bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inflammation and the coagulation system in tuberculosis: Tissue Factor leads the dance
Authors: Caccamo Nadia , Dieli Francesco 
Published: January 2016

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, drives the formation of granulomas, structures in which both immune cells and the bacterial pathogen cohabit. The most abundant cells in granulomas are macrophages, which contribute as both cells with bactericidal activity and as targets for M. tuberculosis infection and proliferation during the entire course of infection. The mechanisms and factors involved in the regulation and control of macrophage microenvironment‐specific polarization and plasticity are not well understood, as some granulomas are able to control bacteria growth and others fail to do so, permitting bacterial spread. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Venkatasubramanian et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2016. 46: 464–479] show that mice lacking the tissue factor gene in myeloid cells have augmented M. tuberculosis growth and increased inflammation in the lungs. This suggests that tissue factor, an initiator of coagulation, is important for the generation of fibrin, which supports granuloma formation. This article demonstrates for the first time the involvement of tissue factor in inducing effective immunity against M. tuberculosis, and sheds new lights on the complex interplay between host inflammatory response, the coagulation system, and the control of M. tuberculosis infection.
Robot‐guided neuronavigated rTMS as an alternative therapy for central (neuropathic) pain: Clinical experience and long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Pommier B. , Créac'h C. , Beauvieux V. , Nuti C. , Vassal F. , Peyron R. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) appears as a useful tool to alleviate neuropathic pain but only few data are available for the long‐term benefit of this treatment.MethodsHere we report the effects of rTMS sessions, considered as a possible therapy for pain relief after a failure of different medications in patients with central (neuropathic) pain. We review here the prospectively collected data of the first forty patients treated as follow: 20 Hz stimulation delivered over the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1), each 3–4 weeks.ResultsA total of 440 rTMS sessions was collected (mean sessions number: 11, range: 1–37, follow‐up 312 days on average, maximum 2.8 years). After four sessions, nine patients (22.5%) discontinued rTMS because of a lack of efficiency (<10% pain‐relief). The other 31 patients (77.5%) had a cumulative effect across sessions leading to a mean pain relief of 41% for a duration of 15.6 days. A correlation was observed between pain relief in the first session and long‐term pain relief (R = 0.649. p = 5.6*10−6). Both intensity and duration of pain relief were significantly better for patients with persistent laser evoked potentials (LEPs, p = 0.049 and 0.0018). We did not observe any adverse‐effects.ConclusionThese results suggest that repeated sessions of 20 Hz rTMS over M1 are interesting in clinical practice for the treatment of selected patients with central pain. Both the cumulative effects across the first sessions and the long duration of pain‐relief should impact further randomized trials that are warranted to conclude formally on rTMS efficiency in central pain.
Stream profile analysis, tectonic geomorphology and neotectonic activity of the Damxung‐Yangbajain rift in the south Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Jiang Wenliang , Han Zhujun , Zhang Jingfa , Jiao Qisong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe Damxung‐Yangbajain rift is one of the most active north–south trending rifts in the south Tibetan Plateau, and it has been playing an important role in accommodating the east–west extension of the Tibetan Plateau. Both stream profiles on the Nyainqentanglha Range adjacent to the northwest part of the Damxung‐Yangbajain rift and tectonic geomorphology in the north of the rift are analyzed to assess the spatial pattern and intensity of rock uplift which is related to neotectonic activity. A total of 85 stream profiles across the Nyainqentanglha Range are analyzed, and 111 knickpoints are interpreted. Most of these stream profiles are characterized by prominent convexities with two or more knickpoints, many of which are formed due to the strong rock uplift evidenced by abnormal concavity and extremely high steepness indices during the Quaternary. Neotectonic activity in this region is well replicated in the stream profile indices and offset landforms. Tectono‐geomorphic analysis shows that the concavity and steepness indices correlate with the fault movements at many places. The Damxung‐Yangbajain rift is characterized by left‐lateral strike‐slip in the north of Damxung and by normal movement in middle and southern parts. The middle and southern parts have been undergoing higher uplift than has the northern area. It is most likely that the strong uplift is related to the heat flow under the crust. Earthquakes occurring in the Damxung‐Yangbajain rift, including a M8 in 1411 and M6.6 in 2008, are thought to be related to heat flow activity. All of the stream profile indices and tectonic geomorphology show that the Damxung‐Yangbajain rift is not in a stable state. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) ammocoetes exposed to contaminated Portland Harbor sediments: Method development and effects on survival, growth, and behavior
Authors: Unrein Julia R. , Morris Jeffrey M. , Chitwood Rob S. , Lipton Joshua , Peers Jennifer , van de Wetering Stan , Schreck Carl B. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Many anthropogenic disturbances have contributed to the decline of Pacific lampreys (Entosphenus tridentatus), but potential negative effects of contaminants on lampreys are unclear. Lamprey ammocoetes are the only detritivorous fish in the lower Willamette River, Oregon, USA, and have been observed in Portland Harbor sediments. Their long benthic larval stage places them at risk from the effects of contaminated sediment. The authors developed experimental methods to assess the effects of contaminated sediment on the growth and behavior of field-collected ammocoetes reared in a laboratory. Specifically, they developed methods to assess individual growth and burrowing behavior. Burrowing performance demonstrated high variability among contaminated sediments; however, ammocoetes presented with noncontaminated reference sediment initiated burrowing more rapidly and completed it faster. Ammocoete reemergence from contaminated sediments suggests avoidance of some chemical compounds. The authors conducted long-term exposure experiments on individually held ammocoetes using sediment collected from their native Siletz River, which included the following: contaminated sediments collected from 9 sites within Portland Harbor, 2 uncontaminated reference sediments collected upstream, 1 uncontaminated sediment with characteristics similar to Portland Harbor sediments, and clean sand. They determined that a 24-h depuration period was sufficient to evaluate weight changes and observed no mortality or growth effects in fish exposed to any of the contaminated sediments. However, the effect on burrowing behavior appeared to be a sensitive endpoint, with potentially significant implications for predator avoidance. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2092–2102. © 2016 SETAC
Effect of bioconcentration and trophic transfer on realized exposure to oxazepam in 2 predators, the dragonfly larvae (Aeshna grandis) and the Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Authors: Heynen Martina , Fick Jerker , Jonsson Micael , Klaminder Jonatan , Brodin Tomas 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Psychoactive substances are used worldwide and constitute one of the most common groups of pharmaceutical contaminants in surface waters. Although these pharmaceuticals are designed to be efficiently eliminated from the human body, very little is known about their trophic-transfer potential in aquatic wildlife. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to quantify and compare uptake of an anxiolytic (oxazepam) from water (bioconcentration) and via the consumption of contaminated diet (trophic transfer) in 2 common freshwater predators: Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) and the dragonfly larvae Aeshna grandis. Bioconcentration and trophic transfer of oxazepam were found in both predator species. However, higher bioconcentrations were observed for perch (bioconcentration factor [BCF], 3.7) than for dragonfly larvae (BCF, 0.5). Perch also retained more oxazepam from consumed prey (41%) than dragonfly larvae (10%), whereas the relative contribution via prey consumption was 14% and 42% for perch and dragonflies, respectively. In addition, bioconcentration was negatively correlated with perch weight, indicating that exposure levels in natural contaminated environments differ between individuals of different size or between different developmental stages. Hence, trophic transfer of pharmaceuticals may indeed occur, and estimates of environmental exposures that do not consider intake via food or size-dependent bioconcentration may therefore lead to wrongful estimations of realized exposure levels in natural contaminated ecosystems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:930–937. © 2016 SETAC
Chronic exposure to mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate causes endocrine disruption and reproductive dysfunction in zebrafish
Authors: Zhu Yongtong , Hua Rui , Zhou Yao , Li Hong , Quan Song , Yu Yanhong 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Phthalic acid esters are frequently detected in aquatic environments. In the present study, zebrafish were exposed to low concentrations (0 µg/L, 0.46 µg/L, 4.0 µg/L, and 37.5 µg/L) of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) for 81 d, and the effects on reproduction, gamete quality, plasma vitellogenin (VTG), sex steroids, and transcriptional profiles of key genes involved in steroidogenesis were investigated. The results demonstrated that egg production and sperm quality were decreased after exposure to MEHP, which also resulted in reduced egg diameter and eggshell as well as decreased egg protein content. Significant inductions in plasma testosterone and 17β-estradiol (E2) were observed in females, which might have resulted from up-regulation of CYP19a and 17β-HSD gene transcription in the ovary. A significant increase in plasma E2 along with a decrease in plasma 11-keto testosterone was also observed in males, which was accompanied by up-regulation of CYP19a and inhibition of CYP11b transcription in the testis. In addition, plasma vitellogenin levels were significantly increased after MEHP exposure in both sexes. Moreover, continuous MEHP exposure in the F1 embryos resulted in worse hatching rates and increased malformation rates compared with embryos without MEHP exposure. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MEHP has the potential to cause reproductive dysfunction and impair the development of offspring. However, it should be noted that most of the significant effects were observed at higher concentrations, and MEHP at typically measured concentrations may not have major effects on fish reproduction and development. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2117–2124. © 2016 SETAC
Human health risk assessment of triclosan in land-applied biosolids
Authors: Verslycke Tim , Mayfield David B. , Tabony Jade A. , Capdevielle Marie , Slezak Brian 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Triclosan (5-chloro-2-[2,4-dichlorophenoxy]-phenol) is an antimicrobial agent found in a variety of pharmaceutical and personal care products. Numerous studies have examined the occurrence and environmental fate of triclosan in wastewater, biosolids, biosolids-amended soils, and plants and organisms exposed to biosolid-amended soils. Triclosan has a propensity to adhere to organic carbon in biosolids and biosolid-amended soils. Land application of biosolids containing triclosan has the potential to contribute to multiple direct and indirect human health exposure pathways. To estimate exposures and human health risks from biosolid-borne triclosan, a risk assessment was conducted in general accordance with the methodology incorporated into the US Environmental Protection Agency's Part 503 biosolids rule. Human health exposures to biosolid-borne triclosan were estimated on the basis of published empirical data or modeled using upper-end environmental partitioning estimates. Similarly, a range of published triclosan human health toxicity values was evaluated. Margins of safety were estimated for 10 direct and indirect exposure pathways, both individually and combined. The present risk assessment found large margins of safety (&gt;1000 to &gt;100 000) for potential exposures to all pathways, even under the most conservative exposure and toxicity assumptions considered. The human health exposures and risks from biosolid-borne triclosan are concluded to be de minimis. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2358–2367. © 2016 SETAC
Synthesis of Novel Isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazolinedione Derivatives Containing a 1,2,3‐Triazole Ring System
Authors: Esmaeili‐Marandi Fatemeh , Saeedi Mina , Yavari Issa , Mahdavi Mohammad , Shafiee Abbas 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA synthesis of isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazolinedione derivatives, coupled with a 1,2,3‐triazole ring system, via the reaction of isatoic anhydride, HCCCH2NH2, and 2‐formylbenzoic acid is described, which led to the formation of the isoindolo[2,1‐a]quinazoline‐5,11‐dione scaffold having a CC bond that participated in a click reaction with various organic azides.
Four New Pregnane Steroids from Aglaia abbreviata and Their Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Zhang Feng , Zhu Yu , Li Qin , Cen Juan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFour new pregnane steroids, aglaiasterols A–D (1–4), have been isolated from the EtOH extract of stems of Aglaia abbreviata. They were identified as (3α,5α,17Z)‐3‐hydroxypregn‐17‐en‐16‐one (1), (3β,5α,17E)‐3‐hydroxypregn‐17‐en‐16‐one (2), (3β,5α,17Z)‐3‐hydroxypregn‐17‐en‐16‐one (3), and (3α,5α,20S*)‐3‐hydroxy‐16‐oxopregnan‐20‐yl acetate (4) on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. Compounds 1–4 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against K562 (human leukemia), MCF‐7 (human breast cancer), and KB (human oral epithelium cancer) cells, and drug‐resistant cells of K562/A02, MCF‐7/ADM, and KB/VCR. These isolates showed weak to moderate inhibitory effects on the growth of the tested cell lines.
Life cycle assessment of waste prevention in the delivery of pasta, breakfast cereals, and rice
Authors: Dolci Giovanni , Nessi Simone , Rigamonti Lucia , Grosso Mario 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Waste prevention is the top priority of the European waste management strategy. In fact, as indicated in the latest Waste Framework Directive, the best option to deal with waste is not to generate it at all. In this framework, the distribution of loose dry food products through self-dispensing systems (so-called “loose distribution”) is being considered worldwide as a practice to reduce the generation of packaging waste. This life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental convenience of the loose distribution of dry pasta, breakfast cereals, and rice, in comparison with the traditional method of distribution. For each product, several baseline scenarios based on single-use packaging were compared with different waste prevention scenarios in which the product is distributed loose. The comparison addressed waste generation, 13 impact categories on the environment and human health, and the Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) indicator. The results are significantly different for the 3 products. The loose distribution of pasta allows a 50% waste reduction and a decrease in the potential impacts only when compared with single-use cartonboard boxes. Conversely, when the comparison is made with single-use polypropylene bags, the loose distribution can even cause an increase in waste generation (up to 15%) and in the potential life cycle impacts. For breakfast cereals, the loose distribution allows a significant reduction in both the amount of waste (up to 84%) and the potential impacts, compared to the sale of traditional single-use bag-in-box packages. Finally, the loose distribution of rice permits a reduction in both waste generation (up to 86%) and most of the potential impacts. In particular, the impact reduction is higher when the reference single-use packaging that is replaced includes a cartonboard box. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:445–458. © 2016 SETAC
Key Points
The effectiveness of the loose distribution of dry pasta, breakfast cereals, and rice in reducing the environmental and human health impacts was evaluated by a life cycle assessment (LCA). In fact, the sole reduction of waste generation may not result in the reduction of potential impacts. The loose distribution is not necessarily more environment-friendly than the traditional one. In fact, results are significantly different for dry pasta, breakfast cereals, and rice and depend on how the traditional and the loose distributions are implemented. The loose distribution of pasta allows for a 50% waste reduction and a decrease of the potential environmental impacts when compared with single-use cartonboard boxes but not when the comparison is made with single-use polypropylene bags. The loose distribution of breakfast cereals and rice results in a significant reduction of both the amount of waste (up to 85%) and the potential impacts, when compared to traditional packages.
FGFR Inhibitor Ameliorates Hypophosphatemia and Impaired Engrailed‐1/Wnt Signaling in FGF2 High Molecular Weight Isoform Transgenic Mice
Authors: Du Erxia , Xiao Liping , Hurley Marja M. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTHigh molecular weight FGF2 transgenic (HMWTg) mouse phenocopies the Hyp mouse, homolog of human X‐linked hypophosphatemic rickets with hypophosphatemis, and abnormal FGF23, FGFR, Klotho signaling in kidney. Since abnormal Wnt signaling was reported in Hyp mice we assessed whether Wnt signaling was impaired in HMWTg kidneys and the effect of blocking FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling. Bone mineral density and bone mineral content in female HMWTg mice were significantly reduced. HMWTg mice were gavaged with FGFR inhibitor NVP‐BGJ398, or vehicle and were euthanized 24 h post treatment. Serum phosphate was significantly reduced and urine phosphate was significantly increased in HMWTg and was rescued by NVP‐BGJ398. Analysis of kidneys revealed a significant reduction in Npt2a mRNA in HMWTg that was significantly increased by NVP‐BGJ398. Increased FGFR1, KLOTHO, P‐ERK1/2, and decreased NPT2a protein in HMWTg were rescued by NVP‐BGJ398. Wnt inhibitor Engrailed‐1 mRNA and protein was increased in HMWTg and was decreased by BGJ398. Akt mRNA and protein was decreased in HMWTg and was increased by NVP‐BGJ398. The active form of glycogen synthase 3 beta (pGSK3‐β) and phosphor‐β‐catenin were increased in HMWTg and were both decreased by NVP‐BGJ398 while decreased active‐β‐catenin in HMWTg was increased by NVP‐BGJ398. We conclude that FGFR blockade rescued hypophosphatemia by regulating FGF and WNT signaling in HMWTg kidneys. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1991–2000, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nondestructive estimation of growth year in ginseng cultivars using the means of mathematical modeling on the basis of allometry
Authors: Cheng Chunsong , Yuan Qingxi , Zhou Hua , Huang Luqi 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTGrowth‐year authentication has extraordinary significance for plant growth, structure and development research, and has a wide range of applications in value assessment of economic crops. Panax ginseng is the most commonly used medicinal plant in Asian countries. The fix number of growth‐year is an important quality evaluation which is difficult to be obtained accurately in current technical conditions. Preliminary authentication theory for growth‐year has been described in previous studies using a short‐lived perennial medicinal plant (Paeonia lactiflora pall.) as the research material. In this research, we focused on the growth‐year estimation in ginseng cultivars, and attempt to explore the age estimation method for vascular plants according to mathematical simulation of the root structure development. Micro data was obtained from 204 individuals of 3 different kinds of ginseng cultivars, which have a series of gradient age and a clear growth record. Outer diameter of the vascular cambium (b) and the radius of cross section (r) were measured with ordinary stereo microscope. We further designed and established two different kinds of authentication model based on the taproot structure development for growth year authentication (P
and M = K*X1a1X2a2). Moreover, the models were applied to identify the growth year of ginseng without damage using Micro‐CT or DEI reconstruction. A potential method, have been recently described, the age of ginseng can be analyzed by telomere length and telomerase activity. However, we found that there are different results indicated in other species. We concluded that microscopic methods perceived currently were provided a more effective means for growth‐year authentication. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:98–105, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Microscopy Research and Technique Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Culture if spikes? Indications and yield of blood cultures in hospitalized medical patients
Authors: Linsenmeyer Katherine , Gupta Kalpana , Strymish Judith M. , Dhanani Muhammad , Brecher Stephen M. , Breu Anthony C. 
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUNDAlthough optimal utilization of blood cultures has been studied in populations, including emergency room and intensive care patients, less is known about the use of blood cultures in populations consisting exclusively of patients on a medical service.OBJECTIVETo identify the physician‐selected indication and yield of blood cultures ordered after hospitalization to an acute medical service and to identify populations in which blood cultures may not be necessary.DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTSA prospective cohort study was performed at a single Veterans Affairs Medical Center from October 1, 2014 through April 15, 2015. Participants included all hospitalized patients on a medical service for whom a blood culture was ordered.MEASUREMENTSThe main outcomes were the rate of true positive blood cultures and the predictors of true positive cultures.RESULTSThe true positive rate was 3.6% per order. The most common physician‐selected indications were fever and leukocytosis, neither of which alone was highly predictive of true positive blood cultures. The only indication significantly associated with a true positive blood culture was “follow‐up previous positive” (likelihood ratio [LR]+ 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8‐6.5). The only clinical predictors were a working diagnosis of bacteremia/endocarditis (LR+ 3.7, 95% CI: 2.5‐5.7) and absence of antibiotic exposure within 72 hours of the culture (LR+ 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2‐4.9).CONCLUSIONSThe rate of true positive blood cultures among patients on a medical service was lower than previously studied. Using objective and easily obtainable clinical characteristics, including antibiotic exposure and working diagnosis, may improve the likelihood of true positive blood cultures. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:336–340. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine