bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of differential hillslope‐scale water retention characteristics on rainfall–runoff response at the Landscape Evolution Observatory
Authors: van den Heuvel Daniël B. , Troch Peter A. , Booij Martijn J. , Niu Guo‐Yue , Volkmann Till H.M. , Pangle Luke A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHillslopes turn precipitation into runoff and thus exert important controls on various Earth system processes. It remains difficult to collect reliable data necessary for understanding and modeling these Earth system processes in real catchments. To overcome this problem, controlled experiments are being conducted at the Landscape Evolution Observatory at Biosphere 2, The University of Arizona. Previous experiments have revealed differences in hydrological response between 2 landscapes within Landscape Evolution Observatory, even though both landscapes were designed to be identical. In an attempt to discover where the observed differences stem from, we use a fully 3‐dimensional hydrological model (CATchment HYdrology) to show the effect of soil water retention characteristics and saturated hydraulic conductivity on the hydrological response of these 2 hillslopes. We also show that soil water retention characteristics can be derived at hillslope scale from experimental observations of soil moisture and matric potential. It is found that differences in soil packing between the 2 landscapes may be responsible for the observed differences in hydrological response. This modeling study also suggests that soil water retention characteristics and saturated hydraulic conductivity have a profound effect on rainfall–runoff processes at hillslope scale and that parametrization of a single hillslope may be a promising step in modeling rainfall–runoff response in real catchments.
Recent advances for identification of new scaffolds and drug targets for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Dhiman Rohan , Singh Ramandeep 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity with an estimated 1.7 billion people latently infected with the pathogen worldwide. Clinically, TB infection presents itself as an asymptomatic infection, which gradually manifests to life threatening disease. The emergence of various drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and lengthy duration of chemotherapy are major challenges in the field of TB drug development. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop scaffolds that possess a novel mechanism of action, can shorten the duration of therapy, and are active against both drug resistant and susceptible strains. In this review, we will discuss recent progress made in the field of TB drug development with emphasis on screening methods and drug targets from M. tuberculosis. The current review provides insights into mechanism of action of new scaffolds that are being evaluated in various stages of clinical trials. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(9):905–916, 2018
Redox‐guided small molecule antimycobacterials
Authors: Kulkarni Amogh , Sharma Ajay Kumar , Chakrapani Harinath 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe emergence of drug resistance has posed a major challenge to treatment of tuberculosis worldwide. The new drug candidates in the pipeline are few and therefore there is an urgent need to develop antimycobacterials with novel mechanisms of action. Maintenance of redox homeostasis is integral to mycobacterial survival and growth. Therefore, perturbation of this equilibrium can result in irreversible stress induction and inhibition of growth. Herein, we review a number of small molecules that have either been designed to induce redox stress or were found to do so after their discovery. A number of these small molecules are quite effective against drug‐resistant mycobacterial strains and thus offer scope for exploration of potentially new mechanism of action. The progress in redox‐guided antimycobacterial compounds and the challenges towards clinical applications are reviewed. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(9):826–835, 2018
Effects of fucoxanthin on autophagy and apoptosis in SGC‐7901cells and the mechanism
Authors: Zhu Yue , Cheng Jing , Min Zhenli , Yin Tingzi , Zhang Rong , Zhang Wei , Hu Ling , Cui Zhiwen , Gao Chengzhi , Xu Shiqiang , Zhang Chunxiang , Hu Xiamin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAutophagy and apoptosis are involved in the development of a variety of cancers. Fucoxanthin is a natural compound known to have antitumor effects, so we aimed to explore its effects on autophagy and apoptosis in gastric cancer SGC7901 cells. Specifically, we performed methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, transmission electron microscopy, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence assay, and cell apoptosis analysis to clarify the role of fucoxanthin in SGC‐7901 cells. Our results indicate that fucoxanthin significantly inhibits the viability of SGC‐7901 cells, effectively inducing both autophagy and apoptosis by up‐regulating the expressions of beclin‐1, LC3, and cleaved caspase‐3 (CC3), and by down regulating Bcl‐2. Fucoxanthin‐induced autophagy also seems to occur before, and may promote apoptosis.
Functional variants in the LC3B gene promoter in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Gao Feng , Su Qiang , Yang Wentao , Pang Shuchao , Wang Shuai , Cui Yinghua , Zhang Jinguo , Yan Bo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAcute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a common disease mainly caused by atherosclerosis, for which genetic causes remain largely unknown. Recently, low frequency and rare genetic variants have been proposed as risk factors. Autophagy has been involved in many cellular processes, such as lipid metabolism and inflammation, and implicated in human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. In previous studies, we have reported reduced levels of LC3B, a core protein and a marker for autophagy, in AMI patients. In this study, the LC3B gene promoter was genetically and functionally analyzed in large cohorts of AMI patients (n = 383) and healthy controls (n = 390). A total of 25 DNA sequence variants (DSVs) including SNPs were found. Seven DSVs and three SNPs were only identified in AMI patients. All the DSVs and SNPs (except one) significantly decreased the transcriptional activity of the LC3B gene promoter in both HEK‐293 and H9c2 cells (P < 0.05). Further electrophoretic mobility shift assay suggested that the DSVs affected the binding of transcription factors. In contrast, the DSVs and SNPs found only in controls or in both AMI patients and controls did not significantly affected LC3B gene promoter activity (P > 0.05). Therefore, our data suggested that the DSVs identified in AMI patients may change LC3B level by affecting the transcriptional activity of LC3B gene promoter, contributing to the AMI development. Upregulation of the LC3B gene expression may provide a novel and potential therapy for AMI patients.
Differential GIP/GLP‐1 intestinal cell distribution in diabetics’ yields distinctive rearrangements depending on Roux‐en‐Y biliopancreatic limb length
Authors: Palha António M. , Pereira Sofia S. , Costa Madalena M. , Morais Tiago , Maia André F. , Guimarães Marta , Nora Mário , Monteiro Mariana P. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAs incretins are known to play an important role in type 2 diabetics (T2D) improvement observed after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB), our aim was to assess whether increasing the length of RYGB biliopancreatic limb in T2D would modify the incretin staining cell density found after the gastric outlet. Small intestine biopsies (n = 38) were harvested during RYGB at two different distances from the duodenal angle; either 60‐90 cm (n = 28), from non‐diabetic (n = 18) patients, and T2D (n = 10), or 200 cm (n = 10) from T2D. GIP and GLP‐1 staining cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and GLP‐1/GIP co‐staining cells by immunofluorescence. Incretin staining cell density at the proximal small intestine of T2D and non‐diabetic individuals was similar. At 200 cm, T2D patients depicted a significantly lower GIP staining cell density (0.181 ± 0.016 vs 0.266 ± 0.033, P = 0.038) with a similar GLP‐1 staining cell density when compared to the proximal gut. GIP/GLP‐1 co‐staining cells was similar in all studied groups. In T2D patients, the incretin staining cells density in the distal intestine is significantly different from the proximal gut. Thus, a longer RYGB biliopancreatic limb produces a distinctive incretin cell pattern at the gastro‐enteric anastomosis that can result in different endocrine profiles.
Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol via a Single Inhaler in Patients with COPD
Authors: Mehta Rashmi , Pefani Eleni , Beerahee Misba , Brealey Noushin , Barnacle Helen , Birk Ruby , Zhu Chang‐Qing , Lipson David A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractA population pharmacokinetic analysis was conducted from a subset of samples obtained from the Lung Function and Quality of Life Assessment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Closed Triple Therapy trial to characterize the pharmacokinetics of fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol in patients with symptomatic COPD following treatment with fluticason furoate‐umeclidinium‐vilanterol combined in a single inhaler. This was a randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy study comparing 24 weeks of once‐daily triple therapy (fluticason furoate‐umeclidinium‐vilanterol, 100 μg/62.5 μg/25 μg; Ellipta inhaler) with twice‐daily dual therapy (budesonide/formoterol 400 μg/12 μg; Turbuhaler). The analyses were conducted in a subset of 74 patients who received fluticason furoate‐umeclidinium‐vilanterol and provided serial or sparse samples. Monte Carlo simulations and a model‐based estimation approach both indicated that systemic drug concentrations of fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol after administration of fluticason furoate‐umeclidinium‐vilanterol triple combination therapy from a single inhaler were within the ranges observed following administration of these drugs as monotherapy (fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol) or as dual‐combination therapy (fluticasone furoate/vilanterol or umeclidinium/vilanterol).
Low‐load resistance exercise during inactivity is associated with greater fibre area and satellite cell expression in older skeletal muscle
Authors: Moore Daniel R. , Kelly Ryan P. , Devries Michaela C. , Churchward‐Venne Tyler A. , Phillips Stuart M. , Parise Gianni , Johnston Adam P. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundAge‐related sarcopenia is accelerated by physical inactivity. Low‐load resistance exercise (LLRE) counters inactivity‐induced muscle atrophy in older adults, but changes in muscle fibre morphology are unstudied. We aimed to determine the impact of LLRE during short‐term inactivity (step‐reduction) on muscle fibre size and capillarity as well as satellite cell (SC) content in older skeletal muscle.MethodsFourteen older (~71 years) male adults underwent 14 days of step reduction (<1500 steps/day) while performing six sessions of LLRE (~30% maximal strength) with one leg (SR + EX) while the contralateral leg served as an untrained control (SR). Seven healthy ambulatory age‐matched male adults (~69 years) served as a comparator group (COM). Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis after 14 days, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed to determine muscle fibre cross‐sectional area (CSA), myonuclear content, SC content (PAX7+ cells), and total (C:F) and fibre type‐specific (C:Fi) capillary‐to‐fibre ratios.ResultsType I and II fibre CSA was greater in SR + EX compared with SR. Whereas there were no differences across fibre types between SR + EX and CON, type II fibre CSA was significantly lower in SR compared with COM. Type II myonuclear domain was greater in SR + EX compared with COM and SR. Pax7+ cells associated with type I and II fibres were lower in SR compared with SR + EX. Type II PAX7+ cells were also lower in SR compared with COM with a similar trend for type I fibres. There were trends for a lower C:Fi in SR compared with SR + EX for both fibre types with no differences for each compared with COM.ConclusionsMinimal LLRE during a period of decreased physical activity is associated with greater muscle fibre CSA, SC content, and capillarization. These results support the use of LLRE as an effective countermeasure to inactivity‐induced alterations in muscle morphology with age.
Nesting environment may drive variation in eggshell structure and egg characteristics in the Testudinata
Authors: Deeming D. Charles 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTestudines exhibit considerable variation in the degree of eggshell calcification, which affects eggshell conductance, water physiology of the embryos, and calcium metabolism of embryos. However, the underlying reason for different shell types has not been explored. Phylogenetically controlled analyses examined relationships between egg size, shell mass, and clutch size in ∼200 turtle species from a range of body sizes and assigned by family as laying either rigid‐ or pliable‐shelled eggs. Shell type affected egg breadth relative to pelvic dimensions, egg mass, and relative shell mass but did not affect size, mass, or total shell mass of the clutch. These results suggest that calcium availability may be a function of body size and the type of shell may reflect in part the interplay between clutch size and egg size. It was further concluded that the eggshell probably evolved as a means of physical protection. Differences in shell calcification may not primarily reflect reproductive parameters but rather correlate with the acidity of a species’ nesting environment. Low pH environments may have thicker calcareous layer to counteract the erosion caused by the soil and maintain the integrity of the physical barrier. Limited calcium availability may constrain clutch size. More neutral nesting substrates expose eggshells to less erosion so calcification per egg can be reduced and this allows larger clutch sizes. This pattern is also reflected in thick, calcified crocodilian eggs. Further research is needed to test whether eggshell calcification in the testudines correlates with nest pH in order to verify this relationship.
Slugs (Arionidae) benefit from nocturnal artificial illumination
Authors: van Grunsven Roy H. A. , Jähnichen David , Grubisic Maja , Hölker Franz 
Published: May 2018

AbstractArtificial illumination increases around the globe and this has been found to affect many groups of organisms and ecosystems. By manipulating nocturnal illumination using one large experimental field site with 24 streetlights and one dark control, we assessed the impact of artificial illumination on slugs over a period of 4 years. The number of slugs, primarily Arionidae, increased strongly in the illuminated site but not on the dark site. There are several nonexclusive explanations for this effect, including reduced predation and increased food quality in the form of carcasses of insects attracted by the light. As slugs play an important role in ecosystems and are also important pest species, the increase of slugs under artificial illumination cannot only affect ecosystem functioning but also have important economic consequences.
Colonization of Helicobacter pylori in the gastric cardia: A comparison between the UFT300 and CLO tests
Authors: Liao Po‐Hao , Lin Yu‐Chun , Chu Cheng‐Hsin , Shih Shou‐Chuan , Liou Tai‐Cherng 
Published: May 2018

Background and aimTo assess the detection rates of Helicobacter pylori colonization in the gastric cardia with two commercial kits of rapid urease test: 5 min UFT300 and 24 h CLO test in H. pylori‐infected patients.MethodsEighty consecutive dyspeptic patients with confirmed H. pylori infection (serology and 13C‐urea breath test) were prospectively studied. During endoscopy, tissue samples using separate biopsy forceps from the cardia were taken for the UFT300 and CLO tests. The results of the UFT300 were read at 5 and 30 min, and those of the CLO test were read at 24 h.ResultsOf 80 enrolled patients, 17 (21.3%) and 44 (55%) had positive findings with the UFT300 at 5 and 30 min, respectively, while 72 (90%) had positive findings with the CLO test at 24 h. The CLO test is significantly more sensitive than the UFT300 in evaluating H. pylori status in the cardia. On comparing patients with and without carditis, the detection rates of the CLO test were similar (91.1% vs 88.6%; P = 0.724), and the rates of the UFT300 were also similar at 5 and 30 min.ConclusionsThe rate of H. pylori colonization in the gastric cardia was 90% in H. pylori‐infected patients detected with the CLO test. Although the UFT300 provides a more rapid reading of H. pylori status, the diagnostic yield of the CLO test is much higher than that of the UFT300. However, a positive result of the UFT300 may indicate a higher bacterial load in the cardia, which warrants a more effective therapeutic strategy.
Obesity as an immune-modifying factor in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Canter Robert J , Le Catherine T , Beerthuijzen Johanna M T , Murphy William J 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Immunotherapy has achieved breakthrough status in many advanced stage malignancies and is rapidly becoming the fourth arm of cancer treatment. Although cancer immunotherapy has generated significant excitement because of the potential for complete and sometimes durable responses, there is also the potential for severe and occasionally life-threatening toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome and severe autoimmunity. A large body of work also points to a “metainflammatory” state in obesity associated with impairment of immune responses. Because immune checkpoint blockade (and other cancer immunotherapies) have altered the landscape of immunotherapy in cancer, it is important to understand how immune responses are shaped by obesity and how obesity may modify both immunotherapy responses and potential toxicities.
Review on the impact of obesity on inflammation and immune homeostasis and what the implications of these perturbations are for cancer immunotherapy.
Systematic Review of Hypersensitivity to Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Christian Vikram J. , Tallar Matthew , Walia Cassandra L. S. , Sieracki Rita , Goday Praveen S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHypersensitivity to the components of parenteral nutrition (PN) is a rare but important complication of PN. We performed a systematic review of hypersensitivity to PN to enable us to build an approach to the individual patient who presents with PN hypersensitivity. A systematic literature search was performed in Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science using terms for “hypersensitivity” AND “parenteral nutrition” and relevant synonyms. A total of 28 articles were analyzed, and 33 hypersensitivities to PN or components of PN were reported in these 28 articles. Reports of hypersensitivity and subsequent conclusions were based on the clinical observations made by each reporting author. These reactions were evenly split between pediatric and adult patients. Hypersensitivity to PN occurred on day of starting PN in 60.6% patients and after that time in 36.3% patients (range: 1–21 days). Of the hypersensitivities that occurred on day 1 of PN, 70% occurred in the first 30 minutes of initiation of PN. Cutaneous manifestations were the most common, followed by anaphylaxis, respiratory symptoms, and hemodynamic instability. The components most frequently identified as allergens were intravenous fat emulsion (48.4%), multivitamin solution (33.3%), and amino acid solution (9%). Based on this review, an algorithm was created to guide the practitioner on management of PN after the occurrence of such a reaction.
Clinical Impact of Muscle Quantity and Quality in Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Okugawa Yoshinaga , Toiyama Yuji , Yamamoto Akira , Shigemori Tsunehiko , Yin Chengzeng , Narumi Aya , Omura Yusuke , Ide Shozo , Kitajima Takahito , Fujikawa Hiroyuki , Yasuda Hiromi , Hiro Junichiro , Yoshiyama Shigeyuki , Kobayashi Minako , Araki Toshimitsu , McMillan Donald C. , Miki Chikao , Kusunoki Masato 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia is defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass, accompanied by decreased muscle strength, and consists of myopenia and myosteatosis. Recent evidence has suggested the predictive value of sarcopenia for the risk of perioperative and oncological outcomes in various malignancies. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical impact of myopenia and myosteatosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.MethodsWe analyzed the preoperative psoas muscle mass index and intramuscular adipose tissue content using preoperative computed tomography images from 308 CRC patients using statistical methods.ResultsDespite no significant correlation between myosteatosis and prognosis, preoperative myopenia significantly correlated with clinicopathological factors for disease development, including advanced tumor depth (P = 0.009), presence of lymphatic vessel invasion (P = 0.006), distant metastasis (P = 0.0007), and advanced stage classification (P = 0.013). Presence of preoperative myopenia was an independent prognostic factor for both cancer‐specific survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5–5.05, P = 0.001) and disease‐free survival (HR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.8–5.51, P = 0.0001), and was an independent risk factor for postoperative infectious complications in CRC patients (odds ratio: 2.03, 95% CI:1.17–3.55, P = 0.013). Furthermore, these findings were successfully validated using propensity score matching analysis.ConclusionsPreoperative myopenia could be useful for perioperative management, and quantification of preoperative skeletal muscle mass could identify patients as a high risk for perioperative and oncological outcomes in CRC patients.
Autophagy May Protect Against Parenteral Nutrition‐Associated Liver Disease by Suppressing Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress
Authors: Zhang Tian , Yan Junkai , Wang Nan , Dai Lina , Wang Ying , Cai Wei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe objectives of this study were to address the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of parenteral nutrition (PN)‐associated liver disease (PNALD) and its possible mechanism in vivo.MethodsFive‐week‐old male Sprague Dawley rats were fed Shoobree chow (Xietong Organism, Jiangsu, China) and administered intravenous 0.9% saline (sham group), PN (PN group), PN plus rapamycin (1 mg/kg; PN + Rapa group), or rapamycin (Rapa group) for 7 days. Before and after study, body weight, biochemical indicators, hepatic histology, level of autophagy, hepatocyte apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress indicators including binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP), spliced X‐box‐binding protein‐1 (sXBP1), and CCAAT‐enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) were measured.ResultsAutophagy was suppressed in the PNALD model, which was demonstrated by less light chain 3 fluorescence (LC3) puncta and lower LC3II expression. Rapamycin effectively induced hepatic autophagy in PN rats. The PN + Rapa group presented improved hepatic function, decreased pathology scores, and less steatosis than the PN group. In addition, rapamycin treatment decreased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and cleaved‐caspase 3 expression, indicating a lower level of hepatocyte apoptosis. Compared with the PN group, the PN + Rapa group had lower levels of ROS and reduced expression of ER stress‐related protein markers, such as BIP, sXBP1 and CHOP.ConclusionsAutophagy was suppressed in the PNALD model. Rapamycin treatment induced autophagy and protected against PNALD, possibly by suppressing ROS‐induced ER stress.