bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low serum chloride in patients with chronic heart failure: clinical associations and prognostic significance
Authors: Cuthbert Joseph J. , Pellicori Pierpaolo , Rigby Alan , Pan Daniel , Kazmi Syed , Shah Parin , Clark Andrew L. 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundLow serum chloride is common in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and is associated with worse outcomes. We investigated the clinical and prognostic associations, including cause of death associations, of low serum chloride in patients referred to a secondary care clinic with suspected heart failure.Methods and resultsPatients with echocardiogram and serum chloride were evaluated (n = 5613). CHF was defined as signs and symptoms of the disease and either left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) worse than mild [heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)] or LVSD mild or better and raised amino‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) levels (>125 ng/L) [heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)]. Hypochloraemia was defined as greater than two standard deviations below the mean in the local normal distribution (<96 mmol/L). Of the 5613 patients referred, 908 patients did not have CHF, 1988 had HFrEF, and 2717 had HFpEF. Compared to patients in the fourth quartile (median chloride 106 mmol/L), patients in the first quartile (median chloride 96 mmol/L) had more severe symptoms (38% New York Heart Association class III or IV vs. 25%, P < 0.001) and were more likely to take loop diuretics (79% vs. 55%, P < 0.001). The annual mortality rate for patients with CHF was 11%. Hypochloraemia was associated with an increased risk of death independent of NT‐proBNP. Patients in the first quartile had a two‐fold increased risk of death compared to patients in the fourth quartile (P < 0.001). Sudden death was a common mode of death amongst patients with hypochloraemia.ConclusionsHypochloraemia is strongly related to an adverse prognosis and may be a therapeutic target in patients with CHF.
Clinical characteristics of early onset anorexia nervosa
Authors: van Noort Betteke Maria , Lohmar Sylvie Katharina , Pfeiffer Ernst , Lehmkuhl Ulrike , Winter Sibylle Maria , Kappel Viola 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe aim of the current paper is to evaluate clinical characteristics of 30 children with early onset anorexia nervosa (EO‐AN; age = 12.2 ± 1.6 years) compared with 30 patients with adolescent onset AN (AO‐AN; age = 15.9 ± 0.7 years) and 60 age‐matched healthy controls. Statistical analyses included one‐way analyses of variance with three planned comparisons and chi‐square tests. Compared with AO‐AN, EO‐AN patients displayed more restrictive eating behaviour (p = 0.038), received more tube‐feeding (p = 0.024), and had less problems with self‐esteem (p < 0.001) and perfectionism (p = 0.001). EO‐AN patients have similar eating disorder pathology (p = 0.183), body‐image distortion (p = 0.060), and number of hospitalizations (p = 0.358) as AO‐AN. Only a third of EO‐AN patients suffer from low self‐esteem. Overall, core AN pathology seems similar in EO‐AN and AO‐AN. However, EO‐AN patients show differences in their pathological eating behaviour and the need for tube‐feeding.
Provenance of the Cenozoic Bengal Basin sediments: Insights from U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes of detrital zircons
Authors: Yang Lei , Xiao Wenjiao , Julleh Jalalur Rahman M. , Windley Brian F. , Schulmann Karel , Ao Songjian , Chen Zhenyu , Li Rui 
Published: June 2018

The Bengal Basin is located in the foreland of the eastern Himalaya and records late Palaeocene to Pleistocene sedimentation. This makes the Bengal Basin an ideal place to study the evolution of the eastern Himalaya by provenance researches. Even though there have been several studies about its provenance, a consensus has not been reached about when the Himalayan and Gangdese‐derived detritus started to deposit in the eastern Himalayan foreland. Here, we study the provenance of Eocene to Pleistocene sedimentary successions of the Bengal Basin by detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotope analyses. Detrital zircon U–Pb age spectra show a predominant peak of ~470–580 Ma in all the samples. A peak at this time is prominent in sediments of the Tethyan Himalaya and Lesser Himalaya, which means the detritus eroded from Himalaya may have been deposited in the Bengal Basin after the late Palaeocene‐early Eocene, synchronous with detritus derived from the western and central Himalaya. Gangdese‐derived zircons were firstly recorded in the late Eocene Kopili Formation, and they were sporadic from the late Eocene to middle Miocene, which was probably due to the long distance between the Bengal Basin and the Lhasa Block, to the forebulge in the Lesser Himalayan Sequence, or to a wide tectonic separation at that time. The first influx of abundant Gangdese‐derived zircons occurred in the lower part of the Boka Bil Formation in the late Miocene (~10 Ma), which was probably caused either by the Brahmaputra River capturing the Yarlung Tsangpo River or by a much later terminal collision between India and Eurasia, or both.
Morphology and chemistry of placer gold in the Bagrote and Dainter streams, northern Pakistan: Implications for provenance and exploration
Authors: Alam Masroor , Li Sheng‐Rong , Santosh M. , Yuan Mao‐Wen 
Published: June 2018

The Bagrote and Dainter valleys in Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan, belonging to the Kohistan island arc and southwestern domain of the Karakorum metamorphic complex, respectively, are a location of regional placer gold mining. However, no in situ hydrothermal gold deposits have been discovered in this region. Here, we report the textural, morphological, and geochemical characteristics of placer gold from the stream sediments of the Bagrote and Dainter valleys with a view to trace the provenance. The morphological features of the studied gold grains indicate proximal source mineralization. The gold grains display a microtexture typical of mechanical abrasion rather than chemical activity. Their chemical composition of most of the grains from each stream falls in a restricted range (minor alloying elements mainly Cu) with high fineness (1,000 Au/(Au + Ag)), suggesting derivation from a homogeneous source or limited number of mineralization types. The high Cu content of the gold grains from the Bagrote stream suggests that the gold here might be associated with previously undiscovered porphyry gold mineralization, whereas the Au–Ag–Hg alloys from the Dainter stream suggest a genetic linkage with undiscovered fault‐controlled auriferous veins of epithermal origin in the southwestern part of the Karakorum metamorphic complex. The chemical composition of both streams placer gold in triangular diagram in terms of Au–Ag–Cu shows all the gold grains from Dainter stream were derived from epithermal type of mineralization, and most of the plots of Bagrote stream fall on the domain of porphyry epithermal type of deposits which are also in consistent with a continental arc setting in the study area. The mechanically developed microtexture, homogeneous chemical composition in individual grains from core to rim, and absence of high fineness rims of the gold grains from both streams, suggest the absence of any supergene regrowth and direct transfer from the primary source through glacier to the fluvial system. The Gilgit Baltistan province, dominated by dry temperate climate and glacial environment having steep geomorphology, precluding any significant supergene processes such as silver leaching and addition of authigenic gold on detrital gold grains.
Comparing task‐induced psychophysiological responses between persons with stress‐related complaints and healthy controls: A methodological pilot study
Authors: Smets Elena , Schiavone Giuseppina , Velazquez Emmanuel Rios , De Raedt Walter , Bogaerts Katleen , Van Diest Ilse , Van Hoof Chris 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAimsChronic stress is an important factor for a variety of health problems, highlighting the importance of early detection of stress‐related problems. This methodological pilot study investigated whether the physiological response to and recovery from a stress task can differentiate healthy participants and persons with stress‐related complaints.Methods and ResultsHealthy participants (n = 20) and participants with stress‐related complaints (n = 12) participated in a laboratory stress test, which included 3 stress tasks. Three physiological signals were recorded: galvanic skin response (GSR), heart rate (HR), and skin temperature (ST). From these signals, 126 features were extracted, including static (eg, mean) and dynamic (eg, recovery time) features. Unsupervised feature selection reduced the set to 26 features. A logistic regression model was developed for 6 feature sets, analysing single‐parameter and multiparameter models as well as models using recovery vs response‐related features. The highest classification performance (accuracy = 78%) was obtained using the response‐related feature set, including all physiological signals and using GSR‐related features. A worse performance was obtained using single‐signal feature sets based on HR (accuracy = 66%) and ST (accuracy = 59%). Response‐related features outperformed recovery‐related features (accuracy = 63%).ConclusionParticipants with stress‐related complaints may be differentiated from healthy controls by physiological responses to stress tasks. We aimed to bring attention to new exploratory methodologies; further research is needed to validate and replicate the results on larger populations and patients on different areas along the stress continuum.
Forkhead‐box R2 promotes metastasis and growth by stimulating angiogenesis and activating hedgehog signaling pathway in ovarian cancer
Authors: Li Bing , Huang Wei , Cao Ning , Lou Ge 
Published: June 2018

AbstractOverexpression of forkhead‐box R2 (FoxR2) is related to metastasis and progression of tumor. However, its biological functions in ovarian cancer (OC) progression remain unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the changes in biological functions and molecular events related to FoxR2 overexpression. We found that FoxR2 is upregulated frequently in OC where these events are associated with worse histologic grade and poor survival. Enhanced expression of FoxR2 was related to cell growth, migration, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, whereas silencing of FoxR2 suppressed these malignant phenotypes. In addition, angiogenesis was stimulated by FoxR2 overexpression by enhancing vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that the increase in cell surface FoxR2 promoted sonic hedgehog binding and signaling. Inhibiting hedgehog pathway with sonidegib decreased FoxR2‐induced migration and lung metastasis of OC cells, establishing the critical role of hedgehog signaling in mediating the effects of FoxR2 expression. Taken together, our results indicate that FoxR2 overexpression in OC contributes to malignant behavior in cancer cells, at least in part through stimulating angiogenesis and activation of the hedgehog signaling pathway. Hedgehog signaling pathway activation may be the key in tumor progression mediated by FoxR2.
Let's think again about using mammalian temperature‐sensitive mutants to investigate functional molecules—The perspectives from the studies on three mutants showing chromosome instability
Authors: Sugaya Kimihiko 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis review evaluates the use of temperature‐sensitive (ts) mutants to investigate functional molecules in mammalian cells. A series of studies were performed in which mammalian cells expressing functional molecules were isolated from ts mutants using complementation by the introduction and expression of the responsible protein tagged with the green fluorescent protein. The results showed that chromosome instability and cell‐cycle arrest were caused by ts defects in the following three molecules: the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II, a protein involved in splicing, and ubiquitin‐activating enzyme. The cells expressing functional protein were then isolated by introducing the responsible gene tagged with the green fluorescent protein to complement the ts phenotype. These cells proved to be useful in analyzing the dynamics of RNA polymerase II in living cells. Analyses of the functional interaction between proteins involved in splicing were also useful in the investigation of ts mutants and their derivatives. In addition, these cells demonstrated the functional localization of ubiquitin‐activating enzyme in the nucleus. Mammalian ts mutants continue to show great potential to aid in understanding the functions of the essential molecules in cells. Therefore, it is highly important that studies on the identification and characterization of the genes responsible for the phenotype of a mutant are carried out.
MiR‐126 correlates with increased disease severity and promotes keratinocytes proliferation and inflammation while suppresses cells' apoptosis in psoriasis
Authors: Feng Shike , Wang Lin , Liu Wang , Zhong Yan , Xu Shijun 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the miR‐126 expression in lesional skin and its correlation with clinical features in psoriasis patients and to explore the effect of upregulated miR‐126 on cells' proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation in human keratinocytes.MethodsA total of 102 psoriasis patients were consecutively enrolled in this study. MiR‐126 expressions in lesional skin and paired nonlesional skin were detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) were transfected with miR‐126 mimic plasmids and blank mimic plasmid. Cell Counting Kit‐8 and annexin V/propidium iodide assays were performed to assess the cells' proliferation and apoptosis, and protein levels of apoptotic markers (cleaved caspase‐3 [C‐caspase‐3] and B‐cell lymphoma‐2 [Bcl‐2]) were detected by Western blot assay. Inflammatory cytokines mRNA and protein levels were detected by qPCR and Western blot assays, respectively.ResultsMiR‐126 expression was upregulated in lesional skin tissue compared with paired nonlesional skin tissue, and its expression positively associated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score in psoriasis patients. MiR‐126 expression was increased in miR‐126 mimic group compared with negative control (NC) mimic group after plasmids transfection into HaCaT cells, and cells' proliferation was enhanced while cells' apoptosis rate was reduced in miR‐126 mimic group than NC mimic group. Protein expressions of C‐caspase and Bcl‐2 also indicated miR‐126 mimic decreased the cells' apoptosis. In addition, miR‐126 mimic increased TNF‐α, IFN‐γ, IL‐17A, and IL‐22 expressions while decreased IL‐10 expression.ConclusionIn conclusion, miR‐126 correlates with elevated risk and increased disease severity in psoriasis patients, and upregulation of miR‐126 promotes cells' proliferation and inflammation while inhibits cells' apoptosis in keratinocytes.
High frequency of variant RHD genotypes among donors and patients of mixed origin with serologic weak‐D phenotype
Authors: Dezan Marcia Regina , Oliveira Valéria B. , Gomes Çarolina Nunes , Luz Fabio , Gallucci Antônio J. , Bonifácio Silvia L. , Alencar Cecília Salete , Sabino Ester C. , Pereira Alexandre C. , Krieger Jose E. , Rocha Vanderson , Mendrone‐Junior Alfredo , Dinardo Carla L. 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundThe current transfusion policy recommended for individuals with serologic weak‐D phenotype is based on data derived from European‐descent populations. Data referring to the distribution of RH alleles underlying weak‐D phenotype among people of mixed origin are yet incomplete, and the applicability of European‐based transfusion guidelines to this specific population is questionable.GoalTo evaluate the distribution of RHD variant genotype among individuals with serologic weak‐D phenotype of both African and European descent.MethodsDonors and patients of mixed origin and with serologic weak‐D phenotype were selected for the study. They were investigated using conventional RHD‐PCR assays and RHD whole‐coding region direct sequencing.ResultsOne hundred and six donors and 58 patients were included. There were 47 donors and 29 patients with partial‐D genotype (47/106, 44.3%, and 29/58, 50%, respectively). RHD*DAR and RHD*weak D type 38 represented the most common altered RHD alleles among donors (joint frequency of 39.6%), while weak D types 1‐3 accounted for 10.4% of the total D variant samples. RHD*DAR was the most common allele identified in the patient group (frequency of 31%), and weak D types 1‐3 represented 29.3% of the total.ConclusionThe frequency of partial D among mixed individuals with serologic weak‐D phenotype is high. They should be managed as D‐negative patients until molecular tests are complete.
Characteristic and influencing factors of Taqman genotyping calling error
Authors: Yu Songcheng , Li Xing , Liu Xinxin , Wang Yan , Yu Fei , Xue Yuan , Mao Zhenxing , Wang Chongjian , Li Wenjie 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundTaqman fluorescent probe was frequently applied in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping. However, the characteristic of calling error and the influencing factors remain unclear.MethodCalling errors of Taqman genotyping was evaluated systematically based on Mendelian inheritance. Twenty‐two SNPs were genotyped by Taqman probe for 419 pedigrees. Mendelian genetic errors were counted for every SNP and pedigree. Cluster analysis was applied to investigate the compatibility between Taqman probes and DNA sample.ResultsOn one hand, errors were found for all the SNPs. The error number ranged from 4 to 33 with median of 10.5. On the other hand, Mendelian genetic errors showed features of both randomness and cluster. Half of the pedigrees containing errors had only 1 Mendelian genetic error. But there was also a pedigree containing up to 10 Mendelian genetic errors. Furthermore, cluster analysis indicated that errors of different SNPs took place in different pedigree cluster.ConclusionIt could be concluded that calling error is inevitable for Taqman genotyping of large samples. The quality of Taqman probe and DNA sample, as well as their compatibility, may account for the error incidence.
Plasma markers of myocardial inflammation at isolated atrial fibrillation
Authors: Sazonova Svetlana Ivanovna , Ilushenkova Julia Nikolaevna , Batalov Roman Efimovich , Gusakova Anna Mihaylovna , Saranchina Julia Vladimirovna , Rogovskaya Julia Viktorovna , Popov Sergey Valentinovich 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the widest spread forms of arrhythmia, which is associated with the increased mortality and thromboembolic complications. To date, the involvement of renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system and immunomediators of inflammation into the mechanisms of development and maintenance of isolated AF is not clear. Specificity of their changes with respect to the latent myocarditis at AF is not proved.MethodsIn 96 patients with persistent isolated atrial fibrillation (IsAF), scheduled for radiofrequency ablation and endomyocardial biopsy (EMB), and in 20 healthy volunteers (HVT), levels of plasma tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, fatty acid‐binding protein (FABP), neopterin, C‐reactive protein (CRP) were determined by ELISA, level of aldosterone and the renin activity were determined by radioimmunoassay. Results were compared between the study and HVT groups and related to the EMB data.ResultsEndomyocardial biopsy revealed lymphocytic myocarditis in 29%, immunohistochemical signs of viruses' persistence in the myocardium—in 43.8% of patient. We formed 4 subgroups: «myocarditis», «fibrosis», «virus positive», «virus negative». In the group «myocarditis», level of IL‐6 was significantly higher than in group «fibrosis» (P < .01). ROC analysis showed its sensitivity 75%, specificity 75% (AUC = 0.759, Cutoff Value > 1.6 pg/mL, P < .01). In the group «virus positive», level of neopterin was significantly higher than in group «virus negative» (P < .01), with sensitivity 51%, specificity 84% (AUC = 0.675, Cutoff Value > 13.2 nmol/L, P < .01).ConclusionLevels of plasma IL‐6 and neopterin may serve as a marker of latent viral myocarditis in IsAF.
Osteochondral resurfacing implantation angle is more important than implant material stiffness
Authors: Heuijerjans Ashley , Wilson Wouter , Ito Keita , van Donkelaar Corrinus C. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTOsteochondral resurfacing implants are a promising treatment for focal cartilage defects. Several implant‐factors may affect the clinical outcome of this treatment, such as the implant material stiffness and the accuracy of implant placement, known to be challenging. In general, softer implants are expected to be more accommodating for implant misalignment than stiffer implants, and motion is expected to increase effects from implant misalignment and stiffness. 3D finite element models of cartilage/cartilage contact were employed in which implantation angle (0°, 5°, 10°) and implant material stiffness (E = 5 MPa, 100 MPa, 2 GPa) were varied. A creep loading (0.6 MPa) was simulated, followed by a sliding motion. Creep loading resulted in low maximum collagen strains of 2.5% in the intact case compared to 11.7% with an empty defect. Implants mostly positively affected collagen strains, deviatoric strains, and hydrostatic pressures in the adjacent cartilage, but these effects were superior for correct alignment (0°). The main effect of implant misalignment was bulging of opposing cartilage tissue into the gap caused by the misalignment. This increased collagen strains and hydrostatic pressures. Deviatoric strains were increased adjacent to the gap. Subsequent sliding initially increased strains for a stiff, misaligned implant, but generally sliding decreased strains. In conclusion, implants can decrease the detrimental effect of defects, but correct implant alignment is crucial, more than implant material stiffness. Implant misalignment causes a gap, causing potentially damaging cartilage deformation during prolonged loading, for example, standing, even for soft implants. Mild motion may positively affect the cartilage. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res 36:2911–2922, 2018.