bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Food supply and size class depending variations in phytodetritus intake in the benthic foraminifer Ammonia tepida
Authors: Wukovits Julia , Bukenberger Patrick , Enge Annekatrin Julie , Gerg Maximillian , Wanek Wolfgang , Watzka Margarete , Heinz Petra
Published: March 2018

Ammonia tepida is a common and abundant benthic foraminifer in intertidal mudflats. Benthic foraminifera are primary consumers and detritivores and act as key players in sediment nutrient fluxes.

In this study, laboratory feeding experiments using isotope labeled phytodetritus were carried out with A. tepida collected at the German Wadden Sea to investigate the response of A. tepida to varying food supply. Feeding mode (single pulse, constant feeding; different incubation temperatures) caused strong variations in cytoplasmic carbon and nitrogen cycling, suggesting generalistic adaptations to variations in food availability. To study the influence of intraspecific size to foraminiferal carbon and nitrogen cycling, three size fractions (125 – 250 µm, 250 – 355 µm,>355 µm) of A. tepida specimens were separated. Small individuals showed higher weight specific intake for phytodetritus, especially for phytodetrital nitrogen, highlighting that size distribution within foraminiferal populations is relevant to interpret foraminiferal carbon and nitrogen cycling. These results were used to extrapolate the data to natural populations of living A. tepida in sediment cores, demonstrating the impact of high abundances of small individuals on phytodetritus processing and nutrient cycling. It is estimated, that at high abundances of individuals in the 125 – 250 µm size fraction, Ammonia populations can account for more than 11 % of phytodetritus processing in intertidal benthic communities.
The principles that govern transcription factor network functions in stem cells
Authors: Niwa Hitoshi
Published: March 2018

Tissue-specific transcription factors primarily act to define the phenotype of the cell. The power of a single transcription factor to alter cell fate is often minimal, as seen in gain-of-function analyses, but when multiple transcription factors cooperate synergistically it potentiates their ability to induce changes in cell fate. By contrast, transcription factor function is often dispensable in the maintenance of cell phenotype, as is evident in loss-of-function assays. Why does this phenomenon, commonly known as redundancy, occur? Here, I discuss the role that transcription factor networks play in collaboratively regulating stem cell fate and differentiation by providing multiple explanations for their functional redundancy.
A niche of trophoblast progenitor cells identified by integrin α2 is present in first trimester human placentas
Authors: Lee Cheryl Q. E. , Turco Margherita , Gardner Lucy , Simons Benjamin , Hemberger Myriam , Moffett Ashley
Published: March 2018

During pregnancy the trophoblast cells of the placenta are the only fetal cells in direct contact with maternal blood and decidua. Their functions include transport of nutrients and oxygen, secretion of pregnancy hormones, remodelling the uterine arteries, and communicating with maternal cells. Despite the importance of trophoblast cells in placental development and successful pregnancy, little is known about the identity, location and differentiation of human trophoblast progenitors. We identify a proliferative trophoblast niche at the base of the cytotrophoblast cell columns in first trimester placentas that is characterised by integrin α2 (ITGA2) expression. Pulse-chase experiments with 5-Iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IdU) imply that these cells can contribute to both villous (VCT) and extravillous (EVT) lineages. These proliferating trophoblast cells can be isolated using ITGA2 as a marker by flow cytometry and express genes from both VCT and EVT. Microarray expression analysis shows that ITAG2+ cells display a unique transcriptional signature including NOTCH signalling and a combination of epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics. ITGA2 thus marks a niche allowing the study of pure populations of trophoblast progenitor cells.
Obituary: Denise Barlow (1950-2017)
Authors: Ferguson-Smith Anne C. , Bartolomei Marisa S.
Published: March 2018

Anne Ferguson-Smith and Marisa Bartolomei look back at the life and science of Denise Barlow, a pioneer in genomic imprinting and epigenetics.
Rapid production of pure recombinant actin isoforms in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Hatano Tomoyuki , Alioto Salvatore , Roscioli Emanuele , Palani Saravanan , Clarke Scott T. , Kamnev Anton , Hernandez-Fernaud Juan Ramon , Sivashanmugam Lavanya , Chapa-y-Lazo Bernardo , Jones Alexandra M. E. , Robinson Robert C. , Sampath Karuna , Mishima Masanori , McAinsh Andrew D. , Goode Bruce L. , Balasubramanian Mohan K.
Published: March 2018

Actins are major eukaryotic cytoskeletal proteins, and they are involved in many important cell functions, including cell division, cell polarity, wound healing and muscle contraction. Despite obvious drawbacks, muscle actin, which is easily purified, is used extensively for biochemical studies of the non-muscle actin cytoskeleton. Here, we report a rapid and cost-effective method to purify heterologous actins expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Actin is expressed as a fusion with the actin-binding protein thymosin β4 and purified by means of an affinity tag introduced in the fusion. Following cleavage of thymosin β4 and the affinity tag, highly purified functional full-length actin is liberated. We purify actins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and the β- and γ-isoforms of human actin. We also report a modification of the method that facilitates expression and purification of arginylated actin, a form of actin thought to regulate dendritic actin networks in mammalian cells. The methods we describe can be performed in all laboratories equipped for molecular biology, and should greatly facilitate biochemical and cell biological studies of the actin cytoskeleton.
Clinical and imaging features of Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma
Authors: Hu Pei-an , Zhou Zheng-rong
Published: March 2018

Objective:

Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) is a unique locally aggressive vascular tumor with poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to assess the clinical and imaging features of KHE, and to compare the differences between solitary and diffusive infiltrative subtype further.

Methods:

The clinical and radiological findings of a cohort of 25 cases with histologically proven KHE, between June 2011 and June 2016, were reviewed retrospectively. 7 solitary and 18 diffusive infiltrative subtypes KHE were included. The differences of clinical and imaging features between these two subtypes were compared statistically by Wilcoxon rank sum test and Fisher exact test.

Results:

The median age was 4 months old. 20 cases (80%) were accompanied by Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon (KMP). Most KHE located in trunk and/or extremity. The masses showed inhomogeneous echogenicity and were rich in vascularity on ultrasound; showed isoattenuation relative to muscle on unenhanced CT, isointense (n = 15) or slightly hyperintense (n = 7) T  1 weighted imaging (T  1WI) signal relative to muscle, mainly heterogeneous hyperintense or slightly hyperintense with speckled hypointense (n = 17) T  2WI signal (77%) relative to muscle, and notable (n = 15) and moderate (n = 3) enhancement. Feeding and draining vessels were revealed in 15 cases. Five masses with DWI showed slightly restricted diffusivity, with average apparent diffusion coefficient value of (1.28 ± 0.09) × 10–3 mm2 s–  1. Necrosis and hemorrhage were also found. Compared with solitary ones, diffusive infiltrative KHE were larger, more commonly accompanied by KMP and reticular lymphedema, and more frequently located in trunk and/or extremity.

Conclusion:

Five masses with DWI showed slightly restricted diffusivity. A hypervascular mass accompanied by KMP and reticular lymphedema, with speckled hypointense signal T  2WI signal, especially in pediatric patients, is highly suggestive of the diagnosis of KHE.

Advances in knowledge:

Speckled hypointense signal T  2WI signal, and notable enhancement were unique features of KHE. KHE showed slightly restricted diffusivity on DWI, commonly accompanied by KMP and reticular lymphedema.
Transmission of microRNA antimiRs to mouse offspring via the maternal–placental–fetal unit
Authors: Hönig Jonas , Mižíková Ivana , Nardiello Claudio , Surate Solaligue David E. , Daume Maximilian J. , Vadász István , Mayer Konstantin , Herold Susanne , Günther Stefan , Seeger Werner , Morty Rory E.
Published: March 2018

The emergence of microRNA as regulators of organogenesis and tissue differentiation has stimulated interest in the ablation of microRNA expression and function during discrete periods of development. To this end, inducible, conditional modulation of microRNA expression with doxycycline-based tetracycline-controlled transactivator and tamoxifen-based estrogen receptor systems has found widespread use. However, the induction agents and components of genome recombination systems negatively impact pregnancy, parturition, and postnatal development; thereby limiting the use of these technologies between late gestation and the early postnatal period. MicroRNA inhibitor (antimiR) administration also represents a means of neutralizing microRNA function in vitro and in vivo. To date, these studies have used direct (parenteral) administration of antimiRs to experimental animals. As an extension of this approach, an alternative means of regulating microRNA expression and function is described here: the maternal–placental–fetal transmission of antimiRs. When administered to pregnant dams, antimiRs were detected in offspring and resulted in a pronounced and persistent reduction in detectable steady-state free microRNA levels in the heart, kidney, liver, lungs, and brain. This effect was comparable to direct injection of newborn mouse pups with antimiRs, although maternal delivery resulted in fewer off-target effects. Furthermore, depletion of steady-state microRNA levels via the maternal route resulted in concomitant increases in steady-state levels of selected microRNA targets. This novel methodology permits the temporal regulation of microRNA function during late gestation and in neonates, without recourse to conventional approaches that rely on doxycycline and tamoxifen, which may confound studies on developmental processes.
Change management in higher education
Authors: Резник Семен , Reznik Semen , Амбарова Полина , Ambarova Polina , Архипова Марина , Arkhipova Marina , Бачина Татьяна , Bachina Tat'yana , Бельчик Татьяна , Bel'chik Tat'yana , Беляев Михаил , Belyaev Mihail , Васильева Ольга , Vasil'eva Ol'ga , Вдовина Ольга , Vdovina Olga , Герасимов Борис , Gerasimov Boris , Горидько Нина , Goridko Nina , Дубовик Майя , Dubovik Mayya , Егоров Алексей , Egorov Aleksey , Ерзылева Анна , Erzyleva Anna , Зборовский Гарольд , Zborovskiy Garol'd , Ковальчук Юлия , Koval'chuk Yuliya , Курдова Малика , Kurdova Malika , Макарова Светлана , Makarova Svyetlana , Морозова Елена , Morozova Elena , Неретина Евгения , Neretina Evgeniya , Нижегородцев Роберт , Nizhegorodtsev Robert , Носков Алексей , Noskov Aleksey , Окорочкова Екатерина , Okorochkova Ekaterina , Петухов Николай , Petuhov Nikolay , Резник Галина , Ryeznik Galina , Сазыкина Ольга , Sazykina Ol'ga , Сиротин Вячеслав , Sirotin Vyacheslav , Соколова Светлана , Sokolova Svetlana , Степнов Игорь , Stepnov Igor' , Сухачева Анна , Suhacheva Anna , Томилин Олег , Tomilin Oleg , Томилин Олег , Tomilin Oleg , Фадеева Ирина , Fadeeva Irina , Чемезов Игорь , Chemezov Igor' , Черниковская Марина , Chyernikovskaya Marina
Published: March 2018

The monograph is devoted to the analysis of the state and development trends of Russian universities.
In the first section General problems of development of the Russian universities, in the second – management of changes of administrative and pedagogical potential of the higher school, in the third – changes in the student environment of universities are considered.
The book is addressed to specialists studying the problems of the labor market and the market of educational services, and will be of interest to undergraduates, postgraduates and doctoral students of universities and research institutes.
Persistence and Procyclicality in Margin Requirements
Authors: Glasserman Paul , Wu Qi
Published: March 2018

Margin requirements for derivative contracts serve as a buffer against the transmission of losses through the financial system by protecting one party to a contract against default by the other party. However, if margin levels are proportional to volatility, then a spike in volatility leads to potentially destabilizing margin calls in times of market stress. Risk-sensitive margin requirements are thus procyclical in the sense that they amplify shocks. We use a GARCH model of volatility and a combination of theoretical and empirical results to analyze how much higher margin levels need to be to avoid procyclicality while reducing counterparty credit risk. Our analysis compares the tail decay of conditional and unconditional loss distributions with comparable stable and risk-sensitive margin requirements. Greater persistence and burstiness in volatility leads to a slower decay in the tail of the unconditional distribution and a higher buffer needed to avoid procyclicality. The tail decay drives other measures of procyclicality as well. Our analysis points to important features of price time series that should inform “antiprocyclicality” measures but are missing from current rules.

This paper was accepted by Noah Gans, stochastic models and simulation.
The dentist's role in smoking cessation management — a literature review and recommendations: part 1
Authors: Keat Ross M , Fricain Jean-Christophe , Catros Sylvain , Monteiro Luis , Silva Luis Martins da , Freitas Marcio Diniz , Brandariz Angel , Lodi Giovanni , Pispero Alberto , Warnakulasuriya Saman , Khan Zahid , Albuquerque Rui
Published: March 2018

Abstract: In Europe, 29% of individuals identify as smokers, with tobacco use directly related to 650,000 mortalities each year across the continent; roughly 14% of all deaths. From a dental perspective, smoking is directly implicated in numerous chronic, and potentially life-threatening, sequelae which exclusively affect the oral cavity. By familiarizing the dental team with gold-standard cessation advice, it can be ensured that smokers are assisted at every available opportunity. Dentists should aim to give cessation advice to smokers based on how willing they are to change their smoking habit. The authors are developing an online resource to assist with smoking cessation advice. It is available at http://www.smokingcessationtraining.com/

CPD/Clinical Relevance: Dentists will see many smokers regularly, and advice should be given routinely to this cohort of patients. By improving understanding of potential oral sequelae and identifying individuals who may wish to quit, targeted advice can be offered to increase cessation success. Brief patient-centred advice ensures the highest chance of delivering successful smoking cessation, alongside safeguarding time for the dentist to examine and treat the individual.
An alternative approach to replacement of an avulsed central incisor
Authors: Lakhani Amar A , Flett Andrew M C
Published: March 2018

Abstract: This report describes the case of a young girl who underwent orthodontic and restorative treatment following the ankylosis of an UR1. The case sets out an alternative treatment to prosthetic replacement following the loss of an incisor tooth.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This case report gives an insight into an alternative treatment using orthodontics to provide a cost-effective and aesthetic result following avulsion of a central incisor.
Soft tissue profile around dental implants placed in the aesthetic zone — a biological update
Authors: Gupta Sonam , Narayan Aparna Ichalangod , Vijay Ashita , Balakrishnan Dhanasekar
Published: March 2018

Abstract: The success attained with endosseous implants is well documented in the literature but complications are inevitable due to high risk factors associated with bacterial related breakdown of osseointegration and peri-implant mucosa. It is now apparent that maintenance of a complete seal of the gingival cuff around implants is paramount for achieving predictable outcomes, as there is no room for error when multiple implants are being placed in the maxillary anterior region. However, the restorative dentist not only faces a challenge in restoring missing teeth but also the missing volume of three-dimensional gingival envelope encompassing them.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article has focused on the comprehensive understanding and integration of various biological elements that are imperative in the rapidly advancing field of implantology.
Association of nursesâ€™ self perception about their public image and their job satisfaction in tertiary care hospitals, Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Masih Sarfraz , Gulzar Laila
Published: March 2018

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore association of nursesâ€™ self perception about their public image and job satisfaction in tertiary care hospitals, Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted on 281 diploma prepared nurses working in two public and two private tertiary care hospitals in Karachi. A combination of probability cluster sampling and non probability convenience sampling techniques were used to select units and the participants from each research setting respectively. Data were collected using the Porter Nursing Image Scale, Index of Work Satisfaction, and a self developed demographic tool by the primary researcher.Results: Majority of the participants were women, of ages 20 to 30 years, from private hospitals. Nursesâ€™ self perception about their public image was ranked positive but differed in degree by the toolâ€™s components. Nurses ranked â€™Professional Statusâ€™ as important for their job satisfaction. A weak negative association was found between nursesâ€™ self perception about their public imageâ€™ and level of job satisfaction.Conclusion: Nurses, who perceive their public image positively, tend to be satisfied with their job. Nurse leaders need to understand that the efforts to enhance the image of the nursing profession are directly linked with nursesâ€™ job satisfaction.Â
Simulación de áreas de alta consecuencia para gasoductos
Authors: Díaz-Parra Orlando , Vera-López Enrique
Published: March 2018

El gasoducto es utilizado para el transporte de gas natural a gran distancia. Los riesgos derivados del manejo de un material combustible transportado a alta presión por conducciones que pasan cerca del lugar donde habitan personas hace necesario que se adopten medidas de prevención, mitigación y control para disminuir el efecto en caso de ignición de una fuga de gas. En este trabajo se muestra el desarrollo de un nuevo modelo matemático para determinar áreas de alta consecuencia y su aplicación mediante software de amplia disponibilidad y fácil manejo, como lo son Google Earth y Excel, para determinar y visualizar el área en la cual el nivel de radiación puede afectar la integridad de las personas y las edificaciones. El modelo tiene en cuenta la caída de presión al interior del gasoducto a partir de la estación de compresión, el índice de escape de gas y las formas posibles de ignición del gas. Este desarrollo se constituye en una alternativa ante el uso de software especializado y personal altamente capacitado. La simulación se aplica a un trazado del gasoducto Miraflores-Tunja utilizando una macro desarrollada en Excel para determinar el área de impacto y compararla con las coordenadas de las áreas vulnerables. Las zonas en las que se intersectan se constituyen en áreas de alta consecuencia y se identifican junto con los tramos del gasoducto que las afectan para entregar al operador una herramienta de análisis de riesgo para la determinación y visualización del gasoducto y su entorno.
Poczucie bezpieczeństwa Polaków w latach 2010-2015 w zmieniającym się środowisku bezpieczeństwa
Authors: Jancz Joanna
Published: March 2018

Biorąc pod uwagę zmieniające się środowisko bezpieczeństwa oraz wciąż pojawiające się nowe zagrożenia, autorka na podstawie badań przeprowadzanych przez CBOS postanowiła zbadać, jak zmieniał się stan poczucia bezpieczeństwa Polaków w latach 2010-2015. Wybrany został wskazany przedział czasowy, gdyż właśnie w tych latach miejsce miały liczne wydarzenia, które mogły w istotny sposób wpłynąć na poczucie bezpieczeństwa. Do wydarzeń tych można zaliczyć m.in. początek Arabskiej Wiosny, zamach w Norwegii, kryzys krymski czy akty terroru we Francji. Autorka zestawiła w jednym artykule siedem badań przeprowadzonych w ciągu ostatnich pięciu lat. Dokonała tym samym syntezy, która może być przydatna w zakresie wskazania ewentualnych rekomendacji do przeprowadzenia podobnych badań w przyszłości.
Michał Wyrostkiewicz, Human Ecology. An Outline of the Concept and the Relationship Between Man and Nature, Lublin: Wydawnictwo KUL 2013.
Authors: Krauze Łukasz
Published: March 2018

RECENZJA: Michał Wyrostkiewicz, Human Ecology. An Outline of the Concept and the Relationship Between Man and Nature, Lublin: Wydawnictwo KUL 2013, ss. 128, ISBN 978-83-7702-846-9.
SBML Level 3 Package: Flux Balance Constraints version 2
Authors: Olivier Brett G. , Bergmann Frank T.
Published: March 2018

Constraint-based modeling is a well established modeling methodology used to analyze and study biological networks on both a medium and genome scale. Due to their large size and complexity such steady-state flux models are, typically, analyzed using constraint-based optimization techniques, for example, flux balance analysis (FBA). The Flux balance constraints (FBC) Package extends SBML Level 3 and provides a standardized format for the encoding, exchange and annotation of constraint-based models. It includes support for modeling concepts such as objective functions, flux bounds and model component annotation that facilitates reaction balancing. Version two expands on the original release by adding official support for encoding gene-protein associations and their associated elements. In addition to providing the elements necessary to unambiguously encode existing constraint-based models, the FBC Package provides an open platform facilitating the continued, cross-community development of an interoperable, constraint-based model encoding format.
Effects of exposure and information structure in native and non-native pronoun resolution in French
Authors: Colonna Saveria , Schimke Sarah , de la Fuente Israel , Kuck Sascha , Hemforth Barbara
Published: March 2018

The present study investigated pronoun resolution strategies in French native speakers and in German-speaking learners of French. French and German differ in antecedent preferences in ambiguous constructions such asThe postman hit the pirate before he went home: while French shows a N2-preference, German shows a N1-preference. This difference is explained by effects of exposure to an unambiguous alternative construction referring to N1 that exists in French, but not in German (Hemforth et al. 2010, Language specific preferences in anaphor resolution: Exposure or gricean maxims? In Steallan Ohlsson and Richard Catarambone (eds.),32nd Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society, 2218–2223. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Society). In questionnaires, we tested French active and passive sentences to investigate (a) whether the L2-learners would apply the same strategy as natives in the active condition (i.e. N2-preference), and (b) whether the explicit topicalization of a referent as a consequence of passivization influences interpretation preferences in both groups (resulting in more N1 choices). The results show that German learners prefer the N1 more often than the French natives in the active condition. Crucially, the number of N1 choices increased in both groups in the passive condition. These results suggest that L2-learners might have difficulties acquiring strategies based on the frequency and availability of alternative constructions in the L2, and provide further evidence for the importance of information-structure-based strategies in L1 and L2 pronoun resolution.
Information structure in canonical and scrambled dative orders in L2 Korean
Authors: Park Kyae-Sung
Published: March 2018

The Given-before-New Principle holds in adult speech: Given information tends to precede new information. For instance, in the English dative alternation, the given-theme – i.e., the direct object [DO] – tends to precede the new-recipient – i.e., the indirect object [IO] – in the prepositional dative (e.g.,John gave the books to some children), while the given-recipient tends to precede the new-theme in the double object dative (e.g.,John gave the children some books). Likewise, in Korean datives, the given-recipient tends to occur earlier in the canonical [IO–DO] order, while the given-theme tends to occur earlier in the scrambled [DO–IO] order. This study investigates whether L1-English adult L2ers of Korean, who have knowledge of the Given-before-New Principle in their L1, automatically adhere to it in their interlanguage. L2ers’ choices between canonical and scrambled dative orders were tested using novel oral contextualized preference tasks. The native speakers of Korean overwhelmingly complied with the Given-before-New Principle. However, the intermediate-to-advanced L2ers exhibited a strong bias for the (default) canonical [IO–DO] order, which apparently overrode the Given-before-New Principle. The findings of analyses by group and by individual are discussed in terms of frequency, syntactic complexity, processing, and null arguments.
Performers’ Motions Reflect the Intention to Express Short or Long Melodic Groupings
Authors: Huberth Madeline , Fujioka Takako
Published: March 2018

Some movements that musicians make are non-essential to their instrumental playing, yet express their intentions and interpretations of music’s structures. One such potential interpretation is the choice to emphasize short melodic groupings or to integrate these groupings into a phrase. This study aimed to characterize the nature of head motions associated with either interpretation by having cellists play two versions of a musical excerpt: 1) with short groupings specified, and 2) with long groupings specified. Cellists were filmed by two video cameras (front and right-side perspective) and the positions of their forehead and cheek were analyzed in their respective two-dimensional spaces. We hypothesized that the amount and frequency of movements would change according to the intended grouping. The results show that, overall, participants’ heads move more frequently when intending short groupings compared to long groupings. However, the extent of the change in motion varied across different sections of the excerpt. It appears that performers may invest more effort to emphasize the intended interpretation when a given local pitch structure more easily affords alternative interpretations. Our results illustrate that performers can embody melodic groupings based on intended interpretation.
Uterine progesterone signaling is a target for metformin therapy in PCOS-like rats
Authors: Hu Min , Zhang Yuehui , Feng Jiaxing , Xu Xue , Zhang Jiao , Zhao Wei , Guo Xiaozhu , Li Juan , Vestin Edvin , Cui Peng , Li Xin , Wu Xiao-ke , Brännström Mats , Shao Linus R , Billig Håkan
Published: March 2018

Impaired progesterone (P4) signaling is linked to endometrial dysfunction and infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Here, we report for the first time that elevated expression of progesterone receptor (PGR) isoforms A and B parallels increased estrogen receptor (ER) expression in PCOS-like rat uteri. The aberrant PGR-targeted gene expression in PCOS-like rats before and after implantation overlaps with dysregulated expression of Fkbp52 and Ncoa2, two genes that contribute to the development of uterine P4 resistance. In vivo and in vitro studies of the effects of metformin on the regulation of the uterine P4 signaling pathway under PCOS conditions showed that metformin directly inhibits the expression of PGR and ER along with the regulation of several genes that are targeted dependently or independently of PGR-mediated uterine implantation. Functionally, metformin treatment corrected the abnormal expression of cell-specific PGR and ER and some PGR-target genes in PCOS-like rats with implantation. Additionally, we documented how metformin contributes to the regulation of the PGR-associated MAPK/ERK/p38 signaling pathway in the PCOS-like rat uterus. Our data provide novel insights into how metformin therapy regulates uterine P4 signaling molecules under PCOS conditions.
Anastomosis yeyunal término-terminal con xenoinjerto de pericardio bovino en equinos
Authors: Aguilar G. Ceesar N. , Delgado C. Alfredo , Chavera C. Alfonso , Cueva R. Medalí
Published: March 2018

Se investigó la viabilidad del xenoinjerto de pericardio bovino no tratado como biomaterial para el revestimiento de la anastomosis de intestino delgado en equinos a fin de evitar dehiscencias, fugas, fístulas y formación de adherencias en el posoperatorio. Se trabajó con siete equinos sometidos a anastomosis término-terminal yeyunal revestida con xenoinjerto de pericardio bovino no tratado y un grupo control de siete equinos sometidos solamente a anastomosis término-terminal yeyunal. Se evaluó el dolor postoperatorio, los componentes celulares y las características organolépticas del líquido peritoneal. Se encontró que el revestimiento con xenoinjerto de pericardio bovino no genera diferencias significativas en la cuantificación del dolor (cólico posoperatorio) ni en el recuento total de células nucleadas del líquido peritoneal, ni influye en las alteraciones del color, turbidez y olor del líquido peritoneal, demostrando que el xenoinjerto de pericardio bovino sin tratamiento como revestimineto de la anastomosis yeyunal no influye en las funciones del sistema alimentario desde el punto de vista del exámen clínico posoperatorio de campo. Se concluye que el xenoinjerto de pericardio bovino no tratado es viable y efectivo porque refuerza el proceso de remodelación cicatricial, evitando posibles fugas anastomóticas y peritonitis.
Detección de una proteína asociada a la enfermedad de la necrosis hepatopancreatica aguda (AHPND) en Litopenaeus vannamei bajo cultivo semi-intensivo en Ecuador
Authors: Saavedra-Olivos Katherine Yuliana , Peralta-Ortiz Tessy , Ordinola-Zapata Alberto , Sandoval-Ramayoni John Estuardo , Vieyra-Peña Enedia Graciela , Zapata-Cruz Marco Antonio , Hidalgo-Mogollón Auberto , Morán Braulio , Mendoza-Neyra Oscar Augusto , Mendoza-Dioses Magno Ego , Campoverde-Peña Sigrid Yamile
Published: March 2018

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo detectar una proteína asociada a la necrosis hepatopancreática aguda (AHPND), en cultivos semi-intensivos en Ecuador. Se recolectaron camarones enfermos de tres camaroneras en la zona de Bellavista, provincia El Oro. Los hepatopáncreas fueron macerados y cultivados en medio TCBS y subcultivos en TSA y caldo LB. De las cepas bacterianas obtenidas, se extrajo las proteínas usando un kit comercial y se separaron mediante migración en gel SDS-PAGE. Estas fueron analizadas con un espectrómetro de masas MALDI TOF/TOF. La confirmación de las cepas se realizó mediante PCR utilizando cebadores TUMSAT-Vp3, que son específicos para detectar AHPND. Una de las cepas tuvo secuencias peptídicas similares a la de la proteína PirvpB, causante de AHPND, y fue identificada como perteneciente a Vibrio parahaemolyticus y portadora del gen que codifica PirvpB, por tanto, positiva para AHPND. Los resultados mostraron que es posible usar la espectrometría de masas MALDI TOF/TOF en la detección de proteínas asociadas a AHPND en el cultivo de camarón.
DELIMITACIÓN Y JUSTIFICACIÓN DE PROBLEMAS DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN CIENCIAS SOCIALES
Authors: Chaverri Chaves Diego
Published: March 2018

El inicio de un diseño de investigación social suscita varias interrogantes sustantivas; esteartículo se dirige a dos de estas, las cuales consisten en problematizar sobre lo que es oportunotomar en consideración cuando se delimita empíricamente una propuesta de investigacióny su justificación, en tanto se fundamenta la elección de un tema; ambas cuestionesentrelazadas.
Pharmacokinetics of 8-O-acetylharpagide in mouse blood by UPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Chen Shanjiang , Huang Miaoling , Yu Zheng , He Jiamin , Huang Binge , Wang Xianqin , Ma Jianshe , Wen Congcong
Published: March 2018

8-O-Acetylharpagide is the main active component of the herb Ajuga decumbens, which possesses anti-tumor, anti-virus, and anti-inflammation properties. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS) was used to measure the concentration of 8-O-acetylharpagide in mouse blood, with subsequent investigation of the pharmacokinetics of the drug after intravenous or oral administration. Shanzhiside methyl ester was used as an internal standard, and the acetonitrile precipitation method was used to process the blood samples. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an ultra-performance liquid chromatography ethylene-bridged hybrid (UPLC BEH) column (2.1 mm × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) with a gradient methanol–water mobile phase (containing 0.1% formic acid). The flow rate was 0.4 mL/min, and the elution time was 5.0 min. 8-O-Acetylharpagide was quantitatively measured using electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode with positive ionization. The result indicated that, within the range of 5–500 ng/mL, the linearity of 8-O-acetylharpagide in mouse blood was satisfactory (r > 0.995), and the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 5 ng/mL. Intra-day precision relative standard deviation (RSD) of 8-O-acetylharpagide in blood was lower than 9%, and the inter-day precision RSD was lower than 13%. The accuracy range was between 94.3% and 107.1%, average recovery was higher than 91.3%, and the matrix effect was between 100.8% and 110.8%. This analytical method was sensitive and fast with good selectivity and was successfully applied to perform pharmacokinetic studies of 8-O-acetylharpagide in mice. The bioavailability of 8-O-acetylharpagide was 10.8%, and the analysis of the primary pharmacokinetic parameters after oral and intravenous administration indicated that 8-O-acetylharpagide had a significant first pass effect after oral administration.
POTENSI RENDAMAN TSUNAMI DI WILAYAH LEBAK BANTEN
Authors: Sugianto Dedi , Nurjaya I Wayan , MN Natih Nyoman , Pandoe Wahyu W
Published: March 2018

Studi ini mengkaji tentang potensi bahaya tsunami yang terjadi di pesisir pantai Lebak Banten. Zona subduksi di selatan Jawa merupakan wilayah yang menarik untuk dipelajari, karena didalam zona ini berpotensi terjadi gempabumi yang dapat menyebabkan terjadinya tsunami. Wilayah Kabupaten Lebak Banten terletak di bagian selatan Jawa Barat dan berhadapan dengan sumber  tsunami di Samudra Hindia. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui run- up yang terjadi akibat tsunami dari gempabumi di celah kegempaan (seismic gap) sekitar Palung Jawa, menghitung waktu tempuh yang diperlukan oleh tsunami tersebut hingga mencapai wilayah pesisir Lebak Banten dan mengetahui potensi rendaman di wilayah tersebut.  Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini meliputi simulasi skenario tsunami dari gempa bumi dengan kekuatan 8,7 SR dengan menggunakan model TUNAMI-N2 dan analisis hasil keluaran model. Berdasarkan analisis hasil simulasi menggunakan TUNAMI-N2 tersebut, run-up yang dapat terjadi akibat tsunami dari gempa bumi di celah kegempaan sekitar Palung Jawa umumnya mengikuti pola topografi ketinggian wilayah. Waktu tempuh yang diperlukan oleh gelombang tsunami pertama hingga mencapai wilayah pesisir Lebak berkisar antara 15 hingga 17 menit. Potensi rendaman tsunami wilayah pesisir Lebak jika terjadi gempabumi di celah kegempaan sekitar Palung Jawa pada umumnya terdapat  pada kategori sangat berbahaya mengingat tinggi run-up dapat mencapai lebih  dari 3 meter dari permukaan dan jarak maksimum rendaman mencapai 1,7 km dari garis pantai, dengan luas genangan 1271,34 ha.
PENDUGAAN AIR PAYAU DENGAN TOMOGRAFI GEOLISTRIK DI PULAU KARIMUNJAWA JAWA TENGGAH
Authors: Pryambodo Dino Gunawan , Prihantono Joko
Published: March 2018

Daerah pesisir dan pulau-pulau kecil di Indonesia umumnya mempunyai sumberdaya air yang payau karena telah terintrusi oleh air laut. Tomografi geolistrik merupakan salah satu teknik untuk mendeteksi nilaiu tahan jenis batuan untuk menduga keberadaan air payau di pulau karimunjawa. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode tomografi geolistrik dengan konfigurasi elektroda wenner. Pengukuran dilakukan sebanyak 4 lintasan dengan panjang setiap lintasan 190 meter dan diolah menggunakan program Res2Dinv. Hasil dari tomografi geolistrik di pesisir kecamatan karimunjawa puau karimunjawa di beberapa tempat keberadaan air payau sudah mencapai kedalaman 30 meter dari atas permukaan tanah dengan litologi batuan penyususnnya berupa batu pasir, hal ini menunjukkan penurunan kualitas air bersih di tempat tersebut.
DAMPAK PENGANGKATAN ARTEFAK BAWAH LAUT TERHADAP KERUSAKAN TERUMBU KARANG BERDASARKAN INDIKATOR TUTUPAN SUBSTRAT DAN PARAMETER LINGKUNGAN
Authors: Johan Ofri , Dillenia Ira , Troa Rainer Arif
Published: March 2018

Artefak bawah laut yang merupakan bagian dari situs arkeologi maritimyang memiliki nilai sejarah yang tinggi dan sering ditemukan pada kawasan ekosistem terumbu karang. Keberadaannya mungkin dapat memberikan dampak positif dibidang pariwisata, namun bagaimana dampaknya terhadap lingkungan belum dikaji jika dilakukan pengangkatan apabila artefaknya memiliki nilai lebih tinggi yang perlu diselamatkan. Penelitian ini telah dilakukan pada Situs Kelarik Dalam, Perairan Karang Semapi, Natuna pada tiga waktu berbeda yaitu tanggal 11 – 22 April 2016, 6 – 11 Mei 2017 dan  7-11 September 2017. Penelitian bertujuan untuk melihat dampak pengangkatan artefak terhadap kondisi terumbu karang disekitarnya sebagai dasar informasi untuk mengantisipasi rencana pengangkatan artefak secara resmi nanti oleh pemerintah. Penelitian menggunakan metode transek foto bawah air dengan ukuran 58x44 cm. Garis transek dibentangkan dari titik nol di lokasi pusat artefak ditemukan dengan membentangkan 4 rol meteran sepanjang 30 m ke semua arah mata angin yaitu utara, selatan, timur dan barat. Pengambilan foto dilakukan setiap 1 meter kemudian dianalisa dengna program CPCe dengan menetapkan 30 titik sampel setiap fotonya. Masing-masing transek dibagi 3 zona sesuai jarak dari pusat artefak yaitu 0-10 m (Zona 1), 10-20 m (Zona 2) dan 20-30 m (Zona 3), berturut-turut mewakili lokasi terdekat, sedang dan terjauh. Data yang dikumpulkan adalah tutupan karang hidup dan tutupan substrat kategori lain danjenis karang. Hasil penelitian diperoleh terdapat perbedaan tutupan karang hidup antara lokasi yang dekat 0-10m  (6,9%), sedang 10-20m (20,3%) dan terjauh 20-30m (18,5%). Lokasi terdekat terdampak oleh aktifitas pengangkatan artefak akibat sering terpapar sedimen dan kekeruhan perairan dengan lebih jelas lagi ditandai oleh tingginya rubble (26,4%) dan rock (50,4%). Jarak sedang dan terjauh memiliki tutupan karang yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan lokasi terdekat. Perlu pertimbangan yang bijak untuk pengangkatan artefak yang ada di kawasan ekosistem terumbu karang dengan memperhatikan dampak kematian terhadap biota yang ada di sekitarnya termasuk terumbu karang.
PENDUGAAN LAJU SEDIMENTASI DI PERAIRAN TELUK BENOA - BALI BERDASARKAN CITRA SATELIT
Authors: Tanto Try Al , Putra Aprizon , Kusumah Gunardi , Farhan A. Riza , S. Pranowo Widodo , Husrin Semeidi , . Ilham
Published: March 2018

Perairan Teluk Benoa Bali memiliki 6 sungai (tukad) yang bermuara pada perairannya. Tukad Mati dan Tukad Badung adalah 2 sungai terbesar pemberi pasokan sedimen. Pembangunan reklamasi di pelabuhan Benoa dan pembangunan Jalan Tol melintasi Teluk Benoa diduga meningkatkan sedimentasi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui kejadian sedimentasi di perairan Teluk Benoa, dan memperoleh kisaran sedimentasi secara spasial yang terjadi dalam rentang 9 tahun terakhir. Analisis pendugaan sedimentasi dilakukan secara spasial berupa sebaran pengendapan sedimentasi di dasar perairan dengan menggunakan citra satelit Spot – 6 dan Landsat 7. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah luasan sedimentasi pada tahun 1997 sebesar 1640,78 ha mengalami penurunan luasan menjadi 1480,57 ha (tahun 2006) dengan laju perubahan sebesar positif -160,21 ha (-20,03 ha/tahun). Namun, luasan sedimentasi kembali bertambah menjadi 1531,93 ha pada tahun 2012 (laju perubahan negatif +8,56 ha/tahun), bahkan menjadi 1966,14 ha pada tahun 2015 (laju perubahan negatif +144,74 ha/tahun).
Partridge, Christopher and Marcus Moberg (eds) 2017. 'The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Popular Music'. London: Bloomsbury. xiv + 403pp. £130.00. ISBN: 978-1-4742-3733-8 (hbk).
Authors: Pemberton Barbara
Published: March 2018

Partridge, Christopher and Marcus Moberg (eds) 2017. The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Popular Music. London: Bloomsbury. xiv + 403pp. £130.00. ISBN: 978-1-4742-3733-8 (hbk).
Avaliação da implantação do Sistema de Gestão de Armazém em uma empresa multinacional do ramo de acionamentos
Authors: Assis Rafael de , Sagawa Juliana Keiko
Published: March 2018

Resumo A eficiência nas operações logísticas torna as empresas mais competitivas. Nesse aspecto, o uso de ferramentas para o gerenciamento e controle dessas operações é essencial para uma logística ágil e eficiente. O Sistema de Gestão de Armazém (Warehouse Management System , WMS) é uma das alternativas disponíveis no mercado capaz de automatizar as operações logísticas, buscando maior eficiência. A partir desse contexto, este estudo tem como objetivo central observar o processo de implantação de um Sistema de Gestão de Armazém em uma empresa de componentes mecânicos e analisar os impactos nas operações logísticas em termos de eficiência e qualidade de trabalho. Os resultados deste estudo estão focados na satisfação dos envolvidos, avaliada por meio de entrevistas, e nos resultados operacionais, fazendo-se um comparativo dos indicadores de desempenho logísticos em dois momentos distintos: o período anterior e o posterior à implantação do WMS. A partir da análise dos indicadores, foi possível observar um ganho de agilidade nas operações logísticas que, consequentemente, reflete-se em ganhos financeiros. Além disso, os relatos dos colaboradores envolvidos na mudança revelaram diminuição de atritos e aumento expressivo da confiabilidade e da credibilidade depositada nas informações por parte de clientes internos e externos.
BIOIMPEDANCE: NEW APPROACH TO NON-INVASIVE DETECTION OF LIVER FIBROSIS - A PILOT STUDY
Authors: IANNI FILHO Daniel , BOIN Ilka de Fatima Santana Ferreira , YAMANAKA Ademar
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Fibrosis are common structural hepatic change in patients with chronic hepatitis. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for determining the extent of liver fibrosis. Considering the technical difficulties and cost, improvements in non-invasive screening tools are greatly needed. Bioimpedance have been shown to be safe to evaluate tissue fibrosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of using monofrequential bipolar bioimpedance for the detection of severity of liver fibrosis consistent with chronic viral hepatitis C infections. METHODS: One hundred and ten patients were studied prospectively and formed two groups according to the lab tests results for the detection of HCV, ALT and AST: Group 1 Control (n=50 healthy patients with HCV negative and with ALT and AST values within the normal clinical range) and Group 2 Positive (n=60 patients positive for anti-HCV positive) which were biopsied. All patients underwent an examination with an Electro Sensor Complex, bioimpedance technology. To compare the groups 1 and 2, the ROC curves was used to determine the specificity and sensitivity of the bioimpedance to detect liver fibrosis. To identify liver fibrosis severity the Group 2 Positive was subdivided according to the liver biopsy results (Metavir fibrosis score) into: Sub Group 2A (F0-F1 n=25) - patients without or with minimal portal fibrosis and Sub Group 2B (F3-F4 n=20) patients with numerous septa/cirrhosis. A statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the bioimpedance data differences in delta of the conductance. RESULTS: From the comparison between Groups 1 and 2: 1) The delta value for conductance in the pathway representing the right foot-left hand minus left hand-right foot demonstrated a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 78% with a cutoff value ≤5 and P=0.0001. 2) For the comparison between Sub Group 2A (Metavir F0+F1) and Sub Group 2B (Metavir F3+F4), the neural network for the Electro Sensor Complex data demonstrated a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 72% with a cutoff probability >50% and P=0.001. AUCROC=0.81. CONCLUSION: Bioimpedance technology had good level sensitivity and acceptable specificity for detecting liver fibrosis using delta of the conductance. There is a potential for the use of bioimpedance technology as non-invasive approaches for screening of liver fibrosis.
PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS INCREASE THE OVERALL RISK OF DEVELOPING BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS
Authors: LÁZARO-PACHECO Illce B , SERVÍN-CAAMAÑO Alfredo I , PÉREZ-HERNÁNDEZ José L , ROJAS-LOUREIRO Gabriela , SERVÍN-ABAD Luis , TIJERA Fátima HIGUERA-DE LA
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Acid suppression has been associated with adverse events; such as, enteric infections. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are frequently prescribed in patients with cirrhosis, but is unclear if PPI are associated with the development of bacterial infections in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of PPI intake on the development of bacterial, viral and fungal infections in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, historic cohort study. The exposed cohort included patients with cirrhosis with chronic use of PPI. The non-exposed cohort had not been using PPI. The follow-up period was 3 years, searching in the medical records for any events of bacterial infection confirmed by bacteriological culture. RESULTS: One hundred and thirteen patients met the selection criteria, 44 (39%) had chronic use of PPI; of them, 28 (63.6%) patients had not a clear clinical indication to justify the prescription of PPI. Twenty four (21.2%) patients developed bacterial infections during the follow-up period. In the univariate analysis, decompensated cirrhosis (Child B/C), presence of ascites, history of variceal bleeding, and chronic consumption of PPI were risk factors related to the development of infections. But, in the adjusted multivariate analysis only the chronic use of PPI was associated with development of infections (RR=3.6; 95% CI=1.1-12.3; P=0.04). CONCLUSION: There is an over-prescription of PPI without a justified clinical indication. The long-term consumption of PPI in patients with cirrhosis is associated with the development of bacterial infections; therefore these drugs must be carefully prescribed in this specific population.
Symbolic violence among adolescents in affective dating relationships
Authors: Bittar Daniela Borges , Nakano Ana Márcia Spanó
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT Objective Understanding how adolescents signify their affective relationships and situations of conflict/violence within the dating context. Method A qualitative research with an empirical group comprised of adolescents from a state/public school, using focus group techniques and interviews. The analysis was performed through the interpretation of meanings method based on the hermeneutic-dialectical perspective. Results A total of 19 adolescents participated in the study. Two central theme categories emerged: “Meanings of adolescents’ affective relationships” and “From the (de)construction of symbolic violence to the expression of other forms of violence”. Conclusion The results show that it is possible to understand situations from affective adolescent relationships in which the legitimation of symbolic violence against women is identified. We believe that acting on the origin of violence at the beginning of adolescents’ relationships is the best way to fight or minimize it, aiming for democratizing gender relations and preventing conjugal violence.