bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of the Bone Vascular Network is Sexually Dimorphic
Authors: Goring Alice , Sharma Aikta , Javaheri Behzad , Smith Rosanna CG , Kanczler Janos M , Boyde Alan , Hesse Eric , Mahajan Sumeet , Olsen Bjorn R , Pitsillides Andrew A , Schneider Philipp , Oreffo Richard OC , Clarkin Claire E 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACT
Osteoblast (OB) lineage cells are an important source of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is critical for bone growth and repair. During bone development, pubertal differences in males and females exist, but little is known about whether VEGF signaling contributes to skeletal sexual dimorphism. We have found that in mice, conditional disruption of VEGF in osteocalcin-expressing cells (OcnVEGFKO) exerts a divergent influence on morphological, cellular, and whole bone properties between sexes. Furthermore, we describe an underlying sexual divergence in VEGF signaling in OB cultures in vitro independent of circulating sex hormones. High-resolution synchrotron computed tomography and backscattered scanning electron microscopy revealed, in males, extensive unmineralized osteoid encasing enlarged blood vessel canals and osteocyte lacunae in cortical bone after VEGF deletion, which contributed to increased porosity. VEGF was deleted in male and female long bone–derived OBs (OBVEGKO) in vitro and Raman spectroscopic analyses of mineral and matrix repertoires highlighted differences between male and female OBVEGFKO cells, with increased immature phosphate species prevalent in male OBVEGFKO cultures versus wild type (WT). Further sexual dimorphism was observed in bone marrow endothelial cell gene expression in vitro after VEGF deletion and in sclerostin protein expression, which was increased in male OcnVEGFKO bones versus WT. The impact of altered OB matrix composition after VEGF deletion on whole bone geometry was assessed between sexes, although significant differences between OcnVEGFKO and WT were identified only in females. Our results suggest that bone-derived VEGF regulates matrix mineralization and vascularization distinctly in males and females, which results in divergent physical bone traits.
Personal and community factors as predictors of different types of community engagement
Authors: Zanbar Lea , Ellison Nick 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCitizen participation is an important element of local democracy because it increases residents’ influence over local community issues. Using a sample of 494 Israeli participants, this paper examines, for the first time, the unique and combined contribution of personal factors (self‐esteem and mastery) and community factors (years of activity, knowledge of local services, trust in leaders, community commitment, and community belonging) to the explanation of the variance in each of two types of community engagement: development and planning, and activism and advocacy. Data analysis included hierarchical regression that examined all variables and possible interactions among them. The results indicate that mastery and the community variables, except for years of activity, predict both types of engagement. Interestingly, knowledge of services negatively predicts both, while trust in leaders also predicts both types of engagement, but in opposite directions. In conclusion, the paper considers how these findings might inform community work interventions.
Role of microRNA‐26a in cartilage injury and chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis rats by regulating expression of CTGF
Authors: Jiang Liangde , Cao Shuai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study is carried out to investigate the role of microRNA‐26a (miR‐26a) in cartilage injury and chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis in rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by regulating expression of CTGF. A rat model of RA induced by type II collagen was established. The rats were assigned into normal, RA, RA + mimics negative control (NC), and RA + miR‐26a mimics groups, and the cells were classified into blank, mimics NC, and miR‐26a mimics groups. The degree of secondary joint swelling and arthritis index, expression of miR‐26a, pathological changes, proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes, and expression of CTGF, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, Bax, and Bcl‐2 were also determined through a series of experiments. The targeting relationship between miR‐26a and CTGF was verified. Initially, downregulated miR‐26a was found in cartilage tissues and inflammatory articular chondrocytes of RA rats. In addition, CTGF was determined as a direct target gene of miR‐26a, and upregulation of miR‐26a inhibited CTGF expression in cartilage tissues of RA rats. Furthermore, upregulation of miR‐26a reduced swelling and inflammation of joints, inhibited cartilage damage, apoptosis of chondrocytes, inflammatory injury, promotes proliferation, and inhibited apoptosis of inflammatory articular chondrocytes, which may be correlated with the targeting inhibition of CTGF expression. Collectively, the results demonstrate that upregulating the expression of miR‐26a could attenuate cartilage injury, stimulate the proliferation, and inhibit apoptosis of chondrocytes in RA rats.
Long noncoding RNA SNHG12 indicates the prognosis of prostate cancer and accelerates tumorigenesis via sponging miR‐133b
Authors: Cheng Gong , Song Zhengshuai , Liu Yuenan , Xiao Haibing , Ruan Hailong , Cao Qi , Wang Keshan , Xiao Wen , Xiong Zhiyong , Liu Di , Chen Ke , Zhang Xiaoping 
Published: July 2019

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of death among American men. Increasing evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in tumorigenesis of PCa. In this study, we explored the biological functions of small nucleolar RNA host gene 12 (SNHG12) and investigated the interaction between miR‐133b and SNHG12 in the progression of PCa. Data was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Human Cancer Metastasis Database, and clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed with relapse‐free survival rate. We detected SNHG12 expression level in PCa cells and tissues, and then analyzed its clinical significance, which revealed that SNHG12 has the potent to predict prognosis of PCa. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that SNHG12 was closely related to the progression of PCa and could target candidate microRNA (miR‐133b). After transfecting SNHG12 silencing plasmid and miR‐133b mimic/sponge, biological function assays were conducted and results illustrated that SNHG12 associated with miR‐133b exerted biological effects on cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. Direct interactions between miR‐133b and SNHG12 have been found and SNHG12 acts as an oncogene to promote tumorigenesis of PCa by sponging tumor suppressor gene miR‐133b.
Simultaneous removal of sulfur and nitrogen compounds with methane production from concentrated latex wastewater in two bioreactor zones of micro‐oxygen hybrid reactor
Authors: Su‐ungkavatin Pimchanok , Thongnueakhaeng Wikanda , Chaiprasert Pawinee 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDA micro‐oxygen hybrid reactor (MOHR), a two‐zone reactor with suspended sludge zone (SZ) and attached biofilm zone (AZ) at its lower and upper parts respectively, was applied to simultaneously remove sulfur and nitrogen compounds with methane production from concentrated latex wastewater with high concentrations of sulfate (1200 mg L−1) and ammonium (235 mg L−1). Microbial community structures coupled with microbial activities were analyzed and discussed for clarifying relationships of microorganisms in both zones of the MOHR.RESULTSThe operating dissolved oxygen in the MOHR was controlled at 0.10–0.15 and 0.05 mg L−1 in the SZ and AZ respectively at various loading rates (LRs) and hydraulic retention times (HRTs). The average optimal overall performances of the MOHR for sulfate (SO42−), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies were 90.3, 67.8 and 93.0% respectively at HRT 10 days. Elemental sulfur and nitrogen gas were evaluated as major end‐products at 90.2 and 67.9% respectively, with 0.27 L CH4 g−1 CODremoved of methane selectivity. The genera Desulfobulbus and Dongia as well as Thiobacillus denitrificans served as dominant microorganisms in biological sulfate removal. The largest abundance belonged to denitrifying microorganisms with nitrous oxide reductase (nosZ) as target gene.CONCLUSIONThe MOHR achieved high performance in simultaneous removal of sulfur and nitrogen compounds along with methane production at HRT 10 days. Microorganisms involved in sulfur and nitrogen compound removal processes were more prevalent in the SZ than in the AZ, whereas methanogenic activity was higher in the AZ than in the SZ. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Russula swatica: A new species of Russula based on molecular, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy analyses from Swat Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan
Authors: Sarwar Samina , Aziz Tanzeela , Hanif Muhammad , Ilyas Sobia , Shaheen Shabnum 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHimalayan range of Pakistan is one of the diversity rich hotspots of the world. Many areas are yet to be explored here to discover new species of organisms including fungi. During present research, Swat District of Pakistan was explored for fungal diversity. One new species of mushroom Russula swatica (Russulales) is described from Himalayan range of Pakistan and analyzed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy as well as by molecular markers. A comprehensive description, photographs, and comparisons with morphologically similar and phylogenetically related species are provided. Conclusions of its phylogenetic relationships within the genus are provided based on the sequence of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer region.
Neuropsychological attributes of urea cycle disorders: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Waisbren Susan E. , Stefanatos Arianna K. , Kok Teresa M. Y. , Ozturk‐Hismi Burcu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractUrea cycle disorders (UCDs) are rare inherited metabolic conditions that impair the effectiveness of the urea cycle responsible for removing excess ammonia from the body. The estimated incidence of UCDs is 1:35 000 births, or approximately 113 new patients with UCD per year. This review summarizes neuropsychological outcomes among patients with the eight UCDs in reports published since 1980. Rates of intellectual disabilities published before (and including) 2000 and after 2000 were pooled and compared for each UCD. Since diagnoses for UCDs tended to occur earlier and better treatments became more readily available after the turn of the century, this assessment will characterize the extent that current management strategies have improved neuropsychological outcomes. The pooled sample included data on cognitive abilities of 1649 individuals reported in 58 citations. A total of 556 patients (34%) functioned in the range of intellectual disabilities. The decline in the proportion of intellectual disabilities in six disorders, ranged from 7% to 41%. Results from various studies differed and the cohorts varied with respect to age at symptom onset, age at diagnosis and treatment initiation, current age, severity of the metabolic deficiency, management strategies, and ethnic origins. The proportion of cases with intellectual disabilities ranged from 9% to 65% after 2000 in the seven UCDs associated with cognitive deficits. Positive outcomes from some studies suggest that it is possible to prevent or reverse the adverse impact of UCDs on neuropsychological functioning. It is time to “raise the bar” in terms of expectations for treatment effectiveness.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound for the Directionality of Testicular Rotation and the Degree of Spermatic Cord Twist in Pediatric Patients With Testicular Torsion
Authors: Hosokawa Takahiro , Takahashi Hiroaki , Tanami Yutaka , Sato Yumiko , Ishimaru Tetsuya , Tanaka Yujiro , Kawashima Hiroshi , Oguma Eiji , Yamada Yoshitake 
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US) to diagnose the directionality of testicular rotation and the degree of spermatic cord twist in pediatric patients with testicular torsion.MethodsA retrospective review of 14 pediatric patients with testicular torsion was conducted. The directionality of testicular rotation was classified as an inner or outer direction (inner, counterclockwise in the left testis [viewed from below] and clockwise in the right testis; and outer, counterclockwise in the right testis and clockwise in the left testis). The Clopper‐Pearson method and the Fisher exact, Mann‐Whitney U, and Wilcoxon signed rank sum tests were used for the statistical analyses.ResultsThe diagnostic accuracy of US in the directionality of testicular rotation and the degree of spermatic cord twist were 78.6% (11 of 14; 95% confidence interval, 49.2%–95.3%) and 36.4% (4 of 11; 95% confidence interval, 10.9%–69.2%), respectively. Outer rotation was seen in 50.0% of the cases. The directionality of testicular rotation and the degree of spermatic cord twist as determined by US were not significantly different between the patients with salvaged testis and those with testicular loss (inner/outer direction, 4/2 versus 4/4; P = .627; mean twist ± SD, 330.0° ± 73.5° versus 337.5° ± 115.4°; P > .999). There was no significant difference in the degree of spermatic cord twist determined by US and surgical results (343.0° ± 97.1° versus 458.2° ± 168.2°; P = .063).ConclusionsThe accuracy of US in determining the directionality of testicular rotation was relatively high in our small cohort. This information may be useful for pediatric surgeons and urologists when performing early manual reduction for testicular torsion.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Presenting as Auditory Neuropathy Hearing Disorder in a Child
Authors: Tobia Amjad , Khayr Ranin , Shpak Talma , Peleg Caroline , Genizi Jacob , Khnifes Riyad , Borissovsky Nina , Luntz Michal 
Published: July 2019

Otologic manifestations are known to occur in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), but the occurrence of sensorineural hearing loss, especially in pediatric populations, has been addressed in only a few reports. Here, we describe a pediatric patient who presented with IIH and severe bilateral hearing loss. The patient's hearing loss was diagnosed as a form of auditory neuropathy (AN) and resolved after prompt treatment of the increased intracranial pressure. This case points to a possible association between IIH and AN and suggests that IIH may potentially be a reversible cause of AN spectrum disorder.Laryngoscope, 129:E407–E411, 2019
Pregnancy Does Not Increase the Risk of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Lee Sang‐Yeon , Lee Suk Woo , Kong Il Gyu , Oh Dong Jun , Choi Hyo Geun 
Published: July 2019

Objectives/HypothesisPregnancy‐induced systemic physiological changes appear to be associated with reversible hearing changes in pregnant/postpartum women. However, most studies are case reports due to the rare occurrence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) during pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the risk of SSNHL during the pregnancy and postpartum periods.Study DesignA longitudinal case‐control study using a nationwide population cohort.MethodsUsing the Korean National Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we collected data from 63,331 pregnant/postpartum participants who were matched 1:2 by age, income, region of residence, and medical history with 126,662 control participants. We included participants who had International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD‐10) codes indicating delivery (O80–O84). For SSNHL (ICD‐10 code H91.2), we included only those participants who underwent audiometry and were treated with steroids. The incidence of SSNHL was measured for the periods corresponding to pregnancy (conception through delivery) up to 1 year postpartum in the pregnant participants.ResultsDuring the pregnancy period, the SSNHL rate was not higher (19.5 per 100,000) compared with the control group (60.7 per 100,000). The adjusted odds ratio of SSNHL during pregnancy was 0.32 (95% confidence interval: 0.16‐0.65, P = .002). The SSNHL rate during the postpartum period (37.9 per 100,000) was similar to that of the control group (36.3 per 100,000). The adjusted odds ratio of SSNHL during the postpartum period was 1.04 (95% confidence interval: 0.64‐1.71, P = .867). The risk of SSNHL in the patients during the pregnancy/postpartum period was not higher than that in controls, regardless of age and specific subperiod.ConclusionsThe pregnant and postpartum women were not at higher risk of SSNHL.Level of EvidenceNALaryngoscope, 130:E237–E242, 2020
Hospital volume and failure to rescue after vestibular schwannoma resection
Authors: Andresen Nicholas S. , Gourin Christine G. , Stewart C. Matthew , Sun Daniel Q. 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundComplication rates in many complex surgical procedures are associated with the volume of procedures performed.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between hospital volume and complications, mortality, and failure to rescue (FTR) rates in patients undergoing vestibular schwannoma (VS) surgery.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThe Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify 44,336 patients who underwent VS surgery in 1995–2011. Annual case volumes were stratified by quintiles and defined as very low (≤5 cases/year), low (6–12 cases/year) medium (13–22 cases/year), high (23–37 cases/year), and very high‐volume (≥38 cases/year).Main Outcomes and MeasuresRelationships between hospital volume and in‐hospital mortality, postoperative complications, as well as FTR rates, defined as death after a major complication, were examined using multivariate regression analysis.ResultsPostoperative medical and surgical complications occurred in 5.4% and 14.6% of cases, respectively, and did not differ significantly across volume quintiles. In‐hospital mortality decreased with increasing hospital volume, with an incidence of 1.4% for hospitals in the lowest volume quintile compared to 0.1% for hospitals in the top volume quintile. After controlling for all other variables, the odds of in‐hospital mortality were lower for medium (OR = 0.19 [0.04–0.93]) and very high‐volume hospitals (OR = 0.07 [0.01–0.53]), but not high‐volume hospitals (OR = 0.43 [0.05–3.77]). There was no association between hospital volume and the odds of postoperative surgical complications. FTR was associated with hospital volume, with decreasing odds for medium‐volume (OR = 0.15 [0.02–0.93]), high‐volume (OR = 0.17 [0.04–0.74]), and very high‐volume (OR = 0.07 [0.04–0.74]) hospitals.ConclusionsHospital volume does not appear to be associated with complication rates but is associated with decreased likelihood of FTR after VS surgery.Level of EvidenceNALaryngoscope, 130:1287–1293, 2020
Porous Microstructured Surfaces with pH‐Triggered Antibacterial Properties
Authors: del Campo Adolfo , Echeverría Coro , San Martín Miguel , Cuervo‐Rodríguez Rocío , Fernández‐García Marta , Muñoz‐Bonilla Alexandra 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNew antibacterial films are designed with the capability to reversibly regulate their killing and repelling functions in response to variations in environmental pH. These systems consist of porous polystyrene surfaces as the main components and a copolymer bearing pH‐sensitive thiazole and triazole groups as the minor components. These pH‐sensitive groups, located on the surfaces, can be partially protonated at acidic pH levels, increasing the positive charge density of the surfaces and their antibacterial activity. Similarly, their bacterial adhesion and killing efficiencies in response to changes in pH are evaluated by analyzing the bacterial viability of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the surfaces under acidic and neutral pH values. It is demonstrated that after only 1 h of incubation with the bacterial suspension in acidic conditions, the surfaces killed the bacteria, while at pH = 7.4, some of the adhered bacteria are removed. Furthermore, the surface topography exerts an important role by intensifying this response.
Novel Features of 9‐Methylene‐9H‐thioxanthene (MTAE) in Living Anionic Polymerization
Authors: Chang Shuang , Han Li , Ma Hongwei , Bai Hongyuan , Li Cun , Liu Pibo , Yang Lincan , Shen Heyu , Li Chao , Zhang Songbo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractFor this study, a new epithio‐1,1‐diphenylethylene (DPE) derivative, namely, 9‐Methylene‐9H‐thioxanthene (MTAE), is synthesized, and its copolymerization reactions are investigated, showing distinctive features in living anionic copolymerization. At room temperature and hydrocarbon solvents, MTAE cannot be copolymerized with styrene (St) but can be copolymerized with 1,4‐divinylbenzene (DVB), forming a linear alternating copolymer. Based on this finding, ter‐polymerization of MTAE, DVB and St is conducted to generate a special alternating structure. Additionally, MTAE is found to exhibit fairly high reactivity in copolymerization with Isoprene (Ip) under the same conditions. An alternating sequence of alt‐MTAE/Ip containing high trans‐geometric Ip content (76% of trans‐1,4) and a di‐block sequence of alt‐MTAE/Ip‐b‐Ip are easily obtained. Its experimental reactivity ratio with Ip is investigated via the in situ 1H NMR method (rIp
= 0.28), and the corresponding kinetic behaviors and sequence structure are elucidated. Finally, the origin of the effect of MTAE on the isomerism of Ip during chain propagation is investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and it is found that the bridge sulfur atom in MTAE interacts strongly with living species. This special finding provides a novel approach for the sequence regulation, precise functionalization, and stereo‐structure control in living anionic polymerization originating from monomer structure design.