bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of SERPINA3N‐dependent neuroinflammation is essential for melatonin to ameliorate trimethyltin chloride–induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Xi Yu , Liu Mengyu , Xu Shuzhen , Hong Huihui , Chen Mengyan , Tian Li , Xie Jia , Deng Ping , Zhou Chao , Zhang Lei , He Mindi , Chen Chunhai , Lu Yonghui , Reiter Russel J. , Yu Zhengping , Pi Huifeng , Zhou Zhou 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTrimethyltin chloride (TMT) is a potent neurotoxin that causes neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death. Melatonin is a well‐known anti‐inflammatory agent with significant neuroprotective activity. Male C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with a single dose of melatonin (10 mg/kg) before exposure to TMT (2.8 mg/kg, ip). Thereafter, the mice received melatonin (10 mg/kg, ip) once a day for another three consecutive days. Melatonin dramatically alleviated TMT‐induced neurotoxicity in mice by attenuating hippocampal neuron loss, inhibiting epilepsy‐like seizures, and ameliorating memory deficits. Moreover, melatonin markedly suppressed TMT‐induced neuroinflammatory responses and astrocyte activation, as shown by a decrease in inflammatory cytokine production as well as the downregulation of neurotoxic reactive astrocyte phenotype markers. Mechanistically, serine peptidase inhibitor clade A member 3N (SERPINA3N) was identified as playing a central role in the protective effects of melatonin based on quantitative proteome and bioinformatics analysis. Most importantly, melatonin significantly suppressed TMT‐induced SERPINA3N upregulation at both the mRNA and protein levels. The overexpression of Serpina3n in the mouse hippocampus abolished the protective effects of melatonin on TMT‐induced neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. Melatonin protected cells against TMT‐induced neurotoxicity by inhibiting SERPINA3N‐mediated neuroinflammation. Melatonin may be a promising and practical agent for reducing TMT‐induced neurotoxicity in clinical practice.
Ameliorative effects of oral ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts on productive and reproductive performance of V‐line male rabbits
Authors: Kandeil Mohamed Ahmed , Mohamed Alaa El‐deen H. , Abdel Gabbar Mohammed , Ahmed Rasha Rashad , Ali Shimaa M. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the impact of ginger and/or thyme aqueous extracts administration on the growth rate, caecum activity, reproductive performance and semen quality of rabbits. A total of 24 V‐line male rabbits at the age of 12 weeks were divided randomly into four equal groups (6/each) until 24 weeks of age. Treatments were as follows: drinking fresh water and served as control (G1); drinking water supplemented with 100 mg/kg b. wt. of ginger aqueous extract (G2); drinking water supplemented with 50 mg/kg b. wt. of thyme aqueous extract (G3); drinking water supplemented with 100 mg/kg b. wt. of ginger aqueous extract plus 50 mg/kg b. wt. of thyme aqueous extract (G4). Administration of aqueous thyme extract with 50 mg/kg b. wt. improved (p < 0.001) feed intake and growth performance compared to control. The highest average daily gain (p < 0.001) was found for G3 rabbits followed by G4, G2 and G1 respectively. While the most efficient feed conversion ratio was found in G4. Group 3 and group 4 had significant (p < 0.05) positive effect on caecum pH, ammonia and TVFAs concentration. Data indicated that treated groups had hastened the age with heavier body weight, larger testicular size and higher testosterone level. Also, most semen characteristics (volume, progressive motility, sperm concentration and normal spermatozoa) were higher in treated groups compared with the control group. Furthermore, gathering of the spermatozoa in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, expanded epithelial cells stature of the epididymis with stuffed lumens with sperms in treated groups. In conclusion, aqueous extracts of ginger and/or thyme can be used as a growth promoter for improving reproductive performance of V‐line male rabbits.
Effects of maintaining web‐based diaries by caregivers on adherence to care regimens in preschoolers with asthma
Authors: Hashi Shinobu , Tsukasaki Keiko , Nakamura Toshimi , Kyota Kaoru , Itatani Tomoya 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this pilot study was to assess the effects of maintaining web‐based diaries by the caregivers of preschoolers with asthma on the adherence to asthma care regimens, the recognition of asthma symptoms, and their perceived levels of parenting stress, quality of life, and family functioning.Design and MethodsThe caregivers of preschoolers with asthma completed a 4‐week web‐based diary and received weekly emails that depicted their children's asthma symptoms. We compared asthma symptoms from before and after the intervention. We analyzed demographic data, such as the caregivers’ age and education, and assessment scores from the Japanese Pediatric Asthma Control program (JPAC), Adherence with Asthma Management for Caregivers of Preschoolers (AAMCP), General Functioning subscale of the Family Assessment Device (GF‐FAD), Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI‐SF), and Quality of Life assessment scale for Caregivers of Asthmatic Children 24 (QOLCA‐24).ResultsA total of 45 participants were included in the analyses. The mean scores depicting asthma control were significantly improved postintervention (pre: 12.29 ± 2.65; post: 13.02 ± 2.01; t = −2.15, p = .037). Mean AAMCP scores postintervention (52.13 ± 6.25) were significantly greater than before (49.78 ± 7.20; t = −3.07; p = .004).Practice ImplicationsAdherence to asthma care and the recognition of asthma symptoms improved following the use of a web‐based diary, making it a potential cost‐effective intervention for asthma patients and their families.
The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among chronic hepatitis B virus‐infected patients outside current treatment criteria
Authors: Sinn Dong Hyun , Kim Sung Eun , Kim Beom Kyung , Kim Ji Hoon , Choi Moon Seok 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe assessed the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in those outside of current treatment recommendations and risk factors associated with HCC development. A multi‐centre, retrospective cohort of 3624 patients who were monitored without antiviral treatment was analysed. Incident HCC risk according to the Asian Pacific Association for the study of the Liver (APASL), the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) treatment recommendations was assessed. A risk score was developed using independent factors associated with HCC development among patients who were outside current treatment criteria. During a median follow‐up of 4.6 years, incident HCC was diagnosed in 161 (4.4%) patients. The proportions of patients who developed HCC outside treatment recommendation according to APASL, AASLD and EASL criteria were 64.0%, 46.0% and 33.5%, respectively. The 5‐year cumulative HCC incidence rate was 13.9% for cirrhotic patients with low‐level viremia and 6.1 ~ 7.3% for chronic hepatitis patients with elevated HBV DNA levels plus mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. Among patients who were outside treatment recommendation, age, sex, hepatitis B e antigen, cirrhosis, alanine aminotransferase and platelet levels were independent factors associated with HCC development. When these factors were used to calculate the risk score for each patient, those with a score ≥8 had a higher HCC incidence rate (14.3% at 5‐year), although they were currently outside treatment recommendations. Thus, HCC was observed among patients who were outside current treatment criteria indicating that careful monitoring for HCC and efforts to identify patients at risk are required.
Feasibility of engaging caregivers in at‐home surveillance of children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition
Authors: Isanaka Sheila , Berthé Fatou , Nackers Fabienne , Tang Kevin , Hanson Kerstin E. , Grais Rebecca F. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMany factors can contribute to low coverage of treatment for severe acute malnutrition (SAM), and a limited number of health facilities and trained personnel can constrain the number of children that receive treatment. Alternative models of care that shift the responsibility for routine clinical and anthropometric surveillance from the health facility to the household could reduce the burden of care associated with frequent facility‐based visits for both healthcare providers and caregivers. To assess the feasibility of shifting clinical surveillance to caregivers in the outpatient management of SAM, we conducted a pilot study to assess caregivers' understanding and retention of key concepts related to the surveillance of clinical danger signs and anthropometric measurement over a 28‐day period. At the time of a child's admission to nutritional treatment, a study nurse provided a short training to groups of caregivers on two topics: (a) clinical danger signs in children with SAM that warrant facility‐based care and (b) methods to measure and monitor their child's mid‐upper arm circumference. Caregiver understanding was assessed using standardized questionnaires before training, immediately after training, and 28 days after training. Knowledge of most clinical danger signs (e.g., convulsions, edema, poor appetite, respiratory distress, and lethargy) was low (0–45%) before training but increased immediately after and was retained 28 days after training. Agreement between nurse–caregiver mid‐upper arm circumference colour classifications was 77% (98/128) immediately after training and 80% after 28 days. These findings lend preliminary support to pursue further study of alternative models of care that allow for greater engagement of caregivers in the clinical and anthropometric surveillance of children with SAM.
Telomere attrition predicts reduced survival in a wild social bird, but short telomeres do not
Authors: Wood Emma M. , Young Andrew J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAttempts to understand the causes of variation in senescence trajectories would benefit greatly from biomarkers that reflect the progressive declines in somatic integrity (SI) that lead to senescence. While telomere length has attracted considerable interest in this regard, sources of variation in telomere length potentially unrelated to declines in SI could, in some contexts, leave telomere attrition rates a more effective biomarker than telomere length alone. Here, we investigate whether telomere length and telomere attrition rates predict the survival of wild white‐browed sparrow‐weaver nestlings (Plocepasser mahali). Our analyses of telomere length reveal counterintuitive patterns: telomere length soon after hatching negatively predicted nestling survival to fledging, a pattern that appears to be driven by differentially high in‐nest predation of broods with longer telomeres. Telomere length did not predict survival outside this period: neither hatchling telomere length nor telomere length in the mid‐nestling period predicted survival from fledging to adulthood. Our analyses using within‐individual telomere attrition rates, by contrast, revealed the expected relationships: nestlings that experienced a higher rate of telomere attrition were less likely to survive to adulthood, regardless of their initial telomere length and independent of effects of body mass. Our findings support the growing use of telomeric traits as biomarkers of SI, but lend strength to the view that longitudinal assessments of within‐individual telomere attrition since early life may be a more effective biomarker in some contexts than telomere length alone.
Biomarker changes associated with clinical symptoms in MELAS patient
Authors: Matsui Misa , Yamadera Misaki , Saito Toshio , Fujimura Harutoshi , Sakoda Saburo , Koga Yasutoshi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractFGF21 and GDF15 are known as useful biomarkers for diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders, though their efficacy for evaluating disease severity is not well established. We determined their levels in a patient with a mitochondrial disorder and report our findings. Both biomarkers were elevated at the initial disease stage and then greatly increased with progression. Furthermore, those levels decreased along with improved clinical symptoms in response to pyruvate therapy.
Applying the concept of structural empowerment to interactions between families and home‐care nurses
Authors: Funk Laura M. , Stajduhar Kelli I. , Giesbrecht Melissa , Cloutier Denise , Williams Allison , Wolse Faye 
Published: July 2019

AbstractInterpretations of family carer empowerment in much nursing research, and in home‐care practice and policy, rarely attend explicitly to families’ choice or control about the nature, extent or length of their involvement, or control over the impact on their own health. In this article, structural empowerment is used as an analytic lens to examine home‐care nurses’ interactions with families in one Western Canadian region. Data were collected from 75 hrs of fieldwork in 59 interactions (18 nurses visiting 16 families) and interviews with 12 nurses and 11 family carers. Generally, nurses prioritized client empowerment, and their practice with families appeared oriented to supporting their role and needs as carers (i.e. rather than as unique individuals beyond the caring role), and reinforcing the caring role through validation and recognition. Although families generally expressed appreciation for these interactions, a structural empowerment lens illustrates how the broad context of home care shapes the interpretation and practice of empowerment in ways that can, paradoxically, be disempowering for families. Opportunities to effectively support family choice and control when a client is being cared for at home are discussed.
Expediting Reincarnation in the Fifth Millennium BCE: Interpreting the Chalcolithic Ossuaries of the Southern Levant
Authors: Ilan David , Rowan Yorke 
Published: July 2019

SummaryWe examine and reinterpret the phenomenon of containers used for the secondary burial of human remains – ossuaries – in the Chalcolithic period of the southern Levant, c.4500–3700 BCE. Ossuary form and decoration, both plastic and painted, is evocative and symbol‐laden. Since their first discovery in the 1930s, several hypotheses have sought to explain ossuary iconography, but none provides an integrated, holistic interpretation. Chalcolithic iconography, mortuary contexts, and archetypal mythologies suggest that ossuaries, mainly of clay, but also of stone, served as vehicles of reincarnation.
Architecture and Urbanism in the Fortified Settlement of Pech Maho (Sigean, France) in the Third Century BC: A Social and Economic Perspective
Authors: Gailledrat Eric , Belarte Maria Carme 
Published: July 2019

SummaryThis paper offers a synthesis of the urbanism and architecture of Pech Maho (Sigean) from a social and economic point of view. Its aim is to highlight the specificities of this settlement in the context of the Late Iron Age between south France and north‐east Spain. During the third century BC, this small site had an impressive defensive system, as well as quite a complex urban framework. The constructed blocks excavated so far show a predominance of multicellular buildings that testify to a wide range of ground plans. Most of the spaces seem to have been devoted to specialized activities of a clear economic orientation, whilst other buildings or spaces have a strong symbolic nature. Rooms used exclusively for domestic tasks are in the minority, while a large dwelling in the central area appears to have been a private residential unit. All of this suggests that Pech Maho would have been an economic centre, as well as the residence of an elite that would have exerted control over the productive and trading activities, in a context that clearly evokes that of an emporion.
Regulation of IL‐24 in human oral keratinocytes stimulated with Tannerella forsythia
Authors: Ko Yeon‐Kyeong , An Sun‐Jin , Han Na‐Young , Lee Hookeun , Choi Bong‐Kyu 
Published: July 2019

AbstractInterleukin‐24 is a pleiotropic immunoregulatory cytokine and a member of the IL‐20R subfamily of the IL‐10 family. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of IL‐24 in the human oral keratinocyte cell line HOK‐16B following infection with Tannerella forsythia, a major periodontal pathogen. T. forsythia induced the expression of IL‐24 mRNA and the secretion of glycosylated IL‐24 in HOK‐16B cells. Glycosylation of IL‐24 is linked to its solubility and bioavailability. T. forsythia‐stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced the expression of IL‐24, which was regulated by IL‐6. The ROS inhibitor N‐acetylcysteine and MAPK inhibitors significantly reduced the expression of IL‐6 and IL‐24 induced by T. forsythia. Recombinant human IL‐24 significantly enhanced the expression of IL‐1α, IL‐8, CXCL10, and MCP‐1 in HOK‐16B cells. Together, these results indicate that ROS, MAPKs, and IL‐6 comprise the axis of IL‐24 expression in HOK‐16B cells stimulated with T. forsythia. Thus, IL‐24 may be involved in inflammation in oral keratinocytes.
Anchoring of a Kinked Uncemented Femoral Stem after Preparation with a Straight or a Kinked Reamer
Authors: Heinecke Markus , Layher Frank , Matziolis Georg 
Published: July 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate a stem‐adjusted preparation of the femur with a kinked reamer and to determine whether this approach results in higher primary stability of a kinked stem than straight reaming of the intramedullary canal.MethodsTen cementless stems with a kinked design were implanted in synthetic femurs after preparation of the femoral canal with 2 different reamer designs (straight reaming [SR] group vs kinked reaming [KR] group). The specimens were analyzed using CT to determine the anchoring length and examined with a mechanical testing system to establish their axial stiffness, torsional stiffness, and migration distance after 10 000 gait cycles.ResultsThe stem migration distances did not differ significantly between the groups (SR group 0.51 ± 0.16 mm vs KR group 0.36 ± 0.03 mm, P = 0.095). Only for the SR group, a correlation was found between the completely conical anchorage length and absolute stem migration (P < 0.05, R = 0.89). Regarding the torsional stiffness, no differences were observed between the study groups (SR group 6.48 ± 0.17 Nm/° vs KR group 6.52 ± 0.25 Nm/°, P = 0.398). In the KR group, significantly higher axial stiffness values were measured than in the SR group (SR group 1.68 ± 0.14 kN/mm vs KR group 2.09 ± 0.13 kN/mm, P = 0.008).ConclusionsThe implantation of a kinked stem after kinked conical intramedullary preparation of the proximal femur showed equivalent results regarding anchoring length, stem migration, and torsional stiffness to those for straight conical reaming. The specimens with kinked reaming showed significantly higher axial stiffness values.
Mutations in MIR396e and MIR396f increase grain size and modulate shoot architecture in rice
Authors: Miao Chunbo , Wang Dong , He Reqing , Liu Shenkui , Zhu Jian‐Kang 
Published: July 2019

SummaryGrain size and plant architecture are critical factors determining crop productivity. Here, we performed gene editing of the MIR396 gene family in rice and found that MIR396e and MIR396f are two important regulators of grain size and plant architecture. mir396ef mutations can increase grain yield by increasing grain size. In addition, mir396ef mutations resulted in an altered plant architecture, with lengthened leaves but shortened internodes, especially the uppermost internode. Our research suggests that mir396ef mutations promote leaf elongation by increasing the level of a gibberellin (GA) precursor, mevalonic acid, which subsequently promotes GA biosynthesis. However, internode elongation in mir396ef mutants appears to be suppressed via reduced CYP96B4 expression but not via the GA pathway. This research provides candidate gene‐editing targets to breed elite rice varieties.
Oxidative stress parameters in children with acute rheumatic fever
Authors: Gözü Pirinccioglu Ayfer , Alyan Ömer , Akin Alper , Kizil Göksel , Işik Fatma Birgul 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate of the role of oxidative stress (OS) in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and its relationship with the progress of the disease.MethodsThirty patients with ARF and 31 age–sex‐matched healthy children were enrolled in this study. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), cytokines (tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. The diagnosis of ARF was based on the Jones criteria.ResultsPatients with ARF had significantly higher serum MDA, PCO, hs‐CRP and cytokine levels and lower TAC than healthy controls. On Pearson's correlation analysis we found that oxidative stress markers were positively correlated with hs‐CRP and cytokines, while TAC was negatively correlated with MDA, PCO, hs‐CRP and cytokines. The number of valves involved as well as the level of mitral valve involvement was also significantly related to the oxidative stress parameters and TAC. All oxidative stress parameters decreased significantly with anti‐inflammatory therapy while TAC increased.ConclusionMalondialdehyde and PCO, as biomarkers, as well as hs‐CRP together with the other available diagnostic tools, can be used in the evaluation of patients with ARF.
Cortical thickness increases with levomilnacipran treatment in a pilot randomised double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial in late‐life depression
Authors: Krause‐Sorio Beatrix , Kilpatrick Lisa , Siddarth Prabha , Ercoli Linda , Laird Kelsey T. , Aguilar‐Faustino Yesenia , Milillo Michaela M. , Narr Katherine L. , Lavretsky Helen 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundLate‐life depression (LLD) is associated with significant medical comorbidity, cognitive impairment, and suboptimal treatment response compared to depression experienced earlier in life. Levomilnacipran (LVM) is a novel antidepressant the effects of which on neuroplasticity have not yet been investigated. We investigated the effect of LVM on cortical thickness in a pilot randomised placebo‐controlled trial in LLD.MethodsTwenty‐nine adults (≥ 60 years) with major depression (48.3% female; mean age = 71.5 ± 5.8 years; mean education = 16.0 ± 1.7 years) were randomised to either LVM or placebo for 12 weeks. T1‐weighted images were acquired at baseline and 12 weeks. Thirteen subjects (six LVM and seven placebo) completed the study. Group differences in cortical thickness change across the study period were evaluated, with age and total intracranial volume included as covariates.ResultsDropout rates did not differ significantly between groups. The LVM group had significantly more side effects, but no serious adverse events were reported. Lower LVM dose (≤ 40 mg) was better tolerated than higher doses (80–120 mg). Additionally, the LVM group showed a larger increase in cortical thickness in the right postcentral gyrus (primary somatosensory), supramarginal gyrus (sensory association region), and lateral occipital cortex (visual cortex) compared to the placebo group and greater reductions in the left insula.ConclusionsLVM may be less tolerable by older adults with depression and the effects on cortical thickness across sensory and sensory association regions may be related to the experience of side effects. Larger studies are necessary to evaluate treatment efficacy, tolerability, and neural effects of LVM in LLD.