bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FIP200 Suppresses Immune Checkpoint Therapy Responses in Breast Cancers by Limiting AZI2/TBK1/IRF Signaling Independent of Its Canonical Autophagy Function
Authors: Okamoto Takako , Yeo Syn Kok , Hao Mingang , Copley Mary Rose , Haas Michael A. , Chen Song , Guan Jun-Lin
Published: June 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have the potential to induce durable therapeutic responses, yet response rates in breast cancer are modest and limited to particular subtypes. To expand the applicability of ICI, we examined the role of an essential autophagy gene, FIP200, which has been shown to be important for tumor progression in mammary tumors. Specific disruption of the autophagy function of FIP200 or complete ablation of FIP200 in genetic mouse models revealed that FIP200 autophagy function was required for progression of PyMT-driven mammary tumors. However, a noncanonical autophagy function of FIP200 was responsible for limiting T-cell recruitment and activation of the TBK1-IFN signaling axis. FIP200 also interacted with the TBK1 adaptor protein, AZI2, which was crucial for activation of TBK1 following FIP200 ablation. Accordingly, disrupting the noncanonical autophagy function of FIP200 in combination with ICI therapy led to superior, durable responses in immune-competent models of breast cancer. Collectively, these insights could guide future development of therapeutic agents against FIP200 for combinatorial ICI therapies in nonresponsive breast cancers.

Significance:

These findings show that deletion of FIP200 enhances immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in nonresponsive breast cancer.
R-spondin2 Suppresses the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma via MAPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zheng Chang , Zhou Fan , Shi Liang Liang , Xu Gui Fang , Zhang Bin , Wang Lei , Zhuge Yuzheng , Zou Xiao Ping , Wang Yi
Published: June 2020

The R-spondin family plays important roles in embryonic development, including in humans. However, information on the relationship between R-spondin2 and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is lacking. This study aimed was to explore the mechanisms of R-spondin2 action in the progression of HCC. By analyzing R-spondin2 expression levels in HCC tissues by IHC and database, we identified that HCC tissues had lower expression levels of R-spondin2, correlated with a poor prognosis. We also established R-spondin2–overexpressing and knockdown cell lines and measured their viabilities and invasion abilities in vitro and their oncogenic capacity in vivo. Human mRNA microarray analysis was performed to screen for mRNAs that were differentially expressed between R-spondin2–overexpressing and control HCC cells. Microarray and Western blot analyses showed significant changes in the MAPK signaling pathway after transfection. Furthermore, in vivo experiments indicated that R-spondin2 knockdown increased the tumorigenicity of HCC cells after subcutaneous implantation in mice. Altogether, our results indicate that the R-spondin2, which might be a novel tumor suppressor gene, were responsible for inhibiting the proliferation and invasion of HCC via the MAPK signaling pathway.

Implications:

R-spondin2 gene might be a novel tumor suppressor gene providing new clues to clarify the biological behavior of HCC and thus reduce patient mortality and prolong survival.
Use of Aspirin and Statins in Relation to Inflammation in Benign Prostate Tissue in the Placebo Arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial
Authors: Hurwitz Lauren M. , Kulac Ibrahim , Gumuskaya Berrak , Valle Javier A. Baena Del , Benedetti Ines , Pan Fan , Liu Jun O. , Marrone Michael T. , Arnold Kathryn B. , Goodman Phyllis J. , Tangen Catherine M. , Lucia M. Scott , Thompson Ian M. , Drake Charles G. , Isaacs William B. , Nelson William G. , De Marzo Angelo M. , Platz Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2020

Aspirin and statin use may lower the risk of advanced/fatal prostate cancer, possibly by reducing intraprostatic inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the association of aspirin and statin use with the presence and extent of intraprostatic inflammation, and the abundance of specific immune cell types, in benign prostate tissue from a subset of men from the placebo arm of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. Men were classified as aspirin or statin users if they reported use at baseline or during the 7-year trial. Presence and extent of inflammation were assessed, and markers of specific immune cell types (CD4, CD8, FoxP3, CD68, and c-KIT) were scored, in slides from end-of-study prostate biopsies taken irrespective of clinical indication, per trial protocol. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between medication use and inflammation measures, adjusted for potential confounders. Of 357 men included, 61% reported aspirin use and 32% reported statin use. Prevalence and extent of inflammation were not associated with medication use. However, aspirin users were more likely to have low FoxP3, a T regulatory cell marker [OR, 5.60; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–27.07], and statin users were more likely to have low CD68, a macrophage marker (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.81–3.27). If confirmed, these results suggest that these medications may alter the immune milieu of the prostate, which could potentially mediate effects of these medications on advanced/fatal prostate cancer risk.
A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Two-Arm, Open-Label Study of Intermittent Oral Dosing of Roxadustat for the Treatment of Anemia in Japanese Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent-Naïve Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Not on Dialysis
Authors: Akizawa Tadao , Yamaguchi Yusuke , Otsuka Tetsuro , Reusch Michael
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Roxadustat is an oral hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor approved for the treatment of anemia in Japan for patients with dialysis-dependent (DD) chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: Multicenter, randomized, open-label, noncomparative, phase 3 study to evaluate roxadustat for anemia of non-dialysis-dependent (NDD) CKD in Japan. Methods: Erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA)-naïve NDD-CKD patients were randomized to roxadustat (initial dose, 50 or 70 mg 3 times weekly), titrated to maintain hemoglobin (Hb) within 10.0–12.0 g/dL, for ≤24 weeks. Patients with either transferrin saturation of ≥5% or serum ferritin of ≥30 ng/mL during the screening period were eligible. Endpoints included response rate (proportion of patients achieving Hb ≥10.0 or ≥10.5 g/dL and Hb increase ≥1.0 g/dL from baseline) at end of treatment; average Hb (weeks 18–24); change of average Hb from baseline to weeks 18–24; maintenance rate (proportion of patients achieving Hb 10.0–12.0 g/dL at weeks 18–24); rate of rise (RoR) of Hb from weeks 0–4, discontinuation, or dose adjustment. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. Results: Of 135 patients who provided informed consent, 100 were randomized and 99 received roxadustat (50 mg, n = 49; 70 mg, n = 50). The mean (SD) dose of roxadustat per intake at week 22 was 36.3 (22.7) mg in the roxadustat 50 mg group and 36.8 (16.0) mg in the roxadustat 70 mg group. Prior medications included oral iron therapy (20.2%) and intravenous iron therapy (1.0%). Overall response rate (95% CI) was 97.0% (91.4, 99.4; Hb ≥10.0 g/dL) and 94.9% (88.6, 98.3; Hb ≥10.5 g/dL). Mean (SD) Hb (weeks 18–24) was 11.17 (0.62) g/dL. Mean (SD) change of Hb from baseline (weeks 18–24) was 1.34 (0.86) g/dL. Maintenance rate (95% CI) was 88.8% (80.3, 94.5) among patients with ≥1 Hb measurement during weeks 18–24. Mean (SD) RoR of Hb was 0.291 (0.197) g/dL/week (50 mg) and 0.373 (0.235) g/dL/week (70 mg). Nasopharyngitis and hypertension were the most common adverse events. Conclusion: Roxadustat increased and maintained Hb in ESA-naïve, partially iron-depleted NDD-CKD patients with anemia.
Stop GnRH-Agonist Combined with Multiple-Dose GnRH-Antagonist for Patients with Elevated Peak Serum Progesterone Levels Undergoing Ovarian Stimulation for IVF: A Proof of Concept
Authors: Orvieto Raoul , Kirshenbaum Michal , Galiano Valentina , Zilberberg Eran , Haas Jigal , Nahum Ravit
Published: June 2020

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine whether the Stop GnRH-agonist combined with multiple-dose GnRH-antagonist protocol may overcome progesterone elevation during the late follicular phase. Patients and Methods: A cohort historical, proof of concept study consisting of 11 patients with progesterone elevation (>3.1 nmol/L) during conventional IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), who underwent a subsequent Stop GnRH-agonist combined with multiple-dose GnRH-antagonist ovarian stimulation (OS) protocol, within 3 months of the previous failed conventional IVF/ICSI cycle. Results: The Stop GnRH-agonist combined with multiple-dose GnRH-antagonist COH protocol revealed significantly lower peak progesterone levels, with significantly higher numbers of follicles >13 mm in diameter on the day of hCG administration, oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes, and top-quality embryos, with an acceptable clinical pregnancy rate (18.2%). Conclusions: The combined Stop GnRH-ag/GnRH-ant OS protocol is a valuable tool in the armamentarium for treating patients with progesterone elevation during the late follicular phase. Further large prospective studies are needed to validate our observation and to characterize the appropriate patients’ subgroup, which might benefit from the combined Stop GnRH-ag/GnRH-ant COH protocol.
РЕЗУЛЬТАТИ ТЕСТУВАННЯ НА БІОМАРКЕР ТУБЕРКУЛЬОЗУ ЛІПОАРАБІНОМАННАН (LAM) У ПАЦІЄНТІВ ТУБЕРКУЛЬОЗНОГО СТАЦІОНАРУ
Authors: Savula М. M. , Vasylyshyn O. V.
Published: June 2020

Мета роботи – з’ясувати доцільність визначення LAM-антигену в сечі для діагностики туберкульозу.

Матеріали і методи. LAM-антиген в сечі визначали шляхом застосування тесту Aleve Determine TB LAM Ag, рекомендованого для діагностики туберкульозу серед ВІЛ-позитивних осіб. Обстежено 88 дорослих пацієнтів. Активний туберкульоз був у 77 хворих, із них у 73 туберкульоз легень (у 6 в поєднанні з ВІЛ-інфекцією і у 67 ВІЛ-негативних).

Результати та обговорення. Позитивні результати LAM-тесту отримані в 11 із 77 (14,3 %) хворих із активним туберкульозом, всі 11 – серед 73 (15,1 %) осіб з туберкульозом легень. LAM-антиген виявлено у 4 із 6 ВІЛ-інфікованих осіб і у 7 з 67 (10,4 %) ВІЛ-негативних. У двох ВІЛ-інфікованих жінок виявлення LAM-антигену було єдиним етіологічним підтвердженням активного туберкульозу за негативних результатів мікроскопічних і молекулярно-генетичного досліджень.

У всіх 7 ВІЛ-негативних осіб з позитивними результатами LAM-тесту були тяжкі поширені форми легеневого туберкульозу і супровідні хвороби, які могли спричинити пригнічення імунітету.

Висновки. Через низьку чутливість, в наших умовах визначення LAM-антигену в сечі доцільне в окремих випадках у ВІЛ-позитивних осіб, в яких не отримано етіологічного підтвердження туберкульозу іншими методами. Зроблено припущення, що чутливість LAM-тесту може зростати при імунодефіцитних станах, спричинених, крім ВІЛ-інфекції, також іншими чинниками.
ЛАЙМ-БОРЕЛІОЗ У ДІТЕЙ
Authors: Nykytyuk S. O. , Klymniuk S. I.
Published: June 2020

В останні роки значна увага дослідників присвячена проблемам поширення захворюваності на Лайм-бореліоз і вчасної діагностики цього захворювання, зокрема у дітей. Така проблема особливо актуальна в нашій країн, оскільки за 10 років захворюваність на хворобу Лайма зросла в 27 разів.

Основна частина. На підставі ретельного і глибокого аналізу літератури в статті розглядаються проблеми діагностування хвороби Лайма, спричиненої збудниками, які потрапляють в організм унаслідок укусу інфікованих кліщів. У дітей і дорослих тривалий анамнез цих захворювань призводить до тяжких, часом незворотних наслідків. Вони можуть бути пов’язані з неадекватним і несвоєчасним встановленням діагнозу, що є серйозною проблемою, над вирішенням якої працюють учені багатьох країн світу.

Висновок. Хвороба Лайма – це ендемічне захворювання, що набуває характеру пандемії, тому що число хворих на Лайм-бореліоз зростає. Імунітет проти Borrelia burgdorferi не довічний, і у частини людей, що перенесли Лайм-бореліоз (ЛБ), через деякий час можливе повторне зараження. Емпіричне лікування може знизити імунну відповідь, що призведе до помилково негативних результатів серологічних тестів.
СОЦІАЛЬНА, МЕДИЧНА ТА ЕКОНОМІЧНА ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ОХОРОНИ ЗДОРОВ’Я В ПЕРІОД ЇЇ РЕФОРМУВАННЯ
Authors: Holiachenko А. O. , Smirnova V. L. , Panchyshyn N. Ya. , Holiachenko O. A.
Published: June 2020

За 28 років незалежності України на чолі охорони здоров’я стояло 28 міністрів – академіків зі світовим ім’ям, професорів та просто звичайних людей. Усі вони обіцяли поліпшити охорону здоров’я та досягти позитивних наслідків в показниках здоров’я людності. Натомість здоров’я населення невпинно погіршувалося і досягло небачених результатів – зменшення на 8 млн осіб.

Мета дослідження – проаналізувати і оцінити соціальну, медичну та економічну ефективності охорони здоров’я в період її реформування.

Матеріали і методи. Використано дані загальної та галузевої медичної статистики за весь період існування самостійної України, дані соціологічного опитування жінок дітородного віку. Для обробки матеріалів застосовували статистичний, соціологічний методи та системний аналіз.

Результати. На сьогодні відмічено вкрай негативні наслідки в галузях соціальної, медичної та економічної ефективностей охорони здоров’я. Зростає смертність населення, захворюваність, а витрати на медицину залишаються на вкрай низькому рівні. Медична реформа стоїть ніби осторонь від усіх проблем.

Висновки. Медична реформа не вирішує свого основного завдання – забезпечення соціальної, медичної та економічної ефективностей. Продовження цієї традиції призведе до катастрофічних наслідків для українського народу.
Temporal Trends in Angina, Myocardial Perfusion, and Left Ventricular Remodeling in Women With No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease Over 1‐Year Follow‐Up: Results From WISE‐CVD
Authors: Quesada Odayme , Hermel Melody , Suppogu Nissi , Aldiwani Haider , Shufelt Chrisandra , Mehta Puja K. , Cook‐Wiens Galen , Maughan Jenna , Berman Daniel S. , Thomson Louise E. J. , Handberg Eileen M. , Pepine Carl J. , Bairey Merz C. Noel , Wei Janet
Published: June 2020

Background

Women with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease are increasingly recognized and found to be at risk for major adverse cardiovascular events.

Methods and Results

In 214 women with suspected ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease who completed baseline and 1‐year follow‐up vasodilatory stress cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated temporal trends in angina (Seattle Angina Questionnaire [SAQ]), myocardial perfusion reserve index, blood pressure, and left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function from baseline to 1‐year follow‐up and explored associations between these different parameters. We observed concordant positive trends in 4/5 SAQ domains, SAQ‐7, myocardial perfusion reserve index, blood pressure, LV mass, and LV mass‐to‐volume ratio. There was no association between SAQ‐7 improvement and myocardial perfusion reserve index improvement over 1‐year follow‐up (
P
=0.1). Higher indexed LV end‐diastolic volume and time to peak filling rate at baseline were associated with increased odds of clinically relevant SAQ‐7 improvement (odds ratio [OR], 1.05; 95% CI, 1.0–1.1; and OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.1–5.0, respectively). Hypertension was associated with decreased odds of SAQ‐7 improvement (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.19–0.91).

Conclusions

In women with ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease clinically treated with cardiac medications over 1 year, we observed concurrent temporal trends toward improvement in SAQ, myocardial perfusion reserve index, blood pressure, LV mass, and LV mass‐to volume ratio. We showed that abnormalities in LV morphology and diastolic function at baseline were predictive of clinically significant improvement in angina at follow‐up, whereas history of hypertension was associated with lower odds. Future studies are needed to assess the mechanisms and treatments responsible for the improvements we observed.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clini​caltr​ials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02582021.
Healthy Lifestyle for Prevention of Premature Death Among Users and Nonusers of Common Preventive Medications: A Prospective Study in 2 US Cohorts
Authors: Wang Kai , Li Yanping , Liu Gang , Rimm Eric , Chan Andrew T. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Song Mingyang
Published: June 2020

Background

It remains unknown whether individuals who regularly use preventive medications receive the same benefit from healthy lifestyle as those who do not use medications. We aimed to examine the associations of healthy lifestyle with mortality according to use of major preventive medications, including aspirin, antihypertensives, and lipid‐lowering medications.

Methods and Results

Among 79 043 women in the Nurses' Health Study (1988–2014) and 39 544 men in the Health Professionals Follow‐up Study (1986–2014), we defined a healthy lifestyle score based on body mass index, smoking, physical activity, diet, and alcohol intake. We estimated multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and population‐attributable risks of death from any cause, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other causes in relation to healthy lifestyle according to medication use. We documented 35 195 deaths. A similar association of healthy lifestyle score with lower all‐cause mortality was observed among medication users (HR, 0.82 per unit increment; 95% CI, 0.81–0.82) and nonusers (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.79–0.83) (
P
interaction=0.54). The fraction of premature deaths that might be prevented by adherence to the 5 healthy lifestyle factors among medication users and nonusers was 38% (95% CI, 32%–42%) and 40% (95% CI, 29%–50%) for all‐cause mortality, 37% (95% CI, 27%–46%) and 45% (95% CI, 18%–66%) for cardiovascular disease mortality, and 38% (95% CI, 28%–46%) and 33% (95% CI, 14%–49%) for cancer mortality, respectively.

Conclusions

Adherence to a healthy lifestyle confers substantial benefit for prevention of premature death among both regular users and nonusers of preventive medications. Adherence to a healthy lifestyle remains important even among individuals regularly using preventive medications.
Use of QT Prolonging Medications by Hemodialysis Patients and Individuals Without End‐Stage Kidney Disease
Authors: Assimon Magdalene M. , Wang Lily , Pun Patrick H. , Winkelmayer Wolfgang C. , Flythe Jennifer E.
Published: June 2020

Background

The rate of sudden cardiac death in the hemodialysis population exceeds that of the general population by >20‐fold. Hemodialysis patients may be particularly susceptible to sudden cardiac death provoked by drug‐induced QT prolongation because of their substantial cardiovascular disease burden, exposure to electrolyte shifts during dialysis, and extensive polypharmacy. However, population‐specific data regarding the frequency and patterns of QT prolonging medication use are limited.

Methods and Results

We conducted a descriptive drug utilization study using 3 administrative databases, the United States Renal Data System, MarketScan, and Medicare claims. We characterized the extent and patterns of QT prolonging medication use by adult hemodialysis patients and individuals without end‐stage kidney disease annually from 2012 to 2016. We also identified instances of high‐risk QT prolonging medication use among hemodialysis patients. In total, 338 515 hemodialysis patients and 40.7 million individuals without end‐stage kidney disease were studied. Annual utilization rates of QT prolonging medications with known torsades de pointes risk in hemodialysis patients were ~1.4 to ~2.5 times higher than utilization rates in individuals without end‐stage kidney disease. Hemodialysis patients with demographic and clinical risk factors for drug‐induced QT prolongation were exposed to medications with known torsades de pointes risk more often than patients without risk factors.

Conclusions

Hemodialysis patients use QT prolonging medications with known torsades de pointes risk more extensively than individuals without end‐stage kidney disease. Given the widespread use and instances of high‐risk prescribing, future studies evaluating the cardiac safety of these drugs in the hemodialysis population are needed.
Coronary Angiography After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) to Evaluate the Risk of Coronary Access Impairment After TAVR‐in‐TAVR
Authors: Nai Fovino Luca , Scotti Andrea , Massussi Mauro , Cardaioli Francesco , Rodinò Giulio , Matsuda Yuji , Pavei Andrea , Masiero Giulia , Napodano Massimo , Fraccaro Chiara , Fabris Tommaso , Tarantini Giuseppe
Published: June 2020

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)‐in‐TAVR is a possible treatment for transcatheter heart valve (
THV
) degeneration. However, the displaced leaflets of the first
THV
will create a risk plane (
RP
) under which the passage of a coronary catheter will be impossible. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential risk of impaired coronary access (
CA
) after
TAVR
‐in‐
TAVR
.

Methods and Results

We prospectively performed coronary angiography after
TAVR
with different
THV
s in 137 consecutive patients, looking where the catheter crossed the valve frame. If coronary cannulation was achieved from below the
RP
, the distance between valve frame and aortic wall was measured by aortic angiography.
CA
after
TAVR
‐in‐
TAVR
was defined as feasible if the catheter passed above the
RP
, as theoretically feasible if passed under the
RP
with valve‐to‐aorta distance >2 mm, and as unfeasible if passed under the
RP
with valve‐to‐aorta distance ≤2 mm. Seventy‐two patients (53%) received a Sapien 3 THV, 26 (19%) received an Evolut Pro/R THV, and 39 (28%) received an Acurate Neo
THV
.
CA
after
TAVR
‐in‐
TAVR
was considered feasible in 40.9% (68.1%, 19.2%, and 5.1%, respectively;
P
<0.001), theoretically feasible in 27.7% (8.3%, 42.3%, and 53.8%, respectively;
P
<0.001), and unfeasible in 31.4% (23.6%, 38.5%, and 41.1%, respectively;
P
=0.116). Independent predictors of impaired
CA
after
TAVR
‐in‐
TAVR
were female sex (odds ratio [OR], 3.99; 95%
CI
, 1.07–14.86;
P
=0.040), sinotubular junction diameter (OR, 0.62; 95%
CI
, 0.48–0.80;
P
<0.001), and implantation of a supra‐annular
THV
(OR, 6.61; 95%
CI
, 1.98–22.03;
P
=0.002).

Conclusions

CA
after
TAVR
‐in‐
TAVR
might be unfeasible in >30% of patients currently treated with
TAVR
. Patients with a small sinotubular junction and those who received a supra‐annular
THV
are at highest risk of potential
CA
impairment with
TAVR
‐in‐
TAVR
.
The Escambia Project: An Experiment in Community-Led Legal Design
Authors: Moss Melissa A.
Published: June 2020

This article shares observations made during an experimental community-led design project undertaken to identify promising new solutions for civil justice services which low-income Escambia County residents could easily use. The Florida Bar Foundation-funded project generated three new initiatives that were prototyped, filed tested, and prepared for continuation. The Escambia Project ultimately engaged more than 100 community members and relied on the support of dozens of local volunteers and organizations. All three initiatives have been adopted by the local legal aid program partner or the community and continue in some form. The article also contains lessons learned and recommendations for how community-led participatory design could help transform the justice system.
Can Visual Design Provide Legal Transparency? The Challenges for Successful Implementation of Icons for Data Protection
Authors: Rossi Arianna , Palmirani Monica
Published: June 2020

Design is a key player in the future of data privacy and data protection. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) established by the European Union aims to rebalance the information asymmetry between the organizations that process personal data and the individuals to which that data refers. Machine-readable, standardized icons that present a “meaningful overview of the intended processing” are suggested by the law as a tool to enhance the transparency of information addressed to data subjects. However, no specific guidelines have been provided, and studies on privacy iconography are very few. This article describes research conducted on the creation and evaluation of icons representing data protection concepts. First, we introduce the methodology used to design the Data Protection Icon Set (DaPIS): participatory design methods combined with legal ontologies and machine-readable representations. Second, we discuss some of the challenges that have been faced in the development and evaluation of DaPIS and similar icon sets. Third, we provide some tentative responses and indicate a way forward for evaluation of the effectiveness of privacy icons and their widespread adoption.
Schengen: Quo Vadis?
Authors: De Somer Marie
Published: June 2020

The EU’s Schengen zone has been in crisis for over four years. This article critically reviews three scenarios on the way forward for the Schengen area that are currently circulating in the EU policy sphere. These include, first, proposals to improve the current rules on internal border checks within the Schengen Borders Code, either through reform or through better implementation practices. A second scenario relates to ideas on increasing the use of police checks in border regions as alternatives for internal border controls. A third scenario links to proposals on making access to the Schengen zone conditional on cooperation and good governance in the CEAS. It is submitted that the proposals in this third scenario are unfeasible for both political as well as legal reasons. More merit can be found in the discussions around the first two scenarios, albeit bearing in mind a number of important caveats.
The Recast Reception Conditions Directive and the Rights of Asylum Seekers with Disabilities: Opportunities, Challenges and the Quest for Reform
Authors: O’Sullivan Charles , Ferri Delia
Published: June 2020

In recent years, the European Union (EU) has, like much of the developed world, experienced a sustained period of inward migration from refugee-producing States in Africa and the Middle-East. This ‘refugee crisis’ has placed a strain not only on the political will of the EU institutions and Member States to find a satisfactory resolution to deal with the flow of migrants, but also on their ability to put in place fair processes for any resulting claims for asylum and to adequately support the needs of asylum seekers while those claims are being processed. This article discusses the latter issue from a discreet angle, focusing on how the EU has addressed the needs of asylum seekers with disabilities. As a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which enjoys sub-constitutional status within the EU legal order, the EU is obligated to interpret all legislation in light of the Convention. Thus, this article seeks to assess the degree to which Directive 2013/33/EU on the material reception conditions for asylum seekers can protect and promote the rights of asylum seekers with disabilities and fulfill the ‘human rights model of disability’ embedded within the CRPD. It also assesses the most recent proposal to replace the Directive, and examines whether the potential shortcomings within it have been addressed thus far. Ultimately, it finds that the ambiguities and lack of procedural certainty within the current Directive provide too much room to derogate from the standards arguably mandated by the Convention, and these have yet to be addressed within the new Proposal.
International Humanitarian Law on the Periphery
Authors: Jo Hyeran
Published: June 2020

Does international law matter on the periphery, where potential subjects are marginalized with uncertain legal status and without lawmaking power? Under what conditions would international law matter among the actors on the periphery, to be accepted as law, remain relevant, and eventually be complied with? By adopting an interdisciplinary perspective from international law and international relations, this article assesses how international humanitarian law (ihl) is accepted and adhered to among the non-state armed actors (nsaas). The author argues that international law matters on the periphery when two conditions are met. The first is when incentives of nsaas are compatible with ihl’s goal of restraint. The second is when the interpretation of ihl at the local level is consistent with international law at the global level. This article provides ample examples of nsaas’ words and deeds to illustrate the arguments.
Material Properties and Image Cues for Convincing Grapes: The Know-How of the 17th-Century Pictorial Recipe by Willem Beurs
Authors: Di Cicco Francesca , Wiersma Lisa , Wijntjes Maarten , Pont Sylvia
Published: June 2020

Painters mastered replicating the regularities of the visual patterns that we use to infer different materials and their properties, via meticulous observation of the way light reveals the world’s textures. The convincing depiction of bunches of grapes is particularly interesting. A convincing portrayal of grapes requires a balanced combination of different material properties, such as glossiness, translucency and bloom, as we learn from the 17th-century pictorial recipe by Willem Beurs. These material properties, together with three-dimensionality and convincingness, were rated in experiment 1 on 17th-century paintings, and in experiment 2 on optical mixtures of layers derived from a reconstruction of one of the 17th-century paintings, made following Beurs’s recipe. In experiment 3 only convincingness was rated, using again the 17th-century paintings. With a multiple linear regression, we found glossiness, translucency and bloom not to be good predictors of convincingness of the 17th-century paintings, but they were for the reconstruction. Overall, convincingness was judged consistently, showing that people agreed on its meaning. However, the agreement was higher when the material properties indicated by Beurs were also rated (experiment 1) than if not (experiment 3), suggesting that these properties are associated with what makes grapes look convincing. The 17th-century workshop practices showed more variability than standardization of grapes, as different combinations of the material properties could lead to a highly convincing representation. Beurs’s recipe provides a list of all the possible optical interactions of grapes, and the economic yet effective image cues to render them.
Pseudosperma citrinostipes (Inocybaceae), a new species associated with Keteleeria from southwestern China

Authors: YU WEN-JIE , CHANG CHENG , QIN LI-WU , ZENG NIAN-KAI , WANG SHAO-XIAN , FAN YU-GUANG
Published: June 2020

Pseudosperma citrinostipes sp. nov. from southwestern China is described and illustrated based on morphological, ecological, and molecular data. The new species is characterized by a medium-sized slender habit, straw yellow to golden yellow pileus, crowded lamellae without olive tinges, an equal stipe with lemon yellow to golden fibrils, large ellipsoid to subphaseoliform basidiospores, subfusiform to lageniform cheilocystidia, and the presence of caulocystidia at the stipe apex. Phylogenetically, P. citrinostipes is placed in the P. rimosum complex and is sister to the rest of the taxa of the species complex.
A new species of the genus Archiboreoiulus Brolemann, 1921 (Diplopoda, Julida) from Movile Cave (Southern Dobrogea, Romania)
Authors: GIURGINCA ANDREI , VĂNOAICA LIVIU , ŠUSTR VLADIMIR , TAJOVSKÝ KAREL
Published: June 2020

Up to the present, the genus Archiboreoiulus included only two species: A. sollaudi from France and A. pallidus with a wide European distribution range. Here we describe a previously unknown species of the genus Archiboreoiulus, A. serbansarbui, collected from the mesothermal sulfurous Movile Cave, Mangalia, Romania, harboring a rich and diverse troglobitic community.
2. Use of Manual Signs and Gestures by Hearing Persons
Authors: Bonvillian John D. , Kissane Lee Nicole , Dooley Tracy T. , Loncke Filip T.
Published: June 2020

Chapter 2 presents multiple accounts of the widespread use of manual signs by hearing persons in diverse settings throughout history. From an initial theoretical focus on the origins of language in humans, and the potential that language first emerged from gestural or manual communication, the reader is introduced to the views of various historical scholars who believed that signs and gestures are a natural means of communication and could potentially even be a universal form of communication. Such a universal form of communication, however, meets with a substantial obstacle in that gestures may vary widely in meaning and usage cross-culturally. Nevertheless, such a system was developed once before by the Indigenous peoples of North America, who spoke hundreds of different languages. Native Americans used signs as a lingua franca across a wide geographical area to overcome the numerous spoken language barriers they encountered. Also covered in this chapter are the use of signs in early contact situations and interactions between Native Americans and Europeans, and the development of signs by various monastic orders in Europe.
7. Use of Manual Signs and Gestures by Hearing Persons
Authors: Bonvillian John D. , Kissane Lee Nicole , Dooley Tracy T. , Loncke Filip T.
Published: June 2020

In Chapter 7, the authors change focus from the use of signs by deaf persons and with individuals with disabilities to how signing may enhance the learning and processing of spoken language by typically developing hearing children and adults. The first topic examined is the use of signs to foster infants’ and young children’s acquisition of their principal spoken language. Signs may further serve as an effective intervention strategy in academic settings for children with ADHD or as a means to improving vocabulary acquisition and reading comprehension for children who lag behind their age group on various language performance measures. Iconic signs and representative gestures may also be used to facilitate the acquisition of foreign language vocabulary when the signs are paired with the to-be-learned words. Finally, various studies concerning the positive benefits of learning to sign promote the possibility that using the visual-gestural modality may confer increased skills in various cognitive domains such as spatial memory, mental rotation, and facial discrimination.
Consistency of Satellite Climate Data Records for Earth System Monitoring
Authors: Popp Thomas , Hegglin Michaela I. , Hollmann Rainer , Ardhuin Fabrice , Bartsch Annett , Bastos Ana , Bennett Victoria , Boutin Jacqueline , Brockmann Carsten , Buchwitz Michael , Chuvieco Emilio , Ciais Philippe , Dorigo Wouter , Ghent Darren , Jones Richard , Lavergne Thomas , Merchant Christopher J. , Meyssignac Benoit , Paul Frank , Quegan Shaun , Sathyendranath Shubha , Scanlon Tracy , Schröder Marc , Simis Stefan G. H. , Willén Ulrika
Published: June 2020

Climate data records (CDRs) of essential climate variables (ECVs) as defined by the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) derived from satellite instruments help to characterize the main components of the Earth system, to identify the state and evolution of its processes, and to constrain the budgets of key cycles of water, carbon, and energy. The Climate Change Initiative (CCI) of the European Space Agency (ESA) coordinates the derivation of CDRs for 21 GCOS ECVs. The combined use of multiple ECVs for Earth system science applications requires consistency between and across their respective CDRs. As a comprehensive definition for multi-ECV consistency is missing so far, this study proposes defining consistency on three levels: 1) consistency in format and metadata to facilitate their synergetic use (technical level); 2) consistency in assumptions and auxiliary datasets to minimize incompatibilities among datasets (retrieval level); and 3) consistency between combined or multiple CDRs within their estimated uncertainties or physical constraints (scientific level). Analyzing consistency between CDRs of multiple quantities is a challenging task and requires coordination between different observational communities, which is facilitated by the CCI program. The interdependencies of the satellite-based CDRs derived within the CCI program are analyzed to identify where consistency considerations are most important. The study also summarizes measures taken in CCI to ensure consistency on the technical level, and develops a concept for assessing consistency on the retrieval and scientific levels in the light of underlying physical knowledge. Finally, this study presents the current status of consistency between the CCI CDRs and future efforts needed to further improve it.
Fragility Vertebral Compression Fractures in Postmenopausal Women: The Role of a Fracture Liaison Service Program
Authors: Jackson Avery , Wasfie Tarik , Brock Caramarie , Galovska Stefanija , Smalley Melany , Grundman Kendra , Hella Jennifer R.
Published: June 2020

Background

As the aging population increases in the United States, so has the prevalence of osteoporosis (10.2 million adults aged 50 years and older in 2010). Programs to manage the increased incidence of fragility fractures in such patients particularly the postmenopausal women are the priority. Programs such as the Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) might be the answer.

Methods

Data of 256 postmenopausal women with vertebral compression fractures treated with vertebroplasty between 2012 and 2017 were divided into 2 groups. Group A were patients seen between 2012 and 2014 before the establishment of the FLS program at the clinic. Group B were patients seen between 2015 and 2017 who presented to the FLS program in our clinic. Data collected included demographics, refracture rates, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan T-scores, fracture risk score (FRAX), serum calcium and vitamin D levels, and comorbid conditions.

Results

There were 103 female patients with a mean age of 79.75 years (standard deviation [SD] ± 10.86) in group A, while group B had 153 patients with a mean age of 75.66 years (SD ± 10.78). There was no significant difference in the DEXA scan T-scores, FRAX scores, and mean serum calcium and vitamin D levels; however, there was a significant reduction in the refracture rate for vertebral compression fractures ( P = .003).

Conclusion

FLS programs, when implemented, will have a beneficial effect in reducing refracture rates of postmenopausal women with osteoporotic fragility fractures.
How Big Data Confers Market Power to Big Tech: Leveraging the Perspective of Data Science
Authors: Santesteban Cristian , Longpre Shayne
Published: June 2020

Data-hungry applications are central to the largest online platforms. Using a novel approach that leverages data science to inform the economics, we demonstrate how data is a source of market power. We highlight the importance of data heterogeneity, whereby small feature differences translate into large value differences. We examine how concept drift, the existence of a nonstationary relationship between the predictive and target variables, implies that access to a continuous stream of data is competitively advantageous. We analyze how an information bottleneck and high sample complexity in existing applications lead to increasing returns to data. Finally, we show how user interaction control enables personalization that raises switching costs. The combined effect is a potent data barrier to entry that endows substantial market power to only the largest online platforms. Competition policy should focus on enabling entrants unfettered access to vast continuous data streams similar to those available to platform incumbents.
UN communications at 75: Incremental change or innovative transformation?
Authors: Yoon Bora , Cho Kisuk
Published: June 2020

In the age of globalization, the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) is expected to play an active role in communicating with citizens the world over. This study explores the DPI’s evolution over the last 75 years, tackling the nature of organizational change in what is too often dismissed as a hidebound and conservative institution. The authors use textual analysis of UN documents combined with Grunig and Hunt’s four public relations (PR) models to track the DPI’s transformation from an organization that favoured the one-way dissemination of objective information to an institution ready to embrace two-way symmetric public relations. Though useful, these models were unable to explain the driving forces behind the DPI’s transition from one model to another or detailed changes within models at a micro level. To remedy this, the authors incorporate Harry Nyström’s basic model of organizational innovation illuminating incremental changes within the DPI between 1946 and 1989, as well as the transformative changes that were driven by the end of the Cold War, new communications technologies, and Kofi Annan’s leadership in the 1990s and 2000s.
Soft composite based hyperelastic model for anisotropic tissue characterization
Authors: Chanda Arnab , Chatterjee Subhodip , Gupta Vivek
Published: June 2020

Soft tissues are complex anisotropic composite systems comprising of multiple differently oriented layers of fiber embedded within a soft matrix. To date, soft tissues have been mainly characterized using simplified linear elastic material models, isotropic viscoelastic and hyperelastic models, and transversely isotropic models. In such models, the effect of fiber volume fraction (FVF), fiber orientation, and fiber-matrix interactions are missing, inhibiting accurate characterization of anisotropic tissue properties. The current work addresses this literature gap with the development of a novel soft composite based material framework to model tissue anisotropy. In this model, the fiber and matrix are considered as separate hyperelastic materials, and fiber-matrix interaction is modeled using multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient. The effect of the individual contribution of the fibers and matrix are introduced into the numerical framework for a single soft composite layer, and fiber orientation effects are incorporated into the strain energy functions. Also, strain energy formulations are developed for multiple soft composite layers with varying fiber orientations and contributions, describing the biomechanical behavior of an entire anisotropic tissue block. Stress-strain relationships were derived from the strain energy equations for a uniaxial mechanical test condition. To validate the model parameters, experimental models of soft composites tested under uniaxial tension were characterized using the novel anisotropic hyperelastic model (R2 = 0.983). To date, such a robust anisotropic hyperelastic composite framework has not been developed, which would be indispensable for experimental characterization of tissues and for improving the fidelity of computational biological models in future.
A Prospective Cohort Study of Bisphenol A Exposure from Dental Treatment
Authors: McKinney C.M. , Leroux B.G. , Seminario A.L. , Kim A. , Liu Z. , Samy S. , Sathyanarayana S.
Published: June 2020

Laboratory studies show that bisphenol A (BPA) leaches from bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bisGMA)-based dental materials. We aimed to quantify the extent to which children are exposed to BPA from dental treatment with bisGMA materials, by amount of treatment and type of sedation. We hypothesized that posttreatment urinary BPA (uBPA) concentrations would be higher among patients with more surfaces treated with bisGMA-based materials and among patients receiving general anesthesia compared with pretreatment concentrations. We conducted a prospective cohort study in 211 children, 4 to 12 y old, who had no prior resin-based dental treatment. We measured uBPA concentrations twice before treatment and at 2 d and 1, 4, and 16 wk posttreatment. We abstracted treatment data (surfaces treated) from the chart. We generated descriptive statistics and compared pre- and posttreatment uBPA concentrations using generalized estimating equations. Participants were 51% female, 46% non-White, and 74% publicly insured. The median age was 6 y. The mean number of tooth surfaces exposed to BisGMA materials (composites/sealants) was 7.5 (SD 5.3). Overall, uBPA concentrations were 86% higher (95% confidence interval [CI] 42% to 143%, P < 0.001) at 2 d posttreatment compared with pretreatment concentrations. The uBPA concentrations 2 d posttreatment versus pretreatment tended to be higher (112%, 95% CI 53% to 194%) among those receiving treatment on >4 surfaces than those receiving treatment on ≤4 surfaces (50%, 95% CI −2% to 130%). Two days after treatment, uBPA was significantly higher than pretreatment concentrations in children receiving nitrous oxide but not in those receiving general anesthesia. Among all findings, uBPA concentrations returned to baseline by 4 wk. Children experience short-term increases in BPA from dental treatment. The impact of relatively high, short-term BPA exposure on child health is unknown. Given the widespread use of BisGMA-based dental materials and that chronic low-dose BPA exposure may adversely affect child health, strategies that minimize BPA exposure could potentially improve child health.
DNA evidence in sexual assault cases in Pakistan
Authors: Rasool Nouman , Rasool Muzamal
Published: June 2020

Sexual assault is becoming a global epidemic, affecting close to a billion women throughout the world. This paper explores the challenges in the admissibility of DNA evidence in rape cases in Pakistan. Delays in the medical examination of victims, and improper collection and packaging of evidentiary material, compromise the probative biological evidence. In the last few years, existing laws have been amended to increase the utility of DNA evidence during criminal trials. However, various issues – for example lack of proper knowledge of DNA evidence by lawyers and judicial officers, inadequacies in existing laws and conflicting decisions of apex courts – can affect the admissibility of DNA evidence during criminal trials.
The Construct, Convergent and Divergent Validity, and Reliability of Three Optimism Scales among North American University Students
Authors: Garcia Cadena Cirilo H. , Diaz Héctor L. , Caycho-Rodríguez Tomas
Published: June 2020

The primary objective of this study is to compare the construct, convergent and divergent validity and the reliability of three optimism scales. The study relied on a nonprobability sample of 100 social work students at Western Michigan University in the United States (Seventy-nine percent of the sample were female, and 21% were male). The sample’s mean age was 26.35 years, SD = 7.70. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of the respondents self-identified as White, and 31% self-identified as African American, Hispanic/Latino, multiethnic, Native American or Asian American. The study used confirmatory factor and multiple regression analyses (CFA and MRA). The findings show that the Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R) and the Personal Optimism Scale (POS) were supported by three indicators of goodness of fit, while the Brief Interactive Optimism Scale-Garcia (BIOS-G) was supported by eight. The LOT-R showed no acceptable internal consistency indicators, but the POS and the BIOS-G showed several good internal consistency indicators. Correlations of all of these scales with the Physical Well-being Scale-Garcia (PWS-G) ranged from r (100) = .303, p = .002 to r (100) = .439, p = .000. The three scales had divergent validity because their scores did not differ by gender (LOT-R: t(100) = −.885, p = .383; POS: t(100) = −.263, p = .794; BIOS-G: t(100) = −.840, p = .407). The findings suggest the advisability of recommending the BIOS-G, which is short and easy to use and understand.