bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Removal of peri-ovarian adipose tissue affects follicular development and lipid metabolism†
Authors: Zhu Menliang , Shen Qiyang , Li Xiaolian , Kang Jihong 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The development and maturity of follicles are regulated by sex hormones and growth factors. It has been proven that peri-ovarian adipose tissue (POAT) plays an important role in folliculogenesis and fertility in the female ICR and KM mice. The aim of the present study was to further investigate whether the removal of bilateral POAT affected follicular development and lipid metabolism in the female C57BL/6 J mice. Female C57BL/6 J mice at 6-week old were sham-operated (Sham) or removed bilateral POAT (Surgery). After 2 weeks, the mice were subjected to the body composition analysis and indirect calorimetry measurement. Our results show that the Surgery mice exhibited abnormal follicular development, including increased follicular dysplasia and atresia, decreased serum sex hormone levels, and abnormal expression of follicular development-related genes. Correspondingly, the endometrial thickness of the Surgery mice was less than the Sham mice. In addition, the Surgery mice had abnormal lipid metabolism, including reduced fat mass, increased energy expenditure, and up-regulated gene and protein expression involved in lipolysis. These data confirmed the importance of POAT in the follicular development in the female reproduction and suggested the contribution of POAT to the whole-body lipid metabolism.
Tax Reform, Trade Openness and Export Product Diversification in Developing Countries
Authors: Gnangnon Sèna Kimm 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis article considers the effect of tax reform on export product diversification in developing countries, including through the trade openness channel. Tax reform involves the convergence of a developing country's tax structure towards the tax structure of developed countries. The analysis uses a sample of 112 developing countries over the period 1980–2014 and shows that tax reform exerts a positive effect on export product diversification, with least developed countries enjoying a higher positive effect than other countries in the full sample. Furthermore, the higher the degree of trade openness, the greater is the magnitude of the positive effect of tax reform on export product diversification. These outcomes have important policy implications. (JEL codes: H20, O11, O14).
Structural Injustice and the Human Rights of Workers
Authors: Mantouvalou Virginia 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
An increasing number of jobs are precarious, making workers vulnerable to various forms of ill-treatment and exploitation. The UK Government’s main approach has been to criminalise the actions of unscrupulous employers who seek to exploit these. This approach, however, has been ineffective, partly because it ignores the broader socio-economic structures that place workers in conditions of vulnerability. This article develops an alternative solution, seeking to identify structures that force and trap workers in conditions of exploitation. It focuses specifically on what I call ‘state-mediated structural injustice', where legislative schemes that promote otherwise legitimate aims create vulnerabilities that force and trap workers in conditions of exploitation. I use examples such as restrictive visa regimes, prison work and work in immigration detention, welfare conditionality programmes, and zero-hour contracts to illustrate the unjust structures. I finally assess whether these legal structures are compatible with human rights, such as the right to private life, the prohibition of slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour, and the right to fair and just working conditions.
The Poetics of Comedy in Jacques Peletier Du Mans’s Art poëtique (1555)
Authors: Rayfield Lucy 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
This article looks at Jacques Peletier du Mans’s (1555) rhetorical and poetic treatise, Art poëtique, with a focus on his theory on comedy. It draws comparisons with Peletier’s 1541 literary treatise, which was the first translation into French of Horace’s Ars Poetica. In his 1555 treatise, Peletier developed Horace’s position on comedy into his own original theory, moulding the classical model to fit within a contemporary context and setting out the ways in which comedy most benefits early modern writers and readers. To create his theory on comedy — which was widely read in France throughout the sixteenth century — Peletier also took inspiration from other classical writers and from Italian theoreticians. Ultimately, this article helps to determine the rhetorical and theoretical position of comedy in France in the mid-sixteenth century, in relation to its classical and Italian counterparts. It also deepens and broadens our understanding of Peletier’s literary theory. Despite being one of the most prominent French literary treatises of the period, Peletier’s approach to comedy has been overlooked in scholarship, and many of his models have not been identified.
Autonomic innervation of the carotid body as a determinant of its sensitivity: implications for cardiovascular physiology and pathology
Authors: Brognara Fernanda , Felippe Igor S A , Salgado Helio C , Paton Julian F R 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe motivation for this review comes from the emerging complexity of the autonomic innervation of the carotid body (CB) and its putative role in regulating chemoreceptor sensitivity. With the carotid bodies as a potential therapeutic target for numerous cardiorespiratory and metabolic diseases, an understanding of the neural control of its circulation is most relevant. Since nerve fibres track blood vessels and receive autonomic innervation, we initiate our review by describing the origins of arterial feed to the CB and its unique vascular architecture and blood flow. Arterial feed(s) vary amongst species and, unequivocally, the arterial blood supply is relatively high to this organ. The vasculature appears to form separate circuits inside the CB with one having arterial venous anastomoses. Both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves are present with postganglionic neurons located within the CB or close to it in the form of paraganglia. Their role in arterial vascular resistance control is described as is how CB blood flow relates to carotid sinus afferent activity. We discuss non-vascular targets of autonomic nerves, their possible role in controlling glomus cell activity, and how certain transmitters may relate to function. We propose that the autonomic nerves sub-serving the CB provide a rapid mechanism to tune the gain of peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity based on alterations in blood flow and oxygen delivery, and might provide future therapeutic targets. However, there remain a number of unknowns regarding these mechanisms that require further research that is discussed.
High spatial endothelial shear stress gradient independently predicts site of acute coronary plaque rupture and erosion
Authors: Thondapu Vikas , Mamon Chris , Poon Eric K W , Kurihara Osamu , Kim Hyung Oh , Russo Michele , Araki Makoto , Shinohara Hiroki , Yamamoto Erika , Dijkstra Jouke , Tacey Mark , Lee Hang , Ooi Andrew , Barlis Peter , Jang Ik-Kyung 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Aims
To investigate local haemodynamics in the setting of acute coronary plaque rupture and erosion.

Methods and results
Intracoronary optical coherence tomography performed in 37 patients with acute coronary syndromes caused by plaque rupture (n = 19) or plaque erosion (n = 18) was used for three-dimensional reconstruction and computational fluid dynamics simulation. Endothelial shear stress (ESS), spatial ESS gradient (ESSG), and oscillatory shear index (OSI) were compared between plaque rupture and erosion through mixed-effects logistic regression. Lipid, calcium, macrophages, layered plaque, and cholesterol crystals were also analysed. By multivariable analysis, only high ESSG [odds ratio (OR) 5.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.57–10.89, P &lt; 0.001], lipid (OR 12.98, 95% CI 6.57–25.67, P &lt; 0.001), and layered plaque (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.82–5.50, P &lt; 0.001) were independently associated with plaque rupture. High ESSG (OR 13.28, 95% CI 6.88–25.64, P &lt; 0.001), ESS (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.34–5.42, P = 0.005), and OSI (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.33–3.54, P = 0.002) independently associated with plaque erosion. ESSG was higher at rupture sites than erosion sites [median (interquartile range): 5.78 (2.47–21.15) vs. 2.62 (1.44–6.18) Pa/mm, P = 0.009], OSI was higher at erosion sites than rupture sites [1.04 × 10−2 (2.3 × 10−3–4.74 × 10−2) vs. 1.29 × 10−3 (9.39 × 10−5–3.0 × 10−2), P &lt; 0.001], but ESS was similar (P = 0.29).

Conclusions
High ESSG is independently associated with plaque rupture while high ESSG, ESS, and OSI associate with plaque erosion. While ESSG is higher at rupture sites than erosion sites, OSI is higher at erosion sites and ESS was similar. These results suggest that ESSG and OSI may play critical roles in acute plaque rupture and erosion, respectively.
Correlates of the use of electronic devices to vape cannabis in a cohort of young Swiss male reporting current cannabis use
Authors: Fuster Daniel , Studer Joseph , Gmel Gerhard , Bertholet Nicolas 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Information about correlates of cannabis vaping in Europe is scarce.

Methods
In a cohort of 1613 Swiss young males currently using cannabis, we used logistic regression, adjusting for age, linguistic region and education to assess the association between sensation seeking, substance use and sociodemographic variables with cannabis vaping.

Results
Mean age was 25.38 years, 60.4% had post-secondary education and 57.3% lived in French-speaking cantons; 26.3% met criteria for nicotine dependence, 16.0% met criteria for alcohol use disorder and 34.9% used illicit drugs other than cannabis; 27.4% used cannabis at least twice a week and 27.8% met criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD). Ninety-four participants (5.8%) reported cannabis vaping (of them 87.4% reported infrequent cannabis vaping). In the adjusted analysis, using joints with no tobacco {adjusted odds ratio (aOR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.45 (1.02–1.76)}, water pipe with [aOR (95% CI) = 1.70 (1.29–2.24)] and without tobacco [aOR (95% CI) = 2.15 (1.60–2.87)], cannabis mixed with food [aOR (95% CI) = 1.61 (1.29–2.02)], using cannabis &gt;2 times a week [aOR (95% CI) = 3.73 (2.40–5.81)], meeting criteria for CUD [aOR (95% CI) = 4.19 (2.70–6.50)], using illicit drugs other than cannabis [aOR (95% CI) = 1.88 (1.23–2.87)], weekly number of alcohol drinks [aOR (95% CI) = 1.01 (1.00–1.03)] and living in the German-speaking area of Switzerland [aOR (95% CI) = 2.70 (1.71–4.25)] were associated with higher odds of cannabis vaping; post-secondary schooling [aOR (95% CI) = 0.37 (0.16–0.86)] and vocational training [aOR (95% CI) = 0.41 (0.17–0.99)] (as opposed to primary schooling) were associated with lower odds of cannabis vaping.

Conclusion
Cannabis vaping might be a marker of riskier behaviours among cannabis users.
When Culture Influences Genes: Positive Age Beliefs Amplify the Cognitive-Aging Benefit of APOE ε2
Authors: Levy Becca R , Slade Martin D , Pietrzak Robert H , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Most studies of aging cognition have focused on risk factors for worse performance and on either genetic or environmental factors. In contrast, we examined whether 2 factors known to individually benefit aging cognition may interact to produce better cognition: environment-based positive age beliefs and the APOE ε2 gene.

Method
The sample consisted of 3,895 Health and Retirement Study participants who were 60 years or older at baseline and completed as many as 5 assessments of cognition over 8 years.

Results
As predicted, positive age beliefs amplified the cognitive benefit of APOE ε2. In contrast, negative age beliefs suppressed the cognitive benefit of APOE ε2. We also found that positive age beliefs contributed nearly 15 times more than APOE ε2 to better cognition.

Discussion
This study provides the first known evidence that self-perceptions can influence the impact of a gene on cognition. The results underscore the importance of combined psychosocial and biological approaches to understanding cognitive function in older adults.
Dementia Caregiving During the “Stay-at-Home” Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Savla Jyoti , Roberto Karen A , Blieszner Rosemary , McCann Brandy Renee , Hoyt Emily , Knight Aubrey L 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objective
The objective of this study was to assess family caregivers’ primary appraisal of stressors related to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, secondary appraisal of resources and support availability, and use of coping strategies as predictors of perceived role overload during the stay-at-home phase of the pandemic.

Method
Telephone interviews with 53 family caregivers of persons with dementia from rural Virginia 2 weeks after enactment of the governor’s stay-at-home order using structured and open-ended questions were conducted.

Results
Caregivers who were more concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic were at greater odds of experiencing high role overload than those who recognized positive aspects of the pandemic, as were those who received insufficient support from family and friends.

Discussion
Use of the transactional model of stress responses yielded important insights about families coping with dementia. Caregivers’ perceptions of the pandemic’s impact varied, with differential effects on their well-being.
What Is Successful Aging in Lesbian and Bisexual Women? Application of the Aging-Well Model
Authors: Jabson Tree Jennifer M , Patterson Joanne G , Beavers Daniel P , Bowen Deborah J 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Most evidence concerning aging ignores women’s sexual orientation, yet sexual orientation-related discrimination across the life course may influence older lesbian and bisexual women’s risk for poorer health. Understanding aging-well in this group is vital to development, testing, and implementation of evidence-based health promotion programming and services for aging sexual minority women.

Method
Data were from the Women’s Health Initiative (N = 15,691; heterosexual n = 15,002, lesbian n = 440, bisexual n = 249) extension study. Multivariable linear and logistic regression tested associations between sexual orientation and indicators of successful, effective, and optimal aging-well in age-stratified groups of women (60–74 and 75+).

Results
Lesbians aged 60–74 were more likely (odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16, 2.18) to report good self-mastery, more social support (b = 2.92, 95% CI, 1.99, 3.85), and greater likelihood of enjoying life (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.06, 2.01) compared with heterosexual women. Bisexual women aged 75+ reported increased personal growth (b = 1.09, 95% CI 0.23, 1.95) compared to heterosexuals. While lesbians aged 75+ had greater likelihood of living in a nursing home (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.01, 3.82) and were less likely to be happy at least most of the time (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.49, 0.99), they reported greater self-mastery (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.06, 2.26) than their heterosexual peers.

Discussion
Aging-well is not the same for all women. Health promotion programs may consider maximizing sexual minority women’s internal and external resources—including social supports, self-mastery, and personal growth—to promote wellness in older age.
Loss of epigenetic polarity is a hallmark of hematopoietic stem cell aging
Authors: Mejia-Ramirez Eva , Geiger Hartmut , Florian M Carolina 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Changes of polarity in somatic stem cells upon aging or disease lead to a functional deterioration of stem cells and consequently loss of tissue homeostasis, likely due to changes in the mode (symmetry versus asymmetry) of stem cell divisions. Changes in polarity of epigenetic markers (or ‘epi-polarity’) in stem cells, which are linked to alterations in chromatin architecture, might explain how a decline in the frequency of epipolar stem cells can have a long-lasting impact on the function of especially aging stem cells. The drift in epipolarity might represent a novel therapeutic target to improve stem cell function upon aging or disease. Here we review basic biological principles of epigenetic polarity, with a special focus on epipolarity and aging of hematopoietic stem cells.
Defining the Path Forward for Biomarkers to Address Unmet Needs in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Honig Gerard , Heller Caren , Hurtado-Lorenzo Andrés 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Despite major advances in the inflammatory bowel diseases field, biomarkers to enable personalized and effective management are inadequate. Disease course and treatment response are highly variable, with some patients experiencing mild disease progression, whereas other patients experience severe or complicated disease. Periodic endoscopy is performed to assess disease activity; as a result, it takes months to ascertain whether a treatment is having a positive impact on disease progression. Minimally invasive biomarkers for prognosis of disease course, prediction of treatment response, monitoring of disease activity, and accurate diagnosis based on improved disease phenotyping and classification could improve outcomes and accelerate the development of novel therapeutics. Rapidly developing technologies have great potential in this regard; however, the discovery, validation, and qualification of biomarkers will require partnerships including academia, industry, funders, and regulators. The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation launched the IBD Biomarker Summit to bring together key stakeholders to identify and prioritize critical unmet needs; prioritize promising technologies and consortium approaches to address these needs; and propose harmonization approaches to improve comparability of data across studies. Here, we summarize the outcomes of the 2018 and 2019 meetings, including consensus-based unmet needs in the clinical and drug development context. We highlight ongoing consortium efforts and promising technologies with the potential to address these needs in the near term. Finally, we summarize actionable recommendations for harmonization, including data collection tools for improved consistency in disease phenotyping; standardization of informed consenting; and development of guidelines for sample management and assay validation. Taken together, these outcomes demonstrate that there is an exceptional alignment of priorities across stakeholders for a coordinated effort to address unmet needs of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases through biomarker science.
Type I and II Interferon Signatures Can Predict the Response to Anti-TNF Agents in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: Involvement of the Microbiota
Authors: Mavragani Clio P , Nezos Adrianos , Dovrolis Nikolas , Andreou Nikolaos-Panayiotis , Legaki Evangelia , Sechi Leonardo A , Bamias Giorgos , Gazouli Maria 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundAnti-TNF agents have been a cornerstone of IBD therapy; however, response to treatment has been variable, and clinically applicable biomarkers are urgently needed. We hypothesized that the type I and type II interferon (IFN) signatures may be a confounding factor for response to antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment via interactions with the host and its gut microbiota.MethodsPeripheral blood from 30 IBD patients and 10 healthy controls was subjected to real-time quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for type I and type II IFN genes (IFNGs), both at baseline and after treatment with anti-TNF. Correlation between IFN signatures and microbiota composition was also determined for a subgroup of patients and controls.ResultsAt baseline, type I IFN score was significantly higher in IBD patients (P = 0.04 vs controls). Responders to subsequent anti-TNF treatment had significantly lower baseline scores for both type I and II IFN signatures (P &lt; 0.005 vs nonresponders for both comparisons). During treatment with anti-TNF, the expression of type I and II IFNGs was significantly elevated in responders and decreased in nonresponders. In addition, changes in IFN signatures correlated to specific alterations in the abundance of several microbial taxa of the gut microbiome.ConclusionsBaseline expression of type I and II IFN signatures and their kinetics during anti-TNF administration significantly correlate to treatment responses in IBD patients. Peripheral blood IFN signatures may serve as clinically meaningful biomarkers for the identification of subgroups of patients with favorable response to anti-TNF treatment. Additionally, the distinct synergies between different IFN types and microbiota might help drive therapeutic intervention.
A combined approach to treat heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia before heart transplant
Authors: Sandoval Elena , Lozano Miquel , Pereda Daniel , Quintana Eduard , Cid Joan , García-Álvarez Ana , Fernández-Cisneros Alejandro , Castellá Manuel 
Published: August 2020

AbstractHeparin-induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT) complicates the management of patients in need for mechanical circulatory support awaiting heart transplantation. The limited available treatment options are fraught with complications and limitations in their applicability. We report on the combined use of therapeutic plasma exchange therapy and intravenous immunoglobulin, used in 3 consecutive heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia-positive patients on temporary mechanical circulatory support awaiting urgent heart transplant. This combined approach allowed us to use heparin safely.
Vascular plug oversizing to treat an endoleak after hybrid surgery of the aortic arch
Authors: Molinari Alessandro C L , Leo Enrico , Muzzarelli Lorenzo , Rossi Giovanni 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
A patient with prior ascending aortic replacement for a type A acute dissection and a bovine arch presented with an asymptomatic chronic dissecting innominate artery aneurysm extending to both carotid arteries. As the patient refused redo open surgery, we performed a hybrid procedure with reverse extra-anatomic aortic arch debranching and a fenestrated endograft. The aneurysm was still partially perfused due to an endoleak and corrected 1 week later with vascular plugs.
Annexin V positive microvesicles are elevated and correlate with flow rate in patients receiving veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Siegel Patrick M , Hentschel Dominik , Bojti István , Wengenmayer Tobias , Helbing Thomas , Moser Martin , Duerschmied Daniel , Trummer Georg , Bode Christoph , Diehl Philipp 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is used in critically ill patients requiring haemodynamic support. Microvesicles (MV) are released by activated blood cells acting as mediators of intercellular communication. We aimed to determine MV count and composition over time in patients with VA-ECMO and explore what drives MV formation.

METHODS
VA-ECMO patients and healthy controls were recruited prospectively, and blood was taken at different time points (day 0, 1, 3 after ECMO placement and after explantation) for MV analysis.

RESULTS
Annexin V positive MV were increased in patients (n = 14, mean age = 61.4 ± 9.0 years, 11 males, 3 females) compared to healthy controls (n = 6, Annexin V positive MV count per millilitre day 1 versus healthy controls: 2.3 × 106 vs 1.3 × 105, P &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, patients had higher proportions of endothelial and leukocyte MV [leukocyte MV day 1 versus healthy controls (%): 32.8 vs 17.5, P = 0.001; endothelial MV day 1 versus healthy controls (%): 10.5 vs 5.5, P = 0.01]. Annexin V positive and leucocyte MV correlated with the flow rate (r = 0.46, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS
Patients on VA-ECMO have increased levels of circulating MV and a changed MV composition. Our data support the hypothesis that MV release may be driven by higher flow rate and cellular activation in the extracorporeal circuit leading to poor outcomes in these patients.

Clinical trial registration number
German Clinical Trials Register—ID: DRKS00011106