bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Adiponectin Are Associated With Metabolic Syndrome Components
Authors: Vecchiola Andrea , García Killén , González-Gómez Luis M , Tapia-Castillo Alejandra , Artigas Rocío , Baudrand René , Kalergis Alexis M , Carvajal Cristian A , Fardella Carlos E 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We aimed to study the associations of adipocytokines, endothelial damage markers, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) components.

METHODS
This cross-sectional study included 202 subjects categorized into MetS and No-MetS according to Harmonizing Adult Treatment Panel III.

RESULTS
Subjects with MetS showed higher levels of proinflammatory molecules but significantly lower adiponectin levels than subjects with No-MetS. Among the studied adipocytokines, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and adiponectin showed the strongest associations with most MetS components. PAI-1 was associated with MetS (odds ratio (OR) 1.107 (1.065–1.151), P &lt; 0.0001), whereas adiponectin was inversely associated with MetS (OR 0.710 (0.610–0.825), P &lt; 0.0001). Following adjustment by sex, age, body mass index, and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion in a multivariate analysis, the association of PAI-1 (OR 1.090 (1.044–1.137), P &lt; 0.0001) and adiponectin (OR 0.634 (0.519–0.775), P &lt; 0.0001) with MetS remained significant. Multivariate analyses supported a model in which systolic blood pressure (BP) could be predicted by PAI-1, hs-CRP, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (R2 = 0.125; P = 0.04); diastolic BP (R2 = 0.218; P = 0.0001) and glucose (R2 = 0.074; P = 0.0001) could be predicted by PAI-1; waist circumference could be predicted by PAI-1 and hs-CRP (R2 = 0.28; P = 0.016). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that a PAI-1 concentration had the best sensitivity and specificity for discriminating subjects with MetS.

CONCLUSION
PAI-1 and adiponectin rendered the most robust associations with MetS components in a general population, indicating that unfavorable adipose tissue performance is a key contributor to these metabolic anomalies. Further prospective analyses should allow establishing whether these adipocytokines can anticipate the progress of MetS and cardiovascular risk.
Sulfated polysaccharide ascophyllan prevents amyloid fibril formation of human insulin and inhibits amyloid-induced hemolysis and cytotoxicity in PC12 cells
Authors: Liang Yan , Ueno Mikinori , Zha Shijiao , Okimura Takasi , Jiang Zedong , Yamaguchi Kenichi , Hatakeyama Tomomitsu , Oda Tatsuya 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTWe found that ascophyllan significantly inhibited the fibrillation of human insulin and was the most effective among the sulfated polysaccharides tested. Gel-filtration analysis suggested that ascophyllan was capable of forming a complex with insulin through a weak interaction. Secondary structure transition from native α-helix to β-sheet predominant structure of insulin under the fibrillation conditions was suppressed in the presence of ascophyllan. Interestingly, ascophyllan attenuated insulin fibril-induced hemolysis of human erythrocytes. Moreover, ascophyllan attenuated insulin amyloid-induced cytotoxicity on rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells and reduced the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species. This is the first report indicating that a sulfated polysaccharide, ascophyllan, can suppress the insulin amyloid fibril formation and inhibit the fibril-induced detrimental bioactivities.
Validated prediction model for positive resection margins in breast-conserving surgery based exclusively on preoperative data
Authors: Ellbrant J , Gulis K , Plasgård E , Svensjö T , Bendahl P O , Rydén L 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Background
Positive margins after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and subsequent second surgery are associated with increased costs and patient discomfort. The aim of this study was to develop a prediction model for positive margins based on risk factors available before surgery.

Methods
Patients undergoing BCS for in situ or invasive cancer between 2015 and 2016 at site A formed a development cohort; those operated during 2017 in site A and B formed two validation cohorts. MRI was not used routinely. Preoperative radiographic and tumour characteristics and method of operation were collected from patient charts. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop a prediction model for positive margins including variables with discriminatory capacity identified in a univariable model. The discrimination and calibration of the prediction model was assessed in the validation cohorts, and a nomogram developed.

Results
There were 432 patients in the development cohort, and 190 and 157 in site A and B validation cohorts respectively. Positive margins were identified in 77 patients (17.8 per cent) in the development cohort. A non-linear transformation of mammographic tumour size and six variables (visible on mammography, ductal carcinoma in situ, lobular invasive cancer, distance from nipple–areola complex, calcification, and type of surgery) were included in the final prediction model, which had an area under the curve of 0.80 (95 per cent c.i. 0.75 to 0.85). The discrimination and calibration of the prediction model was assessed in the validation cohorts, and a nomogram developed.

Conclusion
The prediction model showed good ability to predict positive margins after BCS and might, after further validation, be used before surgery in centres without the routine use of preoperative MRI.
Presented in part to the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, San Antonio, Texas, USA, December 2018 and the Swedish Surgical Society Annual Meeting, Helsingborg, Sweden, August 2018.
Using Complex Adaptive Systems Theory to Understand the Complexities of Hospital Social Work Practice in Rural and Remote South Australia
Authors: Harvey Ellen , Jones Michelle 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Working with complexity is a growing concern and challenge for social workers in contemporary practice. This study explored how rural social work practitioners experience complexity in their professional judgement and decision-making, giving voice to the unique understandings and perspectives of rural health social workers (RHSWs). Complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory is used to conceptualise participants’ experiences. An interpretive critical research paradigm valued the unique viewpoint of rural social workers whilst also disrupting the urban-centric focus of social work practice. The participants were recruited via their involvement in the Country Health South Australia social work leadership group. Data collected using a living lab approach, consisted of ten phone interviews sandwiched by two focus groups (n = 14). The data were analysed using both hand-coding and computer-assisted analysis (NVivo). The results demonstrated that RHSW encounter complexity within and across three main systems: client, organisational and rural systems. Importantly, the rural system plays an equally significant role in understanding complexity in this context, with each system overlapping and influencing one another. RHSW understanding of complexity was consistent with CAS, suggesting the advantage of using this theory to underpin understandings of complexity in social work practice and specifically in the rural practice domain.
Clinically relevant mitochondrial-targeted therapy improves chronic outcomes after traumatic brain injury
Authors: Hubbard W Brad , Spry Malinda L , Gooch Jennifer L , Cloud Amber L , Vekaria Hemendra J , Burden Shawn , Powell David K , Berkowitz Bruce A , Geldenhuys Werner J , Harris Neil G , Sullivan Patrick G 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Pioglitazone, an FDA-approved compound, has been shown to target the novel mitochondrial protein mitoNEET and produce short-term neuroprotection and functional benefits following traumatic brain injury.
To expand on these findings, we now investigate the dose- and time-dependent effects of pioglitazone administration on mitochondrial function after experimental traumatic brain injury. We then hypothesize that optimal pioglitazone dosing will lead to ongoing neuroprotection and cognitive benefits that are dependent on pioglitazone-mitoNEET signalling pathways. We show that delayed intervention is significantly more effective than early intervention at improving acute mitochondrial bioenergetics in the brain after traumatic brain injury. In corroboration, we demonstrate that mitoNEET is more heavily expressed, especially near the cortical contusion, in the 18 h following traumatic brain injury. To explore whether these findings relate to ongoing pathological and behavioural outcomes, mice received controlled cortical impact followed by initiation of pioglitazone treatment at either 3 or 18 h post-injury. Mice with treatment initiation at 18 h post-injury exhibited significantly improved behaviour and tissue sparing compared to mice with pioglitazone initiated at 3 h post-injury. Further using mitoNEET knockout mice, we show that this therapeutic effect is dependent on mitoNEET. Finally, we demonstrate that delayed pioglitazone treatment improves serial motor and cognitive performance in conjunction with attenuated brain atrophy after traumatic brain injury.
This study illustrates that mitoNEET is the critical target for delayed pioglitazone intervention after traumatic brain injury, mitochondrial-targeting is highly time-dependent after injury and there is an extended therapeutic window to effectively treat mitochondrial dysfunction after brain injury.
Indirect inference of sensitive variables with peer network survey
Authors: Chen Saran , Lu Xin , Liljeros Fredrik , Jia Zhongwei , Rocha Luis E C 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Misreporting is a common source of bias in population surveys involving sensitive topics such as sexual behaviours, abortion or criminal activity. To protect their privacy due to stigmatized or illegal behaviour, respondents tend to avoid fully disclosure of personal information deemed sensitive. This attitude however may compromise the results of survey studies. To circumvent this limitation, this article proposes a novel ego-centric sampling method (ECM) based on the respondent’s peer networks to make indirect inferences on sensitive traits anonymously. Other than asking the respondents to report directly on their own behaviour, ECM takes into account the knowledge the respondents have about their social contacts in the target population. By using various scenarios and sensitive analysis on model and real populations, we show the high performance, that is low biases, that can be achieved using our method and the novel estimator. The method is also applied on a real-world survey to study traits of college students. This real-world exercise illustrates that the method is easy-to-implement, requiring few amendments to standard sampling protocols, and provides a high level of confidence on privacy among respondents. The exercise revealed that students tend to under-report their own sensitive and stigmatized traits, such as their sexual orientation. Little or no difference was observed in reporting non-sensitive traits. Altogether, our results indicate that ECM is a promising method able to encourage survey participation and reduce bias due to misreporting of sensitive traits through indirect and anonymous data collection.
‘Soft Law’, Informal Lawmaking and ‘New Institutions’ in the Global Counter-Terrorism Architecture
Authors: Ní Aoláin Fionnuala 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
This article assesses the increasingly important and diverse role undertaken by a range of ‘soft-law’ counter-terrorism instruments since September 2001. It starts from the proposition that states increasingly use soft-law standards to regulate in the counter-terrorism, countering violent extremism and preventing violent extremism arenas. The article identifies a broad range of soft-law instruments and assesses their normative and practical importance for states. In parallel, the analysis identifies and maps a range of new institutions and entities producing such norms, paying particular attention to their membership, legal basis, terms of reference and working methods. The role and importance of these new institutions is broadly addressed. The article argues that soft-law production in counter-terrorism has weakened human rights protections across the globe and provided cover for sustained rights violations in multiple national contexts. As a result, human rights norms are not meaningfully included in the creation and implementation of these norms. The article pays particular attention to the lack of pathways for human rights standards to be meaningfully integrated, accounted for and benchmarked in the creation of counter-terrorism soft law. It identifies the ways in which new institutions have inter alia been established precisely to avoid the normative and institutional application of these standards to the counter-terrorism norm creation process. The article starts to trace the movement of some ‘soft-law’ norms to hard-law standards, illustrating the dense relationship between ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ law in the counter-terrorism arena.
Taking care of the ordinary in extraordinary times—delayed routine care means more morbidity and pre-mature mortality
Authors: Cuschieri Sarah , Mamo Julian 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIndividuals with chronic diseases are more susceptible to its grave complications and negative outcomes if infected by COVID-19. Furthermore, mandatory isolation and cancellations of routine healthcare services led to the disruption of the screening and management plans for chronic diseases. Fear of attending health services as well as disruptions to public transport are other factors increasing health risks among persons with chronic conditions during the pandemic. Ensuring access to universal healthcare services, increasing use of digital services, targeted interventions to risk groups are examples of measures that need to be taken when reviewing health systems preparedness for future pandemics and other disasters.
Population Structure, Genetic Connectivity, and Signatures of Local Adaptation of the Giant Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) throughout the Indo-Pacific Region
Authors: Vu Nga T T , Zenger Kyall R , Silva Catarina N S , Guppy Jarrod L , Jerry Dean R 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe giant black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) is native to the Indo-Pacific and is the second most farmed penaeid shrimp species globally. Understanding genetic structure, connectivity, and local adaptation among Indo-Pacific black tiger shrimp populations is important for informing sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture breeding programs. Population genetic and outlier detection analyses were undertaken using 10,593 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 16 geographically disparate Indo-Pacific P. monodon populations. Levels of genetic diversity were highest for Southeast Asian populations and were lowest for Western Indian Ocean (WIO) populations. Both neutral (n = 9,930) and outlier (n = 663) loci datasets revealed a pattern of strong genetic structure of P. monodon corresponding with broad geographical regions and clear genetic breaks among samples within regions. Neutral loci revealed seven genetic clusters and the separation of Fiji and WIO clusters from all other clusters, whereas outlier loci revealed six genetic clusters and high genetic differentiation among populations. The neutral loci dataset estimated five migration events that indicated migration to Southeast Asia from the WIO, with partial connectivity to populations in both oceans. We also identified 26 putatively adaptive SNPs that exhibited significant Pearson correlation (P &lt; 0.05) between minor allele frequency and maximum or minimum sea surface temperature. Matched transcriptome contig annotations suggest putatively adaptive SNPs involvement in cellular and metabolic processes, pigmentation, immune response, and currently unknown functions. This study provides novel genome-level insights that have direct implications for P. monodon aquaculture and fishery management practices.
Should Gatekeepers Be Allowed to Combine Data? Ideas for Art. 5(a) of the Draft Digital Markets Act
Authors: Podszun Rupprecht 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Should digital gatekeepers be allowed to gather data from users and combine data from different sources? That is one of the key substantive questions of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It is currently addressed in Art. 5(a) of the draft DMA. There are two problems with the current wording: first, it is not specific enough to work as a self-executable provision; secondly, it could happen that users are nudged into giving consent easily so that the gatekeepers can continue to expand their sets of personal data, without users having a ‘real’ say and with third parties losing out in competition. In this contribution, I analyse this problem. My suggestion is to resort to a ‘rating solution’: qualified entities, e.g. trusted data intermediaries, should rate, certify or label the data options offered by the gatekeepers and serve as ‘data guides’ for consumers. I also look at other policy options.
Gig Work as a Manifestation of Short- Termism: Crafting a Sustainable Regulatory Agenda
Authors: Novitz Tonia 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Commercial platforms were once lauded as a facet of the sustainable ‘sharing economy’. Today, the short-termism associated with ‘gig work’ is widely condemned as an obstacle to sustainable development. This article begins by examining what is meant by ‘sustainability’, including how we might interpret and apply the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations and endorsed by the International Labour Organization. The second substantive part of the article analyses contemporary practices associated with intermittent and insecure platform work which have been identified globally, with reference to longer term and inter-related economic, environmental and social effects. The third part reflects on how appreciation of these effects could shape a future reform agenda oriented towards sustainable development. It is argued that recognition of the desirability of sustainability could enhance the case for holistic legal reform, promoting collective solidarity and action across geographical and temporal borders, while traversing doctrinal boundaries, to make gig work (as we now know it) a thing of the past.
Pharmacokinetics and placental transfer of dolutegravir in pregnancy
Authors: Ikumi Nadia M. , Anumba Dilly , Matjila Mushi 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Dolutegravir is currently recommended by the WHO as the preferred first-line treatment for all people with HIV, including pregnant women. Estimates indicate that, by 2024, nearly 22 million adults in low- and middle-income countries will have transitioned to dolutegravir-based ART. It is therefore critical that there is a clear appreciation and understanding of the risks that may be associated with in utero exposure to dolutegravir. In this review we consolidate data from studies on dolutegravir and the placenta. The studies have largely focused on the pharmacokinetics and placental transfer of dolutegravir in pregnancy. These include studies on transplacental transfer of dolutegravir, ex vivo placenta perfusion models, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models and animal studies. The data available clearly demonstrate that placental transfer of dolutegravir occurs in moderate to high concentrations. Intracellular placental dolutegravir has been demonstrated in the placental villous tissue. There are limited data suggesting that pregnancy is associated with decreased maternal dolutegravir levels. In addition, PBPK models have great potential in predicting the passage of drugs through the placenta and further contributing towards the elucidation of fetal exposure. The animal studies available demonstrate that in utero dolutegravir exposure can be associated with neural tube defects. Taking into consideration that antiretroviral exposure may be associated with poor placental development or function and increased risk of adverse effects to the fetus, it is crucially important that these risks are evaluated, especially with the rapid scale up of dolutegravir-based ART into national treatment programmes.
The Ideal Donor Site Dressing: A Comparison of a Chitosan-Based Gelling Dressing to Traditional Dressings
Authors: Uke Nkemjika , Singh Simran , Sorensen Grant E , Frost Joshua , Venable Amanda , Burge Bailey , Terziyski Ilina , Payberah Ebrahim , Griswold John 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Donor site wound management is critical in split-thickness skin graft surgeries. These sites typically recover in 7 to 14 days due to the dermal-imbedded keratinocytes that promote skin regeneration. An ideal donor site dressing can help to mitigate pain, reduce infection risk, promote hemostasis, and accelerate healing times. Additionally, this dressing would be easy to apply in the operating room, easily managed, and cost-effective. Chitosan-based gelling dressings (CBGD) possess many of these qualities that make an ideal donor site dressing. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who received CBGD as part of their postoperative wound care plan. We collected data on infections, hemostasis, dressing failure, and hospital course over a 14-month period where CBGD was used as the donor site dressing. One hundred and fourteen patients were evaluated. We found an infection rate of 7%, a bleed-through rate of 1.8%, and a re-application rate of 9.6%. The average CBGD cost per patient was $75.15. CBGD has acceptable infection rates, and pain scores as traditional donor site dressings. However, it possesses several qualities of a suitable donor site dressing notably swift healing rates, impressive hemostatic property, and low cost. Our study supports the idea that CBGD is a suitable donor site dressing for split-thickness skin graft surgeries.