bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Time to start intervening in the human germline? A utilitarian perspective
Authors: Smith Kevin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractFocusing on present‐day possibilities raised by existing technology, I consider the normative aspects of genetically modifying the human germline from a utilitarian standpoint. With reference to a hypothetical case, I examine the probable consequences of permitting a well‐conceived attempt to correct a disease‐associated gene in the human germline using current CRISPR gene‐editing technology. I consider inter alia the likely effects on utility of creating healthy new lives, of discouraging adoption, and of kickstarting a revolution in human germline genetic modification (HGGM). I reject various objections to HGGM, including claims that the risks of genetic harm outweigh the likely benefits. From this utilitarian analysis, I conclude that strong grounds exist to support intervening in the human germline using current technology. Delay in commencing such work will impose a utility cost, because the longer we wait until commencing the HGGM revolution and moving towards a world of increased utility, the greater will be the quantity of suffering accrued meantime through genetically influenced disease. Nevertheless, considering residual safety concerns and the negative publicity engendered by an ethically problematic recent (2018) first attempt at HGGM, it seems prudent—and ultimately generative of the greatest amount of utility—to delay implementing HGGM for a modest period of time, in the order of 1–2 years.
What are the perspectives of adolescents with Down syndrome about their quality of life? A scoping review
Authors: Sheridan Ciara , OMalley‐Keighran Mary‐Pat , Carroll Clare 
Published: November 2019

Accessible summary

This study looked for information about the quality of life of adolescents with Down syndrome.

We found two studies about quality of life that included the voice of the adolescent with Down syndrome. Most of the research includes parents’ voices. Parents’ views are important, but we need to also include adolescents with Down syndrome in research about their lives.

Friends, family and independence are important to adolescents with Down syndrome.

More information on quality of life is needed to help us understand more about their individual needs.

AbstractBackgroundThere is a wealth of research on adolescents with Down syndrome (DS) covering a large range of topics such as obesity, speech and language, education and health‐related quality of life. However, for quality of life, much of the available literature for adolescents with DS relies on parent proxy reporting. This results in more research on parent's perspectives rather than from the individuals with DS themselves.AimThis study aimed to examine the literature to identify the literature that included the voice of adolescents with DS in research about quality of life. It aimed to address the research question: What evidence exists in relation to the perspectives of adolescents with DS about their quality of life?MethodA scoping review allowed for an extensive range of research and nonresearch material to be gathered. Search terms were identified, followed by searches of five electronic databases, Google scholar and Lenus (Irish Health Repository). Two researchers conducted the review. Studies were selected through inclusion/exclusion criteria. A chart summarised information from the selected studies.ResultsA total of 596 articles were marked for title and abstract screening. Forty‐five articles were included for full‐text review. Forty‐three of these met exclusion criteria, resulting in two articles which included the voices of adolescents with DS themselves. For adolescents with DS, participation socially and in their communities was important as well as friendships, family relationships and functional independence. These themes need to be further explored.ConclusionThe UN Convention on the Rights the Person with Disabilities argues strongly for participation (United Nations [2006], UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities). This paper highlights the lack of and need for further empirical quality‐of‐life research with adolescents with DS from their own perspectives.
Towards an integrative understanding of soil biodiversity
Authors: Thakur Madhav P. , Phillips Helen R. P. , Brose Ulrich , De Vries Franciska T. , Lavelle Patrick , Loreau Michel , Mathieu Jerome , Mulder Christian , Van der Putten Wim H. , Rillig Matthias C. , Wardle David A. , Bach Elizabeth M. , Bartz Marie L. C. , Bennett Joanne M. , Briones Maria J. I. , Brown George , Decaëns Thibaud , Eisenhauer Nico , Ferlian Olga , Guerra Carlos António , König‐Ries Birgitta , Orgiazzi Alberto , Ramirez Kelly S. , Russell David J. , Rutgers Michiel , Wall Diana H. , Cameron Erin K. 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTSoil is one of the most biodiverse terrestrial habitats. Yet, we lack an integrative conceptual framework for understanding the patterns and mechanisms driving soil biodiversity. One of the underlying reasons for our poor understanding of soil biodiversity patterns relates to whether key biodiversity theories (historically developed for aboveground and aquatic organisms) are applicable to patterns of soil biodiversity. Here, we present a systematic literature review to investigate whether and how key biodiversity theories (species–energy relationship, theory of island biogeography, metacommunity theory, niche theory and neutral theory) can explain observed patterns of soil biodiversity. We then discuss two spatial compartments nested within soil at which biodiversity theories can be applied to acknowledge the scale‐dependent nature of soil biodiversity.
Calcitriol inhibits migration and invasion of renal cell carcinoma cells by suppressing Smad2/3‐, STAT3‐ and β‐catenin‐mediated epithelial‐mesenchymal transition
Authors: Xu Shen , Zhang Zhi‐Hui , Fu Lin , Song Jin , Xie Dong‐Dong , Yu De‐Xin , Xu De‐Xiang , Sun Guo‐Ping 
Published: November 2019

AbstractLow vitamin D status is associated with progression in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The present study found that vimentin, a mesenchymal marker, was accordingly upregulated, and E‐cadherin, an epithelial marker, was downregulated in RCC patients with low vitamin D status. Thus, we investigated the effects of calcitriol or vitamin D3, an active form of vitamin D, on epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in RCC cells. RCC cells were treated by two models. In model 1, three RCC cell lines, ACHN, 786‐O and CAKI‐2, were incubated with either LPS (2.0 μg/mL) or transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 (10 ng/mL) in the presence or absence of calcitriol (200 nmol/L). In model 2, two RCC cell lines, ACHN and CAKI‐2, were incubated with calcitriol (200 nmol/L) only. Calcitriol inhibited migration and invasion not only in TGF‐β1‐stimulated but also in TGF‐β1‐unstimulated RCC cells. Moreover, calcitriol suppressed E‐cadherin downregulation and vimentin upregulation not only in TGF‐β1‐stimulated but also in TGF‐β1‐unstimulated ACHN and CAKI‐2 cells. Calcitriol attenuated LPS‐induced upregulation of MMP‐2, MMP‐7, MMP‐9, MMP‐26 and urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (u‐PA) in ACHN cells. In addition, calcitriol blocked TGF‐β1‐induced nuclear translocation of ZEB1, Snail and Twist1 in ACHN and CAKI‐2 cells. Mechanistically, calcitriol suppressed EMT through different signaling pathways: (i) calcitriol suppressed Smad2/3 phosphorylation by reinforcing physical interaction between vitamin D receptor (VDR) and Smad3 in TGF‐β1‐stimulated RCC cells; (ii) calcitriol inhibited signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 activation in LPS‐stimulated RCC cells; (iii) calcitriol inhibited β‐catenin/TCF‐4 activation by promoting integration of VDR with β‐catenin in TGF‐β1‐unstimulated RCC cells. Taken together, calcitriol inhibits migration and invasion of RCC cells partially by suppressing Smad2/3‐, STAT3‐ and β‐catenin‐mediated EMT.
Comparison of preoperative versus postoperative transversus abdominis plane and rectus sheath block in patients undergoing minimally invasive colorectal surgery
Authors: Xia J. , Paul Olson T. J. , Tritt S. , Liu Y. , Rosen S. A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimUltrasound‐guided transversus abdominis plane and rectus sheath block (TAPRSB) decreases pain scores and narcotic use postoperatively after colorectal surgery (CRS). It is unclear if the effectiveness of TAPRSB varies according to whether it is performed preoperatively or postoperatively. Our aim was to investigate this.MethodWe compared patients who underwent preoperative TAPRSB or postoperative TAPRSB during minimally invasive CRS. Primary end‐points were pain scores and oral morphine milligram equivalent (MME) use postoperatively. Secondary end‐points included perioperative factors affecting pain scores and postoperative MME. Summary statistics and univariate analysis by nonparametric tests were utilized. The mixed‐effect model was applied to model the repeatedly measured pain score.ResultsFrom April 2015 until May 2018 168 patients received TAPRSB before (115) or after (53) minimally invasive CRS. The cohort included 79 (47.0%) women, and had an average age of 59.11 (±12.32) years and mean body mass index of 28.32 (±5.82) kg/m2. Indication for surgery was cancer in 66 (39.3%), polyp in 43 (25.6%) and diverticulitis in 43 (25.6%). Right colectomy was performed in 61 (36.3%), low anterior resection in 46 (27.4%) and sigmoid colectomy in 40 (23.8%) patients. The demographics of the groups were similar. Postoperative TAPRSB was only associated with lower pain scores at 12 h postoperatively. As secondary outcomes, average pain scores and MME were lower in patients who were older, had right colectomy or intracorporeal anastomosis.ConclusionsPostoperative TAPRSB resulted in lower pain scores than preoperative TAPRSB 12 h after minimally invasive CRS, but otherwise no differences were seen in pain scores or MME use.
Communicative Context Affects Use of Referential Prosody
Authors: Tzeng Christina Y. , Namy Laura L. , Nygaard Lynne C. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe current study assessed the extent to which the use of referential prosody varies with communicative demand. Speaker–listener dyads completed a referential communication task during which speakers attempted to indicate one of two color swatches (one bright, one dark) to listeners. Speakers' bright sentences were reliably higher pitched than dark sentences for ambiguous (e.g., bright red versus dark red) but not unambiguous (e.g., bright red versus dark purple) trials, suggesting that speakers produced meaningful acoustic cues to brightness when the accompanying linguistic content was underspecified (e.g., “Can you get the red one?”). Listening partners reliably chose the correct corresponding swatch for ambiguous trials when lexical information was insufficient to identify the target, suggesting that listeners recruited prosody to resolve lexical ambiguity. Prosody can thus be conceptualized as a type of vocal gesture that can be recruited to resolve referential ambiguity when there is communicative demand to do so.
Fatigue and health‐related quality of life among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in China
Authors: Yang Ying , Li Qianqiu , Mao Jing , Mao Zongfu 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectivesFatigue is an important yet ignored symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, there is a paucity of literature from China on fatigue and its association with health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among COPD patients. The purpose of this study was to (a) evaluate fatigue of COPD inpatients in China and (b) explore the association between fatigue and HRQoL.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study recruited patients hospitalised for an acute exacerbation of COPD within one month from three general hospitals in central China. Disease severity, fatigue and HRQoL were assessed for all participants using COPD Assessment Test (CAT), 9‐item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy‐Fatigue scale (FACIT‐F) and 12‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐12v2).ResultsA total of 210 COPD patients participated in the study between April 2017 and January 2018, with an average age of 71.1 ± 12.2 years old. The overall prevalence of moderate to severe fatigue was 48.5%. A worse FACIT‐F score was associated with worse CAT score (r = −0.74, P < 0.01; B = −0.70, P < 0.01) and worse SF‐12v2 score (r = 0.77, P < 0.01; B = 0.66, P < 0.01).ConclusionAlmost half of the COPD patients experience moderate to severe fatigue. Patients with greater disease severity exhibited more severe fatigue and worse HRQoL. Fatigue symptom has a strongly negative effect on COPD patients' HRQoL, physical health and mental health. Health personnel is recommended to provide fatigue‐related screening, counselling and health education, particularly for patients with moderate to severe COPD.
Trichoblastic carcinosarcoma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Underwood Caroline I. M. , Mansoori Parisa , Selim Angelica M. , Al‐Rohil Rami N. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractTrichoblastic carcinosarcoma is a rare biphasic adnexal neoplasm. This case report chronicals the eighth occurrence of this tumor published in the English literature and provides a review of the prior publications. Clinically, this tumor presents as an isolated, rapidly growing lesion in elderly patients and is usually cured by complete surgical excision, with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis at follow‐up (7/8 cases). Histopathologically, trichoblastic carcinosarcoma is dermal‐based, with an epithelial component of basal cells and a mesenchymal component of spindle cells, both of which display malignant features. In addition to a morphologic description of trichoblastic carcinosarcoma, a discussion of the differential diagnoses, including other biphasic neoplasms, is also included. The small number of cases of trichoblastic carcinosarcoma is most likely secondary to under‐recognition and underreporting and a larger case volume is needed to more accurately assess the clinical course and treatment strategies.
Clinical outcomes with canagliflozin according to baseline body mass index: results from post hoc analyses of the CANVAS Program
Authors: Ohkuma Toshiaki , Van Gaal Luc , Shaw Wayne , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , de Zeeuw Dick , Matthews David R. , Perkovic Vlado , Neal Bruce 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimsSodium glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce several cardiovascular risk factors, including plasma glucose, blood pressure, albuminuria and body weight. Long‐term treatment lowers risks of cardiovascular and renal events. The objective of this post hoc analysis was to determine the effects of canagliflozin treatment versus placebo on clinical outcomes in relation to body mass index (BMI).Materials and methodsThe CANVAS Program randomized 10 142 participants with type 2 diabetes to canagliflozin or placebo. These analyses tested the consistency of canagliflozin treatment effects across BMI levels for cardiovascular, renal, safety and body weight outcomes in three groups defined by baseline BMI: <25, 25‐<30 and ≥30 kg/m2.ResultsIn total, 10 128 participants with baseline BMI measurements were included. There were 966 participants with BMI <25 kg/m2, 3153 with BMI 25‐<30 kg/m2 and 6009 with BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Mean percent body weight reduction with canagliflozin compared with placebo was greater at 12 months [−2.77%  (95% confidence interval (CI): −2.95, ‐2.59)] than at 3 months [‐1.72%  (95% CI: ‐1.83, ‐1.62)]. The hazard ratios (HRs) for canagliflozin compared with placebo control for the composite outcome of cardiovascular death, non‐fatal myocardial infarction or non‐fatal stroke were 1.03 (95% CI: 0.66, 1.59) in participants with BMI <25 kg/m2, 0.97 (0.76, 1.23) with BMI 25‐<30 kg/m2 and 0.79 (0.67, 0.93) with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (P for heterogeneity = 0.55). The effects of canagliflozin on each component of the composite were also similar across BMI subgroups, as were effects on heart failure and renal outcomes (P for heterogeneity ≥0.19). The effects on safety outcomes were also broadly similar.ConclusionsCanagliflozin improved cardiovascular and renal outcomes consistently across patients with a broad range of BMI levels.
Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a new aleyrodid species for Italy causing damage on Ficus
Authors: Laudani F. , Giunti G. , Zimbalatti G. , Campolo O. , Palmeri V. 
Published: November 2019

The ficus whitefly Singhiella simplex (Singh) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is recorded for the first time in Italy. It was detected in Reggio Calabria (Southern Italy) in a public garden. The monitoring of its presence has highlighted its distribution in most of the city's urban green areas. S. simplex was found on Ficus benjamina and F. microcarpa trees, most of which were severely defoliated. The wide distribution and the high level of the infestations suggest that the introduction of this insect is not recent.
Agronomic performance of 27 Populus clones evaluated after two 3‐year coppice rotations in Henan, China
Authors: Zhang Jin , Song Xueqin , Zhang Lei , Jia Huixia , Peng Xiaopeng , Zhao Zicheng , Su Xuehui , Li Xilin , Lu Mengzhu , Hu Jianjun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSelecting superior clones is the first step for commercial short‐rotation coppice cultures to provide biomass and bioenergy. Till date, such selection for hybrid Populus clones in middle China is absent. Here we describe the growth, aboveground biomass production and cell wall composition of 27 hybrid poplar clones in Henan, China for two 3‐year rotations. Significant variation in these three characteristics over two triennial rotation coppices among the 27 poplar clones was observed. During two 3‐year rotation coppices, clones ‘276’, ‘02‐17’, and ‘599’ showed relatively higher tree heights and larger basal diameters than those of the other clones. However, the most productive clones were ‘36’ and ‘01‐30’. At the end of the second triennial rotation, the aboveground biomass production reached 18 Mg ha−1 year−1. For the cell wall composition analysis, the cellulose contents of clones ‘01‐243’ and ‘2001’ were relatively high, while the xylose contents of clones ‘01‐30’ and ‘65’ were relatively high. Cluster analysis based on height, basal diameter, biomass, heat value, cellulose content, and survival rate revealed five growth potential classes. Accordingly, clones ‘03‐332’, ‘36’, and ‘599’ exhibited high biomass and growth and had the greatest potential to serve as excellent biomass producers in Henan, China. In addition, the expression patterns of 20 key regulatory genes were analyzed, and an integrated coexpression network was constructed. This field trial provides a comprehensive quantification and evaluation of the agronomic performance of 27 poplar clones in Henan, China. The results of this study and the analytical strategies provide an efficient mechanism for selecting clones that will perform well agronomically in local environments. The expression of key genes and the integrated coexpression network provide the molecular mechanisms of poplar biomass performance.
Quality and cost‐effectiveness analyses of home‐visit nursing based on the frequency of nursing care visits and patients' quality of life: A pilot study
Authors: Otsuki Naoko , Fukui Sakiko , Nakatani Eiji 
Published: November 2019

AimThis pilot study aimed to analyze the cost‐effectiveness of visiting nursing care, to establish a new evaluation method considering both the quality and cost of visiting nursing care.MethodParticipants were 384 caregivers from 10 certified home‐visit nursing agencies that support patients in severe conditions in Japan. They completed a survey assessing the number of nursing care visits carried out in November 2016, visiting nursing receipt data for 1 month of study and quality of life (QOL), as measured by the EuroQol‐5 Dimension at their last visit, which took place 1 month later.ResultsWe categorized participants into low‐charge and high‐charge groups. In the low‐charge group, no relationship was found between high QOL and frequency of implementation of each type of care. In the high‐charge group, participants with high frequencies of “medicine management and instruction,” “description and guidance for diseases and treatment,” and “nutrition and diet care” had higher levels of QOL.ConclusionsThis research might contribute to establishing a cost assessment system for home‐visit nursing care in Japan, which is expected to be useful in countries where the average age of the population is increasing. Care provided by visiting nurses might be divided into care items that related or did not relate to QOL. Therefore, when evaluating the quality and cost‐effectiveness of visiting nursing care, it is necessary to construct an evaluation system that considers these aspects and obtain appropriate data. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 36–41.
Bombyx mori monocarboxylate transporter 9 (BmMCT9) is involved in the transport of uric acid in silkworm integument
Authors: Wang Lingyan , Yin Yaru , Wang Kun , Cao Jun , Cheng Tingcai , Liu Chun , Zhang Yan , Zhu Yong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn Bombyx mori, there are more than 30 mutant strains exhibiting the translucent larval skin resulting from a decrease in the uric acid content in epidermal cell. Of these, the Chinese translucent (oc) mutant presents a moderately translucent larval skin. Previously, we narrowed the region linked to the oc phenotype to approximately 234 kb by positional cloning, and found that BmMCT9 was severely suppressed in the mutant. Here, we analyzed the mutation and potential molecular function of BmMCT9. Sequence analysis showed that a 2,624‐bp fragment of BmMCT9 promoter region was replaced by a 22‐bp sequence in the mutant. Luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that BmMCT9 promoter activity in the mutant was significantly lower than that in the wild type. Knockdown of BmMCT9 caused a translucent phenotype in the first‐instar silkworm larvae. Immunoblotting analysis showed that BmMCT9 expression was severely reduced in the mutant than in the wild type, and immunofluorescence showed that BmMCT9 existed mainly within the cytoplasm of epidermal cells. Together, our results suggest that reduced levels of BmMCT9 were responsible for the translucent phenotype of oc mutant, and that BmMCT9 might function in intracellular vesicles facing the cytoplasm including urate granules in silkworm integument.