bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Total and high‐affinity corticosteroid‐binding globulin depletion in septic shock is associated with mortality
Authors: Meyer Emily J. , Nenke Marni A. , Rankin Wayne , Lewis John G. , Konings Elisabeth , Slager Maarten , Jansen Tim C. , Bakker Jan , Hofland Johannes , Feelders Richard A. , Torpy David J. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryContextCorticosteroid‐binding globulin (CBG) and albumin transport circulating cortisol. Cleavage of high‐affinity CBG (haCBG) by neutrophil elastase at inflammatory sites causes cortisol release into tissues, facilitating immunomodulatory effects.ObjectiveTo determine whether depletion of haCBG is related to mortality in septic shock.DesignA single‐center prospective observational cohort study of patients recruited with critical illness or septic shock, using serum samples collected at 0, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Serum total and haCBG, and total and free cortisol were assayed directly. Glucocorticoid treatment was an exclusion criterion. Mortality was assessed at 28 days from Intensive Care Unit admission.ResultsThirty septic shock (SS) and 42 nonseptic critical illness (CI) patients provided 195 serum samples. SS/CI patients had lower total CBG, haCBG and low‐affinity CBG (laCBG) than controls. Total CBG and haCBG were significantly lower in septic shock patients who died than in those that survived (P < 0.009, P = 0.021, respectively). Total and free cortisol were higher in septic than nonseptic individuals. Free/total cortisol fractions were higher in those with low haCBG as observed in septic shock. However, cortisol levels were not associated with mortality. Albumin levels fell in sepsis but were not related to mortality.ConclusionsLow circulating haCBG concentrations are associated with mortality in septic shock. These results are consistent with an important physiological role for haCBG in cortisol tissue delivery in septic shock.
Extending far and wide: the role of biopsy and staging in the management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia
Authors: Polski Ashley , Sibug Saber Maria , Kim Jonathan W. , Berry Jesse L. 
Published: August 2018

ImportanceAlthough the most recent American Joint Committee on cancer staging guidelines for ocular surface squamous neoplasia place a heightened emphasis on biopsy and histopathologic analysis, the interpretation and clinical relevance of these staging criteria are not always clear. We address limitations of using histopathologic analysis to predict clinical outcomes and suggest less‐invasive assessments.BackgroundTo investigate the impact of histopathologic depth of invasion on outcomes for tumours with the common presentation of multiple structure involvement.DesignRetrospective chart review at tertiary institution.SamplesOf 41 eyes with ocular surface squamous neoplasia between 2012 and 2017, 27 tumours involving multiple ocular structures clinically were included.MethodsBiopsied tumours were determined to be invasive beyond the basement membrane or non‐invasive; non‐biopsied tumours were clinically identified with unknown depth of invasion. Outcomes were compared using Fisher's exact or Student's t tests.Main Outcome MeasuresProportion of tumours cured, recurred and/or persisting.ResultsTwelve tumours (44%) received primary excisional biopsy, 10 (37%) received chemotherapy without biopsy and 5 (19%) received chemotherapy and biopsy. Clinical diagnosis was correct in all biopsied cases. While there were no significant differences in outcomes between invasive vs non‐invasive tumours or treatments, there was a trend toward larger basal diameter in recurrent tumours regardless of treatment.Conclusions and RelevanceWhen ocular surface squamous neoplasia tumours with similar clinical involvement were compared, histopathologic depth of invasion was not predictive of clinical outcomes. Future staging criteria may consider the potential of largest basal dimension for more accurate prognostication.
Vascular endothelial growth factor activates neural stem cells through epidermal growth factor receptor signal after spinal cord injury
Authors: Liu Su‐Mei , Xiao Zhi‐Feng , Li Xing , Zhao Yan‐Nan , Wu Xian‐Ming , Han Jin , Chen Bing , Li Jia‐Yin , Fan Cai‐Xia , Xu Bai , Xue Xiao‐Yu , Xue Wei‐Wei , Yang Ying , Dai Jian‐Wu 
Published: August 2018

SummaryAimsNeural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult mammalian spinal cord are activated in response to spinal cord injury (SCI); however, mechanisms modulating this process are not clear. Here, we noticed SCI elevated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and we aimed to validate the roles of VEGF in NSCs activation after SCI and investigated the related signals during the process.MethodsIn vitro we detected whether VEGF promoted spinal cord NSCs proliferation and investigated the involved signals; In vivo, we injected VEGF into rat spinal cord to check the NSCs activation.ResultsIn vitro, VEGF triggered spinal cord NSCs proliferation and maintained self‐renewal. Further investigations demonstrated VEGF transactivated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) to promote spinal cord NSCs proliferation. In vivo, we injected VEGF into spinal cord by laminectomy to confirm the roles of VEGF‐VEGFR2‐EGFR signals in NSCs activation. VEGF significantly elevated the number of activated NSCs and increased EGFR phosphorylation. In contrast, intraspinal injection of specific inhibitors targeting EGFR and VEGFR2 decreased NSCs activation after SCI. Our results demonstrate that VEGF‐VEGFR2‐EGFR axis is important for NSCs activation after SCI, providing new insights into the mechanisms of spinal cord NSCs activation postinjury.
LncRNA SNHG4 promotes tumour growth by sponging miR‐224‐3p and predicts poor survival and recurrence in human osteosarcoma
Authors: Xu Ruida , Feng Fan , Yu Xiaosheng , Liu Zude , Lao Lifeng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveAccumulating data show that dysregulation of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) acts a critical role in a variety of malignancies. Among these lncRNAs, small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) are associated with tumour growth and progression. But, the molecular mechanisms by which SNHG4 contributes to osteosarcoma remain undocumented.MethodsThe association between lncRNA SNHG4 expression and clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma was analysed by TCGA RNA‐sequencing data. Cell viability and colony formation abilities were respectively assessed by MTT and colony formation assays. LncRNA SNHG4‐specific binding with miR‐224‐3p was verified by bioinformatic analysis, luciferase gene report, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Regulation relationship between SNHG4 and miR‐224‐3p expression was further evaluated by the rescue experiments.ResultsThe expression level of lncRNA SNHG4 was significantly elevated in osteosarcoma samples and cell lines as compared with the adjacent normal tissues, and SNHG4 high expression was associated with tumour size (TS) and poor prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma. Knockdown of SNHG4 suppressed cell viability and invasive potential, whereas ectopic SNHG4 expression displayed the opposite effects. Moreover, we found that lncRNA SNHG4 acted as a sponge of miR‐224‐3p, and miR‐224‐3p mimic reversed SNHG4 induced tumour‐promoting effects in osteosarcoma cells. The expression of miR‐224‐3p depicted a negative correlation with SNHG4 in osteosarcoma samples and miR‐224‐3p low expression was associated with TS and poor survival in patients with osteosarcoma.ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that LncRNA SNHG4 promoted tumour growth by sponging miR‐224‐3p and represented a poor prognostic factor in patients with osteosarcoma.
Narciclasine induces autophagy‐dependent apoptosis in triple‐negative breast cancer cells by regulating the AMPK‐ULK1 axis
Authors: Cao Chuan , Huang Wei , Zhang Nan , Wu Fengbo , Xu Ting , Pan Xiaoli , Peng Cheng , Han Bo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectivesAutophagy and apoptosis are major types of eukaryotic programmed cell death, and regulating these processes holds promise for treating cancers. In this study, we explored the regulation mechanisms of narciclasine to autophagy and apoptosis processes in triple‐negative breast cancer.Materials and MethodsEffects of narciclasine on proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy of HCC‐1937 and MDA‐MB‐231 triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells were assessed using transmission electronic microscopy, flow cytometry following staining with Annexin V‐FITC and propidium iodide, RNA sequencing, real‐time PCR, and Western blotting. The ability of narciclasine to inhibit growth of human HCC1937 TNBC xenografts in mice was assessed, and potential mechanisms of inhibition were explored using immunohistochemistry.ResultsNarciclasine inhibited TNBC cell proliferation and induced autophagy‐dependent apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. These apoptotic effects could be reversed using autophagy inhibitors, including an AMPK inhibitor and ULK1 siRNA. Consistent with these in vitro results, narciclasine significantly inhibited TNBC tumour growth in mice by upregulating autophagy‐dependent apoptosis.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that narciclasine regulates the AMPK‐ULK1 signalling axis to promote autophagy‐dependent apoptosis, demonstrating therapeutic potential against TNBC.
Preoperative expectations for health‐related quality of life after lung transplant
Authors: Aversa Meghan , Chowdhury Noori A. , Tomlinson George , Singer Lianne G. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHow patients’ health‐related quality of life (HRQL) after lung transplant compares to their preoperative expectations is unclear. As part of a previously published prospective cohort study, we compared 328 subjects’ expectations for their post‐transplant HQRL with and without chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) to their actual HRQL scores after transplant, using the visual analog scale (VAS) and standard gamble (SG). Subjects’ expectations were considered met when the absolute difference between the expected and actual scores (the “expectation error”) was <0.1 units, based on the minimally important difference for VAS and SG. On average, subjects’ post‐transplant HRQL without CLAD met their expectations (mean expectation error: −0.09 units [VAS] and +0.02 units [SG]) and subjects’ post‐transplant HRQL with CLAD met or exceeded their expectations (mean expectation error: +0.08 units [VAS] and +0.19 units [SG]). When subjects developed CLAD stages 1 and 2, their HRQL was better than they expected (mean expectation error of each disease group: >+0.1 units). When subjects developed CLAD stage 3, their HRQL was as they expected (mean expectation error of each disease group except COPD and CF: within ± 0.1 units). Patients’ expectations for their HRQL after transplant are at least met and may be exceeded.
Embryonic stage of obligatory diapause and effects of abiotic conditions on egg hatching in the balsam twig aphid, Mindarus abietinus
Authors: Doherty Jean‐François , Guay Jean‐Frédéric , Cloutier Conrad 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDiapause‐mediated dormancy in overwintering insect eggs has rarely been studied with regard to the ecological factors controlling postdiapause development. In insects of temperate latitudes, water availability at the end of winter, in interaction with temperature, could control the resumption of development for insect stages in postdiapause quiescence. The balsam twig aphid, Mindarus abietinus Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae), overwinters as eggs in southern Québec, Canada, on balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Miller (Pinaceae), in Christmas tree plantations, where it is known as a pest. Previous work has shown that eggs of this aphid maintain low water content during winter, presumably to survive sub‐zero temperatures. Conversely, in late winter and early spring, they passively or actively absorb surrounding moisture, which is accompanied by notable changes in size, shape, and fresh mass. The primary objective here was to determine the embryonic stage at which winter diapause starts and is maintained in M. abietinus, a relatively primitive aphid. Secondly, we tested the hypothesis that free water availability to postdiapause eggs, in combination with temperatures above developmental threshold, is essential for embryonic development and hatching, by experimentally soaking field‐collected eggs in water at controlled frequencies. We observed that embryogenesis starts at the time of egg laying and stops after a few days, before the anatrepsis stage of blastokinesis is complete, when the germ band has not yet entirely immersed itself into the yolk. We also found that water surrounding overwintered eggs on fir shoots, in interaction with temperature regime, significantly increases M. abietinus egg hatching rates. Potential impacts of environmental factors such as precipitation are discussed in relation to M. abietinus egg hatching rates and potential for population growth in spring.
Mapping the imprint of biotic interactions on β‐diversity
Authors: Ohlmann Marc , Mazel Florent , Chalmandrier Loïc , Bec Stéphane , Coissac Eric , Gielly Ludovic , Pansu Johan , Schilling Vincent , Taberlet Pierre , Zinger Lucie , Chave Jérome , Thuiller Wilfried 
Published: August 2018

AbstractInvestigating how trophic interactions influence the β‐diversity of meta‐communities is of paramount importance to understanding the processes shaping biodiversity distribution. Here, we apply a statistical method for inferring the strength of spatial dependencies between pairs of species groups. Using simulated community data generated from a multi‐trophic model, we showed that this method can approximate biotic interactions in multi‐trophic communities based on β‐diversity patterns across groups. When applied to soil multi‐trophic communities along an elevational gradient in the French Alps, we found that fungi make a major contribution to the structuring of β‐diversity across trophic groups. We also demonstrated that there were strong spatial dependencies between groups known to interact specifically (e.g. plant‐symbiotic fungi, bacteria‐nematodes) and that the influence of environment was less important than previously reported in the literature. Our method paves the way for a better understanding and mapping of multi‐trophic communities through space and time.
Neurotrophic factors and status epilepticus
Authors: Simonato Michele 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBecause of their strong effects on cell survival and on synaptic function, neurotrophic factors (NTFs) have been hypothesized to be involved in some aspects of status epilepticus (SE) and in its possible consequences. This hypothesis has been explored mainly for 2 NTFs, namely fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This article focuses on these 2 NTFs. I first summarize their biologic features and then describe existing evidence supporting their implication in SE and its outcomes. Available data support a direct implication of FGF‐2 and BDNF in SE and in its consequences. However, these NTFs have been found to exert some contrasting effects, for example, to favor seizures but protect from cell damage. A better understanding of the mechanisms of FGF‐2 and BDNF biosynthesis and signaling will be therefore instrumental for the development of therapeutic strategies that are not compromised by paradoxical side effects.
Modelling the invasion history of Sinanodonta woodiana in Europe: Tracking the routes of a sedentary aquatic invader with mobile parasitic larvae
Authors: Konečný Adam , Popa Oana P. , Bartáková Veronika , Douda Karel , Bryja Josef , Smith Carl , Popa Luis O. , Reichard Martin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the invasive potential of species outside their native range is one of the most pressing questions in applied evolutionary and ecological research. Admixture of genotypes of invasive species from multiple sources has been implicated in successful invasions, by generating novel genetic combinations that facilitate rapid adaptation to new environments. Alternatively, adaptive evolution on standing genetic variation, exposed by phenotypic plasticity and selected by genetic accommodation, can facilitate invasion success. We investigated the population genetic structure of an Asian freshwater mussel with a parasitic dispersal stage, Sinanodonta woodiana, which has been present in Europe since 1979 but which has expanded rapidly in the last decade. Data from a mitochondrial marker and nuclear microsatellites have suggested that all European populations of S. woodiana originate from the River Yangtze basin in China. Only a single haplotype was detected in Europe, in contrast to substantial mitochondrial diversity in native Asian populations. Analysis of microsatellite markers indicated intensive gene flow and confirmed a lower genetic diversity of European populations compared to those from the Yangtze basin, though that difference was not large. Using an Approximate Bayesian Modelling approach, we identified two areas as the probable source of the spread of S. woodiana in Europe, which matched historical records for its establishment. Their populations originated from a single colonization event. Our data do not support alternative explanations for the rapid recent spread of S. woodiana; recent arrival of a novel (cold‐tolerant) genotype or continuous propagule pressure. Instead, in situ adaptation, facilitated by repeated admixture, appears to drive the ongoing expansion of S. woodiana. We discuss management consequences of our results.
Multicentre, blinded, randomised clinical trial comparing the use of flunixin meglumine with firocoxib in horses with small intestinal strangulating obstruction
Authors: Ziegler A. L. , Freeman C. K. , Fogle C. A. , Burke M. J. , Davis J. L. , Cook V. L. , Southwood L. L. , Blikslager A. T. 
Published: August 2018

SummaryBackgroundSmall intestinal strangulating obstruction (SISO) is associated with endotoxaemia which leads to an increased risk of death. Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat signs of endotoxaemia by inhibiting cyclo‐oxygenases (COX). COX‐1 is expressed constitutively and promotes gut barrier function, whereas COX‐2 is inducible and contributes to the signs of endotoxaemia. In preclinical SISO trials, intestinal barrier recovery was more complete with reductions in endotoxin permeability in horses treated with COX‐2 selective NSAIDs as compared with horses treated with flunixin meglumine.ObjectivesWe hypothesised that treatment of post‐surgical SISO horses with firocoxib (COX‐2 selective) would reduce the signs of endotoxaemia to a greater extent than flunixin meglumine (nonselective COX inhibitor) while continuing to provide similar levels of pain control.Study designBlinded randomised clinical trial.MethodsIn addition to clinical monitoring, preoperative and 12‐, 24‐ and 48‐h post‐operative plasma samples were assessed for prostaglandin E2(PGE2), thromboxane B2(TXB2), TNF⍺ and soluble CD14 (sCD14).ResultsIn 56 recruited SISO horses, either flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, i.v., q12h) or firocoxib (0.3 mg/kg, i.v. loading dose; 0.1 mg/kg, i.v., q24h) was given in the post‐operative period in three university hospitals from 2015 to 2017.COX‐2 selectivity was confirmed by a relative lack of inhibition of the COX‐1 prostanoid TXB2by firocoxib and significant inhibition by flunixin meglumine (P = 0.014). Both drugs inhibited the COX‐2 prostanoid PGE2. There were no significant differences in pain scores between groups (P = 0.2). However, there was a 3.23‐fold increased risk (P = 0.04) of increased plasma sCD14 in horses treated with flunixin meglumine, a validated biomarker of equine endotoxaemia.Main limitationsHorses were all treated with flunixin meglumine prior to referral. In addition, many horses were treated with lidocaine, which has been shown to mitigate the deleterious effects of flunixin meglumine.ConclusionsIn SISO cases, firocoxib reduced a biomarker of endotoxaemia as compared with flunixin meglumine while continuing to provide similar levels of pain control.
Endogenous debt maturity and rollover risk
Authors: Brancati Emanuele , Macchiavelli Marco 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe empirically study the nature of rollover risk and show how banks manage it. Having to roll over debt does not lead to higher default risk per se. Only banks that lose significant access to new funding while having to roll over debt display higher default risk. We identify a factor that determines this buildup of risk: specifically, debt maturity shortening (forcing debt to be more frequently rolled over) and reduced access to new funding are both driven by market pessimism about banks’ future performance. We also provide evidence consistent with dynamic coordination risk.
Monitoring the acoustic activity of an aquatic insect population in relation to temperature, vegetation and noise
Authors: Desjonquères Camille , Rybak Fanny , Ulloa Juan Sebastian , Kempf Alexandre , Bar Hen Avner , Sueur Jérôme 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Acoustic population monitoring is a noninvasive method that can be deployed continuously over long periods of time and at large spatial scales. One of the newly discovered threats acting on biological diversity is anthropogenic noise. High levels of anthropogenic noise occur in aquatic environments, yet their effects on animals living in freshwater habitats have very rarely been investigated.

Here, we used acoustic monitoring and automatic detection to assess the acoustic activity of a population of a soniferous freshwater insect.

The sounds emitted by the corixid Micronecta scholtzi were recorded in a Mediterranean pond with an array of 12 hydrophones. An automatic analysis based on a measure of the amplitude found in the frequency band of M. scholtzi was developed to assess the level of acoustic activity. We used functional linear models, accounting for the periodicity of the calling behaviour, to estimate the possible effect of temperature, vegetation and a noise due to an immersed engine.

The automatic analysis was validated as an efficient method to measure the acoustic activity. The monitoring revealed a clear 24‐hr pattern in the acoustic activity of M. scholtzi and three peaks of activity during the morning. Functional linear models revealed negative effects of both temperature and vegetation and showed that an engine noise, played back for 2 hr during the night, elicited an increase in the level of acoustic activity of the population. Moreover, a cross‐correlation procedure showed that noise delayed the acoustic activity of the population.

Our results suggest that acoustic survey and automatic detection are efficient methods to monitor the acoustic activity of an insect population especially in response to an anthropogenic disturbance.