bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poor clinical outcome in metastatic melanoma is associated with a microRNA-modulated immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment
Authors: Jorge Natasha A. N. , Cruz Jéssica G. V. , Pretti Marco Antônio M. , Bonamino Martín H. , Possik Patricia A. , Boroni Mariana
Published: February 2020

Background

Interaction between malignant cells and immune cells that reside within the tumor microenvironment (TME) modulate different aspects of tumor development and progression. Recent works showed the importance of miRNA-containing extracellular vesicles in this crosstalk.

Methods

Interested in understanding the interplay between melanoma and immune-related TME cells, we characterized the TCGA’s metastatic melanoma samples according to their tumor microenvironment profiles, HLA-I neoepitopes, transcriptome profile and classified them into three groups. Moreover, we combined our results with melanoma single-cell gene expression and public miRNA data to better characterize the regulatory network of circulating miRNAs and their targets related to immune evasion and microenvironment response.

Results

The group associated with a worse prognosis showed phenotypic characteristics that favor immune evasion, including a strong signature of suppressor cells and less stable neoantigen:HLA-I complexes. Conversely, the group with better prognosis was marked by enrichment in lymphocyte and MHC signatures. By analyzing publicly available melanoma single-cell RNA and microvesicle microRNAs sequencing data we identified circulating microRNAs potentially involved in the crosstalk between tumor and TME cells. Candidate miRNA/target gene pairs with previously reported roles in tumor progression and immune escape mechanisms were further investigated and demonstrated to impact patient’s overall survival not only in melanoma but across different tumor types.

Conclusion

Our results underscore the impact of tumor-microenvironment interactions on disease outcomes and reveal potential non-invasive biomarkers of prognosis and treatment response.
MicroRNA 876-5p modulates EV-A71 replication through downregulation of host antiviral factors
Authors: Xu Peng , Xu Hwa , Cheng Hsu Sheng , Chan Han-Hsiang , Wang Robert Y. L.
Published: February 2020

Background

Human enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is a non-enveloped virus that has a single stranded positive sense RNA genome. In a previous study, we showed that miR-876-5p upregulation was observed in the serum of patients with severe EV-A71 infection. Micro-876-5p (miR-876-5p) is a circulating miRNA that can be identified to modulate EV-A71 infections through both in vitro and in vivo studies. However, the regulatory mechanisms that involve miR-876-5p in the EV-A71 infection cycle remain unclear.

Methods

We demonstrated that miR-876-5p facilitated EV-A71 replication and expression by overexpression and knocking-down of miR-876-5p through the transfection of miR-876-5p plasmid and miR-876-5p inhibitor. Although miR-876-5p suppressed CREB5 expression, luciferase reporter assay confirmed this. We also evaluated the role of miR-876-5p in the EV-A71 infection cycle by CREB5 mediated by transfection with an anti-miR-876-5P inhibitor or in combination with an si-CREB5 plasmid.

Results

MicroR-876-5p was upregulated in EV-A71-infected neuroblastoma cells. Overexpression of miR-876-5p or knockdown of cyclic-AMP responsive element binding protein 5 (CREB5) promoted EV-A71 replication. The downregulation of miR-876-5p inhibited the accumulation of viral RNA and the production of viral proteins. Interestingly, CREB5 overexpression also suppressed EV-A71 replication. Our in vitro studies reveal that miR-876-5p directly targets CREB5. Finally, downregulation of CREB5 protein abated the inhibitory effect of anti-miR-876-5p and induced inhibitory effect of EV-A71 replication.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that intracellular miR-876-5p promotes EV-A71 replication indirectly by targeting the host CREB5 protein.
Posterior parietal cortex mediates fear renewal in a novel context
Authors: Joo Bitna , Koo Ja Wook , Lee Sukwon
Published: February 2020

The return of fear following extinction therapy is an important issue associated with the treatment of many fear-related disorders. Fear renewal is a suitable model, with which context-dependent modulation of the fear response can be examined. In this model, any context outside of an extinction context (e.g., novel or familiar contexts) could evoke relapse of the fear response. However, brain regions associated with context-dependent modulation are not fully understood. The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is considered a center for integrating multisensory information and making decisions. To study its role in the contextual modulation of fear relapse, we reversibly inactivated the PPC in mice before they were exposed to various contexts after extinction training. When muscimol was infused into the PPC, fear renewal was impaired in a novel context, but not in a familiar context. Fear relapses were blocked during optogenetic inhibition of the PPC, only when animals were placed in a novel context. We propose that the neural activity of the PPC is necessary for the relapse of a precise response to an extinguished conditioned stimulus in a novel context.
The infant gut microbiome as a microbial organ influencing host well-being
Authors: Turroni Francesca , Milani Christian , Duranti Sabrina , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Bernasconi Sergio , Margolles Abelardo , Di Pierro Francesco , van Sinderen Douwe , Ventura Marco
Published: February 2020

Initial establishment of the human gut microbiota is generally believed to occur immediately following birth, involving key gut commensals such as bifidobacteria that are acquired from the mother. The subsequent development of this early gut microbiota is driven and modulated by specific dietary compounds present in human milk that support selective colonization. This represents a very intriguing example of host-microbe co-evolution, where both partners are believed to benefit. In recent years, various publications have focused on dissecting microbial infant gut communities and their interaction with their human host, being a determining factor in host physiology and metabolic activities. Such studies have highlighted a reduction of microbial diversity and/or an aberrant microbiota composition, sometimes referred to as dysbiosis, which may manifest itself during the early stage of life, i.e., in infants, or later stages of life. There are growing experimental data that may explain how the early human gut microbiota affects risk factors related to adult health conditions. This concept has fueled the development of various nutritional strategies, many of which are based on probiotics and/or prebiotics, to shape the infant microbiota. In this review, we will present the current state of the art regarding the infant gut microbiota and the role of key commensal microorganisms like bifidobacteria in the establishment of the first microbial communities in the human gut.
Correction to: The impact of perennial allergic rhinitis with/without allergic asthma on sleep, work and activity level
Authors: Romano Mercedes , James Stephanie , Farrington Emily , Perry Richard , Elliott Lisa
Published: February 2020

The first and corresponding author was unfortunately presented as Mercedes Rodriguez Romano. The correct author name is Mercedes Romano.
A novel technique for retrospective genetic analysis of the response to vaccination or infection using cell-free DNA from archived sheep serum and plasma
Authors: Hanks Eve , Todd Helen , Palarea-Albaladejo Javier , McNeilly Tom N. , Britton Collette , Ballingall Keith T.
Published: February 2020

Genetic variation is associated with differences in disease resistance and susceptibility among individuals within a population. To date, molecular genetic analyses of host responses have relied on extraction of genomic DNA from whole blood or tissue samples. However, such samples are not routinely collected during large-scale field studies. We demonstrate that cell-free genomic DNA (cfDNA) may be extracted and amplified from archived plasma samples, allowing retrospective analysis of host genetic diversity. This technique was also applicable to archived serum samples up to 35 years old and to different ruminant species. As proof of concept, we used this cfDNA approach to genotype the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class IIDRB1locus of 224 Merino sheep which had participated in field trials of a commercialHaemonchus contortusvaccine, Barbervax®, in Australia. This identified a total of 51 differentDRB1alleles and their relative frequencies. This is the first study to examine host MHC diversity using DNA extracted from archived plasma samples, an approach that may be applied to retrospective analyses of genetic diversity and responses to vaccination or infection across different species and populations.
Hypothalamic lipoma and growth hormone deficiency
Authors: Rochtus Anne , Vinckx Joseph , de Zegher Francis
Published: February 2020

Background

Intracranial lipomas are rare, congenital lesions, most often located at the midline. Most hypothalamic lipomas are asymptomatic, but some cases have been associated with precocious puberty, hypothermia, headache and/or obesity.

Case presentation

A 7-year-old boy was referred for short stature and proved to be partially growth-hormone deficient. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a lipoma in the paramedian hypothalamus. Growth hormone treatment resulted in swift and uncomplicated catch-up growth.

Conclusions

The present case appears to be the first to link hypothalamic lipoma to GH deficiency. The neuro-endocrine pathophysiology underpinning this link remains to be explored.
Energy-efficient offloading decision-making for mobile edge computing in vehicular networks
Authors: Huang Xiaoge , Xu Ke , Lai Chenbin , Chen Qianbin , Zhang Jie
Published: February 2020

Driven by the explosion transmission and computation requirement in 5G vehicular networks, mobile edge computing (MEC) attracts more attention than centralized cloud computing. The advantage of MEC is to provide a large amount of computation and storage resources to the edge of networks so as to offload computation-intensive and delay-sensitive applications from vehicle terminals. However, according to the mobility of vehicle terminals and the time varying traffic load, the optimal task offloading decisions is crucial. In this paper, we consider the uplink transmission from vehicles to road side units in the vehicular network. A dynamic task offloading decision for flexible subtasks is proposed to minimize the utility, which includes energy consumption and packet drop rate. Furthermore, a computation resource allocation scheme is introduced to allocate the computation resources of MEC server due to the differences in the computation intensity and the transmission queue of each vehicle. Consequently, a Lyapunov-based dynamic offloading decision algorithm is proposed, which combines the dynamic task offloading decision and computation resource allocation, to minimize the utility function while ensuring the stability of the queue. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm could achieve a significant improvement in the utility of vehicular networks compared with comparison algorithms.
Introduction to the special issue
Authors: Finlay Andrea , Binswanger Ingrid , Timko Christine
Published: February 2020

This special issue of Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, “Addiction treatment access and utilization among criminal justice involved populations”, presents a series of articles on substance use disorder treatment access and utilization by people who have contact with the criminal justice system (e.g., jails, prisons, and courts). Despite the high prevalence of substance use disorders among people who experience these settings, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders may be unavailable and/or care may be fragmented during transitions between settings. Articles in this special issue address several gaps in the literature and present a conceptual model of opioid overdose risk, the results of a randomized controlled trial to increase treatment uptake and retention during and after incarceration, descriptions of barriers to treatment after release from incarceration, and data from nationally representative surveys of substance use disorders and treatment use among people who have been involved in the criminal justice system. Importantly, the voices of people with lived experience in the criminal justice system were incorporated in two manuscripts. Together these articles advance our understanding of how to improve care coordination and expansion of services across systems and organizations to prevent overdose, improve treatment utilization, and ultimately, improve health outcomes among criminal justice involved populations in the United States who have substance use disorders or use substances.
Anti-adipogenic effects of viscothionin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high fat diet induced obesity mice
Authors: Kim Sokho , Ahn Seo-Hyun , Park Jong-Heum , Park Chan Hum , Sin Yu Su , Shin Gee-Wook , Kwon Jungkee
Published: February 2020

Viscum album subsp. Coloratum, also known as Korean mistletoe, is a traditional herb that has more recently been used for the treatment of nervine, hypertensive and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this study was undertaken to access the anti-obesity effect of Korean mistletoe-derived polypeptide viscothionin using 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro and in vivo mouse experimental model. Viscothionin (up to 5 μM) was used to treat mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes during adipocyte differentiation. Adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells was confirmed by Oil Red O staining. Obesity was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in C57BL/6J mice, followed by oral administration of viscothionin (up to 10 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. As a result, viscothionin (5 μM) inhibited differentiation of adipocyte cells and attenuated accumulation of intracellular lipids through activation of 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), by down-regulating phosphorylation in AKT and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Treatment of viscothionin also decreased the levels of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and its target gene, fatty acid synthase (FAS). Moreover, viscothionin (10 mg/kg) significantly suppressed body weight and fat content, and improved serum lipid concentration, compared with the standard drug simvastatin (10 mg/kg), a well-known anti-obesity agent. The present study suggests, that viscothionin exerts anti-adipogenic effect through the activation of AMPK and has potential to prevent HFD-induced obesity.
Correction to: Dimensions within 24 weight history indices and their association with inpatient treatment outcome in adults with anorexia nervosa: analysis of routine data
Authors: Hessler Johannes Baltasar , Schlegl Sandra , Greetfeld Martin , Voderholzer Ulrich
Published: February 2020

In the publication of this article [1], there is an error with an abbreviation.

The last sentence of the results paragraph in the abstract reads as follows: “While measures of WE related more to weight gain and general ED Psychopathology, indices including lowest weight were stronger predictors of changes in slimness ideal and inappropriate compensatory behaviors.” Instead of WE (weight elevation), however, the abbreviation should say WS (weight suppression). This has now been included in this correction article.
Mobile phone app Vs bucket test as a subjective visual vertical test: A validation study
Authors: Dai Tianyang , Kurien George , Lin Vincent YW
Published: February 2020

Background

The SVV tests the ability of a person to perceive the gravitational vertical. A tilt in SVV indicates vestibular imbalance in the roll plane, and thus injuries to the utricle or its connecting nerves. A validated bedside method (et, al., 2009, 72(19):1689–1692, Neurol, Zwergal) is the bucket method, in which the subject estimates the true vertical by attempting to properly align a straight line visible on the bottom of a bucket that is rotated at random by the examiner. In our study, the subjects need to align the plumb line on the Visual Vertical iOS app to the vertical direction.

Methods

Measurements of the SVV were made in 22 healthy subjects (16 females and 6 males). Each subject conducted 10 iterations of bucket test and 10 iterations of iOS app test. The reliability and validity of the iOS app was analyzed by SPSS21.

Results

Cronbach's α for the plumb line method was 0.976, and the iOS app was 0.978. Statistical comparison of SVV values measured by the iOS app and the bucket method showed no significant difference in distribution (Mann Whitney U test U = 0.944).

Conclusion

The Visual Vertical iOS app is an effective and accessible substitute to the plumb line for the measurement of the validated bucket test.
Analyzing rater severity in a freshman composition course using many facet Rasch measurement
Authors: Erguvan Inan Deniz , Aksu Dunya Beyza
Published: February 2020

This study examined the rater severity of instructors using a multi-trait rubric in a freshman composition course offered in a private university in Kuwait. Use of standardized multi-trait rubrics is a recent development in this course and student feedback and anchor papers provided by instructors for each essay exam necessitated the assessment of rater effects, including severity/leniency and restriction of range in ratings among instructors. Data were collected from three instructors teaching the same course in Summer 2019, who rated the first midterm exam essays of their students and shared the scores with the researcher. Also, two students from each class were randomly selected and a total of six papers were marked by all instructors for anchoring purposes. Many-facet Rasch model (MFRM) was employed for data analysis. The results showed that although the raters used the rubric consistently during scoring across all examinees and tasks, they differed in their degree of leniency and severity, and tended to assign scores of 70 and 80 more frequently than the other scores. The study shows that composition instructors may differ in their rating behavior and this may cause dissatisfaction, creating a sense of unfairness among the students of severe instructors. The findings of this study are expected to help writing departments to monitor their inter-rater reliability and consistency in their ratings. The most practical way to achieve this is by organizing rater training workshops.
Seismicity induced during the development of the Rittershoffen geothermal field, France
Authors: Maurer Vincent , Gaucher Emmanuel , Grunberg Marc , Koepke Rike , Pestourie Romain , Cuenot Nicolas
Published: February 2020

The development of the Rittershoffen deep geothermal field (Alsace, Upper Rhine Graben) between 2012 and 2014 induced unfelt seismicity with a local magnitude of less than 1.6. This seismicity occurred during two types of operations: (1) mud losses in the Muschelkalk formation during the drilling of both wells of the doublet and (2) thermal and hydraulic stimulations of the GRT-1 well. Seismicity was also observed 4 days after the main hydraulic stimulation, although no specific operation was performed. During chemical stimulation, however, no induced seismicity was detected. In the context of all field development operations and their injection parameters (flow rates, overpressures, volumes), we detail the occurrence or lack of seismicity, its magnitude distribution and its spatial distribution. The observations suggest the presence of the rock stress memory effect (Kaiser effect) of the geothermal reservoir as well as uncritically stressed zones connected to the GRT-1 well and/or rock cohesion. A reduction of the seismic rate concurrent with an increase of injectivity was noticed as well as the reactivation of a couple of faults, including the Rittershoffen fault, which was targeted by the wells. These results are derived from the homogeneous and consistent catalogue of more than 1300 local earthquakes that is provided. This reference catalogue is based on a standard detection method, whose output was manually verified and improved. The given absolute locations have been computed in a calibrated, geologically realistic 3D velocity model. Our work builds on previous analyses addressing the seismicity induced by the GRT-1 hydraulic stimulation and places the results into a historical context, thus considering the full dynamics of the observed phenomena. This paper also complements existing descriptions of the hydrothermal characteristics of the deep reservoir by providing insights separate from the wells.
High-precision VTEC derivation with GEONET
Authors: Li Qi , Ma Guanyi , Maruyama Takashi , Li Jinghua , Wan Qingtao , Wang Xiaolan , Fan Jiangtao , Zhang Jie
Published: February 2020

This paper proposes a new technique, namely Phase bias-based Small Grid Model (PSGM), to derive absolute ionospheric vertical total electron content (VTEC) with observations of Global Navigation Satellite System Earth Observation Network of Japan (GEONET). The proposed technique deals with the phase observations alone without handling the pseudoranges, which reduces the noise in VTEC estimation. A new parameter, the arc bias (Barc), is introduced to combine the phase ambiguities and differential phase biases. To solve Barc, equations are constructed under the assumption that the VTEC is identical in the same 0.1° × 0.1° grid. The performance of PSGM is evaluated with the observations in solar maximum year 2014. The root mean square error (RMSE) of PSGM is 0.40 TECU in average, the maximum RMSE is 0.73 TECU and the minimum RMSE is 0.26 TECU. The fitting accuracy of the VTEC results is improved compared with most of the existing methods.
Identification of a nascent tectonic boundary in the San-in area, southwest Japan, using a 3D S-wave velocity structure obtained by ambient noise surface wave tomography
Authors: Suemoto Yudai , Ikeda Tatsunori , Tsuji Takeshi , Iio Yoshihisa
Published: February 2020

We derived a three-dimensional S-wave velocity model for the San-in area of southwest Japan to examine heterogeneous structures such as tectonic faults. Many earthquakes occur in this area, but much of the activity has been relatively recent, so the fault distribution has yet to be fully clarified. Here, we used continuous ambient noise data from a dense seismic network, deployed from November 2009 to extract Rayleigh and Love wave dispersion data between station pairs, and then applied a direct surface wave inversion to the phase velocities of each station pair to determine a three-dimensional S-wave velocity model. In the resulting model, faults and a previously unrecognized tectonic boundary appeared as low-velocity anomalies or velocity boundaries, and the velocity anomalies were also associated with many past earthquake hypocenters. These results contribute to our understanding of heterogeneous structures caused by recent tectonic motion and of possible future tectonic activity, such as intraplate earthquakes. Surface wave tomography using ambient noise recorded in dense seismic networks could also be applied in other parts of the world to reveal new heterogeneous geological structures (i.e., unrevealed tectonic faults) and could contribute to disaster mitigation.
First detection of the Nearctic parasitoid species Trichopoda pennipes (Fabricius) (Diptera: Tachinidae) in Egypt
Authors: El-Hawagry Magdi Shaaban Ali , Ebrahim Ayman Mohey Eldin , Nada Maha Salah Eldin
Published: February 2020

Specimens of the feather-legged fly,Trichopoda pennipes(Fabricius) (Diptera: Tachinidae), which parasitize adults of the southern green stink bugNezara viridula(L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), have been detected in Giza, Egypt. This is the first record of this Nearctic species with its genus (Trichopoda) and its tribe (Gymnosomatini) in Egypt.T. pennipesis known as an endoparasitoid of many true bug hosts, the pests of various crops, and it could have a potentiality to control these pests in addition toN. viridula, which is known to be its principal host. Taxonomy and diagnosis of the detected parasitoid species in addition to a checklist of the subfamily Phasiinae in Egypt are provided. Colored photographs of the parasitoid larval and adult stages and parasitized host are provided as well.
Publisher Correction to: Applied Microscopy
Authors:   Applied Microscopy
Published: February 2020

An error occurred during the publication of the below article in Applied Microscopy. It was published in volume 50 with incorrect citation number.
Supercapacitors with alternating current line-filtering performance
Authors: Zhao Doudou , Jiang Kaiyue , Li Jiantong , Zhu Xiang , Ke Changchun , Han Sheng , Kymakis Emmanuel , Zhuang Xiaodong
Published: February 2020

Alternating current (AC) line filters have been widely used to smooth the leftover AC ripples on direct current voltage. Currently available commercial aluminum electrolytic capacitors (AECs) are primarily used for this application. However, the bulky volume and low capacitance of AECs have become incompatible with the rapidly developed intelligent electronic devices and industry dynamics. Supercapacitors with high specific capacitance and AC line-filtering performance could become the next-generation candidates to replace AECs for smoothing leftover AC ripples. Thus, most conventional supercapacitors behave like a resistor and not a capacitor at 120 Hz mainly because complex pore structures of electrode materials prevent the diffusion of electrolyte ions. Various electrode materials have been reported to reveal supercapacitors with AC line-filtering performance; however, the balance of high specific capacitance and an excellent filtering efficiency is a prodigious challenge. This review summarizes recently reported supercapacitors based on different types of electrode materials with AC filtering performance and attempts to develop the relationship between different influencing factors and features of functional materials.
Practicalities of care closer to home: seven key questions for community psychiatrists
Authors: de Silva Prasanna N.
Published: February 2020

This article aims to clarify what ‘care closer to home’ means to a community psychiatrist. Care closer to home can be operationalised as primary care liaison and the article reviews experience across England of how a liaison service can work with the recently organised primary care networks. Key competencies needed for liaising with primary care are discussed using seven questions, including bias mitigation, reducing bed-days, consultation skills, knowledge of emerging treatments and reducing administrative overheads while improving access.
Dissemination and Implementation of Palliative Care in Oncology
Authors: Ferrell Betty R. , Chung Vincent , Koczywas Marianna , Smith Thomas J.
Published: February 2020

Palliative care began in academic centers with specialty consultation services, and its value to patients, families, and health systems has been evident. The demand for palliative care to be integrated throughout the cancer trajectory, combined with a limited palliative care workforce, means that new models of care are needed. This review discusses evidence regarding the need for integration of palliative care into routine oncology care and describes best practices recognized for dissemination of palliative care. The available evidence suggests that palliative care be widely adopted by clinicians in all oncology settings to benefit patients with cancer and their families. Efforts are needed to adapt and integrate palliative care into community practice. Limitations of these models are discussed, as are future directions to continue implementation efforts. The benefits of palliative care can only be realized through effective dissemination of these principles of care, with more primary palliative care delivered by oncology clinicians.
Models of Palliative Care Delivery for Patients With Cancer
Authors: Hui David , Bruera Eduardo
Published: February 2020

Palliative care has evolved over the past five decades as an interprofessional specialty to improve quality of life and quality of care for patients with cancer and their families. Existing evidence supports that timely involvement of specialist palliative care teams can enhance the care delivered by oncology teams. This review provides a state-of-the-science synopsis of the literature that supports each of the five clinical models of specialist palliative care delivery, including outpatient clinics, inpatient consultation teams, acute palliative care units, community-based palliative care, and hospice care. The roles of embedded clinics, nurse-led models, telehealth interventions, and primary palliative care also will be discussed. Outpatient clinics represent the key point of entry for timely access to palliative care. In this setting, patient care can be enhanced longitudinally through impeccable symptom management, monitoring, education, and advance care planning. Inpatient consultation teams provide expert symptom management and facilitate discharge planning for acutely symptomatic hospitalized patients. Patients with the highest level of distress and complexity may benefit from an admission to acute palliative care units. In contrast, community-based palliative care and hospice care are more appropriate for patients with a poor performance status and low to moderate symptom burden. Each of these five models of specialist palliative care serve a different patient population along the disease continuum and complement one another to provide comprehensive supportive care. Additional research is needed to define the standards for palliative care interventions and to refine the models to further improve access to quality palliative care.
Economics of Palliative Care for Cancer: Interpreting Current Evidence, Mapping Future Priorities for Research
Authors: May Peter , Normand Charles , Morrison R. Sean
Published: February 2020

The National Cancer Institute estimates that $154 billion will be spent on care for people with cancer in 2019, distributed across the year after diagnosis (31%), the final year of life (31%), and continuing care between those two (38%). Projections of future costs estimate persistent growth in care expenditures. Early research studies on the economics of palliative care have reported a general pattern of cost savings during inpatient hospital admissions and the end-of-life phase. Recent research has demonstrated more complex dynamics, but expanding palliative care capacity to meet clinical guidelines and population health needs seems to save costs. Quantifying these cost savings requires additional research, because there is significant variance in estimates of the effects of treatment on costs, depending on the timing of intervention, the primary diagnosis, and the overall illness burden. Because ASCO guidelines state that palliative care should be provided concurrently with other treatment from the point of diagnosis onward for all metastatic cancer, new and ambitious research is required to evaluate the cost effects of palliative care across the entire disease trajectory. We propose a series of ways to reach the guideline goals.
Forging a New Frontier: Providing Palliative Care to People With Cancer in Rural and Remote Areas
Authors: Bakitas Marie , Allen Watts Kristen , Malone Emily , Dionne-Odom J. Nicholas , McCammon Susan , Taylor Richard , Tucker Rodney , Elk Ronit
Published: February 2020

Mounting evidence supports oncology organizations’ recommendations of early palliative care as a cancer care best practice for patients with advanced cancer and/or high symptom burden. However, few trials on which these best practices are based have included rural and remote community-based oncology care. Therefore, little is known about whether early palliative care models are applicable in these low-resource areas. This literature synthesis identifies some of the challenges of integrating palliative care in rural and remote cancer care. Prominent themes include being mindful of rural culture; adapting traditional geographically based specialty care delivery models to under-resourced rural practices; and using novel palliative care education delivery methods to increase community-based health professional, layperson, and family palliative expertise to account for limited local specialty palliative care resources. Although there are many limitations, many rural and remote communities also have strengths in their capacity to provide high-quality care by capitalizing on close-knit, committed community practitioners, especially if there are receptive local palliative and hospice care champions. Hence, adapting palliative care models, using culturally appropriate novel delivery methods, and providing remote education and support to existing community providers are promising advances to aid rural people to manage serious illness and to die in place. Reformulating health policy and nurturing academic-community partnerships that support best practices are critical components of providing early palliative care for everyone everywhere.
Palliative Care for Family Caregivers
Authors: Alam Sorayya , Hannon Breffni , Zimmermann Camilla
Published: February 2020

Family caregivers provide substantial care for patients with advanced cancer, while suffering from hidden morbidity and unmet needs. The objectives of this review were to examine risk factors associated with caregiving for patients with advanced cancer, evaluate the evidence for pertinent interventions, and provide a practical framework for palliative care of caregivers in oncology settings. We reviewed studies examining the association of factors at the level of the caregiver, patient, caregiver-patient relationship, and caregiving itself, with adverse outcomes. In addition, we reviewed randomized controlled trials of interventions targeting the caregiver, the caregiver-patient dyad, or the patient and their family. Risk factors for adverse mental health outcomes included those related to the patient’s declining status, symptom distress, and poor prognostic understanding; risk factors for adverse bereavement outcomes included unfavorable circumstances of the patient’s death. Among the 16 randomized trials, the most promising results showed improvement of depression resulting from early palliative care interventions; results for quality of life were generally nonsignificant or showed an effect only on some subscales. Caregiving outcomes included burden, appraisal, and competence, among others, and showed mixed findings. Only three trials measured bereavement outcomes, with mostly nonsignificant results. On the basis of existent literature and our clinical experience, we propose the CARES framework to guide care for caregivers in oncology settings: Considering caregivers as part of the unit of care, Assessing the caregiver’s situation and needs, Referring to appropriate services and resources, Educating about practical aspects of caregiving, and Supporting caregivers through bereavement. Additional trials are needed that are powered specifically for caregiver outcomes, use measures validated for advanced cancer caregivers, and test real-world interventions.
Androgens Increase Accumulation of Advanced Glycation End Products in Granulosa Cells by Activating ER Stress in PCOS
Authors: Azhary Jerilee M K , Harada Miyuki , Kunitomi Chisato , Kusamoto Akari , Takahashi Nozomi , Nose Emi , Oi Nagisa , Wada-Hiraike Osamu , Urata Yoko , Hirata Tetsuya , Hirota Yasushi , Koga Kaori , Fujii Tomoyuki , Osuga Yutaka
Published: February 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperandrogenism, and we previously found that androgens activate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in granulosa cells from patients with PCOS. In addition, recent studies demonstrated the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in granulosa cells from PCOS patients, which contribute to the pathology. Therefore, we hypothesized that androgens upregulate the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) expression in granulosa cells by activating ER stress, thereby increasing the accumulation of AGEs in these cells and contributing to the pathology. In the present study, we show that testosterone increases RAGE expression and AGE accumulation in cultured human granulosa-lutein cells (GLCs), and this is reduced by pretreatment with tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), an ER stress inhibitor in clinical use. Knockdown of the transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), an unfolded protein response factor activated by ER stress, inhibits testosterone-induced RAGE expression and AGE accumulation. The expression of RAGE and the accumulation of AGEs are upregulated in granulosa cells from PCOS patients and dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS mice. Administration of the RAGE inhibitor FPS-ZM1 or TUDCA to PCOS mice reduces RAGE expression and AGE accumulation in granulosa cells, improves their estrous cycle, and reduces the number of atretic antral follicles. In summary, our findings indicate that hyperandrogenism in PCOS increases the expression of RAGE and accumulation of AGEs in the ovary by activating ER stress, and that targeting the AGE-RAGE system, either by using a RAGE inhibitor or a clinically available ER stress inhibitor, may represent a novel approach to PCOS therapy.
MEFOSPHON» USAGE FOR PRODUCTION USEFUL PRODUCTS INCREASING WHEAT YIELD
Authors: Sibagatullin Fatih , Haliullina Zul'fiya , Petrov Andrey , Sinyashin Kirill , Ganiev Almaz
Published: February 2020

The article presents the results of the practical application of products obtained from waste from poultry farming and the oil industry using the biologically active drug “Mefosfon”. Field tests using an aqueous solution of “Mefosfon” at extremely low concentrations (10-6 - 10-8%) made it possible to obtain “Kompost UP-1” product of IV hazard class from chicken manure, and “Meliorant” product of V hazard class from drilling waste. Field studies to study the effect of products on spring wheat growth were carried out in the experimental fields of the Laishevsky district of the Republic of Tatarstan. “Kompost UP-1” and “Meliorant” were introduced under pre-sowing cultivation in the amount of 50 tons per hectare and 1.3 tons per hectare, respectively. For comparison, control plots were organized (Control). The seeds used were spring wheat of Yoldyz variety (“Kompost UP-1”) and Idelle (Meliorant). Analysis of growth and productivity indicators of plants grown in different areas showed that the application of “Meliorant” optimizes soil pH, activates mass transfer processes, and the application of “Kompost UP-1” helps to increase the content of nutrients (N, P, K). At the stage of tillering of plants in the area with “Kompost UP-1”, the average phytomass per unit length of plants was 1.8 times higher than in the control. The use of “Kompost UP-1” leads to a significant improvement in grain quality: the mass fraction of protein increased by 32%, vitreous content by 60%, and the content of crude gluten by 34%. Productivity increased and amounted to 42 kg/ha, which is 14 kg more than in the control.
ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF TOMATO HYBRIDS CULTIVATION ON COCONUT SUBSTRATE IN WINTER-SPRING TURNOVER IN THE CONDITIONS OF DAGESTAN
Authors: Akhmedova Patimat
Published: February 2020

The aim of the work is to evaluate new F1 tomato hybrids in the winter-spring circulation, to identify the optimal timing of their planting in protected ground, to determine the most economically promising of them for the natural and climatic conditions of Dagestan. The studies were carried out in 2018–2020 in the greenhouse facilities of LLC “Agro-AS” of the Republic of Dagestan. The scheme of the two-factor experiment provided for the study of the following options: tomato hybrid (factor A) - mid-ripening hybrid Tivay 12 F1, mid-ripening hybrid T-34 F1, late-ripening hybrid Pink Ball F1; transplanting date (factor B) - early (January 10), medium (January 20), late (January 30). Sowing seeds for growing seedlings was carried out for each planting date, respectively, November 20, November 30 and December 10. Repetition 3 times, the area of the accounting plot - 2.5 m2. The largest yield was formed when the seedlings were planted on January 20, the yield of hybrids in total for 4.5 months was 23.0 ... 28.0 kg/m2. When planting seedlings on 10.01, it decreased by 0.55 ... 1.79 kg/m2, and on 30.01 - by 1.91 ... 2.56 kg/ m2. According to the yield level, the results of the tasting assessment of fruits and the economic efficiency of production, the hybrids represent the following decreasing series: T-34 F1> Tivay 12 F1> Pink Ball F1. Of the tested varieties, the domestic hybrid T-34 F1 and the Dutch hybrid Tivay 12 F1 are the most suitable for growing in protected soil in Dagestan. Economically more efficient is the time of planting seedlings in the substrate in the winter-spring turnover in the suburbs of Makhachkala on January 20, which provides the highest yield and net income per unit area
Capital Gains Overhang with a Dynamic Reference Point
Authors: Riley Christopher , Summers Barbara , Duxbury Darren
Published: February 2020

Financial models incorporating a reference point, such as the Capital Gains Overhang (CGO) model, typically assume it is fixed at the purchase price. Combining experimental and market data, this paper examines whether such models can be improved by incorporating reference-point adjustment. Using real stock prices over horizons from 6 months to 5 years, experimental evidence demonstrates that a number of salient points in the prior share price path are key determinants of the reference point, in addition to the purchase price. Market data testing is then undertaken by using the CGO model. We show that composite CGO variables, created by using a mix of salient points with weights determined in the experiment, have greater predictive power than the traditional CGO variable in both cross-sectional U.S. equity-return analysis and when analyzing the performance of double-sorted portfolios. In addition, future trading volume is more sensitive to changes in the composite CGO variables than to the traditional CGO, further emphasizing the importance of adjusting reference points.

This paper was accepted by Tyler Shumway, Finance.
Management of polyuria in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease after treatment with tolvaptan: an educational approach
Authors: Brioni Elena , Magnaghi Cristiano , Silingardi Marco
Published: February 2020

Tolvaptan is the first drug to be approved for delaying the progression of autosomal dominant polysystic disease in adults with stage 1–3 chronic kidney disease. Its mode of action, however, results in polyuria. An adequate educational programme is required to help individuals maintain adherence to the medication and deal with the side-effects.
Ethical concepts: duty-based theories
Authors: Ellis Peter
Published: February 2020

In previous articles, the theory of consequentialism and its pros and cons have been explored. Consequentialism is focused on the outcomes or consequences of any action undertaken and its ethicality. Here, Peter Ellis starts a discussion of duty-based ethics, where the rightness or wrongness of an action itself is considered.
Ex-situ conservation and management of dipterocarps genetic resources through seedlings collections and nursery establishment
Authors: HENTI HENDALASTUTI RACHMAT  , Fambayun Rizki Ary , KUSUMADEWI SRI YULITA  , ARIDA SUSILOWATI
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Rachmat HH, Fambayun RA, Yulita KS, Susilowati A. 2020. Ex-situ conservation and management of dipterocarps genetic resources through seedlings collections and nursery establishment. Biodiversitas 21: 556-563. Dipterocarpaceae is a pantropical tree family that spread throughout Asia, including Indonesia. Dipterocarps species are highly valued for their timber. However, their existence is threatened due to illegal logging, forest degradation, and land conversion, result in population reduction in their natural habitat. Conservation nursery is one of germplasm conservation concepts that contain a living collection of endangered, commercially valuable, and multi-purpose tree species. Related to this nursery concept, Forest Research and Development Agency (FORDA) collaborated with Komatsu established a KoFCo nursery (Komatsu- FORDA Conservation Nursery). The establishment of this nursery was by field collection of dipterocarps species as targeted species, followed by sowing and acclimatization for seed and wildings, vegetative propagation using the KOFFCO cutting system, and nursing (watering, weeding, fertilizing, and soil change). At present, the KoFCo nursery has ca. 13,000 individuals of nine genera of dipterocarps seedlings originated from fifteen provinces in Indonesia. Of these, 76 species (68%) are categorized as threatened based on the IUCN red-list category and criteria. Hence, more than 60% of these threatened species were conserved and well-managed through KoFCo nursery. Seedlings collection and KoFCo nursery, therefore, play a vital role and support in ex-situ conservation effort and management of dipterocarps genetic resources.
Short Communication: Ethnobotanical study of Lygodium circinnatum and its utilization in crafts weaving in Indonesia
Authors: Rahayu Mulyati , Sri Kuncari Emma , Mahdawia  , Setiawan Marwan
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Rahayu M, Kuncari ES, Mahdawia, Setiawan M. 2020. Short Communication: Ethnobotanical study of Lygodium circinnatum and its utilization in crafts weaving in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 617-621. Lygodium circinnatum (Burm.f.) Swartz, locally known as ketak, is a species of ferns that is currently widely used as raw material for making woven artifacts. In Indonesia, the center of L. circinnatum handicrafts, among others, is the island of Bali, Lombok and the city of Kendari. A variety of products are in great demand, not only by domestic tourists but also by foreign tourists. Cultivation of L. circinnatum has not been undertaken effectively, therefore raw material supply is still from wild populations. This ethnobotanical study conducted to review the traditional use of L. circinnatum and its cultivation efforts. This is essential as the use value of the L. circinnatum is increasing and also to ensure the continued availability of raw materials.
Utilization of plants as dyes and natural color binder in Traditional Pringgasela Woven Fabric, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Authors: Rahayu Mulyati , Kuncari Emma Sri , Rustiami Himmah , Susan Dewi
Published: February 2020

Abstract. Rahayu M, Kuncari ES, Rustiami H, Susan D. 2020. Utilization of plants as dyes and natural color binder in traditional Pringgasela woven fabric, East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 636-641. Since earlier times, dye has an important role in human life, especially related to the ritual practice. Mineral material was first used as natural dyes. In order to inventory the uses of plants as a dye and natural color binder by the local community of Pringgasela, ethnobotany research was done. This research had been done by interviewing the "penyisik" of traditional woven fabric craftsmen and direct observation in the field. The results showed 13 plant species used as a dye and nine species as color binder. Parts of less utilized plants were used. It is hoped that this research can prevent synthetic dyes that have been circulating widely, which has a potential hazard and cause environmental pollution.