bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Luman/CREB3 expression leads to the upregulation of testosterone synthesis in mouse Leydig cells
Authors: Wang Lei , Lu Minjie , Zhang Ruixue , Guo Wenwen , Lin Pengfei , Yang Diqi , Chen Huatao , Tang Keqiong , Zhou Dong , Wang Aihua , Jin Yaping 
Published: January 2019

AbstractLuman, also known as cAMP‐response element‐binding protein 3, is an endoplasmic reticulum stress‐related protein that has been identified as a novel transcriptional coregulator of a variety of nuclear receptors. Herein, immunohistochemistry results showed that Luman was specifically expressed in mouse Leydig cells in an age‐dependent increase manner, from prepuberty to sexual maturation. Luman was not detected in Sertoli cells within the seminiferous tubules at any developmental period. The immunoﬂuorescent experiment indicated that Luman was mainly located within the cytoplasm of murine Leydig tumor cells (MLTC‐1) and primary Leydig cells (PLCs). To investigate the physiological function of Luman, experiments were conducted to examine the consequences of short hairpin RNA‐ and small interfering RNA‐mediated Luman knock‐down in MLTC‐1 and PLCs, respectively. Luman knock‐down significantly upregulated the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory, cytochrome P450 cholesterol side‐chain cleavage enzymes, 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and 17‐α‐hydroxylase/C17–20 lyase in MLTC‐1 cells and PLCs. Luman knock‐down caused an increase in human chorionic gonadotropin‐stimulated testosterone production in vitro and in vivo. The nuclear receptors SF‐1 and Nur‐77 were significantly increased upon Luman knock‐down in MLTC‐1. By contrast, the level of the nuclear receptor SHP decreased. Luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that Luman knock‐down upregulated the activity of SF‐1 and Nur‐77 promoters. These data suggested that Luman expressed in mouse Leydig cells in an age‐dependent increase manner. Luman knock‐down upregulated the activity of SF‐1 and Nur‐77 promoters, which lead to the increase of testosterone synthesis and steroidogenesis genes expression. In conclusion, these findings provide us with new insights into the role Luman played in male reproduction.
Therapeutic potency of crocin in the treatment of inflammatory diseases: Current status and perspective
Authors: Pashirzad Mehran , Shafiee Mojtaba , Avan Amir , Ryzhikov Mikhail , Fiuji Hamid , Bahreyni Amirhossein , Khazaei Majid , Soleimanpour Saman , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCrocin is the major component of saffron, which is used in phytomedicine for the treatment of several diseases including diabetes, fatty liver, depression, menstruation disorders, and, of special interest in this review, inflammatory diseases. Promising selective anti‐inflammatory properties of this pharmacological active component have been observed in several studies. Saffron has been shown to exert anti‐inflammatory properties against several inflammatory diseases and can be used as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory diseases either alone or in combination with other standard anti‐inflammatory agents. This review summarizes the protective role of saffron and its pharmacologically active constituents in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases including digestive diseases, dermatitis, asthma, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases for a better understanding and hence a better management of these diseases.
GHSR DNA hypermethylation is a new epigenetic biomarker for gastric adenocarcinoma and beyond
Authors: Amini Mohammad , Foroughi Kobra , Talebi Fatemeh , Aghagolzade Haji Hemat , Kamali Fatemeh , Jandaghi Pouria , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Manoochehri Mehdi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAberrations of DNA methylation are early events in the development of tumors. In this study, we investigated the DNA methylation status of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), a promising pan‐cancer biomarker, in gastric cancer (GC). Initially, data sets from DNA methylation and gene expression studies available at Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed. Confirmation was done on primary tumor specimens and adjacent normal stomach tissue samples. Both analyses showed significant hypermethylation of GHSR. For further validation, The Cancer Genome Atlas data on stomach cancer was used. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis yielded an area under the curve value of 0.85, corroborating its usefulness as a diagnostic marker. A genome‐wide comethylation analysis revealed several correlated genes. CREB1 was found to act as an upstream regulator of this gene network. Furthermore, GHSR methylation was found to be a biomarker in several other tumor entities, namely cancers of the bladder, endometrium, esophagus, head and neck, liver, thyroid, kidney, and ovary. Our findings along with previous reports on other types of cancer suggest a high potential of GHSR gene methylation as a pan‐cancer biomarker, which could be considered for liquid biopsy applications.
Ultrasonographic detection of chronic type A aortic dissection extending to the right extracranial internal carotid artery: A case report
Authors: Xu Ke , Sun Wei , Dong Zhenya , Xing Haiying , Huang Yining 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe report the case of a patient with chronic type A aortic dissection (AD), who had been admitted, 18 months ago, to another hospital with acute chest‐tearing pain accompanied with transient loss of consciousness. His symptoms resolved but he reported after discharge a toothache and fluctuating right mandibular pain. He presented to our outpatient clinic because his facial pain aggravated. Physical examination demonstrated a bruit over the right carotid artery. Transthoracic echocardiography and carotid sonography demonstrated aortic dissection extending into the extracranial right internal carotid artery (ICA), which was tortuous. The patient refused surgery. This case reminds us that AD can involve the extracranial ICA, and that long‐term survival is possible with type A acute AD without treatment. Carotid ultrasonography is noninvasive, inexpensive, easily performed, and can lead to the detection of chronic type A AD extending to the extracranial ICA.
Alterations in diaphragmatic function assessed by ultrasonography in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis
Authors: Lu Zhihua , Ge Huiqing , Xu Lilong , Guo Feng , Zhang Ge , Wu Yinshan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPurposeTo assess alteration of diaphragmatic function by ultrasonography in a population of mechanically ventilated patients with or without sepsis.MethodsWe performed a prospective, 6‐month, single‐center, observational cohort study. Mechanically ventilated septic and nonseptic patients were studied within 24 hours following intubation and before the moment of ventilator liberation. Diaphragm thickness and contractile activity (quantified by diaphragmatic thickening fraction, DTF) were measured by ultrasonography at the zone of apposition. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility were measured.ResultsFifty‐two critically ill patients were included, 28 with sepsis and 24 without sepsis. Upon initiation of ventilation, DTF was lower in septic than that in nonseptic patients (P = 0.03). No difference was observed between septic and nonseptic patients for diaphragm thickness. Mean 188 ± 111 hours after the first measurement, both diaphragm thickness and DTF decreased significantly compared with first measurements in septic and nonseptic patients, all P < 0.001. Diaphragm thickness decreased by 9.1 ± 10.7% in nonseptic and by 16.0 ± 13.5% in septic patients, P = 0.049. DTF decreased by 15.2 ± 21.3% in nonseptic and by 30.7 ± 22.0% in septic patients, P = 0.013.ConclusionsMechanically ventilated patients with sepsis were associated with an earlier and more severe diaphragm dysfunction compared with patients without sepsis.
An ensemble classification of exudates in color fundus images using an evolutionary algorithm based optimal features selection
Authors: Ullah Hidayat , Saba Tanzila , Islam Naveed , Abbas Naveed , Rehman Amjad , Mehmood Zahid , Anjum Adeel 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAtomic recognition of the Exudates (EXs), the major symbol of diabetic retinopathy is essential for automated retinal images analysis. In this article, we proposed a novel machine learning technique for early detection and classification of EXs in color fundus images. The major challenge observed in the classification technique is the selection of optimal features to reduce computational time and space complexity and to provide a high degree of classification accuracy. To address these challenges, this article proposed an evolutionary algorithm based solution for optimal feature selection, which accelerates the classification process and reduces computational complexity. Similarly, three well‐known classifiers that is, Naïve Bayes classifier, Support Vector Machine, and Artificial Neural Network are used for the classification of EXs. Moreover, an ensemble‐based classifier is used for the selection of best classifier on the basis of majority voting technique. Experiments are performed on three well‐known benchmark datasets and a real dataset developed at local Hospital. It has been observed that the proposed technique achieved an accuracy of 98% in the detection and classification of EXs in color fundus images.
Micro‐morphological, environmental and phytochemical investigation of herbal medicines by using LM and SEM: A quality control tool
Authors: Zafar Muhammad , Ahmad Mushtaq , Sultana Shazia , Lubna  , Amin Adnan , Naseer Hafiz Muhammad , Jamal Zafar , Abidin Sheikh Zain Ul , Mehmood Sajid , Khan Amir Shehzad 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe use of quality control tool for authentication of Jadwar (Delphinium denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson), a folk herbal drug used for the treatment of different ailments, was studied. People face problems of adulteration for this drug at global, regional, national and local levels. Two different plant species are commercially marketed in the Indo‐Pak Subcontinent under the same trade name of Jadwar. One is D. denudatum Wall. ex Hook.f. & Thomson and the other is Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle. To focus on this problem, a marketable available drug sample of Jadwar was authenticated by using basic microscopy tools (LM) and advanced chemo‐taxonomic markers. Authentication, quality and standardization of this drug was achieved using morphology, organoleptography, UV and IR analyses, scanning electron microscopy of pollen and anatomical investigations. The techniques used for authentication marked the clear difference between the studied plants. Microscopic studies, chemotaxonomic investigation and other techniques used in this project provided the basis for the authentication of this species.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering of 4,4'‐diaminostilbene: Dependence of spectral features and resonant enhancement on surface coverage
Authors: Solovyeva Elena V. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAt any applications of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, from detection of small ions to recognition of large biological molecules, an understanding the spectral profiles and its transformation occurring under changes of local environment is an important stage essential for a reliable chemical analysis. In this work, we showed that the adsorption of 4,4'‐diaminostilbene on Ag nanoparticles is accompanied by a dramatic change in the SERS profile observed at transition from submonolayer to multilayer coverage. A profile deconvolution analysis allowed revealing the spectral signatures inherent for the surface species existing at submonolayer and multilayer adsorption corresponding to the hot spots and ordinary conditions, respectively. A resonance character of Raman enhancement was detected in the case of 4,4'‐diaminostilbene adsorbed in hot spots regions. A feasibility of ligand to metal charge transfer was proved on the basis of ultraviolet–visible data. The overtones and combination bands were observed in the SERS spectra at resonance conditions. The spectral signatures of the molecules inside and outside hot spots regions were assigned. A considerable activation of rings vibrations together with a suppression of ethylenic bridge vibrations was revealed in both cases. The most prominent features of 4,4'‐diaminostilbene linked with two Ag nanoparticles in the range 200–1,800 cm‐1 are the medium bands at 581 and 1249 cm‐1 corresponding to CCC bending and C–N stretching modes, respectively. The obtained results can serve as a basis for development of new powerful Raman techniques for evaluation of surface coverage and “hot spots mapping,” which are of great interest for surface science and plasmonics.
Is and Ought: Descriptive and Prescriptive Cognitions in Military‐Related Moral Injury
Authors: Farnsworth Jacob K. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDebate exists regarding the most appropriate way to address moral injuries that stem from involvement in war and other military conflicts. In recent years, some researchers have suggested that existing treatments for trauma may be inadequate to address moral injury and have thus proposed novel interventions to help mitigate these concerns. In response, advocates of more traditional approaches have argued that standard trauma interventions are generally sufficient for moral injury, and investment in new interventions may be premature. This conceptual article draws from research findings and current theories of moral injury to demonstrate that there is merit on both sides of this debate, and further clarifying the types of cognitions involved in moral injury can guide effective treatment planning. In particular, the most recent diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder is used to distinguish the objectively falsifiable descriptive cognitions often associated with trauma from the subjectively determined prescriptive cognitions that characterize moral injury. Scenarios from war zone deployments have been used to highlight the relevance of this distinction for moral injury, and a general treatment framework that shows how existing and novel interventions may complement one another is presented. Research suggestions for assessing descriptive and prescriptive cognitions in moral injury and empirically validating this treatment framework are discussed.
Pediatric dysphagia: Is interarytenoid mucosal height significant?
Authors: Padia Reema , Coppess Steven , Horn David L. , Parikh Sanjay R. , Hoang Jennifer , Faherty Amy , DeMarre Kimberley , Johnson Kaalan 
Published: January 2019

ObjectivesThe clinical significance of the interarytenoid mucosal height (IAMH) in pediatric dysphagia, ranging from normal anatomy to a laryngeal cleft, is unknown. This study seeks to evaluate a cohort of patients who underwent evaluation of their IAMH during microdirect laryngoscopy (MDL) for associations between IAMH and dysphagia as diagnosed on preoperative videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS).MethodsA retrospective case series of 1,351 patients who underwent MDL between 2011 and 2016 were reviewed for intraoperative evaluation of IAMH using our interarytenoid assessment protocol. After exclusions, 182 patients were divided into three groups: 1) thickened diet: VFSS with recommendation for thickened liquids (n = 82 of 182; 45.1%), 2) normal diet: VFSS with allowance of thin liquids (n = 19 of 182; 10.4%), and 3) control: no VFSS performed (n = 81 of 182; 44.5%).ResultsThere was no difference in IAMH between groups (P = 0.35). Power analysis was able to achieve > 80% power to detect an effect size of ≥ 0.5 (1–5 mucosal height scale). The majority of patients in each group had an IAMH above the false vocal folds (thickened diet: 57.3%, normal diet: 57.9%, control: 64.2%). There were similar percentages of patients in each group with an IAMH at or below the true vocal folds (thickened diet: 4.9%, normal diet: 5.3%, control: 6.1%).ConclusionThere was no significant association between IAMH and preoperative thickened liquid recommendation in this cohort. This data fails to support the hypothesis that the IAMH is an independent etiological factor for pediatric pharyngeal dysphagia. Further studies comparing IAMH with outcomes after feeding therapy and surgery may better clarify this relationship between anatomy and physiology.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 129:2588–2593, 2019
Establishment and verification of a mouse model of nasal wound healing
Authors: Joo Yeon‐Hee , Jeon Sea‐Yuong , An Hyo Jung , Cho Hyun‐Jin , Kim Jin Hyun , Jung Myeong Hee , Kim Rock Bum , Park Jung Je , Kim Sang‐Wook 
Published: January 2019

ObjectivesPoor wound healing as reflected by the development of synechia and osteitis after endoscopic sinus surgery may trigger disease recurrence. Animal models provide insights into the pathogenesis of poor wound healing and may aid in the development of new therapeutics. Here, we established a mouse model of nasal wound healing and confirmed its utility.Study DesignAnimal study.MethodsUnilateral intranasal wounds were induced using a small interdental brush in 6‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice. Forty‐five mice were divided into three groups (each n = 15): one control and two experimental groups (intranasal vs. intraperitoneal dexamethasone). Mice were sacrificed on days 2, 14, and 28 after injury (each n = 5). Serial changes in nasal wound histopathology were described, and intergroup differences were analyzed.ResultsOn day 2, mucosal detachment, hemorrhage, and exudate were observed. On day 14, synechiae featuring neo‐osteogenesis (bone lacunae, osteoblasts, and multinucleated osteoclasts) between the septum and the maxilloturbinate were prominent, followed by wound maturation on day 28: fewer lacunae and smaller osteoblasts. Macrophages were evident only on day 2, and lymphocytes were predominant on day 28. The amount of exudate on day 2 and the synechial area on day 28 were significantly reduced in mice that received dexamethasone systemically compared with control mice, with similar trends in those treated intranasally.ConclusionOur mouse model of nasal wound healing was characterized by the development of bony synechia and neo‐osteogenesis, not soft‐tissue synechia. The model may be useful in the assessment of novel therapeutics to prevent those wounds.Level of EvidenceNALaryngoscope, 129:E266–E271, 2019
Taste disorders are partly genetically determined: Role of the TAS2R38 gene, a pilot study
Authors: Melis Melania , Grzeschuchna Lisa , Sollai Giorgia , Hummel Thomas , Tomassini Barbarossa Iole 
Published: January 2019

Objectives/HypothesisTaste sensitivity varies greatly among individuals influencing eating behavior and health, consequently the disorders of this sense can affect the quality of life. The ability to perceive the bitter of thiourea compounds, such as phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), has been largely reported as a marker of the general taste sensitivity, food preferences, and health. PTC sensitivity is mediated by the TAS2R38 receptor and its genetic common variants. We study the role of the TAS2R38 receptor in taste disorders with the aim of understanding if these can be genetically determined.Study DesignProspective cohort study.MethodsDifferences in the PTC responsiveness between the patients cohort and healthy controls were assessed. All subjects received standardized tests for smell and taste function and were genotyped for the TAS2R38 gene.ResultsPAV/PAV homozygous patients gave high PTC ratings, whereas PAV/AVI genotypes reported lower values, which are similar to those determined in AVI/AVI or rare genotypes. In addition, the patients cohort did not meet the Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium at the TAS2R38 locus, showing a very low frequency of subjects carrying the PAV/AVI diplotype. Independently, in healthy controls who were in equilibrium at the locus, PAV/PAV homozygous and heterozygous rated PTC bitterness higher compared to AVI/AVI or rare genotypes.ConclusionsOur findings, by showing that an only taster haplotype (PAV) is not sufficient to evoke high responses of TAS2R38 receptor in patients with taste disorders, suggest that the genetic constitution may represent a risk factor for the development of taste disorders.Level of Evidence2cLaryngoscope, 129:E307–E312, 2019
An All‐Optical, Actively Q‐Switched Fiber Laser by an Antimonene‐Based Optical Modulator
Authors: Wang Yunzheng , Huang Weichun , Wang Cong , Guo Jia , Zhang Feng , Song Yufeng , Ge Yanqi , Wu Leiming , Liu Jie , Li Jianqing , Zhang Han 
Published: January 2019

AbstractQ‐switched fiber lasers are of great interest in industrial material processing, nonlinear frequency conversion, spectroscopy etc. However, passive Q‐switching possesses drawbacks of degradation and failure of the saturable absorber and the difficulty in accurate modification of the repetition rate. To overcome these issues, active Q‐switching that can normally modulate the cavity quality‐factor by an externally‐driven Q‐switcher is in high demand. Herein, an actively Q‐switched laser with antimonene‐based all‐optical modulator is devised based on the high photo‐thermal efficiency (48%) and broadband response in antimonene. It is demonstrated that this actively modulated laser represents all‐optically tunable output parameters (e.g., output repetition rate), environmental stability, and easy synchronization. It is anticipated that this actively antimonene‐based all‐optical modulator with advantages of large modulation depth, low energy consumption, and high conversion efficiency has great potential in all‐optical information processing and pulsed laser engineering.
Spatial and Temporal Control Over Multilayer Bio‐Polymer Film Assembly and Composition
Authors: Nordin Nurdiana , Bordonali Lorenzo , Badilita Vlad , MacKinnon Neil 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBiosensing applications have taken advantage of lab‐on‐a‐chip technologies for sample handling and sensors integration for highly sensitive, specific detection with high throughput. These systems are based on 2.5D fabrication principles with sensing elements restricted to an array format in two dimensions. In this report, a sensing platform that recovers biosensing capabilites in three spatial dimensions is presented. This is achieved by leveraging chitosan, a stimulus responsive polyaminosaccharide that undergoes a sol–gel transition driven by a change of pH. This process can be repeated, resulting in a multilayered hydrogel stack where each layer carries a unique chemical identity. In addition, the functionality of chitosan can be modified prior to or during the assembly process. This is demonstrated by introducing both a carboxylic acid functionality and additional primary amines to the base chitosan polymer. The assembly process is shown to be compatible with microfluidic dimensions.
Preparation and Self‐Repairing of Highly Oriented Structures of Ultrathin Polymer Films
Authors: Hu Jian , Xin Rui , Hou Chunyue , Yan Shouke 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThin and ultrathin polymer films play an important role in a variety of applications, such as electronics, liquid crystal alignment, adhesion, and so on. It is well established that the properties of semicrystalline polymeric materials depend remarkably on their multiscale structures; for example, an increase of more than a factor of 100 has been reported for the electrical conductivity of doped and aligned conjugated macromolecules compared with their nonoriented counterparts. Consequently, sophisticated methods have been developed for preparing highly oriented polymer ultrathin films. It should be pointed out that the highly oriented crystalline structure of polymers can be maintained only at temperatures below their melting points. Otherwise, structure rearrangement will result in the loss of orientation and therefore the properties. Therefore, self‐repairing of highly oriented polymer structures is of great significance for the long‐term application of polymer thin films in some specific fields. In this review paper, the preparation and self‐repair of the highly oriented structure of polymer thin films is described in the hopes that this will afford useful information for further development of polymeric materials for advanced applications.