bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of statin therapy on plasma leptin concentrations: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Sahebkar Amirhossein , Giua Renato , Pedone Claudio 
Published: August 2016

ObjectivesThe effects of statins on insulin sensitivity, metabolic homeostasis and adipokines in humans are controversial. Several studies have investigated the impact of statin therapy on plasma leptin concentrations but the results have been inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of available evidence to calculate the effect size of statin therapy in changing serum leptin concentrations.MethodsA systematic search in PubMed‐Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases was performed to identify randomized placebo‐controlled trials investigating the effect of statins on plasma leptin concentrations. A random‐effects model and generic inverse variance method were used for meta‐analysis. Sensitivity analysis, risk‐of‐bias evaluation and publication bias assessment were carried out using standard methods. Random‐effects meta‐regression was used to evaluate the impact of treatment duration on the estimated effect size.ResultsSix trials, with a total of 425 subjects, met the eligibility criteria. Overall, statin therapy had no significant effect on leptin levels (weighted mean difference −0.32 ng ml–1, 95% confidence nterval: −2.94, 2.30, P = 0.813). This effect was robust in the sensitivity analysis and in subgroup analyses of trials with <12 or ≥12 weeks' duration. There was no association between the duration of statin therapy and changes in plasma leptin levels. Furthermore, there was no differential effect of hydrophilic and lipophilic statins on plasma leptin concentrations.ConclusionUnless more consistent evidence becomes available in the future, the hypothesis of a relationship between statin use and serum leptin concentrations seem to be unfounded.
Simultaneously elevated exhaled nitric oxide and serum‐eosinophil cationic protein relate to recent asthma events in asthmatics in a cross‐sectional population‐based study
Authors: Mogensen I. , Alving K. , Bjerg A. , Borres M. P. , Hedlin G. , Sommar J. , Dahlén S.‐E. , Janson C. , Malinovschi A. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryBackgroundWe have reported that increased fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a measure of TH2‐driven airway inflammation, and blood eosinophil count, a marker of systemic eosinophil inflammation, correlated with asthma attacks in a population‐based study.ObjectiveTo investigate the relation between simultaneously elevated FeNO and serum eosinophil cationic protein (S‐ECP) levels and asthma events among asthmatics.MethodsMeasurements of FeNO (elevated ≥ 25 ppb) and S‐ECP (elevated ≥ 20 ng/mL) were performed in 339 adult asthmatics. Asthma events (attacks and symptoms) were self‐reported.ResultsSimultaneously normal S‐ECP and FeNO levels were found in 48% of the subjects. Subjects with simultaneously elevated S‐ECP and FeNO (13% of the population) had a higher prevalence of asthma attacks in the preceding 3 months than subjects with normal S‐ECP and FeNO (51% vs. 25%, P = 0.001). This was not found for subjects with singly elevated S‐ECP (P = 0.14) or FeNO (P = 0.34) levels. Elevated S‐ECP and FeNO levels were independently associated with asthma attacks in the preceding 3 months after adjusting for potential confounders (OR (95% CI) 4.2 (2.0–8.8).ConclusionsSimultaneously elevated FeNO and S‐ECP levels were related to a higher likelihood of asthma attacks in the preceding 3 months. This indicates that there is a value in measuring both FeNO and systemic eosinophilic inflammation in patients with asthma to identify individuals at high risk of exacerbations.Clinical relevanceFeNO and S‐ECP are markers for inflammation in asthma, but are dependent on different inflammatory pathways and weakly correlated. Simultaneous measurements of both offer better risk characterization of adult asthmatics.
Combined phylogeny of ray‐finned fishes (Actinopterygii) and the use of morphological characters in large‐scale analyses
Authors: Mirande Juan Marcos 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study evaluates the phylogeny of ray‐finned fishes (Actinopterygii) combining most available information (44 markers from nuclear and mitochondrial DNA and 274 morphological characters). The molecular partition of the dataset was produced through a pipeline (GB‐to‐TNT) that allows the fast building of large matrices from GenBank format. The analysed dataset has 8104 species, including representatives of all orders and 95% of the 475 families of Actinopterygii, making it the most diverse phylogenetic dataset analysed to date for this clade of fishes. Analysed morphological characters are features historically considered diagnostic for families or orders, which can be unequivocally coded from the literature. Analyses are by parsimony under several weighting schemes. General results agree with previous classifications, especially for groups with better gene sampling and those long thought (from morphological evidence) to be monophyletic. Many clades have low support and some orders are not recovered as monophyletic. Additional data and synthetic studies of homology are needed to obtain synapomorphies and diagnoses for most clades.
Stakeholders’ views of recurrent sore throat, tonsillitis and their management: a qualitative interview study for the NAtional Trial of Tonsillectomy IN Adults (NATTINA Part 1)
Authors: McSweeney L.A. , Rousseau N.S. , Wilson J.A. , Wilkes S. , Haighton C.A. 
Published: August 2016

ObjectivesTo determine the impact of recurrent sore throats and tonsillitis in adults and stakeholder views of treatment pathways.DesignQualitative semistructured interview design reporting novel data from a feasibility study for a UK national trial of tonsillectomy in adults.SettingNine study sites linked to ear, nose and throat departments in National Health Service hospitals located across the United Kingdom.ParticipantsFifteen patients, 11 general practitioners and 22 ear, nose and throat staff consented to in‐depth interviews, which were analysed using a framework analysis approach.Main outcome measuresViews of stakeholder groups.ResultsRecurrent sore throats were reported to severely impact patients’ family, work and social life. Ear, nose and throat staff stated that patients faced increasing barriers to secondary care service access. General practitioners were under pressure to reduce ‘limited clinical value’ surgical procedures.ConclusionsThe findings from this study suggest that there is a disconnect between the attitudes of the stakeholders and the reality of recurrent sore throat, tonsillectomy procedures and service provision. More evidence for the role of tonsillectomy is needed from randomised controlled trials to determine whether it should continue to be ranked as a procedure of limited clinical effectiveness.
Morphometric analysis of endometrial cells in liquid‐based cervical cytology samples
Authors: Gupta P. , Gupta N. , Dey P. 
Published: August 2016

BackgroundExfoliated endometrial cells can be seen in cervical smears in association with a wide variety of conditions ranging from normal proliferative endometrium to endometrial malignancies. It is often difficult to differentiate between benign, atypical and malignant endometrial cells using cytomorphology alone. This study was conducted to evaluate if morphometric analysis of endometrial nuclei on liquid‐based cervical samples could be of help in differentiating between these endometrial cells.Materials and methodsThree groups of cervical samples with histopathological correlation were selected: Group A: showing benign endometrial cells; Group B: showing atypical endometrial cells and Group C: showing malignant endometrial cells. There were 30 cases each in Group A and B and 39 cases in Group C. Image J, NIH, USA was used for selecting the endometrial nuclei and performing the morphometric measurements. MANOVA was used for statistical analysis.ResultsThe mean nuclear area and nuclear perimeter were significantly different between the three groups of endometrial cells with a P‐value <0.05. However, the mean standard deviation of the nuclear area (SDNA) was not significantly different between atypical and malignant endometrial cells (P = 0.765) and the mean nuclear diameter was not statistically different between benign and atypical cells (P = 0.112). Also, the difference in the mean integrated gray density amongst all three groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.397, 0.844, 0.732).ConclusionWe conclude that the morphometric parameters of the nuclear area and nuclear perimeter are helpful in differentiating between benign, atypical and malignant endometrial nuclei even in liquid‐based cervical cytology samples.
Varying selection differential throughout the climatic range of Norway spruce in Central Europe
Authors: Kapeller Stefan , Dieckmann Ulf , Schueler Silvio 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPredicting species distribution changes in global warming requires an understanding of how climatic constraints shape the genetic variation of adaptive traits and force local adaptations. To understand the genetic capacity of Norway spruce populations in Central Europe, we analyzed the variation in tree heights at the juvenile stage in common garden experiments established from the species' warm‐dry to cold‐moist distribution limits. We report the following findings: First, 47% of the total tree height variation at trial sites is attributable to the tree populations irrespective of site climate. Second, tree height variation within populations is higher at cold‐moist trial sites than at warm‐dry sites and higher within populations originating from cold‐moist habitats than from warm‐dry habitats. Third, for tree ages of 7–15 years, the variation within populations increases at cold‐moist trial sites, whereas it remains constant at warm‐dry sites. Fourth, tree height distributions are right‐skewed at cold‐moist trial sites, whereas they are nonskewed, but platykurtic at warm‐dry sites. Our results suggest that in cold environments, climatic conditions impose stronger selection and probably restrict the distribution of spruce, whereas at the warm distribution limit, the species' realized niche might rather be controlled by external drivers, for example, forest insects.
MicroRNA Let‐7b inhibits keratinocyte migration in cutaneous wound healing by targeting IGF2BP2
Authors: Wu Yan , Zhong Julia Li , Hou Ning , Sun Yaolan , Ma Benting , Nisar Muhammad Farrukh , Teng Yan , Tan Zhaoli , Chen Keping , Wang Youliang , Yang Xiao 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWound healing is a complex process which involves proliferation and migration of keratinocyte for closure of epidermal injuries. A member of microRNA family, let‐7b, has been expressed in mammalian skin, but its exact role in keratinocyte migration is still not in knowledge. Here, we showed that let‐7b regulates keratinocyte migration by targeting the insulin‐like growth factor IGF2BP2. Overexpression of let‐7b led to reduced HaCaT cell migration, while knockdown of let‐7b resulted in enhanced migration. Furthermore, let‐7b was decreased during wound healing in wild‐type mice, which led us to construct the transgenic mice with overexpression of let‐7b in skin. The re‐epithelialization of epidermis of let‐7b transgenic mice was reduced during wound healing. Using bioinformatics prediction software and a reporter gene assay, we found that IGF2BP2 was a target of let‐7b, which contributes to keratinocyte migration. Introduction of an expression vector of IGF2BP2 also rescued let‐7b‐induced migration deficiency, which confirms that IGF2BP2 is an important target for let‐7b regulation. Our findings suggest that let‐7b significantly delayed the re‐epithelialization possibly due to reduction of keratinocyte migration and restraints IGF2BP2 during skin wound healing.
The role of RNase 7 in innate cutaneous defense against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Rademacher Franziska , Simanski Maren , Schröder Lena , Mildner Michael , Harder Jürgen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe ribonuclease RNase 7 is a major skin‐derived human antimicrobial protein expressed in keratinocytes. Here we show that the gram‐negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes factor(s) that induced RNase 7 gene and protein expression in human primary keratinocytes. The metalloprotease inhibitor marimastat, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor AG1478 and the EGFR blocking antibody cetuximab significantly attenuated this induction, indicating an important role of the EGFR for the P. aeruginosa‐mediated RNase 7 induction. In line with this, siRNA‐mediated downregulation of ADAM17, a metalloprotease known to proteolytically mediate the release of soluble EGFR ligands, decreased the P. aeruginosa‐mediated RNase 7 induction in keratinocytes. The impact of the EGFR was also demonstrated in a human 3D skin equivalent where blockade of the EGFR diminished induction of RNase 7 by P. aeruginosa. Blockade of Toll‐like receptor 5 (TLR5), a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) known to be activated by P. aeruginosa, only moderately reduced the P. aeruginosa‐mediated RNase 7 induction in keratinocytes. The functional relevance of RNase 7 to participate in cutaneous defense against P. aeruginosa was demonstrated by antibodies that neutralized the antimicrobial activity of RNase 7. These antibodies significantly inhibited the capacity of human stratum corneum skin extracts to control growth of P. aeruginosa. Taken together, our results indicate that P. aeruginosa induces the expression of RNase 7 in keratinocytes in an EGFR‐dependent manner. Enhanced release of RNase 7 contributes to control cutaneous growth of P. aeruginosa.
HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies of 10 918 Koreans from bone marrow donor registry in Korea
Authors: Park H. , Lee Y.‐j. , Song E. Y. , Park M. H. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryThe human leucocyte antigen (HLA) system is the most polymorphic genetic system in humans, and HLA matching is crucial in organ transplantation, especially in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We investigated HLA‐A, HLA‐B and HLA‐DRB1 allele and haplotype frequencies at allelic level in 10 918 Koreans from bone marrow donor registry in Korea. Intermediate resolution HLA typing was performed using Luminex technology (Wakunaga, Japan), and additional allelic level typing was performed using PCR–single‐strand conformation polymorphism method and/or sequence‐based typing (Abbott Molecular, USA). Allele and haplotype frequencies were calculated by direct counting and maximum likelihood methods, respectively. A total of 39 HLA‐A, 66 HLA‐B and 47 HLA‐DRB1 alleles were identified. High‐frequency alleles found at a frequency of ≥5% were 6 HLA‐A (A*02:01, *02:06, *11:01, *24:02, *31:01 and *33:03), 6 HLA‐B (B*15:01, *35:01, *44:03, *51:01, 54:01 and *58:01) and 8 HLA‐DRB1 (DRB1*01:01, *04:05, *04:06, *07:01, *08:03, *09:01, *13:02 and *15:01) alleles. At each locus, A*02, B*15 and DRB1*14 generic groups were most diverse at allelic level, consisting of 9, 12 and 11 different alleles, respectively. A total of 366, 197 and 21 different HLA‐A‐B‐DRB1 haplotypes were estimated with frequencies of ≥0.05%, ≥0.1% and ≥0.5%, respectively. The five most common haplotypes with frequencies of ≥2.0% were A*33:03‐B*44:03‐DRB1*13:02 (4.97%), A*33:03‐B*58:01‐DRB1*13:02, A*33:03‐B*44:03‐DRB1*07:01, A*24:02‐B*07:02‐DRB1*01:01 and A*24:02‐B*52:01‐DRB1*15:02. Among 34 serologic HLA‐A‐B‐DR haplotypes with frequencies of ≥0.5%, 17 haplotypes revealed allele‐level diversity and majority of the allelic variation was arising from A2, A26, B61, B62, DR4 and DR14 specificities. Haplotype diversity obtained in this study is the most comprehensive data thus far reported in Koreans, and the information will be useful for unrelated stem cell transplantation as well as for disease association studies.
Gingival crevicular fluid and saliva stress hormone levels in patients with chronic and aggressive periodontitis
Authors: Cakmak Omer , Tasdemir Zekeriya , Aral Cuneyt Asim , Dundar Serkan , Koca Halit Bugra 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimThis cross‐sectional study aims to analyse cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva in generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAP) and generalized chronic periodontitis (GCP) patients, as well as in periodontally healthy individuals (C).Material and MethodsA total of 92 patients (31 C, 34 GCP and 27 GAP) were included in the study. Clinical parameters including plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level; psychosocial measurements including Beck depression inventory and state‐trait anxiety inventory; and hormone levels in GCF and saliva including cortisol and DHEA were evaluated.ResultsGingival crevicular fluid cortisol and GCF/saliva DHEA values were significantly higher in the GAP group when compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). The lowest values were in the C group and the difference between the GCP and GAP groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Salivary cortisol levels were comparable for the GAP and GCP groups (p > 0.05), and the C group had the lowest values in comparison with the other two groups (p < 0.05).ConclusionsWithin the limits of this study, salivary/GCF cortisol and DHEA levels were suggested to be related with more severe and aggressive forms of periodontal disease.
Does dentifrice use help to remove plaque? A systematic review
Authors: Valkenburg Cees , Slot Dagmar E. , Bakker Eric W.P. , Van der Weijden Fridus A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimsThe aim of this systematic review was to establish the efficacy of brushing with and without a dentifrice for dental plaque removal.Materials and MethodsMEDLINE‐PubMed, Cochrane‐CENTRAL, EMBASE and other electronic databases were searched. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials and subjects ≥18 years of age with good general health. Studies that evaluated the effect of toothbrushing with a dentifrice compared to brushing without a dentifrice were included. Data were extracted from the eligible studies, and a meta‐analysis was performed where feasible.ResultThe search was conducted until June 2016 and retrieved 10 eligible publications that included 20 comparisons. On average, 49.2% of plaque was removed when brushing was performed with a dentifrice, and 50.3% of plaque was removed when toothbrushing was performed without a dentifrice. The descriptive analysis indicated that the majority of the comparisons did not show an additional effect of dentifrice use. Regarding the meta‐analysis of post‐brushing scores, no significant difference was observed between toothbrushing with and without a dentifrice (DiffM 0.00, 95%CI [−0.05: 0.05], p = 0.91). The meta‐analysis of incremental data (as means or percentages) supported and strengthened these findings.ConclusionThe cumulative evidence for this systematic review demonstrates that there is moderate certainty that toothbrushing with a dentifrice does not provide an added effect for the mechanical removal of dental plaque.
The Effect of Delivery System and Light Activation on Tooth Whitening Efficacy and Hydrogen Peroxide Penetration
Authors: Park Soyoung , Kwon So Ran , Qian Fang , Wertz Philip W. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTPurposeTo evaluate the whitening efficacy of a new two‐layer technology in‐office system compared to a conventional gel‐type system and determine hydrogen peroxide penetration (HPP) into the pulp cavity.Materials and MethodsExtracted molars (n = 60) were assigned to group NC: glycerol gel; group QPRO: 20% HP varnish (Zoom Quick Pro, Philips Oral Healthcare); group ZOOM_NL: 25% HP gel (Zoom Chairside Whitening); and group ZOOM_WL: 25% HP gel (Zoom Chairside Whitening) with light‐activation. HPP levels were estimated with leucocrystal‐violet and horseradish‐peroxidase. Instrumental color measurements were performed at baseline (T0), 1‐day post first whitening (T1), 1‐day post second whitening (T2), 1‐day post third whitening (T3), and 1‐month post whitening (T4). One‐way analysis of variance followed by post hoc Tukey's HSD test was performed to detect difference in ΔE* and HP penetration levels (α = 0.05).ResultsΔE* of NC was lower than other groups, whereas ΔE* of ZOOM_WL was greater than the other three groups, at T3 and T4. Mean HPP level obtained from ZOOM_WL (1.568 ± 0.753 μg/mL) was significantly greater than those obtained from the other groups, whereas the mean HPP level observed in NC group (−0.131 ± 0.003 μg/mL) was significantly lower than the other groups.ConclusionsTooth whitening efficacy and HPP levels vary based on whitening systems used.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThe two‐layer technology in‐office varnish system may be an alternative whitening option to reduce chair time in the office. (J Esthet Restor Dent 28:313–320, 2016)
Three‐dimensional imaging of shear bands in bulk metallic glass composites
Authors: HUNTER A.H. , ARAULLO‐PETERS V. , GIBBONS M. , RESTREPO O.D. , NIEZGODA S.R. , WINDL W. , FLORES K.M. , HOFMANN D.C. , MARQUIS E.A. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryThe mechanism of the increase in ductility in bulk metallic glass matrix composites over monolithic bulk metallic glasses is to date little understood, primarily because the interplay between dislocations in the crystalline phase and shear bands in the glass could neither be imaged nor modelled in a validated way. To overcome this roadblock, we show that shear bands can be imaged in three dimensions by atom probe tomography from density variations in the reconstructed atomic density, which density‐functional theory suggests being a local‐work function effect. Imaging of near‐interface shear bands in Ti48Zr20V12Cu5Be15 bulk metallic glass matrix composite permits measurement of their composition, thickness, branching and interactions with the dendrite interface. These results confirm that shear bands here nucleate from stress concentrations in the glass due to intense, localized plastic deformation in the dendrites rather than intrinsic structural inhomogeneities.
Lumps and Bumps of the Neck in Children—Neuroimaging of Congenital and Acquired Lesions
Authors: Dremmen Marjolein H.G. , Tekes Aylin , Mueller Samantha , Seyfert Donna , Tunkel David E. , Huisman Thierry A.G.M. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTNeck masses present as palpable lumps and bumps in children with acquired lesions more common than congenital ones. Assessment of the anatomical site of origin, signal, and contrast enhancement characteristics may help define the etiology of the lesions, eg, developmental, inflammatory, vascular, or neoplastic. The age of the patient along with detailed clinical history and physical exam findings are important element to narrow down the differential diagnosis. The correct final diagnosis is essential to guide treatment as well as the urgency of intervention.The objective of this review is to define the characteristic location, classic and differentiating imaging features of the most frequent congenital and acquired cervical lumps and bumps in the pediatric population.