bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring adverse social and medical events in public health trials: assessing predictors and interpretation against a proposed model of adverse event reporting
Authors: Moody Gwenllian , Addison Katy , Cannings-John Rebecca , Sanders Julia , Wallace Carolyn , Robling Michael
Published: December 2019

Background

Although adverse event (AE) monitoring in trials focusses on medical events, social outcomes may be important in public or social care trials. We describe our approach to reporting and categorising medical and other AE reports, using a case study trial. We explore predictors of medical and social AEs, and develop a model for conceptualising safety monitoring.

Methods

The Building Blocks randomised controlled trial of specialist home visiting recruited 1618 first-time mothers aged 19 years or under at 18 English sites. Event reports collected during follow-up were independently reviewed and categorised as either Medical (standard Good Clinical Practice definition), or Social (trial-specific definition). A retrospectively developed system was created to classify AEs. Univariate analyses explored the association between baseline participant and study characteristics and the subsequent reporting of events. Factors significantly associated at this stage were progressed to binary logistic regressions to assess independent predictors.

Results

A classification system was derived for reported AEs that distinguished between Medical or Social AEs. One thousand, three hundred and fifteen event reports were obtained for mothers or their babies (1033 Medical, 257 Social). Allocation to the trial intervention arm was associated with increased likelihood of Medical rather than Social AE reporting. Poorer baseline psycho-social status predicted both Medical and Social events, and poorer psycho-social status better predicted Social rather than Medical events. Baseline predictors of Social AEs included being younger at recruitment (OR = 0.78 (CI = 0.67 to 0.90), p = 0.001), receiving benefits (OR = 1.60 (CI = 1.09 to 2.35), p = 0.016), and having a higher antisocial behaviour score (OR = 1.22 (CI = 1.09 to 1.36), p < 0.001). Baseline predictors of Medical AEs included having a limiting long-term illness (OR = 1.37 (CI = 1.01 to 1.88), p = 0.046), poorer mental health (OR = 1.03 (CI = 1.01 to 1.05), p = 0.004), and being in the intervention arm of the trial (OR = 1.34 (CI = 1.07 to 1.70), p = 0.012).

Conclusions

Continuity between baseline and subsequent adverse experiences was expected despite potentially beneficial intervention impact. We hypothesise that excess events reported for intervention-arm participants is likely attributable to surveillance bias. We interpreted our findings against a new model that explicates processes that may drive event occurrence, presentation and reporting. Focussing only upon Medical events may miss the well-being and social circumstances that are important for interpreting intervention safety and participant management.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, ID: ISRCTN23019866. Registered on 20 April 2009.
Microglia in the developing retina
Authors: Li Fenge , Jiang Danye , Samuel Melanie A.
Published: December 2019

Microglia are increasingly shown to be key players in neuron development and synapse connectivity. However, the underlying mechanisms by which microglia regulate neuron function remain poorly understood in part because such analysis is challenging in the brain where neurons and synapses are intermingled and connectivity is only beginning to be mapped. Here, we discuss the features and function of microglia in the ordered mammalian retina where the laminar organization of neurons and synapses facilitates such molecular studies. We discuss microglia origins and consider the evidence for molecularly distinct microglia subpopulations and their potential for differential roles with a particular focus on the early stages of retina development. We then review the models and methods used for the study of these cells and discuss emerging data that link retina microglia to the genesis and survival of particular retina cell subtypes. We also highlight potential roles for microglia in shaping the development and organization of the vasculature and discuss cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in this process. Such insights may help resolve the mechanisms by which retinal microglia impact visual function and help guide studies of related features in brain development and disease.
The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis, grading and treatment of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis
Authors: Chen Qianglin , Zhang Jianqiang , Zheng Ting , Chen Hui , Nie Hao , Zheng Bing , Gong Quan
Published: December 2019

Schistosomiasis is a prevalent parasitic disease worldwide. The main pathological changes of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis are hepatic granuloma and fibrosis due to worm eggs. Portal hypertension and ascites induced by hepatic fibrosis are usually the main causes of death in patients with chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Currently, no effective vaccine exists for preventing schistosome infections. For quite a long time, praziquantel (PZQ) was widely used for the treatment of schistosomiasis and has shown benefit in treating liver fibrosis. However, drug resistance and chemical toxicity from PZQ are being increasingly reported in recent years; therefore, new and effective strategies for treating schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis are urgently needed. MicroRNA (miRNA), a non-coding RNA, has been proved to be associated with the development of many human diseases, including schistosomiasis. In this review, we present a balanced and comprehensive view of the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis, grading, and treatment of schistosomiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis. The multiple regulatory roles of miRNAs, such as promoting or inhibiting the development of liver pathology in murine schistosomiasis are also discussed in depth. Additionally, miRNAs may serve as candidate biomarkers for diagnosing liver pathology of schistosomiasis and as novel therapeutic targets for treating schistosomiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis.
Unique primed status of microglia under the systemic autoimmune condition of lupus-prone mice
Authors: Nomura Atsushi , Noto Daisuke , Murayama Goh , Chiba Asako , Miyake Sachiko
Published: December 2019

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the production of various autoantibodies. This disease causes disabling neuropsychiatric symptoms even in the absence of apparent inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS), but the mechanisms involved remain unknown. Innate immune-mediated inflammation has attracted attention as a pathogenic mechanism in neuropsychiatric diseases.

Methods

We investigated the CNS of lupus-prone mice focusing on innate immunity. Three strains of lupus-prone mice, FcγRIIB−/−Yaa, an F1 hybrid of NZB and NZW (NZB/NZW) mice, and MRL/Faslpr (MRL/lpr) mice were used to analyze CNS immunopathology.

Results

Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated the numbers of brain CD45+ cells were increased compared with controls in lupus-prone mice. Upregulation of MHC class I and PDCA1 was observed in microglia and CD11b+ myeloid cells of lupus-prone mice, indicating they were activated in response to interferons (IFN). Microglial gene expression analysis of FcγRIIB−/−Yaa mice revealed the upregulation of IFN-responsive genes and inflammation-related genes including Axl, Clec7a, and Itgax, which were previously reported in neurodegenerative conditions and primed conditions. Upregulated chemokine gene expressions including Ccl5 and Cxcl10 were concurrent with increased numbers of T cells and monocytes, especially Ly6Clo monocytes in the CNS. Upregulation of Axl, Clec7a, Itgax, Ccl5, and Cxcl10 was also observed in NZB/NZW mice, indicating common lupus pathology. The primed status of microglia in FcγRIIB−/−Yaa mice was also demonstrated by morphological changes such as enlarged cell bodies with hypertrophic processes, and hyperreactivity to lipopolysaccharide. Immunohistochemistry of FcγRIIB−/−Yaa mice indicated reactive responses of astrocytes and vascular endothelium. Behavioral studies of FcγRIIB−/−Yaa mice revealed depressive-like behavior and heat hyperalgesia in the forced swim test and the tail-flick test, respectively.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that microglia in lupus exhibit a unique primed phenotype characterized by the upregulated expressions of neurodegeneration-related genes and IFN-responsive genes. Interaction with peripheral cells and brain resident cells was presumed to orchestrate neuroinflammation. Targeting innate immune cells, such as microglia and monocytes, may be a promising therapeutic approach for neuropsychiatric SLE.
MMP-2 salivary activity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Arreguin-Cano Juan Antonio , Ayerdi-Nájera Brenda , Tacuba-Saavedra Arvey , Navarro-Tito Napoleón , Dávalos-Martínez Alfonso , Emigdio-Vargas Abel , Barrera-Rodríguez Elia , Blanco-García Nubia , Gutiérrez-Venegas Gloria , Ventura-Molina Elías , León-Dorantes Gladys
Published: December 2019

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases with a bidirectional relationship. The uncontrolled levels of glucose in T2DM patients change the pathophysiology and balance of inflammatory mediators. Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) is a zinc-dependent endopeptidase that is responsible for tissue remodeling and degradation of the extracellular matrix in periodontal tissue. Therefore, the uncontrolled levels of glucose in T2DM could lead to an imbalance in MMP-2 activity in saliva, favoring the development of periodontitis.

Methods

Ninety-seven T2DM patients from Hospital Dr. Donato Alarcon were included in the study. Following clinical examination, the patients were classified into four groups according to the presence and degree of periodontal disease and glycemic control. Blood and whole saliva samples (WSS) were collected from each patient. Blood samples were used for Hba1c and polymorphonuclear cells count determination, while WSS were used to determine MMP-2 activity, TIMP-1 and nitrite. MMP-2 activity was determined by zymography. TIMP-1 were determined by Western blotting, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined by the Griess method.

Results

Of the 97 patients with T2DM, 66 had periodontitis of different severities: 18 patients had mild periodontitis, 15 had moderate and 33 had severe. Salivary MMP-2 activity, HbA1c and TIMP-1 were positively correlated with the severity of periodontitis. On the other hand, the increase in HbA1c was negatively correlated with MMP-2 activity and quantity of TIMP-1 but was positively correlated with nitrite levels.

Conclusions

T2DM with glycemic uncontrol conditions, distinct clinical alterations in periodontal tissue were identified, including a decrease in the gingival redness, increased the clinical attachment loss and imbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-1, as the possible causes of disorders promoting the progression of periodontitis. Accelerated periodontitis development with poor glycemic uncontrol likely results from the altered response of host defenses and decreased activity of polymorphonuclear cells. Taken together, these findings identify MMP-2 as a promising molecular market for periodontitis.
Silencing or inhibition of H3K79 methyltransferase DOT1L induces cell cycle arrest by epigenetically modulating c-Myc expression in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yang Liqun , Lei Qian , Li Lin , Yang Jie , Dong Zhen , Cui Hongjuan
Published: December 2019

Background

Epigenetic regulations play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis and cancer development. Disruptor of telomeric silencing-1-like (DOT1L), also known as KMT4, is the only identified histone methyltransferase that catalyzes the mono-, di-, and tri-methylation of lysine 79 histone 3 (H3K79). However, little is known about the effect of H3K79 methylation on the modulation of colorectal cancer (CRC) development.

Methods

DOT1L expression profiles in different subgroups of CRC tissues and its clinical significances were analyzed from some online datasheets. DOT1L in CRC cell lines was silenced by either lentivirus-mediated knockdown or inhibited by its specific inhibitor, EPZ004777. Then cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, BrdU assay, and soft agar assay; cell cycle was detected by cytometry; and tumorigenicity was detected by using nude mice xenograft models. Clinical co-expression was analyzed between DOT1L and c-Myc. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to determine whether the translation of c-Myc was epigenetically regulated by H3K79me2 induced by DOT1L. c-Myc overexpression was used to rescue the cell cycle arrest and tumor growth induced by DOT1L silencing or inhibition in CRC.

Results

We found that DOT1L was highly expressed in colorectal cancer and was negatively related to the prognosis of patients with CRC. Silencing or inhibition of DOT1L blocked cell proliferation, BrdU incorporation, self-renewal capability in vitro, and tumorigenicity in vivo. Besides, inhibition or silencing of DOT1L also induced cell cycle arrest at S phase, as well as decreased the expression of CDK2 and Cyclin A2. Furthermore, in the clinical databases of CRC, we found that the expression of DOT1L was positively correlated with that of c-Myc, a major regulator in the upstream of cell cycle–related factors. Besides, c-Myc expression was downregulated after DOT1L knockdown and c-Myc restoration rescued decrease of cell proliferation, BrdU corporation, self-renewal capability, cell cycle progression in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo induced by DOT1L silencing. Then we found that H3K79 methylation was decreased after DOT1L knockdown. ChIP assay showed that H3K79me2 was enriched on the – 682~+ 284 region of c-Myc promoter, and the enrichment was decreased after DOT1L inhibition.

Conclusions

Our results show that DOT1L epigenetically promotes the transcription of c-Myc via H3K79me2. DOT1L silencing or inhibition induces cell cycle arrest at S phase. DOT1L is a potential marker for colorectal cancer and EPZ004777 may be a potential drug for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
APOE2 orchestrated differences in transcriptomic and lipidomic profiles of postmortem AD brain
Authors: Lefterov Iliya , Wolfe Cody M. , Fitz Nicholas F. , Nam Kyong Nyon , Letronne Florent , Biedrzycki Richard J. , Kofler Julia , Han Xianlin , Wang Jianing , Schug Jonathan , Koldamova Radosveta
Published: December 2019

Background

The application of advanced sequencing technologies and improved mass-spectrometry platforms revealed significant changes in gene expression and lipids in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain. The results so far have prompted further research using “multi-omics” approaches. These approaches become particularly relevant, considering the inheritance ofAPOEε4allele as a major genetic risk factor of AD, disease protective effect ofAPOEε2allele, and a major role of APOE in brain lipid metabolism.

Methods

Postmortem brain samples from inferior parietal lobule genotyped asAPOEε2/c(APOEε2/carriers),APOEε3/3, andAPOEε4/c (APOEε4/carriers), age- and gender-matched, were used to revealAPOEallele-associated changes in transcriptomes and lipidomes. Differential gene expression and co-expression network analyses were applied to identify up- and downregulated Gene Ontology (GO) terms and pathways for correlation to lipidomics data.

Results

Significantly affected GO terms and pathways were determined based on the comparisons ofAPOEε2/cdatasets to those ofAPOEε3/3andAPOEε4/cbrain samples. The analysis of lists of genes in highly correlated network modules and of those differentially expressed demonstrated significant enrichment in GO terms associated with genes involved in intracellular proteasomal and lysosomal degradation of proteins, protein aggregates and organelles, ER stress, and response to unfolded protein, as well as mitochondrial function, electron transport, and ATP synthesis. Small nucleolar RNA coding units important for posttranscriptional modification of mRNA and therefore translation and protein synthesis were upregulated inAPOEε2/cbrain samples compared to bothAPOEε3/3andAPOEε4/c. The analysis of lipidomics datasets revealed significant changes in ten major lipid classes (exclusively a decrease inAPOEε4/csamples), most notably non-bilayer-forming phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid, as well as mitochondrial membrane-forming lipids.

Conclusions

The results of this study, despite the advanced stage of AD, point to the significant differences in postmortem brain transcriptomes and lipidomes, suggestingAPOEallele associated differences in pathogenic mechanisms. Correlations within and between lipidomes and transcriptomes indicate coordinated effects of changes in the proteasomal system and autophagy—canonical and selective, facilitating intracellular degradation, protein entry into ER, response to ER stress, nucleolar modifications of mRNA, and likely myelination inAPOEε2/cbrains. Additional research and a better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of proteostasis in the early stages of AD are required to develop more effective diagnostic approaches and eventually efficient therapeutic strategies.
Kimura’s disease affecting multiple body parts in a 57-year-old female patient: a case report
Authors: Yu Bo , Xu Guoxing , Liu Xiaofan , Yin Wen , Chen Hao , Sun Baoqing
Published: December 2019

Background

Kimura’s disease (KD) is a rare chronic inflammatory disease with unknown etiology. It usually manifests as a painless soft tissue mass or subcutaneous nodule on one side of the patient’s head and/or neck and rarely affects multiple parts of the body. The disease is more common among young Asian males.

Case presentation

A 57-year-old Chinese woman complained of multiple masses on her body surface. Ultrasonography was used to examine the retroperitoneal, bilateral neck, bilateral supraclavicular, bilateral axillary, and bilateral inguinal superficial lymph nodes. Enlargement of multiple lymph nodes was found in all areas. Many solid nodules were also found in the right parotid gland and right posterior neck area, respectively. Numerous solid nodules were seen on the left chest wall. Laboratory tests showed that the percentage of eosinophils in the whole blood was 39.40%, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level was > 5000 kU/L, and serum special IgE to Phadiatop (inhaled allergens) and fx5 (food allergens) were 1.01 and 1.04 kUA/L, respectively. After a complete examination, the masses located in the right neck, retroauricular and left axillary regions, and left chest wall were resected directly. Postoperative pathological findings revealed KD.

Conclusions

The case discussed in this study is extremely rare and did not meet the common affected areas and age characteristics of KD. This presentation can be used to improve disease awareness among physicians.
Cellular and molecular characterization of multiplex autism in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons
Authors: Lewis Emily M. A. , Meganathan Kesavan , Baldridge Dustin , Gontarz Paul , Zhang Bo , Bonni Azad , Constantino John N. , Kroll Kristen L.
Published: December 2019

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with pronounced heritability in the general population. This is largely attributable to the effects of polygenic susceptibility, with inherited liability exhibiting distinct sex differences in phenotypic expression. Attempts to model ASD in human cellular systems have principally involved rare de novo mutations associated with ASD phenocopies. However, by definition, these models are not representative of polygenic liability, which accounts for the vast share of population-attributable risk.

Methods

Here, we performed what is, to our knowledge, the first attempt to model multiplex autism using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in a family manifesting incremental degrees of phenotypic expression of inherited liability (absent, intermediate, severe). The family members share an inherited variant of uncertain significance (VUS) inGPD2, a gene that was previously associated with developmental disability but here is insufficient by itself to cause ASD. iPSCs from three first-degree relatives and an unrelated control were differentiated into both cortical excitatory (cExN) and cortical inhibitory (cIN) neurons, and cellular phenotyping and transcriptomic analysis were conducted.

Results

cExN neurospheres from the two affected individuals were reduced in size, compared to those derived from unaffected related and unrelated individuals. This reduction was, at least in part, due to increased apoptosis of cells from affected individuals upon initiation of cExN neural induction. Likewise, cIN neural progenitor cells from affected individuals exhibited increased apoptosis, compared to both unaffected individuals. Transcriptomic analysis of both cExN and cIN neural progenitor cells revealed distinct molecular signatures associated with affectation, including the misregulation of suites of genes associated with neural development, neuronal function, and behavior, as well as altered expression of ASD risk-associated genes.

Conclusions

We have provided evidence of morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic signatures of polygenic liability to ASD from an analysis of cellular models derived from a multiplex autism family. ASD is commonly inherited on the basis of additive genetic liability. Therefore, identifying convergent cellular and molecular phenotypes resulting from polygenic and monogenic susceptibility may provide a critical bridge for determining which of the disparate effects of rare highly deleterious mutations might also apply to common autistic syndromes.
Circ_0001667 promotes breast cancer cell proliferation and survival via Hippo signal pathway by regulating TAZ
Authors: Geng Zhongli , Wang Wei , Chen Hui , Mao Jianya , Li Zhenguo , Zhou Jing
Published: December 2019

Background

Breast cancer is a most common type of cancer in women. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in cancer development and progression, but their roles and regulatory mechanisms are unclear in breast cancer. Our previous study indicated that has_circ_0001667 (circ_0001667) was up-regulated in breast cancer from the array and might play an oncogenic role, however, the roles of circ_0001667 were not known. This study was aimed to investigate the role and the underlying molecular mechanism of circ_0001667 in breast cancer.

Results

The real-time PCR result showed that circ_0001667 was overexpressed in breast cancer tissues or cell lines compared to the adjacent normal tissues or normal cells. There was a negative relationship between circ_0001667 levels and the life time of breast cancer patients. Meanwhile, the inhibition of circ_0001667 suppressed the proliferation and metastasis of human breast cancer cells. Further bioinformatical analysis indicated that circ_0001667 sponged miR-125a-5p to regulate TAZ expression by Targetscan and miRanda. Dual luciferase reporter assay and western blotting experiments revealed that circ_0001667 negatively regulated miR-125a-5p expression leading to promoting TAZ expression through Hippo signal pathway in breast cancer cells.

Conclusions

This study uncovered that circ_0001667 was a potential breast cancer prognostic marker, as well as a potential therapeutic target to inhibit breast cancer metastasis by circ_0001667/miR-125a-5p/TAZ axis.
Evaluating the effectiveness of adjuvant radiotherapy in addition to surgery versus surgery alone at improving oncologic outcomes for early stage buccal carcinoma: A systematic review
Authors: Best Corliss Ann Elizabeth , Quimby Alexandra Elizabeth , Best Brittany Ann Barbara , Fergusson Dean , Alsaffar Hussain
Published: December 2019

Objective

To systematically review the evidence to evaluate oncologic outcomes for patients with early stage buccal squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgery versus surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy.

Data sources

Ovid MedLine, EMBASE, Google Scholar, PubMed.

Review methods

The primary purpose was to perform a systematic review to determine the published literature comparing oncologic outcomes of patients with early stage (Stages I&II) buccal mucosal squamous cell carcinoma, treated with surgical resection alone versus surgery plus adjuvant radiation therapy. Oncologic outcomes of interest were overall survival, locoregional recurrence, and disease specific survival. The secondary aim was to perform a meta-analysis to quantitively compare and summarize the data on oncologic outcomes between treatments.

Results

A total of 1457 studies were screened and five retrospective cohort studies ( n = 733 patients) were eligible for quantitative analysis. Overall study quality was moderate to high. Pooled relative risk ratios using a fixed effects model did not reveal any statistically significant difference in overall survival ( p = 0.70) or locoregional recurrence rates ( p = 0.72) in Stage I and II disease.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate there is sparse evidence comparing oncologic outcomes for early stage buccal squamous cell carcinoma treated with surgery alone versus surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy. Our findings based on a limited body of evidence suggest no obvious benefit in the addition of adjuvant radiation therapy, however robust randomized trials are warranted to reach firm conclusions.
Quantitative relationship between plume emission and multiple deflations after the 2014 phreatic eruption at Ontake volcano, Japan
Authors: Narita Shohei , Murakami Makoto , Tanaka Ryo
Published: December 2019

The phreatic eruption of Mount Ontake in 2014 caused local-scale subsidence and a mass discharge of water–vapor plumes from vents. A previous study of InSAR data analysis modeled the local subsidence as a deflation of a shallow hydrothermal reservoir (~ 500 m beneath the vents), and speculated that it was associated with plume emission continuing just after the eruption. In addition, combination of the InSAR and GNSS data implies that another, deeper deflation source (~ 3–6 km beneath the vents) contributes to the baseline contraction of the GNSS data. In this study, we estimated daily mass flux of the emitting plumes using photographed images, and compared the temporal behavior of the discharged mass with that of deflation of the two sources in order to clarify their association. The temporal profiles of the shallow deflation volume and the discharge mass both show evidence of decay, but with different characteristics; the deflation volume progress was approximated by a single exponential decay with a long relaxation time (379–641 days), whereas the discharge mass displayed a sum of a linear trend and an exponential decay with shorter relaxation time (47 days). This discrepancy, along with GNSS data, suggests the contribution of a deep deflation source with a short relaxation time (20–40 days). Estimation of mass balance between the emitting plume and fluids discharged from both shallow and deep sources revealed that more than 70% of the discharged mass came from the deep source. Based on the estimated mass balance, phase state of the shallow reservoir was estimated as a single-phase, liquid-rich reservoir. The fast decay of the deep deflation may reflect rapid depressurization due to violent fluid discharge at the onset of the eruption. In contrast, the slow decay of the shallow deflation suggests that it had a minor role in the eruption. However, such a wet reservoir has the potential to induce volcanic hazard such as snow-melting lahar for future eruptions, requiring monitoring the volcano, which will probably shift to pre-eruptive re-pressurized phase, until the future eruption.
Status constraint and lifestyle transition: a latent class analysis of health-related lifestyles among different social strata in China
Authors: Wang Fuqin
Published: December 2019

The present study uses data from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) to develop a multidimensional measure for the healthiness of Chinese citizens’ lifestyles. A latent class analysis reveals variety in Chinese people’s lifestyles. Three categories are identified: the healthy, the mixed, and the risky. People with higher socio-economic status (SES) are polarized between the healthy and the risky lifestyles, while those with lower SES tend to have a more mixed lifestyle. Generally speaking, Chinese people’s lifestyles are in constant change. Located in an advantageous social-structural position, members of the upper strata manage to choose the lifestyle beneficial to their health. At the same time, however, they are influenced by western lifestyles. Members of the lower strata are more constrained by social-structural status.
Economic evaluation of alternative technologies to mitigate Sulphur emissions in maritime container transport from both the vessel owner and shipper perspective
Authors: Mohseni Seyed Abolfazl , van Hassel Edwin , Sys Christa , Vanelslander Thierry
Published: December 2019

International maritime shipping is confronted from 2006 onwards with regulation until 2030 by different policy actors (i.e. International Maritime Organization, hereafter IMO), the EU) in order to improve the ecological performance of maritime shipping, and will face more so in the future. Many of these regulations concern the reduction of air pollution of vessels both globally and in particular in so-called Emission Control Areas (ECA’s).

In this research, the economic impact of alternative technologies in order to reduce the Sulphur emissions in existing ECA zones is analyzed both from the perspective of the vessel owner, as well as for the evaluation of generalized chain cost, hence from the shipper point of view.

The container carriers can choose different methods to comply with the new regulations, such as switching fuel types (Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Marine Diesel Oil (MDO)) or opting for innovative technologies like installing scrubber systems.

The goal of this research is twofold: first, to discover alternative available technologies to mitigate Sulphur emissions according to the literature; second, to evaluate economically the selected technologies both from vessel owners and shippers perspectives.

In order to study this, an update of an existing model is used. The added value of the extended model is threefold: calculating the generalized chain cost of transporting a container from the origin (US and Asia) to a destination in the EU, incorporating in the model the different ECA zones in the world and integrating more detailed fuel cost calculations and capital cost for different engine types or technologies used.

The methodology used in this research is an extension of an existing model which is updated for the purpose of this research. This update includes a new functionality to allow calculating the vessel owner cost for different fuel types and propulsion systems (Heavy Fuel Oil or HFO, MDO and LNG). Next to that, more maritime distance data is collected containing the distance sailed in ECA zones. This means that for each port-to-port combination, in the total maritime distance database in the model, this additional information is added. Based on this information, the fuel cost can be calculated when a vessel is sailing in ECA zones using either MDO, LNG or HFO (including a scrubber).

The research is particularly interesting for logistics operators, legislation regulators and academia. The extended model allows calculating the best economic solutions for selected routes. For logistics operators and in particular for shippers, the results allow making the most rewarding investments from an economic point of view and affirm the importance of different technologies on the generalized chain cost. The results indicate that the price of the different fuels (and the spread between them) displays an important factor in the overall outcome.
Prevalence of herpes simplex, varicella zoster and Cytomegalovirus in tumorous and adjacent tissues of patients, suffering from colorectal cancer in Iran
Authors: Tavakolian Shaian , Goudarzi Hossein , Kazeminezhad Behrang , Faghihloo Ebrahim
Published: December 2019

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) can be considered as a result of multiple risks factors, and the significant role of infectious ones, especially viral diseases could not be underestimated. Despite endorsed attempts to identify the accelerating effects of different herpes viridea, such as HSV-1, HSV2, VZV and CMV on the deterioration of different kinds of malignancy, the relationship between these viruses and CRC have not successfully been understood. Taking advantages of these facts, we assessed the role of these viruses on CRC progression.

Methods

In this case-control study, 88 cancerous specimens and 70 their adjacent paraffin-embedded tissues from Modares Hospital between 2011 and 2019 were collected. We extracted the DNA of each tissue and investigated the presence of HSV-1, HSV2, VZV and CMV.

Results

Our data indicated the presence of HSV-1 DNA in the three control samples; however, we could not find an obvious relationship between HSV2, VZV, CMV infection and this type of cancer. The presence of HSV-1 DNA in control tissues introduced HSV-1 as a probable factor for the killing of colorectal cancer cells.

Conclusions

we supposed that HSV-1 can function as an inhibitor of colon cancer progresion, but it is required to studied more in order to find the role of this virus on CRC.
Asymmetric GARCH type models for asymmetric volatility characteristics analysis and wind power forecasting
Authors: Chen Hao , Zhang Jianzhong , Tao Yubo , Tan Fenglei
Published: December 2019

Wind power forecasting is of great significance to the safety, reliability and stability of power grid. In this study, the GARCH type models are employed to explore the asymmetric features of wind power time series and improved forecasting precision. Benchmark Symmetric Curve (BSC) and Asymmetric Curve Index (ACI) are proposed as new asymmetric volatility analytical tool, and several generalized applications are presented. In the case study, the utility of the GARCH-type models in depicting time-varying volatility of wind power time series is demonstrated with the asymmetry effect, verified by the asymmetric parameter estimation. With benefit of the enhanced News Impact Curve (NIC) analysis, the responses in volatility to the magnitude and the sign of shocks are emphasized. The results are all confirmed to be consistent despite varied model specifications. The case study verifies that the models considering the asymmetric effect of volatility benefit the wind power forecasting performance.
National progress, sustainability and higher goals: the case of Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness
Authors: Thinley Jigmi Y. , Hartz-Karp Janette
Published: December 2019

Background

The context of this study is the predominant global paradigm for measuring national progress, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which has resulted in an over-emphasis on production and consumption that in turn, is exhausting the planet’s capacity to sustain life. This study examines the potential for a new paradigm of development that can propel human society in a more meaningful, sustainable direction.

Results

Critiques of the GDP are overviewed, but the key critique is that if sustainability, human survival, is our key goal, then GDP, aiming at boundless material wealth, is driving us in the wrong direction. To drive a new sustainable, more meaningful way of life, we need an overarching paradigm with integrated, localized indicators that are internationally accepted as the measures of each nation’s progress. Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index exemplifies this. Based on the lived experience of a key GNH instigator, its nine domains are explained: Living standard, Health, Education, Ecological diversity and resilience, Cultural diversity and resilience, Community vitality, Time use, Psychological wellbeing, and Good governance. These have informed and been informed by the Sustainable Development Goals. It is outlined how the GNH Index guides development, allocates resources according to the targets set, measures people’s happiness, and measures progress over time and geography.

Conclusion

The economic paradigm underlying the GDP - that the purpose of life is to become rich - is enabling our unsustainability. To enable future sustainability, we need to reconceptualize our concept of national progress. Moreover, since sustainability is effectively a euphemism for survival, then surely, as intelligent, sensitive beings, shouldn’t we be pursuing a higher, shared goal? For the Bhutanese, this is ‘happiness’ - a paradigm that encompasses the pursuit of meaningful societal progress by balancing the physical with mental, the material with spiritual, within a safe and stable environment, with the purpose of realizing happiness. Though the Bhutanese do not claim to have reached a state of national happiness, Bhutan has maintained happiness as its overriding goal, with the tool’s philosophy, authority and accountability driving this in everyday life.
Four amino acids as serum biomarkers for anti-asthma effects in the ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model treated with extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis
Authors: Choi Jun Young , Kim So Hyun , Kim Ji Eun , Park Ji Won , Kang Mi Ju , Choi Hyeon Jun , Bae Su Ji , Lee Jae Ho , Jung Young-Suk , Hwang Dae Youn
Published: December 2019

The butanol extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis roots fermented with Weissella cibaria (BAW) effectively prevents inflammation and remodeling of airway in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model. To characterize biomarkers that can predict the anti-asthmatic effects induced by BAW treatment, we measured the alteration of endogenous metabolites in the serum of OVA-induced asthma mice after administration of low concentration BAW (BAWLo, 250 mg/kg) and high concentration BAW (BAWHi, 500 mg/kg) using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectral data. The number of immune cells and serum concentration of IgE as well as thickness of the respiratory epithelium and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the airway significantly recovered in the OVA+BAW treated group as compared to the OVA+Vehicle treated group. In the metabolic profile analysis, the pattern recognition showed completely separate clustering of serum analysis parameters between the OVA+Vehicle and OVA+BAW treated groups. Of the total endogenous metabolites, 19 metabolites were upregulated or downregulated in the OVA+Vehicle treated group as compared to the Control treated group. However, only 4 amino acids (alanine, glycine, methionine and tryptophan) were significantly recovered after BAWLo and BAWHi treatment. This study provides the first results pertaining to metabolic changes in the asthma model mice treated with OVA+BAW. Additionally, these findings show that 4 metabolites can be used as one of biomarkers to predict the anti-asthmatic effects.
MycoNews 2019: editorials, news, reports, awards, personalia, book news, and correspondence
Authors: Hawksworth David L.
Published: December 2019

This first instalment of MycoNews includes: an Editorial “Do we need more governance in taxonomy?”; reports of mycological meetings in Poland (18th Congress of European Mycologists), Iran (4th Iranian Mycological Congress) and Chile (1st Chilean Meeting of Mycology (I Encuentro Chileno de Micología); an award to Lynne Boddy; birthday greetings to Gro Gulden, Marja Härkönen, Gregoire Hennebert, Hannes Hertel, and Junta Sugiyama; tributes to the passing of Francisco Calogne, Stanley J. Hughes, and Jos Wessels; news of four mycological books and one on-line work published in 2019; and a special tribute to Stanley Hughes by Kris Pirozynski.
Application of sparse-layer inversion and harmonic bandwidth extension for a channel system in Southern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Mu Yang , Castagna John , Gil Gabriel
Published: December 2019

Sparse-layer reflectivity inversion decomposes a seismic trace into a limited number of simple layer responses and their corresponding reflection coefficients for top and base reflections. In contrast to sparse-spike inversion, the applied sparsity constraint is less biased against layer thickness and can thus better resolve thin subtuning layers. Application to a 3D seismic data set in Southern Alberta produces inverted impedances that have better temporal resolution and lateral stability and a less blocky appearance than sparse-spike inversion. Bandwidth extension harmonically extrapolated the frequency spectra of the inverted layers and nearly doubled the usable bandwidth. Although the prospective glauconitic sand tunes at approximately 37 m, bandwidth extension reduced the tuning thickness to 22 m. Bandwidth-extended data indicate a higher correlation with synthetic traces than the original seismic data and reveal features below the original tuning thickness. After bandwidth extension, the channel top and base are more evident on inline and crossline profiles. Lateral facies changes interpreted from the inverted acoustic impedance of the bandwidth-extended data are consistent with observations in wells.
Estimating the Production Function for Human Capital: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Colombia
Authors: Attanasio Orazio , Cattan Sarah , Fitzsimons Emla , Meghir Costas , Rubio-Codina Marta
Published: December 2019

We examine the channels through which a randomized early childhood intervention in Colombia led to significant gains in cognitive and socio-emotional skills among a sample of disadvantaged children aged 12 to 24 months at baseline. We estimate the determinants of parents’ material and time investments in these children and evaluate the impact of the treatment on such investments. We then estimate the production functions for cognitive and socio-emotional skills. The effects of the program can be explained by increases in parental investments, emphasizing the importance of parenting interventions at an early age. (JEL I24, I28, J13, J24, O15)
Diffusing Coordination Risk
Authors: Basak Deepal , Zhou Zhen
Published: December 2019

In a regime change game, privately informed agents sequentially decide whether to attack without observing others’ previous actions. To dissuade them from attacking, a principal adopts a dynamic information disclosure policy, frequent viability tests. A viability test publicly discloses whether the regime has survived the previous attacks. When such tests are sufficiently frequent, in the unique cutoff equilibrium, agents never attack if the regime passes the latest test, regardless of their private signals. We apply this theory to demonstrate that a borrower can eliminate panic-based runs by sufficiently diffusing the rollover choices across different maturity dates. (JEL C72, D82, G21)
Putting the Cycle Back into Business Cycle Analysis
Authors: Beaudry Paul , Galizia Dana , Portier Franck
Published: December 2019

Are business cycles mainly a response to persistent exogenous shocks, or do they instead reflect a strong endogenous mechanism which produces recurrent boom-bust phenomena? In this paper we present evidence in favor of the second interpretation and we highlight the set of key elements that influence our answer. The elements that tend to favor this type of interpretation of business cycles are (i) slightly extending the frequency window one associates with business cycle phenomena, (ii) allowing for strategic complementarities across agents that arise due to financial frictions, and (iii) allowing for a locally unstable steady state in estimation. (JEL E22, E24, E23, E44)
Developing better drugs for pulmonary sarcoidosis: determining indications for treatment and endpoints to assess therapy based on patient and clinician concerns
Authors: Judson Marc A
Published: December 2019

Pulmonary sarcoidosis involves the deposition of granulomas within the lung. These granulomas may affect lung function and lead to pulmonary symptoms, pulmonary dysfunction, functional impairment, and worsening of quality of life. Corticosteroids are generally highly effective in resolving the granulomatous inflammation of sarcoidosis. However, despite the effectiveness of corticosteroids, many corticosteroid-responsive patients continue to experience significant problems because of the development of fibrosis from previously active or active smoldering granulomatous inflammation, inflammatory effects from sarcoidosis unrelated to granuloma deposition in lung tissue (parasarcoidosis syndromes), and the development of significant corticosteroid-related side effects. For these reasons, the decision to treat pulmonary sarcoidosis and endpoints to measure meaningful outcomes may extend beyond considerations of pulmonary granulomatous inflammation alone. In this article, we propose a conceptual framework to describe the mechanisms by which pulmonary sarcoidosis significantly impacts patients. This conceptual framework suggests that indications for the treatment of pulmonary sarcoidosis and endpoints to assess treatment depend on the specific mechanisms that are causing functional or quality-of-life impairment (or both) in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis. We believe that these concepts are important to clinicians treating pulmonary sarcoidosis and to clinical researchers designing pulmonary sarcoidosis trials.
Treatment-resistant depression - recommendations of the National Consultant in the field of psychiatry
Authors: Gałecki Piotr , Bliźniewska-Kowalska Katarzyna
Published: December 2019

Depresja jest jednym z najczęstszych zaburzeń psychicznych, dotyka około 5-17% populacji. Zaburzenia depresyjne stanowią poważny problem ekonomiczny i społeczny. Depresja ma istotny wpływ na status zatrudnienia, sukces finansowy a także relacje interpersonalne. Jest ona przyczyną największej liczby dni nieobecności w pracy wśród wszystkich chorób. Pacjenci, u których nie występuje odpowiedź na standardowe leczenie przeciwdepresyjne, kosztują dwa razy więcej, niż pacjenci, u których uzyskano odpowiedź na leczenie. Odpowiedź na standardowe leczenie przeciwdepresyjne występuję jedynie u 60-70% pacjentów cierpiących na zaburzenia depresyjne. Według danych epidemiologicznych nawet u jednej trzeciej pacjentów można stwierdzić depresję oporną na leczenie, która jest definiowana jako zaburzenia depresyjne u osób dorosłych, u których nie wystąpiła odpowiedź na co najmniej dwa różne leki przeciwdepresyjne (stosowane w odpowiedniej dawce przez odpowiedni czas) w obecnym epizodzie depresji o stopniu nasilenia od umiarkowanego do ciężkiego. Celem niniejszej publikacji jest przybliżenie problemu lekooporności w depresji i przedstawienie strategii postępowania w przypadku depresji opornej na leczenie.
Open Source or Closed Source? A Competitive Analysis with Software Security
Authors: Gao Xing
Published: December 2019

Software security is an increasingly serious concern for users and ultimately impacts software firms’ choice of open source or closed source business models. However, the studies in this area are scarce, if not absent. This paper examines whether a software firm chooses open source or closed source in a competitive market when software security is taken into account. I construct a game-theoretic model in which two competitive firms first formulate their business models and then charge their prices for software products. I find that due to security concerns, two symmetric firms may choose a heterogeneous business model, in which one firm chooses open source and the other chooses closed source when the return of open source remains moderate. The two symmetric firms may be trapped in a prisoner’s dilemma with a moderate-high return of open source in which their equilibrium choices of business model, open source, lead to lower profits than when they switch to closed source. For two asymmetric firms in which only one has security concerns in its software products, I reveal that with a moderate return of open source, this firm follows closed source and the other without security concern employs open source. Interestingly, there never exists the other heterogeneous business model in equilibrium.