bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditional loss of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase alleviates acute obstructive cholestatic liver injury by regulating hepatic bile acid metabolism
Authors: Jia Wen‐Jun , Tang Qiao‐Li , Jiang Shan , Sun Shi‐Quan , Xue Bin , Qiu Yu‐Dong , Li Chao‐Jun , Mao Liang
Published: January 2020

Previous studies have suggested that metabolites in the mevalonate pathway are involved in hepatic bile acid metabolism, yet the details of this relationship remain unknown. In this study, we found that the hepatic farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) level and the ratio of FPP to geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) were increased in mice with acute obstructive cholestasis compared with mice that underwent a sham operation. In addition, the livers of the mice with acute obstructive cholestasis showed lower expression of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS), which synthesizes GGPP from FPP. When Ggps1 was conditionally deleted in the liver, amelioration of liver injury, as shown by downregulation of the hepatic inflammatory response and decreased hepatocellular apoptosis, was found after ligation of the common bile duct and cholecystectomy (BDLC). Subsequently, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis showed that knocking out Ggps1 decreased the levels of hepatic bile acids, including hydrophobic bile acids. Mechanistically, the disruption of Ggps1 increased the levels of hepatic FPP and its metabolite farnesol, thereby resulting in farnesoid X receptor (FXR) activation, which modulated hepatic bile acid metabolism and reduced hepatic bile acids. It was consistently indicated that digeranyl bisphosphonate, a specific inhibitor of GGPPS, and GW4064, an agonist of FXR, could also alleviate acute obstructive cholestatic liver injury in vivo. In general, GGPPS is critical for modulating acute obstructive cholestatic liver injury, and the inhibition of GGPPS ameliorates acute obstructive cholestatic liver injury by decreasing hepatic bile acids, which is possibly achieved through the activation of FXR‐induced bile acid metabolism.
Climatic suitability mapping and driving factors detection for whole crop maize and sorghum–sudangrass hybrid production in the south area of the Korean Peninsula and Jeju Island
Authors: Peng Jinglun , Kim Moonju , Kim Kyungdae , Sung Kyungil
Published: January 2020

The climatic suitability and driving climatic factors of forage crops are considered fluctuant, and their measurements are important for the production of high‐quality forage under the context of global climate change. Meanwhile, need for improving the domestic supply of high‐quality forage sources is increasing in the related parties of forage and livestock production in Korea. Therefore, this study analyzed the climatic suitability conditions of whole crop maize (Zea mays L.) and sorghum–sudangrass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense) in the south area of the Korean Peninsula and Jeju Island. Furtherly, the driving climatic factors on the two summer forage crops were detected through stepwise regression analysis based on historical field experiments and climatic data. The results showed that the climatic conditions in almost all the areas of the south area of the Korean Peninsula and Jeju Island are suitable or moderately suitable for the cultivation of the two forage crops except some mountainous areas. However, since the precipitation in this region is concentrated in the growth period of the two forage crops, the accumulated precipitation was detected stressful on their yields.
Effect of Premna microphylla turcz leaves’ extract addition on physicochemical and antioxidant properties of packed tofu by lactic fermentation
Authors: Huang Zhihai , Xing Guangliang , Tu Chuanhai , Rui Xin , Dong Mingsheng
Published: January 2020

In the present study, Premna microphylla turcz leaves (PMTLs) containing rich pectin and isoflavones were introduced to prepare packed tofu coagulated by lactic fermentation, in order to promote its physicochemical and functional properties. Results showed that the final storage (G′) moduli of packed tofu added with PMTL extracts range from 195.2 ± 5.6 Pa to 420.6 ± 10.3 Pa, which were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control (PMTL‐free, 99.5 ± 8.3 Pa). The hardness, gumminess and chewiness of packed tofu added with 0.8% (w/w) PMTL extracts were 1.43–1.49 times higher than the control without decreasing its water‐holding capacity and exhibited the highest scores of overall acceptability, which was recommended as the most acceptable concentration. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of 0.8%‐PMTL supplementation in packed tofu were 1.20 and 1.65 times higher than the control and showed enhanced antioxidant properties in DPPH radical‐scavenging capacity, FRAP and RP.
Effect of polyphenol from apple peel extract on the survival of probiotics in yoghurt ice cream
Authors: Ahmad Ishtiaque , Khalique Anjum , Junaid Muhammad , Shahid Muhammad Qamar , Imran Muhammad , Rashid Abdul Ahid
Published: January 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of apple peel polyphenol extract (APPE) on the microbiological and physicochemical properties of yoghurt ice cream stored at −20 °C for 90 days. Five level of APPE were added in yoghurt ice cream as: CTL (control without APPE); AE1 (1% APPE); AE2 (2% APPE); AE3 (3% APPE); AE4 (4% APPE); and AE5 (5% APPE). Samples with APPE had viable counts of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis of ≥8 log cfu g−1 and >7 log cfu g−1, respectively, during 90 days storage except the control sample. The highest viability of probiotics was obtained in the sample fortified with 5% APPE. The presence of APPE increased the acidity, decreased the melting rate and enhanced the overrun. Compared with the control sample, the hardness of the experimental samples increased with the fortification of APPE. The addition of APPE significantly increased sensory attributes.
Effect of debittering and solid‐state fermentation processes on the nutritional content of lupine (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet)
Authors: Villacrés Elena , Quelal María Belén , Jácome Xiomara , Cueva Gabriela , Rosell Cristina M.
Published: January 2020

There is a growing interest in vegetable‐based sources of proteins. Despite its high nutrient content, lupine has been rarely exploited as a protein source due to the presence of high levels of non‐nutritive compounds such as alkaloids, which impart a bitter taste. Here, we evaluated the effect of debittering and solid‐state fermentation on the nutritional contents of three lupine varieties (Lupinus mutabilis Sweet). These processes induced significant changes (P < 0.05) in the nutritional composition of the three lupine varieties (INIAP‐450, INIAP‐451 and Criollo) and increased the protein levels to 644.55 g kg−1 (Criollo variety) and the levels of several constituent amino acids such as valine (54.62 g kg−1), methionine (42.47 g kg−1), isoleucine (59.27 g kg−1) and leucine (76.32 g kg−1). The ether extract of INIAP‐450 showed increased levels (up to 244.03 g kg−1); especially, monounsaturated fatty acids (559.78 g kg−1) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (293.17 g kg−1) were observed. The omega‐6/omega‐3 ratio in the debittered grain oil reached the minimum requirement established for good‐quality oils (5/1). However, the levels of other components decreased, showing levels up to 13.04 g kg−1 (total starch) in the Criollo variety, 22.62 g kg−1 (resistant starch) in INIAP‐450, 6.53 g kg−1 (potassium) in INIAP‐451, 46 g kg−1 (iron) in INIAP‐451 and 29.75 g kg−1 (zinc) in INIAP‐450.
Food as an eye‐catcher. An eye‐tracking study on Children's attention to healthy and unhealthy food presentations as well as non‐edible objects in audiovisual media
Authors: Naderer Brigitte , Binder Alice , Matthes Jörg , Spielvogel Ines , Forrai Michaela
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Food presentations within media content are often made responsible for todays' obesity epidemic. This assessment is based on the assumption that food presentations create cue reactivity, which in turn affects the amount of food intake.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates children's implicit reactions (cue reactivity) toward healthy, unhealthy, and non‐ediblel objects.

METHODS

We conducted an experimental eye‐tracking study comparing children's cue reactivity assessed with visual attention toward healthy and unhealthy food presentations, as well as non‐edible objects. We controlled for the role of children's hunger, body mass index (BMI), and age.

RESULTS

Results indicated no difference between healthy and unhealthy food presentations, yet food generally aroused more visual attention in children compared to non‐edible objects. Explicit memory for the embedded foods or objects was mediated through visual attention. However, unhealthy food presentations also directly affected children's explicit memory.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to non‐edible objects, food presentations seem to be eye‐catchers that immediately grab children's attention and they are also able to maintain this attention. Yet, for unhealthy food presentations, memory seems to be less dependent on visual attention. That is, compared to healthy products or non‐edible objects, unhealthy food presentations do not require the same amount of visual attention in order to be remembered.
Staphylococcal enterotoxin U promotes proinflammatory activity of macrophage via up‐regulation of allograft inflammatory factor 1 expression
Authors: Zhao Yanying , Tang Junni , Tang Cheng
Published: January 2020

Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) are a wide array of virulence factors produced by Staphylococcus aureus with potent super‐antigenic activity and they were reported to be associated with sepsis‐related infections, pneumonia, food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome, and autoimmune diseases. Macrophages play important roles in innate immune responses against bacterial infections. Thus, the present study was conducted to explore the effect of SEU on macrophage activation. Seu gene was cloned from clinical Staphylococcus aureus strain related to food poisoning; then SEU protein was purified by Ni2+ column affinity chromatography. Thereafter, macrophage proliferation was analyzed with a Cell Counting Kit‐8 and inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 6 (IL6) secretion was assayed with the corresponding ELISA detection kit. Furthermore, western blot was used to assay inflammation‐associated protein allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF‐1) expression, then the expression of AIF‐1 was interfered by RNAi and the effect of SEU on macrophage proliferation and TNF‐α, IL6 secretion was assessed again. The obtained deoxynucleotide sequence of seu gene (GenBank accession No. MH737695) shared 98.5% similarity with previously identified seu from S. aureus 383F (GenBank accession No. AY205307). SEU protein‐enhanced macrophage proliferation and inflammatory cytokine TNFα, IL6 secretion. Furthermore, it upregulated AIF‐1 expression, thereafter the expression of AIF‐1 was interfered by RNAi and the interference abolished the increase of cell proliferation and inflammatory cytokine TNFα, IL6 secretion induced by SEU. Current results demonstrated that SEU promoted the proinflammatory activity of macrophage via upregulation of AIF‐1expression.
A Survey of Midwives’ Attitudes Toward Men in Midwifery
Authors: Bly KC , Ellis Simon Adriane , Ritter Rachel J. , Kantrowitz‐Gordon Ira
Published: January 2020

Introduction

The midwifery profession in the United States demonstrates a significant lack of diversity. The critical need to address the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the midwifery workforce is well recognized; little attention, however, has been given to gender diversity. This study focused on gender diversity within midwifery, specifically with regard to men who are midwives. Nearly 99% of midwives in the United States are women. No research has previously explored the attitudes of the predominantly female midwifery workforce toward its male members.

Methods

An invitation to an internet survey was sent to the American College of Nurse‐Midwives (ACNM) membership. Quantitative and open‐ended questions assessed attitudes toward and experiences with male midwives, whether members thought men belong in the profession, whether gender impacts quality of care, if ACNM should facilitate gender diversification, and whether exposure to male midwives impacts attitudes toward gender diversification. Data analysis of qualitative responses used a qualitative description methodology to identify common themes.

Results

Six thousand, nine hundred sixty‐five surveys were distributed, and 864 participants completed the survey. Respondents reported beliefs that men belong in midwifery (71.4%), that gender does not affect quality of care (74%), and that ACNM should support gender diversity (72%). Respondents’ perspectives revealed 3 dichotomous themes pertaining to the core nature of midwifery and how men fit within the profession: 1) inclusion versus exclusion, 2) empowerment versus protection, and 3) sharing with versus taking from. Often, the same respondent expressed both aspects of the dichotomy simultaneously.

Discussion

This study contributes new information about midwives’ attitudes and beliefs toward gender diversity in midwifery in the United States. The values of professionalism, tradition, feminism, protection, and diversification inform participant responses. Findings support efforts toward gender diversification and have implications for implementation in education and practice.
Cerebrospinal fluid proteomic profiling in nusinersen‐treated patients with spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Kessler Tobias , Latzer Pauline , Schmid Dominic , Warnken Uwe , Saffari Afshin , Ziegler Andreas , Kollmer Jennifer , Möhlenbruch Markus , Ulfert Christian , Herweh Christian , Wildemann Brigitte , Wick Wolfgang , Weiler Markus
Published: January 2020

Promising results from recent clinical trials on the approved antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen in pediatric patients with 5q‐linked spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) still have to be confirmed in adult patients but are hindered by a lack of sensitive biomarkers that indicate an early therapeutic response. Changes in the overall neurochemical composition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) under therapy may yield additive diagnostic and predictive information. With this prospective proof‐of‐concept and feasibility study, we evaluated non‐targeted CSF proteomic profiles by mass spectrometry along with basic CSF parameters of 10 adult patients with SMA types 2 or 3 before and after 10 months of nusinersen therapy, in comparison with 10 age‐ and gender‐matched controls. These data were analyzed by bioinformatics and correlated with clinical outcomes assessed by the Hammersmith Functional Rating Scale Expanded (HFMSE). CSF proteomic profiles of SMA patients differed from controls. Two groups of SMA patients were identified based on unsupervised clustering. These groups differed in age and expression of proteins related to neurodegeneration and neuroregeneration. Intraindividual CSF differences in response to nusinersen treatment varied between patients who clinically improved and those who did not. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD016757. Comparative CSF proteomic analysis in adult SMA patients before and after treatment with nusinersen‐identified subgroups and treatment‐related changes and may therefore be suitable for diagnostic and predictive analyses.

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Nurse and patient satisfaction with intentional rounding in a rural Australian setting
Authors: East Leah , Targett Dianne , Yeates Hamish , Ryan Elizabeth , Quiddington Louisa , Woods Cindy
Published: January 2020

Aims and objectives

To compare nurse and patient satisfaction with intentional rounding in a rural Australian hospital setting and examine which aspects of care predict satisfaction.

Background

Intentional rounding is a systematic process used by healthcare professionals to anticipate and address the fundamental needs of hospitalised patients. Despite a wealth of literature about nurse and patient satisfaction with intentional rounding, no studies have compared nurse and patient satisfaction, and little is known about intentional rounding in a rural setting.

Design

A cross‐sectional study was undertaken with nursing staff and patients at a rural hospital and reported in accordance with STROBE guidelines.

Methods

Nurses (n = 63) and patients (n = 66) were invited to complete the Patient Satisfaction Survey between April and June 2018. Nurse and patient responses were compared and predictors of nurse and patient satisfaction with intentional rounding care were determined using generalised estimating equation models.

Results

Both nurses and patients positively rated satisfaction with all aspects of nursing care provided and received through intentional rounding. Nurses' satisfaction with care provided to patients through intentional rounding was predicted by interest in patients' feelings about their care. Patient satisfaction with the care they received whilst hospitalised was predicted by the ability to see a nurse when they needed to, the provision of pain relief when needed, feeling comfortable and safe, and the perception that nurses were interested in their feelings about their care.

Conclusion

Intentional rounding is a means for nurses to regularly attend to patients' emotional and physical needs, which is central to patients feeling safe and cared for whilst hospitalised.

Relevance to clinical practice

Intentional rounding practices ensure that patients feel genuinely cared for by nursing staff whilst hospitalised and can improve nurse and patient interactions, satisfaction and outcomes.
Families in Later Life: A Decade in Review
Authors: Carr Deborah , Utz Rebecca L.
Published: January 2020

Later‐life families encompass the legal, biological, romantic, and kin‐like relationships of persons ages 65 and older. Research on older families has flourished over the past decade, as population aging has intensified concerns regarding the capacities of families to care for older adults and the adequacy of public pension systems to provide an acceptable standard of living. Shifting patterns of family formation over the past half‐century have created a context in which contemporary older adults' family lives differ markedly from earlier generations. Decreasing numbers of adults are growing old with their first and only spouse, with rising numbers divorcing, remarrying, forming non‐marital romantic partnerships, or living single by choice. Remarriage and the formation of stepfamilies pose challenges and opportunities as older adults negotiate complex decisions such as inheritance and caregiving. Family relationships are consequential for older adults' well‐being, operating through both biological and psychosocial mechanisms. We synthesize research from the past decade, revealing how innovations in data and methods have refined our understanding of late‐life families against a backdrop of demographic change. We show how contemporary research refines classic theoretical frameworks and tests emerging conceptual models. We organize the article around two main types of family relationships: (1) marriage and romantic partnerships and (2) intergenerational relationships. We discuss how family caregiving occurs within these relationships, and offer three promising avenues for future research: ethnic minority and immigrant families; older adults without close kin (“elder orphans”); and the potentials of rapidly evolving technologies for intergenerational relationships and caregiving.
Families Across the Income Spectrum: A Decade in Review
Authors: Cooper Marianne , Pugh Allison J.
Published: January 2020

During the past decade, scholars continued to focus on how larger economic trends impacted families across the income spectrum. From income and wealth inequality to economic insecurity, the gaps between the haves and the have nots remained, and some widened during this period. The authors' comprehensive review found the following three major takeaways: first, the biggest economic divides run through families with children; second, low‐income families face concentrated disadvantage marked by insecurity and precarity; and third, inequality and insecurity shaped the “dynamism” of family life, including how families respond culturally and emotionally to economic changes, and how these responses unfold over time. They examine active areas of research, including parenting trends and the transition to adulthood. They also document a new scholarly emphasis on uncertainty and instability along with the forces that exacerbate or mitigate them, such as job quality, economic volatility, wealth, and incarceration. Research during the past decade focused on the experience and consequences of dynamism, reflecting not only the reality that families evolve but also that they face continual change in their economic, social, and political contexts. The authors highlight research investigating how families “do dynamism,” work that looks over time or offers in‐depth examinations of how families adapt to and cope with dynamism every day. This research reveals that inequality and insecurity are not only matters of levels and gaps but also ongoing matters of meaning‐making, identity, and feeling. The authors conclude by highlighting some strengths and weaknesses of these research streams and pointing out new avenues for future scholarship.
Family Processes and Children's and Adolescents' Well‐Being
Authors: Buehler Cheryl
Published: January 2020

The primary purpose of this review was to examine theory and research published during the past decade that focused on family processes and children's and adolescents' well‐being. Scholarship focused on family processes and child and adolescent well‐being made significant and exciting advances during this decade based on several key advancements. In addition to a brief introduction and a conclusion, this decade in review is organized into four sections. In the first section, advances made in the literature because of increased attention to complexity and specificity are illustrated. The second section describes advances that were made because of increased attention to family processes in diverse families. Diversity in the samples of families studied, extensions in family process models, and the revisioning of grand theories using a diversity lens that were used to conceptualize family processes are detailed. In the third section, the importance of time in the study of family processes and child and adolescent well‐being is described. The emphasis on families' daily lives is noted. In addition, prospective considerations and studies of change over time are highlighted. Strengths in family functioning are detailed in the fourth section of this article: positivity, regulatory processes, and family organization. These three areas were selected to elaborate the idea that one of the major advancements in the family process literature during the past decade was an emphasis on family strengths. This review concludes with a commentary regarding how conceptual and methodological advancements during the past decade can guide future scholarship.
Gender, Feminist, and Intersectional Perspectives on Families: A Decade in Review
Authors: Few‐Demo April L. , Allen Katherine R.
Published: January 2020

This review of the gender, feminist, and intersectional literature on families from 2010 to 2019 examines the following three streams of research, theorizing, and praxis: (a) the framing of gender as systemic social stratification and inequalities, (b) the application of feminist perspectives and praxis to highlight and change power disparities in private and public spheres; and (c) the application of intersectionality perspectives to examine and redress social inequities, privilege, and oppression. Collectively, these streams represent variations of a critical theoretical perspective on families. This article has the following three aims: (a) examine how the critical approaches of gender, feminist, and intersectional theories have been used to frame the study of family life during the past decade; (b) identify and assess empirical exemplars in the family literature that highlight the explicit application of these critical approaches; and (c) discuss future directions to push the study of families forward toward more inclusivity and relevance.
Family Matters: Research on Family Ties and Health, 2010 to 2020
Authors: Umberson Debra , Thomeer Mieke Beth
Published: January 2020

Family ties have wide‐ranging consequences for health, for better and for worse. This decade review uses a life course perspective to frame significant advances in research on the effects of family structure and transitions (e.g., marital status) and family dynamics and quality (e.g., emotional support from family members) on health across the life course. Significant advances include the linking of childhood family experiences to health at older ages, identification of biosocial processes that explain how family ties influence health throughout life, research on social contagion showing how family members influence one another's health, and attention to diversity in family and health dynamics, including gender, sexuality, socioeconomic, and racial diversity. Significant innovations in methods include dyadic and family‐level analysis and causal inference strategies. The review concludes by identifying directions for future research on families and health, advocating for a “family biography” framework to guide future research, and calling for more research specifically designed to assess policies that affect families and their health from childhood into later life.
Origins of weedy rice revealed by polymorphisms of chloroplast DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellites
Authors: Yao Nan , Wang Zhe , Song Zhuo‐Jun , Wang Lei , Liu Yong‐Sheng , Bao Ying , Lu Bao‐Rong
Published: January 2020

Conspecific weeds that permanently infest worldwide agroecosystems are evolved from their crop species. These weeds cause substantial problems for crop production by competing for resources in agricultural fields. Weedy rice represents such a conspecific weed infesting rice ecosystems, and causing tremendous rice yield losses owing to its strong competitiveness and abundant genetic diversity, likely resulted from its complex origins. Here, we report the use of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fingerprints to determine whether weedy rice is evolved from its wild (exo‐feral) or cultivated (endo‐feral) rice progenitor as the maternal donor in recent hybridization events. In addition, we also applied nuclear simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers to confirm the exo‐feral or endo‐feral origins of weedy rice accessions determined by the cpDNA fingerprints. We found that the studied weedy rice accessions evolved either from their wild or cultivated rice progenitor, as the maternal donor, based on the cpDNA network and structure analyses. Combined analyses of cpDNA and nuclear SSR markers indicated that a much greater proportion of weedy rice accessions had the endo‐feral origin. In addition, results from the genetic structure of nuclear SSR markers indicated that weedy rice accessions from the endo‐feral pathway are distinctly associated with either indica or japonica rice cultivars, suggesting their complex origins through crop–weed introgression. The complex pathways of origin and evolution could greatly promote genetic diversity of weedy rice. Therefore, innovative methods should be developed for effective weedy rice control.
Succinate‐GPR‐91 receptor signalling is responsible for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis‐associated fibrosis: Effects of DHA supplementation
Authors: Liu Xue‐Jing , Xie Li , Du Kuo , Liu Chang , Zhang Ning‐Ping , Gu Chen‐Jian , Wang Ying , Abdelmalek Manal F. , Dong Wen‐Yue , Liu Xiu‐Ping , Niu Chen , Yang Chen , Diehl Anna Mae , Wu Jian
Published: January 2020

Background and aims

Treatment of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is challenging, because suppressing fibrotic progression has not been achieved consistently by drug candidates currently in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular interplays underlying NASH‐associated fibrosis in a mouse NASH model and human specimens.

Methods

Mice were divided into 4 groups: Controls; NASH (high fat/Calorie diet plus high fructose and glucose in drinking water, HFCD‐HF/G) for 16 weeks; HFCD‐HF/G plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for 16 or 8 weeks.

Results

Along with NASH progression, fibrotic deposition was documented in HFCD‐HF/G‐fed mice. Liver succinate content was significantly increased along with decreased expression of succinate dehydrogenase‐A (SDH‐A) in these mice; whereas, GPR‐91 receptor expression was much enhanced in histology compared to control mice, and co‐localized histologically with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Succinate content was increased in fatty acid‐overloaded primary hepatocytes with significant oxidant stress and lipotoxicity. Exposure to succinate led to up‐regulation of GPR‐91 receptor in primary and immortalized HSCs. In contrast, suppression of GPR‐91 receptor expression abolished succinate stimulatory role in GPR‐91 expression and extracellular matrix production in HSCs. All these changes were minimized or abrogated by DHA supplementation in vivo or in vitro. Moreover, GPR‐91 receptor expression correlates with severity of fibrosis in human NASH biopsy specimens.

Conclusion

Succinate accumulation in steatotoic hepatocytes may result in HSC activation through GPR‐91 receptor signalling in NASH progression, and the cross‐talk between hepatocytes and HSC through GPR‐91 signalling is most likely to be the molecular basis of fibrogenesis in NASH.
Interventional radiology in the airway in children
Authors: Roebuck Derek J. , Stockton Emma , Ritchie‐McLean Susanna N. , McLaren Clare A.
Published: January 2020

Interventional procedures in the airway can be performed in interventional radiology suites or the operating room, by radiologists or other specialists. The most common therapeutic interventions carried out by radiologists are balloon dilatation, stenting, and the treatment of certain airway fistulas. These operations can be very challenging for anesthetists in terms of planning, airway management, the identification and treatment of procedural complications and postoperative care. In particular, a multidisciplinary approach to decision‐making and planning is important to obtain the best results.
A rare case of BRAF V600E‐mutated epithelioid glioblastoma with a sarcomatous component
Authors: Ishikawa Ryou , Kadota Kyuichi , Hayashi Toshitetsu , Kimura Nachino , Inoue Kousuke , Ibuki Emi , Kagawa Seiko , Kushida Yoshio , Okada Masaki , Miyake Keisuke , Tamiya Takashi , Nobusawa Sumihito , Hirato Junko , Haba Reiji
Published: January 2020

Epithelioid glioblastoma is a rare subtype of glioblastoma, but the coexistence of a sarcomatous component is even rarer. An 80‐year‐old woman was admitted to our hospital with somnolence. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a cystic lesion with a solid component in the left temporal–parietal lobe. Histopathological examination of the resected tumor revealed three components; namely, typical glioblastoma, sarcomatous and epithelioid components at a ratio of about 5:3:2. All components were immunohistochemically positive for vimentin and mutated BRAF (V600E) and showed focal expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein and cytokeratin AE1/AE3, but they were negative for isocitrate dehydrogenase 1. Genetic analysis revealed that both the sarcomatous and epithelioid components harbored BRAF T1799A (V600E) mutation and homozygous deletion of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B. We diagnosed this tumor as epithelial glioblastoma with a sarcomatous component. Our results indicate that even when the epithelial component is not dominant, immunohistochemical and genetic investigation of BRAF mutations is useful for the diagnosis of glioblastoma subtypes. In particular, although the prognosis of epithelial glioblastoma is poor, potentially effective targeted therapies for BRAF V600E‐mutated tumors are available.
Household debt and income inequality: Evidence from Italian survey data
Authors: Loschiavo David
Published: January 2020

Does regional income inequality affect a household’s likelihood of being indebted? This question is addressed by using survey data on Italian households. The analysis shows that inequality in the regional income distribution has a negative effect on the probability of being indebted. However, this effect is asymmetric across income groups: greater inequality increases (decreases) the share of indebted households that are at the top (bottom) of the income ladder. The study suggests that supply factors are more important than demand ones in explaining these results.
Is aerobic exercise helpful in patients with migraine? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: La Touche Roy , Fernández Pérez Juan José , Proy Acosta Alejandro , González Campodónico Lisandro , Martínez García Sergio , Adraos Juárez Daniel , Serrano García Beatriz , Angulo‐Díaz‐Parreño Santiago , Cuenca‐Martínez Ferran , Suso‐Martí Luis , Paris‐Alemany Alba
Published: January 2020

Purpose

To assess the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) on patients with migraine in terms of pain intensity, frequency and duration of migraine, and quality of life.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials were conducted. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for relevant outcomes and were pooled in a meta‐analysis using the random‐effects model.

Results

A total of 10 articles from 1950 to 2019 were included, involving 508 patients. The meta‐analysis showed statistically significant differences in the decrease in pain intensity (five studies, n = 166; SMD = 1.25; 95% CI 0.47‐2.04), frequency (six studies, n = 214; SMD = 0.76; 95% CI 0.32‐1.2) and duration of migraine (four studies, n = 106; SMD = 0.41; 95% CI 0.03‐0.8), in the short‐term. In addition, the meta‐analysis showed statistically significant differences in the increase in quality of life (four studies, n = 150; SMD = 2.7; 95% CI 1.17‐4.24), even though the Egger's test suggested significant evidence of publication bias for the analysis of quality of life (intercept = 5.81; t = 6.97; P = .02).

Conclusions

There is low‐ and moderate‐quality evidence that in patients with migraine AE can decrease the pain intensity, frequency and duration of migraine and can also increase quality of life.
Soil quality assessment based on soil organic matter pools under long‐term tillage systems and following tillage conversion in a semi‐humid region
Authors: Martínez Juan M. , Galantini Juan A. , Duval Matias E. , López Fernando M.
Published: January 2020

A field study was conducted to assess the long‐term effects of no‐tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT), and the short‐term effects following tillage conversion from CT to NT (NTn) and from NT to CT (CTn) on soil quality (SQ) indicators in a semi‐humid climate. First, plots of a long‐term tillage experiment on a Luvic Phaeozem initiated in 1986 were split into two subplots in 2012, yielding four treatments: NT, CT, NTn and CTn. In 2015, composite soil samples were collected from each treatment and from a natural site (Ref) at depths 0–5, 5–10, 10–20 and 0–20 cm. Several indicators were determined: soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (SON); particulate organic C (POM‐C) and N (POM‐N); potential N mineralization (PMN) and soil respiration (Rs). Moreover, bulk density was determined in long‐term tillage systems. Different ratios between indicators were calculated, with emphasis on its function in the agroecosystem, that is functional indicators. Significant differences in SOC, SON and PMN were found between CT and NT at most depths. In contrast, 3 years after tillage conversion, only a part of the SQ indicators studied were modified mainly at the 0–10 cm depth. The functional indicators showed differences between tillage systems in the long‐term and after short‐term tillage conversion depending on the depth; however, the PMN/SON ratio demonstrated differences at all depths. Under these conditions, this ratio‐related to easily mineralizable N fraction proved to be a promising indicator for assessing SQ under contrasting tillage systems regardless of the sampling depth.
Evolution of Designs for Constructal Cooling of a Square Plate Using Water, Ionic Liquid, and Nano-Enhanced Ionic Liquids
Authors: Barik Ashok K. , Rout Swetapadma , Patro Pandaba
Published: January 2020

In this paper, we investigate the design-evolution of an embedded pipe based on the constructal theory to obtain the best design that cools a square plate subjected to a constant heat flux boundary condition. The water, ionic liquids (ILs), and nano-enhanced ionic liquids (NEILs, i.e., [C4mim][NTf2] + Al2O3 and [C4mpyrr][NTf2] + Al2O3) have been used as the coolants. Several designs (Case 1 to Case 11) have been tested to quantify the non-dimensional temperature of the heated substrate by implementing the finite volume method of ansys fluent. The three-dimensional continuity, momentum, and energy equations have been solved iteratively in the fluid region by incorporating SIMPLE algorithm with appropriate boundary conditions; while the conduction equation is solved in the solid region. Among all the considered designs, it has been found that Case 3 provides a better cooling effect for the heated substrate. For all of the considered configurations/designs, it is also found that the non-dimensional temperature decreases with the length of the morphing pipe. NEILs exhibit a better cooling effect of the substrate when compared with the ILs and water. The present numerical methodology is also validated with the previous literature.
“One Piece of a Big Puzzle”: Understanding the Roles of Coach Developers Through Interorganizational Relationships in Canada’s Coach Education System
Authors: Edwards Jonathon , Culver Diane , Leadbetter Ross , Kloos Kate , Potwarka Luke
Published: January 2020

Coach developers (CDs) are an integral aspect of the coaching education system in Canada, as they are responsible for the delivery of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) to coaches. A means of understanding the role of CDs within the Canadian coaching education system is to gain insight into the enablers and challenges of the interorganizational relationships (IORs) between the stakeholders (e.g., organizations, CDs, and coaches). The purpose of this insights paper was to use IORs to understand the CD relationship with other stakeholders in the coach education system as they pertain to enablers and challenges. The use of IORs is a relatively new theoretical concept within the field of coaching and coach education as it pertains to CDs. Through the empirical evidence of three sports—hockey, soccer, and baseball—there were three key themes that were indicative of IORs:the NCCP delivery, communications,andmonitoring/evaluating for effectiveness. On the basis of the findings from this current study, the intended system design of the Canadian coaching education system, which is based on role-set IOR, is a vertical model of top-down governance model. On the basis of the findings from this current study, the intended system design of the Canadian coaching education system, which is based on role-set IOR, is a vertical model of top-down governance, where one decision from the top impacts all the other stakeholders within the system.
Decolonizing Sport Science: High Performance Sport, Indigenous Cultures, and Women's Rugby
Authors: Thorpe Holly , Brice Julie , Rolleston Anna
Published: January 2020

To date, there is little research focusing on the role of culture and Indigenous ways of knowing in Western science-dominated high performance sporting environments. This paper takes inspiration from the emerging field of Postcolonial Science Studies and feminist Indigenous scholars to explore how Aotearoa (New Zealand) Black Ferns Sevens players from Māori and Samoan descent make meaning of their bodies within Westernized high performance sporting spaces. Drawing upon a thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 18 members of the Black Ferns Sevens squad, we illustrate how players navigate divergent cultural value systems within and across various aspects of the high performance sport environment, including training, nutrition, menstruation, and the everyday quantification of their bodies. This paper also reveals some of the important considerations, learnings, and vulnerabilities experienced during this cross-cultural research collaboration, and highlights the need for more research by/with/for Indigenous women in high performance sport environment.
Activity of Meropenem-Vaborbactam against Bacterial Isolates Causing Pneumonia in Patients in U.S. Hospitals during 2014 to 2018
Authors: Carvalhaes Cecilia G. , Shortridge Dee , Sader Helio S. , Castanheira Mariana
Published: January 2020

Meropenem-vaborbactam is approved to treat hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), in Europe. Meropenem-vaborbactam activity was evaluated against 3,193
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and 4,790
Enterobacterales
isolates causing pneumonia, including VAP, in hospitalized patients in the United States. Susceptibility testing was performed by using the broth microdilution method, and all carbapenem-resistant isolates were submitted for whole-genome sequencing.
Development and application of a monoclonal antibody against Thiothrix spp
Authors: Brigmon R L , Bitton G , Zam S G , O'Brien B
Published: January 2020

Historically, methods used to identify Thiothrix spp. in environmental samples have been inadequate because isolation and identification procedures are time-consuming and often fail to separate Thiothrix spp. from other filamentous microorganisms. We described a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure which was used to identify Thiothrix spp. in wastewater, artesian springs, groundwater, and underwater subterranean samples. The ELISA utilized monoclonal antibody T3511 to a species-specific carbohydrate epitope of Thiothrix spp. No cross-reactions were observed among non-Thiothrix strains consisting of 12 species and nine genera. In field trials, the ELISA identified 100% of 20 biochemically and cytologically confirmed Thiothrix spp.-containing samples with no false positives. Indirect immunofluorescent microscopy utilizing T3511 was effective for wastewater samples but not for those from natural spring water because of background fluorescence in the latter. In addition, electron micrographs of Thiothrix spp. labeled with T3511-biotin-anti-mouse antibody-gold showed that epitope T3511 was intracellular both in laboratory strains and environmental isolates. The minimum level of detection of the ELISA was 0.10 microgram/ml.
Biodegradation of naphthalene in aqueous nonionic surfactant systems
Authors: Liu Z , Jacobson A M , Luthy R G
Published: January 2020

The principal objective of this study was to quantify the bioavailability of micelle-solubilized naphthalene to naphthalene-degrading microorganisms comprising a mixed population isolated from contaminated waste and soils. Two nonionic surfactants were used, an alkylethoxylate, Brij 30 (C12E4), and an alkylphenol ethoxylate, Triton X-100 (C8PE9.5). Batch experiments were used to evaluate the effects of aqueous, micellized nonionic surfactants on the microbial mineralization of naphthalene and salicylic acid, an intermediate compound formed in the pathway of microbial degradation of naphthalene. The extent of solubilization and biodegradation under aerobic conditions was monitored by radiotracer and spectrophotometric techniques. Experimental results showed that surfactant concentrations above the critical micelle concentration were not toxic to the naphthalene-degrading bacteria and that the presence of surfactant micelles did not inhibit mineralization of naphthalene. Naphthalene solubilized by micelles of Brij 30 or Triton X-100 in liquid media was bioavailable and degradable by the mixed culture of bacteria.
Expression and in vitro assembly of recombinant glutamate dehydrogenase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus
Authors: Diruggiero J , Robb F T
Published: January 2020

The gdhA gene, encoding the hexameric glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus, was expressed in Escherichia coli by using the pET11-d system. The recombinant GDH was soluble and constituted 15% of the E. coli cell extract. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the recombinant protein was identical to the sequence of the P. furiosus enzyme, except for the presence of an initial methionine which was absent from the enzyme purified from P. furiosus. By molecular exclusion chromatography we showed that the recombinant GDH was composed of equal amounts of monomeric and hexameric forms. Heat treatment of the recombinant protein triggered in vitro assembly of inactive monomers into hexamers, resulting in increased GDH activity. The specific activity of the recombinant enzyme, purified by heat treatment and affinity chromatography, was equivalent to that of the native enzyme from P. furiosus. The recombinant GDH displayed a slightly lower level of thermostability, with a half-life of 8 h at 100 degrees C, compared with 10.5 h for the enzyme purified from P. furiosus.
Relationship between glycocalyx and povidone-iodine resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) biofilms
Authors: Brown M L , Aldrich H C , Gauthier J J
Published: January 2020

Biofilm-embedded bacteria are generally more resistant to antimicrobial agents than are planktonic bacteria. Two possible mechanisms for biofilm resistance are that the glycocalyx matrix secreted by cells in a biofilm reacts with and neutralizes the antimicrobial agent and that the matrix creates a diffusion barrier to the antimicrobial agent. This study was therefore conducted to examine the relationship between glycocalyx and enhanced povidone-iodine resistance in biofilms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853). Biofilms were generated by inoculation of polycarbonate membranes with broth-grown cells and incubation of them on the surfaces of nutrient agar plates. The quantities of glycocalyx material per cell were found not to be significantly different between biofilm and planktonic samples. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the distributions of glycocalyx material around cells differed in biofilm and in planktonic samples. Addition of alginic acid to planktonic cell suspensions resulted in a slight increase in resistance to povidone-iodine, suggesting some neutralizing interaction. However, the iodine demands created by biofilm and planktonic samples of equivalent biomass were not significantly different and, therefore, do not explain the contrast in resistance observed between biofilm and planktonic samples. Examination of the relationship between cell death and biomass detachment from the glycocalyx matrix revealed that most cell death occurred in the fraction of biomass that detached from a biofilm during treatment. The overall rate of iodine diffusion through biofilms was not different from that of planktonic cells collected on a polycarbonate membrane.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)