bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ca2+‐independent and voltage‐dependent exocytosis in mouse chromaffin cells
Authors: Moya‐Díaz José , Bayonés Lucas , Montenegro Mauricio , Cárdenas Ana M. , Koch Henner , Doi Atsushi , Marengo Fernando D. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimIt is widely accepted that the exocytosis of synaptic and secretory vesicles is triggered by Ca2+ entry through voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels. However, there is evidence of an alternative mode of exocytosis induced by membrane depolarization but lacking Ca2+ current and intracellular Ca2+ increase. In this work we investigated if such a mechanism contributes to secretory vesicle exocytosis in mouse chromaffin cells.MethodsExocytosis was evaluated by patch‐clamp membrane capacitance measurements, carbon fibre amperometry and TIRF. Cytosolic Ca2+ was estimated using epifluorescence microscopy and fluo‐8 (salt form).ResultsCells stimulated by brief depolatizations in absence of extracellular Ca+2 show moderate but consistent exocytosis, even in presence of high cytosolic BAPTA concentration and pharmacological inhibition of Ca+2 release from intracellular stores. This exocytosis is tightly dependent on membrane potential, is inhibited by neurotoxin Bont‐B (cleaves the v‐SNARE synaptobrevin), is very fast (saturates with time constant <10 ms), it is followed by a fast endocytosis sensitive to the application of an anti‐dynamin monoclonal antibody, and recovers after depletion in <5 s. Finally, this exocytosis was inhibited by: (i) ω‐agatoxin IVA (blocks P/Q‐type Ca2+ channel gating), (ii) in cells from knock‐out P/Q‐type Ca2+ channel mice, and (iii) transfection of free synprint peptide (interferes in P/Q channel‐exocytic proteins association).ConclusionWe demonstrated that Ca2+‐independent and voltage‐dependent exocytosis is present in chromaffin cells. This process is tightly coupled to membrane depolarization, and is able to support secretion during action potentials at low basal rates. P/Q‐type Ca2+ channels can operate as voltage sensors of this process.
Effect of parity number on the dry matter intake of dairy cows during the first week after calving
Authors: Reshalaitihan Maimaiti , Wynn Syaw , Teramura Makoto , Sato Tadashi , Hanada Masaaki 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe investigated the effect of parity number on the dry matter intake (DMI) of cows during the first week after calving. Eighty‐three cows were evaluated from 14 days before to 7 days after calving. DMI and milk yield were measured for 7 days after calving, and the calving score was measured. Blood samples were collected throughout the experiment. The average DMI during the first week after calving was reduced in the first‐lactation heifers and high‐parity number cows. A quadratic relationship between the parity number and the DMI was observed. The first‐lactation heifers had lower prepartum serum total protein (TP) concentration and milk yield, higher prepartum serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration and calving score than the multiparous cows. The recovery rate of serum calcium (Ca) after calving was slow in the cows in the parity 6. The DMI was positively affected by the serum Ca concentration after calving, milk yield, and prepartum serum TP concentration and was negatively affected by the calving score and prepartum serum NEFA concentration. We conclude that the DMI immediately after calving tends to be lower in first‐lactation heifers and high‐parity number cows, but factors that reduce the DMI differ according to parity number.
The neuroprotective role of microglial cells against amyloid beta‐mediated toxicity in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures
Authors: Richter Maren , Vidovic Natascha , Biber Knut , Dolga Amalia , Culmsee Carsten , Dodel Richard 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDuring Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression, microglial cells play complex roles and have potentially detrimental as well as beneficial effects. The use of appropriate model systems is essential for characterizing and understanding the roles of microglia in AD pathology. Here, we used organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSCs) to investigate the impact of microglia on amyloid beta (Aβ)‐mediated toxicity. Neurons in OHSCs containing microglia were not vulnerable to cell death after 7 days of repeated treatment with Aβ1‐42 oligomer‐enriched preparations. However, when clodronate was used to remove microglia, treatment with Aβ1‐42 resulted in significant neuronal death. Further investigations indicated signs of endoplasmic reticulum stress and caspase activation after Aβ1‐42 challenge only when microglia were absent. Interestingly, microglia provided protection without displaying any classic signs of activation, such as an amoeboid morphology or the release of pro‐inflammatory mediators (e.g., IL‐6, TNF‐α, NO). Furthermore, depleting microglia or inhibiting microglial uptake mechanisms resulted in significant more Aβ deposition compared to that observed in OHSCs containing functional microglia, suggesting that microglia efficiently cleared Aβ. Because inhibiting microglial uptake increased neuronal cell death, the ability of microglia to engulf Aβ is thought to contribute to its protective properties. Our study argues for a beneficial role of functional ramified microglia whereby they act against the accumulation of neurotoxic forms of Aβ and support neuronal resilience in an in situ model of AD pathology.
Quantitative analysis of spectral Doppler clicks in assessment of aortic stenosis
Authors: White Brent , Wessel Sean , Zheng Weili , Gonzalez Daniel , Sovari Ali , Konda Sreenivas , Frazin Leon 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectivesThis study was performed to evaluate an additional echocardiographic spectral Doppler marker, which would identify severe aortic stenosis (AS).BackgroundEchocardiography is most commonly utilized to assess AS and has been validated against invasive measurements. However, the data obtained are not always in agreement, leaving a conundrum regarding the true severity of AS and can lead to other diagnostic procedures. This highlights the importance of improved noninvasive diagnostic techniques.MethodsForty‐eight indeterminate cases of calcific AS that had been previously evaluated by both echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were included in the study, using cardiac catheterization as the gold standard for calculation of aortic valve area (AVA). The intensity of opening and closing of the aortic valve, represented by bright vertical deflections on the CW spectral waveform, was quantified using ImageJ software to generate pixel intensity histograms to create opening and closing click (OC and CC) ratios. These ratios were compared with echocardiographic variables and catheterization AVA.ResultsThirty‐five patients were found to have severe AS and 13 patients were found to have nonsevere AS, as assessed by cardiac catheterization. CC ratio was found to be a significant predictor of severe AS with an OR 0.024 (95% CI: 0.002‐0.378, P = .0079). Adding CC to a model using standard echocardiographic parameters resulted in significant improvement in the C‐statistic (0.693 to 0.835, P = .0134).ConclusionsAn additional Doppler marker measuring the aortic valve CC ratio has been found to improve detection of severe AS.
Why do stock repurchases change over time?
Authors: Hsu Yuan‐Teng , Huang Chia‐Wei 
Published: November 2019

AbstractRecent studies have shown the time trends of firm stock repurchase behavior. We examine these time changes for stock repurchase through the lens of real activities earnings management. Managers appear more likely to manipulate earnings through stock repurchases since the passage of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX) in 2002. Furthermore, suspect firms that just missed analyst earnings per share forecasts have higher incentives to manipulate earnings through stock repurchases. The results are not driven by changes in corporate governance associated with the passage of SOX. Overall, our results suggest earnings management can be a significant determinant of the dynamics of stock repurchases.
Divorced Fathers' Perceptions of Parental Disclosures to Children
Authors: Kang Youngjin , Ganong Lawrence 
Published: November 2019

ObjectiveTo examine divorced fathers' views about the appropriateness of disclosures and explore their disclosure strategies.BackgroundParental disclosures are common occurrences in the context of divorce; they may be harmful or beneficial depending on what information is disclosed and how parents disclose to their children. However, relatively little is known about divorced fathers' perceptions of parental disclosures to children.MethodIn‐depth qualitative interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 20 divorced fathers who had children between 10 and 18 years of age. Data were analyzed by using a strategy called interpretive description, which borrows from other qualitative approaches while allowing researchers to pragmatically apply various techniques to their applied research questions.ResultsThere generally was consensus among fathers about which subjects should and should not be shared with children. Fathers perceived their own disclosures to be more appropriate than similar disclosures made by others, including their coparents. Fathers used three primary approaches for managing how much information to disclose with their children: (a) transparency (i.e., being open as possible); (b) limiting (i.e., restricting verbal and nonverbal communications); and (c) concealment (i.e., completely hiding information from children).ConclusionHow divorced fathers evaluate parental disclosures is important to guide their own disclosures and strategies.ImplicationTo better understand parental disclosures after divorce, there needs to be more research on parental disclosures. Practitioners and parent educators should help divorced parents carefully evaluate their own disclosures to establish clear and healthy communication boundaries with their children and coparents.
When state‐level institutions cannot tell the whole story: An inquiry into municipal variations in quality of government
Authors: Erlingsson Gissur Ó. , Lundåsen Susanne Wallman 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe lion's share of comparative research on corruption, good governance, and quality of government (QoG) has been cross‐country. However, a growing body of literature has begun to explore within‐country variations observed at the subnational level regarding corruption and social trust. The existence of such variations implies that state‐level institutions are not capable of telling the entire story and that quality of subnational‐level institutions might be important determinants of within‐country variations regarding, for instance, trust. This article delves into the Swedish case, an egalitarian country that scores high in international indices on lack of corruption and social trust; hence, a “least likely case” of subnational variations in both QoG and trust. Using two unique data sets, we find variations in both municipal QoG and social trust. In line with theory, we find that “local QoG” is associated with individual levels of community trust. This finding—in a low‐corrupt, high‐trust egalitarian society—strengthens the universality of the QoG‐perspective.
An Interview with Chris Skinner
Authors: Haziza David , Smith Paul A. 
Published: November 2019

SummaryChris Skinner was born in London on 12 March 1953. He completed a BA in mathematics in 1975 at the University of Cambridge. He then obtained an MSc degree in statistics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 1976 and worked as an assistant statistician in the Central Statistical Office for 1 year. After working as a research assistant in LSE from 1977 to 1978, he joined the University of Southampton as a lecturer in 1978, where he earned a PhD in social statistics in 1982. He remained at the University of Southampton, where he became a senior lecturer in 1989 and professor of statistics in 1994. While serving as the head of his department from 1997 to 2000, he played a crucial role in the creation of an MSc programme in official statistics in 1999. In 2011, he returned to the LSE, where he currently holds the position of professor of statistics. Chris is the author of over 80 peer‐reviewed articles in statistical journals and the co‐editor of two influential books on the analysis of survey data. He made significant research contributions covering areas that include the analysis of survey data, inference in the presence of non‐response and measurement errors and statistical disclosure control. He served on several advisory committees, including the Statistical Methods Advisory Committee at Statistics Canada (from 2000 to 2011) and the National Statistics Methodology Advisory Committee in the United Kingdom (from 2001 to 2010). He has received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to survey sampling and social statistics. He is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association, Fellow of the British Academy and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. In 2009, he received the West Medal from the Royal Statistical Society for contributions to social statistics, and in 2010, he was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. In 2019, he also received the Waksberg award to recognize his contributions to survey methodology. The following conversation took place at LSE on 21 May 2019.
Effect of eHealth cardiac rehabilitation on health outcomes of coronary heart disease patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Su Jing Jing , Yu Doris Sau Fung , Paguio Jenniffer Torralba 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the effects of eHealth cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on health outcomes of coronary heart disease patients and to identify programme design, which may lead to more effective health benefits.DesignA systematic review and meta‐analysis following Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.Data sourcesMedline, EMBASE, CLNAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails, PubMed and CNKI were searched over the period from 1806 to April 2019.Review methodsA systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials to examine the effect of eHealth CR on health outcomes of coronary heart disease patients. We used RevMan 5.3 for risk of bias assessment and meta‐analysis and GRADE software for generating findings.ResultsIn all, 14 trials with 1,783 participants were included. eHealth CR has significantly promoted duration of physical activity, daily steps, quality of life (QoL) and re‐hospitalization. Using comparative analysis of programme design elements, including mode of delivery, intervention content, motivational strategies and social support, between the effective and ineffective eHealth CR, it was found that comprehensive empowerment strategies and follow‐up care by tele‐monitoring may be the crucial characteristics leading to more favourable treatment effect.ConclusioneHealth CR is effective in engaging patients in active lifestyle, improving QoL and reducing re‐hospitalization. Future research needs to test the effects of comprehensive CR programmes by incorporating empowerment strategies and tele‐monitoring as active components.ImpacteHealth has been increasingly applied to increase accessibility and uptake of CR. Integrative evidence to indicate its effects on health outcomes is lacking. This review identified its positive effects on some behavioural, psychosocial and health service use outcomes. Together with insights about which programme design elements may positively shape the outcomes, this review informs the role and practice of cardiovascular nurses in promoting evidence‐based eHealth CR.
Evidence on the causal link between homocysteine and hypertension from a meta‐analysis of 40 173 individuals implementing Mendelian randomization
Authors: Fu Liwan , Li Ya‐nan , Luo Dongmei , Deng Shufang , Wu Baihui , Hu Yue‐Qing 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNumerous researchers have investigated the associations among methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism, homocysteine (Hcy) concentration, and hypertension. However, the results are controversial. Thus, a meta‐analysis implementing Mendelian randomization approach was conducted to examine the hypothesis that elevated Hcy concentration plausibly contributes to increased risk of hypertension. Based on several inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible studies were selected to explore the correlation between MTHFR C677T and hypertension risk, MTHFR C677T and Hcy concentration in hypertension, and Hcy concentration and hypertension, and they were evaluated by odds ratios (ORs), effect size (ES), and standard mean difference with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), respectively. Moreover, Mendelian randomization was implemented to evaluate the relationship between Hcy and hypertension. Consequently, 14 378 cases and 25 795 controls were involved in this study and the results showed that MTHFR C677T led to an elevated risk of hypertension (for T vs C: OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.17‐1.37; for TT vs CC: OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.30‐1.79). Additionally, in hypertensive subjects, the pooled Hcy concentration in individuals of TT genotype was 7.74 μmol/L (95% CI: 5.25‐10.23) greater than that in individuals of CC genotype. Moreover, the pooled Hcy concentration in hypertensive was 0.69 μmol/L (95% CI: 0.50‐0.87) greater than that in controls. The estimated causal OR associated with hypertension was 1.32 for 5 μmol/L Hcy increment. Via MTHFR C677T polymorphism, the findings in the present study demonstrated that there exists evidence on causal link between Hcy concentration and the risk of hypertension.
Cigarette smoke‐induced HMGB1 translocation and release contribute to migration and NF‐κB activation through inducing autophagy in lung macrophages
Authors: Le Yanqing , Wang Yanhong , Zhou Lu , Xiong Jing , Tian Jieyu , Yang Xia , Gai Xiaoyan , Sun Yongchang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHigh‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) shows pro‐inflammatory activity in various inflammatory diseases and has been found up‐regulated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Lung macrophages play an important role in airway inflammation and lung destruction in COPD, yet whether HMGB1 is involved in cigarette smoke (CS)‐induced lung macrophage dysfunction is unknown. We sought to evaluate the intracellular localization and release of HMGB1 in lung macrophages from COPD patients and CS‐exposed mice, and to investigate the role of HMGB1 in regulating autophagy in CS extract (CSE)‐treated lung macrophages (MH‐S cells). Our results showed that HMGB1 was highly expressed in lung tissues and sera of COPD patients and CS‐exposed mice, along with predominantly cytoplasmic exporting from nuclei in lung macrophages. In vitro experiments revealed that CSE promoted the expression, nucleocytoplasmic translocation and release of HMGB1 partly via the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Blockade of HMGB1 with chicken anti‐HMGB1 polyclonal antibody (anti‐HMGB1) or glycyrrhizin (Gly) attenuated the increase of LC3B‐II and Beclin1, migration and p65 phosphorylation, suggesting the involvement of HMGB1 in autophagy, migration and NF‐κB activation of lung macrophages. Hydroxychloroquine (CQ), an autophagy inhibitor, enhanced the increase of LC3B‐II but not Beclin1 in CSE or rHMGB1‐treated MH‐S cells, and inhibition of autophagy by CQ and 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) abrogated the migration and p65 phosphorylation of CSE‐treated cells. These results indicate that CS‐induced HMGB1 translocation and release contribute to migration and NF‐κB activation through inducing autophagy in lung macrophages, providing novel evidence for HMGB1 as a potential target of intervention in COPD.
Anemia prevalence and its impact on health‐related quality of life in Indian diabetic kidney disease patients: Evidence from a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hussain Salman , Habib Anwar , Najmi Abul Kalam 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to determine the prevalence, predictors of anemia, and its impact on health‐related quality of life among diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients.MethodsPatients with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and had any stages of CKD (stages I to IV), based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were enrolled in the study. Anemia was defined using the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria and quality of life was assessed using the EQ‐5D scale. All the statistical analysis was performed using SAS v9.4.ResultsA total of 323 patients completed the study. The mean ± SD age of patients was 56 ± 11.25 years, and 51.7% were female. Mean duration of diabetes was 9.6 ± 4.57 years. A total of 227 (70.27%) had anemia as per the WHO criteria. Linear association was observed between the eGFR and hemoglobin. After controlling for the possible confounders in multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (odds ratio [OR]: 2.46 [95% CI: 1.16 to 5.28], P = .021), diabetes duration (OR: 1.53 [95% CI: 1.04 to 2.25], P = .022), and CKD stage III (OR: 3.63 [95% CI: 0.99 to 13.32], P = .004) were found to be significantly associated with the anemia. Consistently lower EQ‐5D index values were observed for the anemic group.ConclusionThis study reported a high prevalence of anemia and impaired quality of life among DKD patients. Routine screening of anemia can be the most preventive measure to deal with this burdening co‐morbid condition.
Effect of moisture content on the engineering properties of Jamun (Syzgium cuminii) seed
Authors: Bajpai Ayushi , Kumar Yogesh , Singh Himani , Prabhakar Pramod K. , Meghwal Murlidhar 
Published: November 2019

AbstractEngineering properties as a function of moisture content are important for food processing and equipment designing, assessment of other properties, and for the product quality determination. Different engineering properties of Jamun seeds depending upon the moisture content in the range of 11.54 to 26% (db) were studied. It was noted that various properties like, length (L), breadth (B), thickness (T), and geometric mean diameter (Dg) increased linearly with increasing moisture content. The seed surface area (Sa), seed volume (V), thousand seed mass (M1000), increased from 220.5 to 303.2 mm2, 257.2–443.7 mm3, 0.28–0.37 kg, respectively, with increasing moisture content. As the moisture content increased, bulk density (ρb) and true density (ρt) decreased from 899.33 to 778.66 and 1,270.89 to 1077.75 kg/m3, respectively, while porosity increased nonlinearly from 26.2 to 27.7%. With the increased moisture in seeds, the angle of repose increased linearly from 27.4 to 33.5°. Static coefficient of friction also increased from 0.23 to 0.40, 0.29 to 0.42, and 0.57 to 0.73 for glass, cardboard and plywood surfaces, respectively, with the increasing moisture content.Practical ApplicationsThe physical properties of Jamun seeds will be helpful in machine designing for industrial processing and fabrication of postharvest handling equipment like sorter, grader, collector, dryer, pulper, and grinder. These properties may help in designing of grinding, packaging machines, and storage structures.