bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic levels of interleukin‐6 in patients with age‐related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nahavandipour Arvin , Krogh Nielsen Marie , Sørensen Torben L. , Subhi Yousif 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAge‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most prevalent cause of irreversible vision loss in industrialized countries. Several studies have investigated systemic interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels of patients with AMD. In this study, we systemically reviewed the literature to provide an overview of the field and used meta‐analyses to provide a summary estimate of the standardized mean difference (SMD) of systemic IL‐6 between patients with AMD and control individuals. We searched the literature databases PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central on 1 June 2019 for relevant studies on humans. Two authors independently extracted data and evaluated risk of bias. We identified 19 studies for the qualitative review with a total of more than 3586 individuals (1865 controls and 1721 with AMD). We found an overall random‐effects SMD in systemic IL‐6 levels 0.63 (95% CI: 0.28 to 0.99, p = 0.0005) corresponding to a medium effect size. In a subgroup analysis, we found that early AMD was not strongly associated with elevated IL‐6 levels (0.12, 95% CI: −0.01 to 0.24, p = 0.06), which was in contrast to the significantly elevated IL‐6 levels in patients with geographic atrophy (1.21, 95% CI: 0.41 to 2.01, p = 0.003) and patients with neovascular AMD (0.99, 95% CI: 0.34 to 1.63, p = 0.003). Our results show that the evidence today suggests an increased systemic IL‐6 in patients with AMD, but that this may be a phenomenon more closely related to the late subtypes of AMD.
Citrus fruit‐derived flavonoid naringenin and the expression of hepatic organic cation transporter 1 protein in diabetic rats treated with metformin
Authors: Mato Mofo Edith P. , Essop M. Faadiel , Owira Peter M. O. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractNaringenin possesses many pharmacological effects and may modulate metformin disposition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of naringenin on hepatic expression of organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) protein and its associated effects on metformin‐associated hyperlactataemia in diabetes. Forty‐nine male Sprague Dawley rats randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 7) were orally treated daily with 3.0 mL/kg body‐weight (BW) of distilled water (group 1) or 60 mg/kg BW of naringenin (groups 2 and 5) or 250 mg/kg BW of metformin (groups 3 and 6), respectively, dissolved in distilled water. Similarly, group 7 was given metformin and naringenin. Groups 4, 5, 6 and 7 were administered intraperitoneally with streptozotocin at a single dose of 60 mg/kg BW to induce diabetes. Glucose tolerance tests were performed. The animals were killed after 8 weeks of treatment, blood was collected, and livers excised for further biochemical analysis. Lowered body‐weight, increased polydipsia and reduced hepatic glycogen concentrations were observed in diabetic rats compared to controls. Naringenin only significantly decreased plasma lactate levels, while metformin only or with naringenin significantly increased plasma lactate levels in diabetic compared to non‐treated diabetic animals. Metformin only but not naringenin significantly increased plasma lactate levels in non‐diabetic compared to control rats. Furthermore, naringenin with or without metformin but not metformin only significantly increased hepatic organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) expression in diabetic compared to non‐treated diabetic rats. Contrastingly, metformin only but not naringenin significantly increased hepatic OCT1 expression in non‐diabetic rats compared to controls. Diabetic rats treated with metformin exhibited significantly increased plasma metformin concentrations compared to non‐diabetic but naringenin significantly dropped this parameter. Conversely, hepatic metformin concentrations were significantly lower in diabetic rats treated with metformin compared to non‐diabetic rats but significantly increased when naringenin was added. These results suggest that naringenin ameliorated hyperglycaemia‐induced reduction in hepatic OCT1 expression leading to metformin accumulation and increased lactic acid production.
Unexpectedly diverse forest dung beetle communities in degraded rain forest landscapes in Madagascar
Authors: Torppa Kaisa Anneli , Wirta Helena , Hanski Ilkka 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTropical forests, which harbor high levels of biodiversity, are being lost at an alarming speed. Madagascar, a biodiversity hotspot, has lost more than half of its original forest cover. Most of the remaining forests are small fragments of primary and secondary forest with differing degrees of human impact. These forests, as well as coffee and fruit plantations, may be important in supporting the forest‐dependent biodiversity in Madagascar but this has been little studied. In Madagascar, dung beetles, which offer important ecosystem services, are largely restricted to forests. We examined the ability of fragmented and degraded forests to support dung beetle diversity, compared to the large areas of primary forest in eastern Madagascar. We found a general trend of a reduction of species with a loss of forest connectivity. In contrast, a higher level of forest disturbance was associated with higher species diversity. In several sites of low‐quality forest as many or more species were found as in less disturbed and primary forests. The average size of dung beetles was smaller in the lower quality localities than in the primary forests. These findings suggest that many forest dung beetles in Madagascar are better adapted to forest disturbance than earlier expected, although they require some level of connectivity to surrounding forest.Abstract in Malagasy is available with online material.
Encephalopathy due to defective mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission 2 caused by a novel MFF gene mutation in a young child
Authors: Panda Isha , Ahmad Istaq , Sagar Shakti , Zahra Sana , Shamim Uzma , Sharma Suvasini , Faruq Mohammed 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEncephalopathy due to defective mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission 2 caused by mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) gene mutation is a rare neurogenetic disorder. Pathogenic MFF mutations have been described in three reports in literature so far. We report a young child of Indian descent who presented to us with global developmental followed by regression of acquired milestones, spasticity, visual and auditory impairment, and was found to harbor a novel pathogenic homozygous MFF truncating variant c.433C>T; p.Arg145Ter. Cellular imaging of patient lymphoblastoid cell line had shown abnormal shapes of mitochondria due to fission defects. The patient has been started on mitochondrial cocktail with some improvement.
The evolutionary origin of developmental enhancers in vertebrates: Insights from non‐model species
Authors: Onimaru Koh 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHow random DNA mutations have established the diverse morphology of extant vertebrates is one of the major challenges in evolutionary biology. Thanks to the recent advancement in DNA sequencing technologies, the genome sequences of many non‐model species have been determined, which allows us to address previously inaccessible questions about gene regulatory evolution in vertebrates. In particular, the genome sequences of non‐teleost ray‐finned fishes and cartilaginous fishes offer clues about when and how vertebrates gained developmental enhancers related to morphological traits that were required for the water‐to‐land transition. In this review, I examine the evolutionary origin of conserved non‐coding elements (CNEs), which often function as tissue‐specific developmental enhancers, and discuss how CNEs are related to gene regulatory changes that caused the major morphological transitions of vertebrates.
Social skills and autism spectrum disorder symptoms in children with neurofibromatosis type 1: evidence for clinical trial outcomes
Authors: Payne Jonathan M , Walsh Karin S , Pride Natalie A , Haebich Kristina M , Maier Alice , Chisholm Anita , Glad Danielle M , Casnar Christina L , Rouel Melissa , Lorenzo Jennifer , Del Castillo Allison , North Kathryn N , Klein‐Tasman Bonita 
Published: March 2020

AimWe examined key features of two outcome measures for social dysfunction and autism spectrum disorder traits, the Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition (SRS‐2) and the Social Skills Improvement System – Rating Scales (SSIS‐RS), in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). The aim of the study was to provide objective evidence as to which behavioural endpoint should be used in clinical trials.MethodCross‐sectional behavioural and demographic data were pooled from four paediatric NF1 tertiary referral centres in Australia and the United States (N=122; 65 males, 57 females; mean age [SD] 9y 2mo [3y], range 3–15y).ResultsDistributions of SRS‐2 and SSIS‐RS scores were unimodal and both yielded deficits, with a higher proportion of severely impaired scores on the SRS‐2 (16.4%) compared to the SSIS‐RS (8.2%). Pearson’s product‐moment correlations revealed that both questionnaires were highly related to each other (r=−0.72, p<0.001) and to measures of adaptive social functioning (both p<0.001). Both questionnaires were significantly related to attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, but only very weakly associated with intelligence.InterpretationThe SRS‐2 and SSIS‐RS capture social dysfunction associated with NF1, suggesting both may be suitable choices for assessing social outcomes in this population in a clinical trial. However, careful thought needs to be given to the nature of the intervention when selecting either as a primary endpoint.What this paper adds

The Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition yielded a large deficit relative to population norms.

The Social Skills Improvement System – Rating Scales yielded a moderate deficit relative to population norms.

Both scales were highly correlated, suggesting that they are measuring a unitary construct.
Continuum damage mechanics modelling incorporating stress triaxiality effect on ductile damage initiation
Authors: Bonora Nicola , Testa Gabriel , Ruggiero Andrew , Iannitti Gianluca , Gentile Domenico 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMicromechanical modelling of void nucleation in ductile metals indicates that strain required for damage initiation reduces exponentially with increasing stress triaxiality. This feature has been incorporated in a continuum damage mechanics (CDM) model, providing a phenomenological relationship for the damage threshold strain dependence on the stress triaxiality. The main consequences of this model modification are that the failure locus is predicted to change as function of stress triaxiality sensitivity of the material damage threshold strain and that high triaxial fracture strain is expected to be even lower than the threshold strain at which the damage processes initiate at triaxiality as low as 1/3. The proposed damage model formulation has been used to predict ductile fracture in unnotched and notched bars in tension for two commercially pure α‐iron grades (Swedish and ARMCO iron). Finally, the model has been validated, predicting spall fracture in a plate‐impact experiment and confirming the capability to capture the effect of the stress state on material fracture ductility at very high stress triaxiality.
Associations between redox‐sensitive trace metals and microbial communities in a Proterozoic ocean analogue
Authors: Rico Kathryn I. , Sheldon Nathan D. , Kinsman‐Costello Lauren E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractConstraints on Precambrian ocean chemistry are dependent upon sediment geochemistry. However, diagenesis and metamorphism can destroy primary biosignatures, making it difficult to consider biology when interpreting geochemical data. Modern analogues for ancient ecosystems can be useful tools for identifying how sediment geochemistry records an active biosphere. The Middle Island Sinkhole (MIS) in Lake Huron is an analogue for shallow Proterozoic waters due to its low oxygen water chemistry and microbial communities that exhibit diverse metabolic functions at the sediment–water interface. This study uses sediment trace metal contents and microbial abundances in MIS sediments and an oxygenated Lake Huron control site (LH) to infer mechanisms for trace metal burial. The adsorption of trace metals to Mn‐oxyhydroxides is a critical burial pathway for metals in oxic LH sediments, but not for the MIS mat and sediments, consistent with conventional understanding of Mn cycling. Micronutrient trace metals (e.g., Zn) are associated with organic matter regardless of oxygen and sulfide availability. Although U and V are conventionally considered to be organically complexed in suboxic and anoxic conditions, U and organic covary in oxic LH sediments, and Mn‐oxyhydroxide cycling dominates V deposition in the anoxic MIS sediments. Significant correlations between Mo and organic matter across all redox regimes have major implications for our interpretations of Mo isotope systematics in the geologic record. Finally, while microbial groups vary between the sampling locales (e.g., the cyanobacteria in the MIS microbial mat are not present in LH sediments), LH and MIS ultimately have similar relationships between microbial assemblages and metal burial, making it difficult to link trace metal burial to microbial metabolisms. Together, these results indicate that bulk sediment trace metal composition does not capture microbiological processes; more robust trace metal geochemistry such as isotopes and speciation may be critical for understanding the intersections between microbiology and sediment geochemistry.
Exercise cessation in active older adults: Effects on inflammatory markers and adiponectin
Authors: Esain Izaro , Rodriguez‐Larrad Ana , Bidaurrazaga‐Letona Iraia , Gil Susana M 
Published: March 2020

AimTo evaluate the effects of 3 months of exercise cessation in physically active older individuals on inflammatory biomarkers and adiponectin, and examine any association modifications in physical functioning.MethodsWe evaluated the effects of exercise cessation in 49 physically active older adults on inflammatory biomarkers, adiponectin and physical functioning. Participants (38 women, 11 men) were aged >65 years old and had attended a 9‐month supervised exercise program. After 3 months of exercise cessation, we measured anthropometry, physical activity, strength, balance, endurance exercise, cholesterol, triglycerides, C‐reactive protein, glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, interleukin‐6 and adiponectin levels.ResultsAdiponectin was positively correlated with high‐density lipoprotein and negatively correlated with triglyceride levels after exercise cessation. Higher adiponectin levels were correlated with worse dynamic balance, endurance exercise and lower limb strength (men only), which might be explained by the adiponectin resistance hypothesis.ConclusionsAdiponectin therefore might be a promising biomarker of physical dysfunction in older adults, although further research is necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in its double‐sided effects. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 494–499.
Simulating Groundwater‐Streamflow Connections in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Authors: Tran Hoang , Zhang Jun , Cohard Jean‐Martial , Condon Laura E. , Maxwell Reed M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn mountain, snow driven catchments, snowmelt is supposed to be the primary contribution to river streamflows during spring. In these catchments the contribution of groundwater is not well documented because of the difficulty to monitor groundwater in such complex environment with deep aquifers. In this study we use an integrated hydrologic model to conduct numerical experiments that help quantify the effect of lateral groundwater flow on total annual and peak streamflow in predevelopment conditions. Our simulations focus on the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB; 2.8 × 105 km2) a well‐documented mountain catchment for which both streamflow and water table measurements are available for several important sub‐basins. For the simulated water year, our results suggest an increase in peak flow of up to 57% when lateral groundwater flow processes are included—an unexpected result for flood conditions generally assumed independent of groundwater. Additionally, inclusion of lateral groundwater flow moderately improved the model match to observations. The correlation coefficient for mean annual flows improved from 0.84 for the no lateral groundwater flow simulation to 0.98 for the lateral groundwater flow one. Spatially we see more pronounced differences between lateral and no lateral groundwater flow cases in areas of the domain with steeper topography. We also found distinct differences in the magnitude and spatial distribution of streamflow changes with and without lateral groundwater flow between Upper Colorado River Sub‐basins. A sensitivity test that scaled hydraulic conductivity over two orders of magnitude was conducted for the lateral groundwater flow simulations. These results show that the impact of lateral groundwater flow is as large or larger than an order of magnitude change in hydraulic conductivity. While our results focus on the UCRB, we feel that these simulations have relevance to other headwaters systems worldwide.
Biliary intraductal tubule‐forming neoplasm: a whole exome sequencing study of MUC5AC‐positive and ‐negative cases
Authors: Akita Masayuki , Hong Seung‐Mo , Sung You‐Na , Kim Mi‑Ju , Ajiki Tetsuo , Fukumoto Takumi , Itoh Tomoo , Zen Yoh 
Published: March 2020

AimsBiliary intraductal tubular neoplasms that are non‐mucinous and negative for mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) are called intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasms (ITPNs). Intraductal tubular neoplasms with mucinous cytoplasm and MUC5AC positivity also occur and their nature remains unclear, although some pathologists may classify these as ‘intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct (IPNBs) of gastric type’. This study aimed to elucidate genetic features of biliary intraductal tubular neoplasms.Methods and resultsSix resected cases of biliary intraductal neoplasm with >70% tubular configuration were characterised by clinicopathological examination and whole exome sequencing, and the findings obtained were compared between MUC5AC‐negative (n = 2) and ‐positive cases (n = 4). The intraductal tumours consisted of the pancreatobiliary‐type epithelium with high‐grade dysplasia arranged in back‐to‐back tubules. Both of the two MUC5AC‐negative cases were non‐invasive neoplasms and developed in the liver, whereas all MUC5AC‐positive cases had invasive carcinoma and were present in the intrahepatic (n = 2), perihilar (n = 1) and distal bile ducts (n = 1). In an exome‐sequencing study, MUC5AC‐negative cases harboured mutations in CTNNB1, SF3B1, BAP1 and BRCA1 (one case each). KRAS mutations were observed in three of four MUC5AC‐positive cases (75%) but none of the MUC5AC‐negative neoplasms. Compared to published data, known driver genes of other intraductal neoplasms of the pancreatobiliary system (e.g. APC, CTNNB1, STK11, GNAS and PIK3CA) were wild‐type in all but one MUC5AC‐negative case with CTNNB1 mutation. Chromatin modifiers (ARID1A, BAP1 and KMT2C) were also altered in MUC5AC‐positive cases, similar to usual cholangiocarcinomas.ConclusionsThis exome‐sequencing study suggested that MUC5AC‐negative biliary ITPNs are genetically distinct from pancreatic ITPNs and IPNBs. They may also biologically differ from MUC5AC‐positive tubular neoplasms despite morphological resemblance.
Palladium speciation in UV‐transparent glasses
Authors: So Byoungjin , Bust David , Fuhrmann Sindy , Sierka Marek , Peng Mingying , Ebendorff‐Heidepriem Heike , Wondraczek Lothar 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPalladium enables optical activity and surface plasmon effects in the ultraviolet (UV). However, low UV matrix transmittance has largely prevented any exploitation of Pd optical centers embedded in glasses. Here, we report on speciation of palladium dopants in various types of UV‐transparent glasses, including fluoride‐phosphate, sulfo‐phosphate and meta‐phosphate. We initially employ quantum chemical simulation and physical experimentation on aqueous solutions in order to generate reference data for Pd2+ band assignments in different ligand arrangements. These data are then used to assign the extinction spectra of Pd‐doped glasses. Square‐planar is identified as the most probable configuration of Pd2+ complexes in all studied materials, with a pronounced preference for sulfate ligands in the sulfo‐phosphates. Annealing at moderate temperature can be employed for the thermal reduction of Pd2+ and precipitation of metallic particles. However, the plasmon frequency of Pd particles with a diameter of less than 50 nm strongly overlaps with the Pd2+ charge transfer bands.
How to care for the brought in dead and their relatives. A qualitative study protocol based on interpretive description
Authors: Bove Dorthe Gaby , Rosted Elizabeth , Prip Anne , Jellington Maria Omel , Timm Helle , Herling Suzanne Forsyth 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAimThis project has two aims: (a) What do relatives to brought in dead (BID) describe as helpful and supportive care when they arrive at the emergency department to see and say goodbye to a deceased? (b) What do nurses describe as good nursing practice for BID persons and their relatives and what may hinder or facilitate this practice in an emergency setting?DesignA qualitative study in the methodology interpretive description.MethodsData will be collected through three data sources: Individual interviews with relatives to BID persons, participant observations of relatives to BID persons during their presence in the emergency department and focus group interviews with emergency nurses.DiscussionBrought in dead persons and their relatives are received and cared for in emergency departments by emergency nurses. Knowledge of how to render care for the relatives to BID persons in an acute setting including what skills and competences this require of the nurses is warranted. We need to explore, describe, and comprehend the experiences of both the relatives and the nurses to point out potential areas of improvement.ImpactThis study is a protocol of an Interpretive Description study offering insight into considerations and reflections in designing the study.
Update in minimally invasive periorbital rejuvenation with a focus on platelet‐rich plasma: A narrative review
Authors: Kassir Martin , Kroumpouzos George , Puja Priya , Katsambas Andreas , Galadari Hassan , Lotti Torello , Abdelmaksoud Ayman , Grabbe Stephan , Juchems Eva , Goldust Mohamad 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe periorbital region is among the first areas to be affected by the process of aging, which is influenced by genetic and constitutional factors. As the region plays an important role in overall facial appearance, rejuvenation of the area has immense cosmetic benefit and various treatment modalities have been used to achieve the same.AimsThis article reviews commonly used non‐surgical and minimally invasive modalities for periorbital rejuvenation.MethodsThe literature research considered published journal articles (clinical trials or scientific reviews). Studies were identified by searching electronic databases (MEDLINE and PubMed) and reference lists of respective articles. Only articles available in English were considered for this review.ResultsAutologous platelet rich plasma (PRP) is increasingly used in dermatology for skin and hair conditions. The use of PRP is rapidly growing in popularity as a modality to achieve skin rejuvenation. The mechanism by which PRP leads to skin rejuvenation is by increasing the dermal fibroblast proliferation, expression of matrix metalloproteinase and collagen synthesis.ConclusionThe evidence discussed in this article indicates the increasing importance of minimally invasive modalities in periorbital rejuvenation and a promising role for PRP as solo therapy or in multimodality regimens.