bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Region‐specific determinants of the foreign direct investment in China
Authors: Wong David W.H. , Lee Harry F. , Zhao Simon X. , Pei Qing
Published: March 2020

This study revisits region‐specific determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Eastern, Central, and Western China using econometric and spatial analyses. It uses a data set covering 31 Chinese provinces and autonomous regions spanning the period 2005–15, together with panel data regression. Our statistical results show that in Eastern China, FDI is significantly associated with bilateral trade, orientation towards the service industry, industrialisation level, and availability of strategic assets in the region. In Central China, FDI is mainly pulled by availability of the domestic market and strategic assets in the region. In Western China, FDI inflows are mainly determined by natural resource endowment, industrialisation level, and regional innovation and production effectiveness in information and communication technology industries. Our analysis also reveals the impact of FDI in China's regional development and its capacity to hollow out the three Chinese macro‐regions. Our findings for China lead us to suggest that those governments seeking to attract FDI should not solely rely on it to facilitate local economic development and should make use of local circumstances in combination with FDI to boost their economies.
Metastatic melanoma presenting as intravenous tumour thrombus
Authors: Nguyen Jennifer , Clements Warren , McLean Catriona , Haydon Andrew , Moore Maggie , Yap Kenneth SK , Mar Victoria , Shackleton Mark
Published: March 2020

Tumour thrombus is a complication that occurs when a malignancy invades into the vasculature, occluding its lumen. Here, we present a rare case of melanoma tumour thrombus of the great saphenous vein of the left thigh, which was diagnosed on 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and ultrasound‐guided biopsy, and responded well to immunotherapy with pembrolizumab.
Use of antimalarial drugs is associated with a lower risk of preeclampsia in lupus pregnancy: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Saavedra Miguel Ángel , Miranda‐Hernández Dafhne , Lara‐Mejía Alejandra , Sánchez Antonio , Morales Sara , Cruz‐Reyes Claudia , Cruz‐Domínguez Pilar , Medina Gabriela , Jara Luis Javier
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Several factors have been associated with the development of preeclampsia in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objective

To identify risk factors associated with preeclampsia in patients with SLE and its impact on fetal outcomes.

Patients and methods

We studied a prospective cohort of pregnancies in women with SLE from January 2009 to December 2018. Demographic, clinical, serological and drug use characteristics were compared between patients who developed preeclampsia and those who did not, as well as the main neonatal outcomes. An adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors potentially associated with preeclampsia.

Results

We studied 316 pregnancies of 20 or more weeks of gestation. A total of 46 pregnancies (14.5%) were complicated by preeclampsia. A higher frequency of active disease before pregnancy (24.4% vs 11.3%, P = .01) and history of lupus nephritis (56.5% vs 30.1%, P < .001) were found in those patients who developed preeclampsia compared to those who did not. Preeclampsia was associated with a higher rate of prematurity, births of very low birth weight, stillbirth, and neonatal death. The multivariate analysis showed that the activity of the disease before (relative risk [RR] 2.7, 95% CI 1.04‐7.4, P = .04) and during pregnancy (RR 3.0, 95% CI 1.0‐9.1, P = .04) was associated with the development of preeclampsia. The use of antimalarial drugs during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of preeclampsia (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08‐0.53, P < .001).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the use of antimalarial drugs during pregnancy reduces the risk of preeclampsia in lupus pregnancies.
Towards Improved Guidelines for Cost–Benefit Analysis of Sport and Cultural Events
Authors: Massiani Jérôme
Published: March 2020

Consistent evaluation procedures would be necessary to assess correctly the impacts of sport and cultural events, in particular large events. This paper reviews methodological issues in CBA of sport and cultural events based on what appears as the first attempt to provide guidelines for such analysis: the Framework used by New South Wales Treasury. This framework actually deals with most of the questions that an analyst would have to consider on this issue. Based on this document, we propose various possible amendments, which mostly relate to a fuller consideration of opportunity costs, displacement and other General Equilibrium effects. Many of the methodological issues investigated may have an important impact on the analysis results.
Individual Investors' Attention to Accounting Information: Evidence from Online Financial Communities*
Authors: Lerman Alina
Published: March 2020

Online financial communities provide a unique opportunity to directly examine individual investors' attention to accounting information on a large scale and in great detail. I analyze accounting‐related content in large samples of Yahoo! message board posts and StockTwits and find investors pay attention to a range of accounting information, fixating particularly on earnings, cash, and revenues. Consistent with the expectation that investors react to relevant information events, I find accounting‐related discussion elevated around the filings of earnings releases and 8‐K reports, but the reaction to periodic reports is confined to small firms. I also find investors expand their acquisition of accounting information and processing efforts in poor information environments. Greater attention to accounting information at earnings releases does not appear to be meaningfully associated with better information processing.
smartR: An r package for spatial modelling of fisheries and scenario simulation of management strategies
Authors: D'Andrea Lorenzo , Parisi Antonio , Fiorentino Fabio , Garofalo Germana , Gristina Michele , Cataudella Stefano , Russo Tommaso
Published: March 2020

Overfishing or exploitation patterns with high juvenile mortalities often negatively impact demersal fish stocks. Meanwhile, the increased availability and diffusion of georeferenced information is propelling a revolution of marine spatial planning.

A spatial‐explicit approach to the management of fishing effort should protect the Essential Fish Habitats and minimize the impact of trawlers on areas where juveniles of commercial species concentrate.

The smartR package is a data‐driven model that implements the Spatially explicit bio‐economic Model for Assessing and managing demeRsal Trawl fisheries to edit and format the raw data; construct and maintain coherent datasets; to numerically and visually inspect the generated metadata; to simulate management scenarios and forecast the possible effects in terms of resources status and economic performances of the fleets.

Explicit inclusion of the spatial dimension is essential to improve the understanding of the fishery system, and to enhance the ability of management plans to improve stocks statuses.
Letter: immunogenicity of infliximab—ready for routine prediction?
Authors: Amiot Aurelien
Published: March 2020

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Wilson et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15563 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15584.
The relationship between attachment insecurity and experiences on the paranoia continuum: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Murphy Regina , Goodall Karen , Woodrow Amanda
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Attachment has long been theorized to play a key role in the development of paranoia. Associations between both constructs have been reported over the last decade, but have ranged widely in magnitude to date. The present study is the first publication to synthesize existing literature and provide a meta‐analytic estimate of the attachment–paranoia relationship.

Methods

A systematic search of studies available up to January 2019 was conducted using Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, OpenGrey, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. This yielded 26 studies which met inclusion criteria (N = 10,539; mean age range 16–47; 45% male). Data were analysed using random effects models with restricted maximum likelihood variance estimator. Age and sex were examined as moderators in meta‐regressions.

Results

Paranoia was significantly associated with attachment anxiety (r = .38; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.44; p < .0001; I2 = 88%; k = 26) and attachment avoidance (r = .24; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.29; p < .0001; I2 = 79%; k = 26). The strength of these associations did not differ between clinical and non‐clinical participant samples. Neither age nor sex moderated identified relationships.

Conclusions

There is a moderate association between both constructs of interest. These findings suggest that attachment insecurity may be an active agent in the aetiology and/or maintenance of experiences on the paranoia continuum. Implications for psychological treatment, for example, consideration of attachment status in formulations, are briefly discussed.

Practitioner points

Paranoia is associated with both attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance.

These associations are of similar strength for people with and without psychosis.

Attachment may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of paranoia.

It may be beneficial to target attachment in psychological therapies for psychosis.
Complexity within an oil palm monoculture: The effects of habitat variability and rainfall on adult dragonfly (Odonata) communities
Authors: Luke Sarah H. , Dwi Advento Andreas , Dow Rory A. , Aryawan Anak Agung Ketut , Barclay Holly , Eycott Amy E. , Hinsch Julie K. , Kurniawan Candra , Naim Mohammad , Mann Darren J. , Pujianto  , Purnomo Dedi , Rambe Tuani Dzulfikar Siguga , Slade Eleanor M. , Soeprapto  , Ps Sudharto , Suhardi  , Tarigan Ribka Sionita , Wahyuningsih Resti , Widodo Rudy Harto , Caliman Jean‐Pierre , Snaddon Jake L. , Foster William A. , Turner Edgar C.
Published: March 2020

Recent expansion of oil palm agriculture has resulted in loss of forest habitat and forest‐dependent species. However, large numbers of species—particularly insects—can persist within plantations. This study focuses on Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies): a charismatic indicator taxon and a potentially valuable pest control agent. We surveyed adult Odonata populations biannually over three years within an industrial oil palm plantation in Sumatra, Indonesia. We assessed the effects of rainfall (including an El Niño Southern Oscillation‐associated drought), the role of roadside ditches, and the importance of understory vegetation on Odonata populations. To assess the impacts of vegetation, we took advantage of a long‐term vegetation management experiment that is part of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function in Tropical Agriculture (BEFTA) Programme. We found 41 Odonata species, and communities varied between plantation core and roadside edge microhabitats, and between seasons. Abundance was significantly related to rainfall levels four months before surveys, probably indicating the importance of high water levels in roadside ditches for successful larval development. We found no significant effect of the BEFTA understory vegetation treatments on Odonata abundance, and only limited effects on community composition, suggesting that local understory vegetation structure plays a relatively unimportant role in determining communities. Our findings highlight that there are large numbers of Odonata species present within oil palm plantations and suggest that their abundance could potentially be increased by maintaining or establishing waterbodies. As Odonata are predators, this could bring pest control benefits, in addition to enhancing biodiversity within intensive agricultural landscapes.

Abstract in Indonesian is available with online material.
Down by the riverside: Riparian edge effects on three monkey species in a fragmented Costa Rican forest
Authors: Bolt Laura M. , Schreier Amy L. , Voss Kristofor A. , Sheehan Elizabeth A. , Barrickman Nancy L.
Published: March 2020

Rivers represent natural edges in forests, serving as transition zones between landscapes. Natural edge effects are important to study to understand how intrinsic habitat variations affect wildlife as well as the impact of human‐induced forest fragmentation. We examined the influence of riparian and anthropogenic edge on mantled howler, white‐faced capuchin, Central American spider monkeys, and vegetation structure at La Suerte Biological Research Station (abbreviated as LSBRS), Costa Rica. We predicted lower monkey encounter rate, tree species richness, and median dbh at both edge types compared to interior and that monkeys would show species‐specific responses to edge based on size and diet. We expected large, folivorous–frugivorous howler monkeys and small, generalist capuchins would be found at increased density in forest edge, while large, frugivorous spider monkeys would be found at decreased density in forest edge. We conducted population and vegetation surveys along interior, riparian, and anthropogenic edge transects at LSBRS and used GLMM to compare vegetation and monkey encounter rate. Tree species richness and median dbh were higher in forest interior than anthropogenic edge zones. Although spider monkey encounter rate did not vary between forest edges and interior, howler monkeys were encountered at highest density in riparian edge, while capuchins were encountered at highest density in anthropogenic edge. Our results indicate that diverse forest edges have varying effects on biota. Vegetation was negatively affected by forest edges, while monkey species showed species‐specific edge preferences. Our findings suggest that riparian zones should be prioritized for conservation in Neotropical forests.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
A historical and comparative review of 50 years of root data collection in Puerto Rico
Authors: Yaffar Daniela , Norby Richard J.
Published: March 2020

Fine roots play an important role in plant nutrition, as well as in carbon, water, and nutrient cycling. Fine roots account for a third of terrestrial net primary production (NPP), and inclusion of their structure and function in global carbon models should improve predictions of ecosystem responses to climate change. However, studies focusing on underground plant components are much less frequent than those on aboveground structure. This is more marked in the tropics, where one‐third of the planet's terrestrial NPP is produced. Some tropical forests have been more represented in the literature than others, as demonstrated in the collective studies in Puerto Rico. This Caribbean island's biodiversity, frequency of natural disturbances, ease of access to forests, and long‐term plots have created an ideal place for the study of tropical ecological processes. This literature review emphasizes 50 years of root research and patterns revealed around Puerto Rico. The data in this review were compiled from scientific publications, conference reports, symposiums, and raw data shared by some researches. Emergent patterns include the shallow distribution of fine roots, the great variation in root biomass among different forest types, little variation in root phosphorus concentrations, the slow recovery of root biomass after Hurricane Hugo, and the fact that most data on roots come from the wet tropical Luquillo Experimental Forest, causing other habitat types to be underrepresented. This review also shows the gaps in knowledge about fine roots in the island's ecosystems, which should be used to promote and guide future studies.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Epidermal growth factor‐induced COX‐2 regulates metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma through upregulation of angiopoietin‐like 4
Authors: Chiang Kuo‐Hwa , Shieh Jiunn‐Min , Shen Chih‐Jie , Chang Ting‐Wei , Wu Pei‐Ting , Hsu Jinn‐Yuan , Tsai Jhih‐Peng , Chang Wen‐Chang , Chen Ben‐Kuen
Published: March 2020

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and activation are the major causes of metastasis in cancers such as head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the reciprocal effect of EGF‐induced COX‐2 and angiopoietin‐like 4 (ANGPTL4) on HNSCC metastasis remains unclear. In this study, we revealed that the expression of ANGPTL4 is essential for COX‐2‐derived prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)‐induced tumor cell metastasis. We showed that EGF‐induced ANGPTL4 expression was dramatically inhibited with the depletion and inactivation of COX‐2 by knockdown of COX‐2 and celecoxib treatment, respectively. Prostaglandin E2 induced ANGPTL4 expression in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manners in various HNSCC cell lines through the ERK pathway. In addition, the depletion of ANGPTL4 and MMP1 significantly impeded the PGE2‐induced transendothelial invasion ability of HNSCC cells and the binding of tumor cells to endothelial cells. The induction of molecules involved in the regulation of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition was also dependent on ANGPTL4 expression in PGE2‐treated cells. The depletion of ANGPTL4 further blocked PGE2‐primed tumor cell metastatic seeding of lungs. These results indicate that the EGF‐activated PGE2/ANGPTL4 axis enhanced HNSCC metastasis. The concurrent expression of COX‐2 and ANGPTL4 in HNSCC tumor specimens provides insight into potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of EGFR‐associated HNSCC metastasis.
Does the gender of a practitioner matter in early childhood education and care? Perspectives from Scottish and Chinese young children
Authors: Xu Yuwei
Published: March 2020

This paper responds to concerns over the assumed ‘feminisation’ of early childhood education and care (ECEC) and adds children's perspectives to debates on whether more men should work in ECEC. Pictorial conversations were conducted with 280 children aged 2–6 years old from the cities of Edinburgh, Hong Kong and Tianjin. Findings show that although children sometimes related practitioners to their gendered experiences in and outside ECEC, children's gender subjectivities are dynamic and are linked to their short‐term and long‐term, fluid and stable, and interactive relationships with practitioners. This paper argues that practitioners need to openly discuss gender with children in ECEC practices and pedagogies.
Socioeconomic inequality and adjustments in children’s perceptions of their agency as they age in South Korea
Authors: Kim Chae‐Young , Gewirtz Sharon
Published: March 2020

This paper explores how children's perceptions of their agency, as something that is closely associated with its exercise, appear in relation to social structural factors, especially their socioeconomic positions, as they age. Using data from 862 10–18 years old in South Korea, we examine how children's expressed optimism about their ability to achieve their occupational choices can conceal the impact of structural factors on their ‘choices’ and dispositions for (non‐)action over time. Based on the findings, we argue for a more careful interpretation of children's sense of agency that recognises its propensity to continuously adjust in contexts of structural inequality.
A new paradigm: Bringing a historical and sociopolitical trauma lens to the training for welfare practitioners working with Aboriginal families
Authors: Menzies Karen
Published: March 2020

This article argues that child protection agencies must provide mandatory training about the Aboriginal experience within the welfare state and the resultant trauma that exists in Australian Indigenous communities. This article highlights the areas of curriculum to be included in training for welfare practitioners working with Aboriginal families in the New South Wales child protection system. The training content explores the Stolen Generations’ trauma experiences of child loss and examines the dichotomy between past child welfare laws and present child protection laws and intergenerational racism. Another key component of the training comprises information about the impacts of trauma on brain development.
The punitive transition in youth justice: Reconstructing the child as offender
Authors: Case Stephen , Bateman Tim
Published: March 2020

The transition from ‘child’ to ‘offender’ status can be fast‐tracked when offending is formally recognised through formal disposal, with children treated increasing punitively as they progress through the Youth Justice System. The status and ‘offenderising’ transitions of children who offend is socio‐historically contingent, not only on their behaviour, but on political, socio‐economic, societal, systemic and demography. We support this perspective through a periodised re‐examination of four socio‐historical trajectories in the construction of the ‘youth offender’: Conflict, ambivalence and bifurcation (1908‐1979); depenalising diversion and back to justice (1980‐1992), fast‐tracking the child to offender transition (1993‐2007) and tentative depenalisation (2008 to present).
An adaptive plan for prioritizing road sections for fencing to reduce animal mortality
Authors: Spanowicz Ariel G. , Teixeira Fernanda Zimmermann , Jaeger Jochen A. G.
Published: March 2020

Mortality of animals on roads is a critical threat to many wildlife populations and is poised to increase strongly because of ongoing and planned road construction. If these new roads cannot be avoided, effective mitigation measures will be necessary to stop biodiversity decline. Fencing along roads effectively reduces roadkill and is often used in combination with wildlife passages. Because fencing the entire road is not always possible due to financial constraints, high‐frequency roadkill areas are often identified to inform the placement of fencing. We devised an adaptive fence‐implementation plan to prioritize road sections for fencing. In this framework, areas along roads of high, moderate, and low levels of animal mortality (respectively, roadkill hotspots, warmspots, and coldspots) are identified at multiple scales (i.e., in circles of different diameters [200–2000 m] in which mortality frequency is measured). Fence deployment is based on the relationship between the amount of fencing being added to the road, starting with the strongest roadkill hotspots, and potential reduction in road mortality (displayed in mortality‐reduction graphs). We applied our approach to empirical and simulated spatial patterns of wildlife–vehicle collisions. The scale used for analysis affected the number and spatial extent of roadkill hot‐, warm‐, and coldspots. At fine scales (e.g., 200 m), more hotspots were identified than at coarse scales (e.g., 2000 m), but combined the fine‐scale hotspots covered less road and less fencing was needed to reduce road mortality. However, many short fences may be less effective in practice due to a fence‐end effect (i.e., animals moving around the fence more easily), resulting in a trade‐off between few long and many short fences, which we call the FLOMS (few‐long‐or‐many‐short) fences trade‐off. Thresholds in the mortality‐reduction graphs occurred for some roadkill patterns, but not for others. Thresholds may be useful to consider when determining road‐mitigation targets. The existence of thresholds at multiple scales and the FLOMS trade‐off have important implications for biodiversity conservation.
China, Like the US, Faces Challenges in Achieving Inclusive Growth through Manufacturing
Authors: Lawrence Robert Z.
Published: March 2020

For more than three decades the goal of becoming “the factory of the world” has been at the core of China's development strategy. This strategy, in combination with high rates of domestic investment and low rates of consumption, has made Chinese production the most manufacturing intensive in the world. But as its wages have risen, China's competitiveness in the most labor‐intensive manufacturing industries has eroded. Its ability to assemble products remains a major source of its exports, but it has also tried to shift toward more sophisticated value‐added production domestically. Chinese domestic spending has shifted away from investment toward consumption as citizens' income has grown. Like Americans, Chinese are also spending more on services than on manufactured goods. All of these changes are fundamentally altering the structure of China's production, reducing the role of manufacturing and increasing the skill levels of workers in manufacturing. This paper reviews the challenges posed by these developments for China's long‐term goal of achieving more inclusive growth. It presents evidence that the commonly held perceptions that Chinese manufacturing employment growth is robust are wrong. In fact, such growth has peaked and China is now following a pattern of structural change that is typical of a more mature emerging economy, in which the share of employment in manufacturing declines as workers are increasingly employed in services.
European versus American Perspectives on the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Sarsenbayev Madi , Véron Nicolas
Published: March 2020

China has started to deploy its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the European Union (EU), and the EU in turn has regional and global interests that intersect with the BRI's scope. Subject to future adjustments of China's BRI strategy, the initiative's potential contribution to the EU requirements for infrastructure development could be significant, even though its modalities in the EU are inevitably different from those in countries that are poorer or have more difficult financial market access. The EU's attitude to the BRI, however, has not yet fully coalesced. Despite superficial similarities in public discourses, the EU has a profoundly distinct perspective from that of the US on the BRI, and more generally on the rise of China and its growing global influence. For the EU, the BRI generates challenges but also potential benefits. The EU should improve its ability to welcome sensible BRI projects, including through the adoption of greater reform of screening frameworks for foreign direct investment. More generally, the EU should enhance its ability to define policies independent of the US on China and the challenges resulting from China's rise. China should also make further efforts to foster a constructive relationship with the EU.
Sodium channel epilepsies and neurodevelopmental disorders: from disease mechanisms to clinical application
Authors: Brunklaus Andreas , Lal Dennis
Published: March 2020

Genetic variants in brain‐expressed voltage‐gated sodium channels (SCNs) have emerged as one of the most frequent causes of Mendelian forms of epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). This review explores the biological concepts that underlie sodium channel NDDs, explains their phenotypic heterogeneity, and appraises how this knowledge may inform clinical practice. We observe that excitatory/inhibitory neuronal expression ratios of sodium channels are important regulatory mechanisms underlying brain development, homeostasis, and neurological diseases. We hypothesize that a detailed understanding of gene expression, variant tolerance, location, and function, as well as timing of seizure onset can aid the understanding of how variants in SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN3A, and SCN8A contribute to seizure aetiology and inform treatment choice. We propose a model in which variant type, development‐specific gene expression, and functions of SCNs explain the heterogeneity of sodium channel associated NDDs. Understanding of basic disease mechanisms and detailed knowledge of variant characteristics have increasing influence on clinical decision making, enabling us to stratify treatment and move closer towards precision medicine in sodium channel epilepsy and NDDs.

What this paper adds

Sodium‐channel disorder heterogeneity is explained by variant‐specific gene expression timing and function.

Gene tolerance and location analyses aid sodium channel variant interpretation.

Sodium‐channel variant characteristics can contribute to clinical decision making.
The role of drought as a determinant of hemorrhagic disease in the eastern United States
Authors: Christensen Sonja A. , Ruder Mark G. , Williams David M. , Porter William F. , Stallknecht David E.
Published: March 2020

Bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (HD) virus are globally distributed, vector‐borne viruses that infect and cause disease in domestic and wild ruminant species. The forces driving increases in resulting HD may be linked to weather conditions and increasing severity has been noted in northerly latitudes. We evaluated the role of drought severity in both space and time on changes in HD reports across the eastern United States for a recent 15 year period. The objectives of this study were to: (a) develop a spatiotemporal model to evaluate if drought severity explains changing patterns of HD presence; and (b) determine whether this potential risk factor varies in importance over the present range of HD in the eastern United States. Historic data (2000–2014) from an annual HD presence–absence survey conducted by the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study and from the United States Drought Monitor were used for this analysis. For every county in 23 states and for each of 15 years, data were based on reported drought status for August, wetland cover, the physiographic region, and the status of HD in the previous year. We used a generalized linear mixed model to explain HD presence and evaluated spatiotemporal predictors across the region. We found that drought severity was a significant predictor of HD presence and the significance of this relationship was dependent on latitude. In more northerly latitudes, where immunological naivety is most likely, we demonstrated the increasing strength of drought severity as a determinant of reported HD and established the importance of variation in drought severity as a risk factor over the present range of HD in the eastern United States. Our research provides spatially explicit evidence for the link between climate forces and emerging disease patterns across latitude for a globally distributed disease.
Long non‐coding RNA colon cancer‐associated transcript‐1 regulates tumor cell proliferation and invasion of non‐small‐cell lung cancer through suppressing miR‐152
Authors: Li Na , Hao Weiwei , Yang Junfang , Guo Yali , Guo Yonggang , Du Ying
Published: March 2020

Aim

Lung cancer serves as one of the most common cancers in the world, and approximately 50% of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are found to be aged >70 when diagnosed. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of long non‐coding RNAs colon cancer‐associated transcript‐1 (CCAT1) in NSCLC.

Methods

A total of 72 clinical samples from older NSCLC patients were collected for analysis. The relative mRNA level of CCAT1 was detected through real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Overall survival of NSCLC patients was detected through Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. MTT assays were used to detect cell proliferation. Cell invasion was determined by transwell assay. Protein levels were detected through western blot.

Results

CCAT1 expression levels significantly increased in NSCLC tumor tissues and were associated with poor overall survival of NSCLC patients. CCAT1 promotes cell proliferation, cell invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of NSCLC cell lines. CCAT1 binds with miR‐152, and the effect of si‐CCAT1 in NSCLC cell proliferation, cell invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition was partially reversed by anti‐miR‐152.

Conclusions

Long non‐coding RNA CCAT1 regulates tumor cell proliferation and invasion in NSCLC through suppressing miR‐152. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; ••: ••–••.
Migraine Care in the Era of COVID‐19: Clinical Pearls and Plea to Insurers
Authors: Szperka Christina L. , Ailani Jessica , Barmherzig Rebecca , Klein Brad C. , Minen Mia T. , Halker Singh Rashmi B. , Shapiro Robert E.
Published: March 2020

Objective

To outline strategies for the treatment of migraine which do not require in‐person visits to clinic or the emergency department, and to describe ways that health insurance companies can remove barriers to quality care for migraine.

Background

COVID‐19 is a global pandemic causing widespread infections and death. To control the spread of infection we are called to observe “social distancing” and we have been asked to postpone any procedures which are not essential. Since procedural therapies are a mainstay of headache care, the inability to do procedures could negatively affect our patients with migraine. In this manuscript we review alternative therapies, with particular attention to those which may be contra‐indicated in the setting of COVID‐19 infection.

Design/Results

The manuscript reviews the use of telemedicine visits and acute, bridge, and preventive therapies for migraine. We focus on evidence‐based treatment where possible, but also describe “real world” strategies which may be tried. In each section we call out areas where changes to rules from commercial health insurance companies would facilitate better migraine care.

Conclusions

Our common goal as health care providers is to maximize the health and safety of our patients. Successful management of migraine with avoidance of in‐person clinic and emergency department visits further benefits the current urgent societal goal of maintaining social distance to contain the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Spectrum of skin diseases in Amerindian villages of the Upper Oyapock, French Guiana
Authors: Malmontet Thomas , Guarmit Basma , Gaillet Melanie , Michaud Celine , Garceran Nicolas , Chanlin Romain , Demar Magalie , Couppie Pierre , Blaizot Romain
Published: March 2020

Background

Due to their genetic characteristics, their isolation in rainforest areas, and their traditional way of life, Amerindian populations are likely to suffer from a specific spectrum of dermatoses. However, there are few available data on such skin disorders. Our aims were to describe all skin disorders in two Amerindian villages of French Guiana.

Methods

This retrospective study concerned all patients who consulted in the Health Centres of Camopi and Trois‐Sauts between July 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018. We included all patients classified with an ICD code linked to a skin disorder. All medical records were cross‐checked by two dermatologists to correct misclassifications.

Results

A total of 639 patients formed the study population, for 866 different skin disorders. Non‐sexually transmitted infections represented 57.6% of all skin disorders, followed by eczema (11.5%) and bites/envenomations (9.1%). Bacteria were responsible for 238 skin infections, followed by fungi (141 cases) and parasites (69 cases, including 43 scabies, nine cutaneous leishmaniasis, and two tungiasis). We reported a low prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (10 cases) and an absence of skin cancers.

Conclusions

This study revealed the absence of skin cancer in the Amerindian population of the Upper Oyapock and the important burden of infectious and animal‐related diseases. Future studies should assess a possible underestimation of sexually transmitted diseases in this area. Public health policies should target neglected diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis, tungiasis, scabies, and envenomations. Atopic dermatitis was a significant and unexpected cause of consultations.
Controllable synthesis of Eu3+‐doped Y2O3 nanocrystal/g‐C3N4 composites with tunable fluorescence
Authors: Zheng Zekun , Zeng Zixin , Guo Qianyi , Pan Qiwen , Qiu Jianrong , Dong Guoping
Published: March 2020

The application of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) has been restricted in some optoelectronics fields due to its narrow tunable emission region. In order to engineer the optical properties, herein we combine Eu3+:Y2O3 nanocrystals with g‐C3N4to control its electronic structure. Surprisingly, with the increasing concentration of Eu3+:Y2O3 nanocrystals, the photoluminescence of Eu3+:Y2O3/g‐C3N4 (EYCN) showed a continuous red shift in comparison with pure g‐C3N4 from blue to green. In EYCN composites, the Eu3+:Y2O3 nanocrystals as electron donors, can improve the degree of electron delocalization and narrow the bandgap. Importantly, the EYCN composites not only maintain the intrinsic blue‐green emission of g‐C3N4, but also introduce the red light of Eu3+ ions. Based on the EYCN composites, white light‐emitting diode (WLED) were fabricated with a Commission International de L’Eclairage value of (0.3631, 0.3560). This work proposes a new kind of luminescent g‐C3N4‐based composites, which is expected to broaden its applications in optoelectronics field.
FGF21 induces autophagy‐mediated cholesterol efflux to inhibit atherogenesis via RACK1 up‐regulation
Authors: Xiaolong Lin , Dongmin Guo , Liu Mihua , Zuo Wang , Huijun Hu , Qiufen Tan , XueMei Hu , Wensheng Lin , Yuping Pan , Jun Lin , Zhaolin Zeng
Published: March 2020

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) acts as an anti‐atherosclerotic agent. However, the specific mechanisms governing this regulatory activity are unclear. Autophagy is a highly conserved cell stress response which regulates atherosclerosis (AS) by reducing lipid droplet degradation in foam cells. We sought to assess whether FGF21 could inhibit AS by regulating cholesterol metabolism in foam cells via autophagy and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, ApoE−/− mice were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) with or without FGF21 and FGF21 + 3‐Methyladenine (3MA) for 12 weeks. Our results showed that FGF21 inhibited AS in HFD‐fed ApoE−/− mice, which was reversed by 3MA treatment. Moreover, FGF21 increased plaque RACK1 and autophagy‐related protein (LC3 and beclin‐1) expression in ApoE−/− mice, thus preventing AS. However, these proteins were inhibited by LV‐RACK1 shRNA injection. Foam cell development is a crucial determinant of AS, and cholesterol efflux from foam cells represents an important defensive measure of AS. In this study, foam cells were treated with FGF21 for 24 hours after a pre‐treatment with 3MA, ATG5 siRNA or RACK1 siRNA. Our results indicated that FGF21‐induced autophagy promoted cholesterol efflux to reduce cholesterol accumulation in foam cells by up‐regulating RACK1 expression. Interestingly, immunoprecipitation results showed that RACK1 was able to activate AMPK and interact with ATG5. Taken together, our results indicated that FGF21 induces autophagy to promote cholesterol efflux and reduce cholesterol accumulation in foam cells through RACK1‐mediated AMPK activation and ATG5 interaction. These results provided new insights into the molecular mechanisms of FGF21 in the treatment of AS.
A comprehensive analysis of IDO1 expression with tumour‐infiltrating immune cells and mutation burden in gynaecologic and breast cancers
Authors: Feng Xu , Tang Ranran , Zhang Runjie , Wang Huan , Ji Zhaodong , Shao Yang , Wang Shuoer , Zhong Tianying , Gu Yun , Meng Jiao
Published: March 2020

Gynaecologic and breast cancers share some similarities at the molecular level. The aims of our study are to highlight the similarities and differences about IDO1, an important immune‐related gene in female cancers. The NGS data from TCGA of cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC), ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma (OV), uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC), uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) and breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) were analysed to identify molecular features, and clinically significant and potential therapeutic targets of IDO1. We found IDO1 was significantly up‐regulated in four gynaecologic cancers and breast cancer. According to breast cancer PAM50 classification scheme, IDO1 expression was higher in tumours of basal than other subtypes and showed better survival prognosis in BRCA and OV. Through immune infiltration analysis, we found a strong correlation between IDO1 and immune cell populations especially for dendritic cells and T cells. In addition, we investigated the association between IDO1 and tumour mutation burden (TMB) and found that IDO1 was significantly correlated with TMB in BRCA and CESC. GSVA revealed that hallmarks significantly correlated with IDO1 were involved in interferon gamma response, allograft rejection and inflammatory response. We also found PD‐L1 and LAG3 were highly positive related to IDO1 in gynaecologic cancers when comparing with their corresponding normal tissues. Our results indicated that IDO1 participated in anti‐tumour immune process and is correlated with mutation burden. These findings may expand our outlook of potential anti‐IDO1 treatments.
Overexpression of peptidase inhibitor 16 attenuates angiotensin II–induced cardiac fibrosis via regulating HDAC1 of cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Deng Mengqing , Yang Shuo , Ji Yue , Lu Yan , Qiu Ming , Sheng Yanhui , Sun Wei , Kong Xiangqing
Published: March 2020

Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis are the major causes of heart failure due to non‐ischaemia heart disease. To date, no specific therapy exists for cardiac fibrosis due to the largely unknown mechanisms of disease and lack of applicable therapeutic targets. In this study, we aimed to explore the role and associated mechanism of peptidase inhibitor 16 (PI16) in cardiac fibrosis induced by angiotensin II. In cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), overexpressed PI16 significantly inhibited CF proliferation and the levels of fibrosis‐associated proteins. Further analysis of epigenetic changes in CF revealed that overexpressed PI16 decreases the nuclear level of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) after angiotensin II treatment, resulting in increased histone 3 acetylation in K18 and K27 lysine. However, overexpression of HDAC1 by an adenovirus vector in CFs reversed these changes. Echocardiography showed that PI16 transgenic (Tg) mice have smaller left ventricle mass than wild‐type mice. Histological analysis data showed that PI16 Tg mice demonstrated smaller cardiomyocyte size and less collagen deposition than wild‐type mice. The effects of PI16 on HDAC1 and histone 3 were also confirmed in PI16 Tg mice using immunostaining. Generally, PI16 is a HDAC1 regulator specifically in CFs, and PI16 overexpression prevents cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis by inhibiting stress‐induced CF activation.
Association between family history of suicide attempt and neurocognitive functioning in community youth
Authors: Jones Jason D. , Boyd Rhonda C. , Calkins Monica E. , Moore Tyler M. , Ahmed Annisa , Barzilay Ran , Benton Tami D. , Gur Raquel E. , Gur Ruben C.
Published: March 2020

Background

Suicidal behavior is highly familial. Neurocognitive deficits have been proposed as an endophenotype for suicide risk that may contribute to the familial transmission of suicide. Yet, there is a lack of research on the neurocognitive functioning of first‐degree biological relatives of suicide attempters. The aim of the present study is to conduct the largest investigation to date of neurocognitive functioning in community youth with a family history of a fatal or nonfatal suicide attempt (FH).

Methods

Participants aged 8–21 years from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort completed detailed clinical and neurocognitive evaluations. A subsample of 501 participants with a FH was matched to a comparison group of 3,006 participants without a family history of suicide attempt (no‐FH) on age, sex, race, and lifetime depression.

Results

After adjusting for multiple comparisons and including relevant clinical and demographic covariates, youth with a FH had significantly lower executive function factor scores (F[1,3432] = 6.63, p = .010) and performed worse on individual tests of attention (F[1,3382] = 7.08, p = .008) and language reasoning (F[1,3387] = 5.12, p = .024) than no‐FH youth.

Conclusions

Youth with a FH show small differences in executive function, attention, and language reasoning compared to youth without a FH. Further research is warranted to investigate neurocognitive functioning as an endophenotype for suicide risk. Implications for the prevention and treatment of suicidal behaviors are discussed.
Drug‐Eluting Balloon Angioplasty for In‐Stent Restenosis Following Carotid Artery Stent Placement
Authors: Bhatia Kunal , Akhtar Iqra N. , Akinci Yasemin , Liaqat Jahanzeb , Siddiq Farhan , Gomez Camilo R. , Qureshi Adnan I.
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Drug‐eluting balloons (DEBs) have been proposed as an option for the treatment of in‐stent restenosis (ISR) following carotid artery stent placement. We report our experience and review of literature to provide additional data.

METHODS

For literature review, PubMed search was conducted to identify studies published between 2005 and 2019, reporting data on management of carotid ISR with DEBs. Two cases with carotid ISR, which were successfully treated with DEB at our facility, were also included in the final compilation of results

RESULTS

A total of seven studies demonstrating the use of the DEBs for treatment of carotid ISR were identified. They encompassed 31 patients, 11 (35.5%) of whom presented with symptomatic ISR, with the remaining 20 patients (64.5%) asymptomatic. DEB angioplasty followed by stent placement was performed in 3 patients, whereas DEB alone was utilized in 28 patients. Periprocedural complications included asymptomatic dissection from DEB inflation in 1 patient and transient neurological deficits in another patient. Follow‐up period was variable and ranged from 1 month to 5 years. Three patients were noted to develop recurrent asymptomatic stenosis, whereas 1 patient developed an episode of symptomatic restenosis post procedural on follow‐up. In our two cases, both patients were noted to have protracted period of hypotension postprocedure without any new or recurrent neurological symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The use of DEBs is a promising development and a viable alternative for management of severe and recurrent carotid ISR.
Pharmaceutical evaluation of matrix tablets prepared using a fused deposition modelling type three-dimensional printer – Effect of geometrical internal microstructural factors on drug release from enteric-polymer tablets containing rebamipide
Authors: Hattori Yusuke , Kubota Shiho , Otsuka Makoto
Published: March 2020

Objectives

Three-dimensional (3-D) printers are widely expected to provide a novel manufacturing method in the future to make personalized medicines in hospitals.

Methods

Functional filament containing 5–20% drug was prepared with rebamipide (REB; a poorly water-soluble model drug) and hypromellose phthalate (HPMCP; enteric base) at 130–170°C using a biaxial kneading extruder. Several tablet models with various internal structures were designed using computer-aided design. REB-containing 3-D tablets were prepared based on these designs from filament using a fused deposition modelling type 3-D printer.

Key findings

Physicochemical characteristics of the filament and 3-D tablets were measured by powder X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. The results suggested that a part of the crystalline REB dispersed into the HPMCP and transformed into an amorphous form, because crystalline REB was kneaded with melted HPMCP at 130–170°C during the preparation processes of filament and 3-D tablets. The drug-release properties of 3-D tablets were tested in both pH 1.2 and 6.8 buffers. REB was not released from the 3-D tablets at pH 1.2, but HPMCP dissolved at pH 6.8, and then REB was rapidly released from the tablet.

Conclusions

The dissolution of 3-D tablets in the small intestine could be controlled by the tablet geometrical structure.