bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vdrive Evaluation of Remote Steering and Testing in Lasso Electrophysiology Procedures Study: The VERSATILE Study in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Authors: NÖLKER GEORG , SCHWAGTEN BRUNO , DEVILLE J. BRIAN , BURKHARDT J. DAVID , HORTON RODNEY P. , SHA QUN , TOMASSONI GERY 
Published: March 2016

Remote Navigation of Circular Mapping CathetersIntroductionCircular mapping catheters (CMC) are an essential tool in most atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. The Vdrive™ with V‐Loop™ system enables a physician to remotely manipulate a CMC during electrophysiology studies. Our aim was to compare the clinical performance of the system to conventional CMC navigation according to efficiency and safety endpoints.Methods and ResultsA total of 120 patients scheduled to undergo a CMC study followed by pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were included. Treatment allocation was randomized 2:1, remote navigation:manual navigation. The primary effectiveness endpoint was assessed based on both successful navigation to the targeted pulmonary vein (PV) and successful recording of PV electrograms. All PVs were treated independently within and between patients. The primary safety endpoint was assessed based on the occurrence of major adverse events (MAEs) through seven days after the study procedure.Primary effectiveness endpoints were achieved in 295/302 PVs in the Vdrive arm (97.7%) and 167/167 PVs in the manual arm (100%). Effectiveness analysis indicates Vdrive non‐inferiority (pnon‐inferiority = 0.0405; δ = –0.05) per the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test adjusted for PV correlation. Five MAEs related to the ablation procedure occurred (three in the Vdrive arm—3.9%; two in the manual arm—2.33%). No device‐related MAEs were observed; safety analysis indicates Vdrive non‐inferiority (pnon‐inferiority = 0.0441; δ = 0.07) per the normal Z test.ConclusionRemote navigation of a CMC is equivalent to manual in PVI in terms of safety and effectiveness. This allows for single‐operator procedures in conjunction with a magnetically guided ablation catheter.
Production of CCL20 from lung cancer cells induces the cell migration and proliferation through PI3K pathway
Authors: Wang Beibei , Shi Lin , Sun Xiaoru , Wang Lingyan , Wang Xiangdong , Chen Chengshui 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTumour inflammatory microenvironment is considered to play a role in the sensitivity of tumour cells to therapies and prognosis of patients with lung cancer. The expression of CCL20, one of the critical chemoattractants responsible for inflammation cells recruitment, has been shown overexpressed in variety of tumours. This study aimed at investigating potential mechanisms of CCL20 function and production in human non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expression of CCL20 gene and protein in lung tissues of patients with NSCLC and NSCLC cells (A549) were determined. The interleukin (IL)‐1β‐induced signal pathways in A549 and the effect of CCL20‐induced A549 cell migration and proliferation were determined using migration assays and cell‐alive monitoring system. Mechanisms of signal pathways involved in the migration of CCL20 were also studied. We initially found that NSCLC tumour tissues markedly overexpressed CCL20 in comparison with normal lung samples. In addition, IL‐1β could directly promote CCL20 production in lung cancer cells, which was inhibited by extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 inhibitor, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38 MARP) inhibitor or PI3K inhibitors. CCL20 promoted lung cancer cells migration and proliferation in an autocrine manner via activation of ERK1/2‐MAPK and PI3K pathways. Our data indicated that IL‐1β could stimulate CCL20 production from lung cancer cells through the activation of MAPKs and PI3K signal pathways, and the auto‐secretion of CCL20 could promote lung cancer cell migration and proliferation through the activation of ERK and PI3K signal pathways. Our results may provide a novel evidence that CCL20 could be a new therapeutic target for lung cancer.
Knockdown of cullin 4A inhibits growth and increases chemosensitivity in lung cancer cells
Authors: Hung Ming‐Szu , Chen I‐Chuan , You Liang , Jablons David M. , Li Ya‐Chin , Mao Jian‐Hua , Xu Zhidong , Lung Jr‐Hau , Yang Cheng‐Ta , Liu Shih‐Tung 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCullin 4A (Cul4A) has been observed to be overexpressed in various cancers. In this study, the role of Cul4A in the growth and chemosensitivity in lung cancer cells were studied. We showed that Cul4A is overexpressed in lung cancer cells and tissues. Knockdown of the Cul4A expression by shRNA in lung cancer cells resulted in decreased cellular proliferation and growth in lung cancer cells. Increased sensitivity to gemcitabine, a chemotherapy drug, was also noted in those Cul4A knockdown lung cancer cells. Moreover, increased expression of p21, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β inducible early gene‐1 (TIEG1) and TGF beta‐induced (TGFBI) was observed in lung cancer cells after Cul4A knockdown, which may be partially related to increased chemosensitivity to gemcitabine. G0/G1 cell cycle arrest was also noted after Cul4A knockdown. Notably, decreased tumour growth and increased chemosensitivity to gemcitabine were also noted after Cul4A knockdown in lung cancer xenograft nude mice models. In summary, our study showed that targeting Cul4A with RNAi or other techniques may provide a possible insight to the development of lung cancer therapy in the future.
Aspirin induces Nrf2‐mediated transcriptional activation of haem oxygenase‐1 in protection of human melanocytes from H2O2‐induced oxidative stress
Authors: Jian Zhe , Tang Lingzhen , Yi Xiuli , Liu Bangmin , Zhang Qian , Zhu Guannan , Wang Gang , Gao Tianwen , Li Chunying 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe removal of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) by antioxidants has been proven to be beneficial to patients with vitiligo. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) has antioxidant activity and has great preventive and therapeutical effect in many oxidative stress‐relevant diseases. Whether ASA can protect human melanocytes against oxidative stress needs to be further studied. Here, we investigated the potential protective effect and mechanisms of ASA against H2O2‐induced oxidative injury in human melanocytes. Human melanocytes were pre‐treated with different concentrations of ASA, followed by exposure to 1.0 mM H2O2. Cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated by flow cytometry, and cell viability was determined by an Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay. Total and phosphorylated NRF2 expression, NRF2 nuclear translocation and antioxidant response element (ARE) transcriptional activity were assayed with or without Nrf2‐siRNA transfection to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms. Concomitant with an increase in viability, pre‐treatment of 10‐90 μmol/l ASA resulted in decreased rate of apoptotic cells, lactate dehydrogenase release and intracellular ROS levels in primary human melanocytes. Furthermore, we found ASA dramatically induced NRF2 nuclear translocation, enhanced ARE‐luciferase activity, increased both p‐ NRF2 and total NRF2 levels, and induced the expression of haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) in human melanocytes. In addition, knockdown of Nrf2 expression or pharmacological inhibition of HO‐1 abrogated the protective action of ASA on melanocytes against H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. These results suggest that ASA protects human melanocytes against H2O2‐induced oxidative stress via Nrf2‐driven transcriptional activation of HO‐1.
Stimulation of the nitrate‐nitrite‐NO‐metabolism by repeated lettuce juice consumption decreases gingival inflammation in periodontal recall patients: a randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Jockel‐Schneider Yvonne , Goßner Sophia K. , Petersen Nicole , Stölzel Peggy , Hägele Florian , Schweiggert Ralf Martin , Haubitz Imme , Eigenthaler Martin , Carle Reinhold , Schlagenhauf Ulrich 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimThis prospective, parallel group, two‐armed, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial evaluated the impact of dietary nitrate consumption on gingival inflammation in periodontal recall patients.Material and MethodsForty‐four (23 test/21 placebo) periodontal recall patients with chronic gingivitis were enrolled. At baseline, gingival index (GI), plaque control record (PCR) and salivary nitrate level (SNL) were recorded, followed by sub‐ and supragingival debridement. Subsequently, participants were randomly provided with 100 ml bottles of a lettuce juice beverage to be consumed 3× daily over 14 days, containing either a standardized amount of nitrate resulting in an intake of approximately 200 mg nitrate per day (test) or being devoid of nitrate (placebo).ResultsAt baseline, mean GI, PCR and SNL did not differ significantly between the groups. At day 14, mean GI of the test group was significantly reduced compared to baseline and significantly lower (p = 0.002) than in the placebo group (GI 0.3 versus 0.5). Also, mean SNL in the test group was significantly higher than in the placebo group (54.0 μg/ml versus 27.8 μg/ml; p < 0.035). Mean PCR did not change significantly in both groups.ConclusionsDietary nitrate consumption may be a useful adjunct in the control of chronic gingivitis.
Histological assessment of hard and soft tissues surrounding a novel ceramic implant: a pilot study in the minipig
Authors: Liñares Antonio , Grize Leticia , Muñoz Fernando , Pippenger Benjamin Evans , Dard Michel , Domken Olivier , Blanco‐Carrión Juan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate clinical and soft/hard tissues histomorphological outcomes of a ceramic implant comparatively to a titanium implant in a minipig model.Material and MethodsEighteen soft tissue level implants (9 Ceramic with ZLA® surface as test, and 9 titanium SLActive® as control, Institut Straumann, Basel, Switzerland) were randomly placed into the mandible of 6 minipigs (n = 6). Two months later, animals were sacrificed and block biopsies were obtained to assess histomorphological outcomes. Unadjusted paired comparisons, of both groups were performed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The Dunnett–Hsu test was used to adjust for multiple comparisons.ResultsAll implants showed excellent integration into bone and soft tissue. The fBIC (distance implant shoulder to most coronal implant contact) and BIC% (percentage bone‐to‐implant contact) were for both groups; test: 3.95 mm and 85.4%; control 3.97 mm and 84.3% respectively. No difference in peri‐implant mucosa height was found, however, the sulcular epithelium was significantly shorter for the ZrO2 (mean: 0.76, 95%CI: 0.46–1.06) than for the Ti (mean: 1.40, 95%CI: 1.10–1.70) (p = 0.0090).ConclusionsWithin the limits of this pilot study, no difference was found between the ceramic implant with ZLA® surface and a titanium implant in terms of bone tissue integration. Furthermore, the epithelial attachment favoured this ceramic implant over titanium.
Effect of obesity on periodontal attachment loss progression: a 5‐year population‐based prospective study
Authors: Gaio Eduardo José , Haas Alex Nogueira , Rösing Cassiano Kuchenbecker , Oppermann Rui Vicente , Albandar Jasim M. , Susin Cristiano 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of overweight and obesity on periodontal attachment loss (PAL) progression in an urban population from south Brazil.MethodsIn 2001, a population‐based oral health survey entitled “Epidemiology of periodontal diseases: the Porto Alegre Study” was conducted by drawing a probabilistic sample of 1586 individuals. After 5 years, 755 (participation rate: 47.6%) individuals were re‐examined. For this analysis, self‐reported diabetics, underweight individuals, and individuals with <6 teeth were excluded. Poisson regressions were used to calculate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) adjusted for sex, age, skin colour, education, socio‐economic status, smoking and dental care.ResultsFive hundred and eighty‐two individuals (333 males/249 females, 36.02 ± 14.97 years) were included. Overall, obese individuals had significantly higher risk of experiencing PAL progression than individuals with normal weight after adjusting for important co‐factors (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.04–1.78). In a stratified analysis, no statistically significant associations were observed between PAL progression and obesity for males (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.75–1.69), whereas obese females were at statistically significant higher risk than normal weight females (RR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.11–2.43).ConclusionObesity appears to be a risk factor for PAL progression for females but not males in this developing country population.
Clinical efficacy of probiotics as an adjunctive therapy to non‐surgical periodontal treatment of chronic periodontitis: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Martin‐Cabezas Rodrigo , Davideau Jean‐Luc , Tenenbaum Henri , Huck Olivier 
Published: March 2016

AbstractFocused questionWhat is the clinical influence of probiotics as an adjunctive therapy of scaling and root planing (SRP) when compared with SRP alone or in combination with placebo in the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP).MethodsElectronic databases were searched up to July 2015. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing SRP + probiotic versusSRP were included. PPD reduction and CAL gain were selected as primary outcome variables.ResultsIndependent screening resulted in four eligible publications for the systematic review and three were included in the meta‐analysis. Meta‐analysis showed a statistically significant CAL gain (−0.42 mm, p = 0.002) and bleeding on probing (BOP) reduction (−14.66, p = 0.003) for SRP + probiotic treatment versusSRP at short‐term. Only a tendency (p = 0.06) has been observed in terms of overall PPD reduction, whereas results were significant when stratified for moderate (−0.18, p = 0.001) and deep pockets (−0.67, p < 0.001).ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, the findings of this meta‐analysis seem to support the adjunctive use of L. reuteri to SRP in CP treatment at short‐term, especially in deep pockets. Heterogeneity and limited available data may reduce the impact of these conclusions. Future long‐term RCTs evaluating the clinical efficacy of adjunctive probiotics to SRP are needed.
Identification of key research needs for topical therapy treatment of psoriasis – a consensus paper by the International Psoriasis Council
Authors: Wu J.J. , Lynde C.W. , Kleyn C.E. , Iversen L. , van der Walt J.M , Carvalho A. , Kirby B. , Bissonnette R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn this age of expanding choices of therapy for psoriasis, topical therapies still play an important part in the management of patients. There are many knowledge gaps in topical therapy for psoriasis with regard to efficacy and safety as well as various combinations including topical therapy with phototherapy or with systemic agents. Councillors of the International Psoriasis Council comprised a topical therapy working group to describe these gaps in order to help direct future research endeavours. Herein, we present the results of this analysis, discuss topical agents in clinical development and the attributes of the ideal topical treatment for psoriasis.
Sexual selection and assortative mating: an experimental test
Authors: Debelle A. , Ritchie M. G. , Snook R. R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMate choice and mate competition can both influence the evolution of sexual isolation between populations. Assortative mating may arise if traits and preferences diverge in step, and, alternatively, mate competition may counteract mating preferences and decrease assortative mating. Here, we examine potential assortative mating between populations of Drosophila pseudoobscura that have experimentally evolved under either increased (‘polyandry’) or decreased (‘monogamy’) sexual selection intensity for 100 generations. These populations have evolved differences in numerous traits, including a male signal and female preference traits. We use a two males: one female design, allowing both mate choice and competition to influence mating outcomes, to test for assortative mating between our populations. Mating latency shows subtle effects of male and female interactions, with females from the monogamous populations appearing reluctant to mate with males from the polyandrous populations. However, males from the polyandrous populations have a significantly higher probability of mating regardless of the female's population. Our results suggest that if populations differ in the intensity of sexual selection, effects on mate competition may overcome mate choice.
Tracking changes in chromosomal arrangements and their genetic content during adaptation
Authors: Santos J. , Pascual M. , Fragata I. , Simões P. , Santos M. A. , Lima M. , Marques A. , Lopes‐Cunha M. , Kellen B. , Balanyà J. , Rose M. R. , Matos M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThere is considerable evidence for an adaptive role of inversions, but how their genetic content evolves and affects the subsequent evolution of chromosomal polymorphism remains controversial. Here, we track how life‐history traits, chromosomal arrangements and 22 microsatellites, within and outside inversions, change in three replicated populations of Drosophila subobscura for 30 generations of laboratory evolution since founding from the wild. The dynamics of fitness‐related traits indicated adaptation to the new environment concomitant with directional evolution of chromosomal polymorphism. Evidence of selective changes in frequency of inversions was obtained for seven of 23 chromosomal arrangements, corroborating a role for inversions in adaptation. The evolution of linkage disequilibrium between some microsatellites and chromosomes suggested that adaptive changes in arrangements involved changes in their genetic content. Several microsatellite alleles increased in frequency more than expected by drift in targeted inversions in all replicate populations. In particular, there were signs of selection in the O3+4 arrangement favouring a combination of alleles in two loci linked to the inversion and changing along with it, although the lack of linkage disequilibrium between these loci precludes epistatic selection. Seven other alleles increased in frequency within inversions more than expected by drift, but were not in linkage disequilibrium with them. Possibly these alleles were hitchhiking along with alleles under selection that were not specific to those inversions. Overall, the selection detected on the genetic content of inversions, despite limited coverage of the genome, suggests that genetic changes within inversions play an important role in adaptation.
Is the hook of muroid rodent's sperm related to sperm train formation?
Authors: Tourmente M. , Zarka‐Trigo D. , Roldan E. R. S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCompetition between spermatozoa of rival males to gain fertilizations has led to a wide array of modifications in sperm structure and function. Sperm cells of most muroid rodents have hook‐shaped extensions in the apical–ventral tip of the head, but the function of this structure is largely unknown. These ‘hooks’ may facilitate aggregation of spermatozoa in so‐called ‘trains’, as an adaptation to sperm competition, because sperm in trains may swim faster than free‐swimming cells. However, there is controversy regarding the role of the hook in train formation, and in relation to whether it is selected by sperm competition. We examined spermatozoa from muroid rodents with varying levels of sperm competition to assess whether (i) sperm aggregates are common in these taxa, (ii) presence of a hook relates to the formation of sperm aggregations, and (iii) formation of sperm aggregations is explained by sperm competition. Our analyses in 25 muroid species revealed that > 92% of spermatozoa swim individually in all species, with the exception of the wood mouse,Apodemus sylvaticus, which has ~50% spermatozoa swimming freely. Species with hooked spermatozoa had higher sperm competition levels and longer sperm than species whose sperm lack a hook. Neither the presence of hook nor sperm competition levels were related to the percentage of sperm in aggregations. Thus, (i) sperm aggregates in muroid rodents are an exceptional trait found only in a few species, (ii) evolution of the sperm hook is associated to sperm competition levels, but (iii) the hook is unlikely to be related to the formation of sperm aggregates. The evolutionary significance of the sperm head hook thus remains elusive, and future studies should examine potential roles of this pervasive structure in sperm's hydrodynamic efficiency and sperm–female tract interactions.
Spatial epidemiology and risk factors of pulmonary tuberculosis morbidity in Wenchuan earthquake‐stricken area
Authors: Zhou Hailong , Yang Xiaoyan , Zhao Sheng , Pan Xiaoping , Xu Junhong 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectiveChina is a country that experiences frequent earthquakes and has a high pulmonary tuberculosis burden. In this study, we aimed to explore the spatial clustering and risk factors of the reported incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis burden before and after the Wenchuan earthquake.MethodsData on the location and the demographic, socioeconomic, and health service characteristics of the 181 counties of Sichuan province from 2004 to 2012 were collected. Global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses were performed to explore spatial clustering. The associated factors were screened using stepwise multiple linear regression, and a spatial lag model was fitted to explore the influence factors.ResultsThe incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis burden showed a global and local spatial autocorrelation relationship. The high‐incidence counties shifted gradually over time from east to west and finally clustered in the “Aba‐Ganzi” region. Factors influencing the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis burden included minority areas, the proportion of the working population, county latitude, and the severity of the earthquake. The influence factors varied over time; the impact of minority regions, occupation, and health resources allocation weakened, whereas the economic development and mobility of the population became more significant.ConclusionThe spatial structural relationship is an important factor related to pulmonary tuberculosis burden incidence. More attention should be paid to high‐incidence areas and populations susceptible to pulmonary tuberculosis burden.