bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An uncommon cause of loss of vision in a dialysis patient with lupus
Authors: Lee Loy Justin , Chamarthi Gajapathiraju , Koratala Abhilash 
Published: December 2018

Key Clinical MessageOptic neuropathy is an uncommon finding in dialysis patients and has been associated with uremia, ischemia (arteritic and nonarteritic), drugs (isoniazid, ethambutol), infections (tuberculosis), and intracranial hypertension. Inflammatory optic neuritis associated with lupus is relatively rare, but clinicians need to be aware of this condition and obtain urgent ophthalmology consultation.
Timing of cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation in heart failure patients and its association with outcomes
Authors: Goldstein Sarah A. , Mentz Robert J. , Hellkamp Anne S. , Randolph Tiffany C. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Hernandez Adrian , Yancy Clyde W. , Al‐Khatib Sana M. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundWhen used in appropriately selected heart failure (HF) patients, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces mortality and hospitalization. It is not understood whether CRT implantation during hospitalization for HF is associated with similar benefits.HypothesisTiming of CRT implantation relative to hospitalization for HF is associated with clinical outcomes.MethodsThis analysis included patients eligible for CRT and discharged alive between January 2005 and December 2012 from 388 hospitals in Get With The Guidelines‐HF. Participants were linked with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data to evaluate outcomes of all‐cause mortality and HF re‐hospitalization based on CRT status (present on admission, placed during hospitalization, and prescribed at discharge; reference = no CRT).ResultsOf 15 619 CRT‐eligible HF patients, 2408 (15%) had CRT on admission, 1269 (8%) underwent CRT implantation during hospitalization and 643 (4%) had CRT prescribed at discharge. Compared with patients without CRT, mortality was lower in those who received CRT implantation during HF hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.63; P < 0.0001) and those prescribed CRT at discharge (adjusted HR 0.78; P = 0.048). A reduction in HF re‐hospitalization was observed in patients with CRT implanted during hospitalization (adjusted HR 0.64; P < 0.0001), but not in those who were prescribed CRT at discharge (adjusted HR 1.02; P = 0.77).ConclusionCRT implantation during HF hospitalization was associated with lower rates of mortality and HF re‐hospitalization. These data suggest that a CRT utilization strategy that does not delay implantation to the post‐discharge period may be appropriate. Randomized data are needed to definitively identify optimal timing of CRT implantation.
Smart Complex Fluids Based on Two‐Antennary Oligoglycines
Authors: Arabadzhieva Dimi , Gyurova Anna , Alexandrova Lidia , Chinarev Alexander , Tsygankova Svetlana , Tuzikov Alexander , Khristov Khristo , Ranguelov Bogdan , Mileva Elena 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAntennary oligoglycines are synthetic products, obtained as a result of preliminary molecular design. Equal‐length antennae are built of glycine residues joined through the C end to an oligoamine branching core with an amine group at the N terminus exposed outside. The results of systematic research on the properties of aqueous solutions containing two‐antennary oligoglycine with four glycine portions are reported. The central feature is the competition between amphiphilic self‐assembly and formation of polyglycine II motifs. A combined procedure is developed to characterize bulk and interfacial structures and coatings. It includes registration of bulk aggregates, examination of interfacial layers at solution/air and solution/solid boundaries, drainage, and stability of liquid films. The obtained results provide new insight into the structure–property relationships in these smart fluids and give essential hints about key factors allied to possible applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and environmental protection.
Ontogeny of Neurons Containing Calcium‐Binding Proteins in the Preoptic Area of the Guinea Pig: Sexually Dimorphic Development of Calbindin
Authors: Bogus‐Nowakowska Krystyna 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis study characterizes for the first time the distribution and coexistence patterns of calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR), and parvalbumin (PV) in the female and male guinea pig preoptic area (POA) during brain development, using immunohistochemistry and quantitative real‐time PCR techniques. The results show that the prenatal development of the guinea pig POA takes place in elevated levels of CB and CR immunoreactivity with the peak at embryonic day 50 (E50) and generally in newborns both these proteins reach an adult‐like pattern of immunoreactivity, contrary to PV which appears later, peaks at postnatal day (PND) 10 (P10), and stabilizes at P20. CB and CR have also overlapping distributions which differed from that of PV, and much higher expressions at mRNA and protein levels. However, CB‐positive (+), CR+ and PV+ neurons create in the guinea pig POA separate populations as CB and CR coexisted only in a small number of neurons and CB+ cells never coexpressed PV. Moreover, the density of CB+ neurons, contrary to CR+ and PV+ cells, is sexually dimorphic favoring males at all the examined stages. In conclusion, elevated levels of CR and CB at the time of intense cell migration, differentiation, myelination, and synaptogenesis in the guinea pig brain suggest that these proteins may be engaged in similar processes in the POA, while late onset of PV may be rather linked with POA maturation. As the population of CB+ cells in the POA is very large, its dimorphic development may have huge impact on the sexual differentiation of this brain region.
Spatiotemporal use predicts social partitioning of bottlenose dolphins with strong home range overlap
Authors: Genoves Rodrigo C. , Fruet Pedro F. , Di Tullio Juliana C. , Möller Luciana M. , Secchi Eduardo R. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRanging behaviour and temporal patterns of individuals are known to be fundamental sources of variation in social networks. Spatiotemporal dynamics can both provide and inhibit opportunities for individuals to associate, and should therefore be considered in social analysis. This study investigated the social structure of a Lahille's bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus) population, which shows different spatiotemporal patterns of use and gregariousness between individuals. For this, we constructed an initial social network using association indices corrected for gregariousness and then uncovered affiliations from this social network using generalized affiliation indices. The association‐based social network strongly supported that this dolphin population consists of four social units highly correlated to spatiotemporal use patterns. Excluding the effects of gregariousness and spatiotemporal patterns, the affiliation‐based social network suggested an additional two social units. Although the affiliation‐based social units shared a large part of their core areas, space and/or time use by individuals of the different units were generally distinct. Four of the units were strongly associated with both estuarine and shallow coastal areas, while the other two units were restricted to shallow coastal waters to the south (SC) and north of the estuary (NC), respectively. Interactions between individuals of different social units also occurred, but dolphins from the NC were relatively more isolated and mainly connected to SC dolphins. From a conservation management perspective, it is recommended that information about the dolphin social units should be incorporated in modeling intrapopulation dynamics and viability, as well as for investigating patterns of gene flow among them.
The cascade impacts of climate change could threaten key ecological interactions
Authors: Fontúrbel Francisco E. , Lara Antonio , Lobos David , Little Christian 
Published: December 2018

AbstractClimate change is triggering ecological responses all over the world as a result of frequent, prolonged droughts. It could also affect ecological interactions, particularly pollination and seed dispersal, which play a key role in plant reproduction. We used a tripartite interaction with a mistletoe, its pollinator and its disperser animals to gain insight into this issue. We studied flower and fruit production, and visitation rates during average (2012) and dry (2015) austral summers. Drought in our study area affected precipitation and soil water availability. Although pollinator visits did not significantly differ in these summers, during the dry summer flower and fruit production experienced an important decline, as did seed disperser visits. Also, mistletoe mortality increased from 12% in 2012 to 23% in 2015. This empirical evidence suggests that the cascade effects of climate change may indirectly be hindering ecological interactions in the Valdivian temperate rainforest ecosystem we studied. Long‐term research is essential to provide the knowledge necessary to understand how key ecological processes may be affected in a changing world.
Influence of the Storage Conditions (Frozen vs. Dried) in Health‐Related Lipid Indexes and Antioxidants of Bee Pollen
Authors: Estevinho Letícia M. , Dias Teresa , Anjos Ofélia 
Published: December 2018

Following harvest, bee pollen must be submitted to processing in order to maintain properties for consumers’ health insurance. In this study, the changes on the lipid profile, contents of vitamin C, β‐carotene and lycopene of bee pollen samples submitted to two conservation methods (freezing and drying) are evaluated. Eleven fatty acids, eight saturated, one monounsaturated, and two polyunsaturated are quantified. The PUFA/SFA ratio ranges from 1.18 to 3.95 g 100−1 g−1 and is significantly higher in the frozen extracts. On the other hand, the ratio n6:n3 (ranging between 0.36 and 0.86 g 100−1 g−1) did not differ among processing methodologies, for most of the cases. The atherogenicity (AI) and thrombogenecity (TI) indexes are similar among preservation processes and coherent with the found on other health‐promoting foods. The contents of vitamin C, β‐carotene and lycopene are, for all samples, significantly superior in the frozen bee pollen.Practical Applications: In the recent years the interest in natural products has mushroomed. Indeed, in addition to the good nutritional composition bee pollen possesses important bioactive compounds and promising health promoting activities that remain unstudied. In this study, it is evaluated the influence of the geographical origin and two storage methods (drying and freezing) in the fatty‐acid profile, lycopene, vitamin C and β‐carotene contents and on two lipid indexes of bee pollen. Results suggest that bee pollen may act as a complement for the prevention of atherosclerosis and thrombogenesis. Regarding storage it wi inferred that freezing allows preserving the bioactive compounds in a greater extent and, therefore, must be the preferred method. Further studies may be performed in order to take advantage of this natural products’ potential.From the nutritional point of view, it is better to consume bee pollen frozen in comparison to that of dried.
Evaluation of the theranostic properties of gadolinium‐based nanoparticles for head and neck cancer
Authors: Quatre Raphaële , Jacquet Thibault , Atallah Ihab , Tillement Olivier , Lux François , Coll Jean‐Luc , Dufort Sandrine , Righini Christian‐Adrien 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of the combination of Gadolinium‐based nanoparticles AGuIX and radiotherapy on the recurrence free survival after tumor resection in a head and neck animal orthotopic model.MethodsHuman head and neck CAL33 orthotopic tumors were implanted in female NMRI nude mice. The biodistribution of AGuIX was studied by fluorescence imaging. Tumor resection was performed 19 days after tumor implantation. Radiotherapy was performed 23 days after resection (10 Gy), 1 hour after AGuIX IV injection.ResultsAfter systemic administration, AGuIX passively accumulated in the orthotopic tumors. After tumor surgery, the combination of AGuIX with radiotherapy significantly improved the recurrence free survival and the median survival time (196 days) compared to irradiated only mice (75 days).ConclusionThis study demonstrated the improvement of the recurrence free survival following combination of AGuIX injection with radiotherapy after Head and neck tumor resection.
Effect and mechanism of lentivirus‐mediated silencing of TPX2 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cells
Authors: Ding Lei , Zhang Shuhong , Chen Shijun , Zheng Lixue , Xiao Lianxiang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of action of targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) in liver cancer, we compared TPX messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in liver cancer tissue samples and adjacent normal liver tissue samples as well as in human liver cancer cell lines and nonmalignant cell line by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). TPX2 gene was silenced in HepG2 cells by transfection with the lentiviral vector expressing TPX2‐targeting short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and the knockdown efficiency was evaluated by RT‐qPCR. Cell proliferation, apoptosis as well as protein level of c‐Myc, cyclin D1, caspase‐3, phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (p‐GSK‐3β), and β‐catenin in HepG2 cells were evaluated before and after the TPX2 knockdown. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway was inhibited by treatment with 20 μM of XAV‐939 or activated by treatment with 20 mM of LiCl. We found that TPX2 mRNA level was significantly increased in liver cancer tissue samples and cell lines comparing to noncancerous counterparts (P < 0.05). TPX2 knockdown significantly reduces TPX2 expression (P < 0.01), cell proliferation (P < 0.05), protein level of c‐Myc and cyclin D1 (P < 0.01), activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in HepG2 cells (P < 0.01) while increasing cell apoptosis (P < 0.01). Treatment with XAV‐939 significantly reduced HepG2 cell proliferation (P < 0.05) while increasing cell apoptosis (P < 0.01). Treatment with LiCl significantly attenuated the antiproliferative and apoptosis‐promoting effect of TPX2 knockdown on HepG2 cells (P < 0.05). Lentivirus‐mediated silencing of TPX2 gene could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in hepatoma cells by inhibiting Wnt signaling pathway and regulating cyclin and apoptosis‐related proteins.
Breast cancer‐linked lncRNA u‐Eleanor is upregulated in breast of healthy women with lack or short duration of breastfeeding
Authors: Mansoori Yaser , Zendehbad Zahra , Askari Alireza , Kouhpayeh Amin , Tavakkoly‐Bazzaz Javad , Nariman‐Saleh‐Fam Ziba , Bastami Milad , Saadatian Zahra , Mansoori Behnam , Yousefvand Amin , Mansoori Hosein , Daraei Abdolreza 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRecently, it has been revealed that estrogen‐related reproductive factors are linked with some early gene expression lesions associated with malignancy in clinically healthy breasts. Accordingly, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the association of expression levels of estrogen‐related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) upstream Eleanor (u‐Eleanor) and HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) with the different patterns of reproductive factors in breast tissue of healthy women. The subjects of this study were 98 cancer‐free women who had undergone cosmetic mammoplasty. The expression levels of u‐Eleanor and HOTAIR were measured using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The results of the current study showed that the women without a history of breastfeeding had a high‐level expression of u‐Eleanor compared with the women with a breastfeeding duration greater than 6 to 24 months (P = 0.03) as well as the women with a breastfeeding duration of more than 24 months (P = 0.005). Furthermore, a higher expression of u‐Eleanor was found in the women with a short breastfeeding duration for 1 to 6 months than that in the women with a breastfeeding duration of greater than 24 months (P = 0.02). In the same way, the results of correlation test (r = −0.258; P = 0.036) and multivariate regression model (β = −0.321; P = 0.023) are indicative of a significant relationship of elevated expression of u‐Eleanor with decreasing breastfeeding duration in the women. These findings could be important to identify the molecular mechanisms behind the relationship between a lack or short duration of the breastfeeding and the risk of breast cancer, which has previously been reported by epidemiological studies.
MicroRNA‐7b attenuates ischemia/reperfusion‐induced H9C2 cardiomyocyte apoptosis via the hypoxia inducible factor‐1/p‐p38 pathway
Authors: Sheng Zulong , Lu Wenbin , Zuo Zhi , Wang Dong , Zuo Pengfei , YAO Yuyu , Ma Genshan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractObjectiveMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to play crucial roles in the occurrence, development, and treatment of many cardiovascular diseases. Coronary heart disease (CAD)‐related miRNAs are still a growing research area. miR‐7b was reported to be downregulated in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) myocardium tissues. However, it remains largely unknown whether miR‐7b is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of the AMI ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.MethodsMale C57BL/6 J mice and H9C2 cells were used as models in this study. Masson staining, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end‐labeling immunofluorescence staining assays were performed to detect the related indicators in the study. SPSS 17.0 software was used to calculate the experimental data.ResultsThe results showed that miR‐7b expression is downregulated after I/R in mice, and miR‐7b could inhibit apoptosis in I/R‐induced H9C2 cells via upregulating hypoxia‐inducible factor 1a (HIF1a). The inhibitory effect of miR‐7b on I/R‐induced apoptosis in H9C2 cells was blocked by HIF1a silencing. In addition, our data suggested that the p‐P38 pathway may be involved in the role of miR‐7 in I/R‐induced H9C2 cell apoptosis.ConclusionWe confirmed that the overexpression of miR‐7b inhibits I/R‐induced apoptosis in H9C2 cells by targeting the HIF1a/p‐P38 pathway. Our findings not only demonstrate the potential role of miR‐7b in attenuating I/R‐induced apoptosis but also provide a new insight into the better prevention of the I/R injury by mediating HIF‐1 and p‐P38.
The inhibitory effects of Qingchang Wenzhong granule on the interactive network of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats with dextran sulfate sodium‐induced colitis
Authors: Shi Lei , Dai Yi , Jia Boyi , Han Yafei , Guo Yi , Xie Tianhong , Liu Jiali , Tan Xiang , Ding Panghua , Li Junxiang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundUlcerative colitis (UC) is a kind of complex immune disease, the pathogenesis of which remains elusive. Destruction of the intestinal barrier, extreme inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis might play key roles in the development of UC. In previous studies, we observed that Qingchang Wenzhong granule (QCWZG) had the exact effect on the remission of UC in the clinic; however, the underlying mechanism has not been identified. This study aimed to reveal the effects of QCWZG on the intestinal physical barrier and the interactive network of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)–induced colitis.MethodsSixty rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank group, model group, high/mild/low‐dose QCWZG groups, and mesalazine group. The rats in the experimental group drank 4% DSS for 7 days and 1% DSS for the subsequent 7 days. Different medications or distilled water was supplied by intragastric administration for 7 days. The levels of colitis and indices related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were assessed.ResultsCompared with the model group, the QCWZG group (P < 0.05) demonstrated attenuated disease activity index, colonic mucosa disease index, histological lesions, and colonic weights; lower levels of inflammatory substances, such as interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and myeloperoxidase; lower levels of malondialdehyde; and increased levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The QCWZG group also demonstrated elevated expression of Bcl‐2 and occluding but downregulated db expression of Bax and caspase 3 in the colon.ConclusionQCWZG could relieve rats with DSS‐induced colitis from UC symptoms by improving the intestinal physical barrier, which resists the interactive network of inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and their overactivated interactions.
Repeatability and reproducibility of variable flip angle T1 quantification in the prostate at 3 T
Authors: Zhong Xinran , Shakeri Sepideh , Liu Dapeng , Sayre James , Raman Steven S. , Wu Holden H. , Sung Kyunghyun 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundVariable flip angle (VFA) imaging is widely used for the estimation of T1 relaxation in the prostate, but may have limited repeatability and reproducibility due to its sensitivity to B1+ inhomogeneity.PurposeTo assess the repeatability and reproducibility of prostate T1 estimation with and without compensating for B1+ variation.Study TypeProspective.PopulationTwenty‐one volunteers were prospectively recruited and scanned twice on two 3 T MRI scanners, resulting in 84 VFA T1 exams.Field Strength/Sequence3 T/2D saturated turbo fast low angle shot (FLASH) and 3D dual‐echo FLASH.AssessmentTwo B1+ mapping techniques, including reference region VFA (RR‐VFA) and saturated turbo FLASH (satTFL), were used for B1+ correction, and T1 maps with and without B1+ correction were tested for intrascanner repeatability and interscanner reproducibility. Volumetric regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on the transition zone, peripheral zone of the prostate, and the obturator internus left and right muscles in the corresponding slices.Statistical TestsThe average T1 within each ROI for each scan was compared for both intra‐ and interscanner variability using concordance correlation coefficient and a Bland–Altman plot.ResultsBoth RR‐VFA‐corrected T1 and satTFL‐corrected T1 showed higher intra‐ and interscanner correlation (0.89/0.87 and 0.87/0.84, respectively) than VFA T1 (0.84 and 0.74). Bland–Altman plots showed that VFA T1 had wider 95% limits of agreement and a larger range of T1 for each tissue compared with T1 with B1+ correction.Data ConclusionThe application of B1+ correction (both RR‐VFA and satTFL) to VFA T1 results in more repeatable and reproducible T1 estimation than VFA T1. This can potentially provide improved quantification of the prostate dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI parameters.Level of Evidence 1.Technical Efficacy Stage 1.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.