bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sulfur amino acid restriction–induced changes in redox‐sensitive proteins are associated with slow protein synthesis rates
Authors: Nichenametla Sailendra N. , Mattocks Dwight A.L. , Malloy Virginia L. , Pinto John T. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe mechanisms underlying life span extension by sulfur amino acid restriction (SAAR) are unclear. Cysteine and methionine are essential for the biosynthesis of proteins and glutathione (GSH), a major redox buffer in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We hypothesized that SAAR alters protein synthesis by modulating the redox milieu. Male F344‐rats were fed control (CD: 0.86% methionine without cysteine) and SAAR diets (0.17% methionine without cysteine) for 12 weeks. Growth rates, food intake, cysteine and GSH levels, proteins associated with redox status and translation, and fractional protein synthesis rates (FSRs) were determined in liver. Despite a 40% higher food intake, growth rates for SAAR rats were 27% of those fed CD. Hepatic free cysteine in SAAR rats was 55% compared with CD rats. SAAR altered tissue distribution of GSH, as hepatic and erythrocytic levels were 56% and 196% of those in CD rats. Lower GSH levels did not induce ER stress (i.e., unchanged expression of Xbp1s, Chop, and Grp78), but activated PERK and its substrates eIF2‐α and NRF2. SAAR‐induced changes in translation‐initiation machinery (higher p‐eIF2‐α and 4E‐BP1, and lower eIF4G‐1) resulted in slower protein synthesis rates (53% of CD). Proteins involved in the antioxidant response (NRF2, KEAP1, GCLM, and NQO1) and protein folding (PDI and ERO1‐α) were increased in SAAR. Lower FSR and efficient protein folding might be improving proteostasis in SAAR.
Cardioprotective effects of dietary rapamycin on adult female C57BLKS/J‐Leprdb mice
Authors: Reifsnyder Peter C. , Ryzhov Sergey , Flurkey Kevin , Anunciado‐Koza Rea P. , Mills Ian , Harrison David E. , Koza Robert A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRapamycin (RAPA), an inhibitor of mTORC signaling, has been shown to extend life span in mice and other organisms. Recently, animal and human studies have suggested that inhibition of mTORC signaling can alleviate or prevent the development of cardiomyopathy. In view of this, we used a murine model of type 2 diabetes (T2D), BKS‐Leprdb, to determine whether RAPA treatment can mitigate the development of T2D‐induced cardiomyopathy in adult mice. Female BKS‐Leprdb mice fed diet supplemented with RAPA from 11 to 27 weeks of age showed reduced weight gain and significant reductions of fat and lean mass compared with untreated mice. No differences in plasma glucose or insulin levels were observed between groups; however, RAPA‐treated mice were more insulin sensitive (P < 0.01) than untreated mice. Urine albumin/creatinine ratio was lower in RAPA‐treated mice, suggesting reduced diabetic nephropathy and improved kidney function. Echocardiography showed significantly reduced left ventricular wall thickness in mice treated with RAPA compared with untreated mice (P = 0.02) that was consistent with reduced heart weight/tibia length ratios, reduced myocyte size and cardiac fibrosis measured by histomorphology, and reduced mRNA expression of Col1a1, a marker for cardiomyopathy. Our results suggest that inhibition of mTORC signaling is a plausible strategy for ameliorating complications of obesity and T2D, including cardiomyopathy.
Therapeutic applications of betulinic acid nanoformulations
Authors: Saneja Ankit , Arora Divya , Kumar Robin , Dubey Ravindra Dhar , Panda Amulya K. , Gupta Prem N. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBetulinic acid (BA), a naturally occurring plant‐derived pentacyclic triterpenoid, has gained attention in recent years owing to its broad‐spectrum biological and medicinal properties. Despite the pharmacological activity of BA, it has been associated with some drawbacks, such as poor aqueous solubility and short half‐life in vivo, which limit therapeutic application. To solve these problems, much work in recent years has focused on enhancing BA's aqueous solubility, half‐life, and efficacy by using nanoscale drug delivery systems. Several different kinds of nanoscale delivery systems—including polymeric nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, liposomes, polymeric conjugates, nanoemulsions, cyclodextrin complexes, and carbon nanotubes—have been developed for the delivery of BA. Here, we focus on the recent developments of novel nanoformulations used to deliver BA in order to improve its efficacy.
Should vitamin B12 status be considered in assessing risk of neural tube defects?
Authors: Molloy Anne M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThere is a strong biological premise for including vitamin B12 with folic acid in strategies to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs), due to the closely interlinked metabolism of these two vitamins. For example, reduction of B12 deficiency among women of reproductive age could enhance the capacity of folic acid to prevent NTDs by optimizing the cellular uptake and utilization of natural folate cofactors. Vitamin B12 might also have an independent role in NTD prevention, such that adding it in fortification programs might be more effective than fortifying with folic acid alone. Globally, there is ample evidence of widespread vitamin B12 deficiency in low‐ and middle‐income countries, but there is also considerable divergence of vitamin B12 status across regions, likely due to genetic as well as nutritional factors. Here, I consider the evidence that low vitamin B12 status may be an independent factor associated with risk of NTDs, and whether a fortification strategy to improve B12 status would help reduce the prevalence of NTDs. I seek to identify knowledge gaps in this respect and specify research goals that would address these gaps.
Precision medicine in diabetes: an opportunity for clinical translation
Authors: Merino Jordi , Florez Jose C. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMetabolic disorders present a public health challenge of staggering proportions. In diabetes, there is an urgent need to better understand disease heterogeneity, clinical trajectories, and related comorbidities. A pressing and timely question is whether we are ready for precision medicine in diabetes. Some biological insights that have emerged during the last decade have already been used to direct clinical decision making, especially in monogenic forms of diabetes. However, much work is necessary to integrate high‐dimensional explorations into complex disease architectures, less penetrant biological alterations, and broader phenotypes, such as type 2 diabetes. In addition, for precision medicine to take hold in diabetes, reproducibility, interpretability, and actionability remain key guiding objectives. In this review, we examine how mounting data sets generated during the last decade to understand biological variability are now inspiring new venues to clarify diabetes nosology and ultimately translate findings into more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Cardiometabolic risk in obese children
Authors: Chung Stephanie T. , Onuzuruike Anthony U. , Magge Sheela N. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractObesity in childhood remains a significant and prevalent public health concern. Excess adiposity in youth is a marker of increased cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in adolescents and adults. Several longitudinal studies confirm the strong association of pediatric obesity with the persistence of adult obesity and the future development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and increased risk of death. The economic and social impact of childhood obesity is further exacerbated by the early onset of the chronic disease burden in young adults during their peak productivity years. Furthermore, rising prevalence rates of severe obesity in youth from disadvantaged and/or minority backgrounds have prompted the creation of additional classification schemes for severe obesity to improve CMR stratification. Current guidelines focus on primary obesity prevention efforts, as well as screening for clustering of multiple CMR factors to target interventions. This review summarizes the scope of the pediatric obesity epidemic, the new severe obesity classification scheme, and examines the association of excess adiposity with cardiovascular and metabolic risk. We will also discuss potential questions for future investigation.
Association between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Deschamps‐Lenhardt S , Martin‐Cabezas R , Hannedouche T , Huck O 
Published: January 2018

A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted to evaluate the association between periodontitis (PD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to explore the potential influence of periodontal treatment in patients with CKD. Databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Science direct, Cochrane Database) were screened for relevant articles, focusing on the periodontal status of patients with CKD, published until December 2017. Five hundred and fifty‐three articles were identified, and 37 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were considered in this systematic review. Seventeen articles were included in the meta‐analysis and 7 in the review focusing on the impact of periodontal treatment. Most of the identified studies indicated an increased incidence of PD in patients with CKD. Meta‐analysis showed an association between CKD and PD, and strength of this association was increased when severe PD was considered (OR = 2.39 (1.70–3.36)). The association could be observed even after adjustment for major CKD risk factors or use of precise diagnosis criteria (OR = 2.26 for severe PD (1.69–3.01)). Analysis of cohort studies indicated an incident rate ratio (IRR) of 1.73. Periodontitis is associated with CKD after multivariable adjustment. Further studies are necessary to determine whether prevention or treatment of PD can reduce the incidence and/or severity of CKD.
Recent developments in analytic Christology
Authors: Arcadi James M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe notion that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures has been the venue of much philosophical theological work in the past 40 years. One mode of engagement with this idea has been to defend the coherence of the idea. This has been done by, for example, revising standard conceptions of divinity and humanity or predicate attribution. Another mode of engagement with the doctrine is to offer models for how the state of affairs of the Incarnation might work. This could involve retrieving models from thinkers of the past. Finally, the constructive mode applies the reasoning of the two natures/one person conception to other areas of Christian theology such as the atonement or the Eucharist. Examples of each of these modes from the contemporary analytic literature are presented.
Li Zehou's notion of subjectality as a new conception of the human self
Authors: Rošker Jana S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLi Zehou stands among the most influential Chinese philosophers in the post‐Mao era. His notion of subjectality (zhutixing 主体性) is of paramount importance for current developments in contemporary Chinese philosophy. It belongs to the central concepts in Li's theoretical framework, around which his entire philosophical system is constructed. With his elaboration of this concept, Li expanded the problem of the self in post‐revolutionary modernism. The present article analyzes the theoretical bases of this concept, exposes its importance in the scope of contemporary Chinese theory and shows why and how it represents a call for a new humanism. Through a multidimensional comparative perspective, the author also explains why the human subject, which is based upon Li's notion of subjectality, has the potential not only to transform (post‐)modern alienation into a real “human condition,” that is, into spiritually fulfilled society of autonomous individuals but also to fill up the prevailing “vacuum of values.”
Visible Light‐Induced Radical Mediated DNA Damage
Authors: McCue Amelia C. , Moreau Whitney M. , Shell Thomas A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLight‐responsive compounds have been used to manipulate biological systems with spatial and temporal control of the event of interest. Illumination of alkylcobalamins with green light (>500 nm) produces carbon‐centered radicals, which have been demonstrated to effectively cause DNA damage. Molecules that cause DNA and RNA strand scission are useful for studying polynucleotide structure and the binding of small molecules and proteins to polynucleotides. Most molecules that cause DNA damage in a light‐dependent manner require high energy, short wavelength ultraviolet light, which is readily absorbed by nucleotide bases causing damage to the polynucleotides. Therefore, using alkylcobalamins is advantageous for causing strand scission of polynucleotides, because they are activated by light wavelengths that are not absorbed by nucleotide bases. Green‐light illumination of methylcobalamin effectively causes DNA strand scission based on gel mobility assays. This cleavage is due to the generation of carbon‐centered radicals based on the results of a radical trapping study. In addition, synthesis of an alkylcobalamin with a DNA binding moiety, spermine, improves DNA cleavage efficacy by an order of magnitude in comparison with methylcobalamin.
Information processing speed as a mediator between psychosocial stress and global cognition in older adults
Authors: Foong Hui F. , Hamid Tengku A. , Ibrahim Rahimah , Haron Sharifah A. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundThe link between psychosocial stress and cognitive function is complex, and previous studies have indicated that it may be mediated by processing speed. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to examine whether processing speed mediates the association between psychosocial stress and global cognition in older adults. Moreover, the moderating role of gender in this model is examined as well.MethodsThe study included 2322 community‐dwelling older adults in Malaysia who were randomly selected through a multistage proportional cluster random sampling technique. Global cognition construct was measured by the Mini‐Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment; psychosocial stress construct was measured by perceived stress, depression, loneliness, and neuroticism; and processing speed was assessed by the Digit Symbol Substitution Test. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze the mediation and moderation tests.ResultsProcessing speed was found to partially mediate the relationship between psychosocial stress and global cognition (β in the direct model = −0.15, P < 0.001; β in the full mediation model = −0.11, P < 0.001). Moreover, the relationship between psychosocial stress and global cognition was found to be significant in men only, whereas the association between processing speed and global cognition was significant in men and women.ConclusionsPsychosocial stress may increase the likelihood that older adults will experience poor processing capacity, which could reduce their higher level cognition. Results indicate that there is a need to develop processing capacity intervention programmes for psychologically distressed older adults to prevent them from suffering cognitive decline.
Risk of hospitalization associated with anticholinergic medication for patients with dementia
Authors: Watanabe Shuichi , Fukatsu Takahide , Kanemoto Kosuke 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundWith the ageing of the general population, demand has grown for measures to prevent hospitalization for dementia, which can exacerbate problems associated with activities of daily living in elderly individuals. Anticholinergic medication has been shown to cause falls, delirium, and cognitive impairment in aged patients. However, the risk of hospitalization associated with the administration of anticholinergics is unclear.MethodsWe analyzed the records of 61 outpatients (26 men, 35 women; mean age: 78 ± 7 years; mean follow‐up period: 420 days) diagnosed with dementia (Alzheimer’s disease: n = 45; dementia with Lewy bodies: n = 3; undifferentiated n = 13) and prescribed anti‐dementia drugs between May 2013 and December 2014. Medication history was noted, and the patients were divided into two groups according to the Anticholinergic Risk Scale: with risk (n = 13) and without risk (n = 48). Outcome was judged based on an end‐point of hospitalization or death. Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed.ResultsEight patients with anticholinergic risk and 12 without anticholinergic risk reached the end‐point (P < 0.005). Analysis with a proportional hazard model showed that anticholinergic medication administration was related to a higher risk for reaching the end‐point (crude hazard ratio: 3.62, 95% confidence interval: 1.45–9.04, P < 0.01; adjusted hazard ratio: 4.54, 95% confidence interval: 1.03–20.0, P < 0.05). In contrast, Mini‐Mental State Examination score, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and the number of drugs were not major risk factors for hospitalization in patients with dementia.ConclusionThe Anticholinergic Risk Scale findings were shown to be a strong predictor of hospitalization for patients with dementia. We should evaluate the anticholinergic burden before initiating anti‐dementia therapy.
Comparing the neuropsychological profiles of mild dementia with Lewy bodies and mild Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Xu Yan , Chen Keliang , Zhao Qianhua , Guo Qihao 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundThe present study was conducted to detect neuropsychological differences and to identify discriminators between mild dementia with L
ewy bodies (DLB
) and mild A
lzheimer’s disease (AD
).MethodsThe present study included 37 mild DLB
patients, 48 mild AD
patients, and 80 healthy elderly individuals. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administrated to assess their cognitive function. Linear stepwise discriminant analysis was used to identify the neuropsychological measures with values that could differentiate between mild DLB
and mild AD
.ResultsThe mild DLB
group had greater impairments in attention, executive function, and visuospatial ability, while mild AD
patients performed significantly worse on memory tests. Linear stepwise discriminant analysis indicated that the M
emory and E
xecutive S
creening’s 5‐min delayed recall test was the best neuropsychological discriminator between mild DLB
and mild AD
.ConclusionsDifferent patterns of cognitive impairment facilitate the differentiation of mild DLB
from mild AD
. For patients with mild dementia, better performance on the M
emory and E
xecutive S
creening’s 5‐min delayed recall test suggests that the diagnosis is more likely DLB
than AD
.
Digital holographic interferometry for cultural heritage structural diagnostics: A coherent and a low‐coherence optical set‐up for the study of a marquetry sample
Authors: Kosma K. , Andrianakis M. , Hatzigiannakis K. , Tornari V. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCultural heritage conservation is an active field of research, where there is an ever‐growing demand for nondestructive and noninvasive diagnostic techniques, for performing remote analysis and diagnosis of the condition of historical structures and pieces of art, often of very high cultural and historical value. In this context, holographic interferometry is a very well‐established optical technique for research in cultural heritage, which brings together some very basic and critical properties such as contactless examination and nondestructivity, accuracy, repeatability, and a wide range of applicability. In this paper, the optical technique of digital holographic interferometry is tested on mock‐up, art‐related targets, with 2 different light sources, in an attempt to expand the technique towards a new approach that will profit from an easy‐to‐operate, inexpensive, and tunable source, offering a broad spectrum and wavelength selectivity, according to the needs of the experiments. Examples are presented, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modified experimental scheme for defect mapping, to be used in structural documentation reports, and for its exploitation in future hybrid optical diagnostic systems and data processing.
A review of contraceptive methods for women with cardiac disease
Authors: Jakes Adam D , Coad Felicity , Nelson‐Piercy Catherine 
Published: January 2018

Key content

The importance of effective contraception in women with cardiac disease is discussed.

Circulatory changes in pregnancy can cause unmasking and decompensation of pre‐existing cardiac disease.

Information is provided for obstetricians, cardiologists and other healthcare professionals that will enable them to counsel women with cardiac disease appropriately about contraceptive options.

Learning objectives

To appreciate the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and why this can lead to decompensated heart disease.

To gain an understanding of the most appropriate contraceptive methods for women with cardiac disease.

To appreciate the cautions and contraindications for commonly used contraceptives in women with cardiac disease.
Diagnosis and management of tubo‐ovarian abscesses
Authors: Munro Kirsty , Gharaibeh Asma , Nagabushanam Sangeetha , Martin Cameron 
Published: January 2018

Key content

Tubo‐ovarian abscesses represent a severe form of pelvic inflammatory disease and carry high morbidity.

Diagnosis is made by combining the clinical picture (fever, pelvic pain and pelvic adnexal mass) with raised inflammatory markers and radiological findings demonstrating an abscess.

Initial management with intravenous antibiotics may not be successful.

Surgical intervention may be indicated but the optimal timing is not clear and image‐guided drainage can be a possible alternative to surgery.

Surgery may be conservative or involve pelvic clearance and will depend on the clinical situation.

Learning objectives

To be able to recognise and initiate prompt treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease and tubo‐ovarian abscesses.

To understand appropriate antibiotic treatment and/or radiological drainage.

To be able to identify indications for timely surgical intervention and explore the optimal surgical approach of laparoscopic versus open surgery.

Ethical issues

Delays in treatment may have adverse effects on future fertility.

Who is appropriate for fertility‐preserving treatment?