bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Unfolded Protein Response and Membrane Contact Sites: Tethering as a Matter of Life and Death?
Authors: van Vliet Alexander R. , Sassano Maria Livia , Agostinis Patrizia
Published: May 2018

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the most extensive organelle of the eukaryotic cell and constitutes the major site of protein and lipid synthesis and regulation of intracellular Ca2+ levels. To exert these functions properly, the ER network is shaped in structurally and functionally distinct domains that dynamically remodel in response to intrinsic and extrinsic cues. Moreover, the ER establishes a tight communication with virtually all organelles of the cell through specific subdomains called membrane contact sites. These contact sites allow preferential, nonvesicular channeling of key biological mediators including lipids and Ca2+ between organelles and are harnessed by the ER to interface with and coregulate a variety of organellar functions that are vital to maintain homeostasis. When ER homeostasis is lost, a condition that triggers the activation of an evolutionarily conserved pathway called the unfolded protein response (UPR), the ER undergoes rapid remodeling. These dynamic changes in ER morphology are functionally coupled to the modulation or formation of contact sites with key organelles, such as mitochondria and the plasma membrane, which critically regulate cell fate decisions of the ER-stressed cells. Certain components of the UPR have been shown to facilitate the formation of contact sites through various mechanisms including remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. In this review, we discuss old and emerging evidence linking the UPR machinery to contact site formation in mammalian cells and discuss their important role in cellular homeostasis.
Epidemiology of AL amyloidosis: a real-world study using US claims data
Authors: Quock Tiffany P. , Yan Tingjian , Chang Eunice , Guthrie Spencer , Broder Michael S.
Published: May 2018

Key Points

AL amyloidosis prevalence increased while incidence rates remained stable over a 9-year period (2007-2015).
Do laboratory challenge tests for occupational asthma represent what happens in the workplace?
Authors: Burge P. Sherwood , Moore Vicky C. , Robertson Alastair S. , Walters Gareth I.
Published: May 2018

Specific inhalation challenge (SIC) is the diagnostic reference standard for occupational asthma; however, a positive test cannot be considered truly significant unless it can be reproduced by usual work exposures. We have compared the timing and responses during SIC in hospital to Oasys analysis of serial peak expiratory flow (PEF) during usual work exposures.

All workers with a positive SIC to occupational agents between 2006 and 2015 were asked to measure PEF every 2 h from waking to sleeping for 4 weeks during usual occupational exposures. Responses were compared between the laboratory challenge and the real-world exposures at work.

All 53 workers with positive SIC were included. 49 out of 53 had records suitable for Oasys analysis, 14 required more than one attempt and all confirmed occupational work-related changes in PEF. Immediate SIC reactors and deterioration within the first 2 h of starting work were significantly correlated with early recovery, and late SIC reactors and a delayed start to workplace deterioration were significantly correlated with delayed recovery. Dual SIC reactions had features of immediate or late SIC reactions at work rather than dual reactions.

The concordance of timings of reactions during SIC and at work provides further validation for the clinical significance of each test.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and risk of lung cancer and histologic types: a Mendelian randomisation analysis of the HUNT study
Authors: Sun Yi-Qian , Brumpton Ben M. , Bonilla Carolina , Lewis Sarah J. , Burgess Stephen , Skorpen Frank , Chen Yue , Nilsen Tom I.L. , Romundstad Pål Richard , Mai Xiao-Mei
Published: May 2018

We aimed to investigate potential causal associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and incidence of lung cancer overall and histologic types.

We performed a Mendelian randomisation analysis using a prospective cohort study in Norway, including 54 580 individuals and 676 incident lung cancer cases. A 25(OH)D allele score was generated based on the vitamin D-increasing alleles rs2282679, rs12785878 and rs10741657. Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals for incidence of lung cancer and histologic types were estimated in relation to the allele score. The inverse-variance weighted method using summarised data of individual single nucleotide polymorphisms was applied to calculate the Mendelian randomisation estimates.

The allele score accounted for 3.4% of the variation in serum 25(OH)D levels. There was no association between the allele score and lung cancer incidence overall, with HR 0.99 (95% CI 0.93–1.06) per allele score. A 25 nmol·L−1increase in genetically determined 25(OH)D level was not associated with the incidence of lung cancer overall (Mendelian randomisation estimate HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.54–1.69) or any histologic type.

Mendelian randomisation analysis did not suggest a causal association between 25(OH)D levels and risk of lung cancer overall or histologic types in this population-based cohort study.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Existence and uniqueness of solutions for the Schrödinger integrable boundary value problem
Authors: Wang Jianjie , Mai Ali , Wang Hong
Published: May 2018

This paper is mainly devoted to the study of one kind of nonlinear Schrödinger differential equations. Under the integrable boundary value condition, the existence and uniqueness of the solutions of this equation are discussed by using new Riesz representations of linear maps and the Schrödinger fixed point theorem.
Effect of induction chemotherapy with cisplatin, fluorouracil, with or without taxane on locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective, propensity score‐matched analysis
Authors: Liu Guo‐Ying , Lv Xing , Wu Yi‐Shan , Mao Min‐Jie , Ye Yan‐Fang , Yu Ya‐Hui , Liang Hu , Yang Jing , Ke Liang‐Ru , Qiu Wen‐Ze , Huang Xin‐Jun , Li Wang‐Zhong , Guo Xiang , Xiang Yan‐Qun , Xia Wei‐Xiong
Published: May 2018

Background

Available data in the literature comparing different induction chemotherapy (IC) regimens on locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are scarce. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of locoregionally advanced NPC patients who were treated with taxane, cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (TPF) or cisplatin and 5‐fluorouracil (PF) as IC followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods

In total, 1879 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC treated with IC and CCRT from a prospectively maintained database were included in the present observational study. We compared overall survival (OS), disease‐specific survival (DSS), distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS), and locoregional relapse‐free survival, using the propensity score method.

Results

In total, 1256 patients received TPF or PF as IC backbone. The TPF group showed significantly better OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.660; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.442–0.986; P = 0.042), DSS (HR, 0.624; 95% CI 0.411–0.947; P = 0.027) and DMFS (HR, 0.589; 95% CI 0.406–0.855; P = 0.005) compared with the PF group in multivariable analyses. Propensity score matching identified 294 patients in each cohort and confirmed that TPF was associated with significantly improved 5‐year OS (88.1% vs. 80.7%; P = 0.042), DSS (88.5% vs. 80.7%; P = 0.021) and DMFS (87.9% vs. 78.6%; P = 0.012) rates compared with the PF group. There were no significant differences in locoregional relapse‐free survival before or after matching.

Conclusions

In our study, IC with the TPF regimen combined with CCRT showed improved long‐term survival for the patients with locoregionally advanced NPC compared with the PF regimen. However, a prospective randomized clinical trial to validate these findings is necessary.
HDAC3-Selective Inhibition Activates Brown and Beige Fat Through PRDM16
Authors: Liao Jiling , Jiang Juan , Jun Heejin , Qiao Xiaona , Emont Margo P , Kim Dong-il , Wu Jun
Published: May 2018

It has been reported that class I histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition increases thermogenesis in fat, but adipocyte-specific Hdac3 deletions have presented inconsistent results. In this study, we observed that HDAC3 protein levels were lower in brown fat compared with inguinal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and they decreased in both fat depots upon cold exposure. PR domain–containing 16 (PRDM16) physically interacted with HDAC3, and treatment with HDAC3-selective inhibitor RGFP966 induced thermogenic gene expression in murine and human fat cultures. This induction was blunted in the absence of PRDM16. Our results provide evidence that HDAC3 is involved in thermogenesis, suggesting selective inhibition of HDAC3 in brown and beige fat might hold therapeutic potential for counteracting human obesity and metabolic disorders.
Insulinlike Growth Factor 1 Gene Variation in Vertebrates
Authors: Rotwein Peter
Published: May 2018

IGF1—a small, single-chain, secreted peptide in mammals—is essential for normal somatic growth and is involved in a variety of other physiological and pathophysiological processes. IGF1 expression appears to be controlled by several different signaling mechanisms in mammals, with GH playing a key role by activating an inducible transcriptional pathway via the Jak2 protein kinase and the Stat5b transcription factor. Here, to understand aspects of Igf1 gene regulation over a substantially longer timeline than is discernible in mammals, Igf1 genes have been examined in 21 different nonmammalian vertebrates representing five different classes and ranging over ∼500 million years of evolutionary history. Parts of vertebrate Igf1 genes resemble components found in mammals. Conserved exons encoding the mature IGF1 protein are detected in all 21 species studied and are separated by a large intron, as seen in mammals; the single promoter contains putative regulatory elements that are similar to those functionally mapped in human IGF1 promoter 1. In contrast, GH-activated Stat5b-binding enhancers found in mammalian IGF1 loci are completely absent, there is no homolog of promoter 2 or exon 2 in any nonmammalian vertebrate, and different types of “extra” exons not present in mammals are found in birds, reptiles, and teleosts. These data collectively define properties of Igf1 genes and IGF1 proteins that were likely present in the earliest vertebrates and support the contention that common structural and regulatory features in Igf1 genes have a long evolutionary history.
Continuous PTH in Male Mice Causes Bone Loss Because It Induces Serum Amyloid A
Authors: Choudhary Shilpa , Santone Elizabeth , Yee Sui-Pok , Lorenzo Joseph , Adams Douglas J , Goetjen Alexandra , McCarthy Mary Beth , Mazzocca Augustus D , Pilbeam Carol
Published: May 2018

Increased bone resorption is considered to explain why intermittent PTH is anabolic for bone but continuous PTH is catabolic. However, when cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) is absent in mice, continuous PTH becomes anabolic without decreased resorption. In murine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), serum amyloid A (SAA)3, induced in the hematopoietic lineage by the combination of COX2-produced prostaglandin and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), suppresses PTH-stimulated osteoblast differentiation. To determine whether SAA3 inhibits the anabolic effects of PTH in vivo, wild-type (WT) and SAA3 knockout (KO) mice were infused with PTH. In WT mice, continuous PTH induced SAA3 and was catabolic for bone. In KO mice, PTH was anabolic, increasing trabecular bone, serum markers of bone formation, and osteogenic gene expression. In contrast, PTH increased all measurements associated with bone resorption, as well as COX2 gene expression, similarly in KO and WT mice. SAA1 and SAA2 in humans are likely to have analogous functions to SAA3 in mice. RANKL induced both SAA1 and SAA2 in human bone marrow macrophages in a COX2-dependent manner. PTH stimulated osteogenesis in human BMSCs only when COX2 or RANKL was inhibited. Addition of recombinant SAA1 or SAA2 blocked PTH-stimulated osteogenesis. In summary, SAA3 suppresses the bone formation responses but not the bone resorption responses to PTH in mice, and in the absence of SAA3, continuous PTH is anabolic. In vitro studies in human bone marrow suggest that SAA may be a target for enhancing the therapeutic effects of PTH in treating osteoporosis.
Myosin-1c promotes E-cadherin tension and force-dependent recruitment of α-actinin to the epithelial cell junction
Authors: Kannan Nivetha , Tang Vivian W.
Published: May 2018

Actomyosin II contractility in epithelial cell plays an essential role in tension-dependent adhesion strengthening. One key unsettling question is how cellular contraction transmits force to the nascent cell–cell adhesion when there is no stable attachment between the nascent adhesion complex and actin filament. Here, we show that myosin-1c is localized to the lateral membrane of polarized epithelial cells and facilitates the coupling between actin and cell–cell adhesion. Knockdown of myosin-1c compromised the integrity of the lateral membrane, reduced the generation of tension at E-cadherin, decreased the strength of cell–cell cohesion in an epithelial cell monolayer and prevented force-dependent recruitment of junctional α-actinin. Application of exogenous force to cell–cell adhesions in a myosin-1c-knockdown cell monolayer fully rescued the localization defect of α-actinin, indicating that junction mechanoregulation remains intact in myosin-1c-depleted cells. Our study identifies a role of myosin-1c in force transmission at the lateral cell–cell interface and underscores a non-junctional contribution to tension-dependent junction regulation.
CCAR-1 affects hemidesmosome biogenesis by regulating unc-52/perlecan alternative splicing in the C. elegans epidermis
Authors: Fu Rong , Zhu Yi , Jiang Xiaowan , Li Yuanbao , Zhu Ming , Dong Mengqiu , Huang Zhaohui , Wang Chunxia , Labouesse Michel , Zhang Huimin
Published: May 2018

Hemidesmosomes are epithelial-specific attachment structures that maintain tissue integrity and resist tension. Despite their importance, how hemidesmosomes are regulated at the post-transcriptional level is poorly understood. Caenorhabditis elegans hemidesmosomes (CeHDs) have a similar structure and composition to their mammalian counterparts, making C. elegans an ideal model for studying hemidesmosomes. Here, we focus on the transcription regulator CCAR-1, identified in a previous genetic screen searching for enhancers of mutations in the conserved hemidesmosome component VAB-10A (known as plectin in mammals). Loss of CCAR-1 function in a vab-10(e698) background results in CeHD disruption and muscle detachment from the epidermis. CCAR-1 regulates CeHD biogenesis, not by controlling the transcription of CeHD-related genes, but by affecting the alternative splicing of unc-52 (known as perlecan or HSPG2 in mammals), the predicted basement extracellular matrix (ECM) ligand of CeHDs. CCAR-1 physically interacts with HRP-2 (hnRNPR in mammals), a splicing factor known to mediate unc-52 alternative splicing to control the proportions of different UNC-52 isoforms and stabilize CeHDs. Our discovery underlines the importance of post-transcriptional regulation in hemidesmosome reorganization. It also uncovers previously unappreciated roles of CCAR-1 in alternative splicing and hemidesmosome biogenesis, shedding new light on the mechanisms through which mammalian CCAR1 functions in tumorigenesis.
epicontacts: Handling, visualisation and analysis of epidemiological contacts
Authors: Nagraj VP , Randhawa Nistara , Campbell Finlay , Crellen Thomas , Sudre Bertrand , Jombart Thibaut
Published: May 2018

Epidemiological outbreak data is often captured in line list and contact format to facilitate contact tracing for outbreak control. epicontacts is an R package that provides a unique data structure for combining these data into a single object in order to facilitate more efficient visualisation and analysis. The package incorporates interactive visualisation functionality as well as network analysis techniques. Originally developed as part of the Hackout3 event, it is now developed, maintained and featured as part of the R Epidemics Consortium (RECON). The package is available for download from the Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN) and GitHub.
Cigarette smoking and metabolic syndrome components: a cross-sectional study from Maracaibo City, Venezuela
Authors: Bermudez Valmore , Olivar Luis Carlos , Torres Wheeler , Navarro Carla , Gonzalez Robys , Espinoza Cristobal , Morocho Alicia , Mindiola Andres , Chacin Maricarmen , Arias Victor , Añez Roberto , Salazar Juan , Riaño-Garzon Manuel , Diaz-Camargo Edgar , Bautista Maria Judith , Rojas Joselyn
Published: May 2018

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests that cigarette smoking can cause the onset of metabolic syndrome prior to cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between smoking habit and metabolic syndrome components in an adult population from Maracaibo city, Venezuela.

Methods: The Maracaibo City Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence Study is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with random and multi-stage sampling. In this sub-study, 2212 adults from both genders were selected. On the basis of their medical background, they were classified as smokers, non-smokers and former smokers. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to Harmonizing 2009 criteria, using population-specific abdominal circumference cut-off points. The association between risk factors was evaluated using a logistic regression model.

Results: In the studied population, 14.8% were smokers, 15.4% were former smokers. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of metabolic syndrome (smokers: OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.11–2.14; p=0.010) and its components were related to cigarette smoking, with the exception of hyperglycemia. High blood pressure was inversely associated with current smoking status (smokers: OR, 0.70 (0.51–0.95); p=0.025).

Conclusion: Cigarette smoking represents an independent risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome, being associated with low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, increased abdominal circumference and elevated triacylglyceride levels. Former smokers did not present a greater risk for developing this metabolic disease when compared to non-smokers. The effect of avoiding this habit should be evaluated in future studies in our population.
Does gonorrhoea screening intensity play a role in the early selection of antimicrobial resistance in men who have sex with men (MSM)? A comparative study of Belgium and the United Kingdom
Authors: Kenyon Chris R. , De Baetselier Irith , Crucitti Tania
Published: May 2018

Background: It is unclear why antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States has tended to first appear in men who have sex with men (MSM). We hypothesize that increased exposure to antimicrobials from intensive STI screening programmes plays a role.

Methods: We assess if there is a difference in the distribution of azithromycin, cefixime and ceftriaxone minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) between MSM and women in the United Kingdom (UK) where 70% of MSM report STI screening in the past year vs. Belgium where 9% report STI screening in the past year. Our hypothesis is that MICs of the MSM should be higher than those of the women in the UK but not Belgium. Data for the MICs were taken from the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP) in the UK in 2010/2011 and 2014 and a similar national surveillance programme in Belgium in 2013/2014 (the first most complete available data). We used the Mann–Whitney test to compare the MIC distributions between MSM and women within each country

Results: In the UK the MICs for all three antimicrobials were significantly higher in MSM than women at both time points (P all <0.0005). In Belgium only the MIC distribution for azithromycin was higher in MSM (P<0.0005).

Conclusion: The findings for cefixime and ceftriaxone, but not azithromycin are compatible with our hypothesis that screening-intensity could contribute to the emergence of AMR. Numerous other interpretations of our results are discussed.
Enabling virtual collaboration in Digital Cultural Heritage in the SEEM region
Authors: Charalambous Panayiotis , Artopoulos George
Published: May 2018

It has been observed that many researchers in the humanities do not use digital tools to their full extent for their research. Some of the most pressing needs of researchers in Digital Cultural Heritage (DCH) are data storage and handling and large scale computing. Linking these researchers to experienced groups will significantly improve productivity and research innovation in DCH. This work presents our efforts in enabling virtual collaboration for research in the South East and Eastern Mediterranean region and more specifically the deployment of the Clowder CMS system and the development of extraction services to handle, manage and automatically process DCH data. We give technical descriptions of the system and provide some results and discussions of our efforts to enable virtual collaboration between regional level DCH researchers in the context of the Horizon 2020 funded VI-SEEM project.
Solutions for Data Discovery Service in a Virtual Research Environment
Authors: Dimitrov Vladimir , Stoyanov Stiliyan
Published: May 2018

Scientific computing requires many and large volumes of complex structured data and metadata that are scattered across data centers. Researchers find it difficult to discover the specific data they need for their research. Traditional search engines, such as Google, are not effective in most of these cases. Moreover, some of the scientific data are confidential and are not publicly indexed. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a custom solution that satisfies the researchers' need for flexible search. This article introduces the Data Discovery Service designed to serve the Virtual Research Environment (VRE) during the VI-SEEM project. The solution is based on a specially configured and upgraded version of the CKAN platform. The main installation procedure is described, as well as the authors' contributions for the purpose of regularly harvesting data from different sources and updating the available content on which user queries are to be executed.
Dynamic versus Static Approach to Theoretical Anharmonic Vibrational Spectroscopy of Molecular Species Elevant to Atmospheric Chemistry: A Case Study of Formic Acid
Authors: Koteska Bojana , Manevska Verce , Mishev Anastas , Pejov Ljupco
Published: May 2018

Vibrational spectra of the two conformers of the free formic acid molecule are computed by two approaches, with a special emphasis on the region of O-H stretching modes. The first approach (referred to as a static one) is based on sequential computation of anharmonic O-H stretching vibrational potential and numerical solution of the vibrational Schr\"{o}dinger equation by the Numerov method. The second approach (referred to as a dynamic one) is based on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations performed within the atom-centered density matrix propagation scheme (ADMP) followed by spectral analysis of the velocity-velocity and dipole moment autocorrelation functions computed from the ADMP MD trajectories. All calculations are carried out within the density functional tight binding (DFTB) formalism. The computed properties are compared to the available experimental data and the advantages of the dynamic versus the static approach are outlined and analyzed in the context of detection of individual and non-covalently bonded molecular species relevant to climate science and atmospheric chemistry.
Effect of Dust Aerosols in Forming the Regional Climate of Georgia
Authors: Davitashvili Teimuraz , Kutaladze Nato , Kvatadze Ramaz , Kvatadze Ramaz Alexander , Mikuchadze George
Published: May 2018

The effect of the dust on the climate in the Caucasus region, with a specific focus on Georgia, was investigated with a Regional Climate Model RegCM interactively coupled with a dust model. For this purpose we have executed sets of 30 years simulations (1985–2014) with and without dust effects by RegCM4.7 model with 16.7 km resolution over the Caucasus domain and with 50 km resolution encompassing most of the Sahara, the Middle East, and the Great Caucasus with adjacent regions. Results of calculations have shown that the dust aerosol is an active player in the climate system of Georgia. Mineral dust aerosol influences on temperature and aerosol optical depth spatial and temporally inhomogeneous distribution on the territory of Georgia and generally has been agreed with MODIS satellite data. Results of numerical calculations have shown that dust radiative forcing inclusion has improved simulated summer temperature. The mean annual temperature increased across the whole territory of Georgia in simulations when dust direct effect was considered.
Hausnarketa partekatuan oinarritutako praktikak: egoera errealen azterketa irakasleen prestakuntzako practicumean
Authors: Agirre Nerea , Lejardi Ahots , Martinez Agurtzane , Lopez de Arana Elena , Bilbatua Mariam
Published: May 2018

Jarraian aurkeztuko den berrikuntza esperientziak irakasleen formazio planaren baitan ezagutza eraikitzeko hausnarketan oinarritutako testuinguruak sortzea du xede. Batetik, irakasle graduko Practicumeko ikasleengan beraiek praktikan bizitako egoera errealetan ardazturiko hausnarketa sustatuz; bestetik, irakasle-gai horien artean, eta euren tutoreen laguntzaz, hausnarketa partekatuan oinarritutako formatuak egituratuz; eta hirugarrenik, hausnarketa elkarlanean burutzen den jardueraren ondorioa izan dadin bultzatuz.
Travestismo, homosexualidad y autoría queer durante el Franquismo en Más bonita que ninguna (1965)
Authors: Lomas Martínez Santiago
Published: May 2018

Durante el franquismo, la censura y la heteronormatividad social dificultaban la representación cinematográfica de disidencias de género y sexualidad. Frecuentemente, estas aparecían en contextos cómicos, flirteando con los límites de lo que podía expresarse públicamente en la época. En la comedia musical Más bonita que ninguna, el travestismo es protagonista de la narración y varios números musicales y genera numerosas tensiones textuales que aluden a la homosexualidad. Este artículo utiliza teoría fílmica queer para analizar las representaciones queer existentes en el filme y evidenciar las prácticas autorales queer de sus creadores, entre los que destaca el productor homosexual Luis Sanz.
Relaciones públicas y Juego de Tronos: la imagen del Sevilla Fútbol Club, S.A.D. tras la visita de los actores al Sánchez Pizjuán
Authors: Micaletto Belda Juan Pablo , Cano Tenorio Rafael
Published: May 2018

El artículo versa sobre la acción de publicity desarrollada por el Sevilla Fútbol Club, S.A.D. con la visita de los actores de Juego de Tronos al estadio Sánchez Pizjuán. En la investigación se analizan los contenidos generados por el club en las redes sociales Twitter e Instagram, y la gestión informativa realizada por la prensa online a raíz de este acto, con la hipótesis principal, confirmada, que esta acción adquirió efectos positivos en la imagen corporativa del club.
Establishing normal values of total testosterone in adult healthy men by the use of four immunometric methods and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
Authors: Montagna Giacomo , Balestra Samuela , D’Aurizio Federica , Romanelli Francesco , Benagli Cinzia , Tozzoli Renato , Risch Lorenz , Giovanella Luca , Imperiali Mauro
Published: May 2018

Background:

The total testosterone (T) cutoffs clinically adopted to define late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) do not consider the differences that exist between different analytical platforms, nor do they consider the body mass index (BMI) or age of the patient. We aimed at providing method, age and BMI-specific normal values for total T in European healthy men.

Methods:

A total of 351 eugonadal healthy men were recruited, and total T was measured with four automated immunometric assays (IMAs): ARCHITECT i1000SR (Abbott), UniCel DxI800 (Beckman Coulter), Cobas e601 (Roche), IMMULITE 2000 (Siemens) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Reference ranges (RRs) were calculated for each method.

Results:

Passing and Bablok regression analysis and Bland-Altman plot showed an acceptable agreement between Abbott and LC-MS/MS, but a poor one between LC-MS/MS and the other IMAs. Age-specific T concentrations in non-obese (BMI <29.9 kg/m2) men were greater than in all men. The total T normal range, in non-obese men aged 18–39 years, measured with LC-MS/MS was 9.038–41.310 nmol/L. RRs calculated with LC-MS/MS statistically differed from the ones calculated with all individual IMAs, except Abbott and among all IMAs. Statistically significant differences for both upper and lower reference limits between our RRs and the ones provided by the manufacturers were also noticed.

Conclusions:

We calculated normal ranges in a non-obese cohort of European men, aged 18–39 years, with four commercially available IMAs and LC-MS/MS and found statistically significant differences according to the analytical method used. Method-specific reference values can increase the accuracy of LOH diagnosis and should be standardly used.
A pilot-study of hypnotherapy as complementary treatment for pain in chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Juel Jacob , Abrahamsen Randi , Olesen Søren S. , Drewes Asbjørn M.
Published: May 2018

Background

Chronic pain is the hallmark symptom of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Its treatment is complicated, and often the patients have side-effects notwithstanding that pain is not ameliorated in many cases. Hypnotherapy has been shown to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including abdominal pain and, as such, may serve as a remedy to relive pain. The aim of this open-label pilot-study was to test the effect of hypnotherapy for pain in patients with CP.

Methods

Four patients with CP and chronic abdominal pain were included and followed for four consecutive weeks. The primary efficacy parameter was pain relief. After 1 week of baseline patients received a 1-h session of hypnotherapy. This was repeated at day 15 and day 23 and supplemented by self-administered hypnotherapy.

Results

Three of four participants completed the trial and experienced short lasting pain reduction during the trial. The reported pain relief was in the range of 20%–39% compared to baseline. Hypnotherapy improved self-reported sleep, vitality, and social life.

Conclusions

The results suggest that hypnotherapy may reduce pain related to CP. Furthermore, no adverse effects were reported and the majority of participants completed the trial. Further prospective controlled trials are warranted to examine the potential of hypnotherapy.
Open Access Order and Interconnected Institutions in Brazil: A Challenge
Authors: Yu Guanghua
Published: May 2018

This article examines the evolution of democratic practice in Brazil. The article begins with a discussion on the country’s performance in terms of social equality, violence, and weak economy after the consolidation of democracy in 1985. Based on historical evidence, the article offers explanations concerning the weak performance in Brazil. The case of Brazil provides a challenge to the theory of open access order of North and his colleagues in the sense that open access to political organizations and activities does not necessarily lead to either better political representation or better economic performance. The case of Brazil also shows that open access to economic organizations and activities in the absence of the necessary institutions in the areas of property rights protection and contract enforcement, the financial market, the rule of law, and human resources accumulation does not lead to long-term economic growth.
Effects of arginine vasopressin on migration and respiratory burst activity in human leukocytes
Authors: Wiedermann Franz J. , Watzinger Kathrin , Stichlberger Martina , Joannidis Michael , Kaehler Christian , Lederer Wolfgang
Published: May 2018

Arginine vasopressin can bind to high-affinity vasopressin V1a receptors in human leukocytes. This study aims to investigate the effects of arginine vasopressin on migration and chemotaxis of neutrophils and oxygen free radical release by human leukocytes. Neutrophils and monocytes were obtained from peripheral blood samples of ten healthy volunteers. Leukocyte migration was microscopically assessed in a modified 48-blind well microchemotaxis chamber, and respiratory burst activity was estimated using 2’,7’-dichlorofluorescin diacetate in descending concentrations of arginine vasopressin. Arginine vasopressin stimulates migration of monocytes and neutrophils depending on concentration and on interaction with other chemoattractants. The strongest chemotactic responses of monocytes to arginine vasopressin were observed in the micro and nanomolar range and in the nanomolar range for neutrophils (p<0.001). Pre-incubation of leukocytes with arginine vasopressin decreased migration of leukocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Arginine vasopressin did not stimulate release of oxygen free radicals by neutrophils. Arginine vasopressin stimulates in a dose-dependent manner the migration of monocytes and neutrophils. However, pre-incubation of leukocytes with arginine vasopressin decreased the migratory response of monocytes and neutrophils to other chemoattractants. These findings may be of importance in the treatment regimen of patients with septic shock.
Penile calciphylaxis in a patient with end-stage renal disease: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Yang Ti-Yuan , Wang Tao-Yeuan , Chen Marcelo , Sun Fang-Ju , Chiu Allen W. , Chen Yu-Hsin
Published: May 2018

Penile calciphylaxis is a rare cause of penile gangrene that presents in patients with end-stage renal disease. The rates of comorbidity and mortality of penile calciphylaxis are extremely high. Unlike other penile gangrene, such as Fournier’s gangrene, the benefit of aggressive surgical therapy is controversial. Here we present a case of penile calciphylaxis in a 43-year-old man with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis. He received total penectomy but died due to multisystem complications 2 weeks after surgery. We review the literature on the management options and outcomes in patients with penile calciphylaxis.
Crystal structure of (E)-2-(1-((2-aminophenyl)imino)ethyl)-4-bromophenol, C14H13BrN2O
Authors: Hong Yong , Liu Wei
Published: May 2018

C14H13BrN2O, monoclinic, P21 (no. 4), a = 6.8679(5) Å, b = 7.7096(5) Å, c = 12.4043(7) Å, β = 101.332(2)°, V = 643.99(7) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0294, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0691, T = 293(2) K.
Effect of High-Dose, Short-Duration β-Alanine Supplementation on Circulating IL-10 Concentrations During Intense Military Training
Authors: Hoffman Jay R. , Gepner Yftach , Hoffman Mattan W. , Zelicha Hila , Shapira Shachar , Ostfeld Ishay
Published: May 2018

Hoffman, JR, Gepner, Y, Hoffman, M, Zelicha, H, Shapira, S, and Ostfeld, I. Effect of high dose, short-duration β-alanine supplementation on circulating IL-10 concentrations during intense military training. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2978–2981, 2018—This study examined the effect of β-alanine as a potential anti-inflammatory agent during intense military training. Twenty soldiers (20.1 ± 0.6 years) from an elite combat unit were randomly assigned to either a β-Alanine (BA) or placebo (PL) group. Soldiers were provided with 12 g·d−1 of either BA or PL for 7 days between 2 intensive periods of navigational training and restricted sleep. During the initial training period, soldiers navigated on average 27.8 km·d−1 with ∼50% of their body mass in their packs for 5 days. Soldiers returned to base and began a 7-day supplementation program before departing for an additional period of intense field training. During the second period of field training, soldiers navigated 10 km·d−1 for an additional 5 days, carrying similar loading as the initial week, performed tactical missions, and slept approximately 5 hours per day. Blood samples were obtained after the initial training period and after the second training period and analyzed for IL-10. Magnitude-based inferences that were used to provide inferences on the true effect BA may have had on IL-10 concentrations compared with PL, calculated from 90% confidence intervals. Data analysis indicated that changes in circulating IL-10 concentrations (mean difference 0.86 pg·ml−1) were possibly greater (57%) for BA than PL. Results of this study suggest that 1 week of high-dose BA ingestion may enhance the anti-inflammatory response during intense military training, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of BA during intense training.
Studying the Statistics of Natural X-ray Pictures
Authors: Gupta Praful , Glover Jack L. , Paulter Nicholas G. , Bovik Alan C.
Published: May 2018

In this article, we have studied and analyzed the statistics of both pristine and distorted bandpass X-ray images. In the past, we have shown that the statistics of natural, bandpass-filtered visible light (VL) pictures, commonly expressed by natural scene statistic (NSS) models, can be used to create remarkably powerful, perceptually relevant predictors of perceptual picture quality. We find that similar models can be developed that apply quite well to X-ray image data. We have also studied the potential of applying these statistical X-ray NSS models to the design of algorithms for automatic image quality prediction of X-ray images, such as might occur in security, medicine, and material inspection applications. As a demonstration of the discrimination power of these models, we devised an application of NSS models to an image modality classification task, whereby VL, X-ray, infrared, and millimeter-wave images can be effectively and automatically distinguished. Our study is conducted on a dataset of X-ray images made available by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Reduced levels of stromal sex hormone-binding globulin and androgen receptor dysfunction in the sperm storage region of the rat epididymis
Authors: de Santi Fabiane , Beltrame Flávia L , Hinton Barry T , Cerri Paulo S , Sasso-Cerri Estela
Published: May 2018

The cauda epididymidis is the major sperm storage region whose androgenic supply, essential for the sperm viability, is provided by the vasculature and is dependent upon testosterone diffusion through the stromal tissue to reach the epithelial cells. We have focused our efforts on examining the regulation of this important epididymal region by evaluating the impact of the androgen disrupter cimetidine on the epithelial–stromal androgenic microenvironment. Male rats received 100 mg/kg cimetidine (CMTG) or saline (CG) for 50 days, serum testosterone levels were measured and the epididymal cauda region was processed for light and transmission electron microscopy. In the proximal cauda region, the duct diameter was measured and birefringent collagen in the stroma was quantified. TUNEL-labeled epithelial cells were quantified, and androgen receptor (AR), karyopherin alpha (KPNA) and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels were analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot. CMTG showed reduced duct diameter and high number of apoptotic epithelial cells. In the epithelium, the total AR concentration and the KPNA immunoreactivity were reduced, and a weak/absent AR nuclear immunofluorescence was observed in contrast to the enhanced AR immunolabeling observed in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. A significant reduction of collagen and SHBG levels in the stroma was also observed. Cimetidine treatment impairs AR nuclear import in the epithelium, causing androgenic dysfunction and subsequent epithelial cell apoptosis and duct atrophy. The connective tissue atrophy and reduction of SHBG stromal levels associated with epithelial androgenic dysfunction indicate a possible role of stromal SHBG in the androgenic supply of the sperm storage region of the epididymis.
GWAS by GBLUP: Single and Multimarker EMMAX and Bayes Factors, with an Example in Detection of a Major Gene for Horse Gait
Authors: Legarra Andres , Ricard Anne , Varona Luis
Published: May 2018

Bayesian models for genomic prediction and association mapping are being increasingly used in genetics analysis of quantitative traits. Given a point estimate of variance components, the popular methods SNP-BLUP and GBLUP result in joint estimates of the effect of all markers on the analyzed trait; single and multiple marker frequentist tests (EMMAX) can be constructed from these estimates. Indeed, BLUP methods can be seen simultaneously as Bayesian or frequentist methods. So far there is no formal method to produce Bayesian statistics from GBLUP. Here we show that the Bayes Factor, a commonly admitted statistical procedure, can be computed as the ratio of two normal densities: the first, of the estimate of the marker effect over its posterior standard deviation; the second of the null hypothesis (a value of 0 over the prior standard deviation). We extend the BF to pool evidence from several markers and of several traits. A real data set that we analyze, with ours and existing methods, analyzes 630 horses genotyped for 41711 polymorphic SNPs for the trait “outcome of the qualification test” (which addresses gait, or ambling, of horses) for which a known major gene exists. In the horse data, single marker EMMAX shows a significant effect at the right place at Bonferroni level. The BF points to the same location although with low numerical values. The strength of evidence combining information from several consecutive markers increases using the BF and decreases using EMMAX, which comes from a fundamental difference in the Bayesian and frequentist schools of hypothesis testing. We conclude that our BF method complements frequentist EMMAX analyses because it provides a better pooling of evidence across markers, although its use for primary detection is unclear due to the lack of defined rejection thresholds.
Transformaciones territoriales por planes parciales de renovación urbana. Barrio El Naranjal, un territorio en negociación
Authors: Carvajal Capacho Wolfang Francisco
Published: May 2018

El proceso de liberalización del mercado del suelo derivado de la reorganización del capital económico global, relocaliza la industria y ordena una ciudad neoliberal en torno a actividades financieras, de servicios y de bienes raíces. Medellín intenta proyectar una imagen mundial de “desarrollo” por medio del city marketing y una de sus estrategias es la renovación urbana que genera alta rentabilidad para el sector inmobiliario.El Plan Parcial de Renovación Urbana Naranjal se despliega bajo el modelo de gobernanza público privada, y mediante Unidades de Actuación Urbanística opera como mecanismo de exclusión borrando las territorialidades existentes en el barrio, e insertando una nueva configuración morfológica urbana y arquitectónica, estilo de vida y “usuario”. Su implementación ha sido un proceso de negociación del territorio que mediante incumplimientos, presiones, protestas y acciones populares ha fragmentado las relaciones sociales y atomizado las potencialidades comunitarias de sus moradores.
Political theatres in the urban periphery: Medellín and the Library-Parks Project
Authors: Capillé Cauê
Published: May 2018

Los Parques-Biblioteca de Medellín son cruciales en el proyecto de ‘mejoramiento urbano y social’ de esta ciudad. Ellos consisten en una combinación de programas culturales y generosos espacios exteriores y interiores para uso público, construidos con la intención de producir un nuevo sentido de comunidad y ciudadanía mediante la arquitectura y su apropiación. Este hecho abre una serie de preguntas sobre el uso instrumental de la arquitectura dentro de proyectos más amplios de transformaciones urbanas. En particular, estos proyectos urbanos intentaron transformar áreas que hasta ahora eran periféricas en la economía, la cultura y la política de esta ciudad. Este artículo intenta abordar cómo el ‘Proyecto de Parques-Biblioteca’ materializa y produce ideologías de política y cultura en contextos de periferia (cultural, económica y política).
Grandes eventos esportivos: impactos nas favelas do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Fagerlande Sergio Moraes Rego
Published: May 2018

Las favelas cariocas han sido escenario de recientes cambios urbanos relacionados con las actividades turísticas, en especial ligadas a los grandes eventos deportivos, como la Copa del Mundo de 2014 y los Juegos Olímpicos y Paralímpicos de 2016. La visita por brasileños y extranjeros siempre ha sido expresiva en la ciudad, y el aumento del movimiento en las favelas es un hecho relevante. El presente artículo es parte de investigación que viene mapeando los impactos de las obras de movilidad urbana en favelas Rio de Janeiro, de las políticas de seguridad a través de las Unidades de Policía Pacificadora (UPP) y sus reflejos en el turismo y en la imagen de esas áreas de la ciudad. El trabajo pasó a enfocar el estudio de favelas en la Zona Sur, de mayor actividad turística. La investigación ha mapeado albergues, bares, restaurantes, parques y senderos turísticos, buscando datos como sus ubicaciones, quiénes son los emprendedores, de qué manera están insertos en el turismo en favelas y la importancia de la participación comunitaria y de las políticas públicas en el proceso, buscando entender si las transformaciones han causado gentrificación en esas comunidades.
Reconversión urbana desde las políticas estatales. La Plata, Argentina (2007-2015)
Authors: López Matías David
Published: May 2018

El presente artículo analiza las políticas urbanas y culturales impulsadas en el Municipio de La Plata (Argentina) durante el período 2007-2015, para indagar sobre sus vínculos con las transformaciones urbanas producidas en dicha ciudad. Nos preguntamos sobre qué formas de ciudad se configuran a partir de las normativas sancionadas, los proyectos y los programas llevados a cabo por los gobiernos locales. Las diferentes gestiones municipales, desde un paradigma que pondera la “recuperación del espacio público”, favorecieron la especulación inmobiliaria, la degradación del patrimonio arquitectónico y cultural y promovieron la persecución de ciertas prácticas culturales y urbanas. El trabajo parte de la perspectiva de los estudios socioculturales y tiene como material de análisis a discursos oficiales, notas periodísticas, normativas sancionadas en el período seleccionado y voces de organizaciones culturales.
A imagem da Região Metropolitana de Curitiba (Brasil). Fim do século XX
Authors: Botega do Carmo Julio Cesar
Published: May 2018

El patrón tendencialmente homogéneo de las imágenes internacionales de ciudades redefinió el papel desempeñado por las políticas de promoción de las ciudades en los procesos de reestructuración urbana a comienzos del siglo. Tal patrón se relaciona con la reestructuración capitalista, que automáticamente implica una nueva estructuración del espacio y un cambio cultural relacionado con la posmodernidad. De esta forma, las acciones y prácticas espaciales de modernización que expresan la tensión entre la rigidez y la movilidad en el territorio, revelan los momentos en que la estructuración espacial pasada se ha convertido en barrera para la acumulación, pasando a ser modificada. Con base en esas constataciones, por medio de la revisión de la literatura, se analiza el caso de la reestructuración productiva ocurrida en la década de 1990 en la Región Metropolitana de Curitiba (RMC, Brasil), donde las alteraciones en la forma de planificación (de carácter estatal -técnico / burocrático - entre las décadas de 1960 y 1980 para estratégico a partir de los años 1990) no alteraron la uniformidad y hegemonía de un conjunto de fragmentos de ciudad, profundizando la desigualdad y las diferencias entre un polo rico y planificado y una periferia circundante con menores condiciones de calidad de vida.