bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacogenomics and Morphine
Authors: Ofoegbu Adaku , B. Ettienne Earl 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMorphine is an opioid analgesic indicated in the treatment of acute and chronic moderate to severe pain. From a pharmacodynamic standpoint, morphine exerts its effects by agonizing mu‐opioid receptors predominantly, resulting in analgesia and sedation. Pharmacokinetically, morphine is primarily metabolized in the liver via glucuronidation by the enzyme uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase family 2 member B7 and encounters the transporter proteins organic cation transporter isoform 1 and P‐glycoprotein (adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette subfamily B member 1) as it is being distributed throughout the body. The genes coding for the proteins impacting either the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of morphine may bear genetic variations, also known as polymorphisms, which may alter the function of the proteins in such a manner that an individual may have disparate treatment outcomes. The purpose of this review is to highlight some of the genes coding for proteins that impact morphine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and present some treatment considerations.
Correlations between left atrial volumes and strains in healthy adults: Detailed analysis from the three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiographic MAGYAR‐Healthy Study
Authors: Nemes Attila , Kormányos Árpád , Domsik Péter , Kalapos Anita , Gyenes Nándor , Lengyel Csaba 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionLittle is known about the relationship between left atrium (LA) volumes and contractility features along the cardiac cycle. The present study aimed to assess, by three‐dimensional speckle‐tracking echocardiography (3DSTE), correlations between LA volumes, volume‐based functional properties, and strains during the cardiac cycle in healthy adults.MethodsWe included 217 healthy adult volunteers (mean age 33.4 ± 12.7 years, 112 males) who underwent complete two‐dimensional Doppler echocardiography with 3DSTE.ResultsLA stroke volumes were greater in subjects with the greater maximum LA volume (Vmax) in reservoir, conduit, and booster pump phases of LA function. While LA emptying fraction in LA reservoir phase was not different between subjects depending in their Vmax value, a significantly lower LA emptying fraction could be detected in LA conduit phase in subjects whose Vmax was >50 mL. In booster pump function, LA emptying fraction was not significantly different whatever the Vmax. Only global and mean segmental peak LA radial strain (RS) and 3D strain (3DS) and the same strains at atrial contraction appeared greater in subjects with greater Vmax, whereas the other strain parameters were not different.ConclusionsIn healthy subjects, LA‐RS and LA‐3DS, objective features of LA contractility, are greater in subjects with greater LA volumes up to a point beyond which this association disappears.
The fiscal management of permanent and temporary foreign aid: Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Abdelwahed Loujaina 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper argues that whether aid receipts are permanent or temporary is an important yet overlooked determinant of the fiscal management of foreign aid. I present a theoretical framework that shows that permanent aid and temporary aid differently affect the recipient governments' choice between taxes and debt issuance. Empirically, I assess how the fiscal deficit responds to permanent aid and temporary aid in a panel of sub‐Saharan African aid‐recipient countries. Results show that while permanent aid leads to higher deficit, temporary aid reduces the deficit. The different responses of government spending to permanent aid and temporary aid help explain this pattern. Results provide important policy implications for the design of foreign aid programmes to developing countries.
Hspa8 and ICAM-1 as damage-induced mediators of γδ T cell activation
Authors: Johnson Margarete D , Otuki Michel F , Cabrini Daniela A , Rudolph Ross , Witherden Deborah A , Havran Wendy L 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTissue-resident γδ T cells form the first line of defense at barrier surfaces where they survey host tissue for signs of stress or damage. Following recognition of injury, γδ T cells play a crucial role in the wound-healing response through the production of growth factors and cytokines that promote proliferation in surrounding epithelial cells. To initiate this response, γδ T cells require interactions with a variety of epithelial-expressed costimulatory molecules in addition to primary signaling through their TCR. In the epidermis these signals include the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR), histocompatibility antigen 60c (H60c), and plexin B2, which interact with γδ T cell-expressed junctional adhesion molecule-like protein (JAML), NKG2D, and CD100, respectively. Here we identify heat shock protein family A member 8 (Hspa8) and ICAM-1 as two additional keratinocyte-expressed costimulatory molecules for epidermal resident γδ T cells (termed DETC). These molecules were rapidly up-regulated in the epidermis following wounding in both mouse and human tissue. Both Hspa8 and ICAM-1 had a costimulatory effect on DETC, inducing proliferation, CD25 up-regulation, and IL-2 production. We also provide evidence that DETC can be activated through the potential ICAM-1 and Hspa8 receptors LFA-1 and CD316. Finally, knockdown of Hspa8 in keratinocytes reduced their ability to activate DETC in culture and ICAM-1−/− mice exhibited impaired rates of healing in skin-organ culture suggesting a role for these proteins in the DETC-mediated damage response. Together with previous work on CAR, H60c, and plexin B2, these results add to a picture of a complex keratinocyte wound signature that is required for efficient DETC activation.
Effects of the combination therapy of electric field stimulation and polyethylene glycol in the ex vivo spinal cord of female rats after compression
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wang Aihua , Zhang Guanghao , Rong Wei , Wu Changzhe , Huo Xiaolin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe application of electric field stimulation (EFS) can reduce the cation influx after spinal cord injury. However, regenerated cation influx and reestablished injury potential are observed after EFS. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is popular as an effective cell membrane fusion agent. This study aims to determine the effects of the combination therapy of EFS and PEG in the ex vivo spinal cord after compression. The ex vivo spinal cords of female rats with compression injury were incubated in a double sucrose gap recording chamber (DSGRC) and randomly divided into the following four groups: (1) compression group: compression only, (2) EFS group: EFS for 15 min, (3) PEG group: PEG treatment for 4 min, and (4) EFS + PEG group: EFS for 15 min and PEG treatment for 4 min. The hematoxylin–eosin staining was performed to measure the necrotic area of the spinal cords. The gap potential was detected, and the area under the curve of the gap potential was calculated. The intracellular cation concentration, membrane permeability, and compound action potential were measured and quantified. Results revealed no significant difference in the necrotic areas among different groups, and the compression model of the ex vivo spinal cord in the DSGRC had high consistency and stability. The combination therapy could attenuate cation inflow, promote cell membrane restoration, and promote the functional recovery of the spinal cord conduction after compression in ex vivo spinal cords.
Sex differences in synaptic plasticity underlying learning
Authors: Gall Christine M. , Le Aliza A. , Lynch Gary 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAlthough sex differences in learning behaviors are well documented, sexual dimorphism in the synaptic processes of encoding is only recently appreciated. Studies in male rodents have built upon the discovery of long‐term potentiation (LTP), and acceptance of this activity‐dependent increase in synaptic strength as a mechanism of encoding, to identify synaptic receptors and signaling activities that coordinate the activity‐dependent remodeling of the subsynaptic actin cytoskeleton that is critical for enduring potentiation and memory. These molecular substrates together with other features of LTP, as characterized in males, have provided an explanation for a range of memory phenomena including multiple stages of consolidation, the efficacy of spaced training, and the location of engrams at the level of individual synapses. In the present report, we summarize these findings and describe more recent results from our laboratories showing that in females the same actin regulatory mechanisms are required for hippocampal LTP and memory but, in females only, the engagement of both modulatory receptors such as TrkB and synaptic signaling intermediaries including Src and ERK1/2 requires neuron‐derived estrogen and signaling through membrane‐associated estrogen receptor α (ERα). Moreover, in association with the additional ERα involvement, females exhibit a higher threshold for hippocampal LTP and spatial learning. We propose that the distinct LTP threshold in females contributes to as yet unappreciated sex differences in information processing and features of learning and memory.
Application of INSM1 in Diagnosis and Grading of Laryngeal Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Yuan Cuncun , Jiao Feng , Zhai Changwen , Zhang Jiahao , Wang Shuyi , Zhu Li 
Published: April 2021

ObjectiveChromogranin (CHG), synaptophysin (Syn), and CD56 are generally used in a panel to support diagnoses of laryngeal neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). However, the absence of expression of these markers does not completely exclude the diagnosis. INSM1 is a novel marker that is considered sufficiently sensitive and specific for NE differentiation. The aim of this study is not only to detect its sensitivity and specificity, but also to evaluate its application in grading for laryngeal NECs.MethodsThe clinicopathological characteristics of the 25 cases with laryngeal NECs were retrospectively analyzed. The expressions of INSM1, CHG, Syn, and CD56 were detected by immunohistochemistry.ResultsOf the 25 laryngeal NECs, INSM1 had higher sensitivity (92%) than Syn (84%), CHG (76%) and CD56 (76%). The average H scores of INSM1, CD56, Syn, and CHG were 160, 37.5, 300, 300 for well‐differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (WD‐NEC); 190, 149, 209, 215 for moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (MD‐NEC); 251, 208, 104, 25 for poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma with small cell (SCNEC); 109, 160, 98, 26 for large cell types (LCNEC), respectively. Of these 98 non‐neuroendocrine tumors, INSM1 expression was seen in nine (9%) tumors, all were squamous cell carcinoma. And INSM1 staining was generally focal.ConclusionINSM1 has high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of laryngeal NECs. For grading laryngeal NECs, Syn and CHG showed significant advantages in the diagnosis of WD‐NEC and MD‐NEC, whereas INSM1 and CD56 showed greater diagnostic value in the diagnosis of SCNEC and LCNEC, especially in SCNEC.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2662–E2668, 2021
Ecological resilience in tropical Andean lakes: A paleolimnological perspective
Authors: Benito Xavier , Luethje Melina , Schneider Tobias , Fritz Sherilyn C. , Baker Paul A. , Pedersen Eric J. , Gaüzère Pierre , de Novaes Nascimento Majoi , Bush Mark , Ruhi Albert 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLittle is known about whether changes in lake ecosystem structure over the past 150 years are unprecedented when considering longer timescales. Similarly, research linking environmental stressors to lake ecological resilience has traditionally focused on a few sentinel sites, hindering the study of spatially synchronous changes across large areas. Here, we studied signatures of paleolimnological resilience by tracking change in diatom community composition over the last 2000 years in four Ecuadorian Andean lakes with contrasting ecoregions. We focused on climate and anthropogenic change, and the type of biological responses that these changes induced: gradual, elastic, or threshold. We combined multivariate ordination techniques with nonlinear time‐series methods (hierarchical generalized additive models) to characterize trajectories of community responses in each lake, and coherence in such trajectories across lakes. We hypothesized that remote, high‐elevation lakes would exhibit synchronous trends due to their shared climatic constraints, whereas lower elevation lakes would show less synchronous trends as a consequence of human density and land‐cover alteration. We found that gradual and elastic responses dominated. Threshold‐type responses, or regime shifts, were only detected in the less remote lake, after a long period of gradual and elastic changes. Unexpected synchrony was observed in diatom assemblages from geographically distant and human‐impacted lakes, whereas lakes under similar broad‐scale environmental factors (climate and ecoregion) showed asynchronous community trajectories over time. Our results reveal a complex ecological history and indicate that Andean lakes in Ecuador can gradually adapt and recover from a myriad of disturbances, exhibiting resilience over century to millennial timescales.
High‐Frequency Oscillations in the Pallidum: A Pathophysiological Biomarker in Parkinson's Disease?
Authors: Johnson Luke A. , Aman Joshua E. , Yu Ying , Escobar Sanabria David , Wang Jing , Hill Meghan , Dharnipragada Rajiv , Patriat Remi , Fiecas Mark , Li Laura , Schrock Lauren E. , Cooper Scott E. , Johnson Matthew D. , Park Michael C. , Harel Noam , Vitek Jerrold L. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACTBackgroundAbnormal oscillatory neural activity in the beta‐frequency band (13–35 Hz) is thought to play a role in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, increasing evidence points to alterations in high‐frequency ranges (>100 Hz) also having pathophysiological relevance.ObjectivesStudies have found that power in subthalamic nucleus (STN) high‐frequency oscillations is increased with dopaminergic medication and during voluntary movements, implicating these brain rhythms in normal basal ganglia function. The objective of this study was to investigate whether similar signaling occurs in the internal globus pallidus (GPi), a nucleus increasingly used as a target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) for PD.MethodsSpontaneous and movement‐related GPi field potentials were recorded from DBS leads in 5 externalized PD patients on and off dopaminergic medication, as well as from 3 rhesus monkeys before and after the induction of parkinsonism with the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine.ResultsIn the parkinsonian condition, we identified a prominent oscillatory peak centered at 200–300 Hz that increased during movement. In patients the magnitude of high‐frequency oscillation modulation was negatively correlated with bradykinesia. In monkeys, high‐frequency oscillations were mostly absent in the naive condition but emerged after the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine. In patients, spontaneous high‐frequency oscillations were significantly attenuated on‐medication.ConclusionsOur findings provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that exaggerated, movement‐modulated high‐frequency oscillations in the GPi are pathophysiological features of PD. These findings suggest that the functional role(s) of high‐frequency oscillations may differ between the STN and GPi and motivate additional investigations into their relationship to motor control in normal and diseased states.
Asymptomatic common extensor tendon pathology in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Wee Tze Chao , Simon Neil G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and lateral epicondylitis are both highly prevalent conditions. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of B‐mode ultrasound abnormalities of the common extensor tendon (CET) in patients with CTS and establish the relationship between CET stiffness, as measured by shear wave elastography (SWE) and CTS severity.MethodsPatients without symptoms or signs of lateral epicondylitis were recruited from referrals to a neurophysiology laboratory for possible CTS. These patients were examined for clinical features of CTS before undergoing electrodiagnostic testing followed by an ultrasound examination, consisting of B‐mode, power Doppler, and SWE.ResultsThirty‐nine limbs with clinically diagnosed CTS and 20 control limbs were included. Of the CTS limbs, 61.5% had sonographically abnormal CET compared with 35% of the controls. The mean CET sonographic abnormality score was higher in CTS patients compared with controls (P = .006). CTS patients with sonographically abnormal CET had more severe CTS by electrophysiological criteria. The mean CET stiffness in CTS patients was lower than in controls (P = .033).DiscussionSonographic abnormalities of the CET are common in CTS patients with no clinical evidence of lateral epicondylitis and may relate to common pathogenetic mechanisms. These findings suggest that isolated ultrasound abnormalities in the CET are not diagnostically useful in patients presenting with upper limb pain unless there are clinical features of lateral epicondylitis.
Design of super‐tough and antibacterialPPR/nano‐ZnOcomposites based on the excellent dispersion ofZnOparticles
Authors: Huang Chaojie , Mou Wenjie , Zhao Liangzhi , Liu Ye 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHerein, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) dispersants are used to disperse and isolate zinc oxide (ZnO) particles. A high‐pressure spray device is used to dry the dispersed nano‐fillers quickly to achieve the structure of PVP chains wrapping and isolating ZnO particles. Scanning electron microscopy shows that most of the size of the agglomerated ZnO nanoparticles in polypropylene random (PPR, obtained by random copolymerization of propylene and ethylene) is maintained below 100 nm, and only a small amount of large agglomerates with a particle size less than 400 nm. An excellent dispersion of nano‐ZnO fillers prepared by this method can greatly improve the toughness of PPR and endow it with good antibacterial properties. When the content of the ZnO nanoparticles is 3 wt%, the notched impact strength of PVZ3 increases to 48.85 kJ m−2(unbroken), which is 3.6 times than that of pure PPR. In addition, 3 phr ZnO nanoparticles give PPR excellent antibacterial properties, with an antibacterial rate of 99.9% (Escherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus). The value of antibacterial activity (E. coli) of PVZ3 reached more than 6.0, which is nearly three times that of PZ.
How patients with cancer experience dignity: An integrative review
Authors: Xiao Jinnan , Ng Marques S. N. , Yan Tingting , Chow Ka Ming , Chan Carmen W. H. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundA diagnosis of cancer and its treatments can be associated with a prominent issue of loss of dignity or an undermined sense of dignity for patients. Research is increasingly being conducted into how patients with cancer experience dignity, with the aim to build clinical foundations for care that preserves patients' sense of dignity.AimThis review summarises and synthesises the available empirical literature on the experience of dignity in patients with cancer regarding both the perception of dignity and associated factors.MethodAn integrative review method was used. A literature search was conducted in 11 databases using the search terms ‘dignity’ OR ‘existential’ OR ‘existentialism’ combined with ‘cancer’. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (version 2011) was adopted to appraise the methodological quality of the included studies.ResultsNine qualitative studies and 13 quantitative studies met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The ways that patients with cancer perceived dignity include autonomy/control, respect, self‐worth, family connectedness, acceptance, hope/future and God/religious. Factors associated with dignity include demographics, physical and psychosocial distress, experiences of suffering and coping strategies.ConclusionDignity‐conserving care should respect patients' human autonomy to strengthen their sense of self‐worth, acceptance, hope, reinforce family connectedness, and foster coping strategies to control the physical, psychosocial factors and experience of sufferings that threaten their sense of dignity.
Adaptive constraint‐following control for uncertain nonlinear mechanical systems with measurement error
Authors: Yang Zeyu , Huang Jin , Hu Zhanyi , Yin Hui , Zhong Zhihua 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study proposes an adaptive constraint‐following control scheme for an uncertain nonlinear mechanical system. The concerned system is required to follow a class of (holonomic and nonholonomic) equality constraints. Uncertainties (possibly fast time‐varying) exist in the dynamics equation and the equality constraints. Meanwhile, the system contains state measurement errors. Both the uncertainties and measurement errors are assumed to be bounded. Based on Udwadia–Kalapa approach and a saturation type adaptive law, an adaptive control scheme is proposed to drive the system to follow the prescribed constraints approximately. Through Lyapunov minimax analysis, it is proved that the resulting control guarantees the uniform boundedness and uniform ultimate boundedness of the closed‐loop constrained mechanical system despite the presence of the uncertainties and the measurement errors. Numerical simulations of the vehicle lateral motion control are presented. The results validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Innovation Ecosystem framework directed to Sustainable Development Goal #17 partnerships implementation
Authors: Oliveira‐Duarte Larissa , Reis Diane Aparecida , Fleury Andre Leme , Vasques Rosana Aparecida , Fonseca Filho Homero , Koria Mikko , Baruque‐Ramos Julia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPartnerships are demanded to implement a more integrated approach to sustainable development problems. The complex character of sustainability requires the participation of many societal spheres to resolve them. Sustainable Development Goal #17 “Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development” recognizes multi‐stakeholder partnerships as important vehicles for mobilizing and sharing knowledge, expertise, technologies, and financial resources to support the achievement of the SDGs in all countries. Innovation Ecosystems (IE) are dynamic purposive multi‐stakeholders' networks with complex relationships built on trust, co‐creation of value, and exchange of complementary technologies or competencies. Few studies investigated the IEs relating to sustainability and specially within the SDGs. This study provides a descriptive analysis of the relationship between IE and the SDGs, concerning the question about how the IE framework can orient the SDG #17 partnership implementation. The methodology is based on the literature review and analysis of documents from the United Nations, available at the UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform ‐ 2021. Four core drivers were identified and discussed: Geographical Governance, Collaboration, Knowledge Transmission, and Value co‐creation. Considering the IE lens, the SDGs can be addressed as the purpose engaging the Major Groups, which are the key contributors in terms of being part of the challenges and solutions. There is a need to prepare stakeholders to be ecosystem conscious and aware of the demanded innovations. Future research should include describing methods to measure IE performance considering the SDGs and empirical studies to analyze the ecosystem roles and relations of the Major Groups.