bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LncRNA SNHG16 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in human cancers
Authors: Xiao Yuhang , Xiao Ta , Ou Wei , Wu Zhining , Wu Jie , Tang Jinming , Tian Bo , Zhou Yong , Su Min , Wang Wenxiang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLong non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent an important class of RNAs comprising more than 200 nucleotides, which are produced by RNA polymerase II. Although lacking an open reading framework and protein-encoding activity, lncRNAs can mediate endogenous gene expression by serving as chromatin remodeler, transcriptional or post-transcriptional modulator, and splicing regulator during gene modification. In recent years, increasing evidence shows the significance of lncRNAs in many malignancies, with vital roles in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Moreover, lncRNAs were also considered potential diagnostic and prognostic markers in cancer. The lncRNA small nuclear RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16), found on chromosome 17q25.1, represents a novel tumor-associated lncRNA. SNHG16 was recently found to exhibit dysregulated expression in a variety of malignancies. There are growing evidence of SNHG16’s involvement in characteristics of cancer, including proliferation, apoptosis, together with its involvement in chemoresistance. In addition, SNHG16 has been described as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cancer patients. The current review briefly summarizes recently reported findings about SNHG16 and discuss its expression, roles, mechanisms, and diagnostic and prognostic values in human cancers.
Activation of Toll-like receptor 5 in microglia modulates their function and triggers neuronal injury
Authors: Ifuku Masataka , Hinkelmann Lukas , Kuhrt Leonard D. , Efe Ibrahim E. , Kumbol Victor , Buonfiglioli Alice , Krüger Christina , Jordan Philipp , Fulde Marcus , Noda Mami , Kettenmann Helmut , Lehnardt Seija 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMicroglia are the primary immune-competent cells of the central nervous system (CNS) and sense both pathogen- and host-derived factors through several receptor systems including the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family. Although TLR5 has previously been implicated in different CNS disorders including neurodegenerative diseases, its mode of action in the brain remained largely unexplored. We sought to determine the expression and functional consequences of TLR5 activation in the CNS. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunocytochemical analysis revealed that microglia is the major CNS cell type that constitutively expresses TLR5. Using Tlr5−/− mice and inhibitory TLR5 antibody we found that activation of TLR5 in microglial cells by its agonist flagellin, a principal protein component of bacterial flagella, triggers their release of distinct inflammatory molecules, regulates chemotaxis, and increases their phagocytic activity. Furthermore, while TLR5 activation does not affect tumor growth in an ex vivo GL261 glioma mouse model, it triggers microglial accumulation and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex in vivo. TLR5-mediated microglial function involves the PI3K/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway, as specific inhibitors of this signaling pathway abolish microglial activation. Taken together, our findings establish TLR5 as a modulator of microglial function and indicate its contribution to inflammatory and injurious processes in the CNS.
Regulatory inspection of registered private drug shops in East-Central Uganda—what it is versus what it should be: a qualitative study
Authors: Bagonza Arthur , Peterson Stefan , Mårtensson Andreas , Wamani Henry , Awor Phyllis , Mutto Milton , Musoke David , Gibson Linda , Kitutu Freddy Eric 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Regulatory inspection of private drug shops in Uganda is a mandate of the Ministry of Health carried out by the National Drug Authority. This study evaluated how this mandate is being carried out at national, district, and drug shop levels. Specifically, perspectives on how the inspection is done, who does it, and challenges faced were sought from inspectors and drug sellers.

Methods
Six key informant interviews (KIIs) were held with inspectors at the national and district level, while eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among nursing assistants, and two FGDs were held with nurses. The study appraised current methods of inspecting drug sellers against national professional guidelines for licensing and renewal of class C drug shops in Uganda. Transcripts were managed using Atlas ti version 7 (ATLAS.ti GmbH, Berlin) data management software where the thematic content analysis was done.

Results
Five themes emerged from the study: authoritarian inspection, delegated inspection, licensing, training, and bribes. Under authoritarian inspection, drug sellers decried the high handedness used by inspectors when found with expired or no license at all. For delegated inspection, drug sellers said that sometimes, inspectors send health assistants and sub-county chiefs for inspection visits. This cadre of people is not recognized by law as inspectors. Inspectors trained drug sellers on how to organize their drug shops better and how to use new technologies such as rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in diagnosing malaria. Bribes were talked about mostly by nursing assistants who purported that inspectors were not interested in inspection per se but collecting illicit payments from them. Inspectors said that the facilitation they received from the central government were inadequate for a routine inspection.

Conclusion
The current method of inspecting drug sellers is harsh and instills fear among drug sellers. There is a need to establish a well-recognized structure of inspection as well as establish channels of dialogue between inspectors and drug sellers if meaningful compliance is to be achieved. The government also needs to enhance both human and financial resources if meaningful inspection of drug sellers is to take place.
Detection of deep low-frequency earthquakes in the Nankai subduction zone over 11 years using a matched filter technique
Authors: Kato Aitaro , Nakagawa Shigeki 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTo improve our understanding of the long-term behavior of low-frequency earthquakes (LFEs) along the tremor belt of the Nankai subduction zone, we applied a matched filter technique to continuous seismic data recorded by a dense and highly sensitive seismic network over an 11-year window, April 2004 to August 2015. We detected a total of ~ 510,000 LFEs, or ~ 23 × the number of LFEs in the JMA catalog for the same period. During long-term slow slip events (SSEs) in the Bungo Channel, a series of migrating LFE bursts intermittently occurred along the fault-strike direction, with slow hypocenter propagation. Elastic energy released by long-term SSEs appears to control the extent of LFE activity. We identify slowly migrating fronts of LFEs during major episodic tremor and slip (ETS) events, which extend over distances of up to 100 km and follow diffusion-like patterns of spatial evolution with a diffusion coefficient of ~ 104 m2/s. This migration pattern closely matches the spatio-temporal evolution of tectonic tremors reported by previous studies. At shorter distances, up to 15 km, we discovered rapid diffusion-like migration of LFEs with a coefficient of ~ 105 m2/s. We also recognize that rapid migration of LFEs occurred intermittently in many streaks during major ETS episodes. These observations suggest that slow slip transients contain a multitude of smaller, temporally clustered fault slip events whose evolution is controlled by a diffusional process.
L-shell and energy dependence of magnetic mirror point of charged particles trapped in Earth’s magnetosphere
Authors: Soni Pankaj K. , Kakad Bharati , Kakad Amar 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn the Earth’s inner magnetosphere, there exist regions like plasmasphere, ring current, and radiation belts, where the population of charged particles trapped along the magnetic field lines is more. These particles keep performing gyration, bounce and drift motions until they enter the loss cone and get precipitated to the neutral atmosphere. Theoretically, the mirror point latitude of a particle performing bounce motion is decided only by its equatorial pitch angle. This theoretical manifestation is based on the conservation of the first adiabatic invariant, which assumes that the magnetic field varies slowly relative to the gyro-period and gyro-radius. However, the effects of gyro-motion cannot be neglected when gyro-period and gyro-radius are large. In such a scenario, the theoretically estimated mirror point latitudes of electrons are likely to be in agreement with the actual trajectories due to their small gyro-radius. Nevertheless, for protons and other heavier charged particles like oxygen, the gyro-radius is relatively large, and the actual latitude of the mirror point may not be the same as estimated from the theory. In this context, we have carried out test particle simulations and found that the L-shell, energy, and gyro-phase of the particles do affect their mirror points. Our simulations demonstrate that the existing theoretical expression sometimes overestimates or underestimates the magnetic mirror point latitude depending on the value of L-shell, energy and gyro-phase due to underlying guiding centre approximation. For heavier particles like proton and oxygen, the location of the mirror point obtained from the simulation deviates considerably (∼ 10°–16°) from their theoretical values when energy and L-shell of the particle are higher. Furthermore, the simulations show that the particles with lower equatorial pitch angles have their mirror points inside the high or mid-latitude ionosphere.
Repeated measures of Heparin-binding protein (HBP) and procalcitonin during septic shock: biomarker kinetics and association with cardiovascular organ dysfunction
Authors: Tverring Jonas , Nielsen Niklas , Dankiewicz Josef , Linder Adam , Kahn Fredrik , Åkesson Per 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Heparin-binding protein (HBP) is a neutrophil-derived pro-inflammatory protein, an inducer of endothelial dysfunction and vascular permeability and a promising prognostic biomarker in sepsis. This exploratory study aims to describe the kinetics of plasma HBP during septic shock and investigate an association between repeated measures of HBP concentration and cardiovascular organ dysfunction severity.

Methods
We included patients at or above 18 years with suspected septic shock on admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) during 2014 and 2016 to 2018. Plasma samples were collected from ICU admission and every 4 h for 72 h or until death or ICU discharge and batch analysed for HBP. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and noradrenaline dose (NA dose) were recorded at each sampling time point, and systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) was recorded when available from non-invasive monitoring. The association between HBP, NA dose, MAP and SVRI was assessed respectively using mixed-effects linear regression models. Procalcitonin (PCT) was used as a comparator.

Results
A total of 24 patients were included. The kinetics of plasma HBP was highly variable over time, with occasional >2-fold increases and decreases in between 4-h measurements. Every 100 ng/mL increase in HBP corresponded to a 30% increase in NA dose in a crude model (95% CI 3 to 60%, p = 0.03, nobs = 340), a 1.4-mmHg decrease in MAP in an adjusted model (95% CI − 1 to − 2.3 mmHg, p = 0.04) or a 99 dyne s cm−5 m−2 decrease in SVRI in another adjusted model (95% CI − 36 to − 162, p = 0.002, npat = 13). PCT had a stronger association to NA dose than HBP in a crude model but was not significantly associated to NA dose, MAP or SVRI in any time-adjusted model.

Conclusions
Plasma HBP displayed a highly variable kinetic pattern during septic shock and was significantly associated to cardiovascular organ dysfunction severity over time.
Innovative strategies for the reception of asylum seekers and refugees in European cities: multi-level governance, multi-sector urban networks and local engagement
Authors: Oliver Caroline , Dekker Rianne , Geuijen Karin , Broadhead Jacqueline 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCities are taking a prominent role in solving global challenges, with a ‘new localism’ inviting a reorientation of power from nation-states downwards, outwards and globally. This special issue explores this phenomenon through extending the existing analyses of multi-level governance and the ‘local turn’ to the underexplored area of asylum seeker and refugee reception in European cities. The special issue draws on research in European cities where new strategies were piloted especially in the wake of ‘the refugee crisis’ from 2015, consolidating the ‘local turn’ evident in immigration and integration policy-making. The collection is in two parts: the first part explores innovation in local governance of asylum seeker reception. Here, case studies demonstrate how cities responded through forging new alliances both vertically and (especially) horizontally in networks within and between cities. The second part explores innovation in practice, analysing novel initiatives premised on local engagement and inclusivity of newcomers within the social fabric of the city. This editorial paper draws out the wider lessons of efforts from this comparative exploration of attempts to rethink asylum seeker and refugee reception at the local level.
A reflection on economic uncertainty and fertility in Europe: The Narrative Framework
Authors: Vignoli Daniele , Guetto Raffaele , Bazzani Giacomo , Pirani Elena , Minello Alessandra 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe generalized and relatively homogeneous fertility decline across European countries in the aftermath of the Great Recession poses serious challenges to our knowledge of contemporary low fertility patterns. In this paper, we argue that fertility decisions are not a mere “statistical shadow of the past”, and advance the Narrative Framework, a new approach to the relationship between economic uncertainty and fertility. This framework proffers that individuals actaccording toordespiteuncertainty based on their “narrative of the future” – imagined futures embedded in social elements and their interactions. We also posit that personal narratives of the future are shaped by the “shared narratives” produced by socialization agents, including parents and peers, as well as by the narratives produced by the media and other powerful opinion formers. Finally, within this framework, we propose several empirical strategies, from both a qualitative and a quantitative perspective, including an experimental approach, for assessing the role of narratives of the future in fertility decisions.
Determining the molecular landscape and impact on prognosis in HPV-associated head and neck cancer
Authors: Khanna Suchin , Palackdharry Sarah , Roof Logan , Wicker Christina A. , Mark Jonathan , Zhu Zheng , Jandorav Roman , Molinolo Alfredo , Takiar Vinita , Wise-Draper Trisha M. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
Human papillomavirus (HPV) associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a better prognosis than HNSCC due to other risk factors. However, there is significant heterogeneity within HPV-associated HNSCC and 25% of these patients still do poorly despite receiving aggressive therapy. We currently have no good molecular tools to differentiate and exclude this “high-risk” sub-population and focus on “low-risk” patients for clinical trials. This has been a potential barrier to identifying successful de-escalation treatment strategies in HPV-associated HNSCC. We conducted an analysis of molecular markers with a well-known role in the pathogenesis of HPV-associated HNSCC and hypothesized that these markers could help independently predict recurrence and prognosis in these patients and therefore help identify at the molecular level “low-risk” patients suitable for de-escalation trials.

Methods
We analyzed 24 tumor specimens of patients with p16+ HNSCC who underwent definitive resection as primary treatment. Tissue microarray (TMA) was generated from the 24 pathology blocks and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed using highly specific antibodies for our chosen biomarkers (PI3K-PTEN, AKT pathway, mTOR, 4EBP1, S6, and pAMPK, ERCC-1). Transcriptome data was also obtained for 7 p16+ HNSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Data from the TMA and TCGA were analyzed for association of relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) with protein and gene expression of the chosen biomarkers.

Results
Increased pAMPK protein activity by IHC and AMPK gene expression by TCGA gene expression data was correlated with improved RFS with a trend towards statistical significance.

Conclusions
This data suggests that increased pAMPK activity and expression may portend a better prognosis in HPV-associated HNSCC undergoing primary definitive resection. However, these findings require validation in larger studies.
Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) for local staging of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Woo Sungmin , Ghafoor Soleen , Becker Anton S. , Han Sangwon , Wibmer Andreas G. , Hricak Hedvig , Burger Irene A. , Schöder Heiko , Vargas Hebert Alberto 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) has shown promise for detecting nodal and distant prostate cancer (PCa) metastases. However, its performance for local tumor staging is not as well established. The purpose of this study was to review the diagnostic performance of PSMA-PET for determining seminal vesical invasion (SVI) and extraprostatic extension (EPE).

Methods
Pubmed and Embase databases were searched until January 12, 2020. Studies assessing accuracy of PSMA-PET in determining SVI and EPE were included. Study quality was evaluated with the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics modeling. Heterogeneity was explored using meta-regression analyses for anatomical imaging component (MRI vs CT) and by testing for a threshold effect.

Results
Twelve studies (615 patients) were included. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.68 (95% CI 0.53-0.81) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.90-0.96) for SVI and 0.72 (95% CI 0.56-0.84) and 0.87 (95% CI 0.72-0.94) for EPE. Meta-regression analyses showed that for SVI, PET/MRI demonstrated greater sensitivity than PET/CT (0.87 [95% CI 0.75-0.98] vs 0.60 [95% CI 0.47-0.74]; p = 0.02 for joint model) while specificity was comparable (0.91 [95% CI 0.84-0.97] vs. 0.96 [95% CI 0.93-0.99]) but not for EPE (p = 0.08). A threshold effect was present for studies assessing EPE (correlation coefficient = 0.563 [95% CI, −0.234-0.908] between sensitivity and false-positive rate).

Conclusion
PSMA-PET has moderate sensitivity and excellent specificity for assessing local tumor extent in patients with PCa. PET/MRI showed potential for greater sensitivity than PET/CT in assessing SVI.
The effects of oak (Quercus) restoration on forest trajectory and small mammal use in the southern Cumberland Plateau, USA
Authors: Smith C. Ken , Turner Amy J. , Hiers J. Kevin , Garai Julie , Wilson W. Nate , Nunley A. Nicole 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThinning and prescribed fire are increasingly used to promote oak (QuercusL. spp.) regeneration in forest restoration projects across the eastern United States. In addition to monitoring the response of vegetation to these reductions in basal area, the research and land management community has become focused on the response of wildlife to these treatments. In a landscape in which forest ownership is fragmented and dominated by non-industrial private landowners, predicting the range of wildlife and vegetation response to treatments will be necessary to facilitate adoption of a landscape-scale approach to oak restoration. The goal of this study was to examine the efficacy of restoring privately owned, mixed forest stands that were partially planted in loblolly pine (Pinus taedaL.) and eastern white pine (Pinus strobusL.) to oak-dominated communities through the use of thinning and prescribed fire. Additionally, the study documented implications of these treatments on small mammal activity in the southern Cumberland Plateau.ResultsFollowing basal area reductions ranging from 30 to 60% and three prescribed fires across three sites, mean oak seedling densities rose from 10 200 ha−1to 17 900 ha−1. Post-treatment oak seedling densities were related to pre-treatment densities (R2= 0.55,P< 0.0001) and the number of oak trees >20 cm diameter within 10 m of plot center (R2= 0.15,P= 0.01). Three years after the last prescribed fire, bat activity (mean passes per night) was significantly higher in the treated stands compared to adjacent undisturbed forest. We did not detect any significant differences in rodent activity between our treated stands and forest controls for two of the three years studied.ConclusionsThe results of this study highlighted the within-stand variation that drives post-harvest vegetation trajectories. Three years after the last prescribed fire, bats exhibited higher foraging activity in the treated sites that had lower basal area and very little midstory clutter. Our three-year summer monitoring of rodent activity following the last of the three prescribed fires revealed differences in rodent activity between our treated sites and adjacent forest controls only during 2018 (P= 0.001). These results will assist private landowners in the region as they consider the costs and benefits of oak forest restoration.
Clinical outcomes after pulmonary vein isolation using an automated tagging module in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Cho Min Soo , Kim Jun , Do Ungjeong , Kim Minsoo , Nam Gi-Byoung , Choi Kee-Joon , Kim You-Ho 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background
An automated tagging module (VISITAG™; Biosense Webster, Irvine, CA) allows objective demonstration of energy delivery. However, the effect of VISITAG™ on clinical outcomes remains unclear. This study evaluated (1) clinical outcome after AF ablation using VISITAG™ and (2) the prevalence of gaps in the ablation line.

Methods
This retrospective analysis included 157 consecutive patients (mean age, 56.7 years; 73.2% men) with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who underwent successful PVI between 2013 and 2016. Outcomes after the index procedure were compared between those using the VISITAG™ module (VISITAG group, n = 62) and those not using it (control group, n = 95). The primary outcome was recurrence of AF or atrial tachycardia after a blanking period of 3 months.

Results
The VISITAG group showed significantly shorter overall procedure time (172.2 ± 37.6 min vs. 286.9 ± 66.7 min, P < 0.001), ablation time (49.8 ± 9.7 min vs. 82.8 ± 28.2 min, P < 0.001), and fluoroscopy time (11.8 ± 5.3 min vs. 34.2 ± 30.1 min, P < 0.001) compared with controls. The 1-year recurrence-free survival rate was not statistically different between the groups (70.8% in the VISITAG group vs. 79.2% in the control group, P = 0.189). Gaps in the VISITAG line were common in the both carina and left side pulmonary veins. Patients without gaps (≥ 5 mm) by the criteria emphasizing catheter stability (> 15 s, < 4 mm range, > 60% force over time, > 6 g contact force) showed higher recurrence-free survival rate compared with those with gaps (borderline statistical significance, 91.7% vs. 66.0%, P = 0.094).

Conclusion
Use of the VISITAG™ module significantly reduced procedure, ablation, and fluoroscopic times with a similar AF/AT recurrence rate compared with the conventional ablation. Clinical implications of minimizing gaps along the ablation line should be evaluated further in the future prospective studies.