bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary supplementation of formaldehyde and crystalline amino acids on gut microbial composition of nursery pigs
Authors: Williams H. E. , Cochrane R. A. , Woodworth J. C. , DeRouchey J. M. , Dritz S. S. , Tokach M. D. , Jones C. K. , Fernando S. C. , Burkey T. E. , Li Y. S. , Goodband R. D. , Amachawadi R. G. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractFormaldehyde-based feed additives are approved in the US for Salmonella control and reducing bacterial contamination in animal feed. However, we hypothesize formaldehyde inclusion in swine diets may influence gut microbial composition due to its antimicrobial properties which might negatively influence microbial populations and pig growth performance. Also, formaldehyde inclusion in diets is known to reduce the dietary availability of amino acids. Therefore, our study was conducted to characterize if the effects of feed formaldehyde-treatment are due to influences on microbial population or diet amino acid (AA) sources. Dietary treatments were arranged in a (2 × 2) + 1 factorial with formaldehyde treatment (none vs. 1000 ppm formaldehyde) and crystalline AA inclusion (low vs. high) with deficient AA content plus a positive control diet to contain adequate AA content without dietary formaldehyde. Treating diets with formaldehyde reduced growth rate (P = 0.001) while the AA inclusion had no evidence of impact. Formaldehyde reduced feed bacterial content and altered fecal microbial communities (P < 0.05). Therefore, we conclude that the negative influence on growth was due to the impact on the fecal microbial community. Implications are that strategies for feed pathogen control need to take into account potential negative impacts on the gut microbial community.
An in vitro erythrocyte preference assay reveals that Plasmodium falciparum parasites prefer Type O over Type A erythrocytes
Authors: Theron Michel , Cross Nadia , Cawkill Paula , Bustamante Leyla Y. , Rayner Julian C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMalaria has been one of the strongest selective forces on the human genome. The increased frequency of haemoglobinopathies, as well as numerous other blood groups, in malaria endemic regions is commonly attributed to a protective effect of these alleles against malaria. In the majority of these cases however there have been no systematic functional studies to test protective mechanisms, in large part because most host-parasite interaction assays are not quantitative or scalable. We describe the development of an erythrocyte preference assay which uses differential labelling with fluorescent dyes to distinguish invasion into four different erythrocyte populations which are all co-incubated with a single Plasmodium falciparum parasite culture. Testing this assay on erythrocytes across the ABO blood system from forty independent donors reveals for the first time that P. falciparum parasites preferentially invade group O over Group A erythrocytes. This runs counter to the known protective effect of group O against severe malaria, but emphasises the complexities of host-pathogen interactions, and the need for highly quantitative and scalable assays to systematically explore them.
Observing Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in solar blowout jet
Authors: Li Xiaohong , Zhang Jun , Yang Shuhong , Hou Yijun , Erdélyi Robert 
Published: May 2018

AbstractKelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI) is a basic physical process in fluids and magnetized plasmas, with applications successfully modelling e.g. exponentially growing instabilities observed at magnetospheric and heliospheric boundaries, in the solar or Earth’s atmosphere and within astrophysical jets. Here, we report the discovery of the KHI in solar blowout jets and analyse the detailed evolution by employing high-resolution data from the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) satellite launched in 2013. The particular jet we focus on is rooted in the surrounding penumbra of the main negative polarity sunspot of Active Region 12365, where the main body of the jet is a super-penumbral structure. At its maximum, the jet has a length of 90 Mm, a width of 19.7 Mm, and its density is about 40 times higher than its surroundings. During the evolution of the jet, a cavity appears near the base of the jet, and bi-directional flows originated from the top and bottom of the cavity start to develop, indicating that magnetic reconnection takes place around the cavity. Two upward flows pass along the left boundary of the jet successively. Next, KHI develops due to a strong velocity shear (∼204 km s−1) between these two flows, and subsequently the smooth left boundary exhibits a sawtooth pattern, evidencing the onset of the instability.
Deterministic Current Induced Magnetic Switching Without External Field using Giant Spin Hall Effect of β-W
Authors: Chen Wenzhe , Qian Lijuan , Xiao Gang 
Published: May 2018

AbstractGiant spin Hall effect (GSHE) has received significant attention for its potential in future spintronic applications. Spin current via GSHE-based thin films provides an effective and promising means to manipulate magnetization. However, an external in-plane magnetic field is required to consistently switch the perpendicular magnetic moment. We present an approach to realize field-free deterministic perpendicular magnetic switching with a new structure of FM/NM/FM. Our method takes advantage of the large spin Hall angle of transition metal β-W, so that the critical switching current density is only on the order of 106A/cm2 in the absence of magnetic field.
Obstructive sleep apnoea is associated with progression of arterial stiffness independent of obesity in participants without hypertension: A KoGES Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Jinkwan , Lee Seung Ku , Yoon Dae Wui , Shin Chol 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAccumulating evidence shows that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, there are no published prospective studies on the relationship between OSA and the progression of arterial stiffness. We hypothesised that OSA would increase the risk of arterial stiffness progression, independent of obesity. In the present large cohort study, 1921 participants were randomly selected and underwent polysomnography. The brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured at baseline and during the follow-period using a standard protocol. Elevated baPWV was defined as a value greater than the cut-off of highest tertile level in the complete study cohort. The percentage of elevated baPWV and the ΔbaPWV significantly increased with OSA severity. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, participants with moderate-to-severe OSA without hypertension had a significantly higher risk of elevated ΔbaPWV than those without OSA. More importantly, using multivariate mixed-effect models, we found that the ΔbaPWV over 6 years significantly differed according to OSA severity. Therefore, moderate-to-severe OSA in participants without hypertension was a predictor of future burden of arterial stiffness progression, independent of obesity, suggesting that it may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
A surface topography analysis of the curling stone curl mechanism
Authors: Honkanen Viktor , Ovaska Markus , Alava Mikko J. , Laurson Lasse , Tuononen Ari J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe curling motion of the curling stone on ice is well-known: if a small clockwise rotational velocity is imposed to the stone when it is released, in addition to the linear propagation velocity, the stone will curl to the right. A similar curl to the left is obtained by counter-clockwise rotation. This effect is widely used in the game to reach spots behind the already thrown stones, and the rotation also causes the stone to propagate in a more predictable fashion. Here, we report on novel experimental results which support one of the proposed theories to account for the curling motion of the stone, known as the “scratch-guiding theory”. By directly scanning the ice surface with a white light interferometer before and after each slide, we observed cross-scratches caused by the leading and trailing parts of the circular contact band of the linearly moving and rotating stone. By analyzing these scratches and a typical curling stone trajectory, we show that during most of the slide, the transverse force responsible for the sideways displacement of the stone is linearly proportional to the angle between these cross-scratches.
Monitoring of Hemostasis Parameters During Coronary Thrombolysis with Recombinant Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator
Authors: Stump D C , Topol E J , Chen A B , Hopkins A , Collen D 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe monitoring of changes in the blood coagulation and fibrinolytic systems during thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) may be complicated by artifacts due to in vitro activation after blood collection and to interference of other agents (e. g., heparin) in the assays. In 106 patients with early acute myocardial infarction, infused with 150 mg of rt-PA (G11044) intravenously over 5 to 8 hours, blood samples were collected into liquid citrate supplemented with the plasmin inhibitor aprotinin (200 KlU/ml plasma) or on a lyophilized mixture of acidified citrate and the synthetic t-PA inhibitor D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl (PPACK). A good correlation between precipitable (sulphite) and functional (clotting rate) fibrinogen levels was observed in plasma collected on citrate before therapy (r = 0.76) and in samples collected after 3 hours on either aprotinin (r = 0.87) or PPACK (r = 0.82). Precipitable fibrinogen levels were approximately 10% higher than functional level, in baseline samples collected on citrate alone and approximately 20% higher in 3 hour samples collected on either PPACK or aprotinin. Fibrinogen levels measured with both assays correlated well, but were somewhat higher in samples collected on PPACK than on aprotinin. rt-PA antigen levels assayed in plasma collected in either inhibitor correlated well (r = 0.90) but were 10-20% higher in PPACK containing samples. Addition of heparin up to 9 units/ml to plasma had no effect on the functional fibrinogen assay.Even with these precautions for assay artifact, a very poor correlation (r =-0.15) was observed between the plasma rt-PA level and the residual functional fibrinogen level, both after 3 hours and towards the end of the rt-PA infusion. A decrease of the fibrinogen level at the end of the infusion to below 1 g/l was observed in 36% of the patients and to below 0.5 g/l in 11%. Optimal monitoring of hemostasis during rt-PA infusion is achieved by fibrinogen assays with a clotting rate method on samples collected on either PPACK or aprotinin. Heparin at therapeutic levels does not interfere with this assay.
Effect of SC 38249, a Novel Substituted Imidazole, on Platelet Aggregation In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Lad N , Honey A C , Lunt D O , Booth R F G , Westwick J , Manley P W , Tuffin D P 
Published: May 2018

SummarySC 38249 ((RS)-l-(2,3-bis-[(4-methoxyphenyl)methoxy] propyl)-lH-imidazole) caused dose-related inhibition of collagen- induced thromboxane A2 formation in human platelet rich plasma (IC50: 9.9 ± 1.0 μM) accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in plasma PGE2. Broad inhibitory activity was evident against human platelet aggregatory and secretory responses in vitro.IC50 values of 11.9 ± 1.9 μM (0.64 mM arachidonic acid), 18.3 ± 3.8 μM (0.5 μg ml−-1collagen) and 37.6 ± 6.1 μM (25 nM Paf-acether) were obtained against maximum increase in PRP light transmission achieved by each agonist. Although less potent, SC 38249 retained significant inhibitory activity against PRP responses induced by a higher (3.0 μg ml−-1) concentration of collagen (IC50: 272.5 ± 24.6 μM), and against Paf-acether-induced responses in PRP pre-treated with 10 μM indomethacin (I.C.50: 192.0 ± 16.1 μM).Experimental animal studies confirmed the in vitroanti-aggregatory efficacy of SC 38249, since significant inhibitory activity was observed against Paf-acether and ADP-induced responses in dog PRP ex vivo,anti-Forssman antibody-induced thrombocytopoenia in anaesthetized guinea pigs, and collagen-induced intravascular aggregation in anaesthetized rabbits. Thus, SC 38249 is a novel thromboxane synthase inhibitor which possesses interesting anti-aggregatory properties which cannot wholly be attributed to prevention of platelet thromboxane A2 formation.
Mean Platelet Volume and Size Distribution and Their Sensitivity to Agonists in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Erne P , Wardle J , Sanders K , Lewis S M , Maseri A 
Published: May 2018

SummaryMean platelet volume was related to platelet count in patients with myocardial infarction (n = 55) and patients with congestive heart failure (n = 9). 18 patients with acute myocardial infarction were tested at admission and 4-7 days later, together with 13 patients with chronic stable angina and 10 patients with chest pain which was not related to coronary artery disease. In citrated blood a relative reduced frequency of large platelets (>13 fl) occured in patients with acute myocardial infarction at admission but was not seen during recovery or in patients with chronic stable angina. This suggests consumption of large platelets at time of thrombus formation. No relation was found between plasma catecholamine levels and mean platelet volumes. Effects of serotonine, adrenaline and CGP 28392, a calcium agonist, on platelet volume distributions were determined. Sensitivity of platelets to adrenaline was increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction on admission and reduced 4-7 days later, while in patients with congestive heart failure reactivity to both serotonine and adrenaline were reduced. This indicates a fast down-regulation during the early recovery phase of myocardial infarction and chronically in congestive heart failure.
Do Extra-Platelet Sources Contribute to the Plasma Level of Thrombospondin?
Authors: Dawes J , Pratt D A , Dewar M S , Preston F E 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThrombospondin, a trimeric glycoprotein contained in the platelet α-granules, has been proposed as a marker of in vivo platelet activation. However, it is also synthesised by a range of other cells. The extraplatelet contribution to plasma levels of thrombospondin was therefore estimated by investigating the relationship between plasma thrombospondin levels and platelet count in samples from profoundly thrombocytopenic patients with marrow hypoplasia, using the platelet-specific α-granule protein β-thromboglobulin as control. Serum concentrations of both proteins were highly correlated with platelet count, but while plasma β-thromboglobulin levels and platelet count also correlated, there was no relationship between the number of platelets and thrombospondin concentrations in plasma. Serial sampling of patients recovering from bone marrow depression indicated that the plasma thrombospondin contributed by platelets is superimposed on a background concentration of at least 50 ng/ml probably derived from a non-platelet source, and plasma thrombospondin levels do not simply reflect platelet release.
Concanavalin A Induces Patching/Capping of the Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein llb/llla Complex
Authors: Kakaiya R M , Kiraly T L , Cable R G 
Published: May 2018

SummaryTwo recent reports have shown platelet patching/capping by concanavalin A (Con A). In these studies, Con A receptors were shown to mobilize from pseudopodia and lamellipodia to the central cell parts during platelet attachment and spreading. The molecular mechanism underlying Con A receptor capping was not examined in either study.Con a binds maximally to human platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb and IIIa. In order to test whether Con A-induced capping caused the capping of this membrane glycoprotein complex, we treated normal human platelets with unlabeled Con A. After fixation, platelets were further treated with mouse monoclonal antibodies against the membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex and stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) tagged anti-mouse IgG. An average of 16% platelets manifested capping with one monoclonal antibody preparation (N = 2) and 12% with a second preparation (N = 2).Control studies showed that only 18% of normal human fresh platelets exhibit capping with FITC-Con A (N = 17). If platelets were first incubated with unlabeled Con A, followed by staining with FITC-labeled anti-Con A antibody, an average of 15% platelets manifested caps (N = 17). Capping was inhibited by methyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (a known inhibitor of Con A), at cold temperature and by pre-treatment of platelets with colchicine.Our studies confirm the earlier findings on Con A induced capping. Also, our findings suggest that the molecular mechanism for Con A receptor capping involves patching and capping of the platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. It is possible that glycoprotein Ilb/IIIa redistribution might be intimately involved during platelet attachment and spreading.
Heparin and Fibrinolysis - Comparison of Subcutaneous Administration of Unfractionated and Low Molecular Weight Heparin
Authors: Eriksson E , Wollter I M , Christenson B , Stigendal L , Risberg B 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe effects on the fibrinolytic system after a single s.c. bolus injection (at 9 a.m.) of either 5000 IU conventional heparin or 5000 anti-Xa U of a fractionated low molecular weight heparin (Fragmin, KabiVitrum, Sweden) were investigated in 9 healthy volunteers. The effects were compared to those of an injection of normal saline in 6 volunteers. Samples for biochemical analyses were taken regularily during 6 hours after drug or placebo administration.In the coagulation system the following parameters were measured: Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), anti- Xa activity, thrombin time and fibrinogen. The fibrinolytic system was monitored by analysing: plasminogen, ɑ2-antiplasmin, fibrinogen) degradation products (FDP), euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT), tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity, t-PA antigen and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity. Injection of the 2 drugs was followed by elevations in APTT and anti-Xa activity, and were more pronounced for Fragmin than heparin. The fibrinolytic system exhibited a diurnal variation with decreasing PAI activity and increasing t-PA activity during the day. Volunteers receiving normal saline (placebo) showed a similar pattern. The results were unrelated to heparin.It is concluded from this study that neither heparin nor Fragmin had any significant effect on the fibrinolytic parameters when measured after a single s.c. bolus injection since the observed variations were within the diurnal range.
Factor VIII Procoagulant Antigen in Human Tissues
Authors: Kadhom N , Wolfrom C , Gautier M , Allain J P , Frommel D 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe localization of factor VIII procoagulant antigen (VIII: Ag) and factor VIII von Willebrand antigen (VWF: Ag) was investigated in human liver, lung, spleen, placenta and umbilical cord, by an immunoperoxidase technique using an avidin biotin complex (ABC). Positive staining for VIII: Ag was observed in the endothelial cells of liver sinusoids, veins and arteries, as well as in the endothelial cells of placenta, lung and spleen. VWF: Ag was detected in the vascular endothelial cells of all the organs explored. The staining intensity of both VIII: Ag and VWF: Ag varied in the different tissues and showed a distinctive pattern of distribution in the liver. VIII: Ag was also observed in the cytoplasm of dysplastic, foetal-like hepatocytes which infiltrated one liver specimen. Our results agree with the view that liver endothelial cells are a major site of Factor VIII (F VIII) storage and secondary release into the circulation. However, the bright staining intensity of VIII: Ag and VWF: Ag in the lung and placenta suggests that these two tissues might also be a substantial source of F VIII.
Differential Inhibition of the Platelet Activation Sequence: Shape Change, Micro- and Macro-Aggregation, by a Stable Prostacyclin Analogue (lloprost)
Authors: Pedvis L G , Wong T , Frojmovic M M 
Published: May 2018

SummaryThe relative sensitivities of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced activation, and of prostaglandin-mediated inhibition, were determined for rates of platelet shape change (SC [Vs]), early platelet recruitment measured by electronic platelet counting (PA [PA3]), and turbidometrically-measured aggregation (TA[Va]). Studies were performed in stirred citrated platelet-richplasma from 9 healthy human donors. The [ADP]1/2, ([ADP]giving half maximal rate) was determined for the sequence of activation steps: unactivated platelets → SC → PA → TA. Distinct ADP sensitivities were obtained from log dose-responsestudies, with a relative dose dependency for rates of change in the order of [ADP]1/2 TA > [ADP]1/2 PA > [ADP]1/2 SC of ~4:3:1.Differential inhibition of the above activation scheme was evalu-ated from log dose-response curves for lloprost (ZK 36374), astable carbacyclin analogue of prostacyclin (PGI2), with greaterpotency than PGI2 for the same platelet receptors. IC50 valuescorresponding to lloprost concentrations causing 50% inhibitionof rates of TA (Va), PA (PA3) and SC (Vs) were found in therelative ratios of 1: ~3: ~5, when measured at a common ADPconcentration for all three parameters, or 1: ~2: ~3 when deter-mined at respective [ADP]1/2 values for each parameter. Thus, about 3-5 times more lloprost is required to respectively inhibitthe rates of shape change (Vs) and early platelet recruitment(PA3), than that needed to inhibit the rate of turbidometrically-measured aggregation (Va).
Systematic Review of Total Wrist Arthroplasty and Arthrodesis in Wrist Arthritis
Authors: Garagnani Lorenzo , Gidwani Sam , Berber Onur 
Published: May 2018

Background End-stage wrist arthritis has traditionally been treated with a total wrist fusion. There is a recent trend toward motion preserving surgery in the form of total wrist replacement.
Questions Is there a functional benefit to performing a total wrist replacement instead of a total wrist fusion in patients with end-stage wrist arthritis? Is there any difference in secondary outcome measures including pain, grip strength, and range of motion? Does the risk of adverse events and treatment failure differ between the two techniques?
Methods A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies reporting either total wrist arthrodesis or arthroplasty for end-stage wrist arthritis. Studies were systematically screened and assessed for risk of bias and quality. Data were extracted and reviewed.
Results A total of 43 studies were included in the review: 17 on arthrodesis, 24 on arthroplasty, and 2 matched cohort studies. This represented 669 index arthrodesis operations in 603 patients, and 1,371 index arthroplasty operations in 1,295 patients. A significant improvement in functional outcome was seen with both interventions. Similar improvements were seen in pain scores, and modest improvements were seen in grip strength. Range of motion following arthroplasty improved to a functional level in two studies. Complication rates were higher after arthroplasty (range: 0.2–9.5%) than those after arthrodesis (range: 0.1–6.1%; p = 0.06). Fourth-generation implants (range 0.1–2.9%) performed better than earlier designs (range: 0.2–8.1%; p = 0.002). Implant revision rates ranged from 3.5 to 52.6%. Fourth-generation prostheses survival rates were 78% at 15 years (Universal 2), 86% at 10 years (Motec), 90% at 9 years (Re-Motion), and 95% at 8 years (Maestro).
Conclusion The newer fourth-generation wrist implants appear to be performing better than earlier designs. Both wrist arthrodesis and wrist arthroplasty improve function, pain, and grip strength. The risk of complication following wrist replacements is higher than that after total wrist arthrodesis.