bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oswestry Disability Index scores correlate with MRI measurements in degenerating intervertebral discs and endplates
Authors: Arpinar V. Emre , Gliedt Jordan A. , King Jeffrey A. , Maiman Dennis J. , Muftuler L. Tugan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a widespread problem and the leading cause of disability worldwide. While the cause of LBP is multifactorial, several studies suggested that inflammatory mediators in damaged subchondral plates of degenerating discs may lead to chemical sensitization and mechanical stimulation, eventually causing pain. The goal of this study was to explore associations between such changes and LBP‐related disability using dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI.MethodsThirty‐two patients diagnosed with nonspecific LBP and 24 healthy control subjects were studied with dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCEMRI) MRI and T1r (spin–lattice relaxation in the rotating frame) acquisitions. DCEMRI enhancement in disc endplate regions and average T1ρ measurements in the nucleus pulposus were extracted. The LBP patients were grouped based on their Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and associations between MRI measurements and ODI scores were analyzed.ResultsSignificant associations were found between ODI scores and DCEMRI enhancement in the cartilaginous endplate regions of the most degenerated discs. ODI scores also correlated with T1ρ measurements in the nucleus pulposus of degenerating discs.ConclusionsDCEMRI enhancement in the cartilaginous endplate regions and lower T1ρ measurements in the nucleus pulposus (NP) were associated with greater disability that is related to low back pain as reported on the ODI. This complements earlier reports suggesting a link between LBP and endplate degeneration. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.SignificanceOur findings indicated that dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI signal enhancement in the cartilaginous endplate regions were associated with greater disability related to low back pain. This signal enhancement might be an indication of inflammatory changes in disc endplate regions. Therefore, advanced quantitative imaging techniques like the ones presented in this study might be needed to complement conventional radiological evaluations to identify the subset of patients who could potentially benefit from novel therapies directed towards treating the disc endplate regions.
The impact of environmental factors on persons with dementia attending recreational groups
Authors: Cohen‐Mansfield Jiska 
Published: October 2019

ObjectivesThe Comprehensive Process Model of Group Engagement posits that personal factors (eg, cognitive function), stimulus factors (eg, group activity content and group size), and environmental factors (eg, light and noise) impact the response to group activities. This paper reports the impact of environmental and group characteristics on engagement, mood, and sleepiness of persons with dementia attending group activities.Methods/designThe sample included 69 nursing home residents. Environmental contexts of activities included time of day, location, noise, light, and temperature. Outcome variables captured engagement, mood, and sleepiness, observed during 20 group activity sessions. Mixed model analyses were used to examine the impact of environmental and group attributes on the outcome variables.ResultsBackground noise and time of day significantly affected outcome variables after controlling for participants' cognitive functioning and group topic. Background noise was related with decreased engagement and increased sleepiness. Activities conducted before noon were associated with increased sleepiness. Group size did not affect the outcome variables. There was little variation concerning temperature and light.ConclusionsThese findings have implications for architectural and ongoing planning. The methodology presents a model for continuous quality improvement. The main components of the Comprehensive Process Model of Group Engagement significantly impacted group activity engagement.
Cerebellar function in children with and without dyslexia during single word processing
Authors: Ashburn Sikoya M. , Flowers D. Lynn , Napoliello Eileen M. , Eden Guinevere F. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe cerebellar deficit hypothesis of dyslexia posits that dysfunction of the cerebellum is the underlying cause for reading difficulties observed in this common learning disability. The present study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a single word processing task to test for differences in activity and connectivity in children with (n = 23) and without (n = 23) dyslexia. We found cerebellar activity in the control group when word processing was compared to fixation, but not when it was compared to the active baseline task designed to reveal activity specific to reading. In the group with dyslexia there was no cerebellar activity for either contrasts and there were no differences when they were compared to children without dyslexia. Turning to functional connectivity (FC) in the controls, background FC (i.e., not specific to reading) was predominately found between the cerebellum and the occipitaltemporal cortex. In the group with dyslexia, there was background FC between the cerebellum and several cortical regions. When comparing the two groups, they differed in background FC in connections between the seed region right crus I and three left‐hemisphere perisylvian target regions. However, there was no task‐specific FC for word processing in either group and no between‐group differences. Together the results do not support the theory that the cerebellum is affected functionally during reading in children with dyslexia.
Reproductive factors and thyroid cancer risk: Meta‐analysis
Authors: Mannathazhathu Arathy S. , George Preethi S. , Sudhakaran Sreekala , Vasudevan Durga , Krishna KM Jagathnath , Booth Christopher , Mathew Aleyamma 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundAssessed pooled risk on reproductive factors and oral contraceptives (OC) on thyroid cancer (TC) using published studies (1996‐2017).MethodsSummary odds ratio (OR) for case‐control studies (n = 10) and risk ratio (RR) for cohort studies (n = 9) was done.ResultsOR was 1.43 (95% CI: 1.16‐1.77) for age at menarche >14 years, 1.49 (95% CI: 1.19‐1.86) for parity >2, 1.38 (95% CI: 1.18‐1.61) for miscarriage/abortion, and 2.05 (95% CI: 1.39‐3.01) for artificial menopause. A protective effect (ORs: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.72‐0.99) on TC was observed for prolonged use of OCs. RR was 1.17 (95% CI: 0.90‐1.57) for age at menarche >14 years, 1.10 (95% CI: 0.94‐1.27) for parity >2, 1.20 (95% CI: 1.03‐1.40) for miscarriage/abortion, and 2.16 (95% CI: 1.41‐3.31) for artificial menopause and protective effect (RR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.65‐0.92) for prolonged use of OCs.ConclusionsThis meta‐analysis supports an association due to changes in female hormones during menstrual cycle and pregnancy with the risk of TC and explains female preponderance.
Biallelic Mutations in Tetratricopeptide Repeat Domain 26 (Intraflagellar Transport 56) Cause Severe Biliary Ciliopathy in Humans
Authors: Shaheen Ranad , Alsahli Saud , Ewida Nour , Alzahrani Fatema , Shamseldin Hanan E. , Patel Nisha , Al Qahtani Awad , Alhebbi Homoud , Alhashem Amal , Al‐Sheddi Tarfa , Alomar Rana , Alobeid Eman , Abouelhoda Mohamed , Monies Dorota , Al‐Hussaini Abdulrahman , Alzouman Muneerah A. , Shagrani Mohammad , Faqeih Eissa , Alkuraya Fowzan S. 
Published: October 2019

Background and Aims
The clinical consequences of defective primary cilium (ciliopathies) are characterized by marked phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Although fibrocystic liver disease is an established ciliopathy phenotype, severe neonatal cholestasis is rarely recognized as such.

Approach and Results
We describe seven individuals from seven families with syndromic ciliopathy clinical features, including severe neonatal cholestasis (lethal in one and necessitating liver transplant in two). Positional mapping revealed a single critical locus on chromosome 7. Whole‐exome sequencing revealed three different homozygous variants in Tetratricopeptide Repeat Domain 26 (TTC26) that fully segregated with the phenotype. TTC26 (intraflagellar transport [IFT] 56/DYF13) is an atypical component of IFT‐B complex, and deficiency of its highly conserved orthologs has been consistently shown to cause defective ciliary function in several model organisms. We show that cilia in TTC26‐mutated patient cells display variable length and impaired function, as indicated by dysregulated sonic hedgehog signaling, abnormal staining for IFT‐B components, and transcriptomic clustering with cells derived from individuals with closely related ciliopathies. We also demonstrate a strong expression of Ttc26 in the embryonic mouse liver in a pattern consistent with its proposed role in the normal development of the intrahepatic biliary system.

Conclusions
In addition to establishing a TTC26‐related ciliopathy phenotype in humans, our results highlight the importance of considering ciliopathies in the differential diagnosis of severe neonatal cholestasis even in the absence of more typical features.
Generation of an in vitro model of β‐thalassemia using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system
Authors: Ajami Monireh , Atashi Amir , Kaviani Saeid , Kiani Jafar , Soleimani Masoud 
Published: October 2019

Abstractβ‐Thalassemia is a common monogenic disease characterized by defective β‐globin chains synthesis. In vitro β‐thalassemia‐related research on increasing β‐like globin genes or identification of factors reducing the severity of the disease, has been performed on mouse erythroleukaemia or K562 cell lines. The aim of this study was the production of an in vitro model of β‐thalassemia using the highly efficient CRISPR‐Cas9 system. Embryonic stem (ES) cells were nucleofected with guide RNA (gRNA)‐Cas9 expression vectors. Molecular testing was done on extracted DNA to assess Hbb‐b1 mutation. Analysis of transcription factors and hemoglobin genes were evaluated using quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction following erythroid differentiation of ES cells. Sequencing data confirmed Hbb‐b1 knockout alleles. Significant expression of erythroid transcription factors was observed in wild‐type, Hbb‐b1+/− and Hbb‐b1−/− groups (P < .001). Compared with the wild‐type group, the absolute number of Hbb‐b1 mRNA in Hbb‐b1+/− group significantly decreased from 6.44 × 106 to 3.23 × 106 copy number (P < .01), whereas in Hbb‐b1−/− group had zero expression. The CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated Hbb‐b1 knockout in ES cells provides accessibility to an in vitro thalassemia model following erythroid differentiation. Considering the need for in vitro and mouse models to investigate the molecular basis of β‐thalassemia which also enables testing of therapeutic approaches, this method can be utilized to produce a mouse model of β‐thalassemia intermedia (Hbbth1/th1).
MicroRNA‐125a attenuates the chemoresistance against ubenimex in non–small cell lung carcinoma via targeting the aminopeptidase N signaling pathway
Authors: Li Chaoyi , Zhai Wei , Wan Li , Li Jingsong , Huang Ai , Xing Shijie , Fan Kai 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundSince several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the development of chemoresistance in non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), the aim of this study was to investigate whether antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) was associated with the chemoresistance of NSCLC.MethodReal‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify potential lncRNAs involved in the chemoresistance of NSCLC, while in‐silicon analyses and luciferase assays were carried out to explore the regulatory relationship among ANRIL, miR‐125a, and aminopeptidase N (APN).ResultsUbenimex resistant cells were associated with a high expression of ANRIL, which directly binds to miR‐125a. MiR‐125a directly targeted APN expression. In addition, miR‐125a and ANRIL small interfering RNA inhibited the expression of APN but promoted the expression of beclin‐1 and LC3, whereas ANRIL, by competing with miR‐125a, promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis.ConclusionThe data of this study suggested that, by targeting ANRIL and the APN signaling pathway, miR‐125a inhibited the proliferation of NSCLC cells and promoted their apoptosis, thus attenuating the chemoresistance of NSCLC against Ubenimex.
LncRNAs as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in gastric cancer: A novel approach to personalized medicine
Authors: Fattahi Sadegh , Kosari‐Monfared Mohadeseh , Golpour Monireh , Emami Zakieh , Ghasemiyan Mohammad , Nouri Maryam , Akhavan‐Niaki Haleh 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGastric cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death with 5‐year survival rate of about 30–35%. Since early detection is associated with decreased mortality, identification of novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and proper management of patients with the best response to therapy is urgently needed. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) due to their high specificity, easy accessibility in a noninvasive manner, as well as their aberrant expression under different pathological and physiological conditions, have received a great attention as potential diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive biomarkers. They may also serve as targets for treating gastric cancer. In this review, we highlighted the role of lncRNAs as tumor suppressors or oncogenes that make them potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer. Relatively, lncRNAs such as H19, HOTAIR, UCA1, PVT1, tissue differentiation‐inducing nonprotein coding, and LINC00152 could be potential diagnostic and prognostic markers in patients with gastric cancer. Also, the impact of lncRNAs such as ecCEBPA, MLK7‐AS1, TUG1, HOXA11‐AS, GAPLINC, LEIGC, multidrug resistance‐related and upregulated lncRNA, PVT1 on gastric cancer epigenetic and drug resistance as well as their potential as therapeutic targets for personalized medicine was discussed.
Multi‐omics analysis of tumor mutation burden combined with immune infiltrates in bladder urothelial carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Chuanjie , Shen Luping , Qi Feng , Wang JinCheng , Luo Jun 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTo explore the prognosis of tumor mutation burden (TMB) and underlying relationships with tumor‐infiltrating immune cells in bladder cancer (BLCA). Transcriptome profiles and somatic mutation data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database by the GDC tool. A total of 437 samples were included, consisted of 412 BLCA patients and matched 25 normal samples. Specific mutation information was summarized and illustrated in waterfall plot. Higher TMB levels revealed improved overall survival (OS) and lower tumor recurrence. We found 68 differentially expressed genes in two TMB groups and identified eight independent hub TMB‐related signature. Pathway analysis suggested that differential TMB‐related signature correlated with multiple cancer‐related crosstalk, including cell cycle, DNA replication, cellular senescence, and p53 signaling pathway. Besides, the tumor mutation burden related signature (TMBRS) model based on eight signature possessed well predictive value with area under curve (AUC) = 0.753, and patients with higher TMBRS scores showed worse OS outcomes (p < .001). Moreover, we exhibited the inferred immune cell fractions in box plot and differential abundance of immune cells were shown in the heatmap. The Wilcoxon rank‐sum test suggested that CD8+ T cell (p = .001) and memory activated CD4+ T cell (p = .004) showed higher infiltrating levels in high‐TMB group, while the density of resting mast cells showed lower infiltrating level in high‐TMB group (p = .016). Finally, it is significant to note that CD8+ T cell and memory activated CD4+ T cell subsets not only revealed higher infiltrating abundance in high‐TMB group but correlated with prolonged OS and lower risk of tumor recurrence, respectively.
The Falkland Islands’ palaeoecological response to millennial‐scale climate perturbations during the Pleistocene–Holocene transition: Implications for future vegetation stability in the southern ocean islands
Authors: Scaife Robert G. , Long Antony J. , Monteath Alistair J. , Hughes Paul D. M. , Bentley Michael J. , Stone Philip 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTOceanic island flora is vulnerable to future climate warming, which is likely to promote changes in vegetation composition, and invasion of non‐native species. Sub‐Antarctic islands are predicted to experience rapid warming during the next century; therefore, establishing trajectories of change in vegetation communities is essential for developing conservation strategies to preserve biological diversity. We present a Late‐glacial‐early Holocene (16 500–6450 cal a bp) palaeoecological record from Hooker's Point, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Atlantic. This period spans the Pleistocene‐Holocene transition, providing insight into biological responses to abrupt climate change. Pollen and plant macrofossil records appear insensitive to climatic cooling during the Late‐glacial, but undergo rapid turnover in response to regional warming. The absence of trees throughout the Late‐glacial‐early Holocene enables the recognition of far‐travelled pollen from southern South America. The first occurrence of Nothofagus (southern beech) may reflect changes in the strength and/or position of the Southern Westerly Wind Belt during the Late‐glacial period. Peat inception and accumulation at Hooker's Point is likely to be promoted by the recalcitrant litter of wind‐adapted flora. This recalcitrant litter helps to explain widespread peatland development in a comparatively dry environment, and suggests that wind‐adapted peatlands can remain carbon sinks even under low precipitation regimes. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Quaternary Science Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Comparison of chemical constitution and bioactivity among different parts of Lonicera japonica Thunb
Authors: Li Rong‐Jiao , Kuang Xiu‐Ping , Wang Wen‐Jing , Wan Chun‐Ping , Li Wei‐xi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDLonicera japonica Thunb is a common herb in East Asia. The flower buds are usually regarded as the traditional medicinal part, while leaves and stems are considered less valuable and receive little attention. This study compared the chemical constituents and anti‐inflammatory effects of the different tissues in L. japonica Thunb for the first time.RESULTSThirty compounds were identified by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐photodiode detector‐quadrupole / time of flight‐mass spectrometry (UPLC‐PDA‐Q/TOF‐MS/MS) analysis. Hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, and iridoids were identified as the major components. The flower buds (FLJ), leaves (LLJ), and stems (SLJ) of L. japonica Thunb showed strong similarities in chemical components. The LLJ contained higher levels of hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids than the FLJ and SLJ.Furthermore, FLJ, LLJ, and SLJ exhibited potent anti‐inflammatory activity in croton oil‐induced ear edema and carrageenan‐induced paw edema assays in mice. Moreover, FLJ, LLJ, and SLJ showed a cytoprotective effect on lipopolysaccharide‐ (LPS‐) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide‐induced increases in nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were suppressed by treatments of FLJ, LLJ, and SLJ, respectively. The LLJ possessed a stronger anti‐inflammatory effect than the FLJ.CONCLUSIONLeaves and stems of L. japonica Thunb have chemical components and anti‐inflammatory properties similar to flower buds, and may become alternative or supplementary sources of flower buds. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of poultry egg liking scores using sighted and blind people
Authors: Stelmasiak Adrian , Damaziak Krzysztof , Riedel Julia , Zdanowska‐Sąsiadek Żaneta , Bucław Mateusz , Gozdowski Dariusz , Kruziñska Brygida 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDOf the 18 043 bird species, the eggs of only hen and quail are generally available to consumers. Thus people are deprived of the opportunity to benefit from the huge diversity of eggs offered by nature. Poultry eggs can vary in their color of albumen and yolk, smell, taste and texture. In this study, sighted and blind people were employed for sensory evaluation with the aim of determining the preferences of consumers toward hard‐boiled and scrambled eggs of different species of birds, and whether the appearance of these eggs has an effect on the perception of other sensory impressions.RESULTSSighted people differently evaluated the texture of both boiled and scrambled eggs as compared with blind people. This was mainly because blind people largely used their sense of touch for evaluation. All other attributes of boiled eggs were evaluated similarly by both groups of panelists, whereas those of scrambled eggs were evaluated differently.CONCLUSIONThe obtained results unequivocally demonstrated that differences in taste of scrambled eggs when served hot are easier to evaluate than those of boiled eggs. On the basis of ranking by the sensory panel, it was established that eggs of birds belonging to the order Galliformes are more preferred by consumers than those of duck and goose. By contrast, eggs of ostrich and emu are characterized by unfavorable sensory profiles; moreover, the albumen of boiled ostrich eggs has an unsightly appearance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Interactive Polymer Gels as Biomimetic Sensors for Carbohydrate Interactions and Capture–Release Devices for Pathogens
Authors: Schmidt Stephan , Paul Tanja Janine , Strzelczyk Alexander Klaus 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAdhesive processes mediated by carbohydrate‐decorated interfaces play a crucial role in many biological processes such as cell development or pathogen invasion. The involved carbohydrate scaffolds are soft and present multiple subsites forming complex and dynamic bonds to carbohydrate binding proteins. New tools and data are needed to understand how ligand presentation and mechanical properties drive these binding processes. This article highlights recent developments in the area of adhesion assays with a focus on soft biomimetic carbohydrate scaffolds as probes of adhesion forces. Key findings state that carbohydrate functionalized polymer networks largely show additive multivalency (statistical effects) and that the overall interaction forces are strongly affected by the stiffness of the network. These results indicate that phase transitions of carbohydrate bearing polymer gels may enable tunable affinity toward carbohydrate binding proteins. As an example, polymer networks undergoing large changes in mechanical rigidity, density, and spacing of carbohydrate ligands upon temperature stimulus are shown to bind or release carbohydrate binding bacteria such as Escherichia coli. The presented adhesion assays and the developed responsive systems can provide new insights into the mechanism through which carbohydrates mediate adhesion processes and establish new avenues toward scaffolds for the capture or release of cells or pathogens.