bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha regulates the expression of the immune response mediators in the porcine endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy
Authors: Kunicka Zuzanna , Kurzyńska Aleksandra , Szydłowska Anna , Bogacka Iwona 
Published: November 2019

AbstractProblemCytokines are immune response mediators that play an important role in the regulation of reproductive functions. An association between cytokines and peroxisome proliferator receptors (PPARs) has been reported in various tissues, including the endometrium. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of PPARα ligands on the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and cytokines (interleukin [IL]‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and LIF) in the porcine endometrium in different reproductive stages.Methods of studyEndometrial slices were collected from gilts on days 10‐12 or 14‐16 of the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Endometrial tissue explants were incubated in vitro in the presence or absence of PPARα agonist WY‐14643 and antagonist MK886. Expression of mRNA and protein for NF‐ĸB and selected cytokines was evaluated by real‐time PCR and immunoblot.ResultsPPARα agonist WY‐14643 decreased the mRNA expression of NF‐κB in most of the analyzed stages (excluding days 10‐12 of the estrous cycle), but increased the expression of NF‐κB protein (excluding days 14‐16 of pregnancy). The WY‐14643 increased expression of IL‐1β and IL‐6 proteins, and the mRNA expression of IL‐8 and LIF, decreased IL‐4 expression, and did not affect the mRNA and protein expression of IL‐10.ConclusionThe obtained results demonstrate that PPARα is involved in the regulation of NF‐κB and cytokine expression in the porcine endometrium. PPARα ligands exert a varied influence on immune system components, which could be attributed to differences in the receptivity of porcine endometrial tissue during the reproductive cycle.
Self‐reported mental health and cortisol activity at 27‐28 years of age in individuals born with very low birthweight
Authors: Leijon Ingemar , Bladh Marie , Finnström Orvar , Gäddlin Per‐Olof , Nelson Nina , Hammar Mats , Theodorsson Elvar , Sydsjö Gunilla 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimTo assess mental health outcomes of very low birthweight (VLBW, <1500 g) subjects to adulthood and to examine salivary cortisol and hair cortisol levels and their relation to birth characteristics and mental health.MethodsA Swedish regional cohort of 56 VLBW subjects and 55 full‐term controls were assessed at the ages 27‐28 with adult self‐reported scales and the mean of 2 days diurnal salivary cortisol and hair cortisol. The cohorts had been assessed at 15 years of age with youth self‐reported scales.ResultsThere were no differences between the groups in youth self‐reported scales and adult self‐reported scores. The 24 participating VLBW girls scored lower on youth self‐reported scales externalising and total problem scores than the control girls. In adulthood, the 21 participating VLBW women had significantly higher morning concentrations of salivary cortisol than control women, P = .014. No significant associations were found between cortisol concentrations and adult self‐reported scales internalising, externalising and total scores.ConclusionSelf‐reported mental health in VLBW subjects was comparable with normal birthweight controls indicating a satisfying transition from adolescence to adulthood. VLBW females had higher morning salivary cortisol concentrations, suggesting a gender difference. We found no correlations between cortisol and mental health.
Microanalytical study of copper ores from the Chalcolithic settlement of São Pedro (Portugal): Copper production in the south‐western Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Valério P. , Cardoso I. P. , Santiago M. , Araújo M. F. , Alves L. C. , Gonçalves M. A. , Mataloto R. 
Published: November 2019

Copper ores recovered at the third millennium bce settlement of São Pedro, Portugal, were characterized by micro‐Raman spectroscopy, micro‐energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (micro‐EDXRF) and micro‐particle‐induced X‐ray emission spectrometry (micro‐PIXE). The collection shows the common presence of secondary copper minerals (malachite, pseudomalachite and libethenite) combined with iron oxyhydroxides (hematite and goethite), while arsenic‐rich minerals are absent and, therefore, can be excluded as the source of arsenical copper. Overall, these copper ores suggest a primitive technology involving the exploitation of the superficial zone of ore bodies and reliant on the fortuitous finding of arsenic‐rich sources to produce the arsenical copper alloy frequently present among metallic collections of the Iberian Peninsula.
Statistical inference for net benefit measures in biomarker validation studies
Authors: Marsh Tracey L. , Janes Holly , Pepe Margaret S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractReferral strategies based on risk scores and medical tests are commonly proposed. Direct assessment of their clinical utility requires implementing the strategy and is not possible in the early phases of biomarker research. Prior to late‐phase studies, net benefit measures can be used to assess the potential clinical impact of a proposed strategy. Validation studies, in which the biomarker defines a prespecified referral strategy, are a gold standard approach to evaluating biomarker potential. Uncertainty, quantified by a confidence interval, is important to consider when deciding whether a biomarker warrants an impact study, does not demonstrate clinical potential, or that more data are needed. We establish distribution theory for empirical estimators of net benefit and propose empirical estimators of variance. The primary results are for the most commonly employed estimators of net benefit: from cohort and unmatched case‐control samples, and for point estimates and net benefit curves. Novel estimators of net benefit under stratified two‐phase and categorically matched case‐control sampling are proposed and distribution theory developed. Results for common variants of net benefit and for estimation from right‐censored outcomes are also presented. We motivate and demonstrate the methodology with examples from lung cancer research and highlight its application to study design.
Prognostic impact of interim positron emission tomography in mantle cell lymphoma patients treated with frontline R‐CHOP
Authors: Jeon Young‐Woo , O Joo‐Hyun , Park Kyung‐Sin , Min Gi June , Park Sung‐Soo , Yoon Jae‐Ho , Eom Ki‐Seong , Min Chang‐Ki , Cho Seok‐Goo 
Published: November 2019

SummaryAlthough 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG PET) is commonly used for initial staging and therapeutic response evaluation in aggressive lymphomas, its prognostic utility for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is controversial. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the correlations of interim PET (iPET) and end‐of‐treatment PET (ePET) response with survival outcomes in 89 consecutive advanced MCL patients treated with frontline R‐CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone). iPET positivity was strongly associated with inferior five‐year overall survival (OS) [hazard ratio (HR) 7·84, P < 0·0001] and poor five‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) (HR 3·34, P < 0·0001). OS and PFS were more favourable in the order early metabolic responder (iPETneg → ePETneg), delayed responder (iPETpos → ePETneg), loss‐metabolic responder (iPETneg → ePETpos), and never‐metabolic responder (iPETpos → ePETpos). In the autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto‐HSCT)‐fit subgroup, OS was more favourable in the order early metabolic responders, delayed metabolic responders, and non‐metabolic responders, with a marginal trend toward statistical significance (HR 3·41, P = 0·051), and PFS was significantly superior in early metabolic responders (HR 4·43, P = 0·002). In a group that was ineligible for auto‐HSCT, OS and PFS were significantly superior in early metabolic responders. Our results suggested that iPET is of prognostic value and an independent predictor of survival in MCL patients receiving frontline R‐CHOP. Therefore, prospective clinical trials of iPET‐guided treatment strategies for these patients are warranted.
Novel neuroactive steroid with hypnotic and T‐type calcium channel blocking properties exerts effective analgesia in a rodent model of post‐surgical pain
Authors: Joksimovic Sonja Lj. , Joksimovic Srdjan M. , Manzella Francesca M. , Asnake Betelehem , Orestes Peihan , Raol Yogendra H. , Krishnan Kathiresan , Covey Douglas F. , Jevtovic‐Todorovic Vesna , Todorovic Slobodan M. 
Published: November 2019

Background and PurposeNeuroactive steroid (3β,5β,17β)‐3‐hydroxyandrostane‐17‐carbonitrile (3β‐OH) is a novel hypnotic and voltage‐dependent blocker of T‐type calcium channels. Here, we examine its potential analgesic effects and adjuvant anaesthetic properties using a post‐surgical pain model in rodents.Experimental ApproachAnalgesic properties of 3β‐OH were investigated in thermal and mechanical nociceptive tests in sham or surgically incised rats and mice, with drug injected either systemically (intraperitoneal) or locally via intrathecal or intraplantar routes. Hypnotic properties of 3β‐OH and its use as an adjuvant anaesthetic in combination with isoflurane were investigated using behavioural experiments and in vivo EEG recordings in adolescent rats.Key ResultsA combination of 1% isoflurane with 3β‐OH (60 mg·kg−1, i.p.) induced suppression of cortical EEG and stronger thermal and mechanical anti‐hyperalgesia during 3 days post‐surgery, when compared to isoflurane alone and isoflurane with morphine. 3β‐OH exerted prominent enantioselective thermal and mechanical antinociception in healthy rats and reduced T‐channel‐dependent excitability of primary sensory neurons. Intrathecal injection of 3β‐OH alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia, while repeated intraplantar application alleviated both thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in the rats after incision. Using mouse genetics, we found that CaV3.2 T‐calcium channels are important for anti‐hyperalgesic effect of 3β‐OH and are contributing to its hypnotic effect.Conclusion and ImplicationsOur study identifies 3β‐OH as a novel analgesic for surgical procedures. 3β‐OH can be used to reduce T‐channel‐dependent excitability of peripheral sensory neurons as an adjuvant for induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia while improving analgesia and lowering the amount of volatile anaesthetic needed for surgery.
The double EMG distribution and trade elasticities
Authors: Sager Erick , Timoshenko Olga A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractUsing Brazilian export data that, unlike many trade data sets, have a full record of small export sales, this paper reconsiders trade elasticities and the welfare gains from trade. Using the Brazilian data, this paper provides novel evidence on the properties of the distributions of log‐export sales and shows that the double exponentially modified Gaussian (EMG) distribution parsimoniously captures these properties. Using the double EMG distribution in a standard monopolistic competition model of trade, this paper demonstrates that data truncation, which is prevalent in many data sets, leads to an upward bias in measuring the partial elasticity of trade with respect to variable trade costs. This bias subsequently leads to the underestimation of the gains from trade by 1% to 9% depending on the extent of data truncation, a range that is commensurate with typical economic growth and large booms.
RNA‐binding protein NONO promotes breast cancer proliferation by post‐transcriptional regulation of SKP2 and E2F8
Authors: Iino Kaori , Mitobe Yuichi , Ikeda Kazuhiro , Takayama Ken‐ichi , Suzuki Takashi , Kawabata Hidetaka , Suzuki Yutaka , Horie‐Inoue Kuniko , Inoue Satoshi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe majority of breast cancers are primarily hormone‐sensitive and can be managed by endocrine therapy, although therapy‐resistant or hormone‐refractory cancers need alternative treatments. Recently, increasing attention is being paid to RNA‐binding proteins (RBP) in cancer pathophysiology. The precise role of RBP in breast cancer, however, remains to be clarified. We herein show that an RBP non‐POU domain‐containing octamer binding (NONO) plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of breast cancers regardless of their hormone dependency. Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study of 127 breast cancer cases showed that NONO is a significant independent prognostic factor for breast cancer patients. Notably, siRNA‐mediated NONO knockdown substantially repressed the proliferation of both hormone‐sensitive MCF‐7 and hormone‐refractory MB‐MDA‐231 breast cancer cells. Integrative analysis combined with expression microarray and RIP‐sequencing (RNA immunoprecipitation‐sequencing) showed that NONO post‐transcriptionally regulates the expression of cell proliferation‐related genes by binding to their mRNAs, as exemplified by S‐phase‐associated kinase 2 and E2F transcription factor 8. Overall, these results suggest that NONO is a key regulator for breast cancer proliferation through the pre‐mRNA splicing of cell proliferation‐related genes and could be a potential new diagnostic and therapeutic target for advanced disease.
Unraveling the Relation Between Reading Comprehension and Print Exposure
Authors: Erbeli Florina , van Bergen Elsje , Hart Sara A. 
Published: November 2019

The purpose of this study was to test the directionality of influence between reading comprehension (RC) and print exposure (PE), thereby estimating genetic and environmental effects of this relation. The sample consisted of 910 twins in fourth through ninth grades (Mage = 12.33 years, SD = 1.41) from the Florida Twin Project on Reading, Behavior, and Environment. Using direction‐of‐causation model in a twin design, results supported a direction of influence running from RC to PE. This relation was underpinned by genetic and environmental factors of RC as well as PE. Implications for reading education are discussed.
A fluorescent probe for the dual detection of mercury ions and thiols based on a simple coumarin derivative
Authors: Tao Pei , Chen Dongling , Xu Zhenxiang , Song Yanxi , Li Hongqi , Xian Chunying 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA fluorescent probe based on a simple coumarin derivative could recognise mercury ions (Hg(ii)) and thiols selectively in aqueous solution. The addition of Hg(ii) induced a blue shift of the fluorescence emission band of the probe while the fluorescence was almost quenched by the addition of p‐toluenethiol or cysteine (Cys). The detection limit of the probe towards Hg(ii) and Cys was 8 µmol/L. The probe could be used for the detection of Hg(ii) and thiols by the naked eye under ultraviolet light irradiation.
Cooperative conservation: Seven ways to save the world
Authors: Curry Oliver S. , Hare Darragh , Hepburn Cameron , Johnson Dominic D. P. , Buhrmester Michael D. , Whitehouse Harvey , Macdonald David W. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe world faces serious environmental problems. To solve them we must work together. Fortunately, humans are a very cooperative species. We have faced a range of cooperative problems in the past, and have evolved and invented a range of cooperative solutions to them—kin altruism, mutualism, reciprocity, heroism, deference, fairness, and property rights. Here, we illustrate how each of these solutions can be pressed into the service of conservation goals. Unlocking this potential will require overcoming conservationists' current cycloptic focus on only one type of cooperative problem (the prisoner's dilemma) and one type of solution (reciprocity). Only then will policy makers be able draw on the full range of cooperative dispositions and design more systematic and effective environmental interventions.
The social foundation of executive function
Authors: Marciszko Carin , Forssman Linda , Kenward Ben , Lindskog Marcus , Fransson Mari , Gredebäck Gustaf 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this study, we propose that infant social cognition may ‘bootstrap' the successive development of domain‐general cognition in line with the cultural intelligence hypothesis. Using a longitudinal design, 6‐month‐old infants (N = 118) were assessed on two basic social cognitive tasks targeting the abilities to share attention with others and understanding other peoples' actions. At 10 months, we measured the quality of the child's social learning environment, indexed by parent's abilities to provide scaffolding behaviors during a problem‐solving task. Eight months later, the children were followed up with a cognitive test‐battery, including tasks of inhibitory control and working memory. Our results showed that better infant social action understanding interacted with better parental scaffolding skills in predicting simple inhibitory control in toddlerhood. This suggests that infants' who are better at understanding other's actions are also better equipped to make the most of existing social learning opportunities, which in turn may benefit future non‐social cognitive outcomes.
Can agricultural subsidies reduce gendered productivity gaps? Panel data evidence from Zambia
Authors: Ngoma Hambulo , Machina Henry , Kuteya Auckland N. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMotivationFarmer input support programmes (FISPs) have been implemented in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) since the 1970s in order to improve agricultural productivity and production. Whether FISPs are effective is much debated in the region. This article assesses whether FISPs can reduce gendered productivity gaps in agriculture, which in theory they should, by improving access to productive inputs for all farmers.PurposeBecause FISPs improve access to productive inputs for women as well as men, this article asks whether subsidy programmes can reduce the gendered productivity gaps in agriculture. We assess the direct impacts of accessing FISP on maize productivity and whether these impacts are heterogeneous between women‐ and men‐managed plots.Approach and methodsWe combine the control function and the correlated random approaches to control for the endogeneity of access to FISPs and unobserved heterogeneity, and use the two‐wave panel of the Rural Agricultural Livelihoods Survey data collected in 2012 and 2015 in Zambia. The analysis is done at the level of farm plots.FindingsAccess to FISPs does not disproportionately raise maize productivity for women‐managed plots. This implies that a FISP alone is insufficient to address the gendered productivity gaps in agriculture. On average, FISPs were associated with average yield gains between 35 and 105 kg/ha in our sample, with larger gains for men‐managed subsamples. However, the use of fertilizers at these low rates of return is unlikely to be profitable for smallholder farmers.Policy implicationsGiven that FISPs are likely to remain an important part of agricultural development policies in the region, there are reasons to believe they may have a role to play in reducing gendered gaps. However, reducing gendered productivity gaps in agriculture requires other non‐input factors that constrain women’s access to productive resources such as insecure land tenure and factors that limit the responsiveness of soils to fertilizer use among smallholder farmers to be addressed concomitantly.
Outcome and characteristics of non‐measurable myeloma: A cohort study with population‐based data from the Swedish Myeloma Registry
Authors: Wålinder Göran , Samuelsson Jan , Näsman Per , Hansson Markus , Juliusson Gunnar , Forsberg Karin , Svensson Ronald , Linder Olle , Carlson Kristina , Kristinsson Sigurdur Y. , Mellqvist Ulf Henrik , Hveding Blimark Cecilie , Turesson Ingemar , Nahi Hareth 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveWe describe survival in patients with oligo‐ and non‐secretory multiple myeloma (MM). We refer to the whole group as non‐measurable MM and compare it with secretory MM.MethodsOligo‐secretory MM was defined as M protein in serum <10 g/L and M protein in urine <200 measured as mg/day, mg/liter or mg/mmol creatinine. If patients had no M protein, they were defined as non‐secretory. The groups were also subdivided by Free Light Chains (SFLC) level and ratio.ResultsOut of 4325 patients with symptomatic MM in the Swedish Myeloma Registry during 2008‐2016 eligible for the study, 389 patients (9%) had non‐measurable MM. Out of these, 253 patients (6%) had oligo‐secretory and 136 (3%) had non‐secretory MM. Median survival for secretory MM was 42.7 months, non‐measurable MM 40.2 months, oligo‐secretory MM 38.6 months, and non‐secretory MM 44.6 months. Difference in overall observed survival was non‐significant for all groups when compared with secretory MM. Within non‐secretory MM, stem cell transplantation (SCT), 95% being auto‐SCT, was significant for superior survival in multivariate analysis (HR 0.048. P = .0015).ConclusionIn this population‐based study, we found no difference in survival between oligo‐ or non‐secretory MM when compared with secretory MM. SCT appears to be important also for patients with non‐secretory disease.
Predicting evolutionary responses to interspecific interference in the wild
Authors: Grether Gregory F. , Drury Jonathan P. , Okamoto Kenichi W. , McEachin Shawn , Anderson Christopher N. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMany interspecifically territorial species interfere with each other reproductively, and in some cases, aggression towards heterospecifics may be an adaptive response to interspecific mate competition. This hypothesis was recently formalised in an agonistic character displacement (ACD) model which predicts that species should evolve to defend territories against heterospecific rivals above a threshold level of reproductive interference. To test this prediction, we parameterised the model with field estimates of reproductive interference for 32 sympatric damselfly populations and ran evolutionary simulations. Asymmetries in reproductive interference made the outcome inherently unpredictable in some cases, but 80% of the model’s stable outcomes matched levels of heterospecific aggression in the field, significantly exceeding chance expectations. In addition to bolstering the evidence for ACD, this paper introduces a new, predictive approach to testing character displacement theory that, if applied to other systems, could help in resolving long‐standing questions about the importance of character displacement processes in nature.