bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of hub genes and construction of transcriptional regulatory network for the progression of colon adenocarcinoma hub genes and TF regulatory network of colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wei Shuxun , Chen Jinshui , Huang Yu , Sun Qiang , Wang Haolu , Liang Xiaowen , Hu Zhiqian , Li Xinxing
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to identify key genes related to the progression of colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), and to investigate the regulatory network of hub genes and transcription factors (TFs). Dataset GSE20916 including 44 normal colon, 55 adenoma, and 36 adenocarcinoma tissue samples was used to construct co‐expression networks via weighted gene co‐expression network. Gene Ontology annotation and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis for the objective module were performed using the online Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery. Hub genes were identified by taking the intersection of differentially expressed genes between dataset GSE20916 and GSE39582 and validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The correlations between microRNA (miRNA) and hub genes were analyzed using the online website StarBase. Cytoscape was used to establish a regulatory network of TF‐miRNA‐target gene. We found that the orange module was a key module related to the tumor progression in COAD. In datasets GSE20916 and GSE39582, a total of eight genes (BGN, SULF1, COL1A1, FAP, THBS2, CTHRC1, COL5A2, and COL1A2) were selected, which were closely related with patients’ survivals in TCGA database and dataset GSE20916. COAD patients with higher expressions of each hub gene had a worse prognosis than those with lower expressions. A regulatory network of TF‐miRNA‐target gene with 144 TFs, 26 miRNAs, and 7 hub genes was established, including model KLF11‐miR149‐BGN, TCEAL6‐miR29B2‐COL1A1, and TCEAL6‐miR29B2‐COL1A2. In conclusion, during the progression of COAD, eight core genes (BGN, SULF1, COL1A1, FAP, THBS2, CTHRC1, COL5A2, and COL1A2) play vital roles. Regulatory networks of TF‐miRNA‐target gene can help to understand the disease progression and optimize treatment strategy.
RETRACTED: miR‐145 promotes miR‐133b expression through c‐myc and DNMT3A‐mediated methylation in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Li Jie , Zhang Songlin , Zou Yuliang , Wu Lei , Pei Meili , Jiang Yu
Published: October 2019

Ovarian cancer presents as malignant tumors in the female reproductive system with high mortality. MicroRNAs are involved in the progression of ovarian cancer; however, the regulatory relationship among miRs remains unclear. In our study, we verified that both miR‐145 and miR‐133b messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in ovarian cancer tissues were lower than in normal ovarian tissues, and their mRNA level in serum of patients with ovarian cancer was reduced. We demonstrated miR‐145 targeted c‐myc, and c‐myc interacted physically with DNMT3A in ovarian cancer cells. We confirmed that c‐myc recruited DNMT3A to the miR‐133b promoter. miR‐133b overexpression also inhibited target gene PKM2 expression along with the Warburg effect. Our results indicate that miR‐145 inhibited the Warburg effect through miR‐133b/PKM2 pathways, which may improve approaches to ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Optimization of ethyl lactate‐based organosolv process for lignin recovery from the solid waste of a wheat straw biorefinery
Authors: Valdespino‐Rodríguez Ángeles , Pérez‐Martín Daín JA , González‐Barajas María Fernanda , Villicaña‐Ambriz Héctor , Campos‐Castellanos Diana , Escalante Froylán ME , Sánchez Arturo , Aguilar‐Garnica Efrén
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

The organosolv process promotes biomass delignification at relatively high temperatures using a wide variety of organic solvent solutions. Nevertheless, previous studies on organosolv processes have not dealt with the use of ethyl lactate as organic solvent. Thus the aim of the present contribution was to determine and to validate if the use of ethyl lactate has a positive influence on lignin recovery for organosolv processes whose feedstock is the solid waste from a wheat straw‐based biorefinery. The effect of operating conditions (temperature and time) on lignin recovery was also studied.

RESULTS

A mixed design of experiments was proposed as the strategy to maximize lignin recovery. The mathematical model derived from a multiple linear regression applied to the mixed design results indicates that 190 °C and a non‐aqueous solution containing ethyl lactate and ethanol (81.2% w/w ethyl lactate) could provide a maximum lignin recovery of 75.9% w/w. This theoretical maximum was validated. Thus the proposed model adequately describes the behavior of lignin recovery. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) characterization of the resultant lignin suggested that its structure is a function of the organic solvent solution used during the organosolv process.

CONCLUSION

The evidence from this study indicates that lignin recovery from the solid waste of a wheat straw‐based biorefinery in an organosolv process depends on temperature and ethyl lactate presence in the reaction medium. These findings enhance the understanding of organosolv processes and could be applied if eventual lignin valorization is desired. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis, characterization & in vitro antimicrobial‐antioxidant studies of novel N,1‐diphenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐amine derivatives
Authors: Yusuf Mohamad , Thakur Saloni
Published: October 2019

A new series of 1,2,4‐triazole was designed, synthesized, and characterized as remarkable antimicrobial and antioxidant agents. These heterocycles have been prepared from the cyclization reactions of Schiff bases 3(a‐k) with phenylhydrazine by refluxing under the alkaline medium. The Schiff bases in turn were realized in good yields from the condensation reactions of N‐phenylurea with different aromatic aldehydes. The structures of the intermediates 3(a‐k) and final heterocycles 4(a‐k) have been fully characterized through their spectral parameters.
Subacute feeding toxicity of low‐sodium sausages manufactured with sodium substitutes and biopolymer‐encapsulated saltwort (Salicornia herbacea) in a mouse model
Authors: Jung Eun Young , Lee Da Young , Kim On You , Lee Seung Yun , Yim Dong Gyun , Hur Sun Jin
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Low‐sodium sausages were manufactured using sodium substitution and biopolymer encapsulation. A diet comprising 10% treatment sausages (six treatment groups: C (100% NaCl), T1 (55% sodium substitute + 45% saltwort salt), T2 (55% sodium substitute + 45% saltwort salt with chitosan), T3 (55% sodium substitute + 45% saltwort salt with cellulose), T4 (55% sodium substitute + 45% saltwort salt with dextrin), and T5 (55% sodium substitute + 45% saltwort salt with pectin)) was added to a 90% commercial mouse diet for 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Subacute toxicity, hematology, liver function, and organ weight tests in low‐sodium sausage groups showed results similar to those of the control group, and all toxicity test levels were within normal ranges.

CONCLUSIONS

All low‐sodium sausage types tested are suggested to be safe in terms of subacute toxicity. Moreover, low‐sodium sausages can be manufactured by biopolymer encapsulation of saltwort using pectin, chitosan, cellulose, and dextrin without toxicity. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Frequency and implications of occipital and posterior auricular sentinel lymph nodes in scalp melanoma
Authors: Carmichael Heather , King Becky B. T. , Friedman Chloe , Torphy Robert J. , Medina Theresa , Gleisner Ana , McCarter Martin D. , Kwak Jennifer J. , Kounalakis Nicole
Published: October 2019

Background

Patients with scalp melanoma have poor oncologic outcomes compared with those with other cutaneous sites. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy provides prognostic information but is challenging in the head and neck. We explore the anatomic distribution of scalp melanoma and describe the most common sites of SLN drainage and of SLN metastatic disease.

Methods

Retrospective review of scalp melanoma patients who underwent SLN biopsy. Melanoma location was classified as frontal, coronal apex, coronal temporal, or posterior scalp. SLN location was classified by lymph node level and region.

Results

We identified 128 patients with scalp melanoma. The most common primary tumor location was the posterior scalp (43%) and the most frequent SLN drainage site was the level 2 lymph node basin (48%). Total 31 patients (24%) had metastatic disease in an SLN. Scalp SLNs, classified as being in the posterior auricular or occipital region, were localized in 26% of patients. For patients in which a scalp SLN was identified, 30% had a positive scalp SLN (n = 10).

Conclusions

Scalp SLNs are frequent drainage sites for scalp melanoma and, when found, have a 30% chance of harboring metastatic disease. Surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists should be vigilant in identifying, removing, and analyzing scalp SLNs.
Prognostic impact of a large mesenteric mass >2 cm in ileal neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Kasai Yosuke , Mahuron Kelly , Hirose Kenzo , Corvera Carlos U. , Kim Grace E. , Hope Thomas A. , Shih Brandon E. , Warren Robert S. , Bergsland Emily K. , Nakakura Eric K.
Published: October 2019

Background and Objectives

Ileal neuroendocrine tumors (i‐NETs) frequently metastasize to mesenteric lymph nodes and the liver. Regional lymphadenopathy is associated with desmoplasia of the mesentery forming a large mesenteric mass (LMM). Although the latest American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging (8th edition) defined LMM >2 cm as N2, the prognostic impact of LMM is ill‐defined. We evaluated whether LMM is prognostic for patients with i‐NETs.

Methods

This single‐institution, retrospective cohort study included 106 patients who underwent resection of i‐NETs between 2007 and 2018. Overall survival (OS) and liver progression‐free survival (LPFS) were compared between patients with and without LMM.

Results

LMM was present in 66 patients (62%) and was not associated with the presence or absence of liver metastasis (P = .969) or the extent of liver involvement (P = .938). OS and LPFS differed significantly between patients with and without LMM (5‐year OS rates of 64.8% and 92.9%, respectively, P = .011; 3‐year LPFS rates of 45.3% and 67.5%, respectively, P = .025). In multivariate analysis, LMM was an independent prognostic factor for both OS (hazard ratio: 4.69, 95% confidence interval: 1.63‐17.6) and LPFS (1.99, 1.08‐3.88).

Conclusion

LMM >2 cm is prognostic for OS and LPFS and represents aggressive tumor biology.
Exclusive use of ultrasound for locating optimal LVA sites—A descriptive data analysis
Authors: Czedik‐Eysenberg Manon , Steinbacher Johannes , Obermayer Brigitte , Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Hara Hisako , Mihara Makoto , Tzou Chieh‐Han J. , Meng Stefan
Published: October 2019

Background

The current standard to locate lymphatic vessels for lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA) is the use of indocyanine green (ICG)‐lymphangiography. Due to fluid retention and fibrosis of tissue in patients with lymphedema, often present in Caucasian patients, vessels deeper than 0.5 cm below the dermis cannot be visualized. We present our experiences with ultrasound in locating deeper lymphatic vessels in lower extremities.

Materials and Methods

In total, 28 patients with lymphedema and positive lymphoscintigraphy were included. With ultrasound, we located 82 lymphatic vessels in lower extremities preoperatively without the use of ICG marking. Vessel diameter, depth, and exact location were examined. Using a coordinate system, a mapping of the detected lymphatic vessels was created. The ultrasound findings were confirmed under microscope and ICG intraoperatively.

Results

In all, we detected 28 Caucasian patients and 82 lymphatic vessels with ultrasound preoperatively. On average, we found three lymphatic vessels (range, 2‐6) at each patient. Of the ultrasound‐detected lymphatic vessels, 90.2% could be verified intraoperatively under a microscope. Before skin incision, lymphatic vessels could be visualized in 40% of our patients with ICG. In the mapping of the lymphatic vessels, we found no significant pattern.

Conclusion

Ultrasound can precisely detect lymphatic vessels for efficient LVA operation without the prior use of ICG‐lymphangiography.
Fatigue management for adults living with HIV: A randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Lee Kathryn A. , Jong SoSon , Gay Caryl L.
Published: October 2019

Fatigue is a prevalent symptom for adults living with HIV infection. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to pilot test a behavioral‐educational intervention to reduce fatigue. The intervention included education about daytime behaviors as well as nighttime sleep behaviors. Participants were HIV‐positive, between 45 and 75 years old, unemployed, and experiencing fatigue. They were randomized to intervention (n = 25) or control (n = 26) after obtaining baseline measures, administered the intervention or attention control, and followed with monthly assessments for 3 months. Primary outcome measures included the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and fatigue symptom burden using the four‐dimension structure of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale that includes occurrence, frequency, severity, and distress of a symptom. Other measures included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, step counts with a Fitbit Flex, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Sleep Behavior Rating Scale. Compared with attention controls, the intervention group had significantly (p < .05) lower FSS scores and fatigue symptom burden over time, particularly in the frequency dimension. Secondary outcomes for reducing daytime naps and improving sleep quality were also significant (p < .05). This intervention, focused on both daytime and nighttime behaviors, demonstrated promising effects for reducing fatigue among adults living with HIV. Results provide useful direction for larger clinical trials to reduce fatigue in adults living with other types of chronic illness.
The ganglioside GD2 as a circulating tumor biomarker for neuroblastoma
Authors: Balis Frank Milton , Busch Christine Maria , Desai Ami Vijay , Hibbitts Emily , Naranjo Arlene , Bagatell Rochelle , Irwin Meredith , Fox Elizabeth
Published: October 2019

Background

GD2 is a ganglioside that is ubiquitously expressed in the plasma membrane of neuroblastoma and is shed into the circulation.

Procedure

GD2 was measured with a high‐pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay in serum or plasma from 40 children without cancer (controls) and in biobanked samples from 128 (73 high‐risk) children with neuroblastic tumors at diagnosis, 56 children with relapsed neuroblastoma, 14 children with high‐risk neuroblastoma after treatment, and 8 to 12 children each with 10 other common childhood cancers at diagnosis.

Results

The C18 (18 carbon fatty acid) lipoform was the predominant circulating form of GD2 in controls and in patients with neuroblastoma. The median concentration of GD2 in children with high‐risk neuroblastoma at diagnosis was 167 nM (range, 16.1‐1060 nM), which was 30‐fold higher than the median concentration (5.6 nM) in controls. GD2 was not elevated in serum from children with the differentiated neuroblastic tumors, ganglioneuroma (n = 10) and ganglioneuroblastoma‐intermixed subtype (n = 12), and in children with 10 other childhood cancers. GD2 concentrations were significantly higher in serum from children with MYCN‐amplified tumors (P = 0.0088), high‐risk tumors (P < 0.00001), International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) stage 4 tumors (P < 0.00001), and in children who died (P = 0.034).

Conclusions

Circulating GD2 appears to be a specific and sensitive tumor biomarker for high‐risk/high‐stage neuroblastoma and may prove to be clinically useful as a diagnostic or prognostic circulating tumor biomarker. GD2 will be measured prospectively and longitudinally in children enrolled on a high‐risk neuroblastoma treatment trial to assess its ability to measure response to treatment and predict survival.
A three‐dimensional potential of mean force to improve backbone and sidechain hydrogen bond geometry in Xplor‐NIH protein structure determination
Authors: Schwieters Charles D. , Bermejo Guillermo A. , Clore G. Marius
Published: October 2019

We introduce a new hydrogen bonding potential of mean force generated from high‐quality crystal structures for use in Xplor‐NIH structure calculations. This term applies to hydrogen bonds involving both backbone and sidechain atoms. When used in structure refinement calculations of 10 example protein systems with experimental distance, dihedral and residual dipolar coupling restraints, we demonstrate that the new term has superior performance to the previously developed hydrogen bonding potential of mean force used in Xplor‐NIH.
Fate of systemically and locally administered adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and their effect on wound healing
Authors: Kallmeyer Karlien , André-Lévigne Dominik , Baquié Mathurin , Krause Karl-Heinz , Pepper Michael S. , Pittet-Cuénod Brigitte , Modarressi Ali
Published: October 2019

There is increasing interest in the use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) for wound repair. As the fate of administered cells is still poorly defined, we aimed to establish the location, survival, and effect of ASCs when administered either systemically or locally during wound repair under physiological conditions. To determine the behavior of ASCs, a rat model with wounds on the dorsal aspect of the hind paws was used and two treatment modes were assessed: ASCs administered systemically into the tail vein or locally around the wound. ASCs were transduced to express both firefly luciferase (Fluc) and green fluorescent protein to enable tracking by bioluminescence imaging and immunohistological analysis. Systemically administered ASCs were detected in the lungs 3 hours after injection with a decrease in luminescent signal at 48 hours and signal disappearance from 72 hours. No ASCs were detected in the wound. Locally administered ASCs remained strongly detectable for 7 days at the injection site and became distributed within the wound bed as early as 24 hours post injection with a significant increase observed at 72 hours. Systemically administered ASCs were filtered out in the lungs, whereas ASCs administered locally remained and survived not only at the injection site but were also detected within the wound bed. Both treatments led to enhanced wound closure. It appears that systemically administered ASCs have the potential to enhance wound repair distally from their site of entrapment in the lungs whereas locally administered ASCs enhanced wound repair as they became redistributed within the wound bed.

Significance statement The exogenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) holds promise as a treatment strategy for wound healing by promoting tissue repair and regeneration. However, the best route of administration is still not well defined. Herein, this article describes the biodistribution and survival of systemically vs locally administered ASCs. Interestingly, both routes of administration led to enhanced wound repair as seen by earlier wound closure. Systemically administered ASCs have the potential to enhance wound repair distally from their site of entrapment in the lungs, whereas locally administered ASCs migrate into the wound bed.
Maternal arterial stiffness in hypertensive pregnancies with and without small‐for‐gestational‐age neonate
Authors: Perry H. , Gutierrez J. , Binder J. , Thilaganathan B. , Khalil A.
Published: October 2019

Objective

Pregnancies complicated by pre‐eclampsia with a small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) neonate have poorer maternal hemodynamic function compared to those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and an appropriately grown neonate. Arterial stiffness is a recognized prognostic marker of cardiovascular disease in the general population. The aim of this study was to compare maternal arterial stiffness between hypertensive pregnancies with, and those without, a SGA neonate and normotensive control pregnancies.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of pregnancies complicated by pre‐eclampsia or gestational hypertension and healthy normotensive control pregnancies, presenting to a tertiary referral hospital between January 2012 and May 2018. Maternal arterial stiffness was assessed by aortic pulse‐wave velocity (PWV) and aortic augmentation index (AIx), which were recorded using a non‐invasive device (Arteriograph®). Maternal and hemodynamic factors were adjusted for using linear regression analysis. Pregnancies with HDP were divided into those that delivered a SGA (birth weight < 10th percentile) neonate (HDP + SGA group) and those that delivered an appropriately grown neonate (HDP‐only group). Comparisons between groups were carried out using the Mann–Whitney U‐test for continuous variables and the chi‐square (or Fisher's exact) test for categorical variables.

Results

Included in the analysis were 69 patients with HDP who delivered a SGA neonate, 129 with HDP who delivered a normally grown neonate and 220 healthy controls. Maternal age, weight, height and heart rate were associated significantly with brachial and aortic AIx. Maternal weight, height, mean arterial pressure, heart rate and gestational age were significant predictors of aortic PWV. Adjusted aortic AIx was significantly higher in both the HDP + SGA and HDP‐only groups, compared with in controls (12.5% and 10.0% vs 7.6%; both P < 0.01), and was significantly different between the two HDP groups (P = 0.002). Adjusted PWV was significantly higher in the HDP‐only group compared with in controls and the HDP + SGA group (7.7 m/s vs 7.1 m/s and 7.1 m/s; both P < 0.001). Conversely, unadjusted PWV was not significantly different between the two HDP groups (P = 0.414).

Conclusions

Pregnancies complicated by HDP with, and those without, a SGA neonate have significantly higher aortic AIx compared with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancies. Aortic AIx was highest in those pregnancies complicated by HDP with a SGA neonate, reflecting a progression in severity of arterial stiffness abnormality with a worsening clinical picture. These findings most likely reflect systemic reduced vascular compliance and increased systemic vascular resistance in pregnancy complicated by
HDP. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
What Have They Done to My Song? Recycled Language in Monika Fagerholm’s The American Girl
Authors: Tidigs Julia
Published: October 2019

The chapter explores intermedial references and linguistic spatiality through an analysis of Finland-Swedish author Monika Fagerholm’s novel Den amerikanska flickan/The American Girl (2004/2009). Fagerholm’s extensive use of translated phrases borrowed from songs and poetry in English that she repeats with variation highlights the collective nature of language, as well as continuous linguistic variation. The “multilingual soundscape” that is thus created for each reader, depending on his or her recognition of the borrowed and translated phrases, is contextualized in relation to Rebecca L. Walkowitz’s concept of born-translated literature. The chapter also argues that the constantly highlighted “transatlantic” quality of Fagerholm’s language entails a dislodgment of the fixed spatial anchoring of language in nationalist language ideology.
Quantum fishchain in AdS5
Authors: Gromov Nikolay , Sever Amit
Published: October 2019

Abstract

In our previous paper we derived the holographic dual of the planar fishnet CFT in four dimensions. The dual model becomes classical in the strongly coupled regime of the CFT and takes the form of an integrable chain of particles in five dimensions. Here we study the theory at the quantum level. By applying the canonical quantization procedure with constraints, we show that the model describes a quantum chain of particles propagating in AdS5. We prove the duality at the full quantum level in the

$$ \mathfrak{u} $$

u

(1) sector and reproduce exactly the spectrum for the cases when it is known analytically.
Factorisation of quasi K-matrices for quantum symmetric pairs
Authors: Dobson Liam , Kolb Stefan
Published: October 2019

The theory of quantum symmetric pairs provides a universalK-matrix which is an analog of the universalR-matrix for quantum groups. The main ingredient in the construction of the universalK-matrix is a quasiK-matrix which has so far only been constructed recursively. In this paper we restrict to the cases where the underlying Lie algebra is$$\mathfrak {sl}_n$$slnor the Satake diagram has no black dots. In these cases we give an explicit formula for the quasiK-matrix as a product of quasiK-matrices for Satake diagrams of rank one. This factorisation depends on the restricted Weyl group of the underlying symmetric Lie algebra in the same way as the factorisation of the quasiR-matrix depends on the Weyl group of the Lie algebra. We conjecture that our formula holds in general.
Imaging of rectal cancer
Authors: Boot J. , Gomez-Munoz F. , Beets-Tan R. G. H.
Published: October 2019

International guidelines dictate that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be part of the primary standard work up of patients with rectal cancer because MRI can accurately identify the main risk factors for local recurrence and stratify patients into a differentiated treatment. The role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is restricted to staging of superficial tumors because EUS is able to differentiate between T1 and T2 rectal cancer. Recent guidelines recommend the addition of diffusion-weighted (DWI) MRI to clinical and endoscopic assessment of response to preoperative radiochemotherapy (RCT). MRI is able to identify significant tumor regression which may alter the surgical approach.
Neoadjuvant cisplatin and paclitaxel modulate tumor-infiltrating T cells in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Heeren A. Marijne , van Luijk Iske F. , Lakeman Joost , Pocorni Noëlle , Kole Jeroen , de Menezes Renée X. , Kenter Gemma G. , Bosse Tjalling , de Kroon Cornelis D. , Jordanova Ekaterina S.
Published: October 2019

Resistance to chemotherapy is widely recognized as one of the major factors limiting therapeutic efficacy and influences clinical outcomes in patients with cancer. Many studies on various tumor types have focused on combining standard-of-care chemotherapy with immunotherapy. However, for cervical cancer, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the local immune microenvironment is largely unexplored. We performed a pilot study on 13 primary cervical tumor samples, before and after NACT, to phenotype and enumerate tumor-infiltrating T-cell subpopulations using multiplex immunohistochemistry (CD3, CD8, FoxP3, Ki67, and Tbet) and automated co-expression analysis software. A significant decrease in proliferating (Ki67+) CD3+CD8− T cells and FoxP3+(CD3+CD8−) regulatory T cells was observed in the tumor stroma after cisplatin and paclitaxel treatment, with increased rates of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, including activated and CD8+Tbet+ T cells. No effect was observed on the number of tumor-infiltrating T cells in the cervical tumor microenvironment after treatment with cisplatin only. Therefore, we conclude that patients treated with cisplatin and paclitaxel had more tumor-infiltrating T-cell modulation than patients treated with cisplatin monotherapy. These findings enhance our understanding of the immune-modulating effect of chemotherapy and warrant future combination of the standard-of-care therapy with immunotherapy to improve clinical outcome in patients with cervical cancer.
Preparation and characterization of electrodeposited Ni-Ru alloys: morphological and catalytic study
Authors: Kutyła Dawid , Kołczyk-Siedlecka Karolina , Kwiecińska Anna , Skibińska Katarzyna , Kowalik Remigiusz , Żabiński Piotr
Published: October 2019

Nickel-ruthenium alloys with various compositions have been deposited by electrodeposition for the first time. Cyclic voltammetry and linear stripping voltammetry measurements show that codeposition of nickel with ruthenium is possible below the potential value of nickel reduction. High-quality alloys containing nickel and ruthenium can be plated at cathodic potentials ranging from − 0.5 to − 1.0 V vs SCE. Deposited coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The diffractograms obtained show that an increase of nickel concentration in alloy will lead to a change in the phase composition and formation of NiRu (100) and (101) phases which is observed to be 78 mas.% Ni. SEM studies confirm the surface homogeneity and presence of small, regular grains. AFM observation allows the estimation of the real surface area of obtained alloys which increase with more negative electrodeposition potentials. Ni-Ru alloys were found to be highly electroactive in the water splitting process, which can be connected with the presence of the NiRu phase and a well-developed electroactive area.
Intermittent application of external positive pressure helps to preserve organ viability during ex vivo perfusion and culture
Authors: Sano Kazunori , Homma Jun , Sekine Hidekazu , Kobayashi Eiji , Shimizu Tatsuya
Published: October 2019

The perfusion of medium through blood vessels allows the preservation of donor organs and culture of bioengineered organs. However, tissue damage due to inadequate perfusion remains a problem. We evaluated whether intermittent external pressurization would improve the perfusion and viability of organs in culture. A bioreactor system was used to perfuse and culture rat small intestine and femoral muscle preparations. Intermittent positive external pressure (10 mmHg) was applied for 20 s at intervals of 20 s. Intermittent pressurization resulted in uniform perfusion of small intestine preparations and minimal tissue damage after 20 h of perfusion, whereas non-pressurized (control) preparations exhibited significantly worse perfusion of the upper surface than the lower surface and histologic evidence of tissue damage. Longer term studies were undertaken in luciferase-expressing rat femoral muscle preparations. Compared with non-pressurized controls, intermittent pressurization led to better perfusion throughout the 14-day experimental period, improved organ viability as indicated by a higher bioluminescence intensity after perfusion with luciferin, and reduced levels of tissue necrosis with better preservation of vascular structures and skeletal muscle nuclei (histologic analyses). Therefore, intermittent application of external positive pressure improved the perfusion of small intestine and skeletal muscle preparations and enhanced tissue viability when compared with controls. We anticipate that this innovative perfusion technique could be used to improve the preservation of donor organs and culture of bioengineered organs.
Ecotropic viral integration site 1 regulates EGFR transcription in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Mizuguchi Asako , Yamashita Shinji , Yokogami Kiyotaka , Morishita Kazuhiro , Takeshima Hideo
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Ecotropic viral integration site-1 (EVI1) is a transcription factor that contributes to the unfavorable prognosis of leukemia, some epithelial cancers, and glial tumors. However, the biological function of EVI1 in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains unclear. Based on microarray experiments, EVI1 has been reported to regulate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transcription. Signal transduction via EGFR plays an essential role in glioblastoma. Therefore, we performed this study to clarify the importance ofEVI1in GBM by focusing on the regulatory mechanism between EVI1 andEGFRtranscription.

Methods

We performed immunohistochemical staining and analyzed the EVI1-expression in glioma tissue. To determine the relationship betweenEVI1andEGFR, we induced siRNA-mediated knockdown ofEVI1in GBM cell lines. To investigate the region that was essential for the EVI1 regulation ofEGFRexpression, we conducted promoter reporter assays. We performed WST-8 assay to investigate whether EVI1 affected on the proliferation of GBM cells or not.

Results

It was observed that 22% of GBM tissues had over 33% of tumor cells expressing EVI1, whereas no lower-grade glioma tissue had over 33% by immunohistochemistry. In A172 and YKG1 cells, the expression levels of EGFR and EVI1 correlated. Analysis of theEGFRpromoter region revealed that the EGFR promoter (from − 377 to − 266 bp) was essential for the EVI regulation ofEGFRexpression. We showed that EVI1 influenced the proliferation of A172 and YKG1 cells.

Conclusion

This is the first study reporting the regulation ofEGFRtranscription by EVI1 in GBM cells.
Health-related quality of life among Syrian refugees resettled in Sweden
Authors: Gottvall Maria , Sjölund Sara , Arwidson Charlotta , Saboonchi Fredrik
Published: October 2019

Purpose

The main purpose of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Syrian refugees resettled in Sweden. Further, we wanted to investigate whether sex, age, education, area of residence, cohabitation and social support were associated with HRQoL in this population.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study including 1215 Syrian refugees from a randomly selected sample frame resettled in Sweden between the years 2011 and 2013. HRQoL was measured by the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system, and EQ-5D-5L index values were calculated. Associations between sex, age, education, area of residence, cohabitation, social support and EQ-5D-5L were investigated using multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

Depression/anxiety was the most commonly (61.9%) reported EQ-5D-5L problem among the group of Syrian refugees. The mean EQ-5D-5L index value was found to be 0.754. Male sex, younger age, cohabitation and social support were found associated with a higher EQ-5D-5L index score.

Conclusions

Our results concerning long-lasting health problems among the study population indicate that there is a profound need for policies and interventions promoting refugees’ health. Our results also show that social support, a modifiable factor, is relevant to refugees’ overall health, pointing to the importance of public health interventions and policies targeting the facilitation, mobilization and enhancing of refugees’ social support.
Post Materialism and Comparative Economic Development: Do Institutions Act as Transmission Channel?
Authors: Jordaan Jacob A. , Dima Bogdan
Published: October 2019

Although a growing number of countries are experiencing structural societal changes characterised by an increased prominence of post materialistic societal goals and personal values, there is limited empirical evidence on the economic effects of post materialism. In this paper, we address this gap in the literature by estimating the effect of post materialism on the level of economic development for a heterogeneous set of countries. Furthermore, in line with the notion that institutions may act as transmission channel of economic effects of social values, we estimate whether institutions transmit indirect effects from post materialism. Our findings show that post materialism and institutions both generate sizeable effects on economic development. Institutions create consistent positive effects. The effect of post materialism consists of a negative direct effect and a larger positive indirect effect transmitted via institutions related to personal freedom, a solid regulatory framework and low corruption. These findings reflect the importance of accounting for the effects of social values such as post materialism and institutions as well as their interrelationship to identify more fully their impact on economic development.
Cardiac Protection after Systemic Transplant of Dystrophin Expressing Chimeric (DEC) Cells to the mdx Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Siemionow Maria , Malik M. , Langa P. , Cwykiel J. , Brodowska S. , Heydemann A.
Published: October 2019

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive lethal disease caused by X-linked mutations of the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin deficiency clinically manifests as skeletal and cardiac muscle weakness, leading to muscle wasting and premature death due to cardiac and respiratory failure. Currently, no cure exists. Since heart disease is becoming a leading cause of death in DMD patients, there is an urgent need to develop new more effective therapeutic strategies for protection and improvement of cardiac function. We previously reported functional improvements correlating with dystrophin restoration following transplantation of Dystrophin Expressing Chimeric Cells (DEC) of myoblast origin in themdxandmdx/scidmouse models. Here, we confirm positive effect of DEC of myoblast (MBwt/MBmdx) and mesenchymal stem cells (MBwt/MSCmdx) origin on protection of cardiac function after systemic DEC transplant. Therapeutic effect of DEC transplant (0.5 × 106) was assessed by echocardiography at 30 and 90 days after systemic-intraosseous injection to themdxmice. At 90 days post-transplant, dystrophin expression in cardiac muscles of DEC injected mice significantly increased (15.73% ± 5.70 –MBwt/MBmdxand 5.22% ± 1.10 – MBwt/MSCmdxDEC) when compared to vehicle injected controls (2.01% ± 1.36) and, correlated with improved ejection fraction and fractional shortening on echocardiography. DEC lines of MB and MSC origin introduce a new promising approach based on the combined effects of normal myoblasts with dystrophin delivery capacities and MSC with immunomodulatory properties. Our study confirms feasibility and efficacy of DEC therapy on cardiac function and represents a novel therapeutic strategy for cardiac protection and muscle regeneration in DMD.
Adjuvant breast cancer: (neo)adjuvant therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Suppan Christoph , Balic Marija
Published: October 2019

Early stage HER2-positive cancer outcomes have been substantially improved over the last two decades, but there is still some potential for improvement. Several studies on the preoperative/postoperative treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2019 annual meeting.
Assessment of the Addition of Fluorapatite–Alumina Coating for a Durable Adhesion of the Interface Prosthesis/Bone Cells: Implementation In Vivo
Authors: Ghorbel Halima , Guidara Awatef , Guidara Racem , Trigui Moez , Bouaziz Jamel , Keskes Hassib , Coddet Christian
Published: October 2019

Purpose

Fluorapatite (Fap), an alumina (Al2O3) known for its excellent bio-inertia, can significantly increase the biocompatibility and bioactivity of biomaterials. This study is an investigation of the interface bone/Al2O3–Fap composite coatings implanted in the tibia of the rabbit.

Methods

Two techniques T1 and T2 were implemented on four rabbits, R1–R4 to assess the effect of the alumina (Al2O3)–Fap [Ca10(PO4)6F2] composite, coating for 316L stainless steel, on bone contact. The fluorapatite powder was synthesized using a wet-chemical method. The biocompatibility and the bioactivity of the Al2O3–Fap composite were evaluated by in vitro/in vivo tests. The characteristics of the bone/implant interface were investigated with scanning electron microscopy, radiology and 3D scanner.

Results

The results showed that T2 was more effective than T1, with a good contact between the implant/bone on the radiographs performed after 28 days. Implants coated with alumina did not show any integration signs with bone tissue. The addition of Fap to alumina coating would increase the adhesion of prosthesis on bone cells and guarantee a stable implantation.

Conclusion

Al2O3–Fap coating showed excellent behavior in vitro and in vivo tests revealing that the Fap is effective in improving biocompatibility and bioactivity.
Re-Positioning Customer Loyalty in a Fast Moving Consumer Goods Market
Authors: Sundström Malin , Hjelm-Lidholm Sara
Published: October 2019

In the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) market much of the customer loyalty operations are carried out with a short-term perspective, which often result in weak customer loyalty. Besides this, the one-sided view of customer loyalty and how to work with customer relationships, further adds to the challenges and there is a need to promote new insights and practices into customer loyalty in FMCG markets. In an attempt to broaden the view of customer loyalty, the authors take an organizational human resource perspective and present a conceptual framework and model built on human resource literature. Many companies face the exact challenge with high employee turnover, as it is associated with costs of recruiting and training, suggesting that customer loyalty becomes a question of organizing the customer as an external human resource. A practical contribution with the conceptual model is the suggestion to learn from the experiences of successful employee recruitment, and employee motivation, when viewing and working with customer loyalty.
Outcomes of high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia patients treated with arsenic trioxide (ATO)/all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) based induction and consolidation without maintenance phase
Authors: Shah Gaurav , Mikhail Fady M. , Bachiasvili Kimo , Vachhani Pankit , Erba Harry P. , Papadantonakis Nikolaos
Published: October 2019

Patients with high-risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) have inferior outcomes compared with patients with low-risk APL, predominantly due to higher risk of early mortality related to hemorrhage. The majority of regimens contain prolonged maintenance, but the impact of this phase is not clear in the era of all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO). We present a retrospective analysis of 10 patients that were treated for high risk APL based on the consolidation treatment phase of APL 0406 study without subsequent maintenance. With a median follow up of 38 months, all patients remain in remission.
Ten-year survival outcomes for patients with early stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Myint Zin W. , Shrestha Runa , Siddiqui Salahuddin , Slone Stacey , Huang Bin , Ramlal Reshma , Monohan Gregory P. , Hildebrandt Gerhard C. , Saeed Hayder
Published: October 2019

Objective/Background:

Early stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) has an excellent outcome. Recent studies focus on decreasing toxicity related to the addition of radiation along with chemotherapy. Real-life reporting of the addition of radiation to chemotherapy is lacking. This study investigates the outcomes obtained from a statewide cancer registry for early stage cHL patients treated with chemotherapy alone (CT) versus patients treated with the combined modality of chemotherapy and radiation (CMT).

Methods:

A retrospective study of cHL patients diagnosed and treated was identified using a statewide cancer registry from 2005 to 2014. Patients with early stage disease (I, II) were then grouped on the basis of the presence of B symptoms into favorable and unfavorable groups. Baseline characteristics (age, gender, extranodal involvement, and histology) as well as overall survival were compared for both groups depending on whether they received CT or CMT as first line therapy for their cHL.

Results:

A total of 961 patients were identified; of those, 127 were excluded as they received only radiation or another form of treatment. Of the remaining patients, 293 were categorized as early stage favorable cHL (Group 1) and 130 adults were in the unfavorable cHL (Group 2). There were 335 patients with advanced stage cHL (Group 3) and 76 patients in an unknown stage. The 10-year overall survival for Group 1 was 81.3% versus 76.3% for Group 2 and 52.7% for Group 3. For Group 1, 10-year overall survival was 86.7% with CMT versus 75.1% for those receiving CT only (p = .004). For Group 2, there was no difference in 10-year overall survival between the CMT group (80.0%) and CT (72.5%) (p = .73).

Conclusion:

While radiation therapy might increase long-term toxicity in cHL, in our large data cohort, radiotherapy consolidation as part of the initial therapy for early stage disease provides superior survival at 10 years, especially in favorable risk cHL.
Energy budget in internal wave attractor experiments
Authors: Davis Géraldine , Dauxois Thierry , Jamin Timothée , Joubaud Sylvain
Published: October 2019

The current paper presents an experimental study of the energy budget of a two-dimensional internal wave attractor in a trapezoidal domain filled with uniformly stratified fluid. The injected energy flux and the dissipation rate are simultaneously measured from a two-dimensional, two-component, experimental velocity field. The pressure perturbation field needed to quantify the injected energy is determined from the linear inviscid theory. The dissipation rate in the bulk of the domain is directly computed from the measurements, while the energy sink occurring in the boundary layers is estimated using the theoretical expression for the velocity field in the boundary layers, derived recently by Beckebanze et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 841, 2018, pp. 614–635). In the linear regime, we show that the energy budget is closed, in the steady state and also in the transient regime, by taking into account the bulk dissipation and, more importantly, the dissipation in the boundary layers, without any adjustable parameters. The dependence of the different sources on the thickness of the experimental set-up is also discussed. In the nonlinear regime, the analysis is extended by estimating the dissipation due to the secondary waves generated by triadic resonant instabilities, showing the importance of the energy transfer from large scales to small scales. The method tested here on internal wave attractors can be generalized straightforwardly to any quasi-two-dimensional stratified flow.
Interrogating the Prevention Approach of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 for People with Mental Health Needs Who Are Homeless
Authors: Rogers Michaela , Ahmed Anya , Madoc-Jones Iolo , Gibbons Andrea , Jones Katy , Wilding Mark
Published: October 2019

Rates of homelessness and poor mental health present significant challenges across the globe. In this article, we explore how these intersecting issues have been addressed in Wales through Part 2 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 through a paradigm shift towards a prevention model. This article reports findings from a study (conducted between 2016 and 2018) which evaluated the processes and impacts of the Act against the backdrop of welfare reform and systemic changes taking place in Wales and the UK. Using new evidence, we offer a critical examination of how homelessness prevention policy operates in practice and how social values and power affect policy implementation. We offer new evidence of the translation of policy into practice through the experiences of two stakeholder groups: people with mental health needs and service providers. In doing so, we offer a critique of how policy and practice could be modified to improve outcomes for homeless people with implications for prevention policy in Wales and in other contexts and different welfare regimes.