bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Viable influenza A virus in airborne particles expelled during coughs versus exhalations
Authors: Lindsley William G. , Blachere Francoise M. , Beezhold Donald H. , Thewlis Robert E. , Noorbakhsh Bahar , Othumpangat Sreekumar , Goldsmith William T. , McMillen Cynthia M. , Andrew Michael E. , Burrell Carmen N. , Noti John D. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundTo prepare for a possible influenza pandemic, a better understanding of the potential for the airborne transmission of influenza from person to person is needed.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to directly compare the generation of aerosol particles containing viable influenza virus during coughs and exhalations.MethodsSixty‐one adult volunteer outpatients with influenza‐like symptoms were asked to cough and exhale three times into a spirometer. Aerosol particles produced during coughing and exhalation were collected into liquid media using aerosol samplers. The samples were tested for the presence of viable influenza virus using a viral replication assay (VRA).ResultsFifty‐three test subjects tested positive for influenza A virus. Of these, 28 (53%) produced aerosol particles containing viable influenza A virus during coughing, and 22 (42%) produced aerosols with viable virus during exhalation. Thirteen subjects had both cough aerosol and exhalation aerosol samples that contained viable virus, 15 had positive cough aerosol samples but negative exhalation samples, and 9 had positive exhalation samples but negative cough samples.ConclusionsViable influenza A virus was detected more often in cough aerosol particles than in exhalation aerosol particles, but the difference was not large. Because individuals breathe much more often than they cough, these results suggest that breathing may generate more airborne infectious material than coughing over time. However, both respiratory activities could be important in airborne influenza transmission. Our results are also consistent with the theory that much of the aerosol containing viable influenza originates deep in the lungs.
From varices to venous ulceration: the story of chronic venous disease described by metalloproteinases
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Gallelli Luca , Butrico Lucia , Buffone Gianluca , Caliò Francesco G , De Caridi Giovanni , Massara Mafalda , Barbetta Andrea , Amato Bruno , Labonia Miriam , Mimmi Selena , Iaccino Enrico , de Franciscis Stefano 
Published: March 2016

AbstractChronic venous disease (CVD) and its most frightening complication, chronic venous ulceration (CVU), represent an important socioeconomic burden in the western world. Metalloproteinases have been identified in the pathogenesis of several vascular diseases such as venous problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate a broad range of metalloproteinases, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases) and ADAMTSs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases with thrombospondin motifs) and their inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and a related protein, neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), in patients with CVD in order to correlate their serum levels with each stage of the disease. We performed a multicenter open‐label study that comprised the enrolment of 541 patients with CVD of clinical stages C1–C6, (178 males, 363 females; mean age 57·29, median age 53·72, age range 29–81); 29 subjects without CVD were included in this study (9 males and 20 females; mean age 54·44, median age 50, age range 28–84) as the control group. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed for measuring serum levels of proteases and related proteins. The study found that the serum elevation of MMP‐2, ADAMTS‐1 and ADAMTS‐7 appeared to be correlated with the initial stages of CVD, whereas the serum elevation of MMP‐1, MMP‐8, MMP‐9, NGAL, ADAM‐10, ADAM‐17 and ADAMTS‐4 was particularly involved in skin change complications. This study showed that each stage of CVD may be described by particular patterns of metalloproteinases, and this may have therapeutic implications in discovering new targets and new drugs for the treatment of CVD.
Low‐dose radiation prevents type 1 diabetes‐induced cardiomyopathy via activation of AKT mediated anti‐apoptotic and anti‐oxidant effects
Authors: Zhang Fangfang , Lin Xiufei , Yu Lechu , Li Weihua , Qian Dingliang , Cheng Peng , He Luqing , Yang Hong , Zhang Chi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe investigated whether low‐dose radiation (LDR) can prevent late‐stage diabetic cardiomyopathy and whether this protection is because of the induction of anti‐apoptotic and anti‐oxidant pathways. Streptozotocin‐induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice were treated with/without whole‐body LDR (12.5, 25, or 50 mGy) every 2 days. Twelve weeks after onset of diabetes, cardiomyopathy was diagnosed characterized by significant cardiac dysfunction, hypertrophy and histopathological abnormalities associated with increased oxidative stress and apoptosis, which was prevented by LDR (25 or 50 mGy only). Low‐dose radiation‐induced cardiac protection also associated with P53 inactivation, enhanced Nrf2 function and improved Akt activation. Next, for the mechanistic study, mouse primary cardiomyocytes were treated with high glucose (33 mmol/l) for 24 hrs and during the last 15 hrs bovine serum albumin‐conjugated palmitate (62.5 μmol/l) was added into the medium to mimic diabetes, and cells were treated with LDR (25 mGy) every 6 hrs during the whole process of HG/Pal treatment. Data show that blocking Akt/MDM2/P53 or Akt/Nrf2 pathways with small interfering RNA of akt, mdm2 and nrf2 not only prevented LDR‐induced anti‐apoptotic and anti‐oxidant effects but also prevented LDR‐induced suppression on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis against HG/Pal. Low‐dose radiation prevented diabetic cardiomyopathy by improving cardiac function and hypertrophic remodelling attributed to Akt/MDM2/P53‐mediated anti‐apoptotic and Akt/Nrf2‐mediated anti‐oxidant pathways simultaneously.
Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in the ‘normal region’ of aorta from atherosclerosis patients is regulated by miR‐145
Authors: Zhang Yu‐nan , Xie Bao‐dong , Sun Lu , Chen Wei , Jiang Shu‐Lin , Liu Wei , Bian Fei , Tian Hai , Li Ren‐Ke 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSwitching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from a contractile phenotype to an adverse proliferative phenotype is a hallmark of atherosclerosis or vascular restenosis. However, the genetic modulators responsible for this switch have not been fully elucidated in humans nor have they been correlated with clinical abnormalities. This study investigated genetic mechanisms involved in phenotypic switching of VSMCs at non‐defect areas of the aorta in patients with atherosclerosis. Aortic wall samples were obtained from patients with (N = 53) and without (N = 27) atherosclerosis undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Vascular smooth muscle cell cultures were generated, and expression of microRNA‐145 (miR‐145), its target gene Kruppel‐Like Factor 5 (KLF5) and Myocardin (MYOCD, a smooth muscle‐specific transcriptional coactivator) were analysed using RT‐qPCR, along with expression of relevant proteins. Vascular smooth muscle cells were transduced with miR‐145 inhibitor and mimic to determine the effect of miR‐145 expression on VSMC proliferation. miR‐145 expression decreased while KLF5 expression increased in atherosclerotic aortas. Atherosclerotic samples and VSMCs had decreased expression of contractile markers calponin and alpha smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and MYOCD. miR‐145 inhibitor‐transduced VSMCs from non‐atherosclerotic patients showed decreased expression of calponin and α‐SMA and increased proliferation compared with non‐transduced controls, and these levels were close to those of atherosclerotic patients. miR‐145 mimic‐transduced VSMCs from atherosclerotic patients showed increased expression of calponin and α‐SMA and decreased proliferation compared with non‐transduced controls, and these levels were close to those found in non‐atherosclerotic patients. These data demonstrate that miR‐145 modulates the phenotypic switch of VSMCs from a contractile to a proliferative state via KLF5 and MYOCD in atherosclerosis.
Effects of short‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase on cardiomyocyte apoptosis
Authors: Zeng Zhenhua , Huang Qiuju , Shu Zhaohui , Liu Peiqing , Chen Shaorui , Pan Xuediao , Zang Linquan , Zhou Sigui 
Published: March 2016

AbstractShort‐chain acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD), a key enzyme of fatty acid β‐oxidation, plays an important role in cardiac hypertrophy. However, its effect on the cardiomyocyte apoptosis remains unknown. We aimed to determine the role of SCAD in tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)‐induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The mRNA and protein expression of SCAD were significantly down‐regulated in the cardiomyocyte apoptosis model. Inhibition of SCAD with siRNA‐1186 significantly decreased SCAD expression, enzyme activity and ATP content, but obviously increased the content of free fatty acids. Meanwhile, SCAD siRNA treatment triggered the same apoptosis as cardiomyocytes treated with tBHP, such as the increase in cell apoptotic rate, the activation of caspase3 and the decrease in the Bcl‐2/Bax ratio, which showed that SCAD may play an important role in primary cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The changes of phosphonate AMP‐activated protein kinase α (p‐AMPKα) and Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPARα) in cardiomyocyte apoptosis were consistent with that of SCAD. Furthermore, PPARα activator fenofibrate and AMPKα activator AICAR treatment significantly increased the expression of SCAD and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In conclusion, for the first time our findings directly demonstrated that SCAD may be as a new target to prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the AMPK/PPARα/SCAD signal pathways.
Growth differentiation factor 15 is a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Chen , Wang Xiaobing , Casal Ignacio , Wang Jingyu , Li Peiwei , Zhang Wei , Xu Enping , Lai Maode , Zhang Honghe 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAlthough various studies have demonstrated that growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) might be a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, the results are inconsistent and the statistical power of individual studies is also insufficient. An original study was conducted to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of serum GDF15 in CRC patients. We also conducted a meta‐analysis study which aimed to summarize the diagnostic and prognostic performance of serum GDF15 in CRC. We searched PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge up to 1 November 2014 for eligible studies. In order to explore the diagnostic performance of GDF15, standardized mean difference (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. For prognostic meta‐analysis, study‐specific hazard ratios (HRs) of serum GDF15 for survival were summarized. A total of eight studies were included in the meta‐analyses. Our results revealed that serum GDF15 levels in CRC patients were higher than those in healthy controls (SMD = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.56–1.59, P < 0.001). For discriminating CRC from healthy controls, the AUC of GDF15 was 0.816 (95% CI: 0.792–0.838). The sensitivity and specificity were 58.9% (95% CI: 55.0–62.8) and 92.08% (95% CI: 89.2–94.4), respectively, when a cut‐off value of 1099 pg/ml was established. Besides, higher GDF15 expression level was associated with worse overall survival for CRC patients (pooled HR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.47–2.96). In conclusion, the present meta‐analysis suggests that serum GDF15 may be a useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for CRC.
Increased autophagy is required to protect periodontal ligament stem cells from apoptosis in inflammatory microenvironment
Authors: An Ying , Liu Wenjia , Xue Peng , Zhang Yongjie , Wang Qintao , Jin Yan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveAutophagy, which provides a mechanism for turnover cellular organelles and proteins through a lysosome‐dependent degradation pathway, has been related to the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders and other diseases. Therefore, the aim of this research was to study the role of autophagy in periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and provide a new strategy for treatment or prevention of periodontitis.MethodsWe used immunohistochemistry to detect the LC3 expression in periodontal ligament (PDL) tissues from patients with (n = 20) or without (n = 20) periodontitis. To further investigate the mechanism of autophagy, the PDLSCs were divided into three groups: H‐PDLSCs, P‐PDLSCs and I‐PDLSCs. The level of autophagy in PDLSCs was evaluated by qRT‐PCR and Western blot. LC3‐positive points were assessed by immunofluorescence, and the autophagic vacuoles (AVs) were observed by transmission electron microscope.ResultsWe found a higher level of autophagy in gene expression and autophagosome production of PDL tissues from periodontitis patients. Furthermore, there were higher protein levels of LC3, Beclin‐1, Atg7 and Atg12 in P‐PDLSCs and I‐PDLSCs. We also detected LC3‐positive points and AVs in P‐PDLSCs and I‐PDLSCs. The activation of autophagy may protect PDLSCs from apoptosis.ConclusionThe results indicate that the modulation of autophagy in P‐PDLSCs may provide a novel therapeutic strategy to improve periodontal therapy.
Mechanisms of fat‐induced gastric inhibitory polypeptide/glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide secretion from K cells
Authors: Yamane Shunsuke , Harada Norio , Inagaki Nobuya 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGastric inhibitory polypeptide/glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is one of the incretins, which are gastrointestinal hormones released in response to nutrient ingestion and potentiate glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. Single fat ingestion stimulates GIP secretion from enteroendocrine K cells; chronic high‐fat diet (HFD) loading enhances GIP secretion and induces obesity in mice in a GIP‐dependent manner. However, the mechanisms of GIP secretion from K cells in response to fat ingestion and GIP hypersecretion in HFD‐induced obesity are not well understood. We generated GIP‐green fluorescent protein knock‐in (GIPgfp/+) mice, in which K cells are labeled by enhanced GIP‐green fluorescent protein. Microarray analysis of isolated K cells from GIPgfp/+ mice showed that both fatty acid‐binding protein 5 and G protein‐coupled receptor 120 are highly expressed in K cells. Single oral administration of fat resulted in significant reduction of GIP secretion in both fatty acid‐binding protein 5‐ and G protein‐coupled receptor 120‐deficient mice, showing that fatty acid‐binding protein 5 and G protein‐coupled receptor 120 are involved in acute fat‐induced GIP secretion. Furthermore, the transcriptional factor, regulatory factor X6 (Rfx6), is highly expressed in K cells. In vitro experiments using the mouse enteroendocrine cell line, STC‐1, showed that GIP messenger ribonucleic acid levels are upregulated by Rfx6. Expression levels of Rfx6 messenger ribonucleic acid as well as that of GIP messenger ribonucleic acid were augmented in the K cells of HFD‐induced obese mice, in which GIP content in the small intestine is increased compared with that in lean mice fed a control diet. These results suggest that Rfx6 is involved in hypersecretion of GIP in HFD‐induced obese conditions by increasing GIP gene expression.
Risk of second primary malignancies among 1537 melanoma patients and risk of second primary melanoma among 52 354 cancer patients in Northern Italy
Authors: Caini S. , Radice D. , Tosti G. , Spadola G. , Cocorocchio E. , Ferrucci P.F. , Testori A. , Pennacchioli E. , Fargnoli M.C. , Palli D. , Bazolli B. , Botteri E. , Gandini S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe number of melanoma survivors has been increasing for decades due to early diagnosis and improved survival. These patients have an increased risk of developing a second primary cancer (SPC); also, melanoma is frequently diagnosed among patients firstly diagnosed with an extracutaneous malignancy.ObjectiveWe evaluated the risk of developing a SPC among 1537 melanoma patients, and the risk of second primary melanoma (SPM) in 52 354 extracutaneous cancer patients, who were treated at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy, during 2000–2010.Material and methodsWe calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) by applying gender‐, age‐, year‐ and region‐specific reference rates to the follow‐up time accrued between the diagnosis of the first and the second primary malignancies.ResultsSeventy‐six SPC were diagnosed during a median follow‐up of 4 years, of which 49 (64%) during the first 2 years upon melanoma diagnosis. The SIR was increased for cancer of breast (4.10, 95% CI 2.79–6.03), thyroid (4.67, 95% CI 1.94–11.22), brain (6.13, 95% CI 2.30–16.33) and for non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (3.12, 95% CI 1.30–7.50). During a median follow‐up of 4 years, 127 SPM were diagnosed: thick lesions were less frequent than for melanoma diagnosed as first cancer. The SIR was increased for cancer of breast (5.13, 95%CI 3.91–6.73), thyroid (16.2, 95%CI: 5.22–50.2), head and neck (5.62, 95%CI 1.41–22.50), soft tissue (8.68, 95%CI 2.17–34.70), cervix (12.5, 95% CI 3.14–50.20), kidney (3.19, 95%CI 1.52–6.68), prostate (4.36, 95%CI 2.63–7.24) and acute myeloid leukaemia (6.44, 95%CI 2.42–17.20).ConclusionsThe most likely causes of these associations are the clustering of lifestyle risk factors in the same subgroups of population, mainly on a sociocultural basis and surveillance bias. This raises important questions about how to best follow cancer survivors by avoiding an inefficient use of resources and an excessive medicalization of these patients' lives.
High Pressure Extraction of Astaxanthin from Shrimp Waste (Penaeus Vannamei Boone): Effect on Yield and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Li Jianping , Sun Wei , Ramaswamy Hosahalli S. , Yu Yong , Zhu Songming , Wang Jing , Li Huanhuan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractHigh pressure extraction (HPE) of astaxanthin from shrimp (Penaeus Vannamei Boone) waste at different pressure (0.1–600 MPa) and holding times (0–20 min), and with different solvents (acetone, dichloromethane and ethanol) and solvent to solid ratios (10–50 mL/g) was evaluated, and extraction yields and quality of the extracts were determined. Antioxidant activity of the extract from HPE and conventional solvent extraction (at ambient pressure) were compared based on DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) and superoxide anion radical of scavenging potentials. Besides, surfaces of shrimp shells following different treatments were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The results revealed that (1) HPE resulted in a higher extraction yield of astaxanthin and required shorter extraction times, (2) ethanol as solvent and a solvent to solid ratio of 20 mL/g was a good combination for HPE for high extraction yield of astaxanthin and (3) HPE extraction resulted in a better antioxidant activity in the extract than conventional solvent extraction.Practical ApplicationsThis study is focused on the evaluations of the extraction yield and antioxidant activity of astaxanthin from shrimp waste by high pressure. The high pressure extraction (HPE) technology is very promising because of higher yield and antioxidant activity and would help to facilitate further utilization of shrimp waste as a source of natural antioxidants in food and pharmaceutical industries, replacing artificial chemical antioxidants.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Effect of Different Thermal Treatments on Grinding Characteristics, Granular Morphology and Yield of Ready‐to‐Eat Wheat Grits
Authors: Raigar Rakesh K. , Prabhakar Pramod K. , Srivastav Prem P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractReady‐to‐eat wheat grits are highly fibrous food product which was prepared from wheat by using different thermal treatments (Parboiling, pressure parboiling and roasting methods). The effects of these treatments on hardness, alkali spreading value (ASV), granular morphology, protein digestibility (PD), grit yield, grinding constants and specific power consumption (SPC) were studied. However, the particle size distribution, grinding constants and SPC were also studied with the different feed rates of each experiment. The maximum grits yield (77%), SPC (0.061 kWh/kg), hardness (6.67 kg), were found in pressure parboiling. The highest PD (78 %) and ASV were observed in roasting method. Although, a significant variation was found in grinding constants with the different feed rates and heat treatments. The roasting method was found to have overall desired values of PD (78%), granular morphology, ASV (7), hardness (3.21 kg) and SPC (0.040 kWh/kg).Practical ApplicationsReady‐to‐eat wheat grits are highly fibrous food product and prepared from wheat by using different thermal treatments. It plays an important role in addressing the constipation problems. The power consumption and product quality are key parameters for producer and consumer. This study has generated sound thermal processing and energy consumption data and health benefits which can be used by food industries and consumers.
Denture‐induced stomatitis and associated factors in a group of patients attending a university dental hospital in Sri Lanka
Authors: Thilakumara Indika P. , Jayatilake Jayalath A.M.S. , Pallegama Ranjith W. , Ellepola Arjuna N.B. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to investigate factors associated with denture‐induced stomatitis (DIS) among denture wearers and their oral and hand carriage of Candida.MethodsSociodemographics and denture and oral hygiene practices were investigated using an interviewer‐administered questionnaire in denture wearers with DIS (n = 60) and without DIS (n = 60) selected using a convenience sampling of patients attending the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Denture and oral hygiene practices and denture quality were scored. DIS and denture hygiene were classified. Oral and hand carriage of Candida was assessed.ResultsMiddle‐aged females were more prone to DIS. The most common DIS pattern was Newton type ΙΙ. The mean age of existing denture of DIS patients was significantly higher than the control. Denture hygiene practice was significantly low in DIS patients. Poor denture hygiene practice and sleep wear of dentures were significantly associated with DIS. The risk of Candida hand carriage in a DIS patient carrying oral Candida was significantly higher than the risk of Candida hand carriage in a healthy denture wearer who carried oral Candida.ConclusionOld dentures, poor denture hygiene, and sleep wear of dentures might contribute to DIS. Oral Candida in denture wearers could lead to Candida hand carriage.