bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Electroacupuncture at ST36 on the Intestinal Mucosal Mechanical Barrier and Expression of Occludin in a Rat Model of Sepsis
Authors: Zhang Zhirong , Shi Ying , Cai Danli , Jin Shuifang , Zhu Chen , Shen Yingying , Feng Wen , Jiang Ronglin , Wang Lingcong 
Published: July 2018

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at ST36 on the intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier and expression of the tight junction (TJ) protein, occludin, in a rat model of sepsis. Methods 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=10 rats each): Control, Control+EA, CLP (caecal ligation and puncture), CLP+EA, CLP+Sham-EA, and Sham-CLP. Rats of the CLP, CLP+EA and CLP+Sham-EA groups underwent CLP modeling of sepsis; those in the Sham-CLP underwent sham surgery and those in the Control and Control+EA groups remained unoperated. Rats in the CLP+EA and Control+EA groups received verum EA at ST36 and rats in the CLP+Sham-EA groups received EA at non-traditional acupuncture points. After three days, serum D-lactate concentrations were measured and ileal mucosa was collected for haematoxylin and eosin staining, morphological observation and Chiu's scoring. The intestinal epithelial cells were observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM), while protein expression of occludin was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results TJs of the Control, Sham-CLP and Control+EA groups were continuous under TEM but discontinuous in the CLP, CLP+EA and CLP+Sham-EA groups. Plasma D-lactate levels were significantly higher in the CLP, CLP+EA and CLP+Sham-EA groups compared with the Control, Sham-CLP and Control+EA groups (P<0.01). Protein expression of occludin, reflected by immunohistochemistry scores (IHS) and the results of Western blotting, were significantly reduced in the CLP, CLP+EA and CLP+Sham-EA groups when compared with the Control, Sham-CLP and Control+EA groups (P<0.01). Compared with the CLP group, the IHS and Western blotting results of the CLP+EA group were both significantly higher (P<0.05), while those of the CLP+Sham-EA group were similar to the CLP group. Conclusions Electrical stimulation at ST36 in rats with sepsis can increase protein expression of occludin, reduce serum D-lactate levels and increase permeability of the intestinal barrier.
Diabetes Shared Care Program (DSCP) and risk of infection mortality: a nationwide cohort study using administrative claims data in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Cheng-Han , Ma Sheng-Hsiang , Hu Sung-Yuan , Chang Chia-Ming , Chiang Jen-Huai , Hsieh Vivian Chia-Rong , Yen David Hung-Tsang , How Chorng-Kuang , Hsieh Ming-Shun 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveThe Diabetes Shared Care Program (DSCP) is an integrated care model in Taiwan that has been proven to improve the care quality of patients with diabetes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DSCP in decreasing the hospital mortality of infectious diseases.MethodsFrom 1 662 929 patients with type 2 diabetes newly diagnosed between 1999 and 2013, we retrieved a total of 919 patients who participated in the DSCP with the first hospitalisation for an infectious disease as the study cohort and 9190 propensity score-matched patients with type 2 diabetes who did not participate as the comparison.The efficacy of DSCP was evaluated via the following comparisons between the DSCP and non-DSCP cohorts: hospital mortality, 1-year medical cost prior to and during the hospitalisation, and complications, such as receiving mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit admission. The ratio (OR) for hospital mortality of the DSCP participants was calculated by logistical regression. Further stratification analyses were conducted to examine which group of patients with type 2 diabetes benefited the most from the DSCP during hospitalisation for infectious diseases.ResultsThe DSCP cohort had a lower hospital mortality rate than the non-DSCP participants (2.18% vs 4.82%, p<0.001). The total medical cost during the hospitalisation was lower in the DSCP cohort than in the non-DSCP cohort (NT$72 454±30 429 vs NT$86 385±29 350) (p=0.006). In the logistical regression model, the DSCP participants exhibited a significantly decreased adjusted OR for hospital mortality (adjusted OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.66, p=0.0002). The efficacy of the DSCP was much more prominent in male patients with type 2 diabetes and in patients with lower incomes.ConclusionParticipation in the DSCP was associated with a lower risk of hospital mortality for infectious diseases.
How does the UK childcare energy-balance environment influence anthropometry of children aged 3–4 years? A cross-sectional exploration
Authors: Hesketh Kathryn R , Benjamin-Neelon Sara E , van Sluijs Esther M F 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesTo assess the association between time spent in care, the childcare energy-balance environment, and preschool-aged children’s body mass index z-score (z-BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and sum of skinfold thickness (SST).DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and participantsChildren aged 3–4 years were recruited from 30 childcare centres in Cambridgeshire (UK) in 2013.Main outcome measuresObjectively measured height and weight was used to calculate z-BMI; waist circumference and height were used to generate WHR; subscapular and tricep skinfolds were used to calculate SST. Associations between childcare attendance, the nutrition, physical activity, and overall childcare environment, and three anthropometric outcomes were explored using two-level hierarchical regression models, adjusting for demographic and family based confounders.ResultsValid data were available for 196 children (49% female). Time spent in care, the nutrition, physical activity and overall childcare environment were not associated with children’s z-BMI, WHR and SST.ConclusionsChildcare environment and level of attendance were not associated with UK preschool-aged children’s anthropometry. The childcare environment has been central to intervention efforts to prevent/reduce early childhood obesity, yet other factors, including child-level, family level, wider environmental and policy-level factors warrant substantial attention when considering obesity prevention strategies for young children.
Comparison at the first prenatal visit of the maternal dietary intakes of smokers with non-smokers in a large maternity hospital: a cross-sectional study
Authors: O’Malley Eimer G , Cawley Shona , Reynolds Ciara M E , Kennedy Rachel A K , Molloy Anne , Turner Michael J 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesUsing detailed dietary and supplement questionnaires in early pregnancy, we compared the dietary intakes of micronutrients and macronutrients at the first prenatal visit of women who reported continuing to smoke during pregnancy with the intakes of women who were non-smokers.DesignCross-sectional study conducted between June 2014 and March 2016.SettingStand-alone tertiary maternity hospital in an urban setting with approximately 8000 deliveries per year.ParticipantsWomen were recruited at their convenience after sonographic confirmation of an ongoing singleton pregnancy (n=502). Detailed dietary and supplement information was available for 398 women. Women <18 years and those who did not speak English fluently were excluded.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe differences in dietary micronutrients and macronutrients and maternal folate levels between women who continued to smoke in pregnancy compared with non-smokers.ResultsOf the 502 women, the mean age was 30.5 (SD 5.6) years, 42.5% were nulliparas, 19.2% were obese and 398 (79.3%) completed the questionnaire satisfactorily. In the 50 (12.6%) current smokers, the micronutrients magnesium, iron, carotene and copper were lower (all p<0.005) whereas sodium and chloride were higher compared with the 348 (87.4%) non-smokers. Smokers reported lower intakes of dietary total folate (p=0.006) compared with non-smokers (i.e., dietary folate equivalents; intake from natural and fortified dietary sources) (p=0.005). Smokers also reported lower intakes of fibre than non-smokers (13.1 g (IQR 7.7) vs 16.3 g (IQR 8.5), p<0.001). The dietary intakes of former smokers compared favourably with non-smokers.ConclusionsWe found that women who continue to smoke during pregnancy have serious dietary inadequacies which could potentially aggravate fetal growth restriction associated with direct toxicity from cigarettes. This provides a further reason to promote smoking cessation interventions in pregnancy, and highlights the need for dietary and supplementation interventions in women who continue to smoke.
EMR-based handoff tool improves completeness of internal medicine residents’ handoffs
Authors: Tisdale Rebecca L , Eggers Zac , Shieh Lisa 
Published: July 2018

BackgroundThe majority of adverse events in healthcare involve communication breakdown. Physician-to-physician handoffs are particularly prone to communication errors, yet have been shown to be more complete when systematised according to a standardised bundle. Interventions that improve thoroughness of handoffs have not been widely studied.AimTo measure the effect of an electronic medical record (EMR)-based handoff tool on handoff completeness.InterventionThis EMR-based handoff tool included a radio button prompting users to classify patients as stable, a ‘watcher’ or unstable. It automatically pulled in EMR data on the patient’s 24-hour vitals, common lab tests and code status. Finally, it provided text boxes labelled ‘Active Issues’, ‘Action List (To-Dos)’ and ‘If/Then’ to fill in.Implementation and evaluationWritten handoffs from general and specialty (haematology, oncology, cardiology) Internal Medicine resident-run inpatient wards were evaluated on a randomly chosen representative sample of days in April and May 2015 at Stanford University Medical Center, focusing on a predefined set of content elements. The intervention was then implemented in June 2015 with postintervention data collected in an identical fashion in August to September 2016.ResultsHandoff completeness improved significantly (p<0.0001). Improvement in inclusion of illness severity was notable for its magnitude and its importance in establishing a consistent mental model of a patient. Elements that automatically pulled in data and those prompting users to actively fill in data both improved.ConclusionA simple EMR-based handoff tool providing a mix of frameworks for completion and automatic pull-in of objective data improved handoff completeness. This suggests that EMR-based interventions may be effective at improving handoffs, possibly leading to fewer medical errors and better patient care.
Myocarditis in systemic lupus erythematosus diagnosed by18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography
Authors: Perel-Winkler Alexandra , Bokhari Sabahat , Perez-Recio Thania , Zartoshti Afshin , Askanase Anca , Geraldino-Pardilla Laura 
Published: July 2018

ObjectivesCardiovascular diseaseand heart failure (CHF) are leading causes of death in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The underlying mechanisms for increased CHF in SLE are unclear but myocardial inflammation and lupus myocarditis (LM) may play a role. We propose that18F-fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (18F-FDG–PET)/CT can help diagnose LM.MethodsThis report describes eight patients with presumed LM; five patients were evaluated due to active cardiorespiratory symptoms and three patients were participating in a pilot study to determine the prevalence of subclinical myocarditis in SLE. Clinical characteristics, laboratory and cardiac testing including electrocardiography (ECG), transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE), coronary artery evaluation as well as18F-FDG–PET/CT imaging are discussed.ResultsFour patients were African American and the others were Hispanic. Half presented with chest pain; 37% had dyspnoea and 25% were asymptomatic. The median SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2K) was 5 (2–18) and SLICC Damage Index (SDI) 0.5 (0–5). The median troponin level was 0.08 ng/mL (0–0.9). The most common ECG findings were non-specific ST-T wave abnormalities (n=5). Fifty per cent of the patients had a decreased ejection fraction on TTE and all patients had diffuse myocardial FDG uptake on18F-FDG–PET/CT consistent with myocardial inflammation.ConclusionThis case series is the first to describe the use of18F-FDG–PET/CT in the diagnosis of LM and discuss the clinical characteristics and cardiac findings of eight patients with LM supporting the role for cardiac18F-FDG–PET/CT in its diagnosis.
Structural and thermal evolution of the South Tibetan Detachment shear zone in the Mt Everest region, from the 1933 sample collection of L. R. Wager
Authors: Waters David J. , Law Richard D. , Searle Michael P. , Jessup Micah J. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Microstructural and petrological data from >60 samples, collected by L.R. Wager in 1933, have been used alongside existing data to investigate temperature gradients and deformational style in four profiles across the South Tibetan Detachment shear zone, over a north–south distance of 35 km in the Mt Everest area, east-central Himalaya. The ductile shear zone, defined on petrographic criteria, extends for
c.
900 m beneath the brittle Qomolangma Detachment (QD). New thermobarometry from the north flank of Mt Everest reveals a gradient from 440°C at the QD down to samples recording peak conditions around 650°C, 5.5 kbar. The upper limit of leucogranite sheets forms an approximately isothermal surface at 600–650°C within the developing shear zone. The recrystallized grain size of quartz shows a systematic increase down-section in four transects. Profiles of deformation temperature reveal gradients of up to 200°C km
−1
whose formation and preservation required a combination of processes: a shear zone active for a short period (≤18–15.5 Ma) at high strain rates, with a component of vertical shortening, and a contribution of latent heat from emplacement of sheeted granites. The likely horizontal displacement was >40 km, with up to 10 km of vertical exhumation.
Metabolic homeostasis: oxidative phosphorylation and the metabolic requirements of higher plants and animals
Authors: Wilson David F. , Matschinsky Franz M. 
Published: July 2018

A model of oxidative phosphorylation and its regulation is presented, which is consistent with the experimental data on metabolism in higher plants and animals. The variables that provide real-time control of metabolic status are: intramitochondrial [NAD+]/[NADH], energy state ([ATP]/[ADP][Pi]), and local oxygen concentration ([O2]). ATP consumption and respiratory chain enzyme content are tissue specific (liver vs. heart muscle), and the latter is modulated by chronic alterations in ATP consumption (i.e., endurance training etc.). ATP consumption affects the energy state, which increases or decreases as necessary to match synthesis with consumption. [NAD+]/[NADH], local [O2], and respiratory chain content determine the energy state at which match of synthesis and utilization is achieved. Tissues vary widely in their ranges of ATP consumption. Expressed as the turnover of cytochrome c, the rates may change little (7 to 12/s) (liver) or a lot (1 to >300/s) (flight muscle of birds, bats, and insects). Ancillary metabolic pathways, including creatine or arginine kinase, glycerol phosphate shuttle, fatty acid, and citric acid cycle dehydrogenases, are responsible for meeting tissue-specific differences in maximal rate and range in ATP utilization without displacing metabolic homeostasis. Intramitochondrial [NAD+]/[NADH], [ATP], and [Pi] are adjusted to keep [ADP] and [AMP] similar for all tissues despite large differences in ranges in ATP utilization. This is essential because [ADP] and [AMP], particularly the latter, have major roles in regulating the activity of many enzymes and signaling pathways (AMP deaminase, AMP dependent protein kinases, etc.) common to all higher plants and animals.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Oxidative phosphorylation has an intrinsic program that sets and stabilizes cellular energy state ([ATP]/[ADP][Pi]), and thereby metabolic homeostasis. A computational model consistent with regulation of oxidative phosphorylation in higher plants and animals is presented. Focus is on metabolism ancillary to oxidative phosphorylation by which it was integrated into preexisting metabolic regulation and adapted by evolution to develop cells and tissues with differing rates of ATP utilization: i.e., liver versus brain versus muscle.
ALK Fusion Partners Impact Response to ALK Inhibition: Differential Effects on Sensitivity, Cellular Phenotypes, and Biochemical Properties
Authors: Childress Merrida A. , Himmelberg Stephen M. , Chen Huiqin , Deng Wanleng , Davies Michael A. , Lovly Christine M. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract
Oncogenic tyrosine kinase fusions involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are detected in numerous tumor types. Although more than 30 distinct 5′ fusion partner genes have been reported, treatment of ALK-rearranged cancers is decided without regard to which 5′ partner is present. There is little data addressing how the 5′ partner affects the biology of the fusion or responsiveness to ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). On the basis of the hypothesis that the 5′ partner influences the intrinsic properties of the fusion protein, cellular functions that impact oncogenic potential, and sensitivity to ALK TKIs, clonal 3T3 cell lines stably expressing seven different ALK fusion variants were generated. Biochemical and cellular assays were used to assess the efficacy of various ALK TKIs in clinical use, transformative phenotypes, and biochemical properties of each fusion. All seven ALK fusions induced focus formation and colonies in soft agar, albeit to varying degrees. IC50s were calculated for different ALK TKIs (crizotinib, ensartinib, alectinib, lorlatinib) and consistent differences (5–10 fold) in drug sensitivity were noted across the seven ALK fusions tested. Finally, biochemical analyses revealed negative correlations between kinase activity and protein stability. These results demonstrate that the 5′ fusion partner plays an important biological role that affects sensitivity to ALK TKIs.
Implications: This study shows that the 5′ ALK fusion partner influences ALK TKI drug sensitivity. As many other kinase fusions are found in numerous cancers, often with overlapping fusion partners, these studies have ramifications for other kinase-driven malignancies. Mol Cancer Res; 16(11); 1724–36. ©2018 AACR.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Growth Is Associated With High Concentrations of Plasma Proteins in the Intraluminal Thrombus and Diseased Arterial Tissue
Authors: Behr Andersen Carsten , Lindholt Jes S. , Urbonavicius Sigitas , Halekoh Ulrich , Jensen Pia Søndergaard , Stubbe Jane , Rasmussen Lars Melholt , Beck Hans Christian 
Published: July 2018

Objective—
Porosity of the intraluminal thrombus (ILT) is believed to convey biologically active components from the bloodstream toward the aneurismal wall. Accumulation of molecules in the abdominal aortic aneurysmatic tissue may influence vascular protein turnover and regulate abdominal aortic aneurysm growth. We sought to identify proteins with concentrations in the ILT and the abdominal aortic aneurysm wall which associate with aneurysmal expansion rate.

Approach and Results—

Proteomic analysis by liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry of separated wall and ILT samples was correlated with preoperative aneurysmal growth rate in 24 individuals operated electively for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm. The median preoperative growth rate was 3.8 mm/y (interquartile range, 3) and the mean observational time was 3.3±1.7 years. Plasma components dominated the group of proteins with tissue concentrations, which correlate positively with growth rates (
P
<0.001, Fisher exact test, both in the ILT and the wall). In contrast, in the wall and thrombus samples, ECM (extracellular matrix) proteins were significantly more prevalent in the group of proteins with negative correlations to growth rates (
P
<0.05, Fisher exact test). Similarly, a long series of proteins, related to cellular functions correlated negatively to growth rates.

Conclusions—
When the preoperative aneurysmatic growth rate has been high, the concentration of many plasma proteins residing in the ILT and the aneurysmatic tissue is also high, compatible with the hypothesis of increased tissue porosity and accumulation of plasma components as a driver of aneurysm expansion. Moreover, many matrix and cellular proteins which are found in high concentrations in slower-growing aneurysms provides new knowledge about potential treatment targets.
Investigating the Role of G Protein βγ in Kv7-Dependent Relaxations of the Rat Vasculature
Authors: Stott Jennifer B. , Barrese Vincenzo , Suresh Malavika , Masoodi Shirou , Greenwood Iain A. 
Published: July 2018

Objective—
In renal arteries, inhibitors of G protein βγ subunits (Gβγ) reduce Kv7 activity and inhibit Kv7-dependent receptor-mediated vasorelaxations. However, the mechanisms underlying receptor-mediated relaxation are artery specific. Consequently, the aim of this study was to ascertain the role of Gβγ in Kv7-dependent vasorelaxations of the rat vasculature.

Approach and Results—
Isometric tension recording was performed in isolated rat renal, mesenteric, and cerebral arteries to study isoproterenol and calcitonin gene-related peptide relaxations. Kv7.4 was knocked down via morpholino transfection while inhibition of Gβγ was investigated with gallein and M119K. Proximity ligation assay was performed on isolated myocytes to study the association between Kv7.4 and G protein β subunits or signaling intermediaries. Isoproterenol or calcitonin gene-related peptide–induced relaxations were attenuated by Kv7.4 knockdown in all arteries studied. Inhibition of Gβγ with gallein or M119K had no effect on isoproterenol-mediated relaxations in mesenteric artery but had a marked effect on calcitonin gene-related peptide–induced responses in mesenteric artery and cerebral artery and isoproterenol responses in renal artery. Isoproterenol increased association with Kv7.4 and Rap1a in mesenteric artery which were not sensitive to gallein, whereas in renal artery, isoproterenol increased Kv7.4-AKAP (A-kinase anchoring protein) associations in a gallein-sensitive manner.

Conclusions—
The Gβγ-Kv7 relationship differs between vessels and is an essential requirement for AKAP, but not Rap–mediated regulation of the channel.