bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geography of plant breeding systems, agroclimatic similarity, and agricultural productivity: evidence from Nigeria
Authors: Takeshima Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAgroclimatic conditions and agricultural research and development (R&D) including plant breeding activities by the public sector are some of the most significant exogenous factors in the agricultural sector. However, the effects of the interactions between these two sets of factors on agricultural productivity have not been studied widely in developing countries, despite potentially important implications on their plant breeding strategies. Using three‐wave panel data of agricultural households in Nigeria and spatial data on various agroclimatic parameters, we show that agricultural productivity and technical efficiency at the agricultural household level is significantly positively affected by the similarity of agroclimatic conditions between locations where agricultural households are located, and locations where major plant breeding institutes are located. These results hold after controlling for various socioeconomic characteristics of these households, including their physical distances to the breeding institutes. Findings are robust across parametric and nonparametric specifications such as Data Envelopment Method, and after addressing potential endogeneity of agroclimatic similarity and agricultural inputs variables in the production function. Productivity effects due to the locations of plant breeding institutes and resulting agroclimatic similarity can be potentially sizable given Nigeria's past productivity growth speed.
The role of retail market power and state regulations in the heterogeneity of farm‐retail price transmission of private label and branded products
Authors: Liu Yizao , Chen Xuan , Rabinowitz Adam N. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractGiven the leading role of private label brands in the fluid milk market, it is of special interest to focus on possible differences in farm‐retail price transmission between private label and branded milk as well as the causes of heterogeneity. This article examines the heterogeneous effects of private label and branded products on price transmission in the fluid milk market using a panel threshold asymmetric error correction model. Results indicate that upward retail‐price adjustment is faster than the downward price adjustment for both private label and branded milk. The speed of adjustment of private label products is significantly faster than branded products in three different price regimes. We further investigate the reasons of heterogeneity in farm‐retail price transmission of private label milk. We find that both retailer market power and state pricing regulations contribute to the heterogeneity in asymmetric price transmission. Higher retailer market power causes retail prices of private label milk to rise faster and to fall slower. The existence of a state pricing regulation slows down the adjustment speed of retail prices of private labels back to the long‐run equilibrium, regardless of whether the retail price is low or high.
Hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative metastatic breast cancer: Impact of CDK4/6 inhibitors on the current treatment paradigm
Authors: Boyle Frances , Beith Jane , Burslem Katie , de Boer Richard , Hui Rina , Lim Elgene , McCarthy Nicole , Redfern Andrew , Woodward Natasha 
Published: October 2018

AbstractResistance to endocrine therapy is a significant therapeutic challenge in the treatment of women with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2–) advanced breast cancer. Cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy have been shown to improve progression free survival, overall response rate and clinical benefit rate in women with HR+ HER2– metastatic breast cancer compared with endocrine therapy alone. This review examines the clinical evidence to support the use of CDK4/6 inhibitors in first and second line settings. Practical guidance is provided for the use of CDK4/6 inhibitors, including tolerability data, monitoring requirements and management of key toxicities for each of the available agents.
FoxO1 is a critical regulator of M2‐like macrophage activation in allergic asthma
Authors: Chung Sangwoon , Kim Ji Y. , Song Min‐Ae , Park Gye Y. , Lee Yong G. , Karpurapu Manjula , Englert Joshua A. , Ballinger Megan N. , Pabla Navjot , Chung Hae Y. , Christman John W. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe pathogenesis of asthma and airway obstruction is the result of an abnormal response to different environmental exposures. The scientific premise of our study was based on the finding that FoxO1 expression is increased in lung macrophages of mice after allergen exposure and human asthmatic patients. Macrophages are capable of switching from one functional phenotype to another, and it is important to understand the mechanisms involved in the transformation of macrophages and how their cellular function affects the peribronchial stromal microenvironment.MethodsWe employed a murine asthma model, in which mice were treated by intranasal insufflation with allergens for 2‐8 weeks. We used both a pharmacologic approach using a highly specific FoxO1 inhibitor and genetic approaches using FoxO1 knockout mice (FoxO1fl/flLysMcre). Cytokine level in biological fluids was measured by ELISA and the expression of encoding molecules by NanoString assay and qRT‐PCR.ResultsWe show that the levels of FoxO1 gene are significantly elevated in the airway macrophages of patients with mild asthma in response to subsegmental bronchial allergen challenge. Transcription factor FoxO1 regulates a pro‐asthmatic phenotype of lung macrophages that is involved in the development and progression of chronic allergic airway disease. We have shown that inhibition of FoxO1 induced phenotypic conversion of lung macrophages and downregulates pro‐asthmatic and pro‐fibrotic gene expression by macrophages, which contribute to airway inflammation and airway remodeling in allergic asthma.ConclusionTargeting FoxO1 with its downstream regulator IRF4 is a novel therapeutic target for controlling allergic inflammation and potentially reversing fibrotic airway remodeling.
The effect of force applied to the left paratracheal oesophagus on air entry into the gastric antrum during positive‐pressure ventilation using a facemask
Authors: Gautier N. , Danklou J. , Brichant J. F. , Lopez A. M. , Vandepitte C. , Kuroda M. M. , Hadzic A. , Gautier P. E. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryCricoid force is widely applied to decrease the risk of pulmonary aspiration and gastric antral insufflation of air during positive‐pressure ventilation, yet its efficacy remains controversial. We compared manual oesophageal compression at the low left paratracheal and cricoid levels for the prevention of gastric antral air insufflation during positive‐pressure ventilation by facemask in patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. After gaining written consent, participants were randomly allocated by sealed envelope to one of three groups: oesophageal compression by 30 N paratracheal force (paratracheal group); oesophageal compression by 30 N cricoid force (cricoid group); or no oesophageal compression (control group). Gastric insufflation of air was assessed before and after positive‐pressure ventilation by ultrasound measurement of the antral cross‐sectional area and/or presence of air artefacts in the antrum. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of participants with ultrasound evidence of gastric insufflation. We recruited 30 patients into each group. Before facemask ventilation, no air artefacts were visible in the antrum in any of the participants. After facemask ventilation of the participant's lungs, no air artefacts were seen in the paratracheal group, compared with six subjects in the cricoid group and eight subjects in the control group (p = 0.012). Our results suggest that oesophageal compression can be achieved by the application of manual force at the low left paratracheal level and that this is more effective than cricoid force in preventing air entry into the gastric antrum during positive‐pressure ventilation by facemask.
Paradox of meritocracy in surgical selection, and of variation in the attractiveness of individual specialties: to what extent are women still disadvantaged?
Authors: Beasley Spencer W. , Khor Sue‐Lynne , Boakes Cassandra , Jenkins Deborah 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundEvidence from outside surgery suggests that meritocracy‐based processes around selection tend to reduce, rather than increase, diversity. In recent years, the surgical training boards have gone to considerable effort to achieve greater transparency and fairness in their selection processes, and to identify those attributes that are believed to best predict future success as a surgeon. This is consistent with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Diversity and Inclusion Plan, which places emphasis on gender equity and has goals that include increasing the attractiveness of surgery as a vocation for women, removing impediments to them applying to the surgical training programmes and removing any biases that might disadvantage them during the selection process.MethodsThis study uses the Female Opportunity Index and rate ratio metrics to measure the level of female disadvantage in surgical selection, whether it be by the perception of its attractiveness to women which influences their application rates, or by the likelihood of successful selection for those who have applied, compared with their male counterparts.ResultsThere are marked differences between the nine surgical specialties and 13 specialty training boards in both the proportion of women who apply, and the proportion who are successful in gaining entry onto the Surgical Education and Training programmes. The Female Opportunity Index ranged from 0.21 to 0.87, which represents a wide variation between surgical specialties.ConclusionThese data raise the question as to whether unconscious bias is occurring in an apparently meritocracy‐based selection process in some specialties. The data also suggest that some specialties are relatively unattractive to women, for which the reasons are likely to be complex.
Blood draws up to 3% of blood volume in clinical trials are safe in children
Authors: Peplow Claudia , Assfalg Robin , Beyerlein Andreas , Hasford Joerg , Bonifacio Ezio , Ziegler Anette‐G 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAimRecommendations for maximum blood draw in children range from 1 to 5% despite limited evidence. The aim of the study was to assess the safety of blood draws in children aged six months to 12 years targeting volumes of 3% of total blood volume.MethodsChildren who experienced three‐monthly blood draws during participation in one of three investigators initiated clinical trials conducted in our institution were examined. In total, 629 venous blood draws were performed in 141 children. Adverse events and blood counts were assessed.ResultsOverall, 608 adverse events were reported. None of these included symptoms that reflected concerns on blood draw volumes or frequency. Anaemia and red cell or haemoglobin measurements outside the normal age range were not observed. A reduction in haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular volume was noted in children participating in one of the three trials analysed.ConclusionRegular blood draws of up to 3% of total blood volume were not associated with signs of anaemia or hypovolaemia in young children. We suggest that the European recommendations be revised for clinical studies in which children are not exposed to treatments that are associated with anaemia risk.
Facing Multiple Barriers to Exercise: Does Stronger Efficacy Help Individuals with Arthritis?
Authors: Sessford James D. , Brawley Lawrence R. , Cary Miranda A. , Flora Parminder K. , Blouin Jocelyn E. , Strachan Shaelyn M. , Gyurcsik Nancy C. 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundResearch about exercise adherence amongst adults with arthritis has been largely correlational, and theoretically based causal studies are needed. We used an experimental design to test the social cognitive theory premise that high self‐efficacy helps to overcome challenging barriers to action.MethodsExercising individuals (N = 86; female = 78%; M age = 53; BMI = 27) with differential self‐regulatory efficacy for managing salient, non‐disease barriers were randomly assigned to many or few barrier conditions. Individuals responded about the strength of their anticipated persistence to continue exercise, and their self‐regulatory efficacy to use exercise‐enabling coping strategies.ResultsIn the many barriers condition, higher barriers‐efficacy individuals expressed (a) greater persistence (Cohen's d = 0.75 [−0.029, 1.79]) and (b) more confidence in their coping solutions (Cohen's d = 0.65 [−0.30, 1.60]) than lower barriers‐efficacy counterparts.ConclusionExperimental support was obtained for the theoretical premise that when facing the greatest barrier challenge, individuals highest in self‐regulatory efficacy still view exercise as possible. Findings suggest that identifying lower efficacy exercisers with arthritis to tailor their exercise to increase self‐regulatory efficacy might also improve their adherence.
Predictors of advanced fibrosis in non‐cirrhotic non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Germany
Authors: Labenz Christian , Huber Yvonne , Kalliga Eva , Nagel Michael , Ruckes Christian , Straub Beate K. , Galle Peter R. , Wörns Marcus‐Alexander , Anstee Quentin M. , Schuppan Detlef , Schattenberg Jörn M. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryBackgroundAdvanced fibrosis has been established as the most important predictor of overall mortality in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In contrast to cirrhosis, advanced, non‐cirrhotic NAFLD is difficult to identify and data from Germany are lacking.AimTo identify clinical factors associated with advanced, non‐cirrhotic fibrosis.MethodsPatients were recruited in the prospectively enrolling European NAFLD Registry. Clinical characteristics and the performance of non‐invasive surrogate scores compared with vibration‐controlled transient elastography are reported.ResultsTwo hundred and sixty‐one patients with non‐cirrhotic NAFLD on liver biopsy (mean age 51 years, equal sex distribution) were included. The prevalence of stage 3 fibrosis on liver biopsy was 15.7%. These patients were significantly older (57 vs 50 years, P < 0.01), had a higher body mass index (32.3 vs 30.5, P < 0.05), and more frequent arterial hypertension (78% vs 50%, P = 0.001) and type 2 diabetes (61% vs 24.1%, P < 0.001). On multivariate logistic regression, diabetes (OR = 4.68, 95% CI 2.17‐10.10) and hypertension (OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.12‐7.18) were independent predictors of advanced fibrosis. Comedication included metformin in 50% and insulin in 33% of patients with diabetes. Despite the presence of cardiovascular risk factors, the use of statins was low. Liver stiffness measurement identified advanced fibrosis with an AUROC of 0.81 (95% CI 0.72‐0.91). The performance of NAFLD fibrosis score, Fibrosis‐4, and AST to platelet ratio index were lower with AUCs of 0.74, 0.71, and 0.67, respectively.ConclusionsThe prevalence of metabolic comorbidities in a German population with non‐cirrhotic biopsy‐proven NAFLD is high. While the examined scores exhibit an acceptable specificity, liver stiffness measurement appeared to be superior to blood‐based non‐invasive surrogate scores in ruling out advanced fibrosis.
Review article: novel antivirals for hepatitis C—sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
Authors: Pearlman Brian L. , Hinds Andrew E. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryBackgroundIn 2017, the hepatitis C treatment regimens sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Although both SOF/VEL/VOX (NS5B polymerase inhibitor/NS5A inhibitor/NS3/4A protease inhibitor) and G/P (NS3/4A protease inhibitor/NS5A inhibitor) are pangenotypic regimens, they are indicated for distinct subsets of patients with hepatitis C.AimTo compare and contrast available safety and efficacy data for SOF/VEL/VOX and G/P and outline their clinical utility.MethodsFor each of the regimens, this review outlines the indications, safety information, and the major clinical studies in which SOF/VEL/VOX and G/P were evaluated.ResultsSOF/VEL/VOX is positioned as a salvage regimen for patients previously treated with NS5A inhibitors and for genotype 1a‐ and 3‐infected patients who had failed other sofosbuvir‐containing regimens. G/P is the first pangenotypic regimen with an 8‐week duration for treatment‐naïve, non‐cirrhotic patients, and it is indicated for patients with any genotype who have advanced kidney disease, including those on dialysis.ConclusionThe addition of SOF/VEL/VOX and G/P to existing hepatitis C treatment options will expand the number of patients who are eligible for and responsive to treatment, thus increasing the possibility of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health issue.
Multi-Study Factor Analysis
Authors: De Vito Roberta , Bellio Ruggero , Trippa Lorenzo , Parmigiani Giovanni 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe introduce a novel class of factor analysis methodologies for the joint analysis of multiple studies. The goal is to separately identify and estimate (1) common factors shared across multiple studies, and (2) study-specific factors. We develop an Expectation Conditional-Maximization algorithm for parameter estimates and we provide a procedure for choosing the numbers of common and specific factors. We present simulations for evaluating the performance of the method and we illustrate it by applying it to gene expression data in ovarian cancer. In both, we clarify the benefits of a joint analysis compared to the standard factor analysis. We have provided a tool to accelerate the pace at which we can combine unsupervised analysis across multiple studies, and understand the cross-study reproducibility of signal in multivariate data. An R package (MSFA), is implemented and is available on GitHub.
OSCP subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase: role in regulation of enzyme function and of its transition to a pore
Authors: Giorgio Valentina , Fogolari Federico , Lippe Giovanna , Bernardi Paolo 
Published: October 2018

The permeability transition pore (PTP) is a latent, high‐conductance channel of the inner mitochondrial membrane. When activated, it plays a key role in cell death and therefore in several diseases. The investigation of the PTP took an unexpected turn after the discovery that cyclophilin D (the target of the PTP inhibitory effect of cyclosporin A) binds to FOF1 (F)‐ATP synthase, thus inhibiting its catalytic activity by about 30%. This observation was followed by the demonstration that binding occurs at a particular subunit of the enzyme, the oligomycin sensitivity conferral protein (OSCP), and that F‐ATP synthase can form Ca2+‐activated, high‐conductance channels with features matching those of the PTP, suggesting that the latter originates from a conformational change in F‐ATP synthase. This review is specifically focused on the OSCP subunit of F‐ATP synthase, whose unique features make it a potential pharmacological target both for modulation of F‐ATP synthase and its transition to a pore.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Mitochondrial Pharmacology: Featured Mechanisms and Approaches for Therapy Translation. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.22/issuetoc
A group of long noncoding RNAs identified by data mining can predict the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liao Meijian , Liu Qing , Li Bing , Liao Weijie , Xie Weidong , Zhang Yaou 
Published: October 2018

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) are reported to be potential cancer biomarkers. This study aims to find new lncRNA biomarker relevant to lung adenocarcinoma. Gene expression profile and clinical data of lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma patients were downloaded from the UCSC Xena database. These data were analyzed to identify potential lncRNA prognostic biomarkers, and the candidate lncRNAs were analyzed and verified with association analysis, meta‐analysis, survival analysis, gene ontology analysis, gene set enrichment analysis, and other statistical methods. A group of 5 lncRNAs was identified from the 1965 differentially expressed (fold‐change >2) genes. Four of these 5 lncRNAs were expressed at a lower level in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and the other one at a higher level (P < .0001). A risk score model was constructed using a linear combination of the expression levels of these lncRNAs. High‐risk patients showed poorer overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67‐3.06, P < .0001), disease‐free survival (HR = 1.84; 95% CI, 1.26‐2.35, P = .0007), and recurrence‐free survival (HR = 1.51; 95% CI, 1.02‐2.40, P = .04). The 5‐fold cross‐validation and subsequent meta‐analysis further verified that patients in the low‐risk group had better survival (95% CI, 0.74‐1.79, Z = 4.72, P < .00001). Furthermore, both univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that the prognostic value of these 5 lncRNAs was independent of other clinical prognostic factors. Further analysis indicated that these 5 lncRNAs might be associated with tumor metastasis. Taken together, our study suggests new prognostic lncRNA biomarkers for lung adenocarcinoma.
Possible role of p53/Mieap‐regulated mitochondrial quality control as a tumor suppressor in human breast cancer
Authors: Gaowa Siqin , Futamura Manabu , Tsuneki Masayuki , Kamino Hiroki , Tajima Jesse Y. , Mori Ryutaro , Arakawa Hirofumi , Yoshida Kazuhiro 
Published: October 2018

Mitochondria‐eating protein (Mieap), encoded by a p53‐target gene, plays an important role in mitochondrial quality control (MQC). Mieap has been reported to have a critical role in tumor suppression in colorectal cancer. Here, we investigated its role as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer. The enforced expression of exogenous Mieap in breast cancer cells induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis, with activation of both caspase‐3/7 and caspase‐9. Immunohistochemistry revealed endogenous Mieap in the cytoplasm in 24/75 (32%) invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC), 15/27 (55.6%) cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and 16/18 (88.9%) fibroadenomas (FA) (IDC vs DCIS; P = 0.0389, DCIS vs FA; P = 0.0234, IDC vs FA; P < 0.0001). In IDC, the Mieap promoter was methylated in 6/46 (13%) cases, whereas p53 was mutated in 6/46 (13%) cases. Therefore, the p53/Mieap‐regulated MQC pathway was inactivated in 12/46 IDC (26.1%). Interestingly, all tumors derived from the 12 patients with Mieap promoter methylation or p53 mutations pathologically exhibited more aggressive and malignant breast cancer phenotypes. Impairment of p53/Mieap‐regulated MQC pathway resulted in significantly shorter disease‐free survival (DFS) (P = 0.021), although p53 status is more prognostic in DFS than Mieap promoter methylation. These results indicate that p53/Mieap‐regulated MQC has a critical role in tumor suppression in breast cancer, possibly in part through mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.