bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nuciferine ameliorates hepatic steatosis in high‐fat diet/streptozocin‐induced diabetic mice through a PPARα/PPARγ coactivator‐1α pathway
Authors: Zhang Chao , Deng Jianjun , Liu Dan , Tuo Xingxia , Xiao Lei , Lai Baochang , Yao Qinyu , Liu Jia , Yang Haixia , Wang Nanping 
Published: August 2018

Background and PurposeNuciferine, an alkaloid found in Nelumbo nucifera leaves, alleviates dyslipidemia in vivo. However, whether it improves liver injury in diabetic conditions and the underlying mechanism is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of nuciferine on lipid and glucose metabolism in a murine model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to determine the underlying mechanisms of these effects.Experimental ApproachA murine model of T2DM was induced by high‐fat diet (HFD) feeding combined with streptozocin (STZ) injections, and the diabetic mice were treated with nuciferine in their food. The underlying mechanism of the anti‐steatotic effect of nuciferine was further explored in HepG2 hepatocytes cultured with palmitic acid. Major signalling profiles involved in fatty acid oxidation were then evaluated, using Western blot, RT‐qPCR and si‐RNA techniques, along with immunohistochemistry.Key ResultsNuciferine restored impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in diabetic mice. Hepatic levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL were decreased, as were the number of lipid droplets, by nuciferine treatment. Furthermore, nuciferine up‐regulated β‐oxidation related genes in livers of diabetic mice. Luciferase reporter cell assay showed that nuciferine directly reversed palmitic acid‐induced inhibition of PPARα transcriptional activity. Silencing PPARγ coactivator‐1α (PGC1α) expression in HepG2 cells abolished the effects of nuciferine in accelerating β‐oxidation.Conclusions and ImplicationsNuciferine improved lipid profile and attenuated hepatic steatosis in HFD/STZ‐induced diabetic mice by activating the PPARα/PGC1α pathway. Nuciferine may be a potentially important candidate in improving hepatic steatosis and the management of T2DM.
Epithelial folliculin enhances airway inflammation in aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease
Authors: Trinh Hoang Kim Tu , Pham Duy Le , Choi Youngwoo , Kim Hyun‐Mi , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Park Hae‐Sim 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundClinical features of aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) are characterized by overproduction of cysteinyl leukotrienes (LT) and eosinophil activation, in which epithelial cells contribute to eosinophilic airway inflammation. Folliculin (FLCN) helps maintain the integrity of epithelial barrier, but little is known about FLCN in AERD.ObjectiveWe investigated the role of FLCN in the pathogenic mechanisms of AERD.MethodsWe recruited 178 subjects with AERD, 276 subjects with aspirin‐tolerant asthma (ATA) and 71 normal healthy controls (NC) at Ajou Medical Center. Levels of FLCN and interleukin (IL)‐8 in sera and supernatants were measured by ELISA. Peripheral blood eosinophils isolated from asthmatic patients were cocultured with human airway epithelial cells (HAECs) pretreated with LTE4, dexamethasone and montelukast. The intracellular expressions of FLCN, tight (TJ) (occludins, claudin‐1) and adherens (AJ) junctions (E‐cadherin) were analysed by Western blotting. shRNA was used to down‐regulate FLCN (shFLCN) in HAECs.ResultsSerum FLCN levels were significantly higher in AERD group than in ATA and NC groups (all P < 0.001). The cut‐off value of 56.6 pg/mL was used to define the high FLCN phenotype (highFLCN). Asthmatic patients with highFLCN were associated with increased airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (P = 0.015). The serum FLCN level could discriminate AERD group from NC group with 82% sensitivity (AUC = 0.793, P < 0.001). When HAECs were exposed to LTE4, FLCN release was increased significantly (P < 0.05), which were amplified along with disruption of TJ and AJ expressions when HAECs were cocultured with eosinophils and LTE4 (all P < 0.05); these effects were suppressed by dexamethasone and montelukast. FLCN knockdown reduced IL‐8 release and occludin expression from shFLCN HAECs.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that high LT and airway eosinophilia increased FLCN release from HAECs, which enhance epithelial activation and disruption. Modulation of FLCN may be a potential target for AERD.
Surface characteristics and dyeing properties of polyimide fabric treated with sodium hydroxide
Authors: Bai Gang , Liu Yanchun , Qian Hongfei 
Published: August 2018

A polyimide fabric was treated with sodium hydroxide to improve its dyeing property. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that carboxyl groups were introduced onto the fibre surface after an alkali treatment. The mean zeta potentials were 7.19 mV for the original sample and –12.1 mv for the treated sample. The surface morphology measured using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicated the presence of a very rough surface structure for the alkali‐treated sample. The alkali‐treated sample showed a higher equilibrium exhaustion than the untreated sample did. The adsorption isotherms of the treated fabric followed the Langmuir sorption model.
A study on mother‐to‐fetus/infant transmission of influenza A(H7N9) virus: Two case reports and a review of literature
Authors: Wang Jiajia , Xu Hua , Mu Chuanyong , Chen Cheng , Guo Lingchuan , Chen Liling , Huang Jian‐an , Guo Qiang 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe prevention strategies for mother‐to‐fetus/infant transmission of H7N9 virus have not been well understood, and the study on this subject will provide further insights.MethodsReverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay was undertaken to detect H7N9 virus in samples from a pregnant women, a postpartum woman, and their fetus/infant. Pathological features of tissues from the dead fetus were evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Hemagglutination inhibition assay was used to detect virus‐specific antibodies. Furthermore, relevant literatures were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsA 28‐year‐old pregnant woman was hospitalized for H7N9 infection and prescribed with oseltamivir and peramivir for 2 days before admission. The fetal heart beating stopped on day 4, the dead fetus was delivered on day 13, and the woman expired on day 26. All fetal tissues were H7N9 virus‐negative. A 28‐year‐old woman delivered a newborn on December 20, 2016. Five days later, she developed influenza‐like symptoms and was confirmed with H7N9 infection. She had close contact with her infant for 9 days. Oseltamivir and peramivir were prescribed within 2 days after illness onset. A throat swab and a pair of serum samples from the infant were all negative for H7N9 virus during 4‐week follow‐up. In total, ten studies referring to transplacental transmission and four reports on maternal infection of H7N9 virus were reviewed and analyzed.ConclusionNo evidence showed H7N9 virus infection in both fetus and infant. The early administration of neuraminidase inhibitor seemed beneficial in preventing mother‐to‐fetus/infant transmission of H7N9 virus.
Pain interventions for organ transplant patients undergoing incisional hernia repair: Is epidural or transversus abdominus plane block a better option?
Authors: Yeap Yar Luan , Wolfe John , Fridell Jonathan A. , Ezell Jake , Powelson John A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative pain management in transplant recipients undergoing incisional herniorraphy is challenging. Historically limited to intravenous or oral opioids, alternatives including transversus abdominus plane (TAP) block catheters and thoracic epidural catheters have been introduced. The aim of this study was to determine whether TAP catheters and thoracic epidural analgesia significantly impacted on postoperative pain and opioid usage in transplant recipients undergoing incisional hernia repair.MethodsThis single‐center retrospective study included 154 patients undergoing incisional hernia repair from January 2011 to June 2015. Of these, 56 received epidurals, 51 received TAP catheters, and 47 received no intervention.ResultsDemographic profiles were comparable among the three groups including type of previous transplant and type of hernia surgery. Thoracic epidural analgesia was associated with lower median, mean, and maximum pain scores (P < 0.001) and less opioid requirement (P < 0.001). There was no difference in pain scores and opioid usage among the TAP catheter and no intervention groups. There was no difference in time to first flatus or first bowel movement, length of hospital stay, individual opioid‐related side effects, and adverse reactions among the three groups.ConclusionThis study supports the use of thoracic epidural analgesia in patients undergoing hernia repair after transplant surgery.
Efficacy and safety of once‐weekly dulaglutide versus insulin glargine in mainly Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on metformin and/or a sulphonylurea: A 52‐week open‐label, randomized phase III trial
Authors: Wang Weiqing , Nevárez Luis , Filippova Ekaterina , Song Ki Ho , Tao Bei , Gu Liqun , Wang Feng , Li Pengfei , Yang Jun 
Published: August 2018

AimTo compare the efficacy and safety of once‐weekly dulaglutide with that of insulin glargine in combination with metformin and/or a sulphonylurea in mainly Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Materials and MethodsIn this 52‐week, randomized, parallel‐arm open‐label study, we enrolled patients aged ≥18 years with T2DM for at least 6 months and a glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentration ≥53.0 mmol/mol (7.0%) and ≤96.7 mmol/mol (11.0%). The primary outcome was change in HbA1c from baseline to week 26 to determine non‐inferiority of dulaglutide 1.5 mg versus glargine.ResultsA total of 774 patients from China, South Korea, Mexico and Russia were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to dulaglutide 1.5 mg, dulaglutide 0.75 mg or glargine treatment groups. The patients' mean age was 55 years and the average T2DM duration was ~8 years. The least squares mean (SE) changes from baseline in HbA1c at 26 weeks were − 18.9 (0.73) mmol/mol (−1.73 [0.067]%) for dulaglutide 1.5 mg and −14.5 (0.73) mmol/mol (−1.33 [0.067]%) for dulaglutide 0.75 mg, compared with −12.7 (0.73) mmol/mol (−1.16 [0.067]%) for glargine. Statistical criteria for superiority were met with both dulaglutide 1.5 mg and dulaglutide 0.75 mg. More patients in the dulaglutide 1.5 and 0.75 mg groups achieved HbA1c target <53.0 mmol/mol (<7.0%) than in the glargine group at week 26 (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Body weight decreased with dulaglutide and increased with glargine. The incidence and rate of total hypoglycaemia were lower with dulaglutide versus glargine. Gastrointestinal adverse events, including diarrhoea and nausea, were the most frequently reported for patients taking dulaglutide.ConclusionsOnce‐weekly dulaglutide provides greater improvement in HbA1c, with weight loss and less hypoglycaemia, than once‐daily insulin glargine in a population of mainly Asian patients with T2DM who had failed to achieve optimal glycaemic control on metformin and/or a sulphonylurea.
Does future resource input reflect need in first‐episode psychosis: Examining the association between individual characteristics and 5‐year costs
Authors: Hastrup Lene H. , Nordentoft Merete , Gyrd‐Hansen Dorte 
Published: August 2018

AimCoupling data on future resource consumption with baseline characteristics can provide vital information of future consumption patterns for newly diagnosed patients. This study tested whether higher need (as measured by severity of illness) and other baseline characteristics of newly diagnosed patients were associated with higher future service costs.MethodFive hundred forty‐seven patients between 18 and 45 years randomized to the OPUS trial was analysed in the study. Multiple regression analysis was applied to estimate the impact of the explanatory variables on mean total costs, which consisted of total health care costs and costs of supportive living facilities.ResultsLower age, higher level of symptoms (global assessment of functioning), alcohol or cannabis misuse, and being homeless were associated with higher total costs over 5 years, whereas sex, duration of untreated psychosis, and educational level did not show any impact on future resource consumption.ConclusionThe association between future costs and severity of illness suggests that higher needs among patients were associated with higher resource input level. Our results also indicate that other factors than need might affect future costs, for example, parents who serve as advocates for young patients had impact on future health costs. We also found indications of potential barriers among patients with other citizenship in access to health‐care services. The strength of the study is that resource data were extracted from official Danish registers and interviewers collected information on clinical characteristics. The results are likely to be context‐specific but can be generalized to settings with similar treatment practices.
Diverse student voice approaches across Europe
Authors: Bron Jeroen , Emerson Norman , Kákonyi Lucia 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe Student voice concept encompasses the right for learners to express their opinions, access people who influence decisions and actively participate in educational decision‐making processes. In this article, three features of a European Erasmus Plus project called “BRIDGE” are presented in a sequence ranging from theoretical considerations for school improvement to an analysis of school contexts and settings, followed by a presentation of results from working with one of the project’s student voice tools. Central in each example is the notion that working in partnership with students will enable students to become more self‐directed learners and active citizens.
Is aided phytostabilization a suitable technique for the remediation of tailings?
Authors: Martínez‐Martínez Silvia , Zornoza Raul , Gabarrón María , Gómez‐Garrido Melisa , Rosales Rosa M. , Muñoz María A. , Gómez‐López María D. , Soriano‐Disla José M. , Faz Angel , Acosta Jose A. 
Published: August 2018

Mining activity in Cartagena‐La Union mining district (SE Spain) dates back more than 2500 years. Consequently, large amounts of sterile materials with large metal(loid) contents (mostly Zn and Pb) have accumulated in tailings ponds. A reclamation strategy based on aided phytostabilization was carried out to reclaim one tailings pond to reduce environmental and public health hazards. The main goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the aided phytostabilization strategy after 30 months from its implementation in enhancing soil quality and fertility and reducing mobility of the metals. Marble waste, raw pig slurry and its solid phase after physical separation were applied as amendments, and 13 Mediterranean native plant species were planted or sown. Various soil physicochemical and biochemical properties, together with the pseudo‐total and bioavailable fraction of the metal(loid)s, As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, were monitored for 30 months. Results showed that pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), cation exchange capacity (CEC), available phosphorus (P), exchangeable potassium (K), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), basal soil respiration (BSR) and enzyme activities increased with the application of the amendments and development of vegetation. In addition, the available fraction of metals markedly decreased (90–99%). Most plant species present in the area did not transfer large amounts of trace elements to the aerial tissues. The roots ofLygeum spartumloefl. Ex L. andPiptatherum miliaceum(L.) Coss. accumulated the largest amounts of As, Pb and Zn. Thus, the application of marble waste to increase pH and immobilize metal(loid)s, and pig slurry as a source of organic matter and nutrients, together with the development of vegetation to immobilize metal(loid)s in the roots and rhizosphere, and the effect of microbial communities on organic matter stabilization and development, have contributed to improve soil quality and fertility. Once the soil quality of mine tailings was improved, the development of vegetation and microbial colonization increased, promoting integrated reclamation of the area. Therefore, aided phytostabilization was a suitable technique for remediation of this tailings pond.HighlightsWe evaluated effectiveness of mid‐term and large‐scale aided phytostabilization.Marble waste, pig slurry and native plants were used for reclamation of a tailings pond.Increased soil quality promoted plant development and microbial colonization.Lygeum spartumandPiptatherum miliaceumare good candidates to phytostabilize Pb, Zn and As.
Correlates of rate heterogeneity in avian ecomorphological traits
Authors: Chira A. M. , Cooney C. R. , Bright J. A. , Capp E. J. R. , Hughes E. C. , Moody C. J. A. , Nouri L. O. , Varley Z. K. , Thomas G. H. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHeterogeneity in rates of trait evolution is widespread, but it remains unclear which processes drive fast and slow character divergence across global radiations. Here, we test multiple hypotheses for explaining rate variation in an ecomorphological trait (beak shape) across a globally distributed group (birds). We find low support that variation in evolutionary rates of species is correlated with life history, environmental mutagenic factors, range size, number of competitors, or living on islands. Indeed, after controlling for the negative effect of species' age, 80% of variation in species‐specific evolutionary rates remains unexplained. At the clade level, high evolutionary rates are associated with unusual phenotypes or high species richness. Taken together, these results imply that macroevolutionary rates of ecomorphological traits are governed by both ecological opportunity in distinct adaptive zones and niche differentiation among closely related species.
Testing Darwin's transoceanic dispersal hypothesis for the inland nettle family (Urticaceae)
Authors: Wu Zeng‐Yuan , Liu Jie , Provan Jim , Wang Hong , Chen Chia‐Jui , Cadotte Marc W. , Luo Ya‐Huang , Amorim Bruno S. , Li De‐Zhu , Milne Richard I. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDispersal is a fundamental ecological process, yet demonstrating the occurrence and importance of long‐distance dispersal (LDD) remains difficult, having rarely been examined for widespread, non‐coastal plants. To address this issue, we integrated phylogenetic, molecular dating, biogeographical, ecological, seed biology and oceanographic data for the inland Urticaceae. We found that Urticaceae originated in Eurasia c. 69 Ma, followed by ≥ 92 LDD events between landmasses. Under experimental conditions, seeds of many Urticaceae floated for > 220 days, and remained viable after 10 months in seawater, long enough for most detected LDD events, according to oceanographic current modelling. Ecological traits analyses indicated that preferences for disturbed habitats might facilitate LDD. Nearly half of all LDD events involved dioecious taxa, so population establishment in dioecious Urticaceae requires multiple seeds, or occasional selfing. Our work shows that seawater LDD played an important role in shaping the geographical distributions of Urticaceae, providing empirical evidence for Darwin's transoceanic dispersal hypothesis.
Interspecific variation in conspecific negative density dependence can make species less likely to coexist
Authors: Stump Simon Maccracken , Comita Liza S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractConspecific negative density dependence (CNDD) is thought to promote plant species diversity. Theoretical studies showing the importance of CNDD often assumed that all species are equally susceptible to CNDD; however, recent empirical studies have shown species can differ greatly in their susceptibility to CNDD. Using a theoretical model, we show that interspecific variation in CNDD can dramatically alter its impact on diversity. First, if the most common species are the least regulated by CNDD, then the stabilising benefit of CNDD is reduced. Second, when seed dispersal is limited, seedlings that are susceptible to CNDD are at a competitive disadvantage. When parameterised with estimates of CNDD from a tropical tree community in Panama, our model suggests that the competitive inequalities caused by interspecific variation in CNDD may undermine many species’ ability to persist. Thus, our model suggests that variable CNDD may make communities less stable, rather than more stable.
Population genetic structure of the deep‐sea mussel Bathymodiolus platifrons (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) in the Northwest Pacific
Authors: Xu Ting , Sun Jin , Watanabe Hiromi K. , Chen Chong , Nakamura Masako , Ji Rubao , Feng Dong , Lv Jia , Wang Shi , Bao Zhenmin , Qian Pei‐Yuan , Qiu Jian‐Wen 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStudying population genetics of deep‐sea animals helps us understand their history of habitat colonization and population divergence. Here, we report a population genetic study of the deep‐sea mussel Bathymodiolus platifrons (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) widely distributed in chemosynthesis‐based ecosystems in the Northwest Pacific. Three mitochondrial genes (i.e., atp6, cox1, and nad4) and 6,398 genomewide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained from 110 individuals from four hydrothermal vents and two methane seeps. When using the three mitochondrial genes, nearly no genetic differentiation was detected for B. platifrons in the Northwest Pacific. Nevertheless, when using SNP datasets, all individuals in the South China Sea (SCS) and three individuals in Sagami Bay (SB) together formed one genetic cluster that was distinct from the remaining individuals. Such genetic divergence indicated a genetic barrier to gene flow between the SCS and the open Northwest Pacific, resulting in the co‐occurrence of two cryptic semi‐isolated lineages. When using 125 outlier SNPs identified focusing on individuals in the Okinawa Trough (OT) and SB, a minor genetic subdivision was detected between individuals in the southern OT (S‐OT) and those in the middle OT (M‐OT) and SB. This result indicated that, although under the influence of the Kuroshio Current and the North Pacific Intermediate Water, subtle geographic barriers may exist between the S‐OT and the M‐OT. Introgression analyses based on these outlier SNPs revealed that Hatoma Knoll in the S‐OT represents a possible contact zone for individuals in the OT‐SB region. Furthermore, migration dynamic analyses uncovered stronger gene flow from Dai‐yon Yonaguni Knoll in the S‐OT to the other local populations, compared to the reverse directions. Taken together, the present study offered novel perspectives on the genetic connectivity of B. platifrons mussels, revealing the potential interaction of ocean currents and geographic barriers with adaption and reproductive isolation in shaping their migration patterns and genetic differentiation in the Northwest Pacific.