre , Xie Hui , Sayre Eric C. , Zhao Kai , Lacaille Diane
Published: November 2024

Objective

Osteoporosis, a known complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), increases the risk of hip fracture, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Fracture risk estimates in patients with RA treated with contemporary treatment strategies are lacking. The objectives were (1) estimate age‐specific and sex‐specific incidence rates and compare the risk of hip fractures in RA relative to age‐matched and sex‐matched general population controls, and (2) compare the risk of all‐cause mortality in RA and general population controls after hip fracture.

Methods

A longitudinal study of a population‐based incident cohort of patients with RA diagnosed between 1997 and 2009, followed until 2014, with age‐matched and sex‐matched controls from the general population of British Columbia, using administrative health data. Hip fracture outcomes (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification [ICD‐9‐CM] codes 820.0 or 820.2; ICD‐10‐Canada code S72.0 to S72.2) and mortality at predefined intervals after fracture (in hospital, 90 days, 1‐year, 5‐year) were identified. Hip fracture incidence rates for RA and controls, and incidence rate ratios (IRRs), were calculated. Cox proportional hazards models compared hip fracture and mortality risk in RA versus controls; logistic regression compared in‐hospital mortality risk.

Results

Overall, 1,314 hip fractures over 360,521 person‐years were identified in 37,616 individuals with RA and 2,083 over 732,249 person‐years in 75,213 controls, yielding a 28% greater fracture risk in RA (IRR 1.28 [95% confidence interval 1.20–1.37]). Mean age at time of fracture was slightly younger for RA than controls (79.6 ± 10.8 vs 81.6 ± 9.3 years). Postfracture mortality risk at one‐year and five‐years did not differ between RA and general population controls. Results were similar in a sensitivity analysis including only individuals with RA who received disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Conclusion

People with RA had a greater risk of hip fractures, but no greater risk of mortality post fracture, than the general population. The relative risk of hip fractures observed was not as high as previously reported, likely reflecting better treatment of inflammation and management of osteoporosis and its risk factors.
Prevention is the key!
Authors: Kent Rob
Published: November 2024

“The next Administration must reaffirm a commitment to preventing drug use before it starts, providing treatment that leads to long‐term recovery, and reducing the availability of illicit drugs in the United States.” This language appears on page 94 of the Project 2025 plan.
Corrosion and Discharge Behavior of As‐Rolled AZ91 Magnesium Alloy after Electro‐Pulsing Treatment
Authors: Huang Zhiquan , Guo Yu , Huang Renyao , Niu Wenquan , Zou Jinchao , Gao Xiangyu
Published: November 2024

In this article, a systematic investigation into the corrosion and discharge behaviors of as‐rolled a represents aluminum, Z represents zinc, 9 and 1 represent their respective contents of 9% and 1% in the alloy (AZ91) magnesium alloy after electro pulsing treatment (EPT), considering rolling deformations of 0% (as‐cast AZ91 magnesium alloy), 20%, 30%, and 40%, is presented. In this investigation, immersion weight loss tests, electrochemical tests, and other experimental methods are employed. In the results, it is revealed that the content of the β‐Mg17Al12 phase gradually decreases with increasing rolling deformation after EPT. Notably, the highest content of β‐Mg17Al12 phase and the most outstanding corrosion resistance are achieved with as‐cast AZ91 magnesium alloy. Furthermore, at low current densities (5 and 10 mA cm−2), the 30% rolling deformation exhibits superior discharge activity, while the discharge activity of the 40% rolling deformation is most excellent at high current densities (40 and 50 mA cm−2). The microstructure observations support these findings, highlighting the close relationship between the corrosion resistance and discharge activity of as‐rolled AZ91 magnesium alloy after EPT, and the content of the β‐Mg17Al12 phase and the area of high‐energy grain boundaries.
Fabrication of MgB2 Coil with the Center Field of 5.71 Tesla Using 520‐m Inner Magnesium Diffusion Wire
Authors: Chen Zhenyu , Yang Fang , Wang Qingyang , Feng Jianqing , Liu Jixing , Zhang Rui , Wang Dayou , Zhang Shengnan , Li Jianfeng , Zhang Pingxiang
Published: November 2024

The poor deformation ability of magnesium rods makes it challenging to fabricate long MgB2 inner magnesium diffusion (IMD) wires, further seriously limiting the application of high‐performance MgB2 wires. A 600 m IMD 30‐filament MgB2 wire is fabricate by alternating use of rotary‐swaging and drawing strategy. The critical current density (Jc) and the critical engineering current density (Je) are 8.0 × 104 A cm−2 and 7.6 × 105 A cm−2 (at 4.2 K, 4 T), respectively, which are some of the best performances reported so far. The flux‐pinning behavior of the MgB2 wires is investigated, and the surface pinning behavior is found to be dominant in the IMD 30‐filament wire in the whole field range at 4.2 K. The critical point for the IMD 30‐filament MgB2 wire to keep high performance in high fields is revealed by comparing it with the reference wires. Then, 520 m of wire are cut from the 30‐filament MgB2 wire and wound into a coil. The center field of the coil is 5.71 T at 4.2 K when the current loads to 219 A, which is the highest value among the IMD MgB2 coils. This work made breakthroughs in the wire length, filament numbers, and transport performance of IMD MgB2 wire, while also providing a paradigm study for exploring the in situ magnetic performance of multi‐filament wires.
Intrinsically Thermally Degradable Microstructures Fabricated by Photodimerization in Rapid 3D Laser Printing
Authors: Gauci Steven C. , Somers Paul , Aljuaid Mohammed , Wegener Martin , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , Houck Hannes A.
Published: November 2024

Classical photoresists utilized in direct laser writing (DLW) rely on photoinitiators and radical polymerization mechanisms to induce the cross‐linking process. Herein, a simple initiator‐free photoresist is introduced that enables the rapid fabrication of intrinsically thermally degradable 3D microstructures via DLW. The reported photoresist exploits the [2 + 2] photo‐dimerization reaction of a multifunctional monosubstituted thiomaleimide compound while harvesting on‐demand microstructure degradation through the intrinsic thermally reversible nature of the photocrosslinks. The photoresist exceeds attainable DLW printing speeds for non‐chain growth resins, readily attaining 1500 µm s−1 and up to 5000 µm s−1, making it a promising system to compete with traditional photo‐initiator containing resists while introducing on‐demand post‐printing degradability.