bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal analysis of land use changes using remote sensing in Horqin sandy land, China
Authors: Zhao Zhenzhen , Feng Jiandi
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the characteristics of spatio-temporal dynamics and the evolution of land use change is essential for understanding and assessing the status and transition of ecosystems. Such analysis, when applied to Horqin sandy land, can also provide basic information for appropriate decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

By integrating long time series Landsat imageries and geographic information system (GIS) technology, this paper explored the spatio-temporal dynamics and evolution-induced land use change of the largest sandy land in China from 1983 to 2016. Accurate and consistent land use information and land use change information was first extracted by using the maximum likelihood classifier and the post-classification change detection method, respectively. The spatio-temporal dynamics and evolution were then analyzed using three kinds of index models: the dynamic degree model to analyze the change of regional land resources, the dynamic change transfer matrix and flow direction rate to analyze the change direction, and the barycenter transfer model to analyze the spatial pattern of land use change.

Findings

The results indicated that land use in Horqin sandy land during the study period changed dramatically. Vegetation and sandy land showed fluctuating changes, cropland and construction land steadily increased, water body decreased continuously, and the spatial distribution patterns of land use were generally unbalanced. Vegetation, sandy land and cropland were transferred frequently. The amount of vegetation loss was the largest. Water body loss was 473.6 km2, which accounted for 41.7 per cent of the total water body. The loss amount of construction land was only 1.0 km2. Considerable differences were noted in the rate of gravity center migration among the land use types in different periods, and the overall rate of construction land migration was the smallest. Moreover, the gravity center migration rates of the water body and sandy land were relatively high and were related to the fragile ecological environment of Horqin sandy land.

Originality/value

The results not only confirmed the applicability and effectiveness of the combined method of remote sensing and GIS technology but also revealed notable spatio-temporal dynamics and evolution-induced land use change throughout the different time periods (1983-1990, 1990-2000, 2000-2010, 2010-2014, 2014-2016 and 1983-2016).
Knockdown of ALK7 inhibits high glucose‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Shi Qiang , Dong Xiaomin , Zhang Ming , Cheng Yuhong , Pei Cheng
Published: October 2019

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the diabetic complications associated with hyperglycaemia‐mediated oxidative stress. Activin receptor‐like kinase 7 (ALK7) has been proven to be a potential therapeutic approach for diabetic cardiomyopathy, which is another diabetic complication. However, the role of ALK7 in DR remains unclear. In the current study, ALK7 was found to be up‐regulated in clinical samples from DR patients and high glucose (HG)‐induced human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE‐19). In vitro studies demonstrated that knockdown of ALK7 in ARPE‐19 cells through transfection with siRNA‐ALK7 (si‐ALK7) improved cell viability in HG‐induced ARPE‐19 cells. Knockdown of ALK7 suppressed HG‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well elevating the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) in ARPE‐19 cells. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly decreased after transfection with si‐ALK7. ALK7 knockdown also caused a significant decrease in bax expression and an increase in bcl‐2 expression in HG‐induced ARPE‐19 cells. In addition, ALK7 knockdown resulted in remarkable increase in the expressions of nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) in ARPE‐19 cells in response to HG induction. Taken together, knockdown of ALK7 protected ARPE‐19 cells from HG‐induced oxidative injury, which might be mediated by the activation of the Nrf2/HO‐1 signalling pathway.
Persister cells resuscitate via ribosome modification by 23S rRNA pseudouridine synthase RluD
Authors: Song Sooyeon , Wood Thomas K.
Published: October 2019

Upon a wide range of stress conditions (e.g. nutrient, antibiotic, oxidative), a subpopulation of bacterial cells known as persisters survives by halting metabolism. These cells resuscitate rapidly to reconstitute infections once the stress is removed and nutrients are provided. However, how these dormant cells resuscitate is not understood well but involves reactivating ribosomes. By screening 10,000 compounds directly for stimulating Escherichia coli persister cell resuscitation, we identified that 2‐{[2‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐2‐oxoethyl]thio}‐3‐ethyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro[1]benzothieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one (BPOET) stimulates resuscitation. Critically, by screening 4267 E. coli proteins, we determined that BPOET activates hibernating ribosomes via 23S rRNA pseudouridine synthase RluD, which increases ribosome activity. Corroborating the increased waking with RluD, production of RluD increased the number of active ribosomes in persister cells. Also, inactivating the small RNA RybB which represses rluD led to faster persister resuscitation. Hence, persister cells resuscitate via activation of RluD.
Road to shared prosperity: The elaboration and influence of a transboundary policy narrative for regional economic integration
Authors: Lebel Louis , Lebel Boripat
Published: October 2019

In the Mekong Region, the Asian Development Bank and partners have promoted economic corridors as a way to achieve regional economic integration and growth. This study evaluates how a transboundary policy narrative ofshared prosperityaround the East–West Economic Corridor programme emerged, and then how it was elaborated and used, taking a set of border policies of the government of Thailand as cases. For two decades theshared prosperitynarrative has been used by a coalition of elite actors to support a programme of investments in road infrastructure, as well as to push for agreements on trade, border logistics, investment and tourism. Theshared prosperitynarrative has helped maintain support for the programme despite its failures to meet projections and expectations. Although criticised by civil society and experts from time to time, no coherent shared counter‐narrative emerged. Policy elites in Thailand have used the transboundary narrative to justify investments in special economic zones, and transport infrastructure near the border and inside neighbouring countries. Thailand has also reproduced the narrative in support of efforts to bolster tourism cooperation, and negotiate cross‐border trade and logistics agreements. Roads and bridges have been built, underlining how discursive practices have material consequences and reinforce the narrative.
Does working channel position influence the effectiveness of flexible ureteroscopy? Results from an in vitro study
Authors: Villa Luca , Ventimiglia Eugenio , Proietti Silvia , Giusti Guido , Briganti Alberto , Salonia Andrea , Montorsi Francesco , Doizi Steeve , Traxer Olivier
Published: October 2019

Objective

To evaluate whether the position of the working channel affects the effectiveness of flexible ureteroscopy.

Materials and Methods

We compared the ureteroscopes Flex‐X2S and Flex‐XC (working channel at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions, respectively) in eight cavities of a K‐Box model, simulating the distribution of the right and left intrarenal calyces. In the first and second settings, each cavity contained a 1‐cm stone, lying on the bottom and fixed on the anterior sheet covering the box, respectively. In the third setting, the posterior and lateral surface of each cavity was draped with graph paper. Once the flexible ureteroscope entered each cavity, we measured and compared (i) the proportion of stone surface targeted by the laser (STL) and (ii) the proportion of graph paper burned by the laser (PBL) obtained with the two instruments.

Results

Higher STLs and PBLs were obtained with the 3 o’clock position than the 9 o’clock position in the right posterior and left anterior cavities (mean ± sd STL 87% ± 15% vs 46% ± 38% and 78% ± 35% vs 43% ± 24%, respectively; P < 0.05), and on the right posterior surfaces of the middle‐lower/lower cavities (PBL 72% vs 31% and 77% vs 35%, respectively; P < 0.01) and on the left lateral surface of the lower cavities (PBL 45% vs 25%; P = 0048), respectively. Conversely, the 9 o’clock position provided higher STLs and PBLs than the 3 o’clock position in the left posterior and right anterior cavities (mean ± sd STL 84% ± 20% vs 65% ± 28% and 79% ± 30% vs 44% ± 35%, respectively; P ≤ 0.02), and on the left posterior and right lateral surfaces of the lower cavities (PBL 59% vs 34% and 50% vs 21%, respectively; P ≤ 0.04).

Conclusions

The position of the working channel of the flexible ureteroscope should be considered when planning flexible ureteroscopy, especially when dealing with the lower pole.
Stereotactic radiotherapy for prostate bed recurrence after prostatectomy, a multicentric series
Authors: Francolini Giulio , Jereczek‐Fossa Barbara Alicja , Di Cataldo Vanessa , Simontacchi Gabriele , Marvaso Giulia , Zerella Maria Alessia , Gentile Piercarlo , Bianciardi Federico , Allegretta Sara , Detti Beatrice , Masi Laura , lo Russo Monica , Livi Lorenzo
Published: October 2019

Objective

To assess the safety and effectiveness of stereotactic salvage radiotherapy (SSRT) in RT‐naïve patients affected by macroscopic prostate bed recurrence.

Patients and methods

Consecutive patients treated for prostate bed macroscopic recurrence in three different Italian institutes were reviewed. Patients were treated with SSRT, with a total dose of 30–40 Gy in five fractions, the mean pre‐SSRT PSA level was 2.3 ng/mL. Two different PSA thresholds were defined and biochemical recurrence‐free survival (BCRFS) was reported, in order to better express outcome: BCRFS1 (a PSA level increase of >10% compared to the pre‐SSRT value) and BCRFS2 (a PSA level increase of >0.2 ng/mL for patients with a PSA nadir of <0.2 ng/mL or two consecutive PSA level increases of >25% compared to nadir in patients with a PSA nadir of <0.2 ng/mL).

Results

In all, 90 patients were treated, with a mean (range) follow‐up of 21.2 (2–64) months, and 17 of these patients (19%) had concomitant androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) during SSRT. Complete biochemical response, defined as a PSA nadir of <0.2 ng/mL, was obtained in 39 of the 90 patients (43.3%). Considering BCRFS1, 25 patients (27.8%) had BCR, with an actuarial median BCRFS1 time of 36.4 months. For BCRFS2, BCR was reported in 32 patients (35.5%), with an actuarial median BCRFS2 time of 24.3 months. There was no Grade >2 toxicity.

Conclusions

SSRT was found to yield significant biochemical control and allowed ADT delay despite adverse features.
Monetary base and federal government debt in the long‐run: A non‐linear analysis
Authors: Ahmed Haydory Akbar
Published: October 2019

Government bonds are usually traded between the financial institutions and the Fed during the open market operations. These operations impact the bank reserves, subsequently influencing the monetary base. The monetary base and government bonds may portray a common trend and government debt could potentially bind the central bank to debt monetization. This paper, using monthly data on federal government debt and the monetary base from 1947:1 to 2018:10, investigates the presence of a long‐run equilibrium relationship between the two variables and as to how the long‐run equilibrium relationship vary in the short‐run. Threshold cointegration tests find evidence of a long‐run equilibrium relationship. Estimates of the threshold vector error‐correction model find statistically significant evidence of contraction in the monetary base growth in the short‐run in regime 1. In regime 2, the growth in the monetary base does not adjust to accommodate faster government debt growth. These estimates find no evidence of debt monetization or otherwise in either of the regimes in the United States. The Fed, by reducing the monetary base, perhaps focuses more on the inflation target. The findings also suggest a potential scenario where the Fed and the fiscal authority are not conjoined with each other in their operations.
Individual differences in the acquisition of non‐linguistic audio‐visual associations in 5 year olds
Authors: Altarelli Irene , Dehaene‐Lambertz Ghislaine , Bavelier Daphne
Published: October 2019

Audio‐visual associative learning – at least when linguistic stimuli are employed – is known to rely on core linguistic skills such as phonological awareness. Here we ask whether this would also be the case in a task that does not manipulate linguistic information. Another question of interest is whether executive skills, often found to support learning, may play a larger role in a non‐linguistic audio‐visual associative task compared to a linguistic one. We present a new task that measures learning when having to associate non‐linguistic auditory signals with novel visual shapes. Importantly, our novel task shares with linguistic processes such as reading acquisition the need to associate sounds with arbitrary shapes. Yet, rather than phonemes or syllables, it uses novel environmental sounds – therefore limiting direct reliance on linguistic abilities. Five‐year‐old French‐speaking children (N = 76, 39 girls) were assessed individually in our novel audio‐visual associative task, as well as in a number of other cognitive tasks evaluating linguistic abilities and executive functions. We found phonological awareness and language comprehension to be related to scores in the audio‐visual associative task, while no correlation with executive functions was observed. These results underscore a key relation between foundational language competencies and audio‐visual associative learning, even in the absence of linguistic input in the associative task.
Interleukin‐2 induces extracellular matrix synthesis and TGF‐β2 expression in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Jing Ruihua , Qi Tiantian , Wen Chan , Yue Jiaqi , Wang Guangyan , Pei Cheng , Ma Bo
Published: October 2019

Macular fibrosis is a vital obstacle of vision acuity improvement of age‐related macular degeneration patients. This study was to investigate the effects of interleukin 2 (IL‐2) on epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and transforming growth factor β2 (TGF‐β2) expression in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. 10 μg/L IL‐2 was used to induce fibrosis in RPE cells for various times. Western blot was used to detect the EMT marker α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), ECM markers fibronectin (Fn) and type 1 collagen (COL‐1), TGF‐β2, and the activation of the JAK/STAT3 and NF‐κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, JAK/STAT3 and NF‐κB signaling pathways were specifically blocked by WP1066 or BAY11‐7082, respectively, and the expression of α‐SMA, COL‐1, Fn and TGF‐β2 protein were detected. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to measure cell migration ability of IL‐2 with or without WP1066 or BAY11‐7082. After induction of IL‐2, the expressions of Fn, COL‐1, TGF‐β2 protein were significantly increased, and this effect was correlated with IL‐2 treatment duration, while α‐SMA protein expression did not change significantly. Both WP1066 and BAY11‐7082 could effectively downregulate the expression of Fn, COL‐1 and TGF‐β2 induced by IL‐2. What's more, both NF‐κB and JAK/STAT3 inhibitors could suppress the activation of the other signaling pathway. Additionally, JAK/STAT3 inhibitor WP1066 and NF‐κB inhibitor BAY 11‐7082 could obviously decrease RPE cells migration capability induced by IL‐2. IL‐2 promotes cell migration, ECM synthesis and TGF‐β2 expression in RPE cells via JAK/STAT3 and NF‐κB signaling pathways, which may play an important role in proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
Text‐analysis reveals taxonomic and geographic disparities in animal pollination literature
Authors: Millard Joseph W. , Freeman Robin , Newbold Tim
Published: October 2019

Ecological systematic reviews and meta‐analyses have significantly increased our understanding of global biodiversity decline. However, for some ecological groups, incomplete and biased datasets have hindered our ability to construct robust, predictive models. One such group consists of the animal pollinators. Approximately 88% of wild plant species are thought to be pollinated by animals, with an estimated annual value of $230–410 billion dollars. Here we apply text‐analysis to quantify the taxonomic and geographical distribution of the animal pollinator literature, both temporally and spatially. We show that the publication of pollinator literature increased rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s. Taxonomically, we show that the distribution of pollinator literature is concentrated in the honey bees (Apis) and bumble bees (Bombus), and geographically in North America and Europe. At least 25% of pollination‐related abstracts mention a species of honey bee and at least 20% a species of bumble bee, and approximately 46% of abstracts are focussed on either North America (32%) or Europe (14%). Although these results indicate strong taxonomic and geographic biases in the pollinator literature, a large number of studies outside North America and Europe do exist. We then discuss how text‐analysis could be used to shorten the literature search for ecological systematic reviews and meta‐analyses, and to address more applied questions related to pollinator biodiversity, such as the identification of likely interacting plant–pollinator pairs and the number of pollinating species.
Ten things every neurologist needs to know about neuropsychological assessments and interventions in people with epilepsy
Authors: Baxendale S.A. , Wilson S.J. , Baker G.A. , Barr W. , Helmstaedter C. , Hermann B.P. , Langfitt J. , Reuner G. , Rzezak P. , Samson S. , Smith M.‐L.
Published: October 2019

This paper describes 10 core features of a neuropsychological assessment with the aim of helping neurologists understand the unique contribution the evaluation can make within the wider context of diagnostic methods in epilepsy. The possibilities, limitations and cautions associated with the investigation are discussed under the following headings. (1) A neuropsychological assessment is a collaborative investigation. (2) Assessment prior to treatment allows for the accurate assessment of treatment effects. (3) The nature of an underlying lesion and its neurodevelopmental context play an important role in shaping the associated neuropsychological deficit. (4) Cognitive and behavioural impairments result from the essential comorbidities of epilepsy which can be considered as much a disorder of cognition and behaviour as of seizures. (5) Patients’ subjective complaints can help us understand objective cognitive impairments and their underlying neuroanatomy, resulting in improved patient care. At other times, patient complaints reflect other factors and require careful interpretation. (6) The results from a neuropsychological assessment can be used to maximize the educational and occupational potentials of people with epilepsy. (7) Not all patients are able to engage with a neuropsychological assessment. (8) There are limitations in assessments conducted in a second language with tests that have been standardized on different populations from that of the patient. (9) Adequate intervals between assessments maximize sensitivity to meaningful change. (10) Patients should be fully informed about the purpose of the assessment and have realistic expectations of the outcome prior to referral.
Cystiphora sonchi (Vallot, 1827) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), first record for Tunisia and Africa
Authors: Ben Halima Kamel M. , Mdellel L. , Zouari S. , Balmes V.
Published: October 2019

During 2017 and 2018, from June to October, leaf galls were observed for the first time on Sonchus oleraceus L. (Asteraceae), sow thistle, in Akouda‐Sousse, Tunisia. Leaves with galls were collected and brought to the laboratory. After a few days, adults emerged from the leaf galls. Morphological identification showed the emerged gall midges to be Cystiphora sonchi (Vallot, 1827) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). This is the first record of this species in Tunisia and Africa.
WORK HISTORIES AND LIFETIME UNEMPLOYMENT
Authors: Morchio Iacopo
Published: October 2019

A long‐standing question in economics is how important unobserved differences across workers are for explaining unemployment. I revisit this topic using variation in lifetime unemployment across workers in U.S. data. A comparison of workers often unemployed with the rest shows that although differences in job‐finding rates increase over the course of a career, differences in job‐separation rates are large right from the start. I develop a directed search model with symmetric unobserved heterogeneity, in which agents learn workers' types from their labor market histories, to rationalize these findings. The model cannot match the data if unobserved heterogeneity is neglected.
The Impermanence of Permanence: The Rise of Probationary Immigration in Canada
Authors: Ellermann Antje , Gorokhovskaia Yana
Published: October 2019

This article engages with arguments that contemporary immigration politics is defined by a “loss of settlement” by examining recent developments in Canadian immigration and refugee policy that have made permanent residence less permanent. We suggest that the rise of probationary immigration has been facilitated by horizontal status stratification within groups that were historically marked by relative status equality. In order to examine this claim empirically in the Canadian context, we analyze the rise of temporary foreign worker recruitment, the move from “one‐step” to “two‐step” immigration, and changes to refugee policy that, for the first time, linked loss of refugee status to the loss of permanent resident status.
Deciphering host immunity to malaria using systems immunology
Authors: Loiseau Claire , Cooper Martha M. , Doolan Denise L.
Published: October 2019

A century of conceptual and technological advances in infectious disease research has changed the face of medicine. However, there remains a lack of effective interventions and a poor understanding of host immunity to the most significant and complex pathogens, including malaria. The development of successful interventions against such intractable diseases requires a comprehensive understanding of host‐pathogen immune responses. A major advance of the past decade has been a paradigm switch in thinking from the contemporary reductionist (gene‐by‐gene or protein‐by‐protein) view to a more holistic (whole organism) view. Also, a recognition that host‐pathogen immunity is composed of complex, dynamic interactions of cellular and molecular components and networks that cannot be represented by any individual component in isolation. Systems immunology integrates the field of immunology with omics technologies and computational sciences to comprehensively interrogate the immune response at a systems level. Herein, we describe the system immunology toolkit and report recent studies deploying systems‐level approaches in the context of natural exposure to malaria or controlled human malaria infection. We contribute our perspective on the potential of systems immunity for the rational design and development of effective interventions to improve global public health.
Weighing the cost: the impact of serial heatwaves on body mass in a small Australian passerine
Authors: Sharpe Lynda , Cale Belinda , Gardner Janet L.
Published: October 2019

Rising temperatures pose a grave risk to arid zone birds because they are already living close to their physiological limits and must balance water conservation against the need for evaporative cooling. We assess how extreme temperatures affect a wild population of small passerines by monitoring daily mass change in individual jacky winters Microeca fascinans (a small Australasian robin) across a series of severe heatwaves that afflicted southern Australia in the summer of 2018–2019. Daily maximum temperature and duration of heat exposure were negatively related to the birds’ ability to maintain body mass. At maximum temperatures ≥ 42°C, birds lost 2.0% of their body mass daily and at ≥ 45°C, 2.6%. Apparent mortality increased almost three‐fold, and all breeding birds abandoned their nests. Nevertheless, net daily mass loss was less than might be expected from laboratory‐based findings, presumably because wild jacky winters undertook behavioural thermoregulation. The birds also regained some mass between heatwave events and suffered no long‐term reduction in body condition.
Genetic structure of endangered lake chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta in Canada reveals a differentiated population in a precarious habitat
Authors: Hauser Frances E. , Fontenelle João P. , Elbassiouny Ahmed A. , Mandrak Nicholas E. , Lovejoy Nathan R.
Published: October 2019

We used mitochondrial DNA to assess the genetic structure of endangered lake chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta across its Canadian range. We found unique mitochondrial haplotypes in Lyons Creek, a tributary of the Niagara River that faces a strong potential for habitat deterioration. Lyons Creek may therefore serve as a reservoir of unique genetic diversity. The sensitivity of Lyons Creek, combined with the genetic uniqueness of its E. sucetta population, call for further investigation into whether this population should be considered a separate designatable unit for conservation purposes.
Niemann–Pick type C disease: cellular pathology and pharmacotherapy
Authors: Wheeler Simon , Sillence Dan J.
Published: October 2019

Niemann–Pick type C disease (NPCD) was first described in 1914 and affects approximately 1 in 150 000 live births. It is characterized clinically by diverse symptoms affecting liver, spleen, motor control, and brain; premature death invariably results. Its molecular origins were traced, as late as 1997, to a protein of late endosomes and lysosomes which was named NPC1. Mutation or absence of this protein leads to accumulation of cholesterol in these organelles. In this review, we focus on the intracellular events that drive the pathology of this disease. We first introduce endocytosis, a much‐studied area of dysfunction in NPCD cells, and survey the various ways in which this process malfunctions. We briefly consider autophagy before attempting to map the more complex pathways by which lysosomal cholesterol storage leads to protein misregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death. We then briefly introduce the metabolic pathways of sphingolipids (as these emerge as key species for treatment) and critically examine the various treatment approaches that have been attempted to date.

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Distinct gradients of various neurotransmitter markers in caudate nucleus and putamen of the human brain
Authors: Hörtnagl Heide , Pifl Christian , Hörtnagl Erik , Reiner Angelika , Sperk Günther
Published: October 2019

The caudate nucleus (CN) and the putamen (PUT) as parts of the human striatum are distinguished by a marked heterogeneity in functional, anatomical, and neurochemical patterns. Our study aimed to document in detail the regional diversity in the distribution of dopamine (DA), serotonin, γ‐aminobuturic acid, and choline acetyltransferase within the CN and PUT. For this purpose we dissected the CN as well as the PUT of 12 post‐mortem brains of human subjects with no evidence of neurological and psychiatric disorders (38–81 years old) into about 80 tissue parts. We then investigated rostro‐caudal, dorso‐ventral, and medio‐lateral gradients of these neurotransmitter markers. All parameters revealed higher levels, turnover rates, or activities in the PUT than in the CN. Within the PUT, DA levels increased continuously from rostral to caudal. In contrast, the lowest molar ratio of homovanillic acid to DA, a marker of DA turnover, coincided with highest DA levels in the caudal PUT, the part of the striatum with the highest loss of DA in Parkinson’s disease (N. Engl. J. Med., 318, 1988, 876). Highest DA concentrations were found in the most central areas both in the PUT and CN. We observed an age‐dependent loss of DA in the PUT and CN that did not correspond to the loss described for Parkinson’s disease indicating different mechanisms inducing the deficit of DA. Our data demonstrate a marked heterogeneity in the anatomical distribution of neurotransmitter markers in the human dorsal striatum indicating anatomical and functional diversity within this brain structure.

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Efficacy of anti‐inflammatory moisturizer vs hydrophilic cream in elderly patients with moderate to severe xerosis: A split site, triple‐blinded, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Lueangarun Suparuj , Soktepy Bith , Tempark Therdpong
Published: October 2019

Background

Xerosis is a common problem among the elderly, characterized by dry‐scaling erythema, fissuring, or pruritus, which could be treated by anti‐inflammatory moisturizers without side effects of steroids.

Aims

We aimed to investigate the efficacy of anti‐inflammatory moisturizer (MAS062D lotion) vs hydrophilic cream for the improvement of dry and barrier function skin in xerosis patients.

Methods

A split site, triple‐blinded, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in the elderly with moderate to severe xerosis, who received the 28‐day twice daily application of MAS062D lotion and hydrophilic cream on the assigned shins. The evaluations on day 0, 14, and 28 were performed using clinical assessment, skin hydration by corneometer, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and biometric assessment.

Results

There were 24 Thai elderly patients, of whom 87.5% were female (mean age = 58.04 years and mean xerosis severity scale (XSS) = 4.83). Both treatments revealed similar statistically significant improvement in XSS (P < .001). Interestingly, MAS062D lotion–treated side remarkably showed improvement of skin hydration compared with hydrophilic‐treated side for 26.86 ± 7.94 vs 25.84 ± 5.1, 41.24 ± 6.92 vs 20.96 ± 6.8, 50.49 ± 8.2 vs 21.75 ± 8.29 at baseline, day 14, and 28, respectively (P‐value < .001). Moreover, MAS062D lotion significantly yielded greater decrease in TEWL measurement and more erythema improvement than hydrophilic cream (P‐value < .001). No serious adverse effects were observed with either treatment.

Conclusion

The MAS062D lotion could potentially be an efficacious treatment for improvement of xerosis in the elderly, which is also safe and refrains from steroid side effects.
The Lhx4 homeobox transcript in the rat pineal gland: Adrenergic regulation and impact on transcripts encoding melatonin‐synthesizing enzymes
Authors: Hertz Henrik , Carstensen Mikkel B. , Bering Tenna , Rohde Kristian , Møller Morten , Granau Agnete M. , Coon Steven L. , Klein David C. , Rath Martin F.
Published: October 2019

Homeobox genes generally encode transcription factors involved in regulating developmental processes. In the pineal gland, a brain structure devoted to nocturnal melatonin synthesis, a number of homeobox genes are also expressed postnatally; among these is the LIM homeobox 4 gene (Lhx4). We here report that Lhx4 is specifically expressed in the postnatal pineal gland of rats and humans. Circadian analyses revealed a fourfold rhythm in Lhx4 expression in the rat pineal gland, with rhythmic expression detectable from postnatal day 10. Pineal Lhx4 expression was confirmed to be positively driven by adrenergic signaling, as evidenced by in vivo modulation of Lhx4 expression by pharmacological (isoprenaline injection) and surgical (superior cervical ganglionectomy) interventions. In cultured pinealocytes, Lhx4 expression was upregulated by cyclic AMP, a second messenger of norepinephrine. By use of RNAscope technology, Lhx4 transcripts were found to be exclusively localized in melatonin‐synthesizing pinealocytes. This prompted us to investigate the possible role of Lhx4 in regulation of melatonin‐producing enzymes. By use of siRNA technology, we knocked down Lhx4 by 95% in cultured pinealocytes; this caused a reduction in transcripts encoding the melatonin‐producing enzyme arylalkylamine N‐acetyl transferase (Aanat). Screening the transcriptome of siRNA‐treated pinealocytes by RNAseq revealed a significant impact of Lhx4 on the phototransduction pathway and on transcripts involved in development of the nervous system and photoreceptors. These data suggest that rhythmic expression of Lhx4 in the pineal gland is controlled via an adrenergic‐cyclic AMP mechanism and that Lhx4 acts to promote nocturnal melatonin synthesis.
Gravity flow test comparisons for mildly thick consistency
Authors: Garcia Jane Mertz , Chambers Edgar , Noll Krista S.
Published: October 2019

Simple measurement tools that provide objective information about the consistency of thickened liquids have received increasing attention given possible application to clinical practice for dysphagia. The International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) advocates the use of the IDDSI Flow Test for measuring thickness and verifying a prescribed level of consistency. This study compares gravity flow test measurements taken with two 10‐ml syringes of starch and gum‐thickened samples prepared to a mildly thick consistency using product label information. One of the 10‐ml syringes met IDDSI specification and the other 10‐ml syringe did not. Thickened samples also were measured using the line spread apparatus. The results showed that two syringes yielded significantly different gravity flow test measurements, often resulting in changes to the classification level of thickness. There was no effect of thickening agent. Line spread measurements did not vary from one another. Study findings indicate the importance of continued testing with the IDDSI Flow Test and education/awareness about the use of the IDDSI reference syringe. An essential aspect about the use of thickened liquids in dysphagia management is that beverage preparations represent their prescribed level of modification. The findings of this study indicate the importance of following syringe specifications when conducting gravity flow testing using the IDDSI methodology. The implication is that the wrong 10‐ml syringe could result in errant clinical decisions in determining the accuracy of texture modifications, resulting in care providers who are more likely to over or under thicken modifications to achieve a targeted level of thickness.
Goal Identification Before Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Qualitative Exploration in Potential Candidates
Authors: Goudman Lisa , Bruzzo Alessandra , van de Sande Jasper , Moens Maarten
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Due to the difficulties encountered in the treatment process of patients with chronic pain, it is of utmost importance to involve patients themselves in their rehabilitation trajectory. Patient engagement can be obtained by motivating patients to select their own treatment goals. We hypothesize that applying goal setting, as a form of patient empowerment, in potential candidates for spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may further improve the outcome of SCS. As a first step in creating patient empowerment, patients' goals that they aim to achieve with SCS will be explored.

Methods

Fifteen patients suffering from failed back/neck surgery syndrome and scheduled for SCS were interviewed in depth. All interviews were audio recorded and analyzed using in vivo coding. Afterwards, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework was used to structure the responses of patients.

Results

In the domain of bodily functions, all patients mentioned pain reduction, and 1 patient wanted to regain his previous sleep pattern. In the domain of activities, walking, sitting, driving a car, bending down, and picking up were the highest ranked goals. Regaining a social life was the highest ranked goal for participation. Eleven patients wanted to regain a feeling of happiness, and 5 patients wanted to focus on avoiding depression.

Conclusion

The interviews revealed a broad spectrum of individual patients' goals, highlighting the need of individually targeted rehabilitation trajectories in the field of neuromodulation. Goal identification could entail the first step towards individualized medicine in the SCS trajectory.
Differential Recovery Migration across the Rural–Urban Gradient: Minimal and Short‐Term Population Gains for Rural Disaster‐Affected Gulf Coast Counties
Authors: Curtis Katherine J. , DeWaard Jack , Fussell Elizabeth , Rosenfeld Rachel A.
Published: October 2019

Places affected or threatened by extreme environmental disturbances confront a number of significant issues, including whether their populations will stay the same or change through migration. Research on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita shows some displaced residents returned to their disaster‐affected communities once the built environment was restored, new migrants settled in affected places as part of the rebuilding effort, and the regional migration system grew more urbanized and spatially concentrated during post‐disaster years. Research also shows that not all disaster‐affected places recovered their populations. Our study examines whether differential recovery is systematically patterned along the rural–urban gradient. Using U.S. Census Bureau estimates and IRS county‐to‐county migration data, we investigate whether the 2005 hurricane season differentially exacerbated or altered previous migration trends across a rural–urban gradient that incorporates proximity to metropolitan areas and disaster‐related housing loss. We find a rural–urban differential in Gulf Coast recovery migration: The disaster boosted migration among non‐metropolitan counties, yet these increases were smaller and short‐lived compared to the patterns found for metropolitan counties, most especially high loss metropolitan counties. Our findings encourage theories of environmental migration to incorporate spatial differentiation and scenarios of environmental changes to account for differential impacts on settlement patterns across the rural–urban continuum.
A modified technique to fabricate a complete hollow obturator for bilateral maxillectomy in a patient with mucormycosis—A technical case report
Authors: Mani Uma Maheswari , Mohamed Kasim , Krishna Kumar Arjun , Inbarajan Athiban
Published: October 2019

Maxillectomy performed in acquired lesions is often very extensive or bilateral, sparing very less hard and soft tissue in the oral cavity. These defects need both surgical and prosthetic rehabilitation. A definitive prosthesis is inserted after complete healing, when the patient is accustomed to the interim prosthesis. Definitive obturator warrants better retention and stability and needs a meticulous planning in design for long‐term use. Conventional design has a few disadvantages; it needs modification many times to improve retention and psychological comfort of the patient. The article explains an easy technique in fabrication of an obturator. The conventional obturator design has a hollow antral part but usually a solid oral part, which adds to the weight of the prosthesis pressurizing the soft tissues in a maxillectomy, which affects the function and esthetics. This article demonstrates the hollowing of oral part, which bears the artificial teeth, and modifying the antral bulb, which covers the defect. It was designed considering the potential difficulties shared by the patient in wearing the single piece conventional hollow bulb design. This technique when followed was beneficial in reducing the weight of the prosthesis and enhancing retention, and allowed the patient to perform normal functional movements.
Health status, health behaviours and healthcare access of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations in Turkey
Authors: Ercan Sahin Nilay , Aslan Funda , Emiroglu Oya Nuran
Published: October 2019

Background

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience many barriers to healthcare access and health disparities because of societal stigma, discrimination and homophobia by the community and healthcare providers. Therefore, this sexual minority group poses a risk for poor health status.

Aims

To determine the health status, health behaviours and healthcare access among LGBT individuals in Turkey.

Methods

The study was conducted on 140 self‐identified LGBT individuals in Turkey between 11 April and 15 July 2016 as a descriptive, electronical survey design. Data were collected by questionnaire form, developed based on the researchers’ review of the literature.

Results

The results of this study revealed that 65% of LGBT participants self‐reported that their mental health status was ‘poor/fair’ while 69% of participants reported that their physical health was ‘good/excellent’. Most of them had smoking (60%), using alcohol (76.3%) and did unprotected sex (55.3%) and reported disclosing their LGBT status to the healthcare provider (90.6%); 48.6% of participants thought that disclosing their LGBT status would affect their treatment. Barriers to healthcare access included disclosing LGBT status, societal stigma, negative attitude of healthcare provider, dissatisfaction with healthcare, and lack of health insurance and financial resources.

Conclusions

These results can assist healthcare providers, especially nurses as critical members of this group, to serve LGBT individuals satisfactorily. Besides, it is expected that these results will shed light on new research.
Free trade agreements in a small, open country: The case of Norway
Authors: Medin Hege
Published: October 2019

Negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs) has been a high political priority for Norway. Today, it has agreements with 41 countries outside the European Union (EU)/the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), resulting in one of the world's most extensive FTA networks. FTAs cover about 10% of Norway's trade—a share likely to increase in the future. These agreements eliminate tariffs on a substantial number of traded products and have gradually become more comprehensive, covering an expanding range of non‐tariff areas. Hence, they may have trade‐promoting effects beyond tariff reductions as such. On the other hand, the non‐tariff provisions often do not go further than what has already been dealt with in other international agreements or practised domestically, so their overall effect may be limited.
Demand shifts and willingness to pay in applied trade models
Authors: Walmsley Terrie , Minor Peter
Published: October 2019

Emerging issues facing open economies, including global value chains and non‐tariff measures, have important implications for demand that are often not well suited for analysis with the supply‐side mechanisms commonly found in economic models – namely taxes and productivity. The aim of this paper is to provide a methodological approach for implementing demand‐side changes. Specifically, the approach adapts the Armington equation to model a change in consumers' willingness to pay for imports. To illustrate, we estimate the impacts of the World Trade Organization's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). Estimated ad valorem equivalents of the TFA are applied as demand‐side shocks to consumers' willingness to pay in a global applied general equilibrium model and the results compared to those obtained using Samuelson's iceberg approach. We find that the iceberg approach results in a technical change which increases the productivity of imports, raising real GDP, while the willingness‐to‐pay approach causes a smaller rise in real GDP, although trade increases further. The impact on the terms of trade differs significantly between the two mechanisms, with prices falling as costs fall, under the iceberg method, and rising with increased willingness to pay. Our results clearly show that the choice of mechanism matters.
Nicotinic receptors modulate skin perfusion during normothermia, and have a limited role in skin vasodilatation and sweating during hyperthermia
Authors: Fujii Naoto , Amano Tatsuro , Kenny Glen P. , Honda Yasushi , Kondo Narihiko , Nishiyasu Takeshi
Published: October 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What is the role of nicotinic receptors in the regulation of normothermic cutaneous blood flow and cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating during whole‐body heating induced following resting in a non‐heat‐stress condition?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Nicotinic receptors modulated cutaneous vascular tone during rest in a non‐heat‐stress condition and in the early stage of heating, but they had a limited role in mediating cutaneous vasodilatation when core temperature increased >0.4°C. Further, the contribution of nicotinic receptors to sweating was negligible during whole‐body heating. Our findings provide new insights into the role of nicotinic receptors in end‐organ function of skin vasculature and sweat glands in humans.

Nicotinic receptors are present in human skin including cutaneous vessels and eccrine sweat glands as well as peripheral nerves. We tested the hypothesis that nicotinic receptors do not contribute to the control of cutaneous vascular tone in the normothermic state, but are involved in mediating cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating during a whole‐body passive heat stress in humans. We first performed a nicotinic receptor blocker verification protocol in six young adults (one female) wherein increases in cutaneous vascular conductance and sweating elicited by 10 mm nicotine were blocked by administration of 500 µm hexamethonium to confirm effective blockade. Thereafter, 12 young males participated in a passive heating protocol. After an instrumentation period in a non‐heat‐stress condition, participants rested for a 10 min baseline period. Thereafter, oesophageal temperature was increased by 1.0°C using water‐perfusion suits. Cutaneous vascular conductance, sweat rate, active sweat gland density and sweat output per individual gland were assessed with and without 500 µm hexamethonium administered via intradermal microdialysis. Hexamethonium reduced cutaneous vascular conductance by 22–34% during normothermia and the early stage of heating. However, this effect was diminished as oesophageal temperature increased >0.4°C. Active sweat gland density was reduced by hexamethonium when oesophageal temperature was elevated by 0.4–0.6°C above baseline resting. However, this was paralleled by a marginal increase in sweat gland output. Consequently, sweat rate remained unchanged. We showed that nicotinic receptors modulate cutaneous perfusion during normothermia and the early stage of heating, but not when core temperature increases >0.4°C. Additionally, they play a limited role in mediating sweating during heating.