bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GHRH secretion from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor causing gigantism in a patient with MEN1
Authors: Srirangam Nadhamuni Vinaya , Iacovazzo Donato , Evanson Jane , Sahdev Anju , Trouillas Jacqueline , McAndrew Lorraine , R Kurzawinski Tom , Bryant David , Hussain Khalid , Bhattacharya Satya , Korbonits Márta 
Published: June 2021

Summary
A male patient with a germline mutation in MEN1 presented at the age of 18 with classical features of gigantism. Previously, he had undergone resection of an insulin-secreting pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (pNET) at the age of 10 years and had subtotal parathyroidectomy due to primary hyperparathyroidism at the age of 15 years. He was found to have significantly elevated serum IGF-1, GH, GHRH and calcitonin levels. Pituitary MRI showed an overall bulky gland with a 3 mm hypoechoic area. Abdominal MRI showed a 27 mm mass in the head of the pancreas and a 6 mm lesion in the tail. Lanreotide-Autogel 120 mg/month reduced GHRH by 45% and IGF-1 by 20%. Following pancreaticoduodenectomy, four NETs were identified with positive GHRH and calcitonin staining and Ki-67 index of 2% in the largest lesion. The pancreas tail lesion was not removed. Post-operatively, GHRH and calcitonin levels were undetectable, IGF-1 levels normalised and GH suppressed normally on glucose challenge. Post-operative fasting glucose and HbA1c levels have remained normal at the last check-up. While adolescent-onset cases of GHRH-secreting pNETs have been described, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of ectopic GHRH in a paediatric setting leading to gigantism in a patient with MEN1. Our case highlights the importance of distinguishing between pituitary and ectopic causes of gigantism, especially in the setting of MEN1, where paediatric somatotroph adenomas causing gigantism are extremely rare.

Learning points

It is important to diagnose gigantism and its underlying cause (pituitary vs ectopic) early in order to prevent further growth and avoid unnecessary pituitary surgery. The most common primary tumour sites in ectopic acromegaly include the lung (53%) and the pancreas (34%) (1): 76% of patients with a pNET secreting GHRH showed a MEN1 mutation (1).

Plasma GHRH testing is readily available in international laboratories and can be a useful diagnostic tool in distinguishing between pituitary acromegaly mediated by GH and ectopic acromegaly mediated by GHRH. Positive GHRH immunostaining in the NET tissue confirms the diagnosis.

Distinguishing between pituitary (somatotroph) hyperplasia secondary to ectopic GHRH and pituitary adenoma is difficult and requires specialist neuroradiology input and consideration, especially in the MEN1 setting. It is important to note that the vast majority of GHRH-secreting tumours (lung, pancreas, phaeochromocytoma) are expected to be visible on cross-sectional imaging (median diameter 55 mm) (1). Therefore, we suggest that a chest X-ray and an abdominal ultrasound checking the adrenal glands and the pancreas should be included in the routine work-up of newly diagnosed acromegaly patients.
Are interest rate changes comoving with financial cycle?
Authors: Smaga Paweł 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe explore to what extent official interest rate changes can potentially in a procyclical manner impact different financial cycle indicators (credit/GDP, debt service ratio, house prices and stock market indices). We test this on data covering 1995−2016 in 21 countries and the euro area using the Concordance index and Monetary policy procyclicality ratio. Results show that this was not a widespread phenomenon, but there was significant heterogenenity across countries. The procyclicality of interest rate changes was usually higher when financial cycle gaps were increasing and lower when they were decreasing. On average, central banks in several larger economies were running potentially less procyclical monetary policy than those in the smaller ones. The resulting propensity of conflicts between achieving price and financial stability by central banks was low, as only in 10% of the cases the objectives were conflicting (usually when inflation was below the target and the credit cycle was in an expansion phase).
Welfare implications of external debt and capital flight in Sub-Saharan Africa (Evidence using panel data modelling)
Authors: Ampah Isaac Kwesi , Kiss Gábor Dávid 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have experienced a positive growth rate of over five per cent per year, on average, since their transition from the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in 1996 and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative in 2006. Despite this growth, poverty and inequality are still very high. Employing the Driscoll – Kraay standard panel estimation method and dataset from 1990 to 2015, this paper sets out to examine the implications of external debt and capital flight on the general welfare of the people. The estimation results reveal that both external debt and capital flight have a welfare inhibiting effect, suggesting that increases in external borrowing or capital flight may lead to a reduction in the welfare of the people in the sub-region. The study, therefore, recommends to policymakers and government in the sub-region the need to tackle the revolving nature of external borrowing and capital flight and take steps to halt all channels through which deservingly acquired capital leaves the sub-region.
Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: Background and recent literature updates on the diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Nawaz H. , Aslam M. , Rehman T. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHyperbilirubinemia or jaundice has been studied by many researchers because of its diverse causes and potential for toxicity especially in the neonate but to a lesser extent beyond the neonate as well. Several studies have been performed on the normal metabolism and metabolic disorders of bilirubin in last decades of the 20th century. The recent advancement in research and technology facilitated for the researchers to investigate new horizons of the causes and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. This review gives a brief introduction to hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice and the recent advancement in the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. It reports modifications in the previously used methods and findings of some newly developed ones. At present, ample literature is available discussing the issues regarding hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice, but still more research needs to be done.
Intraspecific diversity of Vigna subterranea accessions obtained from multinational sources
Authors: KONYEME Thelma E. , AGOGBUA Josephine U. , ADEWALE Daniel B. , OGAZIE Chinedum 
Published: June 2021

Bambara groundnut is a legume with balanced meal. The present study investigated agro-morphological diversity of 61 Bambara groundnut accessions whose passport data were from 21 countries. The Genetic Resources Centre (GRC), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria provided the 61 accessions. The accessions were established in row plots of ten plants on the field at the Centre for Ecological studies, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Seventeen quantitative and two qualitative traits were recorded from the sampling units for each accession. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analysis were employed on the 61 x 19 matrix mean data. Significant variation exists among the 61 accessions for the 19 descriptors. Mean genetic similarity among the 61 accessions was 0.78, the least (0.48) similarity was between TVSu1750 and TVSu250 and the highest (0.92) was between TVSu391 and TVSu415. TVSu1843 flowered earliest at 35 days. The 61 accessions were grouped into three main clusters. TVSu1964 and two accessions from Malawi (TVSu1748 and TVSu1750) in cluster III had high grain yield. Accessions in cluster II were significant for both vigour and grain yield. Striking uniformity and diversity existed among accessions from the same country. Genetic improvement in vigour and grain yield of Bambara groundnut is possible within each country.
Impact of water erosion on the properties of forest soils
Authors: ALLAM Ayoub , BORSALI Amine H. , KEFIFA Abdelkrim , ZOUIDI Mohamed , FARNET DA SILVA Anne M. , RÉBUFA Catherine 
Published: June 2021

The research work was conducted on eroded soil in the Keroua forest of Saida, Algeria, whose objective is to know the changes in the physicochemical and biological properties of forest soils subjected to the effect of water erosion. The samples were taken to a depth between 0-10 cm in each zone (eroded zone and control zone). Our results show that the biological properties are the most affected by water erosion where there was a significant decrease in basal respiration and microbial biomass, which had a negative influence on the metabolic quotient (higher values in the eroded area). For chemical properties, there was an increase in organic matter and total limestone, while the pHWater decreased in the eroded zone. For the physical properties. We raised a slight difference between the two areas, but which was not statistically significant.
Endophytic fungal isolation from Blumea axillaris: Identification and biological activity of secondary metabolites
Authors: LAVANYA Nehru , MANON MANI Vellingiri , SARANYA Nachimuthu , DEEPAKKUMAR Rajendran , PREETHI Kathirvel 
Published: June 2021

Medicinal plants are a wealthy source of natural medicinal properties and remain as base for new drug discoveries. Endophyte from the specific medicinal plants produce the analogous metabolites as that of the host plant. The metabolites from the endophytes comprise maximum therapeutic properties and have been extensively applied in treating various diseases and disorders. This study was focused on identification of the endophytic fungi from the medicinal plant Blumea axillaris and investigates the diversity of endophytic fungi from various explants of the same plant. The explants were cultured on potato dextrose agar and 6 endophytic fungi were successfully isolated from Blumea axillaris. They were identified morphologically and confirmed with molecular analysis as Xylaria arbuscula, Paraphoma radicina, Phomopsis phaseoli, Sordaria fimicola, Aspergillus amstelodami, Diaporthe eucalyptorum. The DNA sequences were analyzed by BLAST and the phylogenetic tree was constructed with neighbor joining method. The six isolates were subjected to antagonistic activity for the selection of potential strain and the bioactive strain Xylaria arbuscula was selected for the production of secondary metabolites by optimization. The parameters like pH, temperature, incubation period, carbon and nitrogen (organic and inorganic source) were optimized for secondary metabolite production. The fungal metabolite was extracted by solvent extraction method using polar and non-polar solvents like propanol, methanol, chloroform, acetone and ethyl acetate. To investigate the bioactivities of the fungal crude extract was subjected first for its antioxidant activity using DPPH radical scavenging method, followed by antimicrobial activity of methanolic (MeOH) extract of Xylaria arbuscula, that were also analyzed by the agar well-diffusion method against the clinical pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pnuemoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
Nutrient and metal concentrations in Nepenthes macfarlanei Hemsl. (Nepenthaceae) from a Malaysian montane forest
Authors: BREARLEY Francis Q. 
Published: June 2021

Palaeotropical pitcher plants (Nepenthes) are a fascinating evolutionary case but their nutrient relationships are poorly known. To determine nutrient and metal concentrations in Nepenthes macfarlanei from Peninsular Malaysia, and contribute to our understanding of nutrient relationships in this genus, plants were sampled from the Genting Highlands – a disturbed montane forest location. Whilst many foliar nutrients showed typical concentrations, the foliar N concentration was, surprisingly, greater than most lowland species although the N:P ratio (c. 24) indicated nitrogen limitation in line with other studies on Nepenthes. Of particular note was the variable but high (< 240 µg g-1) lead concentrations that have not been reported in carnivorous plants before. This data adds to our understanding of the nutrient relationships of carnivorous plants and shows that they may accumulate high concentrations of certain metals.
Osmanlı Mahalli Fuarcılığı Üzerine Bir Kesit: Sivas Hamidiye Sınaat ve Ziraat Sergisi
Authors: ASAN Hakan 
Published: June 2021

Sivas Hamidiye Sınaat ve Ziraat Sergisi ulusal bir sergiden ziyade bölgesel veya mahalli
olarak tabir edebileceğimiz bir organizasyondur. Sergi yerli üretimi ıslah etmek, geliştirmek
ve teşvik etmenin yanı sıra bölgesel ekonomiye katkı sağlamayı da hedeflemiştir.
Osmanlı iktisat tarihinde ehemmiyetli bir mevzu olarak yerini alan sergide bölgenin
ekonomik performansı, kaliteli üretim kapasitesi ve zenginlikleri temsil edilmiştir. Aynı
zamanda sergi sonucunda ortaya çıkan problemlerin çözümü ve yerli ürünlerin yaygınlık
kazanması konusunda gerçekçi önerilerin sunulmasını sağlamıştır. Çalışmada; Osmanlı
Devleti’nin kurumları arasında gerçekleşen resmi yazışmalar ile dönemin basın hayatı
üzerinden sergi süreci incelenmiştir. Ayrıca sergiden beklentiler, serginin hazırlık süreci
ve açılışı ile sergide teşhir edilen ürünler değerlendirilmiştir.
Fantazmagorik Bir Mekân Olarak Twitter ve Simülatik Flâneurler
Authors: BOZKURT Murat 
Published: June 2021

Bu çalışmanın hedefi etkileşimli ve katılımcı bir medya türü olan yeni medyanın politik/
ideolojik söylem üretiminde en etkili mecralarından biri olan Twitter’ın yapısını ve
kullanıcılarının varoluşsal konumu mekân ve kimlik olguları üzerinden çözümlemektir.
Modern yaşamın ontolojik anlamda doğal, teknik anlamda yapay bir uzantısı olan, bir bireyselleşme/
toplumsallaşma pratiği olarak sosyal medyanın modern birey üzerindeki varoluşsal
boyuttaki etkisi; bireysel ve toplumsal yaşantıdaki duyuş, düşünüş, algılayış ve
davranış kalıplarını dönüştürmesi; son olarak tarihteki örneklerinden çok farklı bir insan
ve uygarlık türünün oluşumundaki inkâr edilemez rolünün arka planındaki paradigmatik
değişim irdelenmektedir. Bu hedeflere ulaşmak amacıyla öncelikle (I) sosyal medyanın
modern çağ ve paradigma içindeki yeri ortaya koyulduktan sonra (II) mekân ve kimlik
açısından benzeşim kurulan kavramların (fantazmagori, simülasyon ve flâneur) literal ve
kuramsal kullanım biçimleri, tanımları, anlam alanları ve Twitter pratiği ile benzerlikleri
ilişkilendirilmektedir. Daha sonra (III) Twitter’ın teknik yapısı mevzu bağlamında ele
alınmakta, son kısımda ise (IV) dijital bir mekânda inşa edilen dijital kimliklerin oluşturduğu
dilin (söylemin) bazı politik/ideolojik/parodik yönleri tespit edilmekte ve fenomen/
flâneur tipi semiyotik açıdan değerlendirilmektedir.
Memlükler’de Kur’ân Tilâveti ve Kıraat İlmi
Authors: GÖKDEMİR Ahmet 
Published: June 2021

Makalede Memlükler’de Kur’ân tilâveti ile kıraat ilminin durumu ele alınmıştır. Konunun
anlatımında genel hatlarıyla Memlükler’de ilmî ortama değinilmiş; daha sonra
Kur’ân ve kıraat eğitiminin verildiği kurumlar, o dönemde yetişmiş önemli kıraat âlimleri,
kadınların Kur’ân öğretimindeki yeri ile Memlükler’deki kıraat ilmine dair birikimin
Osmanlı’ya etkisi incelenmiştir. Araştırmada Memlükler’le ilgili yazılmış madde, makale,
tez ve müstakil kitapların yanı sıra o döneme yönelik bilgi veren tabakât kitaplarından
istifade edilmiştir.
Colin Heywood ve Ivan Parvev (ed.), The Treaties of Carlowitz (1699): Antecedents, Course and Consequences
Authors: KILIÇ Ayşe 
Published: June 2021

The Ottoman Empire and Its Heritage serisinin altmış dokuzuncu kitabı olan
bu eserin yayımlanmasına imkân sağlayan 2014 yılının Nisan ayında Sofya’da
gerçekleşen 1683-1689 yılları arasındaki savaşlar ve Karlofça Antlaşması’nı
konu alan atölye çalışmasıdır. Böyle bir çalışmanın yapılması ise, yine 2013 yılının
Mart ayında Sofya’da başka bir atölye çalışması sırasında, kitabın editörlerinden
biri olan Colin Heywood’un bir sonraki atölye çalışmasının fikrini ortaya
atmasıyla gerçekleşmiştir.
Dusting Off that Old Projector: Preservation through Projection
Authors: Gordon Marsha , Everett Dino 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
“Dusting Off that Old Projector: Preservation through Projection” makes the case that institutions that hold film prints and projectors—especially rarities, one-offs, and nonstandard gauges—should consider projecting films in an effort to preserve and perpetuate knowledge about the history of film technology. The authors use the success of Home Movie Day as a model for considering preservation through projection and to question absolutist protective strategies. Their aim is to expand the way that archivists, scholars, and the general public think about the significance of unusual film formats and equipment in relation to film history.
ON PORTFOLIO OPTIMIZATION: ARE THERE FINANCIAL GAINS OF USING ALTERNATIVE COVARIANCE METHODS?
Authors: Saghir Ahsen , Tirmizi Syed Muhammad Ali , Mahmood Ch Kamran , Mirza Nauman Iqbal , Khan Naeem 
Published: June 2021

Purpose: The study evaluates the performance of alternative variance-covariance estimators as a fundamental ingredient to portfolio optimization.
Methodology: The study estimates eleven covariance matrices on the data of Pakistan stock exchange's non-financial sector firms covering the period from July 2006 to June 2020. The accuracy and efficiency of covariance estimators are assessed through two evaluation parameters: root mean square error and minimum variance portfolios (risk behavior).
Main findings: Empirical findings based on evaluation parameters suggest that more complex covariance estimators in the equity market of Pakistan yield no additional financial gains than the equally weighted portfolio of estimators.
Application of the study: As the estimation of the variance-covariance matrix is one of the essential elements of portfolio construction, this study guides investor(s) on selecting an appropriate covariance estimator among eleven estimators endorsed by literature.
Novelty/ originality of the study: Based on detailed analysis, the study documents that investor(s) of the Pakistan stock exchange cannot gain any additional benefit from more complex and tricky methods of variance-covariance estimators compared to a portfolio of estimators for the non-financial sector. Investors are advised to consider the equally weighted portfolio of estimators when formulating their investment strategy.
MOLECULAR DESIGN OF N-ACYL DERIVATIVES OF 2-(2-OXOPYROLIDIN-1-YL)-ACETAMIDE WITH GABA-ERGIC AND GLUTAMATERGIC ACTIVITIES
Authors: Kodonidi I. P. , Chiriapkin A. S. , Tworowski D. E. 
Published: June 2021

The first of the most successfully implemented nootropic drugs in medical practice is piracetam, which should be attributed to cyclic derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid. The production of new piracetam derivatives with high nootropic activity is a promising direction in the development of new neuroprotective drugs.The aim of the study is to predict GABA-ergic and glutamatergic activities of N-acyl derivatives of 2-(2-oxopyrolidin-1-yl)- acetamide by a molecular docking method through the energy analysis of interaction of modeled structures with GABAA and AMPA receptors with their subsequent targeted synthesis.Materials and methods. The objects of the research are new N-acyl derivatives of 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide and a virtual model of the GABAA receptor of the Homo sapiens organism with the identification code 6D6U and a three-dimensional model of the AMPA-receptor of the Rattus norvegicus organism with the identification code 3LSF from the RCSB PDB database. The simulated compounds were designed in the HyperChem 8.0.8 program. This program was also used to optimize geometry using the force field of molecular mechanics MM+. Molecular docking was carried out using the Molegro Virtual Docker 6.0.1 program. The preparation of N-acyl derivatives of 2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetamide was carried out by the interaction of 2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetamide with an excess of the corresponding anhydride under conditions of acid catalysis.Results. Based on the results of molecular docking, a high affinity of all simulated compounds for the binding site of GABAA and AMPA receptors can be estimated. According to the predict, the maximum GABA-ergic activity should be expected for (N-[2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetyl]-butyramide. N-acyl derivatives of 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide form a more stable complex with amino acid residues Arg207, Phe200, Thr202, Tyr97, Tyr157, Tyr205 and Phe65 of the GABAA receptor binding site than the GABA molecule. In terms of the minimum interaction energy, the N-acyl derivatives of 2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)- acetamide are superior to a number of known ligands such as GABA, piracetam, anipiracetam, picamilon and pramiracetam. The tested compounds have also shown a high affinity for the binding site of the AMPA receptor. The leader compound is also the compound PirBut, as in the case of the GABAА receptor.Conclusion. Molecular modeling of the ligands interaction with the active binding site of gamma-aminobutyric acid of the GABAA receptor by molecular docking showed that all virtual N-acyl derivatives of 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide can exceed a number of nootropic drugs by activity. In the course of molecular design, a method for predicting a glutamatergic activity for 2-pyrrolidone derivatives has been developed. It suggests a significant nootropic activity for N-[2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)- acetamide amides.