bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The combination of hprt and gapdh is the best compound reference genes in the fetal rat hippocampus
Authors: Jiang Tao , Dai Shiyun , Yi Yiwen , Liu Yi , Zhang Shuai , Luo Mingcui , Wang Hui , Xu Dan
Published: September 2020

Hippocampus, as an important organ of central memory storage and spatial orientation, has been studied increasingly in recent years. The expression of reference genes in the hippocampus of adult rats, which are commonly used in the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), is unstable in the fetal hippocampus and may not be suitable for the fetal period. Therefore, this study intends to screen and determine the optimal compound reference genes in the fetal rat hippocampus. Based on the literature, we selected five housekeeping genes (HKGs), including glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh), actin beta (β‐actin), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt), 18s ribosomal RNA (18s rRNA), and cyclophilin B (cypB). We analyzed the expression of them under physiological conditions in the fetal rat hippocampus using BestKeeper, GeNorm, and NormFinder, to select the most stable compound reference genes. Furthermore, to verify the stability of the compound reference genes, we analyzed the expression of reference genes in the fetal rat hippocampus under the pathological model of prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE). Finally, we evaluated the accuracy of compound reference genes through detecting the expression of fetal rat hippocampal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) under PDE model. This study determined that the combination of gapdh and hprt was the most stable and suitable compound reference genes in the fetal rat hippocampus. There was no significant difference between male and female fetal rats. We provided the support of accurate and reliable reference genes for the further study of diseases related to the fetal hippocampus.
Drivers of a habitat shift by critically endangered Siberian cranes: Evidence from long‐term data
Authors: Hou Jinjin , Liu Yifei , Fraser James D. , Li Lei , Zhao Bin , Lan Zhichun , Jin Jiefeng , Liu Guanhua , Dai Nianhua , Wang Wenjuan
Published: September 2020

Many waterbird populations have become increasingly dependent on agricultural habitats for feeding. While habitat destruction has been proposed as a key reason forcing waterbirds to move from natural habitats to agricultural habitats, few have used long‐term data to test this hypothesis. The Siberian crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus) is an IUCN Critically Endangered species. About 98% of its global population winters at Poyang Lake, China. Recently, many cranes shifted from feeding in natural wetlands to agricultural habitats. Here, we integrate bird surveys, Vallisneria tuber (the traditional food of cranes in natural wetlands) surveys, water level data, and remotely sensed images from 1999 to 2016 to explore the drivers of this habitat shift. Changes in Siberian crane numbers in natural wetlands and agricultural fields indicated that the habitat shift occurred in the winters of 2015–2016. Analyses using generalized linear mixed models suggested that crane numbers in natural wetlands were positively related to tuber density and the interaction between dry season (October–March) water level and tuber density. The changes in tuber density and dry season water level in 2015–2016 indicated that tuber disappearance may have been the primary driver of the habitat shift, with a smaller effect of high water level. Submerged plants at Poyang Lake have degraded seriously in the past two decades. The plant degradation at Shahu Lake, a sublake of Poyang Lake, may have been caused by high spring water, high winter temperature, and low summer temperature. However, the drivers of tuber disappearance at Poyang Lake may not be restricted to these variables. Because Poyang Lake is an important refuge for many waterbirds in the Yangtze River floodplain, it is urgent to take effective measures to restore its submerged plants and ecosystem health. Agricultural fields can be important refuges for Siberian cranes, mitigating the negative impacts of wetland deterioration.
Where and when to hunt? Decomposing predation success of an ambush carnivore
Authors: Smith Justine A. , Donadio Emiliano , Bidder Owen R. , Pauli Jonathan N. , Sheriff Michael J. , Perrig Paula L. , Middleton Arthur D.
Published: September 2020

Predator–prey games emerge when predators and prey dynamically respond to the behavior of one another, driving the outcomes of predator–prey interactions. Predation success is a function of the combined probabilities of encountering and capturing prey, which are influenced by both prey behavior and environmental features. While the relative importance of encounter and capture probabilities have been evaluated in a spatial framework, temporal variation in prey behavior and intrinsic catchability are likely to also affect the distribution of predation events. Using a single‐predator‐single‐prey (puma‐vicuña) system, we evaluated which factors predict predation events across both temporal and spatial dimensions of the components of predation by testing theprey‐abundance hypothesis(predators select for high encounter probability) and theprey‐catchability hypothesis(predators select for high relative capture probability) in time and space. We found that for both temporal and spatial analyses, neither the prey‐abundance hypothesis nor the prey‐catchability hypothesis alone predicted kill frequency or distribution; puma kill frequency was static throughout the diel cycle and pumas consistently selected a single habitat type when hunting, despite temporal and spatial variation in encounter rates and intrinsic catchability. Our integrated spatiotemporal analysis revealed that an interaction between time of day and habitat influences kill probability, suggesting that trade‐offs in the temporal and spatial components of predation drive the probability of predation events. These findings reinforce the importance of examining both the temporal and spatial patterns of the components of predation, rather than unidimensional measures of predator or prey behavior, to comprehensively describe the feedbacks between predator and prey in the predator–prey game.
Electroanalysis of Interleukins 1β, 6, and 12 in Biological Samples Using a Needle Stochastic Sensor Based on Nanodiamond Paste
Authors: Ilie‐Mihai Ruxandra Maria , Gheorghe Sorin Sebastian , Stefan‐van Staden Raluca‐Ioana , Bratei Alexandru
Published: September 2020

Interleukins proved to be valuable biomarkers for different diseases. Interleukins 1β, 6, and 12 can be used as biomarkers for brain cancer diagnosis, and therefore this paper proposed a needle stochastic sensor based on protoporphyrin IX immobilized in nanodiamond paste for fast screening of biological samples such as whole blood, urine and brain tumoral tissue for these interleukins. The results obtained using this needle stochastic sensor proved that the interleukins 1β, 6, and 12 can be reliable determined from whole blood, urine and brain tumoral tissue, with recoveries higher than 96.00 %, with relative standard deviations lower than 1.00 %.
Entropy‐based intensity measure selection for site‐specific probabilistic seismic risk assessment
Authors: Du Ao , Padgett Jamie E.
Published: September 2020

Intensity measure (IM) selection is a critical step in probabilistic seismic risk assessment (PSRA). In many past studies, the efficiency of an IM, which quantifies its explanatory power within a probabilistic seismic demand model, has been a predominant IM evaluation criterion. However, because PSRA requires convolution of the conditional demand model and the probabilistic seismic hazard, IM selection solely based on efficiency ignores the influence of uncertainty contribution particularly from the ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs), which is also dependent on the IMs, and may lead to biased IM selection. In the present study, the concept of joint entropy from information theory is introduced to quantify the uncertainty of unconditional multivariate seismic demands for general multiresponse structural systems, offering a holistic consideration of different sources of uncertainties. We propose a novel entropy‐based IM evaluation criterion that can serve as the basis for IM selection and develop a practical framework to facilitate the implementation of the entropy‐based IM selection in site‐specific PSRA. Based on two case‐study highway bridges, the merit of the proposed IM selection methodology is demonstrated, and the influence of IM selection on demand entropy and loss estimation in PSRA is evaluated. From the results, the proposed entropy‐based IM selection manifests improved capability in considering different sources of uncertainties and is found to deliver much more consistent and confident seismic risk estimates.
Resetting response of precast segments with gently keyed interface under seismic action
Authors: Liu Yingqi , Yuan Ye , Liang Feng , Au Francis T.K.
Published: September 2020

In an attempt to promote the use of precast segmental bridge columns in regions of moderate to high seismicity, sliding planar joints have been adopted to relieve the adverse effects of seismic action. However, despite the ability to survive an earthquake, the sliding segments often result in noticeable residual relative movements afterwards, which require costly repairs. To better understand the kinetic and self‐centering performance of sliding segments with W‐shaped gently keyed interface, the concept of sliding hysteresis center curve is put forward. A bidirectional asymmetrical pure sliding model is explored for better control of the self‐centering ability, where the downslope slip caused by the energy at the post‐peak stage of an earthquake may benefit the self‐centering performance of asymmetrical sliding systems. A series of parametric studies using real earthquake records are then conducted to evaluate the effects of inclination θ and coefficient of friction μ at the interface on the dynamic response. It is found that the seismic excitations, especially the post‐peak cycles, have profound influence on the residual displacement of an asymmetrical sliding system. With proper design, a W‐shaped gently keyed sliding system can provide superior self‐centering performance without affecting its seismic isolation ability during the peak stages of earthquakes.
Recent US State and Federal Drinking Water Guidelines for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Authors: Post Gloria B.
Published: September 2020

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of synthetic chemicals produced for over 70 years, are of increasing concern because of their widespread environmental presence, extreme persistence, bioaccumulative nature, and evidence for health effects from environmentally relevant exposures. In 2016, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) established nonregulatory drinking water Health Advisories of 70 ng/L for individual and total concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the 8-carbon perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) that are the most thoroughly studied PFAS. As of May 2020, 9 US states had concluded that the USEPA Health Advisories are insufficiently protective and developed more stringent PFOA and PFOS guidelines. In addition, 10 states had developed guidelines for other PFAS, primarily PFAAs. This Critical Review discusses the scientific basis for state and USEPA drinking water guidelines for PFOA and PFOS; the same principles apply to guidelines for other PFAS. Similarities and differences among guidelines arise from both toxicity and exposure considerations. The approximately 4-fold range among state guidelines (8–35 ng/L for PFOA, 10–40 ng/L for PFOS) is not large or unexpected for guidelines developed by different scientists at different time points, especially when compared with older USEPA and state guidelines that were generally several orders of magnitude higher. Additional state guidelines for PFOA, PFOS, and other PFAS are expected to become available. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:560–563. © 2020 SETAC

Abstract

As of May 2020, 12 US states had developed their own guidelines for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. Of these states, 9 had developed drinking water guidelines for perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate that are more stringent than the federal US Environmental Protection Agency's Health Advisory of 70 ng/L, and 10 had developed guidelines for other PFAS.
Typicality of functional connectivity robustly captures motion artifacts in rs‐fMRI across datasets, atlases, and preprocessing pipelines
Authors: Kopal Jakub , Pidnebesna Anna , Tomeček David , Tintěra Jaroslav , Hlinka Jaroslav
Published: September 2020

Functional connectivity analysis of resting‐state fMRI data has recently become one of the most common approaches to characterizing individual brain function. It has been widely suggested that the functional connectivity matrix is a useful approximate representation of the brain's connectivity, potentially providing behaviorally or clinically relevant markers. However, functional connectivity estimates are known to be detrimentally affected by various artifacts, including those due to in‐scanner head motion. Moreover, as individual functional connections generally covary only very weakly with head motion estimates, motion influence is difficult to quantify robustly, and prone to be neglected in practice. Although the use of individual estimates of head motion, or group‐level correlation of motion and functional connectivity has been suggested, a sufficiently sensitive measure of individual functional connectivity quality has not yet been established. We propose a new intuitive summary index, Typicality of Functional Connectivity, to capture deviations from standard brain functional connectivity patterns. In a resting‐state fMRI dataset of 245 healthy subjects, this measure was significantly correlated with individual head motion metrics. The results were further robustly reproduced across atlas granularity, preprocessing options, and other datasets, including 1,081 subjects from the Human Connectome Project. In principle, Typicality of Functional Connectivity should be sensitive also to other types of artifacts, processing errors, and possibly also brain pathology, allowing extensive use in data quality screening and quantification in functional connectivity studies as well as methodological investigations.
Identifying bifurcated paths with differential function impact in glioblastomas evolution
Authors: Zhang Yong , Xie Aimin , Quan Fei , Hou Xiaobo , Liao Jianlong , Zhu Shiwei , Pang Lin , Liang Xin , Zhu Xiaojing , Cheng Peng , Li Xia , Xiao Yun
Published: September 2020

The evolutionary dynamics of human cancers has been investigated popularly and several bifurcated paths in cancer evolutionary trajectories are revealed to be with differential outcomes and phenotypes. However, whether such bifurcated paths exist in glioblastoma (GBM) remains unclear. In 385 GBM samples, through determining the clonal status of cancer driver events and inferring their temporal order, we constructed a temporal map of evolutionary trajectories at the patient population level. By investigating the differential impact on clinical outcome, we identified four key bifurcated paths, namely, “chromosome 10 copy number loss (ie, 10 loss) → chromosome 19 copy number gain (ie, 19 gain): 10 loss → 13q loss”; “10 loss → 19 gain: 10 loss → 15q loss”; “10 loss → 19 gain: 10 loss → 6q loss” and “10 loss → 19 gain: 10 loss → 16q loss”. They formed a core multibranches path, with 10 loss being regarded as the common earliest event followed by 19 gain and four other departure events (13q loss, 15q loss, 6q loss and 16q loss), which may account for their difference in genome instability and patient survival time. Compared to “10 loss → 19 gain”, the patients with “10 loss → 13q loss” had higher telomerase activity. Notably, there were obvious discrepancies in immune activity and immune cell infiltration level between patients with “10 loss → 13q/16q loss” and “10 loss → 19 gain”, highlighting the bifurcated paths' effect on tumor immune microenvironment. In summary, our study identifies four key bifurcated paths in GBM for the first time, suggesting the feasibility of patient stratification and prognosis prediction based on key bifurcated paths.
Population‐based human papillomavirus infection and genotype distribution among women in rural areas of South Central Ethiopia
Authors: Teka Brhanu , Gizaw Muluken , Ruddies Friederike , Addissie Adamu , Chanyalew Zewditu , Skof Anna Sophie , Thies Sarah , Mihret Adane , Kantelhardt Eva Johanna , Kaufmann Andreas M. , Abebe Tamrat
Published: September 2020

In Ethiopia, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality from all cancers in women. Persistent infection with human papillomaviruses (HPV) plays a key role in the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cervical cancer. To establish baseline data on the population‐based prevalence of HPV infection and genotype distribution, we investigated cervical HPV epidemiology among rural women. This population‐based study was conducted among rural women aged 30‐49 years in Butajira, south‐central Ethiopia. A total of 893 samples were tested from 1020 screened women. A self‐sampling device (Evalyn Brush, Rovers, Oss, The Netherlands) was used and HPV presence and genotype was determined using multiplexed genotyping (MPG) by BSGP5+/6+ PCR with Luminex read out. The HPV positivity rate was 23.2% (95% CI: 23.54‐22.86%) and 20.5% (95% CI = 20.79‐20.21) and 10.3% (95% CI = 10.52‐10.08) women were high‐risk (hr‐ and low‐risk (lr‐) HPV positive, respectively. Fifty five (7.2%) of the women showed multiple hr‐HPV infections. Age‐specific hr‐HPV infection peaked in the age‐group 30‐ to 34 years old (58.6%) and decreased in 35‐39, 40‐44 and 45‐49 years to 20.4%, 4.5% and 3.8% respectively. The top five prevalent hr‐HPV genotypes were HPV16 (57.1%), 35 (20.3%), 52 (15.8%), 31 (14.1%), and 45 (9.6%) in the Butajira district. As a first population‐based study in the country, our results can serve as valuable reference to guide nationwide cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programs in Ethiopia.
Treatment abandonment in children with cancer: Does a sex difference exist? A systematic review and meta‐analysis of evidence from low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Palagyi Anna , Balane Christine , Shanthosh Janani , Jun Min , Bhoo‐Pathy Nirmala , Gadsden Thomas , Canfell Karen , Jan Stephen
Published: September 2020

In this systematic review and meta‐analyses, we sought to determine sex‐disparities in treatment abandonment in children with cancer in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) and identify the characteristics of children and their families most disadvantaged by such abandonment. Sex‐disaggregated data on treatment abandonment were collated from the available literature and a random‐effects meta‐analysis was conducted to compare the rates in girls with those in boys. Subgroup analyses were conducted in which studies were stratified by design, cancer type and the Gender Inequality Index of the country of study. Eighteen studies were included in the systematic review and of these studies, 16 qualified for the meta‐analysis, representing 10 754 children. The pooled rate of treatment abandonment overall was 30%. We observed no difference in the proportion of treatment abandonment in girls relative to estimates observed in boys (rate ratio [RR] 0.95, 95% CI: 0.79‐1.15; P = .61). There was significant heterogeneity across the included studies and in the pooled estimate of RR for girls vs boys (both I2 > 98%). Subgroup analyses did not reveal any effect on abandonment risk. Risk factors for abandonment observed fell into three main categories: socio‐demographic; geographic; and travel‐related. In conclusion, a high rate of treatment abandonment (30%) was observed overall for children with cancer in included studies in LMICs, although this was variable and context specific. No evidence of gender bias in childhood cancer treatment abandonment rates across LMICs was found. Given that the risk factors for abandonment are context specific, in‐depth country‐level analyses may provide further insights into the role of a child's gender in treatment abandonment decisions.
Financial innovation, human capital development, and economic growth of selected South Asian countries: An application ofARDLapproach
Authors: Qamruzzaman Md. , Jianguo Wei , Jahan Sharmin , Yingjun Zhu
Published: September 2020

This study investigates the interaction between financial innovation, human capital development and economic growth in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan for the period of 1981Q1–2016Q4 by applying Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Granger‐causality under error correction model (ECM). Our principal finding confirms long‐run association among financial innovation, human capital development, and economic growth of selected South Asian countries. Also, we found both long‐run and short‐run elasticities from financial innovation and human capital development to economic growth is positive for each country. The study confirms that economic growth of sample countries would positively affect any development in financial innovation and increase in investment for human capital development in future. We also perform a Granger‐causality test to investigate directional causality, and we found bidirectional causality between financial innovation and economic growth, and human capital development and economic growth both in short‐run and long‐run, thus, supporting the feedback hypothesis. The study comes with two recommendations; first, the government should encourage financial innovation in the financial system and formulate fiscal policy in favour of adaption and diffusion of financial innovation. Second, public investment in human capital development should continue and made necessary initiative towards ensuring better implementation of undertaken measures in the economy.
Liquidity, time‐varying betas and anomalies: Is the high trading activity enhancing the validity of the CAPM in the UK equity market?
Authors: Rojo‐Suárez Javier , Alonso‐Conde Ana Belén , Ferrero‐Pozo Ricardo
Published: September 2020

In the last decades, a large number of multifactor assetpricing models have emerged with the aim of correcting the estimated equity risk premiums for some well‐documented market anomalies. In any case, recent research on asset pricing shows how the higher liquidity resulting from the globalization of financial markets has significantly reduced returns tied to many strategies based on market anomalies. In this framework, questions arise about the possible renovated validity of classic assetpricing models. On this basis, in this paper we study to what extent the capital assetpricing model (CAPM) has recovered its past explanatory power. Specifically, we propose a time‐varying beta CAPM in order to control for the variable nature of beta risk to changes in the market liquidity, using the variation of the Amihud illiquidity measure to account for the degree of trading activity. We test both the time‐varying and constant beta models on different sets of anomaly portfolios for the UK equity market, and we compare their performance to that of the Fama–French three‐ and five‐factor models. Additionally, we test the constant beta model on a set of actively managed portfolios, formed according to the variation in market illiquidity in the previous year. Our results show that the pricing errors of the CAPM have significantly decreased with respect to those of previous literature. Furthermore, the time‐varying beta model performs similarly to the Fama–French models in most cases. These results are consistent with increased trading activity that reduces arbitrage opportunities and, therefore, enhances market efficiency.
Conditions for the success of capital controls: The elasticity approach
Authors: Zehri Chokri
Published: September 2020

Capital controls are a commonly used instrument to manage capital flows. However, their effectiveness in reducing short‐term capital flows is still unclear. The present study proposes a new approach to the evaluation of the effects of capital controls, by proposing a model in which these effects depends on the elasticity of short‐term capital flows relative to total flows. When capital controls are in place, achieving an elastic demand reduces these short‐term flows, while an inelastic demand may increase them. The proposition of the model is empirically verified by computing the elasticity approach for 33 countries. This approach suggests that policymakers take proactive actions against the fickleness of short‐term capital flows.
Evapotranspiration‐based irrigation management technology and its application in China*
Authors: Lei Xu , Zhenzhong Han , Mingqi Chang
Published: September 2020

This paper introduces the concepts of evapotranspiration (ET)‐based irrigation management, and proposes calculation methods of various ET, and discusses irrigation ET control technology in engineering, agronomy and management. The application and practice of ET‐based irrigation management technology in two case study areas in China indicate that ET control is an effective way to reduce irrigation water consumption, with satisfactory feasibility and applicability, which is a beneficial supplement for improving traditional irrigation water resources management, and is even helpful to realize the sustainable utilization of regional water resources. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro anticancer activity of fluphenazine, perphenazine and prochlorperazine. A review
Authors: Otręba Michał , Kośmider Leon
Published: September 2020

Drug repositioning is an approach that could accelerate the clinical use of compounds in different diseases. The goal is to take advantage of the fact that approved drugs have been tested on humans and detailed information is available on their pharmacology, toxicity and formulation. It can significantly reduce the costs and time needed to implement necessary therapies on the market. In recent years, phenothiazines are being tested for cancer, viral, bacterial, fungal and other diseases. Most research focuses on chlorpromazine as a model drug in this class, but other drugs such as fluphenazine, perphenazine and prochlorperazine have been proven to inhibit the viability of different cancer cell lines. In this study, we performed an extensive literature search to find and summarize all papers on the chosen phenothiazines and their potential in treating different types of cancerin vitro for further animal/clinical trials. Fluphenazine, perphenazine and prochlorperazine possess anticancer activity towards different types of human cancer. The antitumor activity is mainly mediated by an effect of the drugs on the cell cycle, proliferation or apoptosis. Possible molecular targets of phenothiazine derivatives are the drug's efflux pumps (ABCB1 and P‐glycoprotein) and two parallel pathways (AKT and Wnt) regulated by the D2 receptor antagonists. The drugs have the potential to reduce the viability of human cancer cell lines, fragment the DNA, stimulate apoptosis, inhibit cell migration and invasiveness as well as impair the production of reactive oxygen species. In addition, due to the sedative and antiemetic properties antipsychotics can be used as an adjuvant for the treatment of chemotherapy side effects.
Cadmium as a testicular toxicant: A Review
Authors: Bhardwaj Jitender Kumar , Panchal Harish , Saraf Priyanka
Published: September 2020

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal with no known biological functions in the human body. Due to a considerably long biological half‐life and very low rate of excretion, accumulation of Cd in different body organs (eg, liver, kidney, and testes) over time is associated with perturbed functioning of these organs. Recent studies have shown the extreme sensitivity of the testes to Cd toxicity. In testes, Cd has been reported to induce oxidative stress, apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, reduction in androgen production and sperm functions. Moreover, Cd in combination with other environmental toxicants may be responsible for the declining fertility of males in both animals and humans. Pinpointing how Cd toxicity affects various testicular processes will be imperative for the development of preventative measures to promote fertility among males. Therefore, in the present review, we summarize the recent findings related to the Cd‐induced oxidative toxicity, apoptotic toxicity, steroidogenic toxicity, and spermatotoxicity, along with their possible mechanisms in testicular tissue of different animal species. In addition, the utilization of various antioxidant compounds, medicinal plants and other compounds for the management of Cd toxicity in testes is discussed.
Evaluation of a biodegradable PLA–PEG–PLA internal biliary stent for liver transplantation: in vitro degradation and mechanical properties
Authors: Girard Edouard , Chagnon Grégory , Moreau‐Gaudry Alexandre , Letoublon Christian , Favier Denis , Dejean Stéphane , Trilling Bertrand , Nottelet Benjamin
Published: September 2020

Internal biliary stenting during biliary reconstruction in liver transplantation decrease anastomotic biliary complications. Implantation of a resorbable internal biliary stent (RIBS) is interesting since it would avoid an ablation gesture. The objective of present work was to evaluate adequacy of selected PLA‐b‐PEG‐b‐PLA copolymers for RIBS aimed to secure biliary anastomose during healing and prevent complications, such as bile leak and stricture. The kinetics of degradation and mechanical properties of a RIBS prototype were evaluated with respect to the main bile duct stenting requirements in liver transplantation. For this purpose, RIBS degradation under biliary mimicking solution versus standard phosphate buffer control solution was discussed. Morphological changes, mass loss, water uptake, molecular weight, permeability, pH variations, and mechanical properties were examined over time. The permeability and mechanical properties were evaluated under simulated biliary conditions to explore the usefulness of a PLA‐b‐PEG‐b‐PLA RIBS to secure biliary anastomosis. Results showed no pH influence on the kinetics of degradation, with degradable RIBS remaining impermeable for at least 8 weeks, and keeping its mechanical properties for 10 weeks. Complete degradation is reached at 6 months. PLA‐b‐PEG‐b‐PLA RIBS have the required in vitro degradation characteristics to secure biliary anastomosis in liver transplantation and envision in vivo applications.
Insulin‐like growth factor 1 promotes proliferation and invasion of papillary thyroid cancer through the STAT3 pathway
Authors: Yang Li , Tan Zenghuan , Li Yukun , Zhang Xueqiang , Wu Yiping , Xu Baoyuan , Wang Mei
Published: September 2020

Background

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is a kind of thyroid cancer. Previous studies showed that insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF1) plays an important role in tumorigenesis, development, invasion, and metastasis. However, the function of IGF1 in PTC progression remains unclear.

Methods

Seventy‐three pairs of PTC tissue specimens and adjacent normal specimens form and normal cell line and PTC cell lines were collected in this study. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay was performed to test the expression of IGF1. The RNA isolation and quantitative real‐time PCR assays (qRT‐PCR assays) and Western blot analysis were used to test mRNA and protein expression. Cell proliferation assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry assay, wound healing assay, and Transwell invasion assay were performed to test cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis.

Results

We found that the expression of IGF1 in PTC tissue samples was higher than that in adjacent normal specimens and was significantly associated with tumor size, TNM staging, and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, IGF1 treatment significantly increased cell viability in a dose‐dependent manner. EdU assay also demonstrated the effect of IGF1 on the proliferation of BCPAP and TPC1 cells. Moreover, IGF1 treatment effectively increased the invasive capacity of BCPAP and TPC1 cells. More importantly, IGF1 treatment could significantly enhance the phosphorylation of STAT3 in BCPAP and TPC1 cells. Moreover, cryptotanshinone (Cryp) treatment reversed the effect of IGF1 treatment on cell viability and invasion of BCPAP and TPC1 cells.

Conclusion

Collectively, IGF1 promotes proliferation and invasion of PTC progression through the STAT3 signaling pathway.
Measurement and antecedents of national resilience in Filipino adults during coronavirus crisis
Authors: Callueng Carmelo , Aruta John Jamir Benzon R. , Antazo Benedict G. , Briones‐Diato Alelie
Published: September 2020

Resilience is a broad concept that encompasses individual and social resources to thrive from difficult circumstances. The resilience that occurs as a collective effort or country‐wide phenomenon is referred to as national resilience (NR), which connotes the ability of a nation to deal with crises while keeping its social fabric intact. Like the rest of the world, the Philippines has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and we argue that a stable and robust NR is needed to bounce back from the challenges and adversities of the crisis. This pioneering study on NR in Filipino adults was conducted to achieve two aims (1) assess the psychometric properties of the Filipino adapted National Resilience Scale (NRS‐Filipino) and (2) determine demographic and psychological variables that influence NR. Data from 401 participants yielded an exploratory factor analysis with a good model fit for a four‐factor solution that is similar to the original National Resilience Assessment Scale. NRS‐Filipino also demonstrated acceptable reliability and convergent validity. Among the variables purported to be associated with NR, community resilience, and political attitudes came out as strong predictors.
Introduction to dental medicine: Analysis of a massive open online course in dentistry
Authors: France Katherine , Hangorsky Uri , Wu Chia‐Wei , Sollecito Thomas P. , Stoopler Eric T.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

This study aims to: (1) assess learner demographics of Introduction to Dental Medicine (IDM), an early Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) developed for the Coursera platform and (2) analyze course enrollment to determine worldwide interest in accessible, high‐quality dental education.

Methods

The authors review the development and organization of IDM and present learner statistics to critically evaluate learner traits and course engagement for IDM.

Results

IDM has been available since June 15, 2015, and as of March 1, 2020, gained 90,374 visitors, of whom 16,739 have enrolled and demonstrate continued monthly and daily engagement. Learners represent all age groups and genders and include participants of all educational and employment backgrounds, reflecting broad interest in dental knowledge. They originate from 6 continents with the largest percentages of learners from countries including the United States, Egypt, India, and the United Kingdom. IDM learners have provided positive feedback, rating the course 4.8/5 stars and often providing individual accounts of the benefit of their experiences.

Conclusions

IDM presented an opportunity to learn general dental concepts. The course served to increase familiarity in the field for all learners, including health professionals, patients, and anyone with an interest in the subject. It also served as preparation for or to expand education in dental, medical, and allied health professions. High learner engagement with wide global distribution demonstrated interest in dental education worldwide.
Comparison of delay discounting of different outcomes in cigarette smokers, smokeless tobacco users, e‐cigarette users, and non‐tobacco users
Authors: DeHart William Brady , Friedel Jonathan E. , Berry Meredith , Frye Charles C. J. , Galizio Ann , Odum Amy L.
Published: September 2020

Delay discounting is the process by which a commodity loses value as the delay to its receipt increases. Rapid discounting predicts various maladaptive behaviors including tobacco use. Typically, delay discounting of different outcomes has been compared between cigarette smokers and nonsmokers. To better understand the relationship of delay discounting to different modes of tobacco use, we examined the differences in delay discounting of different outcomes between cigarette smokers, smokeless tobacco users, e‐cigarette users, and non‐tobacco users. In the present study, all participants completed 8 titrating delay‐discounting tasks: $100 gain, $500 gain, $500 loss, alcohol, entertainment, food, a temporary health gain, and a temporary cure from a disease. Non‐tobacco users discounted most outcomes less than tobacco users overall; however, there were no differences in discounting among the different types of tobacco users. These results suggest that nicotine consumption of any kind is associated with a higher degree of impulsivity compared to non‐tobacco users. Adoption of tobacco products that have been perceived as less harmful (e.g., e‐cigarettes) is not associated with a baseline difference or decrease in delay discounting if adopted after a history of cigarette use.
A threshold dosage of estrogen for male‐to‐female sex reversal in the Glandirana rugosa frog
Authors: Oike Akira , Nakamura Yoriko , Yasumasu Shigeki , Ito Etsuro , Nakamura Masahisa
Published: September 2020

Steroid hormones play very important roles in gonadal differentiation in many vertebrate species. Previously, we have determined a threshold dosage of testosterone (T) to induce female‐to‐male sex reversal in Glandirana rugosa frogs. Genetic females formed a mixture of testis and ovary, the so‐called ovotestis, when tadpoles of G. rugosa were reared in water containing the dosage of T, which enabled us to detect primary changes in the histology of the masculinizing gonads. In this study, we determined a threshold dosage of estradiol‐17β (E2) to cause male‐to‐female sex reversal in this frog. We observed first signs of histological changes in the ovotestes, when tadpoles were reared in water containing the dosage of E2. Ovotestes were significantly larger than wild‐type testes in size. By E2 treatment, male germ cells degenerated in the feminizing testis leading to their final disappearance. In parallel, oocytes appeared in the medulla of the ovotestis and later in the cortex as well. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression of sex‐related genes involved in testis formation was significantly decreased in the ovotestis. In addition, immuno‐positive signals of CYP17 that is involved in testis differentiation in this frog disappeared in the medulla first and then in the cortex. These results suggested that oocytes expanded in the feminizing gonad (ovary) contemporaneously with male germ cell disappearance. Primary changes in the histology of the gonads during male‐to‐female sex reversal occurred in the medulla and later in the cortex. This direction was opposite to that observed during female‐to‐male sex reversal in the G. rugosa frog.
Recent development in the synthesis of pyrrolin‐4‐ones/pyrrolin‐3‐ones
Authors: Sharma Priyanka , Kumar Rupesh , Bhargava Gaurav
Published: September 2020

Pyrrolin‐4‐ones/pyrrolin‐3‐ones and its derivatives are important heterocyclic systems which are observed in vast variety of natural products, pharmaceuticals, and biologically important compounds. Different researchers all across the world have developed different synthetic methodologies for the construction of functionalized pyrrolin‐4‐ones/pyrrolin‐3‐one scaffolds such as the transition‐metal catalyzed/mediated cycloisomerizations of 1‐aminoynones and dimerization of enaminones or α‐diazo‐β‐oxoamides etc. The present review article summarizes various reports on the synthesis of various simple and functionalized pyrrolin‐4‐ones/pyrrolin‐3‐ones from 2000 onward.
Frontiers of Sodium MRI Revisited: From Cartilage to Brain Imaging
Authors: Zaric Olgica , Juras Vladimir , Szomolanyi Pavol , Schreiner Markus , Raudner Marcus , Giraudo Chiara , Trattnig Siegfried
Published: September 2020

Sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23Na‐MRI) is a highly promising imaging modality that offers the possibility to noninvasively quantify sodium content in the tissue, one of the most relevant parameters for biochemical investigations. Despite its great potential, due to the intrinsically low signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of sodium imaging generated by low in vivo sodium concentrations, low gyromagnetic ratio, and substantially shorter relaxation times than for proton (1H) imaging, 23Na‐MRI is extremely challenging. In this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature that has been published in the last 10–15 years and which has demonstrated different technical designs for a range of 23Na‐MRI methods applicable for disease diagnoses and treatment efficacy evaluations. Currently, a wider use of 3.0T and 7.0T systems provide imaging with the expected increase in SNR and, consequently, an increased image resolution and a reduced scanning time. A great interest in translational research has enlarged the field of sodium MRI applications to almost all parts of the body: articular cartilage tendons, spine, heart, breast, muscle, kidney, and brain, etc., and several pathological conditions, such as tumors, neurological and degenerative diseases, and others. The quantitative parameter, tissue sodium concentration, which reflects changes in intracellular sodium concentration, extracellular sodium concentration, and intra–/extracellular volume fractions is becoming acknowledged as a reliable biomarker. Although the great potential of this technique is evident, there must be steady technical development for 23Na‐MRI to become a standard imaging tool. The future role of sodium imaging is not to be considered as an alternative to 1H MRI, but to provide early, diagnostically valuable information about altered metabolism or tissue function associated with disease genesis and progression.

Level of Evidence

1

Technical Efficacy Stage

1
A potential entanglement between the spinal cord and hippocampus: Theta rhythm correlates with neurogenesis deficiency following spinal cord injury in male rats
Authors: Soltani Zangbar Hamid , Ghadiri Tahereh , Vafaee Manuchehr Seyedi , Ebrahimi Kalan Abbas , Karimipour Mohammad , Fallahi Solmaz , Ghorbani Meysam , Shahabi Parviz
Published: September 2020

Cognitive deficits due to spinal cord injury (SCI) have been elucidated in both animals and humans with SCI. Such disorders may cause concomitant oscillatory changes in regions of the brain involving in cognition; a subject that has not been directed mechanistically. One of the crucial oscillations, having a prominent role in cognition, particularly spatial memory, is hippocampal theta rhythm. Our research revealed that SCI could induce changes not only in the neurogenesis and apoptosis rate of the hippocampus but also in theta power as well as receptors involving in the generation of this rhythm. Herein we used 24 male Wistar rats (Sham/SCI = 12) and examined the effect of spinal cord contusion on hippocampal theta rhythm, spatial memory, and neurodegeneration. We proved that SCI eliminates hippocampus‐dependent theta power through spatial working memory, and correlates significantly with neurodegeneration and expression of receptors (NMDA, GABAA, Muscarinic1/M1), which are in turn essential in generation of theta rhythm. The immunohistochemistry analysis also demonstrated a significant decrease in DCX+ and BrdU+ cells; however, according to TUNEL assay, apoptosis is significantly higher in SCI‐induced animals. The western blotting analysis further showed a significant reduction of the abovementioned receptors in the hippocampus. We also verified that SCI impairs the spatial memory, proved by poor performance in the Y‐maze task. As well as, based on the local field potential recordings analysis, SCI decreases the power of theta rhythm. Eventually, this study demonstrated that chronic brain neurodegeneration occurs after SCI accompanied by theta rhythm and cognitive deficiency.
Reduction of myocardial necrosis using “CLOSE” protocol during pulmonary vein isolation—Preliminary results from ACTIVE‐AF trial
Authors: Peller Michał , Lodziński Piotr , Balsam Paweł , Maciejewski Kacper , Ozierański Krzysztof , Krzowski Bartosz , Opolski Grzegorz
Published: September 2020

Background

New protocols of pulmonary veins isolation (PVI) result in easier and more efficient procedure performance. Ablation index (AI) is the novel tool which helps to achieve transmural lesions during catheter ablation. However, benefit of this protocol in the reduction of myocardial injury is still not known.

Purpose

The aim of the study was to compare myocardial injury during catheter ablation using standard and AI protocol.

Methods

To the analysis we included 24 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, who underwent radiofrequency catheter PVI using CARTO system (Biosense Webster, Inc). In all patients cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels were assessed before and 24 hours after the procedure. In 12 patients PVI was performed using continuous applications (dragging technique) and in 12 patients during PVI ablation AI protocol was implemented. To unify analyzed groups, we excluded patients with additional ablation lines (including line separating ipsilateral pulmonary veins).

Results

In analyzed group mean age was 59.3 ± 7.7 years and 18 (75%) patients were male. There were no differences in the clinical characteristic between both subgroups. Trend in shorter total x‐ray time was observed in AI group compared with dragging group (8.6 ± 5.4 vs. 5.3 ± 3.2 min.; P = .093) with no differences in total procedure time (146.3 ± 28.9 vs. 153.2 ± 37.1 min.; P = .616). Twenty‐four hours after the PVI procedure cTnI levels were significantly lower in AI group than in dragging group (1.984 ± 0.644 vs. 3.369 ± 1.818 ng/mL; P = .026), with no difference in mean baseline cTnI levels (0.004 ± 0.006 vs. 0.015 ± 0.032 ng/mL; P = .304).

Conclusion

Presented study revealed that compared with standard, continuous applications, AI protocol implementation results in reduction of myocardial injury during catheter PVI in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.