bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kidnapping rate and capital flight: Empirical evidence from developing countries
Authors: Okafor Godwin , Ede Obiajulu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis paper contributes to the literature on capital flight by investigating the relationship between kidnapping rate and capital flight in developing countries. Numerous empirical studies exist on the determinants of capital flight but, surprisingly, none of them have investigated the empirical link between kidnapping and capital flight. To fill this existing void in the literature, this paper utilised a sample of 67 developing countries for the period 2003–2017. Estimates of the GMM technique show that kidnapping rate has a positive and significant impact on capital flight. However, estimations of the marginal differences show that this significant effect remained consistent only in the sample of ‘fragile’ developing countries. The results remained consistent to alternative measures of capital flight.
Mobile‐aided screening system for proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Boukadida Rahma , Elloumi Yaroub , Akil Mohamed , Bedoui Mohamed Hedi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNeoVascularization (NV) occurs in the Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) stage, where the development progress of new vessels presents a high risk for severe vision loss and blindness. Therefore, early NV detection is primordial to preserve patient's vision. Several automated methods have been proposed to detect the NV on retinograph‐captured fundus images. However, their employment is constrained by the reduced ophthalmologist‐per‐person ratio and the expensive equipment for image capturing.This paper presents a novel method for NV detection in smartphone‐captured fundus images. The implementation of the method on a smartphone having an optical lens for fundus capturing leads to a Mobiles‐Aided‐Screening system of PDR (MAS‐PDR). The challenge is to ensure accurate and robust detection even with moderate quality of fundus image, on reduced execution time. Within this objective, we identify the major criteria of neovascularized vessels which are tortuosity, width, bifurcation, and density. Our main contribution consists in proposing a sharp feature to reflect each criterion on reduced computational complexity processing. Therefore, the features are provided to a random forest classifier to deduce the PDR stage.A dataset raised from publicly databases is used on a 10‐cross validation process where 98.69% accuracy, 97.73% sensitivity, and 99.12% specificity are achieved. To evaluate the robustness, the same experimentation is repeated after applying motion blur filters to the fundus image dataset, where 98.91% accuracy, 96.75% sensitivity, and 100% specificity are deduced. Moreover, NV screening is performed under 3 s when executed in smartphone devices demonstrating the appropriateness of our method to MAS‐PDR.
Profiling gene expression reveals insights into pulmonary response to aerosolized botulinum toxin type A exposure in mice
Authors: Su Duo , Gan Changjiao , Jiao Zhouguang , Deng Mengyun , Li Sha , Ju Yingjiao , Qiu Yefeng , Hu Lingfei , Gao Bo , Zhou Dongsheng , Zhao Yuee , Yang Huiying 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBotulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is traditional medicine and well known for its therapeutic use as an anesthetic and in cosmetic applications that work through the inhibition of acetylcholine exocytosis in neuronal cells. BoNT/A also has the potential to function as a biological weapon due to its high mortality rate and ease of dispersal. Emerging evidence suggests that BoNT/A exhibits biological effects on nonneuronal cells. In cytology experiments, BoNT/A induces global gene expression alterations. However, pulmonary effects from exposure to aerosolized BoNT/A have not been evaluated. This study investigated the global transcriptional profile of lung tissues after botulism inhalation. A mice model of inhaled botulism was established using intratracheal exposure to aerosolized BoNT/A and described through histological examination and flow cytometry. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that genes related to acute inflammatory responses were upregulated at 12‐h postexposure. Increased expression of multiple anti‐inflammatory marker genes and decreased expression of pro‐inflammatory marker genes were observed at 48‐ to 72‐h postexposure, underscoring a transcriptional shift toward a pro‐reparative phenotype. Histological examination and cell proportions analysis mirrored these expression patterns. Accordingly, the orchestration of a quick phenotype transition prompted by BoNT/A may have the potential for promoting the resolution of the inflammatory lung. To our knowledge, this study represents the first research to investigate the pulmonary transcriptional responses of aerosolized BoNT/A exposure; the results may provide new insights in elucidating the molecular mechanism for pulmonary inhaled botulism and highlight the potential therapeutic application of BoNT/A in mitigating inflammatory conditions.
CD43 (sialophorin) is involved in the induction of extracellular matrix remodeling and angiogenesis by lung cancer cells
Authors: Vega‐Mendoza Daniela , Cañas‐Linares Alicia , Flores‐Alcantar Angel , Espinosa‐Neira Roberto , Melchy‐Perez Erika , Vera‐Estrella Rosario , Auvynet Constance , Rosenstein Yvonne 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAberrant expression of CD43 in malignant tumors of nonhematopoietic origin such as those from lung, cervix, colon, and breast has been shown to correlate with poor prognosis, providing tumor cells with enhanced motility, anchorage‐independent growth, and in vivo tumor size, while protecting the cells of NK lysis and apoptosis. To further characterize the role of CD43 in cell transformation, we tested whether interfering its expression modified the capacity of the A549 non‐small cell lung cancer cells to secrete molecules contributing to malignancy. The proteomic analysis of the secretome of serum‐starved A549 cells revealed that cells expressing normal levels of CD43 released significantly high levels of molecules involved in extracellular matrix organization, angiogenesis, platelet degranulation, collagen degradation, and inflammation, as compared to CD43 RNAi cells. This data reveals a novel and unexpected role for CD43 in lung cancer development, mainly in remodeling the tumor microenvironment.
Precision anatomy for safe approach to pancreatoduodenectomy for both open and minimally invasive procedure: A systematic review
Authors: Nakata Kohei , Higuchi Ryota , Ikenaga Naoki , Sakuma Leon , Ban Daisuke , Nagakawa Yuichi , Ohtsuka Takao , Asbun Horacio J. , Boggi Ugo , Tang Chung‐Ngai , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Nishino Hitoe , Endo Itaru , Tsuchida Akihiko , Nakamura Masafumi ,   Study Group of Precision Anatomy for Minimally Invasive Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic surgery (PAM‐HBP Surgery
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundMinimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy (MIPD) has recently gained popularity. Several international meetings focusing on the existing literature on MIPD were held; however, the precise surgical anatomy of the pancreas for the safe use of MIPD has not yet been fully discussed. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review of available articles and to show the importance of identifying the anatomical variation in pancreatoduodenectomy.MethodsIn this review, we described variations in surgical anatomy related to MIPD. A systematic search of PubMed (MEDLINE) was conducted, and the references were identified manually.ResultsThe search strategy yielded 272 articles, with 77 retained for analysis. The important anatomy to be considered during MIPD includes the aberrant right hepatic artery, first jejunal vein, first jejunal artery, and dorsal pancreatic artery. Celiac artery stenosis and a circumportal pancreas are also important to recognize.ConclusionsWe conclude that only certain anatomical variations are associated directly with perioperative outcomes and that identification of these particular variations is important for safe performance of MIPD.
Expression of inducible NOS is indispensable for the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect of imatinib in BCR–ABL positive cells
Authors: Singh Abhishek Kumar , Awasthi Deepika , Dubey Megha , Nagarkoti Sheela , Chandra Tulika , Barthwal Manoj Kumar , Tripathi Anil Kumar , Dikshit Madhu 
Published: February 2021

AbstractChronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is characterized by constitutive BCR–ABL kinase activity, an aggressive proliferation of immature cells, and reduced differentiation. Targeting tyrosine kinase activity of BCR–ABL with imatinib is an effective therapy for the newly diagnosed CML patients; however, 20%–30% of the patients initially treated with imatinib eventually experience treatment failure. Therefore, early identification of these patients is of high clinical relevance. In the present study, we by undertaking a direct comparison of inducible NOS (iNOS) status in neutrophils from healthy volunteers, newly diagnosed, imatinib responder, and resistant CML patients as well as by conducting in vitro studies in K562 cells demonstrated that inhibition of BCR–ABL by imatinib or siRNA significantly enhanced NO generation and iNOS expression. Indeed, patients exhibiting treatment failure or imatinib resistance were less likely to induce NO generation/iNOS expression. Our findings further demonstrated that imatinib mediated antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect in BCR–ABL+ cells associated with enhanced iNOS expression, and it was significantly prevented in the presence of L-NAME, 1400W, or iNOS siRNA. Overexpression of iNOS in K562 cells expectedly enhanced imatinib sensitivity on cytostasis and apoptosis, even at lower concentration (0.1 μM) of imatinib. Mechanistically, imatinib or BCR–ABL siRNA following deglutathionylation of NF-κB, enhanced its binding to iNOS promoter and induced iNOS transcription. Deglutathionylation of procaspase-3 however associated with increased caspase-3 activity and cell apoptosis. Taken together, results obtained suggest that monitoring NO/iNOS level could be useful to identify patients likely to be responsive or resistant to imatinib and can be used to personalized alternative therapy.
The role of bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs in diseases
Authors: Zhou Jiayuan , Deng Guo-Min 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Bacterial DNA containing unmethylated CpG motifs can activate immune cells to release proinflammatory cytokines. Here, the role of bacterial DNA containing CpG motifs in diseases with a focus on arthritis is discussed. Our studies demonstrate that the intraarticular injection of bacterial DNA and oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODN) induced arthritis. The induction of arthritis involves the role of macrophages over other cells such as neutrophils, NK cells, and lymphocytes. TNF-α and TNFRI play an important role in the development of arthritis. NF-κB also plays a critical regulatory role in arthritis. Systemic anti-inflammatory treatment, along with antibiotic therapy, has beneficial effects on the course and the outcome of bacterial arthritis. Thus, future treatment strategies for bacterial arthritis should include attempts to minimizing bacterial growth while blocking the proinflammatory effects of the bacterial DNA. Significant therapeutic efficiency has also been shown by CpG ODN-mediated Th1 immune activation in mouse models of cancer, infectious disease, and allergy/asthma.
Excellent response to asfotase alfa treatment in an adolescent patient with hypophosphatasia
Authors: Strandbech Olivia Sarah , Lund Allan , Ostergaard Elsebet 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by deficient activity of alkaline phosphatase, causing defective mineralization of bones and teeth. The symptoms vary from no symptoms to stillbirth or skeletal manifestations. Since 2015, asfotase alfa, an enzyme replacement treatment, has been approved for pediatric use in some jurisdictions. We describe the clinical outcome of asfotase alfa therapy in an adolescent patient with childhood HPP. The patient was diagnosed with HPP at 13 months. She had a history of hypertonia and failure to thrive from age 3 months. During childhood the patient experienced chronic skeletal pain, requiring daily use of analgesics and school absences. Her plasma pyridoxal‐5‐phosphate was elevated at >2500 mmol/L, phosphoethanolamine at 11 μM, and ALP decreased at 25 U/L. On the visual analog scale (VAS), a scale used to determine pain intensity, she stated an average of 7 (maximum 10) at age 13. She had no abnormalities on radiography. At age 13 the patient was started on asfotase alfa 1 mg/kg given subcutaneously 6 times weekly. Three months after treatment the patient had a decreased P‐pyridoxal‐5‐phosphate level of 41 mmol/L, used fewer analgesics, and a lower average VAS‐score. At every follow‐up, she continued to exhibit improved biochemical values, along with lower VAS‐scores. In conclusion, asfotase alfa significantly improved the patient's quality of life. This case suggests an association between children with HPP without radiographic abnormalities, but a debilitating pain phenotype, and a significant pain reduction on enzyme replacement therapy. Thus, this therapy should be considered in such patients.
The genotype distribution and phylodynamic of measles viruses circulating in the east of China in postvaccine era, 2005–2017
Authors: Lu Peishan , Deng Xiuying , Hu Ying , Guo Hongxiong 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe increase of the evolutionary pressure will cause phylodynamics changes of viruses. In post‐vaccine coverage era, measles viruses face more immune pressure than ever before. Vice versa, the phylodynamic changes may reflect herd immunity level provided by vaccination. In this study, we analyzed phylodynamic characteristics of measles viruses isolated from 2005 to 2017 in Jiangsu province of China using nucleoprotein gene sequences of measles viruses. The phylogenetic tree was constructed with Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. The mean gene distance within each group was computed with MEGA7.0 software. Our results showed that a decline trend is observed in the gene distance of nucleoprotein gene with time as well as incidence of measles from epidemic surveillance system. Two clusters of H1a genotype show cocirculation of multiple variants in early years and the disappearance of most variants with time. We explore the phylodynamic of measles virus under high immune pressure. Our findings highlight that phylodynamic of measles viruses is a helpful tool to assess the effectiveness of epidemic control.
Droplet digital PCR of viral ‎DNA/RNA, current progress, challenges, and future perspectives
Authors: Kojabad Amir Asri , Farzanehpour Mahdieh , Galeh Hadi Esmaeili Gouvarchin , Dorostkar Ruhollah , Jafarpour Ali , Bolandian Masoumeh , Nodooshan Majid Mirzaei 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHigh‐throughput droplet‐based digital PCR (ddPCR) is a refinement of the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‎ methods. In ddPCR, DNA/RNA is encapsulated stochastically inside the microdroplets as reaction chambers. A small percentage of the reaction chamber contains one or fewer copies of the DNA or RNA. After PCR amplification, concentrations are determined based on the proportion of nonfluorescent partitions through the Poisson distribution. Some of the main features of ddPCR include high sensitivity and specificity, absolute quantification without a standard curve, high reproducibility, good tolerance to PCR inhibitor, and high efficacy compared to conventional molecular methods. These advantages make ddPCR a valuable addition to the virologist's toolbox. The following review outlines the recent technological advances in ddPCR methods and their applications in viral identification.
Evaluation of commercially available immuno‐magnetic agglutination in comparison to enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays for rapid point‐of‐care diagnostics of COVID‐19
Authors: Moeller Maria E. , Fock Jeppe , Pah Pearlyn , Veras Antia De La C. , Bade Melanie , Donolato Marco , Israelsen Simone B. , Eugen‐Olsen Jesper , Benfield Thomas , Engsig Frederik N. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is caused by Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Fast, accurate, and simple blood‐based assays for quantification of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies are urgently needed to identify infected individuals and keep track of the spread of disease.MethodsThe study included 33 plasma samples from 20 individuals with confirmed COVID‐19 by real‐time reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and 40 non‐COVID‐19 plasma samples. Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin M (IgM)/immunoglobulin A (IgA) or immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies were detected by a microfluidic quantitative immunomagnetic assay (IMA) (ViroTrack Sero COVID IgM + IgA/IgG Ab, Blusense Diagnostics) and compared to an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (EuroImmun Medizinische Labordiagnostika).ResultsOf the 33 plasma samples from the COVID‐19 patients, 28 were positive for IgA/IgM or IgG by IMA and 29 samples were positive by ELISA. Sensitivity for only one sample per patient was 68% for IgA + IgM and 75% IgG by IMA and 80% by ELISA. For samples collected 14 days after symptom onset, the sensitivity of both IMA and ELISA was around 91%. The specificity of the IMA reached 100% compared to 95% for ELISA IgA and 97.5% for ELISA IgG.ConclusionIMA for COVID‐19 is a rapid simple‐to‐use point‐of‐care test with sensitivity and specificity similar to a commercial ELISA.
Disseminating Knowledge in Intestinal Failure: Initial Report of the Learn Intestinal Failure Tele‐ECHO (LIFT‐ECHO) Project
Authors: Iyer Kishore , Nisenholtz Marjorie , Gutierrez David , Winkler Marion , Tappenden Kelly , Seidner Douglas , Kirby Donald F , Spangenburg Michelle , Potts Ronald , Bonagura Anthony , Bishop Joan , Metzger Lisa , Arora Sanjeev 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundIntestinal failure (IF) is defined as an ultrarare disease, with an estimated prevalence of ∼25,000 cases in the US. There is a suspicion of disparities in outcomes in IF care, likely related to widespread lack of expertise. The Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model originally described by Dr Sanjeev Arora has been used to disseminate knowledge and best practices in many chronic diseases to improve outcomes. We examined our initial experience with using the ECHO model to disseminate learning in IF.MethodThis is a retrospective review of the launch, growth, and geographic reach of the Learn Intestinal Failure TeleECHO (LIFT‐ECHO) program using prospectively collected data.ResultsThe LIFT‐ECHO program has achieved significant geographic reach and clinician engagement. The program has reached close to two‐thirds of the states in the US and several countries outside. Clinician engagement in the learning program appears to be growing exponentially.ConclusionIt is feasible to use the ECHO model to disseminate knowledge in managing a rare disease like IF while maintaining fidelity to the proven model. Studies are underway to demonstrate direct benefit to patients.
The missing Myopus: plugging the gaps in Late Pleistocene small mammal identification in western Europe with geometric morphometrics
Authors: Arbez Louis , Royer Aurelien , Schreve Danielle , Laffont Remi , David Serge , Montuire Sophie 
Published: February 2021

AbstractLemmus and Myopus are two lemming species with distinct habitat requirements but which show very similar dental morphologies. They are thus extremely difficult to distinguish from one another in the fossil record on the basis of their dental remains, leading to poor understanding of the palaeobiogeographical evolution of Myopus as well as inaccurate palaeoenvrionmental reconstructions. Currently, the presence of Myopus in the fossil register from the Pleistocene is still debated and no firm occurrence of this lemming in western Europe has yet been confirmed for the Late Pleistocene. In this paper, we used geometric morphometrics on modern material to establish morphological differences between Lemmus and Myopus teeth (first lower and third upper molars). Morphological data were then used to build a robust linear discriminant model able to confidently classify isolated teeth of these two genera, and finally, linear discriminant models were used on fossil remains of Lemmus/Myopus from two Late Pleistocene archaeological/palaeontological sites (Grotte des Gorges and Gully Cave). This study demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of Myopus schisticolor in west European Late Pleistocene sites between the end of Marine Isotope Stage 3 and the beginning of the Holocene, during climatic events that favoured the development of taiga forest of birch and pine in these regions.
Capturing the underlying distribution in meta‐analysis: Credibility and tolerance intervals
Authors: Brannick Michael T. , French Kimberly A. , Rothstein Hannah R. , Kiselica Andrew M. , Apostoloski Nenad 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTolerance intervals provide a bracket intended to contain a percentage (e.g., 80%) of a population distribution given sample estimates of the mean and variance. In random‐effects meta‐analysis, tolerance intervals should contain researcher‐specified proportions of underlying population effect sizes. Using Monte Carlo simulation, we investigated the coverage for five relevant tolerance interval estimators: the Schmidt‐Hunter credibility intervals, a prediction interval, two content tolerance intervals adapted to meta‐analysis, and a bootstrap tolerance interval. None of the intervals contained the desired percentage of coverage at the nominal rates in all conditions. However, the prediction worked well unless the number of primary studies was small (<30), and one of the content tolerance intervals approached nominal levels with small numbers (<20) of primary studies. The bootstrap tolerance interval achieved near nominal coverage if there were sufficient numbers of primary studies (30+) and large enough sample sizes (N ≅ 70) in the included primary studies, although it slightly exceeded nominal coverage with large numbers of large‐sample primary studies. Next, we showed the results of applying the intervals to real data using a set of previously published analyses and provided suggestions for practice. Tolerance intervals incorporate error of estimation into the construction of proper brackets for fractions of population true effects. In many contexts, such intervals approach the desired nominal levels of coverage.
Standardizing terminology for text recycling in research writing
Authors: Moskovitz Cary 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBecause research in science, engineering and medical fields advances incrementally, researchers routinely write papers that build directly on their prior work. While each new research article is expected to make a novel contribution, researchers often need to repeat some material—method details, background and so on—from their previous articles, a practice called ‘text recycling’. While increasing awareness of text recycling has led to the proliferation of policies, journal editorials and scholarly articles addressing the practice, these documents tend to employ inconsistent terminology—using different terms to name the same key ideas and, even more problematic, using the same terms with different meanings. These inconsistencies make it difficult for readers to know precisely how the ideas or expectations articulated in one document relate to those of others. This paper first clarifies the problems with current terminology, showing how key terms are used inconsistently across publisher policies for authors, guidelines for editors and textbooks on research ethics. It then offers a new taxonomy of text‐recycling practices with terms designed to align with the acceptability of these practices in common research writing and publishing contexts.