bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Haemin attenuates intermittent hypoxia‐induced cardiac injury via inhibiting mitochondrial fission
Authors: Han Qian , Li Guihua , Ip Mary SiuMan , Zhang Yuelin , Zhen Zhe , Mak Judith ChoiWo , Zhang Nuofu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) characterized by intermittent hypoxia (IH) is closely associated with cardiovascular diseases. IH confers cardiac injury via accelerating cardiomyocyte apoptosis, whereas the underlying mechanism has remained largely enigmatic. This study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms involved in the IH‐induced cardiac damage performed with the IH‐exposed cell and animal models and to investigate the protective effects of haemin, a potent haeme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) activator, on the cardiac injury induced by IH. Neonatal rat cardiomyocyte (NRC) was treated with or without haemin before IH exposure. Eighteen male Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into three groups: control group, IH group (PBS, ip) and IH + haemin group (haemin, 4 mg/kg, ip). The cardiac function was determined by echocardiography. Mitochondrial fission was evaluated by Mitotracker staining. The mitochondrial dynamics‐related proteins (mitochondrial fusion protein, Mfn2; mitochondrial fission protein, Drp1) were determined by Western blot. The apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and heart sections was examined by TUNEL. IH regulated mitochondrial dynamics‐related proteins (decreased Mfn2 and increased Drp1 expressions, respectively), thereby leading to mitochondrial fragmentation and cell apoptosis in cardiomyocytes in vitro and in vivo, while haemin‐induced HO‐1 up‐regulation attenuated IH‐induced mitochondrial fragmentation and cell apoptosis. Moreover, IH resulted in left ventricular hypertrophy and impaired contractile function in vivo, while haemin ameliorated IH‐induced cardiac dysfunction. This study demonstrates that pharmacological activation of HO‐1 pathway protects against IH‐induced cardiac dysfunction and myocardial fibrosis through the inhibition of mitochondrial fission and cell apoptosis.
Down‐regulation of PKM2 enhances anticancer efficiency of THP on bladder cancer
Authors: Su Qiongli , Tao Ting , Tang Lei , Deng Jun , Darko Kwame Oteng , Zhou Sichun , Peng Mei , He Shanping , Zeng Qing , Chen Alex F. , Yang Xiaoping 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) regulates the final step of glycolysis levels that are correlated with the sensitivity of anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs. THP is one of the major drugs used in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer instillation chemotherapy. However, low response ratio of THP (19.7%) treatment to human genitourinary tumours using collagen gel matrix has been observed. This study aims to investigate the effect of down‐regulation of PKM2 on THP efficiency. Via inhibitor or siRNA, the effects of reduced PKM2 on the efficiency of THP were determined in 2 human and 1 murine bladder cancer cell lines, using MTT, cologenic and fluorescence approaches. Molecular mechanisms of PKM2 on THP sensitization were explored by probing p‐AMPK and p‐STAT3 levels via WB. Syngeneic orthotopic bladder tumour model was applied to evaluate this efficiency in vivo, analysed by Kaplan‐Meier survival curves, body and bladder weights plus immunohistochemistric tumour biomarkers. PKM2 was overexpressed in bladder cancer cells and tissues, and down‐regulation of PKM2 enhanced the sensitivity of THP in vitro. Activation of AMPK is essential for THP to exert anti‐bladder cancer activities. On the other hand, down‐regulating PKM2 activates AMPK and inhibits STAT3, correlated with THP sensitivity. Compared with THP alone (400 μmol L−1, 50 μL), the combination with metformin (60 mmol L−1, 50 μL) stopped growth of bladder cancer completely in vivo (combination group VS normal group P = .078). Down‐regulating the expression of PKM2 enhances the anticancer efficiency of THP. This study provides a new insight for improving the chemotherapeutic effect of THP.
The role of the dermatologist in Raynaud's phenomenon: a clinical challenge
Authors: Matucci‐Cerinic C. , Nagaraja V. , Prignano F. , Kahaleh B. , Bellando‐Randone S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRaynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a functional vascular disorder involving extremities. In his practice, the dermatologist may frequently encounter RP which affects mainly women and is categorized into a primary benign form and a secondary form associated with different diseases (infections, drugs, autoimmune and vascular conditions, haematologic, rheumatologic and endocrinologic disorders). Still today, the differential diagnosis is a clinical challenge. Therefore, a careful history and a physical examination, together with laboratory tests and nailfold capillaroscopy, is mandatory. RP is generally benign, but a scheduled follow‐up for primary RP patients should be established, due to risk of evolution to secondary RP. A combination of conservative measures and medications can help in the management of RP. The importance of avoiding all potential physical, chemical and emotional triggers, as well as quitting smoking, should be strongly suggested to the patient. As first‐line treatment, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers should be used. If this approach is not sufficient, prostacyclin derivatives, phosphodiesterases inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists can be considered as second‐line treatment. In cases of acute ischaemia, nifedipine and intravenous prostanoids are helpful. In refractory cases, botulinum injections have shown a significant benefit. The approach to the RP patients requires therefore a coordinated care of specialists together with the primary care physician.
Evaluation of water diffusivity in wheat hydration (Triticum spp): Isothermal and periodic operation
Authors: Mattioda Fernanda , Jorge Luiz Mario de Matos , Jorge Regina Maria Matos 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this study, kinetic and diffusivity of water in the isothermal and periodic hydration of the BRS220 wheat cultivar, were investigated. The isothermal hydration tests were carried out for 600 min at 30, 40, 50, and 60 °C. The periodic operation experiments were performed considering the temperature of 40 °C. The periodic hydration of 20 °C amplitude, which was performed in 40‐min periods, was more efficient in comparison with the isothermal at 40 °C, since the former presented 84% moisture absorption in Phase I of the hydration, and increased the diffusion coefficient (D) in 26.7%. The diffusion model and the generalized equation presented good fit to the experimental data, with p values from 1.28 to 3.04% and RMSE from 5.28 × 10−2 to 12.5 × 10−2%. The hydration tests with colorants indicated that the water enters the wheat grain through the micropyle and then through the grain pericarp, by capillarity.Practical applicationsThis research presents kinetics and water diffusivity in isothermal and periodic hydration of wheat. Periodic hydration is efficient compared to isothermal hydration due to the increased water absorption rate in the grain. This influences directly the reduction of time and energy savings of the industrial process. The results presented can be used by industries interested in increasing the efficiency of grain processing with lower energy expenditure. In addition, this work reveals the water uptake behavior inside the wheat grain, which until now has not been in depth presented in previous literature.
WILL THE “TRUE” LABOR SHARE STAND UP? AN APPLIED SURVEY ON LABOR SHARE MEASURES
Authors: Mućk Jakub , McAdam Peter , Growiec Jakub 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLabor's share of income is a key variable in economics. It plays a leading role in analysis of (in)equality, globalization, technical change, growth theories, etc. Notwithstanding this broad application, there are many different definitions of the labor share. Understanding and synthesizing those differences is the purpose of this applied survey. Empirical measures may vary reflecting the allocation of income components that cannot be directly ascribed to capital or labor. We examine the alternative assumptions made in the literature in this regard and quantify and motivate the resulting discrepancies. Focusing (mostly) on US data, we show that different measures can have very distinct properties in terms of the observed stochastic trends, shares of short‐, medium‐, and long‐run variation and volatilities, persistence and mean‐reversion properties, and susceptibility to structural breaks. For instance, while “short‐run” properties of the surveyed labor share measures are relatively consistent across all definitions (and countercyclical), their “medium‐” and “long‐run” trends may diverge substantially (and are procyclical). To substantiate our analysis, we document the implications of discrepancies in the empirical labor share definition for growth accounting, analyzing the effect of technology shocks, and for estimating inflation dynamics.
Treatment as Prevention for Hepatitis C (TraP Hep C) – a nationwide elimination programme in Iceland using direct‐acting antiviral agents
Authors: Olafsson S. , Tyrfingsson T. , Runarsdottir V. , Bergmann O. M. , Hansdottir I. , Björnsson E. S. , Johannsson B. , Sigurdardottir B. , Fridriksdottir R. H. , Löve A. , Hellard M. , Löve T. J. , Gudnason T. , Heimisdottir M. , Gottfredsson M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA nationwide programme for the treatment of all patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) was launched in Iceland in January 2016. By providing universal access to direct‐acting antiviral agents to the entire patient population, the two key aims of the project were to (i) offer a cure to patients and thus reduce the long‐term sequelae of chronic hepatitis C, and (ii) to reduce domestic incidence of HCV in the population by 80% prior to the WHO goal of HCV elimination by the year 2030. An important part of the programme is that vast majority of cases will be treated within 36 months from the launch of the project, during 2016–2018. Emphasis is placed on early case finding and treatment of patients at high risk for transmitting HCV, that is people who inject drugs (PWID), as well as patients with advanced liver disease. In addition to treatment scale‐up, the project also entails intensification of harm reduction efforts, improved access to diagnostic tests, as well as educational campaigns to curtail spread, facilitate early detection and improve linkage to care. With these efforts, Iceland is anticipated to achieve the WHO hepatitis C elimination goals well before 2030. This article describes the background and organization of this project. Clinical trial number: NCT02647879.
Camera‐trapping provides insights into adult sex ratio variability in felids
Authors: Anile Stefano , Devillard Sebastien 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Adult sex ratio (ASR) plays a pivotal role in many ecological processes, such as population dynamics in time and space, extinction risk and reproductive success, but few patterns in the variability in ASR have been found across species. Due to the socio‐spatial structure and polygynous mating system found in felids, ASR is expected to be female‐biased in felids in a finite area; however, ASR is also commonly found to be either balanced or male‐biased in this taxonomic group. Therefore, investigating ecological correlates of the pattern of ASR variability in felids is of prime importance both for a better understanding of evolutionary ecology and for a more evidence‐based conservation of these threatened taxa.

The aim of this review was to investigate whether the expected female‐biased ASR occurs in felids, and whether ASR is influenced by the size of the study area, the species’ body mass and the population density, taking into account the species‐specific home‐range requirements.

We reviewed the camera‐trapping literature on felids to build a large global multi‐species data set on ASR variation. We used general linear mixed models to investigate ecological correlates of ASR.

In small study areas, the ASR was balanced for all species, but in large areas the ASR was female‐biased for large and medium cats and male‐biased for small cats; sampling designs that are unsuitable for small cats (due to ‘gaps’ within the trapping grid) might explain this latter finding. Moreover, in large study areas, an increase in cat density was associated with more females, whereas in small areas the reverse was true.

Our study provides a scientifically sound background for management and conservation actions of these flagship‐threatened taxa of carnivores, by indicating the importance of the study area on ASR in felids. Large areas can promote the recovery of large and medium cats, as more females can be hosted.
Testing a Goodwin model with general capital accumulation rate
Authors: Grasselli Matheus R. , Maheshwari Aditya 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe perform econometric tests on a modified Goodwin model where the capital accumulation rate is constant but not necessarily equal to one as in the original model (Goodwin, ). In addition to this modification, we find that addressing the methodological and reporting issues in Harvie () leads to remarkably better results, with near perfect agreement between the estimates of equilibrium employment rates and the corresponding empirical averages, as well as significantly improved estimates of equilibrium wage shares. Despite its simplicity and obvious limitations, the performance of the modified Goodwin model implied by our results show that it can be used as a starting point for more sophisticated models for endogenous growth cycles.
An Emissary from Berlin: Franz Boas and the Smithsonian Institution, 1887–88
Authors: Penaloza Patzak Brooke 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEthnographic objects in museums are physical evidence of the networks through which they circulate and manifestations of the scientific terrain as inscribed by those networks. Combined with archival documentation of their intra‐institutional circulations, these objects can also aid in the reconstruction of the historical development of science. This avenue of research offers a new perspective that brings object collections into dialogue with the history of science and highlights the under‐realized research value of the millions of objects that lie tucked away in collections storage. This article focuses on the first transaction of ethnographic material between the Königliche Museum für Völkerkunde in Berlin and the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Washington, D.C. Reconstructing the contexts and networks through which a particular accession came to reside in theNMNH, this research documents the process by which material exchange promoted international communication between practitioners in the emerging science of ethnology. [exchange networks, Franz Boas, Berlin, Washington, D.C.]
Childhood asthma and smoking exposures before conception—A three‐generational cohort study
Authors: Bråbäck Lennart , Lodge Caroline J. , Lowe Adrian J. , Dharmage Shyamali C. , Olsson David , Forsberg Bertil 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundSome human and animal studies have recently shown that maternal grandmother's smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of asthma in the grandchildren. We have investigated whether sex of the exposed parent and/or grandchild modifies the association between grandmaternal smoking and grandchild asthma.MethodsWe formed a cohort study based on linkage of national registries with prospectively collected data over three generations. Smoking habits in early pregnancy were registered since 1982 and purchases of prescribed medication since 2005. In all, 10 329 children born since 2005 had information on maternal and grandmaternal smoking on both sides and were followed from birth up to 6 years of age. Ages when medication was purchased were used to classify the cohort into never, early transient (0‐3 years), early persistent (0‐3 and 4‐6 years), and late‐onset (4‐6 years) phenotypes of childhood asthma.ResultsMaternal grandmother's smoking was associated with an increased odds of early persistent asthma after adjustment for maternal smoking and other confounders (odds ratio 1.29, 95% confidence interval 1.10‐1.51). Grandchild sex did not modify the association. Paternal grandmother's smoking was not associated with any of the asthma phenotypes.ConclusionMaternal but not paternal exposure to nicotine before conception was related to an increased risk of early persistent childhood asthma, but not other asthma phenotypes. Our findings are possibly consistent with a sex‐specific mode of epigenetic transfer.
Mereological Nihilism and Puzzles about Material Objects
Authors: Rettler Bradley 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMereological nihilism is the view that no objects have proper parts. Despite how counter‐intuitive it is, it is taken quite seriously, largely because it solves a number of puzzles in the metaphysics of material objects – or so its proponents claim. In this article, I show that for every puzzle that mereological nihilism solves, there is a similar puzzle that (a) it doesn’t solve, and (b) every other solution to the original puzzle does solve. Since the solutions to the new puzzles apply just as well to the old puzzles, the old puzzles provide no motivation to be a mereological nihilist.
New data, same story: phylogenomics does not support Syrphoidea (Diptera: Syrphidae, Pipunculidae)
Authors: PAULI THOMAS , BURT TREVOR O. , MEUSEMANN KAREN , BAYLESS KEITH , DONATH ALEXANDER , PODSIADLOWSKI LARS , MAYER CHRISTOPH , KOZLOV ALEXEY , VASILIKOPOULOS ALEXANDROS , LIU SHANLIN , ZHOU XIN , YEATES DAVID , MISOF BERNHARD , PETERS RALPH S. , MENGUAL XIMO 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe Syrphoidea (families Pipunculidae and Syrphidae) has been suggested to be the sister group of the Schizophora, the largest species radiation of true flies. A major challenge in dipterology is inferring the phylogenetic relationship between Syrphoidea and Schizophora in order to understand the evolutionary history of flies. Using newly sequenced transcriptomic data of Syrphidae, Pipunculidae and closely related lineages, we were able to fully resolve phylogenetic relationships of Syrphoidea using a supermatrix approach with more than 1 million amino acid positions derived from 3145 genes, including 19 taxa across nine families. Platypezoidea were inferred as a sister group to Eumuscomorpha, which was recovered monophyletic. While Syrphidae were also found to be monophyletic, the superfamily Syrphoidea was not recovered as a monophyletic group, as Pipunculidae were inferred as sister group to Schizophora. Within Syrphidae, the subfamily Microdontinae was resolved as sister group to the remaining taxa, Syrphinae and Pipizinae were placed as sister groups, and the monophyly of Eristalinae was not recovered. Although our results are consistent with previously established hypotheses on Eumuscomorphan evolution, our approach is new to dipteran phylogeny, using larger‐scale transcriptomic data for the first time for this insect group.
Recurrent bacterial pneumonia due to immunoglobulin G2 subclass deficiency after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Efficacy of immunoglobulin replacement
Authors: Yamazaki Rie , Kikuchi Taku , Kato Jun , Sakurai Masatoshi , Koda Yuya , Hashida Risa , Yamane Yusuke , Abe Ryohei , Hasegawa Naoki , Okamoto Shinichiro , Mori Takehiko 
Published: March 2018

AbstractImmunoglobulin (Ig) G2 subclass deficiency is known to be associated with recurrent bacterial respiratory infections caused by capsulated bacteria. We encountered a case of recurrent pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). IgG2 subclass level was specifically low, and prophylactic Ig replacement successfully prevented subsequent infections. However, the cessation of Ig replacement resulted in subsequent pneumonia. These findings suggested that IgG2 deficiency could be a cause of recurrent pneumococcal infection after allogeneic HSCT.
Direct‐acting antivirals and hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in co‐infected HBV/HCV kidney‐transplant recipients
Authors: Pol Stanislas , Marion Olivier , Vallet‐Pichard Anaïs , Meritet Jean‐François , Sauné Karine , Alric Laurent , Kamar Nassim 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDirect‐acting agents (DAAs) are highly efficient at treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections after kidney transplantation. Although drug agencies have recently warned of the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation after patients have received DAAs, reports have discrepant results in HBsAg‐positive and HBsAg‐negative patients. We report on 3 cases of HBV reactivation that were detected after achieving a DAA‐associated sustained virological response in 3 kidney‐transplant recipients initially HBsAg‐negative. In the first case, retrospective virological analysis revealed that HBsAgs had become positive and HBV DNA was detectable before initiating DAA therapy. In the second and third cases, HBV reactivation occurred 2 months and more than 1 year after stopping anti‐HCV therapy. These cases underline the discrepancies and highlight the need for comprehensive information before making definitive conclusions regarding the causal link between DAAs and HBV reactivation.
Organ donor screening practices for Strongyloides stercoralis infection among US organ procurement organizations
Authors: Abanyie Francisca A. , Valice Emily , Delli Carpini Kristin W. , Gray Elizabeth B. , McAuliffe Isabel , Chin‐Hong Peter V. , Handali Sukwan , Montgomery Susan P. , Huprikar Shirish 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundTargeted donor screening for strongyloidiasis performed at the time of organ procurement can prevent this life‐threatening donor‐derived infection.MethodThe Association of Organ Procurement Organizations surveyed members to determine the number of US organ procurement organizations (OPOs) performing donor screening for Strongyloides infection and their screening practices.ResultsAll 58 OPOs responded to the survey. Only 6 (10%) currently screen donors for strongyloidiasis; most OPOs started 6‐36 months before the survey and one started 6 years prior. All used risk‐based criteria to determine which donors to screen, though the criteria varied among OPOs. A median of 56 donors have been screened at each OPO since initiating their screening programs, with a median of 2 infected donors (range 0‐13) identified. Overall, 53 organs have been transplanted from 22 infected donors, including hearts, lungs, kidneys, and livers. Of 52 OPOs not currently screening, 20 had considered screening and one plans to start screening in the near future. Of those considering risk‐based screening, most had not decided on the criteria. Uncertainty about the benefits of and guidelines for screening and misconceptions about the interpretation of test results were concerns shared by non‐screening OPOs.ConclusionContinued education and advocacy on the importance of targeted donor screening are needed.