bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lithium as a candidate treatment for COVID‐19: Promises and pitfalls
Authors: Rajkumar Ravi Philip 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe pandemic of respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS‐nCoV‐2) is a global health crisis. Despite numerous preliminary results, there is as yet no treatment of proven efficacy for this condition. In this context, the pharmacological properties of lithium, better known as a treatment for mood disorders, merit closer examination. Lithium has shown in vitro efficacy at inhibiting the replication of coronaviruses responsible for gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in animals. It has immunomodulatory properties that may be of additional benefit in moderating the host inflammatory response to the novel coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2). Furthermore, there is evidence that lithium may exert a protective action against upper respiratory infections and influenza‐like illnesses in patients taking it for other indications. These promising reports must be balanced against the narrow therapeutic index and high risk of toxicity associated with lithium therapy, its documented interactions with several commonly used drugs, and the absence of evidence of its efficacy against coronaviruses responsible for human disease. Nevertheless, naturalistic studies of the risk of COVID‐19 in patients already receiving lithium could provide indirect evidence of its efficacy, and understanding the putative antiviral and immune‐regulatory mechanisms of lithium in models of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection may provide leads for the development of safer and more effective treatments with a specific action against COVID‐19.
A novel social fear conditioning procedure alters social behavior and mTOR signaling in differentially housed adolescent rats
Authors: Dawud Lamya’a M. , Loetz Esteban C. , Lloyd Brian , Beam Rachel , Tran Simon , Cowie Kim , Browne Kim , Khan Tassawwar , Montoya Richard , Greenwood Benjamin N. , Bland Sondra T. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractVulnerabilities to fear‐related disorders can be enhanced following early life adversity. This study sought to determine whether post‐weaning social isolation (PSI), an animal model of early life adversity, alters the development of social fear in an innovative model of conditioned social fear. Male and female Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent either social rearing (SR) or PSI for 4 weeks following weaning. Rats were then assigned to groups consisting of either Footshock only, Social conditioned stimulus (CS) only, or Paired footshock with a social CS. Social behavior was assessed the next day. We observed a novel behavioral response in PSI rats, running in circles, that was rarely observed in SR rats; moreover, this behavior was augmented after Paired treatment in PSI rats. Other social behaviors were altered by both PSI and Paired footshock and social CS. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was assessed using immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 (pS6) in subregions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and amygdala. Paired treatment produced opposite effects in the PFC and amygdala in males, but no differences were observed in females. Conditioned social fear produced alterations in social behavior and the mTOR pathway that are dependent upon rearing condition and sex.
Considering unseen arrivals in predictions of establishment risk based on border biosecurity interceptions
Authors: Turner Rebecca M. , Plank Michael J. , Brockerhoff Eckehard G. , Pawson Stephen , Liebhold Andrew , James Alex 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAssessing species establishment risk is an important task used for informing biosecurity activities aimed at preventing biological invasions. Propagule pressure is a major contributor to the probability of invading species establishment; however, direct assessment of numbers of individuals arriving is virtually never possible. Inspections conducted at borders by biosecurity officials record counts of species (or higher‐level taxa) intercepted during inspections, which can be used as proxies for arrival rates. Such data may therefore be useful for predicting species establishments, though some species may establish despite never being intercepted. We present a stochastic process‐based model of the arrival–interception–establishment process to predict species establishment risk from interception count data. The model can be used to estimate the probability of establishment, both for species that were intercepted and species that had no interceptions during a given observation period. We fit the stochastic model to data on two insect families, Cerambycidae and Aphididae, that were intercepted and/or established in the United States or New Zealand. We also explore the effects of variation in model parameters and the inclusion of an Allee effect in the establishment probability. Although interception data sets contain much noise due to variation in inspection policy, interception effort and among‐species differences in detectability, our study shows that it is possible to use such data for predicting establishments and distinguishing differences in establishment risk profile between taxonomic groups. Our model provides a method for predicting the number of species that have breached border biosecurity, including both species detected during inspections but also “unseen arrivals” that have never been intercepted, but have not yet established a viable population. These estimates could inform prioritization of different taxonomic groups, pathways or identification effort in biosecurity programs.
Torrent frogs have fewer macroparasites but higher rates of chytrid infection in landscapes with smaller forest cover
Authors: Forti Lucas Rodriguez , Pontes Mariana Retuci , Alcantara Edna Paulino , Morais Drausio Honorio , da Silva Reinaldo José , Dodonov Pavel , Toledo Luís Felipe 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDeforestation can compromise ecological processes and biotic interactions, including the host–parasite relationship. While some parasites infect only one host, others require multiple hosts to complete their complex life cycles. In this context, different parasites may have different demands and traits and may have specific responses to habitat degradation. Here, we tested whether forest cover has different effects on different frogs' parasites, as chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Bd) and helminths (Platyhelminthes and Nematoda). We collected data on two stream frog species (Crossodactylus caramaschiiandCrossodactylus schmidti) from nine sites in the Brazilian Atlantic forest, with forest cover ranging from 20% to 99%. Bd presence and load increased with decreasing forest cover, but the opposite was observed for nematodes. Load of monoxenous and heteroxenous helminths increased with forest cover. We suggest that variations in potential host diversity, microclimate conditions, and host immune response may be responsible for the contrasting patterns found for micro‐(Bd) and macroparasites (helminths, except Platyhelminthes). Our work brings evidence of how habitat reduction can affect host–parasite relationships, including infection with the pathogen responsible for hundreds of global species extinctions.
Analysis on homomorphic technique for data security in fog computing
Authors: Murugesan Arun , Saminathan Balamurali , Al‐Turjman Fadi , Kumar R. Lakshmana 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe fog computing model has given new trends of networking with different types of devices providing services at the end‐user point. It inherits most advanced features of cloud computing with localization rather than centralization like a cloud. It builds a platform for the Internet of things of different standards. Similar to the cloud, it is prone to privacy and security threat while sharing resources and services at the network edge. When the request for support is with more sensitive data, for example, as in business or research area, then fog devices face many potential threats resulting in leakage of data. The existing cloud environment provides data sharing service to the legal requestor in a highly secured manner using cryptographic encryption techniques. The uploaded data undergoes encryption and decryption, at the sending and receiving end only on providing the private key. Even more, security can be achieved by further computation on encrypted data. As an extension to fog computing, the data communication between fog nodes‐fog nodes and fog node‐cloud center is done with encryption/decryption for ensuring confidentiality. Homomorphic encryption is a cryptographic technique which allows performing computations on encrypted data without decryption so that the original message need not be disclosed to intermediates (servers) who are the only service provider and not a data user. Our work is motivated by the flaw of security issues in fog computing platforms, which involve heterogeneous devices.
Forecasting real‐time economic activity using house prices and credit conditions
Authors: Kishor Narayan Kundan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUsing real‐time data from 1985:Q1 to 2017:Q3 and simple vector autoregression (VAR) models, we show that there is a substantial payoff in combining credit supply indicators with house prices for forecasting real economic activity in the USA. Consistent with the findings in the literature, we show that the forecasts from a bivariate VAR model of real activity and credit conditions dominate the forecasts from a univariate model of real activity. The most interesting finding of the paper is that once real house price growth is added to the bivariate VAR model of real activity and credit conditions, the forecasting performance improves significantly. The forecasts from the model that contains credit supply indicator and real house price growth are also competitive with the forecasts of the Survey of Professional Forecasters. These results provide further evidence in support of the recent theoretical and empirical research on the dynamic relationship between housing market and credit conditions and its role in explaining real economic activity fluctuations in the USA.
Mallotus furetianus extract protects against ethanol‐induced liver injury via the activation of the cAMP‐PKA pathway
Authors: Yoshikawa Eri , Matsui‐Yuasa Isao , Huang Xuedan , Kobayashi Yoshinori , Kojima‐Yuasa Akiko 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe protective effects of Mallotus furetianus extract (MF) on liver fibrosis induced with ethanol were examined using in vivo and in vitro model. MF treatment suppressed plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities in ethanol plus carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced cirrhosis rat model. MF also suppressed the increase in type l collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin expression in the livers of ethanol plus CCl4‐induced rat by the maintenance of intracellular glutathione levels. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of MF on the alcohol‐induced activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are responsible for the increased production and deposition of the extracellular matrix in liver injury. Here, we observed the enhancement of the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the increase in type I collagen and a‐SMA expression in HSCs activated with ethanol. However, the enhanced ROS levels were suppressed with the treatments of MF or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI). Furthermore, the treatment of MF or DPI suppressed the increase in type I collagen and a‐SMA expression activated with ethanol. We also observed that the treatment of MF or LY194002 suppressed the increase in type I collagen expression in HSCs activated with ethanol, suggesting that ethanol induced type I collagen expression via the PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway. On the other hand, the suppression of the synthesis of type I collagen in ethanol and MF‐treated HSCs was inhibited by H‐89. From these results, MF may suppress the increase in the activity of NADPH oxidase in HSCs activated with ethanol through the cAMP‐PKA pathway.
Altered awareness of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies: A systematic review
Authors: Pennington Catherine , Duncan Gordon , Ritchie Craig 
Published: June 2020

ObjectivesAltered awareness of motor symptoms is reported in people with Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and may adversely affect quality of life and medication concordance. How symptom awareness is influenced by motor and cognitive disease severity, age and medication use is not fully understood. We carried out a systematic review of the literature on motor symptom awareness in Parkinson's disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.MethodsPubmed and Wed of Science were searched for relevant articles published in or prior to March 2019. Data regarding participant demographics, diagnosis, cognitive status, method of assessing awareness and study findings were extracted from relevant publications.ResultsSixteen relevant publications were identified. Motor symptom awareness appears to decline over the course of Parkinson's disease. Imaging studies implicate the prefrontal cortex, with different mechanisms involved in hypokinesia and dyskinesia awareness. The hypothesis that people with right hemisphere based disease would have more severely reduced awareness is only weakly supported. Most studies focused on cognitively intact individuals, and on awareness of dyskinesia rather than hypokinesia.ConclusionsWhilst reduced awareness of dyskinesia and to a lesser extent hypokinesia is common, there is a lack of longitudinal data on how awareness changes over time, and how it interacts with global cognitive changes. Motor symptom awareness in Dementia with Lewy Bodies is understudied. Future studies of symptom awareness should include robust assessment of overall cognitive functioning, and use a longitudinal design to elucidate how awareness changes over time. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:‐, 2020.
An integrative typology of global strategy and global value chains: The management and organization of cross‐border activities
Authors: Pananond Pavida , Gereffi Gary , Pedersen Torben 
Published: June 2020

AbstractResearch summaryWe contend that a synthesis between the literatures on global strategy and global value chains (GVCs) is mutually beneficial. A typology of four themes—managed cross‐border activities, network optimization, bottom‐up upgrading, and strategic coevolution—illustrates the underlying concepts and mechanisms that these two approaches share in common. Our integrative typology provides an analytical framework to understand the interplay between the statics of GVC governance and the dynamics of firm strategy. Firm‐level actions are a key factor in effective GVC‐level policy making, and our framework provides a roadmap to analyze how major disruptions, such as digitalization and pandemics, affect the symbiotic relationships between GVCs and firm strategy.Managerial summaryWhile the global strategy literature has underplayed the interdependence among firms and other actors in global value chains (GVCs) and highlighted the scope for firm agency, the GVC literature limits the attention to firm strategies per se but puts more emphasis on the governance structure of global industries. In their strategic decision making, managers must take into consideration how firms are positioned along the value chain in terms of four themes: managed cross‐border activities; network optimization; bottom‐up upgrading; and strategic coevolution. Integrating the GVC view adds a further impetus to global strategy beyond the analysis of intra‐firm determinants. Conversely, integrating global strategy into GVC analysis entails a more dynamic view on behaviors of different actors in the value chain. Understanding these interactions enable managers and policy makers to better incorporate how changes and disruptions affect firm strategies within the governance of GVCs.
Impact of local control and surgical lymph node evaluation in localized paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee
Authors: Routh Jonathan C. , Dasgupta Roshni , Chi Yueh‐Yun , Shnorhavorian Margarett , Tian Jing , Walterhouse David O. , Breneman John , Wolden Suzanne L. , Arndt Carola A. , Hawkins Douglas S. , Rodeberg David A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractParatesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (PT‐RMS) carries a favorable prognosis, but questions persist regarding optimal management. Our goal was to determine the importance of primary tumor resection and surgical assessment of retroperitoneal lymph nodes during staging in patients with PT‐RMS. We analyzed patients with localized PT‐RMS enrolled onto one of four Children's Oncology Group studies (D9602, ARST0331, D9803 or ARST0531). Surgical resection of the primary tumor prior to chemotherapy and radiotherapy was encouraged when possible with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) recommended for patients ≥10 years of age. Among 279 patients (median 8.1 years old), most tumors were resected with negative margins (78.5%) and most patients did not have radiographic enlargement of regional lymph nodes (90.3%). In patients older than 10 years, imaging alone will miss over 51.5% of nodal disease. Five‐year event‐free survival (EFS) was 92.0% (95% CI 88.4%‐95.6%). Sampling ≥7 to 12 retroperitoneal lymph nodes appeared optimal for detecting positive nodes; while there was a trend toward improved EFS among those undergoing template RPLND, this was not statistically significant (P = .068). Age (P = .28), N‐stage (P = .39), T‐stage (P = .11) and pathologic node involvement (P = .53) were not associated with overall survival. However, older age and larger tumor size had an additive impact on EFS (P = .027) though not overall survival (P = .13). In conclusion, outcomes for patients with PT‐RMS are excellent. Reliance on imaging to detect nodal involvement will miss pathologic node involvement and may result in undertreatment. Surgical nodal staging requires at least 7 to 12 nodes to accurately identify patients with regional nodal disease.
Progesterone and preterm birth
Authors: Norman Jane E. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractProgestogens (vaginal progesterone and intramuscular 17‐hydroxyprogesterone acetate) are widely recommended for women at high risk of preterm birth. Typical regimens include 17‐hydroxyprogesterone caproate (250 mg intramuscularly weekly), starting at 16–20 gestational weeks until 36 weeks or delivery for women with a singleton gestation and a history of spontaneous preterm birth, or vaginal progesterone (90‐mg vaginal gel or 200‐mg micronized vaginal soft capsules) for women with a short cervix (typically ≤25 mm). Although some randomized trials support this approach, neither of the largest trials (PROLONG for 17‐hydroxyprogesterone acetate or OPPTIMUM for vaginal progesterone) demonstrated efficacy. There are almost no data on long‐term effects, and none that shows benefit beyond the neonatal period. Although some analyses suggest the cost‐effectiveness of the approach, a cervical length screening program followed by progesterone for those with a short cervix will reduce preterm birth rates by less than 0.5%. The present review assesses evidence on the efficacy, likely impact, and long‐term effects of implementing the recommendations for progestogens in full. Clinicians and pregnant women can look forward to resolution of the conflicting views on efficacy once the Patient‐Centered Outcomes Research Initiative (PCORI)‐funded individual patient data meta‐analysis is published.
Breath indeed carries significant information about a disease: Potential biomarkers of cerebral palsy
Authors: Maiti Kiran Sankar , Roy Susmita , Lampe Renée , Apolonski Alexander 
Published: June 2020

AbstractObjective and reliable noninvasive medical diagnostics of a large variety of diseases is still a dream. As a step in the direction of realization, a spectroscopic breath study of cerebral palsy (CP) was performed. Principal component analysis revealed data clustering for a healthy group and CP individuals was observed, with a P‐value below 10−5. Learning algorithms resulted in 91% accuracy in distinguishing the groups. With the help of manual analysis of absorption spectral features of breath samples, two volatile organic compounds were identified that demonstrate significant deviations in the groups. These represent two esters of propionic acid (PPAE). A transportation scheme was hypothesized that links the gut where propionic acid (PPA) and PPAE are produced, the brain of CP patients, through which PPA and PPAE transmit, and the lungs where PPAE releases. The results show a possibility to detect one more brain‐related disorder via breath, in this case CP.
Synthesis and optical characterization of new ketocyanine dyes with extended polymethine chaines
Authors: Miltsov Sergey , Alonso‐Chamarro Julian , Puyol Mar 
Published: June 2020

AbstractNew symmetrical and unsymmetrical near‐infrared absorbing ketocyanine‐type dyes are synthesized and their optical characterization is done. The relationships between their structure and optical properties are discussed. The synthesized ketocyanine dyes show a positive solvatochromism and are poorly fluorescent. A new procedure for the preparation of N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylvinamidinium perchlorate, which was a very useful reagent for the synthesis of various heterocyclic compounds as well as for the preparation of cyanine dyes is developed.
Influences on willingness to use vaginal or oral HIV PrEP during pregnancy and breastfeeding in Africa: the multisite MAMMA study
Authors: van der Straten Ariane , Ryan Julia H , Reddy Krishnaveni , Etima Juliane , Taulo Frank , Mutero Prisca , Taylor Jamilah , Piper Jeanna , Musara Petina ,   the MTN‐041/MAMMA Study Team
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroductionWomen in sub‐Saharan Africa spend a substantial portion of their reproductive lives pregnant and/or breastfeeding (P/BF), yet they have limited options to prevent HIV during these maternal stages. In preparation for phase 3b prevention trials in P/BF women, we explored attitudes about using a vaginal ring or oral pills for pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), perceptions of HIV risk during P/BF and key influences on future PrEP use.MethodsIn 2018, we conducted 16 single‐sex focus group discussions (FGDs) with community‐ and clinic‐recruited HIV‐uninfected women, currently or recently P/BF, aged 18 to 40, and men with (currently or recently) P/BF partners, aged 18+. Participants completed a behavioural questionnaire, viewed an educational video and handled prototype placebo products. FGDs were conducted in local languages and transcribed, coded and analysed, using a socio‐ecological framework, for key influences on willingness to use products, HIV risk perceptions and opinions on product attributes.ResultsOf the 128 participants (65 women, 63 men) 75% lived with their partner and 84% had a child. Women reported the most important influencers when P/BF were partners, and all stated that health decisions when P/BF are typically made jointly (e.g. medication use; ante/postnatal and baby care). There was consensus that P/BF women are at high risk for HIV, primarily because of their partner’s infidelities, and new prevention options were welcomed. Participants valued multiple options and stated that woman’s personal preference would be key to product choice. Anticipated concerns about products included risk of miscarriage, impact on infant development, complications during delivery and adequate production or taste of breastmilk. Specific perceived disadvantages emerged for the ring (e.g. vaginal discomfort, difficulty inserting/removing) and for pills (e.g. nausea/vomiting) that may be exacerbated during pregnancy. Health care providers’ (HCPs) knowledge and approval of product use during P/BF was needed to mitigate anticipated fears.ConclusionsParticipants perceived pregnancy and breastfeeding as high HIV risk periods and valued new prevention options. HIV protection of the mother‐child dyad, safety of the baby, and ultimately, health of the family were paramount. Endorsement by HCPs and support from partners were key to future product acceptance. Participants recommended involving partners and HCPs in sensitization efforts for future trials.