bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sex hormones modulate pathogenic processes in experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Gölz Christina , Kirchhoff Florian Paul , Westerhorstmann Jana , Schmidt Matthias , Hirnet Tobias , Rune Gabriele M. , Bender Roland A. , Schäfer Michael K.E. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractClinical and animal studies have revealed sex‐specific differences in histopathological and neurological outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The impact of perioperative administration of sex steroid inhibitors on TBI is still elusive. Here, we subjected male and female C57Bl/6N mice to the controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of TBI and applied pharmacological inhibitors of steroid hormone synthesis, that is, letrozole (LET, inhibiting estradiol synthesis by aromatase) and finasteride (FIN, inhibiting dihydrotestosterone synthesis by 5α‐reductase), respectively, starting 72 h prior CCI, and continuing for a further 48 h after CCI. Initial gene expression analyses showed that androgen (Ar) and estrogen receptors (Esr1) were sex‐specifically altered 72 h after CCI. When examining brain lesion size, we found larger lesions in male than in female mice, but did not observe effects of FIN or LET treatment. However, LET treatment exacerbated neurological deficits 24 and 72 h after CCI. On the molecular level, FIN administration reduced calpain‐dependent spectrin breakdown products, a proxy of excitotoxicity and disturbed Ca2+ homeostasis, specifically in males, whereas LET increased the reactive astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acid protein specifically in females. Examination of neurotrophins (brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, neuronal growth factor, NT‐3) and their receptors (p75NTR, TrkA, TrkB, TrkC) revealed CCI‐induced down‐regulation of TrkB and TrkC protein expression, which was reduced by LET in both sexes. Interestingly, FIN decreased neuronal growth factor mRNA expression and protein levels of its receptor TrkA only in males. Taken together, our data suggest a sex‐specific impact on pathogenic processes in the injured brain after TBI. Sex hormones may thus modulate pathogenic processes in experimental TBI.
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PET imaging of dopamine release in the frontal cortex of manganese‐exposed non‐human primates
Authors: Guilarte Tomas R. , Yeh Chien‐Lin , McGlothan Jennifer L. , Perez Juan , Finley Paige , Zhou Yun , Wong Dean F. , Dydak Ulrike , Schneider Jay S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHumans and non‐human primates exposed to excess levels of manganese (Mn) exhibit deficits in working memory and attention. Frontal cortex and fronto‐striatal networks are implicated in working memory and these circuits rely on dopamine for optimal performance. Here, we aimed to determine if chronic Mn exposure alters in vivo dopamine release (DAR) in the frontal cortex of non‐human primates. We used [11C]‐FLB457 positron emission tomography with amphetamine challenge to measure DAR in Cynomolgus macaques. Animals received [11C]‐FLB457 positron emission tomography scans with and without amphetamine challenge prior to Mn exposure (baseline), at different time points during the Mn exposure period, and after 10 months of Mn exposure cessation. Four of six Mn‐exposed animals expressed significant impairment of frontal cortex in vivo DAR relative to baseline. One Mn animal had no change in DAR and another Mn animal expressed increased DAR relative to baseline. In the reversal studies, one Mn‐exposed animal exhibited complete recovery of DAR while the second animal had partial recovery. In both animals, frontal cortex Mn concentrations normalized after 10 months of exposure cessation based on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. D1‐dopamine receptor (D1R) autoradiography in frontal cortex tissue indicates that Mn animals that experienced cessation of Mn exposure expressed D1R levels that were approximately 50% lower than Mn animals that did not experience cessation of Mn exposure or control animals. The present study provides evidence of Mn‐induced alterations in frontal cortex DAR and D1R that may be associated with working memory and attention deficits observed in Mn‐exposed subjects.
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An update on clinical safety of adalimumab in treating psoriasis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis based on 20 randomized controlled trials
Authors: Guan Xin , Zhang Chun‐Lei 
Published: February 2019

SummaryPurposeThe current meta‐analysis was conducted to better evaluate the role of adalimumab for patients with psoriasis in terms of its safety profile on the basis of eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs).MethodsThe following electronic databases such as Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase database involving the index words were screened and identified for qualified studies updated to December 2018. Associated publications and sources were hand‐searched for more related details. To further analyze the main outcomes, the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were utilized.ResultsThere were a total of 20 RCTs involving respective 3795 and 3266 patients in the adalimumab and control group that met our inclusion criteria. According to the aggregated results, the adalimumab group was highly associated with significant improvement in the incidence of adverse event (AE), infection, and injection site reaction on comparison of the control group. Nevertheless, no remarkable differences were found between the two study groups in terms of the incidence of serious AE, serious infection as well as the discontinuation of study drug caused by AE.ConclusionAdalimumab was proved to be linked to higher incidence of AE, infection, and injection site reaction during the therapy process of psoriasis based on high‐quality RCTs. In addition, there was no association between adalimumab therapy and serious AE, serious infection and the discontinuation of study drug caused by AE in patients harboring psoriasis according to eligible RCTs.
Oral submucous fibrosis: A clinicopathological study of 674 cases in China
Authors: Cai Xinjia , Yao Zhigang , Liu Gui , Cui Lin , Li Huiling , Huang Junhui 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundOral submucous fibrosis (OSF) has been reported frequently in India and other countries in South Asia. There are few reports on the clinicopathological features of OSF in China, where OSF is an epidemic. This study analyses the clinicopathological features of OSF in Hunan Province, China.MethodsA total of 674 cases of OSF were collected from July 2013 to August 2018 in Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, Central South University, and gender, age, site, pathological stage, habits, symptoms and associated lesions were recorded.ResultsThe male to female ratio was 32.7:1. The average age was 35.23 ± 10.08. The buccal mucosa was the most common site. A total of 99.85% of OSF cases chewed areca nut. Pale mucosa, restricted mouth opening, burning and fibrous bands were common clinical manifestations. Oral leukoplakia (OLK) was the most common associated lesion. The extended duration of chewing areca nut increased the risk of associated lesions (P < 0.05). The risk of OSF associated with OLK decreased with increasing OSF stage (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe prevalence of OSF in males was higher than that in females, the buccal mucosa was most affected, and chewing areca nut is the most common habit of OSF patients.
Improving Polymethyl Methacrylate Resin Using a Novel Titanium Dioxide Coating
Authors: Darwish Ghaith , Huang Su , Knoernschild Kent , Sukotjo Cortino , Campbell Stephen , Bishal Arghya Kamal , Barão Valentim Adelino , Wu Christine D. , Taukodis Christos G. , Yang Bin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPurposeThe objective of this study was to improve the surface characteristics of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) by developing a novel, thin film coating process and to characterize the resulting coated surface.Materials and MethodsAn atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique was developed to deposit a titanium dioxide (TiO2) nano‐thin film on PMMA. The surface wettability for both coated and uncoated PMMA was determined by measuring water contact angle. Wear resistance was assessed using a mechanical tooth‐brushing device with a 50 g load for 6000 strokes after 5 months of water storage. A denture cleanser challenge test was performed by using sonication in 3.8% sodium perborate for 1 hour with aged specimens. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used before and after the brushing test and challenge test to analyze the PMMA surface chemical composition. The mechanical strength of coated and uncoated PMMA was measured using a three‐point bending test. Surface microbial interactions were also evaluated by assessing Candida albicans biofilm attachment.ResultsNano‐TiO2 coating (30 nm thick) was successfully deposited on PMMA at 65°C. After coating, water contact angle decreased from 70° to less than 5°. After brushing test, the coating remained intact. XPS analysis revealed no loss of TiO2 from coated specimens following brushing and denture cleanser sonication for 1 hour. There was no statistically significant difference in mechanical strength (MPa) (mean ± SD) between PMMA (139.4 ± 11.3) and TiO2‐PMMA (160.7 ± 37.1) (p = 0.0995). C. albicans attachment decreased by 63% to 77% on the coated PMMA surface.ConclusionsALD is a promising technique to modify surface properties of PMMA and resulted in a stable adherent thin film. By depositing a TiO2 coating, PMMA surface properties may lead to significantly reduced microorganism adhesion and easier pathogen removal from PMMA. For patients who wear dentures, reducing the oral microbial biofilm burden using a TiO2‐coated PMMA surface could positively impact their oral and systemic health.
Nuclear behavior and roles indicate that Codiolum phase is a sporophyte in Monostroma angicava (Ulotrichales, Ulvophyceae)
Authors: Horinouchi Yusuke , Yamaguchi Masashi , Chibana Hiroji , Togashi Tatsuya 
Published: February 2019

The life‐cycle system of Ulotrichales, a major order of Ulvophyceae, remains controversial because it is unclear whether the Codiolum phase, a characteristic unicellular diploid generation in ulotrichalean algae, is a zygote or a sporophyte. This controversy inhibits the understanding of the diversified life cycles in Ulvophyceae. To distinguish between zygotes and sporophytes, we have to examine not only whether diploid generations function as sporophytes, but also whether mitosis occurs before meiosis in diploid generations. However, the nuclear behavior in the Codiolum phases is largely unknown, probably because no suitable methods are available. Using fluorescent microscopy with ethidium bromide and transmission electron microscopy of cell‐wall‐dissected specimens, we report the nuclear behavior in the Codiolum phases of an ulotrichalean alga with a representative life cycle, Monostroma angicava. Each vegetative Codiolum phase had a single polyploid nucleus due to endoreduplication, a type of mitosis without nuclear division. During zoosporogenesis, the nucleus had a structure that would be a meiosis‐specific complex. We quantitatively showed that Codiolum phases grew extremely large and produced numerous zoospores. Our results suggest that an event comparable to mitosis occurs before meiosis in the Codiolum phase of M. angicava. This nuclear behavior and the functions (growth and zoospore production abilities) correspond to those of sporophytes. Therefore, the life‐cycle system of M. angicava is a heteromorphic haplo‐diplontic cycle. This system appears to be widely adopted among other ulotrichalean algae.
MicroRNA‐30b regulates insulin sensitivity by targeting SERCA2b in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Dai Li‐Li , Li Shu‐De , Ma Yi‐Cheng , Tang Jun‐Rui , Lv Jun‐Yan , Zhang Yuan‐Qing , Miao Ying‐Lei , Ma Yan‐Qiong , Li Chun‐Mei , Chu Yi‐You , Wang Kun‐Hua , Ma Lan‐Qing , Zou Cheng‐Gang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackground & AimsInsulin resistance is strongly associated with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, a chronic, obesity–related liver disease. Increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated the roles of miRNAs in regulating ER stress in the liver of rats with obesity.MethodsWe used miRNA microarray to determine the miRNA expression profiles in the liver of rats fed with a high fat diet (HFD). We used prediction algorithms and luciferase reporter assay to identify the target gene of miRNAs. To overexpress the miRNA miR‐30b or inhibit miR‐30b rats were injected with lentivirus particles containing PGLV3‐miR‐30b or PGLV3‐miR‐30b antimiR through tail vein. Hepatic steatosis was measured using transient elastography in human subjects.ResultsOur data showed that miR‐30b was markedly up‐regulated in the liver of HFD–treated rats. Bioinformatic and in vitro and in vivo studies led us to identify sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase 2b (SERCA2b), as a novel target of miR‐30b. Overexpression of miR‐30b induced ER stress and insulin resistance in rats fed with normal diet, whereas inhibition of miR‐30b by miR‐30b antimiR suppressed ER stress and insulin resistance in HFD–treated rats. Finally, our data demonstrated that there was a positive correlation between serum miR‐30b levels and hepatic steatosis or homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) in human subjects.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that miR‐30b represents not only a potential target for the treatment of insulin resistance, but also a non‐invasive disease biomarker of NAFLD.
L1 Transfer Effects in the Production of Generic Plurals in L2 Arabic
Authors: AZAZ MAHMOUD 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis study examines first language (L1) English transfer in the acquisition of plural noun semantics in second language (L2) Arabic. Drawing on previous research on the L2 acquisition of plural noun interpretation, the study presents and discusses new production data of specific and generic definite plurals by English‐speaking learners of Arabic at beginning (n = 15), low‐advanced (n = 15), and high‐advanced levels (n = 11). The results from 2 meaning‐based elicitation tasks showed that the beginning group heavily transferred their L1 English generic bare plurals in the production of target‐like Arabic generic definite plurals. The low‐advanced group fluctuated between bare and definite plurals. Only the high‐advanced group, who had studied Arabic in an immersion setting combined with very structured classroom instruction, showed considerable stability in their production of target‐like definite plurals. A careful analysis of the textbook series the beginning and low‐advanced groups were taught from showed that the semantics of plural nouns, and more broadly, the semantics of the definite article, were not explicitly taught. The study concludes that the L1 effects in mapping definite and bare plural nouns to their meanings are exacerbated in the absence of explicit instruction. Further pedagogical implications for teaching form‐meaning mappings for articles are discussed.
Chloroplast ultrastructure in plants
Authors: Kirchhoff Helmut 
Published: February 2019

SummaryThe chloroplast organelle in mesophyll cells of higher plants represents a sunlight‐driven metabolic factory that eventually fuels life on our planet. Knowledge of the ultrastructure and the dynamics of this unique organelle is essential to understanding its function in an ever‐changing and challenging environment. Recent technological developments promise unprecedented insights into chloroplast architecture and its functionality. The review highlights these new methodical approaches and provides structural models based on recent findings about the plasticity of the thylakoid membrane system in response to different light regimes. Furthermore, the potential role of the lipid droplets plastoglobuli is discussed. It is emphasized that detailed structural insights are necessary on different levels ranging from molecules to entire membrane systems for a holistic understanding of chloroplast function.
Clinical and genetic characteristics of Chinese pediatric patients with chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Gao Li‐Wei , Yin Qing‐Qin , Tong Yue‐Juan , Gui Jin‐Gang , Liu Xiu‐yun , Feng Xue‐li , Yin Ju , Liu Jun , Guo Yan , Yao Yao , Xu Bao‐Ping , He Jian‐Xin , Shen Kun‐Ling , Lau Yu‐Lung , Jiang Zai‐Fang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundChronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare disease in China, and very little large‐scale studies have been conducted to date. We aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic features of CGD in Chinese pediatric patients.MethodsPediatric patients with CGD from Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, China, were enrolled from January 2006 to December 2016.ResultsA total of 159 pediatric patients with CGD were enrolled. The median age of clinical onset was 1.4 months, and 73% (116/159) had clinical onset symptoms before the 1 year of age. The most common site of invasion was the lungs. The lymph nodes, liver, and skin were more frequently invaded in X‐linked (XL) CGD patients than in autosomal recessive (AR) CGD patients (P < 0.05). Approximately 64% (92/144) of the pediatric patients suffered from abnormal response to BCG vaccination. The most frequent pathogens were Aspergillus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Gene analysis indicated that 132 cases (89%, 132/147) harbored CYBB pathogenic variants, 7 (5%, 7/147) carried CYBA pathogenic variants, 4 (3%, 4/147) had NCF1 pathogenic variants, and 4 (3%, 4/147) had NCF2 pathogenic variants. The overall mortality rate in this study was 43%, particularly the patients were males, with CYBB mutant and did not receive HSCT treatment.ConclusionsChronic granulomatous disease is a rare disease affecting Chinese children; however, it is often diagnosed at a later age, and thus, the mortality rate is relatively high. The prevalence and the severity of disease in XL‐CGD are higher than AR‐CGD.
Salvage Therapy With Burst Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pancreatitis: A Case Report
Authors: Delange Segura Laureano , Rodríguez Padilla Marisa , Palomino Jiménez Maria Teresa , Fernández Baena Mariano , Rodríguez Staff José Felipe 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIntroductionPain associated with chronic pancreatitis is often difficult to treat. On many occasions, interventional techniques may be necessary. In recent years, spinal cord stimulation techniques have been used successfully in the treatment of these patients. However, only the use of traditional tonic stimulation based on paresthesias has been published for this purpose. Spinal cord burst stimulation has been shown to be more effective than tonic stimulation, especially in failed back surgery syndrome.Case descriptionWe present the case of an 82‐year‐old patient with incoercible pain related to chronic pancreatitis for the preceding 5 years. She had shown good short‐term results with lidocaine‐cortisone blocks and celiac plexus radiofrequency. After a failed trial period with low‐frequency conventional tonic stimulation, she was successfully treated with burst stimulation.ResultsA sustained pain score reduction of over 50% on the visual analogue scale was seen, as were a decrease in opioid consumption and a high degree of satisfaction with the therapy by our patient.
Small‐sphere distributions for directional data with application to medical imaging
Authors: Kim Byungwon , Huckemann Stephan , Schulz Jörn , Jung Sungkyu 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe propose novel parametric concentric multi‐unimodal small‐subsphere families of densities forp − 1 ≥ 2‐dimensional spherical data. Their parameters describe a common axis forKsmall hypersubspheres, an array ofKdirectional modes, one mode for each subsphere, andKpairs of concentrations parameters, each pair governing horizontal (within the subsphere) and vertical (orthogonal to the subsphere) concentrations. We introduce two kinds of distributions. In its one‐subsphere version, the first kind coincides with a special case of the Fisher–Bingham distribution, and the second kind is a novel adaption that models independent horizontal and vertical variations. In its multisubsphere version, the second kind allows for a correlation of horizontal variation over different subspheres. In medical imaging, the situation ofp − 1 = 2 occurs precisely in modeling the variation of a skeletally represented organ shape due to rotation, twisting, and bending. For both kinds, we provide new computationally feasible algorithms for simulation and estimation and propose several tests. To the best knowledge of the authors, our proposed models are the first to treat the variation of directional data along several concentric small hypersubspheres, concentrated near modes on each subsphere, let alone horizontal dependence. Using several simulations, we show that our methods are more powerful than a recent nonparametric method and ad hoc methods. Using data from medical imaging, we demonstrate the advantage of our method and infer on the dominating axis of rotation of the human knee joint at different walking phases.
Effects of land use change and seasonal variation in the hydrophysical properties in Vertisols in northeastern Mexico
Authors: Yáñez‐Díaz María I. , Cantú‐Silva Israel , González‐Rodríguez Humberto , Sánchez‐Castillo Laura 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe impact of the use of natural resources associated with anthropogenic activities has increased evidently, mainly through land use changes which have altered hydrophysical properties of soils. We hypothesized that, in the same soil type (Vertisol), four types of land use system (grassland, agricultural, Eucalyptus plantation and thornscrub) and seasonal variation can modify the soil hydrophysical properties. Results showed significant differences between land use systems and seasons for hydraulic conductivity (K), infiltration capacity (fp) and cumulative infiltration (fc). There were no seasonal differences in soil penetration resistance (SPR), bulk density (ρd) and total porosity (φP). Grassland presented higher values for ρd (1.2 g cm−3) and SPR (5.3 kg cm−2) and lower for K (0.8 × 10−5 cm s−1) and φP (53%), unlike thornscrub. Agriculture presented lower SPR (0.4 kg cm−2), while plantation showed similar values when compared to the thornscrub. Kostiakov infiltration model was fitted to land use infiltration curves, showing differences between land use and season. The values for fp oscillated between 53.6 and 548.8 mm hr−1 and fc ranged from 105.3 to 1,061 mm. The order of the infiltration values goes as follows: agriculture > plantation > thornscrub > grassland. Land use changes in Vertisols induced modification of soil physical properties affecting processes like permeability, soil compaction and water availability.
Synchronous Periadriatic magmatism in the Western and Central Alps in the absence of slab breakoff
Authors: Ji Wei‐Qiang , Malusà Marco G. , Tiepolo Massimo , Langone Antonio , Zhao Liang , Wu Fu‐Yuan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPeriadriatic Alpine magmatism has long been attributed to slab breakoff after Adria–Europe continental collision, but this interpretation is challenged by geophysical data suggesting the existence of a continuous slab. Here, we shed light on this issue based on a comprehensive dataset of zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopic compositions from the main western Periadriatic intrusives (from Traversella to Adamello). Our zircon U–Pb data provide the first evidence of Eocene magmatism in the Western Alps (42–41 Ma in Traversella), and demonstrate that magmatism started synchronously in different segments of the Alpine belt, when subduction was still active. Zircon U–Pb ages define younging trends perpendicular to the strike of the European slab, suggesting a progressive Eocene–Oligocene slab steepening. We propose that slab steepening enhanced the corner flow. This process was more effective near the torn edge of the European slab, and triggered Periadriatic magmatism in the absence of slab breakoff.