bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pro-arrhythmogenic effects of Trypanosoma cruzi conditioned medium proteins in a model of bovine chromaffin cells
Authors: Baraibar A. M. , de Pascual R. , Rodriguez Angulo H. O. , Mijares A. , Hernández-Guijo J. M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAsymptomatic sudden death is the principal cause of mortality in Chagas disease. There is little information about molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of malignant arrhythmias in Chagasic patients. Previous studies have involved Trypanosoma cruzi secretion proteins in the genesis of arrhythmias ex vivo, but the molecular mechanisms involved are still unresolved. Thus, the aim was to determine the effect of these secreted proteins on the cellular excitability throughout to test its effects on catecholamine secretion, sodium-, calcium-, and potassium-conductance and action potential (AP) firing. Conditioned medium was obtained from the co-culture of T. cruzi and Vero cells (African green monkey kidney cells) and ultra-filtered for concentrating immunogenic high molecular weight parasite proteins. Chromaffin cells were assessed with the parasite and Vero cells control medium. Parasite-secreted proteins induce catecholamine secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, T. cruzi conditioned medium induced depression of both calcium conductance and calcium and voltage-dependent potassium current. Interestingly, this fact was related to the abolishment of the hyperpolarization phase of the AP produced by the parasite medium. Taken together, these results suggest that T. cruzi proteins may be involved in the genesis of pro-arrhythmic conditions that could influence the appearance of malignant arrhythmias in Chagasic patients.
Acts of Human Kindness: Tutsi, Hutu and the Genocide
Authors: Jefremovas Villia 
Published: August 2021

Most press reports would have us believe that the genocide in Rwanda was the result of a “centuries-old” ethnic/tribal hatred. There is no denying that mass murder and genocide took place in Rwanda. It is estimated that between 500,000 and 1,000,000 people died in the most appalling way. Those killed were from all ethnic groups, Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa; but the vast majority of those killed were Tutsi. However, it is important to understand the process by which this took place: we must stop and ask if this genocide was inevitable, if it was universal, and if it was the result of ancient irreconcilable hatreds.The reference to tribal warfare, or even ethnic conflict, implies that there are (at least) two sides fighting, and that all members of society are caught up in the killings. But in this case, the great preponderance of deaths resulted not from “conflict” but from murder.
The West and Elections in Nigeria
Authors: Sesay Amadu , Ukeje Charles 
Published: August 2021

The end of the cold war has made democratization, and its barest essential component elections, imperative for all nondemocratic forms of government. This is to be expected, given the dismal failure of the socialist alternative even in the first socialist country, the former Soviet Union. The United States, which is not only the foremost democracy in the world but also the only superpower, has been in the vanguard of democracy salesmanship. Africa, the continent with the least democratic space, has not been left out, as witnessed by President Bill Clinton’s unprecedented tour of the continent in March 1998.Understandably, Nigeria, arguably the most important country in Africa, was left out of the tour, since it was then under the obnoxious, undemocratic, and oppressive military regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
Civil Society, the Challenge to the Authoritarian State, and the Consolidation of Democracy in Nigeria
Authors: Walker Judith-Ann 
Published: August 2021

The victory for democracy resulting from General Olusegun Obasanjo’s election in February 1999 is as hollow as it is contrived. For many analysts and political aspirants, Obasanjo’s victory is not a triumph for democracy but merely a eulogy to formal military rule. Obasanjo is viewed as the “ordained” military successor with more continuity to the tradition of authoritarian rule than to genuine democracy. His known autocratic leadership style and his less-than-progressive stance on the media and women make him difficult to accept as a champion of democracy. Furthermore, the legality of his victory is challenged by his alleged contravention of the qualification regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a factor that has led his opponent to contest the election results.Given this imperfect situation, this article considers how Nigeria can build on the gains of the transition and consolidate democracy. The evidence from the new wave of democracy sweeping through the developing world suggests that “democracy makes sense” when civil organizations are prepared to challenge the right of autocratic regimes to rule.
Election 1999: Prospects for the Consolidation of Democracy in South Africa
Authors: Shubane Khehla , Stack Louise 
Published: August 2021

The African National Congress (ANC) emerged from South Africa’s 1999 election in a greatly strengthened position. Now, not only is the constitutionally obligatory five-year period of a government of national unity over—which means that the ANC as the majority party is entitled to rule the country on its own—but the ANC increased its already strong majority in Parliament to just short of two-thirds.In this article, we first discuss the context of the political debate in which the election took place, as well as the outcome of the election. We then examine the prospects for the consolidation of democracy in South Africa in light of the election results and in relation to the issues surrounding electoral procedure, a dominant party system, and opposition politics within the context of a still very much racially divided society.
Quality of life and emotional vulnerability in a national cohort of adolescents living with Fontan circulation
Authors: Grosch Inger Bygland , Andresen Brith , Diep Lien My , Diseth Trond H. , Möller Thomas 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroduction:To investigate quality of life and mental health after Fontan completion, we aimed to characterise outcomes in a representative group of adolescent patients. The study was part of the pre-transition clinical work-up in adolescents with Fontan-type palliation of univentricular CHD. The programme covers the entire paediatric Fontan patient population in Norway.Methods:Our cross-sectional study included 42 adolescents with Fontan circulation aged 15–18. We recruited a control group of 29 healthy peers. Quality of life was measured by the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Questionnaire, while mental health was assessed with the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire.Results:Fontan patients scored lower than healthy controls on the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory total (p = 0.004), the physical (p < 0.001) and social (p = 0.001) functioning subscale, and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire subscale of emotional symptoms (p = 0.035). Compared to two of the healthy teens (7%), seven patients (16%) in the Fontan group scored as having impaired mental health (p = 0.224). The female/male ratio for individuals with impaired health was 7:2 (p = 0.003).Conclusions:Compared to healthy controls, adolescents after Fontan-type palliation in Norway have good health-related quality of life and mental health, despite having slightly lower score than healthy individuals, mainly in physical domains and school functioning. Compared to healthy controls and healthy teenagers, these adolescents have somewhat more emotional problems, and compared to male patients, female patients more often have impaired mental health.
Towards healthier food choices for hospital staff and visitors: impacts of a healthy food and drink policy implemented at scale in Australia
Authors: Cranney Leonie , Thomas Margaret , Shepherd Leah , Cobcroft Megan , O’Connell Tarli , Munn Liz , Bauman Adrian , Phongsavan Philayrath 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjective:To determine the impact of a healthy food and drink policy on hospital staff and visitors’ food purchasing behaviours, and their awareness and support for the changes introduced.Design:Two repeated cross-sectional surveys, consisting of intercept interviews and observations of food items purchased, were conducted before (March–July 2018) and after (April–June 2019) the target date for implementation of thirteen food and drink practices (31 December 2018). Food purchases were coded as ‘Everyday’ (healthy) or ‘Occasional’ (unhealthy).Setting:Ten randomly selected New South Wales public hospitals, collection sites including hospital entrances and thirteen hospital cafés/cafeterias.Participants:Surveys were completed by 4808 hospital staff and visitors (response rate 85 %). The majority were female (63 %), spoke English at home (85 %) and just over half had completed tertiary education (55 %).Results:Significant increases from before to after the implementation target date were found for policy awareness (23 to 42 %; P < 0·0001) and support (89 to 92 %; P = 0·01). The proportion of ‘Everyday’ food purchases increased, but not significantly (56 to 59 %; P = 0·22); with significant heterogeneity between outlets (P = 0·0008). Overall, younger, non-tertiary-educated adults, visitors and those that spoke English at home were significantly less likely to purchase ‘Everyday’ food items. Support was also significantly lower in males.Conclusions:The findings provide evidence of strong policy support, an increasing awareness of related changes and a trend towards increased ‘Everyday’ food purchasing. Given the relatively early phase of policy implementation, and the complexity of individual food purchasing decisions, longer-term follow-up of purchasing behaviour is recommended following ongoing implementation efforts.
THE ZEROTH -STABLE HOMOTOPY SHEAF OF A MOTIVIC SPACE
Authors: Bachmann Tom 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe establish a kind of ‘degree
$0$
Freudenthal
${\mathbb {G}_m}$
-suspension theorem’ in motivic homotopy theory. From this we deduce results about the conservativity of the
$\mathbb P^1$
-stabilization functor.In order to establish these results, we show how to compute certain pullbacks in the cohomology of a strictly homotopy-invariant sheaf in terms of the Rost–Schmid complex. This establishes the main conjecture of [2], which easily implies the aforementioned results.
Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria: The “Awareness” Imperative
Authors: Ogunleye Foluke 
Published: August 2021

The practice of treating the environment with disdain has gradually become unfashionable. Yet in many developing nations, Nigeria among them, environmental education and awareness campaigns remain something regarded as unnecessary. According to Berry (1993: 158):The term “sustainable development” has become a shibboleth of governments and industries, to present a respectful image to a society that is becoming even more strident in its concern for the environment. It is a concept that was projected onto the world by the Stockholm Conference of 1972, and has been carried ever since by the United Nations Environment Programs (UNEP), the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and the World Wildlife Fund for nature (WWF) in their world conservation strategy. It has the ring of truth and worldwide acceptance, but it is poorly understood by those who use it.
Post‐Seismic Deformation Related to the 2016 Central Italy Seismic Sequence From GPS Displacement Time‐Series
Authors: Mandler E. , Pintori F. , Gualandi A. , Anderlini L. , Serpelloni E. , Belardinelli M. E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe 2016–2017 Central Italy earthquake sequence struck the central Apennines between August 2016 and October 2016 with Mw ∈ [5.9; 6.5], plus four earthquakes occurring in January 2017 with Mw ∈ [5.0; 5.5]. We study Global Positioning System time series including near‐ and far‐field domains. We use a variational Bayesian independent component analysis technique to separate the post‐seismic deformation from signals caused by variation of the water content in aquifers at hundreds of meters of depth and of the soil moisture. For each independent component, realistic uncertainties and a plausible physical explanation are provided. We focus on the study of afterslip on the main structures surrounding the mainshock, highlighting the role played by faults that were not activated during the co‐seismic phase in accommodating the post‐seismic deformation. We report aseismic deformation occurring on the Paganica fault, which hosted the Mw 6.1 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, suggesting that static stress transfer and aseismic slip influence the recurrence time of nearby (∼50 km further south of the mainshocks) segments. A ∼2–3 km thick subhorizontal shear‐zone, clearly illuminated by seismicity, which bounds at depth the west‐dipping normal faults where the mainshocks nucleated, also shows aseismic slip. Since afterslip alone underestimates the displacement in the far‐field domain, we consider the possibility that the shear zone marks the brittle‐ductile transition, assuming the viscoelastic relaxation of the lower crust as a mechanism contributing to the post‐seismic displacement. Our results suggest that multiple deformation processes are active in the first 2 years after the mainshocks.
Moored Observations of the Iceland‐Scotland Overflow Plume Along the Eastern Flank of the Reykjanes Ridge
Authors: Johns W. E. , Devana M. , Houk A. , Zou S. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSince 2014, an array of current meters deployed in the Iceland Basin as part of the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program has provided new measurements of the southward flow of Iceland‐Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW) along the eastern flank of the Reykjanes Ridge. The location of the array, near 58–59°N, captures the ISOW plume at the farthest downstream location in the Iceland Basin before significant amounts of ISOW can flow into the Irminger Basin through deep fractures in the Reykjanes Ridge. The net transport of the ISOW plume at this location—approximately 5.3 Sv based on the first 4 years of observations—is significantly larger than previous values obtained farther north in the Iceland Basin, suggesting that either previous measurements did not fully capture the plume transport or that additional entrainment into the ISOW plume occurs as it approaches the southern tip of the Reykjanes Ridge. A detailed water mass analysis of the plume from continuous temperature/salinity observations shows that about 50% of the plume transport (2.6 Sv) is derived from dense waters flowing over the Nordic Sea sills into the Iceland Basin, while the remainder is made up of nearly equal parts of entrained Atlantic thermocline water and modified Labrador Sea Water. The overall results from this study suggest that the ISOW plume approximately doubles its transport through entrainment, similar to that of the Denmark Strait overflow plume in the Irminger Sea that forms the other major overflow source of North Atlantic Deep Water.
The Roles of Catchment Characteristics in Precipitation Partitioning Within the Budyko Framework
Authors: Liu Jianyu , You Yuanyuan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn the Budyko framework, the landscape parameter (n in the Choudhury‐Yang equation) controls precipitation (P) partitioning to evapotranspiration (ET) and runoff (R). Systematically investigating the underlying influence of catchment characteristics on n is critical for understanding the partitioning of P. Using two runoff datasets with more than 30,000 stations around the world, we found that the variability in n was significantly correlated with a series of catchment characteristics, but varied across climate zones. Hence, several empirical models based on catchment characteristics were developed to estimate n for different climate zones. The developed empirical models applied to Budyko framework explained 92% of the spatial variability in the global mean R and provided more reasonable ET than that from Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model (GLEAM) in terms of long‐term water and energy balances. Empirical models were further applied to predict and attribute future R under the high‐end Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP5‐8.5). The changes in P, potential evaporation (PET), and n are projected to alter global R by 61.5%, −24.0%, and 14.5% during 2081–2100. Notably, compare with the historical period, the influence of n was reversed in arid zones under the future scenario, where n leads to a significant decrease in R. The developed empirical models n enhances the applicability and capability of the Budyko framework for both historical and future hydrological assessments over the globe.
Wireless, battery-free, and fully implantable electrical neurostimulation in freely moving rodents
Authors: Burton Alex , Won Sang Min , Sohrabi Arian Kolahi , Stuart Tucker , Amirhossein Amir , Kim Jong Uk , Park Yoonseok , Gabros Andrew , Rogers John A. , Vitale Flavia , Richardson Andrew G. , Gutruf Philipp 
Published: August 2021

AbstractImplantable deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems are utilized for clinical treatment of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain. However, long-term efficacy of DBS is limited, and chronic neuroplastic changes and associated therapeutic mechanisms are not well understood. Fundamental and mechanistic investigation, typically accomplished in small animal models, is difficult because of the need for chronic stimulators that currently require either frequent handling of test subjects to charge battery-powered systems or specialized setups to manage tethers that restrict experimental paradigms and compromise insight. To overcome these challenges, we demonstrate a fully implantable, wireless, battery-free platform that allows for chronic DBS in rodents with the capability to control stimulation parameters digitally in real time. The devices are able to provide stimulation over a wide range of frequencies with biphasic pulses and constant voltage control via low-impedance, surface-engineered platinum electrodes. The devices utilize off-the-shelf components and feature the ability to customize electrodes to enable broad utility and rapid dissemination. Efficacy of the system is demonstrated with a readout of stimulation-evoked neural activity in vivo and chronic stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle in freely moving rats to evoke characteristic head motion for over 36 days.
Metformin alleviates choline diet-induced TMAO elevation in C57BL/6J mice by influencing gut-microbiota composition and functionality
Authors: Su Chunyan , Li Xingxing , Yang Yuxin , Du Yu , Zhang Xiumin , Wang Li , Hong Bin 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTrimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a gut-microbiota-dependent metabolite generated from its dietary precursors such as choline, has been identified as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Metformin is the most widely used drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), which has therapeutic effects on hyperglycemia accelerated atherosclerosis. A growing body of evidence suggest that metformin plays a therapeutic role by regulating the structure and metabolic function of gut microbiota. However, whether metformin has an impact on gut-microbiota-mediated TMAO production from choline remains obscure. In this study, the oral administration of metformin significantly reduced choline diet-increased serum TMAO in choline diet-fed C57BL/6J mice. The diversity analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing of C57BL/6J mice fecal samples indicated that metformin markedly changed the gut-microbiota composition. Metformin was positively correlated with the enrichment of different intestinal bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia and a lower cutC (a choline utilization gene) abundance. Furthermore, the ex vivo and in vitro inhibitory effects of metformin on choline metabolism of TMA-producing bacteria were confirmed under anaerobic condition. The results suggested that metformin suppresses serum TMAO level by remodeling gut microbiota involved in TMA generation from choline.
Spontaneous and inherited TP53 genetic alterations
Authors: Levine Arnold J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe p53 protein is a transcription factor that prevents tumors from developing. In spontaneous and inherited cancers there are many different missense mutations in the DNA binding domain of the TP53 gene that contributes to tumor formation. These mutations produce a wide distribution in the transcriptional capabilities of the mutant p53 proteins with over four logs differences in the efficiencies of forming cancers in many diverse tissue types. These inherited and spontaneous TP53 mutations produce proteins that interact with both genetic and epigenetic cellular modifiers of p53 function and their inherited polymorphisms to produce a large number of diverse phenotypes in individual patients. This manuscript reviews these variables and discusses how the combinations of TP53 genetic alterations interact with genetic polymorphisms, epigenetic alterations, and environmental factors to begin predicting and modifying patient outcomes and provide a better understanding for new therapeutic opportunities.
RNA-binding protein 39: a promising therapeutic target for cancer
Authors: Xu Caipeng , Chen Xiaohua , Zhang Xuetian , Zhao Dapeng , Dou Zhihui , Xie Xiaodong , Li Hongyan , Yang Hongying , Li Qiang , Zhang Hong , Di Cuixia 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRNA-binding motif protein 39 (RBM39), as a key factor in tumor-targeted mRNA and protein expression, not only plays a vital role in tumorigenesis, but also has broad development prospects in clinical treatment and drug research. Moreover, since RBM39 was identified as a target of sulfonamides, it has played a key role in the emerging field of molecule drug development. Hence, it is of great significance to study the interaction between RBM39 and tumors and the clinical application of drug-targeted therapy. In this paper, we describe the possible multi-level regulation of RBM39, including gene transcription, protein translation, and alternative splicing. Importantly, the molecular function of RBM39 as an important splicing factor in most common tumors is systematically outlined. Furthermore, we briefly introduce RBM39’s tumor-targeted drug research and its clinical application, hoping to give reference significance for the molecular mechanism of RBM39 in tumors, and provide reliable ideas for in-depth research for future therapeutic strategies.
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) performed by optometrists—enablers and barriers to a shift in service delivery
Authors: Konstantakopoulou Evgenia , Jones Lee , Nathwani Neil , Gazzard Gus 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Background/objectives
To explore the acceptability, training requirements, enablers and barriers of optometrist-delivered SLT.

Subjects/methods
Optometrists, fellowship and consultant grade ophthalmologists, hospital managers and patients were interviewed using pre-defined topic guides. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and subjected to thematic analysis. Overarching themes were defined by the study aims and the topic guides; subthemes were derived from the interview data.

Results
Sixty-six participants (three managers, eight glaucoma specialist consultant ophthalmologists, seven clinical glaucoma fellows, 12 optometrists (two of them performing SLT), two ophthalmic nurses and 34 patients) participated in the study. Overarching themes (and subthemes) were: necessity of non-medical SLT delivery, clinical practice and training, advantages, disadvantages, concerns, challenges, community delivery of SLT, patient values and other healthcare professionals that could also deliver SLT.

Conclusions
Certain clinical pre-requisites, such as gonioscopy and independent prescribing rights, were perceived as necessary for undertaking SLT training. An optometrist-delivered SLT service was expected to benefit the NHS, but there was an identified need of a standardised training scheme and robust governance. Patients were accepting of an optometrist-delivered SLT service in the hospital eye service.