bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aquaporin-1 attenuates macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses by inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute kidney injury
Authors: Li Bohui , Liu Chunmei , Tang Kaihong , Dong Xuening , Xue Longge , Su Guangming , Zhang Wenzheng , Jin Yingyu 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Objective
This study was designed to investigate the role of AQP1 in the development of LPS-induced AKI and its potential regulatory mechanisms in the inflammatory responses of macrophages.

Methods
Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with LPS, and biochemical and histological renal damage was assessed. The levels of inflammatory mediators, macrophage markers and AQP1 in blood and kidney tissues were assessed by ELISA. RTPCR was used to assess changes in the relative levels of AQP1 mRNA induced by LPS. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to assay the activation of the p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways, respectively. The same detection methods were used in vitro to determine the regulatory mechanisms underlying AQP1 function.

Results
AQP1 mRNA levels were dramatically decreased in AKI rats following the increased expression of inflammatory factors. In vitro experiments demonstrated that silencing the AQP1 gene increased inflammatory mediator secretion, altered the classical activation of macrophages, greatly enhanced the phosphorylation of p38 and accelerated the translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, these results were blocked by doramapimod, a p38 inhibitor. Therefore, these effects were mediated by the increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that altered AQP1 expression may be associated with the development of inflammation in AKI. AQP1 plays a protective role in modulating acute renal injury and can attenuate macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses by downregulating p38 MAPK activity in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. The pharmacological targeting of AQP1-mediated p38 MAPK signalling may provide a novel treatment approach for AKI.
Cracked polytopes and Fano toric complete intersections
Authors: Prince Thomas 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe introduce the notion ofcracked polytope, and – making use of joint work with Coates and Kasprzyk—construct the associated toric varietyXas a subvariety of a smooth toric varietyYunder certain conditions. Restricting to the case in which this subvariety is a complete intersection, we present a sufficient condition for a smoothing ofXto exist insideY. We exhibit a relative anti-canonical divisor for this smoothing ofX, and show that the general member is simple normal crossings.
Diagnostic accuracy of flat-panel computed tomography in assessing cerebral perfusion in comparison with perfusion computed tomography and perfusion magnetic resonance: a systematic review
Authors: Stille Ernst L. , Viozzi Ilaria , ter Laan Mark , Meijer Frederick J.A. , Futterer Jurgen J. , Rovers Maroeska M. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Purpose
Flat-panel computed tomography (FP-CT) is increasingly available in angiographic rooms and hybrid OR’s. Considering its easy access, cerebral imaging using FP-CT is an appealing modality for intra-procedural applications. The purpose of this systematic review is to assess the diagnostic accuracy of FP-CT compared with perfusion computed tomography (CTP) and perfusion magnetic resonance (MRP) in cerebral perfusion imaging.

Methods
We performed a systematic literature search in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science up to June 2019 for studies directly comparing FP-CT with either CTP or MRP in vivo. Methodological quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. Data on diagnostic accuracy was extracted and pooled if possible.

Results
We found 11 studies comparing FP-CT with CTP and 5 studies comparing FP-CT with MRP. Most articles were pilot or feasibility studies, focusing on scanning and contrast protocols. All patients studied showed signs of cerebrovascular disease. Half of the studies were animal trials. Quality assessment showed unclear to high risks of bias and low concerns regarding applicability. Five studies reported on diagnostic accuracy; FP-CT shows good sensitivity (range 0.84–1.00) and moderate specificity (range 0.63–0.88) in detecting cerebral blood volume (CBV) lesions.

Conclusions
Even though FP-CT provides similar CBV values and reconstructed blood volume maps as CTP in cerebrovascular disease, additional studies are required in order to reliably compare its diagnostic accuracy with cerebral perfusion imaging.
Critical Appraisal of the Impact of the Systematic Adoption of Advanced Minimally Invasive Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery on the Surgical Management of Mirizzi Syndrome
Authors: Koh Ye‐Xin , Basu Pallavi , Liew Yi‐Xin , Teo Jin‐Yao , Kam Juinn‐Huar , Lee Ser‐Yee , Cheow Peng‐Chung , Jeyaraj Premaraj , Chow Pierce K. H. , Chung Alexander Y. F. , Ooi London L. P. J. , Chan Chung‐Yip , Goh Brian K. P. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundMinimally invasive surgery (MIS) for Mirizzi syndrome (MS) remains a technically challenging procedure with a high open conversion rate. We critically evaluated the impact of the systematic adoption of MI‐HBP surgery on the surgical outcomes of MS.MethodsNinety‐five patients who underwent surgery for MS were retrospectively reviewed. Systematic adoption of advanced MI‐HBP surgery started in 2012. The cohort was classified into a preadoption (2002–2012) (Era 1, n = 58) and post‐adoption (2013–2017) (Era 2, n = 37). Furthermore, Era 2 was divided into a cohort operated by advanced minimally invasive surgeons (AMIS) (Era 2 AMIS, n = 19) and those by other surgeons (Era 2 others, n = 19).ResultsComparison between Era 2 and Era 1 demonstrated a significant increase in the frequency of MIS attempted (89% vs 33%, p < 0.01), increase in the use of choledochoplasty (24% vs 2%, p < 0.01), increase operation time (180 min vs 150 min, p = 0.03) and significantly lower open conversion rate (24% vs 58%, p < 0.01). Comparison between Era 2 AMIS and Era 2 others demonstrated a significantly greater adoption of MIS (100% vs 78%, p = 0.046) with lower open conversion rate (5% vs 50%, p = 0.005). Comparison between all attempted MIS cases with open procedures demonstrated a significantly higher proportion of subtotal cholecystectomies performed (40% vs 23%, p = 0.04), choledochoplasty (17% vs 2%, p = 0.04) and shorter hospital stay (4 days vs 9 days, p < 0.01).ConclusionsSystematic adoption of advanced MI‐HBP surgery allowed surgeons to perform MIS for MS more frequently and with a significantly lower open conversion rate. Patients who underwent successful MIS had the shortest hospital stay compared to patients who underwent open surgery or required open conversion.
Retinal oximetry and fractal analysis of capillary maps in sickle cell disease patients and matched healthy volunteers
Authors: Birkhoff W. A. J. , van Manen L. , Dijkstra J. , De Kam M. L. , van Meurs J. C. , Cohen A. F. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Purpose
Fractal analysis can be used to quantitatively analyze the retinal microvasculature and might be a suitable method to quantify retinal capillary changes in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. Retinal oximetry measurements might function as a proxy for the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular diseases. Moreover, hypoxia has an important role in the pathophysiology of diabetic and other retinopathies. However, little is known about the oximetry around the macula in SCD patients. With this study, we explored the feasibility to perform these quantified measurements in SCD patients.

Methods
Retinal microvascular and oximetry measurements were performed in eight SCD patients and eight healthy matched controls. Oximetry pictures and non-invasive capillary perfusion maps (nCPM) were obtained by the retinal function imager. Measurements were conducted twice on two different study days. Measured variables included monofractal dimension (Dbox), relative saturation, deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb), and oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) concentration.

Results
No statistically significant differences in vessel density were found in the different annular zones (large vessels, p = 0.66; small vessels, p = 0.66) and anatomical quadrants (large vessels, p = 0.74; small vessels, p = 0.72). Furthermore, no significant between-group differences were found in the other different anatomical quadrants and annular zones around the fovea for relative saturation levels and deoxygenated Hb. However, the oxyHb levels were significantly lower in SCD patients, compared with those in matched controls in the temporal quadrants (p = 0.04; p = 0.02) and the superior nasal quadrant (p = 0.05).

Conclusions
Our study demonstrated the feasibility of multispectral imaging to measure retinal changes in oxygenation in both SCD patients and matched volunteers. The results suggest that in SCD patients before any structural microvascular changes in the central retina are present, functional abnormalities can be observed with abnormal oximetry measurements.
Dynamic spatio-temporal generation of large-scale synthetic gridded precipitation: with improved spatial coherence of extremes
Authors: Diederen Dirk , Liu Ye 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
With the ongoing development of distributed hydrological models, flood risk analysis calls for synthetic, gridded precipitation data sets. The availability of large, coherent, gridded re-analysis data sets in combination with the increase in computational power, accommodates the development of new methodology to generate such synthetic data. We tracked moving precipitation fields and classified them using self-organising maps. For each class, we fitted a multivariate mixture model and generated a large set of synthetic, coherent descriptors, which we used to reconstruct moving synthetic precipitation fields. We introduced randomness in the original data set by replacing the observed precipitation fields in the original data set with the synthetic precipitation fields. The output is a continuous, gridded, hourly precipitation data set of a much longer duration, containing physically plausible and spatio-temporally coherent precipitation events. The proposed methodology implicitly provides an important improvement in the spatial coherence of precipitation extremes. We investigate the issue of unrealistic, sudden changes on the grid and demonstrate how a dynamic spatio-temporal generator can provide spatial smoothness in the probability distribution parameters and hence in the return level estimates.
Genetic diversity in wild populations of the restinga ecotype of the cashew (Anacardium occidentale) in coastal Piauí, Brazil
Authors: dos Santos Juelina O. , Mayo Simon J. , Bittencourt Cleiton B. , de Andrade Ivanilza M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe cashew,Anacardium occidentale, is a globally important tropical fruit tree, but little is known about its natural infraspecific systematics. Wild Brazilian populations occur in the cerrado biome and coastal restinga vegetation. We investigated whether wild coastal and domesticated populations could be distinguished genetically using inter-simple repeat molecular markers (ISSRs). In total, 94 polymorphic loci from five primers were used to characterise genetic diversity, structure and differentiation in four wild restinga populations and four domesticated ones from eight localities in Piauí state (30 individuals per population). Genetic diversity was greater overall in wild (%P: 57.2%,I: 0.24,He: 0.15) than domesticated populations (%P: 49.5%,I: 0.19,He: 0.12). Significant structure was observed among the eight populations (between-population variance 22%,ΦPT = 0.217,P ≥ 0.001), but only weak distinctions between wild and domesticated groups. Cluster and principal coordinate analyses showed marked genetic disparity in populations. No correlation of genetic and geographical inter-population distance was found (Mantel test,r = 0.02032,P = 0.4436). Bayesian analysis found an eight-group optimal model (ΔK = 50.2,K = 8), which mostly corresponded to sampled populations. Wild populations show strong genetic heterogeneity within a small geographical area despite probable gene flow between them. Within-population genetic diversity of wild plants varied considerably and was lower where extractive activities by local people are most intense (Labino population). The study underlines the importance of wild populations as in situ genetic reserves and the urgent need for further studies to support their conservation.
Pre-frontal parvalbumin interneurons in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis of post-mortem studies
Authors: Kaar Stephen J. , Angelescu Ilinca , Marques Tiago Reis , Howes Oliver D. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Parvalbumin interneurons are fast-spiking GABAergic neurons that provide inhibitory control of cortical and subcortical circuits and are thought to be a key locus of the pathophysiology underlying schizophrenia. In view of the contradictory results regarding the nature of parvalbumin post-mortem findings in schizophrenia, we conducted a quantitative meta-analysis of the data on parvalbumin cell density and parvalbumin mRNA levels in pre-frontal regions in the brains of patients with schizophrenia (n = 274) compared with healthy controls (n = 275). The results suggest that parvalbumin interneurons are reduced in density in the frontal cortex of patients with schizophrenia (Hedges’ g = − 0.27; p = 0.03) and there is a non-significant reduction in parvalbumin mRNA levels (g = − 0.44; p = 0.12). However, certain methodological issues need to be considered in interpreting such results and are discussed in more detail. A meta-regression was conducted for post-mortem interval and year of publication as covariates which were both non-significant, except in the mRNA meta-analysis where post-mortem interval was found to be significant. Overall our findings provide tentative support for the hypothesis that the GABAergic system is deficient in schizophrenia and that parvalbumin-containing interneurons offer a potential target for treatment. However, further well-controlled studies that examine multiple regions and layers are warranted to determine whether parvalbumin alterations are region or layer specific and to test the robustness of the findings further.
Porous Y and Cr–doped SrTiO3 materials—electrical and redox properties
Authors: Łącz Agnieszka , Drożdż Ewa 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Highly porous materials in the Sr0.96Y0.04Ti1-xCrxO3 system (where x = 0, 2, 4, 8 mol.%) were obtained by wet synthesis method. The structural and electrical properties of these materials were determined together with the ability to participate in oxidation/reduction reactions, since yttrium is responsible for high electrical conductivity in reducing atmosphere and chromium is a factor affecting the catalytic properties. For the material with the highest assumed amount of chromium, the small content of an additional phase (Cr2O3) was observed. SrTiO3 lattice parameters together with the results of temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) and temperature-programmed oxidation (TPOx) tests and Seebeck coefficient measurements allowed to determine the oxidation states of chromium in the received materials. It was shown that introduction of Y into strontium sublattice stabilises the strontium titanate structure and affects the oxidation state of chromium incorporated into the titanium sublattice. The defect structure in Sr0.96Y0.04Ti1-xCrxO3 system is a complex problem, since yttrium is a donor type dopant and chromium due to the possible +3 and +6 oxidation states can be considered both acceptor and donor type one. Thus, a change in the conduction mechanism with the chromium content was observed in both oxidising and reducing atmosphere.
Alleviation of Plant Stress Precedes Termination of Rich Fen Stages in Peat Profiles of Lowland Mires
Authors: Jabłońska Ewa , Michaelis Dierk , Tokarska Marlena , Goldstein Klara , Grygoruk Mateusz , Wilk Mateusz , Wyszomirski Tomasz , Kotowski Wiktor 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMesotrophic rich fens, that is, groundwater-fed mires, may be long-lasting, as well as transient ecosystems, displaced in time by poor fens, bogs, forests or eutrophic reeds. We hypothesized that fen stability is controlled by plant stress caused by waterlogging with calcium-rich and nutrient-poor groundwater, which limits expansion of hummock mosses, tussock sedges and trees. We analysed 32 European Holocene macrofossil profiles of rich fens using plant functional traits (PFTs) which indicate the level of plant stress in the environment: canopy height, clonal spread, diaspore mass, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content, Ellenberg moisture value, hummock-forming ability, mycorrhizal status and plant functional groups. Six PFTs, which formed long-term significant trends during mire development, were compiled as rich fen stress indicator (RFSI). We found that RFSI values at the start of fen development were correlated with the thickness of subsequently accumulated rich fen peat. RFSI declined in fens approaching change into another mire type, regardless whether it was shifting into bog, forest or eutrophic reeds. RFSI remained comparatively high and stable in three rich fens, which have not terminated naturally until present times. By applying PFT analysis to macrofossil data, we demonstrated that fens may undergo a gradual autogenic process, which lowers the ecosystem’s resistance and enhances shifts to other mire types. Long-lasting rich fens, documented by deep peat deposits, are rare. Because autogenic processes tend to alleviate stress in fens, high levels of stress are needed at initial stages of rich fen development to enable its long persistence and continuous peat accumulation.
Quality of life measures in older adults after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review
Authors: Hunt Cindy , Zahid Shatabdy , Ennis Naomi , Michalak Alicja , Masanic Cheryl , Vaidyanath Chantal , Bhalerao Shree , Cusimano Michael D. , Baker Andrew 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
On average older adults experiencing TBI are hospitalized four times as often, have longer hospital stays, and experience slower recovery trajectories and worse functional outcomes compared to younger populations with the same injury severity. A standard measure of Qol for older adults with TBI would facilitate accurate and reliable data across the individual patient care continuum and across clinical care settings, as well as support more rigorous research studies of metadata.

Purpose
The aim of this systematic review was to investigate patient reported Qol measures in studies with older adults post TBI.

Method
A systematic review was carried out focusing on the various tools to measure Qol in older adults, ≥ 65 years of age with a diagnosis of TBI. Data bases searched included Medline, Embase, PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychInfo from date of inception to September 25, 2017.

Results
A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Nine different tools were identified.

Conclusions
Findings based on the comparison of reliability and construct validity of the Qol measures reported in this review suggest that no single instrument is superior to all others for our study population. Future research in this field should include the enrollment of larger study samples of older adults. Without these future efforts, the ability to detect an optimal Qol measure will be hindered.
Slanted Stixels: A Way to Represent Steep Streets
Authors: Hernandez-Juarez Daniel , Schneider Lukas , Cebrian Pau , Espinosa Antonio , Vazquez David , López Antonio M. , Franke Uwe , Pollefeys Marc , Moure Juan C. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
This work presents and evaluates a novel compact scene representation based on Stixels that infers geometric and semantic information. Our approach overcomes the previous rather restrictive geometric assumptions for Stixels by introducing a novel depth model to account for non-flat roads and slanted objects. Both semantic and depth cues are used jointly to infer the scene representation in a sound global energy minimization formulation. Furthermore, a novel approximation scheme is introduced in order to significantly reduce the computational complexity of the Stixel algorithm, and then achieve real-time computation capabilities. The idea is to first perform an over-segmentation of the image, discarding the unlikely Stixel cuts, and apply the algorithm only on the remaining Stixel cuts. This work presents a novel over-segmentation strategy based on a fully convolutional network, which outperforms an approach based on using local extrema of the disparity map. We evaluate the proposed methods in terms of semantic and geometric accuracy as well as run-time on four publicly available benchmark datasets. Our approach maintains accuracy on flat road scene datasets while improving substantially on a novel non-flat road dataset.
Ground penetrating radar use in flood prevention
Authors: Tomecka-Suchoń Sylwia 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe main goal of the work is to create an automatic method of locating weak zones within flood embankments structure based on ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements. The presented research shows the possibilities of using advanced methods of GPR signal processing and its analysis with the help of signal attributes for detecting zones threatening the stability of the structure of flood embankments. Obtained results may help in quick detection of potential weak zones of the embankments and consequently give means to ameliorate them, which may prevent damage to the embankments during rise in the level of river water. The presented analyses were carried out on GPR data obtained for the flood banks of the Rudawa River (Kraków, Poland) in the area of their visible degradation. The use of signal attributes, such as Energy, instantaneous frequency, similarity, curvature gradient, dominant frequency, allowed initial indication of anomalous zones threatening the stability of embankment. Advanced processing supported by the use of advanced filters such as GLCM, Grubbs filter threshold and Convolve Prewitt helped in the analysis of the structure of the embankments. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) in the supervised and unsupervised variants were used to perform the automatic classification of weakened zones within the embankments. The results demonstrated the usefulness of GPR geophysical method through integration of ANN in the analysis of the data.
Platelet-rich plasma. Evidenze, limiti e prospettive future
Authors: Bove A. , Russo B. , Traficante F. , Barile A. , Orabona N. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRegenerative medicine is a promising frontier in several fields of medicine and surgery. In orthopaedics, cell products are used to facilitate the regeneration of bone, tendons, and cartilage in many orthopaedic disorders. A large portion of scientific literature is developing while basic science provides further information on tissue healing and the biological pathways to enhance it. PRP is one of the most promising products used as biological therapy. Even though a standardised methodology of preparation and utilisation is still missing, promising results coming from clinical research encourage its use. Further research will meet the challenge of standardising procedures, timing and way of application, and outcomes reporting, so as to allow researcher to make analyses and comparisons that will expand our knowledge of this interesting field of medicine.