bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Hybrid Cytokine IL233 Mediates regeneration following Doxorubicin-Induced Nephrotoxic Injury
Authors: Sabapathy Vikram , Cheru Nardos Tesfaye , Corey Rebecca , Mohammad Saleh , Sharma Rahul 
Published: March 2019

AbstractKidney injury, whether due to ischemic insults or chemotherapeutic agents, is exacerbated by inflammation, whereas Tregs are protective. We recently showed that IL-2 and IL-33, especially as a hybrid cytokine (IL233 - bearing IL-2 and IL-33 activities in one molecule), potentiated Tregs and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) to prevent renal injury. Recent studies have indicated a reparative function for Tregs and ILC2. Here, using doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxic renal injury model, we investigated whether IL233 administration either before, late or very late after renal injury can restore kidney structure and function. We found that IL233 treatment even 2-weeks post-doxorubicin completely restored kidney function accompanied with an increase Treg and ILC2 in lymphoid and renal compartments, augmented anti-inflammatory cytokines and attenuated proinflammatory cytokine levels. IL233 treated mice had reduced inflammation, kidney injury (Score values - saline: 3.34 ± 0.334; IL233 pre: 0.42 ± 0.162; IL233 24 hrs: 1.34 ± 0.43; IL233 1 week: 1.2 ± 0.41; IL233 2 week: 0.47 ± 0.37; IL233 24 hrs + PC61: 3.5 ± 0.74) and fibrosis in all treatment regimen as compared to saline controls. Importantly, mice treated with IL233 displayed a reparative program in the kidneys, as evidenced by increased expression of genes for renal progenitor-cells and nephron segments. Our findings present the first evidence of an immunoregulatory cytokine, IL233, which could be a potent therapeutic strategy that augments Treg and ILC2 to not only inhibit renal injury, but also promote regeneration.
Strain engineering of transverse electric and transverse magnetic mode of material gain in GeSn/SiGeSn quantum wells
Authors: Mączko Herbert S. , Kudrawiec Robert , Gladysiewicz Marta 
Published: March 2019

Abstract8-band k · p Hamiltonian together with envelope function approximation and planewave expansion method are applied to calculate the electronic band structure and material gain for Ge1−wSnw/SiyGe1−x−ySnx/Ge1−wSnw quantum wells (QWs) grown on virtual Ge1-zSnz substrates integrated with Si platform. It is clearly shown how both the emission wavelength in this material system can be controlled by the content of virtual substrate and the polarization of emitted light can be controlled via the built-in strain. In order to systematically demonstrate these possibilities, the transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) modes of material gain, and hence the polarization degree, are calculated for Ge1−wSnw/SiyGe1−x−ySnx/Ge1−wSnw (QWs) with the strain varying from tensile (ε = +1.5%) to compressive (ε = −0.9%). It has been predicted that the polarization can be changed from 100% TE to 80% TM. In addition, it has been shown that SiyGe1−x−ySnx barriers, lattice matched to the virtual Ge1-zSnz substrate (condition: y = 3.66(x-z)), may ensure a respectable quantum confinement for electrons and holes in this system. With such material features Ge1−wSnw/SiyGe1−x−ySnx/Ge1−wSnw QW structure unified with Ge1-zSnz/Si platform may be considered as a very prospective one for light polarization engineering.
Self-assembly process of a quadruply interlocked palladium cage
Authors: Tateishi Tomoki , Yasutake Yuichi , Kojima Tatsuo , Takahashi Satoshi , Hiraoka Shuichi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA supramolecular approach is effective to construct topologically complicated molecules with the aid of reversible bond formation. Although topologically complicated molecules have been synthesized for the past three decades, their formation mechanisms have rarely been discussed. Here we report the formation process of a tetranuclear interlocked palladium cage composed of two binuclear cages, which are quadruply interlocked with each other. In the main pathway, the binuclear cages are produced with binuclear partial cages. The ditopic ligand that does not bridge the two palladium(II) ions in the binuclear partial cage then threads into the binuclear cage to afford a tetranuclear partially interlocked cage, with partial conversion of the binuclear cage into the binuclear partial cage. The tetranuclear partially interlocked cage interlocks intramolecularly through repetitive cleavage and formation of Pd(II)–N coordination bonds mediated by a free pyridyl group, finally leading to the tetranuclear interlocked cage.
Biochemical detection of fatal hypothermia and hyperthermia in affected rat hypothalamus tissues by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Lin Hancheng , Deng Kaifei , Zhang Ji , Wang Lei , Zhang Zhong , Luo Yiwen , Sun Qiran , Li Zhengdong , Chen Yijiu , Wang Zhenyuan , Huang Ping 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
It is difficult to determinate the cause of death from exposure to fatal hypothermia and hyperthermia in forensic casework. Here, we present a state-of-the-art study that employs Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to investigate the hypothalamus tissues of fatal hypothermic, fatal hyperthermic and normothermic rats to determine forensically significant biomarkers related to fatal hypothermia and hyperthermia. Our results revealed that the spectral variations in the lipid, protein, carbohydrate and nucleic acid components are highly different for hypothalamuses after exposure to fatal hypothermic, fatal hyperthermic and normothermic conditions. In comparison with the normothermia group, the fatal hypothermia and hyperthermia groups contained higher total lipid amounts but were lower in unsaturated lipids. Additionally, their cell membranes were found to have less motional freedom. Among these three groups, the fatal hyperthermia group contained the lowest total proteins and carbohydrates and the highest aggregated and dysfunctional proteins, while the fatal hypothermia group contained the highest level of nucleic acids. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that FTIR spectroscopy has the potential to become a reliable method for the biochemical characterization of fatal hypothermia and hyperthermia hypothalamus tissues, and this could be used as a postmortem diagnostic feature in fatal hypothermia and hyperthermia deaths.
No limit in interspecific hybridization in schistosomes: observation from a case report
Authors: Depaquit Jérôme , Akhoundi Mohammad , Haouchine Djamel , Mantelet Stéphane , Izri Arezki 
Published: March 2019

Schistosomiasis is one of the most significant parasitic diseases of humans. The hybridization of closely related Schistosoma species has already been documented. However, hybridization between phylogenetically distant species is unusual. In the present study, we characterized the causative agent of schistosomiasis in a 14-year-old patient with hematuria from Côte d’Ivoire, using morphological and molecular approaches. A 24-hour parasitological examination of urine showed the presence of numerous eggs (150 μm long × 62 μm wide) with a lateral spine (25 μm), identified morphologically as Schistosoma mansoni. Examination of stools performed on the same day found no parasites. The urine and stool examinations of the patient’s family members performed two weeks later showed neither parasites nor hematuria; but in contrast, many S. mansoni eggs were found again in the patient’s urine, but never in his stools. Conventional PCRs were performed, using two primer pairs targeting 28S-rDNA and COI mtDNA. The 28S-rDNA sequence of these eggs, compared with two reference sequences from GenBank demonstrated a hybrid with 25 double peaks, indicating clearly hybrid positions (5.37%) between S. mansoni and S. haematobium. Similarly, we identified a unique S. mansoni COI sequence for the two eggs, with 99.1% homology with the S. mansoni reference sequence. Consequently, this case was the result of hybridization between an S. haematobium male and an S. mansoni female. This should be taken into consideration to explore the elimination of ectopic schistosome eggs in the future.
NF-κB activation is a turn on for vaccinia virus phosphoprotein A49 to turn off NF-κB activation
Authors: Neidel Sarah , Ren Hongwei , Torres Alice A. , Smith Geoffrey L. 
Published: March 2019

Significance
Vaccinia virus (VACV) encodes many proteins that inhibit innate immunity. For instance, protein A49 inhibits NF-κB activation by binding to β-TrCP. Here we show that A49 is phosphorylated on serine 7 and that this is necessary for binding β-TrCP and inhibition of NF-κB activation. Further, this phosphorylation occurs when the NF-κB pathway is stimulated and the kinase IKKβ is activated. Thus, A49 shows beautiful biological regulation, for activation of the pathway also activates the virus inhibitor of the pathway. The significance is seen in vivo, since VACVs expressing A49 S7A or S7E are less virulent than wild-type virus but more virulent than a virus lacking A49.
Rhetorical Silence and Republican Virtue in Early-American Public Discourse: The Case of James Madison’s “Notes on the Federal Convention”
Authors: Stillion Southard Bjørn F. 
Published: March 2019

ABSTRACTThis essay examines the role of “rhetorical silence” as a part of the theorizing about character in the early American republic. The case study concerns James Madison’s deliberate and continuous rhetorical silences about the comprehensive notes he took at the Federal Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. I argue that Madison’s rhetorical silences regarding his notes illustrate the shifting discourses of republican and liberal notions of virtue in the early-national period of the American republic.
Quantum model for impulsive stimulated Raman scattering
Authors: Glerean Filippo , Marcantoni Stefano , Sparapassi Giorgia , Blason Andrea , Esposito Martina , Benatti Fabio , Fausti Daniele 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
The interaction between ultrashort light pulses and non-absorbing materials is dominated by impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS). The description of ISRS in the context of pump&probe experiments is based on effective classical models describing the interaction between the phonon and pulsed electromagnetic fields. Here we report a theoretical description of ISRS where we do not make any semi-classical approximation and we treat both photonic and phononic degrees of freedom at the quantum level. The results of the quantum model are compared with semiclassical results and validated by means of spectrally resolved pump&probe measurements on α-quartz.
Of Hammers, Hurricanes, and History: Oscar Casares’s Brownsville, Postracial Affect, and the Latina/o Studies Field-Imaginary
Authors: Varon Alberto 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis essay examines the material objects in Oscar Casares’s short story collection Brownsville (2003), focusing on the short story “RG.” The story’s objects encode racial difference in the contemporary US. as affect—a feeling one knows but cannot prove—prefiguring the supposed postracial moment of the early twenty-first century. The objects serve as textual and material strategies that attempt to suture historical antagonism and that offer a model for the “objects” of study in Latina/o studies. Building on and against work in affect theory and new materialism, the essay argues for an affective mode of latinidad that links history and the present, contemporary Latina/o Studies with the past.
The Aesthetic Oculoplastic Surgery Video Teleconference Consult
Authors: Hwang Christopher J , Eftekhari Kian , Schwarcz Robert M , Massry Guy G 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Background
Skype video telemedicine consults are gaining popularity to evaluate patients from distant locations. No study has analyzed the utility of this means of patient evaluation in a cosmetic oculoplastic patient population.

Objectives
The authors sought to provide an evidence-based analysis of the utility of Skype video consults in a cosmetic oculoplastic surgery patient population with regards to patient demographics, reasons for consult, and procedural conversion rate.

Methods
A 1-year retrospective chart review (May 2016 to May 2017) of patients who underwent aesthetic oculoplastic Skype consults from 2 authors’ practices was performed. The authors analyzed patient demographics, referral source, chief complaint, location of residence, length of consult, and conversion to face-to-face consultation and intervention.

Results
Seventy-nine patients (60 women and 19 men) underwent Skype evaluations. Mean age was 49 years. Sixty-four consults (81%) lasted 15 minutes or less. Referral sources included the internet (67%), another physician (19%), self-referral (7.5%), referred by former patients (4%), and social media sites (2.5%). Consultations were obtained for revision (49%), or first-time (30%) eyelid/eyebrow surgery, cosmetic ptosis surgery (6%), laser skin procedures (5%), cosmetic orbital decompression (5%), and lower eyelid fat prolapse (5%). Twenty patients (25%) followed-up with in-person consultation. Sixteen of these patients (80%) had surgical (56%) or nonsurgical (44%) interventions.

Conclusions
Skype consults are an efficient, in-office modality to increase patient flow through the office, expand patient base, and generate income. In this report, 25% of Skype contacts followed-up with formal in-person consultations, of which 80% had surgical or nonsurgical interventions.
Reputation Anxiety: Consumer Background Checks and the Cultivation of Risk
Authors: Draper Nora A 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis article examines the role consumer background check companies play in the construction of reputation anxiety. Through an examination of corporate blogs and sponsored stories, this article argues these companies cultivate risk along two related axes: (a) fear of dangerous others; and (b) fear of the threat posed by personal information available to others. Through sponsored stories and promotional material, these companies encourage people to mitigate risk by using consumer background check services to seek out information about others and review available details about themselves. Consistent with other forms of risk anxiety in modern cultures, the advice offered by these companies encourages the acceptance of personal responsibility around the acquisition of and response to this information. This article concludes by arguing the cultivation of reputation anxiety around digital skeletons—belonging both to others and to oneself—is rooted in gendered notions of safety and personal responsibility.
Stenosis of the celiac trunk is associated with anastomotic leak after Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy
Authors: Brinkmann S , Chang D H , Kuhr K , Hoelscher A H , Spiro J , Bruns C J , Schroeder W 
Published: March 2019

SUMMARYTransthoracic esophagectomy with gastric tube formation is the surgical treatment of choice for esophageal cancer. The surgical reconstruction induces changes of gastric microcirculation, which are recognized as potential risk factors of anastomotic leak. This prospective observational study investigates the association of celiac trunk (TC) stenosis with postoperative anastomotic leak.One hundred fifty-four consecutive patients with esophageal cancer scheduled for Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy were included. Preoperative staging computed tomography (CT) was used to identify TC stenosis. Any narrowing of the lumen due to atherosclerotic changes was classified as stenosis. Percentage of stenotic changes was calculated using the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial formula. Multivariable analysis was used to identify possible risk factors for leak.The overall incidence of TC stenosis was 40.9%. Anastomotic leak was identified in 15 patients (9.7%). Incidence of anastomotic leak in patients with stenosis was 19.4% compared to 2.3% in patients without stenosis. Incidence of stenosis in patients with leak was 86.7% (13 of 15 patients) and significantly higher than 38.8% (54 of 139 patients) in patients without leak (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in median degree of TC stenosis (50.0% vs 39.4%; P = 0.032) in patients with and without leak. In the multivariable model, TC stenosis was an independent risk factor for anastomotic leak (odds ratio: 5.98, 95% CI: 1.58–22.61).TC stenosis is associated with postoperative anastomotic leak after Ivor–Lewis esophagectomy. Routine assessment of TC for possible stenosis is recommended to identify patients at risk.
Risk factors for ‘microsize’ vs. usual myocardial infarctions in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study
Authors: Almarzooq Zaid I , Colantonio Lisandro D , Okin Peter M , Richman Joshua S , Brown Todd M , Levitan Emily B , Bryan Joanna , Safford Monika M 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Aims
A recently described phenomenon is that of myocardial infarction (MI) events that meet criteria for MI, but that have very low peak troponin elevations, so-called ‘microsize MI’. These events are very common and associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. Our aim is to compare risk factors for microsize MI vs. usual MI events.

Methods and results
Among 24 470 participants of the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort free of coronary heart disease at baseline, heart-related hospitalizations were expert adjudicated for MI using published guidelines. Myocardial infarctions were classified as microsize MI (peak troponin &lt;0.5 ng/mL) or usual MI (peak troponin ≥0.5 ng/mL). Competing risk analyses assessed associations between baseline risk factors and incident microsize vs. usual MI. Between 2003 and 2013 there were 891 MIs; 279 were microsize MI and 612 were usual MI. Risk factors for both usual MI and microsize MI include age, gender, diabetes, and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio. Risk factors for only usual MI include Residence in the Stroke Belt and Buckle regions and current smoking. Black race was associated with a uniquely lower risk of usual MI.

Conclusion
The similarities in risk profiles suggest a possible common aetiology and should encourage clinicians to both treat reversible risk factors for microsize MI and to initiate secondary prevention strategies following these events until this emerging clinical entity is better understood. Future studies should further assess the clinical outcomes of these two entities and their effect on future management.
Morphological modification of the aortic annulus in tricuspid and bicuspid valves after aortic valve reimplantation: an electrocardiography-gated computed tomography study†
Authors: Chirichilli Ilaria , Irace Francesco , Weltert Luca , Tsuda Kazumasa , Scaffa Raffaele , Salica Andrea , Galea Nicola , De Paulis Ruggero 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
Aortic valve-sparing operations have been shown to produce fewer valve-related complications than valve replacement. The aortic root is a morphological and functional unit in which the annulus plays an important role on dynamism, shape and geometry of the valve with different results in bicuspid aortic valves (BAVs) or tricuspid aortic valves (TAVs). The aim is to evaluate the differences in the size and shape of the aortic annulus between native BAVs and TAVs using ECG-gated computed tomography (CT) after a reimplantation procedure.

METHODS:
We selected 35 patients scheduled for aortic valve reimplantation who underwent good-quality preoperative and postoperative ECG-gated contrast-enhanced CT scan of the aortic root. Twenty-three patients had TAV, 8 patients type 1 BAV and 4 patients type 0 BAV. Major diameter and minor diameter, perimeter (P) and area (A) were measured. The shape of the aortic annulus was considered ‘circular’ or ‘elliptic’ according to the Ellipticity Index. We also selected a subgroup of 18 patients (9 TAVs and 9 BAVs) to evaluate annular shape and size variations through the cardiac cycle and to study the expansibility both in the preoperative and in the postoperative phases.

RESULTS:
Preoperative CT scans showed an elliptic shape of TAVs (Ellipticity Index 1.3 ± 0.1), a circular shape of type 0 BAVs (1.1 ± 0.1) and an intermediate behaviour of type 1 BAVs, suggesting a possible gradual spectrum of circularity from TAVs to type 1 BAVs to type 0 BAVs. Postoperative CT scans did not show any significant difference in annular shape among the 3 groups, which demonstated a similar roundness, obviating the preoperative differences. Analysing the expansibility of the aortic annulus during the cardiac cycle, we observed that it was completely absent in the preoperative phase in BAVs, while in the postoperative phase, both TAVs and BAVs showed a small but similar expansibility after the annular reduction.

CONCLUSIONS:
There is a possible gradual spectrum in terms of shape, from native TAVs, to type 1 BAVS to type 0 BAVs. These differences are eliminated in the postoperative phase, suggesting an active role of the annuloplasty on the geometry of the aortic annulus. The preoperative analysis showed a complete inelasticity of BAVs, which was partly restored in the postoperative phase.
Comparative effectiveness of allopurinol and febuxostat for the risk of atrial fibrillation in the elderly: a propensity-matched analysis of Medicare claims data
Authors: Singh Jasvinder A , Cleveland John D 
Published: March 2019

Abstract

Aims
Gout is associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). Comparative effectiveness of allopurinol or febuxostat for reducing the AF risk is unknown, which was our study’s main objective.

Methods and results
We used the 5% Medicare Beneficiary cohort (≥65 years) from 2006 to 2012 to identify people with a new filled prescription for allopurinol or febuxostat, with a baseline period of 365 days without respective medication and without AF. We used 5:1 propensity-matched Cox regression analyses to assess whether allopurinol use differed from febuxostat use regarding the hazard ratio (HR) of incident AF. We found 25 732 eligible episodes in 23 135 beneficiaries. Of these, 2311 incident allopurinol or febuxostat use episodes (9%) ended in incident AF with crude incidence rates of 8.0 and 10.5 per 100 person-years, respectively. In propensity-matched analyses, compared with allopurinol, febuxostat was associated with higher HR of AF, 1.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05–1.48]. Compared with allopurinol &lt;200 mg/day, febuxostat 80 mg/day was associated with significantly higher HR of AF, 1.62 (95% CI 1.16–2.27), but not febuxostat 40 mg/day or higher allopurinol doses. Compared with 1–180 days of allopurinol use, febuxostat use for 1–180 days was associated with significantly higher HR of AF, 1.36 (95% CI 1.10–1.67), but longer durations were not.

Conclusion
Febuxostat was associated with a higher risk of AF compared with allopurinol in older adults. Increased AF risk was noted with febuxostat 80 mg/day dose and was most evident in the first 6 months of use. These findings need replication.