bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA‐29b‐3p reduces intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion injury via targeting of TNF receptor‐associated factor 3
Authors: Dai Yan , Mao Zhang , Han Xu , Xu Youwei , Xu Lina , Yin Lianhong , Qi Yan , Peng Jinyong
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose

The microRNA miR‐29b‐3p shows important roles in regulating apoptosis and inflammation. However, its effects on intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion (II/R) injury have not been reported. Here we have investigated the functions of miR‐29b‐3p on II/R injury on order to find drug targets to treat the injury.

Experimental Approach

Two models ‐ in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) of IEC‐6 cells; in vivo, II/R injury in C57BL/6 mice were used. Western blotting and dual‐luciferase reporter assays were used and mimic and siRNA transfection tests were applied to assess the effects of miR‐29b‐3p on II/R injury via targeting TNF receptor‐associated factor 3 (TRAF3).

Key Results

The H/R procedure decreased cell viability and promoted inflammation and apoptosis in IEC‐6 cells, and the II/R procedure also promoted intestinal inflammation and apoptosis in mice. Expression levels of miR‐29b‐3p were decreased in H/R‐induced cells and II/R‐induced intestinal tissues of mice compared with control group or sham group, which directly targeted TRAF3. Decreased miR‐29b‐3p level markedly increased TRAF3 expression via activating TGF‐α‐activated kinase 1 phosphorylation, increasing NF‐κB (p65) levels to promote inflammation, up‐regulating Bcl2‐associated X expression, and down‐regulating Bcl‐2 expression to trigger apoptosis. In addition, the miR‐29b‐3p mimetic and TRAF3 siRNA in IEC‐6 cells markedly suppressed apoptosis and inflammation to alleviate II/R injury via inhibiting TRAF3 signallimg.

Conclusions and Implications

The miR‐29b‐3p played a critical role in II/R injury, via targeting TRAF3, which should be considered as a significant drug target to treat the disease.
Hostile Intent Attribution and Aggressive Behavior in Children Revisited: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Verhoef Rogier E.J. , Alsem Sophie C. , Verhulp Esmée E. , De Castro Bram O.
Published: June 2019

To test specific hypotheses about the relation between hostile intent attribution (HIA) and children’s aggressive behavior, a multilevel meta‐analysis was conducted on 111 studies with 219 effect sizes and 29.272 participants. A positive association between HIA and aggression was found, but effect sizes varied widely between studies. Results suggested that HIA is a general disposition guiding behavior across a broad variety of contexts, whereas the strength of the relation between HIA and aggression depends on the level of emotional engagement. The relation is stronger for more reliable HIA measures, but is not stronger for reactive aggression or co‐morbid attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder than for aggression in general. The importance of understanding specific moderators of effect size for theory development is discussed.
Safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration for pancreatic masses: A prospective multicenter study
Authors: Yoshinaga Shigetaka , Itoi Takao , Yamao Kenji , Yasuda Ichiro , Irisawa Atsushi , Imaoka Hiroshi , Tsuchiya Takayoshi , Doi Shinpei , Yamabe Akane , Murakami Yoshitaka , Ishikawa Hideki , Saito Yutaka
Published: June 2019

Objectives

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) for solid pancreatic lesions has high diagnostic yield. However, few prospective multicenter studies have been performed. We performed a prospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS‐FNA for diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions.

Methods

This prospective cohort study involved five hospitals in Japan. The primary outcome was sensitivity of EUS‐FNA for diagnosing malignant lesions. We also evaluated parameters of diagnostic sufficiency and the safety of EUS‐FNA.

Results

In total, 246 patients were enrolled. The absolute values of the parameters evaluated showed no significant differences; however, the percentage changes in the white blood cell counts and C‐reactive protein levels after examination were significantly higher, and the percentage change in hemoglobin concentrations was significantly lower. The minor and major complication rates at the time of puncture, 24 h, 7 days and 28 days were 4.1%, 2.8%, 1.6%, and 0.0%, respectively. The true complication rate was 1.2%. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 97.2%, 88.0%, 96.2%, 100%, and 81.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

EUS‐FNA for solid pancreatic lesions has high diagnostic yield and is safe, consistent with previously studies.
Tissue Doppler imaging of the atrial lateral wall: Correlation with atrial strain rate and parameters of diastolic function
Authors: Argento Laura V. , Travetto Carolina M. , de las M. Colicigno Maria , Gentile Silvia , Salvati Ana , Lax Jorge , Cianciulli Tomás
Published: June 2019

Objective

To evaluate the velocity profile of the lateral wall of the left atrium (LA) using pulsed‐wave color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) on line and its correlation with two‐dimensional strain rate imaging (SRI) by speckle tracking, of equal segments and phases, and other parameters of diastolic function in a population of individuals without known cardiovascular disease.

Materials and Methods

A total of 91 adults aged 18–74 years, without cardiovascular history, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia or obesity, were evaluated. A Doppler echocardiogram was performed. The lateral wall of the LA was divided subjectively into three portions, the atrial roof was excluded; the peak velocities of the basal and midportions, and their average, were measured with pulsed‐wave TDI on line and SRI. Using both techniques, a first positive wave (S'la and SRS‐reservoir phase) and two negative waves (E'la and SRE—conduit phase—and A'la and SRA—atrial systole—respectively) were obtained. E'la/A'la ratio and SRE/SRA ratio were analyzed.

Results

The median age was 42 years, and 54.9% of the subjects were female. S'la presented moderate correlation with S' lateral mitral annulus. Both E'la and the E'la/A'la relationships showed moderate to good correlation with various diastolic dysfunction parameters evaluated and SRI. A'la did not present a statistically significant correlation with any of the variables evaluated.

Conclusion

Evaluation of the lateral wall of the LA by pulsed‐wave color TDI on line is feasible in the vast majority of patients. In the conduit phase, E'la and the E'la/A'la relationship showed correlation with the parameters that evaluate diastolic function and SRI.
Apolipoprotein E genetic variants interact with Mediterranean diet to modulate postprandial hypertriglyceridemia in coronary heart disease patients: CORDIOPREV study
Authors: Gomez‐Delgado Francisco , Alcala‐Diaz Juan Francisco , Leon‐Acuña Ana , Lopez‐Moreno Javier , Delgado‐Lista Javier , Gomez‐Marin Beatriz , Roncero‐Ramos Irene , Yubero‐Serrano Elena M. , Rangel‐Zuñiga Oriol Alberto , Vals‐Delgado Cristina , Luque Raul M. , Ordovas Jose M. , Lopez‐Miranda Jose , Perez‐Martinez Pablo
Published: June 2019

Background

We try to explore whether long‐term consumption of two healthy dietary patterns (low‐fat [LF] diet or Mediterranean diet [MedDiet]) interacts with the apolipoprotein E (APOE) single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs439401, rs440446 and rs7412) modulating postprandial hypertriglyceridemia (ppHTG) in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients.

Methods and results

We selected patients from the CORDIOPREV study with genotyping and who underwent an oral fat load test (FLT) at baseline and after 3 years follow‐up (n = 506). After 3 years of follow‐up, we found a gene‐diet interaction between the APOE rs439401 SNP and MedDiet. Specifically, T‐allele carriers in the MedDiet group showed a more significant decrease in postprandial triglycerides (TG: P = 0.03) and large triacylglycerol‐rich lipoproteins (TRLs) TG (large TRLs TG; P = 0.01) compared with CC subjects. Consistently, the area under the curve of TG (AUC‐TG; P‐interaction = 0.03) and AUC‐large TRLs TG (P‐interaction = 0.02) were significantly lower in T‐allele carriers compared with CC subjects.

Conclusions

The long‐term consumption of a MedDiet modulates ppHTG through APOE genetic variants in CHD patients. This gene‐diet interaction may contribute to a more precise dietary advice in CHD patients.
Anthropogenic nitrogen enrichment enhances soil carbon accumulation by impacting saprotrophs rather than ectomycorrhizal fungal activity
Authors: Maaroufi Nadia I. , Nordin Annika , Palmqvist Kristin , Hasselquist Niles J. , Forsmark Benjamin , Rosenstock Nicholas P. , Wallander Håkan , Gundale Michael J.
Published: June 2019

There is evidence that anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition enhances carbon (C) sequestration in boreal forest soils. However, it is unclear how free‐living saprotrophs (bacteria and fungi, SAP) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi responses to N addition impact soil C dynamics. Our aim was to investigate how SAP and EM communities are impacted by N enrichment and to estimate whether these changes influence decay of litter and humus. We conducted a long‐term experiment in northern Sweden, maintained since 2004, consisting of ambient, low N additions (0, 3, 6, and 12 kg N ha−1 year−1) simulating current N deposition rates in the boreal region, as well as a high N addition (50 kg N ha−1 year−1). Our data showed that long‐term N enrichment impeded mass loss of litter, but not of humus, and only in response to the highest N addition treatment. Furthermore, our data showed that EM fungi reduced the mass of N and P in both substrates during the incubation period compared to when only SAP organisms were present. Low N additions had no effect on microbial community structure, while the high N addition decreased fungal and bacterial biomasses and altered EM fungi and SAP community composition. Actinomycetes were the only bacterial SAP to show increased biomass in response to the highest N addition. These results provide a mechanistic understanding of how anthropogenic N enrichment can influence soil C accumulation rates and suggest that current N deposition rates in the boreal region (≤12 kg N ha−1 year−1) are likely to have a minor impact on the soil microbial community and the decomposition of humus and litter.
Breast implant‐associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA‐ALCL): an overview of presentation and pathogenesis and guidelines for pathological diagnosis and management
Authors: Jones J Louise , Hanby Andrew M , Wells Clive , Calaminici Marie , Johnson Laura , Turton Philip , Deb Rahul , Provenzano Elena , Shaaban Abeer , Ellis Ian O , Pinder Sarah E ,   on behalf of the National Co‐ordinating Committee of Breast Pathology
Published: June 2019

Aims

Breast implant‐associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA‐ALCL) is an uncommon complication associated largely with textured implants. It is important that the symptoms associated with BIA‐ALCL are recognised and that robust pathways are in place to establish the diagnosis. The aim of this paper is to review what is known of the incidence of the disease, current thoughts on pathogenesis, patterns of presentation and pathological features to provide standard guidelines for its diagnosis.

Methods and results

Systematic review of the literature via PubMed covering cases series, modes of presentation, cytological, histological and immunohistochemical features and disease outcome. Since 1997, 518 cases throughout 25 countries have been registered on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons PROFILE registry, with an estimated risk for women with an implant of one to three per million per year. It most frequently presents as a late‐onset accumulation of seroma fluid, sometimes as a mass lesion. The neoplastic cells are highly atypical, consistently strongly positive for CD30, with 43–90% also positive for EMA, and all are ALK‐negative. Behaviour is best predicted using a staging system for solid tumours.

Conclusion

BIA‐ALCL is a rare but important complication of breast implants. While characterised by CD30‐positive neoplastic cells this must be interpreted with care, and we provide pathological guidelines for the robust diagnosis of this lesion as well as the most appropriate staging system and management strategies. Finally, in order to generate more accurate data on incidence, we recommend mechanisms for the routine central reporting of all cases.
18β‐Glycyrrhetinic acid: its core biological properties and dermatological applications
Authors: Kowalska A. , Kalinowska‐Lis U.
Published: June 2019

Recently, attention has been focused on identifying natural herbal compounds with high biological activity, especially antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, for preventing and controlling various skin conditions, including inflammation‐related diseases such as atopic dermatitis and UV‐induced skin photoaging. One key active plant ingredient is 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), the main metabolite of glycyrrhizin (GL), obtained from licorice root. The review examines the valuable biological properties of GA, particularly those playing key roles in the treatment of various dermatological disorders in humans. The review highlights the key anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of GA and its toxicity towards normal cells lines. It also examines the physicochemical properties of GA and presents methods of increasing its penetration through the stratum corneum and bioaccumulation with the use of modern delivery systems such as liposomes and nanoemulsions.
Climatic conditions and human activities shape diploid–tetraploid coexistence at different spatial scales in the common weedTripleurospermum inodorum(Asteraceae)
Authors: Čertner Martin , Kúr Pavel , Kolář Filip , Suda Jan
Published: June 2019

Aim

While environmental conditions are reported as important determinants of cytotype distribution patterns in some mixed‐ploidy plant species, in others they seem to play no role. One reason for such inconsistency might be how and at what spatial scale the ecology of different cytotypes is compared. To address this issue, we adopted several complementary approaches to assess ecological requirements of cytotypes in a single species across wide‐range of spatial scales.

Location

Europe.

Taxon

Tripleurospermum inodorum(Asteraceae).

Methods

WorldClim extracted data were used for comparing climatic niches ofT. inodorumdiploids and tetraploids at continental and subcontinental scales and for predicting climatic suitability of habitats in Europe. Within the contact zone of cytotypes, at the regional scale, ecological preferences of cytotypes were assessed independently in three regions. Habitat types and ecological indicators inferred from species composition of vegetation in both uniform‐ploidy and mixed‐ploidy populations were used for ecological niche reconstructions.

Results

The two cytotypes differed in their climatic niches. However, due to considerable niche overlap, diploids and tetraploids were predicted to co‐occur in an extensive contact zone in Europe. Within the contact zone, cytotypes had identical ecological preferences but varied in their frequency at particular habitat types. The ecological niches of mixed‐ploidy and uniform‐ploidy populations were undistinguishable.

Main conclusions

Cytotype distribution patterns may be shaped by multiple environmental forces, each operating at a different spatial scale. InT. inodorum, climate is an important driver of cytotype distribution patterns at continental scale, however, at finer scales within the contact zone, the founder effect and non‐random migration patterns caused by human activities seem to be more important than environmental heterogeneity. The use of independent replicates and/or across‐scale comparisons can significantly improve the performance of ecological niche assessments.
Providing Behavioral Health Services in Nursing Homes Is Difficult: Findings From a National Survey
Authors: Orth Jessica , Li Yue , Simning Adam , Temkin‐Greener Helena
Published: June 2019

OBJECTIVES

Behavioral health (BH) disorders affect 65% to 90% of nursing home (NH) residents. Access to BH services in NHs has been generally considered inadequate, but the empirical evidence is sparse. We examined the availability of BH services and identified facility‐level factors associated with the difficulty of providing BH services in NHs.

DESIGN

A national random sample of 3996 NHs was identified. Two structured surveys with questions about BH service availability, quality, satisfaction, staffing, staff education, turnover, and service barriers were mailed to administrators and directors of nursing in each NH between July and December 2017.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Completed surveys were obtained from 1079 NHs (27% response rate). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions were employed.

MEASUREMENTS

Four outcome measures were based on five‐point Likert scales: (1) adequacy of BH staff education; (2) ability to meet resident BH service needs; (3) adequacy of coordination/collaboration between NH/community providers; and (4) availability of necessary facility infrastructure.

RESULTS

BH service needs were unmet in one third of NHs; almost half lacked appropriate staff BH education. Over 30% reported having inadequate coordination of care between NH and community providers, and 26.2% had inadequate infrastructure for residents' referrals/transport. Staff BH education was less problematic in NHs with Alzheimer disease units (odds ratio [OR] = 0.6; P < .05), lower registered nurse (RN) turnover (OR = 0.7; P < .05), and more psychiatrically trained RNs (OR = 0.5; P < .001) and social workers (OR = 0.6; P < .05). Lower RN turnover (OR = 0.7; P < .05) and more psychiatrically trained RNs (OR = 0.6; P < .05) were associated with fewer NHs reporting being unable to meet BH service needs. Having more psychiatrically trained RNs (OR = 0.6; P < .05) was associated with fewer NHs reporting inadequate coordination with community providers.

CONCLUSION

Inadequate BH education and psychiatric training among NH staff were associated with subpar provision of BH services in this care setting. New initiatives that increase access to BH providers and services and improve staff education are urgently needed in NHs. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1713–1717, 2019
Nurses' attitudes towards support for and communication about sexual health—A qualitative study from the perspectives of oncological nurses
Authors: Annerstedt Catharina Frid , Glasdam Stinne
Published: June 2019

Aim and objectives

To explore nurses' articulations of support and communication regarding sexual health with patients.

Background

Sexual health is adversely effected by cancer and various oncological treatments. Patients' often have the experience that healthcare professionals do not talk about sexual health.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with seven nurses in Southern Sweden. Content analyses were made, inspired by Foucault's concepts of power, discipline and normalisation. SRQR checklist was used.

Results

Patients' sexual health had low priority in the oncological clinic from the perspective of nurses. The medical logic directed nurses' articulations about sexual health towards a physical view, understood as sex, and sexual problems, which could be treated pharmacologically. Further, nurses articulated a sexual norm that sex belongs to young people and younger persons in permanent, monogamous and heterosexual relationships. This norm‐governed nurses' inclusion and exclusion of patients in communication about sexual health. According to nurses, most patients did not mention sex, but some patients challenged the clinic's norms. Assessing sexual health problems, nurses often engaged other professions and thereby became gatekeepers for patients' options for getting help.

Conclusions

From the perspective of nurses, nurses' support and communication regarding sexual health with patients with cancer diagnosis were relatively absent and had a low priority in an oncological clinic. Overall, the nurses had the power to set the agenda about patients' sexual health in the oncological clinic. The clinical gaze became a disciplinary technique that tacitly defined by whom, in what way and how sexual health could be articulated in an oncological clinic.

Relevance to clinical practice

By illuminating nurses' preconceptions, thoughts and actions in relation to cancer patients' sexual health, the results invite practitioners to reflect upon and discuss the challenges, opportunities and limitations in providing inclusive and supportive sexual health care to cancer patients.
Long non‐coding RNA myocardial infarction associated transcript promotes epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and is an independent risk factor for poor prognosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhong Waisheng , Xu Zi , Wen Senli , Xie Tao , Wang Fang , Wang Qiwei , Chen Jie
Published: June 2019

Background

Long non‐coding RNA myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) has been suspected to be associated with poor prognosis in several malignancies. This study aims to investigate the association between MIAT expression levels and prognosis of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).

Materials and Methods

Expressions of MIAT in TSCC specimens, corresponding adjacent non‐neoplastic tongue tissues, and serums collected from 116 TSCC patients were detected by Quantitative Real‐Time PCR. Then, these patients were followed up for 12 months after discharge. MIAT was suppressed and upregulated in TSCC cells, and then cell invasion and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were analyzed.

Results

Myocardial infarction associated transcript expression level in TSCC specimen was upregulated compared to adjacent non‐neoplastic tongue tissue and had a significant positive association with its level in serum. MIAT levels in both TSCC specimen and serum were correlated with cervical lymph node metastasis and histological grading of TSCC patients. Results of survival analysis showed that high expression levels of MIAT in both TSCC tissues and serums indicated higher mortality and shorter survival time of TSCC patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that there was no significant difference between MIAT in TSCC specimen and serum to differentiate death and non‐death of TSCC patients. In vitro study showed that MIAT could induce invasion of TSCC cells by regulating expressions of EMT markers through activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Upregulated MIAT promoted EMT of TSCC cells through activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway and indicated a poor prognosis of TSCC, which may provide us a non‐invasive approach to evaluate the prognosis of TSCC.
Effect of culturing parameters on the vegetative growth of Haematococcus alpinus (strain lcr‐cc‐261f) and modeling of its growth kinetics
Authors: Mazumdar Nilanjana , Novis Phil M. , Visnovsky Gabriel , Gostomski Peter
Published: June 2019

The present study investigated the effect of different culture conditions on the vegetative growth of a new species, Haematococcus alpinus (strain LCR‐CC‐261f) using airlift photobioreactors. The influence of culture medium, aeration rates, CO2 concentration in air‐gas mixture, temperature, light intensities, and wavelengths were investigated to achieve sustainable high cell density cultures. Growth parameters were determined by fitting the data to a form of the logistic equation that included a lag phase. The shear‐sensitive vegetative cells favored lower aeration rates in the photobioreactors. MLA medium increased to 40 mM nitrate produced high density cultures. Temperatures between 12°C and 18°C, 3% (v/v) CO2 concentration and a narrow photon flux density ranging between 37 and 48 μmol photons · m−2 · s−1 were best suited for growth. The wavelength of the light source also impacted growth and a high cell density of 9.6 × 105 cells · mL−1 was achieved using a mixture of red and blue compared to warm white, red, or blue LEDs.
First fossil record of an East Asian endemic genus Sladenia (Sladeniaceae) from its modern range: Implications for floristic evolution and conservation biology
Authors: Jia Lin‐Bo , Manchester Steven R. , Huang Jian , Su Tao , Xue Li , Zhang Shi‐Tao , Huang Yong‐Jiang , Zhou Zhe‐Kun
Published: June 2019

Fossil records of endemic plants play an important role in recognizing the floristic history of East Asia and thereby facilitate the conservation of plant diversity in the region. However, the fossil record of many extant East Asian endemic genera remains poorly documented thus far. Here, we report an infructescence fossil of an East Asian endemic genus, Sladenia (Sladeniaceae), from the early Miocene of southeastern Yunnan, China. The fossil is characterized by: (i) dichasial cymes; and (ii) flask‐shaped ovary with dense subparallel ribs on the surface extending from the base to the distal end of the united style. It represents the first fossil record of Sladenia in Asia, showing that the genus was established in the region at least by the early Miocene. Given that a much older fossil record of Sladeniaceae has been reported from Africa and the sister group of Sladenia is distributed only in Africa, Sladenia is not likely of East Asian origin. The present endemic status of Sladenia was possibly achieved by regional extirpation in Africa and taking refuge in East Asia. This case thus supports the “Museum” rather than “Cradle” hypothesis for the genesis of high plant species in the flora of East Asia. A comparison of the present fossil with extant Sladenia infructescence shows morphological stasis from the early Miocene to present. Such evolutionary tardiness might have resulted in the reduced fitness of the genus, which further caused its current endangered situation.
Diversification of HawaiianCyrtandra(Gesneriaceae) under the influence of incomplete lineage sorting and hybridization
Authors: Kleinkopf Joseph A. , Roberts Wade R. , Wagner Warren L. , Roalson Eric H.
Published: June 2019

Cyrtandra(Gesneriaceae) is a genus of flowering plants with over 800 species distributed throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. On the Hawaiian Islands, 60 named species and over 89 putative hybrids exist, most of which are identified on the basis of morphology. Despite many previous studies on the HawaiianCyrtandralineage, questions regarding the reconciliation of morphology and genetics remain, many of which can be attributed to the relatively young age and evidence of hybridization between species. We utilized targeted enrichment, high‐throughput sequencing, and modern phylogenomics tools to test 31 HawaiianCyrtandrasamples (22 species, two putative hybrids, four species with two samples each, one species with four samples) and two outgroups for species relationships and hybridization in the presence of incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). Both concatenated and species‐tree methods were used to reconstruct species relationships, and network analyses were conducted to test for hybridization. We expected to see high levels of ILS and putative hybrids intermediate to their parent species. Phylogenies reconstructed from the concatenated and species‐tree methods were highly incongruent, most likely due to high levels of incomplete lineage sorting. Network analyses inferred gene flow within this lineage, but not always between taxa that we expected. Multiple hybridizations were inferred, but many were on deeper branches of the island lineages suggesting a long history of hybridization. We demonstrated the utility of high‐throughput sequencing and a phylogenomic approach using 569 loci to understanding species relationships and gene flow in the presence of ILS.
Serum 25(OH)D levels after oral vitamin D3 supplementation and UVB exposure correlate
Authors: Datta Pameli , Philipsen Peter Alshede , Olsen Peter , Andersen Jeppe Dyrberg , Morling Niels , Wulf Hans Christian
Published: June 2019

Background

The inter‐individual variation in 25(OH)D3 increase (Δ25(OH)D3) after vitamin D3 supplementation was determined and compared with the UVB irradiation response.

Methods

Nineteen Danish participants received 85 μg vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) daily for nine weeks with regular serum 25(OH)D3 measurements. These participants had three years earlier taken part in a 9‐week controlled UVB study. The Δ25(OH)D3 was not confounded by ambient UVB, BMI or ethnicity.

Results

Δ25(OH)D3 was 53 nmol L−1 and almost identical to Δ25(OH)D3 (52 nmol L−1) after UVB. Δ25(OH)D3 ranged from 17 to 91 nmol L−1 (span 74 nmol L−1) and was about half of that observed after UVB irradiation (span 136 nmol L−1). The interquartile ranges for vitamin D3 supplementation (38.8‐71.4 nmol L−1, span: 32.6 nmol L−1) and UVB irradiation (35.7‐65.4 nmol L−1, span: 29.7 nmol L−1) were similar indicating a comparable response of the two interventions. As the 25(OH)D3 start levels (R2 = 0.398, P = 3.8 × 10−3), 25(OH)D3 end levels (R2 = 0.457, P = 1.5 × 10−3) and Δ25(OH)D3 (R2 = 0.253, P = 0.028) between both interventions were correlated, this suggested a possible common individual background for the variation. Four pigment SNPs influenced the variation in the vitamin D3‐induced and UVB‐induced Δ25(OH)D3. A combined model including the influence of these four SNPs and the 25(OH)D3 start level explained 86.8% (P = 1.6 × 10−35) of the individual variation after vitamin D3 supplementation.

Conclusion

The inter‐individual variation in the two interventions was comparable and had no common demographic but a partly common genetic background.
Cyanidin‐3‐o‐glucoside inhibits UVA‐induced human dermal fibroblast injury by upregulating autophagy
Authors: Wu Shi , Hu Yunfeng , Bai Weibin , Zhao Jiayi , Huang Cuiqin , Wen Caiyan , Deng Liehua , Lu Daxiang
Published: June 2019

Background/Purpose

Ultraviolet (UV) A (315‐400 nm) is the UV light that most frequently reaches the Earth's surface and can penetrate the epidermis through to the dermis, causing various issues, including skin aging and skin cancer. The results of our previous studies have shown that the flavonoid monomer cyanidin‐3‐o‐glucoside (C3G) can effectively inhibit primary human dermal fibroblast (HDF) oxidative damage and apoptosis caused by UVA radiation. Many flavonoids can regulate the level of autophagy. However, whether C3G inhibits UVA‐induced oxidative damage to primary HDFs by regulating autophagy levels remains unclear.

Methods and Results

In this study, we used different doses (0‐12 J/cm2) of UVA to irradiate cells and showed that the expression levels of autophagy‐related gene 5 (Atg5) and microtubule‐associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)‐II in primary HDFs first increased and then decreased. The expression of Atg5 and LC3‐II was significantly decreased under 12 J/cm2 (light‐damage model). C3G increased the levels of Atg5 and LC3‐II. Primary HDFs were pretreated with C3G, followed by treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) after 12 J/cm2 UVA irradiation. The inhibitory effects of C3G on morphological changes, oxidative damage, and apoptosis in primary HDFs induced by UVA were significantly decreased.

Conclusion

C3G can inhibit UVA‐induced damage to primary HDFs by inducing autophagy. These results provide a theoretical basis for the application of natural compounds to resist light damage to the skin in the future.
Donor characteristics and risk factors for methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination in storage medium for corneal transplantation: A 10‐year retrospective study
Authors: Okumura Yuichi , Inomata Takenori , Miyamoto Shizuka , Nakatani Satoru , Hiratsuka Yoshimune , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Iwamoto Satoshi , Murakami Akira
Published: June 2019

Purpose

This study investigated the donor characteristics of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination in storage medium before transfer of corneas to preservation medium for corneal transplantation, in order to identify donor characteristic risk factors for MRSA contamination.

Methods

This retrospective, cross‐sectional study was performed using Juntendo Eye Bank records for all corneal transplantation procedures. Storage medium (EP‐II®) cultures for right eyes were included for the period between July 2008 and December 2017. The following donor characteristics were collected: age, sex, cause of death, history of cataract surgery, death‐to‐enucleation interval, death‐to‐preservation interval, and endothelial cell density (ECD). Donor characteristics were compared between MRSA and non‐MRSA contamination groups. Odds ratios (ORs) for donor‐related risk factors for MRSA contamination were determined using logistic regression.

Results

In total, 370 storage medium samples were examined; 222 were positive for bacterial cultures (60.0%) and 36 were MRSA‐positive (9.7%). Donor age was significantly higher in the MRSA contamination group than in the non‐MRSA contamination group (86.1 ± 9.5 years vs 75.9 ± 15.9 years, P < 0.001). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that MRSA contamination risk factors were older age (OR = 1.07; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.03‐1.11) and decreased ECD (OR = 0.9993; 95% CI: 0.9986‐0.9992). The fully adjusted OR for every year of age as a risk factor for MRSA contamination was 1.07 (95% CI: 1.03‐1.11).

Conclusions

Aging was a risk factor for MRSA contamination in storage medium. Careful pre‐banking assessment of elderly donor corneas is needed to prevent intractable postoperative MRSA infection.
Uterine perivascular adipose tissue is a novel mediator of uterine artery blood flow and reactivity in rat pregnancy
Authors: Osikoya Oluwatobiloba , Ahmed Hijab , Panahi Sareh , Bourque Stephane L. , Goulopoulou Styliani
Published: June 2019

Key points

In vivo, uterine perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) potentiates uterine artery blood flow in pregnant rats, although not in non‐pregnant rats.

In isolated preparations, uterine PVAT has pro‐contractile and anti‐dilatory effects on uterine arteries.

Pregnancy induces changes in uterine arteries that makes them responsive to uterine PVAT signalling.

An increase in uterine artery blood flow (UtBF) is a common and necessary feature of a healthy pregnancy. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that adipose tissue surrounding uterine arteries (uterine perivascular adipose tissue; PVAT) is a novel local mediator of UtBF and uterine artery tone during pregnancy. In vivo experiments in anaesthetized Sprague–Dawley rats showed that pregnant animals (gestational day 16, term = 22––23 days) had a three‐fold higher UtBF compared to non‐pregnant animals. Surgical removal of uterine PVAT reduced UtBF only in pregnant rats. In a series of ex vivo bioassays, we demonstrated that uterine PVAT had pro‐contractile and anti‐dilatory effects on rat uterine arteries. In the presence of PVAT‐conditioned media, isolated uterine arteries from both pregnant and non‐pregnant rats had reduced vasodilatory responses. In non‐pregnant rats, these responses were mediated at the level of uterine vascular smooth muscle, whereas, in pregnant rats, PVAT‐media reduced endothelium‐dependent relaxation. Pregnancy increased adipocyte size in ovarian adipose tissue but had no effect on uterine PVAT adipocyte morphology. In addition, pregnancy down‐regulated the gene expression of metabolic adipokines in uterine but not in aortic PVAT. In conclusion, this is the first study to demonstrate that uterine PVAT plays a regulatory role in UtBF, at least in part, as a result of its actions on uterine artery tone. We propose that the interaction between the uterine vascular wall and its adjacent adipose tissue may provide new insights for interventions in pregnancies with adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal UtBF.
Thermal Modeling, Experimental Validation, and Comparative Analysis of Modified Solar Stills
Authors: Pal Piyush , Dev Rahul
Published: June 2019

In the present work, an effort is carried out to enhance the distillate yield of a single-slope basin-type solar still by increasing the heat input through its transparent walls and providing hanging wicks to increase the evaporation–condensation rates. A modified basin-type single-slope multi-wick solar still (MBSSMWSS) was proposed and fabricated to increase the productivity and improve the low efficiency of the recently designed modified basin-type single-slope solar still (MBSSSS). Experiments were conducted on both the solar stills to assess their performance, productivity, and efficiency (thermal and exergy) for the same basin area and water depth for the climatic condition of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India. Results showed that the productivity, overall energy (thermal) efficiency, and maximum values of measured instantaneous exergy efficiency of the MBSSSS and MBSSMWSS systems were found to be 3.2 l/m2 day and 4.22 l/m2 day, 18.16% and 26.89%, and 4.28% and 5.31%, respectively. Furthermore, thermal modeling was also done using the energy balance equations, and then, a theoretical analysis was carried out to validate with the respective experimental observations. A good agreement was found between experimental and theoretical results. Finally, based on the results of the evaluation parameters and comparative analysis, the modified solar still with wick was found to be a better system compared with that of the system without wick and might be a good option as a solar desalination system.
Articulatory-acoustic relations in the production of alveolar and palatal lateral sounds in Brazilian Portuguese
Authors: Charles Sherman , Lulich Steven M.
Published: June 2019

Lateral approximant speech sounds are notoriously difficult to measure and describe due to their complex articulation and acoustics. This has prevented researchers from reaching a unifying description of the articulatory and acoustic characteristics of laterals. This paper examines articulatory and acoustic properties of Brazilian Portuguese alveolar and palatal lateral approximants (/l/ and /ʎ/) produced by six native speakers. The methodology for obtaining vocal tract area functions was based on three-dimensional/four-dimensional (3D/4D) ultrasound recordings and 3D digitized palatal impressions with simultaneously recorded audio signals. Area functions were used to calculate transfer function spectra, and predicted formant and anti-resonance frequencies were compared with the acoustic recordings. Mean absolute error in formant frequency prediction was 4% with a Pearson correlation of r = 0.987. Findings suggest anti-resonances from the interdental channels are less important than a prominent anti-resonance from the supralingual cavity but can become important in asymmetrical articulations. The use of 3D/4D ultrasound to study articulatory-acoustic relations is promising, but significant limitations remain and future work is needed to make better use of 3D/4D ultrasound data, e.g., by combining it with magnetic resonance imaging.
Central Europe temperature constrained by speleothem fluid inclusion water isotopes over the past 14,000 years
Authors: Affolter Stéphane , Häuselmann Anamaria , Fleitmann Dominik , Edwards R. Lawrence , Cheng Hai , Leuenberger Markus
Published: June 2019

Past precipitation water sealed in stalagmites from Switzerland gives insight into temperature changes for the past 14,000 years.
Enhanced North American carbon uptake associated with El Niño
Authors: Hu Lei , Andrews Arlyn E. , Thoning Kirk W. , Sweeney Colm , Miller John B. , Michalak Anna M. , Dlugokencky Ed , Tans Pieter P. , Shiga Yoichi P. , Mountain Marikate , Nehrkorn Thomas , Montzka Stephen A. , McKain Kathryn , Kofler Jonathan , Trudeau Michael , Michel Sylvia E. , Biraud Sébastien C. , Fischer Marc L. , Worthy Doug E. J. , Vaughn Bruce H. , White James W. C. , Yadav Vineet , Basu Sourish , van der Velde Ivar R.
Published: June 2019

North American ecosystems absorb more CO
2
from the atmosphere during El Niño than during La Niña periods.
Extreme events reveal an alimentary limit on sustained maximal human energy expenditure
Authors: Thurber Caitlin , Dugas Lara R. , Ocobock Cara , Carlson Bryce , Speakman John R. , Pontzer Herman
Published: June 2019

Maximum sustained energy expenditure in humans is limited by energy intake and strongly tied to event duration.
Subdomains within orientation columns of primary visual cortex
Authors: Li Ming , Song Xue Mei , Xu Tao , Hu Dewen , Roe Anna Wang , Li Chao-Yi
Published: June 2019

Subdomains in orientation domains of primary visual cortex suggest the presence of a pinwheel-centered orientation hypercolumn.
Modular, tissue-specific, and biodegradable hydrogel cross-linkers for tissue engineering
Authors: Guo J. L. , Kim Y. S. , Xie V. Y. , Smith B. T. , Watson E. , Lam J. , Pearce H. A. , Engel P. S. , Mikos A. G.
Published: June 2019

Modular, tissue-specific hydrogel cross-linkers were designed by the conjugation of various biomolecules to a novel polymer.
Naturally acquired immunity against immaturePlasmodium falciparumgametocytes
Authors: Dantzler Kathleen W. , Ma Siyuan , Ngotho Priscilla , Stone Will J. R. , Tao Dingyin , Rijpma Sanna , De Niz Mariana , Nilsson Bark Sandra K. , Jore Matthijs M. , Raaijmakers Tonke K. , Early Angela M. , Ubaida-Mohien Ceereena , Lemgruber Leandro , Campo Joseph J. , Teng Andy A. , Le Timothy Q. , Walker Cassidy L. , Hermand Patricia , Deterre Philippe , Davies D. Huw , Felgner Phil , Morlais Isabelle , Wirth Dyann F. , Neafsey Daniel E. , Dinglasan Rhoel R. , Laufer Miriam , Huttenhower Curtis , Seydel Karl , Taylor Terrie , Bousema Teun , Marti Matthias
Published: June 2019

Naturally acquired immune responses target infected red blood cell surface antigens of immature malaria transmission stages.
The pace of crustal-scale magma accretion and differentiation beneath silicic caldera volcanoes
Authors: Karakas Ozge , Wotzlaw Jörn-Frederik , Guillong Marcel , Ulmer Peter , Brack Peter , Economos Rita , Bergantz George W. , Sinigoi Silvano , Bachmann Olivier
Published: June 2019

Crustal-scale magmatic systems act as filters between the mantle and the atmosphere, and can generate large volcanic eruptions that pose significant hazards while altering Earth’s climate. Quantifying the growth rates, magma fluxes, and duration of storage at different crustal levels is crucial for understanding such systems, but these parameters are poorly constrained due to the scarcity of exposed crustal sections. Here we present the first detailed reconstruction of magma emplacement and differentiation time scales of a complete crustal-scale igneous system exposed in the southern Alps (Ivrea-Sesia region, northern Italy) to quantify the magma fluxes and duration of transcrustal magmatism. Integrated zircon U-Pb petrochronology and numerical modeling provides unprecedented evidence that the volcanic and plutonic bodies are directly related to each other both chemically and temporally, suggesting that the entire magmatic system grew rapidly from its deepest roots to the erupted products. In the entire crustal section, zircons record 4 m.y. of magma accretion, but the bulk of the magma was emplaced within approximately 2 m.y. during an episode of enhanced magma flux from the mantle. Our results show the synchronous growth and differentiation of discrete magma bodies at various crustal levels beneath silicic caldera volcanoes and reconcile modeling and geochronological results on crustal-scale heat and mass transfer.
Short-term and long-term distributional consequences of prenatal malnutrition and stress: using Ramadan as a natural experiment
Authors: Majid Farhan , Behrman Jere , Mani Subha
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Fetal environments play significant roles in determining adult well-being, particularly as they relate to non-communicable diseases and skill formation. We studiedgender-specific distributionalconsequences of fetal environment (in the form of in-utero exposure to Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting), in Indonesia, on birth weights, performance on Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM), math scores, hours worked and earnings.

Methods

We used quantile regressions to conduct a quantitative comparison of distributional consequences, by gender, of full month exposures to Ramadan in-utero on outcomes of interest. Our data included Muslim children and adults measured during rounds 1 and 4 of the Indonesian Family Life Survey. Our main outcome measures were: birth weights—559 observations (females) and 624 (males); Raven’s CPM scores—1693 (females) and 1821 (males) for 8–15 year olds; math test scores—1696 (females) and 1825 (males) for 8–15 year olds; hours worked—3181 (females) and 4599 (males) for 18–65 year olds; earnings—2419 (females) and 4019 (males) for 18–65 year olds.

Results

Full month of exposure to Ramadan in-utero led to significant reductions at the 5% significance level that were concentrated in the bottom halves of the outcome distributions: among 8–15 years, lower scores on Raven’s CPM tests for females (mean: −9.2%, 10thQ: −19%, 25th Q: −19.4%) and males (mean: −5.6%, 10thQ: −12.5%); lower math scores for females (mean: −8.6%, 25thQ: −15.9%) and males (mean: −8.5%, 10thQ: −13.6%); among females 18–65 years, significant reduction in hours worked (mean: −7.5%, 10thQ: − 26.3%).

Conclusion

Events during the fetal period have far-reaching consequences for females and males in the lowest (10th and 25th) quantiles of outcome distributions, affecting the ‘relatively poor’ the most. These results call for caution in interpreting studies on child development that rely on mean comparisons alone.
Effects of short-term smoking on lung function and airway hyper-responsiveness in young patients with untreated intermittent adult-onset asthma: retrospective cross-sectional study at a primary–tertiary care hospital in Japan
Authors: Watai Kentaro , Sekiya Kiyoshi , Hayashi Hiroaki , Fukutomi Yuma , Taniguchi Masami
Published: June 2019

Objective

In daily clinical practice, smokers with asthma and with intermittent disease severity are frequently encountered. The effects of short-term smoking on lung function or disease presentation in younger patients with intermittent adult-onset asthma remain unclear. We sought to clarify the effects of short-term smoking (<10 pack-years) on lung function and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) in young patients with untreated intermittent adult-onset asthma.

Design

Retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Setting

A single primary–tertiary medical centre in Japan.

Participants

From patients who underwent bronchodilator reversibility tests between January 2004 and March 2011 (n=7291), 262 consecutive patients (age, 20–34 years) with untreated intermittent adult-onset asthma, including 157 never smokers and 105 current smokers within 10 pack-years, were analysed.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was the association of the daily smoking frequency (number of cigarettes per day), smoking duration (years) and cumulative smoking history (pack-years) with postbronchodilator lung function. The secondary outcome was the association of the former three smoking parameters with AHR.

Results

The daily smoking frequency, smoking duration and cumulative smoking history were significantly associated with decreased postbronchodilator lung function. Daily smoking of ≥11 cigarettes per day was also associated with marked AHR (OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.03 to 4.80), even after adjustment for age, sex, disease duration and body mass index.

Conclusion

Short-term active smoking in early adulthood may be associated with decreased lung function and AHR, even in patients with intermittent adult-onset asthma. Our findings suggest a benefit of never smoking, even for young patients with intermittent adult-onset asthma.