bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new matrikine‐derived peptide up‐regulates longevity genes for improving extracellular matrix architecture and connections of dermal cell with its matrix
Authors: Leroux R. , Ringenbach C. , Marchand T. , Peschard O. , Mondon P. , Criton P. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectiveSkin extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dense and well‐organized structure produced by fibroblasts. This ECM transduces environmental mechano‐signals to cell nucleus through the integrin–actin complex, thus triggering ECM protein syntheses. The aim of this study was to discover a novel peptide, structurally related to dermal matrikines, that promotes syntheses of ECM components.Methods and resultsScreening tests with 120 peptides were carried out by using normal dermal human fibroblasts (HF). As a result, one candidate of interest was isolated, the N‐Prolyl Palmitoyl Tripeptide‐56 Acetate (PP56), which increases collagen and fibronectin productions at gene and/or protein levels. Using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS), a recent and innovative analytical technology, in addition to more traditional techniques, it was showed that two metabolic pathways were significantly modulated: one for collagen production and one for actin. Moreover, this peptide up‐regulated the transcription of Forkhead Box O (FOXO) and sestrin messenger RNAs (mRNA), leading to production of proteins involved into longevity and more recently in collagen production.ResultsResults indicated that this peptide is a potential candidate to improve ECM density and organization in a new way.
EXPLORING THE CONSISTENCY OF HIGHER ORDER RISK PREFERENCES
Authors: Haering Alexander , Heinrich Timo , Mayrhofer Thomas 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis study measures higher order risk preferences and their consistency. We explore the role of country differences, the variation of stakes, and the framing of lotteries. We observe a robust dichotomous pattern of choice behavior in China, the United States, and Germany. The majority of choices are consistent with mixed risk aversion or mixed risk‐loving behavior. We also find this pattern after a 10‐fold increase in the stakes. Finally, our results reveal that this pattern is strengthened if the lotteries are displayed in compound instead of reduced form. In a follow‐up study, we explore potential explanations for this framing effect.
Therapeutic drug monitoring in inflammatory bowel disease reduces unnecessary use of infliximab with substantial associated cost‐savings
Authors: Wu Yang , Lin Brian , Thilakanathan Cynthuja , Lehmann Patritica , Xuan Wei , Mohsen Waled , Toong Catherine , Williams Astrid‐Jane , Ng Watson , Connor Susan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundTherapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of infliximab (IFX) levels in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients can help to guide dose adjustments or changes to therapy for selected patients in remission or with secondary loss of response (LOR).AimsTo determine how IFX TDM is utilised in a real‐life clinical setting and to quantify the potential for TDM to reduce the unnecessary use of IFX.MethodsData from all public IBD IFX level testing performed across Australia were prospectively collected from June 2016 to July 2017 to assess physician‐reported for testing indications (induction, in remission or LOR) and associated results. The hypothetical influence of IFX TDM was based on an optimal therapeutic range of 6–10 mg/L for mucosal healing.ResultsSecondary LOR (reactive TDM) was the most common indication for TDM. These patients have consistently lower median IFX levels: 3.02 mg/L (IQR 1.14–6.67 mg/L) versus 5.22 mg/L (IQR 2.70–8.12 mg/L), P = 0.0001 compared with patients in remission (proactive TDM). TDM helped to identify unnecessary use of IFX in 30.6% of the TDM tests performed in luminal Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis patients, with an associated drug cost saving of $531.38 per IFX TDM test episode. Unnecessary IFX use was identified in 38.9% (96/247) of reactive IFX TDM tests performed and in 19.3% (35/181) of proactive testing.ConclusionUse of both reactive and proactive IFX TDM is cost‐effective for IBD management as it informs the clinician where unnecessary use of IFX can be stopped.
Respiratory acute discharge service: a hospital in the home programme for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (RADS study)
Authors: Samaranayake Chinthaka B. , Neill Jane , Bint Michael 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory Acute Discharge Service (RADS) is a novel early discharge service with nurse‐led community based recovery in selected patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.AimThis pilot study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of the programme in an Australian tertiary hospital.MethodsAll patients who were recruited to RADS at Sunshine Coast University Hospital over a 6 months period from June to November 2018 were included. The co‐primary outcomes were length of hospital days saved and rate of readmission within 30 days from discharge.ResultsA total of 166 patients (median age 74 years (interquartile range 70–80 years)) was recruited to the programme over the study period. The mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%) of the patients was 42% (standard deviation 19). The median length‐of‐stay prior to discharge on the RADS programme was 1 day (range 0–5), compared to a previous average of 5.8 days in our health service. Patients were on the programme for a median of 4 days (range 1–6). A total of 613 hospital bed days was saved over the study period, with significant cost savings. Forty‐one (24.7%) patients represented to hospital within 30 days, the majority (64%) were due to recurrent symptoms. The rate of 30‐day all‐cause mortality for the study population was 1 (0.6%).ConclusionEarly supported discharge care model with nurse‐led community based recovery after an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in selected patients is safe, and has the potential to provide greater flow through the hospital systems with cost effective care.
Approaches to use the WHO respiratory syncytial virus surveillance platform to estimate disease burden
Authors: Pebody Richard , Moyes Jocelyn , Hirve Siddhivinayak , Campbell Harry , Jackson Sandra , Moen Ann , Nair Harish , Simões Eric A. F. , Smith Peter G. , Wairagkar Niteen , Zhang Wenqing 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe World Health Organization (WHO) recently completed the first phase of a RSV surveillance pilot study in fourteen countries (two to three in each WHO region) building on the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). This active surveillance strategy had several objectives including understanding RSV‐related health burden in a variety of settings. A range of approaches can be used to estimate disease burden; most approaches could not be applied by participating countries in the WHO surveillance pilot. This article provides the recommendations made by WHO for strengthening and expanding the scope of the RSV surveillance in the next phase to enable burden estimation.
Long‐term clinical outcomes from real‐world experience of left atrial appendage exclusion with LARIAT device
Authors: Parikh Valay , Bartus Krzysztof , Litwinowicz Radoslaw , Turagam Mohit K. , Sadowski Jerzy , Kapelak Boguslaw , Bartus Magdalena , Podolec Jakub , Brzezinski Maciej , Musat Dan , Rasekh Abdi , Mittal Suneet , Cheng Jie , Badhwar Nitish , Lee Randall , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundLeft atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with LARIAT has emerged as one of the alternatives to oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Our aim was to study long‐term outcomes in patients undergoing LARIAT procedure.MethodsWe analyzed patients screened for LARIAT device in four centers between December 2009 and June 2012. Out of these, patients who didn't undergo LAAC with the LARIAT device due to unfavorable LAA morphology and other preprocedural contraindications were included in control group. We analyzed thromboembolism, bleeding events, and mortality between LAA and control group.ResultsAbout 153 patients were screened. Out of these, 108 (70.6%) patients underwent LARIAT placement (LAA arm) and 45 (29.4%) excluded patients were included in control arm. There were no differences in CHADS2 and CHA2DS2‐VASc score. Mean HAS‐BLED score was significantly higher in the LARIAT group (3.5 ± 1.06 vs 3.09 ± 1.22, P = .04). Mean follow‐up time (in years) was 6.56 ± 0.84 in LAA and 6.5 ± 1.26 in control arm. During follow‐up period, the LARIAT group was associated with significantly less thromboembolic events (1.9% vs 24%, P < .001), bleeding events (9.2% vs 24.4%, P = .03), and mortality (5.6% vs 20%, P = .01) as compared with the control group.ConclusionsLong‐term data from routine clinical practice from our study suggests that LAA exclusion with LARIAT device is an effective treatment in management of nonvalvular AF patients with high risk of stroke, bleeding, and mortality. Further randomized trials, such as aMAZE, will provide more insight in this expanding field.
The characteristics and risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease without cirrhosis
Authors: Tobari Maki , Hashimoto Etsuko , Taniai Makiko , Kodama Kazuhisa , Kogiso Tomomi , Tokushige Katsutoshi , Yamamoto Masakazu , Takayoshi Nishino , Satoshi Katagiri , Tatsuo Araida 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackground and AimWe evaluated the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who had non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) without cirrhosis.MethodsWe prospectively followed NAFLD patients at our University hospital. NAFLD was diagnosed from detection of steatosis by histology or imaging, no alcohol intake, and exclusion of other liver diseases. Cirrhosis was defined by histological features, imaging data, and symptoms. We compared NAFLD‐related HCC with or without cirrhosis and non‐cirrhotic NAFLD with or without HCC.ResultsThere were 48 non‐cirrhotic HCC patients and 71 cirrhotic HCC patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that other than liver function factors, male gender (OR: 5.603, 95%CI: 1.577–19.900), light drinker (OR: 2.797, 95%CI: 1.031–7.589), and tumor size (OR: 1.031, 95%CI 1.009–1.055) differ significantly between these two groups. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the non‐cirrhotic HCC group than the cirrhotic HCC group, with risk factors being des‐γ‐carboxy prothrombin and the number of HCCs. The non‐cirrhotic HCC group showed significantly better survival because of absence of non‐cancerous liver failure. Comparison between non‐cirrhotic NAFLD patients with or without HCC (n = 612) revealed the following risk factors for HCC: male gender (OR: 7.774, 95%CI: 2.176–27.775), light drinker (OR: 4.893, 95%CI: 1.923–12.449), and high FIB4 index (OR 2.634, 95%CI: 1.787–3.884).ConclusionIn patients with non‐cirrhotic NAFLD, important risk factors for HCC were male gender, alcohol consumption, and the FIB4 index. HCC recurrence and survival were only influenced by the tumor stage. We should be aware of alcohol consumption as a modifiable risk factor for HCC.
Association of amniotic fluid sludge with preterm labor and histologic chorioamnionitis in pregnant Japanese women with intact membranes: A retrospective study
Authors: Yasuda Shun , Tanaka Masayo , Kyozuka Hyo , Suzuki Satoshi , Yamaguchi Akiko , Nomura Yasuhisa , Fujimori Keiya 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimThe presence of amniotic fluid sludge has been identified as a risk factor for preterm birth. We sought to validate the clinical characteristics of amniotic fluid sludge in Japanese pregnant women with preterm labor and intact membranes.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 54 patients. The presence of amniotic fluid sludge was confirmed using transvaginal ultrasonography data during pregnancy. The following data were collected: gestational age, the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis, time from the diagnosis of threatened premature labor to delivery, oncofetal fibronectin (onfFN) levels, C‐reactive protein peak value levels, cervical length at the time of onset of threatened premature labor and types of neonatal complications.ResultsSignificant differences (P = 0.03) were observed in the age at delivery in relation to the presence of amniotic sludge: delivery occurred at 28.3 ± 4.5 weeks and 31.7 ± 4.3 weeks in sludge positive patients and sludge‐negative patients, respectively. Presence of sludge in patients diagnosed with histological chorioamnionitis at <37 weeks of gestation differed significantly (P = 0.01): sludge‐positive, 81.8%; sludge‐negative, 20.9%. Among the sludge‐positive patients, 100% were positive for serum onfFN (≥50 ng/mL), whereas only 54% of sludge‐negative patients were positive for serum onfFN (P = 0.03). Presence of amniotic fluid sludge did not significantly affect neonatal complications.ConclusionOur results confirmed previous findings that amniotic fluid sludge is a self‐determining risk factor for preterm birth and chorioamnionitis in pregnant Japanese women.
Phenolic compounds from nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) inhibit the endocannabinoid-modulating enzyme fatty acid amide hydrolase
Authors: El-Alfy Abir T , Abourashed Ehab A , Patel Christina , Mazhari Nunmoula , An HeaRe , Jeon Andrew 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objectives
The study aimed to identify nutmeg compounds that indirectly interact with the endocannabinoid system through inhibition of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) enzymes.

Methods
Thirteen compounds were screened for FAAH and MAGL inhibition. Compounds demonstrating significant FAAH inhibition were evaluated to determine the halfmaximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). The most potent compound was investigated in the elevated plus maze (EPM) rodent anxiety model.

Key findings
Three compounds, licarin A (9), 5′-methoxylicarin A (8) and malabaricone C (6) were most active in inhibiting FAAH with IC50 of 7.02 μm ± 2.02, 4.57 μm ± 0.66 and 38.29 μm ± 6.18, respectively. None of the purified compounds showed significant MAGL inhibition. Because of its relative high potency and selectivity, compound 8 was further evaluated in the EPM animal model of anxiety. The compound showed significant increase in number of open arm entries (P &lt; 0.05) when administered at 120 mg/kg dose. No effect was observed on the locomotor activity.

Conclusions
Results collected introduce active nutmeg compounds as potential leads for further development. Of the three compounds, 8 possesses highest potency and FAAH selectivity as well as anxiolytic activity. Furthermore, in vivo testing in appropriate behavioural animal paradigms is warranted.
Genetic diversity of Cedrela fissilis (Meliaceae) in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest reveals a complex phylogeographic history driven by Quaternary climatic fluctuations
Authors: Mangaravite Érica , da Silveira Thamyres C. , Huamán‐Mera Alexander , de Oliveira Luiz O. , Muellner‐Riehl Alexandra N. , Schnitzler Jan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractQuaternary climatic fluctuations have shaped the geographic distribution of lineages, potentially affecting the demography, genetic structure, and patterns of genetic diversity of extant species. Different phylogeographic scenarios have been proposed for plants in neotropical cloud forests during the Last Glacial Maximum based on paleoecological data: the dry refugia hypothesis (DRH) and the moist forest hypothesis. We specifically focus on the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF) range of Cedrela fissilis (Meliaceae), sampling 410 specimens from 50 localities. Our study combines analyses of the genetic diversity, phylogeographic patterns, and past geographic distributions with a particular focus on highland populations. We identified 283 alleles across the 11 microsatellite loci, ranging from 18 to 33 alleles per locus, distributed across five genetic groups. Most populations of C. fissilis from the BAF exhibited a diffuse genetic structure, reflected in low pairwise FST values, which could be the consequence of high gene flow. In addition, the plastid data showed a connection between the western, southern, and eastern populations in the North‐East of Brazil, but no association between genetic data and elevation was observed. Habitat suitability projections over the past 140 000 years showed less fragmentation relative to the present, indicating a higher connectivity and gene flow. Our results provide support for both the moist forest as well as the DRH, suggesting that most likely, a mixture of these processes has acted through space and time.
Disentangling observer error and climate change effects in long‐term monitoring of alpine plant species composition and cover
Authors: Futschik Andreas , Winkler Manuela , Steinbauer Klaus , Lamprecht Andrea , Rumpf Sabine B. , Barančok Peter , Palaj Andrej , Gottfried Michael , Pauli Harald 
Published: October 2019

AbstractQuestionsLong‐term programs monitoring the impact of climate change on alpine vegetation necessarily involve changing observers. We aim at quantifying observer errors and ask if the signal of alpine vegetation transformation due to climate change exceeds pseudo‐changes caused by observer errors.LocationTwo mountain regions in the Alps, Schrankogel and Hochschwab (both Austria), and one in the High Tatra Mountains (Slovakia).MethodsVascular plant species presence and cover were recorded on 10–12 1‐m2 plots by 13–14 observers per site. Observer errors were calculated as species turnover, and deviations of species cover and the plot thermic vegetation indicator (which is correlated with temperature) from the mean over all observers. Observer errors in estimating species cover were split into a random and systematic part. The influence of plot and species characteristics on observer errors was investigated using (generalized) linear mixed‐effect models. Changes over time from three surveys in species turnover, cover and the thermic vegetation indicator were related to the amount of observer error using a bootstrap approach.ResultsSpecies cover was the most influential factor affecting observer errors in recording species lists and in species cover estimation. Plot attributes and observer identity had a weak but significant influence on errors in the thermic vegetation indicator. Systematic errors in estimating species cover were ≤5%. Changes over time in estimating species cover, as well as in species turnover and the thermic vegetation indicator exceeded observer errors in all cases where the observation period was ≥10 years.ConclusionsThe thermic vegetation indicator, which combines species composition and cover with species’ elevational distributions, provides a reliable estimate of warming‐related vegetation changes. Our results underline the importance of long‐term monitoring and long observation periods, which enable us to account for short‐term fluctuations and observer errors alike.
Taxonomic status of fish parasites in Kenyan inland water systems and their significance on the freshwater fisheries and aquaculture productivity within the region
Authors: Kibet Caroline Jepkorir , Donde Oscar Omondi , Okwiri Brian , Otachi Elick Onyango 
Published: October 2019

AbstractFish are a resource with great economic, nutritional and recreational benefits to humans on a global scale. In Kenya, fish represent an important source of food and income through trade and employment to many communities. In fact, fish are an important alternative source of animal protein, especially in famine‐tolerant arid and semi‐arid regions such as Turkana, Marsabit, Pokot and Baringo Counties, where annual drought periodically hampers traditional livestock keeping destitute. Kenya freshwater fishes have remained vulnerable to a variety of parasites and related diseases. Approximately 119 fish parasites have been reported in the country, with about 83 being identified to species level and 35 to genus level. Out of the reported parasites, 77% were detected in wild fish, 8% in farm fish and 15% in both wild and farmed fish. The parasites identified by various studies include protozoa (7), myxozoa (7), nematode (20), monogenean (33), digenean (16), cestoda (15), acanthocephalan (6) and crustacean (15). The highly commercialized fishes, such as Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus, harbour the highest number of parasites, which greatly hinder fisheries and aquaculture productivity through retarded growth, mechanical damages, reduced reproduction rates and increased mortality of the fish hosts. Thus, there is need for adequate information on the taxonomy and ecology of these parasites as a basis for developing appropriate management and policies to control them. This review article is meant to provide an overview of the distribution, occurrence of fish parasites and their impacts on inland water fisheries and aquaculture in Kenya, while also highlighting the available gaps warranting further studies, with the goal of developing appropriate and accurate control measures to improve the region's fisheries and aquaculture productivity and food security.
Differential gene expression during substrate probing in larvae of the Caribbean coral Porites astreoides
Authors: Walker Nia S. , Fernández Rosa , Sneed Jennifer M. , Paul Valerie J. , Giribet Gonzalo , Combosch David J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe transition from larva to adult is a critical step in the life history strategy of most marine animals. However, the genetic basis of this life history change remains poorly understood in many taxa, including most coral species. Recent evidence suggests that coral planula larvae undergo significant changes at the physiological and molecular levels throughout the development. To investigate this, we characterized differential gene expression (DGE) during the transition from planula to adult polyp in the abundant Caribbean reef‐building coral Porites astreoides, that is from nonprobing to actively substrate‐probing larva, a stage required for colony initiation. This period is crucial for the coral, because it demonstrates preparedness to locate appropriate substrata for settlement based on vital environmental cues. Through RNA‐Seq, we identified 860 differentially expressed holobiont genes between probing and nonprobing larvae (p ≤ .01), the majority of which were upregulated in probing larvae. Surprisingly, differentially expressed genes of endosymbiotic dinoflagellate origin greatly outnumbered coral genes, compared with a nearly 1:1 ratio of coral‐to‐dinoflagellate gene representation in the holobiont transcriptome. This unanticipated result suggests that dinoflagellate endosymbionts may play a significant role in the transition from nonprobing to probing behaviour in dinoflagellate‐rich larvae. Putative holobiont genes were largely involved in protein and nucleotide binding, metabolism and transport. Genes were also linked to environmental sensing and response and integral signalling pathways. Our results thus provide detailed insight into molecular changes prior to larval settlement and highlight the complex physiological and biochemical changes that occur in early transition stages from pelagic to benthic stages in corals, and perhaps more importantly, in their endosymbionts.