bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of size and shape of specimens on the mass loss caused by Coniophora puteana in wood durability tests
Authors: Brischke Christian , Grünwald Leopold K. , Bollmus Susanne 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe experimental basis for testing the biological durability of wood often includes incubation experiments with wood-destroying basidiomycetes. Numerous parameters can affect the mass loss by fungal decay (MLF) in laboratory durability tests and therefore being decisive for the resulting durability classification. Among others, the dimension of the wood specimen and the time of incubation impact on fungal decay. Hence, both parameters were examined within this study using 19 different specimen formats and four different incubation times. Specimens of larch heartwood (Larix decidua Mill.) were incubated with pure cultures of the brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana. Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was used as a reference. The wood specimens’ format turned out to significantly affect both mass loss by fungal decay (MLF) and resulting x-values when MLF of larch was compared with that of the reference Scots pine sapwood. Both measures were highest for specimen formats with moderate surface-volume ratios. MLF and x-values depended on specimen size and shape as well as on the time of incubation. Reducing the specimen volume generally led to higher MLF at a given incubation time, but prolonging incubation times led to higher x-values and thus to lower durability expressed as durability classes (DC). In summary, it appeared highly questionable that results of basidiomycete durability tests can be easily compared to each other when specimen format and/or incubation time deviate from the standard conditions.
Perfusion in hand arthritis on dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography: a randomized prospective study using MRI as a standard of reference
Authors: Ulas Sevtap Tugce , Hermann Kay Geert , Makowski Marcus R. , Biesen Robert , Proft Fabian , Schilling Ralph , Diekhoff Torsten 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the performance of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) in detecting and quantitatively assessing perfusion parameters in patients with arthritis of the hand compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) as a standard of reference.

Materials and methods
In this IRB-approved randomized prospective single-centre study, 36 consecutive patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis underwent DCE-CT (320-row, tube voltage 80 kVp, tube current 8.25 mAs) and DCE-MRI (1.5 T) of the hand. Perfusion maps were calculated separately for mean transit time (MTT), time to peak (TTP), relative blood volume (rBV), and relative blood flow (rBF) using four different decomposition techniques. Region of interest (ROI) analysis was performed in metacarpophalangeal joints II–V and in the wrist. Pairs of perfusion parameters in DCE-CT and DCE-MRI were compared using a two-tailed t test for paired samples and interpreted for effect size (Cohen’s d). According to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (RAMRIS) scoring results, differentiation of synovitis-positive and synovitis-negative joints with both modalities was assessed with the independent t test.

Results
The two modalities yielded similar perfusion parameters. Identified differences had small effects (d 0.01–0.4). DCE-CT additionally differentiates inflamed and noninflamed joints based on rBF and rBV but tends to underestimate these parameters in severe inflammation. The total dose-length product (DLP) was 48 mGy*cm with an estimated effective dose of 0.038 mSv.

Conclusion
DCE-CT is a promising imaging technique in arthritis. In patients with a contraindication to MRI or when MRI is not available, DCE-CT is a suitable alternative to detect and assess arthritis.
Wie wirken mediale Altersbilder auf ältere Menschen? – Ergebnisse einer Rezeptionsstudie
Authors: Wangler Julian , Jansky Michael 
Published: June 2020

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Seit Längerem wird über die Bedeutung medienvermittelter Altersbilder diskutiert. Dennoch gibt es bislang kaum empirische Anhaltspunkte, inwiefern solche durch Medien kommunizierte (Re)Präsentationen des höheren Lebensalters einstellungsverändernde Effekte bei Rezipienten auslösen können. Im Zentrum der Studie steht die Frage, wie sich (prototypische) mediale Altersdarstellungen auf Einstellungen zum Alter (Altersfremdbild) und zum persönlichen Älterwerden (Altersselbstbild) auswirken.

Material und Methoden
Im Zuge einer Inhaltsanalyse wurden 3 verbreitete Altersdarstellungen in den Nachrichtenmagazinen Spiegel, Stern und Focus bestimmt und, darauf aufbauend, prototypisches Stimulusmaterial selektiert („frames“). Anschließend wurden 910 Teilnehmende zwischen 60 und 94 Jahren, die in 3 Experimentalgruppen eingeteilt wurden, im Zuge einer quasiexperimentellen Befragung mit jeweils einem Alters-Frame konfrontiert. Im Mittelpunkt stand ein Vorher-nachher-Vergleich von Indikatoren zu Altersfremdbild und -selbstbild.

Ergebnisse
Im Vorher-nachher-Vergleich verändern sich die Indikatoren zum Altersfremdbild stärker als das Altersselbstbild. Zudem klaffen Selbst- und Fremdbildindikatoren auseinander. Die Vorlage des negativen Alters-Frame führt zu einer Verbesserung des Selbstbilds, während sich das Fremdbild deutlich verschlechtert. Umgekehrt verbessert sich nach Vorlage des positiven Frame das Fremdbild stark, während das Selbstbild Einbußen erleidet.

Diskussion
Mediale Altersdarstellungen scheinen sich nicht in der Weise auf das Altersfremdbild und -selbstbild älterer Personen auswirken, wie man auf Basis ihrer inhaltlichen Beschaffenheit vermuten könnte. Hingegen scheinen sie von Rezipienten für soziale Vergleiche genutzt zu werden. So scheinen negative Effekte z. B. dann einzutreten, wenn Mediendarstellungen älteren Rezipienten durch Präsentation (über)positiv inszenierter „best ager“ das eigene Alter(n) bewusst machen. Im Lichte dieser Ergebnisse lässt sich folglich die Theorie sozialer Vergleichsprozesse heranziehen, derzufolge Medien Rezipienten Vergleichsmaßstäbe an die Hand geben. Angesichts solcher Befunde sollten gängige Annahmen zur Wirkung von Altersbildern überdacht werden. Auch die Interaktion von Altersfremdbild und -selbstbild sollte verstärkt beachtet werden.
The adulterated XANAX pill: a fatal intoxication with etizolam and caffeine
Authors: Kolbe V. , Rentsch D. , Boy D. , Schmidt B. , Kegler R. , Büttner A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA 49-year old man was found dead at home next to a glass containing a dried, white, crystalline substance and near a bag containing pills with the imprint XANAX, the trade name of alprazolam. A comprehensive screening of material collected during the autopsy revealed the presence of etizolam and caffeine in lethal concentrations (0.77 μg/mL and 190 μg/mL) but no trace of alprazolam. Benzodiazepine analogue etizolam is rarely prescribed in Germany, and as a result there are not many reports about fatal cases. It has anxiolytic, hypnotic, sedative and muscle-relaxant properties and is used for the short-term treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. The purine alkaloid caffeine, conversely, is the most widely used central nervous system stimulant. The following report outlines potentially the first reported case of a lethal combination of the downer etizolam and the upper caffeine in medical literature.
Detection of doxorubicin, cisplatin and therapeutic antibodies in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human cancer cells
Authors: Böckelmann Lukas , Starzonek Christin , Niehoff Ann-Christin , Karst Uwe , Thomale Jürgen , Schlüter Hartmut , Bokemeyer Carsten , Aigner Achim , Schumacher Udo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA major limitation in the pharmacological treatment of clinically detectable primary cancers and their metastases is their limited accessibility to anti-cancer drugs (cytostatics, inhibitory antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors) critically impairing therapeutic efficacies. Investigations on the tissue distribution of such drugs are rare and have only been based on fresh frozen material or methanol-fixed cell culture cells so far. In this paper, we expand the detection of cisplatin-induced DNA adducts and anthracyclines as well as therapeutic antibodies to routinely prepared formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections (FFPE). Using pre-treated cell lines prepared as FFPE samples comparable to tissues from routine analysis, we demonstrate that our method allows for the detection of chemotherapeutics (anthracyclines by autofluorescence, cisplatin by immune detection of DNA adducts) as well as therapeutic antibodies. This methodology thus allows for analyzing archival FFPE tissues, as demonstrated here for the detection of cisplatin, doxorubicin and trastuzumab in FFPE sections of tumor xenografts from drug-treated mice. Analyzing human tumor samples, this will lead to new insights into the tissue penetration of drugs.
Influence of protein (human galectin-3) design on aspects of lectin activity
Authors: García Caballero Gabriel , Beckwith Donella , Shilova Nadezhda V. , Gabba Adele , Kutzner Tanja J. , Ludwig Anna-Kristin , Manning Joachim C. , Kaltner Herbert , Sinowatz Fred , Cudic Mare , Bovin Nicolai V. , Murphy Paul V. , Gabius Hans-Joachim 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe concept of biomedical significance of the functional pairing between tissue lectins and their glycoconjugate counterreceptors has reached the mainstream of research on the flow of biological information. A major challenge now is to identify the principles of structure–activity relationships that underlie specificity of recognition and the ensuing post-binding processes. Toward this end, we focus on a distinct feature on the side of the lectin, i.e. its architecture to present the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Working with a multifunctional human lectin, i.e. galectin-3, as model, its CRD is used in protein engineering to build variants with different modular assembly. Hereby, it becomes possible to compare activity features of the natural design, i.e. CRD attached to an N-terminal tail, with those of homo- and heterodimers and the tail-free protein. Thermodynamics of binding disaccharides proved full activity of all proteins at very similar affinity. The following glycan array testing revealed maintained preferential contact formation withN-acetyllactosamine oligomers and histo-blood group ABH epitopes irrespective of variant design. The study of carbohydrate-inhibitable binding of the test panel disclosed up to qualitative cell-type-dependent differences in sections of fixed murine epididymis and especially jejunum. By probing topological aspects of binding, the susceptibility to inhibition by a tetravalent glycocluster was markedly different for the wild-type vs the homodimeric variant proteins. The results teach the salient lesson that protein design matters: the type of CRD presentation can have a profound bearing on whether basically suited oligosaccharides, which for example tested positively in an array, will become binding partners in situ.When lectin-glycoconjugate aggregates (lattices) are formed, their structural organization will depend on this parameter. Further testing (ga)lectin variants will thus be instrumental (i) to define the full range of impact of altering protein assembly and (ii) to explain why certain types of design have been favored during the course of evolution, besides opening biomedical perspectives for potential applications of the novel galectin forms.
Developmental patterns in human blood–brain barrier and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier ABC drug transporter expression
Authors: Verscheijden L. F. M. , van Hattem A. C. , Pertijs J. C. L. M. , de Jongh C. A. , Verdijk R. M. , Smeets B. , Koenderink J. B. , Russel F. G. M. , de Wildt S. N. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWhen drugs exert their effects in the brain, linear extrapolation of doses from adults could be harmful for children as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–CSF barrier (BCSFB) function is still immature. More specifically, age-related variation in membrane transporters may impact brain disposition. As human data on brain transporter expression is scarce, age dependent [gestational age (GA), postnatal age (PNA), and postmenstrual age (PMA)] variation in immunohistochemical localization and staining intensity of the ABC transporters P-glycoprotein (Pgp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and multidrug resistance-associated proteins 1, 2, 4, and 5 (MRP1/2/4/5) was investigated. Post mortem brain cortical and ventricular tissue was derived from 23 fetuses (GA range 12.9–39 weeks), 17 neonates (GA range 24.6–41.3 weeks, PNA range 0.004–3.5 weeks), 8 children (PNA range 0.1–3 years), and 4 adults who died from a wide variety of underlying conditions. In brain cortical BBB, immunostaining increased with age for Pgp and BCRP, while in contrast, MRP1 and MRP2 staining intensity appeared higher in fetuses, neonates, and children, as compared to adults. BCSFB was positively stained for Pgp, MRP1, and MRP2 and appeared stable across age, while BCRP was not detected. MRP4 and MRP5 were not detected in BBB or BCSFB. In conclusion, human BBB and BCSFB ABC membrane transporters show brain location and transporter-specific maturation.
Cytoplasmic VDR expression as an independent risk factor for ovarian cancer
Authors: Czogalla Bastian , Deuster Eileen , Liao Yue , Mayr Doris , Schmoeckel Elisa , Sattler Cornelia , Kolben Thomas , Hester Anna , Fürst Sophie , Burges Alexander , Mahner Sven , Jeschke Udo , Trillsch Fabian 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe vitamin D receptor (VDR), primarily known as a crucial mediator of calcium homeostasis and metabolism, has been shown to play a significant role in various cancer entities. Previous studies have focused on vitamin D and its receptor in gynecological cancers, noting that the receptor is upregulated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic impact of VDR and its functional significance in ovarian cancer. Through immunohistochemistry, VDR staining was examined in 156 ovarian cancer samples. Evaluation of VDR staining was conducted in the nucleus and the cytoplasm using the semi-quantitative immunoreactive score, and the scores were classified into high- and low-level expressions. Expression levels were correlated with clinical and pathological parameters as well as with overall survival to assess for prognostic impact. Differences in cytoplasmic VDR expression were identified between the histological subtypes (p = 0.001). Serous, clear cell, and endometrioid subtypes showed the highest staining, while the mucinous subtype showed the lowest. Cytoplasmic VDR correlated with higher FIGO stage (p = 0.013;Cc = 0.203), positive lymph node status (p = 0.023;Cc = 0.236), high-grade serous histology (p = 0.000;Cc = 0.298) and grading from the distinct histological subtypes (p = 0.006;Cc = − 0.225). Nuclear VDR did not correlate with clinicopathological data. High cytoplasmic expression of VDR was associated with impaired overall survival (HR 2.218, 32.5 months vs. median not reached;p < 0.001) and was confirmed as a statistically independent prognostic factor in the Cox regression multivariate analysis. Additional knowledge of VDR as a biomarker and its interactions within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway could potentially improve the prognosis of therapeutic approaches for specific subgroups in EOC.
Neuronal α2δ proteins and brain disorders
Authors: Ablinger Cornelia , Geisler Stefanie M. , Stanika Ruslan I. , Klein Christian T. , Obermair Gerald J. 
Published: June 2020

Abstractα2δ proteins are membrane-anchored extracellular glycoproteins which are abundantly expressed in the brain and the peripheral nervous system. They serve as regulatory subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels and, particularly in nerve cells, regulate presynaptic and postsynaptic functions independently from their role as channel subunits. α2δ proteins are the targets of the widely prescribed anti-epileptic and anti-allodynic drugs gabapentin and pregabalin, particularly for the treatment of neuropathic pain conditions. Recently, the human genes (CACNA2D1–4) encoding for the four known α2δ proteins (isoforms α2δ-1 to α2δ-4) have been linked to a large variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and depressive disorders. Here, we provide an overview of the hitherto identified disease associations of all known α2δ genes, hypothesize on the pathophysiological mechanisms considering their known physiological roles, and discuss the most immanent future research questions. Elucidating their specific physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms may open the way for developing entirely novel therapeutic paradigms for treating brain disorders.
CD68- and CD163-positive tumor-associated macrophages in triple negative cancer of the breast
Authors: Jamiyan Tsengelmaa , Kuroda Hajime , Yamaguchi Rin , Abe Akihito , Hayashi Mitsuhiro 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have recently been reported as an important factor in tumor growth and the progression of cancer. The prognostic significance of localizations and densities of TAMs in triple negative cancer (TNC) of the breast is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the localizations and densities of the TAMs subtype in TNC and examine their clinicopathological features. The study was based on 107 TNC cases operated on at Dokkyo Medical University Hospital using the pan-macrophage marker CD68 and the M2 macrophage marker CD163 in the tumor stroma (TS) and tumor nest (TN), respectively, and examined the clinicopathological significance. Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that age and CD163+ TAMs in both the TS and TN were independent prognostic factors for relapse-free survival and overall survival. No correlation was found between the number of CD68+ cells or the CD163/CD68 ratio either in TS or TN, or clinicopathological features. Our study found that infiltration of CD163+ TAMs, rather than CD68+, in both TS and TN was associated with poor prognosis in TNC patients by multivariate analysis. This suggests that CD163+ TAMs may affect the prognosis of TNC by not only regulating the immune reaction by TAMs in TS, but also because of their direct influence on TN.
Disabled-2: a positive regulator of the early differentiation of myoblasts
Authors: Shang Na , Lee Juliana Tsz Yan , Huang Taida , Wang Chengdong , Lee Tin Lap , Mok Samuel C. , Zhao Hui , Chan Wood Yee 
Published: June 2020

AbstractDab2 is an adaptor protein and a tumor suppressor. Our previous study has found that Dab2 was expressed in early differentiating skeletal muscles in mouse embryos. In this study, we determined the role of Dab2 in the skeletal muscle differentiation using C2C12 myoblasts in vitro and Xenopus laevis embryos in vivo. The expression of Dab2 was increased in C2C12 myoblasts during the formation of myotubes in vitro. Knockdown of Dab2 expression in C2C12 myoblasts resulted in a reduction of myotube formation, whereas the myotube formation was enhanced upon overexpression of Dab2. Re-expression of Dab2 in C2C12 myoblasts with downregulated expression of Dab2 restored their capacity to form myotubes. Microarray profiling and subsequent network analyses on the 155 differentially expressed genes after Dab2 knockdown showed that Mef2c was an important myogenic transcription factor regulated by Dab2 through the p38 MAPK pathway. It was also involved in other pathways that are associated with muscular development and functions. In Xenopus embryos developed in vivo, XDab2 was expressed in the myotome of somites where various myogenic markers were also expressed. Knockdown of XDab2 expression with antisense morpholinos downregulated the expression of myogenic markers in somites. In conclusion, this study is the first to provide solid evidence to show that Dab2 is a positive regulator of the early myoblast differentiation.
Four rational squares in arithmetic progressions and a family of elliptic curves with positive Mordell-Weil rank
Authors: Knaf Hagen , Selder Erich , Spindler Karlheinz 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe study the question at which relative distances four squares of rational numbers can occur as terms in an arithmetic progression. This number-theoretical problem is seen to be equivalent to finding rational points on certain elliptic curves. Both number-theoretical results and results concerning the associated elliptic curves are derived; i.e., the correspondence between rational squares in arithmetic progressions and elliptic curves is exploited both ways.
Shrubs and Degraded Permafrost Pave the Way for Tree Establishment in Subarctic Peatlands
Authors: Limpens Juul , Fijen Thijs P. M. , Keizer Iris , Meijer Johan , Olsthoorn Fanny , Pereira Ana , Postma Roel , Suyker Mariette , Vasander Harri , Holmgren Milena 
Published: June 2020

AbstractArctic and subarctic ecosystems are changing rapidly in species composition and functioning as they warm twice as fast as the global average. It has been suggested that tree-less boreal landscapes may shift abruptly to tree-dominated states as climate warms. Yet, we insufficiently understand the conditions and mechanisms underlying tree establishment in the subarctic and arctic regions to anticipate how climate change may further affect ecosystem structure and functioning. We conducted a field experiment to assess the role of permafrost presence, micro-topography and shrub canopy on tree establishment in almost tree-less subarctic peatlands of northern Finland. We introduced seeds and seedlings of four tree-line species and monitored seedling survival and environmental conditions for six growing seasons. Our results show that once seedlings have emerged, the absence of permafrost can enhance early tree seedling survival, but shrub cover is the most important driver of subsequent tree seedling survival in subarctic peatlands. Tree seedling survival was twice as high under an intact shrub canopy than in open conditions after shrub canopy removal. Under unclipped control conditions, seedling survival was positively associated with dense shrub canopies for half of the tree species studied. These strong positive interactions between shrubs and trees may facilitate the transition from today’s treeless subarctic landscapes towards tree-dominated states. Our results suggest that climate warming may accelerate this vegetation shift as permafrost is lost, and shrubs further expand across the subarctic.