bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bank accounts for public primary health care facilities: Reflections on implementation from three districts in Tanzania
Authors: Kuwawenaruwa August , Remme Michelle , Mtei Gemini , Makawia Suzan , Maluka Stephen , Kapologwe Ntuli , Borghi Josephine 
Published: November 2018

SummaryHealth care financing reforms are gaining popularity in a number of African countries to increase financial resources and promote financial autonomy, particularly at peripheral health care facilities. The paper explores the establishment of facility bank accounts at public primary facilities in Tanzania, with the intention of informing other countries embarking on such reform of the lessons learned from its implementation process. A case study approach was used, in which three district councils were purposively sampled. A total of 34 focus group discussions and 14 in‐depth interviews were conducted. Thematic content analysis was used during analysis. The study revealed that the main use of bank account revenue was for the purchase of drugs, medical supplies, and minor facility needs. To ensure accountability for funds, health care facilities had to submit monthly reports of expenditures incurred. District managers also undertook quality control of facility infrastructure, which had been renovated using facility resources and purchases of facility needs. Facility autonomy in the use of revenue retained in their accounts would improve the availability of drugs and service delivery. The experienced process of opening facility bank accounts, managing, and using the funds highlights the need to strengthen the capacity of staff and health‐governing committees.
Suppression of ovarian follicle development by nano TiO2 is associated with TGF‐β‐mediated signaling pathways
Authors: Zhou Yingjun , Hong Fashui , Wu Nan , Ji Jianhui , Cui Yonghua , Li Jinyan , Zhuang Juan , Wang Ling 
Published: November 2018

AbstractNanoparticulate titanium dioxide (nano TiO2) is extensively applied in biological tissue engineering materials, food additives, cosmetics, and sunscreens. Numerous studies to date have demonstrated that nano TiO2 penetrates through the digestive system and possibly the blood circulation, leading to accumulation in the ovary and consequent reproductive toxicity. However, the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of nano TiO2 on the female reproductive system remain to be established. In this study, female mice were exposed to different doses of nano TiO2 (1.25, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg body weight) via intragastric administration for 60 consecutive days, followed by investigation of follicular development, regulation of TGF‐β‐mediated signaling pathways, and expression of the pathway components. Subchronic exposure to nano TiO2 induced a decrease in the number of primordial, secondary, and antral follicles and corpus luteum and concomitant increase in atretic follicles. Furthermore, follicular development disorder induced by nano TiO2 was associated with upregulation of TGF‐β1, TGF‐βR1, PTEN, and Foxo3a involved in cell growth and apoptosis and downregulation of several growth factors (PI3K, AKT, p‐mTOR, p70S6K, p‐p70S6K1, rpS6, p‐rpS6, TSC1, and TSC2) in mouse ovaries. Our data collectively implied that suppression of ovarian follicle development by nano TiO2 was triggered by dysfunction of the TGF‐β, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and AKT/p70S6K‐rpS6/TSC/mTOR pathways. The adverse effects of nano TiO2 on follicular development highlights the necessity for caution in the use of nanomaterials in the food industry. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 414–422, 2019.
Preliminary study of the relationship between promoter methylation of the ANGPTL2 gene and coronary heart disease
Authors: Zhou Jianqing , Chen Li , Yang Xi , Huang Xiaoyan , Wang Zicheng , Peng Ping , Lian Jiangfang 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundCoronary heart disease (CHD) is primarily caused by atherosclerosis of coronary arteries. It is largely an inflammatory disease of the vascular wall. The inflammation is related to DNA methylation. Angiopoietin‐like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) has various functions in several chronic inflammatory diseases. Macrophage‐derived ANGPTL2 was reported to accelerate CHD development. It is reported that DNA hypomethylation in the promoter region of ANGPTL2 gene was associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a type of CHD. Our objective was to explore the correlation between promoter methylation of the ANGPTL2 gene and CHD, and to investigate the association between methylation status and clinical characteristics of CHD patients.MethodsFirstly, we collected 122 CHD patients and 58 non‐CHD participants from Han Chinese population and purified the peripheral blood DNA. The purified DNA was subjected to bisulfite modification. After bisulfite conversion, the target DNA locus was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the PCR products were measured by pyrosequencing. Finally, the methylation level was calculated according to the sequencing result, and the data were analyzed using xx software.ResultsCHD patients had a relatively lower methylation levels (P50: 7.67% [P25: 6.22%, P75: 10.43%]) in the ANGPTL2 promoter region than did controls (P50: 8.25% [P25: 5.46%, P75: 17.98%], P = 0.001), indicating an association between ANGPTL2 promoter methylation and CHD (OR: 0.890; 95% CI, 0.832‐0.953; adjusted P = 0.001). A breakdown analysis by gender showed that ANGPTL2 promoter methylation was associated with CHD in females (adjusted P = 0.002) but not in males (adjusted P = 0.404). We found no correlation between gene methylation and other clinical characteristics.ConclusionsThe present work provides evidence to support an association between ANGPTL2 promoter DNA methylation status and the risk profile of CHD in females. Our data indicated that in females, promoter DNA hypomethylation of the ANGPTL2 gene is associated with an increased risk of CHD.
Direct detection from clinical sputum samples to differentiate live and dead Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
Authors: Lu Jie , Zheng Huiwen , Chu Ping , Han Shujing , Yang Hui , Wang Zhongdong , Shi Jin , Yang Zuosen 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to optimize the condition of propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment for direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from clinical specimens.MethodsThe light exposure time, dark incubation time, bacterial load, and PMA concentration were varied to determine the optimal condition of PMA treatment.ResultsOverall, the maximum ΔCq value was observed in the group receiving a light exposure time of 20 minutes, which was significantly higher than the others (P < 0.05). The prolongation of dark incubation time seemed more likely to result in greater ΔCq value, and the ΔCq values were 2.0, 4.1, 6.5, 10.1, and 12.7 cycles under dark incubation time of 10, 20, 40, 60, and 120 minutes, respectively. Alternatively, the 4+ samples exhibited favorable detection results at the application of 104‐fold dilution by PMA assay with Cq values higher than 35 cycles. Further evaluation revealed that the PMA assay showed an accordance rate of 98.0% (98/100) among clinical sputa.Conclusionswe develop an acceptable method to directly identify the live bacteria from sputum samples. Our data demonstrate that the dark incubation plays a crucial role in the efficacy of PMA treatment for MTB.
Insignificant interference of Elevit in pregnant women serum samples with HBsAg immunoassay on Sysmex
Authors: Ning Mingzhe , Chen Yuxin , Zheng Qisi , Jia Jia , Bai Bing 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundThe pregnant women often take Elevit as the multivitamin supplement which has a substantial amount of biotin that might potentially interfere with the HBsAg immunoassay performed by the prevalent Sysmex system in clinical laboratories. We therefore wanted to determine this, so that the therapeutic intervention on the hepatitis B virus infection during pregnancy and birth would not be missed.MethodsElevit was both serially diluted in vitro and orally taken by healthy volunteers whose blood samples were then taken at different time points. All samples were added to a serum sample with a known result of HBsAg and then measured by Sysmex. The Abbott immunoassay system was used as the control as it involves no streptavidin‐biotin binding in the reagent set. Besides, the HBsAg results were compared between the pregnant women taking or not taking Elevit.ResultsBiotin at 25 ng/mL in the Elevit started to suppress the HBsAg and reached about 50% suppression at 100 ng/mL on Sysmex. In the volunteers, biotin reached the peak concentration at 2 hours. However, their blood samples showed no suppression on the HBsAg detection by Sysmex. In samples from pregnant women who took Elevit, the HBsAg results by Sysmex were highly correlated with those by Abbott (R2 = 0.96). Comparison of the results from Sysmex between the age‐ and pregnancy‐matched females with and without Elevit intake showed no difference.ConclusionElevit intake in pregnant women shows no significant interference with HBsAg immunoassay on Sysmex.
Upregulation of transient receptor potential melastatin 6 channel expression by rosiglitazone and all‐trans‐retinoic acid in erlotinib‐treated renal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Manabe Aya , Furukawa Chisa , Hasegawa Hajime , Matsunaga Toshiyuki , Endo Satoshi , Ikari Akira 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAnti‐epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drugs including erlotinib cause a side effect of hypomagnesemia. In lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, anticancer agents such as cisplatin and doxorubicin dose‐dependently increased toxicity, but the effects were significantly suppressed by culturing the cells in low Mg2+‐containing media. To obtain the maximum effect in cancer chemotherapy, it should be necessary to prevent the reduction of body Mg
2+ content. Anti‐EGFR drugs inhibit EGF‐induced elevation of transient receptor potential melastatin 6 (TRPM6) Mg
2+ channel in renal tubular epithelial NRK‐52E cells. Here, we found that rosiglitazone, an antidiabetic drug, and all‐
trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA), a vitamin A derivative, increase the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of TRPM6 in the presence of erlotinib. The rosiglitazone‐ and ATRA‐induced elevation of mRNA level, Mg
2+ influx, and promoter activity of TRPM6 were inhibited by GW‐9662, a potent antagonist of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)γ, and LE135, a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist, respectively. Rosiglitazone increased the phosphorylation and nuclear localization levels of PPARγ, which were inhibited by GW‐9662. In contrast, RAR was mainly distributed in the nuclei under control conditions, which was unchanged by ATRA and LE135. The promoter activity of TRPM6 was inhibited by a mutation in the peroxisome proliferator hormone response element (PPRE). A chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed that PPARγ and RAR bind to the PPRE, which was blocked by GW‐9662 and LE135, respectively. These results suggest that rosiglitazone and ATRA reverse the reduction in Mg
2+ reabsorption caused by anti‐EGFR drugs.
The relationship between computed tomography‐derived body composition, systemic inflammatory response, and survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer
Authors: Dolan Ross D. , Almasaudi Arwa S. , Dieu Ly B. , Horgan Paul G. , McSorley Stephen T. , McMillan Donald C. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionColorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality in developed countries. There is evidence supporting a disproportionate loss of skeletal muscle as an independent prognostic factor. The importance of the systemic inflammatory response as a unifying mechanism for specific loss of skeletal muscle mass in patients with cancer is increasingly recognized. The aim of the present study was to delineate the relationship between the systemic inflammatory response, skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle density (SMD), and overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer.Materials and methodsThe study included 650 patients with primary operable colorectal cancer. Computed tomography scans were used to define the presence of visceral obesity, sarcopenia (low SMI), and myosteatosis (low SMD). Tumour and patient characteristics were recorded. Survival analysis was carried out using univariate and multivariate Cox regression.ResultsA total of 650 patients (354 men and 296 women) were included. The majority of patients were over 65 years of age (64%) and overweight or obese (68%). On univariate survival analysis, age, ASA, TNM stage, modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS), body mass index, subcutaneous fat index, visceral obesity, SMI, and SMD were significantly associated with overall survival (all P < 0.05). A low SMI and SMD were significantly associated with an elevated mGPS (<0.05). On multivariate analysis, SMI (Martin) [hazard ratio (HR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–2.18, P = 0.031], SMD (Xiao) (HR 1.42, 95% CI 0.98–2.05, P = 0.061), and mGPS (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.15–1.79, P = 0.001) were independently associated with overall survival. SMD but not SMI was significantly associated with ASA (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study delineates the relationship between the loss of quantity and quality of skeletal muscle mass, the systemic inflammatory response, and survival in patients with operable colorectal cancer.
Analysis of the nucleotide content of Escherichia coli promoter sequences related to the alternative sigma factors
Authors: Dall'Alba Gabriel , Casa Pedro Lenz , Notari Daniel Luis , Adami Andre Gustavo , Echeverrigaray Sergio , de Avila e Silva Scheila 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPromoters are DNA sequences located upstream of the transcription start site of genes. In bacteria, the RNA polymerase enzyme requires additional subunits, called sigma factors (σ) to begin specific gene transcription in distinct environmental conditions. Currently, promoter prediction still poses many challenges due to the characteristics of these sequences. In this paper, the nucleotide content of Escherichia coli promoter sequences, related to five alternative σ factors, was analyzed by a machine learning technique in order to provide profiles according to the σ factor which recognizes them. For this, the clustering technique was applied since it is a viable method for finding hidden patterns on a data set. As a result, 20 groups of sequences were formed, and, aided by the Weblogo tool, it was possible to determine sequence profiles. These found patterns should be considered for implementing computational prediction tools. In addition, evidence was found of an overlap between the functions of the genes regulated by different σ factors, suggesting that DNA structural properties are also essential parameters for further studies.
Si quantum dots enhancement stimulated Raman scattering of water molecules
Authors: Li Fabing , Wang Ying , Li Zhanlong , Fang Wenhui , Li Yeqiu , Sun Chenglin , Men Zhiwei 
Published: November 2018

AbstractStimulated Raman scattering (SRS) spectra of the OH stretching vibrations of pure water and 2‐nm Si quantum dots (Si QDs) water solution have been investigated under different pump laser energies. Simultaneously, we have studied the spontaneous Raman spectra of pure water and Si QDs water solution at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The results show that SRS intensity of Si QDs water solution is an order of magnitude higher than that of pure water at the same laser energy, which indicates that Si QDs enhance the SRS intensity of water molecules. The QDs enhancement SRS mechanism is attributed to the increase of third‐order nonlinear Raman susceptibility from the electric fields induced by the exciton effect of Si QDs.
Hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the analysis of biopharmaceutical drugs and therapeutic peptides: A review based on the separation characteristics of the hydrophilic interaction chromatography phases
Authors: Ikegami Tohru 
Published: November 2018

AbstractApplications of hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the analysis of biopharmaceutical drugs, i.e., glycosylated proteins represented by monoclonal antibodies are discussed in the manner of glycoproteomics. They can be analyzed using hydrophilic interaction chromatography in five different stages as (1) their intact forms, (2) their subunits, (3) N‐ and O‐glycopeptides digested by proteases, (4) N‐ and O‐glycans released from the glycoproteins or glycopeptides, and (5) monosaccharides. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography is a more useful tool in the order of (1) to (5). At the stages (4) and (5), quantitation of glycans and saccharides are also reported. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography is employed not only for analytical uses, but also pretreatment items as solid phase extraction, followed by reversed‐phase liquid chromatography separations. Comprehensive search results of these application of hydrophilic interaction chromatography are summarized in tables to show what kind of hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns are suitable for each step of analysis.Relationship of favored and less favored hydrophilic interaction chromatography columns and their separation characteristics such as hydrophilicity, and selectivity for structural difference, is also discussed. Analysis of the therapeutic peptides (not glycosylated) using hydrophilic interaction chromatography is summarized, too.
Anandamide Induces Platelet Nitric Oxide Synthase through AMP‐Activated Protein Kinase
Authors: Signorello Maria Grazia , Leoncini Giuliana 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine whether adenosine 5′ monophosphate (AMP)‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is activated by anandamide (AEA) and is involved in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation. We found that AEA stimulates and activates AMPKα through a Ca2+‐dependent/Calmodulin (CaM)‐dependent pathway as the specific inhibitor of the Ca2+/Calmodulin kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ) STO‐609 abolishes the AMPK phosphorylation/activation. The same inhibiting effect is shown in platelets pretreated with LY294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), or with MK2206, an inhibitor of protein kinase B (AKT), suggesting that AMPK is downstream of the PI3K/AKT pathway. Moreover, the AEA‐induced eNOS activation and the consequent nitric oxide (NO) and guanosine 3′‐5′ cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) increase are mediated by the CaMKKβ/AMPKα pathway as STO‐609 significantly inhibits these parameters. In contrast, liver kinase B1 (LKB1) seems to be very poorly involved. One crucial effect of NO and cGMP elevation is the activation of protein kinase G that can phosphorylate the vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). We have demonstrated that AEA stimulates VASP phosphorylation on both thr278 and ser239 that is strongly inhibited by STO‐609, LY294002, and MK2206. Finally, AMPK phosphorylation/activation and VASP phosphorylation are significantly reduced by SR141716, the specific inhibitor of type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1). SR144528, an antagonist of type 2 cannabinoid receptor (CB2), has a less‐potent effect, suggesting that the CB1 receptor is overall involved in the AEA effect. In conclusion, we show that the CaMKKβ/AMPKα pathway, downstream of the PI3K/AKT pathway, is activated by AEA in human platelets and leads to increase NO levels producing beneficial effects during ischemic conditions and contributing to extend platelet survival.
Lipopolysaccharide Alters Thermogenic and Inflammatory Genes in White Adipose Tissue in Mice Fed Diets with Distinct 18‐Carbon Fatty‐Acid Composition
Authors: Shin Sunhye , Ajuwon Kolapo M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractFatty acids are involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses in obesity. However, despite being the largest dietary fatty‐acid class, effects of 18‐carbon fatty acids with different degrees of saturation on inflammatory, metabolic, and thermogenic markers have not been well studied. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test if diets with different 18‐carbon fatty‐acid profiles differentially regulate inflammatory and metabolic genes. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed one of the four different diets: a control diet (CON) containing 5.6% kcal fat from lard and 4.4% kcal fat from soybean oil (CON) or three high‐fat diets (HFD) containing 25% kcal fat from lard and 20% kcal fat from either shea butter oil (saturated fatty‐acid‐rich fat; shea butter [SHB]), olive oil (monounsaturated fatty‐acid‐rich fat; olive oil [OO]), or soybean oil (polyunsaturated fatty‐acid‐rich fat; soybean oil [SBO]) ad libitum for 4 weeks with or without a terminal 4‐h lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment. Compared to CON, HFD‐fed mice had higher weight gain and fat accumulation. The OO group had the highest brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass while the SBO group had higher Il6 and lower Cpt1a expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) than other HFD groups. Treatment with LPS upregulated expression of proinflammatory cytokines, and this was associated with downregulation of thermogenic gene expression. However, the diets did not have differential effects on inflammatory response to LPS. These data indicate that the saturation degree of 18‐C fatty acids is not an important factor on response to LPS with regard to metabolic and inflammatory indicators.
Texture as an imaging biomarker for disease severity in golden retriever muscular dystrophy
Authors: Eresen Aydin , Alic Lejla , Birch Sharla M. , Friedeck Wade , Griffin John F. , Kornegay Joe N. , JI Jim X. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Golden retriever muscular dystrophy (GRMD), an X‐linked recessive disorder, causes similar phenotypic features to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). There is currently a need for a quantitative and reproducible monitoring of disease progression for GRMD and DMD.Methods: To assess severity in the GRMD, we analyzed texture features extracted from multi‐parametric MRI (T1w, T2w, T1m, T2m, and Dixon images) using 5 feature extraction methods and classified using support vector machines.Results: A single feature from qualitative images can provide 89% maximal accuracy. Furthermore, 2 features from T1w, T2m, or Dixon images provided highest accuracy. When considering a tradeoff between scan‐time and computational complexity, T2m images provided good accuracy at a lower acquisition and processing time and effort.Conclusions: The combination of MRI texture features improved the classification accuracy for assessment of disease progression in GRMD with evaluation of the heterogenous nature of skeletal muscles as reflection of the histopathological changes.Muscle Nerve59:380–386, 2019