bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stereotactic radiosurgery for intracranial IgG4‐related disease
Authors: Fogarty Tamara , Choong Dean , Gill Suki , Harper Chris , Robbins Peter 
Published: August 2019

SummaryWe report the case of a 20‐year‐old woman with intracranial IgG4‐related disease, initially misdiagnosed as a meningioma on biopsy and treated with radiosurgery as it was in an eloquent location and not resectable. Her intracranial IgG4 disease had a near‐complete response to radiosurgery and is still controlled six years later, so this case represents what we believe to be the first reported use of radiotherapy in the treatment of intracranial IgG4‐related disease.
Imaging features of Benign Perianal lesions
Authors: O’Neill Damien C , Murray Timothy E , Thornton Eavan , Burke John , Dunne Ruth , Lee Michael J , Morrin Martina M 
Published: August 2019

SummaryMagnetic resonance imaging provides detailed visualisation, identification and extent assessment of many anal disorders. While many studies are performed in the evaluation of malignant processes such as anorectal carcinoma, the primary focus of this pictorial review is benign lesions, which involve the anal canal and perianal spaces. This pictorial review will illustrate the MRI appearances of a variety of benign conditions, which predominantly affect the anal canal, including abscess, fistulae, lipomas, developmental cysts and inflammatory conditions. MRI aids in the identification and characterisation of these abnormalities, of coexisting complications and differentiation from other perineal abnormalities. This pictorial review highlights the spectrum of non‐malignant processes involving the perianal region.
Labor‐saving technologies and structural transformation in northern Ghana
Authors: Mueller Valerie , Masias Ian , Vallury Sechindra 
Published: August 2019

AbstractLabor‐saving technologies played a fundamental role historically in the structural transformation of agrarian economies. We focus on an emerging labor‐saving trend in Ghana, use of motorized tricycles (MTs), which provide an affordable alternative to manually transferring crops from plots to homestead. A household survey collected in 2017 in northern Ghana is used to shed light on how the time savings made available by using MTs may be converted into activities that enhance agricultural productivity and/or diversify the household away from agriculture. Detailed information collected on the agricultural production and agro‐processing behavior of 1,400 households allows us to examine the above transformative channels. Ordinary least squares and instrumental variable regressions are applied to quantify the effect of MTs on related outcomes. We find households are able to diversify their farming activities into selling processed agricultural goods with the time savings provided through MT adoption. Policies aimed to foster the diffusion of MTs elsewhere in Ghana may expedite structural change and, hence, economic growth.
A novel 2‐aminobenzimidazole‐based compound Jzu 17 exhibits anti‐angiogenesis effects by targeting VEGFR‐2 signalling
Authors: Lien Jin‐Cherng , Chung Chi‐Li , Huang Tur‐Fu , Chang Tsung‐Chia , Chen Kuan‐Chung , Gao Ging‐Yan , Hsu Ming‐Jen , Huang Shiu‐Wen 
Published: August 2019

Background and PurposeRecent development in drug discovery have shown benzimidazole to be an important pharmacophore,. Benzimidazole derivatives exhibit broad‐spectrum pharmacological properties including anti‐microbial, anti‐diabetic and anti‐tumour activity. However, whether benzimidazole derivatives are effective in suppressing angiogenesis and its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, we aim to characterize the anti‐angiogenic mechanisms of a novel 2‐aminobenzimidazole‐based compound, Jzu 17, in an effort to develop novel angiogenesis inhibitor.Experimental ApproachEffects of Jzu 17 on endothelial cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and activation of signalling molecules induced by VEGF‐A, were analysed by immunoblotting, MTT, BrdU, migration, and invasion assays. We performed tube formation assay, aorta ring sprouting assay, matrigel plug assay, and a mouse model of metastasis to evaluate ex vivo and in vivo anti‐angiogenic effects of Jzu 17.Key ResultsJzu 17 inhibited VEGF‐A‐induced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and endothelial tube formation of HUVECs. Jzu 17 suppressed VEGF‐A‐induced microvessel sprouting ex vivo and attenuated VEGF‐A‐ or tumour cell‐induced neovascularization in vivo. Jzu 17 also reduced B16F10 melanoma lung metastasis. In addition, Jzu 17 inhibited the phosphorylation of VEGFR‐2 and its downstream signalling molecules in VEGF‐A‐stimulated HUVECs. Results from computer modelling further showed that Jzu 17 binds to VEGFR‐2 with high affinity.Conclusions and ImplicationsJzu 17 may inhibit endothelial remodelling and suppress angiogenesis through targeting VEGF‐A‐VEGFR‐2 signalling. These results also suggest Jzu 17 as a potential lead compound and warrant the clinical development of similar agents in the treatment of cancer and angiogenesis‐related diseases.
Transboundary pollution, tax competition and the efficiency of uncoordinated environmental regulation
Authors: Yamagishi Atsushi 
Published: August 2019

AbstractUnder capital tax competition, surprisingly, Ogawa and Wildasin (2009) find that uncoordinated policymaking leads to a first‐best outcome even in the presence of transboundary pollution. However, I show that if the level of environmental regulation is endogenized, the regulation level becomes too loose compared with the optimum (“race to the bottom”). Thus, despite the efficiency result of Ogawa and Wildasin (2009), efforts to achieve international environmental policy coordination are needed. I then examine the dependence of this result on the level of decisive voter's capital endowment. The regulation is inefficiently loose in many cases, but it can be too strict if the decisive voter's capital endowment is above the average. Thus, the possibility of “race to the top” cannot be eliminated. The inefficiency result does not generally depend on the timing of policymaking, although the efficiency may be restored in the limit case where the decisive voter has no capital at all.
Comparison of pure laparoscopic and open living donor right hepatectomy after a learning curve
Authors: Lee Boram , Choi YoungRok , Han Ho‐Seong , Yoon Yoo‐Seok , Cho Jai Young , Kim Sungho , Kim Kil Hwan , Hyun In Gun 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis study aims to compare the early outcomes between pure laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy (PLDRH) and open living donor right hepatectomy (ODRH) after those learning curve. Our analysis was based on 78 consecutive cases of living liver donor, who underwent right hepatectomy, of which 43 underwent ODRH and 35 PLDRH. The learning curve for each group was analyzed. Donor characteristics were comparable between the two groups. Two donors in the PLDRH required conversion to an open due to bleeding and large graft size (open conversion rate: 6.06%). The following outcomes during the study period were comparable between the two groups: operative time (P = .64); estimated blood loss (EBL; P = .86); intra‐operative transfusion (P = .57); hospital stay (P = .41); and postoperative complications (P = .51). The operative time stabilized for the ODRH group after 17 cases and for the PLDRH group after 15 cases. After the learning curve, the EBL was lower for PLDRH than ODRH (P = .04). Pure laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy can be performed as safely as ODRH and with a lower volume of EBL once the surgeon has attained an appropriate level of learning.
Role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia: A review of the evidence, proposed mechanisms and implications for treatment
Authors: Mongan David , Ramesar Matthew , Föcking Melanie , Cannon Mary , Cotter David 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimOver the past several decades, there has been a growing research interest in the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. This review aims to summarize evidence in support of this relationship, to discuss biological mechanisms that might explain it, and to explore the translational impact by examining evidence from trials of anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents in the treatment of schizophrenia.MethodsThis narrative review of the literature summarizes evidence from observational studies, clinical trials and meta‐analyses to evaluate the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and to discuss associated implications for treatment.ResultsEpidemiological evidence and animal models support a hypothesis of maternal immune activation during pregnancy, which increases the risk of schizophrenia in the offspring. Several biomarker studies have found associations between classical pro‐inflammatory cytokines and schizophrenia. The precise biological mechanisms by which inflammatory processes might contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia remain unclear, but likely include the actions of microglia and the complement system. Importantly, several trials provide evidence that certain anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents show beneficial effects in the treatment of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, there is a need for further precision‐focused basic science and translational research.ConclusionsIncreasing our understanding of the role of inflammation in schizophrenia will enable novel opportunities for therapeutic and preventative interventions that are informed by the underlying pathogenesis of this complex disorder.
Quantifying nutrient inputs by gulls to a fluctuating lake, aided by movement ecology methods
Authors: Martín‐Vélez Víctor , Sánchez Marta I. , Shamoun‐Baranes Judy , Thaxter Chris B. , Stienen Eric W. M. , Camphuysen Kees C. J. , Green Andy J. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems is a global problem with major ecological and economic impacts. In many lakes and reservoirs, guanotrophication occurs when roosting waterbirds import nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from surrounding terrestrial habitats. To date, nutrient loading by waterbirds has been estimated based on censuses in the absence of detailed information on their movements. We quantified nutrient importation by the lesser black‐backed gull (Larus fuscus) to Fuente de Piedra (1,350 ha) in Andalusia (south‐west Spain), where an average of 36,288 individuals are counted in January.

During seven winters from 2010 to 2017, we used movement data from 20 individual gulls tagged with Global Positioning System trackers that foraged in four landfills. Together with monthly bird counts and measurements of total N and P content in faeces and pellet samples, movement data were used to quantify the total external loading effect for different winters. Movement data allowed us to quantify the proportion of time spent in the lake and the time spent at different foraging sites and enabled correction of censuses.

According to tracking data, on average 69% of the birds had already left the lake to head for feeding sites when waterbird counts were carried out. Nutrient inputs to the lake depend partly on the proportion of the day that gulls spend there, which was higher in late winters and was reduced when lake depth went below or above 20–35 cm. An estimated average of 10.17 kg N ha−1 year−1 and 2.07 kg P ha−1 year−1 were imported to this closed‐basin lake by gulls each winter, with highest values recorded in winter 2016–2017.

Gull guano is the most important winter source of nutrients to the lake. Regurgitated pellets have been ignored as a source of nutrients in other guanotrophy studies, but we found them to be a more important source of P than faeces. A movement ecology approach complements traditional censuses and facilitates the study of guanotrophication in multiple ways, including identification of sources of nutrients, correction of censuses, and measuring time spent at roost sites.
Diverging phenological responses of Arctic seabirds to an earlier spring
Authors: Descamps Sébastien , Ramírez Francisco , Benjaminsen Sigurd , Anker‐Nilssen Tycho , Barrett Robert T. , Burr Zofia , Christensen‐Dalsgaard Signe , Erikstad Kjell‐Einar , Irons David B. , Lorentsen Svein‐Håkon , Mallory Mark L. , Robertson Gregory J. , Reiertsen Tone Kirstin , Strøm Hallvard , Varpe Øystein , Lavergne Sébastien 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe timing of annual events such as reproduction is a critical component of how free‐living organisms respond to ongoing climate change. This may be especially true in the Arctic, which is disproportionally impacted by climate warming. Here, we show that Arctic seabirds responded to climate change by moving the start of their reproduction earlier, coincident with an advancing onset of spring and that their response is phylogenetically and spatially structured. The phylogenetic signal is likely driven by seabird foraging behavior. Surface‐feeding species advanced their reproduction in the last 35 years while diving species showed remarkably stable breeding timing. The earlier reproduction for Arctic surface‐feeding birds was significant in the Pacific only, where spring advancement was most pronounced. In both the Atlantic and Pacific, seabirds with a long breeding season showed a greater response to the advancement of spring than seabirds with a short breeding season. Our results emphasize that spatial variation, phylogeny, and life history are important considerations in seabird phenological response to climate change and highlight the key role played by the species’ foraging behavior.
Obstetrical and postpartum complications in women with hereditary fibrinogen disorders: A systematic literature review
Authors: Valiton Vivian , Hugon‐Rodin Justine , Fontana Pierre , Neerman‐Arbez Marguerite , Casini Alessandro 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroductionHereditary fibrinogen disorders (HFD) are rare quantitative or qualitative fibrinogen anomalies, including afibrinogenaemia (A), hypofibrinogenaemia (H), dysfibrinogenaemia (D) and hypodysfibrinogenaemia (HD). As fibrinogen plays an essential role in pregnancy, we addressed the issue of obstetrical and postpartum complications in women with HFD.MethodsA systematic literature review, restricted to English manuscripts, was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. We searched through the MEDLINE database for English articles, published from January 1985 until November 2018, focusing on pregnancy in A, H, D and HD. A total of 198 articles were identified, 15 articles were added from other sources. Overall, 213 articles were screened and 54 were included in the final analysis.ResultsA total of 188 pregnancies from 70 women were analysed. About half of pregnancies resulted in miscarriage; more specifically in 15 (42.9%), 36 (46.8%), 27 (42.9%) and 4 (30.8%) of A, H, D and HD patients, respectively. Preterm complications were also frequent (33.5%). Metrorrhagia, mainly in the first trimester, was observed in 21.7% of the pregnancies. Placenta abruption was reported in 5 (14.3%), 4 (5.2%), 5 (7.9%) and 1 (7.7%) of A, H, D and HD, respectively. A total of 24 (12.7%) deliveries were complicated by postpartum thrombotic events (3.2%) or postpartum haemorrhage (9.6%). A fibrinogen replacement therapy was introduced in 30% of pregnancies, as prophylaxis (81.1%) or on demand (18.9%).ConclusionThese results suggest that women with HFD are at high risk of obstetrical and postpartum complications. Prospective international registries may allow to identify more precisely the incidence of obstetrical and postpartum adverse outcomes and their management.
Assessing decision regret in caregivers of deceased German people with cancer—A psychometric validation of the Decision Regret Scale for Caregivers
Authors: Haun Markus W. , Schakowski Alexander , Preibsch Ariane , Friederich Hans‐Christoph , Hartmann Mechthild 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundDecisional regret during or after medical treatments is linked to significant distress. Regret affects not only patients but also caregivers having an active or passive role during decision making. The Decision Regret Scale (DRS) is a self‐report measure for regret in patients after treatment decisions. However, practical and psychometrically robust instruments assessing regret in caregivers are lacking.ObjectiveTo develop and validate a caregiver version of the DRS (Decision Regret Scale for Caregivers [DRS‐C]).DesignPsychometric validation based on a web survey.Setting and participants361 caregivers of deceased German people/patients with cancer.Main variables studiedBesides structural validity and test‐retest reliability, we evaluated measurement invariance accounting for gender, age and closeness of relationship, and tested hypotheses on convergent/discriminant validity.ResultsForty‐five per cent of all caregivers demonstrated decision regret. Confirmatory factor analyses strongly supported the unidimensional structure of the DRS‐C and pointed to strict invariance. The DRS‐C demonstrated very good internal consistency (α = 0.83, 95% CI [0.81, 0.86]) and test‐retest reliability (ICC [A,1] = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59, 0.83]) along with sound convergent/discriminant validity. Concerning responsiveness, DRS‐C scores remained stable over a 12‐week period in 83.3% of all caregivers. Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded a cut point of 43 for the identification of significant decision regret (AUC = 0.62, 95% CI [0.56, 0.68]).Discussion and conclusionsThe lack of a gold standard instrument prevented us from examining the criterion validity and determining a minimally important difference. Nevertheless, the DRS‐C provides valid and reliable information regarding caregiver regret following medical decisions. Above all, it captures a crucial aspect of the treatment experience in caregivers.
Enhancement of electrical conductivity of Ca2.93Sr0.07Co4O9 thick films via hot uniaxial pressing
Authors: Mora Mario , Amaveda Hippolyte , Torres Miguel A. , Madre Maria A. , Marinel Sylvain , Sotelo Andres 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSr‐doped Ca3Co4O9 thermoelectric thick films have been prepared by dip‐coating technique, followed by sintering and hot uniaxial pressing. XRD patterns are very similar in both types of samples, with only differences in the relative intensity of peaks, pointing out to a better grain orientation in hot‐pressed films. Moreover, SEM observation showed a drastic decrease in the hot‐pressed films thickness. Electrical resistivity is decreased in textured materials due to the higher grain orientation and density, confirmed through Hall measurements. On the other hand, Seebeck coefficient is maintained practically unchanged. Power factor at 800°C is much higher in textured materials (0.44 mW/K2m) than determined in sintered films (0.30 mW/K2m), and in the order of the best typically reported in the literature (0.43 mW/K2m).
Predictive biomarkers for drug response in bladder cancer
Authors: Yoshida Takahiro , Kates Max , Fujita Kazutoshi , Bivalacqua Trinity J , McConkey David J 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBladder cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Interpatient heterogeneity in response to a drug limits treatment options and impairs improvement of patient survival. For example, approximately half of patients do not respond to cisplatin‐based combination chemotherapy, although it is the standard of care for muscle‐invasive and metastatic bladder cancer. The development of robust predictive biomarkers is expected to improve outcomes by enabling clinicians to use chemotherapy only in the patients who will benefit from it. Recent advances in the molecular characterization of bladder cancer showed that the basal subtype of bladder cancer and tumors with inactivating mutations in DNA damage repair genes were associated with greater benefit from cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. The present review summarizes current efforts to develop predictive biomarkers for drug response in bladder cancer, focusing on those that predict the response to cisplatin‐based chemotherapy for advanced bladder cancer. We also review the current situation with regard to the identification of predictive biomarkers for response to intravesical therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors and molecularly‐targeted drugs. We also discuss the future applications of new technologies, including liquid biopsies and patient‐derived organoids that will also serve as resources for the identification of biomarkers in bladder cancer.
Root morphological traits of winter wheat under contrasting environments
Authors: Peng Bin , Liu Xiuwei , Dong Xuejun , Xue Qingwu , Neely Clark B. , Marek Thomas , Ibrahim Amir M. H. , Zhang Guorong , Leskovar Daniel I. , Rudd Jackie C. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractRoots strongly influence the growth and yield of field crops. We characterized root morphological traits of 10 winter wheat varieties in order to determine the extent they were influenced by the environments and impacted grain yield under two irrigation regimes at Bushland (a cooler, drier site with clay loam soil) and Uvalde (a warmer, wetter site with clay soil) in Texas, USA, from 2015 to 2017. Major root traits, including root diameter, specific root length (SRL), root surface area (SSA), tissue mass density (TMD), root length density (RLD), and root weight density, were measured and related to one another and to grain yield. RLD of wheat decreased but SRL and SSA increased with soil depth. Irrigation was second to environment in affecting root traits. Compared with Uvalde, the environment of Bushland promoted deeper root growth, higher TMD, but reduced SRL and SSA. Water deficit inhibited RLD and root: shoot ratio at Bushland, but moderately promoted them at Uvalde. Both SRL and RLD were positively associated with grain yield, with the former relation stronger under drought. The dichotomy of “conservative” versus “acquisitive” root strategy partially explained the variations of root traits of winter wheat in contrasting environments.
Anti‐angiogenic effect of quercetin and its 8‐methyl pentamethyl ether derivative in human microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Lupo Gabriella , Cambria Maria Teresa , Olivieri Melania , Rocco Concetta , Caporarello Nunzia , Longo Anna , Zanghì Guido , Salmeri Mario , Foti Mario C. , Anfuso Carmelina Daniela 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAngiogenesis is involved in many pathological states such as progression of tumours, retinopathy of prematurity and diabetic retinopathy. The latter is a more complex diabetic complication in which neurodegeneration plays a significant role and a leading cause of blindness. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a powerful pro‐angiogenic factor that acts through three tyrosine kinase receptors (VEGFR‐1, VEGFR‐2 and VEGFR‐3). In this work we studied the anti‐angiogenic effect of quercetin (Q) and some of its derivates in human microvascular endothelial cells, as a blood retinal barrier model, after stimulation with VEGF‐A. We found that a permethylated form of Q, namely 8MQPM, more than the simple Q, is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis both in vitro and ex vivo. Our results showed that these compounds inhibited cell viability and migration and disrupted the formation of microvessels in rabbit aortic ring. The addition of Q and more significantly 8MQPM caused recoveries or completely re‐establish the transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) to the control values and suppressed the activation of VEGFR2 downstream signalling molecules such as AKT, extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase. Taken together, these data suggest that 8MQPM might have an important role in the contrast of angiogenesis‐related diseases.