bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leucine supplementation attenuates macrophage foam‐cell formation: Studies in humans, mice, and cultured macrophages
Authors: Grajeda‐Iglesias Claudia , Rom Oren , Hamoud Shadi , Volkova Nina , Hayek Tony , Abu‐Saleh Niroz , Aviram Michael 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWhereas atherogenicity of dietary lipids has been largely studied, relatively little is known about the possible contribution of dietary amino acids to macrophage foam‐cell formation, a hallmark of early atherogenesis. Recently, we showed that leucine has antiatherogenic properties in the macrophage model system. In this study, an in‐depth investigation of the role of leucine in macrophage lipid metabolism was conducted by supplementing humans, mice, or cultured macrophages with leucine. Macrophage incubation with serum obtained from healthy adults supplemented with leucine (5 g/d, 3 weeks) significantly decreased cellular cholesterol mass by inhibiting the rate of cholesterol biosynthesis and increasing cholesterol efflux from macrophages. Similarly, leucine supplementation to C57BL/6 mice (8 weeks) resulted in decreased cholesterol content in their harvested peritoneal macrophages (MPM) in relation with reduced cholesterol biosynthesis rate. Studies in J774A.1 murine macrophages revealed that leucine dose‐dependently decreased cellular cholesterol and triglyceride mass. Macrophages treated with leucine (0.2 mM) showed attenuated uptake of very low‐density lipoproteins and triglyceride biosynthesis rate, with a concurrent down‐regulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase‐1, a key enzyme catalyzing triglyceride biosynthesis in macrophages. Similar effects were observed when macrophages were treated with α‐ketoisocaproate, a key leucine metabolite. Finally, both in vivo and in vitro leucine supplementation significantly improved macrophage mitochondrial respiration and ATP production. The above studies, conducted in human, mice, and cultured macrophages, highlight a protective role for leucine attenuating macrophage foam‐cell formation by mechanisms related to the metabolism of cholesterol, triglycerides, and energy production. © 2018 BioFactors, 44(3):245–262, 2018
Impact of abdominal aortic aneurysm screening on quality of life
Authors: Bath M F , Sidloff D , Saratzis A , Bown M J , Pathak R , Brooks M , Hayes P , Imray C , Quarmby J , Choksy S , Earnshaw J J , Shearman C P , Grocott E , Rix T , Chetter I , Tennant W , Libertiny G , Sykes T , Dayer M , Pike L , Pherwani A , Nice C , Browning N , McCollum C , Yusuf S , Gannon M , Barwell J , Baker S , Vallabhaneni S R , Davies A 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background
Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is known to reduce AAA-related mortality; however, the psychological impact of population AAA screening is unclear. The aim was to assess the impact of AAA diagnosis on quality of life (QoL) using data from an established AAA screening programme.

Methods
Mental and physical QoL scores for men diagnosed with AAA through participation in the English and Welsh AAA screening programmes were compared with no-AAA controls. Participants were identified through the United Kingdom Aneurysm Growth Study (UKAGS), a nationwide prospective cohort study of men with an AAA of less than 55 mm diagnosed through voluntary participation in screening. The UKAGS participants completed QoL questionnaires at the time of screening and annually thereafter.

Results
A transient reduction in mental QoL scores was observed following the diagnosis of AAA, returning to baseline levels after 12 months. Physical QoL remained consistently lower in the AAA cohort. Participants thought about their AAA and the AAA growth progressively less 12 months after the initial screening diagnosis. AAA growth rate had no influence over QoL parameters.

Discussion
This study suggests that screening for AAA does reduce mental QoL; however, this effect is transient (less than 12 months). Men diagnosed with AAA have a consistently worse physical QoL compared with controls.
Quality of life after hepatic resection
Authors: Studer P , Horn T , Haynes A , Candinas D , Banz V M 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background
Long-term quality of life (QoL) after liver resection is becoming increasingly important, as improvements in operative methods and perioperative care have decreased morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, postoperative QoL after resection of benign or malignant liver tumours was evaluated.

Methods
In this single-centre study, QoL was evaluated prospectively using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and the liver-specific QLQ-LMC21 module before, and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after open or laparoscopic liver surgery.

Results
Between June 2007 and January 2013, 188 patients (130 with malignant and 58 with benign tumours) requiring major liver resection were included. Global health status was no different between the two groups before and 1 month after liver resection. All patients showed an improvement in global health status at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Patients with benign tumours had better global health status than those with malignant tumours at these time points (P &lt; 0·001, P = 0·002 and P = 0·006 respectively). Patients with benign disease had better physical function scores (P = 0·011, P = 0·025 and P = 0·041) and lower fatigue scores (P = 0·001, P = 0·002 and P = 0·002) at 3, 6 and 12 months than those with malignant disease.

Conclusion
This study confirmed overall good QoL in patients undergoing liver resection for benign or malignant tumours, which improved after surgery. Benign diseases were associated with better short- and long-term QoL scores.
Plasma phospholipid profiling of a mouse model of anxiety disorder by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Berkecz Róbert , Körmöczi Tímea , Tömösi Ferenc , Szegedi Viktor , Horváth János , Kovács Nóra , Janáky Tamás 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGlycerophospholipids (PLs), as amphipathic small molecules and the main constituents of biological membranes, play an important role in several cellular processes, even though their accurate identification from complex biological samples remains a challenge. In this paper, we report a fast and comprehensive HILIC‐ESI‐MS method for the analysis of glycerophospholipid classes using high‐resolution mass spectrometry in negative mode. The final method enabled the quantitative analysis of 130 endogenous PL species in mouse plasma. The application of the method developed was to find differences of plasma PL composition in a mouse model of anxiety disorder. In the case of four PL classes and 35 PL species, significant differences were observed comparing low anxiety‐related behavior with high anxiety‐related behavior groups. The most characteristic trend was up‐regulation in both the PL classes and PL species, and decreases were only detected in two phosphatidylcholines among 35 species in mice having elevated anxiety.
The crossed frontal aslant tract: A possible pathway involved in the recovery of supplementary motor area syndrome
Authors: Baker Cordell M. , Burks Joshua D. , Briggs Robert G. , Smitherman Adam D. , Glenn Chad A. , Conner Andrew K. , Wu Dee H. , Sughrue Michael E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIntroductionSupplementary motor area (SMA) syndrome is a constellation of temporary symptoms that may occur following tumors of the frontal lobe. Affected patients develop akinesia and mutism but often recover within weeks to months. With our own case examples and with correlations to fiber tracking validated by gross anatomical dissection as ground truth, we describe a white matter pathway through which recovery may occur.MethodsDiffusion spectrum imaging from the Human Connectome Project was used for tractography analysis. SMA outflow tracts were mapped in both hemispheres using a predefined seeding region. Postmortem dissections of 10 cadaveric brains were performed using a modified Klingler technique to verify the tractography results.ResultsTwo cases were identified in our clinical records in which patients sustained permanent SMA syndrome after complete disconnection of the SMA and corpus callosum (CC). After investigating the postoperative anatomy of these resections, we identified a pattern of nonhomologous connections through the CC connecting the premotor area to the contralateral premotor and SMAs. The transcallosal fibers have projections from the previously described frontal aslant tract (FAT) and thus, we have termed this path the “crossed FAT.”ConclusionsWe hypothesize that this newly described tract may facilitate recovery from SMA syndrome by maintaining interhemispheric connectivity through the supplementary motor and premotor areas.
Loganic Acid Methyltransferase: Insights into the Specificity of Methylation on an Iridoid Glycoside
Authors: Petronikolou Nektaria , Hollatz Allison J. , Schuler Mary A. , Nair Satish K. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLoganin is an iridoid glycoside of interest as both an intermediate in the biosynthesis of indole alkaloids in plants and as a bioactive compound itself. Loganic acid methyltransferase catalyzes the methylation of a monoterpenoid glycoside precursor to produce loganin and demonstrates stereospecificity for the (6S,7R) substrate. We have biochemically characterized this biocatalyst and elucidated the basis for its strict substrate specificity. These studies could help facilitate the design of new classes of monoterpenoid indole alkaloids of pharmaceutical interest.
Construction of T‐Motif‐Based DNA Nanostructures through Enzymatic Reactions
Authors: Kageyama Ryo , Kawamata Ibuki , Tanabe Kaori , Suzuki Yuki , Nomura Shin‐ichiro M. , Murata Satoshi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe most common way to fabricate DNA nanostructures is to mix individually synthesized DNA oligomers in one pot. However, if DNA nanostructures could be produced through enzymatic reactions, they could be applied in various environments, including in vivo. Herein, an enzymatic method developed to construct a DNA nanostructure from a simple motif called a T‐motif is reported. A long, repeated structure was replicated from a circular template by rolling circle amplification and then cleaved into T‐motif segments by restriction enzymes. These motifs have been successfully assembled into a ladder‐like nanostructure without purification or controlled annealing. This approach is widely applicable to constructing a variety of DNA nanostructures through enzymatic reactions.
Supra‐annular structure assessment for self‐expanding transcatheter heart valve size selection in patients with bicuspid aortic valve
Authors: Liu Xianbao , He Yuxin , Zhu Qifeng , Gao Feng , He Wei , Yu Lei , Zhou Qijing , Kong Minjian , Wang Jian'an 
Published: February 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo explore assessment of supra‐annular structure for self‐expanding transcatheter heart valve (THV) size selection in patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis (AS).BackgroundAnnulus‐based device selection from CT measurement is the standard sizing strategy for tricuspid aortic valve before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Because of supra‐annular deformity, device selection for bicuspid AS has not been systemically studied.MethodsTwelve patients with bicuspid AS who underwent TAVR with self‐expanding THVs were included in this study. To assess supra‐annular structure, sequential balloon aortic valvuloplasty was performed in every 2 mm increments until waist sign occurred with less than mild regurgitation. Procedural results and 30 day follow‐up outcomes were analyzed.ResultsSeven patients (58.3%) with 18 mm; three patients (25%) with sequential 18 mm, 20 mm; and only two patients (16.7%) with sequential 18 mm, 20 mm, and 22 mm balloon sizing were performed, respectively. According to the results of supra‐annular assessment, a smaller device size (91.7%) was selected in all but one patient compared with annulus based sizing strategy, and the outcomes were satisfactory with 100% procedural success. No mortality and 1 minor stroke were observed at 30 d follow‐up. The percentage of NYHA III/IV decreased from 83.3% (9/12) to 16.7% (2/12). No new permanent pacemaker implantation and no moderate or severe paravalvular leakage were found.ConclusionsA supra‐annular structure based sizing strategy is feasible for TAVR in patients with bicuspid AS.
A Capillary Flow Dynamics‐Based Sensing Modality for Direct Environmental Pathogen Monitoring
Authors: Klug Katherine E. , Reynolds Kelly A. , Yoon Jeong‐Yeol 
Published: February 2018

AbstractToward ultra‐simple and field‐ready biosensors, we demonstrate a novel assay transducer mechanism based on interfacial property changes and capillary flow dynamics in antibody‐conjugated submicron particle suspensions. Differential capillary flow is tunable, allowing pathogen quantification as a function of flow rate through a paper‐based microfluidic device. Flow models based on interfacial and rheological properties indicate a significant relationship between the flow rate and the interfacial effects caused by target‐particle aggregation. This mechanism is demonstrated for assays of Escherichia coli K12 in water samples and Zika virus (ZIKV) in blood serum. These assays achieved very low limits of detection compared with other demonstrated methods (1 log CFU/mL E. coli and 20 pg/mL ZIKV whole virus) with an operating time of 30 s, showing promise for environmental and health monitoring.
Separation and Recovery of a Hemicellulose‐Derived Sugar Produced from the Hydrolysis of Biomass by an Acidic Ionic Liquid
Authors: da Costa Lopes Andre M. , Łukasik Rafał M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBiomass processing with ionic liquids (ILs) has been one of the most topical research areas in recent years. However, separation and recovery of biomass products and ILs are currently a challenge. Recovery of produced monosaccharides from an IL postreaction solution and the possibility to reuse the IL are strongly required to guarantee the sustainability of biomass processing. The present study demonstrates a novel approach that aims at separating a biomass hemicellulose‐derived product, namely, xylose, and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogensulfate ([emim][HSO4]). High polarity of a postreaction system composed of xylose, IL, and water is one of the major hindrances in the separation performance. A proposed solution is fine‐tuning of the system polarity by the addition of moderately polar acetonitrile. To scrutinize the potential of xylose and IL separation, phase equilibria of a system constituted by [emim][HSO4], water, and acetonitrile were studied. Additionally, preparative chromatography experiments with alumina as a stationary phase were performed to determine the conditions required for efficient separation of the sugar and the IL by selective adsorption of xylose on alumina in detriment of IL. The amount and treatment of the stationary phase, eluent polarity, and amount of loaded sample were also scrutinized in this study. Treatment of alumina was considered as a necessary step to achieve recovery yields of 90.8 and 98.1 wt % for the IL and xylose, respectively, as separate fractions.
Improving the Performance of Layered Oxide Cathode Materials with Football‐Like Hierarchical Structure for Na‐Ion Batteries by Incorporating Mg2+ into Vacancies in Na‐Ion Layers
Authors: Li Zheng‐Yao , Wang Huibo , Chen Dongfeng , Sun Kai , Yang Wenyun , Yang Jinbo , Liu Xiangfeng , Han Songbai 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe development of advanced cathode materials is still a great interest for sodium‐ion batteries. The feasible commercialization of sodium‐ion batteries relies on the design and exploitation of suitable electrode materials. This study offers a new insight into material design to exploit high‐performance P2‐type cathode materials for sodium‐ion batteries. The incorporation of Mg2+ into intrinsic Na+ vacancies in Na‐ion layers can lead to a high‐performance P2‐type cathode material for sodium‐ion batteries. The materials prepared by the coprecipitation approach show a well‐defined morphology of secondary football‐like hierarchical structures. Neutron power diffraction and refinement results demonstrate that the incorporation of Mg2+ into intrinsic vacancies can enlarge the space for Na‐ion diffusion, which can increase the d‐spacing of the (0 0 2) peak and the size of slabs but reduce the chemical bond length to result in an enhanced rate capability and cycling stability. The incorporation of Mg2+ into available vacancies and a unique morphology make Na0.7Mg0.05Mn0.8Ni0.1Co0.1O2 a promising cathode, which can be charged and discharged at an ultra‐high current density of 2000 mA g−1 with an excellent specific capacity of 60 mAh g−1. This work provides a new insight into the design of electrode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.
WS2/Graphitic Carbon Nitride Heterojunction Nanosheets Decorated with CdS Quantum Dots for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Zou Yajun , Shi Jian‐Wen , Ma Dandan , Fan Zhaoyang , Cheng Linhao , Sun Diankun , Wang Zeyan , Niu Chunming 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTwo‐dimensional/two‐dimensional (2D/2D) stacking heterostructures are highly desirable in fabricating efficient photocatalysts because face‐to‐face contact can provide a maximized interfacial region between the two semiconductors; this largely facilitates the migration of charge carriers. Herein, a WS2/graphitic carbon nitride (CN) 2D/2D nanosheet heterostructure decorated with CdS quantum dots (QDs) has been designed, for the first time. Optimized CdS/WS2/CN without another cocatalyst exhibits a significantly enhanced photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of 1174.5 μmol h−1 g−1 under visible‐light irradiation (λ>420 nm), which is nearly 67 times higher than that of the pure CN nanosheets. The improved photocatalytic activity can be primarily attributed to the highly efficient charge‐transfer pathways built among the three components, which effectively accelerate the separation and transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes, and thus, inhibit their recombination. Moreover, the extended light‐absorption range also contributes to excellent photocatalytic efficiency. In addition, the CdS/WS2/CN photocatalyst shows excellent stability and reusability without apparent decay in the photocatalytic H2 evolution within 4 cycles in 20 h. It is believed that this work may shed light on specifically designed 2D/2D nanosheet heterostructures for more efficient visible‐light‐driven photocatalysts.
Kinematic Modeling of Mechanocatalytic Depolymerization of α‐Cellulose and Beechwood
Authors: Kessler Martin , Woodward Robert T. , Wong Narumi , Rinaldi Roberto 
Published: February 2018

AbstractInvited for this month′s cover is the group of Dr. Roberto Rinaldi from the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London. The Cover image is an artistic representation of the collision model for the ball mill operation effecting the mechanocatalytic depolymerization of (ligno‐)cellulose resulting in water‐soluble oligosaccharides (and lignin oligomers). The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201702060.
Toward valid and reliable brain imaging results in eating disorders
Authors: Frank Guido K. W. , Favaro Angela , Marsh Rachel , Ehrlich Stefan , Lawson Elizabeth A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHuman brain imaging can help improve our understanding of mechanisms underlying brain function and how they drive behavior in health and disease. Such knowledge may eventually help us to devise better treatments for psychiatric disorders. However, the brain imaging literature in psychiatry and especially eating disorders has been inconsistent, and studies are often difficult to replicate. The extent or severity of extremes of eating and state of illness, which are often associated with differences in, for instance hormonal status, comorbidity, and medication use, commonly differ between studies and likely add to variation across study results. Those effects are in addition to the well‐described problems arising from differences in task designs, data quality control procedures, image data preprocessing and analysis or statistical thresholds applied across studies. Which of those factors are most relevant to improve reproducibility is still a question for debate and further research. Here we propose guidelines for brain imaging research in eating disorders to acquire valid results that are more reliable and clinically useful.
Regeneration recruitment and survival in an Asian tropical rain forest: implications for sustainable management
Authors: Ashton Mark S. , Hooper Elaine R. , Singhakumara Balangoda , Ediriweera Sisira 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFew studies have been published that focus on monitoring and investigating the long‐term patterns of recruitment and survival of seedlings in the understories of tropical forests. Studies for mixed dipterocarp forest, the dominant tropical forest type for South and Southeast Asia, demonstrate seedlings in the existing forest understory (advance regeneration) play the most important role in forming a new forest after disturbance (e.g., logging, windstorms). Our study monitors the regeneration dynamic across a topographic gradient (ridge, mid‐slope, and valley) of the understory for a mixed dipterocarp forest in the Sinharaja MAB reserve in southwest Sri Lanka. We recorded seedling recruitment, growth, and mortality by species in replicated plots on multiple forest understory sites over a ten‐year period. Seedling density ranged from 26 to 31 m2 with all of it categorized as advance regeneration of canopy tree species. Results show differences in seedling density per species across the topography and over time, with differences driven by changes in species composition from valley to ridge and in recruitment periodicity potentially related to supra‐annual variations in climate. Seedling mortality was higher on ridges than valley and mid‐slopes; and disproportionately higher seedling mortality occurs of relatively shade‐intolerant late‐successional trees species (70% mortality after 8 yr) compared with their more shade‐tolerant associates (30% mortality after 8 yr). Our results contradict current selective logging prescriptions for tropical forests that comprise a single cutting cycle and minimum diameter felling for all commercial timber trees. Such harvests give no consideration to timing and manipulation of the forest canopy to favor release of advance regeneration. We recommend careful timing of timber harvests to occur in synchrony to the periodicity of seedling recruitment and silvicultural treatments that both insures their release and that accommodates to differences in seedling composition and density across topography.