bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A prospective study of female genital chronic graft‐versus‐host disease symptoms, signs, diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Smith Knutsson Eva , Björk Yvonne , Broman Anna‐Karin , Helström Lotti , Nicklasson Malin , Brune Mats , Sundfeldt Karin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionFemale genital chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGvHD) is a complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) for blood malignancies. Unattended inflammation and fibrosis in the vulva and vagina may lead to total vaginal stenosis. The course and treatment of genital cGvHD was observed in this population‐based prospective study.Material and methodsWomen (n = 41) receiving alloHCT in 2005–10 were examined before and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months post‐transplant. Vulvovaginal signs were documented, National Institutes of Health clinical scores were calculated, and women completed questionnaires on symptoms, the Female Sexual Distress Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Local immunosuppressive treatment was given weekly.ResultsGenital cGvHD was diagnosed in 27 women (incidence 56% at 12 months; 66% at 36 months); extragenital cGvHD was found in 21/27. The most common signs at diagnosis were red and white spots, reticular white lines, fissures, synechiae and telangiectasia; symptoms included dryness, itching, dyspareunia, pain or no symptoms. Thirteen women were treated on a schedule of tacrolimus and clobetazol ointments. Although some signs progressed during treatment, only two women developed total stenosis. At 36 months, 12 women still had genital cGvHD.ConclusionsGenital cGvHD develops mainly in the first year after alloHCT. Early intervention may halt its progress to severe fibrosis, but despite correct diagnosis and treatment, symptoms and signs may become chronic. Women who develop genital cGvHD following alloHCT require life‐long gynecological supervison and care.
Contribution of Hepatic Retinaldehyde Dehydrogenase Induction to Impairment of Glucose Metabolism by High‐Fat‐Diet Feeding in C57BL/6J Mice
Authors: Xu Jiong , Zhang Mian , Zhang Xiangping , Yang Hanyu , Sun Binbin , Wang Zhongjian , Zhou Yaqian , Wang Shuting , Liu Xiaodong , Liu Li 
Published: May 2018

AbstractObesity and insulin resistance are associated with overexpression of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (RALDH1). We aimed to investigate the roles of hepatic RALDH1 induction in glucose metabolism impairment using mice fed with high‐fat‐diet (HFD). Mice were fed with HFD for 8 weeks and treated with RALDH inhibitor citral for another 4 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), pyruvate tolerance test (PTT) and insulin tolerance test were performed. Expressions of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1), glucokinase (GCK) and RALDH1 were measured. Therapeutic effects of citral were also documented in diabetic rats. Effects of retinaldehyde on PCK1 and GCK expressions were examined in rat primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. The results showed that HFD mice were characterized by hyperlipidaemia and insulin resistance, accompanied by significantly increased RALDH1 activity and expression. Citral (10 and 50 mg/kg) ameliorated HFD‐induced hyperlipidaemia and insulin resistance, as demonstrated by the improved fasting glucose, insulin levels and lipid profiles. OGTT and PTT demonstrated that citral reversed HFD‐induced glucose disposal impairment and glucose production enhancement. Citral also reversed the increased PCK1 expression and decreased GCK expression by HFD. Citral therapeutic effects were reconfirmed in diabetic rats. In vitro data indicated that retinaldehyde had the strongest PCK1 induction in primary hepatocytes of diabetic rats compared with HFD rats and control rats, in line with the increased RALDH1 expression. Citral reversed the retinaldehyde‐induced PCK1 expression in primary rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells. In conclusion, RALDH1 induction impaired glucose metabolism partly via modulating PCK1 and GCK expressions. Citral improved glucose metabolism through inhibiting RALDH activity.
Src‐type tyrosine kinase p56lck is critical for thymic stromal lymphopoietin‐induced allergic rhinitis
Authors: Nam S.‐Y. , Kim H.‐Y. , Han N.‐R. , Moon P.‐D. , Cho J.‐S. , Kim H.‐M. , Jeong H.‐J. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryBackgroundThymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a regulator of mast cell‐mediated allergic inflammatory reactions, but the manner in which TSLP contributes to allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unclear.ObjectiveHere, we sought to determine that TSLP plays a crucial role in AR by interacting with Src‐type tyrosine kinase p56lck and STAT6 and promoting mast cells degranulation.MethodsThe effects of TSLP on mast cell degranulation and AR were analysed in human mast cell line (HMC‐1 cells), ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced AR animal model, and human subjects. Small interfering RNA experiments were performed in HMC‐1 cells and OVA‐induced AR model. Immune responses were analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and histological studies.ResultsThymic stromal lymphopoietin levels and mast cell‐derived p56lck activation were elevated in human subjects with AR, and in AR mice, exogenous TSLP accelerated TH2‐allergic inflammatory reactions by up‐regulating p56lck and STAT6. On the other hand, depletion of TSLP, p56lck, and STAT6 ameliorated clinical symptoms in AR mice. The selective inhibitor of p56lck, damnacanthal, inhibits AR reactions.ConclusionCollectively, these observations suggest a role for TSLP/p56lck/STAT6 in AR and offer insight into potential therapeutic strategies.
Anti‐resorptive effect of pamidronate on extraction socket wall in dogs
Authors: Cha Jae‐Kook , Sun Yoo‐Kyung , Kim Myong Ji , Sanz Mariano , Jung Ui‐Won 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimThe aim of this experimental in vivo investigation was to assess the anti‐resorptive effect of low concentration pamidronate on the buccal plate in fresh extraction sockets.Materials and methodsThe distal roots of the third premolars were extracted bilaterally in six dogs. A collagen matrix loaded with either pamidronate (test group) or saline (control group) was positioned on the outer surface of buccal bone immediately after tooth extraction and subsequently covered with a coronally advanced flap. Histological and histomorphometric outcomes were evaluated 12 weeks later.ResultsThe mean vertical distance between the buccal and lingual bone crest differed significantly between the test and control groups (0.52 ± 0.43 and 2.21 ± 1.15 mm, respectively; p = .037). The width of the buccal bone 1 mm below the crest was significantly wider in the test group than the control group (4.68 ± 0.68 vs. 3.44 ± 0.60 mm, p < .001).ConclusionsLocal application of pamidronate onto a collagen matrix may reduce the dimensional changes of the buccal bone plate both vertically and horizontally.
Genetic and clinical features of Chinese patients with mitochondrial ataxia identified by targeted next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Dong Hai‐Lin , Ma Yin , Li Quan‐Fu , Du Yi‐Chu , Yang Lu , Chen Sheng , Wu Zhi‐Ying 
Published: May 2018

SummaryAimTo characterize the mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and mitochondrion‐related nuclear genes (nDNA), and clinical features in Chinese patients with mitochondrial ataxia.MethodsTargeted next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technology was performed to screen the whole mtDNA sequence and nDNA genes in a cohort of 33 unrelated ataxia patients.ResultsA total of 5 pedigrees were finally genetically diagnosed as mitochondrial ataxia, with 3 pathogenic mutations (m.8344A>G, m.9176T>C, and m.9185T>C), one likely pathogenic mutation (m.3995A>G) in mtDNA, and one pathogenic mutation (c.1159_1162dupAAGT, p.Ser388Terfs) in PDHA1. The prevalence of mitochondrial ataxia in our patient cohort is 15.2%. In addition, all 4 patients with mtDNA mutations experienced symptoms of ataxia with age at onset ranging from 12 to 39 years (21 ± 12.2) and developed extrapyramidal symptoms during the disease course. One male patient with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency showed an acute intermittent ataxia phenotype.ConclusionsOur results implicate that mitochondrial ataxia might not be as rare in Chinese as previously assumed. This study firstly defines the mutations of mitochondrial ataxia in a Chinese population by targeted NGS, which broadens the clinical spectrum of mtDNA mutations and highlights the importance of screening mtDNA and nDNA mutations among undefined ataxia patients.
Examining conservation compliance with randomized response technique analyses
Authors: Chang Charlotte H. , Cruyff Maarten J. L. F. , Giam Xingli 
Published: May 2018

AbstractUnderstanding violations of laws or social norms designed to protect natural resources from overexploitation is a priority for conservation research and management. Because direct questioning about stigmatized behaviors can produce biased responses, researchers have adopted more complex, indirect questioning techniques. The randomized response technique (RRT) is one of the most powerful indirect survey methods, yet analyses of these data require sophisticated statistical models. To date, there has been limited user‐friendly software to analyze RRT data, particularly for models that combine information from multiple RRT questions. We developed an R package, zapstRR (ZoologicAl Package for RRT) that provides functions for 3 RRT models that can be applied to single or multiple RRT questions. With these functions, researchers can estimate the prevalence of conservation noncompliance, determine the number of violations by individuals, perform regressions for univariate and multivariate RRT data, and correct prevalence estimates for evasive‐response bias. We illustrate the use of these estimators for RRT data through an examination of 2 case studies: illegal bird hunting where the interview consisted of a standard RRT question design and a novel implementation designed to offer further anonymity to respondents and reveal the impact of educational interventions on illegal bushmeat consumption. The case studies demonstrate how the models can work in tandem to uncover distinct patterns within RRT data sets. The case studies also show how several assumptions are central to the application of the multivariate models.
Shift in predation regime mediates diversification of foraging behaviour in a dragonfly genus
Authors: Jiang Bin , Mikolajewski Dirk J. 
Published: May 2018

1. Behavioural adaptations to avoid and evade predators are common. Many studies have investigated population divergence in response to changes in predation regime within species, but studies exploring interspecific patterns are scant. Studies on interspecific divergence can infer common outcomes from evolutionary processes and highlight the role of environmental constraints in shaping species traits.2. Species of the dragonfly genusLeucorrhiniaunderwent well‐studied shifts from habitats being dominated by predatory fish (fish lakes) to habitat being dominated by predatory invertebrates (dragonfly lakes). This change in top predators resulted in a set of adaptive trait modifications in response to the different hunting styles of both predator types: whereas predatory fish actively search and pursue prey, invertebrate predator follow a sit‐and‐wait strategy, not pursuing prey.3. Here it is shown that the habitat shift‐related change in selection regime on larvalLeucorrhiniacaused species in dragonfly lakes to evolve increased larval foraging and activity, and results suggest that they lost the ability to recognise predatory fish.4. The results of the present study highlight the impact of predators on behavioural trait diversification with habitat‐specific predation regimes selecting for distinct behavioural expression.
Enhanced neural and behavioural processing of a nonnative phonemic contrast in professional musicians
Authors: Dittinger Eva , D'Imperio Mariapaola , Besson Mireille 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBased on growing evidence suggesting that professional music training facilitates foreign language perception and learning, we examined the impact of musical expertise on the categorisation of syllables including phonemes that did (/p/, /b/) or did not (/ph/) belong to the French repertoire by analysing both behaviour (error rates and reaction times) and Event‐Related brain Potentials (N200 and P300 components). Professional musicians and nonmusicians categorised syllables either as /ba/ or /pa/ (voicing task), or as /pa/ or /pha/ with /ph/ being a nonnative phoneme for French speakers (aspiration task). In line with our hypotheses, results showed that musicians outperformed nonmusicians in the aspiration task but not in the voicing task. Moreover, the difference between the native (/p/) and the nonnative phoneme (/ph/), as reflected in N200 and P300 amplitudes, was larger in musicians than in nonmusicians in the aspiration task but not in the voicing task. These results show that behaviour and brain activity associated to nonnative phoneme perception are influenced by musical expertise and that these effects are task‐dependent. The implications of these findings for current models of phoneme perception and for understanding the qualitative and quantitative differences found on the N200 and P300 components are discussed.
Varying the rate of intravenous cocaine infusion influences the temporal dynamics of both drug and dopamine concentrations in the striatum
Authors: Minogianis Ellie‐Anna , Shams Waqqas M. , Mabrouk Omar S. , Wong Jenny‐Marie T. , Brake Wayne G. , Kennedy Robert T. , du Souich Patrick , Samaha Anne‐Noël 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe faster drugs of abuse reach the brain, the greater is the risk of addiction. Even small differences in the rate of drug delivery can influence outcome. Infusing cocaine intravenously over 5 vs. 90–100 s promotes sensitization to the psychomotor and incentive motivational effects of the drug and preferentially recruits mesocorticolimbic regions. It remains unclear whether these effects are due to differences in how fast and/or how much drug reaches the brain. Here, we predicted that varying the rate of intravenous cocaine infusion between 5 and 90 s produces different rates of rise of brain drug concentrations, while producing similar peak concentrations. Freely moving male Wistar rats received acute intravenous cocaine infusions (2.0 mg/kg/infusion) over 5, 45 and 90 s. We measured cocaine concentrations in the dorsal striatum using rapid‐sampling microdialysis (1 sample/min) and high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. We also measured extracellular concentrations of dopamine and other neurochemicals. Regardless of infusion rate, acute cocaine did not change concentrations of non‐dopaminergic neurochemicals. Infusion rate did not significantly influence peak concentrations of cocaine or dopamine, but concentrations increased faster following 5‐s infusions. We also assessed psychomotor activity as a function of cocaine infusion rate. Infusion rate did not significantly influence total locomotion, but locomotion increased earlier following 5‐s infusions. Thus, small differences in the rate of cocaine delivery influence both the rate of rise of drug and dopamine concentrations, and psychomotor activity. A faster rate of rise of drug and dopamine concentrations might be an important issue in making rapidly delivered cocaine more addictive.
Ex vivo effects of insulin on the structural integrity of equine digital lamellae
Authors: Sandow C. , Fugler L. A. , Leise B. , Riggs L. , Monroe W. T. , Totaro N. , Belknap J. , Eades S. 
Published: May 2018

SummaryBackgroundLaminitis has a considerable impact on the equine industry. Endocrinopathic laminitis is the most common form and affected horses often have hyperinsulinaemia due to an underlying metabolic disorder.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine if insulin weakens the structural integrity of digital lamellae and to develop an ex vivo model for the study of hyperinsulinaemia‐induced lamellar failure.Study designEx vivo experiment.MethodsBiomechanical testing was used to assess the structural integrity of lamellar explants exposed to either medium alone (control) or medium supplemented with insulin. Lamellar explants comprised of hoof wall, lamellar tissue and distal phalanx were harvested from four adult horses with no evidence of inflammatory disease or pre‐existing disease of the digit. Following an equilibration period, explants were incubated in medium or medium supplemented with insulin (2.5 μg/ml) for 8 h prior to biomechanical testing to obtain load (N), stress (MPa), elongation to failure (mm), and Young's modulus (MPa) for each explant. Significant differences were assessed using a mixed linear model with horses as a random factor and control or insulin‐treated group as a fixed factor.ResultsLamellar explants incubated in medium supplemented with insulin failed at significantly lower load (P = 0.0001) and lower stress (P = 0.001) and had greater elongation to failure (P = 0.02).Main limitationsIn addition to the ex vivo nature of the study, location‐dependent variability in explant structural integrity and variable diffusion of nutrients due to explant size may have been limitations. However, the study design attempted to account for these limitations through random assignment of explants to treatment groups independent of location and by evaluating stress to failure.ConclusionsInsulin weakens the structural integrity of equine lamellar explants and an ex vivo model for evaluation of hyperinsulinaemia‐induced lamellar failure was established.
The summary is available in Spanish – see Supporting Information.
Fluoxetine uses in nociceptive pain management: a promising adjuvant to opioid analgesics
Authors: Hamdy Mostafa M. , Elbadr Mohamed M. , Barakat Ahmed 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, use in nociceptive pain management represents one of the unsettled issues of fluoxetine therapeutics. By reviewing the literature about fluoxetine's possible roles in this setting, those could be solitary antinociceptive effect, enhancement of acute morphine analgesia, blocking morphine tolerance development, and blocking dependence development and associated abstinence syndrome. In this study, we examined those four alleged roles of fluoxetine. Moreover, as effective alleviation of morphine tolerance, dependence, and abstinence syndrome represents one of the most challenging medical needs, we biochemically analyzed fluoxetine effect on these phenomena. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, IP) was examined in hot plate test for assessment of possible analgesic activity and enhancement of morphine acute analgesia (1 and 5 mg/kg, SC). Repeated morphine (5 mg/kg, SC) administration for 9 days developed tolerance and dependence; fluoxetine was co‐administered to evaluate its potential to modulate these processes. We also determined concomitant changes in neurotransmitters (glutamate and noradrenaline), inflammatory status, and prooxidant–antioxidant balance. Our results indicated that fluoxetine did not possess significant analgesia solely and did not enhance acute morphine analgesia. However, fluoxetine administration with morphine significantly attenuated tolerance and dependence development and abstinence syndrome with corresponding suppression of morphine‐induced changes in neurotransmitters (glutamate and noradrenaline), inflammatory status, and prooxidant–antioxidant balance. These biochemical results may reflect both direct and indirect effects of fluoxetine. Our conclusion is that despite fluoxetine possesses low – if any – analgesic activity, it significantly adds to opioids not via enhancing analgesic activity but through modulation of tolerance and dependence development.
Application of finitized power series distributions to accelerated variate generation. Part II: the case of the logarithmic distribution
Authors: Kirtland James Andrew , Levy Martin S. , Cochran James J. , Golnabi Saeed 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe method of aliasing vastly expands the palette of discrete random variate generation methodologies while providing excellent speed. However, its application is limited to finitely supported distributions. We demonstrate that an application of moment preserving finitization called the Negative Taylor Series Finitization (NTSF) method for the power series family of discrete distributions, when coupled with the method of aliasing, can greatly improve infinitely supported discrete random variate generation speed with certain limitations. We illustrate this with the logarithmic power series distribution, and we compare four published algorithms designed to generate random variates from a logarithmic distribution to the aliasing method of random variate generation from anNTSFversion of the same distribution. We compare the accuracy and speed (user‐time) of these various methods for generating variates from a logarithmic distribution.
Treatment of class III multiple gingival recessions: Prognostic factors for achieving a complete root coverage
Authors: Aroca Sofia , Barbieri Antoine , Clementini Marco , Renouard Franck , de Sanctis Massimo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis report is intended to present a supplemental analysis of data from a prior report (Aroca et al., ) to investigate factors associated with a complete root coverage at 1 year. The purpose of the prior report was to investigate at 1 year the adjunction effect of EMD for the treatment of Miller’s class III recession defects using a coronally advanced modified tunnel/CTG technique with (test group) or without (control group). The purpose of this report was to investigate additional factors associated with root coverage in the same data set.Materials and methodsOn the 138 observations collected from 20 patients, a regression model was used to highlight the relationship between the percentages of root coverage (RC) and three following covariates: the distance from the tip of the papilla and the contact point (DCP) at baseline, the group membership (control vs. test) and tooth position in the mouth (maxillary vs. mandibular).ResultsThe statistical analysis showed that there was a significant effect of the DCP at baseline (p = 0.01) and of the tooth type (p < .001) on the percentage of RC at 1 year, whereas no significant difference between the two techniques (group membership effect) was shown (p = 0.69).ConclusionThe probability to obtain a complete root coverage decreases when the DCP at baseline increases. Moreover, maxillary teeth are more likely to give better RC than mandibular teeth. However, in this analysis similar to the last, there was no group effect.