bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Priming mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the “activated platelet supernatant” enhances the efficacy of cell therapy for myocardial infarction of rats
Authors: Kang Jeehoon , Hur Jin , Kang Jin‐A , Lee Hak Seung , Jung Heewon , Choi Jae‐Il , Lee Hwan , Kim Yong Sook , Ahn Youngkeun , Kim Hyo‐Soo 
Published: May 2016

SummaryAimVarious methods are used to augment the efficacy of cell therapy in myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we used the “activated platelet supernatant (APS)” to prime autologous “granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐mobilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (mobPBMCs)” and investigated the efficacy of cell‐based therapy in MI.MethodRat mobPBMCs were isolated after daily subcutaneous injections of G‐CSF at 100 μg/kg for 3 days. APS was isolated separately after activating rat platelets with thrombin 0.5 U/mL for 2 hours. Priming was performed with APS for 6 hours. To check the paracrine effect of primed mobPBMCs, we used the 36‐hour culture supernatant of the primed cells. A rat MI model was used for an in vivo model.ResultCytokines such as IL‐1β, IL‐10, and TGFβ were 3.7±0.9‐fold, 3.4±1.2‐fold, and 1.2±0.1‐fold higher in APS, respectively, compared with naïve platelet supernatant. By APS priming, mobPBMCs showed M2 polarization and upregulation of angiogenic molecules (i.e., TEK, IL‐10, CXCL1, and CX3CR1). APS‐primed mobPBMCs had a 2.3‐fold increased adhesion ability, induced by upregulated integrins. Rat endothelial cells cultured in the 36‐hour culture supernatant of APS‐primed mobPBMCs showed a 1.6‐fold augmented proliferation and capillary network formation. In vivo transplantation of APS‐primed mobPBMCs into rat MI models showed a significant trend of reduction in fibrosis area (P=.001) and wall thinning (P=.030), which lead to improvement in cardiac function measured by echocardiography.ConclusionOur data reveal that APS priming can enhance the wound‐healing potential of mobPBMCs. APS priming may be a promising method for cell‐based therapy of MI.
The randomized clinical trial of coenzyme Q10 for the prevention of periprocedural myocardial injury following elective percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Aslanabadi Naser , Safaie Naser , Asgharzadeh Yousef , Houshmand Fatemeh , Ghaffari Samad , Garjani Alireza , Dousti Samaneh , Hamishehkar Hadi , Entezari‐Maleki Taher 
Published: May 2016

SummaryIntroductionPeriprocedural myocardial injury (PMI) following elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an important therapeutic concern with remaining some mortality and morbidity. To the best of our knowledge, there is no published study that investigates the potential benefit of CoQ10 in preventing PMI following elective PCI.MethodsIn a randomized, clinical trial, 100 patients who scheduled for elective PCI were allocated in to the intervention (n=50) and control group (n=50). The intervention received a 300 mg loading dose CoQ10 12 hours before procedure. The level of CK‐MB and troponin‐I was measured before procedure, and 8 and 24 hours after. Furthermore, hs‐CRP was measured at baseline and 24 hours after. All patients were assessed for the incidence of major adverse cardiac effects (MACEs) after 1 month.ResultsThe CK‐MB elevation (above the upper limit normal) was occurred in 22% (n=11) of CoQ10 and 20% (n=10) of control (P=.806). The elevation of troponin‐I was documented in 8% (n=4) of both groups. No significant change in the level of cardiac biomarkers was noted. However, the significant reduction in hs‐CRP level was occurred in CoQ10 group (P=.032).ConclusionThe results showed that pretreatment with 300 mg CoQ10 12 hours before procedure could not reduce PMI following elective PCI, however, significantly decreased hs‐CRP.
Exacerbation risk in severe asthma is stratified by inflammatory phenotype using longitudinal measures of sputum eosinophils
Authors: Walsh C. J. , Zaihra T. , Benedetti A. , Fugère C. , Olivenstein R. , Lemière C. , Hamid Q. , Martin J. G. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackgroundAirway inflammatory phenotyping is increasingly applied to subjects with asthma. However, its relationship to clinical outcomes in difficult asthma is incompletely elucidated.ObjectiveThe goal of our study was to determine the relationship between exacerbation rates and phenotypes of difficult asthma based on the longitudinal measures of sputum eosinophils and neutrophils.MethodsSubjects in the longitudinal observational study from two tertiary care centres that completed 1 year of observation and provided at least three sputum samples were classified by inflammatory phenotypes using previously established thresholds. Kaplan–Meier curves and univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the association between inflammatory phenotypes and exacerbation rate.ResultsDuring the study, 115 exacerbations occurred in 73 severe asthmatic subjects. Subjects with the persistently eosinophilic phenotype had a significantly shorter time to first exacerbation and greater risk of exacerbation over a 1‐year period than those with the non‐eosinophilic phenotype based on the univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard model (hazard ratio [HR], 3.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35–7.72; adjusted HR, 3.90; 95% CI, 1.34–11.36). No significant differences in time to first exacerbation or exacerbation risk over a 1‐year period were observed among the neutrophilic phenotypes.ConclusionsThe persistent eosinophilic phenotype is associated with increased exacerbation risk compared with the non‐eosinophilic phenotype in severe asthma. No differences in time to first exacerbation or exacerbation risk over a 1‐year period were detected among neutrophilic phenotypes.
Increased thioredoxin levels are related to insulin resistance in familial combined hyperlipidaemia
Authors: Martinez‐Hervas Sergio , Artero Ana , Martinez‐Ibañez Juncal , Tormos Mari C. , Gonzalez‐Navarro Herminia , Priego Antonia , Martinez‐Valls Jose F. , Saez Guillermo T. , Real Jose T. , Carmena Rafael , Ascaso Juan F. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundThioredoxins (TRX) are major cellular protein disulphide reductases that are critical for redox regulation. Oxidative stress and inflammation play promoting roles in the genesis and progression of atherosclerosis, but until now scarce data are available considering the influence of TRX activity in familial combined hyperlipidaemia (FCH). Since FCH is associated with high risk of cardiovascular disease, the objective of the present study was to assess oxidative stress status in FCH patients, and evaluate the influence of insulin resistance (IR).Materials and methodsA cohort of 35 control subjects and 35 non‐related FCH patients were included, all of them nondiabetic, normotensive and nonsmokers. We measured lipid profile, glucose and insulin levels in plasma, and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation such as oxidized glutathione (GSSG), reduced glutathione (GSH) and TRX.ResultsFamilial combined hyperlipidaemia subjects showed significantly higher levels of GSSG, GSSG/GSH ratio and TRX than controls. In addition, FCH individuals with IR showed the worst profile of oxidative stress status compared to controls and FCH patients without IR (P < 0·01). TRX levels correlated with higher insulin resistance.ConclusionFamilial combined hyperlipidaemia patients showed increased TRX levels. TRX was positively correlated with IR. These data could partially explain the increased risk of cardiovascular events in primary dyslipidemic patients.
Protective mechanisms of resveratrol against methotrexate‐induced renal damage may involve BCRP/ABCG2
Authors: El‐Sheikh Azza A. K. , Morsy Mohamed A. , Al‐Taher Abdulla Y. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractResveratrol (RES) is a well‐known polyphenol antioxidant. We have previously shown that testicular protective effect of RES against the anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX)‐induced toxicity involves transporter‐mediated mechanisms. Here, we investigated the effect of RES on MTX‐induced nephrotoxicity. Rats were administered RES (10 mg/kg/day) for 8 days, with or without a single MTX dose (20 mg/kg i.p.) at day 4 of the experiment. MTX induced nephrotoxicity, as evidenced by a significant increase in serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine compared to the control, as well as distortion of kidney microscopic structure. MTX also significantly increased renal nitric oxide level along with inducible nitric oxide synthase, fas ligand, and caspase 3 expressions. Administering RES prior to MTX significantly improved kidney function and microscopic picture and also significantly decreased nitrosative and apoptotic markers compared to MTX alone. RES, but not MTX, caused a significant increase in expression of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), an apical efflux renal transporter that participates in urinary elimination of both MTX and RES. Interestingly, concomitant MTX and RES caused further upregulation of renal BCRP compared to RES alone. Using Human BCRP ATPase assay, both RES and MTX exhibited a dose‐dependent increase in ATPase activity, with Km values of 0.52 ± 0.03 and 30.9 ± 4.2 μm, respectively. Furthermore, combined RES and MTX caused ATPase activity which was significantly less than maximum ATPase activity attained by the positive control, sulfasalazine (12.5 μm). In conclusion, RES exerted nephroprotection against MTX‐induced toxicity through antinitrosative and anti‐apoptotic effects, as well as via upregulation of renal BCRP.
Cholinergic enhancement increases regional cerebral blood flow to the posterior cingulate cortex in mild Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Iizuka Tomomichi , Kameyama Masashi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimThe brain region that shows reductions in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) earliest is the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), which is thought to have a relationship with cognitive function. We made a hypothesis that the PCC hypoperfusion is a result of cholinergic dysfunction and can be restored by cholinergic enhancement. This present longitudinal study aimed to detect the restoration of PCC rCBF in response to donepezil, an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor.MethodsWe evaluated rCBF changes in the PCC, precuneus and anterior cingulate cortex using perfusion single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), statistical analysis and region of interest analysis, prospectively. We allocated 36 patients with mild AD to either the responder or non‐responder groups based on changes in Mini‐Mental State Examination scores. The patients were followed up for 18 months.ResultsThe PCC rCBF significantly increased in responders after 6 months of donepezil therapy. Statistical maps at baseline showed a typical decreased pattern of mild AD and obvious rCBF restoration in the bilateral PCC at 6 months in responders. Changes in Mini‐Mental State Examination scores and the AD assessment scale cognitive scores significantly correlated with rCBF changes in the PCC of responders.ConclusionsCholinergic enhancement restored PCC rCBF under the three conditions of mild AD, responders and short follow‐up interval, and that increase correlated with improved cognitive function. These findings support our hypothesis that PCC rCBF reflects cholinergic function in AD patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 951–958.
Influence of feeding state and frozen storage temperature on the lipid stability of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)
Authors: Romotowska Paulina E. , Karlsdóttir Magnea G. , Gudjónsdóttir María , Kristinsson Hordur G. , Arason Sigurjon 
Published: May 2016

SummaryLipid deterioration of mackerel caught in Icelandic waters was studied, as affected by different frozen storage temperatures (−18 °C vs. −25 °C) and seasonal variation (August vs. September). The lipid stability was investigated by analyses of hydroperoxide value (PV), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), free fatty acids, as well as changes in fatty acid composition. Results showed significant lipid deterioration with extended storage time, where the lower storage temperature showed significantly more protective effects. Furthermore, a higher lipid oxidation level was recorded for fish caught in September than in August, although lipid hydrolysis occurred to be greater for fish in August than in September. Moreover, results indicated a rather stable level of omega‐3 fatty acid during the whole frozen storage period. The analysis indicated that both lipid oxidation and hydrolysis were affected by the frozen storage temperature and the stability differed with regard to season of catch.
Infection risk dictates immunological divergence among populations in a Mediterranean lizard
Authors: Sagonas K. , Rota I. A. , Tsitsilonis O. E. , Pafilis P. , Valakos E. D. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe ability of vertebrates to evolve different defence strategies in response to varying parasitism regimes remains poorly understood. Hosts may adopt two different strategies to defend themselves against parasites: tolerance (hosts alleviate the negative fitness consequences of parasite infection) and resistance (hosts strengthen their immune response as parasite burden increases). Both strategies are effective, but fitness has been reported to decline faster in less‐tolerant individuals. Here, we assessed the number of splenocytes and the cell‐mediated response (proxies for resistance) and body condition (a proxy for tolerance) in four populations of a Greek endemic lizard (Podarcis gaigeae), each exposed to different infection risks (defined as the cumulative effect of parasite burden and duration of exposure). We anticipated that populations with heavy parasite burden would enhance the efficacy of their immune response (resistance) compared to lizards deriving from parasite‐poor habitats. We also predicted that populations with longer exposure to parasites would be adopted and be more tolerant. Each factor (duration of exposure and parasite burden) had a distinct effect on the immune response, and thus, our results were rather complicated. Lizards with heavy parasite burden and aperiodic exposure demonstrated resistance, whereas lizards with heavy parasite burden and chronic exposure were more tolerant. Populations with low parasite burden and minimal exposure were more resistant. Our results suggest that the development of some immunological strategies may be differentiated under different infection risks, even within the same species.
Crop Planting Structure Optimization for Water Scarcity Alleviation in China
Authors: Zhang Lijia , Yin Xin'an , Xu Zhihao , Zhi Yuan , Yang Zhifeng 
Published: May 2016

SummaryAlong with globalization, countries consume a large amount of goods and services from both domestic and international markets. As one of the world's largest agricultural countries, China is faced with serious water scarcity and has to reduce the water consumption from both domestic and global aspects, of which the crop planting structure optimization (CPSO) between regions based on the virtual water perspective could be a solution for efficient agricultural water consumption. In this article, three scenarios of Chinese agriculture, including agricultural water consumption restrictions relaxed scenario, agricultural water consumption limited scenario, and net utilization ratio of water resources limited scenario, were designed to minimize the national agricultural water consumption under various water, land, and crop planting constraints in individual provinces and analyze the impacts of the CPSO. The results showed that compared with the historical situation of crop planting in 2007, 53.3%, 51.4%, and 47.3% of the agricultural water consumption and more than 10% of the sown area of China was saved under the three scenarios, respectively. Because of the reduction of agricultural water consumption and land use, it brought about the expansion of crops production in China. CPSO is found to have notable effects on water saving and food security considering the dependence of the crops by international trade.
Impact of Trade Openness and Sector Trade on Embodied Greenhouse Gases Emissions and Air Pollutants
Authors: Islam Moinul , Kanemoto Keiichiro , Managi Shunsuke 
Published: May 2016

SummaryThe production of goods and services generates greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollution both directly and through the activities of the supply chains on which they depend. The analysis of the latter—called embodied emissions—caused by internationally traded goods and services is the subject of this article. We find that trade openness increases embodied emissions in international trade (EET). We also examine the impact of sector trade on EET. By applying a fixed‐effect model using large balanced panel data from 187 countries between 1990 and 2011, we determine that each unit of increase in trade openness results in a 10% to 23% increase in GHGs EET. The sector trade effect is also significant for the embodied emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, nonmethane volatile organic compounds, particulates and sulfur dioxide. Our findings also clearly indicate that the impact of the gross domestic product (GDP) on the embodied emissions in exports is positive, increasing emissions, but that it is negative on the embodied emissions in imports. We suggest that countries monitor trade sector emissions and trade openness to mitigate global embodied GHG emissions and air pollutants.
Estradiol‐induced neurogenesis in the female accessory olfactory bulb is required for the learning of the male odor
Authors: Brus Maïna , Trouillet Anne‐Charlotte , Hellier Vincent , Bakker Julie 
Published: May 2016

AbstractOdors processed by the main and accessory olfactory bulbs (MOB, AOB) are important for sexual behavior. Interestingly, both structures continue to receive new neurons during adulthood. A role for olfactory neurogenesis in sexual behavior in female mice has recently been shown and gonadal hormones such as estradiol can modulate adult neurogenesis. Therefore, we wanted to determine the role of estradiol in learning the odors of sexual partners and in the adult neurogenesis of female aromatase knockout mice (ArKO), unable to produce estradiol. Female wild‐type (WT) and ArKO mice were exposed to male odors during 7 days, and olfactory preferences, cell proliferation, cell survival and functional involvement of newborn neurons were analyzed, using BrdU injections, in combination with a marker of cell activation (Zif268) and neuronal fate (doublecortin, NeuN). Behavioral tasks indicated that both WT and ArKO females were able to discriminate between the odors of two different males, but ArKO mice failed to learn the familiar male odor. Proliferation of newborn cells was reduced in ArKO mice only in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Olfactory exposure decreased cell survival in the AOB in WT females, suggesting a role for estradiol in a structure involved in sexual behavior. Finally, newborn neurons do not seem to be functionally involved in the AOB of ArKO mice compared with WT, when females were exposed to the odor of a familiar male, suggesting that estradiol‐induced neurogenesis in the AOB is required for the learning of the male odor in female mice.
image
Aromatase knockout mice (ArKO) presented deficits in olfactory preferences without affecting their olfactory discrimination abilities, and showed no functional involvement of newborn neurons in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) in response to the odor of a familiar male. These results suggest that estradiol‐induced neurogenesis in the female AOB is required for the learning of the male odor.
GLOBALIZATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE: NEW EMPIRICAL PANEL DATA EVIDENCE
Authors: Bu Maoliang , Lin Chin‐Te , Zhang Bing 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWhether globalization is good or bad for the environment has been studied intensively in recent years. However, few studies have explicitly provided a general picture of globalization around the world or considered the rich dimensions of globalization outside of economic globalization. By applying the new KOF globalization index in a panel data sample of 166 countries over the 1990–2009 period, our results suggest that, on average, overall carbon emissions rise with higher levels of economic, social and political globalization, although the effect varies by OECD and non‐OECD country group. After decomposing the main contributors of carbon emissions, our further data from the manufacturing and construction sector yield evidence consistent with a pollution haven effect in terms of climate change.
Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging Color Maps to Characterize Brain Diffusion in Neurologic Disorders
Authors: Caverzasi Eduardo , Papinutto Nico , Castellano Antonella , Zhu Alyssa H. , Scifo Paola , Riva Marco , Bello Lorenzo , Falini Andrea , Bharatha Aditya , Henry Roland G. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTPURPOSENeurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) has recently been developed to overcome diffusion technique limitations in modeling biological systems. This manuscript reports a preliminary investigation into the use of a single color‐coded map to represent NODDI‐derived information.MATERIALS AND METHODSAn optimized diffusion‐weighted imaging protocol was acquired in several clinical neurological contexts including demyelinating disease, neoplastic process, stroke, and toxic/metabolic disease.The NODDI model was fitted to the diffusion datasets. NODDI is based on a three‐compartment diffusion model and provides maps that quantify the contributions to the total diffusion signal in each voxel. The NODDI compartment maps were combined into a single 4‐dimensional volume visualized as RGB image (red for anisotropic Gaussian diffusion, green for non‐Gaussian anisotropic diffusion, and blue for isotropic Gaussian diffusion), in which the relative contributions of the different microstructural compartments can be easily appreciated.RESULTSThe NODDI color maps better describe the heterogeneity of neoplastic as well inflammatory lesions by identifying different tissue components within areas apparently homogeneous on conventional imaging. Moreover, NODDI color maps seem to be useful for identifying vasogenic edema differently from tumor‐infiltrated edema.In multiple sclerosis, the NODDI color maps enable a visual assessment of the underlying microstructural changes, possibly highlighting an increased inflammatory component, within lesions and potentially in normal‐appearing white matter.CONCLUSIONThe NODDI color maps could make this technique valuable in a clinical setting, providing comprehensive and accessible information in normal and pathological brain tissues in different neurological pathologies.
Taxing the Financially Integrated Multinational Firm
Authors: JOHANNESEN NIELS 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis paper develops a theoretical model of corporate taxation in the presence of financially integrated multinational firms. Under the assumption that multinational firms use some measure of internal loans to finance foreign investment, we find that the optimal corporate tax rate is positive from the perspective of a small, open economy. This finding contrasts the standard result that the optimal‐source‐based capital tax is zero. Intuitively, when multinational firms finance investment in one country with loans from affiliates in another country, the burden of the corporate taxes levied in the latter country partly falls on investment and thus workers in the former country. This tax exporting mechanism introduces a scope for corporate taxes, which is not present in standard models of international taxation. Accounting for the internal capital markets of multinational firms thus helps resolve the tension between standard theory predicting zero capital taxes and the casual observation that countries tend to employ corporate taxes at fairly high rates.