bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weighted Upper Edge Cover: Complexity and Approximability
Authors: Khoshkhah Kaveh , Khosravian Ghadikolaei Mehdi , Monnot Jérôme , Sikora Florian
Published: February 2020

Optimization problems consist of either maximizing or minimizing an objective function.
Instead of looking for a maximum solution (resp. minimum solution), one can find a minimum maximal solution (resp. maximum minimal solution).
Such "flipping" of the objective function was done for many classical optimization problems.
For example, ${\rm M{\small INIMUM}}$ ${\rm V{\small ERTEX}}$ ${\rm C{\small OVER}}$ becomes ${\rm M{\small AXIMUM}}$ ${\rm M{\small INIMAL}}$ ${\rm V{\small ERTEX}}$ ${\rm C{\small OVER}}$, ${\rm M{\small AXIMUM}}$ ${\rm I{\small NDEPENDENT}}$ ${\rm S{\small ET}}$ becomes ${\rm M{\small INIMUM}}$ ${\rm M{\small AXIMAL}}$ ${\rm I{\small NDEPENDENT}}$ ${\rm S{\small ET}}$ and so on. In this paper, we propose to study the weighted version of Maximum Minimal Edge Cover called ${\rm U{\small PPER}}$ ${\rm E{\small DGE}}$ ${\rm C{\small OVER}}$, a problem having application in genomic sequence alignment.
It is well-known that ${\rm M{\small INIMUM}}$ ${\rm E{\small DGE}}$ ${\rm C{\small OVER}}$ is polynomial-time solvable and the "flipped" version is NP-hard, but constant approximable. We show that the weighted ${\rm U{\small PPER}}$ ${\rm E{\small DGE}}$ ${\rm C{\small OVER}}$ is much more difficult
than ${\rm U{\small PPER}}$ ${\rm E{\small DGE}}$ ${\rm C{\small OVER}}$ because it is not $O(\frac{1}{n^{1/2-\varepsilon}})$ approximable, nor $O(\frac{1}{\Delta^{1-\varepsilon}})$ in edge-weighted graphs of size $n$ and maximum degree $\Delta$ respectively.
Indeed, we give some hardness of approximation results for some special restricted graph classes such as bipartite graphs, split graphs and $k$-trees.
We counter-balance these negative results by giving some positive approximation results in specific graph classes.
Efficient Algorithm for Box Folding
Authors: Mizunashi Koichi , Horiyama Takashi , Uehara Ryuhei
Published: February 2020

For a given polygon $P$ and a polyhedron $Q$,
the folding problem asks if $Q$ can be obtained from $P$ by folding it.
This simple problem is quite complicated, and there is
no known efficient algorithm that solves this problem in general.
In this paper, we focus on the case that $Q$ is a box, and the size of $Q$ is not given.
That is, input of the box folding problem is a polygon $P$, and it asks
if $P$ can fold to boxes of certain sizes.
We note that there exist an infinite number of polygons $P$
that can fold into three boxes of different sizes.
In this paper, we give a pseudo polynomial time algorithm
that computes all possible ways of folding of $P$ to boxes.
La interpretación de los riesgos naturales y el cambio climático en postgrado. Ejemplos de casos de estudio en la provincia de Alicante (España)
Authors: Morote Seguido Álvaro Francisco
Published: February 2020

Esta investigación tiene el objetivo de exponer una experiencia didáctica sobre la interpretación de los riesgos naturales y el cambio climático a partir de la propuesta de diferentes estudios de caso de la provincia de Alicante (España). Dicha propuesta se lleva a cabo en la asignatura de Cambio Climático y Riesgo en el Mediterráneo del Máster en Planificación y Gestión de Riesgos Naturales (Universidad de Alicante). Metodológicamente se han expuesto diferentes ejemplos de análisis sobre las temáticas de: 1) Las sequías; 2) La explotación y sangrado de cursos fluviales; 3) Tendencias climáticas; y 4) Medidas de adaptación al cambio climático. Con estos ejemplos se pretende que los discentes sepan diferenciar e interpretar, para el área de estudio, las causas y consecuencias provocadas por los riesgos naturales y el cambio climático (concretamente sequías e inundaciones) y la adaptación del ser humano a estos problemas socio-ambientales. Como conclusión cabe poner de manifiesto que estos ejemplos ayudan al discente a comprender la complejidad del territorio, desvinculando de esta manera los estereotipos sobre estos problemas y dando una mayor importancia a la influencia de la acción del ser humano en el incremento del riesgo.
Ozone and autologous therapies [abstract]
Authors: Cakir Ruhi
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: One of the proven effects of Ozone Therapy, is the releasing of Growth Factors from Platelets. Some other therapies can have similar effects. Autologous Therapies can be defined as “The therapy that is done by transferring cells, tissues, body liquids originating from the recipient rather than from donor.” The purpose of this presentation is to give information on those therapies.

DISCUSSION: There are several therapies in this group, such as Stem Cell Therapies, Dentric Cell Vaccine Therapy, Autologous immune enhancement therapy, etc. But most of them are so difficult that we can not practise at office conditions where some therapies can be done at small clinic and private offices. These are; PRP (Platelets Rich Plasma) / CGF (Concentrated Growth Factors) / PRF (Platelets Rich Fibrin). The differences among those therapies and common points are evaluated.

RESULTS: All those therapies have some beneficial effects.

CONCLUSION: Integrative Medicine and Autologous Therapies look as future medicine. We can learn more on these therapies.
Intraperitoneal and local ozone applications in veterinary oncology treatment [abstract]
Authors: Caquetti Adriano
Published: February 2020

The elevated incidence of some non treatable, or with low therapeutic results, side effects in certain areas of veterinary medicine such as oncology, orthopaedics, wounds and infections in dogs, cats, and horses is notoriously reported and differentiated in several infirmities. These side effects manifest in symptoms acting as locomotor disability, pain, and in some cases, they result in a great loss of life quality in animals and their owners alike. Therefore, intraperitoneal and local ozone applications have brought relevant results and are now being used as complementary or, in certain cases, only treatment. The goal of this lecture is to show the use as well as the results and techniques used in oncological pathologies treated with intraperitoneal and local ozone applications which did not respond ,or had low therapeutic results, to conventional veterinary treatment. All this demonstrates that Intraperitoneal as well as local ozone applications are powerful tools available to veterinarians in order to promote relief, comfort, or, possibly, cure to animals.
Our experience in Costa Rica on treatment of disc herniation [abstract]
Authors: Contreras Carlos A. , Trejos Humberto , Lizano Verne
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: To inform on the characteristics, results and epidemiological data on the treatment of Disc Herniation in Costa Rica.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the handling of 1240 patients, with Disc Herniation at Cervical 147 cases (11.85%), Thoracic 1 case (0.09%) and Lumbar 1092 cases (88.06%) levels. They were all treated with Oxygen-Ozone therapy, in an ambulatory form, with a protocol of treatment, initially consistent of three to four sessions of paravertebral intramuscular infiltration (O3: 20 mcgr/mL), followed by a session of “Discolysis” (O3: 38-40ug/mL) technique under sedation and fluoroscopy, followed by four to five complementary sessions of paravertebral intramuscular infiltration of 02-03, in a lapse from three to six weeks.

RESULTS: In our casuistry we treated 669 men (54%) and 571women (46%) and deducted that there is an evident predominance in the incidence of lumbar disc hernias with 1092 cases, followed by the cervical disc hernias with 147cases, with a negligible incidence of Thoracic Hernias (1 case 0.09%).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results achieved with the O2-O3 Therapy are highly satisfactory; especially with the cervical (84.2%), and we believe that it is due to a less incidence of associated pathologies and a higher conscience of the problem by the patients.
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) in 2017. Possible mechanism of action of ozone [abstract]
Authors: Erario Maria Angeles , Grangeat Anibal , Croce Eduardo
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: Show light on the biological mechanism of ozone in DDD.
The increase in life expectancy in the population brings to the increase of diseases associated with aging: cancer, heart disease, diabetes and low back pain. DDD and osteoarthritis are the most common causes of chronic joint-related disability and disabling pain in adults. Aging of the organism is the result of accumulation of molecular and cellular alterations over time, leading to a physiological and functional decrease of tissues.

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION: In the Intervertebral discs (IVDs), aging can be schematized in 3 phases: accumulation of damaged bio-molecules, aberrant cellular response to the lesion and loss of structure and biological function. This perspective focuses on considering that the aging mechanisms are senescence, inflammation and oxidative damage.
The IVDs acquire fissures and neo-vascularisation, this causes that the resident cells that are accustomed to the low voltage of oxygen, are exposed to a greater tension of oxygen and therefore to the oxidative stress.
During aging, IVD cells change from the anabolic to catabolic phenotype. There is increased necrosis, apoptosis, and cell senescence.
The NF-kB signal is central in the inflammatory response, stress and injury. There is a chronic activation of NF-kb correlated with oxidative stress and degeneration.
Symptomatic discs have high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines that are considered targets of NF-kB.

CONCLUSION: For many years attempts have been made to inhibit the action of NF-kb and other inflammatory targets to mitigate DDD without favourable results. However, ozone is the solution to this problem because it interferes precisely at the level of NF-kB avoiding its chronic activation.
That is why, in DDD there are sustainable improvements on patients, despite the fact that the MRI images show no significant changes.
Ozonetherapy for equine laminitis [abstract]
Authors: Flores-Colin Eduardo , Gayon-Amaro Susana Gabriela
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: To teach and to demonstrate the efficiency of ozone therapy in horses with chronic laminitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six horses with chronic laminitis were treated with two ozonetherapy techniques. All horses were 4/5 or 5/5 grade lameness (1), showed severe pain in the fore limbs and were no able to move.
Use used:
- Inyectable distilled water
- 14G Catheter needles
- 500 ml blood transfusion bags
- Venoset
- Gloves
- 60 ml syringes
- 2% Lidocaine
- Medicinal oxygen
- Ozone generator
- 21G butterfly needles
1 Spanish horse and 2 Quarter horses were treated with hyperperfusion technique via cephalic vein injecting 60 ml of distilled water previously ozonized with 85 mcgr/mL of the oxygen-ozone mixture.
1 Thoroughbred, 1 Appaloosa and 1 Quarter horse were treated with the hyperperfusion technique via the cephalic vein and with major autohemotherapy (2,3) extracting 250 ml of blood in a transfusion bag and ozonizing it with 250 ml of the ozone-oxygen mixture with concentration of 23-25 mcgr/mL.
4 horses were treated weekly for 4 sessions (Spanish, 2 Quarter horse, Thoroughbred). Those patients improved between 90 and 95%. The grade of lameness were between 1/5 and 2/5 after treatment.
2 horses (1 Quarter horse and Appaloosa) were treated once, they did not improved as they were not evaluated nor treated with the established protocol.

DISCUSSION: Compared to conventional treatments (3), ozonetherapy yielded better results in time and quality of recovery.

CONCLUSION: Ozonetherapy is the best choice we have developed for chronic laminitis in horses.
Ozone applications in veterinary oncology [abstract]
Authors: Gayon-Amaro Susana Gabriela , Flores-Colin Eduardo
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical improvement of 5 patients – four dogs and a Panther leo krugerii- diagnosed with neoplasic pathologies treated with ozone therapy under adjusted protocols for each patient.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five patients were presented to veterinary consultation for the diagnose of different injuries using cytology, blood examination and imagenology in some cases. According to the diagnose (a female dog with mammary adenocarcinoma, another with vaginal adenocarcinoma, a male dog with basal cells tumour in the scrotum, a young male dog with a periosteal reaction radiographically compatible with osteosarcoma and a male white lion with a melanoma in the lower eyelid) the ozone protocol was established using combinations of local infiltration, topic instillation of ozonized oil, major and minor autohemotherapy and rectal insufflations. The results showed an improvement of general state of the patients, decrease size of tumor of patient 1 and complete remission in patient 2 – adenocarcinoma- after ultrasound studies of annual control. In patient diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the active oncological process showed in the first radiological study appeared inactive in the second one, claudication and muscle atrophy of affected limb complete disappeared. Cytology of patient 4 shows total absence of basals cells. In patient 5 – melanoma- zookeepers report absence of exudates and pruritus with normal appetite.

DISCUSSION: There are no clinical reports of the use of ozone in oncological veterinary patients but there are many preclinical papers and human case reports about ozone for cancer treatment (1, 2, 3, and 4)

CONCLUSION: Based on that, it is possible to conclude that established protocols were capable of improve quality of life of the patients avoiding metastatic process and tumoral growth.
The effect of ozone therapy on experimental bone fracture healing in rats [abstract]
Authors: Irban Arzu , Uslu Serap , Gereli Arel , Aydinlar Elif Ilgaz , Karyemez Pinar Elpen , Luleci Nurettin , Suyen Guldal Gulec
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND: In the literature, many beneficial effects are attributed ozone; it balances the oxidant-antioxidant system, leads to delivery of super enriched oxygen at a cellular level and optimizes cell function, etc.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if there is a positive impact of ozone therapy on bone healing in an experimental fracture model in rats.

MATERIAL and METHODS: After approval of experimental animal ethic committee, an open femoral fracture (ffx) was performed in 48 male Spraque Dawley rats. They were randomly divided into two groups: in Group O, medical ozone/oxygen mixture (500 mg/kg) and in Group C, medical air in volume of 4 mL were given rectally for 3-days. At days 4, 7 and 13, eight rats from each group were euthanized, and histomorphometric and immunohistochemical bone tissue evaluation was undertaken from the femur sampling.

RESULTS: Histomorphometrically, periost thickness was thicker, trabecular areas were larger, cartilaginous and new bone areas were smaller (p
Ozone Therapy as treatment for severe cases without good evolution in ophthalmology [abstract]
Authors: Tratsk Karla
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: In ophthalmology many diseases lead to irreversible blindness, something that implies millions of dollars in care because people with these difficulties loose their autonomy, becoming dependent in all their everyday activities.
This presentation will focus on clinical cases of the following pathologies treated with Ozone Therapy because all these were already being treated in a conventional way without signs of improvement. They are primary open-angle glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, occlusion of the central retinal artery, facial paralysis and herpetic polyneuropathy associated with orbital apex syndrome.

CASE PRESENTATION: As an example, a patient, 73 , female, insulin-dependent diabetes for 10 years, with primary open angle glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy with various laser photocoagulations, vitrectomies and intravitreal injections in both eyes (BE). Visual acuity (VA) of 20/200 in right eye (RE) and 20/100 in left eye (LE).
Subjected to the facectomy in RE and with cataract in LE. The fundoscopy was stable in BE. The VA went to 20/200 on 1st day of postoperative period and remained stable until 21st day. After integrative treatment with Ozone Therapy the patient got a VA of 20/60-2 in RE and 20/40-2 in LE, restoring vision and improving her quality of life.
Furthermore, she stopped to be insulin dependent, only having to take oral medication.

CONCLUSION: The result shows that Ozone therapy should be a therapeutic tool to be associated with Ophthalmology because in many cases, including difficult treatment and evolution, it recovers visual acuity and re-establishes ocular physiology, promoting the maintenance of eye health and vision, contributing to the preservation of autonomy in the lives of patients.
Methotrexate+Medical Ozone combined therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis. From experimental models to clinical trials [abstract]
Authors: Leon-Fernandez Olga Sonia , Viebahn-Haensler Renate , Takon-Oru Gabriel , Tamargo-Santos Beatriz , Polo-Vega Juan Carlos
Published: February 2020

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work has been to investigate the medical ozone effects on 2 experimental models: PG/PS induced RA and synovitis followed for a clinical trial of efficacy.

METHODS: mRNA levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta, injury and protective biomarker of oxidative stress, morphology studies, A1 adenosine receptor role, Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated (Anti-CCP) levels and clinical variables were determined.

RESULTS: Medical ozone ameliorated the expression of proinflammatory cytoquines, reduced oxidative damage while participation of A1 adenosine receptor in the antiinflammatory effects was demonstrated.
In RA patients (n=60) MTX + ozone reduced the activity of the disease while MTX merely showed a tendency to decrease it. MTX + ozone reduced Anti-CCP levels as well as increased antioxidant system, and decreased oxidative damage whereas MTX did not change.

CONCLUSIONS: Medical ozone was effective in the reduction of inflammatory response in 2 experimental studies. MTX + ozone increased the MTX clinical efficacy in RA patients. These results suggest that ozone can increase the efficacy of MTX probably because both share common therapeutic targets.
Experimental protocol in veterinary on Borrelliosis (Lyme Disease) and Bartonellosis, concomitant cause of many serious pathologies treated with antibiotics, oxygen/ozone therapy and autologous stem cells [abstract]
Authors: Polettini Marco
Published: February 2020

INTRODUCTION: Many recent publications have spoken about the relations between Borreliosis and Bartonellosis, and pathologies such as Parkinson’s Multiple Sclerosis, LAS, cluster headache, depression, autism, epilepsy, cancer, etc….The aim is to see if subjects with these two infections, pathologies considered incurable, respond positively to a protocol that includes antibiotics, oxygen/ozone therapy and autologous stem cells.

RESULTS: The results of this protocol on serious pathologies considered incurable in veterinary and overlapping human pathologies, are giving good outcomes.

DISCUSSION: The difficult to diagnose Borrelliosis and Bartonellosis in the Lab and variability of the clinical symptoms cause difficulty to both human and veterinary doctors. Even when these pathologies are confirmed by analyses they are treated with a short antibiotic cycle. Because bacteria have systems to overcome antibiotics the pathologies become chronic leading to sub-clinical meningitis that also blocks the correct functioning of the autonomous nervous system that regulates every physiological process. Serious pathologies appear even years after bacterial contamination and mankind’s increasing longevity together with these bacterias’ tropism can cause or has already caused a pandemic.

CONCLUSION: Alternating or combining therapies using various antibiotics, together with the antibacterial and catalytic effect of the oxygen/ozone therapy in the antibiotics and stem cells and the immunomodulation and neurotrophic effect of the Blood Stem Cells can indirectly resolve pathologies considered incurable up to now.
Hyperbaric ozone therapy: scientific considerations [abstract]
Authors: Rowen Robert Jay
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND: This ozone world is little familiar with a modification of major autohemotherapy called hyperbaric ozone therapy (HBO3). This method may be a superior delivery system of ozone therapy, capturing benefits of intravenous oxygen gas as well as the oxidizing power of ozone therapy.

MATERIAL and METHODS: I will discuss a scientific comparison between the largely reviled direct intravenous ozone administration and HBO3, inclusive of a safety/efficacy survey of practicing HBO3 physicians in America.
Use of ozone in bone pathologies of the dog [abstract]
Authors: Scrollavezza Paolo
Published: February 2020

The author presents his extended experiences using ozone to treat different orthopedic pathologies in the dog. He illustrates the state of the art of how ozone can be useful as adjuvant or as a treatment in osteomyelitis and osteochondrosis, arthrosis and arthritis, malunion and nonunion fractures, open fractures, and spinal cord and vertebral disease. In particular, numerous experiences will be described on the benefits of major ozone autohemotherapy (MAHT), minor ozone autohemotherapy (mAHT) and local ozone application in septic arthritis and open fractures; diseases in which antiseptic, healing and regenerative power of ozone seems more evident. Author also describes his experiences about ozonized Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution (OANH), an innovative technique to be used in synthesis of long bone fractures in the dog where significant blood loss is expected during orthopedic surgery.
Evaluation of Ozone Therapy as adjuvant therapy in cancer patients and reduction of side effects of Radiation therapy- Indian experiences [abstract]
Authors: Shah Mili , Kulkarni Arvind
Published: February 2020

PURPOSE: India is new cancer capital of world with almost one third of cases registered from India, In this century, cancer is projected to be the leading cause of death. Neoplasia is a multifactorial process that can be broadly categorized into five etiologies: genetic, viral, chemical, physical and inflammatory. Chemical, physical and inflammatory are closely linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can readily induce genomic damage. Although the precise mechanisms responsible for increased ROS stress in cancer cells have not be defined, the increase in ROS generation is attributed to active cellular metabolic activity under the influence of oncogenic signals and/or to mitochondrial malfunction in cancer cells. Ozone therapy (OT) biological effects are: cellular redox balance (OT can exert its protective effects by means of an oxidative preconditioning, stimulating and/or preserving the endogenous antioxidant systems); regulation of the immunological system, increase of prostacyclin, as well as the increase of oxygenation in tumours. Tumour Hypoxia is a well-recognized mechanism for resistance of neoplastic cells to anticancer drugs and radiation.

MATERIAL and METHODS: The clinical trial included only 83 patients with mainly oral, breast and brain cancer patients in treatment with cobalt-60 therapy at Lady Ratan Tata memorial radiation department were also treated with Rectal Insufflation of an ozone-oxygen at a dose of 7mg (200 ml at 35 mcrg/ml), 6 days per week along with Minor auto haemotherapy(100 mcrg) alternatively for 6 weeks till the duration radiotherapy.

RESULTS: The appearance of side effects (dermatitis, pigmentation, ulceration) minimized to 24% in the ozone group that means a significant difference post radiation. When compared to patients not treated with OT. One month after finishing the treatment, with significant difference in patients supported by OT. The clinical observation were:
- Improvement in Energy Level
- Feeling of Cheerfulness
- Improved Appetite
- Improved WBC, RBC and Hb levels
- Reduction in Tumor Markers, CEA, AFP, CA125

CONCLUSION: OT is effective as adjuvant to conventional approach of Radiation in reducing side effects of radiation by improvement of blood circulation and oxygen delivery to ischemic and neoplastic tissues. Furthermore, it correct the chronic oxidative stress by upregulating the antioxidant system procuring a state of well-being in patients by activating the neuro-endocrine system.
Applications of ozone therapy in urology [abstract]
Authors: Ekici Sinan
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND: Ozone therapy has been successfully used in various diseases for years. But, what about urological diseases? We used ozone therapy for the treatment of several urological diseases.

MATERIAL and METHODS: From November 2016 up to now, we performed ozone therapy to treat intractable urethritis in 16 patients, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in 14 patients, chronic cystitis in 14 patients, erectile dysfunction in 21 patients. We used several criteria to test the effectiveness of the ozone therapy.

RESULTS: According to the follow-up results, we obtained complete success in more than 90% of the patients, complains of almost 5% the patients relieved to tolerable degree. The remaining 5% was unresponsive to the ozone therapy. We did not experience of any complications.

DISCUSSION: Our results showed that ozone can be used to treat intractable and challenging urological diseases without any complications. Determining the right patient to be treated with ozone safely, ozone application route and ozone dose are the most essential steps. Therefore, selection criteria of treatable patients must be clarified with increasing clinical experience soon.

CONCLUSION: This study summarizes and showed that different modalities of ozone therapy applications in various intractable or chronic urological diseases can be used successfully and safely.
Medical and technical requirements for medical ozone generator devices [abstract]
Authors: Travagli Valter
Published: February 2020

According to the definitions and the scope of both starting material and bulk pharmaceutical product, the achievement of Quality standards is an indispensable guarantee for the safety of use, stability and effectiveness of the medicinal products. Medicinal gases - among which the oxygen-ozone therapy is fully entitled - have to fulfil such a Quality objective.
Moreover, the therapeutic use of ozone assumes the extemporaneous preparation of the gaseous mixture, demanding the overall responsibility to the healthcare professionals. As a result of scientific and technical progress, the ozone generators must be validated having passed all the qualification phases. The relevant EU and FDA Regulations will assure this aspect by the respective conformity marking.
Given that the overall Quality level is given by the lowest stage of the whole process, the knowledge of the various aspects and the respect of well-defined standard operating procedures become fundamental. In detail, for the correct application of ozone therapy they will have to be known the medical and technical requirements relating to:
i) the gaseous source for obtaining medical ozone;
ii) the materials adopted for ozone generation as well as for its manipulation;
iii) the device of reactors for the ozone production;
iv) the modality of varying the ozone concentration;
v) the control and measuring devices for medical ozone quantitative evaluation, also in terms of their precision and accuracy;
vi) the warranty period and the local maintenance service, also in terms of validation plan.
Based on this knowledge, it is possible to make an informed purchase of the equipment suitable for both the needs of the individual professional and the correct procedures for use.
Systemic ozone applications, Major autohemotherapy and Rectal Insufflation, evaluated according to the International classification of Evidence-Based Medicine. A new basis for reimbursement of medical expenses by private and social insurances [abstract]
Authors: Viebahn-Hänsler Renate , Leon-Fernandez Olga Sonia , Fahmy Ziad
Published: February 2020

Now that indications are clearly defined, applications have mostly become standardized and the active mechanisms have been well confirmed, medical ozone application in the form of the low-dose concept, is established and proven as a complementary medical method in the treatment of chronic inflammations or diseases associated with chronic inflammatory conditions.
More than 11,000 systemic ozone treatments in the form of Major Ozone Autohemotherapy (MAH) in 577 patients and ? 47,000 Rectal Insufflations (RI) in 716 patients in various clinical studies are subjected to critical clinical assessment and classification according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine (EBM).
Statistically significant clinical and/or pharmacological improvements without side-effects or adverse reactions are found in all studies; special attention is drawn to maintaining hygiene when working with blood and to the use of ozone-resistent and biocompatible materials.
On summarizing the evidence classification under RCT + CT (Randomized Controlled Trials + Controlled Trials), i.e. Levels Ib and IIa, 12 studies with 657 ozone-treated patients are obtained for MAH and 6 studies with 227 patients for RI.
As a result of the evidence here assessed, the two systemic ozone applications, MAH and RI are part of evidence-based medicine. Both applications are effective, safe and economic.
Inhibition of IRF4 in dendritic cells by PRR-independent and -dependent signals inhibit Th2 and promote Th17 responses
Authors: Lee Jihyung , Zhang Junyan , Chung Young-Jun , Kim Jun Hwan , Kook Chae Min , González-Navajas José M , Herdman David S , Nürnberg Bernd , Insel Paul A , Corr Maripat , Mo Ji-Hun , Tao Ailin , Yasuda Kei , Rifkin Ian R , Broide David H , Sciammas Roger , Webster Nicholas JG , Raz Eyal
Published: February 2020

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is involved in many biological processes but little is known regarding its role in shaping immunity. Here we show that cAMP-PKA-CREB signaling (a pattern recognition receptor [PRR]-independent mechanism) regulates conventional type-2 Dendritic Cells (cDC2s) in mice and reprograms their Th17-inducing properties via repression of IRF4 and KLF4, transcription factors essential for cDC2-mediated Th2 induction. In mice, genetic loss of IRF4 phenocopies the effects of cAMP on Th17 induction and restoration of IRF4 prevents the cAMP effect. Moreover, curdlan, a PRR-dependent microbial product, activates CREB and represses IRF4 and KLF4, resulting in a pro-Th17 phenotype of cDC2s. These in vitro and in vivo results define a novel signaling pathway by which cDC2s display plasticity and provide a new molecular basis for the classification of novel cDC2 and cDC17 subsets. The findings also reveal that repressing IRF4 and KLF4 pathway can be harnessed for immuno-regulation.
Gradients in the mammalian cerebellar cortex enable Fourier-like transformation and improve storing capacity
Authors: Straub Isabelle , Witter Laurens , Eshra Abdelmoneim , Hoidis Miriam , Byczkowicz Niklas , Maas Sebastian , Delvendahl Igor , Dorgans Kevin , Savier Elise , Bechmann Ingo , Krueger Martin , Isope Philippe , Hallermann Stefan
Published: February 2020

Cerebellar granule cells (GCs) make up the majority of all neurons in the vertebrate brain, but heterogeneities among GCs and potential functional consequences are poorly understood. Here, we identified unexpected gradients in the biophysical properties of GCs in mice. GCs closer to the white matter (inner-zone GCs) had higher firing thresholds and could sustain firing with larger current inputs than GCs closer to the Purkinje cell layer (outer-zone GCs). Dynamic Clamp experiments showed that inner- and outer-zone GCs preferentially respond to high- and low-frequency mossy fiber inputs, respectively, enabling dispersion of the mossy fiber input into its frequency components as performed by a Fourier transformation. Furthermore, inner-zone GCs have faster axonal conduction velocity and elicit faster synaptic potentials in Purkinje cells. Neuronal network modeling revealed that these gradients improve spike-timing precision of Purkinje cells and decrease the number of GCs required to learn spike-sequences. Thus, our study uncovers biophysical gradients in the cerebellar cortex enabling a Fourier-like transformation of mossy fiber inputs.
Discovery of several thousand highly diverse circular DNA viruses
Authors: Tisza Michael J , Pastrana Diana V , Welch Nicole L , Stewart Brittany , Peretti Alberto , Starrett Gabriel J , Pang Yuk-Ying S , Krishnamurthy Siddharth R , Pesavento Patricia A , McDermott David H , Murphy Philip M , Whited Jessica L , Miller Bess , Brenchley Jason , Rosshart Stephan P , Rehermann Barbara , Doorbar John , Ta'ala Blake A , Pletnikova Olga , Troncoso Juan C , Resnick Susan M , Bolduc Ben , Sullivan Matthew B , Varsani Arvind , Segall Anca M , Buck Christopher B
Published: February 2020

Although millions of distinct virus species likely exist, only approximately 9000 are catalogued in GenBank's RefSeq database. We selectively enriched for the genomes of circular DNA viruses in over 70 animal samples, ranging from nematodes to human tissue specimens. A bioinformatics pipeline, Cenote-Taker, was developed to automatically annotate over 2500 complete genomes in a GenBank-compliant format. The new genomes belong to dozens of established and emerging viral families. Some appear to be the result of previously undescribed recombination events between ssDNA and ssRNA viruses. In addition, hundreds of circular DNA elements that do not encode any discernable similarities to previously characterized sequences were identified. To characterize these ‘dark matter’ sequences, we used an artificial neural network to identify candidate viral capsid proteins, several of which formed virus-like particles when expressed in culture. These data further the understanding of viral sequence diversity and allow for high throughput documentation of the virosphere.
Understanding the glioblastoma immune microenvironment as basis for the development of new immunotherapeutic strategies
Authors: Pombo Antunes Ana Rita , Scheyltjens Isabelle , Duerinck Johnny , Neyns Bart , Movahedi Kiavash , Van Ginderachter Jo A
Published: February 2020

Cancer immunotherapy by immune checkpoint blockade has proven its great potential by saving the lives of a proportion of late stage patients with immunogenic tumor types. However, even in these sensitive tumor types, the majority of patients do not sufficiently respond to the therapy. Furthermore, other tumor types, including glioblastoma, remain largely refractory. The glioblastoma immune microenvironment is recognized as highly immunosuppressive, posing a major hurdle for inducing immune-mediated destruction of cancer cells. Scattered information is available about the presence and activity of immunosuppressive or immunostimulatory cell types in glioblastoma tumors, including tumor-associated macrophages, tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells and regulatory T cells. These cell types are heterogeneous at the level of ontogeny, spatial distribution and functionality within the tumor immune compartment, providing insight in the complex cellular and molecular interplay that determines the immune refractory state in glioblastoma. This knowledge may also yield next generation molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.
The History of Scholarly Publishing
Authors: Aspaas Per Pippin , Lieungh Erik
Published: February 2020

In this episode, we talk about the history of scholarly publishing and relates it to today's Open Science debate. Historian, philologist and senior academic librarian, Per Pippin Aspaas, takes us through some historical development of scholarly publishing and his views on Open Science. The host of this episode is Erik Lieungh.

This episode was first published 31 January 2019.
Norway made a new deal with Elsevier
Authors: Magnussen Mona , Lieungh Erik
Published: February 2020

In 2019 Norway decided not to renew their deal with the Dutch publisher Elsevier. The reasons were clear: there was no real transition towards Open Access. Now, a new deal has been signed with the same publisher, and the deal is worth around 9-10 million euros. But the question is: What kind of a deal has been made this time around?

The new deal is said to be a trial deal, and the pilot will run for two years. It will be giving seven universities and 39 research institutions across Norway access to Elsevier’s world-leading platform for scientific knowledge with more than 16 million publications from over 2,500 journals published by Elsevier and its society partners. It also enables Norwegian researchers to publish their research Open Access.

Our guest today is Mona Magnussen, the Head of the Department of Collections at the University Library at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The host of the program is Erik Lieungh.

This episode was first published 29 April 2019.
Should you write on Wikipedia?
Authors: Trosterud Trond , Lieungh Erik
Published: February 2020

In this episode, we talk about Wikipedia. Is this something that researchers should engage themselves in? What is the greater good? How do you resolve conflicts over facts? And does your research credentials matter for the Wikipedia-community? In 2011 the Guardian wrote an article on this: Wikipedia wants more contributions from academics. Our guest today is Trond Trosterud, professor of Sámi Language Technology at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. He’s an administrator on Wikipedia, and have been contributing there the past 14 years.

The message from Trosterud is clear: More researches should contribute, especially if they want to get more readers. However, Wikipedia is not a place to publish your new research. The site even states this on their Help-page.

The host of this episode is Erik Lieungh.

This episode was first published 25 September 2019.
Prioritizing riparian corridors for ecosystem restoration in urbanizing watersheds
Authors: Atkinson Samuel F. , Lake Matthew C.
Published: February 2020

Background

Riparian corridors can affect nutrient, organic matter, and sediment transport, all of which shape water quality in streams and connected downstream waters. When functioning riparian corridors remain intact, they provide highly valued water quality ecosystem services. However, in rapidly urbanizing watersheds, riparian corridors are susceptible to development modifications that adversely affect those ecosystem services. Protecting high quality riparian corridors or restoring low quality corridors are widely advocated as watershed level water quality management options for protecting those ecosystem services. The two approaches, protection or restoration, should be viewed as complementary by watershed managers and provide a foundation for targeting highly functioning riparian corridors for protection or for identifying poorly functioning corridors for restoration. Ascertaining which strategy to use is often motivated by a specific ecosystem service, for example water quality, upon which watershed management is focused. We have previously reported on a spatially explicit model that focused on identifying riparian corridors that have specific characteristics that make them well suited for purposes of preservation and protection focused on water quality. Here we hypothesize that focusing on restoration, rather than protection, can be the basis for developing a watershed level strategy for improving water quality in urbanizing watersheds.

Methods

The model described here represents a geographic information system (GIS) based approach that utilizes riparian characteristics extracted from 40-meter wide corridors centered on streams and rivers. The model focuses on drinking water reservoir watersheds that can be analyzed at the sub-watershed level. Sub-watershed riparian data (vegetation, soil erodibility and surface slope) are scaled and weighted based on watershed management theories for water quality, and riparian restoration scores are assigned. Those scores are used to rank order riparian zones –the lower the score the higher the priority for riparian restoration.

Results

The model was applied to 90 sub-watersheds in the watershed of an important drinking water reservoir in north central Texas, USA. Results from this study area suggest that corridor scores were found to be most correlated to the amount of: forested vegetation, residential land use, soils in the highest erodibility class, and highest surface slope (r2 = 0.92,p < 0.0001). Scores allow watershed managers to rapidly focus on riparian corridors most in need of restoration. A beneficial feature of the model is that it also allows investigation of multiple scenarios of restoration strategies (e.g.,  revegetation, soil stabilization, flood plain leveling), giving watershed managers a tool to compare and contrast watershed level management plans.
A novel transcript of MEF2D promotes myoblast differentiation and its variations associated with growth traits in chicken
Authors: Ouyang Hongjia , Yu Jiao , Chen Xiaolan , Wang Zhijun , Nie Qinghua
Published: February 2020

Background

Development of skeletal muscle is closely related to broiler production traits. The myocyte-specific enhancer binding factor (MEF) 2D gene (MEF2D) and its variant transcripts play important parts in myogenesis.

Methods

To identify the transcript variants of chickenMEF2Dgene and their function, this study cloned chickenMEF2Dgene and identified its transcript variants from different tissue samples. The expression levels of different transcripts ofMEF2Dgene in different tissues and different periods were measured, and their effects on myoblast proliferation and differentiation were investigated. Variations in MEF2D were identified and association analysis with chicken production traits carried out.

Results

Four novel transcript variants ofMEF2Dwere obtained, all of which contained highly conserved sequences, including MADS-Box and MEF2-Domain functional regions. TranscriptMEF2D-V4was expressed specifically in muscle, and its expression was increased during embryonic muscle development. TheMEF2D-V4could promote differentiation of chicken myoblasts and its expression was regulated byRBFOX2. The single nucleotide polymorphism g.36186C > T generated a TAG stop codon, caused MEF2D-V4 to terminate translation early, and was associated with several growth traits, especially on early body weight.

Conclusion

We cloned the muscle-specific transcript ofMEF2Dand preliminarily revealed its role in embryonic muscle development.
Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of the VQ gene family in Cicer arietinum and Medicago truncatula
Authors: Ling Lei , Qu Yue , Zhu Jintao , Wang Dan , Guo Changhong
Published: February 2020

Valine-glutamine (VQ) proteins are plant-specific proteins that play crucial roles in plant development as well as biotic and abiotic stress responses. VQ genes have been identified in various plants; however, there are no systematic reports in Cicer arietinum or Medicago truncatula. Herein, we identified 19 and 32 VQ genes in C. arietinum and M. truncatula, respectively. A total of these VQ genes were divided into eight groups (I–VIII) based on phylogenetic analysis. Gene structure analyses and motif patterns revealed that these VQ genes might have originated from a common ancestor. In silico analyses demonstrated that these VQ genes were expressed in different tissues. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the VQ genes were differentially regulated during multiple abiotic stresses. This report presents the first systematic analysis of VQ genes from C. arietinum and M. truncatula and provides a solid foundation for further research of the specific functions of VQ proteins.
Assessment of Genotype x Environment Interactions of Chickpea Genotypes to High Temperature Tolerance under Different Environmental Conditions
Authors: Hotti Avinalappa , Sadhukhan Raghunath
Published: February 2020

The present investigation was conducted using twenty two chickpea genotypes including check varieties under different sowing conditions in West Bengal to identify the genotypes that are tolerance to high temperature stress by assessing their genotype x environment (G x E) interactions. The experiment was organised in Randomized Complete Block Design with two replications over two consecutive years during 2014-15 and 2015-16. The data obtained from the yield component traits of these genotypes was undergone to two way analysis of variance to understand the existence of genotype by environment interaction. Significant differences in crop phenology were observed among the genotypes of chickpea from all tested environments while the interaction was significant for all the traits under study except number of seeds per pod. Thus, variation in response of the genotypes to different planting condition was observed. After determining the significance of genotype by environment interaction, the data was further subjected to additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis in order to estimate the main effect of genotypes as well as genotypic and environmental components of interaction for seed yield of chickpea genotypes. According to the AMMI model, 79.49 and 79.92 per cent of the total sum of squares was attributed to the environmental effects, whereas 20.22 and 17.93 per cent had attributed to genotype, while 0.29 and 2.15 per cent to genotype by environment interaction across the respective years. Hence, the maximum proportion of the variation in seed yield was gained from normal sown condition. The genotypes ICCV 10 and RSG 963 produced equal yield under late sown condition, as demonstrated by the AMMI biplot. Therefore, the adaptability of these genotypes to different environments can be qualitatively assessed and recommended to use in breeding programs targeting of chickpea for growing in warmer areas.
Embedding lies into truthful stories does not affect their quality
Authors: Verigin Brianna L. , Meijer Ewout H. , Vrij Aldert
Published: February 2020

When given the opportunity, liars will embed their lies into otherwise truthful statements. In what way this embedding affects the quality of lies, however, remains largely unknown. This study investigated whether lies that are embedded into truthful stories are richer in detail and contain higher quality details compared to lies that are part of entirely fabricated statements. Participants (N = 111) were asked to provide a statement that was either entirely truthful, entirely fabricated, or had the fabricated element of interest embedded into an otherwise truthful story. Results indicated that lies embedded in a fabricated statement are not qualitatively different from lies embedded in an otherwise truthful statement. Supporting Bayes factors provided moderate to strong evidence for this conclusion. Accordingly, verbal credibility assessment tools based on the verbal content measured in this study may be robust against the embedding of lies.