bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shunaoxin pills improve the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine and alleviate its renal lipotoxicity in spontaneous hypertension rats
Authors: Liu Xuanshuo , Man Shuli , Luo Chen , Liu Yu , Liu Yan , Liu Changxiao , Gao Wenyuan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractShunaoxin pills (SNX) have been used to treat cerebrovascular diseases in China since 2005. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cerebrovascular disease. This study aimed to explore the synergistic antihypertensive effect of SNX and nifedipine and whether SNX could alleviate nifedipine‐induced renal lipotoxicity. During administration, systolic blood pressure was measured weekly. After 5 weeks administration, we examined pathological changes of kidney, renal function, the lipid metabolism index, and adipogenesis genes expression in the kidney tissues, and explored its underlying mechanism. Finally, network pharmacology was used for supplement and verification. As a result, SNX improved the antihypertensive effect of nifedipine and apparently improved nifedipine‐induced renal pathological changes, dyslipidemia and the levels of adipogenesis gene expression in kidney tissues. SNX reduced the levels of interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐1β in renal tissues, down‐regulated the production of malondialdehyde, and increased superoxide dismutase activity and the protein expression of heme oxygenase‐1 in kidney tissues. Network pharmacology also showed that SNX could improve nifedipine‐induced renal lipotoxicity. The combination of SNX and nifedipine had certain benefits in the treatment of hypertension.
Melatonin ameliorates Bisphenol S induced testicular damages by modulating Nrf‐2/HO‐1 and SIRT‐1/FOXO‐1 expressions
Authors: Kumar Jitendra , Verma Rakesh , Haldar Chandana 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBPS has detrimental effects on human reproductive health and emerged as an environmental contaminant for global health concern. This study deals with the adverse impact of BPS exposure on testicular oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in adult male golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus and its amelioration by melatonin. BPS (75 mg/kg BW/day) exposure caused testicular impairment as evident by histological degenerative changes, declined sperm quality (viability and motility), serum levels of testosterone and melatonin with a concomitant decrease in testicular androgen receptor (AR) and melatonin receptor (MT1) expression. The BPS exposure caused marked increase in testicular oxidative load, inflammation (NF‐kB/COX‐2) and apoptosis (caspase‐3). Melatonin (10 mg/kg BW/alternate day) pretreatment to BPS exposed hamsters resumed normal testicular histoarchitecture, sperm quality and decreased testicular oxidative load as evident by enhanced antioxidant enzymes (SOD and catalase) activities and decreased lipid peroxidation (LPO) level. Further, melatonin also stimulated the testicular antioxidant proteins Nrf‐2/HO‐1, SIRT‐1/FOXO‐1 and reduced inflammatory proteins NF‐kB/COX‐2 expression to counteract BPS induced testicular damages. Melatonin administration to the BPS treated hamsters resulted in increased testicular cell proliferation (PCNA), survival (Bcl‐2), gap junction (connexin‐43) and decreased apoptosis (caspase‐3). In conclusion, our study documented the detrimental effects of BPS on testes that compromises male fertility. Further, melatonin was found as a potent molecule that rescued the BPS induced testicular damages in male golden hamster Mesocricetus auratus.
Silver nanocolloid affects hindbrain vascular formation during medaka embryogenesis
Authors: Matsukura Tomomi , Kataoka Chisato , Kawana Yohei , Fujita Misato , Kashiwada Shosaku 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAngiogenesis is essential for the normal development of an embryo. Silver nanocolloid (SNC) is known to induce vascular malformation in the medaka embryo. We focused on the development of the central arteries (CtAs) in the hindbrain of Japanese medaka. The CtAs and the basilar artery from which they branch are essential for transporting the blood and nutrients necessary to support the hindbrain parenchyma and the development of the pons and cerebellum from the hindbrain. We exposed medaka embryos at developmental stage 21 (6 somite stage), to 0, 0.5, 5, or 10 mg/L SNC and evaluated hatching rate, number of thrombi per embryo, head size (length and width), body length, and angiogenesis. Although all SNC‐exposed embryos hatched, their head size and body length were small in comparison to controls; in addition, the number of thrombi in the head increased and head size and body length decreased as the SNC concentration increased. To evaluate vasculogenic abnormalities, we performed whole‐mount in situ hybridization using a vascular marker (eg, fl7) and visualized the CtAs in medaka embryos. In control embryos, CtAs started to sprout at stage 32 (somite completion stage) and their extension was complete by stage 35 (pectoral fin blood circulation stage). In contrast, CtAs failed to sprout in SNC‐exposed embryos, and thrombi were present. Furthermore, qRT‐PCR analysis showed that SNC significantly suppressed the egfl7 expression level at stage 35. Together, our findings suggest that SNC induced decreased developments of head and body in medaka embryos due to insufficient angiogenesis and hindbrain vascular formation.
Role of degradation concepts for adsorbing contaminants in context of wastewater irrigation
Authors: Cornelissen Pavan , van der Zee Sjoerd E. A. T. M. , Leijnse Anton 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMarginal water, like treated effluent or other types of wastewater, induces contaminant accumulation in different environmental compartments such as soil and groundwater. With a root zone model and daily rainfall data as input, accumulation in the case of two different degradation concepts was modeled: (I) the solute degrades only in the solution phase, and (II) the solute degrades in both the solution and the adsorption phase. For linear adsorption, both degradation concepts not only yield similar results, but adsorption does not affect the long‐term concentration. This can be readily explained with the governing equations. For nonlinear adsorption, the degradation concept does affect the concentration and fluxes. When the first concept is valid, the long‐term concentration is not affected by adsorption, whereas the short‐term and fluctuations are. For the second degradation concept, the long‐term average concentration and fluxes are also affected by adsorption. A correction factor was derived to correct the analytical solution of the time‐dependent concentration of nonlinearly adsorbing solutes. For all scenarios, reasonable estimates of the long‐term concentration could be obtained with analytical models for most parameter combinations, which can be used to identify contaminant species that should be prioritized for further research.
Parameter sensitivity of SWAP–PEARL models for pesticide leaching in macroporous soils
Authors: Faúndez Urbina C. A. , van den Berg F. , van Dam J. C. , Tang D. W. S. , Ritsema C. J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPesticide transport simulation by SWAP–PEARL (Soil–Water–Atmosphere–Plant and Pesticide Emission Assessment at Regional and Local scales) models can help to predict pesticide leaching at regional scales. For reasons of economic and time efficiency, measurement efforts should be prioritized towards critical parameters. The objective of this research is to perform a Morris screening and Sobol–Jansen sensitivity analysis to SWAP–PEARL models, using a reasonable worst‐case scenario. Three pesticide compounds were analyzed:, bentazon (zero sorption), imidacloprid (moderately sorbed), and compound I (highly sorbed). Initial macropore and pesticide parameter values were varied by ±20% to generate parameter ranges. The outputs analyzed were the concentration in drainage water, the average concentration in groundwater between 1 and 2 m, and the concentration in the soil system at 100‐cm depth. Influential parameters found through the Morris method were analyzed using the Sobol–Jansen method. The results for bentazon indicate that the degradation half‐life (DT50), the bottom depth of the internal catchment (zic), and the proportion of the internal catchment at the soil surface (pic_0) are critical parameters in all the outputs analyzed. For imidacloprid and compound I, the most relevant parameters for drainage output are the Freundlich sorption exponent (Fexp) and zic; for groundwater, the relevant parameters are Fexp, the bottom depth of static macropores (zst), and pic_0; and for soil concentrations at 100‐cm depth, the relevant parameters are Fexp, zic, and pic_0. The Morris and Sobol–Jansen methods produce the same results for the first position in the ranking. Measurement efforts should be performed to update national soil databases, including critical pesticide and macropore parameters.
Non‐stationary axially symmetric displacement of elastic half‐space in mixed boundary conditions
Authors: Kubenko Veniamin D. , Yanchevskyi Ihor V. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe exact solution of the axially symmetric problem concerning the non‐stationary load action on the elastic half‐space surface in the condition of mixed boundary value problem with the given normal stress and tangent displacement on the boundary is obtained. The Laplace and Hankel integral transforms are used. Integral transforms inversion is carried out by means of tabular ratios and convolutions theorems for the wide range of non‐stationary loads. The vertical displacement expression is obtained in the explicit analytical form. The load applied to the bounded dimensions domain is particularly considered. The performed calculations indicate evolution of the elastic displacement in terms of time and space coordinates.
Polynomial extension property in the classical Cartan domain $${\mathcal {R}_{II}}$$
Authors: Maciaszek Krzysztof 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this work, it is shown that for the classical Cartan domain $$\mathcal {R}_{II}$$

R

II

consisting of symmetric $$2\times 2$$

2
×
2

matrices, every algebraic subset of $$\mathcal {R}_{II}$$

R

II

, which admits the polynomial extension property, is a holomorphic retract.
Antibacterial activity of wood distillate from residual virgin chestnut biomass
Authors: Misuri Francesco , Marri Laura 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe antibacterial properties of a wood distillate obtained from residual virgin chestnut biomass were investigated by means of quantitative MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) test and a whole-cell assay that specifically responds to different classes of antimicrobials on the basis of the mode of action. Results indicate that wood distillate is active against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria related to human and/or fish diseases with a mechanism, which could mainly affect wall components and plasma membrane of the bacterial cells. These findings highlight the possible sustainable use of chestnut residues as a source of bioactive natural compounds with antibacterial properties.
A multi-objective approach for PH-graphs with applications to stochastic shortest paths
Authors: Buchholz Peter , Dohndorf Iryna 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStochastic shortest path problems (SSPPs) have many applications in practice and are subject of ongoing research for many years. This paper considers a variant of SSPPs where times or costs to pass an edge in a graph are, possibly correlated, random variables. There are two general goals one can aim for, the minimization of the expected costs to reach the destination or the maximization of the probability to reach the destination within a given budget. Often one is interested in policies that build a compromise between different goals which results in multi-objective problems. In this paper, an algorithm to compute the convex hull of Pareto optimal policies that consider expected costs and probabilities of falling below given budgets is developed. The approach uses the recently published class of PH-graphs that allow one to map SSPPs, even with generally distributed and correlated costs associated to edges, on Markov decision processes (MDPs) and apply the available techniques for MDPs to compute optimal policies.
Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation coupled to surface plasmon resonance detection for analysis of therapeutic proteins in blood serum
Authors: Leeman Mats , Albers Willem M. , Bombera Radoslaw , Kuncova-Kallio Johana , Tuppurainen Jussipekka , Nilsson Lars 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCoupling of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection to asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) offers the possibility to study active fractions of bio-separations on real samples, such as serum and saliva, including the assessment of activity of possibly aggregated species. The coupling of SPR with AF4 requires the possibility to select fractions from a fractogram and redirect them to the SPR. The combination of SPR with chromatography-like methods also requires a mechanism for regeneration of the receptor immobilised onto the SPR sensor surface. In recent work, the combination of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with SPR was pioneered as a successful methodology for identification, characterisation and quantification of active biocomponents in biological samples. In this study, the approach using AF4 is evaluated for the antibody trastuzumab in buffer and serum. The particular object of this study was to test the feasibility of using AF4 in combination with SPR to detect and quantify proteins and aggregates in complex samples such as blood serum. Also, in the investigation, three different immobilisation methods for the receptor HER-2 were compared, which involved (1) direct binding via EDC/NHS, the standard approach; (2) immobilisation via NTA-Ni-Histag complexation; and (3) biotin/avidin-linked chemistry using a regenerable form of avidin. The highest specific activity was obtained for the biotin-avidin method, while the lowest specific activity was observed for the NTA-Ni-Histag linkage. The data show that AF4 can separate trastuzumab monomers and aggregates in blood serum and that SPR has the ability to selectively monitor the elution. This is an encouraging result for automated analysis of complex biological samples using AF4-SPR.
Immediate action effects motivate actions based on the stimulus–response relationship
Authors: Tanaka Takumi , Watanabe Katsumi , Tanaka Kanji 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe theory of event coding, an influential framework for action planning, suggests that humans first integrate stimulus, response, and action effect into representation (an event file) via their contingencies, and then, the activation of expected action effects drives the associated response. While previous studies have typically examined such functions of action effects after, rather than before or during, the acquirement of the representation, Eitam et al. (Exp Brain Res 229:475–484, 2013a) demonstrated that the presence of immediate feedback to action (i.e., action effects) can instantly elicit faster responses than delayed feedback. However, the underlying mechanism of this faciliatory effect remains unclear. Specifically, while the response–effect relationship has been highlighted, the role of stimuli has not been investigated. To address this issue, the present study conducted four experiments. We first reproduced the faciliatory effects of immediate action effects with between- and within-participants design (Experiments 1 and 2, respectively). Then, we assessed whether immediate action effects facilitate response speed, when stimuli (Experiment 3) and a combination of stimuli and responses (Experiment 4) determined the delay of action effects. The identical response was executed faster when driven by stimuli associated with immediate effects than by those associated with lagged effects. This result indicates that immediate action effects do not reinforce the execution of specific motor actions itself, but facilitate actions depending on the stimulus–response relationship. We discuss the potential mechanism of the facilitation effect.
Phylogeography and Symbiotic Effectiveness of Rhizobia Nodulating Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia
Authors: Gunnabo A. H. , van Heerwaarden J. , Geurts R. , Wolde-meskel E. , Degefu T. , Giller K. E. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractChickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) used to be considered a restrictive host that nodulated and fixed nitrogen only with Mesorhizobium ciceri and M. mediterraneum. Recent analysis revealed that chickpea can also establish effective symbioses with strains of several other Mesorhizobium species such as M. loti, M. haukuii, M. amorphae, M. muleiense, etc. These strains vary in their nitrogen fixation potential inviting further exploration. We characterized newly collected mesorhizobial strains isolated from various locations in Ethiopia to evaluate genetic diversity, biogeographic structure and symbiotic effectiveness. Symbiotic effectiveness was evaluated in Leonard Jars using a locally released chickpea cultivar “Nattoli”. Most of the new isolates belonged to a clade related to M. plurifarium, with very few sequence differences, while the total collection of strains contained three additional mesorhizobial genospecies associated with M. ciceri, M. abyssinicae and an unidentified Mesorhizobium species isolated from a wild host in Eritrea. The four genospecies identified represented a subset of the eight major Mesorhizobium clades recently reported for Ethiopia based on metagenomic data. All Ethiopian strains had nearly identical symbiotic genes that grouped them in a single cluster with M. ciceri, M. mediterraneum and M. muleiense, but not with M. plurifarium. Some phylogeographic structure was observed, with elevation and geography explaining some of the genetic differences among strains, but the relation between genetic identity and symbiotic effectiveness was observed to be weak.
Impact of Mesh and Fixation on Chronic Inguinal Pain in Lichtenstein Hernia Repair: 5‐Year Outcomes from the Finn Mesh Study
Authors: Matikainen M. , Vironen J. , Kössi J. , Hulmi T. , Hertsi M. , Rantanen T. , Paajanen H. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo find out the mesh fixation technique that minimises chronic pain in Lichtenstein hernioplasty.Summary background dataMesh fixation may affect chronic pain and recurrence after inguinal hernia surgery, but long‐term results of comparative trials are lacking.MethodsLichtenstein hernioplasty was performed under local anaesthesia on 625 patients in day care units. The patients were randomised to receive either a cyanoacrylate glue (n = 216), self‐gripping mesh (n = 202) or non‐absorbable 3–0 polypropylene sutures (n = 216) for the fixation of mesh. A standardised telephone interview or postal questionnaire was conducted 5 years after the index operation. The patients with complaints suggesting recurrence or chronic pain (visual analogue scale ≥ 3, 0–10) were examined clinically. The rate of occasional pain, chronic severe pain, recurrence, re‐operations, daily use of analgesics, overall patient satisfaction and sensation of a foreign object were recorded.ResultsA total of 82% of patients (n = 514) completed the 5‐year audit including 177, 167 and 170 patients in the glue, self‐fixation and suture groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of pain (7–8%), operated recurrences (2–4%), overall re‐operations (4–5%), need for analgesics (1–2%), patient's satisfaction (93–97%) or in the feeling of a foreign object (11–18%) between the study groups.ConclusionThe choice of the mesh or fixation method had no effect on the overall long‐term outcome, pain or recurrence of hernia. Less penetrating fixation (glue or self‐gripping mesh) is a safe option for the fixation of mesh in Lichtenstein hernia repair.
Plasma deoxyuridine as a surrogate marker for toxicity and early clinical response in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after 5-FU-based therapy in combination with arfolitixorin
Authors: Taflin Helena , Odin Elisabeth , Carlsson Göran , Tell Roger , Gustavsson Bengt , Wettergren Yvonne 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose
The aim was to explore the correlation between increasing doses of [6R]-5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (arfolitixorin) and plasma concentrations of deoxyuridine (dUr) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), subjected to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. The aim was further to investigate the possibility to predict toxicity and clinical response during treatment using gender, age, and plasma dUr as explanatory variables.

Methods
Thirty-three patients from the ISO-CC-005 phase I/IIa study, which investigated safety and tolerability of arfolitixorin at four dose levels, were included. Toxicity and clinical response were evaluated after 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Plasma dUr was quantified before (0 h) and 24 h after 5-FU administration at the first (C1) and fourth (C4) cycle using LC–MS/MS. Fit modelling was used to predict toxicity and clinical response.

Results
The dUr levels increased with increasing arfolitixorin dose. Females had higher total and haematological toxicity scores (p = 0.0004 and 0.0089, respectively), and needed dose reduction more often than males (p = 0.012). Fit modeling showed that gender and the dUr levels at C1-0 h and C4-24 h predicted total toxicity (p = 0.0011), whereas dUr C4-0 h alone was associated with gastrointestinal toxicity (p = 0.026). Haematological toxicity was predicted by gender and age (p = 0.0071). The haematological toxicity score in combination with the dUr levels at C1-24 h and C4-24 h predicted early clinical response (p = 0.018).

Conclusion
The dUr level before and during administration of 5-FU and arfolitixorin was predictive for toxicity and early clinical response and could be a potential surrogate marker for thymidylate synthase inhibition in patients with mCRC.

Trial registration
NCT02244632, first posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on September 19, 2014
Three-dimensional acetabular orientation during periacetabular osteotomy: a video analysis of acetabular rim position using an external fixator as navigation tool during reorientation procedure
Authors: Schwarz Timo J. , Maderbacher Günther , Leiss Franziska , Grifka Joachim , Heers G. , Matussek J. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Bernese periacetabular osteotomy is an effective procedure for treating acetabular dysplasia. However, limited visual control of the acetabular position during surgery may result in under- or overcorrection with residual dysplasia or femoroacetabular impingement. Thus, we wanted to find a simple method to control the effect of correction in the sagittal and coronal plane.

Method
The acetabular coordinates are shown by two perpendicular tubes of an external fixator mounted onto a third tube that is fixed to the acetabular fragment with two Schanz screws. This method enables the isolated acetabular reorientation in the coronal, sagittal, and transverse plane. In a sawbone pelvis model, the acetabular rim is marked with a copper wire and a silicon adherent. To show the radiographic effect on acetabular parameters and the rim position, we visualized correction in the coronal and sagittal plane under fluoroscopic control.

Results
Lateral rotation of the acetabular fragment had the highest impact on radiographic lateral coverage of the femoral head. But also ventral coverage increased during isolated lateral rotation. Anterior rotation showed almost no effect on lateral coverage and just a little effect on ventral coverage but caused severe total acetabular retroversion.

Conclusion
Three-dimensional control of the acetabular orientation during periacetabular osteotomy is important to avoid over- and under-correction. Isolated lateral rotation of the acetabular fragment should be the predominant direction of correction during periacetabular osteotomy. Ambitious anterior correction may be the main source for severe acetabular retroversion following periacetabular osteotomy.