bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
China's provincial energy‐related carbon emissions‐economy nexus: A two‐stage framework based on decoupling analysis and panel vector autoregression
Authors: Pan Wu‐Lin , Pan Wei , Liu Shan , Tsai Sang‐Bing , Hu Cheng , Tu Haiting
Published: April 2019

China is transforming the growth model and speeding up industrial structural improvement and upgrading now and in the coming years, which means the slowdown of economic growth and more serious environmental costs in economic and social development would be the “New Normal.” As the world's largest energy consumer and carbon‐emitting country, China's emissions reduction commitments are crucial to global greenhouse gas emissions mitigation, so there is a profusion of research focused on China's economy‐environment nexus. Among which, the dynamic relationship of carbon emission and economic growth and its evolution combined the national, regional, provincial data have not been discussed thoroughly. This paper analyses the elasticity of economic performance of carbon emissions based on 30 Chinese provincial data from 2000 to 2016; furthermore, a panel vector autoregressive model is constructed to discuss the interactions of variables within environmental economic system. It is concluded that China is experiencing a turning point from weak decoupling to strong decoupling in recent years, and its economic performance of carbon emissions has been gradually improved with larger disparities among provinces though. Regression result confirms the role of the energy mix on carbon emissions, and it also indicates that the impact of most factors influencing that have been discussed in previous studies may not be direct, prominent, and for long term.
Imprints of wave climate and mean sea level variations in the dynamics of a coastal spit over the last 250 years: Cap Ferret, SW France
Authors: Nahon Alphonse , Idier Déborah , Sénéchal Nadia , Féniès Hugues , Mallet Cyril , Mugica Julie
Published: April 2019

In coastal areas, sea level rise (SLR) and changing wave climates are expected to be the main oceanic drivers of shoreline adjustments. These drivers have been shown to vary on a wide spectrum of spatial and temporal scales. Nonetheless, a general rule about how this variability impacts global shorelines remains to be articulated. Here, we discuss the impacts of wave climate changes and SLR on the evolution of a barrier spit–inlet system over the last 250 years. The distal end of the Cap Ferret barrier spit, SW France, has undergone large‐scale oscillations that were well correlated with variations of the decadal average of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index. The local wave climate hindcast supports that increased alongshore wave energy fluxes associated with the positive phase of the NAO were responsible for the updrift retreat of the spit. By opposition, the spit has elongated downdrift when waves were less energetic and more shore normal, as during the negative phase of the NAO. In addition, lower rates of SLR appeared to be necessary for the spit to develop, as higher rates of SLR very likely forced the adjacent inlet to enlarge, at the expense of the spit. These results should help to predict and detect coastal adjustments driven by climate change and by climate variability. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An integration of slicing, NFV, and SDN for mobility management in corporate environments
Authors: Meneses Flávio , Silva Rui , Santos David , Corujo Daniel , Aguiar Rui L.
Published: April 2019

Online access to information while on the move has conferred businesses with the capability to be constantly accessible and in operation, independently of geographical area or time zone. There are situations, however, that demand technical solutions for specific scenarios, such as controlled access to corporate‐based content. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow controlled remote access to content, supporting scenarios such as teleworking. Nonetheless, such mechanisms are not commonly associated with the highly mobile users of today, which can traverse different types of access networks, while still keeping access to content restricted to corporate network usage. In addition, as VPN mechanisms are disassociated from mobility procedures, service disruption can happen or specific mechanisms and clients can be required in end‐user's equipment. This paper proposes a framework that leverages Network Slicing, enabled by Software Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualisation, to provide seamless and isolated access to corporate‐based content while moving through heterogeneous networks. This solution allows Mobile Network Operators to dynamically instantiate isolated network slices for corporate users, and handover them between 3GPP and non‐3GPP networks while users move away from the corporate network. In this way, they are able to keep access to corporate‐based content in a transparent way, while maintaining access requirements for the service being used. The framework was implemented and validated over an experimental testbed composed by mobile and Wi‐Fi accesses, with results presenting improvements in terms of overhead signaling and data redirection without downtime nor stream reconnection.
A Single‐Center Experience on Outcomes of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Among Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Philips Cyriac Abby , Paramaguru Rajaguru , Augustine Philip , Rajesh Sasidharan , Ahamed Rizwan , George Tom , Padsalgi Guruprasad
Published: April 2019

Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) due to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is on the rise throughout the world by patients looking for “safer” alternatives. However, data on acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) due to CAM are lacking. In a large cohort of patients with cirrhosis, we retrospectively studied CAM‐related health‐seeking behavior and attempted to identify those who developed possible CAM‐DILI‐related ACLF. In this study, we examine the clinical, biochemical, and liver histopathologic characteristics of possible CAM‐DILI‐related ACLF, describe implicated CAM agents, and discuss predictors of patient outcomes. Out of 1,666 patients with cirrhosis, 68% used CAM at some point. A total of 35.7% (n = 30/84) patients presented with CAM‐related DILI leading to ACLF in the whole CAM‐DILI‐related decompensation cohort. The most common CAM was unlabeled polyherbal Ayurvedic formulations. Of possible patients with ACLF, 63% self‐medicated with CAM based on social media sharing. Mean age ± SD was 51.9 ± 9.9 years, 83% were male patients, median follow‐up duration was 173 (range, 14‐584) days, median Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh score was 13 (range, 10‐14), Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease‐sodium score was 30.1 ± 4.8, median chronic liver failure‐organ failure (CLIF‐C‐OF) score was 11 (range, 8‐14), and median CLIF‐C‐ACLF score was 98 (range, 87‐127). Portal‐based neutrophilic predominant mixed inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning, autoimmune‐like features, and severe cholestasis were seen on liver biopsy. Overall, 53% of patients died (median survival 194 days). Baseline overt hepatic encephalopathy and CLIF‐C‐OF score, total bilirubin, hyponatremia and leukocytosis, and grade of ACLF predicted 1‐, 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐month mortality, respectively. Conclusion: Possible CAM‐DILI‐related ACLF has a high mortality. Strict monitoring and identification of CAM use among people with cirrhosis and an integrative public health educational practice can help ameliorate this modifiable risk factor that potentiates heavy liver disease burden and resource use.
Evaluating an Aboriginal tobacco social marketing project in Sydney, Australia
Authors: Poder Natasha , Khan Raquiba Jahan , Kovai Vilas , Robinson Laurel , Wright Darryl , Spinks Mark , Heathcote Jeremy , Millen Elizabeth , Welsh Kerry , Bedford Karen
Published: April 2019

Introduction

A partnership between three Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and a mainstream health service was formed to develop, implement and evaluate a comprehensive and culturally appropriate social marketing project which aimed to encourage smokers to quit smoking. The project also supported quit attempts and promoted denormalisation of smoking.

Methods

The project was evaluated through baseline (n = 427) and follow‐up (n = 611) surveys carried out face‐to‐face with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander participants 18 years and older recruited through convenience sampling at community events and venues during 2010‐2011 and 2015.

Results

The proportion of participants who had made one or more quit attempts increased significantly between baseline and follow‐up surveys (54%, 101 out of 187; vs 64%, 189 out of 297; P < 0.05). Participants who had intended to quit within 6 months (AOR, 3.29; 95% CI 1.90‐5.68; P < 0.01); and participants disagreeing with the statement “I don't mind if people smoke inside my home” (AOR, 1.74; 95% CI 1.06‐2.84; P < 0.05) were significantly more likely to have made one or more quit attempts compared to the respective reference groups.

Conclusion

Study findings demonstrate that the project was associated with increased quit attempts. Intention to quit and attitude were found to be the predictors of making a quit attempt.

So what?

Many studies suggest the need to denormalise smoking; this study demonstrated both change in attitudes and an increase in quit attempts. It is recognised that many quit attempts may be needed for long‐term smoking cessation.
Multivariate analyses of the global acceptability rates of male intimate partner violence (IPV) against women based on World Values Survey data
Authors: Tausch Arno
Published: April 2019

Major international organizations like UN Women and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that nowadays, more than one‐third of all women in the world suffer male intimate partner violence (IPV) at some point in their lives and that eliminating the societal acceptancy of that violence is a major element in combatting it. While there is consensus that IPV has disastrous public health consequences, so far, little is known about the drivers of IPV acceptability rates. This article therefore analyzes available global opinion data from the World Values Survey (WVS) project in 72 countries of the world, representing some four‐fifths of the global population. Existing IPV data published prior to this study already suggested that the highest global incidence of IPV is to be found in sub‐Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Andean Latin America. Neoliberal political economy in the tradition of Hayek maintained for a long time that the disrespect of property rights and traditional family values can have disastrous social and economic effects. Our study renders support for this theory: On the basis of a variety of statistical analyses, including a factor analysis of 45 key items from the WVS data, we conclude that apart from attitudes on gender equality, the disrespect of property rights and traditional family values, analyzed by Hayek, emerge as the major drivers of high acceptability rates of IPV. Mali, Serbia, Montenegro, Zambia, Burkina Faso, India, the Philippines, Rwanda, Egypt, and Algeria are on top of this list of global rates of IPV acceptability.
Shy children's understanding of irony: Better comprehension does not always mean better socioemotional functioning
Authors: Mewhort‐Buist Tracy A. , Nilsen Elizabeth S.
Published: April 2019

Childhood shyness is a risk factor for negative socioemotional outcomes including loneliness and depression. Childhood shyness has also been found to relate to various aspects of pragmatic language. For instance, shyer children rate ironic criticisms (i.e., where a speaker's intended meaning is the opposite of what is literally said) as meaner than do less shy children. This study examined whether relations between shyness and socioemotional functioning (i.e., loneliness, depression, and peer experiences) in children (9–12 years old; N = 169) were moderated by irony comprehension ability. Using a series of vignettes and self‐report measures, it was found that shyer children with better irony comprehension skill reported increased loneliness and depression symptoms, as well as fewer prosocial experiences with peers. Similarly, for girls, better comprehension strengthened the relationship between shyness and peer victimization. In contrast, for shy boys, better irony comprehension was associated with a reduction in peer victimization. Thus, for certain vulnerable populations, having better sociocommunicative skills may not be advantageous.

Highlights

The present work examined whether relations between children's reported shyness and socioemotional functioning were moderated by irony comprehension.

Children viewed comic strips of characters interacting and completed measures of shyness, loneliness, depression, and peer victimization. Shy children with better irony comprehension reported increased loneliness and depression.

Having greater insight into communicative intentions for others may allow shy children to recognize social shortcomings. For certain vulnerable populations, having better sociocommunicative skills may not be advantageous.
The predictive power of tumor mutational burden in lung cancer immunotherapy response is influenced by patients’ sex
Authors: Wang Shixiang , Zhang Jing , He Zaoke , Wu Kai , Liu Xue‐Song
Published: April 2019

Immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), is transforming the treatment of cancer. However, only a fraction of patients show response to ICI, and there is an unmet need for biomarkers that will identify patients more likely to respond to ICI. Here we report that the ICI response prediction biomarker tumor mutational burden (TMB) shows significant sex differences. TMB's predictive power is significantly better for female than for male lung cancer patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed and the area under the curve (AUC) was reported to evaluate the predictive power of TMB in lung cancer ICI response. Hazard ratios (HR) of TMB‐high vs. TMB‐low patients were compared between male and female patients. Both AUC and HR differences between female and male are significant in all available independent lung cancer datasets. However, the AUC of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression does not show a difference between female and male, suggesting TMB, but not PD‐L1 expression has a better predictive power for female than for male lung cancer patients. Our study suggests significant sex differences in the performance of TMB in ICI response prediction. Future development of ICI biomarker should consider sex differences and special efforts should be paid to improve the performance of ICI predictive biomarkers for male lung cancer patients.
Significant inter‐ and intra‐laboratory variation in grading of invasive breast cancer: A nationwide study of 33,043 patients in the Netherlands
Authors: van Dooijeweert Carmen , van Diest Paul J. , Willems Stefan M. , Kuijpers Chantal C. H. J. , van der Wall Elsken , Overbeek Lucy I. H. , Deckers Ivette A. G.
Published: April 2019

Accurate, consistent and reproducible grading by pathologists is of key‐importance for identification of individual patients with invasive breast cancer (IBC) that will or will not benefit from adjuvant systemic treatment. We studied the laboratory‐specific grading variation using nationwide real‐life data to create insight and awareness in grading variation. Synoptic pathology reports of all IBC resection‐specimens, obtained between 2013 and 2016, were retrieved from the nationwide Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA). Absolute differences in laboratory‐proportions of Grades I–III were compared to the national reference. Multivariable logistic regression provided laboratory‐specific odds ratios (ORs) for high‐ vs. low‐grade IBC. 33,792 IBC pathology reports of 33,043 patients from 39 laboratories were included, of which 28.1% were reported as Grade I (range between laboratories 16.3–43.3%), 47.6% as Grade II (38.4–57.8%), and 24.3% as Grade III (15.5–34.3%). Based on national guidelines, the indication for adjuvant chemotherapy was dependent on histologic grade in 29.9% of patients. After case‐mix correction, 20 laboratories (51.3%) showed a significantly deviant OR. Significant grading differences were also observed among pathologists within laboratories. In this cohort of 33,043 breast cancer patients, we observed substantial inter‐ and intra‐laboratory variation in histologic grading. It can be anticipated that this has influenced outcome including exposure to unnecessary toxicity, since choice of adjuvant chemotherapy was dependent on grade in nearly a third of patients. Better standardization and training seems warranted.
Natural Product Chemistry for Nitric Oxide Based Therapeutics
Authors: Bryan Nathan S.
Published: April 2019

Nitric oxide (NO) production is essential for normal human health and physiology. NO controls and regulates blood pressure, nervous and immune function along with numerous other fundamental physiological processes. Loss of NO production is recognized as one of the earliest events in the onset and progression of many if not all chronic diseases. Development of FDA approved NO based therapeutics has been slow and largely unsuccessful. Historically, natural product chemistry has been a primary strategy for development of new drug compounds. Through plant based chemistry and bacterial metabolism, NO can be produced and harnessed for restoration of NO based signaling in humans. This strategy may provide opportunity for development of safe and effective NO based therapies.
Astrakurkurone, a sesquiterpenoid from wild edible mushroom, targets liver cancer cells by modulating Bcl‐2 family proteins
Authors: Dasgupta Adhiraj , Dey Dhritiman , Ghosh Dipanjan , Lai Tapan Kumar , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Dolui Sandip , Velayutham Ravichandiran , Acharya Krishnendu
Published: April 2019

Induction of apoptosis is the target of choice for modern chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer, where lack of potent “target‐specific” drugs has led to extensive research on anticancer compounds from natural sources. In our study, we have used astrakurkurone, a triterpene isolated from wild edible mushroom, Astraeus hygrometricus. We have discussed the structure and stability of astrakurkurone employing single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography and studied its potential apoptogenicity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Our experiments reveal that it is cytotoxic against the HCC cell lines (Hep 3B and Hep G2) at significantly low doses. Further investigations indicated that astrakurkurone acts by inducing apoptosis in the cells, disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential and inducing the expression of Bcl‐2 family proteins, for example, Bax, and the downstream effector caspases 3 and 9. A molecular docking study also predicted direct interactions of the drug with antiapoptotic proteins Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL. Thus, astrakurkurone could become a valuable addition to the conventional repertoire of future anticancer drugs. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 1–11, 2019
Acceleration of newborn rats’ development with the use of photobiomodulation and the near possibility of application in human premature babies
Authors: Buzzá Hilde H. , Zangirolami Amanda C. , Kurachi Cristina , Bagnato Vanderlei S.
Published: April 2019

Photobiomodulation was explored to find evidence of stimulation during the development of newborn rats. A light chamber device was used, and rat pups were divided into groups after birth. Investigation of the process’ security was performed before the full experiment. Following a protocol of alternating illumination and mother's presence during the first 13 days, we observed that, in the group that received photobiomodulation, the pups opened their eyes faster, indicating earlier achievement of maturity. The rate of weight gain also indicates faster metabolic activity in the group that was photostimulated. This study is the first step toward the use of photobiomodulation for premature newborn human babies.
Safety and biocompatibility of injectable vaccine adjuvants composed of thermogelling block copolymer gels
Authors: Adams Justin R. , Senapati Sujata , Haughney Shannon L. , Wannemuehler Michael J. , Narasimhan Balaji , Mallapragada Surya K.
Published: April 2019

Injectable thermogelling polymers have been recently investigated as novel adjuvants and delivery systems for next generation vaccines. As research into natural and synthetic biocompatible polymers progresses, the safety and biocompatibility of these compounds is of paramount importance. We have developed cationic pentablock copolymer (PBC) vaccine adjuvants based on Pluronic F127, a thermogelling triblock copolymer that has been approved by the FDA for multiple applications, and methacrylated poly(diethyl amino)ethyl methacrylate outer blocks. These novel materials have been demonstrated to effectively create an antigen depot, minimally impact antigen stability, and enhance the immune response to antigens (i.e., adjuvanticity) in mice. In this work, we investigated the safety and biocompatibility of the parent triblock Pluronic gels and the cationic PBC gels in mice. Histological analysis showed no injection site reactions and no damage to the liver or kidneys was observed upon administering the block copolymer formulations. However, the subcutaneous injection of a thermogelling Pluronic solution induced increased levels of lipids in the blood, with no further deleterious effects observed from the addition of the cationic outer blocks. This hyperlipidemia resolved within 30 days after the administration of the Pluronic formulation. To mitigate this adverse effect, the vaccine adjuvant formulations were modified by adding poly(vinyl alcohol), which allowed gelation, while reducing the amount of Pluronic in the formulation. This modified formulation abrogated the observed hyperlipidemia and no adverse effects were observed in the serum through biomarker analysis or at the injection site (i.e., inflammation) in comparison to the responses induced by administration of saline or incomplete Freund's adjuvant. These studies provide a foundation to developing these gels as adjuvants for next generation vaccines. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1754–1762, 2019.
Mussel adhesive protein fused with VE‐cadherin extracellular domain promotes endothelial‐cell tight junctions and in vivo endothelization recovery of vascular stent
Authors: Yang Dongchuan , Yan Wenhua , Qiu Juhui , Huang Yuhua , Li Tianhan , Wang Yi , Wang Nan , Durkan Colm , Huang Junli , Yin Tieying , Wang Guixue
Published: April 2019

Improving the surface properties of vascular stents to accelerate endothelialization in vivo could play an important role in minimizing the risk of late thrombosis. We previously showed that mussel adhesive protein fused with VE‐cadherin extracellular domain (VE‐M) specifically triggered endothelial cell adhesion in vitro. In this study, using stent implants coated with VE‐M, we evaluated the clinical applicability of VE‐M in endothelialization recovery in vivo. First, we explored the effect of VE‐M on hemocompatibility and tight junctions between endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro. VE‐M significantly inhibited platelet adhesion and promoted EC proliferation. Furthermore, VE‐M drastically increased the centralization of F‐actin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) along the cell contacts, reduced fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)—dextran transport across the HUVECs, and elevated expression levels of tight junction proteins (TJPs) in ECs. We then evaluated the effect of VE‐M on endothelialization recovery in vivo through implantation of vascular stents. At 1 day after implantation, stents coated with VE‐M recruited more endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) than bare stents. At 7 days after implantation, VE‐M stents had a greater coverage of ECs than bare stents. At 1 month after implantation, ECs on VE‐M stents were appropriately elliptical in morphology and closely resembled physiological morphology. Hematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining revealed little in‐stent neointima formation on VE‐M stents, and SEM images revealed that smooth endothelium had formed on VE‐M stents without adherent platelets. Taken together, these findings indicate that VE‐M accelerates in vivo endothelialization of vascular stents via recruitment of EPCs and promotes endothelium formation and could be explored as a potential bioactive coating for vascular implant. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 108B:94–103, 2020.
Financial Characteristics of Distressed Firms: An Application of the Altman Algorithm Model
Authors: Amoa‐Gyarteng Karikari
Published: April 2019

This article uses the discrete variables in the Altman algorithm model to describe the characteristics of firms as they approach bankruptcy. Data are drawn from 144 mining and oil and gas firms that declared Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy in the United States between 2006 and 2016. Part of the population eligibility criteria for the study is that firms should be publicly traded and should have filed form 10‐K reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A paired samples t‐test shows that the Altman Z score, solvency, profitability, and asset productivity become statistically significantly worse when bankruptcy becomes imminent. The article further finds that there is no statistically significant change in liquidity and activity ratios of distressed firms as financial performance deteriorates. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What Do We Know About Corporate Cash Holdings? A Systematic Analysis
Authors: da Cruz Alethéia Ferreira , Kimura Herbert , Sobreiro Vinicius Amorim
Published: April 2019

Cash holdings play an important role at the heart of firms' policies. Researchers have devoted considerable attention to the dramatic increase in cash reserves despite alternative instruments such as debt, derivatives, and credit lines. The finance literature discusses the antecedents and determinants of cash holdings as well as the different reasons for firms to hold cash. In this paper, we present a systematic literature review of cash holdings in the finance field. The major studies in this area are classified and coded, and a research agenda and recommendations that may advance the field are discussed. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Think your Company Is in Compliance with the Copyright Act: Listen Carefully
Authors: Hart Dana L. , Slater Robert D.
Published: April 2019

Companies who use music or video to entertain customers need to maintain compliance with the “performance” provisions of the Copyright Act. Many businesses assume they are automatically exempt from paying royalties under the Copyright Act's Homestyle Exemption or the Fairness in Music Licensing Act of, 1998. Companies are often surprised to find they owe royalties to Performance Rights Organizations. This article discusses the Copyright Act and the compliance issues associated with playing copyrighted works within a business. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kidney cachexia or protein‐energy wasting in chronic kidney disease: facts and numbers
Authors: Koppe Laetitia , Fouque Denis , Kalantar‐Zadeh Kamyar
Published: April 2019

Background

Weight loss and homeostatic disturbances of both energy and protein balances are characteristics of several illnesses including cancer, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Different definitions have been used to describe this deleterious process. The term protein‐energy wasting (PEW) has been proposed for CKD patients by the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism.

Methods

We searched the publication in Medline from February 2008 to September 2018 using PEW or cachexia in their title.

Results

Since its inception, the term PEW has been exceptionally successful, highlighted by 327 original publications referenced in PubMed over 10 years. Using this classification, several studies have confirmed that PEW is among the strongest predictors of mortality in CKD patients [hazard ratio of 3.03; confidence interval of 1.69–5.26 in 1068 haemodialysis patients and 1.40 (1.04–1.89) in 1487 non‐dialysed patients across PEW stages 0 to 4]. Based on this classification, prevalence of PEW is 28% to 54% among 16 434 adults undergoing maintenance dialysis. PEW prevalence increases when renal function declines, that is, from <2% in CKD stages 1–2 to 11–54% in CKD stages 3–5. A more general definition of cachexia for all chronic diseases proposed by the Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia and Wasting Disorders was also published concurrently. In the CKD area, we found 180 publications using ‘cachexia’ underlining that some confusion or overlap may exist. The definitions of PEW and cachexia are somewhat similar, and the main difference is that a loss of body weight >5% is a mandatory criterion for cachexia but supportive for PEW.

Conclusions

The recent understanding of cachexia physiopathology during CKD progression suggests that PEW and cachexia are closely related and that PEW corresponds the initial state of a continuous process that leads to cachexia, implicating the same metabolic pathways as in other chronic diseases. Despite the success of the definition of PEW, using a more uniform term such as ‘kidney disease cachexia’ could be more helpful to design future research through collaborative groups of researchers with focus on cachexia.
Cancer‐driven changes link T cell frequency to muscle strength in people with cancer: a pilot study
Authors: Narsale Aditi , Moya Rosa , Ma Jasmin , Anderson Lindsey J. , Wu Daniel , Garcia Jose M. , Davies Joanna D.
Published: April 2019

Background

Tumour growth can promote the loss of muscle mass and function. This is particularly disturbing because overall survival is significantly reduced in people with weaker and smaller skeletal muscle. The risk of cancer is also greater in people who are immune deficient. Muscle wasting in mice with cancer can be inhibited by infusion of CD4+ precursor T cells that restore balanced ratios of naïve, memory, and regulatory T cells. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that stronger anti‐cancer T cell immunity leads to improved muscle mass and function. As a first step to testing this hypothesis, we determined whether levels of circulating T cell subsets correlate with levels of muscle strength in people with cancer.

Methods

The frequency of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ naïve, memory, and regulatory T cell subsets was quantified in 11 men with gastrointestinal cancer (aged 59.3 ± 10.1 years) and nine men without cancer (aged 60 ± 13 years), using flow cytometry. T cell marker expression was determined using real‐time PCR and western blot analyses in whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Handgrip strength, one‐repetition maximum chest press, and knee extension tests were used to determine muscle strength. Performance was determined using a stair climb test. Body composition was determined using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan. The Karnofsky and ECOG scales were used to assess functional impairment. Correlations between frequencies of cell subsets with strength, performance, and body composition were determined using regression analyses.

Results

Our data show significant correlations between (i) higher frequencies of CD8+ naïve (P = 0.02) and effector memory (P = 0.003) T cells and lower frequencies of CD8+ central memory T cells (P = 0.002) with stronger handgrip strength, (ii) lower frequency of regulatory cells with greater lean mass index (P = 0.04), (iii) lower frequency of CD8+ T cells that express CD95 with greater stair climb power (P = 0.003), (iv) higher frequency of T cells that co‐express CD197 and CD45RA and greater one‐repetition maximum knee extension strength (P = 0.008), and (iv) higher expression of CD4 in whole blood with greater functional impairment (P = 0.004) in people with cancer.

Conclusions

We have identified significant correlations between levels of T cell populations and muscle strength, performance, and body composition in people with cancer. These data justify a follow‐up study with a larger cohort to test the validity of the findings.
Valorization of Zante currant side‐streams for the production of phenolic‐rich extract and bacterial cellulose: a novel biorefinery concept
Authors: Tsouko Erminda , Papadaki Aikaterini , Papapostolou Harris , Ladakis Dimitris , Natsia Aikaterini , Koutinas Apostolis , Kampioti Adamantia , Eriotou Effimia , Kopsahelis Nikolaos
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

Utilization of renewable resources for the production of added‐value bioeconomy products, within the concept of developing integrated biorefineries, is a crucial step towards the establishment of sustainable processes. In this framework, a novel biorefinery has been proposed based on ‘Zante currant’ side‐stream valorization.

RESULTS

‘Zante currant’ raisins discarded during the production process were initially treated in order to obtain a sugar‐rich and a phenolic‐rich fraction, implementing wastewaters for all of the extraction and dilution procedures. Total phenolics and antioxidant activity index (AAI) were determined indicating that Zante currants could be considered as a phenolic‐rich source, whereas the fractionated phenolic extract possesses a moderate antioxidant activity (AAI = 0.71). In addition, quantitative analyses using high performance liquid chromatography‐diode array detector revealed that the main phenolics present in Zante currants were caffeic acid, ellagic acid, 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, catechin and rutin; homoprotocatechuic acid, epicatechin, vanillic acid and gallic acid also were detected in lower concentrations. Likewise, sugar recovery reached 88% and the sugar‐rich stream was subsequently utilized in batch fermentations for the production of bacterial cellulose (BC), using the bacterial strain Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans DSM 15973. The obtained results showed that BC was produced efficiently, reaching higher concentrations (2.76 g L−1) than previous studies in which synthetic fructose‐ and glucose‐based media were used.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study proposing the development of a novel raisin‐based biorefinery for the production of added‐value products, namely antioxidants and BC. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Lungs nodule detection framework from computed tomography images using support vector machine
Authors: Khan Sajid A. , Nazir Muhammad , Khan Muhammad A. , Saba Tanzila , Javed Kashif , Rehman Amjad , Akram Tallha , Awais Muhammad
Published: April 2019

The emergence of cloud infrastructure has the potential to provide significant benefits in a variety of areas in the medical imaging field. The driving force behind the extensive use of cloud infrastructure for medical image processing is the exponential increase in the size of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. The size of a single CT/MRI image has increased manifold since the inception of these imagery techniques. This demand for the introduction of effective and efficient frameworks for extracting relevant and most suitable information (features) from these sizeable images. As early detection of lungs cancer can significantly increase the chances of survival of a lung scanner patient, an effective and efficient nodule detection system can play a vital role. In this article, we have proposed a novel classification framework for lungs nodule classification with less false positive rates (FPRs), high accuracy, sensitivity rate, less computationally expensive and uses a small set of features while preserving edge and texture information. The proposed framework comprises multiple phases that include image contrast enhancement, segmentation, feature extraction, followed by an employment of these features for training and testing of a selected classifier. Image preprocessing and feature selection being the primary steps—playing their vital role in achieving improved classification accuracy. We have empirically tested the efficacy of our technique by utilizing the well‐known Lungs Image Consortium Database dataset. The results prove that the technique is highly effective for reducing FPRs with an impressive sensitivity rate of 97.45%.
Huge bilharzial polyp mimicking colon cancer
Authors: Elbatee Hassan E , Emara Mohamed H , Zaghloul Mariam S , Ahmed Mohammed H , Radwan Mohamed I , Seif Ahmed S , Elmoghazy Magdy B , Elkashef Wagdi F
Published: April 2019

Bilharziasis (Schistosomiasis) is the third devastating tropical disease globally and is endemic in many countries including Egypt. The pathology of chronic colonic schistosomiasis results from egg‐induced immune response, granuloma formation, and associated fibrotic changes that may manifest as bloody diarrhea, cramping, and, eventually, inflammatory colonic polyposis. Huge polyps complicating schistosomiasis are not frequently reported in the literature. Also, huge polyps as a sole manifestation of intestinal bilharziasis are rather rarely reported. Here, we report an Egyptian male patient who presented with bleeding per rectum with a huge polyp on colonoscopy, with morphological traits that mimicked colon cancer and proved to be of bilharzial etiology after surgical excision.
Frontline Science: Aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps prevent inflammation on the neutrophil-rich ocular surface
Authors: Mahajan Aparna , Grüneboom Anika , Petru Lenka , Podolska Malgorzata J , Kling Lasse , Maueröder Christian , Dahms Florian , Christiansen Silke , Günter Lochnit , Krenn Veit , Jünemann Anselm , Bock Felix , Schauer Christine , Schett Georg , Hohberger Bettina , Herrmann Martin , Muñoz Luis E
Published: April 2019

Eye rheum is a physiological discharge, which accumulates at the medial angle of the healthy eye soon after opening in the morning. Microscopic evaluation of eye rheum revealed the presence of viable neutrophils, bacteria, epithelial cells, and particles, aggregated by neutrophil extracellular traps. We observed that in the evening, during eye closure, high C5a recruited neutrophils to the tear film and activated them. In this hypoxic area rich in CO2, neutrophils fight microbial aggressors by degranulation. Immediately after eye opening, the microenvironment of the ocular surface changes, the milieu gets normoxic, and loss of CO2 induces subtle alkalinization of tear film. These conditions favored the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that initially covers the ocular surface and tend to aggregate by eyelid blinking. These aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps (aggNETs) are known as eye rheum and contain several viable neutrophils, epithelial cells, dust particles, and crystals packed together by NETs. Similar to aggNETs induced by monosodium urate crystals, the eye rheum shows a robust proteolytic activity that degraded inflammatory mediators before clinically overt inflammation occur. Finally, the eye rheum passively floats with the tear flow to the medial angle of the eye for disposal. We conclude that the aggNETs-based eye rheum promotes cleaning of the ocular surface and ameliorates the inflammation on the neutrophil-rich ocular surfaces.
Towards normal Siberian winter temperatures?
Authors: Koenigk Torben , Fuentes‐Franco Ramon
Published: April 2019

Siberia is a region where despite global warming a winter cooling trend has been observed over last decades. This cooling trend and its potential linkage to Arctic sea ice loss are controversially discussed. However, recent winters have not been taken into account so far. Here, we analyse ERA‐Interim reanalysis data until 2017 and ERA20C reanalysis to investigate the robustness of the winter surface air temperature trends to updated and extended time periods. Our results show that winter temperatures in Siberia were above normal after 2013 leading to strongly reduced cooling trends since 1980. The trend before 2014 was dominated by four cold winters between 2010 and 2013. These cold winters were mainly caused by strong negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), except for the winter 2011/2012, where the NAO was positive and a strongly negative phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) in combination with low sea ice in the Barents Sea caused the cold winter. Both NAO and PDO shift from more negative to positive phases in 2014 and contribute to a return to warmer Siberian temperatures. Furthermore, the NAO shows no trend between 1980 and 2017 indicating that the suggested linkage between Arctic sea ice loss and a negative trend in this mode is not robust. However, continuously low Arctic sea ice in recent years and a slightly negative trend in the PDO since 1980 contribute to the remaining observed cold trends over parts of Eurasia between 1980 and 2017.
The diversity of La Niña decay and the corresponding spring and summer precipitation anomalies over eastern China
Authors: Chen Shengjie , Zhu Zhiwei , Ge Zian , Kang Zhiming , He Jinhai
Published: April 2019

The present study investigates the diversity of the La Niña decaying phase and the corresponding spring and summer precipitation anomalies over the eastern China. Based on the differences in sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) evolution during the La Niña decaying phase, 18 La Niña events in the period 1961–2016 are classified into three types—namely, the “persistent type” (P‐type), the “re‐intensified type” (R‐type), and the “fast‐decay type” (F‐type). Precipitation responses over eastern China during the decaying spring and summer of the three types of La Niña present significant differences. For the R‐type La Niña decaying spring, the enhanced precipitation appears over northeastern China but significant suppressed precipitation anomalies are observed elsewhere, particularly in Yellow River basin, the Yangtze River basin, and southeastern China. Significant negative precipitation anomaly appears over northeastern China in both P‐type and F‐type La Niña decaying spring. In the decaying summer, for P‐type La Niña, dry anomalies are apparent in southern and northern China. For R‐type La Niña, negative rainfall anomalies are notable in northeastern China, the Hetao region, and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River basin. For F‐type La Niña, significant negative rainfall anomalies are found over the Yangtze River basin and parts of northern China. The responses of the large‐scale circulation anomalies to the distinct SSTA patterns of the different types of La Niña are responsible for the diversity of rainfall anomalies over eastern China. The precipitation anomaly pattern in eastern China is closely associated with the different types of La Niña decay, and it is seasonal‐dependent. These two aspects should be taken into account when conducting seasonal predictions of spring and summer rainfall anomalies over eastern China using El Niño–Southern Oscillation as a predictor.
An empirical analysis of supply chain finance adoption
Authors: Wuttke David A. , Rosenzweig Eve D. , Heese Hans Sebastian
Published: April 2019

Supply chain finance (SCF) makes the funding of the supply chain more efficient because it extends the financial strengths of buyers to their suppliers. Nevertheless, buyers sometimes struggle to persuade suppliers to adopt SCF quickly. To craft more effective supplier onboarding strategies, buyers need to know which suppliers are likely to adopt SCF faster. Drawing on the theoretical perspective on organizational motivation, we develop a research framework that uncovers the key drivers of supplier adoption speed. Our framework combines efficiency motive drivers, identified by recent analytical studies on SCF, with legitimacy motive drivers, which stem from a supplier's institutional environment and are new to the SCF literature. We test our hypotheses using a unique data set from a leading financial technology platform provider. We find that suppliers with more limited access to financing tend to adopt SCF faster. In addition, suppliers adopt SCF faster if such adoption is associated with more pronounced reductions in their financing costs. Legitimacy motive drivers also impact supplier adoption speed. Specifically, our results suggest that mimetic and normative pressures accelerate the speed at which suppliers adopt SCF, while coercive pressures seem to have such an effect only when the buyer's stakes are high.
2018 International Consensus Meeting on Musculoskeletal Infection: Research Priorities from the General Assembly Questions
Authors: Schwarz Edward M. , Parvizi Javad , Gehrke Thorsten , Aiyer Amiethab , Battenberg Andrew , Brown Scot A. , Callaghan John J. , Citak Mustafa , Egol Kenneth , Garrigues Grant E. , Ghert Michelle , Goswami Karan , Green Andrew , Hammound Sommer , Kates Stephen L. , McLaren Alex C. , Mont Michael A. , Namdari Surena , Obremskey William T. , O'Toole Robert , Raikin Steven , Restrepo Camilo , Ricciardi Benjamin , Saeed Kordo , Sanchez‐Sotelo Joaquin , Shohat Noam , Tan Timothy , Thirukumaran Caroline P. , Winters Brian
Published: April 2019

Musculoskeletal infections (MSKI) remain the bane of orthopedic surgery, and result in grievous illness and inordinate costs that threaten healthcare systems. As prevention, diagnosis, and treatment has remained largely unchanged over the last 50 years, a 2nd International Consensus Meeting on Musculoskeletal Infection (ICM 2018, https://icmphilly.com) was completed. Questions pertaining to all areas of MSKI were extensively researched to prepare recommendations, which were discussed and voted on by the delegates using the Delphi methodology. The questions, including the General Assembly (GA) results, have been published (GA questions). However, as critical outcomes include: (i) incidence and cost data that substantiate the problems, and (ii) establishment of research priorities; an ICM 2018 research workgroup (RW) was assembled to accomplish these tasks. Here, we present the result of the RW consensus on the current and projected incidence of infection, and the costs per patient, for all orthopedic subspecialties, which range from 0.1% to 30%, and $17,000 to $150,000. The RW also identified the most important research questions. The Delphi methodology was utilized to initially derive four objective criteria to define a subset of the 164 GA questions that are high priority for future research. Thirty‐eight questions (23% of all GA questions) achieved the requisite > 70% agreement vote, and are highlighted in this Consensus article within six thematic categories: acute versus chronic infection, host immunity, antibiotics, diagnosis, research caveats, and modifiable factors. Finally, the RW emphasizes that without appropriate funding to address these high priority research questions, a 3rd ICM on MSKI to address similar issues at greater cost is inevitable.