bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Egg White Ovotransferrin‐Derived ACE Inhibitory Peptide Ameliorates Angiotensin II‐Stimulated Insulin Resistance in Skeletal Muscle Cells
Authors: Son Myoungjin , Chan Catherine B. , Wu Jianping 
Published: December 2017

ScopeThe renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) is a major contributor to the development of insulin resistance and its related complications. Egg white ovotransferrin‐derived tripeptides, IRW (Ile‐Arg‐Trp), IQW (Ile‐Gln‐Trp), or LKP (Leu‐Lys‐Pro) are previously identified as the inhibitors of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), a key enzyme in the RAS. This study aims at determining whether these peptides are effective in improving insulin resistance, and their mechanisms of action, in a rat derived skeletal muscle cell line (L6 cells).Methods and resultsInsulin resistance is induced by treating L6 cells with 1 μm angiotensin II (Ang II) for 24 h. Effects of peptides on glucose uptake are determined using glucose uptake assay, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation by immunofluorescence, reactive oxygen species (ROS) by dihydroethidium (DHE) staining, while insulin signaling pathway, Ang II receptor (AT1R or AT2R) levels, and NADPH oxidase activation are measured using Western Blot. Only IRW treatment significantly improves insulin resistance in L6 cells via stimulation of insulin signaling. IRW decreases Ang II‐stimulated AT1R expression, ROS formation, and NADPH oxidase activation.ConclusionsOf three ACE inhibitory peptides studied, only IRW improves insulin resistance in L6 cells, at least partially via reduced AT1R expression and its anti‐oxidative activity.
Intake of Fish Oil Specifically Modulates Colonic Muc2 Expression in Middle‐Aged Rats by Suppressing the Glycosylation Process
Authors: Ma Yafang , Zhou Guanghong , Li Yingqiu , Zhu Yingying , Yu Xiaobo , Zhao Fan , Li He , Xu Xinglian , Li Chunbao 
Published: December 2017

ScopeDietary fats have been shown to affect gut microbiota composition and aging gene expression of middle‐aged rats at a normal dose, but little is known about such an effect on gut barrier. In this study, the changes in colonic Muc2 expression are investigated and the underlying mechanism is also proposed.Methods and results36 middle‐aged Sprague–Dawley rats are assigned to one of the diets containing soybean oil, lard, or fish oil (4%). The rats are fed for 5 weeks and then goblet cells, Muc2 expression, and inflammatory cytokines in the colon are measured. Proteome analysis is performed. Compared with the lard and soybean oil diet groups, intake of fish oil decreases the number of goblet cells, and inhibits Muc2 and TLRs expression in the colon of middle‐aged rats, which would impair mucus barrier. Several key enzymes involved in glycosylation process, including Agr2, Gale, Gne, Pmm2, Pdxdc1, Plch1, Pfkp, Cmpk1, and Rexo2, show the lowest abundance in the fish oil diet group.ConclusionIntake of fish oil at a normal dose downregulates colonic Muc2 expression. This negative effect of fish oil may involve the suppression of mucin glycosylation process.
Thymoquinone Can Improve Neuronal Survival and Promote Neurogenesis in Rat Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Beker Merve , Dallı Tuğçe , Elibol Birsen 
Published: December 2017

ScopeThymoquinone (TQ) has been used as a potential therapeutic for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Herein, we aim to investigate the effect of TQ on behavioral and molecular parameters in healthy rat hippocampus.MethodsTQ (20 mg kg−1 d−1) is administered intragastrically for 15 days to adult rats. After behavioral tests, the hippocampal tissues are investigated at the histological and molecular levels.ResultsIn both dentate gyrus and cornu ammonis 1, TQ significantly increases the number of hippocampal neurons. This increase is supported by a significant increase in the doublecortin expression on both gene and protein levels. In addition, TQ significantly decreases the amount of Caspase‐3 expression and the cleavage of poly ADP ribose polymerase, indicating a decrease in apoptosis. Further, ERK, GSK‐3, JNK, CREB, and iNOS proteins are found to be positively regulated by TQ. However, the gene expression of synapsin, synaptophysin, NGF, AKT, Bax, NFkB, and p53 and the protein expression of BDNF and nNOS are not affected by TQ.ConclusionThese findings suggest that TQ has an enhancing effect on cell survival and neurogenesis in healthy hippocampus, rather inducing apoptosis in damaged neurons. This may proceed via ERK/JNK and CREB signaling pathways as a candidate acting mechanism for TQ.
Compressed NMR: Combining compressive sampling and pure shift NMR techniques
Authors: Aguilar Juan A. , Kenwright Alan M. 
Published: December 2017

Historically, the resolution of multidimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been orders of magnitude lower than the intrinsic resolution that NMR spectrometers are capable of producing. The slowness of Nyquist sampling as well as the existence of signals as multiplets instead of singlets have been two of the main reasons for this underperformance. Fortunately, two compressive techniques have appeared that can overcome these limitations. Compressive sensing, also known as compressed sampling (CS), avoids the first limitation by exploiting the compressibility of typical NMR spectra, thus allowing sampling at sub‐Nyquist rates, and pure shift techniques eliminate the second issue “compressing” multiplets into singlets. This paper explores the possibilities and challenges presented by this combination (compressed NMR). First, a description of the CS framework is given, followed by a description of the importance of combining it with the right pure shift experiment. Second, examples of compressed NMR spectra and how they can be combined with covariance methods will be shown.
Expression of programmed death ligand‐1 on bladder tissues is detected in a clinically and histologically well‐defined interstitial cystitis cohort
Authors: Chen Yuke , Yu Wei , Yang Yang , Xiao Yunxiang , Cui Yun , Duan Jihong , He Qun , Jin Jie , Wu Shiliang 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of programmed death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1) in interstitial cystitis (IC).MethodsWe reviewed the data of IC patients underwent hydrodistension plus bladder biopsy. Follow‐ups were performed. We assessed the degree of inflammation of the bladder wall on slides stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). We performed immunohistochemistry for PD‐L1 expression detection and for counting T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.ResultsThe present study included eight men and 32 women. With H&E staining, we detected 13, 15, and 12 patients with mild, moderate, and severe inflammation. The degree of inflammation was negatively correlated with disease course (P = 0.018) and positively correlated with bladder pain (P < 0.001). Hydrodistension was found effective at postoperative 3‐month for 19 patients. Overall, 17, 15, 7, and 1 subject had no, mild, moderate, and high PD‐L1 expression, that correlated positively with the degree of inflammation. Compared with patients with no and mild PD‐L1 expression, patients with moderate and high PD‐L1 expression tended to have more effective hydrodistension outcomes (12 of 32 vs 7 of 8; P = 0.017). In the subset of 12 patients with severe inflammation, there were five of six patients (83.3%) with moderate or high PD‐L1 expression and one of six patients (16.7%) with no and mild PD‐L1 expression with an effective hydrodistension outcome.ConclusionsExpression of PD‐L1 on bladder is detected in a cohort of IC patients presented with diffuse global glomerulation or Hunner ulcer. PD‐L1 expression is more common in IC patients with severe bladder inflammation.
The palaeopathology of the Ohalo 2 Upper Paleolithic human remains: A reassessment of its appendicular robusticity, humeral asymmetry, shoulder degenerations, and costal lesion
Authors: Trinkaus E. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe 23,000 BP Ohalo 2 human remains, from the Upper Paleolithic of south‐west Asia, have been described by Hershkovitz and colleagues as very robust but especially as pathological with respect to its level of humeral asymmetry and its large anteroinferior costal bony growth. Reassessment of its appendicular robusticity, in the context of western Eurasian and North African Upper Paleolithic human remains, indicates that the Ohalo 2 limb remains are unexceptional in terms of muscular enthesis development, diaphyseal cross‐sectional shape, and major long bone diaphyseal hypertrophy. If anything, the muscular insertions and the humeral diaphyseal robusticity are modest for an Upper Paleolithic human. Similarly, the level of humeral asymmetry, as well as humeral versus radial diaphyseal asymmetry, is well within Upper Paleolithic ranges of variation. None of these aspects require palaeopathological explanations. The minor osteoarthritic changes of the right clavicle and scapula are common and of little importance. However, the massive lower thoracic ossification of the caudal sternum, ribs 6 and 7 and the intervening costal cartilages, has implications beyond the differential diagnosis of Hershkovitz and colleagues. It indicates constraints on thoracic expansion and hence on elevated respiration; as such, it would have placed limitations on the activity levels of this Upper Paleolithic forager. Ohalo 2 therefore joins a growing sample of Upper Paleolithic humans with serious developmental or degenerative abnormalities.
Media framing and construction of childhood obesity: a content analysis of Swedish newspapers
Authors: van Hooft J. , Patterson C. , Löf M. , Alexandrou C. , Hilton S. , Nimegeer A. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryObjectiveDespite lower prevalence than most European countries, childhood obesity is a Swedish public health priority due to its lasting health impacts and socioeconomic patterning. Mass media content influences public and political perceptions of health issues, and media framing of childhood obesity may influence perceptions of its solutions. This study examines framing of childhood obesity in Swedish morning and evening newspapers from 1996 to 2014.MethodsContent analysis of 726 articles about childhood obesity published in the five most‐circulated Swedish newspapers. Article content coded quantitatively and subjected to statistical analysis, describing relationships between themes and trends over time.ResultsChildhood obesity was consistently problematised, primarily in health terms, and linked to socio‐economic and geographical factors. The yearly frequency of articles peaked in 2004, followed by a decline, corresponding with evidence about prevalence. Childhood obesity was framed as being driven by individual behaviours more frequently than structural or environmental factors. Structural framings increased over time, but constructions of the problem as driven by individual behaviours, particularly parenting, remained prominent.ConclusionsA relative growth in structural framings of causes and solutions over time, combined with prominent coverage of socio‐economic inequalities, might be indicative of public and political amenability towards societal‐level solutions, but individual behaviours remain prominent in framing of the issue. Health advocates might incorporate these insights into media engagement.
Is patient exposure preapproval and postapproval a determinant of the timing and frequency of occurrence of safety issues?
Authors: Pacurariu Alexandra C. , Hoeve Christina E. , Arlett Peter , Genov Georgy , Slattery Jim , Sturkenboom Miriam C.J.M. , Straus Sabine M.J.M. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe amount of drug exposure, pre and post approval, is considered to be a direct determinant of knowledge about the safety of a drug. A larger pre‐approval exposed population is supposed to reduce the risk of unanticipated safety issues post‐approval. The amount of use in the postapproval population is also expected to influence the occurrence and timing of safety issues. We investigated how the amount of pre and post approval exposure influences the detection of post‐approval safety issues.MethodsA cohort of innovative drugs approved in Europe was followed for the period of 2012‐2016. The main outcome of interest was a new safety issue in the period. Post‐approval exposure was collected at 6 month intervals, and pre‐approval exposure was collected at the moment of authorisation. Other characteristics collected for the included drugs were anatomical therapeutical chemical (ATC) class, biological status, orphan status and type of approval. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to investigate the association between exposure and the hazard of having a first safety issue.ResultsThe pre‐approval exposure was not associated with the risk of safety issues after adjusting for ATC class, biological status, and treatment duration. Higher post‐approval exposure was associated with more new safety issues identified (HR = 2.44 (95% CI = 1.12‐5.31)) for drugs with more than 1,000 patient‐years of cumulative exposure compared to drugs with less than 1,000 patient years of exposure.ConclusionOur results suggest that postapproval exposure influences the detection of safety issues.
Effects of Y361‐auto‐phosphorylation on structural plasticity of the HIPK2 kinase domain
Authors: Scaglione Antonella , Monteonofrio Laura , Parisi Giacomo , Cecchetti Cristina , Siepi Francesca , Rinaldo Cinzia , Giorgi Alessandra , Verzili Daniela , Zamparelli Carlotta , Savino Carmelinda , Soddu Silvia , Vallone Beatrice , Montemiglio Linda Celeste 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe dual‐specificity activity of the homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is regulated by cis‐auto‐phosphorylation of tyrosine 361 (Y361) on the activation loop. Inhibition of this process or substitution of Y361 with nonphosphorylatable amino acid residues result in aberrant HIPK2 forms that show altered functionalities, pathological‐like cellular relocalization, and accumulation into cytoplasmic aggresomes. Here, we report an in vitro characterization of wild type HIPK2 kinase domain and of two mutants, one at the regulating Y361 (Y361F, mimicking a form of HIPK2 lacking Y361 phosphorylation) and another at the catalytic lysine 228 (K228A, inactivating the enzyme). Gel filtration and thermal denaturation analyzes along with equilibrium binding experiments and kinase assays performed in the presence or absence of ATP‐competitors were performed. The effects induced by mutations on overall stability, oligomerization and activity support the existence of different conformations of the kinase domain linked to Y361 phosphorylation. In addition, our in vitro data are consistent with both the cross‐talk between the catalytic site and the activation loop of HIPK2 and the aberrant activities and accumulation previously reported for the Y361 nonphosphorylated HIPK2 in mammalian cells.
First evidence of resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in ItalianAedes albopictuspopulations 26 years after invasion
Authors: Pichler Verena , Bellini Romeo , Veronesi Rodolfo , Arnoldi Daniele , Rizzoli Annapaola , Lia Riccardo Paolo , Otranto Domenico , Montarsi Fabrizio , Carlin Sara , Ballardini Marco , Antognini Elisa , Salvemini Marco , Brianti Emanuele , Gaglio Gabriella , Manica Mattia , Cobre Pietro , Serini Paola , Velo Enkelejda , Vontas John , Kioulos Ilias , Pinto Joao , della Torre Alessandra , Caputo Beniamino 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDAedes albopictushas spread during the last few decades all over the world. This has increased significantly the risk of exotic arbovirus transmission (e.g. chikungunya, dengue, and Zika) also in temperate areas, as demonstrated by the Chikungunya 2007 and 2017 outbreaks in northeastern and central Italy. Insecticides are an important tool for limiting the circulation of these mosquito‐borne viruses. The aim of the present study was to address the gap in current knowledge of pyrethroid insecticide resistance of EuropeanAe. albopictuspopulations, focusing on populations from Italy, Albania and Greece.RESULTSBioassays for resistance to permethrin (0.75%), α‐cypermethrin (0.05%) or deltamethrin (0.05%) were performed according to World Health Organization (WHO) protocols and showed reduced susceptibility (<90% mortality) of some Italian populations to permethrin and α‐cypermethrin, but not to deltamethrin.CONCLUSIONThis study reports the first evidence of resistance to pyrethroids in adult ItalianAe. albopictuspopulations. Results refer to the season preceding the Chikungunya 2017 outbreak in central Italy and highlight the need to increase efforts to monitor the spread of insecticide resistance and the need to develop strategies to limit the spread of insecticide resistance, particularly in areas where extensive treatments have been carried out to contain disease outbreaks. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Stayers in China's “hollowed‐out” villages: A counter narrative on massive rural–urban migration
Authors: Ye Jingzhong 
Published: December 2017

AbstractChina has been undergoing a rapid industrialisation and urbanisation process with an ongoing transfer of people and economic resources from rural to urban areas. Labour migration from rural to urban areas has been massive and become a “rite of passage” for rural young people. There is a widespread view that modernisation and the subsequent transformation of peasants, agriculture, and the countryside have undermined agriculture and hollowed out rural communities. However, due to the peculiarity of thehukousystem and the circularity of rural urban migration, the large rural population can all be institutionally regarded asde jurerural stayers. Thede factorural stayers consist of the left‐behind ones and the non‐left‐behind ones. Yet these categories are quite fluid links with migration as people make different decisions at different stage in their life cycle. Motivations for migrating and staying in the countryside are highly complex. Those who migrate often do so because of economic pushes resulting from the commodification of subsistence. Many women who stay behind do so because of structural forces, such as the traditional culture of gender division and economic coercion. The non‐left‐behind people who are not stuck in the countryside are often able to actively pursue alternative rural livelihoods. These rural stayers develop diversified livelihood strategies that involve multiple job holding and make significant contributions to their household livelihoods and to driving rural development. The paper concludes that rural villages are not, as is often supposed, hollowed out, and many rural stayers do so voluntarily.
Towards an international standard: The ISO/DIS 18504 standard on sustainable remediation
Authors: Nathanail C. Paul , Bakker Laurent M. M. , Bardos Paul , Furukawa Yasuhide , Nardella Alessandro , Smith Garry , Smith Jonathan W. N. , Goetsche Gabriele 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSustainable remediation is the elimination and/or control of unacceptable risks in a safe and timely manner while optimizing the environmental, social, and economic value of the work. Forthcoming International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Standard on Sustainable Remediation will allow countries without the capacity to develop their own guidance to benefit from work done over the past decade by various groups around the world. The ISO standard has progressed through the committee draft (ISO/CD 18504) and draft international standard (ISO/DIS 18504) stages. The risk‐based approach to managing the legacy of historically contaminated soil and groundwater has been incorporated into policy, legislation, and practice around the world. It helps determine the need for remediation and the end point of such remediation. Remediation begins with an options appraisal that short lists strategies that could deliver the required reduction in risk. A remediation strategy comprises one or more remediation technologies that will deliver the safe and timely elimination and/or control of unacceptable risks. The ISO standard will help assessors identify the most sustainable among the shortlisted, valid alternative remediation strategies. Practitioners presenting case studies claiming to constitute sustainable remediation should now report how they have aligned their work with the new standard. Indicators are used to compare alternative remediation strategies. The simplest metric that allows a characteristic to act as an indicator should be chosen. Weightings indicators can become a contested exercise and should only be undertaken where there is a clear desire for it by stakeholders and a clear need for it in identifying a preferred strategy. The simplest means of ranking alternative remediation strategies should be adopted.
Reductive dechlorination of a chlorinated solvent plume in Houston, Texas
Authors: Florey Jim , Adams Andrew , Michel Larry 
Published: December 2017

AbstractChlorinated solvents such as tetrachloroethene (perchloroethene, PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) have been extensively used in various industrial applications for many years. Because neither are typically consumed through their various uses, they are often released to the environment through industrial application or disposal. Once released, PCE and TCE tend to migrate downward into groundwater, where they persist. In the current case study, cheese whey was used as a groundwater amendment to facilitate the reductive dechlorination of a chlorinated solvent plume underlying an auto dealer/repair shop in Harris County, Texas. From September 2010 to January 2014, over 32,000 gallons of cheese whey were injected into the subsurface resulting in a marked reduction in oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) and nitrate concentrations, coupled with an increase in ferrous iron concentrations. Statistical trend analyses indicate the primary contaminants, PCE and TCE, as well as the daughter product cis‐1,2‐dichloroethene (cDCE), all exhibited a positive response, as evidenced by statistically decreasing trends, and/or reversal in concentration trends, subsequent to cheese whey injections. Maximum concentrations of PCE and TCE in key test wells decreased by as much as 98.97 percent and 99.17 percent, respectively. In addition, the bacterial genus Dehalococcoides, capable of complete reduction of PCE to non‐toxic ethene, was found to be more abundant in the treatment area, as compared to background concentrations. Because cheese whey is a by‐product of the cheese making process, the cost of the product is essentially limited to transport. This study demonstrates cheese whey to be an effective groundwater amendment at a cost which is orders of magnitude lower than popular industry alternatives.
Utilizing agricultural wastes to remove hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions
Authors: Rizzuti Anthony M. , Wilson Kasey A. , Cosme Latoya W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the hexavalent chromium (CrVI) biosorption capacities of several agricultural wastes from aqueous solutions. Samples were tested unaltered and after hydrochloric acid (HCl) treatment. Additional parameters tested include sample dose, contact time, particle size, mixing temperature, and the concentrations and pH of the CrVI solutions. Desorption studies were performed to determine if the removed CrVI could be recovered. In addition, tests were conducted to determine if the agricultural waste samples (AWS) could be reused for additional CrVI biosorption cycles. The results of this study demonstrate a wide range of CrVI biosorption proficiencies ranging from 13 to 98 percent removal. The parameters that resulted in higher CrVI removal include HCl treatment, higher sample dose, lower CrVI solution concentration, and lower mixing temperature. Desorption results showed an 8 to 25 percent CrVI recovery rate. Reused AWS were effective at removing CrVI during subsequent trials. Therefore, all AWS can be reused for additional CrVI biosorption cycles. Hence, these could reduce hazardous waste disposal inefficiencies and costs by avoiding disposing of spent AWS following each CrVI biosorption cycle.