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Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can have several consequences on sexual function, which can lead to worsened quality of life. Aim: The study sought to assess sexual function and its association with health functionality and quality of life in females with PAH. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in pulmonary circulation outpatient clinics from January 2022 to March 2023 in females diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Assessment was carried out through the application of the Female Sexual Function Index, the 36-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, and the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Survey. Outcomes: Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 and JASP, and Spearman's correlation tests were applied between the instruments, with a P value <.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 91 females were assessed. It was identified that 90.1% of females had sexual dysfunction, with worse scores in females with sexual dysfunction in the domains of satisfaction, arousal, and desire, with average health functionality and quality of life. There were significant correlations between the domains of mobility, getting along, life activities, and the overall functionality score with some domains of sexual function, especially arousal and satisfaction. We found significant correlations between some domains of quality-of-life assessment with the domains of desire, arousal, and satisfaction, and with the overall score of sexual function assessment, as well as strong correlations between health functionality and quality of life. Clinical Implication: The data reinforce the need for rehabilitation programs and social support for this population. Strengths and Limitations: This is one of the few studies to evaluate sexual function, quality of life, and health functionality in women with PAH. Due to limitations in data collection, we were unable to assess certain factors such as hormone levels and a history of sexual abuse. Conclusion: We identified a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in females with PAH with mild functional impairment and a moderate quality-of-life score with correlations between sexual function, health functionality, and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extinct lineages can leave legacies in the genomes of extant lineages through ancient introgressive hybridization. The patterns of genomic survival of these extinct lineages provide insight into the role of extinct lineages in current biodiversity. However, our understanding on the genomic landscape of introgression from extinct lineages remains limited due to challenges associated with locating the traces of unsampled 'ghost' extinct lineages without ancient genomes. Herein, we conducted population genomic analyses on the East China Sea (ECS) lineage of Chaenogobius annularis, which was suspected to have originated from ghost introgression, with the aim of elucidating its genomic origins and characterizing its landscape of introgression. By combining phylogeographic analysis and demographic modelling, we demonstrated that the ECS lineage originated from ancient hybridization with an extinct ghost lineage. Forward simulations based on the estimated demography indicated that the statistic γ of the HyDe analysis can be used to distinguish the differences in local introgression rates in our data. Consistent with introgression between extant organisms, we found reduced introgression from extinct lineage in regions with low recombination rates and with functional importance, thereby suggesting a role of linked selection that has eliminated the extinct lineage in shaping the hybrid genome. Moreover, we identified enrichment of repetitive elements in regions associated with ghost introgression, which was hitherto little known but was also observed in the re‐analysis of published data on introgression between extant organisms. Overall, our findings underscore the unexpected similarities in the characteristics of introgression landscapes across different taxa, even in cases of ghost introgression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 35‐year‐old woman (gravida 1, para 0) was admitted to our hospital at 28 weeks' gestation with vaginal bleeding from placenta previa. Severe fetal bradycardia was observed during fetal heart rate monitoring. Ultrasonography showed widely dilated veins on the fetal surface of the placenta and an extraordinarily low umbilical artery peak systolic velocity in the Doppler study. Umbilical cord torsion was suspected. On the subsequent day, we performed a cesarean section due to worsening fetal heart rate patterns. Umbilical artery blood gas analysis indicated severe acidemia (pH 7.063), and umbilical cord torsion was confirmed at the placental cord insertion site. Diagnosing UCT prenatally is challenging; however, it can be suspected by scanning for the widely dilated veins on the fetal placental surface, termed as the "Sunset Sign," an abnormally low umbilical artery peak systolic velocity, and other fetal Doppler abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The International Medical Prevention Registry for Venous Thromboembolism (IMPROVE) Bleeding Risk Score is the recommended risk assessment model (RAM) for predicting bleeding risk in acutely ill medical inpatients in Western countries. However, few studies have assessed its predictive performance in local Asian settings. Methods: We retrospectively identified acutely ill adolescents and adults (aged ≥ 15 years) who were admitted to our general internal medicine department between July 5, 2016 and July 5, 2021, and extracted data from their electronic medical records. The outcome of interest was the cumulative incidence of major and nonmajor but clinically relevant bleeding 14 days after admission. For the two-risk-group model, we estimated sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively). For the 11-risk-group model, we estimated C statistic, expected and observed event ratio (E/O), calibration-in-the-large (CITL), and calibration slope. In addition, we recalibrated the intercept using local data to update the RAM. Results: Among the 3,876 included patients, 998 (26%) were aged ≥ 85 years, while 656 (17%) were hospitalized in the intensive care unit. The median length of hospital stay was 14 days. Clinically relevant bleeding occurred in 58 patients (1.5%), 49 (1.3%) of whom experienced major bleeding. Sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV were 26.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.8–40.0%), 84.8% (83.6–85.9%), 98.7% (98.2–99.0%), and 2.5% (1.5–4.3%) for any bleeding and 30.9% (95% CI: 18.8–46.3%), 84.9% (83.7–86.0%), 99.0% (98.5–99.3%), and 2.5% (1.5–4.3%) for major bleeding, respectively. The C statistic, E/O, CITL, and calibration slope were 0.64 (95% CI: 0.58–0.71), 1.69 (1.45–2.05), − 0.55 (− 0.81 to − 0.29), and 0.58 (0.29–0.87) for any bleeding and 0.67 (95% CI: 0.60–0.74), 0.76 (0.61–0.87), 0.29 (0.00–0.58), and 0.42 (0.19–0.64) for major bleeding, respectively. Updating the model substantially corrected the poor calibration observed. Conclusions: In our Japanese cohort, the IMPROVE bleeding RAM retained the reported moderate discriminative performance. Model recalibration substantially improved the poor calibration obtained using the original RAM. Before its introduction into clinical practice, the updated RAM needs further validation studies and an optimized threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To clarify whether maternal oxygen administration during vaginal delivery improves umbilical artery (UA) gas measurements and neonatal outcomes. Methods: Singleton pregnancies requiring operative vaginal delivery or emergency cesarean section (CS) due to non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) during vaginal delivery at our hospital from 2018 to 2021 were retrospectively investigated. Intrapartum fetal wellbeing was evaluated based on the 5-tier fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern which is a delivery management method widely used in Japan. Operative vaginal deliveries or emergency CS was performed under integrated judgment in NRFS. Patients were divided into the oxygen group to whom oxygen (10 L/min) was supplied by a facemask and the room air group. The UA gas measurements and neonatal outcomes were compared. The oxygen administration was classified by conditions before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. As a secondary evaluation, stratification of FHR pattern levels and factors associated with UA pH < 7.15 were examined. Results: A total of 250 patients required obstetric surgical delivery due to NRFS, including 140 (56%) and 110 (44%) in the oxygen and room air groups, respectively. No differences in maternal background factors were found between both groups, except for maternal age. UA gas measurements and neonatal outcomes also showed no significant differences. No significant factors were extracted in the multivariate analysis for UA pH < 7.15. Conclusions: Trans-maternal oxygen administration for intrapartum NRFS did not affect neonatal cord blood gasses or neonatal outcomes. Thus, routine oxygen administration for intrapartum NRFS may not always be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riverbed materials serve multiple environmental functions as a habitat for aquatic invertebrates and fish. At the same time, the particle size of the bed material reflects the tractive force of the flow regime in a flood and provides useful information for flood control. The traditional riverbed particle size surveys, such as sieving, require time and labor to investigate riverbed materials. The authors of this study have proposed a method to classify aerial images taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Our previous study showed that terrestrial riverbed materials could be classified with high accuracy. In this study, we attempted to classify riverbed materials of terrestrial and underwater samples including that which is distributed in shallow waters where the bottom can be seen using UAVs over the river segment. It was considered that the surface flow types taken overlapping the riverbed material on images disturb the accuracy of classification. By including photographs of various surface flow conditions in the training data, the classification focusing on the patterns of riverbed materials could be achieved. The total accuracy reached 90.3%. Moreover, the proposed method was applied to the river segments to determine the distribution of the particle size. In parallel, the microtopography was surveyed using a LiDAR UAV, and the relationship between the microtopography and particle size distribution was discussed. In the steep section, coarse particles were distributed and formed riffles. Fine particles were deposited on the upstream side of those riffles, where the slope had become gentler due to the dammed part. The good concordance between the microtopographical trends and the grain size distribution supports the validity of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nirmatrelvir is an orally administered anti -SARS-CoV-2 drug used in combination with ritonavir, the drug-metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A inhibitor, to evade metabolism and extend bioavailability. Meanwhile, the immunosuppressant tacrolimus is a CYP3A4/5 substrate, and CYP3A inhibition results in drug-drug interactions. Herein, we report the case of a coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patient in the maintenance phase post liver transplantation, receiving tacrolimus treatment, with a marked increase of blood tacrolimus levels after the initiation of concomitant nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment. A 61-year-old Japanese woman underwent a living donor liver transplant for Caroli disease 25 years ago and received tacrolimus 2 mg/day for immunosuppressive treatment. Three days before the observed high tacrolimus blood concentration, she presented to our emergency department with a fever and was diagnosed with COVID-19. She was prescribed an adjusted dose of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (150 mg/100 mg, twice daily) for 5 days as a high-risk case with immunosuppressive treatment and reduced renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR: 46.6 mL/min/1.73 m2). At the return visit on day 1, blood tacrolimus level was >60 ng/mL on trough sampling, above the upper limit of measurement, with nausea and vomiting as side effects. Tacrolimus treatment was discontinued on the same day. Drug-drug interactions resulting from CYP3A inhibition by nirmatrelvir/ritonavir were deemed responsible for elevated blood tacrolimus levels. Therefore, in liver transplant recipients, tacrolimus dose reduction or discontinuation is required during COVID-19 treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause multiple acute complications. This study evaluated the long-term functional status of older patients hospitalized for acute COVID-19. Methods: We analyzed data from a multicenter ambispective cohort study on patients aged >60 years who were hospitalized for COVID-19 at two tertiary care hospitals in Argentina. The participants were contacted by telephone between November 2021 and September 2022 to collect data on their functional status. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with functional limitations after discharge. Results: Among the 374 included patients, 205 (55%) showed functional limitations, including 58 (28%) who died during follow-up. The factors independently associated with functional limitations were low baseline functional status (odds ratio [OR]=9.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.35-25.17) and admission to the intensive care unit (OR=4.41; 95% CI, 2.28-8.53). Men had lower odds of functional impairment (OR=0.55; 95% CI, 0.35-0.86). Conclusion: Older patients had high mortality rates and poor functional status at 2 years post-discharge for COVID-19. Several factors at the time of discharge were associated with a higher risk of functional limitations and can be used to identify patients' long-term needs for support and rehabilitation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Soft tissue sarcomas are rare malignant tumors. Liposarcoma constitutes the most frequent histological subtype of retroperitoneal sarcoma. The prognosis of soft tissue sarcomas depends on clinical and histologic characteristics. Objective: Evaluate variables that may be related to the overall and local recurrence-free survival in patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma and discuss the need for visceral resection en-bloc for tumors. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the medical records of 60 patients seen between 1997 and 2017 who underwent surgical resection of retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Results: The overall survival rate at 5 years of follow-up was 75.22% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58–0.86). The probability of a local recurrence-free survival at 5 years of follow-up was 26.04% (95% CI 0.11–0.44). The multivariate analysis showed that dedifferentiated or pleomorphic tumors and R2/fragmented resection were associated with a shorter time to recurrence. No other characteristics markedly influenced the overall survival (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with dedifferentiated or pleomorphic tumors and incomplete resection were associated with higher local recurrence rates than others. This study reinforces the need for complete and en-bloc resection with organs when there is clear involvement or technical surgical difficulty to maintain the tumor integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When treating acute ischemic stroke patients, evaluation of collateral flow to the ischemic area is essential. Blood-oxygen-level-dependent imaging, including T2 star (T2∗), can identify elevated deoxyhemoglobin levels, reflecting an increase in the oxygen extraction fraction. Prominent veins on T2∗ represent increased deoxyhemoglobin and cerebral blood volume. This study compared asymmetrical vein signs (AVSs) on T2∗ and digital subtraction angiography findings during mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with hyperacute middle cerebral artery occlusion. Clinical and imaging data of 41 patients with occlusion of the horizontal segment of the middle cerebral artery who underwent MT were collected. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on angiographic occlusion sites as: proximal and distal to the lenticulostriate artery (LSA). AVSs on T2∗ were divided into asymmetrical cortical vein sign (cortical AVS) and asymmetrical deep/medullary vein sign (deep/medullary AVS), and were compared with the findings of intraoperative digital subtraction angiography. Twenty-seven patients had AVSs. Cortical AVS was the only parameter with a significant association with poor angiographic collateral supply. In terms of occlusion site, deep/medullary AVS was the only parameter with a significant association with occlusion proximal to the LSA. In patients with occlusion of the horizontal segment of the middle cerebral artery, presence of the cortical AVS on T2∗ suggests a poor angiographic collateral supply, while presence of the deep/medullary AVS suggests impaired blood flow to the basal ganglia through LSAs. Both these signs contribute to poor outcomes in patients undergoing MT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Resource Description and Access was developed by the Resource Description and Access Steering Committee as a set of data elements for creating metadata for library and cultural heritage resources. In 2017, the Library Reference Model conceptual model was published, consolidating a single structure as a reference model for libraries. There is an intensification of the use of Semantic Web technologies, such as Linked data, which presents a new perspective for describing and linking data. With these changes, the RDA Steering Committee group verified the need for a new Resource Description and Access structure, the 3R Project, which reformulated the structure of the Resource Description and Access Toolkit site aligned with Library Reference Model. The guiding question of this research was: what are the main changes in the Resource Description and Access with the 3R Project? The general objective of this research was to present the changes in the Resource Description and Access considering the changes developed in the 3R Project. The comparative method was used to analyze the structures of the two versions of the Resource Description and Access. As result, it was observed that the main changes in the Resource Description and Access Project 3R can be divided into three aspects: 1) changes in the site; 2) Structural changes in the guidelines and 3) changes related to the approximation with the scenario of publishing data on the Web and Linked data. It is concluded that the 3R project caused changes in the usability of the Resource Description and Access Toolkit, in the structure of the Resource Description and Access guidelines and promoted approximations with the Library Reference Model with Linked data. Efforts are needed to understand the most efficient means of applying the Resource Description and Access Project 3R guidelines in Cataloging and in the areas of Cataloging research and teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic period characterized by the adoption of social distancing practices brought with it challenges and opportunities for innovation in teaching practices. In the case of disciplines that used an experimental laboratory apparatus, there was a growing demand for simulation, emulation, and so-called remote laboratories resources. Although remote laboratories are seen as a powerful resource to mitigate the teaching-learning losses of a physical laboratory, their isolated use is not ideal, as the student does not have direct contact with the components used. In this sense, the concept of "HomeLab" is proposed here, which consists of the integration between the remote lab and the student's own residence, allowing the student to interact directly with the laboratory by controling physical devices installed in his/her residence. A case study is presented in the context of a digital electronics laboratory course, where students developed projects exploring this resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: There is little evidence regarding women who cannot register live births after pregnancy. We aimed to clarify the difference in baseline characteristics between women who registered live births and those who did not (i.e., dropout). Methods: We assessed the birth cohort data of 1976 Japanese women who registered their pregnancies between July 2013 and March 2014 in Naha and Urasoe City, Okinawa, Japan. The database consisted of anthropometric data, reproductive history, sociodemographic characteristics, and dietary intake. We estimated the prevalence ratio to examine the associations of baseline characteristics with dropout by multivariable‐adjusted Poisson regression with robust standard error estimation. Results: We identified 272 dropouts (13.8%) in the pregnancy registry. About 15% of women reported experience of alcohol drinking preceding 1 month of pregnancy registration. Most participants' vitamin B1 (92.1%) and folate (74.7%) consumption was inadequate considering the dietary reference intake for Japanese pregnant women, but it was not associated with a high prevalence of dropout. The prevalence of dropout was significantly higher in teenagers (prevalence ratio [PR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38–3.07) and early 20s (PR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.04–1.93) than in women in late 20s. In addition, alcohol consumption was potentially associated with a high prevalence of dropout (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.31, 95% CI 0.99–1.73). Participants who experienced one or more live births (aPR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.28–0.66) were less likely to dropout. Conclusion: We found that the potential risk factors for dropout from pregnancy registration were young maternal age, no childbirth experience, and alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The motivation of this work is to show a case study represented by a test article in tapered sandwich structure with a mid-ramp region in order to reduce certification cost of the full-scale structure. Also, this work provides a compelling case for the standardization of Load Enhancement Factor for certification purposes. Therefore, the development of this work is based on the definition of the test article with a manufacturing defect and impact damage, for compliance static and damage tolerance requirements with damage no-growth approach. The results obtained showed a good strategy to reduce risk and cost of the certification development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to study the evolution of the Argentinean labor market over the last three decades in the light of an approach that takes into account the structural determinant of the national economic cycle: the relationship between the lag in international productivity and the availability of sources of compensation for it, at each moment in time, under the different models of accumulation. To this end, the dynamics of different relevant labor variables (employment, wages, the evolution of the urban informal sector, and the quality of employment) are analyzed in stages identified according to the general economic dynamics: 1991-2002, 2003-2011, and 2012-2021. The main conclusion is that only in instances of a particularly high flow of ground rent (2008-2011) a genuine improvement in the employment and living conditions of the Argentinean population was achieved, which failed to reverse the pronounced deterioration that had occurred since the mid-1970s. This deterioration was the result of a growing differentiation in the conditions of reproduction of the labor force, which has its correlation in the marked fragmentation that characterizes current Argentinean society vis-à-vis that of the early 1970s, which stood out in the regional panorama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of maternal deaths in high-income countries. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of maternal deaths due to CVDs and the quality of care provided to patients, and to identify elements to improve maternal care in Japan. This descriptive study used the maternal death registration data of the Maternal Deaths Exploratory Committee of Japan between 2010 and 2019. Of 445 eligible pregnancy-related maternal deaths, 44 (9.9%) were attributed to CVD. The most frequent cause was aortic dissection (18 patients, 40.9%), followed by peripartum cardiomyopathy (8 patients, 18.2%), and pulmonary hypertension (5 patients, 11.4%). In 31.8% of cases, cardiopulmonary arrest occurred within 30 min after initial symptoms. Frequent symptoms included pain (27.3%) and respiratory symptoms (27.3%), with 61.4% having initial symptoms during the prenatal period. 63.6% of the patients had known risk factors, with age ≥35 years (38.6％), hypertensive disorder (15.9%), and obesity (15.9%) being the most common. Quality of care was assessed as suboptimal in 16 (36.4%) patients. Cardiac risk assessment was insufficient in three patients with preexisting cardiac disease, while 13 patients had symptoms and risk factors warranting intensive monitoring and evaluation. Aortic dissection was the leading cause of maternal death due to CVDs. Obstetrics care providers need to be familiar with cardiac risk factors and clinical warning signs that may lead to impending fatal cardiac events. Timely risk assessment, patient awareness, and a multidisciplinary team approach are key to improving maternal care in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some patients with intracerebral hemorrhage are on antithrombotic agents at the time of the event and these may worsen outcome, but the relative risk of different oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents is uncertain. We determined associations between pre-onset intake of antithrombotic agents and initial stroke severity, and outcomes, in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage admitted within 24 h after onset between January 2017 and December 2020 and recruited to the Japan Stroke Data Bank, a hospital-based multicenter prospective registry, were included. Enrolled patients were classified into four groups based on the type of antithrombotic agents being used on admission. The outcomes were the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 5–6 at discharge.Of a total 9810 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (4267 females; mean age = 70 ± 15 years), 77.1% were classified into the no-antithrombotic group, 13.2% into the antiplatelet group, 4.0% into the warfarin group, and 5.8% into the direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) group. Median (interquartile range) NIHSS score on admission was 12 (5–22), 13 (5–26), 15 (5–30), and 13 (6–24), respectively, in the four groups. In multivariable analysis, the prestroke warfarin use was associated with higher NIHSS score (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 1.09 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06–1.13), with the no-antithrombotic group as the reference), but the antiplatelet group (1.00 (95% CI = 0.98–1.02)) and DOAC group (0.98 (95% CI = 0.95–1.01)) were not. The rate of mRS 5–6 at discharge was 30.8%, 41.9%, 48.6%, and 41.5%, respectively, in the four groups. In multivariable analysis, prestroke warfarin use was associated with mRS 5–6 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.90 (95% CI = 1.28–2.81), with the no-antithrombotic group as the reference), but the antiplatelet group (1.12 (95% CI = 0.91–1.37)) and DOAC group (1.25 (95% CI = 0.88–1.77)) were not.Patients who were taking warfarin prior to intracerebral hemorrhage onset suffered more severe intracerebral hemorrhage as evidenced by higher admission NIHSS and higher discharge mRS. In contrast, no increase in severity was seen with antiplatelet agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that intracellular cAMP contributes to the relaxation of vas deferens smooth muscle. In many tissues, intracellular cAMP is actively transported to the extracellular space, where it exerts regulatory functions, via its metabolite adenosine. These actions take place through the cAMP conversion to adenosine by ectoenzymes, a process called "extracellular cAMP-adenosine pathway". Herein, we investigated whether, in addition to ATP, extracellular cAMP might be an alternative source of adenosine, influencing the contraction of vas deferens smooth muscle. The effects of cAMP, 8-Br-cAMP and adenosine were analyzed in the isometric contractions of rat vas deferens. cAMP efflux was analyzed by measuring extracellular cAMP levels after exposure of vas deferens segments to isoproterenol and forskolin in the presence or absence of MK-571, an inhibitor of MRP/ABCC transporters. While 8-Br-cAMP, a cell-permeable cAMP analog, induced relaxation of KCl-precontracted vas deferens, the non-permeant cAMP increased the KCl-induced contractile response, which was mimicked by adenosine, but prevented by inhibitors of ecto-5′-nucleotidase or A 1 receptors. Our results also showed that isoproterenol and forskolin increases cAMP efflux via an MRP/ABCC transporter-dependent mechanism, since it is inhibited by MK-571. Our data show that activation of β-adrenoceptors and adenylyl cyclase increases cAMP efflux from vas deferens tissue, which modulates the vas deferens contractile response via activation of adenosine A 1 receptors. Assuming that inhibition of vas deferens contractility has been proposed as a strategy for male contraception, the extracellular cAMP-adenosine pathway emerges as a potential pharmacological target that should be considered in studies of male fertility. • Multidrug resistance protein (MRP/ABCC) mediates cAMP efflux in vas deferens. • Extracellular cAMP enhances the contraction of vas deferens. • Oppositely, 8-Br-cAMP – a cell permeable cAMP analog, induces relaxation. • Extracellular cAMP-induced vas deferens contraction involves adenosine receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Cessation of smoking induces nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and dysphoria, which could lead to smoking relapse. In the present study, we examined the role of noradrenergic transmission within the ventral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (vBNST) on nicotine withdrawal‐induced aversive behavior. Methods: Nicotine dependence in rats was established by subcutaneous implantation with a nicotine‐filled osmotic minipump on day 1. Nicotine withdrawal was precipitated by administration of the nicotine receptor antagonist, mecamylamine (3.0 mg/kg, s.c.), on day 15. Nicotine withdrawal‐induced intra‐vBNST noradrenaline release and aversive behavior were examined by in vivo microdialysis and a conditioned place aversion (CPA) test, respectively. Results: Intra‐vBNST noradrenaline release was significantly increased during nicotine withdrawal. Nicotine withdrawal induced aversive behavior, which was attenuated by intra‐vBNST injection of the β‐adrenoceptor antagonist, timolol. Conclusions: These results suggest that enhanced noradrenergic transmission via β‐adrenoceptors in the vBNST plays a crucial role in nicotine withdrawal‐induced aversive behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Kisspeptin administration to male rats increases precopulatory behavior in male rats and reduces mating failure independently of testosterone. • Kisspeptin administration to male rats increases female proceptive behavior, which requires the presence of testosterone in males. • Kisspeptin administration to male rats did not affect copulatory behavior in male rats and receptive behavior in partner female rats. • Male sexual desire and aggressiveness towards the opposite sex are not solely driven by testosterone, and also that kisspeptin may exert effects independent of testosterone. Kisspeptin is a peptide that plays an important role through its effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. It has also been implicated in sexual behavior. The present study investigated whether the relationship between kisspeptin and sexual behavior is independent of the HPG axis, i.e., testosterone. Sexual behavior was examined after the administration of kisspeptin to gonadally intact male rats and gonadectomized male rats that received testosterone supplementation. Other male rats were also observed for sexual behavior once a week from 2 to 5 weeks after gonadectomy and receiving kisspeptin for the sixth postoperative week. Sexual behavior in female rats serving as the partner for each male was also observed. Female rats were not administered kisspeptin in the present study. The results obtained showed that the administration of kisspeptin increased precopulatory behavior in gonadally intact male rats and gonadectomized male rats that received testosterone supplementation and proceptive behavior in their female partners. Precopulatory behavior in males and receptive behavior in females increased, while copulatory behavior in males and receptive behavior in females remained unchanged. Furthermore, the administration of kisspeptin increased precopulatory behavior in gonadectomized males, but did not affect receptive behavior in females. These results suggest that kisspeptin affected males independently and/or supplementally to testosterone, and also that changes in the presence of testosterone in males had an impact on proceptive behavior in their female partners. In conclusion, kisspeptin may involve an as-yet-unidentified neural pathway in sexual desire independently of the HPG axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synaptic dysfunctions precede cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease by decades, affect executive functions, and can be detected by quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG). We used quantitative electroencephalography combined with Stroop testing to identify changes of inhibitory controls in cognitively healthy individuals with an abnormal versus normal ratio of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid/total-tau. We studied two groups of participants (60–94 years) with either normal (CH-NAT or controls, n = 20) or abnormal (CH-PAT, n = 21) CSF amyloid/tau ratio. We compared: alpha event-related desynchronization (ERD), alpha spectral entropy (SE), and their relationships with estimated cognitive reserve. CH-PATs had more negative occipital alpha ERD, and higher frontal and occipital alpha SE during low load congruent trials, indicating hyperactivity. CH-PATs demonstrated fewer frontal SE changes with higher load, incongruent Stroop testing. Correlations of alpha ERD with estimated cognitive reserve were significant in CH-PATs but not in CH-NATs. These results suggested compensatory hyperactivity in CH-PATs compared to CH-NATs. We did not find differences in alpha ERD comparisons with individual CSF amyloid(A), p-tau(T), total-tau(N) biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research data are essential for the development of science, and one of the issues to be addressed is its organization and representation. Based on these basic concepts of Information Science, we seek to explore the Data Catalog Vocabulary (DCAT) and the vocabularies used by it in the context of research data publication. We assert that the use of metadata vocabularies to represent research data is necessary to improve access, findability, interoperability, and the retrieval of datasets. We verify that DCAT enables the standardization of catalogs and datasets through specific terms for this purpose, presenting itself as an adequate vocabulary to represent the research data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women Living with HIV(WLHIV) have a higher frequency of anogenital neoplasms due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and a six times greater chance of developing cervical cancer. In Brazil, cervical cytology has been the only test used for cervical cancer screening since 1970. Considering that World Health Organization recommends HPVDNA detection tests for screening purposes, this study aimed to analyze the network service's pilot implantation for HPV-DNA test access with selfcollection of vaginal samples from WLHIV. Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. A laboratory and eight HIV healthcare services were part of the pilot network. A questionnaire was applied for sociodemographic data and impressions of the self-collection by the participants. We used the Coari kit (Kolplast, Brazil) for sample selfcollection. The samples were tested with Anyplex™ II HPV28 Detection assay (High risk: 16, 18, 26, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 69, 73 e 82; Lower risk: 6, 11, 40, 42, 43, 44, 54, 61 e 70) (Seegene, Seoul, Korea). Results: Between May/2021-May/2022, 2,069 WLHIV were selected, and 1,919 (92.8%) participated in the pilot implementation. The mean age was 45 years (SD=11), the majority were black/brown (66.37%), and 46.2% did not remember if they did or when they did any pre-cancer test in life. More than half (57.0%) did not know or did not consider that WLHIV has an increased chance of developing cervical cancer. Regarding the self-collection kit, the healthcare services reported 238 intercurrences, comprising cracked tubes and caps, insufficient volume of preservative liquid, or evaporation of preservative liquid during the storage time. Only 0.3% (5) of the samples were invalid, resulting in 1,914 samples analyzed, 66% with detection for some types of HPV. The participants considered selfcollection easy to perform (93.8%), declared no pain during the self-collection process (91.6%), and the majority (71.9%) preferred self-collection to sample collection performed by health professionals. Conclusion: The network service for HPV-DNA tests based on self-collection of vaginal samples reached WLHIV who had never been screened for cervical cancer or did not have up-to-date exams, which is an important alternative strategy for increasing HPV testing access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women Living with HIV (WLHIV) are more likely to be infected by oncogenic HPV genotypes and four to five times more likely to develop invasive cervical cancer. Considering switching cervical cancer screening with cytology to DNA-HPV testing, a pilot implementation of HPVDNA tests among WLHIV were conducted using vaginal self-collected samples. We assessed the prevalence of High-risk HPV (HR) (16/ 18/31/33/35/39/45/51/52/56/58/59/68/73/82), Probable high risk (pHR) (26/53/66), and Low Risk (LR) (6/11/40/42/43/44/54/61/70), and risk factors associated with HR and pHR. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among WLHIV from 18 to 64 years old. A laboratory and eight HIV healthcare services were part of the pilot network. We used descriptive statistics to describe the sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics of WLHIV with any HPV detection. Univariable analyses were conducted to evaluate risk factors associated with HR or pHR infection in WLHIV. Results: Between May/2021-May/2022, 2,069 WLHIV were selected, and 1,919 (92.8%) participated in the pilot implementation. The mean age was 45yo, and the median was 44.7yo. The majority were black/brown (67.1%), 60.1% had eight years or more of formal education, and 47.1% reported living maritally with their partners. More than half (57.5%) had their first sexual intercourse between 15-18yo, had 1-2 children (56.6%), and had more than four partners during their lifetime (51.7%). Of 1.914 selfcollect samples with valid results, the prevalence of HR was 49.6%, pHR was 16.7%, and LR was 40.0%. HPV 68 (10%), HPV 53 (10%), HPV 16 (8%) and HPV (8%) showed the highest prevalence Age was negatively associated with HR or HR, with the highest prevalence between 18-29yo (82.4%, IC: 75.4% - 87.8%) and the lowest between 50-73yo (71.9%, IC: 67.5% - 76.0%). Having any pHR was more associated with single WLHIV (P = 0.043) and higher alcohol consumption (P =0,028). Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV among WLHIV, especially HR, is high in Brazil. Considering that HPV is a risk factor even higher among WLHIV, and due to the great sensitivity of the test, this study reinforces the need to implement HPV screening among this population. Self-collection of vaginal sampling was an important strategy to increase test access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower limb amputation highly impacts the lives of individuals. The inability to walk due to difficulties in adapting to wearing prosthesis can potentially result in physical degeneration and comorbidity in this population. In this randomized clinical trial study, we investigated if a low-cost and easily implementable physiotherapy intervention was effective in improving gait performance and adaptation to lower limb prosthesis in individuals with an amputation. A total of 26 individuals participated in the study, 16 with lower limb amputation and 10 without amputation. Participants with amputation were further divided in intervention and control groups. The intervention group underwent a rehabilitation protocol aimed at strengthening muscles and improving prosthesis adaptation. Muscle strengthening targeted the hip segment, prioritizing the abdominal muscles, hip flexors, extensors, adductors and abductors, followed by cicatricial mobilization and weight-bearing on the stump for desensitization. Assessment and measures were performed across the kinetic and kinematic parameters of gait. In the comparison between pre-and post-intervention, a significant increase in gait speed (0.68—2.98, 95% CI, 1.83, effect size ES) and cadence (0.56—2.69, 95% CI, 1.63, ES) was found between groups and time points. Step (0.73—3.11, 95% CI, 1.92, ES) and stride length (0.62—2.84, 95% CI, 1.73) increased between pre- and post-intervention, while in the control group both variables remained smaller. The intervention group decreased stance phase as a percentage of gait cycle between pre- and post-intervention (− 1.33—0.62, 95% CI, − 36, ES), while it increased in the control group. Improvement in a combination of important gait parameters indicates that the intervention protocol promoted the adaptation to prosthesis and the functional independence of individuals with lower limb amputation. It is recommended that the participants continue receiving follow-up assessments and rehabilitation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few reports have presented an overall view of pregnant women with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across an entire country and throughout the entire gestation period. Furthermore, no such reports are available for Japan. We examined the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women with COVID‑19 on a national scale in Japan.Methods: A nationwide questionnaire-based survey for all 2,185 maternity services in Japan was conducted between July and August 2020. Information regarding maternal characteristics and epidemiological, clinical, treatment, and perinatal outcomes of pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 between 16 January and 30 June 2020 were collected. Main outcome measures were incidence of pregnant women with COVID-19 and infant infection, positive rate of the universal screening test for asymptomatic pregnant women, identification of infection route and rates of maternal death, and severe cases.Results: Responses from 1,418 institutions were assessed (65% of all delivery institutions in Japan). Seventy-two pregnant women were reported to have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The positive rate of the universal screening test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among asymptomatic pregnant women was 0.03% (2/7428). The most common route of infection was familial (57%). Fifty-eight pregnant women with COVID-19 were symptomatic, of whom five (8.6%) had a severe infection and one died (a tourist). Severe respiratory symptoms, oxygen administration, and pneumonia were frequently reported in the third trimester and postpartum period compared with in early pregnancy (22.2% vs 2.5% [P = 0.03], 38.9% vs 7.5% [P = 0.01], and 50.0% vs 7.5% [P < 0.001], respectively). All pregnant women with COVID-19 underwent caesarean sections, regardless of symptoms. There were no SARS-CoV-2 transmissions to newborns.Conclusions: In Japan, the number of cases of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women is very low. Compared with early pregnancy, late pregnancy may be a risk factor for exacerbation of symptoms and familial transmission is the most common route of infection. The importance of infection prevention should be emphasised, especially in women in late pregnancy, their families, and any cohabitants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to verify the feasibility of implementing a public policy, aimed at ensuring a minimum income, in order to safeguard the existential minimum, in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. For that, a bibliographical research is used, applying the deductive method, which is shown to be the most adequate to debug the proposed objective. Indeed, the study begins from the theory of the existential minimum and its relationship with the Brazilian Welfare State (general premise). Afterwards, the changes perpetrated by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Brazilian socioeconomic situation are discussed. Finally, it enters the object of the current article (minor premise), that is, the feasibility of implementing the coronovaucher to ensure a minimum income to the most needy, within the panorama of viral pandemic, and its economic effectiveness. Furthermore, Keynesian theories and the Economic Analysis of Law are used here as theoretical references. Finally, from the work carried out, it is possible to observe that public policy, in order to ensure a minimum income, is extremely important to protect the existential minimum, without prejudice to the maintenance of the consumer market, which avoids the intensification of the economic crisis process. Although apparently beneficial, it is concluded that such instrument, however, must be used properly so that the state action falls on those really in need, under penalty of frustrating the protection to the existential minimum. Thus, greater state control is needed, maximally, in the inspection of this type of public policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To verify the blood loss control effect of routine prophylactic Bakri balloon tamponade on major and minor placenta previa (PP). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all singleton pregnancies that involved cesarean section (CS) for PP at our hospital. All participants were divided into Bakri balloon (underwent routine prophylactic use just after placenta removal) and non‐balloon groups, and into major and minor PP groups. Clinical outcomes in major and minor PP were compared between balloon and non‐balloon groups. Results: The balloon and non‐balloon groups contained 74 and 89 patients, respectively. There were 41 and 33 (balloon group) and 48 and 41 (non‐balloon group) major and minor PP cases, respectively. Intraoperative and perioperative blood losses of major PP were significantly lower in the balloon group than the non‐balloon group (1045 ml versus 1553 ml, P = 0.016; and 1189 ml versus 1810 ml, P = 0.006, respectively). The frequency of massive postpartum hemorrhage (>500 ml) with major PP was lower in the balloon group than in the non‐balloon group (2.4% versus 16.7%, P = 0.027), but with no significant difference with minor PP. Conclusion: Routine prophylactic use of Bakri balloon tamponade during and after CS is effective in controlling blood loss in major PP. Synopsis: The routine prophylactic use of Bakri balloon tamponade contributes to reduced blood loss with major placenta previa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. Contemporary US population-based epidemiologic data on genital herpes are limited. This study aimed to provide nationally representative estimates of genital herpes prevalence and treatment using a large US health insurance claims database. Methods: This observational cohort study used administrative claims data from HealthVerity. Crude and age- and sex-standardized prevalence rates of genital herpes and recurrent genital herpes were calculated for the years 2019 to 2021. The distribution of patients with prevalent genital herpes who received episodic or suppressive antiviral therapy was also estimated. Results: From2019 to 2021, the standardized prevalence of genital herpes and recurrent genital herpes ranged from 236 to 280 cases per 100,000 person-years and 81 to 98 cases per 100,000 person-years, respectively. The prevalence of genital herpes was highest among those aged 25 to 29 years (prevalence range, 497-582 years), female patients (prevalence range, 348-404 years), and those with a history of HIV infection (prevalence range, 1608-2080 years). The prevalence of recurrent genital herpeswas also highest in these groups. From 2019 to 2021, two-thirds of patients (65%-68%) with prevalent genital herpes received antiviral medications; the majority received episodic therapy (80%) rather than suppressive therapy (20%). Conclusions: The burden of genital herpes and recurrent genital herpes in the United States is substantial, with the highest rates observed in young adults, women, and immunocompromised individuals. About two-thirds receive antiviral treatment each year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older children and adults are susceptible to rotavirus, but the extent to which rotavirus affects this population is not fully understood, hindering accuracy of global rotavirus estimations. To determine what proportion of diarrhea cases are due to rotavirus among persons ≥ 5 years old and to estimate this proportion by age strata. We conducted a systematic review and meta -analysis using the PRISMA guidelines. We included studies that reported on conditional rotavirus prevalence (i.e., percent of diarrhea due to rotavirus) in persons ≥ 5 years old who were symptomatic with diarrhea/gastroenteritis and had laboratory confirmation for rotavirus infection. Studies on nosocomial infections and outbreak investigations were excluded. We collected age group-specific conditional rotavirus prevalence and other variables, such as study geography, study setting, and study type. We calculated pooled conditional rotavirus prevalence, corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), heterogeneity (I2) estimates, and prediction intervals (PI). Sixty-six studies from 32 countries met the inclusion criteria. Conditional rotavirus prevalence ranged from 0% to 30% across the studies. The total pooled prevalence of rotavirus among persons ≥ 5 years old with diarrhea was 7.6% (95% CI: 6.2–9.2%, I2 = 99.6%, PI: 0–24%). The pooled prevalence of rotavirus among older children and adolescents was 8.7% (95% CI: 6.2–11.7%, I2 = 96%, PI:0–27%), among younger adults was 5.4% (95% CI: 1.4–11.8%, I2 = 96%, PI:0–31%), and among older adults was 4.7% (95% CI: 2.8–7.0%, I2 = 96%, PI:0–16%). Pooled conditional rotavirus prevalences did not differ by other variables. In this systematic review and meta -analysis of rotavirus among persons ≥ 5 years old with diarrhea, we found relatively low pooled conditional rotavirus prevalence compared to what is typically reported for children < 5 years; however, results should be interpreted with caution as the wide prediction intervals suggest large heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of present study was to estimate heritability of non-return rate (NRR) and success of first insemination (SFI) by using the Bayesian approach with Gibbs sampling. Methods: Heifer Traits were denoted as NRR-h and SFI-h, and cow traits as NRR-c and SFI-c. The variance covariance components were estimated using threshold model under Bayesian procedures THRGIBBS1F90. Results: The SFI was more relevant to evaluating success of insemination because a high percentage of animals that demonstrated no return did not successfully conceive in NRR. Estimated heritability of NRR and SFI in heifers were 0.032 and 0.039 and the corresponding estimates for cows were 0.020 and 0.027. The model showed low values of Geweke (p-value ranging between 0.012 and 0.018) and a low Monte Carlo chain error, indicating that the amount of a posteriori for the heritability estimate was valid for binary traits. Genetic correlation between the same traits among heifers and cows by using the two-trait threshold model were low, 0.485 and 0.591 for NRR and SFI, respectively. High genetic correlations were observed between NRR-h and SFI-h (0.922) and between NRR-c and SFI-c (0.954). Conclusion: SFI showed slightly higher heritability than NRR but the two traits are genetically correlated. Based on this result, both two could be used for early indicator for evaluate the capacity of cows to conceive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• EEG/ERP measures are consistently abnormal in major VCI patients. • Main EEG abnormalities affect delta, theta, and alpha rhythms. • Main event-related potential abnormalities include delayed "oddball" N200/P300 peaks. • Those EEG measures are not diagnostic but promising as predictors and endpoints. Vascular contribution to cognitive impairment (VCI) and dementia is related to etiologies that may affect the neurophysiological mechanisms regulating brain arousal and generating electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. A multidisciplinary expert panel reviewed the clinical literature and reached consensus about the EEG measures consistently found as abnormal in VCI patients with dementia. As compared to cognitively unimpaired individuals, those VCI patients showed (1) smaller amplitude of resting state alpha (8–12 Hz) rhythms dominant in posterior regions; (2) widespread increases in amplitude of delta (< 4 Hz) and theta (4–8 Hz) rhythms; and (3) delayed N200/P300 peak latencies in averaged event-related potentials, especially during the detection of auditory rare target stimuli requiring participants' responses in "oddball" paradigms. The expert panel formulated the following recommendations: (1) the above EEG measures are not specific for VCI and should not be used for its diagnosis; (2) they may be considered as "neural synchronization" biomarkers to enlighten the relationships between features of the VCI-related cerebrovascular lesions and abnormalities in neurophysiological brain mechanisms; and (3) they may be tested in future clinical trials as prognostic biomarkers and endpoints of interventions aimed at normalizing background brain excitability and vigilance in wakefulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many intertidal species are expanding their distribution limits towards the poles as a consequence of increased temperature due to climate change. At the same time, some intertidal habitats have been reduced due to rising sea levels. Fiddler crabs inhabit mangroves, and different species occupy well-established zones. Due to the restricted mangrove areas and consequent latitudinal expansion of the species, the distribution and density of fiddler crabs may be subject to change. The overlap forces several species to cohabit in a smaller territorial space. Fiddler crab species can vary in size, which could decisively affect territorial competition. Using Leptuca urguayensis as a reference, we tested how competing species of different sizes (larger size: L. thayeri and Minuca panema ; similar size: L. cumulanta and L. leptodactyla) might interact in future climate change scenarios. First, we showed that within the territory of L. uruguayensis , the species L. cumulanta and L. thayeri occurred mainly in the lower mesolittoral zone, while L. leptodactyla and M. panema predominated in the upper mesolittoral zone. In a laboratory experiment, we evaluated whether the density and size of the heterospecific competitors could alter the agonistic behavior of Leptuca uruguayensis. Our results indicated that increasing the density can increase the agonistic behavior of L. uruguayensis with a greater intensity against species of a similar size. In a second field experiment, we demonstrated that the presence of a burrow enhances the intensity of agonistic interactions between L. uruguayensis and species of similar size. Therefore, in a scenario of territorial expansion of fiddler crabs due to climate change, it is expected that similarly sized species represent a greater competitive threat to populations of L. uruguayensis. [Display omitted] • Six fiddler crab species showed differential distribution along intertidal zone microhabitats. • Leptuca uruguayensis exhibits different levels of agonistic behaviors according to the size of its adversary. • The increase in density due to the overlapping of territories can increase the agonistic behavior of L. uruguayensis. • The burrow is a resource that increases the intensity of agonistic interactions between fiddler crab species of similar sizes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nationwide questionnaire survey about community-acquired infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was conducted in July 2020 to identify the characteristics of and measures taken by Japanese medical facilities providing maternity services. A case-control study was conducted by including medical facilities with (Cases) and without (Control) community-acquired infection of COVID-19. Responses from 711 hospitals and 707 private clinics were assessed (72% of all hospital and 59% all private clinics provided maternity service in Japan). Seventy-five COVID-19-positive pregnant women were treated in 52 facilities. Community-acquired infection was reported in 4.1% of the facilities. Of these, 95% occurred in the hospital. Nine patients developed a community-acquired infection in the maternity ward or obstetric department. Variables that associated with community-acquired infection of COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) were found to be state of emergency prefecture (4.93 [2.17–11.16]), PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 on admission (2.88 [1.59–5.24]), and facility that cannot treat COVID-19 positive patients (0.34 [0.14–0.82]). In conclusion, community-acquired infection is likely to occur in large hospitals that treat a higher number of patients than private clinics do, regardless of the preventive measures used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The α-arrestin domain containing protein 3 (ARRDC3) is a tumor suppressor in triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC), a highly metastatic subtype of breast cancer that lacks targeted therapies. Thus, understanding themechanisms and targets of ARRDC3 in TNBC is important. ARRDC3 regulates trafficking of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1, also known as F2R), a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) implicated in breast cancer metastasis. Loss of ARRDC3 causes overexpression of PAR1 and aberrant signaling. Moreover, dysregulation of GPCR-induced Hippo signaling is associated with breast cancer progression. However, the mechanisms responsible for Hippo dysregulation remain unknown. Here, we report that the Hippo pathway transcriptional co-activator TAZ (also known asWWTR1) is the major effector of GPCR signaling and is required for TNBC migration and invasion. Additionally, ARRDC3 suppresses PAR1-induced Hippo signaling via sequestration of TAZ, which occurs independently of ARRDC3-regulated PAR1 trafficking. The ARRDC3 C-terminal PPXY motifs and TAZ WW domain are crucial for this interaction and are required for suppression of TNBCmigration and lung metastasis in vivo. These studies are the first to demonstrate a role for ARRDC3 in regulatingGPCR-induced TAZ activity in TNBC and reveal multi-faceted tumor suppressor functions of ARRDC3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article is to discuss the concept of provenance and highlight its importance in the digital environment, focusing on the perspective of Information Science. As methodological procedures, it was characterized by being a qualitative and exploratory research, from a literature review on the context of provenance in different domains. The article presents a discussion of the term provenance in several contexts, such as in Achival Science, Museology, Digital Preservation and Computing, highlighting its importance in the digital sphere. As discussed the relevance of provenance in different contexts, the need for more in-depth studies is highlighted, analyzing whether the instruments to represent provenance are adequate to guarantee the veracity and inalterability of the information. Thus, the discussions exposed in this article reveal possibilities in identifying metadata for each characteristic that the provenance may present, in addition to the feasibility of expansion to other contexts [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoluminescence was studied in GaAs/AlGaAs nanowires (NWs) with different radial heterostructures. We demonstrated that manipulation of the emission energy may be achieved by appropriate choice of the shell structure. The emission at highest energy is generated in the NWs with tunneling thin AlGaAs inner shell and thin GaAs outer shell due to recombination of the photoexcited electrons confined in the outer shell with the holes in the core. Lower energy emission was shown to occur in the NWs with thick outer shell grown in the form of a short-period GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well structure. In this case, the tunneling probability through the multiple quantum wells controls the energy emitted by the NWs. The doping of core results in dominated low energy emission from the GaAs core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contraception is recommended for a certain period following a hysterotomy; however, no consensus exists on the required duration of contraception. A 21‐year‐old female was brought to the emergency room in a state of shock due to intraperitoneal bleeding. An emergency laparoscopic cornuostomy indicated for ruptured interstitial pregnancy was performed. Despite contraception, the patient got pregnant 1.5 months after surgery. At 16 weeks of gestation, threatened uterine rupture was suspected, as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hematogenous amniotic fluid and a subchorionic hematoma near the interstitial portion of the fallopian tube. An MRI at 21 weeks showed hematoma shrinkage and disappearance of the hematogenous amniotic fluid. At 37 weeks, an elective cesarean section was performed, which resulted in a live birth. Pregnancy shortly after surgery is a risk factor for uterine rupture. In such cases, MRI could be useful in the evaluation of threatened uterine ruptures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleoenvironmental changes in marginal seas on the coast of the northwestern Pacific during the Quaternary have caused genetic differentiation and subsequent secondary contacts between populations of coastal organisms in this region. However, little is known about how geographical isolation and the subsequent connection events associated with these multiple marginal seas have shaped the population structure of coastal organisms in the boundary area. The coastal area of Kyushu Island of the Japanese Archipelago, where the East China Sea (ECS), the Sea of Japan (SJ), and the Pacific Ocean (PO) adjoin within a narrow region, would be a suitable field for elucidating the effect of multiple vicariances. Herein, we conducted phylogeographical analyses of the intertidal goby Chaenogobius annularis, focusing on populations around Kyushu Island, using partial mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences and analysis of 8 microsatellite (ms) DNA loci. We discovered a new lineage distributed along the coast of the ECS distinct from the already-known SJ and PO lineages, which we termed the ECS lineage. This ECS lineage showed remarkable mito-nuclear discordance: mtDNA analyses indicated that the ECS lineage is a highly diverged lineage branched from the PO lineage, whereas msDNA analyses suggested that the ECS lineage is closely related to the SJ lineage. This discordance could have been due to ancient hybridization. In addition, we detected SJ-PO and ECS-SJ hybrid zones on the western Seto Inland Sea and on the northwestern coast of Kyushu, respectively. Such a complex population structure suggests that the secondary contacts after multiple isolation events among marginal seas around Kyushu have a great impact on coastal biodiversity in the area and emphasize the peculiarities of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Our previous studies showed that exposure to acute restraint stress enhanced cocaine‐induced conditioned place preference (cocaine‐CPP) and suggested the possibility that co‐activation of adrenergic transmission boosts the increase in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neuronal activity by the activation of dopaminergic transmission. To examine this possibility, the effects of the co‐treatment with dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) on mPFC neurons were compared with those of treatment with DA alone using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings. Methods: The effects of DA alone and a mixture of DA and NA on the membrane potentials and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were examined by electrophysiological recordings of mPFC pyramidal neurons in brain slices of male Sprague Dawley rats. Extracellular DA and NA levels in the mPFC during and after restraint stress exposure were also examined by in vivo microdialysis. Results: Dopamine significantly produced depolarizing effects on mPFC neurons and tended to increase sEPSC frequency. Co‐administration of NA with DA produced stronger depolarizing effects and significantly increased sEPSC frequency. The findings suggest that the additional depolarizing effect of NA on DA‐responsive neurons, rather than the excitation of DA‐nonresponsive neurons by NA, contributes to the stronger effect of co‐treatment of NA with DA. Conclusion: The present study suggests that NA released by restraint stress exposure cooperates with DA to stimulate DA‐responsive neurons in the mPFC, thereby causing the stress‐induced enhancement of cocaine‐CPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report the prevalence of pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome and glaucoma associated with PEX (PEX‐G) and their relating factors of them in a south‐western island of Japan. Methods: A population‐based survey of all residents aged ≥ 40 years was conducted in Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan, and 3762 subjects (participation rate, 81.2%) underwent detailed ophthalmic examinations. Presence of PEX material on the lens capsule, iris surface and/or pupillary margin was determined by slit‐lamp biomicroscopy. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology. Results: In subjects aged ≥ 40 years, prevalence rates of PEX syndrome, PEX without glaucoma and PEX‐G in at least one eye were 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–1.9%), 1.3% (95% CI: 0.9–1.7%) and 0.1% (95% CI: 0.0–0.2%), respectively, excluding eyes after cataract surgery; and 2.8% (95% CI: 2.3–3.3%), 2.2% (95% CI: 1.8–2.6 %) and 0.4% (95% CI: 0.2–0.6%), respectively, including eyes after cataract surgery. Cataract surgery had been performed in 61% of subjects with PEX in at least one eye; presence of PEX showed no significant effects on the intraocular pressure (IOP). A multivariate analysis showed that PEX was associated with older age (p < 0.0001, odds ratio: 1.10 [95% CI: 1.07–1.13]) and working outdoors (p = 0.0395, odds ratio: 2.18 [95% CI: 0.99–4.82]). Conclusions: The prevalence rates of PEX syndrome and PEX‐G in a south‐western island of Japan were reported. PEX showed no significant effect on IOP, and age and working outdoors were significantly related with PEX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main organochlorinated compounds used on agricultural crops are often recalcitrant, affecting nontarget organisms and contaminating rivers or groundwater. Diuron (N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N ′ ,N ′ -dimethylurea) is a chlorinated herbicide widely used in sugarcane plantations. Here, we evaluated the ability of 13 basidiomycete strains of growing in a contaminated culture medium and degrading the xenobiotic. Dissipation rates in culture medium with initial 25 mg/L of diuron ranged from 7.3 to 96.8%, being Pluteus cubensis SXS 320 the most efficient strain, leaving no detectable residues after diuron metabolism. Pycnoporus sanguineus MCA 16 removed 56% of diuron after 40 days of cultivation, producing three metabolites more polar than parental herbicide, two of them identified as being DCPU and DCPMU. Despite of the strong inductive effect of diuron upon laccase synthesis and secretion, the application of crude enzymatic extracts of P. sanguineus did not catalyzed the breakdown of the herbicide in vitro, indicating that diuron biodegradation was not related to this oxidative enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In critically ill patients, direct knowledge of intracellular pO2 would allow for identification of cellular hypoxia, which when prolonged leads to organ failure. We have developed a visible–near-infrared optical system that noninvasively measures myoglobin saturation, which is directly related to intracellular pO2, from the surface of the skin. We used an animal model of graded hypoxia from low levels of inspired oxygen (n = 5) and verified that low intracellular pO2 is correlated with high steady-state serum lactate values. In addition, the pO2 gradient between arterial blood and inside muscle cells was 83 mm Hg at 21% O2, but fell to 24 mm Hg at 8% O2. Continuous myoglobin saturation measurement in skeletal muscle displayed the same trends as cerebral oxygenation with no lag in changes over time, demonstrating its relevance as a measure of systemic oxygenation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the availability of information in the World Wide Web its access and retrieval by the users is facilitated, and the Library and Information Science (LIS) field's knowledge and techniques can be applied to this environment in order to help with the process. The present study is descriptive, qualitative and exploratory, based on bibliographical sources, in which it was explored how the Classification discipline interacts with Linked Data, focusing on the analysis of Dewey Linked Data. From four catalogs analyzed, referred to in the literature as adhering to Dewey Linked Data, only two actually has links in their records redirecting to the system. Despite this, its presence in The Linked Open Data Cloud appears as a positive factor in its dissemination, since it boosts its visibility. It is concluded that the Classification discipline allows the thematic standardization of information resources, so that there is uniformity in the Web environment and quality retrieval of information, while promoting interoperability between data in the Linked Data context. The standardization of metadata values using classifications optimizes the representation of information and its retrieval in the Web, while also providing the reuse of data. In addition, studies that align the area of Library and Information Science with the Semantic Web and its technologies can provide new perspectives for the area, as well as contemplate the users' always changing needs, thus, fulfilling the objective of the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masson's tumor or intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH) is considered a non‐neoplastic lesion. It is probably an unusual exaggerated reorganization of a thrombus. IPEH may be present as a secondary lesion in hemangiomas. Symptomatic osseous hemangiomas are rare tumors. Few cases of clival and petrous bone hemangiomas have been described. None of them shows secondary IPEH. So far, there are only four reported cases of cranial bone IPEHs in the literature, two in the skull, one in the clivus and one in the petrous apex. The aim of this study is to report an additional case of osseous hemangioma with secondary IPEH of the petroclival region. We review the literature and describe the main clinical features of IPEHs and hemangiomas of the clivus and the petrous bone. Additionally, we report an unusual histological feature observed in our case of IPEH, the presence of psammoma body‐like structures. This feature has been rarely mentioned previously in IPEH. We consider that IPEH should be included in the lesions that may present psammoma bodies to avoid misdiagnosing it as a tumor that commonly shows psammoma bodies, such as intraosseous meningioma or, less frequently, metastasis of thyroid or ovarian carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]