bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Forearm vasodilator responses to environmental stress and reactive hyperaemia are impaired in young South Asian men
Authors: Ormshaw Natalie G. , Junejo Rehan T. , Marshall Janice M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPurposePrevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is greater in South Asians (SAs) than White Europeans (WEs). Endothelial dysfunction and blunted forearm vasodilatation to environmental stressors have been implicated in CVD. We investigated whether these features are present in young SA men.MethodsIn 15 SA and 16 WE men (19–23 years), we compared changes in forearm blood flow, arterial blood pressure (ABP), forearm vascular conductance (FVC), heart rate, and electrodermal resistance (EDR; sweating) following release of arterial occlusion (reactive hyperaemia endothelium-dependent) and 5 single sounds at 5–10 min intervals (stressors).ResultsAll were normotensive. Peak reactive hyperaemia was smaller in SAs than WEs (FVC increase: 0.36 ± 0.038 vs 0.44 ± 0.038 units;P < 0.05). Furthermore, in WEs, mean FVC increased at 5, 15, and 20 s of each sound (vasodilatation), but increased at 5 s only in SAs, decreasing by 20 s (vasoconstriction). This reflected a smaller proportion of SAs showing forearm vasodilatation at 15 s (5/15 SAs vs 11/16 WEs:P < 0.01), the remainder showing vasoconstriction. Concomitantly, WEs showed greater bradycardia and EDR changes. Intra-class correlation analyses showed that all responses were highly reproducible over five sounds in both WEs and SAs. Moreover, sound-evoked changes in ABP and FVC were negatively correlated in each ethnicity (P < 0.01). However, WEs showed preponderance of forearm vasodilatation and depressor responses; SAs showed preponderance of vasoconstriction and pressor responses.ConclusionsEndothelium-dependent vasodilatation is blunted in young SA men. This could explain their impaired forearm vasodilatation and greater pressor responses to repeated environmental stressors, so predisposing SAs to hypertension and CVD.
The metaplastic mosaic of Barrett’s oesophagus
Authors: Biswas Sujata , Quante Michael , Leedham Simon , Jansen Marnix 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBarrett’s oesophagus surveillance biopsies represent a significant share of the daily workload for a busy histopathology department. Given the emphasis on endoscopic detection and dysplasia grading, it is easy to forget that the benefits of these screening programs remain unproven. The majority of patients are at low risk of progression to oesophageal adenocarcinoma, and periodic surveillance of these patients is burdensome and costly. Here, we investigate the parallels in the development of Barrett’s oesophagus and other scenarios of wound healing in the intestine. There is now increased recognition of the full range of glandular phenotypes that can be found in patients’ surveillance biopsies, and emerging evidence suggests parallel pathways to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Greater understanding of the conditions that favour progression to cancer in the distal oesophagus will allow us to focus resources on patients at increased risk.
Elemental defense of nickel hyperaccumulator seeds against a generalist insect granivore
Authors: Mincey Katherine Anne , Boyd Robert Stephen 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHyperaccumulation has been proposed as an elemental defense against herbivores; however, few studies have examined seed defense. This study included two annual Streptanthus species (Brassicaceae) from California serpentine soils: a non‐hyperaccumulator (S. insignis) and three populations (representing Y, P, and U morphs) of a Ni hyperaccumulator (S. polygaloides). Adults of the generalist seed herbivore Tribolium confusum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) were fed either whole or cut seeds, survival was recorded for 7 weeks, and Ni concentrations of both beetles and seeds were determined using ICP‐OES. Survival analysis showed significantly more rapid mortality for beetles consuming S. polygaloides seeds compared to those consuming S. insignis. Mortality of beetles fed whole S. polygaloides seeds was more rapid than those fed cut S. polygaloides seeds. Seeds of the S. polygaloides populations contained approximately 300 µg Ni g−1 whereas S. insignis contained approximately 5 µg Ni g−1. Beetles fed whole S. polygaloides seeds contained more than 2.5‐fold greater Ni concentrations than those fed cut seeds (approximately 60 and 25 µg Ni g−1, respectively), whereas beetles fed either cut or whole S. insignis seeds contained < 0.3 µg Ni g−1. An artificial diet study, using Ni‐amended cornmeal, confirmed that diet Ni concentrations greater than 240 µg Ni g−1 were toxic to T. confusum. We conclude that Ni in S. polygaloides seeds can act as an elemental defense against seed herbivores even at 300 µg Ni g−1, a level below the 1000 µg Ni g−1 hyperaccumulation threshold concentration.
Correction to: Responses of the photosynthetic apparatus of Abies koreana to drought under different light conditions
Authors: Je Sun Mi , Kim Sun Hee , Woo Su Young 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe correct name and the affiliation of the third author should be “Su Young Woo”, and “Department of Environmental Horticulture, College of Natural Science, University of Seoul, Seoul 02504, Republic of Korea”.
Revised manual for the Global Assessment of Functioning scale
Authors: Pedersen G. , Urnes Ø. , Hummelen B. , Wilberg T. , Kvarstein E.H. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGlobal Assessment of Functioning (GAF) is a single measure of overall psychosocial impairment caused by mental factors, constituting Axis V of the Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental disorders, third and fourth versions. Despite its widespread use, several challenges and shortcomings have been discussed the last three decades. The current article describes some of the more serious challenges of the GAF manual, and presents a revised version more in accordance with the nature of this clinical construct. Some crucial aspects of the understanding of GAF and general guidelines for scoring are also discussed.
Immediate and brief intervention after suicide attempts on patients without major psychiatric morbidity—A pilot study in northern Israel
Authors: Givon Limor , Levi Avi , Bloch Boaz , Fruchter Eyal 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackground:Suicide Prevention is an ongoing task for mental health services. This article describes a pilot program for suicide prevention that took place in two districts in Israel from 2009 to 2012. The program targeted specific population, patients in high-risk for suicide, without major mental illness or previous association with the mental health system. In that group many suicide attempts were due to stressful life events.Methods:Patients who performed a suicide attempt or were considered high-risk for suicide were referred to the project. The first contact took place up to 24 h after the referral and included a phone call with suggestion for further intervention. If he was willing, the patient was invited to a serious of 8–12 meetings with a therapist that focused on “crisis intervention” techniques.Results:212 subjects were referred to the project. Three quarters of the referrals were females. Most of them were of Jewish nationality, however, the percentage of Druze in the program’s population was higher than their percentage of general population. Only 137 continued participation after the initial phone call, people of Jewish nationality were more willing to continue the intervention. During the intervention there was a decline in suicide rates in the participating districts.Conclusions:The pilot program exhibits promising preliminary results, it is interesting to examine the difference in participation between different ethnic groups. Since the sample size is small, there is a need to continue the program on a larger scale.
The significance of the initial symptom in Chinese patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma: Regular health examination is still underutilized
Authors: Fang Dong , Gong Yan‐Qing , Singla Nirmish , Yang Kun‐Lin , Xiong Geng‐Yan , Zhang Lei , Li Xue‐Song , Zhou Li‐Qun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper is to elucidate the correlation between different symptoms of UTUC and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. The clinicopathological data of 700 consecutive patients with UTUC who were treated with radical nephroureterectomy were reviewed, and symptoms were categorized into three groups: S1‐no direct symptoms, S2‐local symptoms (including hematuria and flank pain) and S3‐systemic symptoms. We found that the distributions of patients in the S1, S2 and S3 groups were 96 (13.7%), 601 (85.9%) and 3 (0.4%), respectively, and most patients in S1 were incidentally found to have abnormal findings on ultrasound during regular health examination. Altogether, 534 patients (76.3%) presented with gross hematuria, and 111 (15.9%) presented with flank pain. Patients in S1 had a higher rate of hydronephrosis (p < 0.001), ureteral tumors (p < 0.001), worse pre‐operative renal function (p = 0.020) and lower tumor stage (p = 0.038). The presence of hematuria was significantly related with renal pelvic tumors (p < 0.001), higher pre‐operative eGFR (p = 0.047), papillary tumor architecture (p = 0.005) and less hydronephrosis (p < 0.001); and the presentation of flank pain was correlated with older age (p = 0.008), ureteral location (p < 0.001), hydronephrosis (p < 0.001), sessile architecture (p < 0.001) and higher tumor grade (p = 0.003). The presence of hematuria or flank pain also failed to reach significance as an independent prognostic factor. In conclusion, asymptomatic UTUC patients are featured for more hydronephrosis and lower tumor stage, while patients who presented with flank pain had a higher risk of sessile architecture and higher tumor grade. Regular health examinations might play a useful role in the early detection of UTUC patients with no symptoms.
The Effects of Botulinum Toxin Injections on Plantar Flexor Spasticity in Different Phases After Stroke: A Secondary Analysis From a Double‐Blind, Randomized Trial
Authors: Oh Hyun‐Mi , Park Geun‐Young , Choi Young Min , Koo Hyung Jung , Jang Yongjun , Im Sun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundThere are no guidelines on the ideal time to inject botulinum toxin type A (BT‐A) for lower leg spasticity in stroke patients. An early injection may produce unwanted weakness, interfering with gait recovery.ObjectiveTo evaluate whether the outcomes after BT‐A injection for plantarflexion spasticity can be different according to stroke chronicity.DesignA secondary analysis study from a double‐blinded, randomized trial with group reclassification according to stroke chronicity.SettingTwo rehabilitation centers.ParticipantsStroke participants (n = 40) with plantar flexor spasticity, treated with BT‐A (200 units) into the gastrocnemius muscle.MethodsOutcome parameters were reanalyzed serially using 2‐way repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA), at baseline and 2, 4, and 8 weeks postinjection. Subjects were reclassified into 3 groups: early, within 6 months (n = 12); middle, between 6 months and 1 year (n = 14); and late, between 1 and 2 years from stroke onset (n = 12).Main Outcome MeasuresThe Modified Ashworth Scale, clonus scale, 10‐m walking test, ABILOCO, and the Functional Ambulation Category.ResultsThe 2‐way repeated measures of ANOVA showed improvement in gait and spasticity after injection in the 3 groups. Significant improvement in the Modified Ashworth Scale (P < .001) was observed, starting from the post–2 week injection period. Improvement of gait as assessed by the functional measurement ABILOCO and the Functional Ambulation Category (P < .001) were observed in all 3 groups, mostly at the post–8 week injection period.ConclusionsOur serial measurements of the outcome parameters indicated that BT‐A could be expected to lead to consistent improvement in both the muscle tone and gait quality in those with plantar flexor spasticity regardless of stroke chronicity, including those injected as early as within the first 6 months.Level of EvidenceI
Effect on Passive Range of Motion and Functional Correlates After a Long‐Term Lower Limb Self‐Stretch Program in Patients With Chronic Spastic Paresis
Authors: Pradines Maud , Baude Marjolaine , Marciniak Christina , Francisco Gerard , Gracies Jean‐Michel , Hutin Emilie , Bayle Nicolas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn current health care systems, long‐duration stretching, performed daily, cannot be obtained through prescriptions of physical therapy. In addition, the short‐term efficacy of the various stretching techniques is disputed, and their long‐term effects remain undocumented.ObjectiveTo evaluate changes in extensibility in 6 lower limb muscles and in ambulation speed after a ≥1‐year self‐stretch program, the Guided Self‐rehabilitation Contract (GSC), in individuals with chronic spastic paresis.DesignRetrospective study.SettingNeurorehabilitation clinic.ParticipantsPatients diagnosed with hemiparesis or paraparesis at least 1 year before the initiation of a GSC and who were then involved in the GSC program for at least 1 year.InterventionsFor each patient, specific muscles were identified for intervention among the following: gluteus maximus, hamstrings, vastus, rectus femoris, soleus, and gastrocnemius. Prescriptions and training for a daily, high‐load, prolonged, home self‐stretching program were primarily based on the baseline coefficient of shortening, defined as CSH = [(XN –XV1)/XN] (XV1 = PROM, passive range of motion; XN = normally expected amplitude).Main Outcome MeasurementsSix assessments were performed per year, measuring the Tardieu XV1 or maximal slow stretch range of motion angle (PROM), CSH, 10‐m ambulation speed, and its functional ambulation category (Perry's classification: household, limited, or full). Changes from baseline in self‐stretched and nonself‐stretched muscles were compared, with meaningful XV1 change defined as ΔXV1 >5° for plantar flexors and >10° for proximal muscles. Correlation between the composite XV1 (mean PROM for the 6 muscles) and ambulation speed also was evaluated.ResultsTwenty‐seven GSC participants were identified (14 women, mean age 44 years, range 29‐59): 18 with hemiparesis and 9 with paraparesis. After 1 year, 47% of self‐stretched muscles showed meaningful change in PROM (ΔXV1) versus 14% in nonself‐stretched muscles (P < .0001, χ2). ΔCSH was –31% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] –41.5 to –15.2) in self‐stretched versus –7% (95% CI –11.9 to –2.1) in nonself‐stretched muscles (P < .0001, t‐test). Ambulation speed increased by 41% (P < .0001) from 0.81 m/s (95% CI 0.67‐0.95) to 1.15 m/s (95% CI 1.01‐1.29). Eight of the 12 patients (67%) who were in limited or household categories at baseline moved to a higher functional ambulation category. There was a trend for a correlation between composite XV1 and ambulation speed (r = 0.44, P = .09) in hemiparetic patients.ConclusionTherapists should consider prescribing and monitoring a long‐term lower limb self‐stretch program using GSC, as this may increase muscle extensibility in adult‐onset chronic paresis.Level of EvidenceIII
The mechanism of a one-substrate transketolase reaction
Authors: Solovjeva Olga N. , Kovina Marina V. , Zavialova Maria G. , Zgoda Victor G. , Shcherbinin Dmitrii S. , Kochetov German A. 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Transketolase catalyzes the transfer of a glycolaldehyde residue from ketose (the donor substrate) to aldose (the acceptor substrate). In the absence of aldose, transketolase catalyzes a one-substrate reaction that involves only ketose. The mechanism of this reaction is unknown. Here, we show that hydroxypyruvate serves as a substrate for the one-substrate reaction and, as well as with the xylulose-5-phosphate, the reaction product is erythrulose rather than glycolaldehyde. The amount of erythrulose released into the medium is equimolar to a double amount of the transformed substrate. This could only be the case if the glycol aldehyde formed by conversion of the first ketose molecule (the product of the first half reaction) remains bound to the enzyme, waiting for condensation with the second molecule of glycol aldehyde. Using mass spectrometry of catalytic intermediates and their subsequent fragmentation, we show here that interaction of the holotransketolase with hydroxypyruvate results in the equiprobable binding of the active glycolaldehyde to the thiazole ring of thiamine diphosphate and to the amino group of its aminopyrimidine ring. We also show that these two loci can accommodate simultaneously two glycolaldehyde molecules. It explains well their condensation without release into the medium, which we have shown earlier.
Analysis of the structure and activity of the promoter regions of the metallothionein genes of the freshwater pearl mussel Hyriopsis schlegelii
Authors: Wang Chengyuan , Shu Fuxing , Hong Yijiang , Wang Junhua , Peng Kou , Sheng Junqing , Wu Di , Hu Beijuan , Shi Jianwu , Jian Shaoqing 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
To investigate the regulation of metallothionein genes (HsMTs) of Hyriopsis schlegelii, 1,121-bp and 1,270-bp regions of the HsMT1 and HsMT2 promoters were cloned and analyzed, respectively. The two promoters shared partially conserved features and possessed distinct characteristics such as the number or position of metal response elements (MREs). Further analysis of the HsMT1 and HsMT2 promoters was performed by the reporter assay using the luciferase gene. Both promoters were activated by various metals, and presented different levels of metal ions inducibility in human hepatoblastoma cells. Deletion mutant assays demonstrated that both the longest promoter regions achieved the maximum inducibility, and the metal inducibility was dependent on the presence of the MRE in HsMT1 and the distal MRE in HsMT2. In addition, we cloned a putative metal responsive transcription factor (hereby designated as HsMTF-like) and studied its effect on HsMTs expression in human hepatoblastoma cells. An in vivo assay demonstrated that HsMTF-like activates basal HsMTs transcription level, and the MRE in the HsMTs promoter mediates this activation process. Moreover, this basal transcription level can be further boosted by zinc treatment. In conclusion, the regulation mechanism for MT activation in H. schlegelii should be evolutionarily conserved.
Cha-Koji, comprising green tea leaves fermented withAspergillus luchuensis var kawachii kitahara, increases regulatory T cell production in mice and humans
Authors: Yamamoto Bunsei , Suzuki Yusuke , Yonezu Takahisa , Mizushima Nanami , Watanabe Nobuo , Sato Takehito , Inoue Shigeaki , Inokuchi Sadaki 
Published: March 2018

AbstractGreen tea leaves fermented with Aspergillus luchuensis var kawachii kitahara (Cha-Koji) are a health food containing live A. luchuensis. In this study, we examined the effects of Cha-Koji on the immune system and the enteric environment. First, we designed a clinical trial; after ingesting Cha-Koji daily for 28 days, blood parameters and the fecal composition of the participants were analyzed. Similarly, mice were administered (oral administration) with Cha-Koji suspension or its vehicle for 14 days. Thereafter, both humans and mice were examined by analyzing their immune cell phenotypes and intestinal microbiota. Regulatory T cell (Treg) numbers were significantly increased after administering Cha-Koji. An increase of Clostridium subcluster XIVa, that were known to be rich in butyrate-producing bacterium, was observed in human feces, but not in mice. These results suggest that Cha-Koji has the ability to increase Treg production in both humans and mice, irrespective of the presence of enteric butyrate.
Intracellular localization of sirtuin and cell length analysis of Lactobacillus paracasei suggest possible role of sirtuin in cell division and cell shape regulation
Authors: Torres-Barredo Glaezel Angelique , Atarashi Hotaka , Kajikawa Akinobu , Hirata Aiko , Endo Akihito , Nakagawa Junichi 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Sirtuin has been associated in prolonging lifespan of different model organisms. It has been shown to have an enzymatic activity of NAD+-dependent protein deacetylation targeting acetylated proteins. To determine targets and possible roles of sirtuin (LpSirA) in the Lactobacillus paracasei BL23, deletion (ΔsirA), sirtuin overexpressor (highsirA) and GFP fusion (highsirA-Venus) strains were generated, and microscopic localization and cell length analysis were done. Microscopic analysis revealed localization of LpSirA at cell division plates, at cell poles and all throughout the cell length in a spiral manner. Cell length analysis revealed that 46.9% of the ΔsirA cells were observed to be shorter (&lt;2 μm), whereas 12.6% of the highsirA cells were observed to be longer (&gt;4 μm) in comparison with the wild-type with only 17.1% short cells and 5.3% long cells. Our results suggest that sirtuin may have an essential role in cell division and cell shape regulation.
Serum starvation induces abnormal spindle location, RhoA delocalization, and extension of intercellular bridge with the midbody
Authors: Nishimura Kazunori , Watanabe Sumiko , Kaku Tsunehisa , Sugishima Setsuo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSerum starvation induces binucleation in HeLa cells, but the effects of serum starvation on mitosis and the significance of binucleation remain unknown. We investigated the effect of serum starvation on mitosis and analyzed the growth of binucleated cells. The frequency of binucleation caused by cytokinesis failure in DMEM without FBS (0% medium) was higher than that in DMEM with FBS (10% medium). In 0% medium, the metaphase spindle location was off-center, and RhoA localization significantly lacked symmetry. The frequency of the extension of intercellular bridge with the midbody in 0% medium was significantly higher than that in 10% medium. Moreover, all mononucleated mitotic cells caused bipolar mitosis and produced only mononucleated daughter cells, but binucleated cells produced various nucleated cells by multipolar mitosis in 0% medium. These results suggest that serum starvation may have various effects on mitosis, and binucleated cells may be related to formation of aneuploidy.
Young, talented and injured: Injury perceptions, experiences and consequences in adolescent elite athletes
Authors: Von Rosen Philip , Kottorp Anders , Fridén Cecilia , Frohm Anna , Heijne Annette 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEven though injury is common in elite sports, there is still a lack of knowledge of young athletes’ injury perception both during and after injury. The aim of this mixed‐method study was, therefore, to explore, in‐depth, data on injury consequences and adolescent elite athletes’ perceptions and experience of injury. Three hundred and forty adolescent elite athletes (age range 15–19), from 16 different sports, were bi‐weekly monitored over 52 weeks using a valid questionnaire. Twenty athletes from the same cohort were interviewed in focus groups about injury experience and perceptions. The results show that the average bi‐weekly prevalence of injury was 38.7% (95% CI 37.3–40.1), with 30.0% (n = 102) of the athletes injured for more than half of all reporting times. An overarching theme from the focus groups highlighted the risk among young athletes of a loss of identity while injured. The findings support several suggestions that may improve the rehabilitation process and enhance rehabilitation outcomes: (a) provide clear pathways to the medical team, (b) recognize the identity loss, (c) involve the injured athletes with the rest of the teammates and (d) educate athletes about how to interpret pain signals. Future research should explore and evaluate the effectiveness and generalization of such interventions.