bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of tryptophan hydroxylase in the liver of s.c. tumor model of prostate cancer
Authors: Hagiwara Asami , Nakamura Yoshiyasu , Nishimoto Rumi , Ueno Satoko , Miyagi Yohei
Published: January 2020

Enhanced degradation of tryptophan (Trp) and thus decreased plasma Trp levels are common in several types of cancers. Although it is well known that Trp catabolism is induced in the tumor microenvironment by the enzymes expressed in cancer cells, immune cells, or both, few studies have examined systemic Trp catabolism in cancer pathophysiology. The present study aimed to evaluate Trp catabolism in both tumor and peripheral tissues using tumor‐engrafted Copenhagen rats that were s.c. inoculated with AT‐2 rat prostate cancer cells negative for expression of Trp catabolic enzymes. Liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) metabolomics showed significantly decreased plasma Trp levels in AT‐2 engrafted rats, accompanied by increased kynurenine/Trp ratios in spleen and thymus and serotonin levels in liver and thymus. Quantitative PCR and enzymatic activity assays showed indoleamine‐2, 3‐dioxygenase, an inducible enzyme that catalyzes Trp to kynurenine, was increased in tumor tissues, whereas tryptophan‐2,3‐dioxygenase, a major Trp catabolic enzyme that regulates systemic level of Trp, tended to be increased in the liver of AT‐2 engrafted rats. Furthermore, tryptophan hydroxylase‐1 (TPH1), an enzyme that catalyzes the reaction of Trp to serotonin, was significantly increased in liver and spleen of AT‐2 engrafted rats. Further histochemical analysis revealed that the induction of TPH1 in the liver could be attributed to infiltration of mast cells. A similar phenomenon was observed with nonneoplastic liver samples from colorectal cancer patients. These results suggested that Trp catabolism toward serotonin synthesis might be induced in peripheral remote tissues in cancer, which could have a pathophysiological effect on cancer.
Protease‐activated receptor‐2 accelerates intestinal tumor formation through activation of nuclear factor‐κB signaling and tumor angiogenesis in ApcMin/+ mice
Authors: Kawaguchi Makiko , Yamamoto Koji , Kataoka Hiroaki , Izumi Aya , Yamashita Fumiki , Kiwaki Takumi , Nishida Takahiro , Camerer Eric , Fukushima Tsuyoshi
Published: January 2020

Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor‐1 (HAI‐1), encoded by the SPINT1 gene, is a membrane‐bound protease inhibitor expressed on the surface of epithelial cells. Hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor‐1 regulates type II transmembrane serine proteases that activate protease‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2). We previously reported that deletion of Spint1 in ApcMin/+ mice resulted in accelerated formation of intestinal tumors, possibly through enhanced nuclear factor‐κB signaling. In this study, we examined the role of PAR‐2 in accelerating tumor formation in the ApcMin/+ model in the presence or absence of Spint1. We observed that knockout of the F2rl1 gene, encoding PAR‐2, not only eliminated the enhanced formation of intestinal tumors caused by Spint1 deletion, but also reduced tumor formation in the presence of Spint1. Exacerbation of anemia and weight loss associated with HAI‐1 deficiency was also normalized by compound deficiency of PAR‐2. Mechanistically, signaling triggered by deregulated protease activities increased nuclear translocation of RelA/p65, vascular endothelial growth factor expression, and vascular density in ApcMin/+‐induced intestinal tumors. These results suggest that serine proteases promote intestinal carcinogenesis through activation of PAR‐2, and that HAI‐1 plays a critical tumor suppressor role as an inhibitor of matriptase, kallikreins, and other PAR‐2 activating proteases.
Proportions of youth with visual impairments meeting 24‐hr movement guidelines
Authors: Haegele Justin A. , Zhu Xihe , Healy Sean , Patterson Freda
Published: January 2020

Background

Recent movement behaviour guidelines prescribe the optimal time spent in physical activity, screen time, and sleep across a 24‐hr period. The proportion of youth with visual impairments meeting 0, 1, 2, or all 3 of these 24 movement guidelines is unknown. The primary purpose of this observational, cross‐sectional analysis was to examine the proportions of youth with visual impairments in the United States who partially or fully meet the physical activity, screen time, and sleep duration guidelines. A secondary purpose of this analysis was to examine whether demographic variables were associated with the odds of youth with visual impairments meeting these guidelines.

Methods

This study included 561 youth with visual impairments from the 2016 to 2017 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Accounting for the NSCH sampling plan, Complex Samples was used to estimate the prevalence of meeting 24‐hr movement guidelines, and a multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the odds ratio of guidelines met across different demographic factors.

Results

Of the participants in this study, 18.7%, 50.7%, and 73.2% met physical activity, sleep, and screen time guidelines, respectively. Just 5.8% of the sample met all three of the 24‐hr movement guidelines, whereas 10.6% did not meet any of the three guidelines.

Conclusions

The proportion of the sample meeting of all three guidelines was low, thus depriving the majority of this population of the physiological and psychological health benefits of meeting each guideline. Moreover, the study identifies physical inactivity as a key risk factor that requires attention in this population.
Adolescent Identity Development in Japan
Authors: Sugimura Kazumi
Published: January 2020

Adolescence is a critical period of identity development. Since identity development occurs between an individual and the culture, we assume that there are diverse pathways of adolescent identity development across different cultural contexts. However, much of the research on adolescent identity development has been conducted in Western contexts. Research on adolescent identity development in Japan, a non‐Western country characterized as individualistic collectivism in culture and marked by prolonged adolescence in society, provides insight into how aspects of culture and society are crucial to the global study of adolescent identity development. Evidence from Japanese adolescents highlights differences from their Western peers in the developmental process of identity, including its instability and uncertainty, and similarities in the importance of identity to adolescent psychological functioning for both global and cultural indices. Going forward, researchers need to further clarify the interdependence between adolescent identity and the cultural and social context across and within cultures.
An algorithm for diagnosing IgE‐mediated food allergy in study participants who do not undergo food challenge
Authors: Kelleher Maeve M. , Jay Nicola , Perkin Michael R. , Haines Rachel H. , Batt Rebecca , Bradshaw Lucy E. , Montgomery Alan A. , Chalmers Joanne R. , Williams Hywel C. , Boyle Robert J.
Published: January 2020

Background

Food allergy diagnosis in clinical studies can be challenging. Oral food challenges (OFC) are time‐consuming, carry some risk and may, therefore, not be acceptable to all study participants.

Objective

To design and evaluate an algorithm for detecting IgE‐mediated food allergy in clinical study participants who do not undergo OFC.

Methods

An algorithm for trial participants in the Barrier Enhancement for Eczema Prevention (BEEP) study who were unwilling or unable to attend OFC was developed. BEEP is a pragmatic, multi‐centre, randomized‐controlled trial of daily emollient for the first year of life for primary prevention of eczema and food allergy in high‐risk infants (ISRCTN21528841). We built on the European iFAAM consensus guidance to develop a novel food allergy diagnosis algorithm using available information on previous allergenic food ingestion, food reaction(s) and sensitization status. This was implemented by a panel of food allergy experts blind to treatment allocation and OFC outcome. We then evaluated the algorithm's performance in both BEEP and Enquiring About Tolerance (EAT) study participants who did undergo OFC.

Results

In 31/69 (45%) BEEP and 44/55 (80%) EAT study control group participants who had an OFC the panel felt confident enough to categorize children as “probable food allergy” or “probable no food allergy”. Algorithm‐derived panel decisions showed high sensitivity 94% (95%CI 68, 100) BEEP; 90% (95%CI 72, 97) EAT and moderate specificity 67% (95%CI 39, 87) BEEP; 67% (95%CI 39, 87) EAT. Sensitivity and specificity were similar when all BEEP and EAT participants with OFC outcome were included.

Conclusion

We describe a new algorithm with high sensitivity for IgE‐mediated food allergy in clinical study participants who do not undergo OFC.

Clinical Relevance

This may be a useful tool for excluding food allergy in future clinical studies where OFC is not conducted.
Postoperative chemotherapy improves survival in patients with resected high‐risk Stage II colorectal cancer: results of a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Simillis C. , Singh H. K. S. I. , Afxentiou T. , Mills S. , Warren O. J. , Smith J. J. , Riddle P. , Adamina M. , Cunningham D. , Tekkis P. P.
Published: January 2020

Aim

The aim was to assess the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in high‐risk Stage II colorectal cancer.

Method

A systematic literature review and meta‐analysis was performed comparing survival in patients with resected Stage II colorectal cancer and high‐risk features having postoperative chemotherapy vs no chemotherapy.

Results

Of 1031 articles screened, 29 were included, reporting on 183 749 participants. Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) 0.61, P < 0.0001], disease‐specific survival (HR = 0.73, P = 0.05) and disease‐free survival (HR = 0.59, P < 0.0001) compared to no chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy significantly increased 5‐year overall survival (OR = 0.53, P = 0.0008) and 5‐year disease‐free survival (OR = 0.50, P = 0.001). Overall survival and disease‐free survival remained significantly prolonged during subgroup analysis of studies published from 2015 onwards (HR = 0.60, P < 0.0001; HR = 0.65, P = 0.0001; respectively), in patients with two or more high‐risk features (HR = 0.59, P = 0.0001; HR = 0.70, P = 0.03; respectively) and in colon cancer (HR = 0.61, P < 0.0001; HR = 0.51, P = 0.0001; respectively). Overall survival, disease‐specific survival and disease‐free survival during subgroup analysis of individual high‐risk features were T4 tumour (HR = 0.58, P < 0.0001; HR = 0.50, P = 0.003; HR = 0.75, P = 0.05), < 12 lymph nodes harvested (HR = 0.67, P = 0.0002; HR = 0.80, P = 0.17; HR = 0.72, P = 0.02), poor differentiation (HR = 0.84, P = 0.35; HR = 0.85, P = 0.23; HR = 0.61, P = 0.41), lymphovascular or perineural invasion (HR = 0.55, P = 0.05; HR = 0.59, P = 0.11; HR = 0.76, P = 0.05) and emergency surgery (HR = 0.60, P = 0.02; HR = 0.68, P = 0.19).

Conclusion

Adjuvant chemotherapy in high‐risk Stage II colorectal cancer results in a modest survival improvement and should be considered on an individual patient basis. Due to potential heterogeneity and selection bias of the included studies, and lack of separate rectal cancer data, further large randomized trials with predefined inclusion criteria and standardized chemotherapy regimens are required.
The combination of term relations analysis and weighted frequent itemset model for multidocument summarization
Authors: Chaghari Arash , Feizi‐Derakhshi Mohammad‐Reza , Balafar Mohammad‐Ali
Published: January 2020

Nowadays, it is necessary that users have access to information in a concise form without losing any critical information. Document summarization is an automatic process of generating a short form from a document. In itemset‐based document summarization, the weights of all terms are considered the same. In this paper, a new approach is proposed for multidocument summarization based on weighted patterns and term association measures. In the present study, the weights of the terms are not equal in the context and are computed based on weighted frequent itemset mining. Indeed, the proposed method enriches frequent itemset mining by weighting the terms in the corpus. In addition, the relationships among the terms in the corpus have been considered using term association measures. Also, the statistical features such as sentence length and sentence position have been modified and matched to generate a summary based on the greedy method. Based on the results of the DUC 2002 and DUC 2004 datasets obtained by the ROUGE toolkit, the proposed approach can outperform the state‐of‐the‐art approaches significantly.
Postautologous stem cell transplantation engraftment syndrome: Improved treatment and outcomes
Authors: Liu Ziyang , Zhang Shuyao , Horn Biljana , Moreb Jan S.
Published: January 2020

Postautologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) engraftment syndrome (ES) is a well‐known clinical complication; however, many aspects remain largely controversial. In this retrospective study, we reviewed records of 156 ASCTs done over 2 years in our institution. Our results show that 45 (34 multiple myeloma/amyloidosis and 11 lymphoma) of 156 adult patients (29%) were diagnosed with ES. Patients with ES were significantly more likely to have fever, rash, and diarrhea upon engraftment. Risk factors for ES included shorter time from diagnosis to ASCT (P = .029), and lower number of pretransplant treatment regimens (0.012). Post‐ASCT, patients with ES had significantly lower absolute lymphocyte count on first engraftment day (P = .014). Most ES patients received treatment with steroids. Initial dose of prednisone/methylprednisolone was 2 mg/kg (n = 34), 1 mg/kg (n = 7), while four patients received 1000 mg IV with median length of therapy 7.5 days. One ES patient with inadequate steroid therapy died of ES complications, while another developed respiratory failure requiring intubation but had full recovery with steroids treatment. In conclusion, patients with shorter time from diagnosis to ASCT and with less prior therapy are more likely to develop ES. Overall survival of ES patients has improved with greater awareness of the diagnosis and earlier use of steroids.
Associations of perceived information adequacy and knowledge with pursuit of live donor kidney transplants and living donor inquiries among African American transplant candidates
Authors: Cabacungan Ashley N. , Ellis Matthew J. , Sudan Debra , Strigo Tara S. , Pounds Iris , Riley Jennie A. , Falkovic Margaret , Alkon Aviel N. , Peskoe Sarah B. , Davenport Clemontina A. , Pendergast Jane F. , Ephraim Patti L. , Mohottige Dinushika , Diamantidis Clarissa J. , St. Clair Russell Jennifer , DePasquale Nicole , Boulware L. Ebony
Published: January 2020

We studied associations between perceived adequacy of live donor kidney transplant (LDKT) information or knowledge with pursuit of LDKT or receipt of live donor inquiries among 300 African American kidney transplant candidates. Participants reported via questionnaire how informed or knowledgeable they felt regarding LDKT. Participants also reported their pursuit of LDKT, categorized as “low” (no discussion with family or friends about LDKT and no identified donor), “intermediate” (discussed LDKT with family but no identified donor) or “high” (discussed LDKT with family and identified a potential donor). We reviewed participants' electronic health records to identify potential donors' transplant center inquiries on participants' behalves. A minority of participants reported they felt “very” or “extremely” well informed about LDKT (39%) or had “a great deal” of LDKT knowledge (38%). Participants perceiving themselves as “very” or “extremely” (vs “not” or “slightly”) well informed about LDKT had statistically significantly greater odds of intermediate or high (vs low) pursuit of LDKT (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 2.71 [1.02‐7.17]). Perceived LDKT knowledge was not associated with pursuit of LDKT. Neither perceived information adequacy nor knowledge was associated with living donor inquiries. Efforts to better understand the role of education in the pursuit of LDKT among African American transplant candidates are needed.
Eccrine angiokeratomatous hamartoma combined with solitary angiokeratoma or verrucous venous malformation: Report of two cases and comprehensive review of the literature
Authors: Ricci Costantino , Francesca Ambrosi , Dika Emi , Scarfì Federica , Corti Barbara
Published: January 2020

First reported in 2006, eccrine angiokeratomatous hamartoma is a very rare vascular malformation of the skin, with only few described cases. It has a peculiar histopathology with features deriving from the combination of two different vascular malformations of the skin: solitary angiokeratoma and eccrine angiomatous hamartoma. In the past, other authors described similar hamartomatous lesions with features deriving from verrucous venous malformation and eccrine angiomatous hamartoma. We believe that these lesions are clearly overlapping from clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical points of view and the term “eccrine angiokeratomatous hamartoma” should be used to indicate the whole spectrum of these lesions as suggested by Kanitakis et al. Herein we present two cases of this rare vascular hamartoma, with clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical characterization. In addition, for the first time we report a complete and detailed review of the literature to clarify the clinical, epidemiological, and histopathological features of this unique entity.
An unusual case of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma presenting in the skin by direct extension at a laparoscopic port site
Authors: Gradecki Sarah E. , Gru Alejandro A.
Published: January 2020

Although renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known for its propensity to metastasize widely throughout the body, cutaneous metastases are uncommon and seen in less than 3% of RCCs. A 56‐year‐old man presented with a painful red lesion with satellite nodules on his abdomen at a laparoscopic port site from a partial nephrectomy for a pT1a clear‐cell RCC that was performed 28 months prior. The lesion was excised; however, after excision the lesion recurred with continued pain and drainage from the surgical site. This was treated with multiple courses of antibiotics. Because of the persistent nature of the lesion, it was re‐biopsied, and an atypical, keratin‐positive, spindle‐cell proliferation was identified within the dermis. The patient's previous skin excision was reexamined, and the same atypical cells were identified within large areas of necrosis, granulation tissue, and fibrosis. Further workup was performed on the initial excision, and the atypical cells showed expression of CD10, CAIX, PAX8, EMA, and vimentin, consistent with cutaneous involvement by RCC. Because of the rarity of skin metastases in RCC and the location at a previous laparoscopic port site, this lesion is presumed to have resulted from direct extension of tumor at the time of surgery.
Evans, transparency, and Cartesianism
Authors: Zapero David
Published: January 2020

In The Varieties of Reference, Evans makes two parallel claims about thought and perception. He argues that both our capacity to self‐ascribe thought and our capacity to self‐ascribe perception are fallible. The essay focuses on his claim about perception and examines its relation to Evans's project of rejecting a Cartesian conception of the mind. In his theory of perception, I argue, Evans embraces a conception of first‐person authority that he seeks to reject in his account of thought. He is thus not able to extend to perception the critique of Cartesianism that he develops in the context of his analysis of thought. My intent is not exclusively critical. By working through the difficulties that Evans's argument raises, I seek to shed light on whether and, if so, how criticisms of a Cartesian conception of thought may be extended to the philosophy of perception.
Not all Entrepreneurship Is Created Equal: Theorising Entrepreneurial Disadvantage through Social Positionality
Authors: Martinez Dy Angela
Published: January 2020

The phenomenon of entrepreneurship has historically been viewed as an agential and meritocratic activity, wherein actors can creatively mobilise resources to overcome disadvantaged social positions. However, recent literature highlights entrepreneurship's socially embedded, processual nature, suggesting that enduring positions in social hierarchies may be more relevant to opportunity pursuit than previously envisioned. This conceptual paper proposes and builds upon the notions of intersectionality and positionality to more fully theorise disadvantage in entrepreneurial activity. Underpinned by philosophical realism, it makes an ontological argument about the nature of entrepreneurial advantage and disadvantage, offering a reconceptualisation of its relationship to agency and resources. The paper thus illuminates significant structural aspects of entrepreneurship that are currently under‐theorised, and without which the picture of entrepreneurial disadvantage is incomplete.
Prevention of post‐dural puncture headache: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Salzer J. , Granåsen G. , Sundström P. , Vågberg M. , Svenningsson A.
Published: January 2020

Background and purpose

We investigated 952 subjects undergoing diagnostic lumbar puncture (LP) to study the effects of needle size, needle design and stylet reinsertion on the risk of post‐dural puncture headache (PDPH).

Methods

This randomized double‐blind study was performed at Umeå University Hospital in Sweden during 2013–2018. Subjects were randomly assigned one of three needles [22 gauge (G) atraumatic, 25G atraumatic and 25G cutting] and stylet reinsertion before needle withdrawal or not. The main outcome measure was PDPH assessed by standardized telephone interview(s) 5 days after the LP, repeated until headache cessation. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for PDPH.

Results

The mean (SD) age was 51.1 (16.7) years and 53.6% were females. The smaller bore (25G) atraumatic needle incurred a lower risk of headache compared with the larger bore (22G) atraumatic needle [22.0% (69/314) vs. 30.2% (98/324); OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45–0.93] and compared with the cutting needle [32.8% (103/314); OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.40–0.82]. Reinserting the stylet before needle withdrawal did not reduce the risk of headache.

Conclusions

These data suggest that a 25G atraumatic needle is superior to a larger atraumatic needle, and to a same‐sized cutting needle, in preventing PDPH after diagnostic LP. In contrast to one earlier report, this study did not find that stylet reinsertion was effective in preventing PDPH. This study provides class I evidence that a small atraumatic needle decreases the risk of PDPH and that stylet reinsertion does not influence PDPH risk.
An outranking method for multicriteria decision making with probabilistic hesitant information
Authors: Li Jian , Chen Qiongxia
Published: January 2020

Defects of hesitant fuzzy set (HFS) manifest in actual decision‐making process, so adding probabilities to the values in HFS is necessary. The probabilistic HFS (PHFS) is a useful tool to describe the uncertainty of elements in HFS by introducing occurrence probabilities. However, some important issues in PHFS utilization remain to be addressed. In this study, an outranking method for multicriteria decision making (MCDM) with probabilistic hesitant information is presented. First, the binary relations between two probabilistic hesitant fuzzy elements (PHFEs) are defined on the basis of the elimination and choice translating reality method. Some outranking relations between the alternatives are then introduced. Second, we provide a Hausdorff distance between two PHFEs. The main characteristic of the proposed Hausdorff distance is that it does not require the same length and arrangement of the PHFEs. Third, a maximizing Hausdorff distance deviation method is developed to obtain the evaluation criteria weights under a probabilistic hesitant fuzzy environment. Finally, an illustrative example in conjunction with comparative analysis is used to demonstrate that the proposed method is feasible for practical MCDM problems.
Does browning‐induced light limitation reduce fish body growth through shifts in prey composition or reduced foraging rates?
Authors: van Dorst Renee M. , Gårdmark Anna , Svanbäck Richard , Huss Magnus
Published: January 2020

Browning of waters, coupled to climate change and land use changes, can strongly affect aquatic ecosystems. Browning‐induced light limitation may have negative effects on aquatic consumers via shifts in resource composition and availability and by negatively affecting foraging of consumers relying on vision. However, the extent to which light limitation caused by browning affects fish via either of these two pathways is largely unknown.

Here we specifically test if fish growth responses to browning in a pelagic food web are best explained by changes in resource availability and composition due to light limitation, or by reduced foraging rates due to decreased visual conditions.

To address this question, we set up a mesocosm experiment to study growth responses of two different fish species to browning and conducted an aquaria experiment to study species‐specific fish foraging responses to browning. Furthermore, we used a space‐for‐time approach to analyse fish body length‐at‐age across >40 lakes with a large gradient in lake water colour to validate experimental findings on species‐specific fish growth responses.

With browning, we found an increase in chlorophyll a concentrations, shifts in zooplankton community composition, and a decrease in perch (Perca fluviatilis) but not roach (Rutilus rutilus) body growth. We conclude that fish growth responses are most likely to be linked to the observed shift in prey (zooplankton) composition. In contrast, we found limited evidence for reduced perch, but not roach, foraging rates in response to browning. This suggests that light limitation led to lower body growth of perch in brown waters mainly through shifts in resource composition and availability, perhaps in combination with decreased visibility. Finally, with the lake study we confirmed that perch but not roach body growth and length‐at‐age are negatively affected by brown waters in the wild.

In conclusion, using a combination of experimental and observational data, we show that browning of lakes is likely to (continue to) result in reductions in fish body growth of perch, but not roach, as a consequence of shifts in prey availability and composition, and perhaps reduced foraging.
Comparing temperature sensitivity of bacterial growth in Antarctic marine water and soil
Authors: van Gestel Natasja C. , Ducklow Hugh W. , Bååth Erland
Published: January 2020

The western Antarctic Peninsula is an extreme low temperature environment that is warming rapidly due to global change. Little is known, however, on the temperature sensitivity of growth of microbial communities in Antarctic soils and in the surrounding oceanic waters. This is the first study that directly compares temperature adaptation of adjacent marine and terrestrial bacteria in a polar environment. The bacterial communities in the ocean were adapted to lower temperatures than those from nearby soil, with cardinal temperatures for growth in the ocean being the lowest so far reported for microbial communities. This was reflected in lower minimum (Tmin) and optimum temperatures (Topt) for growth in water (−17 and +20°C, respectively) than in soil (−11 and +27°C), with lower sensitivity to changes in temperature (Q10; 0–10°C interval) in Antarctic water (2.7) than in soil (3.9). This is likely due to the more stable low temperature conditions of Antarctic waters than soils, and the fact that maximum in situ temperatures in water are lower than in soils, at least in summer. Importantly, the thermally stable environment of Antarctic marine water makes it feasible to create a single temperature response curve for bacterial communities. This would thus allow for calculations of temperature‐corrected growth rates, and thereby quantifying the influence of factors other than temperature on observed growth rates, as well as predicting the effects of future temperature increases on Antarctic marine bacteria.
Restoration of riparian forest corridors: eight years monitoring the diversity of soil ants in an Andean rural landscape
Authors: Jiménez‐Carmona Elisabeth , Herrera‐Rangel Janine , Renjifo Luis Miguel , Armbrecht Inge
Published: January 2020

Ecological restoration of riparian forest corridors at the landscape scale can facilitate recruitment of certain flora and fauna, thus possibly helping to maintain viable wildlife populations.

We evaluated ecological restoration of three corridors between two protected Andean forests. Soil ants and eight environmental variables focused on edaphic conditions were monitored for 8 years following restoration activity. Soil ants were collected in pitfall traps and by leaf litter extraction on 21 plots classified into five types of habitat: large forest patches, riparian forests, two types of restoration corridors on former timber and pasture land (R‐Forestry and R‐Pasture, respectively), and Pasture.

A total of 132 ant species belonging to 40 genera were found. Among these, 112 species were found in Forests, 105 in Riparian, 80 in R‐Forestry, 79 in R‐Pasture and 63 in Pasture. Composition analyses (canonical correspondence analysis and NMDS) showed that the ant community in restoration corridors and pastures is far from resembling that of the forests. Yet, there is biological progress with respect to the Pasture.

Gnamptogenys bisulca and Pheidole pygmaea were indicator species for advanced restoration progress because of their close association to forests, while Linepithema piliferum indicated a reversal of restoration progress due to its preference for open habitats.

Since both ant richness and composition in restored areas do not yet resemble the reference forest ecosystem, we suggest that other interventions such as restoring wider corridors and changing to wild‐friendly agriculture around the reserves might improve restoration efforts in Andean landscapes.
The density of infiltrating T cells and macrophages in the parental tumour correlates with growth rate of tumoroids established from colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Mousavi Nabi , Jespersen Anna Josefine Bang , Jorgensen Lars Nannestad , Timmermans Vera , Heegaard Steffen
Published: January 2020

The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between the density of infiltrating T cells and macrophages in the parental colorectal cancer (CRC) and the growth rate of tumoroids (i.e. a patient‐derived in vitro 3D model). Tumoroids were established from fresh specimens of primary and metastatic CRC from 29 patients. The in vitro growth rate of tumoroids was monitored by automated imaging. The density of infiltrating T cells and macrophages was determined in the centre of the tumour (CT) and at the invasive margin (IM) of the parental tumours. This was performed by digital image analysis on the whole‐slide scanned images using Visiopharm® software. Tumoroids with higher density of infiltrating CD3+ lymphocytes in the IM of their parental tumour showed a higher growth rate (P < .0005). The average relative growth rate (log10) during the period from day 1 to day 11 was 0.364 ± 0.006 (mean ± SD) for the CD3+ (IM)‐high group and 0.273 ± 0.008 (mean ± SD) for the CD3+ (IM)‐low group. In contrast, the density of CD68+ infiltrating macrophages in the parental tumours showed significant inverse effect on the growth rate of the tumoroids (P < .0005). The present study showed that the density of immune cells in the parental CRC correlates with the growth rate of the tumoroids. The future perspective for such a 3D model could be in vitro investigations of the tumour‐associated inflammatory microenvironment as well as personalized cancer immunotherapy.
Progress in modeling of glass properties using topological constraint theory
Authors: Zheng Qiuju , Zeng Huidan
Published: January 2020

Prediction of glass properties as a function of composition has been a long‐standing problem. Topological constraint theory has built the quantitative relationships between composition and macroscopic properties, which can be used to predict compositional dependence of glass properties. In this review, we will summarize the recent important progress for the development of the theory. The topological model for glass transition temperature has been proposed from temperature‐dependent constraint theory. We will also discuss the effect of water on topological constraint, how to account for mixed alkali effect and mixed alkaline earth effect, and the application of the model to new glass family besides inorganic glasses. Topological models for hardness and thermal expansion have also been developed. Topological models for predicting elasticity have been recently proposed. We also show some example on the application of the theory in designing new glasses and we suggest some future directions of the theory.
Functional diversification of three delta‐class glutathione S‐transferases involved in development and detoxification inTribolium castaneum
Authors: Song X. , Pei L. , Zhang Y. , Chen X. , Zhong Q. , Ji Y. , Tang J. , Feng F. , Li B.
Published: January 2020

Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are members of a multifunctional enzyme superfamily. Forty‐one GSTs have been identified inTribolium castaneum; however, none of the 41 GSTs has been functionally characterized. Here, three delta‐class GSTs,TcGSTd1,TcGSTd2andTcGSTd3, ofT. castaneumwere successfully cloned and expressed inEscherichia coli. All of the studied GSTs catalysed the conjugation of reduced glutathione with 1‐chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene. Insecticide treatment showed that the expression levels ofTcGSTd3andTcGSTd2were significantly increased after exposure to phoxim and lambda‐cyhalothrin, whereasTcGSTd1was slightly upregulated only in response to phoxim. A disc diffusion assay showed that overexpression of TcGSTD3, but not TcGSTD1 or TcGSTD2, inE. coliincreased resistance to paraquat‐induced oxidative stress. RNA interference knockdown ofTcGSTd1caused metamorphosis deficiencies and reduced fecundity by regulating insulin/target‐of‐rapamycin signalling pathway‐mediated ecdysteroid biosynthesis, and knockdown ofTcGSTd3led to reduced fertility and a decreased hatch rate of the offspring, probably caused by the reduced antioxidative activity in the reproductive organs. These results indicate thatTcGSTd3andTcGSTd2may play vital roles in cellular detoxification, whereasTcGSTd1may play essential roles in normal development ofT. castaneum. These delta‐class GSTs inT. castaneumhave obtained different functions during the evolution.
Membrane association of a model CD4+ T‐cell vaccine antigen confers enhanced yet incomplete protection against murid herpesvirus‐4 infection
Authors: Yunis Joseph , Redwood Alec J , Belz Gabrielle T , Stevenson Philip G
Published: January 2020

Vaccination against γ‐herpesviruses has proved difficult. CD4+ T cells are essential to contain infection, but how best to prime them and whether this can reduce viral loads remain unclear. To address these questions, we used ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen, delivering it with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) to protect mice against OVA‐expressing murine herpesvirus‐4 (MuHV‐4). Membrane‐associated OVA (mOVA) was more effective than soluble OVA, both to prime CD4+ T cells and as an effector target. It was also a better target than an OVA epitope limited to infected cells, suggesting that protective CD4+ T cells recognize infected cell debris rather than infected cells themselves. While MCMV‐mOVA protected acutely against MuHV‐4‐mOVA, long‐term protection was incomplete, even when OVA‐specific CD8+ T cells and B cells were also primed. Thus, even optimized single‐target vaccines may poorly reduce long‐term γ‐herpesvirus infections.
The Impact of Sickness Absenteeism on Firm Productivity: New Evidence from Belgian Matched Employer–Employee Panel Data
Authors: Grinza Elena , Rycx François
Published: January 2020

Using rich longitudinal matched employer–employee data for Belgium, we provide a first investigation of the impact of sickness absenteeism on firms’ productivity. To do so, we estimate a production function augmented with a firm‐level measure of sickness absenteeism that we constructed from worker‐level information on nonworked hours due to illness or injury. We deal with the endogeneity of inputs and sickness absenteeism by applying a modified version of the semiparametric control function method developed by Ackerberg, Caves, and Fraser (2015), which explicitly takes firm fixed unobserved heterogeneity into account. Our main finding is that, in general, sickness absenteeism substantially dampens firms’ productivity. However, further analyses show that the impact varies according to several workforce and firm characteristics. Sickness absenteeism is more detrimental to firm productivity when absent workers are high tenure or blue collar. Moreover, it is especially harmful to industrial, capital‐intensive, and small enterprises. These findings are consistent with the idea that sickness absenteeism is more problematic when absent workers have in‐depth firm‐/task‐specific knowledge, when the employees’ work is highly interconnected (e.g., along the assembly line), and when firms face more organizational limitations in substituting absent workers.
How to choose online sales formats for competitive e‐tailers
Authors: Wei Jie , Lu Jinghui , Wang Yue
Published: January 2020

Currently, many e‐tailers can sell manufacturers' products on their online platforms through reselling or agency selling formats. However, how to choose the optimal online sales formats has puzzled competitive e‐tailers with different channel roles. This paper uses stylized theoretical models to study this problem by considering the combined effects of e‐tailers' channel roles, each e‐tailer's referral fees, and the difference in e‐tailers' market shares. Our results show that if two e‐tailers sell the common manufacturer's products on their online platforms, no matter what sales format one e‐tailer adopts, the other e‐tailer's best choice depends on the two e‐tailers' referral fees and the difference in the two e‐tailers' market shares, whereas the manufacturer's best action is always to let the other e‐tailer adopt agency selling format regardless of the two e‐tailers' referral fees and channel roles and the difference in the two e‐tailers' market shares. Moreover, if two e‐tailers sell the common manufacturer's products on their online platforms, it is most profitable for the manufacturer when both e‐tailers adopt agency selling format and charge equal referral fees to the manufacturer, and the same is true for the whole supply chain, which is independent of the two e‐tailers' channel roles and the difference in the two e‐tailers' market shares.
Influence of water activity on hydration of tricalcium aluminate‐calcium sulfate systems
Authors: Lapeyre Jonathan , Ma Hongyan , Okoronkwo Monday , Sant Gaurav , Kumar Aditya
Published: January 2020

The hydration of tricalcium silicate (C3S)—the major phase in cement—is effectively arrested when the activity of water (aH) decreases below the critical value of 0.70. While it is implicitly understood that the reduction in aH suppresses the hydration of tricalcium aluminate (C3A: the most reactive phase in cement), the dependence of kinetics of C3A hydration on aH and the critical aH at which hydration of C3A is arrested are not known. This study employs isothermal microcalorimetry and complementary material characterization techniques to elucidate the influence of aH on the hydration of C3A in [C3A + calcium sulfate (C$) + water] pastes. Reductions in water activity are achieved by partially replacing the water in the pastes with isopropanol. The results show that with decreasing aH, the kinetics of all reactions associated with C3A (eg, with C$, resulting in ettringite formation; and with ettringite, resulting in monosulfoaluminate formation) are proportionately suppressed. When aH ≤0.45, the hydration of C3A and the precipitation of all resultant hydrates are arrested; even in liquid saturated systems. In addition to—and separate from—the experiments, a thermodynamic analysis also indicates that the hydration of C3A does not commence or advance when aH ≤0.45. On the basis of this critical aH, the solubility product of C3A (KC3A) was estimated as 10−20.65. The outcomes of this work articulate the dependency of C3A hydration and its kinetics on water activity, and establish—for the first time—significant thermodynamic parameters (ie, critical aH and KC3A) that are prerequisites for numerical modeling of C3A hydration.
A survey of telephone nurses’ experiences in their encounters with frequent callers
Authors: Skogevall Sofia , Holmström Inger K. , Kaminsky Elenor , Håkansson Eklund Jakob
Published: January 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to describe telephone nurses’ experiences of their encounters with frequent callers to Swedish Healthcare Direct.

Design

A descriptive inductive design with qualitative approach.

Methods

Data collection was performed during the period of September 2017 – June 2018. A total of 199 telephone nurses working at 10 Swedish Healthcare Direct sites with different geographical locations in Sweden answered a survey containing seven open‐ended questions. Data analysis was performed during the period of September 2018 – June 2019. The answers were analysed using content analysis.

Results

The telephone nurses perceived that the encounters with frequent callers were sometimes frustrating as they felt unable to help. According to the telephone nurses, the frequent callers called about the same issues several times and the calls were often about loneliness and psychiatric problems. The telephone nurses were worried about missing something urgent; one of the aspects leading to this was the perception of knowing the caller. They expressed a wish to know more about frequent callers and strategies for helping them. A common care plan for frequent callers’ calls was suggested.

Conclusion

Telephone nurses often found it difficult to handle calls from frequent callers. However, they had a will to care for frequent callers and to learn more about them. Therefore, a common strategy, education and training for telephone nurses in answering calls from frequent callers could be beneficial for both callers and telephone nurses.

Impact statement

This study offers insights to researchers, telephone nurses and managers of telephone nursing, regarding telephone nurses’ experiences in handling frequent caller calls. These findings can offer direction for the content of a possible intervention.
Phylogenetic diversity and environment form assembly rules for Arctic diatom genera—A study on recent and ancient sedimentary DNA
Authors: Stoof‐Leichsenring Kathleen R. , Pestryakova Luidmila A. , Epp Laura S. , Herzschuh Ulrike
Published: January 2020

Aim

This study investigates taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity in diatom genera to evaluate assembly rules for eukaryotic microbes across the Siberian tree line. We first analysed how phylogenetic distance relates to taxonomic richness and turnover. Second, we used relatedness indices to evaluate if environmental filtering or competition influences the assemblies in space and through time. Third, we used distance‐based ordination to test which environmental variables shape diatom turnover.

Location

Yakutia and Taymyria, Russia: we sampled 78 surface sediments and a sediment core, extending to 7,000 years before present, to capture the forest–tundra transition in space and time respectively.

Taxon

Arctic freshwater diatoms.

Methods

We applied metabarcoding to retrieve diatom diversity from surface and core sedimentary DNA. The taxonomic assignment binned sequence types (lineages) into genera and created taxonomic (abundance of lineages within different genera) and phylogenetic datasets (phylogenetic distances of lineages within different genera).

Results

Contrary to our expectations, we find a unimodal relationship between phylogenetic distance and richness in diatom genera. We discern a positive relationship between phylogenetic distance and taxonomic turnover in spatially and temporally distributed diatom genera. Furthermore, we reveal positive relatedness indices in diatom genera across the spatial environmental gradient and predominantly in time slices at a single location, with very few exceptions assuming effects of competition. Distance‐based ordination of taxonomic and phylogenetic turnover indicates that lake environment variables, like HCO3− and water depth, largely explain diatom turnover.

Main conclusion

Phylogenetic and abiotic assembly rules are important in understanding the regional assembly of diatom genera across lakes in the Siberian tree line ecotone. Using a space—time approach we are able to exclude the influence of geography and elucidate that lake environmental variables primarily shape the assemblies. We conclude that some diatom genera have greater capabilities to adapt to environmental changes, whereas others will be putatively replaced or lost due to the displacement of the Arctic tundra biome under recent global warming.
Programmed ventricular stimulation in patients with active vs previous arrhythmic myocarditis
Authors: Peretto Giovanni , Sala Simone , Basso Cristina , Della Bella Paolo
Published: January 2020

Introduction

No studies so far addressed the role of invasive programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) in myocarditis patient's arrhythmic risk stratification.

Methods and Results

We present a single‐center prospective study on 96 consecutive adult patients (44 ± 13 years, 70.1% males) with myocarditis and ventricular arrhythmias (VA) at index hospitalization. Depending on baseline endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) and cardiac magnetic resonance, patients were divided into two groups: active (A) vs nonactive (NA) myocarditis. All of the patients underwent PVS at index hospitalization. Medical treatment and implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implantation were clinically‐driven. Malignant VA episodes (MVA = ventricular tachycardias [VT], ventricular fibrillation [VF], appropriate ICD therapy) were evaluated at 54 ± 18 months follow‐up (FU). Patients who underwent VT ablation or with myocarditis recurrence (n = 9) were excluded. Of 87 patients, 41 (47.2%) were in group A. PVS was positive in 32 cases (36.8%), 16 A vs 16 NA (P = NS), with no associations with VA type at presentation. Before discharge, 55 patients (63.2%) underwent ICD implant. In FU, MVA occurred in 27 patients (31.0%), 13 A vs 14 NA (P = NS), 18 PVS+ vs 9 PVS‐ (P < .001). The association between PVS result and FU MVA was maximal in group NA (high rule‐out performance with negative predictive value = 90.0%, P < .001) and minimal in group A (low rule‐in performance with PPV = 43.8%, P = .302). In the whole population, three independent factors for major VA were identified: major arrhythmic onset by sustained VT or VF (HR 2.8, 95% CI, 1.0‐7.4, P = .042), presence of fibrosis at EMB (HR 5.8, 95% CI, 1.1‐30.0, P = .038), and PVS positivity (HR 4.2, 95% CI, 1.7‐10.7, P = .003).

Conclusion

In myocarditis patients presenting with VA, PVS is associated with FU MVA in NA patients, but not in A ones. Overall, risk stratification of arrhythmic myocardits is still complex and multifactorial.
Methylisothiazolinone: the new star of contact dermato‐allergology
Authors: Lachapelle J.‐M.
Published: January 2020

Linked article: W. Uter et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.15875.