bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of a treatment with Se‐rich rice flour high in resistant starch on enteric dysbiosis and chronic inflammation in diabetic ICR mice
Authors: Yuan Huaibo , Wang Wenjuan , Chen Deyi , Zhu Xiping , Meng Lina 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDEnteric dysbiosis is associated with chronic inflammation and interacts with obesity and insulin resistance. Obesity and diabetes are induced in ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice fed a high‐fat diet and administered a streptozocin injection. These mice were treated with normal rice (NR), normal rice with a high resistant starch content (NRRS) or Se‐rich rice (selenium‐enriched rice) with a high resistant starch content (SRRS).RESULTSFaecal cell counts of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus were significantly higher in SRRS‐treated mice than in diabetic controls, while Enterobacter cloacae were lower. Similar results were also found in NRRS‐treated mice. In contrast, no significant difference was found between NR‐treated and diabetic control groups. The treatments with SRRS and NRRS reduced the faecal pH values of the diabetic mice. Regarding the inflammatory factor levels, lower levels of serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), nuclear factor‐k‐gene binding (NF‐κB) and leptin (LEP) and higher adiponutrin (ADPN) levels were found in the SRRS and NRRS‐treated mice compared with the diabetic and NR‐treated mice. In addition, the CRP, IL‐6 and NF‐κB levels in the SRRS‐treated mice were significantly reduced compared with those observed in the NRRS‐treated mice. The reverse transcription‐PCR (RT‐PCR) results showed that the SRRS and NRRS‐treated mice presented higher expression levels of orphan G protein‐coupled receptor 41 (GPR41) and orphan G protein‐coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) proteins compared with diabetic mice and NR‐treated mice.CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that treatments with rice high in RS exert beneficial effects by improving enteric dysbiosis and chronic inflammation. In addition, selenium and RS may exert synergistic effects on chronic inflammation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Anti‐inflammatory potential of black carrot (Daucus carota L.) polyphenols in a co‐culture model of intestinal Caco‐2 and endothelial EA.hy926 cells
Authors: Kamiloglu Senem , Grootaert Charlotte , Capanoglu Esra , Ozkan Ceren , Smagghe Guy , Raes Katleen , Van Camp John 
Published: August 2016

ScopeThe present study was developed to determine the ability of polyphenol‐rich black carrot and its by‐products, i.e., peel and pomace, to modulate the inflammatory response in tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) treated endothelial cells after gastrointestinal digestion and in a co‐culture of intestinal Caco‐2 and endothelial EA.hy926 cell model.ResultsThe results indicated that after 4 h of treatment, the transport of anthocyanins and phenolic acids was higher for digested samples (1.3−7%) compared to the undigested samples (0−3.3%). The transported polyphenols were able to downregulate the secretion of pro‐inflammatory markers, i.e. IL‐8, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and intercellular adhesion molecule 1, under normal and tumor necrosis factor α induced inflammatory conditions. The most pronounced protective effects were observed with digested samples under inflammatory conditions, which significantly decreased the secretion of all markers from 120−203% down to 34−144% (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOverall, these results show that the polyphenol‐rich black carrot absorption products may function through an inhibitory regulation of the inflammatory cascade in endothelial cells.
Resveratrol inhibits steroidogenesis in human fetal adrenocortical cells at the end of first trimester
Authors: Savchuk Iuliia , Morvan Marie‐Line , Søeborg Tue , Antignac Jean‐Philippe , Gemzell‐Danielsson Kristina , Le Bizec Bruno , Söder Olle , Svechnikov Konstantin 
Published: August 2016

ScopeResveratrol has a diverse array of healthful effects on metabolic parameters in different experimental paradigms but has also potential to inhibit steroidogenesis in rodent adrenals. The aim of the present study was to characterize the effects of resveratrol on human fetal adrenal steroidogenesis at gestational weeks (GW) 9–12.Methods and resultsAdrenals from aborted fetuses (GW10‐12) were used to prepare primary cultures of human fetal adrenocortical cells (HFAC). HFAC were treated in the presence or absence of ACTH (10 ng/mL) with or without resveratrol (10 μM) for 24 h. The production of steroids by HFAC was analyzed by gas and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem/mass spectrometry. The expression of steroidogenic enzymes at GW 9–12 was quantified by automated Western blotting. We observed that resveratrol significantly suppressed synthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and 11‐deoxicortisol by ACTH‐activated and unstimulated HFAC, which was associated with inhibition of the activities and expression of cytochromes 17α‐hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17) and 21‐hydroxylase (CYP21) in these fetal adrenocortical cells.ConclusionOur in vitro findings on the sensitivity of human fetal adrenal steroidogenesis to resveratrol at GW9‐12 suggest that intake of this polyphenol at high doses by women who are at early stages of pregnancy is undesirable.
Comparison of the effectiveness of repeated injections of onabotulinum toxin A for refractory idiopathic detrusor overactivity: analysis of an open label extension of a randomized trial (the RELAX study)
Authors: Owen Rhiannon K. , Abrams Keith R. , Mayne Christopher , Slack Mark , Tincello Douglas G. 
Published: August 2016

AIMSTo assess effects of repeat treatment with onabotulinumtoxin A (onaBoNT‐A) in women with refractory idiopathic detrusor overactivity (DO).METHODSAnalysis of an open‐label extension study of a large randomized placebo controlled trial of onaBoNT‐A. Participants had been randomized to receive 200 IU onaBoNTA or placebo and were offered up to two further onaBoNTA injections over a 5‐year period. For this analysis, the primary outcome was duration of treatment effect by patient‐reported symptom return. Weibull proportional hazards regression models were fitted in a Bayesian framework to estimate missing times. Multivariable hazard regression analysis (hazard ratio, 95% credible intervals (HR, 95% CrI) compared repeated injections adjusting for differences in baseline symptom severity. Secondary outcomes included inter‐injection interval, incontinence, urgency, and voiding episodes 6 weeks after injection.RESULTSFour hundred and forty‐two active injections were administered: 228 patients had one, 155 had two, and 59 had three injections. Time to symptom return for injection number 1 and 2 was 84 (95%CI: 63, 112) and 180 (95%CI: 135, 223) days, respectively. Median inter‐injection intervals for receiving second and third injection were 266 days (range: 130, 1400) and 372 days (range: 134, 1283). No statistically significant differences in symptom outcomes or time to symptom return (HR 0.88, 95% CrI 0.37, 2.07 for injection 2, HR 0.33, 95% CrI 0.09, 1.03 for injection 3) were observed.CONCLUSIONSRepeated onaBoNT‐A injections have consistent efficacy and duration of action. There appears to be long‐term placebo effects in both groups of randomized patients, with implications for open‐label extension studies.
A Comparison of Scientists’ Arguments and School Argumentation Tasks
Authors: MACPHERSON ANNA C. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTThis study sought to investigate the arguments that ecologists engage in as part of their work and to compare their arguments with the way in which ecological arguments have been presented in school argumentation tasks. Ten ecologists, in subfields ranging from individual/behavioral ecology to global ecology, participated in semistructured interviews. Transcripts were coded using a framework for analyzing arguments as well as open coding to identify emergent themes. Ecologists’ descriptions of their arguments were compared with a set of published school argumentation tasks. Ecologists’ descriptions differed from school tasks mainly in terms of the types of claims offered. Whereas the ecologists all mentioned causal claims (i.e., claims that attempt to offer an underlying cause for natural phenomena), school argumentation tasks asked students to construct and critique mainly descriptive claims (i.e., claims that describe natural phenomena) and prescriptive claims (i.e., claims about human decision making). Furthermore, while ecologists emphasized the importance of critique in their arguments, school argumentation tasks generally ignored this aspect. The lack of materials addressing causal claims raises questions: Why are these types of claims absent from school science, and how can we design tasks that ask students to construct and, importantly, critique such claims?
Birth weight in live births and stillbirths
Authors: Poon L. C. Y. , Tan M. Y. , Yerlikaya G. , Syngelaki A. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo establish a normal range of birth weights for gestational age at delivery and to compare the proportion of live births and stillbirths that are classified as small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) according to our normal range vs that of the INTERGROWTH‐21st standard.MethodsThe study population comprised 113 019 live births and 437 (0.4%) stillbirths. The inclusion criterion for establishing a normal range of birth weights for gestational age was the live birth of a phenotypically normal neonate ≥ 24 weeks' gestation and the exclusion criteria were smoking and prepregnancy hypertension, diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid syndrome, pre‐eclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus or iatrogenic preterm birth for fetal growth restriction in the current pregnancy. Inclusion criteria were met by 92 018 live births. The proportions of live births and stillbirths with birth weights < 5th and < 10th percentiles of our normal range and those according to the INTERGROWTH‐21st standard were determined and compared by the chi‐square test and McNemar test.ResultsThe proportions of live births and stillbirths with a birth weight < 5th percentile according to our standard were significantly higher than and discordant with the proportion according to the INTERGROWTH‐21st standard (live birth: 5.6% vs 3.4%; stillbirth: 37.2% vs 22.7%). Similarly, the proportion of live births and stillbirths with a birth weight < 10th percentile according to our standard were significantly higher than and discordant with those according to the INTERGROWTH‐21st standard (live birth: 11.2% vs 6.9%; stillbirth: 44.3% vs 32.6%).ConclusionThe INTERGROWTH‐21st standard underestimates the proportion of SGA live births and stillbirths in our population. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Prediction of stillbirth from placental growth factor at 11–13 weeks
Authors: Akolekar R. , Machuca M. , Mendes M. , Paschos V. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo investigate whether the addition of maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) measured at 11–13 weeks' gestation improves the performance of screening for stillbirths that is achieved by a combination of maternal factors and first‐trimester biomarkers such as maternal serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A), fetal ductus venosus pulsatility index for veins (DV‐PIV) and uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI) and to evaluate the performance of screening with this model for all stillbirths and those due to impaired placentation and unexplained causes.MethodsThis was a prospective screening study of 45 452 singleton pregnancies including 45 225 live births and 227 (0.49%) antepartum stillbirths; 131 (58%) were secondary to impaired placentation and 96 (42%) were due to other or unexplained causes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether the addition of maternal serum PlGF improved the performance of screening that was achieved by a combination of maternal factors and PAPP‐A, DV‐PIV and UtA‐PI.ResultsSignificant contribution to the prediction of stillbirth was provided by maternal factor‐derived a‐priori risk and multiples of the median values of PlGF, DV‐PIV and UtA‐PI but not of serum PAPP‐A. A model combining these variables predicted 42% of all stillbirths and 61% of those due to impaired placentation, at a false‐positive rate of 10%; within the impaired placentation group the detection rate of stillbirth < 32 weeks' gestation was higher than that of stillbirth ≥ 37 weeks (71% vs 46%; P = 0.031).ConclusionsA high proportion of stillbirths due to impaired placentation can be identified effectively in the first trimester of pregnancy. Addition of PlGF improves the performance of screening achieved by other maternal factors and biomarkers. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Prediction of stillbirth from maternal demographic and pregnancy characteristics
Authors: Yerlikaya G. , Akolekar R. , McPherson K. , Syngelaki A. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo develop a model for prediction of stillbirth based on maternal characteristics and components of medical history and to evaluate the performance of screening with this model for all stillbirths and those due to impaired placentation and to unexplained causes.MethodsThis was a prospective screening study of 113 415 singleton pregnancies at 11 + 0 to 13 + 6 weeks' gestation and at 19 + 0 to 24 + 6 weeks. The study population included 113 019 live births and 396 (0.35%) antepartum stillbirths; 230 (58%) were secondary to impaired placentation and 166 (42%) were due to other or unexplained causes. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors from maternal characteristics and medical history which provided a significant contribution to the prediction of stillbirth.ResultsThe risk for stillbirth increased with maternal weight (odds ratio (OR), 1.01 per kg above 69 kg), was higher in women of Afro‐Caribbean racial origin (OR, 2.01), those with assisted conception (OR, 1.79), cigarette smokers (OR, 1.71), and in those with a history of chronic hypertension (OR, 2.62), systemic lupus erythematosus/antiphospholipid syndrome (OR, 3.61) or diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.55) and was increased in women with a history of previous stillbirth (OR, 4.81). Screening with the model predicted 26% of unexplained stillbirths and 31% of those due to impaired placentation, at a false‐positive rate of 10%; within the impaired‐placentation group the detection rate of stillbirth < 32 weeks' gestation was higher than that of stillbirth ≥ 37 weeks (38% vs 28%).ConclusionsA model based on maternal characteristics and medical history recorded in early pregnancy can potentially predict one‐third of subsequent stillbirths. The extent to which such stillbirths could be prevented remains to be determined. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Microtubule‐based force generation
Authors: Kent Ian A. , Lele Tanmay P. 
Published: August 2016

Microtubules are vital to many important cell processes, such as cell division, transport of cellular cargo, organelle positioning, and cell migration. Owing to their diverse functions, understanding microtubule function is an important part of cell biological research that can help in combating various diseases. For example, microtubules are an important target of chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel because of their pivotal role in cell division. Many functions of microtubules relate to the generation of mechanical forces. These forces are generally either a direct result of microtubule polymerization/depolymerization or generated by motor proteins that move processively along microtubules. In this review, we summarize recent efforts to quantify and model force generation by microtubules in the context of microtubule function. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1428. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1428This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Cells at the Nanoscale
Key role of LaeA and velvet complex proteins on expression of β-lactam and PR-toxin genes in Penicillium chrysogenum: cross-talk regulation of secondary metabolite pathways
Authors: Martín Juan F 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Penicillium chrysogenum is an excellent model fungus to study the molecular mechanisms of control of expression of secondary metabolite genes. A key global regulator of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites is the LaeA protein that interacts with other components of the velvet complex (VelA, VelB, VelC, VosA). These components interact with LaeA and regulate expression of penicillin and PR-toxin biosynthetic genes in P. chrysogenum. Both LaeA and VelA are positive regulators of the penicillin and PR-toxin biosynthesis, whereas VelB acts as antagonist of the effect of LaeA and VelA. Silencing or deletion of the laeA gene has a strong negative effect on penicillin biosynthesis and overexpression of laeA increases penicillin production. Expression of the laeA gene is enhanced by the P. chrysogenum autoinducers 1,3 diaminopropane and spermidine. The PR-toxin gene cluster is very poorly expressed in P. chrysogenum under penicillin-production conditions (i.e. it is a near-silent gene cluster). Interestingly, the downregulation of expression of the PR-toxin gene cluster in the high producing strain P. chrysogenum DS17690 was associated with mutations in both the laeA and velA genes. Analysis of the laeA and velA encoding genes in this high penicillin producing strain revealed that both laeA and velA acquired important mutations during the strain improvement programs thus altering the ratio of different secondary metabolites (e.g. pigments, PR-toxin) synthesized in the high penicillin producing mutants when compared to the parental wild type strain. Cross-talk of different secondary metabolite pathways has also been found in various Penicillium spp.: P. chrysogenum mutants lacking the penicillin gene cluster produce increasing amounts of PR-toxin, and mutants of P. roqueforti silenced in the PR-toxin genes produce large amounts of mycophenolic acid. The LaeA-velvet complex mediated regulation and the pathway cross-talk phenomenon has great relevance for improving the production of novel secondary metabolites, particularly of those secondary metabolites which are produced in trace amounts encoded by silent or near-silent gene clusters.
Morphology-influenced wetting model of nanopore structures
Authors: Kim Sunghan , Choi Hyunho , Polycarpou Andreas A. , Liang Hong 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Understanding the wetting behavior of nanostructures is important for surface design. The present study examined the intrinsic wettability of nanopore structures, and proposed a theoretical wetting model. Using this model, it was found that the wetting behavior of nanopore structures depends on the morphology of a surface. To accurately predict the wetting behavior of nanopore structures, correction factors were introduced. As a result, the proposed wetting model can be used to predict the wettability of nanopore structures for various engineering purposes.
Comparison of maternal and neonatal outcomes from full‐dilatation cesarean deliveries using the Fetal Pillow or hand‐push method
Authors: Safa Huda , Beckmann Michael 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo compare maternal and neonatal outcomes of full‐dilatation cesarean deliveries using the Fetal Pillow or hand‐ push method.MethodsA retrospective cohort study included data from all women who underwent full‐dilatation cesarean deliveries at term that involved the use of the Fetal Pillow or the hand‐push method at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, Brisbane, Australia between May 1, 2013 and March 31, 2015. Maternal (estimated blood loss, need for blood transfusion, uterine angle extension, and duration of stay in hospital following delivery) and neonatal outcomes (5‐minute Apgar score below 7, cord arterial pH, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, and need for endotracheal intubation) were compared between the two treatment methods.ResultsOf 361 cesarean deliveries performed at full dilation during the study period, clinicians documented the use of a Fetal Pillow in 91 deliveries and use of the hand‐push method in 69. Lower mean intra‐operative blood loss (P = 0.026), a shorter duration of postpartum hospital admission (P = 0.002), and higher mean cord arterial pH (P = 0.003) were observed in the Fetal Pillow group.ConclusionThe Fetal Pillow appears to be a safe and effective aid for the delivery of the fetal head during cesarean deliveries at full dilatation.
Clinical correlates of leiomyoma estrogen and progesterone receptors among Nigerian women
Authors: Awowole Ibraheem O. , Makinde Olufemiwa N. , Badejoko Olusegun O. , Omoniyi‐Esan Ganiyat O. , Tijani Aramide M. , Ajenifuja Kayode O. , Loto Olabisi M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the expression of estrogen receptor α (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) in myometrium and leiomyomata tissue, and to correlate their expression with symptoms of uterine leiomyomata.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional study, intraoperative biopsy samples of leiomyomata and adjacent myometrial specimens were obtained from premenopausal women with uterine leiomyomata treated at a center in Nigeria between September 2013 and August 2014. Immunohistochemistry for ERα and PR expression was performed on the samples. The immunoscores of both receptors were correlated with the size and symptoms of the leiomyomata.ResultsAmong 60 pairs of samples, leiomyomata had a higher mean expression of ERα (H‐score 193.42 ± 64.55 vs 153.29 ± 69.13; P = 0.01) and PR (214.86 ± 66.56 vs 171.53 ± 63.53; P < 0.001) than did myometrial tissues. The tumor diameter correlated negatively with the immunoscores of both receptors irrespective of age, parity, and body mass index, but this was only significant for PR (ρ =–0.44; P < 0.001). Downregulation of PR on leiomyomata was predicted to occur at a diameter of 11 cm. Menorrhagia, dysmenorrhea, and infertility occurred independently of steroid‐receptor expression.ConclusionLeiomyomata seem to depend on steroid hormones, but only during early tumor development. This could have implications for the selection of patients for medical management, especially with steroid‐receptor modulators.