bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nicotine‐mediated neuroprotection of rat spinal networks against excitotoxicity
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet , Rauti Rossana , Nistri Andrea 
Published: May 2018

AbstractActivation of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) by nicotine is reported to protect brain neurons from glutamate excitotoxicity. We inquired whether a similar phenomenon can occur in the rat isolated spinal cord (or spinal slice culture) challenged by a transient (1 hr) application of kainate (a powerful glutamate receptor agonist) to induce excitotoxicity mimicking spinal injury in vitro. We recorded spinal reflexes and fictive locomotion generated by the locomotor central pattern generator before and 24 hr after applying kainate. We also monitored network activity with Ca2+imaging and counted neurons and glia with immunohistochemical methods. In control conditions, nicotine (1 μM; 4 hr) depressed reflexes and fictive locomotion with slow recovery and no apparent neurotoxicity at 24 hr although synchronous Ca2+transients appeared in slice cultures. Kainate nearly halved neuron numbers (while sparing glia), decreased reflexes and Ca2+transients, and suppressed fictive locomotion. When nicotine was applied (4 hr) after washout of kainate, fictive locomotor cycles appeared 24 hr later though with low periodicity, and significant protection of neurons, including motoneurons, was observed. Nicotine applied together with kainate and maintained for further 4 hr yielded better neuroprotection, improved fictive locomotion expression and reversed the depression of Ca2+transients. nAChR antagonists did not intensify kainate neurotoxicity and inhibited the neuroprotective effects of nicotine. These data suggest that nicotine was efficacious to limit histological and functional excitotoxic damage probably because it activated and then desensitized nAChRs on excitatory and inhibitory network neurons to prevent triggering intracellular cell death pathways.
Effect of pre‐corrosion on damage evolution and crack propagation in aluminum alloy 7050‐T7651
Authors: Song H. , Bai Z. , Zhang H. , Niu Y. , Leen S.B. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis paper investigates the effects of pre‐corrosion on the tensile behavior of aluminum alloy 7050‐T7651. A combined experimental approach involving digital image correlation, scanning electron microscopy, and tensile testing is presented for quantitative and qualitative analysis. A tensile damage model is presented for plasticity‐induced, post‐corrosion mechanical damage for interpretation and identification of damage and cracking thresholds. Although multiple corrosion‐induced cracks evolve simultaneously in diffuse regions, propagation and coalescence of the main cracks, originating from key damage regions, dominate the failure process. A combined corrosion and mechanical damage model was used to successfully predict the effects of pre‐corrosion on the tensile stress‐strain response.
Ratcheting effect of reinforced graphite sheet with stainless steel insert (RGSWSSI) under cyclic compression at elevated temperature
Authors: Zheng X.T. , Dai W.C. , Chen H.F. , Shen J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRatcheting and creep of reinforced graphite sheet with stainless steel insert (RGSWSSI) are tested under cyclic stress‐controlled compression by a self‐designed clamp from 500°C to 600°C. The effects of insert type, temperature, stress amplitude, stress rate, creep, and loading sequence are considered. Results present that ratcheting deformations for RGSWSSI with 316‐L stainless steel tanged and bonded insert approach to each other and show little rate dependence, while they slightly increase with the increment of stress amplitude and temperature. Moreover, obvious ratcheting effect takes place under cyclic pulsating loads with the peak stress of 32 MPa at 500°C or higher. The accumulated deformations of RGSWSSI under small stress amplitude only increase during about the first 25 cycles and then always turn to shakedown. It can also be estimated by the corresponding static creep strain in practical engineering with good accuracy at high temperature. This work provides important data and understanding of RGSWSSI under harsh fluctuating loads.
Regime shift in the littoral ecosystem of volcanic Lake Atitlán in Central America: combined role of stochastic event and invasive plant species
Authors: Rejmánková Eliška , Sullivan Benjamin W. , Ortiz Aldana José R. , Snyder Jenise M. , Castle Stephanie T. , Reyes Morales Fátima 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Different functional groups of macrophytes vary in their impact on aquatic ecosystem structure and processes. The introduction of new species with different growth form, combined with a stochastic event, may have serious and irreversible consequences on lake functioning.

Our goals were to document and explain physical, chemical, metabolic and biotic changes in the littoral zones of a volcanic lake before and following two coinciding events: invasion by a submersed macrophyte, Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae), followed by a rapid increase in the lake water level (>2.5 m). We recorded plant biomass, plant tissue C:N:P stoichiometry, macroinvertebrates, water characteristics data along transects through littoral zones, and measured gas emission in controlled mesocosms and in the lake.

The native emergent species, Schoenoplectus californicus (Cyperaceae), was generally not able to survive such a rapid water level increase, and Hydrilla spread and formed dense mats further preventing Schoenoplectus regeneration. The impact of another introduced species, the free‐floating Eichhornia crassipes (Pontederiaceae), was more localised, despite its much longer presence at the lake.

Although the three species had comparable standing biomass, the two invader species had lower C:N:P ratios than Schoenoplectus, resulting in faster decomposition rates and indicating potential shifts in nutrient cycling within the ecosystem. The oxygen profile of the water column was altered by the non‐native species in a significantly different manner: in Eichhornia, the saturation concentrations dropped down to 30%–50% of dissolved oxygen, while oxygen supersaturation was recorded in Hydrilla.

Both Schoenoplectus and Eichhornia patches exhibited comparable carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes, sequestering 230 and 300 mg CO2 m−2 hr−1, respectively, during the day and emitting 250 and 200 mg CO2 m−2 hr−1, respectively, during the night. Contrary to these two species, Hydrilla patches sequestered CO2 during the day (34 mg CO2 m−2 hr−1) and night (44 mg CO2 m−2 hr−1).

The invasive species maintained a richer community of macroinvertebrates compared to several native species (excluding Schoenoplectus), both in taxa diversity and in numbers of individuals.

When the results are considered in the regional context, an increase in nutrient supply could lead to the dominance of free‐floating plants. We discussed management options more broadly considering the negative impacts of introduced species balanced against their beneficial effects, in the context of environmental changes.
Environmental change and predator diversity drive alpha and beta diversity in freshwater macro and microorganisms
Authors: Antiqueira Pablo Augusto P. , Petchey Owen L. , dos Santos Viviane Piccin , de Oliveira Valéria Maia , Romero Gustavo Quevedo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractGlobal biodiversity is eroding due to anthropogenic causes, such as climate change, habitat loss, and trophic simplification of biological communities. Most studies address only isolated causes within a single group of organisms; however, biological groups of different trophic levels may respond in particular ways to different environmental impacts. Our study used natural microcosms to investigate the predicted individual and interactive effects of warming, changes in top predator diversity, and habitat size on the alpha and beta diversity of macrofauna, microfauna, and bacteria. Alpha diversity (i.e., richness within each bromeliad) generally explained a larger proportion of the gamma diversity (partitioned in alpha and beta diversity). Overall, dissimilarity between communities occurred due to species turnover and not species loss (nestedness). Nevertheless, the three biological groups responded differently to each environmental stressor. Microfauna were the most sensitive group, with alpha and beta diversity being affected by environmental changes (warming and habitat size) and trophic structure (diversity of top predators). Macrofauna alpha and beta diversity was sensitive to changes in predator diversity and habitat size, but not warming. In contrast, the bacterial community was not influenced by the treatments. The community of each biological group was not mutually concordant with the environmental and trophic changes. Our results demonstrate that distinct anthropogenic impacts differentially affect the components of macro and microorganism diversity through direct and indirect effects (i.e., bottom‐up and top‐down effects). Therefore, a multitrophic and multispecies approach is necessary to assess the effects of different anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity.
Impairment in toileting behavior after a stroke
Authors: Kawanabe Eri , Suzuki Makoto , Tanaka Satoshi , Sasaki Shotaro , Hamaguchi Toyohiro 
Published: May 2018

AimDependence for toileting is the most problematic aspect for patients after a stroke. However, the relative difficulty of each component of toileting and the predictors for independent performance of these activities are unknown. We investigated these issues in stroke patients using Boltzmann sigmoid and generalized linear modeling.MethodsWe carried out a cross‐sectional correlation study, including 107 adult inpatients, hospitalized for a stroke. We assessed the activity components of toileting, as well as evaluated physical impairment using the Fugl‐Meyer Assessment, impairments in balance using the Berg Balance Scale, cognitive impairments using the Mini‐Mental State Examination and the presence or absence of unilateral spatial neglect or aphasia.ResultsBoltzmann sigmoid modeling showed that the total scores required to obtain a response at 50% of the maximal value for the required components of toileting ranged between 2.691 and 34.962 points, for the components of “wearing pants” and “cutting the toilet paper,” respectively. A generalized linear model showed that the Berg Balance Scale score was a significant predictor for independent performance on most component activities of toileting.ConclusionsThe component of toileting that was easiest to carry out was cutting the toilet paper, and the most difficult was wearing pants. Balance impairment was an independent predictor of independent toileting after stroke. This detailed toileting assessment enabled us to document the most difficult components of toileting, and to assess the motor and process skills required for independent toileting. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1166–1172.
Importance of frailty evaluation in the prediction of the prognosis of patients with chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Shimizu Kiyoharu , Sadatomo Takashi , Hara Takeshi , Onishi Shumpei , Yuki Kiyoshi , Kurisu Kaoru 
Published: May 2018

AimThe present study aimed to clarify the relationship between frailty and prognosis of patients with chronic subdural hematoma.MethodsThis retrospective study involved 211 patients aged ≥65 years with chronic subdural hematoma, who underwent surgery at Higashihiroshima Medical Center, Hiroshima, Japan, between July 2011 and May 2017. The study outcome was the patient's modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months after surgery. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to analyze factors that influenced the outcome.ResultsChronic subdural hematoma patients with frailty had a poorer prognosis than those without (median modified Rankin Scale: 4 and 2, P < 0.001; proportions of patients discharged to home: 35% and 91%, P < 0.001, respectively). After adjusting for patients’ background, the patients’ modified Rankin Scale scores at 3 months after surgery were found to be associated with age, controlling nutritional status score and recurrence, but not with frailty. However, receiver operating characteristic curves of the model with the Clinical Frailty Scale were more accurately correlated with prognosis than those of the model without this scale (area under the curve 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.96–0.99; and 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.82–0.91, respectively.)ConclusionsChronic subdural hematoma patients with frailty had poorer prognosis than those without. The evaluation of the presence of frailty on admission can be an important factor in the prediction of the prognosis of chronic subdural hematoma patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1173–1176.
Risk factors for nursing‐ and healthcare‐associated urinary tract infection
Authors: Sugishita Keiji , Saito Toshiaki , Iwamoto Takashi 
Published: May 2018

AimIn concordance with population aging, the number of patients living in long‐term care facilities or who require nursing care has been increasing in Japan. However, little is known about the characteristics of urinary tract infection in these patients. The present study aimed to clarify the background or risk factors for multidrug‐resistant urinary tract infection in this patient population.MethodsA retrospective study was carried out of patients aged ≥65 years who presented to Kesennuma City Municipal Motoyoshi Hospital from April 2014 to July 2017 with suspected urinary tract infection and a positive urine culture.ResultsAmong a total of 76 patients, 20 (26%) had multidrug‐resistant bacteriuria. The prevalence of multidrug‐resistant bacteriuria was 40% among the long‐term care facility residents, 34% among the patients who were certified as requiring care under the long‐term care system in Japan and 47% among those with antibiotic prescription within 90 days. By multivariate analysis, long‐term care facility residency was an independent risk factor for multidrug‐resistant bacteriuria (odds ratio 4.1, 95% confidence interval 1.2–14.3).ConclusionsLong‐term care facility residency was found to be a significant predictor of multidrug‐resistant bacteriuria. Nursing‐ and healthcare‐associated urinary tract infection, which has different characteristics from those of community‐ or hospital‐acquired infections, should be considered when deciding treatment in this population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1183–1188.
Implementing community participation via interdisciplinary teams in primary care: An Irish case study in practice
Authors: Tierney Edel , McEvoy Rachel , Hannigan Ailish , MacFarlane Anne E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundCommunity participation in primary care is enshrined in international and Irish health policy. However, there is a lack of evidence about how stakeholders work collectively to implement community participation within interdisciplinary teams; community perspectives are rarely captured, and a theoretical underpinning for implementation of community participation in primary care is absent.ObjectiveTo conduct a theoretically informed, multiperspectival empirical analysis of the implementation of community participation via primary care teams (PCTs) in Ireland.Methods/Design/ParticipantsParticipatory learning and action (PLA) focus groups and interviews were held with 39 participants across four case study sites within a nationally funded programme designed to enable disadvantaged communities to participate in primary care. Normalization process theory (NPT) informed data generation and analysis of how diverse stakeholder groups worked together to implement community participation via PCTs.ResultsThe various stakeholders had a shared understanding of the value of community participation on PCTs. Motivations to get involved in this work varied, but were strong overall. Challenges to enacting community participation on PCTs included problems with the functioning of PCTs and a lack of clarity and confidence in the role of community representatives at PCT meetings. Informal appraisals were positive, but formal appraisal was limited.Discussion and ConclusionThe implementation and sustainability of community participation on PCTs in Ireland will be limited unless (i) the functioning of PCTs is strong, (ii) there is increased confidence and clarity on community representatives’ roles among all health‐care professionals, and (iii) more sophisticated methods for formal appraisal are used.
DNA content analysis of colorectal serrated lesions detects an aneuploid subset of inflammatory bowel disease‐associated serrated epithelial change and traditional serrated adenomas
Authors: Choi Won‐Tak , Wen Kwun Wah , Rabinovitch Peter S , Huang Danning , Mattis Aras N , Gill Ryan M 
Published: May 2018

AimsSerrated lesions (SLs), including sessile serrated adenoma (SSA) and traditional serrated adenoma (TSA), are important premalignant lesions for colorectal cancer (CRC). Although a small subset of SLs are known to harbour TP53 mutations and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway activation, suggesting that they may develop dysplasia or CRC via a ‘chromosomal instability (CIN)‐like’ pathway, it is unclear if aneuploidy (characteristic of conventional adenoma) ever develops in SLs and is associated with development of dysplasia or CRC, in this context.Methods and resultsDNA flow cytometry was performed on 31 inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)‐associated SLs without dysplasia [including 10 non‐targeted ‘serrated epithelial change’ (SEC), 14 SSAs and seven hyperplastic polyps (HPs)] as well as 48 dysplastic SSAs and TSAs. One (10%) of 10 SEC cases demonstrated aneuploidy and subsequently developed high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) within 4 months, whereas the remaining SEC cases showed normal DNA content without evidence of dysplasia or CRC on follow‐up. One (3.3%) of 30 TSAs without HGD and two (66.7%) of three TSAs with HGD also showed aneuploidy, but no patient developed CRC. By contrast, all SSAs (with or without dysplasia) and HPs showed normal DNA content, but four SSA cases still developed dysplasia or CRC on follow‐up.ConclusionsUnlike SSAs and HPs, a small subset of SEC and TSA cases demonstrated aneuploidy, suggesting that they can develop neoplasia via the CIN pathway. DNA content analysis of a larger number of SEC cases, with adequate follow‐up, may allow for a more precise determination of aneuploidy incidence and neoplasia risk.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis: relevance of mast cell infiltration
Authors: Strasser Daniel S , Seger Shanon , Bussmann Christian , Pierlot Gabin M , Groenen Peter M A , Stalder Anna K , Straumann Alex 
Published: May 2018

AimsEosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterised clinically by symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction and histopathologically by a prominent eosinophilic inflammation. Despite eosinophils having a histologically predominant position, their role in the immunopathogenesis of the disease is still questionable. Several other inflammatory cells are involved and may also play a critical role. The purpose of this study was to characterise the mast cell infiltration, and to correlate it with the clinical state of EoE.Methods and resultsUsing immunohistochemistry and quantitative morphometry, we investigated eosinophils and mast cells extensively in oesophageal biopsies from patients with active EoE and from patients with EoE in remission, and compared the findings with healthy individuals. In EoE, epithelium and lamina propria were similarly infiltrated with eosinophils. In contrast, mast cells infiltration was limited to the epithelium, displaying a localised immune response. Interestingly, whereas epithelial mast cells and eosinophils were high in active EoE, some patients in remission, e.g. normalised epithelial eosinophils, showed remaining high numbers of mast cells. Patient clustering supported two groups of patients in clinical remission, differentiating based on presence or absence of epithelial mast cells.ConclusionsActive EoE is characterised in addition to the well‐known tissue eosinophilia by a marked epithelium‐restricted mast cell infiltration. Of interest, in a subgroup of patients, mast cell infiltration persisted despite clinical remission. To elucidate the clinical consequence of persistent epithelial mast cells infiltration further studies are required following patients in clinical remission longitudinally.
Tumour YAP1 and PTEN expression correlates with tumour‐associated myeloid suppressor cell expansion and reduced survival in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yang Rong , Cai Ting‐ting , Wu Xiao‐jun , Liu Yi‐na , He Jia , Zhang Xiao‐shi , Ma Gang , Li Jiang 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe expansion of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) correlates with tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we found a significant association between CD33+ MDSC number and Yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP1) and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) levels in CRC patients (P < 0·05). Moreover, the CD33+ MDSCs, YAP1 and PTEN were identified as predictors for the prognosis of CRC patients (P < 0·05). Notably, CD33+ MDSCs were an independent survival predictor for CRC patients through a Cox model analysis. In vitro data determined that the expression levels of YAP1 and PTEN in CRC‐derived cell lines were associated with CRC‐derived MDSC induction, and the blockade of YAP1 and PTEN decreased CRC‐derived MDSC induction. A mechanistic analysis revealed that YAP1 promoted CRC‐derived MDSC induction by suppressing PTEN expression to up‐regulate COX‐2, P‐AKT and P‐p65 in CRC‐derived cells, leading to secretion of the cytokine granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. Our findings establish a novel mechanism of pro‐tumorigenic MDSC induction mediated by ectopic YAP1 and PTEN expression in CRC.
Segmented filamentous bacteria‐induced immune responses: a balancing act between host protection and autoimmunity
Authors: Flannigan Kyle L. , Denning Timothy L. 
Published: May 2018

SummarySegmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) are Gram‐positive, spore‐forming, bacteria that primarily colonize the ileum of the small intestine. Upon direct adherence to intestinal epithelial cells, SFB actively stimulate innate and adaptive immune cell activation. The cardinal features of SFB‐induced gut immunity – T helper type 17 (Th17) cell differentiation, IgA production and barrier protection – lead to the containment of SFB and further afford protection against invading pathogens. Th17 cells and interleukin‐17A, however, can also reach peripheral sites and exacerbate autoimmunity. In this review, we highlight salient characteristics of SFB–host interactions and detail the cellular and molecular immune mechanisms involved in coordinating these responses.
Nature of tumour rejection antigens in ovarian cancer
Authors: Want Muzamil Y. , Lugade Amit A. , Battaglia Sebastiano , Odunsi Kunle 
Published: May 2018

SummaryMajor progress in the analysis of human immune responses to cancer has been made through the molecular characterization of human tumour antigens. The development of therapeutic strategies for eliciting immune‐mediated rejection of tumours has accelerated due to the elucidation of the molecular basis for tumour cell recognition and destruction by immune cells. Of the various human tumour antigens defined to date in ovarian cancer, the cancer‐testis (CT) family of antigens have been studied extensively preclinically and clinically because of their testis‐restricted expression in normal tissues and ability to elicit robust immune responses. Recent developments in cancer sequencing technologies offer a unique opportunity to identify tumour mutations with the highest likelihood of being expressed and recognized by the immune system. Such mutations, or neoantigens, could potentially serve as specific immune targets for T‐cell‐mediated destruction of cancer cells. This review will highlight current work in selecting tumour rejection antigens in ovarian cancer for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy.