bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PCSK9: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Sepsis
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Wu Wei , Sun Shanshan , Zhang Yi , Chen Zhi
Published: October 2020

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction syndrome caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is often upregulated in the presence of sepsis and infectious diseases. In sepsis, PCSK9 degraded the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) receptors (LDL-R) of the hepatocytes and the very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol receptors (VLDL-R) of the adipocytes, which then subsequently reduced pathogenic lipid uptake and clearance/sequestration. Moreover, it might improve cholesterol accumulation and augment toll-like receptor function in macrophages, which supported inflammatory responses. Accordingly, PCSK9 might show detrimental effects on immune host response and survival in sepsis. However, the exact roles of PCSK9 in the pathogenesis of sepsis are still not well defined. In this review, we summarized the literatures focusing on the roles of PCSK9 in sepsis. Our review provided an additional insight in the role of PCSK9 in sepsis, which might serve as a potential target for the treatment of sepsis.
Chemical Constituents, Antioxidant Activities, and Element Concentrations of Rusa Deer Velvet Antler Extracts
Authors: Limmatvapirat Chutima , Rodhetbhai Potcharet , Somsakraksanti Krittaphas , Danpongprasert Pitcha , Poonsub Soranun , Krongrawa Wantanwa , Limmatvapirat Sontaya , Meepan Maneerat
Published: October 2020

The objective of this study was to analyze hexane extract (HE), 75%

v
/
v

ethanol extract (EE), and water extract (WE) of rusa deer velvet antlers, obtained through a three-solvent sequential extraction, for determining their chemical constituents, antioxidant activities, element concentrations, and microbial contamination. In TLC, FTIR, 1H NMR, and HPLC analysis, HE and EE showed the presence of oleic acid, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, and testosterone. EE showed the highest concentration of testosterone and the strongest antioxidant activity in DPPH and FRAP assays. In addition, the concentration of testosterone in EE was higher than in sika deer and red deer velvet antler extracts found in other studies. All extracts were composed of essential elements and had levels of toxic elements and microbial contaminants lower than the acceptable criteria set by ASEAN guidelines. Thus, EE was considered to be a safe and useful source of antioxidants and testosterone.
The Antiaggregative and Antiamyloidogenic Properties of Nanoparticles: A Promising Tool for the Treatment and Diagnostics of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Pichla Monika , Bartosz Grzegorz , Sadowska-Bartosz Izabela
Published: October 2020

Due to the progressive aging of the society, the prevalence and socioeconomic burden of neurodegenerative diseases are predicted to rise. The most common neurodegenerative disorders nowadays, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, can be classified as proteinopathies. They can be either synucleinopathies, amyloidopathies, tauopathies, or TDP-43-related proteinopathies; thus, nanoparticles with a potential ability to inhibit pathological protein aggregation and/or degrade already existing aggregates can be a promising approach in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. As it turns out, nanoparticles can be a double-edged sword; they can either promote or inhibit protein aggregation, depending on coating, shape, size, surface charge, and concentration. In this review, we aim to emphasize the need of a breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and draw attention to nanomaterials, as they can also serve as a diagnostic tool for protein aggregates or can be used in a high-throughput screening for novel antiaggregative compounds.
Association between Body Mass Index and Short‐Term Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis: A Real‐World Study
Authors: Lin Shan , Ge Shanhui , He Wanmei , Zeng Mian
Published: October 2020

Background. Obesity is now recognized as one of the major public health threats, especially for patients with a critical illness. However, studies regarding whether and how body mass index (BMI) affects clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis are still scarce and controversial. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of BMI on critically ill patients with sepsis. Materials and Methods. We performed this study using data from the Medical Information Center for Intensive Care III database. A multivariate Cox regression model was used to assess the independent association of BMI with the primary outcome. Results. A total of 7,967 patients were enrolled in this study. Firstly, we found that the 28‐day mortality was reduced by 22% (HR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.69–0.88) and 13% (HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.78–0.98) for obese and overweight compared to normal weight, respectively. Subsequently, a U‐shaped association of BMI with 28‐day mortality was observed in sepsis patients, with the lowest 28‐day mortality at the BMI range of 30–40 kg/m2. Finally, significant interactions were observed only for sex (P = 0.0071). Male patients with a BMI of 25‐30 kg/m2 (HR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.63–0.86) and 30‐40 kg/m2 (HR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.53–0.76) had a significantly lower risk of 28‐day mortality. Conclusions. A U‐shaped association of BMI with 28‐day mortality in critically ill sepsis patients was found, with the lowest 28‐day mortality at a BMI range of 30–40 kg/m2. Notably, male patients were protected by a higher BMI more effectively than female patients as males had a significantly lower mortality risk.
Schizotypy but not Cannabis Use Modestly Predicts Psychotogenic Experiences: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE)
Authors: Airey Nicola D. , Hammersley Richard , Reid Marie
Published: October 2020

Objective. Cannabis use predicts psychosis in longitudinal studies, but it is difficult to infer causation. Some precursor variables predict both, including childhood trauma and adversity. Additionally, some of the desired effects of cannabis use resemble the symptoms of psychosis. It would be preferable to assess psychotomimetic or “unusual” experiences that include psychotic symptoms but without assuming pathology. Finally, it is possible that similar people are prone to psychosis and drawn to cannabis use, perhaps, because they are sensitive or attracted to unusual experiences. Schizotypy provides a trait measure of proneness to unusual experiences. The study aimed to examine cross-sectionally relationships between cannabis use, schizotypy, and unusual experiences whilst controlling for current trauma symptoms. Method. A volunteer online sample (n = 129, 64% women, predominantly students) who had used cannabis at least once was recruited. People who reported active effects of past trauma were excluded with a brief primary care posttraumatic stress disorder screen. Participants completed the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experience, the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire, and measures of substance use and sociodemographics. Results. The majority of respondents recounted unusual experiences after cannabis use, and many of these might have been considered symptoms of psychosis if they had received medical attention. In regression analysis, the only predictor of the unusual experiences scale of O-LIFE was schizotypy (measured by the remaining subscales; 4% of variance). There were no correlations between cannabis use frequency and schizotypy or unusual experiences. Conclusions. These findings suggest that, after controlling for schizotypy and excluding people who are actively experiencing the effects of past trauma, frequency of cannabis use does not predict unusual experiences. However, individuals with schizotypal personality traits may have more unusual experiences when using cannabis.
Pore Water Pressure Responses in Sand Stratum during Shield Tunnelling: A Case Study
Authors: Liang Yu , Xiao Yufei , Lin Yuexiang
Published: October 2020

When shield tunnelling is in a water‐rich sand stratum with poor bearing capacity, instability is easily generated, and even ground collapses may occur. The variation of pore water pressure in a water‐rich sand stratum during shield tunnelling was analyzed based on a large‐scale cross‐river shield tunnel in China, which was also investigated by a three‐dimensional fluid‐solid coupling finite element model. The results show that the influence range of the pore water pressure in front of the excavation face is approximately 2.0 times the excavation diameter and 1.5 times on both sides of the shield. The tunnelling steps would cause obvious variation in the pore water pressure and lead to great disturbance to the surrounding fine sand stratum. The quality of filter cake and the set of support pressure imposes an important impact on the nonlinear variation in the pore pressure, which could cause great disturbance to the stratum. To ensure the safety of the subsequent tunnelling in the fine sand layer, effective treatment should be taken.
Shaoyao‐Gancao Decoction Relieves Visceral Hyperalgesia in TNBS‐Induced Postinflammatory Irritable Bowel Syndrome via Inactivating Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1 and Reducing Serotonin Synthesis
Authors: Shao Yun-Yun , Guo Yi-Ting , Gao Jian-ping , Liu Jun-Jin , Chang Zhuang-Peng , Feng Xiao-Juan , Xu Ding , Deng Gui-Feng , Hou Rui-Gang
Published: October 2020

Postinflammatory irritable bowel syndrome (PI‐IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, which is characterized by abdominal pain, low‐grade inflammation, and visceral hypersensitivity. Shaoyao‐Gancao decoction (SGD) has been used to improve the clinical symptoms of abdominal spasmodic pain accompanying acute gastroenteritis, but the underlying therapeutic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, a rat model of PI‐IBS was established via rectal administration of TNBS. Rats were scored daily for 28 days using disease activity index (DAI). Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) was used to measure the pain threshold. After SGD (6.25, 12.5, and 25 g/kg/d) treatment for 14 days, rat colonic tissue was collected for histopathological grading, enterochromaffin (EC) cell count, and 5‐HT content measurement. RT‐qPCR and western blot analyses were employed to detect the gene and protein level of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT), and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). To further validate the effect of SGD on TRPV1, another experiment was performed in cells. The results revealed that visceral hyperalgesia, reflected by increased DAI, AWR, pathological injury score, 5‐HT content, and EC cell count in PI‐IBS rats, was significantly ameliorated by SGD. In cells, SGD markedly inhibited the expression and function of TRPV1. Moreover, the expression levels of TPH were also repressed by SGD. The findings of the present study indicated that the therapeutic effect of SGD on visceral hyperalgesia may be closely associated with the regulatory role of TRPV1 and 5‐HT signaling pathways.
In Vitro Anticancer Potential of Berberis lycium Royle Extracts against Human Hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) Cells
Authors: Mustafa Kiren , Mohamed Hassan , Shah Aabid Manzoor , Yu Shaoxuan , Akhlaq Muhammad , Xiao Haifang , Li Shaoqi , Naz Tahira , Nosheen Shaista , Bai Xueyuan , Song Yuanda
Published: October 2020

Human liver cancer has emerged as a serious health concern in the world, associated with poorly available therapies. The Berberis genus contains vital medicinal plants with miraculous healing properties and a wide range of bioactivities. In this study, different crude extracts of B. lycium Royle were prepared and screened against Human Hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The water/ethanolic extract of B. lycium Royle (BLE) exhibited significant antiproliferative activity against the HepG2 cancer cell line with an IC50 value of 47 μg/mL. The extract decreased the clonogenic potential of HepG2 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. It induced apoptotic cell death in HepG2 cells that were confirmed by cytometric analysis and microscopic examination of cellular morphology through DAPI‐stained cells. Biochemical evidence of apoptosis came from elevating the intracellular ROS level that was accompanied by the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The mechanism of apoptosis was further confirmed by gene expression analysis using RT‐qPCR that revealed the decline in Bcl‐2 independent of p53 mRNA and a rise in CDK1 while downregulating CDK5, CDK9, and CDK10 mRNA levels at 48 h of BLE treatment. The most active fraction was subjected to HPLC which indicated the presence of berberine (48 μg/mL) and benzoic acid (15.8 μg/mL) as major compounds in BLE and a trace amount of luteolin, rutin, and gallic acid. Our study highlighted the importance of the most active BLE extract as an excellent source of nutraceuticals against Human Hepatocarcinoma that can serve as an herbal natural cure against liver cancer.
Association between Neuron-Specific Enolase Gene Polymorphism and Delayed Encephalopathy after Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Authors: Xu Linlin , Liu Xuejiao , Zhao Jing , Zeng Jiao , Gu Jiapeng , Zhang Xiaoli , Zhang Fan , Han Yongkai , Li Wenqiang , Zhang Ping , Gu Renjun
Published: October 2020

Objective. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between neuron-specific enolase (NSE) gene polymorphism and delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP) and provide a theoretical basis for DEACMP pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prognosis. Methods. To investigate this relationship, we screened 6 NSE single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), based on the results of the previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A total of 1,201 patients, including 416 in the DEACMP group and 785 in the acute carbon monoxide poisoning (ACMP) group, were detected by the Sequenom MassARRAY® method. The genotype frequencies and alleles of the 6 NSE SNPs (rs2071074, rs2071417, rs2071419, rs11064464, rs11064465, and rs3213434) were compared using different genetic models. Results. In the SNPs rs2071419 and rs3213434, we found that the genotypes and allele frequencies in the two groups significantly correlated with the grouping of patients (

χ

2

=
6.596

,

p
=
0.037

;

χ

2

=
8.769

,

p
=
0.012

). The haplotypes GGTTTC and CCTTTC of ACMP and DEACMP were different (

χ

2

=
6.563

,

p
=
0.010

;

χ

2

=
4.151

,

p
=
0.042

). We also observed that rs2071419 and rs3213434 significantly correlated with DEACMP-increased risk in the dominant, codominant, and overdominant genetic models. In addition, we speculated that the C allele of the rs2071419 polymorphism and the T allele of the rs3213434 polymorphism in NSE may increase the DEACMP risk (

p
=
0.011

,

p
=
0.006

). Conclusions. The results show that rs2071419 and rs3213434 are susceptible sites of DEACMP. The NSE C allele of rs2071419 and T allele of rs3213434 and the haplotypes GGTTTC and CCTTTC may be risk factors for DEACMP.
Effect of Eating Glutinous Brown Rice Twice a Day for 6 Weeks on Serum 1,5-Anhydroglucitol in Japanese Subjects without Diabetes
Authors: Nakayama Taiga , Nagai Yoshio , Yasunaka Yuka , Uraguchi Takeo , Wada Yukihisa , Sone Masakatsu , Tanaka Yasushi
Published: October 2020

We have previously demonstrated that eating glutinous brown rice (GBR) for 1 day or 8 weeks was well accepted and improved glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. The present study evaluated whether eating GBR could also improve glucose metabolism in subjects without diabetes. A prospective 6-week, single-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-group study was carried out in subjects receiving annual medical checkup at our hospital. A total of 42 subjects were randomly assigned to continue their regular diet (RD group) or to switch GBR twice a day (GBR group). The primary outcome was the change in the serum concentration of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) from baseline after the 6-week dietary intervention. One subject was excluded from the analysis because of a traffic accident. After 6 weeks, the serum 1,5-AG was significantly increased in the GBR group and the mean treatment difference (GBR group − RD group) was 1.1 µg/mL (95% CI: 0.6 to 1.6,

p
=
0.022

). Body mass index decreased significantly in both groups, with no significant difference between them (

p
=
0.210

). There were no changes in fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, or eating behavior. Intake of GBR for 6 weeks significantly increased serum 1,5-AG in Japanese subjects without diabetes. The increase of 1,5-AG may have been due to the alleviation of postprandial hyperglycemia, which could be effective for the primary prevention of diabetes.
Study on Statistical Damage Theory Model of Tailings in a Metal Ore under the Action of Moisture Absorption and Dehumidification Circulation
Authors: Cao Bing , Wei Hua , Dou Mei-Qi , Hu Lin , Guo Yao-hui
Published: October 2020

In order to explore the variation law of mechanical properties of tailing sand of a metal ore in Hunan Province under the action of moisture absorption and dehumidification circulation, based on the indoor triaxial test results of tailing sand, this paper introduces the statistical damage theory, combined with the physical and mechanical properties of tailing sand, and studies the elastic-plastic mechanical properties of tailing sand on the basis of the Lemaitre strain equivalent theory. Giving full consideration of the change of tailing sand’s pore and volume in the deformation process, an improved statistical damage constitutive model is proposed; it can reflect that the residual strength of tailings after the peak value still has bearing capacity under the action of dry wet circulation. Compared with the results of indoor triaxial consolidation undrained test, this constitutive model is more reliable.
Successful Treatment of a Multi-Drug-Resistant Severely Pruritic Hypersensitivity Dermatitis in a Cat
Authors: Rzeszutek Urszula
Published: October 2020

A 3-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat was presented with a severely pruritic dermatitis. After exclusion of flea allergy dermatitis, ectoparasite infestation, retroviral infection, neoplasia, and cutaneous adverse food reaction, a diagnosis of nonflea, nonfood hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFNFHD) was made. The resolution of complicating bacterial infection and yeast overgrowth did not improve the animal’s condition. Numerous antipruritic treatment modalities used during the investigation proved unsuccessful, including anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive prednisolone doses, oclacitinib, antihistamines, ciclosporin A, and supplementation with essential fatty acids. Allergen-specific serology test results were negative. Treatment with oral dexamethasone allowed a complete resolution of clinical signs. The cat has been successfully maintained in remission for over 12 months. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first case report of a cat with multi-drug-resistant NFNFHD treated successfully with dexamethasone.
Solving the Fragment Complexity of Official, Social, and Sensorial Urban Data
Authors: Liu Hui , Jiang Jingqing , Hou Yaowei , Song Jie
Published: October 2020

Cities in the big data era hold the massive urban data to create valuable information and digitally enhanced services. Sources of urban data are generally categorized as one of the three types: official, social, and sensorial, which are from the government and enterprises, social networks of citizens, and the sensor network. These types typically differ significantly from each other but are consolidated together for the smart urban services. Based on the sophisticated consolidation approaches, we argue that a new challenge, fragment complexity that represents a well-integrated data has appropriate but fragmentary schema and difficult to be queried, is ignored in the state-of-art urban data management. Comparing with predefined and rigid schema, fragmentary schema means a dataset contains millions of attributes but nonorthogonally distributed among tables, and of course, values of these attributes are even massive. As far as a query is concerned, locating where these attributes are being stored is the first encountered problem, while traditional value-based query optimization has no contributions. To address this problem, we propose an index on massive attributes as an attributes-oriented optimization, namely, attribute index. Attribute index is a secondary index for locating files in which the target attributes are stored. It contains three parts: ATree for searching keys, DTree for locating keys among files, and ADLinks as a mapping table between ATree and DTree. In this paper, the index architecture, logical structure and algorithms, the implementation details, the creation process, the integration to the existing key-value store, and the urban application scenario are described. Experiments show that, in comparison with B + -Tree, LSM-Tree, and AVL-Tree, the query time of ATree is 1.1x, 1.5x, and 1.2x faster, respectively. Finally, we integrate our proposition with HBase, namely, UrbanBase, whose query performance is 1.3x faster than the original HBase.
Automatic Approach for Fast Processing and Data Analysis of Seismic Ahead-Prospecting Method: A Case Study in Yunnan, China
Authors: Zhou Wei , Nie Lichao , Sun Fahe , Xu Xinji , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2020

The seismic ahead-prospecting method is useful to detect anomalous zones in front of the tunnel face. However, most existing seismic detection method is designed for drilling and blasting tunnel. The detection method should be improved to satisfy the rapid tunneling of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs). This study focuses on reducing the time spent on seismic data processing and result analysis. Therefore, to reduce the data processing time, an automatic initial model establishment method based on surrounding rock grade is proposed. To reduce the time spent on result analysis and avoid subjective judgment, a modified k-means++ method is adopted to interpret the detecting results and extracting anomalous zones. The efficacy of the developed method is demonstrated by field tests. The fractured zones such as cavity collapse and fissure are successfully predicted and identified.
The Potential of Circular RNAs as Cancer Biomarkers
Authors: Brown Jason R. , Chinnaiyan Arul M.
Published: October 2020

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a covalently closed RNA structure that has several proposed functions related to cancer development. Recently, cancer-specific and tissue-specific circRNAs have been identified by high-throughput sequencing and are curated in publicly available databases. CircRNAs have features that are ideal properties of biomarkers, including conservation, abundance, and stability in plasma, saliva, and urine. Many circRNAs with predictive and prognostic significance in cancer have been described, and functional mechanisms for some circRNAs have been suggested. CircRNA also has great potential as a noninvasive biomarker for early cancer detection, although further investigation is necessary before clinical application is feasible.

See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, “NCI Early Detection Research Network: Making Cancer Detection Possible.”
Naive CD8
+
T Cells Expressing CD95 Increase Human Cardiovascular Disease Severity
Authors: Padgett Lindsey E. , Dinh Huy Q. , Wu Runpei , Gaddis Dalia E. , Araujo Daniel J. , Winkels Holger , Nguyen Anh , Taylor Angela M. , McNamara Coleen A. , Hedrick Catherine C.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a significant global health concern with a high degree of mortality. While CD4
+
T cells have been extensively studied in CVD, the importance of CD8
+
T cells in this disease, despite their abundance and increased activation in human atherosclerotic plaques, remains largely unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare peripheral T-cell signatures between humans with a high (severe) risk of CVD (including myocardial infarction or stroke) and those with a low risk of CVD.

Approach and Results:

Using mass cytometry, we uncovered a naive CD8
+
T (T
N
) cell population expressing CD95 (termed CD95
+
CD8
+
stem cell memory T [CD8 T
SCM
] cells) that was enriched in patients with high compared with low CVD. This T-cell subset enrichment within individuals with high CVD was a relative increase and resulted from the loss of CD95
lo
cells within the T
N
compartment. We found that CD8 T
SCM
cells positively correlated with CVD risk in humans, while CD8
+
T
N
cells were inversely correlated. Atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE
−/−
) mice also displayed respective 7- and 2-fold increases in CD8
+
T
SCM
frequencies within the peripheral blood and aorta-draining paraaortic lymph nodes compared with C57BL/6J mice. CD8
+
T
SCM
cells were 1.7-fold increased in aortas from western diet fed ApoE
−/−
mice compared with normal laboratory diet-fed ApoE
−/−
mice. Importantly, transfer of T
SCM
cells into immune-deficient
Rag.Ldlr
recipient mice that lacked T cells increased atherosclerosis, illustrating the importance of these cells in atherogenesis.

Conclusions:

CD8
+
T
SCM
cells are increased in humans with high CVD. As these T
SCM
cells promote atherosclerosis, targeting them may attenuate atherosclerotic plaque progression.
Fibroblast Nox2 (NADPH Oxidase-2) Regulates ANG II (Angiotensin II)–Induced Vascular Remodeling and Hypertension via Paracrine Signaling to Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Harrison Craig B. , Trevelin Silvia Cellone , Richards Daniel A. , Santos Celio X.C. , Sawyer Greta , Markovinovic Andrea , Zhang Xiaohong , Zhang Min , Brewer Alison C. , Yin Xiaoke , Mayr Manuel , Shah Ajay M.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

The superoxide-generating Nox2 (NADPH oxidase-2) is expressed in multiple cell types. Previous studies demonstrated distinct roles for cardiomyocyte, endothelial cell, and leukocyte cell Nox2 in ANG II (angiotensin II)–induced cardiovascular remodeling. However, the in vivo role of fibroblast Nox2 remains unclear.

Approach and Results:

We developed a novel mouse model with inducible fibroblast-specific deficiency of Nox2 (fibroblast-specific Nox2 knockout or Fibro-Nox2KO mice) and investigated the responses to chronic ANG II stimulation. Fibro-Nox2KO mice showed no differences in basal blood pressure or vessel wall morphology, but the hypertensive response to ANG II infusion (1.1 mg/[kg·day] for 14 days) was substantially reduced as compared to control Nox2-Flox littermates. This was accompanied by a significant attenuation of aortic and resistance vessel remodeling. The conditioned medium of ANG II–stimulated primary fibroblasts induced a significant increase in vascular smooth muscle cell growth, which was inhibited by the short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of fibroblast Nox2. Mass spectrometric analysis of the secretome of ANG II–treated primary fibroblasts identified GDF6 (growth differentiation factor 6) as a potential growth factor that may be involved in these effects. Recombinant GDF6 induced a concentration-dependent increase in vascular smooth muscle cell growth while chronic ANG II infusion in vivo significantly increased aortic GDF6 protein levels in control mice but not Fibro-Nox2KO animals. Finally, silencing GDF6 in fibroblasts prevented the induction of vascular smooth muscle cell growth by fibroblast-conditioned media in vitro.

Conclusions:

These results indicate that fibroblast Nox2 plays a crucial role in the development of ANG II–induced vascular remodeling and hypertension in vivo. Mechanistically, fibroblast Nox2 may regulate paracrine signaling to medial vascular smooth muscle cells via factors, such as GDF6.
Trends in Short‐ and Long‐Term ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Prognosis Over 3 Decades: A Mediterranean Population‐Based ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Registry
Authors: García‐García Cosme , Oliveras Teresa , Serra Jordi , Vila Joan , Rueda Ferran , Cediel German , Labata Carlos , Ferrer Marc , Carrillo Xavier , Dégano Irene R. , De Diego Oriol , El Ouaddi Nabil , Montero Santiago , Mauri Josepa , Elosua Roberto , Lupón Josep , Bayes‐Genis Antoni , Martínez‐Membrive Maria José , Zamora Elisabeth , Caballero Angel , Llibre Cinta , Rodríguez‐Leor Oriol , Fernandez‐Nofrerias Eduard , Abdul‐Jawad Omar , Vilalta Victoria
Published: October 2020

Background

Coronary artery disease remains a major cause of death despite better outcomes of ST‐segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aimed to analyze data from the Ruti‐STEMI registry of in‐hospital, 28‐day, and 1‐year events in patients with STEMI over the past 3 decades in Catalonia, Spain, to assess trends in STEMI prognosis.

Methods and Results

Between February 1989 and December 2017, a total of 7589 patients with STEMI were admitted consecutively. Patients were grouped into 5 periods: 1989 to 1994 (period 1), 1995 to 1999 (period 2), 2000 to 2004 (period 3), 2005 to 2009 (period 4), and 2010 to 2017 (period 5). We used Cox regression to compare 28‐day and 1‐year STEMI mortality and in‐hospital complication trends across these periods. Mean patient age was 61.6±12.6 years, and 79.3% were men. The 28‐day all‐cause mortality declined from period 1 to period 5 (10.4% versus 6.0%;
P
<0.001), with a 40% reduction after multivariable adjustment (hazard ratio [HR], 0.6; 95% CI, 0.46–0.80;
P
<0.001). One‐year all‐cause mortality declined from period 1 to period 5 (11.7% versus 9.0%;
P
=0.001), with a 24% reduction after multivariable adjustment (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60–0.98;
P
=0.036). A significant temporal reduction was observed for in‐hospital complications including postinfarct angina (−78%), ventricular tachycardia (−57%), right ventricular dysfunction (−48%), atrioventricular block (−45%), pericarditis (−63%), and free wall rupture (−53%). Primary ventricular fibrillation showed no significant downslope trend.

Conclusions

In‐hospital STEMI complications and 28‐day and 1‐year mortality rates have dropped markedly in the past 30 years. Reducing ischemia‐driven primary ventricular fibrillation remains a major challenge.
Current Promises and Limitations of Combined Virtual Reality and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research in Humans: A Commentary on Huffman and Ekstrom ()
Authors: Steel Adam , Robertson Caroline E. , Taube Jeffrey S.
Published: October 2020

Real-world navigation requires movement of the body through space, producing a continuous stream of visual and self-motion signals, including proprioceptive, vestibular, and motor efference cues. These multimodal cues are integrated to form a spatial cognitive map, an abstract, amodal representation of the environment. How the brain combines these disparate inputs and the relative importance of these inputs to cognitive map formation and recall are key unresolved questions in cognitive neuroscience. Recent advances in virtual reality technology allow participants to experience body-based cues when virtually navigating, and thus it is now possible to consider these issues in new detail. Here, we discuss a recent publication that addresses some of these issues (D. J. Huffman and A. D. Ekstrom. A modality-independent network underlies the retrieval of large-scale spatial environments in the human brain. Neuron, 104, 611–622, 2019). In doing so, we also review recent progress in the study of human spatial cognition and raise several questions that might be addressed in future studies.
Augmenting Frontal Dopamine Tone Enhances Maintenance over Gating Processes in Working Memory
Authors: Furman Daniella J. , Zhang Zhihao , Chatham Christopher H. , Good Maxwell , Badre David , Hsu Ming , Kayser Andrew S.
Published: October 2020

The contents of working memory must be maintained in the face of distraction, but updated when appropriate. To manage these competing demands of stability and flexibility, maintained representations in working memory are complemented by distinct gating mechanisms that selectively transmit information into and out of memory stores. The operations of such dopamine-dependent gating systems in the midbrain and striatum and their complementary dopamine-dependent memory maintenance operations in the cortex may therefore be dissociable. If true, selective increases in cortical dopamine tone should preferentially enhance maintenance over gating mechanisms. To test this hypothesis, tolcapone, a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor that preferentially increases cortical dopamine tone, was administered in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject fashion to 49 participants who completed a hierarchical working memory task that varied maintenance and gating demands. Tolcapone improved performance in a condition with higher maintenance requirements and reduced gating demands, reflected in a reduction in the slope of RTs across the distribution. Resting-state fMRI data demonstrated that the degree to which tolcapone improved performance in individual participants correlated with increased connectivity between a region important for stimulus response mappings (left dorsal premotor cortex) and cortical areas implicated in visual working memory, including the intraparietal sulcus and fusiform gyrus. Together, these results provide evidence that augmenting cortical dopamine tone preferentially improves working memory maintenance.
Compassion Fatigue and Resiliency Factors in Animal Shelter Workers
Authors: Levitt Alexis L. , Gezinski Lindsay B.
Published: October 2020

This phenomenological study explored compassion fatigue and resiliency factors in animal shelter workers. Compassion fatigue is a phenomenon in which individuals become traumatized through the process of helping others. The sample included seven current and former animal shelter workers. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews to examine general experiences with animal shelter work as well as compassion fatigue. The researchers read the transcripts multiple times and coded the data into themes and sub-themes. Four major themes and five sub-themes emerged from the data. These themes were 1) Intrinsic Motivations including (a) Right reason, (b) Affinity with animals and (c) Attachment to animals; 2) Purpose, including (a) Making a difference and (b) Focusing on the positive; 3) Social supports; and 4) Coping Strategies. The study has important practical implications, including the potential benefits of screening job applicants for intrinsic motivations and fostering positive relationships between coworkers and the animals they work with.
Geographic variation in body size among French populations of the European pond turtle
Authors: Mignet Fabien , Barnagaud Jean-Yves , Barthe Laurent , Bertolero Albert , Bosc Valérie , Escot Florine , Fleuriau Romain , Joubert Laurent , Joyeux André , Lerat Damien , Massez Grégoire , Olivier Anthony , Owen-Jones Zoey , Perrot Kathleen , Petit Jérémiah , Poitevin Françoise , Poulet Laetitia , Priol Pauline , Rivière Vincent , Roy Cédric , Scher Olivier , Schwartz Timothée , Thienpont Stéphanie , Thirion Jean-Marc , Vollot Benjamin , Cheylan Marc
Published: October 2020

The processes underlying macroecological gradients in body size are widely debated, in part because their intraspecific variability remains poorly described even in well-studied taxa such as vertebrates. In this study, we investigated how climate, habitat, genetic lineage and sex explain body size variations in French populations of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis). We measured 7016 adult individuals captured in 41 populations, covering most of the species’ distribution in metropolitan France, including Corsica. Body size variation in our sample was wide and comparable to that found across the species’ worldwide range. Variation was similar in magnitude at regional and local levels, suggesting that body size is influenced by local factors as much as by regional factors such as climate or genetic lineage. Smaller sizes were associated with Mediterranean or altered oceanic climates, and with two lineages (E. o. galloitalica and E. o. galloitalica/E. o. orbicularis), while larger sizes were associated with northern environments and the orbicularis lineage. Body size variations recorded at local level reflect an adaptive response to environmental constraints, suggesting that habitat is also an important factor in understanding size variation.
Il ruolo della prefazione nei testi grammaticali latini: un addendum
Authors: Munzi Luigi
Published: October 2020

Conceived as an Appendix to Il ruolo della prefazione nei testi grammaticali latini (AIONfilol 14, 1992, 103–126), this paper offers a selection of texts and loci similes related to the metaphoric and literary topic exploited in prologues and prefaces of Latin grammatical texts dated between late Antiquity and early Middle Ages (4th–9th cent.).
Rethinking the Chongqing Negotiations of 1945: Concession-making, the Trust/distrust Paradox, and the Biased Mediator in China’s Post-war Transitions
Authors: Cheng Victor Shiu Chiang
Published: October 2020

This article rethinks what are perhaps the most important attempts at making peace in modern Chinese history: the first post-World War II peace talks convened in Chongqing, between the two old foes of the Chinese Civil War. Previous studies treat the peace conference as a sideshow to the subsequent full-scale civil war. Examining the political and military situation in China toward the end of World War II, this article argues that a peace agreement was needed for both parties. The core of the article examines the hitherto unexplored aspects around the negotiating table: the debate, disagreements, and compromises, and the American mediator’s attempt to alter the dynamics of the peace talks from an inherently biased position. It finds that the history of the Chongqing negotiations is more important to our understanding of China’s struggle between peace and war in the modern era than previously acknowledged.
Grapheme–Color Synesthesia in an Abugida: a Bengali Case Study
Authors: Root Nicholas , Bhattacharyya Pushpita , Ramachandran Vilayanur S.
Published: October 2020

Grapheme–color synesthetes experience graphemes (e.g., letters of the alphabet) as having a specific, consistent color. Most studies of grapheme–color synesthesia have only examined synesthetes in English, leaving underexplored the question of how synesthetic phenomenology might differ in languages that do not use alphabets. In particular, grapheme–color synesthesia in an abugida (a segmental writing system in which vowels are added to consonant graphemes using ‘accent’-like diacritical marks) has never been studied. Here, we present a case study of a Bengali synesthete, MJ, the first report of a grapheme–color synesthete in an abugida. First, we show that for MJ, diacritics influence the overall color of the consonant grapheme they modify, ‘pulling’ it toward the color she experiences for the vowel. Second, we describe and analyze the complex synesthetic experiences reported by MJ for conjunct graphemes, a unique orthographic feature of Brahmi-derived scripts (such as Bengali) in which multiple graphemes are visually combined into a single ‘merged’ grapheme. Finally, we show that in addition to these language-specific features, MJ’s synesthetic associations are influenced by some of the same linguistic properties (such as orthography and phonology) that influence synesthetic associations in other languages. We conclude that the idiosyncratic features of MJ’s synesthesia reflect unique properties of the Bengali writing system, that more studies of synesthesia in non-alphabetic scripts are needed, and that synesthetic phenomenology can offer insights into how linguistic properties shape grapheme representation in the brain.
Extending the Body Ownership to Affective Experience of an Embodied Artificial Hand: a Power Spectra Investigation
Authors: Crivelli Davide , Balconi Michela
Published: October 2020

According to implicit accounts, human self-awareness grounds on the so-called sense of ownership (SoO). Empirical investigations of SoO have mostly focused on the manipulation of self-ascription of sensations and experiences involving the body via the induction of bodily illusions, such as the Rubber-Hand Illusion (RHI). While it has been proposed that the affective dimension necessarily contributes to the development of a full ownership ascription, the relationship between affective experience and body ownership still presents many open questions. This study thus aimed at investigating the boundaries of ownership ascriptions and the extent to which an external object can be incorporated within one’s own body representation, with a specific focus on the possibility for it to become a potential object of own affective experience marked by specific electrophysiological responses. Therefore, we induced RHI in 16 participants and then applied an aversive vs. pleasant stimulation to the embodied external object, while monitoring their electrophysiological activity for central physiological markers of affective processing. Data analysis revealed the effect of the stimulation condition on alpha band power over frontal areas, with higher alpha power during the pleasant stimulation condition with respect to the aversive stimulation one over medial and right frontal electrode sites. The present findings add to the limited pieces of evidence concerning the link between experiences of illusory body ownership, embodiment mechanisms, and affective factors, suggesting that the boundaries of body ownership might be extended to making incorporated objects the source of complex emotional responses beyond basic defensive reactions.
A new comb-star (Asteroidea, Astropectinidae) from the Upper Triassic (Carnian) of China
Authors: GALE ANDREW S.
Published: October 2020

A new astropectinid asteroid, Eoastropecten sechuanensis gen. et sp. nov. is described from the Upper Triassic (Carnian) of Sechuan Province, China, based upon marginal ossicles. This occurrence extends the known fossil record of the family Astropectinidae back by 50 myr from the Lower Jurassic, and indicates that a significant part of the radiation of the neoasteroids probably took place around 240 Ma, only 12 myr after the P–T boundary extinction.
The open-holed trapdoor spiders (Mygalomorphae: Anamidae: Namea) of Australia’s D’Aguilar Range: revealing an unexpected subtropical hotspot of rainforest diversity
Authors: RIX MICHAEL G. , WILSON JEREMY D. , HARVEY MARK S.
Published: October 2020

The D’Aguilar Range of subtropical south-eastern Queensland (Australia), harbours an upland rainforest biota characterised by high levels of endemic diversity. Following recent phylogenetic and biogeographic research into the open-holed trapdoor spiders of the genus Namea Raven, 1984 (family Anamidae), remarkable levels of sympatry for a single genus of mygalomorph spiders were recorded from the D’Aguilar Range. It is now known that eight different species in the genus can be found in the D’Aguilar uplands, with five apparently endemic to rainforest habitats. In this paper we present a phylogenetic and taxonomic synopsis of the remarkable anamid fauna of the D’Aguilar Range: a key to the eight species is provided, and four new species of Namea are described (N. gloriosa sp. nov., N. gowardae sp. nov., N. nebo sp. nov. and N. nigritarsus sp. nov.). In shining a spotlight on the mygalomorph spiders of this region, we highlight the D’Aguilar Range as a hotspot of subtropical rainforest diversity, and an area of considerable conservation value.
A new crab-associated amphipod of the genus Isaeopsis Barnard, 1916 (Amphipoda: Senticaudata: Ischyroceridae) from southern Chile
Authors: PÉREZ-SCHULTHEISS JORGE , PARDO LUIS MIGUEL
Published: October 2020

A new species of amphipod of the family Ischyroceridae is described. Isaeopsis chiloensis n. sp. was discovered in association with the cancrid species Metacarcinus edwardsii and Romaleon setosum, in the inner sea around Chiloé Island, in Southern Chile. This represents the second species of the genus Isaeopsis, a group formerly known only from South African waters.                The new species is characterized principally by the structure of the gnathopods, the propodus of pereopods 3–7 and the ornamentation of the outer ramus of uropod 3. The male gnathopod 2 has a prominent thumb in the posteroproximal margin of the propodus and the pereopods 3–7 are subchelate with the palm armed by a row of at least five strong setae. In addition, the apex of the outer ramus of uropod 3 bears a comb with more than thirty fine teeth. Isaeopsis chiloensis n. sp. is completely described and a series of illustrations is provided.
Synchronous Colon and Pancreatic Rosai-Dorfman Disease
Authors: Noggle Emily , Ortanca Ibrahim , Clark Ian , Yadak Nour , Glazer Evan S.
Published: October 2020

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is primarily a disease of massive lymphadenopathy and sinus histiocytosis. It has been documented across extranodal organ systems, but it rarely has been described in the gastrointestinal tract only. Here is the unique case of 2 primary extra-nodal masses found simultaneously in the pancreas and right colon of a patient without the classical concomitant lymphadenopathy. We also reviewed the literature and found 11 additional cases of pancreatic RDD. This is the first male case and 1 of only 2 cases of RDD presenting synchronously in 2 distinct locations within the gastrointestinal system. Furthermore, we discuss the potential use of fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core sample biopsies in confirming a diagnosis of RDD.
Bias Testing of the Public Safety Assessment: Error Rate Balance Between Whites and Blacks for New Arrests
Authors: DeMichele Matthew , Baumgartner Peter
Published: October 2020

This study is an evaluation of predictive bias by race when using a pretrial risk assessment. We use data from Kentucky from July 2013 through December 2014 ( n = 164,597) to evaluate differences across five error measures. Pretrial risk assessments were developed to respond to growing awareness about how intuitive processes were leading to disparate impact for people of color and the poor. This study contributes data to the debate about the merits of pretrial risk assessments. The crux of this debate is the lack of standards about how to assess predictive bias. Our analyses demonstrate that a more nuanced understanding of pretrial outcomes and decision making are needed before fully understanding the strengths and weaknesses of pretrial risk assessments.