bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age at menarche and epithelial ovarian cancer risk: A meta‐analysis and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Yang Huijun , Dai Hongji , Li Lian , Wang Xin , Wang Peishan , Song Fengju , Zhang Ben , Chen Kexin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAge at menarche (AAM) was found to be associated with ovarian cancer risk in previous observational studies. However, the causality of this association remains unclear. Here, after systematic meta‐analyses, we performed two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to evaluate the causal effect of AAM in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) etiology. We performed meta‐analyses including 11 410 cases and 1 163 117 noncases to quantitatively evaluate the association between AAM and ovarian cancer risk. In MR analyses, we used 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AAM for Chinese and 390 SNPs for Europeans as instrumental variables. MR estimates were calculated using inverse‐variance weighted methods from 1044 cases and 1172 controls in a Chinese genome‐wide association study and validated by the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium and Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 studies with 29 396 cases and 68 502 controls of European ancestry. In meta‐analyses, we observed an inverse association (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93 to 1.00, P = 0.036) between per year older AAM and ovarian cancer risk in case–control studies, but no association was observed in cohort studies. In MR analyses, the OR of EOC risk per year increase in AAM was 0.81 (95% CI = 0.67 to 0.97, P = 0.026) in Chinese and 0.94 (95% CI = 0.90 to 0.98, P = 0.003) in Europeans, respectively. Our study supports a causal association between AAM and EOC risk.
Helicobacter pylori‐induced YAP1 nuclear translocation promotes gastric carcinogenesis by enhancing IL‐1β expression
Authors: Wu Yujiao , Shen Li , Liang Xiuming , Li Shuyan , Ma Lin , Zheng Lixin , Li Tongyu , Yu Han , Chan Hillary , Chen Chunyan , Yu Jingya , Jia Jihui 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common and malignant pathologies, and a significant portion of GC incidences develops from Helicobacter pylori (Hp)‐induced chronic gastritis. Although the exact mechanisms of GC are complex and poorly understood, gastric carcinogenesis is a good model to investigate how inflammation and infection collaboratively promote tumorigenesis. Yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP1) is the key effector of the Hippo pathway, which is silenced in most human cancers. Herein, we verified the tumor‐promoting effect of YAP1 in vitro, in vivo, and in human specimens. We revealed that YAP1 displays nuclear translocation and works with TEAD to activate transcription of the crucial inflammatory cytokine IL‐1β in gastric cells infected with Hp. As IL‐1ß accounts for inflammation‐associated tumorigenesis, this process can lead to gastric carcinogenesis. Thus, in addition to activating proliferation genes, YAP1 also plays a major role in inflammation amplification by activating inflammatory cytokine genes. Excitingly, our research demonstrates that transfection of mutant plasmid YAP‐5SA/S94A or addition of the drug verteporfin, both of which are thought to disrupt the YAP1‐TEAD interaction, can arrest the carcinogenesis process. These findings can provide new approaches to GC treatment.
Relationship in context: Processes in school‐based counselling in Hong Kong
Authors: Harrison Mark Gregory 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimsLittle is known about the processes taking place in school‐based counselling, particularly in Hong Kong, where the sociocultural environment may influence these processes. This study investigated students’ engagement with counselling from the perspective of students and school counsellors in Hong Kong.MethodSemi‐structured interviews were carried out with 25 ethnically Chinese students and eight counsellors over three schools in Hong Kong. Data were analysed thematically within a critical realist paradigm.ResultsFour themes were developed which captured students’ experiences of school‐based counselling: “Counselling embedded into the life of the school”; “Fears about counselling”; “Building a counselling relationship”; and “An ongoing but limited source of support.” A top‐level theme called “Relationship in context” encompassed the four themes.Conclusions and implicationsCounsellors’ embeddedness into the school’s organisational structure enabled them to act as an ongoing source of support, which students valued but which could also foster dependency. Counsellors taking on additional roles in the school led to confusion on the part of both students and counsellors and limited the effectiveness of counselling. Seeing counsellors as authority figures, being unwilling to disclose personal information outside the family and stigma around mental health issues were cultural perspectives which heightened students’ fears related to attending counselling. Trust was an essential precursor of developing a counselling relationship in which the counsellor was perceived as warm, non‐judgemental, caring and empathic. A sensitivity to the sociocultural context and the embeddedness of counsellors in the school organisation are essential to the effective implementation of school‐based counselling.
Elevated ventricular filling pressures and long‐term survival in adults post‐Fontan
Authors: Miranda William R. , Hagler Donald J. , Taggart Nathaniel W. , Borlaug Barry A. , Connolly Heidi M. , Egbe Alexander C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the association between elevated ventricular‐end diastolic pressures (VEDP) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) on long‐term survival in adult Fontan patients.BackgroundThe impact of ventricular filling pressures on long‐term survival in adults post‐Fontan palliation is unknown.MethodsWe included 148 adult Fontan patients (age ≥ 18 years) without atrioventricular valve prosthesis or pulmonary vein stenosis undergoing arterial and venous catheterization between December 1999 and November 2017. VEDP was defined as ≥12 mmHg and PAWP as >12 mmHg based on optimal cut‐offs for prediction of mortality on receiver‐operator curves (AUC 0.63 and 0.66, respectively).ResultsMean age was 31.3 ± 9.2 years and 48.6% of patients were females. Most common congenital defects were tricuspid atresia (36.4%) and double‐inlet left ventricle (28.3%); 59.5% patients had atriopulmonary Fontan connections. Mean VEDP was 11.5 ± 4.7 mmHg and PAWP 10.6 ± 4.5 mmHg (correlation coefficient .76). During a follow‐up of 6.0 ± 4.8 years (median 5.4, IQR 1.4–9.4), there were 45 deaths (30.4%). Overall survival was lower in patients with VEDP ≥ 12 compared to those with VEDP < 12 mmHg (p = .02). Similarly, survival was lower in patients with PAWP>12 compared to patients with PAWP ≤ 12 mmHg (p < .0001). In the multivariate model, PAWP was an independent predictor of death (HR 1.1 per mmHg, 95% CI 1.02–1.15, p = .009) whereas VEDP was not (HR 1.1 per mmHg, 95% CI 1.0–1.13; p = .08).ConclusionPAWP but not VEDP was independently associated with long‐term overall mortality in adult Fontan patients. Perhaps PAWP rather than VEDP should be used in the risk stratification of these patients.
Identification of More Benign Cathode Materials for the Electrochemical Reduction of Levulinic Acid to Valeric Acid
Authors: Bisselink Roel J. M. , Crockatt Marc , Zijlstra Martin , Bakker Ivan J. , Goetheer Earl , Slaghek Ted M. , van Es Daan S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe electrochemical production of valeric acid from the renewable bio‐based feedstock levulinic acid has the potential to replace the oxo‐process, which uses fossil‐based feedstock 1‐butylene. The electrochemical reduction of the ketone functionality in levulinic acid using lead or mercury cathodes has already been known for over 100 years. However, large‐scale electrochemical production of valeric acid might be limited, owing to the toxicity of these materials. In this study, we identified three additional cathode materials, cadmium, indium, and zinc, which selectively and efficiently produce valeric acid. Of these materials, indium and zinc are considered more benign. More specifically, at indium there is no formation of the side product γ‐valerolactone, thus resulting in the highest selectivity towards valeric acid. For the electrochemical reduction, a reaction mechanism involving the formation of an organometallic compound is proposed. Furthermore, a possible processing strategy is outlined to enable the continuous electrochemical production of valeric acid on a large scale.
Importance of anal cytology and screening for anal dysplasia in individuals living with HIV with an emphasis on women
Authors: Cimic Adela , Wilkin Timothy J. , Heymann Jonas J. , Alperstein Susan , Ellsworth Grant , Siddiqui Momin T. 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundThe incidence of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal has been increasing in high‐risk populations. To the authors’ knowledge, there is no international consensus regarding screening for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, but screening is commonly comprised of a Papanicolaou (Pap) test in combination with digital anorectal examination followed by high‐resolution anoscopy if necessary. The current study focused on individuals living with HIV and particularly on women living with HIV.MethodsIn this 5‐year retrospective study, the authors identified 5982 Pap tests, 1848 of which had follow‐up biopsy within 6 months. The rate of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance was 42%, and approximately 38.1% of cases with this interpretation were diagnosed as high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions on follow‐up biopsy. In addition, 82 women with anal cytology had long‐term follow‐up (>10 years) available.ResultsThe authors investigated a relationship between cervicovaginal human papillomavirus (HPV) results, cervical pathology, CD4 T‐cell count, and CD4/8 ratio with the anal cytology interpretation. A statistical correlation was noted between the CD4 count and the CD4/8 ratio and the presence of anal dysplasia. Nearly one‐half of the women without cervicovaginal HPV positivity presented with anal dysplasia.ConclusionsThe results of the current study demonstrated that, among women living with HIV, screening for anal dysplasia should not be eschewed, regardless of lower genital tract pathology and/or HPV status. To the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the largest reported retrospective anal cytology cohort in individuals living with HIV.
“Real‐life” outcome of gastrointestinal tumor therapies: A single‐center comparative study
Authors: Buratti Thomas , Mair Maximilian , Mühlberger Nikolai , Mitterer Manfred 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundDespite of the ongoing improvements in gastrointestinal oncology, it remains unclear whether results of randomized controlled trials are achievable in daily clinical practice of nonacademic environments.AimThis study aims at assessing a potential efficacy‐effectiveness gap in gastrointestinal cancer treatment.Methods and ResultsData from 656 gastrointestinal cancer patients treated between 2007 and 2015 in a medium‐sized, nonacademic day hospital oncology unit in Italy were analyzed. Probability of survival and median overall survival as efficacy indicators and the occurrence of grades 3 to 4 adverse events as safety indicators were compared with randomized phase II/III trials of respective entities. Outcomes were well comparable between published data and the real‐life setting. In resectable gastroesophageal cancer, 1‐year survival after treatment initiation was greater (relative risks [RR] = 1.3, p = .007), while patients with adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer exhibited inferior 2‐year survival (RR = 0.7, p = .048) compared with referenced trials. At our unit, neutropenia was less frequent (5.8% vs 27.8%, p = .039) in palliative chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer, as was peripheral neuropathy for stage II/III colon cancer (3.9% vs 12.5%, p = .027).ConclusionThe “real‐life” findings of this study support the efficacy and safety data achieved in landmark trials of gastrointestinal oncology.
Cerebral Open Flow Microperfusion to Monitor Drug Transport Across the Blood‐Brain Barrier
Authors: Hummer Joanna , Altendorfer‐Kroath Thomas , Birngruber Thomas 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDrugs for neurological diseases have to cross the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) to induce their therapeutic effect. In vivo drug quantification in the brain is challenging, because invasive methods damage the BBB and measurement results may be confounded by drug leakage from the blood into the brain through the disrupted BBB. Cerebral open flow microperfusion (cOFM) is an in vivo sampling technique that allows BBB healing and re‐establishment after probe implantation and before sampling is performed. It therefore provides the opportunity to sample compounds in cerebral interstitial fluid with an intact BBB. This article comprehensively describes the experimental setup and procedures, perfusate requirements, critical parameters, common problems that may occur, and their causes and solutions. Typical results from a cOFM sampling experiment are presented and discussed. This protocol provides a tool for performing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies in mouse or rat brain with an intact BBB. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Combined effects of elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia on Hylyphantes graminicola (Araneae: Linyphiidae)
Authors: Su Qichen , Wang Xia , Ilyas Naila , Zhang Fan , Yun Yueli , Jian Chen , Peng Yu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in atmosphere is not only a major cause of global warming, but it also adversely affects the ecological diversity of invertebrates. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of elevated CO2 concentration (ambient, 400 ppm and high, 800 ppm) and Wolbachia (Wolbachia‐infected, W+ and Wolbachia‐uninfected, W−) on Hylyphantes graminicola. The total survival rate, developmental duration, carapace width and length, body weight, sex ratio, net reproductive rate, nutrition content, and enzyme activity in H. graminicola were examined under four treatments: W− 400 ppm, W− 800 ppm, W+ 400 ppm, and W+ 800 ppm. Results showed that Wolbachia‐infected spiders had significantly decreased the total developmental duration. Different instars showed variations up to some extent, but no obvious effect was found under elevated CO2 concentration. Total survival rate, sex ratio, and net reproductive rate were not affected by elevated CO2 concentration or Wolbachia infection. The carapace width of Wolbachia‐uninfected spiders decreased significantly under elevated CO2 concentration, while the width, length and weight were not significantly affected in Wolbachia‐infected spiders reared at ambient CO2 concentration. The levels of protein, specific activities of peroxidase, and amylase were significantly increased under elevated CO2 concentration or Wolbachia‐infected spiders, while the total amino content was only increased in Wolbachia‐infected spiders. Thus, our current finding suggested that elevated CO2 concentration and Wolbachia enhance nutrient contents and enzyme activity of H. graminicola and decrease development duration hence explore the interactive effects of factors which were responsible for reproduction regulation, but it also gives a theoretical direction for spider's protection in such a dynamic environment. Increased activities of enzymes and nutrients caused by Wolbachia infection aids for better survival of H. graminicola under stress.
Crop identity and memory effects on aboveground arthropods in a long‐term crop rotation experiment
Authors: Meyer Michael , Ott David , Götze Philipp , Koch Heinz‐Josef , Scherber Christoph 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAgricultural landscapes are globally dominated by monocultures under intensive management. This is one of the main reasons for biodiversity loss and insect population decline in many regions all over the world. Agroecosystem biodiversity in these areas can be enhanced by cropping system diversification, such as crop rotations. Yet, long‐term studies on effects of crop rotations on aboveground agrobiodiversity are lacking. We set up a 10‐year long‐term crop rotation experiment in Central Germany and monitored the temporal dynamics of aboveground arthropods over a full cultivation period to investigate influence of current and preceding crop identity and cropping system diversification on activity density, species richness, and community structure. We found that species composition was strongly influenced by currently grown crop although effect on arthropods varied between species groups. Especially, winter oilseed rape strongly affects arthropod community structure. Interestingly, we were also able to show an influence of the preceding crops, indicating an ecological memory effect in the aboveground arthropod community. Our results show that crop identity of both currently and previously grown crops in crop rotations may lead to an increase in arthropod activity density and changes in species composition. Diversified crop rotations including appropriate crops can be an easily implemented tool to increase arthropod biodiversity and biomass at large spatial and temporal scales, particularly in areas dominated by a single crop (e.g., wheat, maize). Our results may help to design optimized crop rotations for large‐scale enhancement of insect biodiversity in agroecosystems.
Does fluctuation of meteorological conditions across years influence stand transpiration of Tectona grandis plantation?
Authors: Siddiq Zafar , Tomlinson Kyle W. , Zhu Shi‐Dan , Cao Kun‐Fang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTectona grandis (teak) is widely planted as high‐quality timber in the seasonal tropics, yet detailed data on its seasonal water use and the effect of climatic fluctuations on its transpiration behaviour are limited. We measured sap flux density (SFD) using Granier's sap flow sensors for three wet and two dry seasons in the years 2012, 2014, and 2015 (wet season only) in 7 to 14 trees and made a calibration of Granier's equation for teak to calculate SFD for estimating whole‐tree water consumption and stand‐level transpiration. We also characterized the effects of daily rainfall, vapour pressure deficit, and photosynthetically active radiation on the daily SFD of individual trees. We found a large fluctuation in rainfall in the wet seasons of 2012 to 2015 (1,159 mm in 2012, 778 mm in 2014, and 727 mm in 2015). Total wet and dry season stand‐level transpiration were 824 and 501 mm in 2012 and 446 and 214 mm in 2014, respectively, whereas the wet season transpiration of 2015 was 358 mm. Namely, reduced wet season rainfall reduced the total stand‐level transpiration of teak at the study site. Most variations in daily SFD were due to differences in meteorological conditions, that is, day‐time mean vapour pressure deficit, photosynthetically active radiation, and daily rainfall associated with the seasons of particular year. We also established models to estimate the stand‐level transpiration of a teak plantation. The findings of the present study could be useful for forestation program and hydrological management in tropical regions with seasonal drought.
Toward an optimal quantitative design method integrating user‐centered qualitative attributes
Authors: Bertheaux Cyril , Toscano Rosario , Fortunier Roland , Borg Céline 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe determination of product features, which can be seen as design specifications, is a crucial problem that must be carried out upstream to quickly validate the product configuration according to some attributes in relation to the user perception. To this end, the design methods must evolve toward an analysis compatible with various kind of data that can be qualitative or quantitative. In this paper, a new approach is introduced able to take into account various kind of information in order to determine some quantitative design specifications in accordance with the users perception. This is done through a mathematical formulation that exploit different types of data coming from sensory analysis and physical quantities. This mathematical formulation is then used in an optimization procedure that takes into account a preference order over the sensory attributes. The solution of this optimization problem gives thus the best user‐centered specifications that must be used for the conception of the final product.
GABAergic‐astrocyte signaling: A refinement of inhibitory brain networks
Authors: Mederos Sara , Perea Gertrudis 
Published: May 2019

AbstractInterneurons play a critical role in precise control of network operation. Indeed, higher brain capabilities such as working memory, cognitive flexibility, attention, or social interaction rely on the action of GABAergic interneurons. Evidence from excitatory neurons and synapses has revealed astrocytes as integral elements of synaptic transmission. However, GABAergic interneurons can also engage astrocyte signaling; therefore, it is tempting to speculate about different scenarios where, based on particular interneuron cell type, GABAergic‐astrocyte interplay would be involved in diverse outcomes of brain function. In this review, we will highlight current data supporting the existence of dynamic GABAergic‐astrocyte communication and its impact on the inhibitory‐regulated brain responses, bringing new perspectives on the ways astrocytes might contribute to efficient neuronal coding.
The effect of psychological distance on young children's future predictions
Authors: Mazachowsky Tessa R. , Koktavy Christine , Mahy Caitlin E.V. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe current study examined the impact of psychological distance on children's performance on the pretzel task. In this task, children eat pretzels (inducing thirst) and then are asked to reason about future preferences (pretzels or water). Children typically perform poorly on this task, indicating a future preference for water over pretzels, potentially due to conflicting current and future states. Given past work showing that children's future reasoning is more accurate for another person, we asked 90 thirsty 3‐ to 7‐year‐olds to reason about their own and an experimenter's future preference. Results showed that thirsty children had more difficulty predicting their own future preference compared with the experimenter's. Thirstier children were more likely to predict a future preference for water. Thirst interacted with age when making a future choice for the experimenter. How psychological distance might boost episodic foresight and possible reasons for children's poor pretzel task performance are discussed.Highlights

Does psychological distancing improve children's ability to make accurate future predictions when current and future states conflict?
Using the Pretzel task, thirsty children were less accurate when predicting their own future preferences compared with the future preferences of another person.
Psychological distancing may help children overcome their current state to reason more accurately about the future.