bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alcohol industry, corporate social responsibility and country features in Latin America
Authors: Conde Karina , Peltzer Raquel Inés , Pantani Daniela , Pinsky Ilana , Cremonte Mariana 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroduction and AimsResearch on corporate behaviour can contribute to the understanding of the possible adverse impacts of alcohol‐industry corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and their potential influence on policymaking. This study explores the association between alcohol‐industry CSR activities and selected country features in Latin America and the Caribbean.Design and MethodsNine health experts evaluated 148 CSR activities using a standardised protocol; activities were classified into the categories risk management CSR (rmCSR), that is, to avoid/rectify externalities (n = 67), and strategic CSR, that is, to fulfill philanthropic responsibilities (n = 81). We evaluated the associations, separately, between the number of rmCSR and of strategic CSR actions in each country with threats from public health measures (specifically, the level of research into alcohol consumption and harms, the existence of an alcohol surveillance system and the number of governmental alcohol policy actions) and per capita alcohol consumption; we adjusted by economic indices (country income level and the gross domestic product) and population size.ResultsMultivariate analyses showed that the higher the level of alcohol research within a country and its per capita consumption, the more likely rmSCR activities were to occur, independently of the country's economic development or population.Discussion and ConclusionsResults suggest rmSCR actions could be implemented as a way to preserve markets by counteracting scientific evidence about alcohol related harms. This evidence could serve as a starting point to future research, contributing to the understanding of alcohol industry behaviour and the advancement of effective public policies.
Left ventricular intra‐myocardial dissection after myocardial infarction
Authors: Rezaei‐Kalantari Kiara , Saedi Sedigheh , Alizadeasl Azin , Naghshbandi Mona 
Published: November 2020

AbstractLeft ventricular (LV) intra‐myocardial dissection or dissecting hematoma is a rare complication of myocardial infarction that could occur in the acute phase, during remodeling process and even after coronary revascularization. LV intra‐myocardial dissection has a high mortality, and the best management strategy remains controversial. Here, we present a case of dissection of left ventricle late after anterior myocardial infarction diagnosed by multimodality imaging.
Mechanisms to reduce the cytotoxicity of pharmacological nicotinamide concentrations in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans
Authors: Ghugari Rahul , Tsao Sarah , Schmidt Mark , Bonneil Éric , Brenner Charles , Verreault Alain 
Published: November 2020

Candida albicans is a pathogenic fungus that causes systemic infections and mortality in immunosuppressed individuals. We previously showed that deacetylation of histone H3 lysine 56 by Hst3 is essential for C. albicans viability. Hst3 is a fungal‐specific NAD+‐dependent protein deacetylase of the sirtuin family. In vivo, supraphysiological concentrations of nicotinamide (NAM) are required for Hst3 inhibition and cytotoxicity. This underscores the importance of identifying mechanisms by which C. albicans can modulate intracellular NAM concentrations. For the first time in a pathogenic fungus, we combine genetics, heavy isotope labeling, and targeted quantitative metabolomics to identify genes, pathways, and mechanisms by which C. albicans can reduce the cytotoxicity of high NAM concentrations. We discovered three distinct fates for supraphysiological NAM concentrations. First, upon transient exposure to NAM, high intracellular NAM concentrations rapidly return near the physiological levels observed in cells that are not exposed to NAM. Second, during the first step of a fungal‐specific NAM salvage pathway, NAM is converted into nicotinic acid, a metabolite that cannot inhibit the sirtuin Hst3. Third, we provide evidence that NAM enters the NAD+ metabolome through a NAM exchange reaction that contributes to NAM‐mediated inhibition of sirtuins. However, in contrast to the other fates of NAM, the NAM exchange reaction cannot cause a net decrease in the intracellular concentration of NAM. Therefore, this reaction cannot enhance resistance to NAM. In summary, we demonstrate that C. albicans possesses at least two mechanisms to attenuate the cytotoxicity of pharmacological NAM concentrations. It seems likely that those two mechanisms of resistance to cytotoxic NAM concentrations are conserved in many other pathogenic fungi.
Role of developing language attitudes in a study abroad context on adoption of dialectal pronunciations
Authors: Schmidt Lauren B. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis study examines how language attitudes play a role in the adoption of dialectal variants in second language (L2) pronunciation in a study abroad context. Twenty‐four North American university students participating in a 6‐week program in Buenos Aires, Argentina, were administered pre and posttest questionnaires and a posttest oral production task to determine how different background and attitudinal variables relate to production of two Argentine dialectal sounds, lenited‐/s/ and assibilated pre‐palatal /ʃ ʒ/. Results show that though students did not produce lenited‐/s/ forms, use of dialectal /ʃ ʒ/ phones by the end of the program was high—but variable—across individuals. Dialect preference, feelings toward Spanish, and desire to sound native‐like were identified as predictors of use of dialectal /ʃ ʒ/. These findings illustrate how social variables play a role in target model accent preferences and adoption of dialectal sounds in L2 pronunciation in a study abroad context.
Preconditioning of Caenorhabditis elegans to anoxic insult by inactivation of cholinergic, GABAergic and muscle activity
Authors: Bennett Heather L. , McClanahan Patrick D. , Fang‐Yen Christopher , Kalb Robert G. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFor most metazoans, oxygen deprivation leads to cell dysfunction and if severe, death. Sublethal stress prior to a hypoxic or anoxic insult (“preconditioning”) can protect cells from subsequent oxygen deprivation. The molecular mechanisms by which sublethal stress can buffer against a subsequent toxic insult and the role of the nervous system in the response are not well understood. We studied the role of neuronal activity preconditioning to oxygen deprivation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Animals expressing the histamine gated chloride channels (HisCl1) in select cell populations were used to temporally and spatially inactivate the nervous system or tissue prior to an anoxic insult. We find that inactivation of the nervous system for 3 h prior to the insult confers resistance to a 48‐h anoxic insult in 4th‐stage larval animals. Experiments show that this resistance can be attributed to loss of activity in cholinergic and GABAergic neurons as well as in body wall muscles. These observations indicate that the nervous system activity can mediate the organism's response to anoxia.
Altered microbial structure and function after thermokarst formation
Authors: Liu Futing , Kou Dan , Chen Yongliang , Xue Kai , Ernakovich Jessica G. , Chen Leiyi , Yang Guibiao , Yang Yuanhe 
Published: November 2020

AbstractPermafrost thaw could induce substantial carbon (C) emissions to the atmosphere, and thus trigger a positive feedback to climate warming. As the engine of biogeochemical cycling, soil microorganisms exert a critical role in mediating the direction and strength of permafrost C‐climate feedback. However, our understanding about the impacts of thermokarst (abrupt permafrost thaw) on microbial structure and function remains limited. Here we employed metagenomic sequencing to analyze changes in topsoil (0–15 cm) microbial communities and functional genes along a permafrost thaw sequence (1, 10, and 16 years since permafrost collapse) on the Tibetan Plateau. By combining laboratory incubation and a two‐pool model, we then explored changes in soil labile and stable C decomposition along the thaw sequence. Our results showed that topsoil microbial α‐diversity decreased, while the community structure and functional gene abundance did not exhibit any significant change at the early stage of collapse (1 year since collapse) relative to non‐collapsed control. However, as the time since the collapse increased, both the topsoil microbial community structure and functional genes differed from the control. Abundances of functional genes involved in labile C degradation decreased while those for stable C degradation increased at the late stage of collapse (16 years since collapse), largely driven by changes in substrate properties along the thaw sequence. Accordingly, faster stable C decomposition occurred at the late stage of collapse compared to the control, which was associated with the increase in relative abundance of functional genes for stable C degradation. These results suggest that upland thermokarst alters microbial structure and function, particularly enhances soil stable C decomposition by modulating microbial functional genes, which could reinforce a warmer climate over the decadal timescale.
Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 as a novel marker of arteriovenous fistula stenosis in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Eroglu Eray , Kocyigit Ismail , Kahriman Guven , Karakukcu Cigdem , Tuncay Aydin , Zararsiz Gozde Erturk , Eren Davut , Kalay Nihat , Sipahioglu Murat Hayri , Oymak Oktay , Tokgoz Bulent 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIntroductionArteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis is one of the most important clinical problems in hemodialysis patients. The histopathological findings of neointimal hyperplasia and impaired angiogenesis have been well established in stenotic AVFs. Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (sVEGFR‐1) has been implicated in pathological angiogenesis. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between sVEGFR‐1 and AVF stenosis in hemodialysis patients.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included 70 patients with end‐stage renal disease. Forty‐five patients were included in the final analysis, and the median follow‐up period was 36 months. Venous stenosis was detected by physical examination and documented by fistulography. Blood samples were analyzed a day before the fistula operation, and serum levels of sVEGFR‐1 were measured.FindingsThe median sVEGFR‐1 level was higher in the stenosis group than in the nonstenosis group (17 pg/mL [89.5%] vs. 5 pg/mL [19.2%], respectively; P < 0.001]. According to body mass index (BMI) categories, obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m2) had the shortest stenosis‐free survival (20 months [9.35–30.65]). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that sVEGFR‐1, serum creatinine, and parathyroid hormone levels were associated with AVF stenosis risk. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves showed that patients with less than the median value of sVEGFR‐1 (<6093.07 pg/mL) had longer cumulative stenosis‐free survival than patients with sVEGFR‐1 levels above the median value (P < 0.001).DiscussionIncreased levels of sVEGFR‐1 and obesity were found to be associated with AVF stenosis in hemodialysis patients.
Assemblages of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) along an elevational gradient in the rainforests of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Finnie Sam , Sam Katerina , Leponce Maurice , Basset Yves , Drew Dick , Schutze Mark K. , Dahl Chris , Damag Micah , Dilu Mary , Gewa Bradley , Kaupa Borenke , Keltim Martin , Koane Bonny , Kua Joseph , Lilip Roll , Mogia Martin , Philip Frank , Ray Bryan , Sam Legi , Tulai Salape , Uma Collin , Umari Ruma , Valeba Joseph , Yalang Joachim , Novotny Vojtech 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Papua New Guinea (PNG) has the greatest diversity of dacine fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae: Dacinae) in the world, many of which are significant agricultural pests.
Although their taxonomy is relatively well known, there is limited research on their geographical and elevational distribution.
We undertook a survey of PNG's fruit fly fauna along a complete elevational gradient on Mt Wilhelm (175–3700 m a.s.l.) to determine the elevational species distribution and turnover of fruit fly communities. Fruit flies were sampled using a selection of male parapheromone lures, including Zingerone, a new and promising male attractant.
In total, we collected 10 700 fruit flies representing 77 species. The total abundance and species richness of fruit flies decreased with increasing elevation. Species richness was similarly high at 175 and 200 m a.s.l. (30 and 27 species) and at 700 and 1200 m a.s.l. (16 and 20 species, respectively) but dropped suddenly to only two species at 1700 m a.s.l. and to zero at all four sites above this elevation. There were no flies attracted exclusively to Zingerone. One species (Bactrocera recurrens) exhibited dramatic, temporal changes in abundance during the study period. Fruit fly assemblages were significantly influenced by both the lure type and elevation. Similarity of fruit fly communities decayed linearly with increasing elevational distance.
We concluded that the upper limit of fruit fly distribution in PNG occurs between 1700 and 2200 m a.s.l. and the centre of diversity occurs between 0 and 700 m a.s.l.
Specialist haematology consultation services in regional Western Australia: evaluating a model combining telehealth and onsite clinics
Authors: Auret Kirsten , Pikora Terri , Pola Melissa 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundModels of care that increase specialist medical services to regional or remote patients are being explored worldwide. Many of the models include telehealth (also called telemedicine or video‐conferencing consultations) alone or in combination with traditional face‐to‐face clinic visits.AimTo report the experience of patients using telehealth consultation and costs associated with delivering the service in a Regional Cancer Centre over a 12‐month period.MethodsPatients attending a Great Southern haematology clinic between September 2018 and July 2019 were invited to complete a brief questionnaire about their demographic and diagnosis details. Those attending a telehealth clinic were invited to complete a Tele‐Haematology Satisfaction Questionnaire and invited to participate in a face‐to‐face interview regarding their general experiences and thoughts related to telehealth and face‐to‐face consultations. Occasions of service costs and direct hospital expenses were provided by the central health service's telehealth office.ResultsThe use of telehealth alone or as part of a mixed model was acceptable and convenient for most patients. In addition, high levels of satisfaction were reported including improved access to specialist services, reduced travel time and an ease of use of the telehealth system. The total cost saving was A$308 per occasion of service.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that the model was effective in providing outpatient services and cost effective to the health service, while being experienced as a satisfactory model by patients.
Touchy feely vectors: A compensatory design approach to support model‐based reasoning in developing country classrooms
Authors: Karnam DurgaPrasad , Agrawal Harshit , Parte Pranay , Ranjan Saurabh , Borar Priyanka , Kurup Prasanna Prakash , Joel Amose Jebin , Srinivasan Pattamadai Sankaran , Suryawanshi Uddhav , Sule Aniket , Chandrasekharan Sanjay 
Published: November 2020

AbstractEducational technology designs in developing countries mostly focus on making knowledge resources widely available, through MOOCs, repositories and computer‐based tutoring. The use of digital media for cognitive augmentation, particularly interactive designs that help learners understand modelling topics in STEM, is underexplored. We report a 3‐year design study examining this potential in the Indian context, testing two iterations of an interactive system, Touchy‐Feely Vectors (TFV). The design supports learning vectors, a modelling topic pre‐university students struggle with. Virtual lesson‐plans were co‐designed with teachers to augment — but not replace — their existing practices, and to address classroom and resource constraints. Pre‐post testing of TFV‐1 (a computer‐based prototype) showed that it helped students develop a more integrated vector concept, and improved their reasoning. Field‐implementation of TFV‐2 (a textbook‐linked touch‐screen based design) in 6‐classrooms (3‐Control, N=135; 3‐Experimental, N=131) showed that it fostered cognitive engagement in average‐students and geometry‐algebra integration (model‐based reasoning) in good‐students. These results, along with a requirements analysis based on textbooks, indicate that the interaction possibilities supported by different representational media critically shape student reasoning. The study also illustrates a systematic approach to design and test digital media systems that support cognitive augmentation in developing countries.
Contemporary procedural trends of Watchman percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion in the United States
Authors: Munir Muhammad Bilal , Khan Muhammad Zia , Darden Douglas , Pasupula Deepak K. , Balla Sudarshan , Han Frederick T. , Reeves Ryan , Hsu Jonathan C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo determine trends in real‐world utilization and in‐hospital adverse events from Watchman implantation since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015.BackgroundThe risk of embolic stroke caused by atrial fibrillation is reduced by oral anticoagulants, but not all patients can tolerate long‐term anticoagulation. Left atrial appendage occlusion with the Watchman device has emerged as an alternative therapy.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from National Inpatient Sample for calendar years 2015–2017. The outcomes assessed in this study were associated complications, in‐hospital mortality, and resource utilization trends after Watchman implantation. Trends analysis were performed using analysis of variance. Multivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of mortality.ResultsA total of 17 700 patients underwent Watchman implantation during the study period. There was a significantly increased trend in the number of Watchman procedures performed over the study years (from 1195 in 2015 to 11 165 devices in 2017, p < .01). A significant decline in the rate of complications (from 26.4% in 2015% to 7.9% in 2017, p < .01) and inpatient mortality (from 1.3% in 2015% to 0.1% in 2017, p < .01) were noted. Predictors of in‐hospital mortality included a higher CHA2DS2‐VASc score (odds ratio [OR]: 2.61 per 1‐point increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.91–3.57), chronic blood loss anemia (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.37–9.61) and coagulopathy (OR: 4.90, 95% CI: 2.32–10.35).ConclusionIn contemporary United States clinical practice, Watchman utilization has increased significantly since approval in 2015, while complications and in‐patient mortality have declined.
Identification of mini‐chromosome maintenance 8 as a potential prognostic marker and its effects on proliferation and apoptosis in gastric cancer
Authors: Huang Bin , Lin Minghe , Lu Lisha , Chen Wujin , Tan Jingzhuang , Zhao Jinyan , Cao Zhiyun , Zhu Xiaoqin , Lin Jiumao 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMini‐chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins play important roles in initiating eukaryotic genome replication. The MCM family of proteins includes several members associated with the development and progression of certain cancers. We performed online data mining to assess the expression of MCMs in gastric cancer (GC) and the correlation between their expression and survival in patients with GC. Notably, MCM8 expression was undoubtedly up‐regulated in GC, and higher expression correlated with shorter overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) in patients with GC. However, the role of MCM8 in GC has not been previously explored. Our in vitro experiments revealed that MCM8 knockdown inhibited cell growth and metastasis. Moreover, MCM8 knockdown induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, the expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase‐3 were increased, whereas Bcl‐2 expression decreased. Additionally, we demonstrated that MCM8 knockdown suppressed tumorigenesis in vivo. Overall, these results suggest that MCM8 plays a significant role in GC progression.
gB co‐immunization with GP96 enhances pulmonary‐resident CD8 T cells and exerts a long‐term defence against MCMV pneumonitis
Authors: Guo Bingnan , Xu Peifeng , Chai Dafei , Cao Lei , Liu Lin , Song Tengfei , Hu Shuqun , Chen Yuling , Yan Xianliang , Xu Tie 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in the respiratory tract leads to pneumonitis in immunocompromised hosts without available vaccine. Considering cytomegalovirus (CMV) mainly invades through the respiratory tract, CMV‐specific pulmonary mucosal vaccine development that provides a long‐lasting protection against CMV challenge gains our attention. In this study, N‐terminal domain of GP96 (GP96‐NT) was used as a mucosal adjuvant to enhance the induction of pulmonary‐resident CD8 T cells elicited by MCMV glycoprotein B (gB) vaccine. Mice were intranasally co‐immunized with 50 μg pgB and equal amount of pGP96‐NT vaccine 4 times at 2‐week intervals, and then i.n. challenged with MCMV at 16 weeks after the last immunization. Compared with pgB immunization alone, co‐immunization with pgB/pGP96‐NT enhanced a long‐lasting protection against MCMV pneumonitis by significantly improved pneumonitis pathology, enhanced bodyweight, reduced viral burdens and increased survival rate. Moreover, the increased CD8 T cells were observed in lung but not spleen from pgB/pGP96‐NT co‐immunized mice. The increments of pulmonary CD8 T cells might be mainly due to non‐circulating pulmonary‐resident CD8 T‐cell subset expansion but not circulating CD8 T‐cell populations that home to inflammation site upon MCMV challenge. Finally, the deterioration of MCMV pneumonitis by depletion of pulmonary site‐specific CD8 T cells in mice that were pgB/pGP96‐NT co‐immunization might be a clue to interpret the non‐circulating pulmonary‐resident CD8 T subset expansion. These data might uncover a promising long‐lasting prophylactic vaccine strategy against MCMV‐induced pneumonitis.
Bad Times, Good Credit
Authors: BECKER BO , BOS MARIEKE , ROSZBACH KASPER 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBanks’ limited knowledge about borrowers’ creditworthiness constitutes an important friction in credit markets. Is this friction deeper in recessions, thereby contributing to cyclical swings in credit, or is the friction reduced, as bad times reveal information about firm quality? We test these alternative hypotheses using internal ratings data from a large Swedish cross‐border bank and credit scores from a credit bureau. The ability to classify corporate borrowers by credit quality is greater during bad times and worse during good times. Soft and hard information measures both display countercyclical patterns. Our results suggest that information frictions in corporate credit markets are intrinsically countercyclical and not due to cyclical variation in monitoring effort. The presence of countercyclical information frictions provides a rationale for countercyclical provisions or capital in banks to smooth credit cycles.