bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inverse correlation between plasma 2‐arachidonoylglycerol levels and subjective severity of depression
Authors: Bersani Giuseppe , Pacitti Francesca , Iannitelli Angela , Caroti Eleonora , Quartini Adele , Xenos Dionysios , Marconi Michela , Cuoco Valentina , Bigio Benedetta , Bowles Nicole P. , Weisz Filippo , Fanelli Flaminia , Di Lallo Valentina D. , Belluomo Ilaria , Nicoletti Ferdinando , Nasca Carla 
Published: February 2021

AbstractObjectiveEndocannabinoids have been implicated in the pathophysiology of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and might represent potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Objectives of the study were: (1) to measure plasma levels of endocannabinoids in a group of antidepressant‐free depressed outpatients; (2) to explore their relationship with the severity of depressive symptoms as subjectively perceived by the patients; and (3) to investigate the effect of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor escitalopram on endocannabinoid levels.MethodsWe measured plasma levels of the two major endocannabinoids, 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG) and N‐arachidonoylethanolamine (anadamide), in 12 drug‐free outpatients diagnosed with MDD and in 12 matched healthy controls. In the patient group, endocannabinoids plasma levels were assessed at baseline and after 2 months of treatment with escitalopram.ResultsBaseline plasma levels of the two endocannabinoids did not differ between depressed patients and healthy controls. However, there was a significant inverse correlation between 2‐arachidonoylglycerol levels and the severity of subjectively perceived depressive symptoms. Treatment with escitalopram did not change endocannabinoid levels in depressed patients, although it caused the expected improvement of depressive symptoms.ConclusionsOur results suggest that 2‐arachidonylglycerol, the most abundant endocannabinoid in the central nervous system, might act to mitigate depressive symptoms, and raise the interesting possibility that 2‐arachidonylglycerol and anandamide are differentially regulated in patients affected by MDD. Also, our data suggest but do not prove that the endocannabinoid system is not regulated by serotonergic transmission, at least in depressed patients.
Detection of antigens and anti‐Toxocara canis antibodies in children with different asthma severities
Authors: Sandra Guadalupe Bautista‐García , Mario Noé Martínez‐Gordillo , Gustavo Esteban Peralta‐Abarca , Norma Yvett González‐Bobadilla , Karina Clavijo‐Sánchez , Alma Leticia Chávez‐Zea , Alan Eduardo Hernández‐Saavedra , José Guadalupe Huerta‐López , Álvaro Pedroza‐Meléndez , Alejandro Gabriel González‐Garay , Martha Ponce‐Macotela 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionToxocara canis can produce or exacerbate asthma, and the detection of anti‐T. canis immunoglobulin G (IgG) does not discriminate between recent infection or active larva migrans. In this study, we searched for T. canis third‐stage larval antigens (L3TES) and anti‐T. canis antibodies in children with different severities of asthma, controlled or uncontrolled.MethodsA total of 145 patients with asthma who were previously diagnosed using the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were included. The asthma control was evaluated with the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was performed for the detection of L3TES; IgG was detected using sera preadsorbed with Ascaris antigens (native kit), and a commercial kit (IgG) was used as the gold standard.ResultsL3TES was found in 2 patients (1.37%). One had L3TES and anti‐T. canis IgG, suggesting active larva migrans. In the other patient, only L3TES was detected, likely because an infection had begun. The seroprevalence with the commercial kit and native kit was 6.2% and 17.93%, respectively. There was no significant association among asthma severity, ACQ and T. canis seroprevalence (p > .05).ConclusionIt is possible to detect L3TES in patients with asthma. Two complementary techniques that can determine the infection status with T. canis and rule out cross‐reactions involve the detection of L3TES and IgG using sera preadsorbed with Ascaris antigen. There was no significant association among asthma severity, ACQ and T. canis seroprevalence.
Kinetics and prognostic value of soluble VCAM‐1 in ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Hayek Ahmad , Paccalet Alexandre , Mechtouff Laura , Da Silva Claire C. , Ivanes Fabrice , Falque Hadrien , Leboube Simon , Varillon Yvonne , Amaz Camille , de Bourguignon Charles , Prieur Cyril , Tomasevic Danka , Genot Nathalie , Derimay François , Bonnefoy‐Cudraz Eric , Bidaux Gabriel , Mewton Nathan , Ovize Michel , Bochaton Thomas 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundSoluble vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (sVCAM‐1) is a biomarker of endothelial activation and inflammation. There is still controversy as to whether it can predict clinical outcome after ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Our aim was to assess the sVCAM‐1 kinetics and to evaluate its prognostic predictive value.MethodWe prospectively enrolled 251 consecutive STEMI patients who underwent coronary revascularization in our university hospital. Blood samples were collected at admission, 4, 24, 48 h and 1 month after admission. sVCAM‐1 serum level was assessed using ELISA assay. All patients had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 1‐month for infarct size (IS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) assessment. Clinical outcomes were recorded over 12 months after STEMI.ResultssVCAM‐1 levels significantly increased from admission up to 1 month and were significantly correlated with IS, LVEF, and LV end‐systolic and diastolic volume. (H48 area under curve (AUC) ≥ H48 median) were associated with an increased risk of adverse clinical events during the 12‐month follow‐up period with a hazard ratio (HR) = 2.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] of ratio = 1.2–5.6, p = .02). The ability of H48 AUC for sVCAM‐1 to discriminate between patients with or without the composite endpoint was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics with an AUC at 0.67 (0.57–0.78, p = .004). This ability was significantly superior to H48 AUC creatine kinase (p = .03).ConclusionsIn STEMI patients, high sVCAM‐1 levels are associated with a poor clinical outcome. sVCAM‐1 is an early postmyocardial infarction biomarker and might be an interesting target for the development of future therapeutic strategies.
The first BGICC consensus and recommendations for breast cancer awareness, early detection and risk reduction in low‐ and middle‐income countries and the MENA region
Authors: Elghazaly Hesham , Aref Adel T. , Anderson Benjamin O. , Arun Banu , Yip Cheng‐Har , Abdelaziz Hany , Ghosn Marwan , Al‐Foheidi Meteb , Cardenosa Gilda , Leung Jessica W. T. , Gado Nivine , Balch Charles M. , Sabry Mohamed , Ezz Elarab Lobna , Giuliano Armando E. , El‐Zawahry Heba M. , Abdel Karim Khaled , Nasr Azza , Maki Hussein , Chung Hannah , Saadeddin Ahmed , Abdelwahab Manal M. , Al Tahan Fatina M. , Chalabi Nivine , Frolova Mona , Kamal Rasha M. , Shehata Mohamed A. , Bahie Eldin Nermean , Elghazawy Hagar 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn low‐middle income countries (LMICs) and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, there is an unmet need to establish and improve breast cancer (BC) awareness, early diagnosis and risk reduction programs. During the 12th Breast, Gynecological & Immuno‐oncology International Cancer Conference ‐ Egypt 2020, 26 experts from 7 countries worldwide voted to establish the first consensus for BC awareness, early detection and risk reduction in LMICs/MENA region. The panel advised that there is an extreme necessity for a well‐developed BC data registries and prospective clinical studies that address alternative modalities/modified BC screening programs in areas of limited resources. The most important recommendations of the panel were: (a) BC awareness campaigns should be promoted to public and all adult age groups; (b) early detection programs should combine geographically distributed mammographic facilities with clinical breast examination (CBE); (c) breast awareness should be encouraged; and (d) intensive surveillance and chemoprevention strategies should be fostered for high‐risk women. The panel defined some areas for future clinical research, which included the role of CBE and breast self‐examination as an alternative to radiological screening in areas of limited resources, the interval and methodology of BC surveillance in women with increased risk of BC and the use of low dose tamoxifen in BC risk reduction. In LMICs/MENA region, BC awareness and early detection campaigns should take into consideration the specific disease criteria and the socioeconomic status of the target population. The statements with no consensus reached should serve as potential catalyst for future clinical research.
Dietary fat intake and liver cancer incidence: A population‐based cohort study in Chinese men
Authors: Ji Xiao‐Wei , Wang Jing , Shen Qiu‐Ming , Li Zhuo‐Ying , Jiang Yu‐Fei , Liu Da‐Ke , Tan Yu‐Ting , Li Hong‐Lan , Xiang Yong‐Bing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTo date, limited studies have focused on the association between dietary fat and liver cancer risk, especially in China. Our study aims to evaluate the association between dietary fat intake and liver cancer incidence risk in men. Dietary fat intake was obtained through a validated food frequency questionnaire in a Chinese prospective cohort. The Cox regression model was utilized to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). After exclusion, 59 998 recruitments were finally analyzed with a total follow‐up time of 714 339 person‐years, 431 incident liver cancer cases were newly identified among them. The adjusted HRs (95% CIs) for the highest vs lowest quartile of total fat, saturated fat, monounsaturated fat (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) were 1.33 (1.01‐1.75), 1.50 (1.13‐1.97), 1.26 (0.96‐1.65), and 1.41 (1.07‐1.86), and the corresponding P‐trend values were .008, .005, .034, and .005, respectively. In the secondary analysis among participants tested for hepatitis B virus, we found that higher intakes of saturated fat and PUFA were also associated with increased liver cancer risks. Besides, high risks of per standard deviation alterations of the total fat, saturated fat and MUFA were detected in liver cancer, and these results were similar to those concluded from the full‐cohort analysis. In conclusion, dietary intakes of total fat, saturated fat, PUFA, and probably MUFA might increase liver cancer risks. Our study provides suggestive advice to public administration on dietary suggestions, and related measures taken from managing dietary fat intake might reduce liver cancer incidence.
The association of prediagnostic circulating levels of cardiometabolic markers, testosterone and sex hormone‐binding globulin with risk of breast cancer among normal weight postmenopausal women in the UK Biobank
Authors: Arthur Rhonda S. , Dannenberg Andrew J. , Rohan Thomas E. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractEmerging evidence suggests that normal weight postmenopausal women with a relative excess of body fat are at increased breast cancer risk. However, little is known about the associations between obesity‐related blood markers and risk of breast cancer among these individuals. In this prospective study comprising 58 629 normal weight postmenopausal women (body mass index between 18.5 kg/m2 and 24.9 kg/m2) who were enrolled in the UK Biobank cohort between 2006 and 2010, we examined the associations of glycated hemoglobin, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, C‐reactive protein (CRP), testosterone and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) with risk of breast cancer. A total of 1268 postmenopausal breast cancer cases were ascertained during a median follow‐up period of 7 years. Women with CRP, total testosterone and free testosterone (FT) levels in the highest quintile had increased risk of breast cancer compared to those in the lowest quintile (HRQ5 vs Q1: 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12‐1.63, HR Q5 vs Q1: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.20‐1.80 and HR Q5 vs Q1: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.23‐1.90, respectively), whereas those with SHBG in the highest quintile had reduced risk (HR Q5 vs Q1: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.56‐0.88). These associations were attenuated but persisted after additional adjustment for BMI, fat mass index (whole body fat mass [kg]/height [m2]) or waist circumference and after mutual adjustment for testosterone, CRP and/or SHBG. Our study suggests that the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer among normal weight women is increased in association with relatively high levels of CRP and testosterone and with relatively low levels of SHBG.
Foreign direct investment, income inequality and country risk
Authors: Wang En‐Ze , Lee Chien‐Chiang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractGiven the continuous debate about the foreign direct investment (FDI)‐inequality nexus, there is an acknowledged need for reconsidering their relationship from a new perspective. Therefore, applying balanced panel data composed of 60 countries from 1998 to 2014, this research estimates a finite mixture model with country risk as a concomitant variable to explore the interrelationships among FDI, inequality, and country risk so as to offer fresh insight into the FDI‐inequality nexus. We present evidence that shows a significant role of compositing country risk on this. Specifically speaking, FDI deteriorates inequality under the condition of high risk, whereas it alleviates inequality in a country with low country risk. Moreover, we can also obtain the similar findings by considering the role of components of country risk (economic risk, financial risk and political risk) as a determinant for the FDI‐inequality nexus. FDI deteriorates inequality under the condition of high political, economic and financial risks, whereas it alleviates inequality in a country with low political, economic and financial risks.
Comparing the effects of an exposure to a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixture versus individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during monocyte to macrophage differentiation: Mixture exposure results in altered immune metrics
Authors: Tooker Brian C. , Quinn Kevin , Armstrong Michael , Bauer Alison K. , Reisdorph Nichole 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated by the incomplete combustion of carbon. Exposures correlate with systemic immune dysfunction and overall immune suppression. Real‐world exposures to PAHs are almost always encountered as mixtures; however, research overwhelmingly centers on isolated exposures to a single PAH, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Here, a human monocyte line (U937) was exposed to B[a]P, benz[a]anthracene (B[a]A), or a mixture of six PAHs (6‐MIX) to assess the differential toxicity on monocytes. Further, monocytes were exposed to PAHs with and without CYP1A1 inhibitors during macrophage differentiation to delineate PAH exposure and PAH metabolism‐driven alterations to the immune response. U937 monocytes exposed to B[a]P, B[a]A, or 6‐MIX had higher levels of cellular health and growth not observed following equimolar exposures to other individual PAHs. PAH exposures during differentiation did not alter monocyte‐derived macrophage (MDM) numbers; however, B[a]A and 6‐MIX exposures significantly altered M1/M2 polarization in a CYP1A1‐dependent manner. U937‐MDM adherence was differentially suppressed by all three PAH treatments with 6‐MIX exposed U937‐MDM having significantly more adhesion than U937‐MDM exposed to either individual PAH. Finally, 6‐MIX exposures during differentiation reduced U937‐MDM endocytic function significantly less than B[a]A exposed cells. Exposure to a unique PAH mixture during U937‐MDM differentiation resulted in mixture‐specific alterations of pro‐inflammatory markers compared to individual PAH exposures. While subtle, these differences highlight the probability that using a model PAH, B[a]P, may not accurately reflect the effects of PAH mixture exposures. Therefore, future studies should include various PAH mixtures that encompass probable real‐world PAH exposures for the endpoints under investigation.
Optical coherence tomography‐based non‐invasive evaluation of premalignant lesions in SKH‐1 mice
Authors: Zhou Chu , Zhang Haonan , Wang Peiru , Shi Lei , Wen Long , Chen Qi , Zhang Guolong , Wang Cheng , Wang Xiuli 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNon‐invasively diagnosis of actinic keratoses (AK) is important for preventing cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can be used to detect the cross‐sectional skin micromorphology with sufficient resolution and imaging depth. It has the capability to reveal the changes in skin microstructure during the development of AK. Therefore, OCT can serve as a tool for diagnosing AK. This study explores the feasibility of OCT in evaluating the structural changes in mouse skin at the different stages following exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The performance of OCT is compared with histology, the gold standard in this context. The imaging results demonstrate that a wave‐shaped irregular dermo‐epidermal junction (DEJ), as well as the continuous thickening of the epidermis, are useful diagnostic parameters for diagnosing AK. Histological examinations confirm these observations. These findings emphasize the need for effective skin protection or medical treatment once changes in the DEJ and epidermis are detected. OCT shows strong potential for non‐invasive evaluation of such changes and AK development, and can be used for the prevention of cSCC without the necessity of taking biopsies.
The Effect of Single Versus Group μCT on the Detection of Trabecular and Cortical Disease Phenotypes in Mouse Bones
Authors: Kohler Rachel , Tastad Carli A , Stacy Alexander J , Swallow Elizabeth A , Metzger Corinne E , Allen Matthew R , Wallace Joseph M 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTMicro‐computed tomography is a critical assessment tool for bone‐related preclinical research, especially in murine models. To expedite the scanning process, researchers often image multiple bones simultaneously; however, it is unknown if this impacts scan quality and alters the ability to detect differences between experimental groups. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of multibone scanning on detecting disease‐induced changes in bone microarchitecture and mineral density by group scanning two murine models with known skeletal defects: the Col1a2G610C/+ model of osteogenesis imperfecta and an adenine‐induced model of chronic kidney disease. Adult male femurs were scanned individually and in random groups of three and eight in a Bruker Skyscan 1172 and 1176, respectively, then assessed for standard trabecular and cortical bone measures. Although scanning methodology altered raw values, with trabecular microarchitecture values more affected than cortical properties, a disease phenotype was still detectable in both group and solo scans. However, tissue mineral density in both trabecular and cortical bone was significantly impacted by group versus solo scanning. Researchers may be able to use small groupings in a single μCT scan to expedite preclinical analyses when the overall bone phenotype is large to decrease costs and increase speed of discoveries; however the details of scanning (single or group) should always be reported. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
New strontium titanate polymorphs under high pressure
Authors: Rahmatizad Khajehpasha Ehsan , Goedecker Stefan , Ghasemi S. Alireza 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe report six new dynamically stable structures of SrTiO3 at various pressures ranging from 0 to 200 GPa. These structures were found by exploring the enthalpy surface with the Minima Hopping structure prediction method. The potential energy surface was generated by a machine learned potential, the charge equilibration via neural network technique (CENT), based on an extensive training data set of highly diverse SrTiO3 periodic and cluster structures. All our CENT structures were validated at the level of density functional theory. For our new structures, we performed phonon calculations and NVT molecular dynamics calculations to investigate their dynamical stability. Finally, X‐ray diffraction patterns were simulated to help to identify our predicted structures in experiments.
lncRNA HAND2‐AS1 overexpression inhibits cancer cell proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma by downregulating RUNX2 expression
Authors: Jing Gui‐Ying , Zheng Xuan‐Zhen , Ji Xiao‐Xia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe long non‐coding RNA HAND2 antisense RNA 1 (HAND2‐AS1) acts as a tumor suppressor in several malignancies, but its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the function of HAND2‐AS1 in HCC.MethodsThe expression levels of HAND2‐AS1 and runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) were determined in patients with HCC and HCC cell lines using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses. Cell proliferation was determined using Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay, and the correlation between HAND2‐AS1 and RUNX2 expression was also investigated.ResultsThe plasma level of HAND2‐AS1 was downregulated and that of RUNX2 was upregulated in patients with early‐stage HCC compared with those in healthy controls. No significant differences in the plasma levels of HAND2‐AS1 and RUNX2 were found among hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐positive, hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐positive, and HBV‐ and HCV‐negative patients with HCC. The plasma levels of HAND2‐AS1 and RUNX2 were inversely correlated in the patient groups but not in the control group. HAND2‐AS1 overexpression led to the downregulation of RUNX2 expression in human HCC cells, whereas RUNX2 failed to significantly affect HAND2‐AS1 expression. HAND2‐AS1 overexpression inhibited and RUNX2 overexpression promoted the proliferation of HCC cells. RUNX2 overexpression attenuated the inhibitory effects of HAND2‐AS1 overexpression on cancer cell proliferation.ConclusionHAND2‐AS1 overexpression inhibits cancer cell proliferation in HCC by downregulating RUNX2 expression.
DOCK4 stimulates MUC2 production through its effect on goblet cell differentiation
Authors: Qin Tingfeng , Yang Jie , Huang Dayin , Zhang Zhijun , Huang Yanling , Chen Hui , Xu Geyang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe intestinal mucosa is in continuous contact with milliard of microorganisms, thus intestinal epithelial barrier is a critical component in the arsenal of defense mechanisms required to prevent infection and inflammation. Mucin 2 (MUC2), which is produced by the goblet cells, forms the skeleton of the intestinal mucus and protects the intestinal tract from self‐digestion and numerous microorganisms. Dedicator of cytokinesis 4 (DOCK4) is a member of the DOCK‐B subfamily of the DOCK family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors. It is reported that DOCK4 plays a critical role in the repair of the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium after chemical damage. In this study, the role of DOCK4 in the goblet cell differentiation and MUC2 production is explored. Disordered intestinal epithelium and shortage of goblet cells were observed in DOCK4 gene knockout mice. Furthermore, DOCK4 deletion contributed to the low expression of MUC2 and the goblet cell differentiation/maturation factors including growth factor independent 1 (Gfi1) and SAM pointed domain epithelial‐specific transcription factor (Spdef) in mouse ileums and colons. Overexpression of DOCK4 caused a marked increase in Gfi1, Spdef, and MUC2, while siRNA knockdown of endogenous DOCK4 significantly decreased Gfi1, Spdef, and MUC2 in HT‐29 cells. In addition, MUC2, DOCK4, and the goblet cell differentiation/maturation factors mRNA levels were decreased in colorectal cancer samples compared with normal colons. A significant positive correlation was found between MUC2 and DOCK4. In conclusion, DOCK4 may serve as a critical regulator of goblet cell differentiation and MUC2 production in the intestine.