bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Revised View on Growth and Remodeling in the Retinal Vasculature
Authors: Rust Ruslan , Grönnert Lisa , Dogançay Berre , Schwab Martin E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe mouse retina provides an excellent model for studying angiogenesis. Recent advancements in high-throughput microscopy and image analysis provide great tools to visualize and describe the complexity of the retinal vascular architecture in a detailed and comprehensive way. Most developmental studies have focused on only a few parameters mostly in the inner-most layers that do not describe the entirety of the three-dimensional vascular network. Here, we analyzed the entire three-dimensional retinal vascular architecture and its growth and remodeling starting from the age of postnatal day 3 to 4 months in mice. We show plexus specific characteristics of the vasculature in terms of vascular tissue fraction, branching and length of the blood vessels, and distance and distribution between single capillaries. Such detailed knowledge is of particular interest, as it has become apparent that disease-specific mechanisms and treatments affect the retinal vasculature often in a plexus specific way.
Relative abundance of Akkermansia spp. and other bacterial phylotypes correlates with anxiety- and depressive-like behavior following social defeat in mice
Authors: McGaughey Kara D. , Yilmaz-Swenson Tulay , Elsayed Nourhan M. , Cruz Dianne A. , Rodriguiz Ramona M. , Kritzer Michael D. , Peterchev Angel V. , Roach Jeffrey , Wetsel William C. , Williamson Douglas E. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAs discussion of stress and stress-related disorders rapidly extends beyond the brain, gut microbiota have emerged as a promising contributor to individual differences in the risk of illness, disease course, and treatment response. Here, we employed chronic mild social defeat stress and 16S rRNA gene metagenomic sequencing to investigate the role of microbial composition in mediating anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. In socially defeated animals, we found significant reductions in the overall diversity and relative abundances of numerous bacterial genera, including Akkermansia spp., that positively correlated with behavioral metrics of both anxiety and depression. Functional analyses predicted a reduced frequency of signaling molecule pathways, including G-protein-coupled receptors, in defeated animals. Collectively, our data suggest that shifts in microbial composition may play a role in the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression.
Cost-effectiveness of first-line versus delayed use of combination dapagliflozin and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Chin Ken Lee , Ofori-Asenso Richard , Si Si , Hird Thomas R. , Magliano Dianna J. , Zoungas Sophia , Liew Danny 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe present study sought to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of first-line (immediate) versus delayed use of combination dapagliflozin and metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes, from the perspective of the Australian healthcare system. We developed a Markov model to simulate the progress of subjects with type 2 diabetes. Decision analysis was applied to assess the cost-effectiveness of first-line combination dapagliflozin and metformin versus first-line metformin monotherapy followed by gradual addition of dapagliflozin over time. Transition probabilities, costs (in Australian dollars) and utility data were derived from published sources. All costs, years of life lived and quality adjusted life years (QALYs) lived were discounted at an annual rate of 5%. Over a 20-year model period, first-line use of combination dapagliflozin and metformin was predicted to reduce the onset of hospitalisation of heart failure, cardiovascular deaths and all cause deaths by 5.5%, 57.6% and 29.6%, respectively. An additional 2.5 years of life (discounted) and 1.9 QALYs (discounted) would be gained per patient, at a cost of AUD $23,367 (discounted) per person. These figures equated to AUD $9,535 per years of life saved (YoLS) and AUD $12,477 per QALYs saved. Sensitivity analyses indicated the results to be robust. Compared to first-line metformin monotherapy followed by gradual addition of dapagliflozin, first-line use of combination dapagliflozin and metformin is likely to be a cost-effective approach to the management of Australians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Kinematic profiles suggest differential control processes involved in bilateral in-phase and anti-phase movements
Authors: Shih Pei-Cheng , Steele Christopher J. , Nikulin Vadim , Villringer Arno , Sehm Bernhard 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn-phase and anti-phase movements represent two basic coordination modes with different characteristics: during in-phase movements, bilateral homologous muscle groups contract synchronously, whereas during anti-phase movements, they contract in an alternating fashion. Previous studies suggested that in-phase movements represent a more stable and preferential bilateral movement template in humans. The current experiment aims at confirming and extending this notion by introducing new empirical measures of spatiotemporal dynamics during performance of a bilateral circle drawing task in an augmented-reality environment. First, we found that anti-phase compared to in-phase movements were performed with higher radial variability, a result that was mainly driven by the non-dominant hand. Second, the coupling of both limbs was higher during in-phase movements, corroborated by a lower inter-limb phase difference and higher inter-limb synchronization. Importantly, the movement acceleration profile between bilateral hands followed an in-phase relationship during in-phase movements, while no specific relationship was found in anti-phase condition. These spatiotemporal relationships between hands support the hypothesis that differential neural processes govern both bilateral coordination modes and suggest that both limbs are controlled more independently during anti-phase movements, while bilateral in-phase movements are elicited by a common neural generator.
The biological characteristics of transcription factors AP-2α and AP-2γ and their importance in various types of cancers
Authors: Kołat Damian , Kałuzińska Żaneta , Bednarek Andrzej K. , Płuciennik Elżbieta 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
The Activator Protein 2 (AP-2) transcription factor (TF) family is vital for the regulation of gene expression during early development as well as carcinogenesis process. The review focusses on the AP-2α and AP-2γ proteins and their dualistic regulation of gene expression in the process of carcinogenesis. Both AP-2α and AP-2γ influence a wide range of physiological or pathological processes by regulating different pathways and interacting with diverse molecules, i.e. other proteins, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) or miRNAs. This review summarizes the newest information about the biology of two, AP-2α and AP-2γ, TFs in the carcinogenesis process. We emphasize that these two proteins could have either oncogenic or suppressive characteristics depending on the type of cancer tissue or their interaction with specific molecules. They have also been found to contribute to resistance and sensitivity to chemotherapy in oncological patients. A better understanding of molecular network of AP-2 factors and other molecules may clarify the atypical molecular mechanisms occurring during carcinogenesis, and may assist in the recognition of new diagnostic biomarkers.
Language Performance of Individuals at Risk for Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: McCullough Kim C. , Bayles Kathryn A. , Bouldin Erin D. 
Published: March 2019

Purpose
Evidence exists that changes in language performance may be an early indicator of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often a harbinger of dementing disease. The purpose of this study was the evaluation of language performance in individuals at risk for MCI by virtue of age and self-concern and its relation to performance on tests of memory, visuospatial function, and mental status.

Method

Eighty-three individuals 55 years or older were administered the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (
Bayles & Tomoeda, 1993
), a standardized battery with normative data from 86 healthy older adults (HOAs) and 86 individuals with Alzheimer's dementia, the most common dementing disease. A performance criterion of 1–1.5
SD
s below the mean of HOAs defined MCI, as recommended in the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
. We hypothesized that (a) the majority of at-risk participants would score 1
SD
or more below the mean of HOAs on 1 or more subtests and (b) language performance tests would present a greater challenge than memory, mental status, and visuospatial construction tests.

Results

Both hypotheses were confirmed. Sixty-two participants (74.6%) met the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition
, criteria on at least 1 subtest. Moreover, language subtests were those most likely to elicit a performance 1
SD
or more below the mean of HOAs.

Conclusions
Language performance deficits can appear early before impairment in episodic memory, visuospatial construction ability, or mental status in individuals at risk for MCI. Speech-language pathologists are uniquely qualified to identify subtle changes in language, and standardized language tests with normative data should be used when testing for MCI.
Substructure and halo population of Double Cluster h and χ Persei
Authors: Zhong Jing , Chen Li , Kouwenhoven M. B. N. , Li Lu , Shao Zhengyi , Hou Jinliang 
Published: March 2019

Context. Gaia DR2 provides an ideal dataset to study the stellar populations of open clusters at larger spatial scales because the cluster member stars can be well identified by their location in the multidimensional observational parameter space with high precision parameter measurements.
Aims. In order to study the stellar population and possible substructures in the outskirts of Double Cluster h and χ Persei, we use Gaia DR2 data in a sky area of about 7.5° in radius around the Double Cluster cores.
Methods. We identified member stars using various criteria, including their kinematics (namely, proper motion), individual parallaxes, and photometric properties. A total of 2186 member stars in the parameter space were identified as members.
Results. Based on the spatial distribution of the member stars, we find an extended halo structure of h and χ Persei about six to eight times larger than their core radii. We report the discovery of filamentary substructures extending to about 200 pc away from the Double Cluster. The tangential velocities of these distant substructures suggest that they are more likely to be remnants of primordial structures, instead of a tidally disrupted stream from the cluster cores. Moreover, internal kinematic analysis indicates that halo stars seem to experience a dynamic stretching in the RA direction, while the impact of the core components is relatively negligible. This work also suggests that the physical scale and internal motions of young massive star clusters may be more complex than previously thought.
New metric to quantify the similarity between planetary systems: application to dimensionality reduction using T-SNE
Authors: Alibert Y. 
Published: March 2019

Context. Planet formation models now often consider the formation of planetary systems with more than one planet per system. This raises the question of how to represent planetary systems in a convenient way (e.g. for visualisation purpose) and how to define the similarity between two planetary systems, for example to compare models and observations.
Aims. We define a new metric to infer the similarity between two planetary systems, based on the properties of planets that belong to these systems. We then compare the similarity of planetary systems with the similarity of protoplanetary discs in which they form.
Methods. We first define a new metric based on mixture of Gaussians, and then use this metric to apply a dimensionality reduction technique in order to represent planetary systems (which should be represented in a high-dimensional space) in a two-dimensional space. This allows us study the structure of a population of planetary systems and its relation with the characteristics of protoplanetary discs in which planetary systems form.
Results. We show that the new metric can help to find the underlying structure of populations of planetary systems. In addition, the similarity between planetary systems, as defined in this paper, is correlated with the similarity between the protoplanetary discs in which these systems form. We finally compare the distribution of inter-system distances for a set of observed exoplanets with the distributions obtained from two models: a population synthesis model and a model where planetary systems are constructed by randomly picking synthetic planets. The observed distribution is shown to be closer to the one derived from the population synthesis model than from the random systems.
Conclusions. The new metric can be used in a variety of unsupervised machine learning techniques, such as dimensionality reduction and clustering, to understand the results of simulations and compare them with the properties of observed planetary systems.
Internetassoziierte Gesundheitsängste in der hausärztlichen Versorgung – Ergebnisse einer Befragung unter Allgemeinmedizinern und hausärztlich tätigen Internisten in Hessen
Authors: Wangler Julian , Jansky Michael 
Published: March 2019

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Gelegentlich kann es vorkommen, dass ausgedehnte Internetrecherchen bei Patienten Gesundheitsängste auslösen, die sich langfristig verfestigen. Der Umgang mit einer solchen „Cyberchondrie“ stellt eine besondere Herausforderung für den Arzt dar. Die Studie beleuchtet hausärztliche Einstellungen und Erfahrungen mit Blick auf Patienten, die vermehrt im Internet nach Symptomen, Krankheitsverläufen oder Therapien suchen. Ein Schwerpunkt gilt Personen, die aufgrund von vorangegangenen Internetkonsultationen Gesundheitsängste entwickeln. Es wird eruiert, welche Vorgehensweisen sinnvoll erscheinen, um angemessen auf verunsicherte Patienten zu reagieren.
Methoden Im Rahmen einer schriftlichen Befragung wurden zwischen dem 20. April und 20. Juni 2018 insgesamt 844 Allgemeinmediziner und hausärztlich tätige Internisten in Südhessen und zusätzlich in den Landkreisen Gießen, Marburg-Biedenkopf, Kassel und der kreisfreien Stadt Kassel befragt.
Ergebnisse Zwei Drittel der Befragten gehen davon aus, dass 15 % oder mehr der eigenen Patienten sie mit Ergebnissen eigener Internetrecherchen konfrontieren. 73 % sehen das Aufkommen von internetassoziierten Gesundheitsängsten als zunehmendes Problem in der Patientenversorgung. Es werden vor allem negative Auswirkungen der Online-Selbstinformation gesehen (psychische Stabilität, Erwartungen gegenüber dem Arzt). Jeder 5. Arzt (18 %) hat bereits den Abbruch eines Betreuungsverhältnisses aufgrund ausgeuferter Internetrecherchen des Patienten erlebt. Um auf verunsicherte oder verängstigte Patienten zu reagieren, bauen die Befragten auf eine ausführliche Erläuterung der Diagnose und/oder Therapie und empfehlen Internetseiten, die sie als seriös erachten.
Schlussfolgerung Es erscheint ratsam, die Online-Informationssuche aktiv im Patientengespräch zu thematisieren, um möglichen negativen Auswirkungen auf das Arzt-Patient-Verhältnis vorzubeugen. Entsprechend wäre darüber nachzudenken, die Anamnese um die Dimension der Online-Informationssuche zu erweitern.
The Effects of Riluzole on Cisplatin-induced Ototoxicity
Authors: Üstün Bezgin Selin , Uygur Kadir Kemal , Gökdoğan Çağıl , Elmas Çiğdem , Göktaş Güleser 
Published: March 2019

Introduction Riluzole (2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy benzothiazole) is known as a neuroprotective, antioxidant, antiapoptotic agent. It may have beneficial effects on neuronal cell death due to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
Objective To evaluate the effect of riluzole on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs.
Methods Twenty-four guinea pigs, studied in three groups, underwent auditory brainstem response evaluation using click and 8 kHz tone burst stimuli. Subsequently, 5 mg/kg of cisplatin were administered to all animals for 3 days intraperitoneally (i.p.) to induce ototoxicity. Half an hour prior to cisplatin, groups 1, 2 and 3 received 2 ml of saline i.p., 6 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride i.p., and 8 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride i.p., respectively, for 3 days. The auditory brainstem responses were repeated 24 hours after the last drug administration. The cochleae were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Results After drug administiration, for 8,000 Hz stimulus, group 1 had significantly higher threshold shifts when compared with groups 2 (p < 0.05) and 3 (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in threshold shifts between groups 2 and 3 (p > 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy findings demonstrated the protective effect of riluzole on the hair cells and the stria vascularis, especially in the group treated with 8 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride.
Conclusion We can say that riluzole may have a protective effect on cisplatin- induced ototoxicity. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these results and the mechanisms of action of riluzole.
Nasal Polyposis: More than a Chronic Inflammatory Disorder—A Disease of Mechanical Dysfunction—The São Paulo Position
Authors: Pezato Rogerio , Voegels Richard Louis , Pignatari Shirley , Gregório Luiz Carlos , Pinto Bezerra Thiago Freire , Gregorio Luciano , Balsalobre Leonardo , Tepedino Miguel Soares , Coronel Nathália , Pinna Fabio de Rezende , Mendes Neto José , Oliveira Pedro , Macoto Eduardo , Stefanini Renato , Figueiredo Claudia , Haddad Fernanda , Pilan Renata , Bezerra Soter Ana , Melo Nelson Almeida , Candido Danilo Almeida , Amaral Jonatas do , Santos Rodrigo de Paula , Van Zele Thibaut , Fujita Reginaldo , Dreyfuss Juliana L. , Chamon Wallace , Alencar Adriano Mesquita , Perez-Novo Claudina , Stamm Aldo Cassol 
Published: March 2019

Introduction The importance of our study lies in the fact that we have demonstrated the occurrence of mechanical dysfunction within polypoid tissues, which promotes the development of polyps in the nasal cavity.
Objective To change the paradigm of nasal polyposis (NP). In this new conception, the chronic nasal inflammatory process that occurs in response to allergies, to pollution, to changes in the epithelial barrier, or to other factors is merely the trigger of the development of the disease in individuals with a genetic predisposition to an abnormal tissue remodeling process, which leads to a derangement of the mechanical properties of the nasal mucosa and, consequently, allows it to grow unchecked.
Data Synthesis We propose a fundamentally new approach to intervening in the pathological process of NP, addressing biomechanical properties, fluid dynamics, and the concept of surface tension.
Conclusion The incorporation of biomechanical knowledge into our understanding of NP provides a new perspective to help elucidate the physiology and the pathology of nasal polyps, and new avenues for the treatment and cure of NP.
Intervening in the Acute Phase of Postradiation Carotid Blowout Syndrome
Authors: Jong Marrigje A. de , Candanedo Carlos , Gross Menachem , Cohen José E. 
Published: March 2019

Introduction Acute carotid blowout syndrome (aCBS) is a severe complication of head and neck cancer (HNC). It can be defined as a rupture of the extracranial carotid arteries, or one of their branches, that causes life-threatening hemorrhage, and which nowadays can be treated with urgent endovascular intervention.
Objective We retrospectively evaluate the endovascular management of aCBS and its outcome in years of survival.
Methods Retrospectively, we describe our experience with endovascular control of aCBS in patients treated for HNC. We review the characteristics, pathology, endovascular treatment and morbidity and assess the gain in life years.
Results Nine individuals were included in this study. Four patients had been previously diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), one with paranasal SCC, one with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and three with oral or maxillary adenocarcinoma. All subjects underwent radiotherapy and surgical excision to different extents. Twelve endovascular procedures were performed for injuries to the internal carotid artery (n = 3; 25%), external carotid artery (n = 1; 7%) or one of their branches (n = 8; 67%). Deconstructive methods were used in nine procedures, and three procedures were mainly reconstructive with deployment of covered stents. Total control of bleeding was achieved in all individuals with no intraprocedural complications.
Conclusion Endovascular therapy is an effective alternative for the management of exsanguinating CBS. In our series, this palliative therapy increased the overall patient survival by an estimated 9 months.
A Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Score for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Based on D-Dimer and a Comprehensive Analysis of Myeloid Cell Parameters
Authors: Zagrapan Branislav , Eilenberg Wolf , Prausmueller Suriya , Nawrozi Paimann , Muench Katharina , Hetzer Sarah , Elleder Vanessa , Rajic Renata , Juster Felix , Martelanz Luca , Hayden Hubert , Klopf Johannes , Inan Cansu , Teubenbacher Peter , Weigl Markus , Kirchweger Patrick , Beitzke Dietrich , Jilma Bernd , Wojta Johann , Bailey Marc , Scott D. , Huk Ihor , Neumayer Christoph , Brostjan Christine 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) involves a central component of chronic inflammation which is predominantly mediated by myeloid cells. We hypothesized that the local inflammatory activity may be reflected in systemic alterations of neutrophil and monocyte populations as well as in soluble factors of myeloid cell activation and recruitment. To establish their marker potential, neutrophil and monocyte sub-sets were measured by flow cytometry in peripheral blood samples of 41 AAA patients and 38 healthy controls matched for age, sex, body mass index and smoking habit. Comparably, circulating factors reflecting neutrophil and monocyte activation and recruitment were assayed in plasma. Significantly elevated levels of CD16+ monocytes, activated neutrophils and newly released neutrophils were recorded for AAA patients compared with controls. In line, the monocyte chemoattractant C-C chemokine ligand 2 and myeloperoxidase were significantly increased in patients' plasma. The diagnostic value was highest for myeloperoxidase, a mediator which is released by activated neutrophils as well as CD16+ monocytes. Multivariable regression models using myeloid activation markers and routine laboratory parameters identified myeloperoxidase and D-dimer as strong independent correlates of AAA. These two biomarkers were combined to yield a diagnostic score which was subsequently challenged for confounders and confirmed in a validation cohort matched for cardiovascular disease. Importantly, the score was also found suited to predict rapid disease progression. In conclusion, D-dimer and myeloperoxidase represent two sensitive biomarkers of AAA which reflect distinct hallmarks (thrombus formation and inflammation) of the pathomechanism and, when combined, may serve as diagnostic and prognostic AAA score warranting further evaluation.