bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography to Indocyanine Green Angiography and Slit Lamp Photography for Corneal Vascularization in an Animal Model
Authors: Stanzel Tisha P. , Devarajan Kavya , Lwin Nyein C. , Yam Gary H. , Schmetterer Leopold , Mehta Jodhbir S. , Ang Marcus 
Published: July 2018

AbstractCorneal neovascularization (CoNV) could be treated by novel anti-angiogenic therapies, though reliable and objective imaging tools to evaluate corneal vasculature and treatment efficacy is still lacking. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) –currently designed as a retinal vascular imaging system— has been recently adapted for anterior-segment and showed good potential for successful imaging of CoNV. However, further development requires an animal model where parameters can be studied more carefully with histological comparison. Our study evaluated the OCTA in suture-induced CoNV in a rabbit model compared to indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and slit-lamp photography (SLP). Overall vessel density measurements from OCTA showed good correlation with ICGA (0.957) and SLP (0.992). Vessels density by OCTA was higher than ICGA and SLP (mean = 20.77 ± 9.8%, 15.71 ± 6.28% and 17.55 ± 8.36%, respectively, P < 0.05). OCTA was able to depict CoNV similarly to SLP and ICGA, though it could better detect small vessels. Moreover, the depth and growth of vessels could be assessed using en-face and serial-scans. This study validated the OCTA in a rabbit model as a useful imaging tool for translational studies on CoNV. This may contribute to further studies on OCTA for anterior-segment including serial evaluation of emerging anti-angiogenic therapies.
Galectin-1 Restricts Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Motility Via Modulating Adhesion Force and Focal Adhesion Dynamics
Authors: Tsai Min-Shao , Chiang Ming-Tsai , Tsai Dong-Lin , Yang Chih-Wen , Hou Hsien-San , Li Yi-Ru , Chang Po-Chiao , Lin Heng-Huei , Chen Huan-Yuan , Hwang Ing-Shouh , Wei Pei-Kuen , Hsu Chiao-Po , Lin Kuo-I , Liu Fu-Tong , Chau Lee-Young 
Published: July 2018

AbstractVascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration play a key role in the development of intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is a redox-sensitive β-galactoside-binding lectin expressed in VSMCs with intracellular and extracellular localizations. Here we show that VSMCs deficient in Gal-1 (Gal-1-KO) exhibited greater motility than wild type (WT) cells. Likewise, Gal-1-KO-VSMC migration was inhibited by a redox-insensitive but activity-preserved Gal-1 (CSGal-1) in a glycan-dependent manner. Gal-1-KO-VSMCs adhered slower than WT cells on fibronectin. Cell spreading and focal adhesion (FA) formation examined by phalloidin and vinculin staining were less in Gal-1-KO-VSMCs. Concomitantly, FA kinase (FAK) phosphorylation was induced to a lower extent in Gal-1-KO cells. Analysis of FA dynamics by nocodazole washout assay demonstrated that FA disassembly, correlated with FAK de-phosphorylation, was faster in Gal-1-KO-VSMCs. Surface plasmon resonance assay demonstrated that CSGal-1 interacted with α5β1integrin and fibronectin in a glycan-dependent manner. Chemical crosslinking experiment and atomic force microscopy further revealed the involvement of extracellular Gal-1 in strengthening VSMC-fibronectin interaction. In vivo experiment showed that carotid ligation-induced neointimal hyperplasia was more severe in Gal-1-KO mice than WT counterparts. Collectively, these data disclose that Gal-1 restricts VSMC migration by modulating cell-matrix interaction and focal adhesion turnover, which limits neointimal formation post vascular injury.
The Association between Red Blood Cell Distribution Width and Sarcopenia in U.S. Adults
Authors: Kim Junghoon , Im Jeong-Soo , Choi Chang Hyu , Park Chul Hyun , Lee Jae Ik , Son Kuk Hui , Choi Yoon-Hyeong 
Published: July 2018

AbstractOne pathophysiological sign of sarcopenia is chronic inflammation. Given that levels of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) are increased in chronic inflammation, we evaluated the association between increased RDW and sarcopenia among adults in the general U. S. population and analyzed data from 11,761 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2006. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) divided by weight (%) that was less than one standard deviation (SD) below the mean of young adults. The odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) for sarcopenia were calculated across RDW quartiles after adjusting for confounding factors. Elevated RDW levels were significantly associated with sarcopenia after adjusting for age, sex, race, education, household income, smoking, physical activity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin (OR of highest quartile: 1.72 (95% CI: 1.43, 2.06)). Further, in a model stratified by obesity, an elevated RDW was associated with sarcopenia in the overweight and obese group, but not in the normal weight group. Our study shows that elevated RDW is associated with sarcopenia, and this association is particularly strong in people who are overweight and obese.
Blue pigmentation of neustonic copepods benefits exploitation of a prey-rich niche at the air-sea boundary
Authors: Rahlff Janina , Ribas-Ribas Mariana , Brown Scott M. , Mustaffa Nur Ili Hamizah , Renz Jasmin , Peck Myron A. , Bird Kimberley , Cunliffe Michael , Melkonian Katharina , Zappa Christopher J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe sea-surface microlayer (SML) at the air-sea interface is a distinct, under-studied habitat compared to the subsurface and copepods, important components of ocean food webs, have developed key adaptations to exploit this niche. By using automated SML sampling, high-throughput sequencing and unmanned aerial vehicles, we report on the distribution and abundance of pontellid copepods in relation to the unique biophysicochemical signature of the SML. We found copepods in the SML even during high exposure to sun-derived ultraviolet radiation and their abundance was significantly correlated to increased algal biomass. We additionally investigated the significance of the pontellids’ blue pigmentation and found that the reflectance peak of the blue pigment matched the water-leaving spectral radiance of the ocean surface. This feature could reduce high visibility at the air-sea boundary and potentially provide camouflage of copepods from their predators.
Low‐noise heterodyne detection of terahertz waves at room temperature using zero‐biased Fermi‐level managed barrier diode
Authors: Ito H. , Ishibashi T. 
Published: July 2018

A Fermi‐level managed barrier (FMB) diode was used for the heterodyne detection of terahertz waves for the first time. A quasi‐optical module integrating an FMB diode and a broadband trans‐impedance amplifier exhibited an intermediate frequency bandwidth of 11 GHz. A very low noise‐equivalent‐power of 1.1 × 10−18 W/Hz was achieved at ∼300 GHz with a very low local oscillator power of 6 × 10−6 W.
Stellar masses, metallicity gradients, and suppressed star formation revealed in a new sample of absorption selected galaxies
Authors: Rhodin N. H. P. , Christensen L. , Møller P. , Zafar T. , Fynbo J. P. U. 
Published: July 2018

Context. Absorbing galaxies are selected via the detection of characteristic absorption lines which their gas-rich media imprint in the spectra of distant light-beacons. The proximity of the typically faint foreground absorbing galaxies to bright background sources makes it challenging to robustly identify these in emission, and hence to characterise their relation to the general galaxy population.
Aims. We search for emission to confirm and characterise ten galaxies hosting damped, metal-rich quasar absorbers at redshift z < 1.
Methods. We identified the absorbing galaxies by matching spectroscopic absorption -and emission redshifts and from projected separations. Combining emission-line diagnostics with existing absorption spectroscopy and photometry of quasar-fields hosting metal-rich, damped absorbers, we compare our new detections with reference samples and place them on scaling relations.
Results. We spectroscopically confirm seven galaxies harbouring damped absorbers (a 70% success-rate). Our results conform to the emerging picture that neutral gas on scales of tens of kpc in galaxies is what causes the characteristic H I absorption. Our key results are: (I) Absorbing galaxies with log10[M⋆,(M⊙)] ≳ 10 have star formation rates that are lower than predicted for the main sequence of star formation. (II) The distribution of impact parameter with H I column density and with absorption-metallicity for absorbing galaxies at z ∼ 2–3 extends to z ∼ 0.7 and to lower H I column densities. (III) A robust mean metallicity gradient of ⟨Γ⟩ = −0.022 ± 0.001 dex kpc−1. (IV) By correcting absorption metallicities for ⟨Γ⟩ and imposing a truncation-radius at 12 kpc, absorbing galaxies fall on top of predicted mass-metallicity relations, with a statistically significant decrease in scatter.
Auswirkungen der Versteifung des Zeige- bzw. Mittelfingerendgelenkes auf Hand- und Fingerkraft sowie auf die
Druckverteilung
Authors: Mühldorfer-Fodor Marion , Reger Angela , Pillukat Thomas , Mittlmeier Thomas , van Schoonhoven Jörg , Prommersberger Karl-Josef 
Published: July 2018

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Durch die funktionelle Kopplung der Fingergelenke untereinander und den Quadrigaeffekt des Flexor digitorum profundus ist ein verändertes
Greifmuster und damit auch eine veränderte Kraftverteilung der Hand nach Endgelenksversteifung zu vermuten.
Patienten und Methoden Zehn Patienten mit isolierter Endgelenksversteifung des Zeige-(DIP II, n = 2) oder Mittelfingers (DIP III, n = 8) bei
posttraumatischer Arthrose und ohne sonstige pathologische Veränderung beider Hände wurden durchschnittlich 55 (17–121) Monate postoperativ mittels Manugraphie
untersucht. Auf Röntgenaufnahmen des betroffenen Strahls wurde die knöcherne Durchbauung der Arthrodese bestätigt und der Arthrodesenwinkel gemessen. Die
Gesamtkraft und Kraftverteilung der Hand sowie die Kraft jedes Fingers als auch die Kraftverteilung auf die einzelnen Fingerglieder wurden mittels drei
Zylindergrößen bestimmt. Die Kraftverteilung wurde anhand 2D-Graphiken analysiert. Die Ergebnisse der betroffenen Seite wurden mit der gesunden Gegenseite
verglichen. Die Schmerzangaben der Patienten wurden anhand einer visuellen Schmerzskala erfasst.
Ergebnisse Bei den zehn Patienten betrug die durchschnittliche Kraft der betroffenen Hand im Vergleich zur gesunden Gegenseite 93 % beim kleinen, 97 %
beim mittleren und 96 % beim großen Zylinder. Die beiden Patienten mit Arthrodese des DIP II sparten den Zeigefingerstrahl beim Greifen deutlich aus und hatten
eine relativ schwache Gesamtkraft (68/62/68 % für die drei genannten Zylinder). Das Greifmuster aller Finger war verändert.Die acht Patienten mit Versteifung des DIP III erreichten 99/106/103 % Gesamtkraft der Gegenseite. Beim mittleren Zylinder lag sogar die Gesamtkraft von 6 dieser
8 Patienten bei über 100 %. Hinsichtlich der Kraftverteilung zeigte sich eine reduzierte Kraft von Mittel- und Ringfinger und eine größere Kraft an Zeige- und
Kleinfinger. Fünf der 8 Patienten zeigten eine pathologische Lastverteilung innerhalb des Mittelfingers mit auffälliger Druckspitze im versteiften
Endgelenksbereich.Die Arthrodesenwinkel betrugen bei allen zehn Patienten durchschnittlich 6° (0–21°). Schmerzen wurden durchschnittlich mit 1,4 (0–5) in Ruhe und mit 2 (0–8) bei
Belastung angegeben. Ein Einfluss dieser beiden Faktoren auf die Gesamtkraft oder die Kraftverteilung war nicht zu erkennen.
Schlussfolgerung Bei einer Endgelenksarthrodese des Mittelfingers ist die Kraft des betroffenen Strahls reduziert, hinsichtlich der Gesamtkraft wird diese
aber durch eine Adaptation des Zeigefingers, z. T. auch des Kleinfingers weitgehend ausgeglichen. Eine Arthrodese des Zeigefingerendgelenks scheint deutlich
mehr Einfluss auf die Griffkraft und die Kraftverteilung der Hand zu haben, allerdings vermutlich eher durch ein reaktives Aussparen des Zeigefingers als durch
einen rein biomechanischen Effekt.
Influence of a Concentrated Ethylester Compound of n-3 Fatty Acids on Lipids, Platelets and Coagulation in Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Surgery
Authors: Nilsen D W T , Dalaker K , Nordøy A , Østerud B , Ingebretsen O C , Lyngmo V , Almdahl S , Vaage J , Rasmussen K 
Published: July 2018

SummaryTwenty patients accepted for coronary bypass surgery were randomized to receive either a concentrated ethylester compound of n-3 fatty acids, with a daily dose of 3.15 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 1.89 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), or corn oil (controls) in a double blind study, to evaluate the effect on lipids, platelets and coagulation during the pre- and postoperative phase.Only patients with fasting triglyceride (TG) levels ≥1.6 mmol/1 at recruitment were eligible. The study was continued for 5 to 6 months. Surgery was usually performed at mid-intervention. Blood samples were collected during morning hours in fasting subjects, just prior to intervention, preoperatively and at final postoperative follow-up. Moreover, blood loss was accurately accounted for postoperatively.A threefold increase (p = 0.0001) of EPA was noted at pre-and postoperative follow-up. TG-levels were reduced 20 and 39%, respectively, in patients on n-3 fatty acids, reaching statistical significance at end of intervention (p = 0.034). TG-levels in controls remained largely unchanged. In patients on n-3 fatty acids, there was a statistically significant increase in serum total cholesterol preoperatively, but this change was no longer present at completion of the study.No significant changes were noted in platelet function, as judged by bleeding time, collagen induced platelet aggregation and release of TxB2 during aggregation. Parameters of extrinsic coagulation, including phospholipase C-sensitive factor VII (PLC-VII) and extrinsic pathway inhibitor (EPI), also remained essentially unchanged in both groups of patients. However, fibrinogen was significantly reduced in controls (p <0.05) at end of intervention. Moreover, a strong positive correlation was noted between PLC-VII and TG (r = 0.77, p = 0.0001).No significant difference in postoperative bleeding was noted between the two groups of patients.
A Kinetic Model of the Circulatory Regulation of Tissue Plasminogen Activator
Authors: Chandler Wayne L 
Published: July 2018

SummaryA computer simulation was developed to study the regulation of active tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels in plasma by kinetically modeling t-PA secretion, t-PA inhibition by plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), and hepatic clearance of t-PA, PAI-1 and t-PA/PAI-1 complex throughout a simplified human circulatory system. The model indicates that as the active PAI-1 concentration increases, the percent of t-PA in the active form decreases exponentially. Further, the reaction between t-PA and PAI-1 substantially reduces the half-lives of both active factors. By adjusting the t-PA and PAI-1 secretion rates to provide the best fit between simulated and measured circadian variations in t-PA, PAI-1 and complex, the model predicts that the diurnal rhythm in active t-PA levels is principally due to changes in the rate of PAI-1 secretion and not to variations in the t-PA secretion rate. In conclusion, the model predicts that PAI-1 is an important regulator of the concentration, half-life and circadian variation of active t-PA.
On the Role of Calcium in the Acute Release of Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator and von Willebrand Factor from the Rat Perfused Hindleg Region
Authors: Tranquille N , Emeis J J 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe involvement of calcium in the release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and von Willebrand Factor (vWF) from vascular endothelial cells was studied ex vivo using a rat hindleg perfusion system. By adding either platelet-activating factor or bradykinin to the perfusing Tyrode solution, a rapid release of t-PA and vWF was induced. Extracellular calcium was required for the acute release of both glycoproteins as this release was totally abolished in the presence of EGTA. The calcium ionophore A-23187 induced (Ca-dependently) the release of both proteins, suggesting that Ca-influx was also sufficient to induce release. The absence of an effect of the calcium L-type channel blockers, verapamil and diltiazem, and of the calcium channel agonist BAY K-8644, suggested that endothelial voltage-operated calcium channels were not involved in release. Trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist, significantly inhibited the induced release of t-PA and vWF, while the "intracellular calcium antagonist" TMB-8 had no effect. Lanthanum chloride (200 εM) inhibited the induced release of t-PA but not that of vWF. Our results suggest that Ca2+ influx is essential for the release of t-PA and vWF from the perfused rat hindleg.
Effects of Poloxamer 188 on the Assembly, Structure and Dissolution of Fibrin Clots
Authors: Carr Marcus E , Powers P L , Jones Marsha R 
Published: July 2018

SummaryPoloxamer 188, N.F. (RheothRx®), a nonionic block copolymer composed of 2 hydrophilic polyoxyethylene chains connected by a hydrophobic polyoxypropylene chain, normalizes the viscosity of whole blood high in soluble fibrin(ogen) complexes. Normalization may be via a poloxamer 188-induced decrease in fibrin(ogen)-red cell interaction. Our study examined the influences of poloxamer 188 on fibrin assembly and structure. Studies were performed in both purified and plasma systems with a poloxamer 188 concentration range of 0.1-20 mg/ml and specific clotting conditions (fibrinogen 1 mg/ml, thrombin 1 NIH u/ml, pH 7.4 [Tris 0.05 M], ionic strength 0.15 and calcium 5 mM). Fibrin assembly was accelerated in the presence of poloxamer 188. As poloxamer 188 concentration was increased from 0 to 8 mg/ml in plasma: a) the lag phase prior to initial turbidity rise decreased from 25 to <5 s; b) the final gel optical density (OD) increased from 0.65 to 1.28 and c) fiber size (mass/length ratio [ε]) increased from 4.3 to 12.6 × 1013 daltons/cm. Similar results were seen in the purified system with a poloxamer 188 concentration range of 0-8 mg/ml. OD increased from 0.26 to 0.51, and ε increased from 2.3 to 5.3 × 1013 daltons/cm. Above 8 mg/ml, precipitation of fibrinogen was noted in this system. Since large fibrin fibers tend to be degraded more rapidly, possible poloxamer mediated enhancement of r-tPA-mediated clot lysis was investigated. With r-tPA (70 lu/ml) present at the time of clotting, clot lysis in the presence of ploxamer 188 (8 mg/ml) was 50% complete at 1,600 s compared to 2,540 s for the control. Thus, poloxamer 188-induced alterations in fibrin structure and fibrin-cell interactions may explain some of this agent's interesting hemorrheologic and antithrombotic properties.
The Interaction of Fibronectin (fn) with Native, Polymeric Collagen (Collagen Fibres): Comparison with von Willebrand Factor (vWf)-Binding by Collagen
Authors: Cockburn C G , Fitzsimmons C M , Barnes M J 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe binding of fn to collagen (type I) fibres has been found to resemble that of vWf in the following respects: 1. Binding is rapid, specific, saturable, similar at 4 and 37°C, and reduced by increasing ionic strength.2. Binding is not inhibited by native, monomeric collagen, suggesting a multivalent mechanism of interaction.3. Binding of fn occurs to a variety of collagen fragments (after their renaturation and polymerization), including, for example, the collagenase-derived TCA and TCB 3A and lA molecular fragments and the peptides al(I)CB3, 6b, 7 and 8 obtained by cleavage with cyanogen bromide (CB), suggesting a wide distribution of binding sites on the native collagen molecule.4. As judged by the effect of heat-treatment, the native conformation of fn is required.5. Chemical modification indicates the involvement of arginyl residues in collagen and carboxyl groups in fn. However, fn and vWf did not compete with one another in binding to collagen, suggesting the participation of different collagen
arginyl residues in the two interactions.Fn-binding differed from that of vWf in that the former was inhibited by denatured rnonomeric collagen (gelatin). Fn-binding was also inhibited by the fragment TCA in denatured form. The inhibitory activity was lost after chemical modification of arginyl residues in gelatin. Our results suggest that fn binding to collagen fibres and gelatin involves the same widely-distributed spectrum of binding sites.
Immunoreactivity of Tissue Plasminogen Activator and of Its Inhibitor Complexes
Authors: Rånby M , Nguyen G , Scarabin P Y , Samama M 
Published: July 2018

SummaryAn enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on goat polyclonal antibodies against human tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was evaluated. The relative immunoreactivity of tPA in free form and tPA in complex with inhibitors was estimated by ELISA and found to be 100, 74, 94, 92 and 8l% for free tPA and tPA in complex with PAI-1, PAI-2, α2-antiplasmin and C1-inhibitor, respectively. Addition of tPA to PAI-1 rich plasma resulted in rapid and total loss of tPA activity without detectable loss of ELISA response, indicating an immunoreactivity of tPA in tPA/PAI-1 complex of about l00%. Three different treatments of citrated plasma samples (acidification/reneutralization, addition of 5 mM EDTA or of 0.5 M lysine) prior to determination by ELISA all resulted in increased tPA levels. The fact that the increase was equally large in all three cases along with good analytical recovery of tPA added to plasffi, supported the notion that all tPA antigen present in plasma samples is measured by the ELISA. Analysis by ELISA of fractions obtained by gel filtration of plasma from a patient undergoing tPA treatment identified tPA/inhibitor complexes and free tPA but no low molecular weight degradation products of tPA. Determinations of tPA antigen were made at seven French clinical laboratories on coded and randomized plasma samples with known tPA antigen content. For undiluted samples there was no significant difference between the tPA levels found and those known to be present. The between-assay coefficient of variation was 7 to 10%. In conclusion, the ELISA appeared suited for determination of total tPA antigen in human plasma samples.
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1: A New Prognostic Marker in Septic Shock
Authors: Pralong Gerard , Calandra Thierry , Glausef Michel-P , Schellekens Joop , Verhoef Jan , Bachmann Fedor , Kruithof Egbert K O 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe prognostic value of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) in septic shock was investigated in 52 patients with septic shock. The patients had significantly elevated serum PAI-1 levels with respect to the control group (p = 0.002). In patients not having a rapidly fatal underlying disease, PAI-1 was significantly higher in patients dying within a week after onset of shock than in survivors (median PAI-1: 900 and 307 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.001). The analysis of the distribution of PAI-1 levels permitted retrospectively to determine a threshold level of PAI-1 which had prognostic significance. Mortality was 71% in patients with serum PAI-1 above 550 ng/ml, whereas only two patients (6%) having a PAI-1 below 550 ng/ml died within a week.Thus, in patients with septic shock, PAI-1 appears to have a strong predictive value as to mortality. This early marker may help the clinician in identifying a subgroup of patients particularly at risk.