bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability and in vitro digestibility of beta‐carotene in nanoemulsions fabricated with different carrier oils
Authors: Zhou Xinhui , Wang Hao , Wang Cuina , Zhao Chao , Peng Qian , Zhang Tiehua , Zhao Changhui 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBeta‐carotene, the main dietary source of provitamin A, is required for maintaining optimum human health. The bioaccessibility of beta‐carotene can be greatly improved when ingested with fat. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to select proper oils (palm oil, coconut oil, fish oil, and corn oil) as a carrier to form stable nanoemulsion that can effectively enhance the bioaccessibility of beta‐carotene. The nanoemulsion was formulated with 90% (v/v) aqueous solution (2% whey protein isolate, WPI, w/v) and 10% (v/v) dispersed oil. The in vitro digestion experiment of nanoemulsions showed that the bioaccessibility of beta‐carotene was as followed in order: palm oil = corn oil > fish oil > coconut oil (p < 0.05). The particle size of the nanoemulsion (initial particle size = 168–185 nm) was below 200 nm during 42 days’ storage at 25°C. The retention rates of beta‐carotene in nanoemulsions were 69.36%, 63.81%, 49.58%, and 54.91% with palm oil, coconut oil, fish oil, and corn oil, respectively. However, the particle size of the nanoemulsion increased significantly in the accelerated experiment at 55°C (p < 0.05), in which the retention rates of beta‐carotene were 48.56%, 43.41%, 29.35%, and 33.60% with palm oil, coconut oil, fish oil, and corn oil, respectively. From above, we conclude that WPI‐stabilized beta‐carotene nanoemulsion with palm oil as the carrier is the most suitable system to increase bioaccessibility and stability of lipid‐soluble bioactive compounds such as beta‐carotene.
Novel MXD4–NUTM1 fusion transcript identified in primary ovarian undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma
Authors: Tamura Ryo , Nakaoka Hirofumi , Yoshihara Kosuke , Mori Yutaro , Yachida Nozomi , Nishikawa Nobumichi , Motoyama Teiichi , Okuda Shujiro , Inoue Ituro , Enomoto Takayuki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPrimary ovarian sarcomas are extremely rare tumors, and their genomic and transcriptomic alterations remain to be elucidated. We performed whole exome sequencing of primary tumor and matched normal blood samples derived from one patient with ovarian undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma. We identified 8 nonsynonymous somatic mutations, and all mutations were missense or nonsense changes. Next, we performed RNA sequencing of the tumor sample and identified two in‐frame fusion transcripts: MXD4–NUTM1 and ARL6–POT1. Most NUTM1 exons were retained in the MXD4–NUTM1 fusion transcript, and we confirmed an increase in NUTM1 mRNA and protein expression in tumor tissue. Further genomic and transcriptomic analyses might lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies based on the molecular characteristics of ovarian undifferentiated small round cell sarcoma.
Sensitivity to asbestos is increased in patients with mesothelioma and pathogenic germline variants in BAP1 or other DNA repair genes
Authors: Betti Marta , Aspesi Anna , Ferrante Daniela , Sculco Marika , Righi Luisella , Mirabelli Dario , Napoli Francesca , Rondón‐Lagos Milena , Casalone Elisabetta , Vignolo Lutati Francesca , Ogliara Paola , Bironzo Paolo , Gironi C. Laura , Savoia Paola , Maffè Antonella , Ungari Silvana , Grosso Federica , Libener Roberta , Boldorini Renzo , Valiante Michele , Pasini Barbara , Matullo Giuseppe , Scagliotti Giorgio , Magnani Corrado , Dianzani Irma 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPathogenic germline variants in the BAP1 tumor suppressor gene can cause a cancer syndrome called BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome (BAP1‐TPDS), which is characterized by predisposition to mesothelioma, melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and other tumors. Other genes that may predispose to mesothelioma are CDKN2A and DNA repair genes. Asbestos exposure has often been reported in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) and germline variants in BAP1, but this exposure has never been quantified. We aimed to search for germline variants in BAP1 among 25 new Italian probands with suspected BAP1‐TPDS, summarize the prevalence of these variants in 39 Italian patients with familial MPM and other tumors recruited over a 5‐year period, and compare cumulative asbestos exposure in 14 patients with MPM and pathogenic germline variants in BAP1, CDKN2A, or DNA repair genes with that of 67 patients without germline variants in 94 cancer‐predisposing genes.We report here a new pathogenic germline variant in BAP1: c.783 + 2 T > C. The prevalence of pathogenic germline variants in BAP1 was 7.7% among patients with familial MPM (3/39). Patients with pathogenic germline variants in BAP1, CDKN2A, or DNA repair genes showed lower cumulative asbestos exposure than patients without germline variants in 94 cancer‐predisposing genes (P = .00002). This suggests an interaction between genetic risk factors and asbestos in the development of mesothelioma.
Nuclear factor‐kappaB regulates multiple steps of gliogenesis in the developing murine cerebral cortex
Authors: Methot Laurent , Soubannier Vincent , Hermann Robert , Campos Erin , Li Sally , Stifani Stefano 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) is activated in neural progenitor cells in the developing murine cerebral cortex during the neurogenic phase, when it acts to prevent premature neuronal differentiation. Here we show that NF‐κB activation continues in mouse neocortical neural progenitor cells during the neurogenic‐to‐gliogenic switch. Blockade of endogenous NF‐κB activity during neocortical gliogenesis leads to the formation of supernumerary committed gliogenic progenitors and premature glial cell differentiation. Conversely, forced NF‐κB activation during the neocortical neurogenic‐to‐gliogenic transition causes delayed gliogenic commitment and decreased astroglial gene expression. NF‐κB activation continues in neocortical gliogenic progenitors following commitment and is important to inhibit the differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells and to maintain persistent expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein in maturing astrocytes. These results reveal a number of previously uncharacterized roles for NF‐κB during different phases of neocortical gliogenesis and identify NF‐κB as an inhibitor of early oligodendrocyte development in the cerebral cortex.
Examining pecking order versus trade‐off theories of capital structure: New evidence from Japanese firms
Authors: Jarallah Shaif , Saleh Ali Salman , Salim Ruhul 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis study empirically tests the traditional trade‐off model against the pecking order model of capital structure using data from the Japanese listed companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. A pooled sample of 1,362 publicly listed nonfinancial companies from 1991 to 2015 is used to establish the relationship between leverage and its determinants by using the generalized methods of moments econometric framework. The results show that the financing pattern of Japanese firms is consistent with the basic pecking order model, which predicts external debt financing driven by the internal financial deficit.
The finance–growth nexus: Does risk premium matter?
Authors: Adusei Michael 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe bounds testing approach to cointegration analysis is employed in this paper to examine whether the risk premium demanded by the banking sector moderates the finance–growth nexus with data (1970–2015) from South Africa. To the extent that the interaction between risk premium and financial development positively affects growth in the long run, we affirm that the risk premium demanded by the banking sector represents a significant channel through which financial development drives growth. The main policy implication of this finding is that financial liberalization that removes interest rates restrictions, allowing the banking sector to adequately price risk, is in the best interest of the South African economy.
Stock return volatility and capital structure measures of nonfinancial firms in a dynamic panel model: Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Ahmed Zeeshan , Hla Daw Tin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe investigate the impact of stock return volatility on different capital structure measures of nonfinancial firms in a dynamic panel model. Two‐step system generalized method of moment dynamic panel estimator is applied to nonfinancial sector's data from Pakistan Stock Exchange over the period 2001–2014. The results imply that stock return volatility has a significant negative impact on book leverage and long‐term market leverage ratios. However, stock return volatility causes the increase in total market leverage ratios. Moreover, book leverage and long‐term market leverage of firms decrease as a result of an increase in stock return volatility in different classification of firms. Conversely, stock return volatility has a significant positive impact on total market leverage ratios in those classifications of firms. Capital structure decisions are more sensitive to stock return volatility as default risk increases. Firms significantly go for the reduction in their debt financing due to high stock returns volatility and to avoid from possible consequences of default. The results are robust to alternative measures such as cash flow volatility and earnings volatility.
Transmission of a global financial crisis shock to an emerging economy
Authors: Rehman Asim , Chaudhry Sajid M. , Hussain Syed Mujahid 
Published: October 2018

AbstractUsing a unique dataset consisting of all corporate loans in Pakistan, we study the impact of the global financial crisis (GFC) on the lending ability of its banking sector. We also take into account various bank and loan types along with extensive margins, firm size effects, and impact of information asymmetry. Our findings show that the Pakistani banking sector was indeed affected by the GFC as high exposure banks, who borrow relatively more internationally, reduce lending to local firms and this impact is larger for small firms. We also find differences in the lending ability of various bank types and loan types. By using direct information asymmetry measure, we find that banks reduced lending after the global financial crisis shock. However, the information gathered from the previous relationship of the borrower with relatively low exposure banks can overcome the negative financial shock and increase lending after the shock. These findings are very relevant in the context of the spillover effects of the GFC and have important policy implications for emerging markets.
Latin American stock market dynamics and comovement
Authors: Coleman Simeon , Leone Vitor , de Medeiros Otavio R. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWith the economic relevance of the relationships among emerging and frontier equity markets becoming increasingly significant, this paper investigates comovement among returns from six Latin American stock markets (Mexico [BMV], Brazil [BOVESPA], Chile [IPSA], Peru [IGBVL], Argentina [MERVAL], and Venezuela [IBVC]) and also with the U.S. S&P 500 Composite index. In part, we employ principal component analyses, to account for the maximum portion of the variance present in the returns by examining rolling windows with 8‐, 6‐, 4‐, 3‐, 2‐, and 1‐year periods. We also investigate the incidence of structural breaks and comovement, aiming to uncover the dynamics in comovements among these markets. We find evidence of high comovement among the Latin American markets, and also with the U.S. markets. Venezuela and Mexico's equity markets are at the extremes. However, our results do not corroborate findings of clear evidence, reported in previous studies, of the United States having a leading role in the region.
Unconventional monetary policies and bank credit in the Eurozone: An events study approach
Authors: Martins Luis Filipe , Batista Joana , Ferreira‐Lopes Alexandra 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe study the impact of the unconventional monetary policies implemented by the European Central Bank on bank credit to Eurozone general governments and to households. The database is a macro panel of the 19 Eurozone countries over the period between January 2008 and May 2016. Using an events study approach, we create two dummy variables that reflect the timing and changes of unconventional and conventional monetary policy measures, which we use as key determinants in panel regression models. Our results suggest that unconventional monetary policies have a positive lagged impact on bank credit, with much more to general governments (1.2% per month) than to household consumers (0.2%). All other variables in the models, such as the interest rates, the Industrial Production Index, and the inflation rate have the expected estimated signs. Finally, we estimate the unobserved country‐specific fixed effects measured in terms of credit growth rates. The monthly growth rates of loans to households in Ireland are about 0.74% below the average country, which is closely related to its post‐2008 banking crisis. Moreover, the net purchases' impact under the Public Sector Purchase Programme of loans of Monetary Financial Institutions to general governments was much larger for countries that were hit by the financial and economic crisis.
PREDICTING ATTENDANCE OF A PREVENTIVE PARENTING INTERVENTION FOR VERY PRETERM INFANTS
Authors: Winter Leanne , Sanders Matthew R. , N Boyd Roslyn , Pritchard Margo , Gray Peter H. , Whittingham Koa , Forrest Kylee , Webb Lachlan , Marquart Louise , Colditz Paul B 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTPreventive parenting interventions can experience challenges in maximizing dosage, or the amount of intervention received by parents. This study examined the associations of baseline mother, father, and very preterm infant (VPT; <32 weeks) characteristics with satisfactory intervention attendance of the family within a randomized controlled trial of Baby Triple P for Preterm Infants (Colditz et al., 2015). Mothers (n = 160) and fathers (n = 115) completed questionnaires prior to the randomization of family units (n = 160) to receive the intervention. Satisfactory session attendance (seven or eight sessions of eight in total) was achieved by 114 families (71.25%). In the logistic model for mothers, satisfactory attendance of the family was more likely when infants were extremely low birth weight (ELBW), odds ratio (OR) = 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.16, 6.80], when the mother had a university, OR = 11.38, 95% CI [4.03, 32.19], or trade‐certificate‐level education, OR = 4.97, 95% CI [1.93, 12.84], or when she was not under financial stress, OR = 3.53, 95% CI [1.34, 9.28]. A similar pattern of results was found in the model for fathers. Session attendance of preventive parenting interventions for VPT infants may be improved by increasing the engagement of parents with infants not born ELBW, who have lower education, or are experiencing financial stress.
Putting critical realism to use in ICT4D research: Reflections on practice
Authors: Smith Matthew L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis paper presents my reflections on adopting critical realist (CR) assumptions in information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) research over the last decade. Critical realism, and its notion of generative mechanisms as contingent causality, offers one potential way to frame and engage in research that is compatible with the contextual nature of developing ICT4D theory. However, CR can be difficult to understand and operationalize. This paper provides practical insights on how to engage in ICT4D research underpinned by the CR philosophy of science. As such, the bulk of this paper presents insights and implications of accepting CR assumptions in the research process, looking at different elements of research (eg, including forming research questions, theory building, engaging in research). I use examples in ICT4D research to illustrate these implications.
Freeze–thaw cycles for biocompatible, mechanically robust scaffolds of human hair keratins
Authors: Cui Xinxing , Xu Songmei , Su Wen , Sun Zhe , Yi Zeng , Ma Xiaomin , Chen Guangcan , Chen Xiangyu , Guo Bo , Li Xudong 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe keratin‐based scaffolds are getting more and more attention in the application of tissue engineering. Though various approaches have been considered to improve the physical properties of these scaffolds, few succeeded in achieving the enhanced properties of the pure keratin scaffolds. Due to the presence of –OH, –NH2, >CO, and –SH on the extracted human hair keratin (HHK), the formation of hydrogen bonds and disulfide bridges could be triggered under certain conditions, leading to the self‐cross‐linking of HHK materials. Herein, a simple and green strategy was introduced, via freeze–thaw cycles of keratin solutions without addition of extraneous reagents, to obtain the mechanically robust HHK scaffolds. The comparative quantitation of residual –SH among the samples treated with 1, 5, and 9 cycles confirmed the oxidation in the thaw process for forming disulfide bonds. So, the equivalent thaw time was applied in this study, and three groups of the treated samples after 1, 5, and 9 cycles with an appropriate extension thaw time were prepared to solely investigate the effects of physical cross‐linking networks, primarily by formation of hydrogen bonds, on the properties of the obtained scaffolds. The systematic assessments including swelling behavior, porosity, thermal analysis, compressive measurement, and microstructural observation confirmed that the repetitive freeze–thaw treatment contributed to mechanically robust scaffolds with good porous interconnectivity. The cell culturing experiments further verified that these HHK scaffolds had desirable cytocompatibility, permitting the proper proliferation, attachment, and infiltration. Accordingly, this study provided a simple and efficient method to obtain biocompatible, mechanically robust keratin scaffolds. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1452–1461, 2019.
Shortened mean erythrocyte age in female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Koga Masafumi , Inada Shinya , Ijima Hiroko , Jinnouchi Hideaki , Ono Yasuhiro , Iwasaka Tsuyoshi , Okumiya Toshika 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundThe hyperglycemic state is known to shorten the erythrocyte life span. Erythrocyte creatine (EC) reflects the mean erythrocyte age and is useful as an indicator of hemolysis. Here, we studied the relationship between EC and glycemic control indicators [HbA1c or glycated albumin (GA)] in non‐diabetic subjects and diabetic patients.MethodsThis study included 119 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 76 non‐diabetic subjects matched by sex and age. We studied the relationships between EC and HbA1c or GA in patients with T2DM and non‐diabetic subjects.ResultsErythrocyte creatine in T2DM patients was significantly higher than that in non‐diabetic subjects, and the ratio of high EC levels (>1.8 μmol/g Hb) in T2DM patients was significantly higher as well. Furthermore, female EC was significantly higher than male EC, and the ratio of high EC levels in females was significantly higher than in the males as well. While male EC had no significant correlation with HbA1c or GA, female EC had significant positive correlations with both. Male EC had no significant difference between T2DM patients and non‐diabetic subjects, while the EC in female patients with T2DM was significantly higher than in female non‐diabetic subjects.ConclusionsThe significant positive correlations of EC with HbA1c and GA in female patients with T2DM suggested that the mean erythrocyte age decreased in female diabetic patients with poor glycemic control.
Time‐resolved fluorescent immunoassay‐based combined detection of procalcitonin, C‐reactive protein, heparin binding protein, and serum amyloid A1 to improve the diagnostic accuracy of early infection
Authors: Niu Tingting , Liu Yang , Zhu Feifei , Ma Jiayan , Gao Jimin 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundSerological tests are indispensable in the diagnosis of early infection. At present, only procalcitonin (PCT) and C‐reactive protein (CRP) are commonly used in clinical practice. Recently, serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) and heparin binding protein (HBP) have been shown to be new biomarkers, because SAA1 is highly sensitive and specific for viral infections, and HBP is predictive for septic shock. In this study, PCT, CRP, HBP, and SAA1 were detected in different combinations to improve the diagnostic accuracy of early infection using the biotin‐avidin amplifying system‐based time‐resolved fluorescent immunoassay (BA‐TRFIA).MethodsA time‐resolved fluorescent immunoassay for PCT, CRP, HBP, and SAA1 was developed and then tested in a clinical setting. All experiments were carried out using the DR6608 time‐resolved fluorescent immunoassay analyzer.ResultsThe cutoff values of PCT, CRP, HBP, and SAA1 were 0.05 μg/L, 5.59 mg/L, 3.83 μg/L, and 1.56 mg/L, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) showed that PCT ˃ SAA1 ˃ CRP ˃ HBP > 0.8. A methodological comparison of the results showed that a combination of the four biomarkers had the highest accuracy for the diagnosis of infectious diseases.ConclusionThe time‐resolved fluorescent immunoassay‐based combined detection of PCT, CRP, HBP, and SAA1 was shown to significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of early infection. Thus, our results indicate that combined detection based on BA‐TRFIA may represent a promising strategy in the clinical diagnosis of infection.
Toward Better Understanding of Insulin Therapy by Translation of a PK‐PD Model to Visualize Insulin and Glucose Action Profiles
Authors: Schneck Karen , Tham Lai San , Ertekin Ali , Reviriego Jesus 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInsulin replacement therapy is a fundamental treatment for glycemic control for managing diabetes. The engineering of insulin analogues has focused on providing formulations with action profiles that mimic as closely as possible the pattern of physiological insulin secretion that normally occurs in healthy individuals without diabetes. Hence, it may be helpful to practitioners to visualize insulin concentration profiles and associated glucose action profiles. Expanding on a previous analysis that established a pharmacokinetic (PK) model to describe typical profiles of insulin concentration over time following subcutaneous administration of various insulin formulations, the goal of the current analysis was to link the PK model to an integrated glucose‐insulin (IGI) systems pharmacology model. After the pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic (PK‐PD) model was qualified by comparing model predictions with clinical observations, it was used to project insulin (PK) and glucose (PD) profiles of common insulin regimens and dosing scenarios. The application of the PK‐PD model to clinical scenarios was further explored by incorporating the impact of several hypothetical factors together, such as changing the timing or frequency of administration in a multiple‐dosing regimen over the course of a day, administration of more than 1 insulin formulation, or insulin dosing adjusted for carbohydrates in meals. Visualizations of insulin and glucose profiles for commonly prescribed regimens could be rapidly generated by implementing the linked subcutaneous insulin PK‐IGI model using the R statistical program (version 3.4.4) and a contemporary web‐based interface, which could enhance clinical education on glycemic control with insulin therapy.