bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transplantation of hypoxic preconditioned neural stem cells benefits functional recovery via enhancing neurotrophic secretion after spinal cord injury in rats
Authors: Fan Wei‐li , Liu Peng , Wang Guan , Pu Jun‐gang , Xue Xin , Zhao Jian‐hua 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating, costly, and common pathological condition that affects the function of central nervous system (CNS). To date, there are few promising therapeutic strategies available for SCI. To look for a suitable therapeutic strategy, we have developed a sublethal hypoxic preconditioning procedure using Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis, LDH releasing, and cell viability assays in vitro. Meanwhile, we have examined the benefits of neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation prior to hypoxic preconditioning on functional recovery and potential mechanism via MRI screening, H&E, and Nissl staining, immunofluorescence staining and Elisa assays. Our data showed that transplantation of hypoxic prconditioned NSCs could enhance neuronal survival, especially 5‐TH+ and ChAT+ neurons, in the injured spinal cord to reinforce functional benefits. The hypoxia exposure upregulated HIF‐1α, neurotrophic and growth factors including neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3), glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, functional recovery, including locomotor and hypersensitivities to mechanical and thermal stimulation assessed via behavioral and sensory tests, improved significantly in rats with engraftment of NSCs after hypoxia exposure from day 14 post‐SCI, compared with the control and N‐NSCs groups. In short, the approach employed in this study could result in functional recovery via upregulating neurotrophic and growth factors, which implies that hypoxic preconditioning strategy could serve as an effective and feasible strategy for cell‐based therapy in the treatment of SCI in rats.
Distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Korea in the preceding decade
Authors: Jeon Jae‐Sik , Kim Jae Kyung , Choi Qute , Kim Jong Wan 
Published: September 2017

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB); it is transmitted among people through air. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of TB and its clinical trends by collecting and analyzing data on specimens in Korea.MethodsAll clinical specimens referred to the Dankook University Hospital Laboratory in Cheonan, Korea, from September 2005 to June 2016 were tested to isolate MTB using solid and liquid cultures, acid‐fast bacilli (AFB) smears, and polymerase chain reactions (PCR).ResultsIn total, 146 150 specimens were collected; the mean TB positivity rate was 7.8%. The highest positivity rate was observed among patients 30‐39 years of age (12.6%), followed by those 20‐29 years of age (12.2%). The mean positivity rate was highest in 2010 and lowest in 2016 (10.7% and 6.7%, respectively). When comparing 2015‐2011, we saw a decrease in the number of TB‐positive patients of 3.4%; this represented an annual decrease in 0.9%.ConclusionOur data revealed a trend for a decrease in TB prevalence over time. Moreover, TB positivity rates were highest among the younger age groups in our study. Therefore, rapid diagnosis and treatment of TB in younger individuals are crucial.
Addressing Antiretroviral Therapy‐Associated Drug‐Drug Interactions in Patients Requiring Treatment for Opportunistic Infections in Low‐Income and Resource‐Limited Settings
Authors: Chastain Daniel B. , Franco‐Paredes Carlos , Stover Kayla R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAn increasing number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients are achieving virologic suppression on antiretroviral therapy (ART) limiting the use of primary and secondary antimicrobial prophylaxis. However, in low‐income and resource‐limited settings, half of those infected with HIV are unaware of their diagnosis, and fewer than 50% of patients on ART achieve virologic suppression. Management of comorbidities and opportunistic infections among patients on ART may lead to inevitable drug‐drug interactions (DDIs) and even toxicities. Elderly patients, individuals with multiple comorbidities, those receiving complex ART, and patients living in low‐income settings experience higher rates of DDIs. Management of these cytochrome P450‐mediated, nonmediated, and drug transport system DDIs is critical in HIV‐infected patients, particularly those in resource‐limited settings with few options for ART. This article critically analyzes and provides recommendations to manage significant DDIs and drug toxicities in HIV‐infected patients receiving ART.
Seasonal variation and correlation between corticosterone and the antioxidant uric acid during stress in the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Authors: Haskins Jonathan W. , Spizzoucco Frank A. , Walker Brian G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractGlucocorticoids modify metabolism and other physiological processes in order to mount an appropriate response to stress. This stress response is affected by a combination of seasonal changes, life‐history events, and environmental factors. Determining seasonal variability and the potential connection between stress hormones and metabolism is fundamental in understanding seasonal physiological changes in animals. Here, we compared an indicator of stress (corticosterone) with an indicator of metabolic activity (uric acid—a non‐enzymatic antioxidant and end product of protein metabolism) during capture and restraint in Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) during fall, winter, spring, and summer. Baseline corticosterone, the acute change in corticosterone (Δ10‐corticosterone), and integrated corticosterone during capture stress were significantly different among seasons. For all corticosterone measurements birds captured in summer consistently had the lowest values while spring birds were highest. The lower corticosterone stress response in summer may decrease the likelihood of abandonment and thus protect investment in eggs/chicks. Higher glucocorticoid secretion in spring may benefit birds competing for nesting sites. No differences in uric acid levels (baseline, 60 min, and acute change over 60 min‐ Δ60‐uric acid) were found among seasons. While plasma uric acid significantly decreased over an hour in all seasons examined, there were no significant correlations between baseline corticosterone and uric acid, time‐60 corticosterone and uric acid, and Δ10‐corticosterone and Δ60‐uric acid. We conclude that the relationship between corticosterone and metabolism, as measured by uric acid, is indirect, and seasonal variation occurs with corticosterone secretion but not with uric acid, as measured here.
Quasi‐graphic matroids*
Authors: Geelen Jim , Gerards Bert , Whittle Geoff 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFrame matroids and lifted‐graphic matroids are two interesting generalizations of graphic matroids. Here, we introduce a new generalization, quasi‐graphic matroids, that unifies these two existing classes. Unlike frame matroids and lifted‐graphic matroids, it is easy to certify that a 3‐connected matroid is quasi‐graphic. The main result is that every 3‐connected representable quasi‐graphic matroid is either a lifted‐graphic matroid or a frame matroid.
Packing odd T‐joins with at most two terminals
Authors: Abdi Ahmad , Guenin Bertrand 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTake a graph G, an edge subset , and a set of terminals where is even. The triple is called a signed graft. A T‐join is odd if it contains an odd number of edges from Σ. Let ν be the maximum number of edge‐disjoint odd T‐joins. A signature is a set of the form where and is even. Let τ be the minimum cardinality a T‐cut or a signature can achieve. Then and we say that packs if equality holds here.We prove that packs if the signed graft is Eulerian and it excludes two special nonpacking minors. Our result confirms the Cycling Conjecture for the class of clutters of odd T‐joins with at most two terminals. Corollaries of this result include, the characterizations of weakly and evenly bipartite graphs, packing two‐commodity paths, packing T‐joins with at most four terminals, and a new result on covering edges with cuts.
Berge–Fulkerson coloring for C(8)‐linked graphs
Authors: Hao Rong‐Xia , Zhang Cun‐Quan , Zheng Ting 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIt is conjectured by Berge and Fulkerson that every bridgeless cubic graph has six perfect matchings such that each edge is contained in exactly two of them.
Let G be a cubic graph and be a 2‐factor of G such that is odd if and only if for some integer k. The 2‐factor F is C(8)‐linked
if, for every , there is a circuit of length 8 with edge sequence where and . And the cubic graph G is C(8)‐linked if it contains a C(8)‐linked 2‐factor. It is proved in this article that every C(8)‐linked cubic graph is Berge–Fulkerson colorable.
It is also noticed that many classical families of snarks (including some high oddness snarks) are C(8)‐linked. Consequently, the Berge–Fulkerson conjecture is verified for these infinite families of snarks.
One‐way infinite 2‐walks in planar graphs
Authors: Biebighauser Daniel P. , Ellingham M. N. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe prove that every 3‐connected 2‐indivisible infinite planar graph has a 1‐way infinite 2‐walk. (A graph is 2‐indivisible if deleting finitely many vertices leaves at most one infinite component, and a 2‐walk is a spanning walk using every vertex at most twice.) This improves a result of Timar, which assumed local finiteness. Our proofs use Tutte subgraphs, and allow us to also provide other results when the graph is bipartite or an infinite analog of a triangulation: then the prism over the graph has a spanning 1‐way infinite path.
Serum lactate in liver resection with intermittent Pringle maneuver: the “square‐root‐ shape
Authors: Giustiniano Enrico , Procopio Fabio , Costa Guido , Rocchi Laura , Ruggieri Nadia , Cantoni Stefania , Zito Paola C. , Gollo Yari , Torzilli Guido , Raimondi Ferdinando 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundSerum lactate (sLac) concentration during liver resection with intermittent hepatic hilum clamping (i.e. Pringle maneuver, PM) was retrospectively investigated.MethodsA total of 133 patients who underwent liver resection were enrolled. We analyzed the sLac peri‐operatively. Correlations were searched between the PM and lactatemia and its variations (i.e. lactate clearance, cLac) and other factors which it might be related to. Lactatemia in triplicate intraoperatively was recorded, just after the awakening, and 1 and 2 h later. The cLac between two consecutive measurements [(sLac1 − sLac2)/sLac1] was computed.ResultsA reliable dependence of sLac was found from the cumulative PM. More than 76 min of cumulative Pringle Time (cPT) exposed patients to a worse cLac at the end of the resection phase (P < 0.0001). We found cPT >76 min, global operation time >365 min and bleeding >225 ml to be predictors of hyperlactatemia (sLac >4 mmol/L). Normal liver resulted as a risk factor for hyperlactatemia and steatosis was not (P = 0.030 vs. P = 0.325). Finally, cLac showed a “square‐root‐ shape, just like the mathematical operation sign.ConclusionsLactatemia during liver resection depends on the duration of PM, bleeding and the duration of the operation. Normal liver may expose the patient to the risk of hyperlactatemia.
1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐tethered 8‐OMe Ciprofloxacin and Isatin Hybrids: Design, Synthesis and in vitro Anti‐mycobacterial Activities
Authors: Xu Zhi , Song Xu‐Feng , Qiang Min , Lv Zao‐Sheng 
Published: September 2017

A new class of 1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐tethered 8‐OMe ciprofloxacin (8‐OMe CPFX) isatin hybrids 5a–l was designed, synthesized and screened for their in vitro anti‐mycobacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv and multi‐drug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB). All targets (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 0.20–8.0 μg/mL) exhibited promising inhibitory activity against MTB H37Rv and MDR‐TB. Among them, conjugate 5h (MIC: 0.20 μg/mL), was 2–16 times more potent in vitro than the references CPFX (MIC: 3.12 μg/mL), 8‐OMe CPFX (MIC: 1.56 μg/mL) and RIF (MIC: 0.39 μg/mL) against MTB H37Rv. The most potent hybrid 5l (MIC: 0.25 μg/mL) was 8–256 times more active than the three references (MIC: 2.0–64 μg/mL) against MDR‐TB. Both of them warrant further investigations.
Achieving interfragmentary compression without special drilling technique or screw design
Authors: Eastman Jonathan , Deafenbaugh Bradley , Christiansen Blaine , Garcia‐Nolen Tanya , Lee Mark 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTTraditional fracture fixation teaching suggests that fully threaded screws do not provide interfragmentary compression unless placed through a glide hole. Based on this assumption, pelvic surgeons typically use fully threaded screws in the treatment of comminuted transforaminal sacral fractures to limit iatrogenic neuroforaminal stenosis. Clinical experience with fully threaded screws suggests that interfragmentary compression actually does occur. We hypothesized that the use of a fully threaded screw does not produce any interfragmentary compression and that there is no difference in insertional torque between partially threaded and fully threaded screws. To test this hypothesis, fully and partially threaded 7.0 millimeter (mm) cannulated screws were placed across two synthetic bone blocks fabricated to simulate normal and osteoporotic bone. We compared two groups of normal and osteoporotic blocks for compression achieved and maximal insertional torque generated with fully threaded and partially threaded screw insertion. A micro computed tomography (CT) scan of the composite blocks was obtained to investigate for structural changes created during screw insertion. For both groups, compression was achieved with fully threaded screws and the maximal insertional torque was higher using fully threaded screws. Micro CT analysis demonstrated local bone damage with structural disruption in the near segment of the fully threaded screw path in comparison to the partially threaded. Clinical significance: this study demonstrates that compression is generated using fully threaded screws without using a predrilled glide hole. The insertional torque required to generate compression with fully threaded screws is increased but is clinically applicable. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1099–1105, 2018.
The seating mechanics of head‐neck modular tapers in vitro: Load‐displacement measurements, moisture, and rate effects
Authors: Ouellette Eric S. , Shenoy Aarti A. , Gilbert Jeremy L. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTThe mechanically assisted crevice corrosion performance of head‐neck modular tapers is a significant concern in orthopedic biomaterials. Fretting crevice corrosion processes in modular tapers are thought to be influenced by a wide array of factors including seating mechanics of the junction, hence there is a need for in vitro test methods that can assess their performance. This study presented a test method to directly measure the load‐displacement seating mechanics of modular tapers and used this method to compare the seating mechanics for different tapers, moisture, seating loads and seating rates. Seating mechanics were explored whereby the instantaneous load‐displacement behavior of the head seating onto the neck is captured and used to define the mechanics of seating. Two distinct taper design/material combinations were assembled wet or dry using axially applied loads (500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 N) at two loading rates of 100 and 104 N/s (n = 5 for each condition) using a servohydraulic test frame. The results showed that pull‐off strength scaled with seating load and ranged between 43% and 68% of seating load depending on sample and wetness. Tapers seated wet had higher pull‐off strengths (2,200 ± 300 N) than those seated dry (1,800 ± 200 N, p < 0.05). Seating mechanics (load‐displacement plots) varied due to sample type and due to wetness with differences in seating energy, seating stiffness, and seating displacement. These results show the detailed mechanics of seating during assembly and provide significant insight into the complex interplay of factors associated with even “ideal” seating (axial, quasistatic) loading. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1164–1172, 2018.
Spatial Variation of Soil Seed Bank under Cushion Plants in a Subalpine Degraded Grassland
Authors: Niknam Parisa , Erfanzadeh Reza , Ghelichnia Hassan , Cerdà Artemi 
Published: September 2017

AbstractCushion plants can affect wind speed and sediment movement patterns that probably modify the water and sediment redistribution along slopes and increase the accumulation of seeds under and around their canopies. This study was carried out to assess the spatial variability of soil seed bank (SSB) and seed bank composition around cushion plants to estimate the SSB potential for restoration of degraded area. Twenty cushions of Onobrychis cornuta were selected in a mountainous rangelands in northern Alborz in Iran, measuring density, richness and composition of SSB at four locations of each cushion (upslope edge, downslope edge, centre and outside). SSB composition and density were determined by seedling emergence method. The results showed that the locations of cushions had significant effect on density and richness of the SSBs. The highest SSB density and richness were observed in the centre and upslope edge of the cushions, while there was no significant differences of density and richness between downslope edge and outside (bare grassland soil) of the cushions. In addition, the results showed that seed bank composition was highly correlated between the four locations in the same cushion. We concluded that cushion plants can act as seed traps specially trapping seeds dispersed by barochory and hydrochory and therefore play an important role in conservation and recovery of degraded areas. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Freshwater bloom‐forming cyanobacteria and anthropogenic change
Authors: Bonilla Sylvia , Pick Frances R. 
Published: September 2017

This lecture (∼ 45‐55 slides) will be aimed at senior undergraduate students and graduate students in aquatic sciences with little background in phycology. This lecture could be used in a Aquatic Ecology or Sciences (Limnology) course, an Ecology course, a Phycology course, Environmental Science.Cyanobacteria that may lead to blooms encompass a wide range of different functional groups. We will present:1) the evolutionary history of cyanobacteria (2‐3 slides) (this helps explain some of their present‐day traits)2) basic biology and physiological/ecological traits of planktonic cyanobacteria that are most often associated with visible biomass accumulations (“blooms”) in freshwater/brackish systems of various regions of the world. Traits to be considered include: capacity for N fixation, nutrient uptake and storage (C, N, P), siderochromes, buoyancy regulation (gas vacuoles, mucilage), life cycles, growth rates vs. loss rates (resistance to grazing), allelopathy (negative vs. positive biotic interactions) Functional groups. Planktonic genera may also produce toxins, contributing to harmful algal blooms. (∼12‐14 slides).3) Cyanotoxins: the principal types of toxins produced and their effects (persistence) will be compared, along with theories as to the biological function of these compounds. (∼ 6 slides)4) Specific case studies of blooms types under different climates: e.g. scum‐forming, metalimnetic, dispersed (∼6)5) The factors that appear to explain and control cyanobacterial dominance will be presented, including nutrient effects, temperature, and food chain changes. These factors vary across temporal and spatial scales. Evidence for eutrophication and climate change in mediating directly or indirectly the frequency and severity of freshwater cyanobacterial blooms will be considered (∼8‐10).6) Research avenues Controversial or unresolved topics: e.g. invasiveness?, cosmopolitan or geographically restricted (e.g. endemism? in hot spring taxa), toxin concerns and bioaccumulation), nitrogen fixation (“pretenders”), nutrient stoichiometry. Unexplored diversity at different levels (molecular, chemical, taxonomic), techniques for controlling cyanobacteria blooms, the future for cyanobacteria under climate change scenarios (∼4)7) General references, web resourcess and primary articles. (∼2)8) Questions and potential experiments for instructors and students will be provided at the end of the lecture (supplementary slides).
Soluble Dietary Fiber Reduces Trimethylamine Metabolism via Gut Microbiota and Co‐Regulates Host AMPK Pathways
Authors: Li Qian , Wu Tao , Liu Rui , Zhang Min , Wang Ruijun 
Published: September 2017

ScopeEvidence from animal experiments and clinical medicine suggests that high dietary fiber intake, followed by gut microbiota‐mediated fermentation, decreases trimethylamine (TMA) metabolism, the mechanism of which, however, remains unclear. The objective of this analysis was to evaluate, using mice fed with red meat, the effects of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) intervention on TMA metabolism.Methods and resultsLow‐ or high‐dose soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from natural wheat bran (LN and HN, low‐ and high‐dose natural SDF), fermented wheat bran (LF and HF, low‐ and high‐dose fermented SDF), and steam‐exploded wheat bran (LE and HE, low‐ and high‐dose exploded SDF groups) were used to examine whether SDF interventions in mice fed with red meat can alter TMA and trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) metabolism by gut microbial communities in a diet‐specific manner. Results demonstrated that SDF‐diets could reduce TMA and trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) metabolism by 40.6 and 62.6%, respectively. DF feeding, particularly fermented SDF, reshaped gut microbial ecology and promoted the growth of certain beneficial microflora species. SDF‐diet decreased energy intake, weight gain, intestinal pH values, and serum lipid and cholesterol levels. SDF‐diet also enhanced the production of short chain fatty acids with activation of the intestinal epithelial adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK).ConclusionThese findings suggest a central mechanism via which SDF‐diet may control TMA metabolism by gut microflora and co‐regulate the AMPK pathways of the host.
Metastatic Cancer in the Middle Age: The Possible Case of a Female Skeleton from Bormio (Italy)
Authors: Caruso V. , Gibelli D. , Castoldi E. , Sconfienza L. M. , Sardanelli F. , Cattaneo C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSecondary signs of cancer are difficult to assess in the archaeological context, as other lesions may mimic metastases on dry bones. Furthermore, the low life expectancy, lower level of environmental cancer risk factors and pollution than the present times can contribute in limiting the frequency of signs of cancer in archaeological populations.This study focuses on a female adult skeleton from the necropolis of Bormio (North Italy), dating back to Middle Ages, which shows multiple lytic lesions on cranium, upper limbs, ribs and pelvis; lesions are oval in shape, with a diameter ranging from 1–2 to 80 mm. The lesions appearance and distribution at macroscopic and radiographic level, together with sex and age indications, suggest the diagnosis of metastatic cancer. Possible diagnostic hypotheses of the possible sites of original cancer were performed as well, based on modern epidemiological data. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.