bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
eNOS Uncoupling: A Therapeutic Target For Ischemic Foot of Diabetic Rat
Authors: Gao Ling , Yu Ailin , Liu Jingcheng , Ma Lina , Li Jing 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Aim To determine the relationship between eNOS uncoupling and diabetic ischemic foot and whether reversing eNOS uncoupling by Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) transfection or folic acid (FA) supplementation can be beneficiary in diabetic ischemic foot.
Methods The bilateral common iliac artery of diabetic rats were ligated to establish the diabetic ischemic foot animal model. DHFR transfection was implemented via femoral artery and muscle injection of in vivo transfection reagent mixture (GenEscortIII) every 4 days during the 2 weeks intervention. The color doppler flow imaging (CDFI) of femoral artery for RI measurement, triceps and quadriceps structure and histology, eNOS coupling status, DHFR expression level, superoxide, peroxynitrite (ONOO– ) and nitric oxide (NO) production in the presence or absence of L-NAME (eNOS inhibitor) were examined among wild type rats (WT), diabetic sham rats (DM), rats of diabetic ischemic foot (DF) or DF with DHFR transfection (DFT) or DF with FA supplementation (DFF).
Results Dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence, as an index of superoxide production was enhanced in the femoral arteries of diabetic rats and even more in those of ischemic foot from diabetic rats. However, the DHE fluorescence was diminished in the presence of L-NAME suggesting eNOS uncoupling is the source of superoxide overproduction which further led to increased peroxynitrite production and decreased NO. bioavailability. Subsequently, the hind limb muscle became atrophic and the local collateral circulation was defective due to endothelial dysfunction related to eNOS uncoupling. However, all of the above and hemodynamic index (RI) of femoral artery were resumed via restoration of DHFR protein expression by folic acid treatment or DHFR transfection.
Conclusions eNOS uncoupling is involved in diabetic ischemic foot due to DHFR suppression. DHFR restoration can reverse eNOS uncoupling and resume the endothelial dysfunction and pathological changes (increased vasculature resistance, hind limb muscle atrophy and defective collateral circulation) associated with eNOS uncoupling in diabetic ischemic foot. All of which enlightens a novel therapeutic strategy for future diabetic ischemic foot treatments.
Mikrobielle Biomarker zur Krebsfrüherkennung
Authors: Voigt Anita , Zeller Georg , Bork Peer 
Published: February 2018

ZusammenfassungIm Bereich Krebsfrüherkennung zeigt sich schon heute das Potenzial der Mikrobiomforschung für klinische Anwendungen. Auch wenn die zugrunde liegenden Mechanismen und Ursachen bisher weitgehend unbekannt sind, kann die krank heitsbedingte Veränderung des Mikrobioms als Angriffspunkt zur Erforschung neuartiger diagnostischer und prognostischer Tests genutzt werden. Dies trifft insbesondere auf Dickdarmkrebs zu, wo sich bereits konkrete Möglichkeiten für den klinischen Einsatz abzeichnen. In diesem Artikel fassen wir die Fortschritte der letzten Jahre aber auch Schwierigkeiten in der Entwicklung mikrobieller Biomarker für die Krebsfrüherkennung zusammen.
Early Stage Graves’ Disease is Uniformly Accompanied by Orbital Immune Activity even in Patients who Fail to Develop Orbithopathy during Follow-up
Authors: Berta Eszter , Bodor Miklós , Galuska László , Paragh György , Erdei Annamária , Gazdag Annamária , Ujhelyi Bernadett , Berényi Ervin , Katkó Mónika , Gazsó Andrea , Nagy Endre 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Purpose Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) is a complication of Graves’ disease (GD), the development of which cannot be predicted at the time of diagnosis of GD. Our aims were (i) to test if orbital 99mTc-labelled diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid single-photon emission computer tomography (DTPA SPECT) can predict development of GO later during the course of the disease and (ii) to study whether orbital immune activity can be detected in GD patients who do not develop GO during follow-up.
Methods Fifty-four orbits of 27 patients with newly diagnosed GD were entered into the case-control study. Individuals showing signs of GO at enrolment were excluded. During the two-year follow-up, eye signs were recorded every 3 months. Orbital DTPA uptakes on SPECT images were measured when entering the study and at the end of the follow-up period, or when clinical signs of GO developed, whichever occurred first.
Results During the follow-up, 6 patients (22%) were diagnosed with GO. There was no significant difference between the initial DTPA uptakes of the patients with or without later developing GO (10.45±1.72 MBq/cm3 vs. 9.18±1.18 MBq/cm3 respectively). However, the DTPA uptakes of both GD groups (ie. with and without GO) were higher than that of the control group (7.45±1.36 MBq/cm3, p<0.05).
Conclusions We have shown that GD is accompanied by moderate orbital immune activity in GD patients without GO, irrespective of later development of GO. Why this orbital autoimmunity remains subclinical in the majority of the cases, and progresses into clinically detectable GO in others, remains unclear.
Tanshinone IIA Improves Painful Diabetic Neuropathy by Suppressing the Expression and Activity of Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia
Authors: Ri-Ge-le Ao , Guo Zhuang-Li , Wang Qi , Zhang Bao-Jian , Kong Da-Wei , Yang Wen-Qiang , Yu Yan-Bing , Zhang Li 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPainful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is one of the intractable complications of diabetes mellitus, which manifest as exaggerated pain perception. Previous studies showed that Tanshinone IIA (TIIA), one of the major bioactive extracts of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, have obvious analgesic effect on different types of pain process, and the underlying analgesic mechanisms are not fully understood. The present study combined the behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical methods to elucidate the analgesic mechanism of TIIA, using streptozotocin (STZ)-induced PDN rat models. Intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of TIIA for 3 weeks in PDN rats significantly improved mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Patch clamp recordings showed that the excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) nociceptive neuron was increased in diabetic state, and TIIA treatment effectively recovered the subnormality, which was achieved by preventing augments of both Tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-resistant) and Tetrodotoxin-sensitive (TTX-S) sodium currents. Further, the protein expressions of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) α-subunits Nav1.3, Nav1.7 and Nav1.9 increased in DRG of diabetic rats and were normalized by TIIA application. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that the TIIA attenuated PDN by effecting VGSCs activities and expressions, indicating that the TIIA could be a promising agent for PDN treatment.
Green Quantification Strategy Combined with Chemometric Analysis for Triglycerides in Seeds Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Authors: Hou Jin-Jun , Guo Ji-ling , Cao Chun-Mei , Yao Shuai , Long Hua-li , Cai Lu-Ying , Da Juan , Wu Wan-Ying , Guo De-An 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTriglycerides are the primary constituents of some seed kernels used in traditional Chinese medicine. Quality control of seed kernels containing multiple components with an environmentally friendly method is indispensable for establishing their quality standards (called monographs) in pharmacopeia. Using coix seeds (Semen Coicis) as an example, a green quantification strategy was proposed by combining C8 core-shell particles with single standard to determine multicomponent technologies to quantify seven triglycerides simultaneously. A core-shell column, namely, Halo C8 (3.0 × 100 mm, 2.7 µm), was used. Methanol was used as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min, enabling UV detection of the elutes. Seven triglycerides were well separated in 20 min, and simultaneously quantified using triolein as a single standard. The conversion factor for each standard was set as 1.0 on ELSD, while for the conversion factors at 203 nm, the values increased with the reduction of linoleate. The recovery values were all in the range of 97 – 107% (RSD < 3.0%). The RSD values of precision, including intraday and intermediate precision, were < 3.0% when the total content of triglycerides was calculated. The linearity reached r ≥ 0.9990, and the limit of quantitation reached 40 – 70 ng. Forty-nine batches of coix seeds from four different places of origins and eight batches of adulterants were evaluated and differentiated using principal component analysis. In addition, the validated method was used successfully to quantity seven triglycerides in Semen Persicae, Semen Armeniacae Amarum, and Semen Pruni.
Multiple Angulated Mammography Reconstructions in Digital Breast Tomosynthesis for the Diagnosis of Microcalcifications – Added Value to Standard Stack Reconstructions and Synthesized Mammography
Authors: Neubauer Jakob , Neubauer Claudia , Wicklein Julia , Mertelmeier Thomas , Windfuhr-Blum Marisa , Langer Mathias 
Published: February 2018

Purpose To compare ratings regarding the depiction, diagnostic accuracy and lesion characterization of conventional synthesized mammography (SM), multiple angulated mammography reconstructions (INSIGHT3D), and standard stack reconstructions in digital breast tomosynthesis for microcalcifications.
Materials and Methods This is a retrospective, multicase, multireader study. We included patients with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), microcalcifications and histology over a period of four months in our institution and the same number of normal cases. Three radiologists, who were blinded to patient data, independently rated the depiction, distribution, morphology and BI-RADS score of microcalcifications in SM, INSIGHT3D and standard stack reconstructions. Deidentified images were presented in random order. Reading time was measured. Friedman and post hoc Nemenyi tests, Cochrane’s Q and post hoc Wilcoxon signed rank tests, Fleiss’ kappa and receiver operating characteristics were used for statistical analysis.
Results We included 41 histopathologically proven and 41 normal cases. Depiction of microcalcifications was rated better in INSIGHT3D than in SM and better in stack reconstructions than in INSIGHT3D and SM (P < 0.001). The reading time was lower in SM and INSIGHT3D compared to stack reconstructions (P < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy and inter-rater correlation were comparable between all tested modes of reconstruction.
Conclusions INSIGHT3D has higher ratings regarding the depiction of microcalcifications compared to SM while maintaining a short reading time. Our preliminary assessment suggests that INSIGHT3D provides added value to SM.
Key points
Citation Format
Time on hands
Authors: Li Heng 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The present study investigates deliberate and spontaneous temporal gestures in
Mandarin speakers. The results of our analysis show that when asked to gesture
about past and future events deliberately (Study 1), Mandarin speakers tend to
mimic space-time mappings in their spoken metaphors or graphic conventions for
time in Chinese culture, including sagittal mappings (front/past, back/future),
vertical mappings (up/past, down/future), and lateral mappings (left/past,
right/future). However, in their spontaneous co-speech gestures about time
(Study 2), more congruent gestures were produced on the lateral axis than on the
vertical axis. This suggests that although Mandarin speakers could think about
time vertically, they still showed a horizontal bias in their conceptions of
time. Speakers were also more likely to gesture according to future-in-front
mappings despite more past-in-front mappings found in spoken Chinese, suggesting
a dissociation of temporal language and temporal thought. These results
demonstrate that gesture is useful for revealing the spatial conceptualization
of time.
Effects of gesture restriction on quality of narrative
production
Authors: Jenkins Theodore , Coppola Marie , Coelho Carl 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
Hand gestures have been found to provide both semantic information and cognitive
facilitative effects in language tasks. These benefits, however, have typically
been linked to micro-levels of word and sentence production, and little
attention has been paid to the macro-levels of narrative production and
organization. In this study, we examined the length, content, syntactic
complexity, and organization of narratives of ten typically developing adults
under two conditions: (i) Free Gesture, in which participants were allowed to
gesture freely while retelling a story, and (ii) Restricted Gesture, where the
participants were prevented from moving their hands freely. Results indicated
that although narrative length and content did not vary significantly between
conditions, narratives produced in the Free Gesture condition were significantly
more grammatically complex and better organized than those produced in the
Restricted Gesture condition. The findings are discussed with respect to the
potential facilitative cognitive effects of gesture for discourse planning.
Interactional functions of lip funneling gestures
Authors: Mihas Elena 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBased on extensive ethnographic fieldwork in lowland Peru, this study examines interactional functions of Northern Kampa (Arawak) lip funneling gestures. The study has shown that lip funnels have two functions, spatial deictic and upgrading. Spatial deictic lip funnels orient the addressee to a referential target in acts of direct and deferred ostension and abstract pointing; they are accompanied with aligned gaze and coupled with a variety of lexical items (although they need not be). Spatial deictic lip funnels are intense, sometimes held for the duration of the entire utterance. The second function of lip funnels is to amplify the speaker’s claim to epistemic authority in upgraded responses. In the upgrading function, lip funnels are paired with a limited range of grammatical constructions (negative-interrogative, polar focus and exhaustive focus); the gesturer’s gaze is directed at the recipient, or eyes are shut. Nasalization of vowels is in complementary distribution with eye shutting. ‘Upgrading’ lip funnels are transitory facial actions, normally lasting a split second.
ARGs-OAP v2.0 with an expanded SARG database and Hidden Markov Models for enhancement characterization and quantification of antibiotic resistance genes in environmental metagenomes
Authors: Yin Xiaole , Jiang Xiao-Tao , Chai Benli , Li Liguan , Yang Ying , Cole James R , Tiedje James M , Zhang Tong 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Motivation
Much global attention has been paid to antibiotic resistance in monitoring its emergence, accumulation and dissemination. For rapid characterization and quantification of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in metagenomic datasets, an online analysis pipeline, ARGs-OAP has been developed consisting of a database termed Structured Antibiotic Resistance Genes (the SARG) with a hierarchical structure (ARGs type-subtype-reference sequence).

Results
The new release of the database, termed SARG version 2.0, contains sequences not only from CARD and ARDB databases, but also carefully selected and curated sequences from the latest protein collection of the NCBI-NR database, to keep up to date with the increasing number of ARG deposited sequences. SARG v2.0 has tripled the sequences of the first version and demonstrated improved coverage of ARGs detection in metagenomes from various environmental samples. In addition to annotation of high-throughput raw reads using a similarity search strategy, ARGs-OAP v2.0 now provides model-based identification of assembled sequences using SARGfam, a high-quality profile Hidden Markov Model (HMM), containing profiles of ARG subtypes. Additionally, ARGs-OAP v2.0 improves cell number quantification by using the average coverage of essential single copy marker genes, as an option in addition to the previous method based on the 16S rRNA gene.

Availability and implementation
ARGs-OAP can be accessed through http://smile.hku.hk/SARGs. The database could be downloaded from the same site. Source codes for this study can be downloaded from https://github.com/xiaole99/ARGs-OAP-v2.0.

Supplementary information
Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Suppression of globular cluster formation in metal-poor gas clouds by Lyman α radiation feedback
Authors: Abe Makito , Yajima Hidenobu 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
We study the impact of Ly α radiation feedback on globular cluster (GC) formation. In this Letter, we analytically derive the relation between star formation efficiency (SFE) and metallicity in spherical clouds with the Ly α radiation feedback. Our models show that the SFE becomes small as the metallicity decreases. In metal-poor gas clouds, Ly α photons are trapped for a long time and exert strong radiation force to the gas, resulting in the suppression of star formation. We find that bound star clusters (SFE ≳ 0.5) form only for the metallicity higher than ∼ 10− 2.5 Z⊙ in the case with the initial cloud mass 105 M⊙ and the radius 5 pc. Our models successfully reproduce the lower bound of observed metallicity of GCs. Thus, we suggest that the Ly α radiation feedback can be essential in understanding the formation of GCs.
The Increase in Hospitalizations for Urinary Tract Infections and the Associated Costs in the United States, 1998–2011
Authors: Simmering Jacob E. , Tang Fan , Cavanaugh Joseph E. , Polgreen Linnea A. , Polgreen Philip M. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract

Background
Outpatient therapies for urinary tract infections (UTIs) are becoming limited due to antimicrobial resistance. The purpose of this paper is to report how the incidence of hospitalizations for UTIs have varied over time in both men and women and across age groups. We also explore how the severity for UTI hospitalizations has changed and describe the seasonality of UTI hospitalizations.

Methods
Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we compute a time-series of UTI incidence and subdivide the series by age and sex. We fit a collection of time-series models to explore how the trend and seasonal intensity varies by age and sex. We modeled changes in severity using regression with available confounders.

Results
In 2011, there were approximately 400000 hospitalizations for UTIs with an estimated cost of $2.8 billion. Incidence increased by 52% between 1998 and 2011. The rate of increase was larger among both women and older patients. We found that the seasonal intensity (summer peaks and winter troughs) increased over time among women while decreasing among men. For both men and women, seasonality decreased with advancing age. Relative to controls and adjusted for demographics, we found that costs among UTI patients grew more slowly, patients left the hospital earlier, and patients had lower odds of death.

Conclusions
Incidence of UTI hospitalization is increasing and is seasonal, peaking in the summer. However, the severity of UTI admissions seems to be decreasing, indicating that patients previously treated as outpatients may now be admitted to the hospital due to increasing antimicrobial resistance.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of biologicals in rheumatoid arthritis: a disconnect between beliefs and facts
Authors: den Broeder Alfons A. , van Herwaarden Noortje , van den Bemt Bart J.F. 
Published: February 2018

Purpose of review
To give an overview of recently published articles covering therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis.

Recent findings
In the last 18 months, two clinical studies and nine reviews were found after a systematic literature search. Most (narrative) reviews conclude that TDM should be used to improve biological treatment in rheumatoid arthritis patients, whereas most of the clinical studies (including 13 studies identified earlier) whenever scrutinized do not support this conclusion. This disconnect between sobering data from prediction studies and test-treatment diagnostic studies and optimistic TDM beliefs in reviews is caused by failure to recognize incorrect study designs, false positives because of lack of validation after explorative multiple testing, cherry picking of studies, and incorrect interpretation of test characteristics.

Summary
Serum (anti)-drug level monitoring has been extensively studied in rheumatoid arthritis, but correctly designed and executed interventional prediction studies or test-treatment intervention studies are sparse and mostly negative. In contrast, many reviews advocate use of biological TDM in rheumatoid arthritis. On the basis of current evidence, therapeutic drug monitoring of biologicals cannot be recommended in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients, although two clinical scenarios deserve further study.
Early Electroencephalography Findings in Cardiogenic Shock Patients Treated by Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Sinnah Fabrice , Dalloz Marie-Amélie , Magalhaes Eric , Wanono Ruben , Neuville Mathilde , Smonig Roland , Radjou Aguila , Mourvillier Bruno , Bouadma Lila , Timsit Jean-François , d’Ortho Marie-Pia , Rouvel-Tallec Any , Sonneville Romain 
Published: February 2018

Objectives:We aimed to assess early electroencephalography findings in patients treated by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and their association with neurologic outcome.Design:Single-center observational study.Setting:Medical ICU of a university hospital.Patients:An early standardized electroencephalography assessment, that is, standard electroencephalography followed by continuous electroencephalography, was performed in consecutive cardiogenic shock patients requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Associations between electroencephalography findings and outcome, defined as a composite of acute brain injury or death at 14 days, were investigated.Measurements and Main Results:Twenty-two patients with a median Full Outline of Unresponsiveness score of 4 (interquartile range, 3–6) were studied. Pupillary light reflex, corneal reflex, and cough reflex were preserved in 20 (90%), 17 (77%), and 17 (77%) patients, respectively. Overall, standard electroencephalography findings consisted of diffuse slowing in 21 patients (95%) and severe background abnormalities in 13 patients (59%) (i.e., a discontinuous [n= 5; 23%] and/or an unreactive background [n= 9; 41%]). Severe background abnormalities on standard electroencephalography (poor outcome rate: 69% vs 22%;p= 0.03) and absence of sleep transients on continuous electroencephalography (poor outcome rate: 67% vs 14%;p= 0.02) were associated with a poor outcome, whereas neurologic findings and doses of sedation were not. Patients without sleep transients on continuous electroencephalography tended to have lower Full Outline of Unresponsiveness scores than patients with preserved sleep transients-appearing patterns.Conclusions:In patients treated by venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, early severe background abnormalities on standard electroencephalography provide important information on neurologic outcome. The lack of sleep transients on continuous electroencephalography reflects the severity of brain dysfunction and might represent an additional prognostic marker.