bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An economic model of patent exhaustion
Authors: Ivus Olena , Lai Edwin L.‐C. , Sichelman Ted 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe doctrine of patent exhaustion implies that the authorized sale of patented goods “exhausts” the patent rights in the goods sold and precludes additional license fees from downstream buyers. Courts have considered absolute exhaustion, in which the patent owner forfeits all rights upon an authorized sale, and presumptive exhaustion, in which the patent owner may opt‐out of exhaustion via contract. This paper offers the first economic model of domestic patent exhaustion that incorporates transaction costs in licensing downstream buyers and considers how the shift from absolute to presumptive exhaustion affects social welfare. We show that when transaction costs are high, the patent owner has no incentive to individually license downstream users, and absolute and presumptive exhaustion regimes are equivalent. But when transaction costs are at the intermediate level, the patent owner engages in mixed licensing, individually licensing high‐valuation buyers and uniformly licensing low‐valuation buyers. Presumptive exhaustion is socially optimal when social benefits from buyer‐specific pricing outweigh social costs from transaction cost frictions in individualized licensing, which requires sufficiently low transaction costs.
Oxidative stress and nitrate/nitrite (NOx) status following citrulline supplementation in type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Azizi S. , Ebrahimi‐Mameghani M. , Mobasseri M. , Karamzad N. , Mahdavi R. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe pathogenesis of diabetes is accompanied by oxidative stress. Citrulline can be considered as a potent antioxidant. The present study aimed to examine the effects of citrulline supplementation on the status of oxidative stress and serum levels of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes (T2DM).MethodsThe present study comprises a double‐blind placebo‐controlled randomised clinical trial. The study subjects include 54 patients with T2DM chosen from specialised clinics of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The patients were allocated to one of the placebo or intervention groups. The patients in the placebo and the intervention group received one sachet of microcrystalline cellulose or l‐citrulline (3 g), respectively, every day for 2 months. Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), citrulline and NOx were assessed before and after the intervention.ResultsForty‐five patients completed the trial. Significant decreases were found in serum levels of FBS and MDA. Serum levels of TAC, citrulline and NOx in the intervention group increased compared to those of the placebo group, after adjusting the data for the baseline values and confounders. Differences between and within the two groups were statistically nonsignificant for GPx and SOD at the end of the study. Body mass index and energy intake were not changed significantly after the intervention.ConclusionsThe results of the present study show the positive effects of citrulline supplementation with respect to attenuating FBS levels and oxidative stress, as well as boosting NOx status, in patients with T2DM.
Consumption of sugar‐sweetened beverages and serum uric acid concentrations: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ebrahimpour‐koujan S. , Saneei P. , Larijani B. , Esmaillzadeh A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundSerum uric acid concentration has been linked with metabolic abnormalities. The available evidence on the association of Sugar‐Sweetened Beverage (SSB) intake with serum uric acid concentrations is conflicting. The present study aimed to summarise earlier findings on the association of SSB consumption with serum uric acid concentrations in adults.MethodsUsing relevant keywords, we conducted a search in PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), Scopus (https://www.scopus.com) and Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com) up to September 2017 for all published papers assessing SSB intake and serum uric acid concentrations. SSBs were defined as the dietary intake of Sugar‐Sweetened Soft Drinks and Fruit Juice (FJ), or as Sugar‐Sweetened Soft Drinks, Diet Soft Drinks and Orange Juice or as Soda and FJ.ResultsAfter excluding non‐relevant papers, five studies, with six effect sizes, remained in our systematic review. All studies included in the current systematic review were of cross‐sectional design that were published between 2007 and 2013. The number of participants ranged from 483 to 14 761 people. Most studies had controlled for age, body mass index, weight and sex. We found that individuals in the highest category of SSB intake had 0.18 mg dL–1 greater concentrations of serum uric acid compared to those in the lowest category (summary effect size: 0.18 mg dL–1; 95% confidence interval = 0.11–0.25). No significant between‐study heterogeneity was found (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.698). In the sensitivity analysis, we found no particular study influence on the summary effect. There was no evidence of publication bias.ConclusionsWe found that SSB consumption was significantly associated with increased serum uric acid concentrations in an adult population.
Wild‐type and mutant SOD1 localizes to RNA‐rich structures in cells and mice but does not bind RNA
Authors: Da Ros Matteo , Deol Harmeen K. , Savard Alexandre , Guo Huishan , Meiering Elizabeth M. , Gibbings Derrick 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMany of the genes whose mutation causes Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are RNA‐binding proteins which localize to stress granules, while others impact the assembly, stability, and elimination of stress granules. This has led to the hypothesis that alterations in the dynamics of stress granules and RNA biology cause ALS. Genetic mutations in Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) also cause ALS. Evidence demonstrates that SOD1 harboring ALS‐linked mutations is recruited to stress granules, induces changes in alternative splicing, and could be an RNA‐binding protein. Whether SOD1 inclusions contain RNA in disease models and whether SOD1 directly binds RNA remains uncertain. We applied methods including cross‐linking immunoprecipitation and in vitro gel shift assays to detect binding of SOD1 to RNA in vitro, in cells with and without stress granules, and in mice expressing human SOD1 G93A. We find that SOD1 localizes to RNA‐rich structures including stress granules, and SOD1 inclusions in mice contain mRNA. However, we find no evidence that SOD1 directly binds RNA. This suggests that SOD1 may impact stress granules, alternative splicing and RNA biology without binding directly to RNA.
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Roles of glutamate receptors in a novel in vitro model of early, comorbid cerebrovascular, and Alzheimer’s diseases
Authors: Simões‐Pires Elisa N. , Ferreira Sergio T. , Linden Rafael 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSystemic multimorbidity is highly prevalent in the elderly and, remarkably, coexisting neuropathological markers of Alzheimer's (AD) and cerebrovascular (CVD) diseases are found at autopsy in most brains of patients clinically diagnosed as AD. Little is known on neurodegeneration peculiar to comorbidities, especially at early stages when pathogenesis may propagate at subclinical levels. We developed a novel in vitro model of comorbid CVD/AD in organotypic hippocampal cultures, by combining oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) and exposure to amyloid‐Aβ oligomers (AβOs), both applied at levels subtoxic to neurons when used in isolation. We focused on synaptic proteins and the roles of glutamate receptors, which have been implicated in many basic and clinical approaches to either CVD or AD. Subtoxic insults by OGD and AβOs synergized to reduce levels of synaptophysin (SYP) and PSD‐95 without cell death, while effects of antagonists of either metabotropic or ionotropic glutamate receptors were distinct from reports in models of isolated CVD or AD. In particular, modulation of glutamate receptors differentially impacted SYP and PSD‐95, and antagonists of a single receptor subtype had distinct effects when either isolated or combined. Our findings highlight the complexity of CVD/AD comorbidity, help understand variable responses to glutamate receptor antagonists in patients diagnosed with AD and may contribute to future development of therapeutics based on investigation of the pattern of progressive comorbidity.
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Macro/microscopic distribution of the dorsal nerve of penis in human glans penis
Authors: Lee Shin‐Hyo , Koh Ki‐Seok , Song Wu‐Chul 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to elucidate the macroscopic and microscopic distributions of the dorsal nerve of penis (DNP) that provides the greatest sensitivity over the glans penis. The glandes of 23 penises of formalin‐embalmed cadavers were investigated to confirm the macroscopic and microscopic distributions of the DNP within the glans penis by whole‐mount Sihler's staining and histological sectioning. Superficial regions of the mid‐glans were reconstructed in three dimensions to define the microstructure of terminal branches of the DNP that project towards the skin surface. A mean of 6.7 bundles of the DNP consisting of several nerve fibres converged linearly towards the distal end of the penis, rather than diverging laterally as they travelled. Lateral branches of the DNP extended linearly to the distal end with ramifications, while dorsomedial branches of the DNP gave off nerve fibres to the dorsum of the mid‐glans and the corona. The intrastromal ramifications of the DNP were more developed in the distal half of the glans penis than the proximal glans containing the corpus cavernosum. These ramifications gave rise to radial nerve fibres that project towards the skin surface to form a plexiform network of terminal branches in the dermis. Linear projections of the main branches of the DNP throughout the glans and fine networks of terminal branches in the dermis were distinctly visualized in the human penis.
Effects of Opuntia ficus‐indica in the diet of primiparous sows on the metabolic profile during late gestation and lactation and feed intake during lactation
Authors: Ordaz Gerardo , Juárez Aureliano , Pérez Rosa E. , Martínez Héctor E. , Ortiz Ruy 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Opuntia ficus‐indica L. (OFI) on the metabolic profile of primiparous sows during late gestation and lactation, and its impact on voluntary feed intake (VFI) during lactation. From day 85 of gestation to weaning, 32 sows were divided into four feeding schemes (n = 8 sows/scheme): Basal diet (BD) without OFI supplementation; Test scheme I, BD during gestation and BD + OFI during lactation; Test scheme II, BD + OFI during both gestation and lactation, and Test scheme III, BD + OFI during gestation and BD during lactation. Blood samples were obtained during gestation (day 85 and 100) and lactation (day 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21) to determine plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, leptin, osteocalcin, ghrelin and agouti‐related protein (AgRP). VFI was higher (20% higher than that of controls) in sows that received dietary OFI during lactation (p < .05). The concentration of plasma glucose was lower in sows that consumed OFI than sows fed the conventional diet (p < .05). Plasma insulin concentrations were higher in sows that consumed OFI, than in sows that did not (p < .05). Triglyceride concentrations during gestation, farrowing and lactation were also lower in sows that consumed OFI (p < .05). OFI intake caused lower plasma concentrations of leptin during lactation (p < .05). Osteocalcin was higher in sows that consumed OFI versus controls (p < .05): 8.6% and 13.4% during gestation and lactation respectively. From day 3 of lactation, sows that consumed OFI had higher concentrations of ghrelin (p < .05). The concentration of plasma AgRP was higher (p < .05) in sows that consumed OFI versus controls: 3.1% and 14.2% in gestation and lactation respectively. We concluded that OFI intake by primiparous sows during late gestation and lactation favourably modulated the factors that caused insulin resistance and increased sow performance.
Effects of dietary cortisol administration on sex ratios in dwarf gouramis and rosy barbs
Authors: Ramee Shane W. , Lipscomb Taylor N. , DiMaggio Matthew A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSexual differentiation in teleosts is based on diverse and complex combinations of genetic and environmental factors. Environmental conditions during early development can alter gonadal differentiation leading to sex reversal, where the individual's genotypic and phenotypic sexes are opposite. In many species, the mechanism of environmental sex reversal has been linked to the stress axis and fluctuations in cortisol. This mechanism could be utilized to manipulate sex ratios in ornamental aquaculture, where the males of sexually dichromic species are often more economically valuable due to their brighter coloration. Dietary cortisol administration was used as a proxy for environmental stress to evaluate the effects on gonadal differentiation in two ornamental species, rosy barb, Pethia conchonius and dwarf gourami, Trichogaster lalius. Three experiments were run with each species to assess the following: (a) postprandial cortisol levels following dietary administration, (b) the effect of dietary cortisol concentration on sex ratios, and (c) the effect of developmental timing of cortisol feed administration on sex ratios. Whole‐body cortisol enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays confirmed that cortisol feed did cause increased cortisol levels. However, despite cortisol feed being administered during the putative gonadal differentiation period, no effect was observed in the final sex ratios for any of the treatments evaluated.
Quality of life, caregiver burden and mental health disorders in primary caregivers of patients with Cirrhosis
Authors: Hareendran Atul , Devadas Krishnadas , Sreesh Srijaya , Tom Oommen Tharun , Varghese Jijo , Lubina Simna , Nahaz Nibin , Krishna Anju , Mullali Mohamed Kunhi Nizar 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsCaregivers are needed for cirrhotic patients as there is progressive decline in cognition and self‐care. We intend to study the quality of life (QOL), psychosocial burden and prevalence of mental health disorders among caregivers.MethodsCross‐sectional study where caregivers, defined as person who takes responsibility of providing care to patient, of cirrhotic patients were included. Short form 36 health survey (SF‐36) to assess QOL, Zarit Burdern Index12 (ZBI) for caregiver burden (CB). Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) identified depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD‐7) questionnaires, anxiety.ResultsOf 132 caregivers, mean age of caregiver was 41.2 ± 10.3 years, with female preponderance. Mean MELD was 21.4 ± 7, majority belonged to CHILD C. Comparing the SF36 score of caregivers to normal population showed lower level of QOL for caregivers. Mean ZBI score – 14 ± 5.8. Mean GAD score – 8.1 ± 5.1, 54 (41%) had anxiety. Mean PHQ score – 7.8 ± 5.2, 45 (34%) had depression.Regression analysisAlcoholic cirrhosis, history of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), Anxiety, Depression and recidivism predicted CB. Treatment costs (ODDS‐1.15), alcoholic cirrhosis (ODDS –8.9), history of HE (ODDS‐7.5) and caregiver duration (ODDS‐0.25) predicted anxiety. Treatment costs (ODDS‐1.5), caregiver age (ODDS‐0.87), spouse as caregiver (ODDS‐10.9) and higher education (ODDS‐0.79) predicted depression.ConclusionsCaregivers of cirrhotic patients have high prevalence of CB with low QOL and high incidence of anxiety and depression, compared with the general population. Alcoholism in patients precipitates while higher education helps cope up with these disorders.
Dietary patterns of Chinese puerperal women and their association with postpartum weight retention: Results from the mother–infant cohort study
Authors: Li Niuniu , Su Xiao , Liu Tan , Sun Jing , Zhu Yimin , Dai Zhiyong , Zhang Yanchun , Pan Lina , Jiang Wei , Zhu Wenli 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDietary intake may affect maternal health, but it remains unclear about puerperal dietary intake and its association with maternal health. This study investigated the dietary patterns and their related factors and association with postpartum weight retention (PPWR) in Chinese puerperal women. Participants were from the mother–infant cohort study, in which both mothers and infants were followed up from childbirth to the next 2 years, in seven cities around China. Maternal puerperal dietary patterns were derived by a food frequency questionnaire and principal component analysis (PCA) within 1 month postpartum. PPWR was assessed by the difference of weight at 42 days and 6 months postpartum minus the pre‐pregnancy weight. Of 503 postpartum women, four dietary patterns were identified, including ‘plant food’ pattern (rice and vegetables as dominant foods), ‘diverse’ pattern (starchy roots, fruit, livestock meat and aquatic products), ‘traditional northern’ pattern (poultry, eggs and soup) and ‘marine‐flour’ pattern (flour, coarse food grains and marine fish). The diverse pattern was associated with professional puerperal family care and counselling service (p < .05). PPWRs at 42 days and 6 months postpartum were 6.37 and 4.70 kg averagely. The plant food dietary pattern tended to be associated with higher 42‐day PPWR (β = .105, p < .05), and diverse pattern was associated with lower 6‐months PPWR (β = −.137, p < .05). Conclusively, this study presented four dominant dietary patterns in Chinese postpartum women and showed a lower PPWR in adherence to diverse dietary pattern. The results would provide evidence to furtherly guide dietary practice and improve maternal health.
Challenging the belief in simple solutions: The need for epistemic practices in professional work
Authors: Nerland Monika , Hasu Mervi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractContextAs a contribution to the State of the Science issue on ‘The problem with solutions’, this paper discusses how technology‐mediated and assumedly simple and straightforward solutions to professional problems in fact require extensive work from professionals in order that generalised tools and procedures can be made sense of, adapted and employed in local practice.Theoretical perspectiveThe authors introduce a perspective on epistemic practices in professional work and learning in order to conceptualise and discuss the diversity of the knowledge‐related actions required to perform professional services. They discuss how the growing numbers and diversity of knowledge‐generating actors who aspire to inform professional practice create ‘multi‐charged’ work settings, imbued with multiple objectives and purposes. This development presents new epistemic challenges to professionals, which require extended capacities for knowledge work.SummaryThe authors give examples from empirical studies conducted in Nordic health care settings, which relate to nurses’ engagement with repositories of clinical procedures and to the development of new medical technologies for clinical use. They show how work performance in both cases depends on a range of epistemic practices (ie, collective ways of exploring, assessing, critically examining and justifying knowledge claims), which are necessary if the general tools and technologies are to be put to work in the local environment. This forms a core dynamic in practitioners’ work‐based learning as it moves between what is known and what remains to be explored or improved.ConclusionsThe paper argues that the widespread belief in simple or versatile solutions is challenged by research that reveals the diversity of the knowledge practices needed to perform professional services. The paper suggests that professional communities might pay more attention to epistemic practices as means to handle complexity. It raises intriguing questions and discusses implications for medical education.
Another Approach to Spinoza’s De Intellectus Emendatione
Authors: Duran Jane 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis paper examines Spinoza’s De Intellectus Emendatione from the standpoint of its place in the rationalist canon, and also with respect to certain lines of feminist thought. It concludes that Spinoza’s wholism, lack of interest in skepticism, and insistence on simples are not inconsistent with a variety of feminist concerns. The commentary of Genevieve Lloyd and Harald Hoffding is alluded to, and notions taken from works of contemporary feminism are cited.
Obesity is a risk factor for developing critical condition in COVID‐19 patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Földi Mária , Farkas Nelli , Kiss Szabolcs , Zádori Noémi , Váncsa Szilárd , Szakó Lajos , Dembrovszky Fanni , Solymár Margit , Bartalis Eszter , Szakács Zsolt , Hartmann Petra , Pár Gabriella , Erőss Bálint , Molnár Zsolt , Hegyi Péter , Szentesi Andrea ,   KETLAK Study Group
Published: July 2020

SummaryThe disease course of COVID‐19 varies from asymptomatic infection to critical condition leading to mortality. Identification of prognostic factors is important for prevention and early treatment. We aimed to examine whether obesity is a risk factor for the critical condition in COVID‐19 patients by performing a meta‐analysis. The review protocol was registered onto PROSPERO (CRD42020185980). A systematic search was performed in five scientific databases between 1 January and 11 May 2020. After selection, 24 retrospective cohort studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in meta‐analysis. Obesity was a significant risk factor for intensive care unit (ICU) admission in a homogenous dataset (OR = 1.21, CI: 1.002‐1.46; I2 = 0.0%) as well as for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (OR = 2.05, CI: 1.16‐3.64; I2 = 34.86%) in COVID‐19. Comparing body mass index (BMI) classes with each other, we found that a higher BMI always carries a higher risk. Obesity may serve as a clinical predictor for adverse outcomes; therefore, the inclusion of BMI in prognostic scores and improvement of guidelines for the intensive care of patients with elevated BMI are highly recommended.
Electronic cigarette vapor increases Streptococcus mutans growth, adhesion, biofilm formation, and expression of the biofilm‐associated genes
Authors: Rouabhia Mahmoud , Semlali Abdelhabib 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveIt still not known whether electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) contribute to dental caries. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of e‐cigarettes on the growth of Streptococcus mutans, the formation of biofilm, and the expression of certain virulence genes.Materials and MethodsStreptococcus mutans cells were exposed or not to e‐cigarettes with and without nicotine or to cigarette smoke twice a day for 15 min each exposure period. The bacterial growth and the expression of glucosyltranferase, competence, and glucan‐binding genes were evaluated after 24 hr. Biofilm formation was assessed after 1, 2, and 3 days. S. mutans adhesion and growth to e‐cigarette exposed human teeth were assessed.ResultsWe observed an increase in S. mutans growth with e‐cigarettes, mainly at the early culture period. This was confirmed by an increase of biofilm mass ranging from 8 ± 0.5 mg with the control to 47 ± 5 mg after six exposures to nicotine‐rich e‐cigarettes. S. mutans cells adhered better to e‐cigarette exposed teeth. E‐cigarettes increased the expression of glucosyltranferase, competence, and glucan‐binding genes.ConclusionsE‐cigarettes increased the growth of S. mutans and the expression of virulent genes. E‐cigarettes promoted the adhesion to, and formation of biofilms on teeth surfaces.