bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left atrial dysfunction in sickle cell anemia is associated with diffuse myocardial fibrosis, increased right ventricular pressure and reduced exercise capacity
Authors: Alsaied Tarek , Niss Omar , Tretter Justin T. , Powell Adam W. , Chin Clifford , Fleck Robert J. , Cnota James F. , Malik Punam , Quinn Charles T. , Nagueh Sherif F. , Taylor Michael D. , Mazur Wojciech M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIncreased extracellular volume (ECV) by CMR is a marker of interstitial myocardial fibrosis and is associated with diastolic dysfunction in sickle cell anemia (SCA). Left atrial (LA) dysfunction and stiffness contribute to the development of diastolic heart failure in other settings. We aimed to evaluate LA function and stiffness associations with ECV, tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity (TRV) and exercise abnormalities in SCA. In a prospective study, individuals with SCA underwent CMR, echocardiography and exercise test. ECV was measured using MOLLI sequence. Atrial strain was studied in the 4- and 2-chamber views. LA stiffness was calculated as the ratio of echocardiographic E/e’-to-LA reservoir strain. Twenty-four participants with SCA were included (median age 20 years). ECV was increased in participant with SCA compared to our lab normal values (mean 0.44 ± 0.08 vs 0.26 ± 0.02, P < 0.0001). Six (25%) had LA LGE. ECV positively correlated with LA stiffness (r = 0.45, p = 0.04). There was a negative correlation between LA stiffness and %predicted VO2 (r = −0.50, p = 0.04). LA stiffness was moderately associated with increased TRV (r = 0.55, p < 0.005). LA stiffness is associated with ECV, exercise impairment and increased TRV. This study sheds insights on the interaction between LA function, RV hypertension, and myocardial fibrosis in SCA.
Direct regulation of fibroblast growth factor 23 by energy intake through mTOR
Authors: Vidal Angela , Rios Rafael , Pineda Carmen , Lopez Ignacio , Muñoz-Castañeda Juan R. , Rodriguez Mariano , Aguilera-Tejero Escolastico , Raya Ana I. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo test the hypothesis that fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is directly regulated by energy intake, in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted. Three groups of rats were fed diets with high (HC), normal (NC) and low (LC) caloric content that resulted in different energy intake. In vitro, UMR106 cells were incubated in high (HG, 4.5 g/l) or low glucose (LG, 1 g/l) medium. Additional treatments included phosphorus (P), mannitol, rapamycin and everolimus. Intestinal absorption of P and plasma P concentrations were similar in the three groups of rats. As compared with NC, plasma FGF23 concentrations were increased in HC and decreased in the LC group. A significant correlation between energy intake and plasma FGF23 concentrations was observed. In vitro, mRNA FGF23 was significantly higher in UMR106 cells cultured in HG than in LG. When exposed to high P, mRNA FGF23 increased but only when cells were cultured in HG. Cells incubated with HG and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors expressed low mRNA FGF23, similar to the values obtained in LG. In conclusion, this study shows a direct regulation of FGF23 production by energy availability and demonstrates that the mTOR signaling pathway plays a central role in this regulatory system.
Effectiveness and Safety of Off-label Dosing of Non–vitamin K Antagonist Anticoagulant for Atrial Fibrillation in Asian Patients
Authors: Lee Kwang-No , Choi Jong-Il , Boo Ki Yung , Kim Do Young , Kim Yun Gi , Oh Suk-Kyu , Baek Yong-Soo , Lee Dae In , Roh Seung-Young , Shim Jaemin , Kim Jin Seok , Kim Young-Hoon 
Published: February 2020

AbstractNon–vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants (NOACs) have been used to prevent thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and shown favorable clinical outcomes compared with warfarin. However, off-label use of NOACs is frequent in practice, and its clinical results are inconsistent. Furthermore, the quality of anticoagulation available with warfarin is often suboptimal and even inaccurate in real-world data. We have therefore compared the effectiveness and safety of off-label use of NOACs with those of warfarin whose anticoagulant intensity was accurately estimated. We retrospectively analyzed data from 2,659 and 3,733 AF patients at a tertiary referral center who were prescribed warfarin and NOACs, respectively, between 2013 and 2018. NOACs were used at off-label doses in 27% of the NOAC patients. After adjusting for significant covariates, underdosed NOAC (off-label use of the reduced dose) was associated with a 2.5-times increased risk of thromboembolism compared with warfarin, and overdosed NOAC (off-label use of the standard dose) showed no significant difference in either thromboembolism or major bleeding compared with warfarin. Well-controlled warfarin (TTR ≥ 60%) reduced both thromboembolism and bleeding events. In conclusion, the effectiveness of NOACs was decreased by off-label use of the reduced dose.
Rain induces temporary shifts in epiphytic bacterial communities of cucumber and tomato fruit
Authors: Allard Sarah M. , Ottesen Andrea R. , Micallef Shirley A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUnderstanding weather-related drivers of crop plant-microbiome relationships is important for food security and food safety in the face of a changing climate. Cucumber and tomato are commercially important commodities that are susceptible to plant disease and have been implicated in foodborne disease outbreaks. To investigate the influence of precipitation on plant-associated microbiomes, epiphytically associated bacterial communities of cucumber and tomato samples were profiled by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing (V1-V3) in the days surrounding two rain events over a 17-day period. Following rain, α (within-sample) diversity measured on cucumber and tomato fruit surfaces, but not tomato leaf surfaces, increased significantly and remained elevated for several days. Bacterial β (between-sample) diversity on cucumber and tomato fruit responded to precipitation. In the cucumber fruit surface (carpoplane), notable shifts in the families Xanthomonadaceae, Oxalobacteriaceae, Sphingobacteriaceae and Comamonadaceae were detected following precipitation. In the tomato carpoplane, shifts were detected in the families Enterobacteriaceae and Xanthomonadaceae following the first rain event, and in the Pseudomonadaceae and Oxalobacteriaceae following the second rain event. Few taxonomic shifts were detected in the tomato leaf surface (phylloplane). Exploring rain-induced shifts in plant microbiomes is highly relevant to crop protection, food safety and agroecology, and can aid in devising ways to enhance crop resilience to stresses and climate fluctuations.
Characterization of Myeloid Cellular Populations in Mesenteric and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Holstein-Friesian Cows
Authors: Oliveira Bárbara M. , Pinto Ana , Correia Alexandra , Ferreira Paula G. , Vilanova Manuel , Teixeira Luzia 
Published: February 2020

AbstractImmune cells resident in adipose tissue have important functions in local and systemic metabolic homeostasis. Nevertheless, these immune cell populations remain poorly characterized in bovines. Recently, we described diverse lymphocyte subpopulations in adipose tissue of Holstein-Friesian cows. Here, we aimed at characterising myeloid cell populations present in bovine adipose tissue using multicolour flow cytometry, cell sorting and histochemistry/immunohistochemistry. Macrophages, CD14+CD11b+MHC-II+CD45+ cells, were identified in mesenteric and subcutaneous adipose tissue, though at higher proportions in the latter. Mast cells, identified as SSC-AhighCD11b−/+CD14−MHC-II−CH138A−CD45+ cells, were also observed in adipose tissue and found at higher proportions than macrophages in mesenteric adipose tissue. Neutrophils, presenting a CH138A+CD11b+ phenotype, were also detected in mesenteric and subcutaneous adipose tissue, however, at much lower frequencies than in the blood. Our gating strategy allowed identification of eosinophils in blood but not in adipose tissue although being detected by morphological analysis at low frequencies in some animals. A population not expressing CD45 and with the CH138A+ CD11b−MHC-II− phenotype, was found abundant and present at higher proportions in mesenteric than subcutaneous adipose tissue. The work reported here may be useful for further studies addressing the function of the described cells.
Phase variation in pneumococcal populations during carriage in the human nasopharynx
Authors: De Ste Croix M. , Mitsi E. , Morozov A. , Glenn S. , Andrew P. W. , Ferreira D. M. , Oggioni M. R. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStreptococcus pneumoniae is one of the world’s leading bacterial pathogens, responsible for pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. Asymptomatic colonisation of the nasopharynx is considered to be a prerequisite for these severe infections, however little is understood about the biological changes that permit the pneumococcus to switch from asymptomatic coloniser to invasive pathogen. A phase variable type I restriction-modification (R-M) system (SpnIII) has been linked to a change in capsule expression and to the ability to successfully colonise the murine nasopharynx. Using our laboratory data, we have developed a Markov change model that allows prediction of the expected level of phase variation within a population, and as a result measures when populations deviate from those expected at random. Using this model, we have analysed samples from the Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage (EHPC) project. Here we show, through mathematical modelling, that the patterns of dominant SpnIII alleles expressed in the human nasopharynx are significantly different than those predicted by stochastic switching alone. Our inter-disciplinary work demonstrates that the expression of alternative methylation patterns should be an important consideration in studies of pneumococcal colonisation.
The upper cervical spinal cord in ALS assessed by cross-sectional and longitudinal 3T MRI
Authors: Wimmer Thomas , Schreiber Frank , Hensiek Nathalie , Garz Cornelia , Kaufmann Jörn , Machts Judith , Vogt Susanne , Prudlo Johannes , Dengler Reinhard , Petri Susanne , Heinze Hans-Jochen , Nestor Peter J , Vielhaber Stefan , Schreiber Stefanie 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe upper cervical spinal cord is measured in a large longitudinal amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cohort to evaluate its role as a biomarker. Specifically, the cervical spinal cord´s cross-sectional area (CSA) in plane of the segments C1–C3 was measured semi-automatically with T1-weighted 3T MRI sequences in 158 ALS patients and 86 controls. Six-month longitudinal follow-up MRI scans were analyzed in 103 patients. Compared to controls, in ALS there was a significant mean spinal cord atrophy (63.8 mm² vs. 60.8 mm², p = 0.001) which showed a trend towards worsening over time (mean spinal cord CSA decrease from 61.4 mm² to 60.6 mm² after 6 months, p = 0.06). Findings were most pronounced in the caudal segments of the upper cervical spinal cord and in limb-onset ALS. Baseline CSA was related to the revised ALS functional rating scale, disease duration, precentral gyrus thickness and total brain gray matter volume. In conclusion, spinal cord atrophy as assessed in brain MRIs in ALS patients mirrors the extent of overall neurodegeneration and parallels disease severity.
A Spanish case-control study in <5 year-old children reveals the lack of association between MLB and VA astrovirus and diarrhea
Authors: Vu Diem-Lan , Sabrià Aurora , Aregall Nuria , Michl Kristina , Sabrià Jaume , Rodriguez Garrido Virginia , Goterris Lidia , Bosch Albert , Pintó Rosa Maria , Guix Susana 
Published: February 2020

AbstractNovel human astroviruses (HAstV) were discovered 10 years ago and have been associated with fatal cases of central nervous system infections. Their role in gastroenteritis is controversial, as they have been identified in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. The aim of the study was to investigate novel HAstV in a gastroenteritis case-control study including a pediatric population in Spain over a one-year period. We included stool samples from patients with gastroenteritis and negative results for viruses screened by routine diagnostics, and stool samples of control subjects who sought for a routine medical consultation. All samples were screened by real-time RT-PCR assays for novel HAstV. An additional screening for rotavirus, norovirus GI, GII, sapovirus, classic HAstV and adenovirus was also performed for the control group. Overall, 23/363 stool samples from case patients (6.3%) and 8/199 stool samples from control patients (4%) were positive for ≥1 novel HAstV. MLB1 was predominant (64.5% of positives). Seasonality was observed for the case group (p = 0.015), but not the control group (p = 0.95). No difference was observed in the prevalence of novel HAstV between the case and control groups (OR 1.78, 95% CI 0.68–5.45; p = 0.30). Nevertheless, MLB genome copy numbers/ml of fecal suspension was significantly higher in the control group than in the case group (p = 0.008). In our study, we identified a lack of association between novel HAstV and gastroenteritis in the studied population, which could indicate a potential role of reservoir for children, especially given the higher viral load observed in the asymptomatic group for some of them.
Energy harvesting thermocell with use of phase transition
Authors: Shibata Takayuki , Iwaizumi Hiroki , Fukuzumi Yuya , Moritomo Yutaka 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA thermocell that consists of cathode and anode materials with different temperature coefficients (α = dV/dT) of the redox potential (V) can convert environmental thermal energy to electric energy via the so-called thermal charging effect. The output voltage Vcell of the current thermocell, however, is still low (several tens mV) and depends on temperature, which are serious drawbacks for practical use of the device as an independent power supply. Here, we report that usage of phase transition material as electrode qualitatively improve the device performance. We set the critical temperature (Tc) for the phase transition in cobalt Prussian blue analogue (Co-PBA; NaxCo[Fe(CN)6]y) to just above room temperature, by finely adjusting the Fe concentration (y = 0.82). With increase in the cell temperature (Tcell), Vcell of the NaxCo[Fe(CN)6]0.82 (NCF82)/NaxCo[Fe(CN)6]0.9 (NCF90) cell steeply increases from 0 mV to ~120 mV around 320 K. Our observation indicates that the thermocell with use of phase transition is a promising energy harvesting device.
Isolation, identification, and proposed formation mechanism of a novel hydrophilic compound formed by Maillard reaction between pyridoxamine and pentose
Authors: Nomi Yuri , Otsuka Yuzuru 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPyridoxamine (PM) could competitively protect amino groups in proteins from glycating agents. Although PM is expected to react with saccharides, available data therein are limited. In this study, a novel hydrophilic compound from a model reaction solution containing PM and xylose was isolated and identified as (6aR,9aR)-1,8,9-trihydroxy-2,6a-dimethyl-6a,9a-dihydrocyclopenta[5,6]pyrano[3,4-c]pyridin-7(5H)-one with a tricyclic structure. This compound appeared to be specifically formed from pentose via 1-deoxypentosone, and its formation was facilitated over a pH range of 7.0–8.0. After heating at 90 °C for 5 h in a reaction mixture containing 30 mM PM and pentose at pH 7.4, this compound was obtained at a yield of 6.95–8.53 mM.
M3C: Monte Carlo reference-based consensus clustering
Authors: John Christopher R. , Watson David , Russ Dominic , Goldmann Katriona , Ehrenstein Michael , Pitzalis Costantino , Lewis Myles , Barnes Michael 
Published: February 2020

AbstractGenome-wide data is used to stratify patients into classes for precision medicine using clustering algorithms. A common problem in this area is selection of the number of clusters (K). The Monti consensus clustering algorithm is a widely used method which uses stability selection to estimate K. However, the method has bias towards higher values of K and yields high numbers of false positives. As a solution, we developed Monte Carlo reference-based consensus clustering (M3C), which is based on this algorithm. M3C simulates null distributions of stability scores for a range of K values thus enabling a comparison with real data to remove bias and statistically test for the presence of structure. M3C corrects the inherent bias of consensus clustering as demonstrated on simulated and real expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). For testing M3C, we developed clusterlab, a new method for simulating multivariate Gaussian clusters.
A randomised controlled trial of rosuvastatin for the prevention of aminoglycoside-induced kidney toxicity in children with cystic fibrosis
Authors: McWilliam Stephen J. , Rosala-Hallas Anna , Jones Ashley P. , Shaw Victoria , Greenhalf William , Jaki Thomas , Smyth Alan R. , Smyth Rosalind L. , Pirmohamed Munir 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe PROteKT study tested the hypothesis that rosuvastatin can inhibit aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity in children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). This open label, parallel group, randomised controlled trial recruited children and young people aged 6 to 18 years with CF at 13 paediatric CF treatment centres in the UK. Participants were randomised equally to either receive oral rosuvastatin (10 mg once daily) or no intervention (control) throughout clinically indicated treatment with intravenous tobramycin. The primary outcome was the difference between the groups in mean fold-change in urinary Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1). Fifty (rosuvastatin n = 23, control n = 27) participants were recruited between May 2015 and January 2017. Primary outcome data was available for 88% (rosuvastatin n = 20, control n = 24). The estimated mean treatment difference in the geometric mean-fold change of normalised KIM-1 was 1.08 (95% CI 0.87–1.35, p = 0.48). In total there were 12 adverse reactions, all mild, reported by five participants randomised to rosuvastatin, and one serious adverse event in each group. Whilst no protective effect of rosuvastatin was seen, there was a lower than expected level of nephrotoxicity in the cohort. Therefore, we can neither confirm nor refute the hypothesis that rosuvastatin protects against aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity.
Concurrent tracking of strain and noise bursts at ferroelastic phase fronts
Authors: Blaysat Benoît , Balandraud Xavier , Grédiac Michel , Vives Eduard , Barrera Noemi , Zanzotto Giovanni 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMany technological applications are based on functional materials that exhibit reversible first-order ferroelastic transitions, including elastocaloric refrigeration, energy harvesting, and sensing and actuation. During these phase changes inhomogeneous microstructures are formed which fit together different crystalline phases, and evolve abruptly through strain bursts related to domain nucleation and the propagation of phase fronts, accompanied by acoustic emission. Mechanical performance is strongly affected by such microstructure formation and evolution, yet visualisation of these processes remains challenging. Here we report a detailed study of the bursty dynamics during a reversible stress-induced martensitic transformation in a CuZnAl shape-memory alloy. We combine full-field strain-burst detection, performed by means of an optical grid method, with the acoustic tracking of martensitic strain avalanches using two transducers, which allows for the location of the acoustic-emission events to be determined and the measurement of their energies. The matching of these two techniques reveals interface formation, advancement, jamming and arrest at pinning points within the transforming crystal.
Vitamin D – Ein kritischer Blick auf die Studienlage
Authors: Fuss Carmina Teresa , Fassnacht Martin 
Published: February 2020

Was ist Vitamin-D-Mangel? Die Definition des Vitamin-D-Mangels ist weiterhin umstritten und unter anderem schwierig, da die vorhandenen Labormethoden ungenau und vor allem nicht harmonisiert sind. Einigkeit herrscht zumindest darüber, dass ein 25-OH-Vitamin-D-Spiegel unter 12 ng/ml als behandlungsbedürftig gilt, wohingegen Werte über 20 ng/ml in der Regel ausreichend sind, sodass keine Substitution notwendig ist.
Die vermeintlich pleiotrope Wirkung von Vitamin D Während die Wirkungen von Vitamin D auf den Knochenstoffwechsel gut bekannt sind, gibt es zunehmend Hinweise auf weitere, pleiotrope Effekte des Hormons auf andere Gewebe. Verschiedene Assoziationsstudien beschreiben den Vitamin-D-Mangel als möglichen Risikofaktor für eine Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Erkrankungen. Zu einigen relevanten Erkrankungen gibt es nun randomisierte und kontrollierte Interventionsstudien:
Hyperkalzämie
Authors: Kettritz Ralph 
Published: February 2020

Was ist neu?
Hyperkalzämie: Gesamtkalzium versus ionisiertes Kalzium Neuere Untersuchungen zeigen eine unzureichende Korrelation des Gesamt-Ca2 + mit dem ionisierten Ca2 + – selbst nach Anwendung von Korrekturformeln. Das ionisierte Ca2 + stellt jedoch das biologisch aktive Ca2 + dar und sollte bei Verdacht auf Störungen des Kalziumstoffwechsels, insbesondere bei Patienten mit chronischen Nierenerkrankungen, in der Diagnostik nicht fehlen.
Der Kalziumsensing-Rezeptor (CaSR) und seine Rolle bei der PTH-Freisetzung und renalen Kalziumausscheidung Genetische CaSR-Varianten führen zu familiärer hypokalziurischer Hyperkalzämie. Kenntnisse der CaSR- und PTH-abhängigen Mechanismen der renalen Ca2 +-Rückresorption verdeutlichen, welche therapeutischen Implikationen die präzise Aufarbeitung von Patienten mit Hyperparathyreoidismus hat.
Diuretika und Hyperkalzämie Diuretika modulieren die renale Ca2 +-Rückresorption und können sowohl eine Hyperkalzämie fördern als auch zur Behandlung derselben eingesetzt werden. Effekte etablierter und derzeit getesteter neuer Diuretika auf die renale Ca2 +-Elimination werden vor diesem Hintergrund diskutiert.