bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the relational underpinnings and consequences of system‐justifying beliefs: Explaining the palliative effects of system justification
Authors: Bahamondes Joaquín , Sengupta Nikhil K. , Sibley Chris G. , Osborne Danny
Published: January 2021

People often perceive social systems as fair and legitimate in order to satisfy existential, epistemic, and relational needs. Although much work has examined the existential and epistemic roots to system justification, the relational motives underlying the tendency to justify the system have received comparatively less attention. We addressed this oversight by examining the associations approach and avoidance relational goals have with system justification in a national probability sample (N = 21,938). Consistent with the thesis that the need to belong motivates system justification, avoidance goals (i.e., the desire to avoid social conflict) correlated positively with system justification (approach goals also unexpectedly correlated positively with system justification). Also as hypothesized, system justification mediated the relationship between avoidance goals and belongingness. Moreover, system justification mediated the relationship between avoidance goals and belongingness. Finally, sequential mediation analyses revealed that avoidance goals predicted higher well‐being via system justification and belongingness. This study is the first to demonstrate that system justification confers palliative benefits by satisfying two different relational goals.
More than words: Foreign exchange intervention under imperfect credibility
Authors: Gomez‐Gonzalez Jose Eduardo , Parra‐Polania Julian Andres , Villamizar‐Villegas Mauricio
Published: January 2021

Central banks in emerging countries frequently build‐up (diminish) reserves while attempting to depreciate (appreciate) their currencies. Even if these interventions are effective, they often entail various costs. Basu (2012), nonetheless, proposes a model in which the sole announcement of an intervention schedule leads to a desired exchange rate without actually buying or selling foreign currency. In this paper, we present a generalization that allows for imperfect credibility of promises. Namely, market dealers know that the central bank carries strategic incentives when announcing its schedule and may not perfectly believe it. We show that, under this setup, it may be impossible to achieve the targeted rate without changing the level of international reserves. However, committing to a schedule, despite being imperfectly credible, outperforms unannounced discretionary interventions. This is the case because it reduces the amount of foreign currency trading required for a central bank to meet its desired exchange rate.
M351‐0056 is a novel low MW compound modulating the actions of the immune‐checkpoint protein VISTA
Authors: Hu Xinlei , Qie Chenxin , Jiang Jingwei , Xie Xiaoxue , Chen Wenting , Liu Wanmei , Liu Jun
Published: January 2021

Background and Purpose

The protein V‐domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T‐cell activation (VISTA) is a novel immune‐checkpoint molecule that belongs to the B7 family and regulates a broad spectrum of immune responses. So far, low MW compounds targeting VISTA for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or inflammation, have not been identified.

Experimental Approach

We developed a homology modelling for VISTA 3D structure and subsequent virtual screening for low MW ligands binding to VISTA. Visualization of the binding postures of docked ligands with protein VISTA indicated that compound M351‐0056 targeted VISTA. The biological activities of compound M351‐0056 targeting VISTA were investigated in vitro using monocytes and T cells and in vivo, using mice with imiquimod‐induced dermatitis.

Key Results

The KD value of M351‐0056 for human VISTA‐extracellular domain was 12.60 ± 3.84 μM as assessed by microscale thermophoresis. M351‐0056 decreased cytokine secretion from PBMCs or human CD4+ T cells, suppressed proliferation of PBMCs and enhanced expression of Foxp3+ T cells. These effects of M351‐0056 modulating VISTA involved the JAK2–STAT2 pathway. Daily administration of M351‐0056 ameliorated imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like dermatitis. Expression of mRNA and protein of inflammatory cytokines in psoriatic lesions was decreased after M351‐0056 treatment.

Conclusion and Implications

The compound M351‐0056 showed high affinity for VISTA and may modulate its immune function in vitro and in vivo. Our finding provides a lead compound for therapeutically enhancing VISTA‐mediated pathways to benefit the treatment of autoimmune diseases or inflammation.
Vascular biotransformation of organic nitrates is independent of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases
Authors: Lopez Melina , Malacarne Pedro F. , Gajos‐Draus Anna , Ding Xinxin , Daiber Andreas , Lundberg Jon O. , Offermanns Stefan , Brandes Ralf P. , Rezende Flávia
Published: January 2021

Background and Purpose

Organic nitrates such as nitroglycerin (NTG) or pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) have been used for over a century in the treatment of angina or ischaemic heart disease. These compounds are prodrugs which release their nitrovasodilators upon enzymic bioactivation by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) or cytochromes P450 (CYP). Whereas ALDH2 is known to directly activate organic nitrates in vessels, the contribution of vascular CYPs is unknown and was studied here.

Experimental Approach

As all CYPs depend on cytochrome P450 reductase (POR) as electron donor, we generated a smooth muscle cell‐specific, inducible knockout mouse of POR (smcPOR−/−) to investigate the contribution of POR/CYP to vascular biotransformation of organic nitrates.

Key Results

Microsomes containing recombinant CYPs expressed in human vascular tissues released nitrite from NTG and PETN with CYP2C9 and CYP2C8 being most efficient. SFK525, a CYP suicide inhibitor, blocked this effect. smcPOR−/− mice exhibited no obvious cardiovascular phenotype (normal cardiac weight and endothelium‐dependent relaxation) and plasma and vascular nitrite production was similar to control (CTL) animals. NTG‐ and PETN‐induced relaxation of isolated endothelium‐intact or endothelium‐denuded vessels were identical between CTL and smcPOR−/−. Likewise, nitrite release from organic nitrates in aortic rings was not affected by deletion of POR in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). In contrast, inhibition of ALDH2 by benomyl (10 μM) inhibited NTG‐induced nitrite production and relaxation. Deletion of POR did not modulate this response.

Conclusions and Implications

Our data suggest that metabolism by vascular CYPs does not contribute to the pharmacological function of organic nitrates.
Phase II study of temozolomide monotherapy in patients with extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma
Authors: Kobayashi Noritoshi , Takeda Yuma , Okubo Naoki , Suzuki Akihiro , Tokuhisa Motohiko , Hiroshima Yukihiko , Ichikawa Yasushi
Published: January 2021

Extrapulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma (EPNEC) is a lethal disease with a poor prognosis. Platinum‐based chemotherapy is used as the standard first‐line treatment for unresectable EPNEC. Several retrospective studies have reported the results of the utilization of temozolomide (TMZ) as a drug for the second‐line treatment for EPNEC. Patients with unresectable EPNEC that were resistant to platinum‐based combination chemotherapy were recruited for a prospective phase II study of TMZ monotherapy. A 200 mg/m2 dose of TMZ was given from day 1 to day 5, every 4 weeks. Response rate (RR) was evaluated as the primary end‐point. The presence of O6‐methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in EPNEC patients was also evaluated as exploratory research. Thirteen patients were enrolled in this study. Primary lesions were pancreas (n = 3), stomach (n = 3), duodenum (n = 1), colon (n = 1), gallbladder (n = 1), liver (n = 1), uterus (n = 1), bladder (n = 1), and primary unknown (n = 1). Each case was defined as pathological poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma from surgically resected and/or biopsied specimens. The median Ki‐67 labeling index was 60% (range, 22%‐90%). The RR was 15.4%, progression‐free survival was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0‐2.7), overall survival (OS) was 7.8 months (95% CI, 6.0‐9.5), and OS from first‐line treatment was 19.2 months (95% CI, 15.1‐23.3). No grade 3 or 4 hematological toxicity had occurred and there was one case of grade 3 nausea. One case presented MGMT deficiency and this case showed partial response. Temozolomide monotherapy is a feasible, modestly effective, and safe treatment for patients with unresectable EPNEC following platinum‐based chemotherapy, especially those with MGMT deficiency.
Inhibition of vascular adhesion protein‐1 enhances the anti‐tumor effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Kinoshita Tomonari , Sayem Mohammad Abu , Yaguchi Tomonori , Kharma Budiman , Morii Kenji , Kato Daiki , Ohta Shigeki , Mashima Yukihiko , Asamura Hisao , Kawakami Yutaka
Published: January 2021

Modulation of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) is essential for enhancing the anti‐tumor effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Adhesion molecules and enzymes such as vascular adhesion protein‐1 (VAP‐1), which are expressed in some cancers and tumor vascular endothelial cells, may be involved in the generation of an immunosuppressive TME. In this study, the role of VAP‐1 in TME was investigated in 2 murine colon cancer models and human cancer cells. Intraperitoneal administration of the VAP‐1‐specific inhibitor U‐V296 inhibited murine tumor growth by enhancing IFN‐γ‐producing tumor antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells. U‐V296 exhibited significant synergistic anti‐tumor effects with ICIs. In the TME of mice treated with U‐V296, the expression of genes associated with M2‐like macrophages, Th2 cells (Il4, Retnla, and Irf4), angiogenesis (Pecam1), and fibrosis (Acta2, Loxl2) were significantly decreased, and the Th1/Th2 balance was increased. H2O2, an enzymatic product of VAP‐1, which promoted the production of IL‐4 by mouse Th2 and inhibited IFN‐γ by mouse Th1 and human tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes, was decreased in tumors and CD31+ tumor vascular endothelial cells in the TMEs of mice treated with VAP‐1 inhibitor. TCGA database analysis showed that VAP‐1 expression was a negative prognostic factor in human cancers, exhibiting a significant positive correlation with IL‐4, IL4R, and IL‐13 expression and a negative correlation with IFN‐γ expression. These results indicated that VAP‐1 is involved in the immunosuppressive TMEs through H2O2‐associated Th2/M2 conditions and may be an attractive target for the development of combination cancer immunotherapy with ICIs.
Endoscopic evaluation of pharyngeal and laryngeal sensation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Borowsky da Rosa Fernanda , Schuch Luiz H. , Pasqualoto Adriane S. , Steele Catriona M. , Mancopes Renata
Published: January 2021

Objective

To describe and compare the findings of endoscopic sensory assessment in COPD patients and healthy controls.

Design

A prospective cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic at a university hospital.

Participants

27 adults with COPD and 11 age‐matched healthy controls.

Main outcome measures

Group differences in light touch endoscopic tests of pharyngeal and laryngeal sensation, controlling for pooled salivary secretions in the pharynx and laryngo‐pharyngeal reflux as measured by the Reflux Finding Score (RFS).

Results

A significant difference in laryngeal sensation was found between the study groups (P = .047), with reduced laryngeal sensation in the COPD patients. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between impaired oropharyngeal sensation and the presence of pooled salivary secretions in the pharynx (P = .018), especially in the pyriform sinuses (P = .012). No differences in the frequency of abnormal RFSs were found between groups.

Conclusion

Individuals with COPD were significantly more likely to present with impaired laryngeal sensation. Additionally, impaired sensation in the oropharynx was associated with pooled salivary secretions in the pharynx.
Admission avoidance in acute epistaxis: A prospective national audit during the initial peak of the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors:   INTEGRATE (The UK ENT Trainee Research Network)
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To report changes in practice brought about by COVID‐19 and the implementation of new guidelines, and to explore factors relating to unscheduled re‐presentations for patients discharged from the emergency department (ED).

Design

Prospective multicentre national audit over 12 weeks from 6th April 2020.

Setting

UK secondary care ENT departments.

Participants

Adult patients with acute epistaxis.

Main outcome measures

Re‐presentation within 10 days for patients discharged from the ED.

Results

Eighty three centres from all four UK nations submitted 2631 valid cases. The majority of cases were ED referrals (89.7%, n = 2358/2631). 54.6% were discharged from the ED following ENT review (n = 1267/2322), of whom 19.5% re‐presented within 10 days (n = 245/1259) and 6.8% were ultimately admitted (n = 86/1259). 46.7% of patients had a non‐dissolvable pack inserted by ED prior to referral to ENT (n = 1099/2355). The discharge rates for ED patients and their subsequent re‐presentation rates were as follows: non‐dissolvable packs, 29.5% discharged (n = 332/1125), 18.2% re‐presented (n = 60/330); dissolvable products, 71.1% discharged (n = 488/686), 21.8% re‐presented (n = 106/486); cautery only, 89.2% discharged (n = 247/277), 20.0% re‐presented (n = 49/245); and no intranasal intervention, 85.5% discharged (n = 200/234), 15.2% re‐presented (n = 30/198). Univariable logistic regression showed that not being packed by ED, antiplatelet medications, failed cautery and recent epistaxis treatment were significant predictors of re‐presentation within 10 days.

Conclusions

Management of acute epistaxis was notably affected during the initial peak of the pandemic, with a shift towards reduced admissions. This national audit highlights that many patients who may previously have been admitted to hospital may be safely discharged from the ED following acute epistaxis.
Risk factors of orbital complications in outpatients presenting with severe rhinosinusitis: A case‐control study
Authors: Snidvongs Kornkiat , Chitsuthipakorn Wirach , Akarapas Chatdanai , Aeumjaturapat Songklot , Chusakul Supinda , Kanjanaumporn Jesada , Seresirikachorn Kachorn
Published: January 2021

Objectives

We assessed associations of potential factors with orbital complications in acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) patients.

Design

An unmatched case‐control study.

Setting

A tertiary referral hospital in Thailand.

Participants

Consecutive outpatients of any age with severe ARS (visual analog scale ≥ 7) with and without orbital complications.

Main outcome measures

Patients were enrolled from January 2013 to December 2018. Forty‐three ARS patients (55.8% female, median age 45.6, (range 2.0‐93.0) years) were included, with 19 patients in the complicated group and 24 in the uncomplicated group. Patient characteristics (gender, age, diabetes, immune status), symptoms and signs, site of infection and type of pathogenic bacteria were recorded and assessed their associations with orbital complications by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

The most common orbital complication was subperiosteal abscess (42.1%), followed by orbital cellulitis (15.8%) and cavernous sinus thrombosis (10.5%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated a positive association with orbital complications (pseudo R2 0.4) for ethmoid sinusitis (OR 31.1, 95% CI [2.3‐430.6]) and a short duration of symptoms (OR 0.9, 95% CI [0.8‐0.9]).

Conclusions

Orbital complications were associated with ethmoid sinusitis with a short duration of ARS symptoms.
Decrease of contact allergy to hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde in Europe prior to its ban and diagnostic value
Authors: Ahlström Malin G. , Uter Wolfgang , Ahlström Magnus G. , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: January 2021

Background

Hydroxyisohexyl 3‐cyclohexene carboxaldehyde (HICC) has been the most reported fragrance chemical for two decades and will be prohibited in cosmetic products from August 2021.

Objectives

To describe the time trend of HICC contact allergy in European patients with dermatitis in 2009 to 2019, and the added value of testing HICC separately in the baseline series.

Methods

Data were reviewed for 124 472 patients with dermatitis who were patch tested with HICC 5% pet. in the baseline series in the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergy (ESSCA) network (2009 to 2018) and at the Herlev‐Gentofte Hospital Department of Dermatology and Allergy (2009 to 2019).

Results

Contact allergy to HICC was found in 1.98% of 9865 patients in Gentofte and 1.62% of 114 607 patients in the ESSCA network. Overall, the prevalence decreased annually, with 0.156 percentage points (P = .001) in Gentofte and 0.051 percentage points (P = .0002) in ESSCA. The frequency of missed contact allergy to HICC when testing only with fragrance mix II (FMII) was 0.17% (17/9865) and 0.35% (405/114607) of the whole test population in the Gentofte and ESSCA populations, respectively.

Conclusions

This is the first study to demonstrate a significant decline in HICC allergy in European patients with dermatitis, most likely attributed to the upcoming European ban.
Word Order Predicts Cross‐Linguistic Differences in the Production of Redundant Color and Number Modifiers
Authors: Wu Sarah A. , Gibson Edward
Published: January 2021

When asked to identify objects having unique shapes and colors among other objects, English speakers often produce redundant color modifiers (“the red circle”) while Spanish speakers produce them less often (“el circulo (rojo)”). This cross‐linguistic difference has been attributed to a difference in word order between the two languages, under the incremental efficiency hypothesis (Rubio‐Fernández, Mollica, & Jara‐Ettinger, 2020). However, previous studies leave open the possibility that broad language differences between English and Spanish may explain this cross‐linguistic difference such that English speakers may generally produce more modifiers than Spanish speakers, including redundant ones, irrespective of word order. Here, we test the incremental efficiency hypothesis in a language production task crossing language (English, Spanish) with modifier type (color, number). Critically, number words occur on the same side of the noun in both English and Spanish. If broad language differences are responsible for the higher rate of color word production in English compared to Spanish, then the same effect should hold for number words. In contrast, the incremental efficiency hypothesis predicts an interaction between language and modifier type, due to different ordering for color words but identical ordering for number words. Our pre‐registered analyses offer strong support for the incremental efficiency hypothesis, demonstrating how seemingly small differences in language can cause us to describe the world in surprisingly different ways.
Brain, cognition, and language development in spinal muscular atrophy type 1: a scoping review
Authors: Masson Riccardo , Brusa Chiara , Scoto Mariacristina , Baranello Giovanni
Published: January 2021

Aim

To summarize the current knowledge on brain involvement in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1, focusing on brain pathology, cognition, and speech/language development.

Method

A scoping review was performed using the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Five databases and references from relevant articles were searched up to December 2019. Articles were screened on the basis of titles and abstracts. Full‐text papers published in peer‐reviewed journals in English were selected.

Results

Nineteen articles met eligibility criteria. Eight case series/reports on brain pathology showed abnormalities in few SMA type 0/1 cases, supported by findings in three post‐mortem examinations in mice. Four studies (three case–control, one cross‐sectional) on cognition reported contradictory results, with impaired cognitive performances in recent, small groups with SMA type 1. Four studies (three cross‐sectional, one observational) on speech/language showed that untreated SMA type 1 patients rarely achieve functional and intelligible speech, with data limited to parent reports/non‐formal evaluations.

Interpretation

Brain involvement is an under‐investigated aspect of SMA type 1, requiring further exploration in longitudinal studies. A deeper knowledge of brain involvement would improve the interpretation of clinical phenotypes and the personalization of rehabilitation programmes supporting patients' autonomies and quality of life. Additionally, it may help to define further outcome measures testing the efficacy of current and new developing drugs on this domain.

What this paper adds

Brain involvement is under‐investigated in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1.

Neuropathological data suggest progressive brain involvement in severe forms of SMA.

Impaired cognitive performances are reported in small groups with SMA type 1.

Data on language in those with SMA type 1 are limited to parent reports and non‐formal assessments.
More change in task repetition, less cost in task switching: Behavioral and event‐related potential evidence
Authors: Zhuo Bingxin , Zhu Mengqi , Cao Bihua , Li Fuhong
Published: January 2021

Previous studies have shown that the probability of task switching can vary the level of cognitive control and modulate the size of switch costs. However, it is unclear whether switch costs would be affected by a task‐repetition context formed by varying the degree of response (and task‐relevant stimulus property) change within the task repetition sequences while the probability of task switching remains constant. In the present study, participants were presented with a string of digits (e.g., ②②②). Basing on stimulus color, they were required to indicate either the presented digit, or the number of presented digits. Before task switching, stimulus and response in consecutive task‐repeat trials varied more or less frequently. Behavioral results showed that the frequent‐change context elicited smaller switch costs than the rare‐change context. Event‐related potential (ERP) results indicated that: (1) the frequent‐change context evoked greater fronto‐central N2 amplitudes for both task‐repeat and task‐switch trials, implying that cognitive control increased due to the variation of stimulus and response associations; (2) for the task switch trials, smaller P300 amplitudes were evoked in the frequent‐change context than the rare‐change context, reflecting the promoted task‐set reconfiguration. These findings suggest that, the more change in stimulus and response during task repetition, the higher the overall level of cognitive control and the higher efficiency of task‐switching.
Temporal orienting in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Zokaei Nahid , Gillebert Celine R. , Chauvin Joshua J. , Gresch Daniela , Board Alexander G. , Rolinski Michal , Hu Michele T. , Nobre Anna Christina
Published: January 2021

Temporal orienting of attention can affect multiple stages of processing to guide adaptive behaviour. We tested whether temporal expectation in different task contexts is compromised in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). In Experiment 1 two temporal‐orienting tasks were used: a speeded task emphasizing motor preparation and a non‐speeded task emphasizing perceptual discrimination using rapid serial visual presentation. In both tasks, auditory cues indicated the likelihood of a target appearing after a short or long interval. In the speeded‐response task, participants used the cues to anticipate an easily detectable target stimulus. In the non‐speeded perceptual‐discrimination task, participants used the cues to help discriminate a target letter embedded in a stream of letters. Relative to healthy participants, participants with PD did not show altered temporal orienting effects in the speeded‐response task. However, they were impaired in using temporal cues to improve perceptual discrimination. In Experiment 2, we tested whether the temporal‐orienting deficits in the perceptual‐discrimination task depended on the requirement to ignore temporally distracting stimuli. We replicated the impaired temporal orienting for perceptual discrimination in an independent group of individuals with PD, and showed the impairment was abolished when individuals were on their dopaminergic medication. In a task without any distracting letters, however, patients off or on medication benefited normally from temporal orienting cues. Our findings suggest that deficits in temporal orienting in individuals with PD interact with specific task demands, such as the requirement to select target from temporally competing distractors.
The longevity gene Klotho and its cerebrospinal fluid protein profiles as a modifier for Parkinson´s disease
Authors: Zimmermann Milan , Köhler Leonie , Kovarova Marketa , Lerche Stefanie , Schulte Claudia , Wurster Isabel , Machetanz Gerrit , Deuschle Christian , Hauser Ann‐Kathrin , Gasser Thomas , Berg Daniela , Schleicher Erwin , Maetzler Walter , Brockmann Kathrin
Published: January 2021

Background

Parkinson´s disease (PD) has a large phenotypic variability, which may, at least partly, be genetically driven including alterations of gene products. Candidates might not only be proteins associated with disease risk but also pathways that play a role in aging.

Objective

To evaluate phenotype‐modifying effects of genetic variants in Klotho, a longevity gene.

Methods

We analyzed two longitudinal cohorts: one local cohort comprising 459 PD patients who underwent genotyping for the KL‐VS haplotype in Klotho including a subgroup of 125 PD patients and 50 healthy controls who underwent biochemical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses of Klotho and fibroblast growth factor 23 as well as vitamin D metabolites. The second cohort comprised 297 patients from the Parkinsonʼs Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) for validation of genetic−clinical findings.

Results

PD patients carrying the KL‐VS haplotype demonstrated a shorter interval between PD onset and onset of cognitive impairment (both cohorts) and higher Unified Parkinson´s Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS III) scores (PPMI). CSF protein levels of Klotho and fibroblast growth factor 23 were lower in PD patients irrespective of gender compared to controls. Moreover, low CSF levels of Klotho were associated with higher scores in the UPDRS III and Hoehn and Yahr Scale.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that genetic variants in Klotho together with its corresponding CSF protein profiles are associated with aspects of disease severity in PD. These findings suggest that pathways associated with aging might be targets for future biomarker research in PD.
Over‐expression of stromal periostin correlates with poor prognosis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Lincoln Vadim , Chao Lyu , Woodley David T. , Murrell Dedee , Kim Minhee , O'Toole Edel A. , Ly Alexandre , Cogan Jon , Mosallaei Daniel , Wysong Ashley , Chen Mei
Published: January 2021

Periostin, an extracellular matrix macromolecule implicated in tumorigenesis, serves as a prognostic marker for many cancer types. However, there are no data on periostin expression in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). This study examined periostin expression in patients with cSCC and explored its clincopathological relationship and prognosis. Using immunohistochemistry and ImageJ analysis, we compared periostin expression in 95 cSCCs across a spectrum of cSCC aggressiveness: cSCC in situ (SCCIS) (n = 25), low‐risk cSCC (LR‐cSCC) (n = 26), high‐risk cSCC (HR‐cSCC) (n = 38), and cSCC in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients (RDEB cSCC) (n = 6). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated periostin expression within the intra‐tumoral stroma but not within tumor cells. Periostin levels significantly (P < 0.001) increased from SCCIS, LR‐cSCC, HR‐cSCC to RDEB SCC. The stroma of most of the cSCCs we evaluated contained cancer‐associated fibroblasts with a myofibroblastic (α ‐SMA‐positive) phenotype. Co‐localization of periostin with α‐SMA, evidence of fibroblast periostin expression, and absence of keratinocyte or tumor cell periostin expression suggest that, in cSCC, periostin is a product of the peritumoral microenvironment and not the tumor cells themselves. Our data indicate that fibroblast periostin expression is highly correlated with the aggressiveness of cSCC, and may thereby provide a molecular marker that will be useful for subtyping and diagnosing cSCCs according to their biological nature.
Environmental drivers of plant distributions at global and regional scales
Authors: Huang Erhan , Chen Yuxin , Fang Miao , Zheng Yi , Yu Shixiao
Published: January 2021

Aim

How environmental factors drive plant distribution across the globe is one of the most fundamental questions in ecology. Nevertheless, the relative importance of different environmental factors in driving plant distributions across spatial scales and among plant groups is not clear. This study aims to disentangle how plant–environment relationships vary with latitude and among plant taxa.

Location

Global.

Time period

Present day.

Main taxa

Plant taxa including angiosperms, gymnosperms, pteridophytes and bryophytes.

Methods

We obtained global distribution occurrence data of mass plant groups (625 families, 6,221 genera, and 54,101 species) from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database. We used random forest method to quantify the relative effects of 15 environmental factors (including climate, soil and topography) on plant distributions at global and regional scales (divided into different latitude zones). We also used phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) models to investigate the relationships between environmental variables and geographical range size, latitudinal range and limits of plants at the global scale.

Results

Our analyses revealed the primacy of the effects of climatic variability (temperature seasonality and isothermality) on plant distribution at the global scale. The relative contributions of temperature seasonality and isothermality peaked in tropical areas, whereas solar radiation and annual mean temperature had stronger influence in high‐latitude areas. Wide‐range plant groups tended to occur in areas with higher temperature variability (isothermality and temperature seasonality) and flatter terrain (low slope). Both climate variability and extreme influenced geographical range size, latitudinal range and limits of plants.

Main conclusions

Our study highlights the significance of climate variability for global plant distributions. Environmental effects upon plant distributions vary across latitudes. The findings imply that environmental factors affecting plant distributions change with geographical scales, suggesting that different geographical and ecological processes should be integrated to explain multi‐scale distribution patterns.
Permeability coefficients and vapour pressure determination for fragrance materials
Authors: Almeida Rafael N. , Hartz João G.M. , Costa Patrícia F. , Rodrigues Alírio E. , Vargas Rubem M.F. , Cassel Eduardo
Published: January 2021

Objective

This study aims to correlate new experimental data relevant to the description of the combined evaporation/permeation process of a perfume applied onto the skin.

Methods

The vapour pressure data were measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TG‐DTA). The Antoine constants and the Clarke and Glew parameters were determined for the same set of fragrance molecules to describe its low vapour pressures at new temperature ranges. The permeability coefficient of a set of 14 fragrance molecules in ethanolic solution was determined by Franz diffusion cell experiments, using porcine skin. The samples were analysed by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC/FID) and high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV visible detector (HPLC/UV). A QSAR model was proposed to correlate the experimental data.

Results

The Antoine constants were determined and presented low standard deviations. The Clarke and Glew physically significant parameters were obtained along with its statistical analysis. The fitting is good since the magnitude order is in accordance with the literature, associated with the low correlation between the estimated parameters and low standard deviations. The presented correlation, based on a mixture using only ethanol as solvent, showed better results than previous QSAR models with a standard relative deviation (of 0.190, a standard error (SE) of 0.397 and a determination coefficient (R2) of 0.7786.

Conclusion

The dataset is still small compared to larger and more general QSAR models; however, it is much more specific as to the type of solvent and class of materials studied. This work represents an advance for the modelling of the perfume diffusion process since it specifies important properties that until then had been treated in a more general way.
PRIASE 2021 guidelines for reporting animal studies in Endodontology: a consensus‐based development
Authors: Nagendrababu V. , Kishen A. , Murray P. E. , Nekoofar M. H. , de Figueiredo J. A. P. , Priya E. , Jayaraman J. , Pulikkotil S. J. , Camilleri J. , Silva R. M. , Dummer P. M. H.
Published: January 2021

Animal testing is crucial in situations when research on humans is not allowed because of unknown health risks and ethical concerns. The current project aims to develop reporting guidelines exclusively for animal studies in Endodontology, using an established consensus‐based methodology. The guidelines have been named: Preferred Reporting Items for Animal Studies in Endodontology (PRIASE) 2021. Nine individuals (PD, VN, AK, PM, MN, JF, EP, JJ and SJ), including the project leaders (PD, VN) formed a steering committee. The steering committee developed a novel checklist by adapting and integrating their animal testing and peer review experience with the Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guidelines and also the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications (CLIP) principles. A PRIASE Delphi Group (PDG) and PRIASE Online Meeting Group (POMG) were also formed. Thirty‐one PDG members participated in the online Delphi process and achieved consensus on the checklist items and flowchart that were used to formulate the PRIASE guidelines. The novel PRIASE 2021 guidelines were discussed with the POMG on 9 September 2020 via a Zoom online video call attended by 21 individuals from across the globe and seven steering committee members. Following the discussions, the guidelines were modified and then piloted by several authors whilst writing a manuscript involving research on animals. The PRIASE 2021 guidelines are a checklist consisting of 11 domains and 43 individual items together with a flowchart. The PRIASE 2021 guidelines are focused on improving the methodological principles, reproducibility and quality of animal studies in order to enhance their reliability as well as repeatability to estimate the effects of endodontic treatments and usefulness for guiding future clinical studies on humans.
The top‐trading cycles and chains solution for kidney exchange with immunosuppressants
Authors: Heo Eun Jeong , Hong Sunghoon , Chun Youngsub
Published: January 2021

In kidney transplantation, immunosuppressants are being used to relax all immunological constraints, allowing patients to receive transplants from biologically incompatible donors. We propose an efficient way of using immunosuppressants in combination with a kidney exchange program. We introduce the top‐trading cycles and chains solution, a modification of the top‐trading cycles rule for the standard kidney exchange problem, and investigate its properties.
Effect of slightly acidic electrolysed water on functional components, antioxidant and α‐glucosidase inhibitory ability of buckwheat sprouts
Authors: Hao Jianxiong , Li Jiaxin , Zhao Dandan
Published: January 2021

The effect of slightly acidic electrolysed water (SAEW) on the accumulation of total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), rutin, quercetin and D‐chiro‐inositol (DCI), the antioxidant and α‐glucosidase inhibitory abilities of germinated buckwheat was investigated. The buckwheat treated in low available chlorine concentration (ACC) of 10.94 mg L‐1 displayed the best accumulation of the bioactive substance, showing 63.0%, 113.07% and 128.1% higher TP, TF and rutin content on the 9th day, respectively, and 163.5% and 113.4% higher quercetin and DCI content on the 7th day, respectively, compared to control. Seven‐day sprouts treated with SAEW had markedly stronger ABTS radical scavenging and α‐glucosidase inhibitory capacities compared to the other treatments. SAEW with lower ACC had less adverse impact on the length and fresh weight of buckwheat than SAEW with higher ACC. Buckwheat sprouts should be treated by SAEW with lower ACC and harvested on the 7th day as for enhanced health‐promoting benefits.
Plasma hemoglobin: A method comparison of six assays for hemoglobin and hemolysis index measurement
Authors: Calvaresi Emilia C. , La’ulu Sonia L. , Snow Taylor M. , Allison Tiffany R. , Genzen Jonathan R.
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Plasma hemoglobin (Hb) is measured for assessment of in vivo and in vitro hemolysis. The objective of the present investigation was to conduct a method comparison of five quantitative and one semi‐quantitative Hb and H‐index (hemolysis index) assays to evaluate their performance measuring plasma Hb in clinical specimens.

Methods

One hundred and fourteen clinical specimens previously tested for plasma Hb using a laboratory‐developed spectrophotometric assay were also tested for Hb using a HemoCue Plasma/Low Hb assay (azide methemoglobin), a laboratory‐modified Pointe Scientific Hb assay (cyanmethemoglobin), tested for H‐index measurements using a Roche cobas c501, an Abbott Architect c8000, and a semi‐quantitative (binned) H‐index measurement on a Beckman AU5800. The reference result was defined as the median Hb score (median of all Hb or H‐index results).

Results

The laboratory‐developed spectrophotometric Hb assay and Roche H‐index methods mostly closely matched the median Hb score across all data, as well as for lower range median Hb score results ≤2.0 g/L. Two‐way frequency table analysis using an Hb (or H‐index) cutoff of 0.5 g/L (or 0.5 H‐index units) was then performed to compare methods to the median Hb score cutoff. The Beckman method had the highest accuracy at this cutoff, the Roche and Abbott methods had the highest positive predictive value (PPV), and the Beckman, HemoCue, and Pointe methods had the highest negative predictive value (NPV).

Conclusions

Plasma Hb and H‐index results vary by method. Laboratories should evaluate the performance characteristics of their respective assays when considering adoption of spectrophotometric or chemical methods for plasma Hb assessment.
Insight into different host range of three planthoppers by transcriptomic and microbiomic analysis
Authors: Yan X.‐T. , Ye Z.‐X. , Wang X. , Zhang C.‐X. , Chen J.‐P. , Li J.‐M. , Huang H.‐J.
Published: January 2021

Brown planthopper (BPH), white‐backed planthopper (WBPH) and small brown planthopper (SBPH), are the closely related rice pests that perform differentially on wheat plants. Using fecundity as a fitness measure, we found that SBPH well‐adapted on wheat plants, followed by WBPH, while BPH had the worst performance. The transcriptomic responses of SBPH and BPH to wheat plants have been compared previously. To understand the different fitness mechanisms of three planthoppers, this study first investigated the transcriptomic responses of WBPH to rice and wheat plants. Genes involved in detoxification, transportation and proteasome were significantly enriched in WBPH in response to different diets. Moreover, comparative analysis demonstrated that most co‐regulated genes in BPH and SBPH showed different expression changes; whereas most co‐regulated genes in BPH and WBPH exhibited similar expression changes. Subsequently, this study also investigated the influences of host plants on the bacterial community of three planthoppers. The three planthoppers harboured distant diversity of bacterial communities. However, there was no dramatic change in bacterial diversity or relative abundance in planthoppers colonized on different hosts. This study illustrates generic and species‐specific changes of three rice planthoppers in response to different plants, which deepen our understanding towards the host fitness for planthopper species.
Beyond Economics: the Family, Belonging and Remittances among the Bangladeshi Migrants in Los Angeles
Authors: Mahmud Hasan
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a study exploring how migrants’ belonging shapes their remittances among Bangladeshi migrants in Los Angeles. Based on migrants’ perception, the paper recognizes the centrality of the family and origin community in migrants’ remittances both in the NELM and in the transnational perspectives. It empirically investigates migrants’ belonging and recognizes their membership in their parents’ family, their own nuclear family, joint family including siblings with their respective families, extended family including multiple generations and a community of origin. It finds migrants’ belonging simultaneously to the destination and origin countries, and also confirms the presence of ‘friction’ in such belonging, indicative of both cooperation and conflict in migrants’ remittances allowing for explaining changes in their remittances such as remittances decay and resurgence. This study offers guideline for further empirical research on migrants’ transnationalism and remittances with policy implications regarding the developmental consequences of remittances.
What do immigrants make of immigration policies? Insights from interviews with Venezuelans in Chile
Authors: Doña‐Reveco Cristián , Gouveia Lourdes
Published: January 2021

In this article, we build on qualitative data from 37 in‐depth interviews with Venezuelan immigrants in Chile, collected in 2017 and 2018, to explore how they make sense of sudden immigration policy changes made by the Sebastián Piñera government in mid‐2018. Linked to these perceptions, we explore our interviewees’ attitudes towards other immigrant groups. We contend that, while immigrant participation in policymaking often is a normatively desired form of inclusion, immigrant perceptions of other immigrants and of immigration policy are not uniform. We find that immigrants can have very negative perceptions of other immigrants, favouring restrictive policies. Immigrants influence the contexts of reception for newcomers, and—in the case of Chile—they have voting and political rights that places them in a position of casting some influence over immigration policies. Studying the Venezuelan case is particularly illuminating, as this immigration was considered a desirable or acceptable immigration.
Effectiveness of mindfulness‐based intervention on psychotic symptoms for patients with schizophrenia: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Liu Yu‐Chen , Li I‐Ling , Hsiao Fei‐Hsiu
Published: January 2021

Aims

To evaluate the effects of mindfulness‐based intervention on psychotic symptoms, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and rehospitalization.

Design

A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Data Sources

Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, CINAHL, National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan, and Airiti Library were searched from their earliest available date up to April 2019.

Review Methods

The guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration were followed to report this systematic review. Two authors conducted this meta‐analysis independently.

Results

Nine randomized controlled trials were included. Meta‐analysis showed that mindfulness‐based intervention significantly decreased psychotic symptoms, positive symptoms, negative symptoms, depressive symptoms, and duration of rehospitalization among patients with schizophrenia, and that the reduction in negative symptoms lasted through short‐term follow‐up. The moderation analysis showed that significantly decreased positive symptoms occurred in the nurse‐led intervention group, while no significant impact was found in the psychologist‐led intervention group.

Conclusion

The psychotic symptoms of the patients with schizophrenia are improved after mindfulness‐based intervention and the effects on the negative symptoms can be maintained for at least 3 to 6 months. Mindfulness‐based intervention provided by nurses produces more improvements in positive symptoms than intervention provided by psychologists.

Impact

A growing number of mindfulness‐based interventions have been implemented for patients with schizophrenia, although the effectiveness had not previously been established by meta‐analysis. Mindfulness‐based interventions appear to reduce the symptom severity of schizophrenia patients. Further suggestions for healthcare providers and researchers are provided and discussed.
A selection signatures study among Middle Eastern and European sheep breeds
Authors: Eydivandi Sirous , Roudbar Mahmoud Amiri , Ardestani Siavash Salek , Momen Mehdi , Sahana Goutam
Published: January 2021

Selection, both natural and artificial, leaves patterns on the genome during domestication of animals and leads to changes in allele frequencies among populations. Detecting genomic regions influenced by selection in livestock may assist in understanding the processes involved in genome evolution and discovering genomic regions related to traits of economic and ecological interests. In the current study, genetic diversity analyses were conducted on 34,206 quality‐filtered SNP positions from 450 individuals in 15 sheep breeds, including six indigenous breeds from the Middle East, namely Iranian Balouchi, Afshari, Moghani, Qezel, Karakas and Norduz, and nine breeds from Europe, namely East Friesian Sheep, Ile de France, Mourerous, Romane, Swiss Mirror, Spaelsau, Suffolk, Comisana and Engadine Red Sheep. The SNP genotype data generated by the Illumina OvineSNP50 Genotyping BeadChip array were used in this analysis. We applied two complementary statistical analyses, FST(fixation index) and xp‐EHH (cross‐population extended haplotype homozygosity), to detect selection signatures in Middle Eastern and European sheep populations. FSTand xp‐EHH detected 629 and 256 genes indicating signatures of selection, respectively. Genomic regions identified using FSTand xp‐EHH contained the CIDEA, HHATL, MGST1, FADS1, RTL1 and DGKG genes, which were reported earlier to influence a number of economic traits. Both FSTand xp‐EHH approaches identified 60 shared genes as the signatures of selection, including four candidate genes (NT5E, ADA2, C8A and C8B) that were enriched for two significant Gene Ontology (GO) terms associated with the adenosine metabolic procedure. Knowledge about the candidate genomic regions under selective pressure in sheep breeds may facilitate identification of the underlying genes and enhance our understanding on these genes role in local adaptation.