bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geranylgeranylacetone decreases the production of hepatitis B virus‐related antigen by comprehensive downregulation of mRNA transcription activity
Authors: Haraguchi Masafumi , Miuma Satoshi , Yamamoto Kazuo , Nakao Yasuhiko , Ichikawa Tatsuki , Kanda Yasuko , Sasaki Ryu , Fukushima Masanori , Akazawa Yuko , Miyaaki Hisamitsu , Nakao Kazuhiko 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground and AimElimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is infrequently achieved with current therapies. Therefore, more effective anti‐HBV therapy is needed. We previously reported that geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) showed anti‐hepatitis C virus activity in human hepatoma cells. In this study, we examined the anti‐HBV activity of GGA.MethodsWe used HepG2.2.15.7 cells, PXB cells infected with HBV, Huh7 cells transfected with linear HBV, and PLC/PRF/5 cells as HBV‐infected hepatocyte models. After GGA treatment, HBV‐related antigen was measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. HBV‐related mRNA was examined by Northern blot. cccDNA and endoplasmic reticulum stress markers were measured by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The activities of HBV promoters and enhancer regions were examined using luciferase vectors.ResultsAfter GGA treatment, hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B e antigen secretion was decreased in all HBV‐infected hepatocyte models. HBV‐related mRNA was also decreased by GGA treatment, although cccDNA levels were not affected. Additionally, the activity of HBV S1 and S2 promoter region and Enhancer 1/Enhancer 2/core promoter region was reduced by GGA treatment. The mRNA expression of the main transcription factors, hepatocyte nuclear factor 3 and 4 and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein, was also decreased. Further, the expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers were increased by GGA treatment, which reflected the change in HBV‐related antigen secretion.ConclusionsGeranylgeranylacetone treatment reduces HBV‐related protein levels by suppressing comprehensive downregulation of HBV promoter and enhancer activity, which might be caused by decreased hepatic transcription factor expression. GGA treatment may enhance anti‐HBV effects in combination with other therapies.
The role of sleep in telogen effluvium and trichodynia: A commentary in the context of the current pandemic
Authors: Xerfan Ellen M.S. , Andersen Monica L. , Facina Anamaria S. , Tufik Sergio , Tomimori Jane 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTelogen effluvium (TE), a common hair disease, is supposed to be related to stress, which could be secondary to poor sleep. We call attention to the current COVID‐19 pandemic, that is leading to an increase in the prevalence of sleep disturbances, and as a consequence, higher states of stress and anxiety, which are possible triggers for TE. In parallel, trichodynia is a sensorial symptom that is commonly related with hair diseases, including TE. We argue that substance P, a neuropeptide that has participation in the neuroinflammation and in the sleep regulation, may play a possible role in this scalp paresthesia. We suggest that there may be an association between this substrate and sleep, which can aggravate trichodynia and TE. Further studies on this subject could provide more evidence on these relationships, and help to improve the patients’ quality of life and management of the condition.
Increases in uric acid and monocyte‐high‐density lipoprotein ratio as possible atherosclerotic indicators in acne patients using isotretinoin
Authors: Metin Nurcan , Turan Çağrı 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPurposeWe aimed to reveal the relationship of serum uric acid (SUA) with monocyte‐high‐density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) and other inflammatory markers in acne patients before and after isotretinoin treatment. In this way, we can try to shed light on the relationship between isotretinoin treatment and atherosclerosis.MethodsTwo hundred twenty‐four acne patients who administered isotretinoin (0.5‐1 mg/kg/day) were enrolled in the study. In the pretreatment phase and 3 months after treatment, MHR, SUA, mean platelet volume, neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio, monocyte‐lymphocyte ratio, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels of the patients were analyzed.ResultsCompared to the pretreatment phase, three months after treatment, there was a statistically decrease in neutrophil count and an increase in lymphocyte count (p: 0.002, p: 0.011, respectively). Accordingly, there was a statistically significant decrease in NLR (p: 0.001). It was noteworthy that MHR and SUA levels increased significantly (p: 0.042, p: 0.010, respectively) and there was a positive correlation between SUA level and MHR (r: 0.212, p: 0.012). Serum total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels increased and HDL levels decreased significantly after treatment (p: 0.001).ConclusionThis study contributes to the comprehension of the relationship between isotretinoin treatment and atherosclerosis, which has been frequently reported in the literature. It was thought that the isotretinoin‐induced SUA increase might be related to dyslipidemia. Isotretinoin may initiate the atherosclerotic process in vascular endothelial and smooth muscles, with SUA increase and HDL decrease. An increase in MHR is also an inflammatory marker indicating this process.
A comparison of the efficacy of silicone gel containing onion extract and aloe vera to silicone gel sheets to prevent postoperative hypertrophic scars and keloids
Authors: Pangkanon Watsachon , Yenbutra Putthiporn , Kamanamool Nanticha , Tannirandorn Apichaya , Udompataikul Montree 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundHypertrophic scars and keloids are postsurgery problems. Some studies showed that onion extract and aloe vera might be beneficial for postoperative scars. However, few of the randomized clinical trials were investigated.AimsTo compare the efficacy of silicone gel containing onion extract and aloe vera (SGOA) to silicone gel sheets (SGS) to prevent postoperative hypertrophic scars and keloids.MethodsThe prospective randomized assessor‐blind controlled trial was conducted with 40 patients who had undergone surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: one treated with SGOA, the other with SGS. The patients were evaluated after 1, 2, and 3 months. The objective assessment was to determine the incidences of scarring, erythema, and melanin values using Mexameter, and pliability through Cutometer. The subjective assessment consisted of the patient and observer scar assessment scale (POSAS) and patient satisfaction.ResultsAfter the 12‐week follow‐up, there was no statistically significant difference in the scarring incidence rate of both groups. There were no statistical differences in the POSAS score, erythema, and melanin value between both groups. Using objective assessment, pliability in the SGOA group was statistically significantly higher compared to the SGS group. Pain and itchiness significantly decreased in both groups. No adverse effects were reported in either group.ConclusionSilicone gel containing onion extract and aloe vera is effective as SGS for postoperative scar prevention.
Morphological Awareness: A Tool to Promote Reading Fluency and Accuracy in Hebrew in Students with Reading Disabilities
Authors: Vaknin‐Nusbaum Vered 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe effectiveness of a morphological awareness (MA) intervention program on reading fluency and accuracy performance was examined in 40 students with reading disabilities in fourth to sixth grade, ranging in age from nine to 12 years old (M = 10.51, SD = 0.89). The study used an experimental pre–post design consisting of a morphological intervention group and a comparison group. Students participating in the 15‐week intervention program showed an advantage over comparison group students in all measures. Their improvement in MA resulted in a better reading fluency and accuracy performance as well as a significant change in reading level according to national norms. The results suggest that disabled readers can benefit from morphological intervention and use morphological cues in reading.
Serum thrombospondin 2 is a novel predictor for the severity in the patients with NAFLD
Authors: Kimura Takefumi , Tanaka Naoki , Fujimori Naoyuki , Yamazaki Tomoo , Katsuyama Takahito , Iwashita Yuichi , Pham Jonathan , Joshita Satoru , Pydi Sai P. , Umemura Takeji 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimThrombospondins are a family of multidomain and secretory glycoproteins. Among them, thrombospondin 2 (TSP2) encoded by TSP2 gene has been reported to be involved in various functions such as collagen/fibrin formation, maintenance of normal blood vessel density and cell adhesion properties. Microarray analyses ranked TSP2 as one of the most highly up‐regulated genes in the fibrotic liver in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Since TSP2 possesses unique properties as a secretory protein, we hypothesized that hepatic TSP2 gene expression levels would be reflected in serum TSP2 levels. In this study, we examined the relationship between serum TSP2 concentrations and clinicopathological findings in NAFLD patients.MethodsOne hundred and thirty NAFLD patients who had undergone liver biopsy between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively enrolled. Serum samples were collected at the time of biopsy, and TSP2 was measured by enzyme immunoassays.ResultsSerum TSP2 levels moderately correlated with ballooning (r = 0.56, P < .001) and fibrosis stage (r = 0.53, P < .001). The AUC values of TSP2 for predicting mild fibrosis (≧F1), moderate fibrosis (≧F2) and severe fibrosis (≧F3) were 0.73, 0.76 and 0.82 respectively. Additionally, NAFLD activity score (NAS) correlated best with TSP2 (r = 0.52, P < .001) compared to conventional NAFLD‐related biomarkers, such as cytokeratin 18 M30, hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen 7S, APRI and FIB‐4 index.ConclusionSerum TSP2 levels reflected hepatocyte ballooning, fibrosis and NAS in NAFLD patients. For clinical application of serum TSP2 as a predictor of NAFLD histological activity, additional validation and mechanistic investigations are required.
Overexpression of CD168 is related to poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhu Su‐Wen , Wang Shuo , Wu Zhi‐Zhong , Yang Qi‐Chao , Chen De‐Run , Wan Shu‐Cheng , Sun Zhi‐Jun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectivesReceptor for hyaluronic acid (HA)‐mediated motility (RHAMM) is also known as CD168. This study proposed to elucidate the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of CD168 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).Materials and methodsImmune staining of a human tissue microarray and Western blot were used to reveal the expression level of CD168 in OSCC. Correlations between clinicopathological indexes and CD168 expression in OSCC patients were assessed.ResultsIncreased expression of CD168 was detected in OSCC tissues. High expression of CD168 indicated worse survival of patients (p < .05). Furthermore, high expression of CD168 was related to pathological grade in OSCC (p < .05). CD168 expression was positively related to programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1), CKLF‐like MARVEL transmembrane domain‐containing protein 6 (CMTM6), B7 homology 4 protein (B7‐H4), CD44, CD133, and Slug expression in OSCC.ConclusionThis study revealed the overexpression of CD168 in OSCC and shed light on the prognostic significance of CD168 expression in OSCC patients.
Transvenous lead performance of implantable cardioverter‐defibrillators and pacemakers
Authors: Mori Hitoshi , Kato Ritsushi , Ikeda Yoshifumi , Tsutsui Kenta , Hoya Hiroki , Tanaka Sayaka , Iwanaga Shiro , Nakano Shintaro , Muramatsu Toshihiro , Sumitomo Naokata , Matsumoto Kazuo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundAfter the reports of recalled leads, several technological improvements have been introduced and the durability of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads has improved. The incidence of lead failures is now less than in the previous studies. However, there are few reports that have shown the long‐term durability of ICD leads as compared to pacemaker (PM) leads. This study analyzed the medium to long‐term performance of transvenous ICD leads as compared to PM leads.MethodsWe retrospectively studied 1227 cases from April 2007 to December 2017 who underwent an initial transvenous ICD or PM implantation. The number of lead failures and patient background characteristics were analyzed.ResultsDuring a median 3–3.5 years follow up period, 1 (0.3%) ICD lead and 18 (2.4%) PM leads failed. The incidence of lead failures was significantly higher in the PM group than ICD group (p = .019). Males were associated with a higher incidence of lead failures in the PM group.ConclusionSince the era of recalled ICD leads, the durability of ICD leads has remarkably improved and the incidence of lead failures with non‐recalled ICD leads has been less than that for PM leads.
The genetic architecture of the dynamic changes in grain moisture in maize
Authors: Li Wenqiang , Yu Yanhui , Wang Luxi , Luo Yun , Peng Yong , Xu Yuancheng , Liu Xiangguo , Wu Shenshen , Jian Liumei , Xu Jieting , Xiao Yingjie , Yan Jianbing 
Published: January 2021

SummaryLow grain moisture at harvest is crucial for safe production, transport and storage, but the genetic architecture of this trait in maize (Zea mays) remains elusive. Here, we measured the dynamic changes in grain moisture content in an association‐mapping panel of 513 diverse maize inbred lines at five successive stages across five geographical environments. Genome‐wide association study (GWAS) revealed 71 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence grain moisture in maize. Epistatic effects play vital roles in the variability in moisture levels, even outperforming main‐effect QTLs during the early dry‐down stages. Distinct QTL–environment interactions influence the spatio‐temporal variability of maize grain moisture, which is primarily triggered at specific times. By combining genetic population analysis, transcriptomic profiling and gene editing, we identified GRMZM5G805627 and GRMZM2G137211 as candidate genes underlying major QTLs for grain moisture in maize. Our results provide insights into the genetic architecture of dynamic changes in grain moisture, which should facilitate maize breeding.
Regime complexity and managing financial data streams: The orchestration of trade reporting for derivatives
Authors: Quaglia Lucia , Spendzharova Aneta 
Published: January 2021

AbstractInternational regime complexity has become a prominent feature of the global economy and world politics. The international governance of derivatives markets is a notable case of this phenomenon in finance because a variety of post‐crisis rules have been issued by a multitude of international standard‐setting bodies. By combining the regime complexity and orchestration frameworks, we explain the precision and scope of international standards for derivatives trade reporting. We show how a collective orchestrator (the Group of Twenty) and a hub intermediary (the Financial Stability Board) managed regime complexity through the orchestration of the available intermediaries. We also seek to refine the orchestration framework by explaining how the mechanism of issue de‐linkage can be used to manage the partly diverging goals among states within the collective orchestrator. Our findings are relevant for the global regulation and governance of other policy areas characterized by a multiplicity of actors and interlinked issues, such as trade, energy, and environmental policy.
Crises as driver of policy accumulation: Regulatory change and ratcheting in German asylum policies between 1975 and 2019
Authors: Knill Christoph , Steinebach Yves 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhile there is broad scholarly agreement on the pattern of ever‐growing policy stocks in modern democracies, research on the drivers of policy accumulation is still in its infancy. This holds in particular for the role of crises and external shocks. While the relationship between crisis events and the change of individual policies is fairly uncontested, we lack systematic knowledge on the extent to which crises trigger policy accumulation. To address this research gap, we analyze if and to what extent crises drive the accumulation of sectoral policies over time. Focusing on the development of German asylum policy, we show that crises constitute major “regulatory ratchets”. While the policy stock remained rather constant in noncrisis times, crisis events led to the addition of multiple new policy elements, moving policy accumulation toward a new “plateau”. Crises hence not only increase the likelihood of substantial policy change but also for policy accumulation.
Social Assistance Amidst the COVID‐19 Epidemic in South Africa: A Policy Assessment
Authors: Bhorat Haroon , Oosthuizen Morné , Stanwix Ben 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn an attempt to minimise the negative economic impacts of COVID‐19 on vulnerable households the South African government allocated R50 billion in additional social assistance spending. The cash transfer package included a temporary increase in existing grants and introduced a new “Covid grant.” We assess the chosen package and compare it with an initial proposal to increase the Child Support Grant (CSG). Coverage, cost and welfare effects are calculated to measure the relative impacts in each case. We find that while a significant increase in the CSG delivers resources most progressively, the addition of the COVID‐19 grant may potentially reach a much larger group of otherwise uncovered, vulnerable individuals. Critically, this extended coverage comes at a cost to the poorest households, via additional transfers to the upper income deciles. However, we identify several categories of vulnerable household groups which suggests that the workers most negatively affected by the pandemic are not necessarily those in the poorest households. The paper emphasises that social assistance to mitigate the consequences of COVID‐19 should not be viewed necessarily as a standard poverty reduction exercise, but rather as an attempt to mitigate COVID‐19‐related income shocks for the vulnerable who were most negatively affected by the pandemic.
An analysis of systematic effects in finite size scaling studies using the gradient flow
Authors: Nada Alessandro , Ramos Alberto 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWe propose a new strategy for the determination of the step scaling function $$\sigma (u)$$

σ
(
u
)

in finite size scaling studies using the gradient flow. In this approach the determination of $$\sigma (u)$$

σ
(
u
)

is broken in two pieces: a change of the flow time at fixed physical size, and a change of the size of the system at fixed flow time. Using both perturbative arguments and a set of simulations in the pure gauge theory we show that this approach leads to a better control over the continuum extrapolations. Following this new proposal we determine the running coupling at high energies in the pure gauge theory and re-examine the determination of the $$\Lambda $$
Λ
-parameter, with special care on the perturbative truncation uncertainties.
Spin and entanglement in general relativity
Authors: Horwitz Lawrence P. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn a previous paper, we have shown how the classical and quantum relativistic dynamics of the Stueckelberg–Horwitz–Piron [SHP] theory can be embedded in general relativity (GR). We briefly review the SHP theory here and, in particular, the formulation of the theory of spin in the framework of relativistic quantum theory. We show here how the quantum theory of relativistic spin can be embedded, using a theorem of Abraham, Marsden and Ratiu and also explicit derivation, into the framework of GR by constructing a local induced representation. The relation to the work of Fock and Ivanenko is also discussed. We show that in a gravitational field there is a highly complex structure for the spin distribution in the support of the wave function. We then discuss entanglement for the spins in a two body system.
Cyclic proofs, system t, and the power of contraction
Authors: Kuperberg Denis , Pinault Laureline , Pous Damien 
Published: January 2021

We study a cyclic proof system C over regular expression types, inspired by linear logic and non-wellfounded proof theory. Proofs in C can be seen as strongly typed goto programs. We show that they denote computable total functions and we analyse the relative strength of C and Gödel’s system T. In the general case, we prove that the two systems capture the same functions on natural numbers. In the affine case, i.e., when contraction is removed, we prove that they capture precisely the primitive recursive functions—providing an alternative and more general proof of a result by Dal Lago, about an affine version of system T.
Without contraction, we manage to give a direct and uniform encoding of C into T, by analysing cycles and translating them into explicit recursions. Whether such a direct and uniform translation from C to T can be given in the presence of contraction remains open.

We obtain the two upper bounds on the expressivity of C using a different technique: we formalise weak normalisation of a small step reduction semantics in subsystems of second-order arithmetic:
ACA
0
and
RCA
0
.
Generating collection transformations from proofs
Authors: Benedikt Michael , Pradic Pierre 
Published: January 2021

Nested relations, built up from atomic types via product and set types, form a rich data model. Over the last decades the nested relational calculus, NRC, has emerged as a standard language for defining transformations on nested collections. NRC is a strongly-typed functional language which allows building up transformations using tupling and projections, a singleton-former, and a map operation that lifts transformations on tuples to transformations on sets.
In this work we describe an alternative declarative method of describing transformations in logic. A formula with distinguished inputs and outputs gives an implicit definition if one can prove that for each input there is only one output that satisfies it. Our main result shows that one can synthesize transformations from proofs that a formula provides an implicit definition, where the proof is in an intuitionistic calculus that captures a natural style of reasoning about nested collections. Our polynomial time synthesis procedure is based on an analog of Craig's interpolation lemma, starting with a provable containment between terms representing nested collections and generating an NRC expression that interpolates between them.
We further show that NRC expressions that implement an implicit definition can be found when there is a classical proof of functionality, not just when there is an intuitionistic one. That is, whenever a formula implicitly defines a transformation, there is an NRC expression that implements it.