bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fiber Wars: Are mixed soluble and insoluble fibers the answer for irritable bowel syndrome?
Authors: Damianos John , Nguyen Linda , Pimentel Mark 
Published: May 2021

Fiber is known to exert various favorable effects on the gastrointestinal tract via modulation of the microbiota, formation of metabolites (such as short chain fatty acids), altered motility, and manipulation of stool form. While there has been tremendous interest in utilizing fiber in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, results have been conflicting, with some studies finding benefit and others finding no effect or even worsening of symptoms. Nopal is a fiber derived from a cactus plant which is predominantly composed of soluble fiber.

We summarize the @GIJournal discussion held on April 21, 2021 during which Remes-Troche et al. “Nopal fiber (Opuntia ficus?indica) improves symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome in the short term: a randomized controlled trial” was critically reviewed by our expert Dr. Mark Pimentel (MP), and moderated by Dr. Linda Nguyen (LN).
Performing Blackness under Roman Occupation: Embodied Resistance and the Empire (A Thinking Essay)
Authors: McMillan Christopher-Rasheem 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTThis thinking essay considers the embodied connection between citizenship, belonging, and race in both the ancient and contemporary world. It weaves together theology, critical race studies, and classical studies to ask what vulnerable bodies in antiquity might tell us about our contemporary moment. In this essay, Christopher-Rasheem McMillan argues that the black body in contemporary North America is akin to noncitizen bodies during the Roman Empire and that the United States functions as an empire. For the purposes of this thinking essay, the contemporary police officer performs the function of a Roman soldier, with a primary purpose of defending, protecting, and expanding the empire. McMillan proposes and seeks to answer the question: How do black bodies testify and thrive under “Roman” occupation?
“Harmony in Diversity”: A Compartmentalist Approach to the Three Teachings in Mulianxi
Authors: Zhao Xiaohuan 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTThis essay has two subjects: the “unity of the Three Teachings” (sanjiao heyi), which is often described as most characteristic of the Chinese religious system; and Mulian drama or Mulianxi, which is the oldest Chinese ritual drama that has been staged for more than nine hundred years since its first recorded performance in the Song dynasty (960–1279). The first concerns questions whether the Three Teachings (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism) were syncretized into a unitary belief system in premodern China, and the second whether Mulianxi is a syncretic product of the Three Teachings.
“Judaism as”
Authors: Hoffman Lawrence A. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Judaism has been defined as many things: “religion,” “culture,” “ethnicity,” “race,” “nation,” and (for Mordecai Kaplan) “civilization.” Each definition, including Kaplan’s, poses ethical challenges by positing explicitly (or implicitly) a hierarchical ordering where Judaism is “religiously true,” “culturally advanced,” or otherwise “better than” other religions. This article therefore suggests reconceiving Judaism as a “conversation,” a more expansive term with no ethical hierarchy, and (as it happens) fully congruent with human nature, in that human beings are not so much “rational creatures” (Aristotle), “religious creatures” (Eliade), or “working creatures” (Marx), as they are “conversational creatures.” It further introduces the concept “cultural caricature” to project ultimate ethical outcomes of the various definitions (e.g., the caricature of “ethnicity” is “ethnic cleansing”). The caricature of “conversation” is a Museum of the Human Condition, where each religious tradition gets its own room and where religious adherents meet in the corridors to converse together—what we nowadays call interfaith dialogue.
“At Many Times and in Various Ways”: Hebrews and the Hermeneutics of Exposition
Authors: Starling David I. 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT
A crucial hermeneutical issue for expository preaching is the relationship between the responsibility to teach the text (giving due acknowledgment to the “many” and “various” ways in which God spoke through the authors of Scripture) and the commission to preach Christ (who is “the same yesterday and today and forever”). In this article I explore the dynamics of that relationship through a series of case studies in the hermeneutical practices of the writer to the Hebrews. Within the larger hermeneutical framework established by the letter’s opening verses, I examine the various ways in which Scripture is quoted, echoed, explained, and applied in Hebrews 2:5–3:6, 3:7–4:13, and 12:1–13. What emerges from the study is not a single, inflexible rule but a warrant for the kind of expository preaching that is sensitive to the particularities of the biblical text (in both its content and its illocutionary force), cognisant of the circumstances of the hearers, and directed toward the goal of encouraging God’s people to hear and respond to the unchanging word spoken by God in his Son.
Graves’ Disease
Authors: Aragão Prazeres de Oliveira Paula , Nayara Muniz de Oliveira Beatriz , da Silva Souza Paulino Eduarda , Carolinne Marinho de Araujo Fernanda , Gabriele Tabosa Lyra Paula 
Published: May 2021

DG presents with three main presentations: hyperthyroidism with diffuse goiter, infiltrative ophthalmopathy and pre-tibial myxedema. Patients with Graves’ disease can rarely develop severe hyperthyroidism. The hyperthyroidism of Graves’ disease is characterized immunologically by the lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland and by the activation of the immune system with elevation of the circulating T lymphocytes. In GD, goiter is characteristically diffuse. May have asymmetric or lobular character, with variable volume. The clinical manifestations of hyperthyroidism are due to the stimulatory effect of thyroid hormones on metabolism and tissues. Nervousness, eye complaints, insomnia, weight loss, tachycardia, palpitations, heat intolerance, damp and hot skin with excessive sweating, tremors, hyperdefecation and muscle weakness are the main characteristics. In the laboratory diagnosis, biochemical and hormonal exams will be done to assess thyroid hormones and the antithyroid antibodies. Additionally, imaging tests may be performed, such as radioactive iodine capture in 24 hours, ultrasonography, thyroid scintigraphy and fine needle aspiration. It is necessary to make the differential diagnosis of Graves’ disease for thyrotoxicosis, subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis and toxic nodular goiter. The treatment of DG aims to stop the production of thyroid hormones and inhibit the effect of thyroid hormones on the body. Hyperthyroidism caused by DG can be treated in the following ways: it may be the use of synthetic antithyroid medicines, thionamides, MMI being a long-term medicine, it allows a single daily dose, and adherence to treatment occurs, a disadvantage is that it cannot be used in pregnant women; beta-blockers, preferably used in the initial phase of DG with thionamides; radioactive iodine therapy (RAI), being the best cost–benefit and preventing DG recurrence; finally the total thyroidectomy, causing the withdrawal of the thyroid gland. Therefore, it should be discussed with the patient what is the best treatment for your case, with a view to the post and against each approach. If the patient develops Graves ophthalmopathy, in lighter cases the artificial tears should be used, and in more severe cases can be used as treatment, corticosteroids, orbital decompression surgery, prisms and orbital radiotherapy. In addition, the patient should keep their body healthy, doing exercise and healthy eating, following the guidance of their doctor.
Treatment of Tannery Effluent of Unit Bovine Hides’ Unhairing Liming by the Precipitation
Authors: Omor Anass , Elkarrach Karima , Ouafi Redouane , Rais Zakia , ElMadani Fatima-Zahra , Taleb Mustafa 
Published: May 2021

The tannery effluents are characterized by high toxic pollutants such as sulfides; used in the tanning of animal’s skin. The mean objective of this work is the evaluation of the pollution degree of various operating units, and the treatment of tannery effluent generated from unhairing-liming unit. According to physicochemical characterization, this effluent was largely basic and very loaded in sulfides, which have harmful effects on human health and the environment as well. Otherwise, the microbiological characterization showed an absence of pathogenic bacteria and a low concentration of mesophilic aerobic flora, because of this effluent toxicity. Thus, the treatment of this effluent is indispensable before its reject into the environment. In fact, chemical precipitation is a promising approach for the treatment of this effluent. In this regard, ferric chloride was used as chemical agent to reduce and removal sulphide ions from this effluent. As result, this treatment gave an excellent abatement rate of sulphide, which reached more than 90% using a pH of 8.5 and a ferric chloride concentration of 1.4 mol/L.
Chronic renal failure as initial presentation of pelvic hemangioendothelioma.
Authors: Braga João Gabriel Léda , Orellana Fernanda Monteiro , Ziroldo Alan , Sementilli Leonardo , Toledo Luis Gustavo Morato De , Fernandes Roni de Carvalho 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTHemangioendothelioma is a rare vascular tumor whose etiology has not yet been defined. Currently, it is known to affect different sites, such as the abdominal-pelvic cavity. It is also known to present intermediate characteristics to hemangioma and angiosarcoma. In recent studies, 50-76% of patients are asymptomatic. Surgical treatment is indicated in most cases. The authors present a case of hemangioendothelioma with pelvic involvement and initial presentation as acute renal failure due to extrinsic ureteral compression, treated surgically, with histopathological diagnosis of hemangioendothelioma and recurrence after one year of the initial treatment presenting a histologically different form. This case illustrates a rare cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), obstructive uropathy and acute renal failure and the appearance of two different tumors within a year, in line with the genetic/immunological factor in its genesis.
Identification of diagnostic genes and vital microRNAs involved in rheumatoid arthritis: based on data mining and experimental verification
Authors: Ren Conglin , Li Mingshuang , Zheng Yang , Wu Fengqing , Du Weibin , Quan Renfu 
Published: May 2021

Background
The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex. This study aimed to identify diagnostic biomarkers and transcriptional regulators that underlie RA based on bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification.

Material and Methods
We applied weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to analyze dataset GSE55457 and obtained the key module most relevant to the RA phenotype. We then conducted gene function annotation, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and immunocytes quantitative analysis (CIBERSORT). Moreover, the intersection of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and genes within the key module were entered into the STRING database to construct an interaction network and to mine hub genes. We predicted microRNA (miRNA) using a web-based tool (miRDB). Finally, hub genes and vital miRNAs were validated with independent GEO datasets, RT-qPCR and Western blot.

Results
A total of 367 DEGs were characterized by differential expression analysis. The WGCNA method divided genes into 14 modules, and we focused on the turquoise module containing 845 genes. Gene function annotation and GSEA suggested that immune response and inflammatory signaling pathways are the molecular mechanisms behind RA. Nine hub genes were screened from the network and seven vital regulators were obtained using miRNA prediction. CIBERSORT analysis identified five cell types enriched in RA samples, which were closely related to the expression of hub genes. Through ROC curve and RT-qPCR validation, we confirmed five genes that were specific for RA, including CCL25, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCL13. Moreover, we selected a representative gene (CXCL10) for Western blot validation. Vital miRNAs verification showed that only the differences in has-miR-573 and has-miR-34a were statistically significant.

Conclusion
Our study reveals diagnostic genes and vital microRNAs highly related to RA, which could help improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the disorder and provide theoretical support for the future exploration of innovative therapeutic approaches.
Removal of Methylene Blue and Neutral Red Dyes from Spiked Waste-Water Using Edtad Modified Cellulose Obtained from Pennisetum purpureum
Authors: Oyaro Brenda , Ngumba Elijah , Salim Ali Mohammed 
Published: May 2021

The presence of dyes in aquatic effluents is highly visible, undesirable, carcinogenic to human beings and toxic to living organisms. EDTAD modified cellulose extracted from Pennisetum purpureum was studied as an adsorbent for the removal of cationic dyes from spiked waste-water. Shimadzu Fourier Transform Infrared spectrophotometer, was used to analyze functional groups of cellulose and EDTAD modified cellulose. The characteristic peaks at 1260 cm-1, 1634 cm-1, 1058 cm-1, and 1740 cm-1 indicated formation of ester bond linkages associated with the introduction of EDTAD thus successful modification of cellulose. Shimadzu UV-VIS 1800 series determined the degree of dye concentration. Optimum adsorption was determined by varying the dosage, pH, contact time, and the initial concentration of the dyes.
An increase in adsorbent mass increased the percentage removal for both dyes up to a maximum of 98%. Low pH levels prompted low percentage removal as compared to higher pH values for both dyes. Kinetic studies were carried out using the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, to investigate the rate of adsorption. Methylene blue and neutral red dyes seemed to conform to langmuir with high R2 values of 0.999 and 0.997 respectively while freundlich isotherm had values of 0.9969 and 0.9835, indicating that the adsorption surface of the EDTAD modified cellulose was monolayer. Methylene Blue adsorption capacity was 200mg/g while for Neutral Red dye was 149.25mg/g. The kinetics were well depicted by pseudo second order model whose correlation coefficients were closer to unity than those of the first order model. The efficiency of EDTAD modified cellulose from Pennisetum purpureum as an adsorbent in the removal of dyes renders it a remedy to the various problems caused by dyes to aquatic life and human beings.
Epidermal growth factor influences the neurotrophic/differentiating action of nerve growth factor
Authors: Buravsky Vladimir A. , Gronskaya Raisa I. , Shpak Galina A. , Lustchitskaya Nina I. , Kalunov Vladimir N. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractExposure of naive PC12 cells, sympathetic neurons from rat superior cervical ganglia, and brain‐derived septal neurons to epidermal and nerve growth factors simultaneously resulted in some alteration of cellular events induced by nerve growth factor alone. A more pronounced decline of catecholamine content, no additional change in acetylcholinesterase activity, and additive stimulation of RNA and protein syntheses were found in PC12 cells. Earlier elevation of the enzyme activity was observed in sympathetic but not in septal neurons. Epidermal growth factor appeared to support independently the same level of acetylcholinesterase activity in septal neurons as revealed for nerve growth factor during the first week and cell survival throughout 2 weeks of observation. The data obtained indicate that epidermal growth factor augments temporarily some effects of nerve growth factor, thus supporting the idea of an important role of mitogenic growth factors in neural development as complementary and/or substitutive regulators of nerve cell differentiation and survival.
Maturation of cerebellar granule cells is delayed in cultures derived from ethanol‐treated chick embryos: Survival and proliferation studies
Authors: Srivastava Nisha , Vernadakis Antonia 
Published: July 2002

AbstractPrevious studies from this laboratory have shown that ethanol administration to chick embryos during embryonic days 1–3, a critical period of neuroembryogenesis, differentially affects primordial CNS structures. In this study, chick embryos were treated in ovo with ethanol (10 mg/50 μl/day) at E1 to E3. At 14 days of embryonic age cerebellar (E14CE) granule cell cultures were prepared from both control and ethanol‐treated embryos. Growth patterns were evaluated morphologically and the neuronal nature of these cultures was evaluated immunocytochemically. E14CE granule cell cultures exhibited neurofilament immunoreactivity demonstrating the neuronal‐nature of these cultures. In addition E14CE granule cultures contained numerous glutamateric neurons as assessed by positive glutamate immunoreactivity and also some GABAergic neurons as assessed by positive GABA immunoreactivity. Cultures derived from both control and ethanol‐treated embryos were labeled with 3H‐thymidine and assessed for effects on survival and proliferation in culture. Cultures derived from ethanol‐treated embryos showed a higher rate of proliferation and survival during the first 3 days in culture as compared to those derived from controls. However, after 3 days in culture, survival was lower in the cultures from ethanol‐treated embryos as compared to those derived from controls. We interpret these findings to mean that (a) ethanol arrested cerebellar granule cell development at an immature state; (b) immature neurons have a higher survival capacity than differentiated neurons; and (c) ethanol accelerates normal neuronal cell death as previously reported.
Effect of a spinal cord photolesion injury on catalase
Authors: Sampath D. , Holets V. , Perez‐Polo J.R. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractIschemic injury to the spinal cord results in cell and tissue damage. Oxygen free radicals have been implicated in post‐ischemic cell injury and death while free radical scavengers like superoxide dismutase and catalase are associated with an amelioration of ischemic injury. Measurement of catalase enzyme activity or protein in ischemic tissue presents mechanical problems due to extensive tissue destruction. Therefore, we looked at the effects of a photochemical lesion (which reproduces ischemic injury) on the levels of catalase mRNA in the spinal cord tissues of rodents under various experimental conditions. A significant depletion in the levels of catalase mRNA was observed in the spinal cord tissues of rats that received a severe lesion and were sacrificed 6 days post‐lesion, while levels of catalase mRNA in the spinal cord tissues of similarly lesioned rats sacrificed 14 days post‐lesion showed a return to control values.
Reinnervation of denervated iris by transplanted sympathetic ganglia: Effect of neuronal age
Authors: Hiebert Jean , Smith Peter G. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractNeuronal outgrowth in vivo is aggressive postnatally, but is diminished with increasing age. This may be attributable to intrinsic features of the neuron or its interaction with other components of the developing organism. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an age‐dependent reduction in the intrinsic ability of sympathetic neurons to initiate fiber outgrowth. Superior cervical ganglia from donor rats aged 3–4, 11–12, 27–28 and 45–46 days were removed and transplanted to the anterior chamber of the sympathectomized eye of host rats 85–89 days of age. Ganglia with host irides were removed at 3, 6 and 10 days post‐transplant and whole mounts were analysed using catecholamine histofluorescence for maximum sympathetic fiber density, length and initial rate of outgrowth. Fluorescent fibers were present in host irides of donors of all ages and at all post‐transplant times. However, maximum fiber density was less for the 3–4 day‐old donor ganglia (e.g. 43–71% of 11–46‐day‐old donor ganglia at 600 μm, 10 days post‐transplant). Maximum fiber length was also less in the youngest group (e.g. 35–49% of 11–46‐day‐old donor ganglia, 10 days post‐transplant). Further, the initial rate of outgrowth was decreased for the 3–4‐day‐old donor ganglia (128±46 μm/day for the 3–4‐day‐old ganglia vs 253±48 μm/day for the 11–12‐day‐old ganglia, 307±35 μm/day for the 27–28‐day‐old ganglia and 260±22 μm/day for the 45–46‐day‐old ganglia). We conclude that the capacity for neuronal outgrowth is limited in the early postnatal period, but rapidly attains the mature level by the second postnatal week. Therefore, diminished outgrowth in mature rats does not appear to be due to a decrease in the intrinsic ability of sympathetic nerves to initiate fiber outgrowth, but is attributable to other factors.
Long‐term microglial and astroglial activation in the hippocampus of trimethyltin‐intoxicated rat: stimulation of NGF and TrkA immunoreactivities in astroglia but not in microglia
Authors: Koczyk Danuta , Oderfeld‐Nowak Barbara 
Published: July 2002

AbstractIn the present study we investigated the microglial and astroglial response after trimethyltin (TMT) exposure over a prolonged period of time. Male Wistar rats were given a single dose of TMT (8 mg/kg, i.p.) and survived 4, 7, 21, 60 and 180 days after the administration of the toxin. Histochemistry (Griffonia simplicifolia lectinstaining) and immunocytochemistry for GFAP were applied to identify micro‐ and astroglial cells, respectively. To assess the trophic response of glial cells (NGF and TrkA expression), single or double staining experiments were performed. In addition, the biochemical evaluation of GFAP and NGF were carried out at chosen timepoints using immunoblotting technique and ELISA, respectively. The main findings of our study were as follows. (1) A protracted activation of microglia (at least up to 2 months posttreatment). (2) A long‐lasting expression of GFAP immunoreactivity (at least up to 6 months posttreatment) and a steady increase in GFAP content (at least up to 2 months posttreatment). (3) The appearance of enormously enlarged, round‐shape astrocytes exclusively localized to CA1 and observed 2 months posttreatment. (4) The stimulation of NGF and TrkA expression in reactive astrocytes. (5) The strongest activation of micro‐ and astroglia coincided with the most prominent neurodegeneration in the hippocampus, i.e., in CA4/CA3c and CA1. It is tempting to assume that the activation of glial cells in the hippocampal areas particularly vulnerable to TMT may affect neuronal fate after neurotoxic insult.
Increased allergic reactivity of atopic type in mood disorders and schizophrenia
Authors: Dabkowska M , Rybakowski JK 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThe allergic reactivity of atopic type was investigated in 54 patients with mood disorders in the course of depressive episode and in 39 patients with schizophrenia. The assessment was done by three methods: intradermal tests, determination of IgE concentration and determination of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. The hypersensitivity to three or more allergens on intradermal tests was found in 40% of depressive and in 27% of schizophrenic patients. The concentration of IgE > 100 IU/mL was found in 45% of patients with depression and in 46% of patients with schizophrenia, more frequently in subjects with hyperactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and in depression, in patients with higher intensity of symptoms. The positive results of the Phadiatop test which detects specific antibodies for inhalatory antigens, were found in 46% of depressive and in 40% of schizophrenic patients The indices of atopy for all three tests were higher in males than in females in both mood disorders and in schizophrenia. However, these indices were similar for unipolar and bipolar depressed patients as well as for patients with paranoid or residual schizophrenia.