bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kaempferol attenuates imiquimod-induced psoriatic skin inflammation in a mouse model
Authors: Liu C , Liu H , Lu C , Deng J , Yan Y , Chen H , Wang Y , Liang C-L , Wei J , Han L , Dai Z 
Published: August 2019

Summary
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease that mainly affects the skin barrier. Treatment for psoriasis mainly includes conventional immunosuppressive drugs. However, long-term treatment with global immunosuppressive agents may cause a variety of side effects, including nephrotoxicity and infections. Kaempferol, a natural flavonol present in various plants, is known to possess potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-cancerous properties. However, it is unknown whether kaempferol is also anti-psoriatic. Here we established an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mouse model to explore the potential therapeutic effects of kaempferol on psoriatic skin lesions and inflammation. In this study, we demonstrated that treatment with kaempferol protected mice from developing psoriasis-like skin lesions induced by topical administration of IMQ. Kaempferol reduced CD3+ T cell infiltration and gene expression of major proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in the psoriatic skin lesion. It also down-regulated proinflammatory nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling in the skin. The therapeutic effects were associated with a significant increase in CD4+forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)+ regulatory T cell (Treg) frequency in the spleen and lymph nodes as well as FoxP3-positive staining in the skin lesion. Conversely, depletion of CD4+CD25+ Tregs reversed the therapeutic effects of kaempferol on the skin lesion. Kaempferol also lowered the percentage of IL-17A+CD4+ T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes of IMQ-induced psoriatic mice. Finally, kaempferol suppressed the proliferation of T cells in vitro and their mTOR signaling. Thus, our findings suggest that kaempferol may be a therapeutic drug for treating human psoriasis in the near future.
Evaluation of FGF‐23 and 25(OH)D3 levels in peri‐implant sulcus fluid in peri‐implant health and diseases
Authors: Acipinar Sukran , Karsiyaka Hendek Meltem , Olgun Ebru , Kisa Ucler 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundThere are limited studies to date investigating vitamin D and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)‐23 in different peri‐implant conditions.PurposeTo evaluate the peri‐implant sulcus fluid (PISF) FGF‐23 and 25‐hydroxy‐vitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) levels in peri‐implant health and diseases.Materials and MethodsA total of 90 dental implant sites (peri‐implant healthy group [n = 30], peri‐implant mucositis group [n = 30], and peri‐implantitis group [n = 30]) in 53 participants were included in the study. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), suppuration (S), modified plaque index (mPI), gingival index (GI), modified sulcus bleeding index (mSBI), and keratinized mucosa width (KMW) were recorded as clinical parameters, and PISF samples were obtained. FGF‐23 and 25(OH)D3 levels were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in FGF‐23 concentrations among the groups (P > .05). The 25(OH)D3 concentration was significantly lower in peri‐implantitis group compared with the other two groups (P < .05). The mean total amount of FGF‐23 in the peri‐implantitis group was significantly higher than the peri‐implant healthy group whereas 25(OH)D3 total amount was significantly lower in the peri‐implantitis group than the peri‐implant healthy group. The 25(OH)D3 concentration was significantly negatively correlated with CAL, PD, mPI, S, GI, and mSBI and statistically significant relationship was found between FGF‐23 total amount and these clinical parameters (P < .05). There was a negligible positive correlation between 25(OH)D3 and FGF‐23 concentrations (τ = 0.169; P = .018).ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that FGF‐23 and vitamin D seems to affect peri‐implant bone health, and further studies are needed to explain the association between FGF‐23 and 25(OH)D3 in peri‐implant conditions.
Effects of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors on the cardiovascular and renal complications of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chilton Robert J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is) have been shown to mitigate the risks of cardiovascular (CV) and renal complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and CV risk factors or CV disease (CVD). In CV outcomes trials (CVOTs) of patients with T2D and established CVD or multiple CV risk factors, empagliflozin and canagliflozin were associated with significant reductions in the risks of major adverse CV events (MACE), hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and kidney disease progression. In the DECLARE–TIMI 58 study, in which the majority of patients did not have established CVD, dapagliflozin was associated with significant reductions in the composite end point of CV death or hospitalization for HF and was noninferior to placebo with regard to MACE; although patients had relatively good renal function, dapagliflozin also showed renal benefits similar to those seen with empagliflozin and canagliflozin. This article reviews the increased risk of CVD and renal disease in patients with T2D and discusses the potential mechanisms of the cardioprotective and renoprotective effects of SGLT‐2i therapy. The observed improvements in CV and renal outcomes with SGLT‐2is in CVOTs suggest a class effect in this patient population and have influenced treatment guidelines for the way add‐on therapy to metformin is initiated in patients with T2D and high CV risk. The overall cardioprotective and renoprotective effects of SGLT‐2is in patients with T2D and high CV risk are most likely attributable to multiple mechanisms, including cardiac, haemodynamic, metabolic, anti‐inflammatory and renal effects.
Superior efficacy with a fixed‐ratio combination of insulin degludec and liraglutide (IDegLira) compared with insulin degludec and liraglutide in insulin‐naïve Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes in a phase 3, open‐label, randomized trial
Authors: Kaku Kohei , Araki Eiichi , Tanizawa Yukio , Ross Agner Bue , Nishida Tomoyuki , Ranthe Mattis , Inagaki Nobuya 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimsTo investigate the efficacy and safety of insulin degludec/liraglutide (IDegLira) compared with its individual components in Japanese people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) uncontrolled on an oral antidiabetic drug (OAD).Materials and methodsThis 52‐week, open‐label, multicentre, treat‐to‐target trial randomized participants (n = 819) 1:1:1 to IDegLira, liraglutide 1.8 mg or degludec, as add‐on to their pre‐trial OAD. The maximum IDegLira dose was 50 dose steps (50 U degludec/1.8 mg liraglutide), there was no maximum dose for degludec, and both were titrated based on individual blood glucose measurements.ResultsAfter 52 weeks, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) decreased by 26 mmol/mol with IDegLira vs 20 mmol/mol with degludec and liraglutide: estimated treatment differences were −6.91 mmol/mol (95% confidence interval [CI] –8.18; −5.64) and −5.30 mmol/mol (95% CI −6.58; −4.03), confirming non‐inferiority of IDegLira to degludec and superiority of IDegLira to liraglutide (P < .0001 for both [primary endpoint]). Mean body weight changes were 2.9 kg, 4.1 kg and −1.0 kg with IDegLira, degludec and liraglutide, respectively, showing superiority of IDegLira versus degludec (P = .0001), but a significant difference in favour of liraglutide (P < .0001). Rates of severe or blood glucose‐confirmed hypoglycaemia for IDegLira were lower versus degludec (rate ratio 0.48 [95% CI 0.35; 0.68]; P < .0001), but higher versus liraglutide (rate ratio 37.58 [95% CI 19.80; 71.31]; P < .0001). Mean daily total insulin dose was lower with IDegLira (27.7 U) versus degludec (34.8 U; P < .0001). Overall adverse event (AE) rates were similar. In total, 34.9%, 22.9% and 41.8% of IDegLira‐, degludec‐ and liraglutide‐treated participants experienced gastrointestinal AEs.ConclusionIDegLira was superior to degludec and liraglutide in terms of HbA1c reduction and superior to degludec in terms of body weight change and rates of hypoglycaemia in Japanese people with T2D.
Performance‐enhanced modified self‐organising map for iris data classification
Authors: Winston J. Jenkin , Hemanth D. Jude 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBiometric systems are widely used in applications such as forensics and military. Biometric authentication is a challenging and complex task. These biometric systems must be accurate for practical applications. In this era of artificial intelligence, artificial neural network‐based classifiers are widely used in biometric‐based systems. However, most of the artificial neural network‐based classifiers are less accurate and computationally complex. In this work, two modified self‐organising map (SOM) networks are proposed for iris image classification to improve the performance measures. Particle swarm optimization technique is used in the training process of conventional SOM. The experiments are carried out with conventional and modified classifiers. The proposed modified classifiers provide better performance than the conventional SOM classifier.
A meta‐analysis reveals global patterns of sediment effects on marine biodiversity
Authors: Magris Rafael A. , Ban Natalie C. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimSediment disturbances are important threats affecting marine biodiversity, but the variety of biological responses has not yet been synthesized. Here, we collate all available information to compare the extent of impacts across different taxonomic groups, habitat types and pathways of impact (light attenuation, suspended sediment and sedimentation).LocationGlobal.Time periodData collected from 1979 to 2017.Major taxa studiedCorals, fishes, seagrasses, sponges, macroalgae, ascidians, bryozoans, crustaceans, echinoderms, molluscs and polychaetes.MethodsWe used meta‐analyses to evaluate the effects of sediments across 842 observations found in 110 publications. We also evaluated some of the biological and methodological factors that could explain the variable effects observed in different studies.ResultsWe found a significant negative effect of sediments on behavioural responses of species, reproduction and recruitment processes, the morphology of organisms, physiology, community abundance and diversity, and species interactions. In contrast, the overall effect on the abundance of individual species was statistically non‐significant and there was a strong positive effect on abundance for sponge and polychaete species. Many individual studies described physiological effects on coral reefs, but the effects on the diversity of soft‐bottom and coral reef communities were particularly detrimental. Phototrophic species were generally more negatively impacted by sediments than heterotrophs, driven by strong physiological responses in crustose coralline algae and seagrasses. Additionally, species with limited mobility were more vulnerable to sediment disturbances than highly mobile species. Sedimentation alone triggered more consistently negative effects on most biological responses than light depletion and suspended sediments. We found evidence for increased impacts on community diversity when more than one pathway of impact was present, indicating that these disturbances can disrupt whole ecosystems.Main conclusionsOur meta‐analysis provided, for the first time, strong quantitative support of negative effects of sediments on marine biodiversity. Taxonomic groups, habitat types and life‐history characteristics were most influential in determining the biological responses to sediment disturbances, highlighting the importance of an ecosystem‐based approach when fully accounting for the impacts of sediments.
Land management modulates the environmental controls on global earthworm communities
Authors: Johnston Alice S. A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimSoils and their biological communities face increasing pressure from multiple global drivers, including land management and climate change. In soils, earthworms play key roles in ecosystem functioning, but the environmental controls on their global communities are not fully understood. Here, an earthworm dataset was compiled to investigate the effects of environmental variables and land management on global earthworm communities.Location40° S–65° N.Time period1962 to 2016.Major taxa studiedEarthworms.MethodsA dataset of 899 earthworm community observations, together with environmental variables, was compiled across 169 globally distributed sites. Sites included natural forest and grassland or managed arable, pasture and plantation ecosystems. Total, anecic, endogeic and epigeic abundances and total species richness were compared in natural and managed ecosystems to quantify the effects of land management across climates. A hierarchical model was used to test the importance of environmental controls in predicting the relationship between total earthworm species richness and abundance at a global scale.ResultsLand management prompted little change in total earthworm abundance at the global scale, but reduced species richness and shifted community composition. Endogeic earthworms were more abundant in managed ecosystems, while anecic and epigeic earthworms showed variable responses across ecosystem types. Global relationships between total earthworm species richness and abundance were explained by climate, soil pH and land management.Main conclusionsLand management modulates the effects of environmental controls on global earthworm communities, through direct disturbance and indirect changes in edaphic conditions.
Evaluation of Negative Economic‐Environmental Externalities of Overextraction of Groundwater
Authors: Baniasadi Mostafa , Zare' Mehrjordi Mohammad Reza , Mehrabi Boshrabadi Hossein , Mirzaei Khalilabad Hamid Reza , Rezaei Estakhrooye Abbas 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn recent decades, increased extraction of groundwater for human and agriculture consumption has led to a substantial drop in groundwater level in large areas of across the world. Declining groundwater levels is a serious problem in itself and has multiple economic, social, cultural, political, security‐related, and environmental externalities. The negative economic‐environmental externalities of overextraction of groundwater in the Orzouiyeh plain in the Kerman Province, Iran, were evaluated using methods such as replacement cost, production function, market prices, shadow price, and the value of the input marginal product. After evaluating externalities, the Positive Mathematical Programming method was used to evaluate different water policies to reduce the consumption of groundwater. The total economic losses due to the externalities were calculated to equal 2.8 U.S. million dollars. The damages caused by environmental externalities were calculated to equal 436.1 U.S. million dollars. The results related to the positive planning model show that the best policy among different options, such as deficit irrigation policy or combined policies, involves implementation of pressurized irrigation systems.
Quantifying Threshold Water Tables for Ecological Restoration in Arid Northwestern China
Authors: Wang Yong , Chen Minjian , Yan Long , Yang Guiyu , Ma Jing , Deng Wei 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn arid northwestern China, as many inland areas around the world with arid or semi‐arid climate, inland river flow recharges groundwater; vegetation pattern depends on the water table, which characterizes the landscapes of oasis, transition zone and desert, within different distances from an inland river. The water table conditions play an important role in water and land management—a high water table causes salinization within the oasis while a low water table causes desertification around the oasis. This study applies a theoretical‐empirical method to calculating critical groundwater depths including the depth of critical groundwater level causing salinization (DCGS) and the depth of critical groundwater level causing desertification (DCGD); the calculations are validated with field observations in the Luocheng Irrigation District located in the middle reach of the Heihe River, an inland river of the northwestern China. Specifically, the calculated DCGS is 1.29 m for the case study area and the range of water table depth at the locations with saline soil is 0.5‐1.2 m. The calculated DCGD for three vegetation communities, Nitraria tangutorum + Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch community, Tamarix chinensis + Phragmites australis community, and Alhagi sparsifolia + Phragmites communis, are 8.26, 11.26, and 13.26 m, respectively, basically within an observed range of 6.0‐13.0 m in the study area. The critical depths can be used to design an engineering approach to control water tables and mitigate salinization and desertification problem for ecosystem restoration in the study region.
Identification of two microRNA nodes as potential cooperative modulators of liver metabolism
Authors: Hochreuter Mette Yde , Altıntaş Ali , Garde Christian , Emanuelli Brice , Kahn C. Ronald , Zierath Juleen R. , Vienberg Sara , Barrès Romain 
Published: August 2019

AimHepatic insulin resistance is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression in insulin‐resistant livers might coordinate impaired hepatic metabolic function. Here, we aimed to discover miRNAs and their downstream targets involved in hepatic insulin resistance.MethodsWe determined miRNA expression profiles by small RNA sequencing of two mouse models of impaired hepatic insulin action: high‐fat diet‐induced obesity and liver‐specific insulin receptor knockout. Conversely, we assessed the hepatic miRNA expression profile after treatment with the antidiabetic hormone, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Ontology analysis of predicted miRNA gene targets was performed to identify regulated gene pathways. Target enrichment analysis and miRNA mimic overexpression in vitro were used to identify unified protein targets of nodes of regulated miRNAs.ResultsWe identified an array of miRNA species regulated by impaired liver insulin action or after fibroblast growth factor 21 treatment. Ontology analysis of predicted miRNA gene targets identified pathways controlling hepatic energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. We identified a node of two miRNAs downregulated in the livers of liver‐specific insulin receptor knockout mice, miR‐883b and miR‐205, which positively regulate the expression of transcription factor zinc finger E‐box‐binding homeobox 1 (ZBED1). We found another node of two miRNAs upregulated in the livers of fibroblast growth factor 21‐treated mice, miR‐155‐3p and miR‐1968‐5p, which canonically downregulates the caveola component, polymerase I and transcript release factor (PTRF), a gene previously implicated in hepatic energy metabolism.ConclusionsThis study identifies two nodes of coregulated miRNAs that might coordinately control hepatic energy metabolism in states of insulin resistance.
Reduced handgrip strength is predictive of poor survival among patients with liver cirrhosis: A sex‐stratified analysis
Authors: Hanai Tatsunori , Shiraki Makoto , Imai Kenji , Suetsugu Atsushi , Takai Koji , Moriwaki Hisataka , Shimizu Masahito 
Published: August 2019

AimHandgrip strength (HGS) is a marker of sarcopenia and has been used to stratify an individual's risk of death. We aimed to assess the prognostic significance of HGS in patients with liver cirrhosis.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we collated data of 563 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital with cirrhosis (375 men). A dynamometer was used to measure HGS. Body composition (including skeletal muscle and adipose tissue volumes) was estimated using computed tomography. Predictors of mortality were identified using sex‐stratified multivariate analyses.ResultsAfter adjustments for age, cirrhosis etiology, Child–Pugh score, and other confounding variables, HGS, but not body composition, was independently associated with mortality in male patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–0.99; P < 0.01) and female patients (HR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84–0.99; P = 0.02). Men with low HGS (<30 kg) had a higher risk of mortality (HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.39–3.17; P < 0.001), as did women with low (<15 kg) HGS (HR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.16–4.01; P = 0.02). We could stratify the sex‐specific risk of mortality in cirrhotic patients using HGS, regardless of coexistent hepatocellular carcinoma and the Child–Pugh class.ConclusionsReduced HGS, rather than skeletal muscle and adipose tissue volumes, is associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients of both sexes with liver cirrhosis. Measurement of HGS is a simple, cost‐effective, and appropriate bedside assessment for the prediction of survival in patients with cirrhosis.
A natural skin anti‐ageing serum containing pseudobulb ethanolic extract of Grammatophyllum speciosum: a randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Chowjarean V. , Phiboonchaiyanan P.P. , Harikarnpakdee S. , Tengamnuay P. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectiveGrammatophyllum speciosum is utilized to treat sore throats and bronchitis In Thai folk medicine. This study evaluated the in vitro activity and clinical efficacy of a G. speciosum pseudobulb decoction.MethodsMeasure of in vitro anti‐ageing activity was performed using non‐cell based assays as well as in CRL 2097 human fibroblast cells. A prophetic patch test method was used to determine skin irritation in 24 healthy Thai volunteers. A randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted with 24 subjects for 56 days after facial application to evaluate efficacy. The results were measured with Visioface® and Cutometer® MPA 580 as well as by visual observations.ResultsThe total content of the antioxidant polyphenols in G. speciosum ethanolic extract (GSE) was 48.19 ± 0.39 mg EGCG equivalent per gram. The GSE possessed potent and higher anti‐elastase activity more than EGCG. The extract was able to protect human fibroblasts against superoxide anion‐induced cell death at the concentration of 10 µg mL−1. In a clinical study, facial application of the serum containing 0.5% GSE was found to safely increase skin distensibility in healthy volunteers. Skin viscoelasticity and wrinkle volume were also significantly reduced (P < 0.05).ConclusionThus, both the in vitro and the clinical studies have illustrated the anti‐wrinkle/anti‐ageing benefits of GSE on human skin.