bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Shock of the New
Authors: Payne Rachel
Published: September 2020

Since 2017 I have examined the impact of shifting professional practices demonstrated by students of an Artist Teacher MA programme at an English university. Students repeatedly discuss the transformative nature of the course, and through an impact case study I have interrogated the conditions which enable profound changes to occur. Emerging findings indicate that pedagogies of uncertainty enacted within an inclusive community foster students' experiences of visibility, being heard and valued professionally. This resulting pedagogic context encourages students to take risks in a safe environment and supports them to build sustainable practices applicable to educational and artistic communities alike. In this article I argue that pedagogic conditions which enable these ways of being are just as crucial now, as we live through an extraordinary global crisis. I engaged in an autoethnographic analysis of how findings from the artist teacher impact case study can inform my current working conditions during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Through reflexive journaling and art practice I documented my experiences of transferring face‐to‐face content to remote learning platforms. In the process I consider what can be learnt from established artist teacher practices, communities and the values that underpin them whilst I support an online teaching and learning community. Crucially I am concerned with how the opportunities and challenges afforded through remote learning shape my professional practices, and the extent to which pedagogies of uncertainty evident in the artist teacher impact case study are borne out through remote working.
Identification of health behaviour clusters among people at high risk of stroke: A latent class profile analysis
Authors: Guo Lina , Liu Yanjin , Zhu Yiru , Wei Miao
Published: September 2020

Aims

To identify the possible latent classes of health behaviour reported by people at high risk of stroke and to explore the predictors of these different classes of health behaviour.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey study.

Methods

A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to collect data from 2,500 individuals at high risk of stroke who were from Henan Province, China, from January 2018–January 2019. A latent class profile analysis was used to identify the health behaviour clusters and multinomial logistic regression was used to determine which factors predicted the emergent latent classes of health behaviour.

Results

High‐risk individuals (N = 2,236) at high risk of stroke replied to the survey (89.44% response rate). Model fit indices (AIC = 257,509.610, BIC = 260,228.733, Entropy = 0.956) supported a three‐class model of health behaviours. The latent classes were Class 1 (a good level of adaptive health behaviour, 31%, N = 693), Class 2 (a moderate level of adaptive health behaviour, 36%, N = 805) and Class 3 (a poor level of adaptive health behaviour, 33%, N = 738); Based on physical and belief, behaviour and clinical profiles, the three classes were further labelled self‐realization deficiency subgroup, social contact anxiety subgroup and health responsibility absence subgroup respectively. Older age, male gender, no spouse, lower education and household income were risk factors associated with good health behaviour. After controlling these socio‐demographic variables, high levels of health‐related knowledge and attitude were the main positive predictors of health behaviour.

Conclusions

This study has identified three different latent classes of health behaviour and their predictive factors in people at high risk of stroke in the Chinese setting.

Impact

This study has significance for the promotion of adaptive health behaviour in individuals at high risk of stroke. It has allowed the identification of specific clusters of health behaviour that vary in terms of their adaptiveness and forms the basis for the development of a targeted intervention to promote health behaviour for each different subgroup.
Impact and mechanisms of cigarillo flavor descriptors on susceptibility to use among young adult nonusers of tobacco
Authors: Avishai Aya , Meernik Clare , Goldstein Adam O. , Lazard Allison J. , Ranney Leah M. , Sheeran Paschal
Published: September 2020

Evidence suggests that flavoring may impact reactions to tobacco products. In the present research, we tested the impact and mechanisms of cigarillo flavor descriptors on susceptibility to use in order to determine whether exposure to cigarillos with characterizing flavors increases susceptibility in young adult nonusers of tobacco and, if so, why susceptibility increases. Nonsmoking, 18–26 years old U.S. residents were recruited for an online randomized controlled trial with two conditions: cigarillos with characterizing flavors (experimental condition) versus cigarillos with tobacco flavors (control condition). Experimental condition participants (n = 49) were presented with five cigarillo pack images with characterizing flavors (e.g., “Sweet”), whereas control condition participants (n = 53) were presented with five standard, tobacco‐flavored images (e.g., “Air‐Cured”). Each presented cigarillo image included a description of the pack flavor. Approach bias to the cigarillos was measured using the Implicit Association Test, and participants reported their perceptions of taste, smell, social acceptability, enjoyment, and harm in relation to each cigarillo pack. Finally, participants indicated their susceptibility to using cigarillos. Susceptibility to cigarillo use was significantly greater for participants exposed to the cigarillo packs with characterizing flavors. Taste perceptions both mediated and moderated the relationship between cigarillo flavor descriptors and susceptibility to use. Characterizing flavors increased susceptibility to cigarillo use via two routes: (1) by enhancing perceptions of taste and (2) by increasing the strength of association between perceptions of taste and susceptibility. These findings have implications for public health and policy decisions regarding banning or limiting characterizing flavors in cigarillos.
Double ventricular tachycardias associated with an anatomical isthmus identified by a computed tomography‐derived channel
Authors: Takigawa Masateru , Martin Ruairidh , Kitamura Takeshi , Cochet Hubert , Jais Pierre , Sacher Frederic
Published: September 2020

We describe a 47‐year‐old woman with ischemic ventricular tachycardia (VT) with repetitive implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator shocks, requiring ablation. Preprocedural computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a single anatomical channel on the inferior‐basal infarcted area between less than a 3‐mm wall‐thinning area and the mitral annulus, which suggested the circuit of two VTs observed. In addition, distribution of less than 2 mm and less than 3 mm wall‐thinning area can explain the mechanism of the variation of the QRS morphology and S‐QRS interval during entrainment. Ablation in this region resulted in no VT inducibility and the absence of any VTs for 2 years. CT wall thinning data may allow us to understand the mechanism and circuit of VT and aid VT ablation procedures.
Transforming growth factor β‐mediated micromechanics modulates disease progression in primary myelofibrosis
Authors: Teodorescu Patric , Pasca Sergiu , Jurj Ancuta , Gafencu Grigore , Joelsson Jon‐Petur , Selicean Sonia , Moldovan Cristian , Munteanu Raluca , Onaciu Anca , Tigu Adrian‐Bogdan , Buse Mihail , Zimta Alina‐Andreea , Stiufiuc Rares , Petrushev Bobe , Desmirean Minodora , Dima Delia , Vlad Cristina , Bergthorsson Jon Thor , Berce Cristian , Ciurea Stefan , Ghiaur Gabriel , Tomuleasa Ciprian
Published: September 2020

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a Ph‐negative myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), characterized by advanced bone marrow fibrosis and extramedullary haematopoiesis. The bone marrow fibrosis results from excessive proliferation of fibroblasts that are influenced by several cytokines in the microenvironment, of which transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) is the most important. Micromechanics related to the niche has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we hypothesized that mechanical stress modulates TGF‐β signalling leading to further activation and subsequent proliferation and invasion of bone marrow fibroblasts, thus showing the important role of micromechanics in the development and progression of PMF, both in the bone marrow and in extramedullary sites. Using three PMF‐derived fibroblast cell lines and transforming growth factor‐β receptor (TGFBR) 1 and 2 knock‐down PMF‐derived fibroblasts, we showed that mechanical stress does stimulate the collagen synthesis by the fibroblasts in patients with myelofibrosis, through the TGFBR1, which however seems to be activated through alternative pathways, other than TGFBR2.
Long non‐coding RNA ADAMTS9‐AS1 suppresses colorectal cancer by inhibiting the Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway and is a potential diagnostic biomarker
Authors: Li Ning , Li Juan , Mi Qi , Xie Yan , Li Peilong , Wang Lili , Binang Helen , Wang Qing , Wang Yanlei , Chen Yingjie , Wang Yunshan , Mao Haiting , Du Lutao , Wang Chuanxin
Published: September 2020

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have come out as critical molecular regulators of human tumorigenesis. In this study, we sought to identify and functionally characterize lncRNAs as potential mediators of colorectal cancer progression. We screened and identified a novel lncRNA, ADAMTS9‐AS1, which was significantly decreased in colorectal cancer tissues and was correlated with clinical outcome of patients according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In addition, ADAMTS9‐AS1 regulated cell proliferation and migration both in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that overexpression of lncRNA‐ADAMTS9‐AS1 preferentially affected genes that were linked to proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, we found that ADAMTS9‐AS1 obviously suppressed β‐catenin, suggesting that Wnt signalling pathway participates in ADAMTS9‐AS1‐mediated gene transcriptional regulation in the suppression of colorectal tumorigenesis. Finally, we found that exosomal ADAMTS9‐AS1 could serve as a diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer with AUC = 0.835 and 95% confidence interval = 0.777‐0.911. Our data demonstrated that ADAMTS9‐AS1 might play important roles in colorectal cancer by suppressing oncogenesis. Targeting ADAMTS9‐AS1 may have potential clinical applications in colorectal cancer prognosis and treatment as an ideal therapeutic target. Finally, exosomal lncRNA‐ADAMTS9‐AS1 is a promising, novel diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer.
Novel role of BRCA1 interacting C‐terminal helicase 1 (BRIP1) in breast tumour cell invasion
Authors: Rizeq Balsam , Sif Saïd , Nasrallah Gheyath K. , Ouhtit Allal
Published: September 2020

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Only 5%‐10% of mutations in BRCA genes are associated with familial breast tumours in Eastern countries, suggesting the contribution of other genes. Using a microarray gene expression profiling study of BC, we have recently identified BRIP1 (fivefold up‐regulation) as a potential gene associated with BC progression in the Omani population. Although BRIP1 regulates DNA repair and cell proliferation, the precise role of BRIP1 in BC cell invasion/metastasis has not been explored yet; this prompted us to test the hypothesis that BRIP1 promotes BC cell proliferation and invasion. Using a combination of cellular and molecular approaches, our results revealed differential overexpression of BRIP1 in different BC cell lines. Functional assays validated further the physiological relevance of BRIP1 in tumour malignancy, and siRNA‐mediated BRIP1 knockdown significantly reduced BC cell motility by targeting key motility‐associated genes. Moreover, down‐regulation of BRIP1 expression significantly attenuated cell proliferation via cell cycle arrest. Our study is the first to show the novel function of BRIP1 in promoting BC cell invasion by regulating expression of various downstream target genes. Furthermore, these findings provide us with a unique opportunity to identify BRIP1‐induced pro‐invasive genes that could serve as biomarkers and/or targets to guide the design of appropriate BC targeted therapies.
Functional variation of SLC52A3 rs13042395 predicts survival of Chinese gastric cancer patients
Authors: Qu Xiaofei , Cheng Lei , Zhao Liqin , Qiu Lixin , Guo Weijian
Published: September 2020

The solute carrier family 52 member 3 (SLC52A3) gene encodes riboflavin transporter protein which is essential to maintain mitochondrial function in cells. In our research, we found that SLC52A3 rs13042395 C > T variation was significantly associated with poor survival in a 926 Chinese gastric cancer (GCa) patients cohort (CC/CT genotype versus TT genotype, HR = 0.57, 95%CI (0.40‐0.82), log‐rank P = 0.015). The SLC52A3 rs13042395 C > T change led to its increased mRNA expression according to expression quantitative trait loci analysis (P = 0.0029). In vitro, it was revealed that rs13042395 C allele had higher binding affinity to inhibitory transcription factor Meis homeobox 1 (MEIS1) compared with T allele, knock‐down of MEIS1 could up‐regulate SLC52A3, and overexpression of SLC52A3 contributed to the increased ability of proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion in GCa cells. Subsequently, the bioinformatics analysis combined with experiments in vitro suggested that Gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1) was the downstream effector of SLC52A3, SLC52A3 may promote the GCa cells aggressiveness by down‐regulating the GJA1 expression. Overall, SLC52A3 genetic variant rs13042395 C > T change was associated with poorer survival in Chinese GCa patients and increased SLC52A3 expression by interaction with MEIS1. SLC52A3 promoted the GCa cells aggressiveness by down‐regulating the GJA1 expression.
Dimensional changes of the maxillary sinus augmented with a collagenated synthetic bone block or synthetic bone particulates: A pre‐clinical study in rabbits
Authors: Song Young Woo , Rafikov Komoliddin , Paeng Kyeong‐Won , Kim Myong Ji , Cha Jae‐Kook , Thoma Daniel S. , Jung Ronald E. , Jung Ui‐Won
Published: September 2020

Objective

To compare the efficacy of a collagenated synthetic bone substitute (C‐SBS) to a particulated synthetic bone substitute (P‐SBS) in volume maintenance and new bone formations in a rabbit sinus model.

Materials and Methods

Either C‐SBS or P‐SBS was grafted in both sinuses of 16 rabbits. Four (N = 8) or 12 (N = 8) weeks after the surgery, total augmented volume (TAV) and area (TAA), as well as new bone volume (NBV) and area (NBA), were statistically compared by radiographic and histomorphometric analyses (p < .05).

Results

The differences in TAV, NBV, TAA and NBA between C‐SBS and P‐SBS groups at 4 weeks were not statistically significant. The TAV (267.13 ± 62.08 vs. 200.18 ± 40.32 mm3) and NBV (103.26 ± 10.50 vs. 71.10 ± 7.58 mm3) in group C‐SBS were significantly higher than in group P‐SBS at 12 weeks (p < .05). The TAA (19.36 ± 2.88 vs. 14.48 ± 2.08 mm2) and NBA (5.43 ± 1.20 vs. 3.76 ± 0.78 mm2) in group C‐SBS were significantly higher than in group P‐SBS at 12 weeks (p < .05).

Conclusions

Collagenated synthetic bone substitute grafted in rabbit sinuses demonstrated more favourable outcomes across all outcome measures compared to P‐SBS at 12 weeks.
Experimental assessment of trophic ecology in a generalist spider predator: Implications for biocontrol in Uruguayan crops
Authors: García Luis Fernando , Núñez Erika , Lacava Mariángeles , Silva Horacio , Martínez Sebastián , Pétillon Julien
Published: September 2020

Conservative biological control promotes the use of native natural enemies to limit the size and growth of pest populations. Although spiders constitute one of the most important groups of native predators in several crops, their trophic ecology remains largely unknown, especially for several generalist taxa. In laboratory, we assessed the predatory behaviour of a wandering spider (the wolf spider Lycosa thorelli (Keyserling, 1877) against several arthropods varying in size and trophic positions, all found in South American soybean and rice crops. As prey we used the bug Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, 1837) as well as larvae and adults of the moth Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797), both being considered important pests in Uruguayan crops. We also used several non‐pest arthropods as prey, sarcophagid flies, carabid beetles and wolf spiders. All prey were attacked in more or less high, although not statistically differing, proportions. However, carabids were not consumed, and bugs were consumed in significantly lower proportions than flies. A negative correlation was found between prey size and acceptance rate. Immobilization times were longer against larvae when compared to moths and flies, while predatory sequences were longer for bugs when compared to flies, moths and spiders. In addition, we found a positive effect of prey size on predatory sequence length and complexity. Our results confirm the ability of spiders to attack and feed upon prey with different morphologies, included well‐defended arthropods, and their potential use as natural enemies of several pests in South American crops.
Simple and on‐site DNA purification for LAMP reaction applicable to non‐adult tephritid fruit fly (Diptera: Tephiritidae)
Authors: Kitano Daisuque , Takakura Koh‐Ichi
Published: September 2020

Tephritid fruit flies are important pests of fruits and vegetables worldwide, but few studies have examined their ecology and life history in their native range because non‐adult individuals of closely related species are morphologically indistinguishable. To identify non‐adult individuals collected from host plants, flies examined in earlier studies were painstakingly reared to adulthood. Using Zeugodacus scutellatus Hendel as a model species, this study established a simple DNA extraction and purification method based on loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reaction for on‐site molecular identification of non‐adult fruit flies. The non‐adult individual body fluids were sampled using a sterilized toothpick and then diluted in TE buffer and heated for a short time. Alternatively, eggs were crushed in TE buffer using a sterilized toothpick and then heated. After heated buffer was added to the LAMP reaction mixture as template DNA and the mixture was heated for incubation of polymerase, the LAMP reaction detected the amplified DNA of Z. scutellatus. This purification method, characterized by heating after dilution with TE buffer, is simple and rapid. Our purification method, which obviates large centrifuges, thermal cyclers, and other apparatus, provides lower‐cost and better on‐site molecular identification of non‐adult fruit flies than methods described in earlier reports. The LAMP‐based molecular identification technique and our purification method are particularly useful for studying quarantined pest organisms that cannot be removed from their native areas.
Chasing away accurate results: exhaustive chase protocols underestimate maximum metabolic rate estimates in European perch Perca fluviatilis
Authors: Andersson Matilda L. , Sundberg Fredrik , Eklöv Peter
Published: September 2020

Metabolic rates are one of many measures that are used to explain species' response to environmental change. Static respirometry is used to calculate the standard metabolic rate (SMR) of fish, and when combined with exhaustive chase protocols it can be used to measure maximum metabolic rate (MMR) and aerobic scope (AS) as well. While these methods have been tested in comparison to swim tunnels and chambers with circular currents, they have not been tested in comparison with a no‐chase control. We used a repeated‐measures design to compare estimates of SMR, MMR and AS in European perch Perca fluviatilis following three protocols: (a) a no‐chase control; (b) a 3‐min exhaustive chase; and (c) a 3‐min exhaustive chase followed by 1‐min air exposure. We found that, contrary to expectations, exhaustive chase protocols underestimate MMR and AS at 18°C, compared to the no‐chase control. This suggests that metabolic rates of other species with similar locomotorty modes or lifestyles could be similarly underestimated using chase protocols. These underestimates have implications for studies examining metabolic performance and responses to climate change scenarios. To prevent underestimates, future experiments measuring metabolic rates should include a pilot with a no‐chase control or, when appropriate, an adjusted methodology in which trials end with the exhaustive chase instead of beginning with it.
Annual breeding in a captive smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata
Authors: Flowers Kathryn I. , Chapman Demian D. , Kemp Todd , Wert Dave , Feldheim Kevin A.
Published: September 2020

The critically endangered smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata reproduces biennially in central west Florida, U.S.A. Here we demonstrate that smalltooth sawfish are physiologically capable of reproducing annually in a captive environment. The smalltooth sawfish are held in an open system, with abiotic conditions that vary naturally with the surrounding environment in The Bahamas. This suggests wild smalltooth sawfish may also be capable of annual reproduction provided there are adequate prey resources, limited competition and mate availability.
First record sheds light on the distribution of the cyprinodontiform genus Jenynsia (Günther, 1866) in the High Andean Plateau
Authors: Firpo Lacoste Francisco , Andreoli Bize Julieta , Fernández Luis
Published: September 2020

This is the first record of the genus Jenynsia in the High Andean Plateau (HAP). It has been found at elevations between 3400 and 3900 m in three endorreheic systems: Salar Antofalla, Antofagasta de la Sierra and El Peñón, northwestern Argentina, South America. This finding increases the number of known HAP fish genera to five. Furthermore, in contrast to the old Andean species‐rich genus Orestias, the presence of Jenynsia obscura populations in young high‐altitude, non‐marine saline wetlands reported here supports a recent dispersal into the HAP.
Foam mat drying of taro (Colocasia esculenta): The effect of ultrasonic pretreatment and drying techniques on the drying behavior, flow, and reconstitution properties of taro flour
Authors: Çalışkan Koç Gülşah , Yüksel Ayşe Nur , Baş Erman , Erdoğan Selma Lubabe
Published: September 2020

In this study, the effect of ultrasound pretreatment (UP) and drying methods (convective hot air [CHAD] and microwave oven [MOD]‐assisted foam mat drying [FMD]) on the drying time, behavior and rate, diffusion coefficient, moisture content, color, bulk and tapped densities, flow properties, and reconstitution behavior of taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour were assessed. For this purpose, the taro foams with and without ultrasonic pretreatment (35 kHz, 80°C for 25 min) were dried in a convective oven (70°C, 20% ventilation rate) and microwave oven (460 W). The UP resulted in a higher drying rate, diffusion coefficient, moisture content, Hausner ratio (HR), and wettability time, and a lower drying time compared to the nontreated samples. Combined CHAD and MOD‐assisted FMD improved the disadvantages of the CHAD method for example: long drying time (decreased around 63.33% for CHAD and 59.16% for UP + CHAD), low drying and diffusion rates, high moisture content, low brightness (L*) values, high Carr index (CI), HR, and times of wettability and solubility. Additionally, the CI and HR of the taro flours ranged between 4.29–13.96 and 1.04–1.16 which can also be classified as very good and low levels, respectively.

Practical Applications

Taro flour is an important alternative flour source in baby food, cake, chips, noodle, and so forth due to its pasting, functional, and nutritional properties. In order to obtain taro flour, the taro corm (root) is washed, peeled, and sliced then generally blanched with distilled water, dried, and ground. The quality of taro flour depends on the preparation method such as the drying method and conditions. Foam mat drying (FMD) is an alternative technique and it has several advantages like low drying time and energy consumption, a high drying rate, increased drying surface area, porous structure, and the desired instant properties of the obtained powders. Ultrasound pretreatment (UP) has also some advantages such as increasing the mass transfer rate, reducing drying time, and energy consumption. In this study, the advantages of these techniques (FMD and UP) were combined and the effects on the drying behavior, time, effective moisture diffusivity, and the physical and powder properties were observed.
Magnifying endoscopy with crystal violet staining for immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated colitis
Authors: Inoue Shuntaro , Kono Mitsuhiro , Fukuda Hiromu , Shimamoto Yusaku , Nakagawa Kentaro , Ohmori Masayasu , Iwagami Hiroyoshi , Matsuno Kenshi , Iwatsubo Taro , Nakahira Hiroko , Matsuura Noriko , Shichijo Satoki , Maekawa Akira , Kanesaka Takashi , Yamamoto Sachiko , Takeuchi Yoji , Higashino Koji , Uedo Noriya , Kitamura Masanori , Nakatsuka Shinichi , Kunimasa Kei , Kumagai Toru , Isei Taiki , Ishihara Ryu
Published: September 2020

Background and Aim

There exists no evidence on the relationship between endoscopic and histologic findings. Furthermore, even after multiple biopsy specimens were obtained, histologic examination usually fails to show the characteristic features of immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated colitis. In this study, we explored the endoscopic and histologic findings of immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated colitis.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated colitis at our hospital between March 2018 and December 2018 were retrospectively assessed. The degree of mucosal inflammation was evaluated using endoscopic inflammation grade (inactive, mild, moderate, or severe disease) and further observed using magnifying endoscopy with crystal violet staining. Pit structures were classified into three types: regularly arranged pits with circular or elliptical shape (R type), irregularly arranged pits with inhomogeneous size and morphology (IR type), and pits with reduced density or pits that partially disappeared (AD type).

Results

Eleven patients (median age, 71 years; range, 44–83 years) were diagnosed with immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated colitis. All characteristic histologic findings, including crypt distortion, crypt abscesses, and apoptotic bodies, were observed at sites with moderate‐to‐severe endoscopic inflammation but not at sites with inactive‐to‐mild endoscopic inflammation. Characteristic histologic features were observed in 0%, 50%, and 100% of R‐type, IR‐type, and AD‐type mucosa, respectively.

Conclusions

We revealed the possible utility of endoscopic images for selecting suitable target sites for biopsy and showed that endoscopic findings could reduce the time lag associated with tissue diagnosis and sampling errors due to biopsy.
Effect of tranexamic acid in patients with colonic diverticular bleeding: A nationwide inpatient database study
Authors: Miyamoto Yuki , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Ishimaru Miho , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: September 2020

Background and Aim

The effect of tranexamic acid (TXA) remains unknown in patients with colonic diverticular bleeding, which is one of the most common causes of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. We investigated the efficacy of TXA for patients with colonic diverticular bleeding.

Methods

We performed a nationwide observational study using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database and identified patients who were admitted for diverticular bleeding from 2010 to 2018. Patients who received TXA on the day of admission comprised the TXA group, and the remaining patients comprised the control group. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included severe bleeding, blood transfusion within 7 days of admission, length of stay, and hospitalization costs. Propensity score matching was performed to compare outcomes between the two groups.

Results

Overall, 78 291 patients met our eligibility criteria, and 30 526 matched pairs were created by one‐to‐one propensity score matching. After matching, there was no significant difference in in‐hospital mortality between the two groups (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88–1.30); however, TXA administration was associated with significantly lower proportions of severe bleeding events (OR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89–0.99), blood transfusions (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84–0.92), shorter length of stay (difference, −0.23 days; 95% CI, −0.01 to −0.44 days), and lower total hospitalization costs (difference, −$233; 95% CI, −$153 to −$314).

Conclusions

Although TXA was not significantly associated with lower in‐hospital mortality, it may reduce severe bleeding, blood transfusions, length of stay, and hospitalization costs.
Validation of a 5‐Year Mortality Prediction Model amongU.S.Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Ross Rachael K. , Kuo Tzy‐Mey , Webster‐Clark Michael , Lewis Carmen L. , Kistler Christine E. , Jonsson Funk Michele , Lund Jennifer L.
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

A claims‐based model predicting 5‐year mortality (Lund‐Lewis) was developed in a 2008 cohort of North Carolina (NC) Medicare beneficiaries and included indicators of comorbid conditions, frailty, disability, and functional impairment. The objective of this study was to validate the Lund‐Lewis model externally within a nationwide sample of Medicare beneficiaries.

DESIGN

Retrospective validation study.

SETTING

U.S. Medicare population.

PARTICIPANTS

From a random sample of Medicare beneficiaries, we created four annual cohorts from 2008 to 2011 of individuals aged 66 and older with an office visit in that year. The annual cohorts ranged from 1.13 to 1.18 million beneficiaries.

MEASUREMENTS

The outcome was 5‐year all‐cause mortality. We assessed clinical indicators in the 12 months before the qualifying office visit and estimated predicted 5‐year mortality for each beneficiary in the nationwide sample by applying estimates derived in the original NC cohort. Model performance was assessed by quantifying discrimination, calibration, and reclassification metrics compared with a model fit on a comorbidity score.

RESULTS

Across the annual cohorts, 5‐year mortality ranged from 24.4% to 25.5%. The model had strong discrimination (C‐statistics ranged across cohorts from .823 to .826). Reclassification measures showed improvement over a comorbidity score model for beneficiaries who died but reduced performance among beneficiaries who survived. The calibration slope ranged from .83 to .86; the model generally predicted a higher risk than observed.

CONCLUSION

The Lund‐Lewis model showed strong and consistent discrimination in a national U.S. Medicare sample, although calibration indicated slight overfitting. Future work should investigate methods for improving model calibration and evaluating performance within specific disease settings.
Global analysis of CCT family knockout mutants identifies four genes involved in regulating heading date in rice
Authors: Zhang Jia , Fan Xiaowei , Hu Yong , Zhou Xiangchun , He Qin , Liang Liwen , Xing Yongzhong
Published: September 2020

Many genes encoding CCT domain‐containing proteins regulate flowering time. In rice (Oryza sativa), 41 such genes have been identified, but only a few have been shown to regulate heading date. Here, to test whether and how additional CCT family genes regulate heading date in rice, we classified these genes into five groups based on their diurnal expression patterns. The expression patterns of genes in the same subfamily or in close phylogenetic clades tended to be similar. We generated knockout mutants of the entire gene family via CRISPR/Cas9. The heading dates of knockout mutants of only 4 of 14 genes previously shown to regulate heading date were altered, pointing to functional redundancy of CCT family genes in regulating this trait. Analysis of mutants of four other genes showed that OsCCT22, OsCCT38, and OsCCT41 suppress heading under long‐day conditions and promote heading under short‐day conditions. OsCCT03 promotes heading under both conditions and upregulates the expression of Hd1 and Ehd1, a phenomenon not previously reported for other such genes. To date, at least 18 CCT domain‐containing genes involved in regulating heading have been identified, providing diverse, flexible gene combinations for generating rice varieties with a given heading date.
The fate of calcareous pelites in collisional orogens
Authors: Groppo Chiara , Rapa Giulia , Frezzotti Maria Luce , Rolfo Franco
Published: September 2020

Although calcareous pelites are important constituents of sediments involved in orogenic processes, their prograde metamorphism is significantly less studied than that of pure pelites with negligible amounts of modal calcite. This paper presents mineral equilibria modelling in the system MnO–Na2O–K2O–CaO–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–TiO2–H2O–CO2, with the aim of constraining the prograde evolution of calcareous pelites in collisional orogenic settings. A suite of model bulk‐rock compositions is used to investigate the influence of different proportions of calcite in the protolith on (a) the equilibrium assemblages at different pressure, temperature and fluid composition (P–T–X(CO2)) conditions; (b) the melt fertility and (c) the fluid evolution and the main decarbonation reactions occurring during prograde metamorphism of calcareous pelites. In spite of being purely theoretical, the reliability of the modelling is tested by comparing the predicted assemblages with those observed in a wide set of natural samples from the Himalayan metamorphic core. Comparison between the predicted and the modelled assemblages demonstrates that even a small amount of calcite in the calcareous pelitic protoliths has a strong influence on the final mineral assemblages and compositions, with potential effects on their melt productivity. Specifically, it appears that up to ~800°C, the melt productivity of calcic metapelites remains low, and melt production occurs gradationally because it is mostly controlled by continuous biotite dehydration melting reactions, rather than by muscovite breakdown. Moreover, the study demonstrates that calcareous pelites could be non‐negligible CO2‐source rocks in orogenic settings, and that in such contexts, an internal buffered behaviour is likely for most of them.
High‐density lipoprotein‐related cholesterol metabolism in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pedrini Steve , Chatterjee Pratishtha , Hone Eugene , Martins Ralph N.
Published: September 2020

High‐density lipoproteins (HDL) are a heterogeneous class of molecules whose main function is to remove excess cholesterol through a mechanism called reverse transport, in which cholesterol is transported from peripheral organs and from arterial foam cells to the liver, where it is subsequently eliminated with bile. While its ability to eliminate excess cholesterol has always been viewed as its main feature, its beneficial effects go beyond this single effect. Many of the proteins that are associated with HDL are responsible for anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. These proteins that are associated with HDL during its generation and remodelling, are referred to as ‘protein cargo’, which has been extensively analysed by mass spectrometry analysis in healthy and diseased individuals. In this review, we discuss the pathway that leads to HDL formation and its subsequent remodelling and catabolism with regards to the possible involvement of HDL ‘protein cargo’ in Alzheimer's disease.

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A novel tri‐culture model for neuroinflammation
Authors: Zheng Yan‐Fang , Zhou Xian , Chang Dennis , Bhuyan Deep Jyoti , Zhang Jie Ping , Yu Wen‐Zhen , Jiang Xia‐Sen , Seto Sai Wang , Yeon Seung Yeon , Li Jia , Li Chun Guang
Published: September 2020

Neuroinflammation is believed to play a primary role in the pathogenesis of most neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Currently, suitable in vitro neuroinflammation models for studying cellular interactions and inflammatory mechanisms at the neurovascular unit are still scarce. In this study, we established an experimentally flexible tri‐culture neuroinflammation model combining murine microglial cells (N11), mouse neuroblastoma Nuro2A cell lines and brain microvascular endothelial MVEC(B3) cells in a transwell co‐culture system stimulated with lipopolysaccharides. Neuroinflammation was induced in this tri‐culture model as manifested by activated N11 cells via toll‐like receptor 4, resulting in increased release of proinflammatory mediators (nitric oxide, interleukin‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α) through the activation of nuclear factor‐κB signalling pathway. The released inflammatory cytokines from N11 in turn, damaged the tight junction in microvascular endothelial MVEC(B3) cells, increased permeability of endothelial barrier, and induced tau phosphorylation and up‐regulated caspase‐3 expression in mouse neuroblastoma Nuro2A cell lines, leading to neuroinflammation injury. In summary, this tri‐culture inflammation model mimics the microenvironment, the cellular crosstalk and the molecular events that take place during neuroinflammation. It provides a robust in vitro model for studying neuroinflammation mechanisms and screening for potential therapeutics to treat various neurodegenerative diseases.

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Transcriptional regulation ofprolactinin a euryhaline teleost: Characterisation of gene promoters through in silico and transcriptome analyses
Authors: Seale Andre P. , Malintha Gardi Hewage Tharindu , Celino‐Brady Fritzie T. , Head Tony , Belcaid Mahdi , Yamaguchi Yoko , Lerner Darren T. , Baltzegar David A. , Borski Russell J. , Stoytcheva Zoia R. , Breves Jason P.
Published: September 2020

The sensitivity of prolactin (Prl) cells of the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) pituitary to variations in extracellular osmolality enables investigations into how osmoreception underlies patterns of hormone secretion. Through the actions of their main secretory products, Prl cells play a key role in supporting hydromineral balance of fishes by controlling the major osmoregulatory organs (ie, gill, intestine and kidney). The release of Prl from isolated cells of the rostral pars distalis (RPD) occurs in direct response to physiologically relevant reductions in extracellular osmolality. Although the particular signal transduction pathways that link osmotic conditions to Prl secretion have been identified, the processes that underlie hyposmotic induction ofprlgene expression remain unknown. In this short review, we describe two distinct tilapia gene loci that encode Prl177and Prl188. From our in silico analyses ofprl177andprl188promoter regions (approximately 1000 bp) and a transcriptome analysis of RPDs from fresh water (FW)‐ and seawater (SW)‐acclimated tilapia, we propose a working model for how multiple transcription factors link osmoreceptive processes with adaptive patterns ofprl177andprl188gene expression. We confirmed via RNA‐sequencing and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction that multiple transcription factors emerging as predicted regulators ofprlgene expression are expressed in the RPD of tilapia. In particular, gene transcripts encodingpou1f1,stat3,creb3l1, pbxip1aandstat1awere highly expressed;creb3l1, pbxip1aandstat1awere elevated in fish acclimated to SW vs FW. Combined, our in silico and transcriptome analyses set a path for resolving how adaptive patterns of Prl secretion are achieved via the integration of osmoreceptive processes with the control ofprlgene transcription.
Investigating obesity‐associated brain inflammation using quantitative water content mapping
Authors: Kullmann Stephanie , Abbas Zaheer , Machann Jürgen , Shah Nadim J. , Scheffler Klaus , Birkenfeld Andreas L. , Häring Hans‐Ulrich , Fritsche Andreas , Heni Martin , Preissl Hubert
Published: September 2020

There is growing evidence that obesity is associated with inflammation in the brain, which could contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity. In humans, it is challenging to detect brain inflammation in vivo. Recently, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) has emerged as a tool for characterising pathophysiological processes in the brain with reliable and reproducible measures. Proton density imaging provides quantitative assessment of the brain water content, which is affected in different pathologies, including inflammation. We enrolled 115 normal weight, overweight and obese men and women (body mass index [BMI] range 20.1‐39.7 kg m‐2, age range 20‐75 years, 60% men) to acquire cerebral water content mapping in vivo using MRI at 3 Tesla. We investigated potential associations between brain water content with anthropometric measures of obesity, body fat distribution and whole‐body metabolism. No global changes in water content were associated with obesity. However, higher water content values in the cerebellum, limbic lobe and sub‐lobular region were detected in participants with higher BMI, independent of age. More specifically, the dorsal striatum, hypothalamus, thalamus, fornix, anterior limb of the internal capsule and posterior thalamic radiation showed the strongest relationship with BMI, independent of age. In a subgroup with available measurements (n = 50), we identified visceral adipose tissue to be the strongest tested link between higher water content values and obesity. Individuals with metabolic syndrome had the highest water content values in the hypothalamus and the fornix. There is accumulating evidence that inflammation of the hypothalamus contributed to obesity‐associated insulin resistance in that area. Whether brain inflammation is a cause or consequence of obesity in humans still needs to be investigated using a longitudinal study design. Using qMRI, we were able to detect marked water content changes in young and older obese adults, which is most likely the result of chronic low‐grade inflammation.
Statistical Reporting in Nursing Research: Addressing a Common Error in Reporting of p Values (p = .000)
Authors: Wu Yanni , Zhou Chunlan , Wang Run , Ye Xiaoling , Yang Lixiao , Li Chaixiu , Hu Mingyu , Cong Weilian
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The confidence in a study will be reduced due to the incorrect representation of statistical results. However, it is unknown to what extent p values are incorrectly represented in published nursing journals. The study aims to evaluate the articles in 30 nursing journals in terms of the error in reporting of p values (p = .000).

Design and Methods

This was a bibliometric analysis. All papers published in 10 leading nursing journals (between 2015 and 2019), the 10 bottom nursing journals (2019), and 10 selected key nursing journals (2019) indexed in the Science Citation Index Journal Citation Reports were reviewed to detect errors in reporting of p values (p = .000).

Results

A total of 3,788 papers were reviewed. Notably, it was found that 93.3% (28/30) of the nursing journals contained incorrect representation of p values (p = .000). The reporting rate of these journals ranges from 0% to 57.1%, with an overall rate of 12.8% (486/3,788). In addition, the rate of incorrect representation of p values (p = .000) showed no statistically significant difference between different publication years (Χ2 = 4.976, p = .290). However, the rate of reporting was different between study types, journals, and regions (p = .007, p = .020, and p < .001, respectively).

Conclusions

The incorrect representation of p values is common in nursing journals.

Clinical Relevance

We recommend that both publishers and researchers be responsible for preventing statistical errors in manuscripts. Furthermore, various kinds of statistical training methods should be adopted to ensure that nurses and journal reviewers have enough statistical literacy.
Nascent nephrons during human embryonic development: Spatial distribution and relationship with urinary collecting system
Authors: Kitazawa Haruka , Fujii Sena , Ishiyama Hana , Matsubayashi Jun , Ishikawa Aoi , Yamada Shigehito , Takakuwa Tetsuya
Published: September 2020

The two major components of the metanephros, the urinary collecting system (UCS) and nephron, have different developmental courses. Nephron numbers vary widely between species and individuals and are determined during fetal development. Furthermore, the development of nascent nephrons may contribute to the expansion of the proximal part of the UCS. This study investigated the distribution of nascent nephrons and their interrelationship with UCS branches during human embryogenesis. We obtained samples from 31 human embryos between Carnegie stages (CSs) 19 and 23 from the Kyoto Collection at the Congenital Anomaly Research Center of Kyoto University in Japan. Serial histological sections of the metanephros with the UCS were digitalized and computationally reconstructed for morphological and quantitative analyses. The three‐dimensional (3D) coordinates for the positions of all UCS branch points, end points, attachment points to nascent nephrons (APs), and renal corpuscles (RCs) were recorded and related to the developmental phase. Phases were categorized from phase 1 to phase 5 according to the histological analysis. The UCS branching continued until RCs first appeared (at CS19). End branches with attached nascent nephrons (EB‐AP[+]) were observed after CS19 during the fifth generation or higher during the embryonic period. The range of end branch and EB‐AP(+) generation numbers was broad, and the number of RCs increased with the embryonic stage, reaching 273.8 ± 104.2 at CS23. The number of RCs connected to the UCS exceeded the number not connected to the UCS by CS23. The 3D reconstructions revealed RCs to be distributed around end branches, close to the surface of the metanephros. The RCs connected to the UCS were located away from the surface. The APs remained near the end point, whereas connecting ducts that become renal tubules were found to elongate with maturation of the RCs. Nascent nephrons in RC phases 3‐5 were preferentially attached to the end branches at CS22 and CS23. The mean generation number of EB‐AP(−) was higher than that of EB‐AP(+) in 19 of 22 metanephros and was statistically significant for eight metanephros at CS22 and CS23. The ratio of the deviated branching pattern was almost constant (29%). The ratio of the even branching pattern with EB‐AP(+) and EB‐AP(+) to the total even branching pattern increased with CS (9.2% at CS21, 19.2% at CS22, and 45.4% at CS23). Our data suggest the following: EB‐AP(+) may not branch further at the tip (i.e., by tip splitting), but branching beneath the AP (lateral branching) continues throughout the embryonic stages. Our study provides valuable data that can further the understanding of the interactions between the UCS and nascent nephrons during human embryogenesis.