bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Focused estimation for noisy and small data sets: a Bayesian minimum expected loss estimator approach
Authors: Ramírez‐Hassan Andrés , Correa‐Giraldo Manuel 
Published: August 2019

SummaryCentral to many inferential situations is the estimation of rational functions of parameters. The mainstream in statistics and econometrics estimates these quantities based on the plug‐in approach without consideration of the main objective of the inferential situation. We propose the Bayesian Minimum Expected Loss (MELO) approach focusing explicitly on the function of interest, and calculating its frequentist variability. Asymptotic properties of the MELO estimator are similar to the plug‐in approach. Nevertheless, simulation exercises show that our proposal is better in situations characterised by small sample sizes and/or noisy data sets. In addition, we observe in the applications that our approach gives lower standard errors than frequently used alternatives when data sets are not very informative.
‘Every day I worry about something’: A qualitative exploration of children’s experiences of stress and coping
Authors: Cheetham‐Blake Tara J. , Family Hannah E. , Turner‐Cobb Julie M. 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesMost research investigating children’s experiences of stress and coping has utilized a quantitative approach. This study aimed to examine children’s experiences of stress by conducting interviews with children and their parents.DesignDyadic child–parent interviews, embedded within a multiphase design.MethodsThirty‐eight children (22 boys) aged 7–11 years and 38 parents (34 mothers) completed in‐depth dyadic interviews about stressful life events, adversity, and coping, analysed using inductive thematic analysis with a phenomenological lens.ResultsFour themes emerged: (1) navigating the social minefield; (2) pressure to thrive in the modern world; (3) fear of the unknown; and (4) learning life’s lessons. The first suggested that social relationships are a major feature of children’s stress experiences; however, social support was also found to be a beneficial coping mechanism. The second theme highlighted multiple sources of pressure on young children (including school, extracurricular activities, pressure from self and others); the impact of such pressure was dependent upon children’s coping resources. The third theme emphasized the difficulty of coping with novel stressors, and how awareness can help reduce this fear. The final theme highlighted important lessons that children can learn from stressful experiences and how to cope with stress.ConclusionsThis study addresses the importance of the person and context‐dependent nature of stress and coping in order for children to survive and thrive following stressful experiences. These findings contribute to existing knowledge that could be used to develop a toolkit for coping with stress, designed specifically for children, parents, schools, and services.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Stress experienced in childhood can have a significant impact on psychological and physiological outcomes across the life course. It is known that individual differences are vital for understanding the effects of stress on health, for children as well as adults. Qualitative methods enable deeper understanding of children’s experiences of stress and coping.

What does the study add?

Depth and breadth to understanding children’s experiences of stressful events.

An individual differences focus on the early stress experience that is frequently overlooked.

Support for the use of a dyadic interview approach for assessing children’s stress experiences.
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma: A blinded study of CD123 as a diagnostic marker
Authors: Fraga Garth R. , Chow Peter 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundHistopathologic distinction between keratoacanthoma (KA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is challenging. We surmised that a discriminatory immunostain would be clinically meaningful. Previous investigators have found CD123‐positive plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) are more prominent in KA than SCC. We sought to determine if CD123 immunostaining might have value as a diagnostic test for distinguishing KA from SCC.MethodsWe used blinded, semi‐automated image analysis to compare CD123 expression in 66 KAs and 63 SCCs in a tissue microarray.ResultsPDCs were present in both KA and SCC. Mean PDC frequency was higher in KA than SCC (14.2 vs 11.2 mean cells/0.0945 square mm) but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.1240). There was no significant difference in mean PDC cluster frequency, mean intratumoral PDC frequency, or the percentage of PDCs as proportion of the total mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate between KA and SCC.ConclusionCD123 immunostaining is not a clinically useful test for distinguishing KA from SCC.
Effects of aminoguanidine on γ‐aminobutyric acid accumulation pathways in fresh tea leaves under hypoxic conditions
Authors: Wu Qinyan , Guo Rui , Zhang Wenwen , Li Dongdong , Rao Bing , Ma Shengzhou , Zhao Fei , Yao Kebing , Zhuang Yiqing 
Published: August 2019

SummaryAminoguanidine (AG), a specific inhibitor of diamine oxidase (DAO), can be used to investigate the γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation pathways. The effect of AG on GABA accumulation pathways of tea fresh leaves remains to be explored. Our results indicated AG concentration did not significantly affect GAD activity, but high concentration solution made GABA‐T activity increase. AG (1 mm) maximally, but not entirely, blocked the polyamine degradation pathway, but had no effect on GAD and GABA‐T. The polyamine degradation pathway was responsible for 26.8% and 17.0% of GABA formation under hypoxic conditions involving immersion and immersion–vacuum, respectively, because DAO and PAO activity was not completely inhibited.
Single use versus reusable digital flexible ureteroscopes: A prospective comparative study
Authors: Kam Jonathan , Yuminaga Yuigi , Beattie Kieran , Ling Koi Yi , Arianayagam Mohan , Canagasingham Bertram , Ferguson Richard , Varol Celalettin , Khadra Mohamed , Winter Matthew , Ko Raymond 
Published: August 2019

ObjectivesTo compare the performance and surgical outcomes of two different single‐use digital flexible ureteroscopes with a reusable video flexible ureteroscope.MethodsPatients undergoing retrograde flexible ureteroscopy at Nepean Hospital, Sydney, Australia, were included in this study. Three different flexible ureteroscopes were used in this study: (i) single‐use digital LithoVue (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA); (ii) single‐use digital PU3022A (Pusen, Zhuhai, China); and (iii) reusable digital URF‐V2 (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Visibility and maneuverability was rated on a 5‐point Likert scale by the operating surgeon. Operative outcomes and complications were collected and analyzed.ResultsA total of 150 patients were included in the present study. Of these, 141 patients had ureteroscopy for stone treatment, four for endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery and five for diagnostic/tumor treatment. There were 55 patients in the LithoVue group, 31 in the PU3022A group and 64 patients in the Olympus URF‐V2 group. The URF‐V2 group had higher visibility scores than both the single‐use scopes and higher maneuverability scores when compared with the PU3022A. The LithoVue had higher visibility and maneuverability scores when compared with the PU3022A. There were no differences in operative time, rates of relook flexible ureteroscopes, scope failure or complication rates observed.ConclusionsSingle‐use digital flexible ureteroscopes have visibility and maneuverability profiles approaching that of a reusable digital flexible ureteroscope. Single‐use flexible ureteroscopes achieve similar clinical outcomes to the more expensive reusable versions.
Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular studies for determination of wound age and vitality in rats
Authors: Khalaf Azem A. , Hassanen Eman I. , Zaki Amr R. , Tohamy Adel F. , Ibrahim Marwa A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn forensic medicine, it is vital to verify with the best attainable accuracy once injuries occurred during vital or post‐mortem conditions. An immunohistochemical study was carried out to examine the time‐dependent expression of macrophage‐specific gene CD68 (cluster of differentiation 68), alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in different skin wound timings (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days) in rats. Histopathological studies were performed to assess the wound age and vitality. Eighteen male albino Wister rats (weighing 170‐200 g) were used for wound induction. Rats (n = 3) were euthanised at 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days from the starting point of wound induction. Histopathological examination showed that the epidermal re‐epithelialisation was completed 14 days after skin incision. The inflammatory phase was recorded during the first 3 days of healing and reached the maximum levels at 5 days, then declined after 7 days, and completely removed at 14 days. The beginning of the proliferative phase was dated to day 3 and the peak at days 5 and 7. The initiation of the granulation tissue formation and remodelling phase of the healing process was observed 5 days after wounding. By immunohistochemical staining, negative VEGF gene expressions at early stages (0‐3 days) were observed, as well as neither CD68+ macrophages nor α‐SMA+ myofibroblast cells were detected. By increasing the wound ages (5‐7 days), granulation tissue and angiogenesis were observed, with the migration of macrophages and fibroblast, which expressed VEGF, CD68, and α‐SMA positive reaction. Time‐dependent expression of the above markers suggested that they would be useful indicators for the determination of wound age. Both VEGF and transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGFb1) mRNA levels were determined in different skin wound ages. The transcription of TGFb1 and VEGF increased shortly after wounding, until post‐wounding day 7. It then declined constantly, reaching minimal values on day 14.
Mapping Tasmania's cultural landscapes: Using habitat suitability modelling of archaeological sites as a landscape history tool
Authors: Jones Penelope J. , Williamson Grant J. , Bowman David M. J. S. , Lefroy Edward C. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimUnderstanding past distributions of people across the landscape is key to understanding how people used, affected and related to the natural environment. Here, we use habitat suitability modelling to represent the landscape distribution of Tasmanian Aboriginal archaeological sites and assess the implications for patterns of past human activity.LocationTasmania, Australia.MethodsWe developed a RandomForest ‘habitat suitability' model of site records in the Tasmanian Aboriginal Heritage Register. We applied a best‐effort bias correction, considered 31 predictor variables relating to climate, topography and resource proximity, and used a variable selection procedure to optimize the final model. Model uncertainty was assessed via bootstrapping and we ran an analogous MaxEnt model as a cross‐validation exercise.ResultsThe results from the RandomForest and MaxEnt models are highly congruent. The strongest environmental predictors of site occurrence include distance to coast, elevation, soil clay content, topographic roughness and distance to inland water. The highest habitat suitability scores are distributed across a wide range of environments in central, northern and eastern Tasmania, including coastal areas, inland water body margins and forests and savannas in the drier parts of Tasmania. With the exception of coastal areas much of western Tasmania has low habitat suitability scores, consistent with theories of low‐density Holocene Tasmanian Aboriginal settlement in this region.Main conclusionsOur modelling suggests Tasmanian Aboriginal people occupied a heterogeneity of habitats but targeted coastal areas around the whole island, and drier, less steep and/or open forest and savanna environments in the central lowlands. The western interior was identified as being rarely used by Aboriginal people in the Holocene, with the exception of isolated pockets of habitat; yet whether this is a true reflection of Aboriginal‐resourceuse demands increased archaeological surveys, particularly in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
QKI‐6 inhibits bladder cancer malignant behaviours through down‐regulating E2F3 and NF‐κB signalling
Authors: Shi Fei , Deng Zheng , Zhou Zheng , Jiang Chen‐Yi , Zhao Rui‐Zhe , Sun Feng , Cui Di , Bei Xiao‐Yu , Yang Bo‐Yu , Sun Qian , Wang Xing‐Jie , Wu Qi , Xia Shu‐Jie , Han Bang‐Min 
Published: August 2019

AbstractQuaking homolog (QKI) is a member of the RNA‐binding signal transduction and activator of proteins family. Previous studies showed that QKI possesses the tumour suppressor activity in human cancers by interacting with the 3'‐untraslated region (3'‐UTR) of various gene transcripts via the STAR domain. This study first assessed the association of QKI‐6 expression with clinicopathological and survival data from bladder cancer patients and then investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. Bladder cancer tissues (n = 223) were subjected to immunohistochemistry, and tumour cell lines and nude mice were used for different in vitro and in vivo assays following QKI‐6 overexpression or knockdown. QKI‐6 down‐regulation was associated with advanced tumour TNM stages and poor patient overall survival. QKI‐6 overexpression inhibited bladder cancer cell growth and invasion capacity, but induced tumour cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, ectopic expression of QKI‐6 reduced tumour xenograft growth and expression of proliferation markers, Ki67 and PCNA. However, knockdown of QKI‐6 expression had opposite effects in vitro and in vivo. QKI‐6 inhibited expression of E2 transcription factor 3 (E2F3) by directly binding to the E2F3 3'‐UTR, whereas E2F3 induced QKI‐6 transcription by binding to the QKI‐6 promoter in negative feedback mechanism. QKI‐6 expression also suppressed activity and expression of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signalling proteins in vitro, implying a novel multilevel regulatory network downstream of QKI‐6. In conclusion, QKI‐6 down‐regulation contributes to bladder cancer development and progression.
PLCA8 suppresses breast cancer apoptosis by activating the PI3k/AKT/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Mao Misha , Chen Yongxia , Jia Yunlu , Yang Jingjing , Wei Qun , Li Zhaoqing , Chen Lini , Chen Cong , Wang Linbo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe cysteine‐rich lysosomal protein placenta‐specific 8 (PLAC8), also called onzin, has been shown to be involved in many types of cancers, and its role is highly dependent on cellular and physiological contexts. However, the precise function of PLAC8 in breast cancer (BC) progression remains unclear. In this study, we investigated both the clinical significance and biological functions of PLAC8 in BC progression. First, high PLAC8 expression was observed in primary BC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues through immunohistochemistry analysis. The results of in vitro and in vivo assays further confirmed that PLAC8 overexpression promotes cell proliferation and suppress BC cell apoptosis, whereas PLAC8 silencing has the opposite effect. In addition, the forced expression of PLAC8 greatly induces cell migration, partially by affecting the EMT‐related genes, including down‐regulating E‐cadherin expression and facilitating vimentin expression. Further mechanistic analysis confirmed that PLAC8 contributes to cell proliferation and suppresses cell apoptosis in BC by activating the PI3K/AKT/NF‐κB pathway. The results of our study provide new insights into an oncogenic role of PLAC8 and reveal a novel PLAC8/ PI3K/AKT/NF‐κB pathway as a potential therapeutic target for BC.
Effects of extreme drought on primary production, species composition and species diversity of a Mediterranean annual plant community
Authors: Alon Moshe , Sternberg Marcelo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractQuestionsWhat are the effects of extreme drought on above‐ground and below‐ground net primary production (ANPP and BNPP, respectively) of an annual plant community in a Mediterranean shrubland? How do annual plant communities in Mediterranean shrublands respond to extreme drought, in terms of changes in their species composition, species richness, and species diversity?LocationA Mediterranean shrubland in the Judean Hills, Israel.MethodRainout shelters were used to simulate a 66% reduction in annual rainfall, preceded by a baseline year when no treatments were applied. Above‐ground and below‐ground (i.e., root) biomass was harvested and species surveys were performed following one growing season.ResultsAbove‐ground primary production was significantly reduced by drought, while below‐ground production remained mostly stable. Consequently, the shoot:root ratio was reduced by drought, indicating either increased community resource allocation to root production at the expense of shoots or stable root biomass production in the face of drought. Community diversity increased in droughted plots, and significant changes were detected in species composition and dominance patterns.ConclusionsExtreme drought had a profound effect at the ecosystem and community level on the studied Mediterranean shrubland. Extreme drought seems to increase species diversity and evenness in the short term, likely due to release from competition. We predict this effect to be countered by low biomass production and individual species abundance if extreme drought persists a sufficiently long time, leading to significant changes in long‐term plant dominance patterns and community structure.
Sex specificity of kidney markers to assess prognosis in cirrhotic patients with TIPS
Authors: Torner Maria , Mangal Adjmal , Scharnagl Hubert , Jansen Christian , Praktiknjo Michael , Queck Alexander , Gu Wenyi , Schierwagen Robert , Lehmann Jennifer , Uschner Frank E. , Graf Christiana , Strassburg Christian P. , Fernandez Javier , Stojakovic Tatjana , Woitas Rainer , Trebicka Jonel 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackground & AimsRenal function assessed by creatinine is a key prognostic factor in cirrhotic patients. However, creatinine is influenced by several factors, rendering interpretation difficult in some situations. This is especially important in early stages of renal dysfunction where renal impairment might not be accompanied by an increase in creatinine. Other parameters, such as cystatin C (CysC) and beta‐trace protein (BTP), have been evaluated to fill this gap. However, none of these studies have considered the role of the patient's sex. The present study analysed CysC and BTP to evaluate their prognostic value and differentiate them according to sex.Patients and methodsCysC and BTP were measured in 173 transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)‐patients from the NEPTUN‐STUDY(NCT03628807) and analysed their relationship with mortality and sex. Propensity score for age, MELD, etiology and TIPS indication was used.ResultsCystatin C and BTP showed excellent correlations with creatinine values at baseline and follow‐up. CysC was an independent predictor of overall mortality (HR = 1.66(1.33‐2.06)) with an AUC of 0.75 and identified a cut‐off of 1.55 mg/L in the whole cohort. Interestingly, CysC was significantly lower in females, also after propensity score matching. In males, the only independent predictor was the creatinine level (HR = 1.54(1.25‐1.58)), while in females CysC levels independently predicted mortality (HR = 3.17(1.34‐7.52)).ConclusionThis study demonstrates for the first time that in TIPS‐patients creatinine predicts mortality in males better than in females, whereas CysC is a better predictor of mortality in females. These results may influence future clinical decisions on therapeutic options for example, allocation for liver transplantation in TIPS‐patients.
Duodenal nutrient exposure contributes to enhancing gastric accommodation
Authors: Carbone Florencia , Verschueren Sofie , Rotondo Alessandra , Tack Jan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe gastric accommodation reflex consists of a relaxation which creates a reservoir for the ingested food before emptying to the duodenum occurs. The mechanisms that control gastric accommodation are not fully understood. This study aims to use intragastric pressure (IGP) measurement and pyloric balloon obstruction to determine the contribution of duodenal nutrient exposure to gastric accommodation and meal‐induced satiation.MethodsTwo conditions were tested in 11 healthy subjects (28.3 ± 3.2 years; 23.6 ± 0.7 kg/m2; four females). IGP was measured during an intragastric nutrient drink (ND) infusion at a constant rate (60 mL/min) in the presence of a deflated (control) or inflated (pyloric obstruction) balloon placed into the pylorus. During the study, subjects filled out Likert scales for satiation scores and visual analogue scale for 9 epigastric symptoms (hunger, expected amount to eat, satiation, bloating, fullness, nausea, belching, gastric cramps, and pain) before and during ND infusion until maximal satiation.Key ResultsDuring pyloric obstruction, the IGP drop and the area above the IGP curve (AAC) were significantly smaller compared with the control condition (6.7 ± 1.0 mm Hg vs3.6 ± 0.8 mm Hg, P = .03 and 69.7 ± 13.5 mm Hg × min vs 20.1 ± 9.0 mm Hg × min, P = .001, respectively). Pyloric obstruction decreased nutrient tolerance compared with the control condition (787.9 ± 73.1 mL vs 970.9 ± 79.2 mL, respectively, P < .05). Pyloric obstruction increased symptoms of bloating (1.3 ± 0.4 vs 2.6 ± 0.6; P = .04), fullness (2.3 ± 0.5 vs 3.6 ± 0.3; P = .03), and nausea (0.4 ± 0.2 vs 1.3 ± 0.4; P = .04) compared to control.Conclusion & InferencesDuodenal nutrient exposure contributes to enhancing gastric accommodation. Preventing the passage of nutrients from the stomach to the duodenum inhibits gastric accommodation and increases meal‐induced satiation, bloating, nausea, and fullness.