bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD248 and integrin alpha-8 are candidate markers for differentiating lung fibroblast subtypes
Authors: Matsushima Sayomi , Aoshima Yoichiro , Akamatsu Taisuke , Enomoto Yasunori , Meguro Shiori , Kosugi Isao , Kawasaki Hideya , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Nakamura Yutaro , Inui Naoki , Funai Kazuhito , Suda Takafumi , Iwashita Toshihide
Published: January 2020

Background

Lung fibrosis is a serious life-threatening condition whose manifestation varies according to the localization and characteristics of fibroblasts, which are considered heterogeneous. Therefore, to better understand the pathology and improve diagnosis and treatment of this disease, it is necessary to elucidate the nature of this heterogeneity and identify markers for the accurate classification of human lung fibroblast subtypes.

Methods

We characterized distinct mouse lung fibroblast subpopulations isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and performed microarray analysis to identify molecular markers that could be useful for human lung fibroblast classification. Based on the expression of these markers, we evaluated the fibroblast-like cell subtype localization in normal human lung samples and lung samples from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Results

Mouse lung fibroblasts were classified into Sca-1high fibroblasts and Sca-1low fibroblasts by in vitro biological analyses. Through microarray analysis, we demonstrated CD248 and integrin alpha-8 (ITGA8) as cell surface markers for Sca-1high fibroblasts and Sca-1low fibroblasts, respectively. In mouse lungs, Sca-1high fibroblasts and Sca-1low fibroblasts were localized in the collagen fiber-rich connective tissue and elastic fiber-rich connective tissue, respectively. In normal human lungs and IPF lungs, two corresponding major fibroblast-like cell subtypes were identified: CD248highITGA8low fibroblast-like cells and CD248lowITGA8high fibroblast-like cells, localized in the collagen fiber-rich connective tissue and in the elastic fiber-rich connective tissue, respectively.

Conclusion

CD248highITGA8low fibroblast-like cells and CD248lowITGA8high fibroblast-like cells were localized in an almost exclusive manner in human lung specimens. This human lung fibroblast classification using two cell surface markers may be helpful for further detailed investigations of the functions of lung fibroblast subtypes, which can provide new insights into lung development and the pathological processes underlying fibrotic lung diseases.
Detection of fractures of hand and forearm in whole-body CT for suspected polytrauma in intubated patients
Authors: Münn F. , Laun R. A. , Asmus A. , Bülow R. , Bakir S. , Haralambiev L. , Eisenschenk A. , Kim S.
Published: January 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of whole-body CT for diagnosis of hand and forearm fractures in intubated patients with suspected polytrauma.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis on data collected from two trauma centres in Germany, including demographics, ISS, clinical symptoms, depiction in whole-body CT, and time to diagnosis.

Results

Out of 426 patients included in the study, 66 (15.5%) suffered a hand or forearm fracture. The total number of fractures was 132, the whole-body CT report mentioned 98 (74.2%). 16 (12,1%) fractures of 12 patients were diagnosed later than 24 h after admission. Late diagnoses of fractures of the hand occurred more often if the hand was not fully included in the CT scan field. The sensitivity of whole-body CT for cases with fractures of hand and/or forearm with full inclusion of the corresponding area in the scan field was 80.2%.

Conclusions

This study shows that whole-body CT is a valuable diagnostic tool for hand fractures in polytrauma patients. Hands should be evaluated regardless of clinical presentation in intubated patients after suspected polytrauma if they are included in the whole-body CT.
Effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy on systemic inflammation and metabolic markers in patients undergoing haemodialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yue Hui , Xu Xinxin , Liu Qin , Li Xiaozhi , Xiao Yiting , Hu Bo
Published: January 2020

Background

This systematic review aimed to investigate whether non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) can reduce systemic inflammatory levels and improve metabolism in patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD) and/or peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods

Electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CNKI, and WFPD) were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed through July 2019. The risk of bias within studies was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk assessment tool. The systemic inflammatory and metabolic outcomes included the highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), the albumin (Alb), and lipid metabolite levels. Meta-analyses (MAs) were performed to calculate the overall effect size where appropriate.

Results

Five RCTs were included in this study. Compared with untreated periodontitis groups, the dialysis patients after NSPT significantly showed decreased hs-CRP levels at less than or equal to 2 months (standardized mean difference: − 1.53, 95% confidence interval − 2.95 to − 0.11). No significant difference was found in IL-6 and Alb levels following NSPT at either the 3- or 6- month follow-ups. No MAs could be performed on the TNF-a level and the lipid metabolic markers.

Conclusions

NSPT can moderately reduce serum hs-CRP levels in HD and/or PD patients, but did not significantly change IL-6 or Alb levels. For TNF-a and lipid metabolism markers, no sufficient evidence supports that these levels are changed after NSPT. Additional scientific research is necessary to assess the effects of NSPT on systemic inflammation and metabolic parameters in dialysis patients.
In vitro evaluation of a ceramic bracket with a laser-structured base
Authors: Elekdag-Türk Selma
Published: January 2020

Background

The purpose of this study was the assessment of shear bond strength (SBS), adhesive remnant characteristics, integrity of the enamel, integrity of Discovery Pearl as well as the integrity of Fascination 2 ceramic brackets following SBS testing.

Methods

Sixty maxillary first premolars were randomly assigned into two groups. These groups were bonded with their respective brackets. The samples underwent thermocycling (1000 cycles), SBS testing and assessment of the residual adhesive. The statistical analyses used were the independent samples t-test, the Weibull analysis and the chi-square test.

Results

The independent samples t-test for the comparison of the mean SBS resulted in significant differences between Fascination 2 (10.50 ± 2.61 MPa) and Pearl (13.01 ± 2.50 MPa) brackets (p = 0.0003). The results of the chi-square test for ARI demonstrated a significant difference (p = 0.000) between the groups. A higher frequency of ARI scores of 2 and 3 for Pearl brackets existed. Enamel damage and bracket fracturing was not observed.

Conclusions

The mean bond strength value, the adhesive remnant characteristics, the integrity of the enamel and the ceramic brackets as well as the Weibull analyses outcomes were highly encouraging during this in vitro screening. The way is paved for an in vivo investigation with the Pearl ceramic bracket.
Pattern and correlates of out-of-pocket payment (OOP) on female sterilization in India, 1990–2014
Authors: Mohanty Sanjay K. , Mishra Suyash , Chatterjee Sayantani , Saggurti Niranjan
Published: January 2020

Background

Large scale public investment in family welfare programme has made female sterilization a free service in public health centers in India. Besides, it also provides financial compensation to acceptors. Despite these interventions, the use of contraception from private health centers has increased over time, across states and socio-economic groups in India. Though many studies have examined trends, patterns, and determinants of female sterilization services, studies on out-of-pocket payment (OOP) and compensations on sterilisation are limited in India. This paper examines the trends and variations in out-of-pocket payment (OOP) and compensations associated with female sterilization in India.

Methods

Data from the National Family Health Survey - 4, 2015–16 was used for the analyses. A composite variable based on compensation received and amount paid by users was computed and categorized into four distinct groups. Multivariate analyses were used to understand the significant predictors of OOP of female sterilization.

Results

Public health centers continued to be the major providers of female sterilization services; nearly 77.8% had availed themselves of free sterilization and 61.6% had received compensation for female sterilization. About two-fifths of the women in the economically well-off state like Kerala and one-third of the women in a poor state like Bihar had paid but did not receive any compensation for female sterilization. The OOP on female sterilization varies from 70 to 79% across India. The OOP on female sterilization was significantly higher among the educated and women belonging to the higher wealth quintile linking OOP to ability to pay for better quality of care.

Conclusion

Public sector investment in family planning is required to provide free or subsidized provision of family welfare services, especially to women from a poor household. Improving the quality of female sterilization services in public health centers and rationalizing the compensation may extend the reach of family planning services in India.
Prognostic impact of para-aortic lymph node metastases in non-pancreatic periampullary cancer
Authors: Hempel Sebastian , Oehme Florian , Müssle Benjamin , Aust Daniela E. , Distler Marius , Saeger Hans-Detlev , Weitz Jürgen , Welsch Thilo
Published: January 2020

Background

Resection of the para-aortic lymph node (PALN) group Ln16b1 during pancreatoduodenectomy remains controversial because PALN metastases are associated with a worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer patients. The present study aimed to analyze the impact of PALN metastases on outcome after non-pancreatic periampullary cancer resection.

Methods

One hundred sixty-four patients with non-pancreatic periampullary cancer who underwent curative pancreatoduodenectomy or total pancreatectomy between 2005 and 2016 were retrospectively investigated. The data were supplemented with a systematic literature review on this topic.

Results

In 67 cases, the PALNs were clearly assigned and could be histopathologically analyzed. In 10.4% of cases (7/67), tumor-infiltrated PALNs (PALN+) were found. Metastatic PALN+ stage was associated with increased tumor size (P = 0.03) and a positive nodal stage (P < 0.001). The median overall survival (OS) of patients with metastatic PALN and non-metastatic PALN (PALN–) was 24.8 and 29.5 months, respectively. There was no significant difference in the OS of PALN+ and pN1 PALN patients (P = 0.834). Patients who underwent palliative surgical treatment (n = 20) had a lower median OS of 13.6 (95% confidence interval 2.7–24.5) months. Including the systematic literature review, only 23 cases with PALN+ status and associated OS could be identified; the average survival was 19.8 months.

Conclusion

PALN metastasis reflects advanced tumor growth and lymph node spread; however, it did not limit overall survival in single-center series. The available evidence of the prognostic impact of PALN metastasis is scarce and a recommendation against resection in these cases cannot be given.
Clinical application of exosomes and circulating microRNAs in the diagnosis of pregnancy complications and foetal abnormalities
Authors: Yang Haiou , Ma Qianqian , Wang Yu , Tang Zhenhua
Published: January 2020

During pregnancy in humans, the physiology of the mother and foetus are finely regulated by many factors. Inappropriate regulation can result in pregnancy disorders, such as complications and foetal abnormalities. The early prediction or accurate diagnosis of related diseases is a concern of researchers. Liquid biopsy can be analysed for circulating cells, cell-free nucleic acids, and exosomes. Because exosomes can be detected in the peripheral blood of women in early pregnancy, these vesicles and their contents have become the focus of early prediction or diagnostic biomarker research on pregnancy complications and foetal developmental disorders. In this review, we focus on recent studies addressing the roles of peripheral blood exosomes and circulating miRNAs in pregnancy complications and in pregnancies with abnormal foetal developmental disorders, with particular attention paid to the potential application value of exosomes and circulating miRNAs as disease-specific biomarkers.
Molecular mechanisms underlying the actions of arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins on peripheral nociception
Authors: Jang Yongwoo , Kim Minseok , Hwang Sun Wook
Published: January 2020

Arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins not only contribute to the development of inflammation as intercellular pro-inflammatory mediators, but also promote the excitability of the peripheral somatosensory system, contributing to pain exacerbation. Peripheral tissues undergo many forms of diseases that are frequently accompanied by inflammation. The somatosensory nerves innervating the inflamed areas experience heightened excitability and generate and transmit pain signals. Extensive studies have been carried out to elucidate how prostaglandins play their roles for such signaling at the cellular and molecular levels. Here, we briefly summarize the roles of arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins, focusing on four prostaglandins and one thromboxane, particularly in terms of their actions on afferent nociceptors. We discuss the biosynthesis of the prostaglandins, their specific action sites, the pathological alteration of the expression levels of related proteins, the neuronal outcomes of receptor stimulation, their correlation with behavioral nociception, and the pharmacological efficacy of their regulators. This overview will help to a better understanding of the pathological roles that prostaglandins play in the somatosensory system and to a finding of critical molecular contributors to normalizing pain.
Prediction of wear performance in femoral and tibial conformity in patient-specific cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Koh Yong-Gon , Park Kyoung-Mi , Lee Hwa-Yong , Park Joon-Hee , Kang Kyoung-Tak
Published: January 2020

Background

Articular surface curvature design is important in tibiofemoral kinematics and the contact mechanics of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Thus far, the effects of articular surface curvature have not been adequately discussed with respect to conforming, nonconforming, and medial pivot designs in patient-specific TKA. Therefore, this study evaluates the underlying relationship between the articular surface curvature geometry and the wear performance in patient-specific TKA.

Methods

We compare the wear performances between conventional and patient-specific TKA under gait loading conditions using a computational simulation. Patient-specific TKAs investigated in the study are categorized into patient-specific TKA with conforming articular surfaces, medial pivot patient-specific TKA, and bio-mimetic patient-specific TKA with a patient’s own tibial and femoral anatomy. The geometries of the femoral components in patient-specific TKAs are identical.

Results

The anterior-posterior and internal-external kinematics change with respect to different TKA designs. Moreover, the contact pressure and area did not directly affect the wear performance. In particular, conforming patient-specific TKAs exhibit the highest volumetric wear and wear rate. The volumetric wear in a conforming patient-specific TKA is 29% greater than that in a medial pivot patient-specific TKA.

Conclusion

The findings in this study highlight that conformity changes in the femoral and tibial inserts influence the wear performance in patient-specific TKA. Kinematics and contact parameters should be considered to improve wear performance in patient-specific TKA. The conformity modification in the tibiofemoral joint changes the kinematics and contact parameters, and this affects wear performance.
SmartGraph: a network pharmacology investigation platform
Authors: Zahoránszky-Kőhalmi Gergely , Sheils Timothy , Oprea Tudor I.
Published: January 2020

Motivation

Drug discovery investigations need to incorporate network pharmacology concepts while navigating the complex landscape of drug-target and target-target interactions. This task requires solutions that integrate high-quality biomedical data, combined with analytic and predictive workflows as well as efficient visualization. SmartGraph is an innovative platform that utilizes state-of-the-art technologies such as a Neo4j graph-database, Angular web framework, RxJS asynchronous event library and D3 visualization to accomplish these goals.

Results

The SmartGraph framework integrates high quality bioactivity data and biological pathway information resulting in a knowledgebase comprised of 420,526 unique compound-target interactions defined between 271,098 unique compounds and 2018 targets. SmartGraph then performs bioactivity predictions based on the 63,783 Bemis-Murcko scaffolds extracted from these compounds. Through several use-cases, we illustrate the use of SmartGraph to generate hypotheses for elucidating mechanism-of-action, drug-repurposing and off-target prediction.

Availability

https://smartgraph.ncats.io/.
A generalized multilevel-hybrid chaotic oscillator for low-cost and power-efficient short-range chaotic communication systems
Authors: Dukhan Ammar , Jayalath Dhammika , Heijster Peter van , Senadji Bouchra , Banks Jasmine
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we present and evaluate a novel multilevel hybrid-chaotic oscillator. The proposed generalized multilevel-hybrid chaotic oscillator (GM-HCO) was created by combining a multilevel discrete function generated from user data with a continuous function having a damping factor greater than ln(2) to achieve variable rates and adaptive carrier frequencies. Improved spectral efficiency and lower complexity of the transceiver compared with differentially coherent systems were achieved by multilevel signals at the transmitter and a matched filter at the receiver. An exact analytical solution for the generalized fixed basis function and the impulse response of the matched filter were also derived. The bit error rate (BER) expression of the GM-HCO was derived for two levels. It was found that the noise performance of the proposed system was better than a hybrid chaotic system based on forward time and differential chaos shift keying (DCSK). A comprehensive set of simulations were carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed system with chaotic communication systems in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The performance of the proposed system was comparable with that of conventional communication systems. The results demonstrate that the proposed system can offer better noise performance than existing chaotic communication systems, and it also offers variable transmitter frequencies and improved spectral efficiency. Noise-like behavior of the chaotic signals provides an additional layer of security at the physical layer compared with conventional (sinusoidal) communication systems.
Retraction Note: New applications of the existence of solutions for equilibrium equations with Neumann type boundary condition
Authors: Ji Zhaoqi , Liu Tao , Tian Hong , Ülker Tanriver
Published: January 2020

The Editors-in-Chief have retracted this article [1] because it shows evidence of both authorship and peer review manipulation. In addition, the identity of the corresponding author could not be verified: Universidad Austral confirmed that Tanriver Ülker was never affiliated to this institution.

The authors have not responded to any correspondence regarding this retraction.
In vitro and in situ study on characterization and mechanism of the intestinal absorption of 2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside
Authors: Wang Cheng , Zhou Yimeng , Gong Xiaohong , Zheng Li , Li Yunxia
Published: January 2020

Background

2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxystilbence-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG) is a polyhydroxyphenolic compound, which exhibited a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-depression, anti-oxidation and anti-atherosclerosis. However, the compound had poor bioavailability and the underlying absorption mechanisms had not been studied. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the intestinal absorption mechanism of TSG.

Methods

This study used Caco-2 cell monolayer model and single-pass intestinal perfusion model to explore the gastrointestinal absorption mechanisms of TSG. The effects of basic parameters such as drug concentration, time and pH on the intestinal absorption of TSG were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. The absorption susceptibility of TSG to three inhibitors, P-gp inhibitors verapamil hydrochloride and quinidine, and MRP2 inhibitor probenecid were also assessed.

Results

TSG was poorly absorbed in the intestines and the absorption of TSG in stomach is much higher than that in intestine. Both in vitro and in situ experiments showed that the absorption of TSG was saturated with increasing concentration and it was better absorbed in a weakly acidic environment pH 6.4. Moreover, TSG interacts with P-gp and MRP2, and TSG was not only the substrate of the P-gp and MRP2, but also affected the expression of P-gp and MRP2.

Conclusions

It was concluded that the gastrointestinal absorption the most unique active ingredient and considered as the mechanisms of TSG involved processes passive transport and the participation of efflux transporters.
A robust TDP-43 knock-in mouse model of ALS
Authors: Huang Shih-Ling , Wu Lien-Szu , Lee Min , Chang Chin-Wen , Cheng Wei-Cheng , Fang Yu-Sheng , Chen Yun-Ru , Cheng Pei-Lin , Shen Che-Kun James
Published: January 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, adult-onset degenerative disorder of motor neurons. The diseased spinal cord motor neurons of more than 95% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients are characterized by the mis-metabolism of the RNA/DNA-binding protein TDP-43 (ALS-TDP), in particular, the presence of cytosolic aggregates of the protein. Most available mouse models for the basic or translational studies of ALS-TDP are based on transgenic overexpression of the TDP-43 protein. Here, we report the generation and characterization of mouse lines bearing homologous knock-in of fALS-associated mutation A315T and sALS-associated mutation N390D, respectively. Remarkably, the heterozygous TDP-43 (N390D/+) mice but not those heterozygous for the TDP-43 (A315T/+) mice develop a full spectrum of ALS-TDP-like pathologies at the molecular, cellular and behavioral levels. Comparative analysis of the mutant mice and spinal cord motor neurons (MN) derived from their embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrates that different ALS-associated TDP-43 mutations possess critical ALS-causing capabilities and pathogenic pathways, likely modified by their genetic background and the environmental factors. Mechanistically, we identify aberrant RNA splicing of spinal cordBcl-2pre-mRNA and consequent increase of a negative regulator of autophagy, Bcl-2, which correlate with and are caused by a progressive increase of TDP-43, one of the early events associated with ALS-TDP pathogenesis, in the spinal cord of TDP-43 (N390D/+) mice and spinal cord MN derived from their ES cells. The TDP-43 (N390D/+) knock-in mice appear to be an ideal rodent model for basic as well as translational studies of ALS- TDP.
Commemorating the deadly other side of externalized borders through “migrant-martyrs”, sacrifices and politizations of (irregular) migration on the international migrants' day in Mali
Authors: Sylla Almamy , Schultz Susanne U.
Published: January 2020

This article explores the different memorial strategies of the civil society associations and the public authorities in Mali through various practices and discourses of the International Migrant Day around the stinging reality of migrants’ shipwrecks in the Mediterranean. Against the backdrop of the progressive externalization of European borders, the Libyan coast has become a hecatomb for young Malian migrant ‘adventurers’. In 2015, around 360 young people from the region of Kayes, in the Southwest of Mali, lost their lives. Under the pressure of civil society associations, the government of Mali decreed days of National Mourning in memory of the shipwrecked. Simultaneously the transnational network Afrique-Europe-Interact in collaboration with representatives of the city of Kita, organized a politically ritualized ceremony to carry out sacrifices honoring the deaths. Based on an ethnography of this mourning ceremony, the article shows how civil society actors denounce the appropriation of the tragic events by a state that “expels” its citizens incapable to develop and the European Union that “kills” by externalizing borders. A short media analysis of the government’s celebration serves as a contrast to the civil society engagement. Through these competing memorial strategies, the article presents the antagonistic but overlapping positionings between the public authorities with their northern partners condemning irregular migration, and the bereaved populations and the civil society considering migration as a normal strategy for a better life and cultural heritage. Our analysis reveals that the celebration of the International Migrants Day and the National Day of Mourning have led to the construction of alternative discourses on ‘irregular’ migration that call to account externalization and neoliberal policies and the risk-taking attitude of migrants in migratory tragedies embedded in very localized mourning practices.
Behavioural profiling of autism connectivity abnormalities
Authors: Snyder William , Troiani Vanessa
Published: January 2020

Background

Brain regions are functionally diverse, and a given region may engage in a variety of tasks. This functional diversity of brain regions may be one factor that has prevented the finding of consistent biomarkers for brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Thus, methods to characterise brain regions would help to determine how functional abnormalities contribute to affected behaviours.

Aims

As the first illustration of the meta-analytic behavioural profiling procedure, we evaluated how the regions with disrupted connectivity in ASD contributed to various behaviours.

Method

Connectivity abnormalities were determined from a published degree centrality group comparison based on functional magnetic resonance imaging data from the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange. Using BrainMap's database of task-based neuroimaging studies, behavioural profiles were created for abnormally connected regions by relating these regions to tasks activating them.

Results

Hyperconnectivity in ASD brains was significantly related to memory, attention, reasoning, social, execution and speech behaviours. Hypoconnectivity was related to vision, execution and speech behaviours.

Conclusions

The procedure outlines the first clinical neuroimaging application of a behavioural profiling method that estimates the functional diversity of brain regions, allowing for the relation of abnormal functional connectivity to diagnostic criteria. Behavioural profiling and the computational insights it provides can facilitate better understanding of the functional manifestations of various disorders, including ASD.
Impact of Transition in Metabolic Health and Obesity on the Incident Chronic Kidney Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Cho Yun Kyung , Lee Jiwoo , Kim Hwi Seung , Park Joong-Yeol , Lee Woo Je , Kim Ye-Jee , Jung Chang Hee
Published: January 2020

Context

Metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) is a dynamic condition.

Objective

To evaluate the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among people with MHO according to its longitudinal change.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

A nationwide population-based cohort.

Participants

A total of 514 866 people from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort.

Intervention

The initial presence and changes of obesity (using body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC]) and metabolic health status.

Main outcome Measure

Incident CKD from 2011 to 2015.

Results

Of the people classified as MHO at baseline (BMI criteria), 47.6% remained as MHO in 2011 and 2012, whereas 12.1%, 5.5%, and 34.8% were classified as metabolically healthy, non-obese (MHNO), metabolically unhealthy, non-obese, and metabolically unhealthy, obese, respectively. The risk of incident CKD in the baseline MHO group was higher than that in the MHNO group (hazard ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-1.36). However, when transition was taken into account, people who converted to MHNO were not at increased risk (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.32), whereas the stable MHO group and the groups that evolved to metabolically unhealthy status had a higher risk of incident CKD than the stable MHNO group. When the risk was analyzed using WC criteria, it showed a similar pattern to BMI criteria except for the stable MHO group.

Conclusions

MHO was a dynamic condition, and people with MHO constituted a heterogeneous group. Although the MHO phenotype was generally associated with incident CKD, maintenance of metabolic health and weight reduction might alleviate the risk of CKD.
Peripheral axonal ensheathment is regulated by RalA GTPase and the exocyst complex
Authors: Silva-Rodrigues Joana F. , Patrício-Rodrigues Cátia F. , de Sousa-Xavier Vicente , Augusto Pedro M. , Fernandes Ana C. , Farinho Ana R. , Martins João P. , Teodoro Rita O.
Published: January 2020

Axon ensheathment is fundamental for fast impulse conduction and the normal physiological functioning of the nervous system. Defects in axonal insulation lead to debilitating conditions, but, despite its importance, the molecular players responsible are poorly defined. Here, we identify RalA GTPase as a key player in axon ensheathment in Drosophila larval peripheral nerves. We demonstrate through genetic analysis that RalA action through the exocyst complex is required in wrapping glial cells to regulate their growth and development. We suggest that the RalA-exocyst pathway controls the targeting of secretory vesicles for membrane growth or for the secretion of a wrapping glia-derived factor that itself regulates growth. In summary, our findings provide a new molecular understanding of the process by which axons are ensheathed in vivo, a process that is crucial for normal neuronal function.
Regulation of embryonic and adult neurogenesis by Ars2
Authors: Yu Yang , Andreu-Agullo Celia , Liu Bing Fang , Barboza Luendreo , Toth Miklos , Lai Eric C.
Published: January 2020

Neural development is controlled at multiple levels to orchestrate appropriate choices of cell fate and differentiation. Although more attention has been paid to the roles of neural-restricted factors, broadly expressed factors can have compelling impacts on tissue-specific development. Here, we describe in vivo conditional knockout analyses of murine Ars2, which has mostly been studied as a general RNA-processing factor in yeast and cultured cells. Ars2 protein expression is regulated during neural lineage progression, and is required for embryonic neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation. In addition, Ars2 null NSCs can still transition into post-mitotic neurons, but fail to undergo terminal differentiation. Similarly, adult-specific deletion of Ars2 compromises hippocampal neurogenesis and results in specific behavioral defects. To broaden evidence for Ars2 as a chromatin regulator in neural development, we generated Ars2 ChIP-seq data. Notably, Ars2 preferentially occupies DNA enhancers in NSCs, where it colocalizes broadly with NSC regulator SOX2. Ars2 association with chromatin is markedly reduced following NSC differentiation. Altogether, Ars2 is an essential neural regulator that interacts dynamically with DNA and controls neural lineage development.
Do you cov me? Effect of coverage reduction on metagenome shotgun sequencing studies
Authors: Cattonaro Federica , Spadotto Alessandro , Radovic Slobodanka , Marroni Fabio
Published: January 2020

Shotgun metagenomics sequencing is a powerful tool for the characterization of complex biological matrices, enabling analysis of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and viruses in a single experiment, with the possibility of reconstructing de novo the whole metagenome or a set of genes of interest. One of the main factors limiting the use of shotgun metagenomics on wide scale projects is the high cost associated with the approach. We set out to determine if it is possible to use shallow shotgun metagenomics to characterize complex biological matrices while reducing costs. We used a staggered mock community to estimate the optimal threshold for species detection. We measured the variation of several summary statistics simulating a decrease in sequencing depth by randomly subsampling a number of reads. The main statistics that were compared are diversity estimates, species abundance, and ability of reconstructing de novo the metagenome in terms of length and completeness. Our results show that diversity indices of complex prokaryotic, eukaryotic and viral communities can be accurately estimated with 500,000 reads or less, although particularly complex samples may require 1,000,000 reads. On the contrary, any task involving the reconstruction of the metagenome performed poorly, even with the largest simulated subsample (1,000,000 reads). The length of the reconstructed assembly was smaller than the length obtained with the full dataset, and the proportion of conserved genes that were identified in the meta-genome was drastically reduced compared to the full sample. Shallow shotgun metagenomics can be a useful tool to describe the structure of complex matrices, but it is not adequate to reconstruct—even partially—the metagenome.
Effect of Media Strength and pH on the Growth of Hairy Roots and Production of Gymnemic Acid from Gymnema Sylvestre
Authors: N Praveen , Chung I M
Published: January 2020

Gymnema sylvestre (Madhunashini) is one of the most important medicinal plants used as a crude drug for its preventive and therapeutic properties. Among other constituents of Gymnema, gymnemic acid is a major component responsible for biological and pharmacological actions. The present study deals with the influence of different media strength and initial medium pH on the growth of hairy roots and gymnemic acid production from Gymnema sylvestre. Higher strength of the media (1.5X) favoured the biomass production (114.64 g/L FW and 12.63 g/L DW) and gymnemic acid content (11.7 mg/g DW) in the tested range of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 X strength. Among the different hydrogen ion concentration (pH) of 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 5.8, 6.0 and 6.5, initial medium pH of 6.0 favoured the biomass production (102.41 g/L FW and 11.52 g/L DW) and medium pH of 5.8 favoured the gymnemic acid production (11.30 mg/g DW).
Editorial
Authors: Banerjee Jayanta
Published: January 2020

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Food and Love in Sanskrit Poetry: On the Margin of Desires
Authors: Feller Danielle
Published: January 2020

In Western representations, food and sex are frequently connected and compared in an erotic context. A survey of Sanskrit poetry shows that it was not so in the context of ancient India, despite the kāmaśāstras’ dictates. Parts of women’s bodies are occasionally likened to certain items of food (mostly fruit and nectar), and can sometimes be drunk, but are rarely said to be eatable. Lovers who are madly in love or suffer from the pangs of separation lose their appetite, and in consequence become thin. In contexts of love-in-union, wine, but not food, is frequently consumed and appreciated for its aphrodisiac qualities. Except in some cases when the pairs of lovers are animals, or at least animal-like, descriptions of food consumption do not lead to the erotic flavour (śṛṅgāra-rasa), but rather lead to the comic (hāsya), sometimes disgusting flavour (bībhatsa-rasa). Food descriptions were probably considered improper for poetry, because food had too many unerotic associations, being a favourite topic of Sanskrit ritual, legal and medical treatises.
Through the Eyes of a Warrior, Traveller and Poet: Portugal, Malabar and Indian Traditions as Seen by Luís Vaz de Camões ("Os Lusíadas" VII, 17–85)
Authors: Pierdominici Leão David
Published: January 2020

An adventurer, soldier and great poet, Luís Vaz de Camões (1524–1580) arrived in India in 1555 and remained there till 1567, with ups and mishaps. The author of the Portuguese national epic poem, Camões recounted in a marvellous poetic form the heroic crossing of Vasco da Gama, who reached the Calicut coasts in 1498, skirting for the very first time the Cabo da Boa Esperança (Cape of Good Hope). The paper focuses on the analysis of some ottavas from the 7th canto of Os Lusíadas, in which the arrival of Portuguese sailors and the first meeting with emissaries from the Zamorin are narrated. These passages, concerning the religious and cultural traditions of Malabar (but Indian in general) and its political organization, will be the starting point for a reflection on Indo-Portuguese relationships, as seen not from a historical source, but from a little-studied literary one.
Translating Texts into Art: Specimens from the Jaina Tradition
Authors: Söhnen-Thieme Renate
Published: January 2020

This paper explores the ‘crossing of border lines’ between the textual traditions of the Jainas (oral and written) and the corresponding representations in works of art, serving also as a kind of introduction to Jaina art and its idioms for a broader public. It concentrates on three stages of pictorial representation of most eminent Jinas: it touches upon images that are possibly pre-textual (starting with sculptures from Mathurā dating back to the first centuries AD), proceeds to more narrative illustrations found in manuscripts of Bhadrabāhu’s Kalpasūtra, and concludes with a more recent specimen of the depiction of Jinas in miniature painting, as presented in a rather late illuminated version of the Bhūpālastotra, a text praising the 24 Jinas, which shows the efforts made to translate parts of the eulogies into the visual medium.
Lords of the Lord: Crossing Boundaries between Human and Divine in Tamil Vaiṣṇava Bhakti Poetry
Authors: Woźniak Jacek
Published: January 2020

In the Tamil Bhakti tradition the devotees are generally referred to as ‘servants/slaves [of God],’ and this slave attitude is one of the main characteristics of their relation with God, their Lord. However, in the works of the āḻvārs, Tamil Vaiṣṇava poet-saints, one can find a few examples of the rather unusual situation in which devotees are presented not as slaves of God but actually as His Lords. Thus, exercising their authority over God, who is seemingly dependent on human actions, can be understood as a peculiar way of crossing traditionally recognized boundaries that exist between these two different realms (soul vs. God/human vs. divine). All these acts are supposed to be primarily the expressions of human love and the irresistible need to unite with the Lord, which eventually results in taking control over Him.
Análisis de datos para el marketing digital emprendedor: Caso de estudio Parque de Innovación Empresarial - Universidad Nacional sede Manizales
Authors: Marín López Juan Camilo , López Trujillo Marcelo
Published: January 2020

El marketing digital o e-marketing ofrece diferentes oportunidades y beneficios que pueden ser aprovechadas por las pymes para mejorar su eficiencia y  competitividad. Sin embargo, el desafío real es analizar los datos recopiladosy utilizarlos para optimizar procesos y recursos. A pesar de la considerable importancia que se le ha dado a este tema, se han realizado pocas investigaciones que unan los conceptos de e-marketing y análisis de datos en el contextoemprendedor. Este estudio se propuso explorar y describir el panorama del análisis de datos para el marketing digital en el Parque de Innovación Empresarial de Manizales, mediante la realización de 20 encuestas. En esta exploración,se encontró que los microempresarios reconocen la importancia y utilizan el marketing digital, pero solo la mitad de ellos realiza un análisis de datos superficial o básico, debido a diversas limitaciones que se expondrán. Se abren nuevas puertas para futuros estudios que tengan un enfoque de choque frente a la realidad encontrada.
Actitud e intención emprendedora en estudiantes de administración de empresas y de contaduría pública
Authors: Galvez Albarracin Edgar Julian , Guauña Aguilar Rafael Andrés , Ravina Ripoll Rafael
Published: January 2020

Múltiples estudios demuestran que diferentes variables influyen en la disposición de los individuos para realizar alguna acción, en ese sentido, y tomando como base la Teoría del Comportamiento Planificado (tcp), este trabajo busca describir el nivel de intención de crear empresas propias de los estudiantes universitarios, y cómo este es afectado por su percepción sobre los estímulos y barreras implicadas en ello. Para esto, se tomó una muestra de 246 alumnos de administración de empresas y de contaduría pública de la Sede Norte del Cauca de la Universidad del Valle en Colombia, zona geográfica que históricamente ha presentado problemas económicos y sociales. Los resultados descriptivos muestran que alrededor de un 70 % de los alumnos estaban interesados en ser empresarios, siendo su principal motivación para emprender obtener seguridad familiar y personal, pero lo que más los desmotiva es la falta de capital para ello; por su parte, las diferencias de medias y regresiones lineales aplicadas como técnicas estadísticas confirman que a mayor motivación global mayor intención emprendedora en las personas. Se concluye que, debido especialmente a las recompensas que perciben, para los futuros profesionales de ciudades pequeñas la actividad empresarial se constituye también en una importante alternativa de desarrollo.
Robust Systems of Cooperation in the Presence of Rankings: How Displaying Prosocial Contributions Can Offset the Disruptive Effects of Performance Rankings
Authors: Chambers Cassandra R. , Baker Wayne E.
Published: January 2020

Sustaining systems of cooperation in the face of strong self-interest is a subject of long-standing inquiry in the social sciences. Much of this work has focused on understanding the antecedents and outcomes associated with cooperation, noting that the inertial properties of a system should sustain cooperation over time. This paper shifts the focus toward examining how cooperation is maintained in the face of potentially disruptive forces. To advance theory, research, and practice on how to maintain cooperation over time, we examine how systems of cooperation interact with, withstand, or succumb to a potentially disruptive force that is commonplace in organizational contexts: rankings. Using a longitudinal, no-deception, between-groups experimental design, we assess how systems of cooperation respond to the introduction of performance rankings. Examining data from more than 11,000 rounds of decision making from 592 participants clustered in 74 teams, we find that cooperation plummets when performance-rank information is introduced. However, the addition of reputation information—individuals’ histories of prosocial contributions—enables a system of cooperation to withstand the disruptive effects of performance rankings. Actors use reputation information to make decisions that reduce perceived inequity. Our study contributes to theories of cooperation, performance feedback, macrolevel prosocial behavior, and management practice.
Human Rights in Islamic Sustainable Development
Authors: Robina Miss , Shah Altaf Ahmad , Abbas Zafar
Published: January 2020

Development and Human rights are interconnected and are safeguarded by the Charter of United Nations. So far as the Islamic concept of human rights is concerned Khutba Hajjatul Wada has paramount importance in the history of human rights and sustainable human development and progress. The end of the cold war brings multiple global problems and challenges to international relations and gives birth to new perception regarding human rights in the comity of nations. Religion addresses the matters of human good and especially Islam is the religion of peace and tranquility, which focuses on the success of human beings. In this research work, the researcher has conducted thematic analysis from the existing literature and construed his work with the help of a comprehensive study of all three monotheists religions and their concept of sustainable human development.
Effective multidisciplinary approach for treatment of traumatized maxillary incisors and hypodontia
Authors: Elhussein Mustafa , O'Dwyer Jonathan J , Sandler Jonathan
Published: January 2020

Fractured and missing teeth within the aesthetic zone have always posed a clinical challenge for the dental team. Management and treatment requires the input from a number of dental specialists to guarantee a high quality result. A case report is presented to demonstrate an effective combined orthodontic/restorative approach that fully restored aesthetics and function. The report is of a 14-year-old girl who traumatized her maxillary central incisors, in a dentition that was already compromised as she had congenital absence of her maxillary left lateral incisor.

Using fixed orthodontic appliances, the fractured teeth were extruded to bring the fracture line above the level of the alveolar bone. This movement allowed an immediate aesthetic improvement, using stainless steel prefabricated posts and composite resin buildups, which also facilitated further orthodontic tooth movement. Teeth, that would otherwise have been extracted, were salvaged and, utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach, a reasonable long-term prognosis has resulted.

CPD/Clinical Relevance: This case report aims to demonstrate how a multidisciplinary team approach in Orthodontics can be utilized for management of severely handicapped dentitions that have sustained dental injury. It is not the aim of this case report to discuss the treatment of dental injuries but to demonstrate and provide an overview of the possible treatment modalities that can be effective in restoring function and aesthetics, with special consideration given to missing teeth and subgingival crown fractures within the aesthetic zone.
Are you Protected, Communicating and Networking?
Authors: Kirsty Odell
Published: January 2020

Kirsty Odell, Senior Solicitor in the corporate health care team of law firm Hempsons points the way to develop your Primary Care Network
Was Egyptian Islamic Revivalism really Counter-Hegemonic? Sayyid Qutb and the Problem of Islamic Occidentalism
Authors: Demichelis Marco
Published: January 2020

Following the great fragmentation in the Arab world today, as well as the problematic de-colonization phase, it would be relevant to investigate whether Arab-Islamic Egyptian revivalism has been truly capable of shaping a counter-hegemonic narrative against Western colonialism and post-colonialism in the twentieth century. Can we consider Sayyid Qutb's political and religious analysis, as well as his formative background, a concrete counter-hegemonic narrative? Was the narrative of Rashid Rida and Hasan al-Banna solidly based on religious Islamic concepts and meanings? The main aim of this article is to reconsider the contemporary understanding of Islamic Egyptian thought in relation to Buruma and Margalit's proposedOccidentalismmethodology, on the one hand, and the hegemonic–counter-hegemonic debate, on the other.