bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship between presence of spontaneous echo contrast and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in patients with mitral stenosis
Authors: Sahin Omer , Savas Goktug 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundLeft atrial spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is an existence of smoke‐like echoes with a typical swirling motion of blood in left atrial cavity or appendage, and it is known to be a marker of prothrombotic state. Previous studies have revealed that there is an association between prothrombotic state and the platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between the presence of SEC and PLR in patients with mitral stenosis (MS).MethodsA total of 306 consecutive patients with MS were enrolled in the study. Transoesophageal echocardiography was made to assess the SEC for all patients. Recruited patients were divided into two groups according to the formation of SEC in the left atrium. Complete blood counting parameters, biochemical tests and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (Hs‐CRP) levels were measured.ResultsThere were 182 patients (mean age 42.7 ± 11.9 and 78% female) in the SEC (−) group, and 124 patients (mean age 45.3 ± 10.5 and 68% female) in the SEC (+) group. Hs‐CRP levels (3.9 ± 1.9 vs 5.1 ± 3.6, P < 0.001) were significantly different between the two groups. PLR (143.4 ± 77.7 vs 180.6 ± 108.7, P < 0.001) was significantly higher in the SEC (+) group. ROC curve analysis, PRL ≥123 had 71% sensitivity and 52% specificity in predicting SEC in patients with MS.ConclusionPlatelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio is an inexpensive and easily calculated biomarker, which is useful to predict left atrial SEC in patients with mitral stenosis.
PET imaging during hypoglycaemia to study adipose tissue metabolism
Authors: Boss Marti , Rooijackers Hanne M. M. , Buitinga Mijke , Janssen Marcel J. R. , Arens Anne I. J. , de Geus‐Oei Lioe‐Fee , Salm Liesbeth P. , de Galan Bastiaan E. , Gotthardt Martin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundDisturbances in adipose tissue glucose uptake may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, yet its examination by 2‐deoxy‐2‐[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) PET/CT is challenged by relatively low uptake kinetics. We tested the hypothesis that performing [18F]FDG PET/CT during a hypoglycaemic clamp would improve adipose tissue tracer uptake to allow specific comparison of adipose tissue glucose handling between people with or without type 2 diabetes.DesignWe enrolled participants with or without diabetes who were at least overweight, to undergo a hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemic clamp or a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp (n = 5 per group). Tracer uptake was quantified using [18F]FDG PET/CT.ResultsHypoglycaemic clamping increased [18F]FDG uptake in visceral adipose tissue of healthy participants (P = 0.002). During hypoglycaemia, glucose uptake in visceral adipose tissue of type 2 diabetic participants was lower as compared to healthy participants (P < 0.0005). No significant differences were observed in skeletal muscle, liver or pancreas.ConclusionsThe present findings indicate that [18F]FDG PET/CT during a hypoglycaemic clamp provides a promising new research tool to evaluate adipose tissue glucose metabolism. Using this method, we observed a specific impairment in visceral adipose tissue [18F]FDG uptake in type 2 diabetes, suggesting a previously underestimated role for adipose tissue glucose handling in type 2 diabetes.
Labor and behavior determinants of remittances in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Snudden Stephen 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSaudi Arabia is the second largest sender of international remittances. These remittances constitute large foreign capital inflows to labor‐exporting remittee economies. This study is the first to structurally decompose remittance dynamics into behavioral and labor market outcomes of migrants. Remittance outflows are decomposed into migrant labor supply, unemployment and participation rates, wage earnings, and the marginal propensity to remit (MPR) out of migrant earnings. The estimates suggest that migrant labor supply is highly elastic. The important driver of remittance dynamics is the MPR, migrant wages, and the labor supply of migrants. The MPR is found to respond counter‐cyclically to foreign gross domestic product.
Association between excessive supraventricular ectopy and subclinical cerebrovascular disease: a population‐based study
Authors: Hisamatsu T. , Miura K. , Fujiyoshi A. , Kunimura A. , Ito T. , Miyazawa I. , Torii S. , Shiino A. , Nozaki K. , Kanda H. , Arima H. , Ohkubo T. , Ueshima H. ,   on behalf of the Shiga Epidemiological Study of Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA) Research Group
Published: April 2019

Background and purposeThe association between an increased supraventricular ectopic beat (SVEB) and subclinical cerebrovascular disease remains unclear. Given the emerging concept that an increased SVEB is a marker of atrial cardiomyopathy or atherosclerosis burden, we sought to determine whether excessive supraventricular ectopic activity (ESVEA) is associated with a higher burden of subclinical cerebrovascular disease in the middle‐aged to older cohort with neither apparent stroke nor atrial fibrillation.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional population‐based study of 462 men (mean age, 68.1 years) who underwent 24‐h Holter electrocardiography and brain magnetic resonance imaging. ESVEA was defined as the presence of >10 SVEBs/h. Subclinical cerebrovascular diseases were defined as silent brain infarct (SBI), white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). The association of ESVEA with the presence of subclinical cerebrovascular diseases was adjusted for potential confounding covariates.ResultsA total of 88 (19.0%) participants had ESVEA and 81 (17.5%), 91 (19.7%) and 109 (23.6%) had SBI, WMH and ICAS, respectively. In multivariable‐adjusted Poisson regression with robust error variance, ESVEA was associated with the presence of WMH (relative risk, 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–2.36) and ICAS (relative risk, 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–2.18), but not with that of SBI (relative risk, 1.32; 95% confidence interval, 0.86–2.01). These associations were consistent when the graded distributions of subclinical cerebrovascular diseases were applied as outcomes in ordinal logistic regression.ConclusionsThe ESVEA was independently associated with higher burdens of WMH and ICAS. This suggests that increased SVEBs might improve risk stratification of individuals at high risk of subclinical cerebrovascular disease and consequently apparent ischaemic stroke.
Molecular imaging of neuroinflammation in patients after mild traumatic brain injury: a longitudinal 123I‐CLINDE single photon emission computed tomography study
Authors: Ebert S. E. , Jensen P. , Ozenne B. , Armand S. , Svarer C. , Stenbaek D. S. , Moeller K. , Dyssegaard A. , Thomsen G. , Steinmetz J. , Forchhammer B. H. , Knudsen G. M. , Pinborg L. H. 
Published: April 2019

Background and purposeNeuroinflammation has been proposed as part of the pathogenesis of post‐concussion symptoms (PCS), but the inflammatory response of the human brain to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) remains unknown. We hypothesized that a neuroinflammatory response is present in mTBI at 1–2 weeks post‐injury and persists in patients with PCS.MethodsWe scanned 14 patients with mTBI without signs of structural damage at 1–2 weeks and 3–4 months post‐injury and 22 healthy controls once using the single photon emission computed tomography tracer 123I‐CLINDE, which visualizes translocator protein (TSPO), a protein upregulated in active immune cells. PCS was defined as three or more persisting symptoms from the Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire at 3 months post‐injury.ResultsAcross brain regions, patients had significantly higher 123I‐CLINDE binding to TSPO than healthy controls, both at 1–2 weeks after the injury in all patients (P = 0.011) and at 3–4 months in the seven patients with PCS (P = 0.006) and in the six patients with good recovery (P = 0.018). When the nine brain regions were tested separately and results were corrected for multiple comparisons, no individual region differed significantly, but all estimated parameters indicated increased 123I‐CLINDE binding to TSPO, ranging from 2% to 19% in all patients at 1–2 weeks, 13% to 27% in patients with PCS at 3–4 months and −9% to 17% in patients with good recovery at 3–4 months.ConclusionsNeuroinflammation was present in mTBI at 1–2 weeks post‐injury and persisted at 3–4 months post‐injury with a tendency to be most pronounced in patients with PCS.
Effect of interface surface design on the fracture behavior of bilayered composites
Authors: Omran Tarek A. , Garoushi Sufyan , Lassila Lippo V. , Vallittu Pekka K. 
Published: April 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different interface designs on the load‐bearing capacity of bilayered composite structures (BLS). Cylindrical specimens of BLS were prepared from base composite of 3.5 mm thickness and surface composite of 1.5 mm thickness (n = 80). Two different base composites – flowable bulk‐fill (FBF) [smart dentin replacement (SDR)] and short fiber‐reinforced (FRC) (everX Posterior) – were evaluated, and conventional composite (G‐ænial Posterior) was used as the surface layer. Four different interface designs were used: (i) pyramidal; (ii) mesh; (iii) linear grooves; and (iv) flat surface (control). Three‐dimensional printed molds were fabricated to standardize the interface design between the surface and the base composites. The specimens were then statically loaded with a steel ball until fracture using a universal testing machine. Fracture types were classified into catastrophic, complete, and partial bulk. ANOVA revealed that both the material and the interface design had a statistically significant effect on the load‐bearing capacity. Flowable bulk‐fill showed lower mean load‐bearing capacity than FRC in all the interface designs tested, except for the flat surface design. Fracture analysis showed that FRC demonstrated up to 100% partial bulk fractures with the pyramid interface design, but no incidence of catastrophic bulk fracture. By contrast, FBF demonstrated up to 84.6% and 40% catastrophic bulk fractures with the flat interface design but no incidence of partial bulk fracture. Consequently, the interface designs studied enhanced the fracture behavior of BLS.
Test validation for the detection of Tilletia indica Mitra by multiplex real‐time PCR
Authors: Valente M. T. , Bragaloni M. , Di Giambattista G. , Riccioni L. 
Published: April 2019

Tilletia indica Mitra is a fungal pathogen causing Karnal bunt of wheat. Tilletia indica is a quarantine pest in many countries worldwide. In the European Union, imported wheat grain from countries where the fungus is present must be checked for the presence of T. indica teliospores. The inspection services at the borders need rapid, sensitive and reliable detection tests to identify T. indica spores on wheat grain. In this work, validation was carried out according to EPPO Standard PM 7/98 to evaluate the multiplex real‐time PCR test described in ISPM 27 Diagnostic Protocol for regulated pests (Annex 4 Tilletia indica Mitra) by means of a test performance study with nine participating laboratories, and the performance characteristics of the test were established. The original protocol was modified with regard to the extraction of DNA from the pellet obtained from the ‘washing test’ and the enrichment PCR step in order to increase the amount of template DNA for the real‐time PCR. The optimized test still has five teliospores as the limit of detection for the contaminated pellet but has an increased analytical sensitivity and had positive results with three teliospores in 93% of cases instead of 43% for the original test. The two closest Tilletia species, Tilletia horrida and Tilletia walkeri, were used to evaluate analytical specificity (exclusivity) and no cross‐reactions were obtained. Diagnostic sensitivity, diagnostic specificity, accordance and concordance were also evaluated.
Quantifying the efficacy of genetic shifting in control of mosquito‐borne diseases
Authors: Xia Siyang , Baskett Marissa L. , Powell Jeffrey R. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMany of the world's most prevalent diseases are transmitted by animal vectors such as dengue transmitted by mosquitoes. To reduce these vector‐borne diseases, a promising approach is “genetic shifting”: selective breeding of the vectors to be more resistant to pathogens and releasing them to the target populations to reduce their ability to transmit pathogens, that is, lower their vector competence. The efficacy of genetic shifting will depend on possible counterforces such as natural selection against low vector competence. To quantitatively evaluate the potential efficacy of genetic shifting, we developed a series of coupled genetic–demographic models that simulate the changes of vector competence during releases of individuals with low vector competence. We modeled vector competence using different genetic architectures, as a multilocus, one‐locus, or two‐locus trait. Using empirically determined estimates of model parameters, the model predicted a reduction of mean vector competence of at least three standard deviations after 20 releases, one release per generation, and 10% of the size of the target population released each time. Sensitivity analysis suggested that release efficacy depends mostly on the vector competence of the released population, release size, release frequency, and the survivorship of the released individuals, with duration of the release program less important. Natural processes such as density‐dependent survival and immigration from external populations also strongly influence release efficacy. Among different sex‐dependent release strategies, releasing blood‐fed females together with males resulted in the highest release efficacy, as these females mate in captivity and reproduce when released, thus contributing a greater proportion of low‐vector‐competence offspring. Conclusions were generally consistent across three models assuming different genetic architectures of vector competence, suggesting that genetic shifting could generally apply to various vector systems and does not require detailed knowledge of the number of loci contributing to vector competence.
Malassezia‐derived aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands enhance the CCL20/Th17/soluble CD163 pathogenic axis in extra‐mammary Paget's disease
Authors: Sato Yota , Fujimura Taku , Tanita Kayo , Chunbing Lyu , Matsushita Shigeto , Fujisawa Yasuhiro , Otsuka Atsushi , Yamamoto Yuki , Hidaka Takanori , Aiba Setsuya 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMalassezia yeast play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic dermatitis, especially in apocrine areas, by polarizing the local immunologic background to a Th2/Th17 state through aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)‐dependent pathways. Extra‐mammary Paget's disease (EMPD) is an adenocarcinoma of apocrine origin, and except for cases associated with Malassezia yeast and their metabolites, the lesions typically develop in areas not exposed to environmental material. The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) the immunomodulatory effects of Malassezia metabolites on normal human keratinocytes (NHKCs), focusing on interleukin (IL)‐17 and related cytokines/chemokines (IL‐23, IL‐36γ, CCL20), (b) the expression of these factors in lesion‐affected skin in EMPD and (c) the activation of tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) by these factors. Malassezia metabolites augmented the expression of cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 (CYP1A1), CCL20 and IL‐36γ mRNA in NHKCs in vitro. In lesion‐affected skin of patients with EMPD, epidermal keratinocytes expressed CYP1A1 and CCL20. In addition, Paget cells expressed CCL20 and IL‐23. IL‐17–producing cells were distributed adjacent to Paget cells. Compared to healthy donors, patients with EMPD exhibited significantly increased serum levels of soluble (s)CD163, CXCL5, CXCL10 and CCL20. In addition, serum levels of sCD163 decreased significantly following tumor resection. Our study demonstrates a possible mechanism for the development of EMPD involving AhR‐mediated signalling by epidermal keratinocytes and RANKL‐induced recruitment of Th17 cells and TAMs.
Neuroprotective effects of zafirlukast, piracetam and their combination on L‐Methionine‐induced vascular dementia in rats
Authors: Fayez Ahmed M. , Elnoby Ahmed S. , Bahnasawy Nada H. , Hassan Omar 
Published: April 2019

AbstractVascular dementia is considered a vascular cognitive impairment disease caused by neuronal degeneration in the brain. Several studies have supported the hypothesis that oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are the main pathogenic factors in vascular dementia. This current study aims to determine the possible neuroprotective effects of zafirlukast, piracetam and the combination of piracetam and zafirlukast on L‐methionine‐induced vascular dementia in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups. Group I was the normal control, and group II received L‐methionine (1700 mg/kg, P.O.) for 32 days. The remaining groups received zafirlukast (20 mg/kg, P.O.), piracetam (600 mg/kg, P.O.) or their combination (zafirlukast 20 mg/kg + piracetam 600 mg/kg, P.O.) for 32 days after L‐methionine administration. Afterwards, the cognitive and memory performances of the rats were investigated using the novel object recognition (NOR) test; rats were then sacrificed for histopathological and biochemical analyses. L‐methionine‐induced vascular dementia altered rats’ behaviours and the brain contents of different neurotransmitters and acetylcholinesterase activity while increasing levels of oxidative stress and causing notable histopathological alterations in brain tissues. The treatment of vascular dementia with zafirlukast and the combination improved neurochemical, behavioural and histological alterations to a comparable level to those of piracetam. Thus, zafirlukast, piracetam and the combination of both drugs can be considered as potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of vascular dementia induced by L‐methionine. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to explore the neuroprotective effects of zafirlukast and piracetam on L‐methionine‐induced vascular dementia.
Latitudinal variation in soil nematode communities under climate warming‐related range‐expanding and native plants
Authors: Wilschut Rutger A. , Geisen Stefan , Martens Henk , Kostenko Olga , de Hollander Mattias , ten Hooven Freddy C. , Weser Carolin , Snoek L. Basten , Bloem Janneke , Caković Danka , Čelik Tatjana , Koorem Kadri , Krigas Nikos , Manrubia Marta , Ramirez Kelly S. , Tsiafouli Maria A. , Vreš Branko , van der Putten Wim H. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCurrent climate change has led to latitudinal and altitudinal range expansions of numerous species. During such range expansions, plant species are expected to experience changes in interactions with other organisms, especially with belowground biota that have a limited dispersal capacity. Nematodes form a key component of the belowground food web as they include bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores and root herbivores. However, their community composition under climate change‐driven intracontinental range‐expanding plants has been studied almost exclusively under controlled conditions, whereas little is known about actual patterns in the field. Here, we use novel molecular sequencing techniques combined with morphological quantification in order to examine nematode communities in the rhizospheres of four range‐expanding and four congeneric native species along a 2,000 km latitudinal transect from South‐Eastern to North‐Western Europe. We tested the hypotheses that latitudinal shifts in nematode community composition are stronger in range‐expanding plant species than in congeneric natives and that in their new range, range‐expanding plant species accumulate fewest root‐feeding nematodes. Our results show latitudinal variation in nematode community composition of both range expanders and native plant species, while operational taxonomic unit richness remained the same across ranges. Therefore, range‐expanding plant species face different nematode communities at higher latitudes, but this is also the case for widespread native plant species. Only one of the four range‐expanding plant species showed a stronger shift in nematode community composition than its congeneric native and accumulated fewer root‐feeding nematodes in its new range. We conclude that variation in nematode community composition with increasing latitude occurs for both range‐expanding and native plant species and that some range‐expanding plant species may become released from root‐feeding nematodes in the new range.
Identification and Explanation of a Change in the Groundwater Regime using Time Series Analysis
Authors: Obergfell Christophe , Bakker Mark , Maas Kees 
Published: April 2019

AbstractTime series analysis is applied to identify and analyze a transition in the groundwater regime in the aquifer below the sand ridge of Salland in the Netherlands, where groundwater regime refers to the range of head variations throughout the seasons. Standard time series analysis revealed a discrepancy between modeled and observed heads in several piezometers indicating a possible change in the groundwater regime. A new time series modeling approach is developed to simulate the transition from the initial regime to the altered regime. The transition is modeled as a weighted sum of two responses, one representing the initial state of the system, the other representing the altered state. The inferred timing and magnitude of the change provided strong evidence that the transition was the result of significant dredging works that increased the river bed conductance of the main river draining the aquifer. The plausibility of this explanation is corroborated by an analytical model. This case study and the developed approach to identify a change in the groundwater regime are meant to stimulate a more systematic application of time series analysis to detect and understand changes in groundwater systems which may easily go unnoticed in groundwater flow modeling.
Analytical and Numerical Modeling of Solute Intrusion, Recovery, and Rebound in Fractured Bedrock
Authors: Nagare Ranjeet M. , Park Young‐Jin , Butterfield Trevor , Belenky Chad , Scyrup Sheldon 
Published: April 2019

AbstractContaminated groundwater in fractured bedrock can expose ecosystems to undesired levels of risk for extended periods due to prolonged back‐diffusion from rock matrix to permeable fractures. Therefore, it is key to characterize the diffusive mass loading (intrusion) of contaminants into the rock matrix for successful management of contaminated bedrock sites. Even the most detailed site characterization techniques often fail to delineate contamination in rock matrix. This study presents a set of analytical solutions to estimate diffusive mass intrusion into matrix blocks, it is recovered by pumping and concentration rebound when pumping ceases. The analytical models were validated by comparing the results with (1) numerical model results using the same model parameters and (2) observed chloride mass recovery, rebound concentration, and concentration in pumped groundwater at a highly fractured bedrock site in Alberta, Canada. It is also demonstrated that the analytical solutions can be used to estimate the total mass stored in the fractured bedrock prior to any remediation thereby providing insights into site contamination history. The predictive results of the analytical models clearly show that successful remediation by pumping depends largely on diffusive intrusion period. The results of initial mass from the analytical model was used to successfully calibrate a three‐dimensional discrete fracture network numerical model further highlighting the utility of the simple analytical solutions in supplementing the more detailed site numerical modeling. Overall, the study shows the utility of simple analytical methods to support long‐term management of a contaminated fractured bedrock site including site investigations and complex numerical modeling.