bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic landscape of external auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sato Kuniaki , Komune Noritaka , Hongo Takahiro , Koike Kensuke , Niida Atsushi , Uchi Ryutaro , Noda Teppei , Kogo Ryunosuke , Matsumoto Nozomu , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Masuda Muneyuki , Oda Yoshinao , Mimori Koshi , Nakagawa Takashi
Published: June 2020

External auditory canal squamous cell carcinoma (EACSCC) is an extremely rare and aggressive malignancy. Due to its rarity, the molecular and genetic characteristics of EACSCC have not yet been elucidated. To reveal the genetic alterations of EACSCC, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on 11 primary tumors, 1 relapsed tumor and 10 noncancerous tissues from 10 patients with EACSCC, including 1 with a rare case of synchronous bilateral EACSCC of both ears. WES of the primary tumor samples showed that the most frequently mutated gene is TP53 (63.6%). In addition, recurrent mutations in CDKN2A, NOTCH1, NOTCH2, FAT1 and FAT3 were detected in multiple samples. The mutational signature analysis of primary tumors indicated that the mutational processes associated with the activation of apolipoprotein B mRNA‐editing enzyme catalytic polypeptide‐like (APOBEC) deaminases are the most common in EACSCC, suggesting its similarity to SCC from other primary sites. Analysis of arm‐level copy number alterations detected notable amplification of chromosomes 3q, 5p and 8q as well as deletion of 3p across multiple samples. Focal chromosomal aberrations included amplifications of 5p15.33 (ZDHHC11B) and 7p14.1 (TARP) as well as deletion of 9p21.3 (CDKN2A/B). The protein expression levels of ZDHHC11B and TARP in EACSCC tissues were validated by immunohistochemistry. Moreover, WES of the primary and relapsed tumors from a case of synchronous bilateral EACSCC showed the intrapatient genetic heterogeneity of EACSCC. In summary, this study provides the first evidence for genetic alterations of EACSCC. Our findings suggest that EACSCC mostly resembles other SCC.
Prescription patterns of opioids and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in the first year after living kidney donation: An analysis of U.S. Registry and Pharmacy fill records
Authors: Vest Luke S. , Sarabu Nagaraju , Koraishy Farrukh M. , Nguyen Minh‐Tri , Park Meyeon , Lam Ngan N. , Schnitzler Mark A. , Axelrod David , Hsu Chi Yuan , Garg Amit X. , Segev Dorry L. , Massie Allan B. , Hess Gregory P. , Kasiske Bertram L. , Lentine Krista L.
Published: June 2020

We examined a novel database linking national donor registry identifiers to records from a US pharmaceutical claims warehouse (2007‐2015) to describe opioid and NSAID prescription patterns among LKDs during the first year postdonation, divided into three periods: 0‐14 days, 15‐182 days, and 183‐365 days. Associations of opioid and NSAID prescription fills with baseline factors were examined by logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio, LCLaORUCL). Among 23,565 donors, opioid prescriptions were highest during days 0‐14 (36.6%), but 12.6% of donors filled opioids during days 183‐365. NSAID prescriptions rose from 0.5% during days 0‐14 to 3.3% during days 183‐365. Women filled opioids more commonly than men, and black donors filled both opioids and NSAIDs more commonly than white donors. After covariate adjustment, significant correlates of opioid prescription fills during days 183‐365 included obesity (aOR,1.241.381.53), less than college education (aOR,1.191.311.43), smoking (aOR,1.331.451.58), and nephrectomy complications (aOR,1.111.291.49). NSAID prescription fills in year 1 were not associated with differences in estimated glomerular filtration rate, incidence of proteinuria or new‐onset hypertension at the first and second year postdonation. Prescription fills for opioids and NSAIDs for LKDs varied with demographic and clinic traits. Future work should examine longer‐term outcome implications to help inform safe analgesic regimen choices after donation.
Seventy Years of Economic Development: A Review from the Angle of New Structural Economics
Authors: Lin Justin Yifu , Wang Yan
Published: June 2020

This review paper provides a new narrative by combing through the experiences of structural transformation among developing countries and discussing the roles of government and market in different contexts. Country performance has been influenced by the prevailing development thinking: the structuralism in the 1950s–1970s, which stresses an active government's role to overcome market failures for industrialization, and the neoliberalism in the 1980s–present, which advocates for eliminating government failures to build up a well‐functioning market. We find that almost all countries failing by following structuralism in their industrialization and neoliberalism in their transition to a market economy, and the few countries successful in catching up have a few characteristics that go against the prevailing structuralism and neoliberalism. The new structural economics, generated from the experiences of successful East Asian economies and proposing active facilitating roles of government in a market economy to remove market failures, will gain traction and take root.
Crosstalk between metabolism and immunity: the 3rd Annual Research Symposium of Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência
Authors: Amin Abdulbasit , Neves‐Costa Ana , Pedroso Dora , Colaço Henrique , Coelho Inês , Mahú Inês , Badenes Marina , Duarte Nádia
Published: June 2020

The ‘Crosstalks of immunity and metabolism’ Symposium was focused on how the intercommunication between different organs and the immune system affects organismal health. At this meeting, experts in immunology and metabolic research provided novel insights into the growing field of immunometabolism. This report attempts to review and integrate views, ideas, propositions, and conclusions that emanated from the symposium.
COVID‐19 breakthroughs: separating fact from fiction
Authors: Dhillon Paraminder , Breuer Manuel , Hirst Natasha
Published: June 2020

The newly recognised coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2, causative agent of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19), has caused a pandemic with huge ramifications for human interactions around the globe. As expected, research efforts to understand the virus and curtail the disease are moving at a frantic pace alongside the spread of rumours, speculations and falsehoods. In this article, we aim to clarify the current scientific view behind several claims or controversies related to COVID‐19. Starting with the origin of the virus, we then discuss the effect of ibuprofen and nicotine on the severity of the disease. We highlight the knowledge on fomites and SARS‐CoV‐2 and discuss the evidence and explications for a disproportionately stronger impact of COVID‐19 on ethnic minorities, including a potential protective role for vitamin D. We further review what is known about the effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in children, including their role in transmission of the disease, and conclude with the science on different mortality rates between different countries and whether this hints at the existence of more pathogenic cohorts of SARS‐CoV‐2.
Progress in the research of p53 tumour suppressor activity controlled by Numb in triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Xian Jie , Cheng Yu , Qin Xue , Cao Yijia , Luo Yetao , Cao Youde
Published: June 2020

Numb is known as a cell fate determinant as it identifies the direction of cell differentiation via asymmetrical partitioning during mitosis. It is considered as a tumour suppressor, and a frequent loss of Numb expression in breast cancer is noted. Numb forms a tri‐complex with p53 and E3 ubiquitin ligase HDM2 (also known as MDM2), thereby preventing the ubiquitination and degradation of p53. In this study, we examined Numb expression in 125 patients with triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). The results showed that 61 (48.8%) patients presented with a deficient or decreased Numb expression. The percentage of Ki67 > 14% in the retained Numb group was significantly lower than that in the decreased and deficient Numb groups (86.00% vs. 98.40%, P = .0171). This study aimed to detect the expression and migration of Numb, HDM2 and p53 in the membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of normal mammary epithelial cell line MCF‐10A and basal‐like TNBC cell line MDA‐MB‐231. We obtained the cell fractions to identify changes in these three protein levels after the re‐expression of NUMB in the MDA‐MB‐231 cells and the knocking down of NUMB in the MCF‐10A cells. Results showed that Numb regulates p53 levels in the nucleus where the protein levels of Numb are positively correlated with p53 levels, regardless if it is re‐expressed in the MDA‐MB‐231 cells or knocked down in the MCF‐10A cells. Moreover, HDM2 was remarkably decreased only in the membrane fraction of NUMB knock‐down cells; however, its mRNA levels were increased significantly. Our results reveal a previously unknown molecular mechanism that Numb can migrate into the nucleus and interact with HDM2 and p53.
The importance of leaf surface wax as short‐range attractant and oviposition stimulant in a generalist Lepidoptera
Authors: Mobarak Syed Husne , Koner Anamika , Mitra Saubhik , Mitra Paroma , Barik Anandamay
Published: June 2020

Green gram, Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek, is an important pulse crop of Asia. Severe attack by the larvae of Spilosoma obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) causes defoliation of green gram and reduces seed yield. Females lay eggs on the leaf surface, and therefore, surface wax plays an important role as short‐range attractant and oviposition stimulant. So, we have attempted to find out whether leaf surface wax compounds (alkanes and free fatty acids) from three green gram cultivars (PDM 54, PUSA BAISAKHI and SAMRAT) could act as short‐range attractant and oviposition stimulant in females. The TLC, GC‐MS and GC‐FID analyses of n‐hexane extracts revealed 20 n‐alkanes from n‐C15 to n‐C36 and 13 free fatty acids from C12:0 to C21:0, whilst linoleic acid was unique in SAMRAT. Pentacosane was the predominant amongst n‐alkanes in the leaf surface waxes of three cultivars. Heneicosanoic acid and palmitoleic acid were the predominant free fatty acids in the leaf surface waxes of PDM 54, and PUSA BAISAKHI and SAMRAT, respectively. Females were attracted towards one leaf equivalent surface wax of three green gram cultivars against solvent controls (n‐hexane) in Y‐tube olfactometer bioassays. A synthetic blend of pentacosane, heptacosane, nonacosane, hexatriacontane, palmitoleic acid, linolenic acid and stearic acid, a synthetic blend of pentacosane, hexatriacontane and stearic acid, and a synthetic blend of hexatriacontane, linolenic acid and stearic acid resembling in amounts present in one leaf equivalent surface wax of PDM 54, PUSA BAISAKHI and SAMRAT, respectively, served as short‐range attractant and oviposition stimulant in females. Females showed equal preference for egg laying towards the above three synthetic blends when these blends were tested against each other, and hence, these blends could be employed in development of baited traps in pest management strategies.
Brood development and nest parasitism of Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) augusti Lepeletier (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a promising crop pollinator in Argentina
Authors: Lucia Mariano , Ramello Pablo José , Gonzalez Victor Hugo
Published: June 2020

Pollination of passion fruit and other crops by species of carpenter bees of the genus Xylocopa Latreille significantly increases both the quality and the quantity of fruits. To enhance pollination services, bee nests are either introduced into the crop area or females are encouraged to nest using trap nests. Thus, knowledge of trap‐nest preference, brood development and nest parasitism is essential for effective and sustainable nest management practices. Xylocopa (Neoxylocopa) augusti Lepeletier is a promising pollinator in some areas of Argentina because of its high abundance, ability to buzz‐pollinate and easy acceptance of trap nests. However, limited information is available on the biology of this pollinator. Herein, we provide detailed information on its nesting cycle, brood development and parasitism from trap nests at an urban area in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Our study indicates that X. augusti is a solitary and likely univoltine species that shares some nesting and developmental features with other species in the subgenus Neoxylocopa, which might facilitate the adoption of existing management techniques developed for other species and regions. Biological information on Physocephala wulpi Camras (Diptera: Conopidae), a parasitoid of X. augusti, is also given for the first time.
Post‐colonoscopy appendicitis: Systematic review of current evidence
Authors: Ng Zi Qin , Elsabagh Abdallah , Wijesuriya Ruwan
Published: June 2020

Background and Aim

Appendicitis after colonoscopy is an exceedingly rare complication. It remains to be explored if this entity is truly a complication of colonoscopy or a coincidental occurrence of appendicitis post‐colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to systematically review all the available evidence since it was first described in 1988.

Methods

The literature on post‐colonoscopy appendicitis was searched using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Additional manual search was performed and cross‐checked for additional references. The search was performed up to November 2019. Data collected included demographics, reason for colonoscopy, time to diagnosis, imaging performed, management, and outcome.

Results

Fifty‐three cases were found in the systematic review with a median age of 55 years (24–84 years). The time to diagnosis post‐colonoscopy was mostly within 24–48 h. Clinical features mimicked those of common acute appendicitis. In the past decade, computed tomography scan has been the imaging choice to investigate abdominal pain after colonoscopy, mainly to rule out perforation. The mainstay of management was appendectomy (open or laparoscopy). Four of the 12 cases (33.3%) were treated successfully with antibiotics alone. There has been a twofold increase in cases reported in the past decade (2009–2019,n = 31vs1999–2008,n = 15).

Conclusion

There is a considerable variation in the definition of post‐colonoscopy appendicitis in the current literature. Regardless of whether post‐colonoscopy appendicitis is a true entity, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in any patient presenting with acute abdomen following colonoscopy.
Association of Sustained Blood Pressure Control with Multimorbidity Progression Among Older Adults
Authors: Bowling C. Barrett , Sloane Richard , Pieper Carl , Luciano Alison , Davis Barry R. , Simpson Lara M. , Einhorn Paula T. , Oparil Suzanne , Muntner Paul
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Due to the high costs and excess mortality associated with multimorbidity, there is a need to develop approaches for delaying its progression. High blood pressure (BP) is a common chronic condition and a risk factor for many additional chronic conditions, making it an ideal target for intervention. The purpose of this analysis was to determine the association between the level of sustained BP control and the progression of multimorbidity.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Antihypertensive and Lipid‐Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) linked to Medicare claims.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 6,591 ALLHAT participants with Medicare who had systolic BP (SBP) measurements at eight or more study visits.

MEASUREMENTS

SBP control was categorized as lower than 140 mm Hg at less than 50%, 50% to less than 75%, 75% to less than 100%, and 100% of visits. Multimorbidity progression was defined by the number of incident chronic conditions, including arthritis, asthma, atrial fibrillation, cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, dementia, depression, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, and stroke. Recurrent event survival analysis was used to calculate rate ratios (RRs) for the association of sustained SBP control with progression of multimorbidity.

RESULTS

Rates of incident conditions per 10 person‐years (95% CIs) were 5.2 (5.1–5.4), 4.7 (4.5–4.8), 4.4 (4.2–4.5), and 4.0 (3.8–4.2) for participants with SBP control at less than 50%, 50% to less than 75%, 75% to less than 100%, and 100% of visits, respectively, over a median follow‐up of 9.0 years. Compared with participants with SBP control at less than 50% of visits, adjusted RRs (95% CIs) for multimorbidity progression were 0.90 (0.86–0.95), 0.85 (0.81–0.89), and 0.77 (0.72–0.82) for those with SBP control at 50% to less than 75%, 75% to less than 100%, and 100% of visits, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Sustaining BP control may be an effective approach to slow multimorbidity progression and may reduce the population burden of multimorbidity.
The role of national culture in financial literacy:Cross‐countryevidence
Authors: De Beckker Kenneth , De Witte Kristof , Van Campenhout Geert
Published: June 2020

This paper examines the effect of national culture on adult financial literacy levels in 12 countries. Contrary to earlier financial literacy studies, our results are directly comparable across countries given that we use the standardized OECD/INFE financial literacy survey data and Hofstede's, 2001, cultural dimensions to capture financial literacy and national culture. In line with the financial socialization theory, we find that uncertainty avoidance positively influences financial literacy, while individualism negatively influences financial literacy. We conclude that national culture affects financial literacy and that it is important to account for cultural dimensions in future international financial literacy research.
Give mind to the gap: Measuring gender differences in financial knowledge
Authors: Ooi Elizabeth
Published: June 2020

Prior research consistently finds a gender gap in financial knowledge where males appear to outperform females. Despite the wealth of studies attempting to explain this gap, none have considered whether the gender gap may be a product of measurement method. This study re‐examines the gender gap with item response theory (IRT) which can account for guessing behavior and differential item functioning. Survey data on 184,869 individuals from 39 countries and territories is analyzed. Results show that when IRT is employed, a gender gap exists in only 54% of the sample. In contrast, when a conventional measurement approach is used, there is a gender gap in financial knowledge in 81% of the sample. These results reveal that prior measurements may underestimate women's financial knowledge and inflate the gender gap.
The first comprehensive classification of hair transection: A step forward
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad , Mohmand Mohammad Humayun
Published: June 2020

There has been an increase in the hair transplant surgeries especially FUE all over the world during last two decades. The more the number of grafts being harvested result in increase in transection. Unfortunately, there is no classification dealing with the hair transection. The authors have proposed the first comprehensive classification for document different levels of hair transections.
THE ROLE OF CAPITAL AND PRODUCTIVITY IN ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME DIFFERENCES SINCE 1913
Authors: Gallardo‐Albarrán Daniel , Inklaar Robert
Published: June 2020

This paper studies the proximate determinants of differences in output per worker across countries since 1913. We provide a new long‐term perspective by developing a novel dataset with information on produced capital for 33 countries that covers most of the global income distribution. Using development accounting analysis, we find a large shift in the proximate determinants of cross‐country income inequality during the 20th century. The contribution of produced capital to cross‐country income variation declined from 29% to 11%, while that for productivity rose from 47% to 72%. Thus, the current predominant role of productivity in accounting for income differences is quite exceptional from a historical perspective. We draw on these findings to review various strands of the literature and offer some hypothesis about the rising relative importance of TFP for comparative economic performance. We conclude that differences in technological adoption rates and efficiency are the primer drivers of the decreasing relative importance of capital deepening for cross‐country income inequality, rather than factor input mismeasurement.
The application of metabolomics analysis in the research of gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia
Authors: Tan Bing , Ma Yanan , Zhang Lei , Li Ni , Zhang Jiandong
Published: June 2020

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate the difference of the serum metabolic profile between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients and preeclampsia (PE) patients, to establish the disease differentiation model and to find characteristic metabolites, in order to provide a new idea for the occurrence, development and treatment of the disease.

Methods

Twenty‐nine patients with GDM group and 29 PE group who were examined in Tianjin No. 3 Central Hospital from March 2018 to August 2018 were enrolled as case group, and 29 normal pregnant women were selected as control group. All the serum samples were analyzed by using the ultra‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Based on the multivariate statistical analysis method of pattern recognition, we screened out and identified the differential characteristic metabolites.

Results

The serum metabolic profile model of GDM group and PE group was successfully constructed. A total of nine characteristic metabolites were screened and identified in this study, including LPC 18:0, LPC 22:6, LPC 16:0, (S)‐14‐methylhexadecanoic acid, behenic acid, palmitic acid, sphingosine, phytosphingosine and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3‐26,23‐lactone. Among them, six characteristic metabolites which were LPC 18:0, LPC 22:6, behenic acid, palmitic acid, sphingosine and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3‐26,23‐lactone all had a significant statistical difference among GDM, PE and normal pregnancy groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The construction of metabolic profile discriminant model has a strong ability to differentiate GDM patients from PE pregnant women. The screened characteristic metabolites can early reflect the disorder of lipid, calcium and phosphorus metabolism of patients, and provide reference and help for the discussion of the occurrence, development and treatment of diseases.
Role of basic fibroblast growth factor in human immunodeficiency virus associated pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Sangany Charline M. , Moodley Jagidesa , Onyagunga Onankoy A. , Naicker Thajasvarie
Published: June 2020

Aim

Cell signaling is vital to ensure successful trophoblast invasion. This study assessed the level of serum basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) associated pre‐eclampsia (PE).

Methods

Using a Bio‐plex Multiplex Immunoassay, FGF‐2 (pg/mL) was analyzed in blood sera collected from 80 pregnant women attending a large regional hospital in Durban, South Africa. Study groups consisted of normotensive and pre‐eclamptic pregnant women stratified according to their HIV status. Data analysis was performed using graphpad prism statistics software, version 5.00.

Results

In this study, we report a significant decrease of FGF‐2 serum level in pre‐eclamptic compared to normotensive pregnant women groups (25.38 ± 6.69 pg/mL vs 61.79 ± 11.25 pg/mL), irrespective of their HIV status. Similarly, there was a significant decrease in FGF‐2 serum level in HIV positive compared to HIV negative group (33.80 ± 9.62 pg/mL vs 52.15 ± 9.49 pg/mL), irrespective of their pregnancy type.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a downregulation of serum FGF‐2 expression in pre‐eclamptic compared to normotensive pregnant women. This decline may be responsible for the defective trophoblast invasion and/or to PE severity. The decline in FGF‐2 expression in HIV infection is probably due to the effect of HIV Tat protein on angiogenesis.
Microbiome in health and disease
Authors: Giles Edward M , Couper Jenny
Published: June 2020

There has been an exponential rise in research into the microbiota of the human gastrointestinal tract, particularly of the genomic content (the microbiome). The vast number of micro‐organisms residing in our gut has an integral role in essential processes, including growth and development. Probiotics, live micro‐organisms with putative benefits on health have become ubiquitous as treatments for many conditions, despite often limited robust clinical trial data. However, the resurgence of faecal microbial transplantation as an effective treatment modality provides further promise that manipulation of our microbiome can have clinical benefits. This review will present the recent evidence for the role of the microbiome in development and growth, and focus on the evidence for its manipulation in paediatric diseases. We will show that while there is promising data in specific diseases, there remain many unanswered questions. Only through a deeper understanding of our complex internal ecosystem will we be able to move to the next stage of targeted microbial therapy.
High body mass index hinders fibrosis improvement in patients receiving long‐term tenofovir therapy in hepatitis B virus‐related cirrhosis
Authors: Chon Young Eun , Jung Kyu Sik , Ha Yeonjung , Kim Mi Na , Lee Joo Ho , Hwang Seong Gyu , Ahn Sang Hoon , Kim Do Young , Han Kwang‐Hyub , Park Jun Yong
Published: June 2020

Long‐term suppression of hepatitis B virus with tenofovir (TDF) induces fibrosis regression, and repeated liver stiffness (LS) measurement can indicate the improvement of fibrosis. We aimed to investigate predictors for LS improvement assessed by changes in patients receiving long‐term TDF therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with liver cirrhosis. CHB patients with histologically proven liver cirrhosis who received TDF as the first‐line therapy from 2012 to 2015 were recruited. LS and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) measurements were repeated at baseline and 3 years after therapy. Liver stiffness improvement was defined as a drop of LS value ≥30% from the baseline. A total of 131 patients were enrolled (mean age 51.4% and male 64.9%). After 3 years of TDF therapy, the mean LS value significantly improved (from 14.7 to 8.6 kPa, P < .001), and 96 (73.3%) patients have achieved LS improvement. Predictors associated with improvement of LS were low body mass index (BMI), HBeAg positivity, and low CAP value at baseline. In multivariate analysis, low BMI was a single factor independently associated with LS improvement (odds ratio 0.680, 95% CI 0.560‐0.825, P < .001). Patients with BMI < 23.5, had a 1.96 times more chance of achieving LS improvement compared to those with BMI ≥ 23.5 (90.1% vs. 46.0%, P = .001). High BMI was a single significant factor hindering the fibrosis improvement in patients receiving long‐term TDF therapy in CHB with liver cirrhosis. Life style modification and BMI reduction should be encouraged to enhance fibrosis improvement.
No evidence of a legacy effect on survival following randomization to extended hours dialysis in the ACTIVE Dialysis trial
Authors: Smyth Brendan , Zuo Li , Gray Nicholas A. , Chan Christopher T. , de Zoysa Janak R. , Hong Daqing , Rogers Kris , Wang Jia , Cass Alan , Gallagher Martin , Perkovic Vlado , Jardine Meg ,   ACTIVE Dialysis Study Investigators
Published: June 2020

Aim

Extended hours haemodialysis is associated with superior survival to standard hours. However, residual confounding limits the interpretation of this observation. We aimed to determine the effect of a period of extended hours dialysis on long‐term survival among participants in the ACTIVE Dialysis trial.

Methods

Two‐hundred maintenance haemodialysis recipients were randomized to extended hours dialysis (median 24 h/wk) or standard hours dialysis (median 12 h/wk) for 12 months. Further pre‐specified observational follow up occurred at 24, 36 and 60 months. Vital status and modality of renal replacement therapy were ascertained.

Results

Over the 5 years, 38 participants died, 30 received a renal transplant, and 6 were lost to follow up. Total weekly dialysis hours did not differ between standard and extended groups during the follow‐up period (14.1 hours [95%CI 13.4‐14.8] vs 14.8 hours [95%CI 14.1‐15.6]; P = .16). There was no difference in all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio for extended hours 0.91 [95%CI 0.48‐1.72]; P = .77). Similar results were obtained after censoring participants at transplantation, and after adjusting for potential confounding variables. Subgroup analysis did not reveal differences in treatment effect by region, dialysis setting or vintage (P‐interaction .51, .54, .12, respectively).

Conclusion

Twelve months of extended hours dialysis did not improve long‐term survival nor affect dialysis hours after the intervention period. An urgent need remains to further define the optimal dialysis intensity across the broad range of dialysis recipients.
Intergenerational Earnings Persistence in Italy between Actual Father–Son Pairs Accounting for Lifecycle and Attenuation Bias
Authors: Bloise Francesco , Raitano Michele
Published: June 2020

Using a longitudinal dataset built merging administrative and survey data, we contribute to the literature on intergenerational inequality providing the first estimate of the intergenerational earnings elasticity (IGE) in Italy based on actual father–son pairs, taking into account issues related to measurement biases and comparing the size of the lifecycle bias when sons are selected by age or by potential experience (i.e. the number of years since the end of their studies). Our findings confirm that Italy is a low‐mobility country. In our baseline estimate, when sons are observed 6 years after the end of their studies, the IGE is approximately 0.41 and is robust to various measures of fathers’ lifetime earnings. However, our results might be downward biased by the young age of sons. To measure the lifecycle bias and correct IGE estimates, we run the ‘forward regression’ of yearly earnings on lifetime earnings on a sample of workers followed for 30 years. We find that selecting sons by potential experience rather than by age reduces the lifecycle bias at young ages and the ‘corrected’ IGE is 0.48. The picture of Italy as a low‐mobility country is also confirmed when we measure the intergenerational association through the rank–rank slope.
LncWNT3‐IT affects the proliferation of Sertoli cells by regulating the expression of the WNT3 gene in goat testis
Authors: He Lina , He Qijie , Qiao Lei , Huang Siyi , Dai Zinuo , Yang Tianyuan , Liu Lingbin , Zhao Zhongquan
Published: June 2020

Contents

The proliferation and differentiation ability of testicular Sertoli cells directly affects spermatogenesis and male reproductive development. WNT proteins are involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation and spermatogenesis. Therefore, to study whether lncRNAs, which regulate the expression of WNT proteins during cell proliferation and differentiation, are worthwhile. In this study, testicular tissue from the Dazu black goat (Capra, goat, Chongqing, China) at neonatal time (less than 7 days old), early puberty time (45 days old) and sexual maturity time (90 days old) at three ages was subjected to high‐throughput sequencing to predict testicular growth and development associated with WNT lncRNA. The final screening of lncWNT3‐IT may be targeted to regulate the expression of WNT3. At the same time, the expression of WNT3 was verified by lncWNT3‐IT by paraffin sectioning, fluorescence in situ hybridization, interference, overexpression, cytotoxicity assay, Western blotting and qPCR. The following results were obtained: lncWNT3‐IT was expressed in the testicular Sertoli cells and played a role in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. Fluorescence in situ hybridization localization analysis showed that lncWNT3‐IT positively regulated the expression of WNT3, and through cell viability and cell proliferation experiments, it was found that the expression of lncWNT3‐IT assisted in Sertoli cell proliferation. In summary, lncWNT3‐IT can influence the proliferation of Sertoli cells by positively regulating the expression of WNT3.
The causal pathway effects of a physical activity intervention on adiposity in children: The KISS Study cluster randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lima Rodrigo Antunes , Andersen Lars Bo , Soares Fernanda Cunha , Kriemler Susi
Published: June 2020

Background

Very little information on the potential mechanisms of the physical activity interventions effects on adiposity is available. We evaluated the possible mediating factors of a physical activity school‐based intervention on the sum of skinfolds in children.

Methods

This is a cluster randomized trial, secondary analysis of the KISS study. Children (n = 499) from the first and fifth grades were randomly assigned to intervention or control group. Adiposity was estimated by four skinfolds, aerobic fitness assessed by the shuttle run test, and insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), and glucose collected via fasting blood samples.

Results

The intervention affected aerobic fitness (0.140 SD, 95% CI 0.011 to 0.270), triglycerides (0.217 SD, 95% CI −0.409 to −0.025), cholesterol/HDL ratio (−0.191 SD, 95% CI −0.334 to −0.047), glucose (−0.330 SD, 95% CI −0.538 to −0.121), and skinfolds (−0.122 SD, 95% CI −0.189 to −0.056). No intervention effect on insulin was found. We observed that changes in aerobic fitness impacted children's triglycerides and cholesterol/HDL ratio and consecutively the glucose levels mediating 30% of the intervention effect on skinfolds.

Conclusions

Our findings provided evidence of the positive metabolic distress caused by a physical activity intervention on adiposity levels in children.
Urine creatinine concentration and urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratios in healthy nonracing Greyhounds
Authors: Liffman Rebekah , Courtman Natalie , Tennent‐Brown Brett , Johnstone Thurid
Published: June 2020

Background

Serum creatinine concentrations are higher in Greyhounds when compared with nonsighthound breeds. Greyhounds might also have higher urine creatinine concentrations compared with other breeds, which could affect urine protein‐to‐creatinine ratio (UPC) references.

Objectives

We aimed to determine the UPC reference intervals (RIs) in healthy nonracing Greyhounds and compare this with UPC values in a group of healthy nonsighthounds and with the current International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) guidelines.

Methods

The study used an observational cross‐sectional design, involving clinically healthy, nonracing Greyhounds (n = 98) and nonsighthound dogs of similar weight, age, and sex (n = 24). Packed cell volumes, total solids, urine protein concentrations, serum and urine creatinine concentrations, urine specific gravity (USG) measurements, and UPCs were determined. Linear regression was used to compare urine creatinine and urine protein concentrations, relative to the USG measurements, between Greyhound and nonsighthound groups. Greyhound UPC RIs were determined using nonparametric methods and compared with UPC values in nonsighthounds and current IRIS guidelines.

Results

Mean urine creatinine concentrations, adjusted for USGs, were approximately 22% higher in Greyhounds compared with nonsighthounds (P = .002). Mean urine protein concentration (P = .46) and UPC (P = .1) were not significantly different between Greyhounds and nonsighthounds. The upper limit of the Greyhound UPC RI was 0.20 or 0.42, depending on whether strict or moderate exclusion criteria were applied, respectively.

Conclusions

Greyhounds have higher urine creatinine concentrations than nonsighthounds. Although the suggested RI for UPCs in Greyhounds is slightly lower than the cut‐offs recommended in generic canine IRIS guidelines, this difference is not likely to be clinically significant.
Older Adults Overcome Reduced Triceps Surae Structural Stiffness to Preserve Ankle Joint Quasi-Stiffness During Walking
Authors: Krupenevich Rebecca L. , Clark William H. , Sawicki Gregory S. , Franz Jason R.
Published: June 2020

Ankle joint quasi-stiffness is an aggregate measure of the interaction between triceps surae muscle stiffness and Achilles tendon stiffness. This interaction may be altered due to age-related changes in the structural properties and functional behavior of the Achilles tendon and triceps surae muscles. The authors hypothesized that, due to a more compliant of Achilles’ tendon, older adults would exhibit lower ankle joint quasi-stiffness than young adults during walking and during isolated contractions at matched triceps surae muscle activations. The authors also hypothesized that, independent of age, triceps surae muscle stiffness and ankle joint quasi-stiffness would increase with triceps surae muscle activation. The authors used conventional gait analysis in one experiment and, in another, electromyographic biofeedback and in vivo ultrasound imaging applied during isolated contractions. The authors found no difference in ankle joint quasi-stiffness between young and older adults during walking. Conversely, this study found that (1) young and older adults modulated ankle joint quasi-stiffness via activation-dependent changes in triceps surae muscle length–tension behavior and (2) at matched activation, older adults exhibited lower ankle joint quasi-stiffness than young adults. Despite age-related reductions during isolated contractions, ankle joint quasi-stiffness was maintained in older adults during walking, which may be governed via activation-mediated increases in muscle stiffness.
Nordic Walking for Overweight and Obese People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sanchez-Lastra Miguel A. , Miller Kyle J. , Martínez-Lemos Rodolfo I. , Giráldez Antón , Ayán Carlos
Published: June 2020

Background: Nordic walking (NW) is a potentially beneficial exercise strategy for overweight and obese people. To date, no reviews have synthesized the existing scientific evidence regarding the effects of NW on this population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the characteristics, methodological quality, and results of the investigations that have studied the effects of NW in overweight and obese individuals.Methods: Six electronic databases were searched up to June 2019 for studies that examined the effects of NW on people with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2. The methodological quality of the included randomized controlled trials was retrieved from the physiotherapy evidence database or evaluated using the physiotherapy evidence database scale.Results: Twelve studies were included in the review. The investigations were mostly good-to-fair methodological quality. NW groups had a significant improvement on parameters such as fasting plasma glucose, abdominal adiposity, and body fat compared with the baseline, but no significant improvements were found when compared with control groups.Conclusions: NW can potentially lead to improvements in parameters related to major health outcomes in overweight and obese people. The lack of control for confounding variables in the analyzed studies prevents further elaboration on its potential benefits.
Molecular docking with Gaussian Boson Sampling
Authors: Banchi Leonardo , Fingerhuth Mark , Babej Tomas , Ing Christopher , Arrazola Juan Miguel
Published: June 2020

Photonic quantum devices called Gaussian Boson Samplers can be programmed to predict molecular docking configurations.
Crystal time-reversal symmetry breaking and spontaneous Hall effect in collinear antiferromagnets
Authors: Šmejkal Libor , González-Hernández Rafael , Jungwirth T. , Sinova J.
Published: June 2020

Identification of a previously overlooked spontaneous Hall effect mechanism creates opportunities in low-dissipation spintronics.
Accessing medical biobanks to solve crimes: ethical considerations
Authors: de Groot Nina F , van Beers Britta C , Decock Lieven , Meynen Gerben
Published: June 2020

Millions of human biological samples are stored worldwide for medical research or treatment purposes. These biospecimens are of enormous potential value to law enforcement as DNA profiles can be obtained from these samples. However, forensic use of such biospecimens raises a number of ethical questions. This article aims to explore ethical issues of using human bodily material in medical biobanks for crime investigation and prosecution purposes. Concerns about confidentiality, trust, autonomy and justice will be discussed. We explore how to balance these concerns against the importance of crime solving. Relevant case examples of forensic use of medical biobanks show that requests by law enforcement to access biobanks are handled in disparate ways. We identify some core ethical issues and conclude that further research on these issues is needed to provide ethical guidance.
Children of COVID-19: pawns, pathfinders or partners?
Authors: Larcher Victor , Brierley Joe
Published: June 2020

Countries throughout the world are counting the health and socioeconomic costs of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the strategies necessary to contain it. Profound consequences from social isolation are beginning to emerge, and there is an urgency about charting a path to recovery, albeit to a ‘new normal’ that mitigates them. Children have not suffered as much from the direct effects of COVID-19 infection as older adults. Still, there is mounting evidence that their health and welfare are being adversely affected. Closure of schools has been a critical component of social isolation but has a far broader impact than the diminution of educational opportunities, as important as these are. Reopening of schools is therefore essential to recovery, with some countries already tentatively implementing it. Children’s interests are vital considerations in any recovery plan, but the question remains as to how to address them within the context of how society views children; should they be regarded as pawns, pathfinders or partners in this enterprise?
Comparison of intravenous lidocaine versus epidural anesthesia for traumatic rib fracture pain: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lii Theresa Riki , Aggarwal Anuj Kailash
Published: June 2020

Background

Effective analgesia is essential in managing traumatic rib fractures. Intravenous lidocaine (IVL) is effective in treating perioperative pain, acute pain in the emergency department, cancer pain in hospice, and outpatient chronic neuropathic pain. Our study examined the associations between IVL versus epidural analgesia (EA) and pain for the treatment of acute rib fracture in the inpatient setting.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study involving adults admitted to an academic level I trauma center from June 1, 2011 to June 1, 2016 with consults to the pain service for acute rib fracture pain. Eighty-nine patients were included in the final analysis (54 IVL and 35 EA patients). Both groups had usual access to opioid medications. The primary outcome was absolute change in numeric pain scores during 0–24 and 24–48 hours after initiating IVL or EA, compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes include opioid consumption, incentive spirometry, supplemental oxygens, pneumonia, endotracheal intubation and length of hospital stay.

Results

Numeric pain scores differed at baseline (mean 5.6 for IVL vs 4.5 for EA, p=0.01), while age, injury severity, and number of fractured ribs were similar. IVL and EA were associated with similar reductions in numeric pain scores within 0–24 and 24–48 hours (mean −2.9 for IVL vs −2.3 for EA during both periods, p=0.19 and p=0.17 respectively) . There was greater non-neuraxial opioid consumption with IVL compared with EA (98.6 vs 22.3 mg morphine equivalents (MME) at 0–24 hours, p=0.0005; 105.6 vs 18.9 MME at 24–48 hours, p<0.0001). When epidural opioids were analyzed, the EA group was exposed to higher total MME at 0–24 hours (655.2 vs 98.6 MME, p<0.0001) and 24–48 hours (586 vs 105.6 MME, p=0.0001), suggesting an opioid sparing effect of IVL.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that IVL is similar to EA in numeric pain score reduction, and that IVL may have an opioid sparing effect when taking neuraxial opioids into account. IVL may be an effective alternative to epidurals for the treatment of rib fracture pain. It should be considered for patients who have contraindications to epidurals or are unable to receive an epidural in a timely manner.
Post‐mortem indications of poor welfare—an hypothesis upon supine broilers: stress and efforts to ameliorate suffering in a low throughput abattoir
Authors: Cranley John James
Published: June 2020

Broilers at slaughterhouses are prone to heat stress. They should be checked for panting, which occurs above an ambient temperature of 17°C. Fan cooling, water misting, cooling by evaporation on module roofs, cascading water down the lattice of drawers, and cold drinks all help to reduce heat stress. Drawer opening by 4–6 cm and stocking reduction also facilitate heat escape. Removing live or dead supine, or trapped prone broilers, with broken legs or wings, wedged toes or with rubbed upper wing joints, improves the welfare of the remaining broilers. Indications of stressed broilers, for example, pale soft exudative and dark, firm, dry pectoral muscles, should be sought in untreated dead on arrival birds and in postmortem rejects.
Inhibition of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 suppresses high glucose-induced apoptosis and inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Gong Yu-Ping , Zhang Ya-Wei , Su Xiao-Qing , Gao Hai-Bo
Published: June 2020

The study investigated the expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 in high glucose (HG)-induced human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the role of MALAT1 in the apoptosis of HG-induced HUVECs. The HUVECs were cultured and induced with 25 mmol/L HG. After that, the HUVECs were transfected with MALAT1 siRNA. The expression levels of MALAT1 were detected with qPCR, whereas the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, p-65, and p-p65 were detected using Western blot. The roles of MALAT1 in cell activities, including apoptosis, were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay, TUNEL staining, and flow cytometry. The expression levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) were measured using ELISA. The expression levels of MALAT1, TNF-α, and IL-6 in HUVECs were increased in the HG environment; however, when MALAT1 was silenced in the HUVECs, cell proliferation increased significantly, the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, Bax, cleaved-caspase-3, and cleaved-caspase-9 decreased, and the rate of apoptosis also decreased. Silencing MALAT1 inhibited the expression of p-p65 in HG-induced HUVECs. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that MALAT1 is upregulated in HG-induced HUVECs, and inhibition of MALAT1 inhibits HG-induced apoptosis and inflammation in HUVECs by suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Improving the communication and accessibility of stock assessment using interactive visualization tools
Authors: Regular Paul M. , Robertson Gregory J. , Rogers Robert , Lewis Keith P.
Published: June 2020

Scientists across many fields are faced with the challenge of synthesizing and communicating information from large and complex data sets. The field of stock assessment is no exception as the volume and variety of the data has grown alongside the computational methods used to integrate them. While this growth in data and model complexity has improved many stock assessments, the process of communicating key results to colleagues and stakeholders in a meaningful way has become more daunting. The traditional approach of presenting information across a series of static slides often fails to convey the richness of information available, and as such, important patterns and details are easily overlooked. Here we contend that this problem can be mediated through the effective use of new open source tools for building interactive visualizations. These tools allow a broader audience to conduct detailed explorations of the results, leading to a deeper and collective understanding of both the data and models used to inform stock assessments. As a consequence, the peer review process is more open and accessible.