bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral steroid-sparing effect of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids in asthma
Authors: Maijers Ingrid , Kearns Nethmi , Harper James , Weatherall Mark , Beasley Richard
Published: September 2019

Background

The proportion of the efficacy of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma that is due to systemic effects is uncertain. This study aimed to estimate the ICS dose–response relationship for oral corticosteroid-sparing effects in oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma, and to determine the proportion of oral corticosteroid-sparing effects due to their systemic effects, based on the comparative dose–response relationship of ICSversusoral corticosteroids on adrenal suppression.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials reporting oral corticosteroid-sparing effects of high-dose ICS in oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. In addition, reports of oral corticosteroid to ICS dose-equivalence in terms of adrenal suppression were retrieved. The primary outcome was the proportion of the oral corticosteroid-sparing effect of ICS that could be attributed to systemic absorption, per 1000 µg increase of ICS, expressed as a ratio. This ratio estimates the oral corticosteroid sparing effect of ICS due to systemic effects.

Results

11 studies including 1283 participants reporting oral corticosteroid-sparing effects of ICS were identified. The prednisone dose decrease per 1000 µg increase in ICS varied from 2.1 mg to 4.9 mg, depending on the type of ICS. The ratio of the prednisone-sparing effect due to the systemic effects per 1000 µg of fluticasone propionate was 1.02 (95% CI 0.68–2.08) and for budesonide was 0.93 (95% CI 0.63–1.89).

Conclusion

In patients with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma, the limited available evidence suggests that the majority of the oral corticosteroid-sparing effect of high-dose ICS is likely to be due to systemic effects.
Physiological effects of touching sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) with the palm of the hand
Authors: Ikei Harumi , Song Chorong , Miyazaki Yoshifumi
Published: September 2019

Wood is used as an interior material in Japan, and it is empirically known that contact with wood induces relaxation in humans. However, evidential data regarding these physiological effects are lacking. In this study, we examined the physiological effects of tactile stimulation based on measurements of brain and autonomic nervous activities by using the wood of sugi (Cryptomeria japonica). Twenty-one female university students (mean age, 22.0 ± 2.0 years) participated in the study. Oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentrations in the prefrontal cortex were determined using near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. High frequency (HF), denoting parasympathetic nervous activity, and the ratio of low frequency (LF)/(LF + HF), indicating sympathetic nervous activity, were measured using heart rate variability. HF (0.15–0.40 Hz) and LF (0.04–0.15 Hz) components were calculated by the maximum entropy method. The wood material surfaces were finished by: (1) brushing with a stainless steel wire brush and (2) sanding with a belt sander. A marble plate served as a comparator. The palm of each participant’s right hand touched each material for 90 s. Touching brushed or sanded sugi significantly decreased oxy-Hb concentrations in the left and right prefrontal cortices, increased ln(HF), and decreased the ln(LF/(LF + HF)) ratio compared with touching marble. Thus, our findings indicate that compared with touching marble, touching sugi with the palm induces physiological relaxation, as indicated by calmer prefrontal cortex activity, higher parasympathetic nervous activity, and lower sympathetic nervous activity.
Chest circumference in full-term newborns: how can it be predicted?
Authors: Azevedo Ingrid G. , Holanda Norrara S. O. , Arrais Nivia M. R. , Santos Raweny T. G. , Araujo Ana G. F. , Pereira Silvana A.
Published: September 2019

Background

Although over the years a number of studies have used chest circumference (CC) as a sensitive tool to identify the health status of infants, a particularly important aspect for this population is the lack of data on normal values and prediction equations. In order to facilitate and validate the interpretation of CC data in newborn (NB), the aim was to study the relation between CC and other anthropometric variables and develop a predictive equation for CC in a population of full-term newborns.

Methods

Cross-sectional study, carried out with full-term infants. The anthropometric (CC, head circumference - HC, length, age and weight) and hemodynamic variables were evaluated during the first 24 h of life. Bivariate analysis was performed between CC and HC, weight, length and type of delivery, followed by multiple linear regression analysis, including variables that were significant in the bivariate analysis. For data analysis, we used the SPSS program, considering p < 0.05 and 95% CI.

Results

The birth weight of the 120 NB varied between 2580 and 4225 g (mean 3360 g) and the gestational age between 37 and 42 weeks (mean 39 weeks). Approximately 61% of the sample were delivered vaginally and 67 (56%) were boys. The variables that remained statistically associated with CC after multivariate analysis were weight (β 0.003, CI: 0.002: 0.003, p = 0.001) and HC (β 0.287, CI: 0.156: 0.417, p = 0.001). For the linear regression model, the predictive equation of CC was 14.87+ (0.003 x weight) + (0.287 x HC), with a prediction of 76%.

Conclusion

The results show a positive correlation between CC and weight, length and HC, and based on the linear regression model, the predictive equation for CC is based only on weight and HC.
Atrial fibrillation and its arrhythmogenesis associated with insulin resistance
Authors: Chan Yi-Hsin , Chang Gwo-Jyh , Lai Ying-Ju , Chen Wei-Jan , Chang Shang-Hung , Hung Li-Man , Kuo Chi-Tai , Yeh Yung-Hsin
Published: September 2019

Background

Insulin resistance (IR) is considered as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) even before diabetes develops. The pathophysiology and underlying mechanism are largely unclear.

Methods

We investigated the corresponding mechanism in two IR models of rats fed 15-week high-fat (HFa) and high-fructose/cholesterol (HFr) diets. AF was evaluated and induced by burst atrial pacing. Isolated atrial myocytes were used for whole-cell patch clamp and calcium assessment. Ex vivo whole heart was used for optical mapping. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used for quantitative protein evaluation.

Results

Both HFa and HFr rat atria were vulnerable to AF evaluated by burst atrial pacing. Isolated atrial myocytes from HFa and HFr rats revealed significantly increased sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium content and diastolic calcium sparks. Whole-heart mapping showed prolonged calcium transient duration, conduction velocity reduction, and repetitive ectopic focal discharge in HFa and HFr atria. Protein analysis revealed increased TGF-β1 and collagen expression; increased superoxide production; abnormal upregulation of calcium-homeostasis-related proteins, including oxidized CaMKIIδ, phosphorylated-phospholamban, phosphorylated-RyR-2, and sodium-calcium exchanger; and increased Rac1 activity in both HFa and HFr atria. We observed that inhibition of CaMKII suppressed AF in both HF and HFr diet-fed rats. In vitro palmitate-induced IR neonatal cardiomyocytes and atrial fibroblasts expressed significantly more TGF-β1 than did controls, suggesting paracrine and autocrine effects on both myocytes and fibroblasts.

Conclusions

IR engenders both atrial structural remodeling and abnormal intracellular calcium homeostasis, contributing to increased AF susceptibility. The inhibition of CaMKII may be a potential therapeutic target for AF in insulin resistance.
Ethanol extract of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. leaves suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Tian Guoyan , Chen Jin , Luo Yan , Yang Jin , Gao Tao , Shi Junping
Published: September 2019

Background

The present study investigated the pharmacological activity and mechanism of ethanol extract of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. leaves (EEL) on HCC.

Methods

Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The effects of EEL on cellular biological activities were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM), cell wound scratch assay and transwell assay. The expression levels of related mRNA and protein were determined by performing quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting assay and immunocytochemistry. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was carried out to investigate the possible mechanism underlying the DNA methylation of PTEN.

Results

EEL showed cytotoxicity to both Bel-7402 and Huh-7 cell lines. We also found that EEL enhanced the apoptosis of Bel-7402 and Huh-7 cells by regulating the expressions of Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Cytochrome-C and the activity of caspase-3 and therefore promoted cell cycle arrest. Moreover, EEL also suppressed cell migration and invasion. EEL increased the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) but decreased the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase2 (MMP2) and MMP9. Furthermore, EEL inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt pathway. MSP results showed that EEL promoted the demethylation of PTEN, suggesting that the inactivation of PI3K/Akt may be related to DNA de-methylation of PTEN. In addition, EEL inhibited the tumor growth of HCC in vivo.

Conclusions

EEL exerted anti-tumor effect on HCC in vitro and in vivo. EEL mediated by the inhibition of PI3K/Akt may be closely related to DNA de-methylation of PTEN. Thus, EEL could be used as a potential anti-cancer therapeutic agent of HCC.
The access paradox: abortion law, policy and practice in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zambia
Authors: Blystad Astrid , Haukanes Haldis , Tadele Getnet , Haaland Marte E. S. , Sambaiga Richard , Zulu Joseph Mumba , Moland Karen Marie
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Unsafe abortion is a major contributor to the continued high global maternal mortality and morbidity rates. Legal abortion frameworks and access to sexuality education and contraception have been pointed out as vital to reduce unsafe abortion rates. This paper explores the relationship between abortion law, policy and women’s access to safe abortion services within the different legal and political contexts of Ethiopia, Tanzania and Zambia. The research is inspired by recent calls for contextualized policy research.

Methods

The research was based in Addis Ababa (Ethiopa), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Lusaka (Zambia) and had a qualitative exploratory research design. The project involved studying the three countries’ abortion laws and policies. It moreover targeted formal organizations as implementers of policy as well as stakeholders in support of, or in opposition to the existing abortion laws. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with study participants (79) differently situated vis-à-vis abortion, exploring their views on abortion-related legal- and policy frames and their perceived implications for access.

Results

The abortion laws have been classified as ‘liberal’ in Zambia, ‘semi-liberal’ in Ethiopia and ‘restrictive’ in Tanzania, but what we encountered in the three study contexts was a seeming paradoxical relationship between national abortion laws, abortion policy and women’s actual access to safe abortion services. The study findings moreover reveal that the texts that make up the three national abortion laws are highly ambiguous. The on-paper liberal Zambian and semi-liberal Ethiopian laws in no way ensure access, while the strict Tanzanian law is hardly sufficient to prevent young women from seeking and obtaining abortion. In line with Walt and Gilson’s call to move beyond a narrow focus on the content of policy, our study demonstrates that the connection between law, health policy and access to health services is complex and critically dependent on the socio-economic and political context of implementation.

Conclusions

Legal frameworks are vital instruments for securing the right to health, but broad contextualized studies rather than classifications of law along a liberal-restrictive continuum are demanded in order to enhance existing knowledge on access to safe abortion services in a given context.
Health, life and rights: a discourse analysis of a hybrid abortion regime in Tanzania
Authors: Sambaiga Richard , Haukanes Haldis , Moland Karen Marie , Blystad Astrid
Published: September 2019

Background

Unsafe abortion continues to be a major hazard for maternal health in Sub-Saharan Africa, where abortion remains highly controversial and access to safe abortion services is unequally distributed. Although national abortion laws are central in indicating women’s potential for accessing safe abortion services, the character of an abortion law may alone say little about national discursive abortion landscapes and access scenarios. The article calls for the study and problematization of the relationship between legal abortion frameworks on the one hand, and discourses surrounding abortion on the other, in an attempt to move closer to an understanding of the complexity of factors that influence knowledge about and access to safer abortion services. With the restrictive abortion law in Tanzania as a starting point, the paper explores the ways in which the major global abortion discourses manifest themselves in the country and indicate potential implications of a hybrid abortion regime.

Methods

The study combined a review of major legal and policy documents on abortion, a review of publications on abortion in Tanzanian newspapers between 2000 and 2015 (300 articles), and 23 semi-structured qualitative interviews with representatives from central institutions and organizations engaged in policy- or practical work related to reproductive health.

Results

Tanzania’s abortion law is highly restrictive, but the discursive abortion landscape is diverse and is made manifest through legal- and policy documents and legal- and policy related disputes. The discourses were characterized by diverse frames of reference based in religion, public health and in human rights-based values, and as such reflect the major global discourses. Fairclough’s conceptsinterdiscursivityandrecontextualizationwere drawn upon to develop an understanding of how the concepts health, rights and life emerge across the discourses, but are employed in contrasting lines of argumentation in struggles for hegemony and legitimacy.

Discussion and conclusions

The paper demonstrates that a hybrid discursive regime relating to abortion characterizes the legally restrictive abortion context of Tanzania. We argue that such a complex discursive landscape, which cuts across the restrictive - liberal divide, generates an environment that seems to open avenues for enhanced access to abortion related knowledge and services.
Astragaloside IV attenuates gestational diabetes mellitus via targeting NLRP3 inflammasome in genetic mice
Authors: Zhang Ruixue , Zhang Xuelei , Xing Baoheng , Zhao Jianyong , Zhang Peipei , Shi Dandan , Yang Fengzhen
Published: September 2019

Background

As the most ordinary metabolic disorder during pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has become a severe risk for the health of both pregnant female and fetus. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is the dominant active component inAstragalus membranaceus.It has been proved that AS-IV has anti-inflammation and immune-regulation function. We aimed to demonstrate the function of AS-IV in the therapy of GDM and the molecular mechanism in this process.

Methods

C57BL/KsJ-Lepdb/+ female mice were used as GDM model. The mRNA levels of relative genes in this research were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein levels of relative genes were analyzed by western blot. Serum concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed by ELISA.

Results

Glucose and insulin levels in GDM mice model were decreased by AS-IV treatment. AS-IV down-regulated the expression of inflammatory gene IL-6 and TNF-α in GDM mice model. AS-IV treatment inhibited the expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome relative proteins in the pancreas of GDM mice.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that AS-IV treatment has an effective therapeutic function of GDM in mice model through the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pancreas.
Risky sexual behaviors of schizophrenic patients: a single center study in Ethiopia, 2018
Authors: Negash Biruk , Asmamewu Bethlehem , Alemu Wondale Getinet
Published: September 2019

Objective

Identify factors related to risky sexual behavior can facilitate health care providers to approach programs that improve quality of services provided to the patient service. The aim of study to assess the prevalence of risky sexual behaviors and associated factors among schizophrenia patient at Amanuel Mental specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019.

Result

A total of four hundred twenty-nine participants were interviewed with a response rate of 97.05%. The prevalence of risky sexual behavior was 39.4% (95% CI 34.3, 43.6). In the multivariate logistic regression, being male sex (AOR = 3.78 (1.94, 7.38)), patients in age group between 18 and 24 (AOR = 4.85 (1.73, 13.6)), current use of alcohol (AOR = 1.86 (1.049, 3.32)), place of residence (AOR = 6.22 (2.98, 12.98)), positive symptom (AOR = 3.01 (1.55, 5.84)) were associated with risky sexual behavior.
Burn wounds after electrical injury in a bathtub: a case report
Authors: Hardon Sem F. , Haasnoot Pieter J. , Meij- de Vries Annebeth
Published: September 2019

Background

Increased smartphone use among minors makes our population more prone to electrical injury. Despite regulations on electrical home safety standards, smartphones and chargers still pose a risk for severe injury among users.

Case presentation

We present a case of a patient with low-voltage electrical burns due to smartphone use in a bathtub. The 13-year-old Caucasian patient was using a smartphone plugged into the electrical grid while taking a bath. We report the burns and their treatment. We discuss the likely burn mechanism.

Conclusions

Burn wounds after electrical injury due to smartphone use are rare. The presented case shows the danger of smartphone use in bathtubs.
Clustering time series applied to energy markets
Authors: Krome Cornelia , Höft Jan , Sander Volker
Published: September 2019

In Germany and many other countries the energy market has been subject to significant changes. Instead of only a few large-scale producers that serve aggregated consumers, a shift towards regenerative energy sources is taking place. Energy systems are increasingly being made more flexible by decentralised producers and storage facilities, i.e. many consumers are also producers. The aggregation of producers form another type of power plants: a virtual power plant.

On the basis of aggregated production and consumption, virtual power plants try to make decisions under the conditions of the electricity market or the grid condition. They are influenced by many different aspects. These include the current feed-in, weather data, or the demands of the consumers. Clearly, a virtual power plant is focusing on developing strategies to influence and optimise these factors. To accomplish this, many data sets can and should be analysed in order to interpret and create forecasts for energy systems. Time series based analytics are therefore of particular interest for virtual power plants.

Classifying the different time series according to generators, consumers or customer types simplifies processes. In this way, scalable solutions for forecasts can be found. However, one has to first find the according clusters efficiently.

This paper presents a method for determining clusters of time series. Models are adapted and model-based clustered using ARIMA parameters and an individual quality measure. In this way, the analysis of generic time series can be simplified and additional statements can be made with the help of graphical evaluations. To facilitate large scale virtual power plants, the presented clustering workflow is prepared to be applied on big data capable platforms, e.g. time series stored in Apache Cassandra, analysed through an Apache Spark execution framework.

The procedure is shown here using the example of the Day-Ahead prices of the electricity market for 2018.
A cooperative demand-response framework for day-ahead optimization in battery pools
Authors: Chasparis Georgios C. , Pichler Mario , Spreitzhofer Johanna , Esterl Tara
Published: September 2019

The constantly increasing electricity and energy demand in residential buildings, as well as the need for higher absorption rates of renewable sources of energy, demand for an increased flexibility at the end-users. This need is further reinforced by the rising numbers of residential Photovoltaic (PV) and battery-storage systems. In this case, flexibility can be viewed as the excess energy that can be charged to or discharged from a battery, in response to a group objective of several such battery-storage systems (aggregation).

One such group objective considered in this paper includes marketing flexibility (charging or discharging) to the Day-ahead (DA) spot market, which can provide both a) financial incentives to the owners of such systems, and b) an increase in the overall absorption rates of renewable energy. The responsible agent for marketing and offering such flexibility, herein aggregator, is directly controlling the participating batteries, in exchange to some financial compensation of the owners of these batteries.

In this paper, we present an optimization framework that allows the aggregator to optimally exchange the available flexibility to the DA market. The proposed scheme is based upon a reinforcement-learning approach, according to which the aggregator learns through time an optimal policy for bidding flexibility to the DA market. By design, the proposed scheme is flexible enough to accommodate the possibility of erroneous forecasts (of weather, load or electricity price). Finally, we evaluate our approach on real-world data collected from currently installed battery-storage systems in Upper Austria.
An optimisation-based energy disaggregation algorithm for low frequency smart meter data
Authors: Rottondi Cristina , Derboni Marco , Piga Dario , Rizzoli Andrea Emilio
Published: September 2019

An algorithm for the non-intrusive disaggregation of energy consumption into its end-uses, also known as non-intrusive appliance load monitoring (NIALM), is presented. The algorithm solves an optimisation problem where the objective is to minimise the error between the total energy consumption and the sum of the individual contributions of each appliance. The algorithm assumes that a fraction of the loads present in the household is known (e.g. washing machine, dishwasher, etc.), but it also considers unknown loads, treating them as a single load. The performance of the algorithm is then compared to that obtained by two state of the art disaggregation approaches implemented in the publicly available NILMTK framework. The first one is based on Combinatorial Optimization, the second one on a Factorial Hidden Markov Model. The results show that the proposed algorithm performs satisfactorily and it even outperforms the other algorithms from some perspectives.
Trading solar energy within the neighborhood: field implementation of a blockchain-based electricity market
Authors: Wörner Anselma , Meeuw Arne , Ableitner Liliane , Wortmann Felix , Schopfer Sandro , Tiefenbeck Verena
Published: September 2019

Due to environmental and resiliency benefits, distributed energy resources (DER) are a potential solution for meeting future electricity demand, but their integration into centralized power markets on the large scale is challenging. Many practitioners argue that blockchain technology can create new market structures for DER like local peer-to-peer energy markets which foster renewable generation. To get an understanding of the status quo of the research on blockchain-based energy exchange, we conducted a systematic literature review on the existing academic articles and industry projects. This article describes the design and technical specifications of the first real blockchain-based electricity market in Switzerland derived from this literature review and outlines the implementation of this market in the real world. The findings provide valuable guidelines for the integration of DER into future sustainable energy markets.
Towards automated engineering and validation of cyber-physical energy systems
Authors: Andrén Filip Pröstl , Strasser Thomas I. , Resch Jürgen , Schuiki Bernhard , Schöndorfer Sebastian , Panholzer Georg , Brandauer Christof
Published: September 2019

The massive deployment of distributed generators from renewable sources in recent years has led to a fundamental paradigm change in terms of planning and operation of the electric power system. The usage of advanced automation and information and communication technology is a key element to handle these new challenges and to turn the traditional power system into a smart grid. The implementation of such complex systems solutions is associated with increasing development complexity resulting in increased engineering costs. The traditional engineering methods used for power system automation were not intended to be used for applications of this scale and complexity. However, the usage of proper methods, automation architectures, and corresponding tools holds huge optimization potential for the engineering process. Therefore, this work presents a model-based engineering and validation support system, covering the overall engineering process for smart grid applications.
Final Analysis of DeCOG-SLT Trial: No Survival Benefit for Complete Lymph Node Dissection in Patients With Melanoma With Positive Sentinel Node
Authors: Leiter Ulrike , Stadler Rudolf , Mauch Cornelia , Hohenberger Werner , Brockmeyer Norbert H. , Berking Carola , Sunderkötter Cord , Kaatz Martin , Schatton Kerstin , Lehmann Percy , Vogt Thomas , Ulrich Jens , Herbst Rudolf , Gehring Wolfgang , Simon Jan-Christoph , Keim Ulrike , Verver Danielle , Martus Peter , Garbe Claus ,   on behalf of the German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group
Published: September 2019

PURPOSE

We have previously reported on the 3-year results of the phase III German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group trial (DeCOG; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02434107 ) comparing distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with positive sentinel lymph-node biopsy who were randomly assigned to complete lymph node dissection (CLND) or observation. Here, we report the final analysis with 72 months of median follow up.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The multicenter randomized phase III trial included patients with cutaneous melanoma of the trunk and extremities who were randomly assigned (1:1) to undergo CLND or observation. DMFS was analyzed as the primary end point, and RFS, OS, and recurrences in the regional lymph node basin were secondary end points. The analysis was by intention to treat. Disease and survival information were collected quarterly.

RESULTS

From January 2006 to December 2014, 5,547 patients were screened to identify 1,256 with metastases in the sentinel lymph node (SLN). Of these, 483 (39%) were included: 241 in the observation arm and 242 in the CLND arm. In the final analysis, median follow up was 72 months (interquartile range, 67-77 months). No significant treatment-related difference was seen in the 5-year DMFS between the observation and CLND arms (67.6% v 64.9%, respectively; hazard ratio [HR], 1.08; P = .87). The 5-year RFS and OS also showed no difference (HR, 1.01 and 0.99, respectively). Grade 3 and 4 adverse effects occurred in 32 patients (13%) in the CLND arm; lymphedema (n = 20) and delayed wound healing (n = 5) were most common and no serious adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

The final results of the German Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group trial with a median follow up of 72 months showed higher event rates, but similar HRs compared with those at the 3-year analysis. These results confirm that immediate CLND in SLN-positive patients is not superior to observation in terms of DMFS, RFS, or OS and support not recommending CLND in patients with SLN metastasis.
MAPK Erk5 in Leptin Receptor‒Expressing Neurons Controls Body Weight and Systemic Energy Homeostasis in Female Mice
Authors: Horie Tetsuhiro , Park Gyujin , Inaba Yuka , Hashiuchi Emi , Iezaki Takashi , Tokumura Kazuya , Fukasawa Kazuya , Yamada Takanori , Hiraiwa Manami , Kitaguchi Yuka , Kamada Hikari , Kaneda Katsuyuki , Tanaka Tomohiro , Inoue Hiroshi , Hinoi Eiichi
Published: September 2019

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (Erk5), a member of the MAPK family, is specifically phosphorylated and activated by MAPK/Erk kinase-5. Although it has been implicated in odor discrimination and long-term memory via its expression in the central nervous system, little is known regarding the physiological importance of neuronal Erk5 in body weight and energy homeostasis. In the current study, systemic insulin injection significantly induced phosphorylation of Erk5 in the hypothalamus. Moreover, Erk5 deficiency in leptin receptor (LepR)‒expressing neurons led to an obesity phenotype, with increased white adipose tissue mass due to increased adipocyte size, only in female mice fed a normal chow diet. Furthermore, Erk5 deficiency in LepR-expressing neurons showed impaired glucose tolerance along with decreased physical activity, food intake, and energy expenditure. These results suggest that Erk5 controls body weight and systemic energy homeostasis probably via its expression in hypothalamic neurons in female mice, thereby providing a target for metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
How Does Leisure Reading Affect Social Cognitive Abilities?
Authors: Mumper Micah L. , Gerrig Richard J.
Published: September 2019

Research evidence supports the claim that engagement with works of fiction may benefit readers’ social cognitive abilities of empathy and theory of mind. However, there is little direct evidence to support claims about the causal mechanisms underlying the positive influence of leisure reading. Simulation theory has emerged as the most common explanatory mechanism. We summarize simulation theory and indicate ways in which the theory requires a more concrete instantiation. To provide a contrast to simulation theory, we offer three accounts of the origins of the emotional content of readers’ narrative experiences. Our goal is to highlight the diversity of processes that contribute to readers’ affective responses. Finally, we consider how ordinary processes of learning and memory might explain changes in readers’ social cognition.
Locating Empathy
Authors: Hall Emily
Published: September 2019

This article explores how to use science fiction, particularly texts centered on android protagonists, to open up discussions of marginalization, race, and oppression in the introductory literature classroom. In response to the hateful rhetoric directed toward asylum seekers, this author developed an entire course around personhood and rights. She first examines how, in particular sci-fi works, paranoia and prejudice compel citizens to delineate between kinds of personhood. She then illuminates how students were invited to make parallels between the othering that the androids endure and historical and present-day examples of human rights abuses. After a semester of examining and debating these issues, students selected an android or robot in a television show, film, or video game of their choice and first assessed how the android’s personhood was delimited by human and then articulated why humans placed these boundaries on the android. Throughout the article, the author explains the kinds of texts she used for the course, the assignment students were tasked with, and how the course broached other issues of power dynamics, such as consent and disability rights.
Visualising three-dimensional genome organisation in two dimensions
Authors: Ing-Simmons Elizabeth , Vaquerizas Juan M.
Published: September 2019

The three-dimensional organisation of the genome plays a crucial role in developmental gene regulation. In recent years, techniques to investigate this organisation have become more accessible to labs worldwide due to improvements in protocols and decreases in the cost of high-throughput sequencing. However, the resulting datasets are complex and can be challenging to analyse and interpret. Here, we provide a guide to visualisation approaches that can aid the interpretation of such datasets and the communication of biological results.
Novel dynamics of human mucociliary differentiation revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing of nasal epithelial cultures
Authors: Ruiz García Sandra , Deprez Marie , Lebrigand Kevin , Cavard Amélie , Paquet Agnès , Arguel Marie-Jeanne , Magnone Virginie , Truchi Marin , Caballero Ignacio , Leroy Sylvie , Marquette Charles-Hugo , Marcet Brice , Barbry Pascal , Zaragosi Laure-Emmanuelle
Published: September 2019

The upper airway epithelium, which is mainly composed of multiciliated, goblet, club and basal cells, ensures proper mucociliary function and can regenerate in response to assaults. In chronic airway diseases, defective repair leads to tissue remodeling. Delineating key drivers of differentiation dynamics can help understand how normal or pathological regeneration occurs. Using single-cell transcriptomics and lineage inference, we have unraveled trajectories from basal to luminal cells, providing novel markers for specific populations. We report that: (1) a precursor subgroup of multiciliated cells, which we have entitled deuterosomal cells, is defined by specific markers, such as DEUP1, FOXN4, YPEL1, HES6 and CDC20B; (2) goblet cells can be precursors of multiciliated cells, thus explaining the presence of hybrid cells that co-express markers of goblet and multiciliated cells; and (3) a repertoire of molecules involved in the regeneration process, such as keratins or components of the Notch, Wnt or BMP/TGFβ pathways, can be identified. Confirmation of our results on fresh human and pig airway samples, and on mouse tracheal cells, extend and confirm our conclusions regarding the molecular and cellular choreography at work during mucociliary epithelial differentiation.
Developing a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor assay to detect counterfeit drugs containing phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors using spectrophotometry
Authors: Azizi Aziemah , Tengah Asrin , Petalcorin Mark I. R.
Published: September 2019

Background: Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i) are the first line of drugs used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. PDE5i inhibits the activities of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) found in corpus cavernosum reducing production of guanosine monophosphate (GMP) that results in vasodilation of blood vessels thereby prolonging penile erection. Various counterfeit drugs adulterated with unknown levels of PDE5i pose a danger with reported undesirable adverse effects on patients.

Methods: We developed an assay to detect counterfeit drugs containing PDE5i using spectrophotometry based on a colour change of malachite green from blue to green when exposed to inorganic phosphate (Pi) measured at 630 nm. Initially, a standard graph of a known Pi concentration was established ranging from 0 to 20 µM followed by a dual biochemical reaction system of converting GMP from cGMP by PDE5, generating Pi from the first reaction’s product by calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIAP), and then measuring Pi using an equation derived from the generated standard curve. Dilutions of CX1A, a counterfeit drug sample adulterated with the PDE5i sildenafil, were prepared via ultrasonication and filtration for assay testing and evaluation.

Results: Sil was detected from the two separate samples comprised of low and high dilutions of CX1A quantified as 0.673% and 0.407%, respectively, based on a standard curve of pure sildenafil established from 0.1 nM to 300 µM.

Conclusions: This PDE5i assay that we developed has the potential to become an alternative analytical method for detecting PDE5i showing comparable results when evaluated using HPLC.
InferAMP, a python web app for copy number inference from discrete gene-level amplification signals noted in clinical tumor profiling reports
Authors: Kenny Paraic A.
Published: September 2019

As somatic next-generation sequencing gene panel analysis in advanced cancer patients is becoming more routine, oncologists are frequently presented with reports containing lists of genes with increased copy number. Distinguishing which of these amplified genes, if any, might be driving tumor growth and might thus be worth considering targeting can be challenging. One particular issue is the frequent absence of genomic contextual information in clinical reports, making it very challenging to determine which reported genes might be co-amplified and how large any such amplicons might be. We describe a straightforward Python web app, InferAMP, into which healthcare professionals may enter lists of amplified genes from clinical reports. The tool reports (1) the likely size of amplified genomic regions, (2) which reported genes are co-amplified and (3) which other cancer-relevant genes that were not evaluated in the assay may also be co-amplified in the specimen. The tool is accessible for web queries at http://inferamp.org.
Kryzys globalizacji – analiza genezy i rozumienia procesu
Authors: Stefanowski Jakub
Published: September 2019

The Crisis of Globalization – the Analysis of the Genesis and the Understanding of the Process The main goal of this paper is to explain the phenomena of globalization in the context of its possible crisis, which influences the recent public discourse debate. The study answers two research questions: what the genesis of the globalization is, and how this phenomenon can be understood. Considering the first question, three theoretical approaches were analysed: structural, nonhomogeneous and constructivist. As for the second question, the author presents globalization with reference to internationalisation, universalisation, westernization, and liberalization.
Applying interprofessional education to the practice setting
Authors: Way Susan , Dixon Leigh-Anne
Published: September 2019

Interprofessional education is a key requirement identified in various professional and regulatory body education standards in the UK. However, recent high-profile investigatory reports into adverse incidents in NHS organisations have demonstrated failures of translating interprofessional education into practice. This paper explores how a university in the south of England uses service improvement projects to address this. Working with key senior clinicians, small groups of students from a variety of professional backgrounds collaborate to address an identified problem in practice to bring about better, safer practice to benefit patients. This style of learning enables students to acquire essential attributes in preparation for employment, such as critical thinking, teamworking, ethical practice and leadership.
A sedução da Psicanálise nas páginas das Revistas Femininas Cláudia e Nova de 1970-1990
Authors: Borges Dulcina Tereza Bonati
Published: September 2019

O presente trabalho visa captar os processos psicológicos subjetivos do movimento de modernização, a partir de uma pesquisa em artigos recolhidos nas Revistas Cláudia e Nova, entre as décadas de 1970-1990, tendo em vista as transformações ocorridas quanto aos valores ético-morais, nessa fase de grandes mudanças sociais. Trata-se de perceber como os discursos das Psicologias e da Psicanálise entram no campo constituído pela mídia, especificamente direcionados para orientar o comportamento feminino, erigindo-se como guia norteador na resolução dos conflitos pessoais e sexuais e da crise da identidade feminina.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Revistas Femininas. Modernização. Subjetivação.

 

ABSTRACT

The presente work aims at capturing the subjective psychological processes of the modernization movement, based on a research on articles collected in the Cláudia and Nova Magazines between the 1970s and 1990s, in view of the transformations that have occurred regarding ethical and moral values social change. It is a question of perceiving how the discourses of Psychology and Psychoanalysis enter into the field constituted by the media, specifically directed to orient the female behavior, erecting itself as guiding guide in the resolution of the personal and sexual conflicts and the crisis of the feminine identity.

KEYWORDS: Women´s Magazines. Modernization. Subjectivation.
Madames e mademoiselles nas revistas curitibanas do início do século XX
Authors: Kaminski Rosane
Published: September 2019

RESUMO

Este artigo discute o lugar da mulher nas revistas ilustradas em Curitiba no início do século XX. Observa as principais formas pelas quais a mulher foi representada nas revistas, e pondera sobre os limites da atuação da mulher como produtora de textos e imagens para esses periódicos.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE:Revistas ilustradas. Curitiba.Mulher.

 

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the role of women in illustrated magazines of Curitiba city in early twentieth century. In this way, it analyses the main ways of women’s depiction in the magazines, and discusses the boundaries of women’s activities as magazine writers and illustrators.

KEYWORDS: Illustrated magazines. Curitiba. Woman
Afetos e memórias: a trajetória de Maria Clara Tomaz Machado em perspectiva
Authors: Santos e Costa Artur Nogueira
Published: September 2019

Este texto foi escrito para ser apresentado no Seminário “Clareando caminhos: cultura popular, memórias e identidades no fazer acadêmico”, realizado na Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, em novembro de 2018, em homenagem à professora Maria Clara Tomaz Machado em razão de sua aposentadoria. Discuto elementos da trajetória de Maria Clara a partir da leitura de sua produção intelectual, com foco na questão do ofício do historiador, do patrimônio cultural e da cultura popular.

Palavras-Chave: Trajetória profissional. Memórias. Ofício do historiador.

 

ABSTRACT:

This text was written to be presented at the Seminar "Clearing ways: Popular Culture, Memories and Identities in Academic Achievement", held at the Federal University of Uberlândia, in November 2018, in honor of the teacher Maria Clara Tomaz Machado due to her retirement. I discuss elements of Maria Clara's trajectory from the reading of her intellectual production, focusing on the question of the office of historian, cultural heritage and popular culture.

Keywords: Professional trajectory. Memoirs. Office of the historian.
Introduction and Decolonial Pedagogies, Multilingualism and Literacies
Authors: Bock Zannie , Stroud Christopher , De Souza Lynn Mario T. Menezes
Published: September 2019

The Introduction gives an overview of the journal contents and a short account of the genesis and structure of the module within which the papers, poems, and artefacts were produced.
Re-imagining the Writing Workshop: The Creation of Multilingual, Collaborative Poetry
Authors: Moolman Kobus , Mpuma Nondwe , Julie Lisa
Published: September 2019

The following contributions describe the process of the writing workshop and the concrete writing and editing of a jointly produced multilingual poem.
Monte Carlo Simulation for Outlier Identification Studies in Geodetic Network: An Example in A Levelling Network Using Iterative Data Snooping
Authors: Matsuoka Marcelo Tomio , Rofatto Vinícius Francisco , Klein Ivandro , Gomes Alexandre , Guzatto Matheus
Published: September 2019

Today with the fast and powerful computers, large data storage systems and modern softwares, the probabilities distribution and efficiency of statistical testing algorithms can be estimated using computerized simulation. Here, we use Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) to investigate the power of the test and error probabilities of the Baarda’s iterative data snooping procedure as test statistic for outlier identification in the Gauss-Markov model. The MCS discards the use of the observation vector of Gauss-Markov model. In fact, to perform the analysis, the only needs are the Jacobian matrix; the uncertainty of the observations; and the magnitude intervals of the outliers. The random errors (or residuals) are generated artificially from the normal statistical distribution, while the size of outliers is randomly selected using standard uniform distribution. Results for simulated closed leveling network reveal that data snooping can locate an outlier in the order of magnitude 5σ with high success rate. The lower the magnitude of the outliers, the lower is the efficiency of data snooping in the simulated network. In general, considering the network simulated, the data snooping procedure was more efficient for α=0.01 (1%) with 82.8% success rate.
KAJIAN TATA KELOLA PENYEDIAAN TAMAN KOTA RAMAH HAM DI KABUPATEN WONOSOBO
Authors: Farkhana Fikri , Rahdriawan Mardwi
Published: September 2019

Kabupaten Wonosobo menjadi Kota Ramah Hak Asasi Manusia pada tahun 2014. Hal tersebut mengacu pada Deklarasi Gwangju guna mewujudkan kovenan HAM internasional. Bentuk implementasinya adalah melalui pembangunan taman kota ramah HAM yaitu Taman Kartini dan Taman Fatmawati. Permasalahan yang terjadi pada kedua taman adalah belum optimalnya tata kelola taman kota pada beberapa aspek seperti minimnya sosialisasi taman ramah HAM kepada masyarakat dan minimnya perawatan fasilitas taman yang rusak. Tujuan penelitian yaitu untuk mengkaji tata kelola taman kota di Kabupaten Wonosobo. Tata kelola yang dimaksud adalah bentuk manajemen pembangunan dengan kerjasama dan pelibatan sluruh stakeholder. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian kuantitatif. Data diperoleh melalui kegiatan telaah dokumen, observasi, kuisioner, dan wawancara terstuktur. Analisis yang digunakan yaitu analisis deskriptif kuantitatif dan analisis skoring data. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan terdapat perbedaan tata kelola antara Taman Kartini dan Taman Fatmawati pada tahap pemeliharaan khususnya pada pihak yang bertanggung jawab. Tata kelola taman kota ramah hak asasi manusia yang baik dapat diwujudkan melalui pemenuhan prinsip-prinsip pada tiap tahapan pembangunan meliputi tahap perencanaan, implementasi dan pemeliharaan. Prinsip utama yang harus diakomodir adalah prinsip partisipatif, prinsip akuntabilitas dan prinsip transparansi.
A new approach for solving Bratu’s problem
Authors: Ghomanjani Fateme , Shateyi Stanford
Published: September 2019

A numerical technique for one-dimensional Bratu’s problem is displayed in this work. The technique depends on Bernstein polynomial approximation. Numerical examples are exhibited to verify the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed technique. In this sequel, the obtained error was shown between the proposed technique, Chebyshev wavelets, and Legendre wavelets. The results display that this technique is accurate.
Institutional Identity
Authors: Rust Joshua
Published: September 2019

For some sufficiently long-standing institutions, such as the English Crown, there is no single thread, whether specified in terms of constitutive rules or assigned functions, that would connect the stages of that institution. Elizabeth II and Egbert are not connected by an unbroken chain of primogeniture and they have importantly different powers and functions. Derek Parfit famously sought to illuminate his account of personal identity by comparing a person to a club. If Parfit could use our intuitions about clubs to help motivate his neo-Lockean account of personal identity over time, which resists the idea that personal identity requires a common psychological thread, then I argue that an adapted version of his account of identity might, in turn, be reapplied to clubs and other institutions, such as the Crown.