bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intravenous Ethanol Administration and Operant Self‐Administration Alter Extracellular Norepinephrine Concentration in the Mesocorticolimbic Systems of Male Long Evans Rats
Authors: Jaime Saul , Vena Ashley A. , Gonzales Rueben A. 
Published: June 2020

BackgroundNorepinephrine has been suggested to regulate ethanol (EtOH)‐related behaviors, but little is known about the effects of EtOH on norepinephrine release in mesocortical and mesolimbic brain areas that are targets of EtOH actions.MethodsWe used in vivo microdialysis to examine the effects of EtOH on extracellular norepinephrine concentrations in mesocorticolimbic brain regions of male Long Evans rats. We determined the effects of intravenous infusion of saline or EtOH in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the basal forebrain. We also measured dialysate norepinephrine concentrations during operant self‐administration of EtOH in the mPFC.ResultsIntravenous infusion (1 or 0.25 ml/min) of 1.0 g/kg EtOH stimulated an increase in dialysate norepinephrine in mPFC and in basal forebrain. In the basal forebrain, an infusion of 0.5 g/kg EtOH did not stimulate dialysate norepinephrine concentrations. In both regions, saline infusions did not increase dialysate norepinephrine concentrations. In the behavioral experiment, 1 week of experience with operant self‐administration of sweetened EtOH resulted in an apparent reduction in basal dialysate norepinephrine concentrations in the mPFC relative to the sucrose control. Dialysate norepinephrine increased during the transfer from home cage to the operant chamber in all groups.ConclusionsWe conclude that acute EtOH stimulates both the locus coeruleus (which projects to the mPFC) and the nucleus tractus solitarius (which projects to the basal forebrain) noradrenergic neurons. Additionally, limited EtOH self‐administration experience alters dialysate norepinephrine in the mPFC in a manner consistent with a decrease in tonic norepinephrine release. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms by which EtOH exerts these variable effects.
Genetic aberrations involved in relapse of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia: A literature review
Authors: Zafar Naveera , Ghias Kulsoom , Fadoo Zehra 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGlobally, 15‐20% of all children diagnosed with leukemia suffer from acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a rapidly progressive, clinically and biologically heterogeneous disease leading to the impaired differentiation of myeloid blast cells. Although 80% of patients achieve complete remission after induction chemotherapy, many relapse, negatively affecting overall out comes. The mechanisms underlying relapse have not been fully elucidated. This review aims to provide an overview of genetic aberrations involved in relapse of disease.A literature review on molecular mechanisms implicated in pediatric AML relapse spanning from 2003 to 2017 was conducted. PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar were interrogated using relevant search terms. Of note, we examined a total of final 10 research papers from four large study groups that have utilized whole genome sequencing and molecular targeting of trio or paired samples of initial diagnosis, remission, and relapse. Their findings reveal that the genomic landscape of pediatric AML varies from diagnosis to relapse in different populations. Pediatric AML relapse is a systemic evolutionary illness accompanied by synchronized mutational hits impairing differentiation function. The irregular proliferative function is a consequence of mutations in signal transduction genes such as FLT3, RAS, PTPN11, and c‐KIT and genes that code for transcription factors such as CEBPα, WT1, SATB1, GFI1, KLF2, and TBP are associated with relapse of disease. Identification of molecular markers unique to different stages of the disease in distinct populations can provide valuable information about disease prognosis and management.
End of life experiences of patients with advanced cancer in Myanmar: Results from the APPROACH study
Authors: Mon Ssu Wynn , Ozdemir Semra , Zu Wah Wah Myint , Win Han , Maw Myo Myint , Win Khin Cho , Thant Kyaw Zin , Teo Irene , Krishnan Anirudh , Goh Cynthia Ruth , Finkelstein Eric A. , Malhotra Chetna 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundAccess to palliative care services is essential for attaining universal health coverage for patients with a terminal cancer. Despite this, many patients with advanced cancer in low‐income countries, such as Myanmar, suffer at the end of life (EOL) due to little or no access to palliative care. However, actual evidence on EOL experiences of cancer patients in Myanmar is lacking. This paper aims to describe various dimensions of EOL experiences among patients with an advanced cancer from the largest public hospital in Myanmar.MethodsWe surveyed 195 patients with stage IV cancer seeking care from outpatient oncology clinics to assess their quality of life, pain severity, pain medications taken, quality of communication with doctors, nursing care and health care coordination, and desire to end life sooner. We assessed socioeconomic status (SES) differences in each patient outcome using separate multivariate linear/logistic regressions.ResultsForty‐one percent of the patients in our sample reported that they wish their life would end sooner. Low SES cancer patients had significantly worse quality of life, reported poor health care coordination and were more likely to report severe pain compared to high SES cancer patients visiting the same hospital.ConclusionTo improve quality of life and pain management and to reduce EOL distress among patients with advanced cancer, there is a pressing need to develop and invest in hospital and community‐level palliative care services in Myanmar.
Validity and reliability of the MD Anderson dysphagia inventory in English and Chinese in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Yee Kaisin , Wong Seng Mun , Teo Irene , Loy Jamie , Roche Elizabeth , Tan Yee Pin , Tan Hiang Khoon , Tan Ngian Chye , Iyer N Gopalakrishna 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAimsPatient‐reported outcome measures are important in assessing the impact of dysphagia on quality of life. Our aim was to adapt and examine the cultural validity and reliability of a swallowing‐related quality of life measure, the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI), in English and Chinese, with head and neck cancer patients.MethodsWe adapted the MDADI to Chinese through formal forward‐backward translation. Sixty‐six head and neck cancer survivors completed the MDADI, Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL‐QOL) questionnaire and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in English or Chinese. Swallowing status was scored on the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). Seventy‐four percent (n = 49) of participants completed a repeat administration of the MDADI for test–retest reliability analysis.ResultsThe MDADI showed high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's α , 0.82 ≤ α ≤ 0.94), and test–retest reliability in both English (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC = 0.81) and Chinese (ICC = 0.72). Criterion validity was established through moderate to strong correlations with relevant SWAL‐QOL domains. Convergent validity was determined by significant correlations to the HADS and FOIS. Divergent validity was determined by nonsignificant association to the SWAL‐QOL Sleep domain. The MDADI also presented as hypothesised to most known‐group theoretical constructs.ConclusionsThe MDADI showed good psychometric properties in English and Chinese. This avails a reliable and psychometrically valid MDADI for Chinese speakers.
Carbon management strategy and carbon disclosures: An exploratory study
Authors: Dhanda Kanwalroop Kathy , Malik Mahfuja 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCorporate social responsibility (CSR) is a concept aimed to ensure that corporations conduct their business in an ethical manner by taking care of their environment and human resources in addition to their economic impact. Often times, CSR refers to the steps undertaken by a corporation to measure its efforts to improve the environment and social well‐being. One of the aspects of CSR pertains to the disclosure of emission information and carbon management strategy (CMS). Carbon Management refers to analyzing and focusing on those areas within the corporation where cost reductions can be made via energy reductions, waste management, and reduced resource consumption. In this article, we examine the role of an effective CMS on the emission disclosure behavior of firms. We utilize the carbon disclosure project surveys to find that firms adopting an effective CMS are more likely to disclose the information about both direct and indirect emissions.
Daily emotional well‐being during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Lades Leonhard K. , Laffan Kate , Daly Michael , Delaney Liam 
Published: June 2020

The COVID‐19 outbreak has become one of the largest public health crises of our time. Governments have responded by implementing self‐isolation and physical distancing measures that have profoundly impacted daily life throughout the world. In this study, we aimed to investigate how people experience the activities, interactions, and settings of their lives during the pandemic. The sample (N = 604) was assessed in Ireland on the 25 March 2020, following the closure of schools and non‐essential businesses. We examined within‐person variance in emotional well‐being and how people spend their time. We found that while most time was spent in the home (74%), time spent outdoors (8%) was associated with markedly raised positive affect and reduced negative emotions. Exercising, going for walks, gardening, pursuing hobbies, and taking care of children were the activities associated with the greatest affective benefits. Home‐schooling children and obtaining information about COVID‐19 were ranked lowest of all activities in terms of emotional experience. These findings highlight activities that may play a protective role in relation to well‐being during the pandemic, the importance of setting limits for exposure to COVID‐19‐related media coverage, and the need for greater educational supports to facilitate home‐schooling during this challenging period.
Antimetastatic effects of thalidomide by inducing the functional maturation of peripheral natural killer cells
Authors: Miyazato Kiho , Tahara Hideaki , Hayakawa Yoshihiro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThalidomide and its analogues are known as immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) that possess direct antimyeloma effects, in addition to other secondary effects, including antiangiogenic, antiinflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Although the involvement of natural killer (NK) cells in the antitumor effects of IMiDs has been reported, it is unclear whether IMiDs inhibit cancer cell metastasis by regulating the antitumor function of NK cells. In this study, we examined the protective effects of thalidomide against cancer metastasis by focusing on its immunomodulatory effects through NK cells. Using experimental lung metastasis models, we found that pharmacological effects of thalidomide on host cells, but not its direct anticancer tumor effects, are responsible for the inhibition of lung metastases. To exert the antimetastatic effects of thalidomide, both γ‐interferon (IFN‐γ) production and direct cytotoxicity of NK cells were essential, without notable contribution from T cells. In thalidomide‐treated mice, there was a significant increase in the terminally differentiated mature CD27lo NK cells in the peripheral tissues and NK cells in thalidomide‐treated mice showed significantly higher cytotoxicity and IFN‐γ production. The NK cell expression of T‐bet was upregulated by thalidomide treatment and the downregulation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β expression was observed in thalidomide‐treated NK cells. Collectively, our study suggests that thalidomide induces the functional maturation of peripheral NK cells through alteration of T‐bet expression to inhibit lung metastasis of cancer cells.
Students’ Occupational Aspirations: Can Family Relationships Account for Differences Between Immigrant and Socioeconomic Groups?
Authors: Plenty Stephanie M. , Jonsson Jan O. 
Published: June 2020

Immigrant background and disadvantaged socioeconomic background are two key predictors of poorer school achievement in Europe. However, the former is associated with higher while the latter is associated with lower aspirations. This study asks whether family relationships account for this difference. Data come from 5,926 students in Germany and Sweden, eliciting indicators of family background and relationships at age 14–15 years (2011) and occupational aspirations 1 year later. High aspirations were found among students of non‐European background and students with higher parental occupational status. Structural equation models showed that while immigrant families had greater parental aspirations and encouragement, family cohesion, and parental monitoring, only parental aspirations mediated the effects of family background.
Protocolized exercise improves frailty parameters and lower extremity impairment: A promising prehabilitation strategy for kidney transplant candidates
Authors: Lorenz Elizabeth C. , Hickson LaTonya J. , Weatherly Renee M. , Thompson Karin L. , Walker Heidi A. , Rasmussen Judy M. , Stewart Tara L. , Garrett James K. , Amer Hatem , Kennedy Cassie C. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundFrailty and decreased functional status are risk factors for adverse kidney transplant (KT) outcomes. Our objective was to examine the efficacy of an exercise intervention on frailty and decreased functional status in a cohort of patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsWe conducted a prospective study involving 21 adults with ≥stage 4 CKD who were (a) frail or pre‐frail by Fried phenotype and/or (b) had lower extremity impairment [short physical performance battery score ≤10]. The intervention consisted of two supervised outpatient exercise sessions per week for 8 weeks.ResultsAmong our cohort, median participant age was 62 years (interquartile range, 53‐67) and 85.7% had been evaluated for KT. Following the study, participants reported satisfaction with the intervention and multiple frailty parameters improved significantly, including fatigue, physical activity, walking time, and grip strength. Lower extremity impairment also improved (90.5%‐61.9%, P = .03). No study‐related adverse events occurred.ConclusionsPreliminary data from this study suggest that a supervised, outpatient exercise intervention is safe, acceptable, feasible, and associated with improved frailty parameters, and lower extremity function, in patients with advanced CKD. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine whether this prehabilitation strategy improves KT outcomes.
Hematopoietic cell transplant outcomes after myeloablative conditioning with fludarabine, busulfan, low‐dose total body irradiation, and rabbit antithymocyte globulin
Authors: Ousia Samar , Kalra Amit , Williamson Tyler S. , Prokopishyn Nicole , Dharmani‐Khan Poonam , Khan Faisal M. , Jimenez‐Zepeda Victor , Jamani Kareem , Duggan Peter R. , Daly Andrew , Russell James A. , Storek Jan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractOptimal conditioning and graft‐vs‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are unknown. Here, we report on outcomes after low toxicity, myeloablative conditioning consisting of fludarabine, busulfan, and 4 Gy total body irradiation, in combination with thymoglobulin and post‐transplant methotrexate and cyclosporine. We retrospectively studied 700 patients with hematologic malignancies who received blood stem cells from 7 to 8/8 HLA‐matched unrelated or related donors. Median follow‐up of surviving patients was 5 years. At 5 years, overall survival (OS), relapse‐free survival (RFS), and chronic GVHD/relapse‐free survival (cGRFS) were 58%, 55%, and 40%. Risk factors for poor OS, RFS, and cGRFS were (1). high to very high disease risk index (DRI), (2). high recipient age, and (3). cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐seropositive recipient with seronegative donor (D−R+). The latter risk factor applied particularly to patients with lymphoid malignancies. Neither donor other than HLA‐matched sibling (7‐8/8 unrelated) nor one HLA allele mismatch was risk factors for poor OS, RFS, or cGRFS. In conclusion, the above regimen results in excellent long‐term outcomes. The outcomes are negatively impacted by older age, high or very high DRI, and CMV D−R+ serostatus, but not by donor unrelatedness or one HLA allele mismatch.
Survey methods and characteristics of a sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous people who have recently used methamphetamine: the NIMAC survey
Authors: Reilly Rachel , Wand Handan , McKetin Rebecca , Quinn Brendan , Ezard Nadine , Dunlop Adrian , Conigrave Kate , Treloar Carla , Roe Yvette , Gray Dennis , Stephens Jacqueline , Ward James ,   on the behalf of the NIMAC Community Researchers and Partner Sites
Published: June 2020

AbstractIntroduction and AimsThere is a need for detailed information on methamphetamine use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We describe a national survey on methamphetamine use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non‐Indigenous people.Design and MethodsParticipants aged 16 years or older who reported using methamphetamine in the past year were recruited for a cross‐sectional survey through 10 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. Surveys were completed anonymously on electronic tablets. Measures included the Australian Treatment Outcomes Profile, the Severity of Dependence Scale, subscales from Opiate Treatment Index and the Kessler 10. A Chronic Stress Scale was used to assess culturally situated chronic stress factors.ResultsOf the 734 participants, 416 (59%) were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and 331 (45%) were female. In the previous year, most participants reported smoking (48.7%) or injecting (34%) methamphetamine and 17.4% reported daily use. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people did not differ significantly from non‐Indigenous participants on methamphetamine use patterns (age at first use, frequency of use, main mode of use, injecting risk, poly drug use). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants felt less able to access health care (32% vs. 48%, P < 0.001), including mental health services (19% vs. 29%, P < 0.002), were less likely to report a mental health diagnosis (50% vs. 60%, P < 0.002) and were more likely to turn to family for support (52% vs. 34%, P < 0.001).Discussion and ConclusionsWe recruited and surveyed a large sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from which we can derive detailed comparative data on methamphetamine use and related health service needs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous Australians.
The Sino‐centric Capital Export Regime: State‐backed and Flexible Capital in the Philippines
Authors: Camba Alvin 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTThere is an ongoing debate as to whether Chinese capital can be described as developmental. While some argue that Chinese capital is simply a tool of the Chinese state to exploit the global South, others claim that Chinese capital opens new development opportunities. Rather than advancing a framework based upon either an exploitative or an egalitarian mode of development, this article argues that China's current crisis of overaccumulation has led to a so‐called Sino‐centric capital export regime, which sends out two types of capital to the global South. First, state‐backed capital imposes a development model by modifying ‘local orders’, attempting to make host states legible by creating maps of peoples and terrains that surround China. These maps aim to improve China's ability to manage inter‐state disputes. Second, flexible capital is interested in extricating itself from the conditions imposed on it in China. By moving into the global South, flexible capital breaks through the barriers placed by the Chinese state. As a by‐product of this quest for extrication, flexible capital can generate new venues of accumulation and novel ways of organizing production. This article demonstrates these two types of capital using examples from Rodrigo Duterte's Philippines — the Kaliwa Dam project and online gambling — drawing on original field research and a newly generated dataset.
Lidocaine spray versus viscous lidocaine solution for pharyngeal local anesthesia in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Ikegami Yusuke , Tsuda Ayumi , Kakehi Eiichi , Kanno Takeshi , Ishikawa Shizukiyo , Kataoka Yuki 
Published: June 2020

ObjectivesThere are two major methods for local anesthesia by lidocaine before upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: simple spray and viscous solution. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety by meta‐analysis between these two methods.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases through October 2019 to perform meta‐analyses using random‐effects models. The primary outcomes were participants' pain/discomfort, satisfaction, and anaphylactic shock. Three reviewers independently searched for articles, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. We evaluated the certainty of evidence based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020155611).ResultsWe included seven randomized controlled trials (2667 participants). The participants' pain/discomfort may be similar between the lidocaine spray and viscous solution [standardized mean difference 0.03, 95% confidence intervals (CI) −0.37 to 0.42; I2 = 93%; low certainty of evidence]. The lidocaine spray probably increased participants' satisfaction compared with the viscous solution (relative risk 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.47; I2 = 47%; moderate certainty of evidence). No anaphylactic shock occurred in four studies (low certainty of evidence). Four studies had high risks of selection bias.ConclusionThe use of lidocaine spray for local anesthesia provided better satisfaction scores than the viscous solution, and both methods have the same effect with regards to the control of discomfort and pain. Further studies in large multicenter randomized controlled trials with a pre‐registration protocol are needed.
Links between screen use and depressive symptoms in adolescents over 16 years: Is there evidence for increased harm?
Authors: Ferguson Christopher J. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRecent scholarship has been divided on whether an observed increase in suicides in the United States among teenagers and preteens (12–18) can be attributed to an increased use in social screen media beginning in 2009. If these concerns are accurate effect sizes for the relationship between screen use and suicide should increase over the 16 years since 2001. The current study used the Florida Youth Risk Behavior Survey data (n = 45,992) from 2001 to 2017, to track effect sizes for screen/depression correlations, controlling for age and gender. A second dataset from the UK Understanding Society dataset (ns for each wave ranged between 3,536 and 4,850) was used to study associations between time spent on social media and emotional problems. Metaregression was be used to examine whether effect sizes increase across time. Results generally did not support the hypothesis that effect sizes between screen and social media use are increasing over time. Aside from the trends over time, for any given year, most effect sizes were below ther = .10 threshold used for interpretation with the exception of computer use which was just at that threshold. It is concluded that screens and social media use are unlikely to bear major responsibility for youth suicide trends. A video abstract of this article can be viewed athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76S7cxiaU88.