bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dehydration enhances innate immunity in a semiaquatic snake from the wet‐dry tropics
Authors: Brusch George A. , Christian Keith , Brown Gregory P. , Shine Richard , DeNardo Dale F. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDehydration is considered a physiological challenge, and many organisms live in environments that undergo periods of reduced water availability that can lead to dehydration. Recent studies have found a positive relationship between dehydration and innate immune function in animals adapted to xeric or semixeric environments. To explore the generality of this relationship, we examined the impact of dehydration on innate immune performance in water pythons (Liasis fuscus), a semiaquatic snake from the wet‐dry tropics of Australia. We collected blood samples from male and female water pythons held in the laboratory without food and water for 4 weeks. We also collected blood from free‐ranging snakes throughout the Austral dry‐season. We evaluated plasma osmolality and innate immune function (agglutination, lysis, and bacterial‐killing ability) and found that increased osmolality, whether manipulated in the laboratory or as a result of natural water limitation, resulted in enhanced aspects of innate immune performance. Counter‐intuitively, snakes in the wild became more hydrated as the dry season progressed, suggesting the dehydrated snakes move to water sources periodically to rehydrate. Comparing our data with those from previous studies, we suspect species divergence in the level of dehydration (i.e., hyperosmolality) that triggers enhanced immune capabilities.
A new positioning framework for organizational value: Juxtaposing organizational value positions with customer centricity
Authors: Richardson Neil , Cassop Thompson Michael 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn recognizing the distinct positions that have occupied value research to‐date, distinct and overlapping positions have been identified which (when juxtaposed with customer versus company‐centric orientations) produce an original positioning framework. “Value” is worthy of study as it determines success for leaders, provides competitive advantage, and contributes to economic prosperity. Value may be a superordinate concept that has “upstaged” previous research areas such as service quality, service satisfaction, and relationship marketing. Little research exists on evaluating whether more than one organizational value position exists.
Glutathione transferase Omega 1‐1 (GSTO1‐1) modulates Akt and MEK1/2 signaling in human neuroblastoma cell SH‐SY5Y
Authors: Saisawang Chonticha , Wongsantichon Jantana , Robinson Robert C. , Ketterman Albert J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn the human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cell line, the glutathione transferase Omega 1‐1 (GSTO1‐1) appears to modulate Akt and MEK1/2 kinase activation. We observed a glutathionylation modification was involved in the activation of Akt but not MEK1/2. With the specific GSTO1‐1 inhibitor ML175, we show the enzyme activity of GSTO1‐1 is important for modulation as the inhibited GSTO1‐1 allowed activation of both Akt and MEK1/2. The inhibition of GSTO1‐1 showed a similar extent of activation of Akt and MEK1/2 as treatment by the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. The GSTO1‐1 also either directly interacts with Akt and MEK1/2 or interacts with a protein complexed with Akt and MEK1/2 as both kinases coimmunoprecipitated with GSTO1‐1. The results suggest that GSTO1‐1 enzyme activity inhibits the activation of these two kinases to maintain basal levels. The possible regulation by GSTO1‐1 is of interest as both kinases have hundreds of potential downstream targets that are known to have contributions to various cellular processes including survival, growth, proliferation, and metabolism.
Effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) supplementation on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Askari Gholamreza , Rouhani Mohammad Hossein , Ghaedi Ehsan , Ghavami Abed , Nouri Mehran , Mohammadi Hamed 
Published: March 2019

This study was aimed to quantify the antihyperglycemic effect of Nigella sativa (N. sativa). An in‐depth search to identify clinical trials investigating the impact of N. sativa on glycemic indices via MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google scholar databases were performed up to November 2018. We used a random effects model to estimate pooled effect size of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial blood glucose (PPBG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). A total of 17 randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of N. sativa on FPG, PPBG, and HbA1c were included. Meta‐analysis suggested a significant association between N. sativa supplementation and reduction in FPG (weighted mean difference [WMD]: −9.93 mg/dl, 95% CI [−13.44, −6.41]), PPBG (WMD: −14.79 mg/dl, 95% CI [−24.19, −5.39]), and HbA1c (WMD: −0.57%, 95% CI [−0.77, −0.37]). Subgroup analysis revealed that N. sativa oil was more effective than N. sativa powder in reduction of FPG. To sum up, N. sativa consumption has a significant lowering effect on glycemic status. Further studies with prolonged durations and powerful design are needed to specify the exact mechanism, optimal dosage, and duration of N. sativa supplementation to obtain a beneficial effect on glycemic status.
A method for construction of mixed‐level fractional designs
Authors: Pantoja Yaquelin V. , Ríos Armando J. , Tapia Esquivias Moisés 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis research presents a new method to generate near‐orthogonal balanced mixed‐level fractional designs. The proposed method showed that it is possible to create near‐orthogonal balanced fractions of economic size. The method is based in the analysis of the behavior of the genetic algorithm used to generate the efficient arrays (EAs) developed by Guo; a pattern was detected, and this led to the generation of an algorithm capable of constructing fractions in a simple way. These fractions were called near‐orthogonal balanced arrays (NOBAs). To analyze the properties of the NOBAs and the capabilities of the proposed method, a series of performance indicators were defined. The NOBAs were compared with the EAs developed by Guo; results are provided.
H−/L∞ fault detection observer for linear parameter‐varying systems with parametric uncertainty
Authors: Han Weixin , Wang Zhenhua , Shen Yi 
Published: March 2019

SummaryThis paper considers H−/L∞ fault detection for discrete‐time linear parameter‐varying (LPV) systems with parametric uncertainty. In H−/L∞ fault detection scheme, residual generation and threshold computation are simultaneously designed. With consideration of H−/L∞ performance indices, the generated residual is sensitive to faults while robust against unknown disturbances. Furthermore, the L∞ performance provides a time‐varying threshold for residual evaluation. This paper proposes a novel H−/L∞ fault detection observer design method to handle actuator fault detection for LPV systems with parametric uncertainty. Sufficient conditions of the fault detection observer design in the finite‐frequency domain are derived as linear matrix inequalities. Numerical simulations are used to illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed fault detection observer design approach.
Misdiagnosis And Undertreatment Of Erectile Dysfunction In The Portuguese Primary Health Care
Authors: Morgado Afonso , Moura Maria Leonor , Dinis Paulo , Silva Carlos Martins 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Introduction
The importance of erectile dysfunction (ED) diagnosis and treatment has been highlighted since the early 2000s. However, nearly 20 years after the first phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) was marketed, underdiagnosis and undertreatment of ED in the primary health care setting may still be present.

Aim
To assess the relative frequency of patients who are medically treated for ED before referral to specialized urology care. The secondary objectives were to evaluate possible reasons for non-treatment prior to referral and other signs of undertreatment, namely cardiovascular risk assessment and antihypertensive treatment.

Methods
200 male patients referred for ED to specialist urology care by general practitioners were screened after consent between January 2016–December 2018. A full standardized medical and sexual history were taken. Previous medical treatment of ED, namely pharmacologic name and dosages, and cardiovascular risk factors were noted.

Main Outcome Measures
Of the 115 included patients, only 33.9% of patients had already taken PDE5i before referral, and none had taken alprostadil by intracavernous route.

Results
The mean patient age was 58.68 ± 10.01 years old. Only 45.2% had been prescribed the highest dose of PD5i. From the remaining untreated patients, only 19.7% had ≥3 cardiovascular risk factors, including 5.6% of patients who also presented moderate-to-severe stable or unstable angina requiring a stress test or cardiology assessment before treatment. Regarding the 54 patients with medical history of arterial hypertension, 43.4% and 30.2% were treated for hypertension with a diuretic and a beta blocker, respectively.

Conclusion
More focus on the primary healthcare continuous medical education regarding sexual dysfunction, namely ED, is needed because major undertreatment of ED is still present because low prescription of PD5i before referral is noted.
Division algebras of slice functions
Authors: Ghiloni Riccardo , Perotti Alessandro , Stoppato Caterina 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis work studies slice functions over finite-dimensional division algebras. Their zero sets are studied in detail along with their multiplicative inverses, for which some unexpected phenomena are discovered. The results are applied to prove some useful properties of the subclass of slice regular functions, previously known only over quaternions. Firstly, they are applied to derive from the maximum modulus principle a version of the minimum modulus principle, which is in turn applied to prove the open mapping theorem. Secondly, they are applied to prove, in the context of the classification of singularities, the counterpart of the Casorati-Weierstrass theorem.
Sharp estimates of semistable radial solutions of k-Hessian equations
Authors: Navarro Miguel Angel , Sánchez Justino 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe consider semistable, radially symmetric and increasing solutions of Sk(D2u) = g(u) in the unit ball of ℝn, where Sk(D2u) is the k-Hessian operator of u and g ∈ C1 is a general positive nonlinearity. We establish sharp pointwise estimates for such solutions in a proper weighted Sobolev space, which are optimal and do not depend on the specific nonlinearity g. As an application of these results, we obtain pointwise estimates for the extremal solution and its derivatives (up to order three) of the equation Sk(D2u) = λg(u), posed in B1, with Dirichlet data $u\arrowvert _{B_1}=0$, where g is a continuous, positive, nonincreasing function such that lim t→−∞g(t)/|t|k = +∞.
Short communication: Four cases ofTaenia saginatataeniasis in urban Venezuelan communities
Authors: Rojas Glenda , Martínez Maria , Corrales Yeasiry , Mijares Victor , León Luisa , Medina Claudio , Ferrer Elizabeth , Parkhouse R. Michael E. , Cortéz Maria M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe report four cases ofTaenia saginatataeniasis in different urban communities of Aragua state, Venezuela. After subsequent treatment with praziquantel and a saline purge, adult tapeworms were collected from all four patients and demonstrated to beT. saginataby morphological and molecular characterization. The finding ofT. saginatain four distinct and separate urban municipalities of the Aragua state indicates the pertinence of rigorous meat inspection, and the importance of establishing parasite prevalence in human and bovine Venezuelan populations.
Potential influence of socioeconomic status on genetic correlations between alcohol consumption measures and mental health
Authors: Marees Andries T. , Smit Dirk J. A. , Ong Jue-Sheng , MacGregor Stuart , An Jiyuan , Denys Damiaan , Vorspan Florence , van den Brink Wim , Derks Eske M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackground.Frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption are metrics commonly used to measure alcohol consumption behaviors. Epidemiological studies indicate that these alcohol consumption measures are differentially associated with (mental) health outcomes and socioeconomic status (SES). The current study aims to elucidate to what extent genetic risk factors are shared between frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption, and how these alcohol consumption measures are genetically associated with four broad phenotypic categories: (i) SES; (ii) substance use disorders; (iii) other psychiatric disorders; and (iv) psychological/personality traits.Methods.Genome-Wide Association analyses were conducted to test genetic associations with alcohol consumption frequency (N= 438 308) and alcohol consumption quantity (N= 307 098 regular alcohol drinkers) within UK Biobank. For the other phenotypes, we used genome-wide association studies summary statistics. Genetic correlations (rg) between the alcohol measures and other phenotypes were estimated using LD score regression.Results.We found a substantial genetic correlation between the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption (rg= 0.52). Nevertheless, both measures consistently showed opposite genetic correlations with SES traits, and many substance use, psychiatric, and psychological/personality traits. High alcohol consumption frequency was genetically associated with high SES and low risk of substance use disorders and other psychiatric disorders, whereas the opposite applies for high alcohol consumption quantity.Conclusions.Although the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption show substantial genetic overlap, they consistently show opposite patterns of genetic associations with SES-related phenotypes. Future studies should carefully consider the potential influence of SES on the shared genetic etiology between alcohol and adverse (mental) health outcomes.
Spiritual desire and religious practice
Authors: CARLISLE CLARE 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis article clarifies the relationship between spiritual desire and religious practice. I outline a philosophical account of practice, and suggest that desire is one of four cornerstones of the concept of practice. I distinguish three kinds of practice – art practice, skill practice, and spiritual practice – which are differentiated by their structures of desire. I argue that ‘spiritual desire’ can be understood as an ‘infinite desire’’, and that spiritual practices offer determinate, embodied, culturally specific ways to express this infinite desire. Within this theoretical framework, I discuss certain salient features of experiences described during my interviews with religious practitioners, showing how these first-person accounts of spiritual desire and religious practice relate to my philosophical analysis.
The variety of institutionalised inequalities: Stratificatory interlinkages in interwar international society
Authors: Müller Thomas 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis article argues that the research on institutionalised inequalities pays too little attention to competing understandings of stratification and the variety of interlinkages between the patterns of stratification and the institutions of international society. Building on the English School and theories of stratification, it develops an analytical framework that conceptualises these ‘stratificatory interlinkages’ as a twofold decision: firstly for a coupling – instead of a decoupling – of institutional characteristics to patterns of stratification and secondly for a specific classification scheme and type of interlinkage. The article draws on empirical examples from the League of Nations and other interwar international institutions to demonstrate that different understandings of stratification and classification schemes were used for different institutional purposes, for example, voting rights and the apportionment of budget expenses. In addition, it proposes four analytical dimensions that allow mapping the variety of classification schemes and types of interlinkages that were chosen for institutionalised inequalities. The dimensions relate to the composition of the reference group, the decision-making about the classification scheme, the institutional purposes, and the institutional form of the interlinkage. The variety of stratificatory interlinkages entails a more variable and diverse relation between stratification and institutions than usually assumed.
An Algorithm Differentiating Sunlit and Shaded Leaves for Improving Canopy Conductance and Vapotranspiration Estimates
Authors: Li Jing , Ju Weimin , He Wei , Wang Hengmao , Zhou Yanlian , Xu Mingzhu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSurface conductance (Gs) is a key parameter in estimating land surface evapotranspiration (ET) and difficult to determine. Here we proposed an approach for determining Gs according to the stomatal conductance of sunlit and shaded leaves that is estimated from their respective gross primary production (GPP) with the Ball‐Berry model. Central to this approach, GPP is separately simulated for sunlit and shaded leaves with a revised two‐leaf light use efficiency model. We tested the approach at 17 FLUXNET sites with seven different vegetation types. The revised two‐leaf light use efficiency model outperforms its predecessor in estimating GPP at most sites. As to Gs estimation, although our proposed algorithm has higher Akaike information criterion values than has the model estimating Gs using vegetation indices, it was able to capture Gs variations at all sites, while models estimating Gs using leaf area index and vegetation indices performed poor at some sites. The proposed algorithm also improves ET estimation, indicated by lower Akaike information criterion, higher determination coefficient (R2), and lower root mean square error of simulated daily ET for both calibration and validation data sets. This study demonstrates the usefulness of differentiating sunlit and shaded leaves in improving canopy conductance and ET estimates.
Regional default mode network connectivity in major depressive disorder: modulation by acute intravenous citalopram
Authors: Dutta Arpan , McKie Shane , Downey Darragh , Thomas Emma , Juhasz Gabriella , Arnone Danilo , Elliott Rebecca , Williams Steve , Deakin J. F. William , Anderson Ian M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe relationship between altered default mode network (DMN) connectivity and abnormal serotonin function in major depressive disorder (MDD) has not been investigated. Using intravenous citalopram and resting-state fMRI, we investigated DMN intra-network connectivity and serotonin function in 77 healthy controls and patients with MDD. There were no significant main effects of MDD or citalopram on DMN intra-network connectivity; however, significant interactions indicated that group differences under saline were modified by citalopram. In MDD patients during saline infusion, in contrast with controls, the DMN (i) did not include the precuneus that was instead part of an anti-correlated network but (ii) did include amygdala that was part of the anti-correlated network in controls. Citalopram infusion in MDD patients restored the pattern seen in controls under saline. In healthy controls, citalopram infusion disengaged the precuneus from the DMN and engaged the amygdala, partially reproducing the abnormalities seen under saline in MDD. In exploratory analyses within the MDD group, greater rumination self-ratings were associated with greater intra-network connectivity of the anterior cingulate cortex with the DMN. We hypothesise that, in MDD, disengagement of the precuneus from the DMN relates to overgeneral memory bias in rumination. The opposite effect, with greater engagement of the amygdala in the DMN, reflects the negative valence of rumination. Reversal of these abnormalities by citalopram suggests that they may be related to impaired serotonin function. That citalopram engaged the amygdala in the DMN in controls may relate to the paradoxical effects on aversive processing seen with acute SSRIs in healthy subjects.
AID modulates carcinogenesis network via DNA demethylation in bladder urothelial cell carcinoma
Authors: Li Haoyong , Li Qi , Ma Zhe , Zhou Zhiyan , Fan Jinfeng , Jin Yingxia , Wu Yaoxi , Cheng Fan , Liang Peiyu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBladder cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in the urinary system, with poor survival after metastasis. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a versatile enzyme involved in antibody diversification, is an oncogenic gene that induces somatic hypermutation and class-switch recombination (CSR). However, the contribution of AID-mediated DNA demethylation to bladder urothelial cell carcinoma (BUCC) remains unclear. Herein, we evaluated the impact on BUCC caused by AID and explored the gene network downstream of AID by using a proteomic approach. Lentiviral vector containing AID-specific shRNA significantly reduced AID expression in T24 and 5637 cells. Silencing AID expression remarkably inhibited tumour malignancies, including cell proliferation, invasion and migration. We used Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomics analysis technology to study the underpinning mechanism in monoclonal T24 cells, with or without AID knockdown. Among the 6452 proteins identified, 99 and 142 proteins in shAICDA-T24 cells were significantly up- or downregulated, respectively (1.2-fold change) compared with the NC-T24 control. After a pipeline of bioinformatics analyses, we identified three tumour-associated factors, namely, matrix metallopeptidase 14 (MMP14), C–X–C motif chemokine ligand 12 and wntless Wnt ligand secretion mediator, which were further confirmed in human BUCC tissues. Nonetheless, only MMP14 was sensitive to the DNA demethylation molecule 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine (5-azadC; 5 μM), which reversed the inhibition of carcinogenesis by AID silence in T24 and 5637 cells. Overall, AID is an oncogene that mediates tumourigenesis via DNA demethylation. Our findings provide novel insights into the clinical treatment for BUCC.