bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preclinical studies indicate that INFLATIV, an herbal medicine cream containing Pereskia aculeata, presents potential to be marketed as a topical anti-inflammatory agent and as adjuvant in psoriasis therapy
Authors: Pinto Nícolas de Castro Campos , Maciel Mariana de Souza Ferreira , Rezende Nathalia dos Santos , Duque Ana Paula do Nascimento , Mendes Renata de Freitas , da Silva Jucélia Barbosa , Evangelista Monique de Rezende , Monteiro Luana Cahon , da Silva Josiane Mello , da Costa Juliana de Carvalho , Scio Elita 
Published: September 2020

Abstract

Objectives
A previous study reported that the hexane fraction (HF) obtained from Pereskia aculeata leaves showed promising topical anti-inflammatory activity. Intending its future use in clinical practice, a herbal medicine cream named INFLATIV was developed. Its anti-inflammatory and antipsoriatic potential were investigated. INFLATIV was subjected to preliminary accelerated stability tests and to a degradation profile assessment.

Methods
INFLATIV was prepared at 6% and 12%. The anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by croton oil single and multiple application challenge in mice. Mouse tail test was used for antipsoriatic potential investigation. Cutaneous atrophy test was performed. Preliminary accelerated stability tests were performed together with a degradation profile by GC-MS analysis.

Key findings
The anti-inflammatory activity shown by INFLATIV was comparable to dexamethasone. However, the skin atrophy caused by that drug was not observed. INFLATIV modified skin parakeratotic differentiation into orthokeratosis, which revealed its antipsoriatic potential. The ingredients used were suitable to carry the bioactives as they were well permeated by the skin. The preliminary accelerated stability tests indicated that INFLATIV 6% is more stable than 12%.

Conclusions
The results demonstrated the relevant therapeutic and marketing potentials of INFLATIV, which is likely to be further evaluated in clinical trials for drug registration process with regulatory agencies.
Impact of intra‐operative hypotension on mortality rates and post‐operative complications in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy
Authors: Hattersley R. , Downing F. , Gibson S. , Demetriou J. , Elmenhorst K. , Kulendra N. , Mielke B. , Woods S. 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesTo report the mortality rate within a cohort of dogs undergoing cholecystectomy and investigate the impact of intra‐operative hypotension on mortality.Materials and MethodsClinical records at five UK referral centres were reviewed for dogs undergoing cholecystectomy. Data collected included presenting signs, pre‐operative blood test results, intra‐operative data including frequency and duration of hypotension and the incidence and type of post‐operative complications.ResultsData from 119 dogs were included. Sixteen dogs (13%) died before discharge and by 28 days after surgery the total mortality was 19 dogs (17%). Hypotension lasting over 10 minutes during general anaesthesia occurred in 65 dogs (54.6%), with a mean ± sd duration of 36.1 ± 30.0 minutes. Intra‐operative hypotension or the number of hypotensive episodes did not appear to be associated with in‐hospital or 28‐day mortality. American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade (of fitness for surgery) was significantly associated with both in‐hospital and 28‐day mortality on univariable analysis, as were post‐operative hypoproteinaemia, ileus and pancreatitis. However on multivariable analysis, only ileus and pancreatitis were found to significantly impact mortality.Clinical SignificanceDogs presenting with a higher American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade appear to have a higher risk of mortality, although intra‐operative hypotension did not appear to be part of this risk.
Dietary supplementation of host‐associated lactic acid bacteria modulates growth, metabolic activities, and immune‐related gene expression in giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Kader Md. Abdul , Zahidah Azahar Nursyafiqah , Iehata Shumpei , Bulbul Mahbuba , Islam Md. Moudud , Sarker Joyshri , Mariom  , Rahman Md. Moshiur , Asaduzzaman Md 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe present study was carried out to evaluate the dietary effects of host‐associated lactic acid bacteria on growth performance, metabolic enzyme activities, and immune response of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles. To formulate the test diets, a control (Con) diet was supplemented with a commercial probiotic and three host‐derived bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (EC), Lactococcus lactis I (LC‐I), and L. lactis II (LC‐II), which were previously isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of adult individuals of M. rosenbergii. Juvenile M. rosenbergii (0.65 ± 0.008 g) were randomly stocked at 20 individuals/100 L of fiberglass tanks with three replications for each test diet. After 50 days, juveniles fed the diets LC‐I and LC‐II showed significantly higher (p < .05) weight gain, specific growth rate, and the lowest feed conversion ratio. The analyses of glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamic pyruvate transaminase in muscle and hepatopancreas revealed significantly (p < .05) reduced values in LC‐I fed juveniles. The total hemocyte count and phenoloxidase activity were significantly increased (p < .05) in LC‐I and LC‐II fed juveniles. The relative mRNA expression patterns of immune‐related α2‐M, LGBP, ProPO, Cu, Zn‐SOD, TG, PE, AKP, and ACP genes were significantly (p < .05) upregulated in juveniles fed with LC‐I followed by the diet LC‐II. Finally, the study suggests that the growth performance and immune response of M. rosenbergii can be improved through supplementation of host‐associated L. lactis bacteria for its higher production.
Quis custodet custodes? Referral G‐3/19 before the EPO Enlarged Board of Appeal and the imperative of challenging the board's interpretation of Art. 53(b) EPC
Authors: Cockbain Julian , Sterckx Sigrid 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe European Patent Office Enlarged Board of Appeal was asked in April 2019 to answer two questions regarding the exclusions from patentability under Art. 53 European Patent Convention (EPC), the dominant patent law in Europe. The first related to the manner in which EPC Articles should be interpreted, and the second to whether Art. 53 EPC excluded plants and animals that are the products of the excluded “essentially biological processes.” Since product claims are infringed by all processes for making the product, the second question was important—if the products are patentable, the exclusion of the processes is rendered meaningless, something which cannot have been the intention of the legislators drafting the EPC. The questions are in case G‐3/19 Peppers and the Enlarged Board of Appeal handed down its opinion on May 14, 2020. In this paper we examine the background to this case, the strength of the arguments presented, and the Enlarged Board's decision which we find to dangerously undermine the Article of the EPC, Art. 164 EPC, which requires changes to the principles of what can be patentable to be democratically agreed by the parliaments of the EPC member states rather than by an administrative body of government‐appointees.
Mediterranean diet and the risk of chronic kidney disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hansrivijit Panupong , Oli Sharad , Khanal Resha , Ghahramani Nasrollah , Thongprayoon Charat , Cheungpasitporn Wisit 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveMediterranean diet has been shown to be associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, its association with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains inconclusive as the results were not consistent among population‐based studies. This study aims to assess the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and CKD prevention.MethodsWe performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies describing the risk for CKD in community‐dwelling subjects ≥18 years of age. Mediterranean diet adherence was assessed by standardized food frequency questionnaires. The search was conducted through MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library.ResultsOf 168 citations, a total of nine (n = 19 151) and four studies (n = 8467) were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis, respectively. Only studies adopting Mediterranean Diet Scale (MDS) were included in the analysis. The mean score was 3.8 ± 0.3 points. With the mean follow‐up duration of 20.6 ± 7.0 years, the pooled odds ratio (OR) for CKD was 0.901 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.868‐0.935) for each 1‐point increment of MDS. The incidence of CKD was 0.026 events per person‐year (95% CI 0.008‐0.045). Moreover, male sex was associated with the incidence of CKD in an adjusted meta‐regression analysis. In contrast, there was no significant association between age, black race, smoking, diabetes, hypertension estimated glomerular filtration rate and total daily energy intake vs CKD incidence.ConclusionAdherence to Mediterranean diet by a 1‐point increment of MDS was associated with 10% lower risk of CKD. However, there were insufficient data on patients with pre‐existing CKD or dialysis.
Functional classification of plant long noncoding RNAs: a transcript is known by the company it keeps
Authors: Lucero Leandro , Ferrero Lucía , Fonouni‐Farde Camille , Ariel Federico 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThe extraordinary maturation in high‐throughput sequencing technologies has revealed the existence of a complex network of transcripts in eukaryotic organisms, including thousands of long noncoding (lnc) RNAs with little or no protein‐coding capacity. Subsequent discoveries have shown that lncRNAs participate in a wide range of molecular processes, controlling gene expression and protein activity though direct interactions with proteins, DNA or other RNA molecules. Although significant advances have been achieved in the understanding of lncRNA biology in the animal kingdom, the functional characterization of plant lncRNAs is still in its infancy and remains a major challenge. In this review, we report emerging functional and mechanistic paradigms of plant lncRNAs and partner molecules, and discuss how cutting‐edge technologies may help to identify and classify yet uncharacterized transcripts into functional groups.
Structural biology of plant defence
Authors: Song Wen , Forderer Alexander , Yu Dongli , Chai Jijie 
Published: September 2020

SummaryPlants employ the innate immune system to discriminate between self and invaders through two types of immune receptors, one on the plasma membrane and the other in the intracellular space. The immune receptors on the plasma membrane are pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that can perceive pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or host‐derived damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) leading to pattern‐triggered immunity (PTI). Particular pathogens are capable of overcoming PTI by secreting specific effectors into plant cells to perturb different components of PTI signalling through various mechanisms. Most of the immune receptors from the intracellular space are the nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat receptors (NLRs), which specifically recognize pathogen‐secreted effectors to mediate effector‐triggered immunity (ETI). In this review, we will summarize recent progress in structural studies of PRRs, NLRs, and effectors, and discuss how these studies shed light on ligand recognition and activation mechanisms of the two types of immune receptors and the diversified mechanisms used by effectors to manipulate plant immune signalling.
Rapid starch degradation in the wood of olive trees under heat and drought is permitted by three stress‐specific beta amylases
Authors: Tsamir‐Rimon Mor , Ben‐Dor Shifra , Feldmesser Ester , Oppenhimer‐Shaanan Yaara , David‐Schwartz Rakefet , Samach Alon , Klein Tamir 
Published: September 2020

Summary

Carbon reserve use is a major drought response in trees, enabling tree survival in conditions prohibiting photosynthesis. However, regulation of starch metabolism under drought at the whole‐tree scale is still poorly understood.

To this end, we combined measurements of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs), tree physiology and gene expression. The experiment was conducted outside on olive trees in pots under 90 d of seasonal spring to summer warming. Half of the trees were also subjected to limited water conditions for 28 d.

Photosynthesis decreased in dehydrating trees from 19 to 0.5 µmol m−2 s−1 during the drought period. Starch degradation and mannitol production were a major drought response, with mannitol increasing to 71% and 41% out of total NSCs in shoots and roots, respectively. We identified the gene family members potentially relevant either to long‐term or stress‐induced carbon storage. Partitioning of expression patterns among β amylase and starch synthase family members was observed, with three β amylases possibly facilitating the rapid starch degradation under heat and drought.

Our results suggest a group of stress‐related, starch metabolism genes, correlated with NSC fluctuations during drought and recovery. The daily starch metabolism gene expression was different from the stress‐mode starch metabolism pattern, where some genes are uniquely expressed during the stress‐mode response.
Unconventional Monetary Policy and Wealth Inequalities in Great Britain*
Authors: Evgenidis Anastasios , Fasianos Apostolos 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis paper explores whether unconventional monetary policy operations have redistributive effects on household wealth. Drawing on household balance sheet data from the Wealth and Asset Survey, we construct monthly time series indicators on the distribution of different asset types held by British households for the period that the monetary policy switched, as the policy rate reached the zero‐lower bound. Using this series, we estimate the response of wealth inequalities on monetary policy, taking into account the effect of unconventional policies conducted by the Bank of England in response to the Global Financial Crisis. Our evidence reveals that unconventional monetary policy shocks have significant and lingering effects on wealth inequality: the shock raises wealth inequality across households, as measured by their Gini coefficients, percentile shares and other standard inequality indicators. Additionally, we explore the effects of different transmission channels simultaneously. We find that the portfolio rebalancing channel and house price effects widen the wealth gap, outweighing the counterbalancing impact of the savings redistribution and inflation channels. The findings of our analysis help to raise awareness of central bankers about the redistributive effects of their monetary policy decisions.
General health status of children with asthma during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Hepkaya Evrim , Kilinc Ayse Ayzit , Cebi Memnune Nur , Koyuncu Zehra , Cokugras Haluk 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundSince the COVID‐19 pandemic became a serious health concern globally, patients with chronic diseases have required close attention with regard to general risks and individual treatment. We aimed to reveal the general health status of pediatric asthmatic patients during the pandemic, considering the role of household factors in parental attitudes.MethodsWe asked 60 asthmatic patients and their parents to respond to a questionnaire, with the aim of revealing the current health status of the patients and the general approach of the family to asthma management during the pandemic.ResultsA total of eight patients had had an asthma attack during the outbreak, but there was no confirmed correlation with COVID‐19 infection. Most of the parents had never considered stopping their children's current medications. However, the majority of them reported concerns about the failure of the ambulatory care services and almost all saw their children as being at high risk for COVID‐19 infection. There was no significant relationship between these concerns and their psychological status (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThe crucial point regarding asthma management is to control patients’ medical and psychological status to minimize the effects of the pandemic. Healthcare professionals should also pay attention to members of the patients’ households because their adaptation to the “new normal” of pandemic may directly affect the patients’ state of health.
Association between 25(OH) vitamin D and graft survival in renal transplanted children
Authors: Mosca Mélodie , Lion‐Lambert Mathilde , Bienaimé Frank , Berthaud Romain , Dorval Guillaume , Garcelon Nicolas , Dehoux Laurène , Krid Saoussen , Charbit Marina , Rabant Marion , Niaudet Patrick , Salomon Rémi , Bacchetta Justine , Boyer Olivia 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn children, vitamin D deficiency is common after renal transplantation. Besides promoting bone and muscle development, vitamin D has immunomodulatory effects, which could protect kidney allografts. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between vitamin D status and the occurrence of renal rejection.MethodsWe studied a retrospective cohort of 123 children, who were transplanted at a single institution between September 2008 and April 2019. Patients did not receive vitamin D supplementation systematically. In addition, factors influencing vitamin D status were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsMedian 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D (25‐OH‐D) concentration was close to reference values at the time of transplantation (30 ng/mL (min‐max 5‐100)), but rapidly decreased within the first 3 months to 19 ng/mL (min‐max 3‐91) (P < .001). The overall acute rejection rate was 7%. The clinical rejection rate (5% vs 9%), subclinical rejection (12% vs 36%), and borderline changes (21% vs 28%) were not statistically different during the follow‐up between the 3‐month 25‐OH‐D < 20 ng/mL and 3‐month 25‐OH‐D > 20 ng/mL groups. There was a correlation between the 25‐OH‐D levels and PTH concentration at 3 months (r = −.2491, P = .01), but no correlation between the 3‐month 25‐OH‐D and the season of the year (F = 0.19, P = .90; F = 1.34, P = .27, respectively). Multivariate analyses revealed that age and mGFR at 3 months, were independent predictors of mGFR at 12 months.ConclusionOur data show that vitamin D deficiency can develop rapidly after transplantation; vitamin D levels at 3 months are not associated with lower mGFR or a higher rejection rate at 1 year in children as opposed to adult recipients.
The current status and outcomes of pediatric liver transplantation in western China: A multi‐center retrospective study
Authors: Pu Siyu , Jin Shuguang , Xiang Bo , Yang Jiayin , Li Kewei , Xie Xiaolong , Huang Bin , Lai Wei , Yan Lunan , Zhang Mingman , Dong Chunqiang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis retrospective study was conducted to examine the development and current status of pediatric liver transplantation (LT) in western China. Clinical, demographic, morbidity, and mortality data were collected to analyze. It included 260 consecutive pediatric LTs performed at three centers in western China between January 2000 and May 2019. Kaplan‐Meier graft survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 82.1%, 77.2%, 76.6%, and 76.6%, respectively; corresponding patient survival rates were 84.7%, 80.7%, 80.0%, and 80.0%, respectively. More patients underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT; n = 188 (73.4%)) than deceased‐donor liver transplantation (DDLT; n = 68 (26.6%)). Survival was better after LDLT (91.5%, 86.6%, and 80.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively) than after DDLT (80.9%, 72.4%, and 63.9%, respectively; P < .05). Biliary atresia was the leading LT indication (n = 141 (55.1%)), followed by metabolic disease (n = 36 (14.1%)), which was associated with the best recipient survival (88.5% at 5 years). The transplant era and graft‐to‐recipient body weight ratio (GRWR) also significantly predicted overall survival. Survival rates at 5 years were worst in 2000‐2005 (54.5%) and best for GRWRs of 0.8%‐4% (80.4%). The development of pediatric LT in western China began slowly, but the quantity and quality of pediatric LT has progressed in recent years. This procedure is now a promising and reliable treatment for children with end‐stage liver disease in western China.
The Six‐item Clock‐Drawing Scoring System: a rapid screening for cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lolekha Praween , Tangkanakul Chanya , Saengchatri Thanida , Kulkeartprasert Pornlapat 
Published: September 2020

BackgroundCognitive impairment, characterised by predominant executive dysfunction and visuospatial deficit, is frequently observed in Parkinson's disease (PD) and may lead to mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI) and dementia (PD‐D). The clock‐drawing test (CDT) is a rapid cognitive evaluation that is appropriate for screening frontoparietal lobe dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the screening performance of the Six‐item Clock‐Drawing Scoring System (6‐CDSS) in detecting cognitive impairment in PD patients.MethodsA retrospective analysis of free‐drawn clocks from 136 PD patients was performed. The presence of cognitive impairment and dementia was documented by neurologists according to the standard diagnostic criteria. Diagnostic performance and the optimal screening cut‐off scores for cognitive impairment and dementia using the 6‐CDSS were determined.ResultsOne hundred and thirteen patients were documented as having PD with cognitive impairment (PD‐CI). Of those, 39 were diagnosed as probable PD‐D and 74 with PD‐MCI. The optimal screening cut‐off scores for PD‐CI were 4/5 and 1/2 for probable PD‐D. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.88 and 0.91, respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that low education levels, poor activity of daily living, and older age were associated with low 6‐CDSS scores.ConclusionsCDT scoring using the 6‐CDSS is a reliable system to screen cognitive impairment in PD and may serve as a simple screening tool for PD‐D in clinical practice.
Healthcare professionals’ experiences of using mindfulness training in a cardiology department – a qualitative study
Authors: Knudsen Randi Karkov , Gregersen Trine , Ammentorp Jette , Tousig Charlotte Gad , Timmermann Connie 
Published: September 2020

Objective and AimPerson‐centred communication and healthcare professionals’ ability to be attentively present in their encounter with patients are essential aspects of patients’ experiences of well‐being, ability to cope with illness‐related challenges and feelings of being recognised. However, the ability to be attentive in relational encounters can be challenging for healthcare staff for many reasons, such as time constraints and a high work pace. Research suggests that mindfulness training could increase staff attentiveness and compassion, but only few qualitative studies have explored the subject. The aim of the current study was to explore doctors’ and nurses’ individual experiences of how attending an 8‐week Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction course (MBSR) influenced their clinical practice and encounters with colleagues and patients in a cardiology department.MethodQualitative interviews were held with six doctors and nurses who had completed the 8‐week MBSR course. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was applied to explore and understand the meaning of the participants’ accounts.FindingsThe MBSR course appeared to have changed the healthcare professionals’ thoughts and actions, especially regarding their ability to stay focused on the task at hand, to prioritise and to stay calm in an unpredictable and busy work environment. This was facilitated by using concrete techniques learned during the course, such as breathing and taking small breaks to clear their heads and help them be attentive in relation to themselves, colleagues and patients. Furthermore, they described an increased acceptance of their own limitations, better understanding of their colleagues and greater awareness of the unique patient.ConclusionThese findings suggest that changing healthcare professionals’ actions, mindset, awareness and understanding of others may result in a more compassionate work environment and more person‐centred care.