bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and biological role of cysteine-rich venom protein belonging to CRISPs from turkey seminal plasma
Authors: Słowińska Mariola , Pardyak Laura , Liszewska Ewa , Judycka Sylwia , Bukowska Joanna , Dietrich Mariola Aleksandra , Paukszto Łukasz , Jastrzębski Jan , Kozłowski Krzysztof , Kowalczyk Artur , Jankowski Jan , Bilińska Barbara , Ciereszko Andrzej
Published: March 2021

Turkey semen contains cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISPs) that belong to the dominant seminal plasma proteins. We aimed to isolate and characterize CRISP from turkey seminal plasma and evaluate its possible involvement in yellow semen syndrome (YSS). YSS, which is well characterized, causes reduced fertility and hatchability. The protein was purified using hydrophobic interaction, gel filtration, and reverse phase chromatography. It then was subjected to identification by mass spectrometry, analysis of physicochemical properties, and specific antibody production. The biological function of the isolated protein was tested and included its effects on sperm motility and migration and sperm-egg interactions. Sperm motility was measured with the CASA system using Hobson Sperm Tracker. The reproductive tract of turkey toms was analyzed for gene expression; immunohistochemistry was used for protein localization in the male reproductive tract, spermatozoa, and inner perivitelline layer. The isolated protein was identified as cysteine-rich venom protein-like isoform X2 (CRVP X2; XP_010706464.1) and contained feature motifs of CRISP family proteins. Turkey CRVP X2 was present in both spermatozoa and seminal plasma. The extensive secretion of CRVP X2 by the epithelial cells of the epididymis and ductus deferens suggests its involvement in post-testicular sperm maturation. The internally localized CRVP X2 in the proximal part of the sperm tail might be responsible for stimulation of sperm motility. CRVP X2 on the sperm head might be involved in several events prior to fusion and may also participate in gamete fusion itself. Although the mechanisms by which CRVP X2 mediates fertilization are still unknown, the involvement of complementary sites cannot be excluded. The disturbance of CRVP X2 expression can serve as an etiologic factor of YSS in the turkey. This study expands the understanding of the detailed mechanism of fertilization in birds by clarifying the specific role of CRVP X2.
Silent cold-sensing neurons contribute to cold allodynia in neuropathic pain
Authors: MacDonald Donald Iain , Luiz Ana P , Iseppon Federico , Millet Queensta , Emery Edward C , Wood John N
Published: March 2021

Patients with neuropathic pain often experience innocuous cooling as excruciating pain. The cell and molecular basis of this cold allodynia is little understood. We used in vivo calcium imaging of sensory ganglia to investigate how the activity of peripheral cold-sensing neurons was altered in three mouse models of neuropathic pain: oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy, partial sciatic nerve ligation, and ciguatera poisoning. In control mice, cold-sensing neurons were few in number and small in size. In neuropathic animals with cold allodynia, a set of normally silent large diameter neurons became sensitive to cooling. Many of these silent cold-sensing neurons responded to noxious mechanical stimuli and expressed the nociceptor markers Nav1.8 and CGRPα. Ablating neurons expressing Nav1.8 resulted in diminished cold allodynia. The silent cold-sensing neurons could also be activated by cooling in control mice through blockade of Kv1 voltage-gated potassium channels. Thus, silent cold-sensing neurons are unmasked in diverse neuropathic pain states and cold allodynia results from peripheral sensitization caused by altered nociceptor excitability.
Mutational signatures associated with exposure to carcinogenic microplastic compounds bisphenol A and styrene oxide
Authors: Hu Xiaoju , Biswas Antara , Sharma Anchal , Sarkodie Halle , Tran Ivy , Pal Indrani , De Subhajyoti
Published: March 2021

Microplastic pollutants in oceans and food chains are concerning to public health. Common plasticizing compounds Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Styrene-7,8-Oxide (SO) are now labeled as carcinogens. We show that BPA and SO cause deoxyribonucleic acid damage and mutagenesis in human cells, and analyze the genome-wide point mutation and genomic rearrangement patterns associated with BPA and SO exposure. A subset of the single- and doublet base substitutions shows mutagenesis near or at guanine, consistent with these compounds’ preferences to form guanosine adducts. Presence of other mutational signatures suggest additional mutagenesis probably due to complex effects of BPA and SO on diverse cellular processes. Analyzing data for 19 cancer cohorts, we find that tumors of digestive and urinary organs show relatively high similarity in mutational profiles, and the burden of such mutations increases with age. Even within the same cancer type, proportions of corresponding mutational patterns vary among the cohorts from different countries, as does the amount of microplastic waste in ocean waters. BPA and SO are relatively mild mutagens, and other environmental agents can also potentially generate similar, complex mutational patterns in cancer genomes. Nonetheless, our findings call for systematic evaluation of public health consequences of microplastic exposure worldwide.
Temporal changes in metabolism late in seed development affect biomass composition
Authors: Kambhampati Shrikaar , Aznar-Moreno Jose A , Bailey Sally R , Arp Jennifer J , Chu Kevin L , Bilyeu Kristin D , Durrett Timothy P , Allen Doug K
Published: March 2021

The negative association between protein and oil production in soybean (Glycine max) seed is well-documented. However, this inverse relationship is based primarily on the composition of mature seed, which reflects the cumulative result of events over the course of soybean seed development and therefore does not convey information specific to metabolic fluctuations during developmental growth regimes. In this study, we assessed maternal nutrient supply via measurement of seed coat exudates and metabolite levels within the cotyledon throughout development to identify trends in the accumulation of central carbon and nitrogen metabolic intermediates. Active metabolic activity during late seed development was probed through transient labeling with 13C substrates. The results indicated: (1) a drop in lipid contents during seed maturation with a concomitant increase in carbohydrates, (2) a transition from seed filling to maturation phases characterized by quantitatively balanced changes in carbon use and CO2 release, (3) changes in measured carbon and nitrogen resources supplied maternally throughout development, (4) 13C metabolite production through gluconeogenic steps for sustained carbohydrate accumulation as the maternal nutrient supply diminishes, and (5) oligosaccharide biosynthesis within the seed coat during the maturation phase. These results highlight temporal engineering targets for altering final biomass composition to increase the value of soybeans and a path to breaking the inverse correlation between seed protein and oil content.
Medication for Addiction Treatment and Postpartum Health Care Utilization Among Pregnant Persons With Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Ahrens Katherine A. , McBride Carole A. , O’Connor Alane , Meyer Marjorie C.
Published: March 2021

Objective:

To estimate treatment and postpartum health care utilization among pregnant persons with opioid use disorder (OUD) in Vermont and Maine.

Methods:

Vermont's and Maine's All Payer Claims Databases were used to identify deliveries 2010 to 2018 that were paid for, in part, by Medicaid. OUD was identified among pregnant persons if they had any claim with an OUD-diagnosis code (ICD-9/10) or medication for addiction treatment (MAT) code during the 5 months before delivery event. Consistent and inconsistent MAT were compared to no MAT on the rate of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits in the first 12 months’ postpartum using negative binomial regression.

Results:

From 2010 through 2018, 27,652 deliveries in Vermont and 43,480 deliveries in Maine were among persons insured by Medicaid. The prevalence of OUD among pregnant persons increased from 6.7% to 11.6% in Vermont and from 7.4% to 11.0% in Maine. Among pregnant persons with OUD in 2018, 57% had consistent MAT in Vermont and 50% had consistent MAT in Maine; approximately 32% and 27% were not in treatment in Vermont and Maine, respectively. In Maine, consistent MAT was associated with a 47% lower rate of hospitalization and 37% to 46% lower rates of ED visits when compared to those without MAT; in Vermont, those with consistent buprenorphine treatment had a 30% lower rate of ED visits.

Conclusions:

Medicaid data from Vermont and Maine suggests that medication for addiction treatment for opioid use disorder during pregnancy reduces emergency health care utilization in the first year postpartum.
Defining the Ideal “Nail Exit Path” of a Tibial Intramedullary Nail—A Computed Tomography Analysis of 860 Tibiae
Authors: Trompeter Alex , Williamson Mike , Bates Peter , Petersik Andreas , Kelly Michael
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

To identify the ideal distal nail position in the distal tibia, using a computed tomography analysis.

Methods:

Three-dimensional models of 860 left tibiae were analyzed using the Stryker Orthopaedic Modeling and Analytics software (SOMA, Stryker, Kiel, Germany). The nail axis was defined by 7 center points at the middle of the inner cortical boundary. The point where this line fell relative to the center of the tibial plafond in both the anteroposterior and mediolateral planes was calculated.

Results:

The mean mediolateral offset of the tibial nail exit path was 4.4 ± 0.2 mm (95% confidence interval) lateral to the center of the tibial plafond. The mean anteroposterior offset of the tibial nail exit path was 0.6 ± 0.1 mm anterior to the center of the tibial plafond.

Conclusions:

We have presented an anatomic study analyzing the ideal nail exit path using computed tomography scans of 860 tibiae. We defined that the ideal nail exit path of a tibial nail is lateral with respect to the center of the tibial plafond. This is supported by previous clinical studies and has significant implications for preventing malalignment when treating distal tibial fractures with intramedullary nailing.
NAT2 polymorphisms as a cause of metamizole-induced agranulocytosis
Authors: Radulovic Ivana , Dogan Burcin , Dohna-Schwake Christian , Schündeln Michael M. , Siffert Winfried , Möhlendick Birte
Published: March 2021

Metamizole is a widely prescribed NSAID with excellent analgesic and antipyretic properties. Although very effective, it is banned in some countries because of the risk for severe agranulocytosis. We here describe three patients with metamizole-associated agranulocytosis. Patient #1 suffered from agranulocytosis and tonsillitis followed by severe sepsis by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Epstein–Barr virus reactivation. Her dizygotic twin sister (patient #2) also suffered from agranulocytosis after a surgical intervention. Patient #3 initially had a tonsillitis and also developed neutropenia after metamizole intake. For all patients, pharmacogenetic diagnostic for the genes CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and NAT2, which are involved in metamizole metabolism and degradation of toxic metabolites, was initiated. Pharmacogenetic analysis revealed NAT2 slow acetylator phenotype in all three patients. Additionally, patient #2 is an intermediate metabolizer for CYP2C19 and patient #3 is a poor metabolizer for CYP2C9. Impairment of these enzymes causes a reduced degradation of toxic metabolites, for example, 4-methylaminoantipyrine (4-MAA) or 4-aminoantipyrine. The metabolite 4-MAA can complex with hemin, which is an early breakdown product during hemolysis. Hemolysis is often observed during invasive infections or after surgical procedures. It is known that the 4-MAA/hemin complex can induce cytotoxicity in the bone marrow and interrupt granulocyte maturation. In conclusion, metamizole-induced agranulocytosis most likely was a consequence of the underlying genetical predisposition, that is, polymorphisms in the genes NAT2, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. Hemolysis may have increased the toxicity of metamizole metabolites.
Quality Control of Busulfan Plasma Quantitation, Modeling, and Dosing: An Interlaboratory Proficiency Testing Program
Authors: McCune Jeannine S. , Punt Arjen M. , Yeh Rosa F. , Dupuis L. Lee , Kweekel Dina M. , Franssen Eric J. F. , Ritchie James C. , van Maarseveen Erik , Huitema Alwin D. R.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Personalizing busulfan doses to target a narrow plasma exposure has improved the efficacy and lowered the toxicity of busulfan-based conditioning regimens used in hematopoietic cell transplant. Regional regulations guide interlaboratory proficiency testing for busulfan concentration quantification and monitoring. To date, there have been no comparisons of the busulfan pharmacokinetic modeling and dose recommendation protocols used in these laboratories. Here, in collaboration with the Dutch Association for Quality Assessment in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology, a novel interlaboratory proficiency program for the quantitation in plasma, pharmacokinetic modeling, and dosing of busulfan was designed. The methods and results of the first 2 rounds of this proficiency testing are described herein.

Methods:

A novel method was developed to stabilize busulfan in N,N-dimethylacetamide, which allowed shipping of the proficiency samples without dry ice. In each round, participating laboratories reported their results for 2 proficiency samples (one low and one high busulfan concentrations) and a theoretical case assessing their pharmacokinetic modeling and dose recommendations. All participants were blinded to the answers; descriptive statistics were used to evaluate their overall performance. The guidelines suggested that answers within ±15% for busulfan concentrations and ±10% for busulfan plasma exposure and dose recommendation were to be considered accurate.

Results:

Of the 4 proficiency samples evaluated, between 67% and 85% of the busulfan quantitation results were accurate (ie, within 85%–115% of the reference value). The majority (88% round #1; 71% round #2) of the dose recommendation answers were correct.

Conclusions:

A proficiency testing program by which laboratories are alerted to inaccuracies in their quantitation, pharmacokinetic modeling, and dose recommendations for busulfan in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients was developed. These rounds of proficiency testing suggests that additional educational efforts and proficiency rounds are needed to ensure appropriate busulfan dosing.
Microsampling Devices for Routine Therapeutic Drug Monitoring—Are We There Yet?
Authors: Morgan Phillip Edgar
Published: March 2021

Background:

The use of microsampling for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is increasingly feasible as sensitive methods have become more accessible. There exists an increasing interest in the use of microsampling, and new microsampling devices and techniques can potentially improve patient convenience and care, among other features. This review provides an update on currently validated methods for measuring drugs pertinent to TDM, including data from clinical samples.

Methods:

A literature record search was undertaken, including PubMed and Google Scholar. Reports that included the use of microsampling to measure concentrations of drugs associated with TDM were reviewed and included if data from patient samples were reported. The studies are described in brief, including sample preparation and analyte stability, with the most pertinent findings reported.

Results:

Sensitive analyses and innovative designs and materials have resulted in an increasing number of reported evaluations and validations for measuring drugs using microsamples. Novel designs largely overcome common problems associated with traditional dried blood spot sampling. Although examples of patient self-sampling are rare at present, studies that evaluated feedback found it to be largely positive, revealing the feasibility of microsampling for TDM.

Conclusions:

Microsampling is suited to the TDM of numerous drugs in diverse situations, and it will play an increasingly important role. The issues with traditional dried blood spot samples have been largely overcome by employing novel methods to obtain volumetric samples.
Need for Additional Glaucoma Surgery and Complications Following Glaucoma Drainage Device Surgery
Authors: Kung Felix F. , Knier Catherine G. , Garmany Armin , Mejia Camilo A. , Sargent Jason M. , Jamali Dogahe Sepideh , Sabbagh Nouran , Hodge David O. , Khanna Cheryl L.
Published: March 2021

Précis:

In this longitudinal study of patients with open-angle (OAG), pseudoexfoliative (PXE), or neovascular glaucoma (NVG) receiving glaucoma drainage devices (GDD), posttube cumulative rates of reoperation, corneal graft, and visually threatening complications (VT-complications) increased beyond 5 years and were not significantly affected by glaucoma type.

Purpose:

To study the need for additional glaucoma surgery and development of complications after first GDD surgery in eyes with primary OAG, PXE, or NVG glaucoma.

Patients and Methods:

There were 306 eyes with OAG (n=185), PXE (n=60), or NVG (n=61) glaucoma who received a first GDD between 1996 and 2017. Outcomes including glaucoma reoperation, corneal graft procedure, and VT-complications after GDD were measured. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare cumulative rate of reaching outcomes over time after GDD placement among the 3 glaucoma groups.

Results:

When comparing the OAG, PXE, and NVG groups, there were no significant differences in post-GDD cumulative rates of reoperation (P=0.33), corneal graft (P=0.26), or VT-complications (P=0.65) over time. For all eyes, the overall cumulative rates for each outcome measure increased beyond 5 years, and specific Kaplan-Meier rates (5-y, 10-y) included: reoperation (16%, 25%), corneal graft (6%, 12%), VT-complications (9%, 14%). When comparing specific GDDs, the Ahmed FP7 had a higher cumulative reoperation rate over time compared with the Baerveldt 350 (P=0.019).

Conclusion:

Glaucoma type did not significantly affect post-GDD cumulative rates of reoperation, corneal graft, and VT-complication among the OAG, PXE, and NVG groups. For all eyes, cumulative rates of reoperation, corneal graft, and VT-complications increased beyond 5 years. The Ahmed FP7 had a significantly higher cumulative reoperation rate compared with the Baerveldt 350 over time.
Efficacy and safety of EMA401 in peripheral neuropathic pain: results of 2 randomised, double-blind, phase 2 studies in patients with postherpetic neuralgia and painful diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Rice Andrew S.C. , Dworkin Robert H. , Finnerup Nanna B. , Attal Nadine , Anand Praveen , Freeman Roy , Piaia Alessandro , Callegari Francesca , Doerr Christie , Mondal Subhayan , Narayanan Nisha , Ecochard Laurent , Flossbach Yanina , Pandhi Shaloo
Published: March 2021

The analgesic efficacy and safety of 2 phase 2b studies of EMA401 (a highly selective angiotensin II type 2 receptor antagonist) in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (EMPHENE) and painful diabetic neuropathy (EMPADINE) were reported. These were multicentre, randomised, double-blind treatment studies conducted in participants with postherpetic neuralgia or type I/II diabetes mellitus with painful distal symmetrical sensorimotor neuropathy. Participants were randomised 1:1:1 to either placebo, EMA401 25 mg, or 100 mg twice daily (b.i.d) in the EMPHENE and 1:1 to placebo or EMA401 100 mg b.i.d. in the EMPADINE. The primary outcome for both the studies was change in weekly mean of the 24-hour average pain score, using a numeric rating scale from baseline to week 12. Both the studies were prematurely terminated due to preclinical hepatotoxicity on long-term dosing, although not observed in these studies. Out of the planned participants, a total of 129/360 (EMPHENE) and 137/400 (EMPADINE) participants were enrolled. The least square mean reduction in numeric rating scale pain score was numerically in favour of EMA401 100 mg arm in both EMPHENE (treatment difference: −0.5 [95% confidence interval: −1.6 to 0.6; P value: 0.35]) and EMPADINE (treatment difference: −0.6 [95% confidence interval: −1.4 to 0.1; P value: 0.10]) at the end of week 12. However, as the studies were terminated prematurely, no firm conclusion could be drawn but the consistent clinical improvement in pain intensity reduction across these 2 studies in 2 different populations is worth noting.
International Distance Nurse Mentoring Program
Authors: Chrastek Joan “Jody” , Tan Angela Gek Lya , Chong Poh Heng , Lim Lay Choo , Liew Tse Pei , Kasper Hallie
Published: March 2021

Professional and personal development has always been important in the field of palliative care nursing. Now as patients are increasingly culturally diverse, the ability to understand and connect across cultures is also vital. In light of this, a homecare hospice in Singapore collaborated with a nurse consultant based in the United States to pilot a 10-month cross-cultural bidirectional, distance mentoring project. The overarching goal was to explore the profession and personal benefits for nurses and to provide further information for similar international efforts. Before starting the 10-month project, the consultant met and accompanied the Singapore nurses on home visits to better understand the setting and needs. Each of the 6 Singapore home hospice teams (5 adult and 1 pediatric) was matched with a US volunteer mentor, who was an experienced home hospice nurse. The goal for each team and their mentor was to connect by video monthly to share helpful resources, discuss cases for mutual benefit, or develop a quality improvement project. Lessons learned will contribute to the field of international mentoring and collaboration.
Reconstruction of Hemiglossectomy Defects With the Lateral Arm Fasciocutaneous Flap
Authors: Shahzad Farooq , Khan Majid , Ahmed Kaleem , Zahid Nida , Rahman Fazlur
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

Partial tongue reconstruction requires a thin pliable flap to restore volume and mobility. The lateral arm flap is well suited to this as it is a thin fasciocutaneous flap that has consistent vascular anatomy, reliable perfusion, short harvest time and low donor site morbidity. The authors report our experience with use of this flap for reconstruction of hemi-glossectomy defects.

Methods:

This is a retrospective cohort of patients who underwent reconstruction of hemi-glossectomy and floor of mouth defects with a lateral arm flap, at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi (Pakistan) from November 2016 to January 2020. Flaps were harvested from the nondominant upper extremity. Data were collected for patient demographics, size of defect, size of flap, recipient vessels, postoperative complications and functional outcome.

Results:

Over a 3-year period, 8 hemi-tongue and extended hemi-tongue, and floor of mouth reconstructions were performed with a lateral arm fasciocutaneous flap. A standard lateral arm flap was harvested in 3 patients and an extended lateral arm flap in 5 patients. Mean flap size was 65.75 cm2 (48–76 cm2). The recipient artery in all cases was the superior thyroid artery. The recipient veins were the common facial vein in 1 patient, the internal jugular in 3 patients, the external jugular in 1 patient and both external and internal jugular in 3 patients. Donor sites were closed primarily. There were no total or partial flap losses. All patients were able to resume an oral diet (unrestricted in 1, soft in 4, pureed in 2 patients). Postoperative speech was intelligible to patients’ family in 4 patients and to strangers in 3 patients. One patient succumbed to progressive disease in the early postoperative period. Orocutaneous fistulas developed in 3 patients, all of which healed with nonoperative management.

Conclusions:

The lateral arm fasciocutaneous flap is well suited for reconstruction of hemiglossectomy and floor of mouth defect. It has the advantages of straightforward harvest, thin and pliable soft tissue, and low donor site morbidity.
Can we predict which COVID‐19 patients will need transfer to intensive care within 24 hours of floor admission?
Authors: Wang Alfred Z. , Ehrman Robert , Bucca Antonino , Croft Alexander , Glober Nancy , Holt Daniel , Lardaro Thomas , Musey Paul , Peterson Kelli , Schaffer Jason , Trigonis Russell , Hunter Benton R.
Published: March 2021

Background

Patients with COVID‐19 can present to the emergency department (ED) at any point during the spectrum of illness, making it difficult to predict what level of care the patient will ultimately require. Admission to a ward bed, which is subsequently upgraded within hours to an intensive care unit (ICU) bed, represents an inability to appropriately predict the patient's course of illness. Predicting which patients will require ICU care within 24 hours would allow admissions to be managed more appropriately.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of adults admitted to a large health care system, including 14 hospitals across the state of Indiana. Included patients were aged ≥ 18 years, were admitted to the hospital from the ED, and had a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID‐19. Patients directly admitted to the ICU or in whom the PCR test was obtained > 3 days after hospital admission were excluded. Extracted data points included demographics, comorbidities, ED vital signs, laboratory values, chest imaging results, and level of care on admission. The primary outcome was a combination of either death or transfer to ICU within 24 hours of admission to the hospital. Data analysis was performed by logistic regression modeling to determine a multivariable model of variables that could predict the primary outcome.

Results

Of the 542 included patients, 46 (10%) required transfer to ICU within 24 hours of admission. The final composite model, adjusted for age and admission location, included history of heart failure and initial oxygen saturation of <93% plus either white blood cell count > 6.4 or glomerular filtration rate < 46. The odds ratio (OR) for decompensation within 24 hours was 5.17 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.17 to 12.31) when all criteria were present. For patients without the above criteria, the OR for ICU transfer was 0.20 (95% CI = 0.09 to 0.45).

Conclusions

Although our model did not perform well enough to stand alone as a decision guide, it highlights certain clinical features that are associated with increased risk of decompensation.
Spiky/keratosis‐pilaris‐like early follicular mycosis fungoides: A clinicopathologic study of 20 cases with extended follow‐up
Authors: Tomasini Carlo , Michelerio Andrea , Quaglino Pietro
Published: March 2021

Backgrounds

Follicular mycosis fungoides (FMFs) is a distinct form of T‐cell lymphoma whose course is considered aggressive.

Methods

A retrospective study with long‐term follow‐up of 20 patients diagnosed with spiky/keratosis‐pilaris‐like FMF between 2008 and 2017 was conducted.

Results

Twelve males and eight females were identified, with a mean age at first diagnosis of 59 years (range 42‐86). Hyperkeratotic follicular papules were the sole clinical finding in 16 of 20 patients. A diagnostic delay between first symptom development and initial diagnosis was frequent (mean 42 months). The head/neck region was concurrently affected only in two patients. Disease stage at diagnosis was IA in two patients (10%) and IB in 18 (90%). Five patients had almost complete lesion regression, whilst there was only a slight improvement, without regression in 14. Two patients developed infiltrated papules, comedones, and small cysts during follow‐up. Only one patient progressed to tumor stage (IIB) five years after the first diagnosis. The mean follow‐up was seven years (range: 12‐180 months). None of them died of cutaneous lymphoma.

Conclusions

FMF presenting with only spiky/keratosis‐pilaris‐like lesions have an excellent prognosis at medium‐term follow‐up. Early recognition of patients with this peculiar FMF presentation might lead to identifying prognostic factors.
Biological mechanisms may contribute to soil carbon saturation patterns
Authors: Craig Matthew E. , Mayes Melanie A. , Sulman Benjamin N. , Walker Anthony P.
Published: March 2021

Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) storage is a key strategy to mitigate rising atmospheric CO2, yet SOC pools often appear to saturate, or increase at a declining rate, as carbon (C) inputs increase. Soil C saturation is commonly hypothesized to result from the finite amount of reactive mineral surface area available for retaining SOC, and is accordingly represented in SOC models as a physicochemically determined SOC upper limit. However, mineral‐associated SOC is largely microbially generated. In this perspective, we present the hypothesis that apparent SOC saturation patterns could emerge as a result of ecological constraints on microbial biomass—for example, via competition or predation—leading to reduced C flow through microbes and a reduced rate of mineral‐associated SOC formation as soil C inputs increase. Microbially explicit SOC models offer an opportunity to explore this hypothesis, yet most of these models predict linear microbial biomass increases with C inputs and insensitivity of SOC to input rates. Synthesis of 54 C addition studies revealed constraints on microbial biomass as C inputs increase. Different hypotheses limiting microbial density were embedded in a three‐pool SOC model without explicit limits on mineral surface area. As inputs increased, the model demonstrated either no change, linear, or apparently saturating increases in mineral‐associated and particulate SOC pools. Taken together, our results suggest that microbial constraints are common and could lead to reduced mineral‐associated SOC formation as input rates increase. We conclude that SOC responses to altered C inputs—or any environmental change—are influenced by the ecological factors that limit microbial populations, allowing for a wider range of potential SOC responses to stimuli. Understanding how biotic versus abiotic factors contribute to these patterns will better enable us to predict and manage soil C dynamics.
Firm's tax aggressiveness under mandatory CSR regime: Evidence after mandatory CSR regulation of India
Authors: Raithatha Mehul , Shaw Tara Shankar
Published: March 2021

In this study, we use the mandatory CSR spending regulation implemented by India in 2015 to examine whether firms that comply with the regulation change their tax aggressiveness. We document that firms that comply with CSR regulation end up having less tax aggression which supports the argument that enhanced visibility and firm‐level reputational concerns play a vital role in shaping up the relationship between CSR and taxation policy. Our results are consistent with the number of robustness checks.
On entrepreneurial resilience among micro‐entrepreneurs in the face of economic disruptions… A little help from friends
Authors: Iyengar Deepak , Nilakantan Rahul , Rao Shashank
Published: March 2021

While much has been written about resilience in the supply chain management (SCM) literature, most investigations focus on large corporations from the perspective of helping them bounce back after disruptions. There has been little investigation on resilience among the weakest and smallest members of the global supply chain—that is, small entrepreneurs at the bottom of the pyramid (BOP). This is despite the fact that these micro‐entrepreneurs are often key cogs in the last‐mile supply chain efforts of major multinational corporations. They experience disruptions at a higher rate than major corporations, have fewer formal mechanisms in place to recover from them, and are often unable to "bounce back" in the traditional sense. In the current study, we address this gap by investigating multiple types of disruptions (i.e., idiosyncratic and covariate) and how they impact entrepreneurial resilience among microbusinesses in an emerging economy. In addition, we look at the buffering impact of various actors (i.e., financial and social) on entrepreneurship in the face of these disruptions. We highlight the important role that these entrepreneurs play in the BOP supply chain and provide suggestions that can assist with improving their resilience and the resilience of the BOP supply chain.
Circ‐LAMP1 contributes to the growth and metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma via miR‐556‐5p and miR‐567 mediated YY1 activation
Authors: Xu Yi , Gao Ping , Wang Zhidong , Su Zhilei , Liao Guanqun , Han Yi , Cui Yifeng , Yao Yue , Zhong Xiangyu
Published: March 2021

Dysregulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) executes important regulatory roles in carcinogenesis. Nonetheless, few studies focused on the mechanisms of circRNAs in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). qRT‐PCR was applied to verify the dysregulated circRNAs in CCA. Fisher's exact test, Kaplan‐Meier analysis and Cox regression model were utilized to investigate the clinical implications of circ‐LAMP1 in the patients with CCA. The viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion of CCA cells were detected after silencing/overexpression of circ‐LAMP1. Xenograft and lung metastasis assays were performed to verify the in vitro results. The regulatory networks of circ‐LAMP1 were unveiled by bioinformatic analysis, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pulldown and luciferase reporter assays. Up‐regulation of circ‐LAMP1 was found in CCA tissue samples and cell lines. Enhanced level of circ‐LAMP1 was linked to clinical severity, high post‐operative recurrence and poor prognosis for the patients with CCA. Gain/loss‐of‐function assays confirmed the oncogenic role of circ‐LAMP1 in mediating cell growth, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Nevertheless, the level of circ‐LAMP1 had no effect on normal biliary epithelium proliferation and apoptosis. Animal study further verified the in vitro data. Mechanistically, circ‐LAMP1 directly sponged miR‐556‐5p and miR‐567, thereby releasing their suppression on YY1 at post‐transcriptional level. Rescue assay indicated that the oncogenic role of circ‐LAMP1 is partially dependent on its modulation of YY1 in CCA. In summary, this study suggested that circ‐LAMP1 might be used as a promising biomarker/therapeutic target for CCA.
Identification of sorghum genotypes using a machine vision system
Authors: Nazari Leyla , Shaker Mohammad , Karimi Abdolhamid , Ropelewska Ewa
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to develop an innovative machine vision system based on seed texture and geometric parameters to evaluate their efficacy in the identification of sorghum genotypes. The images of sorghum grain were acquired by a digital camera. Texture parameters were calculated for images converted to individual color channels. The geometric features including length, width, perimeter, area as well as 10 shape factors were determined. The seeds of individual genotypes were classified using the discriminative classifiers. In the case of discriminant analysis performed using texture parameters, the total accuracy reached 95.6% for the model built based on textures selected from all color channels. The complete separation of some genotypes was confirmed by scatterplots. The results of discrimination based on textures selected from color space Lab revealed a total accuracy of up to 94.8%. Discriminative models based on textures selected from color space RGB resulted in a total accuracy of up to 93.5%. Models built based on geometric features provided the accuracy of up to 99% for comparison selected genotypes.

Practical Applications

The classification models developed in this study can efficiently be used for the identification of sorghum seeds. The results of the studies can be used in practice for the assessment of the authentication of seeds of sorghum cultivars in a rapid, nondestructive and cost‐effective way and it can be an alternative to chemical or molecular methods, which are more expensive, long‐lasting and more complicated. Therefore, the application of image analysis is a great novelty of the research for the identification of cereal grain genotype.
Peers' Choices Influence Adolescent Risk‐taking Especially When Explicit Risk Information is Lacking
Authors: Osmont Anaïs , Camarda Anaëlle , Habib Marianne , Cassotti Mathieu
Published: March 2021

This study examines the impact of peers’ previous cautious versus risky choices on adolescents’ risk‐taking depending on the level of information about the risk. Adolescents completed an adaptation of the BART that manipulated social influence (cautious and risky) and risk information (i.e., informed, noninformed). Results showed that social influence impacts adolescents’ decisions on the noninformed BART but not on the informed BART. In the noninformed BART, the peers’ cautious choices strongly decreased risk‐taking and led to greater performance. The peers’ risky choices increase adolescents’ risk‐taking, but this effect is limited to situations involving minimal risk. Thus social experience may be a specific social context that represents a valuable source of information during adolescence, especially in situations with high uncertainty.
Effect of trazodone versus cognitive‐behavioural treatment on high‐ and slow‐frequency activity during non‐rapid eye movement sleep in chronic insomnia: A pilot, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Li Yun , Vgontzas Alexandros N. , Fernandez‐Mendoza Julio , Fang Jidong , Puzino Kristina , Bixler Edward O
Published: March 2021

Trazodone and cognitive‐behavioural treatment for insomnia (CBT‐I) are widely used to treat patients with chronic insomnia. Although both treatments improve sleep continuity, no study has compared their comparative effectiveness in modifying spectral electroencephalographic (EEG) activity during sleep in humans. In this study, participants included 19 men and women with chronic insomnia who were randomized to either trazodone (n = 8) or CBT‐I (n = 11) treatment for 3 months. We examined delta (0.39–3.91 Hz), theta (4.30–7.81 Hz), alpha (8.20–11.72 Hz), sigma (12.11–14.84 Hz), beta (15.23–35.16 Hz) and gamma (35.55–49.61 Hz) relative power during non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep at pre‐treatment, 3‐ month post‐treatment and 6‐month follow‐up. This study was registered in Clinical Trials (NCT01348542). We found trazodone but not CBT‐I significantly decreased sigma (p = .041, d = 0.88; time × group p = .009) and beta (p = .005, d = 1.41; time × group p = .016) power during NREM sleep at post‐treatment. Compared to CBT‐I, trazodone increased delta (p = .018) and decreased sigma (p = .013) and beta (p = .023) power during NREM sleep at post‐treatment. At follow‐up, we did not observe significant changes in relative EEG power during NREM sleep in either the CBT‐I or trazodone group compared to pre‐treatment. Compared to CBT‐I, trazodone decreased alpha (p = .039) and sigma (p = .009) power during NREM sleep at follow‐up. In conclusion, trazodone, but not CBT‐I, decreased fast‐frequency EEG activity during NREM sleep. Compared to CBT‐I, trazodone appears to have a stronger impact on cortical and physiological hyperarousal in patients with chronic insomnia.
Influence of clinical setting and cat characteristics on indirectly measured blood pressure and pulse rate in healthy Birman, Norwegian Forest, and Domestic Shorthair cats
Authors: Hanås Sofia , Holst Bodil S. , Ljungvall Ingrid , Tidholm Anna , Olsson Ulf , Häggström Jens , Höglund Katja
Published: March 2021

Background

Measured indirect blood pressure (BP) results in cats in a clinical environment might be affected by stress and characteristics of the cats.

Hypothesis

To investigate the influence of clinical setting, cat characteristics, and life situation on BP and pulse rate (PR) in healthy cats.

Animals

Ninety‐four healthy Domestic Shorthair, Birman and Norwegian Forest cats.

Methods

Blood pressure measured by high‐definition oscillometry in 3 settings: cat placed in its own carrier with veterinarian present; cat placed in carrier with owner alone present; and cat placed on table with veterinarian present. Statistical analyses were performed using mixed linear models.

Results

Systolic BP (SBP) did not differ among settings. Higher mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic BP (DBP), and PR were found when measurements were performed with cat placed on table, rather than in carrier. Coefficients of variation (CVs) higher for SBP, MAP, DBP, and PR when measured with cat placed on table than in carrier. Birman cats had lower BP than other breeds. Systolic BP, MAP, DBP, and PR increased with age. Cats allowed outdoors had lower PR than cats living strictly indoors.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

No difference in SBP was found among settings, but measuring BP with the cat placed on the examination table gave higher MAP, DBP, PR, and CV than measuring BP with the cat in its carrier. Breed affected BP, with lower BP in Birman cats than other breeds. Blood pressure increased with age. Pulse rate was lower in cats allowed outdoors than cats living strictly indoors.
Resting skeletal muscle PNPLA2 (ATGL) and CPT1B are associated with peak fat oxidation rates in men and women but do not explain observed sex differences
Authors: Chrzanowski‐Smith Oliver J. , Edinburgh Robert M. , Smith Eleanor , Thomas Mark P. , Walhin Jean‐Philippe , Koumanov Francoise , Williams Sean , Betts James A. , Gonzalez Javier T.
Published: March 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What is the relationship between proteins in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue determined at rest and at peak rates of fat oxidation in men and women?

What is the main finding and its importance?

The resting contents of proteins in skeletal muscle involved in triglyceride hydrolysis and mitochondrial lipid transport were more strongly associated with peak fat oxidation rates than proteins related to lipid transport or hydrolysis in adipose tissue. Although females displayed higher relative rates of fat oxidation than males, this was not explained by the proteins measured in this study, suggesting that other factors determine sex differences in fat metabolism.

We explored key proteins involved in fat metabolism that might be associated with peak fat oxidation (PFO) and account for sexual dimorphism in fuel metabolism during exercise. Thirty‐six healthy adults [15 women; 40 ± 11 years of age; peak oxygen consumption 42.5 ± 9.5 ml (kg body mass)–1 min–1; mean ± SD] completed two exercise tests to determine PFO via indirect calorimetry. Resting adipose tissue and/or skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained to determine the adipose tissue protein content of PLIN1, ABHD5 (CGI‐58), LIPE (HSL), PNPLA2 (ATGL), ACSL1, CPT1B and oestrogen receptor α (ERα) and the skeletal muscle protein content of FABP 3 (FABPpm), PNPLA2 (ATGL), ACSL1, CTP1B and ESR1 (ERα). Moderate strength correlations were found between PFO [in milligrams per kilogram of fat‐free mass (FFM) per minute] and the protein content of PNPLA2 (ATGL) [rs = 0.41 (0.03–0.68), P < 0.05] and CPT1B [rs = 0.45 (0.09–0.71), P < 0.05] in skeletal muscle. No other statistically significant bivariate correlations were found consistently. Females had a greater relative PFO than males [7.1 ± 1.9 vs. 4.5 ± 1.3 and 7.3 ± 1.7 vs. 4.8 ± 1.2 mg (kg FFM)–1 min–1 in the adipose tissue (n = 14) and skeletal muscle (n = 12) subgroups, respectively (P < 0.05)]. No statistically significant sex differences were found in the content of these proteins. The regulation of PFO might involve processes relating to intramyocellular triglyceride hydrolysis and mitochondrial fatty acid transport, and adipose tissue is likely to play a more minor role than muscle. Sex differences in fat metabolism are likely to be attributable to factors other than the resting content of proteins in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue relating to triglyceride hydrolysis and fatty acid transport.
Force Evaluation of Tendon Routing for Underactuated Grasping
Authors: Clark Angus B. , Liow Lois , Rojas Nicolas
Published: March 2021

While the modeling analysis of the kinetostatic behavior of underactuated tendon-driven robotic fingers has been largely addressed in the literature, tendon routing is often not considered by these theoretical models. The tendon routing path plays a fundamental role in defining joint torques, and subsequently, the force vectors produced by the phalanges. However, dynamic tendon behavior is difficult to predict and is influenced by many external factors including tendon friction, the shape of the grasped object, the initial pose of the fingers, and finger contact points. In this paper, we present an experimental comparison of the force performance of nine fingers, with different tendon routing configurations. We use the concept of force-isotropy, in which forces are equal and distributed on each phalanx as the optimum condition for an adaptive grasp. Our results show only some of the finger designs surveyed exhibited a partial adaptive behavior, showing distributed force for the proximal and distal phalanxes throughout grasping cycles, while other routings resulted in only a single phalanx remaining in contact with the object.
Data Protection in AI Services
Authors: Meurisch Christian , Mühlhäuser Max
Published: March 2021

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have shaped today’s user services, enabling enhanced personalization and better support. As such AI-based services inevitably require user data, the resulting privacy implications are de facto the unacceptable face of this technology. In this article, we categorize and survey the cutting-edge research on privacy and data protection in the context of personalized AI services. We further review the different protection approaches at three different levels, namely, the management, system, and AI levels—showing that (i) not all of them meet our identified requirements of evolving AI services and that (ii) many challenges are addressed separately or fragmentarily by different research communities. Finally, we highlight open research challenges and future directions in data protection research, especially that comprehensive protection requires more interdisciplinary research and a combination of approaches at different levels.
Automated Text Simplification
Authors: Al-Thanyyan Suha S. , Azmi Aqil M.
Published: March 2021

Text simplification (TS) reduces the complexity of the text to improve its readability and understandability, while possibly retaining its original information content. Over time, TS has become an essential tool in helping those with low literacy levels, non-native learners, and those struggling with various types of reading comprehension problems. In addition, it is used in a preprocessing stage to enhance other NLP tasks. This survey presents an extensive study of current research studies in the field of TS, as well as covering resources, corpora, and evaluation methods that have been used in those studies.
Distribution of Consensus in a Broadcasting-based Consensus-forming Algorithm
Authors: Shioda Shigeo
Published: March 2021

The consensus achieved in the consensus-forming algorithm is not generally a constant but rather a random variable, even if the initial opinions are the same. In the present paper, we investigate the statistical properties of the consensus in a broadcasting-based consensus-forming algorithm. We focus on two extreme cases: consensus forming by two agents and consensus forming by an infinite number of agents. In the two-agent case, we derive several properties of the distribution function of the consensus. In the infinite-numberof- agents case, we show that if the initial opinions follow a stable distribution, then the consensus also follows a stable distribution. In addition, we derive a closed-form expression of the probability density function of the consensus when the initial opinions follow a Gaussian distribution, a Cauchy distribution, or a L´evy distribution.