bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of Cinacalcet on secondary hyperparathyroidism in Chinese chronic kidney disease patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Mei Changlin , Chen Nan , Ding Xiaoqiang , Yu Xueqing , Wang Li , Qian Jiaqi , Wang Mei , Jiang Gengru , Li Xuemei , Hou Fanfan , Zuo Li , Wang Niansong , Liu Hong 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIntroduction Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) develops in patients with chronic renal failure. Cinacalcet hydrochloride has been used successfully in U.S., Europe, and Japan in the treatment of SHPT, while maintaining serum levels of calcium and phosphorus. The efficacy and safety profile of Cinacalcet treatment vs. conventional treatments has been of great interest in clinical practice. In this recent phase III study conducted in China, efficacy and safety of a calcimimetic agent, Cinacalcet (Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co., Ltd.), were assessed for SHPT treatment in stable chronic renal disease patients on hemodialysis.
Methods In this double‐blind, multicenter, placebo‐controlled, randomized phase III study, 238 subjects were enrolled in 12 centers and randomly divided into a Cinacalcet group and a placebo group. The percentage of patients achieving a serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level ≤250 pg/mL was the primary efficacy end point. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were measured. Adverse events and serious adverse events were recorded, and causal analysis performed.Findings In primary analysis, 25.4% of the Cinacalcet group and 3.5% of the placebo group achieved the primary end point (PTH ≤250 pg/mL). Calcium and phosphorus levels and calcium–phosphorus product were lower in the Cinacalcet group compared with the placebo group. Eleven serious adverse events were reported and considered to be not related to study drugs. Mild to moderate hypocalcemia and reduced calcium levels were reported and considered to be Cinacalcet related.Discussion This phase III study demonstrated that Cinacalcet is effective and well tolerated in treating SHPT in Chinese chronic kidney disease patients on hemodialysis, and in a patient population with much higher baseline PTH levels.
Evaluation of anti‐microbial activities of ZnO, citric acid and a mixture of both against Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Bae J. Y. , Park S. N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveIn this study, anti‐microbial activities of ZnO of three different particle sizes of citric acid (CA) and of mixtures of ZnO and CA were confirmed against Propionibacterium acnes.MethodsZnO with the smallest particle size showed relatively high anti‐microbial activity by disc diffusion assay and broth macrodilution assay. The mixtures of ZnO and CA also showed relatively high anti‐microbial activity when the particle size of ZnO was the smallest. Furthermore, anti‐microbial activities of ZnO, CA and the mixtures of ZnO and CA were compared through the checkerboard assay.ResultsThe results indicated that a 1 : 1 ratio of ZnO and CA resulted in the highest anti‐microbial activity. The substances were confirmed to have synergic anti‐microbial effects. With the time‐kill curve assay, the mixture of ZnO‐containing CA reduced the surviving microbial content the most after 24 h.ConclusionThe results of our study suggest that ZnO may not only be an anti‐microbial ingredient for the prevention of and treatment of acne. The results of our study suggest that ZnO may be an anti‐microbial ingredient for the prevention of and treatment of acne when mixed with CA.
Prenatal Reflective Functioning and Accumulated Risk as Predictors of Maternal Interactive Behavior During Free Play, the Still‐Face Paradigm, and Two Teaching Tasks
Authors: Smaling Hanneke J. A. , Huijbregts Stephan C. J. , Suurland Jill , van der Heijden Kristiaan B. , Mesman Judi , van Goozen Stephanie H. M. , Swaab Hanna 
Published: March 2016

This study examined whether prenatal reflective functioning (RF) was related to mothers’ interactive style across contexts with their 6‐month‐old infants (Mage = 6.02 months,SD = 0.41, 54% boys), and to what extent quality of prenatalRFcould account for the influence of accumulated risk on maternal interactive behavior. Accumulated risk was defined as the sum‐score of a selection of risk factors that have been associated with suboptimal infant development. Mother–infant dyads (N = 133) were observed during free play, two teaching tasks, and the Still‐Face Paradigm (SFP). Better prenatalRFwas associated with more positive maternal behavior in all settings and less negative behavior during teaching andSFPreengagement. Accumulated risk and prenatalRFpredicted shared variance in maternal interactive behavior (with unique predictive effects observed only forRFon sensitivity during teaching andSFPplay, and for accumulated risk on sensitivity and positive engagement duringSFPplay, and internalizing‐helplessness duringSFPreengagement). Accumulated risk had an indirect effect on maternal sensitivity during teaching andSFPplay through prenatalRF. These findings suggest not only thatRFmay be targeted prenatally to improve mother–infant interactions, but also that enhancingRFskills may ameliorate some of the negative consequences from more stable perinatal risk factors that influence parent–child interactions.
Retrospective study of the application of acellular dermis in reconstructing full‐thickness skin defects
Authors: Chen Baoguo , Song Huifeng 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe purpose of the article is to evaluate the acellular dermis' utility in reconstructing full‐thickness defects after scar contracture releasing and giant nevus resection. From the year 2012 to 2014, 18 consecutive patients underwent composite graft (thin autograft and alloderma) transplantation. Among these patients, 16 patients suffered from burned scar contracture in the upper extremities, and two young cases were met with giant nevus on the upper extremity. Ten of 13 adult cases with upper extremity scar affection were chosen for a comparative study. Twenty hands were randomly allocated into group A and group B. The thick autograft was used to repair one upper extremity in group B, and the composite grafts were used to cover the other upper extremity in group A. Besides appraisal of the recipient sites' function and aesthetics, donor sites were also estimated after a mean of 12 months' follow‐up through the Vancouver Scar Score Scale. After evaluation in the above comparative study through the Vancouver Score Scale, in the recipient evaluation, no statistical difference was found in the pigmentation score between two groups, while statistical difference was achieved in other aspects (vascularity, pliability, height). In the donor site's evaluation, statistical difference was established between the two groups in all facets. One adult patient was dissatisfied with the hypertrophic scar on the donor site, and about almost a half of the area became a hypertrophic scar in the recipient site. No atrophic change occurred; one little girl, suffering from large nevus, was operated on by removing nearly the whole giant nevus on the upper limb. Unfortunately, she presented with finger tip necrosis occurring. The finger tip was not ultimately preserved and was repaired with an abdomen flap. Acellular dermal matrix is an excellent option and a useful tool for reconstructing large full‐thickness skin defects after releasing burned scar contracture and removing giant nevus. With thin‐skin graft meshed, a donor site's presentation brings courage to patients, while recipient sites can reach nearly the same elasticity and function compared to thick‐grafted skin.
The Characterization of an Adrenergic Signalling System Involved in the Encystment of the Ocular Pathogen Acanthamoeba spp.
Authors: Heaselgrave Wayne , Kilvington Simon 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study was to identify and characterize the receptor system involved in controlling encystment in Acanthamoeba using specific agonists and antagonists and to examine whether endogenous stores of catecholamines are produced by the organism. Acanthamoeba trophozoites suspended in axenic growth medium were exposed to adrenoceptor agonists and antagonists to determine which compounds promoted or prevented encystment. Second, trophozoites were cultured in medium containing a catecholamine synthesis inhibitor to investigate the effect this had on natural encystment. Nonspecific adrenoceptor agonists including epinephrine, isoprotenerol, and the selective β1 adrenoceptor agonist dobutamine were found to cause > 90% encystment of Acanthamoeba trophozoites compared to < 30% with the controls. The selective β1 antagonist metoprolol was able to inhibit epinephrine mediated encystment by > 55%. Cultures of Acanthamoeba with the catecholamine synthesis inhibitor α‐methyl‐p‐tyrosine significantly reduced the level of amoebic encystment compared to controls. In conclusion, Acanthamoeba appear to contain a functional adrenergic receptor system of unknown structure which is involved in initiating the encystment process that can be activated and blocked by β1 agonists and antagonists respectively. Furthermore, the presence of this receptor system in Acanthamoeba indicates that topical β adrenoceptor blockers may be effective adjunct therapy by reducing the transformation of trophozoites into the highly resistant cyst stage.
THE DISCIPLINARY ROLE OF FAILED TAKEOVER ATTEMPTS
Authors: Liu Baixiao 
Published: March 2016

AbstractI find that the CEO turnover in target firms following failed takeover attempts is 21% greater than matched nontarget firms and negatively correlated with stock returns both before and during the attempt. Target firms are 14% more likely than matched nontarget firms to initiate corporate restructurings during the failed attempt. Restructured firms have more positive stock returns during this period and are less likely to experience subsequent CEO turnover. When restructurings do not occur, active outside blockholders are more likely to emerge and facilitate CEO turnover. These findings indicate that failed takeover attempts can play a disciplinary role.
A Biography of Water in Atacama, Chile: Two Indigenous Community Responses to the Extractive Encroachments of Mining
Authors: Carrasco Anita 
Published: March 2016

ResumenEl siguiente artículo examina las respuestas indígenas ante las invasiones mineras que se llevan a cabo en Atacama. Este análisis revela la existencia de sistemas valoricos y de significados en competencia dentro de los que podemos identificar cambios en la conceptualización del agua. Específicamente, se describen dos ejemplos etnográficos que dan cuenta como en las comunidades de Turi y Toconce (al norte de Chile), se concibe el agua como mercancía cuando se arrienda a–pero no cuando se defiende de–una empresa minera. Tal como lo argumenta Kopytoff (1988:69), un mundo perfectamente mercantilizado seria aquel en el cual todo lo que es intercambiable se encuentra a la venta. De la misma manera, un mundo perfectamente desmercantilizado seria aquél en el cual nada es intercambiable. Este estudio demuestra cómo ninguna situación en la vida real se ajusta a esos extremos. Por el contrario, toda economía del mundo real, ocupa un lugar que transita constantemente dentro de un espectro de posibilidades. [agua, Andes, mercancias, mineria, pueblos indigenas, sagrado]
The complete chloroplast genome of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis (Rhodophyta) gives new insight into the evolution of family Gracilariaceae
Authors: Du Qingwei , Bi Guiqi , Mao Yunxiang , Sui Zhenghong 
Published: March 2016

The complete chloroplast genome of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis was recovered from a Next Generation Sequencing data set. Without quadripartite structure, this chloroplast genome (183,013 bp, 27.40% GC content) contains 202 protein‐coding genes, 34 tRNA genes, 3 rRNA genes, and 1 tmRNA gene. Synteny analysis showed plasmid incorporation regions in chloroplast genomes of three species of family Gracilariaceae and in Grateloupia taiwanensis of family Halymeniaceae. Combined with reported red algal plasmid sequences in nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, we postulated that red algal plasmids may have played an important role in ancient horizontal gene transfer among nuclear, chloroplast, and mitochondrial genomes. Substitution rate analysis showed that purifying selective forces maintaining stability of protein‐coding genes of nine red algal chloroplast genomes over long periods must be strong and that the forces acting on gene groups and single genes of nine red algal chloroplast genomes were similar and consistent. The divergence of Gp. lemaneiformis occurred ~447.98 million years ago (Mya), close to the divergence time of genus Pyropia and Porphyra (443.62 Mya).
Use of Grain Distillers Dried Yeast in Practical Diets for Juvenile Pacific White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Achupallas Julio M. , Zhou Yangen , Davis D. A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGrain distillers dried yeast (GDDY) is a yeast‐based protein source that is obtained from the bioethanol industry. A range of yeast‐based products has been evaluated as nutritional supplements in fish diets, yet there is limited information in shrimp. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the production response of Litopenaeus vannamei fed diets containing increasing levels of GDDY in two growth trials. In trial 1, five diets formulated to contain 360 g/kg crude protein, 80 g/kg lipids, and up to 300 g GDDY/kg were evaluated under laboratory conditions with juvenile shrimp (1.90 ± 0.10 g, initial weight). In trial 2, juvenile shrimp (0.40 ± 0.01 g, initial weight) were fed similar diets where lysine was supplemented in diets with high levels of GDDY (200 and 300 g/kg of diet). The results from this study demonstrate that inclusion of GDDY up to 300 g/kg of diet did not cause negative effects on final biomass, mean final weight, feed conversion ratio, and survival. Furthermore, the addition of lysine to diets with high levels of GDDY (200 and 300 g/kg of diet) did not enhance growth performance under the reported conditions, confirming lysine was not limiting. Consequently, these results indicate that up to 300 g GDDY/kg of diet can be used in practical diets for L. vannamei in a clear water system.
Depleted interstitial cells of Cajal and fibrosis in the pylorus: Novel features of gastroparesis
Authors: Moraveji S. , Bashashati M. , Elhanafi S. , Sunny J. , Sarosiek I. , Davis B. , Torabi A. , McCallum R. W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundDepletion and ultrastructural changes of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the gastric body and antrum have been observed in gastroparesis. This research was performed to investigate the ICC population in the muscularis propria and fibrosis of the muscular layer of the pylorus in gastroparesis.MethodsFull thickness pyloric and antral biopsies were obtained from 17 gastroparetic and 6 non‐gastroparetic controls. Biopsies were stained with C‐Kit for ICC and Trichrome for collagen fibrosis. Interstitial cells of Cajal depletion in the antrum was defined as mean ICC count <10 per 20 high power fields (HPF) based on established data.Key ResultsThe average pyloric ICC count was ≥10/HPF in the control patients. Twelve (70.5%) gastroparetic patients had pyloric ICC loss. Only five patients (29.4%) had ICC loss in the antrum. Gastric emptying (GE) was not significantly different in patients with depleted vs normal pyloric ICC. However, GE at 2 h was slower in patients with antral ICC <10/HPF compared to those with normal antral ICC populations. Collagen fibrosis was observed in the pylorus of 14 (82.3%) patients. Inclusion bodies in the muscularis propria of the pylorus were identified in four patients, all with diabetic gastroparesis.Conclusions & InferencesIn gastroparetic patients, ICC loss in the pylorus is twice as common as in the antrum and fibrosis in the pyloric smooth muscle is nearly three times more common than the antrum. These findings can provide one explanation for pyloric dysfunction which is a contributing factor to the pathophysiology of gastroparesis.
The Anti‐Müllerian Hormone Profile is Linked with the In Vitro Embryo Production Capacity and Embryo Viability after Transfer but Cannot Predict Pregnancy Outcome
Authors: Ghanem N , Jin JI , Kim SS , Choi BH , Lee KL , Ha AN , Song SH , Kong IK 
Published: March 2016

ContentsThe current study investigated the possibility of using the AMH concentration as a predictor of the ability of Korean Hanwoo cows to produce cumulus‐oocyte complexes, embryos that survive after transfer as well as the pregnancy outcome of surrogates. Eight sessions of ovum pick‐up (OPU) were performed with 19 donor cows at an interval of 3–4 days. Antral follicle count (AFC), oocyte quality and in vitro embryo development were recorded for each cow. Embryos produced from cows with different AMH profiles were transferred into recipients (n = 96). Cows in the high (≥0.25 ng/ml) and intermediate (0.1≥ to <0.25 ng/ml) AMH groups had a significantly higher AFC per OPU session (20.40 ± 1.36 and 16.91 ± 1.52, respectively; mean ± standard deviation) than cows in the low AMH group (<0.1 ng/ml; 12.19 ± 2.14). In addition, more cumulus‐oocyte complexes per donor were recovered in the high (11.46 ± 1.22) and intermediate (7.38 ± 0.83) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (4.77 ± 0.44). The percentage of oocytes reached blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the intermediate (47.0%) and high (38.5%) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (32.3%). The number of embryos produced per cow was higher in the high (3.9 ± 0.2) and intermediate (6.9 ± 0.6) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (2.2 ± 0.3). The percentage of embryos that gave birth to viable calves when transferred into recipients was higher for those derived from cows in the intermediate AMH group (50.7%) than for those derived from cows in the low (35.7%) and high (36.4%) AMH groups. In conclusion, a single measurement of AMH concentration predicted the in vitro embryo production potential of donor Korean native cows before OPU and is linked with embryo viability after transfer into recipients.
Poverty, Place, and Coal Employment across Appalachia and the United States in a New Economic Era
Authors: Lobao Linda , Zhou Minyu , Partridge Mark , Betz Michael 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe impacts of employment in the coal industry remain controversial. Few studies have investigated these impacts over the decade of the great recession and in light of the nation's changing energy economy. We bring together two long‐standing rural sociological traditions to address debates framed at the national level and for Appalachian communities facing the throes of transition from the coal industry. Building from rural sociology's “poverty and place” tradition and from natural resources sociology, we examine the relationship between coal employment and communities’ economic well‐being as indicated by poverty, household income, and unemployment. The study spans U.S. and Appalachian counties from 1990 to 2010. U.S. counties with greater coal employment in 1990 had lower income and higher poverty in 2000. Overall, however, coal employment's effect is mixed in the 1990–2000 decade. By contrast, for the recent 2000–2010 decade, coal employment is positively associated with indicators of well‐being. In Appalachia, fewer employment alternatives outside mining are related to higher well‐being. Our findings extend the poverty and place literature and the natural resources literature and underscore why a just transition away from coal should focus on moving communities toward sectors offering better future livelihoods.
B and T Cell Epitope‐Based Peptides Predicted from Evolutionarily Conserved and Whole Protein Sequences of Ebola Virus as Vaccine Targets
Authors: Yasmin T. , Nabi A. H. M. Nurun 
Published: March 2016

AbstractEbola virus (EBV) has become a serious threat to public health. Different approaches were applied to predict continuous and discontinuous B cell epitopes as well as T cell epitopes from the sequence‐based and available three‐dimensional structural analyses of each protein of EBV. Peptides ‘79VPSATKRWGFRSGVPP94’ from GP1 and ‘515LHYWTTQDEGAAIGLA530’ from GP2 of Ebola were found to be the consensus peptidic sequences predicted as linear B cell epitope of which the latter contains a region 519TTQDEG524 that fulfilled all the criteria of accessibility, hydrophilicity, flexibility and beta turn region for becoming an ideal B cell epitope. Different nonamers as T cell epitopes were obtained that interacted with different numbers of MHC class I and class II alleles with a binding affinity of <100 nm. Interestingly, these alleles also bound to the MHC class I alleles mostly prevalent in African and South Asian regions. Of these, ‘LANETTQAL’ and ‘FLYDRLAST’ nonamers were predicted to be the most potent T cell epitopes and they, respectively, interacted with eight and twelve class I alleles that covered 63.79% and 54.16% of world population, respectively. These nonamers were found to be the core sequences of 15mer peptides that interacted with the most common class II allele, HLA‐DRB1*01:01. They were further validated for their binding to specific class I alleles using docking technique. Thus, these predicted epitopes may be used as vaccine targets against EBV and can be validated in model hosts to verify their efficacy as vaccine.
Sacral nerve stimulation enhances early intestinal mucosal repair following mucosal injury in a pig model
Authors: Brégeon Jérémy , Coron Emmanuel , Da Silva Anna Christina Cordeiro , Jaulin Julie , Aubert Philippe , Chevalier Julien , Vergnolle Nathalie , Meurette Guillaume , Neunlist Michel 
Published: March 2016

Key points
Reducing intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) dysfunctions is recognized as being of major therapeutic interest for various intestinal disorders.
Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is known to reduce IEB permeability.
Here, we report in a pig model that SNS enhances morphological and functional recovery of IEB following mucosal injury induced via 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid. These effects are associated with an increased expression of tight junction proteins such as ZO‐1 and FAK.
These results establish that SNS enhances intestinal barrier repair in acute mucosal injury. They further set the scientific basis for future use of SNS as a complementary or alternative therapeutic option for the treatment of gut disorders with IEB dysfunctions such as inflammatory bowel diseases or irritable bowel syndrome.
AbstractIntestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) dysfunctions, such as increased permeability or altered healing, are central to intestinal disorders. Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is known to reduce IEB permeability, but its ability to modulate IEB repair remains unknown. This study aimed to characterize the impact of SNS on mucosal repair following 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)‐induced lesions. Six pigs were stimulated by SNS 3 h prior to and 3 h after TNBS enema, while sham animals (n = 8) were not stimulated. The impact of SNS on mucosal changes was evaluated by combining in vivo imaging, histological and functional methods. Biochemical and transcriptomic approaches were used to analyse the IEB and mucosal inflammatory response. We observed that SNS enhanced the recovery from TNBS‐induced increase in transcellular permeability. At 24 h, TNBS‐induced alterations of mucosal morphology were significantly less in SNS compared with sham animals. SNS reduced TNBS‐induced changes in ZO‐1 expression and its epithelial pericellular distribution, and also increased pFAK/FAK expression compared with sham. Interestingly, SNS increased the mucosal density of neutrophils, which was correlated with an increase in trypsin and TGF‐β1 levels compared with sham. Finally, SNS prevented the TNBS‐induced increases in IL‐1β and IL‐4 over time that were observed with sham treatment. In conclusion, our results show that SNS enhances mucosal repair following injury. This study highlights novel mechanisms of action of SNS and identifies SNS as a new therapy for diseases with IEB repair disorders.