bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pyroptotic and non‐pyroptotic effector functions of caspase‐11
Authors: Abu Khweek Arwa , Amer Amal O. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractInnate immune cells, epithelial cells, and many other cell types are capable of detecting infection or tissue injury, thus mounting regulated immune response. Inflammasomes are highly sophisticated and effective orchestrators of innate immunity. These oligomerized multiprotein complexes are at the center of various innate immune pathways, including modulation of the cytoskeleton, production and maturation of cytokines, and control of bacterial growth and cell death. Inflammasome assembly often results in caspase‐1 activation, which is an inflammatory caspase that is involved in pyroptotic cell death and release of inflammatory cytokines in response to pathogen patterns and endogenous danger stimuli. However, the nature of stimuli and inflammasome components are diverse. Caspase‐1 activation mediated release of mature IL‐1β and IL‐18 in response to canonical stimuli initiated by NOD‐like receptor (NLR), and apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC). On the other hand, caspase‐11 delineates a non‐canonical inflammasome that promotes pyroptotic cell death and non‐pyroptotic functions in response to non‐canonical stimuli. Caspase‐11 in mice and its homologues in humans (caspase‐4/5) belong to caspase‐1 family of cysteine proteases, and play a role in inflammation. Knockout mice provided new genetic tools to study inflammatory caspases and revealed the role of caspase‐11 in mediating septic shock in response to lethal doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Recognition of LPS mediates caspase‐11 activation, which promotes a myriad of downstream effects that include pyroptotic and non‐pyroptotic effector functions. Therefore, the physiological functions of caspase‐11 are much broader than its previously established roles in apoptosis and cytokine maturation. Inflammation induced by exogenous or endogenous agents can be detrimental and, if excessive, can result in organ and tissue damage. Consequently, the existence of sophisticated mechanisms that tightly regulate the specificity and sensitivity of inflammasome pathways provides a fine‐tuning balance between adequate immune response and minimal tissue damage. In this review, we summarize effector functions of caspase‐11.
Host Defense Deficiency in Newborn Nonhuman Primate Lungs
Authors: Cheung Anthony T.W. , Kurland Geoffrey , Miller Michael E. , Ford Elizabeth W. , Ayin Susan A. , Walsh Erin M. 
Published: August 2020

We have investigated two major aspects of the pulmonary host defense mechanism—alveolar macrophage function as a “first line of bacterial defense” and induced neutrophil migration into the lung as a “back‐up defense.” Chemotactic and phagocytic/killing assays revealed a functional deficiency in the alveolar macrophages of newborn primates. Serial bronchoalveolar lavage investigations revealed diminished neutrophil migration into the newborn primate lung. The overall pulmonary host defense capability in newborn primates was deficient.The results of this investigation may have direct clinical relevance to the susceptibility of newborns to infections and pneumonia.
In situ investigation of phosphonate retarder interaction in oil well cements at elevated temperature and pressure conditions
Authors: Kupwade‐Patil Kunal , Boul Peter J. , Rasner Diana K. , Lapidus Saul H. , Leao Juscelino B. , Johnson Kenneth D. , Thaemlitz Carl J. , Büyüköztürk Oral 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe effect of a high‐performance retarding additive in oil well cements was investigated under elevated temperature (165°C) and pressure (1000 psi) conditions via in situ synchrotron‐based X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and quasielastic neutron scattering (QENS) techniques. Under these temperature and pressure conditions, crystalline calcium silicate hydrates (C–S–H) are formed through the cement hydration process. From in situ XRD experiments, the retardation effect was observed by a change in the rate of the appearance of 11 Å tobermorites as well as a change in the rate of the α‐C2SH generation and depletion. QENS analysis revealed that the retardation effect was related to the non‐conversion of free water to chemical and constrained water components. A high presence of free water components was attributed to a decrease in 11 Å tobermorites along with slower consumption of the quartz and portlandite phases. Furthermore, QENS results infer that the water molecules experienced confinement in the restricted pore spaces. The retarder inhibited this initial water confinement by slowing the bulk diffusion of free water in the confined region.
Strategic deviance and cash holdings
Authors: Dong Xueyan , Chan Kam C. , Cui Yujia , Guan Jenny Xinjiao 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe examine the impact of strategic deviance on corporate cash holdings and find that firms with strategies that deviate from their industry peers hold more cash. This pattern can be consistent with an agency motive, a precautionary motive, or both. We show that the value of cash holdings decreases with strategic deviance and that the cash effect of strategic deviance increases with agency costs but not with financial constraints, consistent with an agency motive. Finally, we find that strategically deviant firms pay lower dividends and avoid more taxes, both of which can potentially contribute to cash holdings. We conclude that strategically deviant firms hold more cash due to an agency motive.
Protective effects of isoquercitrin on streptozotocin‐induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Chen Lei , Feng Peimin , Peng Anjiao , Qiu Xiangmiao , Lai Wanling , Zhang Lin , Li Wanling 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by irreversible and progressive memory loss and has no effective treatment. Recently, many small molecule nature products have been identified with neuroprotective functions and shown beneficial effects to AD patients. In the current study, we thus performed a small scale screening to determine the protective effects of natural compounds on streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced neurotoxicity and Alzheimer's disease (AD). We found that a lead flavonoid compound, isoquercitrin (ISO) display the most effective anti‐cytotoxic activities via inhibiting STZ‐induced apoptosis, mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress. Treatment with ISO largely rescues STZ‐induced differentiation inhibition and enhances neurite outgrowth of Neuro2a (N2a) cells in vitro. Moreover, oral administration of ISO protects hippocampal neurons from STZ‐induced neurotoxicity and significantly improves the cognitive and behavioural impairment in STZ‐induced AD rats. In general, our screening identifies ISO as an effective therapeutic candidate against STZ‐induced neurotoxicity and AD‐like changes.
Dietary fiber intake and risk of type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population: The Hisayama Study
Authors: Kimura Yasumi , Yoshida Daigo , Hirakawa Yoichiro , Hata Jun , Honda Takanori , Shibata Mao , Sakata Satoko , Uchida Kazuhiro , Kitazono Takanari , Ninomiya Toshiharu 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe investigation of the influence of dietary fiber intake on the incidence of type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population.Materials and MethodsA total of 1,892 individuals aged 40–79 years without diabetes at baseline were prospectively followed up for 14 years. The glucose tolerance status of participants was defined by a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test with the 1998 World Health Organization criteria. Dietary fiber intake was estimated by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and divided to quintile levels separately by sex. A Cox proportional hazards model was applied for computing the hazard ratios and their 95% confidence intervals for the incidence of diabetes.ResultsDuring the follow‐up period, 280 participants had developed diabetes. The age‐adjusted cumulative diabetes incidence decreased significantly with higher total dietary fiber intake (P‐for trend = 0.01). Participants in the highest quintile of total dietary fiber intake had a 0.53‐fold (95% confidence interval 0.31–0.90) lower risk of developing diabetes than those in the lowest quintile after for the adjustment with potential confounding factors. Total dietary fiber intake showed a moderate positive correlation to the intake of soybean and soybean products, green vegetables, and other vegetables. Similar associations with diabetes and food sources were observed for both of the soluble and insoluble dietary fiber intake.ConclusionsThe present study showed that higher dietary fiber intake was associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population. The intake of high dietary fiber foods might be useful for diabetes prevention.
Molecular identification of Bactrocera passiflorae (Diptera: Tephritidae): Challenge and solution for DNA barcoding
Authors: Li Dongmei , McCarthy Bede , Gunawardana Disna N. , Waite David W. , Anderson Diane , George Sherly 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFruit flies cause significant damage to crop and fruit production worldwide. Therefore, it is essential to identify these organisms to species level; however, immature stages are often impossible to be identified morphologically; thus, the application of DNA barcoding has greatly assisted in species identification. Nuclear, mitochondrial pseudo‐COI (NUMT) can be co‐amplified with mitochondrial DNA when using generic primers and therefore impair the efficacy of DNA barcoding. This study detected two types of NUMTs from Bactrocera passiflorae, one of them is novel. Therefore, the new finding will assist future species identification by avoiding misidentification using ambiguous NUMT sequences. In addition, this study has developed primers to target the COI gene of B. passiflorae, not the NUMT copies. The newly designed primers have demonstrated its efficiency in amplifying the Mt‐COI of B. passiflorae and can be used in routine diagnostics.
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Functional Decline in Alzheimerʼs Disease and Lewy Body Dementia
Authors: Borda Miguel Germán , Aarsland Dag , Tovar‐Rios Diego Alejandro , Giil Lasse M. , Ballard Clive , Gonzalez Maria Camila , Brønnick Kolbjørn , Alves Guido , Oppedal Ketil , Soennesyn Hogne , Vik‐Mo Audun Osland 
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESFunctional status is one of the most important markers of well‐being in older adults, but the drivers of functional decline in dementia are not well known. The aim of our work was to study the association of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) with functional decline over 5 years in newly diagnosed people with Alzheimer´s disease (AD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD).DESIGNSecondary analysis of the Dementia Study of Western Norway longitudinal cohort study.SETTINGMulticenter study conducted in memory clinics in western Norway.PARTICIPANTSWe included a total of 196 patients newly diagnosed with AD (n = 111) and LBD (n = 85), followed up annually for 5 years.MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESThe outcome was the rapid disability rating scale (items 1–13). Linear mixed‐effects models were used for analysis with the total score of the Norwegian Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) as a predictor measured either at baseline or longitudinally, adjusted for potential confounders, including cognition. Effect modification was checked by introducing interactions with NPI score and stratifying by diagnosis.RESULTSThe total NPI score longitudinal course was associated with functional decline in both AD and LBD. At baseline, the total NPI score predicted functional decline in AD.CONCLUSIONNPSs were associated with the rate of functional decline in people with AD and LBD, independent of cognitive impairment. These results highlight the relevance of early detection and intervention of NPSs, which may also reduce functional decline. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2257–2263, 2020.
Hyaluronic acid‐based two‐stage medical therapy to unfold the aged face: The centrifugal approach
Authors: Di Gregorio Carlo , Rogers John , D’Arpa Salvatore 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundFacial aging is a multifactorial process characterized by structural changes to the dermis and ligaments, lipoatrophy in the fat pads and hypodermis, remodeling of the bony skeleton, change in muscle tonicity and tissue descent.AimsThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a hyaluronic acid‐based treatment for the aging face that addresses all its causes in a caudal to cranial and medial to lateral direction: the centrifugal technique.MethodsBetween March 2015 and January 2018, 187 patients were treated with a high G’ hyaluronic acid in two sessions, one/two weeks apart, to improve signs of facial aging, starting from the lower centrofacial area and progressing laterally and cranially. Results were assessed using a Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) judging pre‐ and post‐treatment (32 weeks) pictures.ResultsThe technique effectively treated the aging face. The investigator and all patients evaluated the results improved or very much improved and agreed that the results were very natural looking.ConclusionUse of a systematic centrifugal technique to address the signs of facial aging resulted in significant and long‐lasting improvement, as judged by the investigator and high patient acceptance and satisfaction.
Environmental responsibility in nursing in hospitals: A modified Delphi study of nurses' views
Authors: Kallio Hanna , Pietilä Anna‐Maija , Kangasniemi Mari 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo identify nurses' views on environmentally responsible clinical practices, and to examine their consensus regarding the stakeholders and their roles and tools needed to promote, and enable, environmental responsibility in clinical practice.BackgroundUsing materials and energy in hospitals has a negative impact on the environment and people's environmental health. Research on decreasing this burden in clinical practice is sparse.DesignA modified Delphi method with two rounds.MethodsData were collected from 35 nursing staff in five Finnish university hospitals in 2019. The first‐round data were collected with semi‐structured interviews in small groups and subjected to content analysis. The second‐round data were collected with an Internet‐based questionnaire from 27 of those participants and statistically analysed. The CREDES checklist was used.ResultsAccording to nurses, environmentally responsible clinical practices focus on effective material and energy use. Material use focused on sustainable and cooperative purchasing, considerate use of products and minimising waste and idle electricity and reducing water and transport use. The tools needed to promote, and enable, environmental responsibility in clinical practice were staff inducements and training and certain resources and guidance. All the hospital health and support service staff needed to commit to collaboration.ConclusionsIt is important to address stakeholders' roles in environmental responsibility in hospitals. Environmental aims should be firm and visible, and nurses should have the relevant competencies. They also need sufficient time to develop environmental initiatives and proper facilities to carry out their work with a minimal environmental burden. Providing staff feedback and rewards for their environmental efforts is beneficial for engagement.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study will help nurses to identify their needs and opportunities to realise and develop environmental responsibility in their practice. It can also inform hospital leaders to develop corporate environmental responsibility, including in‐service training.
Gender and Changes in Household Wealth after the Dissolution of Marriage and Cohabitation in Germany
Authors: Boertien Diederik , Lersch Philipp M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo document how changes in household wealth following the dissolution of marriage and cohabitation differ by gender in Germany.BackgroundMarital property regimes usually prescribe that both partners receive a share of the couple's wealth following a divorce. The dissolution of cohabiting unions is not governed by marital property regimes in most countries, including Germany. Because men, on average, legally own a larger share of couple wealth than women, gender differences in household wealth might be more pronounced following the dissolution of cohabitation as compared to marriage.MethodThe analysis consists of individual fixed effects regression models using longitudinal data from the German socio‐economic panel (N = 18,131 individuals) for the years 2002 to 2017.ResultsThe dissolution of marriage is negatively related to the accumulation of wealth over time and effect sizes are similar for men and women. The dissolution of cohabiting unions is related to losses in wealth for women but not for men. Models accounting for various postdissolution factors suggest that an unequal division of household wealth produces these gender differences after the dissolution of cohabitation.ConclusionWhereas the dissolution of marriage lowers household wealth for men and women alike, there are gender differences in how the dissolution of cohabiting unions affects the accumulation of wealth. Union dissolution therefore has the potential to contribute to gender inequality in household wealth.
The effect of bolus consistency on pharyngeal volume during swallowing: Kinematic analysis in three dimensions using dynamic Area Detector CT
Authors: Ito Yuriko , Inamoto Yoko , Saitoh Eiichi , Aihara Keiko , Shibata Seiko , Aoyagi Yoichiro , Kagaya Hitoshi , Palmer Jeffrey B. , Gonzalez‐Fernandez Marlis 
Published: August 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study investigated the effects of bolus consistency on pharyngeal volume during swallowing using three‐dimensional kinematic analysis.MethodsEight subjects (2 males and 6 females, mean ± SD 44 ± 10 years old) underwent a 320‐row area detector scan during swallows of 10 mL of honey‐thick liquid and thin liquid. Critical event timing (hyoid, soft palate, UES) and volume of pharyngeal cavity and bolus were measured and compared between two swallows.ResultsThe pharynx is almost completely obliterated by pharyngeal constriction against the tongue base for both consistencies. There were no significant differences in maximum volume, minimum volume and pharyngeal volume constriction ratio values between thick and thin liquids. However, the pattern of pharyngeal volume change (decrease) was different. For thick liquids, the air volume started to decrease before the onset of hyoid anterosuperior movement and decreased rapidly after onset of hyoid anterosuperior movement. During thin liquid swallowing, air volume remained relatively large throughout the swallow and started to decrease later when compared to swallowing thick liquids. At onset of UES opening, the bolus volume was not significantly different between thin and thick liquids; however, air volume was significantly larger when swallowing thin liquids, which made the total volume of the pharyngeal cavity larger.ConclusionThis difference between the two consistencies is associated with differences in tongue motion to propel the bolus and clear the pharynx from possible residue.
Chitosan and hot water treatments reduce postharvest green mould in ‘Murcott’ tangor
Authors: Da Silva Yasmim Cristina Rodrigues , Alves Raysa Maduro , da Silva Bárbara Marçon Pereira , Bron Ilana Urbano , Cia Patrícia 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the efficacy of hot water and chitosan treatments to control green mould caused by Penicillium digitatum in 'Murcott' tangor. P. digitatum conidial germination and mycelial growth were evaluated in assays in vitro to verify whether chitosan (0.5, 1 and 2%) or hot water (45, 50, and 55°C, for 30 s, 1, 2, and 5 min) acts directly on fungus development. In vivo assays consisted of inoculating the fruit with P. digitatum (105 conidia ml−1) 4 hr before the chitosan and hot water treatments. Subsequently, green mould incidence and severity were evaluated in fruits stored at 25°C/80% RH for 4 days. Also, treatments combining chitosan and hot water were investigated for controlling green mould and the effect on postharvest quality of fruit stored at 5°C/90% RH. The results showed that P. digitatum conidia germination and mycelial growth were significantly reduced by the hot water treatments especially at 50°C/5 min and 55°C/2 or 5 min in the first case and 50 and 55°C/5 min in the second. These two treatments, when applied alone, 1 min dipping in 2% chitosan or hot water at 50°C/5 min, significantly reduced green mould development in fruit kept at 25°C/80% RH or refrigerated. However, the hot water dip combined with chitosan did not improve green mould control on ‘Murcott’ tangor at room temperature or under refrigeration. Besides, chitosan and hot water did not impair fruit quality. Thus, chitosan and hot water could be an alternative to synthetic fungicides to control green mould in citrus while also contributing to a decrease in the postharvest losses of ‘Murcott’ tangor.
A comprehensive review of therapeutic approaches available for the treatment of cholera
Authors: Sousa Francisca B M , Nolêto Isabela R S G , Chaves Leticia S , Pacheco Gabriella , Oliveira Ana P , Fonseca Mikhail M V , Medeiros Jand V R 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objectives
The oral rehydration solution is the most efficient method to treat cholera; however, it does not interfere in the action mechanism of the main virulence factor produced by Vibrio cholerae, the cholera toxin (CT), and this disease still stands out as a problem for human health worldwide. This review aimed to describe therapeutic alternatives available in the literature, especially those related to the search for molecules acting upon the physiopathology of cholera.

Key findings
New molecules have offered a protection effect against diarrhoea induced by CT or even by infection from V. cholerae. The receptor regulator cystic fibrosis channel transmembrane (CFTR), monosialoganglioside (GM1), enkephalinase, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), inhibitors of expression of virulence factors and activators of ADP-ribosylarginine hydrolase are the main therapeutic targets studied. Many of these molecules or extracts still present unclear action mechanisms.

Conclusions
Knowing therapeutic alternatives and their molecular mechanisms for the treatment of cholera could guide us to develop a new drug that could be used in combination with the rehydration solution.