bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The concurrent exposure to aluminium and fructose induces liver injury in rats: Protection by monoammonium glycyrrhizinate
Authors: Zakaria Sarah , Hasan Rehab A. , Mahmoud Mona F. , El Fayoumi Hassan M. , Mahmoud Amr A. A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAluminium is a ubiquitous element that occurs naturally in the soil making human exposure to it unavoidable. It is implicated in the aetiology of different neurodegenerative diseases and can induce liver injury. In addition, insulin resistance (IR) plays an essential role in the pathogenesis and the progression of liver disorders. The increased consumption of fructose contained in soft drinks and western pattern diet results in IR that along with the wide distribution of aluminium make the concurrent exposure conceivable and increase the risk of liver injury. Therefore, the present study explores the hepatotoxic effects of aluminium and fructose administered concurrently and evaluates the possible protection by monoammonium glycyrrhizinate (MAG). Liver injury was induced by the administration of aluminium chloride (34 mg/kg/d) plus 10% (w/v) fructose in drinking water. Male rats were treated with either MAG (40 mg/kg/d) or silymarin (SIL, 100 mg/kg/d). The concurrent administration of aluminium and fructose (FRUAL) induced liver injury manifested as a significant elevation of serum liver enzymes activities, bilirubin level, and prothrombin time, as well as reduction of albumin level. On the other hand, the administration of MAG improved the FRUAL‐induced aberrations of liver function tests and hepatic cytoarchitecture. We assume that the MAG‐induced suppression of oxidative stress, toll‐like receptor 4 pathway activation, inflammation, and apoptosis might play a crucial role in the hepatoprotective effect of MAG in this model. Intriguingly, the hepatoprotective effect MAG against FRUAL‐induced liver injury surpasses that of the gold standard SIL, suggesting MAG as a better alternative to SIL.
Street Trees, the Private Finance Initiative and Participatory Regeneration: Policy Innovation or Incompatible Perspectives
Authors: Whyman Philip B. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn common with other northern cities, Sheffield has experienced a dramatic reduction in funding from central government. Its response has been twofold. Firstly, to reduce the cost of service delivery, in part through augmenting or replacing public sector service provision through transfer to voluntary bodies and/or the private sector; the latter through private finance initiative (PFI) contracts. Secondly, the local authority has sought to promote economic regeneration through increased citizen involvement and participation. The problem for this combined strategy is that the two approaches have clashed over a previously underrated and overlooked area of public provision, namely the maintenance of street trees. Issues relating to the design of the contract, the economic imperative inherent within PFI contracts, initial reaction to popular protests, and reluctance to acknowledge the authority of alternative perspectives, have combined to undermine the salience of the participatory regeneration model for key sections of the local community.
Changes of liposome and antioxidant activity in immature rice during seed development
Authors: Li Dan , Zhang Chao , Zhang Ai‐wu , Qian Li‐li , Zhang Dong‐jie 
Published: January 2020

AbstractFor the past several decades, only a few studies were conducted on the change in immature rice liposomes during seed development. To evaluate and compare the lipid material of different degrees of developing rice grains, this paper focused on fresh rice seeds from only one most popular species of Dasan divided into five growth periods. The lipid components of fresh rice, especially γ‐oryzanol and fatty acids equipped with extremely beneficial phytonutrients, were investigated. The results illustrated that the level of extracted liposome increased gradually along with the development of rice and in the third stage of development, the level of liposome achieved maximum. And then, instead of increasing, it was decreased at later stages of development. Moreover, the antioxidant activity of fresh edible rice (FER) was also evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assay. It was shown that FER has the higher antioxidant activity than the ripened rice seed on lipids, which will improve FER using on the functional foods and help provide certainly theoretical basis in food processing industry.
Prediction of pathological complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer using a deep learning (DL) method
Authors: Qu Yu‐Hong , Zhu Hai‐Tao , Cao Kun , Li Xiao‐Ting , Ye Meng , Sun Ying‐Shi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the study was to develop a deep learning (DL) algorithm to evaluate the pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.MethodsA total of 302 breast cancer patients in this retrospective study were randomly divided into a training set (n = 244) and a validation set (n = 58). Tumor regions were manually delineated on each slice by two expert radiologists on enhanced T1‐weighted images. Pathological results were used as ground truth. Deep learning network contained five repetitions of convolution and max‐pooling layers and ended with three dense layers. The pre‐NAC model and post‐NAC model inputted six phases of pre‐NAC and post‐NAC images, respectively. The combined model used 12 channels from six phases of pre‐NAC and six phases of post‐NAC images. All models above included three indexes of molecular type as one additional input channel.ResultsThe training set contained 137 non‐pCR and 107 pCR participants. The validation set contained 33 non‐pCR and 25 pCR participants. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of three models was 0.553 for pre‐NAC, 0.968 for post‐NAC and 0.970 for the combined data, respectively. A significant difference was found in AUC between using pre‐NAC data alone and combined data (P < 0.001). The positive predictive value of the combined model was greater than that of the post‐NAC model (100% vs. 82.8%, P = 0.033).ConclusionThis study established a deep learning model to predict PCR status after neoadjuvant therapy by combining pre‐NAC and post‐NAC MRI data. The model performed better than using pre‐NAC data only, and also performed better than using post‐NAC data only.Key pointsSignificant findings of the study.It achieved an AUC of 0.968 for pCR prediction. It showed a significantly greater AUC than using pre‐NAC data only.What this study addsThis study established a deep learning model to predict PCR status after neoadjuvant therapy by combining pre‐NAC and post‐NAC MRI data.
A genome‐wide significant association on chromosome 15 for congenital entropion in Swiss White Alpine sheep
Authors: Hirter N. , Letko A. , Häfliger I. M. , Becker D. , Greber D. , Drögemüller C. 
Published: January 2020

SummaryEntropion is a known congenital disorder in sheep presumed to be heritable but no causative genetic variant has been reported. Affected lambs show a variable inward rolling of the lower eyelids leading to blindness in severe cases. In Switzerland, the Swiss White Alpine (SWA) breed showed a significantly higher prevalence for entropion than other breeds. A GWAS using 150 SWA sheep (90 affected lambs and 60 controls), based on 600k SNP data, revealed a genome‐wide significant signal on chromosome 15. The 0.2 Mb associated region contains functional candidate genes, SMTNL1 and CTNND1. Pathogenic variants in human CTNND1 cause blepharocheilodontic syndrome 2, a rare disorder including eyelid anomalies, and SMTNL1 regulates contraction and relaxation of skeletal and smooth muscle. WGS of a single entropion‐affected lamb revealed two private missense variants in SMTNL1 and CTNND1. Subsequent genotyping of both variants in 231 phenotyped SWA sheep was performed. The SMTNL1 variant p.(Asp452Asn) affects an evolutionary conserved residue within an important domain and represents a rare allele, which occurred also in controls. The p.(Glu943Lys) variant in CTNND1 represents a common variant unlikely to cause entropion as the mutant allele occurred more frequently in non‐affected sheep. Therefore, we propose that these protein‐changing variants are unlikely to explain the phenotype. Additionally, WGS of three further disconcordant pairs of full siblings was carried out but revealed no obvious causative variant. Finally, we conclude that entropion represents a more complex disease caused by different non‐coding regulatory variants.
Interventions supporting caregiver readiness when caring for patients with dementia following discharge home: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Pritchard Elizabeth , Cussen Amy , Delafosse Veronica , Swift Miriam , Jolliffe Laura , Yeates Harriet 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo explore programs and information provided to caregivers of inpatients with dementia to assist with readiness to provide care following discharge.MethodsA mixed‐methods systematic review with meta‐analysis was conducted. Search terms included dementia, inpatient, caregiver, anxiety, discharge and counselling.ResultsThe search yielded 1938 studies (six databases), 13 met the inclusion criteria. Meta‐analysis showed no statistically significant changes in anxiety, depression, burden or quality of life 3 months postintervention. Three emergent qualitative themes for staff consideration are as follows: understanding personal characteristics of both patient and caregiver; presenting an inclusive organisational culture; and providing appropriate information at all stages of admission. A Model of Caregiver Readiness was created from the qualitative results.ConclusionThe programs did not significantly decrease the outcomes measured. However, caregivers identified that inclusion at all stages during hospital admission was a vital factor to reduce stress and increase caregiver readiness.
Continuous LVAD monitoring reveals high suction rates in clinically stable outpatients
Authors: Gross Christoph , Schima Heinrich , Schlöglhofer Thomas , Dimitrov Kamen , Maw Martin , Riebandt Julia , Wiedemann Dominik , Zimpfer Daniel , Moscato Francesco 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSuction of the left ventricle can lead to potentially life‐threatening events in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients. With the resolution of currently available clinical LVAD monitoring healthcare professionals are unable to evaluate patients’ suction occurrences in detail. This study investigates occurrences and durations of suction events and their associations with tachycardia in stable outpatients. Continuous high‐resolution LVAD data from HVAD patients were analyzed in the early outpatient period for 15 days. A validated suction detection from LVAD signals was used. Suction events were evaluated as suction rates, bursts of consecutive suction beats, and clusters of suction beats. The occurrence of tachycardia was analyzed before, during, and after suction clusters. Furthermore, blood work, implant strategy, LVAD speed setting, inflow cannula position, left ventricular diameters, and adverse events were evaluated in these patients. LVAD data of 10 patients was analyzed starting at 78 ± 22 postoperative days. Individuals’ highest suction rates per hour resulted in a median of 11% (range 3%‐61%). Bursts categorized as consecutive suction beats with n = 2, n = 3‐5, n = 6‐15, and n > 15 beats were homogenously distributed with 10.3 ± 0.8% among all suction beats. Larger suction bursts were followed by shorter suction‐free periods. Tachycardia during suction occurred in 12% of all suction clusters. Significant differences in clinical parameters between individuals with high and low suction rates were only observed in left ventricular end‐diastolic and end‐systolic diameters (P < .02). Continuous high‐resolution LVAD monitoring sheds light on outpatient suction occurrences. Interindividual and intraindividual characteristics of longitudinal suction rates were observed. Longer suction clusters have higher probabilities of tachycardia within the cluster and more severe types of suction waveforms. This work shows the necessity of improved LVAD monitoring and the implementation of an LVAD speed control to reduce suction rates and their concomitant burden on the cardiovascular system.
In vitro evaluation of multi‐objective physiological control of the centrifugal blood pump
Authors: Leao Tarcisio , Utiyama Bruno , Fonseca Jeison , Bock Eduardo , Andrade Aron 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLeft ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been used as a bridge to transplantation or as destination therapy to treat patients with heart failure (HF). The inability of control strategy to respond automatically to changes in hemodynamic conditions can impact the patients’ quality of life. The developed control system/algorithm consists of a control system that harmoniously adjusts pump speed without additional sensors, considering the patient’s clinical condition and his physical activity. The control system consists of three layers: (a) Actuator speed control; (b) LVAD flow control (FwC); and (c) Fuzzy control system (FzC), with the input variables: heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), minimum pump flow, level of physical activity (data from patient), and clinical condition (data from physician, INTERMACS profile). FzC output is the set point for the second LVAD control schemer (FwC) which in turn adjusts the speed. Pump flow, MAP, and HR are estimated from actuator drive parameters (speed and power). Evaluation of control was performed using a centrifugal blood pump in a hybrid cardiovascular simulator, where the left heart function is the mechanical model and right heart function is the computational model. The control system was able to maintain MAP and cardiac output in the physiological level, even under variation of EF. Apart from this, also the rotational pump speed is adjusted following the simulated clinical condition. No backflow from the aorta in the ventricle occurred through LVAD during tests. The control algorithm results were considered satisfactory for simulations, but it still should be confirmed during in vivo tests.
Multipoint dilution hemofiltration: A new technology for maximum convective clearance
Authors: Mott Vienna L. , Finley Violet , Truslow James , Rossetti Daniel , Santos Jose , Gusman Jacob , Gimbel Alla , Rogers Miles , DiBiasio Christopher , Charest Joseph 
Published: January 2020

AbstractConvection‐based renal replacement therapies (RRTs) have the potential to improve patient outcomes when compared to diffusion‐based RRT such as hemodialysis (HD), but have limited clearance rates. We propose and characterize multipoint dilution hemofiltration (MPD‐HF), a purely convective blood purification technology which removes the fundamental filtration limit associated with convective RRT resulting in clearance rates on par with HD. In MPD‐HF, filtration of liquid and solutes occurs along the length of the hollow fibers that convey the blood, and substitution fluid is pushed into the fibers at multiple points along their length. Since multiple filtration and dilution steps are contained within one pass of the blood through the hollow fiber, the fraction of fluid that can be filtered may be increased to allow a high clearance rate that removes a wide range of toxins. In vitro tests yielded an average steady‐state filtrate fraction of 68%, exceeding commercial HDF cartridge filtrate fractions by a factor of approximately 3. The molecular weights of molecules cleared spans up to the cutoff of 66 kDa for albumin.
Prevalence of significant hepatic fibrosis using magnetic resonance elastography in a health check‐up clinic population
Authors: Kang Kyung A , Jun Dae Won , Kim Mi Sung , Kwon Heon‐Ju , Nguyen Mindie H. 
Published: January 2020

SummaryBackgroundSignificant hepatic fibrosis is associated with higher mortality. However, data on the estimated prevalence of liver fibrosis in the general population are scarce.AimTo use magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to investigate the prevalence of hepatic fibrosis in a Korean health check‐up clinic cohort.MethodsWe enrolled 2170 participants at our health check‐up clinic between January 2015 and May 2018, all of whom had MR with chemical shift technique and MRE. The primary objective was to estimate the prevalence of liver fibrosis. For generalisation, sex‐ and age‐standardised prevalence was calculated based on the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) during the period 2015‐2018.ResultsThe prevalence of F2 (≥3.0 kPa) and F3 (≥3.6 kPa) in the overall cohort was 5.1% and 1.3% respectively (sex‐ and age‐adjusted prevalence of 3.8% and 1.3%). Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) prevalence (>5% fat fraction) was 27.7% in the average risk population (after excluding alcohol use and viral hepatitis), and the prevalence of significant and advanced fibrosis in NAFLD participants was 8.0% and 1.5% respectively. In participants with diabetes, 12.5% had ≥F2 and 4.3% ≥F3. In participants with NAFLD plus diabetes, 24.1% had ≥F2 and 6.0% ≥F3. On multivariate analysis, only age, insulin, diabetes and fatty liver on MR were independently associated with significant fibrosis.ConclusionsIn a Korean health check‐up clinic setting, the prevalence of significant and advanced liver fibrosis was 5.1% and 1.3% (sex‐ and age‐adjusted prevalence of 3.8% and 1.3%). The prevalence of advanced liver fibrosis was five times higher for diabetic participants with NAFLD.
On the blue and green pigments of post‐Byzantine Greek icons
Authors: Mastrotheodoros G. P. , Beltsios K. G. , Bassiakos Y. 
Published: January 2020

In the framework of a large‐scale investigation of post‐1453 ce icons, the blue and green pigments on more than 50 works were investigated. Studied works date from the mid‐15th to the mid‐19th centuries and originate from various modern‐day Greek regions. Results indicate the use of both natural and artificial pigments; among the latter, the very poorly documented in Greek icons artificial Cu‐based blue is included. A shift as regards the use of specific pigments is reported and local trends are compared with the contemporary Western European ones. Relevant terms found in the renowned Hermeneia craftsman's handbook are also discussed in an attempt to restore pertinent misconceptions.
Effects of delaying post‐hatch feeding on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme mRNA expression in the pectoralis major muscle of newly hatched chicks
Authors: Kohrogi Rukana , Shimamoto Saki , Nakashima Kazuki , Sonoda Daichi , Ohtsuka Akira , Ijiri Daichi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractExcessive lipid peroxidation negatively affects the physiological response and meat quality of chickens. Delaying post‐hatch feeding was previously found to increase lipid peroxidation in the skeletal muscle of finishing broiler chickens. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of delayed post‐hatch feeding on lipid peroxidation and the mRNA expressions of antioxidant enzymes in the pectoralis major muscle of broiler chicks during the post‐hatching period. Newly hatched chicks either had immediate free access to feed (freely‐fed chicks) or had no access to feed from 0 to 2 days old (delayed‐fed chicks), after which both groups were fed ad libitum until 4 or 13 days old. The lipid peroxidation level was higher in the delayed‐fed than freely‐fed chicks at 2, 4, and 13 days old. At 2 days old, the mRNA expressions of Cu/Zn‐SOD, Mn‐SOD, and GPX7 were lower in the delayed‐fed than freely‐fed chicks, while catalase mRNA levels did not differ. Furthermore, at 4 and 13 days old, lower mRNA expressions of Cu/Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD were observed in the delayed‐fed than freely‐fed chicks. These results suggest that delaying post‐hatch feeding reduces the mRNA levels of Cu/Zn‐SOD and Mn‐SOD, consequently affecting muscle lipid peroxidation in chicks during subsequent growth.
Lactoferrin concentration and expression in New Zealand cows milked once or twice a day
Authors: Gedye Kristene , Notcovich Shirli , Correa‐Luna Martin , Ariyarathne Pavithra , Heiser Axel , Lopez‐Lozano Raquel , Lopez‐Villalobos Nicolas 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study evaluated the concentration and expression of lactoferrin (LF) in cows selected for once a day (OAD) milking compared to twice a day (TAD) milking. Milk samples were collected from the Massey University TAD and OAD herds. Milk traits and expression of LF and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) were analyzed with a general linear model that included the fixed effects of milking frequency, lactation number, interaction between milking frequency and lactation number, and as covariates proportion of F, heterosis F × J and deviation from the herd median calving date. Cows milked OAD produced milk with higher (p < .01) concentrations of protein and lactose than TAD milked cows. Compared to TAD cows, cows milked OAD had higher expression of the LF gene (1.40 vs. 1.29 folds, p = .03) and the IGF‐1 gene (1.69 vs. 1.48 folds, p = .007). The correlation between the expression of LF gene and the concentration of LF in milk was strong (r = .66 p < .001), but the correlation between the expression of the IGF‐1 gene and LF concentration was stronger (r = .94, p < .001). These results suggest that milking frequency affects the milk composition and expression of milk composition genes at early lactation.
Platelet and immune characteristics of immune thrombocytopaenia patients non‐responsive to therapy reveal severe immune dysregulation
Authors: Monzón Manzano Elena , Álvarez Román María Teresa , Justo Sanz Raúl , Fernández Bello Ihosvany , Hernández Diana , Martín Salces Mónica , Valor Larissa , Rivas Pollmar Isabel , Butta Nora V. , Jiménez Yuste Víctor 
Published: January 2020

SummaryMultifactorial mechanisms leading to diminished platelet counts in immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP) might condition the ability of patients with ITP to respond to treatments. Examining their platelet and immune features, we aimed to detect singular characteristics of patients with ITP who do not respond to any treatment. We studied patients with chronic primary ITP who had been without treatment, or untreated (UT‐ITP), for at least six months; included were responders to agonists of thrombopoietin receptors (TPO‐RA), patients who showed no response to first‐ and second‐line treatments (NR‐ITP), and healthy controls. Platelets from NR‐ITP patients exposed a reduced amount of sialic acid residues. Increased loss of platelet surface sialic acid residues was associated with increased platelet apoptosis. NR‐ITP patients had an increased fraction of naive lymphocyte (L) B cells and a reduced LTreg (Lymphocyte T‐regulator) subset. They also presented an anomalous monocyte and NK (Natural Killer) cells distribution. TPO‐RA‐treated patients seemed to recover an immune homeostasis similar to healthy controls. In conclusion, our results indicate a severe deregulation of the immune system of NR‐ITP. The inverse correlation between loss of sialic acid and LTreg count suggests a potential relationship between glycan composition on the platelet surface and immune response, positing terminal sugar moieties of the glycan chains as aetiopathogenic agents in ITP.