bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro beneficial effects of Streptococcus dentisani as potential oral probiotic for periodontal diseases
Authors: Esteban‐Fernández Adelaida , Ferrer Maria D. , Zorraquín‐Peña Irene , López‐López Arantxa , Moreno‐Arribas M. Victoria , Mira Alex 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontal diseases are of high prevalence globally and are characterized by an exacerbated inflammatory response which leads to oral tissue destruction. The use of probiotics is widely extended in the case of gastrointestinal disorders; however, their use in microbial‐origin oral diseases is still preliminary.MethodsWe used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the levels of the oral bacterium Streptococcus dentisani 7746 in the tongue, saliva, supragingival, and subgingival plaque. We explore the potential benefits of this probiotic by measuring inhibition of the periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum growth and attachment to human gingival fibroblasts. In addition, its anti‐inflammatory activity against cytokines secretion induced by these pathogens was determined in an in vitro model by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsWe report that S. dentisani is found at high levels in the gingival crevice. Data show a strong inhibitory action of S. dentisani supernatant against the periodontal pathogens in pure culture. S. dentisani attached to gingival cells in vitro, inhibiting periodontal pathogens by competition, adherence, and displacement mechanisms. Finally, in a simple in vitro model, the oral probiotic strongly increased the secretion of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 after incubations with P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum, as well as significantly reduced the expression of interferon‐γ induced by F. nucleatum.ConclusionAltogether, these results highlight the potential of S. dentisani as adjuvant therapy in the management of periodontal diseases, whose efficacy will need to be tested in clinical studies.
A prospective clinical trial of proton therapy for chordoma and chondrosarcoma: Feasibility assessment
Authors: Baumann Brian C. , Lustig Robert A. , Mazzoni Susan , Grady Sean M. , O’Malley Bert W. , Lee John Y. K. , Newman Jason G. , Schuster James M. , Both Stefan , Lin Alexander , Dorsey Jay F. , Alonso‐Basanta Michelle 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesProton therapy (PRT) has emerged as a treatment option for chordomas/chondrosarcomas to escalate radiation dose more safely. We report results of a phase I/II trial of PRT in patients with chordoma/chondrosarcoma.MethodsTwenty adult patients with pathologically confirmed, nonmetastatic chordoma or chondrosarcoma were enrolled in a single‐institution prospective trial of PRT from 2010 to 2014. Seventeen patients received adjuvant PRT and three received definitive PRT. Median dose was 73.8 Gy(RBE; range 68.4‐79.2 Gy) using PRT‐only (n = 6) or combination PRT/intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) (n = 14). Quality‐of‐life (QOL) and fatigue were assessed weekly and every 3 months posttreatment with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy ‐ Brain (FACTBr) and Brief Fatigue Inventory. Primary endpoint was feasibility (90% completing treatment with < 10 day treatment delay and ≤ 20% unexpected acute grade ≥ 3 toxicity).ResultsTumors included chordomas of the skull base (n = 10), sacrum (n = 5), and cervical spine (n = 3), and skull base chondrosarcomas (n = 2). Median age was 57. The 80% had positive margins/gross disease. Median follow‐up was 37 months. Feasibility endpoints were met. The 3‐year local control and progression‐free survival was 86% and 81%. There were no deaths. Two patients had acute grade 3 toxicity (both fatigue). One had late grade 3 toxicity (epistaxis and osteoradionecrosis). There were no significant differences in patient reported fatigue or QOL from baseline to the end‐of‐treatment.ConclusionsWe report favorable local control, survival, and toxicity following PRT.
The prefabricated supraclavicular artery flap in high‐risk tracheal stenosis patients
Authors: Zender Chad A. , Patel Akshay V. , Strohl Madeleine , Melki Sami , Maronian Nicole 
Published: May 2019

Objectives/HypothesisPrimary tracheal resection in appropriately selected patients with tracheal stenosis achieves >90% success rate. Risk factors for complications have been identified, making some patients high risk for this procedure. Herein is a review and discussion of a novel treatment method for tracheal stenosis utilizing a prefabricated composite auricular cartilage graft embedded in a supraclavicular artery island flap (pSCAIF) for tracheal reconstruction in high‐risk patients.Study DesignRetrospective case series.MethodsAfter institutional review board approval, cases were analyzed after data collection. Between 2014 and 2016, eight patients underwent airway reconstruction using an auricular cartilage graft prefabricated within a supraclavicular artery island flap reconstruction; all of these were included in the study. Each case was reviewed, and relevant details of patient and disease characteristics, operative course, postoperative course, decannulation, and status at last follow‐up were isolated and reported.ResultsSeven of eight patients were female. The most common cause of stenosis was iatrogenically induced multilevel stenosis (7/8 patients). All patients had undergone prior airway procedures, were high risk based on comorbid conditions, and underwent grafting and reconstruction with a composite supraclavicular island flap. All patients continue to follow up in a multidisciplinary clinic, and at last follow‐up, eight of eight patients were successfully decannulated.ConclusionsThe pSCAIF is a novel method for tracheal reconstruction. The analysis of the prefabricated locoregional approach cohort supports its utility for tracheal reconstruction in patients with complicated multilevel stenosis and adverse comorbidities and characteristics.Level of Evidence4Laryngoscope, 130:641–648, 2020
Production and ecosystem structure in cold‐core vs. warm‐core eddies: Implications for the zooplankton isoscape and rock lobster larvae
Authors: Waite Anya M. , Raes Eric , Beckley Lynnath E. , Thompson Peter A. , Griffin David , Saunders Megan , Säwström Christin , O'Rorke Richard , Wang Miao , Landrum Jason P. , Jeffs Andrew 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAnticyclonic (warm‐core) mesoscale eddies (WCEs) in the Eastern Indian Ocean carry higher surface chlorophyll signatures than cyclonic (cold‐core) eddies (CCEs). Paradoxically, WCEs host rock lobster larvae (phyllosomas) with lower lipid stores and protein reserves than phyllosomas in CCEs, suggesting a poorer nutritional status. We assess primary productivity and zooplankton isotopic data from eight eddies across four research voyages (2003–2011) to determine how this contradiction might occur. We find that WCEs and CCEs are equally productive per unit chlorophyll a, but depth‐integrated primary production (PP) is greater in eddies with shallower mixed layers (MLs), especially in CCEs. MLs tend to be shallower in CCEs than in WCEs because the pycnocline is closer to the surface. This, in combination with stronger stratification in CCE euphotic zones than those of WCEs, supports greater flagellate and dinoflagellate populations in CCEs. These phytoplankton provide high‐quality nutrition for zooplankton, which feed on average ~ 0.6 trophic level lower in CCEs with the shallowest MLs, accumulating high lipid stores. Conversely, WCEs have, on average, ~ 70 m deeper MLs than CCEs, and host a phytoplankton community with more diatoms. Diatoms provide lower quality food for zooplankton, and zooplankton lipid stores in WCEs decline with trophic level, and possibly, with time after initial (or seasonal) nutrient injection. As a result, phyllosomas in CCEs have higher energy and lipid content than those in warm‐core eddies. The resolution of the paradox, therefore, is that the higher surface chlorophyll signatures of WCEs are not representative of the nutritional value of the prey field of the phyllosoma. We also conclude that interannual variations of mixed layer depth occur at a regional scale, controlling PP.
Catalyst‐Free One‐Step Preparation of Self‐Crosslinked pH‐Responsive Vesicles
Authors: Tan Jidong , Lei Hengxin , Liaw Der‐Jang , Chen Xingxing , Ma Li , Cui Chenhui , Zhong Qianyun , Cheng Yilong , Zhang Yanfeng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe fabrication of block copolymer (BCP) vesicles with controlled membrane permeability and promising stability remains a considerable challenge. Herein, a new type of pH‐responsive and self‐crosslinked vesicle based on a hydrolytically hindered urea bond is reported. This kind of vesicle is formed by the self‐assembly of a pH‐responsive and hydrolytically self‐crosslinkable copolymer poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly[2‐(3‐(tert‐butyl)‐3‐ethylureido)ethyl methacrylate‐co‐2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PEG‐b‐P(TBEU‐co‐DEA)). The BCP can be easily synthesized by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of 2‐(3‐(tert‐butyl)‐3‐ethylureido)ethyl methacrylate (TBEU) and 2‐(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DEA) using PEG‐based macro‐chain transfer agent. The copolymer could self‐assemble into stable vesicles by the hydrophobic interaction and in situ cross‐linking between amines and isocyanates after the hydrolysis of the hindered urea bonds without any catalyst. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies show that the vesicles exhibit enhanced stability against the dilution of organic solvent, and the size can be adjusted through the change of pH values. Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase‐loaded vesicles can act as nano‐reactor and enable free diffusion of small molecules into the vesicles, followed by the significantly improved fluorescence intensity of phosphate‐caged fluorescein. This self‐crosslinking and pH‐sensitive vesicles may serve as a smart platform in controlled drug delivery and molecular reactor.
The human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells therapy on, SKOV3, ovarian cancer cell line
Authors: Gholizadeh‐Ghaleh Aziz Shiva , Fardyazar Zahra , Pashaiasl Maryam 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPurposeOne of the most common malignancies peculiar to female health with few symptoms, low response to therapy, difficult diagnosis, frequent relapse, and high mortality, is ovarian cancer. Thus, our experiment, using Human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (hAFMSCs) as a therapeutic tool, aims to find an efficient treatment approach for patients suffering from SKOV3 ovarian cancer.Material & MethodsIn this study, we obtained 5 ml amniotic fluid from 16–20 week pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis for routine prenatal diagnosis by karyotyping in Al‐Zahra Hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Using trans wells in 24 wells plate, hAFMSCs were isolated from all samples, co‐cultured with SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell line, and characterized via flow cytometry and RT‐PCR. Human skin fibroblast cells (HSFCs) were isolated and used as a negative control. SKOV3 and HSFCs' viability after 5 days was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell cycle and apoptotic genes were analyzed by real‐time PCR.ResultsWe successfully isolated and characterized hAFMSCs through it positivity for CD44 and CD90 specific mesenchymal stem cell markers and negativity for CD31 and CD45. Oct4 and NANOG were evaluated by RT‐PCR as pluripotency markers, and visualized on 2% gel electrophoresis. We established hAFMS cell lines after 5 days of co‐culturing the SKOV3 cells, viability was decreased; however, HSFCs did not show toxicity by MTT assay. The genes indicated upregulation and high expression by a real‐time PCR.ConclusionsOur findings showed that hAFMSCs have natural tumor tropism, and can release soluble factors in a cell culture, which cause an efficient anticancer effect. Thus, we can use hAFMSCs for complete anticancer therapy on SKOV3 cell line at cell culture condition and possibly in vivo in the near future.
Effects of chemical pollutants on reproductive and developmental processes in Italian amphibians
Authors: Pinelli Claudia , Santillo Alessandra , Chieffi Baccari Gabriella , Falvo Sara , Di Fiore Maria Maddalena 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIt is a widely held belief that environmental contaminants contribute to the decline of amphibian populations. By spending most of their early life in water and later stages on the land, amphibians face a constant risk of exposure to pesticides and other chemical pollutants in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. This review presents an overview of the studies carried out in Italian amphibians to highlight hazardous effects of bioaccumulation of chemical pollutants in juveniles and adults in various contaminated environments. Further, the studies in the laboratory setting assessing the effects of chemical pollutants on reproductive and developmental processes are reported. These studies and their relative references have been summarized in a tabular form. Three prominent contaminant groups were identified: herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides; and only a few works reported the effects of other chemical pollutants. Each pollutant group has been delegated to a section. All through the literature survey, it is seen that interest in this topic in Italy is very recent and sparse, where only a few anuran and caudata species and only some chemical pollutants have been studied.
Detection of lung transplant rejection in a rat model using hyperpolarized [1‐13C] pyruvate‐based metabolic imaging
Authors: Siddiqui Sarmad , Habertheuer Andreas , Xin Yi , Pourfathi Mehrdad , Tao Jian‐Qin , Hamedani Hooman , Kadlecek Stephen , Duncan Ian , Vallabhajosyula Prashanth , Naji Ali , Chatterjee Shampa , Rizi Rahim 
Published: May 2019

The current standard for noninvasive imaging of acute rejection consists of X‐ray/CT, which derive their contrast from changes in ventilation, inflammation and edema, as well as remodeling during rejection. We propose the use of hyperpolarized [1‐13C] pyruvate MRI—which provides real‐time metabolic assessment of tissue—as an early biomarker for tissue rejection.In this preliminary study, we used μCT‐derived parameters and HP 13C MR‐derived biomarkers to predict rejection in an orthotopic left lung transplant model in both allogeneic and syngeneic rats.On day 3, the normalized lung density—a parameter that accounts for both lung volume (mL) and density (HU)—was −0.335 (CI: ‐0.598, −0.073) and − 0.473 (CI: ‐0.726, −0.220) for the allograft and isograft, respectively (not significant, 0.40). The lactate‐to‐pyruvate ratios—derived from the HP 13C MRI—for the allograft and isograft were 0.200 (CI: 0.161, 0.240) and 0.114 (CI: 0.074, 0.153), respectively (significant, 0.020). Both techniques showed tissue rejection on day 7. A separate sub‐study revealed CD8+ cells as the primary source of the lactate‐to‐pyruvate signal.Our study suggests that hyperpolarized (HP) [1‐13C] pyruvate MRI is a promising early biomarker for tissue rejection that provides metabolic assessment in real time based on changes in cellularity and metabolism of lung tissue and the infiltrating inflammatory cells, and may be able to predict tissue rejection earlier than X‐ray/CT.
Multifidelity component interface reduction and modal truncation augmentation
Authors: Gibanica Mladen , Abrahamsson Thomas J. S. , Rixen Daniel J. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryA Hurty‐Craig‐Bampton (HCB) reduced order component can have unnecessarily large dimension if it contains many interface degrees of freedom. This is often the case for high spatial resolution models. Furthermore, for such high‐fidelity models, their static constraint modes can be expensive to compute. To overcome these problems, a component mode synthesis method with interface reduction is developed using multifidelity models. The interface reduction basis is computed from the assembled system by coarsening each substructure's mesh, but keeping the model resolution at the interface intact. It is shown that such a mesh coarsening has a small effect on the interface reduction basis quality. Using this reduction basis, the dimension of the static constraint modes problem can be reduced and the modes computed at a low cost. When few interface modes can be used without significant loss of accuracy, it is possible to enrich the HCB basis with modal truncation augmentation (MTA) vectors to increase accuracy at a small extra cost. The accuracy of a procedure that utilises MTA vectors together with the multifidelity interface reduction is investigated. The method's performance and accuracy are illustrated on a planar problem and a more complex problem from industry.
Impact of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Neural Food Cue Reactivity: Action for Health in Diabetes Brain Ancillary Study
Authors: McDermott Kathryn Demos , Williams Samantha E. , Espeland Mark A. , Erickson Kirk , Neiberg Rebecca , Wadden Thomas A. , Bryan R. Nick , Desiderio Lisa , Leckie Regina L. , Falconbridge Lucy H. , Jakicic John M. , Alonso‐Alonso Miguel , Wing Rena R. ,   for the Action for Health in Diabetes Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Look AHEAD Brain) Ancillary Study Research Group
Published: May 2019

ObjectiveThe Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) research study was a randomized trial comparing the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) versus a diabetes support and education (DSE) control group in adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to determine whether neural food cue reactivity differed for these groups 10 years after randomization.MethodsA total of 232 participants (ILI, n = 125, 72% female; DSE, n = 107, 64% female) were recruited at three of the Look AHEAD sites for functional magnetic resonance imaging. Neural response to high‐calorie foods compared with nonfoods was assessed in DSE versus ILI. Exploratory correlations were conducted within ILI to identify regions in which activity was associated with degree of weight loss.ResultsVoxel‐wise whole‐brain comparisons revealed greater reward‐processing activity in left caudate for DSE compared with ILI and greater activity in attention‐ and visual‐processing regions for ILI than DSE (P < 0.05, family‐wise error corrected). Exploratory analyses revealed that greater weight loss among ILI participants from baseline was associated with brain activation indicative of increased cognitive control and attention and visual processing in response to high‐calorie food cues (P < 0.001, uncorrected).ConclusionsThese findings suggest there may be legacy effects of participation in a behavioral weight loss intervention, with reduced reward‐related activity and enhanced attention or visual processing in response to high‐calorie foods.
Mechanical properties, thermal stability, sound absorption, and flame retardancy of rigid PU foam composites containing a fire‐retarding agent: Effect of magnesium hydroxide and aluminum hydroxide
Authors: Peng Hao‐Kai , Wang XiaoXiao , Li Ting‐Ting , Lou Ching‐Wen , Wang YanTing , Lin Jia‐Horng 
Published: May 2019

Isocyanate, polyether polyol, a flame retardant (10 wt%), and aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) are used to form the rigid polyurethane (PU) foam, while nylon nonwoven fabrics and a polyester aluminum foil are combined to serve as the panel. The rigid PU foam and panel are combined to form the rigid foam composites. The cell structure, compressive stress, combustion resistance, thermal stability, sound absorption, and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the rigid foam composites are evaluated, examining the effects of using aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. Compared with magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide exhibits superior performance to the rigid foam composites. When aluminum hydroxide is 20 wt%, the rigid foam composite has an optimal density of 0.153 g/cm3, an average cell size of 0.2466 mm, a maximum compressive stress of 546.44 Kpa, an optimal limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 29.5%, an optimal EMI SE of 40 dB, and excellent thermal stability and sound absorption.
Application of plasma jet to the inhibition of the proliferation of hepatic malignant cells via reactive oxygen species generation
Authors: Nguyen Duc Ba , Mok Young Sun , Huynh Do Luoung , Jeong Dong Kee , Lee Wong Gyu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn vitro treatment of hepatic malignant cells with plasma‐activated medium conjugated with gemcitabine was investigated with a He plasma jet generated by a two‐ring dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. The DBD reactor was operated by high‐voltage pulses of alternating polarity (frequency: 20 kHz; pulse width: 4 µs). The electron density of plasma plume was estimated to be 9×1012 to 10×1012 cm−3, and the jet temperature was around 36℃. The plasma jet exhibited the inhibitory effects on the growth of hepatic malignant cells via the generation of reactive oxygen species, which could be potentially applicative in anticancer therapies. The optimization of the operating parameters and configuration of the plasma jet would help increase the possibility in practical cancer treatments.
CUL4B regulates cancer stem‐like traits of prostate cancer cells by targeting BMI1 via miR200b/c
Authors: Jiao Meng , Qi Mei , Zhang Facai , Hu Jing , Feng Tingting , Zhao Mingfeng , Li Xinjun , Liu Hui , Teng Wei , Zhang Jing , Liu Zhiyan , Zhang Lili , Wu Zhen , Han Bo 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundCancer stem‐like traits contribute to prostate cancer (PCa) progression and metastasis. Cullin 4B (CUL4B) is a member of the ubiquitin E3 ligase family and overexpressed in several solid malignancies including PCa. CUL4B has been suggested to be an oncogene through epigenetic repression of tumor suppressors. However, the link between CUL4B expression and cancer stem‐like phenotype remains unclear.MethodsWestern blot analysis, sphere formation, and colony formation assays were used to examine the effect of CUL4B on cancer stem‐like traits in PCa cells. Mechanically, bioinformatic analysis was utilized to evaluate whether BMI1 was a target of CUL4B. Moreover, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify microRNAs regulated by CUL4B. Finally, Western blot assay was used to validate the regulation of CUL4B, miR200b, and miR200c (miR200b/c) on the stem‐like characteristics of PCa cells.ResultsCUL4B promotes PCa pluripotency‐associated markers expression, sphere formation, and anchorage‐independent growth ability in vitro. Mechanically, CUL4B upregulates BMI1 expression via epigenetically repressing miR200b/c expression. In addition, miR200b/c could partially reverse CUL4B‐induced BMI1 and pluripotency‐associated marker expression.ConclusionsOur study revealed that CUL4B regulates cancer stem‐like traits of prostate cancer cells by targeting BMI1 via miR200b/c, which might give novel insight into how CUL4B promotes PCa progression through regulating cancer stem‐like traits.
Internal Migration Trajectories, Occupational Achievement and Social Mobility in Contemporary Italy. A Life Course Perspective
Authors: Impicciatore Roberto , Panichella Nazareno 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis work analyses the interrelation among migration, student career, job experiences and family formation. It focuses on Italian South‐to‐North internal migration. Empirical analyses first describe the life patterns experienced by internal migrants, and then study the selection into different migration trajectories, as well as their association with different occupational achievements and social mobility pathways. The analyses are based on longitudinal data from IHLS and use Sequence Analysis and Logit Models. Results show that different migration trajectories are characterised by a marked selectivity of movers, and that they have different, even opposite, association with individual life chances. Some trajectories create social closure because they ‘reproduce’ the southern upper classes in the North. Other types are more widespread among the lower classes, but they do not guarantee better opportunities of social mobility. Finally, there are forms of mobility that represent valid routes of upward mobility for the middle and lower classes.