bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Albumin/Furosemide Mixtures on Responses to Furosemide in Hypoalbuminemic Patients
Authors: CHALASANI NAGA , GORSKI CHRISTOPHER J. , HORLANDER JOHN C. , CRAVEN REBECCA , HOEN HELENA , MAYA JUAN , BRATER CRAIG D. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Hypoalbuminemic patients often have sufficient fluid accumulation to mandate diuretic therapy but are often resistant to diuresis. Studies have suggested that hypoalbuminemia itself impairs delivery of effective amounts of diuretic agent into the urine, the site of action. Therefore, administration of mixtures of albumin and loop diuretics may enhance responses. Thirteen patients with biopsy-proven cirrhosis and ascites (age, 51.2 ± 8.1 yr; Child-Pugh score, 8.5 ± 1.0; serum albumin concentration, 3.0 ± 0.6 g/dl) were studied in this randomized crossover study. Sodium balance was maintained throughout the study with a metabolic diet. All patients received spironolactone, but administration of all other diuretic agents was discontinued. Each patient received all of the following four treatments intravenously: (1) 40 mg of furosemide, (2) 25 g of albumin, (3) 40 mg of furosemide and 25 g of albumin premixed ex vivo, and (4) 40 mg of furosemide and 25 g of albumin infused simultaneously into different arms. Responses were assessed by measuring urinary sodium excretion and relating the urinary furosemide excretion rate to the sodium excretion rate. Additionally, the pharmacokinetics of furosemide were assessed. Furosemide pharmacokinetics were similar for all treatment arms. Albumin alone had negligible diuretic effects. Neither albumin regimen increased the response to furosemide. Moreover, the relationship between the urinary furosemide excretion rate and the sodium excretion rate was unaffected by albumin. In conclusion, albumin failed to enhance the diuretic effects of furosemide in cirrhotic patients with ascites. Therefore, the coadministration of albumin and furosemide for the treatment of cirrhosis, and likely other hypoalbuminemic conditions, should not be used clinically.
Intrarenal and Cellular Localization of CLC-K2 Protein in the Mouse Kidney
Authors: KOBAYASHI KATSUKI , UCHIDA SHINICHI , MIZUTANI SHUKI , SASAKI SEI , MARUMO FUMIAKI 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
CLC-K2, a kidney-specific member of the CLC chloride channel family, is thought to play an important role in the transepithelial Cl- transport in the kidney. This consensus was first reached shortly after it was demonstrated that the mutations of the human CLCNKB gene resulted in Bartter's syndrome type III. To clarify the pathogenesis, the exact intrarenal and cellular localization of CLC-K2 by immunohistochemistry of the Clcnk1-/- mouse kidney were investigated by use of an anti-CLC-K antibody that recognized both CLC-K1 and CLC-K2. CLC-K2 is expressed in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and distal tubules, where it is localized to the basolateral membranes. The localization of CLC-K2 to these nephron segments strongly implies that CLC-K2 confers the basolateral chloride conductance in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and distal tubules, where Cl- is taken up by the bumetanide-sensitive Na-K-2Cl cotransporter or the thiazide-sensitive Na-Cl cotransporter at the apical membranes. CLC-K2 expression was also shown to extend into the connecting tubule in the basolateral membrane. CLC-K2 was found in basolateral membranes of the type A intercalated cells residing along the collecting duct. This localization strongly suggests that CLC-K2 confers the basolateral conductance in the type A intercalated cells where Cl- is taken up by the anion exchanger in exchange for HCO3
- at the basolateral membranes. These aspects of CLC-K2 localization suggest that CLC-K2 is important in Cl- transport in the distal nephron segments.
Endothelin-1 Induces Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression Via Nuclear Factor of Activated T-Cell Transcription Factor in Glomerular Mesangial Cells
Authors: SUGIMOTO TOSHIRO , HANEDA MASAKAZU , SAWANO HIROTAKA , ISSHIKI KEIJI , MAEDA SHIRO , KOYA DAISUKE , INOKI KEN , YASUDA HITOSHI , KASHIWAGI ATSUNORI , KIKKAWA RYUICHI 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) originally was identified as a T-cell—specific transcription factor whose activity is regulated by calcineurin, one of the serine-threonine phosphatases. Recent studies have shown that NFAT also is expressed in nonlymphoid cells and plays an important role in various cell functions. It is widely known that treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA), which can inhibit calcineurin/NFAT signaling, results in glomerular dysfunction characterized by a decrease of GFR or glomerulosclerosis, suggesting that NFAT might regulate the glomerular function. However, the precise function of NFAT in glomerular cells remains to be clarified. Herein, evidence has been produced that NFAT2/NFATc, one of five known NFAT isoforms, is expressed in glomerular mesangial cells. Stimulation of mesangial cells with endothelin-1 caused translocation of NFAT2 into the nucleus with a concomitant increase in NFAT2 DNA-binding activity, both of which were inhibited by CsA. Furthermore, CsA inhibited endothelin-1—induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in mesangial cells. NFAT2 bound directly to the GGAAA sequence, which is the minimal consensus sequence for NFAT binding, in a promoter region of rat COX-2 gene, and it enhanced the reporter activity of rat COX-2 promoter in mesangial cells. These findings provide the first evidence that NFAT2 is expressed and regulates COX-2 gene expression in mesangial cells. These results will contribute to evaluation of the precise roles of NFAT in glomerular functions and the CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.
Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Coronary Artery Disease among New Dialysis Patients in the United States
Authors: STACK AUSTIN G. , BLOEMBERGEN WENDY E. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Despite the high prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), few studies have identified clinical correlates using national data. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical associations of CAD in a national random sample of new ESRD in the United States in 1996/1997 (n = 4025). Data on demographic characteristics and comorbidities were obtained from the Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study, Wave 2. The principal outcome was CAD, defined as the presence of a previous history of CAD, myocardial infarction, or angina, coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty, or abnormal coronary angiographic findings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship of conventional factors and proposed uremic factors to the presence of CAD. CAD was present in 38% of patients. Of the total cohort, 17% had a history of myocardial infarction and 23% had angina. Several conventional risk factors, including advancing age, male gender, diabetes mellitus, and smoking, were significantly associated with CAD. Of the proposed uremic factors, lower serum albumin levels but higher residual renal function and higher hematocrit values were significantly associated with the presence of CAD. Vascular comorbid conditions, structural cardiac abnormalities, white race, and geographic location were also strongly correlated with the presence of CAD. This national study suggests that several conventional CAD risk factors may also be risk factors for CAD among the ESRD population. This study identifies nonconventional factors such as serum albumin levels, vascular comorbid conditions, and structural cardiac abnormalities as important disease correlates. Future logitudinal studies are required to explore the relative importance of the relationships observed here.
Perfil epidemiológico da mortalidade materna no Brasil no período de 2015 a 2019
Authors: Barreto Bianca Leão 
Published: April 2021

OBJETIVO: Determinar o perfil epidemiológico dos óbitos maternos no Brasil no período de 2015 a 2019. METODOLOGIA: Estudo epidemiológico descritivo retrospectivo com dados extraídos na base de dados do TABNET/DATASUS. As variáveis de interesse foram: ano de notificação, região de notificação, faixa etária, cor/raça, escolaridade, estado civil, local de ocorrência e tipo de causa obstétrica. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva, por meio de frequência absoluta e relativa. RESULTADOS: No período o total de óbitos foi de 324.792. O ano que apresentou o maior registro de óbitos foi 2016 (67.147) e a região foi a Sudeste (136.012). Com relação a faixa etária houve maior frequência na idade de 40 a 49 anos (48,5%). Observou-se predomínio da cor/raça parda (45,9%) e branca (40,8%), escolaridade de 8 a 11 (28,4%) anos de estudo e estado civil solteira (53,4%). A maioria dos óbitos ocorreu no hospital (70,2%) e a principal causa foram as obstétricas indiretas (73,1%). CONCLUSÃO: A mortalidade materna continua sendo um problema de saúde no Brasil, necessitando-se que alcance os níveis aceitáveis dos óbitos maternos estabelecidos pelos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS). Portanto, é indispensável condutas que visem a redução da mortalidade, promovendo o planejamento familiar e uma assistência pré-natal de excelência.
Serum ROBO4 and CLEC14A: preliminary evaluation as diagnostic and progression biomarkers in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Pietrzyk Łukasz , Torres Kamil 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important global burden, and the discovery of biomarkers for screening and monitoring is a current challenge. The present study aimed to determine the serum concentration of ROBO4 and CLEC14A in CRC patients and assess the clinical value of these diagnostic and progression biomarkers in CRC.Methods: Serum samples were collected from 32 patients with operable colorectal cancer and from 16 healthy individuals. Blood serum of CRC patients were tested at two time points (before and after surgery). Serum concentration of ROBO4 and CLEC14A were measured using ELISA tests.Results: The serum concentrations of ROBO4 and CLEC14A were significantly higher in CRC patients than non-cancer controls; the concentrations were already higher in TNM stage I + II CRC patients. The sensitivitiy and specificity of ROBO4 and CLEC14A in distiguishing cancer patients form controls ranged from 71.9–100% and from 84.5–100%, respectively. The serum ROBO4 concentration was associated with the TNM stage, depth of invasion, and lymph node and distant metastases. No significant relationship was observed between the CLEC14A concentration and the tumor site or the N and M stages. The level of ROBO4 was statistically lower 3 months after the surgery, compared to the level noted prior to the operation. The concentration of CLEC14A decreased in the postoperative period, compared to preoperative one; however, the decline was not statistically significant.Conclusion: Our preliminary study has provided evidence that ROOB4 and CLEC14A seem to be suitable biomarkers for clinical diagnostic purposes. However, ROOB4 appears to be more appropriate for assessment of CRC progression.
Utilizing environmental DNA for wide-range distributions of reproductive area of an invasive terrestrial toad in Ishikari river basin in Japan
Authors: Mizumoto Hiroki , Kishida Osamu , Takai Kotaro , Araki Hitoshi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Understanding the distribution of invasive species and their reproductive area is crucial for their managements after invasion. While catch and observation surveys are still embraced, environmental DNA (eDNA) has been increasingly utilized as an efficient tool for identifying these species in the wild. In this study, we developed an eDNA detection system for an invasive, toxic, and terrestrial toad species Bufo japonicus in Hokkaido, Japan, and applied it to their reproductive area at watershed scale. We found that our system successfully detected their eDNA not only in ponds where their larvae were observed, but also in rivers downstream of the reproductive ponds. Thus, the system provided us an opportunity to estimate watersheds that include their reproductive area by collecting downstream water samples. Applying it to the Ishikari river basin, the largest river basin in Hokkaido (c.a., 14,330 km2), we detected their eDNA at 32 out of 73 river sampling sites. They are composed of eleven sites with species observation records nearby (all the sites with observation records within a 500 m radius) and21 sites without such records. And those eDNA detections were from 14 out of 31 river systems, and they were widespread across the river basin. These results suggest that the eDNA detection system can efficiently estimate the presence of reproductive area of the terrestrial toad even from a distant downstream of the watershed, and that it provides a powerful means of detecting new reproductive area and monitoring further spread of invasive species.
Comparison laboratory data between children with Kawasaki Disease and COVID-19
Authors: Huang Yishuang , Huang Ying-Hsien , Tsai Yuh-Chyn , Liu Shih-Feng , Kuo Ho-Chang 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background:　 The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been an emerging, rapidly evolving situation in China since late 2019 and has even become a worldwide pandemic. The first case of severe childhood novel coronavirus pneumonia in China was reported in March 2020 in Wuhan. The severity differs between adults and children, with lower death rates and decreased severity for individuals under the age of 20 years old. Increased cases of Kawasaki disease (KD) have been reported from New York City and some areas of Italy and the U.K., with almost a 6-10 times increase when compared with previous years. We conducted this article to compare characters and laboratory data between KD and COVID-19 in children. Methods: We obtained a total of 24 COVID-19 children from the literature review and 234 KD cases from our hospital via retrospective chart review. Results: We found that patients with KD had higher levels of white blood cell (WBC), platelet, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and body temperature, while patients with COVID-19 had higher age, hemoglobin levels, and lymphocyte percentage. After performing multiple logistic regression analysis, we found that age, WBC, platelet, procalcitonin, and AST provide identical markers for distinguishing COVID-19 from KD in children. Conclusion: In this COVID-19 pandemic period, clinicians should pay attention to children with COVID-19 infection when high WBC, platelet, procalcitonin, and AST values are present in order to provide precision treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for KD or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).
Female Genital Mutilation of African-Descent Iranians in Qeshm Island
Authors: Arabahmadi Amirbahram 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: This article investigates the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) as a long-held custom in Qeshm Island, which makes many African-descended women face different physical and psychological health problems.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Qeshm Island and the traditional mode of thinking of Afro-Iranian people of the Island about this practice.Methods: This study is based on the descriptive analysis method. The questions of the study are (a) Why female genital mutilation is still practiced in Qeshm Island; (b) What are the mental and physical effects of female genital mutilation on women; and (c) How government or NGOs are fighting against this tradition. The results: This article has found out that female genital mutilation resulted in many lifelong diseases and sexual degradation in African-descended women of Qeshm Island. This article also illustrates that the best way to combat this wrong tradition is to inform people by gradual training without any insult to their beliefs.Conclusion: This study reveals the prevalence of a false tradition and the necessity of behavioral change. In doing so, the government and NGOs' strong actions and attracting the support of the community elders are also needed.
Two-Stage Consensus Reaching Process for Two-Sided Matching Based on the Cloud Model in Large Sharing Platform
Authors: Tong Huagang , Zhu Jianjun , Tan Xiao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The sharing economy plays an important role in economic development, and the sharing platform is the core point in the sharing economy. However, the large-scale sharing platform results in low-efficiencies and weak matching. To address the problem, we design a two-stage consensus reaching process for resources sharing in platform. Firstly, considering the time-consuming process of generating satisfaction, we design a new method to generate satisfaction based on large-scale mixed historical data, the cloud model is used to unify the mixed uncertain information. Then, we design a two-stage consensus reaching process to realize the stable matching. For the first stage, we maximize the total consensus of the two-sided individuals. For the second stage, to realize stable sharing, we focus on the individuals’ requirement of consensus, the platform’s strategies, such as discount and scheduling, are used to adjust their consensus. Finally, considering the hierarchy of the two-stage consensus reaching process, we establish bi-level programming to embody the features. We design an improved algorithm to deal with bi-level programming. Also, an industrial internet platform is used as an example to verify the method and algorithm.
Identification, Pyramid and Candidate gene of QTL for Yield-related Traits Based on Rice CSSLs in Indica Xihui18 Background
Authors: Sun Shuangfei , Xiang Siqian , Lv Meng , Zhou Kai , Li Juan , Liang Peixuan , Li Miaomiao , Li Ruxiang , Ling Yinghua , He Guanghua , zhao Fangming 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) in rice is important for functional analysis and design breeding of target genes. Here, a novel rice CSSL-Z431 was identified from indica restorer line Xihui18 as recipient and Huhan3 as donor. Z431 contained six segments from Huhan3, with an average substitution length of 2.12 Mb. Compared with Xihui18, Z431 increased panicles per plant (PN) and displayed short-wide grains. The short-wide grain of Z431 were caused by reducing of cell length and increasing of cell width in the glume. Then, thirteen QTLs were identified in a secondary F2 population derived from Xihui18/Z431. Among them, six QTLs (qPN3, qGL3, qGW5, qRLW2, qRLW3, qGWT-5-2) were validated by four single-segment substitution lines (SSSLs, S1-S4) developed in F3. In addition, thirteen QTLs (qPN1, qPN2, qPL1, qPL2, qGPP1, qGPP2, qGL2, qGW1, qGW2, qGW3, qRLW5-2, qRLW1, qGWT2) were detected by these SSSLs, while not be identified in the F2 population from Xihui18/Z431. Increase of panicles per plant in Z431 was controlled by qPN3, qPN1 and qPN2. OsIAGLU should be the candidate gene for qPN3 by DNA sequencing. The short-wide grain of Z431 was controlled by qGL3, qGL2, qGW5, qGW2 and qGW3. By sequencing between Xihui18 and according SSSL, three candidate genes for qGL3 and two candidate genes for qGW5 were identified, respectively. In addition, pyramid of different QTLs (qPN1and qPN3; qPN2 and qPN3 etc.) yielded different epistatic effects. These results lay good foundation in molecular mechanism analysis of unreported genes and rice molecular design breeding.
iPSC-induced neurons with the V337M MAPT mutation are selectively vulnerable to caspase-mediated cleavage of tau and apoptotic cell death
Authors: Theofilas Panos , Wang Chao , Butler David , Morales Dulce O. , Petersen Cathrine , Ambrose Andrew J. , Chin Brian , Yang Teddy , Khan Shireen , Ng Raymond , Kayed Rakez , Karch Celeste M. , Miller Bruce L. , Gestwicki Jason E. , Gan Li , Temple Sally , Arkin Michelle R. , Grinberg Lea T. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Background: Tau post-translational modifications (PTMs) are associated with progressive tau accumulation and neuronal loss in tauopathies, including forms of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tau proteolysis by caspases, including caspase-6, represents an understudied PTM that may increase neurotoxicity and tau self-aggregation. Methods: To elucidate the presence and temporal course of caspase activation, tau cleavage, and neuronal death, we generated two novel epitope (neoepitope) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against caspase-6 tau proteolytic sites. We evaluated tau cleavage and response to apoptotic stress in cortical neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with frontotemporal dementia (FTD)-causing V337M MAPT mutation. We tested the neuroprotective effect of caspase inhibitors in the induced neurons. We also demonstrated the presence of the tau neoepitopes in postmortem brains from an individual with FTD (V337M MAPT) and an individual with AD, compared to a healthy control.Results: FTLD V337M MAPT and AD postmortem brains showed positivity for both cleaved tau mAbs and active caspase-6. Relative to isogenic wild-type MAPT controls, V337M MAPT neurons cultured for 3 months showed a time-dependent increase in pathogenic tau in the form of caspase-cleaved tau and phosphorylated (p)-tau, and higher levels of tau oligomers. Accumulation of toxic tau species in V337M MAPT neurons was correlated with increased vulnerability to pro-apoptotic stress. Notably, this mutation-associated cell death was pharmacologically rescued by inhibition of effector caspases.Conclusions: Culturing iPSC-derived neurons for three months exposes age-related tau pathologies, including caspase-mediated cleavage, that are also observed in human postmortem brains with abnormal tau deposition. Neoepitope antibodies to caspase-cleaved tau may serve as biomarkers of tau pathology. Furthermore, caspases could be viable therapeutic targets for tau pathogenesis in FTLD and other tauopathies.
Exploring crystal, electronic, optical, and NLO properties of ethyl 4-(3,4-dimethoxy phenyl)-6-methyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro pyrimidine-5-carboxylate (MTTPC)
Authors: El-Mansy Mohamed , Suvitha A. , Narayana B. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Both theoretical and experimental studies are briefly discussed to shed lights on crystal shape, FT-IR, electronic, and non-linear Opto-response (NLO) characteristics of ethyl4-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (MTTHPC). Theoretical FT_IR results are in a proper concord with recorded measurements. MTTHPC has TDM (4.78 Debye) and a doublet spins that splits original FMOs into \(alpha(\uparrow , 2.44\text{e}\text{V})\) and \(beta\)(↓,1.28eV) offsets, respectively. MTTHPC is a potential competitor for finest perovskite solar cells (MAPbI3/Au-nanospheres) that possess a band offset (\(3.1eV\)) with conversion-efficiency 24.84%. MTTHPC may be the next chapter for unique avalanche photodetectors (APD). MTTHPC 1st order hyperpolarizability is \(14.15* {10}^{-30 }esu\), surpass reference urea \((\approx 40{\beta }_{urea},\) \({\beta }_{urea}= 0.3728* {10}^{-30} esu\)). Briefly, MTTHPC may be admitted as the next stage in forthcoming NLO technology.