bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cav3.1 t‐type calcium channel is critical for cell proliferation and survival in newly generated cells of the adult hippocampus
Authors: Yabuki Yasushi , Matsuo Kazuya , Yu Mengze , Xu Jing , Sakimura Kenji , Shioda Norifumi , Fukunaga Kohji 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimsAdult hippocampal neurogenesis plays an important role in neuronal plasticity and maintenance in mammals. Low‐threshold voltage‐gated T‐type calcium channels produce calcium spikes that increase fast action potentials in newborn cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG); however, their role in adult hippocampal neurogenesis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis in Cav3.1T‐type calcium channel knockout mice.Methods and ResultsCav3.1T‐type calcium channel was predominantly localized in neuronal progenitor cells of the mouse hippocampal DG. By counting the number of 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine‐labeled cells, decreased proliferation and survival of newly generated cells were observed in the adult hippocampal DG in Cav3.1 knockout mice as compared to wild‐type (WT) mice. Moreover, the degree of maturation of doublecortin‐positive cells in Cav3.1 knockout mice was lower than that in WT mice, suggesting that Cav3.1 deletion may impair neuronal differentiation. Consistent with impaired hippocampal neurogenesis, Cav3.1 knockout mice showed decreased social interaction. Reduced phosphorylation levels of calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II and protein kinase B were closely associated with impaired hippocampal neurogenesis in Cav3.1 knockout mice. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, important for neurogenesis, were significantly decreased in Cav3.1 knockout mice. Finally, gene ontology analysis revealed alterations in genes related to the promotion of cell death/apoptosis and suppression of cell proliferation/neuronal differentiation pathways, including Bdnf.ConclusionThese results suggest that the Cav3.1T‐type calcium channel may be a key molecule required for cell proliferation, survival and neuronal differentiation in newly generated cells of the adult mouse hippocampus.
Spigelian hernia: Our total extraperitoneal approach and a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Cui Tracy Yu‐Shi , Law Tsz Ting , Ng Lily , Wong Kin Yuen 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntroductionSpigelian hernia is a rare lateral ventral hernia traditionally repaired through open incision with extensive dissection. Three laparoscopic techniques have been reported in the literature: intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM), transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), and total extraperitoneal (TEP). TEP is less popular than the other approaches. We evaluated TEP's safety and effectiveness and compared different laparoscopic techniques.MethodsAll patients with Spigelian hernia who had undergone extended TEP (eTEP) repair with mesh in our center from January 2007 to February 2020 were studied. A three‐port technique with a preperitoneal space created by telescope at the midline was adopted. A systematic review on laparoscopic mesh repair was performed by searching for “Spigelian hernia” and “laparoscopic” from 1999 to 2019 in the MEDLINE database.ResultsSeven patients underwent eTEP repair for Spigelian hernia. Five presented with abdominal mass and underwent preoperative imaging. Two were diagnosed incidentally during TEP for inguinal hernia. The mean operative duration was 65 minutes (range, 40‐93 minutes). There were no open conversions or intraoperative complications. The mean length of hospital stay was 1.4 days (range, 1‐3 days). The mean follow‐up period was 44.3 months. One patient developed seroma. There was no recurrence or chronic pain. We identified 197 laparoscopic mesh repairs reported in 41 articles. IPOM (n = 91) was the most popular approach, followed by TAPP (n = 70) and TEP (n = 36). Laparoscopic mesh repair of Spigelian hernia is safe and offers excellent outcomes.ConclusionWe found the eTEP approach safe and effective for Spigelian hernia repair. IPOM, TAPP, and TEP are comparable.
A case of single‐incision laparoscopic surgery for acute appendicitis with left ventricular assist device
Authors: Chinen Yoshinao , Ogino Takayuki , Fujino Shiki , Takahashi Hidekazu , Miyoshi Norikatsu , Uemura Mamoru , Yamamoto Hirofumi , Mizushima Tsunekazu , Doki Yuichiro , Eguchi Hidetoshi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractA left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is used for patients with severe heart failure. We present a case of a 35‐year‐old man who had undergone LVAD implantation 2 years ago for dilated phase of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He had right lower abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Single‐incision laparoscopic surgery for appendicitis was performed. We incised approximately 3 cm of the umbilicus carefully because the driveline of LVAD was passing just caudal to the umbilicus. LVAD is only available for patients waiting for cardiac transplantation in Japan, and the number of patients with LVAD has been increasing. Adequate anticoagulant therapy is necessary because device thrombosis often causes fatal complications, but during emergency cases, the surgeons have to be cautious of bleeding and injury to the driveline of LVAD.
Expression of asporin reprograms cancer cells to acquire resistance to oxidative stress
Authors: Sasaki Yuto , Takagane Kurara , Konno Takumi , Itoh Go , Kuriyama Sei , Yanagihara Kazuyoshi , Yashiro Masakazu , Yamada Satoru , Murakami Shinya , Tanaka Masamitsu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAsporin (ASPN), a small leucine‐rich proteoglycan expressed predominantly by cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), plays a pivotal role in tumor progression. ASPN is also expressed by some cancer cells, but its biological significance is unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of ASPN expression in gastric cancer cells. Overexpression of ASPN in 2 gastric cancer cell lines, HSC‐43 and 44As3, led to increased migration and invasion capacity, accompanied by induction of CD44 expression and activation of Rac1 and MMP9. ASPN expression increased resistance of HSC‐43 cells to oxidative stress by reducing the amount of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. ASPN induced expression of the transcription factor HIF1α and upregulated lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and PDH‐E1α, suggesting that ASPN reprograms HSC‐43 cells to undergo anaerobic glycolysis and suppresses ROS generation in mitochondria, which has been observed in another cell line HSC‐44PE. By contrast, 44As3 cells expressed high levels of HIF1α in response to oxidant stress and escaped apoptosis regardless of ASPN expression. Examination of xenografts in the gastric wall of ASPN–/– mice revealed that growth of HSC‐43 tumors with increased micro blood vessel density was significantly accelerated by ASPN; however, ASPN increased the invasion depth of both HSC‐43 and 44As3 tumors. These results suggest that ASPN has 2 distinct effects on cancer cells: HIF1α‐mediated resistance to oxidative stress via reprogramming of glucose metabolism, and activation of CD44‐Rac1 and MMP9 to promote cell migration and invasion. Therefore, ASPN may be a new therapeutic target in tumor fibroblasts and cancer cells in some gastric carcinomas.
Using sexual health and safety education to protect against child sexual abuse in residential care: The LINC model
Authors: McKibbin Gemma , Bornemisza Anna , Fried Ana , Humphreys Cathy , Smales Madelaine 
Published: January 2021

AbstractChildren and young people living in residential care are vulnerable to sexual abuse, and there is scant evidence about what sexuality education could help address this vulnerability. This paper explores the impact of thePower to Kids: Respecting Sexual Safetyprogramme, which involved capacity‐building workers to have ‘brave conversations’ with children and young people in residential care. The aim of the study was to capture the perceptions of workers about changes in their skill and confidence levels in relation to having brave conversations with children and young people and the impact of those conversations on children and young people. A mixed‐methods study was undertaken, involving multiple sets of interviews with 27 workers associated with four residential houses. The qualitative and quantitative data analysis showed that workers perceived the impact of the capacity building and brave conversations as strengthening protective factors available to children and young people vulnerable to sexual abuse. The research revealed the ‘LINC model’ as a viable approach to capacity‐building workers to educate children and young people in residential care about sexual health and safety. Workers perceived the enhancement of the following protective factors: stronger safe relationships, greater comfort disclosing abuse and improved knowledge of normal versus harmful sexual behaviour.
Generating and evaluating cross‐sectional synthetic electronic healthcare data: Preserving data utility and patient privacy
Authors: Wang Zhenchen , Myles Puja , Tucker Allan 
Published: January 2021

AbstractElectronic healthcare record data have been used to study risk factors of disease, treatment effectiveness and safety, and to inform healthcare service planning. There has been increasing interest in utilizing these data for new purposes such as for machine learning to develop predictive algorithms to aid diagnostic and treatment decisions. Synthetic data could potentially be an alternative to real‐world data for these purposes as well as reveal any biases in the data used for algorithm development. This article discusses the key requirements of synthetic data for multiple purposes and proposes an approach to generate and evaluate synthetic data focused on, but not limited to, cross‐sectional healthcare data. To our knowledge, this is the first article to propose a framework to generate and evaluate synthetic healthcare data with the aim of simultaneously preserving the complexities of ground truth data in the synthetic data while also ensuring privacy. We include findings and new insights from synthetic datasets modeled on both the Indian liver patient dataset and UK primary care dataset to demonstrate the application of this framework under different scenarios.
Endometrial extracellular matrix rigidity and IFNτ ensure the establishment of early pregnancy through activation of YAP
Authors: Zhang Tao , Guo Shuai , Zhou Han , Wu Zhimin , Liu Junfeng , Qiu Changwei , Deng Ganzhen 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn mammals, early pregnancy is a critical vulnerable period during which complications may arise, including pregnancy failure. Establishment of a maternal endometrial acceptance phenotype is a prerequisite for semiheterogeneous embryo implantation, comprising the rate‐limiting step of early pregnancy.MethodsConfocal fluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blot for nuclear and cytoplasmic protein were used to examine the activation of yes‐associated protein (YAP) in uterine tissue and primary endometrial cells. The target binding between miR16a and YAP was verified by dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay. The mouse pregnancy model and pseudopregnancy model were used to investigate the role of YAP in the maternal uterus during early pregnancy in vivo.ResultsWe showed that YAP translocates into the nucleus in the endometrium of cattle and mice during early pregnancy. Mechanistically, YAP acts as a mediator of ECM rigidity and cell density, which requires the actomyosin cytoskeleton and is partially dependent on the Hippo pathway. Furthermore, we found that the soluble factor IFNτ, which is a ruminant pregnancy recognition factor, also induced activation of YAP by reducing the expression of miR‐16a.ConclusionsThis study revealed that activation of YAP is necessary for early pregnancy in bovines because it induced cell proliferation and established an immunosuppressive local environment that allowed conceptus implantation into the uterine epithelium.
Prevalence of long‐term mechanical insufflation‐exsufflation in children with neurological conditions: a population‐based study
Authors: Hov Brit , Andersen Tiina , Toussaint Michel , Vollsæter Maria , Mikalsen Ingvild B , Indrekvam Solfrid , Hovland Vegard 
Published: January 2021

AimTo determine the prevalence of long‐term mechanical insufflation‐exsufflation (MI‐E) and concomitant mechanical ventilation in children with neurological conditions, with reported reasons behind the initiation of treatment.MethodThis was a population‐based, cross‐sectional study using Norwegian national registries and a questionnaire.ResultsIn total, 114 of 19 264 children with a neurological condition had an MI‐E device. Seventy‐three of 103 eligible children (31 females, 42 males), median (min–max) age of 10 years 1 month (1y 5mo–17y 10mo), reported their MI‐E treatment initiation. Overall, 76% reported airway clearance as the main reason to start long‐term MI‐E. A prophylactic use was mainly reported by children with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). Prevalence and age at initiation differed by diagnosis. In spinal muscular atrophy and muscular dystrophies, MI‐E use was reported in 34% and 7% of children, of whom 83% and 57% respectively received ventilator support. One‐third of the MI‐E users were children with central nervous system (CNS) conditions, such as cerebral palsy and degenerative disorders, and ventilator support was provided in 31%. The overall use of concomitant ventilatory support among the long‐term MI‐E users was 56%.InterpretationThe prevalence of MI‐E in a neuropaediatric population was 6 per 1000, with two‐thirds having NMDs and one‐third having conditions of the CNS. The decision to initiate MI‐E in children with neurological conditions relies on clinical judgment.What this paper adds

The prevalence and age at initiation of mechanical insufflation/exsufflation (MI‐E) differed between diagnoses.

MI‐E was most commonly used in spinal muscular atrophy, where it generally coincided with ventilatory support.

One‐third of MI‐E devices were given to children with central nervous system conditions, and one‐third also received ventilatory support.
Cardiovascular and renal safety of metformin in patients with diabetes and moderate or severe chronic kidney disease: Observations from the EXSCEL and SAVOR‐TIMI 53 cardiovascular outcomes trials
Authors: Clegg Lindsay E. , Jing Yankang , Penland Robert C. , Boulton David W. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Holman Rury R. , Vora Jiten 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimTo provide evidence on the cardiovascular and renal safety of metformin in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 3 to 4.Materials and MethodsThis post hoc analysis compared participants with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15 to 59 mL/min/1.73m2 in the Exenatide Study of Cardiovascular Event Lowering (EXSCEL) and the Saxagliptin and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (SAVOR‐TIMI 53) trials taking metformin, with those not exposed to metformin during these trials, using a propensity‐matching approach. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all‐cause mortality (ACM). Metformin effect on eGFR slope was calculated using a mixed‐model repeated measures analysis, and the number of lactic acidosis events was tabulated.ResultsNo strong trend for lower metformin doses with lower eGFR values was observed in either the EXSCEL or SAVOR‐TIMI 53 trials. In the 1745 metformin‐using participants matched to non‐metformin users, metformin had neutral effects on MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76–1.08; P = 0.28) and ACM (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.70–1.07; P = 0.18), with no interaction by CKD stage, or with use of exenatide or saxagliptin. An improvement in eGFR slope was observed with metformin in the CKD stage 3B cohort in SAVOR‐TIMI 53, but not in other groups.ConclusionsThis analysis of participants with CKD stages 3 to 4 from two cardiovascular outcomes trials supports the cardiorenal safety of metformin, but does not suggest a consistent benefit on MACE, ACM, or eGFR slope across this population.
Clinician stakeholder experiences of a new youth mental health model in Australia: A qualitative study
Authors: Nash Louise , Isobel Sophie , Thomas Margaret , Nguyen Thao , van der Pol Renae 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimLate teens and early adulthood is the peak age of onset for mental disorders. Currently, there is a gap between primary mental health care and more intensive mental health services for young people in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Two headspace Early Intervention Teams (hEITs) were developed to bridge this gap in Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), in Sydney, Australia. This study aims to explore clinician experiences of hEIT after the first 2 years of implementation.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted with key clinicians working within hEIT or closely associated with hEIT. Nine interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using qualitative thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were identified: (1) building a bridge between services, (2) filling a clinical gap, (3) service collaborations and their challenges and (4) difficulties of small team size.ConclusionsThere is evidence that clinicians value the service provided by hEIT. There are difficulties such as referral confusion, staff turnover and suggestions to increase staffing to improve the stability, skill diversity and viability of the service. Findings have implications for other collaborative youth mental health models.
Subspecies hybridization as a potential conservation tool in species reintroductions
Authors: Zecherle Lilith J. , Nichols Hazel J. , Bar‐David Shirli , Brown Richard P. , Hipperson Helen , Horsburgh Gavin J. , Templeton Alan R. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractReintroductions are a powerful tool for the recovery of endangered species. However, their long‐term success is strongly influenced by the genetic diversity of the reintroduced population. The chances of population persistence can be improved by enhancing the population's adaptive ability through the mixing of individuals from different sources. However, where source populations are too diverse the reintroduced population could also suffer from outbreeding depression or unsuccessful admixture due to behavioural or genetic barriers. For the reintroduction of Asiatic wild ass Equus hemionus ssp. in Israel, a breeding core was created from individuals of two different subspecies (E. h. onager & E. h. kulan). Today the population comprises approximately 300 individuals and displays no signs of outbreeding depression. The aim of this study was a population genomic evaluation of this conservation reintroduction protocol. We used maximum likelihood methods and genetic clustering analyses to investigate subspecies admixture and test for spatial autocorrelation based on subspecies ancestry. Further, we analysed heterozygosity and effective population sizes in the breeding core prior to release and the current wild population. We discovered high levels of subspecies admixture in the breeding core and wild population, consistent with a significant heterozygote excess in the breeding core. Furthermore, we found no signs of spatial autocorrelation associated with subspecies ancestry in the wild population. Inbreeding and variance effective population size estimates were low. Our results indicate no genetic or behavioural barriers to admixture between the subspecies and suggest that their hybridization has led to greater genetic diversity in the reintroduced population. The study provides rare empirical evidence of the successful application of subspecies hybridization in a reintroduction. It supports use of intraspecific hybridization as a tool to increase genetic diversity in conservation translocations.
Conserving the genetic diversity of condemned populations: Optimizing collections and translocation
Authors: Bragg Jason G. , Yap Jia‐Yee S. , Wilson Trevor , Lee Enhua , Rossetto Maurizio 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe consider approaches for conserving genetic diversity from plant populations whose destruction is imminent. We do this using SNP genotype data from two endangered species, Pimelea spicata and Eucalyptus sp. Cattai. For both species, we genotyped plants from a ‘condemned’ population and designed ex situ collections, characterizing how the size and composition of the collection affected the genetic diversity preserved. Consistent with previous observations, populations where genetic diversity was optimized captured more alleles than populations of equal size chosen at random. This benefit of optimization was larger when the propagation population was small. That is, small numbers of individuals (e.g. 20) needed to be selected carefully to capture a comparable proportion of alleles to optimized populations, but larger random populations (e.g. >48) captured almost as many alleles as optimized populations. We then examined strategies for generating translocation populations based on the horticultural constraints presented by each species. In P. spicata, which is readily grown from cuttings, we designed translocation populations of different sizes, using different numbers of ramets from each member of propagation populations. We then performed simulations to predict the loss of alleles from these populations over 10 generations. Large translocation populations were predicted to maintain a greater proportion of source population alleles than smaller translocation populations, but this effect was saturated beyond 200 individuals. In E. sp. Cattai, we examined strategies to promote the diversity of progeny from a conservation planting scenario with 36 individuals. This included the optimization of the spatial arrangement of the planting and supplementing the diversity of the condemned population with individuals from additional sites. In sum, we studied approaches for designing genetically diverse translocations of condemned populations for two species that require contrasting methods of propagation, illustrating the application of approaches that were useful in different circumstances.
A 5‐year longitudinal association between dietary fermented soya bean (natto) intake and tooth loss through bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: The Yokogoshi cohort study
Authors: Iwasaki Masanori , Sato Misuzu , Yoshihara Akihiro , Saito Toshiko , Kitamura Kaori , Ansai Toshihiro , Nakamura Kazutoshi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectiveIn this 5‐year cohort study, we aimed to determine whether the intake of natto, a fermented soya bean food product, has an indirect effect on tooth loss incidence through BMD changes among postmenopausal women.BackgroundEvidence indicates (1) that natto has a beneficial effect on bone health and (2) that a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) is associated with tooth loss.MethodsThe study recruited 435 postmenopausal women (average age = 64.2 years). Natto intake (exposure) was assessed at baseline using a food frequency questionnaire. Lumbar spine BMD and number of teeth were measured at baseline and 5‐year follow‐up. BMD change (mediator) and the number of teeth lost (outcome) over time were calculated. The mediation model consisted of these 3 variables. Mediation analysis was performed to test the indirect effect of the natto intake measured through BMD change on tooth loss.ResultsDuring the study, the mean number of teeth lost was 1.2 (standard deviation = 1.8), and the mean BMD decline was 2.5% (standard deviation = 7.1). After adjusting for potential confounders, increasing habitual natto intake was significantly indirectly associated with a lower incidence of tooth loss mediated by BMD change (incidence rate ratio of tooth loss among women with “≥1 pack/day” natto intake was 0.90 [95% confidence interval = 0.82‐0.99] compared to those with natto consumption of “rarely”).ConclusionsDietary natto intake is significantly indirectly associated with a lower incidence of tooth loss among postmenopausal women, and systemic bone density could be a mediator of this association.