bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on the Deformation and Control Technology of Surrounding Rock in Entry Retaining along the Gob Side
Authors: Zhang Meng , He Hui , Zhang Yu , Jin Xin , Liang Xinyu , Zhang Yidong , Guo Hongjun
Published: September 2020

This paper studies and introduces the successful case of gob‐side entry retaining technology and the typical mining pressure law in Luan mining area, which is the main mining coal seam in Qinshui coalfield. Qinshui coalfield has an estimated coal reserve of 300 billion tons, accounting for 9.58% of the total national coal reserve in China, especially anthracite, chemical coal, and coking coal. The methods of field investigation, theoretical analysis, physical experiment, and industrial test are adopted. Through the field investigation, theoretical analysis, physical experiments, and industrial test, the following conclusions have been drawn in this study: (1) A thorough engineering geological investigation was conducted on the entry retaining along the gob side on noncoal pillar mining working face, which covers multiple periods of mining process including the roadway excavation period, primary mining period, primary mining stability period, and secondary mining influence period. A series of analysis and tests were conducted such as core sampling, rock mechanics property testing, borehole detection, and flexible formwork support evaluation, which laid a foundation for identifying the mining pressure law of gob‐side entry retaining by using noncoal pillar mining. (2) The mining pressure law was studied through the collection of the field measurements taken from the entry retaining along the gob side on noncoal pillar mining working face. The keys to achieve the roadway surrounding rock stability through noncoal pillar mining are obtained. According to the study, the stability control of retained roadway surrounding rock mainly depends on the stability of top coal, coal side, and shoulder angle coal. (3) In this study, a roadway reinforcement scheme is proposed to improve the surrounding rock control technology for gob‐side entry retaining by noncoal pillar mining, whose effectiveness has been verified by a series of industrial test. Therefore, the wide adoption of the noncoal pillar mining method in Number #3 coal mine can significantly relieve the predicament of coal pressing under a large number of buildings in Luan mining area, which provides insightful guidance to the coal‐free pillar mining in the whole Luan mining area.
Cancers from Novel Pole-Mutant Mouse Models Provide Insights into Polymerase-Mediated Hypermutagenesis and Immune Checkpoint Blockade
Authors: Galati Melissa A. , Hodel Karl P. , Gams Miki S. , Sudhaman Sumedha , Bridge Taylor , Zahurancik Walter J. , Ungerleider Nathan A. , Park Vivian S. , Ercan Ayse B. , Joksimovic Lazar , Siddiqui Iram , Siddaway Robert , Edwards Melissa , de Borja Richard , Elshaer Dana , Chung Jiil , Forster Victoria J. , Nunes Nuno M. , Aronson Melyssa , Wang Xia , Ramdas Jagadeesh , Seeley Andrea , Sarosiek Tomasz , Dunn Gavin P. , Byrd Jonathan N. , Mordechai Oz , Durno Carol , Martin Alberto , Shlien Adam , Bouffet Eric , Suo Zucai , Jackson James G. , Hawkins Cynthia E. , Guidos Cynthia J. , Pursell Zachary F. , Tabori Uri
Published: September 2020

POLE mutations are a major cause of hypermutant cancers, yet questions remain regarding mechanisms of tumorigenesis, genotype–phenotype correlation, and therapeutic considerations. In this study, we establish mouse models harboring cancer-associated POLE mutations P286R and S459F, which cause rapid albeit distinct time to cancer initiation in vivo, independent of their exonuclease activity. Mouse and human correlates enabled novel stratification of POLE mutations into three groups based on clinical phenotype and mutagenicity. Cancers driven by these mutations displayed striking resemblance to the human ultrahypermutation and specific signatures. Furthermore, Pole-driven cancers exhibited a continuous and stochastic mutagenesis mechanism, resulting in intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity. Checkpoint blockade did not prevent Pole lymphomas, but rather likely promoted lymphomagenesis as observed in humans. These observations provide insights into the carcinogenesis of POLE-driven tumors and valuable information for genetic counseling, surveillance, and immunotherapy for patients.

Significance:

Two mouse models of polymerase exonuclease deficiency shed light on mechanisms of mutation accumulation and considerations for immunotherapy.

See related commentary by Wisdom and Kirsch p. 5459
Integrating Mathematical Modeling with High-Throughput Imaging Explains How Polyploid Populations Behave in Nutrient-Sparse Environments
Authors: Kimmel Gregory J. , Dane Mark , Heiser Laura M. , Altrock Philipp M. , Andor Noemi
Published: September 2020

Breast cancer progresses in a multistep process from primary tumor growth and stroma invasion to metastasis. Nutrient-limiting environments promote chemotaxis with aggressive morphologies characteristic of invasion. It is unknown how coexisting cells differ in their response to nutrient limitations and how this impacts invasion of the metapopulation as a whole. In this study, we integrate mathematical modeling with microenvironmental perturbation data to investigate invasion in nutrient-limiting environments inhabited by one or two cancer cell subpopulations. Subpopulations were defined by their energy efficiency and chemotactic ability. Invasion distance traveled by a homogeneous population was estimated. For heterogeneous populations, results suggest that an imbalance between nutrient efficacy and chemotactic superiority accelerates invasion. Such imbalance will spatially segregate the two populations and only one type will dominate at the invasion front. Only if these two phenotypes are balanced, the two subpopulations compete for the same space, which decelerates invasion. We investigate ploidy as a candidate biomarker of this phenotypic heterogeneity and discuss its potential to inform the dose of mTOR inhibitors (mTOR-I) that can inhibit chemotaxis just enough to facilitate such competition.

Significance:

This study identifies the double-edged sword of high ploidy as a prerequisite to personalize combination therapies with cytotoxic drugs and inhibitors of signal transduction pathways such as mTOR-Is.
Spliced Peptides and Cytokine-Driven Changes in the Immunopeptidome of Melanoma
Authors: Faridi Pouya , Woods Katherine , Ostrouska Simone , Deceneux Cyril , Aranha Ritchlynn , Duscharla Divya , Wong Stephen Q. , Chen Weisan , Ramarathinam Sri H. , Lim Kam Sian Terry C.C. , Croft Nathan P. , Li Chen , Ayala Rochelle , Cebon Jonathan S. , Purcell Anthony W. , Schittenhelm Ralf B. , Behren Andreas
Published: September 2020

Antigen recognition by CD8+ T cells is governed by the pool of peptide antigens presented on the cell surface in the context of HLA class I complexes. Studies have shown not only a high degree of plasticity in the immunopeptidome, but also that a considerable fraction of all presented peptides is generated through proteasome-mediated splicing of noncontiguous regions of proteins to form novel peptide antigens. Here, we used high-resolution mass spectrometry combined with new bioinformatic approaches to characterize the immunopeptidome of melanoma cells in the presence or absence of IFNγ. In total, we identified more than 60,000 peptides from a single patient-derived cell line (LM-MEL-44) and demonstrated that IFNγ induced changes in the peptidome, with an overlap of only approximately 50% between basal and treated cells. Around 6% to 8% of the peptides were identified as cis-spliced peptides, and 2,213 peptides (1,827 linear and 386 cis-spliced peptides) were derived from known melanoma-associated antigens. These peptide antigens were equally distributed between the constitutive- and IFNγ-induced peptidome. We next examined additional HLA-matched patient-derived cell lines to investigate how frequently these peptides were identified and found that a high proportion of both linear and spliced peptides was conserved between individual patient tumors, drawing on data amassing to more than 100,000 peptide sequences. Several of these peptides showed in vitro immunogenicity across multiple patients with melanoma. These observations highlight the breadth and complexity of the repertoire of immunogenic peptides that can be exploited therapeutically and suggest that spliced peptides are a major class of tumor antigens.
Prenatal Repair of Spina Bifida: A 2-Center Experience with Open Intrauterine Neurosurgery in Chile
Authors: Sepulveda Waldo , Corral Edgardo , Alcalde Juan L. , Otayza Felipe , Müller Jose M. , Ravera Franco , Devoto Juan C. , Tapia Mirta
Published: September 2020

Objective: To report the experience with prenatal repair of open spina bifida (OSB) from 2 centers in Chile. Methods: Women with a second-trimester fetus with OSB were offered intrauterine neurosurgical repair following the protocol from the Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) trial. Pediatric follow-up with infants reaching 12 and 30 months of life was also reviewed. Results: Fifty-eight fetuses with OSB underwent intrauterine repair at an average (±SD) gestational age of 24.8 ± 0.9 weeks. There were 3 (5.1%) intrauterine deaths. The average gestational age at delivery of the remaining 55 cases was 33.3 ± 3.6 weeks, and the average birth weight was 2,172 ± 751 g. Delivery before 30 weeks occurred in 11 cases (20.0%). Two (3.6%) neonatal deaths (<28 days) occurred. At 12 months, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or an endoscopic third ventriculostomy was required in 25% of the cases. At 30 months, 72.4% of the infants were able to walk. Discussion: Prenatal neurosurgical repair of OSB is a complex and challenging intervention. Major complications include perinatal death and severe prematurity. No major maternal complications occurred in our series. A reduction in the need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion and an improved ability to walk seem to be the greatest long-term advantages of this procedure.
Early Morphofunctional Changes in AngII-Infused Mice Contribute to Regional Onset of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection
Authors: Aslanidou Lydia , Trachet Bram , Sasset Linda , Lovric Goran , Stergiopulos Nikolaos , Di Lorenzo Annarita
Published: September 2020

Aortic aneurysms and dissections are silent and lethal conditions, whose pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Although angiotensin II (AngII)-infused ApoE−/− mice have been widely used to study aortic aneurysm and dissection, early morphofunctional alterations preceding the onset of these conditions remain unknown. The goal of this study was to unveil early morphofunctional changes underlying the onset of aneurysm and dissection. At 3 days post-AngII infusion, suprarenal abdominal aorta presented significant volumetric dilatation and microstructural damage. Ex vivo assessment of vascular reactivity of the suprarenal dissection-prone aorta and its side branches, showed an endothelial and contractile dysfunctions that were severe in the suprarenal aorta, moderate distally, and absent in the side branches, mirroring the susceptibility to dissection of these different vascular segments. Early and specific morphofunctional changes of the suprarenal aorta may contribute to the regional onset of aortic aneurysm and dissection by exacerbating the biomechanical burden arising from its side branches.
Erosive Tooth Wear among Adults in Lithuania: A Cross-Sectional National Oral Health Study
Authors: Stangvaltaite-Mouhat Lina , Pūrienė Alina , Stankeviciene Indre , Aleksejūnienė Jolanta
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Erosive tooth wear has a multifactorial origin, where multiple risks contribute to its initiation and subsequent progression. The prevalence of tooth wear varies among countries; therefore, national studies are needed to examine the prevalence of this condition and its associated determinants. Materials and Methods: A sample of this national study included a total of 1,397 adults (response rate of 52%). Severity and number of teeth with erosive tooth wear, caries experience (D3MFS), and fluorosis were assessed clinically. A self-reported questionnaire inquired about sociodemographics, oral health behavior, diet, and general health. Fluoride levels in drinking water at the recruitment areas were also recorded. Data were analyzed by bivariate and multivariate methods. Results: The prevalence of erosive tooth wear in enamel and dentin combined was 59% among 35- to 44-year-old, 75% among 45- to 54-year-old, 70% among 55- to 64-year-old, and 66% among 65- to 74-year-old males. The prevalence among females in the respective age groups was 44, 60, 63, and 59%. Erosive tooth wear in enamel was associated with a lower fluoride level (≤1 ppm) in the drinking water (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–4.2). Erosive tooth wear in dentin was positively associated with male gender (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.5), periurban/rural residency (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4), older age (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3–1.9), presence of reflux (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.0–10.9), and negatively with higher D3MFS scores (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5–0.9). Conclusions: The prevalence of erosive tooth wear in enamel and dentin was relatively high in Lithuania; the erosive tooth wear in enamel and dentin combined was 52% among 35- to 44-year-olds, 68% among 45- to 54-year-olds, 67% among 55- to 64-year-olds, and 63% among 65- to 74-year-olds. Lower fluoride level in drinking water was associated with erosive tooth wear in enamel. Male gender, residency in periurban/rural areas, older age, and presence of acid reflux were associated with higher odds, while higher D3MFS scores were associated with lower odds for erosive tooth wear in dentin. These results can be used to plan dental public health prevention.
Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia in a Patient with Costello Syndrome: An Etiology to Consider in Hypoglycemia
Authors: Vuralli Dogus , Kosukcu Can , Taskiran Ekim , Simsek-Kiper Pelin Ozlem , Utine Gulen Eda , Boduroglu Koray , Alikasifoglu Ayfer , Alikasifoglu Mehmet
Published: September 2020

Several endocrine disorders have been defined in patients with Costello syndrome (CS). In this report, we describe a patient with CS accompanied by a clinical picture of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia responsive to diazoxide treatment. A 41-day-old female patient with a birth weight of 3,600 g was referred for atypical facial features and swallowing dysfunction. She had a weight of 4,000 g (−0.8 SDS), a length of 50 cm (−2.4 SDS), and a head circumference of 38 cm (0.2 SDS). The clinical findings were suggestive of a genetic syndrome, mainly a RASopathy or Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. Whole exome sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous missense variant in the HRAS (NM_001130442) gene in exon 2: c.35G>C; p.(Gly12Ala), establishing the molecular diagnosis of CS. The patient developed symptomatic hypoglycemia (jitteriness and sweating) at the age of 13 months. The patient’s serum glucose was 38 mg/dL with simultaneous serum insulin and C-peptide levels, 2.8 μIU/mL and 1.8 ng/mL, respectively. Hyperinsulinism was suspected, and an exaggerated glucose response was detected in a glucagon test. Blood glucose monitoring indicated episodes of fasting hypoglycemia and postprandial hyperglycemia. Diazoxide of 10 mg/kg/day was initiated in 3 doses for hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, which resolved without new episodes of postprandial hyperglycemia. The patient deceased at the age of 17 months due to cardiorespiratory failure in the course of severe pneumonia complicated with pulmonary hypertension and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Several genetic syndromes including CS are associated with endocrinologic manifestations including abnormal glucose homeostasis. Although the frequency and underlying mechanisms leading to hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia are yet unknown, hypoglycemia in CS responds well to diazoxide.
A Deep Intronic Variant Activates a Pseudoexon in the MTM1Gene in a Family with X-Linked Myotubular Myopathy
Authors: Fitzgerald Jamie , Feist Cori , Dietz Paula , Moore Stephen , Basel Donald
Published: September 2020

We report a novel intronic variant in the MTM1 gene in 4 males in a family with severe X-linked myotubular myopathy. The A>G variant in deep intronic space activates a cryptic 5′ donor splice site resulting in the inclusion of a 48-bp pseudoexon into the mature MTM1 mRNA. The variant is present in all affected males, absent in unaffected males, and heterozygous in the mother of the affected males. The included intronic sequence contains a premature stop codon, and experiments using a translational inhibitor indicate that the mutant mRNAs undergo nonsense-mediated decay. We conclude that affected males produce no, or low, levels of MTM1 mRNA likely leading to a significant reduction of myotubularin-1 protein resulting in the severe neonatal myopathy present in this family. The study highlights the need to consider noncoding variants in genomic screening in families with X-linked myotubular myopathy.
Biology- and Location-Oriented Precision Treatment of Rectal Cancer: Present and Future
Authors: Fichtner-Feigl Stefan
Published: September 2020

Background: The surgical approach in rectal cancer treatment has evolved in the last decades and a standardized surgical technique for tumor resection – total mesorectal excision – has been established. Summary: In a multidisciplinary effort with the use of total mesorectal excision in combination with adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments to compliment surgery disease management can achieve excellent long-term local control and improved patient survival. Further improvements in imaging techniques and the ability to identify prognostic factors such as tumor regression, extramural venous invasion, and threatened margins have introduced the concept of decision-making based on preoperative staging information. Key Message: Therefore, in the modern era treatment algorithms are based on high-resolution imaging to plan neoadjuvant therapy and precision surgery followed by pathological and molecular analysis to stratify patients for the need of adjuvant chemotherapy. Despite excellent results with guideline structured treatment pathways, there is still a need to improve long-term results especially for individuals with locally advanced or metastatic tumors.
Uterine Isthmus Tourniquet during Abdominal Myomectomy: Support or Hazard? A Randomized Double-Blind Trial
Authors: Mehdizadehkashi Abolfazl , Tahermanesh Kobra , Rokhgireh Samaneh , Astaraei Vahideh , Najmi Zahra , Rakhshande Mehrnoosh , Allahqoli Leila , Ahmadi Pishkuhi Mahin , Alkatout Ibrahim , Chaichian Shahla
Published: September 2020

Background and Objectives: A tourniquet has been suggested as a useful means of reducing massive hemorrhage during myomectomy. However, it is not clear whether the restricted perfusion affects the ovaries. In the present study, we examined the effect of a tourniquet on ovarian reserve and blood loss during myomectomy. Materials and Methods: In a randomized double-blind clinical trial, fertile nonobese patients scheduled for abdominal myomectomy at Rasool-e-Akram Hospital from February 2018 to June 2019 were randomized to a tourniquet (n = 46) or a non-tourniquet group (n = 35). Serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured before and 3 months after surgery, blood loss was recorded during surgery, and serum levels of hemoglobin (Hb) were recorded before surgery, 6 h and 3 days after surgery. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Demographic, obstetric, and myoma characteristics were similar in the 2 groups (p > 0.05). The mean baseline values of AMH and FSH did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). After surgery, only FSH was higher in the control group (p = 0.043). Despite the time taken to fasten and open the tourniquet, the mean operating time was shorter in the tourniquet group (p < 0.001). Blood loss was higher in the control group (p = 0.005). The drop in Hb levels at 6 h after surgery was higher in the non-tourniquet group (p = 0.002). Blood loss was significantly associated with the duration of surgery (r = 0.523, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The use of a tourniquet during abdominal myomectomy significantly reduced the mean volume of blood loss compared to the non-tourniquet group, while it did not prolong the duration of surgery, nor reduced the ovarian reserve. A tourniquet is a safe and efficient measure during abdominal myomectomy.
Jornal Poeira: resistência à ditadura militar através do método linha de massas
Authors: Silva Cristianne Prado
Published: September 2020

No período da ditadura militar no Brasil, diversos movimentos sociais experienciaram dificuldades em sua mobilização e atuação. O movimento estudantil da Universidade Estadual de Londrina foi protagonista de diversos embates com o regime militar, excepcionalmente entre 1974 a 1978, através de seu elemento de divulgação, o jornal Poeira. Este trabalho analisa os diálogos que o movimento estudantil realizava com os estudantes, a partir do método linha de massas, uma estratégia de atuação e resistência à ditadura militar. Apesar de participar das “entidades oficiais”, que buscavam a formação de uma representação estudantil passiva, o movimento estudantil de Londrina atuou de forma combativa e deteve hegemonia na UEL, até o fim da experiência em 1978, com a cassação da chapa Poeira.
Navilouca: uma experiência do encontro entre arte e vida
Authors: Lucio Amanda Costa Ferreira
Published: September 2020

Este artigo se empenha na observação da relação entre a vida e a arte presente nas páginas do Almanaque Navilouca, organizado pelos poetas Torquato Neto e Waly Salomão, lançado em único volume em 1974. Neste estudo, será investigado como o Almanaque materializou um discurso que dialoga com a proposta de deslocamento da forma e sensibilidade da arte brasileira pós-1968, produzindo uma transmutação das experiências entre arte e realidade. Esta atitude promoveu o recurso da invenção artística, rompendo com os formalismos, inserindo o corpo e comportamento como dimensões políticas e culturais que fomentaram um novo parâmetro para o processo criativo.
Para trás e entre transes: o Brasil entre Iracemas e cabras marcados à morte ou sobre uma análise fílmica de obras censuradas no decurso da ditadura militar
Authors: Alexandre Gabriel Bandeira
Published: September 2020

A importância do cinema para os estudos históricos foi, e ainda é, objeto de discussão entre os historiadores, especialmente os que o reconhecem como uma fonte histórica. Considerando tal relevância à História, o objetivo deste artigo é realizar uma análise fílmica de obras que foram submetidas ao exame censório no decurso da ditadura militar brasileira, a saber: i) Terra em Transe (1967), de Glauber Rocha; ii) Iracema, uma Transa Amazônica (1976), de Jorge Bodanzky e Orlando Senna; iii) Pra Frente, Brasil (1982), de Roberto Farias; e iv) Cabra Marcado Para Morrer (1984), de Eduardo Coutinho. Para tanto, nos baseamos metodologicamente na perspectiva da História Comparada (BLOCH, 1998, p. 111 - 118; BARROS, 2007, 2013, p. 156 - 179), a qual nos permite relacionar as dimensões política, econômica, cultural e social, no contexto da ditadura militar, aos filmes selecionados, destacando as semelhanças e as diferenças entre eles e a sociedade em que estão inseridos. Assim, comparamos as produções fílmicas entre si e o regime ditatorial em questão, permitindo-nos compreender não só os filmes per se, mas também a complexidade da conjuntura durante o pós-1964.
A erótica de Utagawa Kunisada e a cultura das quatro estações
Authors: Almeida Giovanna Maia Tavares de
Published: September 2020

Dentre as diversas produções artísticas no Japão do período Edo (1603 - 1868) e inseridas no grande gênero ukiyo - e, as “imagens do mundo flutuante”, nota-se uma significativa produção de estampas xilográficas e pinturas que contêm material sexualmente explícito ou implícito, as chamadas shunga – em tradução literal, “imagens de primavera”, sendo “primavera” uma referência para a atividade sexual. Tais gravuras frequentemente faziam referências a elementos tidos como clássicos dentro da cultura japonesa, em adaptações de narrativas e poemas canônicos para criar uma ambientação visual neste gênero de arte erótica. Dentre esses elementos clássicos, nota-se uma constante representação a respeito das mudanças sazonais em exaltações às quatro estações; nesse sentido, o presente artigo pretende analisar quatro estampas de Utagawa Kunisada (1786 - 1865) da obra “Contemplação das Quatro Estações do Amor”, produzidas entre 1827 e 1829. Por meio de uma análise iconográfica aliada à bibliografia sobre o tema, pretende-se investigar as estratégias do pintor em elaborar uma ambientação visual concentrada nos elementos que compõem a temática erótica bem como as referências às mudanças sazonais.
Preto não traz confiança: Moacir Barbosa do Nascimento e a Síndrome de Goleiros negros no Brasil
Authors: Maciel Alexandre Vinicius Nicolino
Published: September 2020

O presente artigo busca debater o racismo estrutural exerce poder no futebol brasileiro, sobretudo na posição de goleiros. Como ponto-chave desse artigo, há o debate sobre a figura de Moacir Barbosa do Nascimento, goleiro da seleção brasileira na Copa do Mundo de 1950 e principal acusado pelo vice-campeonato do escrete nacional. O artigo percorre a trajetória do futebol desde a sua chegada ao país e a partir de apontamentos estatísticos, expõe como os negros foram sumariamente afastados das posições defensivas e como o gol de Ghiggia, foi utilizado como pretexto para afastar goleiros negros na seleção brasileira e no futebol nacional. A partir do debate bibliográfico aponta a existência de um preconceito exacerbado na sociedade para com goleiros negros, que o “frango” de Barbosa tornou-se uma herança nacional e que o mito da democracia racial não pode ser usado no futebol brasileiro.
Signalosome-Regulated Serum Response Factor Phosphorylation Determining Myocyte Growth in Width Versus Length as a Therapeutic Target for Heart Failure
Authors: Li Jinliang , Tan Yuliang , Passariello Catherine L. , Martinez Eliana C. , Kritzer Michael D. , Li Xueyi , Li Xiaofeng , Li Yang , Yu Qian , Ohgi Kenneth , Thakur Hrishikesh , MacArthur John W. , Ivey Jan R. , Woo Y. Joseph , Emter Craig A. , Dodge-Kafka Kimberly , Rosenfeld Michael G. , Kapiloff Michael S.
Published: September 2020

Background:

Concentric and eccentric cardiac hypertrophy are associated with pressure and volume overload, respectively, in cardiovascular disease both conferring an increased risk of heart failure. These contrasting forms of hypertrophy are characterized by asymmetrical growth of the cardiac myocyte in mainly width or length, respectively. The molecular mechanisms determining myocyte preferential growth in width versus length remain poorly understood. Identification of the mechanisms governing asymmetrical myocyte growth could provide new therapeutic targets for the prevention or treatment of heart failure.

Methods:

Primary adult rat ventricular myocytes, adeno-associated virus (AAV)–mediated gene delivery in mice, and human tissue samples were used to define a regulatory pathway controlling pathological myocyte hypertrophy. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays with sequencing and precision nuclear run-on sequencing were used to define a transcriptional mechanism.

Results:

We report that asymmetrical cardiac myocyte hypertrophy is modulated by SRF (serum response factor) phosphorylation, constituting an epigenomic switch balancing the growth in width versus length of adult ventricular myocytes in vitro and in vivo. SRF Ser
103
phosphorylation is bidirectionally regulated by RSK3 (p90 ribosomal S6 kinase type 3) and PP2A (protein phosphatase 2A) at signalosomes organized by the scaffold protein mAKAPβ (muscle A-kinase anchoring protein β), such that increased SRF phosphorylation activates AP-1 (activator protein-1)-dependent enhancers that direct myocyte growth in width. AAV are used to express in vivo mAKAPβ-derived RSK3 and PP2A anchoring disruptor peptides that block the association of the enzymes with the mAKAPβ scaffold. Inhibition of RSK3 signaling prevents concentric cardiac remodeling induced by pressure overload, while inhibition of PP2A signaling prevents eccentric cardiac remodeling induced by myocardial infarction, in each case improving cardiac function. SRF Ser
103
phosphorylation is significantly decreased in dilated human hearts, supporting the notion that modulation of the mAKAPβ-SRF signalosome could be a new therapeutic approach for human heart failure.

Conclusions:

We have identified a new molecular switch, namely mAKAPβ signalosome–regulated SRF phosphorylation, that controls a transcriptional program responsible for modulating changes in cardiac myocyte morphology that occur secondary to pathological stressors. Complementary AAV-based gene therapies constitute rationally-designed strategies for a new translational modality for heart failure.
Effect of Pre- and In-Hospital Delay on Reperfusion in Acute Ischemic Stroke Mechanical Thrombectomy
Authors: Kaesmacher Johannes , Maamari Basel , Meinel Thomas R. , Piechowiak Eike I. , Mosimann Pascal J. , Mordasini Pasquale , Goeldlin Martina , Arnold Marcel , Dobrocky Tomas , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias , Berndt Maria , Michel Patrik , Requena Manuel , Benali Amel , Pierot Laurent , Mendes Pereira Vitor , Boulouis Grégoire , Brehm Alex , Sporns Peter B. , Ospel Johanna M. , Gralla Jan , Fischer Urs ,   on behalf of the BEYOND-SWIFT Investigators
Published: September 2020

Background and Purpose:

Post hoc analyses of randomized controlled clinical trials evaluating mechanical thrombectomy have suggested that admission-to-groin-puncture (ATG) delays are associated with reduced reperfusion rates. Purpose of this analysis was to validate this association in a real-world cohort and to find associated factors and confounders for prolonged ATG intervals.

Methods:

Patients included into the BEYOND-SWIFT cohort (Bernese-European Registry for Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated Outside Current Guidelines With Neurothrombectomy Devices Using the Solitaire FR With the Intention for Thrombectomy;
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT03496064) were analyzed (n=2386). Association between baseline characteristics and ATG was evaluated using mixed linear regression analysis. The effect of increasing symptom-onset-to-admission and ATG intervals on successful reperfusion (defined as Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction [TICI] 2b-3) was evaluated using logistic regression analysis adjusting for potential confounders.

Results:

Median ATG was 73 minutes. Prolonged ATG intervals were associated with the use of magnetic resonance imaging (+19.1 [95% CI, +9.1 to +29.1] minutes), general anesthesia (+12.1 [95% CI, +3.7 to +20.4] minutes), and borderline indication criteria, such as lower National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, late presentations, or not meeting top-tier early time window eligibility criteria (+13.8 [95% CI, +6.1 to +21.6] minutes). There was a 13% relative odds reduction for TICI 2b-3 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.87 [95% CI, 0.79–0.96]) and TICI 2c/3 (aOR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.79–0.95]) per hour ATG delay, while the reduction of TICI 2b-3 per hour increase symptom-onset-to-admission was minor (aOR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.94–0.99]) and inconsistent regarding TICI 2c/3 (aOR, 0.99 [95% CI, 0.97–1.02]). After adjusting for identified factors associated with prolonged ATG intervals, the association of ATG delay and lower rates of TICI 2b-3 remained tangible (aOR, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.76–0.99]).

Conclusions:

There is a great potential to reduce ATG, and potential targets for improvement can be deduced from observational data. The association between in-hospital delay and reduced reperfusion rates is evident in real-world clinical data, underscoring the need to optimize in-hospital workflows. Given the only minor association between symptom-onset-to-admission intervals and reperfusion rates, the causal relationship of this association warrants further research.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT03496064.
What Does My QA Model Know? Devising Controlled Probes Using Expert Knowledge
Authors: Richardson Kyle , Sabharwal Ashish
Published: September 2020

Open-domain question answering (QA) involves many knowledge and reasoning challenges, but are successful QA models actually learning such knowledge when trained on benchmark QA tasks? We investigate this via several new diagnostic tasks probing whether multiple-choice QA models know definitions and taxonomic reasoning—two skills widespread in existing benchmarks and fundamental to more complex reasoning. We introduce a methodology for automatically building probe datasets from expert knowledge sources, allowing for systematic control and a comprehensive evaluation. We include ways to carefully control for artifacts that may arise during this process. Our evaluation confirms that transformer-based multiple-choice QA models are already predisposed to recognize certain types of structural linguistic knowledge. However, it also reveals a more nuanced picture: their performance notably degrades even with a slight increase in the number of “hops” in the underlying taxonomic hierarchy, and with more challenging distractor candidates. Further, existing models are far from perfect when assessed at the level of clusters of semantically connected probes, such as all hypernym questions about a single concept.
Modeling Global and Local Node Contexts for Text Generation from Knowledge Graphs
Authors: Ribeiro Leonardo F. R. , Zhang Yue , Gardent Claire , Gurevych Iryna
Published: September 2020

Recent graph-to-text models generate text from graph-based data using either global or local aggregation to learn node representations. Global node encoding allows explicit communication between two distant nodes, thereby neglecting graph topology as all nodes are directly connected. In contrast, local node encoding considers the relations between neighbor nodes capturing the graph structure, but it can fail to capture long-range relations. In this work, we gather both encoding strategies, proposing novel neural models that encode an input graph combining both global and local node contexts, in order to learn better contextualized node embeddings. In our experiments, we demonstrate that our approaches lead to significant improvements on two graph-to-text datasets achieving BLEU scores of 18.01 on the AGENDA dataset, and 63.69 on the WebNLG dataset for seen categories, outperforming state-of-the-art models by 3.7 and 3.1 points, respectively. 1
Re-Mixing Making: examining the Intersections of Hip Hop Culture, Maker Spaces, and Social Justice Education
Authors: Dando Michael
Published: September 2020

Despite the potential to promote critical literacy formation, academic engagement and social justice education, maker activities and maker spaces do not always support or engage historically marginalized communities. This paper chronicles a response to this problem by examining a study created to support equitable engagement with youth in an after-school workshop series over 8-weeks that focused on Hip Hop cultural practices and the simultaneous development of critical literacy and social justice perspectives. The series, open to community youth was located in the makerspace of the local public library. Within this study, project designers drew from Gutierrez and Rogoff’s concept of “repertoires of practice” and focused particularly on questions of what counts as making, and who has agency to make these decisions and how engagement with hip hop culture mediates these understandings.

I consider two instances where students engaged in Hip Hop- centered generative practices (particularly beat making and graffiti writing) and analyze moments of student resistance and agency as opportunities to expand understandings of development of critical media literacy and social justice orientation. This paper foregrounds the importance of iterative analysis and design as participants develop artistic, social, and political identities over the course of the workshop. Finally, this paper explores implications for classroom learning that emerged from the work, including expression, exploration, and collaboration.
Diversity of Gyroporus (Gyroporaceae, Boletales): rpb2 phylogeny and three new species

Authors: DAVOODIAN NAVEED , HOSAKA KENTARO , RASPÉ OLIVIER , ASHER OLIVIA A. , FRANCK ALAN R. , DE KESEL ANDRÉ , DELANEY TERRENCE P. , AMMIRATI JOSEPH F. , NAGASAWA EIJI , BUYCK BART , HALLING ROY E.
Published: September 2020

Three new species of Gyroporus, one from the southern hemisphere (Gyroporus madagascariensis sp. nov.) and two from the northern hemisphere (Gyroporus borealis sp. nov. and Gyroporus smithii sp. nov.), are described. G. madagascariensis is a brownish bolete currently known from Madagascar; it has a mottled pileus somewhat reminiscent of G. mcnabbii, another species known from the southern hemisphere. G. borealis is known from the northeastern United States and is also recorded from the northwestern United States under planted landscape trees. G. smithii corresponds to an orange-colored species that has often been encountered in the United States west and south of the Appalachian Mountains (east of the Great Plains) and is likely often mistaken for G. borealis, which can display orange coloration. Additionally, this study presents evidence that G. roseialbus Murrill and G. subalbellus Murrill, previously synonymized by Rolf Singer, are in fact distinct species.
On the Romanian endemic species of Salvia (Lamiaceae) and its natural hybrids: nomenclatural and taxonomic aspects

Authors: NACHYCHKO VIKTOR O. , SOSNOVSKY YEVHEN V.
Published: September 2020

Salvia transsylvanica is regarded to be endemic to the Transylvanian Basin, Eastern and Southern Carpathians in Romania. In natural habitats, it easily intercrosses with other sage species, such as S. nemorosa, S. nutans, and S. pratensis, with the hybrids described as nothospecies S. ×hybrida, S. ×telekiana, and S. ×bichigeanii, respectively. One specimen from GOET is designated here as a lectotype of S. pratensis var. transsylvanica, the basionym of S. transsylvanica. In addition, three specimens from LW, BP, and BUCA are designated as the lectotypes for hybrid names. Main diagnostic features of S. transsylvanica, its hybrids, and respective second parental species are compared and discussed.
A revision of the Dwarf Geckos, genus Lygodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae), from Angola, with the description of three new species
Authors: MARQUES MARIANA P. , CERÍACO LUIS M. P. , BUEHLER MATTHEW D. , BANDEIRA SUZANA A. , JANOTA JOYCE M. , BAUER AARON M.
Published: September 2020

At present the genus Lygodactylus is represented by three species in Angola confirmed by voucher specimens—L. angolensis, L. bradfieldi, and L. capensis—and two others believed to be present, but without specimens with precise localities, L. chobiensis and L. lawrencei. We present a detailed taxonomic revision of the group in Angola and describe three new species, Lygodactylus baptistai sp. nov. L. nyaneka sp. nov. and Lygodactylus tchokwe sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial marker ND2, as well as morphological data support the recognition of the new species. In addition, data suggest that specimens historically assigned to L. capensis in Angola represent misidentifications of L. nyaneka sp. nov. and L. tchokwe sp. nov. We revisit the identity of Lygodactylus laurae, a junior synonym of L. angolensis. We also present the first confirmed record of L. lawrencei in the country, using both morphological and molecular data. The description of the new species and the revision of the taxonomic identity of the Angolan populations of the genus, raises the number of species occurring in the country to five. A key to the Angolan species is presented.
The advertisement call of the rare casque-headed frog Nyctimantis galeata (Anura: Hylidae) from its type locality, Morro do Chapéu, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: DIAS IURI RIBEIRO , SILVA GIOVANNI TANAJURA , SOLÉ MIRCO , DE MIRA-MENDES CAIO VINICIUS
Published: September 2020

Nyctimantis Boulenger, 1882 was considered a monotypic genus for over a century. In a recent phylogenetic analysis of the Lophyohylini tribe with more than 96% of its representatives, Nyctimantis was redefined with the well-supported inclusion of some species from the genus Aparasphenodon, Argenteohyla and Corythomantis (Blotto et al. 2020). Therefore, the genus Nyctimantis currently consists of seven described species: N. arapapa (Pimenta, Napoli & Haddad, 2009); N. bokermanni (Pombal, 1993); N. brunoi (Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920); N. galeata (Pombal, Menezes, Fontes, Nunes, Rocha & Van Sluys, 2012); N. pomba (Assis, Santana, Silva, Quintela & Feio, 2013); N. rugiceps Boulenger (1882) and N. siemersi (Mertens, 1937).
A Nonlinear Multiscale Theory of Atmospheric Blocking: Eastward and Upward Propagation and Energy Dispersion of Tropospheric Blocking Wave Packets
Authors: Luo Dehai , Zhang Wenqi
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a nonlinear multiscale interaction model is used to examine how the planetary waves associated with eddy-driven blocking wave packets propagate through the troposphere in vertically varying weak baroclinic basic westerly winds (BWWs). Using this model, a new one-dimensional finite-amplitude local wave activity flux (WAF) is formulated, which consists of linear WAF related to linear group velocity and local eddy-induced WAF related to the modulus amplitude of blocking envelope amplitude and its zonal nonuniform phase. It is found that the local eddy-induced WAF reduces the divergence (convergence) of linear WAF in the blocking upstream (downstream) side to favor blocking during the blocking growth phase. But during the blocking decay phase, enhanced WAF convergence occurs in the blocking downstream region and in the upper troposphere when BWW is stronger in the upper troposphere than in the lower troposphere, which leads to enhanced upward-propagating tropospheric wave activity, though the linear WAF plays a major role. In contrast, the downward propagation of planetary waves may be seen in the troposphere for vertically decreased BWWs. These are not seen for a zonally uniform eddy forcing. A perturbed inverse scattering transform method is used to solve the blocking envelope amplitude equation. It is found that the finite-amplitude WAF represents a modified group velocity related to the variations of blocking soliton amplitude and zonal wavenumber caused by local eddy forcing. Using this amplitude equation solution, it is revealed that, under local eddy forcing, the blocking wave packet tends to be nearly nondispersive during its growth phase but strongly dispersive during the decay phase for vertically increased BWWs, leading to strong eastward and upward propagation of planetary waves in the downstream troposphere.
Splenic Primary Solid Tumors
Authors: Gonzalez-Urquijo Mauricio , Rodarte-Shade Mario , Gil-Galindo Gerardo
Published: September 2020

Background

The present study aims to present a case series of patients who underwent splenectomy for splenic primary solid tumors without preoperative histopathologic diagnosis.

Methods

From 2013 to 2019, 12 patients underwent splenectomy for solid primary splenic tumors at 3 different academic medical centers. All electronic medical records were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Seven (58.3%) patients were women, and 5 (41.6%) were male. The median age was 48 years (range: 25-72 years). In 8 (66.6%) patients, a conventional approach was performed. In 2 (16.6%), a hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery procedure was completed, and in other 2 (16.6%) patients, a laparoscopic approach was auspiciously achieved. Median operative time was 135 minutes (range: 60-210 minutes), and median blood loss was 500 mL (range: 200-1500 mL). Procedure-related morbidity was found in 2 (16.6%) patients, and the mortality rate was 0%. The final histopathologic diagnosis was lymphoma in 5 (41.6%) patients, lymphangioma in 3 (25%) patients, hamartoma in 2 (16.6%) patients, angiosarcoma, and sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) in 1 (8.3%) case each.

Conclusion

Splenectomy should be the treatment of choice when encountering a primary splenic tumor without the need for preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy, avoiding the complications this technique entails.
Prognostic value of serum aquaporin-1, aquaporin-3 and galectin-3 for young patients with colon cancer
Authors: Hong Yanyan , Chen Zhendong , Li Na , Zhang Mingjun
Published: September 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate the long-term prognosis value of serum galectin-3, aquaporin (AQP)-1 and AQP-3 in young patients with colon cancer.

Methods

A total of 100 young patients with colon cancer, 100 cases of benign colon and 100 healthy people were collected. All colon cancer patients were followed up for 42 months.

Results

Compared with the benign lesion group and the control group, preoperative serum galectin-3, AQP-1 and AQP-3 concentrations were significantly increased in patients with colon cancer ( P <  0.05). The immunohistochemistry scores of galectin-3, AQP-1 and AQP-3 in colon cancer patients were positively correlated with serum galectin-3, AQP-1 and AQP-3 concentrations ( P <  0.05). Serum galectin-3, AQP-1 and AQP-3 concentrations were positively correlated with TNM staging (galectin-3: rPearson = 0.502, P <  0.001; AQP-1: rPearson = 0.415, P <  0.001; AQP-3: rPearson = 0.454, P <  0.001) and differentiation (galectin-3: rPearson = 0.377, P =  0.004; AQP-1: rPearson = 0.411, P =  0.001; AQP-3: rPearson = 0.483, P <  0.001). Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of the combination of galectin-3, AQP-1 and AQP-3 in distinguishing colon cancer was 0.907. The sensitivity in the parallel mode was 87.6%, and the specificity in the serial mode was 98.2%. Compared with the low galectin-3 group, low AQP-1 group and low AQP-3 group, the survival time of patients in the high galectin-3 group (χ2 = 13.929, P <  0.001), high AQP-1 group (χ2 = 10.157, P =  0.001) and high AQP-3 group (χ2 = 4.364, P =  0.037) were significantly shortened.

Conclusion

Galectin-3 combined with AQP-1 and AQP-3 had important value in the identification of young patients with colon cancer and was of great value in evaluating long-term prognosis.
Mixed-Ownership Reform and Private Firms’ Corporate Social Responsibility Practices: Evidence From China
Authors: Li Bin , Xu Lei , McIver Ron P. , Liu Xin , Pan Ailing
Published: September 2020

China’s historical mixed-ownership reform (the Reform) has prioritized enhancing the efficiency and financial performance of its large state-owned enterprises (SOEs) through introduction of partial private-sector equity ownership. However, the presence of a significant gap between China’s private enterprises’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices and those of its SOEs suggests potential for Reform-related ownership changes to negatively impact economy-wide CSR performance. We therefore examine the Reform’s impact on private acquirer firms’ CSR practices. We use a proprietary data set of firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, covering the 2011–2015 period. Our findings identify that private firms can enhance their economic and political status through acquiring equity in state-controlled or SOEs and, following this, improve their CSR practices. Our findings have policy implications in the context of the world’s largest emerging market and, more generally, for SOE ownership reform in emerging and transition economies.