bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive analysis of serum chromogranin A and neuron‐specific enolase levels in localized and castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Szarvas Tibor , Csizmarik Anita , Fazekas Tamás , Hüttl András , Nyirády Péter , Hadaschik Boris , Grünwald Viktor , Püllen Lukas , Jurányi Zsolt , Kocsis Zsuzsa , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Sevcenco Sabina , Maj‐Hes Agnieszka , Kramer Gero
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To assess chromogranin A (CGA) and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) levels and changes in these at different stages of prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCA).

Methods

Overall, 1095 serum samples from 395 patients, divided into three treatment groups, were analysed; the radical prostatectomy (RP) cohort (n = 157) included patients with clinically localized PCA, while the docetaxel (DOC) and the abiraterone (ABI)/enzalutamide (ENZA) cohorts included 95 and 143 patients, respectively, with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer. CGA, NSE and total PSA levels were measured using the KRYPTOR method.

Results

Baseline CGA and NSE levels were higher in castration‐resistant (DOC and ABI/ENZA cohorts) than in hormone‐naïve, clinically localized PCA (P < 0.001). High baseline CGA levels were independently associated with poor overall survival in both the DOC and the ABI/ENZA cohorts, with a stronger association in the ABI/ENZA cohort. In the ABI/ENZA cohort, a > 50% CGA increase at 3 months was associated with poor survival, especially in patients with high baseline CGA levels.

Conclusions

The two‐ to threefold higher neuroendocrine marker levels in castration‐resistant compared to hormone‐naïve PCA support the presence of neuroendocrine transdifferentiation under androgen deprivation therapy. Our results showed patients with high baseline CGA levels who experienced a further CGA increase during ABI and ENZA treatment had the poorest prognosis. Serum CGA levels could help in tailoring and monitoring therapy in advanced PCA.
Risk sharing and export performance with firm heterogeneity
Authors: Lee Seung Hoon , Lee Byongju
Published: April 2020

We investigate how market uncertainty affects the export performance of a firm through financial frictions. We first extend Melitz's (2003) heterogeneous firm trade model by incorporating demand shocks, linking the demand uncertainties to the financing costs of firms. In this extension, the default probability is endogenously determined by a firm's productivity and demand uncertainty. Hence, firms with higher productivity or lower market uncertainty are offered lower interest rates and thus show better export performance. As an application, we also show that a risk‐sharing mechanism, that pools default risk for a certain group of firms, lowers the default risk. This mechanism allows banks to charge lower interest rates to the member firms and therefore ultimately improves their export performance in both extensive and intensive margins. We find a real‐world example of such a mechanism from business groups in Korea. Using Korean firm‐level data, we show that the more diversified the business group, the greater the likelihood that its member firms export and the bigger their export revenues. We also show that our results are robust to alternative explanations for Korean business groups’ export competitiveness.
Labor issues and COVID‐19
Authors: Larue Bruno
Published: April 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has prompted Canada and several other countries to impose an economic shutdown to prevent a deadly public health crisis from becoming much deadlier. In the agriculture and food sector, several hundred thousand restaurant workers have lost their jobs. The rise in unemployment, the closing of restaurants and schools, and social distancing have triggered demand reductions for certain commodities and foods and demand increases for others, bringing along changes in demand for inputs including labor. Canadian employers of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) are facing delays and additional constraints in recruiting, but so have US and European employers of TFWs. Rising food security concerns are making protectionist trade policies popular. Domestic and foreign firms may export less and do more foreign direct investment, inducing trade in jobs.
De novo thrombotic microangiopathy in two kidney transplant recipients from the same deceased donor: A case series
Authors: Roberts Daniel , Siegman Ingrid , Andeen Nicole , Woodland David , Deloughery Thomas , Rueda Jose , Olyaei Ali , Rehman Shehzad , Norman Doug , Lockridge Joe
Published: April 2020

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a recognized and serious complication of renal transplantation. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a subset of TMA, occurs in the setting of dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway and can cause disease in native kidneys as well as recurrence in allografts. De novo TMA represents a classification of TMA post‐transplant in the absence of clinical or histopathological evidence of TMA or aHUS in the native kidney. De novo TMA is a more heterogeneous syndrome than aHUS and the pathogenesis and risk factors for de novo TMA are poorly understood. The association between calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) and de novo TMA is controversial. Anti‐complement blockade therapy with eculizumab is effective in some cases, but more studies are needed to identify appropriate candidates for therapy. We present two cases of de novo TMA occurring immediately in recipients from the same deceased donor and provoking the question of whether deceased donor‐related factors could represent risks for developing de novo TMA.
Pharmacodynamic Effects of Topical Omiganan in Patients With Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis in a Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled, Phase II Trial
Authors: Niemeyer‐van der Kolk Tessa , van der Wall Hein , Hogendoorn Geretta K. , Rijneveld Rianne , Luijten Sascha , van Alewijk Dirk C.J.G. , van den Munckhof Ellen H.A. , de Kam Marieke L. , Feiss Gary L. , Prens Errol P. , Burggraaf Jacobus , Rissmann Robert , van Doorn Martijn B.A.
Published: April 2020

Omiganan is an indolicidin analog with antimicrobial properties that could be beneficial for patients with atopic dermatitis. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase II trial we explored the efficacy, pharmacodynamics, and safety of topical omiganan once daily in 36 patients with mild to moderate atomic dermatitis. Patients were randomized to apply topical omiganan 1%, omiganan 2.5%, or vehicle gel to one target lesion once daily for 28 consecutive days. Small but significant improvements in local objective SCORing Atopic Dematitis index and morning itch were observed in the omiganan 2.5% group compared with the vehicle gel group (−18.5%; 95% confidence interval, −32.9 to −1.0; P = 0.04; and −8.2; 95% confidence interval, −16.3 to −0.2; P = 0.05, respectively). A shift from lesional to nonlesional skin microbiota was observed in both omiganan treatment groups, in contrast to the vehicle group. Thus, treatment with topical omiganan improved dysbiosis in patients with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis, and small but statistically significant improvements in clinical scores were detected. Our findings warrant further exploration in future clinical trials.
Clinical and Autoimmune Characteristics of Severe and Critical Cases of COVID‐19
Authors: Zhou Yaqing , Han Tao , Chen Jiaxin , Hou Can , Hua Lei , He Shu , Guo Yi , Zhang Sheng , Wang Yanjun , Yuan Jinxia , Zhao Chenhui , Zhang Jing , Jia Qiaowei , Zuo Xiangrong , Li Jinhai , Wang Liansheng , Cao Quan , Jia Enzhi
Published: April 2020

In this study we report on the clinical and autoimmune characteristics of severe and critical novel coronavirus pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome‒associated coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). The clinical, autoimmune, and laboratory characteristics of 21 patients who had laboratory‐confirmed severe and critical cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) from the intensive care unit of the Huangshi Central Hospital, Hubei Province, China, were investigated. A total of 21 patients (13 men and 8 women), including 8 (38.1%) severe cases and 13 (61.9%) critical cases, were enrolled. Cough (90.5%) and fever (81.0%) were the dominant symptoms, and most patients (76.2%) had at least one coexisting disorder on admission. The most common characteristics on chest computed tomography were ground‐glass opacity (100%) and bilateral patchy shadowing (76.2%). The most common findings on laboratory measurement were lymphocytopenia (85.7%) and elevated levels of C‐reactive protein (94.7%) and interleukin‐6 (89.5%). The prevalence of anti‒52 kDa SSA/Ro antibody, anti‒60 kDa SSA/Ro antibody, and antinuclear antibody was 20%, 25%, and 50%, respectively. We also retrospectively analyzed the clinical and laboratory data from 21 severe and critical cases of COVID‐19. Autoimmune phenomena exist in COVID‐19 subjects, and the present results provide the rationale for a strategy of preventing immune dysfunction and optimal immunosuppressive therapy.
Primary cutaneous solitary fibrous tumor with entrapped eccrine components
Authors: Tran Tien Anh N.
Published: April 2020

First described in the pleura, solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) was subsequently reported in a variety of organ systems. Compared to other anatomic sites, primary cutaneous and superficial SFTs are relatively rare. Although several histopathologic variants of cutaneous and superficial SFT have been described, a primary cutaneous SFT harboring glandular components has not hitherto been documented in the literature. The current case report describes a spindle cell neoplasm of the right finger in a female patient with characteristic morphologic and immunohistochemical features of a SFT. Unexpectedly, various glandular and ductal components were identified in the SFT. A few hyperplastic lobules of sweat glands demonstrating similar morphology as the intratumoral glandular components and composed of secretory coils displaying mucinous metaplasia and ducts were detected in the attached subcutaneous tissue, suggestive of an inductive or obstructive effect of the SFT on the eccrine units. The intratumoral glands and ducts were judged to represent entrapped benign eccrine components from the attached subcutaneous tissue. Since this variant of SFT with entrapped eccrine components could mimic many biphasic epithelial and stromal tumors, pathologists should be aware of this unusual variant of SFT to avoid potential erroneous diagnosis, particularly mistaken confusion with a biphasic synovial sarcoma.
Unravelling species co‐occurrence in a steppe bird community of Inner Mongolia: Insights for the conservation of the endangered Jankowski’s Bunting
Authors: Han Zheng , Zhang Lishi , Jiang Yunlei , Wang Haitao , Jiguet Frédéric
Published: April 2020

Aim

To evaluate the patterns of bird assemblage and distribution in an endangered grassland system, taking into accounts both environmental and biotic effects. To further focus on an endangered songbird and associated steppe birds.

Location

Inner Mongolia, China.

Methods

We investigated the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors driving the abundance and co‐occurrence of steppe birds in Inner Mongolia by using joint species distribution models. We examined the general patterns of species assemblage, with a focus on the endangered Jankowski's Bunting and other species potentially sharing the same niche or interacting with it, including potential competitors (especially the closely related Meadow Bunting), predators (corvids, raptors) and a parasite (cuckoo).

Results

The studied steppe species exhibited varied responses to environmental variables, including climate, landscape and habitat predictors. We observed stronger species correlations due to residual covariates than to abiotic covariates. Jankowski's Bunting displayed strong positive co‐occurrences with other ground‐nesting songbirds and exhibited significant responses to all measured habitat and climate variables, indicating that this endangered bird has a high niche specialization and wide associations with other sympatric steppe bird species.

Main conclusion

Our results pointed out that climate, landscape and steppe habitat predictors are not the only factors structuring bird assemblages. Our results suggested that Jankowski's Bunting is an indicator of the occurrence of other species, especially open‐nesting specialized steppe songbirds, so it could act as a surrogate for overall steppe bird conservation. These findings are helpful for understanding how abiotic and biotic processes interactively alter bird communities and making effective management decisions to mitigate multiple threats to the entire community.
Colorectal cancer screening in Lynch syndrome: Indication, techniques and future perspectives
Authors: Perrod Guillaume , Rahmi Gabriel , Cellier Christophe
Published: April 2020

Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited predisposition to colorectal cancer (CRC), responsible for 3–5% of all CRC. This syndrome is characterized by the early occurrence of colorectal neoplastic lesions, with variable incidences depending on the type of pathogenic variants in MMR genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM) and demographics factors such as gender, body mass index, tobacco use and physical activity. Similar to sporadic cancers, colorectal screening by colonoscopy is efficient because it is associated with a reduction >50% of both CRC incidence and CRC related mortality. To that end, most guidelines recommend high definition screening colonoscopies in dedicated centers, starting at the age of 20–25 years old, with a surveillance interval of 1–2 years. In this review, we discuss the importance of high definition colonoscopies, including the compliance to specific key performance indicators, as well as the expected benefits of specific imaging modalities including virtual chromoendoscopy and dye‐spray chromoendoscopy.
A glycosylated Fc‐fused glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist exhibits equivalent glucose lowering to but fewer gastrointestinal side effects than dulaglutide
Authors: An In Bok , Byun Mi Sun , Yang Sang In , Choi Yuri , Woo Jung Won , Jang Hak Chul , Sung Young Chul
Published: April 2020

Aim

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a novel glycosylated Fc‐fused glucagon‐like peptide‐1(GLP‐1‐gFc) receptor agonist with distinctive receptor binding affinity, designed to improve in vivo stability and safety relative to the commercial GLP‐1 analogue dulaglutide, and assess its safety profile and pharmacokinetics in healthy humans.

Materials and Methods

We constructed GLP‐1‐gFc and determined its binding affinity and potency using in vitro instrumental and cell‐based analyses followed by in vivo comparison of the glucose‐lowering and gastrointestinal side effects between GLP‐1‐gFc and dulaglutide. A phase 1 clinical trial was conducted to confirm the efficacy and safety profile of GLP‐1‐gFc.

Results

GLP‐1‐gFc showed 10‐fold less binding affinity and 4‐fold less potency than dulaglutide in in vitro. A potency‐adjusted dose delayed HbA1c increase comparable with that of dulaglutide (Change for 6 weeks: 2.4 mg/kg GLP‐1‐gFc, 4.34 ± 0.40 vs. 0.6 mg/kg dulaglutide, 4.26 ± 0.22; n.s.). However, the equivalent efficacy dose and higher dose did not induce malaise‐related responses (blueberry bar consumption, g/mouse: 2.4 mg/kg GLP‐1‐gFc, 0.15% ± 0.03% vs. 0.6 mg/kg dulaglutide, 0.04% ± 0.01%; P < .01) or QT interval changes (mean at 14‐20 hours, mSc: 0.28 mg/kg GLP‐1‐gFc, 0.0‐8.0 vs. 0.07 mg/kg dulaglutide, 8.0‐27.7; n.s.), observed as safety variables in rats and monkeys, compared with those of dulaglutide. Glucose reductions in an oral glucose tolerance test were significant at day 3 postdose without severe gastrointestinal adverse events and pulse rate changes in healthy subjects.

Conclusions

These results suggest that GLP‐1‐gFc could be used as a novel GLP‐1 receptor agonist with better safety than dulaglutide to maximize therapeutic benefits in subjects with type 2 diabetes.
ESTIMATING INTENSIVE AND EXTENSIVE TAX RESPONSIVENESS
Authors: Alpert Abby , Powell David
Published: April 2020

Influential literatures have exploited tax policy changes to estimate the effects of income taxes on either intensive or extensive margin decisions. We extend this quasi‐experimental approach to jointly estimate intensive and extensive margin tax elasticities to address selection issues that have hindered consistent estimation of labor supply effects. The extensive margin equation provides a way to control for selection in the intensive margin equation while consistent estimation of the intensive margin provides estimates of after‐tax returns to working for nonworkers, a necessary input to study extensive behavioral responses. We apply this approach to study the tax responsiveness of older workers. (JEL C33, H24, J20, J26)
Bagworm decorations are an anti‐predatory structure
Authors: Khan Md Kawsar
Published: April 2020

Many animals decorate their exterior with environmental materials, and these decorations are predicted to increase their survival. The adaptive significance of these decorations, however, has seldom been tested experimentally under field conditions.

This study researched the anti‐predatory functions of the decoration (bag) of a bagworm moth, Eumeta crameri, against their natural predator, Oecophylla smaragdina, the Asian weaver ant. The study experimentally tested if bag removal from caterpillars resulted in more predation than bagged caterpillars under field conditions, which would support the hypothesis that bags are selected to protect the caterpillars against their predators.

In support of the prediction, this study showed that caterpillars without a bag were attacked, killed, and taken to ants' nests significantly more than bagged caterpillars. The study provides rare experimental evidence for the anti‐predatory functions of the decoration under field conditions. This study suggests that decorating behaviour has evolved in animals as an anti‐predatory defence mechanism.
Uncertain location–allocation decisions for a bi‐objective two‐stage supply chain network design problem with environmental impacts
Authors: Mahmoodirad Ali , Niroomand Sadegh
Published: April 2020

In the cases that the historical data of an uncertain event is not available, belief degree‐based uncertainty theory is a useful tool to reflect such uncertainty. This study focuses on uncertain bi‐objective supply chain network design problem with cost and environmental impacts under uncertainty. As such network may be designed for the first time in a geographical region, this problem is modelled by the concepts of belief degree‐based uncertainty theory. This article is almost the first study on belief degree‐based uncertain supply chain network design problem with environmental impacts. Two approaches such as expected value model and chance‐constrained model are applied to convert the proposed uncertain problem to its crisp form. The obtained crisp forms are solved by some multi‐objective optimization approaches of the literature such as TH, Niroomand, MMNV. A deep computational study with several test problems are performed to study the performance of the crisp models and the solution approaches. According to the results, the obtained crisp formulations are highly sensitive to the changes in the value of the cost parameters. On the other hand, Niroomand and MMNV solution approaches perform better than other solution approaches from the solution quality point of view.
Real time detection of acoustic anomalies in industrial processes using sequential autoencoders
Authors: Bayram Barış , Duman Taha Berkay , Ince Gökhan
Published: April 2020

Development of intelligent systems with the pursuit of detecting abnormal events in real world and in real time is challenging due to difficult environmental conditions, hardware limitations, and computational algorithmic restrictions. As a result, degradation of detection performance in dynamically changing environments is often encountered. However, in the next‐generation factories, an anomaly detection system based on acoustic signals is especially required to quickly detect and interfere with the abnormal events during the industrial processes due to the increased cost of complex equipment and facilities. In this study we propose a real time Acoustic Anomaly Detection (AAD) system with the use of sequence‐to‐sequence Autoencoder (AE) models in the industrial environments. The proposed processing pipeline makes use of the audio features extracted from the streaming audio signal captured by a single‐channel microphone. The reconstruction error generated by the AE model is calculated to measure the degree of abnormality of the sound event. The performance of Convolutional Long Short‐Term Memory AE (Conv‐LSTMAE) is evaluated and compared with sequential Convolutional AE (CAE) using sounds captured from various industrial manufacturing processes. In the experiments conducted with the real time AAD system, it is shown that the Conv‐LSTMAE‐based AAD demonstrates better detection performance than CAE model‐based AAD under different signal‐to‐noise ratio conditions of sound events such as explosion, fire and glass breaking.
Embodied intersectionality and the intersectional management of hotel labour: The everyday experiences of social differentiation in customer‐oriented work
Authors: Alberti Gabriella , Iannuzzi Francesco E.
Published: April 2020

This article contributes to debates on critical diversity and intersectionality by focusing on hotel labour in a global tourist destination, the city of Venice. Through a qualitative study it explores how social differences are experienced by workers and valued by hotel management. We find that while management tends to allocate workers to different jobs according to the perceived ‘desirability’ of their embodied attributes by customers, the gendered and racialized divisions among workers do not simply conform with traditional patterns of ‘back’ and ‘front‐of‐house’ occupational positions. Rather they reflect variable compositions along the gender, migration and racial stereotypes reproduced by employers’ attempts to fulfill perceived changing expectations of customers. We develop the notion of ‘intersectional management’ to capture these fluid forms of valorization of social difference, which appear influenced by workers’ practices of embodied intersectionality through the selective performance of entrenched stereotypes, and their everyday encounters with an internationalizing clientele.
Distribution of fossil seawater and its role in Neogene sedimentary rock landslides in Niigata, eastern marginal region of the Japan Sea
Authors: Nishiyama Nariaki , Chigira Masahiro , Suzuki Koichi , Watanabe Naoki
Published: April 2020

The Neogene marine sedimentary rock area in the eastern marginal region of the Japan Sea is an area with some of the highest landslide densities in Japan. Some of the landslides in this area have been known to involve saline groundwater, which can be the cause of these landslides. In order to demonstrate the relationships between landslides and saline water, topographic, geological, groundwater, and electromagnetic surveys were performed in the eastern marginal region of the Japan Sea. Many landslides and gravitational slope deformations with linear depressions and small scarps were recognized in the study area. The resistivity profile obtained by an electromagnetic survey suggests that there is a wide zonal distribution of saline water with salt concentrations equivalent to seawater at depths of 50–100 m or more and that the groundwater shallower than 50 m has an electrical conductivity of less than 100 mS/m. The shallow resistive groundwater is inferred to be meteoric water that replaced the saline groundwater, which likely weakened the bedrock, resulting in landslides. A ridge of competent tuff overlying mudstone has many linear depressions from gravitational slope deformation and low‐resistivity water to a depth of 600 m, which suggests that the mudstone was weakened by water replacement and deformed under the tuff caprock. The saline groundwater is inferred to be fossil seawater trapped in pores during sediment deposition, which is brought near the ground surface along with rocks by tectonic movement in the hills. Thus, the saline water and its fresh water replacement are among the important basic causes of the landslides. The oil well data obtained in the eastern marginal region of the Japan Sea suggest that such saline water replacement has occurred widely and that replacement is likely one of the predispositions for the frequent landslides there.
The levels of anger and aggression in street children with substance dependence
Authors: Kaplan Veysel , Çuhadar Döndü
Published: April 2020

Problem

This is a descriptive study to determine the levels of anger and aggression in street children with substance dependence.

Methods

The study was conducted between October 2013 and March 2014 with 103 street children who use substances. Personal Information Form, Aggression Scale (AS), and Trait Anger and Anger Expression Styles Scale (STAXI) were used as data collection tools.

Findings

The rate of the children reported that they lived on the streets due to the conflicts with the family was 67% and 35% of participants reported that they were exposed to violence on the street. The total score of AS was 146.78 ± 25.91, the mean score of the anger subscale of the STAXI was 31.05 ± 9.00 while the scores of the anger‐in subscale and the anger‐out subscale scores were 19.02 ± 4.55 and 23.04 ± 6.19, respectively. The total scores of AS had a significant positive correlation with both the trait anger and “anger‐in” subscale scores. The results show that substance use negatively affected anger control in street children.

Conclusion

The data demonstrated that the presence of continuous anger and turning the anger against oneself correlated with increased levels of aggression. Increasing the duration of living on the street, working on the street and being exposed to stressful situations in the street increased the "anger‐in" scores.
Rapid pacing and high‐frequency jet ventilation additively improve catheter stability during atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Aizer Anthony , Qiu Jessica K. , Cheng Austin V. , Wu Patrick B. , Barbhaiya Chirag R. , Jankelson Lior , Linton Patrick , Bernstein Scott A. , Park David S. , Holmes Douglas S. , Chinitz Larry A.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Catheter stability during atrial fibrillation ablation is associated with higher ablation success rates. Rapid cardiac pacing and high‐frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) independently improve catheter stability. Simultaneous modulation of cardiac and respiratory motion has not been previously studied. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of simultaneous heart rate and respiratory rate modulation on catheter stability.

Methods

Forty patients undergoing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation received ablation lesions at 15 prespecified locations (12 left atria, 3 right atria). Patients were randomly assigned to undergo rapid atrial pacing for either the first or the second half of each lesion. Within each group, half of the patients received HFJV and the other half standard ventilation. Contact force and ablation data for all lesions were compared among the study groups. Standard deviation of contact force was the primary endpoint defined to examine contact force variability.

Results

Lesions with no pacing and standard ventilation had the greatest contact force standard deviation (5.86 ± 3.08 g), compared to lesions with pacing and standard ventilation (5.45 ± 3.28 g; P < .01) or to lesions with no pacing and HFJV (4.92 ± 3.00 g; P < .01). Lesions with both pacing and HFJV had the greatest reduction in contact force standard deviation (4.35 ± 2.81 g; P < .01), confirming an additive benefit of each maneuver. Pacing and HFJV together was also associated with a reduction in the proportion of lesions with excessive maximum contact force (P < .001).

Discussion

Rapid pacing and HFJV additively improve catheter stability. Simultaneous pacing with HFJV further improves catheter stability over pacing or HFJV alone to optimize ablation lesions.
Pro‐inflammatory signalling and gut‐liver axis in non‐alcoholic and alcoholic steatohepatitis: Differences and similarities along the path
Authors: Glaser Trenton , Baiocchi Leonardo , Zhou Tianhao , Francis Heather , Lenci Ilaria , Grassi Giuseppe , Kennedy Lindsey , Liangpunsakul Suthat , Glaser Shannon , Alpini Gianfranco , Meng Fanyin
Published: April 2020

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcohol‐associated liver disease (ALD) represent a spectrum of injury, ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. In humans, in fact, fatty changes in the liver, possibly leading to end‐stage disease, were observed after chronic alcohol intake or in conditions of metabolic impairment. In this article, we examined the features and the pro‐inflammatory pathways leading to non‐alcoholic and alcoholic steatohepatitis. The involvement of several events (hits) and multiple inter‐related pathways in the pathogenesis of these diseases suggest that a single therapeutic agent is unlikely to be an effective treatment strategy. Hence, a combination treatment towards multiple pro‐inflammatory targets would eventually be required. Gut‐liver crosstalk is involved not only in the impairment of lipid and glucose homoeostasis leading to steatogenesis, but also in the initiation of inflammation and fibrogenesis in both NAFLD and ALD. Modulation of the gut‐liver axis has been suggested as a possible therapeutic approach since gut‐derived components are likely to be involved in both the onset and the progression of liver damage. This review summarizes the translational mechanisms underlying pro‐inflammatory signalling and gut‐liver axis in non‐alcoholic and alcoholic steatohepatitis. With a multitude of people being affected by liver diseases, identification of possible treatments and the elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms are elements of paramount importance.
Dual‐plane epicanthoplasty in Chinese blepharoplasty
Authors: Mao Rui , Zhou Lu , Yu Lu , Wang Tailing , Wang Jiaqi
Published: April 2020

Background

The ethnically characteristic upper eyelids of many Chinese individuals include medial epicanthal folds, substantial fatty tissue, a laxity of pretarsal skin, and a lack of superior palpebral folds. Different epicanthoplasty techniques have been described in the literature. However, postoperative medial canthal scarring remains a concern.

Objectives

This article introduces a novel technique that minimizes the risk of postoperative canthal scarring.

Methods

Dual‐plane epicanthoplasty involves an advanced skin flap and a rotation skin flap, which are, respectively, distributed on the outer skin lining and inner skin lining and belong to the different three‐dimensional planes of the epicanthus. The dense connective fibers located between the skin and the orbicularis oculi muscle were completely released. In the final steps, the upper advanced triangle flap was anchored in the direction of the lacrimal caruncle and the lower rotation triangular flap was anchored to the nasal skin.

Results

From January 2016 to September 2018, 216 patients were enrolled in the cohort undergoing dual‐plane epicanthoplasty, with 172 patients undergoing the concomitant double eyelidplasty. For 206 of the cases, follow‐up lasted for over 6 months, with a median time of 11 months. Except for one patient (0.49%) who may need a revision procedure for a prominent scar, all other patients (99.51%) achieved natural and cosmetically desirable appearances with adequate lacrimal caruncle exposure and minimal postoperative medial canthal scaring.

Conclusion

Dual‐plane epicanthoplasty, with or without double eyelidplasty, is a novel and effective surgical technique modified for Chinese patients with good esthetic outcomes.
Restriction‐site associated DNA sequencing data reveal a radiation of willow species (SalixL., Salicaceae) in the Hengduan Mountains and adjacent areas
Authors: He Li , Wagner Natascha Dorothea , Hörandl Elvira
Published: April 2020

The Hengduan Mountains (HDM) in China are an important hotspot of plant diversity and endemism, and are considered to be a secondary diversification center for the woody plant genusSalixL. (Salicaceae). Here we aimed to reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of theSalix Chamaetia‐Vetrixclade in the HDM and to test for the occurrence of a local radiation. We inferred phylogenetic relationships based on more than 34 000 restriction‐site associated DNA loci from 27 species. Phylogenetic analyses recovered a well‐resolved tree topology with two major clades, the Eurasian clade and the HDM clade, with a divergence time of ca. 23.9 Ma. Species in the HDM clade originated in the northern part of the range and adjacent areas, and then dispersed into the southern HDM, westwards to the Himalayas and eastwards to the Qinling Mountains. Niche modelling analyses reveal that range contractions occurred in the northern areas during the last glacial maximum, while southward expansions resulted in range overlaps. Reconstructions of character evolution related to plant height, inflorescence, and flower morphology suggest that adaptations to altitudinal distribution contributed to the diversification of the HDM willows. Our data support the occurrence of a radiation in the HDM within theSalix Chamaetia‐Vetrixclade. Dispersal within the mountain system, and to adjacent regions, in addition to survival in glacial refugia shaped the biogeographical history of the clade, while adaptations of the HDM willows along an altitudinal gradient could be important ecological factors explaining the high species diversity ofSalixin this area.
Evangelical Environmentalists? Evidence from Brazil
Authors: Smith Amy Erica , Veldman Robin Globus
Published: April 2020

While scholarship on the relationship between religions and environmental attitudes has been inconclusive, evangelical Protestants present an exception: they consistently report less environmental concern than other groups. However, prior studies have largely been conducted in the United States. Following a recent “contextual” turn, we revisit the assumption that universal cognitive and doctrinal factors drive the previously documented negative association between evangelicalism and environmental concern. Leveraging qualitative fieldwork, nationally representative surveys, and a survey experiment from Brazil, we find that evangelical and Pentecostal affiliation and church attendance are not associated with reduced environmental concern; that members of these groups simultaneously embrace otherworldly beliefs and advocate for this‐worldly solutions to environmental problems; and that being primed to consider divine intervention increased support for environmental protection. Even in a tradition emphasizing orthodoxy, doctrine appears not to exert a universal influence, a finding we suggest results from different issue frames in the United States and Brazil.
Impact of Sensory Processing on School Performance Outcomes in High Functioning Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Butera Christiana , Ring Priscilla , Sideris John , Jayashankar Aditya , Kilroy Emily , Harrison Laura , Cermak Sharon , Aziz‐Zadeh Lisa
Published: April 2020

Difficulty processing sensory information may impede progress in school for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We explore the relationship between sensory processing and school performance in 26 high‐functioning youths with ASD and 26 controls (age 8–14) using measures of sensory, social, cognitive, and academic functioning. In the ASD group, bivariate Pearson correlations indicated a significant positive relationship between intelligence quotient (IQ) and the School Competence Scale (SCS) of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and a significant negative relationship between Dunn's Sensory Processing Framework and SCS scores. Final hierarchical multiple linear regression model accounting for SCS scores in ASD included IQ, ADHD symptoms, and sensory features. An interaction between increased sensory sensitivity with reduced sensory avoidance behaviors explained the greatest amount of variance in SCS, meaning school performance is lowest for children with greater hypersensitivity and fewer avoidance behaviors. Results indicate a strong impact of sensory processing on school performance in
ASD.
Low temperature and high light dependent dynamic photoprotective strategies in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Velitchkova Maya , Popova Antoaneta V. , Faik Aygyun , Gerganova Milena , Ivanov Alexander G.
Published: April 2020

Arabidopsis thaliana has been recognized as a chilling tolerant species based on analysis of resistance to low temperature stress, however, the mechanisms involved in this tolerance are not yet clarified. The low temperature‐induced effects are exacerbated when plants are exposed to low temperatures in the presence of high light irradiance but the experimental data on the impact of light intensity during cold stress and its influence during recovery from stress are rather limited. The main objective of this study was to re‐examine the photosynthetic responses of A. thaliana plants to short term (6 days) low temperature stress (12/10°C) under optimal (150 μmol m−2 s−1) and high light (500 μmol m−2 s−1) intensity and the subsequent recovery from the stress. Simultaneous measurements of the in vivo and in vitro functional performance of both photosystem II (PSII) and photosystem I (PSI), as well as, net photosynthesis, low temperature (77 K) chlorophyll fluorescence and immunoblot analysis of the relative abundance of PSII and PSI reaction center proteins were used to evaluate the role of light in the development of possible protective mechanisms during low temperature stress and the consequent recovery from exposure to low temperature and different light intensities. The results presented clearly suggest that Arabidopsis plants can employ a number of highly dynamic photoprotective strategies depending on the light intensity. These strategies include one based on LHCII quenching and two other quenching mechanisms localized within the PSII and PSI reaction centers, which are all expressed to different extent depending on the severity of the photoinhibitory treatments under low temperature stress conditions.
Balanced, positive, and negative attributions: A preliminary investigation of a novel attribution coding system and associated affect and social behavior in children with disruptive behavior
Authors: Kil Hali , Propp Lee , De Luca Anthony , Andrade Brendan F.
Published: April 2020

Research on children's social information processing (SIP) has mainly focused on negative attributions in peer provocation and rejection situations. The potential of balanced attributions—attributing both positive and negative intent—and of positive attributions has not been explored. We conducted a series of regressions to examine balanced, positive, and negative attributions and links to affective response and socioemotional functioning in 8 to 12 year old (M = 10.30; SD = 1.09; N = 111) that were clinic‐referred for disruptive behavior. Children's responses to hypothetical situations resulting in ambiguous‐positive and ambiguous‐negative situations were coded for positive, negative, or balanced attribution or affect. Caregivers reported on children's social and emotional functioning. Results indicated that a proportion of children (21.6%) made at least one balanced attribution in both types of situations. Affective responses tended to be in line with attribution style, with positive attribution linked to positive affect, balanced attribution linked to mixed affect, and negative attribution linked to negative affect. Children making positive attributions in ambiguous‐positive situations and balanced attributions across situations tended to have less negative functioning and more positive functioning. Reconsideration of attribution coding schemes to include balanced and positive attributions may guide theoretically important and novel directions in SIP research.
An unusual variant glycophorin expressing protease‐resistant M antigen encoded by the GYPB‐E(2‐4)‐B hybrid gene
Authors: Tsuneyama Hatsue , Isa Kazumi , Watanabe‐Okochi Naoko , Ogasawara Kenichi , Uchikawa Makoto , Satake Masahiro
Published: April 2020

Background and objectives

MNS is a highly polymorphic blood group comprising 49 antigens recognized by International Society of Blood Transfusion, some of which may have been generated by genomic recombination among the closely linked genes GYPA, GYPB and GYPE. The GYPE gene has an almost identical sequence to GYPA*01 allele in exon 2 (99% homology), which accounts for M antigen. We investigated an unusual glycophorin molecule with protease‐resistant M antigen.

Methods

Blood samples were screened by an automated blood typing system (PK7300) using bromelain‐treated red blood cells (RBCs) and murine monoclonal anti‐M. The M‐positive RBC samples were analysed by immunoblotting using anti‐M as the primary antibody. GYPA, GYPB and GYPE genes were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cloning and sequencing using reticulocyte mRNA and genomic DNA.

Results

Serological tests and immunoblotting revealed that 103 of the 193 009 individuals (0·0534%) expressed protease‐resistant M‐active glycophorin having a molecular weight of 20 kDa. All the 103 individuals were S+ s− or S− s+. When reticulocyte mRNA from the individuals with M‐active glycophorin (20 kDa) was examined by PCR and cloning followed by sequencing, a novel GYPE‐B hybrid transcript was identified. Long‐range PCR and sequencing using genomic DNA revealed that the individuals had a GYPB‐E(2‐4)‐B hybrid gene. This hybrid gene was predicted to encode a 59‐amino‐acid mature glycoprotein that expresses no S or s antigens

Conclusions

The prevalence of the M‐active glycophorin (20 kDa) in the Japanese population is 0·0534%. This glycophorin is predicted to be a 59 amino acids polypeptide encoded by the novel GYPB‐E(2‐4)‐B hybrid gene.
Heating Protocol Design Affected by Nanoparticle Redistribution and Thermal Damage Model in Magnetic Nanoparticle Hyperthermia for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Singh Manpreet , Gu Qimei , Ma Ronghui , Zhu Liang
Published: April 2020

Recent micro-CT scans have demonstrated a much larger magnetic nanoparticle distribution volume in tumors after localized heating than those without heating, suggesting possible heating-induced nanoparticle migration. In this study, a theoretical simulation was performed on tumors injected with magnetic nanoparticles to evaluate the extent to which the nanoparticle redistribution affects the temperature elevation and thermal dosage required to cause permanent thermal damage to PC3 tumors. 0.1 cc of a commercially available ferrofluid containing magnetic nanoparticles was injected directly to the center of PC3 tumors. The control group consisted of four PC3 tumors resected after the intratumoral injection, while the experimental group consisted of another four PC3 tumors injected with ferrofluid and resected after 25 min of local heating. The micro-CT scan generated tumor model was attached to a mouse body model. The blood perfusion rates in the mouse body and PC3 tumor were first extracted based on the experimental data of average mouse surface temperatures using an infrared camera. A previously determined relationship between nanoparticle concentration and nanoparticle-induced volumetric heat generation rate was implemented into the theoretical simulation. Simulation results showed that the average steady-state temperature elevation in the tumors of the control group is higher than that in the experimental group where the nanoparticles are more spreading from the tumor center to the tumor periphery (control group: 70.6±4.7 °C versus experimental group: 69.2±2.6 °C). Further, we assessed heating time needed to cause permanent thermal damage to the entire tumor, based on the nanoparticle distribution in each tumor. The more spreading of nanoparticles to tumor periphery in the experimental group resulted in a much longer heating time than that in the control group. The modified thermal damage model by Dr. John Pearce led to almost the same temperature elevation distribution; however, the required heating time was at least 24% shorter than that using the traditional Arrhenius integral, despite the initial time delay. The results from this study suggest that in future simulation, the heating time needed when considering dynamic nanoparticle migration during heating is probably between 19 and 29 min based on the Pearce model. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the importance of including dynamic nanoparticle spreading during heating and accurate thermal damage model into theoretical simulation of temperature elevations in tumors to determine thermal dosage needed in magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia design.
Stretching-Induced Thermal Conductivity Change in Shape-Memory Polymer Composites
Authors: Hostler Stephen R. , Peswani Mohnish , Yang Han , Paul Harrison , Rowan Stuart J. , Abramson Alexis R.
Published: April 2020

Active thermal materials like thermal diodes, regulators, and switches have the potential to revolutionize thermal management, creating an opportunity for significant energy savings. We present results on a proposed thermal switching composite that changes its thermal conductivity based on applied strain. The composite is constructed of highly crystalline, high aspect ratio cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) nanorods embedded in a shape-memory polymer matrix. The properties of the matrix allow for changes to the mechanical state to be indefinitely retained and also for the state to be reversed; this work is the first step in demonstrating that the thermal state exhibits similar reversibility. Measurements of the neat matrix polymer show a factor of three increase in thermal conductivity with applied strain up 100% and abrupt decrease beyond this strain level. A twofold increase in the thermal conductivity is achieved for the proof-of-concept composite at 100% strain. By comparing the measured results to a Maxwell mixing model, the primary drivers of the thermal conductivity change are traced to changes in crystallinity of the matrix and CNC alignment.
A Novel Means Combining Corona Discharge and Electrostatic Force-Induced Vibration for Convective Heat Transfer
Authors: Tsui Yeng-Yung , Wei Ting-Kai , Wang Chi-Chuan
Published: April 2020

A new design, not reported in the existing literature, combining features of ionic wind and mechanical vibration to induce appreciable airflow is developed. Its feasibility is demonstrated in a cooling system to enhance heat transfer. Ionic wind is generated using a thin, flexible plate as the emitting electrode and a heated, vertical plate as the collecting electrode. By placing a metal inductor close to the discharge electrode, an electrostatic field is formed. The electrode is attracted and thus moves toward the inductor owing to the electrostatic force created. To sustain periodic oscillation and produce large vibrational amplitudes, the inductor is grounded using current-limiting resistors. Vibrational characteristics are highly dependent on the corona voltage, resistance of the resistor, and position of the induction plate, which are examined in the experiments. It was found that the heat transfer enhancement is not improved at high corona voltages because the ionic wind overwhelms the mechanical effect of vibration. The vibrational effect becomes more prominent at low corona voltages with which the electrical field created by the corona discharge is not so intense. The maximum increase of heat transfer coefficient over that without vibration can be as large as 13.4% at the lowest corona voltage considered in the tests.