bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dimethyl fumarate ameliorates myoclonus stemming from protein misfolding in oligodendrocytes
Authors: Southwood Cherie M. , Garshott Danielle M. , Richardson Chelsea R. , Seraji‐Bozorgzad Navid , Fribley Andrew M. , Gow Alexander 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is considered a primary autoimmune disease; however, this view is increasingly being challenged in basic and clinical science arenas because of the growing body of clinical trials’ data showing that exclusion of immune cells from the CNS only modestly slows disease progression to disability. Accordingly, there is significant need for expanding the scope of potential disease mechanisms to understand the etiology of MS. Concomitantly, the use of a broader range of pre‐clinical animal models for characterizing existing efficacious clinical treatments may elucidate additional or unexpected mechanisms of action for these drugs that augment insight into MS etiology. Herein, we explore the in vivo mechanism of action of dimethyl fumarate, which has been shown to suppress oxidative stress and immune cell responses in psoriasis and MS. Rather than studying this compound in the context of an experimental autoimmune‐induced attack on the CNS, we have used a genetic model of hypomyelination, male rumpshaker (rsh) mice, which exhibit oligodendrocyte metabolic stress and startle‐induced subcortical myoclonus during development and into adulthood. We find that myoclonus is reduced 30‐50% in treated mutants but we do not detect substantial changes in metabolic or oxidative stress response pathways, cytokine modulation, or myelin thickness (assessed by anova). All procedures involving vertebrate animals in this study were reviewed and approved by the IACUC committee at Wayne State University.
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Differences in fatigue severity in a sample of adult cancer patients
Authors: Gonzalez Velda J , Tofthagen Cindy S , Chen Xusheng , Pedro Elsa , Saligan Leorey N 
Published: April 2017

Aims and objectivesTo describe differences in fatigue severity in a sample of adult Puerto Rican patients during and postcancer treatments.BackgroundHispanics, including Puerto Ricans, are an understudied population who are under‐represented in clinical trials, especially in symptom research. Although symptom management is a clinical priority in oncology care, treatment‐related differences in Puerto Rican cancer patients’ report of fatigue severity have not been well described.Design/MethodsA cross‐sectional survey was conducted from data of self‐report of 138 Puerto Rican patients during and postcancer treatments at two ambulatory facilities located in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Fatigue severity was assessed using the Fatigue subscale from the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐Fatigue quality of life questionnaire Spanish version. Differences in fatigue severity across type of treatment (radiation therapy, chemotherapy, combined radiation chemotherapy and post‐treatment) were evaluated using nonparametric (Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney test) statistical tests.ResultsThe majority of the participants had prostate (33%) and breast (32%) cancers and were receiving radiation therapy (43%) or chemotherapy (28%). The Kruskal–Wallis test showed that there was a statistically significant difference in fatigue scores between the different four treatment conditions, χ2(3) = 39.1, p = .001 with patients on combined radiation chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone experiencing more severe fatigue.ConclusionsFindings from the current study suggest that type of treatment is a key component of the symptom burden of fatigue among the Puerto Rican oncology population. Specially, patients receiving combined therapy or chemotherapy alone were at increased risk for experiencing severe fatigue, compared to radiation therapy and post‐treatment patients.Relevance to clinical practiceWith the worldwide increase in migration of Puerto Rican families, nurses need to recognise that type of treatment is a key component of the symptom burden of fatigue among the Puerto Rican population. The results of this study will improve understanding of treatment‐related fatigue to identify therapeutic targets and improve quality of life of patients.
Reproducibility, repeatability, and level of difficulty of two methods for tumor budding evaluation in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Leão Priscila Laiza Rubim , Marangon Junior Helvécio , Melo Victória Vasconcellos Moreira , Caixeta Ângela Braga , Souza Paulo Eduardo Alencar , de Aguiar Maria Cássia Ferreira , Horta Martinho Campolina Rebello 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundThis study aimed to analyze the reproducibility, repeatability, and level of difficulty of two methods for tumor budding evaluation in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC): staining by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunostaining for multicytokeratin.MethodsThe evaluation of tumor budding was performed by three examiners in 103 samples of OSCC, using the two methods. A Likert‐type scale was used to measure the difficulty in the assessment. The interexaminer agreement (reproducibility) was estimated using Fleiss's kappa and the intra‐examiner agreement (repeatability) was estimated using Cohen's kappa. The agreement between the two methods was evaluated using Cohen's Kappa. The Friedman test was used to compare the three examiners’ perceived levels of difficulty of assessment. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the level of difficulty of the evaluation between the two methods.ResultsReproducibility by the immunostaining method for multicytokeratin was substantial, being higher than the only fair agreement by the HE. Repeatability by the HE ranged from moderate to substantial among examiners, regardless of the examiner's experience. Repeatability by the immunostaining method for multicytokeratin did not vary among examiners, showing almost perfect agreement. The agreement between the two methods ranged from fair to moderate among examiners, being lower in the less experienced examiner. All the examiners presented greater difficulty in the evaluation by the HE.ConclusionIn view of the unsatisfactory agreement between the two methods of tumor budding evaluation in OSCC, it is recommended that this evaluation should be performed by the immunostaining method for multicytokeratin, considering its higher reproducibility, greater replicability, and lower difficulty compared to the HE.
The Hollow Maxillary Complete Denture: A Simple, Precise, Single‐Flask Technique Using a Caramel Spacer
Authors: Bhushan Prem , Aras Meena A. , Chitre Vidya , Mysore Ashwin R. , Mascarenhas Kennedy , Kumar Swati 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe success of removable prostheses ultimately depends on a number of factors such as retention, stability, support, esthetics, and masticatory function. Increased intraoral inter‐arch distance leads to an increase in the weight of the prosthesis. This may compromise the retention and resistance, which are key for a successful removable prosthesis. Various methods, techniques, and materials have been reported to minimize the weight of a prosthesis. This article describes a simple, unique, precise single‐flask technique for the fabrication of a lightweight maxillary prosthesis using caramel as a 3D spacer, which was “indexed” to obtain a uniform thickness of acrylic around the hollow cavity.
Effects of Silica Coating by Physical Vapor Deposition and Repeated Firing on the Low‐Temperature Degradation and Flexural Strength of a Zirconia Ceramic
Authors: Cakir‐Omur Tutku , Gozneli Rifat , Ozkan Yasemin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPurposeTo examine the application of physical vapor deposition (PVD) silica coating as an approach to retard low temperature degradation (LTD) for dental applications. Accelerated aging characteristics of heat‐ and surface‐treated zirconia material were also investigated by exposing specimens to hydrothermal treatment.Materials and MethodsThe specimens (90 disc‐shaped specimens [15 mm ×1.2 mm]) were divided into 9 groups (n = 10) according to the test protocol: Ctrl, control (no surface treatment); Ag, autoclave aging; GrAg, grinding + aging; SiAg, silica coating + aging; GrSiAg, grinding + silica coating + aging; 3FAg, 3‐time firing + aging; Gr3FAg, grinding + 3‐time firing + aging; 5FAg, 5‐time firing + aging; Gr5FAg, grinding + 5‐time firing + aging. Accelerated aging was performed in a steam autoclave (134°C, 2 bars) for 12 hours. Following each treatment protocol, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to estimate the relative amount of monoclinic phase and corresponding transformed zone depth (TZD). Additionally, a biaxial flexure test was used to calculate the flexural strength. Statistical analysis was conducted with one‐way ANOVA and Fisher's LSD test (p< 0.05).ResultsThe tetragonal‐to‐monoclinic transformation was retarded by PVD silica coating only on ground surfaces. Ground and heat‐treated specimens exhibited the lowest monoclinic content after aging. The biaxial flexural strength value of the GrAg group was significantly higher than the values in all of the other groups except the SiAg group. The flexural strength value of the GrSiAg group was significantly higher than that of the 3FAg group. There was no statistically significant difference between the other groups (p> 0.05).ConclusionsGrinding decreased the susceptibility of zirconia to LTD and increased the flexural strength. PVD silica coating and repeated firing decreased the monoclinic content only in ground specimens during aging.
Associations between arterial structure and function and serum levels of liver enzymes in obese adolescents
Authors: Man Elim , Cheung Pik‐to , Cheung Yiu‐fai 
Published: April 2017

AimTo determine the structural and functional alterations of systemic arteries in obese adolescents and their relationships with adiposity, metabolic and lipid profile, and serum liver enzyme levels.MethodsCarotid intima‐media thickness (IMT), carotid stiffness index, and brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were measured in 56 obese adolescents and 58 lean controls. Obese adolescents had additional liver ultrasound and determination of fasting blood indices of glucose metabolism and lipid profile, and serum levels of liver enzymes.ResultsCarotid IMT (P < 0.0001), carotid stiffness index (P < 0.0001) and baPWV (P = 0.001) were significantly greater in obese than control subjects. Thirty‐seven (66%) obese subjects had fatty liver changes and their aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, and gamma‐glutamyl transferase levels were significantly higher than those without (all P < 0.05). Univariate analyses showed positive correlations between serum ALT (r = 0.29, P = 0.03) and alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.28, P = 0.04) levels and carotid IMT, aspartate aminotransferase level and carotid stiffness (r = 0.41, P = 0.002), and gamma‐glutamyl transferase level and baPWV (r = 0.34, P = 0.02) in obese subjects. Multivariate linear regression revealed serum ALT level (β = 0.02, P = 0.006) as an independent correlate of carotid stiffness.ConclusionObese adolescents have increased carotid IMT and stiffness, which are associated positively with serum liver enzyme levels.
Concurrent suppression of NF-κB, p38 MAPK and reactive oxygen species formation underlies the effect of a novel compound isolated from Curcuma comosa Roxb. in LPS-activated microglia
Authors: Jiamvoraphong Nittaya , Jantaratnotai Nattinee , Sanvarinda Pantip , Tuchinda Patoomratana , Piyachaturawat Pawinee , Thampithak Anusorn , Sanvarinda Pimtip 
Published: April 2017

Abstract

Objective
We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of (3S)-1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-(6E)-6-hepten-3-ol, also known as compound 092, isolated from Curcuma comosa Roxb on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated highly aggressive proliferating immortalized (HAPI) microglial cell lines.

Method
Nitric oxide (NO) production was determined using the Griess reaction, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA. Western blotting was used to determine the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and their related upstream proteins.

Key finding
Compound 092 suppressed NO production and iNOS expression in LPS-stimulated HAPI cells. These effects originated from the ability of compound 092 to attenuate the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB as determined by the reduction in p-NF-κB and p-IκB kinase (IKK) protein levels. Compound 092 also significantly lowered LPS-activated intracellular reactive oxygen species production and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation.

Conclusion
Compound 092 suppresses microglial activation through attenuation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB activation. Compound 092 thus holds the potential to treat neurodegenerative disorders associated with neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.
Therapy of Canine Hyperlipidemia with Bezafibrate
Authors: De Marco V. , Noronha K.S.M. , Casado T.C. , Nakandakare E.R. , Florio J.C. , Santos E.Z. , Gilor C. 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundBezafibrate (BZF) is effective in the treatment of hypertriglyceridemia in human patients, but there are no data on its use in dogs.ObjectiveTo assess the safety of BZF in hyperlipidemic dogs and its efficacy in decreasing serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CHO) concentrations.AnimalsForty‐six dogs, 26 females and 20 males, mean (±SD) age of 9 (±3) years, with TG ≥150 mg/dL (33 dogs also were hypercholesterolemic [>300 mg/dL]).MethodsProspective, uncontrolled clinical trial. Dogs were treated with bezafibrate once daily, using 200 mg tablets at a dosage of 4–10 mg/kg (depending on body weight). Serum TG and CHO concentrations and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatine kinase (CK) activity before and after 30 days of treatment were compared.ResultsSixteen dogs (34.8%) had primary hyperlipidemia, and 30 dogs (65.2%) had secondary hyperlipidemia (including spontaneous hyperadrenocorticism [41.3%, n = 19/46], chronic treatment with glucocorticoids [10.8%, n = 5/46], and hypothyroidism [15.2%, n = 7/46]). After 30 days, serum TG concentration normalized (<150 mg/dL) in 42 dogs (91.3%) and CHO concentration normalized (<270 mg/dL) in 22 of 33 dogs (66.7%). There was no difference in baseline TG concentration between the primary and secondary hyperlipidemia subgroups, but the decrease in TG concentration after treatment was greater in the primary hyperlipidemia subgroup. No adverse effects were observed, but ALT activity decreased significantly after 30 days of treatment.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceOver 30 days, BZF was safe and effective in treatment of primary and secondary hyperlipidemia in dogs.
Forelimb and hind limb loading patterns during below branch quadrupedal locomotion in the two‐toed sloth
Authors: Granatosky M. C. , Schmitt D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe living sloths are the most suspensory of all extant mammals, and therefore represent ideal models for investigating the effects that suspensory behaviours have on bone and joint morphology. While the anatomy and kinematics of sloths are well known, no research has reported kinetic patterns of sloth locomotion. This study examines peak force patterns generated by the two‐toed slothCholoepus didactylusduring below branch quadrupedal walking to infer how kinetic patterns of sloths compare to data reported on non‐human primates. Values for vertical, fore‐aft, and mediolateral peak forces were collected for the forelimb and hind limb, and analyses between the magnitude and timing of these peaks were compared between forelimbs and hind limbs. Patterns and timing of fore‐aft peak forces were similar between sloths and non‐human primates, and were characterized by first a propulsive force as the limb first made contact with the support followed by braking force prior to lift‐off. Similarly, both sloths and primates demonstrate a medially directed force bias onto the substrate during below branch quadrupedal locomotion, although the magnitude observed in sloths exceeds values reported in primates. Peak vertical forces applied by the forelimbs and hind limbs of sloths were not statistically different in magnitude from each other. Data from this study indicate the forelimbs and hind limbs of sloths are functioning similarly to each other during below branch quadrupedal locomotion, and that forelimb‐biased weight support, the pattern typical of primates, is not a mechanical requirement of suspensory locomotion across all mammals. These findings provide important information about the mechanical necessities of below branch movement, and data from this study should be used when considering mechanical convergence among suspensory taxa and the interpretation of suspensory limb adaptations in the fossil record.
Eliciting information from human sources: Training handlers in the Scharff technique
Authors: Oleszkiewicz Simon , Granhag Pär Anders , Kleinman Steven M. 
Published: April 2017

PurposeIn previous laboratory‐based work, the Scharff technique has proved successful for gathering intelligence from human sources. However, little is known about whether the technique can be taught to practitioners, and whether Scharff‐trained practitioners will interview more effectively than colleagues using their conventional approaches and tactics.MethodWe examined professional handlers from the Norwegian Police (n = 64), all experienced in interacting with informants. Half received training in the Scharff technique, and their performance was compared against handlers receiving no Scharff training and free to use the approaches they saw fit. All handlers received the same case file describing a source holding information about a future terrorist attack and were given the same interview objectives. Police trainees (n = 64) took on the role of semicooperative sources and were given incomplete information about the attack.ResultsThe trained handlers adhered to the Scharff training as they (1) aimed to establish the illusion of ‘knowing‐it‐all’, (2) posed claims to collect information, and (3) asked few (if any) explicit questions. In contrast, the untrained handlers tried to evoke the sources’ motivation to reveal information and asked a high number of explicit questions. Scharff‐trained handlers were perceived as less eager to gather information, but collected comparatively more new information.ConclusionsThe Scharff‐trained interviewers utilized more specific elicitation tactics (e.g., posing claims) and fewer general interview strategies (e.g., evoking motivation), and they collected comparatively more new information. This captures the essence of the Scharff technique: It is subtle, yet effective.
Silver potentiates aminoglycoside toxicity by enhancing their uptake
Authors: Herisse Marion , Duverger Yohann , Martin‐Verstraete Isabelle , Barras Frédéric , Ezraty Benjamin 
Published: April 2017

SummaryThe predicted shortage in new antibiotics has prompted research for chemicals that could act as adjuvant and enhance efficacy of available antibiotics. In this study, we tested the effects of combining metals with aminoglycosides on Escherichia coli survival. The best synergizing combination resulted from mixing aminoglycosides with silver. Using genetic and aminoglycoside uptake assays, we showed that silver potentiates aminoglycoside action in by‐passing the PMF‐dependent step, but depended upon protein translation. We showed that oxidative stress or Fe–S cluster destabilization were not mandatory factors for silver potentiating action. Last, we showed that silver allows aminoglycosides to kill an E. coli gentamicin resistant mutant as well as the highly recalcitrant anaerobic pathogen Clostridium difficile. Overall this study delineates the molecular basis of silver's potentiating action on aminoglycoside toxicity and shows that use of metals might offer solutions for battling against increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Transpeptidase activity of penicillin‐binding protein SpoVD in peptidoglycan synthesis conditionally depends on the disulfide reductase StoA
Authors: Bukowska‐Faniband Ewa , Hederstedt Lars 
Published: April 2017

SummaryEndospore cortex peptidoglycan synthesis is not required for bacterial growth but essential for endospore heat resistance. It therefore constitutes an amenable system for research on peptidoglycan biogenesis. The Bacillus subtilis sporulation‐specific class B penicillin‐binding protein (PBP) SpoVD and many homologous PBPs contain two conserved cysteine residues of unknown function in the transpeptidase domain – one as residue x in the SxN catalytic site motif and the other in a flexible loop near the catalytic site. A disulfide bond between these residues blocks the function of SpoVD in cortex synthesis. With a combination of experiments with purified proteins and B. subtilis mutant cells, it was shown that in active SpoVD the two cysteine residues most probably interact by hydrogen bonding and that this is important for peptidoglycan synthesis in vivo. It was furthermore demonstrated that the sporulation‐specific thiol‐disulfide oxidoreductase StoA reduces SpoVD and that requirement of StoA for cortex synthesis can be suppressed by two completely different types of structural alterations in SpoVD. It is concluded that StoA plays a critical role mainly during maturation of SpoVD in the forespore outer membrane. The findings advance our understanding of essential PBPs and redox control of extra‐cytoplasmic protein disulfides in bacterial cells.
Self‐compatibility is over‐represented on islands
Authors: Grossenbacher Dena L. , Brandvain Yaniv , Auld Josh R. , Burd Martin , Cheptou Pierre‐Olivier , Conner Jeffrey K. , Grant Alannie G. , Hovick Stephen M. , Pannell John R. , Pauw Anton , Petanidou Theodora , Randle April M. , Rubio de Casas Rafael , Vamosi Jana , Winn Alice , Igic Boris , Busch Jeremiah W. , Kalisz Susan , Goldberg Emma E. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryBecause establishing a new population often depends critically on finding mates, individuals capable of uniparental reproduction may have a colonization advantage. Accordingly, there should be an over‐representation of colonizing species in which individuals can reproduce without a mate, particularly in isolated locales such as oceanic islands. Despite the intuitive appeal of this colonization filter hypothesis (known as Baker's law), more than six decades of analyses have yielded mixed findings.We assembled a dataset of island and mainland plant breeding systems, focusing on the presence or absence of self‐incompatibility. Because this trait enforces outcrossing and is unlikely to re‐evolve on short timescales if it is lost, breeding system is especially likely to reflect the colonization filter.We found significantly more self‐compatible species on islands than mainlands across a sample of > 1500 species from three widely distributed flowering plant families (Asteraceae, Brassicaceae and Solanaceae). Overall, 66% of island species were self‐compatible, compared with 41% of mainland species.Our results demonstrate that the presence or absence of self‐incompatibility has strong explanatory power for plant geographical patterns. Island floras around the world thus reflect the role of a key reproductive trait in filtering potential colonizing species in these three plant families.