bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovation—Unemployment Nexus: The case of EU countries
Authors: Yildirim Durmuş Çagri , Yildirim Seda , Erdogan Seyfettin , Kantarci Tugba
Published: August 2020

In order to achieve a sustainable growth and development process in a globalised competitive environment, the effect of monitoring the technological developments of the national economies is a necessity. Innovation, shown as a cause of technological developments, contributes to the transformation of technology into social and economic benefits. Innovation changes the structure of employment. However, there is no consensus in the literature about how innovation affects employment. Some suggest that technological innovations will lead to an increase in unemployment as a result of the substitution of machines instead of labour. The others state that technological innovations can improve the working life and create a reducing effect of unemployment as a result of every technological innovation creating their own fields of work. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of innovation on unemployment. The data of 12 EU countries with high and relatively low level of innovation were analysed with the panel threshold model for the period of 1998–2015. Innovation in high and low regimes, has effects that will increase unemployment. Technological development increases the unemployment rate in both country groups in both regimes of innovation level.
Inhibition of microRNA‐9‐5p and microRNA‐128‐3p can inhibit ischemic stroke‐related cell death in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yan Qi , Sun Shou‐yuan , Yuan Shuai , Wang Xiao‐qing , Zhang Zhen‐chang
Published: August 2020

Ischemic stroke is the major form of stroke and is accentuated by multiple comorbidities. It has been previously shown that different microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate separate aspects of ischemic stroke. Differential miRNA expression analysis in cerebrospinal fluid of stroke patients had revealed upregulation of miR‐124‐3p, miR‐9‐3p, miR‐9‐5p, and miR‐128‐3p. However, whether the overexpression is correlative or causative was not known. Here, using an in vitro oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) neuronal cell model, we saw OGD/R‐induced injury was associated with significant upregulation of the aforementioned four miRNAs. Target gene prediction using in situ algorithms and gene set enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment of FOXO and Relaxin signaling pathways and regulatory processes associated with endothelial cell migration, which are all known to associate with apoptotic pathways. In situ protein–protein interaction network analysis confirmed the findings of gene set enrichment analysis. TUNEL analysis showed that OGD/R‐induced injury resulted in significant apoptosis, which was significantly inhibited in neuronal cells pretransfected with inhibitors of either miR‐9‐5p or miR‐128‐3p. Further testing in an in vivo middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model of ischemic stroke showed that inhibiting miR‐9‐5p or miR‐128‐3p significantly decreases MCAO‐induced infraction volume and inhibited apoptotic response as revealed by decreased cleaved Caspase‐3 protein expression in immunohistochemical analysis. Combined inhibition of miR‐9‐5p and miR‐128‐3p resulted in a synergistic decrease in cell death and infraction volume in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Cumulatively, our results provide critical knowledge about the mechanism by which elevated miR‐9‐5p and miR‐128‐3p causes brain damage in ischemic stroke and provides evidence of them being attractive therapeutic targets.
Does drawing down the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve help stabilize oil prices?
Authors: Kilian Lutz , Zhou Xiaoqing
Published: August 2020

We study the effects of releases from the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) within the context of fully specified models of the global oil market that explicitly allow for storage demand as well as unanticipated changes in the SPR. We show that historically SPR policy interventions, defined as sequences of exogenous SPR shocks during selected periods, have helped stabilize the price of oil. Their effect on the price of oil, however, has been modest. For example, the cumulative effect of the SPR releases after the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 was a reduction of $2 per barrel in the real price of oil after 7 months. Whereas emergency drawdowns tend to lower the real price of oil, we find that exchanges tend to raise the real price of oil in the long run. We also provide a detailed analysis of the benefits of the 2018 White House proposal to sell off half of the SPR within the next decade. We show that the expected fiscal benefits of this plan are somewhat higher than the revenue of $16.6 billion dollars projected by the White House.
Guided filter based image enhancement for focal error compensation in low cost automated histopathology microscopic system
Authors: Awasthi Navchetan , Katare Prateek , Gorthi Sai Siva , Yalavarthy Phaneendra K.
Published: August 2020

Low‐cost automated histopathology microscopy systems usually suffer from optical imperfections, producing images that are slightly Out of Focus (OoF). In this work, a guided filter (GF) based image preprocessing is proposed for compensating focal errors and its efficacy is demonstrated on images of healthy and malaria infected red blood cells (h‐RBCs and i‐RBCs), and PAP smears. Since contrast enhancement has been widely used as an image preprocessing step for the analysis of histopathology images, a systematic comparison is made with six such prominently used methods, namely Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization (CLAHE), RIQMC‐based optimal histogram matching (ROHIM), modified L0, Morphological Varying(MV)‐Bitonic filter, unsharp mask filter and joint bilateral filter. The images enhanced using GF approach lead to better segmentation accuracy (upto 50% improvement over native images) and visual quality compared to other approaches, without any change in the color tones. Thus, the proposed GF approach is a viable solution for rectifying the OoF microscopy images without the loss of the valuable diagnostic information presented by the color tone.
Polycaprolactone fumarate acts as an artificial neural network to promote the biological behavior of neural stem cells
Authors: Vafaei Atefeh , Rahbarghazi Reza , Kharaziha Mahshid , Avval Negar Abbasi , Rezabakhsh Aysa , Karimipour Mohammad
Published: August 2020

Herein, we investigated the effect of electrospun polycaprolactone fumarate (PCLF) nanofibers on neural stem cell (NSC) behavior in the in vitro setting. Murine NSCs were isolated from adult mice subventricular zone and immunophenotyped by flow cytometry assay and immunofluorescence staining. Cells were cultured on the plastic surface, laminin‐coated surface, and electrospun PCLF nanofibers. Cell morphology, attachment, and spreading were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Cell viability and proliferation rates were evaluated by MTT assay. The proliferation of plated cells was investigated by monitoring Ki‐67‐positive cells using flow cytometry analysis. The protein levels of Map‐2 and GFAP were detected by using immunofluorescence staining to show neural and astrocyte differentiation capacity. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed an extensive distribution, morphological adaptation, and cell‐to‐cell connectivity in NSCs upon culture on the PCLF surface. MTT analysis showed that the NSCs had more survival rates on the PCLF surface compared to the laminin and control groups over time (p < 0.05). In contrast to the laminin group, Ki‐67 analysis showed a decrease of proliferating cells in the PCLF group. Immunofluorescence staining revealed the prominent increase of Map‐2 and GFAP reduction in NSCs from the PCLF group compared to the laminin and control groups, showing the stimulatory effect of PCLF on targeted maturation of NSCs (p < 0.05). In brief, PCLF based construct promotes NSCs morphological adaptation and neuronal differentiation, suggesting PCLF as an appropriate and applicable substrate in neural tissue engineering.
Retrospective comparison between COBE SPECTRA and SPECTRA OPTIA apheresis systems for hematopoietic progenitor cells collection for autologous and allogeneic transplantation in a single center
Authors: López‐Pereira Patricia , Sola Aparicio Elena , Vicuña Andrés Isabel , Cámara Montejano Carmen , Muñoz Calleja Cecilia , Alegre Amor Adrián , Aguado Bueno Beatriz
Published: August 2020

Introduction

COBE SPECTRA [COBE] (Terumo, BCT Lakewood CO) apheresis system has been the most used device for hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) collection. Recently, it has been replaced by the SPECTRA OPTIA [OPTIA] (Terumo, BCT Lakewood CO) apheresis system. The aim of our study is to compare both methods for HPC collection.

Material and methods

We retrospectively compared 302 HPC collection apheresis procedures (115 allogeneic donors and 187 autologous). The study cohort was divided according to the apheresis system used to analyze the differences between COBE and OPTIA, specifically efficacy of apheresis procedure and product characteristics.

Results

OPTIA collections result in a higher CD34+ collection efficiency in both groups (autologous 45.3% vs 41%, P < .006; allogeneic 54.9% vs 45%, P < .0001). The total of CD34+ cells ×106 /kg recipient collected in the product were comparable in both groups (autologous 2.9 in OPTIA group vs 2.8 in COBE group, P = .344; allogeneic 6.2 in OPTIA group vs 5.8 in COBE group, P = .186). The percentage of platelet loss in autologous donors was significantly lower (35.7% vs 40.8%, P < .01). Regarding quality of the product, we observed a significantly lower hematocrit in products collected with OPTIA in both groups (1.8% vs 4%, P < .0001) as well as significantly lower amount of leukocytes (median 153.4 vs 237.2 × 109/L in autologous, P < .0001; 239.5 vs 340.2 × 109/L in allogeneic P < .0001).

Conclusion

Both apheresis systems are comparable in collection of hematopoietic progenitor cells, with significantly higher collection efficiency with the OPTIA system. Collection products obtained with OPTIA contain significantly lower hematocrit and leukocytes.
The lncRNA SNHG15/miR‐18a‐5p axis promotes cell proliferation in ovarian cancer through activating Akt/mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Jingru , Wang Ling , Jiang Jing , Qiao Zhiwei
Published: August 2020

Here, we report the expression pattern, function and regulatory mechanism of SNHG15 together with miR‐18a‐5p micro RNA in ovarian cancer (OC) for the first time. We recruited 20 patients and took normal ovarian tissues and ovarian tumor tissues from them. We used cell culture, transfection, in vivo tumor xenograft assay, and multiple types of detection assays to investigate the expression and regulation of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG15/miR‐18a‐5p in ovarian tissues and cells. Results: We found that the messenger RNA expression level of SNHG15 was significantly higher and miR‐18 was decreased in ovarian cancer tissues and in OC cells. Functional experiments showed that SNHG15 overexpression potentiated the migration and invasion of OC cells, while SNHG15 inhibition reduced the tumor proliferation, which was restored via overexpression of miR‐18a. SNHG15 was found to directly target and suppress the expression of miR‐18a. Our results illustrate the possible molecular mechanism of lncRNA SNHG15/miR‐18a‐5p functions in cell proliferation in OC. SNHG15/miR‐18a promoted the progression of OC cells via the protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway.
Accurate prediction of norbornadiene cycle enthalpies by DLPNO‐CCSD(T1)/CBS method
Authors: Dorofeeva Olga V.
Published: August 2020

The DLPNO‐CCSD(T1)/CBS method combined with simple reactions containing small reference species leads to an improvement in the accuracy of theoretically evaluated enthalpies of formation of medium‐sized polyalicyclic hydrocarbons when compared with the widely used composite approach. The efficiency of the DLPNO‐CCSD(T1)/CBS method is most vividly demonstrated by comparing with the results of G4 calculations for adamantane. The most important factor in choosing appropriate working reaction is the same number of species on both sides of the equation. Among these reactions, the reactions with small enthalpy change usually provide a better cancellation of errors. The DLPNO‐CCSD(T1)/CBS method was used to calculate the enthalpies of formation of compounds belonging to the norbornadiene cycle (norbornadiene, quadricyclane, norbornene, nortricyclane, and norbornane). The most reliable experimental enthalpies of formation are recommended for these compounds by comparing calculated values with conflicting experimental data.
Comparison of double antigen sandwich and indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus antibodies
Authors: Qin Ya‐Juan , Sha Ruo‐cheng , Feng Yang‐Chun , Huang Yan‐Chun
Published: August 2020

Background

The aim of this study is to compare double‐antigen sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect ELISA in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus（HCV）infection.

Methods and materials

A total of 176 samples from the Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Xin Jiang Medical University were utilized to comparison. All serum samples were tested using double‐antigen sandwich ELISA and indirect ELISA. Cohen's kappa statistics were used to assess the agreement between the two assays, and multivariate analysis was used to evaluate risk factors for the discordance between the double‐antigen ELISA and indirect ELISA.

Results

The positivities of indirect ELISA (Beijing Wantai), double‐antigen sandwich ELISA (Beijing Wantai), and indirect ELISA (Beijing Jinhao) were 74.43%, 68.75%, and 73.30%, respectively. The agreement between the indirect ELISA (Beijing Wantai) and double‐antigen sandwich ELISA (Beijing Wantai) was high (κ = 0.829;P < .001), and the agreement between the double‐antigen sandwich ELISA (Beijing Wantai) and indirect ELISA (Beijing Jinhao) was high (κ = 0.847;P < .001). Variables associated with discordant results between the double‐antigen sandwich and indirect ELISA in multivariate analysis were as follows: female (OR:1.462; P < .05), age (<35 years old; OR:3.667; P < .05), and cancer (suffer from malignant tumor; OR:3.621; P < .05).

Conclusion

In detection of HCV, high agreement was found between the double‐antigen sandwich ELISA and indirect ELISA. Female, younger age, and suffer from malignant tumor were significant risk factors for the discordance. Based on double‐antigen sandwich ELISA has distinct methodological advantages over indirect ELISA. It is recommended for the diagnosis of HCV infection.
Serotypes, antibiotic resistance, and virulence genes of Salmonella in children with diarrhea
Authors: Yue Meina , Li Xiaoyu , Liu Di , Hu Xue
Published: August 2020

Background

Salmonella is an important foodborne pathogen that causes acute diarrhea in humans worldwide. This study analyzed the relationships of serotypes and antibiotic resistance with virulence genes of Salmonella isolated from children with salmonellosis.

Methods

Serological typing was performed using the slide‐agglutination method. The Kirby‐Bauer disk diffusion method was used to test antibiotic susceptibility. Twenty virulence genes were detected by PCR.

Results

Salmonella Typhimurium (21 isolates, 34.43%) and S Enteritidis (12 isolates, 19.67%) were the predominant species among the 61 isolates. Ampicillin resistance was most common (63.93%), and among the cephalosporins, resistance was most often found to cefotaxime, a third‐generation cephalosporin (19.67%). Among the 20 virulence genes, prgH, ssrB, and pagC were detected in all Salmonella isolates. In S Typhimurium, the detection rates of hilA, sipB, marT, mgtC, sopB, pagN, nlpI, bapA, oafA, and tolC were high. In S Enteritidis, the detection rates of icmF, spvB, spvR, and pefA were high. Nitrofurantoin resistance was negatively correlated with the virulence gene bapA (P = .005) and was positively correlated with icmF, spvB, spvR, and pefA (P = .012, .008, .002, and .005, respectively), The P values between all other virulence genes and antibiotic resistance were >.05.

Conclusion

Salmonella Typhimurium and S Enteritidis were the main serotypes in children with diarrhea in Hangzhou, China. Salmonella exhibited a high level of resistance to common antibiotics, and a high rate of bacteria carrying virulence genes was observed. However, no significant correlation was found between virulence genes and resistance to common antibiotics.
Dynamic‐relational treatment of perfectionism: An illustrative case study
Authors: Hewitt Paul L. , Mikail Samuel F. , Dang Silvain S. , Kealy David , Flett Gordon L.
Published: August 2020

Objective

Perfectionism has been described as a multidimensional core vulnerability factor in various forms of dysfunction and disorders. Recently, we described our empirically supported‐dynamic‐relational treatment for perfectionism. This treatment integrates psychodynamic and interpersonal principles to reduce perfectionism and symptoms and enhance relationships with others and self by focusing on underlying relational patterns.

Method

We discuss this approach and present Azure, a 27‐year‐old woman who completed our group treatment and subsequent individual therapy as a follow‐up.

Results

Azure underwent a comprehensive psychological pretreatment assessment, the results of which were used to develop a working formulation that guided the group and individual psychotherapy. A description of the formulation and her experience in therapy are discussed and pre‐ and post‐treatment data illustrate changes in Azure's perfectionism and symptoms.

Conclusions

We discuss changes that occurred over the course of treatment.
Single exercise stress reduces central neurotrophins levels and adenosine A1 and A2 receptors expression, but does not revert opioid‐induced hyperalgesia in rats
Authors: Medeiros Liciane Fernandes , Nunes Éllen Almeida , Lopes Bettega Costa , de Souza Andressa , Cappellari Angélica Regina , de Freitas Joice Soares , de Macedo Isabel Cristina , Kuo Jonnsin , Cioato Stefania Giotti , Battastini Ana Maria de Oliveira , Caumo Wolnei , Torres Iraci L. S.
Published: August 2020

Background

This study assessed the effects of an acute stress model upon the long‐term hyperalgesia induced by repeated morphine administration in neonatal rats. We also evaluated neurotrophins and cytokines levels; expressions of adenosine and acetylcholine receptors, and acetylcholinesterase enzyme at the spinal cord.

Material and methods

Male Wistar rats were subjected to morphine or saline administration from P8 to P14. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical hyperesthesia were assessed using the hot plate (HP) and von Frey (vF) tests, respectively, at postnatal day P30 and P60. After baseline measurements, rats were subjected to a single exercise session, as an acute stress model, at P30 or P60. We measured the levels of BDNF and NGF, interleukin‐6, and IL‐10 in the cerebral cortex and the brainstem; and the expression levels of adenosine and muscarinic receptors, as well as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme at the spinal cord.

Results

A stress exercise session was not able to revert the morphine‐induced hyperalgesia. The morphine and exercise association in rats induced a decrease in the neurotrophins brainstem levels, and A1, A2A, A2B receptors expression in the spinal cord, and an increase in the IL‐6 cortical levels. The exercise reduced M2 receptors expression in the spinal cord of naive rats, while morphine prevented this effect.

Conclusions

Single session of exercise does not revert hyperalgesia induced by morphine in rats; however, morphine plus exercise modulate neurotrophins, IL‐6 central levels, and expression of adenosine receptors.
Multimodal imaging of skin lesions by using methylene blue as cancer biomarker
Authors: Malik Sadia , Andleeb Farah , Ullah Hafeez
Published: August 2020

This study aimed the optical imaging of malignant and normal skin tissues with multimodal wide‐field fluorescence polarization imaging (WF) technique, by using methylene blue as fluorescence dye. We present optical imaging of skin tissues by different techniques, including reflectance, fluorescence, and polarization imaging for early detection of skin cancer. We collected the reflectance confocal images at 390 and 500 nm. For wide‐field fluorescence images, specimens were stimulated at 640 nm and images were collected between 670 and 710 nm. The correlation of the regarded optical modalities with histopathology (H&E), their potentials, capabilities, and limitations to detect skin lesions are discussed. The advantages of multimodal imaging of skin tissues are analyzed to divulge possibilities for precise tumor boundary detection and their classification for malignant and nonmalignant skin tissues. Prior to imaging, the cells were stained in aqueous MB (a dye approved by FDA).
Exposure to prenatal PCBs shifts the timing of neurogenesis in the hypothalamus of developing rats
Authors: Hernandez Scudder Morgan E. , Kunkel Marcela Nicole , Gore Andrea C.
Published: August 2020

The developing brain is highly sensitive to the hormonal milieu, with gonadal steroid hormones involved in neurogenesis, neural survival, and brain organization. Limited available evidence suggests that endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may perturb these developmental processes. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to a mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Aroclor 1221, would disrupt the normal timing of neurogenesis in two hypothalamic regions: the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) and the preoptic area (POA). These regions were selected because of their important roles in the control of sociosexual behaviors that are perturbed in adulthood by prenatal EDC exposure. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to PCBs from Embryonic Day 8 (E8) to E18, encompassing the period of neurogenesis of all hypothalamic neurons. To determine the birth dates of neurons, bromo‐2‐deoxy‐5‐uridine (BrdU) was administered to dams on E12, E14, or E16. On the day after birth, male and female pups were perfused, brains immunolabeled for BrdU, and numbers of cells counted. In the VMN, exposure to PCBs significantly advanced the timing of neurogenesis compared to vehicle‐treated pups, without changing the total number of BrdU+ cells. In the POA, PCBs did not change the timing of neurogenesis nor the total number of cells born. This is the first study to show that PCBs can shift the timing of neurogenesis in the hypothalamus, specifically in the VMN but not the POA. This result has implications for functions controlled by the VMN, especially sociosexual behaviors, as well as for sexual selection more generally.
Beyond corticosterone: The acute stress response increases DNA damage in house sparrows
Authors: Gormally Brenna M. G. , Estrada Rodolfo , McVey Mitch , Romero L. Michael
Published: August 2020

Although corticosterone (Cort) has been the predominant metric used to assess acute stress in birds, it does not always accurately reflect how an animal copes with a stressor. Downstream measurements may be more reliable. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that acute increases in DNA damage could be used to assess stressor exposure. Studies have shown DNA damage increases in response to stress‐related hormones in vitro; however, this has not yet been thoroughly applied in wild animals. We exposed house sparrows (Passer domesticus) to a 30‐ or 120‐min restraint stressor and took blood samples at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min to measure Cort, DNA damage, and uric acid. Both treatments increased DNA damage and Cort, and decreased uric acid. It thus appears that DNA damage can reflect acute stressor exposure. To improve the usability of DNA damage as a metric for stress, we also tested the impacts of sample storage on DNA damage. Leaving red blood cells on ice for up to 24 hr, only slightly influenced DNA damage. Freezing blood samples for 1–4 weeks substantially increased DNA damage. These findings emphasize the importance of reducing variation between samples by assaying them together whenever possible. Overall, these results indicate that assessing DNA damage is a valid method of assessing acute stressor exposure that is suitable for both laboratory‐ and field‐based studies; however, additional research is needed on the molecular dynamics of nucleated red blood cells, including whether and how their DNA is repaired.
Effects of elevated corticosterone on humoral innate and antibody‐mediated immunity in southern leopard frog (Lithobates sphenocephalus) tadpoles
Authors: Billig Samuel T. , Weber Rachael N. , Zimmerman Laura M. , Wilcoxen Travis E.
Published: August 2020

As a free‐living larval stage of a vertebrate, tadpoles are good subjects for the study of the development of physiological systems and the study of evolutionarily conserved, context‐dependent responses to variable environments. While the basic components of innate and adaptive immune defenses in tadpoles are known, the impact of glucocorticoids on immune defenses in tadpoles is not well‐studied. We completed four experiments to assess effects of elevation of corticosterone on humoral innate defenses and antibody‐mediated immunity in southern leopard frog tadpoles (Lithobates sphenocephalus). To test humoral innate defense within the tadpoles exposed to short‐term and long‐term elevation of glucocorticoids, we exposed tadpoles to exogenous corticosterone for different lengths of time in each experiment (0–84 days). We used bacterial killing assays to assess humoral innate immune defense. To test antibody‐mediated immune responses, we again exposed tadpoles to exogenous corticosterone, while also exposing them toAeromonas hydrophila. We usedA. hydrophilaELISA comparing IgM and IgY responses among groups. Plasma from corticosterone‐dosed tadpoles killed moreA. hydrophilathan control tadpoles each following a short‐term (14 day) and long‐term (56 day) exposure to exogenous corticosterone. Conversely, corticosterone‐dosed tadpoles had significantly lower IgM and IgY againstA. hydrophilaafter 12 weeks. Our fourth experiment revealed that the lower IgY response is a product of weaker, delayed isotype switching compared with controls. These results show that elevated corticosterone has differential effects on innate and acquired immunity in larval southern leopard frogs, consistent with patterns in more derived vertebrates and in adult frogs.
The evolution and development of coloniality in hydrozoans
Authors: Cartwright Paulyn , Travert Matthew K. , Sanders Steven M.
Published: August 2020

Hydrozoan colonies display a variety of shapes and sizes including encrusting, upright, and pelagic forms. Phylogenetic patterns reveal a complex evolutionary history of these distinct colony forms, as well as colony loss. Within a species, phenotypic variation in colonies as a response to changing environmental cues and resources has been documented. The patterns of branching of colony specific tissue, called stolons in encrusting colonies and stalks in upright colonies, are likely under the control of signaling mechanisms whose changing expression in evolution and development are responsible for the diversity of hydrozoan colony forms. Although mechanisms of polyp development have been well studied, little research has focused on colony development and patterning. In the few studies that investigated mechanisms governing colony patterning, the Wnt signaling pathway has been implicated. The diversity of colony form, evolutionary patterns, and mechanisms of colony variation in Hydrozoa are reviewed here.
Cellular and molecular outcomes of glutamine supplementation in the brain of succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase‐deficient mice
Authors: Brown Madalyn N. , Gibson K. Michael , Schmidt Michelle A. , Walters Dana C. , Arning Erland , Bottiglieri Teodoro , Roullet Jean‐Baptiste
Published: August 2020

Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (SSADHD) manifests with low levels of glutamine in the brain, suggesting that central glutamine deficiency contributes to pathogenesis. Recently, we attempted to rescue the disease phenotype of aldh5a1−/− mice, a murine model of SSADHD with dietary glutamine supplementation. No clinical rescue and no central glutamine improvement were observed. Here, we report the results of follow‐up studies of the cellular and molecular basis of the resistance of the brain to glutamine supplementation. We first determined if the expression of genes involved in glutamine metabolism was impacted by glutamine feeding. We then searched for changes of brain histology in response to glutamine supplementation, with a focus on astrocytes, known regulators of glutamine synthesis in the brain. Glutamine supplementation significantly modified the expression of glutaminase (gls) (0.6‐fold down), glutamine synthetase (glul) (1.5‐fold up), and glutamine transporters (solute carrier family 7, member 5 [slc7a5], 2.5‐fold up; slc38a2, 0.6‐fold down). The number of GLUL‐labeled cells was greater in the glutamine‐supplemented group than in controls (P < .05). Reactive astrogliosis, a hallmark of brain inflammation in SSADHD, was confirmed. We observed a 2‐fold stronger astrocyte staining in mutants than in wild‐type controls (optical density/cell were 1.8 ± 0.08 in aldh5a1−/− and 0.99 ± 0.06 in aldh5a1+/+; P < .0001), and a 3‐fold higher expression of gfap and vimentin. However, glutamine supplementation did not improve the histological and molecular signature of astrogliosis. Thus, glutamine supplementation impacts genes implicated in central glutamine homeostasis without improving reactive astrogliosis. The mechanisms underlying glutamine deficiency and its contribution to SSADHD pathogenesis remain unknown and should be the focus of future investigations.
Marrow Fat Content and Composition in β‐Thalassemia: A Study using 1H‐MRS
Authors: Ismail Umi Nabilah , Azlan Che Ahmad , Khairullah Shasha , Azman Raja Rizal , Omar Nur Farhayu , Md Shah Mohammad Nazri , Yeong Chai Hong , Jackson Nicholas , Ng Kwan Hoong
Published: August 2020

Background

β‐thalassemia is a genetic disease that causes abnormal production of red blood cells (ineffective erythropoiesis, IE). IE is a condition known to change bone marrow composition.

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of IE on the marrow fat content and fat unsaturation levels in the proximal femur using 1H‐MRS.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Twenty‐three subjects were included in this study, seven control and 16 β‐thalassemia subjects.

Field Strength/Sequence

3.0T; stimulated echo acquisition Mode (STEAM); magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) sequence.

Assessment

Multiecho MRS scans were performed in four regions of the proximal left femur of each subject, that is, diaphysis, femoral neck, femoral head, and greater trochanter. The examined regions were grouped into red (diaphysis and femoral neck) and yellow marrow regions (femoral head and greater trochanter).

Statistical Tests

The Jonckheere–Terpstra test was used to evaluate the impact of increasing disease severity on bone marrow fat fraction (BMFF), marrow conversion index, and fat unsaturation index (UI). Pairwise comparison analysis was performed when a significant trend (P < 0.05) was found. K‐means clustering analysis was used to examine the clusters observed when BMFF in the red and yellow regions were studied (diaphysis against greater trochanter).

Results

BMFF showed a significant decreasing trend with increasing disease severity in both red (TJT = 109.00, z = –4.414, P < 0.05) and yellow marrow regions (TJT = 108.00, z = –4.438, P < 0.05). The opposite trend was observed in UI in both bone marrow regions (red marrow: TJT = 180.5, z = 3.515, P < 0.05; yellow marrow: TJT = 155.0, z = 2.282, P = 0.05). Three distinct forms of marrow adipogenesis were found when plotting BMFF diaphysis against BMFF greater trochanter: 1) normal (centroid: 80.4%, 66.6%), 2) partial disruption (centroid: 51.1%, 16.6%), and 3) total disruption (centroid: 2.6%, 1.6%).

Data Conclusion

β‐thalassemia is associated with decreased marrow fat, and increased marrow fat unsaturation level.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy Stage

3
Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The Utility of Myocardial Strain Based on Cardiac MR Tissue Tracking
Authors: She Jia‐qi , Guo Jia‐jun , Yu Yun‐fei , Zhao Shi‐hai , Chen Yin‐yin , Ge Mei‐ying , Zeng Meng‐su , Jin Hang
Published: August 2020

Background

Myocardial strain for assessment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is of importance and may play a role in identifying obstruction in HCM patients.

Purpose

To evaluate the utility of myocardial strain for detecting left ventricular (LV) outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction in HCM patients based on magnetic resonance tissue tracking.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 44 adult HCM patients with LVOT obstruction and 108 adult HCM patients without LVOT obstruction.

Field Strength/Sequence

1.5 T; Steady‐state free‐precession cine sequence; phase‐sensitive inversion‐prepared segmented gradient echo sequence for late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging.

Assessment

Strain parameters including the local and global levels of LV myocardium and the subtraction (Sub) of myocardial strain variables between interventricular septal segments (IVSS) and noninterventricular septal segments (NIVSS) were measured for differentiating HCM with obstruction from nonobstruction. Average and maximum LV wall thickness (Average and Maximum LVWT) were also analyzed.

Statistical Tests

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

In multivariate analysis, Average LVWT, Maximum LVWT, and the subtraction of radial peak strain (Sub Radial PS) between NIVSS and IVSS were independently associated with LVOT obstruction. The AUCs were 0.731, 0.840, and 0.890 for Average LVWT, Maximum LVWT, and Sub Radial PS, respectively. Sub Radial PS (cutoff value: 8.1%) demonstrated the highest sensitivity of 75.0% and a high specificity of 87.9% for identifying LVOT; Maximum LVWT (cutoff value: 22.9 mm) showed good sensitivity (72.7%) and specificity (83.3%). Combining Maximum LVWT >22.9 mm and Sub Radial PS > 8.1% achieved a better diagnostic performance (specificity 95.4%, sensitivity 70.5%).

Data Conclusion

Combining Maximum LVWT >22.9 mm and Sub Radial PS >8.1% holds promise for objectively evaluating LVOT obstruction in HCM patients with very high specificity and acceptable sensitivity.

Level of Evidence

3

Technical Efficacy Stage

2
Hepatitis C virus antigen detection is an appropriate test for screening and early diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection in at‐risk populations and immunocompromised hosts
Authors: Kumar Rajneesh , Chan Kwai Peng , Ekstrom Victoria Sze Min , Wong Judith Chui Ching , Lim Kun Lee , Ng Wee Ching , Woo Shi Min , Chan Kian Sing , Thangaraju Sobhana , Kee Terence Yi Shern , Gan Sheryl Shien Wen , Foo Marjorie Wai Yin , Oon Lynette Lin Ean , Chow Wan Cheng
Published: August 2020

Early diagnosis remains key for effective prevention and treatment. Unfortunately, current screening with anti‐hepatitis C virus antibody (anti‐HCV Ab) test may have limited utility in the diagnosis of HCV infection and reinfection. This is of special concern to at‐risk population, such as immunocompromised hosts and end‐stage renal failure patients on hemodialysis. HCV antigen (Ag) could be useful in identifying the ongoing infection in such clinical scenarios. Hence, we aimed to study the utility of HCV Ag testing for the diagnosis of acute and chronic hepatitis C. Of 89 samples studied, 19 were from acute hepatitis C patients who were immunocompromised or were on hemodialysis, 43 were from active chronic hepatitis C patients and 27 were from patients treated for chronic hepatitis C. All samples were tested for HCV Ag using the Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag assay. HCV Ag was reactive in 19/19 samples from acute hepatitis C patients and 42/43 samples from active chronic hepatitis C patients. It was nonreactive in all samples from treated patients. The test showed a sensitivity and specificity of 98.4% and 100.0%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 100.0% and 96.4%, respectively. The HCV antigen test has high clinical sensitivity and specificity and is useful for the diagnosis of acute and chronic hepatitis C infection in at‐risk and immunocompromised patients. Its short turnaround time and relatively low cost are advantageous for use in patients on hemodialysis and other at‐risk patients who require monitoring of HCV infection and reinfection.
When the going gets tough: Employee reactions to large‐scale organizational change and the role of employee Machiavellianism
Authors: Belschak Frank D. , Jacobs Gabriele , Giessner Steffen R. , Horton Kate E. , Bayerl P. Saskia
Published: August 2020

Large‐scale, long‐term change initiatives take time to unfold, which can be a source of uncertainty and strain. Investigating the initial 19 months of a large‐scale change, we argue that during these stages, employees' change‐related beliefs become more negative over time, which negatively affects their work engagement and, ultimately, increases their turnover intentions. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of a trait, Machiavellianism, on change reactions and propose that employees high in Machiavellianism react more negatively during change processes as they are especially susceptible to uncertainty and stress. We test our (cross‐level) moderated mediation model in a three‐wave longitudinal study among employees undergoing a large‐scale change (T1: n = 1,602; T2: n = 1,113; T3: n = 759). We find that employees' beliefs about the impact and value of the change are indeed negatively related to change duration and that decreases in these perceptions come with a decline in engagement and increases in turnover intentions. Moreover, employees high in Machiavellianism react more strongly to a deterioration in change‐related beliefs, showing stronger reductions in engagement and stronger increases in turnover intentions than employees low in Machiavellianism. Our study offers explanations for the negative effects of large‐scale changes including an explanatory factor for disparate employee reactions to change over time.
An idealized protocol to assess the nesting procedure in regional climate modelling
Authors: Li Shan , Li Laurent , Le Treut Hervé
Published: August 2020

Newtonian relaxation applied at boundaries of RCM (regional climate model) is a widely‐used technique for climate downscaling and regional weather forecasting. It allows RCM to be nested into GCM (global climate model) and to follow the evolution of the latter. An idealized framework to mimic this general practice is constructed with the LMDZ (Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Zoom) modelling platform and used to assess effects of the relaxation procedure. The assessment is on both synoptic variability and long‐term mean. LMDZ is a global atmospheric general circulation model that can be configured as a regional model when the outside domain is relaxed to a driver. It thus plays the role of both GCM and RCM. Same physical parameterization and identical dynamical configuration are used to ensure a rigorous comparison between the two models. The experimental set‐up that can be referred to as “Master (GCM) versus Slave (RCM)” considers GCM as the reference to assess the behaviour of RCM. In terms of mean climate, there are noticeable differences, not only in the border areas, but also within the domain. In terms of synoptic variability, there is a general spatial resemblance and temporal concomitance between the two models. But there is a dependence on variables, seasons, spatiotemporal scales and spatial modes of atmospheric circulation. Winter/Summer has the most/least resemblance between RCM and GCM. A better similarity occurs when atmospheric circulation manifests at large scales. Weak‐correlation cases are generally remarked when the dominant circulation of the region is at smaller scales. A further experiment with identical framework but RCM in a higher resolution allows isolating the effect of relaxation from that of mesh refinement.
National Survey of Pediatric Intestinal Rehabilitation Programs in the United States
Authors: Park Christine J. , Shaughnessy Matthew P. , Zhang Lucy , Armenia Sarah J. , Caty Michael G. , Cowles Robert A.
Published: August 2020

Background

Pediatric intestinal rehabilitation (PIR) programs are associated with improved outcomes in children with intestinal failure but remain heterogeneous nationally. This study characterizes PIR program components to aid those seeking to establish or expand a program.

Methods

Members of the Children's Hospital Association reporting a PIR program to the US News and World Report completed a 14‐item questionnaire using the Qualtrics Online Survey Software. Programs were categorized as small or large (≤50 vs >50 patients) and new or established (≤10 vs >10 years).

Results

Seventy‐one programs were identified and 61 surveys were returned for a response rate of 86%. Majority of programs had gastroenterology, surgery, nutrition, nursing, and social work services involved. Large programs (n = 34; 59%) were more likely to serve as referral centers; have greater participation by nursing, social work, and primary care; have more dedicated time by gastroenterology, surgery, nursing, nutrition, and social work; have more frequent meetings; and have various funding sources (P < .05).

Conclusion

Critical components of a PIR program include gastroenterology, surgery, and nutrition services with strong nursing and social work support. These data document the components of modern PIR programs, though further studies on the relationship between program structure and patient outcomes are warranted.
Left Ventricular Mass Index as Potential Surrogate of Muscularity in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis Without Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Molfino Alessio , Gasperini Maria Ludovica , Gigante Antonietta , Rosato Edoardo , Muscaritoli Maurizio
Published: August 2020

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) may be associated with protein‐energy malnutrition. It was demonstrated that left ventricular mass (LVM) reflected poor nutrition status in SSc patients, and no data are available on LVM as a surrogate measure of muscularity. We aimed to evaluate, in SSc patients, the relationship between muscle mass and LVM as a novel indicator of muscularity in this setting.

Methods

SSc patients and healthy controls (HCs) were considered and underwent echocardiography to assess LVM and LVM index (LVMI). Body composition, including fat‐free mass index (FFMI), phase angle (PhA), and body cell mass index (BCMI), was analyzed by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Results

Sixty‐four SSc patients (aged 51 ± 13 years) and 30 HCs (aged 46 ± 13 years) were enrolled. BCMI and PhA were lower in SSc patients compared with HCs (P < .001). LVM and LVMI were not different between SSc patients and HCs (P = .068, P = .14, respectively). In SSc patients, a significant correlation was shown between LVMI and FFMI (τ = 0.192, P = .026); in multiple regression analysis, FFMI was significantly associated with the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (P < .0001), LVMI (P = .01), and disease severity scale (P = .02).

Conclusion

Changes in body composition were present in SSc patients, particularly in terms of BMCI and PhA. A correlation between LVMI and FFMI as indexes of muscularity exists in this cohort, suggesting that cardiac mass might be used as a surrogate of nutrition status in this setting.
Vacancies and spin–phonon coupling in CrSi0.8Ge0.1Te3
Authors: Milosavljević Ana , Šolajić Andrijana , Višić Bojana , Opačić Marko , Pešić Jelena , Liu Yu , Petrovic Cedomir , Popović Zoran V. , Lazarević Nenad
Published: August 2020

We report temperature‐dependent Raman scattering and magnetization studies of van der Waals ferromagnetic compound CrSi0.8Ge0.1Te3. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed dominant ferromagnetic interactions below TC which shift to the lower values due to the presence of vacancies. A Raman active mode, additional to the ones predicted by symmetry in the parent compounds, has been observed. This Ag symmetry mode most likely emerges as a consequence of the atomic vacancies on Si/Ge site. Presence of the strong spin–phonon coupling at temperature around 210 K is indicated by deviations from conventional phonon self‐energy temperature dependence of all analysed modes.
Pickering emulsions stabilized by luteolin micro‐nano particles to improve the oxidative stability of pine nut oil
Authors: Wang Lu , Lu Shengmin , Deng Yiping , Wu Weiwei , Wang Li , Liu Yanjie , Zu Yuangang , Zhao Xiuhua
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND

Pine oil contains a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which make it prone to oxidation. Luteolin (LUT) micro‐nano particles with antioxidant properties can be used as stabilizers to form an edible oil‐in‐water Pickering emulsion to improve the oxidative stability of pine nut oil.

RESULTS

Under optimal preparation conditions, the LUT micro‐nano particles and pine nut oil account for about 0.44 and 90.9 g·kg−1 of the total mass of the emulsion, respectively. The LUT particles in the suspension have a mean particle size of about 479 nm, present a sheet‐like structure with a cut surface of 30–50 nm, and can reduce the surface tension of deionized water. In the optimized Pickering emulsion, the emulsion droplets are approximately spherical and have a mean diameter of about 125.6 nm and uniform distribution. The optimized Pickering emulsion droplets can remain stable for up to 2 h in an environment where the pH levels are 7–8.5, ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) irradiation, of less than 5.0 g·kg−1, and at a temperature of 80 °C. The stability of the emulsion in simulated digestive fluid changed minimally. In the first 7 days of the accelerated oxidation experiment, LUT micro‐nano particles not only successfully protected the integrity of emulsion droplets but also fully inhibited the peroxidation of pine oil.

CONCLUSION

The strong antioxidant properties of LUT micro‐nano particles, and the dense protective layer they formed, stabilized the Pickering emulsion successfully. The particles also improved the oxidation stability of pine nut oil. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
New Ultrasound Telediagnostic System for Low‐Resource Areas
Authors: Marini Thomas J. , Oppenheimer Daniel C. , Baran Timothy M. , Rubens Deborah J. , Toscano Marika , Drennan Kathryn , Garra Brian , Miele Frank R. , Garra Gail , Noone Sylvia Jacobo , Tamayo Lorena , Carlotto Claudia , Trujillo Leslie , Waks Erin , Garra Katie , Egoavil Miguel S. , Berrospi Joel , Castaneda Benjamin
Published: August 2020

Billions of people around the world lack access to diagnostic imaging. To address this issue, we piloted a comprehensive ultrasound telediagnostic system, which uses ultrasound volume sweep imaging (VSI) acquisitions capable of being performed by operators without prior traditional ultrasound training and new telemedicine software capable of sending imaging acquisitions asynchronously over low Internet bandwidth for remote interpretation. The telediagnostic system was tested with obstetric, right upper quadrant abdominal, and thyroid volume sweep imaging protocols in Peru. Scans obtained by operators without prior ultrasound experience were sent for remote interpretation by specialists using the telemedicine platform. Scans obtained allowed visualization of the target region in 96% of cases with diagnostic imaging quality. This telediagnostic system shows promise in improving health care disparities in the developing world.