bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating lectin pathway proteins do not predict short-term cardiac outcomes after myocardial infarction
Authors: Holt C B , Østergaard J A , Thiel S , Hansen T K , Mellbin L , Sörensson P , Bjerre M 
Published: May 2019

SummaryDespite improvements in treatment, coronary artery disease is still responsible for one-third of all deaths globally, due predominantly to myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. There is an important potential in developing new strategies for treatment of patients with these conditions. Inflammation, and in particular the actions of the complement system, has emerged as part of the pathogenesis in reperfusion injury in patients with MI. To further qualify this, we examined the association between the plasma levels of lectin pathway proteins and myocardial end-points, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and infarct size in a cohort of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A blood sample was drawn the day after percutaneous coronary intervention from 73 patients with STEMI. The primary end-points, LVEF and infarct size, were measured with magnetic resonance imaging 6–9 days after the infarct. Complement pattern-recognition molecules of the lectin pathway (mannan-binding lectin, H-ficolin, L-ficolin and M-ficolin) were analysed along with soluble membrane attack complex (sMAC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in plasma with immunofluorometric assays &lt;50%. CRP correlated negatively with LVEF, regression coefficient = –0·17 (P = 0·01). None of the lectin pathway proteins correlated to LVEF or infarct size, nor did soluble membrane attack complex (sMAC). There were no differences in plasma levels of these complement proteins when comparing patients with ejection fraction &lt;50% to patients with ejection fraction &lt;50%. Pattern-recognition molecules of the lectin pathway and sMAC do not predict short-term cardiac outcomes after MI.
Strontium‐incorporated titanium implant surface treated by hydrothermal reactions promotes early bone osseointegration in osteoporotic rabbits
Authors: Lin Guofen , Zhou Chuan , Lin Mengna , Xu Antian , He Fuming 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of strontium‐modified implant surfaces on promoting early bone osseointegration in osteoporotic rabbits.Materials and methodsThe surface topographies, chemical elements, contact angles and ionic releases of the SLA and SLA‐Sr samples were analysed by special instruments separately. Sixteen ovariectomized New Zealand rabbits received glucocorticoid administration, and sixteen SHAM rabbits were used as controls. After generating a successful osteoporosis‐induced model, SLA and SLA‐Sr implants were randomly inserted into the tibia and femur metaphysis of each animal. The rabbits were sacrificed after 3 and 6 weeks of bone healing, and then, removal torque values (RTVs), percentage of bone area (BA%) and percentage of bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC%) were analysed for the SLA‐Sr and SLA implants.ResultsMultiple nanostructures were found on the Sr‐incorporated titanium surface, and appropriate amounts of strontium ions from the SLA‐Sr surface were released into the surrounding tissue within 21 days. In vivo, SLA‐Sr implants displayed much more new bone around their surfaces than the SLA implants. Significantly higher RTVs and BIC% were observed for the SLA‐Sr implants than for the SLA implants in both osteoporotic (p < 0.01) and healthy animals (p < 0.01) at 3 and 6 weeks. The SLA‐Sr implants exhibited higher BA% in cortical bone (p < 0.01) and in cancellous bone (p < 0.05) than the SLA implants in osteoporotic rabbits at 3 weeks.ConclusionsIt is suggested that Sr‐incorporated surfaces treated through hydrothermal reactions have positive effects on promoting early osseointegration in both osteoporotic and non‐osteoporotic rabbits.
Renal cell carcinoma suspected at time of organ donation 2008‐2016: A report of the OPTN ad hoc Disease Transmission Advisory Committee Registry
Authors: Pavlakis Martha , Michaels Marian G. , Tlusty Susan , Turgeon Nicole , Vece Gabriel , Wolfe Cameron , Wood R. Patrick , Nalesnik Michael A. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAll 179 reports to the OPTN of potential renal cell carcinoma (RCC) transmission from 1/1/2008 through 12/31/2016 were reviewed. Cases were divided into those with donor tumor known or suspected at time of transplant (N = 147 donors), and those in which tumor was initially found after transplant (N = 32). We sought to understand the risk of transplanting either the affected kidney, the contralateral kidney or non‐renal organs from donors with a suspected/confirmed unilateral RCC. In the case of RCC found prior to transplant, transplantation of 21 kidneys following excision of tumor, 47 contralateral kidneys and 198 non‐renal organs was performed. No cases of RCC transmission were documented in this population. An additional six cases of live donor kidney transplantation involving resection of RCC were reported, also without transmission. Six of 9 other recipients in whom the diagnosis of RCC became available after implantation underwent allograft nephrectomy and 3 received tumor resection. No recurrent RCC was documented. Given the low rate of transmission and available treatment options, consideration should be given to judicious use of organs from donors with small solitary RCC.
Use of HCV Ab+/NAT− donors in HCV naïve renal transplant recipients to expand the kidney donor pool
Authors: Dao Ann , Cuffy Madison , Kaiser Tiffany E. , Loethen Ashley , Cafardi John , Luckett Keith , Rike Adele Helen , Cardi Michael , Alloway Rita R. , Govil Amit , Diwan Tayyab , Sherman Kenneth E. , Shah Shimul A. , Woodle Ervin Steve 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHepatitis C (HCV) disease transmission from the use of HCV antibody‐positive and HCV nucleic acid test‐negative (HCV Ab+/NAT−) kidneys have been anecdotally reported to be absent. We prospectively analyzed kidney transplant (KT) outcomes from HCV Ab+/NAT− donors to HCV naïve recipients under T‐cell depleting early steroid withdrawal immunosuppression. Allografts from 40 HCV Ab+/NAT− donors were transplanted to 52 HCV Ab− recipients between July 2016 and February 2018. Thirty‐three (82.5%) of donors met Public Health Service (PHS) increased risk criteria. De novo HCV infection was detected at 3 months post‐KT in one recipient (1.9%). This was a case of transmission from a HCV Ab+ NAT+ donor with an initial false‐negative NAT completed using sample collected on donor hospital admission (day 2). At the time of HCV diagnosis, a stored donor sample collected during procurement (day 4) was tested and resulted NAT‐positive. Subsequently, sustained virologic response (SVR) was achieved with 12 weeks of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir. One death with functioning graft at 261 days post‐KT was determined not related to HCV or donor factors. This experience provides evidence of a low transmission rate of HCV from HCV Ab+/ NAT− kidney donors, thereby arguing for increasing utilization.
Combined side‐by‐side and stent‐in‐stent method for triple metal stenting in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction
Authors: Inoue Tadahisa , Ibusuki Mayu , Kitano Rena , Kobayashi Yuji , Ohashi Tomohiko , Nakade Yukiomi , Sumida Yoshio , Ito Kiyoaki , Nakao Haruhisa , Yoneda Masashi 
Published: May 2019

Background and AimEndoscopic placement of three branched self‐expandable metallic stents (SEMS) for high‐grade malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) is technically challenging. We examined the feasibility and efficacy of a novel stenting method combining side‐by‐side and stent‐in‐stent (SBSIS) placement for MHBO.MethodsBetween January 2015 and December 2018, 27 consecutive patients with high‐grade MHBO underwent SBSIS placement. We evaluated the technical success, functional success, recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), adverse events other than RBO, and reintervention success rates associated with SBSIS placement.ResultsTechnical success rate was 85% (23/27). Insertion of the third SEMS failed in four patients, and median diameter of the common bile duct (CBD) was significantly smaller in patients in whom technical failure occurred (5 mm vs 8 mm; P = 0.004). Functional success was achieved in all patients in whom the procedure was a technical success. Rate of adverse events other than RBO was 15% (4/27). RBO rate was 43% (10/23), and median time to RBO was 157 days. Success rate of endoscopic reintervention for RBO was 89% (8/9).ConclusionSBSIS placement showed favorable results and is a promising option in patients with high‐grade MHBO requiring triple metal stenting. However, it might be preferable to avoid SBSIS in patients with a narrow CBD.Clinical Trial Registry: UMIN000035721
Big‐sized trees overrule remaining trees' attributes and species richness as determinants of aboveground biomass in tropical forests
Authors: Ali Arshad , Lin Si‐Liang , He Jie‐Kun , Kong Fan‐Mao , Yu Jie‐Hua , Jiang Hai‐Sheng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLarge‐diameter, tall‐stature, and big‐crown trees are the main stand structures of forests, generally contributing a large fraction of aboveground biomass, and hence play an important role in climate change mitigation strategies. Here, we hypothesized that the effects of large‐diameter, tall‐stature, and big‐crown trees overrule the effects of species richness and remaining trees attributes on aboveground biomass in tropical forests (i.e., we term the “big‐sized trees hypothesis”). Specifically, we assessed the importance of: (a) the “top 1% big‐sized trees effect” relative to species richness; (b) the “99% remaining trees effect” relative to species richness; and (c) the “top 1% big‐sized trees effect” relative to the “99% remaining trees effect” and species richness on aboveground biomass. Using environmental factor and forest inventory datasets from 712 tropical forest plots in Hainan Island of southern China, we tested several structural equation models for disentangling the relative effects of big‐sized trees, remaining trees attributes, and species richness on aboveground biomass, while considering for the full (indirect effects only) and partial (direct and indirect effects) mediation effects of climatic and soil conditions, as well as interactions between species richness and trees attributes. We found that top 1% big‐sized trees attributes strongly increased aboveground biomass (i.e., explained 55%–70% of the accounted variation) compared to species richness (2%–18%) and 99% remaining trees attributes (6%–10%). In addition, species richness increased aboveground biomass indirectly via increasing big‐sized trees but via decreasing remaining trees. Hence, we show that the “big‐sized trees effect” overrides the effects of remaining trees attributes and species richness on aboveground biomass in tropical forests. This study also indicates that big‐sized trees may be more susceptible to atmospheric drought. We argue that the effects of big‐sized trees on species richness and aboveground biomass should be tested for better understanding of the ecological mechanisms underlying forest functioning.
Range‐wide migration corridors and non‐breeding areas of a northward expanding Afro‐Palaearctic migrant, the European Bee‐eater Merops apiaster
Authors: Hahn Steffen , Alves José A. , Bedev Kiril , Costa Joana S. , Emmenegger Tamara , Schulze Martin , Tamm Peter , Zehtindjiev Pavel , Dhanjal‐Adams Kiran L. 
Published: May 2019

Across their ranges, different populations of migratory species often use separate routes to migrate between breeding and non‐breeding grounds. Recent changes in climate and land‐use have led to breeding range expansions in many species but it is unclear whether these populations also establish new migratory routes, non‐breeding sites and migration phenology. Thus, we compared the migration patterns of European Bee‐eaters Merops apiaster from two established western (n = 5) and eastern (n = 6) breeding populations in Europe, with those from a newly founded northern population (n = 19). We aimed to relate the breeding populations to the two known non‐breeding clusters in Africa, and to test for similarities of migration routes and timing between the old and new populations. Western Bee‐eaters used the western flyway to destinations in West Africa; the eastern birds uniformly headed south to southern African non‐breeding sites, confirming a complete separation in time and space between these long‐established populations. The recently founded northern population, however, also used a western corridor, but crossed the Mediterranean further east than the western population and overwintered mainly in a new non‐breeding area in southern Congo/northern Angola. The migration routes and the new non‐breeding range overlapped only slightly with the western, but not with the eastern, population. In contrast, migration phenology appeared to differ between the western and both the northern and the eastern populations, with tracked birds from the western population migrating 2–4 weeks earlier. The northern population thus shares some spatial traits with western Bee‐eaters, but similar phenology only with eastern population. This divergence highlights the adjustments in the timing of migration to local environmental conditions in newly founded populations, and a parallel establishment of new breeding and non‐breeding sites.
Intensive‐invisible mothering: The experiences of mothers of adult children with dual diagnosis
Authors: Gueta Keren , Tam Shosh 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe experiences of mothers of adult offspring with a dual diagnosis have rarely been discussed in the literature, despite growing involvement and responsibility of mothers for daily care of their children. Interpretive phenomenological analysis of in‐depth interviews was used to examine the mothering experience of 12 mothers of adult offspring with dual diagnosis. The analysis revealed that the mothers’ experiences were intensive, abusive, and isolating, and simultaneously rendered them invisible, undervalued, or ignored by professionals, community, and family. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that this experience of ‘intensive‐invisible’ mothering was promoted or prevented by three intersecting mechanisms, identified here as discursive, institutional, and spatial. The research contributes to the fields of knowledge regarding family members of people with mental health problems, by adding a theoretical layer that takes into account how public discourses of motherhood mould women’s accounts of their mothering experience. Practical implications of these findings for professionals working with these mothers are discussed. Specifically, therapeutic intervention that focuses on identifying and modifying the underlying psychological and social processes associated with the ‘intensive‐invisible’ mothering experience could be useful.
Noninvasive light emitting diode therapy: A novel approach for postinfarction ventricular arrhythmias and neuroimmune modulation
Authors: Wang Songyun , Wu Lin , Zhai Yi , Li Xuemeng , Li Binxun , Zhao Dongdong , Jiang Hong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundSympathetic neural activation plays a key role in the incidence and maintenance of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) induced ventricular arrhythmia (VA). Furthermore, previous studies showed that AMI might induce microglia and sympathetic activation and that microglial activation might contribute to sympathetic activation. Recently, studies showed that light emitting diode (LED) therapy might attenuate microglial activation. Therefore, we hypothesized that LED therapy might reduce AMI‐induced VA by attenuating microglia and sympathetic activation.MethodsThirty anesthetized rats were randomly divided into three groups: the Control group (n = 6), AMI group (n = 12), and AMI + LED group (n = 12). Electrocardiogram (ECG) and left stellate ganglion (LSG) neural activity were continuously recorded. The incidence of VAs was recorded during the first hour after AMI. Furthermore, we sampled the brain and myocardium tissue of the different groups to examine the microglial activation and expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), interleukin‐18 (IL‐18), and IL‐1β, respectively.ResultsCompared to the AMI group, LED therapy significantly reduced the incidence of AMI‐induced VAs (ventricular premature beats [VPB] number: 85.08 ± 13.91 vs 27.5 ± 9.168, P < .01; nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (nSVT) duration: 34.39 ± 8.562 vs 9.005 ± 3.442, P < .05; nSVT number: 18.92 ± 4.52 vs 7.583 ± 3.019, P < .05; incidence rate of SVT/VF: 58.33% vs. 8.33%, P < .05) and reduced the LSG neural activity (P < .01) in the AMI + LED group. Furthermore, LED significantly attenuated microglial activation and reduced IL‐18, IL‐1β, and NGF expression in the peri‐infarct myocardium.ConclusionLED therapy may protect against AMI‐induced VAs by suppressing sympathetic neural activity and the inflammatory response.
Ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure deserves more than a IIb guidelines recommendation
Authors: Chelu Mihail G. , Marrouche Nassir F. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe current evidence and guidelines for rhythm management of AF in HFrEF were examined. We propose updates of rhythm management (catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs) of AF in HFrEF incorporating this most uptodate evidence.
Glibenclamide and HMR1098 normalize Cantú syndrome‐associated gain‐of‐function currents
Authors: Houtman Marien J. C. , Chen Xingyu , Qile Muge , Duran Karen , van Haaften Gijs , Stary‐Weinzinger Anna , van der Heyden Marcel A. G. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCantú syndrome (CS) is caused by dominant gain‐of‐function mutation in ATP‐dependent potassium channels. Cellular ATP concentrations regulate potassium current thereby coupling energy status with membrane excitability. No specific pharmacotherapeutic options are available to treat CS but IKATP channels are pharmaceutical targets in type II diabetes or cardiac arrhythmia treatment. We have been suggested that IKATP inhibitors, glibenclamide and HMR1098, normalize CS channels. IKATP in response to Mg‐ATP, glibenclamide and HMR1098 were measured by inside‐out patch‐clamp electrophysiology. Results were interpreted in view of cryo‐EM IKATP channel structures. Mg‐ATP IC50 values of outward current were increased for D207E (0.71 ± 0.14 mmol/L), S1020P (1.83 ± 0.10), S1054Y (0.95 ± 0.06) and R1154Q (0.75 ± 0.13) channels compared to H60Y (0.14 ± 0.01) and wild‐type (0.15 ± 0.01). HMR1098 dose‐dependently inhibited S1020P and S1054Y channels in the presence of 0.15 mmol/L Mg‐ATP, reaching, at 30 μmol/L, current levels displayed by wild‐type and H60Y channels in the presence of 0.15 mmol/L Mg‐ATP. Glibenclamide (10 μmol/L) induced similar normalization. S1054Y sensitivity to glibenclamide increases strongly at 0.5 mmol/L Mg‐ATP compared to 0.15 mmol/L, in contrast to D207E and S1020P channels. Experimental findings agree with structural considerations. We conclude that CS channel activity can be normalized by existing drugs; however, complete normalization can be achieved at supraclinical concentrations only.
Aberrant MFN2 transcription facilitates homocysteine‐induced VSMCs proliferation via the increased binding of c‐Myc to DNMT1 in atherosclerosis
Authors: Xu Long , Hao Hongyi , Hao Yinju , Wei Guo , Li Guizhong , Ma Pengjun , Xu Lingbo , Ding Ning , Ma Shengchao , Chen Alex F. , Jiang Yideng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIt is well‐established that homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. Hcy can promote vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, it plays a key role in neointimal formation and thus contribute to arteriosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanism on VSMCs proliferation underlying atherosclerosis is not well elucidated. Mitofusin‐2 (MFN2) is an important transmembrane GTPase in the mitochondrial outer membrane and it can block cells in the G0/G1 stage of the cell cycle. To investigate the contribution of aberrant MFN2 transcription in Hcy‐induced VSMCs proliferation and the underlying mechanisms. Cell cycle analysis revealed a decreased proportion of VSMCs in G0/G1 and an increased proportion in S phase in atherosclerotic plaque of APOE−/− mice with hyperhomocystinaemia (HHcy) as well as in VSMCs exposed to Hcy in vitro. The DNA methylation level of MFN2 promoter was obviously increased in VSMCs treated with Hcy, leading to suppressed promoter activity and low expression of MFN2. In addition, we found that the expression of c‐Myc was increased in atherosclerotic plaque and VSMCs treated with Hcy. Further study showed that c‐Myc indirectly regulates MFN2 expression is duo to the binding of c‐Myc to DNMT1 promoter up‐regulates DNMT1 expression leading to DNA hypermethylation of MFN2 promoter, thereby inhibits MFN2 expression in VSMCs treated with Hcy. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that Hcy‐induced hypermethylation of MFN2 promoter inhibits the transcription of MFN2, leading to VSMCs proliferation in plaque formation, and the increased binding of c‐Myc to DNMT1 promoter is a new and relevant molecular mechanism.
Cardiac‐specific overexpression of metallothionein attenuates L‐NAME‐induced myocardial contractile anomalies and apoptosis
Authors: Yang Lifang , Ma Jipeng , Tan Ying , Zheng Qijun , Dong Maolong , Guo Wei , Xiong Lize , Yang Jian , Ren Jun 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHypertension contributes to the high cardiac morbidity and mortality. Although oxidative stress plays an essential role in hypertensive heart diseases, the mechanism remains elusive. Transgenic mice with cardiac overexpression of metallothionein, a heavy metal‐binding scavenger, were challenged with NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) for 14 days prior to measurement of myocardial contractile and intracellular Ca2+ anomalies as well as cell signalling mechanisms using Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. L‐NAME challenge elicited hypertension, macrophage infiltration, oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiac dysfunction manifested as increased proinflammatory macrophage marker F4/80, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), intracellular production, LV end systolic and diastolic diameters as well as depressed fractional shortening. L‐NAME treatment reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), impaired cardiomyocyte contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties as evidenced by suppressed peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, rise in intracellular Ca2+, along with elevated baseline and peak intracellular Ca2+. These unfavourable mechanical changes and decreased MMP (except blood pressure and macrophage infiltration) were alleviated by overexpression of metallothionein. Furthermore, the apoptosis markers including BAD, Bax, Caspase 9, Caspase 12 and cleaved Caspase 3 were up‐regulated while the anti‐apoptotic marker Bcl‐2 was decreased by L‐NAME treatment. Metallothionein transgene reversed L‐NAME‐induced changes in Bax, Bcl‐2, BAD phosphorylation, Caspase 9, Caspase 12 and cleaved Caspase 3. Our results suggest that metallothionein protects against L‐NAME‐induced myocardial contractile anomalies in part through inhibition of apoptosis.