bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stress‐induced escalation of alcohol self‐administration, anxiety‐like behavior, and elevated amygdala Avp expression in a susceptible subpopulation of rats
Authors: Barchiesi Riccardo , Chanthongdee Kanat , Domi Esi , Gobbo Francesco , Coppola Andrea , Asratian Anna , Toivainen Sanne , Holm Lovisa , Augier Gaelle , Xu Li , Augier Eric , Heilig Markus , Barbier Estelle
Published: February 2021

Comorbidity between alcohol use and anxiety disorders is associated with more severe symptoms and poorer treatment outcomes than either of the conditions alone. There is a well‐known link between stress and the development of these disorders, with post‐traumatic stress disorder as a prototypic example. Post‐traumatic stress disorder can arise as a consequence of experiencing traumatic events firsthand and also after witnessing them. Here, we used a model of social defeat and witness stress in rats, to study shared mechanisms of stress‐induced anxiety‐like behavior and escalated alcohol self‐administration. Similar to what is observed clinically, we found considerable individual differences in susceptibility and resilience to the stress. Both among defeated and witness rats, we found a subpopulation in which exposure was followed by emergence of increased anxiety‐like behavior and escalation of alcohol self‐administration. We then profiled gene expression in tissue from the amygdala, a key brain region in the regulation of stress, alcohol use, and anxiety disorders. When comparing “comorbid” and resilient socially defeated rats, we identified a strong upregulation of vasopressin and oxytocin, and this correlated positively with the magnitude of the alcohol self‐administration and anxiety‐like behavior. A similar trend was observed in comorbid witness rats. Together, our findings provide novel insights into molecular mechanisms underpinning the comorbidity of escalated alcohol self‐administration and anxiety‐like behavior.
Incidence, survival and stage at diagnosis of small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours in Queensland, Australia, 2001‐2015
Authors: Wyld David , Moore Julie , Tran Nancy , Youl Philippa
Published: February 2021

Aim

Multiple studies have observed increasing incidence of small intestinal (SI) neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). The aim of this study was to describe incidence, mortality and survival of SI NETs by sub‐site and stage at diagnosis.

Methods

Data on patients diagnosed with SI NETs between 2001 and 2015 were sourced from the Queensland Oncology Repository. Staging algorithms utilising several data sources were used to calculate stage at diagnosis (localised, regional or metastatic disease).

Results

We identified 778 SI NETs and of those 716 (92%) had either a documented or derived stage. Incidence doubled from 0.68 per 100 000 to 1.42 per 100 000 over the 15‐year period. Most common site was ileum (49.1%) and 84.2% were of carcinoid morphology type. Stage at diagnosis was calculated for 91.7% of patients with 28.3% presenting with regional involvement and 23.9% with distant metastasis. Risk factors associated with metastatic disease were jejunal and SI site not otherwise specified, neuroendocrine carcinoma histology and residing in a rural area. Increasing incidence of localised disease and a corresponding reduction in metastatic disease was observed over time. Five‐year cause‐specific survival for patients diagnosed between 2001 and 2005 was 82.5%, increasing to 93.8% from 2011 to 2015. Survival was lowest for those with metastatic disease (74.2%). Survival increased between 2001 to 2005 and 2011 to 2015 for each disease stage.

Conclusions

SI NET incidence in Queensland doubled between 2001 and 2015. Survival was high and improved over time.
A prospective phase II study of raltitrexed combined with S‐1 as salvage treatment for patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Huang Mingzhu , Yang Yue , Zhu Xiaodong , Chen Zhiyu , Zhang Wen , Wang Chenchen , Zhang Xiaowei , Qiu Lixin , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Xiaoying , Li Wenhua , Wang Yusheng , Guo Weijian
Published: February 2021

Aim

A third‐line chemotherapy regimen for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is not available in China. Studies have shown that raltitrexed or S‐1 has no complete cross‐resistance with fluorouracil (5‐FU). In this phase II study, we prospectively analyzed the efficacy and safety of raltitrexed combined with S‐1 (RS regimen) in the treatment of mCRC after the failure of conventional chemotherapy.

Methods

A total of 105 patients with mCRC with progression following treatment with 5‐FU, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan were enrolled between November 2015 and May 2019. Patients received intravenous infusion of raltitrexed (3 mg/m2 from day 1 every 3 weeks) and oral S‐1 (80‐120 mg for 14 days every 3 weeks). Tumor evaluations were performed every two cycles according to the RECIST 1.1 guidelines.

Results

In the intention‐to‐treat patients, the objective response and disease control rates were 7.62% and 48.57%, respectively. The median progression‐free survival and median overall survival were 2.5 and 8.0 months, respectively. Common adverse events included neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and nausea, while neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia nausea, diarrhea, skin eruption, and oral ulceration had grade 3 or higher adverse events. Subgroup analysis revealed that primary site or gene mutation status had little influence on the RS regimen efficacy, while the baseline albumin level, 5‐FU administration in second‐line therapy, and number of previous treatment regimens affected the efficacy.

Conclusion

The RS regimen demonstrated favorable effects in patients with mCRC following failure of standard chemotherapy, and could be a new choice for third‐line treatment, and must be verified in future randomized clinical trials (Clinical trial: NCT02618356).
Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics along the optic nerve in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: a retrospective computed tomographic cisternography study
Authors: Xue Hai , Zhang Zheng , Yang Zhijun , Bi Zhiyong , Wang Xingchao , Liu Pinan
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is related to intracranial pressure (ICP) and dynamic changes. This study investigated CSF dynamics along the optic nerve (ON) in patients with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea.

Methods

The computed tomographic (CT) cisternographies of 66 patients (132 eyes) with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea were analysed. The contrast‐loaded CSF (CLCSF) density was measured in Hounsfield units (HU) at three regions of interest (ROIs) along the ON and adjusted by the basal cistern density. The CLCSF density and ON sheath diameter (ONSD) were analysed between both sides in the different ICP groups.

Results

When comparing the density of CLCSF along the ON, no significant differences were found between the ipsilateral and contralateral sides of the leakage. The distribution of CLCSF along the ON showed a highly significant density reduction from the canalicular segment to the bulbar segment on both sides. The CLCSF density significantly decreased on the ipsilateral ON in the canalicular segment and tended to decrease on the ipsilateral ON in the bulbar and canal segments compared with that on the contralateral ON in the low‐ICP group. The ONSD tended to decrease on the ipsilateral side of leakage.

Conclusions

According to the CLCSF density on CT cisternography, CSF dynamics along the ON may bilaterally decrease from the optic canal to the retrobulbar segment. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics are possibly influenced by differences in ICP, and a lower ICP may cause more obvious differences or impairments in CSF dynamics along the ipsilateral ON.
The link between individualism–collectivism and life satisfaction among emerging adults from four countries
Authors: Germani Alessandro , Delvecchio Elisa , Li Jian‐Bin , Lis Adriana , Nartova‐Bochaver Sofya K. , Vazsonyi Alexander T. , Mazzeschi Claudia
Published: February 2021

The current investigation tested life satisfaction (LS), a cognitive component of subjective well‐being, among emerging adults, in the context of individualism (I) and collectivism (C), by distinguishing both cultural and individual levels of analysis, considering their horizontal (H) and vertical (V) dimensions, and controlling age and gender effects. Emerging adults (N = 1760 university students, aged 18–25,Mage = 19.46, SDag = 1.50) located across four countries, namely China, Italy, Russia, and the USA, known to differ in the individualism index value (IDV), completed measures on the Horizontal and Vertical Individualism and Collectivism and Life Satisfaction. At the cultural level, an ANCOVA showed a significant country effects on LS. The post hoc comparisons indicated that the higher the country IDV score, the higher the average LS score, in the following order: Americans, Italians, Russians, and Chinese. At the individual level, LS was unrelated to HI and VI. Instead, it was associated with HC and VC. The positive link between LS and VC suggested an important role of family connectedness on LS across different cultures during emerging adulthood. However, contrary to previous studies, LS was unrelated to HI and VI.
Transperineal minimally invasive abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer based on anatomical analysis of the muscular structure
Authors: Hamabe Atsushi , Okita Kenji , Nishidate Toshihiko , Okuya Koichi , Akizuki Emi , Sato Yu , Ishii Masayuki , Miura Ryo , Korai Takahiro , Takemasa Ichiro
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Transperineal minimally invasive abdominoperineal excision (TpAPE) may help minimize surgical invasiveness and make it possible to perform two‐team surgery, although this procedure is regarded as difficult. The anatomical structures are complicated and have not been clearly defined, particularly on the anterior side of the anorectal junction in men. We investigated the anatomical configuration around the anterior wall of the anorectal junction, focusing on the structure of the striated muscles, to establish a standard procedure for TpAPE.

Methods

We scrutinized the T2‐weighted MRI scans of 106 men, and two male cadavers were used to examine the muscular structure surrounding the anorectal junction. We established our standardized procedure for TpAPE based on these anatomical studies. We also analyzed the clinicopathological findings from five men who had undergone TpAPE at our institution.

Results

Using MRI, we detected band‐like muscles bilaterally, just medial to the puborectal muscle in all analyzed patients, which we termed the rectal anterolateral muscle. We also detected the muscles that may correspond to the rectal anterolateral muscle when inspecting the cadavers. The standardized TpAPE procedures were carried out uneventfully for the five cases, and intraoperative complications such as urethral injury and inadvertent rectal perforation did not occur.

Conclusion

We standardized the TpAPE procedure based on anatomical examination of the muscular structure around the anal canal. The findings can contribute to safe implementation of TpAPE.
Geostatistical modeling of positive‐definite matrices: An application to diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Lan Zhou , Reich Brian J. , Guinness Joseph , Bandyopadhyay Dipankar , Ma Liangsuo , Moeller F. Gerard
Published: February 2021

Geostatistical modeling for continuous point‐referenced data has extensively been applied to neuroimaging because it produces efficient and valid statistical inference. However, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a neuroimaging technique characterizing the brain's anatomical structure, produces a positive‐definite (p.d.) matrix for each voxel. Currently, only a few geostatistical models for p.d. matrices have been proposed because introducing spatial dependence among p.d. matrices properly is challenging. In this paper, we use the spatial Wishart process, a spatial stochastic process (random field), where each p.d. matrix‐variate random variable marginally follows a Wishart distribution, and spatial dependence between random matrices is induced by latent Gaussian processes. This process is valid on an uncountable collection of spatial locations and is almost‐surely continuous, leading to a reasonable way of modeling spatial dependence. Motivated by a DTI data set of cocaine users, we propose a spatial matrix‐variate regression model based on the spatial Wishart process. A problematic issue is that the spatial Wishart process has no closed‐form density function. Hence, we propose an approximation method to obtain a feasible Cholesky decomposition model, which we show to be asymptotically equivalent to the spatial Wishart process model. A local likelihood approximation method is also applied to achieve fast computation. The simulation studies and real data application demonstrate that the Cholesky decomposition process model produces reliable inference and improved performance, compared to other methods.
ASK1 suppresses NK cell‐mediated intravascular tumor cell clearance in lung metastasis
Authors: Fujimoto Makoto , Kamiyama Miki , Fuse Kosuke , Ryuno Hiroki , Odawara Takeru , Furukawa Natsuki , Yoshimatsu Yasuhiro , Watabe Tetsuro , Prchal‐Murphy Michaela , Sexl Veronika , Tahara Hideaki , Hayakawa Yoshihiro , Sato Takehiro , Takeda Kohsuke , Naguro Isao , Ichijo Hidenori
Published: February 2021

Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of death worldwide and involves an extremely complex process composed of multiple steps. Our previous study demonstrated that apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) deficiency in mice attenuates tumor metastasis in an experimental lung metastasis model. However, the steps of tumor metastasis regulated by ASK1 remain unclear. Here, we showed that ASK1 deficiency in mice promotes natural killer (NK) cell‐mediated intravascular tumor cell clearance in the initial hours of metastasis. In response to tumor inoculation, ASK1 deficiency upregulated immune response‐related genes, including interferon‐gamma (IFNγ). We also revealed that NK cells are required for these anti‐metastatic phenotypes. ASK1 deficiency augmented cytokine production chemoattractive to NK cells possibly through induction of the ligand for NKG2D, a key activating receptor of NK cells, leading to further recruitment of NK cells into the lung. These results indicate that ASK1 negatively regulates NK cell‐dependent anti‐tumor immunity and that ASK1‐targeted therapy can provide a new tool for cancer immunotherapy to overcome tumor metastasis.
Modeling and verifying a resource allocation algorithm for secure service migration for commercial cloud systems
Authors: Karthick Gayathri , Mapp Glenford , Kammueller Florian , Aiash Mahdi
Published: February 2021

Cloud computing is the delivery of on‐demand computing resources. It shares the resources or provides vir‐utilization that enables single user to access various Cloud services such as CPU, memory, storage devices, network, and so on. However, more commercial cloud services offered by several cloud service providers (CSPs) are available in the market place. Most CSPs must, therefore, deal with the dynamic resource allocation where the mobile services are migrating from one cloud to another cloud environment to provide heterogeneous resources based on user needs. There is still a lack of heuristics that are able to check requested resources and available resources to allocate and deallocate before it begins the secure service migration. We proposed a resource allocation security protocol that allows resources to be allocated and migrated efficiently in a secure service migration between cloud infrastructures. Furthermore, formal methods can be used for protocols to verify the desired properties, detecting attacks and producing accurate outcomes. This article presents formal modeling and verification of this abstract protocol using ProVerif cryptographic tool to validate the security properties such as secrecy of resources, authentication from both parties and key exchange in order to securely migrate resources in commercial cloud environments.
The unrealized potential of community science to support research on the resilience of protected areas
Authors: Binley Allison D. , Proctor Caitlyn A. , Pither Richard , Davis Sierra A. , Bennett Joseph R.
Published: February 2021

To remain effective into the future, protected areas must be resilient to change. Evaluating the resilience of protected areas requires data across large spatial and temporal scales, which has proven to be a strength of community science in conservation research. Here, we assess the contributions of community science to different topics of protected area research and identify gaps where community science can be used more effectively. We performed a literature search aimed at capturing the research on resilient protected area design and management, then used Latent Dirichlet Allocation to model the topics represented in this corpus. Once topics were established, we searched for evidence of community science being used in each publication. Our analysis showed that there are five main areas of focus in resilient protected area research: biodiversity, climate change, connectivity, resources and ecosystem services, and social governance. We found limited evidence in the literature of community science directly assisting research in these areas. Community science has proven effective for extensive and cost‐effective data collection in other situations; therefore, we recommend ways in which conservation managers and researchers can incorporate community science in the design and management of resilient protected areas.
Prediction model of isolated iliac and abdominal aneurysms
Authors: Lanzarone Ettore , Finotello Alice , Pane Bianca , Pratesi Giovanni , Palombo Domenico , Conti Michele , Spinella Giovanni
Published: February 2021

Objectives

We analyse the cardiovascular risk factors in patients undergoing screening for Isolated Iliac Aneurysm (IIA) and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) and propose a logistic regression model to indicate patients at risk of IIA and/or AAA.

Methods

A screening programme was carried out to identify the presence of aneurysm based on Duplex scan examination. Cardiovascular risk factors information was collected from each subject. A descriptive analysis for the incidence of IIA and AAA stratified by age and sex was carried out to evaluate factors incidence. A logistic regression model was developed to predict the probability of developing an aneurysm based on the observed risk factor levels. A threshold probability of aneurysm risk for a datum patient was also identified to effectively direct screening protocols to patients most at risk.

Results

A cohort of 10 842 patients was evaluated: 1.52% affected by IIA, 2.69% by AAA and 3.90% by at least one. Risk factors analysis showed that: IIA was correlated with cardiological status, diabetes, cardiovascular disease family history, and dyslipidaemia; AAA was correlated with cardiological status, body mass index, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia; diabetes and dyslipidaemia were the most relevant factors with at least one aneurysm. The prediction tool based on the logistic regression and the threshold probability predict the presence of IIA and AAA in 69.7% and 83.8% of cases, under k‐fold cross‐validation.

Conclusions

The proposed regression model can represent a valid aid to predict IIA and AAA presence and to select patients to be screened.
How credit constraints affect small and medium enterprises' strategic employment decisions and employees' labour outcomes: Evidence from Vietnam1
Authors: Bach Thang , Harvie Charles , Le Thanh
Published: February 2021

This study makes use of rich firm‐level and linked firm‐employee datasets that span the 2009–2015 period in Vietnam to examine how SMEs' credit constraints affect their strategic employment decisions and employees' labour outcomes. Our results show that constrained SMEs enlarge total employment by employing relatively more temporary workers and paying their employees relatively lower wages than unconstrained borrowing firms. Meanwhile, discouraged firms, mostly informal businesses, do not behave differently from unconstrained counterparts. In order to maintain a stable employment portfolio, discouraged firms are relatively more willing to reward their employees with an overtime payment.
Dynamics of the seasonal migration of Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas 1814) and implications for the Lake Ontario food web
Authors: Pennuto Christopher M. , Mehler Knut , Weidel Brian , Lantry Brian F , Bruestle Eric
Published: February 2021

Seasonal migrations of fish populations can have large effects on lake nutrient budgets and food web dynamics, but the addition of a migrating non‐native species may alter these dynamics. The Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) arrived in Lake Ontario (USA/Canada) about 20 years ago with a documented history of annual offshore–inshore migrations in its native range. Here we combined nearshore, fixed‐plot video with offshore trawl data to document the annual migration of this population over multiple years. This behaviour was correlated with seasonal, nearshore temperature changes. The population size structure and mean fish length of returning fish were smaller than those of out‐migrating fish. The out‐migrating population contained an estimated 37.7 metric tonnes of phosphorous; and we estimated roughly 20 metric tonnes were translocated to and remained in offshore waters over the winter months, representing an important nutrient subsidy to a variety of offshore piscivorous fish. Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) have incorporated Round Goby extensively into their diet and consume a size range of fish matching the size range of missing Round Goby that fail to return to the nearshore. We conclude Round Goby are an important prey within the food web of Lake Ontario and translocate roughly 6.5% of the monthly total phosphorous load entering from surface waters. Further investigations of the nutrient content, population size structure and fate of migrating Round Goby in Lake Ontario are warranted to clarify the extent of this prey and nutrient subsidy in ongoing assessments of lake condition.
Patterns of benzodiazepine underdosing in the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial
Authors: Sathe Abhishek G. , Underwood Ellen , Coles Lisa D. , Elm Jordan J. , Silbergleit Robert , Chamberlain James M. , Kapur Jaideep , Cock Hannah R. , Fountain Nathan B. , Shinnar Shlomo , Lowenstein Daniel H. , Rosenthal Eric S. , Conwit Robin A. , Bleck Thomas P. , Cloyd James C.
Published: February 2021

Objective

This study was undertaken to describe patterns of benzodiazepine use as first‐line treatment of status epilepticus (SE) and test the association of benzodiazepine doses with response to second‐line agents in patients enrolled in the Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT).

Methods

Patients refractory to an adequate dose of benzodiazepines for the treatment of SE were enrolled in ESETT. Choice of benzodiazepine, doses given prior to administration of second‐line agent, route of administration, setting, and patient weight were characterized. These were compared with guideline‐recommended dosing. Logistic regression was used to determine the association of the first dose of benzodiazepine and the cumulative benzodiazepine dose with the response to second‐line agent.

Results

Four hundred sixty patients were administered 1170 doses of benzodiazepines (669 lorazepam, 398 midazolam, 103 diazepam). Lorazepam was most frequently administered intravenously in the emergency department, midazolam intramuscularly or intravenously by the emergency medical services personnel, and diazepam rectally prior to ambulance arrival. The first dose of the first benzodiazepine (N = 460) was lower than guideline recommendations in 76% of midazolam administrations and 81% of lorazepam administrations. Among all administrations, >85% of midazolam and >76% of lorazepam administrations were lower than recommended. Higher first or cumulative benzodiazepine doses were not associated with better outcomes or clinical seizure cessation in response to second‐line medications in these benzodiazepine‐refractory seizures.

Significance

Benzodiazepines as first‐line treatment of SE, particularly midazolam and lorazepam, are frequently underdosed throughout the United States. This broad and generalizable cohort confirms prior single site reports that underdosing is both pervasive and difficult to remediate. (ESETT ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01960075.)
The Old/New Enlightenment: From the Compossible to the Complex
Authors: McCarthy John A.
Published: February 2021

There has been considerable debate as of late concerning the need for a new Enlightenment. The “old” Enlightenment was considered inadequate to contemporary challenges, having failed in achieving genuine reform. Arguments for and against a “new” Enlightenment have come from a range of disciplines: the history of ideas, political science, philosophy, socio‐economic history, and literary studies. The cause for a perceived need for a new approach to Enlightenment concepts is multivalent. Most immediate is the radical questioning of the value of the humanities in general and literature in particular, the corporatization of higher education, a misreading of the historical epoch itself, and a shift to right‐wing ideologies in Western societies. This essay reviews reasons behind the perceived need for a reevaluation, but argues that only reclamation of its essential values is necessary. The guiding concepts here are Leibniz's concept of compossibility and the recognition of motion as integral to everything.
miR‐467 regulates inflammation and blood insulin and glucose
Authors: Gajeton Jasmine , Krukovets Irene , Yendamuri Revanth , Verbovetskiy Dmitriy , Vasanji Amit , Sul Lidiya , Stenina‐Adognravi Olga
Published: February 2021

Obesity is associated with inflammation and insulin resistance (IR), but the regulation of insulin sensitivity (IS) and connections between IS and inflammation remain unclear. We investigated the role of miR‐467a‐5p, a miRNA induced by hyperglycaemia, in regulating inflammation and blood glucose handling. We previously demonstrated that miR‐467a‐5p is induced by hyperglycaemia and inhibits the production of thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1), a protein implicated in regulating inflammation. To investigate the role of miR‐467 in blood glucose handling and tissue inflammation, WT C57BL/6 mice were fed chow or Western diet from 5 to 32 weeks of age and injected weekly with miR‐467a‐5p antagonist. Inhibiting miR‐467a‐5p resulted in 47% increase in macrophage infiltration and increased Il6 levels in adipose tissue, higher plasma insulin levels (98 ng/mL vs 63 ng/mL), and 17% decrease in glucose clearance without increase in weight or HDL/LDL. The antagonist effect was lost in mice on Western diet. Mice lacking TSP‐1 lost some but not all of the miR‐467 effects, suggesting Thbs1 (and other unknown transcripts) are targeted by miR‐467 to regulate inflammation. miR‐467a‐5p provides a physiological feedback when blood glucose is elevated to avoid inflammation and increased blood glucose and insulin levels, which may prevent IR.
EXT1 methylation promotes proliferation and migration and predicts the clinical outcome of non‐small cell lung carcinoma via WNT signalling pathway
Authors: Kong Wencui , Chen Ying , Zhao Zhongquan , Zhang Lei , Lin Xiandong , Luo Xingguang , Wang Shuiliang , Song Zhengbo , Lin Xiangwu , Lai Guoxiang , Yu Zongyang
Published: February 2021

DNA methylation is important for lung cancer prognosis. In this work, it is aimed to seek novel biomarkers with DNA methylation‐expression‐pathway pattern and explore its underlying mechanism. Prognostic DNA methylation sites and mRNAs were screened in NSCLC data set from TCGA, and further validated using the samples retrospectively collected, and EXT1 was identified as a potential target. Gene body methylation of three CpG sites (cg03276982, cg11592677, cg16286281) on EXT1 was significantly associated with clinical outcome, and the EXT1 gene expression also predicted prognosis. The expression level of EXT1 was also correlated with its DNA methylation level. This observation was further validated in a new data set consist of 170 samples. Knocking down of EXT1 resulted in decreased proliferation and migration. EXT1 targets were analysed using GSEA. It is found that the WNT signalling is the potential downstream target of EXT1. Further analyses revealed that the EXT1 targets the beta‐catenin and effect migration rate of NSCLC cell lines. The WNT signalling inhibitor, XAV‐939, effectively disrupted the migration promotion effect induced by EXT1. In summary, EXT1 methylation regulates the gene expression, effects the proliferation and migration via WNT pathway and predicted a poor prognosis for NSCLC.
Stocks and flows of buildings: Analysis of existing, demolished, and constructed buildings in Tampere, Finland, 2000–2018
Authors: Huuhka Satu , Kolkwitz Mario
Published: February 2021

Research has identified cities as potential urban mines for recovering secondary construction materials. Studies typically focus on stocks or flows of bulk materials on high abstraction levels. To enable a shift of focus toward higher levels of circular economy, such as waste minimization, there is a need for a more detailed understanding of the dynamics that contribute to the waste flows, building replacement in particular. This paper examines the characteristics and location of the stocks and flows of buildings, both residential and non‐residential, in the city of Tampere, Finland, over the last 20 years. Statistical and geographical analyses are performed on the building stock, new construction, and demolition in Tampere to unveil patterns pertaining to stock change and building replacement. The study shows that these patterns vary significantly between buildings of different function. Spatially confined redevelopment areas within the city structure, that is, brownfields and grayfields, whose industrial and commercial functions yield to housing and mixed residential–commercial use, make up major arenas for replacement. Policy‐making should acknowledge that urban planning stirs these waste flows and incorporate their conscious prevention and management on its agenda.
A pilot study of minimal invasion combined PDL/Nd:YAG laser in treating facial epidermoid cyst
Authors: Fu Hongyi , Luo Fuling , Zhao Hengguang
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and complication of minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser and traditional surgical excision in the treatment of facial epidermoid cyst.

Methods

A total of 100 patients with facial epidermoid cyst aged from 16 to 65 years and cyst diameter ranged from 0.3 to 3.0 cm were treated and followed up. Patients were divided into the minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser treatment group and traditional surgical excision group. All patients were followed up for 12 months including scar size, recurrence rate, incidence of complications, and patient global satisfaction.

Results

The mean operative time in the minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser treatment was 15.23 ± 7.02 minutes, which is significantly shorter than that of surgical excision (27.26 ± 10.12 minutes, P < .05). After 12 months, the average scar size in minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser group was 0.54 ± 0.35 cm, while that of traditional surgical excision group was 1.77 ± 0.81 cm (P < .05). No statistical difference was found between two groups in the wounds split, hematoma, early and late recurrence rates (P > .05), while the patients' global satisfaction in the pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser group is much higher than that of the traditional surgical excision group.

Conclusion

The treatment of minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser is effective and safe for medium‐size facial epidermoid cysts. For facial epidermoid cyst ranging for 0.3 cm to 3.0 cm, considering the cosmetic factors, minimal invasion and combined pulsed dye laser/Nd:YAG laser should be particularly recommended.
Interior Resistance
Authors: Adams Rod , Milligan Andy , Simpkins Nigel
Published: February 2021

The interior frequently masquerades a resistance to being clean, often demonstrating different levels of hygiene, containment, and control. Yet, it is the–body–inside that simultaneously resists and distributes infection within the mineral contexts of the building. Ever since Van Leeuwenhoek's (1993) discovery of a strange microbial world of bacteria and protozoa, societal, bodily, and spatial interpretations of clean have shifted. Evolving levels of cleanliness continually reposition the interior to become progressively more visually hygienic and meticulously super–clean. While medical need often leads and intensifies infection control, it is personal fastidiousness, compulsion, and media image that shape human attitudes and cultures to grime and dirt. Historically, “homes–of–the–future” reinforce a technologically sanitized prototype, a strain of which persists in the sterility of the ordered “show–home.” Each avoids the pathogenic realities of the–body–inside revealing esthetic traces of the Modernist ideals of clean lines and clean living that recur in contemporary images of minimal occupation. As we move to develop new hyper–clean and locked–down pandemic–proof interiors capable of immunizing and shielding occupants, this paper re–evaluates what it means to be clean and how the interior helps to resist and mediate these efforts. As concerns over antimicrobial resistance and interior touching increases, our protection from allergy, disease, and contagion are changing. The interior is increasingly playing a critical role in arbitrating biological infection, either through intelligent cleaning systems, infrastructure, or material science. This paper sets out the existing resistance to, and the conditions for, a new clean interior and posits where and what the future might conceive, including the advancement of immunology by reintroducing “dirt” back into interiors (mirroring Edward Jenner's deliberate infection of humans to develop resistance to smallpox) enabling better biological resistant to the outside world.
Manipulation Through Biased Product Reviews*
Authors: Aköz Kemal Kıvanç , Arbatli Cemal Eren , Celik Levent
Published: February 2021

We study a signal‐jamming model of product review manipulation in which rational consumers consult product reviews and price to better estimate a product's quality, and a firm, whose quality is either high or low, chooses its price and how much bias to insert into product reviews. We show that both firm types always exert positive effort to manipulate product reviews, and, depending on the equilibrium price level, one or both of them can increase its sales. When the high‐type firm exerts more effort than the low‐type, review manipulation benefits consumers by raising [lowering] their demand for the high‐quality [low‐quality] product.
Brain Structural Changes in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Roy Bhaswati , Vacas Susana , Ehlert Luke , McCloy Kathy , Saggar Rajan , Kumar Rajesh
Published: February 2021

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) frequently present with anxiety, depression, autonomic, and cognitive deterioration, which may indicate brain changes in regions that control these functions. However, the precise regional brain‐injury in sites that regulate cognitive, autonomic, and mood functions in PAH remains unclear. We examined the shifts in regional gray matter (GM) volume, using high‐resolution T1‐weighted images, and brain tissue alterations, using T2‐relaxometry procedures, in PAH compared to healthy subjects.

METHODS

We collected two high‐resolution T1‐weighted series, and proton‐density and T2‐weighted images using a 3.0‐Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner from 9 PAH and 19 healthy subjects. Both high‐resolution T1‐weighted images were realigned and averaged, partitioned to GM tissue type, normalized to a common space, and smoothed. Using proton‐density and T2‐weighted images, T2‐relaxation maps were calculated, normalized to a common space, and smoothed. Whole‐brain GM volume and T2‐relaxation maps were compared between PAH and controls using analysis of covariance (covariates, age, sex, and total‐brain‐volume; false discover rate corrections).

RESULTS

Significantly decreased GM volumes, indicating tissue injury, emerged in multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus, insula, cerebellum, parahippocampus, temporal, frontal, and occipital gyri, cingulate, amygdala, and thalamus. Higher T2‐relaxation values, suggesting tissue damage, appeared in the cerebellum, hippocampus, parahippocampus, frontal, lingual, and temporal and occipital gyri, and cingulate areas in PAH compared to healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

PAH patients showed significant GM injury and brain tissue changes in sites that regulate cognition, autonomic, and mood functions. These findings indicate a brain structural basis for functional deficits in PAH patients.
Emotional and behavioural problems in children and adolescents: The role of constipation
Authors: dos Santos Ivana R , de Abreu Glícia E , Dourado Eneida R , Martinelli Braga Ana A N , Lobo Victoria A , de Carvalho Isabella W B , Bastos Netto José M , Barroso Ubirajara
Published: February 2021

Aim

The functional constipation (FC) is a source of an expressive suffering in children, negatively affecting their emotional, social, and physical well‐being. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical and behavioural characteristics of children/adolescents with FC.

Methods

A cross‐sectional, observational, analytical study was conducted in public places by interviewing parents of children/adolescents about their child's bowel habits and psychological profile. Bowel symptoms were investigated using the Rome IV criteria. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to evaluate the emotional and behavioural problems.

Results

Of 799 children/adolescents included, 424 (53.1%) were female. Mean age was 9.1 ± 2.7 years. FC prevalence was 20.4%. The most common symptoms in Rome IV criteria were ‘painful or hard bowel movements’ (n = 110; 67.5%; 95% confidence interval: 60.0–74.3) and ‘retentive posturing or excessive volitional stool retention’ (n = 89; 54.6%; 95% confidence interval: 46.9–62.1). Median scores for internalising symptoms (7; interquartile range (IQR): 4–9 vs. 5; IQR: 2–7; P < 0.001) and externalising symptoms (7; IQR 4–11 vs. 6; IQR 3–9; P < 0.001) were higher in constipated children compared to non‐constipated participants, respectively. The SDQ domains that were associated with FC were emotional symptoms (median 4, P < 0.001) and conduct problems (median 3, P < 0.001). No association was found between faecal incontinence and median scores for the internalising/externalising symptoms. All Rome IV criteria were associated with abnormal overall SDQ scores.

Conclusion

Children and adolescents with FC had more emotional and behavioural problems irrespective of whether faecal incontinence was present or not, with higher scores for internalising and externalising symptoms compared to non‐constipated children.
Descriptive assessment of adverse events associated with midazolam‐etomidate versus saline‐etomidate in healthy hydromorphone premedicated dogs
Authors: Jones T. L. , Calbay R. , da Cunha A. F. , Hofmeister E. H.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

To determine the frequency, severity and duration of adverse events including myoclonus, pain on injection, hypersalivation, regurgitation and apnoea after administration of midazolam or saline followed by etomidate in hydromorphone premedicated dogs.

Materials and Methods

Dogs undergoing elective dental prophylaxis or soft tissue surgeries were enrolled in this randomised trial. Dogs were premedicated with hydromorphone 0.1 mg/kg IV. Sixty seconds later, midazolam 0.3 mg/kg or saline at an equivalent volume was administered IV. Sixty seconds after that, etomidate 1.5 mg/kg IV was administered over 60 seconds. Additional doses of 0.5 mg/kg etomidate were administered until endotracheal intubation was successful. Observers were blinded to the treatment. Frequency, duration and a severity score of 0 to 3 were recorded for myoclonus, pain on injection, hypersalivation and regurgitation. Duration of apnoea and frequency of any additional complications was recorded.

Results

Forty variable breed healthy dogs were enrolled in the study. Myoclonus, pain on injection, regurgitation, hypersalivation, gagging, tachypnoea and pigmenturia occurred, respectively, in 10%, 40%, 0%, 15%, 35%, 25% and 5% of dogs in the saline group and 0%, 65%, 0%, 10%, 45%, 15% and 5% of dogs in the midazolam group. Apnoea occurred for 115 seconds (range 0 to 660 seconds) and 160 seconds (range 0 to 600 seconds) in the saline and midazolam groups, respectively. Two dogs developed pigmenturia. The trial was stopped early due to the occurrence of pigmenturia.

Clinical Significance

Due to early stopping of the trial, the predefined sample size was not reached. Further investigation is needed to determine if midazolam reduced the incidence of adverse events or improved the induction quality when combined with hydromorphone and etomidate.
Pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin mesylate in healthy adult giant panda after single‐dose administration via different routes
Authors: Wang Chengdong , Deng Linhua , Zhu Yanqiu , Wu Kai , Wei Ming , Huang Shang , Wei Rongping , Liu Weiping , Huang Yan , Zhang Hemin , Li Desheng
Published: February 2021

The pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin mesylate in healthy adult giant panda is unknown. In this study, the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin after intramuscular administration at a dose of 2 mg/kg and oral administration at a dose of 3 mg/kg in healthy adult giant pandas was determined. Levofloxacin concentrations in plasma were determined using liquid chromatography. In the levofloxacin intramuscular administration group, the absorption and elimination half‐lives of the drug were determined to be 0.123 (range: 0.02) hr and 5.402 (range: 0.70) hr, respectively. In the levofloxacin oral administration group, the absorption and elimination half‐lives were determined to be 0.325 (range: 0.02) hr and 7.143 (range: 0.63) hr, respectively. Furthermore, the blood–drug concentration of levofloxacin was found to be above 1 μg/ml after 8 hr of intramuscular administration and above 0.5 μg/ml after 12 hr of oral administration. In this study, HPLC conditions and pretreatment methods of plasma samples were optimized and a detection method was established. Our results indicated that in healthy adult giant pandas, levofloxacin was rapidly absorbed and slowly eliminated. This study will therefore provide to be a guide in veterinary research and will be helpful in the rational use of levofloxacin in giant panda.
Be careful with ecological associations
Authors: Roumeliotis Stefanos , Abd ElHafeez Samar , Jager Kitty J. , Dekker Friedo W. , Stel Vianda S. , Pitino Annalisa , Zoccali Carmine , Tripepi Giovanni
Published: February 2021

Ecological studies are observational studies commonly used in public health research. The main characteristic of this study design is that the statistical analysis is based on pooled (i.e., aggregated) rather than on individual data. Thus, patient‐level information such as age, gender, income and disease condition are not considered as individual characteristics but as mean values or frequencies, calculated at country or community level. Ecological studies can be used to compare the aggregated prevalence and incidence data of a given condition across different geographical areas, to assess time‐related trends of the frequency of a pre‐defined disease/condition, to identify factors explaining changes in health indicators over time in specific populations, to discriminate genetic from environmental causes of geographical variation in disease, or to investigate the relationship between a population‐level exposure and a specific disease or condition. The major pitfall in ecological studies is the ecological fallacy, a bias which occurs when conclusions about individuals are erroneously deduced from results about the group to which those individuals belong. In this paper, by using a series of examples, we provide a general explanation of the ecological studies and provide some useful elements to recognize or suspect ecological fallacy in this type of studies.
Extra‐axial sacral soft tissue giant cell ependymoma affecting a child: Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Planas Silvia , Cruz Ofelia , Bejarano Miguel , Albert Asteria , Rovira Carlota , Bombi Josep A.
Published: February 2021

An otherwise healthy eight‐year‐old girl presented with a mass in the soft tissue of the sacral region. The lesion was diagnosed as a vascular malformation on imaging studies, for which percutaneous sclerotherapy was attempted. The mass continued to grow and a complete resection was performed after four years. The pathological diagnosis was giant cell ependymoma (GCE). GCE is a term used to describe a rare histologic variant of ependymoma characterized by malignancy‐like morphologic phenotype and indolent behavior. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of extra‐axial soft tissue sacral GCE reported in a child.
Localised laccase activity modulates distribution of lignin polymers in gymnosperm compression wood
Authors: Hiraide Hideto , Tobimatsu Yuki , Yoshinaga Arata , Lam Pui Ying , Kobayashi Masaru , Matsushita Yasuyuki , Fukushima Kazuhiko , Takabe Keiji
Published: February 2021

The woody stems of coniferous gymnosperms produce specialised compression wood to adjust the stem growth orientation in response to gravitropic stimulation. During this process, tracheids develop a compression‐wood‐specific S2L cell wall layer with lignins highly enriched with p‐hydroxyphenyl (H)‐type units derived from H‐type monolignol, whereas lignins produced in the cell walls of normal wood tracheids are exclusively composed of guaiacyl (G)‐type units from G‐type monolignol with a trace amount of H‐type units. We show that laccases, a class of lignin polymerisation enzymes, play a crucial role in the spatially organised polymerisation of H‐type and G‐type monolignols during compression wood formation in Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa).

We performed a series of chemical‐probe‐aided imaging analysis on C. obtusa compression wood cell walls, together with gene expression, protein localisation and enzymatic assays of C. obtusa laccases.

Our data indicated that CoLac1 and CoLac3 with differential oxidation activities towards H‐type and G‐type monolignols were precisely localised to distinct cell wall layers in which H‐type and G‐type lignin units were preferentially produced during the development of compression wood tracheids.

We propose that, not only the spatial localisation of laccases, but also their biochemical characteristics dictate the spatial patterning of lignin polymerisation in gymnosperm compression wood.