bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19): Potential implications for weak health systems and conflict zones in the Middle East and North Africa region
Authors: Da'ar Omar B. , Haji Mohamed , Jradi Hoda 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis short communication recognizes the underbelly of weak and conflict‐prone health systems in the Middle East and North Africa region in the wake of COVID‐19 pandemic. The communication highlights how the lack of basic resources, absence of a well‐functioning health system and the dearth of well‐coordinated communication channels, can bode ill for the successful fight against COVID‐19. The article elucidates COVID‐19 potential health, social, and economic implications for such countries. The communication cautions that if COVID‐19 is left to incubate and makes a home in weak systems, it will have a much better chance of mutating and coming back to infect many people globally. The communication calls on the international institutions in collaboration with developed nations to be prepared to probe up health systems in weak and conflict‐prone health systems with much‐needed resources in order to nip COVID‐19 in the bud.
The challenge of increasing employees' well‐being and performance: How human resource management practices and engaging leadership work together toward reaching this goal
Authors: Salas‐Vallina Andrés , Alegre Joaquín , López‐Cabrales Álvaro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDespite continuing interest in employees' well‐being, there are still large gaps in our understanding of the mediating role this concept plays in the human resource management (HRM)–performance relationship. In addition, more insights as to how HRM is implemented by leaders are required, as studies largely center either on leadership or on HRM, with little research addressing how HRM and leadership jointly determine employees' well‐being and performance. This study examines the link between well‐being‐oriented human resource management (WBHRM) and performance in a sample of very large organizations, based on the job demands–resource model and social exchange theory. In addition, we explore the moderating role of middle managers' leadership in the relationship between WBHRM and employees' well‐being. The results reveal that engaging leadership behavior fosters genuine implementation of WBHRM and has a direct impact on employees' performance.
KSHV dysregulates bulk macroautophagy, mitophagy and UPR to promote endothelial to mesenchymal transition and CCL2 release, key events in viral‐driven sarcomagenesis
Authors: Santarelli Roberta , Arteni Ana Maria Brindusa , Gilardini Montani Maria Saveria , Romeo Maria Anele , Gaeta Aurelia , Gonnella Roberta , Faggioni Alberto , Cirone Mara 
Published: June 2020

AbstractKaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of KS, an aggressive neoplasm that mainly occurs in immune‐compromised patients. Spindle cells represent the main feature of this aggressive malignancy and arise from KSHV‐infected endothelial cells undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which changes their cytoskeletal composition and organization. As in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), EndMT is driven by transcription factors such as SNAI1 and ZEB1 and implies a cellular reprogramming mechanism regulated by several molecular pathways, particularly PI3K/AKT/MTOR. Here we found that KSHV activated MTOR and its targets 4EBP1 and ULK1 and reduced bulk macroautophagy and mitophagy to promote EndMT, activate ER stress/unfolded protein response (UPR), and increase the release of the pro‐angiogenic and pro‐inflammatory chemokine CCL2 by HUVEC cells. Our study suggests that the manipulation of macroautophagy, mitophagy and UPR and the interplay between the three could be a promising strategy to counteract EndMT, angiogenesis and inflammation, the key events of KSHV‐driven sarcomagenesis.
Identifying brain regions contributing to Alzheimer's disease using self regulating particle swarm optimization
Authors: Ganotra Reema , Dora Shirin , Gupta Shailender 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn this article, we developed an approach for detecting brain regions that contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) using support vector machine (SVM) classifiers and the recently developed self regulating particle swarm optimization (SRPSO) algorithm. SRPSO employs strategies inspired by the principles of learning in humans to achieve faster and better optimization results. The classifiers for distinguishing subjects into AD patients and cognitively normal (CN) individuals were built using grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumetric features extracted from structural magnetic resonance (MR) images. It could be observed from results that the classifier built using both GM and WM features provided accuracy of 89.26% which is better than the performance of classifiers built using either GM or WM features only. Moreover, consideration of clinical features in addition to volumetric features improves the accuracy further to 94.63% which is better than the performance reported by recent works in literature. In order to identify the brain regions that are important for AD vs CN classification problem, we used SRPSO to extract GM and WM features that yield better classification performance. Using 50 features identified by SRPSO, an accuracy of 89.39% was obtained which is close to the accuracy based on all features. The features identified by SRPSO were mapped back to the brain to identify brain regions that exhibit degeneration in AD. In addition to identifying areas known to be involved in AD like cerebellum, hippocampus, this helped in finding newer areas that might contribute towards AD.
RegTech—the application of modern information technology in regulatory affairs: areas of interest in research and practice
Authors: Becker Michael , Merz Kevin , Buchkremer Rüdiger 
Published: June 2020

SummaryWe provide a high‐level view on topics addressed in scientific articles about regulatory technology (RegTech), with a particular focus on technologies used. For this purpose, we first explore different denominations for RegTech and derive search queries to search relevant literature portals. From the hits of that information retrieval process, we select 55 articles outlining the application of information technology in regulatory affairs with an emphasis on the financial sector. In comparison, we examine the technological scope of 347 RegTech companies and compare our findings with the scientific literature. Our research reveals that ‘compliance management’ is the most relevant topic in practice, and ‘risk management’ is the primary subject in research. The most significant technologies as of today are ‘artificial intelligence’ and distributed ledger technologies such as ‘blockchain’.
Long non‐coding RNA SCARNA2 induces cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via modulating miR‐342‐3p expression
Authors: Zhang Zhongzhao , Jia Min , Wen Changhui , He Aijuan , Ma Zunfeng 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundLong non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the progression of tumors. However, the function and expression of SCARNA2 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is still unreported.MethodsA quantitative polymerase chain reaction was applied to study the expression of SCARNA2 and miR‐342‐3p. Cell counting kit‐8, flow cytometry and transwell assays were performed to study cell growth, cycle and cell invasion.ResultsWe found that SCARNA2 expression is up‐regulated in cSCC cell lines and SCARNA2 expression is higher in cSCC tissues than in adjacent non‐tumor specimens. Ectopic expression of SCARNA2 promoted cell growth, cell cycle and invasion in SCC13 cells. In addition, the data indicate that miR‐342‐3p expression is down‐regulated in cSCC cell lines and miR‐342‐3p is down‐regulated in cSCC tissues compared to adjacent non‐tumor specimens. We showed that the SCARNA2 expression is negatively associated with miR‐342‐3p in cSCC. Moreover, we noted that SCARNA2 sponges miR‐342‐3p expression in cSCC cells. Overexpression of SCARNA2 suppressed the miR‐342‐3p expressed in SCC13 cells. We found that elevated expression of SCARNA2 promotes cell growth, cell cycle and invasion via regulating miR‐342‐3p expression in SCC13 cells.ConclusionsThese data suggest that SCARNA2 acts in an oncogenic role and may be a potential target for cSCC.
Runx2 silencing promotes adipogenesis via down‐regulation of DLK1 in chondrogenic differentiating MSCs
Authors: Rahim Fakher , Abbasi Pashaki Pejman , Jafarisani Moslem , Ghorbani Fatemeh , Ebrahimi Ammar 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundFor cartilage regeneration, stem cells are a promising cell source; however, even the advances made in the differentiation of stem cells into precursor‐differentiated cartilage cells have not been successful with respect to reprograming these cells to achieve complete differentiation and fully functioning cells until now. Previous findings suggest that Runx2 plays a major role in chondrocyte differentiation and maturation. Although targeting Runx2 has enhanced some chondrocyte properties, the adipogenic lineage shift has eventually occurred in these cells. The present study mainly aimed to reveal the mechanism of this adipogenesis.MethodsTo create inducible artificial shRNA‐miR expressing vectors, the designed short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) were inserted into the pri‐mir‐30 backbone, cloned into lentiviral pLVET‐Tet‐on, and transducted into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Runx2 gene was silenced in MSCs either for 1 week or 4 weeks and cultured in the chondrogenic medium. At days 7, 14 and 28, cells were harvested, and chondrogenesis, adipogenesis and hypertrophic states were examined using histochemical staining and a real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay.ResultsThe results showed that the designed shRNA‐miR effectively targeted Runx2 in mRNA and protein levels. Chondrogenic markers were up‐regulated in constantly silenced Runx2 group; however, adipogenic markers and fat droplets appeared gradually. DLK1 gene was also significantly down‐regulated in this group, and overexpression of DLK1 abrogated adipogenesis in the Runx2 targeted group.ConclusionsBased on these results, it can be concluded that DLK1 is responsible for the lineage shift in Runx2 targeted chondrogenic differentiating MSCs.
Novel Associations Between Genome‐Wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and MR Enterography Features in Crohn's Disease Patients
Authors: Cruz‐Romero Cinthia , Guo Abra , Bradley William F. , Vicentini Joao R.T. , Yajnik Vijay , Gee Michael S. 
Published: June 2020

BackgroundPatient genetic polymorphism is associated with Crohn's clinical behavior; however, its association with magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) imaging appearance is not known.PurposeTo analyze a set of known Crohn's disease (CD)‐related single nucleotide polymorphisms for associations with MRE imaging phenotype and frequency of imaging.Study TypeRetrospective.Population54 patients (mean age 40 years; 32 females and 22 males) with established CD from 2009 to 2016 who underwent baseline MRE and genetic testing for the presence of 168 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) potentially associated with inflammatory bowel disease.Field Strength/Sequence1.5T or 3T clinical scanners, standard MRE clinical pulse sequences, including T2‐weighted single‐shot fast spin echo, balanced steady‐state free precession, T2‐weighted fast spin echo fat‐suppressed, and T1‐weighted fat‐suppressed pre‐ and postcontrast imaging.AssessmentThree readers (all body imaging fellowship‐trained radiologists) independently evaluated all imaging for the presence or absence of active disease and penetrating complications. Date of onset and frequency of endoscopies and cross‐sectional imaging (CSI) were recorded. Disease behavior and distribution were categorized according to the Vienna and Montreal classifications, respectively.Statistical TestsStudent's t‐test and Fisher's exact test were used to assess significance of continuous and categorical variables, respectively. A hidden Markov model statistical knockoff approach was also applied for the analysis of genetic‐imaging associations, with corrected P < 0.05 considered significant.ResultsMRE demonstrated active bowel inflammation in 42 (78%) patients, strictures in 13 (28%), and fistulae in 13 (28%). The SNP rs1292053 (RBS6KB1) was highly associated with small bowel inflammation and luminal narrowing, with observed frequencies of association 0.66 and 0.39, respectively (P = 0.001). rs6062504 (Decoy receptor 3) was associated with lower age of onset (P = 0.012), higher proportion of early disease onset patients (P = 0.012), and higher average number of CSI/year (P = 0.014).Data ConclusionThis study demonstrated significant associations between CD genotype and MRE phenotype and frequency of cross‐sectional imaging.Level of Evidence3Technical Efficacy Stage2
Dynamical role of the Changbai Mountains and the Korean Peninsula in the wintertime quasi‐stationary convergence zone over the Sea of Japan
Authors: Shinoda Yuta , Kawamura Ryuichi , Kawano Tetsuya , Shimizu Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study focused on a quasi‐stationary convergence zone over the Sea of Japan (Japan Sea polar airmass convergence zone, JPCZ) in early winter and examined how the Changbai Mountains and the Korean Peninsula play an influential role in the formation and maintenance of the JPCZ and associated precipitation amounts in the coastal regions of central and western Japan. We performed numerical simulations with and without modified topography of the Changbai Mountains and the Korean Peninsula using a regional atmospheric model. The results show that the presence of the mountains is largely responsible for the JPCZ formation and usually contributes to the reduction of precipitation in the coastal regions. If specific conditions are satisfied, however, it can trigger heavy precipitation. One condition is the rapid growth of mesoscale eddies off the Sea of Japan coast under strong low‐level wind convergence. The precipitation band involved in the enhanced eddies slowly migrates southward and reaches the coastal regions, causing heavy snowfall. Another condition is the change in background monsoonal flows associated with synoptic‐scale cyclone development due to the orographic effect. The resultant background flows may help sustain a significant amount of precipitation in the coastal regions. Under the prevailing JPCZ, the mountains play two contradictory roles in modulating precipitation amounts in the coastal regions.
Study on the Adaptability of Alkanolamide (LDEA) Lowering Oil/Water Interfacial Tension to Different Crude Oils
Authors: Pu Di , Xiong Ya‐chun , Feng Ru‐sen , Guo Yong‐jun , Lin Ling , Xu Cheng‐jun , Yu Wen‐ke 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn order to investigate the high interfacial activity and fair oil phase adaptability of alkanolamide, “1:1” type lauric acid diethanolamide impurities (LDEA) were synthesized and purified by the column chromatography method to obtain dodecanoic acid diethanolamide (C12DEA), ester mixture, etc. The exact structures of these compounds were further confirmed by IR, gas chromatogrph with mass spectroscopy (GC–MS), and NMR. The influence of each component on the interfacial tension of oil/water (IFT) was studied by systematic quantitative analysis. The results showed that (i) the strength of each system to reduce oil/water IFT is C12DEA /DEA ≈ LDEA > C12DEA/DEA/ESTER > C12DEA/NaOH > C12DEA > C12DEA/ESTER > DEA. This indicates that LDEA contributes to the reduction of the oil/water IFT and the enhanced adaptability of crude oil in this order: DEA > > ESTER; (ii) when the IFT of the LDEA/DEA system reached an ultralow value, the minimum content of DEA in the system was 1%, and the maximum ester content was less than 5% when the LDEA/DEA/ESTER system reached the ultralow IFT; (iii) the possible mechanism of effect of LDEA components on the IFT and oil phase adaptability was proposed as the synergistic process among the hydrogen bonding, alkali effect, and interface self‐assembly of molecules in the interfacial layer. The contribution of these three factors were hydrogen bonding > alkali effect > interface self‐assembly.
Proinflammatory intervertebral disc cell and organ culture models induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha
Authors: Du Jie , Pfannkuche Judith‐J. , Lang Gernot , Häckel Sonja , Creemers Laura B. , Alini Mauro , Grad Sibylle , Li Zhen 
Published: June 2020

AbstractInflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. The proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) has shown markedly higher expression in degenerated human disc tissue compared with healthy controls. Anti‐inflammatory treatment targeting TNF‐α has shown to alleviate discogenic pain in patients with low back pain. Therefore, in vitro and ex vivo inflammatory models utilizing TNF‐α provide relevant experimental conditions for drug development in disc degeneration research.The current method article addressed several specific questions related to the model establishment.(a) The effects of bovine and human recombinant TNF‐α on bovine nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were compared. (b) The required dose for an inflammatory IVD organ culture model with intradiscal TNF‐α injection was studied. (c) The effect of TNF‐α blocking at different stages of inflammation was evaluated.Outcomes revealed that bovine and human recombinant TNF‐α induced equivalent inflammatory effects in bovine NP cells. A bovine whole IVD inflammatory model was established by intradiscal injection of 100 ng TNF‐α/ cm3 disc volume, as indicated by increased nitric oxide, glycosaminoglycan, interleukin 6 (IL‐6), and interleukin 8 (IL‐8) release in culture media, and upregulation of MMP3, ADAMTS4, IL‐8, IL‐6, and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 expression in NP tissue. However, results in human NP cells showed that the time point of anti‐inflammatory treatment was crucial to achieve significant effects. Furthermore, anticatabolic therapy in conjunction with TNF‐α inhibition would be required to slow down the pathologic cascade of disc degeneration.
Tissue engineering applications in otolaryngology—The state of translation
Authors: Niermeyer Weston L. , Rodman Cole , Li Michael M. , Chiang Tendy 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWhile tissue engineering holds significant potential to address current limitations in reconstructive surgery of the head and neck, few constructs have made their way into routine clinical use. In this review, we aim to appraise the state of head and neck tissue engineering over the past five years, with a specific focus on otologic, nasal, craniofacial bone, and laryngotracheal applications. A comprehensive scoping search of the PubMed database was performed and over 2000 article hits were returned with 290 articles included in the final review. These publications have addressed the hallmark characteristics of tissue engineering (cellular source, scaffold, and growth signaling) for head and neck anatomical sites. While there have been promising reports of effective tissue engineered interventions in small groups of human patients, the majority of research remains constrained to in vitro and in vivo studies aimed at furthering the understanding of the biological processes involved in tissue engineering. Further, differences in functional and cosmetic properties of the ear, nose, airway, and craniofacial bone affect the emphasis of investigation at each site. While otolaryngologists currently play a role in tissue engineering translational research, continued multidisciplinary efforts will likely be required to push the state of translation towards tissue‐engineered constructs available for routine clinical use.Level of EvidenceNA.
Functional polymorphisms of the mineralocorticoid receptor gene NR3C2 are associated with diminished memory decline: Results from a longitudinal general‐population study
Authors: Terock Jan , Van der Auwera Sandra , Janowitz Deborah , Wittfeld Katharina , Teumer Alexander , Grabe Hans J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in the brain has a key role in the regulation of the central stress response and is associated with memory performance. We investigated whether the genetic polymorphisms rs5522 and rs2070951 of NR3C2 showed main and interactive effects with childhood trauma on memory decline.MethodsDeclarative memory was longitudinally assessed in 1,318 participants from the community‐dwelling Study of Health in Pomerania using the Verbal Learning and Memory Test (VLMT). In a subsample of 377 participants aged 60 and older, the Mini‐Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was additionally applied. Mean follow‐up time for the VLMT and MMSE were 6.4 and 10.7 years, respectively.ResultsHomozygous carriers of the G allele of rs2070951 (p < .01) and of the A allele of rs5522 (p < .001) showed higher immediate recall of words as compared to carriers of C allele (rs2070951) or the G allele (rs5522). The CG haplotype was associated with decreased recall (p < .001). Likewise, in the subsample of older patients, the AA genotype of rs5522 was associated with higher MMSE scores (p < .05). CG haplotypes showed significantly reduced MMSE scores in comparison to the reference haplotype (β = −0.60; p < .01).ConclusionsOur results indicate that the GG genotype of rs2070951 as well as the AA genotype of rs5522 are associated with diminished memory decline.
A 24 GHz hydrology radar system capable of wide‐range surface velocity detection for water resource management applications
Authors: Lin Yo‐Sheng , Chiu Shang‐Feng , Chang Chi‐Ho 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe demonstrate a 24 GHz hydrology radar system. The continuous‐wave Doppler radar is capable of noncontact and wide‐range surface‐flow velocity detection in various scenarios. The radar receives the reflected echo signal through a directional narrow‐beam antenna. After amplification and demodulation by the proposed low‐noise amplifier and the subharmonic down‐conversion mixer, respectively, the Doppler frequency‐shift is analyzed by the digital signal processing (DSP) module for estimation of the water flow velocity. Moreover, for water level detection, a phase‐locked loop with micro control unit (MCU)‐controlled division ratio is included in the RF module for generating a stable and tunable (or frequency modulation) 24‐GHz‐band transmitting signal with low phase noise. To verify the radar system, outdoor field tests have been conducted. The measured results are consistent with the theoretical values, and the results of both the float method and the commercial handheld (Stalker Pro II) surface velocity radar. In the condition of water ripple lower than 3 cm, the radar functions well for flow speed range of 0.3 ~ 34.6 m/s. Overall, the hydrology radar is suitable for surface‐flow velocity detection (especially in bad weather) and water resource management (such as water‐level detection).