bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MARCH5 restores endothelial cell function against ischaemic/hypoxia injury via Akt/eNOS pathway
Authors: Lei Wenhua , Li Junli , Li Changming , Chen Li , Huang Fangyang , Xiao Dan , Zhang Jialiang , Zhao Jiahao , Li Guoyong , Qu Tianyi , Zhou Hao , Liao Yanbiao , Chen Mao
Published: February 2021

MARCH5 is a critical regulator of mitochondrial dynamics, apoptosis and mitophagy. However, its role in cardiovascular system remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of MARCH5 in endothelial cell (ECs) injury and the involvement of the Akt/eNOS signalling pathway in this process. Rat models of myocardial infarction (MI) and human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMECs) exposed to hypoxia (1% O2) were used in this study. MARCH5 expression was significantly reduced in ECs of MI hearts and ECs exposed to hypoxia. Hypoxia inhibited the proliferation, migration and tube formation of ECs, and these effects were aggravated by knockdown of MARCH5 but antagonized by overexpressed MARCH5. Overexpression of MARCH5 increased nitric oxide (NO) content, p‐eNOS and p‐Akt, while MARCH5 knockdown exerted the opposite effects. The protective effects mediated by MARCH5 overexpression on ECs could be inhibited by eNOS inhibitor L‐NAME and Akt inhibitor LY294002. In conclusion, these results indicated that MARCH5 acts as a protective factor in ischaemia/hypoxia‐induced ECs injury partially through Akt/eNOS pathway.
Metformin attenuates post‐epidural fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF‐β1/Smad3 and HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathways
Authors: Song Zeyuan , Wu Tao , Sun Jinpeng , Wang Haoran , Hua Feng , Nicolas Yap San Min , KC Rupesh , Chen Kun , Jin Zhen , Liu Jun , Zhang Mingshun
Published: February 2021

Excessive post‐epidural fibrosis is a common cause of recurrent back pain after spinal surgery. Though various treatment methods have been conducted, the safe and effective drug for alleviating post‐epidural fibrosis remains largely unknown. Metformin, a medicine used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has been noted to relieve fibrosis in various organs. In the present study, we aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of metformin in scar formation in a mouse model of laminectomy. Post‐epidural fibrosis developed in a mouse model of laminectomy by spinous process and the T12‐L2 vertebral plate with a rongeur. With the administration of metformin, post‐epidural fibrosis was reduced, accompanied with decreased collagen and fibronectin in the scar tissues. Mechanistically, metformin decreased fibronectin and collagen deposition in fibroblast cells, and this effect was dependent on the HMGB1/TLR4 and TGF‐β1/Smad3 signalling pathways. In addition, metformin influenced the metabolomics of the fibroblast cells. Taken together, our study suggests that metformin may be a potential option to mitigate epidural fibrosis after laminectomy.
Cytoglobin promotes sensitivity to ferroptosis by regulating p53‐YAP1 axis in colon cancer cells
Authors: Ye Shazhou , Xu Mingjun , Zhu Tingwei , Chen Jiayi , Shi Shanping , Jiang Haizhong , Zheng Qingfang , Liao Qi , Ding Xiaoyun , Xi Yang
Published: February 2021

Ferroptosis is an iron‐dependent mode of non‐apoptotic cell death characterized by accumulation of lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS). As a regulator of ROS, cytoglobin (CYGB) plays an important role in oxygen homeostasis and acts as a tumour suppressor. However, the mechanism by which CYGB regulates cell death is largely unknown. Here, we show that CYGB overexpression increased ROS accumulation and disrupted mitochondrial function as determined by the oxygen consumption rate and membrane potential. Importantly, ferroptotic features with accumulated lipid ROS and malondialdehyde were observed in CYGB‐overexpressing colorectal cancer cells. Moreover, CYGB significantly increased the sensitivity of cancer cells to RSL3‐ and erastin‐induced ferroptotic cell death. Mechanically, both YAP1 and p53 were significantly increased based on the RNA sequencing. The knock‐down of YAP1 alleviated production of lipid ROS and sensitivity to ferroptosis in CYGB overexpressed cells. Furthermore, YAP1 was identified to be inhibited by p53 knock‐down. Finally, high expression level of CYGB had the close correlation with key genes YAP1 and ACSL4 in ferroptosis pathway in colon cancer based on analysis from TCGA data. Collectively, our results demonstrated a novel tumour suppressor role of CYGB through p53‐YAP1 axis in regulating ferroptosis and suggested a potential therapeutic approach for colon cancer.
Survival in hospice patients with dementia: the effect of home hospice and nurse visits
Authors: Luth Elizabeth A. , Russell David J. , Xu Jiehui Cici , Lauder Bonnie , Ryvicker Miriam B. , Dignam Ritchell R. , Baughn Rosemary , Bowles Kathryn H. , Prigerson Holly G.
Published: February 2021

Background

Hospice patients with dementia are at increased risk for live discharge and long lengths of stay (>180 days), causing patient and family caregiver stress and burden. The location and timing of clinician visits are important factors influencing whether someone dies as expected, in hospice, or experiences a live discharge or long length of stay.

Objective

Examine how home hospice and nurse visit frequency relate to dying in hospice within the Medicare‐intended 6‐month period.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Non‐profit hospice agency.

Participants

Three thousand eight hundred and thirty seven patients with dementia who received hospice services from 2013 to 2017.

Methods

Multivariable survival analyses examined the effects of receiving home hospice (vs. nursing home) and timing of nurse visits on death within 6 months of hospice enrollment, compared to live discharge or long length of stay. Models adjust for relevant demographic and clinical factors.

Results

Thirty‐nine percent (39%) of patients experienced live discharge or long length of stay. Home hospice patients were more likely to experience live discharge or long length of stays (HR for death: 0.77, 95%CI: 0.69–0.86, p < 0.001). Frequency of nurse visits was inversely associated with live discharge and long lengths of stay (HR for death: 2.87, 95%CI: 2.47–3.33, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Nearly 40% of patients with dementia in our study experienced live discharge or a long length of stay. Additional research is needed to understand why home hospice may result in live discharge or a long length of stay for patients with dementia. Nurse visits were associated with death, suggesting their responsiveness to deteriorating patient health. Hospice guidelines may need to permit longer stays so community‐dwelling patients with dementia, a growing segment of hospice patients, can remain continuously enrolled in hospice and avoid burden and costs associated with live discharge.
Fiscal Consolidation and Public Wages
Authors: CHANG JUIN‐JEN , LIN HSIEH‐YU , TRAUM NORA , YANG SHU‐CHUN S.
Published: February 2021

A New Keynesian model with government production, public compensation, and unemployment is fit to U.S. data to study the effects of public wage reductions. Estimation implies reductions in public wages and government goods purchases have similar effects on total output, and the fiscal balance, yet the former can raise private output slightly, while the latter does not. Exogenous public wage reductions decrease private wages. Model counterfactuals show that sufficiently rigid nominal private wages can reverse the private wage response, as the rigidity dampens the labor reallocation effect from the public to private sector that exerts downward pressure on private wages.
Sociolinguistics of pathologized speech: A case of deaf and hard‐of‐hearing speakers of Taiwan Mandarin
Authors: Wan Tsung‐Lun Alan
Published: February 2021

Speakers of pathologized speech have not received much attention from sociolinguists. This article explores the stylistic practices of deaf and hard‐of‐hearing (DHH) people who demonstrate pathologized variants. This article adopts minimal pair reading and story reading to elicit various stylistic practices, as part of a larger project that aims to describe and empower DHH speech. Results show that DHH speakers who have experiences of medicalization are also the ones who consider learning the speech of hearing people necessary. A portion of these speakers embody their ideological stance—converging towards hearing speech—in the minimal pair reading.
Comparison of gluteus medius muscle activity in Haflinger and Noriker horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy
Authors: Zsoldos Rebeka Roza , Khayatzadeh Negar , Soelkner Johann , Schroeder Ulrike , Hahn Caroline , Licka Theresia Franziska
Published: February 2021

Type 1 polysaccharide storage myopathy caused by genetic mutation in the glycogen synthase 1 gene is present in many breeds including the Noriker and Haflinger horses. In humans, EMG has already been used to document changes in the muscle activity patterns of patients affected by human glycogen storage disorders. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to describe gluteus muscle activity with surface electromyography (sEMG) in Haflinger and Noriker horses with known GYS1 mutation status during walk and trot. Thirty‐two horses (11 Haflinger and 21 Noriker horses) with homozygous non‐affected (GG), heterozygous affected (GA) and homozygous affected (AA) status of GYS1 mutation without overt clinical signs of any myopathy were selected for the current study. Using surface electromyography gluteus medius muscle activity at walk and at trot was measured, and muscle activity was described in relation to the maximum observed value at the same sensor and the same gait. In order to further describe the signals in detail comprising both frequencies and amplitudes, the crossings through the baseline and the 25, 50 and 75 percentile lines were determined. The result of the relative muscle activity did not show a consistent difference between affected and non‐affected horses. Genetically affected (GA and AA) horses showed significantly less density of muscle activity for both gaits and horse breeds except for the crossings per second at the baseline and 75 percentile at walk in the Haflinger horses and 75 percentile at trot in the Noriker horses. The medians of all calculated density values were significantly lower in the GA Haflingers compared to the GG Haflingers (p = 0.012) and also in the AA Norikers compared to the GG Norikers (p = 0.011). Results indicate that the GYS1 mutation reduces the number of functional muscle fibres detected by sEMG measurements even in the absence of overt clinical signs.
Drivers of European bat population change: a review reveals evidence gaps
Authors: Browning Ella , Barlow Kate E. , Burns Fiona , Hawkins Charlotte , Boughey Katherine
Published: February 2021

Bat populations are thought to have suffered significant declines in the past century throughout Europe. Fortunately, there are some signs of recovery; for instance, of the 11 species monitored in the UK, population trends of five are increasing. The drivers of past losses and recent trends are unclear; identifying them will enable targeted conservation strategies to support further recovery.

We review the evidence linking proposed drivers to impacts on bat populations in Europe, using the results of a previous cross‐taxa semi‐quantitative assessment as a framework. Broadly, the drivers reviewed relate to land‐use practices, climate change, pollution, development and infrastructure, and human disturbance. We highlight where evidence gaps or conflicts present barriers to successful conservation and review emerging opportunities to address these gaps.

We find that the relative importance or impacts of the potential drivers of bat population change are not well understood or quantified, with conflicting evidence in many cases. To close key gaps in the evidence for responses of bat populations to environmental change, future studies should focus on the impacts of climate change, urbanisation, offshore wind turbines, and water pollution, as well as on mitigation measures and the synergistic effects of putative drivers.

To increase available evidence of drivers of bat population change, we propose utilising advances in monitoring tools and statistical methods, together with robust quantitative assessment of conservation interventions to mitigate threats and enable the effective conservation of these protected species.
Data considerations for the success of policy to restrict in‐store food promotions: A commentary from a food industry nutritionist consultation
Authors: Jenneson V. , Morris M. A.
Published: February 2021

New plans to restrict in‐store price and location‐based promotions of less healthy foods and drinks in the UK aimed to encourage healthier choices. With responsibility for implementation likely falling to food retailers, it is important to understand the feasibility of implementation and to ensure policy success. To ensure compliance, retailers will need to assess which products are restricted under the legislation. The large number of products in retailers’ portfolios poses a problem of scale. A recent research case study found the data available to retailers to be insufficient to accurately apply the rules‐based approach set out by the policy proposal. Misclassification would result in some less healthy products being incorrectly promoted and vice versa. Problems with implementation feasibility have the potential to undermine the public health goals of the legislation. Interviews were carried out with nutrition representatives from the UK food retail and manufacturing sector, to understand the real‐world implications of the proposed legislation. Industry nutritionists recommended a review of the use of the UK’s Nutrient Profiling Model as the legislative basis, proposed data‐related solutions to implementation problems and suggested a need for shared retailer‐manufacturer responsibility, given the context of data availability.
Assessment of satellite products for filling rainfall data gaps in the Amazon region
Authors: de Moraes Cordeiro Adria Lorena , Blanco Claudio José Cavalcante
Published: February 2021

Rainfall data series with adequate quality and length are often incomplete or nonexistent. Thus, filling in rainfall gaps becomes necessary to complete databases. This article proposes the use of satellite products (TRMM—Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, CHIRPS—Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations and CMORPH—CPC Morphing Technique) to fill gaps in the rainfall historical series. The simple regression method, using satellite rainfall estimates, was tested to fill the missing data from 164 rainfall gauge stations in the Amazon region. Large dispersions were observed between rainfall data, withR2ranging from 0.383 to 0.844, the best results were found in areas with less rainfall. As well, the greatest performance of the products was verified in the dry period, withranddhigher than 0.899 and 0.950, respectively. The product with the best representation in the region was CHIRPS, which had the lowest monthly values of mean absolute error (0.979 mm) and root mean square error (3.656 mm). The results confirm that the satellite estimates satisfactorily represent the seasonal variation of rainfall in the region, despite presenting cases of overestimation and underestimation of data. The higher performance of CHIRPS can be explained by the higher spatial resolution (0.05°), allowing for more accurate weather forecasts. In fact, CHIRPS has the CHPclim model, which adds other factors to the good product performance. These characteristics justify the better performance of the CHIRPS product for filling gaps in daily rainfall data in the Amazon region, favoring the best monthly rainfall estimates for each region state analyzed.

Recommendations for Resource Managers

Satellite products have been increasingly used for estimating rainfall data in regions with a low number of installed rainfall gauge stations. Thus, the assessment and selection of these products needs to be elaborated for the best decision making of water resource managers.

Rainfall data are important to recognize the occurrence patterns for prediction of the climatic behavior of a region. Sectors such as agriculture and disaster prevention (droughts, floods, erosion of watersheds, and river silting) need knowledge of rainfall for planning, management, and mitigation.

Knowledge of rainfall behavior is very important in the Amazon region. In this case, the dry season and temperatures have been increasing due to global climate change. These changes establish conditions for more intense fires, which increases the deforestation of the region.
Contact lens education for the practitioners of the future
Authors: Naroo Shehzad A , Morgan Philip B , Shinde Lakshmi , Lee Cheni , Ewbank Alison
Published: February 2021

The World Health Organization has identified a shortage of trained human resources as one of the greatest challenges to increasing the availability of eye care services and reducing preventable visual impairment around the world. Increased prevalence of myopia and new strategies for myopia management have raised the prospect of various interventions, including contact lenses for therapeutic use as well as for refractive correction. More personnel skilled in contact lens fitting will be needed to address potential worldwide demand for these interventions. This review investigates the current status and future requirements of global contact lens education in light of these developments.

The COVD‐19 pandemic led educational institutions worldwide to move towards online delivery. An online survey among 546 educators, conducted in May 2020, investigated changes to contact lens education delivery before and after the onset of the pandemic. A total of 214 responses were received from 32 countries. Prior to COVID‐19 restrictions, 23% of educators had conducted more than 50% of their total teaching online; however, 69% expected to conduct more than half of their teaching online by the end of 2020 and 12% anticipated 90% or more of their teaching would be online. Some 76% of educators expected to provide more online lectures after the pandemic and 63% anticipated new methods to deliver practical education. Around half were planning to introduce new teaching online platforms (54%) and more online assessment methods (53%).

The global need for increasing numbers of skilled personnel points to a crucial role for educators in teaching the contact lens practitioners of the future. Contact lens education delivery was already evolving prior to COVID‐19, and changes that are currently occurring may lead to permanent differences in the way contact lenses are taught in future. The International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) provides educators with a standardised global curriculum, online resources and teaching technology that could also serve as a model for wider ophthalmic education in future.
Anesthetic techniques used for pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of port‐wine birthmarks: An exploratory assessment of current attitudes and practice patterns among pediatric dermatologists in the United States
Authors: Klein Alyssa , Aggarwal Prachi , Mannschreck Diana , Cohen Bernard A.
Published: February 2021

Background/objectives

Pulsed dye laser (PDL) is the gold standard for treating port‐wine birthmarks (PWBs), but no consensus exists regarding anesthetic techniques when performing PDL for PWB. Given potential adverse neurocognitive effects from general anesthesia (GA) exposure in early childhood, we sought to establish current attitudes and practice patterns regarding anesthesia when treating PWB with PDL.

Methods

An electronic REDCap survey was distributed to members of the Pediatric Dermatology Research Alliance (PeDRA) and the Society for Pediatric Dermatology (SPD) via email. Aggregate, anonymized results were reported.

Results

Among 47 respondents, the majority (83%) identified as board‐certified pediatric dermatologists. When treating children <4 years old, 70% endorsed some use of topical anesthesia. Although 87% reported concerns about long‐term side effects on development and school performance affecting their pursuit of GA, 61% reported use of GA for PDL in children <4 years old. All 4 (100%) respondents whose PDL was located in the operating room (OR) setting reported use of GA, compared to 6 of 17 (35%) respondents whose PDL machine was not located in the OR. Providers were more likely to use GA in patients between 1 and 4 years old (70%) compared to those <1 year old (2%).

Conclusions

Diverse practice patterns reiterate the need for a standardized anesthetic approach for PDL in young children and continued research on other factors (ie, location/accessibility of PDL, lesion size) impacting anesthesia choices. Given potential neurodevelopmental risks associated with GA, specific guidance to effectively minimize its use in favor of topical anesthetics should be provided.
Current view on post‐stroke dementia
Authors: Droś Jakub , Klimkowicz‐Mrowiec Aleksandra
Published: February 2021

Dementia is one of the leading complications after stroke affecting about one third of survivors. Prevalence of post‐stroke dementia (PSD) differs between studies due to variability in methodology, characteristics of included patients, type of stroke, diagnostic tools used to identify patients with dementia, or time when the assessment was performed. Patients diagnosed with PSD are at higher risk of mortality, disability, and institutionalization. Aetiology of PSD may include mixed overlapping processes such as vascular brain pathology or Alzheimer's disease. Several risk factors have been found to increase PSD incidence, involving demographics, vascular factors, stroke characteristics, abnormalities on neuroimaging, and stroke complications. However, the influence of some other factors still remains unclear. PSD may coexist with other neuropsychiatric disorders and its association with post‐stroke depression seems to be the most significant. There is a strong need for further research on possible genetic, biological, and inflammatory biomarkers. Also, there are no unambiguously efficacious methods of management. Continuing to address these issues will help to find more effective interventions directly targeting prevention and treatment of PSD in the future.
Body composition and ventricular function in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Carbayo Javier , Abad Soraya , Verde Eduardo , Muñoz de Morales Alejandra , Gonzalez‐Rojas Angela , Acosta Adriana , Mijaylova Antonia , Bascuñana Arturo , Vega Almudena , Goicoechea Marian
Published: February 2021

There is no evidence about the potential role of body composition on cardiovascular mortality in dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between body composition and changes in ventricular function. We conducted an observational study over a population of 78 patients on chronic hemodialysis. A transthoracic echocardiogram and a bioimpedance were performed at the beginning and at the end of the study. The mean follow‐up time was 30.6 months. Patients who had a higher fat tissue index (FTI > 9.20 kg/m2) experienced a worsening in right and left ventricular function. They developed a greater fall in tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) (−1 ± 4.3 mm) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)(−4.2 ± 6.8%), compared to those with lower FTI (p = 0.032 and p = 0.045, respectively). No associations were found between any other echocardiography or body composition parameters and overall mortality. Patients with right ventricular dysfunction (determined as TAPSE) experienced a tendency to higher mortality rate along the study (HR for mortality of 13.5 (95% CI, 1.1–166.7; p = 0.041)]. A higher fat tissue index could be associated with a deleterious effect over right and left ventricular function in dialysis patients.
Wanting a “Feminist Abortion Experience”: Emotion Work, Collective Identity, and Pro‐Choice Discourse1
Authors: Siegel Derek P.
Published: February 2021

When pro‐choice individuals expect to feel relieved after their abortions, they often express discomfort with ambivalence and try to minimize “negative feelings.” By conducting interviews (n = 27) with feminists about their recent abortions, I examine what produces this tension and find multiple explanations. In terms of their own interests, respondents fear being (perceived as) “bad feminists” for harboring ambivalence over their abortions, and regarding others, worry that anti‐abortion activists will misrepresent their experiences to further attack abortion rights. Ultimately, I use the feeling rules framework and the concepts of personal and collective identity to explain how—in this and other social movement contexts—political affiliation shapes the way someone manages their private emotions. I also examine how the processes of emotion management and identity formation are intertwined. On the one hand, their political identities compel the feminists in my sample to express certain emotions, and on the other hand, by expressing dominant emotions, they reinforce the strength of their pro‐choice identities and what it means to have a feminist abortion. This explains why activists are more likely than non‐activists to self‐police their abortion‐related emotions.
Gun Owners and Gun Control: Shared Status, Divergent Opinions
Authors: Burton Alexander L. , Logan Matthew W. , Pickett Justin T. , Cullen Francis T. , Jonson Cheryl Lero , Burton Velmer S.
Published: February 2021

After each mass public shooting, an inevitable debate surrounding the tools used to carry out the attack ensues. This debate is marked by two sides: those who endorse controlling access to firearms and those who oppose restrictions to the Second Amendment. Implicit in this dialogue is the assumption that gun owners are a homogenous group who stand in opposition to the gun control legislation. Using a national sample of American gun‐owning adults, we examine gun control attitudes among those who share the gun owner‐status and uncover divergent views split down political lines. Political partisanship and values are a major source of gun owners’ policy preferences. Republican gun owners and those with rightward political values are more likely to oppose gun control measures. Gun control, it seems, is politicized even among those who own guns, which suggests guns are political symbols with a meaning that extends beyond mere self‐interest in protecting ownership status.
Identification of the novel HLA allele, HLA‐DPA1*01:46, identified in a man of Serbian origin
Authors: Mora‐Jensen Helena Isabel , Hald Jacob , Hauge Anne Werner , Sengeløv Henrik , Bruunsgaard Helle
Published: February 2021

HLA‐DPA1*01:46 differs from HLA‐DPA1*01:03 in exon 2 at amino acid 85; Aspartate to Asparagine substitution.
Outcomes of baervedlt implant surgery in 17 dogs (20 eyes) with primary closed‐angle glaucoma (2013–2019)
Authors: Crowe Yvette C. , Groth Allyson D. , White Joanna , Hindley Kate E. , Premont Johana E. , Billson Francis M.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To report outcomes and follow‐up of Baerveldt implant surgery in dogs with primary closed‐angle glaucoma (PCAG).

Materials and Methods

Record review of client‐owned dogs with PCAG that underwent Baerveldt implant surgery during a 6‐year period. Postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), vision and daily number of anti‐glaucoma drops at fixed time points (3, 12, and 24 months) were compared with preoperative values; complications were recorded. Success was defined as IOP <20 mm Hg and a positive menace response and navigation/tracking ability.

Results

Twenty eyes (17 dogs) were included. Mean follow‐up was 575 days (range 30–1767 days) from implant surgery to last examination. Three months postoperatively 15/20 (75%) eyes had IOP <20 mm Hg and 14/20 (70%) eyes had vision. Twelve months postoperatively 11/17 (65%) eyes had IOP <20 mm Hg and 12/19 (63%) eyes had vision. Twenty‐four months postoperatively 8/14 (57%) eyes had IOP <20 mm Hg and 7/15 (47%) eyes had vision. Denominators differ between time points as eyes were included when duration after surgery reached the relevant postoperative time point or failure was documented earlier. Within 3 months postoperatively 16/20 (80%) eyes had ≥1 complication, including transient IOP >20 mm Hg (14/20; 70% eyes), fibrin (12/20; 60% eyes), and hypotony (4/20; 20% eyes). After 3 months, postoperatively 13/16 (81%) eyes had ≥1 complication, including cataracts (13/16; 81% eyes), bleb fibrosis (3/16; 19% eyes), and conjunctival wound breakdown (1/16; 6% eyes). One patient (1 eye) was euthanized for blindness and 5/20 (25%) eyes were enucleated.

Conclusions

The technique was effective in controlling IOP and maintaining vision in most dogs in this study.
Susceptibility of canine chondrocytes and synoviocytes to antibiotic cytotoxicity in vitro
Authors: Newman Robert J. , Chow Lyndah , Goodrich Laurie R. , Lambrechts Nicolaas E. , Dow Steven W. , Pezzanite Lynn M.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To evaluate relative cytotoxicity of antibiotics to normal canine joint tissues in vitro.

Study design

Experimental in vitro study.

Sample population

Chondrocytes and synoviocytes (three dogs); cartilage explants (three dogs); six dogs total.

Methods

Chondrocytes and synoviocytes from normal femoropatellar joints of three dogs were plated on 24‐well plates (50 000 cells/cm2, triplicate, 48 hours) and exposed to antibiotics (ampicillin sulbactam, vancomycin, cefazolin, ceftazidime, amikacin, enrofloxacin; 0.39‐25 mg/mL, 24 hours). Viability was assessed by using trypan blue dye exclusion. Antibiotic concentrations at which 50% cell death occurred (half‐maximal inhibitory concentration) were determined to rank antibiotics for relative cytotoxicity. Occurrence of caspase‐3 expression after antibiotic exposure was assessed as an indication of apoptosis induction. Cartilage explants from three different dogs were minced and exposed to antibiotics (amikacin, ceftazidime, cefazolin, enrofloxacin; 5 mg/mL, 72 hours). Live/dead staining was performed, and fluorescence was visualized by using confocal microscopy. Percentage of live vs dead cells was quantitated.

Results

Viability of chondrocytes and synoviocytes decreased with increasing antibiotic concentrations. Half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations were determined for synoviocytes (vancomycin 13.77, ampicillin sulbactam 3.07, amikacin 2.26, ceftazidime 1.62, cefazolin 1.48, enrofloxacin 1.25 mg/mL) and chondrocytes (vancomycin 8.65, ampicillin sulbactam 8.63, ceftazidime 3.16, amikacin 2.74, cefazolin 1.67, enrofloxacin 0.78 mg/mL). Caspase‐3 expression was upregulated, providing evidence that apoptotic pathways were active in cell death.

Conclusion

Half‐maximal inhibitory concentration data provided evidence of lower toxicity of vancomycin and ampicillin sulbactam to joint tissues in vitro.

Clinical significance

These results provide evidence to justify future in vitro work with osteoarthritic joint tissues and in vivo clinical trials to evaluate safety and efficacy of intra‐articular antibiotics to treat dogs with septic arthritis.
Outcomes and prognostic indicators in 59 paraplegic medium to large breed dogs with extensive epidural hemorrhage secondary to thoracolumbar disc extrusion
Authors: Woelfel Christian W. , Robertson James B. , Mariani Chris L. , Muñana Karen R. , Early Peter J. , Olby Natasha J.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To evaluate outcomes and prognostic factors after decompressive hemilaminectomy in paraplegic medium to large breed dogs with extensive epidural hemorrhage (DEEH) and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL‐IVDE).

Study design

Retrospective, cohort, descriptive study.

Animals

Fifty‐nine client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Medical records and advanced imaging were reviewed for paraplegic dogs with DEEH. Ambulatory status 6 months after surgery and postoperative complications were recorded. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to explore prognostic factors.

Results

Records of 22 dogs with and 37 dogs without pelvic limb pain perception at presentation were included. Median age of dogs was 5 years (interquartile range, 4‐7), and mean weight was 26.9 kg (SD, ±9.71). Labradors and Labrador mixes were most common (17/59 [28.8%]). Recovery of ambulation occurred in 17 of 22 (77.3%) dogs with and in 14 of 37 (37.8%) dogs without pain perception prior to surgery. Progressive myelomalacia was recorded in three of 59 (5.1%) dogs, one with pain perception and two without pain perception at presentation. Postoperative complications (14/59 [23.7%]) were common. Factors independently associated with outcome included clinical severity (odds ratio [OR] 0.179,P= .005), number of vertebrae with signal interruption in half Fourier single‐shot turbo spin‐echo sequences (HASTEi; OR, 0.738;P= .035), and ratio of vertebral sites decompressed to HASTEi (OR, 53.79;P= .03).

Conclusion

Paraplegic medium to large breed dogs with DEEH have a less favorable outcome after surgical decompression than paraplegic dogs with TL‐IVDE.

Clinical significance

Dogs with DEEH can have severe postoperative complications. Loss of pain perception and increased HASTEi are associated with a poor outcome, while more extensive decompression improves outcome.
Hypoxia and hypoxia‐inducible factors promote the development of neointimal hyperplasia in arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Sadaghianloo Nirvana , Contenti Julie , Declemy Serge , Ambrosetti Damien , Zdralevic Masa , Tannour‐Louet Mounia , Fabbri Lucilla , Pagès Gilles , Bost Frédéric , Hassen‐Khodja Réda , Pouysségur Jacques , Jean‐Baptiste Elixène , Dardik Alan , Mazure Nathalie M.
Published: February 2021

Key points

Patients with end‐stage renal failure need arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) to undergo dialysis. However, AVFs present a high rate of failure as a result of excessive venous thickness.

Excessive venous thickness may be a consequence of surgical dissection and change in oxygen concentration within the venous wall.

We show that venous cells adapt their metabolism and growth depending on oxygen concentration, and drugs targeting the hypoxic response pathway modulate this response in vitro.

We used the same drugs on a mouse model of AVF and show that direct or indirect inhibition of the hypoxia‐inducible factors (HIFs) help decrease excessive venous thickness.

Hypoxia and HIFs can be targets of therapeutic drugs to prevent excessive venous thickness in patients undergoing AVF surgical creation.

Because the oxygen concentration changes in the venous wall, surrounding tissue and the blood during surgical creation of arteriovenous fistula (AVF), we hypothesized that hypoxia could contribute to AVF failure as a result of neointimal hyperplasia. We postulated that modulation of the hypoxia‐inducible factors (HIF) with pharmacological compounds could promote AVF maturation. Fibroblasts [normal human fibroblasts (NHF)], smooth muscle cells [human umbilical vein smooth muscle cells (HUVSMC)] and endothelial cells [human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)], representing the three layers of the venous wall, were tested in vitro for proliferation, cell death, metabolism, reactive oxygen species production and migration after silencing of HIF1/2‐α or after treatment with deferioxamine (DFO), everolimus (Eve), metformin (Met), N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC) and topoisomerase I (TOPO), which modulate HIF‐α stability or activity. Compounds that were considered to most probably modify intimal hyperplasia were applied locally to the vessels in a mouse model of aortocaval fistula. We showed, in vitro, that NHF and HUVSMC can adapt their metabolism and thus their growth depending on oxygen concentration, whereas HUVEC appears to be less flexible. siHIF1/2α, DFO, Eve, Met, NAC and TOPO can modulate metabolism and proliferation depending on the cell type and the oxygen concentration. In vivo, siHIF1/2α, Eve and TOPO decreased neointimal hyperplasia by 32%–50%, 7 days after treatment. Within the vascular wall, hypoxia and HIF‐1/2 mediate early failure of AVF. Local delivery of drugs targeting HIF‐1/2 could inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in a mouse model of AVF. Such compounds may be delivered during the surgical procedure for AVF creation to prevent early AVF failure.
Two-point function of the energy-momentum tensor and generalised conformal structure
Authors: Corianò Claudio , Delle Rose Luigi , Skenderis Kostas
Published: February 2021

Theories with generalised conformal structure contain a dimensionful parameter, which appears as an overall multiplicative factor in the action. Examples of such theories are gauge theories coupled to massless scalars and fermions with Yukawa interactions and quartic couplings for the scalars in spacetime dimensions other than 4. Many properties of such theories are similar to that of conformal field theories (CFT), and in particular their 2-point functions take the same form as in CFT but with the normalisation constant now replaced by a function of the effective dimensionless coupling g constructed from the dimensionful parameter and the distance separating the two operators. Such theories appear in holographic dualities involving non-conformal branes and this behaviour of the correlators has already been observed at strong coupling. Here we present a perturbative computation of the two-point function of the energy-momentum tensor to two loops in dimensions $$d= 3, 5$$

d
=
3
,
5

, confirming the expected structure and determining the corresponding functions of g to this order, including the effects of renormalisation. We also discuss the $$\hbox {d}=4$$

d
=
4

case for comparison. The results for $$d=3$$

d
=
3

are relevant for holographic cosmology, and in this case we also study the effect of a $$\Phi ^6$$

Φ
6

coupling, which while marginal in the usual sense it is irrelevant from the perspective of the generalised conformal structure. Indeed, the effect of such coupling in the 2-point function is washed out in the IR but it modifies the UV.
Challenges and research opportunities in eCommerce search and recommendations
Authors: Tsagkias Manos , King Tracy Holloway , Kallumadi Surya , Murdock Vanessa , de Rijke Maarten
Published: February 2021

With the rapid adoption of online shopping, academic research in the eCommerce domain has gained traction. However, significant research challenges remain, spanning from classic eCommerce search problems such as matching textual queries to multi-modal documents and ranking optimization for two-sided marketplaces to human-computer interaction and recommender systems for discovery and browsing. These research areas are important for understanding customer behavior, driving engagement, and improving product discoverability and conversion. In this article we identify the challenges and highlight research opportunities to improve the eCommerce customer experience.
ECIR 2020 workshops
Authors: Nunes Sérgio , Little Suzanne , Bhatia Sumit , Boratto Ludovico , Cabanac Guillaume , Campos Ricardo , Couto Francisco M. , Faralli Stefano , Frommholz Ingo , Jatowt Adam , Jorge Alípio , Marras Mirko , Mayr Philipp , Stilo Giovanni
Published: February 2021

ECIR 2020
1
was one of the many conferences affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conference Chairs decided to keep the initially planned dates (April 14-17, 2020) and move to a fully online event. In this report, we describe the experience of organising the ECIR 2020 Workshops in this scenario from two perspectives: the workshop organisers and the workshop participants. We provide a report on the organisational aspect of these events and the consequences for participants. Covering the scientific dimension of each workshop is outside the scope of this article. A detailed account of the main conference can be found in the Spring 2020 edition of BCS Informer [BCS, 2020].
Report on the tenth international workshop on location and the web (LocWeb 2020)
Authors: Ahlers Dirk , Wilde Erik , Schifanella Rossano , Alowibdi Jalal S.
Published: February 2021

LocWeb 2020 was the tenth workshop in the LocWeb workshop series at the intersection of location-based analytics and Web architecture and was held at The Web Conference, WWW 2020, on 21
st
April 2020. The focus was on Web-scale services and systems facilitating location-aware information access as well as on Spatial Social Computing on the Web. The LocWeb 2019 workshop had contributions ranging from urban location data analysis over geospatial open data access to worldwide media consumption patterns.

The workshop and conference was intended to be held in Taipei, Taiwan, but was instead held as a virtual workshop since also The Web Conference itself moved to be an online-only event, due to the current pandemic. That also gave rise to a number of discussions around spatial models, online work modes, and current mitigation efforts.

This report presents an overview of these discussions, after an introduction to the workshop theme and the individual contributions.
The dilemma of the direct answer
Authors: Potthast Martin , Hagen Matthias , Stein Benno
Published: February 2021

No Web technology has undergone such an impressive evolution as Web search engines did and still do. Starting with the promise of "Bringing order to the Web"
1
by compiling information sources matching a query, retrieval technology has been evolving to a kind of "oracle machinery", being able to recommend a single source, and even to provide direct answers extracted from that source. Notwithstanding the remarkable progress made and the apparent user preferences for direct answers, this paradigm shift comes at a price which is higher than one might expect at first sight, affecting both users and search engine developers in their own way. We call this tradeoff "the dilemma of the direct answer"; it deserves an analysis which has to go beyond system-oriented aspects but scrutinize the way our society deals with both their information needs and means to information access. The paper in hand contributes to this analysis by putting the evolution of retrieval technology and the expectations at it in the context of information retrieval history. Moreover, we discuss the trade offs in information behavior and information system design that users and developers may face in the future.
Novel Pannexin‐1‐Coupled Signaling Cascade Involved in the Control of Endothelial Cell Function and NO‐Dependent Relaxation
Authors: Lillo Mauricio A. , Gaete Pablo S. , Puebla Mariela , Burboa Pía C. , Poblete Inés , Figueroa Xavier F.
Published: February 2021

Deletion of pannexin‐1 (Panx‐1) leads not only to a reduction in endothelium‐derived hyperpolarization but also to an increase in NO‐mediated vasodilation. Therefore, we evaluated the participation of Panx‐1‐formed channels in the control of membrane potential and [Ca2+]i of endothelial cells. Changes in NO‐mediated vasodilation, membrane potential, superoxide anion (O2⋅–) formation, and endothelial cell [Ca2+]i were analyzed in rat isolated mesenteric arterial beds and primary cultures of mesenteric endothelial cells. Inhibition of Panx‐1 channels with probenecid (1 mM) or the Panx‐1 blocking peptide 10Panx (60 μM) evoked an increase in the ACh (100 nM)‐induced vasodilation of KCl‐contracted mesenteries and in the phosphorylation level of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) at serine 1177 (P‐eNOSS1177) and Akt at serine 473 (P‐AktS473). In addition, probenecid or 10Panx application activated a rapid, tetrodotoxin (TTX, 300 nM)‐sensitive, membrane potential depolarization and [Ca2+]i increase in endothelial cells. Interestingly, the endothelial cell depolarization was converted into a transient spike after removing Ca2+ ions from the buffer solution and in the presence of 100 μM mibefradil or 10 μM Ni2+. As expected, Ni2+ also abolished the increment in [Ca2+]i. Expression of Nav1.2, Nav1.6, and Cav3.2 isoforms of voltage‐dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, the Panx‐1 channel blockade was associated with an increase in O2⋅– production. Treatment with 10 μM TEMPOL or 100 μM apocynin prevented the increase in O2⋅– formation, ACh‐induced vasodilation, P‐eNOSS1177, and P‐AktS473 observed in response to Panx‐1 inhibition. These findings indicate that the Panx‐1 channel blockade triggers a novel complex signaling pathway initiated by the sequential activation of TTX‐sensitive Nav channels and Cav3.2 channels, leading to an increase in NO‐mediated vasodilation through a NADPH oxidase‐dependent P‐eNOSS1177, which suggests that Panx‐1 may be involved in the endothelium‐dependent control of arterial blood pressure.
Influence of the Model of Care on the Outcomes of Diabetes Self-Management Education Program: A Scoping Review
Authors: Kumah Emmanuel , Afriyie Emmanuel K. , Abuosi Aaron A. , Ankomah Samuel E. , Fusheini Adam , Otchere Godfred
Published: February 2021

Background. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounts for approximately 95% of all diabetes cases, making the disease a global public health concern. The increasing prevalence of T2DM has highlighted the importance of evidence-based guidelines for effective prevention, management, and treatment. Diabetes self-management education (DSME) can produce positive effects on patient behaviors and health status. Study objective. We synthesized findings from the existing studies to find out whether or not the impact of DSME on patient health behaviors and outcomes differ by the different models of diabetes care. That is, we determined whether there are differences in DSME outcomes when patient’s care provider is a general practitioner, a specialist, a nurse, or a combination of these health professionals. Methods. Searches were made of six electronic databases to identify relevant English language publications on DSME from 2000 through 2019. Titles and abstracts of the search results were screened to select eligible papers for full-text screening. All eligible papers were retrieved, and full-text screening was done by three independent reviewers to select studies for inclusion in the final analysis. Twenty-one studies were included in the final analysis. The main outcome measures assessed were glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), diet, and physical activity. Results. The majority of the patients with diabetes were seen by primary care physicians. In general, the studies reported significant improvements in patient health behaviors and outcomes. Some differences in outcomes between the different models of care were observed. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the effects of DSME on patients’ health behaviors and outcomes could differ by the different models of diabetes care. However, considering the limited sample of publications reviewed, and because none of the reviewed studies directly measured the impact of the DSME program on patient behaviors and outcomes, significant conclusions could not be reached.
Modeling of Minimum and Maximum Void Ratios of Granular Soils
Authors: Qian Xiaoxu , Liu Xin , Shao Zhiwei , Shi Yunqiang , Zhang Siqing , Hong Baoning
Published: February 2021

Determining the maximum and minimum void ratios of granular soils is very important because it can be correlated with engineering behaviors such as soil permeability. Empirical relationships can be used for determining the void ratio, but they have many limitations related to the shape and the size distribution of the grains. Analytical methods improve the empirical relationships. In this paper, we present enhancements to the model of Chang et al. by combining the model of Youd et al., as Chang–Youd models, to make it more convenient and also to extend its usage to be suitable for determining the maximum void ratio. The Chang–Youd models are verified with experimental tests performed by the authors. Compared with the experimental results in the literature, the Chang–Youd models are also effective but more convenient and practical.