bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low annual frequency of HbA1c testing in people with Type 2 diabetes in primary care practices in Germany
Authors: Kostev K. , Jacob L. , Lucas A. , Rathmann W. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimsTo analyse the annual frequency of HbA1c testing, as well as the factors associated with higher or lower testing frequency, in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in general practices and specialist diabetes practices in Germany.MethodsA total of 43 509 people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes between January 2016 and December 2016 in 557 medical practices (51% of all practices) were included in this study. The primary outcome was the annual recorded frequency of HbA1c testing in 2016. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify variables associated with the odds of HbA1c concentration being tested at least twice in 2016, using predefined demographic and clinical variables.ResultsThe mean (sd) number of reported HbA1c tests was 2.7 (1.6) in 2016. Overall, 74% of individuals had at least two annual HbA1c measurements. The likelihood of receiving ≥2 HbA1c tests was inversely associated with stroke (odds ratio 0.81, 95% CI 0.74–0.89), shorter diabetes duration (≤1 year: odds ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.70–0.84) and higher mean HbA1c concentration (≥8.5%: odds ratio 0.85, 95% CI 0.76–0.94) and was positively associated with specialist diabetes care (odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.14–1.36), hypertension (odds ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.04–1.17), hyperlipidaemia (odds ratio 1.48, 95% CI 1.41 to 1.55), renal complications (odds ratio 1.41, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.50), neuropathy (odds ratio 1.27, CI 1.20 to 1.35) and retinopathy (odds ratio 1.38, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.52).ConclusionsOnly three out of four individuals with Type 2 diabetes underwent at least two HbA1c tests in Germany in 2016, which means that 25% of individuals underwent fewer tests than required by German guidelines.
MicroRNA‐145 regulates disabled‐2 and Wnt3a expression in cardiomyocytes under hyperglycaemia
Authors: Wang Bao‐Wei , Fang Wei‐Jen , Shyu Kou‐Gi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAimsMicroRNA‐145 (miR‐145) could protect cardiomyocyte apoptosis against oxidative stress and repair infarcted myocardium. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a pro‐inflammatory cytokine could modulate myocardial remodelling. However, the role of hyperglycaemia on miR‐145 expression in cardiomyocyte or diabetes is not known. The effect of Ang II on miR‐145 expression under hyperglycaemia in cardiomyocytes remains unknown. We sought to investigate the effect of hyperglycaemia and Ang II on miR‐145 expression in cardiomyocytes.MethodsRat cardiomyocytes were cultured under high glucose concentration (25 mmol/L), and streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats were established. TaqMan® MicroRNA real‐time quantitative assay was used to quantitate miR‐145.ResultsSustained high glucose concentration (hyperglycaemia) significantly decreased miR‐145 expression in cardiomyocytes. Hyperglycaemia significantly increased Ang II mRNA expression and secretion from rat cardiomyocytes. Ang II suppressed miR‐145 expression in cardiomyocytes. Hyperglycaemia increased Dab2 and decreased Wnt3a/ß‐catenin expression in cardiomyocytes. Repression of miR‐145 expression by Ang II resulted in increased Dab2 and decreased Wnt3a and ß‐catenin expression under hyperglycaemia. In contrast, overexpression of miR‐145 significantly decreased Dab2 mRNA and protein expression, whereas the mRNA and protein levels for Wnt3a and ß‐catenin were significantly reduced in left ventricular myocardium from 5 days to 28 days in diabetic rats. The protein expression patterns of Dab2 and Wnt3a/ß‐catenin in left ventricular myocardium of diabetic rats could be reversed upon treatment with valsartan.ConclusionsAng II downregulates miR‐145 to regulate Dab2 and Wnt3a/ß‐catenin expression in cardiomyocytes under high glucose concentration. Ang II plays a critical role in the regulation of miR‐145 in cardiomyocytes under hyperglycaemic conditions.
E‐selectin gene in essential hypertension: a case‐control study
Authors: Srivastava Kamna , Chandra Sudhir , Narang Rajiv , Bhatia Jagriti , Saluja Daman 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundHypertension is associated with endothelial cell dysfunction. E‐selectin, an endothelial cell adhesion molecule, is specific for endothelial cell activation. Polymorphism in E‐selectin gene has recently been identified among which Leu554Phe E‐selectin gene polymorphism is least investigated in essential hypertension. This study reports the association of E‐selectin gene Leu554Phe polymorphism and the expression of E‐selectin gene in patients with essential hypertension.Materials and methodsWe analysed the Leu554Phe polymorphism and expression of E‐selectin gene in 250 patients with essential hypertension and 250 normal healthy controls. Genotyping of Leu554Phe polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), and the expression of E‐selectin gene at mRNA and protein levels were carried out by real‐time PCR and Western blot, respectively.ResultsA significant association of E‐selectin genotypes (CT + TT) with essential hypertension (P < .0001, Odds ratio = 2.2 [1.58‐3.24] at 95% CI) was observed. The expression of mRNA for E‐selectin gene in patients with essential hypertension was ~12‐fold higher as compared to control. We observed an elevated level of E‐selectin protein expression (up to 1.9 times) in patients as compared to controls.ConclusionsA significant association of E‐selectin (Leu554Phe) gene and increased expression of E‐selectin gene at mRNA and protein levels in patients might be related to the genetic predisposition to develop essential hypertension.
Sublingual functional capillary rarefaction in chronic heart failure
Authors: Wadowski Patricia P. , Hülsmann Martin , Schörgenhofer Christian , Lang Irene M. , Wurm Raphael , Gremmel Thomas , Koppensteiner Renate , Steinlechner Barbara , Schwameis Michael , Jilma Bernd 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackground and objectiveMicrocirculatory changes contribute to clinical symptoms and disease progression in chronic heart failure (CHF). A depression of coronary flow reserve is associated with a lower myocardial capillary density in biopsies. We hypothesized that changes in cardiac microcirculation might also be reflected by a systemic reduction in capillaries and visualized by sublingual videomicroscopy. The aim was to study in vivo capillary density and glycocalyx dimensions in patients with CHF vs healthy controls.MethodsFifty patients with ischaemic and nonischaemic CHF and standard treatment were compared to 35 healthy age‐matched subjects in a prospective cross‐sectional study. Sublingual microcirculation was visualized using a sidestream darkfield videomicroscope. Functional and perfused total capillary densities were compared between patients and controls. A reduced glycocalyx thickness was measured by an increased perfused boundary region (PBR).ResultsMedian functional and total perfused capillary densities were 30% and 45% lower in patients with CHF (both P < .001). Intake of oral vitamin K antagonists was associated with significantly lower capillary densities (P < .05), but not independent of NT‐proBNP. Dimensions of the glycocalyx were marginally lower in CHF patients than in healthy controls (<7% difference). However, PBR correlated significantly with inflammation markers (fibrinogen: r = .58; C‐reactive protein: r = .42), platelet counts (r = .36) and inversely with measures of liver/renal function such as bilirubin (r = −.38) or estimated glomerular filtration rate (r = −.34) in CHF patients.ConclusionCHF patients have got a markedly lower functional and total perfused capillary density in sublingual microvasculature when compared to controls, indicating a systemic decrease in microcirculation.
Thinking about cases: Applying Kant's universal law formula
Authors: Bojanowski Jochen 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAccording to a widespread view, Kant's claim that moral wrongness has its ground in a contradiction underlying every immoral action is a “bluff” rooted in “dogmatic moralism”. Ever since Benjamin Constant's exchange with Kant, counterexamples have played a crucial role in showing why Kant's “universalization procedure” fails to determine the moral validity of our judgments. Despite recent attempts to bring Kant's ethics closer to Aristotle's, these counterexamples have prevailed. Most recently, Jesse Prinz has launched another attack along the same lines. Prinz insists that Kant's universalization procedure fundamentally begs the question and fails to generate plausible results. Even authors who are very sympathetic to Kant, such as Allen Wood, have tried to downplay universalization, focusing instead on other formulations of the categorical imperative. In this paper, I respond directly to four of the most prominent counterexamples. In each case, I aim to show how we can uphold Kant's fundamental claim that the universal law formulation of the categorical imperative articulates the form of our particular moral judgments.
Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein astrocytopathy in Chinese patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Long Y. , Liang J. , Xu H. , Huang Q. , Yang J. , Gao C. , Qiu W. , Lin S. , Chen X. 
Published: November 2017

Background and purposeThe aim was to describe the clinical, radiological and pathological features of an autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy.MethodsData from 19 patients with positiveGFAP‐immunoglobulin G in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThe main disease manifestations included myelitis (68.4%), headache (63.2%), abnormal vision (63.2%), fever (52.6%), ataxia (36.8%), psychosis (31.6%), dyskinesia (15.8%), dementia (15.8%) and seizure (10.5%). Seventeen patients had brain abnormalities (89.5%), of which eight (42.1%) revealed the characteristic radial enhancing and laminar patterns. Cortical abnormalities were found in four patients (21.1%). Other abnormalities were found in the hypothalamus, midbrain, pons, medulla cerebellum, meninges and skull. Eleven patients had longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions.CSFabnormalities were detected in all patients. Pathological examinations of four patients revealed extensive inflammation, with prominent perivascular B cells and T cells. Abundant antibody‐secreting cells were noted in the interstitial and perivascular spaces. Immunohistochemical analysis showed loss of astrocytes and neurons.ConclusionThe present patients with positiveGFAP‐immunoglobulin G are highly similar to autoimmuneGFAPastrocytopathy, described in a recent report. The features of the neuropathology and immunopathology ofGFAPastrocytopathies were perivascular inflammation and loss of astrocytes and neurons.
Visualization of dendritic cells’ responses in atopic dermatitis: Preventing effect of emollient
Authors: Mias Céline , Le Digabel Jimmy , Filiol Jérôme , Gontier Etienne , Gravier Eléonore , Villaret Aurélie , Nocera Thérèse , Questel Emmanuel , Rossi Ana‐Beatris , Redoulès Daniel , Josse Gwendal 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and multifactorial inflammatory skin disease involving various dendritic cells such as epidermal Langerhans cells (LC) and inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells (IDECs). Most of the clinical studies was performed on isolated cells, and thus, it would be useful to characterize directly on the human epidermal tissue the first cellular events occurred during the AD. The suction blister method was used to obtain whole epidermis samples and interstitial cutaneous fluids. Employing multiphoton microscopy, we analyzed the early dynamic behavior of inflammatory cells using Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus atopy patch test (Derp‐APT) and evaluated the effects of emollient pre‐application. Derp‐APT application provoked rapid and strong infiltration of IDECs, and proliferation and activation of LC in the AD subjects’ epidermis. Moreover, emollient pre‐application strengthened the defective skin barrier and had positive effects on inflammatory cells’ behavior, characterized by the complete inhibition of IDEC influx and the presence of immature LC.
BRAF mutations might be more common than supposed in vulvar melanomas
Authors: Wylomanski Sophie , Denis Marc G. , Théoleyre Sandrine , Bouquin Réjane , Vallée Audrey , Knol Anne‐Chantal , Saint‐Jean Mélanie , Peuvrel Lucie , Dréno Brigitte , Quéreux Gaëlle 
Published: November 2017

AbstractData on BRAF, NRAS and KIT mutations are scarce in patients with vulvo‐vaginal melanomas and are associated with important therapeutic issues. We investigated their prevalence in a cohort of patients with female lower genital tract melanomas between 2003 and 2017. Of the 22 patients, 5 (22.7%) harboured a BRAF mutation, which was much higher than the rate of 5% reported in the literature. One patient, who was tested negative on the primary melanoma, had a NRAS mutation in a cutaneous metastasis. Our data provide a rationale for prospective and repeated mutations testing in female lower genital tract melanomas.
Comparative study of amlodipine vs. cilnidipine for the prevention of hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion injury in rat model
Authors: Fouda Abdel‐Motaal , Youssef Amany R. , Sharaf Eldin Osama 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCa2+ signaling plays crucial role in ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Although blockade of L‐type Ca2+ channels by amlodipine (AML) has been shown to suppress hepatic I/R injury in several animal models, information is still needed regarding the hepatoprotective effects of the dual L/N‐type Ca2+ channel blockers, cilnidipine (CIL). We examined the effect of pretreatment with AML or CIL (100 μg/kg i.p.) 45 min before induction of 60 min of liver ischemia followed by reperfusion, on oxidative stress markers, liver enzymes, serum tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, apoptosis markers, and nuclear factor KB after 6 and 24 h of hepatic reperfusion. Both drugs significantly ameliorated biochemical and histological markers of hepatic I/R injury, but protection with CIL was more significant at the 6‐h time point where protection with AML outlasted that of CIL. Both drugs offered significant protection against hepatic I/R damage, but the protection with CIL seemed more potent but of shorter duration than that observed with AML possibly due to the shorter half‐life of CIL.
The role of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs intramuscular injection in the development and severity of deep soft tissue infection in mice
Authors: Ture Zeynep , Demiraslan Hayati , Kontas Olgun , Alp Emine , Doganay Mehmet 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the role of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) injection on the severity of local infection and the effect on the progression of soft tissue infection (STI).The mouse model of STI with Group A streptococcus (GAS) was developed and treated with diclofenac sodium (DS) intramuscularly. Mice were divided into five groups: administered DS for 48 h before GAS (Group 1), GAS‐DS and maintained DS for 48 h (Group 2), DS for 48 h (Group 3), GAS on zero time (Group 4), and control (Group 5). In vitro, a high concentration (40 mg/L) of DS inhibited GAS growth, whereas a lower concentration (0.4 mg/L) was not effective. Sepsis was observed in animals with DS and GAS inoculation (group 1 and 2). Group 4 had statistically significant higher bacterial load than groups 1 and 2. All groups had a higher inflammation rate than the control group. The median of TNF‐alpha and mean IL‐6 in the groups 1, 2, and 4 was significantly higher than those in the control group. Even if the animals that were treated with DS injection prior to the GAS inoculation had similar inflammation score, similar cytokine levels and low bacterial load in the tissue, they had a rather high rate of sepsis. In conclusion, DS injection prior to bacterial inoculation might predispose to bacteremia and sepsis.
Cicatricial organising pneumonia mimicking a fibrosing interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Churg Andrew , Wright Joanne L , Bilawich AnaMaria 
Published: November 2017

AimsOrganising pneumonia (OP) is composed of loose granulation tissue plugs in distal airspaces; these disappear with steroid treatment. Recently a variant labelled ‘cicatricial’ OP has been described in which the granulation tissue organised to much denser fibrous tissue but still retained the usual pattern of OP. Here we report 10 patients thought to have an interstitial lung disease, and who on biopsy had a variant of cicatricial OP characterised by linear bands or small nodular masses of dense fibrous tissue that does not resemble ordinary OP.Methods and resultsThe bands/nodules were usually distributed randomly but occasionally resembled fibrotic non‐specific interstitial pneumonia in local areas. Small foci of loose granulation tissue at the edge of the fibrotic bands sometimes mimicked fibroblast foci. Recognisable conventional OP was always present, but often in very small amounts. Four cases, including one patient with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, showed formation of bone in the fibrotic bands and nodules. On computerised tomography (CT) scan of the chest some cases looked like typical OP, but some demonstrated only irregularly distributed linear opacities, sometimes with associated calcification. Follow‐up imaging on six cases showed that the process either markedly improved or remained stable over time; no case had progressive disease.ConclusionsCicatricial OP with this pathological pattern represents an uncommon form of OP that appears to be a generally benign process which may have persisting linear opacities on CT scan but that does not progress; however, it can be confused on biopsy and CT with a fibrosing interstitial pneumonia.
The role of radar wind profilers in ornithology
Authors: Weisshaupt Nadja , Arizaga Juan , Maruri Mercedes 
Published: November 2017

In the past 70 years radar technology has been increasingly applied in ornithological research in various geographical areas worldwide and has contributed greatly to a better understanding of bird migration. Many different radar types have been used, such as tracking, ship or weather radars. However, radar wind profilers (RWPs) have been largely neglected in avian research. RWPs continuously measure three‐dimensional winds and, despite the low frequency range at which these systems operate, available literature provides evidence that birds are recorded at many sites. So far the potential of RWPs in ornithological research has not been fully explored and studies deal predominantly with birds in the context of clutter removal. However, based on their broad implementation in networks (e.g. E‐PROFILE in Europe) situated in areas that are strategically important for bird migration, they could offer a valuable complement to already established or planned large‐scale bird monitoring schemes by radar. The objective of this paper is to serve as a reference for those who wish to consider RWP data in a biological context. To that end, we provide an overview of the evolution and establishment of operational RWPs as well as of their mode of operation, in order to depict their role in meteorology and to evaluate their potential in ornithology. The assessment is based on available literature on RWPs and radar ornithology outlining the past, present and potential future role of wind profilers. In the past, birds were discarded as contamination and eliminated as far as possible from the meteorological data. Only recently have the echo signatures of biological targets been scrutinized thoroughly in raw data and used successfully for ornithological investigation. On this basis it is possible to consider the potential future utility of this promising data source as a complement to other remote‐sensing instruments and other sampling techniques used in avian research. Weather independence of ornithological information was found to be a particular benefit. However, as the development of the bird‐specific method is only in an early stage, more detailed studies are necessary in the future to fully assess the potential of this type of radar.
Migration and wintering strategies in vulnerable Mediterranean Osprey populations
Authors: Monti Flavio , Grémillet David , Sforzi Andrea , Sammuri Giampiero , Dominici Jean Marie , Triay Bagur Rafel , Muñoz Navarro Antoni , Fusani Leonida , Duriez Olivier 
Published: November 2017

A broad range of migration strategies exist in avian species, and different strategies can occur in different populations of the same species. For the breeding Osprey Pandion haliaetus populations of the Mediterranean, sporadic observations of ringed birds collected in the past suggested variations in migratory and wintering behaviour. We used GPS tracking data from 41 individuals from Corsica, the Balearic Islands and continental Italy to perform the first detailed analysis of the migratory and wintering strategies of these Osprey populations. Ospreys showed heterogeneous migratory behaviour, with 73% of the individuals migrating and the remaining 27% staying all year round at breeding sites. For migratory individuals, an extremely short duration of migration (5.2 ± 2.6 days) was recorded. Mediterranean Ospreys were able to perform long non‐stop flights over the open sea, sometimes overnight. They also performed pre‐ and post‐migratory trips to secondary sites, before or after crossing the sea during both autumn and spring migration. Ospreys spent the winter at temperate latitudes and showed high plasticity in habitat selection, using marine bays, coastal lagoons/marshland and inland freshwater sites along the coasts of different countries of the Mediterranean basin. Movements and home‐range areas were restricted during the wintering season. The short duration of trips and high levels of variability in migratory routes and wintering grounds revealed high behavioural plasticity among individuals, probably promoted by the relatively low seasonal variability in ecological conditions throughout the year in the Mediterranean region, and weak competition for non‐breeding sites. We stress the importance of considering the diversity in migration strategies and the particular ecology of these vulnerable populations, especially in relation to proactive management measures for the species at the scale of the Mediterranean region.