bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dopamine concentration in blood platelets is elevated in patients with head and neck paragangliomas
Authors: Osinga Thamara E. , van der Horst-Schrivers Anouk N.A. , van Faassen Martijn , Kerstens Michiel N. , Dullaart Robin P.F. , Peters Marloes A.M. , van der Laan Bernard F.A.M. , de Bock Geertruida H. , Links Thera P. , Kema Ido P. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPlasma 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), a metabolite of dopamine, is elevated in up to 28% of patients with head and neck paragangliomas (HNPGLs). As free dopamine is incorporated in circulating platelets, we determined dopamine concentration in platelets in patients with a HNPGL.A single center cohort study was performed between 2012 and 2014. Thirty-six patients with a HNPGL were compared to healthy controls (68 for dopamine in platelets and 120 for plasma 3-MT).Dopamine concentration in platelets was elevated in HNPGL patients compared to healthy controls (median [interquartile ranges] 0.48 [0.32–0.82] pmol/10Dopamine concentration in platelets is elevated in patients with a HNPGL compared to healthy subjects, and may be a novel biomarker for dopamine producing paraganglioma.
Should routine laboratories stop doing screening serum protein electrophoresis and replace it with screening immune-fixation electrophoresis? No quick fixes: Counterpoint
Authors: Smith Joel D. , Raines Geoffrey , Schneider Hans G. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMonoclonal gammopathies are characterised by the production of a monoclonal immunoglobulin or free light chains by an abnormal plasma cell or B-cell clone and may indicate malignancy or a precursor (MGUS). There is currently no consensus on the initial test or combination of tests to be performed in suspected monoclonal gammopathies but serum protein electrophoresis and urine protein electrophoresis are commonly requested as initial investigations. If abnormal, immunofixation electrophoresis is then performed to confirm the presence of paraprotein and to determine its heavy and light chain type. Recently, some groups have developed simplified “screening” IFE methods for use in parallel to SPEP for the detection monoclonal gammopathies. We argue here that screening IFE may be of benefit in clinical laboratories using SPEP with poor resolution in the β-region, assisting in the detection of mainly IgA paraprotein, but may be of less benefit in laboratories utilising higher resolution gels. Further it may increase the detection of trace bands of questionable clinical significance, representing transient phenomena in infectious and auto-immune conditions or very low risk MGUS. The increased detection of these bands using screening IFE would require further patient follow up, possibly causing unnecessary patient anxiety and additional follow up healthcare costs.
Value of the intrarenal arterial resistivity indices and different renal biomarkers for early identification of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic patients
Authors: Abd El Dayem Soha , El Bohy Abo El magd , El Shehaby Amal 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare resistivity index (RI) in type 1 diabetic patients and normal controls and to evaluate whether high RI is associated with different biomarkers of diabetic nephropathy (DN) as early detection of DN offers the best chance of delaying or possibly preventing progression to end-stage renal disease.The study included 62 type 1 diabetic patients and 30 healthy volunteers of the same age and sex. Blood samples were taken for assessment of glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile and urine samples were taken for assessment of albumin/creatinine ratio, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) and kidney injury molecule-1 (Kim-1). Forty-five diabetic patients and 30 controls had a renal Doppler ultrasonography. t-Test or Mann Whitney U-test for independent variables, Pearson’s or Spearman correlation analysis were used.The mean age of diabetic patients was 16.3±1.5 years, and mean duration of diabetes was 9.4±2.9 years. RI, albumin/creatinine ratio, NGAL, Kim-1 and L-FABP were significantly higher in diabetics than in controls. RI, NGAL, Kim-1, and L-FABP were significantly higher in microalbuminuric compared to normoalbuminuric diabetics. In normoalbuminuric diabetics, RI, NGAL, Kim-1 and L-FABP were significantly higher compared to controls. The study revealed significant positive correlation between the RI in diabetics and both KIM-1 and albumin/creatinine ratio.Increased RI and renal biomarkers in diabetics are early sensitive specific markers of DN, even preceded the development of microalbuminuria, denoting that they can be used as an early and sensitive markers for early detection of DN.
An adolescent girl referred with Cushing syndrome – does she or does she not have the syndrome?
Authors: Kao Kung-Ting , Zacharin Margaret 
Published: December 2015

AbstractCushing syndrome and lipodystrophy syndromes share similar clinical features. This report describes an adolescent girl with newly diagnosed familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2) who was initially referred for Cushing syndrome. The type of abnormal fat deposition syndrome can be elucidated by careful clinical examination. FPLD2 can lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus and early cardiovascular events. Partial lipodystrophy presenting for the first time in adolescence can be mistaken for corticosteroid excess. Early diagnosis and preventative management of cardiovascular risk factors are crucial.
Influence of Pedaling Cadence and Incremental Protocol on the Estimation of EMGFT
Authors: Duff Timothy M. , Fournier Hallie , Hopp Orie B. , Ochshorn Eli , Sanders Eric S. , Stevens Rachel E. , Malek Moh H. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Duff, TM, Fournier, H, Hopp, OB, Ochshorn, E, Sanders, ES, Stevens, RE, and Malek, MH. Influence of pedaling cadence and incremental protocol on the estimation of EMGFT. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2206–2211, 2016—Theoretically, the electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) is the highest exercise intensity that an individual can exercise at indefinitely without an increase in electromyography (EMG) amplitude. This index is estimated from a single incremental test. There are, however, factors that may influence EMG amplitude such as pedaling cadence or the incremental protocol used. The purposes of this study were to determine whether different pedaling cadences and/or incremental protocols influence the estimation of the EMGFT. Eight healthy college-aged men performed incremental cycle ergometry on three separate visits. The participants exercised using the following combinations of pedaling cadences and incremental protocols in random order: 25 W at 70 RPM; 13 W at 70 RPM; and 25 W at 100 RPM. The EMGFT value was determined from the vastus lateralis muscle of each participant for each of the three conditions. Separate 1-way repeated measures analysis of variances were performed to determine mean differences for various outcome indices. The mean maximal power output for the 13 W at 70 RPM condition was significantly lower than the two other conditions. There were, however, no significant mean differences (F (2,14) = 2.03; p = 0.169) for EMGFT between the three conditions. The findings of this study indicated that different pedaling cadences and incremental protocols did not influence the estimation of the EMGFT.
Trifluoromethyl-phenyl-triazolyl derivative of beta-bisabolol induces cell death in ME-180 cervical cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and ROS generation
Authors: Hu Shu-Hong , Yu Hui , Gong Xue-Qin , Zhang Ying-Hong 
Published: December 2015

<p class="Abstract">The aim of the current investigation was to design, synthesize and demonstrate the anticancer and apoptotic activity of trifluoromethyl-phenyl-triazolyl derivative of beta-bisabolol (TTB) in ME-180 human cervical cancer cells. MTT and clonogenic assays were used to evaluate the cell viability and colony formation tendencies of the cells respectively. Phase contrast and fluorescence microscopic investigations were used to evaluate the effect of TTB on cellular morphology and apoptosis. Flow cytometric analysis using fluorescent CM-DCFH2-DA were used to study the effect of TTB on reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. The results revealed that TTB significantly inhibited the proliferation of ME-180 human cervical cancer cells in a time-dependent as well as dose-dependent manner. TTB has the capacity to inhibit both anchorage dependent as well as anchorage independent growth of ME-180 cervical cancer cells. TTB-treated cells revealed chromatin condensation, fragmented nuclei and nuclear shrinkage. A 3-fold increase of ROS production was seen after 72 μM TTB treatment.</p><p><strong><br /></strong></p><p><strong>VIDEO CLIPS</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/9yrPL3uy6Ls">Phase contrast microscopic study:</a> 2 min</p><p> </p>
Fossil nutlets of Boraginaceae from the continental Eocene of Hamada of Méridja (southwestern Algeria): The first fossil of the Borage family in Africa
Authors: Hammouda Sid Ahmed , Weigend Maximilian , Mebrouk Fateh , Chacón Juliana , Bensalah Mustapha , Ensikat Hans‐Jürgen , Adaci Mohammed 
Published: December 2015

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:The Paleogene deposits of the Hamada of Méridja, southwestern Algeria, are currently dated as lower‐to‐middle Eocene in age based on fossil gastropods and charophytes. Here we report the presence of fruits that can be assigned to the Boraginaceae s.str., apparently representing the first fossil record for this family in Africa, shedding new light on the historical biogeography of this group.METHODS:Microscopic studies of the fossil nutlets were carried out and compared to extant Boraginaceae nutlets, and to types reported in the literature for this family.KEY RESULTS:The fossils are strikingly similar in general size and morphology, particularly in the finer details of the attachment scar and ornamentation, to nutlets of extant representatives of the Boraginaceae tribe Echiochileae, and especially the genus Ogastemma. We believe that these nutlets represent an extinct member of this lineage.CONCLUSIONS:The Ogastemma‐like fossils indicate that the Echiochileae, which are most diverse in northern Africa and southwestern Asia, have a long history in this region, dating back to the Eocene. This tribe corresponds to the basal‐most clade in Boraginaceae s.str., and the fossils described here agree well with an assumed African origin of the family and the Boraginales I, providing an important additional calibration point for dating the phylogenies of this clade.
Coexpressed Catalase Protects Chimeric Antigen Receptor–Redirected T Cells as well as Bystander Cells from Oxidative Stress–Induced Loss of Antitumor Activity
Authors: Ligtenberg Maarten A. , Mougiakakos Dimitrios , Mukhopadhyay Madhura , Witt Kristina , Lladser Alvaro , Chmielewski Markus , Riet Tobias , Abken Hinrich , Kiessling Rolf 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Treatment of cancer patients by adoptive T cell therapy has yielded promising results. In solid tumors, however, T cells encounter a hostile environment, in particular with increased inflammatory activity as a hallmark of the tumor milieu that goes along with abundant reactive oxygen species (ROS) that substantially impair antitumor activity. We present a strategy to render antitumor T cells more resilient toward ROS by coexpressing catalase along with a tumor specific chimeric Ag receptor (CAR) to increase their antioxidative capacity by metabolizing H2O2. In fact, T cells engineered with a bicistronic vector that concurrently expresses catalase, along with the CAR coexpressing catalase (CAR-CAT), performed superior over CAR T cells as they showed increased levels of intracellular catalase and had a reduced oxidative state with less ROS accumulation in both the basal state and upon activation while maintaining their antitumor activity despite high H2O2 levels. Moreover, CAR-CAT T cells exerted a substantial bystander protection of nontransfected immune effector cells as measured by CD3ζ chain expression in bystander T cells even in the presence of high H2O2 concentrations. Bystander NK cells, otherwise ROS sensitive, efficiently eliminate their K562 target cells under H2O2-induced oxidative stress when admixed with CAR-CAT T cells. This approach represents a novel means for protecting tumor-infiltrating cells from tumor-associated oxidative stress–mediated repression.
TNF Regulates Essential Alternative Complement Pathway Components and Impairs Activation of Protein C in Human Glomerular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Sartain Sarah E. , Turner Nancy A. , Moake Joel L. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy with severe renal injury secondary to an overactive alternative complement pathway (AP). aHUS episodes are often initiated or recur during inflammation. We investigated gene expression of the surface complement regulatory proteins (CD55, CD59, CD46, and CD141 [thrombomodulin]) and AP components in human glomerular microvascular endothelial cells (GMVECs) and in HUVECs, a frequently used investigational model of endothelial cells. Surface complement regulatory proteins were also quantified by flow cytometry. All experiments were done with and without exposure to IL-1β or TNF. Without cytokine stimulation, we found that GMVECs had greater AP activation than did HUVECs. With TNF stimulation, THBD gene expression and corresponding CD141 surface presence in HUVECs and GMVECs were reduced, and gene expression of complement components C3 (C3) and factor B (CFB) was increased. Consequently, AP activation, measured by Ba production, was increased, and conversion of protein C (PC) to activated PC by CD141-bound thrombin was decreased, in GMVECs and HUVECs exposed to TNF. IL-1β had similar, albeit lesser, effects on HUVEC gene expression, and it only slightly affected GMVEC gene expression. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed study of the expression/display of AP components and surface regulatory proteins in GMVECs with and without cytokine stimulation. In aHUS patients with an underlying overactive AP, additional stimulation of the AP and inhibition of activated PC–mediated anticoagulation in GMVECs by the inflammatory cytokine TNF are likely to provoke episodes of renal failure.
Selective ORAI1 Inhibition Ameliorates Autoimmune Central Nervous System Inflammation by Suppressing Effector but Not Regulatory T Cell Function
Authors: Kaufmann Ulrike , Shaw Patrick J. , Kozhaya Lina , Subramanian Raju , Gaida Kevin , Unutmaz Derya , McBride Helen J. , Feske Stefan 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
The function of CD4+ T cells is dependent on Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ release–activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels formed by ORAI proteins. To investigate the role of ORAI1 in proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells and autoimmune diseases, we genetically and pharmacologically modulated ORAI1 function. Immunization of mice lacking Orai1 in T cells with MOG peptide resulted in attenuated severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The numbers of T cells and innate immune cells in the CNS of ORAI1-deficient animals were strongly reduced along with almost completely abolished production of IL-17A, IFN-γ, and GM-CSF despite only partially reduced Ca2+ influx. In Th1 and Th17 cells differentiated in vitro, ORAI1 was required for cytokine production but not the expression of Th1- and Th17-specific transcription factors T-bet and RORγt. The differentiation and function of induced regulatory T cells, by contrast, was independent of ORAI1. Importantly, induced genetic deletion of Orai1 in adoptively transferred, MOG-specific T cells was able to halt EAE progression after disease onset. Likewise, treatment of wild-type mice with a selective CRAC channel inhibitor after EAE onset ameliorated disease. Genetic deletion of Orai1 and pharmacological ORAI1 inhibition reduced the leukocyte numbers in the CNS and attenuated Th1/Th17 cell-mediated cytokine production. In human CD4+ T cells, CRAC channel inhibition reduced the expression of IL-17A, IFN-γ, and other cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these findings support the conclusion that Th1 and Th17 cell function is particularly dependent on CRAC channels, which could be exploited as a therapeutic approach to T cell–mediated autoimmune diseases.
Differential Responsiveness of Innate-like IL-17– and IFN-γ–Producing γδ T Cells to Homeostatic Cytokines
Authors: Corpuz Theresa M. , Stolp Jessica , Kim Hee-Ok , Pinget Gabriela V. , Gray Daniel H. D. , Cho Jae-Ho , Sprent Jonathan , Webster Kylie E. 
Published: December 2015

Abstract
γδ T cells respond to molecules upregulated following infection or cellular stress using both TCR and non-TCR molecules. The importance of innate signals versus TCR ligation varies greatly. Both innate-like IL-17–producing γδ T (γδT-17) and IFN-γ–producing γδ T (γδT-IFNγ) subsets tune the sensitivity of their TCR following thymic development, allowing robust responses to inflammatory cytokines in the periphery. The remaining conventional γδ T cells retain high TCR responsiveness. We determined homeostatic mechanisms that govern these various subsets in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. We found that, although innate-like γδT-17 and γδT-IFNγ cells share elements of thymic development, they diverge when it comes to homeostasis. Both exhibit acute sensitivity to cytokines compared with conventional γδ T cells, but they do not monopolize the same cytokine. γδT-17 cells rely exclusively on IL-7 for turnover and survival, aligning them with NKT17 cells; IL-7 ligation triggers proliferation, as well as promotes survival, upregulating Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. γδT-IFNγ cells instead depend heavily on IL-15. They display traits analogous to memory CD8+ T cells and upregulate Bcl-xL and Mcl-1 upon cytokine stimulation. The conventional γδ T cells display low sensitivity to cytokine-alone stimulation and favor IL-7 for their turnover, characteristics reminiscent of naive αβ T cells, suggesting that they may also require tonic TCR signaling for population maintenance. These survival constraints suggest that γδ T cell subsets do not directly compete with each other for cytokines, but instead fall into resource niches with other functionally similar lymphocytes.
Sciëntisme en metafysica
Authors: Rutten Emanuel 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Scientism and metaphysics

Who deals with scientism soon discovers that scientism can be interpreted in many different ways. Most interpretations of scientism are so radical that they can hardly be defended, or so modest that they are nothing more than trivial platitudes nobody would disagree with. This poses a dilemma for adherents of scientism. Yet, in this article I will propose a particular interpretation of scientism that does seem prima facie defensible, while at the same time cannot be put away as being merely a trivial platitude. Having such a maximally fruitful interpretation of scientism does not help the adherents of scientism, though. For it entails a falsehood, namely that metaphysics cannot give us insights in the overall structure and nature of reality. I shall argue for this by fleshing out an interpretation of metaphysics, on which we can certainly say that metaphysics enables us to acquire said insights. Finally, I will discuss and assess a number of objections against my refutation of the aforementioned maximally fruitful interpretation of scientism.
Een middenweg voor sciëntisme
Authors: Verhaegh Sander , van der Kolk Pieter 
Published: December 2015

Abstract

Towards a moderate scientism

Scientism, the view that only scientifically supported beliefs are epistemically justified, faces two influential problems: (1) scientism itself does not seem to be scientifically supported and hence self-referentially incoherent; and (2) scientism seems to dismiss many plausible ordinary beliefs as unjustified. In this paper, we show that both problems presuppose a needlessly narrow conception of science and that when scientism is based on a broader, more realistic conception of science neither problem arises. Furthermore, we argue that our variant of scientism is still strong enough to have philosophical bite.
Β-Carotene content of M. Longifolia seed oil in different agro-climatic zones in Sri Lanka, the effect of heat on its stability and the composition of seed cake
Authors: Munasinghe Mihiri , Wansapala Jagath 
Published: December 2015

M. longifolia is a plant with a seed rich of edible oil (more than 50%), but is still under-utilized for edible purposes in Sri Lankan context. It shows a wide distribution throughout the country representing several agro-climatic zones. No studies have done yet to discover variations of M. longifolia seed oil with respect to its different geographical locations. In this study, the content of β-carotene in M. longifolia seed oil samples obtained from four different agro-climatic zones in Sri Lanka was evaluated. The effect of heat on the stability of β-carotene in M. longifolia seed oil was also studied. Dried, fallen seeds were collected from randomly selected trees in four agro-climatic zones in Sri Lanka named low country dry zone (LD), low country wet zone (LW), low country intermediate zone (LI) and mid country intermediate zone (MI). Oil was extracted with a small scale, mechanical oil expeller (cold pressed method). β-carotene content in four samples was assessed with MPOB test method using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometer and with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) using Chase et al., (1994) method. A series of heat treatment (50 °C - 300 °C) was given and the content of β-carotene was determined at each temperature with the above mentioned two methods. There were some differences in the content of β-carotene for two types of methods. β-carotene content varies from 17.69 to 13.51 ppm in four agro-climatic zones for HPLC method and 20.46 - 27.69 ppm for spectrophotometric method. The reduction of β-carotene content up to 150 °C from the room temperature (30 °C) was not prominent. But after 150 °C, a sudden, sharp decrease was reported. Nutritional composition of seed cake varied significantly (p <0.05) among the different agro-climatic zones. Protein content, similar to Palm kernel was reported which ranged from 15.44 - 17.76%.