bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lipoic acid modulates inflammatory responses of monocytes and monocyte‐derived macrophages from healthy and relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Fiedler Sarah E , Spain Rebecca I , Kim Edward , Salinthone Sonemany 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling neuroinflammatory disease. Its etiology is unknown, but both oxidative stress and inflammation appear to be involved in disease pathology. Macrophages are the predominant cell type in acute inflammatory brain lesions in MS. Macrophages produce proinflammatory and toxic molecules that promote demyelination and are key players in phagocytosis/degradation of myelin sheathes. Lipoic acid (LA) is an inexpensive, endogenously produced small molecule that exhibits antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects. Treatment with LA is protective in MS and other inflammatory diseases. To examine the mechanism(s) by which LA may attenuate inflammatory lesion activity in MS, we used healthy control and MS cells to evaluate the effects of LA on levels of inflammatory cytokines, phagocytosis and the immunomodulator cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in monocytes and monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDMs). LA treatment resulted in a generally less inflammatory phenotype of monocytes and MDMs from healthy controls, and (to a lesser degree) MS donors. LA inhibited monocyte secretion of cytokines relevant to MS in monocytes, including tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β; LA effects on secretion of these cytokines in MDMs were mixed with inhibition of TNF‐α and IL‐6, but stimulation of IL‐1β, the latter perhaps as a result of altered macrophage polarization. LA inhibited phagocytosis in both monocytes and MDMs, and increased cAMP levels in monocytes. LA may modulate inflammatory cytokine secretion and phagocytosis via a cAMP‐mediated mechanism.
Effectiveness of an mHealth application to improve hypertension health literacy in India
Authors: Garner S.L. , George C.E. , Young P. , Hitchcock J. , Koch H. , Green G. , Mahid Z. , Norman G. 
Published: August 2020

AimThe purpose of this research was to determine the effectiveness of a mobile health or mHealth application to improve hypertension health literacy among vulnerable populations in India. Additionally, we sought to estimate relationships between participant knowledge on hypertension and sociodemographic variables.BackgroundThe World Health Organization advocates for the use of mobile technology to improve public health outcomes.IntroductionThe incidence of hypertension is on the rise in India, and effective and sustainable interventions are needed.MethodsA quantitative single arm pre‐test post‐test interventional and correlational design was used to test the hypertension mHealth application among participants in a limited resource setting. A paired t‐test was performed to compare pre‐ and post‐test results after participant use of the mHealth application. A regression model was used to estimate relationships between participant hypertension health literacy and sociodemographic variables.ResultsA statistically significant improvement in test scores among participants after use of the mHealth app was found. Sociodemographic characteristics such as living in an urban environment, married, increased number of people living in household and alcohol use were determined to have a statistically significant effect on improvement of test score.DiscussionResults indicated the application was effective among participants with varied literacy and health literacy levels. These findings contribute to the potential widespread scalability of the app among populations with varied demographics.ConclusionThis application provides an effective and valuable culturally tailored educational resource for nurses and other health providers to use to improve hypertension health literacy among vulnerable populations in India.Implications for Nursing Practice and Health PolicyThis study contributes to nursing and health policy by answering a call from the World Health Organization to implement and research mHealth interventions to improve health outcomes, particularly in a low and middle income country where preventive health access is limited.
What determines institutional investors' holdings in IPO firms?
Authors: Michel Allen , Oded Jacob , Shaked Israel 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWe investigate the manner in which institutional investors' investments in IPO firms are related to IPO characteristics and pre‐IPO operating performance. We find that institutions' initial holdings are strongly related to the public float (the fraction of shares floated to the public), but are unrelated to the ratio of primary‐to‐total shares issued. This suggests that institutions prefer IPOs that are associated with ownership structure change, and are indifferent to whether the motivation behind the IPO is fund raising or original owners' value liquidation. Moreover, initial institutional holdings are unrelated to commonly used measures of pre‐IPO operating performance such as return on sales and return on assets. We also find that institutions are predisposed to invest in value firms rather than growth firms.
Evidence for pre‐symptomatic transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in China
Authors: Ren Xiang , Li Yu , Yang Xiaokun , Li Zhili , Cui Jinzhao , Zhu Aiqin , Zhao Hongting , Yu Jianxing , Nie Taoran , Ren Minrui , Dong Shuaibing , Cheng Ying , Chen Qiulan , Chang Zhaorui , Sun Junling , Wang Liping , Feng Luzhao , Gao George F. , Feng Zijian , Li Zhongjie 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundBetween mid‐January and early February, provinces of mainland China outside the epicentre in Hubei province were on high alert for importations and transmission of COVID‐19. Many properties of COVID‐19 infection and transmission were still not yet established.MethodsWe collated and analysed data on 449 of the earliest COVID‐19 cases detected outside Hubei province to make inferences about transmission dynamics and severity of infection. We analysed 64 clusters to make inferences on serial interval and potential role of pre‐symptomatic transmission.ResultsWe estimated an epidemic doubling time of 5.3 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.3, 6.7) and a median incubation period of 4.6 days (95% CI: 4.0, 5.2). We estimated a serial interval distribution with mean 5.7 days (95% CI: 4.7, 6.8) and standard deviation 3.5 days, and effective reproductive number was 1.98 (95% CI: 1.68, 2.35). We estimated that 32/80 (40%) of transmission events were likely to have occurred prior to symptoms onset in primary cases. Secondary cases in clusters had less severe illness on average than cluster primary cases.ConclusionsThe majority of transmissions are occurring around illness onset in an infected person, and pre‐symptomatic transmission does play a role. Detection of milder infections among the secondary cases may be more reflective of true disease severity.
Effect of high‐altitude trekking on blood pressure and on asymmetric dimethylarginine and isoprostane production: Results from a Mount Ararat expedition
Authors: Verratti Vittore , Ferrante Claudio , Soranna Davide , Zambon Antonella , Bhandari Suwas , Orlando Giustino , Brunetti Luigi , Parati Gianfranco 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe study aimed at exploring the mechanisms behind blood pressure and heart rate changes upon acute altitude exposure utilizing urinary excretion of biochemical factors involved in cardiovascular regulation. The study was conducted on 12 lowlander native male mountain climbers, living at sea level, exposed to altitudes ranging from 1800 to 5147 m above sea level over 4 days, during their ascent to Mount Ararat (Turkey). Blood pressure (measured by oscillometric method), heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded at rest (on awakening before food intake), in hypoxic conditions at 4200 m and at sea level before and after the altitude expedition. In the same study conditions (ie before‐during‐after the expedition), first‐voided urinary samples were collected and assayed for 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F2α (8‐iso‐PGF2α) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) determination. Heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher (P < .05) at high altitude than at the sea level. Furthermore, both urinary 8‐iso‐PGF2α and ADMA were significantly elevated (P < .01) at high altitude and returned to normal levels soon after returning to sea level. A 4‐day exposure to high‐altitude hypoxia induced a temporary increase in blood pressure and heart rate, confirming previous findings. Blood pressure increase at high altitude was associated with significantly enhanced production of biochemical mediators such as 8‐iso‐PGF2α, catecholamines, and ADMA, although we could not demonstrate a direct link between these parallel significant changes probably due to the forcefully limited sample size of our study, carried out in challenging environmental conditions at very high altitude.
The identification of six risk genes for ovarian cancer platinum response based on global network algorithm and verification analysis
Authors: Xing Linan , Mi Wanqi , Zhang Yongjian , Tian Songyu , Zhang Yunyang , Qi Rui , Zhang Chunlong , Lou Ge 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOvarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer, and resistance of platinum‐based chemotherapy is the main reason for treatment failure. The aim of the present study was to identify candidate genes involved in ovarian cancer platinum response by analysing genes from homologous recombination and Fanconi anaemia pathways. Associations between these two functional genes were explored in the study, and we performed a random walk algorithm based on reconstructed gene‐gene network, including protein‐protein interaction and co‐expression relations. Following the random walk, all genes were ranked and GSEA analysis showed that the biological functions focused primarily on autophagy, histone modification and gluconeogenesis. Based on three types of seed nodes, the top two genes were utilized as examples. We selected a total of six candidate genes (FANCA, FANCG, POLD1, KDM1A, BLM and BRCA1) for subsequent verification. The validation results of the six candidate genes have significance in three independent ovarian cancer data sets with platinum‐resistant and platinum‐sensitive information. To explore the correlation between biomarkers and clinical prognostic factors, we performed differential analysis and multivariate clinical subgroup analysis for six candidate genes at both mRNA and protein levels. And each of the six candidate genes and their neighbouring genes with a mutation rate greater than 10% were also analysed by network construction and functional enrichment analysis. In the meanwhile, the survival analysis for platinum‐treated patients was performed in the current study. Finally, the RT‐qPCR assay was used to determine the performance of candidate genes in ovarian cancer platinum response. Taken together, this research demonstrated that comprehensive bioinformatics methods could help to understand the molecular mechanism of platinum response and provide new strategies for overcoming platinum resistance in ovarian cancer treatment.
Negative feedback loop of ERK/CREB/miR‐212‐3p inhibits HBeAg‐induced macrophage activation
Authors: Chen Wenjun , Bian Hongjun , Xie Xiaoyu , Yang Xia , Bi Benjun , Li Chunliu , Zhang Yuejuan , Zhu Qiang , Song Jing , Qin Chengyong , Qi Jianni 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe activation of liver macrophages is closely related to liver injury after HBV infection. Our previous results demonstrated that HBeAg played a key role in inducing macrophage activation. As we all know, miRNAs are involved in the regulation of multiple immune cell functions. Meanwhile, we have shown that miR‐155 positively regulates HBeAg‐induced macrophage activation and accelerates liver injury. Subsequently, based on our previous miRNA sequencing results, we further evaluated the role of miR‐212‐3p called ‘neurimmiR’ in HBeAg‐induced macrophages in this study. First, miR‐212‐3p expression was significantly elevated in HBeAg‐treated macrophages. Meanwhile, we found up‐regulation of miR‐212‐3p significantly decreased the production of cytokines, whereas knockdown of miR‐212‐3p held the opposite effect by gains and losses of function. Mechanically, although MAPK signal pathway, including ERK, JNK and p38, was activated in HBeAg‐induced macrophages, only ERK promoted the expression of miR‐212‐3p via transcription factor CREB, which was able to bind to the promoter of miR‐212‐3p verified by ChIP assay. Moreover, we further indicated that up‐regulated miR‐212‐3p inhibited HBeAg‐induced inflammatory cytokine production through targeting MAPK1. In conclusion, miR‐212‐3p was augmented in HBeAg‐stimulated macrophages via ERK/CREB signal pathway and the elevated miR‐212‐3p suppressed inflammatory cytokine production induced by HBeAg through targeting MAPK1.
Three periodontitis phenotypes: Bone loss patterns, antibiotic—surgical treatment and the new classification
Authors: Delatola Chryssa , Loos Bruno G. , Laine Marja L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimTo compare three periodontitis clusters (A, B and C) for alveolar bone loss (ABL) patterns, antibiotic prescriptions and surgeries and to relate them to the new classification of periodontitis.Materials and MethodsABL patterns, prescription of systemic antibiotics and the number of surgeries were retrieved for all patients (n = 353) in the clusters. Comparisons and possible predictors for antibiotics were assessed, and results also evaluated in relation to the new classification.ResultsCluster A is characterized by angular defects often affecting the first molars and localized stage III/IV grade C periodontitis. Cluster B contains mainly localized or generalized stage III/IV, grade C patients. Cluster C contains mainly patients with generalized stage III/IV grade C periodontitis. Patients in cluster A received significantly more antibiotics compared to B and C (78% vs. 23% and 17%); the predictors for antibiotic prescription were young age and localized ABL. No differences in numbers of periodontal surgeries were observed between clusters (A = 1.0 ± 1.4, B = 1.3 ± 1.4 and C = 1.3 ± 1.5).ConclusionsWithin stage III/IV grade C periodontitis, we could detect three clusters of patients. The distinct localized ABL pattern and younger age in cluster A presumably prompted clinicians to prescribe antibiotics.
Checklist validation for care provided to patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery
Authors: Batistini Hilaine Cristina , de Sant’Anna Ana Lucia Gargione Galvão , Dellacrode Giovanazzi Rosemeire Simone , Rosa de Freitas Vinicius , Martins da Costa Suelen Alves Creste , Machado Regimar Carla 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAims and objectivesWe created and validated a checklist for nursing care of patients in the immediate postoperative period of cardiac surgery.BackgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for about 30% of all deaths recorded in Brazil. There is an arsenal of clinical and surgical treatments for CVD, with a significant number of patients evolving to surgical treatment. Thus, health professionals working in the perioperative period of cardiovascular surgeries need to be updated, trained and qualified to provide adequate and safe care to patients.DesignWe developed a checklist that defined essential parameters for quality care, to ensure greater agility and patient safety.MethodsThis methodology validation study comprised two stages: checklist creation for care provided by nurses to patients in the IPO of cardiac surgery, and content validation using the Delphi method. Participants were selected through an advanced survey conducted on the Lattes Platform website of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development. The STROBE checklist was used to guide the study.ResultsThree rounds of analysis by specialists resulted in average CVIs of: 95.8% for objectivity, 97.9% for simplicity, 91.0% for clarity, 93.1% for relevance and 96.5% for variety, suggesting high agreement among specialists.ConclusionsThe checklist focused on nursing care of patients in the IPO of cardiac surgery and was validated with three topics, four categories, 16 items and 86 sub‐items of care assignments to be applied in clinical practice.Relevance to clinical practiceThis is a validated instrument that guides nurses’ actions by admitting postoperative cardiac surgery patients to the ICU based on evidence, which provides more scientific and professional support to health teams’ performance, with the objective of strengthening roles and establishing routines; thus presenting a powerful tool for planning nursing actions, providing quality care to patients, and facilitating communication between teams, thereby minimising risks.
Comparing the effect of landscape context on vascular plant and bryophyte communities in a human‐dominated landscape
Authors: McCune Jenny L. , Frendo Christina J. , Ramadan Mohammed , Baldwin Lyn K. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAimsIt is important to understand the effect of landscape context on biological communities to predict how biodiversity will be affected on human‐dominated landscapes. While many studies have tested the effects of landscape context on the species richness and composition of vascular plants, few have compared the responses of vascular plants and bryophytes on the same landscape. We sampled non‐epiphytic bryophytes and vascular plants in 184 plots to test whether three landscape context factors measured four years or four decades previously could predict bryophyte or vascular plant species richness and composition after accounting for local factors.LocationTemperate forests and oak savannahs, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.MethodsWe used model selection and comparisons to test the effects of surrounding road density, total amount of forest, and distance to the nearest forest edge on species richness, species richness of non‐disturbance‐associated species, and community composition after controlling for important local predictors including substrate availability and topography.ResultsThe species richness of non‐disturbance‐associated vascular plants was lower in plots with greater surrounding historical road density, and perennial stayer bryophyte richness declined with increasing historical road density and lower historical forest amount, suggesting a potential extinction debt. Landscape context significantly affected total species richness and community composition of vascular plants, but not bryophytes.ConclusionWhile bryophytes appear to be less sensitive overall to landscape context than vascular plants, disturbance‐intolerant perennial stayer bryophytes may decline in the future in response to the increased road density and loss of forest cover that has occurred over the past four decades.
Regional resilience analysis: A multiscale approach to optimize the resilience of interdependent infrastructure
Authors: Sharma Neetesh , Tabandeh Armin , Gardoni Paolo 
Published: August 2020

AbstractReducing hazard‐induced disruptions to infrastructure functionality is cardinal to regional resilience. Specifically, effective strategies to enhance regional resilience require: (a) developing mathematical models for infrastructure recovery; (b) quantifying resilience associated with the developed recovery process; and (c) developing a computationally manageable approach for resilience optimization. This paper proposes a rigorous mathematical formulation to model recovery, quantify resilience, and optimize the resilience of large‐scale infrastructure. Specifically, a multiscale model of the recovery process is proposed that significantly reduces the computational cost, while favoring practical and easily manageable recovery schedules. To quantify regional resilience, resilience metrics are proposed that capture the temporal and spatial variations of the recovery process. The paper then formulates a multiobjective optimization problem that aims to improve regional resilience in terms of the proposed metrics, while minimizing the recovery cost. Finally, the paper illustrates the proposed formulation by considering interdependent infrastructure in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States.
Asymmetries of reproductive isolation are reflected in directionalities of hybridization: integrative evidence on the complexity of species boundaries
Authors: Keller Barbara , Ganz Rita , Mora‐Carrera Emiliano , Nowak Michael D. , Theodoridis Spyros , Koutroumpa Konstantina , Conti Elena 
Published: August 2020

SummaryThe complex nature of species boundaries has been a central topic in evolutionary biology ever since Darwin. Despite numerous separate studies on reproductive isolation and hybridization, their relationship remains underinvestigated. Are the strengths and asymmetries of reproductive barriers reflected in the extent and directionalities of interspecific genetic exchange?We combined field, experimental, and molecular data to quantify strengths and asymmetries of sympatric reproductive barriers and hybridization between florally heteromorphic primroses. We also assessed whether generalist pollinators discriminate between different floral cues and contribute to reproductive isolation, a long‐debated topic.Sympatric reproductive isolation is high but incomplete, and most phenotypic intermediates are genetic F1hybrids, whereas backcrosses are rare, revealing low interspecific gene flow. Species integrity rests on multiple barriers, but ethological isolation is among the strongest, demonstrating that even generalist pollinators crucially contribute to the maintenance of species boundaries. Furthermore, reproductive barriers are weaker forPrimula verisand short‐styled plants, results corroborated by molecular data. Thus, in florally heteromorphic systems, both species‐ and morph‐dependent asymmetries affect permeability of species boundaries.Our study illustrates how the interactions between complex floral syndromes and pollinators shape species boundaries in unique, previously undescribed ways.
UV‐B and Drought Stress Influenced Growth and Cellular Compounds of Two Cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fabaceae)
Authors: Santos Déborah Y.A.C. , Ferreira Marcelo J. P. , Matos Tamara Machado , Sala‐Carvalho Wilton Ricardo , Anselmo‐Moreira Fernanda , Roma Lucas Paradizo , Carvalho Juliana Cajado Souza , Peña‐Hidalgo Miguel , French Kristine , Waterman Melinda J. , Robinson Sharon A. , Furlan Claudia M. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCombined enhanced UV‐B radiation and drought may induce different morphological and physiological alterations in plants than either abiotic stress alone. We evaluated morphology, biomass, and primary and secondary metabolism changes in seedlings of two common bean cultivars, IAC Imperador (drought‐resistant) and IAC Milênio. To test the hypothesis that cultivars responded differently to combined stresses in a controlled environment, seedlings of the examined been cultivars were exposed to UV‐B and/or drought treatments for three weeks. The cultivars behaved differently, especially to the drought treatment, suggesting that they use different mechanisms to cope with unfavorable environmental conditions. IAC Imperador showed a stronger protective response, modifying wax composition and primary metabolism, and improving its resistance to UV‐B radiation. For IAC Imperador, the accumulation of cuticular wax and alkane was higher under combined stress but production of primary alcohols was reduced, suggesting a possible fatty acyl switch. Root/shoot length and biomass ratios increased in both cultivars, particularly for the combined stress, indicating a common plant response. We show that these two bean cultivars responded more strongly to UV‐B and combined stress than drought alone as evident in changes to their chemistry and biology. This shows the importance of investigating plant morphological and physiological responses to combined stress.