bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Informal employees in the European Union: working conditions, employment precariousness and health
Authors: Julià Mireia , Belvis Francesc , Vives Alejandra , Tarafa Gemma , Benach Joan 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of informal workers and their working conditions and employment precariousness in the EU-27; and to explore the association of different contract arrangements with health outcomes and how they are influenced by working and employment conditions.MethodsA sample of 27 245 working-age employees from the fifth European Working Condition Survey of 2010 was analysed. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the contribution of different contract arrangement (permanent, temporary and informal) and working and employment precariousness variables on health outcomes (psychosocial well-being and self-rated health).ResultsPrevalence of informal employees in the EU-27 is 4.1% among men and 5.1% among women. Although informal employees have the poorest working conditions and employment precariousness, they did not seem to reflect poorer health. Precariousness employment variables have a greater impact than working conditions variables in reducing the association between health outcomes and type of contract arrangement, especially in the case of informal employees.ConclusionsInformal employment in the EU-27 is characterized by worse working conditions and employment precariousness than the conditions for formal employees. There is no evidence at all that being in informal employment implies better health outcomes compared to permanent employees.
PKCδ inhibition as a novel medical countermeasure for radiation‐induced vascular damage
Authors: Soroush Fariborz , Tang Yuan , Zaidi Hasan M. , Sheffield Joel B. , Kilpatrick Laurie E. , Kiani Mohammad F. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTIn the event of a radiologic catastrophe, endothelial cell and neutrophil dysfunction play important roles in tissue injury. Clinically available therapeutics for radiation‐induced vascular injury are largely supportive. PKCδ was identified as a critical regulator of the inflammatory response, and its inhibition was shown to protect critical organs during sepsis. We used a novel biomimetic microfluidic assay (bMFA) to interrogate the role of PKCδ in radiation‐induced neutrophil‐endothelial cell interaction and endothelial cell function. HUVECs formed a complete lumen in bMFA and were treated with 0.5, 2, or 5 Gy ionizing radiation (IR). At 24 h post‐IR, the cells were treated with a PKCδ inhibitor for an additional 24 h. Under physiologic shear flow, the role of PKCδ on endothelium function and neutrophil adherence/migration was determined. PKCδ inhibition dramatically attenuated IR‐induced endothelium permeability increase and significantly decreased neutrophil migration across IR‐treated endothelial cells. Moreover, neutrophil adhesion to irradiated endothelial cells was significantly decreased after PKCδ inhibition in a flow‐dependent manner. PKCδ inhibition downregulated IR‐induced P‐selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and VCAM‐1 but not E‐selectin overexpression. PKCδ is an important regulator of neutrophil‐endothelial cell interaction post‐IR, and its inhibition can serve as a potential radiation medical countermeasure.—Soroush, F., Tang, Y., Zaidi, H. M., Sheffield, J. B., Kilpatrick, L. E., Kiani, M. F. PKCδ inhibition as a novel medical countermeasure for radiation‐induced vascular damage. FASEB J. 32, 6436–6444 (2018). www.fasebj.org
Sex differences in NSAID‐induced perturbation of human intestinal barrier function and microbiota
Authors: Edogawa Shoko , Peters Stephanie A. , Jenkins Gregory D. , Gurunathan Sakteesh V. , Sundt Wendy J. , Johnson Stephen , Lennon Ryan J. , Dyer Roy B. , Camilleri Michael , Kashyap Purna C. , Farrugia Gianrico , Chen Jun , Singh Ravinder J. , Grover Madhusudan 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTIntestinal barrier function and microbiota are integrally related and play critical roles in maintenance of host physiology. Sex is a key biologic variable for several disorders. Our aim was to determine sex‐based differences in response to perturbation and subsequent recovery of intestinal barrier function and microbiota in healthy humans. Twenty‐three volunteers underwent duodenal biopsies, mucosal impedance, and in vivo permeability measurement. Permeability testing was repeated after administration of indomethacin, then 4 to 6 wk after its discontinuation. Duodenal and fecal microbiota composition was determined using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Healthy women had lower intestinal permeability and higher duodenal and fecal microbial diversity than healthy men. Intestinal permeability increases after indomethacin administration in both sexes. However, only women demonstrated decreased fecal microbial diversity, including an increase in Prevotella abundance, after indomethacin administration. Duodenal microbiota composition did not show sex‐specific changes. The increase in permeability and microbiota changes normalized after discontinuation of indomethacin. In summary, women have lower intestinal permeability and higher microbial diversity. Intestinal permeability is sensitive to perturbation but recovers to baseline. Gut microbiota in women is sensitive to perturbation but appears to be more stable in men. Sex‐based differences in intestinal barrier function and microbiome should be considered in future studies.—Edogawa, S., Peters, S. A., Jenkins, G. D., Gurunathan, S. V., Sundt, W. J., Johnson, S., Lennon, R. J., Dyer, R. B., Camilleri, M., Kashyap, P. C., Farrugia, G., Chen, J., Singh, R. J., Grover, M. Sex differences in NSAID‐induced perturbation of human intestinal barrier function and microbiota. FASEB J. 32, 6615–6625 (2018). www.fasebj.org
Knowledge Accrual Following Participation in Pediatric Fundamental Critical Care Support Course in Gaborone, Botswana*
Authors: Cox Megan , Afonso Natasha , Mazhani Loeto , Kloeck David , Mysore Mohan , Roy Kevin , Setlhare Segolame , Daman Tlamelo , Meaney Peter A. 
Published: June 2018

Objectives:
To describe provider characteristics, knowledge acquisition, perceived relevance, and instruction quality of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Pediatric Fundamentals of Critical Care Support course pilot implementation in Botswana.

Design:
Observational, single center.

Setting:
Academic, upper middle-income country.

Subjects:
Healthcare providers in Botswana.

Interventions:
A cohort of healthcare providers completed the standard 2-day Pediatric Fundamentals of Critical Care Support course and qualitative survey during the course. Cognitive knowledge was assessed prior to and immediately following training using standard Pediatric Fundamentals of Critical Care Support multiple choice questionnaires. Data analysis used Fisher exact, chi-square, paired t test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum where appropriate.

Main Results:
There was a significant increase in overall multiple choice questionnaires scores after training (mean 67% vs 77%; p < 0.001). Early career providers had significantly lower mean baseline scores (56% vs 71%; p < 0.01), greater knowledge acquisition (17% vs 7%; p < 0.02), but no difference in posttraining scores (73% vs 78%; p = 0.13) compared with more senior providers. Recent pediatric resuscitation or emergency training did not significantly impact baseline scores, posttraining scores, or decrease knowledge acquisition. Eighty-eight percent of providers perceived the course was highly relevant to their clinical practice, but only 71% reported the course equipment was similar to their current workplace.

Conclusions:
Pediatric Fundamentals of Critical Care Support training significantly increased provider knowledge to care for hospitalized seriously ill or injured children in Botswana. Knowledge accrual is most significant among early career providers and is not limited by previous pediatric resuscitation or emergency training. Further contextualization of the course to use equipment relevant to providers work environment may increase the value of training.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Evaluating the Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields on Marrow Adiposity in Postmenopausal Women With Osteopenia
Authors: Li Shaojun , Jiang Hongning , Wang Bo , Gu Mingjun , Bi Xia , Yin Ying , Wang Yu 
Published: June 2018

Objective
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) could promote osteogenic differentiation and suppress adipogenic differentiation in bone mesenchymal stem cells ex vivo. However, data on the effect of PEMF on marrow adiposity in humans remain elusive. We aimed to determine the in vivo effect of PEMF on marrow adiposity in postmenopausal women using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Methods
Sixty-one postmenopausal women with osteopenia, aged 53 to 85 years, were randomly assigned to receive either PEMF treatment or placebo. The session was performed 3 times per week for 6 months. All women received adequate dietary calcium and vitamin D. Bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, vertebral marrow fat content by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and serum biomarkers were evaluated before and after 6 months of treatment.

Results
A total of 27 (87.1%) and 25 (83.3%) women completed the treatment schedule in the PEMF and placebo groups, respectively. After the 6-month treatment, lumbar spine and hip BMD increased by 1.46% to 2.04%, serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase increased by 3.23%, and C-terminal telopeptides of type 1 collagen decreased by 9.12% in the PEMF group (P < 0.05), whereas the mean percentage changes in BMD and serum biomarkers were not significant in the placebo group. Pulsed electromagnetic field treatment significantly reduced marrow fat fraction by 4.81%. The treatment difference between the 2 groups was −4.43% (95% confidence interval, −3.70% to −5.65%; P = 0.009).

Conclusions
Pulsed electromagnetic field is an effective physiotherapy in postmenopausal women, and this effect may, at least in part, regulate the amount of fat within the bone marrow. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy may serve as a complementary imaging biomarker for monitoring response to therapy in osteoporosis.
Carotid Artery Tortuosity Index Is Associated With the Need for Early Aortic Root Replacement in Patients With Loeys-Dietz Syndrome
Authors: Chu Linda C. , Haroun Reham R. , Beaulieu Robert J. , Black James H. , Dietz Harry C. , Fishman Elliot K. 
Published: June 2018

Objective
This study aimed to determine if carotid arterial tortuosity represents a marker of disease severity in Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS).

Methods
Fifty-four 54 LDS patients (mean age, 17.0 years) who underwent computed tomogram angiography from January 2004 to December 2013 were retrospectively identified. Carotid artery tortuosity index (CATI) was calculated from computed tomogram angiography. Clinical variables were obtained from the medical records. Relationship between CATI and need for aortic root replacement was evaluated with Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results
Higher CATI was associated with the need for aortic root replacement (P < 0.001) in the univariate Cox proportional hazard model. Patients were stratified based on both CATI and aortic root size in Kaplan-Meier analysis, and patients with higher CATI were more likely to require aortic root replacement (P < 0.001) in both aortic root size strata.

Conclusion
Increased carotid artery tortuosity is associated with the need for early aortic root replacement in patients with LDS.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Endometrial Polyps: Frequency of Occurrence and Interobserver Reliability
Authors: Balcacer Patricia , Cooper Kirsten A. , Huber Steffen , Spektor Michael , Pahade Jay K. , Israel Gary M. 
Published: June 2018

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and interobserver agreement of endometrial polyps.MethodsAfter institutional review board approval, our database was searched for women older than 18 years who underwent MRI pelvis and pelvic surgical intervention from 2012 to 2016. Seventy-two patients with polyps and 75 controls composed the study cohort. Two radiologists evaluated the MRIs retrospectively for polyps. Polyp characteristics and enhancement were assessed.ResultsSensitivity and specificity of readers 1 and 2 were 59.7% and 88.0%, and 44.4 and 96.0%, respectively. There was moderate agreement for presence of polyps (κ = 0.556,P≤ 0001), T2 fibrous core, and intratumoral cysts, with slight agreement for T2 signal and enhancement. Polyp size moderately correlated with pathology (κ = 0.465 [P= 0.025] for reader 1, κ = 0.562 [P= 0.029] for reader 2). The most common enhancement was same as myometrium.ConclusionMagnetic resonance imaging is moderately sensitive for detecting endometrial polyps, demonstrating features that are not sensitive but can be specific, with moderate interobserver agreement.
Early arterial access for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta is related to survival outcome in trauma
Authors: Matsumura Yosuke , Matsumoto Junichi , Kondo Hiroshi , Idoguchi Koji , Ishida Tokiya , Okada Yohei , Kon Yuri , Oka Kazuyuki , Ishida Kenichiro , Toyoda Yukitoshi , Funabiki Tomohiro 
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND
Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has been used in refractory hemorrhagic shock patients. Since the optimal timing of arterial access remains unclear, we evaluated the preocclusion status of patients, and elapsed time from the arrival to the hospital is associated with the survival outcomes in the REBOA patients.

METHODS
From August 2011 to December 2016, The Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology in Emergency, Critical care and Trauma-Intra-Aortic Balloon Occlusion (DIRECT-IABO) investigators registered refractory hemorrhagic shock patients undergoing REBOA from 23 hospitals in Japan. Patient characteristics, mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score (ISS), preocclusion and postocclusion systolic blood pressure, duration of aortic occlusion, clinical time course, and survival outcome were recorded and analyzed. Binary logistic regression analysis was used with mortality and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to demonstrate the difference between early and delayed access groups.

RESULTS
Among the enrolled 207 cases, the following patients were excluded from the analysis: five since they were younger than 18 years, nine due to failed attempts at REBOA, 51 nontrauma patients, and 33 who received resuscitative thoracotomy plus REBOA. Thus, the remaining 109 cases were analyzed (30-day survivors, n = 60; nonsurvivors, n = 49). The preocclusion systolic blood pressure was higher, and both hospital arrival to initial arterial access and duration of occlusion were shorter in the survivors. Lower ISS (odds ratio, 0.944; 95% confidence interval, 0.907–0.982; p = 0.0039) and shorter arrival to access (odds ratio, 0.989; 95% confidence interval, 0.979–0.999; p = 0.034) were significantly associated with 30-day survival in the logistic regression analysis. The cutoff point of 21.5 minutes was used in the receiver operating characteristic analysis. The early access group showed a significantly shorter time of arrival to definitive hemostasis and also demonstrated a significantly higher survival in the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (p = 0.014, Log-rank test).

CONCLUSION
The arrival to access time and ISS were significantly associated with mortality in the REBOA patients in Japan. The early access group demonstrated better survival. The proactive early access in the resuscitation phase might be related to better patient outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Therapeutic/care management, level V.
Traumatic Globe Luxation With Chiasmal Avulsion
Authors: Zhou Sandy Wenting , Pang Audrey Yuan Ching , Poh Eugenie Wei Ting , Chin Chee Fang 
Published: June 2018

Background:
To describe an unusual case of traumatic globe luxation with optic chiasmal avulsion and review the existing literature on this rare condition for further discussion of mechanisms, diagnosis, and management.

Methods:
Case report and review of existing case reports and case series identified through literature search.

Results:
A 28-year-old woman, with no previous medical history, had left globe luxation and optic chiasm avulsion after being stabbed directly into the left orbit with the use of the stiletto high heel of a shoe. Automated visual field testing detected a temporal hemianopia in the unaffected eye despite normal central visual acuity. Chiasmal avulsion was demonstrated by MRI.

Conclusions:
This case suggests that perimetry and MRI should always be considered in traumatic globe luxation to localize the site of injury. Temporal hemianopia in the fellow eye indicates a concomitant chiasmal injury.
Response of
Prochilodus nigricans
to flood pulse variation in the central Amazon
Authors: Bayley Peter B. , Castello Leandro , Batista Vandick S. , Fabré Nidia N. 
Published: June 2018

The influence of the flood pulse on fish populations has been posited, but infrequently tested or quantified. Here, we tested the effect of habitat on population size, using
Prochilodus nigricans
as a case study species. Floodplain habitat was based on the littoral zone area occupied by
P. nigricans
to feed. The magnitude of this habitat in each hydrological year, the moving littoral (ML), was expressed as the sum of daily littoral areas during the advancing flood pulse, using satellite-based passive microwave data. Annual population size was estimated by age class, using a dynamic age-structured model (MULTIFAN-CL) based on catches, effort and fish length frequencies from the Manaus-based fishery over 12.75 years. The principal null hypothesis was that the ML, using three lag times, had no effect on population size of a single age class of
P. nigricans
. The population size at 29 months of age was positively related (
p
= 0.00030) to floodplain habitat (ML) earlier in the same year, when the fish were 21–27 months old. The result implies a density-dependent relationship for the population with respect to its feeding habitat. Potential mechanisms governed by flood pulse variation and habitat quality for this and other species using floodplain habitats are discussed.
A phenomenological model for structural phase transitions in incommensurate alkane/urea inclusion compounds
Authors: Couzi Michel , Guillaume François , Harris Kenneth D. M. 
Published: June 2018

n-Alkane/urea inclusion compounds are crystalline materials in whichn-alkane ‘guest’ molecules are located within parallel one-dimensional ‘host’ tunnels formed by a helical hydrogen-bonded arrangement of urea molecules. The periodic repeat distance of the guest molecules along the host tunnels is incommensurate with the periodic repeat distance of the host substructure. The structural properties of the high-temperature phase of these materials (phase I), which exist at ambient temperature, are described by a (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace. Recent publications have suggested that, in the prototypical incommensurate composite systems,n-nonadecane/urea andn-hexadecane/urea, two low-temperature phases II and ‘III’ exist and that one or both of these phases are described by a (3 + 2)-dimensional superspace. We present a phenomenological model based on symmetry considerations and developed in the frame of a pseudo-spin–phonon coupling mechanism, which accounts for the mechanisms responsible for the I ↔ II ↔ ‘III’ phase sequence. With reference to published experimental data, we demonstrate that, in all phases of these incommensurate materials, the structural properties are described by (3 + 1)-dimensional superspace groups. Around the temperature of the II ↔ ‘III’ transition, the macroscopic properties of the material are not actually associated with a phase transition, but instead represent a ‘crossover’ between two regimes involving different couplings between relevant order parameters.
O-GlcNAc modification of oncogenic transcription factor Sox2 promotes protein stability and regulates self-renewal in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Sharma Nikita S , Gupta Vineet K , Dauer Patricia , Kesh Kousik , Hadad Roey , Giri Bhuwan , Chandra Anjali , Dudeja Vikas , Slawson Chad , Banerjee Santanu , Vickers Selwyn M , Saluja Ashok , Banerjee Sulagna 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPancreatic cancer is among the 3rdleading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States along with a 5-year survival rate of 7%. The aggressive biology of the disease is responsible for such dismal outcome and is manifested by an increase in self-renewal capacity of the cancer cells, which leads to an increased rate of tumor-recurrence, contributing to poor prognosis. Transcription factor SOX2 maintains a critical balance between differentiation and “stemness” and is thus tightly regulated within a cell. In cancer, SOX2 is aberrantly “turned-on” leading to activation of self-renewal pathways in cancer. Regulation of Sox2 in cancer is poorly understood. In the current study, we show for the first time that in pancreatic cancer, Sox2 is modified by addition of O-GlcNAc moiety, catalyzed by OGT (O-GlcNAc Transferase) at S246. This activates Sox2 transcriptional activity by stabilizing the protein in the nucleus. A CRISPR-OGT knockout in pancreatic cancer cell line S2VP10 resulted in a delayed tumor initiation. We further showed that mutation of this site (S246A) prevents the modification of Sox2 and its downstream activity. Our study also demonstrated that targeting OGTin vivowith a small molecule inhibitor OSMI, results in decreased tumor burden, delayed tumor progression and a decreased expression of SOX2 in pancreatic cancer cells. Our study highlights for the first time that that the O-GlcNAc transferase dependent SOX2 glycosylation has a profound effect on the transcriptional activity of SOX2 and is instrumental in determining self-renewal in pancreatic cancer.SignificanceOur study highlights for the first time that that the O-GlcNAc transferase dependent SOX2 glycosylation determines self-renewal in pancreatic cancer which is responsible for tumor initiation.
Predict plant-derived xenomiRs from plant miRNA sequences using random forest and one-dimensional convolutional neural network models
Authors: Zhao Qi , Mao Qian , Zhao Zheng , Dou Tongyi , Wang Zhiguo , Cui Xiaoyu , Liu Yuanning , Fan Xiaoya 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundAn increasing number of studies reported that exogenous miRNAs (xenomiRs) can be detected in animal bodies, however, some others reported negative results. Some attributed this divergence to the selective absorption of plant-derived xenomiRs by animals.ResultsHere, we analyzed 166 plant-derived xenomiRs reported in our previous study and 942 non-xenomiRs extracted from miRNA expression profiles of four species of commonly consumed plants. Employing statistics analysis and cluster analysis, our study revealed the potential sequence specificity of plant-derived xenomiRs. Furthermore, a random forest model and a one-dimensional convolutional neural network model were trained using miRNA sequence features and raw miRNA sequences respectively and then employed to predict unlabeled plant miRNAs in miRBase. A total of 241 possible plant-derived xenomiRs were predicted by both models. Finally, the potential functions of these possible plant-derived xenomiRs along with our previously reported ones in human body were analyzed.ConclusionsOur study, for the first time, presents the systematic plant-derived xenomiR sequences analysis and provides evidence for selective absorption of plant miRNA by human body, which could facilitate the future investigation about the mechanisms underlying the transference of plant-derived xenomiR.