bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromatin Remodeling Factor BRG1 Regulates Stemness and Chemosensitivity of Glioma Initiating Cells
Authors: Ganguly Debolina , Sims Michelle , Cai Chun , Fan Meiyun , Pfeffer Lawrence M.
Published: September 2018

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive and malignant brain tumor that is refractory to existing therapeutic regimens, which reflects the presence of stem-like cells, termed glioma-initiating cells (GICs). The complex interactions between different signaling pathways and epigenetic regulation of key genes may be critical in the maintaining GICs in their stem-like state. Although several signaling pathways have been identified as being dysregulated in GBM, the prognosis of GBM patients remains miserable despite improvements in targeted therapies. In this report, we identified that BRG1, the catalytic subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex, plays a fundamental role in maintaining GICs in their stem-like state. In addition, we identified a novel mechanism by which BRG1 regulates glycolysis genes critical for GICs. BRG1 downregulates the expression of TXNIP, a negative regulator of glycolysis. BRG1 knockdown also triggered the STAT3 pathway, which led to TXNIP activation. We further identified that TXNIP is an STAT3-regulated gene. Moreover, BRG1 suppressed the expression of interferon-stimulated genes, which are negatively regulated by STAT3 and regulate tumorigenesis. We further demonstrate that BRG1 plays a critical role in the drug resistance of GICs and in GIC-induced tumorigenesis. By genetic and pharmacological means, we found that inhibiting BRG1 can sensitize GICs to chemotherapeutic drugs, temozolomide and carmustine. Our studies suggest that BRG1 may be a novel therapeutic target in GBM. The identification of the critical role that BRG1 plays in GIC stemness and chemosensitivity will inform the development of better targeted therapies in GBM and possibly other cancers.
Concise Review: Heart-Derived Cell Therapy 2.0: Paracrine Strategies to Increase Therapeutic Repair of Injured Myocardium
Authors: Rafatian Ghazaleh , Davis Darryl R.
Published: September 2018

Despite progress in cardiovascular medicine, the incidence of heart failure is rising and represents a growing challenge. To address this, ex vivo proliferated heart-derived cell products have emerged as a promising investigational cell-treatment option. Despite being originally proposed as a straightforward myocyte replacement strategy, emerging evidence has shown that cell-mediated gains in cardiac function are leveraged on paracrine stimulation of endogenous repair and tissue salvage. In this concise review, we focus on the paracrine repertoire of heart-derived cells and outline strategies used to boost cell potency by targeting cytokines, metabolic preconditioning and supportive biomaterials. Mechanistic insights from these studies will shape future efforts to use defined factors and/or synthetic cell approaches to help the millions of patients worldwide suffering from heart failure.
Aspects of Weyl supergravity
Authors: Ferrara Sergio , Kehagias Alex , Lüst Dieter
Published: September 2018

Abstract

In this paper we study the spectrum of all conformal,

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

-extended supergravities (

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1, 2, 3, 4) in four space-time dimensions. When these theories are obtained as massless limit of Einstein plus Weyl2 supergravity, the appropriate counting of the enhanced gauge symmetries allow us to derive the massless spectrum which consist of a dipole ghost graviton multiplet, a

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

-fold tripole ghost gravitino, the third state belonging to a spin 3/2 multiplet and a residual vector multiplet present for non-maximal

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

< 4 theories. These theories are not expected to have a standard gravity holographic dual in five dimensions.
NLO QCD corrections to SM-EFT dilepton and electroweak Higgs boson production, matched to parton shower in POWHEG
Authors: Alioli Simone , Dekens Wouter , Girard Michael , Mereghetti Emanuele
Published: September 2018

Abstract

We discuss the Standard Model — Effective Field Theory (SM-EFT) contributions to neutral- and charge-current Drell-Yan production, associated production of the Higgs and a vector boson, and Higgs boson production via vector boson fusion. We consider all the dimension-six SM-EFT operators that contribute to these processes at leading order, include next-to-leading order QCD corrections, and interface them with parton showering and hadronization in Pythia8 according to the POWHEG method. We discuss existing constraints on the coefficients of dimension-six operators and identify differential and angular distributions that can differentiate between different effective operators, pointing to specific features of Beyond-the-Standard-Model physics.
Noble metal-free V2O5/g-C3N4composites for selective oxidation of olefins using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant
Authors: Zou Hui , Xiao Guansheng , Chen Kaihao , Peng Xinhua
Published: September 2018

A noble metal-free catalytic system for the oxidation of olefins to their corresponding aldehydes using H2O2as an oxidant.
Nano-arrayed OLEDs: enhanced outcoupling efficiency and suppressed efficiency roll-off
Authors: Hwang Ha , Shim Yong Sub , Choi Junhee , Lee Dong Jun , Kim Jae Geun , Lee Ju Sung , Park Young Wook , Ju Byeong-Kwon
Published: September 2018

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) with an enhanced outcoupling efficiency and a suppressed efficiency roll-off were fabricated by inserting a nanosize pixel-defining layer (nPDL) that defines the OLED emission region as an array of nanoholes.
Superior energy storage properties and excellent stability of novel NaNbO3-based lead-free ceramics with A-site vacancy obtained via a Bi2O3 substitution strategy
Authors: Zhou Mingxing , Liang Ruihong , Zhou Zhiyong , Dong Xianlin
Published: September 2018

Novel environment-friendly NaNbO3-based lead-free ceramics with ultrahigh energy storage density and power density for multilayer ceramic capacitor applications.
Cyclostationarity‐based joint sensing and equalisation of fast convolution‐based DWPT block‐filtered orthogonal frequency division multiplexing for fifth‐generation wireless systems
Authors: Datta Jayanta , Lin Hsin‐Piao
Published: September 2018

Traditional cyclic prefix‐orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is a popular multicarrier modulation (MCM) scheme, which provides advantages of good bandwidth utilisation and simplicity in transceiver design. However, the waveform suffers from poor spectral utilisation due to the utilisation of rectangular window and lack of flexibility. Hence, an alternative MCM scheme based on wavelet filter‐bank architecture is considered in this study for fifth‐generation wireless access systems. Cyclostationarity‐based joint sensing and channel equalisation is applied at the receiver side, which demonstrates improved signal detection performance. Adaptive line enhancement adaptive line enhancement (ALE)‐based noise cancellation is explored to improve the sensing performance. The combined noise cancellation and sensing scheme improve the cyclostationarity‐based equalisation and demodulation performance.
Designing learned CO2 ‐based occupancy estimation in smart buildings
Authors: Brennan Colin , Taylor Graham W. , Spachos Petros
Published: September 2018

Many applications, such as smart buildings, crowd flow, action recognition, and assisted living, rely on occupancy information. Although the use of smart cameras and computer vision can assist with these tasks and provide accurate occupancy information, it can be cost prohibitive, invasive, and difficult to scale or generalise to different environments. An alternative solution should bring similar accuracy while minimising the listed problems. This work demonstrates that a scalable wireless sensor network with CO2 ‐based estimation is a viable alternative. To support many applications, a solution must be transferable and must handle not knowing the physical system model; instead, it must learn to model CO2 dynamics. This work presents a viable prototype and uses the captured data to train machine learning‐based occupancy estimation systems. Models are trained under varying conditions to assess the consequences of design decisions on performance. Four different learning models were compared: gradient boosting, k‐nearest neighbours (KNN), linear discriminant analysis, and random forests. With sufficient labelled data, the KNN model produced peak results with a root‐mean‐square error value of 1.021.
Ultraluminous X-ray sources as magnetically powered sub-Eddington advective accretion flows around stellar mass black holes
Authors: Mondal Tushar , Mukhopadhyay Banibrata
Published: September 2018

In order to explain unusually high luminosity and spectral nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs), some of the underlying black holes are argued to be of intermediate mass, between several tens to million solar masses. Indeed, there is a long standing question of missing mass of intermediate range of black holes. However, as some ULXs are argued to be neutron stars too, often their unusual high luminosity is argued by super-Eddington accretions. Nevertheless, all the models are based on non-magnetized or weakly magnetized accretion. There are, however, pieces of evidence that magnetic fields in accretion discs/flows around a stellar mass black hole could be million Gauss. Such a magnetically arrested accretion flow plausibly plays a key role to power many combined disc-jet/outflow systems. Here we show that flow energetics of a 2.5-dimensional advective magnetized accretion disc/outflow system around a stellar mass black hole are sufficient to explain power of ULXs in their hard states. Hence, they are neither expected to have intermediate mass black holes nor super-Eddington accretors. We suggest that at least some ULXs are magnetically powered sub-Eddington accretors around a stellar mass black hole.
Structuralist Neologicism†
Authors: Boccuni Francesca , Woods Jack
Published: September 2018

Neofregeanism and structuralism are among the most promising recent approaches to the philosophy of mathematics. Yet both have serious costs. We develop a view, structuralist neologicism, which retains the central advantages of each while avoiding their more serious costs. The key to our approach is using arbitrary reference to explicate how mathematical terms, introduced by abstraction principles, refer. Focusing on numerical terms, this allows us to treat abstraction principles as implicit definitions determining all (known) properties of the numbers, achieving a key neofregean advantage, while preserving the key structuralist advantage, which objects play the number role does not matter.
The Effect of Timing of Incarceration on Mental Health: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
Authors: Baćak Valerio , Andersen Lars H , Schnittker Jason
Published: September 2018

There is growing evidence that incarceration is associated with adverse health outcomes, but little is known about how circumstances surrounding incarceration relate to health. In the present study, we estimate the effect of timing of incarceration on mental health using panel data constructed from the Danish population registry. We exploit a 1994 criminal justice reform as a natural experiment that created exogenous variation in the age at which offenders were first incarcerated: because of policy change, incarceration occurred earlier than it would have otherwise. For the three out of the four mental health outcomes assessed in the study—having undergone psychiatric treatment, being in therapy or consultation, and being charged with the possession of drugs—we found consistent support for the notion that earlier incarceration is more harmful. The study refines our understanding of the collateral consequences of incarceration and it is the first to provide quasi-experimental evidence for the mental health effects of timing of incarceration.
On The Third Type of Headed Relative Clause in Post‐Classical and Early Byzantine Greek
Authors: Bentein Klaas , Bağrıaçık Metİn
Published: September 2018

It has been claimed that Archaic and Classical Greek had two main types of headed relative clauses: (i) postnominal externally headed relative clauses; and (ii) internally headed relative clauses (Perna ; ; Fauconnier ; Probert ). In this article, we take a closer look at the semantic and syntactic properties of the second category in Post‐classical and Early Byzantine Greek (I–VIII ad). Analysing a corpus of documentary texts, we show that a good deal of the examples in this period do not correspond to the established properties of internally headed relative clauses in the history of Greek. This leads us to propose that at least some examples that are apparently internally headed should be revised as a third relative clause type, namely prenominal externally headed relative clauses. We hypothesise that such examples came into existence through form‐function reanalysis of internally headed relative clauses, a process which we suggest took place already in the Classical period (V–IV bc). In the last part of our article, we investigate the motivation for the choice of internally headed and prenominal externally headed relative clauses over the postnominal ones: we show that such examples occur strikingly frequently in formal texts such as contracts, petitions and formal letters. We propose that in such texts, internally headed and prenominal externally headed relative clauses, which are syntactically more complex, function as ‘transparent signifiers’ (Hodge & Kress ), serving as a marker of a higher social level.
Depression and cancer were independently associated with quality of life in Brazilian older people
Authors: Ritti‐Dias Raphael M , Cucato Gabriel Grizzo , de Matos Luciana Diniz Nagem Janot , Cendoroglo Maysa Seabra , Nasri Fabio , Wolosker Nelson , Costa Maria Luiza Monteiro , Gazelato de Mello Franco Fabio
Published: September 2018

Objective

To analyse the factors associated with low health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in older people living in Brazil.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study of the Jewish community residing in Sao Paulo, Brazil, we extensively evaluated the characteristics – including clinical, functional and sociodemographic – of 496 older people. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life‐BREF (WHOQOL‐BREF), while the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to measure depressive symptoms.

Results

After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that GDS score (β = −0.07; P = 0.04) and cancer (β = −0.47; P = 0.05) were associated with a low WHOQOL‐BREF score.

Conclusion

Depressive symptoms and cancer were independently associated with low HRQoL among older people living in Brazil.
The Glaucoma Intensive Treatment Study (GITS), a randomized clinical trial: design, methodology and baseline data
Authors: Bengtsson Boel , Heijl Anders , Johannesson Gauti , Andersson‐Geimer Sabina , Aspberg Johan , Lindén Christina
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The primary objective of the ongoing Glaucoma Intensive Treatment Study (GITS) is to evaluate the effectiveness of immediate intensive treatment in comparison with the commonly recommended stepped regimen on the predicted visual field. The two treatment arms are also being compared regarding quality of life (QoL), intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, frequency of reported side‐effects, adverse events and adherence to prescribed treatment.

Design

A randomized, two‐centre, prospective open‐labelled treatment trial for open‐angle glaucoma.

Participants

Individuals aged 40–78 years with previously untreated and newly diagnosed glaucoma with early to moderate visual field loss were eligible.

Methods

Patients were randomized to initial treatment either using drug monotherapy in accordance with common glaucoma guidelines or using a more intensive approach including eyedrops containing drugs from three different classes combined with 360° laser trabeculoplasty. The patients are to be followed for 5 years at visits including standard automated perimetry, optical coherence tomography (OPT) and tonometry. Change of treatment is allowed and decided upon jointly with the patient as in conventional glaucoma management.

Main outcome: The estimated predicted preserved visual field and QoL at end of expected lifetime.

Results

A total of 242 patients, 45% females, mean age 68 years, were randomized. The median untreated IOP was 24 mm Hg, and the median visual field index (VFI), indicating the percentage of a full field, was 92%.

Conclusion

Glaucoma Intensive Treatment Study is a clinical trial in which two groups of patients randomized to different initial intensities of IOP‐reducing treatment are being compared with regard to rate of visual field progression and prediction of serious glaucomatous visual field loss at estimated at end of life.
Nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and its association with obstructive sleep apnoea: a health insurance database study
Authors: Sun Ming‐Hui , Lee Chia‐Yi , Liao Yaping Joyce , Sun Chi‐Chin
Published: September 2018

Background

Nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is the most common acute optic neuropathy in old age. Although there are several known risk factors, the influence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has not been completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between NAION and OSA.

Methods

This retrospective, longitudinal cohort study used the national health insurance database of Taiwan covering the period 1996–2013. Patients without NAION at the diagnosis of OSA or who developed NAION 1 year after the diagnosis of OSA were enrolled. The patients were followed until death or the last day of the study. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to investigate the association between OSA and NAION.

Results

There were 8488 patients in the OSA group and 33 952 in the control group (without OSA), for a ratio of approximately 1:4. The percentages of NAION were 0.36% and 0.2% in the OSA and control groups, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01; chi‐square test), and this significant difference remained in multivariate analysis (p = 0.019) with a significantly higher HR (1.66; 95% CI: 1.08–2.55). There was significant difference in the 30–39 years age group in multivariate analysis (p < 0.01, HR: 6.30; 95% CI: 2.28–17.40).

Conclusion

There was a strong association between NAION and OSA, and the patients with OSA had a higher risk of NAION. Further large‐scale, prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the effect of OSA on developing NAION.
IL‐33 regulates cytokine production and neutrophil recruitment via the p38 MAPK‐activated kinases MK2/3
Authors: McCarthy Pierre C , Phair Iain R , Greger Corinna , Pardali Katerina , McGuire Victoria A , Clark Andrew R , Gaestel Matthias , Arthur J Simon C
Published: September 2018

IL‐33 is an IL‐1‐related cytokine that can act as an alarmin when released from necrotic cells. Once released, it can target various immune cells including mast cells, innate lymphoid cells and T cells to elicit a Th2‐like immune response. We show here that bone marrow‐derived mast cells produce IL‐13, IL‐6, TNF, GM‐CSF, CCL3 and CCL4 in response to IL‐33 stimulation. Inhibition of the p38 MAPK, or inhibition or knockout of its downstream kinases MK2 and MK3, blocked the production of these cytokines in response to IL‐33. The mechanism downstream of MK2/3 was cytokine specific; however, MK2 and MK3 were able to regulate TNF and GM‐CSF mRNA stability. Previous studies in macrophages have shown that MK2 regulates mRNA stability via phosphorylation of the RNA‐binding protein TTP (Zfp36). The regulation of cytokine production in mast cells was, however, independent of TTP. MK2/3 were able to phosphorylate the TTP‐related protein Brf1 (Zfp36 l1) in IL‐33‐stimulated mast cells, suggesting a mechanism by which MK2/3 might control mRNA stability in these cells. In line with its ability to regulate in vitro IL‐33‐stimulated cytokine production, double knockout of MK2 and 3 in mice prevented neutrophil recruitment following intraperitoneal injection of IL‐33.
The contribution of Tannerella forsythia dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV in the breakdown of collagen
Authors: Yost Susan , Duran‐Pinedo Ana E.
Published: September 2018

In this study, we characterized a serine protease from Tannerella forsythia that degrades gelatin, type I, and III collagen. Tannerella forsythia is associated with periodontitis progression and severity. The primary goal of this research was to understand the mechanisms by which T. forsythia contributes to periodontitis progression. One of our previous metatranscriptomic analysis revealed that during periodontitis progression T. forsythia highly expressed the bfor_1659 ORF. The N‐terminal end is homologous to dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV (DPP IV). DPP IV is a serine protease that cleaves X‐Pro or X‐Ala dipeptide from the N‐terminal end of proteins. Collagen type I is rich in X‐Pro and X‐Ala sequences, and it is the primary constituent of the periodontium. This work assessed the collagenolytic and gelatinolytic properties of BFOR_1659. To that end, the complete BFOR_1659 and its domains were purified as His‐tagged recombinant proteins, and their collagenolytic activity was tested on collagen‐like substrates, collagen type I and III combined, and on the extracellular matrix (ECM) formed on human gingival fibroblasts culture HGF‐1. BFOR_1659 was only found in T. forsythia supernatants, highlighting its potential role on the pathogenicity of T. forsythia. We also found that BFOR_1659 efficiently degrades all tested substrates but the individual domains were inactive. Given that BFOR_1659 is highly expressed in the periodontal pocket, its clinical relevance is suggested to periodontitis progression.
Systemic medical conditions and periodontal status in older individuals
Authors: Chatzopoulos Georgios S. , Cisneros Alejandro , Sanchez Miguel , Wolff Larry F.
Published: September 2018

Aims

The purposes of this study are to: (1) assess the prevalence of systemic and periodontal disease in older individuals, (2) compare periodontal conditions between four age cohorts, and (3) investigate the relationship between periodontal disease and systemic medical conditions.

Methods

Electronic records from a total of 5,000 adults were randomly selected from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry database. Individuals ≥60 years of age, with at least six remaining teeth in their dentition with a complete medical history and full‐mouth series of radiographs were included in the study to determine the severity of periodontal disease based on the percentage of radiographic bone loss.

Results

A total of 2,163 patients were included in the final analysis. The multivariable regression analysis showed that patients self‐reported tobacco use and diabetes were significantly associated with moderate and severe bone loss than none to mild, whereas the opposite was found for those with joint replacement, past use of steroids and acid reflux/GERD.

Conclusion

A number of systemic medical conditions and tobacco use are associated with periodontitis. This reflects the importance of an interdisciplinary interaction between dental and medical professionals.
Long‐term determinants of changes in television viewing time in adults: Prospective analyses from the Young Finns Study
Authors: Yang Xiaolin , Kankaanpää Anna , Biddle Stuart J. H. , Hirvensalo Mirja , Helajärvi Harri , Hutri‐Kähönen Nina , Raitakari Olli T. , Tammelin Tuija
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The long‐term effects of sociodemographic and health characteristics on television viewing (TV) time changes have not been identified in adulthood. We aimed to examine the modifiable and non‐modifiable determinants of changes in TV‐time in young adults over 10 years.

Methods

Participants (N = 2929) aged 24‐39 years were recruited between 2001 and 2011 from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. Data were collected using questionnaires and a medical examination. The determinants of changes in TV‐time were estimated using latent growth modeling for men and women separately.

Results

For men, inverse associations with initial levels of TV‐time were observed for students becoming employed and already has children, and direct associations were observed for both those who stayed a smoker and those who stayed overweight/obese. Increasing attention to health habits was inversely associated with a slope of TV‐time, whereas age and becoming unemployed were positively associated with the slope of TV‐time. For women, inverse associations with the levels of TV‐time were found for age, staying in non‐manual work, and paying consistently high and increasing attention to health habits, and direct associations were found for staying unemployed, smoking and overweight/obese, and becoming employed, single and non‐smoking. Increasing physical activity, becoming employed, motherhood, and normal weight were inversely associated with the slope of TV‐time, whereas age and staying in non‐manual work were positively associated with the slope of TV‐time.

Conclusions

This suggests several gender‐specific determinants of changes in TV‐time that can help identify potential targets for interventions to prevent excessive TV‐time in adulthood.
A comparison of different methods of red blood cell leukoreduction and additive solutions on the accumulation of neutrophil‐priming activity during storage
Authors: Loi Michele M. , Kelher Marguerite , Dzieciatkowska Monika , Hansen Kirk C. , Banerjee Anirban , West F. Bernadette , Stanley Crystal , Briel Matthew , Silliman Christopher C.
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Three methods of leukoreduction (LR) are used worldwide: filtration, buffy coat removal (BCR), and a combination of the previous two methods. Additionally, there are a number of additive solutions (ASs) used to preserve red blood cell (RBC) function throughout storage. During RBC storage, proinflammatory activity accumulates; thus, we hypothesize that both the method of LR and the AS affect the accumulation of proinflammatory activity.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Ten units of whole blood were drawn from healthy donors, the RBC units were isolated, divided in half by weight, and leukoreduced by: 1) BCR, 2) filtration, or 3) BCR and filtration (combination‐LR); stored in bags containing AS‐3 per AABB criteria; and sampled weekly. The supernatants were isolated and frozen (–80°C). RBC units drawn from healthy donors into AS‐1–, AS‐3–, or AS‐5–containing bags were also stored and sampled weekly, and the supernatants were isolated and frozen. The supernatants were assayed for neutrophil (PMN)‐priming activity and underwent proteomic analyses.

RESULTS

Filtration and combination LR decreased priming activity accumulation versus buffy coat LR, although the accumulation of priming activity was not different during storage. Combination LR increased hemolysis versus filtration via proteomic analysis. Priming activity from AS‐3 units was significant later in storage versus AS‐1– or AS‐5–stored units.

CONCLUSIONS

Although both filtration and combination LR decrease the accumulation of proinflammatory activity versus buffy coat LR, combination LR is not more advantageous over filtration, has increased costs, and may cause increased hemolysis. In addition, AS‐3 decreases the early accumulation of PMN‐priming activity during storage versus AS‐1 or AS‐5.
The world stock markets under geopolitical risks: Dependence structure
Authors: Lee Jong‐Eun
Published: September 2018

This paper reveals joint stochastic behaviours of the world’s stock markets and geopolitical risk by a copula approach for the 37 world’s stock markets over the period of June 1997 to December 2017. The various bivariate copulas show the different degrees of tail dependences and rank correlations. The differences between overall geopolitical risk index and action‐related geopolitical risk index lie in the higher tail dependence with overall geopolitical risk index, the dominancy of concordant movements of stock market indexes with overall geopolitical risk and that of discordant movements of stock market indexes with action‐related geopolitical risk index. The results illustrate that action‐related geopolitical risk is more often adversely related to the world’s stock market performances with less tail dependence.
Effects of the preference for environmental quality on the export competition between China and OECD countries
Authors: La Jung Joo
Published: September 2018

This study examines how importers’ preferences for environmentally friendly products influence the effect of China’s export growth on the exports of OECD countries to third markets. The effect of China’s export growth is systematically investigated using the theoretical gravity model, which assumes that importers’ environmental preferences are heterogeneous among countries. A new measure is also proposed to represent importers’ revealed preferences for environmental quality across countries. Panel data consisting of observations for 30 OECD exporting countries and 60 importing countries over the 2000–10 period confirm that the crowding‐out effect of China’s export growth on the exports of OECD countries observed in markets for consumption goods and the dampening effect observed in markets for intermediate goods are becoming weaker as the importer preference for environmental quality becomes stronger.
Effect of Electroacupuncture on the Activity of Corticotrophin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in the Hypothalamus and Amygdala in Rats Exposed to Restraint Water-Immersion Stress
Authors: He Feng , Wang Min , Geng Xiwen , Ai Hongbin
Published: September 2018

Objective

To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on gastric mucosal lesions and the activity of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and the central nucleus of the amygdala (CNA) in a rat model of restraint water-immersion stress (RWIS).

Methods

24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal, RWIS, and RWIS+EA (n=8 per group). Rats in the RWIS group and RWIS+EA group received RWIS for 3 hours. For rats in the RWIS+EA group, EA was applied at ST36 in the bilateral hind legs for 30 min before RWIS. Rats in the normal group did not receive stressors or EA treatment. The gastric mucosal lesions of each rat were evaluated by the erosion index (EI) according to the methods of Guth. The activity of CRH neurons in the PVN and CNA was measured by a dual immunohistochemical test for Fos and CRH in the brain sections.

Results

RWIS induced serious gastric mucosal lesions. The mean gastric EI was significantly decreased in the RWIS+EA group versus the RWIS group (P=0.005). Stress induced significant activation of CRH neurons in the PVN and CNA compared with the normal group (P<0.001 for both). The mean number of Fos+CRH immunoreactive neurons in the PVN and CNA were both decreased inRWIS+EA versusRWIS groups (P<0.001 and P=0.001).

Conclusions

EA at ST36 can ameliorate RWIS-induced gastric mucosal lesions and suppress the Fos expression of CRH neurons in the PVN and CNA, suggesting a potentially therapeutic role for EA in stress-related gastric disorders.
Efficacy of cloxacillin versus cefazolin for methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureusbacteraemia (CloCeBa): study protocol for a randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial
Authors: Burdet Charles , Loubet Paul , Le Moing Vincent , Vindrios William , Esposito-Farèse Marina , Linard Morgane , Ferry Tristan , Massias Laurent , Tattevin Pierre , Wolff Michel , Vandenesch François , Grall Nathalie , Quintin Caroline , Mentré France , Duval Xavier , Lescure François-Xavier
Published: September 2018

Introduction

Methicillin-susceptibleStaphylococcus aureus(MSSA) bacteraemia is a common and severe disease responsible for approximately 65 000 deaths every year in Europe. Intravenous antistaphylococcal penicillins (ASP) such as cloxacillin are the current recommended antibiotics. However, increasing reports of toxicity and recurrent stock-outs of ASP prompted healthcare providers to seek for alternative antibiotic treatment. Based on retrospective studies, cefazolin, a first-generation cephalosporin, is recommended in patients at risk of severe ASP-associated toxicity.

We hypothesised that cefazolin has a non-inferior efficacy in comparison to cloxacillin, with a better safety profile for the treatment of MSSA bacteraemia.

Methods and analysis

The CloCeBa trial is an open-label, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial conducted in academic centres throughout France. Eligible patients are adults with MSSA bacteraemia without intravascular device or suspicion of central nervous system infection. Patients will be randomised (1:1) to receive either cloxacillin or cefazolin by the intravenous route, for the first 14 days of therapy. The evaluation criteria is a composite criteria of negative blood cultures at day 5, survival, absence of relapse and clinical success at day 90 after randomisation. Secondary evaluation criteria include both efficacy and safety assessments. Three ancillary studies are planned to describe the epidemiology of β-lactamase encoding genes, the ecological impact and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters of cefazolin and cloxacillin. Including 300 patients will provide 80% power to demonstrate the non-inferiority of cefazolin over cloxacillin, assuming 85% success rate with cloxacillin and taking into account loss-to-follow-up, with a 0.12 non-inferiority margin and a one-sided type I error of 0.025.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol received authorisation from the ethics committee Sud-Est I on 13 November 2017 (2017-87-PP)and French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products (170661A-43). Results will be disseminated to the scientific community through congresses and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT03248063and 2017-003967-36.
Erenumab-aooe
Authors: Stoker Kalvin , Baker Danial E.
Published: September 2018

Each month, subscribers to The Formulary Monograph Service receive 5 to 6 well-documented monographs on drugs that are newly released or are in late phase 3 trials. The monographs are targeted to Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committees. Subscribers also receive monthly 1-page summary monographs on agents that are useful for agendas and pharmacy/nursing in-services. A comprehensive target drug utilization evaluation/medication use evaluation (DUE/MUE) is also provided each month. With a subscription, the monographs are available online to subscribers. Monographs can be customized to meet the needs of a facility. Through the cooperation of The Formulary, Hospital Pharmacy publishes selected reviews in this column. For more information about The Formulary Monograph Service, contact Wolters Kluwer customer service at 866-397-3433.
Governmental Illegitimacy and Incompetency in Canada and Other Liberal Nations: Implications for Health
Authors: Raphael Dennis , Komakech Morris , Bryant Toba , Torrence Ryan
Published: September 2018

The welfare state literature on developing nations is concerned with how governmental illegitimacy and incompetency are the sources of inequality, exploitation, exclusion, and domination of significant proportions of their citizenry. These dimensions clearly contribute to the problematic health outcomes in these nations. In contrast, developed nations are assumed to grapple with less contentious issues of stratification, decommodification, and the relative role of the state, market, and family in providing economic and social security, also important pathways to health. There is an explicit assumption that governing authorities in developed nations are legitimate and competent such that their citizens are not systematically subjected to inequality, exploitation, exclusion, and domination by elites. In this article, we argue that these concepts should also be the focus of welfare state analysis in developed liberal welfare states such as Canada. Such an analysis would expose how public policy is increasingly being made in the service of powerful economic elites rather than the majority, thereby threatening health. It would also serve to identify means of responding to these developments.
Diffusion of water in glass fiber reinforced polymer composites at different temperatures
Authors: Fan Yiming , Gomez Antonio , Ferraro Serena , Pinto Brian , Muliana Anastasia , Saponara Valeria La
Published: September 2018

This study examines the effects of temperature and fiber and matrix diffusivities on the diffusion of fluid in glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Glass fiber-reinforced polymer thin plates were immersed in deionized water at two temperatures: room temperature and 50℃. During the diffusion process, the overall mass changes and dimension changes were recorded, which relate to the volumetric change and the through-the-thickness strain. Different constitutive models are considered in order to understand the diffusion of fluid through the glass fiber-reinforced polymer plates. The macroscopic models of this work, Fickian and Gurtin coupled deformation–diffusion, are first considered in order to describe the macroscopic diffusion behaviors. Two microscopic models that include fiber volume contents and diffusivities of the constituents (fiber and matrix) are then considered in order to gain fundamental insight into the effects of microstructural morphologies and constituents' diffusivities on the diffusion process in the glass fiber-reinforced polymer specimens.
Reducing Rural Car Ownership: Cultural Not Policy Changes?
Authors: Rearick Emma L. , Newmark Gregory L.
Published: September 2018

Automobile use is recognized as affecting public health, environmental sustainability, land use, and household expense. Car use is closely tied to car ownership rates. Most car ownership research focuses on urban areas; however, 97% of the United States’ land area and a fifth of its population remains rural. Factors that affect car ownership in these communities may be different than in more urbanized areas. This research focuses on the 2,285 counties in the continental United States that are defined as entirely rural by the guidelines established in the Agricultural Act of 2014. These counties were grouped by five multi-state regions using U.S. Census Bureau definitions. Their percentage changes in car ownership, as well as other demographic variables, over a quarter century were calculated using data from the 1990 Decennial Census and the 2014 5-Year American Community Survey. A multiple regression model was estimated for each grouping to identify counties with lower-than-expected changes in car ownership. For each grouping, one of these outlying counties was selected and matched with another county whose changes in car ownership were within expected ranges given demographic developments. Local professionals were then interviewed to identify policies possibly responsible for the difference in car ownership trends between the matched-pair counties. The interviews suggested that, contrary to expectation, transportation policies had no discernable effect on rural car ownership, but land use polices and, more often, cultural factors linked to changing populations were associated with reduced rural car ownership.
What Are the Most Important Factors for Pedestrian Level-of-Service Estimation? A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Raad Nowar , Burke Matthew I.
Published: September 2018

Pedestrian environments are becoming more important in an urbanizing world where walking is increasingly being encouraged. Engineers and planners determine a link’s performance using measures codified as level-of-service, which provide guidance on acceptable or desirable standards. A range of approaches are used in determining pedestrian level-of-service (PLOS), incorporating a wide variety of factors and with much debate as to what should or should not be used. There has been no systematic attempt to synthesize this research and provide an over-arching perspective. Our review surveyed PLOS models from the peer-reviewed literature using a systematic quantitative literature review method based on the protocol developed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review Recommendations (PRISMA). PLOS models are increasingly being developed; 22 of the 58 studies surveyed were produced since 2013. Earlier work adapted approaches used to determine automobile LOS to PLOS. Later approaches use a much wider range of factors but with very little consistency across the studies surveyed. Collectively these factors can be grouped in themes of: comfort, safety, and mobility. The most used factors were, in order: footpath width; obstructions to pedestrian flow; motor vehicle speeds and volumes; shoulder widths; and buffers such as on-street parking. However, many of the factors being included have not been empirically studied and almost none of the tools in use have been tested for such matters as inter-rater reliability.
Determination of Minimum Distance to Obstacle Avoidance in the Singapore Strait
Authors: Lu Zhaoyang , Kang Liujiang , Gao Song , Meng Qiang
Published: September 2018

In the maritime simulation models of obstacle avoidance, the parameter of critical contact closest point of approach (CCPA) is defined as the minimum safe distance to avoid an obstacle contact. Although the parameter of CCPA plays a decisive role on the maneuvering of the ship for obstacle avoidance, it is generally set with an uncalibrated input value in many obstacle avoidance simulation models. This study focuses on the parameter calibration of the critical CCPA by utilizing the automatic identification system (AIS) data in the Singapore Strait and maneuver simulation experiments. First, an effective mathematical method is proposed to identify ship obstacle avoidance from the big AIS data. Together with several obstacles and the AIS data in the Singapore Strait, the average critical CCPA values are identified for different ship classes. Second, a series of maneuver simulation experiments on Dalian Maritime University navigational simulators are conducted by professional captains. Based on the experimental data, the simulation-based critical CCPA values are derived. Finally, these calibrated CCPA values from the above two methods are compared and analysed. The comparison result implies that these critical CCPA values, derived from AIS data and maneuver simulators, are matched and confirm the rationality of one another. It also reveals that the average critical CCPA value for each ship class has an increasing trend with the increased ship length.
The Errors in Reporting Medicare Coverage: A Comparison of Survey Data and Administrative Records
Authors: Bhaskar Renuka , Noon James , O’Hara Brett J.
Published: September 2018

Objectives: We examine survey reporting of Medicare coverage of the older population by evaluating discordance between survey responses and administrative records. Method: We link data from the 2014 Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS ASEC) and 2014 Medicare Enrollment Database to evaluate the extent to which individuals misreport Medicare coverage in the CPS ASEC. Using regression analyses, we assess factors associated with misreporting. Results: We find the CPS ASEC undercounts the population aged 65 years and older with Medicare by 4.5%. Misreporting of Medicare coverage is associated with citizenship status, immigration year of entry, employment, coverage of other household members, and imputation of Medicare responses. Adjusting for misreporting, Medicare coverage among older individuals increases from 93.4% to 95.6%. Discussion: The CPS ASEC underestimates Medicare coverage for the older population. Administrative records may be useful to evaluate and improve survey imputation of Medicare coverage when missing.
Incidence of cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-1-infected women with no history of cervical pathology: up to 17 years of follow-up
Authors: Videla Sebastián , Tarrats Antoni , Ornelas Arelly , Badia Roger , Castella Eva , Alcalde Carme , Chamorro Anna , Esté José A , Clotet Bonaventura , Sirera Guillem
Published: September 2018

Currently, Papanicolaou smears are proposed at three-year intervals for cervical screening to all women living with HIV. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to provide data on the incidence of cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) in cervical smear confirmed by histology in HIV-1-infected women (two consecutive normal Papanicolaou smears at baseline) after a long-term follow-up. Sixty-seven women (recruited between March 1999 and January 2003) were analyzed. The median period of follow-up was 13.2 years (range: 7.4–17.1 years) with a total of 583 Papanicolaou smears. Twenty-seven percent of these HIV-1-infected women had poorly-controlled HIV. Cumulative incidence of HSIL was 18% (12/67; 95%CI: 11–29%) of which one was an invasive squamous cell carcinoma and two were carcinoma in situ. These women had not been well-engaged with the annual Papanicolaou smear screening program and had poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Development of HSIL was associated with high-risk-HPV infection (OR: 14.9; 95%CI: 3.0, 75.1). At last Papanicolaou smear, prevalence of high-risk-HPV infection was 30% (20/66, 95%CI: 21–42%). In conclusion, the incidence of cervical HSIL in HIV-1-infected women with poor antiretroviral therapy adherence or poor immunological status reinforces the need to identify those HIV-1-infected women at risk of developing cervical cancer.
Secondary syphilis masquerading as lupus vulgaris in an HIV-infected patient: A diagnosis suggested by histology
Authors: Genovese Giovanni , Nazzaro Gianluca , Coggi Antonella , Gianotti Raffaele , Ramoni Stefano , Cusini Marco
Published: September 2018

We report a case of secondary syphilis mimicking lupus vulgaris in an HIV-infected patient. A 21-year-old Brazilian man presented with a two-month history of asymptomatic cutaneous lesions accompanied by fever and fatigue. Dermatological evaluation revealed an erythematous, crusted, large plaque on the neck with the ‘apple jelly’ sign on diascopy and two smaller scaly elements on the trunk and left palm. Bacteriological examinations for bacteria and mycobacteria gave negative results. Histology revealed psoriasiform epidermal hyperplasia and dermal lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Serology for syphilis was positive, and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of Treponema pallidum in lesional skin. A diagnosis of secondary syphilis was made, and the patient was successfully treated with benzathine penicillin G. Cutaneous manifestations of secondary syphilis are protean and skin tuberculosis may be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in HIV-infected patients. In the current case, clinical examination, and particularly, ‘apple jelly’ sign positivity, was suggestive of lupus vulgaris, but only typical histopathology and immunohistochemistry led to the correct diagnosis of secondary syphilis.
Flax and wattle seed powders enhance volume and softness of gluten-free bread
Authors: Krishna Kumar Revathy , Bejkar Manmath , Du Shanshan , Serventi Luca
Published: September 2018

Gluten-free bread is generally associated with several quality defects such as reduced volume, dry texture and poor mouthfeel. Flaxseed gum has been shown to increase viscosity of bread dough. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 1% (total base) addition of seed powders from flax ( Linum usitatissimum) and four acacia cultivars ( Acacia dealbata, A. decurrens, A. terminalis and A. verniciflua) on pasting properties, texture and volume of gluten-free bread. The incorporation of all seed powders reduced crumb hardness by 30–65% and increased specific loaf volume by 50%. Water absorption capacity and emulsifying ability contributed to these textural improvements and were attributed to water-soluble carbohydrates and insoluble fibre, while no foaming ability was detected. Darker crumb was observed upon flax addition, while dark particles were visible upon acacia addition. Scanning electron microscopy depicted absence of holes in the pore surface and viscoelastic starch–protein network in the seed powder containing bread.