scholarly journals Financing innovations in the contemporary world

Revizor ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (94) ◽  
pp. 25-35
Author(s):  
Lidija Madžar
Keyword(s):  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Organizational Decision Making ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
Multidimensional Complex ◽  
Cumulative Process ◽  
Key Driver ◽  
Survival And Growth

As a practical application of new ideas, innovation is a multidimensional, complex, dynamic, long-term, and cumulative process based on organizational decision-making, from the stage of a new idea's emergence to its final implementation. There is a strong positive correlation between innovation and economic growth. Access to finance is a key driver of new innovative ventures' creation, survival, and growth. On the other hand, the lack of financial resources prevents and inhibits the growth and development of new innovative companies. This paper considers bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and mezzanine financing as widely accepted, specific innovation funding sources worldwide.

The Effects of P75NTR on Learning Memory Mediated by Hippocampal Apoptosis and Synaptic Plasticity

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Jie Tang ◽  
Shuang Feng ◽  
Xing-Dong Chen ◽  
Hua Huang ◽  
Min Mao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Learning And Memory ◽  
Neurological Diseases ◽  
Neurotrophin Receptor ◽  
P75 Neurotrophin Receptor ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Apoptotic Effect ◽  
New Ideas ◽  
The Relationship

: Neurological diseases bring great mental and physical torture to the patients, and have long-term and sustained negative effects on families and society. The attention to neurological diseases is increasing, and the improvement of the material level is accompanied by an increase in the demand for mental level. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is a low-affinity neurotrophin receptor and involved in diverse and pleiotropic effects in the developmental and adult central nervous system (CNS). Since neurological diseases are usually accompanied by the regression of memory, the pathogenesis of p75NTR also activates and inhibits other signaling pathways, which has a serious impact on the learning and memory of patients. The results of studies shown that p75NTR is associated with LTP/LTD-induced synaptic enhancement and inhibition, suggest that p75NTR may be involved in the progression of synaptic plasticity. And its pro-apoptotic effect is associated with activation of proBDNF and inhibition of proNGF, and TrkA/p75NTR imbalance leads to pro-survival or pro-apoptotic phenomena. It can be inferred that p75NTR mediates apoptosis in the hippocampus and amygdale, which may affect learning and memory behavior. This article mainly discusses the relationship between p75NTR and learning memory and associated mechanisms, which may provide some new ideas for the treatment of neurological diseases.

scholarly journals Flavonoids Ameliorate Stress-Induced Depression by Preventing NLRP3 Inflammasome Priming

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1231-1231
Author(s):  
Giulio Pasinetti
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Nlrp3 Inflammasome ◽  
Signaling Cascades ◽  
Dietary Polyphenols ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Glycation End Products ◽  
Molecular Patterns

Abstract Objectives Chronic stress activates danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), stimulating the NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3 activation triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. The activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome propagates pro-inflammatory signaling cascades implicated in the onset of depression. Our previous studies show that polyphenolic compounds were found to ameliorate stress induced depression in mouse models. However, the relevant mechanism has not been identified. This study examined the effect of administering polyphenols on DAMP signaling in enriched mice microglia. Methods This study examined the effect of administering polyphenols on DAMP signaling in mice microglia. To recapitulate stress-induced depression, mice underwent chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). Microglia were isolated at various time points throughout the CUS protocol. We also assessed long-term persistent changes after CUS and susceptibility to subthreshold unpredictable stress (US) re-exposure. Results Interestingly, the development of US – induced depression and anxiety depended upon a previous exposure to CUS. We found that CUS caused robust upregulation of IL-1β mRNA in enriched microglia, an effect that persists for up to 4 weeks following CUS exposure. Following the subthreshold US re-exposure, we observed the upregulation of pro- IL-1β as well as pro-receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE). Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) was not. We also observed an increase in RAGE mRNA expression when mice were exposed to US prior to the start of the CUS paradigm. Importantly, a primary exposure to US, was sufficient to increase RAGE mRNA expression. We found that polyphenol administration significantly improved CUS-induced depressive-like phenotypes and also reversed neuroinflammation in mice. Treatment with dietary flavonoids prevented upregulation of IL-1β, RAGE mRNA, which reflects the ability of polyphenols that may have begun following the primary exposure to US. Conclusions Taken all together, the results provide evidence of the role of dietary polyphenols in preventing persistent microglial activation, which has been shown to result in reduced long term vulnerability to depressive-like behaviors following expose to chronic stress. Funding Sources This study was supported by a P50 CARBON Center grant from the NCCIH/ODS.

Child Money and Food Stamps: A comparative analysis of Mongolian welfare programmes in the Ger Districts of Ulaanbaatar

2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-524
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Fox
Keyword(s):  
Participant Observation ◽  
Food Stamps ◽  
Means Testing ◽  
Economic Cycles ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Urban Migrants ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Welfare Model ◽  
Level Analysis

Abstract Until recently, the Mongolian welfare system was entirely category based. However, a new food stamps programme funded by loans from the Asian Development Bank, which targets aid according to proxy means testing, has been introduced as part of the bank’s aim to push Mongolia towards a fiscally sustainable welfare model. The food stamps programme is presented as efficient and responsible in contrast to Mongolia’s universal child money programme. Based on long-term participant observation research in the ger districts of Ulaanbaatar, areas inhabited by many rural-urban migrants living in poverty, this paper compares the two programmes, interweaving street-level accounts of the experiences of residents and bureaucrats alike with the respective histories and funding sources of the two programmes. Doing so provides a multi-level analysis of the emergent welfare state in Mongolia, unpicking the ‘system’ that ger district residents encounter, linking the relative influence of international financial institutions to democratic and economic cycles, and offering a critique of the supposed efficiency of targeted welfare programmes.

scholarly journals Adiponectin and its receptors in patients with cardiovascular disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Belik ◽  
OV Gruzdeva ◽  
YUA Dyleva ◽  
EG Uchasova ◽  
MYU Sinitsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Defects ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Fat Depots ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Adiponectin Mrna ◽  
Fat Stores ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
High Level ◽  
Group 1

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Aim to determine the features of adiponectin expression, secretion of adiponectin and its receptors in local fat depots in CVD. Materials and methods The study included 90 patients with СAD (Group 1) and 60 patients with heart defects (Group 2). Adipocytes were isolated from samples of subcutaneous (SAT), epicardial (EAT) and perivascular (PVAT) adipose tissue obtained during CABG or heart valve replacement. The expression of adiponectin was determined by qPCR using TaqManTM Gene Expression Assays (Applied Biosystems, USA) in the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems, USA), the levels of expression products was determined using enzyme immunoassay (Bender MedSystems GmbH, Vienna, Austria). The data were analyzed using the statistical software Statistica 9.0. Results EAT adipocytes were characterized by the lowest adiponectin expression relative to adipocytes of other localization both in Group 1 and Group 2. In patients Group 1 adiponectin expression in EAT was reduced relative in SAT and PVAT (by 1.2 and 1.5 times). In Group 2, the adiponectin mRNA in the EAT was lower than in the SAT and PVAT (1.4 and 1.5 times). The expression of adiponectin in EAT in Group 2 exceeded the same indicator in Group 1 by 1.2 times. The maximum expression of adiponectin was observed in the PVAT culture in patients of both groups. For Group 2, this indicator exceeded the values of Group 1 by 1.2 times. The content of adiponectin in the culture EAT was lower than in the SAT, both in Group 1 and Group 2 (by 1.3 and 1.13 times). The level of this indicator in Group 2 was 1.4 times higher than in Group 1. PVAT adipocytes of patients with CAD were characterized by the lowest level of adiponectin secretion in comparison with adipocytes of other localization. The adiponectin level in the PVAT of Group 2 exceeded that of fat stores of other localization and in Group 1 patients by 1.8 times. There were no statistically significant differences in the expression and concentration of adiponectin in the culture of adipocytes of the SAT between the groups of patients. In Group 1, the lowest level of AdipoR1 was found in the adipocyte culture of the PVAT. Noteworthy is the decrease in the level of AdipoR1 in Group 1 compared to the level of Group 2, observed in the SAT and PVAT: 1.3 and 1.5 times. There were no significant differences in the concentration of the AdipoR1 in the EAT, as well as AdipoR2 in all types of AT between the groups of patients. Conclusion: in CVD the EAT is characterized by minimal expression and secretion of adiponectin, regardless of nosology. In CAD despite the high level of expression of adiponectin, the adipocytes of the PVAT were found to have the lowest content in comparison with adipocytes of other localization. Dysregulation of the adiponectin/AdipoR axis is observed in PVAT, which may be due to low expression of adiponectin receptors and long-term processes of its post-translational modification and oligomerization in CAD.

scholarly journals Complications and outcome of the long-term use of the intra-aortic balloon pump in patients with end-stage heart failure

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Stratinaki ◽  
E Bousoula ◽  
I Malakos ◽  
M Zymatoura ◽  
E Fountas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Pharmacological Therapy ◽  
Circulatory Support ◽  
Intra Aortic Balloon Pump ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Iabp Support ◽  
End Stage Heart Failure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
End Stage

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) can be used as circulatory support in order to stabilize haemodynamically compromised patients as either a bridge to therapy or to further mechanical support. Based on the current literature its use should be limited to up to two weeks and there are not enough data regarding its long term use’s efficacy and possible complications. Purpose To review the possible complications of the long-term use of IABP Methods We restrospectively analysed the data from 24 consecutive patients with end-stage heart failure (ESHF) who received long-term IABP support and recorded the complications during their hospitalization as well as their outcome. Results 24 patients (14 male and 10 female) were included. In 5 of them ESHF was attributed to ischemic cardiomyopathy and the in 19 to dilated cardiomyopathy. Their mean age was 45.6+/-14 years. The mean duration of IABP support was 70.2 days (minimum 30days maximum 192 days). The mean ejection fraction (EF) was 20%. Regarding the pharmacological therapy, 12/24 patients were on dobutamine, 4/24 on dobutamine and milrinone and 8/24 on dobutamine and noradrenaline. Regarding the clinical course of these patients, 7/24 underwent heart transplantation, 2/24 managed to wean from IABP, 5/24 received left lentrivular assist device (LVAD), 6/24 received biventricular assist veice (BiVAD) and 4/24 died. In terms of complications they were recorded as following : infection 7/24, bleeding 3/24, thrombosis 4/24, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia(HIT) 5/24, hematoma 4/24, ischemia 0/24 and rupture 1/24. Conclusions   Although not indicated by the current guidelines, long term IABP can be used as a relatively safe  circulatory support method.

Long-term risk of major cardiovascular events after cavotricuspid isthmus ablation: when and in whom to discontinue oral anticoagulation?

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
TE Graca Rodrigues ◽  
J Brito ◽  
P Silverio-Antonio ◽  
P Couto Pereira ◽  
B Valente Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cox Regression ◽  
Cavotricuspid Isthmus ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Major Cardiovascular Events ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Group I ◽  
Typical Atrial Flutter ◽  
Clinical Records ◽  
Patient At Risk

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Cavotricuspid isthmus ablation (CTA) is the 1st line therapy to accomplish rhythm control in typical atrial flutter (AFL). Several studies have shown that AFL is frequently associated with AF, which may be silent, posing the patient at risk of systemic embolism. Nowadays, there are no formal recommendations for OAC after CTA in patients with isolated AFL. Aim To determine the risk of MACE after CTA and compare: 1) the presence of concomitant AF, 2) concomitantly performing PVI and 3) persistence on OAC. Methods Single-center retrospective study of  pts submitted to CTA between 2015 and 2019, comprising 3 groups: I – pts with lone AFL; II – patients with AFL and prior AF submitted to CTA only; and III – patients with AFL and prior AF submitted to PVI and CTA. Clinical records were analyzed to determine the occurrence of MACE - death (of CV or unknown cause), stroke, clinically relevant bleed or hospitalization due to HF or arrhythmic events. Long-term OAC was defined as its persistence over 18 months after CTA. Kaplan Meier survival curves were used to estimate the risk of events and the groups were compared using uni- and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results A total of 476 pts (66 ± 12 years, 80% males) underwent CTA: group I – 284 pts (60%), II – 109 pts (23%) and III – 83 pts (17%). Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for age with group I pts being older (68 ± 12, 67 ± 11, 61 ± 11, p < 0.03). The mean baseline CHA2DS2VASc was 2.3 ± 1.5 and the median post-CTA follow-up was 2.8 year. The 1-, 3- and 5-years MACE risk was 7%, 21% and 32%, respectively and did not differ significantly between groups. OAC was suspended on the long-term in 105 pts (23%), at a mean of 241 days post-CTA. Suspension of OAC was significantly associated with lower MACE risk (HR: 0.26, 95%CI 0.12-0.56, p = 0.001). This effect was independent of the age and CHA2DS2VASc. The prognostic benefit of OAC suspension was driven by the group I and was not verified in patients with concomitant AF. In group I, withdraw of OAC (56 pts - 27%) was associated with a 70% relative risk reduction in the 5-year MACE risk (16% vs 43%, HR: 0.30, 95%CI 0.13-0.69, p = 0.005). In group I, OAC was suspended in patient who were younger (65 ± 11 vs. 69 ± 12, p = 0.002), had lower CHA2DS2VASc (1.9 ± 1.6 vs. 2.7 ± 1.4, p < 0.001) and less often had cerebral vascular disease (1% vs. 8%, p = 0.036), HF (14% vs. 38%, p = 0.001), ischemic cardiomyopathy (9% vs. 19%, p = 0.04) and HTN(61% vs. 75%, p = 0.019). Conclusions In pts with AFL submitted to CTA, the long-term risk of MACE is frighteningly high, even in the ones without prior documentation of concomitant AF. Pts with prior AF presenting at the electrophysiological procedure in typical AFL and submitted just to CTA were not significantly harmed, from a prognostic perspective. In pts with lone AFL submitted to successful CTA, it may be reasonable to suspend OAC within 18 months provided that the concomitant AF is carefully excluded. Abstract Figure.

Effect of Long-term Cropping Systems on Soil Hydrophobicity of a Clay Loam Soil Under Dryland Conditions in Southern Alberta

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jim J. Miller ◽  
Mallory Owen ◽  
Ben Ellert ◽  
Xueming Yang ◽  
Craig F. Drury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Cropping ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Clay Loam ◽  
Clay Loam Soil ◽  
Manure Application ◽  
Organic Carbon Concentration ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Soil Hydrophobicity

The objective was to quantify the effect of crop rotations, crop type, life cycle, nitrogen fertilizer, manure application, and fallow on soil hydrophobicity (SH). The SH was measured for a long-term (16 yr) dryland field experiment on a Dark Brown clay loam soil in southern Alberta, Canada. Mean SH was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater in rotations with grass, perennial crops, manure application, and continuous cropping; whereas cereal-legume rotations and N fertilizer effects were undetectable. A strong, positive correlation occurred between SH and soil organic carbon concentration (r=0.73). Soil water repellency should be measured on these plots using water-based methods.

scholarly journals Feasibility of Phototherapy as a Community-Based Solution for Vitamin D Deficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 240-240
Author(s):  
Mary McCarthy ◽  
Evelyn Elshaw ◽  
Barbara Szekely ◽  
Tom Beltran
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Previous Treatment ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Skin Type ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Relationship Of

Abstract Objectives 1. Determine acceptability and feasibility of a phototherapy kiosk designed as a self-care intervention for low vitamin D; 2. Demonstrate that narrow spectrum ultraviolet (UV) B delivered by the kiosk is equivalent to recommended daily D3 supplementation to raise or maintain serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (OH)D levels at or above 30 ng/mL; and 3. Examine the relationship of demographic variables, including age, gender, body mass index, physical activity, ethnicity, skin type, season, and sun exposure to serum 25(OH)D levels in both treatment arms. Methods Participants were randomized to either the phototherapy kiosk (PK) for a treatment every other week or 600 IU D3 oral supplement (OS) daily, for 10 weeks. PK exposure was based on response to previous treatment and Fitzpatrick Skin Type category; subjects wore undergarments only and eye protection for treatments of 2–6 minutes duration. OS group received a one-time prescription of 70 capsules, dispensed by a research pharmacist. Primary outcome was serum 25(OH)D level. Results Final sample 88 adults; OS group n = 45 and PK group n = 43. Demographics: median age 35 years, mostly female (66%), no difference observed between groups for age, race/ethnicity, or marital status. No difference seen in skin type, birth location, sun exposure, or use of sunscreen. OS group had higher BMI and %body fat. Baseline 25(OH)D level were similar, P = 0.25. At 12 weeks median OS 25(OH)D 25.5 ng/mL and PK 30 ng/mL; P = .01. At 16 weeks, OS group 25(OH)D level 21 ng/mL and PK 27 ng/mL; P = .04. Adherence: OS 92% vs PK 100%. There were no reportable adverse events. Conclusions Use of PK every other week achieved higher serum levels of 25(OH)D than usual care vitamin D3 600 IU/day for 10 weeks, although both groups returned to baseline levels 30 days post-treatment. At a time when self-care measures are highly valued for health promotion, programmed UVB delivered via PK in the community appears to be a safe, efficacious alternative to oral D3 supplementation but requires recurring use. Results from this study suggest a need for early intervention in preventable health conditions impacting Warfighter performance and readiness, particularly pre-deployment when optimizing long-term wellness for duty in austere environments. Funding Sources Benesol, Inc.

scholarly journals Jahrringe als Indikatoren für extreme Standortsbedingungen im Gebirge: Schnee, Lawinen und Permafrost | Growth rings as indicators of extreme site conditions in the mountains: snow, avalanches and permafrost

2004 ◽  
Vol 155 (6) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bebi ◽  
Alejandro Casteller ◽  
Andrea Corinna Mayer ◽  
Veronika Stöckli
Keyword(s):  
Natural Hazards ◽  
Growth Ring ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Site Conditions ◽  
Snow Avalanches ◽  
Growth Rings ◽  
Survival And Growth ◽  
Ring Analysis

Snow, avalanches, and permafrost are extreme site conditions for plants. Reactions and adaptations to such extreme conditions can be reconstructed with growth ring analysis and linked with corresponding climate and disturbance data. On the basis of five case studies in and around the long-term research site Stillberg, near Davos, we discuss both the potential and the limits of dendroecology to understand the effect of such extreme site conditions. Despite some uncertainties in reliably assigning plant reactions, growth ring analysis is a valuable addition to better understand the effects of extreme site conditions on the survival and growth of plants. This can lead to improved management strategies associated with natural hazards, especially in the case of avalanches.

scholarly journals Recovery-informed Theory: Situating the Subjective in the Science of Substance Use Disorder Recovery

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin M Brown ◽  
Robert D Ashford
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Substance Use Disorder ◽  
Systems Of Care ◽  
Grand Theory ◽  
Recovery Strategies ◽  
Recovery Capital ◽  
New Ideas

As recovery from substance use disorder becomes more than a mere quantifiable outcome, there exists a need to discuss and propose the underlying theoretical constructs that ultimately describe and identify the science of recovery. In this abstract undertaking, we propose an initial formulation of a grand theory of recovery science, built upon the seminal theories of recovery capital, recovery-oriented systems of care, and socioecological theory. This grand theory - labeled recovery-informed theory (RIT) - states that successful long-term recovery is self-evident and is a fundamentally emancipatory set of processes. This paper will discuss, analyze, and explore this theory as it is situated within the larger substance use, misuse, and disorder contexts. The uses, implications, and benefits of RIT as an organizing point of inquiry for recovery science are also discussed. By promoting the role of subjective recovery experience in the formulation of the study of recovery, it may be possible to summon new ideas, metrics, and strategies that can directly address substance use disorders in society. Adopting a recovery-informed understanding as follows from this grand theory may allow individual recovery and wellness trajectories to be explored, adapted, and modified to exemplify person-centered and individualized recovery strategies.

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