bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE ROLE OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS IN MONITORING AND ANALYSIS OF UNIVERSITY DATA
Authors: Neykova Melina , Zhelyazova Boyanka
Published: November 2020

Nowadays, it has become clear that the success of different sized organizations depends on the speed at which they adapt to the dynamic changes and challenges of competitive market structures. At the same time, it is considered that information is a key element for identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the business activities of organizations and the trends for their future development and market consolidation.

Modern universities face major challenges related to the processing of large amounts of data, which are continuously generated by different systems and units, but in most cases, the information flow is not analysed effectively enough.  Namely the efficient extraction of educational data is an important aspect for the analysis of the state of the university as well as the effective planning of its future development.

Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to consider the capabilities of intelligent business analysis information systems to monitor and control the large volumes of data generated at the University of Forestry, Bulgaria. Implementing such a system will help transform data into valuable information and knowledge that will assist academic leadership in taking timely, informed, reasoned managerial decisions and actions, taking into account the dynamic and competitive educational environment and rapidly changing educational needs in higher education.
LEXICAL NOMINATION AS A REFLECTION OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE IN OLD ENGLISH SEAFARING
Authors: Atnabayeva Natalia , Baltachev Vladimir , Troynikova Yekaterina , Khasanova Lilia
Published: November 2020

The theory that nominative processes extended through centuries to systematic formations of special terminological meanings of professional Old and Middle English marine terminological vocabulary had already been explained in different ways based on an evidential linguistic material. There is no doubt of the historical and philosophical approaches employed to describe the ancient language representation of the native speakers’ world, as well as of the role and degree of their participation in the formation of nominations inclusive of those of ancient seafaring vehicles. Having been referenced repeatedly, both conceptually and through documents, they had confirmed their right to exist.

 In several topical articles, terminological units have already been represented by a synonymous series of proper nominations for the seafaring vessels (boats/ships) of various types by respective lexically-organized terms according to their word-formation, structural and content design in the Old and the Middle English. Despite the apparent decline of interest towards the subject of historical nominations in general, and the history of the English Marine language in particular,thereare unsettled challenges in the field. Specifically, more clarity is required regarding the incentives, degree of participation and the role of extralinguistic (human) factor in the history of a vessel-name formation, as well as in the mode of operation of the nominative apparatus for the above marine terms with respect to the of intralinguistic (language) factors involved.
BURNOUT SYNDROME IN RELATION TO THE SENSITIVITY OF NURSES, TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS
Authors: Fričová Júlia , Kohútová Katarína , Štefáková Lenka
Published: November 2020

Background and objectives: Burnout syndrome is considered as a serious public health problem that affects workers especially in the helping professions. For the effective  prevention of this negative phenomenon, it is important to identify the preventive factors. One such factor to combat job burnout is the meaning of life. The primary goal of the paper is to examine the relationship between burnout syndrome and different dimensions of meaning of life among the selected helping professions (teaching, social work and nursing) in Slovakia.
Methods: The research sample consisted of 212 assistants who participated in the survey and answered to the research tools aimed at identifying the meaning of life and burnout syndrome. Data were analyzed by inductive statistics including (ANOVA), correlation and regression analysis.
Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the level of burnout syndrome and meaning of life in the professions under study. Furthermore, it was found that workers with higher level of affective component in their meaning of life experienced a lower degree of emotional exhaustion (β = -. 37, p <.001) and higher personal performance (β = .35, p <.001). Workers who have a higher meaning in life in the affective and motivational component suffered from a lower degree of depersonalization (β = -. 49, p <.001; (β = .13, p <.05).
Conclusions: A higher degree of meaning in life result in lower rate of burnout syndrome, and this finding should be integrated into the intervention strategies aimed at the prevention and treatment of burnout syndrome. Regular reflections on the meaningfulness of work and life can be useful for the workers, especially during demanding and stressful periods. An existential approach seems to be very appropriate in this context.
THE POSITION AND FINANCING OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SELECTED INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS
Authors: Gálisová Zuzana , Plavčan Peter
Published: November 2020

This paper presents selected theses on the standing and financing of higher education in three international programming documents on higher education policy: the Bucharest Communiqué of 2012 entitled Making the Most of Our Potential: Consolidating the European Higher Education Area, the Yerevan Communiqué of 2015 and the Paris Communiqué of 2018. The analysis of the standing and financing of higher education includes consideration of the situation in the Slovak Republic.

These three documents consider the standing of higher education in the context of its financing with reference to the function that it fulfils for society in transmitting sophisticated new knowledge to the young generation. There is a visible discrepancy between the expectations of individuals and society as a whole concerning higher education and the sources of its funding. The paper includes an analysis of the changes in stakeholders’ views on higher education based on the theses in the three international programming documents on higher education policy.

The paper concludes with a synthesis of the knowledge acquired from the three programming documents on higher education policy, and proposals for adding to them.
COMPONENTS OF COOPERATION OF CRISIS INTERVENTION
Authors: Jombíková Janáková Michaela , Šrobárová Soňa
Published: November 2020

Introduction: This scientific study provides an insight into the cooperation of individual social services in connection with several methods and techniques of crisis intervention. Given the diversity of the work of crisis intervention, it brings scientific results concerning the of field social workers in social and legal protection of children and social guardianship. It is the field of social workers which cooperate and manage cooperation between individual ministries and activities of individual crisis intervention services.

Aim: The main objective of the research was to investigate the cooperation of social workers with other institutions and the use of diversity techniques in dealing with different types of social problems.

Methods: The research was conducted using a quantitative strategy by distributing a questionnaire of our design to social workers in Slovakia operating within the socio-legal protection and guardianship. The subject of the research was social workers of social protection. The number of respondents whose questionnaire applied to the research objectives was 56. We used statistical analysis for the phase of data processing and evaluation.

Results: In the first research question, we investigated which social problems the respondents are facing in their practice most often. We can conclude that they often encounter problems solutions in the redevelopment of families, tackling crime, divorce, delinquency, and addictions. In the second research question we focused on with which institutions the workers cooperate in solving individual social problems.

Conclusion: Social protection workers in their everyday practice face a wide range of problems. In solving the issues, they cooperate with other professions respectively organizations. Depending on what problems social workers usually deal with, it depends not only on their experience but on their future education.
CRISIS OF IDENTITY IN THE CONTEXT OF MACRO-SOCIAL CHANGES
Authors: Mareková Hermína
Published: November 2020

Identity formation involves all of us. The questions Who am I? and Where do I belong to? arise quite often in our minds. In the past, an individual was bound by its social status, gender identity and social traditions. In today's modern society, according to some even post-modern society, humans have gained enormous freedom. They can freely build their own identity, they can choose their own way of life, their partner, profession and all of that according to their own criteria. On the one hand, people have acquired enormous freedom. On the other hand, they were given responsibility for their lives. Seeking and creating one's own identity is a lifelong process and, in the context of macro-social changes in society, its complexity creates various kinds of problems and crises.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINING DISCIPLINE IN AN ENGLISH-LEARNING CLASS
Authors: Zhelyazkova Zlatka , Teneva Mariya
Published: November 2020

The lack of respectful behaviour towards teachers and classmates is considered to be the main problem of Bulgarian schools today. A great number of public school teachers have considered leaving the job or have already quit because of students' misbehaviour and their inability to cope with discipline problems. English language teachers are not an exception in this respect despite the popular view that there is a great motivation for learning foreign languages. The focus of the article is the discipline which is necessary to be created, worked upon and maintained in the classroom throughout the whole of the school year. The study was aimed at defining the aspects of the problem with discipline, collect data regarding the existing situation with classroom management and suggest some strategies and techniques for developing and keeping an effective practice. The results confirmed the theoretical concept that the teacher's goal is not to restore the order through respective reactions to misbehaviour but to organize a system of classroom activities and perform a study that would lead to the prevention of the disruptive actions in the first place.  

Research methods: content analysis, pedagogical research, scientific enquiry, percent analysis.

Scope and results of the study: The study was performed with pedagogical students in the specialty Primary School Education with a Foreign Language at the Faculty of Education at Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. The results point at a desperate need for change in the practice of language teaching in the country so as to face adequately the new generations of students with their attitudes and characteristics.
Clinical digest
Authors: Batas Renata
Published: November 2020

Renata Batas, Enterostomal Therapist at Community Health Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia, provides a brief overview of recently published articles on wound, ostomy and continence care
The social-origin gap in university graduation by gender and immigrant status: a cohort analysis for Switzerland
Authors: Combet Benita , Oesch Daniel
Published: November 2020

A large literature shows that families with more resources are able to provide better learning environments and make more ambitious educational choices for their children. At the end of compulsory education, the result is a social-origin gap in school-track attendance and learning outcomes. Our paper analyses whether this gap further widens thereafter for children with comparable school achievement, and whether the gap varies by gender and migrant status. We examine graduation rates from higher education by combining a cohort study from Switzerland with a reweighting method to match students on their school track, grades, reading literacy and place of residence at the end of compulsory school. The one observed feature that sets them apart is their parents’ socio-economic status. When analysing their graduation rates 14 years later at the age of 30, we find a large social-origin gap. The rate of university completion at age 30 is 20 percentage points higher among students from the highest socio-economic status quartile than among students from the lowest quartile, even though their school abilities were comparable at age 16. This gap appears to be somewhat smaller among women than men, and among natives than migrants, but differences are not statistically significant. For men and women, migrants and natives alike, abundant parental resources strongly increase the likelihood of university graduation in Switzerland.
Promises and pitfalls of qualitative longitudinal research
Authors: Hollstein Betina
Published: November 2020

This commentary focuses on promises and pitfalls of qualitative longitudinal research (QLR). Longitudinal data on practices, perspectives, individual relevancies and experiences can be particularly advantageous for life course, social policy and health research. However, the complexity of QLR carries certain downsides, dilemmas and trade-offs. The commentary discusses implications of different qualitative methods for the investigation of stability and change, the tensions between flexibility and comparability, and challenges related to sampling and the explanatory power of QLR.

It is argued that the choices of methods for data collection and data analysis have stark implications for what can be determined as change and stability across time. In addition, several ways of ensuring comparability across time are described. Finally, sampling strategies are outlined that aim to achieve and maintain heterogeneity of cases.

As standards of good practice, the author advocates more thorough documentation of the methods of data collection, sampling and data analysis employed in QLR studies, along with a better description of instruments and how they are applied.
Health politics? Determinants of US states’ reactions to COVID-19
Authors: Farvaque Etienne , Iqbal Hira , Ooghe Nicolas
Published: November 2020

Were policy responses of the US states to the pandemic driven by partisan politics or by budgetary reasons? We show that balanced-budget rules also had an impact, mediated by the possibility of benefiting from the funds previously stored in budget stabilisation funds. State policymakers tried to square the circle by simultaneously respecting budget rules, limiting the economic impact of the social distancing measures, combating the pandemic and pandering to their political bases. Some fiscal rules have induced a trade-off between health and public finance, which may reignite the debate on the pro-cyclicality of fiscal rules.
Economic crises and industrialisation in Southern Europe: the Valencian cloth-making town of Alcoi (1600 and 1800)
Authors: Torró Gil Lluís
Published: November 2020

La investigación sobre el desarrollo del capitalismo industrial frecuentemente menosprecia la existencia de procesos de industrialización exitosos en el sur de Europa. El artículo analiza cómo la pañería de la ciudad de Alcoi respondió a las dificultades que enfrentó durante dos crisis que ocurrieron hace casi doscientos años. La primera surgió a fines del siglo XVI y después de la expulsión de los moriscos en 1609. La segunda crisis comenzó entre 1809 y 1815, en el contexto de la Guerra de la Península. Ambas coyunturas provocaron serias dificultades a las actividades manufactureras que se resolvieron con profundos cambios que afectarían, fundamentalmente, a la esfera de la producción. El estudio aclara ciertos aspectos con respecto a la aparición del capitalismo industrial en Alcoi a principios del siglo XIX.
Detection of KRAS mutations in liquid biopsies from metastatic colorectal cancer patients using droplet digital PCR, Idylla, and next generation sequencing
Authors: Holm Matilda , Andersson Emma , Osterlund Emerik , Ovissi Ali , Soveri Leena-Maija , Anttonen Anna-Kaisa , Kytölä Soili , Aittomäki Kristiina , Osterlund Pia , Ristimäki Ari
Published: November 2020

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is released from cancer cells and oncogenic mutations in ctDNA can be measured from plasma samples. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a sensitive and specific method for the detection of mutations in ctDNA. We analyzed serial plasma samples (n = 80) from ten metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with a known KRAS mutation in their primary tumor. The patients were undergoing oncological treatment with bevacizumab in combination with alternating capecitabine and oxaliplatin or irinotecan. Baseline ddPCR KRAS mutation allele frequency (MAF) values ranged from 0% to 63%. The first radiologic response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) evaluation was performed 45–63 days after the initiation of treatment, and by this time three patients had an undetectable level of KRAS mutation, one had a MAF value of 0.5%, and one had a MAF value of 3% that had been reduced by 95% from the baseline value. In three of these patients the RECIST assessment was stable disease and in two partial response. In seven patients, ddPCR MAF values increased before radiological disease progression or death, while one patient remained disease-free with an undetectable KRAS mutation level. Next, we analyzed all available plasma samples with the Idylla ctKRAS system (n = 60), and found that the overall degree of agreement between ddPCR and Idylla was almost perfect (kappa value = 0.860). We used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect treatment-induced mutations in the last serial plasma sample of each patient, but were unable to find any new mutations when compared to the primary tumor. This study shows that ddPCR and Idylla are equally efficient for the detection of KRAS mutations in the liquid biopsies from mCRC patients and that ctDNA may indicate the disappearance of treatment responsive KRAS positive mCRC clones and serve as an early sign of disease progression.
Evaluation of metronomic chemotherapy response using diffusion and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI
Authors: Baboli Mehran , Winters Kerryanne V. , Freed Melanie , Zhang Jin , Kim Sungheon Gene
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of using diffusion MRI (dMRI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI to evaluate the treatment response of metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) in the 4T1 mammary tumor model of locally advanced breast cancer.

Methods

Twelve Balb/c mice with metastatic breast cancer were divided into treated and untreated (control) groups. The treated group (n = 6) received five treatments of anti-metabolite agent 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) in the span of two weeks. dMRI and DCE-MRI were acquired for both treated and control groups before and after MCT. Immunohistochemically staining and measurements were performed after the post-MRI measurements for comparison.

Results

The control mice had significantly (p<0.005) larger tumors than the MCT treated mice. The DCE-MRI analysis showed a decrease in contrast enhancement for the control group, whereas the MCT mice had a more stable enhancement between the pre-chemo and post-chemo time points. This confirms the antiangiogenic effects of 5FU treatment. Comparing amplitude of enhancement revealed a significantly (p<0.05) higher enhancement in the MCT tumors than in the controls. Moreover, the MCT uptake rate was significantly (p<0.001) slower than the controls. dMRI analysis showed the MCT ADC values were significantly larger than the control group at the post-scan time point.

Conclusion

dMRI and DCE-MRI can be used as potential biomarkers for assessing the treatment response of MCT. The MRI and pathology observations suggested that in addition to the cytotoxic effect of cell kills, the MCT with a cytotoxic drug, 5FU, induced changes in the tumor vasculature similar to the anti-angiogenic effect.
Associations between diet quality, blood pressure, and glucose levels among pregnant women in the Asian megacity of Jakarta
Authors: Siregar Deviana A. S. , Rianda Davrina , Irwinda Rima , Dwi Utami Annisa , Hanifa Hanifa , Shankar Anuraj H. , Agustina Rina
Published: November 2020

Background

The prevalence of gestational hypertension and diabetes in pregnancy is increasing worldwide. Diet is a modifiable factor that may influence these conditions, but few studies have examined the association between diet quality and blood pressure and glucose profiles among pregnant women. Data are especially scarce for women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 90% of global pregnancies occur, and in urban settings. We, therefore, assessed these associations among 174 pregnant women in the Asian megacity of Jakarta in a cross-sectional study of the Brain Probiotic and LC-PUFA Intervention for Optimum Early Life (BRAVE) project.

Methods

Trained field-enumerators collected socio-demographic characteristics, measured Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), and assessed diet by two 24-hour recalls, which were used to calculate the Alternate Healthy Eating Index for Pregnancy (AHEI-P). Blood pressure was measured by automated sphygmomanometer, and fasting blood glucose by capillary glucometer. General linear models were used to identify associations.

Results

The median AHEI-P score was 47.4 (IQR 19.1–76.6). The middle tertile of the AHEI-P score (39.59–56.58) was associated with a 0.4 SD (standardized effect size, 95% CI -0.7 to -0.06; p = 0.02) lower diastolic blood pressure compared with the lowest tertile (<39.59), after adjustment for level of education, smoking status, MUAC, gestational age, history of hypertension, and family history of hypertension. However, no associations were found between the AHEI-P score and systolic blood pressure and blood glucose.

Conclusion

Higher diet quality was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure among pregnant women in an urban LMIC community, but not with systolic blood pressure and blood glucose. A behavioral change intervention trial would be warranted to confirm the influence of diet quality on blood pressure and glucose levels and among pregnant women, and even before pregnancy.
The megamouth shark, Megachasma pelagios, is not a luminous species
Authors: Duchatelet Laurent , Moris Victoria C. , Tomita Taketeru , Mahillon Jacques , Sato Keiichi , Behets Catherine , Mallefet Jérôme
Published: November 2020

Despite its five meters length, the megamouth shark (Megachasma pelagios Taylor, Compagno & Struhsaker, 1983) is one of the rarest big sharks known in the world (117 specimens observed and documented so far). This filter-feeding shark has been assumed to be a luminous species, using its species-specific white band to produce bioluminescence as a lure trap. Another hypothesis was the use of the white band reflectivity to attract prey or for social recognition purposes. However, no histological study has ever been performed to confirm these assumptions so far. Two hypotheses about the megamouth shark's luminescence arose: firstly, the light emission may be intrinsically or extrinsically produced by specific light organs (photophores) located either on the upper jaw white band or inside the mouth; secondly, the luminous appearance might be a consequence of the reflection of prey luminescence on the white band during feeding events. Aims of the study were to test these hypotheses by highlighting the potential presence of specific photophores responsible for bioluminescence and to reveal and analyze the presence of specialized light-reflective structures in and around the mouth of the shark. By using different histological approaches (histological sections, fluorescent in situ hybridization, scanning electron microscopy) and spectrophotometry, this study allows to unravel these hypotheses and strongly supports that the megamouth shark does not emit bioluminescence, but might rather reflect the light produced by bioluminescent planktonic preys, thanks to the denticles of the white band.
The nature of posttraumatic nightmares and school functioning in war-affected youth
Authors: Harb Gerlinde C. , Schultz Jon-Håkon
Published: November 2020

Children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events demonstrate a variety of posttraumatic symptoms, including recurrent nightmares, as well as adverse reactions in the school setting. The current study examined nightmare symptoms, posttraumatic stress, sleep disturbance, and self- and teacher-reported school functioning of 64 youths in the Gaza Strip, ages 12 to 16, who have lived through three wars and experience ongoing conflict and political insecurity. Students were treatment-seeking for sleep-problems and reported, on average, five nightmares per week for an average of three years, with concomitant disrupted sleep, fear of going to sleep, and not feeling rested in the morning. Both teachers and students reported that participants exhibited impaired academic functioning and daytime sleepiness. The content of the students’ nightmares demonstrated frightening themes of being under attack and loss of self-efficacy/control; threat levels were high, and almost 60% included the threat of death. Approximately half of the nightmares included surreal elements in addition to more realistic scenes of violence. Participants in the study demonstrated substantial posttraumatic sleep problems with intensely distressing, frequent and chronic nightmares, andnightmare symptoms were associated with impairment in school functioning. Given the disruptive and distressing nature of these students’ nightmare disturbance, we suggest that increasing self-efficacy in relation to the experience of recurrent nightmares may be a good point of intervention with these recurrently traumatized youth. Thus, increasing the understanding of students’ nightmare symptoms may lead to ameliorating the suffering of youths in war zones and may have positive effects on their school functioning.
Home-based subcutaneous immunoglobulin for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy patients: A Swiss cost-minimization analysis
Authors: Perraudin Clémence , Bourdin Aline , Vicino Alex , Kuntzer Thierry , Bugnon Olivier , Berger Jérôme
Published: November 2020

Purpose

To compare the cost of two patient management strategies with similar efficacies for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) patients in the chronic phase: hospital-based IV immunoglobulin G (IVIg) and home-based subcutaneous immunoglobulin G (SCIg) associated with an interprofessional drug therapy management programme (initial training and follow-up).

Methods

A 48-week model-based cost-minimization analysis from a societal perspective was performed. Resources included immunoglobulin (IVIg: 1 g/kg/3 weeks; SCIg: 0.4 g/kg/week initially and 0.2 g/kg/week in the maintenance phase), hospital charges, time of professionals, infusion material, transport and losses of productivity for patients. Costs were expressed in Swiss francs (CHF) (1 CHF = 0.93€ = US$1.10, www.xe.com, 2020/10/28).

Results

The total costs of IVIg were higher than those of SCIg for health insurance and other payers: 114,747 CHF versus 86,558 CHF and 8,762 CHF versus 2,401 CHF, respectively. The results were sensitive to the immunoglobulin doses, as this was the main cost driver. The SCIg daily cost in the initial phase was higher for health insurance than hospital-based IVIg was, but the additional costs were compensated during the maintenance phase (from week 28). The professional costs associated with the switch were not fully covered by the insurance and were borne by the pharmacist and the nurse.

Conclusions

SCIg for CIDP patients reinforced by an interprofessional drug therapy management programme may be a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to IVIg in the Swiss system context. From an economic perspective, this therapy alternative should be more widely supported by healthcare systems and proposed to eligible patients by professionals.
Diversity of bacteria populations associated with different thallus regions of the brown alga Laminaria digitata
Authors: Ihua Maureen W. , FitzGerald Jamie A. , Guihéneuf Freddy , Jackson Stephen A. , Claesson Marcus J. , Stengel Dagmar B. , Dobson Alan D. W.
Published: November 2020

Stipitate kelp species such as Laminaria digitata dominate most cold-water subtidal rocky shores and form underwater forests which are among the most productive coastal systems worldwide. Laminaria also sustains rich bacterial communities which offer a variety of biotechnological applications. However, to date, in-depth studies on the diversity and uniqueness of bacterial communities associated with this macroalgal species, their ecological role and their interactions with the alga are under-represented. To address this, the epibacterial populations associated with different thallus regions (holdfast, stipe, meristem, blade) of this brown seaweed were investigated using high-throughput Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes. The results show that epibacterial communities of the brown seaweed are significantly different and specific to the thallus region, with the shared bacterial population comprising of only 1.1% of the total amplicon sequence variants. The diverse holdfast and blade tissues formed distinct clusters while the meristem and stipe regions are more closely related. The data obtained further supports the hypothesis that macroalgal bacterial communities are shaped by morphological niches and display specificity.
Ectopic ACTH syndrome of different origin—Diagnostic approach and clinical outcome. Experience of one Clinical Centre
Authors: Paleń-Tytko Joanna Ewelina , Przybylik-Mazurek Elwira Maria , Rzepka Ewelina Joanna , Pach Dorota Magdalena , Sowa-Staszczak Anna Stanisława , Gilis-Januszewska Aleksandra , Hubalewska-Dydejczyk Alicja Bronisława
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Ectopic Cushing Syndrome (EAS) is a rare condition responsible for about 5–20% of all Cushing syndrome cases. It increases the mortality of affected patients thus finding and removal of the ACTH-producing source allows for curing or reduction of symptoms and serum cortisol levels. The aim of this study is to present a 20-year experience in the diagnosis and clinical course of patients with EAS in a single Clinical Centre in Southern Poland as well as a comparison of clinical course and outcomes depending on the source of ectopic ACTH production–especially neuroendocrine tumors with other neoplasms.

Methods

Twenty-four patients were involved in the clinical study with EAS diagnosed at the Department of Endocrinology between years 2000 and 2018. The diagnosis of EAS was based on the clinical presentation, hypercortisolemia with high ACTH levels, high dose dexamethasone suppression test and/or corticotropin-releasing hormone tests. To find the source of ACTH various imaging studies were performed.

Results

Half of the patients were diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors, whereby muscle weakness was the leading symptom. Typical cushingoid appearance was seen in merely a few patients, and weight loss was more common than weight gain. Patients with neuroendocrine tumors had significantly higher midnight cortisol levels than the rest of the group. Among patients with infections, we observed a significantly higher concentrations of cortisol 2400 levels in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Chromogranin A correlated significantly with potassium in patients with neuroendocrine tumors and there was a significant correlation between ACTH level and severity of hypokalemia.

Conclusion

EAS is not common, but if it occurs it increases the mortality of patients; therefore, it should be taken into consideration in the case of coexistence of severe hypokalemia with hypertension and muscle weakness, especially when weight loss occurs. Because the diagnosis of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor worsens the prognosis-special attention should be paid to these patients.
The effect of race/ethnicity on obesity traits in first year university students from Canada: The GENEiUS study
Authors: Sharma Tanmay , Manoharan Baanu , Langlois Christine , Morassut Rita E. , Meyre David
Published: November 2020

Background

Little is known about the impact of race/ethnicity on weight change at university. The objective of this study is to determine if ethnicity has an impact on obesity traits in a multiethnic cohort of first-year students at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada.

Methods

183 first year students from the three most represented ethnic groups (South Asian, East Asian, and white-Caucasian) in our study sample were followed longitudinally with data collected early in the academic year and towards the end of the year. Obesity parameters including body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference, and waist hip ratio (WHR) were analyzed. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for pairwise comparison of traits from the beginning to the end of the year in the absence of adjustments. Linear regression was used with covariate adjustments to investigate the effect of ethnicity on obesity traits.

Results

A significant increase in weight by 1.49 kg (95%CI: 1.13–1.85) was observed over the academic year in the overall analyzed sample. This was accompanied by significant gains in BMI, waist and hip circumferences, and WHR. Ethnicity stratified analysis indicated significant increase in all investigated obesity traits in East Asians and all traits, but WHR, in South Asians. White-Caucasians only displayed significant increases in weight and BMI. Body weight and hip circumference were significantly lower in East Asians compared to white-Caucasians at baseline. However, East Asians displayed a significantly larger increase in mean BMI and weight compared to white-Caucasians after first-year. South Asians displayed larger waist circumference at baseline compared to East Asians and larger WHR compared to white-Caucasians.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that ethnicity has an impact on obesity traits in first-year university students. Universities should take ethnicity into account while implementing effective obesity prevention programs to promote healthy and active lifestyles for students.
Hepatitis B virus pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) in plasma predicts recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative surgical resection
Authors: Teng Chiao-Fang , Li Tsai-Chung , Huang Hsi-Yuan , Chan Wen-Ling , Wu Han-Chieh , Shyu Woei-Cherng , Su Ih-Jen , Jeng Long-Bin
Published: November 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite curative surgical resection, high recurrence of HCC after surgery results in poor patient survival. To develop prognostic markers is therefore important for better prevention and therapy of recurrent HCC to improve patient outcomes. Deletion mutations over the pre-S1 and pre-S2 gene segments of hepatitis B virus (HBV) have been closely associated with recurrence of HCC after curative surgical resection. In this study, we applied a next-generation sequencing-based approach to further evaluate the association of pre-S deletion regions with HCC recurrence. We demonstrated that the pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) was the most predominant deletion regions of pre-S gene in plasma of HBV-related HCC patients. Moreover, patients with the pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) exhibited a significantly higher risk of HCC recurrence after curative surgical resection than those without. The pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) in plasma represented a prognostic factor that independently predicted HCC recurrence with greater performance than other clinicopathological and viral factors. Our data suggest that detection of the pre-S2 deletion (nucleotide 1 to 54) in plasma may be a promising noninvasive strategy for identifying patients at high risk for HCC recurrence after curative surgical resection.
Undercarboxylated osteocalcin is associated with vascular function in female older adults but does not influence vascular function in male rabbit carotid artery ex vivo
Authors: Tacey Alexander , Smith Cassandra , Woessner Mary N. , Chubb Paul , Neil Christopher , Duque Gustavo , Hayes Alan , Zulli Anthony , Levinger Itamar
Published: November 2020

Background

There are conflicting reports on the association of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) in cardiovascular disease development, including endothelial function and hypertension. We tested whether ucOC is related to blood pressure and endothelial function in older adults, and if ucOC directly affects endothelial-mediated vasodilation in the carotid artery of rabbits.

Methods

In older adults, ucOC, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) were measured (n = 38, 26 post-menopausal women and 12 men, mean age 73 ± 0.96). The vasoactivity of the carotid artery was assessed in male New Zealand White rabbits following a four-week normal or atherogenic diet using perfusion myography. An ucOC dose response curve (0.3–45 ng/ml) was generated following incubation of the arteries for 2-hours in either normal or high glucose conditions.

Results

ucOC levels were higher in normotensive older adults compared to those with stage 2 hypertension (p < 0.05), particularly in women (p < 0.01). In all participants, higher ucOC was associated with lower PWV (p < 0.05), but not BAFMD (p > 0.05). In rabbits, ucOC at any dose did not alter vasoactivity of the carotid artery, either following a normal or an atherogenic diet (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased ucOC is associated with lower blood pressure and increased arterial stiffness, particularly in post-menopausal women. However, ucOC administration has no direct short-term effect on endothelial function in rabbit arteries. Future studies should explore whether treatment with ucOC, in vivo, has direct or indirect effects on blood vessel function.
Epidemiology of thyroid disorders in the Lifelines Cohort Study (the Netherlands)
Authors: Wouters Hanneke J. C. M. , Slagter Sandra N. , Muller Kobold Anneke C. , van der Klauw Melanie M. , Wolffenbuttel Bruce H. R.
Published: November 2020

Background

Thyroid hormone plays a pivotal role in human metabolism. In epidemiologic studies, adequate registration of thyroid disorders is warranted. We examined the prevalence of thyroid disorders, reported thyroid medication use, thyroid hormone levels, and validity of thyroid data obtained from questionnaires in the Lifelines Cohort Study.

Methods

We evaluated baseline data of all 152180 subjects (aged 18–93 years) of the Lifelines Cohort Study. At baseline, participants were asked about previous thyroid surgery and current and previous thyroid hormone use. At follow-up (n = 136776, after median 43 months), incident thyroid disorders could be reported in an open, non-structured question. Data on baseline thyroid hormone measurements (TSH, FT4 and FT3) were available in a subset of 39935 participants.

Results

Of the 152180 participants, mean (±SD) age was 44.6±13.1 years and 58.5% were female. Thyroid medication was used by 4790 participants (3.1%); the majority (98.2%) used levothyroxine, and 88% were females. 59.3% of levothyroxine users had normal TSH levels. The prevalence of abnormal TSH levels in those not using thyroid medication was 10.8%; 9.4% had a mildly elevated (4.01–10.0 mIU/L), 0.7% had suppressed (<0.40 mIU/L), while 0.7% had elevated (>10.0 mIU/L) TSH levels. Over 98% of subjects with TSH between 4 and 10 mIU/L had normal FT4. Open text questions allowing to report previous thyroid surgery and incident thyroid disorders proved not to be reliable and severely underestimated the true incidence and prevalence of thyroid disorders.

Conclusions

Undetected thyroid disorders were prevalent in the general population, whereas the prevalence of thyroid medication use was 3.1%. Less than 60% of individuals using levothyroxine had a normal TSH level. The large group of individuals with subclinical hypothyroidism (9.4%) offers an excellent possibility to prospectively follow the natural course of this disorder. Both structured questions as well as linking to G.P.’s and pharmacists’ data are necessary to improve the completeness and reliability of Lifelines’ data on thyroid disorders.
Estimated intestinal absorption of phosphorus and its deposition in chosen tissues, bones and feathers of chickens receiving chromium picolinate or chromium nanoparticles in diet
Authors: Stępniowska Anna , Tutaj Krzysztof , Drażbo Aleksandra , Kozłowski Krzysztof , Ognik Katarzyna , Jankowski Jan
Published: November 2020

The aim of the study was to determine whether the level and form of Cr in the diet of chickens influences its accumulation in tissues as well as intestinal absorption of P and its deposition in tissues. The experiment was carried out on 405 one-day-old male Ross 308 chickens that were randomly divided into five treatment groups. Control group was fed the diet without supplemental chromium; experimental groups were fed the diet with 3 or 6 mg/kg chromium picolinate (Cr-Pic) and with 3 or 6 mg/kg chromium nanoparticles (Cr-NP). Chromium was found to accumulate in the tissues of the ileum, liver, breast muscle, bones skin and in feathers of chickens. Chromium deposited in the ileum of chickens does not affect the ex vivo estimated intestinal absorption of P. The use of Cr in the diet of chickens carries the risk of lowering P levels in femur.
Identifying transcriptomic correlates of histology using deep learning
Authors: Badea Liviu , Stănescu Emil
Published: November 2020

Linking phenotypes to specific gene expression profiles is an extremely important problem in biology, which has been approached mainly by correlation methods or, more fundamentally, by studying the effects of gene perturbations. However, genome-wide perturbations involve extensive experimental efforts, which may be prohibitive for certain organisms. On the other hand, the characterization of the various phenotypes frequently requires an expert’s subjective interpretation, such as a histopathologist’s description of tissue slide images in terms of complex visual features (e.g. ‘acinar structures’). In this paper, we use Deep Learning to eliminate the inherent subjective nature of these visual histological features and link them to genomic data, thus establishing a more precisely quantifiable correlation between transcriptomes and phenotypes. Using a dataset of whole slide images with matching gene expression data from 39 normal tissue types, we first developed a Deep Learning tissue classifier with an accuracy of 94%. Then we searched for genes whose expression correlates with features inferred by the classifier and demonstrate that Deep Learning can automatically derive visual (phenotypical) features that are well correlated with the transcriptome and therefore biologically interpretable. As we are particularly concerned with interpretability and explainability of the inferred histological models, we also develop visualizations of the inferred features and compare them with gene expression patterns determined by immunohistochemistry. This can be viewed as a first step toward bridging the gap between the level of genes and the cellular organization of tissues.
Antiviral activity of glucosylceramides isolated from Fusarium oxysporum against Tobacco mosaic virus infection
Authors: Bernardino Mariana C. , Couto Michel Leon C. O. , Vaslin Maite F. S. , Barreto-Bergter Eliana
Published: November 2020

Natural elicitors derived from pathogenic microorganisms represent an ecologic strategy to achieve resistance in plants against diseases. Glucosylceramides (GlcCer) are classified as neutral glycosphingolipids. GlcCer were isolated and purified fromFusarium oxysporummycelium.F.oxysporumis a plant pathogenic fungus, abundant in soil and causing severe losses in economically important crops such as corn, tobacco, banana, cotton and passion fruit. In this study we evaluate the capacity of GlcCer in inducing resistance inN.tabacumcv Xanthi plants againstTobacco mosaic virus(TMV). Spraying tobacco plants with GlcCer before virus infection reduced the incidence of necrotic lesions caused by TMV. In addition, plants already infected with the virus showed a reduction in hypersensitive response (HR) lesions after GlcCer treatment, suggesting an antiviral effect of GlcCer. Our investigations showed that GlcCer stimulates the early accumulation of H2O2and superoxide radicals. In addition, the expression of PR-1 (pathogenesis-related 1, with suggested antifungal action), PR-2 (β-1,3-glucanase), PR-3 (Chitinase), PR-5 (Osmotin), PAL (Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), LOX (Lipoxygenase) and POX (Peroxidase) genes was highly induced after treatment of tobacco plants with GlcCer and induction levels remained high throughout a period of 6 to 120 hours. Our experiments demonstrate that GlcCer induces resistance in tobacco plants against infection by TMV.
Organizational ambidexterity as a new research paradigm in strategic management
Authors: Taródy Dávid
Published: November 2020

Long-term survival and growth depends on the firm’s ability to exploit its current competencies while exploring fundamentally new ones. Finding the balance between exploration and exploitation is called ambidexterity in the literature. This paper is a comprehensive review of organizational ambidexterity theory. Creating and maintaining the capacity to simultaneously pursue these contradictory activities is an extremely difficult managerial challenge. Although, several aspects are well-researched, especially structural and leadership solutions in large, multinational enterprises, but little is known about: (1) how ambidexterity forms in earlier growth stages? (2) What are the key drivers and elements of organizational context that makes organizations able to become ambidextrous? (3) What is the role of different managerial levels in this formation process? Reviewing the literature, in this article the author would like to introduce the paradox of exploration and exploitation, the tensions and different aspects of ambidexterity, the fields current stage and some important research gaps.
Az on-line szájreklám (electronic word-of-mouth) jellemzői a marketingkommunikáció szempontjából
Authors: Markos-Kujbus Éva
Published: November 2020

Az on-line térben a vállalatok elveszítik a hagyományos tömegkommunikációban gyakorolt kontrollt, ugyanakkor kommunikációs szerepükből fakadóan megmarad egy ráhatási képességük. Ahhoz azonban, hogy e ráhatási képességet ki tudják használni, megfelelő eszközöket kell alkalmazniuk, amelyek közül az egyik lehetőség az on-line szájreklám (electronic word-of-mouth, e-WOM). A cikk egy szakirodalmi összefoglalót nyújt az e-WOM-ról, kitérve arra, hogy milyen új kommunikációs kihívásokkal és lehetőségekkel néznek szembe a fogyasztók és a vállalatok az on-line térben. Továbbá hogyan értelmezhető az e-WOM, milyen alapvető tulajdonságokkal és a fogyasztókra, valamint a vállalatokra gyakorolt hatásokkal rendelkezik. Ezen ismeretekre építve pedig a szerző bemutatja azt is, hogy a fogyasztók között zajló on-line kommunikáció (vagyis az e-WOM) hogyan integrálható a marketingkommunikációs tevékenységbe.