bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business for Climate: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Policy Support from Transnational Companies
Authors: Witte Daniel
Published: August 2020

Transnational companies (TNCs) are becoming increasingly influential in the global governance of climate change. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to understand the factors that explain why some TNCs broadly support policies to tackle climate change, while others oppose them. This study subjects previous findings from small-N case studies to a more systematic fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). It investigates previous findings that link exposure to fossil fuels to policy opposition, and transnational operations, exposure to consumers, certain factors in the institutional environment, and pressure from investors to policy support. The study concludes that findings from small-N case literature can explain the necessary conditions for climate policy support in a larger set of TNCs from a wider variety of sectors and geographies beyond GHG-intensive sectors, such as retail, technology, and telecommunication. It concludes by suggesting areas and cases for further research.
Experiments in EU Climate Governance: The Unfulfilled Potential of the Covenant of Mayors
Authors: Domorenok Ekaterina , Acconcia Giuseppe , Bendlin Lena , Campillo Xira Ruiz
Published: August 2020

Over the last decade, a growing body of academic literature has reflected on how and under which conditions experiments in global climate governance lead to broader changes in rules, norms, and practices helping to meet the challenge of climate change. Drawing on the assumptions of the scholarship on experimentalist governance architectures, this article analyzes the effectiveness of the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) as a comprehensive governance framework that enables the development and coordination of local policies for sustainable energy and climate through a range of joint instruments for recursive goal setting, monitoring, and benchmarking. Our findings illustrate the CoM’s significant potential in terms of both general political uptake and policy output, which could make of this program, if appropriately fine-tuned, a successful governance experiment contributing to building a more effective global climate regime.
A unique flower in Miocene amber sheds new light on the evolution of flowers

Authors: LIU XUE-DIE , DIEZ JOSÉ BIENVENIDO , FAN YONG , LIU ZHONG-JIAN , WANG XIN
Published: August 2020

The evolution of flowers is among the foremost topics in evolutionary science. The question for botanists of how flowers evolved exists mainly due to lack of relevant fossil evidence, especially of well-preserved flowers. Dominican amber has yielded abundant fossils (including those of flowers) and thus opens a unique window on flower evolution. Here we report a unique flower preserved in mid-Miocene Dominican amber, Dinganthus pentamera gen. et sp. nov. The flower is actinomorphic, pentamerous, bisexual flower including two bracts, five tepals, 10 stamens, and gynoecium. The stamens are dorsifixed, filamentous, and latrorse. The gynoecium in the centre comprises three portions, namely, a basal gynophore, multiple ovaries in the middle, and an apical style. Supplementing to the developmental and genetic evidence, the unique morphology of Dinganthus suggests that a flower is a condensed shoot with lateral appendages, a long-held belief in botany.
The ant genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Madagascar—taxonomic revision of the bessonii species-group
Authors: SALATA SEBASTIAN , FISHER BRIAN L.
Published: August 2020

The present study represents a taxonomic revision of the P. bessonii species-group from Madagascar. Eighteen members of this group are recognized and described, and an illustrated identification key to this group is also presented. One name is raised to species level: P. decollata Forel, 1892 stat. nov. We also redescribe worker castes and designate lectotypes for P. bessonii Forel, 1891, P. decollata Forel, 1892, P. grallatrix Emery, 1899, P. madecassa Forel, 1892, and P. oswaldi 1891. The following 13 new species are described: Pheidole antsahabe sp. nov., Pheidole atsirakambiaty sp. nov., Pheidole clara sp. nov., Pheidole flammea sp. nov., Pheidole flavodepressa sp. nov., Pheidole mantadioflava sp. nov., Pheidole maro sp. nov., Pheidole ovalinoda sp. nov., Pheidole similis sp. nov., Pheidole tenebrovulgaris sp. nov., Pheidole uranus sp. nov., Pheidole voreios sp. nov., Pheidole zirafy sp. nov.
Climatic Shift of the Tropical Cyclone Activity Affecting Vietnam’s Coastal Region
Authors: Tran-Quang Duc , Pham-Thanh Ha , Vu The-Anh , Kieu Chanh , Phan-Van Tan
Published: August 2020

This study examines the climatic shift of the tropical cyclone (TC) frequency affecting Vietnam’s coastal region during 1975–2014. By separating TC databases into two different 20-yr epochs, it is found that there is a consistent increase in both the number of strong TCs and the number of TC occurrences during the recent epoch (1995–2014) as compared with the reference epoch (1975–94) across different TC databases. This finding suggests that not only the number of strong TCs but also the lifetime of strong TCs affecting Vietnam’s coastal region has been recently increasing as compared with the reference epoch from 1975 to 1994. To understand the physical connection of these shifts in the TC frequency and duration, large-scale conditions obtained from reanalysis data are analyzed. Results show that meridional surface temperature gradient (STG) during the recent epoch is substantially larger than that during 1975–94. Such an increase in the meridional STG is important because it is potentially linked to the increase in large-scale vertical wind shear as well as the reduced intensity of summer monsoon in the South China Sea between the two epochs.
Dynamical Downscaling for Southeast Alaska: Historical Climate and Future Projections
Authors: Lader Rick , Bidlack Allison , Walsh John E. , Bhatt Uma S. , Bieniek Peter A.
Published: August 2020

Warming temperatures across southeast Alaska are affecting the region’s energy and transportation sectors, marine ecosystems, and forest health. More frequent above-freezing temperatures lead a transition from snow- to rain-dominant precipitation regimes, accelerating glacial mass balance loss and a leading to a greater risk for warm-season drought. Southeast Alaska has steep topographical gradients, which necessitate the use of downscaled climate information to study historical and projected periods. This study used regional dynamical downscaling at 4-km spatial resolution with the Weather Research and Forecasting Model to assess historical (1981–2010) and projected (2031–60) climate states for southeast Alaska. These simulations were driven by one reanalysis (i.e., the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis) and two climate models (i.e., the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Climate Model, version 3, and the NCAR Community Climate System Model, version 4), which each included a historical simulation and a projected simulation. The future simulations used the representative concentration pathway 8.5 emissions scenario. Bias-corrected projections (2031–60 minus 1981–2010) indicated seasonal warming of 1°–3°C, increased precipitation during autumn (4%–12%) and winter (7%–12%), and decreased snowfall in all seasons (up to 60% in autumn). The average number of days annually with a minimum temperature below freezing dropped by more than 30. The average annual maximum consecutive 3-day precipitation amounts increased by 11%–16%, but analogous extreme snowfall amounts dropped by 5%–11%. The most substantial snow losses occurred at low-elevation and coastal locations; at many high elevations (e.g., above 1000 m), extreme snowfall amounts increased.
Representation of the Equatorial Undercurrent in CMIP5 Models
Authors: Kuntz Lauren B. , Schrag Daniel P.
Published: August 2020

The Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC) is a vital component of tropical Pacific circulation, helping to modulate the state of the equatorial Pacific Ocean. Here we compare the representation of the EUC in models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) with observations of the undercurrent. We find that the CMIP5 models consistently underestimate both the magnitude and variability of the EUC. Insufficient resolution as well as diffusivity parameterizations both contribute to a representation of the EUC that is too weak and too diffuse. Given the strong influence of the EUC on the evolution of tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures, model deficiencies in the EUC contribute to shortcomings in capturing ENSO dynamics and Pacific decadal variability. Further evaluation of the impact of EUC simulation on the climatology and variability in the tropical Pacific is necessary.
Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Protect Cardiac Cells Against Hypoxia/Reoxygenation Injury by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress via Activation of the PI3K/Akt Pathway
Authors: Zhang Changyi , Wang Hongwu , Chan Godfrey C.F. , Zhou Yu , Lai Xiulan , Lian Ma
Published: August 2020

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells derived extracellular vesicles (HuMSC-EVs) could protect cardiac cells against hyperactive ER stress induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. The H/R model was generated using the H9c2 cultured cardiac cell line. HuMSC-EVs were extracted using a commercially available exosome isolation reagent. Levels of apoptosis-related signaling molecules and the degree of ER stress were assessed by western blot. The role of the PI3K/Akt pathway was investigated using signaling inhibitors. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) analysis were used for evaluating the therapeutic effects of HuMSC-EVs in vitro. The results showed that ER stress and the rate of apoptosis were increased in the context of H/R injury. Treatment with HuMSC-EVs inhibited ER stress and increased survival in H9c2 cells exposed to H/R. Mechanistically, the PI3K/Akt pathway was activated by treatment with HuMSC-EVs after H/R. Inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway by a specific inhibitor, LY294002, partially reduced the protective effect of HuMSC-EVs. Our findings suggest that HuMSC-EVs could alleviate ER stress–induced apoptosis during H/R via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
Impact of adjuvant therapeutic surgery on the health-related quality of life of pulmonary tuberculosis patients
Authors: Benito Pau , Vashakidze Sergo , Gogishvili Shota , Nikolaishvili Keti , Despuig Albert , Tukvadze Nestan , Shubladze Natalia , Avaliani Zaza , Vilaplana Cristina
Published: August 2020

This study aimed to determine the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) and to assess its change after a therapeutic surgical procedure. In this scenario, the purpose was to elucidate and quantify the effect of various demographic, epidemiological, clinical, surgical and psychosocial details on this variable.

A prospective cohort of 40 patients undergoing therapeutic surgery for pulmonary TB (Study of Human Tuberculosis Lesions (SH-TBL) cohort) was recruited in Tbilisi, Georgia, between 2016 and 2018. HRQoL was assessed by administering the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and a novel psychosocial questionnaire, the BCN-Q, both at baseline and at 6 months post-surgery.

A statistically and clinically significant improvement in the SGRQ total score was observed at follow-up, although it did not reach the values found for the healthy population. The differences between time points were statistically significant for the following groups: women, age <40 years, body mass index ≥20 kg·m−2, nonsmokers, drug-susceptible and drug-resistant participants, both new and relapsed patients, early culture negativisation, cases with a single lesion, either lesions <35 mm or ≥35 mm, and lesion, lobe and lung resections.

The analysis of BCN-Q together with the SGRQ showed that several of its items, such as marital status, living conditions, nutrition, employment, external support, certain attitudes towards the healthcare system, emotional burden and sleep troubles, can impact HRQoL.

These results highlight the benefit of adjuvant therapeutic surgery for pulmonary TB in selected patients in terms of HRQoL and suggest that a comprehensive approach including demographic, epidemiological, clinical and psychosocial variables may more accurately predict TB evolution and prognosis.
Combined Prediction for Vehicle Speed with Fixed Route
Authors: Zhang Lipeng , Liu Wei , Qi Bingnan
Published: August 2020

Achieving accurate speed prediction provides the most critical support parameter for high-level energy management of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Nowadays, people often drive a vehicle on fixed routes in their daily travels and accurate speed predictions of these routes are possible with random prediction and machine learning, but the prediction accuracy still needs to be improved. The prediction accuracy of traditional prediction algorithms is difficult to further improve after reaching a certain accuracy; problems, such as over fitting, occur in the process of improving prediction accuracy. The combined prediction model proposed in this paper can abandon the transitional dependence on a single prediction. By combining the two prediction algorithms, the fusion of prediction performance is achieved, the limit of the single prediction performance is crossed, and the goal of improving vehicle speed prediction performance is achieved. In this paper, an extraction method suitable for fixed route vehicle speed is designed. The application of Markov and back propagation (BP) neural network in predictions is introduced. Three new combined prediction methods, all named Markov and BP Neural Network (MBNN) combined prediction algorithm, are proposed, which make full use of the advantages of Markov and BP neural network algorithms. Finally, the comparison among the prediction methods has been carried out. The results show that the three MBNN models have improved by about 19%, 28%, and 29% compared with the Markov prediction model, which has better performance in the single prediction models. Overall, the MBNN combined prediction models can improve the prediction accuracy by 25.3% on average, which provides important support for the possible optimization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle energy consumption.
The healing potential of an acutely repaired ACL: a sequential MRI study
Authors: Ferretti Andrea , Monaco Edoardo , Annibaldi Alessandro , Carrozzo Alessandro , Bruschi Mattia , Argento Giuseppe , DiFelice Gregory S.
Published: August 2020

Background

Recently, there has been renewed interest in primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair. The aim of this study is to report early clinical and radiological results of a consecutive series of acute ACL tears treated with arthroscopic primary ACL repair within 14 days from injury.

Patients and methods

A consecutive series of patients with acute ACL tears were prospectively included in the study. Based on MRI appearance, ACL tears were classified into five types, and tissue quality was graded as good, fair, and poor. Patients with type I, II, and III tears and at least 50% of ACL tibial remnant intact with good tissue quality were ultimately included. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale (TLKSS), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), subjective and objective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, and KT-1000. Patients were also followed up with MRI evaluations at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. ACL appearance was graded based on morphology (normal or abnormal) and signal intensity (isointense, intermediate, and hyperintense).

Results

The mean TLKSS was 98.1, the mean subjective IKDC was 97.6, and the mean KOOS was 98.2. The objective IKDC score was A in eight of ten patients and B in two patients. KT-1000 measurements showed a maximum manual side-to-side difference of less than 2 mm in eight of ten patients, whereas two patients showed a difference of 3 mm. The morphology of the repaired ACL was normal (grade 1) at 1 month follow-up in ten of ten cases, and this appearance persisted at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. The signal intensity at 1 month postoperatively was graded as isointense (grade 1) in four of ten patients, intermediate (grade 2) in five of ten patients, and hyperintense (grade 3) in one of ten patients. At both 3 and 6 months postoperatively, the signal intensity was graded as isointense (grade 1) in nine of ten patients and intermediate (grade 2) in one of ten patients.

Conclusions

Arthroscopic primary ACL repair performed acutely in a carefully selected group of patients with proximal ACL tears and good tissue quality showed good early clinical and radiological results.

Level of evidence

Level 4.
A retrospective study of a novel non-umbilical laparoscopic entry port in thin patients—Jain point
Authors: Jain Nutan , Singh Shalini , Mandal Kiran Kumari , Walia Apoorva , Jain Vandana , Kalia Richa
Published: August 2020

Background

To bring forth a novel non-umbilical entry port in case of thin patient.

Methods

This is a retrospective study carried out at Vardhman Trauma and Laparoscopy Centre on thin patients from 2011 to 2019. Out of 7324 patients operated between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2019 at this hospital, 398 met the criteria for thin patients (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2).

Results

A total of 398 patients who underwent laparoscopy surgery through the Jain point were classified as thin (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) patients. Infertility evaluation hystero-laparoscopy (30.40%), endometriosis (17.08%), and myomectomy (13.32%) followed by genital tuberculosis (11.5%) and ovarian tumors (4.01%) were the most common indications for surgery. None of the thin patients operated had any major vascular or bowel injury.

Conclusion

The Jain point can be an alternative non-umbilical primary entry port in thin patients especially when conventional techniques are contraindicated.
Efficacy of isoproterenol in the evaluation of dormant conduction and arrhythmogenic foci identification in atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Sakamoto Yusuke , Osanai Hiroyuki , Hiramatsu Shotaro , Matsumoto Hikari , Tagahara Kensuke , Hosono Hirotaka , Miyamoto Shun , Uno Hiroto , Kurokawa Hideki , Kondo Shun , Tokuda Kotaro , Kanbara Takahiro , Nakashima Yoshihito , Asano Hiroshi , Ajioka Masayoshi
Published: August 2020

Background

Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established therapy. However, postoperative recurrence is a serious issue caused by the reconduction of the isolated pulmonary veins (PV) and the onset of non-PV foci. The objectives of this study were to elucidate dormant conduction, confirm PV arrhythmia substrate, induce non-PV foci after PV isolation, and assess the acute efficacy of high dose isoproterenol (ISP) when administered in addition to adenosine.

Methods

The study consisted of 100 patients with drug-refractory AF (paroxysmal and persistent) who underwent ablation therapy (either radio-frequency or cryoballoon ablation) as the first-line of therapy at our hospital. All patients first underwent PV isolation (PVI) and were administered adenosine followed by ISP (6 μg × 5 min). The effects were observed, and the therapeutic strategy was evaluated.

Results

Persistent dormant conduction due to ISP administration was observed in 13 patients. In over half of the patients, arrhythmia substrates were identified in the PV. Ten patients presented with persistent PV firing. The ablation of non-PV foci was additionally performed in 23 patients.

Conclusions

We found that dormant conduction, as a result of ISP administration, is persistent and ISP is useful when performing an ablation. In addition, ISP administration is useful for the identification of PV arrhythmia substrates and induction of non-PV foci. However, the effectiveness of ISP may be partially due to the complementary effect of adenosine, and, therefore, a combination of the two drugs seems preferable.
The effect of maternal poliovirus antibodies on the immune responses of infants to poliovirus vaccines
Authors: Jia Siyue , Tang Rong , Li Guifan , Hu Yuemei , Liang Qi
Published: August 2020

Background

Maternal poliovirus antibodies could provide passive immunity to the newborns from poliovirus infection during their first few months of life, but they may impair the immune responses of infants to the poliovirus vaccine as well. In our study, we pooled the data from three clinical trials of the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) based on Sabin strains to investigate the effect of maternal poliovirus antibodies on the immune responses of infants to poliovirus vaccines.

Methods

There were five groups in the pooled analysis, including low-dose Sabin IPV, medium-dose Sabin IPV, high-dose Sabin IPV, control Sabin IPV, and control Salk IPV groups. We reclassified the infants in different groups according to their maternal poliovirus antibodies by two methods, the first one included maternal antibody negative (< 1:8) and maternal antibody positive (≥1:8), and the second one included maternal antibody titer < 1:8, 1:8 ~ < 1:32 and ≥ 1:32. Then, we compared the geometric mean titers (GMTs), geometric mean antibody fold increases (GMIs) and seroconversion rates of poliovirus type-specific neutralizing antibodies after vaccination among participants with different maternal poliovirus antibody levels.

Results

The GMTs and GMIs of three types of poliovirus antibodies after vaccination in maternal antibody negative participants were significantly higher than those in maternal antibody positive participants. The seroconversion rates of type II and type III poliovirus antibodies in maternal antibody positive participants were significantly lower than those in maternal antibody negative participants. Among participants with maternal antibody titer < 1:8, 1:8 ~ < 1:32 and ≥ 1:32, the GMTs and GMIs of three types of poliovirus antibodies after vaccination showed a tendency to decline with the increasing of maternal antibody levels. The seroconversion rates of three types of poliovirus antibodies in participants with maternal antibody titer ≥1:32 were significantly lower than those in participants with maternal antibody titer < 1:8 and 1:8 ~ < 1:32.

Conclusions

Maternal poliovirus antibodies interfered with the immune responses of infants to poliovirus vaccines, and a high level of maternal antibodies exhibited a greater dampening effect.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04264598 February 11, 2020; ClinicalTrials.govNCT04264546 February 11, 2020; ClinicalTrials.govNCT03902054 April 3, 2019. Retrospectively registered.
Clinical benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors approved by US Food and Drug Administration
Authors: Liang Fei , Zhang Sheng , Wang Qin , Li Wenfeng
Published: August 2020

Background

We describe the clinical benefit of immune checkpoint inhibitors using the European Society for Medical Oncology Magnitude of Clinical Benefit Scale (ESMO-MCBS) and ASCO VF.

Methods

We identify all approved indications of immune checkpoint inhibitors based on RCTs between January 1, 2011 and September 30, 2018 by FDA. Information including medians and HR of OS (PFS or DFS) and 95% CI, grade 3 or 4 toxicities in each arm, QOL data, survival probability at fixed time were extracted.

Results

Immune checkpoint inhibitors were approved for 18 indications based on RCTs. All the indications meet the ESMO-MCBS 1.1 threshold for meaningful benefit. By the updated ASCO-VF, the median Net Health Benefit (NHB) of these agents was 55.3 (range 17.4–77.1). Two third of the indication gained the bonus points for durable survival benefits by updated ASCO VF. When updated results were incorporated in the assessment, clinical benefit of most approved immune checkpoint inhibitors increased with a median improvement of NHB of 10 (range 2–20).

Conclusions

Approved immune checkpoint inhibitors provided clinical meaningful benefit by ESMO-MCBS 1.1, and most of these agents reach the threshold for bonus points for durable survival in the updated ASCO VF.
Comparative analysis of the tear protein profile in herpes simplex virus type 1 epithelial keratitis
Authors: Yang Hua , Yang Xiaozhao , Wang Yani , Zheng Xuan , Zhang Yi , Shao Yan
Published: August 2020

Background

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) keratitis is a major cause of corneal blindness in the world, and an in-depth understanding of its pathogenesis may help improve existing diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study is to compare and analysis the total tear protein profile of HSV-1 epithelial keratitis patients, and to quantify the potential candidate biomarkers of HSV-1 epithelial keratitis.

Methods

We investigated the proteome in tear fluid from three HSV-1 epithelial keratitis patients and three healthy control subjects using nano-scale liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS) analysis. Functional annotation of differentially expressed proteins was done with the Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. ELISA was done to quantify the potential candidate biomarkers in 26 clinical cases.

Results

Tear fluid from three HSV-1 epithelial keratitis patients and three healthy control subjects contained a total of 1275 proteins and 326 proteins were unique to tear fluid of HSV-1 epithelial keratitis patients. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that tear proteins from HSV-1 epithelial keratitis patients may be involved in metabolic processes, antigen presentation, inflammatory response, and in the TNF-mediated and T cell receptor pathways. Furthermore, IL1A, IL12B, DEFB4A, and CAMP, which are associated with the inflammatory response and inhibition of viral infection, were significantly more abundant in the HSV-1 epithelial keratitis patients than in the healthy control subjects.

Conclusions

This study reports the proteomic profile of tears in HSV-1 epithelial keratitis for the first time and identifies a number of unique differentially expressed proteins.
Efficacy and safety of wait and see strategy versus radical surgery and local excision for rectal cancer with cCR response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Guo-hua , Deng Li , Ye Dong-man , Wang Wen-hui , Yan Yan , Yu Tao
Published: August 2020

Background

Neoadjuvant therapy can shrink tumors, increase anus preservation rate, and protect anal function. Radical surgery need cut off the diseased bowel, clean up the lymph nodes, and then restore bowel function. It could bring traumatic effect and poor postoperative quality of life to the patient. Local resection requires removal of the diseased bowel with circular negative margin. The surgical trauma is small, and the postoperative quality of life is good. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety between wait and see strategy (WS), radical surgery (RS), and local excision (LE) of rectal cancer patients with clinical complete response (cCR) response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), and Wanfang databases to compare wait and see strategy with radical surgery and local excision for rectal cancer with cCR response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy up to March 2020. We collected the data of local recurrence, distant metastasis, cancer-related death, overall survival, and disease-free survival and used RevMan 5.0 to carry out the meta-analysis. Continuous data were evaluated by the standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and dichotomous data were evaluated by relative risks (ORs or RRs) with 95% CIs. We aimed to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the three groups.

Results

Eleven English studies with 1131 patients were included. There were 412 patients in WS group, 678 patients in RS group, and 41 patients in LE group. WS group had a higher local recurrence rate than RS group (OR 7.32, 95% CI 3.58 to 14.95, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the other data between the three groups.

Conclusion

Compared with the RS group, the WS group had an increased risk of local recurrence. However, the WS group had a similar DFS and OS compared with the RS group and the local excision group. Hence, we speculated that the WS group would have similar results as the surgery group for patients with cCR status.
Reducing unnecessary caesarean sections: scoping review of financial and regulatory interventions
Authors: Opiyo Newton , Young Claire , Requejo Jennifer Harris , Erdman Joanna , Bales Sarah , Betrán Ana Pilar
Published: August 2020

Background

Caesarean sections (CS) are increasing worldwide. Financial incentives and related regulatory and legislative factors are important determinants of CS rates. This scoping review examines the evidence base of financial, regulatory and legislative interventions intended to reduce CS rates.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and two trials registers in June 2019. Both experimental and observational intervention studies were eligible for inclusion. Primary outcome measures were: CS, spontaneous vaginal and instrumental birth rates. We assessed quality of evidence using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method.

Results

We identified 9057 articles and assessed 65 full-texts. We included 16 observational studies. Most of the studies were conducted in high-income countries.

Three studies assessed payment methods for health workers: equalising physician fees for vaginal and caesarean delivery reduced CS rates in one study; however, little or no difference in CS rates was found in the remaining two studies.

Nine studies assessed payment methods for health organisations:

There was no difference in CS rates between diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment system compared to fee-for-service system in one study. However, DRG system was associated with lower odds for CS in another study.

There was little or no difference in CS rates following implementation of global budget payment (GBP) system in two studies.

Vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) increased after implementation of a case-based payment system in one study. Caesarean section increased while VBAC rates decreased following implementation of a cap-based payment system in another study.

Financial incentive for providers to promote vaginal delivery combined with free vaginal delivery policy was found to reduce CS rates in one study.

Studied regulatory and legislative interventions (comprising legislatively imposed practice guidelines for physicians in one study and multi-faceted strategy which included policies to control CS on maternal request in another study) were found to reduce CS rates.

The GRADE quality of evidence varied from very low to low.

Conclusions

Available evidence on the effects of financial and regulatory strategies intended to reduce unnecessary CS is inconclusive given inconsistency in effects and low quality of the available evidence. More rigorous studies are needed.
Efficient chromatin profiling of H3K4me3 modification in cotton using CUT&Tag
Authors: Tao Xiaoyuan , Feng Shouli , Zhao Ting , Guan Xueying
Published: August 2020

Background

In 2019, Kaya-Okur et al. reported on the cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) technology for efficient profiling of epigenetically modified DNA fragments. It was used mainly for cultured cell lines and was especially effective for small samples and single cells. This strategy generated high-resolution and low-background-noise chromatin profiling data for epigenomic analysis. CUT&Tag is well suited to be used in plant cells, especially in tissues from which small samples are taken, such as ovules, anthers, and fibers.

Results

Here, we present a CUT&Tag protocol step by step using plant nuclei. In this protocol, we quantified the nuclei that can be used in each CUT&Tag reaction, and compared the efficiency of CUT&Tag with chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing (ChIP-seq) in the leaves of cotton. A general workflow for the bioinformatic analysis of CUT&Tag is also provided. Results indicated that, compared with ChIP-seq, the CUT&Tag procedure was faster and showed a higher-resolution, lower-background signal than did ChIP.

Conclusion

A CUT&Tag protocol has been refined for plant cells using intact nuclei that have been isolated.
Wrist movements induce torque and lever force in the scaphoid: an ex vivo study
Authors: Erhart Jochen , Unger Ewald , Schefzig Philip , Varga Peter , Hagmann Michael , Ristl Robin , Hajdu Stefan , Gormasz Anna , Sadoghi Patrick , Mayr Winfried
Published: August 2020

Purpose

We hypothesised that intercarpal K-wire fixation of adjacent carpal bones would reduce torque and lever force within a fractured scaphoid bone.

Methods

In eight cadaver wrists, a scaphoid osteotomy was stabilised using a locking nail, which also functioned as a sensor to measure isometric torque and lever forces between the fragments. The wrist was moved through 80% of full range of motion (ROM) to generate torque and force within the scaphoid. Testing was performed with and without loading of the wrist and K-wire stabilisation of the adjacent carpal bones.

Results

Average torque and lever force values were 49.6 ± 25.1 Nmm and 3.5 ± 0.9 N during extension and 41 ± 26.7 Nmm and 8.1 ± 2.8 N during flexion. Torque and lever force did not depend on scaphoid size, individual wrist ROM, or deviations of the sensor versus the anatomic axis. K-wire fixation did not produce significant changes in average torque and lever force values except with wrist radial abduction (P = 0.0485). Other than wrist extension, torque direction was not predictable.

Conclusion

In unstable scaphoid fractures, we suggest securing rotational stability with selected implants for functional postoperative care. Wrist ROM within 20% extension and radial abduction to 50% flexion limit torque and lever force exacerbation between scaphoid fragments.
The MAPK and AMPK signalings: interplay and implication in targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Yuan Jimin , Dong Xiaoduo , Yap Jiajun , Hu Jiancheng
Published: August 2020

Cancer is characterized as a complex disease caused by coordinated alterations of multiple signaling pathways. The Ras/RAF/MEK/ERK (MAPK) signaling is one of the best-defined pathways in cancer biology, and its hyperactivation is responsible for over 40% human cancer cases. To drive carcinogenesis, this signaling promotes cellular overgrowth by turning on proliferative genes, and simultaneously enables cells to overcome metabolic stress by inhibiting AMPK signaling, a key singular node of cellular metabolism. Recent studies have shown that AMPK signaling can also reversibly regulate hyperactive MAPK signaling in cancer cells by phosphorylating its key components, RAF/KSR family kinases, which affects not only carcinogenesis but also the outcomes of targeted cancer therapies against the MAPK signaling. In this review, we will summarize the current proceedings of how MAPK-AMPK signalings interplay with each other in cancer biology, as well as its implications in clinic cancer treatment with MAPK inhibition and AMPK modulators, and discuss the exploitation of combinatory therapies targeting both MAPK and AMPK as a novel therapeutic intervention.
Comprehensive analysis of the mechanism and treatment significance of Mucins in lung cancer
Authors: Ning Yue , Zheng Hongmei , Zhan Yuting , Liu Sile , yang Yang , Zang Hongjing , Luo Jiadi , Wen Qiuyuan , Fan Songqing
Published: August 2020

Aberrant expression of mucin proteins has played a complex and essential role in cancer development and metastasis. Members of the mucin family have been intimately implicated in lung cancer progression, metastasis, survival and chemo-resistance. During the progression of lung cancer, mucin proteins have involved all of the procession of lung cancer, which is interacted with many receptor tyrosine kinases signal pathways and mediated cell signals for tumor cell growth and survival. Mucins thus have been considerable as the indicator of negative prognosis and desirable therapeutic targets of lung cancers. In this review, we comprehensively analyzed the role of each member of the mucin family in lung cancer by combining open-accessed database analysis and assembling cutting-edge information about these molecules.
Cancer-derived exosomal TRIM59 regulates macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome activation to promote lung cancer progression
Authors: Liang Manman , Chen Xingwu , Wang Lijing , Qin Lilong , Wang Hanli , Sun Zhengui , Zhao Wenying , Geng Biao
Published: August 2020

Background

Exosomes are emerging as important mediators of the cross-talk between tumor cells and the microenvironment. The communication between tumor-derived exosomes and macrophages has a critical role in facilitating tumor progression. However, the mechanisms by which exosomes modulate tumor development in lung cancer are not fully understood.

Methods

Short hairpin RNA mediated knockdown or exogenous expression of TRIM59 combined with in vitro and in vivo assays were performed to prove the functional significance of TRIM59. Western blotting, real-time PCR, co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence (IF) staining assays, proximity ligation assay (PLA), ubiquitination assays, lactate secretion and lipid droplets content measurement, and rescue experiments were used to evaluate the mechanism. Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells were injected via subcutaneously or tail vein into C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and transgenic mice to assess the role of TRIM59 in vivo.

Results

We demonstrated that tripartite motif-containing 59 (TRIM59) was expressed in lung cancer cells-derived exosomes, and can be transferred to macrophages through the exosomes. Activated macrophages by TRIM59 promote lung cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic investigations revealed that TRIM59 physically interacts with abhydrolase domain containing 5 (ABHD5) and directly induced the ubiquitination of ABHD5 and led to its proteasome-dependent degradation. ABHD5, an lipolytic co-activator, deficiency induced metabolic reprogramming and enabled NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages. Further studies showed that the exacerbation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation by ABHD5 deficiency, provides a positive feedback loop to promote cancer progression by preferentially secrete the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data indicate that tumor-derived exosomal TRIM59 converts macrophages to tumor-promoting functions of macrophages via regulating ABHD5 proteasomal degradation, to activate NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway to promote lung cancer progression by IL-1β secretion. Our findings also indicate that tumor-derived exosomal TRIM59 has an important role in intercellular communication for fostering an inflammatory microenvironment and promoting lung metastasis.
Knockdown of ribosomal protein S6 suppresses proliferation, migration, and invasion in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Yang Xueqing , Xu Luxi , Yang Yu-e , Xiong Chang , Yu Jinjin , Wang Yuan , Lin Yaying
Published: August 2020

Background

Ovarian cancer typically is diagnosed late because insensitivity and lack of specificity of current biomarkers prior to its clinical detection. Ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) is a ribosomal protein involved in the ribosomal 40S subunit, but its biological role in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is still unknown.

Results

RPS6 was elevated in EOC compared to normal ovarian tissues and adenomas. Higher expression of RPS6 predicted worse prognosis in EOC. The level of RPS6 was correlated with clinical stage, histological type and pathological grade. Knockdown of RPS6 reduced the proliferation of ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV-3 and HO8910, and inhibit the migration and invasion ability. It revealed that cells arrested at G0G1 phase after knockdown of RPS6, and the expressions of CyclinD1, Cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6 and pRb were also reduced.

Conclusions

RPS6 is involved in EOC and knockdown of RPS6 could inhibit the proliferation, invasion and migration ability of EOC in vitro by inducing G0/G1 phase arrest. RPS6 is expected to be a novel biomarker and molecular target to the EOC.
Transcriptome analysis of Aedes aegypti Aag2 cells in response to dengue virus-2 infection
Authors: Li Man-jin , Lan Ce-jie , Gao He-ting , Xing Dan , Gu Zhen-yu , Su Duo , Zhao Tong-yan , Yang Hui-ying , Li Chun-xiao
Published: August 2020

Background

Dengue virus (DENV) is a flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes that is prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries and has four serotypes (DENV1-4). Aedes aegypti, as the main transmission vector of DENV, exhibits strong infectivity and transmission. With the aim of obtaining a better understanding of the Ae. aegypti-DENV interaction, the transcriptome changes in DENV-2-infected Aag2 cells were studied to describe the immune responses of mosquitoes using the Ae. aegypti Aag2 cell line as a model.

Methods

RNAseq technology was used to sequence the transcripts of the Ae. aegypti Aag2 cell line before and after infection with DENV-2. A bioinformatics analysis was then performed to assess the biological functions of the differentially expressed genes, and the sequencing data were verified by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results

The transcriptome analysis generated 8866 unigenes that were found in both groups, 225 unigenes that were only found in the infection group, and 683 unigenes that only existed in the control group. A total of 1199 differentially expressed genes, including 1014 upregulated and 185 downregulated genes, were identified. The bioinformatics analysis showed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in the longevity regulating pathway, circadian rhythm, DNA replication, and peroxisome, purine, pyrimidine, and drug metabolism. The qRT-PCR verification results showed the same trend, which confirmed that the expression of the differentially expressed genes had changed, and that the transcriptome sequencing data were reliable.

Conclusions

This study investigated the changes in the transcriptome levels in the DENV-2-infected Ae. aegypti Aag2 cell line, which provides a faster and effective method for discovering genes related to Ae. aegypti pathogen susceptibility. The findings provide basic data and directions for further research on the complex mechanism underlying host-pathogen interactions.
Diminished expression of major histocompatibility complex facilitates the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells in monkey
Authors: Wang Xiaokai , Lu Meng , Tian Xiaoyu , Ren Yansong , Li Yijun , Xiang Meng , Chen Sifeng
Published: August 2020

Background

Stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), have tremendous potential in health care, though with several significant limitations. Each of the limitations, including immunogenicity, may block most of the therapeutic potentials. Beta2 microglobulin (B2M) and MHC II transactivator (CIITA) are critical for MHC I and II, respectively. MHCs are responsible for immunogenic recognition.

Methods

B2M and CIITA were knocked out from human iPSCs, either separately or simultaneously. The effects of single or dual knockout of B2M and CIITA on iPSC properties were evaluated in a xenogeneic model of human-to-monkey transplantation.

Results

B2M or CIITA knockout in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) diminishes the expression of MHC I or II alleles, respectively, without changing iPSC pluripotency. Dual knockout was better than either single knockout in preserving the ability of human iPSCs to reduce infiltration of T and B lymphocytes, survive, and promote wound healing in monkey wound lesions. The knockouts did not affect the xenogeneic iPSC-induced infiltration of macrophages and natural killer cells. They, however, decreased the iPSC-promoted proliferation of allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells and T lymphocytes in vitro, although not so for B lymphocytes isolated from healthy human donors. Although the dual knockout cells survived long enough for suiting therapeutic needs, the cells eventually died, possibly due to innate immune response against them, thereby eliminating long-term risks.

Conclusions

Having these iPSCs with diminished immunogenicity-recognizable to allogeneic recipient may provide unlimited reproducible, universal, standardized “ready-to-use” iPSCs and relevant derivatives for clinical applications.
Vagal α7nAChR signaling regulates α7nAChR+Sca1+ cells during lung injury repair
Authors: Chen Xiaoyan , Chen Jie , Song Yuanlin , Su Xiao
Published: August 2020

Background

The distal airways of the lung and bone marrow are innervated by the vagus nerve. Vagal α7nAChR signaling plays a key role in regulating lung infection and inflammation; however, whether this pathway regulates α7nAChR+Sca1+cells during lung injury repair remains unknown. We hypothesized that vagal α7nAChR signaling controls α7nAChR+Sca1+cells, which contribute to the resolution of lung injury.

Methods

Pneumonia was induced by intratracheal challenge withE. coli. The bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) were isolated from the bone marrow of pneumonia mice for immunofluorescence. The bone marrow, blood, BAL, and lung cells were isolated for flow cytometric analysis by labeling with anti-Sca1, VE-cadherin, p-Akt1, or Flk1 antibodies. Immunofluorescence was also used to examine the coexpression of α7nAChR, VE-cadherin, and p-Akt1. Sham, vagotomized, α7nAChR knockout, and Akt1 knockout mice were infected withE. colito study the regulatory role of vagal α7nAChR signaling and Akt1 in Sca1+cells.

Results

During pneumonia, BM-MNCs were enriched with α7nAChR+Sca1+cells, and this cell population proliferated. Transplantation of pneumonia BM-MNCs could mitigate lung injury and increase engraftment in recipient pneumonia lungs. Activation of α7nAChR by its agonist could boost α7nAChR+Sca1+cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in pneumonia. Immunofluorescence revealed that α7nAChR, VE-cadherin, and p-Akt1 were coexpressed in the bone marrow cells. Vagotomy could reduce α7nAChR+VE-cadherin+and VE-cadherin+p-Akt1+cells in the bone marrow in pneumonia. Knockout of α7nAChR reduced VE-cadherin+cells and p-Akt1+cells in the bone marrow. Deletion of Akt1 reduced Sca1+cells in the bone marrow and BAL. More importantly, 91.3 ± 4.9% bone marrow and 77.8 ± 4.9% lung α7nAChR+Sca1+VE-cadherin+cells expressed Flk1, which is a key marker of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Vagotomy reduced α7nAChR+Sca1+VE-cadherin+p-Akt1+cells in the bone marrow and lung from pneumonia mice. Treatment with cultured EPCs reduced ELW compared to PBS treatment inE. colipneumonia mice at 48 h. The ELW was further reduced by treatment with EPCs combining with α7nAChR agonist-PHA568487 compared to EPC treatments only.

Conclusions

Vagal α7nAChR signaling regulates α7nAChR+Sca1+VE-cadherin+EPCs via phosphorylation of Akt1 during lung injury repair in pneumonia.
spyrmsd: symmetry-corrected RMSD calculations in Python
Authors: Meli Rocco , Biggin Philip C.
Published: August 2020

Root mean square displacement (RMSD) calculations play a fundamental role in the comparison of different conformers of the same ligand. This is particularly important in the evaluation of protein-ligand docking, where different ligand poses are generated by docking software and their quality is usually assessed by RMSD calculations. Unfortunately, many RMSD calculation tools do not take into account the symmetry of the molecule, remain difficult to integrate flawlessly in cheminformatics and machine learning pipelines—which are often written in Python—or are shipped within large code bases. Here we present a new open-source RMSD calculation tool written in Python, designed to be extremely lightweight and easy to integrate into existing software.