bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of depressive symptoms with health care utilization in older adults: Longitudinal evidence from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe
Authors: Komulainen Kaisla , Gluschkoff Kia , García Velázquez Regina , Airaksinen Jaakko , Szmulewicz Alejandro , Jokela Markus 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectivesMany older adults with depression do not receive adequate treatment. Differences in treatment utilization may reflect the heterogeneous nature of depression, encompassing multiple distinct symptoms. We assessed whether depressive symptoms are differentially associated with subsequent health care utilization with respect to three outcomes as follows: (1) contact with a medical doctor (MD), (2) depression‐specific treatment, and (3) inpatient psychiatric admission.Methods/DesignLongitudinal analyses were based on data from three follow‐up cycles conducted between 2004 and 2013 among 53,139 participants from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe. Depressive symptoms were self‐reported at baseline of each follow‐up cycle using the 12‐item EURO‐D scale. Health care utilization was self‐reported at the end of each follow‐up cycle.ResultsAfter adjustment for sex, age, country of interview, follow‐up time, educational attainment, presence of a partner in household, body‐mass index, the number of chronic diseases, disability, average/prior frequency of contact with an MD, and all other depressive symptoms, people with more frequent contact with an MD had most often reported sleep problems (IRR = 1.10) and fatigue (IRR = 1.10), followed by sad/depressed mood, tearfulness, concentration problems, guilt, irritability, and changes in appetite. Those treated for depression had most often reported sad/depressed mood (OR = 2.18) and suicidal ideation (OR = 1.72), but also sleep problems, changes in appetite, fatigue, concentration problems, hopelessness, and irritability. Sad/depressed mood (OR = 2.87) was also associated with psychiatric inpatient admission. Similarly to other outcomes, appetite change, fatigue, and sleep problems were associated with inpatient admission.ConclusionsSpecific symptoms of depression may determine utilization of different types of health care among elderly.
Likelihood of admission to hospital from the emergency department is not universally associated with hospital bed occupancy at the time of admission
Authors: Tolestam Heyman Ellen , Engström Martin , Baigi Amir , Dahlén Holmqvist Lina , Lingman Markus 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe decision to admit into the hospital from the emergency department (ED) is considered to be important and challenging. The aim was to assess whether previously published results suggesting an association between hospital bed occupancy and likelihood of hospital admission from the ED can be reproduced in a different study population.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of attendances at two Swedish EDs in 2015 was performed. Admission to hospital was assessed in relation to hospital bed occupancy together with other clinically relevant variables. Hospital bed occupancy was categorized and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed.ResultsIn total 89,503 patient attendances were included in the final analysis. Of those, 29.1% resulted in admission within 24 h. The mean hospital bed occupancy by the hour of the two hospitals was 87.1% (SD 7.6). In both the univariate and multivariate analysis, odds ratio for admission within 24 h from the ED did not decrease significantly with an increasing hospital bed occupancy.ConclusionsA negative association between admission to hospital and occupancy level, as reported elsewhere, was not replicated. This suggests that the previously shown association might not be universal but may vary across sites due to setting specific circumstances.
Design measures to mitigate the impact of shallow groundwater on hydrologic performance of permeable pavements
Authors: Zhang Kun , Chui Ting Fong May 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPermeable pavements (PPs) are widely implemented in urban areas to mimic natural hydrologic processes through enhancing infiltration, and reducing, delaying, and retaining surface runoff. However, its performance can be affected by shallow groundwater since high soil moisture may inhibit its infiltration and exfiltration. This study built a numerical model, which was calibrated and validated based on laboratory experiment data, to evaluate the water balance and retention of PP in shallow groundwater conditions. It assessed the impacts of shallow groundwater and the hydrologic effectiveness of different PP design measures (i.e., building a PP with a smaller storage depth, implementing an underdrain at different elevations, and installing an impermeable liner) on relieving the impacts. Shallower groundwater led to larger amounts of surface runoff and underdrain flow, and a higher chance of saturating the PP reservoir. The three design measures had both benefits and drawbacks in mimicking natural hydrologic cycle and retaining the performance of PP under extreme conditions (e.g., areas of very shallow groundwater tables and/or extreme rainfalls). A PP with a smaller storage depth resulted in less underdrain flow but was prone to saturation. It is, thus, more recommended for PP with more‐permeable subsoils, which can avoid frequent pavement saturation. Although a shallower PP corresponds to a smaller storage volume and shorter hydraulic retention time, it can increase the applicability of PP to shallow groundwater areas, which is beneficial to the regional hydrologic environment. Installing an underdrain generated underdrain flow, which is a burden to the downstream drainage system. However, it significantly reduced the surface runoff and the chance of saturating the PP reservoir, which, thus, is more recommended for PP with less‐permeable subsoils. Comparatively, elevating the underdrain is recommended in areas of shallow groundwater because it can reduce the frequency and amount of groundwater‐induced underdrain flow. In addition, a higher underdrain together with an impermeable liner can create a storage depth, increase the retention duration, enhance exfiltration and evaporation without increasing the saturation risk.
GRB10 sustains AR activity by interacting with PP2A in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Hao Jun , Ci Xinpei , Wang Yong , Choi Stephen Yiu Chuen , Sullivan Sarah E. , Xue Hui , Wu Rebecca , Dong Xin , Haegert Anne M. , Collins Colin C. , Lin Dong , Wang Yuzhuo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) progression is driven by androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Unfortunately, androgen‐deprivation therapy and the use of even more potent AR pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) cannot bring about a cure. ARPI resistance (ie, castration‐resistant PCa, CRPC) will inevitably develop. Previously, we demonstrated that GRB10 is an AR transcriptionally repressed gene that functionally contributes to CRPC development and ARPI resistance. GRB10 expression is elevated prior to CRPC development in our patient‐derived xenograft models and is significantly upregulated in clinical CRPC samples. Here, we analyzed transcriptomic data from GRB10 knockdown in PCa cells and found that AR signaling is downregulated. While the mRNA expression of AR target genes decreased upon GRB10 knockdown, AR expression was not affected at the mRNA or protein level. We further found that phosphorylation of AR serine 81 (S81), which is critical for AR transcriptional activity, is decreased by GRB10 knockdown and increased by its overexpression. Luciferase assay using GRB10‐knockdown cells also indicate reduced AR activity. Immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry revealed an interaction between GRB10 and the PP2A complex, which is a known phosphatase of AR. Further validations and analyses showed that GRB10 binds to the PP2Ac catalytic subunit with its PH domain. Mechanistically, GRB10 knockdown increased PP2Ac protein stability, which in turn decreased AR S81 phosphorylation and reduced AR activity. Our findings indicate a reciprocal feedback between GRB10 and AR signaling, implying the importance of GRB10 in PCa progression.
Circulating adipokine concentrations and risk of five obesity‐related cancers: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Dimou Niki L. , Papadimitriou Nikos , Mariosa Daniela , Johansson Mattias , Brennan Paul , Peters Ulrike , Chanock Stephen J. , Purdue Mark , Bishop D. Timothy , Gago‐Dominquez Manuela , Giles Graham G. , Moreno Victor , Platz Elizabeth A. , Tangen Catherine M. , Wolk Alicja , Zheng Wei , Wu Xifeng , Campbell Peter T. , Giovannucci Edward , Lin Yi ,   CCFR, Endometrial Cancer Association Consortium, Gunter Marc J. , Murphy Neil 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObesity is considered a chronic inflammatory state characterized by continued secretion of adipokines and cytokines. Experimental and epidemiological evidence indicates that circulating adipokines may be associated with the development of obesity‐related cancers, but it is unclear if these associations are causal or confounded. We examined potential causal associations of specific adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, soluble leptin receptor [sOB‐R] and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 [PAI‐1]) with five obesity‐related cancers (colorectal, pancreatic, renal cell carcinoma [RCC], ovarian and endometrial) using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. We used summary‐level data from large genetic consortia for 114 530 cancer cases and 245 284 controls. We constructed genetic instruments using 18 genetic variants for adiponectin, 2 for leptin and 4 for both sOB‐R and PAI‐1 (P value for inclusion<5 × 10−8). Causal estimates were obtained using two‐sample MR methods. In the inverse‐variance weighted models, we found an inverse association between adiponectin and risk of colorectal cancer (odds ratio per 1 μg/mL increment in adiponectin concentration: 0.90 [95% confidence interval = 0.84‐0.97]; P = .01); but, evidence of horizontal pleiotropy was detected and the association was not present when this was taken into consideration. No association was found for adiponectin and risks of pancreatic cancer, RCC, ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. Leptin, sOB‐R and PAI‐1 were also similarly unrelated to risk of obesity‐related cancers. Despite the large sample size, our MR analyses do not support causal effects of circulating adiponectin, leptin, sOB‐R and PAI‐1 concentrations on the development of five obesity‐related cancers.
Managerial ability and idiosyncratic volatility
Authors: Wu Xi , Tong Xinle , Wang Yudong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of managerial ability on idiosyncratic volatility from the perspective of corporate information. Using the companies listed on the Shenzhen A‐share Main Board from 2003 through 2017, we test the relationship between managerial ability and the quality of information disclosure. We further explore the internal mechanism by which managerial ability impacts on idiosyncratic volatility. The empirical results show that competent managers reduce idiosyncratic volatility by improving corporate transparency. In other words, corporate transparency plays an intermediary role. Competent managers disclose higher quality information. In turn, reputable management and high‐quality company information attract more attention and information mining. This improves corporate transparency, which can reduce arbitrage space and alleviate the idiosyncratic volatility of the stock price. Our main findings survive a series of robustness tests including an alternative measure of managerial ability, the application of a 2SLS regression and so on.
Nonsubsampledcontourlet transform with cross‐guided bilateral filter for despeckling of medical ultrasound images
Authors: Joel Thapasimuthan , Sivakumar Rajagopal 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper aims to enhance the image quality in ultrasound images. The significant difficulties in the ultrasound image are the presence of speckle noise. Speckle is the granular noise, and this kind of noise produces a lot of challenges during medical diagnosis. Also, these kinds of problems degrade image quality. The proposed work overcomes this kind of issue with nonsubsampled contourlet domain‐based cross‐guided bilateral filtering. Initially, additive speckle noise is introduced with the log‐transformed Rayleigh distribution. This additive speckle noise component is to be decomposed through the non‐subsampled contourlet domain transform. Then the decomposed image is despeckled by the cross‐guided bilateral filter, and the cost function of this filter is minimized through adaptive galactic swarm optimization. The proposed filtering technique despeckles the additive noise in the noisy image. Finally, the decomposed image is reconstructed using the inverse transform of the nonsubsampled decomposition. The implementation of the proposed methodology is carried out in MATLAB simulation platform. Also, the performance of the proposed work is measured by few metrics such as structural similarity index matrix, mean structural similarity index matrix, mean square error, peak signal to noise ratio, Bhattacharyya coefficient, and speckle index. The result of cost function optimization provides less distortion when compared to other techniques.
Nanotized curcumin‐benzothiophene conjugate: A potential combination for treatment of cerebral malaria
Authors: Ghosh Aparajita , Banerjee Tanushree 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe declining effectiveness of the available antimalarial drugs due to drug resistance requires a continued effort to develop new therapeutic approaches. In this context, combination therapies hold a great promise for developing effective first‐line antimalarial treatments for reducing malaria mortality. The present study explores the antimalarial efficacy of nanotized formulation of curcumin in combination with benzothiophene compound 6 (3‐bromo‐N‐(4‐fluorobenzyl)‐benzo[b]thiophene‐2‐carboxamide) with a view to achieve better efficacy at a very low dose in comparison to that accomplished with monotherapy alone. Herein, we formulated nanotized conjugate of curcumin and compound 6 (cur‐compound 6) in the size range of 30–90 nm as observed via TEM, AFM and DLS analysis in the study. The nanotized preparation was found to be readily dispersible in water, physically and chemically stable and exhibited sustained release profile of both curcumin and compound 6 till 48 hr. Treatment of P. falciparum parasites with the nanotized conjugate for 24 hr resulted in rapid clearance of the parasites. Furthermore, P. berghei infected mice treated with nanotized conjugate formulation survived till 90 days with complete eradication of the parasites from RBC. This improved efficacy of the nanotized formulation was possible because of the increased absorption of the compounds via oral administration owing to enhanced dispersibility of the formulation in aqueous medium. Moreover, an improved oral bioavailability of the nanotized formulation lowered the dosage at which the pharmacological effect was achieved while avoiding any observable adverse harmful side effects.
High‐fluence light emitting diode‐red light inhibits cell cycle progression in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Masub Natasha , Austin Evan , Huang Alisen , Jagdeo Jared 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSkin fibrosis is a debilitating feature of several systemic and dermatologic diseases. While current treatment options carry significant risk of side effects and recurrence, high‐fluence light emitting diode‐generated red light (LED‐RL) is an alternative therapeutic that is safe, non‐invasive, and accessible. We previously demonstrated LED‐RL decreases fibroblast proliferation, a key pathogenic component of fibrosis. However, the cellular mechanism by which high fluence LED‐RL modulates fibroblast proliferation is unclear. Herein, we explored the effects of high fluence LED‐RL on human dermal fibroblast cell cycle progression. We demonstrate that LED‐RL at 640 J/cm2 induced significant arrest of cells in G0/G1 compared to temperature‐matched control. This was accompanied by a corresponding increase in expression of checkpoint regulator p53 in irradiated cells. These data demonstrate high fluence LED‐RL may exert its anti‐proliferative effect on fibroblasts by inducing G0/G1 arrest. Further, this study provides insight into the molecular mechanism underlying LED‐RL as an anti‐fibrotic therapeutic.
Mental distress among U.S. adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Twenge Jean M. , Joiner Thomas E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to document the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on mental health.MethodWe compared a nationally representative online sample of 2,032 U.S. adults in late April 2020 to 19,330 U.S. adult internet users who participated in the 2018 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) using the Kessler‐6 scale of mental distress in the last 30 days.ResultsCompared to the 2018 NHIS sample, U.S. adults in April 2020 were eight times more likely to fit criteria for serious mental distress (27.7% vs. 3.4%) and three times more likely to fit criteria for moderate or serious mental distress (70.4% vs. 22.0%). Differences between the 2018 and 2020 samples appeared across all demographic groups, with larger differences among younger adults and those with children in the household.ConclusionsThese considerable levels of mental distress may portend substantial increases in diagnosed mental disorders and in their associated morbidity and mortality.
Exploring the relationship between strip clubs and rates of sexual violence and violent crime
Authors: Hipp Tracy N. , Borgman Robyn A. , Gilmore Devin , Swartout Kevin M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimsWe examined whether (a) the number of strip clubs per capita and (b) the proportion of clubs with “high‐risk characteristics” were significantly associated with rates of sexual violence (SV) and other violent crime at the county level.MethodsUsing large, public data sets, we tested effects across 926 counties (13 U.S. states), controlling for percent below the poverty line and alcohol outlets per capita.ResultsWe found that rates of strip clubs were significantly associated with violent crime, but not SV, in all but one model (accounting for Saturday hours). Counties with greater proportions of “high‐risk” strip clubs (i.e., greater days and hours of operation, drink specials, full‐nudity policies, or private rooms) have higher rates of SV. All models, except the full‐nudity policy model, demonstrated increased rates of violent crime.ConclusionsThese results provide information for community‐level violence prevention and equips stakeholders with information to create safer communities.
TRPV4 activity regulates nuclear Ca2+ and transcriptional functions of β‐catenin in a renal epithelial cell model
Authors: Espadas‐Álvarez Heidi , Martínez‐Rendón Jacqueline , Larre Isabel , Matamoros‐Volante Arturo , Romero‐García Tatiana , Rosenbaum Tamara , Rueda Angélica , García‐Villegas Refugio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTRPV4 is a nonselective cationic channel responsive to several physical and chemical stimuli. Defects in TRPV4 channel function result in human diseases, such as skeletal dysplasias, arthropathies, and peripheral neuropathies. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of TRPV4 in other cellular functions, such as nuclear Ca2+ homeostasis or Ca2+‐regulated transcription. Here, we confirmed the presence of the full‐length TRPV4 channel in the nuclei of nonpolarized Madin‐Darby canine kidney cells. Confocal Ca2+ imaging showed that activation of the channel increases cytoplasmic and nuclear Ca2+ leading to translocation of TRPV4 out of the nucleus together with β‐catenin, a transcriptional regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway fundamental in embryogenesis, organogenesis, and cellular homeostasis. TRPV4 inhibits β‐catenin transcriptional activity through a direct interaction dependent upon channel activity. This interaction also occurs in undifferentiated osteoblastoma and neuroblastoma cell models. Our results suggest a mechanism in which TRPV4 may regulate differentiation in several cellular contexts.
Exenatide improves random‐pattern skin flap survival via TFE3 mediated autophagy augment
Authors: Li Jiafeng , Chen Huanwen , Lou Junsheng , Bao Guodong , Wu Chenyu , Lou Zhiling , Wang Xingyu , Ding Jian , Li Zhijie , Xiao Jian , Xu Huazi , Gao Weiyang , Zhou Kailiang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRandom‐pattern skin flaps are widely applied to rebuild and restore soft‐tissue damage in reconstructive surgery; however, ischemia and subsequent ischemia‐reperfusion injury lead to flap necrosis and are major complications. Exenatide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analog, exerts therapeutic benefits for diabetic wounds, cardiac injury, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, Exenatide is a known activator of autophagy, which is a complex process of subcellular degradation that may enhance the viability of random skin flaps. In this study, we explored whether exenatide can improve skin flap survival. Our results showed that exenatide augments autophagy, increases flap viability, enhances angiogenesis, reduces oxidative stress, and alleviates pyroptosis. Coadministration of exenatide with 3‐methyladenine and chloroquine, potent inhibitors of autophagy, reversed the beneficial effects, suggesting that the therapeutic benefits of exenatide for skin flaps are due largely to autophagy activation. Mechanistically, we identified that exenatide enhanced activation and nuclear translocation of TFE3, which leads to autophagy activation. Furthermore, we found that exenatide activates the AMPK–SKP2–CARM1 and AMPK–mTOR signaling pathways, which likely lead to exenatide's effects on activating TFE3. Overall, our findings suggest that exenatide may be a potent therapy to prevent flap necrosis, and we also reveal novel mechanistic insight into exenatide's effect on flap survival.
Improvement of D‐lactic acid production at low pH through expressing acid‐resistant gene IoGAS1 in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Zhong Wei , Yang Maohua , Hao Xuemi , Sharshar Moustafa Mohamed , Wang Qinhong , Xing Jianmin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDBlending d‐lactic acid (d‐LA) with l‐lactic acid can significantly improve the thermostability of polylactic (PLA). Although microbial production of d‐LA under acidic conditions is beneficial for the reduction of production costs, the yield is low due to the acidic toxicity of the source strains. Herein, an Issatchenkia orientalis glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein IoGas1, which is required for resistance to low pH and salt stress, was expressed in the YIP‐J‐C‐D‐A1 yeast strain. This strain was integrated with Escherichia coli d‐lactate dehydrogenase gene and several attenuated key pathway genes, including pyruvate decarboxylases (PDC1, PDC6), JEN1 (a monocarboxylate transporter), d‐lactate dehydrogenase1 (DLD1), l‐lactate cytochrome‐c oxidoreductase (CYB2) and alcohol dehydrogenase 1(ADH1).RESULTSThe results revealed that the production of d‐LA by the modified strain YIP‐I‐J‐C‐D‐A1 was remarkably improved and reached 85.3 g L–1 d‐LA, with a yield of 0.71 g g–1 and a productivity of 1.20 g L h–1 in batch‐fed fermentation. The d‐LA production of the YIP‐I‐J‐C‐D‐A1 strain (CGMCC2.5785) was further improved by attenuating the ethanol and glycerol pathways. The resulting strain YIP‐A15G12 (CGMCC2.5803) produced 92.0 g L–1 d‐LA with a yield of 0.70 g g–1 and a productivity of 1.21 g L h–1 in batch‐fed fermentation at a final pH of 3.58.CONCLUSIONTaken together, the expression of the acid‐resistant gene IoGAS1 in a modified yeast strain can significantly improve the efficiency of producing d‐LA at low pH, which may prove beneficial for the industrial production of the biodegradable material, PLA.