bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasma Catechols After Eating Olives
Authors: Goldstein David S. , Holmes Courtney , Cherup Jamie , Sharabi Yehonatan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractOlives contain 3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl compounds (catechols)—especially 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylethanol (DOPET)—that have therapeutic potential as nutraceuticals. Whether olive ingestion affects plasma levels of free (unconjugated) catechols has been unknown. Arm venous blood was sampled before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 120, 180, and 240 min after six healthy volunteers ate 10 Kalamata olives. Catechols were assayed by alumina extraction followed by liquid chromatography with series electrochemical detection. Plasma DOPET increased to 18.5 times baseline at 30 min (area under the curve (AUC) 39.2 ± 9.2 pmol‐min/mL, P = 0.008). 3,4‐Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) increased markedly (peak 37.4 times baseline, AUC 23,490 ± 4,151 pmol‐min/mL, P = 0.002). The sum of 10 catechols increased 12‐fold (P < 0.0001). Eating olives produces large‐magnitude increases in plasma levels of catechols, mainly DOPAC. DOPET seems to go undergo extensive hepatic metabolism to DOPAC.
Calcium Carbonate and Phosphate Reference Materials for Monitoring Bulk and Microanalytical Determination of Sr Isotopes
Authors: Weber Michael , Lugli Federico , Jochum Klaus Peter , Cipriani Anna , Scholz Denis 
Published: September 2017

In situ laser ablation analyses rely on the microanalytical homogeneity of reference materials (RMs) and a similar matrix and mass fraction between unknown samples and RMs to obtain reliable results. Suitable carbonate and phosphate RMs for determination of Sr isotope ratios in such materials are limited. Thus, we determined 87Sr/86Sr ratios of several carbonate (JCt‐1, JCp‐1, MACS‐1, MACS‐3) and phosphate (MAPS‐4, MAPS‐5, NIST SRM 1400, NIST SRM 1486) international RMs using dissolved samples and two different multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometers (MC‐ICP‐MS). Our Sr isotope data are in agreement with published data and have an improved measurement precision for some RMs. For MACS‐1, we present the first 87Sr/86Sr value. We tested the suitability of these materials for microanalytical analyses by LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS, with two different laser ablation systems: a conventional nanosecond laser and a state‐of‐the‐art femtosecond laser. We investigated the RMs micro‐homogeneity and compared the data with our solution data. Both laser ablation systems yielded identical 87Sr/86Sr ratios within uncertainty to the solution data for RMs with low interferences of REEs. Therefore, these carbonate and phosphate RMs can be used to achieve accurate and precise results for in situ Sr isotope investigations by LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS of similar materials.
Changes in serum chitinase 3‐like 1 levels correlate with changes in liver fibrosis measured by two established quantitative methods in chronic hepatitis B patients following antiviral therapy
Authors: Wang Lin , Liu Tianhui , Zhou Jialing , You Hong , Jia Jidong 
Published: September 2017

AimNon‐invasive assessment of changes in liver fibrosis is still an unmet medical need in the era of antiviral therapy. Therefore, we explore whether chitinase 3‐like 1 (CHI3L1), a serum marker of liver fibrosis, can be used as a non‐invasive surrogate marker of fibrosis change during treatment.MethodsWe correlated serum CHI3L1 levels with liver tissue collagen proportionate area (CPA) in a cohort of 131 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving entecavir‐based antiviral therapy for 78 weeks. In addition, we compared this marker with the liver stiffness measurement (LSM). Multivariate regression analyses were undertaken to determine the clinical factors associated with the CHI3L1 levels.ResultsBefore treatment, correlation analysis showed that there were positive correlations between CHI3L1 levels and the CPA (r = 0.351, P < 0.001), and between CHI3L1 and LSM (r = 0.412, P < 0.001). After 78 weeks treatment, serum CHI3L1 levels decreased compared with that at baseline (87.8 vs. 69.6 ng/mL, P < 0.001), and CHI3L1 levels were also correlated with CPA (r = 0.293, P = 0.001) and LSM (r = 0.443, P < 0.001). Furthermore, there were positive correlations between the changes in CHI3L1 and CPA (r = 0.366, P<0.001), and changes in CHI3L1 and LSM (r = 0.438, P<0.001). Multivariate regression analyses indicated that CPA values were related with pre‐ (β = 5.450, P = 0.019) and post‐treatment CHI3L1 levels (β = 7.460, P = 0.023).ConclusionsChitinase 3‐like 1 is not only a useful non­invasive marker for the assessment of liver fibrosis in CHB patients before treatment, but also a potential useful marker for monitoring the change in liver fibrosis during therapy.
Engagement in European social dialogue: an investigation into the role of social partner structural capacity
Authors: Bechter Barbara , Brandl Bernd , Prosser Thomas 
Published: September 2017

AbstractDespite the importance of social dialogue for the European social model, there has been little attention to the factors that account for social partner engagement with European social dialogue. On the basis of data from 28 European sectoral social dialogue committees, this article investigates structural factors that account for the conclusion of European sectoral social dialogue agreements. It is found that actors' organisational density is a necessary but not sufficient factor for successful European social dialogue and four different categories of sectoral social partner engagement with European social dialogue are identified.
Investigation of sulfide capacity of aluminosilicate slag based on ionic structure considerations
Authors: Lee Sunghee , Min Dong Joon 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe present study investigated the relationship between sulfide capacity and the average nonbridging oxygens to tetrahedral cations (NBO/T) of CaO‐SiO2‐Al2O3‐MgO slags. The sulfide capacity and NBO/T increase with increasing Al2O3/SiO2 ratio and XCaO due to increasing basicity. The inflected dependence of sulfide capacity and NBO/T observed at a eutectic composition. Thermodynamic investigations revealed that the inflected dependence is caused by the effects of mixing enthalpy and entropy components in eutectic composition. Quantitative analysis of sulfide capacity and NBO/T revealed a proportional linear relationship between the two variables. Based on these experimental results, the corresponding structure‐property relationships concerning sulfide capacity, viscosity, and stability are discussed in detail.
Biologics combined with conventional systemic agents or phototherapy for the treatment of psoriasis: real‐life data from PSONET registries
Authors: Busard C.I. , Cohen A.D. , Wolf P. , Gkalpakiotis S. , Cazzaniga S. , Stern R.S. , Hutten B.A. , Feldhamer I. , Quehenberger F. , Lichem R. , Kojanova M. , Adenubiova E. , Addis A. , Naldi L. , Spuls P.I. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundBiologics have greatly improved psoriasis management. However, primary and secondary non‐response to treatment requires innovative strategies to optimize outcomes.ObjectiveTo describe the use of combined treatment of biologics with conventional systemic agents or phototherapy in daily clinical practice.MethodsWe collected data on frequency of use, demographics, treatment characteristics and drug survival of biologics combined with conventional systemic agents or phototherapy in five PSONET registries.ResultsOf 9922 biologic treatment cycles, 982 (9.9%) were identified as combination treatment. 72.9% of treatment cycles concerned concomitant use of methotrexate, 25.3% concerned concomitant UVB therapy, acitretin or cyclosporin and 1.8% concerned combined treatment with PUVA, fumaric acids or a second biologic. Substantial variation was detected in type and frequency of combination treatments prescribed across registries. Patients initiated on combined treatment had generally severe disease and were affected with psoriasis for many years. The extent to which patients had been priory treated with biologic monotherapy and the proportion of patients affected with psoriatic arthritis differed between registries. Survival rates for etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab and ustekinumab with methotrexate ranged between 43 and 92%, 28 and 83%, 65 and 87% and 53 and 77%, respectively, across registries after one year with no consistent superior survival for a particular biologic. Longest survival on a biologic combined with methotrexate, acitretin or cyclosporin was 103, 78 and 34 months, respectively.ConclusionMethotrexate was the most commonly used concomitant treatment for patients on a biologic. Wide geographical variations in treatment selection and persistence of combination treatment exist. Data derived from ongoing studies may help to determine whether combined treatment is superior to biologic monotherapy.
Effects of 6 Weeks of Parenteral Cobalamin Supplementation on Clinical and Biochemical Variables in Cats with Gastrointestinal Disease
Authors: Kempf J. , Hersberger M. , Melliger R.H. , Reusch C.E. , Kook P.H. 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundEffects and duration of commonly used protocols for cobalamin (Cbl) supplementation on cellular Cbl deficiency have not been determined in hypocobalaminemic cats.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo evaluate effect of Cbl supplementation on clinical signs, serum and urine methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations over 16 weeks.AnimalsTwenty client‐owned hypocobalaminemic cats with enteropathy.MethodsProspective study. Serum Cbl and serum and urine MMA concentrations were determined prospectively in cats at enrollment (t0), immediately before (t6), and 4 (t10) and 10 weeks (t16) after 6th Cbl injection (250 μg, IM q 7 days). Clinical signs severity (activity, appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, body weight) graded at each time point and expressed as clinical disease activity score.ResultsClinical disease activity score decreased during supplementation and increased after treatment discontinuation. Median serum Cbl concentration increased significantly from t0 (111 pmol/L, range 111–212) to t6 (2,332.5 pmol/L, range 123–22,730) (P < 0.01). Values at t10 were 610.5 pmol/L (range, 111–2,527) and 180.5 pmol/L (range, 111–2,262) at t16 (P < 0.01). Median baseline serum MMA concentration (372 μmol/L, range 0.39–147,000) decreased significantly to 1.62 μmol/L (range, 0.18–806) at t6 (P < 0.01) and gradually increased to 5.34 μmol/L (range, 0.13–1,730) at t10 and 189 μmol/L (range, 0.4–983) at t16. Similar, nonsignificant, pattern observed for urine MMA concentration. Serum and urine MMA concentrations had not normalized in 12 and 6 cats, respectively, at t6.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceThe Cbl supplementation protocol used here did not lead to complete normalization of cellular Cbl deficiency in all examined cats, and biochemical improvements were transient.
Hepatitis C virus core protein induces hepatic steatosis via Sirt1‐dependent pathway
Authors: Zhang Chuanhai , Wang Jingjing , Zhang Hanlin , Liu Shunai , Lee Hyuek Jong , Jin Wanzhu , Cheng Jun 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackground & AimsHepatic steatosis is a common feature of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Previous reports have shown that the overexpression of hepatitis C virus core‐encoding sequences (hepatitis C virus genotypes 3a and 1b) significantly induces intracellular triglyceride accumulation. However, the underlying mechanism has not yet been revealed.MethodsTo investigate whether Sirt1 is involved in hepatitis C virus‐mediated hepatic steatosis, the overexpression of hepatitis C virus core 1b protein and Sirt1 and the knockdown of Sirt1 in HepG2 cells were performed. To confirm the results of the cellular experiment liver‐specific Sirt1 KO mice with lentivirus‐mediated hepatitis C virus core 1b overexpression were studied.ResultsOur results show that hepatitis C virus core 1b protein overexpression led to the accumulation of triglycerides in HepG2 cells. Notably the expression of PPARγ2 was dramatically increased at both the mRNA and protein levels by hepatitis C virus core 1b overexpression. The protein expression of Sirt1 is an upstream regulator of PPARγ2 and was also significantly increased after core 1b overexpression. In addition, the overexpression or knockdown of Sirt1 expression alone was sufficient to modulate p300‐mediated PPARγ2 deacetylation. In vivo studies showed that hepatitis C virus core protein 1b‐induced hepatic steatosis was attenuated in liver‐specific Sirt1 KO mice by downregulation of PPARγ2 expression.ConclusionsSirt1 mediates hepatitis C virus core protein 1b‐induced hepatic steatosis by regulation of PPARγ2 expression.
Education, Perceived Control, and Volunteering
Authors: Son Joonmo , Wilson John 
Published: September 2017

The consistent effect of education on volunteering has been explained in a number of ways. In this study we test the hypothesis that perceived control beliefs are partly responsible. Using two waves of panel data from National Survey of Midlife in the United States we estimated cross‐lagged structural equation models in which education is positioned as the exogenous variable and perceived control and volunteering are allowed to be reciprocally related across the two waves. We find that perceived control predicts volunteering, but there is no reciprocal effect: volunteering has no effect on sense of control. One reason, therefore, that educated people are more likely to volunteer is that they have stronger control beliefs. The findings enrich the theory of volunteering by introducing the idea of agency, showing one way in which resources influence the decision to volunteer.
Triazole Resistance Is Still Not Emerging in Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates Causing Invasive Aspergillosis in Brazilian Patients
Authors: Negri Clara E. , Gonçalves Sarah S. , Sousa Ana Cristina P. , Bergamasco Maria Daniela , Martino Marinês D. V. , Queiroz-Telles Flavio , Aquino Valerio Rodrigues , Castro Paulo de Tarso O. , Hagen Ferry , Meis Jacques F. , Colombo Arnaldo L. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Aspergillus fumigatus
azole resistance has emerged as a global health problem. We evaluated the
in vitro
antifungal susceptibility of 221 clinical
A. fumigatus
isolates according to CLSI guidelines. Sixty-one isolates exhibiting MICs at the epidemiological cutoff value (ECV) for itraconazole or above the ECV for any triazole were checked for
CYP51A
mutations. No mutations were documented, even for the isolates (1.8%) with high voriconazole MICs, indicating that triazoles may be used safely to treat aspergillosis in Brazil.
Gemini Cationic Amphiphiles Control Biofilm Formation by Bacterial Vaginosis Pathogens
Authors: Algburi Ammar , Zhang Yingyue , Weeks Richard , Comito Nicole , Zehm Saskia , Pinto Juanita , Uhrich Kathryn E. , Chikindas Michael L. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic resistance and recurrence of bacterial vaginosis (BV), a polymicrobial infection, justify the need for novel antimicrobials to counteract microbial resistance to conventional antibiotics. Previously, two series of cationic amphiphiles (CAms) which self-assemble into supramolecular nanostructures with membrane-lytic properties were designed with hydrophilic head groups and nonpolar domains. The combination of CAms and commonly prescribed antibiotics is suggested as a promising strategy for targeting microorganisms that are resistant to conventional antibiotics. Activities of the CAms against
Gardnerella vaginalis
ATCC 14018, a representative BV pathogen, ranged from 1.1 to 24.4 μM. Interestingly, the tested healthy
Lactobacillus
species, especially
Lactobacillus plantarum
ATCC 39268, were significantly more tolerant of CAms than the selected pathogens. In addition, CAms prevented biofilm formation at concentrations which did not influence the normal growth ability of
G. vaginalis
ATCC 14018. Furthermore, the biofilm minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC-Bs) of CAms against
G. vaginalis
ATCC 14018 ranged from 58.8 to 425.6 μM, while much higher concentrations (≥850 μM) were required to produce ≥3-log reductions in the number of biofilm-associated lactobacilli. The conventional antibiotic metronidazole synergized strongly with all tested CAms against planktonic cells and biofilms of
G. vaginalis
ATCC 14018. The synergism between CAms and the tested conventional antibiotic may be considered a new, effective, and beneficial method of controlling biofilm-associated bacterial vaginosis.
Novel Cell-Killing Mechanisms of Hydroxyurea and the Implication toward Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Fungal Infections
Authors: Singh Amanpreet , Agarwal Ameeta , Xu Yong-jie 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

We have previously reported that an
erg11
mutation affecting ergosterol synthesis and a
hem13
mutation in the heme synthesis pathway significantly sensitize the fission yeast
Schizosaccharomyces pombe
to hydroxyurea (HU) (1, 2). Here we show that treatment with inhibitors of Erg11 and heme biosynthesis phenocopies the two mutations in sensitizing wild-type cells to HU. Importantly, HU synergistically interacts with the heme biosynthesis inhibitor sampangine and several Erg11 inhibitors, the antifungal azoles, in causing cell lethality. Since the synergistic drug interactions are also observed in the phylogenetically divergent
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and the opportunistic fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
, the synergism is likely conserved in eukaryotes. Interestingly, our genetic data for
S. pombe
has also led to the discovery of a robust synergism between sampangine and the azoles in
C. albicans
. Thus, combinations of HU, sampangine, and the azoles can be further studied as a new method for the treatment of fungal infections.
A Four-Center Retrospective Study of the Efficacy and Toxicity of Low-Dose Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole for the Treatment of Pneumocystis Pneumonia in Patients without HIV Infection
Authors: Kosaka Makoto , Ushiki Atsuhito , Ikuyama Yuichi , Hirai Kazuya , Matsuo Akemi , Hachiya Tsutomu , Hanaoka Masayuki 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

The dose of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) for the treatment of
Pneumocystis
pneumonia (PCP) in patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has not been verified. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of a low-dose TMP-SMX regimen in such patients. A retrospective study was conducted in four hospitals. We reviewed the medical records of patients with PCP but not HIV (non-HIV-PCP) who were treated with TMP-SMX between 2003 and 2016. The patients were divided into conventional-dose (TMP, 15 to 20 mg/kg/day) and low-dose (TMP, <15 mg/kg/day) groups after patients who received high-dose (TMP, >20 mg/kg/day) treatment were excluded. Grouping was done according to a correction dose, which was based on renal function. Eighty-two patients had non-HIV-PCP. The numbers of patients who received high-, conventional-, and low-dose treatments were 5, 36, and 41, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis for death associated with PCP showed no statistically significant difference in survival rates between the conventional- and low-dose groups. Ninety-day cause-specific mortality rates were 25.0% and 19.5% in the conventional-dose and low-dose groups (
P
= 0.76), respectively. Adverse events that were graded as ≥3 according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0) (National Cancer Institute, 2010) were 41.7% and 17.1% in the conventional-dose and low-dose groups (
P
= 0.02), respectively. Moreover, vomiting (
P
= 0.03) and a decrease in platelet count (
P
= 0.03) occurred more frequently in the conventional-dose group. Treatment of non-HIV-PCP with low-dose or conventional-dose TMP-SMX produces comparable survival rates; however, the low-dose regimen is better tolerated and associated with fewer adverse effects.
Influence of Mechanical Ventilation on the Pharmacokinetics of Vancomycin Administered by Continuous Infusion in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Medellín-Garibay Susanna Edith , Romano-Moreno Silvia , Tejedor-Prado Pilar , Rubio-Álvaro Noelia , Rueda-Naharro Aida , Blasco-Navalpotro Miguel Angel , García Benito , Barcia Emilia 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT

Pathophysiological changes involved in drug disposition in critically ill patients should be considered in order to optimize the dosing of vancomycin administered by continuous infusion, and certain strategies must be applied to reach therapeutic targets on the first day of treatment. The aim of this study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model of vancomycin to determine clinical covariates, including mechanical ventilation, that influence the wide variability of this antimicrobial. Plasma vancomycin concentrations from 54 critically ill patients were analyzed simultaneously by a population pharmacokinetic approach. A nomogram for dosing recommendations was developed and was internally evaluated through stochastic simulations. The plasma vancomycin concentration-versus-time data were best described by a one-compartment open model with exponential interindividual variability associated with vancomycin clearance and the volume of distribution. Residual error followed a homoscedastic trend. Creatinine clearance and body weight significantly dropped the objective function value, showing their influence on vancomycin clearance and the volume of distribution, respectively. Characterization based on the presence of mechanical ventilation demonstrated a 20% decrease in vancomycin clearance. External validation (
n
= 18) was performed to evaluate the predictive ability of the model; median bias and precision values were 0.7 mg/liter (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.4, 1.7) and 5.9 mg/liter (95% CI, 5.4, 6.4), respectively. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed for the administration of vancomycin by continuous infusion to critically ill patients, demonstrating the influence of creatinine clearance and mechanical ventilation on vancomycin clearance, as well as the implications for targeting dosing rates to reach the therapeutic range (20 to 30 mg/liter).
Pharmacokinetic/Toxicodynamic Analysis of Colistin-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Forrest Alan , Garonzik Samira M. , Thamlikitkul Visanu , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J. , Paterson David L. , Li Jian , Silveira Fernanda P. , Nation Roger L. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACT
Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in a substantial proportion of critically ill patients receiving intravenous colistin. In the pharmacokinetic/toxicodynamic analysis reported here, the relationship of the occurrence of AKI to exposure to colistin and a number of potential patient factors was explored in 153 critically ill patients, none of whom were receiving renal replacement therapy. Tree-based modeling revealed that the rates of AKI were substantially higher when the average steady-state plasma colistin concentration was greater than ∼2 mg/liter.