bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computational Learning of microRNA-Based Prediction of Pouchitis Outcome After Restorative Proctocolectomy in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Morilla Ian , Uzzan Mathieu , Cazals-Hatem Dominique , Colnot Nathalie , Panis Yves , Nancey Stéphane , Boschetti Gilles , Amiot Aurélien , Tréton Xavier , Ogier-Denis Eric , Daniel Fanny 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the standard of care after total proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, inflammation often develops in the pouch, leading to acute or recurrent/chronic pouchitis (R/CP). MicroRNAs (miRNA) are used as accurate diagnostic and predictive biomarkers in many human diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases. Therefore, we aimed to identify an miRNA-based biomarker to predict the occurrence of R/CP in patients with UC after colectomy and IPAA.

Methods
We conducted a retrospective study in 3 tertiary centers in France. We included patients with UC who had undergone IPAA with or without subsequent R/CP. Paraffin-embedded biopsies collected from the terminal ileum during the proctocolectomy procedure were used for microarray analysis of miRNA expression profiles. Deep neural network–based classifiers were used to identify biomarkers predicting R/CP using miRNA expression and relevant biological and clinical factors in a discovery cohort of 29 patients. The classification algorithm was tested in an independent validation cohort of 28 patients.

Results
A combination of 11 miRNA expression profiles and 3 biological/clinical factors predicted the outcome of R/CP with 88% accuracy (area under the curve = 0.94) in the discovery cohort. The performance of the classification algorithm was confirmed in the validation cohort with 88% accuracy (area under the curve = 0.90). Apoptosis, cytoskeletal regulation by Rho GTPase, and fibroblast growth factor signaling were the most dysregulated targets of the 11 selected miRNAs.

Conclusions
We developed and validated a computational miRNA-based algorithm for accurately predicting R/CP in patients with UC after IPAA.
Suboptimal Vaccination Administration in Mothers With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Their Biologic-Exposed Infants
Authors: Chiarella-Redfern Helene , Lee Sangmin , Jubran Bellal , Sharifi Nastaran , Panaccione Remo , Constantinescu Cora , Benchimol Eric I , Seow Cynthia H 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of developing complications from vaccine-preventable infections. We investigated the factors influencing vaccine administration in pregnant women with IBD and their infants, in addition to the safety of vaccination in the infants.

Methods
This retrospective cohort study identified individuals from a tertiary referral clinic whose records were linked to a provincial vaccine database. We conducted χ 2 tests, Fisher exact tests, and logistic regression adjusting for age and disease duration to compare vaccine administration by medication class. Potential rotavirus vaccine adverse events were determined in infants of women with IBD.

Results
We included 303 pregnant women and 262 infants. Vaccines were administered to women on biologic therapy as follows: hepatitis B virus (82.9%), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (82.1%), and hepatitis A virus (49.3%). The influenza vaccination was provided peripartum in 50.7% of patients. The measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine was provided to 89.3% of women before biologic initiation. Women treated with a biologic (adjusted odds ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-4.35) or immunomodulator (adjusted odds ratio, 4.00; 95% confidence interval, 2.22-7.69) were more likely to receive the Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23 vaccines than were unexposed individuals, but the overall proportion vaccinated was low (Prevnar 13, 35.7%; Pneumovax 23, 39.3%). At least 90% of infants received the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine and inactivated vaccines. Fourteen biologic-exposed children (19.2%) received the live rotavirus vaccine with no significant differences in adverse events compared with biologic-unexposed infants (7.1% vs 8.2%, P = 0.99).

Conclusions
Better education surrounding vaccine recommendations is required for both health care providers and individuals with IBD given poor pneumococcal, hepatitis A virus, and influenza vaccination rates. Inadvertent administration of the rotavirus vaccine in biologic-exposed infants did not result in more adverse events, raising the possibility of safety.
Liver X Receptor Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Colonic Epithelial Cells via ABCA1 and Its Expression Is Decreased in Human and Experimental Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Miranda-Bautista José , Rodríguez-Feo Juan A , Puerto Marta , López-Cauce Beatriz , Lara José M , González-Novo Raquel , Martín-Hernández David , Ferreiro-Iglesias Rocío , Bañares Rafael , Menchén Luis 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Liver X receptor (LXR) exerts anti-inflammatory effects in macrophages. The aim of this study was to explore the expression and function of LXR in the colonic epithelium under inflammatory conditions.

Methods
The expression of LXR was explored by Western blot and immunohistochemistry in colonic biopsies from patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and control patients. In addition, LXR and its target gene expression were analyzed in the colon from interleukin (IL)-10-deficient (IL-10-/-) and wild-type mice. Caco-2 cells were pretreated with the synthetic LXR agonist GW3965 and further challenged with IL-1β, the expression of IL-8 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL)-28 chemokines, the activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and the nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B was evaluated. Glibenclamide was used as an ABCA1 antagonist.

Results
We found that LXR expression was downregulated in colonic samples from patients with IBD and IL-10-/- mice. The nuclear positivity of LXR inversely correlated with ulcerative colitis histologic activity. Colonic IL-1β mRNA levels negatively correlated with both LXRα and LXRβ in the colon of IL-10-/- mice, where a decreased mRNA expression of the LXR target genes ABCA1 and FAS was shown. In addition, IL-1β decreased the expression of the LXR target gene ABCA1 in cultured intestinal epithelial cells. The synthetic LXR agonist GW3965 led to a decreased nuclear positivity of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B, a phosphorylation ratio of the p44-42 MAP kinase, and the expression of CCL-28 and IL-8 in IL-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells. The pharmacological inhibition of ABCA1 increased the phosphorylation of p44-42 after GW3965 treatment and IL-1β stimulation.

Conclusions
The LXR-ABCA1 pathway exerts anti-inflammatory effects in intestinal epithelial cells and is impaired in the colonic mucosa of patients with IBD and IL-10-/- mice.
Cuticular Hydrocarbon Profile Analyses Help Clarify the Species Identity of Dry-Mounted Cuckoo Wasps (Hymenoptera: Chrysididae), Including Type Material, and Reveal Evidence for a Cryptic Species
Authors: Soon Villu , Castillo-Cajas Ruth F , Johansson Niklas , Paukkunen Juho , Rosa Paolo , Ødegaard Frode , Schmitt Thomas , Niehuis Oliver 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCuckoo wasps of the Chrysis ignita species group are difficult to identify at the species level, and the taxonomic status of various taxa has consequently been controversial. COI barcoding has helped clarify some of the taxonomic problems in this group, but also revealed cryptic diversity at the genetic level that remained difficult to interpret taxonomically. Here we show that analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) clarifies the taxonomic status of cuckoo wasp samples with distinct COI haplotypes. The advantages of studying CHCs in insects for taxonomic purposes reside on the fact that CHC profiles evolve quickly and that all proteins required for CHC biosynthesis are encoded by nuclear genes. Using Chrysis pseudobrevitarsis as an example, we show that COI barcoding in combination with analysis of CHCs extracted from freshly collected and from dry-mounted museum specimens (including the lectotype of C. pseudobrevitarsis) provides clear evidence for a separate taxon among samples which were previously considered to be conspecific with C. pseudobrevitarsis. We describe this taxon as Chrysis parabrevitarsis n. sp. and present characters for distinguishing it chemically, genetically, and morphologically (females only) from C. pseudobrevitarsis. CHC profile comparison suggests females of C. pseudobrevitarsis may chemically mimic females of the vespid wasp Euodynerus notatus. Our study demonstrates the value of CHC analyses for supporting taxonomic inferences based on COI barcodes. It additionally underlines the value of dry-mounted collection specimens for chemical analyses and the potential of CHCs for inferring the identity of museum specimens, including type material, in a morphologically noninvasive manner.
Stick Then Carrot: When Do Governments Give Amnesty during Civil War?
Authors: Daniels Lesley-Ann 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGovernments grant amnesties to rebel groups during civil wars and this is a puzzle. Why would the government offer an amnesty, which can be interpreted as a signal of weakness? In certain circumstances, offering amnesty is a rational policy choice. Governments should give amnesties when they are winning: the risk of misinterpreted signals is lessened, costs are low, rebel groups are weakened, and so amnesty can be used instrumentally to encourage defection or division among foot soldiers or as an incentive to leaders. Therefore, the government capitalizes on its military advantage and offers amnesty in a “stick then carrot” tactic. Using a database of amnesties during conflicts from 1990 to 2011, the article shows that governments are more likely to give amnesties following high rebel deaths. The use of amnesty during conflict is nuanced and context is important when understanding strategic choices.
Generals in the Cabinet: Military Participation in Government and International Conflict Initiation
Authors: White Peter 
Published: February 2021

AbstractHow does the presence of military officers in national government affect a state's likelihood of international conflict? We know a great deal about how overall regime type affects international conflict, but there is substantial variation within regime types in the participation of military officers in the government. We know little about how this variation affects a state's conflict propensity. In this Research Note, I examine three competing arguments for the effect of military participation in government on conflict initiation: Military Aggression, Military Conservatism, and Civil–Military Competition. Military Aggression suggests that military involvement in government will tend to guide the state toward conflict, given a military predisposition to favor the use of force. In contrast, Military Conservatism argues that military officers in government will lead the state to less conflict, given their personal familiarity with its costs. Civil–Military Competition holds that when military officers and civilians share political power, a variety of pathologies in national security deliberation and decision-making emerge, increasing conflict propensity. I test these three propositions cross-nationally using data on the number and type of positions held by military officers in cabinets and state councils and international conflict and find the strongest support for Civil–Military Competition.
Targeting of Children in Non-International Armed Conflicts
Authors: Birhane Fikire Tinsae 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Albeit the prohibition of recruitment and use in hostilities of children is an established norm of international law, recognized under both international humanitarian law and international human rights law, the problem still remains. The main actors responsible for this reality are non-state armed groups (NSAGs), which kept recruiting and involving children in various tasks, including direct participation in hostilities (DPH). This in turn generates a dilemma regarding targetability of such children: whether to extend the special protection afforded to them by international law from being recruited and/or used in hostilities for targeting purposes as well. Additionally, the difficulty to determine targeting rules in the context of non-international armed conflicts (NIACs), which led to controversies as to targetability of even adult members of NSAGs while they do not take a direct part in hostilities, exacerbates the dilemma. This piece, accepting persuasiveness of the proposal in the ICRC Interpretive Guidance that those members of armed groups who have continuous combat function (CCF) are targetable, in addition to civilians taking a direct part in hostilities, questions whether children with such function/role are targetable in the same manner as adults of the same position. It is argued here that though children can be targeted during their DPH or when they have CCF, there is support in the law that the notions of DPH and CCF should be applied to them differently than adults. The piece also analyzes if the same means and methods used to target adults could be lawful when employed against children.
Optimizing the Introduction of Wearable Sensors Into the German Armed Forces for Military Medical Applications
Authors: Scheit Lorenz 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction
A wide variety of different types of wearable sensors are being developed around the world and introduced into the armed forces for military purposes. Competing states must rapidly develop ready-to-use systems that are robust, functional, valid, and practical. There appears to be potential for optimizing the successful and effective introduction of wearable sensors into the German armed forces (Bundeswehr) for military medical applications. The purpose of this study was to identify specific options for improving and optimizing the introduction of modern technologies such as wearable sensors into the structures of the German armed forces.

Materials and Methods
Nine stakeholders were identified who could provide a qualified statement on the introduction of wearable sensors, of which six agreed to participate in an expert interview. The six qualitative expert interviews, which were conducted for a master’s thesis at the Bundeswehr University in Hamburg, were selected on the basis of their thematic involvement and readiness for an interview and provided the basis for exploring processes that can possibly optimize the introduction of wearable sensors into modern armed forces such as the Bundeswehr. These interviews were carried out and analyzed using the Lamnek’s method.

Results
Six expert interviews were analyzed and the most relevant statements were summarized and presented. Thirteen options for optimization were identified and included, for example, interdisciplinary networking, optimization of information flow, and strategic weighting.

Conclusions
Several potential options have been identified that can optimize the introduction of wearable sensors into the German armed forces to a greater or lesser extent. Bundeswehr experts agree that above all structurally relevant improvements such as “development of data analysis standards,” “legal requirements,” “interdisciplinarity,” “acceleration of development,” and “centralization and structured cooperation” should play an important role in the implementation of wearable sensors.
Sudden and Asymmetric Hearing Loss Among Active Duty Service Members: Underscoring the Importance of Active Screening
Authors: Sommerfeldt John M , Marinelli John P , Spear Samuel A 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Military personnel are at increased risk of asymmetric hearing loss secondary to noise exposure. This report illustrates the importance of expeditiously evaluating for retrocochlear pathology even in young active duty service members with asymmetric or sudden hearing loss. A 36-year-old male presented with right-sided sudden hearing loss and dizziness. Audiometry revealed profound mid-to-high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear. A 10-day course of oral steroid therapy and two intratympanic steroid injections were unsuccessful in restoring hearing. MRI revealed a 4.2 cm contrast-enhancing cerebellopontine angle tumor, consistent with a vestibular schwannoma (VS). Microsurgical resection utilizing a retrosigmoid craniotomy approach was performed with near-total resection of the tumor and preservation of the facial nerve but not the cochlear nerve. Despite preservation of the facial nerve, progression of post-operative facial weakness required gold weight placement to prevent exposure keratopathy. The patient had recovered partial function in all facial nerve branches at last follow-up. In light of the rising global incidence of VS, any asymmetric or sudden hearing loss in military service members should be evaluated with audiometry and referral to otolaryngology for workup of retrocochlear pathology.
The warm-up phase in massive star-forming cores around RCW 120
Authors: Kirsanova M S , Salii S V , Kalenskii S V , Wiebe D S , Sobolev A M , Boley P A 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
We study molecular emission in a massive condensation at the border of the H ii region RCW 120, paying particular attention to the Core 1 and 2 objects, the most massive fragments of the condensation found previously by ALMA. The latter fragment was previously suggested to host a high-mass analogue of Class 0 young stellar object. We present spectra of molecular emission in the 1 mm range made with the APEX telescope. We detect CH3OH and C34S lines in Cores 1 and 2. The CH3CN series and the SO2 lines are only found in Core 2. We estimate gas physical parameters using methanol lines and obtain gas temperature less than 100 K in both regions. Molecular hydrogen number density in Core 2 is in the range of 105−107 cm−3 and is more uncertain in Core 1. However, the detection of the CH3CN lines corresponding to highly excited transitions (Eu &gt; 400 K) in Core 2 indicates that the region contains hot gas, while the abundances of CH3OH, CS, SO2, and CH3CN are quite low for a hot core stage. We propose that Core 2 is in the warm-up phase prior to the establishing of the hot gas chemistry. We suggest that Core 2 is in the beginning of the hot core stage. There are no detected CH3CN lines in Core 1; therefore, it might be on an even less evolved evolutionary stage.
Thrombospondin-1 mimetics are promising novel therapeutics for MYC-associated medulloblastoma
Authors: Chan Tiffany S Y , Picard Daniel , Hawkins Cynthia E , Lu Mei , Pfister Stefan , Korshunov Andrey , Roussel Martine F , Wechsler-Reya Robert J , Henkin Jack , Bouffet Eric , Huang Annie 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Medulloblastoma (MB) comprises four subtypes of which group 3 MB are the most aggressive. Although overall survival for MB has improved, the outcome of group 3 MB remains dismal. C-MYC (MYC) amplification or MYC overexpression which characterizes group 3 MB is a strong negative prognostic factor and is frequently associated with metastases and relapses. We previously reported that MYC expression alone promotes highly aggressive MB phenotypes, in part via repression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a potent tumor suppressor.

Methods
In this study, we examined the potential role of TSP-1 and TSP-1 peptidomimetic ABT-898 in MYC-amplified human MB cell lines and two distinct murine models of MYC-driven group 3 MBs.

Results
We found that TSP-1 reconstitution diminished metastases and prolonged survival in orthotopic xenografts and promoted chemo- and radio-sensitivity via AKT signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ABT-898 can recapitulate the effects of TSP-1 expression in MB cells in vitro and specifically induced apoptosis in murine group 3 MB tumor cells.

Conclusion
Our data underscore the importance of TSP-1 as a critical tumor suppressor in MB and highlight TSP-1 peptidomimetics as promising novel therapeutics for the most lethal subtype of MB.
Vascularized Bone Grafts for Spinal Fusion—Part 3: The Occiput
Authors: Bohl Michael A , Reece Edward M , Farrokhi Farrokh , Davis Matthew J , Abu-Ghname Amjed , Ropper Alexander E 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Obtaining successful arthrodesis at the craniocervical junction and atlantoaxial joint can be more challenging than in other segments of the cervical spine. This challenge stems from the relatively hypermobile joints between the occipital condyles, the motion that occurs at C1 and C2, as well as the paucity of dorsal bony surfaces for posterior arthrodesis. While multiple different techniques for spinal fixation in this region have been well described, there has been little investigation into auxiliary methods to improve fusion rates.

OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of an occipital bone graft to augment bony arthrodesis in the supraaxial cervical spine using a multidisciplinary approach.

METHODS
We review the technique for harvesting and placing a vascularized occipital bone graft in 2 patients undergoing revision surgery at the craniocervical junction.

RESULTS
The differentiation from nonvascularized bone graft, either allograft or autograft, to a bone graft using vascularized tissue is a key principle of this technique. It has been well established that vascularized bone heals and fuses in the spine better than structural autogenous grafts. However, the morbidity and added operative time of harvesting a vascularized flap, such as from the fibula or rib, precludes its utility in most degenerative spine surgeries.

CONCLUSION
By adapting the standard neurosurgical procedure for a suboccipital craniectomy and utilizing the tenets of flap-based reconstructive surgery to maintain the periosteal and muscular blood supply, we describe the feasibility of using a vascularized and pedicled occipital bone graft to augment instrumented upper cervical spinal fusion. The use of this vascularized bone graft may increase fusion rates in complex spine surgeries.