bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatic steatosis in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Koutsou‐Tassopoulou Andreani , Papapostoli‐Sklavounou Ifigeneia , Krawczyk Marcin , Friesenhahn‐Ochs Bettina , Weber Susanne N. , Lammert Frank , Stokes Caroline S. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectiveComorbid NAFLD is increasingly being diagnosed in patients with diabetes and nondiabetic endocrinopathies. The aim of this study was to assess hepatic steatosis noninvasively by transient elastography in patients with acromegaly.DesignA cross‐sectional study including 22 patients with acromegaly.MethodsHepatic steatosis was quantified using controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) during elastography. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, serum liver function tests and lipid and hormone profiles were measured, and prosteatogenic gene variants were genotyped using standard assays.ResultsIn total, 41% of patients were women (mean age 60 ± 14.7 years, mean BMI 31.2 ± 4.6 kg/m2). Hepatic steatosis, as defined by CAP > 248 dB/m, was present in 66% of patients. Five (45%) of the patients with hepatic steatosis also had fibrosis, and one presented with cirrhosis. Nine patients were carriers of the PNPLA3 p.I148M prosteatogenic [M] risk allele, eight of whom were heterozygotes. CAP values were significantly (P = .045) higher in these patients and corresponded to advanced steatosis, as compared to patients with the wild‐type genotype, who demonstrated CAP values consistent with mild steatosis (311 ± 33 dB/m. vs 254 ± 62 dB/m). CAP values did not differ significantly in carriers of distinct TM6SF2 and MBOAT7 genotypes; however, carriers of the risk alleles displayed higher CAP as compared to wild‐type patients.ConclusionsThis study shows that in patients with acromegaly, carriers of the PNPLA3 susceptibility allele are at risk of developing hepatic steatosis, as assessed by CAP. Comorbid NAFLD might compound prognosis in such patients; thus, further research into the pathomechanisms and treatment of NAFLD in acromegaly is warranted.
Identification of fungi associated with soybeans and effective seed disinfection treatments
Authors: Escamilla Diana , Rosso Maria Luciana , Zhang Bo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSprouts can be a vehicle for the transmission of several pathogens capable of causing human illness, and the potential source of contamination is seed used for sprouting. The limited information about seed‐borne pathogens as well as their incidence on soybean seeds for soybean sprout industry led the objectives of this study that were to identify seed‐borne pathogens on commercial sprout soybean seeds and to evaluate different decontamination treatments on disinfection effectiveness and sprout quality. Seeds of “MFS‐561,” a sprout soybean cultivar, from three production regions were used in this study. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS1 and ITS2) DNA sequences of the isolated fungi from MFS‐561 seeds were used for species identification. Seven disinfection treatments were evaluated on their effectiveness on reducing fungal incidence and impact on sprout characteristics. Out of 55 fungal isolates obtained from the soybean seeds, seven species and six genera were identified. The most frequent genera across regions were Alternaria, Diaphorte, and Fusarium. The treatment of soaking seeds in 2% calcium hypochlorite for 10 min and 5% acetic acid for 2 min before sprouting were promising seed disinfection treatments as they significantly reduced fungi incidence without any negative effects on sprout quality.
Impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus and physical activity on medication costs in older adults
Authors: Kikuti‐Koyama Kelly Akemi , Monteiro Henrique Luiz , Ribeiro Lemes Ítalo , de Morais Luana Carolina , Fernandes Rômulo , Turi‐Lynch Bruna , Codogno Jamile 
Published: August 2019

SummaryIntroductionThe high prevalence of diabetes mellitus leads to high costs of medication for treatment and the practice of physical activity, as well as reducing the risks of diabetes mellitus is able to substantially mitigate costs. To investigate the impact of diabetes mellitus on costs of medication and identify whether physical activity can influence the relationship between diabetes mellitus and costs of medication.MethodsThe sample consisted of adults enrolled in five basic healthcare units. The presence of diabetes mellitus and habitual physical activity were assessed by a questionnaire, the quantity of medication used was evaluated according to the medical records, and medication costs, through receipts.FindingsIndividuals with diabetes mellitus from baseline presented higher body weight (P value = .001) and lower levels of physical activity (P value = .014). The presence of diabetes mellitus was positively related to costs of medication for diseases of the circulatory system (β = 4.89), endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (β = 109.72), and total costs of medication (β = 113.41). The impact of diabetes mellitus was attenuated by physical activity.ConclusionIt was identified that diabetes mellitus has a significant impact on public costs with medication, and physical activity was effective in reducing health costs independently of diabetes mellitus by less than 1%.
Lots of little ones: Analysis of charitable donations to a hospice and palliative care unit in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Ya‐Chuan , Chu Feng‐Yuan , Chen Tzeng‐Ji , Chou Li‐Fang , Chang Hsiao‐Ting , Lin Ming‐Hwai , Hwang Shinn‐Jang 
Published: August 2019

SummaryBackgroundCharitable donations play a major role in the provision of hospice and palliative care (HPC) services, most of which are not reimbursed by health insurance programs. A good understanding of the constitution and use of donations is thus conducive to maintaining a high‐quality HPC unit.MethodsThe data sources were the publicly available balance sheet, work report, and donor lists of a foundation exclusively supporting one of the best HPC units in Taiwan in the fiscal year of 2017. The analysis included the donation amounts and frequencies by donor type (individual, corporate, and group) and the categories of expenses.ResultsThe foundation received 3033 donations worth a total of 7.8 million New Taiwan dollars (NTD) (approximately 258 thousand US dollars) in 2017. Two‐thirds of the donations were allocated to the provision of direct care services. Of the 3033 donations, only 11 (0.4%) were worth 100 000 NTD or more, while 108 (3.6%) were valued between 10 000 and 99 999 NTD, 1268 (41.8%) were valued between 1000 and 9999 NTD, and 1646 (54.2%) were worth less than 1000 NTD. Of 1051 donors, 974 (92.7%) were individuals, 378 (36.0%) donated more than once, and 106 (10.1%) donated 12 or more times in one year.ConclusionHPC services in Taiwan are sponsored by lots of individuals and small donations. For sustainability of standards‐based and quality HPC services, the benevolence of the public should be thus cherished and adequately responded to.
miR‐496 remedies hypoxia reoxygenation–induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte apoptosis via Hook3‐targeted PI3k/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway activation
Authors: Jin Yongping , Ni Shimao 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe hypoxia‐reoxygenation (H/R) model helps analyze myocardial infarction triggered by acute myocardial ischemia, which induces cardiomyocyte proliferation and apoptosis. The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to obtain the GSE74205 and GSE3866 microarray data, including microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA profiles, to catalog potential key miRNAs and genes. The role of rno‐mir‐496 expression in cardiomyocyte proliferation within 10 days of birth was established. The microRNA Target Prediction Database (miRDB) database—via Gene Ontology annotation—predicted hook microtubule tethering protein 3 (Hook3), a key target gene of rno‐mir‐496, was closely related to cell proliferation. Upregulation of miR‐496 related to a significant reduction in apoptosis of H9c2 and human cardiomyocytes treatment with H/R. Moreover, transfection of H9c2 cells with miR‐496 mimics, which were pretreated with H/R for 12 hours, increased Ki67 levels, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Bcl‐2 proteins; and decreased cleaved caspase‐3 and Bax protein levels, as determined by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays. A dual‐luciferase reporter system confirmed that miR‐496 targets the Hook3 suppressor. Hook3 overexpression stimulated apoptosis in H/R‐treated cells, thus reducing cell proliferation. Upregulated miR‐496 activated phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling, while Hook3 exhibited the inverse trend in H/R‐treated H9c2 cells. In summary, with Hook3 functionality's aid, miR‐496 upregulation defends cells from H/R‐induced apoptosis and stimulates cell proliferation. miR‐496 targets Hook3 to trigger the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway for antiapoptotic and proliferative effects.
Metastasis and cachexia: alongside in clinics, but not so in animal models
Authors: Tomasin Rebeka , Martin Ana Carolina Baptista Moreno , Cominetti Márcia Regina 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCancer cachexia is a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by lean mass wasting (with or without fat mass decrease), culminating in involuntary weight loss, which is the key clinical observation nowadays. There is a notable lack of studies involving animal models to mimic the clinical reality, which are mostly patients with cachexia and metastatic disease. This mismatch between the clinical reality and animal models could at least partly contribute to the poor translation observed in the field. In this paper, we retrieved and compared animal models used for cachexia research from 2017 and 10 years earlier (2007) and observed that very little has changed. Especially, clinically relevant models where cachexia is studied in an orthotopic or metastatic context were and still are very scarce. Finally, we described and supported the biological rationale behind why, despite technical challenges, these two phenomena—metastasis and cachexia—should be modelled in parallel, highlighting the overlapping pathways between them. To sum up, this review aims to contribute to rethinking and possibly switching the models currently used for cachexia research, to hopefully obtain better and more translational outcomes.
Predictivity of bioimpedance phase angle for incident disability in older adults
Authors: Uemura Kazuki , Doi Takehiko , Tsutsumimoto Kota , Nakakubo Sho , Kim Min‐Ji , Kurita Satoshi , Ishii Hideaki , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundBioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)‐derived phase angle is expected to be an efficient prognostic marker of health adverse events with aging as an alternative of muscle mass. We aimed to examine the predictive ability of phase angle for incident disability in community‐dwelling elderly and determine the optimal cut‐off values.MethodsCommunity‐dwelling elderly aged ≥65 years (n = 4452; mean age = 71.8 ± 5.3 years, 48.3% women) without disability at baseline participated in this prospective cohort study. Phase angle and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) were examined using a multi‐frequency BIA at baseline. Other potential confounding factors (demographics, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, medications, and physical performance) were also assessed. Incident disability was monitored on the basis of long‐term care insurance certification.ResultsOver a follow‐up of 24 months, 4.0% (n = 174) experienced disability, with an overall incidence rate of 20.6 per 1000 person‐years. The Cox hazard regression analysis showed that phase angle, as a continuous variable, was independently associated with incident disability after adjusting the covariates [male: hazard ratios (HRs) = 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.37–0.98; female: HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.37–0.90], although body mass index adjusted ASM was not. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated moderate predictive abilities of phase angle for incident disability [male: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.70–0.83; female: AUC = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.65–0.76], while those of body mass index adjusted ASM were low (male: AUC = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.521–0.66; female: AUC = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.52–0.63). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that low phase angle categorized by cut‐off value (male, ≤4.95°; female, ≤4.35°) was independently related to increased risk of incident disability (HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.37–2.78).ConclusionsLower phase angle independently predicts the incident disability separately from known risk factors. BIA‐derived phase angle can be used as a valuable and simple prognostic tool to identify the elderly at risk of disability as targets of preventive treatment.
The wing pattern of Hydriomena Hübner, [1825] (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae) lacks a predictable relationship with venation
Authors: Schachat Sandra R. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTwo simple models have been successfully applied to predict the relationship between wing pattern and venation in various lineages of Lepidoptera. However, neither of these models holds for the geometrid genus Hydriomena Hübner, 1825. Wing patterns in Hydriomena were studied intensively during the 1920s after the description of the nymphalid groundplan, an idealized schematic that outlines the primary elements of butterfly wing patterns; geometrids strongly resemble butterflies and, until recently, were considered to be among their closest relatives. The evolution of wing pattern in Geometridae has been neglected since the 1930s. Here, the relationship between wing pattern and venation is examined for Hydriomena costipunctata Barnes and McDunnough, 1912 and the Hydriomena speciosata (Packard, 1873) group. These two lineages have some of the simplest wing patterns in Hydriomena, consisting of large, well‐defined dark and light pattern elements. The relationship between wing pattern and venation varies considerably within and between these lineages and can even vary between the right and left wings on the same individual. Although many different wing patterns were observed among the individuals examined for this study, not one can be reconciled with either of the models that successfully predict the relationship between wing pattern and venation in many other groups of Lepidoptera. This suggests that bands occurring on the wings of Hydriomena are not homologous with those on the wings of butterflies or of Acronictinae (Macroheterocera: Noctuidae), the only other two obtectomeran lineages for which the relationship between wing pattern and venation has been examined in recent years.
Metabolic and Inflammatory Effects of an ω‐3 Fatty Acid–Based Eucaloric Ketogenic Diet in Mice With Endotoxemia
Authors: Anez‐Bustillos Lorenzo , Dao Duy T. , Finkelstein Adam , Pan Amy , Cho Bennet S. , Mitchell Paul D. , Gura Kathleen M. , Bistrian Bruce R. , Puder Mark 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundDietary strategies can aid in the management of critically ill patients. Very‐low‐carbohydrate diets have been shown to improve glucose control and the inflammatory response. We aimed to determine the effects of a eucaloric ketogenic diet (EKD) enriched with ω‐3 fatty acids (O3KD) on glucose levels and inflammation in mice with endotoxemia.MethodsAdult mice were fed 1 of 3 diets (control diet [CD], EKD, or O3KD). After 4 weeks, each group received saline or Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally during the postprandial (PPP) or postabsorptive (PAP) periods. Blood glucose was measured at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL) 6 were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Distribution of serum fatty acids was determined by gas liquid chromatography. Hepatic expression of genes involved in inflammation, as well as glucose and lipid metabolism, were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsDuring the PPP, glucose curves were comparable among the experimental groups. During the PAP, EKD showed a more pronounced increase in glucose levels at the first hour after LPS challenge compared with the CD‐LPS group. During the PAP, IL6 was lower in O3KD‐LPS compared with CD‐LPS and EKD‐LPS groups. These differences disappeared in the PPP. Similarly, TNF‐α was lower in the O3KD‐LPS group compared with the EKD‐LPS group. The O3KD significantly increased the serum levels of the ω‐3 eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids and decreased the ω‐6 arachidonic acid.ConclusionAn O3KD leads to reduced inflammation and maintains glucose homeostasis in mice with endotoxemia.
MicroRNA‐379 inhibits laryngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and invasion through directly targeting TCF‐4
Authors: Wei Jin‐Long , Zhang Liang , Zhao Zhi‐Ming , Zhao Yu‐Zhu , Fu Qiang , Yang Yan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe expression pattern, functions, and detailed regulatory mechanisms of miR‐379 in laryngeal carcinoma remain unknown. In the present study, we aimed to uncover novel potential miR‐379 targets and shed light on its roles in laryngeal carcinoma. The expression level of miR‐379 was measured based on the data obtained from the TCGA database and the cell lines. After miR‐379 mimic transfection, cell proliferation, invasion and migration assay, and wound‐healing assay in HEp‐2 cell line were implemented to evaluate the effects of miR‐379 on laryngeal carcinoma in vitro. The target genes for miR‐379 in silico were predicted and validated using luciferase reporter assay. The miR‐379 expression level was reduced in laryngeal carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Moreover, miR‐379 overexpression inhibited the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of laryngeal carcinoma cells. TCF‐4 was detected as a direct target of miR‐379 in laryngeal carcinoma. Furthermore, restored TCF‐4 expression rescued the inhibitory roles of miR‐379 overexpression on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.Our study for the first time demonstrated that miR‐379/TCF‐4 might involve in the progression of laryngeal carcinoma, and miR‐379 appears to serve as a novel tumor suppressor in laryngeal carcinoma.
Is Portal Inflow Modulation Always Necessary for Successful Utilization of Small Volume Living Donor Liver Grafts?
Authors: Soin Arvinder Singh , Yadav Sanjay Kumar , Saha Sujeet Kumar , Rastogi Amit , Bhangui Prashant , Srinivasan Thiagarajan , Saraf Neeraj , Choudhary Narendra S. , Saigal Sanjeev , Vohra Vijay 
Published: August 2019

Although the well‐accepted lower limit of the graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio (GRWR) for successful living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remains 0.80%, many believe grafts with lower GRWR may suffice with portal inflow modulation (PIM), resulting in equally good recipient outcomes. This study was done to evaluate the outcomes of LDLT with small‐for‐size grafts (GRWR <0.80%). Of 1321 consecutive adult LDLTs from January 2012 to December 2017, 287 (21.7%) had GRWR <0.80%. PIM was performed (hemiportocaval shunt [HPCS], n = 109; splenic artery ligation [SAL], n = 14) in 42.9% patients. No PIM was done if portal pressure (PP) in the dissection phase was <16 mm Hg. Mean age of the cohort was 49.3 ± 9.1 years. Median Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score was 14, and the lowest GRWR was 0.54%. A total of 72 recipients had a GRWR <0.70%, of whom 58 underwent HPCS (1 of whom underwent HPCS + SAL) and 14 underwent no PIM, whereas 215 had GRWR between 0.70% and 0.79%, of whom 51 and 14 underwent HPCS and SAL, respectively. During the same period, 1034 had GRWR ≥0.80% and did not undergo PIM. Small‐for‐size syndrome developed in 2.8% patients. Three patients needed shunt closure at 1 and 4 weeks and 60 months. The 1‐year patient survival rates were comparable. In conclusion, with PIM protocol that optimizes postperfusion PP, low‐GRWR grafts can be used for appropriately selected LDLT recipients with acceptable outcomes.
Macrophage HIF‐2α regulates tumor‐suppressive Spint1 in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Susen Rosa M. , Bauer Rebekka , Olesch Catherine , Fuhrmann Dominik C. , Fink Annika F. , Dehne Nathalie , Jain Arpit , Ebersberger Ingo , Schmid Tobias , Brüne Bernhard 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIn solid tumors, tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) commonly accumulate within hypoxic areas. Adaptations to such environments evoke transcriptional changes by the hypoxia‐inducible factors (HIFs). While HIF‐1α is ubiquitously expressed, HIF‐2α appears tissue‐specific with consequences of HIF‐2α expression in TAMs only being poorly characterized. An E0771 allograft breast tumor model revealed faster tumor growth in myeloid HIF‐2α knockout (HIF‐2αLysM−/−) compared with wildtype (wt) mice. In an RNA‐sequencing approach of FACS sorted wt and HIF‐2α
LysM−/− TAMs, serine protease inhibitor,
Kunitz type‐1 (
Spint1) emerged as a promising candidate for HIF‐2α‐dependent regulation. We validated reduced
Spint1 messenger RNA expression and concomitant Spint1 protein secretion under hypoxia in HIF‐2α‐deficient bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) compared with wt BMDMs. In line with the physiological function of Spint1 as an inhibitor of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activation, supernatants of hypoxic HIF‐2α knockout BMDMs, not containing Spint1, were able to release proliferative properties of inactive pro‐HGF on breast tumor cells. In contrast, hypoxic wt BMDM supernatants containing abundant Spint1 amounts failed to do so. We propose that Spint1 contributes to the tumor‐suppressive function of HIF‐2α in TAMs in breast tumor development.
Examining boys’ and girls’ health‐related quality of life from the first to the third year of upper secondary school: A prospective longitudinal study
Authors: Langeland Ingrid Oma , Sollesnes Ragnhild , Nilsen Roy Miodini , Almenning Grethe , Langeland Eva 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimTo examine differences in health‐related quality of life between boys and girls in the first and third years of upper secondary school.DesignProspective longitudinal study.MethodsThe KIDSCREEN‐10 was used to assess health‐related quality of life. Differences in health‐related quality of life over time were estimated using a linear mixed‐effects model for correlated measurements.ResultsIn the first‐year boys (N = 168) and girls (N = 228) reported a mean health‐related quality of life score of 76.3 (SD 10.7) and 69.8 (SD 11.5), respectively. In the third year, the mean health‐related quality of life score for boys and girls was 73.5 (SD 12.4) and 65.7 (SD 13.3), respectively. Boys had a significant decrease in health‐related quality of life mean score of −2.6 and girls a significant decrease of −3.8 (p < .001) over the 3‐year period. There was no significant difference between boys’ and girls’ health‐related quality of life changes (p = .39).