bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between, depression, anxiety, and mortality in older people across eight low‐ and middle‐income countries: Results from the 10/66 cohort study
Authors: Wu Yu‐Tzu , Kralj Carolina , Acosta Daisy , Guerra Mariella , Huang Yueqin , Jotheeswaran Amuthavalli T. , Jimenez‐Velazquez Ivonne Z. , Liu Zhaorui , Llibre Rodriguez Juan J. , Salas Aquiles , Sosa Ana Luisa , Alkholy Rasha , Prince Martin , Prina A. Matthew 
Published: October 2019

ObjectivesDepression and anxiety are common mental disorders in later life. Few population‐based studies have investigated their potential impacts on mortality in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study is to examine the associations between depression, anxiety, their comorbidity, and mortality in later life using a population‐based cohort study across eight LMICs.MethodsThis analysis was based on the 10/66 cohort study including 15 991 people aged 65 years or above in Cuba, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, China, and India, with an average follow‐up time of 3.9 years. Subthreshold and clinical levels of depression were determined using EURO‐D and ICD‐10 criteria, and anxiety was based on Geriatric Mental State (GMS)–Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy (AGECAT). Cox proportional hazard modelling was used to estimate how having depression, anxiety, or both was associated with mortality adjusting for sociodemographic and health factors.ResultsParticipants with clinical depression (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.45; 95% CI, 1.24‐1.70) and subthreshold anxiety (HR: 1.26; 95% CI, 1.15‐1.38) had higher risk of mortality than those without the conditions after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and health conditions. Comorbidity of depression and anxiety was associated with a 30% increased risk of mortality but the effect sizes varied across countries (Higgins I2 = 58.8%), with the strongest association in India (HR: 1.99; 95% CI, 1.21‐3.27).ConclusionsDepression and anxiety appear to be associated with mortality in older people living in LMICs. Variation in effect sizes may indicate different barriers to health service access across countries. Future studies may investigate underlying mechanisms and identify potential interventions to reduce the impact of common mental disorders.
EPR Distance Measurements as a Tool to Characterize Protein‐DNA Interactions
Authors: Sameach Hila , Ruthstein Sharon 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOver recent decades, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has become an essential tool for exploring complex biological systems. Herein, we discuss the potential of pulsed EPR spectroscopy to shed light on the mechanisms of protein‐DNA interactions. To this end, we first provide an overview of pulsed EPR methodology (and specifically, double electron electron resonance; DEER), with a focus on the various spin‐labeling methods used today both for protein labeling and for DNA labeling. Next, after briefly discussing recent applications of DEER in protein‐DNA studies, we introduce a detailed case study, an example of how EPR spectroscopy has been used to resolve the transcription mechanism of the CueR copper regulator.
YAP and TAZ Mediate Osteocyte Perilacunar/Canalicular Remodeling
Authors: Kegelman Christopher D , Coulombe Jennifer C , Jordan Kelsey M , Horan Daniel J , Qin Ling , Robling Alexander G , Ferguson Virginia L , Bellido Teresita M , Boerckel Joel D 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Bone fragility fractures are caused by low bone mass or impaired bone quality. Osteoblast/osteoclast coordination determines bone mass, but the factors that control bone quality are poorly understood. Osteocytes regulate osteoblast and osteoclast activity on bone surfaces but can also directly reorganize the bone matrix to improve bone quality through perilacunar/canalicular remodeling; however, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We previously found that deleting the transcriptional regulators Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-motif (TAZ) from osteoblast-lineage cells caused lethality in mice due to skeletal fragility. Here, we tested the hypothesis that YAP and TAZ regulate osteocyte-mediated bone remodeling by conditional ablation of both YAP and TAZ from mouse osteocytes using 8 kb-DMP1-Cre. Osteocyte-conditional YAP/TAZ deletion reduced bone mass and dysregulated matrix collagen content and organization, which together decreased bone mechanical properties. Further, YAP/TAZ deletion impaired osteocyte perilacunar/canalicular remodeling by reducing canalicular network density, length, and branching, as well as perilacunar flourochrome-labeled mineral deposition. Consistent with recent studies identifying TGF-β as a key inducer of osteocyte expression of matrix-remodeling enzymes, YAP/TAZ deletion in vivo decreased osteocyte expression of matrix proteases MMP13, MMP14, and CTSK. In vitro, pharmacologic inhibition of YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity in osteocyte-like cells abrogated TGF-β-induced matrix protease gene expression. Together, these data show that YAP and TAZ control bone matrix accrual, organization, and mechanical properties by regulating osteocyte-mediated bone remodeling. Elucidating the signaling pathways that control perilacunar/canalicular remodeling may enable future therapeutic targeting of bone quality to reverse skeletal fragility. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Extracellular Vesicles From Osteotropic Breast Cancer Cells Affect Bone Resident Cells
Authors: Loftus Alexander , Cappariello Alfredo , George Christopher , Ucci Argia , Shefferd Kirsty , Green Alice , Paone Riccardo , Ponzetti Marco , Delle Monache Simona , Muraca Maurizio , Teti Anna , Rucci Nadia 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACT
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as mediators of a range of pathological processes, including cancer. However, their role in bone metastases has been poorly explored. We investigated EV-mediated effects of osteotropic breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) on bone resident cells and endothelial cells. Pretreatment of osteoblasts with conditioned medium (CM) of MDA-MB-231 (MDA) cells promoted pro-osteoclastogenic and pro-angiogenic effects by osteoblast EVs (OB-EVs), as well as an increase of RANKL-positive OB-EVs. Moreover, when treating osteoblasts with MDA-EVs, we observed a reduction of their number, metabolic activity, and alkaline phosphatase (Alp) activity. MDA-EVs also reduced transcription of Cyclin D1 and of the osteoblast-differentiating genes, while enhancing the expression of the pro-osteoclastogenic factors Rankl, Lcn2, Il1b, and Il6. Interestingly, a cytokine array on CM from osteoblasts treated with MDA-EVs showed an increase of the cytokines CCL3, CXCL2, Reg3G, and VEGF, while OPG and WISP1 were downregulated. MDA-EVs contained mRNAs of genes involved in bone metabolism, as well as cytokines, including PDGF-BB, CCL3, CCL27, VEGF, and Angiopoietin 2. In line with this profile, MDA-EVs increased osteoclastogenesis and in vivo angiogenesis. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of MDA-EVs in mice revealed their ability to reach the bone microenvironment and be integrated by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. In conclusion, we showed a role for osteoblast-derived EVs and tumor cell–derived EVs in the deregulation of bone and endothelial cell physiology, thus fueling the vicious cycle induced by bone tumors. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Prenatal sonographic markers of the outcome in fetuses with bronchopulmonary sequestration
Authors: Cho Min Kyong , Lee Mi‐Young , Kang Jisik , Kim Juhee , Won Hye‐Sung , Lee Pil‐Ryang , Jeong Euiseok , Lee Byong Sop , Kim Ellen Ai‐Rhan , Yoon Heemang , Lee Jin Seoung , Han Minkyu 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the prenatal sonographic predictive markers of the outcome in fetuses with bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS).MethodsBPS size and diameter of the feeding artery (FA) were measured prenatally and postnatally. Velocity of the FA and the left ventricular‐modified myocardial performance index (LV mod‐MPI) were also evaluated prenatally.ResultsForty‐seven women were included in the study. Mean gestational age, mass size, diameter and velocity of the FA, and LV mod‐MPI at prenatal diagnosis were 23.5 ± 2.2 weeks, 3.6 ± 8.3 cm, 2.3 ± 0.6 mm, 46.6 ± 15.4 cm/s, and 0.46 ± 0.06, respectively. Mean mass diameter and FA diameter measured on postnatal CT examinations were 3.8 ± 1.0 cm and 2.3 ± 0.7 mm, respectively. Five patients had respiratory symptoms after birth. Twenty children (43%) underwent or were scheduled to undergo mass excision, and the remaining 27 (57%) were doing well without any intervention. There was no neonatal death. LV mod‐MPI at diagnosis, the FA diameter after birth and the serial change in the FA size were significantly associated with postnatal mass excision.ConclusionThe FA diameter and LV mod‐MPI may be additional markers for predicting whether fetuses with BPS should undergo mass excision in early childhood or conservative care.
Meteorological application of wind speed and direction linked to remote sensing images for the modelling of sand drift potential and dune morphology
Authors: Zamani Samira , Mahmoodabadi Majid , Yazdanpanah Najme , Farpoor Mohammad Hady 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWind velocity and its direction are important erosive factors affecting sand drift potential and dune morphology in arid and semi‐arid environments. The study assesses sand drift potential using wind meteorological data acquired from eight synoptic stations of Kerman province in southeastern Iran for a statistical period of 2006–2010. Three diagrams including wind rose, storm rose and sand rose were plotted for the selected stations using WR Plot View.8 and Sand Rose Graph 3.0. The analyses were performed at seasonal and mean annual time scales. The unidirectional index and wind energy classification were compared with sand dune morphology obtained from satellite images. The seasonal analysis indicated intermediate directional variability and high energy winds, with the most erosive winds occurring in winter. The total sand flux in all directions and discharge sand flow in the resultant drift direction ranged from 53.4 to 319.1 and from 13.8 to 247.6 t·m−1·year−1, respectively. The transverse dune was the main type of sand dune detected in the region with an intermediate directional variability, implying positive sand supplies. Dune morphology coincided reasonably well with the resultant drift direction. An appropriate match was found between the wind data analyses and the morphology of dunes observed in the satellite images.
Avocatin B Protects Against Lipotoxicity and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Diet‐Induced Obesity
Authors: Ahmed Nawaz , Tcheng Matthew , Roma Alessia , Buraczynski Michael , Jayanth Preethi , Rea Kevin , Akhtar Tariq A. , Spagnuolo Paul A. 
Published: October 2019

ScopeThe effects of an avocado‐derived fatty acid oxidation (FAO) inhibitor, avocatin B (AvoB), on glucose and lipid metabolism in models of diet‐induced obesity (DIO) and in vitro models of lipotoxicity are evaluated. The safety of its oral consumption in humans is also determined.Methods and resultsMice are given high‐fat diets (HFD) for 8 weeks. Thereafter, AvoB or vehicle is administered orally twice weekly for 5 weeks. AvoB inhibits FAO which led to improved glucose tolerance, glucose utilization, and insulin sensitivity. AvoB's effects on metabolism under lipotoxic conditions are evaluated in vitro in pancreatic β‐islet cells and C2C12 myotubes. AvoB inhibits FAO and increases glucose oxidation, resulting in lowering of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species that improves insulin responsiveness in C2C12 myotubes and insulin secretion in INS‐1 (832/13) cells, respectively. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial in healthy human participants is conducted to assess the safety of AvoB consumption (50 mg or 200 mg per day for 60 days). AvoB is well‐tolerated and not associated with any dose‐limiting toxicity.ConclusionTherapeutic agents that are safe and effectively inhibit FAO and improve DIO‐associated pathologies are currently not available. AvoB's mechanism of action and favorable safety profile highlight its nutritional and clinical importance.
Technical Note: Comprehensive evaluation and implementation of two independent methods for beam monitor calibration for proton scanning beam
Authors: Shen Jiajian , Ding Xiaoning , Hu Yanle , Kang Yixiu , Liu Wei , Deng Wei , Bues Martin 
Published: October 2019

PurposeTo clinically implement and comprehensively evaluate two independent methods for beam monitor calibration of scanning proton beam.MethodsSeven proton energies that represent the lowest to highest energy proton beams were selected. Single energy layer circular fields of diameter 15 cm with 2.5 mm spot spacing and 10 times of repainting (FS15cm) were designed for all energies. The effective measurement points of Bragg peak chamber (BPC), advanced Markus chamber (AMC) and farmer chamber (FC) were all aligned to 2 cm depth in water using SSD setup. The BPC and AMC were cross‐calibrated with farmer chamber (FC) using the field FS15cm. In order to evaluate BPC's lateral response uniformity, a collimated narrow proton beam (5.8 mm diameter) was delivered to the active area and edge of the BPC. The dose area product (DAP) was measured using two methods by two BPCs, one AMC and one FC. For method 1, a single spot proton beam was delivered to the geometric center of the BPC. For method 2, the fields FS15cm were delivered to FC and AMC, respectively. Accumulated charges by these chambers were converted to DAPs, and the quantitative difference of DAPs between both methods was calculated. The causes of the uncertainties were discussed, and the advantages of the two methods were compared.ResultsThe two BPCs showed different lateral response uniformity. BPC1 has a uniform response from the center up to a radius of 3.5 cm. BPC2 has a uniform response only to 2 cm and the response dropped 1% to 2% at 3.5 cm from center. BPC2 also has significant over‐response compared to BPC1. A 2.2% systematic error would be transferred to DAP if the over‐response from BPC2 was not considered. The DAPs measured by method 1 with two BPCs and by method 2 with FC and AMC were consistent to 0.5%. The major uncertainty component of method 1 is from the cross‐calibration of the BPC.ConclusionsThe two independent methods for DAP were shown to give consistent results, given the sources of uncertainties were carefully addressed in the measurements. Direct measurement of DAP with BPC is very efficient, but it may be subject to more than 2% systematic error if the BPC lateral response is not carefully evaluated.
Low SAR 31P (multi‐echo) spectroscopic imaging using an integrated whole‐body transmit coil at 7T
Authors: van Houtum Q. , Welting D. , Gosselink W.J.M. , Klomp D.W.J. , Arteaga de Castro C.S. , van der Kemp W.J.M. 
Published: October 2019

Phosphorus (31P) MRSI provides opportunities to monitor potential biomarkers. However, current applications of 31P MRS are generally restricted to relatively small volumes as small coils are used. Conventional surface coils require high energy adiabatic RF pulses to achieve flip angle homogeneity, leading to high specific absorption rates (SARs), and occupy space within the MRI bore. A birdcage coil behind the bore cover can potentially reduce the SAR constraints massively by use of conventional amplitude modulated pulses without sacrificing patient space. Here, we demonstrate that the integrated 31P birdcage coil setup with a high power RF amplifier at 7 T allows for low flip angle excitations with short repetition time (TR) for fast 3D chemical shift imaging (CSI) and 3D T1‐weighted CSI as well as high flip angle multi‐refocusing pulses, enabling multi‐echo CSI that can measure metabolite T2, over a large field of view in the body. B1+ calibration showed a variation of only 30% in maximum B1 in four volunteers. High signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) MRSI was obtained in the gluteal muscle using two fast in vivo 3D spectroscopic imaging protocols, with low and high flip angles, and with multi‐echo MRSI without exceeding SAR levels. In addition, full liver MRSI was achieved within SAR constraints. The integrated 31P body coil allowed for fast spectroscopic imaging and successful implementation of the multi‐echo method in the body at 7 T. Moreover, no additional enclosing hardware was needed for 31P excitation, paving the way to include larger subjects and more space for receiver arrays. The increase in possible number of RF excitations per scan time, due to the improved B1+ homogeneity and low SAR, allows SNR to be exchanged for spatial resolution in CSI and/or T1 weighting by simply manipulating TR and/or flip angle to detect and quantify ratios from different molecular species.
Mesenchymal stromal cells in cancer: a review of their immunomodulatory functions and dual effects on tumor progression
Authors: Galland Sabine , Stamenkovic Ivan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMesenchymal stem or stromal cells (MSCs) are pluripotent cells implicated in a broad range of physiological events, including organogenesis and maintenance of tissue homeostasis as well as tissue regeneration and repair. Because their current definition is somewhat loose – based primarily on their ability to differentiate into a variety of mesenchymal tissues, adhere to plastic, and express, or lack, a handful of cell surface markers – MSCs likely encompass several subpopulations, which may have diverse properties. Their diversity may explain, at least in part, the pleiotropic functions that they display in different physiological and pathological settings. In the context of tissue injury, MSCs can respectively promote and attenuate inflammation during the early and late phases of tissue repair. They may thereby act as sensors of the inflammatory response and secrete mediators that boost or temper the response as required by the stage of the reparatory and regenerative process. MSCs are also implicated in regulating tumor development, in which they are increasingly recognized to play a complex role. Thus, MSCs can both promote and constrain tumor progression by directly affecting tumor cells via secreted mediators and cell–cell interactions and by modulating the innate and adaptive immune response. This review summarizes our current understanding of MSC involvement in tumor development and highlights the mechanistic underpinnings of their implication in tumor growth and progression. © 2020 Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
CEO characteristics, firm performance, and corporate political contributions
Authors: Subrahmanyam Vijaya , Singh Manohar , Pennathur Anita 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe investigate if CEO characteristics determine the choice of Political Action Committee (PAC) contributions by firms and if such participation leads to better firm performance. Using a unique, hand‐collected database, we also focus on the identity of the politicians receiving PAC contributions to examine the impact of the value‐relevance of such contributions. Examining data on corporate contributions made to candidates seeking federal office during the 2002, 2004, and 2006 election cycles, we find that CEO dominance and interest alignment influence strategic choices of firms with regards to establishing PACs. Our analysis of value‐relevant contributions shows that firms prefer to donate to politicians representing the state of a firm's headquarters, validating the truth to the adage that all politics is local. However, these targeted political contributions do not have a discernible impact on firm performance.
Rivers need floods: Management lessons learnt from the regulation of the Norwegian salmon river, Suldalslågen
Authors: Saltveit Svein Jakob , Brabrand Åge , Brittain John E. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe Norwegian river Suldalslågen, known for its population of large‐sized Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), has been regulated for hydropower in 1966–1967 and in 1980. The initial regulation increased winter flows and reduced summer flows and major floods. The second regulation, involving abstraction of water to a power station in an adjacent fjord, led to a strong reduction in flow. In addition to implementing different flow regimes, many remedial actions have been taken, often concurrently, making it almost impossible to detect the effect of single measures. In addition, the monitoring data have not always been consistent as regards methods and scope, and also, few data are available for preregulation conditions. This highlights major challenges in the long‐term management of regulated rivers. The absence of major floods after regulation led to increased sedimentation and encouraged carpet mosses. This reduced interstitial spaces, creating a poor habitat for salmon fry and benthic invertebrates. The knowledge gained from the wide‐ranging studies of the different flow regimes have enabled the environmental authorities to devise a final regulation regime from 2012. The final flow regime focused on biological values and functions to sustain the strain of wild, large adult salmon. The catch of wild salmon >7 kg has in fact increased since 2010 and stabilized between 1 and 2 metric tons, although the yield of large salmon prior to 1994 is unknown. In addition, the increase in the catch of large salmon is based on hatchery fish. Hatchery fish have also to a large extent contributed to the increase in the total salmon catch in recent years. Thus, that the catches in Suldalslågen are now at an all‐time high is not due to improved conditions in the river but likely to hatchery fish.
Study on fire resistance time of hybrid reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Tian Jingbo , Zhu Peng , Qu Wenjun 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper studies the fire resistance time of hybrid reinforced concrete beams. A method of calculating the strength reduction coefficient of the longitudinal reinforcement of the hybrid reinforced concrete beams is proposed. Then, an allowable flexural reduction coefficient is suggested for the fire endurance of hybrid reinforced concrete beams. Based on the section properties of the hybrid reinforced concrete beams and the allowable flexural reduction coefficient, a method of calculating the fire resistance time that considers the ratio of the longitudinal reinforcement and the thickness of the concrete cover is described. This method uses mechanical properties of the materials at high temperatures proposed by scholars from various countries and analytic calculations of the temperature profiles in the rectangular beams. Fire resistance tests of six hybrid reinforced concrete beams were carried out. The temperatures measured from the test and the calculated temperatures are well fitted. The calculated fire resistance times and those obtained from a test are similar. Finally, the fire resistance time of the hybrid reinforced concrete beams is calculated under different conditions to provide two samples. The influence of the thickness of the concrete cover and the ratio of the longitudinal reinforcement on hybrid reinforced concrete beams is studied.