bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metabolite Profiling and Quantitation of Cucurbitacins in Cucurbitaceae Plants by Liquid Chromatography coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Ul Haq Faraz , Ali Arslan , Khan Muhammad Noman , Shah Syed Muhammad Zaki , Kandel Ram Chandra , Aziz Nudrat , Adhikari Achyut , Choudhary M. Iqbal , ur-Rahman Atta- , El-Seedi Hesham R. , Musharraf Syed Ghulam 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCucurbitaceae is an important plant family because many of its species are consumed as food, and used in herbal medicines, cosmetics, etc. It comprises annual vines and is rich in various bioactive principles which include the cucurbitacins. These steroidal natural products, derived from the triterpene cucurbitane, are mainly the bitter principles of the family Cucurbitaceae. Their biological activities include anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anti-cancer activities. A total of 10 species belonging to 6 genera of the Cucurbitaceae family along with Cissampelos pareira (Menispermaceae) were included in this study. A comprehensive profiling of certain natural products was developed using HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis and a distribution profile of several major natural products in this family was obtained. A total of 51 natural products were detected in both positive and negative ionization modes, based on accurate masses and fragmentation patterns. Along with this, quantitation of four bioactive cucurbitacins, found in various important plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, was carried out using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) approach on an ion trap mass spectrometer. Cucurbitacin Q was found to be the most abundant in C. pareira, while Citrullus colocynthis contained all four cucurbitacins in abundant quantities. The developed quantitation method is simple, rapid, and reproducible.
Reconstructing Foveola by Foveolar Internal Limiting Membrane Non-Peeling and Tissue Repositioning for Lamellar Hole-Related Epiretinal Proliferation
Authors: Ho Tzyy-Chang , Ho Allen Yi-Lun , Chen Muh-Shy 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDifferences in the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics between lamellar macular hole (LMH) with and without LMH-associated epiretinal proliferation (LHEP) can have surgical implications. This study investigated the effects of treating LHEP by foveolar internal limiting membrane (ILM) non-peeling and epiretinal proliferative (EP) tissue repositioning on visual acuity and foveolar architecture. Consecutive patients with LHEP treated at our institution were enrolled. The eyes were divided into a conventional total ILM peeling group (group 1, n = 11) and a foveolar ILM non-peeling group (group 2, n = 22). In group 2, a doughnut-shaped ILM was peeled, leaving a 400-μm-diameter ILM without elevated margin over the foveola after EP tissue repositioning. The EP tissue was elevated, trimmed, and inverted into the LMH. Postoperatively, the LMH was sealed in all eyes in group 2, with significantly better best-corrected visual acuity (−0.26 vs −0.10 logMAR; p = 0.002). A smaller retinal defect (p = 0.003), a more restored ellipsoid zone (p = 0.002), and a more smooth foveal depression (p < 0.001) were achieved in group 2. Foveolar ILM non-peeling and EP tissue repositioning sealed the LMH, released the tangential traction, and achieved better visual acuity. The presumed foveolar architecture may be reconstructed surgically. LMH with LHEP could have a combined degenerative and tractional mechanism.
Effects of blood lead on coronary artery disease and its risk factors: a Mendelian Randomization study
Authors: Schooling C. Mary , Johnson Glen D. , Grassman Jean 
Published: November 2019

AbstractLead is pervasive, although lead exposure has fallen in response to public health efforts. Observationally, lead is positively associated with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. We used separate-sample instrumental variable analysis with genetic instruments (Mendelian randomization) based on 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), from a genome wide association study, strongly (p-value < 5 × 10−6) and independently associated with blood lead. These SNPs were applied to a large extensively genotyped coronary artery disease (CAD) study (cases = <76014, controls = <264785) largely based on CARDIoGRAPMplusC4D 1000 Genomes and the UK Biobank SOFT CAD, to the UK Biobank (n = 361,194) for blood pressure and to the DIAGRAM 1000 genomes diabetes case (n = 26,676)-control (n = 132,532) study. SNP-specific Wald estimates were combined using inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO. Genetically instrumented blood lead was not associated with CAD (odds ratio (OR) 1.01 per effect size of log transformed blood lead, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97, 1.05), blood pressure (systolic −0.18 mmHg, 95% CI −0.44 to 0.08 and diastolic −0.03 mmHg, 95% CI −0.09 to 0.15) or diabetes (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.03) using MR-PRESSO estimates corrected for an outlier SNP (rs550057) from the highly pleiotropic gene ABO. Exogenous lead may have different effects from endogenous lead; nevertheless, this study raises questions about the role of blood lead in CAD.
Risk assessment of Ebola virus disease spreading in Uganda using a two-layer temporal network
Authors: Riad Mahbubul H. , Sekamatte Musa , Ocom Felix , Makumbi Issa , Scoglio Caterina M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNetwork-based modelling of infectious diseases apply compartmental models on a contact network, which makes the epidemic process crucially dependent on the network structure. For highly contagious diseases such as Ebola virus disease (EVD), interpersonal contact plays the most vital role in human-to-human transmission. Therefore, for accurate representation of EVD spreading, the contact network needs to resemble the reality. Prior research has mainly focused on static networks (only permanent contacts) or activity-driven networks (only temporal contacts) for Ebola spreading. A comprehensive network for EVD spreading should include both these network structures, as there are always some permanent contacts together with temporal contacts. Therefore, we propose a two-layer temporal network for Uganda, which is at risk of an Ebola outbreak from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) epidemic. The network has a permanent layer representing permanent contacts among individuals within the family level, and a data-driven temporal network for human movements motivated by cattle trade, fish trade, or general communications. We propose a Gillespie algorithm with the susceptible-infected-recovered (SIR) compartmental model to simulate the evolution of EVD spreading as well as to evaluate the risk throughout our network. As an example, we applied our method to a network consisting of 23 districts along different movement routes in Uganda starting from bordering districts of the DRC to Kampala. Simulation results show that some regions are at higher risk of infection, suggesting some focal points for Ebola preparedness and providing direction to inform interventions in the field. Simulation results also show that decreasing physical contact as well as increasing preventive measures result in a reduction of chances to develop an outbreak. Overall, the main contribution of this paper lies in the novel method for risk assessment, which can be more precise with an increasing volume of accurate data for creating the network model.
IgA nephropathy is associated with elevated urinary mitochondrial DNA copy numbers
Authors: Yu Byung Chul , Cho Nam-Jun , Park Samel , Kim Hyoungnae , Choi Soo Jeong , Kim Jin Kuk , Hwang Seung Duk , Gil Hyo-Wook , Lee Eun Young , Jeon Jin Seok , Noh Hyunjin , Han Dong Cheol , Kim Yon Hee , Jin So-Young , Park Moo Yong , Kwon Soon Hyo 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMitochondrial injury plays important roles in the pathogenesis of various kidney diseases. However, mitochondrial injury in IgA nephropathy (IgAN) remains largely unexplored. Here, we examined the associations among mitochondrial injury, IgAN, and treatment outcomes. We prospectively enrolled patients with IgAN and age-/sex-matched healthy volunteers (HVs) as controls (n = 31 each). Urinary copy numbers of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genes cytochrome-c oxidase-3 (COX3) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase subunit-1 (ND1) were measured. Urinary mtDNA levels were elevated in the IgAN group compared with that in HVs (p < 0.001). Urinary ND1 levels were significantly higher in the low proteinuria group than in the high proteinuria group (p = 0.027). Changes in urinary levels of ND1 and COX3 were positively correlated with changes in proteinuria (p = 0.038 and 0.024, respectively) and inversely correlated with changes in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.033 and 0.017, respectively) after medical treatment. Mitochondrial injury played important roles in IgAN pathogenesis and may be involved in early-stage glomerular inflammation, prior to pathological changes and increased proteinuria. The correlation between changes in urinary mtDNA and proteinuria suggest that these factors may be promising biomarkers for treatment outcomes in IgAN.
Trpc1 as the Missing Link Between the Bmp and Ca2+ Signalling Pathways During Neural Specification in Amphibians
Authors: Néant Isabelle , Leung Ho Chi , Webb Sarah E. , Miller Andrew L. , Moreau Marc , Leclerc Catherine 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn amphibians, the inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) in the dorsal ectoderm has been proposed to be responsible for the first step of neural specification, called neural induction. We previously demonstrated that in Xenopus laevis embryos, the BMP signalling antagonist, noggin, triggers an influx of Ca2+ through voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs), mainly via CaV1.2, and we showed that this influx constitutes a necessary and sufficient signal for triggering the expression of neural genes. However, the mechanism linking the inhibition of BMP signalling with the activation of LTCCs remained unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the transient receptor potential canonical subfamily member 1, (Trpc1), is an intermediate between BMP receptor type II (BMPRII) and the CaV1.2 channel. We show that noggin induces a physical interaction between BMPRII and Trpc1 channels. This interaction leads to the activation of Trpc1 channels and to an influx of cations, which depolarizes the plasma membrane up to a threshold sufficient to activate Cav1.2. Together, our results demonstrate for the first time that during neural induction, Ca2+ entry through the CaV1.2 channel results from the noggin-induced interaction between Trpc1 and BMPRII.
Reactivation of Notch signaling is required for cardiac valve regeneration
Authors: Kefalos Panagiotis , Agalou Adamantia , Kawakami Koichi , Beis Dimitris 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCardiac Valve Disease is one of the most common heart disorders with an emerging epidemic of cardiac valve degeneration due to aging. Zebrafish can regenerate most of their organs, including their heart. We aimed to explore the regenerative potential of cardiac valves and the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. We used an inducible, tissue-specific system of chemogenetic ablation and showed that zebrafish can also regenerate their cardiac valves. Upon valvular damage at larval stages, the intracardiac flow pattern becomes reminiscent of the early embryonic stages, exhibiting an increase in the retrograde flow fraction through the atrioventricular canal. As a result of the altered hemodynamics, notch1b and klf2a expression are ectopically upregulated, adopting the expression pattern of earlier developmental stages. We find that Notch signaling is re-activated upon valvular damage both at larval and adult stages and that it is required during the initial regeneration phase of cardiac valves. Our results introduce an animal model of cardiac valve specific ablation and regeneration.
Myofascial trigger points alter the modular control during the execution of a reaching task: a pilot study
Authors: Geri Tommaso , Gizzi Leonardo , Di Marco Anna , Testa Marco 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMyofascial trigger points (TP) constitute a conundrum in research and clinical practice as their etiopathogenesis is debated. Several studies investigating one or few muscles have shown that both active and latent TP causes an increased muscle activity, however the influence of TP on modular motor control during a reaching task is still unclear. Electromyographic signals, recorded from the muscles of the shoulder girdle and upper arm during a reaching task, were decomposed with Non-Negative Matrix Factorization algorithm. The extracted matrices of motor modules and activation signals were used to label the muscles condition as dominant or non-dominant. The presence of latent and active TP was detected in each muscle with manual examination. Despite a similar muscle activity was observed, we found that muscles with active TP had increased weighting coefficients when labeled in the dominant condition. No influences were found when muscles were in the non-dominant condition. These findings suggest that TP altered the motor control without co-contraction patterns. As a preliminary evidence, the present results suggest that the increased weighting coefficients in presence of TPs are associated with an alteration of the modular motor control without affecting the dimensionality of motor modules for each individual and reciprocal inhibition.
Programming effects of maternal and gestational obesity on offspring metabolism and metabolic inflammation
Authors: Chang E. , Hafner H. , Varghese M. , Griffin C. , Clemente J. , Islam M. , Carlson Z. , Zhu A. , Hak L. , Abrishami S. , Gregg B. , Singer K. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWith the increasing prevalence of obesity in women of reproductive age there is a need to understand the ramifications of this on offspring. The purpose of this study is to investigate the programming effects of maternal obesity during preconception and the preconception/gestational period on adiposity and adipose tissue inflammation in offspring using an animal model. Adult female C57Bl/6J mice were assigned either normal diet, high fat diet (HFD) prior to pregnancy, or HFD prior to and through pregnancy. Some offspring were maintained on normal diet while others started HFD later in life. Offspring were assessed for body composition and metabolic responses. Lipid storing tissues were evaluated for expansion and inflammation. Male offspring from the preconception group had the greatest weight gain, most subcutaneous adipose tissue, and largest liver mass when introduced to postnatal HFD. Male offspring of the preconception/gestation group had worsened glucose tolerance and an increase in resident (CD11c−) adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) when exposed to postnatal HFD. Female offspring had no significant difference in any parameter between the diet treatment groups. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that prenatal and pregnancy windows have independent programming effects on offspring. Preconception exposure affects body composition and adiposity while gestation exposure affects metabolism and tissue immune cell phenotypes.
Diabetische Pneumopathie
Authors: Kopf Stefan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBreathlessness or dyspnea is a frequent symptom in patients with diabetes and the first disease which has to be excluded is the coronary heart disease. However, previous epidemiological studies have shown that patients with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk for fibrotic pulmonary diseases, such as the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Recent studies were able to show that patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes have impaired pulmonary oxygen consumption and over 26 % of patients with long-term type 2 diabetes showed restrictive lung function with fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. Especially patients with type 2 diabetes and nephropathy had an 8-fold higher risk for lung diseases. This is not surprising since the pathomechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis and diabetic complications have much in common: reactive oxygen species induce DNA-damage with consecutive activation of inflammatory cytokines which induce fibrotic remodeling of the tissue. This leads us to the suggestion that patients with diabetes, albuminuria and breathlessness should be examined for interstitial lung disease on regular basis. However, data regarding the natural course of diabetic pneumopathy and therapeutic approaches are still missing. Small intervention studies with IPF-patients could show that sports and physical activity were able to stabilize the disease progression.
Several Circulating Biomarkers for PCOS Diagnosis
Authors: Luo Peiqi , Zhang Cheng , He Yirui , Yang Gangyi , Liu Hua , Li Ling 
Published: November 2019

Abstract Aims Irisin, Betatrophin and Zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) have been
shown to be associated with insulin resistance (IR) and polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS), respectively. The purpose of this study is to explore the
potential accuracy of this combination of three cytokines in screening
PCOS.
Methods 186 individuals were recruited for this study. Circulating
Irisin, Betatrophin and ZAG concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay. The association between these serum biomarkers and PCOS
was assessed by logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating curve (ROC)
analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of these biomarkers
for PCOS women.
Results In women with PCOS, serum Irisin and Betatrophin levels were
markedly elevated compared to those in healthy controls (p<0.01), while
ZAG levels were lower (p<0.01). PCOS women with IR (M-value<6.28) had
lower circulating ZAG concentrations, and higher circulating Irisin and
Betatrophin levels relative to PCOS women without IR (M-value ≥ 6.28). ROC
curve analyses showed that the AUC for Irisin, ZAG and Betatrophin for
predicting PCOS were 0.77, 0.83 and 0.85, respectively. In a joint ROC
curves analysis of these serum markers and other parameters, the results
showed that the AUC was 0.93, and the sensitivity and specificity were 82.1
% and 92.3 %, respectively.
Conclusions When compared to using single cytokine, the analysis of
Irisin, ZAG and Betatrophin elevates the accuracy in diagnosing PCOS.
Caecal Herniation through the Foramen of Winslow: A Lesser Known Complication of the Lesser Sac
Authors: Charters Pia , Lowe Andrew , Keogan Richard , Edwards Tom 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe foramen of Winslow is the omental communication between the greater and lesser sac. An internal hernia through the foramen of Winslow is extremely rare, accounting for <0.1% of abdominal hernias and 8% of internal hernias. The majority of lesser sac hernias contain small bowel only, less commonly cecum or omentum. Diagnostic delay is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and accurate radiological interpretation is invaluable to guide surgical intervention. As such, the recognition of foramen of Winslow herniation on computed tomography (CT) is paramount. We present a case of caecal herniation that was recognized early and reversed within 48 hours of presentation, without the need for bowel resection.
Quantifying Medication Exposure in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates
Authors: Davis Natalie L. , Akinmboni Temitope O. , Mooney Sandra M. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objective Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are exposed to medications with insufficient evidence describing pharmacokinetics and safety. Objective was to quantify and identify risk factors associated with the highest quartile of medication exposure.
Study Design Retrospective record review of VLBW infants admitted to a level-IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We obtained baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as data on all medications received during admission. Characteristics of patients within the upper quartile of medication use were compared with remaining patients.
Results Identified 106 infants, mean birth weight (BW) = 961 g, gestational age = 27.3 weeks. Infants received a median = 20 medications (range, 4–72). Those in the top quartile of medication use received ≥30 medications while in the NICU and had higher odds of being male sex, lower BW, longer length of hospital stay (LOHS), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Sepsis did not affect medication exposure. Antibiotics, opiates, and reflux medications were among the top prescribed.
Conclusion Infants are exposed to a large number of medications during NICU hospitalization, including potentially unnecessary antibiotics and reflux medications. Male sex, the presence of certain comorbidities such as necrotizing enterocolitis, and LOHS, are associated with higher exposure. Increased awareness of this issue may assist in decreasing medication exposure in VLBW populations.
Off-Pump Tricuspid Annuloplasty through a Direct Transatrial Approach: Early Results
Authors: Andreas Martin , Werner Paul , Laufer Guenther , Sauer Jude 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSevere tricuspid regurgitation constitutes a growing disease burden. Conventional surgery for tricuspid valve disease has an increased risk while several interventional procedures are currently under clinical investigation, yet do not offer comprehensive solutions. We investigated a novel surgical approach for off-pump beating-heart tricuspid annuloplasty in circulating blood through a single port in the right atrium. Early feasibility results in preclinical porcine in vivo studies encourage further development of this approach, combining the proven concept of surgical annuloplasty with the benefits of minimally invasive off-pump procedures in a hybrid setting.
Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness and Associated Changes of Angiogenic Factors in Women with Severe Preeclampsia
Authors: Stern-Ascher Conrad N. , North Victoria S. , Garg Aakriti , Ananth Cande V. , Wapner Ronald J. , Bearelly Srilaxmi 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
Objective Severe preeclampsia complicates roughly 1% of all pregnancies. One defining feature of severe preeclampsia is new onset visual disturbance. The accessibility of the choroid to high-resolution, noninvasive imaging makes it a reasonable target of investigation for disease prediction, stratification, or monitoring in preeclampsia. This study aimed to compare subfoveal choroidal thickness between women with severe preeclampsia and those with normotensive pregnancies, and to investigate associations between such findings and other indicators of disease severity, including gestational age and serum angiogenic factors.
Study Design We designed a case-control study comprised of 36 women diagnosed with severe preeclampsia (cases) matched to 37 normotensive women (controls) by race/ethnicity and parity, all diagnosed in the postpartum period. All patients underwent enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and serum analysis.
Results Cases showed no difference in subfoveal choroidal thickness compared with controls (p = 0.65). Amongst cases, subfoveal choroidal thickness and gestational age at delivery were inversely related (r = 0.86, p < .001). There was a positive association of placental growth factor with subfoveal choroidal thickness amongst cases (r = 0.54, p = 0.002).
Conclusion This study suggests a relationship between the degree of disease severity and the magnitude of choroidal thickening. We also show an association between this index and placental growth factor level in the postpartum period.