bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social and ideological representativeness: A comparison of political party members and supporters in Finland after the realignment of major parties
Authors: Koivula Aki , Koiranen Ilkka , Saarinen Arttu , Keipi Teo
Published: January 2019

This study provides a new frame of reference for understanding intraparty dynamics by analyzing party members’ representativeness with respect to party supporters regarding socioeconomic status and the ideological spectrum in a multiparty system, namely that of Finland. The analysis is based on a unique member-based survey of Finland’s six major political parties ( N = 12,427), which is combined with supporter data derived from a nationally representative survey ( N = 1648). The clearest difference was found between supporters’ and members’ social status as members were generally in clearly higher social positions. However, there is a wider gap between parties when comparing supporters and members in terms of social status. Findings show that political opinions on income equality are still a key difference between traditional mass parties at the different levels of party strata, while incongruence within parties is relatively low. In contrast to the traditional parties, the newer parties, namely the Finns and the Greens, are ideologically close to their supporters in terms of attitudes concerning immigration and environment. Together, these findings provide an interesting landscape of the last decade’s changes in the Finnish political spectrum and contribute to the ongoing discussion on the changing forms of political parties.
Europarties’ election pledges and European Commission legislative priorities: An assessment of their overlap
Authors: Kostadinova Petia , Giurcanu Magda
Published: January 2019

Utilizing a newly compiled data set, this article demonstrates that some election pledges made by the transnational Europarties are included among the European Commission priorities issued during the pre-legislative stage. The data set consists of 597 promises made by four transnational Europarties during the 2004 and 2009 European Parliament (EP) elections and of 698 subsequent Commission legislative intentions. Focusing on the time periods during the Barroso presidencies, the article’s findings suggest that (1) decision-making rules in the EP help us understand which transnational pledges are included in Commission priorities and (2) promises by two Europarties, such as the European People’s Party and the European Liberal and Democrat Party, are more likely to be considered by the Commission than those of other Europarties. Our results speak to scholarly debates on the place of the Europarties in the European Union inter-institutional relations and more broadly on the democratic legitimacy of the Union.
Rapid trajectory planning of a reusable launch vehicle for airdrop with geographic constraints
Authors: Wei Xing , Lan Xuejing , Liu Lei , Wang Yongji
Published: January 2019

Online feasible trajectory generation for an airdrop unpowered reusable launch vehicle is addressed in this article. A rapid trajectory planning algorithm is proposed to satisfy not only the multiple path and terminal constraints but also the complex geographic constraints of waypoints and no-fly zones. Firstly, the lower and upper boundaries of the bank angle that implement all the path constraints are obtained based on the quasi-equilibrium glide condition. To determine the bank angle directly, a weighted interpolation of the boundaries is then developed, which provides an effective approach to simplify the planning process as a one-parameter search problem. Subsequently, three types of lateral planning algorithms are designed to determine the sign of the bank angle according to the requirements of waypoints passage, no-fly-zones avoidance, and terminal constraints in the airdrop process, and the convergence of these methods for passing over the waypoints and meeting the terminal conditions has been clarified and formally demonstrated. Considering the constraints in the actual airdrop flight missions, the planning trajectory is divided into several subphases to facilitate the application of corresponding algorithms. Finally, the performance of the proposed algorithm is assessed through three airdrop missions of reusable launch vehicle with different geographic constraints. Besides, the effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by the Monte Carlo simulation results.
Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia: Clinical and imaging characteristics
Authors: Makary Mina S , Awan Usama , Kisanuki Yaz Y , Slone Hasel W
Published: January 2019

Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) is a rare white matter degenerative disease characterized by both axonal and glial injury due to a defect in the CSF1R gene. In this report, we describe ALSP in a previously healthy 40-year-old woman presenting with insidiously progressive confusion, memory loss, and loss of social inhibitions. Characteristic magnetic resonance imaging findings for ALSP elucidated the diagnosis, including chronic foci of diffusion restriction in a non-vascular distribution, lack of temporal/infratentorial involvement, cortical sparing, and lack of enhancement. CSF1R genetic testing further confirmed the diagnosis and the patient underwent supportive medical management for symptom control. ALSP can pose a unique diagnostic challenge given its particular adult-onset presentation, but early recognition is key given the poor prognosis and the potential for family genetic testing.
Precise Ensemble Face Representation Given Incomplete Visual Input
Authors: Haberman Jason M. , Ulrich Lauren
Published: January 2019

Humans can recognize faces in the presence of environmental noise. Here, we explore whether ensemble perception of faces is similarly robust. Is summary statistical information available from crowds of faces that are visually incomplete? Observers viewed sets of faces varying in identity or expression and adjusted a test face to match the perceived average. In one condition, faces amodally completed behind horizontal bars. In another condition, identical facial information was presented, but in the foreground (i.e., face parts appeared on fragmented strips in front of a background). Baseline performance was determined by performance on sets of fully visible faces. The results revealed that the ensemble representation of amodally completing sets was significantly better than the fragmented sets and marginally worse than in the fully visible condition. These results suggest that some ensemble information is available given limited visual input and supports a growing body of work suggesting that ensembles may be represented in the absence of complete visual information.
Return to Work Among Stroke Survivors
Authors: Ashley Kristin D. , Lee Loretta T. , Heaton Karen
Published: January 2019

Despite improvements in the treatment of stroke, many individuals still face cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments. Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability and subsequent failure to return to work (RTW). The purpose of this literature review was to synthesize and discuss the literature relevant to factors affecting RTW for stroke survivors, summarize the identified gaps, and discuss steps occupational health nurses can take to facilitate RTW among stroke survivors. A literature search was conducted using the keywords: “stroke,” “cerebrovascular disease,” “return to work,” and “employment.” After excluding articles based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, 19 quantitative research articles were reviewed. Consistent themes found in the literature affecting RTW following stroke included physical, social, and cognitive factors. One of the most consistent predictors of RTW found was stroke severity. Individuals who experienced a mild to moderate stroke, those of Caucasian ethnicity, and higher socioeconomic levels were more likely to RTW. Findings suggest the importance of future studies to examine factors among African American stroke survivors that predict RTW and the role of occupational health nurses.
Luspatercept improves hemoglobin levels and blood transfusion requirements in a study of patients with β-thalassemia
Authors: Piga Antonio , Perrotta Silverio , Gamberini Maria Rita , Voskaridou Ersi , Melpignano Angela , Filosa Aldo , Caruso Vincenzo , Pietrangelo Antonello , Longo Filomena , Tartaglione Immacolata , Borgna-Pignatti Caterina , Zhang Xiaosha , Laadem Abderrahmane , Sherman Matthew L. , Attie Kenneth M.
Published: January 2019

β-thalassemia is a hereditary disorder with limited approved treatment options; patients experience anemia and its complications, including iron overload. The study aim was to determine whether luspatercept could improve anemia and disease complications in patients with β-thalassemia. This open-label, nonrandomized, uncontrolled study consisted of a 24-week dose-finding and expansion stage (initial stage) and a 5-year extension stage, currently ongoing. Sixty-four patients were enrolled; 33 were non–transfusion dependent (mean hemoglobin, <10.0 g/dL; <4 red blood cell [RBC] units transfused per 8 weeks), and 31 were transfusion dependent (≥4 RBC units per 8 weeks). Patients received 0.2 to 1.25 mg/kg luspatercept subcutaneously every 21 days for ≥5 cycles (dose-finding stage) and 0.8 to 1.25 mg/kg (expansion cohort and 5-year extension). The primary end point was erythroid response, defined as hemoglobin increase of ≥1.5 g/dL from baseline for ≥14 consecutive days (without RBC transfusions) for non–transfusion-dependent patients or RBC transfusion burden reduction ≥20% over a 12-week period vs the 12 weeks before treatment for transfusion-dependent patients. Eighteen non–transfusion-dependent patients (58%) receiving higher dose levels of luspatercept (0.6-1.25 mg/kg) achieved mean hemoglobin increase ≥1.5 g/dL over ≥14 days vs baseline. Twenty-six (81%) transfusion-dependent patients achieved ≥20% reduction in RBC transfusion burden. The most common grade 1 to 2 adverse events were bone pain, headache, and myalgia. As of the cutoff, 33 patients remain on study. In this study, a high percentage of β-thalassemia patients receiving luspatercept had hemoglobin or transfusion burden improvements. These findings support a randomized clinical trial to assess efficacy and safety. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01749540 and #NCT02268409.
ARNTL hypermethylation promotes tumorigenesis and inhibits cisplatin sensitivity by activating CDK5 transcription in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Peng Hao , Zhang Jian , Zhang Pan-Pan , Chen Lei , Tang Ling-Long , Yang Xiao-Jing , He Qing-Mei , Wen Xin , Sun Ying , Liu Na , Li Ying-Qin , Ma Jun
Published: January 2019

Background

Increasing evidence support an important role for DNA methylation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we explored the role of circadian clock gene Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator-Like (ARNTL) methylation in NPC.

Methods

We employed bisulfite pyrosequencing to determine the epigenetic change of ARNTL in NPC cell lines and tissues. ARNTL mRNA and protein expression in cell lines and tissues were detected by real-time PCR and western blotting. Then, we constructed cell lines overexpressing ARNTL and knocked down ARNTL to explore its function and effect on chemotherapy sensitivity of NPC cell lines to cisplatin in vitro and vivo. Finally, we investigated the potential molecular mechanism of ARNTL by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), dual Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay.

Results

ARNTL was hypermethylated, and its mRNA and protein were significantly down-regulated in NPC cell lines and tissues. When treated by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, mRNA expression was up-regulated. Overexpression of ARNTL could suppress NPC cells proliferation in vitro and vivo while silencing of ARNTL using shRNA achieved opposite results. GSEA assay found that ARNTL was associated with cell cycle and ectopic ARNTL overexpression could induce G2-M phase arrest. Then, we identified and validated cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) as the targeting gene of ARNTL by dual Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. When transiently infected ARNTL-overexpression cells with PENTER-vector or PENTER-CDK5 plasmids, the later could reverse the suppressive effects of ARNTL on NPC cell proliferation. Moreover, ARNTL significantly enhanced sensitivity to cisplatin in NPC cells.

Conclusions

ARNTL suppresses NPC cell proliferation and enhances sensitivity to cisplatin by targeting CDK5. ARNTL may represent a novel therapeutic target for NPC.
Biological determinants of physical activity across the life course: a “Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity” (DEDIPAC) umbrella systematic literature review
Authors: Aleksovska Katina , Puggina Anna , Giraldi Luca , Buck Christoph , Burns Con , Cardon Greet , Carlin Angela , Chantal Simon , Ciarapica Donatella , Colotto Marco , Condello Giancarlo , Coppinger Tara , Cortis Cristina , D’Haese Sara , De Craemer Marieke , Di Blasio Andrea , Hansen Sylvia , Iacoviello Licia , Issartel Johann , Izzicupo Pascal , Jaeschke Lina , Kanning Martina , Kennedy Aileen , Ling Fiona , Luzak Agnes , Napolitano Giorgio , Nazare Julie-Anne , Perchoux Camille , Pischon Tobias , Polito Angela , Sannella Alessandra , Schulz Holger , Sohun Rhoda , Steinbrecher Astrid , Schlicht Wolfgang , Ricciardi Walter , MacDonncha Ciaran , Capranica Laura , Boccia Stefania
Published: January 2019

Background

Despite the large number of studies and reviews available, the evidence regarding the biological determinants of physical activity (PA) is inconclusive. In this umbrella review, we summarized the current evidence on the biological determinants of PA across the life course, by pooling the results of the available systematic literature reviews (SLRs) and meta-analyses (MAs).

Methods

We conducted an online search on MEDLINE, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases up to January 2018. SLRs and MAs of observational studies that investigated the association between biological determinants of PA and having PA as outcome were considered eligible. The extracted data were assessed based on the importance of the determinants, the strength of evidence, and the methodological quality.

Results

We identified 19 reviews of which most were of moderate methodological quality. Determinants that were studied most frequently among all ages and demonstrated evidence suggesting a positive association to PA were younger age, being male, higher health status, and higher physical fitness levels. Among adults, normal birth weight was found to be positively associated to PA with convincing strength of evidence, while findings among adolescents were inconsistent and with limited strength of evidence.

Conclusions

Different social or behavioral factors may contribute to the decrease of PA with age and among females versus males, and creating programmes targeted at diverse ages, female population, and adults with abnormal birth weight is recommended. Future studies should use prospective study designs, standardized definitions of PA, and objective measurement methods of PA assessment.
Early Cretaceous redbeds from the Minle Basin, Hexi Corridor, northwest China: Mineralogy and geochemistry implications for paleoweathering, provenance, and tectonic settings
Authors: Sun Yaxiong , Ding Wenlong , Gu Yang , Zhao Gang , Shi Siyu , Jiao Baocheng , Ji Xiang
Published: January 2019

Redbeds with a large thickness in the lower Cretaceous record abundant geologic information in the Minle Basin. We have conducted the paleoweathering conditions, provenance, and tectonic settings based on mineralogy and geochemistry. Our results indicate that mudstone samples are characterized by abundant illite with negligible amounts of K-feldspars and analcime. The lower part of the lower Cretaceous is rich in quartz, whereas the upper part is dominated by dolomite and analcime. We suggest that this is caused by the decreasing input of the clastic influx during the middle-late early Cretaceous. High index of compositional variation values (average 1.33) indicate first-cycle sediment supply, suggesting an overall compositional immaturity and short-distance transportation. These characteristics are consistent with an active regional extension tectonic setting. The [Formula: see text] system ([Formula: see text];[Formula: see text];[Formula: see text]) and Th/U versus Th consistently reveal that the lower Cretaceous experienced a positive gradient in chemical weathering from young to old formations. Although the patterns of trace elements in three formations of the lower Cretaceous are different, those of the rare earth elements (REEs) tend to be consistent. The significant enrichment of light REEs, heavy REEs fractionation, and distinctive negative Eu anomalies suggest derivation from an old, upper continental crust composed of predominantly felsic sediments. This interpretation is supported by several discrimination diagrams such as titanium dioxide-nickel ([Formula: see text]), which shows the characteristics of immature recycled sediments. A few sensitive elements, ratios, and normalized REE patterns indicate a provenance of an active continental margin and a continental island arc (CIA). The La-Th-Sc, Th-Co-Zr/10, and Th-Sc-Zr/10 discrimination plots further confirm the CIA signature. Thus, we conclude that the early Cretaceous redbeds in the Minle Basin, Hexi Corridor, were deposited in a dustpan-shaped half-graben basin in a CIA setting when northwest China was influenced by intense regional extension.
Full-waveform inversion for imaging and geologic interpretation: A deepwater Gulf of Mexico case study
Authors: Cobo Yannick , Calderón-Macías Carlos , Chi Shihong
Published: January 2019

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is commonly used in model-building workflows to improve the resolution of the shallow velocity model and thus has a potentially positive impact on the imaging of deeper targets. This type of inversion commonly makes use of first arrivals from the longest offsets. However, signal from smaller offsets and later times can extend the depth range of the FWI-derived velocity model. Waveform inversion methods that use reflections have been shown to provide greater details and accuracy when deriving velocity models for deepwater exploration and production. The derived velocity sometimes provides an improved migrated image useful for interpretation in complex geology and enhances geologic features such as subsalt sediments, faults, and channels. We have used combination of FWI and a wavefield inversion approach known as reconstructed wavefield inversion (RWI) that makes use of diving waves and reflections to derive a velocity model for a deepwater survey off the coast of Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico. The velocity model we derived from this approach produces an improved image of the target reservoir, and furthermore contains enough geologic details for direct interpretation. We enhanced the resolution of the velocity model further by performing a poststack amplitude inversion with the FWI + RWI derived velocity used as the input low-frequency model. The resulting high-resolution velocity provides an excellent product for detecting shallow gas anomalies, delineating a gas reservoir in an anticline structure as well as a system of deep, sand-filled channels. The inverted velocity also indicates a better correlation with sonic velocity measured from two blind wells than the initial tomography velocity, indicating the benefits of FWI approaches for quantitative reservoir characterization in deepwater environments.
Mental health legislation in the Philippines: Philippine Mental Health Act
Authors: Lally John , Samaniego Rene M. , Tully John
Published: January 2019

The first mental health act legislation in the history of the Philippines has been officially signed into law and was enacted as the Republic Act no. 11036 on 21 June 2018. It provides a rights-based mental health bill and a comprehensive framework for the implementation of optimal mental healthcare in the Philippines. We review the principles and provisions of the Mental Health Act of 2017 and the implications for mental healthcare in the Philippines.
Antitryptical, anticoagulant and hemagglutinating activities of Eucalyptus sp. seeds
Authors: Queiroz dos Santos Yago , Silva Campos Carelli Gabriella , Oliveira de Veras Bruno , Cunha Batista Virgínia , Felipe Jácome de França Anderson , Vanusa da Silva Márcia , Antunes dos Santos Elizeu
Published: January 2019

Background: Plant biodiversity has great value for science being an inexhaustible source for new bioactive molecules capable of offering environmentally friendly and innovative solutions for various areas of the industry. The scientific community has increased their interest in the study of plant species in the search of new molecules and to determine their mechanisms of action. Plant seeds are natural sources of bioactive compounds, such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins with special focus on enzymatic inhibitors which protect them against digestive enzymes of phytopathogens and lectins that play an important role on carbohydrate signalization and metabolism during germination. The objective of the present study was to evaluate and describe the protein profile and to test the hemagglutinating, hemolytic and anticoagulant activities, as well as the antitryptic effect of extracts and fractions obtained from seeds of Eucalyptus species.

Methods: The crude protein extract was obtained from the seed of Eucalyptus sp. with 0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer, at pH 6.6, and fractionated using ammonium sulfate in order to study its antitryptical properties as well as the capacity of hemagglutination and influence on hemostasis.

Results: The crude extract showed a high effectiveness for trypsin inhibition. For hemagglutinating activity, the ammonium sulfate fraction 0-30% presented better activity, while no hemolytic activity was present in the obtained fractions. For anticoagulation assay, the fraction 0-30% showed better results.

Conclusions: Taken together, the obtained results demonstrate the biotechnological potential of Eucalyptus sp. seeds, although further study is still necessary to better isolate as well as describe the bioactive compounds.
Prostate cancer
Authors: Peate Ian
Published: January 2019

Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland begin growing uncontrollably. This article in the series provides an overview of prostate cancer and the anatomy and physiology of the prostate gland is discussed. The incidence and distribution (epidemiology) of the condition are outlined. All men are at risk of prostate cancer, yet there are some modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that need to be considered.

The article discusses the various signs and symptoms that a man may experience and how a diagnosis is made. Various treatment options are considered and the role of the healthcare assistant (HCA) and assistant practitioner (AP) are outlined. The article provides a glossary of terms and five multiple choice questions to assist with understanding and application to practice.
An evaluation of the midwifery Pre-Qualifying Skills Passport in Wales
Authors: Darra Susanne , Thomas Grace
Published: January 2019

Background

Standards for pre-registration midwifery education are being reviewed by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. In Wales a pre-qualifying skills passport (PQSP) has been in use for almost 5 years, and is designed to give midwives a chance to acquire key skills before they qualify.

Aim

This article presents the findings from a recent review of the Welsh PQSP.

Methods

Questionnaires were sent out to mentors, newly qualified midwives, midwifery lecturers and midwifery managers. Completed questionnaires were received from 167 users.

Findings

The PQSP helped mentors and students to know what is expected of newly qualified midwives, led to improved opportunities for vital skills acquisition and was easy to use in busy practice settings. It integrated knowledge with skills and it helped to learn skills step-by-step. There was also interest in adding further skills to the PQSP.

Conclusions

These findings are a positive foundation for future education standards and could be developed as a continuing professional development tool for a midwife's entire career.
Early-career midwives' experiences of perineal assessment and repair after normal vaginal birth
Authors: Hunter Caroline , Bick Debra
Published: January 2019

Background

It falls within the midwife's scope of practice to assess and repair first- and second-degree perineal trauma. Failure to accurately do so can lead to significant maternal morbidities. Evidence suggests that this can be a source of anxiety for midwives.

Aims

To explore early-career midwives' experiences of performing perineal assessment and repair after normal vaginal birth.

Methods

A qualitative semi-structured interview study analysed via interpretative phenomenological analysis. Six purposively-selected midwives, qualified for fewer than 5 years, were interviewed.

Findings

The study identified two superordinate themes. ‘Working and learning in an imperfect environment’ highlighted inadequacies in pre-registration midwifery education in preparing midwives for suturing, and a lack of support for developing their clinical skills once qualified. ‘Knowing myself, understanding my women’, highlighted midwives' understanding of suturing in terms of professional identity, responsibility for women's wellbeing and promotion of continuity.

Conclusions

Midwives often experience their pre-registration training as poor preparation for suturing in practice. Once qualified, preceptorship programmes can be variable and support for skills development is often lacking. Time constraints and structural hierarchies can inhibit the ability of midwives to articulate and advance their learning needs.
Basic life support for the adult
Authors: Barker Stuart
Published: January 2019

Stuart Barker, Graduate Tutor in Adult Nursing, Northumbria University ( stuart.j.barker@northumbria.ac.uk ), discusses assessing the unresponsive patient and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation as the crucial first steps in the chain of survival
Investing in illness prevention
Authors: Glasper Alan
Published: January 2019

Emeritus Professor Alan Glasper, from the University of Southampton, discusses a new policy initiative by the Department of Health and Social Care that aims to change the focus of the NHS and provide greater investment in primary and community health care
Unlocking the potential of volunteers
Authors: Foster Sam
Published: January 2019

Sam Foster, Chief Nurse, Oxford University Hospitals, considers the need for an evidence base for a best practice NHS volunteer model to improve care quality, rather than using volunteers as a means to cut costs and training initiatives that could include enabling volunteers to switch careers
Food Allergen Management in Industry
Authors: Sung Dong Eun , Kwak Ho Seok
Published: January 2019

Food allergy is a chronic disease that is increasing all over the world, and it can even lead to a loss of life. To prevent any incidents resulting from food allergies, most countries keep strengthening their food allergen labeling requirements domestically and internationally, with a constant monitoring system against undeclared allergens and recall of offending products. In order to avoid economic losses to industry and damages to international relations from undeclared allergens, it is necessary to confirm each country’s regulatory policy on food allergen labeling prior to exportation. Another required action is to try for a reduction of the cross-contamination risk of the allergens during manufacturing and storage, which should be verified by using an accurate and reliable analysis of food allergens. This paper is intended to provide an introduction to the regulation of food allergen labeling by country, allergen management methods to avoid cross-contamination, and allergen detection methods using ELISA, PCR, and LC/MS. Changes of allergenicity during thermal or nonthermal processing also will be investigated in our review. This review will be helpful for the food industry to better understand patients suffering from food allergies and to manage food allergens in food manufacturing.
Polyphenolic Profile of Fermented Houttuynia cordata Thunb. and Overall Contribution to Antioxidant and Lipolytic Activities
Authors: Lee Soo Jung , Hu Wensi , Lee Eun Jung , Choi Jin Young , Koo Ok Kyung
Published: January 2019

Polyphenol profiles, physicochemical properties, antioxidant activities, and inhibitory effect of adipocyte differentiation of Houttuynia cordata fermented with Lactobacillus brevis B84 were evaluated. Six polyphenols were characterized for this plant by using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), and the results were compared with total phenolic content by a spectrophotometric method. The total amount of the identified polyphenols was lower than that determined by the spectrophotometric method. However, the fermentation process influenced polyphenol composition such as content of vanillic acid and caffeic acid. The phytochemical profiles were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn). Total sugar and reducing sugar contents decreased after fermentation. Antioxidant activities such as DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide anion radical scavenging and reducing power were evaluated to compare the beneficial effect after fermentation. Fermented H. cordata increased the lipolytic effect in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Overall, the results indicate that the fermentation of H. cordata with L. brevis B84 produces changes of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and lipolytic effect.
Influential Factors on Supercooling of Nineteen Fruits and Vegetables
Authors: Kim Jinse , Park Jong Woo , Jung Hyun Kyung , Park Seok Ho , Choi Dong Soo , Kim Yong Hoon , Lee Soo Jang , Park Chun Wan , Lee Young Hee
Published: January 2019

The main purposes of this study were to identify the factors affecting the supercooling property and to improve the possibility of supercooling storage of fruits and vegetables. Freezing point and nucleation temperature, moisture content, hardness, sugar content, and pH of nineteen fruits and vegetables were measured and Pearson correlation analysis was performed. Freezing point showed a statistically significant correlation with moisture content and sugar content (p<0.01), while ice nucleation temperature showed a correlation (p<0.05) only for sugar content. In particular, the water content and sugar content did not show any correlation with the freezing supercooling difference (FSD). From the correlation analysis between FSD, aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and mold, FSD showed a correlation (p<0.01) with aerobic bacteria. The experiments of the saline solutions inoculated with aerobic bacteria at different concentrations showed FSDs of about 2 for saline inoculated with 9.4 log CFU/mL and about 6 for saline inoculated lower than 5 log CFU/mL. Therefore, the aerobic bacteria concentration was determined to be a key factor affecting the supercooling storage of fruits and vegetables.
Effects of Dietary Rice Bran Oil on Mitochondrial Respiration in M2-induced Bone Marrow-derived Macrophages
Authors: Lee Sojung , Kim Wooki
Published: January 2019

Previous studies have suggested that rice bran oil (RBO), an edible oil from the byproducts of rice milling, has antiinflammatory effects in inflammation inducing macrophages, known as M1 subsets. Yet the effects of RBO on the counterpart M2 subsets, the “healing” macrophages, were poorly investigated to date. In this regard, recent studies on the molecular/cellular anti-inflammatory mechanisms of dietary components have demonstrated that mitochondrial respiration contributes to macrophage functioning. Therefore, the current study examined whether RBO regulates cytokine secretion by modulating mitochondrial metabolism in wound healing M2 subsets. Palm oil (PO), enriched with medium-chain fatty acids, served as a positive control. C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing either corn oil (CO), PO or RBO for 4 weeks, followed by purification of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from their tibias and femurs. Cells were further polarized to M2-BMDM, and the expression of M2 marker (CD206) on cellular surfaces were not affected by dietary intervention. In addition, the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in the culture supernatant was not affected by dietary lipids. Oxygen consumption rate, the indicator of mitochondrial respiration in M2-BMDM was not regulated by RBO intervention and PO treatment. Taken together, this study imply that RBO did not intervene both the regulation of inflammatory responses and mitochondrial respiration in M2 macrophages.
A Comparison of Rheological Measurement Methods of Instant Cooked Rice by a Texture Analyzer
Authors: Kim Heesu , Oh Im Kyung , Yang Seonkyeong , Lee Suyong
Published: January 2019

Various rheological methods to measure the hardness of instant cooked rice by a texture analyzer were investigated and compared. Specifically, instant white rice samples with a wide range of hardness were subjected to four different rheological tests with disk, cylinder, rod, and cone probe whose results were inter-correlated. All the measurements demonstrated that the hardness of instant rice was reduced with increasing moisture content and showed negatively linear relationships. Out of the four tests applied in this study, the highest coefficient of correlation (R2 = 0.9268) was observed distinctly in the cone probe test, where both compressive and shear forces can be applied to deform individual rice grains. However, the cylinder probe test had the lowest coefficient of correlation (R2 = 0.7247) because it may be ineffective in causing direct deformation of individual rice grains. Furthermore, when the hardness values (N) were converted to stress (Pa), highly linear correlations (R2 ≈ 0.99) were observed between the tests with similar probe geometry and force application.
Microbial Decontamination of Black Pepper Powder Using a Commercial-scale Intervention System Combining Ultraviolet-C and Plasma Treatments
Authors: Bang In Hee , Lee Seung Young , Han Kyoon Sik , Min Sea C.
Published: January 2019

Effects of a commercial scale intervention system combining ultraviolet (UV)-C and plasma treatments on the microbial decontamination of black pepper powder were investigated. The process parameters include treatment time, time for plasma accumulation before treatment, and water activity of black pepper powder. A significant reduction in the number of indigenous aerobic mesophilic bacteria in black pepper powder was observed after treatments lasted for ≥ 20 min (p<0.05) and the reduction was differed by powder manufacturer. The microbial reduction rates obtained by individual UV-C treatment, individual plasma treatment, and UV-C/plasma-combined treatment were 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 log CFU/g, respectively, suggesting that the efficacy of the microbial inactivation was enhanced by treatment combination. Nonetheless, neither plasma accumulation time nor powder water activity affected the microbial inactivation efficacy of the combined treatment. The UV-C/plasma-combined treatment, however, decreased lightness of black pepper powder, and the decrease generally increased as operation time increased. The plasma accumulation time of 20 min resulted in significant reduction in both lightness and brown color. The results indicate that the commercial-scale intervention system combining treatments of UV-C and plasma has the potential to be applied in the food industry for decontaminating black pepper powder.
Lip And Palate Reconstruction On Median Cerebrofacial Malformation Patient
Authors: Anindhawati Nur , Kreshanti Prasetyanugraheni , Handayani Siti , Bangun Kristaninta
Published: January 2019

Background: Median cerebrofacial malformations are developmental anomalies of the midline brain and facial structures. The clinical manifestations ranges from holoprosencephaly with agenesis of central facial structures, to those seen in median facial dysplasia. Patients who survive are usually born with severe functional limitation and die during infancy. Nowadays, with improved perinatal care, patient with severe midline craniofacial abnormalities can be expected to live longer. The purpose of this paper is to show how reconstruction of the lip and palate on patient with median cerebrofacial malformation is done.
Patient and Method: Reporting 2 cases of child with cleft median cerebrofacial malformations. First case was a 2 year-old child with complete median cleft lip and palate. Clinical examinations and CT scan revealed a holoprosencephaly. She was also diagnosed with laryngomalacia. The second case was a 4 month-old patient with median cleft lip and palate also microcephaly. We performed labioplasty in both patients and did the palatoplasty in the first patient.
Result: Both cases showed no sign of complication after the operation. They both discharged one day after the operation. The first patient reported dead 1 week after the surgery at home. The cause was unknown. Discussion: Disturbed maxillary growth is postulated to be caused by the manipulation and suturing of the maxillary vomer, and scarring of the dentoalveoli post-surgery. Another contributing factor is the intrinsic tissue deficiency.
Summary: With proper perinatal care and holistic teamwork that expand the survival rate we expect those with the best prognosis deserve to appear as normal as possible.
Keywords: Holoprosencephaly, median facial dysplasia, median cleft lip and palate
Megnyitó
Authors: Dávidházi Péter
Published: January 2019

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Antiviral therapy of chronic viral hepatitis C
Authors: Zhavoronok S. , Gutmane V. , Znovetz T. , Yurkevich I. , Karpov I. , Mitsura V. , Voropaev E. , Soldatenko O. , Baryash T, , Anisko L. , Rogacheva T. , Sivachenko L. , Zhmurovskaya L. , Velgin S. , Yurovsky N,
Published: January 2019

The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of treatment of patients with chronic viral hepatitis C, who received direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, including those who had non-response to interferon therapy, with unfavorable variants of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of interleukin-28B gene, and with the liver cirrhosis. 589 patients with chronic viral hepatitis C, treated with interferons (IFN) and ribavirin (RBV), and 210 patients who completed the therapy with DAA drugs, were selected for the study. DAA therapy proved to be 1.5 times more effective than the use of IFN and RBV (χ2 = 93.7, p <0.001), including 2.1 times in patients with the first genotype. In the treatment of direct antiviral drugs by patients with liver cirrhosis and with contraindications to ribavirin, prolonged treatment regimens should be used. For every second HCV-infected woman of reproductive age, the diagnosis is established during routine pregnancy and childbirth surveillance (p = 0.03) and DAA therapy effectiveness reaches 100%.
Changes in the immune status in children with atopic asthma after ultrasound therapy
Authors: Asiryan E. , Novikov P.
Published: January 2019

The aim of the research was to study the dynamics of immunological parameters in children with atopic asthma after application of ultrasound therapy on the area of the projection of the thymus. Material and methods. The study involved 43 children aged 5 to 18 years: 23 patients with atopic asthma, 20 children of the control group. Determines the level of the following indicators of leukocytes and lymphocytes: СD3+, CD4+, СD4+CD25+, CD19+CD23++, CD203с+CD63+, CD203с+IgE+, FcεRI+, CD23+IgE+. Results. А statistically significant decrease in the level of СD4+CD25+ lymphocytes, CD19+CD23++ lymphocytes is observed after exposure to ultrasound in the projection area of the thymus. Low levels of СD4+CD25+ lymphocytes persisted after 3 months from the start of the study, the level of CD19+CD23++ lymphocytes returned to the initial value after 82-90 days. It was found a statistically significant reduction CD203с+CD63+ basophils, CD203с+IgE+ of basophils after ultrasound therapy, but then there was an increase of these parameters to the initial values. Statistically significant differences it is not revealed in the analysis of eosinophil phenotype. Conclusion. The findings of the study data demonstrate the effect of ultrasound on the parameters of the immune status in children with bronchial asthma.
Determination of myeloperoxidase activity in nasal lavage and saliva in patients with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Shchurok I. , Novikov D. , Novikov  P. , Ishchenko O. , Moskaliov I.
Published: January 2019

A technique for peroxidase activity determination in nasal lavage and saliva in patients with allergic rhinitis is described. An initially increased level of peroxidase activity in secrets (nasal lavage and saliva) in patients with allergic rhinitis in comparison with the control group was found, which can be used in the diagnosis of allergy. The method for peroxidase activity evaluation in nasal lavage and saliva can be used to diagnose allergic rhinitis. Diagnostic levels of peroxidase activity in nasal lavage and saliva (more than 1.011 and 1.061, respectively) may be criteria for neutrophil hypersensitivity.
Modernity and existence from a semiotic angle. The Voyeurism of the City in Struktura kryształu (1969), a film directed by Krzysztof Zanussi
Authors: Kaźmierczak Marek
Published: January 2019

Krzysztof Zanussi’s Struktura kryształu [The Structure of Crystals] is a film not only semiotically but also mythologically rich, in the context of myths as understood and proposed by Roland Barthes. The article explores the binary nature of the film’s symbolic layer, built upon the two distinct life realities: the metropolitan vs the rural, the prestige of an academic career vs the simplicity of a family life that the main characters chose for themselves.
On a construction site – a change of perspectives. Architecture in Polish documentaries of the 1960s.
Authors: Otto Wojciech
Published: January 2019

Film documentaries: Energia [Energy] by Władysław Ślesicki and Czas przemiany [The Time of Transformation] by Andrzej Piekutowski are film examples of changing perspectives in Polish documentary film of the 1960s. The creators undertook the themes known from the socialist realism cinema, such as industrialization and the value of human labour, but they did so in the poetics of authorial cinema, creating films with a deeper, symbolic message and in a lyrical atmosphere.
From Point of Purchase to Path to Purchase: How Preshopping Factors Drive Unplanned Buying
Authors: Bell David R. , Corsten Daniel , Knox George
Published: January 2019

Many retailers believe that a majority of purchases are unplanned, so they spend heavily on in-store marketing to stimulate these types of purchases. At the same time, the effects of “preshopping” factors—the shoppers’ overall trip goals, store-specific shopping objectives, and prior marketing exposures—are largely unexplored. The authors focus on these out-of-store drivers and, unlike prior research, use panel data to “hold the shopper constant” while estimating unbiased trip-level effects. Thus, they uncover opportunities for retailers to generate more unplanned buying from existing shoppers. The authors find that the amount of unplanned buying increases monotonically with the abstractness of the overall shopping trip goal that is established before the shopper enters the store. Store-linked goals also affect unplanned buying; unplanned buying is higher on trips in which the shopper chooses the store for favorable pricing and lower on trips in which the shopper chooses the store as part of a multistore shopping trip. Although out-of-store marketing has no direct effect, it reinforces the lift in unplanned buying from shoppers who use marketing materials inside the store. The authors discuss the implications for retailers.
Does the Internet Promote Better Consumer Decisions? The Case of Name-Your-Own-Price Auctions
Authors: Spann Martin , Tellis Gerard J.
Published: January 2019

The Internet has enabled consumers to make more informed decisions more conveniently with apparently more efficient price-clearing mechanisms than was available before its advent. One such mechanism is the name-your-own-price auction. The authors study the extent to which decisions made in such an auction are rational in relation to an economic model. The results from two independent markets show that a large number of consumers do not exhibit rational decision making.
Crossover Dreams: Consumer Responses to Ethnic-Oriented Products
Authors: Grier Sonya A. , Brumbaugh Anne M. , Thornton Corliss G.
Published: January 2019

The authors develop and evaluate a framework for investigating and understanding ethnic product crossover, that is, when a product intended for one ethnic minority group gains significant penetration among consumers outside the referent ethnic group. In three studies, the authors investigate how a product's characteristics, the promotion and distribution decisions made for the product, and consumers’ propensity for diversity influence the product's likelihood of crossing over from the intended ethnic target market to mainstream white consumers. Product characteristics interact with both other marketing decisions and consumers’ diversity-seeking tendencies to influence whether consumers will be interested in ethnic products and the social context in which they are willing to consume them. The authors discuss the implications of the findings for theory and practice and provide directions for further research that include consideration of the product's ethnic embeddedness, the context in which the product will be consumed, and consumers’ diversity-seeking tendencies.
Marketing Initiatives, Expected Cash Flows, and Shareholders’ Wealth
Authors: Rao Ramesh K.S. , Bharadwaj Neeraj
Published: January 2019

It is widely accepted that marketing initiatives help firms acquire and retain customers. However, the link between the cash flows generated by customers’ purchases and shareholders’ wealth is not fully understood, and the literature is increasingly advocating the need for greater “marketing accountability.” In this interdisciplinary research, the authors adapt the theory of firm valuation from finance and show that a marketing action can affect the shareholders’ wealth by (1) determining the firm's net present value (the “stock price effect”) and (2) potentially reducing the firm's cash needs (the “released working capital effect”). In demonstrating these results, the authors advance marketing theory by answering calls made in the literature to link marketing actions to the investors’ cash flows, the firm's working capital needs, and the owners’ wealth. The approach also shows that by reducing the firm's cash needs, marketing can increase the firm's productivity (operating efficiency). This imputes a critically important role for marketing. By increasing productivity, marketing can increase the firm's competitive posture and, thus, its long-term viability.