bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pergolide dosing compliance and factors affecting the laboratory control of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction
Authors: Hague Natalie , Durham Andrew E. , Menzies‐Gow Nicola J.
Published: March 2021

Background: Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is treated with daily pergolide therapy. Owner compliance and its effect on PPID control have not been previously investigated.

Methods: Clinical records were searched to identify the sample of animals with PPID treated with pergolide from 2016 to 2019. The signalment was noted and the dose of pergolide received calculated. Animals were classified as compliant (receiving ≥90% of the veterinarian recommended dose of pergolide) or non‐compliant, and as controlled (follow‐up basal adrenocorticotrophic hormone concentrations within the reference range) or not.

Results: In total, 110 animals were included. The majority (85%) were ≥16 years (mean ± SD 19.8 ± 4.4 years); the most common breeds were Cob (18%), Thoroughbred (16%) and Welsh (15%); 37% were female and 63% male. Overall, 48% were compliant and 52% non‐compliant. There was no significant effect of compliance on laboratory control. Of those that were compliant, 74% were controlled, while 67% of non‐compliant animals were controlled. Univariable analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.001) effect of age and breed on compliance and control, and of sex on control. On multivariable analysis, only age (compliance) and breed (compliance and control) were retained in the final model.

Conclusion: Only half of animals received the recommended pergolide dose; however, this did not affect laboratory control of PPID.
Investigations of metal complexes with the tripodal tetradentate ligand tris(2‐(propan‐2‐ylideneamino)ethyl)amine (imine3tren)
Authors: Schneider Lars , Becker Jonathan , Schindler Siegfried
Published: March 2021

The imine ligand tris(2‐(propan‐2‐ylideneamino)‐ethyl)amine (imine3tren) had been prepared and characterized. The complexes [Na(imine3tren)(C3H6O)]BPh4, [Cu(imine3tren)]BPh4, [Zn(imine3tren)(CH2Cl2)2](BPh4)2 and [Ni(imine3tren)Br]BPh4 were synthesized and structurally characterized. In contrast to copper(I) complexes with related tripodal ligands [Cu(imine3tren)]BPh4 reacted quite slowly with dioxygen in solution and no “dioxygen adduct” complex could be spectroscopically detected. Cyclic voltammetry of this complex only showed an irreversible oxidation to a copper(II) species.
Introduction: “Speaking to the Eyes”—Reassessing the Enlightenment in the Digital Age
Authors: Baird Ileana
Published: March 2021

This introduction provides a brief survey of the evolution of data visualization from its eighteenth-century beginnings, when the Scottish engineer and political scientist William Playfair created the first statistical graphs, to its present-day developments and use in period-related digital humanities projects. The author highlights the growing use of data visualization in major institutional projects, provides a literature review of representative works that employ data visualizations as a methodological tool, and highlights the contribution that this collection makes to digital humanities and the Enlightenment studies. Addressing essential period-related themes—from issues of canonicity, intellectual history, and book trade practices to canonical authors and texts, gender roles, and public sphere dynamics—, this collection also makes a broader argument about the necessity of expanding the very notion of “Enlightenment” not only spatially but also conceptually, by revisiting its tenets in light of new data. When translating the new findings afforded by the digital in suggestive visualizations, we can unveil unforeseen patterns, trends, connections, or networks of influence that could potentially revise existing master narratives about the period and the ideological structures at the core of the Enlightenment.
Cellular Memory
Authors: Paro Renato , Grossniklaus Ueli , Santoro Raffaella , Wutz Anton
Published: March 2021

The identity of cells in an organism is largely defined by their specific transcriptional profile. During cell division, these profiles need to be faithfully inherited to the daughter cells to ensure the maintenance of cell structure and function in a cell lineage. Here, you will learn how two groups of chromatin regulators, the Polycomb group (PcG) and the Trithorax group (TrxG), act in an antagonistic manner to maintain differential gene expression states. Members of the PcG cooperate in large multiprotein complexes to modify histones with repressive marks, resulting in condensed chromatin domains. Conversely, the TrxG proteins counteract the repressed domains by opening nucleosomal structures and establishing activating histone modifications. PcG and TrxG proteins are evolutionary highly conserved and control diverse processes, such as the identity of stem cells in mammalian development to the process of vernalization in plants.
Dosage Compensation Systems
Authors: Paro Renato , Grossniklaus Ueli , Santoro Raffaella , Wutz Anton
Published: March 2021

This chapter provides an introduction to chromosome-wide dosage compensation systems. We will examine the evolution of dosage compensation, which is thought to be driven by the appearance of differentiated sex chromosomes. In a subset of species with X chromosomal sex determination or XY sex chromosome systems, expression of X-linked genes is regulated by chromosome-wide modifications that equalize gene expression differences between males and females. The molecular mechanisms of X chromosome-wide dosage compensation have been studied in flies, worms, and mammals. Each of these species uses a distinct dosage compensation strategy with a different molecular mechanism. In the wormCaenorhabditis elegans, gene expression on the two X chromosomes of hermaphrodites is reduced to a level that approximates a single X chromosome in males. The fruit flyDrosophila melanogasterachieves dosage compensation by increased transcription of the single X chromosome in males to a level that is similar to the two X chromosomes in females. Lastly, in mammals, one of the two X chromosomes in female cells is transcriptionally inactive and a single X chromosome is transcribed in both sexes. Studies of dosage compensation systems provide insights into how epigenetic regulation controls gene expression and chromatin organization differentially within a cell.
Regeneration and Reprogramming
Authors: Paro Renato , Grossniklaus Ueli , Santoro Raffaella , Wutz Anton
Published: March 2021

During regenerative processes, cells are required to restructure parts of a damaged or worn-out organ and tissue. Here, you will become acquainted with the strategies that organisms developed to provide the material for tissue and organ repair. On the one hand, somatic cells can become dedifferentiated to increase their developmental potential and produce the plasticity required to replace the entire cellular complexity of a damaged part. On the other hand, organisms retain organ-specific stem cells with a restricted developmental potency and use these to provide the “spare parts” for replacing damaged cells. In all cases, a substantial reprogramming of the epigenome of these cells accompanies the restructuring process. In vitro strategies have been developed to drive cells back to a pluripotent state, allowing a better understanding of the underlying chromatin adjustments and providing a rich source for cellular therapies.
Epigenetics and Metabolism
Authors: Paro Renato , Grossniklaus Ueli , Santoro Raffaella , Wutz Anton
Published: March 2021

Most chromatin-modifying enzymes use metabolites as cofactors. Consequently, the cellular metabolism can influence the capacity of the cell to write or erase chromatin marks. This points to an intimate relationship between metabolic and epigenetic regulation. In this chapter, we describe the biosynthetic pathways of cofactors that are implicated in epigenetic and chromatin regulation and provide examples of how metabolic pathways can influence chromatin and epigenetic processes as well as their interplay in developmental and cancer biology.
Modular Hamiltonians for the massless Dirac field in the presence of a defect
Authors: Mintchev Mihail , Tonni Erik
Published: March 2021

Abstract

We study the massless Dirac field on the line in the presence of a point-like defect characterised by a unitary scattering matrix, that allows both reflection and transmission. Considering this system in its ground state, we derive the modular Hamiltonians of the subregion given by the union of two disjoint equal intervals at the same distance from the defect. The absence of energy dissipation at the defect implies the existence of two phases, where either the vector or the axial symmetry is preserved. Besides a local term, the densities of the modular Hamiltonians contain also a sum of scattering dependent bi-local terms, which involve two conjugate points generated by the reflection and the transmission. The modular flows of each component of the Dirac field mix the trajectory passing through a given initial point with the ones passing through its reflected and transmitted conjugate points. We derive the two-point correlation functions along the modular flows in both phases and show that they satisfy the Kubo-Martin-Schwinger condition. The entanglement entropies are also computed, finding that they do not depend on the scattering matrix.
Discrete stop-or-go games
Authors: Flesch János , Predtetchinski Arkadi , Sudderth William
Published: March 2021

Dubins and Savage (How to gamble if you must: inequalities for stochastic processes, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1965) found an optimal strategy for limsup gambling problems in which a player has at most two choices at every state x at most one of which could differ from the point mass $$\delta (x)$$

δ
(
x
)

. Their result is extended here to a family of two-person, zero-sum stochastic games in which each player is similarly restricted. For these games we show that player 1 always has a pure optimal stationary strategy and that player 2 has a pure $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
-optimal stationary strategy for every $$\epsilon > 0$$

ϵ
>
0

. However, player 2 has no optimal strategy in general. A generalization to n-person games is formulated and $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
-equilibria are constructed.
Development and validation of a method for the simultaneous analysis of fatty acid ethyl esters, ethyl sulfate and ethyl glucuronide in neonatal meconium: application in two cases of alcohol consumption during pregnancy
Authors: Woźniak Mateusz Kacper , Banaszkiewicz Laura , Aszyk Justyna , Wiergowski Marek , Jańczewska Iwona , Wierzba Jolanta , Kot-Wasik Agata , Biziuk Marek
Published: March 2021

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy constitutes one of the leading preventable causes of birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders in the exposed children. Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS) have been studied as potential biomarkers of alcohol consumption. However, most analytical approaches proposed for their analysis in meconium samples consist of separated extraction procedures requiring the use of two meconium aliquots, which is costly in terms of both time and materials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate a method for the simultaneous extraction of 9 FAEEs, EtG and EtS from one meconium aliquot. The sample was homogenized using methanol, and then FAEEs were extracted with hexane while EtG and EtS were isolated using acetonitrile. Then, extracts were applied to solid-phase extraction columns and analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (FAEEs) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (EtG and EtS). Calibration curves were linear with r values greater than 0.99. The LODs ranged from 0.8 to 7.5 ng/g for FAEEs and were 0.2 ng/g and 0.8 ng/g for EtS and EtG, respectively. LOQs ranged from 5 to 25 ng/g for FAEEs and were 1 ng/g and 2.5 ng/g for EtS and EtG, respectively. Accuracies and precisions were between 93.8 and 107% and between 3.5 and 9.7%, respectively. The recovery values ranged from 89.1 to 109%. The method proved to be sensitive, specific, simple and fast and allowed for the reduction of the amount of organic solvent used for extraction compared to other published data while higher recoveries were obtained. The method was used for analysis of meconium samples in two cases of mothers who were consuming alcohol during pregnancy.
High Fungal Diversity but Low Seasonal Dynamics and Ectomycorrhizal Abundance in a Mountain Beech Forest
Authors: Gorfer Markus , Mayer Mathias , Berger Harald , Rewald Boris , Tallian Claudia , Matthews Bradley , Sandén Hans , Katzensteiner Klaus , Godbold Douglas L.
Published: March 2021

Forests on steep slopes constitute a significant proportion of European mountain areas and are important as production and protection forests. This study describes the soil fungal community structure in a European beech-dominated mountain forest stands in the Northern Calcareous Alps and investigates how it is determined by season and soil properties. Samples were collected at high spatial resolution in an area of ca. 100 m × 700 m in May (spring) and August (summer). Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing of the ITS2-region revealed distinct patterns for the soil fungal communities. In contrast to other studies from temperate European beech forest stands, Ascomycota dominated the highly diverse fungal community, while ectomycorrhizal fungi were of lower abundance. Russulaceae, which are often among the dominant ectomycorrhizal fungi associated with European beech, were absent from all samples. Potentially plant pathogenic fungi were more prevalent than previously reported. Only subtle seasonal differences were found between fungal communities in spring and summer. Especially, dominant saprotrophic taxa were largely unaffected by season, while slightly stronger effects were observed for ectomycorrhizal fungi. Soil characteristics like pH and organic carbon content, on the other hand, strongly shaped abundant taxa among the saprotrophic fungal community.
Suppression of personality variation in boldness during foraging in three-spined sticklebacks
Authors: MacGregor Hannah E. A. , Cottage Aislinn , Ioannou Christos C.
Published: March 2021

Consistent inter-individual variation in behaviour within a population, widely referred to as personality variation, can be affected by environmental context. Feedbacks between an individual’s behaviour and state can strengthen (positive feedback) or weaken (negative feedback) individual differences when experiences such as predator encounters or winning contests are dependent on behavioural type. We examined the influence of foraging on individual-level consistency in refuge use (a measure of risk-taking, i.e. boldness) in three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus, and particularly whether changes in refuge use depended on boldness measured under control conditions. In the control treatment trials with no food, individuals were repeatable in refuge use across repeated trials, and this behavioural consistency did not differ between the start and end of these trials. In contrast, when food was available, individuals showed a higher degree of consistency in refuge use at the start of the trials versus controls but this consistency significantly reduced by the end of the trials. The effect of the opportunity to forage was dependent on behavioural type, with bolder fish varying more in their refuge use between the start and the end of the feeding trials than shyer fish, and boldness positively predicted the likelihood of feeding at the start but not at the end of the trials. This suggests a state-behaviour feedback, but there was no overall trend in how bolder individuals changed their behaviour. Our study shows that personality variation can be suppressed in foraging contexts and a potential but unpredictable role of feedbacks between state and behaviour.

Significance statement

In this experimental study, we examined how foraging influences consistency in risk-taking in individual three-spined sticklebacks. We show that bolder individuals become less consistent in their risk-taking behaviour than shyer individuals during foraging. Some bolder individuals reinforce their risk-taking behaviour, suggesting a positive feedback between state and behaviour, while others converge on the behaviour of shyer individuals, suggesting a negative feedback. In support of a role of satiation in driving negative feedback effects, we found that bolder individuals were more likely to feed at the start but not at the end of the trials. Overall, our findings suggest that foraging can influence personality variation in risk-taking behaviour; however, the role of feedbacks may be unpredictable.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on radiology residents in Northern Italy
Authors: Cavalieri Sergio , Spinetta Marco , Zagaria Domenico , Franchi Marta , Lavazza Giulia , Nardelli Floriana , Serafini Alessandro , Leone Riccardo , Messina Antonio , Arpaia Francesco , Buccimazza Giorgio , Carriero Serena , D’Angelo Felice , Stellato Elvira , Giuri Giulio , Balbi Maurizio , Preziosa Giulia Chiara , Parolise Margherita , Pessina Carlotta , Romano Silvio , Curti Marco , Capra Davide
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To assess changes in working patterns and education experienced by radiology residents in Northwest Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

An online questionnaire was sent to residents of 9 postgraduate schools in Lombardy and Piedmont, investigating demographics, changes in radiological workload, involvement in COVID-19-related activities, research, distance learning, COVID-19 contacts and infection, changes in training profile, and impact on psychological wellbeing. Descriptive and χ2 statistics were used.

Results

Among 373 residents invited, 300 (80%) participated. Between March and April 2020, 44% (133/300) of respondents dedicated their full time to radiology; 41% (124/300) engaged in COVID-19-related activities, 73% (90/124) of whom working in COVID-19 wards; 40% (121/300) dedicated > 25% of time to distance learning; and 66% (199/300) were more involved in research activities than before the pandemic. Over half of residents (57%, 171/300) had contacts with COVID-19-positive subjects, 5% (14/300) were infected, and 8% (23/300) lost a loved one due to COVID-19. Only 1% (3/300) of residents stated that, given the implications of this pandemic scenario, they would not have chosen radiology as their specialty, whereas 7% (22/300) would change their subspecialty. The most common concerns were spreading the infection to their loved ones (30%, 91/300), and becoming sick (7%, 21/300). Positive changes were also noted, such as being more willing to cooperate with other colleagues (36%, 109/300).

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic changed radiology residents’ training programmes, with distance learning, engaging in COVID-19-related activities, and a greater involvement in research becoming part of their everyday practice.

Key Points

• Of 300 participants, 44% were fully dedicated to radiological activity and 41% devoted time to COVID-19-related activities, 73% of whom to COVID-19 wards.

• Distance learning was substantial for 40% of residents, and 66% were involved in research activities more than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Over half of residents were exposed to COVID-19 contacts and less than one in twenty was infected.
Egg consumption and risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in an Italian adult population
Authors: Ruggiero Emilia , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Costanzo Simona , Persichillo Mariarosaria , De Curtis Amalia , Cerletti Chiara , Donati Maria Benedetta , de Gaetano Giovanni , Iacoviello Licia , Bonaccio Marialaura ,   the Moli-sani Study Investigators, Iacoviello Licia , de Gaetano Giovanni , Donati Maria Benedetta , Bonaccio Marialaura , Bonanni Americo , Cerletti Chiara , Costanzo Simona , De Curtis Amalia , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Gianfagna Francesco , Persichillo Mariarosaria , Di Prospero Teresa , Vermylen Jos , Carrasco Ignacio De Paula , Spagnuolo Antonio , Assanelli Deodato , Centritto Vincenzo , Costanzo Simona , Olivieri Marco , Panzera Teresa , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Esposito Marialaura Bonaccio, Simona Costanz , Gialluisi Alessandro , Gianfagna Francesco , Ruggiero Emilia , De Curtis Amalia , Magnacca Sara , Izzi Benedetta , Marotta Annalisa , Noro Fabrizia , Parisi Roberta , Tirozzi Alfonsina , Persichillo Mariarosaria , Bracone Francesca , De Lucia Francesca , Mignogna Cristiana , Panzera Teresa , Rago Livia , Bonanni Americo
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Dietary guidelines recommend to limit egg consumption to 4 servings per week but the relation between egg intake and health outcomes is still controversial. To evaluate the association of egg consumption and mortality risk in Italian adults and to investigate nutritional factors and serum lipids as potentially explaining such associations.

Methods

Longitudinal analysis on 20,562 men and women aged ≥ 35y, free from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer belonging to the Moli-sani Study cohort (enrolled 2005–2010) followed up for a median of 8.2 years.

Results

In multivariable-adjusted analysis as compared to low intake (> 0 ≤ 1 egg/week), eating > 4 eggs/week led to an increased risk of all-cause (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.50; 95%CI 1.13–1.99), CVD (HR = 1.75; 1.07–2.87) and cancer mortality (HR = 1.52; 0.99–2.33). Similarly, an intake of 2–4 eggs/week was associated with higher all-cause (HR = 1.22; 1.01–1.46) and CVD mortality risk (HR = 1.43; 1.03–1.97). An increase of 1 egg per week was associated with higher mortality risk among high-risk individuals, such as those with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia. Dietary cholesterol explained about 43.0% and 39.3% (p values < 0.0001) of the association of eggs with all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively, while serum lipids (e.g., total cholesterol) accounted for a small proportion of egg-mortality relation.

Conclusions

Among Italian adults, high egg consumption leads to an increased risk of all-cause and CVD mortality, with the risk being evident even at the recommended intake of 2–4 eggs per week. A substantial part of this association was likely due to the egg contribution to dietary cholesterol. Our findings suggest limiting the consumption of eggs in the diet and these results should be considered in the development of dietary guidelines and updates.
Mediterranean diet consumption affects the endocannabinoid system in overweight and obese subjects: possible links with gut microbiome, insulin resistance and inflammation
Authors: Tagliamonte Silvia , Laiola Manolo , Ferracane Rosalia , Vitale Marilena , Gallo Maria A. , Meslier Victoria , Pons Nicolas , Ercolini Danilo , Vitaglione Paola
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To investigate whether a Mediterranean diet (MD) affected the plasma concentrations of endocannabinoids (ECs), N-acylethanolamines (NAEs) and their specific ratios in subjects with lifestyle risk factors for metabolic diseases. To identify the relationship between circulating levels of these compounds and gut microbiome, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation.

Methods

A parallel 8-week randomised controlled trial was performed involving 82 overweight and obese subjects aged (mean ± SEM) 43 ± 1.4 years with a BMI of 31.1 ± 0.5 kg/m2, habitual Western diet (CT) and sedentary lifestyle. Subjects were randomised to consume an MD tailored to their habitual energy and macronutrient intake (n = 43) or to maintain their habitual diet (n = 39). Endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-like molecules, metabolic and inflammatory markers and gut microbiome were monitored over the study period.

Results

The MD intervention lowered plasma arachidonoylethanolamide (AEA, p = 0.02), increased plasma oleoylethanolamide/palmitoylethanolamide (OEA/PEA, p = 0.009) and OEA/AEA (p = 0.006) and increased faecal Akkermansia muciniphila (p = 0.026) independent of body weight changes. OEA/PEA positively correlated with abundance of key microbial players in diet–gut–health interplay and MD adherence. Following an MD, individuals with low-plasma OEA/PEA at baseline decreased homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (p = 0.01), while individuals with high-plasma OEA/PEA decreased serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

We demonstrated that a switch from a CT to an isocaloric MD affects the endocannabinoid system and increases A. muciniphila abundance in the gut independently of body weight changes. Endocannabinoid tone and microbiome functionality at baseline drives an individualised response to an MD in ameliorating insulin sensitivity and inflammation.

Clinical Trial Registry number and website NCT03071718; www.clinicaltrials.gov
Adenosine and adenosine receptor-mediated action in coronary microcirculation
Authors: Zhang Ying , Wernly Bernhard , Cao Xin , Mustafa S. Jamal , Tang Yong , Zhou Zhichao
Published: March 2021

Adenosine is an ubiquitous extracellular signaling molecule and plays a fundamental role in the regulation of coronary microcirculation through activation of adenosine receptors (ARs). Adenosine is regulated by various enzymes and nucleoside transporters for its balance between intra- and extracellular compartments. Adenosine-mediated coronary microvascular tone and reactive hyperemia are through receptors mainly involving A2AR activation on both endothelial and smooth muscle cells, but also involving interaction among other ARs. Activation of ARs further stimulates downstream targets of H2O2, KATP, KV and KCa2+ channels leading to coronary vasodilation. An altered adenosine-ARs signaling in coronary microcirculation has been observed in several cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Adenosine as a metabolite and its receptors have been studied for its both therapeutic and diagnostic abilities. The present review summarizes important aspects of adenosine metabolism and AR-mediated actions in the coronary microcirculation.
Patterns of care, toxicity and outcome in the treatment of salivary gland carcinomas: long-term experience from a tertiary cancer center
Authors: von der Grün Jens , Winkelmann Ria , Rödel Franz , Balster Sven , Neumayer Thomas , Ghanaati Shahram , Brandts Christian , Burck Iris , Martin Daniel , Rödel Claus , Kesar Nikolina , Balermpas Panagiotis
Published: March 2021

Background

Salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) cover a heterogeneous group of malignancies with a lack of data of high-level evidence.

Methods

Clinical data of 127 patients treated for SGC at a university cancer center between 2002 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The association of clinicopathological characteristics, treatment modalities, adverse events, and outcome was assessed.

Results

Patients received surgery (n = 65), surgery followed by (chemo-)radiotherapy (n = 56), or primary (chemo-)radiotherapy (n = 6). Injury to the cranial nerves or their branches was the most frequent surgical complication affecting 40 patients (33.1%). Ten year overall and progression-free survival rates were 73.2% and 65.4%, respectively. Parotid tumor site, advanced tumor, and positive nodal stage remained independent negative prognostic factors for overall survival, loco-regional and distant tumor control in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Optimizing treatment strategies for SGC, depending on distinct clinicopathological factors, remains challenging due to the low incidence rates of the disease.
Neural patterns of word processing differ in children with dyslexia and isolated spelling deficit
Authors: Dębska Agnieszka , Banfi Chiara , Chyl Katarzyna , Dzięgiel-Fivet Gabriela , Kacprzak Agnieszka , Łuniewska Magdalena , Plewko Joanna , Grabowska Anna , Landerl Karin , Jednoróg Katarzyna
Published: March 2021

There is an ongoing debate concerning the extent to which deficits in reading and spelling share cognitive components and whether they rely, in a similar fashion, on sublexical and lexical pathways of word processing. The present study investigates whether the neural substrates of word processing differ in children with various patterns of reading and spelling deficits. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared written and auditory processing in three groups of 9–13-year olds (N = 104): (1) with age-adequate reading and spelling skills; (2) with reading and spelling deficits (i.e., dyslexia); (3) with isolated spelling deficits but without reading deficits. In visual word processing, both deficit groups showed hypoactivations in the posterior superior temporal cortex compared to typical readers and spellers. Only children with dyslexia exhibited hypoactivations in the ventral occipito-temporal cortex compared to the two groups of typical readers. This is the result of an atypical pattern of higher activity in the occipito-temporal cortex for non-linguistic visual stimuli than for words, indicating lower selectivity. The print–speech convergence was reduced in the two deficit groups. Impairments in lexico-orthographic regions in a reading-based task were associated primarily with reading deficits, whereas alterations in the sublexical word processing route could be considered common for both reading and spelling deficits. These findings highlight the partly distinct alterations of the language network related to reading and spelling deficits.
In search for biomarkers and potential drug targets for uterine serous endometrial cancer
Authors: Dinoi Giorgia , Mariani Andrea , Martinelli Enrica , Ciucci Alessandra , Zannoni Gian Franco , Weaver Amy L. , Keeney Gary L. , Vasmatzis George , Anastasiadis Panos Z. , Fanfani Francesco , Scambia Giovanni , Gallo Daniela
Published: March 2021

Objective

Serous endometrial cancer (USC) is a challenging malignancy associated with metastasis, recurrence and poor outcome. To identify clinically relevant prognostic biomarkers, we focused on a panel of proteins selected after a comprehensive literature review, for tumour profiling of a homogeneous cohort of USC patients.

Methods

Protein levels and localization were assessed by immunohistochemistry analysis in 36 hysterectomy samples. Tissue sections were stained with the following antibodies: Aurora A, phospho (T288) Aurora A, BRCA1, CHK1, CIP2A, Cyclin B1, Cyclin E, E2F-1, phospho (S364) E2F-1, FBXW7, FOXM1, phospho (S9) GSK3Beta, PLK1, phospho (T210) PLK1, PPP2R1B, p73, RAD51. Each marker was evaluated as a continuously-scaled variable for association with disease progression and death, using Cox proportional hazards models. The sample consisted of 36 patients with USC, half with stage III or IV disease.

Results

Results showed that higher CHK1 (Checkpoint kinase 1) expression was associated with a decreased risk of progression and death, after adjusting for stage. Interestingly, analysis of a TCGA data set of 109 USC patients corroborates our results showing a favourable prognostic role of CHEK1 after adjusting for stage. Higher FBXW7 (F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7) expression and higher cytoplasmic expression of PPP2R1B (Protein Phosphatase 2 A, Scaffold Subunit Abeta) were each associated with a decreased risk of progression, after adjusting for stage.

Conclusions

In conclusion, results from the present study identify new clinically relevant biomarkers and potential drug targets for uterine serous endometrial cancer.
Evaluation by electronic patient-reported outcomes of cancer survivors’ needs and the efficacy of inpatient cancer rehabilitation in different tumor entities
Authors: Licht Thomas , Nickels Alain , Rumpold Gerhard , Holzner Bernhard , Riedl David
Published: March 2021

Objective

We investigated cancer survivors’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL), specific deficiencies related to underlying disease or treatment, and benefits of rehabilitation in a large variety of cancer entities.

Patients and methods

Electronic patient-reported outcomes were performed as clinical routine procedures. Cancer survivors underwent a 3-week multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation. Twenty-one different cancer entities were analyzed separately before (T0) and by the end (T1) of rehabilitation. HRQOL, symptoms, and functions were assessed with EORTC-QLQ-C30 questionnaire, psychological distress with Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results

Four thousand four hundred one of 5912 rehabilitants were evaluable, having completed both questionnaires at T0 and T1. All function mean scores and HRQOL were lower than in Austrian normal population, while levels of anxiety, depression, and all symptom scores were higher. HRQOL was particularly low in lung, liver, and bladder cancer patients. Maximum anxiety levels were observed in patients with breast and thyroid cancer patients, the highest levels of depression in liver and brain cancer patients. Fatigue was severe in patients with lung, liver, esophageal, bladder cancer, and myeloma patients. Mean scores were also high for pain and insomnia. In the group of all rehabilitants, a highly significant improvement of global HRQOL, anxiety, depression, and all function and symptom scores was observed at T1 (p < 0.001). We noted significant improvement of HRQOL, anxiety, depression, fatigue, emotional, social, role, and physical functions in each cancer entity with medium to large effect sizes. Other recorded symptoms were reduced in the majority of cancers.

Conclusion

Rehabilitation effectively improves psychological distress and HRQOL as a part of treatment for various cancers.
Effect of Compaction Banding on the Hydraulic Properties of Porous Rock: Part I—Experimental Investigation
Authors: Leuthold Julia , Gerolymatou Eleni , Vergara Maximiliano R. , Triantafyllidis Theodoros
Published: March 2021

The mechanical behavior and the influence of compaction banding on the hydraulic properties in soft porous rocks were studied. The tested rock was Calcarenite Tuffeau de Maastricht. In the frame of experimental investigations, triaxial and oedometric tests were conducted under dry and drained conditions. The results demonstrated that the rock is forming discrete compaction bands under high confining stresses and steep angle shear bands under low confining stresses. Permeability measurements during the oedometric and triaxial compression tests under drained conditions demonstrated that the axial permeability decreases with increasing axial strain. The maximum permeability decrease was three orders of magnitude for 40% of axial strain.
On the political economy of compulsory education
Authors: Balestrino Alessandro , Grazzini Lisa , Luporini Annalisa
Published: March 2021

We consider an economy with two categories of agents: entrepreneurs and workers. In laissez-faire, the former gain from having their children educated, while the latter, although they may profit from their own education, have no interest in sending their children to school. We first characterise the preferred education policy-cum-redistributive taxation for the two groups, and find that entrepreneurs favour a compulsory education policy while workers prefer a purely redistributive taxation. Each group would like the policy to be entirely financed by the other group. Then, we introduce a political process with probabilistic voting and verify that an equilibrium with both a compulsory education policy and some redistribution may exist in which the workers are constrained but the entrepreneurs, who benefit from hiring educated workers, are not. The redistribution compensates the workers for being constrained by the education policy.
Local lung coagulation post resection: an ex-vivo porcine model
Authors: Kirschbaum A. , Surowiec Th. M. , Pehl A. , Wiesmann Th. , Bartsch D. K. , Mirow N.
Published: March 2021

Following non-anatomical resection of lung parenchyma with a Nd:YAG laser, a coagulated surface remains. As ventilation starts, air leakage may occur in this area. The aim of the present study was to investigate, whether additional coagulation either before or after ventilation has an additional sealing effect. Freshly slaughtered porcine heart-lung blocks were prepared. The trachea was connected to a ventilator. Using a Nd:YAG laser (wavelength: 1320 nm, power: 60 W), round lesions (1.5 cm in diameter) with a depth of 1.5 cm were applied to the lung using an 800-μm laser fiber (5 s per lesion). Group 1 (n = 12) was control. Additional coagulation was performed in group 2 (n = 12) without and in group 3 (n = 12) with ventilation restarted. Air leakage (ml) from the lesions was measured. The thickness of each coagulation layer was determined on histological slices. Differences between individual groups were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (significance p < 0.05). After resection, 26.2 ± 2.7 ml of air emerged from the lesions per single respiration in group 1. Air loss in group 2 was 24.6 ± 2.5 ml (p = 0.07) and in group 3 23.7 ± 1.8 ml (p = 0.0098). In comparison to groups 1 and 2 thickness of the coagulation layers in group 3 was significantly increased. After non-anatomical porcine lung resection with a Nd:YAG laser, additional coagulation of the ventilated resection area can reduce air leakage.
Adults, but not preschoolers or toddlers integrate situational constraints in their action anticipations: a developmental study on the flexibility of anticipatory gaze
Authors: Ganglmayer Kerstin , Haupt Marleen , Finke Kathrin , Paulus Markus
Published: March 2021

Recent theories stress the role of situational information in understanding others’ behaviour. For example, the predictive coding framework assumes that people take contextual information into account when anticipating other’s actions. Likewise, the teleological stance theory assumes an early developing ability to consider situational constraints in action prediction. The current study investigates, over a wide age range, whether humans flexibly integrate situational constraints in their action anticipations. By means of an eye-tracking experiment, 2-year-olds, 5-year-olds, younger and older adults (together N = 181) observed an agent repeatedly taking one of two paths to reach a goal. Then, this path became blocked, and for test trials only the other path was passable. Results demonstrated that in test trials younger and older adults anticipated that the agent would take the continuous path, indicating that they took the situational constraints into account. In contrast, 2- and 5-year-olds anticipated that the agent would take the blocked path, indicating that they still relied on the agent’s previous observed behaviour and—contrary to claims by the teleological stance theory—did not take the situational constraints into account. The results highlight developmental changes in human’s ability to include situational constraints in their visual anticipations. Overall, the study contributes to theories on predictive coding and the development of action understanding.
Deep graph similarity learning: a survey
Authors: Ma Guixiang , Ahmed Nesreen K. , Willke Theodore L. , Yu Philip S.
Published: March 2021

In many domains where data are represented as graphs, learning a similarity metric among graphs is considered a key problem, which can further facilitate various learning tasks, such as classification, clustering, and similarity search. Recently, there has been an increasing interest in deep graph similarity learning, where the key idea is to learn a deep learning model that maps input graphs to a target space such that the distance in the target space approximates the structural distance in the input space. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature of deep graph similarity learning. We propose a systematic taxonomy for the methods and applications. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future directions for this problem.
Parental age and birth defects: a sibling study
Authors: Hvide Hans K. , Johnsen Julian , Salvanes Kjell G.
Published: March 2021

Higher parental age at childbearing has generated much attention as a potential risk factor for birth disorders; however, previous research findings are mixed. Existing studies have exploited variation in parental age across families, which is problematic because families differ not only in parental age but also in genetic and environmental factors. To isolate the effects of parental age, holding many genetic and environmental factors constant, we exploit the variation in parental age within families and compare outcomes for full siblings. The study data were retrieved from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway, which covers the entire population of births in Norway over an extended period (totaling 1.2 million births). Using variation in parental age when siblings were born, we find large and convex effects of increased parental age on the increased risk of birth disorders. To facilitate comparison with the existing literature, we also estimate the effects of parental age using variation in parental age across families and find that the effects are substantially weaker. We conclude that the existing literature may have underestimated the negative effects of parental aging on adverse offspring outcomes.
Adapting and validating the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Version 2 for use with deaf children and young people
Authors: Phillips Helen , Wright Barry , Allgar Victoria , McConachie Helen , Sweetman Jennifer , Hargate Rebecca , Hodkinson Rachel , Bland Martin , George Hannah , Hughes Anna , Hayward Emily , De Las Heras Victoria Fernandez Garcia , Le Couteur Ann
Published: March 2021

We report a Delphi Consensus modification and first validation study of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2 with deaf children and young people (ADOS-2 Deaf adaptation). Validation included 122 deaf participants (aged 2–18 years), 63 with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This was compared to a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline standard clinical assessment by blinded independent specialist clinicians. Results showed overall sensitivity 73% (95%CI 60%, 83%); specificity 71% (95%CI 58%, 82%), and for the more common modules 1–3 (combined as in previous studies) sensitivity 79% (95% CI 65–89%); specificity 79% (95% CI 66–89%) suggesting this instrument will be a helpful addition for use with deaf children and young people.
Re-approaching Celts: Origins, Society, and Social Change
Authors: Pope Rachel
Published: March 2021

This work re-approaches the origins of “the Celts” by detailing the character of their society and the nature of social change in Europe across 700–300 BC. A new approach integrates regional burial archaeology with contemporary classical texts to further refine our social understanding of the European Iron Age. Those known to us as “Celts” were matrifocal Early Iron Age groups in central Gaul who engaged in social traditions out of the central European salt trade and became heavily involved in Mediterranean politics. The paper focuses on evidence from the Hallstatt–La Tène transition to solve a 150-year-old problem: how the Early Iron Age “Celts” became the early La Tène “Galatai,” who engaged in the Celtic migrations and the sacking of Rome at 387 BC.
Colonisation of secondary habitats in mining sites by Labidura riparia (Dermaptera: Labiduridae) from multiple natural source populations
Authors: Gueth Mareike , Wiegleb Gerhard , Durka Walter
Published: March 2021

Background

Open cast lignite mines, sand pits and military training areas represent human-made, secondary habitats for specialized xerothermophilous and psammophilous species. Rare species, including the earwigLabidurariparia,are found in high population densities in such sites. However, it is unknown from which sources colonisation took place and how genetic variation compares to that of ancient populations on natural sites.

Methods

Using nine microsatellite markers, we analysed genetic variation and population structure ofL. ripariain 21 populations in NE Germany both from secondary habitats such as lignite-mining sites, military training areas and a potassium mining heap, and rare primary habitats, such as coastal and inland dunes.

Results

Genetic variation was higher in populations from post-mining sites and former military training areas than in populations from coastal or inland dune sites. Overall population differentiation was substantial (FST = 0.08;FʹST = 0.253), with stronger differentiation among primary (FST = 0.196;FʹST = 0.473) than among secondary habitats (FST = 0.043;FʹST = 0.147). Differentiation followed a pattern of isolation by distance. Bayesian structure analysis revealed three gene pools representing primary habitats on a coastal dune and two different inland dunes. All populations from secondary habitats were mixtures of the two inland dune gene pools, suggesting multiple colonization of post-mining areas from different source populations and hybridisation among source populations.

Discussion

Populations ofL. ripariafrom primary habitats deserve special conservation, because they harbour differentiated gene pools. The majority of theL. ripariapopulations, however, thrive in secondary habitats, highlighting their role for conservation.

Implications for insect conservation

A dual strategy should be followed of conserving both remaining natural habitat harbouring particular intraspecific gene pools and secondary habitat inhabited by large admixed and genetically highly variable populations.
Emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from the rhizosphere of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings exposed to warming, moderate N addition and bark herbivory by large pine weevil (Hylobius abietis)
Authors: Rasheed Muhammad Usman , Kivimäenpää M. , Kasurinen A.
Published: March 2021

Aims

Biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) research has been mostly focused on foliar emissions. In this experiment, the main focus was on rhizosphere BVOC emissions of Scots pine seedlings under changing growth conditions.

Methods

Soil-growing Scots pines were exposed to increased air (0.5°C) and soil (4.0°C) temperature and N addition (30 kg N ha− 1 yr− 1) for three growing seasons in a field experiment. In addition to these factors, seedlings were exposed to bark herbivory by large pine weevils in two last seasons. Gas-chromatography and mass-spectrometry was used for analyzing the BVOC samples collected from pine rhizosphere.

Results

Almost 98 % of BVOCs were non-oxygenated monoterpenes (nMTs), 1 % oxygenated monoterpenes (oMTs), 0.5 % sesquiterpenes (SQTs), and 1 % other BVOCs. In both years, there was an interaction of warming, N addition and bark herbivory on rhizosphere BVOC emissions. In 2015, warming and N addition in single exposures decreased oMT emissions, while herbivory in single exposure increased oMT emissions. In 2016, the three-way interaction showed that the effects of warming, N addition and herbivory on BVOCs were mainly detected in single exposures. In 2016, warming decreased nMT, oMT, SQT and other BVOC emissions; N addition decreased oMT and SQT emissions; and herbivory decreased SQT and other BVOC emissions.

Conclusions

Warming and N addition in single exposures decreased the rhizosphere BVOC emissions. The effect of bark herbivory on BVOC emissions varied between the years from increase to decrease. It seems that under altered growth conditions Scots pine seedlings may reduce carbon investment to rhizosphere BVOCs.
Does Radical-Right Success Make the Political Debate More Negative? Evidence from Emotional Rhetoric in German State Parliaments
Authors: Valentim Vicente , Widmann Tobias
Published: March 2021

Political rhetoric has important effects on the quality of democracy, but we know very little about what causes variation in the tone of the political debate. We investigate how radical-right success affects the way the remaining politicians discuss political issues. Using an original dictionary, we measure different positive and negative emotions in a newly collected dataset of speeches in German state parliaments. Taking advantage of variation in the timing of elections when radical-right politicians enter these parliaments, we find that politicians of other parties respond to radical-right success by using more positive, instead of negative, emotions. The analyses suggest that this finding may be the result of a strategy by the remaining politicians to distance themselves from radical-right discourse. Our findings highlight how radical-right success can create incentives for other politicians to enforce democratic norms that radical-right politicians breach.