bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Racial disparities in preemptive referral for kidney transplantation in Georgia
Authors: Gander Jennifer C. , Zhang Xingyu , Plantinga Laura , Paul Sudeshna , Basu Mohua , Pastan Stephen O. , Gibney Eric , Hartmann Erica , Mulloy Laura , Zayas Carlos , Patzer Rachel E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackgroundRacial disparities persist in access to kidney transplantation. Racial differences in preemptive referral, or referral prior to dialysis start, may explain this discrepancy.MethodsPatient‐level data on kidney transplant referrals (2005‐2012) from all Georgia transplant centers were linked to the United States Renal Data System to examine racial disparities in preemptive referral, waitlisting, and living donor transplant. Adjusted logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models determined the associations between race (African American vs white) and preemptive referral, and placement on the waitlist and receipt of a living donor kidney, respectively.ResultsAmong 7752 adults referred for transplant evaluation, 20.38% (n = 1580) were preemptively referred. The odds of African Americans being preemptively referred for transplant evaluation were 37% (OR = 0.63; [95% CI: 0.55 0.71]) lower than white patients. Among preemptively referred patients, there was no racial difference (African Americans compared to white patients. HR = 0.96; [95% CI: 0.88, 1.04]) in waitlisting. However, African Americans were 70% less likely than white patients to receive a living donor transplant (HR = 0.30; [95% CI: 0.21, 0.42]).ConclusionRacial disparities in transplant receipt may be partially explained by disparities in preemptive referral. Interventions to reduce racial disparities in kidney transplant access may need to be targeted earlier in the disease process.
Racial disparity in kidney transplant survival relates to late rejection and is independent of steroid withdrawal
Authors: Liu Angela , Woodside Kenneth J. , Augustine Joshua J. , Sarabu Nagaraju 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBlack kidney transplant recipients have more acute rejection (AR) and inferior graft survival. We sought to determine whether early steroid withdrawal (ESW) had an impact on AR and death‐censored graft loss (DCGL) in blacks. From 2006 to 2012, AR and graft survival were analyzed in 483 kidney recipients (208 black and 275 non‐black). Rates of ESW were similar between blacks (65%) and non‐blacks (67%). AR was defined as early (≤3 months) or late (>3 months). The impact of black race, early AR, and late AR on death‐censored graft failure was analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox models. Blacks had greater dialysis vintage, more deceased donor transplants, and less HLA matching, yet rates of early AR were comparable between blacks and non‐blacks. However, black race was a risk factor for late AR (HR: 3.48 (95% CI: 1.87‐6.47)) Blacks had a greater rate of DCGL, partially driven by late AR (HR with late AR: 5.6; 95% CI: 3.3‐9.3). ESW had no significant interaction with black race for risk of early AR, late AR, or DCGL. Independent of ESW, black kidney recipients had a higher rate of late AR after kidney transplantation. Late AR was highly predictive of DCGL and contributed to inferior graft survival in blacks.
Unusual sequelae of a subluxated primary incisor on its permanent successor tooth
Authors: Cho Vanessa Y. Y. , Anthonappa Robert P. , King Nigel M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTraumatic dental injuries (TDIs) such as subluxations of primary teeth can have significant consequences on their developing successors. The purpose of this report is to present a 3‐year‐old boy who encountered subluxation injuries to his primary incisors which subsequently had an unusual consequence on the permanent successor. On the day of the TDI, based on clinical and radiographic examinations, a diagnosis of subluxation of teeth 52, 51 and 61 was made. By age 5, the patient reported that tooth 51 had exfoliated, and consequently, tooth 11 had erupted into the oral cavity, but it was very loose. Eventually, the patient lost the crown of tooth 11 during his routine daily activities. Furthermore, radiographic examination at age 11 revealed a small root‐like structure in the tooth 11 region. It is very unusual to have premature loss of a permanent incisor following subluxation to its predecessor. Therefore, the present case serves as a good example to emphasize that even minor TDIs are of considerable importance as they may lead to unexpected consequences.
Granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor improves mouse peripheral nerve regeneration following sciatic nerve crush
Authors: Bombeiro André Luis , Pereira Bruna Toledo Nunes , de Oliveira Alexandre Leite Rodrigues 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPeripheral nerve injuries severely impair patients’ quality of life as full recovery is seldom achieved. Upon axonal disruption, the distal nerve stump undergoes fragmentation, and myelin breaks down; the subsequent regeneration progression is dependent on cell debris removal. In addition to tissue clearance, macrophages release angiogenic and neurotrophic factors that contribute to axon growth. Based on the importance of macrophages for nerve regeneration, especially during the initial response to injury, we treated mice with granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) at various intervals after sciatic nerve crushing. Sciatic nerves were histologically analyzed at different time intervals after injury for the presence of macrophages and indicators of regeneration. Functional recovery was followed by an automated walking track test. We found that GM‐CSF potentiated early axon growth, as indicated by the enhanced expression of growth‐associated protein at 7 days postinjury. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression increased at the beginning and at the end of the regenerative process, suggesting that nitric oxide is involved in axon growth and pruning. As expected, GM‐CSF treatment stimulated macrophage infiltration, which increased at 7 and 14 days; however, it did not improve myelin clearance. Instead, GM‐CSF stimulated early brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production, which peaked at 7 days. Locomotor recovery pattern was not improved by GM‐CSF treatment. The present results suggest that GM‐CSF may have beneficial effects on early axonal regeneration.
Dopamine and opioids inhibit synaptic outputs of the main island of the intercalated neurons of the amygdala
Authors: Gregoriou Gabrielle C. , Kissiwaa Sarah A. , Patel Sahil D. , Bagley Elena E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNeural circuits in the amygdala are important for associating the positive experience of drug taking with the coincident environmental cues. During abstinence, cue re‐exposure activates the amygdala, increases dopamine release in the amygdala and stimulates relapse to drug use in an opioid dependent manner. Neural circuits in the amygdala and the learning that underlies these behaviours are inhibited by GABAergic synaptic inhibition. A specialised subtype of GABAergic neurons in the amygdala are the clusters of intercalated cells. We focussed on the main‐island of intercalated cells because these neurons, located ventromedial to the basolateral amygdala, express very high levels of dopamine D1‐receptor and μ‐opioid receptor, release enkephalin and are densely innervated by the ventral tegmental area. However, where these neurons project to was not fully described and their regulation by opioids and dopamine was incomplete. To address this issue we electrically stimulated in the main‐island of the intercalated cells in rat brain slices and made patch‐clamp recordings of GABAergic synaptics from amygdala neurons. We found that main‐island neurons had a strong GABAergic inhibitory output to pyramidal neurons of the basolateral nucleus and the medial central nucleus, the major output zones of the amygdala. Opioids inhibited both these synaptic outputs of the intercalated neurons and thus would disinhibit these target zones. Additionally, dopamine acting at D1‐receptors inhibited main‐island neuron synapses onto other main‐island neurons. This data indicates that the inhibitory projections from the main‐island neurons could influence multiple aspects of addiction and emotional processing in an opioid and dopamine dependent manner.
Binge drinking is associated with attenuated frontal and parietal activation during successful response inhibition in fearful context
Authors: Herman Aleksandra M. , Critchley Hugo D. , Duka Theodora 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBinge drinking is associated with increased impulsivity and altered emotional processing. This study investigated, in a group of university students who differed in their level of binge drinking, whether the ability to inhibit a pre‐potent response and to delay gratification is disrupted in the presence of emotional context. We further tested whether functional connectivity within intrinsic resting‐state networks was associated with alcohol use. Higher incidence of binge drinking was associated with enhanced activation of the lateral occipital cortex, angular gyrus, the left frontal pole during successful response inhibition irrespective of emotional context. This observation suggests a compensatory mechanism. However, higher binge drinking attenuated frontal and parietal activation during successful response inhibition within a fearful context, indicating the selective emotional facilitation of inhibitory control. Similarly, higher binge drinking was associated with attenuated frontopolar activation when choosing a delayed reward over an immediate reward within the fearful, relative to the neutral, context. Resting‐state functional data analysis revealed that binge drinking decreased coupling between the right supramarginal gyrus and Ventral Attention Network, indicating alcohol‐associated disruption of functional connectivity within brain substrates directing attention. Together, our results suggest that binge drinking makes response inhibition more effortful, yet emotional (more arousing) contexts may mitigate this; disrupted functional connectivity between regions underlying adaptive attentional control, is a likely mechanism underlying these response inhibition effects associated with binge drinking.
Cell‐based therapy for Parkinson's disease: A journey through decades toward the light side of the Force
Authors: Parmar Malin , Torper Olof , Drouin‐Ouellet Janelle 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis review describes the history, development, and evolution of cell‐based replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD), from the first pioneering trials with fetal ventral midbrain progenitors to future trials using stem cells as well as reprogrammed cells. In the spirit of Tom Isaacs, the review takes parallels to the storyline of Star Wars, including the temptations from the dark side and the continuous fight for the light side of the Force. It is subdivided into headings based on the original movies, spanning from A New Hope to the Last Jedi.
Systematic review of the effects of acute stress in binge eating disorder
Authors: Naish Katherine R. , Laliberte Michele , MacKillop James , Balodis Iris M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBinge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating an excessive amount of food over a discrete time period, while feeling a loss of control over one's eating. Although stress is one of the most commonly reported triggers of binge eating in individuals with BED, there has been little work examining the stress response specifically in individuals with the disorder. In this review, we examine what is known about how individuals with BED respond to acute stressors. A systematic literature search identified 14 relevant articles that report on the effects of experimentally induced stress on objective measures. Dependent measures that have been examined include changes in the levels of hormones such as cortisol and ghrelin, cardiovascular function, ad libitum food intake and eating rate. In this review, we describe the published findings and discuss their implications in the context of the wider literature. Overall, we found partial evidence that BED is associated with a heightened response to stress. Given the inconsistencies between studies, we suggest that reported differences between individuals with and without BED might be driven by factors that are correlated with, but not specific to, BED. We suggest that two priorities for this research area are to identify factors that modulate the stress response in individuals with BED, and to address the underrepresentation of males in this literature.
A 6‐month prospective randomized controlled trial of remotely delivered group format epilepsy self‐management versus waitlist control for high‐risk people with epilepsy
Authors: Sajatovic Martha , Colon‐Zimmermann Kari , Kahriman Mustafa , Fuentes‐Casiano Edna , Liu Hongyan , Tatsuoka Curtis , Cassidy Kristin A. , Lhatoo Samden , Einstadter Douglas , Chen Peijun 
Published: August 2018

SummaryObjectiveDespite advances in care, many people with epilepsy have negative health events (NHEs) such as accidents, emergency department visits, and poor quality of life. “Self‐management forpeople with epilepsy and a history of negative health events” (SMART) is a novel group format epilepsy self‐management intervention. A community participatory approach informed the refinement ofSMART, which was then tested in a 6‐month randomized controlled trial ofSMART(n = 60) versus waitlist control (WL, n = 60).MethodsParticipants were adults aged ≥18 years with epilepsy and anNHEwithin the past 6 months (seizure, accident, self‐harm attempt, emergency department visit, or hospitalization). Assessments were conducted at screening, baseline, 10 weeks, and 24 weeks (6 months). Primary outcome was 6‐month change in totalNHEcount. Additional outcomes included depression on the nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire and Montgomery‐Asberg Depression Rating Scale, quality of life on the 10‐item Quality of Life in Epilepsy, functioning on the 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey, and seizure severity on the Liverpool Seizure Severity Scale.ResultsMean age was 41.3 years (SD = 11.82), 69.9% were African American, 74.2% were unemployed, and 87.4% had an annual income < US$25 000; 57.5% had a seizure within 30 days of enrollment. MostNHEs were seizures. Six‐month study attrition was 14.2% overall and similar between arms. Individuals randomized toSMARThad greater reduction in total medianNHEs from baseline to 6 months compared toWL(P = 0.04).SMARTwas also associated with improved nine‐item Patient Health Questionnaire (P = 0.032), Montgomery‐Asberg Depression Rating Scale (P = 0.002), 10‐item Quality of Life in Epilepsy (P < 0.001), and 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey (P = 0.015 physical health,P = 0.003 mental health) versusWL. There was no difference in seizure severity.SignificanceSMARTis associated with reduced health complications and improved mood, quality of life, and health functioning in high‐risk people with epilepsy. Additional efforts are needed to investigate potential for scale‐up.
Differential expression of lncRNAs and predicted target genes in normal mouse melanocytes and B16 cells
Authors: Ji Kaiyuan , Zhang Junzhen , Fan Ruiwen , Yang Shanshan , Dong Changsheng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMelanoma is a highly invasive and metastatic malignant skin tumor with poor prognosis. Although several widely studied pure melanoma cell lines are available, the precise mechanism underlying transformation of melanocyte to melanoma remains unclear. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a vast category of non‐coding RNA molecules, and increasing evidence suggests that lncRNAs are crucial for various biological processes, including those in the skin. Herein, lncRNA sequencing was performed on an Illumina HiSeq platform to identify lncRNAs expressed differently in murine B16 melanoma cells compared to normal mouse melanocytes. Using four computational approaches, 2319 lncRNAs were expressed in both normal melanocytes and B16 cells, with 373 being differentially expressed at a significant level. Of these, 136 lncRNAs were upregulated and 237 were downregulated. KEGG analyses revealed that 467 genes were target genes in the Wnt signalling pathway, TGF‐beta signalling pathway, MAPK signalling pathway, NF‐kappa B signalling pathway, melanoma and several other cancer‐related regulatory pathways. From among the differentially expressed lncRNAs, lnc‐13317.1 was found to play a role in the cell cycle in melanoma by targeting BRCA1. Thus, lnc‐13317.1 might have therapeutic potential in melanoma treatment. The lncRNA profile described here highlights the importance of elucidating the exact function of these lncRNAs in the transformation of melanoma. Lnc‐13317.1 might have therapeutic potential in melanoma treatment by targeting BRCA1.
Decorin promotes proliferation and migration of ORS keratinocytes and maintains hair anagen in mice
Authors: Zhou Lijuan , Jing Jing , Wang Han , Wu Xianjie , Lu Zhongfa 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDECORIN is a prototypical member of the small leucine‐rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family that plays important roles in numerous biological processes and cellular biological pathways. We previously showed that Decorin expression was highly enhanced in mouse dorsal hair follicles (HFs) during the anagen phase and was reduced during the catagen and telogen phases, suggesting that Decorin might modulate follicular cycling and morphogenesis. In this study, to further clarify the effects of DECORIN on hair cells and the cycling transition, an in vitro overexpression strategy and Decorin‐null (Dcn−/−) mice were used to investigate the effects of DECORIN on outer root sheath (ORS) keratinocytes. DECORIN overexpression significantly enhanced proliferation and migration in ORS keratinocytes in vitro. Moreover, DECORIN overexpression upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of WNT10b, β‐CATENIN and LEF1. The DECORIN overexpression‐induced increase in the proliferation and migration of ORS keratinocytes was partially inhibited by a Wnt/β‐catenin inhibitor. Furthermore, Dcn−/− mice had a shortened anagen phase and lower levels of β‐catenin expression than were observed in wild‐type mice in imaging and histological analyses. Taken together, these findings suggest that DECORIN promotes the proliferation and migration of ORS keratinocytes in vitro and maintains hair anagen in mice.
Pushing the limit: Resilience of an Arctic copepod to environmental fluctuations
Authors: Kvile Kristina Øie , Ashjian Carin , Feng Zhixuan , Zhang Jinlun , Ji Rubao 
Published: August 2018

AbstractLife history strategies such as multiyear life cycles, resting stages, and capital breeding allow species to inhabit regions with extreme and fluctuating environmental conditions. One example is the zooplankton species Calanus hyperboreus, whose life history is considered an adaptation to the short and unpredictable growth season in the central Arctic Ocean. This copepod is commonly described as a true Arctic endemic; however, by statistically analyzing compiled observational data, we show that abundances are relatively low and later stages and adults dominate in the central Arctic Ocean basins, indicating expatriation. Combining data analyses with individual‐based modeling and energy requirement estimation, we further demonstrate that while C. hyperboreus can reach higher abundances in areas with greater food availability outside the central Arctic basins, the species’ resilience to environmental fluctuations enables the life cycle to be completed in the central Arctic basins. Specifically, the energy level required to reach the first overwintering stage—a prerequisite for successful local production—is likely met in some—but not all—years. This fine balance between success and failure indicates that C. hyperboreus functions as a peripheral population in the central Arctic basins and its abundance will likely increase in areas with improved growth conditions in response to climate change. By illustrating a key Arctic species’ resilience to extreme and fluctuating environmental conditions, the results of this study have implications for projections of future biogeography and food web dynamics in the Arctic Ocean, a region experiencing rapid warming and sea ice loss.
Adenomatoid tumour of the uterus is frequently associated with iatrogenic immunosuppression
Authors: Tamura Daisuke , Maeda Daichi , Halimi Sultan Ahmad , Okimura Masato , Kudo‐Asabe Yukitsugu , Ito Satoru , Sato Naoki , Shibahara Junji , Nanjo Hiroshi , Terada Yukihiro , Goto Akiteru 
Published: August 2018

AimsUterine adenomatoid tumour (AT) is a benign proliferation of cells showing mesothelial differentiation within the myometrium that usually presents as a single nodule. Rare diffuse uterine ATs have been reported, often in patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the general association between the incidence of uterine AT and iatrogenic immunosuppression by cohort analysis.Methods and resultsWe analysed 611 consecutive hysterectomy specimens to determine the incidence of AT and its correlation with the immunosuppressive status. Mesothelial lineage, p16 expression, mismatch repair (MMR) protein alterations, and the possible integration of tumorigenic viruses were examined by in situ hybridizasion and immunohistochemistry. ATs were detected in 14 of 611 hysterectomy cases (2.3%). The incidence of AT was significantly higher in the immunosuppressed (IS) group (5/20, 25.0%) than in the non‐IS group (9/591, 1.52%), with a relative risk of 16.4. Of the five ATs in the IS group, three were multifocal or diffuse. Latent uterine AT was detected, by in toto sectioning, in one of four immunosuppressed autopsy cases. The tumor cells of ATs commonly expressed calretinin and podoplanin. Characteristic block‐type (≥90%) positivity for p16 was observed in most ATs. None of the ATs were positive for human herpes virus type 8, Merkel cell polyomavirus, SV40 large T antigen, Epstein‐Barr virus, and human papilloma virus, and the MMR proteins were retained. A TRAF7 mutation was identified from macrodissected tissue in one of 12 ATs by Sanger sequencing.ConclusionUterine AT is an immunosuppression‐associated mesothelial lesion characterised by p16 overexpression.
Bacterial species associated with persistent apical periodontitis exert differential effects on osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Chow A. T. , Quah S. Y. , Bergenholtz G. , Lim K. C. , Yu V. S. H. , Tan K. S. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimTo determine if bacteria associated with persistent apical periodontitis induce species‐specific pro‐inflammatory cytokine responses in macrophages, and the effects of this species‐specific microenvironment on osteogenic differentiation.MethodologyMacrophages were exposed to Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Treponema denticola or Tannerella forsythia, and levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β elicited were determined by immunoassay. Following treatment of MG‐63 pre‐osteoblasts with conditioned media from bacteria‐exposed macrophages, osteogenic differentiation and viability of osteoblasts were analyzed by Alizarin Red Staining and MTS assay, respectively. Statistical analysis was carried out by one‐way anova with the Tukey post‐hoc test. Differences were considered to be significant if P < 0.05.ResultsMacrophages exposed to Gram‐positive bacteria did not produce significant amounts of cytokines. F. nucleatum‐challenged macrophages produced up to four‐fold more TNF‐α and IL‐1β compared to T. denticola or T. forsythia. Only conditioned media from macrophages treated with Gram‐negative bacteria decreased mineralization and viability of osteoblasts.ConclusionsGram‐positive bacteria did not impact osteogenic differentiation and appeared innocuous. Gram‐negative bacteria, in particular F. nucleatum elicited an enhanced pro‐inflammatory response in macrophages, inhibited osteogenic differentiation and reduced cell viability. The findings suggest that the presence of this organism could potentially increase the severity of persistent apical periodontitis.