bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Banks’ equity performance and the term structure of interest rates
Authors: Elyasiani Elyas , Hasan Iftekhar , Kalotychou Elena , Pouliasis Panos K. , Staikouras Sotiris K. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUsing an extensive global sample, this paper investigates the impact of the term structure of interest rates on bank equity returns. Decomposing the yield curve to its three constituents (level, slope and curvature), the paper evaluates the time‐varying sensitivity of the bank's equity returns to these constituents by using a diagonal dynamic conditional correlation multivariate GARCH framework. Evidence reveals that the empirical proxies for the three factors explain the variations in equity returns above and beyond the market‐wide effect. More specifically, shocks to the long‐term (level) and short‐term (slope) factors have a statistically significant impact on equity returns, while those on the medium‐term (curvature) factor are less clear‐cut. Bank size plays an important role in the sense that exposures are higher for SIFIs and large banks compared to medium and small banks. Moreover, banks exhibit greater sensitivities to all risk factors during the crisis and post‐crisis periods compared to the pre‐crisis period; though these sensitivities do not differ for market‐oriented and bank‐oriented financial systems.
Somatic tumour testing establishes that bilateral DICER1‐associated ovarian Sertoli–Leydig cell tumours represent independent primary neoplasms
Authors: McCluggage W Glenn , Chong Anne‐Laure , de Kock Leanne , Foulkes William D 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimsSertoli–Leydig cell tumours (SLCTs) are rare ovarian neoplasms that are commonly associated with somatic or germline DICER1 mutations, especially when of the moderately or poorly differentiated type. A large majority are unilateral, but bilateral neoplasms have been reported, sometimes in the context of germline DICER1 mutations (DICER1 syndrome). It is currently unknown whether these represent independent neoplasms or metastasis from one ovary to the other and we aimed to elucidate this.Methods and resultsWe report three cases of bilateral ovarian SLCT (all in patients with DICER1 syndrome) and review all reported cases of bilateral neoplasms. In the three cases (all moderately or poorly differentiated neoplasms), the time interval between the discovery of the tumours in each ovary ranged from 2.7 years to 6 years. In all cases, different DICER1 somatic hotspot mutations within the two tumours provided definitive proof that they represent independent neoplasms; this may be important clinically. Our literature review revealed that, when this information was available, all patients with bilateral SLCT had a germline DICER1 mutation.ConclusionsBilateral ovarian SLCTs represent independent rather than metastatic neoplasms, and essentially always occur in the context of DICER1 syndrome.
Abstracts of published randomized controlled trials in Endodontics: reporting quality and spin
Authors: Fang X. , Hua F. , Riley P. , Chen F. , Zhang L. , Walsh T. , Chen Z. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimsTo assess the reporting quality of recently published randomized controlled trial (RCT) abstracts in Endodontics, to investigate factors associated with reporting quality, and to evaluate the existence and characteristics of spin, that is using reporting strategies that distort study results and misguide readers.MethodologyThe PubMed database was searched to identify abstracts of RCTs in the field of Endodontics published during 2017 to 2018. Two authors assessed the reporting quality of each included abstract using the original 16‐item CONSORT for Abstracts checklist, with the overall quality score (OQS, range: 0–16) being the primary outcome measure. For each individual item, a score of ‘1’ was given if it was described adequately, and ‘0’ if the description was inadequate. Linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with reporting quality. For the evaluation of spin, two authors selected parallel‐group RCTs with a nonsignificant primary outcome from the included abstracts and evaluated independently the existence and characteristics of spin amongst these abstracts.ResultsA total of 162 abstracts were included for assessment of reporting, for which the mean OQS was 3.97 (SD, 1.30; 95 % CI, 3.77–4.17). According to multivariable analysis, origin from Europe (P = 0.001) and reporting of the exact P value (P = 0.020) were significantly associated with better reporting. Forty abstracts with statistically nonsignificant results for their primary outcome were included for spin evaluation, amongst which 34 (85.0%) had at least one type of spin. Thirty‐two abstracts (94.1%) had spin in their conclusions section, and six abstracts (17.6%) had spin in the results section.ConclusionsThe reporting quality of randomized controlled trials abstracts in Endodontics needs to be improved. The occurrence rate of spin in the sample of abstracts of RCTs in the field of Endodontics was high. Relevant stakeholders are recommended to be familiar with the CONSORT for Abstracts guideline and develop active strategies to ensure its implementation.
General method for highly controlled preparation of ceramic hollow spheres from core‐shell structures
Authors: Zhang Feng , Yang Xu , Wang Peng , Zhong Yajuan , Guo Manshan , Lin Jun , Zhu Zhiyong , You Yan , Lu Junqiang , Zhu Libing 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe spouted bed chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique have been successfully applied to prepare hollow spheres from core‐shell structures. The prepared SiC hollow spheres (SiC‐HS) showed the desired characteristic, such as pure phase (β‐SiC), uniform and concentrated distribution of diameter and sphericity. The flexibility of this method allows for independent control of the diameter, shell thickness and microstructures of the SiC hollow spheres. In particular, it is demonstrated that the precursor of SiC was carried by different carrier gas (hydrogen or argon), SiC‐HS with porous or dense shells can be obtained. The porous SiC‐HS have high density of stacking faults, which indicates that it can be used as photocatalytic materials. The dense SiC‐HS with high density (99%TD) exhibits excellent mechanical properties (average Young's modulus of 410 GPa and hardness of 42 GPa), and it can be used as fusion ignition target and encapsulation vessels as well. Through using different precursor, the spouted bed CVD technique used here could be generally adopted to synthesize other types (eg other carbides or complex oxides) of hollow spheres.
Colour effects in green advertising
Authors: Lim Dongjae , Baek Tae Hyun , Yoon Sukki , Kim Yeonshin 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMarketers often use green in marketing communications to signal sustainability, despite the lack of supportive data. This article is a report of two experiments to observe consumer reactions to advertisements that use colour to indicate the environmental friendliness. The pretest and Study 1 confirm that consumers associate green with environmental friendliness and grey with environmental unfriendliness. Thus green (grey) is more (less) effective for producing positive ad attitudes and purchase intentions. Consumer perceptions regarding colour appropriateness mediate the effects. Study 2 shows that persuasion knowledge moderates the effects: when consumers have high persuasive knowledge, green has a less positive effect; grey has a less negative effect; blue remains neutral. The study concludes that green functions as a peripheral cue signalling an eco‐friendly brand image, but the use of green may backfire when consumers are aware that green is used to bias responses.
Association of GSDMC polymorphisms with lumbar disc herniation among Chinese Han population
Authors: Wu Jiamin , Sun Yao , Xiong Zichao , Liu Jianfeng , Li Haiyue , Liu Yuanwei , Li Bin , Jin Tianbo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractLumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a relatively common spinal disease, but its pathogenesis is still unknown. Numerous studies have shown that LDH is closely correlated with inflammation, and it has been found to be related to some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our purpose is to explore the correlation between gene polymorphisms of GSDMC and LDH risk, which is of great significance for the study of the pathogenesis of LDH. DNA was extracted from 508 LDH patients and 508 controls. We select SNPs with minor allele frequency >5% in GSDMC gene from 1,000 genome project (http://www.internationalgenome.org/). Then, genotyping was performed using Agena MassARRAY. We used unconditional logistic regression analysis to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The haplotype construction and analysis in GSDMC were applied to detect the association. We identified that rs77681114 in the GSDMC gene was significantly associated with a decreased risk of LDH in the alleles model (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66–0.99, p = .049) and the log‐additive model (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.65–0.99, p = .049) adjusted by age and gender. The haplotype “AG” constructed by rs77681114 and rs4285452 (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.01–1.53, p = .039) was associated with increased risk of LDH. After age and gender stratification, rs77681114 protected LDH risk at age 49 or older in allelic model (p = .010), co‐dominant model (p = .006), dominant model (p = .029), recessive model (p = .011) and log‐additive model (p = .005). Rs77681114 had protective effect on female LDH risk in both co‐dominant models (p = .033) and recessive models (p = .043). These studies indicated that genetic polymorphisms of GSDMC can relatively reduce the risk of LDH.
Gene expression workflow to analyze residual leukemic cells in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Mora Alba , Bosch Rosa , Cuellar‐García Carolina , Blanco Laura , Sierra Jorge , Nomdedeu Josep , Moreno Carol 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn chronic lymphocytic leukemia, a better understanding of leukemic cell characteristics after treatment would help to design specific therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing clinical relapse. Gene arrays have become a powerful approach to perform gene expression profiling; nevertheless, to work with residual cells entails an intensive labor. The aim of this study was to set forth an effective gene expression approach to analyze residual leukemic cells.MethodsLeukocytes from CLL patient's samples were sorted by flow cytometry using a 6‐color panel. The quality and quantity of RNA isolated from different inputs of cells were compared by two silica column protocols: RNeasy Micro and RNeasy Mini. RNA amplifications were carried out according to two manufacturer's protocols: Ovation Pico SL and Ovation Pico WTA. A total of 3.5 μg of cDNA was labeled and hybridized to Human Gene 2.0 ST arrays.ResultsRNA extracted from low number of input cells by RNeasy Micro showed similar RNA integrity number to that obtained from RNeasy Mini; however, the RNA quantity was higher using the RNeasy Micro Kit. In addition, those RNA samples obtained with RNeasy Micro and amplified with Ovation Pico WTA showed good quality to proceed for a gene array study, independently of the number of input cells (range: 1 × 104‐5 × 105 cells).ConclusionsWe observed that this workflow is a feasible approach to obtain genomic material extracted from leukemic cells as little as 1 × 104 cells and it can be useful to carry out gene expression profile experiments to characterize residual leukemic cells in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Vertical stratification collapses under seasonal shifts in climate
Authors: Basham Edmund W. , Scheffers Brett R. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimTropical forests are vertically complex, and offer unique niche opportunities in the form of climate, habitat and resource gradients from ground to canopy. Rainforest species organize within this vertical spatial gradient and recent macroecological research suggests that the highest levels of vertical stratification occur in structurally complex and climatically stable tropical rainforests. However, although the classical view of the tropics is that of aseasonality, particularly in temperature, there is strong seasonality in rainfall. Thus, we predict considerable variation in vertical stratification in time, characterized by a seasonal restructuring of communities across vertical space.LocationSierra Llorona, Colón Province, Panama.TaxonAmphibians.MethodsWe performed 121 ground‐to‐canopy surveys across the wet and dry seasons for amphibians. Using a bootstrap simulation method we calculated species‐specific and community‐wide vertical height and abundance shifts between seasons. Separately, we tested the importance of vertical height and season on the vertical distribution of species using a redundancy analysis, and employed linear models to explore turnover in species composition across vertical height between seasons.ResultsOur results show a clear downward shift of 5 m in height in amphibian communities from the wet season to dry season. We also observe significant changes in species composition across vertical strata in both seasons, driven primarily by nestedness in the dry season (loss of species over height) and genuine turnover in the wet season (loss and addition of species over height).Main conclusionsThe exploitation of canopy microhabitats and resources in the wet season resulted in complex patterns of stratification, whereas drying flattened the distribution and simplified the composition of arboreal communities. As such, pattern and process in the vertical dimension is not static in time but rather exists as a dichotomy with inverse patterns between wet and dry seasons. Complex, multidimensional distributions of diverse rainforest communities can be simplified by climatic constraints – an important consideration as anthropogenic climate change increases the magnitude of seasonal swings in temperature and precipitation.
Metabolic profiles and fibrosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the elderly: A community‐based study
Authors: Chen Tsung‐Po , Lai Michelle , Lin Wen‐Yuan , Huang Kuo‐Chin , Yang Kuen‐Cheh 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackground and AimsThere are sparse data on the epidemiology of fatty liver in the elderly Asian population. We evaluated for predictors of fatty liver and high risk of advanced fibrosis in a community‐based elderly population.MethodsA total of 1091 participants (mean age was 74.6 ± 6.3 years) were enrolled from 2017 to 2018. Subjects with age younger than 65 years, alcoholism, and history of hepatitis B and hepatitis C were excluded. Fatty liver was diagnosed with abdominal ultrasound by using ultrasonographic fatty liver indicator, a semi‐quantitative measurement grading the severity (normal, mild, and moderate‐to‐severe). Fibrosis‐4 score was used for the prediction of the high risk of advanced fibrosis. Using a multivariable logistic regression model, we identified predictors of fatty liver and high risk of advanced fibrosis.ResultsIn this ambulatory elderly Asian population, the prevalence of fatty liver is 41.9% and of high risk of advanced fibrosis is 12.3%. The prevalence of fatty liver decreases (44.5% to 31.8%), and the high risk of advanced fibrosis increases (3.9% to 27.0%) with aging significantly (both P < 0.05). Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for fatty liver (odds ratio [OR], 3.19; 95% CI, 2.41–4.22) but not for high risk of advanced fibrosis (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.41–1.08). Hypertriglyceridemia decreases the risk for high risk of advanced fibrosis (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.33–0.87).ConclusionFatty liver is prevalent in the ambulatory elderly Asian population, affecting over 40% of this population. Age is a risk factor for high risk of advanced fibrosis, with the disease likely progressing from a steatotic to a fibrotic picture with age.
“Tailoring homely meals”: Family members’ motivations underlying nursing home visits during residents’ meals
Authors: Tsai Meng‐Rung , Tsai Hsiu‐Hsin , Tsai Yun‐Fang , Liao Fang‐Yu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAimElderly nursing home residents are often malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Family members often visit residents during mealtimes, which might be an ideal opportunity for interventions targeted at improving the nutritional status of older residents. Therefore, this study aimed to explore motivations behind family member visits with nursing home residents during mealtime in Taiwan.MethodsThis phenomenological study was conducted with family members of residents from four nursing homes in Taiwan. Participants were purposively sampled. Data were collected with individual face‐to‐face interviews from 18 family members. Data from transcribed audio‐recorded interviews were analyzed using the approach of van Manen.ResultsAnalysis of the interview data identified the essence of motivations underlying family members’ visits to nursing home residents during mealtimes, which we termed “tailoring homely meals.” This referred to providing food tailored to residents’ needs, providing a comforting family atmosphere, assisting residents during mealtime, and monitoring food consumption.ConclusionsThe motivations of family members to visit during mealtime could guide healthcare professionals working with East Asian populations in developing interventions to reduce the possibility of malnutrition, while also improving their quality of life. We recommend providing the following for nursing home residents: a nutritious and balanced diet, supporting their independence and ability to feed themselves, and encouraging involvement of family members during mealtimes.
Prolactin stimulates the vascularisation of the retina in newborn mice under hyperoxia conditions
Authors: Vázquez‐Membrillo Miguel , Siqueiros‐Márquez Lourdes , Núñez Francisco Freinet , Díaz‐Lezama Nundehui , Adán‐Castro Elva , Ramírez‐Hernández Gabriela , Adán Norma , Macotela Yazmín , Martínez de la Escalera Gonzalo , Clapp Carmen 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe hormone prolactin (PRL) is emerging as an important regulator of ocular blood vessels. PRL is pro‐angiogenic and acquires anti‐angiogenic properties after undergoing proteolytic cleavage to the PRL fragment, vasoinhibin. The vascularisation of the rodent retina develops after birth when it rapidly expands until completion at the end of the first postnatal week. Exposure of newborn mice to high oxygen levels lowers the rate of blood vessel growth. In the present study, we investigated whether PRL treatment modifies the vascularisation of the retina in newborn mice exposed to high oxygen or to normoxia and whether the retinal conversion of PRL to vasoinhibin may be altered in the neonate. Newborn mice and their nursing mothers were subjected to 75% oxygen or to normoxia from postnatal day (P) 6 to P8 (group 1) or from P2 to P5 (group 2). PRL (2 µg g‐1, i.p., twice a day) or vehicle was injected from P5 to P8 in group 1 and from P1 to P5 in group 2. PRL treatment reduced the retinal inhibition of blood vessel growth and the increase in vascular regression induced by hyperoxia as revealed by immunofluorescence staining of blood vessels and the expression of angiogenesis and apoptosis markers. The pro‐angiogenic effect may involve a reduced conversion of PRL to vasoinhibin. Incubation of PRL with retinal extracts showed reduced activity of the PRL‐cleaving protease, cathepsin D, in the neonate vs the adult retina that was further reduced under hyperoxia. PRL and the PRL receptor mRNA were expressed at higher levels in the retina at P8 than in the adult, whereas endogenous PRL was undetectable in the circulation at P8. We conclude that PRL has a pro‐angiogenic effect in the neonate retina as a result of its reduced conversion to vasoinhibin and that PRL produced by the retina may help promote physiological vascularisation after birth.
Fractional carbon dioxide laser combined with intradermal injection of autologous platelet‐rich plasma versus noncross‐linked hyaluronic acid in the treatment of atrophic postacne scars: A split face study
Authors: Mahamoud Wafaa A. , El Barbary Rasha A. , Ibrahim Noha F. , Akmal Eman M. , Ibrahim Shady Mahmoud 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundAtrophic acne scarring is a common cosmetic problem that may affect 95% of patients with acne.AimsThe objective is to evaluate the efficacy of the fractional CO2 laser combined with intradermal injection of PRP versus intradermal injection of noncross‐linked hyaluronic acid in the treatment of different types of atrophic postacne scars.MethodsThe study included 30 patients with postacne scars. All the patients received 3 treatments of fractional CO2 laser combined with intradermal injection of PRP at one side of the face compared with intradermal injection of noncross‐linked hyaluronic acid at the other side of the face. Efficacy of the treatment was assessed by the physician's clinical assessment using Goodman and Baron's qualitative and quantitative grading systems and histopathological evaluation from six participants.ResultsThe study included 30 patients ages ranging from 25 to 44 years old. There was a statistically significant reduction in the severity of acne scars on both sides after treatment using qualitative and quantitative Goodman and Baron. Histopathological evaluation showed an increase in the collagen and elastic fiber content in both modalities with a more favorable outcome in the PRP‐treated side.ConclusionBoth treatment modalities resulted in a significant clinical and histopathological improvement in atrophic postacne scar with insignificant difference between them.
Correlation analysis between advanced glycation end products detected noninvasively and skin aging factors
Authors: Xin Cong , Wang Yaochi , Liu Mengting , Zhang Bo , Yang Sen 
Published: April 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the correlation between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and skin elasticity or blood perfusion values in healthy people of different age groups and to evaluate the relationship between noninvasive detection of AGEs and age or skin aging.MethodsOne hundred and two healthy people were enrolled and grouped into groups of 20 years old. Group I: 19‐40 years old; Group II: 41‐60 years old; Group III: 61‐80 years old. Noninvasive techniques such as fluorescence spectroscopy and laser speckle flowmetry were used to detect AGEs levels, local skin perfusion value, and skin elasticity in skin tissue at all age groups.ResultThe AGEs in the skin increased with age, and the difference between the three age groups was statistically significant (P < .05).There was no significant difference in gender between AGEs (P > .05).There was no significant relationship between AGEs and skin elasticity or blood perfusion value in the Group I; there was a low correlation between AGEs and skin elasticity in the 41‐60 years age group (r < .4,P < .05). The level of AGEs in the elderly over 60 years was significantly positively correlated with skin elasticity and blooding perfusion value (r > .4,P < .05).ConclusionThere is a significant correlation between AGEs and age or skin aging indicators. As the age increasing, the level of AGEs increases obviously, which can be used as a potential noninvasive tool for detecting skin aging.