bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perilipin 5 deficiency promotes atherosclerosis progression through accelerating inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress
Authors: Zhou Peng‐Li , Li Min , Han Xin‐Wei , Bi Yong‐Hua , Zhang Wen‐Guang , Wu Zheng‐Yang , Wu Gang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractExcessive plasma triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels promote the progression of several prevalent cardiovascular risk factors, including atherosclerosis, which is a leading death cause. Perilipin 5 (Plin5), an important perilipin protein, is abundant in tissues with very active lipid catabolism and is involved in the regulation of oxidative stress. Although inﬂammation and oxidative stress play a critical role in atherosclerosis development, the underlying mechanisms are complex and not completely understood. In the present study, we demonstrated the role of Plin5 in high‐fat‐diet‐induced atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E null (ApoE−/−) mice. Our results suggested that Plin5 expressions increased in the artery tissues of ApoE−/−mice. ApoE/Plin5 double knockout (ApoE−/−Plin5−/−) exacerbated severer atherogenesis, accompanied with significantly disturbed plasma metabolic profiles, such as elevated TG, total cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and reduced high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol contents. ApoE−/−Plin5−/−exhibited a higher number of inflammatory monocytes and neutrophils, as well as overexpression of cytokines and chemokines linked with an inflammatory response. Consistently, the IκBα/nuclear factor kappa B pathway was strongly activated in ApoE−/−Plin5−/−. Notably, apoptosis was dramatically induced by ApoE−/−Plin5−/−, as evidenced by increased cleavage of Caspase‐3 and Poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase‐2. In addition, ApoE−/−Plin5−/−contributed to oxidative stress generation in the aortic tissues, which was linked with the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase B and mitogen‐activated protein kinases pathways. In vitro, oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) increased Plin5 expression in RAW264.7 cells. Its knockdown enhanced inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and lipid accumulation, while promotion of Plin5 markedly reduced all the effects induced by ox‐LDL in cells. These studies strongly supported that Plin5 could be a new regulator against atherosclerosis, providing new insights on therapeutic solutions.
Prolonged pulmonary pulse transit time is associated with symptoms in patients with significant mitral stenosis and sinus rhythm
Authors: Gurbuz Ahmet S. , Ozturk Semi , Alsancak Yakup , Saklı Beyza , Duzenli Mehmet A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionPulmonary pulse transit time (pPTT) is a novel noninvasive echocardiographic measure to assess pulmonary arterial hemodynamics. It has been shown to be shorter in precapillary pulmonary hypertension (PHT). Mitral stenosis (MS) is one of the causes of postcapillary PHT. We aimed to investigate pPTT in patients with MS and its relationship with symptoms.MethodsWe included 51 patients with MS (25 were asymptomatic, NYHA I, and 26 were symptomatic, NHYA II or III), and 50 controls, and evaluated their demographic characteristics and echocardiographic variables, including pPTT.ResultsBaseline characteristics, including age, sex, body mass index, and cardiovascular risk factors, were similar between the MS and the control group. The pPTT was longer in the MS group than in the control group (0.21 ± 0.08 vs 0.15 ± 0.05, P < .001). Patients with symptomatic MS had longer pPTT than asymptomatic patients (P = .005). The pPTT was positively correlated with left atrial volume index and systolic pulmonary artery pressure, and negatively with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (r = .432; P < .001, r = .319; P = .001, r = −.293; and P = .003, respectively).ConclusionThe measurement of pPTT appears clinically relevant in patients with PHT. Further studies evaluating whether it is useful in distinguishing precapillary from postcapillary PHT are required.
Optimizing responses to drug safety signals in pregnancy: the example of dolutegravir and neural tube defects
Authors: Mofenson Lynne M , Pozniak Anton L , Wambui Jacque , Raizes Elliot , Ciaranello Andrea , Clayden Polly , Ehrenkranz Peter , Fakoya Ade , Hill Andrew , Khoo Saye , Mahaka Imelda , Modi Surbhi , Moore Cynthia , Phillips Andrew , Siberry George , Sikwese Kenly , Thorne Claire , Watts Heather D , Doherty Meg , Ford Nathan P 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe unexpected identification of a neural tube defect (NTD) safety signal with preconception dolutegravir (DTG) exposure in the Botswana Tsepamo birth outcomes study brought into sharp focus the need for reliable data on use of new antiretrovirals in pregnancy, improved pharmacovigilance systems to evaluate safety of new drugs being introduced into populations including women of reproductive potential, and balanced risk‐benefit messaging when a safety signal is identified.DiscussionThe Tsepamo study NTD safety signal and accompanying regulatory responses led to uncertainty about the most appropriate approach to DTG use among women of reproductive potential, affecting global DTG roll‐out plans, and limiting DTG use in adolescent girls and women. It also revealed a tension between a public health approach to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and individual choice, and highlighted difficulties interpreting and messaging an unexpected safety signal with uncertainty about risk. This difficulty was compounded by the lack of high‐quality data on pregnancy outcomes from women receiving ART outside the Tsepamo surveillance sites and countries other than Botswana, resulting in a prolonged period of uncertainty while data on additional exposures are evaluated to refute or confirm the initial safety signal. We discuss principles for evaluating and introducing new drugs in the general population that would ensure collection of appropriate data to inform drug safety in adolescent girls and women of reproductive potential and minimize confusion about drug use in this population when a safety signal is identified.ConclusionsThe response to a signal suggesting a possible safety risk for a drug used in pregnancy or among women who may become pregnant needs to be rapid and comprehensive. It requires the existence of appropriately designed surveillance systems with broad population coverage; data analyses that examine risk‐benefit trade‐offs in a variety of contexts; guidance to transform this risk‐benefit balance into effective and agreed‐upon policy; involvement of the affected community and other key stakeholders; and a communication plan for all levels of knowledge and complexity. Implementation of this proposed framework for responding to safety signals is needed to ensure that any drug used in pregnancy can be rapidly and appropriately evaluated should a serious safety alert arise.
Functional cytology of the hepatopancreas of decapod crustaceans
Authors: Vogt Günter 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis article reviews the morphogenesis, morphology, histology, ultrastructure, and structural–functional relationships of the hepatopancreas, the main metabolic organ of the Decapoda. The hepatopancreas develops in early larval stages from a pair of lateral lobes of the midgut anlage. In adults, it consists of hundreds of blindly ending tubules that are enveloped by a muscle net consisting of longitudinal and circular fibers. Stem cells at the distal ends of the tubules give rise to three ultrastructurally different epithelial cell types, the R‐, F‐, and B‐cells. Histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and monitoring of ultrastructural changes under different experimental conditions allowed the attribution of functions to these cell types. R‐cells serve for the absorption and metabolization of nutrients, storage of energy reserves and minerals, synthesis of lipoproteins for export to other organs, detoxification of heavy metals, and excretion of uric acid. F‐cells synthesize digestive enzymes and blood proteins involved in oxygen transport and immune defense. They also detoxify some heavy metals and probably organic xenobiotics. B‐cells are assumed to produce and recycle fat emulsifiers. The hepatopancreas tubules lack nerves. The presence of scattered M‐cells with putative endocrine function in the epithelium suggests that the hepatopancreas is mainly hormonally controlled. M‐cells probably represent a self‐perpetuating cell lineage independent from E‐cells. The interstitium between the tubules contains connective tissue, arterioles, hemolymph with circulating hemocytes, and fixed phagocytes that eliminate pathogens. The hepatopancreas is histologically and ultrastructurally uniform throughout the Decapoda, despite their broad variety in body size, morphology, life style, and ecology. However, in a few cavernicolous and deep‐sea shrimps parts of the hepatopancreas are transformed into large oil storing and bioluminescent compartments. Within the malacostracan crustaceans, the hepatopancreas of the Decapoda is most similar to the digestive gland of the Euphausiacea, supporting close taxonomic relationship of these two taxa.
Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Classifying Individuals Who Will Develop Accelerated Radiographic Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Price Lori Lyn , Harkey Matthew S. , Ward Robert J. , MacKay James W. , Zhang Ming , Pang Jincheng , Davis Julie E. , McAlindon Timothy E. , Lo Grace H. , Amin Mamta , Eaton Charles B. , Lu Bing , Duryea Jeffrey , Barbe Mary F. , Driban Jeffrey B. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTWe assessed whether adding magnetic resonance (MR)‐based features to a base model of clinically accessible participant characteristics (i.e., serological, radiographic, demographic, symptoms, and physical function) improved classification of adults who developed accelerated radiographic knee osteoarthritis (AKOA) or not over the subsequent 4 years. We conducted a case–control study using radiographs from baseline and the first four annual visits of the osteoarthritis initiative to define groups. Eligible individuals had no radiographic KOA in either knee at baseline (Kellgren–Lawrence [KL] grade <2). We classified two groups matched on sex (i) AKOA: at least one knee developed advanced‐stage KOA (KL = 3 or 4) within 48 months and (ii) did not develop AKOA within 48 months. The MR‐based features were assessments of bone, effusion/synovitis, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and menisci. All characteristics and MR‐based features were from the baseline visit. Classification and regression tree analyses were performed to determine classification rules and identify statistically important variables. The CART models with and without MR features each explained approximately 40% of the variability. Adding MR‐based features to the model yielded modest improvements in specificity (0.90 vs. 0.82) but lower sensitivity (0.62 vs. 0.70) than the base model. There was consistent evidence that serum glucose, effusion‐synovitis volume, and cruciate ligament degeneration are statistically important variables in classifying individuals who will develop AKOA. We found common MR‐based measures failed to dramatically improve classification. These findings also show a complex interplay among participant characteristics and a need to identify novel characteristics to improve classification. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2420–2428, 2019
Effects of the peat acid digestion protocol on geochemically and morphologically diverse tephra deposits
Authors: Monteath Alistair J. , Teuten Alex E. , Hughes Paul D. M. , Wastegård Stefan 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTTephra shards for electron probe microanalysis are most efficiently extracted from peat using acid digestion, which removes organic material that hinders density separation methods. However, strong acids are known to alter glass chemical compositions, and several studies have examined how acid digestion affects rhyolitic volcanic glass. The focus on rhyolitic tephra in these studies leaves considerable uncertainty, as the dissolution rates of natural glasses (including tephra) are determined by the chemical composition and surface area/volume ratio, both of which vary in tephra deposits. Here, we use duplicate samples of basaltic, trachydacitic and rhyolitic tephra to examine physical and geochemical alteration following acid digestion. Scanning electron microscope imagery reveals no discernible degradation of glass surfaces, and electron probe microanalysis results from duplicate samples are statistically indistinguishable. These findings suggest the acid digestion protocol for organic peats does not significantly alter glass geochemistry regardless of shard morphologies or geochemical compositions.
Rapid annotation and structural characterization of saponins in the active fraction of Albizia julibrissin by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry based on accurate mass database
Authors: He Yanfei , Ni Tiantian , Liu Zhaoying , Ye Yiping , Sun Hongxiang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe purified active fraction of Albizia julibrissin saponin was proved to be a promising adjuvant candidate for vaccine. In this study, a simple, convenient, and practical strategy was established for characterizing the saponins in this purified active fraction. The personal accurate mass database including chemical structure, molecular formula, and theoretical mass was first constructed by collecting 110 reported known saponins from genus Albizia species. The raw data was obtained by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry. The potential compounds were extracted from raw data, and matched with the accurate mass databases. A series of saponin compounds were predicted and their chemical structures were characterized by interpreting the tandem mass spectrometry data. A total of 29 saponins including 10 new compounds and 5 first found saponins from A. julibrissin were successfully characterized in this purified active fraction using this new strategy.
Grid‐based sediment tracing approach to determine sediment sources
Authors: Haddadchi Arman , Hicks Murray , Olley Jon M. , Singh Shailesh , Srinivasan M.S. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe diffusive and nonspecific nature of nonpoint source contaminants such as sediment makes their management and mitigation challenging. Conventional source‐based tracing techniques for sediment simply apportion downstream sediment load to diffuse upstream sources classified by a limited number of source types including underlying rock type, land cover, and/or erosion process. Here, we develop a grid‐based sediment tracing technique that improves the precision of source contribution estimates and enhances the granularity of sediment source maps. We test the proposed technique using source and suspended sediment samples collected from the Emu Creek Catchment (911 km2), south‐east Queensland, Australia. Geochemical tracers were employed to distinguish sediments derived from the heterogenous and complex underlying rock types. Importantly, the proposed technique provided a greater spatial resolution of the sediment sources by assigning sediment contributions into grid sources rather than the area‐specific source types.
Antioxidant activity of exo‐metabolites produced by Fusarium oxysporum: An endophytic fungus isolated from leaves of Otoba gracilipes
Authors: Caicedo Nelson H. , Davalos Andres F. , Puente Paula A. , Rodríguez Ana Y. , Caicedo Paola A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTropical ecosystems hold an extremely diverse array of endophytic fungi, but their potential use still remains to be explored. In this study, we isolated an endophytic fungus from the leaves of Otoba gracilipes, a medicinal tree from a tropical rainforest in Colombia. Following isolation and cultivation, we evaluated its extracellular crude extract for antioxidant activity. Using traditional and molecular methods (ITS1, NL1 regions), the endophyte was identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Fresh spores from the fungal isolate were inoculated in liquid media (potato dextrose broth [PDB] and potato dextrose–yeast extract broth [PDYB]) and centrifuged for recovering extracellular polysaccharides from the exhausted medium after 30 days of cultivation. Crude extracts were recovered, purified, lyophilized, and evaluated for their ability to inactivate the free radical 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The extracts obtained from PDB culture media had a 51.5% of scavenging effect on DPPH after 5 min of reaction compared with the extracts from PDBY (26.4%), which suggests a high antioxidant potential of these fungal extracts. Thus, our results suggest other fungi from tropical ecosystems should be explored as potential sources of novel enzymes and other metabolites with bioactivity.
The association between interleukin‐1 polymorphisms and their protein expression in Chinese Han patients with breast cancer
Authors: Wang Juan , Shi Yonggang , Wang Gaochao , Dong Shiliang , Yang Daoke , Zuo Xiaoxiao 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer‐related deaths among women worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokine genes have been shown to alter their expressions or functions in patients with BC. In recent years, the molecular structure and function of IL‐1 have been studied. Its genetic polymorphism could affect the transcription and expression of the IL‐1 gene. Moreover, it is closely related to several diseases. This fact and plethora of gene polymorphism data prompted us to investigate the relationship between IL‐1 polymorphisms and IL‐1 protein expression in Chinese Han BC patients.MethodIn total, 298 patients with BC and 287 healthy control women were studied. The genetic polymorphisms for IL‐1 were analyzed by the MassARRAY sequencing method. Tumor markers and IL‐1β levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence and ELISA, respectively. All gene selection GRCh38 version.ResultsThe rs1143623 (NC_000002.12:g.112838252C>G) (GC), rs16944 (NC_000002.12:g.112837290A>G)(AG), and rs10490571 (NC_000002.12:g.102100877C>T) (CC) SNPs were found to be significantly lower in the BC group than in the controls. The variant G/C genotype of rs1143623 was associated with a significantly increased risk for BC (OR = 2.34, p < 0.05). The alleles for rs16944 (A/G; OR = 3.15, p < 0.05) and rs10490571 (T/C; OR = 2.48, p < 0.05) were also significantly associated with BC. Moreover, the genotypes of rs1143623, rs16944, and rs10490571 were significantly correlated with serum IL‐1β levels and other tumor markers.ConclusionOur data reveal the association between genetic polymorphisms of IL‐1 and BC susceptibility in the Chinese Han population and indicates that IL‐1 polymorphisms are closely associated with tumor markers and IL‐1β protein expression in BC patients.
Response characterization of EBT‐XD radiochromic films in megavoltage photon and electron beams
Authors: León‐Marroquín E. Yazmin , Mulrow Daniel , Darafsheh Arash , Khan Rao 
Published: July 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the beam quality dependence of the EBT‐XD radiochromic films for megavoltage photon and electron beam irradiations by studying their spectral response. Dose, dose rate, and interbatch dependencies were investigated as well.MethodsEBT‐XD and EBT3 radiochromic films were cut into 5 cm2 × 5 cm2 pieces, placed between solid water phantoms, and irradiated with 6 and 15 MV photon beams, 6 and 10 MV flattening filter free photon beams, and 6 and 20 MeV electron beams at dose levels between 0.5 and 50 Gy. In order to measure the spectral response, the films were illuminated by a deuterium and tungsten‐halogen lamp and net absorption was measured in 400–800 nm spectral range using a fiber‐coupled optical spectrometer. Film samples were then analyzed using a flatbed scanner in the red, green, and blue channel to obtain the optical density of the films.ResultsThe net absorption spectra of the EBT‐XD and EBT3 films showed two absorption bands centered at 635 and 585 nm, characteristic of the EBT model. However, for a given dose, the EBT‐XD films showed lower net absorbance compared to the EBT3 films. At a given dose level, the net absorption spectra and dose–response curves for EBT‐XD films showed only slight variations across various beam qualities. When a calibration curve obtained from a given beam quality is used to measure dose from films irradiated with other beam qualities, the maximum uncertainty in the calculated dose, in ranges 5–40 and 8–50 Gy for red and green channels, respectively, were ~3.1% and ~2.4%.ConclusionsThe response of the EBT‐XD films is dose rate independent but batch dependent. No significant beam quality dependence was observed in EBT‐XD films in the dose range up to 50 Gy.
A multi‐centre study to explore the feasibility and acceptability of collecting data for complex regional pain syndrome clinical studies using a core measurement set: Study protocol
Authors: Grieve Sharon , Brunner Florian , Buckle Lisa , Gobeil Francois , Hirata Hitoshi , Iwasaki Norimasa , Moseley Lorimer , Sousa Gudson , Vatine Jean‐Jacques , Vaughan‐Spickers Nicole , Xu Jijun , McCabe Candida 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectivesThis international, multicentre study will inform the final data collection tools and processes which will comprise the first international, clinical research registry for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This study will: (a) test the feasibility and acceptability of collecting outcome measurement data using a patient reported, questionnaire core measurement set (COMPACT [Core Outcome Measurement set for complex regional PAin syndrome Clinical sTudies]); and (b) test and refine an electronic data management system to collect and manage the data.MethodsA maximum of 240 adults, meeting the Budapest diagnostic clinical criteria for CRPS type I or II, will be recruited across eight countries. The COMPACT questionnaire will be completed on two occasions: at baseline (T1) and 6 months later (T2). At T2, participants will choose to complete COMPACT using a paper or electronic version. Participants will be asked to feed back on their experience of completing COMPACT via a questionnaire. A separate questionnaire will ask clinicians to feed back their experience of data collection.AnalysisThe study is not aiming to derive statistically significant data but to ascertain the practicalities of collecting data, using the COMPACT questionnaire set, across a range of different cultures and populations. At the end of the study, a single workshop will be convened to review the findings and agree the final documents and processes for the international registry.