bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dock2 in the development of inflammation and cancer
Authors: Chen Yayun , Meng Fan , Wang Bingyu , He Liangmei , Liu Yangbin , Liu Zhiping 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAn atypical guanine exchange factor, Dock2 is specifically expressed in hematopoietic cells and regulates activation and migration of immune cells through activating Ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (Rac). Dock2 was shown to be critical in the development of various inflammatory diseases, including allergic diseases, HIV infection, and graft rejection in organ transplantation. DOCK2 mutation in infants was recently identified to be associated with T and B cell combined immunodeficiency. Furthermore, Dock2 is involved in host protection during enteric bacterial infection and is also associated with the proliferation of cancer cells. It was also shown that patients with digestive tract cancer had high frequency mutation of DOCK2. This review summarizes the latest research progresses on the role of Dock2 for the development of various inflammatory diseases and cancers, and discusses the potential application of Dock2 modulators for patient treatment.
Possible association between Helicobacter pylori infection and vocal fold leukoplakia
Authors: Chen Min , Chen Jian , Yang Yue , Cheng Lei , Wu Hai‐Tao 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundSeveral studies have indicated the larynx as possible Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) reservoirs. This study explored the association between H. pylori and vocal fold leukoplakia.MethodsThe case‐control study involved 51 patients with vocal fold leukoplakia and 35 control patients with vocal polyps. Helicobacter pylori was detected in tissues by the rapid urease test, nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and single‐step PCR. The H. pylori‐specific immunoglobulin antibodies were detected in plasma by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsHelicobacter pylori‐positive rate of vocal fold leukoplakia and vocal polyps was 23.5% versus 11.4% (P = .157), 37.2% versus 14.3% (P = .020), 27.5% versus 8.6% (P = .031), and 70.6% versus 68.6% (P = .841) detected by rapid urease test, nested PCR, single‐step PCR, and ELISA, respectively. Regression analysis indicated that H. pylori infection (P = .044) was the independent risk factor for vocal fold leukoplakia.ConclusionHelicobacter pylori infection exists in the larynx and may be associated with vocal fold leukoplakia.
Measuring Crop Water Requirement and Crop Coefficient for Blue Panic Crop Under Arid Conditions Using Draining Lysimeters
Authors: Ismail Saleh M. , El‐Nakhlawy Fathy S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPrevious research results of Blue Panic (Panicum antidotale Retz) in arid conditions under different irrigation methods proved an increase in forage yield and water productivity (WP) under full and water stress conditions. However, a thorough search in the literature revealed that its water requirement has not yet been determined. Therefore the objective of this research was to measure evapotranspiration (ETc) and crop coefficient (Kc) for a Blue Panic crop under arid conditions. Four draining lysimeters constructed in Jeddah (21° 48′ 3′′ N, 39° 43′ 25′′ E) were used to measure its ETc and Kc under a plentiful water supply. Results revealed that ETc varied from 141 mm in the first harvest to 292 mm in the sixth, with an average of 225 mm per harvest. The Kc value was different from one harvest to another. The average Kc over all harvests was 0.7, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.0 for the initial, development, midseason and late stages, respectively. Average fresh and dry forage yields per harvest were 30.5 and 12.6 t ha−1, respectively. Average WP was 55 kg ha−1 mm−1. The predicted ETc based on the measured crop coefficient value and ET0 show a good fit between measured and calculated ETc. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inside Front Cover: Combining hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics to assess and interpret the effects of environmental stressors on zebrafish eye images at tissue level (J. Biophotonics 3/2018)
Authors: Olmos Víctor , Marro Mònica , Loza‐Alvarez Pablo , Raldúa Demetrio , Prats Eva , Padrós Francesc , Piña Benjamin , Tauler Romà , de Juan Anna 
Published: March 2018

Raman images were used to study the effect of the contaminant chlorpyriphos‐oxon on zebrafish eye samples. Multivariate Curve Resolution‐Alternating Least Squares (MCR‐ALS) was used to obtain the distribution maps and spectral signatures of biological components present in the images analyzed. The use of MCRALS spectral signatures as starting information for Partial Least Squares‐Discriminant Analysis allowed statistical assessment of the effect of the contaminant at a specific tissue level.Further details can be found in the article by Víctor Olmos et al. (e201700089).
image
Back Cover: Protein secondary structure analysis of dried blood serum using infrared spectroscopy to identify markers for colitis screening (J. Biophotonics 3/2018)
Authors: Titus Jitto , Ghimire Hemendra , Viennois Emilie , Merlin Didier , Unil Perera A. G. 
Published: March 2018

Protein secondary structural alteration in the serum sample as induced by colitis has been demonstrated via the spectral fitting. Using DSS mouse models of acute colitis and IL10‐/‐ for chronic colitis, a significant difference in the integral ratio of Gaussian energy bands representing α‐helix and β‐pleated sheet structures were obtained.Further details can be found in the article by Jitto Titus et al. (e201700057).
image
Experiments and modelling of a biotrickling filter (BTF) for removal of styrene from airstreams
Authors: Gąszczak Agnieszka , Bartelmus Grażyna , Burghardt Andrzej , Rotkegel Adam , Sarzyński Rafał 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDStudies on the removal of styrene from airstreams carried out in pilot‐scale biotrickling filters (BTF) are still scarce thus making its industrial application difficult. Moreover, it seems necessary to develop a comprehensive description of the phenomena occurring in the bioreactor that could be used as a tool for BTF design and performance prediction.RESULTSThe removal of styrene from airstreams in a pilot‐scale biotrickling filter (BTF) inoculated with Pseudomonas sp. E‐93486 bacteria was investigated (operational parameters: = 100–150 m3 h−1, = 8 m3 h−1, = 0.2–1 g−3, EBRTs = 41–62 s, T = 303 K). The experiments performed during a period of more than 120 days confirmed high effectiveness of the examined process; RE = 78–94.2% was obtained for all the sets of operational parameters.The experimental database was exploited to validate the three mathematical models of the process. All the tested models approximate very well the experimental data; the mean percentage error of the RE value prediction did not exceed 3%.CONCLUSIONThe formulated approximate simple one‐substrate model (SOSM) described the investigated process with excellent accuracy (eY = 2.72%) and was numerically relatively simple. Therefore, this model was recommended as a useful tool for modelling the biodegradation processes of moderately hydrophobic compounds carried out in a BTF. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Application of a thermostable Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase for the synthesis of branched polyester precursors
Authors: Delgove Marie AF , Elford Matthew T , Bernaerts Katrien V , De Wildeman Stefaan MA 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDIt is widely accepted that the poor thermostability of Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases limits their use as biocatalysts for applied biocatalysis in industrial applications. The goal of this study was to investigate the biocatalytic oxidation of 3,3,5‐trimethylcyclohexanone using a thermostable cyclohexanone monooxygenase from Thermocrispum municipale (TmCHMO) for the synthesis of branched ϵ‐caprolactone derivatives as building blocks for tuned polymeric backbones. In this multi‐enzymatic reaction, the thermostable cyclohexanone monooxygenase was fused to a phosphite dehydrogenase (PTDH) in order to ensure co‐factor regeneration.RESULTSUsing reaction engineering, the reaction rate and product formation of the regio‐isomeric branched lactones were improved and the use of co‐solvents and the initial substrate load were investigated. Substrate inhibition and poor product solubility were overcome using continuous substrate feeding regimes, as well as a biphasic reaction system with toluene as water‐immiscible organic solvent. A maximum volumetric productivity, or space–time‐yield, of 1.20 g L‐1 h‐1 was achieved with continuous feeding of substrate using methanol as co‐solvent, while a maximum product concentration of 11.6 g L‐1 was achieved with toluene acting as a second phase and substrate reservoir.CONCLUSIONThese improvements in key process metrics therefore demonstrate progress towards the up‐scaled Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase‐biocatalyzed synthesis of the target building blocks for polymer application. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Utility of shear‐wave elastography to differentiate low from advanced degrees of liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus infection of native and transplant livers
Authors: Rattansingh Anand , Amooshahi Hosein , Menezes Ravi J , Wong Florence , Fischer Sandra , Kirsch Richard , Atri Mostafa 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the accuracy of shear‐wave elastography (SWE) to differentiate low from advanced degrees of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C patients.Material & MethodConsented native/transplant hepatitis C patients underwent SWE using a C1‐6 MHz transducer before ultrasound (US)‐guided liver biopsy. Five interpretable SWE samples were obtained from the right lobe of the liver immediately before US‐guided random biopsy of the right lobe. Average kilopascal (kPa) values were compared to the meta‐analysis of histological data in viral hepatitis (METAVIR) fibrosis grading. SWE values were correlated with the degree of inflammation and fatty infiltration.ResultsStudy population consisted of 115 patients (63 with transplant, and 52 with native liver) including 29 women and 86 men, with a mean ± SD age of 56 ± 8.7 years. Mean ± SD SWE values were 7.9 ± 3 kPa in 83 patients with METAVIR scores of 0–2 and 13.2 ± 5.9 kPa in 32 patients with METAVIR scores of 3 or 4 (P < .001). Area under curve (AUC) of a Receiver Operating Characteristics curve for advanced degrees of fibrosis was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.90) (P < .001). AUCs of transplant versus native livers (0.78 [CI:0.62, 0.94] versus 0.85 [CI: 0.73, 0.96]), degree of inflammation (0.81 [CI: 0.65, 0.97] versus 0.72 [0.56, 0.88]), or degree of fat deposition (0.81 [CI:0.70, 0.92] versus 0.80 [CI:0.61, 1]) were not statistically different (P > .05). for kPa threshold of SWE value of 10.67 kPa to differentiate advanced from low degree of fibrosis had a sensitivity of 59% (CI: 41%–76%) and specificity of 90% (CI: 82%–96%).ConclusionLiver stiffness evaluated by SWE can differentiate low from advanced liver fibrosis.
Morphological and transcriptomic analyses reveal three discrete primary stages of postembryonic development in the common fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra
Authors: Sanchez Eugenia , Küpfer Eliane , Goedbloed Daniel J. , Nolte Arne W. , Lüddecke Tim , Schulz Stefan , Vences Miguel , Steinfartz Sebastian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe postembryonic development of amphibians has been characterized as divided into three predominant periods, hereafter named primary developmental stages: premetamorphosis (PreM), prometamorphosis (ProM), metamorphic climax (Meta), and completion of metamorphosis (PostM), largely based on examination of anuran development. Here, we categorized the postembryonic development of larvae of a poisonous fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) by integrating morphology and gene expression (transcriptomic) data. Morphological analysis revealed three distinct clusters suggestive of PreM, ProM, and Meta, which were confirmed in parallel by microarray‐derived gene expression analysis. In total, 3,510 probes targeted transcripts differentially expressed between the clusters we identified. Genes upregulated in PreM related to organogenesis, and those upregulated in Meta underlie structural proteins and related to development of anatomical structures and pigmentation. Biosynthesis pathways of pigments (pteridines and melanin) were upregulated during late ProM and Meta. Gas chromatographic analysis of alkaloids indicated the onset of steroidal alkaloid biosynthesis at ProM. When comparing gene expression in the fire salamander to that in other amphibians—three anurans, Xenopus laevis, X. tropicalis, and Michrohyla fissipes, and one caudate, Ambystoma mexicanum— we identified genes with conserved expression patterns involved in basic metamorphic processes such as skin restructuring and tail fin resorption. Our results support that primary stages of postembryonic development in caudates are homologous to those of anurans, and offer a baseline for the study of the evolution of developmental modes.
Gender differences in the use of cardiovascular interventions in HIV‐positive persons; the D:A:D Study
Authors: Hatleberg Camilla I , Ryom Lene , El‐Sadr Wafaa , Mocroft Amanda , Reiss Peter , De Wit Stephane , Dabis Francois , Pradier Christian , d'Arminio Monforte Antonella , Kovari Helen , Law Matthew , Lundgren Jens D , Sabin Caroline A ,   the Data Collection of Adverse Events of Anti‐HIV drugs (D:A:D) Study group
Published: March 2018

AbstractIntroductionThere is paucity of data related to potential gender differences in the use of interventions to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease (CVD) among HIV‐positive individuals. We investigated whether such differences exist in the observational D:A:D cohort study.MethodsParticipants were followed from study enrolment until the earliest of death, six months after last visit or February 1, 2015. Initiation of CVD interventions [lipid‐lowering drugs (LLDs), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), anti‐hypertensives, invasive cardiovascular procedures (ICPs) were investigated and Poisson regression models calculated whether rates were lower among women than men, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsWomen (n = 12,955) were generally at lower CVD risk than men (n = 36,094). Overall, initiation rates of CVD interventions were lower in women than men; LLDs: incidence rate 1.28 [1.21, 1.35] vs. 2.40 [2.34, 2.46]; ACEIs: 0.88 [0.82, 0.93] vs. 1.43 [1.39, 1.48]; anti‐hypertensives: 1.40 [1.33, 1.47] vs. 1.72 [1.68, 1.77] and ICPs: 0.08 [0.06, 0.10] vs. 0.30 [0.28, 0.32], and this was also true for most CVD interventions when exclusively considering periods of follow‐up for which individuals were at high CVD risk. In fully adjusted models, women were less likely to receive CVD interventions than men (LLDs: relative rate 0.83 [0.78, 0.88]; ACEIs: 0.93 [0.86, 1.01]; ICPs: 0.54 [0.43, 0.68]), except for the receipt of anti‐hypertensives (1.17 [1.10, 1.25]).ConclusionThe use of most CVD interventions was lower among women than men. Interventions are needed to ensure that all HIV‐positive persons, particularly women, are appropriately monitored for CVD and, if required, receive appropriate CVD interventions.
Air temperature conditions in northern Nordaustlandet (NE Svalbard) at the end of World War II
Authors: Przybylak Rajmund , Wyszyński Przemysław , Woźniak Marta 
Published: March 2018

This article presents the results of an investigation into air temperature conditions in northern Nordaustlandet (NE Svalbard) based on meteorological observations made by German soldiers towards the end of World War II (1944/1945) and 4 months after its end. Traditional analysis using mean monthly data was supplemented by a detailed analysis based on daily data: maximum temperature, minimum temperature and diurnal temperature range. The latter kind of data made it possible to study such aspects of climate as the number of “characteristic days” (i.e., the number of days with temperatures exceeding specified thresholds), day‐to‐day temperature variability, and duration, onset and end dates of thermal seasons. The results from Nordaustlandet for the warmest period of the early 20th century warming period (ETCWP) were compared with temperature conditions both historical (the end part of the Little Ice Age) and contemporary (different sub‐periods taken from the years 1981–2017) to estimate the range of warming during the ETCWP.Analysis reveals that the expedition year 1944/1945 in Nordaustlandet was, in the majority of months, the warmest of all analysed periods, that is, both historical and contemporary periods. The study period was markedly warmer than 1981–2010 (mean annual −6.5 vs. −8.4 °C) but colder than the periods 2011–2016 (−5.7 °C) and 2014–2017 (−5.8 °C). The majority of mean monthly air temperatures in the ETCWP lies within two standard deviations of the modern 2014–2017 mean. This means that values of air temperature in the study period lie within the range of recent temperature variability. All other thermal characteristics show changes in accordance with expectations associated with general warming of the Arctic (i.e., a decrease in diurnal temperature range and number of cold days, and an increase in number of warm days). The latter days were most common in the ETCWP.
Optimization of ultrasound‐assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) leaves via D‐optimal design and artificial neural network design with categorical and quantitative variables
Authors: Ciğeroğlu Zeynep , Aras Ömür , Pinto Carlos A , Bayramoglu Mahmut , Kırbaşlar Ş İsmail , Lorenzo José M , Barba Francisco J , Saraiva Jorge A , Şahin Selin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe extraction of phenolic compounds from grapefruit leaves assisted by ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) by means of D‐optimal experimental design and artificial neural network (ANN). For this purpose, five numerical factors were selected: ethanol concentration (0–50%), extraction time (15–60 min), extraction temperature (25–50 °C), solid:liquid ratio (50–100 g L−1) and calorimetric energy density of ultrasound (0.25–0.50 kW L−1), whereas ultrasound probe horn diameter (13 or 19 mm) was chosen as categorical factor.RESULTSThe optimized experimental conditions yielded by RSM were: 10.80% for ethanol concentration; 58.52 min for extraction time; 30.37 °C for extraction temperature; 52.33 g L−1 for solid:liquid ratio; 0.457 kW L−1 for ultrasonic power density, with thick probe type. Under these conditions total phenolics content was found to be 19.04 mg gallic acid equivalents g−1 dried leaf.CONCLUSIONThe same dataset was used to train multilayer feed‐forward networks using different approaches via MATLAB, with ANN exhibiting superior performance to RSM (differences included categorical factor in one model and higher regression coefficients), while close values were obtained for the extraction variables under study, except for ethanol concentration and extraction time. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Relapse in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: A histological and molecular analysis
Authors: Molina André S. , Duprat Neto João P. , Bertolli Eduardo , da Cunha Isabela W. , Fregnani José H.T.G. , Figueiredo Pedro H.M. , Soares Fernando A. , Macedo Mariana P. , Pinto Lopes Clovis A. , de Abranches Oliveira Santos Filho Ivan D. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundDermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare low grade tumor with a locally aggressive behavior and low metastatic potential.ObjectivesTo evaluate the factors that are associated with relapse in DFSP.Methods Retrospective analysis of medical records from 61 patients with dermatofibrosarcoma. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to detect translocations.ResultsOf 61 patients, 6 experienced a relapse. No patient with resection margins greater than 3 cm had a recurrence. One relapse was observed in a patient treated with at least 2 cm margins and 4 relapses occurred in 16 patients whose margins were below 2 cm (P = 0.018). The frequency of translocations was 77.8%. The recurrence rate was lower in patients with translocation, but this difference was not significant. Immunohistochemical markers did not correlate with recurrence rates, but greater FasL expression was associated with recurrence in patients with margins smaller than 3 cm.ConclusionsSurgical margins smaller than than 2 cm are related to higher recurrences in dermatofibrosarcomas. In this analysis a 2 cm margin was acceptable for treatment. Between all the immunohistochemical markers analyzed, only FasL was associated with a higher recurrence rate in patients with margins smaller than 3 cm.
Laryngeal cancer: Global socioeconomic trends in disease burden and smoking habits
Authors: Ramsey Tam , Guo Eric , Svider Peter F. , Lin Hosheng , Syeda Sara , Raza S. Naweed , Fribley Andrew M. 
Published: March 2018

Objectives/HypothesisTo characterize health burden and determine the associated level of equality of laryngeal carcinoma (LC) burden at a global level.MethodsOne hundred eighty‐four countries were organized by socioeconomic status using Human Development Index (HDI) categorizations provided by the United Nations Development Program. Disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs), obtained from The Global Health Data Exchange, were calculated and compared between each HDI category for the period from 1990 to 2015. Equality of LC burden was then evaluated with concentration indices.ResultsGlobal LC burden, as measured by age‐standardized DALYs, has improved significantly over the 25‐year period studied. This burden has declined for very high, high, and medium HDI countries, whereas it has remained unchanged for low HDI countries. The majority of LC global burden was found in high socioeconomic countries before 2010 and has shifted toward low socioeconomic countries, as indicated by concentration indices. Over the last 25 years, Central and Eastern Europe continue to have the largest disease burden in the world.ConclusionThis is the first analysis that we are aware of investigating health disparities of LC at a global level. The global burden of the disease has declined, which is a trend corresponding with significantly reduced smoking behaviors in developed countries. Although the global inequality gap decreased between 2010 and 2015, there remain reasons for concern. Smoking continues to trend upward in low socioeconomic countries, which could increase LC burden in low socioeconomic countries in the near future. A new global initiative directed toward low socioeconomic countries may yield dividends in preventing subsequent disparities in the LC burden.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:2039–2053, 2018