bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does the severity of interstitial lung disease affect the gains from pulmonary rehabilitation?
Authors: Deniz Sami , Şahin Hülya , Yalnız Enver 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionReduced exercise capacity is a main feature of Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs) and it is related to closely prognosis of these patients. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) results to improve in peak exercise capacity, dyspnea and quality of life in ILDs.ObjectivesWe aimed to evaluate the benefits of PR in patients with ILDs and to determine whether there are similar gains in patients with severe ILD.MethodsWe recruited ILD stable patients. All patients were evaluated with pulmonary function test, exercise capacity [6‐minute walking test (6MWD)], quality of life [Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), St. George's Respiratory Questionnare (SGRQ), Hospital anxiety and Depression (HAD)] before and after PR (8 week).ResultsFifty‐seven patients who completed PR program, 30 women and 27 men, included in this study. It was determined a significant difference in terms of quality of life and exercise capacity (P < .05) before and after PR. When these patients were divided into 2 groups (DLCO <40% predicted, severe: group‐1, and group‐2: other ≥40], there was no difference between 2 groups except for forced expiratory volume in 1 second, pulse oxygen saturation and partial oxygen pressure (pO2). When compared the differences between pre and post values of all variables, there was no difference significantly except 4 variables (SF‐36; physical functioning, social functioning, role physical and pO2).ConclusionPR led to improvement in quality of life and exercise capacity in ILDs. In addition, PR, irrespective of the severity of the disease, is particularly beneficial in patients with severe ILDs.
The role of plasma D‐dimer levels for predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node involvement in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Gao Xin‐Liang , Wang Si‐Si , Cao Dian‐Bo , Liu Wei 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionElevated plasma D‐dimer levels have been suggested as a predictor of poor prognosis in NSCLC. But rare study showed the relationship between D‐dimer levels and lymph node involvement.ObjectivesTo evaluate the role of plasma D‐dimer levels in predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node involvement in NSCLC.MethodsPreoperative plasma D‐dimer levels were quantified in 253 NSCLC patients that underwent radical lung resection with systemic lymph node dissection. Patients were classified as lymph node negative (N0) versus lymph node positive (N1 + N2) and mediastinal lymph node negative (N0 + N1) versus mediastinal lymph node positive (N2).ResultsMedian plasma D‐dimer level was significantly lower in Group N0 (94.0 μg/L) compared to Group N1 + N2 (177.0 μg/L) and in Group N0 + N1 (122.0 μg/L) compared to Group N2 (198.0 μg/L). Similar results were found in patients stratified by age, sex, smoking status and histological type, expect in patients with squamous carcinoma. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for plasma D‐dimer levels of N0 versus N1 + N2 showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.757 and when a cutoff value was 124.0 μg/L DDU, the sensitivity and specificity was 0.80 and 0.68. The ROC curve for plasma D‐dimer levels of N0 + N1 versus N2 showed an AUC of 0.720 and when a cutoff value was 147.0 μg/L DDU, the sensitivity and specificity was 0.75 and 0.67.ConclusionsPlasma D‐dimer level has utility for predicting lymph node and mediastinal lymph node status in patients with operable NSCLC.
Opportunities and Challenges in Implementation of Multiparameter Single Cell Analysis Platforms for Clinical Translation
Authors: Keating Susan M. , Taylor D. Lansing , Plant Anne L. , Litwack E. David , Kuhn Peter , Greenspan Emily J. , Hartshorn Christopher M. , Sigman Caroline C. , Kelloff Gary J. , Chang David D. , Friberg Gregory , Lee Jerry S. H. , Kuida Keisuke 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe high‐content interrogation of single cells with platforms optimized for the multiparameter characterization of cells in liquid and solid biopsy samples can enable characterization of heterogeneous populations of cells ex vivo. Doing so will advance the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer and other diseases. However, it is important to understand the unique issues in resolving heterogeneity and variability at the single cell level before navigating the validation and regulatory requirements in order for these technologies to impact patient care. Since 2013, leading experts representing industry, academia, and government have been brought together as part of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Biomarkers Consortium to foster the potential of high‐content data integration for clinical translation.
High climate velocity and population fragmentation may constrain climate‐driven range shift of the key habitat former Fucus vesiculosus
Authors: Jonsson Per R. , Kotta Jonne , Andersson Helén C. , Herkül Kristjan , Virtanen Elina , Sandman Antonia Nyström , Johannesson Kerstin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimThe Baltic Sea forms a unique regional sea with its salinity gradient ranging from marine to nearly freshwater conditions. It is one of the most environmentally impacted brackish seas worldwide, and the low biodiversity makes it particularly sensitive to anthropogenic pressures including climate change. We applied a novel combination of models to predict the fate of one of the dominant foundation species in the Baltic Sea, the bladder wrack Fucus vesiculosus.LocationThe Baltic Sea.MethodsWe used a species distribution model to predict climate change‐induced displacement of F. vesiculosus and combined these projections with a biophysical model of dispersal and connectivity to explore whether the dispersal rate of locally adapted genotypes may match estimated climate velocities to recolonize the receding salinity gradient. In addition, we used a population dynamic model to assess possible effects of habitat fragmentation.ResultsThe species distribution model showed that the habitat of F. vesiculosus is expected to dramatically shrink, mainly caused by the predicted reduction of salinity. In addition, the dispersal rate of locally adapted genotypes may not keep pace with estimated climate velocities rendering the recolonization of the receding salinity gradient more difficult. A simplistic model of population dynamics also indicated that the risk of local extinction may increase due to future habitat fragmentation.Main conclusionsResults point to a significant risk of locally adapted genotypes being unable to shift their ranges sufficiently fast considering the restricted dispersal and long generation time. The worst scenario is that F. vesiculosus may disappear from large parts of the Baltic Sea before the end of this century with large effects on the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We finally discuss how to reduce this risk through conservation actions, including assisted colonization and assisted evolution.
Species‐poor and low‐lying sites are more ecologically unique in a hyperdiverse Amazon region: Evidence from multiple taxonomic groups
Authors: Landeiro Victor Lemes , Franz Bárbarah , Heino Jani , Siqueira Tadeu , Bini Luis Mauricio 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAimWe analysed beta‐diversity patterns of various biological groups simultaneously, from the perspective of site ecological uniqueness. We also investigated whether ecological uniqueness variation could be explained by variations in environmental conditions and spatial variables.DataCentral Amazonia.MethodsWe estimated the total beta diversity and ecological uniqueness for 14 biological groups, including plants and animals, sampled at the same sites on a mesoscale in central Amazonia, Brazil. The uniqueness values for all biological groups were combined in a single matrix (multi‐taxa matrix of site uniqueness), which was then used as a response variable matrix in a partial redundancy analysis. We also investigated differences in the uniqueness patterns between plant and animal groups.ResultsIn general, plants showed higher total beta diversity than animals. For plants, uniqueness was explained mainly by environmental conditions, while for animals, uniqueness was also related to spatial variables. Although variation in uniqueness was mainly related to soil clay content, it is difficult to determine a single major environmental variable underlying the variation in uniqueness because the topographical gradient influences many of them, including soil clay content.Main ConclusionThe uniqueness values were higher in low‐lying areas, indicating that near‐stream sites were more ecologically unique. Despite the lower number of species in the lowlands, their unique biota contributed strongly to the maintenance of the total beta diversity of the area. This finding should be considered in conservation plans that aim to represent and preserve the regional biota. Our approach proved to be useful to analyse and compare the ecological uniqueness of multiple taxa.
Role of bicarbonate supplementation on urine uric acid crystals and diabetic tubulopathy in adults with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bjornstad Petter , Maahs David M. , Roncal Carlos A. , Snell‐Bergeon Janet K. , Shah Viral N. , Milagres Tamara , Ellis Samuel L. , Hatch Matthew , Chung Linh T. , Rewers Marian J. , Garg Satish , Cherney David Z. , Pyle Laura , Nadeau Kristen J. , Johnson Richard J. 
Published: March 2018

Uricosuria and crystallization are increasingly recognized risk factors for diabetic tubulopathy. This pilot clinical trial aimed to determine the acute effect of urinary alkalinization using oral sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) on UA crystals in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Adults with T1D, ages 18 to 65 years (n = 45, 60% female, HbA1c, 7.5 ± 1.2%, 20.2 ± 9.3 years duration) without chronic kidney disease (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio < 30 mg/g) received 2 doses of 1950 mg oral NaHCO3 over 24 hours. Fasting urine and serum were collected pre‐ and post‐intervention. UA crystals were identified under polarized microscopy. Urine measurements included: osmolality, pH, UA, creatinine and kidney injury molecule‐1 (KIM‐1).NaHCO3 therapy increased mean ± SD urine pH from 6.1 ± 0.7 to 6.5 ± 0.7 (P < .0001). Prior to therapy, 31.0% of participants had UA crystals vs 6.7% post therapy (P = .005). Change in urine pH inversely correlated with change in urine KIM‐1 (r:–0.51, P = .0003). In addition, change in urine UA over 24 hours correlated with change in urine KIM‐1 (r:0.37, P = .01). In conclusion, oral NaHCO3 normalized urine pH and decreased UA crystals, and may hold promise as an inexpensive and safe tubulo‐protective intervention in individuals with T1D.
Innovation in dental education: The “On‐the‐Fly” approach to simultaneous development, implementation and evidence collection
Authors: de Boer I. R. , Bakker D. R. , Serrano C. M. , Koopman P. , Wesselink P. R. , Vervoorn J. M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionThis study outlines an approach for education innovation and addresses the ambivalence between evidence‐based and non‐evidence‐based conditions. The “on‐the‐fly” approach was described as involving implementation during the development of an innovation for dental education.Materials and MethodsThe process of designing and implementing cutting‐edge technology of the MOOG Simodont Dental Trainer (DT) whilst systematically collecting evidence illustrates the “on‐the‐fly” approach.ResultsUsing the “on‐the‐fly” approach for developing, implementing and collecting evidence simultaneously in an academic environment appears feasible in serving both the professionals, users and developers and system designers. During the implementation of the new technology, growing evidence stepwise strengthened its position; therefore, showing stakeholders that evidence was used to improve the technology seemed to support and increase acceptance of the new technology.ConclusionsWhen pioneering an innovative technology in a specialty field, the development stage often precedes evidence for its effectiveness. Consciously choosing the “on‐the‐fly” approach clarifies to stakeholders in advance about the lack of evidence in an innovation and the need of their support to collect such evidence for improvement and in order to facilitate implementation.
Rubric system for evaluation of crown preparation performed by dental students
Authors: Habib S. R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the use of an analytic rubric system for the evaluation of all‐ceramic crown preparation on the right maxillary central incisor performed by the dental students.Materials and MethodsSeventy‐two‐third‐year students and 8 faculty members from prosthodontics participated in this double‐blind study. The students prepared an ivorine tooth # 11 for all‐ceramic crown. The students were given clear instructions regarding the all‐ceramic crown preparation and informed about the criteria for the assessment of the preparation. An analytic rubric based on 10‐point scale for assessment of various preparation parameters was used by the 8 examiners. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsOne‐way analysis of variance indicated significance amongst the examiners for all the parameters except for time management. The overall mean scoring by examiners was 7.60 ± 1.18, with highest and lowest mean scores for Examiner 1 (8.02 ± 1.06) and Examiner 4 (6.82 ± 1.50), respectively. The highest number of interexaminer variation (difference) in scoring was found for two plane reduction, and the least difference amongst the examiners was observed for finishing of margins and walls of the preparation. Examiner 4 had the highest number of significant difference with the rest of the examiners. The students scored least marks in axial reduction (56.33%) and preservation of adjacent teeth (66.9%).ConclusionsCriteria‐based assessment using analytic rubric for crown preparations in pre‐clinical fixed prosthodontics is an effective tool for finding the errors/weak areas of dental students.
Neural and behavioral effects of subordinate‐level training of novel objects across manipulations of color and spatial frequency
Authors: Jones Travis , Hadley Hillary , Cataldo Andrea M. , Arnold Erik , Curran Tim , Tanaka James W. , Scott Lisa S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPerceptual expertise is marked by subordinate‐level recognition of objects in the expert domain. In this study, participants learned one family of full‐color, artificial objects at the subordinate (species) level and another family at the basic (family) level. Discrimination of trained and untrained exemplars was tested before and after training across several image manipulations [full‐color, grayscale, low spatial frequency (LSF) and high spatial frequency (HSF)] while event‐related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Regardless of image manipulation, discrimination (indexed by d’) of trained and of untrained exemplars was enhanced after subordinate‐level training, but not after basic‐level training. Enhanced discrimination after subordinate‐level training generalized to untrained exemplars and to grayscale images and images in which LSF or HSF information was removed. After training, the N170 and N250, recorded over occipital and occipitotemporal brain regions, were both more enhanced after subordinate‐level training than after basic‐level training. However, the topographic distribution of enhanced responses differed across components. The N170 latency predicted reaction time after both basic‐level training and subordinate‐level training, highlighting an association between behavioral and neural responses. These findings further elucidate the role of the N170 and N250 as ERP indices of subordinate‐level expert object processing and demonstrate how low‐level manipulations of color and spatial frequency impact behavior and the N170 and N250 components independent of training or expertise.
Contrast coding in the primary visual cortex depends on temporal contexts
Authors: Dai Ji , Wang Yi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractContrast response function in the primary visual cortex (V1) has long been described as following a sigmoid curve. However, this is mainly based on measuring neural responses to drifting contrast grating in a stable stimulation, a model that does not consider the effects of motion or length of stimulus presentation. During natural viewing, the visual system can obtain sufficient information for identifying the shapes defined by contrast from a single glance; acquiring greater knowledge of the neuronal response properties to contrast in such a short timescale is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms. We investigated responses of cat V1 neurons to contrast presented by static grating for 40 ms without pause compared to drifting grating presented continuously for 2000 ms. The neuronal response to transiently presented contrast could be well described by a linear function. Further examination of the effects of motion and presentation duration on contrast responses demonstrated that motion increased response sensitivity in the low‐contrast range, while brief presentation increased response sensitivity in the high‐contrast range. Motion and prolonged presentation (adaptation) together resulted in an asymptotic sigmoid curve with a saturation response in the high‐contrast range. These results suggest that motion mainly enhance the neural response sensitivity to low‐contrast objects, while short and rapid presentation mainly enhance the neural sensitivity to high‐contrast stimulus. Our findings indicate that multiple factors influence the properties of contrast response functions, suggesting that V1 neuron contrast coding is flexible and depends on the temporal contexts.
Dermal fibroblasts can activate matrix metalloproteinase‐1 independent of keratinocytes via plasmin in a 3D collagen model
Authors: Sonoki Aska , Okano Yuri , Yoshitake Yuichiro 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPhotoaging of the skin is marked by obvious wrinkles and mainly depends on degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the dermis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1 is one of the most important factors involved in degradation of the ECM; however, its mechanism of activation is not fully understood. It has been thought that MMP‐1 is expressed by dermal fibroblasts as an inactive precursor protein that is activated by proteinases produced by keratinocytes in the epidermis. In this study, we constructed a 3D model of the dermis using collagen‐embedded fibroblasts with or without ultraviolet (UV)‐A exposure to mimic photoaging in the dermis. Collagen lattices embedded with UV‐A‐irradiated fibroblasts miniaturized and collagen was degraded to a greater extent than collagen lattices embedded with non‐irradiated fibroblasts. The results demonstrate that fibroblasts in this 3D model express activated MMP‐1 in the absence of keratinocytes. Moreover, the results confirm that activation of MMP‐1 depends on increased plasmin activity in this model and lattice miniaturization was inhibited by the plasmin inhibitor tranexamic acid. Our results suggest that plasmin acts as an activator of MMP‐1 and the inhibition of plasmin prevents collagen degradation.
SLAM family member 8 is involved in oncogenic KIT‐mediated signalling in human mastocytosis
Authors: Sugimoto Akihiko , Kataoka Tatsuki R. , Ueshima Chiyuki , Takei Yusuke , Kitamura Kyohei , Hirata Masahiro , Nomura Takashi , Haga Hironori 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe signalling lymphocytic activation molecule family member 8 (SLAMF8)/CD353 is a member of the CD2 family of proteins. Its ligand has not been identified. SLAMF8 is expressed by macrophages and suppresses cellular functions. No study has yet explored SLAMF8 expression or function in human mastocytosis, which features oncogenic KIT‐mediated proliferation of human mast cells. SLAMF8 protein was expressed in human mastocytosis cells, immunohistochemically. SLAMF8 expression was also evident in the human mast cell lines, HMC1.2 (expressing oncogenic KIT) and LAD2 (expressing wild‐type KIT) cells. SLAMF8 knock‐down significantly reduced the KIT‐mediated growth of HMC1.2 cells but not that of LAD2 cells. SLAMF8 knock‐down HMC1.2 cells exhibited significant attenuation of SHP‐2 activation and oncogenic KIT‐mediated RAS‐RAF‐ERK signalling. An interaction between SLAMF8 and SHP‐2 was confirmed in HMC1.2 cells and all pathological mastocytosis specimens examined (19 of 19 cases, 100%). Thus, SLAMF8 is involved in oncogenic KIT‐mediated RAS‐RAF‐ERK signalling and the subsequent growth of human neoplastic mast cells mediated by SHP‐2. SLAMF8 is a possible therapeutic target in human mastocytosis patients.
An ice‐binding and tandem beta‐sandwich domain‐containing protein in Shewanella frigidimarina is a potential new type of ice adhesin
Authors: Vance Tyler D.R. , Graham Laurie A. , Davies Peter L. 
Published: March 2018

Out of the dozen different ice‐binding protein (IBP) structures known, the DUF3494 domain is the most widespread, having been passed many times between prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms by horizontal gene transfer. This ~25‐kDa β‐solenoid domain with an adjacent parallel α‐helix is most commonly associated with an N‐terminal secretory signal peptide. However, examples of the DUF3494 domain preceded by tandem Bacterial Immunoglobulin‐like (BIg) domains are sometimes found, though uncharacterized. Here, we present one such protein (SfIBP_1) from the Antarctic bacterium Shewanella frigidimarina. We have confirmed and characterized the ice‐binding activity of its ice‐binding domain using thermal hysteresis measurements, fluorescent ice plane affinity analysis, and ice recrystallization inhibition assays. X‐ray crystallography was used to solve the structure of the SfIBP_1 ice‐binding domain, to further characterize its ice‐binding surface and unique method of stabilizing or ‘capping’ the ends of the solenoid structure. The latter is formed from the interaction of two loops mediated by a combination of tandem prolines and electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, given their domain architecture and membrane association, we propose that these BIg‐containing DUF3494 IBPs serve as ice‐binding adhesion proteins that are capable of adsorbing their host bacterium onto ice.DatabaseSubmitted new structure to the Protein Data Bank (PDB: 6BG8).
Differential effects of Vav‐promoter‐driven overexpression of BCLX and BFL1 on lymphocyte survival and B cell lymphomagenesis
Authors: Tuzlak Selma , Haschka Manuel D. , Mokina Anna‐Maria , Rülicke Thomas , Cory Suzanne , Labi Verena , Villunger Andreas 
Published: March 2018

Overexpression of BCLX and BFL1/A1 has been reported in various human malignancies and is associated with poor prognosis and drug resistance, identifying these prosurvival BCL2 family members as putative drug targets. We have generated transgenic mice that express human BFL1 or human BCLX protein throughout the haematopoietic system under the control of the Vav gene promoter. Haematopoiesis is normal in both the Vav‐BFL1 and Vav‐BCLX transgenic (TG) mice and susceptibility to spontaneous haematopoietic malignancies is not increased. Lymphoid cells from Vav‐BCLX TG mice exhibit increased resistance to apoptosis in vitro while most blood cell types form Vav‐BFL1 TG mice were poorly protected. Both transgenes significantly accelerated lymphomagenesis in Eμ‐MYC TG mice and, surprisingly, the Vav‐BFL1 transgene was the more potent. Unexpectedly, expression of transgenic BFL1 RNA and protein is significantly elevated in B lymphoid cells of Vav‐BFL1/Eμ‐MYC double‐transgenic compared to Vav‐BFL1 mice, even during the preleukaemic phase, providing a rationale for the potent synergy. In contrast, Vav‐BCLX expression was not notably different. These mouse models of BFL1 and BCLX overexpression in lymphomas should be useful tools for the testing the efficacy of novel human BFL1‐ and BCLX‐specific inhibitors.