bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dental and maxillofacial injuries associated with electric‐powered bikes and scooters in Israel: A report for 2014‐2019
Authors: Lin Shaul , Goldman Sharon , Peleg Kobi , Levin Liran ,   With support of the Israel Trauma Group
Published: April 2020

Background/Aims

Electric‐Powered Bikes and powered scooters present a new method of transportation and are becoming commonly used worldwide. However, the reports on traumatic dental injuries related to their use are scarce. The aim of this study was to report the frequency and severity of dental and maxillofacial injuries associated with electric‐powered bikes and scooters in Israel between the years 2014 and 2019.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study based on data from the Israeli National Trauma Registry (INTR). The INTR provides comprehensive data on hospitalized patients from all six Level I trauma centers (TC) and 15 of the 20 Level II TCs in Israel. All injured patients who were hospitalized due to a traffic collision between 2014 and 2019 were identified. The data for those hospitalized due to an e‐bike or motorized scooter accident were extracted as well as for pedestrians who were injured as a result of a crash with these vehicles.

Results

A total of 3,686 hospital admissions were related to electric‐powered bikes and scooters. Of those, 378 (10.3%) were oral and maxillofacial injuries. Most of the oral and maxillofacial injuries were attributed to powered bikes (321 out of 378; 84.92%) and the rest to powered scooters. There was a constant increase in general as well as the oral and maxillofacial injuries during the study years. Almost 20% of the cases involved injuries to the teeth. Overall, 291 pedestrians were reported to be injured due to electric‐powered bikes and scooters; 29 (9.97%) of them, suffered from oral and maxillofacial injuries. Most of those were children aged 0‐15 years (41.38%) and elders older than 60 years (37.39%).

Conclusions

Trauma related to electric‐powered bikes and scooters is an increasing concern. Dental professionals should be actively involved in educational and legislative efforts focusing on the prevention of e‐bike and scooter‐related injuries, in general, and specifically maxillofacial injuries.
Influence of soil structure on the spread of Pseudomonas fluorescens in soil at microscale
Authors: Juyal Archana , Otten Wilfred , Baveye Philippe C. , Eickhorst Thilo
Published: April 2020

For over a half a century, researchers have been aware of the fact that the physical and chemical characteristics of microenvironments in soils strongly influence the activity, growth and metabolism of microorganisms. However, many aspects of the effect of soil physical characteristics, such as the pore geometry, remain poorly understood. Therefore, the objective of the present research was to determine the influence of soil pore characteristics on the spread of bacteria, observed at the scale relevant to microbes. Pseudomonas fluorescens was introduced in columns filled with 1–2 mm soil aggregates, packed at different bulk densities. Soil microcosms were scanned at 10.87 μm voxel resolution using X‐ray computed tomography (CT) to characterize the geometry of pores. Thin sections were prepared to determine the spread and colonization of bacteria. The results showed that average bacterial cell density was 174 cells mm−2 in soil with bulk density of 1.3 g cm−3 and 99 cells mm−2 in soil with bulk density of 1.5 g cm−3. Soil porosity and solid‐pore interfaces influence the spread of bacteria and their colonization of the pore space at lower bulk density, resulting in relatively higher bacterial densities in larger pore spaces. The study also demonstrates that thin sectioning of resin‐impregnated soil samples can be combined with X‐ray CT to visualize bacterial colonization of a 3D pore volume. This research therefore represents a significant step towards understanding how environmental change and soil management impact bacterial diversity in soils.

Highlights

We used a quantitative approach to study bacterial spread in soil at scales relevant to microbes.

The rate of pseudomonas spread decreased with increased bulk density of soil.

Soil porosity and soil‐pore interface influence Pseudomonas in lower bulk density soil.

Soil structure with different pore characteristics effects spread and activity of bacteria in soil.
The phosphate desorption rate in soil limits phosphorus bioavailability to crops
Authors: Smolders Erik , Nawara Sophie , De Cooman Evelien , Merckx Roel , Martens Stijn , Elsen Annemie , Odeurs Wendy , Vandendriessche Hilde , Santner Jakob , Amery Fien
Published: April 2020

This study was set up to identify the role of the phosphorus (P) desorption rate in P diffusion and in P bioavailability in soil. The P desorption kinetics were measured with a zero‐sink method in soil suspensions (0–77 days) for a set of soils that either had or had not been mined for P in a glasshouse study. The desorption kinetics was fitted by a serial two‐pool model, discriminating a fast desorbing P pool (Q1) with desorption half‐lives of 3–8 days, and a slowly desorbing P pool (Q2), which replenishes the fast P pool with 100‐fold larger half‐lives than the fast pool. Phosphate desorption was smaller and slower after soil P mining compared to that in the original soil samples and mining reduced the Q1/Q2 ratio. This kinetic model was embedded in a 1D planar diffusion model predicting that the diffusive flux of P to a zero sink in 5 days varies by a factor of 1.4 among the observed Q1 desorption rate constants, keeping other parameters constant, and that the reduced Q1/Q2 ratio upon P mining sharply reduces the diffusible P in soil. The P uptake model of Barber‐Cushman was extended with P desorption kinetics and was successfully calibrated to the P uptake data of the glasshouse P mining study. The model correctly predicted that reduced nitrogen (N) fertilization enhances the soil P‐use efficiency because of lower critical P demand rates at slower growth. Finally, that new model predicted that maize requires >3‐fold more available P in soil than wheat because of a higher P demand rate per unit root area of maize than that of wheat. This confirms a similar factor difference in critical soil P concentrations observed in P‐response trials in Belgium between 1973 and 2018. This study shows that the P desorption rate limits P bioavailability for fast growing plants with a small effective root area, especially under negative soil P balances that slow down the desorption rate of P in soil.

Highlights

The diffusion coefficient of P in soil is reduced by soil P mining

Faster growing plants require more available P in soil because they rely on high diffusive P fluxes

P desorption rate can limit the P bioavailability
Plasma myeloperoxidase levels in acute brain ischaemia and high grade carotid stenosis
Authors: Orion D. , von Landenberg P. , Itsekson‐Hayosh Z. , Schwammenthal Y. , Tsabari R. , Merzeliak O. , Chapman J. , Tanne D.
Published: April 2020

Background and purpose

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an important oxidative enzyme participating in different stages of cardiovascular disease and predicts prognosis. Little is known about its role in acute cerebrovascular events and carotid plaque vulnerability. In this study, the aim was to assess plasma MPO levels in acute stroke patients and their correlation to stroke severity and stroke outcome.

Methods

Plasma MPO levels were assessed in patients presenting with acute brain ischaemia within 36 h of symptom onset (n = 144, mean age 64.7 ± 11.6 years, 67% men) and in patients with moderate‐to‐severe carotid stenosis undergoing carotid artery stenting (n = 51, mean age 66.3 ± 8.4 years, 75% men). Patients presenting with acute brain ischaemia were assessed serially for stroke severity and disability.

Results

Plasma MPO concentrations (ng/ml) were associated with interleukin‐6 (r = 0.38, P < 0.0001) and gender (median interquartile range) of 68.6 (49.8–107.0) vs. 59.7 (42.7–85.5) in women vs. men (P = 0.02). In acute brain ischaemia, MPO concentrations were associated with non‐lacunar subtype (bottom, middle and top tertiles 37.5%, 71.7% and 71.7% respectively; P = 0.001), with stroke severity (baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score > 10, bottom, middle and top tertiles 6.3%, vs. 41.7% and 31.3%, respectively; P < 0.006) as well as with stroke severity at days 1–2, days 4–5 and at discharge (P < 0.05 for all), but less with disability at discharge (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 2, 41.7% vs. 60.4% and 58.7% for the bottom, middle and top tertiles, respectively; P = 0.096).

Conclusions

Amongst patients with acute brain ischaemia, plasma MPO concentrations were associated with stroke severity and non‐lacunar subtype, but not with long‐term functional disability.
Hitchhiking on vesicles: a way to harness age‐related proteopathies?
Authors: Ahmadpour Doryaneh , Babazadeh Roja , Nystrom Thomas
Published: April 2020

Central to proteopathies and leading to most age‐related neurodegenerative disorders is a failure in protein quality control (PQC). To harness the toxicity of misfolded and damaged disease proteins, such proteins are either refolded, degraded by temporal PQC, or sequestered by spatial PQC into specific, organelle‐associated, compartments within the cell. Here, we discuss the impact of vesicle trafficking pathways in general, and syntaxin 5 in particular, as key players in spatial PQC directing misfolded proteins to the surface of vacuole and mitochondria, which facilitates their clearance and detoxification. Since boosting vesicle trafficking genetically can positively impact on spatial PQC and make cells less sensitive to misfolded disease proteins, we speculate that regulators of such trafficking might serve as therapeutic targets for age‐related neurological disorders.
Stromatolitic digitate sinters form under wide‐ranging physicochemical conditions with diverse hot spring microbial communities
Authors: Sriaporn Chanenath , Campbell Kathleen A. , Millan Maeva , Ruff Steven W. , Van Kranendonk Martin J. , Handley Kim M.
Published: April 2020

Digitate siliceous hot spring deposits are a form of biomediated sinter that is relatively common in the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand, and elsewhere on Earth. Such deposits have gained prominence recently because of their morphological similarity to opaline silica rocks of likely hot spring origin found by the Spirit rover on Mars and the consequent implications for potential biosignatures there. Here, we investigate the possible relationship between microbial community composition and morphological diversity among digitate structures from actively forming siliceous hot spring sinters depositing subaerially in shallow discharge channels and around pool rims at several physicochemically distinct geothermal fields in the TVZ. The TVZ digitate sinters range in morphologic subtype from knobby to spicular, and are shown to be microstromatolites that grow under varied pH ranges, temperatures, and water chemistries. Scanning electron microscopy and molecular analyses revealed that TVZ digitate sinters are intimately associated with a diverse array of bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic micro‐organisms, and for most digitate structures the diversity and quantity of prokaryotes was higher than that of eukaryotes. However, microbial community composition was not correlated with morphologic subtypes of digitate sinter, and observations provided limited evidence that pH (acidic versus alkali) affects morphology. Instead, results suggest hydrodynamics may be an important factor influencing variations in morphology, while water chemistry, pH, and temperature are strong drivers of microbial composition and diversity.
Modifications to the PREEMPT Protocol for OnabotulinumtoxinA Injections for Chronic Migraine in Clinical Practice
Authors: Begasse de Dhaem Olivia , Gharedaghi Mohammad Hadi , Rizzoli Paul
Published: April 2020

Objective

To assess the PREEMPT protocol modifications that have developed in clinical practice over time.

Background

The United States Food and Drug Administration approved the 155‐unit fixed‐dose, fixed‐site PREEMPT protocol of onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT‐A) injections for migraine prevention 9 years ago.

Methods

This is an anonymous survey with free text response options of Headache Medicine clinicians.

Results

Out of the 878 contacted Headache Medicine clinicians, 182 (20.7%) completed the survey. Of the 182 respondents, 141 (77.5%) reported that they did not always follow the PREEMPT protocol. Of the 182 respondents, 128 (70%) changed the number of injections, 115 (63%) changed the total units of BoNT‐A injected, 105 (57.7%) altered the location of injection sites (58%); 101 (55.5%) do not aspirate to ensure the absence of blood return; 22 (12.1%) changed the dilution; and 4 (2.2%) added lidocaine. The main reported reasons for changes in number, dose, and location of injections included adapting to the patients’ pain, anatomy, and preferences.

Conclusions

The wide inter‐ and intra‐personal variations in BoNT‐A injections for chronic migraine prevention seen in this survey raise concerns about the standardization of the procedure and suggest that an advisory protocol containing more evidence and discussion of the reasoning behind the recommendations might be more helpful than the current prescriptive protocol.
Clinicopathological characteristics of combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma from the viewpoint of patient prognosis after hepatic resection: High rate of early recurrence and its predictors
Authors: Yamashita Yo‐ichi , Aishima Shinichi , Nakao Yosuke , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Nagano Hiroaki , Kuroki Tamotsu , Takami Yuko , Ide Takao , Ohta Masayuki , Takatsuki Mitsuhisa , Nanashima Atsushi , Ishii Fuminori , Kitahara Kenji , Iino Satoshi , Beppu Toru , Baba Hideo , Eguchi Susumu
Published: April 2020

Aim

Combined hepatocellular cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC‐CCA) is a very rare subtype of primary liver carcinoma; therefore, its clinicopathological characteristics have not yet been elucidated in detail. The aim of the study was to reveal the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of cHCC‐CCA after hepatic resection (HR)

Methods

A total of 124 patients who underwent curative HR for cHCC‐CCA between 2000 and 2016 were enrolled in this multi‐institutional study conducted by the Kyushu Study Group of Liver Surgery. Clinicopathological analysis was performed from the viewpoint of patient prognosis.

Results

A total of 62 patients (50%) had early recurrence within 1.5 years after HR, including 36 patients (58%) with extrahepatic recurrence. In contrast, just four patients (3%) had late recurrence occurring >3 years after HR. The independent predictors of early recurrence were as follows: des‐gamma carboxyprothrombin >40 mAU/mL (odds ratio 26.2, P = 0.0117), carbohydrate antigen 19–9>37 IU/l (odds ratio 18.0, P = 0.0200), and poorly differentiated HCC or CCA (odds ratio 11.2, P = 0.0259).

Conclusions

Half of the patients with cHCC‐CCA had early recurrence after HR. Preoperative elevation of des‐gamma carboxyprothrombin or carbohydrate antigen 19–9 and the existence of poorly differentiated components of HCC or CCA in resected specimens are predictors of its early recurrence.
Sex‐specific patterns of fuelling and pre‐breeding body moult of Little StintsCalidris minutain South Africa
Authors: Mazur Aleksandra E. , Remisiewicz Magdalena , Underhill Leslie G.
Published: April 2020

The timing and duration of each stage of the life of a long‐distance migrant bird are constrained by time and resources. If the parental roles of males and females differ, the timing of other life stages, such as moult or pre‐migratory fuelling, may also differ between the sexes. Little is known about sexual differences for species with weak sexual dimorphism, but DNA‐sexing enables fresh insights. The Little StintCalidris minutais a monomorphic long‐distance migrant wader breeding in the Arctic tundra. Males compete for territories and perform elaborate aerial displays. Females produce two clutches a season. Each sex may be a bigamist and incubate one nest a season, each with a different partner. We expect that these differences in breeding behaviour entail different preparations for breeding by males and females, so we aimed to determine whether Little Stints showed any sex differences in their strategies for pre‐breeding moult and pre‐migratory fuelling at their non‐breeding grounds in South Africa. We used body moult records, wing length and body mass of 241 DNA‐sexed Little Stints that we caught and ringed between 27 January and 29 April in 2008–2018 at two neighbouring wetlands in North West Province, South Africa. For each individual we assessed the percentage of breeding plumage on its upperparts and took blood samples for DNA‐sexing. We calculated an adjusted Body Moult Index and an adjusted Wing Coverts Moult Index, then used the Underhill–Zucchini moult model to estimate the start dates and the rate of body moult in males and females. We estimated the changes in the sex ratio of the local population during their stay in South Africa, and also estimated the timing and rate of pre‐migratory fuelling and the potential flight ranges for males and females. The males started body moult on average on 7 February and the females on 12 February, but the sexes did not differ in their timing of wing covert moult, which started on average on 10 February. In January to mid‐February, males constitutedc. 57% of the population, but their proportion declined afterwards, indicating an earlier departure than females. We estimated that both sexes began pre‐migratory fuelling on average on 15 March. The sexes did not differ in fuelling rate, but most females stayed at the non‐breeding site longer than the males, and thus accumulated more fuel and had longer potential flight ranges. These patterns of moult and fuelling suggest sex differences in preparations for breeding. We suggest that the males depart from South Africa earlier but with smaller fuel loads than the females to establish breeding territories before the females arrive. We conclude that for each sex the observed trade‐offs between fuelling and moult at the non‐breeding grounds are precursors to different migration strategies, which in turn are adaptations for their different roles in reproductive behaviour.
DISCOUNT SHOCK, PRICE–RENT DYNAMICS, AND THE BUSINESS CYCLE
Authors: Miao Jianjun , Wang Pengfei , Zha Tao
Published: April 2020

The price‐rent ratio in commercial real estate is highly volatile and its variation comoves with the business cycle. To account for these facts, we develop a dynamic general equilibrium model that introduces a rental market and incorporates the liquidity constraint on an individual firm's production as a key ingredient. Our estimation identifies the discount shock as the most important factor in driving price‐rent dynamics and linking the dynamics in the real estate market to those in the real economy. We illustrate the importance of the liquidity premium and endogenous TFP in the nexus of the financial and real sectors.
Consumer purchasing behaviour of organic food in an emerging market
Authors: Le‐Anh Tuan , Nguyen‐To Tam
Published: April 2020

Organic food is a particular type of food product with a strict cultivating process and organic food consumption is growing rapidly in emerging markets. In reality, knowledge of this type of food is limited to consumers in many emerging markets. This paper reviews and assesses factors affecting attitude towards organic food and the purchase intention of this type of food in an emerging market. The research findings indicate that awareness of organic food, information on organic food, food safety concern and perceived value of organic food have positive impacts on attitude towards organic food. The results also show that attitude towards organic food and perceived value influence purchase intention significantly.
An Assessment of Brand Experience Knowledge Literature: Using Bibliometric Data to Identify Future Research Direction
Authors: Zha Dongmei , Melewar T.C. , Foroudi Pantea , Jin Zhongqi
Published: April 2020

There is wide consensus that the brand experience literature (BEL) suffers from a deficit in conceptual works. This study argues that, for brand experience research to overcome its conceptual insipidity, it must re‐examine the core of its intellectual structure to rediscover what ‘an experience provided by brands’ truly implies. The purpose of this paper is to reconceptualize and present a future research framework for research into the concept of brand experience, by identifying both the core and peripheral sources of knowledge of the concept and its association with brand meaning. Through a bibliometric process covering 136 articles published between 2002 and 2018, resulting in a database of 2698 citations, this brand experience conceptual paper fills a critical research gap by providing the first full‐scale bibliometric study to date of the BEL, using a combination of high citation and co‐citation metrics. Based on this conceptual reorientation, a matrix for future development is presented, enabling the reader to visualize the scope and breadth of potential brand experience research horizons in areas relating to customer experience, consumer–brand relationship, online brand experience and sensory brand experience. The four approaches listed in the matrix – firm‐based, social constructionist, virtuality and embodiment – provide a roadmap for future brand experience research undertakings to explore the rich potential of experience evoked by brands.
The uncapacitated r‐allocation p‐hub center problem
Authors: Brimberg Jack , Mišković Stefan , Todosijević Raca , Uroševic Dragan
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we propose the uncapacitated r‐allocation p‐hub center problem (UrApHCP), which represents a generalization of both single and multiple allocation variants of the p‐hub center problem. We further present two binary ‐integer linear programs for the UrApHCP and prove their equivalence for and p with respective single and multiple allocation cases. A flow formulation combining the features of the two previous models is also presented. In order to solve the UrApHCP, we develop two general variable neighborhood search (GVNS) heuristics that use nested and sequential variable neighborhood descent strategies. The proposed approaches are tested on benchmark instances from the literature with up to 423 nodes. The proposed GVNS quickly reaches all optimal or best‐known results from the literature for the single and multiple allocation variants of the problem, as well as new optimal results for r‐allocation obtained using a CPLEX solver.
A cutting stock problem in the wood products industry: a two‐stage solution approach
Authors: Kokten Erkan Sami , Sel Çağrı
Published: April 2020

In this study, a cutting stock problem is addressed to determine the width/length of the wooden boards and select lumber in standard lengths for cutting a cable spool. A nonlinear mathematical model is introduced using Pythagoras' theorem. The aim is to minimize the total length of lumber used and equivalently the total amount of wood wasted. To reduce the computational burden, the mathematical model is decomposed into two submodels for sizing and cutting decisions, and a two‐stage decomposition algorithm is proposed for solving the submodels subsequently. A simulated annealing metaheuristic combining the first‐fit decreasing and increasing techniques (SA‐FFD/I) is proposed to show the computational efficiency of the decomposition approach. The savings on the total length of lumber used and the total amount of wood wasted in production are achieved by the decomposition algorithm, which is 8% and 86.4% on average compared to the SA‐FFD/I heuristic. Accordingly, a numerical analysis is conducted on a real case to assess how capacity load and demand pattern scenarios impact the solution. The ratio between the total amount of wood waste and the total length of lumber does not exceed 2.54% for a weekly planning horizon.
Optimal contract selection for an online travel agent and two hotels under price competition
Authors: Ye Fei , Yan Hui , Xie Wei
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we study two competing hotels selling alternative and substitutable rooms at fixed capacity through the same online travel agent (OTA). The hotels can adopt either the merchant mode or the agent mode to cooperate with the OTA. To investigate all possible situations, three scenarios are compared: (a) both hotels use the agent mode, (b) both hotels adopt the merchant mode, and (c) one hotel implements the agent mode and the other the merchant mode. We show that a unique Nash equilibrium can be achieved when market size and price competition satisfy certain conditions. We find that the OTA always prefers to use a single mode to cooperate with both hotels in any given scenario. By comparing the optimal options for the three players, we find that they will all choose the agent mode when the commission rate drops to a particular level.
Kinome multigenic panel identified novel druggable EPHB4‐V871I somatic variant in high‐risk neuroblastoma
Authors: Andolfo Immacolata , Lasorsa Vito A. , Manna Francesco , Rosato Barbara E. , Formicola Daniela , Iolascon Achille , Capasso Mario
Published: April 2020

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial neoplasm in children. The overall outcome for high‐risk NB patients is still unacceptable, therefore, it is critical to deeply understand molecular mechanisms associated with NB, which in turn can be utilized for developing drugs towards the treatment of NB. Protein kinases (TKs) play an essential role in the regulation of cell survival and proliferation. Different kinases, such as anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), Aurora kinase, RET receptor tyrosine kinase, are potential therapeutic targets in various cancers, including NB. We analysed a cohort of 45 high‐risk NB patients and 9 NB cell lines by a targeted—(t)NGS custom gene panel (genes codifying for the kinase domains of 90 TKs). We identified somatic variants in four TK genes (ALK, EPHB4, LMTK3 and EPHB6) in NB patients and we functionally characterized an interesting somatic variant, V871I, in EPHB4 gene. EPHB4 plays a crucial role in cardiovascular development and regulates vascularization in cancer‐promoting angiogenesis, tumour growth and metastasis. Several EPHB4 mutations have previously been identified in solid and haematological tumour specimens but EPHB4 mutations were not described until now in NB. Interestingly, a re‐analysis of public CGH‐array showed that the EPHB4 gain is associated with advanced diseases in NB. We further demonstrated that higher EPHB4 expression is correlated to stage 4 of NB and with poor overall survival. Additionally, we also revealed that the EPHB4‐V871I accounts for increased proliferation, migration and invasion properties in two NB cell lines by acting on VEGF, c‐RAF and CDK4 target genes and by increasing the phosphorylation of ERK1‐2 pathway. The use of two EPHB4 inhibitors, JI‐101 and NVP‐BHG712, was able to rescue the phenotype driven by the variant. Our study suggested that EPHB4 is a promising therapeutic target in high‐risk NB.
Effects of doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity on cardiac mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial function: Insights for future interventions
Authors: Osataphan Nichanan , Phrommintikul Arintaya , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: April 2020

Anthracyclines is an effective chemotherapeutic treatment used for many types of cancer. However, high cumulative dosage of anthracyclines leads to cardiac toxicity and heart failure. Dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics and function are major pathways driving this toxicity. Several pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions aiming to attenuate cardiac toxicity by targeting mitochondrial dynamics and function have shown beneficial effects in cell and animal models. However, in clinical practice, there is currently no standard therapy for the prevention of anthracycline‐induced cardiotoxicity. This review summarizes current reports on the impact of anthracyclines on cardiac mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial function and potential interventions targeting these pathways. The roles of mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial function in the development of anthracycline‐induced cardiotoxicity should provide insights in devising novel strategies to attenuate the cardiac toxicity induced by anthracyclines.
Lysophosphatidic acid improves corneal endothelial density in tissue culture by stimulating stromal secretion of interleukin‐1β
Authors: Hsueh Yi‐Jen , Meir Yaa‐Jyuhn James , Lai Jui‐Yang , Chen Hung‐Chi , Ma David Hui‐Kang , Huang Chieh‐Cheng , Lu Tsai‐Te , Cheng Chao‐Min , Wu Wei‐Chi
Published: April 2020

The short supply of donor corneas is exacerbated by the unsuitability of donors with insufficient endothelial cell density. Few studies have investigated promoting corneal endothelial cell proliferation to increase the endothelial cell density. We hypothesize that pre‐transplantation treatment of proliferative tissue‐cultivated corneas may increase corneal endothelial cell density. We observed that the airlift cultures were superior to immersion cultures with respect to both transparency and thickness. In this tissue culture system, we observed that lysophosphatidic acid increased the rabbit corneal endothelial cell density, number of BrdU‐positive cells and improve wound healing. We also observed an indirect effect of lysophosphatidic acid on corneal endothelial cell proliferation mediated by the stimulation of interleukin‐1β secretion from stromal cells. Human corneal tissues treated with lysophosphatidic acid or interleukin‐1β contained significantly more Ki‐67‐positive cells than untreated group. The lysophosphatidic acid‐ or interleukin‐1β‐treated cultured tissue remained hexagon‐shaped, with ZO‐1 expression and no evidence of the endothelial‐mesenchymal transition. Our novel protocol of tissue culture may be applicable for eye banks to optimize corneal grafting.
Longitudinal patterns of cytokine expression at the individual level in humans after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Trahtemberg Uriel , Darawshe Fares , Elazary Ram , Ginsburg Isaac , Beil Michael , van Heerden Peter Vernon , Sviri Sigal
Published: April 2020

The study of the human response to injury has been hampered by the inherent heterogeneity in the models and methods used. By studying a standard injury longitudinally, using individual patient‐level analysis, we endeavoured to better describe its dynamics. We analysed clinical variables, clinical laboratory and plasma cytokines from 20 patients at five time points. Clustering analysis showed two prototype patterns of cytokine behaviour: a concordant type, where cytokines behave the same way for all patients (notably IL‐0 and TNFα), and a variable type, where different patterns of expression are seen for different patients (notably IL‐8, IL‐6 and IL‐1RA). Analysis of the cytokines at the individual patient‐level showed a strong four‐way correlation between IL‐1RA, GCSF, MIP‐1β and MCP‐1. As it holds for most patients and not just on average, this suggests that they form a network which may play a central role in the response to gastro‐intestinal injuries in humans. In conclusion, the longitudinal analysis of cytokines in a standard model allowed the identification of their underlying patterns of expression. We propose that the two prototype patterns shown may reflect the mechanism that separates the common and individual aspects of the injury response.
Condition‐dependent mortality exacerbates male (but not female) reproductive senescence and the potential for sexual conflict
Authors: Sultanova Zahida , García‐Roa Roberto , Carazo Pau
Published: April 2020

Disentangling the relationship between age and reproduction is central to understand life‐history evolution, and recent evidence shows that considering condition‐dependent mortality is a crucial piece of this puzzle. For example, nonrandom mortality of ‘low‐condition’ individuals can lead to an increase in average lifespan. However, selective disappearance of such low‐condition individuals may also affect reproductive senescence at the population level due to trade‐offs between physiological functions related to survival/lifespan and the maintenance of reproductive functions. Here, we address the idea that condition‐dependent extrinsic mortality (i.e. simulated predation) may increase the age‐related decline in male reproductive success and with it the potential for sexual conflict, by comparing reproductive ageing inDrosophila melanogastermale/female cohorts exposed (or not) to condition‐dependent simulated predation across time. Although female reproductive senescence was not affected by predation, male reproductive senescence was considerably higher under predation, due mainly to an accelerated decline in offspring viability of ‘surviving’ males with age. This sex‐specific effect suggests that condition‐dependent extrinsic mortality can exacerbate survival‐reproduction trade‐offs in males, which are typically under stronger condition‐dependent selection than females. Interestingly, condition‐dependent extrinsic mortality did not affect mating success, hinting that accelerated reproductive senescence is due to a decrease in male post‐copulatory fitness components. Our results support the recent proposal that male ageing can be an important source of sexual conflict, further suggesting this effect could be exacerbated under more natural conditions.
Dietary patterns are associated with likelihood of hepatic steatosis among US adults
Authors: Mazidi Mohsen , Ofori‐Asenso Richard , Kengne Andre Pascal
Published: April 2020

Background and Aim

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease is a rapidly growing public health problem. In this study, we explored the association between dietary patterns (DPs) and fatty liver and liver function tests.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study using data from the US community‐based National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants with data on dietary intake, blood pressure, and status for diabetes mellitus were analyzed. DPs were determined by principal components analysis. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression models accounted for the survey design and sample weights.

Results

Of the 20 643 eligible participants, 45.7% had prevalent fatty liver. Three DPs collectively explained 50.8% of variance in dietary nutrients consumption. The first DP was representative of a diet containing high levels of saturated and mono‐unsaturated fatty acids, total fat and carbohydrate; the second DP comprised vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre; and the third DP was mainly representative of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In adjusted multivariable regression models, participants in the top quarter of the second DP had 34% lower odds of prevalent fatty liver (odds ratio 0.66 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43–0.71]), while those in the top quarter of the first DP had 86% higher odds (1.86 [95% CI: 1.42–2.95]) of prevalent fatty liver, relative to participants in the bottom quarter of each of the DPs.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that a diet with high load of vitamins, minerals, and fiber content is associated with a lower prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Obesity and regulation of human placental lactogen production in pregnancy
Authors: Cattini Peter A. , Jin Yan , Jarmasz Jessica S. , Noorjahan Noshin , Bock Margaret E.
Published: April 2020

The four genes coding for placental members of the human (h) growth hormone (GH) family include two that code independently for placental lactogen (PL), also known as chorionic somatomammotrophin hormone, one that codes for placental growth hormone (PGH) and a pseudogene for which RNA but no protein product is reported. These genes are expressed preferentially in the villus syncytiotrophoblast of the placenta in pregnancy. In higher primates, the placental members, including hPL and PGH, are the result of multiple duplication events of the GH gene. This contrasts with rodents and ruminants, where PLs result from duplication of the prolactin (PRL) gene. Thus, unlike their mouse counterparts, the hPL and PGH hormones bind both lactogenic and somatogenic receptors with varying affinity. Roles influenced by nutrient availability in both metabolic control in pregnancy and maternal behaviour are supported. However, the effect maternal obesity has on the activation of placental members of the hGH gene family, particularly the expression and function of those genes, is poorly understood. Evidence from partially humanised hGH/PL transgenic mice indicates that both the remote upstream hPL locus control region (LCR) and more gene‐related regulatory regions are required for placental expression in vivo. Furthermore, a specific pattern of interactions between the LCR and hPL gene promoter regions is detected in term placenta chromatin from women with a normal body mass index (BMI) in the range 18.5–25 kg m‐2 by chromosome conformation capture assay. This pattern is disrupted with maternal obesity (class II BMI > 35 kg m‐2) and associated with a > 40% decrease in term hPL RNA levels, as well as serum hPL but not PRL levels, during pregnancy. The relative importance of the chromosomal architecture and predicted properties for transcription factor participation in terms of hPL production and response to obesity are considered, based on comparison with components required for efficient human pituitary GH gene expression.
Variation of biophysical parameters of the skin with age, gender, and lifestyles
Authors: Zhao Chaoshuai , Wang Xin , Mao Yaqi , Xu Ziqian , Sun Yue , Mei Xingyu , Shi Weimin
Published: April 2020

Background

Sweet, spicy or greasy food, staying up late, and using electronic products for a long time are common bad habits nowadays. Their role in skin diseases has been paid much attention.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether unhealthy lifestyles would affect the skin sebum content, SC hydration, and pH and how do they affect.

Methods

A total of 300 volunteers were enrolled, and a multifunctional skin physiology monitor measured the three skin biophysical properties on the forehead and dorsal hand. Lifestyle factors were evaluated by a self‐administered questionnaire.

Results

Eating oily, sweet, spicy food, and staying up late increased the sebum content of the forehead significantly. Dorsal hand SC hydration was higher in people eating more sweet food and oily food, and forehead SC hydration was higher in people eating more sweet food and go to bed earlier. Eating sweet food could increase pH in both forehead and dorsal hand. The forehead pH decreased in using electronic products over 6 hours a day or staying up late. There are significant differences in sebum, hydration, and pH value among different age groups. In males, the pH was lower than females, but the sebum was higher.

Conclusion

Sebum content, SC hydration, and pH are affected by unhealthy lifestyles, age, and gender.
Low‐Risk Anomalies?
Authors: SCHNEIDER PAUL , WAGNER CHRISTIAN , ZECHNER JOSEF
Published: April 2020

This paper shows that low‐risk anomalies in the capital asset pricing model and in traditional factor models arise when investors require compensation for coskewness risk. Empirically, we find that option‐implied ex ante skewness is strongly related to ex post residual coskewness, which allows us to construct coskewness factor‐mimicking portfolios. Controlling for skewness renders the alphas of betting‐against‐beta and betting‐against‐volatility insignificant. We also show that the returns of beta‐ and volatility‐sorted portfolios are driven largely by a single principal component, which in turn is explained largely by skewness.
Occurrence and pathogenicity of Enterobacter sp. causing sprout decay and seedling stunting of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Authors: Nagrale Dipak T. , Gawande Shailesh P. , Hiremani Neelakanth S. , Gokte‐Narkhedkar Nandini
Published: April 2020

A new sprout decay and seedling stunting disease of unknown aetiology in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) affecting nearly 5%–10% of young seedlings was noticed in vertisols of central Vidarbha (Maharashtra state, India) in July of 2017. The bacterium was consistently isolated from diseased seedlings and identified with a polyphasic method of characterization, including morphological, physiological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The bacterium strain CICR‐MGMG1 was isolated from diseased plants identified as Enterobacter sp. Inoculation of healthy cotton seed with an axenic culture of strain CICR‐MGMG1 isolated from diseased young seedling reproduced disease symptoms of yellowing, stunting and deformed growth similar to the symptoms reported from infected field condition. The strain CICR‐MGMG1 was consistently isolated from both diseased seedlings and stunted plants. Thus, the pathogenicity test of Koch's postulates was confirmed with the bacterium Enterobacter sp. strain CICR‐MGMG1 as the causal organism of sprout decay and seedling stunting. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of Enterobacter sp. causing sprouts decay and seedling stunting of cotton.
Weaning affects the glycosidase activity towards phenolic glycosides in the gut of piglets
Authors: Van Noten Noémie , Van Liefferinge Elout , Degroote Jeroen , De Smet Stefaan , Desmet Tom , Michiels Joris
Published: April 2020

Phenolic compounds in pig diets, originating either from feed ingredients or additives, may occur as glycosides, that is conjugated to sugar moieties. Upon ingestion, their bioavailability and functionality depend on hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond by endogenous or microbial glycosidases. Hence, it is essential to map the glycosidase activities towards phenolic glycosides present along gut. Therefore, the activity of three key glycosidases, that is α‐glucosidase (αGLU), β‐glucosidase (βGLU) and β‐galactosidase (βGAL), was quantified in small intestinal mucosa and digesta of piglets at different gastrointestinal sites (stomach, three parts of small intestine, caecum and colon) and at different ages around weaning (10 days before and 0, 2, 5, 14 and 28 days after weaning). Activity assays were performed with p‐nitrophenyl glycosides at neutral pH. The αGLU activities in mucosa and digesta were low (overall means 1.4 and 60 U respectively) as compared to βGLU (15.2 and 199 U) and βGAL (23.4 and 298 U; p < .001). Moreover, αGLU activity in mucosa was unaffected by age. Conversely, βGLU and βGAL activities dropped significantly after weaning. Minimal levels, ranging between 18% and 54% of the pre‐weaning values, were reached at 5 days post‐weaning. Similarly, in small intestinal digesta, reductions from 60% up to 90% were observed for the three enzyme activities on day five post‐weaning as compared to pre‐weaning levels. In caecal contents, activities were lowest at 14 days post‐weaning, while in stomach and colon no clear weaning‐induced effects were observed. Our data suggest that weaning affects the glycosidase activity in mucosa (mainly endogenous origin) and digesta (primarily bacterial origin) with the most pronounced effects occurring 5 days post‐weaning. Moreover, differences in activities exist between different glycosidases and between gut locations. These insights can facilitate the prediction of the fate of existing and newly synthetized glycosides after oral ingestion in piglets.
Cinnamic acid decreases periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis
Authors: Karatas Ozkan , Balci Yuce Hatice , Taskan Mehmet Murat , Gevrek Fikret , Alkan Cemil , Isiker Kara Gozde , Temiz Cengiz
Published: April 2020

Background and Objective

Periodontitis is the chronic destructive disease of the periodontium, which causes severe inflammation in the tissues. Cinnamic acid as an unsaturated carboxylic acid might prevent inflammation and periodontal destruction. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of cinnamic acid in two different forms as free cinnamic acid and cinnamic acid liposome on experimental periodontitis in Wistar rats.

Methods

Thirty‐two female rats were used in the present study. Four main groups were created as follows: C: control group; P: periodontitis group; C‐P: free cinnamic acid‐administered periodontitis group; and CL‐P: cinnamic acid liposome applied group. Periodontitis was induced via ligating 4‐0 silk sutures around lower first molar teeth on both right and left mandibles. The study duration was 30 days, and the ligatures were removed from half of the rats in the periodontitis‐induced groups. The other half carried the ligatures throughout 30 days, and all rats were euthanized at 30th day. Mandibles were removed and evaluated via stereomicroscope and underwent histological procedures. Inflammatory cell counts, osteoblast, and osteoclast cell counts were determined in hematoxylin‐eosin–stained slides, and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ, cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2, receptor activator of nuclear factor κ‐B (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Control group had the lowest bone loss, and periodontitis group which kept ligatures had the highest bone loss compared to the other groups. Ligature removal provided significant improvement in bone measurements. Cinnamic acid groups also showed lower bone loss compared to the periodontitis group. The inflammatory cell and osteoclast counts were also higher in the periodontitis group, and both applications of cinnamic acid decreased these values. Osteoblast cells were the lowest in the periodontitis group, and cinnamic acid increased these counts. PPAR‐γ and COX‐2 levels were higher in the periodontitis group, and cinnamic acid decreased these levels but not to a significant level except for the cinnamic acid liposome ligature removal group, which had significantly lower values in the PPAR‐γ and COX‐2. OPG levels were lower in the periodontitis group compared to the other groups. Cinnamic acid significantly decreased RANKL and increased OPG levels.

Conclusion

Periodontitis caused increased inflammation and bone destruction accompanied by increased PPAR‐γ, COX‐2, and RANKL levels and osteoclast counts. Cinnamic acid decreased osteoclast counts and inflammation and increased osteoblast counts and OPG expression in the present animal model of periodontitis.