Diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive tests for advanced fibrosis in patients with NAFLD : an individual patient data meta-analysis

2021

ObjectiveLiver biopsy is still needed for fibrosis staging in many patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The aims of this study were to evaluate the individual diagnostic performance of liver stiffness measurement by vibration controlled transient elastography (LSM-VCTE), Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) and NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) Fibrosis Score (NFS) and to derive diagnostic strategies that could reduce the need for liver biopsies.DesignIndividual patient data meta-analysis of studies evaluating LSM-VCTE against liver histology was conducted. FIB-4 and NFS were computed where possible. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) were c…

Targeting the JAK/STAT Pathway: A Combined Ligand- and Target-Based Approach

2021

Janus kinases (JAKs) are a family of proinflammatory enzymes able to mediate the immune responses and the inflammatory cascade by modulating multiple cytokine expressions as well as various growth factors. In the present study, the inhibition of the JAK-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway is explored as a potential strategy for treating autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. A computationally driven approach aimed at identifying novel JAK inhibitors based on molecular topology, docking, and molecular dynamics simulations was carried out. For the best candidates selected, the inhibitory activity against JAK2 was evaluated in vitro. Two hit compounds with…

Effect of Moisture Content on the Processing and Mechanical Properties of a Biodegradable Polyester

2021

This work is focused on the influence of moisture content on the processing and mechanical properties of a biodegradable polyester used for applications in injection molding. The pellets of the biodegradable polyester were exposed under different relative humidity conditions at a constant temperature before being compression molded. The compression-molded specimens were again placed under the above conditions before the mechanical testing. With all these samples, it is possible to determine the effect of moisture content on the processing and mechanical properties separately, as well as the combined effect of moisture content on the mechanical properties. The results obtained showed that th…

Grand Challenge in Viral Disease Investigation: An Endless Endeavor

2021

Fluorescent Carbon Nanodots as Sensors of Toxic Metal Ions and Pesticides

2021

Carbon nanodots (CDs) are a new class of fluorescent carbon-based nanomaterials characterized by a plethora of morphologies and sizes. Among these, we can include two different types of CDs, namely, graphitic and diamond-like. This wide range of structures opens up the possibility to design different CDs, with tunable optical properties accordingly to the synthesis method and precursors used. We prepared two different CDs following a bottom-up approach by thermally induced decomposition of organic precursors (namely, citric acid and urea in different molar ratios), and using purification by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). Obtained CDs were characterized by Raman, absorption and fluores…

A Self-powered Ambient Light Power Measurement Platform with Time-domain Readout

2021

Internet of Things (IoT) provides more and more adequate infrastructures for many applications and advanced services. This scenario promotes the ability to satisfy the growing demand for innovative measuring systems, increasingly popular consisting of intelligent nodes, totally wireless, easy to install, and that requires the least possible maintenance. In this context, this paper aims to contribute to state of the art with an energy-autonomous and battery-free measurement platform designed to measure the ambient light power when its level exceeds the sensitivity threshold. The measurement platform utilizes a single transducer to scavenge energy and concurrently measure the ambient light in…

Workplace democracy and republican freedom

2021

In this chapter, Keith Breen and Onni Hirvonen examine the case for democratic worker voice based on the republican ideal of freedom as non-domination. While not unconvincing, this case is primarily consequentialist in character and therefore open to significant empirical disagreement. Indeed, together with republican arguments for democratic worker voice, there are republican arguments for worker voice that reject workplace democracy, republican arguments that see state regulation plus a universal basic income (UBI) as sufficient for minimizing workplace domination, and republican arguments that focus exclusively on exit rights and are hostile to augmenting workers’ voice. Breen and Hirvon…

The Institutionalization of Political Risk Assessment by Chinese Multinational Firms

2021

Some researchers have claimed that Chinese firms are impervious to political risk, calling into question the institutionalization of political risk by Chinese firms. Building on resource dependence theory and the literature on non-market strategies, this study finds significant impact by ownership structure, firm scale, and the degree of internationalization on the institutionalization of political risk assessments (IPRA) by Chinese firms. As such, state-owned firms and larger firms cultivate a higher level of IPRA. We find a positive impact of a firm’s scale and scope of internationalization, but insignificant impact of depth of internationalization.

Neural stem cells in the adult olfactory bulb core generate mature neurons in vivo.

2021

17 páginas, 7 figuras.

Histopathological progression of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa

2021

It is generally acknowledged that the first morphological change of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS/AI) consists of infundibular plugging of the folliculosebaceous apocrine apparatus, which is followed by acute and chronic inflammation, cysts with sinus formation, and fibrosis. Alternatively, it has been hypothesized that HS/AI is primarily a neutrophilic autoinflammatory disease and that the follicular plugging typical of this disease is secondary to inflammation.To review the sequence of the changes that mark the disease development, we have performed a histopathologic study on the surgical material from a series of axillary and inguinal/perineal cases.The histologic material fr…

Post-translational modifications on RNA-binding proteins: accelerators, brakes, or passengers in neurodegeneration?

2021

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are critical players in RNA expression and metabolism, thus, the proper regulation of this class of proteins is critical for cellular health. Regulation of RBPs often occurs through post-translational modifications (PTMs), which allow the cell to quickly and efficiently respond to cellular and environmental stimuli. PTMs have recently emerged as important regulators of RBPs implicated in neurodegenerative disorders, in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we summarize how disease-associated PTMs influence the biophysical properties, molecular interactions, subcellular localization, and function of ALS/FTD-linked …

Combination of 3 Different Measurements: Branching Fractions, Radiative Lifetimes, and Absorption Oscillator Strengths- a Good Opportunity for the An…

2021

We present the method and setup for determination and self-testing of atomic radiative constants: transition probabilities, oscillator strengths and natural lifetimes. We describe how it works in simple 4 level scheme, present our experimental setup, and preliminary results for As I branching fractions, and discuss some aspects of future development. This method can be valuable for analyzing the results from different experiments performed by various authors and methods without directly re-measuring them. For example, in astrophysics is very important to select correct oscillator strengths for evaluation element abundances in stars and interstellar media since inaccurate data lead to uncert…

De la situation codifiée à l’opposition à grande vitesse en boxe française

2021

International audience

Giant Rydberg excitons in Cu$_{2}$O probed by photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy

2021

Rydberg excitons are, with their ultrastrong mutual interactions, giant optical nonlinearities, and very high sensitivity to external fields, promising for applications in quantum sensing and nonlinear optics at the single-photon level. To design quantum applications it is necessary to know how Rydberg excitons and other excited states relax to lower-lying exciton states. Here, we present photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy as a method to probe transition probabilities from various excitonic states in cuprous oxide, and we show giant Rydberg excitons at $T=38$ mK with principal quantum numbers up to $n=30$, corresponding to a calculated diameter of 3 $\mu$m.

Marine Animal-Derived Compounds and Autophagy Modulation in Breast Cancer Cells

2021

It is known that in breast cancer biology, autophagy mainly plays a cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic role in vitro, being conceivably responsible for cell resistance to drug exposure and a higher metastatic attitude in vivo. Thus, the development of novel autophagy-targeting agents represents a valuable strategy to improve the efficacy of anticancer interventions. It is widely acknowledged that the enormous biodiversity of marine organisms represents a highly promising reserve for the isolation of bioactive primary and secondary metabolites targeting one or several specific molecular pathways and displaying active pharmacological properties against a variety of diseases. The aim of this re…

Advanced Hardware and Software for the Upgrade of Mirror/Prisma Monochromator SPM-2 (Carl Zeiss Jena) for the Measurements of Basic Spectroscopic Pro…

2021

Today's digital electronics and fast computers allow the efficiently processing of large volumes of spectroscopic information, which means the opportunity to reuse and upgrade monochromator with sophisticated optical and mechanical systems being designed and used in the middle of the last century. Particular interest is towards high-resolution prism monochromator. We used such an approach to computerize manual operations of universal mirror monochromator SPM-2, which has changeable quartz, glass, NaCl and KBr crystal prisms. SPM-2 was produced by VEB Carl Zeiss JENA in the early sixties of the last century (in former GDR), and its advanced features were widely used [1]. The current interest…

Halogen Bonding between Thiocarbonyl Compounds and 1,2- and 1,4-Diiodotetrafluorobenzenes

2021

The halogen bonding (XB) between 1,2-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (1,2-DITFB) or 1,4-diiodotetrafluorobenzene (1,4-DITFB) and the selection of different thiocarbonyl acceptors was studied by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Diiodotetrafluorobenzenes (DITFBs) were found to form C-I···S halogen-bonded 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2 (donor/acceptor ratio) complexes with thiocarbonyls. Lengths of contacts were found to be clearly shorter than the sum of van der Waals radii of iodine and sulfur as well as the contact angles showed values close to linear, so the XB interactions could be verified. One sulfur atom showed the ability to accept one, two, or four XB interactions, and the acceptor angle can…

Measuring Heart Rate with a Heat Flux Sensor

2021

Different wearable biosignal measurement applications require minimally obtrusive and highly sensitive sensors and methods of transducing the heart pulse into an electric signal. At the same time, the sensors should have minimal power consumption and preferably provide information about more than just the heart rate. In this study, a method employing a heat flux sensor for recording the pulsatile cardiac component of an arterial pulse waveform is presented. The output signals of a conventional photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor and a heat flux sensor were recorded and compared with one another. The results show that a heat flux sensor can be used for measurement of heart pulse, in addition t…

Facebook groups as citizen science tools for plant species monitoring

2021

I social network sono canali di comunicazione utilizzati per condividere enormi quantità di dati, che possono essere utilizzati per la ricerca scientifica, anche nel campo della biodiversità. Per sapere quanto i dati ricavati dai social network possono integrare quelli raccolti per scopi scientifici, è necessario individuarne i bias. Utilizzando i dati estratti da un gruppo Facebook specializzato nella flora vascolare siciliana, abbiamo analizzato quali sono i caratteri che aumentano la probabilità che una pianta spontanea venga fotografata e postata su un social network. A tal fine, abbiamo confrontato frequenze e attributi delle specie fotografate dai membri del gruppo Facebook con quelli…

Blood and skeletal muscle ageing determined by epigenetic clocks and their associations with physical activity and functioning

2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the correspondence of different biological ageing estimates (i.e. epigenetic age) in blood and muscle tissue and their associations with physical activity (PA), physical function and body composition. Two independent cohorts (N = 139 and N = 47) were included, whose age span covered adulthood (23–69 years). Whole blood and m. vastus lateralis samples were collected, and DNA methylation was analysed. Four different DNA methylation age (DNAmAge) estimates were calculated using genome-wide methylation data and publicly available online tools. A novel muscle-specific methylation age was estimated using the R-package ‘MEAT’. PA was measured with q…

The Psychological Foundations of Management in Family Firms: Emotions, Memories, and Experiences

2021

Exploring the psychological foundations of management in family firms is necessary to understand why they formulate and implement strategies differently from nonfamily firms, and why and how family firm behavior varies across different family firms. Picone et al. (2021. The psychological foundations of management in family firms: Values, biases, and heuristics. Family Business Review, 34(1), 12-32) have proposed a conceptual framework for the psychological foundations of management in family business, examining how the values, biases, and heuristics of family firm members affect strategic decision-making and family firm outcomes. Drawing on this framework, we examine emotions, memories, an…

An unexpected biomaterial against SARS-CoV-2: Bio-polyphosphate blocks binding of the viral spike to the cell receptor.

2021

Graphical abstract

Le discours anti-israélien en France : la fabrique de la haine

2021

International audience

Combined Use of Structure Analysis, Studies of Molecular Association in Solution, and Molecular Modelling to Understand the Different Propensities of…

2021

The arrangement of hydroxyl groups in the benzene ring has a significant effect on the propensity of dihydroxybenzoic acids (diOHBAs) to form different solid phases when crystallized from solution. All six diOHBAs were categorized into distinctive groups according to the solid phases obtained when crystallized from selected solvents. A combined study using crystal structure and molecule electrostatic potential surface analysis, as well as an exploration of molecular association in solution using spectroscopic methods and molecular dynamics simulations were used to determine the possible mechanism of how the location of the phenolic hydroxyl groups affect the diversity of solid phases formed…

Pesticide Inhalation Exposure of Applicators and Bystanders Using Conventional and Innovative Cropping Systems in the Valencian Region, Spain

2021

This paper provides scientific results from a European LIFE project carried out in the Valencian region of Spain during the 2017 to 2018 time frame. In 2018, more than 60,000 tons of pesticides were commercialized in Spain, with approximately 15% destined for Valencian crops. In order to improve the air quality in the agricultural areas of this region, an innovative cropping system based on irrigation was developed and compared to conventional treatments based on hand-spray and turbo application. After applying conventional treatments to five types of crops (citrus, persimmon, nectarine, watermelon, and other stone fruits), a total of 13 active substances were detected in the air. The same …

Cultivating for the Industry: Cropping Experiences with Hypericum perforatum L. in a Mediterranean Environment

2021

Hypericum perforatum is an intensively studied medicinal plant, and much experimental activity has been addressed to evaluate its bio-agronomical and phytochemical features as far. In most cases, plant material used for experimental purposes is obtained from wild populations or, alternatively, from individuals grown in vases and/or pots. When Hypericum is addressed to industrial purposes, the most convenient option for achieving satisfactory amounts of plant biomass is field cultivation. Pot cultivation and open field condition, however, are likely to induce different responses on plant’s metabolism, and the obtained yield and composition are not necessarily the same. To compare these manag…

Téhéran : un analyseur des fragmentations socio-urbaines

2021

International audience

The formation of feed-in tariffs and the emergence of wind power in Finnish routine corporatism: favoring the economics of large-scale energy product…

2021

We explore the role and influence of the Finnish energy elite’s inner circle in the process of transition to renewable energy. Finland is a corporatist country where economic interest groups have p...

Geometrical deviation of end-of-life parts as a consequence of reshaping by single point incremental forming

2021

AbstractPutting in place circular economy strategies is an urgent challenge to face. In this scenario, manufacturing processes play a relevant role as efficient material reuse enabler. Scientists have to make an effort either to find new process or to rethink old process to reprocess end-of-life (EoL) component to recover both material and functions. In this paper, single point incremental forming (SPIF) process is used for reshaping sheet metal EoL components. The entire process chain was replicated including both deep drawing process (to imitate the end-of-life component) as well as SPIF operations (to obtain the reshaped components). The geometrical deviation as a consequence of SPIF ope…

1K43

2021

Newer formulations of intravenous iron: a review of their chemistry and key safety aspects - hypersensitivity, hypophosphatemia, and cardiovascular s…

2021

Introduction: The newest intravenous (IV) iron products show an improved safety profile over predecessors, allowing for the rapid administration of relatively high doses. Ferric derisomaltose (FDI; also known as iron isomaltoside), ferric carboxymaltose (FCM), and ferumoxytol (FER), are successful treatments for iron deficiency (Europe; FDI and FCM) and iron deficiency anemia (US; FDI, FCM, and FER).Areas covered: This review focusses on the chemistry and structure of FDI, FCM, and FER, and on three key aspects of IV iron safety: (1) hypersensitivity; (2) hypophosphatemia and sequelae; (3) cardiovascular safety.Expert opinion: Although the safety of modern IV iron has improved, immediate in…

Vieillissement, marginalité urbaine et mal-logement

2021

International audience

“Come join us, and lose your accent!” : Accent Modification Courses as Hierarchization of International Student

2021

In this article, we examine the hierarchization of international students by bringing together perspectives of linguistic legitimacy and language ideologies. Our data stems from 26 accent reduction (AR) or accent modification (AM) course descriptions and websites from US universities. Based on their analysis, we discuss the socio-political implications of the phenomenon of these courses for international students and the ways in which language-based, particularly accent-based, arguments are used to create or reinforce different categories of students. We argue that while international students are presented as having different kinds of “comprehensibility problems” that AM/AR courses are cla…

Constraints on black-hole charges with the 2017 EHT observations of M87*

2021

Full list of authors: Kocherlakota, Prashant; Rezzolla, Luciano; Falcke, Heino; Fromm, Christian M.; Kramer, Michael; Mizuno, Yosuke; Nathanail, Antonios; Olivares, Héctor; Younsi, Ziri; Akiyama, Kazunori; Alberdi, Antxon; Alef, Walter; Algaba, Juan Carlos; Anantua, Richard; Asada, Keiichi; Azulay, Rebecca; Baczko, Anne-Kathrin; Ball, David; Baloković, Mislav; Barrett, John; Benson, Bradford A.; Bintley, Dan; Blackburn, Lindy; Blundell, Raymond; Boland, Wilfred; Bouman, Katherine L.; Bower, Geoffrey C.; Boyce, Hope; Bremer, Michael; Brinkerink, Christiaan D.; Brissenden, Roger; Britzen, Silke; Broderick, Avery E.; Broguiere, Dominique; Bronzwaer, Thomas; Byun, Do-Young; Carlstrom, John E.; …

Effects of environmental and occupational lead toxicity and its association with iron metabolism

2021

Abstract Background Discrepancies are present in the findings from clinical trials evaluating a physiological role of iron status in the lead-exposed population. Objective The purpose of this article was to summarize the current understanding of cellular mechanisms of lead toxicity and present a comprehensive review of existing clinical trials related to associations of lead poisoning and iron status. Although an association of iron metabolism pathways that are affected by lead intoxication has been studied, there are still aspects that remain to be elucidated. The existence of additional Pb uptake pathways besides DMT1 transporter-mediated is postulated to non-specifically regulate lead ab…

La inmigración y el origen del Trabajo Social. Una historia en común

2021

El objeto de este artículo es vincular la inmigración con el Trabajo Social en los Estados Unidos y Gran Bretaña. A partir de la revisión de fuentes secundarias, se trata de establecer la contribución de las figuras pioneras del Trabajo Social y mostrar las principales aportaciones de la disciplina a la investigación y la intervención en el campo de las migraciones. Entre estas aportaciones destaca una literatura, en general, poco conocida, así como una serie de experiencias institucionales que se han considerado como los orígenes históricos del Trabajo Social contemporáneo. The aim of this article is to link immigration with social work in the United States and Great Britain. The article r…