bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adrenal neuroblastoma in an elderly adult: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Zhang Haibin , Feng Ziwei 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Neuroblastoma is an embryonal malignancy of the autonomic nervous system and is the most common extracranial tumor of early childhood. However, neuroblastoma in adults is rare with an overall incidence of 1 in 10 million adults/year. Adults with neuroblastoma have a significantly worse prognosis than children with neuroblastoma.

Case presentation
In this case report we describe a 75-year-old Han Chinese woman with bilateral lower extremities weakness, numbness, and fatigue for 1 week. She initially presented as primary hyperaldosteronism with hypertension, persistent hypokalemia, and an elevated aldosterone/plasma renin activity ratio. An abdominal computed tomography scan with intravenously administered contrast showed a solid mass arising from her left adrenal gland. She underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery that allowed the resection of the mass. Microscopic and immunohistochemical staining, which were positive for synaptophysin, CD56, and vimentin, confirmed the diagnosis of adrenal neuroblastoma. Surgical resection of the tumor was done and no chemotherapy or radiation therapy was done postoperatively. She died from lung and brain metastases 22 months after surgical resection.

Conclusion
Adrenal neuroblastoma in elderly adults is a very rare disease with sparse data available in the literature. Early stage disease could be managed by surgical resection alone. However, the prognosis is significantly worse than that observed in pediatric patients. Further research focusing on tumor biology and therapy for this rare malignancy in adults may help to improve disease outcome.
The significance of aspartate on NAD(H) biosynthesis and ABE fermentation in Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824
Authors: Liao Zhengping , Yang Xitong , Fu Hongxin , Wang Jufang 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
The co-factor NADH plays an important role in butanol biosynthesis. In this study, we found that aspartate could effectively improve the butanol production of Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824. Further study showed that aspartate could be used as the precursor of NADH de novo synthesis in C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824. When 2 g/L aspartate was added, the transcription levels of essential genes (nadA, nadB and nadC) for NADH de novo synthesis were significantly higher than that of without aspartate addition. The levels of intracellular NAD+, NADH, total NAD(H) and the ratio of NADH/NAD+ were also significantly increased, which were 63.9 ± 8.0%, 85.0 ± %, 77.7 ± 8.0% and 12.7 ± 2.9% higher than those of without aspartate addition, respectively. Furthermore, the butanol production was improved by overexpressing the NADH de novo synthesis genes, and the fermentation performance could be further enhanced by strengthening the VB1 biosynthesis and NADH de novo synthesis pathway simultaneously. As a result, the butanol titer of the engineered strain 824(thiCGE–nadC) reached 13.96 ± 0.11 g/L, 7.2 ± 0.4%, 18.1 ± 0.1%, 34.1 ± 0.1% higher than that of 824(thiCGE), 824(nadC) and the wild type strain, respectively. This study has a reference value for the NADH related researches of other microbes, and the engineering strategy used in this study provides a new idea for construction of efficient fuel-producing strains.
Tonal signal detection in passive sonar systems using atomic norm minimization
Authors: Kim Jinhong , Kim Junhan , Nguyen Luong Trung , Shim Byonghyo , Hong Wooyoung 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Frequency estimation of a tonal signal in passive sonar systems is crucial to the identification of the marine object. In the conventional techniques, a basis mismatch error caused by the discretization of the frequency domain is unavoidable, resulting in a severe degradation of the object detection quality. To overcome the basis mismatch error, we propose a tonal frequency estimation technique in the continuous frequency domain. Towards this end, we formulate the frequency estimation problem as an atomic norm minimization problem. From the numerical experiments, we show that the proposed technique is effective in identifying the tonal frequency components of marine objects.
Some new weakly singular integral inequalities with discontinuous functions for two variables and their applications
Authors: Luo Yaoyao , Xu Run 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
This paper investigates some new retarded weakly singular integral inequalities with discontinuous functions for two independent variables. The inequalities given here can be used in the qualitative analysis of various problems for integral equations and differential equations. Some examples are also given to illustrate the application of the conclusion.
Community acceptability and the energy transition: a citizens’ perspective
Authors: Lennon Breffní , Dunphy Niall P. , Sanvicente Estibaliz 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundEvery energy transition has had its winners and its losers, both economically and in terms of social justice and community cohesion. The current transition is no different given the complex, intersecting matrices of power and experience that influence the key stakeholders and actors involved. Local oppositions to the deployment of renewable energy technologies have been significantly higher than expected. In numerous instances, these oppositions have been in reaction to the disempowerment of local rights and entitlements associated with specific developments. Consequently, there is a clear need for governance structures and organisational formats that are participatory, inclusive and mindful of the lived experiences of local people. Despite the knowledge gaps and financial constraints that continue to persist, how can local communities become empowered to drive project development and meaningfully engage in the low-carbon energy transition?MethodsThis paper presents a methodology for investigating citizen perceptions of the energy transition and the kinds of roles they see themselves having in its implementation. Working with six communities across five European countries (France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, and the UK), we conducted a series of iterative cross-sectional community engagements using a mixed methods approach. In addition, a number of innovative participatory action research tools were incorporated to engage citizens in co-designing their own energy transition pathways.ResultsParticipants expressed having restricted agency as citizens participating in the energy system. They also felt locked in to a limiting set of false choices as ‘energy consumers’ that do not translate into real or meaningful power, despite popular narratives to the contrary. The research also resulted in a co-designed characterisation tool to help local communities assess the energy democracy and citizen participation potential of a number of participatory business models.ConclusionsCitizens remain locked out of the decision-making processes of the energy transition. We outline a more integrated approach, using co-design and participatory action research, to incorporate citizen perspectives into the planning and implementation of more appropriate business configurations. This paper presents demonstrable examples of how extended stakeholder perspectives can improve procedural justice outcomes and ensure the rollout of more equitable energy configurations into the future.
Seasonal dynamics of cyanobacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton in a multiple-reservoir recycling irrigation system
Authors: Kong Ping , Richardson Patricia , Hong Chuanxue 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Agricultural runoff recycling systems are manmade aquatic ecosystems of growing significance to global water sustainability, crop health, and production. This study investigated the seasonal dynamics of microbial community in a three-reservoir recycling irrigation system with a stepwise water flow and compared with that of an adjacent runoff-free stream. Runoff water from all production areas was captured in a sedimentation reservoir which overflowed to a transition reservoir then retention reservoir through a culvert. Stream water was pumped to replenish the reservoirs as needed during growing seasons.

Results
16S rDNA PCR clone libraries of quarterly water samples from three reservoirs and one stream were sequenced, and 575 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified and assigned to cyanobacteria, eukaryotic phytoplankton, and other bacteria. When compared to the stream, three reservoirs consistently had low microbial diversity. A distinct seasonal pattern of microbial community structure was observed for each reservoir and the stream. Stream was consistently dominated by other bacteria. Retention reservoir was dominated by cyanobacteria during the summer and fall and eukaryotic phytoplankton during the winter and spring. Sedimentation reservoir was dominated by cyanobacteria beginning in the spring but that dominance was altered when water was pumped from the stream from early spring to fall seasons. Transition reservoir had the greatest shift of microbial community structure, being dominated by other bacteria in the summer, cyanobacteria in the fall, and eukaryotic phytoplankton in the winter and spring. Water temperature and ammonium level were the two most important contributing factors to the seasonality of microbial community in these reservoirs.

Conclusions
The three recycling irrigation reservoirs consistently had lower microbial diversity and distinct community structure when compared to the stream. These reservoirs were typically dominated by cyanobacteria during warm seasons and eukaryotic phytoplankton during cool seasons. This seasonal pattern was altered when water was pumped from the stream. The cyanobacteria dominance was associated with rising water temperature and ammonium level. These results highlight the importance of preventing agricultural runoff from entering natural waterways and water resources and provide a useful framework for further investigations into the ecological processes of this emerging ecosystem.
Hospital outbreak caused by linezolid resistant Enterococcus faecium in Upper Austria
Authors: Kerschner Heidrun , Cabal Adriana , Hartl Rainer , Machherndl-Spandl Sigrid , Allerberger Franz , Ruppitsch Werner , Apfalter Petra 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Enterococcus faecium is part of the human gastrointestinal flora but may act as opportunistic pathogen. Environmental persistence, high colonization capability and diverse intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms make it especially successful in nosocomial high-risk settings. In March 2014, an outbreak of Linezolid resistant Enterococcus faecium (LREfm) was observed at the hematooncology department of a tertiary care center in Upper Austria.

Methods
We report on the outbreak investigation together with the whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based typing results including also non-outbreak LREfm and susceptible isolates.

Results
The 54 investigated isolates could be divided in six clusters based on cgMLST. Cluster one comprised LREfm isolates of genotype ST117 and CT24, which was identified as the causative clone of the outbreak. In addition, the detection of four other clusters comprising isolates originating from hematooncology patients but also at other hospitals, pointed to LREfm transmission between local healthcare facilities. LREfm patients (n = 36) were typically at risk for acquisition of nosocomial pathogens because of immunosuppression, frequent hospitalization and antibiotic therapies. Seven of these 36 patients developed LREfm infection but were successfully treated. After termination of the initial outbreak, sporadic cases occurred despite a bundle of applied outbreak control interventions.

Conclusions
WGS proved to be an effective tool to differentiate several LREfm clusters in an outbreak. Active screening for LREfm is important in a high-risk setting such as hematooncology, where multiple introductions are possible and occur despite intensified infection control measures.
Unemployment and the European Union, 2000–2017: structural exploration of distant past economic experience and future prosperity
Authors: Yong Enn Lun 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Distant past experience of economic performance is hypothesized to govern long-run employment performance across 28 European Union (EU) state members. Economic studies usually include lag structure for causality analysis, such as the Wold causal chain and recursive vector autoregression. The inquiry of this paper is different from the literature for two reasons: first, it intends to explain theoretically and empirically how long an influence of significant economic experience in the distant past on long-run unemployment would last. Second, the focus is on the EU due to the ongoing debate over economic integration and independent economies, of which Brexit is one prominent example. Based on panel data, a diagrammatic theory conveys the meaning of the distant past economic experience and its relationship with long-run unemployment in the EU. Empirical investigations include causality tests and long-lasting economic influences, where a new simple approach toward Cholesky decomposition is also demonstrated. The effect of an unexpected shock to inflation on unemployment can remain literally substantive for up to nearly four decades, while unemployment effects of some trade-related innovations can last even longer. The results are supported using analogical reasoning of macroeconomic behaviors incorporated in the original concept of this research.
Chlorogenic acid protects PC12 cells against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity related to inhibition of autophagy and apoptosis
Authors: Shi Xiaowen , Zhou Nian , Cheng Jieyi , Shi Xunlong , Huang Hai , Zhou Mingmei , Zhu Haiyan 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
There are evidences that chlorogenic acid (CGA) has antidepressant effects, however the underlying molecular mechanism has not been well understood. The aim of the study was to explore the neuroprotective effect of CGA on corticosterone (CORT)-induced PC 12 cells and its mechanism, especially the autophagy pathway.

Methods
PC12 cells were incubated with CORT (0, 100, 200, 400 or 800 μM) for 24 h, cell viability was measured by MTT assay. PC12 cells were cultured with 400 μM of CORT in the absence or presence of CGA (25 μg/ml) for 24 h, morphologies and specific marker of autophagosome were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively. In addition, PC12 cells were treated with different doses of CGA (0, 6.25, 12.5, 25 or 50 μg/ml) with or without CORT (400 μM) for 24 h, cell viability and changes in the morphology were observed, and further analysis of apoptotic and autophagic proteins, and expression of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were carried out by Western blot. Specific inhibitors of autophagy 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) and chloroquine (CQ) were added to the PC12 cells cultures to explore the potential role of autophagy in CORT-induced neuronal cell apoptosis.

Results
Besides decreasing PC12 cell activity, CORT could also induce autophagy and apoptosis of PC12 cells, while CGA could reverse these effects. In addition, CGA treatment regulated AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in PC12 cells. CGA, similar to 3-MA and QC, significantly inhibited CORT-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Conclusions
Our results provide a new molecular mechanism for the treatment of CORT-induced neurotoxicity by CGA, and suggest CGA may be a potential substance which is can alleviate depression.
The role of PKAc1 in gene regulation and trichodimerol production in Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Hinterdobler Wolfgang , Schuster André , Tisch Doris , Özkan Ezgi , Bazafkan Hoda , Schinnerl Johann , Brecker Lothar , Böhmdorfer Stefan , Schmoll Monika 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Trichoderma reesei represents a model system for investigation of plant cell wall degradation and its connection to light response. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway (cAMP pathway) plays an important role in both physiological outputs, being crucial for regulation of photoreceptor function as well as for cellulase regulation on different carbon sources. Phosphorylation of photoreceptors and of the carbon catabolite repressor CRE1 was shown in ascomycetes, indicating a relevance of protein kinase A in regulation of the target genes of these transcription factors as well as an impact on regulation of induction specific genes. Moreover, the cAMP pathway impacts growth and development.

Results
Here, we investigated gene regulation by the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKAc1) upon growth on cellulose. We found distinct gene sets for regulation upon growth in light and darkness with an overlap of only 13 genes. PKAc1 regulates metabolic genes as well as transport and defense functions. The overlap of gene regulation by PKAc1 with the genes representing the cAMP dependent regulatory output of the photoreceptor ENV1 indicates an involvement of PKA in this pathway, which counteracts its effects by contrasting regulation. Moreover, we found considerable overlap with the gene sets regulated under cellulase inducing conditions and by the carbon catabolite repressor CRE1. Our analysis also showed that PKAc1 regulates the genes of the SOR cluster associated with the biosynthesis of sorbicillinoids. The homologue of gin4, encoding a CAMK type kinase, which is regulated by PKAc1, CRE1 and YPR2 showed a moderate impact on trichodimerol production. We isolated trichodimerol as representative sorbicillin compound and established a method for its quantification in large sample sets using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), which can be broadly applied for secondary metabolite screening of mutants or different growth conditions. Due to the high expression levels of the SOR cluster under conditions of sexual development we crosschecked the relevance of PKAc1 under these conditions. We could show that PKAc1 impacts biosynthesis of trichodimerol in axenic growth and upon mating.

Conclusions
We conclude that PKAc1 is involved in light dependent regulation of plant cell wall degradation, including carbon catabolite repression as well as secondary metabolism and development in T. reesei.
Risk of lingual nerve injuries in removal of mandibular third molars: a retrospective case-control study
Authors: Tojyo Itaru , Nakanishi Takashi , Shintani Yukari , Okamoto Kenjiro , Hiraishi Yukihiro , Fujita Shigeyuki 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Through the analysis of clinical data, we attempted to investigate the etiology and determine the risk of severe iatrogenic lingual nerve injuries in the removal of the mandibular third molar.

Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who had undergone microsurgical repair of lingual nerve injuries. The following data were collected and analyzed: patient sex, age, nerve injury side, type of impaction (Winter’s classification, Pell and Gregory’s classification). Ratios for the respective lingual nerve injury group data were compared with the ratios of the respective data for the control group, which consisted of data collected from the literature. The data for the control group included previous patients that encountered various complications during the removal of the mandibular third molar.

Results
The lingual nerve injury group consisted of 24 males and 58 females. The rate of female patients with iatrogenic lingual nerve injuries was significantly higher than the control groups. Ages ranged from 15 to 67 years, with a mean age of 36.5 years old. Lingual nerve injury was significantly higher in the patient versus the control groups in age. The lingual nerve injury was on the right side in 46 and on the left side in 36 patients. There was no significant difference for the injury side. The distoangular and horizontal ratios were the highest in our lingual nerve injury group. The distoangular impaction rate in our lingual nerve injury group was significantly higher than the rate for the control groups.

Conclusion
Distoangular impaction of the mandibular third molar in female patients in their 30s, 40s, and 50s may be a higher risk factor of severe lingual nerve injury in the removal of mandibular third molars.
Prevalence of silicone oil droplets in eyes treated with intravitreal injection
Authors: Melo Gustavo Barreto , Dias Junior Celso de Souza , Morais Fábio Barreto , Cardoso Alexandre Lima , Figueiredo Ana Galrão Almeida , Lima Filho Acácio Alves Souza , Rodrigues Eduardo Büchele , Emerson Geoffrey Guy , Maia Maurício 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Objective
To assess the number of eyes with silicone oil in the vitreous after intravitreal injection.

Methods
This cross-sectional, comparative study was divided into 2 groups: (1) treatment—eyes subjected to antiangiogenic therapy; (2) control—no history of intravitreal injection. Subjects were assessed regarding age, gender, clinical diagnosis, lens status, visual acuity and number of previous intravitreal injections. All eyes underwent a meticulous slit-lamp and ultrasound examination for the identification of silicone oil. ImageJ software was used to quantify the index of silicone oil (IOS) by ultrasonography.

Results
Sixty-seven eyes (30 controls, 37 treated) were included. Slit-lamp examination found silicone oil droplets in 25 out of 37 (67.57%) treated eyes and in none of the control group. Ultrasonography identified silicone oil in 28 out of 37 (75.68%) treated eyes and in 1 out of 30 (3.33%) controls. An observed agreement of 85.07% and a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 69.10% (p < 0.0001) between ultrasonography and biomicroscopy were found. Wilcoxon test showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0006) in IOS between controls (0.41 ± 0.43%) and treated eyes (2.69 ± 2.55%). Spearman’s correlation test (0.61; p < 0.0001) showed that the greater the number of injections, the higher the IOS.

Conclusions
Silicone oil droplets were found in the majority of the eyes previously treated with antiangiogenic intravitreal injection. The greater the number of injections, the higher the likelihood of finding silicone oil. An improvement in the technique of injection and better-quality syringes post-injection silicone oil droplets.