bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transanal versus conventional total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer using the IDEAL framework for implementation
Authors: Robertson R L , Karimuddin A , Phang T , Raval M , Brown C 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is an innovative technique for distal rectal cancer dissection. It has been shown to have similar short-term outcomes to conventional open and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (cTME), but recent studies have raised concern about increased morbidity and local recurrence rates. The aim of this study was to assess outcomes after TaTME versus cTME for rectal cancer.

Methods
TaTME was implemented in 2014 using IDEAL principles in a single institution. The institution maintains databases for all patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. This retrospective review compared data collected from all patients who had TaTME with those from a propensity-matched cohort of patients who underwent cTME. The primary outcome was a composite pathological measure combining margin status and quality of total mesorectal excision (TME). Short-term clinical and survival outcomes were also measured.

Results
Propensity matching created 109 matched pairs for analysis. Nine patients (8.3 per cent) undergoing TaTME had positive margins and/or incomplete TME, compared with 11 (10.5 per cent) undergoing cTME (P = 0.65). There were no significant differences in morbidity between the TaTME and cTME groups, including number of anastomotic leaks (13.8 versus 18.3 per cent; P = 0.37). The estimated 3-year local recurrence-free survival rate was 96.3 per cent in both groups (P = 0.39). Estimated 3-year overall (93.6 per cent for TaTME versus 94.5 per cent for cTME; P = 0.09) and disease-free (88.1 versus 76.1 per cent; P = 0.90) survival rates were similar.

Conclusion
TaTME provided similar outcomes to cTME for rectal cancer with the application of IDEAL principles.
Inducibility, but not stability, of atrial fibrillation is increased by NOX2 overexpression in mice
Authors: Mighiu Alexandra S , Recalde Alice , Ziberna Klemen , Carnicer Ricardo , Tomek Jakub , Bub Gil , Brewer Alison C , Verheule Sander , Shah Ajay M , Simon Jillian N , Casadei Barbara 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Aims
Gp91-containing NADPH oxidases (NOX2) are a significant source of myocardial superoxide production. An increase in NOX2 activity accompanies atrial fibrillation (AF) induction and electrical remodelling in animal models and predicts incident AF in humans; however, a direct causal role for NOX2 in AF has not been demonstrated. Accordingly, we investigated whether myocardial NOX2 overexpression in mice (NOX2-Tg) is sufficient to generate a favourable substrate for AF and further assessed the effects of atorvastatin, an inhibitor of NOX2, on atrial superoxide production and AF susceptibility.

Methods and results
NOX2-Tg mice showed a 2- to 2.5-fold higher atrial protein content of NOX2 compared with wild-type (WT) controls, which was associated with a significant (twofold) increase in NADPH-stimulated superoxide production (2-hydroxyethidium by HPLC) in left and right atrial tissue homogenates (P = 0.004 and P = 0.019, respectively). AF susceptibility assessed in vivo by transoesophageal atrial burst stimulation was modestly increased in NOX2-Tg compared with WT (probability of AF induction: 88% vs. 69%, respectively; P = 0.037), in the absence of significant alterations in AF duration, surface ECG parameters, and LV mass or function. Mechanistic studies did not support a role for NOX2 in promoting electrical or structural remodelling, as high-resolution optical mapping of atrial tissues showed no differences in action potential duration and conduction velocity between genotypes. In addition, we did not observe any genotype difference in markers of fibrosis and inflammation, including atrial collagen content and Col1a1, Il-1β, Il-6, and Mcp-1 mRNA. Similarly, NOX2 overexpression did not have consistent effects on RyR2 Ca2+ leak nor did it affect PKA or CaMKII-mediated RyR2 phosphorylation. Finally, treatment with atorvastatin significantly inhibited atrial superoxide production in NOX2-Tg but had no effect on AF induction in either genotype.

Conclusion
Together, these data indicate that while atrial NOX2 overexpression may contribute to atrial arrhythmogenesis, NOX2-derived superoxide production does not affect the electrical and structural properties of the atrial myocardium.
GENETIC ANALYSIS OF RESISTANCE TO BENZIMIDAZOLES IN PHYSARUM: DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION OF β-TUBULIN GENES
Authors: Burland Timothy G , Schedl Tim , Gull Keith , Dove William F 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Physarum displays two vegetative cell types, uninucleate myxamoebae and multinucleate plasmodia. Mutant myxamoebae of Physarum resistant to the antitubulin drug methylbenzimidazole-2-yl-carbamate (MBC) were isolated. All mutants tested were cross-resistant to other benzimidazoles but not to cycloheximide or emetine. Genetic analysis showed that mutation to MBC resistance can occur at any one of four unlinked loci, benA, benB, benC or benD. MBC resistance of benB and benD mutants was expressed in plasmodia, but benA and benC mutant plasmodia were MBC sensitive, suggesting that benA and benC encode myxamoeba-specific products. Myxamoebae carrying the recessive benD210 mutation express a β-tubulin with noval electrophoretic mobility, in addition to a β-tubulin with wild-type mobility. This and other evidence indicates that benD is a structural gene for β-tubulin, and that at least two β-tubulin genes are expressed in myxamoebae. Comparisons of the β-tubulins of wildtype and benD210 strains by gel electrophoresis revealed that, of the three (or more) β-tubulin genes expressed in Physarum, one, benD, is expressed in both myxamoebae and plasmodia, one is expressed specifically in myxamoebae and one is expressed specifically in plasmodia. However, mutation in only one gene, benD, is sufficient to confer MBC resistance on both myxamoebae and plasmodia.
GENETICS OF THE TUBULIN GENE FAMILIES OF PHYSARUM
Authors: Schedl Tim , Owens Judi , Dove William F , Burland Timothy G 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
The organization of the α- and β-tubulin gene families in Physarum was investigated by Mendelian analysis. Restriction endonuclease-generated DNA fragments homologous to α- and β-tubulin show length polymorphisms that can be used as markers for genetic mapping. Analysis of meiotic assortment among progeny of heterozygotes allowed α- and β-tubulin sequence loci to be defined. There are four unlinked α-tubulin sequence loci (altA, altB, altC and altD) and at least three unlinked β-tubulin sequence loci (betA, betB and betC). The α-tubulin loci are not linked to the β-tubulin loci. —Segregation of tubulin sequence loci with respect to ben mutations that confer resistance to antitubulin benzimidazole drugs was used to investigate whether any members of the α- or β-tubulin gene families are allelic to ben loci. The β-tubulin sequence locus betB is allelic to the resistance locus benD, the betA locus is probably allelic to benA and the α-tubulin sequence locus altC may be allelic to benC. The molecular implications of benzimidazole resistance phenotypes when only one of the expressed β-tubulin gene family members mutates to drug resistance are discussed in relation to tubulin function.
GENETIC ANALYSIS OF NATURAL POPULATIONS OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER IN JAPAN. II. THE MEASUREMENT OF FITNESS AND FITNESS COMPONENTS IN HOMOZYGOUS LINES
Authors: Yamazaki Tsuneyuki , Hirose Yasuko 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Fifty lethal-free, sterility-free isogenic lines of Drosophila melanogaster that were randomly sampled from a natural population were tested for net fitness and other components of fitness by competition with D. hydei. Larval viability and developmental time were also measured using the balanced marker method. Distribution patterns of these fitness components were similar, but correlation between the fitness components varied depending on the combinations used. The highest correlations were obtained between net fitness and productivity (rp = 0.6987, rg = 0.9269). The correlation between net fitness and total larval viability was much lower (rp = 0.1473 and rg = 0.2171). These results indicate that measuring net fitness, not just a component of fitness, is necessary for the good understanding of the genetic structures of natural populations.
REGULATION OF REPRESSIBLE ACID PHOSPHATASE BY CYCLIC AMP IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE
Authors: Matsumoto Kunihiro , Uno Isao , Ishikawa Tatsuo 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
One of the cyr1 mutants (cyr1-2) in yeast produced low levels of adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP at 25° and was unable to derepress acid phosphatase. Addition of cyclic AMP to the cyr1-2 cultures elevated the level of repressible acid phosphatase activity. The bcy1 mutation, which suppresses the cyr1-2 mutation by allowing activity of a cyclic AMP-independent protein kinase, also allows acid phosphatase synthesis without restoring adenylate cyclase activity. The CYR3 mutant had structurally altered cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and was unable to derepress acid phosphatase. The cyr1 locus was different from pho2, pho4 and pho81, which were known to regulate acid phosphatase synthesis. Mutants carrying cyr1-2 and pho80, PHO81c, PHO82 or pho85 mutations, which confer constitutive synthesis of repressible acid phosphatase, produced acid phosphatase. The cyr1-2 mutant produced significantly low levels of invertase and α- d-glucosidase. These results indicated that cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase exerts its function in the synthesis of repressible acid phosphatase and other enzymes.
MARGINAL OVERDOMINANCE IN DROSOPHILA
Authors: Wills Christopher 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
A reanalysis of Drosophila viability data was undertaken to determine the role of genotype-environment interactions in the maintenance of polymorphism. Between-replicate variances of viabilities in chromosomal homozygotes and heterozygotes with the same mean fitnesses were compared, with the expectation that if the heterozygote variance were on the average greater, conditional overdominance would be prevalent; if it were less, partial dominance would be prevalent; and if it were the same, marginal overdominance of the type considered by Wallace (1968) would be the prevalent type of variation. In fact, heterozygote variance was slightly less. The work of Dempster (1955) and of Gillespie and Langley (1974) is cited to show that this situation can still lead to balanced polymorphisms. Their general model for genetic variation in populations, consistent with the viability data, is reinforced.
Environmental peacebuilding from below: customary approaches in Timor-Leste
Authors: Ide Tobias , Palmer Lisa R , Barnett Jon 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Environmental peacebuilding is the integration of natural resource management into conflict prevention, resolution and recovery so as to support peace and environmental sustainability. Most studies have been of cases where there is significant involvement of external (usually international) actors. They thus provide implicit support for liberal peacebuilding practice, which is itself the subject of much critique. Conversely, documented examples of environmental peacebuilding from below are rare. We analyse an endogenously emerging environmental peacebuilding institution, the customary tara bandu process in Timor-Leste. We explain the way tara bandu is used bottom-up to promote the sustainable use of natural resources and more peaceful relations. Tara bandu proves to be a successful, locally diverse environmental peacebuilding institution. We further show how recent attempts by international peacebuilders and state institutions to employ tara bandu have somewhat ignored the way it is deeply interwoven with local social and spiritual relations, and in so doing have jeopardized its legitimacy and efficacy. This suggests that attempts from outside actors to facilitate environmental peacebuilding may be constrained by a mismatch between theorized norms of social and environmental relations (such as ‘shared interests’) and local cultural particularities.
Water and ‘imperfect peace’ in the Euphrates–Tigris river basin
Authors: Kibaroglu Aysegül , Sayan Ramazan Caner 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Transboundary water relations in the Euphrates–Tigris (ET) basin are often marked by political confrontation and rivalry between Iraq, Syria and Turkey. Even in the absence of political stability, riparian states have remained in contact with one another over the ET rivers at different levels by establishing and revitalizing joint governance mechanisms. In these processes, multiple actors—ranging from bureaucracies and heads of state and government, to epistemic communities—have focused on cooperative socio-economic development aspects of otherwise divisive water-related matters in the basin. Hence, the article aims to examine various emerging actors and mechanisms, arguing that their co-existence in the basin demonstrates a case of ‘imperfect peace’. Since the invasion of Iraq in 2003 and with the start of the domestic unrest in Syria in 2011, transboundary water relations in the basin have been carried out within the context of an unstable international security environment, particularly with the emergence of the non-state armed groups who have used water as a weapon against their opponents. The article therefore addresses policy-relevant research questions, such as what kind of joint security mechanism the riparian states should create to cope with violent non-state actors who control water and infrastructure under the conditions of ‘imperfect peace’. In the same vein, the article analyses the strategic role that water plays in environmental peacebuilding and discusses the possible ways and means to improve the protection of water during and after armed conflicts.
The nature of Women, Peace and Security: a Colombian perspective
Authors: Yoshida Keina , Céspedes-Báez Lina M 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
On 12 November 2019, the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP), handed down a landmark decision in the case of ‘Katsa Su’ concerning the Awa indigenous group in Colombia. The Colombian conflict has particularly affected indigenous groups, such as the Awa people, and has also affected the territory in which they live. In this article, we explore the decision of the JEP, within a broader analysis of the Colombian peace agreement and consider how it might help us to think about the place of the environment in the Women, Peace and Security agenda and in international law. We call for a gendered and intersectional approach to environmental peacebuilding which is attentive to the importance of gender and different groups. Further, we highlight how the Colombian example shows how concepts such as relief, recovery and reparations are often confined in international law to women's recovery and redress with respect to sexual violence and yet, this conceptualization should be much broader. The Katsa Su case provides an example of the fact that reparations and redress must address other forms of violence, spiritual and ecological, which women also suffer in times of conflict.
Vein or artery-first resection in right middle lobe segmentectomy: which preserves more lung?
Authors: Zhang Min , Mao Ning , Wu Qing-Chen , Ge Ming-Jian 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We report the thoracoscopic RS5 segmentectomy with VVBA (V, vein; V, ventilation; B, bronchus; A, artery) method and confirmed that the segmental plane visualized by vein-first resection is slightly narrower than the traditional artery-first resection.
The prevalence and underreporting of needlestick injuries among hospital workers: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Bahat Hilla , Hasidov-gafni Adi , Youngster Ilan , Goldman Michael , Levtzion-korach Osnat 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objective
Needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) are known occupational risks among health-care workers. Reporting these injuries is important for early prevention and management of blood-borne infections. We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of NSIs and underreporting among hospital workers (HWs) from different sectors.

Methods
A single-center cross-sectional study, involving an anonymous survey delivered to 2205 HWs. The survey included demographic information about the worker and information about training, injuries and reporting.

Results
Of the 844 HWs respondents (40%), NSIs occurred in 443 of them (53%); the majority were from needles (68%) and at bedside (51%). Significantly higher prevalences of injuries (P &lt; 0.001) were noted among physicians (75%) and workers in their 40s (61%) and in the emergency and surgical departments (66% and 55%, respectively). NSIs were reported among 28% of workers who did not directly use needles. Underreporting was found in 46%, with a significant decrease in the report rate as the number of injuries increased (P &lt; 0.001). Underreporting was significantly more common (P &lt; 0.001) among physicians (59%), especially seniors (72%), workers without training about NSIs (59%), older age groups (56% in workers above 51 years, P = 0.003) and males (54%, P = 0.01). The highest underreporting rate was in injuries occurring in the operating room and the lowest in witnessed injuries occurring while passing a needle (82% vs. 31%, P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions
NSIs and underreporting are common among HWs from all sectors, including those who do not use needles. Improving preventive measures and reporting should be encouraged. We recommend reducing bedside procedures as possible and assigning two workers to procedures at risk for injuries, to increase the report rate.
EduRecomSys: An Educational Resource Recommender System Based on Collaborative Filtering and Emotion Detection
Authors: Bustos López Maritza , Alor-Hernández Giner , Sánchez-Cervantes José Luis , Paredes-Valverde Mario Andrés , Salas-Zárate María del Pilar 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Due to the large amount of data that is available on the Web, it has become increasingly difficult to locate educational resources that satisfy specific learning needs. Furthermore, the searching process can become increasingly frustrating, time-consuming and little accurate when users do not know how to perform a search. Recommender systems aim at reducing this burden by predicting and recommending users relevant elements of interest. In the educational domain, recommender systems can take advantage of user cognitive states and emotions to generate more personalized recommendations. This work proposes EduRecomSys, an educational recommender system that combines collaborative filtering with emotion detection techniques to suggest users educational resources based on the preferences/interests of other users and the user’s emotion previously detected through face recognition technologies. Likewise, EduRecomSys allows users to retrieve educational resources from multiple sources, including social networks, linked data and learning object repositories. EduRecomSys was evaluated in qualitative and quantitative terms. The qualitative evaluation relied on the participation of three domain experts: a teacher, a pedagogue and a software engineer. The quantitative evaluation was conducted with the help of 20 graduate students. The evaluation results seem encouraging and suggest that EduRecomSys has the potential to provide effective support to the teaching-learning process.
Homogenate Extraction of Dihydroartemisinin from Artemisia Hedinii and Its Antifungal Activity
Authors: You Cong , Yu Jun , Qin Guangjiong , Yang JinPeng , Yang Chunlei , Hu Guoyuan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Artemisia hedinii is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine. It can be used to extract dihydroartemisinin (DHA).

Objective
The purpose of this study was to explore the optimal conditions for the homogenate extraction of DHA from A. hedinii and the antifungal activity of DHA.

Methods
In this study, single-factor experiments and the response surface method were used to determine the optimal extraction conditions of crude extract and DHA. The method of spore germination was used to study the antifungal activity of DHA on Alternaria alternata.

Results
The optimal conditions were found as follows: ratio of liquid to material 22 mL/g; extraction time 60 s; and soaking time 34 min. Under these conditions, extraction yield of DHA was (1.76 ± 0.04%). When the concentrations of crude extract were 0.5 and 8 mg/mL, the spore germination inhibition rates of A. alternata were (17.00 ± 2.05%) and (92.56 ± 2.01%), which were 3.34 and 1.15 times that of the DHA standard, respectively.

Conclusions
Homogenate extraction technology is a fast and efficient method for extracting DHA from A. hedinii. The crude extract has significant antifungal activity against A. alternata and is inexpensive, providing possible DHA usage in the prevention and treatment of plant pathogenic fungi.

Highlights
The optimum conditions of the extraction of DHA from A. hedinii by homogenate extraction were obtained. DHA has antifungal activity against A. alternata. Compared with pure DHA, the crude extract has stronger antifungal activity against A. alternata.
Solving a Two-stage Supply Chain Network Design Problem with Fixed Costs by a Hybrid Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Cosma Ovidiu , Pop Petrică C , Sabo Cosmin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
In this paper we investigate a particular two-stage supply chain network design problem with fixed costs. In order to solve this complex optimization problem, we propose an efficient hybrid algorithm, which was obtained by incorporating a linear programming optimization problem within the framework of a genetic algorithm. In addition, we integrated within our proposed algorithm a powerful local search procedure able to perform a fine tuning of the global search. We evaluate our proposed solution approach on a set of large size instances. The achieved computational results prove the efficiency of our hybrid genetic algorithm in providing high-quality solutions within reasonable running-times and its superiority against other existing methods from the literature.