bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alleviating Care Partner Poststroke Stress Through Education
Authors: Ferguson Lakina , Perera Anjali , Farhad Maniza , Parwaiz Aatika , Stutzman Sonja E.
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND

Those who provide assistance to persons who have experienced stroke (care partners) become exposed to new situation and paradigms that may produce stress. Providing adequate information and training before discharge may reduce care partner stress.

METHODS

This prospective longitudinal pilot study examined whether tailored poststroke discharge education would reduce care partner stress. Stress was measured via survey at baseline and at 30 and 60 days after discharge with the modified Caregiver Strain Index (mCSI), where a higher mCSI indicates a higher level of stress.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the mCSI scores at baseline (9.73), 30 days (9.59), and 60 days (10.26; P = .94).

DISCUSSION

Education is an important part of predischarge care for both patients and care partners. However, education alone or education only delivered once before discharge may not be sufficient to significantly reduce care partner stress.

CONCLUSION

A single postdischarge education session does not reduce care partner stress. Further research is needed to determine whether an altered session or a repeated education session can assist in alleviating care partner stress.
VAD 911: Process Improvement for First Responders Treating Ventricular Assist Device Patients
Authors: Stewart Scott M. , Kim Bernard
Published: March 2020

Ventricular assist devices (VAD) complications including stroke, device failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and infection all can manifest in the outpatient environment. Often, first responders do not have the knowledge base to respond appropriately. This study conducted an assessment of first responders generalized knowledge and self-reported competency regarding VAD use, provided an education course, and tested for improvement immediately after and 1 month postintervention. Two hundred thirty-six first responders participated from communities with known VAD patients. Responses indicated poor knowledge, experience, and competency. Twenty-one percent had seen a manufacturer training video, 26% had attended prior training, and 38% knew who to contact with a VAD emergency. Generalized knowledge of VAD therapy was poor with majority not understanding use of anticoagulation, when to initiate chest compressions and assessment variations. Self-reported competency was low with 80% of participants reporting unsafe to marginal about VAD awareness. Comparison of 1 month postintervention to preintervention, generalized knowledge improved by a minimum of 38% for each question and competency increased by over 50%. From this study comes the recommendation that VAD centers must include the community first responders as part of their discharge planning for the VAD patient and improve community outreach to ensure appropriate patient outcomes.
Evaluating collagenase Clostridium histolyticum administration protocols in the treatment of Peyronie's disease
Authors: Phillips Drew , Chan Justin Y.H. , Flannigan Ryan
Published: March 2020

Purpose of review

Treatment of Peyronie's disease with collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCh) has gained world-wide adoption following the phase III clinical trials IMPRESS I and II. However, the optimal treatment parameters remain largely unknown. Many groups have made modifications to CCh treatment in Peyronie's disease in recent years. This review aims to discuss the variations in CCh treatment reported and associated outcomes.

Recent findings

Variations in CCh treatment protocols include administering higher CCh doses (0.9 mg) less frequently (q1month), use of home penile modeling, use of angulating penile traction devices, and vacuum therapy devices. Authors have reported different injection techniques to include three-point fans and tunneling techniques. Patient selection has expanded to include and evaluate responses among men with some extent of plaque calcification, and ventral curves.

Since publication of the IMPRESS trials, several variations of CCh treatment have been reported with similar treatment responses to the original trials. However, future studies are required with prospective, randomized comparative designs to identify the optimal treatment strategies for men with Peyronie's disease.
PD-L1 Expression Is a Favorable Prognostic Marker in Gastric Carcinoma
Authors: Sughayer Maher A. , Dabbagh Tamara Z. , Battah Abdelkader H.
Published: March 2020

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although multidisciplinary therapeutic strategies have improved treatment outcomes, the overall prognosis for patients with GC remains poor. Recently, immunotherapeutic agents targeting immunosuppressive proteins such as anti-programmed death-1 receptor and anti-programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) have emerged as effective treatment options for various cancers, including GC. In addition to their therapeutic role, the expression of PD-L1 has been used as a predictive biomarker for programmed death-1/PD-L1 treatment response and has been shown to have a prognostic role in certain cancers. This study aims to evaluate the expression of PD-L1 in GC samples from Jordanian patients and assess its prognostic role as well as its correlation with clinicopathologic variables. Gastrectomy samples from 96 patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma were included in the study. Immunohistochemistry assay was employed for PD-L1 testing, and the scoring was based on a combined positive score (CPS). It was found that 66.7% of the study samples were positive for PD-L1 (CPS≥1). The expression of PD-L1 was not significantly associated with any of the assessed clinicopathologic variables; however, it was found to be an independent favorable prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.481; 95% confidence interval: 0.231-1.001; P=0.050).
Definition, Biology, and History of Oligometastatic and Oligoprogressive Disease
Authors: Foster Corey C. , Pitroda Sean P. , Weichselbaum Ralph R.
Published: March 2020

Historical theories of metastasis have been informed by the seed and soil hypothesis, the Halsteadian paradigm proposing an orderly spread from local to distant sites, and the presumption that cancer is an inherently systemic process even in the earliest cases. The more contemporary spectrum theory now suggests that the propensity for distant spread exists along a continuum of metastatic virulence. Tumors with limited metastatic potential represent one subset along this spectrum that could potentially be cured with local ablative therapy. Integrating clinical and molecular features to biologically inform the classification of not only oligometastatic or oligoprogressive disease but also the entire metastatic spectrum holds great promise to improve prognostication and inform clinical decision making. To this end, the inclusion of molecular correlative studies and biospecimen collection on prospective protocols is imperative.
Retained Temporary Epicardial Pacing Wires
Authors: Wald Gal , Van Y-Vu Robert , Pain Kevin J. , Otterburn David M.
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Temporary epicardial pacing wires (TEPW) are used in the immediate postoperative cardiac surgery period for the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of acute arrhythmias. They are usually removed before discharge, but are sometimes clipped and left to retract into the skin and are thus retained. Rare complications from these retained wires have been documented in numerous case reports. We describe a case of a 57-year-old man with chronically draining wounds due to infected retained pacing wires. This case prompted a systematic review of these patients to delineate complications and to create a novel treatment algorithm.

Methods

The authors conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases and retrieved relevant, English-language articles published between 1986 and 2018. Two reviewers critically appraised the studies that met inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results

Thirty-one articles met inclusion criteria with a total of 35 patients included. The existing articles represent either level IV or level V evidence. Mean ± SD time of presentation from initial TEPW placement was 4.9 ± 5.9 years, with a range of 1 month to 24 years and 77% of patients were symptomatic. The TEPW wire migration occurred in 74% of patients, with invasion into vasculature, visceral organs, and subcutaneous tissue. Most of the patients who underwent wire removal had complete recovery. The relevant literature suggests that there is a wide range of complications, and migration is more often associated with need for surgical intervention.

Conclusions

In patients with severe symptoms or evidence of migration, surgical intervention and removal should be strongly considered to prevent potentially deadly complications. We propose an algorithm to minimize these complications based on a literature analysis in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.
Outcomes of Transperineal Gender-Affirming Vaginectomy and Colpocleisis
Authors: Hougen Helen Y. , Dugi Daniel D. , Berli Jens U. , Sajadi Kamran P.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

There are multiple approaches to vaginectomy for the purpose of masculinizing gender-affirming genital surgery including mucosal fulguration and excision. The outcomes of the approaches are not well described. We aim to describe the surgical outcomes of gender-affirming vaginectomy and colpocleisis by complete mucosal excision.

Methods

We performed a case series study of 40 transmasculine patients who underwent gender-affirming vaginectomy and colpocleisis. Vaginectomy was performed by complete excision of the vaginal mucosa via a transperineal approach. We recorded perioperative outcomes and operative time. We performed a multivariate analysis to assess patient factors on operative outcomes.

Results

Forty vaginectomies were performed between September 2016 and April 2019, 27 (67.5%) in phalloplasty patients and 13 (32.5%) in metoidioplasty patients. Perioperative complications included 2 blood transfusions, 1 pelvic hematoma, and 1 Clostridium cifficile colitis. No urethral fistulae to the vaginal space, mucoceles, or visceral injures were seen with a median follow-up of 7.7 months. Operative time decreased significantly with later surgery year.

Conclusions

This is a large series studying the outcomes of gender-affirming vaginectomy by complete mucosal excision approach in the literature. Perioperative complications were low. Operative time decreased overtime such that after approximately 20 cases, the procedure fairly consistently takes 2 to 2.5 hours to perform.
Quality evaluations of bell pepper in cold system combined with TEM (thermoelectric materials) and PCM (phase change material)
Authors: Sung Jung-Min , Kim So-Hee , Kim Byeong-Sam , Kim Jong-Hoon , Kim Ji-Young , Kwon Ki-Hyun
Published: March 2020

For the distribution of fresh produce, the thermoelectric cooling system combined with thermo electric materials (TEM) and phase change material (PCM) was studied. The PCM used this study was produced by in-situ polymerization technology which referred microencapsulation of hydrocarbon (n-tetradecane and n-hexadecane). In this study, quality characteristics of bell peppers in thermoelectric cooling system combined with TEM and PCM were analyzed and control was placed in an EPS (expanded polystyrene) box. As a result of quality characteristics analysis, weight of bell peppers decreased and moisture content of bell peppers was 90.96~94.43% during storage. Vitamin C content of bell pepper decreased during storage and reduction ratio of control was higher than that of BPT-5 treatment(bell pepper in thermoelectric cooling system with PCM which is kept the temperature at 5℃). The result of color value, on 21 day, ΔE value of BPT-5 treatment was 5.05 while that of control was 41.8. On 21 day, total bacteria count of BPT-5 treated bell pepper shown less than that of control. In conclusion, it suggested that the thermoelectric cooling system combined with PCM improved quality of fresh produce during transportation and storage.
Quality and shelf life of sliced root of Platycodon grandiflorum treated by ozon-microbubble-heat shock
Authors: Park Kyung Min , Lee Ji Young , Min So-Ra , Jeong Moon-Cheol , Koo Minseon
Published: March 2020

The quality and shelf life of sliced root of Platycodon grandiflorum (Doraji) treated by ozon-microbubble-heat shock (OMH) were investigated by combining modified-atmosphere packaging [MAP, (50% O2+15% CO2+35% N2)]. The study was based on microbiological (total viable bacteria, fungi, Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms numbers), physicochemical and sensory changes. OMH treatment was effective in reducing microbial populations of the sliced Doraji, especially Enterobacteriaceae and coliforms reduced by 2 log CFU/g. However OMH-MAP treatment remained the aerobe and fungi numbers. Regarding the color, OMH-MAP delayed the change of Hunter b* and the sliced Doraji by OMH-MAP treatment exhibited lower decrease of flavor and overall acceptability compared to those by polypropylene packaging after tap water treatment (Control). The OMH and 50%O2+15%CO2 MAP treatment gave better sensory quality and extended shelf-life for sliced Doraji (~3 days longer shelf-life than Control). Flavor was significantly related to overall acceptability at both Control and OMH-MAP, whereas total coliforms prevalence was associated with overall acceptability at only OMH-MAP. Therefore microbubble-heat shock treatment may improve microbial safety and sliced Doraji by OMH treatment can stored under 50%O2+15%CO2 treatment for up to 7 days. Thus, OMH and MAP treatment may be used in maintaining the storage quality and marketability of sliced Doraji.
Effects of different drying methods on fermentation characteristics and viability of cold-adaptive yeast
Authors: Baek Seong Yeol , Mun Ji-Young , Yeo Soo-Hwan
Published: March 2020

The quality characteristics of Yakju and survival rate of yeast were investigated by modifying the drying method for the cold adapted yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y297 (SCY297). Viability and fermentation characteristics of the freeze-dried, air blast-dried, and liquid SCY297 cultures were compared after storing them at 25°C. In addition, 5% skimmed milk, α-lactose, or trehalose was added as a protective agent for examining the effects of drying methods. During the 15-week storage period, the liquid and freeze-dried SCY297 cultures containing a protective agent showed a survival rate of 80%. However, the air blast-dried SCY297 culture showed 80% survival rate only in the skimmed milk supplemented group. Compared to the untreated cells, the acidity and amino acidity of Yakju prepared using freeze-dried or air blast-dried cultures of SCY297 increased by 2 fold and 5.7 fold respectively, while the alcohol content decreased by 5.07%. Compared to the untreated cells, the pH and amino acidity of Yakju prepared using the liquid culture of SCY297 increased by 1.5 fold and 2.5 fold respectively. Although the alcohol content decreased by 2.9%, decrease rate was lower than that observed for the freeze-dried and air blast-dried yeast cultures. Therefore, the results of this study showed that using a liquid starter culture was more advantageous than using the conventional solid culture.
Estimation of storability for Korean apples (Malus domestica) using Md-ACS1 and Md-ACO1 DNA marker
Authors: Kwon Young Soon , Kwon Soon-Il , Kim Seon Ae , Kweon Hun-Joong , Yoo Jingi , Ryu Seulgi , Kang In-Kyu , Kim Jeong-Hee
Published: March 2020

Apple (Malus domestica) is a climacteric fruit because of its high respiration and ethylene production. Ethylene affects the fruit by decreasing its quality and storability. Md-ACS1 and Md-ACO1 genes are involved in ethylene biosynthesis in apple; the Md-ACS1-2 and Md-ACO1-1 alleles are associated with low ethylene production. We conducted an analysis to study Md-ACS1 and Md-ACO1, and to examine ethylene production and softening rate of fruit at room temperature (20°C) storage in ‘Fuji (FJ)’, ‘Golden Supreme (GS)’, and 5 cultivars of Korean apples (‘RubyS (RS)’, ‘Hongro (HR)’, ‘Arisoo (AS)’, ‘Summer King (SK)’, ‘Greenball (GB)’). The result showed that an increase in the number of the alleles (ACS1-2, ACO1-1) decreased the ethylene production and softening rate. The presence of ACS1-1/1, ACO1-1/2 was confirmed in GS and the highest ethylene production and softening rate was observed. Ethylene production and softening rate of SK and GB expressing ACS1-1/2, ACO1-1/2 were higher than that of HR and AS, expressing ACS1-2/2, ACO1-1/2, but lower than GS. FJ with ACS1-2/2, ACO1-1/1 showed the lowest ethylene production and softening rate among all cultivars except RS. The Md-ACS1 and Md-ACO1 DNA markers could potentially be used to estimate storability and applied in marker assisted selection the improve the efficiency of apple breeding.
The effect of aluminum coating to corrugated packaging on quality characteristics of paprika during storage
Authors: Kim Ah-Na , Ha Myeong-Hwa , Lee Kyo-Yeon , Rahman M. Shafiur , Kim Nam-Sub , Choi Sung-Gil
Published: March 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of corrugated packaging coated with aluminum (Al) on quality characteristics of red paprika during storage at 25°C. Characteristics such as weight loss, hardness, total phenolic content, antioxidant activities, polygalacturonic acid (PG) activity, and oxidative enzyme activities (polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase activities) of paprikas, packed in corrugated packaging with or without Al-coating were compared as a function of storage time. Al coating inside of corrugated box was found to inhibit PG activity, resulting in prevention of weight loss and maintenance of hardness of paprika during storage, compared to the control sample. This may be due to Al coating treatment that enhance moisture-proof property and hinder gas transmission of corrugated packaging. Furthermore, paprika in Al-coated-corrugated packaging was lower in oxidative enzyme activities than the control, which caused higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activities during storage. As a results, the Al coated-corrugated packaging can be used as a functional packaging material to extend the shelf-life and improve the storage quality of paprika by preventing their respiration and transpiration.
Analysis of vitamin B12 in fresh cuts of Korean pork for update of national standard food composition table
Authors: Mun Geum-Ju , Song Wonju , Park Sun-Hye , Jeong Beom-Gyun , Jung Gil-Rak , Choi Kap Seong , Kim Jin-Hyoung , Choi Youngmin , Chun Jiyeon
Published: March 2020

This study was performed to update the National Standard Food Composition Table (NSFCT) published by Korea Rural Development Administration, especially focusing on vitamin B12 for Korean pork. Total 7 primal and 22 retail fresh cuts of Korean pork were analyzed for vitamin B12 and the applied immunoaffinity-HPLC was validated. Vitamin B12 assay by immunoaffinity-HPLC obtained recoveries over 95% and coefficient variations of precision below about 10%, which met the limits required for validation acceptance. Limits of detection and quantification of immunoaffinity-HPLC were 0.01 and 0.03 μg/100 g, respectively. Quality control chart showed that analysis performance was excellent during the entire of study. Vitamin B12 contents of pork cuts significantly varied depending the types of primal and its retail cuts (p<0.05). Belly, Boston butt, rib cuts showed relatively high vitamin B12 contents compared to other primal cuts. Vitamin B12 content of pork retail cuts were also significantly different within the same primal cuts (p<0.05). Among 22 retail cuts, the highest vitamin B12 was observed in Tosisal in belly primal part (0.98 μg/100 g) while both Aldeungsimsal in loin and Hongdukkaesal in hide leg were the lowest by 0.33 μg/100 g. This study provides reliable vitamin B12 data for the Korean pork fresh cuts through standard sampling, method validation and analytical quality control, which would be used for update of Korean NSFCT.
Study on antioxidant and physiological activities of extract from Ligularia fischeri by extraction methods
Authors: Woo Yeon-jeong , Shin Seung-Ryeul , Hong Ju-Yeon
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine antioxidant and physiological activities of water and 70% ethanol extracts from Ligularia fischeri by extraction methods. The yield of water and ethanol extracts from Ligularia fischeri was 15.23% and 17.45%, respectively. The polyphenol and flavonoid contents of ethanol extracts of Ligularia fischeri (LEE) were 17.17±4.38 mg/g, 35.06±6.69 mg/g, respectively. The electron donating ability and SOD like activity, and ABTS radical ability of all Ligularia fischeri extracts were increased in a dose dependent manner, and those was the highest in LEE. Nitrite scavenging ability was higher in pH 1.2 than that in pH 3.0, and ethanol extract showed higher ability in pH 1.2 and 3.0. The xanthine oxidase and inhibition effect of all Ligularia fischeri extracts on tyrosinase were dose-dependently increased, and those was the highest in ethanol extracts of Ligularia fischeri. Reducing power was 1.2 at extract concentration 1,000 μg/mL in water and ethanol extracts of Ligularia fischeri and the highest in water extract of Ligularia fischeri at concentration of 62.5-500 μg/mL. These results may contribute to development of processed food and health functional food with Ligularia fischeri.
Comparison of physiochemical property, phytochemical contents, and biological activity of soy sauce added with bitter melon powder
Authors: Hwang Chung Eun , Lee Dong Hee , Joo Ok Soo , Lee Hee Yul , Kim Su Cheol , Park Kyung Sook , Um Bong Sik , Cho Kye Man
Published: March 2020

In this study, contetnts of phenolic acid and isoflavone, and biological activities of soy sauce were compared the soy sauce added bitter melon powder (BMPs). After the fermentation, pHs were decreased from 5.83 (0% BMP), 5.47 (5% BMP), and 5.32 (10% BMP) to 5.28, 5.36, and 5.16 at 90 days, whereas the acidities of soy sauce were increased from 0.06%, 0.07%, and 0.09% to 0.30%, 0.28%, and 0.36% at 90 days, respectively. In addition, the salinities of soy sauce were decreased, while viable cell numbers including Bacillus and yeast were increased. The contents of total phenolic, isoflavone-aglycone, and phenolic acid and antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibition activities were significantly increased for 90 days, while the isoflavone-glycoside contents were decreased. In Particular, soy sauce with 10% BMP at 90 days showed the highest contents of glutamic acid (GA, 9,876.09 mg/100 mL) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 325.02 mg/100 mL) contents than among other samples. Additionally, the radical scavenging activities (DPPH, ABTS, ⦁OH, and FRAP) and α-glucosidase inhibition activities of soy sauce with 10% BMP at 90 days were shown to be high 96.07%, 97.27%, 59.47%, 1.98%, and 79.96%, respectively.
Analysis of the quality characteristics of Kochujang prepared using pastes from different peach varieties
Authors: Jung Kyung-Mi , Jeong Yong-Jin
Published: March 2020

In this study, we aimed to increase the utilization of non-commercializable peach fruits collected during harvesting and distribution and to promote the transition of a high value-added industry. After producing pastes from the flesh of different peach varieties, we used these pastes as ingredients in the production of Kochujang. We then performed a comparative analysis on the quality characteristics of the peach-added Kochujang and commercially available Kochujang products. Peach-added Kochujang exhibited a lower pH and reduced sugar, salinity, reducing sugar, ash, and calorie content than those of commercially available Kochujang products. However, the Kochujang had slightly higher pH and moisture content than commercially available products due to high organic acid and moisture contents of peach flesh. In terms of content of inorganic elements, commercial Kochujang products exhibited higher sodium and magnesium content, whereas peach-added Kochujang had higher potassium content. In particular, the lower sodium and higher potassium content of peach-added Kochujang indicates that this product could be used as a functional food to prevent various diseases caused by excessive sodium intake among Koreans. After comparing the products in terms of phenol and flavonoid content, we concluded that ethanol extracts of peach-added Kochujang showed higher phenol content than those of the commercially available Kochujang products. In contrast, the distilled water extracts of peach Kochujang showed higher DPPH free radical scavenging activity than that of commercially available Kochujang products.
Effect of turmeric on the physicochemical characteristics of
‘Doenjang’ during fermentation
Authors: Kim Dong-Han , Kim Suk
Published: March 2020

In order to improve the quality of ‘Doenjang’, the effects of
turmeric on its enzyme activity, microbial and physicochemical properties were
investigated over a 12 week fermentation period. As the ratio of turmeric was
increased, the numbers of yeast and anaerobic bacteria in the
‘Doenjang’ during fermentation decreased; its α-amylase and
acidic protease activity also decreased in the later stage of fermentation. The
addition of turmeric gradually decreased the Hunter L-value, while it increased
the b-value (p<0.05); however, the total color difference was low. The pH
of the ‘Doenjang’ decreased slightly during fermentation, and
increasing the turmeric concentration resulted in lower titratable acidity. The
acid values (p<0.05) and oxidation-reduction potential of
‘Doenjang’ gradually decreased with the addition of turmeric
during fermentation. The Aw value was high in the group with high concentrations
of added turmeric. The reducing sugar content increased until 4–6 weeks of
fermentation, and was lowered with the addition of turmeric. The alcohol content
was high in groups with high concentrations of added turmeric. As the ratio of
turmeric was increased, the amount of amino-type nitrogen in the
‘Doenjang’ became high in the later stage of fermentation, while
the amount of ammonia-type nitrogen was low.
Quality characteristics and antioxidant activities of Muscat Bailey
A wines mixed with different types of aronia
Authors: Choi Kyu-Taek , Lee Sae-Byuk , Jeon Seong-Hyun , Lee Woo-Chang , Choi Jun-Su , Park Heui-Dong
Published: March 2020

To improve the functionality and palatability of Muscat Bailey A (MBA) wine, MBA
was fermented with three types of preprocessed aronia: Aronia fruit (AF),
extract (AE), and powder (AP); aronia was chosen for its strong acerbity. The
fermentation characteristics of the wines did not differ greatly, except that
the pH of the AP wine was slightly higher than that of the other wines. The hue
and intensity values of all the MBA wines with aronia were higher than those of
the control, except for the hue value of the AE wine. In the Hunter’s
color value result, the L* value of the AE wine and the a* value
of the control were the highest among all the wines; the b* values of all
the MBA wines with aronia were higher than that of the control. The total
phenolic compounds, total anthocyanin compound, total flavonoid content, DPPH
free radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and FRAP of
the AF and AP wines were considerably higher than those of the control, whereas
those of the AE wine were slightly lower than those of the control. In a sensory
evaluation, the AE wine obtained the highest color, sweetness, bitterness,
sourness, body, and overall preference scores among all the wines, the whereas
AF and AP wines obtained lower scores than the control for most criteria except
color and body. This study suggests that different types of aronia can be used
to improve the quality of Korean MBA wine.
Pyronaridine Tetraphosphate Efficacy Against Ebola Virus Infection in Guinea Pig
Authors: Lane Thomas R. , Massey Christopher , Comer Jason E. , Freiberg Alexander N. , Zhou Huanying , Dyall Julie , Holbrook Michael R. , Anantpadma Manu , Davey Robert A. , Madrid Peter B. , Ekins Sean
Published: March 2020

The recent outbreaks of the Ebola virus (EBOV) in Africa have brought global visibility to the shortage of available therapeutic options to treat patients infected with this or closely related viruses. We have recently computationally identified three molecules which have all demonstrated statistically significant efficacy in the mouse model of infection with mouse adapted Ebola virus (ma-EBOV). One of these molecules is the antimalarial pyronaridine tetraphosphate (IC50range of 0.82-1.30 µM against three strains of EBOV and IC50range of 1.01-2.72 µM against two strains of Marburg virus (MARV)) which is an approved drug in the European Union and used in combination with artesunate. To date, no small molecule drugs have shown statistically significant efficacy in the guinea pig model of EBOV infection. Pharmacokinetics and range-finding studies in guinea pigs directed us to a single 300mg/kg or 600mg/kg oral dose of pyronaridine 1hr after infection. Pyronaridine resulted in statistically significant survival of 40% at 300mg/kg and protected from a lethal challenge with EBOV. In comparison, oral favipiravir (300 mg/kg dosed once a day) had 43.5 % survival. Thein vitrometabolism and metabolite identification of pyronaridine and another of our EBOV active molecules, tilorone, which suggests significant species differences which may account for the efficacy or lack thereof, respectively in guinea pig. In summary, our studies with pyronaridine demonstrates its utility for repurposing as an antiviral against EBOV and MARV, providing justification for future testing in non-human primates.

Importance

There is currently no antiviral small molecule drug approved for treating Ebola Virus infection. We have previously used machine learning models to identify new uses for approved drugs and demonstrated their activity against the Ebola virusin vitroandin vivo. We now describe the pharmacokinetic properties of the antimalarial pyronaridine in the guinea pig. In addition, we show that this drug is effective against multiple strains of EBOV and MARVin vitroand in the guinea pig model of Ebola virus infection. These combined efforts indicate the need to further test this molecule in larger animal efficacy studies prior to clinical use in humans. These findings also may be useful for repurposing this drug for use against other viruses in future.
The control of acidity in tumor cells: a biophysical model
Authors: Piasentin Nicola , Milotti Edoardo , Chignola Roberto
Published: March 2020

Acidosis of the tumor microenvironment leads to cancer invasion, progression and resistance to therapies. We present a biophysical model that describes how tumor cells regulate intracellular and extracellular acidity while they grow in a microenvironment characterized by increasing acidity and hypoxia. The model takes into account the dynamic interplay between glucose and O2consumption with lactate and CO2production and connects these processes to H+andfluxes inside and outside cells. We have validated the model with independent experimental data and used it to investigate how and to which extent tumor cells can survive in adverse micro-environments characterized by acidity and hypoxia. The simulations show a dominance of the H+exchanges in well-oxygenated regions, and ofexchanges in the inner hypoxic regions where tumor cells are known to acquire malignant phenotypes. The model also includes the activity of the enzyme Carbonic Anhydrase 9 (CA9), a known marker of tumor aggressiveness, and the simulations demonstrate that CA9 acts as a nonlinear pHiequalizer at any O2level in cells that grow in acidic extracellular environments.

SIGNIFICANCE

The activity of cancer cells in solid tumors affects the surrounding environment in many ways, and an elevated acidity is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment. In this paper we propose a model of intracellular/extracellular acidity that is linked to cellular metabolism and includes all the main molecular players. The model is reliable, robust and validated with experimental data and can be used as an essential building block of more comprehensivein silicoresearch on solid tumors.
The value of voting rights in Italian cooperative banks: a quasi-natural experiment
Authors: Botta Marco , Colombo Luca Vittorio Angelo
Published: March 2020

Purpose

It is widely believed that deviating from the “one share-one vote” principle leads to corporate inefficiencies. To measure the market appraisal of this potential inefficiency, this study aims to analyse the market reaction to a change from the “one head-one vote” to the “one share-one vote” mechanism by means of a quasi-natural experiment: a 2015 Italian reform forcing all listed cooperative banks to transform into joint-stock companies.

Design/methodology/approach

To investigate the market reaction around the regulatory change, this study uses both a traditional event study and a novel methodology based on the synthetic control method as well as on Bayesian statistical techniques.

Findings

This study estimates the market valuation of the effects of the governance change around the event date being equal to a cumulative average increase in market value of about 14 per cent using an event study methodology, and of about 13 per cent using Bayesian techniques.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence on the fact that the voting mechanism significantly affects the market values of companies. The study also introduces a novel statistical technique that can be extremely useful in analysing single-firm event studies.
Confident and cautious candidates: Explaining under‐representation of women in Danish municipal politics
Authors: DAHL MALTE , NYRUP JACOB
Published: March 2020

Why are women under‐represented even in democratic and egalitarian countries? Previous research considers either demand‐side or supply‐side explanations. We integrate both perspectives in a least‐likely case for the under‐representation of women, namely the municipal councils in Denmark. The data stems from a candidate choice conjoint experiment, a survey among potential candidates, and data on the actual pool of nominated candidates. On the voter demand‐side, we show that there is no pro‐male bias in general or in combination with other candidate traits nor that traits evaluated positively by voters appear more frequently among actual male candidates. On the supply‐side, we find that women are less likely to be interested in running for political office. This is primarily because women assess their own political qualifications significantly lower than men. The under‐supply of female candidates seem to drive the disparity suggesting that we should focus more on supply‐side factors to overcome the gender imbalance.
The potential use of the Penicillium chrysogenum antifungal protein PAF, the designed variant PAFopt and its γ‐core peptide Pγopt in plant protection
Authors: Tóth Liliána , Boros Éva , Poór Péter , Ördög Attila , Kele Zoltán , Váradi Györgyi , Holzknecht Jeanett , Bratschun‐Khan Doris , Nagy István , Tóth Gábor K. , Rákhely Gábor , Marx Florentine , Galgóczy László
Published: March 2020

The prevention of enormous crop losses caused by pesticide‐resistant fungi is a serious challenge in agriculture. Application of alternative fungicides, such as antifungal proteins and peptides, provides a promising basis to overcome this problem; however, their direct use in fields suffers limitations, such as high cost of production, low stability, narrow antifungal spectrum and toxicity on plant or mammalian cells. Recently, we demonstrated that a Penicillium chrysogenum‐based expression system provides a feasible tool for economic production of P. chrysogenum antifungal protein (PAF) and a rational designed variant (PAFopt), in which the evolutionary conserved γ‐core motif was modified to increase antifungal activity. In the present study, we report for the first time that γ‐core modulation influences the antifungal spectrum and efficacy of PAF against important plant pathogenic ascomycetes, and the synthetic γ‐core peptide Pγopt, a derivative of PAFopt, is antifungal active against these pathogens in vitro. Finally, we proved the protective potential of PAF against Botrytis cinerea infection in tomato plant leaves. The lack of any toxic effects on mammalian cells and plant seedlings, as well as the high tolerance to harsh environmental conditions and proteolytic degradation further strengthen our concept for applicability of these proteins and peptide in agriculture.
Cross‐cultural adaptation and validation of the Turkish version of Centrality of Pain Scale in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome
Authors: Ozsoy‐Unubol Tugba , Unal‐Ulutatar Cagri
Published: March 2020

Aim

The purpose of this study was to perform a cross‐cultural adaptation of the Turkish version of the Centrality of Pain Scale (COPS) and to evaluate its psychometric properties in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Methods

Centrality of Pain Scale was translated and culturally adapted according to guidelines. Clinical and demographic data of the patients were recorded. In addition to the Turkish version of the COPS (COPS‐TR), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Brief Pain Inventory‐Short Form (BPI‐SF), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7‐item (GAD‐7) scale and Short Form‐36 were applied. Internal consistency and test–retest methods were used for reliability analysis. Convergent validity was assessed by analyzing the correlations between COP‐TR and functional parameters. Divergent validity and responsiveness were also evaluated.

Results

One hundred and four patients (90 female and 14 male) were included. The mean age was 44 years. Good internal consistency (α = .84) and high test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.95) were determined. Highest correlations were detected between COPS‐TR and BPI‐SF pain interference score (r = .64), COPS‐TR and PCS (r = .61). There was no significant correlation with non‐functional parameters (body mass index, disease duration). It showed high responsiveness (effect size and standardized response mean were 1.66 and 1.94, respectively). The patients filled out COPS‐TR in 2 minutes.

Conclusions

COPS‐TR is a reliable and valid instrument that shows good psychometric properties. It can be used in clinical practice and scientific research.
The effect of treasury auctions on 10‐year Treasury note futures
Authors: Smales Lee A.
Published: March 2020

Using 15‐min intervals over the period 2000–2017, it is shown that auctions of US Treasury securities have an economic and statistically significant impact on the 10‐year Treasury note futures market. Prices move higher, volatility increases and there is an upturn in trading volume in the interval immediately following an auction. Higher bid‐to‐cover ratios, and bid‐to‐cover ratios that exceed the average, lead to positive returns and lower return volatility. This is consistent with bid‐to‐cover ratios serving as a proxy of demand for the auctioned securities. Primary dealers, who purchase the largest proportion of each issue, have the greatest influence on the market response. This is particularly evident when auction demand increases while they have a short futures position. Together, the results are consistent with traders (particularly primary dealers) buying back short futures hedges immediately following the auction, and suggests that futures are used to hedge at least some inventory risk.
One size doesn’t fit all: How institutional complexity within the state shapes firms’ environmental innovation
Authors: Pan Xin , Chen Xuanjin , Guo Haojing , Zhang Yucheng
Published: March 2020

This study investigated how firms respond to conflicting demands within the state. Using Chinese listed firms data, we found that firms linked with central government relate positively to environmental innovation, while firms located in provinces with gross domestic product (GDP) priority exhibited a negative influence on environmental innovation. Beyond the independent roles of central and local government expectations, we found that central and local government demands work interdependently to negatively affect firms’ environmental innovation, such that firms located in GDP priority regions lower the positive impact of the central government on environmental innovation. The present study added to the existing literature by unpacking government roles into two competing sets of expectations, independently and interdependently.
Eosinophils of the horse: Part II: Eosinophils in clinical diseases
Authors: Brosnahan M. M.
Published: March 2020

Interpretation of eosinophilia in body fluids or tissues is often not straightforward. Eosinophil counts vary among clinically healthy individuals, and considerable overlap can occur between normal and affected animals in conditions such as allergic airway disease. Parasite exposure is a confounding factor when counts are increased, and in cases where very high counts and dramatic clinical signs make another disease process obvious, the underlying pathology may be uncertain and treatment difficult. Eosinophils are a component of the immune response in many diseases of the horse, but their specific role is often unknown and likely multifactorial. In helminth infections, eosinophils are assumed to be part of the normal host response to a pathogen, whereas in multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease (MEED), the predominance of eosinophils likely represents a wildly dysregulated response, or an abnormal response altogether. This distinction is still not clear for other diseases. Understanding the pathways involved in recruitment, activation or suppression of eosinophils is required for more accurate diagnostics, effective therapeutics, and successful strategies for prevention of eosinophil associated diseases. Eosinophils of the horse: Part II reviews published observations on the eosinophil in clinical diseases of the horse. The behaviour of eosinophils in three common and relatively well‐studied conditions is presented first, including gastrointestinal helminth infections, non‐infectious respiratory disease, and insect bite hypersensitivity. The less common eosinophil‐associated diseases such as eosinophilic disease confined to the intestine (EDCI) and MEED are considered, followed by a brief summary of the eosinophil in phycomycosis and neoplasia. In conclusion, a panoramic view of the equine eosinophil as presented in Parts I and II is placed in the larger context of current eosinophil research, and areas of study are identified that may improve our understanding of eosinophil biology in equine health and clinical disease.
The Importance of History to the Erasing‐History Defence
Authors: Abrahams Daniel Alexander
Published: March 2020

In this article, I argue that that the primary goal of statues honouring public figures is to create and shape a collective identity. The way that these statues further the goal of identity is not by holding up the subjects of the statues as admirable but rather by asserting that the subjects were in some way objectively important and central to some group surrounding the statue. I will look at the defences for keeping statues of and awards named after John A. Macdonald and show that the primary concern is not with defending the character of Macdonald but rather that removing him is ‘erasing history’. These defences are not about defending Macdonald as a person but rather defending a conception of the Canadian identity that requires Macdonald play a central role. Against these defences of Macdonald, I show that the ‘objective history’ case for him and other such similar figures fails. In the particular case of Macdonald, it fails because he was actually not that important for Canadian history. In the general case of negative public figures, I provide a short defence of how group identities are not static and not unchangeably rooted in a single historically based articulation.
Parity, lactation, and long‐term weight change in Mexican women
Authors: Mazariegos Mónica , Ortiz‐Panozo Eduardo , González de Cosío Teresita , Lajous Martín , López‐Ridaura Ruy
Published: March 2020

One post‐partum behaviour that may be protective against post‐partum weight retention and long‐term weight gain among women of reproductive age is lactation because of its potential role in resetting maternal metabolism after pregnancy. However, most of the evidence focuses on weight retention at 6, 12, or 24 months post‐partum, and data beyond 2 years after birth are sparse, and findings are inconclusive. Therefore, our aim was to assess the association of parity and mean duration of lactation per child with long‐term weight change in Mexican women. We assessed the association of parity and mean duration of lactation per child with long‐term weight change in 75,421 women from the Mexican Teachers' Cohort. Several multivariable regression models were fit to assess these associations. We also examined the non‐linear association between duration of lactation and weight change using restricted cubic splines. We found that parous women (≥4 children) gained 2.81 kg more (95% CI [2.52, 3.10]) than did nulliparous women. The association between mean duration of lactation per child and weight change appeared to be non‐linear. Women who breastfed on average 3–6 months per child had lower gain weight (−1.10, 95% CI [−1.58, −0.47 kg]) than had women who did not breastfeed. This association was linear up to 6 months of lactation per child. Our findings suggest that parity alters weight‐gain trajectory in women and that lactation could reduce this alteration. These findings are important in the prevention of excessive weight gain through reproductive years and their future health implications.
New Insights into Coalition Negotiations—The Case of German Government Formation
Authors: Hornung Johanna , Rüsenberg Robin , Eckert Florian , Bandelow Nils C.
Published: March 2020

Research on coalition negotiations after general elections in parliamentary systems usually focuses on the parties’ utility maximization as corporate actors. However, the most recent process of government formation after the German general election in 2017 followed a different type of logic and led to an outcome unlike that of other coalition negotiations. Regarding policy seeking, office seeking, and vote seeking, the outcomes of both the exploratory talks between Christlich Demokratische Union (CDU)/Christlich‐Soziale Union (CSU), Freie Demokratische Partei, and the Greens and the negotiations between CDU/CSU and Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands are at least partly irrational from a cost–benefit analysis. This article examines the formation of Germany’s government in 2017–2018 and reveals the paradoxical outcomes of each phase of the negotiations. Empirical data to underpin the argument stem from interviews with negotiators and statements of direct participants in the formation of the coalition. Instead of the parties’ utility maximization, negotiations were largely dominated by intraparty conflicts, in which individual interests and personal trust rather than partisan unitary programs were most relevant to the negotiation process and outcome. Our work answers the question of why the grand coalition was unexpectedly renewed in the end—contrary to what might be predicted based on established theories of coalition building. The observations and conclusions set forth are of general interest not only for future coalition negotiations in Germany but also for other European parliamentary democracies facing increasing party fragmentation. Most importantly, the analysis yields insights into negotiations undertaken in the absence of rationalist behavior.