bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microbiota‐dependent and ‐independent effects of dietary fibre on human health
Authors: Cai Yang , Folkerts Jelle , Folkerts Gert , Maurer Marcus , Braber Saskia
Published: October 2019

Dietary fibre, such as indigestible oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, occurs in many foods and has gained considerable importance related to its beneficial effects on host health and specific diseases. Dietary fibre is neither digested nor absorbed in the small intestine and modulates the composition of the gut microbiota. New evidence indicates that dietary fibre also interacts directly with the epithelium and immune cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract by microbiota‐independent effects. This review focuses on how dietary fibre improves human health and the reported health benefits that are connected to molecular pathways, in (a) a microbiota‐independent manner, via interaction with specific surface receptors on epithelial and immune cells regulating intestinal barrier and immune function, and (b) a microbiota‐dependent manner via maintaining intestinal homeostasis by promoting beneficial microbes, including Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, limiting the growth, adhesion, and cytotoxicity of pathogenic microbes, as well as stimulating fibre‐derived microbial short‐chain fatty acid production.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed section on The Pharmacology of Nutraceuticals. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.6/issuetoc
The genetic script of metastasis
Authors: Jinesh Goodwin G. , Brohl Andrew S.
Published: October 2019

Metastasis is a pivotal event that changes the course of cancers from benign and treatable to malignant and difficult to treat, resulting in the demise of patients. Understanding the genetic control of metastasis is thus crucial to develop efficient and sustainable targeted therapies. Here we discuss the alterations in epigenetic mechanisms, transcription, chromosomal instability, chromosome imprinting, non‐coding RNAs, coding RNAs, mutant RNAs, enhancers, G‐quadruplexes, and copy number variation to dissect the genetic control of metastasis. We conclude that the genetic control of metastasis is predominantly executed through epithelial to mesenchymal transition and evasion of cell death. We discuss how genetic regulatory mechanisms can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes to achieve sustainable control over cancer metastasis.
Peer Victimization and Problem Behaviors: The Roles of Self‐Esteem and Parental Attachment Among Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Pan Yangu , Yang Chunyan , Liu Guangzeng , Chan Meiki , Liu Chuanxing , Zhang Dajun
Published: October 2019

Guided by the social‐ecological diathesis–stress model, this longitudinal study examined the roles of self‐esteem, parental attachment, and gender on the association between peer victimization and problem behaviors among Chinese early adolescents. A total of 466 Chinese middle school students (Mage = 12.8 years) completed measures of peer victimization, self‐esteem, and paternal and maternal attachment twice (T1 and T2; 6‐month interval). Their guardians also completed ratings on adolescents' problem behaviors at both T1 and T2. Results indicated that self‐esteem mediated the association between peer victimization and problem behaviors. Paternal attachment, but not maternal attachment, moderated the mediating effect of self‐esteem. Moreover, the moderating effect of maternal attachment on the association between peer victimization and self‐esteem varied depending on adolescents’ gender.
Thanks but No Thanks? Gratitude and Indebtedness Within Intergenerational Relations After Immigration
Authors: Turjanmaa Elina , Jasinskaja‐Lahti Inga
Published: October 2019

Objective

To explore how 1.5‐generation immigrant adolescents' feelings of gratitude and indebtedness toward their parents are manifested and shape their intergenerational relations after migration.

Background

The emotions of gratitude and indebtedness result from experiences of receiving and are central to the process of reciprocity. Although closely connected, gratitude and indebtedness are distinct and may have different consequences for intergenerational relations. The contextual nature of gratitude and indebtedness becomes particularly evident in immigration context.

Method

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 80 adolescents who were 1.5‐generation immigrants. Data analysis was guided by the grounded theory approach.

Results

Results comprise an evolving theory of adolescents' gratitude and indebtedness in intergenerational relations after family migration. In immigrant families, intergenerational relations are strained by a sense of indebtedness and bolstered by a sense of gratitude. That said, gratitude and indebtedness are also associated with ambivalence and intersect to affect intergenerational relations concurrently.

Conclusion

Emotions of gratitude and indebtedness toward parents are often experienced by immigrant adolescents after migration regardless of their cultural or ethnic background. These emotions shape intergenerational communication in immigrant families.

Implications

Social workers, teachers, integration services, and anyone working with immigrant families with teenagers may benefit from better understanding how adolescents experience gratitude and indebtedness within intergenerational relations and how these emotions are associated with parent–child relationship characteristics after migration.
Mechanisms of promiscuity among drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters
Authors: Atkins William M.
Published: October 2019

Detoxication, or ‘drug‐metabolizing’, enzymes and drug transporters exhibit remarkable substrate promiscuity and catalytic promiscuity. In contrast to substrate‐specific enzymes that participate in defined metabolic pathways, individual detoxication enzymes must cope with substrates of vast structural diversity, including previously unencountered environmental toxins. Presumably, evolution selects for a balance of ‘adequate’ kcat/KM values for a wide range of substrates, rather than optimizing kcat/KM for any individual substrate. However, the structural, energetic, and metabolic properties that achieve this balance, and hence optimize detoxication, are not well understood. Two features of detoxication enzymes that are frequently cited as contributions to promiscuity include the exploitation of highly reactive versatile cofactors, or cosubstrates, and a high degree of flexibility within the protein structure. This review examines these intuitive mechanisms in detail and clarifies the contributions of the classic ligand binding models ‘induced fit’ (IF) and ‘conformational selection’ (CS) to substrate promiscuity. The available literature data for drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters suggest that IF is exploited by these promiscuous detoxication enzymes, as it is with substrate‐specific enzymes, but the detoxication enzymes uniquely exploit ‘IFs’ to retain a wide range of substrates at their active sites. In contrast, whereas CS provides no catalytic advantage to substrate‐specific enzymes, promiscuous enzymes may uniquely exploit it to recruit a wide range of substrates. The combination of CS and IF, for recruitment and retention of substrates, can potentially optimize the promiscuity of drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters.
Land‐use controls on carbon biogeochemistry in lowland streams of the Congo Basin
Authors: Drake Travis W. , Podgorski David C. , Dinga Bienvenu , Chanton Jeffrey P. , Six Johan , Spencer Robert G. M.
Published: October 2019

The flux and composition of carbon (C) from land to rivers represents a critical component of the global C cycle as well as a powerful integrator of landscape‐level processes. In the Congo Basin, an expansive network of streams and rivers transport and cycle terrigenous C sourced from the largest swathe of pristine tropical forest on Earth. Increasing rates of deforestation and conversion to agriculture in the Basin are altering the current regime of terrestrial‐to‐aquatic biogeochemical cycling of C. To investigate the role of deforestation on dissolved organic and inorganic C (DOC and DIC, respectively) biogeochemistry in the Congo Basin, six lowland streams that drain catchments of varying forest proportion (12%–77%) were sampled monthly for 1 year. Annual mean concentrations of DOC exhibited an asymptotic response to forest loss, while DIC concentrations increased continuously with forest loss. The isotopic signature of DIC became significantly more enriched with deforestation, indicating a shift in source and processes controlling DIC production. The composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM), as revealed by ultra‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry, indicated that deforested catchments export relatively more aliphatic and heteroatomic DOM sourced from microbial biomass in soils. The DOM compositional results imply that DOM from the deforested sites is more biolabile than DOM from the forest, consistent with the corresponding elevated stream CO2 concentrations. In short, forest loss results in significant and comprehensive shifts in the C biogeochemistry of the associated streams. It is apparent that land‐use conversion has the potential to dramatically affect the C cycle in the Congo Basin by reducing the downstream flux of stable, vascular‐plant derived DOC while increasing the transfer of biolabile soil C to the atmosphere.
Biomonitoring of pharmacists and nurses at occupational risk from handling antineoplastic agents†
Authors: Santos Andreza Negreli , Oliveira Rodrigo Juliano , Pessatto Lucas Roberto , Gomes Roberto da Silva , Alberto Ferreira de Freitas Carlos
Published: October 2019

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of genetic lesions in pharmacists and nurses who prepare and/or handle antineoplastic agents and to evaluate whether there are traces of contaminants in the urine of these professionals.

Methods

A total of 59 professionals participated in the study, of which 10 were non-exposed professionals (controls), 25 were pharmacists, and 24 were nurses.

Key findings

There was a significant increase in genetic damage in lymphocytes and cells of the oral mucosa in both pharmacists and nurses. The levels of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide were also increased in the urine samples from those individuals. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the growing need for genetic biomonitoring and biomonitoring of trace antineoplastic agents in the urine of health professionals who prepare and/or handle antineoplastic agents.
Dual language input and the impact of language separation on early lexical development
Authors: Carbajal Maria Julia , Peperkamp Sharon
Published: October 2019

We examined properties of the input and the environment that characterize bilingual exposure in 11‐month‐old infants with a regular exposure to French and an additional language, and their possible effects on receptive vocabulary size. Using a diary method, we found that a majority of the families roughly followed a one‐parent–one‐language approach. Yet, the two languages co‐occurred to various extents within the same half‐hour both within and across speakers. We used exploratory correlation analyses to examine potential effects of the dual input on the size of infants’ vocabularies. The results revealed some evidence for an impact of language separation by speakers.
Analysis of survival and factors associated with failure of primary tooth pulpectomies performed under general anaesthesia in children from South China
Authors: Chen Yu , Li Huixian , Li Mianxiang , Yang Liuqing , Sun Qiyin , Chen Ke
Published: October 2019

Background

Pulpectomy is a technique recommended for treatment of irreversible pulp inflammation or necrosis. Treatment‐related variables and patient factors may affect the prognosis of pulpectomy.

Aim

To investigate the survival and related predictors associated with failure of pulpectomies performed under general anaesthesia for early childhood caries.

Design

Dental records of 124 patients, who underwent pulpectomy as part of comprehensive dental treatment under general anaesthesia, were reviewed and assessed. Relapse of pulpitis and periodontal periodontitis were evaluated by clinical examination and periapical film assessment at each follow‐up appointment after original treatment.

Results

A total of 389 teeth of 124 children were evaluated. By the end of the fourth year, 45% of teeth with pulpitis and 46% of teeth with periapical periodontitis were estimated to relapse; the median (interquartile range) number of years to relapse was 3.5 (3.4‐3.8) and 3.0 (1.8‐3.0) years, respectively. The follow‐up frequency, number of teeth extracted, plaque index, tooth position, type of restoration, pulp status, and quality of root canal filling were observed to have independent effects on relapse.

Conclusion

Recurrence came earlier in teeth diagnosed with periapical periodontitis than those with pulpitis. Both treatment‐related variables and patient factors could affect the prognosis of pulpectomy.
Ride sharing with flexible participants: a metaheuristic approach for large‐scale problems
Authors: Smet Pieter
Published: October 2019

Severe traffic congestion and growing ecological consciousness have led to the rise of alternative transportation systems. Ride sharing is one such alternative in which drivers and passengers with similar time schedules and travel plans are matched. For this service to be effective, a large number of users are required to increase the probability of finding suitable travel partners. The present paper proposes a late acceptance metaheuristic to decide which users act as drivers and to construct their routes. The underlying optimization model allows passengers to walk to/from alternative pickup/drop‐off locations so as to further exploit user flexibility. A computational study quantifies the impact of different types of participant flexibility on CO2 emissions. These insights can inform and support policymakers in organizing effective ride‐sharing systems.
The Russian Excellence Initiative for higher education: a nonparametric evaluation of short‐term results
Authors: Agasisti Tommaso , Shibanova Ekaterina , Platonova Daria , Lisyutkin Mikhail
Published: October 2019

This research studies the short‐term effects of the Russian Excellence Initiative Project 5–100 on participating universities. To trace the effect, we develop a quasi‐experimental methodology. A control group of universities comparable to the Project 5–100 universities at the starting point of the program's implementation was singled out using propensity score matching. Data envelopment analysis was conducted, and the Malmquist productivity index was calculated to trace how and why the efficiency of the “participants” and “nonparticipants” of the Project 5–100 has changed. We find statistically significant positive effects of the policy both on the productivity and on the efficiency of the participating universities.
Investigation of room‐temperature super‐stabilized suspension casting system mechanism
Authors: Marsico Carli A. , Orlicki Joshua A. , Blair Victoria L.
Published: October 2019

The investigation of a novel gel‐casting system using a water‐soluble co‐polymer of isobutylene and maleic anhydride (trade name ISOBAM) to elucidate its nontraditional gelling mechanism is described. This system enables ceramic slurries to gel at low binder concentrations (0.3‐0.5 wt%), producing a dense, near‐net shaped green body with high solids loading, low organic content, low shrinkage, and moderate strength. The nature of the stabilizing bonds formed during gelation were investigated using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, and rheological measurements which revealed that no covalent network was formed during gelation. It was concluded that the mechanism was based solely on weak interactions. As such, the ISOBAM casting system, and polymeric additive systems that behave similarly, represent a new class of near net‐shaped ceramic processing which could benefit a variety of applications, including ceramic additive manufacturing.
Ceritinib‐associated hyperglycemia in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database
Authors: Fujita Haruka , Murakami Takaaki , Tomoike Fumiaki , Yabe Daisuke , Inagaki Nobuya
Published: October 2019

Genetic rearrangements of anaplastic lymphoma kinase contribute to the pathogenesis of non‐small‐cell lung cancer; the anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor, ceritinib, is widely used, as it is effective even in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer resistant to other anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors. Although a case of possible ceritinib‐induced hyperglycemia was reported, the association of ceritinib with hyperglycemia remains to be investigated. Disproportionality analysis was carried out using the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report database, which contains all pharmacovigilance data based on spontaneous reports of adverse events between April 2004 and November 2018 to the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. The reporting odds ratio of ceritinib for hyperglycemia was 2.25 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24–4.08], whereas those of crizotinib and alectinib were 0.07 (95% CI 0.01–0.40) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.30–2.94), respectively. Among reported events without antidiabetes agent use, the reporting odds ratio of ceritinib was still 2.54 (95% CI 1.27–5.12). Thus, the possibility of hyperglycemia should be carefully monitored in patients receiving ceritinib.
Influence of Preparation Depth and Design on Stress Distribution in Maxillary Central Incisors Restored with Ceramic Veneers: A 3D Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Tsouknidas Alexandros , Karaoglani Eleni , Michailidis Nikolaos , Kugiumtzis Dimitris , Pissiotis Argiris , Michalakis Konstantinos
Published: October 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the influence of different preparation designs and depths on the stress field developed in maxillary central incisors restored with veneers made with different ceramic materials using finite element analysis (FEA).

Materials and Methods

A linear static three‐dimensional finite element analysis model was used with the aid of reverse engineering to develop digital models of maxillary central incisors restored with ceramic veneers, according to two different preparation depths (thin vs deep) and two different preparation designs (feather edge vs butt joint). Three ceramic systems were tested: (i) feldspathic porcelain, (ii) heat pressed glass ceramic IPS Empress 2 (Ivoclar Vivadent AG), and (iii) heat pressed glass ceramic IPS e.max‐Press (Ivoclar Vivadent AG). Each model was subjected to a compressive force of 200N applied to the palatal surface 2 mm below the incisal edge. The longitudinal axis of the restored tooth formed an angle of 130o with the direction of the force. The biomechanical behavior of the different models was examined according to the von Mises stress criterion. Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric confidence interval estimation using bootstrapping.

Results

The maximum observed stress values were calculated and found to be similar between prepared and intact teeth. The cervical margin of the veneers displayed the highest von Mises stress values. Irrespectively of the depth and preparation design, the biggest von Mises stress values were observed at the veneer structures with the following order: (i) IPS Empress 2, (ii) IPS e.max‐Press, (iii) feldspathic (p = 0.001). Preparation depth resulted in statistically significant differences (p = 0.001) in the stress distribution in the majority of tested structures. As the preparation depth was increased, the stresses within the veneer structure and the tooth structures were decreased. No statistically significant differences were detected in the stresses among the different restored models, when the preparation design was considered.

Conclusions

This FEA study suggests that ceramic veneers could restore the biomechanical behavior of prepared central incisors and made it similar of that of an intact tooth. Regardless of the preparation depth and design and the ceramic system used, the cervical margin of ceramic veneers presents the highest von Mises stress values. When feldspathic porcelain was compared with lithium disilicate (IPS e.max Press), the latter displayed the lowest transfer of stresses to dental tissues. An increase in preparation depth resulted in a statistically significant stress decrease in both the veneer and the tooth.
Effects of 20th‐century settlement fires on landscape structure and forest composition in eastern Quebec, Canada
Authors: Terrail Raphaële , Morin‐Rivat Julie , de Lafontaine Guillaume , Fortin Marie‐Josée , Arseneault Dominique
Published: October 2019

Questions

Which role did historical anthropogenic disturbances play in modifying the natural fire regime? To what extent have they shaped current forest? Do those disturbances have lingering impacts in the present‐day landscape? Are certain tree species related to former land use?

Location

eastern Quebec, Canada.

Methods

Spatial data on landscape structure, burnt areas, settlements, and forest patches were vectorized on an archival map dating back to 1938. For each landscape class, the total area, the number of polygons, and the proportion of the total landscape occupied by the largest polygon were analyzed according to elevation and to the Euclidean distance from the "settlement" polygons. An index of the spatial link between the landscape classes was calculated, based on the proportions of the perimeter of the polygons of each class shared with each of the other classes. A Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for pooled data was used to obtain the frequency distributions of landscape classes as a function of distance. The association between settlement fires and present‐day vegetation, and more specificallyPopulusandBetulastands, was tested by superimposing the most recent ecoforest map on the 1938 land‐use map. Distance bands on either side of the 1938 settlement front were delineated to calculate the proportion of each distance class occupied by present‐day aspen and birch stands.

Results

Anthropogenic fires generated a recognizable landscape pattern of land use. Burnt areas were mostly located within 2 km from a settlement. Most burnings observed on the 1938 map were human‐induced, based on their spatial connection with the settled areas. Lingering impacts of these 20th‐century fires on present‐day forests were identified using the peculiar spatial distribution of tree species. The presence and spatial distribution of aspen in the present‐day landscape is tightly associated with previously burnt areas.

Conclusions

Past land‐use strongly altered the natural fires regime and associated tree species. Current land‐use could potentially lead to increased degraded forest landscapes in the near future.
Inclusion of Research Materials When Submitting an Article to Language Learning
Authors: Marsden Emma , Crossley Scott , Ellis Nick , Kormos Judit , Morgan‐Short Kara , Thierry Guillaume
Published: October 2019

Building on initiatives to promote high quality methodologies and Open Science practices in the language sciences, Language Learning will request, as of January 1, 2020, that all submissions to the journal include, whenever possible, the full materials used in the study for peer review. This includes materials used to elicit and code primary and secondary data (such as questionnaires, language tests, interview or observation schedules, and coding schemas). These materials will be shared with reviewers to better inform the peer review process and ensure rigorous evaluation of the methods used. If the manuscript is accepted, authors will then be encouraged to make their materials available on an open, sustainable repository, though there is no requirement to do so. In this Editorial, we outline the benefits of this policy for the advancement of the language sciences and discuss some potential concerns that authors may have.
Toward the Implementation of Intersectionality in the European Multilevel Legal Praxis: B. S. v. Spain
Authors: La Barbera MariaCaterina , Cruells López Marta
Published: October 2019

This article identifies the factors that contribute to the successful implementation of intersectionality in European multilevel legal praxis through the analysis of the case B.S. v. Spain. Combining critical legal analysis of the main judicial documents with qualitative methodology from political science based on in-depth interviews with key actors involved in the case, we uncover the obstacles and opportunities existing at the national and supra-national levels for the implementation of intersectionality. We decipher the factors contributing to the exceptional success of this case through the conjoint analysis of macro, meso, and micro levels. Our analysis shows that a combination of the legal provisions, paradigms and structures, the roles of the different actors involved, and the applicant's subjective position made it possible to put intersectionality in practice. This study provides novel empirical evidence that contributes to advancing the theoretical debate about intersectionality implementation in the multilevel European context.
Human activities link fruit bat presence to Ebola virus disease outbreaks
Authors: Olivero Jesús , Fa Julia E. , Farfán Miguel Á. , Márquez Ana L. , Real Raimundo , Juste F. Javier , Leendertz Siv A. , Nasi Robert
Published: October 2019

A significant link between forest loss and fragmentation and outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in humans has been documented. Deforestation may alter the natural circulation of viruses and change the composition, abundance, behaviour and possibly viral exposure of reservoir species. This in turn might increase contact between infected animals and humans.

Fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae have been suspected as reservoirs of the Ebola virus. At present, the only evidence associating fruit bats with EVD is the presence of seropositive individuals in eight species and polymerase chain reaction‐positive individuals in three of these.

Our study investigates whether human activities can increase African fruit bat geographical ranges and whether this influence overlaps geographically with EVD outbreaks that, in turn, are favoured by deforestation.

We use species observation records for the 20 fruit bat species found in favourable areas for the Ebola virus to determine factors affecting the bats' range inside the predicted Ebola virus area. We do this by employing a hypothetico‐deductive approach based on favourability modelling.

We show that the range of some fruit bat species is linked to human activities within the favourable areas for the Ebola virus. More specifically, the areas where human activities favour the presence of five fruit bat species overlap with the areas where EVD outbreaks in humans were themselves favoured by deforestation. These five species are as follows: Eidolon helvum, Epomops franqueti, Megaloglossus woermanni, Micropteropus pusillus and Rousettus aegyptiacus. Of these five, all but Megaloglossus woermanni have recorded seropositive individuals. For the remaining 15 bat species, we found no biogeographical support for the hypothesis that positive human influence on fruit bats could be associated with EVD outbreaks in deforested areas within the tropical forest biome in West and Central Africa.

Our work is a useful first step allowing further investigation of the networks and pathways that may lead to an EVD outbreak. The modelling framework we employ here can be used for other emerging infectious diseases.
Cradles and museums of generic plant diversity across tropical Africa
Authors: Dagallier Léo‐Paul M. J. , Janssens Steven B. , Dauby Gilles , Blach‐Overgaard Anne , Mackinder Barbara A. , Droissart Vincent , Svenning Jens‐Christian , Sosef Marc S. M. , Stévart Tariq , Harris David J. , Sonké Bonaventure , Wieringa Jan J. , Hardy Olivier J. , Couvreur Thomas L. P.
Published: October 2019

Determining where species diversify (cradles) and persist (museums) over evolutionary time is fundamental to understanding the distribution of biodiversity and for conservation prioritization. Here, we identify cradles and museums of angiosperm generic diversity across tropical Africa, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.

Regions containing nonrandom concentrations of young (neo‐) and old (paleo‐) endemic taxa were identified using distribution data of 1719 genera combined with a newly generated time‐calibrated mega‐phylogenetic tree. We then compared the identified regions with the current network of African protected areas (PAs).

At the generic level, phylogenetic diversity and endemism are mainly concentrated in the biogeographically complex region of Eastern Africa. We show that mountainous areas are centres of both neo‐ and paleo‐endemism. By contrast, the Guineo‐Congolian lowland rain forest region is characterized by widespread and old lineages. We found that the overlap between centres of phylogenetic endemism and PAs is high (> 85%).

We show the vital role played by mountains acting simultaneously as cradles and museums of tropical African plant biodiversity. By contrast, lowland rainforests act mainly as museums for generic diversity. Our study shows that incorporating large‐scale taxonomically verified distribution datasets and mega‐phylogenies lead to an improved understanding of tropical plant biodiversity evolution.
COP1 and BBXs‐HY5‐mediated light signal transduction in plants
Authors: Xu Dongqing
Published: October 2019

Light is one of the most essential environmental factors affecting many aspects of growth and developmental processes in plants. Plants undergo skotomorphogenic or photomorphogenic development dependent on the absence or presence of light. These two developmental programs enable a germinated seed to become a healthy seedling at the early stage of the plant life cycle. CULLIN 4‐DNA DAMAGE‐BINDING PROTEIN 1 (DDB1)‐based CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC 1 (COP1)‐SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA and COP10‐DEETIOLATED 1‐DDB1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes promote the skotomorphogenesis by ubiquitinating and degrading a number of photomorphogenic‐promoting factors in darkness. Photoreceptors sense and transduce light information to downstream signaling, thereby initiating a set of molecular events and subsequent photomorphogenesis. These processes are precisely modulated by a group of components including various photoreceptors, E3 ubiquitin ligase, and transcription factors at the molecular level. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the COP1, ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5, and B‐BOX CONTAINING PROTEINs‐mediated light signal transduction pathway and highlights still open questions in the field.
Identifying the Prognosis Factors and Predicting the Survival Probability in Patients with Non‐Metastatic Chondrosarcoma from the SEER Database
Authors: Huang Runzhi , Sun Zhao , Zheng Huimin , Yan Penghui , Hu Peng , Yin Huabin , Zhang Jie , Meng Tong , Huang Zongqaing
Published: October 2019

Objective

To identify prognostic factors and establish nomograms for predicting overall survival (OS) and cause specific survival (CSS) of patients with non‐metastatic chondrosarcoma.

Methods

We collected information on patients with non‐metastatic chondrosarcoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2005 and 2014, together with data from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from 2011 to 2016. Variables including patients’ baseline demographics (age, race, and gender), tumor characteristics (tumor size and extension, histology subtype, primary site, and American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] stage), therapy (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy), and socioeconomic status (SES) were extracted for further analysis. OS and CSS were retrieved as our researching endpoints. Patients from the database were regarded as the training set, and univariate analysis, Lasso regression and multivariate analysis as well as the random forest were used to explore the predictors and establish nomograms. To validate nomograms internally and externally, we applied bootstrapped validation internally with the training dataset, while the dataset for external validation was obtained from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. We estimated the discriminative ability of nomograms based on Cox proportional hazard regression models by means of calibration curves and the concordance index (C‐index) of internal and external validation.

Results

After the implementation of exclusion criteria, there were 1267 patients in the training set and 72 patients in the testing set with non‐metastatic chondrosarcomas. Age, gender, grade, histological subtype, primary site, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, being employed/unemployed, tumor size, and tumor extension were significantly associated with prognosis in the univariate analysis. Age, gender, tumor size and extension, primary site, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, histological grade, and subtype were independent prognostic factors in the Cox models. The C‐index of nomograms (internal: OS, 0.787; CSS, 0.821; external: OS, 0.777; CSS, 0.821) were higher than following conventional systems: AJCC sixth (OS, 0.640; CSS, 0.673) and seventh edition (OS, 0.675; CSS, 0.711).

Conclusions

Age, gender, tumor size and extension, surgery, histological grade, and subtype were independent prognostic factors for both OS and CSS. In addition, we revealed that chondrosarcomas in the trunk, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were correlated with poor prognosis. Our nomograms based on significant clinicopathologic features can well predict the 3‐year and 5‐year survival probability of patients with non‐metastatic chondrosarcoma and assist oncologists in making accurate survival evaluation.
Risk Factors for Persistent Shoulder Pain After Cervical Spine Surgery
Authors: Kholinne Erica , Kwak Jae‐Man , Sun Yucheng , Lee Hyun‐Joo , Koh Kyoung Hwan , Jeon In‐Ho
Published: October 2019

Objective

To define risk factors of having persistent shoulder pain following cervical spine surgery.

Methods

From April 1995 to May 2012, 862 patients underwent cervical spine surgery in a tertiary referral university hospital. Ninety‐six patients were referred to a shoulder surgeon for persistent shoulder pain over 3 months after cervical spine surgery. Thirty‐five were excluded from the study due to failure to follow‐up or lack of radiographic data. We analyzed a total of 61 patients as patient group (PG) compared to age, sex, and surgeon matched control group (CG) with no shoulder pain after surgery. Medical records were reviewed for age, sex, level of cervical surgery, approach of cervical surgery, underlying medical problems, final diagnosis of the shoulder pathology, and shoulder visual analog scale (VAS) score. The pre‐ and post‐operative variables for level of cervical surgery, approach of cervical surgery, underlying medical history, and shoulder VAS were compared and analyzed in this study.

Results

The number of patients with lower cervical level surgery was significantly higher (91 patients, 74.6%) compared to upper cervical level surgery (31 patients, 25.4%) (P = 0.005). Anterior approach was more frequently used (70 patients, 57.3%) compared to posterior approach (52 patients, 42.7%) (P < 0.001). The final diagnosis of shoulder pathology in PG were rotator cuff disease in 31 patients, adhesive capsulitis in 18 patients, and calcific tendinitis in 10 patients respectively. No significant difference for preoperative shoulder VAS score was found in both groups. A lower level of cervical spine pathology in patients (C4‐T1 level) and posterior approach surgery were factors that significantly presented with more shoulder pain. Subgroup analysis revealed no statistical difference for level of cervical surgery and approach of cervical surgery among groups with different shoulder pathology.

Conclusions

The current study includes patients with persistent shoulder pain following cervical surgery without having evidence of concurrent preexisting shoulder pathology documented previously. We suggest that posterior approach and lower level of cervical surgery patients could be clinically relevant risk factors for persistent shoulder pain following cervical spine surgery.
Comparison of Superior‐Level Facet Joint Violations Between Robot‐Assisted Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement and Conventional Open Fluoroscopic‐Guided Pedicle Screw Placement
Authors: Zhang Qi , Xu Yun‐Feng , Tian Wei , Le Xiao‐Feng , Liu Bo , Liu Ya‐Jun , He Da , Sun Yu‐Qin , Yuan Qiang , Lang Zhao , Han Xiao‐Guang
Published: October 2019

Objective

To compare the superior‐level facet joint violations (FJV) between robot‐assisted (RA) percutaneous pedicle screw placement and conventional open fluoroscopic‐guided (FG) pedicle screw placement in a prospective cohort study.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study without randomization. One‐hundred patients scheduled to undergo RA (n= 50) or FG (n= 50) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion were included from February 2016 to May 2018. The grade of FJV, the distance between pedicle screws and the corresponding proximal facet joint, and intra‐pedicle accuracy of the top screw were evaluated based on postoperative CT scan. Patient demographics, perioperative outcomes, and radiation exposure were recorded and compared. Perioperative outcomes include surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative length of stay, conversion, and revision surgeries.

Results

Of the 100 screws in the RA group, 4 violated the proximal facet joint, while 26 of 100 in the FG group had FJV (P= 0.000). In the RA group, 3 and 1 screws were classified as grade 1 and 2, respectively. Of the 26 FJV screws in the FG group, 17 screws were scored as grade 1, 6 screws were grade 2, and 3 screws were grade 3. Significantly more severe FJV were noted in the FG group than in the RA group (P= 0.000). There was a statistically significant difference between RA and FG for overall violation grade (0.05vs0.38,P= 0.000). The average distance of pedicle screws from facet joints in the RA group (4.16 ± 2.60 mm) was larger than that in the FG group (1.92 ± 1.55 mm;P= 0.000). For intra‐pedicle accuracy, the rate of perfect screw position was greater in the RA group than in the FG group (85%vs71%;P= 0.017). No statistically significant difference was found between the clinically acceptable screws between groups (P= 0.279). The radiation dose was higher in the FG group (30.3 ± 11.3vs65.3 ± 28.3 μSv;P= 0.000). The operative time in the RA group was significantly longer (184.7 ± 54.3vs117.8 ± 36.9 min;P= 0.000).

Conclusions

Compared to the open FG technique, minimally invasive RA spine surgery was associated with fewer proximal facet joint violations, larger facet to screw distance, and higher intra‐pedicle accuracy.
Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Aspirin and Rivaroxaban Following Enoxaparin Treatment for Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism after Hip Fracture Surgery
Authors: Huang Qiang , Xing Shu‐xing , Zeng Yi , Si Hai‐bo , Zhou Zong‐ke , Shen Bin
Published: October 2019

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of aspirin with rivaroxaban following treatment with enoxaparin for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after hip fracture surgery (HFS).

Methods

A total of 390 patients were enrolled in the trial. According to an odd or even number at the end of their registration number, the patients were divided into the aspirin group (n = 198) and the rivaroxaban group (n = 192). All patients were given enoxaparin subcutaneous injection after the operation and returned to the routine dose the next day until postoperative day five. The patients in the aspirin group received an additional 16 days of thromboprophylaxis with 100 mg of aspirin once daily. The rivaroxaban group was assigned to receive an additional 16 days of thromboprophylaxis with 10 mg of oral rivaroxaban once daily. Patients were followed for 90 days regarding VTE and bleeding complications.

Results

The incidence of VTE in the aspirin group and rivaroxaban group was 6.6% (13/198) and 5.7% (11/192), respectively (P = 0.83). The rate of major bleeding events occurred in two (1.0%) patients in the aspirin group and in one patient (0.5%) in the rivaroxaban group (P = 1.0). A combination of major bleeding and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding occurred in five patients (2.5%) in the aspirin group and in six patients (3.1%) in the rivaroxaban group (P = 0.77). During the 90‐day follow‐up, a pulmonary embolism developed in one patient (0.5%) in the aspirin group and none in the rivaroxaban group (P = 1.0).

Conclusions

Extended prophylaxis for 21 days with aspirin was equivalent to the direct oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban after hip fracture surgery with an initial 5‐day postoperative course of enoxaparin. Aspirin may be an effective, safe, convenient, and cheap alternative for extended prophylaxis after hip fracture surgery.
Thirsty work: Exploring children's experiences of preoperative fasting
Authors: Al‐Robeye Arwa Mohammed , Barnard Anna Nicole , Bew Stephanie
Published: October 2019

Background

Preoperative fasting is performed to reduce aspiration risk during general anesthesia. Recommendations are that patients should fast for 6 hours from solids and nonhuman milk, 4 hours from breast milk, and 2 hours from clear fluids. However, previous studies have shown that children fast far in excess of these times, which can result in perioperative complications and unnecessary discomfort for the child.

Aims

This prospective, mixed‐methods study aims to explore the experiences of pediatric patients undergoing preoperative fasting in Leeds General Infirmary. It also aims to investigate fasting durations of these patients and factors which influence these.

Methods

Over 2 weeks, surveys were distributed to all parents of elective pediatric patients and completed prior to their child being called to theater. Children over the age of six were offered a child survey, which had been specifically developed for the study, with visual Likert scales and an area for free text. The gathering of children's comments about their experience of preoperative fasting is unique to this study.

Results

Seventy‐one parent surveys and 48 child surveys were completed, with a mean patient age of 8.3 years (SD 4.1). The mean preoperative fasting time for food was 11.7 hours (SD 4.4) and 6.9 hours (SD 5.0) for fluids. Fasting times were far in excess of the minimums recommended, negatively impacting patient experience with 34% reporting being hungry/very hungry and 19% thirsty/very thirsty. Most children's comments suggested that they coped well with the fasting; however, several children reported feelings of sadness and anxiety.

Conclusion

Preoperative fasting times in pediatric patients far exceed the durations set by international guidelines. Given that many children reported extreme feelings of hunger and thirst or emotional effects from the fast, these durations need to be optimized in order to improve patient experience.
The Extent of Pain Is Associated With Signs of Central Sensitization in Patients With Hip Osteoarthritis
Authors: Willett Matthew J. , Siebertz Mathias , Petzke Frank , Erlenwein Joachim , Rushton Alison , Soldini Emiliano , Barbero Marco , Falla Deborah
Published: October 2019

Background

Central sensitization may be present in some patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA), often reflected as widespread pain. We examine the association between pain extent with signs of central sensitization and other clinical and psychological features in patients with hip OA.

Methods

Thirty patients with hip OA were recruited for this cross‐sectional observational study. Participants completed pain drawings on a digital tablet, which displayed frontal and dorsal views of the body. The pain extent (%) for each participant was determined by combining the frontal and dorsal pixels shaded and dividing by the total pixels of the body chart area. Participants completed patient‐reported outcome measures to assess for signs and symptoms of central sensitization and psychosocial factors. Quantitative sensory testing including pain pressure thresholds (PPTs) and thermal pressure thresholds was performed at points anatomically local and distant from the hip.

Results

Women had significantly greater pain extent (6.71%) than men (2.65%) (z = −2.76, P < 0.01). Across all participants, increased pain extent was significantly associated with higher scores on the Widespread Pain Index (r2 = 0.426, P < 0.05), painDETECT questionnaire (r2 = 0.394, P < 0.05), and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (r2 = 0.413, P < 0.05), and with lower PPTs at the thenar eminence (r2 = −0.410, P < 0.05), vastus lateralis (r2 = −0.530, P < 0.01), vastus medialis (r2 = 0.363, P < 0.05), and greater trochanter (r2 = −0.373, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Greater pain extent was associated with several measures of signs and symptoms of central sensitization in patients with hip OA. These results support the utility of the pain drawing for identifying signs of central sensitization in patients with hip OA.
The exocyst is required for melanin exocytosis from melanocytes and transfer to keratinocytes
Authors: Moreiras Hugo , Pereira Francisco J. C. , Neto Matilde V. , Bento‐Lopes Liliana , Festas Tiago C. , Seabra Miguel C. , Barral Duarte C.
Published: October 2019

Skin pigmentation involves the production of the pigment melanin by melanocytes, in melanosomes and subsequent transfer to keratinocytes. Within keratinocytes, melanin polarizes to the apical perinuclear region to form a protective cap, shielding the DNA from ultraviolet radiation‐induced damage. Previously, we found evidence to support the exocytosis by melanocytes of the melanin core, termed melanocore, followed by endo/phagocytosis by keratinocytes as a main form of transfer, with Rab11b playing a key role in the process. Here, we report the requirement for the exocyst tethering complex in melanocore exocytosis and transfer to keratinocytes. We observed that the silencing of the exocyst subunits Sec8 or Exo70 impairs melanocore exocytosis from melanocytes, without affecting melanin synthesis. Moreover, we confirmed by immunoprecipitation that Rab11b interacts with Sec8 in melanocytes. Furthermore, we found that the silencing of Sec8 or Exo70 in melanocytes impairs melanin transfer to keratinocytes. These results support our model as melanocore exocytosis from melanocytes is essential for melanin transfer to keratinocytes and skin pigmentation and suggest that the role of Rab11b in melanocore exocytosis is mediated by the exocyst.