bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of epigenetic markers to predict irradiation efficacy against oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Kurokawa Tomoya , Nakagawa Takuya , Matsusaka Keisuke , Fukuyo Masaki , Mima Masato , Misawa Kiyoshi , Rahmutulla Bahityar , Ikeda Jun‐ichiro , Hanazawa Toyoyuki , Okamoto Yoshitaka , Kaneda Atsushi
Published: February 2020

Irradiation, or chemoradiotherapy, is a curative treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Its invasiveness, however, can often negate its efficacy. Therefore, developing methods to predict which patients would benefit from irradiation is urgent. Promoter DNA hypermethylation was recently reported to correlate with favorable OPSCC prognosis. It is still unclear, however, whether there is an association between promoter DNA methylation and response to irradiation. In this study, we analyzed DNA methylation in the specimens from 40 OPSCC patients who had undergone irradiation, using the Infinium assay. Our results showed significant correlation between high levels of promoter DNA methylation and better response to treatment (P < 0.01). We used the 10 most differentially‐methylated genes between responders and non–responders to develop a panel of predictive markers for efficacy. Our panel had high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy (92%, 93% and 93%, respectively). We conducted pyrosequencing to quantitatively validate the methylation levels of 8 of the 10 marker genes (ROBO1, ULK4P3, MYOD1, LBX1, CACNA1A, IRX4, DPYSL3 and ELAVL2) obtained by Infinium. The validation by pyrosequencing showed that these 8 genes had a high prediction performance for the training set of 40 specimens and for a validation set of 35 OPSCC specimens, showing 96% sensitivity, 89% specificity and 94% accuracy. Methylation of these markers correlated significantly with better progression‐free and overall survival rates, regardless of human papillomavirus status. These results indicate that increased DNA methylation is associated with better responses to irradiation therapy and that DNA methylation can help establish efficacy prediction markers in OPSCC.
The impact of oral health literacy and family cohesion on dental caries in early adolescence
Authors: Neves Érick Tássio Barbosa , Dutra Laio da Costa , Gomes Monalisa Cesarino , Paiva Saul Martins , de Abreu Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães , Ferreira Fernanda Morais , Granville‐Garcia Ana Flávia
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the prevalence of cavitated dental caries and oral health literacy (OHL), family characteristics and sociodemographic factors in early adolescence.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted with 740 twelve‐year‐old students. The students' guardians provided information on sociodemographic data, and the students provided information on family characteristics and OHL. Two trained dentists examined the participants for dental caries and administered the Brazilian version of the Rapid Estimate of Oral Health Literacy in Dentistry (BREALD‐30). Control variables were selected using a directed acyclic graph. Descriptive analysis was performed; this was followed by robust Poisson regression analysis for complex samples to evaluate the association between dental caries and socioeconomic and family predictors (α = 5%).

Results

The following variables were associated with a greater number of cavitated caries lesions: low level of education completed by the mother (RR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12‐2.24), less privileged social class (RR = 1.89; 95% CI: 1.28‐2.80), non‐White ethnicity (RR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.0‐2.48), larger number of residents in the home (RR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.25‐2.81), low level of OHL (RR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.28‐3.18), and the ‘connected’ (RR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.17‐18.90), ‘separated’ (RR = 4.09; 95% CI: 1.05‐15.86) and ‘disengaged’ (RR = 4.20; 95% CI: 1.09‐16.18) types of family cohesion.

Conclusions

A low level of oral health literacy, sociodemographic factors, and a low level of family cohesion are predictors of cavitated caries lesions in early adolescence.
MAIT cell activation in adolescents is impacted by bile acid concentrations and body weight
Authors: Mendler A , Pierzchalski A , Bauer M , Röder S , Sattler A , Standl M , Borte M , von Bergen M , Rolle-Kampczyk U , Herberth G
Published: February 2020

Bile acids (BAs) are produced by liver hepatocytes and were recently shown to exert functions additional to their well-known role in lipid digestion. As yet it is not known whether the mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, which represent 10–15% of the hepatic T cell population, are affected by BAs. The focus of the present investigation was on the association of BA serum concentration with MAIT cell function and inflammatory parameters as well as on the relationship of these parameters to body weight. Blood samples from 41 normal weight and 41 overweight children of the Lifestyle Immune System Allergy (LISA) study were analyzed with respect to MAIT cell surface and activation markers [CD107a, CD137, CD69, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] after Escherichia coli stimulation, mRNA expression of promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF) and major histocompatibility complex class I-related gene protein (MR1), the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-8 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α as well as the concentrations of 13 conjugated and unconjugated BAs. Higher body weight was associated with reduced MAIT cell activation and expression of natural killer cell marker (NKp80) and chemokine receptor (CXCR3). BA concentrations were positively associated with the inflammatory parameters CRP, IL-8 and MIP-1α, but were negatively associated with the number of activated MAIT cells and the MAIT cell transcription factor PLZF. These relationships were exclusively found with conjugated BAs. BA-mediated inhibition of MAIT cell activation was confirmed in vitro. Thus, conjugated BAs have the capacity to modulate the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses.
The amygdala via the paraventricular nucleus regulates asthma attack in rats
Authors: Chen Zhe , Liu Ni‐na , Xiao Jian , Wang Yue‐han , Dong Rong
Published: February 2020

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the functions of the amygdala in rat asthma model.

Main methods

Wheat germ agglutinin‐horseradish peroxidase (WGA‐HRP) was used for tracing from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to the amygdala, and nuclear lesions were performed to observe changes in respiratory function and airway inflammation.

Results

This study showed that the extracellular neuronal discharged in the medial amygdala (MeA) and central amygdala (CeA), and the expression of Fos significantly increased in asthmatic rat compared to control group. The distribution of Fos‐ and oxytocin (OT)‐positive neurons and Fos/OT dual‐positive neurons evidently increased in the PVN. WGA‐HRP was injected into the PVN for tracing, and Fos/HRP‐dual‐positive neurons were observed to be distributed in the MeA. By using kainic acid (KA) to injure the MeA and CeA in asthmatic rats, expiratory and inspiratory times (TE/TI) and airway resistance (Raw) decreased, and minute ventilation volume (MVV) and dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn) increased accordingly. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the number of eosinophils and the concentration of IL‐4 were lower than those of the control group, and the ratio of Th1/Th2 cells was higher than that of the control group. In the PVN, the distribution of Fos‐, OT‐positive cells and Fos/OT double‐positive cells decreased compared with those of the control group. The activities of the MeA and CeA and of OT neurons in the PVN of the rats were correlated with the occurrence of asthma.

Conclusions

Asthma attack could induce neural activities in the MeA and CeA, and OT neurons in the PVN may be involved in the process of asthma attack.
Catalyzing sustainable fisheries management through behavior change interventions
Authors: McDonald Gavin , Wilson Molly , Veríssimo Diogo , Twohey Rebecca , Clemence Michaela , Apistar Dean , Box Stephen , Butler Paul , Cadiz Fel Cesar , Campbell Stuart J. , Cox Courtney , Effron Micah , Gaines Steve , Jakub Raymond , Mancao Roquelito H. , Rojas Pablo T. , Tirona Rocky Sanchez , Vianna Gabriel
Published: February 2020

Small‐scale fisheries are an important livelihood and primary protein source for coastal communities in many of the poorest regions in the world, yet many are overfished and thus require effective and scalable management solutions. Positive ecological and socioeconomic responses to management typically lag behind immediate costs borne by fishers from fishing pressure reductions necessary for fisheries recovery. These short‐term costs challenge the long‐term success of these interventions. However, social marketing may increase perceptions of management benefits before ecological and socioeconomic benefits are fully realized, driving new social norms and ultimately long‐term sustainable behavior change. By conducting underwater visual surveys to quantify ecological conditions and by conducting household surveys with community members to quantify their perceptions of management support and socioeconomic conditions, we assessed the impact of a standardized small‐scale fisheries management intervention that was implemented across 41 sites in Brazil, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The intervention combines TURF reserves (community‐based territorial use rights for fishing coupled with no‐take marine reserves) with locally tailored social‐marketing behavior change campaigns. Leveraging data across 22 indicators and 4 survey types, along with data from 3 control sites, we found that ecological and socioeconomic impacts varied and that communities supported the intervention and were already changing their fishing practices. These results suggest that communities were developing new social norms and fishing more sustainably before long‐term ecological and socioeconomic benefits of fisheries management materialized.
Priority areas for conservation of and research focused on terrestrial vertebrates
Authors: Nori Javier , Loyola Rafael , Villalobos Fabricio
Published: February 2020

Effective conservation policies require comprehensive knowledge of biodiversity. However, knowledge shortfalls still remain, hindering possibilities to improve decision making and built such policies. During the last 2 decades, conservationists have made great efforts to allocate resources as efficiently as possible but have rarely considered the idea that if research investments are also strategically allocated, it would likely fill knowledge gaps while simultaneously improving conservation actions. Therefore, prioritizing areas where both conservation and research actions could be conducted becomes a critical endeavor that can further maximize return on investment. We used Zonation, a conservation planning tool and geographical distributions of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles to suggest and compare priority areas for conservation and research of terrestrial vertebrates worldwide. We also evaluated the degree of human disturbance in both types of priority areas by describing the value of the human footprint index within such areas. The spatial concordance between priority conservation and research areas was low: 0.36% of the world's land area. In these areas, we found it would be possible to protect almost half of the currently threatened species and to gather information on nearly 42% of data‐deficient (DD) species. We also found that 6199 protected areas worldwide are located in such places, although only 35% of them have strict conservation purposes. Areas of consensus between conservation and research areas represent an opportunity for simultaneously conserving and acquiring knowledge of threatened and DD species of vertebrates. Although the picture is not the most encouraging, joint conservation and research efforts are possible and should be fostered to save vertebrate species from our own ignorance and extinction.
Investigating possible syndemic relationships between structural and drug use factors, sexual HIV transmission and viral load among men of colour who have sex with men in Los Angeles County
Authors: Quinn Brendan , Gorbach Pamina M. , Okafor Chukwuemeka N. , Heinzerling Keith G. , Shoptaw Steve
Published: February 2020

Introduction and Aims

Past research investigating syndemic factors and HIV‐related outcomes has overlooked the impact of structural conditions on behaviours linked with HIV transmission and disease progression. Given prevalent substance use among our sample, we explored whether four structural conditions indicative of social marginalisation and previously correlated with increased risk for HIV infection demonstrated syndemic (additive/synergistic) effects on: (i) HIV viral suppression; and (ii) self‐reported involvement in sexual HIV transmission behaviours among a prospective cohort mostly comprising men of colour who have sex with men (MCSM; i.e. Latino/Hispanic and African American/black men) in Los Angeles County.

Design and Methods

Data were collected between August 2014 and March 2017. The structural conditions of interest were: current unemployment, recent (≤6 months) incarceration history, ‘unstable’ accommodation (past month) and remote (>6 months) contact with health‐care providers. Generalised estimating equations assessed possible additive effects of experiencing multiple structural conditions, and possible synergistic effects on the HIV‐related outcomes.

Results

Of 428 participants, nearly half (49%) were HIV‐positive at baseline. Involvement in sexual HIV transmission risk behaviours varied over follow‐up (22–30%). Reporting ≥2 structural syndemic conditions was significantly associated with reporting sexual HIV transmission risk behaviours among HIV‐negative participants, and detectable viral load among HIV‐positive participants. Frequent methamphetamine use was consistently associated with the HIV‐related outcomes across the final multivariate models.

Discussion and Conclusions

When developing initiatives to address HIV transmission among marginalised sub‐populations including MCSM, we must holistically consider systemic and structural issues (e.g. unemployment and homelessness), especially in the context of prevalent substance use.
Raccoons foster the spread of freshwater and terrestrial microorganisms—Mammals as a source of microbial eDNA
Authors: Solarz Wojciech , Najberek Kamil , Wilk‐Woźniak Elżbieta , Biedrzycka Aleksandra
Published: February 2020

Aim

The aim of the study was to test the role of racoon (Procyon lotor), an invasive alien species, in the spread of microorganisms. We tested whether the spread of microorganisms can be detected by sampling microbial DNA sourced from the raccoon body, thus facilitating biodiversity research.

Location

Warta Mouth National Park, western Poland.

Methods

We used the V4 hyper‐variable region of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene and Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing to identify microorganisms present on the body surface of raccoons.

Results

Out of 170 DNA samples, we obtained 15 PCR products that contained the target sequences of freshwater or terrestrial microorganisms. We found that raccoons carry and spread chlorophytes, alveolates, amoeboids and fungi on their body surface. We identified 16 different microbial organisms. The sequences of four organisms, Micronuclearia podoventralis (amoeboid), Parachloroidium lobatum and Jaagichlorella roystonensis (chlorophyta), and Mortierella polygonia (fungi), exhibited 100% identity to the best GenBank hit and were thus identified to the species level. The two chlorophyte species, Parachloroidium lobatum and Jaagichlorella roystonensis, are particularly noteworthy, as they were first described recently, in 2013 and 2019, respectively, and knowledge about their global distribution is very scarce.

Main conclusions

We demonstrated that raccoons may effectively spread terrestrial and aquatic microorganisms. By utilizing this novel source of microbial DNA, we also showed that mammals may be effective living samplers. This perspective is worth exploring, as in some cases it may efficiently reduce the burden required in traditional sampling and provide valuable insights into local biodiversity and distributions of species.
Beyond Reintegration: War Veteranship in Mozambique and El Salvador
Authors: Wiegink Nikkie , Sprenkels Ralph
Published: February 2020

This article proposes the concept of ‘war veteranship’ to better understand war veterans’ positioning in and engagement with post‐war societies and state‐building processes. The study is based on ethnographic research with former insurgent movements, specifically the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) in Mozambique and the Farabundo Martí Front for National Liberation (FMLN) in El Salvador. The concept of war veteranship allows for the exploration of trajectories of former combatants not necessarily, and certainly not exclusively, in terms of reintegration, but rather in relation to the manifold ways in which the status and connections associated with armed group participation may hold currency in the veterans’ lives, and particularly in relation to political processes. The article argues that war veteranship is best understood as a distinct type of post‐war citizenship. Integral to the political accommodations that shape post‐war societies, war veteranship involves the construction, negotiation and contestation of the societal status of different categories of war veterans. Drawing on the analyses of political struggles of war veterans in RENAMO and FMLN over two decades, this study's findings underscore the longue‐durée socio‐political relevance of war veteranship, extending above and beyond reintegration efforts.
Renal outcomes with the newer antidiabetes drugs: the era before and after CREDENCE
Authors: Rajani A. , Sahay M. , Bhattacharyya A. , Amar A.
Published: February 2020

In 2008, the US Food and Drug Administration provided guidance for the evaluation of the cardiovascular safety of antidiabetes drugs. The newer antidiabetes drugs, approved after 2008, were therefore evaluated in long‐term cardiovascular outcome trials, designed and powered for the assessment of cardiovascular safety. Accordingly, the primary endpoint of these trials was a cardiac composite endpoint. Since 2008, the data from various cardiovascular outcome trials have been reported, including SAVOR‐TIMI 53 (saxagliptin), EXAMINE (alogliptin), TECOS (sitagliptin), CARMELINA (linagliptin), CAROLINA (linagliptin), ELIXA (lixisenatide), LEADER (liraglutide), EXSCEL (exenatide once‐weekly), SUSTAIN‐6 (injectable semaglutide), HARMONY Outcomes (albiglutide), REWIND (dulaglutide), PIONEER‐6 (oral semaglutide), EMPA‐REG OUTCOME (empagliflozin), the CANVAS Program (canagliflozin) and DECLARE‐TIMI 53 (dapagliflozin). Some of these trials subsequently also published data on renal outcomes, although these were secondary or exploratory analyses. Dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists had beneficial effects on albuminuria, while sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors additionally showed a positive effect on ‘hard’ renal outcomes. In contrast to the cardiovascular outcome trials, the renal outcome trial of canagliflozin, CREDENCE, assessed a hard renal endpoint as its primary endpoint and showed positive effects on these hard renal outcomes. In this review, we aim to highlight the renal outcome data from the cardiovascular outcome trials and the CREDENCE trial and understand the differences between their results. The post CREDENCE era would appear to reinforce the position of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors as drugs providing cardiorenal protection, in addition to their anti‐glycaemic effects.
Eco‐genetic additivity of diploids in allopolyploid wild wheats
Authors: Huynh Stella , Broennimann Olivier , Guisan Antoine , Felber François , Parisod Christian
Published: February 2020

Underpinnings of the distribution of allopolyploid species (hybrids with duplicated genome) along spatial and ecological gradients are elusive. As allopolyploid speciation combines the range of genetic and ecological characteristics of divergent diploids, allopolyploids initially show their additivity and are predicted to evolve differentiated ecological niches to establish in face of their competition. Here, we use four diploid wild wheats that differentially combined into four independent allopolyploid species to test for such additivity and assess the impact of ecological constraints on species ranges. Divergent genetic variation from diploids being fixed in heterozygote allopolyploids supports their genetic additivity. Spatial integration of comparative phylogeography and modelling of climatic niches supports ecological additivity of locally adapted diploid progenitors into allopolyploid species which subsequently colonised wide ranges. Allopolyploids fill suitable range to a larger extent than diploids and conservative evolution following the combination of divergent species appears to support their expansion under environmental changes.
A phase 1, randomized, pharmacokinetic trial of the effect of different meal compositions, whole milk, and alcohol on cannabidiol exposure and safety in healthy subjects
Authors: Crockett Julie , Critchley David , Tayo Bola , Berwaerts Joris , Morrison Gilmour
Published: February 2020

Objective

The pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety of single oral 750‐mg doses of a plant‐derived pharmaceutical formulation of highly purified cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex in the USA and Epidyolex in Europe; 100‐mg/mL oral solution) were assessed in healthy adults following a high‐fat/calorie meal (n = 15), a low‐fat/calorie meal (n = 14), whole milk (n = 15), or alcohol (n = 14), relative to the fasted state (n = 29).

Methods

Blood samples were collected until 96 hours postdose in each period and evaluated by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. PK parameters (maximum observed plasma concentration [Cmax], area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time zero to the last observed quantifiable concentration, area under the concentration‐time curve from time zero to infinity [AUC0‐∞], and time to maximum plasma concentration [tmax]) of CBD and its major metabolites were derived using noncompartmental analysis.

Results

CBD exposure increased by 3.8‐fold for AUC0‐∞ and 5.2‐fold for Cmax when CBD was administered with a high‐fat/calorie meal versus fasted. To a lesser extent, a low‐fat/calorie meal enhanced CBD exposure versus fasted with a 2.7‐fold increase in AUC0‐∞ and a 3.8‐fold increase in Cmax. Similarly, when dosed with whole milk, CBD exposure increased versus fasted by 2.4‐fold for AUC0‐∞ and 3.1‐fold for Cmax. Modest elevations in CBD exposure occurred when it was dosed with alcohol: 1.6‐fold for AUC0‐∞ and 1.9‐fold for Cmax. No clinically relevant effect of any test condition on CBD tmax or t½ versus the fasted state was apparent. The same trend was seen for the CBD metabolites, except that 7‐carboxy‐cannabidiol tmax was considerably longer when CBD was administered with alcohol (14 vs 4 hours fasted). Inter‐ and intrasubject variability in PK parameters was moderate to high during the trial.

Significance

CBD and metabolite exposures were most affected by a high‐fat/calorie meal. CBD exposures also increased with a low‐fat/calorie meal, whole milk, or alcohol, but to a lesser extent. CBD was tolerated, and there were no severe or serious adverse events during the trial.
Estimating portfolio risk for tail risk protection strategies
Authors: Happersberger David , Lohre Harald , Nolte Ingmar
Published: February 2020

We forecast portfolio risk for managing dynamic tail risk protection strategies, based on extreme value theory, expectile regression, copula‐GARCH and dynamic generalized autoregressive score models. Utilizing a loss function that overcomes the lack of elicitability for expected shortfall, we propose a novel expected shortfall (and value‐at‐risk) forecast combination approach, which dominates simple and sophisticated standalone models as well as a simple average combination approach in modeling the tail of the portfolio return distribution. While the associated dynamic risk targeting or portfolio insurance strategies provide effective downside protection, the latter strategies suffer less from inferior risk forecasts, given the defensive portfolio insurance mechanics.
Cervical articular process joint osteochondrosis in Warmblood foals
Authors: Bergmann Wilhelmina , de Mik‐van Mourik Marjolijn , Veraa Stefanie , van den Broek Jan , Wijnberg Inge D. , Back Willem , Gröne Andrea
Published: February 2020

Background

In Warmblood horses, degenerative joint disease is involved in cervical malformation and malarticulation (CVM). The degree of contribution of articular process joint (APJ) osteochondrosis (OC) is not clear.

Objectives

(a) To explore the presence of predilection sites for APJ OC in cervical and cranial thoracic vertebral columns of Warmblood foals and (b) to examine the correlation of such a site with the predilection site of CVM.

Study design

Case series.

Methods

Seven hundred APJ facets of C2 to T2 of 29 foals (11 months gestation to 12 months [median age 7 days; range 365 days; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2‐47 days]) were examined for OC and prevalence between joints, and the predilection site for CVM and the cranial cervical vertebral column were evaluated.

Results

About 20.6% of facets revealed OC. There was no predilection site. Prevalence decreased with age up to 1 year (odds ratio [OR] 0.997; (95% CI 0.975‐0.998)) but not up to 5 months. Severity increased with age in all age ranges (up to 1 year OR 1.023; 95% CI 1.005‐1.049; >1‐5 months, OR 1.203; 95% CI 1.014e+00‐1.921; up to 1 month, OR 1.114; 95% CI 1.041‐1.228). Highest prevalence was in cranial facets of the cervical and cervical‐thoracic joints and in caudal facets of the thoracic joint up to 1 year and up to 1 month (OR 0.364; 95% CI 0.170‐0.745, OR 0.434; 95% CI: 0.235‐0.782, OR 7.665; 95% CI: 1.615‐66.553 and OR 0.400; 95% CI 0.170‐0.880, OR 0.351; 95% CI 0.172‐0.700, OR 5.317; 95% CI 1.098‐44.344 respectively).

Main limitations

Two‐thirds of the foals were less than 1 month of age.

Conclusions

Articular process joint OC in Warmblood foals is common and is not more prevalent at CVM predilection sites, suggesting that abnormalities of enchondral ossification may not be major contributors to CVM.
Elucidation of the effect of plumbagin on the metastatic potential of B16F10 murine melanoma cells via MAPK signalling pathway
Authors: Alem Fatima‐Zahra , Bejaoui Meriem , Villareal Myra O. , Rhourri‐Frih Boutayna , Isoda Hiroko
Published: February 2020

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer with a very poor prognosis. Melanoma develops when unrepaired DNA damage causes to skin cells to multiply and form malignant tumors. The current therapy is limited by the highly ability of this disease to metastasize rapidly. Plumbagin is a naphthoquinone (5‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐1, 4‐naphthoquinone), isolated from the roots of medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica, and it is widely present in Lawsonia inermis L. It has been shown that plumbagin has an anti‐proliferative and anti‐invasive activities in various cancer cell lines; however, the anti‐cancer and anti‐metastatic effects of plumbagin are largely unknown against melanoma cells. In this study, we evaluated the effect of plumbagin on B16F10 murine melanoma cells . Plumbagin decreased B16F10 cell viability as well as the cell migration, adhesion, and invasion. The molecular mechanism was studied, and plumbagin downregulated genes relevant in MAPK pathway, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP's), and cell adhesion. Furthermore, plumbagin elevated the expression of apoptosis and tumors suppressor genes, and genes significant in reactive oxygen species (ROS) response. Taken together, our findings suggest that plumbagin has an anti‐invasion and anti‐metastasis effect on melanoma cancer cells by acting on MAPK pathway and its related genes.
Aptitude or adaptation: What lies at the root of terroir?
Authors: Hill Rory
Published: February 2020

The originally French term terroir has long been used to denote the qualities of a place which influence the qualities of a product such as wine. It has many wider connotations, but in terms of the aptitude of a grape‐growing area of land, is often supposed to rest upon a solid geological basis. Whilst bedrock of some kind is necessary for the formation of soil, and the subsequent cultivation of grapevines, the kind of rock varies widely across wine‐producing areas of the world. Yet in the appreciation of wine, it is sometimes supposed that things like limestone, granite, and chalk may be tasted in the product, signal the terroir it has come from, and justify its reputation. In this commentary I suggest that such evocation of geology forms part of the commercial positioning of wine, but that its over‐use can draw attention away from viticultural opportunity, practice, and savoir‐faire, as well as the rhetorical nature of terroir's communication.
Heterogeneity of correlation between the locational condition and industrial transformation of regenerative resource‐based cities in China
Authors: Zheng Ziyan , Qiu Fangdao , Zhang Xinlin
Published: February 2020

Based on the measurement of the locational condition from a spatiotemporal perspective, the entropy weight TOPSIS, a grey relational analysis model, and other methods are adopted to analyze the correlative heterogeneity characteristics of industrial restructuring, path locking, and path innovation of regenerative resource‐based cities in China from 2005 to 2016. In this paper, we conclude that locational conditions were closely related to industrial transformation. And specifically, the locational condition of study cities was the most closely related to path innovation, followed by the advanced index of industrial structuring, and the weakest correlation with the speed of industrial restructuring. For non‐remote cities, due to the proximity of provincial capitals and regional central cities, the path innovation was the fastest, and the correlation with the advanced index was the closest. For remote cities, the advanced index showed a downward trend. However, the correlation between the locational condition and the advanced index or path innovation were both high. For extremely remote cities, the speed and advanced index of industrial restructuring were most disadvantaged. Furthermore, the path locking was the strongest, and the path innovation was the weakest. It had the strongest correlation with path innovation. Overall, the heterogeneity of the correlation between geographic location and industrial transformation is significant.
Potential of bagasse obtained using hydrothermal liquefaction pre‐treatment as a natural emulsifier
Authors: Vodo Sekove , Taarji Noamane , Bouhoute Meryem , Felipe Lorena de Oliveira , Neves Marcos A. , Kobayashi Isao , Uemura Kunihiko , Nakajima Mitsutoshi
Published: February 2020

Bagasse, a by‐product from raw sugar factories, is conventionally burned for energy production. In this study, bagasse extracts from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) treatment (160 °C, 1 MPa and 30 min) with a carbohydrate content of 510.3 mg g−1 and 0.5 mg g−1 of total phenols were applied as emulsifiers in oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsions. Bagasse extracts from HTL (0.5–4 wt%) lowered the interfacial tension between oil–water interphase from 19.8 to 14.0 mN m−1, owing possibly to the surface‐active hydrophilic carbohydrate‐hydrophobic lignin complexes in the extracts (lignin content: 7.1% w/w). Emulsions stabilised by bagasse extracts from HTL with average droplet size, dav of 0.79 μm were comparable with gum arabic (GA), dav of 2.24 μm after 11 days at 25 °C. Bagasse extracts containing biopolymers have the potential for industrial applications involving emulsion systems; therefore, HTL treatment of bagasse without any solvents can be regarded as an effective tool for producing natural emulsifiers.
Influences of different carbohydrates as wall material on powder characteristics, encapsulation efficiency, stability and degradation kinetics of microencapsulated lutein by spray drying
Authors: Ding Zhuang , Tao Tao , Wang Xiao , Prakash Sangeeta , Zhao Yanna , Han Jun , Wang Zhengping
Published: February 2020

In the present study, seven carbohydrates were selected as encapsulant for preparing lutein microencapsulated powders (LMPs). The surface morphology, physical properties, encapsulation efficiency, and thermo‐ and storage stability of LMPs were studied to determine the protective effects of different carbohydrates on microencapsulated lutein during spray drying and storage. Results on powder characteristics indicated that the crystal inhibition of wall material in spray drying was necessary for decent encapsulation efficiency, and higher glass transition temperature of wall material could cause high product yield. In stability assessment, degradation kinetics of different LMPs at two different temperature conditions were analysed, revealing that inulin could provide more effective protection compared with the other carbohydrate. Our results suggested that the different carbohydrates had great influence on the quality of LMPs, and inulin could be considered as an alternative for the generation of LMPs to enhance storage stability and extend shelf life of this bioactive product.
Impact of moisture and grinding on yield, physical, chemical and thermal properties of wholegrain flour obtained from hydrothermally treated sorghum grains
Authors: Acquisgrana María del Rosario , Gomez Pamies Laura Cecilia , Martinez Amezaga Nancy María Jimena , Quiroga Fernanda Micaela , Ribotta Pablo Daniel , Benítez Elisa Inés
Published: February 2020

The present work evaluates the potential of sorghum with high content of tannins for wholegrain flour production. Two types of mills were used: a roller mill (RM) and a blade (BM) mill. The impact of moisture and grinding on yield, physical, chemical and thermal properties were evaluated. Maximum yield was obtained using a BM with 25% moisture in the grain, resulting in 60.9% versus 28% (g flour g−1 of wholegrain sorghum) for the RM. Grain moisture and milling type affected flour colour and ashes. For both mills, the pasting and thermal properties of flour with grain moisture variation were significantly different from the untreated control sample. By studying the procedures for flour production and quality characteristics, it is possible to produce flour with good physical attributes, which can contribute to the development of gluten‐free foods based on sorghum for the coeliac population.
The remarkable (Disappearing Act of the) mental health nurse psychotherapist
Authors: Hurley John , Lakeman Richard , Cashin Andrew , Ryan Tom
Published: February 2020

The aim of this Australian based qualitative study was to better understand key drivers for mental health nurses to undertake training in psychotherapy, and how these capabilities are integrated into their clinical practice. Open ended reposes from a national survey of 153 mental health nurses were supplemented with data from 12 semi‐structured interviews of nurses with rich experience of integrating psychotherapy and mental health nursing capabilities. Key findings emerging from the thematic analysis were that mental health nurses are providing uniquely holistic psychotherapeutic services to consumers with often complex conditions, despite overtly hostile clinical and policy contexts. These often very well qualified mental health nurse psychotherapists are different to the traditional identity of either a nurse or psychotherapist. Recommendations from the findings of this study are that where appropriately qualified, mental health nurses be granted eligible provider status for existing Medicare funding items. Finally, training and building foundational capabilities in psychotherapy is highly recommended for all mental health nurses.
Reduced bacterial adhesion with parylene coating: Potential implications for Micra transcatheter pacemakers
Authors: El‐Chami Mikhael F. , Mayotte Jane , Bonner Matt , Holbrook Reece , Stromberg Kurt , Sohail Muhammad Rizwan
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Infections of cardiac implantable electronic devices remain a prevalent health concern necessitating the advent of novel preventative strategies. Based on the observation that bacterial infections of the Micra transcatheter pacemaker device are extremely rare, we examine the effect of parylene coating on bacterial adhesion and growth.

Methods

Bacterial growth was compared on polyurethane coated, bare, or parylene coated titanium surfaces. Eight test samples per bacterial species and material combination were incubated with Staphylococcus Aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 24 hours and then assayed for bacterial growth. The surface contact angle was also characterized by measuring the angle between the tangent to the surface of a liquid droplet made with the surface of the solid sample.

Results

The mean bacterial colony counts were significantly reduced for both parylene coated titanium versus bare samples (3.69 ± 0.27 and 4.80 ± 0.48 log[CFU/mL] respectively for S. aureus [P < .001] and 5.51 ± 0.27 and 6.08 ± 0.11 log[CFU/mL] respectively for P. aeruginosa [P < .001]), and for parylene coated titanium versus polyurethane samples (4.27 ± 0.42 and 5.40 ± 0.49 log[CFU/mL] respectively for S. aureus [P < .001] and 4.23 ± 0.42 and 4.84 ± 0.32 log[CFU/mL] respectively for P. aeruginosa [P = .006]).

Parylene coated titanium samples had a higher contact angle compared with bare titanium, but lower compared with polyurethane (mean contact angle 87.5 ± 3.1 degrees parylene, 73.3 ± 3.7 degrees titanium [P < .001 vs parylene], and 94.8 ± 3.7 degrees polyurethane [P = .002 vs parylene]).

Conclusions

Parylene coating significantly reduced the ability of bacteria to grow in colony count assays suggesting that this could contribute to the reduction of bacterial infections of Micra transcatheter pacemakers.
Evaluation of zirconia and zirconia‐reinforced glass ceramic systems fabricated for minimal invasive preparations using a novel standardization method
Authors: Kasem Ammar T. , Sakrana Amal A. , Ellayeh Mohamed , Özcan Mutlu
Published: February 2020

Objective

Currently, minimal invasive approaches combining less invasive finish line preparations and reduced ceramic thickness are required. The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of two ceramic systems fabricated with two preparation designs using CAD/CAM standardization technology.

Materials and methods

Forty intact human maxillary premolars were divided into two main groups according to the preparation technique. Group H (Horizontal): teeth with shoulder finish line and group V (Vertical): teeth with feather edge. Each main group was subdivided randomly into two subgroups according to the material used. Group CD (Celtra Duo) zirconia‐reinforced glass ceramics and group K (KATANA) monolithic zirconia. CAD/CAM was used for standardization of natural teeth preparation. After cementation using self‐adhesive resin cement, all specimens were subjected to 5000 thermal cycles and then were loaded until fracture. Failure types were evaluated using Stereomicroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Results

Nonsignificant; the higher mean value was recorded with VCD group (482.5 ± 103.8 N) and VK group (1347.6 ± 177.4 N) vs HCD group (471 ± 107.6 N) and HK group (1255.6 ± 121.3 N). SEM findings showed that fractures occurred mainly at the occlusal side of the crowns.

Conclusions

Vertical preparation showed a promising alternative to horizontal preparation. Moreover, both Celtra Duo and KATANA crowns can be used in premolar area with 0.5 mm margin thickness.

Clinical Significance

Zirconia‐reinforced glass ceramic and monolithic zirconia crowns may not necessitate the preparation of invasive finish lines as the type of finish line did not impair the strength after aging conditions.
Family history of colorectal cancer and survival: a Swedish population‐based study
Authors: Pesola F. , Eloranta S. , Martling A. , Saraste D. , Smedby K. E.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

A family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) is an established risk factor for developing CRC, whilst the impact of family history on prognosis is unclear. The present study assessed the association between family history and prognosis and, based on current evidence, explored whether this association was modified by age at diagnosis.

Methods

Using data from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR) linked with the Multigeneration Register and the National Cancer Register, we identified 31 801 patients with a CRC diagnosed between 2007 and 2016. The SCRCR is a clinically rich database which includes information on the cancer stage, grade, location, treatment, complications and postoperative follow‐up.

Results

We estimated excess mortality rate ratios (EMRR) for relative survival and hazard ratios (HR) for disease‐free survival with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using flexible parametric models. We found no association between family history and relative survival (EMRR = 0.96, 95% CIs: 0.89–1.03, P = 0.21) or disease‐free survival (HR = 0.98, 95% CIs: 0.91–1.06, P = 0.64). However, age was found to modify the impact of family history on prognosis. Young patients (<50 at diagnosis) with a positive family history had less advanced (i.e. stages I and II) cancers than those with no family history (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56–0.89, P = 0.004) and lower excess mortality even after adjusting for cancer stage (EMMR = 0.63, 95% CIs: 0.47–0.84, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that young individuals with a family history of CRC may have greater health awareness, attend opportunistic screening and adopt lifestyle changes, leading to earlier diagnosis and better prognosis.
Current trends in pharmacological approaches for treatment and management of acute pancreatitis – a review
Authors: Sundar Vaishnavi , Senthil Kumar Keerthic Aswin , Manickam Venkatraman , Ramasamy Tamizhselvi
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inimical disorder associated with overall mortality rates between 10-15%. It is a disorder of the exocrine pancreas which is characterized by local and systemic inflammatory responses primarily driven by oxidative stress and death of pancreatic acinar cells. The severity of AP ranges from mild pancreatic edema with complete recuperative possibilities to serious systemic inflammatory response resulting in peripancreatic/pancreatic necrosis, multiple organ failure, and death.

Key findings

We have retrieved the potential alternative approaches that are developed lately for efficacious treatment of AP from the currently available literature and recently reported experimental studies. This review summarizes the need for alternative approaches and combinatorial treatment strategies to deal with AP based on literature search using specific key words in PubMed and ScienceDirect databases.

Since AP results from perturbations of multiple signaling pathways, the so called “monotargeted smart drugs” of the past decade is highly unlikely to be effective. Also, the conventional treatment approaches were mainly involved in providing palliative care instead of curing the disease. Hence, many researchers are beginning to focus on developing alternate therapies to treat AP effectively. This review also summarizes the recent trends in the combinatorial approaches available for AP treatment.
Resting Stages of Skeletonema marinoi Assimilate Nitrogen From the Ambient Environment Under Dark, Anoxic Conditions
Authors: Stenow Rickard , Olofsson Malin , Robertson Elizabeth K. , Kourtchenko Olga , Whitehouse Martin J. , Ploug Helle , Godhe Anna
Published: February 2020

The planktonic marine diatom Skeletonema marinoi forms resting stages, which can survive for decades buried in aphotic, anoxic sediments and resume growth when re‐exposed to light, oxygen, and nutrients. The mechanisms by which they maintain cell viability during dormancy are poorly known. Here, we investigated cell‐specific nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) assimilation and survival rate in resting stages of three S. marinoi strains. Resting stages were incubated with stable isotopes of dissolved inorganic N (DIN), in the form of 15N‐ammonium (NH4+) or ‐nitrate (NO3−) and dissolved inorganic C (DIC) as 13C‐bicarbonate (HCO3−) under dark and anoxic conditions for 2 months. Particulate C and N concentration remained close to the Redfield ratio (6.6) during the experiment, indicating viable diatoms. However, survival varied between <0.1% and 47.6% among the three different S. marinoi strains, and overall survival was higher when NO3− was available. One strain did not survive in the NH4+ treatment. Using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), we quantified assimilation of labeled DIC and DIN from the ambient environment within the resting stages. Dark fixation of DIC was insignificant across all strains. Significant assimilation of 15N‐NO3− and 15N‐NH4+ occurred in all S. marinoi strains at rates that would double the nitrogenous biomass over 77–380 years depending on strain and treatment. Hence, resting stages of S. marinoi assimilate N from the ambient environment at slow rates during darkness and anoxia. This activity may explain their well‐documented long survival and swift resumption of vegetative growth after dormancy in dark and anoxic sediments.
Contribution of neural crest and GLAST+ Wnt1+ bone marrow pericytes with liver fibrogenesis and/or regeneration
Authors: Sierra Romina , Gómez Bustillo Sofía , Kameneva Polina , Fiore Esteban J. , Mazzone Graciela L. , Borda Maximiliano , Blanco María V. , Usuardi Chiara , Furlan Alessandro , Ernfors Patrik , Alaniz Laura , Montaner Alejandro D. , Adameyko Igor , Aquino Jorge B.
Published: February 2020

Background and aims

Liver fibrosis results from cycles of liver damage and scar formation. We herein aimed at analysing neural crest cells and/or bone marrow stromal cells contribution to the liver.

Methods

Two liver fibrosis and one hepatectomy model were applied on double‐transgenic loxP‐Cre mouse lines.

Results

Increased numbers of glia with more complex processes were found in fibrotic livers. During embryonic development, only few cells were traced in the liver and bone marrow, in a minor fraction of mice of different neural crest reporter strains analysed: therefore, a neural crest origin of such cells is doubtful. In the fibrotic liver, a significantly higher incidence of endothelial cells and hepatocyte‐like cells expressing the reporter gene Tomato were found in Wnt1‐Cre‐Tom and GLAST‐CreERT2‐Tom mice. Consistently, during early fibrogenesis stromal Wnt1‐traced cells, with progenitor (CFU‐F) properties, get likely mobilized to peripheral blood. Circulating adult Wnt1‐traced cells are stromal cells and lack from the expression of other bone marrow and endothelial progenitor cells markers. Furthermore, in a 70% hepatectomy model GLAST+ Wnt1‐traced pericytes were found to be mobilized from the bone marrow and the incidence of GLAST‐traced hepatocyte‐like cells was increased. Finally, GLAST‐traced hepatocyte like‐cells were found to maintain the expression of stromal markers.

Conclusions

Our data suggest a gliosis process during liver fibrogenesis. While neural crest cells probably do not contribute with other liver cell types than glia, GLAST+ Wnt1‐traced bone marrow pericytes are likely a source of endothelial and hepatocyte‐like cells after liver injury and do not contribute to scarring.