bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The viral protein gp120 decreases the acetylation of neuronal tubulin: potential mechanism of neurotoxicity
Authors: Avdoshina Valeria , Caragher Seamus P. , Wenzel Erin D. , Taraballi Francesca , Mocchetti Italo , Harry Gaylia Jean 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope protein gp120 promotes axonal damage and neurite pruning, similar to that observed in HIV‐positive subjects with neurocognitive disorders. Thus, gp120 has been used to examine molecular and cellular pathways underlying HIV‐mediated neuronal dysfunction. Gp120 binds to tubulin beta III, a component of neuronal microtubules. Microtubule function, which modulates the homeostasis of neurons, is regulated by polymerization and post‐translational modifications. Based on these considerations, we tested the hypothesis that gp120 induces dynamic instability of neuronal microtubules. We first observed that gp120 prevents the normal polymerization of tubulin in vitro. We then tested whether gp120 alters the post‐translational modifications in tubulin by examining the ability of gp120 to change the levels of acetylated tubulin in primary rat neuronal cultures. Gp120 elicited a time‐dependent decrease in tubulin acetylation that was reversed by Helix‐A peptide, a compound that competitively displaces the binding of gp120 to neuronal microtubules. To determine whether post‐translational modifications in tubulin also occur in vivo, we measured acetylated tubulin in the cerebral cortex of HIV transgenic rats (HIV‐tg). We observed a decrease in tubulin acetylation in 5‐ and 9‐month‐old HIV‐tg rats when compared to age‐matched wild type. Neither changes in microglia morphology nor alterations in mRNA levels for interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor α were detected in 5‐month‐old animals. Our findings propose neuronal microtubule instability as a novel mechanism of HIV neurotoxicity, without evidence of enhanced inflammation.image
In‐stent neoatherosclerosis and tissue characteristics of restenotic lesions following implantation of second generation drug‐eluting stents in unrestricted coronary lesions: Optical frequency domain imaging study
Authors: Sabbah Mahmoud , Kadota Kazushige , El‐Eraky Azza , Kamal Hanan M. , Abdellah Ahmed‐Tageldien , El Hawary Ahmed 
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUNDDifferences in stent platform, polymer coatings, and antirestenotic drugs among the current in use second‐generation drug‐eluting stents (G2‐DESs) may induce significant variations in neointimal response and vascular healing, which may impact the prevalence of neoatherosclerosis (NA) and morphological appearance of the restenotic tissue.METHODS AND RESULTSUtilizing Optical frequency domain imaging, two independent reviewers, retrospectively compared the prevalence of neoatherosclerosis (NA), and the morphological differences, and tissue characteristics of 50 G2‐DESs in‐stent restenosis (ISR) lesions (35 everolimus‐eluting stent [22 cobalt‐chromium (CoCr), 13 platinum‐chromium (PtCr)], and 15 biolimus‐eluting stent [BES]) implanted liberally in unrestricted coronary lesions. More than half of the stents were implanted in type C lesions, while 40% of the stents were implanted primarily in lesions with recanalized chronic total occlusion. NA, defined as a neointima formation with the presence of lipids or calcification, was observed in fewer than half (24/50) of all ISR lesions with no significant in‐between group differences (41%, 69%, and 40% in CoCr, PtCr, and BES respectively, P = 0.22), nor were there any significant differences in the morphological appearance or tissue characteristics between all G2‐DESs subtypes.CONCLUSIONSAcknowledging some limitations, our results may suggest that the prevalence of NA and the morphological appearance of restenotic lesions might not differ when G2‐DESs are implanted in unrestricted, rather complex, coronary lesions.
Is there an association between fear avoidance beliefs, and pain and disability in patients with orofacial pain?
Authors: Edmond S. L. , Enriquez C. S. , Millner M. H. , Nasri‐Heir C. , Heir G. M. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryNumerous psychosocial factors have been shown to contribute to the development and perpetuation of orofacial pain. One well‐recognized model for explaining the link between psychosocial factors and chronic pain is the fear avoidance model. To date, this proposed link has not been studied in subjects with orofacial pain. During the initial evaluation of subjects with orofacial pain, we collected data on fear avoidance beliefs using the Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, and disability and pain. At between 6 and 8 weeks follow‐up, we re‐collected these data, as well as data addressing subjects’ perceived change in their condition. Data were analyzed using correlation coefficients and linear regression. Fear avoidance beliefs at intake were inversely correlated with intake disability, There were no significant associations between fear avoidance beliefs at initial evaluation or in changes in fear avoidance beliefs during the 6–8 weeks follow‐up period; and changes in disability, pain or perceived change in condition at 6–8 weeks follow‐up. Of note, fear avoidance beliefs increased over the follow‐up period, despite improvements in all outcome measures. There was insufficient evidence to suggest that high levels of fear avoidance beliefs at initial evaluation are associated with higher levels of disability or pain at intake, or with change in disability, pain or perceived change in condition at 6–8 weeks follow‐up. Similarly, there was insufficient evidence to suggest that changes in fear avoidance beliefs during treatment are associated with any of these outcome measures.
Oral appliance therapy versus nasal continuous positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome: a randomised, placebo‐controlled trial on self‐reported symptoms of common sleep disorders and sleep‐related problems
Authors: Nikolopoulou M. , Byraki A. , Ahlberg J. , Heymans M. W. , Hamburger H. L. , De Lange J. , Lobbezoo F. , Aarab G. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryObstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with several sleep disorders and sleep‐related problems. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of a mandibular advancement device (MAD) with those of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on self‐reported symptoms of common sleep disorders and sleep‐related problems in mild and moderate OSAS patients. In this randomised placebo‐controlled trial, sixty‐four OSAS patients (52·0 ± 9·6 years) were randomly assigned to an MAD, nCPAP or an intra‐oral placebo appliance in a parallel design. All participants filled out the validated Dutch Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (SDQ) twice: one before treatment and one after six months of treatment. With 88 questions, thirteen scales were constructed, representing common sleep disorders and sleep‐related problems. Linear mixed model analyses were performed to study differences between the groups for the different SDQ scales over time. The MAD group showed significant improvements over time in symptoms corresponding with ‘insomnia’, ‘excessive daytime sleepiness’, ‘psychiatric sleep disorder’, ‘periodic limb movements’, ‘sleep apnoea’, ‘sleep paralysis’, ‘daytime dysfunction’, ‘hypnagogic hallucinations/dreaming’, ‘restless sleep’, ‘negative conditioning’ and ‘automatic behaviour’ (range of P values: 0·000–0·014). These improvements in symptoms were, however, not significantly different from the improvements in symptoms observed in the nCPAP and placebo groups (range of P values: 0·090–0·897). It can be concluded that there is no significant difference between MAD and nCPAP in their positive effects on self‐reported symptoms of common sleep disorders and sleep‐related problems in mild and moderate OSAS patients. These beneficial effects may be a result of placebo effects.
Inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 cells by 7-hydroxyflavone and 7,8-dihydroxyflavone
Authors: Jin Zhen , Yang Yao-Zhi , Chen Jian-Xin , Tang You-Zhi 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Objectives
Flavonoids are a class of compounds that having the benzo-γ-pyrone skeleton, which possess anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibition of two flavonoids 7-hydroxyflavone (HF) and 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (DHF) on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in RAW264.7 cells activated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS).

Methods
For this purpose, we selected four pro-inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as markers to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of HF and DHF.

Key findings
In this regard, we showed that HF and DHF dose-dependently reduced the production of NO, PGE2, TNF-α and IL-6 through downregulating mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), TNF-α and IL-6, respectively. Moreover, DHF generally possesses more efficient than HF in reducing these markers secretion in this study.

Conclusions
Consider together, these findings suggest that DHF and HF can inhibit LPS-induced inflammation via attenuating the production of NO, PGE2, TNF-α and IL-6, indicating that they may be lead compounds for developing anti-inflammatory agent.
Effect of viral suppression on hepatic venous pressure gradient in hepatitis C with cirrhosis and portal hypertension
Authors: Afdhal N. , Everson G. T. , Calleja J. L. , McCaughan G. W. , Bosch J. , Brainard D. M. , McHutchison J. G. , De‐Oertel S. , An D. , Charlton M. , Reddy K. R. , Asselah T. , Gane E. , Curry M. P. , Forns X. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryPortal hypertension is a predictor of liver‐related clinical events and mortality in patients with hepatitis C and cirrhosis. The effect of interferon‐free hepatitis C treatment on portal pressure is unknown. Fifty patients with Child‐Pugh‐Turcotte (CPT) A and B cirrhosis and portal hypertension (hepatic venous pressure gradient [HVPG] >6 mm Hg) were randomized to receive 48 weeks of open‐label sofosbuvir plus ribavirin at Day 1 or after a 24‐week observation period. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response 12 weeks after therapy (SVR12) in patients who received ≥1 dose of treatment. Secondary endpoints included changes in HVPG, laboratory parameters, and MELD and CPT scores. A subset of patients was followed 48 weeks posttreatment to determine late changes in HVPG. SVR12 occurred in 72% of patients (33/46). In the 37 patients with paired HVPG measurements at baseline and the end of treatment, mean HVPG decreased by ‐1.0 (SD 3.97) mm Hg. Nine patients (24%) had ≥20% decreases in HVPG during treatment. Among 39 patients with pretreatment HVPG ≥12 mm Hg, 27 (69%) achieved SVR12. Four of the 33 (12%) patients with baseline HVPG ≥12 mm Hg had HVPG <12 mm Hg at the end of treatment. Of nine patients with pretreatment HVPG ≥12 mm Hg who achieved SVR12 and completed 48 weeks of follow‐up, eight (89%) had a ≥20% reduction in HVPG, and three reduced their pressure to <12 mm Hg. Patients with chronic HCV and compensated or decompensated cirrhosis who achieve SVR can have clinically meaningful reductions in HVPG at long‐term follow‐up. (EudraCT 2012‐002457‐29).
Ungulate grazing drives higher ramet turnover in sodium‐adapted Serengeti grasses
Authors: Griffith Daniel M. , Anderson T. Michael , Hamilton E. William 
Published: March 2017

AbstractQuestionsUngulate grazers requiring sodium (Na) will preferentially graze in areas with Na‐accumulating forage grasses (i.e. many saline soils with high NaCl). Given that high‐Na conditions necessitate specific adaptations in plants, the mechanisms allowing plants to persist under combined herbivory and Na stress are unclear. Has adaptation to soil salinity in East African grasses modified the evolution of grazing tolerance, leading to plants that are susceptible to defoliation? Does grazing differentially impact the survivorship of plants with different tolerances to Na? Finally, can species traits that confer salinity and herbivory tolerances help to explain the presence of mosaic structure in high salinity regions?LocationShort‐grass plains of Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, East Africa.MethodsWe tracked the fate of 836 individuals of 26 grass species, over an entire growing season, in the short‐grass plains using a network of 41 quadrats (0.25 m2). We investigated the impact of soil properties (e.g., electrical conductivity [EC], bulk density, clay), ungulate herbivory and grass species identity on patterns of composition and turnover. Finally, we linked plant leaf Na and leaf palatability data to species environmental responses.ResultsUnder comparable levels of grazing pressure, grass species known to accumulate Na have much higher levels of turnover compared to low‐Na species. These Na accumulators were generally short, highly palatable and clonal species.ConclusionsHerbivory most affects turnover (of ‘ramets’) of species with the highest tolerance to Na, suggesting that Na tolerance ability interacts with defoliation response in Serengeti grasses. As a result, spatial heterogeneity in soil EC produces high‐turnover communities that overlay high‐EC soil adjacent to more stable communities composed of Na‐intolerant species. While Na‐intolerant grasses in Serengeti range from short and palatable to taller and less palatable species, grasses that accumulate Na tend to be short and palatable, a likely result of the grazing pressure they experience.
A gamma‐ray spectroscopy survey of Omani meteorites
Authors: Weber Patrick , Hofmann Beda A. , Tolba Tamer , Vuilleumier Jean‐Luc 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe gamma‐ray activities of 33 meteorite samples (30 ordinary chondrites, 1 Mars meteorite, 1 iron, 1 howardite) collected during Omani‐Swiss meteorite search campaigns 2001–2008 were nondestructively measured using an ultralow background gamma‐ray detector. The results provide several types of information: Potassium and thorium concentrations were found to range within typical values for the meteorite types. Similar mean 26Al activities in groups of ordinary chondrites with (1) weathering degrees W0‐1 and low 14C terrestrial age and (2) weathering degree W3‐4 and high 14C terrestrial age are mostly consistent with activities observed in recent falls. The older group shows no significant depletion in 26Al. Among the least weathered samples, one meteorite (SaU 424) was found to contain detectable 22Na identifying it as a recent fall close to the year 2000. Based on an estimate of the surface area searched, the corresponding fall rate is ~120 events/106 km2*a, consistent with other estimations. Twelve samples from the large JaH 091 strewn field (total mass ~4.5 t) show significant variations of 26Al activities, including the highest values measured, consistent with a meteoroid radius of ~115 cm. Activities of 238U daughter elements demonstrate terrestrial contamination with 226Ra and possible loss of 222Rn. Recent contamination with small amounts of 137Cs is ubiquitous. We conclude that gamma‐ray spectroscopy of a selection of meteorites with low degrees of weathering is particularly useful to detect recent falls among meteorites collected in hot deserts.
Evolutionary changes in symbiont community structure in ticks
Authors: Duron Olivier , Binetruy Florian , Noël Valérie , Cremaschi Julie , McCoy Karen D. , Arnathau Céline , Plantard Olivier , Goolsby John , Pérez de León Adalberto A. , Heylen Dieter J. A. , Van Oosten A. Raoul , Gottlieb Yuval , Baneth Gad , Guglielmone Alberto A. , Estrada‐Peña Agustin , Opara Maxwell N. , Zenner Lionel , Vavre Fabrice , Chevillon Christine 
Published: March 2017

AbstractEcological specialization to restricted diet niches is driven by obligate, and often maternally inherited, symbionts in many arthropod lineages. These heritable symbionts typically form evolutionarily stable associations with arthropods that can last for millions of years. Ticks were recently found to harbour such an obligate symbiont, Coxiella‐LE, that synthesizes B vitamins and cofactors not obtained in sufficient quantities from blood diet. In this study, the examination of 81 tick species shows that some Coxiella‐LE symbioses are evolutionarily stable with an ancient acquisition followed by codiversification as observed in ticks belonging to the Rhipicephalus genus. However, many other Coxiella‐LE symbioses are characterized by low evolutionary stability with frequent host shifts and extinction events. Further examination revealed the presence of nine other genera of maternally inherited bacteria in ticks. Although these nine symbionts were primarily thought to be facultative, their distribution among tick species rather suggests that at least four may have independently replaced Coxiella‐LE and likely represent alternative obligate symbionts. Phylogenetic evidence otherwise indicates that cocladogenesis is globally rare in these symbioses as most originate via horizontal transfer of an existing symbiont between unrelated tick species. As a result, the structure of these symbiont communities is not fixed and stable across the tick phylogeny. Most importantly, the symbiont communities commonly reach high levels of diversity with up to six unrelated maternally inherited bacteria coexisting within host species. We further conjecture that interactions among coexisting symbionts are pivotal drivers of community structure both among and within tick species.
The Promise of an Actualistic Pneumatology: Beginning with the Holy Spirit in African Pentecostalism and Karl Barth
Authors: Hartman Tim 
Published: March 2017

AbstractChristians in the developing world are sending a clear message to all who will listen: more attention needs to be paid to the Holy Spirit than ever before in the history of Christian thought. This essay explores what African Pentecostalism could teach Karl Barth and in particular how the actualistic Christology that Barth is known for can be applied to concrete acts of the Holy Spirit. The essay employs James Buckley's distinction between what Barth says versus what Barth shows to demonstrate profound possibilities that exist within Barth's thought for beginning theological reflection from the concrete acts of the Spirit.
Listening for the Cry: Certeau Beyond Strategies and Tactics
Authors: Eduardo Alonso Antonio 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis essay argues that an accent on resistance pervasive in current literature on consumer culture and religion drives a narrow application of Michel de Certeau's distinction between strategies and tactics. This paradigmatic appropriation of Certeau's work uses his notion of tactics to describe a mode of Christian resistance that can persist even without overthrowing the strategic grid of consumer culture. Situating quotidian tactics within the wider body of his work, I argue that they are not, for Certeau, primarily signs of resistance, but signs of absence: living realities that pulse within and against systems of strategies that can never quite contain them. I propose reading tactics through a hermeneutic of absence to open a space for a theological account of consumer culture that takes seriously the irreducibility of our experiences, even those in and through the distortions of the contemporary market.
Functional visual fields: relationship of visual field areas to self‐reported function
Authors: Subhi Hikmat , Latham Keziah , Myint Joy , Crossland Michael D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study is to relate areas of the visual field to functional difficulties to inform the development of a binocular visual field assessment that can reflect the functional consequences of visual field loss.MethodsFifty‐two participants with peripheral visual field loss undertook binocular assessment of visual fields using the 30‐2 and 60‐4 SITA Fast programs on the Humphrey Field Analyser, and mean thresholds were derived. Binocular visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and near reading performance were also determined. Self‐reported overall and mobility function were assessed using the Dutch ICF Activity Inventory.ResultsGreater visual field loss (0–60°) was associated with worse self‐reported function both overall (R2 = 0.50; p < 0.0001), and for mobility (R2 = 0.64; p < 0.0001). Central (0–30°) and peripheral (30–60°) visual field areas were similarly related to mobility function (R2 = 0.61, p < 0.0001 and R2 = 0.63, p < 0.0001 respectively), although the peripheral (30–60°) visual field was the best predictor of mobility self‐reported function in multiple regression analyses. Superior and inferior visual field areas related similarly to mobility function (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.0001 and R2 = 0.67, p < 0.0001 respectively). The inferior field was found to be the best predictor of mobility function in multiple regression analysis.ConclusionMean threshold of the binocular visual field to 60° eccentricity is a good predictor of self‐reported function overall, and particularly of mobility function. Both the central (0–30°) and peripheral (30–60°) mean threshold are good predictors of self‐reported function, but the peripheral (30–0°) field is a slightly better predictor of mobility function, and should not be ignored when considering functional consequences of field loss. The inferior visual field is a slightly stronger predictor of perceived overall and mobility function than the superior field.