bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Intrapancreatic Fat Deposition and the Leptin/Ghrelin Ratio in the Fasted and Postprandial States
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc N. , Singh Ruma G. , Petrov Maxim S.
Published: October 2021

Background: The clinical relevance of excess intrapancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) is increasingly appreciated. Leptin and ghrelin are key players in the regulation of food intake, energy balance, and body fat mass. The aim was to investigate the associations of the leptin/ghrelin ratio and its components with IPFD. Methods: All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging on a 3T scanner to quantify IPFD. Both fasting and postprandial blood samples were analyzed for leptin and acylated ghrelin. Linear regression analysis was conducted, accounting for visceral/subcutaneous fat volume ratio, glycated hemoglobin, and other covariates. Results: A total of 94 participants (32 women) with a median age of 56 (interquartile range 44–66) years were studied. Their median IPFD was 9.6% (interquartile range 8.8–10.4%). In the fasted state, the leptin/ghrelin ratio (β = 0.354; 95% confidence interval 0.044–0.663; p = 0.025, in the most adjusted model) and leptin (β = 0.040; 95% confidence interval 1.003–1.078; p = 0.035, in the most adjusted model) were significantly associated with IPFD. Ghrelin in the fasted state was not significantly associated with IPFD. In the postprandial state, the leptin/ghrelin ratio, leptin, and ghrelin were not significantly associated with IPFD. Conclusion: Fasting circulating levels of leptin are directly associated with IPFD. Purposely designed mechanistic studies are warranted to determine how high leptin may contribute to excess IPFD.
Einsatz von Secukinumab bei Patienten mit Psoriasis und Psoriasis-Arthritis – Ergebnisse einer nichtinterventionellen Studie unter Praxisbedingungen (SERENA-Studie)
Authors: Sticherling Michael
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Secukinumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that directly inhibits interleukin-17A, has demonstrated robust efficacy in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), with a rapid onset of action, sustained long-term clinical responses and a consistently favourable safety profile across phase 3 trials. Here, we report the clinical data at enrolment from SERENA, designed to investigate the real-world use of secukinumab across all three indications. Methods: SERENA is an ongoing, longitudinal, observational study conducted at 438 sites across Europe in patients with moderate to severe plaque PsO, active PsA or active AS. Patients should have received at least 16 weeks of secukinumab treatment before enrolment in the study. Results: Overall 2800 patients were included in the safety set; patients with PsA (N = 541) were older than patients with PsO (N = 1799) and patients with AS (N =  460); patients with PsO had a higher mean body weight than patients with PsA and patients with AS; and patients with PsO and patients with AS were predominantly male. Time since diagnosis was longer in patients with PsO compared with patients with PsA and patients with AS, and about 40% of patients were either current or former smokers. The proportion of obese patients (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) was similar across indications. Patients were treated with secukinumab for a mean duration of 1 year prior to enrolment (range 0.89–1.04). The percentages of patients with prior biologics exposure were 31.5% PsO, 59.7% PsA and 55% AS. The percentages of patients prescribed secukinumab monotherapy were 75% (n =  1349) in PsO, 48.2% (n = 261) in PsA and 48.9% (n = 225) in AS groups. Conclusion: Baseline demographics of the study population are consistent with existing literature. This large observational study across all secukinumab indications will provide valuable information on the long-term effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in the real-world setting.
Birds of the Pantanal floodplains, Brazil: historical data, diversity, and conservation
Authors: Nunes Alessandro Pacheco , Posso Sérgio Roberto , Frota Angélica Vilas Boas da , Vitorino Breno Dias , Laps Rudi Ricardo , Donatelli Reginaldo José , Straube Fernando Costa , Pivatto Maria Antonietta Castro , Oliveira Dalci Maurício Miranda de , Carlos Braulio , Melo Alyson Vieira de , Tomas Walfrido Moraes , Freitas Gabriel Oliveira de , Souza Rafael Augusto Ducel de , Benites Maristela , Mamede Simone , Moreira Renato Soares
Published: October 2021

The Pantanal floodplains of Brazil are a region of rich biodiversity. To date, the true richness of the Pantanal avifauna has not been explored satisfactorily caused by a lack of studies in the region and, especially, by the divergence of opinion among the works published by various authors on the many species found in the region. This is due to the lack of criteria in examining records, both with regard to the reliability of the identifications and in the precise geographical allocation. Therefore, in the study, we collage findings from various studies and records created by us in the last few decades from 199 distinct locations to produce a list of birds in the Pantanal floodplains. We grouped the results into three lists: primary, secondary, and tertiary. We found that the avifauna of the Pantanal floodplain is composed of a total of 617 species, of which 571 (92%) have supporting records of occurrence (primary list) and 46 still lack documentation (secondary list). The number of species listed here for the Pantanal floodplain represents 32% of all avifauna known to the Brazilian territory. This reflects the importance of the biome, as part of the national territory, for the maintenance of a meaningful avifaunistic richness. Migratory birds (n = 183), notably northern ones (n = 43), are among the main players involved in ecological processes of nutrient cycling and dispersion of important pathogens between the two continents. With regard to conservation, 25 species are included in some category of threat in the lists of threatened species with global extinction. We hope that our list will help future researchers a more definitive approach when researching the avian fauna in this bountiful region.
Revisiting the morphology of the Cretaceous ommatid beetle Clessidromma palmeri (Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae)
Authors: Li Yan-Da , Cai Chen-Yang
Published: October 2021

The morphology of Clessidromma palmeri Jarzembowski et al. from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber is revised based on a reexamination of the type specimen. Contrary to previous studies, our observation confirms that Clessidromma has open procoxal cavities. The characters such as platform on the ventral side of head, modified metacoxae, and ridges on head and pronotum are suggested to be diagnostic characters for Clessidromma. Clessidromma zengi Kirejtshuk from the same deposit is transferred into a new genus, as Kirejtomma zengi comb. nov.
Identification of Endothelial Proteins in Plasma Associated With Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Authors: Iglesias Maria J. , Kruse Larissa D. , Sanchez-Rivera Laura , Enge Linnea , Dusart Philip , Hong Mun-Gwan , Uhlén Mathias , Renné Thomas , Schwenk Jochen M. , Bergstrom Göran , Odeberg Jacob , Butler Lynn M.
Published: October 2021

Objective:

Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a well-established response to cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as smoking and obesity. Risk factor exposure can modify EC signaling and behavior, leading to arterial and venous disease development. Here, we aimed to identify biomarker panels for the assessment of EC dysfunction, which could be useful for risk stratification or to monitor treatment response.

Approach and Results:

We used affinity proteomics to identify EC proteins circulating in plasma that were associated with cardiovascular disease risk factor exposure. Two hundred sixteen proteins, which we previously predicted to be EC-enriched across vascular beds, were measured in plasma samples (N=1005) from the population-based SCAPIS (Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study) pilot. Thirty-eight of these proteins were associated with body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, smoking, hypertension, or diabetes. Sex-specific analysis revealed that associations predominantly observed in female- or male-only samples were most frequently with the risk factors body mass index, or total cholesterol and smoking, respectively. We show a relationship between individual cardiovascular disease risk, calculated with the Framingham risk score, and the corresponding biomarker profiles.

Conclusions:

EC proteins in plasma could reflect vascular health status.
Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor: Genetic Variation and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Black Adults
Authors: Olson Nels C. , Raffield Laura M. , Moxley Anne H. , Miller-Fleming Tyne W. , Auer Paul L. , Franceschini Nora , Ngo Debby , Thornton Timothy A. , Lange Ethan M. , Li Yun , Nickerson Deborah A. , Zakai Neil A. , Gerszten Robert E. , Cox Nancy J. , Correa Adolfo , Mohlke Karen L. , Reiner Alexander P.
Published: October 2021

Background:

suPAR (Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) has emerged as an important biomarker of coagulation, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The contribution of suPAR to CVD risk and its genetic influence in Black populations have not been evaluated.

Methods:

We measured suPAR in 3492 Black adults from the prospective, community-based JHS (Jackson Heart Study). Cross-sectional associations of suPAR with lifestyle and CVD risk factors were assessed, whole-genome sequence data were used to evaluate genetic associations of suPAR, and relationships of suPAR with incident CVD outcomes and overall mortality were estimated over follow-up.

Results:

In Cox models adjusted for traditional CVD risk factors, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and CRP (C-reactive protein), each 1-SD higher suPAR was associated with a 21% to 31% increased risk of incident coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and mortality. In the genome-wide association study, 2 missense (rs399145 encoding p.Thr86Ala, rs4760 encoding p.Phe272Leu) and 2 noncoding regulatory variants (rs73935023 within an enhancer element and rs4251805 within the promoter) of
PLAUR
on chromosome 19 were each independently associated with suPAR and together explained 14% of suPAR phenotypic variation. The allele frequencies of each of the four suPAR-associated genetic variants differ considerably across African and European populations. We further show that
PLAUR
rs73935023 can alter transcriptional activity in vitro. We did not find any association between genetically determined suPAR and CVD in JHS or a larger electronic medical record-based analyses of Blacks or Whites.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate the importance of ancestry-differentiated genetic variation on suPAR levels and indicate suPAR is a CVD biomarker in Black adults.
Long-Term Impact of Urgent Secondary Prevention After Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke: Ten-Year Follow-Up of the EXPRESS Study
Authors: Luengo-Fernandez Ramon , Li Linxin , Silver Louise , Gutnikov Sergei , Beddows Nicola C. , Rothwell Peter M.
Published: October 2021

Background and Purpose:

Urgent assessment aimed at reducing stroke risk after transient ischemic attack or minor stroke is cost-effective over the short-term. However, it is unclear if the short-term impact is lost on long-term follow-up, with recurrent events being delayed rather than prevented. By 10-year follow-up of the EXPRESS study (Early Use of Existing Preventive Strategies for Stroke), previously showing urgent assessment reduced 90-day stroke risk by 80%, we determined whether that early benefit was still evident long-term for stroke risk, disability, and costs.

Methods:

EXPRESS was a prospective population-based before (phase 1: April 2002–September 2004; n=310) versus after (phase 2: October 2004–March 2007; n=281) study of the effect of early assessment and treatment of transient ischemic attack/minor stroke on early recurrent stroke risk, with an external control. This report assesses the effect on 10-year recurrent stroke risk, functional outcomes, quality-of-life, and costs.

Results:

A reduction in stroke risk in phase 2 was still evident at 10 years (55/23.3% versus 82/31.6%; hazard ratio=0.68 [95% CI, 0.48–0.95];
P
=0.024), as was the impact on risk of disabling or fatal stroke (17/7.7% versus 32/13.1%; hazard ratio=0.54 [0.30–0.97];
P
=0.036). These effects were due to maintenance of the early reduction in stroke risk, with neither additional benefit nor rebound catch-up after 90 days (post-90 days hazard ratio=0.88 [0.65–1.44],
P
=0.88; and hazard ratio=0.83 [0.42–1.65],
P
=0.59, respectively). Disability-free life expectancy was 0.59 (0.03–1.15;
P
=0.043) years higher in patients in phase 2, as was quality-adjusted life expectancy (0.49 [0.03–0.95];
P
=0.036). Overall, 10-year costs were nonsignificantly higher in patients attending the phase 2 clinic ($1022 [-3865–5907];
P
=0.66). The additional cost per quality-adjusted life year gained in phase 2 versus phase 1 was $2103, well below current cost-effectiveness thresholds.

Conclusions:

Urgent assessment and treatment of patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke resulted in a long-term reduction in recurrent strokes and improved outcomes, with little atrophy of the early benefit over time, representing good value for money even with a 10-year time horizon. Our results suggest that other effective acute treatments in transient ischemic attack/minor stroke in the short-term will also have the potential to have long-term benefit.
Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source: Approaches in Risk Stratification for Cardioembolism
Authors: Bhat Aditya , Mahajan Vipul , Chen Henry H.L. , Gan Gary C.H. , Pontes-Neto Octavio M. , Tan Timothy C.
Published: October 2021

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Embolic stroke of undetermined source has been recently proposed to categorize nonlacunar ischemic strokes without confirmed etiology after adequate investigation with a likely embolic stroke mechanism. A strategy of empirical anticoagulation for embolic stroke of undetermined source patients is attractive but may only be beneficial in a select subset of patients. Strategies which would help identify the subset of embolic stroke of undetermined source patients most likely to have cardioembolic origin of stroke, and hence benefit from anticoagulation, are needed. This article will review current evidence which may be useful in the development of a risk stratification approach based on arrhythmia monitoring, cardiac imaging, and clinical risk stratification. This approach may be beneficial in clinical practice in improving patient outcomes and reducing stroke recurrence in this population; however, further work is required with active trials underway.
Burster Reconstruction Considering Unmeasurable Variables in the Epileptor Model
Authors: Brogin João Angelo Ferres , Faber Jean , Bueno Douglas Domingues
Published: October 2021

Epilepsy is one of the most common brain disorders worldwide, affecting millions of people every year. Although significant effort has been put into better understanding it and mitigating its effects, the conventional treatments are not fully effective. Advances in computational neuroscience, using mathematical dynamic models that represent brain activities at different scales, have enabled addressing epilepsy from a more theoretical standpoint. In particular, the recently proposed Epileptor model stands out among these models, because it represents well the main features of seizures, and the results from its simulations have been consistent with experimental observations. In addition, there has been an increasing interest in designing control techniques for Epileptor that might lead to possible realistic feedback controllers in the future. However, such approaches rely on knowing all of the states of the model, which is not the case in practice. The work explored in this letter aims to develop a state observer to estimate Epileptor's unmeasurable variables, as well as reconstruct the respective so-called bursters. Furthermore, an alternative modeling is presented for enhancing the convergence speed of an observer. The results show that the proposed approach is efficient under two main conditions: when the brain is undergoing a seizure and when a transition from the healthy to the epileptiform activity occurs.
Biodiversity of Hawaiian Peyssonneliales (Peyssonneliaceae, Rhodophyta): new species in the genera Incendia and Seiria
Authors: SHERWOOD ALISON R. , CABRERA FERESA P. , SPALDING HEATHER L. , ALVARADO ERIKA A. , SMITH CELIA M. , HAUK BRIAN B. , MATADOBRA STEPHEN J. , KOSAKI RANDALL K. , PAIANO MONICA O.
Published: October 2021

Two new species, one in the genus Incendia, and one in Seiria, are illustrated and described here from mesophotic peyssonnelioid specimens collected in the Hawaiian Islands based on molecular and morphological analyses. Both genera are reported from Hawai‘i for the first time. Incendia lisianskiensis sp. nov. differs from the other nine described members of the genus by its lack of hair cells, by the perithallial filaments arising at a more or less 90º angle from the hypothallus, while Seiria mesophotica sp. nov. is distinguished from the only other described species, S. magnifusa, by its lack of obvious and well-developed perithallial cell fusions. With the description of these two species the total number of recognized Hawaiian members of the Peyssonneliales rises to nine. Previously recorded species included Peyssonnelia conchicola, P. inamoena, P. japonica, P. rubra, Ramicrusta hawaiiensis, R. lehuensis, and Sonderophycus copusii.
A new species of Heterocondylus (Eupatorieae, Asteraceae) from Serra do Brigadeiro, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: LOPES ISABEL T. F. V. , MARQUES DANILO , NAKAJIMA JIMI N.
Published: October 2021

The southeastern Brazilian phytophysiognomy of “campos de altitude” is threatened by the global temperature increase, and because of it, many of its endemic species, such as those of the Asteraceae family, may disappear over the next years. This new species, which occurs in this type of environment, belongs to the genus Heterocondylus (Eupatorieae: Asteraceae), which comprises seven species, mainly with South American distribution. This genus is morphologically variable but all its species share the diagnostic characters, such as: enlarged basal style with variable indumentum, and cypselae with an asymmetrical carpopodium composed of cells with thickened walls. Heterocondylus penninervius is described as a new species from the “campos de altitude” in Serra do Brigadeiro, Araponga municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The species is recognized by its sessile leaves concentrated in the lower part of the stem, with narrow-elliptical to narrow-lanceolate blade and penninerved leaves, as well as broad capitula with white and pinkish phyllaries. This study provides the description, illustration, taxonomic affinities, flowering and fruiting period and geographic distribution of the species.
Nephtyidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Sea of Marmara and Black Sea, with descriptions of two new species
Authors: KUŞ SEVGI , KURT GÜLEY , ÇINAR MELIH ERTAN
Published: October 2021

The present paper deals with the diversity of nephtyid polychaetes (Nephtyidae) from the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Three species belonging to two genera (Micronephthys and Nephtys) were found in the Black Sea (coast of Turkey) and six species belonging to three genera (Inermonephtys, Micronephthys and Nephtys) were found in the Sea of Marmara. The material includes two species new to science, Inermonephtys turcica n. sp. and Nephtys sinopensis n. sp., and a species record (Nephtys kersivalensis McIntosh, 1908) new to the Sea of Marmara’s marine fauna. Nephtys sinopensis n. sp. is mainly characterized by having 1–4 geniculate chaetae in the postacicular position of the parapodia; digitiform antennae, palps, and ventral cirri at chaetiger 1 with swollen tips; small and cirriform branchiae present from chaetiger 4 to the end of the body; poorly developed parapodial prechaetal lamellae in median and posterior chaetigers and long ventral cirri along the body. Inermonephtys turcica n. sp. is mainly characterized by having cushion-like palps with digitiform tips; well developed neuropodial postchaetal lamellae; barred chaetae in preacicular position of the anterior and median parapodia; and branchiae first appearing between chaetiger 3 and 13 (depending on body size).
Osmyloberotha, an unusual new genus of beaded lacewings (Neuroptera: Berothidae) from Burmese amber
Authors: KHRAMOV ALEXANDER V.
Published: October 2021

A new beaded lacewing, Osmyloberotha simpla gen. et sp. nov. (Neuroptera: Berothidae), is described from Cenomanian Burmese amber (Myanmar, Kachin State). It has a rather peculiar osmylid-like venation with simple costal veinlets and CuA, CuP, A1 and A2 all pectinate in forewing, a venational pattern previously unknown in Berothidae.
Protective Effect of Ginsenoside Rb1 Nanoparticles Against Contrast-Induced Nephropathy by Inhibiting High Mobility Group Box 1 Gene/Toll-Like Receptor 4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhou Shuai , Lu Shan , Guo Sen , Zhao Luosha , Han Zhanying , Li Zhenzhen
Published: October 2021

With the progress made in the widespread application of interventional radiology procedures, there has been an increasing number of patients who suffer from cardiovascular diseases and go through imaging and interventional treatment with iodine contrast medium (ICM) year by year. In
turn, there has been an increasing amount of concern over acute kidney injury (AKI) brought about by ICM. As evidenced by numerous studies, the initiation of inflammatory response plays a critical role in the development of ICM-induced AKI. Correspondingly, the strategy of targeting renal
inflammatory response and cytokine release could provide an effective solution to mitigating the ICM-induced AKI. Moreover, Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) constitutes one of the major active components of ginseng and features a wide range of vital biological functions. Judging from the research findings,
GRb1 could impose antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on cardiovascular diseases, in addition to lung, liver and kidney diseases. However, reports on whether GRb1 could impose a protective effect against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) are absent. In this study, we have examined the
therapeutic effects imposed by GRb1 as well as the potential molecular mechanism by establishing an in vivo and in vitro model of CIN. In addition, we have set up a mouse model of CIN through sequential intravenous injection of indomethacin, N(ω)-nitro-Larginine methyl
ester (L-NAME), and iopromide. To further enhance the bioavailability of GRb1, we have encapsulated GRb1 with polyethylene glycol (PEG)/poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanocarriers to generate GRb1 nanoparticles (NPs) conducting the in vivo experiments. During the in vitro
experiments, we have adopted GRb1 to treat NRK-52E cells or cells transfected with the high mobility group box 1 gene (HMGB1) overexpression plasmid. As shown by the in vivo experimental results, GRb1 NPs could evidently improve the renal dysfunction in CIN, diminish the extent of apoptosis
of tubular epithelial cells, and reduce the expression of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-1β). In addition, GRb1 NPs are found to be capable of preventing the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB
signaling pathway triggered by contrast medium. The in vitro experimental results have exactly confirmed the findings of the in vivo experiments. In the meantime, through the observation of the in vitro assays, overexpression of HMGB1 can partially counteract the beneficial
effects imposed by GRb1. Judging from our research data, GRb1 could impose a protective effect against CIN by inhibiting inflammatory response via HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, whereas HMGB1 constitutes a critical molecular target of GRb1.
Bmk9 and Uricase Nanoparticle Complex for the Treatment of Gouty Arthritis and Uric Acid Nephropathy
Authors: Han Tianjiao , Wang Meiying , Li Wenchao , An Mingxing , Fu Hongzheng
Published: October 2021

Uric acid is the final product of purine metabolism, and excessive serum uric acid can cause gouty arthritis and uric acid nephropathy. Therefore, lowering the uric acid level and alleviating inflammation in the body are the key points to treating these diseases. A stable nanosuspension
of peptide BmK9 was prepared by the precipitation-ultrasonication method. By combining uricase on the surface of a positively charged carrier, a complex consisting of neutral rod-shaped BmK9 and uricase nanoparticles (Nplex) was formed to achieve the delivery of BmK9 and uricase, respectively.
The formulation of Nplex has a diameter of 180 nm and drug loading up to 200%, which releases BmK9 and uricase slowly and steadily in drug release tests in vitro. There was significantly improved pharmacokinetic behavior of the two drugs because Nplex prolonged the half-life and increased
tissue accumulation. Histological assessments showed that the dual drug Nplex can reduce the inflammation response in acute gouty arthritis and chronic uric acid nephropathy in vivo. In the macrophage system, there was lower toxicity and increased beneficial effect on inflammation with
Nplex than free BmK9 or uricase. Collectively, this novel formulation provides a dual drug delivery system that can treat gouty arthritis and uric acid nephropathy.
Anticancer Activity of Sweroside Nanoparticles in Prostate Cancer Bone Metastasis in PC-3 Cells Involved in Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Huang Sheng , Zou Changye , Xie Shangyan , Wang Bin , LingHu Xitao , Wang Yixiao , Xu Xiaohong , Huang Shuai , Wa Qingde
Published: October 2021

Bone metastasis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). This study is aimed at illustrating the mechanism of sweroside-mediated regulation in bone metastasis in PCa cells. Owing to the limitations of antitumor drugs in terms of their
physical and chemical properties, making them into nanomaterials can effectively improve drug stability and bioavailability. Apoptosis was assessed with flow cytometry using the annexin V/propidium iodide binding assay; proteins, including p53, P21, Bcl-2, and Bax; and induction of intracellular
reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using colony formation assay, sphere formation assay, and the expression changes in CD133 and CD44, stem cell characteristics were assessed. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) activity was accessed by levels of the expression changes of EMT-related
markers, vimentin and E-cadherin. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was examined to detect the levels of the expression changes of snail and β-catenin. PC-3 cells were treated with lithium chloride (LiCl), which is an agonist of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and the levels of CD133,
CD44, vimentin, E-cadherin, snail, and β-catenin were detected. T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) activity in cells overexpressing β-catenin was used to detect the effects on β-catenin transcription, and the expression of c-myc, Cyclin D1, Survivin, and MMP-7
were used to detect Wnt downstream target genes. Our results suggest that sweroside induces apoptosis and intracellular ROS; upregulates apoptotic proteins; and suppresses proliferation, invasion, and migration, preventing stem cell characteristics, including sphere formation, colony formation,
and CD133 and CD44 expressions. Furthermore, sweroside nanoparticles exerts inhibitory effects on β-catenin transcription by suppressing TTCF/LEF activity in cells overexpressing β-catenin and downregulation of the expression of Wnt downstream target genes, including c-myc, Cyclin
D1, Survivin, and MMP-7. The potential therapeutic effect of sweroside nanoparticles on bone metastatis of PCa was suggested, by these findings.
Sensitive Tumor Cell Line for Annonaceous Acetogenins and High Therapeutic Efficacy at a Low Dose for Choriocarcinoma Therapy
Authors: Ao Hui , Li Hao-Wen , Lu Li-Kang , Fu Jing-Xin , Han Mei-Hua , Guo Yi-Fei , Wang Xiang-Tao
Published: October 2021

Annonaceous acetogenins (ACGs) have attracted much attention because of excellent antitumor activity. However, the lack of selectivity and the accompanying serious toxicity have eventually prevented ACGs from entering clinical application. To decrease the side effects of ACGs, the cytotoxicity
of ACGs on 10 types of tumor cell lines was investigated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) test to identify one that was very sensitive to ACGs. Meanwhile, ACGs nanoparticles (ACGs-NPs) were prepared using poloxamer 188 (P188)
as an excipient so as to solve the problem of poor solubility and the in vivo delivery of ACGs. ACG-NPs were 163.9±2.5 nm in diameter, negatively charged, and spherical with a high drug loading content (DLC) of 44.9±1.2%. MTS assays demonstrated that ACGs had strong cytotoxicity
against JEG-3, HeLa, SiHa, MCF-7, A375, A2058, A875, U-118MG, LN- 229, and A431 cells, among which JEG-3 cell line was extremely sensitive to ACGs with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 0.26 ng/mL, a very encouraging discovery. ACGs-NPs demonstrated very good dose-dependent antitumor
efficacy in a broad range of 45?1200 μg/kg on JEG-3 tumor-bearing mice. At a very low dose (1200 μg/kg), ACGs-NPs achieved a high tumor inhibition rate (TIR) of 77.6% through oral administration, displaying a significant advantage over paclitaxel (PTX) injections that are currently used
as first-line anti-choriocarcinoma drugs. In the acute toxicity study, the half lethal dose (LD50) of ACGs-NPs was 135.5 mg/kg, which was over 100 times as of the effective antitumor dose, indicating good safety of ACGs-NPs. ACGs-NPs show promise as a new type of and potent anti-choriocarcinoma
drug in the future.
Struggling to make sense of it all: The emotional process of sensemaking following an extreme incident
Authors: Dwyer Graham , Hardy Cynthia , Tsoukas Haridimos
Published: October 2021

Organizations operating in extreme contexts regularly face dangerous incidents they can neither prevent nor easily control. In such circumstances, successful sensemaking can mean the difference between life and death. But what happens afterwards? Our study of emergency management practitioners following a major bushfire reveals a process of post-incident sensemaking during which practitioners continue to make sense of the incident after it ends, during the subsequent public inquiry, and as they try to implement the inquiry’s recommendations. Different varieties of sensemaking arise during this process as practitioners rely on different forms of coping to develop and share new understandings, which not only make sense of the original incident, but also enable changes to help the organization deal with future incidents. Our study also shows that practitioners experience a range of emotions during this process, some of which inhibit sensemaking while others – particularly different forms of anxiety – can facilitate it. Our study makes an important empirical contribution to recent theoretical work on varieties of sensemaking and provides new insights into the complex role of emotions in sensemaking in extreme contexts.
Job demands and burnout: The multilevel boundary conditions of collective trust and competitive pressure
Authors: Bunjak Aldijana , Černe Matej , Nagy Noemi , Bruch Heike
Published: October 2021

Do high job demands help employees to stay challenged at work, or do they challenge their well-being? Despite burnout being an ever-pressing matter in contemporary workspaces, the understanding of the link between job demands and burnout remains limited, especially considering the important multilayered role of context in organizations. Our study develops an integrated perspective on the antecedents of burnout, rather than viewing various elements in isolation. Specifically, we uncover a three-way interaction among job demands, collective trust, and competitive pressure across the three levels of study via a multilevel analysis of 5485 employees, nested into 2872 units in 89 German organizations. The three-way interaction of individual-level job demands with unit-level collective trust depends on the magnitude of competitive pressure at the organizational level. In a condition of low organizational-level competitive pressure, unit-level trust can mitigate the positive effect of individual job demands on burnout. Our findings indicate that job demands can be a double-edged sword, bringing with them both benefits and burdens. From a practical perspective, we provide guidance for organizations on how to maintain high job demands by emphasizing collective trust and open communication about organizational-level competitive pressure to mitigate burnout at work.
Popular Sovereignty versus State Sovereignty: Haiti, Popular Equality and the Birth of the Neocolonial State
Authors: Neocosmos Michael
Published: October 2021

Through a review of the two works below, I discuss how the Saint Domingue/Haiti Revolutions clarify the history of the opposition between popular sovereignty and state sovereignty. The people and the state developed as distinct political actors throughout the nineteenth century in particular. The former constructed a completely new society founded on egalitarian norms influenced by African cultures. The latter failed to establish its sovereignty and reverted to a colonial form, thus illustrating the core characteristics of the neocolonial state now widespread in the Global South in general and in Africa in particular.
Observing Product Touch: The Vicarious Haptic Effect in Digital Marketing and Virtual Reality
Authors: Luangrath Andrea Webb , Peck Joann , Hedgcock William , Xu Yixiang
Published: October 2021

Retail is rapidly evolving to construct virtual environments for consumers. Online product images, videos, and virtual reality (VR) interfaces enliven consumer experiences and are a source of product information. Because consumers are unable to physically touch products in these digital environments, this research examines vicarious touch, or the observation of a hand in physical contact with a product in a digital environment. Across eight studies, the authors use images, GIFs, and VR to show that vicarious touch affects consumers’ psychological ownership and product valuation due to the active nature of product touch, which results in a felt sense of body ownership of the virtual hand. This is termed the “vicarious haptic effect.” Results demonstrate that it is not enough to show a hand in an advertisement; the hand must be touching a product. The vicarious haptic effect is strongest for people who become highly stimulated by an immersive VR experience (i.e., measured via the elevation in heart rate). The vicarious haptic effect is attenuated if the viewed interaction does not represent a diagnostic hand movement. The authors discuss theoretical and managerial implications for digital product presentation to encourage feelings of product ownership and valuation.
The Trilogy of Health Care: Caring and Healing of the Clinician
Authors: Perkins Bro. Ignatius , Roberts Allen H.
Published: October 2021

Today, more than we are aware of in the history of health services in the United States, is the critical need to reclaim and apply the core values and principles that inspired physicians and nurses to respond to their original call become consolers and healers of the sick and those in distress, and to refocus our attention on the person of the healer. In clinical practice today, we are endowed with enormously effective interventions that were unimaginable only a few decades earlier. In light of the fund of knowledge, clinical competencies, and technological advancements that we bring to bear in our experience in caring for our patients, the learning curve is never flat, never complete, and never static. Newer, safer, and more effective interventions in the cure of illnesses, management to relieve stress, moderate fear of surgery, and to promote healing that often lead to early discharge and return to normal activities of daily living are readily available in clinical practice. Yet, there are looming threats that compromise the person of clinician, for example, dehumanization, consumerism, commodification, and fungeability of the human person. This article will describe the Trilogy of Health Care: Caring and Healing of the Clinician and its application to the care and healing of physicians and nurses as they accompany one another in caring for a world in need of healing and hope.
Design of unknown input observer for discrete time nonlinear generalized Markov jump systems under fault conditions
Authors: Tian Zhongda , Li Shuo
Published: October 2021

In this paper, the design problem of unknown input observer for a class of nonlinear discrete time Markov jump systems has been studied. The state equation of the system with unknown input and actuator faults is considered. The unknown input observer has a relatively novel structure and can be applied to nonlinear discrete time Markov jump systems to estimate the system state and fault at the same time. Second, the design feasibility conditions of the unknown input observer based on Lyapunov function are given. Furthermore, the conditions are transformed into a set of linear matrix inequality conditions, which can be used to solve the parameters easily by using the related software toolbox. Finally, an example of nonlinear tunneling diode circuit is given to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Numerical solution of time-delay optimal control problems by the operational matrix based on Hartley series
Authors: Dadkhah Mahmood , Mamehrashi Kamal
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a numerical technique based on the Hartley series for solving a class of time-delayed optimal control problems (TDOCPs) is introduced. The main idea is converting such TDOCPs into a system of algebraic equations. Thus, we first expand the state and control variables in terms of the Hartley series with undetermined coefficients. The delay terms in the problem under consideration are expanded in terms of the Hartley series. Applying the operational matrices of the Hartley series including integration, differentiation, dual, product, delay, and substituting the estimated functions into the cost function, the given TDOCP is reduced to a system of algebraic equations to be solved. The convergence of the proposed method is extensively investigated. At last, the precision and applicability of the proposed method is studied through different types of numerical examples.
Avatars of Eurocentrism in international political economy textbooks: The case of the Middle East and North Africa
Authors: Baumann Hannes
Published: October 2021

The project to decolonise the curriculum revolves around rethinking margin and centre of the discipline. To the extent that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is at the margin of international political economy (IPE), it is the ideal entry point to decolonise the curriculum. I conduct a summative content analysis of the six most commonly used IPE textbooks. To what extent do they reproduce or challenge Eurocentric tropes in their treatment of MENA? The region is largely absent from IPE textbooks, suggesting it is accorded little agency in the making of the global political economy. To the extent that it is ‘brought in’, it is ‘ghettoised’ in a specialist chapter. A qualitative content analysis suggests the authors avoid overt orientalism but exceptionalise the region as a failure with too little democracy and economic growth and too much war. They acknowledge the role of continued colonialism in these failures but also deny agency of the colonised. They miss an opportunity to de-provincialise the Middle East by fostering ‘ecologies of knowledge’. The article provides an analytical framework for research on how IPE textbooks treat other world regions and of syllabi.
Pervasive punishment in a pandemic
Authors: Casey Ryan , McNeill Fergus , Barkas Betsy , Cornish Neil , Gormley Caitlin , Schinkel Marguerite
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we draw on data from a recent study of how Covid-19 and related restrictions impacted on vulnerable and/or marginalised populations in Scotland (Armstrong and Pickering, 2020), including justice-affected people (i.e. people in prison and under supervision, their families and those that work with them; see Gormley et al., 2020). Focusing here mainly on interviews with people released from prison and others under community-based criminal justice supervision, we explore how the pandemic impacted on their experiences. Reflecting upon and refining previous analyses of how supervision is experienced as ‘pervasive punishment’ ( McNeill, 2019 ), we suggest that both the pandemic and public health measures associated with its suppression have changed the ‘pains’ and ‘gains’ of supervision ( Hayes, 2015 ), in particular, by exacerbating the ‘suspension’ associated with it. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for the pursuit of justice in the recovery from Covid-19.
‘You couldn’t have a heart and want to strike’: Mobilising workers in England’s social care sector
Authors: Whitfield Grace J.
Published: October 2021

This article uses John Kelly’s mobilisation framework, with its foundational concept of injustice, to explore workers’ propensity towards unionism in England’s outsourced social care sector. Drawing on 60 interviews with union organisers and officers, care workers, support workers and care company managers, this research highlights the difficulties of union organising in the sector and explores theorisations of mobilising. The research contends that for mobilisation theory to provide insight into relationships between work and unionism, varieties of injustice and collectivism need to be contextualised. Paid care provision generates both employment-related injustices and care-related injustices, which lead to divergent collective identities and attitudes towards unions. An absence of a coherent entity for workers to attach blame to – within a context where private providers frequently remain reliant on state funding levels – affects whether injustice and collectivism progress to mobilisation and unionisation.
It is the same headline, just not as believable: The role of expectancy violations in perceptions about news attributed to multiple sources
Authors: Blom Robin
Published: October 2021

Expectancy violations play important roles as heuristics in communication processes, yet prior research has focused more on incongruence between (news) sources and messages rather than assessing expectation levels as a mechanism for variations in message believability. An online experiment indicated that news headline believability for both a prominent daily newspaper and a religion news wire service was largely determined by an interaction between source trust and the extent to which news consumers were surprised of the headline’s origin.
Electrospun regenerated silk fibroin is a promising biomaterial for the maintenance of inner ear progenitors in vitro
Authors: Li Guangfei , Yin Yanbo , Zhang Yaopeng , Wu Jingfang , Sun Shan
Published: October 2021

Objective

We sought to determine the biocompatibility of electrospun regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) mats with inner ear progenitors, especially their effect on the differentiation of inner ear progenitors into hair cells.

Methods

Neonatal mouse cochleae (n = 20) were collected and digested and allowed to form spheres over several days. Cells digested from the spheres were then seeded onto aligned or random RSF mats, with laminin-coated coverslips serving as controls. The inner ear progenitor cell mortality was examined by TUNEL labeling, and the adhesion of cells to the RSF mats or coverslip was determined by scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the number of hair cells that differentiated from inner ear progenitors was determined by Myosin7a expression. Unpaired Student’s t-tests and one-way ANOVA followed by a Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test were used in this study ( p < 0.05).

Results

After 5 days of culture, the inner ear progenitors had good adhesion to both the aligned and random RSF mats and there was no significant difference in TUNEL+ cells between the mats compared to the coverslip ( p > 0.05). After 7 days of in vitro differentiation culture, the percentage of differentiated hair cells on the control, aligned, and random RSF mats was 2.5 ± 0.5%, 2.7 ± 0.4%, and 2.4 ± 0.2%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between Myosin7a+ cells on either RSF mat compared to controls ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The aligned and random RSF mats had excellent biocompatibility with inner ear progenitors and helped the inner ear progenitors maintain their stemness. Our results thus indicate that RSF mats represent a useful scaffold for the development of new strategies for inner ear tissue engineering research.
An Examination of Mentors’ Interpersonal Behaviors and Mentees’ Motivation, Turnover Intentions, Engagement, and Well-Being
Authors: Firzly Najat , Chamandy Melodie , Pelletier Luc , Lagacé Martine
Published: October 2021

Using self-determination theory among a sample of student employees, the present cross-sectional study ( N = 358) examines how mentors’ interpersonal behaviors relate to both motivation at work and motivation for a mentoring relationship and how these two contexts of motivation can differentially relate to mentees’ work outcomes. Results revealed that mentors’ need-supportive interpersonal behaviors were associated with greater autonomous motivation at work and in the mentoring relationship and, in turn, to greater well-being and work engagement, and to lower turnover intentions. In contrast, need-thwarting interpersonal behaviors were associated with greater controlled motivation at work and in the mentoring relationship and, in turn, to lower well-being and work engagement, and to greater turnover intentions. Overall, this study illustrates the impact of the mentor–mentee relationship on motivation for work and for the mentoring relationship and provided support for the contribution of both motivational contexts in the work-related outcomes of employees in the workplace.
Unerupted Supernumerary Mandibular Fourth Premolar in a dog
Authors: Mulherin Brenda L. , White Robin
Published: October 2021

A 2.5-year-old intact male Irish setter was presented for a draining tract associated with the right mandibular first molar tooth (409). Conscious oral examination yielded two draining tracts associated with the right mandibular first molar tooth. No obvious missing teeth or other gross abnormalities associated with the oral cavity were observed. Upon anesthetized radiographic evaluation, the presence of an unerupted, abnormally positioned, supernumerary premolar tooth was observed. The following article describes the extraction of the right mandibular first molar tooth (409) as well as the unerupted supernumerary premolar tooth with associated supernumerary root and the diagnostic approach taken for this uncommon abnormality.
Race and the regulation of international migration. The ongoing impact of colonialism in the case law of The European Court of Human Rights
Authors: de Vries Karin , Spijkerboer* Thomas
Published: October 2021

In the case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) the right of States to control migration is firmly established despite strong indications that the effects of migration control are not racially neutral. In this article we attempt to understand how it is possible that the doctrine of sovereign migration control is not considered to breach the prohibition of racial discrimination. We argue that the ECtHR’s approach to migration and racial discrimination fits a pattern in the historical development of migration law whereby the right to travel, and the power of States to restrict this right, have been consistently defined in such a way as to protect the interests of the predominantly white population of today's global North. Hence, the ease with which the racialised impact of migration control is accepted as normal and compatible with the prohibition of racial discrimination is consistent with migration law's long history as part of colonial and postcolonial relations.