bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunosuppressive and monoclonal antibody treatment for myasthenia gravis: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Liang , Huan Xiao , Xi Jian‐Ying , Wu Hui , Zhou Lei , Lu Jia‐Hong , Zhang Tian‐Song , Zhao Chong‐Bo
Published: February 2019

Background

We intended to compare and rank all the immunotherapies including immunosuppressant agents or monoclonal antibodies for myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods

A network meta‐analysis was performed to synthesize the direct evidence and indirect evidence. Quantitative MG score (QMGS) was defined as the primary outcome. The secondary outcomes included the glucocorticoid reduction and hazard ratios (HR) from the counts of adverse events (AEs).

Results

We identified 14 studies including 808 MG patients. For the primary outcome, cyclosporine A (CsA) was hierarchically the best with statistical significances of −1.18 (−1.81, −0.59) vs placebo (PLA), −0.98 (−1.72, −0.23) vs mycophenolate mofetil, and −0.77 (−1.57, −0.032) vs tacrolimus (TAC). When the intervention periods were controlled, both eculizumab (ECZ) of −1.50 (−2.81, −0.18) and CsA of −1.23 (−1.81, −0.64) vs PLA reached a statistical significance. Belimumab and ECZ ranked the most tolerable therapies while CsA of 2.41 (0.58, 10.01) ranked the last vs PLA.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrated that ECZ represented the most effective and tolerable therapeutic alternative to be recommended for refractory MG. TAC may be a beneficial therapy to treat MG extensively while the efficacy of CsA and cyclophosphamide may be limited by their multiple or severe AEs.
Enhancement of conservation knowledge through increased access to botanical information
Authors: Canteiro Cátia , Barcelos Laísa , Filardi Fabiana , Forzza Rafaela , Green Laura , Lanna João , Leitman Paula , Milliken William , Pires Morim Marli , Patmore Kristina , Phillips Sarah , Walker Barnaby , Weech Marie‐Hélène , Nic Lughadha Eimear
Published: February 2019

Herbarium specimens are increasingly recognized as an important resource for conservation science and virtual herbaria are making specimens freely available to a wider range of users than ever before. Few virtual herbaria are designed with conservation use as a primary driver. Exceptionally, Brazil's Reflora Virtual Herbarium (RVH) was created to increase knowledge and conservation of the Brazilian flora. The RVH is closely integrated with the Flora of Brazil 2020 platform on which Brazil's new national Flora is under construction. Both resources are accessible via the Reflora home page and thousands of users move seamlessly between these Reflora resources. To understand how the Reflora resources are currently used and their impact on conservation science, we conducted a literature review and an online survey. We searched for publications of studies in which Reflora resources were used and publications resulting from Brazilian researchers who were part of Reflora's research and mobility program. The survey contained multiple choice questions and questions that required a written response. We targeted Reflora webpage visitors with the survey to capture a wider range of Reflora users than the literature review. Reflora resources were used for a variety of conservation‐relevant purposes. Half the 806 scientific publications in which Reflora was cited and 81% of the 1069 survey respondents accessing Reflora resources mentioned conservation‐relevant research outputs. Most conservation‐relevant uses of the Reflora resources in scientific publications were research rather than implementation focused. The survey of Reflora users showed conservation uses and impacts of virtual herbaria were more numerous and diverse than the uses captured in the literature review. Virtual herbaria are vital resources for conservation science, but they must document use and impacts more comprehensively to ensure sustainability.
The significance of batch and patch test method in establishing contact allergy to fragrance mix I—EDEN Fragrance Study Group
Authors: Bruze Magnus , Mowitz Martin , Ofenloch Robert , Coenraads Pieter‐Jan , Diepgen Thomas L. , Elsner Peter , Gonçalo Margarida , Naldi Luigi , Svensson Åke
Published: February 2019

Background

A fragrance mix consisting of eight separate fragrance ingredients (fragrance mix I [FM I]) is present in most baseline patch test series. Patch testing with the TRUE Test technique is considered to detect less contact allergy to FM I than testing with the Finn Chamber technique.

Objective

To investigate the possible significance of batch and patch test method in establishing contact allergy to FM I.

Methods

Three thousand one hundred and nineteen individuals representing a sample of the general population were patch tested with two batches of FM I with two patch test techniques at six dermatology clinics in five European countries. The TRUE Test technique and the Finn Chamber technique with pet. preparations were used. McNemar's test was used for statistical calculations.

Results

The contact allergy prevalences varied between 0.7% and 2.6%. The patch tests with the mixes containing Evernia prunastri (oak moss) with a high content of chloratranol/atranol resulted in substantially more positive reactions than the corresponding tests with the mixes containing oak moss with a low content of chloratranol/atranol. The Finn Chamber technique detected significantly more contact allergic reactions than the TRUE Test technique (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Finn Chamber technique detects more contact allergy to FM I than the TRUE Test technique.
Significant polyp and early colorectal cancer – SPECC
Authors: Taylor C. , Mackay L. , Dawson C. , Richards N.
Published: February 2019

Aims

The colorectal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) makes an important contribution to the care of individuals diagnosed with a significant polyp and early colorectal cancer (SPECC).

Methods

This paper offers an expert opinion on the role of the CNS in SPECC, informed by relevant literature.

Results

A CNS can support the patient through the diagnostic and treatment pathway acting as the patient's advocate as a core member of the multidisciplinary team. They will offer support and information to help patients understand their diagnosis, make choices about their available treatment options and help them to feel prepared for any treatment undertaken.

Conclusion

By providing care that is respectful of, and responsive to, individual patient preferences, needs and values, the CNS can play an important role in promoting patient‐centred care.
Intrapleural immunotherapy: An update on emerging treatment strategies for pleural malignancy
Authors: Murthy Vivek , Katzman Daniel , Sterman Daniel H.
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Malignant pleural mesothelioma and malignant pleural effusions are a major therapeutic challenge, and are associated with impairment in quality of life and increased mortality. Advances in systemic therapies of malignant pleural mesothelioma have demonstrated limited clinical benefit and there is ongoing interest in intrapleural immunotherapies which have been demonstrated to be well tolerated overall with variable clinical responses. We have reviewed the literature to provide a comprehensive summary of novel intrapleural immunotherapeutic paradigms, including oncolytic virus therapy, gene‐mediated cytotoxic immunotherapy, direct cytokine‐mediated immunotherapies, innate immunomodulators and adoptive transfer of intrapleural chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy.

Data sources

A review of PubMed for original manuscripts and conference reports published between 1998 and 2018 pertaining to intrapleural immunotherapy, as well as examination of reference lists from reviewed manuscripts.

Study selection

Human clinical trials on intrapleural immunotherapies in subjects with malignant pleural mesothelioma or malignant pleural effusion were included in this review, including some relevant preclinical studies and anticipated ongoing trials reported on Clinicaltrials.gov.

Results

Twenty‐six clinical trials were identified, in addition to three trials currently in progress.

Conclusion

Intrapleural immunotherapies for pleural malignancy have demonstrated promise with regard to generating durable tumor‐specific immune responses with possible clinical benefits which merit further investigation as part of multimodal chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic regimens.
Dracula orchids exploit guilds of fungus visiting flies: new perspectives on a mushroom mimic
Authors: Policha Tobias , Grimaldi David A. , Manobanda Rocío , Troya Adrian , Ludden Ashley , Dentinger Bryn T. M. , Roy Bitty A.
Published: February 2019

1. Dracula orchids mimic mushrooms in appearance and scent, and are pollinated by mushroom flies. This study examined the guilds of insect visitors to Dracula species and to co‐occurring mushrooms in an Ecuadorean cloud forest. Significant visitor overlap was documented (mostly in the genera Zygothrica and Hirtodrosophila; Drosophilidae). To test the brood‐site mimicry hypothesis, behavioural observations were also performed and rearing success was examined.

2. Many fly species that visit Dracula are also found on mushrooms. Furthermore, the presence of pollinia enabled us to document the fact that particular individuals visiting mushrooms also visit Dracula. Roughly two‐thirds of the visitors to these unusual flowers are fungal‐associated, and the rest appear to be Dracula specialists.

3. A variety of behaviours common on both host groups were observed, including courtship semaphoring, feeding, sheltering, defending territory, and mating. Given this suite of shared reproductive behaviour, it was hypothesised that flies may also oviposit in both substrates. Flies were reared from mushrooms, Dracula spp., and other flowers (controls) to determine which substrate led to the highest fitness for the flies. Very few flies emerged from the Dracula flowers and there was no species overlap between the emergent insects and the known pollinators.

4. Despite the fact that there is evidence for brood‐site mimicry, the Dracula situation is complex. All the flies could derive many of the same fitness benefits from the flowers as they do from mushrooms (shelter, food, mating), but they are clearly not gaining the same fitness benefit, in terms of progeny, on flowers compared with mushrooms.
A caterpillar (Callopistria floridensis G. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)) accumulates arsenic from an arsenic‐hyperaccumulating fern (Pteris vittata L.).
Authors: Jaffe Benjamin D. , Guédot Christelle , Ketterer Michael , Kok‐Yokomi Moh Leng , Leibee Gary L.
Published: February 2019

1. The consumption of arsenic is toxic to most biota. However, a noctuid caterpillar was recently reported feeding on a plant known to hyperaccumulate arsenic.

2. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of arsenic‐rich Pteris vittata L. consumption by Callopistria floridensis G., and measure differences in arsenic concentrations at various stages of development (larval and adult), and associated with exuviae and frass.

3. Callopistria floridensis accumulated extraordinary concentrations of arsenic. The relative accumulation of arsenic was highest in exuviae and larvae. Larvae invariably preferred P. vittata grown on low arsenic soil to P. vittata grown on higher soil arsenic concentrations, and appeared able to selectively forage on lower arsenic concentrations within each treatment.

4. These findings show that C. floridensis is tolerant of arsenic, and successfully develops to adulthood containing elevated concentrations of arsenic. Callopistria floridensis represents the only known terrestrial animal capable of accumulating arsenic, and may have developed novel physiological and behavioural adaptations to regulate the negative effects of arsenic.
Reputational risk and environmental performance auditing: A study in the Australian commonwealth public sector
Authors: Rika Nacanieli , Jacobs Kerry
Published: February 2019

This paper examines how reputational risk to government is generated through framing and overflows evident in environmental performance auditing. It analyses two high‐profile performance audits conducted by the Australian National Audit Office. It is motivated by a gap in the literature on performance auditing and environmental auditing, which both acknowledge that audits may give rise to reputational risk but have not analysed the process through which this occurs. Using ideas of framing (Goffman, 1974) and overflow (Callon, 1983), this paper extends the work of Power (2007) by explaining how different accounts can be constructed from the same underlying events through the application of different frames. Alternative framings generate reputational risk by highlighting contentious issues that may otherwise have been ignored or received minimal consideration. In particular, representatives of the opposition and media can use political and public interest frames to construct performance accounts which differ from and challenge the improvement frame emphasised by performance auditors and favoured by government. This paper shows that auditors’ roles are more complex than often assumed and that auditors relate to different audiences through different frames.
Public sector audit in contemporary society: A short review and introduction
Authors: Johnsen Åge
Published: February 2019

This article gives a short review of recent research on public sector audit, and then introduces six articles in a special issue on public sector audit in contemporary society. Many countries have developed their audit institutions and expanded the audit activities in particular since the 1980s. New public management and the theory of the ‘audit society’ explain much of this development well, also in some international organizations, but some countries have also experienced a contraction in the audit activities in the public sector. Moreover, literature on public sector audit outside the Anglo‐American and North European contexts, and especially from Africa, Asia and Latin‐America, is limited. There are big variations in how audit institutions are organized, in what they produce, in their relations to stakeholders and media, and in their impacts on organizations and society. Overall, auditors are little active in the fight against corruption, and the Napoleonic court system for organizing supreme audit institutions seems to be little effective. The audit institutions in the Anglo‐American and Nordic accountability regimes seem to be relatively effective, but the recent research show that auditors' independence and relevance are persistent challenging issues in public sector audit.
The Family Resilience Inventory: A Culturally Grounded Measure of Current and Family‐of‐Origin Protective Processes in Native American Families
Authors: Burnette Catherine E. , Boel‐Studt Shamra , Renner Lynette M. , Figley Charles R. , Theall Katherine P. , Miller Scarnato Jennifer , Billiot Shanondora
Published: February 2019

The purpose of this article is to introduce the Family Resilience Inventory (FRI) and present findings on initial efforts to validate this measure. The FRI is designed to assess family resilience in one's current family and in one's family of origin, enabling the assessment of family protective factors across these generations. The development of the FRI was the result of many years of ethnographic research with Southeastern Native American tribes; yet, we believe that this scale is applicable to families of various backgrounds. Items for the FRI were derived directly from thematic analysis of qualitative data with 436 participants, resulting in two 20‐item scales. Due to missing data, eight cases were removed from the 127 participants across two tribes, resulting in an analytic sample size of 119. Conceptually, the FRI is comprised of two factors or scales measuring distinct dimensions of family resilience (i.e., resilience in one's current family and resilience in one's family of origin). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesized two‐factor structure (X2(644) = 814.14, p = .03, X2/df = 1.10, RMSEA = .03, CFI = .97, TLI = .96). Both the subscales and the total FRI scale (α = .92) demonstrated excellent reliability. The results also provided preliminary evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. This measure fills a gap in the absence of community‐based, culturally grounded, and empirical measures of family resilience. The examination of family resilience, which may occur across generations, is an exciting new contribution of the FRI.
A Research Program Testing the Effectiveness of a Preventive Intervention for Couples with a Newborn
Authors: Heyman Richard E. , Baucom Katherine J. W. , Slep Amy M. Smith , Mitnick Danielle M. , Lorber Michael F.
Published: February 2019

Noxious family environments are associated with a wide range of adverse child outcomes. In order to prevent couple and parent–child relationship problems, a number of programs have been developed for couples with newborns. The current paper describes a program of research evaluating the American version of couple CARE for parents of newborns. This version of CCP was administered to low‐income, unmarried couples with a new baby in an uncontrolled demonstration project (Study 1), compared with a waitlist control condition in a randomized controlled trial (Study 2), and evaluated with low‐income parents recruited from urban hospitals in two major metropolitan areas of the United States (Study 3 and Study 4). Despite participant satisfaction with CCP, preventive effects of the program were limited and there was one potential iatrogenic effect. Results were likely impacted by major challenges with recruiting participants and maintaining their engagement in CCP for the duration of the program. We discuss methodological differences between this series of studies and previous trials of prevention programs and make recommendations for improving service delivery to at‐risk new parents. These results have implications for public policies that aim to benefit children and families.
Brca2 abrogation engages with the alternative lengthening of telomeres via break‐induced replication
Authors: Kwon Mi‐Sun , Lee Jennifer J. , Min Jaewon , Hwang Kwangwoo , Park Seung Gu , Kim Eun‐Hye , Kim Byung Chul , Bhak Jong , Lee Hyunsook
Published: February 2019

A subset of cancer cells maintains their telomeres without telomerase through the recombination‐based alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) pathway. Currently, it is not yet clear in what context ALT is induced and how the pathway choice is made. Here, we show that abrogation of Brca2 reinforces break‐induced replication (BIR) and engages with ALT pathway. Brca2 depletion in telomerase‐null mouse cells alleviated the growth defect, accompanied by telomere elongation, suggesting the induction of ALT. We also found that Brca2‐depleted telomerase‐null cells exhibited dynamic clustering of telomeres from G2 phase in Promyelocytic Nuclear (PML) bodies. For Brca2‐deficient ALT induction, Rad51 was dispensable but Mre11 and Rad52 were required. Congruently, conservative telomeric DNA synthesis was apparent in mitosis, indicating that the absence of Brca2 directed towards Rad52‐mediated BIR. Collectively, we propose that Brca2 abrogation can instigate ALT tumourigenesis through the induction of BIR. This study implies that inhibitors of BIR may be useful for BRCA2‐associated ALT‐type cancers. Assessing ALT features may be considered for the tailored therapy of BRCA2‐associated cancers.
Effect of defects on the fatigue limit of Ni‐based superalloy 718 with different grain sizes
Authors: Kevinsanny  , Okazaki Saburo , Takakuwa Osamu , Ogawa Yuhei , Okita Koichi , Funakoshi Yusuke , Yamabe Junichiro , Matsuoka Saburo , Matsunaga Hisao
Published: February 2019

Tension‐compression fatigue tests were performed on two types of Ni‐based superalloy 718 with different microstructures in which small artificial defects of various sizes and shapes were introduced. The susceptibility of the fatigue strength to the defects varied significantly with the microstructure morphology, ie, a smaller grain size made the alloy more susceptible to defects. The fatigue limit as a small‐crack threshold was successfully predicted using the
parameter model. The evaluation of the fatigue limit was classified into the following three stages depending on the defect size: (a) harmless defect regime, (b) small‐crack regime, and (c) large‐crack regime. Such a classification enabled comprehensive evaluation of the fatigue limit in a wide range of defect size, considering (a) defect size over a range of small crack to large crack and (b) characteristics of matrix represented by grain size and hardness.
Affordances, complexities, and challenges of intercultural citizenship for foreign language teachers
Authors: Porto Melina
Published: February 2019

This article explores the intercultural and citizenship dimensions of foreign language teaching and discusses, in particular, the implications for foreign language teaching and teacher education. The work (1) extends the fundamental concepts that were developed by Byram and Wagner () in this journal—that foreign language education has instrumental purposes but also educational aims that constitute the development of the individual and of societies by fostering democratic competences and values and linking the language learning that takes place in classrooms with the community, whether local, regional, or global; and (2) links language education and community engagement in the form of service‐learning, which was also addressed in this journal by Palpacuer Lee, Curtis, and Curran (). An intercultural citizenship project carried out in Argentina serves as illustration. Pedagogical implications are offered.
Temperature sensitivity of biomass‐specific microbial exo‐enzyme activities and CO2 efflux is resistant to change across short‐ and long‐term timescales
Authors: Min Kyungjin , Buckeridge Kate , Ziegler Susan E. , Edwards Kate A. , Bagchi Samik , Billings Sharon A.
Published: February 2019

Accurate representation of temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil microbial activity across time is critical for projecting soil CO2 efflux. As microorganisms mediate soil carbon (C) loss via exo‐enzyme activity and respiration, we explore temperature sensitivities of microbial exo‐enzyme activity and respiratory CO2 loss across time and assess mechanisms associated with these potential changes in microbial temperature responses. We collected soils along a latitudinal boreal forest transect with different temperature regimes (long‐term timescale) and exposed these soils to laboratory temperature manipulations at 5, 15, and 25°C for 84 days (short‐term timescale). We quantified temperature sensitivity of microbial activity per g soil and per g microbial biomass at days 9, 34, 55, and 84, and determined bacterial and fungal community structure before the incubation and at days 9 and 84. All biomass‐specific rates exhibited temperature sensitivities resistant to change across short‐ and long‐term timescales (mean Q10 = 2.77 ± 0.25, 2.63 ± 0.26, 1.78 ± 0.26, 2.27 ± 0.25, 3.28 ± 0.44, 2.89 ± 0.55 for β‐glucosidase, N‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase, leucine amino peptidase, acid phosphatase, cellobiohydrolase, and CO2 efflux, respectively). In contrast, temperature sensitivity of soil mass‐specific rates exhibited either resilience (the Q10 value changed and returned to the original value over time) or resistance to change. Regardless of the microbial flux responses, bacterial and fungal community structure was susceptible to change with temperature, significantly differing with short‐ and long‐term exposure to different temperature regimes. Our results highlight that temperature responses of microbial resource allocation to exo‐enzyme production and associated respiratory CO2 loss per unit biomass can remain invariant across time, and thus, that vulnerability of soil organic C stocks to rising temperatures may persist in the long term. Furthermore, resistant temperature sensitivities of biomass‐specific rates in spite of different community structures imply decoupling of community constituents and the temperature responses of soil microbial activities.
Impacts of landscape composition, marginality of distribution, soil fertility and climatic stability on the patterns of woody plant endemism in the Cerrado
Authors: de Deus Vidal João , de Souza Anete Pereira , Koch Ingrid
Published: February 2019

Aim

Although various theories have been proposed to explain the outstanding endemism of plants in the Cerrado, four hypotheses about the mechanisms of diversification and distribution are most supported: (a) plateau/valley, (b) stable/unstable climate, (c) core/peripheral distribution, and (d) soil fertility. The first argues that plateaus harbour more ancient lineages than valleys and therefore present higher endemism. The second theory suggests that climatically stable environments maintained more palaeoendemic species. The third scenario attributes the distribution of endemism to gradients of conditions available to locally adapted species and predicts higher endemism in nuclear than in marginal areas. The last theory suggests that soils with lower fertility account for higher endemism owing to the habitat specialization of their species. We compared endemism patterns with the predictions of each theory to discuss their importance.

Location

Brazil.

Time period

Quaternary.

Major taxa studied

Angiosperms.

Methods

We mapped the endemism using records of 311 plant species of the Cerrado and applied spatial analysis and distribution models to summarize the importance of each predictor of endemism.

Results

We identified 28 areas in which the higher endemism of Cerrado plants were concentrated and presented a map of their distribution. We found correlations among endemism, climate stability, elevation and marginality, which supported the plateau/valley, core/peripheral and stable/unstable hypotheses. No association between soil fertility and endemism was detected. We propose that plateaus are more stable climatic environments, and this characteristic along with their elevation and centrality are predictive of endemism.

Main conclusions

We concluded that most of the endemism is concentrated in overlapping areas of stability of species, which are concentrated in higher elevation central regions. Soil fertility was not linked to endemism. We recommend that central plateaus in the Cerrado require special attention in conservation to optimize the protection of endemic species in the biome.
Rediscovering other geographical traditions
Authors: Ferretti Federico
Published: February 2019

In the last few years, a vibrant interdisciplinary and international literature is rediscovering those sectors of the geographical tradition whose exponents did not match the classical stereotype of the Western academic geographer directly or indirectly contributing to colonialism, warfare, and social conservatism. Ongoing research on primary sources has shown that early progressive, dissident, and unorthodox tendencies in the history of the discipline were more pervasive and influential than what has been believed. In this paper, I define this movement as the rediscovery of “Other Geographical Traditions” (OGTs) arguing that this notion can enlarge our understanding of geography as a plural and contested field. While a great deal of this literature is constituted by studies on early anarchist and critical geographies, I argue that this concept should be extended to scholarly production from the Global South in languages other than English, which is likewise providing important contributions to the discovery of different geographical traditions, politically and culturally. For that, I address the case of recent Latin American scholarship, in Spanish and Portuguese, on the history and philosophy of critical geographies. Moreover, the fact that these “Southern” scholars are rereading and translating classical figures of “Northern” geographers constitutes a reversal of the former colonial gaze from the North–South to the South–North direction. This suggests that the study of OGTs should also consider different cultural and linguistic traditions, challenging monolingualism in both literature reviews and sources' selection.
Oxidative stress and anti‐oxidant responses to regular resistance training in young and older adult women
Authors: Alikhani Shahla , Sheikholeslami‐Vatani Dariush
Published: February 2019

Aim

The aging process is associated with increased production of free radicals, but regular exercise training might create a balance between oxidative stress and the anti‐oxidant system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of resistance training (RT) on the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α, malondialdehyde, total anti‐oxidant capacity and nuclear factor‐κB in young and older adult women.

Methods

A total of 44 women were divided into four groups: older‐training, older‐control, young‐training and young‐control. The experimental groups carried out 12 weeks of RT with an intensity of 75% one repetition maximum.

Results

After finishing the RT program, total anti‐oxidant capacity and nuclear factor‐κB in both the young and older adult training groups were significantly increased, whereas malondialdehyde in the young and the older exercising groups decreased. In addition, malondialdehyde in both the older and young groups, and total anti‐oxidant capacity in only the young group, were respectively lower and higher compared with their inactive counterparts. No significant changes in tumor necrosis factor‐α occurred in training groups after the 12‐week intervention, but the older and younger training groups had a significant difference with the young control group in the post‐test.

Conclusions

It seems that the strengthening of the anti‐oxidant system resulting from regular RT in older adults is similar to those of young people. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 419–422.
Transferrin receptor 1 overexpression is associated with tumour de‐differentiation and acts as a potential prognostic indicator of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Adachi Makiko , Kai Keita , Yamaji Koutaro , Ide Takao , Noshiro Hirokazu , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Aishima Shinichi
Published: February 2019

Aim

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. An excess of iron in liver tissue causes oxidative stress, leading to hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Iron metabolism, which is regulated by a complex mechanism, is important for cancer cell survival. The aim of this study is to clarify the role of iron regulatory protein in the progression of HCC and in patient outcome.

Methods and results

We first investigated the mRNA level of iron metabolism‐related genes, including hepcidin, ferroportin 1 (FPN‐1) and transferrin receptor (TFR)‐1/2. TFR‐1/2 protein expression was then evaluated in surgical specimens from 210 cases using immunohistochemistry, and we compared clinicopathological factors with TFR‐1/2 expression. The mRNA expression levels of TFR‐1 were significantly increased in HCC tissues compared with adjacent non‐cancerous tissues (P = 0.0013), but there were no differences in other genes. High expression of TFR‐1 in HCC was associated with the absence of alcohol abuse (P = 0.0467), liver cirrhosis (P < 0.0001), higher alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP; P < 0.0001), smaller tumour size (P = 0.0022), poor histological differentiation (P < 0.0001) and morphological features (P < 0.0001). In contrast, high expression of TFR‐2 in HCC was associated with lower AFP (P < 0.0001), well‐differentiated histological grade (P < 0.0001) and morphological features (P = 0.0010). Multivariate analysis for both overall survival and recurrence‐free survival indicated that high TFR‐1 expression was a significant prognostic factor for poor outcome.

Conclusions

We found an inverse correlation of TFR‐1 and TFR‐2 expression in AFP and tumour differentiation. TFR‐1 overexpression suggests a higher risk of recurrence and death in HCC patients following liver resection.
“Cow Is a Mother, Mothers Can Do Anything for Their Children!” Gaushalas as Landscapes of Anthropatriarchy and Hindu Patriarchy
Authors: Narayanan Yamini
Published: February 2019

This article argues that gaushalas, or cow shelters, in India are mobilized as sites of Hindutva or Hindu ultranationalism, where it is a “vulnerable” Hindu Indian nation—or the “Hindu mother cow” as Mother India—who needs “sanctuary” from predatory Muslim males. Gaushalas are rendered spaces of (re)production of cows as political, religious, and economic capital, and sustained by the combined and compatible narratives of “anthropatriarchy” and Hindu patriarchy. Anthropatriarchy is framed as the human enactment of gendered oppressions upon animal bodies, and is crucial to sustaining all animal agriculture. Hindu patriarchy refers to the instrumentalization of female and feminized bodies (women, cows, “Mother India”) as “mothers” and cultural guardians of a “pure” Hindu civilization. Both patriarchies commodify bovine motherhood and breastmilk. which this article frames as a feminist issue. Through empirical research, this article demonstrates that gaushalas generally function as spaces of exploitation, incarceration, and gendered violence for the animals. The article broadens posthumanist feminist theory to illustrate how bovine bodies, akin to women's bodies, are mobilized as productive, reproductive, and symbolic capital to advance Hindu extremism and ultranationalism. It subjectifies animal bodies as landscapes of nation‐making using ecofeminism and its subfield of vegan feminism.
A Good Abortion Is a Tragic Abortion: Fit Motherhood and Disability Stigma
Authors: McKinney Claire
Published: February 2019

In the context of abortion stigma, most abortion stories remain untold. The stories we do tell of abortion are often told to morally recuperate the status of the woman who has an abortion through a recourse to tragedy. Tragedy frames experiences where every choice produces some suffering, so decisions are geared toward maintaining individual integrity rather than adherence to absolute moral truths. This article argues that one dominant tragic abortion narrative, that of the disabled fetus, works to recuperate the moral status of “fit” mothers while actively constructing disabled lives as unlivable and undesirable. The option to stigmatize disability in recuperating the moral status of the woman who has an abortion relies on eugenic logics that also construct a variety of women (racialized, poor, disabled, and young) as illegitimate reproductive subjects. The article analyzes narratives of Sherri Finkbine's 1962 abortion in relation to contemporary narratives of late‐term abortions involving nonviable fetuses to expose how investment in medical judgments of good births enables particular women to make use of tragic narratives to maintain their status as moral mothers without disturbing broader abortion stigma or eugenic logics.
Investor protection, managerial entrenchment, and cash holdings: Cross‐country evidence
Authors: Martins Henrique Castro
Published: February 2019

We investigate whether investor protection (i.e. shareholder protection and creditor rights) is associated with how entrenched managers set corporate cash holdings. Our sample covers more than 6,000 firms from 29 countries (roughly 16,000 observations during 2010–2013). We find that the entrenchment–cash holdings association is sensitive to the level of shareholder protection but not to the level of creditor rights. Moreover, we find that the way shareholder protection shapes this association depends upon how managers become entrenched. When managers become entrenched through ownership, shareholders consent to their preferences to hold more cash, whereas, when managers become entrenched through CEO duality, shareholders force them to disgorge cash. We interpret our findings as evidence that shareholders agree to increase cash when managers are aligned with them by ownership but prefer to decrease cash when they are not aligned, whereas creditors do not influence entrenched managers’ cash holdings decisions.
Enhancement of energy storage density in antiferroelectric PbZrO3 films via the incorporation of gold nanoparticles
Authors: Li Yi Zhuo , Wang Zhan Jie , Bai Yu , Liu Wei , Zhang Zhi Dong
Published: February 2019

In this work, antiferroelectric Au–PbZrO3 (Au–PZO) nanocomposite thin films were prepared by chemical solution deposition (CSD), and the effects of Au concentration on the antiferroelectric properties and the recoverable energy density were investigated. The results showed that the optimal Au concentration in the Au–PZO nanocomposite thin films was about 1 mol% for structural and electric properties. In the Au–PZO nanocomposite thin films with 1 mol% Au, Au nanoparticles (NPs) were distributed uniformly in the perovskite PZO matrix. Moreover, the recoverable energy density was 10.8 J/cm3 at 600 kV/cm, which is 42% higher than that of the pure PZO films. The results demonstrate that adding an appropriate amount of noble metal NPs in antiferroelectric thin films is an effective method to improve the energy storage properties.
Integration, Community, and the Medical Model of Social Injustice
Authors: Madva Alex
Published: February 2019

I defend an empirically‐oriented approach to the analysis and remediation of social injustice. My springboard for this argument is a debate – principally represented here between Tommie Shelby and Elizabeth Anderson, but with much deeper historical roots and many flowering branches – about whether racial‐justice advocacy should prioritise integration (bringing different groups together) or community development (building wealth and political power within the black community). Although I incline toward something closer to Shelby's ‘egalitarian pluralist’ approach over Anderson's single‐minded emphasis on integration, many of Shelby's criticisms of integrationism are misguided, and his handling of the empirical literature is profoundly unbalanced. In fact, while both Shelby and Anderson defend the importance of social science to their projects, I'll argue that each takes a decidedly unempirical approach, which ultimately obscures the full extent of our ignorance about what we can and ought to do going forward. A more authentically empirical tack would be more epistemically humble, more holistic, and less organised around what I'll call prematurely formulated ‘Grand Unified Theories of Social Change’. I defend a more ‘diversified experimentalist’ approach, which rigorously tests an array of smaller‐scale interventions before trying to replicate and scale up the most promising results.
BRD4 inhibition attenuates inflammatory response in microglia and facilitates recovery after spinal cord injury in rats
Authors: Wang Jianle , Chen Jiaoxiang , Jin Haiming , Lin Dongdong , Chen Yu , Chen Ximiao , Wang Ben , Hu Sunli , Wu Yan , Wu Yaosen , Zhou Yifei , Tian Naifeng , Gao Weiyang , Wang Xiangyang , Zhang Xiaolei
Published: February 2019

The pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) involves primary injury and secondary injury. For the irreversibility of primary injury, therapies of SCI mainly focus on secondary injury, whereas inflammation is considered to be a major target for secondary injury; however the regulation of inflammation in SCI is unclear and targeted therapies are still lacking. In this study, we found that the expression of BRD4 was correlated with pro‐inflammatory cytokines after SCI in rats; in vitro study in microglia showed that BRD4 inhibition either by lentivirus or JQ1 may both suppress the MAPK and NF‐κB signalling pathways, which are the two major signalling pathways involved in inflammatory response in microglia. BRD4 inhibition by JQ1 not only blocked microglial M1 polarization, but also repressed the level of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in microglia in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, BRD4 inhibition by JQ1 can improve functional recovery and structural disorder as well as reduce neuron loss in SCI rats. Overall, this study illustrates that microglial BRD4 level is increased after SCI and BRD4 inhibition is able to suppress M1 polarization and pro‐inflammatory cytokine production in microglia which ultimately promotes functional recovery after SCI.
Supranational, National and Local Dimensions of Voter Turnout in European Parliament Elections
Authors: Fiorino Nadia , Pontarollo Nicola , Ricciuti Roberto
Published: February 2019

We argue that the decision to vote in European Parliament (EP) elections is made at the intersection of three political dimensions: one related to the attitude of citizens towards the European Union (EU), one to the characteristics of the national political system and one associated with socioeconomic variables observed by voters at the local level. This article investigates this intersection by analysing the last four EP elections in the EU‐14, for 164 regions. We tested a multilevel model. The results indicate that compulsory voting, domestic political cleavages, labour market conditions and trust in the EU play a significant role. No evidence was found that GDP per capita affects turnout. Finally, the oldest segment of population seems more likely to vote than the youngest.
Does a social self‐perceptual bias mask internalizing symptoms in children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
Authors: Martin Caroline P. , Peisch Virginia , Shoulberg Erin K. , Kaiser Nina , Hoza Betsy
Published: February 2019

Background

Children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often present with additional psychiatric conditions. Comorbidity is associated with poorer long‐term outcomes, highlighting the need for effective assessment and intervention. However, self‐perceptual biases may mask the presence of symptoms for a subgroup of children with ADHD. This study examined the role of social self‐perceptual biases in children with ADHD versus control children on self‐reports of loneliness, and depressive and anxious symptoms.

Methods

The research question was examined in two samples. Sample 1 consisted of 7.7–12.8‐year‐old boys with ADHD (n = 199) and control boys (n = 74); Sample 2 consisted of 7.7–11.4‐year‐old boys and girls with ADHD (n = 178) and control children (n = 86). Across samples, children reported social competence and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Child‐reported loneliness was examined in Sample 1. A social competence discrepancy score (difference between self‐report and teacher‐report) was used as an indicator of social self‐perceptual bias.

Results

Hierarchical multiple regression analyses tested social self‐perceptual bias as a suppressor variable. The magnitude of the associations between ADHD and self‐reported feelings of depression, anxiety and loneliness was greater when social self‐perceptual bias was included in models as compared to models that did not include social self‐perceptual bias (ΔR2s range = 0.04–0.19).

Conclusions

Findings across both samples suggest that social self‐perceptual biases may mask internalizing symptom severity on self‐reports for individuals who overestimate their social competence. More research is needed to determine the best approach to assessing internalizing problems among children with ADHD.
Cost‐of‐illness of melanoma in Europe – a modelling approach
Authors: Krensel M. , Schäfer I. , Augustin M.
Published: February 2019

Background

Malignant melanoma is accounting for the vast majority of skin cancer death. The treatment and productivity loss due to morbidity or premature mortality are associated with costs for society. There are few cost‐of‐illness (COI) studies on malignant melanoma in European countries from societal perspective and currently there is no publication analysing the COI in all European countries.

Objectives

The objective of the present study was to comparatively estimate COI of malignant melanoma in the European countries based on an identical approach.

Methods

Cost information was obtained from results of a systematic literature research. For countries with no available cost information, a model for imputation of cost data was developed. Country‐specific costs were modelled on the national gross domestic product, health expenditures, gross national income and epidemiological data. The adjustment for purchasing power parity allowed a comparison across countries.

Results

Crude national costs of malignant melanoma ranged between € 1.1 million in Iceland and € 543.8 million in Germany and resulted in € 2.7 billion for all EU/EFTA states. Estimated crude costs per patient were lowest in Bulgaria (€ 6422) and highest in Luxembourg (€ 50 734). The share of direct costs varied from 3% to 26% across countries. After adjustment for the purchasing power parity costs per patient ranged between € 14 420 in Bulgaria and € 50 961 in Cyprus. Treatment expenses and morbidity costs were markedly lower for countries that entered the EU since 2004. By contrast, mortality costs were lower in countries with a high gross domestic product per capita.

Conclusion

In this first estimation, malignant melanoma induces relevant COI in Europe. There was large variation in the costs per patient due to different health care systems and expenses. Beyond decreasing patient burden, early intervention and prevention of melanoma could have a relevant potential to save costs across Europe.
Prevalence and determinants of sunbed use in thirty European countries: data from the Euromelanoma skin cancer prevention campaign
Authors: Suppa M. , Gandini S. , Njimi H. , Bulliard J.L. , Correia O. , Duarte A.F. , Peris K. , Stratigos A.J. , Nagore E. , Longo M.I. , Bylaite‐Bucinskiene M. , Karls R. , Helppikangas H. ,   Euromelanoma Working Group,, del Marmol V.
Published: February 2019

Background

Although considered as a first‐group carcinogen, indoor tanning is a common practice in Europe. Euromelanoma is a pan‐European skin cancer prevention campaign.

Objectives

To compare several European countries in terms of the prevalence and determinants of sunbed use.

Methods

Participants in the Euromelanoma campaigns filled in questionnaires containing demographics and risk factors, including type/duration of sunbed use. Multivariate analyses adjusted for age, gender, education, skin type and year of survey were employed to assess factors independently associated with sunbed use in each country.

Results

In total, 227 888 individuals (67.4% females, median age 44, 63.4% highly educated, 71.9% skin types III–VI) from 30 countries participated. Overall, the prevalence of sunbed ever use was 10.6% (≤19‐year‐olds: 5.9%; 20 to 35‐year‐olds: 17.0%; >35‐year‐olds: 8.3%). Females displayed a higher prevalence than males in all countries. Balkan countries displayed the highest female/male ratios (≥4). Sunbed use was significantly more prevalent among skin type III–VI (14/30 countries) and highly educated participants (11/30 countries). Significant correlations were found between sunbed use prevalence and countries’ latitude (P < 0.001) and sunshine (P = 0.002); Italy and Spain represented exceptions towards excessive exposure. Very different prevalence rates were found for Spain (19.3%) and Portugal (2.0%). Scandinavian countries ranked highest in sunbed use among ≤19‐year‐olds, Baltic countries among 20 to 35‐year‐olds.

Conclusions

Sunbed use prevalence was higher in northern, sun‐deprived countries, with the exception of Italy and Spain. The main determinants of sunbed use were age (young adults) and gender (females), whereas education and skin type had a less relevant effect. Geographic particularities were found in four regions: Iberian (prevalence ten times higher in Spain than Portugal), Balkan (prevalence disproportionately higher among women), Baltic (highest prevalence among young adults) and Scandinavian (highest prevalence among adolescents). These data have public health relevance for future interventions aimed at reducing sunbed use in Europe.