bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of testing procedure on the in-plane shear properties of CNF/glass/epoxy composites
Authors: Taheri-Behrooz F , Esmkhani M , Yaghoobi-Chatroodi A 
Published: August 2019

Many investigations have demonstrated that the addition of nanoscale particles could affect in-plane shear properties of the laminated composites. Besides, a variety of testing procedures were introduced to evaluate the in-plane shear properties of the multiscale composite materials. In the current research, Iosipescu shear, double V-notched rail, and off-axis tensile testing methods were used to measure in-plane shear modulus and strength of the glass/epoxy and carbon nanofiber (CNF) as 0.25 wt% CNF/glass/epoxy laminated composites. In-plane shear properties of the CNF/glass/epoxy specimens were increased in comparison with the neat glass/epoxy specimens using all three testing procedures. However, the improvements were not identical for all the testing methods. The maximum improvements in the in-plane shear modulus and strength recorded using off-axis tensile test method were as 11% and 15.6%, respectively. In the off-axis tensile test method, all in-plane stress components are activated in the fracture plane parallel to the fiber orientation which are responsible for the failure initiation and propagation. Consequently, enhancing the resin’s mechanical property and interface bonding quality using CNF could remarkably enhance the in-plane shear property of the CNF/glass/epoxy specimens. On the other hand, the special fiber orientation of the specimens in Iosipescu shear and V-notched rail methods prevents the reinforcing effects of the CNF particles to be effectively revealed.
Short-term outcomes of the supine muscle-sparing anterolateral versus direct lateral approach to primary total hip arthroplasty
Authors: George Nicole E , Gwam Chukwuweike U , Etcheson Jennifer I , Smith Spencer S , Semenistyy Anton A , Delanois Ronald E 
Published: August 2019

Background: Although total hip arthroplasty (THA) is among the most successful orthopaedic procedures, it is not without complications. As such, finding the optimal surgical approach has become an area of particular interest. In this study, we compare: (1) pain intensity; (2) opioid consumption; (3) lengths of stay (LOS); (4) complication rates; (5) discharge destination; and (6) ambulatory function between patients who underwent THA via the supine muscle-sparing anterolateral (MS-ALA) and conventional direct lateral (DLA) approaches. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 220 consecutive patients who received primary THA using the supine MS-ALA ( n = 101) or DLA ( n = 119) between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2016. Outcomes included postoperative pain intensity, opioid consumption, LOS, discharge destination, complications, additional procedures, and time to independent ambulation. Results: We demonstrated significantly lower opioid consumption on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 2 (mean differences, −32.0 and −28.4 mg, respectively; p ⩽ 0.001) and decreased pain intensity during the second 24 hours of the hospital stay (mean difference, –22.0; p < 0.001) in patients receiving the MS-ALA. Relative to the DLA cohort, patients in the MS-ALA cohort were 2.04 times more likely to be discharged to home ( p = 0.028) and 1.91 times less likely to experience postoperative abductor insufficiency ( p = 0.039). Conclusion: The present study is the 1st to compare postoperative outcomes, particularly pain intensity and opioid consumption, between the supine muscle-sparing anterolateral and direct lateral THA approaches. Further research should investigate the effect of surgical approach on quality and cost of care, include larger sample sizes, and involve longer-term follow-up.
Therapies for the management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause
Authors: Palacios Santiago , Combalia Josep , Emsellem Carine , Gaslain Yann , Khorsandi Danial 
Published: August 2019

Introduction The genitourinary syndrome of menopause is a new term that describes various menopausal symptoms and signs including not only genital symptoms (dryness, burning, and irritation) and sexual symptoms (lack of lubrication, discomfort or pain, and impaired function), but also urinary symptoms (urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections). Methods We conducted a systematic scoping review of data in women therapies with genitourinary syndrome of menopause or vulvovaginal atrophy in peer-reviewed, English-language publications in the last 20 years. Results The terms vulvovaginal atrophy and atrophic vaginitis, which were generally used up until recently, had a limitation because they did not cover the full spectrum of symptoms and did not imply that the symptoms are related to a decreased sex steroid level in menopause. The concept of genitourinary syndrome of menopause was recently introduced and has been gaining widespread use. Since genitourinary syndrome of menopause may have a profound negative impact on the quality of life of postmenopausal women, patients should be made aware of these problems and treated with an appropriate effective therapy. Therefore, in this review we introduce therapies for this syndrome, both local and systemic, and discuss the importance of genitourinary syndrome of menopause comprehension and the need to have an active treatment of this syndrome in postmenopausal women. Conclusion The increasing number of therapies for menopausal symptoms opens up new options. In addition, new products have been designed and developed by pharmaceutical companies as new possibilities for patients who did not have any treatment available and also to improve compliance.
Insulin resistance and dysglycemia are associated with left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in non-diabetic patients
Authors: Yang Chen Die , Shen Ying , Lu Lin , Ding Feng Hua , Yang Zhen Kun , Zhang Rui Yan , Shen Wei Feng , Jin Wei , Wang Xiao Qun 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background
Adverse cardiac remodeling after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a major cause for poor cardiovascular outcomes such as heart failure. The predisposing factors and underlying mechanisms remain not fully understood. This study investigates the association of insulin resistance and dysglycemia with left ventricular (LV) remodeling after STEMI in non-diabetic patients.

Methods
A total of 485 non-diabetic subjects with STEMI who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention were consecutively enrolled and followed up for 12 months. Relation of homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and glucose levels to changes in echocardiography parameters was studied.

Results
Left ventricular dilation was detected in 49.1% of subjects at 12-month follow-up after STEMI, and was more severe in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and high HOMA-IR levels. HOMA-IR remained correlated to changes in LV dimensions after adjusting for confounding risk factors. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that higher HOMA-IR was independently associated with greater LV dilation after STEMI. A significant interaction term was present between HOMA-IR and IGT in the model (P = 0.001).

Conclusions
Our study reveals that insulin resistance and dysglycemia are prevalent in non-diabetic patients with STEMI and are predictors of the post-infarction LV dilation.
Trial registration Trials number, NCT02089360; registered on March 17, 2014
RETRACTED ARTICLE: BMP2 secretion from hepatocellular carcinoma cell HepG2 enhances angiogenesis and tumor growth in endothelial cells via activation of the MAPK/p38 signaling pathway
Authors: Feng Peng-Cheng , Ke Xing-Fei , Kuang Hui-Lan , Pan Li-Li , Ye Qiang , Wu Jian-Bing 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors globally, with varying prevalence based on endemic risk factors. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities in various tissues including angiogenesis. Here, this study aimed to investigate the mechanism of BMP2 in HCC by mediating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/p38 signaling pathway.

Methods
BMP2 expression was quantified in HCC and adjacent tissues. BMP2 gain- and loss-of-function experiments were conducted by infection with lentivirus over-expressing BMP2 or expressing shRNA against BMP2. The angiogenesis was evaluated with HepG2 cells co-cultured with ECV304 cells. SB-239063 was applied to inhibit the activation of the MAPK/p38 signaling pathway so as to identify the significance of this pathway in HCC progression. Finally, in vivo experiments were conducted to identify the role of BMP2 and the MAPK/p38 signaling pathway in tumor growth and angiogenesis.

Results
BMP2 was highly expressed in HCC. Over-expression of BMP2 was found to accelerate cell proliferation, migration, invasion, microvascular density, and angiogenesis and decrease cell apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. BMP2 silencing exhibited inhibitory effects on HCC cell invasion and angiogenesis. The co-culture system illustrated that HepG2 cells secreted BMP2 in ECV304, and silenced BMP2 in HepG2 cells resulted in the inactivation of the MAPK/p38 signaling pathway, thus suppressing cancer progression, tumor growth, and angiogenesis in HCC.

Conclusion
Taken together, the key findings of this study propose that silencing of BMP2 inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in HCC, highlighting BMP2 silencing as a potential strategy for the treatment of HCC.
Throughput maximization-based optimal power allocation for energy-harvesting cognitive radio networks with multiusers
Authors: Wang Yuanyi , Zhao Xiaohui , Liang Hui 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAn optimal power allocation (OPA) policy for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)-based cognitive radio networks (CRNs) using underlay spectrum access model is presented under multiple secondary users (SUs) with energy harvesting (EH). The proposed algorithm can allocate transmission power to each SU on each subcarrier with the objective of maximizing the average throughput of secondary network over a finite time interval. We consider both the interference power constraint limited by primary user (PU) and the minimum throughput constraint of each SU to improve the throughput of SUs while guaranteeing the communication quality of PU. To balance current throughput and expected future throughput, a dynamic programming (DP) problem is defined and solved by the backward induction method. Moreover, for each time slot, a convex immediate optimization is presented to obtain an optimal solution, which can be solved by the Lagrange dual method. Simulation results show that our policy can achieve better performance than some traditional policies and ensure good quality of service (QoS) of PU when SUs access the spectrum.
Ferredoxin 1b Deficiency Leads to Testis Disorganization, Impaired Spermatogenesis, and Feminization in Zebrafish
Authors: Oakes James A , Li Nan , Wistow Belinda R C , Griffin Aliesha , Barnard Lise , Storbeck Karl-Heinz , Cunliffe Vincent T , Krone Nils P 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe roles of steroids in zebrafish sex differentiation, gonadal development, and function of the adult gonad are poorly understood. Herein, we used ferredoxin 1b (fdx1b) mutant zebrafish to explore such processes. Fdx1b is an essential electron-providing cofactor to mitochondrial steroidogenic enzymes, which are crucial for glucocorticoid and androgen production in vertebrates. Fdx1b−/− zebrafish mutants develop into viable adults in which concentrations of androgens and cortisol are significantly reduced. Adult fdx1b−/− mutant zebrafish display predominantly female secondary sex characteristics but may possess either ovaries or testes, confirming that androgen signaling is dispensable for testicular differentiation in this species, as previously demonstrated in androgen receptor mutant zebrafish. Adult male fdx1b−/− mutant zebrafish exhibit reduced characteristic breeding behaviors and impaired sperm production, resulting in infertility in standard breeding scenarios. However, eggs collected from wild-type females can be fertilized by the sperm of fdx1b−/− mutant males by in vitro fertilization. The testes of fdx1b−/− mutant males are disorganized and lack defined seminiferous tubule structure. Expression of several promale and spermatogenic genes is decreased in the testes of fdx1b−/− mutant males, including promale transcription factor sox9a and spermatogenic genes igf3 and insl3. This study establishes an androgen- and cortisol-deficient fdx1b zebrafish mutant as a model for understanding the effects of steroid deficiency on sex development and reproductive function. This model will be particularly useful for further investigation of the roles of steroids in spermatogenesis, gonadal development, and regulation of reproductive behavior, thus enabling further elucidation of the physiological consequences of endocrine disruption in vertebrates.
Widespread Cell-Specific Prolactin Receptor Expression in Multiple Murine Organs
Authors: Aoki Mari , Wartenberg Philipp , Grünewald Ramona , Phillipps Hollian R , Wyatt Amanda , Grattan David R , Boehm Ulrich 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe prolactin receptor (Prlr) mediates not only the multiple effects of prolactin, but also those of the placental lactogens and, in humans, some actions of growth hormone. Although Prlr expression has been reported to be widespread in the body, specific cellular expression patterns within tissues are undefined for many organs. One persisting problem in investigating Prlr function is that the protein is difficult to detect using conventional methods. To allow investigation of Prlr expression with a single cell resolution, we have recently developed a knock-in mouse strain in which Cre recombinase is expressed together with the long isoform of the Prlr using an internal ribosome entry site. When crossed to a Cre-dependent reporter mouse strain, Cre-mediated recombination will genetically label cells that acutely express the Prlr as well as cells that have transiently expressed the Prlr during development. We report here the anatomical distribution of cells which express the fluorescent reporter τ green fluorescent protein in a total of 38 organs prepared from young adult male and female Prlr reporter mice. Our results establish a resource for dissecting the functional role of Prlr in multiple murine tissues.
Lipokines and Thermogenesis
Authors: Lynes Matthew D , Kodani Sean D , Tseng Yu-Hua 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Adaptive thermogenesis is a catabolic process that consumes energy-storing molecules and expends that energy as heat in response to environmental changes. This process occurs primarily in brown and beige adipose tissue. Thermogenesis is regulated by many factors, including lipid derived paracrine and endocrine hormones called lipokines. Recently, technologic advances for identifying new lipid biomarkers of thermogenic activity have shed light on a diverse set of lipokines that act through different pathways to regulate energy expenditure. In this review, we highlight a few examples of lipokines that regulate thermogenesis. The biosynthesis, regulation, and effects of the thermogenic lipokines in several families are reviewed, including oloeylethanolamine, endocannabinoids, prostaglandin E2, and 12,13-diHOME. These thermogenic lipokines present potential therapeutic targets to combat states of excess energy storage, such as obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Sex Differences in Adrenal Bmal1 Deletion–Induced Augmentation of Glucocorticoid Responses to Stress and ACTH in Mice
Authors: Engeland William C , Massman Logan , Miller Lauren , Leng Sining , Pignatti Emanuele , Pantano Lorena , Carlone Diana L , Kofuji Paulo , Breault David T 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
The circadian glucocorticoid (GC) rhythm is dependent on a molecular clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and an adrenal clock that is synchronized by the SCN. To determine whether the adrenal clock modulates GC responses to stress, experiments used female and male Cyp11A1Cre/+::Bmal1Fl/Fl knockout [side-chain cleavage (SCC)–KO] mice, in which the core clock gene, Bmal1, is deleted in all steroidogenic tissues, including the adrenal cortex. Following restraint stress, female and male SCC-KO mice demonstrate augmented plasma corticosterone but not plasma ACTH. In contrast, following submaximal scruff stress, plasma corticosterone was elevated only in female SCC-KO mice. Adrenal sensitivity to ACTH was measured in vitro using acutely dispersed adrenocortical cells. Maximal corticosterone responses to ACTH were elevated in cells from female KO mice without affecting the EC50 response. Neither the maximum nor the EC50 response to ACTH was affected in male cells, indicating that female SCC-KO mice show a stronger adrenal phenotype. Parallel experiments were conducted using female Cyp11B2 (Aldosterone Synthase)Cre/+::Bmal1Fl/Fl mice and adrenal cortex–specific Bmal1-null (Ad-KO) mice. Plasma corticosterone was increased in Ad-KO mice following restraint or scruff stress, and in vitro responses to ACTH were elevated in adrenal cells from Ad-KO mice, replicating data from female SCC-KO mice. Gene analysis showed increased expression of adrenal genes in female SCC-KO mice involved in cell cycle control, cell adhesion–extracellular matrix interaction, and ligand receptor activity that could promote steroid production. These observations underscore a role for adrenal Bmal1 as an attenuator of steroid secretion that is most prominent in female mice.
Developmental Programming: Contribution of Epigenetic Enzymes to Antral Follicular Defects in the Sheep Model of PCOS
Authors: Guo Xingzi , Puttabyatappa Muraly , Thompson Robert C , Padmanabhan Vasantha 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Prenatal testosterone (T)-treated sheep, similar to women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), manifest oligo-/anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polyfollicular ovary. The polyfollicular ovarian morphology, a result of persistence of antral follicles, arises, in part, by transcriptional changes in key mediators of follicular development that, in turn, are driven by epigenetic mechanisms. We hypothesized that prenatal T excess induces, in a cell-specific manner, transcriptional changes in key mediators of follicular development associated with relevant changes in epigenetic machinery. Expression levels of key mediators of follicular development, DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), and histone de-/methylases and de-/acetylases were determined in laser-capture microdissection-isolated antral follicular granulosa and theca and ovarian stromal cells from 21 months of age control and prenatal T-treated sheep (100 mg IM twice weekly from gestational day 30 to 90; term: 147 days). Changes in histone methylation were determined by immunofluorescence. Prenatal T treatment induced the following: (i) cell-specific changes in gene expression of key mediators of follicular development and steroidogenesis; (ii) granulosa, theca, and stromal cell-specific changes in DNMTs and histone de-/methylases and deacetylases, and (iii) increases in histone 3 trimethylation at lysine 9 in granulosa and histone 3 dimethylation at lysine 4 in theca cells. The pattern of histone methylation was consistent with the expression profile of histone de-/methylases in the respective cells. These findings suggest that changes in expression of key genes involved in the development of the polyfollicular phenotype in prenatal T-treated sheep are mediated, at least in part, by cell-specific changes in epigenetic-modifying enzymes.
Exosome-Transmitted lncRNA H19 Inhibits the Growth of Pituitary Adenoma
Authors: Zhang Yong , Liu Yan Ting , Tang Hao , Xie Wan Qun , Yao Hong , Gu Wei Ting , Zheng Yong Zhi , Shang Han Bing , Wang Yu , Wei Yong Xu , Wu Ze Rui , Wu Zhe Bao 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Context
Our previous study demonstrated that the expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 was frequently downregulated in human primary pituitary adenomas and negatively correlated with tumor progression. However, the role of exosomal lncRNA H19 in the inhibition of pituitary tumor growth remains unclear.

Objective
To investigate whether exosomal H19 could be transported across the cell membrane to exert its inhibitory effect on pituitary tumor growth.

Design
Empty lentivirus GH3 cells with or without H19 overexpression were used to establish a xenograft model. Isolated exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking, and Western blotting. The expression levels of serum exosomal H19 from 200 healthy subjects and 206 patients with various subtypes of pituitary tumors were detected by ultracentrifugation and quantitative real-time PCR.

Results
The growth of distal tumor cells was inhibited by transferring exosomal H19, which could be transported through cell membrane and exert its inhibitory effect. Cabergoline increased H19 expression and played a synergic therapeutic effect with exosomal H19. Exosomal H19 inhibited phosphorylation of the mTORC1 substrate 4E-BP1. Of note, the expression level of exosomal H19 in the patients with all subtypes of pituitary tumors was significantly lower than that in the healthy subjects. The change of plasma exosomal H19 level may be correlated with the prognosis or drug response of the patients.

Conclusion
Exosomal H19 inhibits the growth of distal pituitary tumors through inhibiting 4E-BP1 phosphorylation. Plasma exosomal H19 may serve as an important biomarker for predicting medical responses of patients with prolactinomas.
Contribution of Asian Haplotype of KCNJ18 to Susceptibility to and Ethnic Differences in Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis
Authors: Noso Shinsuke , Babaya Naru , Hiromine Yoshihisa , Ito Hiroyuki , Taketomo Yasunori , Yoshida Sawa , Niwano Fumimaru , Monobe Keisuke , Minohara Tatsuro , Okada Takuya , Tsugawa Mamiko , Kawabata Yumiko , Ikegami Hiroshi 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Context and Objectives
Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is an acute complication of thyrotoxicosis that can be lethal. TPP is rare in Caucasians but often affects young men in East Asian populations. This study aimed to clarify the contribution of KCNJ18 to susceptibility to TPP in East Asian populations.

Participants and Methods
The study comprised 635 participants including 13 Japanese patients with TPP, 208 Japanese patients with Graves disease without TPP, and 414 healthy control subjects from the Japanese (n = 208), Korean (n = 111), and Caucasian populations (n = 95). DNA samples from 29 participants (13 with TPP, 8 with Graves disease, and 8 controls) were sequenced for KCNJ18, and all participants (n = 635) were genotyped for six variants of KCNJ18 and a polymorphism of KCNJ2 (rs312691).

Results
Six single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) with amino acid substitutions were identified by direct sequencing of KCNJ18. Among these, four SNVs comprised three haplotypes under strong linkage disequilibrium. Haplotype 1 (AAAG) of KCNJ18 was significantly associated with susceptibility to TPP in the Japanese population (OR = 19.6; 95% CI, 1.5 to 256.9; P = 0.013). Haplotype frequencies in the general East Asian (Japanese and Korean) and Caucasian populations differed significantly (haplotype 1: 80.8% vs 48.4%, P = 1.1×10−27).

Conclusion
A major haplotype of KCNJ18 in East Asian populations is significantly associated with susceptibility to TPP. The haplotype is much more common in East Asian than Caucasian populations, suggesting its contribution to the high prevalence of TPP in East Asian populations.