bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative floral surface micromorphology helps to discriminate between species of Paphiopedilum (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) from Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Besi Edward E. , Jia Lam S. , Mustafa Muskhazli ,  Yong Christina S. Y. , Go Rusea 
Published: April 2021

Abstract. The floral micromorphology of critically endangered Paphiopedilum Pfitzer [P. barbatum (Lindl.) Pfitzer, P. callosum var. sublaeve (Rchb.f.) P.J.Cribb and P. niveum (Rchb.f.) Stein] were analyzed concerning either infrageneric taxonomy or physioecological demands. The first two species are phylogenetically close and superficially identical but occur with distinct phytogeographical distributions in the region. The third species is a phylogenetically distant congener that inhabits limestone areas in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we investigated the surface of the dorsal sepal, synsepal, lateral petals, pouch or labellum, and staminode. Amongst the investigated features were epicuticular waxes, epicuticular ornamentation, trichome distribution and type, pustular glands, and papillae. Our study supports the distinction of P. barbatum from P. callosum var. sublaeve, which belong to subgenus Paphiopedilum, and from P. niveum, a species belonging to subgenus Brachypetalum, a separated monophyletic clade. Comparatively, P. barbatum has Type III non-glandular trichomes on the margin of its lateral petals, which are absent in P. callosum var. sublaeve. Paphiopedilum callosum var. sublaeve and P. niveum are distinguishable from P. barbatum by a confined distribution of papillae. The epicuticular ornamentation and distribution of trichomes on staminode discriminate between P. barbatum and P. callosum var. sublaeve and differentiates them from P. niveum. Compared to P. barbatum and P. niveum, stomata in P. callosum var. sublaeve were superficial with prominently raised guard cells. From the physioecological view, the absence of glandular trichomes, and the low occurrence of papillae and stomata on the floral parts explain the unscented flowers of P. barbatum and P. callosum var. sublaeve. A combination of the features examined is taxonomically valuable for delimitation of the species at the infrageneric level, although the diagnostic characters are far inadequate for a generic taxonomic revision. A study with a more extensive sampling from the three subgenera of Paphiopedilum, including subgenus Parvisepalum, is anticipated to elucidate the level of variation of the analyzed microcharacters.
Key Words: physioecological importance, Peninsular Malaysia, subgenus Brachypetalum, subgenus Paphiopedilum, scanning electron microscopy, taxonomic delimitation
Kognitív epidemiológia – Az intelligenciaszint prospektív összefüggése a szomatikus és pszichiátriai betegségrizikóval
Authors: Péter Ujma Przemyslaw 
Published: April 2021

A kognitív epidemiológia az intelligencia és az egészségi állapot összefüggésének tudo- mánya. A modern, sokszor több százezer fős, teljes populációkon végzett kognitív epide- miológiai vizsgálatok eredményei alapján a magasabb premorbid intelligencia gya- korlatilag valamennyi mentális betegség, illetve pszichiátriai probléma alacsonyabb kockázatával függ össze. A magasabb premorbid intelligencia a halálozás, a szív- és ér- rendszeri betegségek, a metabolikus betegségek, a rossz egészség-magatartás és számos kisebb népegészségügyi jelentőségű betegség előfordulásával is negatívan függ össze; a légzőszervi betegségekkel és a dohányzáshoz nem köthető daganatokkal azonban gyen- ge vagy hiányzik az összefüggés. A mentális betegségekkel való összefüggést nem, a szo- matikus betegségekkel és a mortalitással való összefüggést azonban részben mediálják a felnőttkori szocioökonómiai státusz mutatói. A speciális vizsgálati elrendezések – úgymint ikerkontroll-vizsgálatok, pszeudoexperimentális vizsgálatok, valamint a mendeli ran- domizáció módszerét használó molekuláris genetikai vizsgálatok – eredményei arra utal- nak, hogy az intelligencia és az egészség közötti kapcsolat jelentős részét genetikai ténye- zők közvetítik, de a szomatikus egészségre a magasabb intelligencia következményeként elérhető jobb szocioökonómiai státusz is szerény hatást gyakorol.Cognitive epidemiology is the science of the relationship between intelligence and health. Modern studies of cognitive epidemiology, often with samples of several hundreds of thousands of individuals, have revealed that higher premorbid intelligence is associated with a lower risk of virtually all of mental illnesses and psychiatric problems. Higher premorbid intelligence is also associated negatively with the incidence of mortality, circulatory illness, metabolic illness, poor health behavior and many diseases of lower epidemiological significance, but its relationship to respiratory illness and non-smoking related cancers is weaker or non-existent. Indicators of adult socioeconomic status do not mediate the association between intelligence and mental illness, but they do partially mediate the relationship with somatic illness and mortality. Studies with special designs -twin control studies, pseudo-experimental studies and molecular genetic studies using Mendelian randomization – suggest that the relationship between intelligence and health is heavily mediated by genetic factors, but somatic health may be modestly but causally improved by better social status as a consequence of higher intelligence.
Protein Kinase C and Gi/o Proteins Are Involved in Adenosine- and Ischemic Preconditioning—Mediated Renal Protection
Authors: LEE H. THOMAS , EMALA CHARLES W. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Renal ischemic reperfusion (IR) injury is a significant clinical problem in anesthesia and surgery. Recently, it was demonstrated that both renal ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and systemic adenosine pretreatment protect against renal IR injury. In cardiac IPC, pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins (i.e., Gi/o), protein kinase C (PKC), and ATP-sensitive potassium (K+
ATP) channels are implicated in this protective signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to elucidate the signaling pathways that are responsible for renal protection mediated by both IPC and adenosine pretreatment. In addition, because A1 adenosine receptor antagonist failed to block renal IPC, whether activation of bradykinin, muscarinic, or opioid receptors can mimic renal IPC was tested because these receptors have been implicated in cardiac IPC. Rats were acutely pretreated with chelerythrine or glibenclamide, selective blockers of PKC and K+
ATP channels, respectively, before IPC or adenosine pretreatment. Some rats were pretreated with pinacidil (K+
ATP channel opener), bradykinin, methacholine, or morphine before renal ischemia. Twenty-four h later, plasma creatinine was measured. Separate groups of rats received pertussis toxin intraperitoneally 48 h before being subjected to the above protective protocols. IPC and adenosine pretreatment protected against renal IR injury. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin and chelerythrine abolished the protective effects of both renal IPC and adenosine. However, glibenclamide pretreatment had no effect on either renal IPC or adenosine-induced renal protection, indicating no apparent role for K+
ATP channels. Moreover, pinacidil, bradykinin, methacholine, and morphine failed to protect renal function. Therefore, the conclusion is that cellular signal transduction pathways of renal IPC and adenosine pretreatment in vivo involve Gi/o proteins and PKC but not K+
ATP channels. Unlike cardiac IPC, bradykinin, muscarinic, and opioid receptors do not mediate renal IPC.
Diminished LDL Receptor and High Heparin Binding of Apolipoprotein E2 Sendai Associated with Lipoprotein Glomerulopathy
Authors: HOFFMANN MICHAEL M. , SCHARNAGL HUBERT , PANAGIOTOU ELEFTHERIA , BANGHARD WERNER T. , WIELAND HEINRICH , MA[Combining Diaeresis]RZ WINFRIED 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Variants of apolipoprotein E (apoE) have been linked to lipoprotein glomerulopathy, a new glomerular disease characterized by the deposition of lipoproteins in mesangial capillaries. One third of affected patients are heterozygous for apoE2 Sendai (Arg145 Pro). Variants of apoE can also produce type III hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). Recessive type III HLP is caused by apoE2 (Arg158 Cys), a mutant with diminished low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor binding but halfnormal heparin binding. Dominant type III HLP is caused by mutations that markedly alter heparin binding but modestly reduce receptor binding. This study examined whether apoE2 Sendai (Arg145 Pro) was functionally different from type III HLP-producing apoE variants by expressing apoE3, apoE2 (Arg158 Cys), apoE1 (Arg146 Glu), a dominant apoE variant, and apoE2 Sendai (Arg145 Pro) in the baculovirus system. LDL receptor binding was studied using recombinant apoE complexed to phospholipid vesicles and to very lowdensity lipoprotein from a patient with familiar apoE deficiency. Compared with apoE3, receptor-binding activities of apoE2 (Arg158 Cys), apoE1 (Arg146 Glu), and apoE2 Sendai (Arg145 Pro) all were less than 5%. Heparin-binding activities were 53%, 23%, and 66%, respectively, of apoE3. The distribution of apoE2 Sendai among the major plasma lipoprotein fractions was similar to that of apoE3 and apoE2 (Arg158 Cys). ApoE2 Sendai (Arg145 Pro) represents the only known mutation within the heparin-binding domain of apoE (residues 142 through 147), revealing diminished receptor binding and almost normal heparin binding. These unique characteristics of apoE2 Sendai (Arg145 Pro) may relate to the development of lipoprotein glomerulopathy.
Hepatocyte Growth Factor Receptor in Acute Tubular Necrosis
Authors: RABKIN RALPH , FERVENZA FERNANDO , TSAO TANNY , SIBLEY RICHARD , FRIEDLAENDER MICHAEL , HSU FAY , LASSMAN CHARLES , HAUSMANN MICHAEL , HUIE PHIL , SCHWALL RALPH H. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
In acute tubular necrosis, there are early transient increases in circulating and local bioactive hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels and renal HGF receptor (c-MET) gene expression. It has therefore been suggested that endogenous HGF may play a role in initiating renal repair. To test this hypothesis, changes in the levels, activity, and anatomic distribution of c-MET protein were characterized in relation to the onset and localization of DNA synthesis in kidneys of rats with ischemia-induced acute tubular necrosis. Whole-kidney c-MET protein levels were significantly increased in the injured kidneys 12 h after injury and rose to a maximum after 1 d, exceeding the control values by sevenfold. Eight days after injury, c-MET levels, although decreasing, were still elevated above control values. An increase in the levels of activated c-MET, i.e., tyrosine-phosphorylated c-MET, was also evident as early as 12 h after injury. Histologic analyses demonstrated that the increase in c-MET immunoreactivity was most marked in the most severely damaged nephron segments in the outer medulla. In injured proximal tubules, the receptor was redistributed from an apical location to an intracellular location. DNA synthesis was increased in the injured kidneys, especially in the outer medulla, where the increase in c-MET protein levels was most prominent. The increase in DNA synthesis was first detected 12 h after the initial increase in activated c-MET levels. It is concluded that the early increases in the levels of c-MET protein and activated receptor support the hypothesis that HGF participates in the initiation of renal regeneration. In addition, the persistent elevation of c-Met protein levels suggests that prolonged and even late treatment with HGF may be of therapeutic value
Acute Effects of Peritoneal Dialysis with Dialysates Containing Dextrose or Dextrose and Amino Acids on Muscle Protein Turnover in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure
Authors: GARIBOTTO GIACOMO , SOFIA ANTONELLA , CANEPA ALBERTO , SAFFIOTI STEFANO , SACCO PAOLO , SALA MARIA RITA , DERTENOIS LAURA , PASTORINO NADIA , DEFERRARI GIACOMO , RUSSO RODOLFO 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Whether changes in substrate and insulin levels that occur during peritoneal dialysis (PD) have effects on muscle protein dynamics was evaluated by studying muscle protein synthesis (PS), breakdown (PB), and net protein balance (NB) by the forearm perfusion method associated with the kinetics of 3H-phenylalanine in acute, crossover studies in which PD patients served as their own controls. Studies were performed (1) in the basal state and during PD with dialysates that contained dextrose alone in different concentrations (protocol 1: eight patients), (2) during PD with dialysates that contained dextrose alone or dextrose and amino acids (AA) (protocol 2: five patients), and (3) in time controls (five patients). PD with dextrose alone induced (1) a two- to threefold increase in insulin, as well as a 20 to 25% decrease in AA, mainly BCAA, levels; (2) an insulin-related decline (-18%) in forearm PB (P<0.002); (3) a 20% decrease in muscle PS (P<0.04), which was related to arterial BCAA and K+ (P<0.02 to 0.05); (4) a persistent negative NB; and (5) a decrease in the efficiency of muscle protein turnover, expressed as the ratio NB/PB. PD with dextrose+AA versus PD with dextrose induced (1) similarly high insulin levels but with a significant increase in total arterial AA (+30 to 110%), mainly valine; (2) a reduced release of AA from muscle (P<0.05); and (3) a decrease in the negative NB observed during PD with dextrose, owing to an increase (approximately 20%) in muscle PS, without any further effect on muscle PB. This study indicates that in PD patients in the fasting state, the moderate hyperinsulinemia that occurs during PD with dextrose alone causes an antiproteolytic action that is obscured by a parallel decrease in AA availability for PS. Conversely, the combined use of dextrose and AA results in a cumulative effect, because of the suppression of endogenous muscle PB (induced by insulin) and the stimulation of muscle PS (induced by AA availability). The hypothesis, therefore, is that in patients who are treated with PD, when fasting or when nutrient intake is reduced, muscle mass could be maintained better by the combined use of dextrose and AA.
TIMP-1 Deficiency Does Not Attenuate Interstitial Fibrosis in Obstructive Nephropathy
Authors: KIM HEUNGSOO , ODA TAKASHI , LÓPEZ-GUISA JESÚS , WING DIANE , EDWARDS DYLAN R. , SOLOWAY PAUL D. , EDDY ALLISON A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Progressive renal disease as a result of renal fibrosis is caused in part by an impairment of the proteolytic machinery that normally regulates matrix turnover. The goal of the present study was to determine whether genetic deficiency of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) could attenuate interstitial fibrosis caused by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Groups of wild-type (Timp-1) mice and TIMP-1—deficient (timp-1) mice were killed after 3 and 14 d of UUO or sham operation. Timp-1 mRNA levels were significantly increased 37- and 19-fold in the wild-type mice 3 and 14 d, respectively, after UUO operation. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity fell in all UUO groups but remained significantly higher in the timp-1 group compared with the Timp-1 group. The degree of interstitial fibrosis (kidney collagen content and percentage of tubulointerstitial area stained with picrosirius red and collagen III) was significantly increased 14 d after UUO operation, but there was no difference between the Timp-1 and timp-1 groups. Many features of the fibrogenic response were similar between the Timp-1 and timp-1 groups, including the number of myofibroblasts and the induction of genes encoding procollagen III, fibronectin, and transforming growth factor-β. After UUO operation, renal mRNA levels for Timp-3 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 were significantly higher in the TIMP-1—deficient mice. The results of this study show that elimination of TIMP-1 alone does not alter the severity of interstitial fibrosis. These findings may be due to compensation by other protease inhibitors such as TIMP-2, TIMP-3, and/or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 or to the possibility that inhibition of intrinsic MMP activity does not constitute a profibrogenic event in the kidney.
Expression of Aquaporin-1 in Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells and Its Upregulation by Glucose In Vitro
Authors: LAI KAR NENG , LI FU KEUNG , LAN HAO YUI , TANG SYDNEY , TSANG ANITA W. L. , CHAN DANIEL T. M. , LEUNG JOSEPH C. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Aquaporin (AQP) is a family of water channels that are highly selective for the passage of water and occasionally glycerol. In previous studies, only AQP1 was found in human peritoneal endothelial cells in both control subjects and patients on peritoneal dialysis. As human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) play an important role in dialysis adequacy and fluid balance in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients, this study examined whether AQP1 is present in HPMC. It was found that AQP1 mRNA and protein are present in HPMC constitutively. The localization of AQP1 protein in peritoneal mesothelial cells was confirmed by double immunohistochemical staining of the mesothelial lining of human peritoneal membrane. More important, the expression of AQP1 in HPMC is not constitutive and the transcription and biosynthesis of AQP1 in HPMC is inducible by osmotic agents such as glucose and mannitol. There was significant enhancement of AQP1 biosynthesis upon exposure to glucose in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P < 0.0001). Similar findings were observed in the AQP1 biosynthesis by an endothelial cell line, EA.hy 926. Of particular interest, the upregulation in AQP1 mRNA or biosynthesis in mesothelial cells was always significantly higher than that of endothelial cells when the experiments were conducted under identical settings (P < 0.001). AQP1 expression in HPMC was demonstrated for the first time. Osmotic agents upregulate both mRNA and protein expression of this aquaporin. The role of AQP1 in HPMC in maintaining the ultrafiltration of the peritoneal membrane is potentially of clinical interest.
Management of Patients with Chronic Renal Insufficiency in the Northeastern United States
Authors: KAUSZ ANNAMARIA T. , KHAN SAMINA S. , ABICHANDANI REKHA , KAZMI WAQAR H. , OBRADOR GREGORIO T. , RUTHAZER ROBIN , PEREIRA BRIAN J. G. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract.
Comorbid conditions that develop during chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) contribute to the high morbidity and mortality among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Thus, appropriate management during CRI may lead to improved ESRD outcomes. A retrospective cohort study was performed to describe the management of patients with CRI. A total of 602 patients with CRI (creatinine ≥1.5 mg/dl for women and ≥2.0 mg/dl for men) were seen between October 1994 and September 1998 at five nephrology outpatient clinics in the Boston area. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 63 (15.5) yr, and 53% were male. At the first nephrology visit, mean (SD) serum creatinine was 3.2 (1.6) mg/dl, and mean (SD) predicted GFR was 22.3 (8.9) ml/min per 1.73 m2. Laboratory tests for iron levels were performed in only 18% of patients, serum parathyroid hormone levels were obtained in only 15%, lipid studies were obtained in fewer than half, and among patients with diabetes, only 28% had a glycosylated hemoglobin level measured. A hematocrit <30% was present in 38%, and abnormal calcium-phosphorus metabolism was noted in 55%. Only 59% of patients who had hematocrit <30% received recombinant human erythropoietin. Among patients who received recombinant human erythropoietin, only 47% received iron. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use was recorded for only 65% of patients with diabetes (49% of patients overall). Among patients who were known to have progressed to ESRD, only 41% had permanent access placed before initiation of dialysis. There seems to be room for improvement in the management of patients with CRI, which could result in a slower rate of progression of CRI and reduced severity of comorbid conditions.
Brain Uptake of Myoinositol after Exogenous Administration
Authors: Silver Stephen M. , Schroeder Barbara M. , Sterns Richard H. 
Published: April 2021

ABSTRACT.
An acute increase in plasma tonicity results in an adaptive increase in brain organic osmolyte content, but this process requires several days to occur. Slow reaccumulation of brain organic osmolytes may contribute to osmotic demyelination. It was investigated whether administration of intravenous myoinositol in rats could speed entry of the osmolyte into the brain. Two groups of animals were studied: normonatremic animals and animals with hyponatremia (105 mmol/L) of 3–d duration. Animals were intravenously administered either 1 M NaCl to induce a 25 to 28 mM increase in serum sodium concentration over 200 min or an infusate that maintained serum sodium concentration. In some animals, myoinositol was administered intravenously over the same time period to raise plasma myoinositol levels by 5 to 10 mM. Brain myoinositol, electrolyte, and water contents were determined at the end of the infusions. In both normonatremic and hyponatremic rats, infusion of hypertonic saline without myoinositol or infusion of myoinositol without hypertonic saline did not increase brain myoinositol levels above control levels. In normonatremic animals, concurrent infusion of hypertonic saline and myoinositol increased brain myoinositol levels by about 50% above control levels. Brain myoinositol content in animals with uncorrected hyponatremia was about 50% of that found in normonatremic controls; concurrent infusion of hypertonic saline and myoinositol increased brain myoinositol to levels similar to those found in normonatremic controls. Intravenous infusion of myoinositol did not alter brain water content compared with animals not infused with myoinositol. In conclusion, systemic infusion of myoinositol can rapidly increase brain myoinositol content, but only when plasma tonicity is concomitantly increased.
INTELLIGENCE AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS AT UNIVERSITY LEVEL: A STUDY OF STUDENTS’ BELIEFS
Authors: Naz Sadaf , Khan Muhammad Ilyas , Shah Syed Afzal , Qayyum Anjum 
Published: April 2021

Purpose of the study: The current study explored a possible association between students’ beliefs about their intelligence and academic achievement and compared gender differences in terms of these two variables.
Methodology: The sample of the study comprised of four hundred and fifty (male and female) MSc mathematics students, randomly selected from seven public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. A scale developed by Dweck (1999) was adapted to collect data for this study. Academic achievement was measured through students’ previous examination scores.
Findings: Findings of the study showed that male students believed more in ‘incremental’ intelligence and had significantly higher academic achievement as compared to their female counterparts. A significant relationship was found between students’ beliefs in ‘incremental’ intelligence and their academic achievement.
Applications of the study: The study has important implications for teachers and academics in the subjects of science and mathematics. This study also has implications for policies planners and administration in terms of developing an understanding regarding the role of students’ beliefs about intelligence and academic achievement. The study could lead to new thinking about ways to work on the beliefs of students that could result in better academic achievement.
The novelty of this study: The study could also lead to further studies regarding the role of gender in affecting incremental beliefs and academic achievement.