bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Central retinal artery occlusion as a neuro‐ophthalmological emergency: the need to raise public awareness
Authors: Hoyer Carolin , Kahlert Christian , Güney Resul , Schlichtenbrede Frank , Platten Michael , Szabo Kristina
Published: January 2021

Background and purpose

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a neuro‐ophthalmological emergency necessitating adequate and comprehensive diagnosis. Its optimal management and treatment, however, are still under debate. This study aimed at identifying respective areas for improvement.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the medical records of patients with CRAO treated in our stroke unit between January 2016 and August 2020.

Results

During the observational period, 101 patients with CRAO were admitted. We observed an increase in the rate of patients primarily admitted to the stroke unit from 52.2% to 97.4%. In addition, the thrombolysis rate – with thrombolysis performed on an individual basis – rose from 0% to 14.1%, coinciding with the implementation of an in‐hospital management guideline. Almost 60% of all patients presented outside of the 4.5‐h time window for thrombolysis; by far the most common reason not to deliver intravenous thrombolysis in our cohort was a prehospital delay to presentation (58.8%), with 44.4% of patients having consulted a private‐practice ophthalmologist first. A total of 25 (32.5%) of 77 patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had accompanying acute ischaemic stroke lesions on diffusion‐weighted MRI of the brain. A possible aetiology of CRAO was identified in 41.4% of patients.

Discussion

Public awareness of sudden unilateral visual loss as a presenting sign for stroke should be raised, increasing the chances for timely recognition in a hospital with ophthalmological expertise and a stroke centre. This is essential for ongoing and future prospective trials on this subject.
The pharmacokinetics of a fentanyl matrix patch applied at three different anatomical locations in horses
Authors: Skrzypczak Heather , Reed Rachel , Brainard Benjamin , Sakai Daniel , Barletta Michele , Quandt Jane , Smyth Carly , Ruch Melanie , Knych Heather
Published: January 2021

Background

Matrix fentanyl patches have not been investigated in horses and may represent an effective means of providing analgesia over an extended time period without venous catheterisation.

Objectives

To describe the pharmacokinetics of a matrix transdermal fentanyl patch in horses.

Study design

Randomised experiment, Latin‐square design.

Methods

Six adult horses were given each of three treatments with a 96‐hour washout. For each treatment, two 100 µg/h matrix fentanyl patches were applied to the inguinal region (TXA), metacarpus (TXM) or ventral tail base (TXT) for 72 hours. Blood samples for fentanyl analysis were obtained and heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured at various time points for 96 hours. Fentanyl plasma concentrations were measured with LC‐MS/MS for pharmacokinetic analysis. A mixed‐effects model was used to analyse pharmacodynamic variables.

Results

The time to maximum plasma concentration, maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve extrapolated to infinity were 10 ± 3.79, 14.3 ± 5.13 and 10.3 ± 4.8 hours; 2.07 ± 0.74, 1.55 ± 0.53 and 2.07 ± 0.72 ng/mL; and 46.6 ± 9.3, 44.6 ± 6.0 and 46.2 ± 7.68 ng hours/mL for TXA, TXM and TXT respectively. There was no significant difference among groups. There was no significant change from baseline or among treatment groups with regard to HR, RR or RT (P > .1 for all).

Main limitations

There was no intravenous treatment group for determination of bioavailability.

Conclusions

Fentanyl was rapidly absorbed and persisted in the plasma for up to 96 hours. No adverse effects of treatment on HR, RR or RT were observed. Further controlled prospective studies are needed to determine what plasma concentration, if any, of fentanyl achieves an analgesic effect in horses when administered via a transdermal patch system.
Brassica carinata: Biology and agronomy as a biofuel crop
Authors: Seepaul Ramdeo , Kumar Shivendra , Iboyi Joseph E. , Bashyal Mahesh , Stansly Theodor L. , Bennett Rick , Boote Kenneth J. , Mulvaney Michael J. , Small Ian M. , George Sheeja , Wright David L.
Published: January 2021

The environmental consequences of using nonrenewable fossil fuels have motivated a global quest for sustainable alternatives from renewable sources. Carinata has been developed as a low carbon intensity, non‐food oilseed biomolecular platform to produce advanced drop‐in renewable fuels, meal, and co‐products. The crop is widely adaptable to grow in the humid subtropical and humid continental climatic regions of Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Australia as a spring or winter crop. Carinata is heat tolerant, resistant to diseases and seed shattering with lower water‐use requirements than other oilseed brassicas. Adopting carinata in double‐cropping systems would require continuing research to integrate crop biology with agronomy, to understand growth and development and its interaction with agricultural inputs and management. Site‐specific best management agronomic practices and crop improvement research to develop frost‐tolerant, early‐maturing, nutrient use‐efficient, and high yielding varieties with desirable oil content and fatty acid profile will enhance the crop's adaptability and economic viability. The exploitation of intra‐ and interspecific and intra‐ and intergeneric diversity will further enhance carinata productivity and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This review attempts to present a comprehensive description of carinata's biology, beginning with its origin and current state of distribution, availability of genetic and genomic resources, and a discussion of its morphology, phenology, and reproduction. A detailed analysis of the agronomy of the crop, including planting and germination and management practices, is presented in the context of crop growth and development. This will facilitate global adoption, sustainable production, and commercialization of carinata as a dedicated biofuel oilseed crop in diverse cropping systems and growing regions of the world, including the Southeast United States.
Citizens' conceptions of the genome: Related values and practical implications in a citizen forum on the use of genomic information
Authors: Mayeur Chloé , van Hoof Wannes
Published: January 2021

Background

The development of large data sets, including genomic data, coupled with rapid advances in personalized medicine where citizens increasingly face complex choices about the use of their genomic information implies that citizens are essential stakeholders in genomics. They should be engaged in the ethical, legal and societal issues to produce a framework that fosters trust and allows them to guide the technology based on their values.

Objective

This article highlights that citizens' conceptions of the human genome inform about and make sense of their main values regarding the use of genomic information, which is critical for policymakers, experts and stakeholders to understand to maintain the public support in genomics.

Method

Through an inductive thematic approach, we reanalysed data collected for the Belgian citizen forum, which aimed to produce recommendations for the Ministry of Public Health and other stakeholders.

Results

Citizens expressed four conceptions of the genome that determined which uses of genomic information they supported: the most intimate part of individuals; ‘I am more than my genome’; the individual's property vs the common good; and uncertainty and fear.

Conclusion

Diversity in their conceptions reveals remaining conflicts of values among citizens, mainly regarding a conception of the genome as an individual property or a common good. However, despite differing conceptions, shared values emerged such as solidarity, privacy, no genetic discrimination and the right to an open future, where individual and common interests coexist.

Patient or public contribution

The panel of the citizen forum consisted of 32 citizens.
‘Triadic’ shared decision making in mental health: Experiences and expectations of service users, caregivers and clinicians in Germany
Authors: Schuster Florian , Holzhüter Fabian , Heres Stephan , Hamann Johannes
Published: January 2021

Background

Shared decision making (SDM) in mental health may contribute to greater patient satisfaction and is sometimes associated with better health outcomes. Here, SDM should not only involve service users and clinicians but also involve the service users' caregivers.

Aim

This study aimed to achieve better insight into the current SDM patterns of triads of service users, caregivers and clinicians in inpatient mental health care and the three parties' expectations towards the prospects of triadic SDM.

Design

The current research uses data from a representative cross‐sectional study on caregivers in psychiatric inpatient treatment. We analysed data on n = 94 triads of service users, their caregivers and their clinicians.

Results

All three parties acknowledge caregivers to be of great support to monitor the progress with mental disease. The caregiver's role during consultations is most often described as being an expert, receiving or providing information and supporting service users. However, caregivers at times try to seek support for themselves during caregiver‐clinician interaction, or their behaviour was described as unhelpful. The potential prospects of caregiver involvement are clearly acknowledged despite the low implementation of caregiver involvement in this sample (only in one‐third of the cases).

Conclusion

Triadic SDM rarely takes place in routine inpatient care. First, there should be a focus on interventions aiming at inviting caregivers to consultations. Only in the second step should a better conceptualisation of triadic SDM be undertaken.

Public Contribution

Early results were discussed with a local peer support group for caregivers of individuals living with mental illness.
MYC status in HIV‐associated plasmablastic lymphoma: dual‐colour CISH, FISH and immunohistochemistry
Authors: Pather Sugeshnee , Mashele Thembi , Willem Pascale , Patel Moosa , Perner Yvonne , Motaung Mantoa , Nagiah Natasha , Waja Faadil , Philip Vinitha , Lakha Atul , Hale Martin J
Published: January 2021

Aims

We utilised chromogenic and fluorescence in‐situ hybridisation (CISH and FISH) to evaluate MYC gene copy numbers and rearrangements within HIV‐associated plasmablastic lymphomas (PBLs). Thereafter, clinicopathological features were explored retrospectively.

Methods and results

Sixty‐seven (n = 67) patients were included and the HIV seropositive status was confirmed in 98% (63 of 64) with a median viral load of 55 587 (IQR 273 582) copies/ml and median CD4 count of 170 (IQR 249) cells/µl. The mean age was 41 ± 10.1 years and females comprised 54%. PBL was documented predominantly at extra‐oronasal topographic regions. Starry‐sky (SS) appearance was evident in 33% in association with monomorphic morphology (P‐value 0.02). c‐MYC protein was expressed in 81% and latent EBV infection was detected in 90%. EBER ISH‐positive status and MYC rearrangement occurred in 67% of HIV PBL. MYC aberrations included MYC rearrangement (70%), low‐level increase in MYC gene copy numbers (43%), concurrent MYC rearrangement and increased MYC gene copy numbers (49%) as well as low‐level chromosome 8 polysomy (6%). MYC aberrations in HIV PBLs were significantly associated with SS appearance (P ‐0.01), monomorphic morphology (P ‐ 0.03), c‐MYC protein expression ≥40% (P ‐ 0.03) and mortality (P ‐ 0.03). There was advanced stage (Ann Arbor III/IV) at presentation (77%) and the median overall survival for HIV PBL was 75 days (95% CI 14–136).

Conclusion

Majority of the HIV‐associated PBL tumours harbour MYC aberrations. Due to the persistently inferior survival outcome of HIV‐associated PBL in the era of antiviral treatment, targeted and/or intensified therapy of oncogenic MYC may need to be explored in future.
p16 overexpression and Rb loss correlate with high‐risk HPV infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jiromaru Rina , Yamamoto Hidetaka , Yasumatsu Ryuji , Hongo Takahiro , Nozaki Yui , Nakano Takafumi , Hashimoto Kazuki , Nakagawa Takashi , Oda Yoshinao
Published: January 2021

Aims

p16 is a sensitive surrogate marker for transcriptionally active high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), but it is not sufficient in all clinical settings.

Methods and results

We examined the p16 and Rb expression status in 177 OPSCC cases by immunohistochemistry and the presence of transcriptionally active HR‐HPV infection by mRNA in‐situ hybridisation. The 177 cases were divided into p16+/HPV+ (n = 105, 59.3%), p16+/HPV− (n = 8, 4.5%) and p16−/HPV− (n = 64, 36.2%) groups. The p16+/HPV− and p16−/HPV− groups had a trend towards worse overall survival (OS) or significantly worse OS than the p16+/HPV+ group (n = 105) (P = 0.0610, P = 0.0004, respectively). We divided the Rb status into preserved expression (> 90%, n = 68), partial loss (PL) (10–90%, n = 97) and complete loss (CL) (< 10%, n = 12). Among the HPV‐positive cases (n = 105), the Rb pattern was typically PL (n = 97, 92.4%) and rarely CL (n = 8, 7.6%), but never preserved expression (0%). In contrast, among the HPV‐negative cases (n = 72), the Rb pattern was typically preserved expression (n = 68, 94.4%) and rarely CL (n = 4, 5.6%), but never PL (0%). Compared to p16 alone, the combination of p16 overexpression and Rb‐PL/CL showed equally excellent sensitivity (each 100%) and improved specificity (97.2 versus 88.9%) and positive predictive values (98.1 versus 92.9%).

Conclusions

These results suggest that the combined use of p16 and Rb immunohistochemistry could be a reliable, cost‐effective method to predict HR‐HPV infection in OPSCCs; however, HPV specific testing is necessary on inconclusive cases. We propose a diagnostic algorithm for practical use of these markers.
Effect of heat treatment on surface structure and gas sensing of electrospun ZnO‐SnO2 composite nanofibers
Authors: Wu Fengyu Y. , Tseng Wenjea J.
Published: January 2021

ZnO‐SnO2 composite nanofibers with a constant Zn/Sn ratio of 0.4 have been electrospun and calcined at 650°C in ambient air, followed then by heat treatment at 350°C in either air, 5% H2‐95% N2, or 15 ppm H2S‐air atmosphere for comparison of gas‐sensing behaviors. The nanofibers being heat‐treated in the H2S‐air atmosphere display a sensing response more than 25 times than the as‐calcined counterpart, that is, the sensing response increases from 20 to 514 against a model NO2 gas of 10 ppm concentration at a working temperature of 180°C. This appears to be attributable to the formation of sulfate on the nanofiber surface, which resulted in an enriched oxygen vacancy and chemisorbed oxygen near the surface for facilitating the redox reaction toward NO2 gas molecules. The facile heat treatment in the presence of dilute H2S concentration may have opened up an alternative route for enhancing the surface‐sensitive gas‐sensor activity.
Preparation and characterization of spray‐dried granulated bioactive glass micron spheres
Authors: Chen Liu‐Gu , Huang Yu‐Hsuan , Chou Yu‐Jen
Published: January 2021

Owing to its superior bioactivity, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, bioactive glass (BG) has been attracting significant attention within biomedical science fields. However, BG powders with variable particle sizes are required targeting different applications, such as dermal fillers. Thus, in this study, granulated BG powders were prepared via the spray drying and granulation method. Size‐controlled BG micron sphere with diameters of up to tens of microns can be mass‐produced and their phase information, particle morphology, and specific surface area were characterized via X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, respectively. In addition, the in vitro bioactivity was evaluated following Kokubo's protocol, and the formation of a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer after immersion into the simulated body fluid was confirmed via energy‐dispersive and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity was examined using a 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Finally, the resulting morphologies and corresponding properties are shown, and the related mechanisms are discussed.
A novel approach toward microstructure evaluation of sintered ceramic materials through image processing techniques
Authors: Chowdhury Sandipan , Dhara Dipika , Chowdhury Soumit , Haldar Partha , Chatterjee Kingshuk , Bhattacharya Tapas Kumar
Published: January 2021

In this paper, an image processing technique is introduced to measure the grain size and their distributions from the SEM image of copper oxide (CuO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) doped sintered alumina ceramics accurately. The noise present in SEM image is removed by applying low pass Gaussian filter followed by suppression of regional minima over a threshold. The clarity of individual grains and grain boundaries have been done by applying Watershed transform to this preprocessed SEM image. Morphological operations like dilation and erosion are used to make the grain‐boundary edges clear and continuous. The individual grain size in µm scale is measured from the pixel length of the rectangular bounding box drawn around the segmented grain. The normal Gaussian type distribution of grain size is observed in both CuO‐ and TiO2‐doped grains in SEM image. The average grain size of CuO‐doped alumina grains (2.24 µm) is very close to G50 value (2.17 µm), but G50 value of TiO2‐doped grains (8.59 µm) is slightly higher than its average grain size (7.96 µm). The proposed algorithm is compared with linear intercept method and the grain sizes obtained are very close to each other.
Remodeling the chromatin landscape in T lymphocytes by a division of labor among transcription factors
Authors: Vahedi Golnaz
Published: January 2021

An extraordinary degree of condensation is required to fit the eukaryotic genome inside the nucleus. This compaction is attained by first coiling the DNA around structures called nucleosomes. Mammalian genomes are further folded into sophisticated three‐dimensional (3D) configurations, enabling the genetic code to dictate a diverse range of cell fates. Recent advances in molecular and computational technologies have enabled the query of higher‐order chromatin architecture at an unprecedented resolution and scale. In T lymphocytes, similar to other developmental programs, the hierarchical genome organization is shaped by a highly coordinated division of labor among different classes of sequence‐specific transcription factors. In this review, we will summarize the general principles of 1D and 3D genome organization, introduce the common experimental and computational techniques to measure the multilayer chromatin organization, and discuss the pervasive role of transcription factors on chromatin organization in T lymphocytes.
Sr3Lu (VO4)3: Eu3+ red‐emitting phosphors for warm white LEDs
Authors: Zhou Xianju , Zhang Jie , Chen Lingni , Li Yanhong , Xiang Guotao , Jiang Sha , Li Li , Tang Xiao , Cao Zhongmin , Xie Guangxin
Published: January 2021

A series of novel red emission phosphors Sr3Lu1‐x(VO4)3:xEu3+(x = 0.007, 0.009, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) were synthesized successfully by traditional high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) reveal the doped Eu3+ ions have replaced the lattice sites of Lu3+ ions. The diffuse reflectance spectra illustrate the energy gap of Sr3Lu(VO4)3 host is 3.61 eV. The room‐temperature steady‐state fluorescence spectra show that these phosphors can be effectively pumped by the charge‐transfer band (CTB) of the host in near ultraviolet (NUV) spectral region and then produce strong and pure red emission at 615 nm originated from 5D0 → 7F2 electric dipole transition of Eu3+. The Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of Sr3Lu0.96(VO4)3:0.04Eu3+ are (x = 0.65, y = 0.35), which are very close to the red standard of National Television Standards Committee NTSC (0.67, 0.33). The fabricated warm white‐light‐emitting diodes (LED) demonstrate high color‐rendering index Ra as 93. The results imply the red‐emitting Sr3Lu(VO4)3:Eu3+ phosphors could be potentially utilized in the fields of solid‐state lighting.
Simultaneous self‐monitoring comparison of a supine algorithm‐equipped wrist nocturnal home blood pressure monitoring device with an upper arm device
Authors: Kario Kazuomi , Tomitani Naoko , Iwashita Chie , Shiga Tomoko , Kanegae Hiroshi
Published: January 2021

A nocturnal home blood pressure (BP) monitoring device that measures nighttime BP levels accurately with less sleep disturbance is needed for the 24‐h management of hypertension. Here we conducted the first comparison study of simultaneous self‐monitoring by both a supine position algorithm‐equipped wrist nocturnal home BP monitoring device, the HEM‐9601T (NightView; Omron Healthcare) with a similar upper arm device, the HEM‐9700T (Omron Healthcare) in 50 hypertensive patients (mean age 68.9 ± 11.3 years). Both devices were worn on the same non‐dominant arm during sleep over two nights. The patients self‐measured their nighttime BP by starting nocturnal measurement mode just before going to bed. In total, 694 paired measurements were obtained during two nights (7.2 ± 1.5 measurements per night), and the mean differences (±SD) in systolic BP between the devices was 0.2 ± 10.2 mmHg (p = .563), with good agreement. In the comparison of nighttime BP indices, the difference in average SBP at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 AM and the average SBP of 1‐h interval measurements was −0.5 ± 5.5 mmHg (p = .337), with good agreement. The HEM‐9601T substantially reduced sleep disturbance compared to the upper arm‐type device. The newly developed HEM‐9601T (NightView) can thus accurately measure BP during sleep without reducing the wearer's sleep quality.
Improving Geropsychology Competencies of Veterans Affairs Psychologists
Authors: Huh J. W. Terri , Rodriguez Rachel L. , Gregg Jeffrey J. , Scales Ashley N. , Kramer B. Josea , Gould Christine E.
Published: January 2021

Older adults are more likely to seek mental health care through integrated care settings such as primary care. Currently, there exists a significant shortage of mental health providers trained in geropsychology and integrated care competencies. To address this need within the Veterans Health Administration, a national workforce development program was extended to include psychologists, which is called the Geriatric Scholars Program‐Psychology Track (GSP‐P). The GSP‐P has two overarching educational program aims: (1) to improve geropsychology competencies of practicing VA psychologists, particularly those working within integrated settings (e.g., primary care) and (2) enrich psychologists' abilities to enact change in their clinical settings. Ninety‐eight VA clinicians participated in the GSP‐P, which includes a multi‐day in‐person course, from 2014 to 2018. Participants completed measures assessing confidence and self‐reported knowledge in geropsychology and integrated care competencies pre‐course and 3‐months post‐completion. Two‐weeks post‐course participants responded to open‐ended survey questions regarding their perceptions of the course and potential applications of learning. Significant improvements in confidence in and knowledge of geropsychology and integrated care competencies emerged from pre‐course to 3‐months post‐completion. Qualitative findings demonstrated that participants valued the face‐to‐face, integrated multimodal educational program. Findings provided insights regarding clinicians' planned application of the knowledge acquired, such as modifying treatments for older patients. Specialized workforce programs such as the GSP‐P have a significant, positive impact on the care of older Veterans.
A review of iPhone and Android apps for cancer patients and survivors: assessing their quality, nutrition information and behaviour change techniques
Authors: Keaver Laura , Loftus Amy , Quinn Laoise
Published: January 2021

Background

The present study reviewed the quality, nutrition content and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) of apps aimed at those with cancer.

Methods

The Apple App Store and Androids’ Google Play were searched in March 2020. Apps were scored for accountability as per Silberg’s standards, quality as per the Mobile Application Rating Scale, and BCTs using the CALO‐RE Taxonomy. Nutrition content was summarised and a checklist developed from the European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ESPEN) cancer and nutrition guidelines and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) guidelines for Cancer Survivors.

Results

Twelve apps were identified, mean (SD) accountability score was 2.7/8 (2.0) (range 0–6) and quality score was 2.9/5 (0.6) (range 1.7–3.7). Overall, 11 BCTs were used (range 0–8 per app). Nutrition content focussed on healthy eating and meeting energy needs. There was a lack of strategies for implementation and no indication of whether the advice was more suited for specific cancer types, stages or treatment. Limited reference was made to recommendations of ESPEN and the WCRF. A strong positive relationship between quality and number of BCTs was found (r = 0.805, n = 9, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Little nutrition information is currently included on publicly available apps aimed at those with a cancer diagnosis.
Tracking the diffusion of industrial symbiosis scholarship using bibliometrics: Comparing across Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar
Authors: Chertow Marian R. , Kanaoka Koichi S. , Park Jooyoung
Published: January 2021

Previous bibliometric analyses of industrial symbiosis (IS) research have focused on a limited body of literature owing to the scope of keyword searches or limitations of library databases. This study seeks to apply bibliometrics to explore broader, epistemological questions, particularly about the structure and geospatial development of IS as a sub‐field of industrial ecology. We also evaluate the benefits of using Google Scholar, in addition to the conventional databases Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus, for better understanding academic domains. By using WoS and Scopus, 805 articles on IS that met our criteria were identified, published in 212 journals from 1995 through 2018. On average, the cumulative number of relevant articles grew at an exponential rate of 18% per year—more than double the estimated growth of global scientific output. We observed the largest increases in articles that: (1) model the material and energy flows in IS clusters; (2) propose strategies and ideas for implementing symbiosis; and (3) evaluate the performance of IS networks. By the end of 2018, 54 countries were featured in IS articles retrieved from WoS and Scopus, with China as the single most studied country. The analysis of Google Scholar suggested that it can capture more IS articles than the conventional databases owing to its unique characteristic of searching the entire text of documents rather than solely their metadata as with WoS and Scopus. Google Scholar revealed IS discourse from additional countries and disciplines previously omitted, enabling a more acute view of its patterns of diffusion.
A balancing act: the role of pro‐ and anti‐stress peptides within the central amygdala in anxiety and alcohol use disorders
Authors: Walker Leigh C.
Published: January 2021

The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) is widely implicated as a structure that integrates both appetitive and aversive stimuli. While intrinsic CeA microcircuits primarily consist of GABAergic neurons that regulate amygdala output, a notable feature of the CeA is the heterogeneity of neuropeptides and neuropeptide/neuromodulator receptors that it expresses. There is growing interest in the role of the CeA in mediating psychopathologies, including stress and anxiety states and their interactions with alcohol use disorders. Within the CeA, neuropeptides and neuromodulators often exert pro‐ or anti‐ stress actions, which can influence anxiety and alcohol associated behaviours. In turn, alcohol use can cause adaptions within the CeA, which may render an individual more vulnerable to stress which is a major trigger of relapse to alcohol seeking. This review examines the neurocircuitry, neurochemical phenotypes and how pro‐ and anti‐stress peptide systems act within the CeA to regulate anxiety and alcohol seeking, focusing on preclinical observations from animal models. Furthermore, literature exploring the targeting of genetically defined populations or neuronal ensembles and the role of the CeA in mediating sex differences in stress x alcohol interactions are explored.

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Artemisinin inhibits TLR4 signaling by targeting co‐receptor MD2 in microglial BV‐2 cells and prevents lipopolysaccharide‐induced blood–brain barrier leakage in mice
Authors: Zhang Tianshu , Zhang Xiaozheng , Lin Cong , Wu Siru , Wang Fanfan , Wang Hongshuang , Wang Yibo , Peng Yinghua , Hutchinson Mark R. , Li Hongyuan , Wang Xiaohui
Published: January 2021

Artemisinin and its derivatives have been the frontline drugs for treating malaria. In addition to the antiparasitic effect, accumulating evidence shows that artemisinins can alleviate neuroinflammatory responses in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the precise mechanisms underlying their anti‐neuroinflammatory effects are unclear. Herein we attempted to delineate the molecule target of artemisinin in microglia. In vitro protein intrinsic fluorescence titrations and saturation transfer difference (STD)‐NMR showed the direct binding of artemisinin to Toll‐like receptor TLR4 co‐receptor MD2. Cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) showed that artemisinin binding increased MD2 stability, which implies that artemisinin directly binds to MD2 in the cellular context. Artemisinin bound MD2 showed much less collapse during the molecular dynamic simulations, which supports the increased stability of MD2 upon artemisinin binding. Flow cytometry analysis showed artemisinin inhibited LPS‐induced TLR4 dimerization and endocytosis in microglial BV‐2 cells. Therefore, artemisinin was found to inhibit the TLR4‐JNK signaling axis and block LPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory factors nitric oxide, IL‐1β and TNF‐α in BV‐2 cells. Furthermore, artemisinin restored LPS‐induced decrease of junction proteins ZO‐1, Occludin and Claudin‐5 in primary brain microvessel endothelial cells, and attenuated LPS‐induced blood–brain barrier disruption in mice as assessed by Evans blue. In all, this study unambiguously adds MD2 as a direct binding target of artemisinin in its anti‐neuroinflammatory function. The results also suggest that artemisinin could be repurposed as a potential therapeutic intervention for inflammatory CNS diseases.

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Dynamic subcellular localization and transcription activity of the SRF cofactor MKL2 in the striatum are regulated by MAPK
Authors: Ariza Anthony , Funahashi Yasuhiro , Kozawa Sachi , Omar Faruk Md. , Nagai Taku , Amano Mutsuki , Kaibuchi Kozo
Published: January 2021

Dopamine type 1 receptor (D1R) signaling activates protein kinase A (PKA), which then activates mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) through Rap1, in striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). MAPK plays a pivotal role in reward‐related behavior through the activation of certain transcription factors. How D1R signaling regulates behavior through transcription factors remains largely unknown. CREB‐binding protein (CBP) promotes transcription through hundreds of different transcription factors and is also important for reward‐related behavior. To identify transcription factors regulated by dopamine signaling in MSNs, we performed a phosphoproteomic analysis using affinity beads coated with CBP. We obtained approximately 40 novel candidate proteins in the striatum of the C57BL/6 mouse brain after cocaine administration. Among them, the megakaryoblastic leukemia‐2 (MKL2) protein, a transcriptional coactivator of serum response factor (SRF), was our focus. We found that the interaction between CBP and MKL2 was increased by cocaine administration. Additionally, MKL2, CBP and SRF formed a ternary complex in vivo. The C‐terminal domain of MKL2 interacted with CBP‐KIX and was phosphorylated by MAPK in COS7 cells. The activation of PKA‐MAPK signaling induced the nuclear localization of MKL2 and increased SRF‐dependent transcriptional activity in neurons. These results demonstrate that dopamine signaling regulates the interaction of MKL2 with CBP in a phosphorylation‐dependent manner and thereby controls SRF‐dependent gene expression.

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Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15067.
Phosphorylation of Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 1 (CRMP1) at Tyrosine 504 residue regulates Semaphorin 3A‐induced cortical dendritic growth
Authors: Kawashima Takeshi , Jitsuki‐Takahashi Aoi , Takizawa Kohtaro , Jitsuki Susumu , Takahashi Takuya , Ohshima Toshio , Goshima Yoshio , Nakamura Fumio
Published: January 2021

Collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs) have been identified as mediating proteins of repulsive axon guidance cue Semaphorin‐3A (Sema3A). Phosphorylation of CRMPs plays a crucial role in the Sema3A signaling cascade. It has been shown that Fyn phosphorylates CRMP1 at Tyrosine 504 residue (Tyr504); however, the physiological role of this phosphorylation has not been examined. We found that CRMP1 was the most strongly phosphorylated by Fyn among the five members of CRMPs. We confirmed Tyr504 phosphorylation of CRMP1 by Fyn. Immunocytochemistry of mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons showed that phosphotyrosine signal in the growth cones was transiently increased in the growth cones upon Sema3A stimulation. Tyr504‐phosphorylated CRMP1 also tended to increase after Sema3A simulation. Ectopic expression of a single amino acid mutant of CRMP1 replacing Tyr504 with phenylalanine (CRMP1‐Tyr504Phe) suppressed Sema3A‐induced growth cone collapse response in chick DRG neurons. CRMP1‐Tyr504Phe expression in mouse hippocampal neurons also suppressed Sema3A but not Sema3F‐induced growth cone collapse response. Immunohistochemistry showed that Tyr504‐phosphorylated CRMP1 was present in the cell bodies and in the dendritic processes of mouse cortical neurons. CRMP1‐Tyr504Phe suppressed Sema3A‐induced dendritic growth of primary cultured mouse cortical neurons as well as the dendritic development of cortical pyramidal neurons in vivo. Fyn±; Crmp1± double heterozygous mutant mice exhibited poor development of cortical layer V basal dendrites, which was the similar phenotype observed in Sema3a‐/‐, Fyn‐/‐, and Crmp1‐/‐ mice. These findings demonstrate that Tyr504 phosphorylation of CRMP1 by Fyn is an essential step of Sema3A‐regulated dendritic development of cortical pyramidal neurons. (247 words).

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Prospective randomized clinical study of a new topical formulation for face wrinkle reduction and dermal regeneration
Authors: Araco Antonino , Francesco Araco
Published: January 2021

Background

A new topical formulation (TF) based on 3 main lifting components has been developed to reduce superficial facial wrinkles.

Objectives

Determine the effectiveness of this new TF in reducing superficial face wrinkles and restructuring the dermal matrix.

Methods

Women, aged 30‐65 y.o. with moderate to severe crow's feet wrinkles were included. Exclusion criteria: men; younger than 30 or older than 65 years old; smokers. Patients received 15 IU of botulinum toxin on crow's feet and 2 creams. Fifty patients (Group 1) applied the TP (Product A) and 50 (Group 2) a placebo (Product B). Assessments were made by digital macro‐photography's, Antera 3D, and a patient satisfaction questionnaire.

Results

From April to June 2019, 100 women were enrolled in the study and were divided into two homogeneous groups. No major or minor side effects were reported. In group 1, wrinkles, texture, static and dynamic crow's feet wrinkles improved significantly at 3 and 6 months. Patients were very satisfied at 3 months and satisfied at 6 months. In group 2, wrinkles and texture improved significantly at 3 months but did not improve at 6 months. Static and dynamic crow's feet wrinkles improved significantly at 1 and 3 months but did not improve significantly at 6 months.

Conclusions

Our prospective and randomized study has shown that the new TF is safe and effective in reducing superficial face wrinkles and producing dermal regeneration. It, therefore, prolongs the duration of the botulinum toxin. Further controlled study would be necessary to compare the new TF to neurotoxin treatment, or its action alone.
FINANCIALIZATION OF COMMODITIES BEFORE AND AFTER THE GREAT FINANCIAL CRISIS
Authors: Natoli Filippo
Published: January 2021

More than 12 years after the historical oil price spike, the financialization of commodities and the interaction among different types of commodity investors remain a hot topic. We review the early financialization literature and the main theoretical contributions to understand how market frictions can affect prices and liquidity. We introduce the debate on the de‐financialization and offer insights about the multifaceted role of commercial investors in derivatives markets. Last, we show how other research streams, such as the analysis of the shale industry and of other financial derivatives than futures, might complement the view on the financialization of commodities.
Sterile water; a novel and promising human experimental craniofacial muscle pain model
Authors: Louca Jounger Sofia , Svedenlöf Johanna , Elenius Reija , Källkrans Christoffer , Scheid Emil , Ernberg Malin , Christidis Nikolaos
Published: January 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate if intramuscular injection of sterile water can be used as a human experimental pain model that resembles clinical craniofacial muscle pain and to analyse if the effects differ between sexes.

Methods

This randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled cross‐over study included 30 healthy age‐matched women and men (23.6 ± 2.4 years). At three sessions, with at least one week of washout in between, 0.2 mL of either sterile water (test‐substance), hypertonic saline (58.5 mg/mL; active control) or isotonic saline (0.9 mg/mL; passive control) was randomly injected into the right masseter muscle. Pain intensity (VAS) was continuously assessed during 5 min whereafter pain duration (s) and pain area (au) were calculated; pressure pain thresholds (PPT;kPa) were recorded every 5 minutes during 30 minutes.

Results

Sterile water evoked pain of similar intensity (74.5 ± 49.9) as hypertonic saline (74.0 ± 50.5); whereas, isotonic saline evoked low‐intensity pain (11.4 ± 23.4). The pain induced by sterile water and hypertonic saline had higher intensity (P < 0.001), longer duration (P < 0.001) and larger pain area (P < 0.001) than isotonic saline. There were no significant differences in any pain variable between sterile water and hypertonic saline. The PPT did not change significantly after any substance, except for in women 5 minutes after sterile water injection (P < 0.002). Pain duration was longer in the men for all substances (P < 0.006), while the pain area was larger in women after injection of hypertonic saline (P < 0.003).

Conclusion

These results indicate that pain evoked by sterile water resembles clinical muscle pain and may offer a novel and simpler alternative to hypertonic saline injections.
Fracture Strength of Interim CAD/CAM and Conventional Partial Fixed Dental Prostheses
Authors: Sadid‐Zadeh Ramtin , Zirkel Cory , Makwoka Seteven , Li Rui
Published: January 2021

Purpose

 To compare the fracture strength of three‐unit provisional partial fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) fabricated by an indirect‐direct technique from poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) through digital and conventional workflows, and FDPs fabricated by a direct technique using Bisacryl (BisA) and externally reinforced BisA.

Materials and Methods

 Forty partially edentulous typodonts with a missing mandibular left first molar and standard preparations on mandibular left second premolar and molar were used to fabricate three‐unit provisional FDPs. Two materials and two techniques were used to fabricate a total of forty provisional FDPs: (1) BisA; (2) BisA reinforced with glass fiber strips [BisA‐GFR]; (3) conventionally fabricated PMMA shell relined with PMMA [C‐PMMA]; (4) CAD/CAM fabricated PMMA shell relined with PMMA [CAD/CAM‐PMMA]. Provisional FDPs were then luted onto the preparations using a temporary cement. Specimens were mounted onto a chewing simulator; 20,000 cycles of 70 N forces were applied under 25°C distilled water. Specimens were then loaded to fracture using a universal testing machine (The Dillion Quantrol TC2i; Mecmesin) with a crosshead speed of 2 mm/min. One‐way ANOVA, followed by Tukey post hoc test, was used to assess the effect of production technique on the fracture strength of the provisional FPDs (α = 0.5).

Results

 Mean fracture strengths recorded for the CAD/CAM‐PMMA, C‐PMMA, BisA, and BisA‐GFR groups were 520 N, 448 N, 245 N, and 169 N, respectively. PMMA groups had significantly (p < 0.0001; F = 24.40) higher fracture strength compared to Bisacryl groups.

Conclusion

 When high occlusal forces are expected, provisional FDPs fabricated with PMMA using the indirect‐direct technique are recommended, irrespective of CAD/CAM or conventional workflow.
Use of online questionnaires to identify emotions elicited by different types of corn tortilla in consumers of different gender and age groups
Authors: Santiago‐Cruz Ivett Abigaic , de Jesús Ramírez‐Rivera Emmanuel , López‐Espíndola Mirna , Hidalgo‐Contreras Juan Valente , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Herrera‐Corredor José Andrés
Published: January 2021

The objective of the study was to identify the emotions that are usually elicited by four types of corn tortillas available in the Mexican market (homemade, from tortilla store, from supermarket, and plastic bagged). An internet survey was conducted with 378 Mexican consumers. Gender and age factors were used to identify differences on emotions elicited by the four tortilla types. Emotions such as happy, pleasant, mild, good nature, enthusiastic, free, warm, loving, joyful, adventurous, secure, and nostalgic were associated with homemade corn tortillas. Also, emotions such as good, active, and calm were associated with tortilla from tortilla store. Supermarket corn tortilla and plastic bagged corn tortilla elicited negative emotions such as wild, aggressive, disgusted, guilty, worried, and bored. Differences were found among age groups suggesting generational effects rather that gender effects on elicited emotions in consumers.

Practical applications

Findings from this study highlight the emotions elicited by the consumption of different types of corn tortillas in people of different gender and age that may be related to the purchase intention of consumers of this product. These results are important for the industry and small companies dedicated to the production of tortillas at an international and national level.
Relationship between beta‐adrenergic agonists, calpain system activity and beef texture: A systematic review
Authors: Cruz Fábio L. , de Carvalho Elisa B. , Ramos Eduardo M. , Pereira Luciano J. , Zangeronimo Márcio G.
Published: January 2021

The objective was to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with beta‐adrenergic agonists on calpains and calpastatin activity in bovine muscle and changes in meat tenderness. A survey was conducted in June 2019 on Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Capes Periodicals, using four keyword combinations: agonist and calpain and cattle; agonist and calpain and bovine; agonist and calpain and heifers; agonist and calpain and steers. Thirteen studies were selected, 54% concluded that supplementation with beta‐adrenergic agonists increases calpastatin activity, 23% observed increase in their gene expression and 23% reported no effect on activity or expression of this enzyme. Nine studies evaluated the influence of beta‐adrenergic agonists supplementation on meat texture and all found an increase in shear force values. There is strong evidence that beta‐adrenergic agonists may increase calpastatin activity in the muscle, causing damage to meat tenderness.
The Elusive Inclusive University: What Does This Look Like for Students With Intellectual Disability? An Irish Perspective
Authors: O'Donovan Mary‐Ann
Published: January 2021

Aim

This study aimed to examine the policy and system context for transition to third‐level education for people with an intellectual disability (ID), using Bourdieu's theory of reproduction as a framework, with the situation in the Republic of Ireland as a case study.

Background

The “massification” of higher education (HE) has resulted in ever increasing numbers of students progressing to postsecondary level education (PSE). Progressing to HE has become embedded within the normative life course and an expected transition for young adults. This article questions the extent to which the field of HE is ready for students with ID, in the context of limited capital and differing experience of the dominant habitus.

Methodology

Using the Republic of Ireland, and in particular Trinity College Dublin as the first HE institute in Ireland to offer a full‐time, 2 years course for people with ID, the access experience of people with ID is examined in the context of current national policy and system issues in the HE sector.

Results

There is a disjuncture between the level of demand for university places and supply. In addition, the transition to third‐level education for students with ID is populated with unique challenges, which differ from peers without ID.

Conclusion

This article demonstrates how such programs can highlight the extent to which the field of HE responds to the inclusion of students with intellectual disability, as well as the policy and system issues that need to be responsive to a cohort of students with differing habitus and capital, to support fully the engagement and participation of students with ID in HE. A dearth of evidence exists, and the author proposes that Bourdieu's theory of reproduction can provide a useful framework for future research.
Identification of genomic differences between the sexes and sex‐specific molecular markers in Monostroma angicava (Ulvophyceae)
Authors: Horinouchi Yusuke , Togashi Tatsuya
Published: January 2021

There is little information available regarding genomic differences between sexes in ulvophycean green algae. The detection of these differences will enable the development of sex‐discriminating molecular markers, which are useful for algae showing little apparent difference between sexes. In this study, we identified male‐ and female‐specific DNA sequences in the ulvophycean marine green alga Monostroma angicava, which has a dioicous heteromorphic haplo‐diplontic life cycle, via next‐generation sequencing. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that signals for the sex‐specific sequences exist only in the nuclei of the corresponding sex, confirming the specificity of the sequences. Sex‐specific molecular markers that targeted these sequences successfully distinguished the sex of gametophytes even in geographically distant populations, indicating that the sex‐specific sequences are universal. These results consistently suggest that male and female gametophytes of M. angicava are genetically different, implying that sex may be determined genetically in this alga.