bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of glutamine supplementation on inflammatory markers in critically ill patients supported with enteral or parenteral feeding
Authors: Gholamalizadeh Maryam , Tabrizi Reza , Rezaei Shahla , Badeli Mostafa , Shadnoush Mahdi , Jarrahi Alireza Mosavi , Doaei Saeid 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundGlutamine plays an important role in acute catabolic conditions in critically ill patients. This meta‐analysis aimed to investigate the effect of glutamine supplementation on inflammatory markers in critically ill patients supported with enteral feeding (EN) or parenteral feeding (PN).MethodsPubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase were explored to identify the studies investigating the effect of glutamine on serum inflammatory markers in intensive care unit patients. All randomized clinical trials that assessed the effect of glutamine supplementation on “inflammatory markers” in EN or PN were included in the study. Because a small number of studies were included, SE was adjusted for overall effect size by using the Knapp‐Hartung method.ResultsIn this study, 2728 eligible studies were initially included, and 10 eligible case‐control studies were finally enrolled for further investigations. There was a statistical reduction between preintervention and postintervention CRP levels (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.38 mg/L; 95% CI, −0.72 to −0.03). No significant association was found between L‐glutamine supplementation in the EN/PN and interleukin 6 (IL‐6) (SMD = −0.58 pg/ml; 95% CI, −2.15 to 0.99) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) (SMD = 2.69 pg/ml; 95% CI, −9.66 to 15.03) compared with the control group.ConclusionsThis study identified that glutamine supplementation might have an important effect on CRP in acute conditions and no significant effect on IL‐6 and TNF‐α in acute conditions.
Autophagy upregulates inflammatory cytokines in gingival tissue of patients with periodontitis and lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Kim Won Jae , Park Sam Young , Kim Ok Su , Park Hoo Sang , Jung Ji Yeon 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by multiple disease‐associated bacterial species in periodontal tissues. Autophagy is known to modulate various inflammation‐driven diseases and inflammatory responses, but the role of autophagy related to the pathogenesis of periodontitis is not fully established. We investigated whether autophagic flux regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the gingiva of periodontitis patients and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and the underlying mechanism.MethodsThe mRNA and protein expression of proinflammatory cytokines was assessed in human gingival tissues collected from patients with periodontitis and HGFs treated with LPS. The expression of signaling molecules related to autophagy was evaluated by immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses.ResultsThe expression of interleukin (IL)‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) was increased in the gingival tissues of patients with periodontitis. LC3B‐positive cells, a typical autophagic marker, were increased in the gingival tissues of periodontitis patients and LPS‐treated HGFs. The conversion ratio of LC3‐I to LC3‐II was higher in the gingival tissues associated with periodontitis and LPS‐treated HGFs compared to the controls. The autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine (3MA) significantly abrogated the LPS‐sustained inflammatory effect by reducing the expression of IL‐6, TNF‐α, COX‐2, and ICAM‐1 in HGFs. The phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and protein S6K1 (S6), signals involved in the mTOR‐dependent mechanism, was decreased in gingiva derived from periodontitis patients and LPS‐treated HGFs.ConclusionsAutophagy augmented the production of inflammatory cytokines by mTOR inactivation via the AKT signaling pathway in the gingival tissues of patients with periodontitis and LPS‐stimulated HGFs. These findings would provide a better understanding of the mechanism by which autophagy regulates the inflammatory response associated with periodontal pathogenesis.
Resonance Raman studies of gas sensing heme proteins
Authors: Liu Yilin , Kincaid James R. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHeme sensor proteins are present in organisms ranging from bacteria to mammals, typically consisting of a catalytic domain and a heme‐containing sensor domain, which can bind diatomic gas molecules such as O2, CO, and NO. Such ligand binding event can induce active site conformational changes that are subsequently propagated to the functional domain, ultimately activating/deactivating a series of biological events, such as aerotaxis, gene expression, changes the metabolic pathway, and so forth. Such regulatory events are crucial for the cell to fulfill the physiological functions by regulating enzyme activity in response to the external stimuli. Resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopy is an effective method to investigate the sensing mechanism of these structurally different associated sensor proteins that exhibit diverse inherent physiological functions. This review summarizes the results of rR studies on a diverse collection of these heme sensor proteins, including FixL, Escherichia coli direct oxygen sensor (EcDOS), HemAT from Bacillus subtilis (HemAT‐Bs), CooA, soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), heme nitric oxide and/or oxygen binding domain (H‐NOX), and nitric oxide sensing proteins (NosP).
The Impact of Virtual Reality Exposure on Stress Level and Sense of Competence in Ambulance Workers
Authors: Chaabane Sourour , Etienne Anne‐Marie , Schyns Michaël , Wagener Aurélie 
Published: July 2021

AbstractVirtual reality (VR) exposure is used in clinical psychology to treat anxiety disorders. It is also used to enhance resilience in soldiers by allowing them to confront virtual combat environments to help fortify them against the negative consequences of trauma exposure. Most VR studies have focused on military and emergency medical staff; however, thus far, none have investigated VR in ambulance workers (AWs), who are confronted with traumatic situations daily. The current study aimed to assess the impact of a single VR exposure session on self‐perceived competence and stress level in a sample of AWs. Participants (N = 40) were randomly assigned to either a VR immersion (i.e., experimental group, n = 20) or an audio immersion (i.e., control group, n = 20) of a shooting attack situation. We hypothesized that compared to controls, VR participants would report decreased anxiety, as measured using visual analog scales, as well as an increased sense of competence. The results showed a significant reduction in fear in both groups, d = 0.33, and an increased sense of competence in VR participants, d = 0.35. Although our hypotheses were only partially confirmed, the observed beneficial effects of VR and the audio immersion on stress levels in AWs suggest that VR exposure could be a useful way to increase resilience in AWs.
Assessment of the Validity of the Sinonasal Outcomes Test‐22 in Pituitary Surgery: A Multicenter Prospective Trial
Authors: Sarris Christina E. , Little Andrew S. , Kshettry Varun R. , Rosen Marc R. , Rehl Ryan M. , Haegen Timothy W. , Rabinowitz Mindy R. , Nyquist Gurston G. , Recinos Pablo F. , Sindwani Raj , Woodard Troy D. , Farrell Christopher J. , Santarelli Griffin D. , Milligan John , Evans James J. 
Published: July 2021

Objectives/HypothesisSinonasal Outcomes Test‐22 (SNOT‐22) is used widely as a patient‐reported sinonasal quality‐of‐life (QOL) instrument for endoscopic endonasal pituitary surgery. However, it has never been validated in this population. This study explores the psychometric validity of SNOT‐22 to determine if it is a valid scale in patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary surgery.Study DesignMulticenter prospective trial.MethodsAdult patients (n = 113) with pituitary tumors undergoing endoscopic surgery were enrolled in a multicenter study. Patient‐reported QOL was assessed using SNOT‐22 and the Anterior Skull Base Nasal Inventory‐12. Face validity, internal consistency, responsiveness to clinical change, test–retest reliability, and concurrent validity were determined using standard statistical methods.ResultsInternal consistency using Cronbach's alpha at baseline and 2 weeks postoperatively were 0.911 and 0.922, indicating SNOT‐22 performed well as a single construct. Mean QOL scores were significantly worse at 2 weeks than baseline (16.4 ± 15.1 vs. 23.1 ± 16.4, P < .001), indicating the scale is responsive to clinical change. However, only 11/22 items demonstrated significant changes in mean scores at 2 weeks. Correlation between scores at 2 and 3 weeks was high, suggesting good test–retest reliability, r(107) = 0.75, P < .001. Factor analysis suggests the five‐factor solution proposed for the SNOT‐22 in rhinosinusitis patients is not valid in pituitary surgery patients.ConclusionsThe SNOT‐22 is a valid QOL instrument in patients undergoing endoscopic pituitary surgery. However, because it includes 22 items, can be applied only as a single construct, 50% of the items do not demonstrate changes after surgery, and is not as sensitive to change as other scales, shorter instruments developed specifically for this patient population may be preferable.Level of Evidence2 Laryngoscope, 131:E2757–E2763, 2021
Effect of lipopolysaccharide on peripheral tissue and hypothalamic expression of metabolic and inflammatory markers in mice fed high‐fat diets with distinct 18‐carbon fatty acid composition
Authors: Shin Sunhye , Ajuwon Kolapo M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPhysiological and metabolic effects of fatty acids are determined by their degree of saturation and chain length. Effects of 18‐carbon fatty acids with various degrees of saturation on inflammatory, oxidative, and neuropeptide gene transcription, especially in the hypothalamus, in response to LPS‐induced acute inflammation have not been well studied. We conducted this study to test whether diets with distinct 18‐carbon fatty acid differentially affect inflammatory and metabolic response to LPS exposure in the hypothalamus, liver, and muscle tissues. Four experimental diets were fed for 4 weeks to male C57BL/6J mice, and a terminal 4‐h lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection was administered. Diets included a control diet (CON) containing 5.6% kcal fat from lard and 4.4% kcal fat from soybean oil, and three high‐fat diets (HFD) containing 25% kcal fat from lard and 20% kcal fat from either shea butter (SHB; saturated fatty acid‐rich fat), olive oil (OLO; monounsaturated fatty acid‐rich oil), or soybean oil (SBO; polyunsaturated fatty acid‐rich fat). Compared to CON, HFD‐fed mice had higher weight gain and body fat accumulation. The SBO group had lowest Cpt1b expression in the liver, and OLO group had the lowest Pomc and the highest Lepr expression in the hypothalamus. LPS challenge increased pro‐inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression in the brain and peripheral tissues. However, the diets did not exert distinguishable effects on LPS‐induced inflammatory responses. Therefore, saturation degree of 18‐carbon fatty acids may not play a critical role in their effects on inflammatory and metabolic indicators in response to acute inflammation induced by LPS.
From the Heroic Age to today: What diatoms from Shackleton's Nimrod expedition can tell us about the ecological trajectory of Antarctic ponds
Authors: Kohler Tyler J. , Howkins Adrian , Sokol Eric R. , Kopalová Katerina , Cox Aneliya , Darling Joshua P. , Gooseff Michael N. , McKnight Diane M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBiological invasion and environmental change pose major threats to ecosystems. While long‐term ecological change is commonly evaluated through sediment cores in lakes, it is generally not feasible for smaller ponds, and spatial resolution is limited. Here, we analyze pond diatom communities collected during Shackleton's Nimrod expedition at Cape Royds, Antarctica, to compare with the same waterbodies a century later. We find historical samples to be almost identical to modern counterparts, and provide no evidence of exotic introductions despite increasing human activity. However, a shift occurred in the pond nearest Shackleton's hut, Pony Lake, which was dominated by Luticola muticopsis a century ago, and was replaced by Craspedostauros laevissimus. Both are endemic species previously and currently present at Cape Royds, and we hypothesize that a shift in conductivity accompanying changing precipitation patterns may be responsible. Collectively, these results provide important data for assessing human and climate impacts among Antarctic lacustrine habitats.
Tribological behaviours of black phosphorus/MoS2 composites as water‐based lubrication additives
Authors: Wang Wei , Dong Shaowen , Gao Yuan , Zhang Guoliang , Wang Kuaishe 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this investigation, a self‐assembly method was used to fabricate black phosphorus (BP)/MoS2 composites as water‐based lubrication additives. The tribological behaviours of the lubrication additives for GCr15 steel ball/TC4 titanium alloy disk contact under different mass ratios, loads and rotational speeds were also investigated. The experimental results showed that 0.01 wt.% BP and 0.04 wt.% MoS2 as water‐based lubrication additive have the best the synergistic lubrication effect. Compared with pure water, coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate of the lubrication additive at the test conditions of 8 N and 150 r/min were reduced by 32.6% and 68.8%, respectively. As the loads increased, the COFs and wear rates of all the lubricants including pure water, BP as water‐based lubrication additive (BP‐WL), MoS2 as water‐based lubrication additive (MS‐WL) and BP/MoS2 composites as water‐based lubrication additive (BM‐WL) were all reduced. As the rational speeds increased from 100 to 250 r/min, all the lubricants were firstly decreased and then increased. Based on tribological tests and wear surface analysis, the lubrication mechanism of BM‐WL is proposed. The interlaminar shear and the adsorption of BP/MoS2 composites on the wear surface of the friction pairs are the key to reducing COFs sand wear rates. In addition, the tribo‐chemical reaction films consists of FeO/Fe2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 were formed during the friction process, which can effectively protect the surface of the titanium alloy/steel contact from wear.
Mechanical Properties of Silicone Rubber Enhanced Microcellular EPDM Foams Based on Supercritical CO2Foaming Technology
Authors: Wen Huayin , Wang Min , Luo Shikai , Zhou Yuanlin , Liu Tao 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMicrocellular ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer (EPDM) foams derived from miniaturizing the cellular structure can improve mechanical properties of traditional EPDM foams. It is a current challenge that microcellular EPDM foams prepared by supercritical CO2foaming technology cannot undergo the post‐crosslinking process due to the disappearance of cellular structure, which strongly restricts the development of the mechanical properties of EPDM foams. Hence, a scalable and blending route by selecting the silicone rubber (SR) with different crosslinking temperature compared to EPDM is developed to improve mechanical properties of EPDM foams. During the pre‐crosslinking process of EPDM, SR forms a complete crosslinking network, which can make up for the strength of EPDM without the post‐crosslinking. Meanwhile, the silica can reduce the domain size of SR and enhance the compatibility between EPDM and SR. As expected, the addition of SR improves the storage modulus, viscosity and matrix strength of EPDM, which shows enhanced mechanical properties of EPDM foams. When the foam density is basically the same, the tensile strength and compressive strength of SR/EPDM foam are increased by 461% and 283% respectively compared with that of EPDM foam. Finally, the maximum tensile strength and compressive strength (40% strain) of SR/EPDM foam achieves 3.58 MPa and 0.59 MPa, respectively.
Dissecting human trophoblast cell transcriptional heterogeneity in preeclampsia using single‐cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Zhang Tao , Bian Qianqian , Chen Yanchun , Wang Xiaolin , Yu Shaowei , Liu Shunhua , Ji Ping , Li Ling , Shrestha Mandakini , Dong Shujun , Guo Rong , Zhang Hong 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectivePE is a pregnancy‐specific syndrome that affects 3%–5% of pregnant women. It often presents as new‐onset hypertension and proteinuria during the third trimester. PE progresses rapidly and may lead to serious complications, including the death of both mother and fetus. In low‐income countries, PE is one of the main causes of maternal and child mortality. While the cause of PE is still debated, clinical and pathological studies suggest that the placenta plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PE.Materials and MethodsIn this single‐cell RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) study, the placenta was taken from the designated position after cesarean section. We compared placental cell subsets and their transcriptional heterogeneity between preeclampsia and healthy pregnancies using the single‐cell RNA‐seq technology. A developmental trajectory of human trophoblasts was shown.ResultsGene expression in endoplasmic reticulum signaling pathways in syncytiotrophoblast was upregulated in the PE group. The villi cytotrophoblasts (VCT) and extravillous trophoblasts were mainly involved in immune responses.ConclusionThe placental immune function of patients with PE was altered. Proteasomes, spliceosomes, ribosomes, and mitochondria were abnormally active in the new VCT cell type.
Antioxidant Effects of Elderberry Anthocyanins in Human Colon Carcinoma Cells: A Study on Structure–Activity Relationships
Authors: Pahlke Gudrun , Ahlberg Katarina , Oertel Anne , Janson‐Schaffer Theresa , Grabher Stephanie , Mock Hans‐Peter , Matros Andrea , Marko Doris 
Published: July 2021

ScopeGlycosylation is a way to increase structure‐stability of anthocyanins, yet compromises their bioactivity. The study investigates the antioxidant activity of purified cyanidin (Cy)‐based anthocyanins and respective degradation products in Caco‐2 clone C2BBe1 aiming to identify structure–activity relationships.Results and MethodsCyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside (Cy‐3‐glc) and cyanidin 3‐O‐sambubioside (Cy‐3‐sam) proved to be most potent regarding antioxidant properties and protection against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐levels measured with the dichloro‐fluorescein (DCF) assay. Cyanidin 3‐O‐sambubioside‐5‐O‐glucoside (Cy‐3‐sam‐5‐glc) and cyanidin 3‐O‐rutinoside (Cy‐3‐rut) were less efficient and not protective, reflecting potential differences in uptake and/or degradation. Following ranking in antioxidant efficiency is suggested: (concentrations ≤10 × 10−6 M) Cy‐3‐glc ≥ Cy‐3‐sam > Cy‐3‐sam‐5‐glc ≈ Cy‐3‐rut ≈ Cy; (concentrations ≥50 × 10−6 M) Cy‐3‐glc ≈ Cy‐3‐sam ≥ Cy > Cy‐3‐sam‐5‐glc ≈ Cy‐3‐rut. Cy and protocatechuic acid (PCA) reduced ROS‐levels as potent as the mono‐ and di‐glycoside, whereas phloroglucinol aldehyde (PGA) displayed pro‐oxidant properties. None of the degradation products protected from oxidative stress. Gene transcription analysis of catalase (CAT), superoxide‐dismutase (SOD), glutathione‐peroxidase (GPx), heme‐oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), and glutamate‐cysteine‐ligase (γGCL) suggest no activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2).ConclusionMore complex residues and numbers of sugar moieties appear to be counterproductive for antioxidant activity. Other mechanisms than Nrf2‐activation should be considered for protective effects.
Longitudinal relaxation rate measurements for different signals unveiled by nutation spectroscopy: Application to the characterization of two arrangements experienced by water in a clay network
Authors: Ferrari Maude , Moyne Christian , Canet Daniel 
Published: July 2021

AbstractNutation consists in monitoring the motion of nuclear magnetization under the application of a radiofrequency (rf) field. With an appropriate amplitude of the rf field, the nutation frequency depends on the NMR relaxation times. This property offers the possibility of differentiating species having the same Larmor frequency but differing by their relaxation times. This may occur for the composite proton NMR signal of water in complex systems. Separate nutation signals are thus observed with the possibility of measuring their longitudinal relaxation times by simply applying a saturation hard pulse, followed by an evolution interval, prior to the nutation sequence. This novel experiment has been used for studying the two sites existing for water in two kaolinite samples (one hydrated after stabilization of several months and the other nonhydrated). It turns out that water in these two sites differs essentially by its transverse relaxation time. Moreover, recovery is surprisingly biexponential for these two signals. A proper analysis of results obtained by this saturation‐recovery nutation experiment provides not only the specific longitudinal relaxation rates of water in these two sites but also information about the averaging which occurs at long evolution times. This is discussed with regard of the structure and organization of the clay network. In particular, from relaxation rates at short evolution times, it is shown that this network is mainly constituted of ordered platelets, with a relatively weak proportion of randomly distributed platelets.
Pathological features of reinnervated skeletal muscles after crush injury of the sciatic nerve in ob/ob mice
Authors: Asano Takahiro , Tsujii Masaya , Iino Takahiro , Odake Kazuya , Sudo Akihiro 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsObesity is a factor contributing to suboptimal improvement of motor function in peripheral nerve disorders. In this study we aimed to evaluate the skeletal muscles during denervation and reinnervation after nerve crush injury in leptin‐deficient (ob/ob) mice.MethodsExperiments were performed on the skeletal muscles of the hindlimbs in 20 male ob/ob mice and controls. Characteristics of the gastrocnemius muscles were evaluated by histological analysis, immunohistological analysis, and Sircol‐collagen assay after measurement of body weight and wet weight of the skeletal muscles, and by walking track analysis. The sciatic nerve was denervated by crushing with smooth forceps and reinnervation was evaluated.ResultsGastrocnemius wet weight was significantly lower in the ob/ob mice than in the control mice. A smaller cross‐sectional area of type II fibers and increase of type I fiber grouping of the skeletal muscles was demonstrated in the ob/ob mice. After nerve injury, motor function recovery was equal between the groups but the cross‐sectional area of type II fibers was significantly smaller in the ob/ob mice than in control mice at 4 weeks. The denervated muscles showed an increase in collagen deposition in the interstitial space; predominant in the ob/ob mice after nerve injury.DiscussionThe results of this study suggest that fibrosis in the skeletal muscle of obese patients after nerve injury is prominent, which may impair improvement of muscle function after treatment of peripheral nerve disorders.