bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Mammary Cancer Progression in Fetal Alcohol Exposed Rats by β‐Endorphin Neurons
Authors: Zhang Changqing , Franklin Tina , Sarkar Dipak K. 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundFetal alcohol exposure (FAE) increases the susceptibility to carcinogen‐induced mammary cancer progression in rodent models. FAE also decreases β‐endorphin (β‐EP) level and causes hyperstress response, which leads to inhibition of immune function against cancer. Previous studies have shown that injection of nanosphere‐attached dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) into the third ventricle increases the number of β‐EP neurons in the hypothalamus. In this study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of stress regulation using methods to increase hypothalamic levels of β‐EP, a neuropeptide that inhibits stress axis activity, in treatment of carcinogen‐induced mammary cancer in fetal alcohol exposed rats.MethodsFetal alcohol exposed and control Sprague Dawley rats were given a dose of N‐Nitroso‐N‐methylurea (MNU) at postnatal day 50 to induce mammary cancer growth. Upon detection of mammary tumors, the animals were either transplanted with β‐EP neurons or injected with dbcAMP‐delivering nanospheres into the hypothalamus to increase β‐EP peptide production. Spleen cytokines were detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays. Metastasis study was done by injecting mammary cancer cells MADB106 into jugular vein of β‐EP‐activated or control fetal alcohol exposed animals.ResultsBoth transplantation of β‐EP neurons and injection of dbcAMP‐delivering nanospheres inhibited MNU‐induced mammary cancer growth in control rats, and reversed the effect of FAE on the susceptibility to mammary cancer. Similar to the previously reported immune‐enhancing and stress‐suppressive effects of β‐EP transplantation, injection of dbcAMP‐delivering nanospheres increased the levels of interferon‐γ and granzyme B and decreased the levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine in fetal alcohol exposed rats. Mammary cancer cell metastasis study also showed that FAE increased incidence of lung tumor retention, while β‐EP transplantation inhibited lung tumor growth in both normal and fetal alcohol exposed rats.ConclusionsOur results suggest that increase of β‐EP production in the hypothalamus may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating the cancer growth in patients with chronic stress and compromised immune function, such as the patients with FAE.
Is immersion of any value? Whether, and to what extent, game immersion experience during serious gaming affects science learning
Authors: Cheng Meng‐Tzu , Lin Yu‐Wen , She Hsiao‐Ching , Kuo Po‐Chih 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMany studies have shown the positive impact of serious gaming on learning outcomes, but few have explored the relationships between game immersion and science learning. Accordingly, this study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of learning by playing, as well as the dynamic process of game immersion experiences, and to further identify whether, and to what extent, immersion affects science learning through serious gaming by using the techniques of cluster analysis. A total of 63 seventh‐grade students participated in the study, and a quasi‐experimental research design was employed. The results demonstrated that the students gained a holistic understanding of the relevant scientific concepts because their performances on the scenario‐based science assessment were significantly improved across serious gameplaying occasions, and the effect of learning was retained long term. Moreover, serious gaming provided students with the experience of immersion insofar as the students indicated a greater degree of immersion in the game over time. Furthermore, two core clusters presenting meaningful patterns, high gaming performance/high immersion and high science learning/low immersion, were revealed. Finally, various interpretations and implications of the obtained data are discussed.
Interleukin‐6, interleukin‐6 receptor gene variant, small‐vessel disease and incident dementia
Authors: Miwa K. , Okazaki S. , Sakaguchi M. , Mochizuki H. , Kitagawa K. 
Published: January 2016

Background and purposeMixed neurogenerative and vascular dementia has emerged as the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Inflammation is implicated in atherosclerosis, cerebral small‐vessel disease (SVD) as well as cognitive impairment. However, longitudinal data on the predictive value of circulating inflammatory markers including gene variants and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in incident dementia are scarce. It was investigated whether circulating interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), C‐reactive protein (CRP) and gene variants increase dementia risk.MethodsIn a cohort of Japanese participants with vascular risk factors in an observational study from 2001, the association between baseline IL‐6, CRP levels, gene variants [interleukin‐6 receptor (IL‐6R), rs2228145; IL‐6, rs2097677; CRP, rs3093059] and incident all‐cause dementia was evaluated. Baseline MRI was used to determine SVD (lacuna, white matter hyperintensities) and atrophy (medial‐temporal lobe atrophy, bicaudate ratio). Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed for predictors of dementia, adjusting for age, sex, apolipoprotein Eε4, education, cerebrovascular events, vascular risk factors and MRI findings.ResultsOf 803 subjects (mean 67.0 ± 8.5 years, males 59%), during a mean of 7.5 ± 3.2 years follow‐up, 60 incident dementia patients (Alzheimer's disease 31; vascular dementia 17; mixed‐type six; other six) were diagnosed. In multivariable analyses adjusted for age, sex, cerebrovascular events, MRI findings and IL‐6R variant (rs2228145), IL‐6 levels (relative risk 1.68, P = 0.048) or highest tertile (relative risk 2.38, P = 0.031) for all‐cause dementia remained significant. Although subjects with rs2228145 carrier had significantly higher IL‐6 levels, a significant association between rs2228145 and dementia was not observed. Conversely, CRP and remaining gene variants were not associated with dementia.ConclusionsThe deleterious effect of higher IL‐6 on dementia remains consistent irrespective of conventional risk factors, MRI findings and IL‐6R variant.
Influence of spatially dependent, modeled soil carbon emission factors on life‐cycle greenhouse gas emissions of corn and cellulosic ethanol
Authors: Qin Zhangcai , Dunn Jennifer B. , Kwon Hoyoung , Mueller Steffen , Wander Michelle M. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractConverting land to biofuel feedstock production incurs changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) that can influence biofuel life‐cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Estimates of these land use change (LUC) and life‐cycle GHG emissions affect biofuels' attractiveness and eligibility under a number of renewable fuel policies in the USA and abroad. Modeling was used to refine the spatial resolution and depth extent of domestic estimates of SOC change for land (cropland, cropland pasture, grassland, and forest) conversion scenarios to biofuel crops (corn, corn stover, switchgrass, Miscanthus, poplar, and willow) at the county level in the USA. Results show that in most regions, conversions from cropland and cropland pasture to biofuel crops led to neutral or small levels of SOC sequestration, while conversion of grassland and forest generally caused net SOC loss. SOC change results were incorporated into the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) model to assess their influence on life‐cycle GHG emissions of corn and cellulosic ethanol. Total LUC GHG emissions (g CO2eq MJ−1) were 2.1–9.3 for corn‐, −0.7 for corn stover‐, −3.4 to 12.9 for switchgrass‐, and −20.1 to −6.2 for Miscanthus ethanol; these varied with SOC modeling assumptions applied. Extending the soil depth from 30 to 100 cm affected spatially explicit SOC change and overall LUC GHG emissions; however, the influence on LUC GHG emission estimates was less significant in corn and corn stover than cellulosic feedstocks. Total life‐cycle GHG emissions (g CO2eq MJ−1, 100 cm) were estimated to be 59–66 for corn ethanol, 14 for stover ethanol, 18–26 for switchgrass ethanol, and −7 to −0.6 for Miscanthus ethanol. The LUC GHG emissions associated with poplar‐ and willow‐derived ethanol may be higher than that for switchgrass ethanol due to lower biomass yield.
T‐bet as a key regulator of mucosal immunity
Authors: Mohamed Rami , Lord Graham M. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryInitially understood to be a key regulator of interferon‐γ‐producing helper T cells, our knowledge of T‐bet's functional roles has expanded to encompass a growing range of cellular lineages. In addition to regulating other interferon‐γ‐producing adaptive immune cells, it is now clear that T‐bet plays a fundamental role in the regulation of innate immune responses across mucosal surfaces. This homeostatic role is demonstrated by the spontaneous colitis that occurs when T‐bet is deleted from innate immune cells in RAG−/− mice. Using this model as a focal point, we review our understanding of T‐bet's regulation of adaptive and innate immune systems, focusing particularly on mucosal populations including innate lymphoid cells, dendritic cells and intraepithelial lymphocytes. With the increasingly diverse effects of T‐bet on different lineages, the classical binding‐centric paradigm of T‐bet's molecular functionality has increasingly struggled to account for the versatility of T‐bet's biological effects. Recent recognition of the synergistic interactions between T‐bet and other canonical transcription factors has led to a co‐operative paradigm that has provided greater explanatory power. Synthesizing insights from ChIP‐seq and comparative biology, we expand the co‐operative paradigm further and suggest a network approach as a powerful way to understand and model T‐bet's diverse functionality.
Transferring and implementing the general dynamic model of oceanic island biogeography at the scale of island fragments: the roles of geological age and topography in plant diversification in the Canaries
Authors: Otto Rüdiger , Whittaker Robert J. , von Gaisberg Markus , Stierstorfer Christian , Naranjo‐Cigala Agustín , Steinbauer Manuel J. , Borregaard Michael K. , Arévalo José Ramón , Garzón‐Machado Víctor , del Arco Marcelino , Fernández‐Palacios José María 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimThe general dynamic model (GDM) of oceanic island biogeography integrates rates of immigration, speciation and extinction in relation to a humped trajectory of island area, species carrying capacity and topographic complexity through time, based on a simplified island ontogeny. In practice, many islands have more complex ontogenies, featuring surfaces of varying age. Here, we extend the GDM to apply at a local scale within islands, and test the predictions analytically within individual islands.LocationEl Hierro, La Palma and Tenerife (Canary Islands).MethodsFollowing the GDM logic, we derive predictions for the distributions and richness of single island endemics (SIEs) across island landscapes of different age. We test these predictions by means of generalized linear models and binominal tests using gridded species occurrence data for vascular plant SIE species and a set of climatic, topographic and terrain age variables. We also examined phylogenetic divergence times for a subset of endemic lineages.ResultsGeological age, in interaction with slope, and topographic variables, best explained SIE richness at the landscape scale. About 70% of SIEs had ranges strongly biased to, or largely restricted to old terrain. Available phylogenetic divergence times of SIEs of radiated plant lineages suggested an origin on the older parts of the islands. Metrics of anthropogenic disturbance and habitat availability were unrelated to the observed SIE pattern.Main conclusionsOur findings support the hypothesis that SIEs have evolved and accumulated on older and topographically complex terrain, while colonization processes predominate on the youngest parts. These results imply that evolutionary processes shape species distributions at the landscape scale within islands. This opens the perspective of extending the GDM framework to understand processes at a local scale within individual islands.
Accuracy and Usefulness of Select Methods for Assessing Complete Collection of 24‐Hour Urine: A Systematic Review
Authors: John Katherine A. , Cogswell Mary E. , Campbell Norm R. , Nowson Caryl A. , Legetic Branka , Hennis Anselm J. M. , Patel Sheena M. 
Published: January 2016

Twenty‐four–hour urine collection is the recommended method for estimating sodium intake. To investigate the strengths and limitations of methods used to assess completion of 24‐hour urine collection, the authors systematically reviewed the literature on the accuracy and usefulness of methods vs para‐aminobenzoic acid (PABA) recovery (referent). The percentage of incomplete collections, based onPABA, was 6% to 47% (n=8 studies). The sensitivity and specificity for identifying incomplete collection using creatinine criteria (n=4 studies) was 6% to 63% and 57% to 99.7%, respectively. The most sensitive method for removing incomplete collections was a creatinine index <0.7. In pooled analysis (≥2 studies), mean urine creatinine excretion and volume were higher among participants with complete collection (P<.05); whereas, self‐reported collection time did not differ by completion status. Compared with participants with incomplete collection, mean 24‐hour sodium excretion was 19.6 mmol higher (n=1781 specimens, 5 studies) in patients with complete collection. Sodium excretion may be underestimated by inclusion of incomplete 24‐hour urine collections. None of the current approaches reliably assess completion of 24‐hour urine collection.
Effects of facial tooth movement on the periodontium in rats: a comparison between conventional and low force
Authors: Danz Jan C. , Bibby Bo M. , Katsaros Christos , Stavropoulos Andreas 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundBone dehiscences and gingival recession have been associated with orthodontic arch expansion. The aim of this study was to assess and compare periodontal modelling during application of two force levels.MethodsThe second and third upper molars were orthodontically moved buccally with conventional or low forces for 60 or 90 days in 32 rats. Ten non‐treated animals were used as controls. The influence of force level and time on dental, skeletal and periodontal parameters (i.e. height and thickness of gingiva and bone) was assessed on histomicrographs using a mixed linear model.ResultsFacial tooth position (725 μm, CI 379–1072 μm, distal root of the third molar) and maxillary skeletal width (295 μm, CI 168–421 μm) differed significantly between force groups. Despite bone apposition at the facial aspects of the moved roots, bone dehiscences were developing and bone thickness was decreasing during facial tooth movement. Development of gingival recession was scarce and in cases with extreme facial tooth movement. No remarkable differences between force levels were found for any of the periodontal parameters.ConclusionsFacial tooth movement with conventional or low forces resulted in similar modelling of facial alveolar bone and gingiva.
Systemic administration of omeprazole interferes with bone healing and implant osseointegration: an in vivo study on rat tibiae
Authors: Al Subaie Ahmed , Emami Elham , Tamimi Iskandar , Laurenti Marco , Eimar Hazem , Abdallah Mohamed‐Nur , Tamimi Faleh 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundProton pump inhibitors, over‐the‐counter drugs taken by millions of patients, diminish bone accrual. Accordingly, we hypothesized that these drugs could impair bone healing and implant osseointegration. This study investigated the effect of post‐operative systemic administration of omeprazole on bone healing and implant osseointegration in rat tibiae.MethodsIn 24 Sprague–Dawley rats, a titanium implant was placed in the left tibia, and a bone defect was created in the right tibia. During the 2 weeks following surgery, 12 rats were treated with omeprazole (5 mg/kg, daily) and the other 12 with saline. Then, after euthanasia, the volume (mm3) of the cortical defect and the percentages of newly formed bone in the defect, were assessed using microcomputed tomography; peri‐implant bone volume/tissue volume and bone‐implant contact percentage were assessed by histomorphometry.ResultsOmeprazole‐treated rats presented larger cortical defects (2.75 ± 0.59 mm3, p = 0.003 versus 2.11 ± 0.36 mm3; p = 0.002) and a lower percentage of newly formed bone in the defects (28.62 ± 13.12; 45.89 ± 9.73; p = 0.003) than controls. Omeprazole‐treated rats presented lower peri‐implant bone volume/tissue volume (14.3 ± 7.3% versus 30.8 ± 11.0%; p < 0.001) and bone‐implant contact (23.3 ± 10.8% versus 41.8 ± 13.3%; p < 0.001) than controls.ConclusionSystemically administered omeprazole impairs bone healing and implant osseointegration.
A ‘reluctant’ critical review: ‘Manual for evidence‐based clinical practice (2015)’
Authors: Seshia Shashi S. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature Manual has been a major influence on the teaching and practice of health care globally.MethodsThe 3rd edition of the multi‐authored Manual was reviewed using the principles outlined in Evidence‐based Medicine (EBM) texts. One ‘clinical scenario’ was selected for critical appraisal, as were several chapters; objectivity was enhanced by citing references to support opinions.Results (summary of the appraisal)(1) Strengths: Clinical pearls, too numerous to list. Examples: (i) evidence is never enough to drive clinical decision making; (ii) do not rush to adopt new interventions; and (iii) question efficacy data based only on surrogate markers. (2) Weaknesses: The Manual shares shortcomings of textbooks discussed by Straus et al.: (i) references may not be current, important ones may be excluded and citations may be selective; (ii) often, opinion‐based; and (iii) delays between revisions. (3) Notable omissions: Little or no discussion of: (i) important segments of the population: those <18 years of age, >65 years of age and those with multimorbidity; (ii) surgical disciplines; (iii) Greenhalgh et al.'s essay on EBM; (iv) alternate views on the hierarchy of evidence; and (vi) critical thinking. (4) Additional issues: (i) Omission of important references on dabigatran (clinical scenario: chapter 13.1); (ii) authors’ advice (Chapter 13.3) to ‘bypass the discussion section of published research’; and (iii) the advocacy of pre‐appraised sources of evidence and network meta‐analysis without warnings about limitations, are critiqued.ConclusionThe Manual has several clinical pearls but readers should also be aware of shortcomings.
Broken Promises: Abstinence Pledging and Sexual and Reproductive Health
Authors: Paik Anthony , Sanchagrin Kenneth J. , Heimer Karen 
Published: January 2016

AbstractApproximately 12% of girls and young women in the United States pledge abstinence. Yet most break their pledges, engaging in first intercourse before marriage. The extant literature reports few differences between pledge breakers and nonpledgers in sexually transmitted infections and nonmarital pregnancies. The present research maintains that previous studies may have obscured important differences in exposure risk and hypothesizes that female pledge breakers who have higher exposure risk are more likely to experience human papillomavirus (HPV) and nonmarital pregnancies. To test this hypothesis, this study uses the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, logistic regression, and event history modeling. The results show that, after accounting for differences in exposure risk, pledge breakers have higher risk of HPV and nonmarital pregnancy. As a set, the results are consistent with the argument that pledgers use condoms and contraceptives less consistently and highlight unintended consequences of abstinence promotion.
Prognostic Markers in Acute Babesia canis Infections
Authors: Eichenberger R.M. , Riond B. , Willi B. , Hofmann‐Lehmann R. , Deplazes P. 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundCanine babesiosis, caused by Babesia canis, is a prevalent and clinically relevant disease in Europe. Severe acute babesiosis is characterized by a high mortality but prognosis is not always correlated with clinical signs nor with the level of parasitemia.ObjectiveThis study evaluated prognostic markers associated with poor outcomes in acute Babesia canis infections.Animals and MethodsWe compared the results of routine laboratory profiles, hand‐held lactate and glucose analyzer, and the acute phase response in 2 groups of naturally infected dogs (7 survivors and 8 nonsurvivors). Samples were collected at the time of first admission and before any treatment. Subsequently, the course of prognostic markers was followed in 3 dogs experimentally inoculated with B. canis.ResultsNonsurvivors showed significantly higher concentrations of lactate, triglycerides and phosphate and lower hematocrit, leukocyte counts, total serum protein concentrations, and thrombocyte counts when compared to survivors. All nonsurvivors (8/8) had hyperlactatemia, whereas most survivors (6/7) had values within the reference range. All survivors had leucocyte counts within the reference range, unlike the nonsurvivors, which showed leukopenia. During the course of acute babesiosis, the variables serum lactate, triglyceride, and phosphate concentrations, and thrombocyte count only exceeded a prognostic threshold during acute crisis.Conclusions and clinical importancePoor outcome in acute B. canis infection is indicated by changes in the laboratory profile. Intensive care should be considered for dogs presenting with moderate anemia, severe thrombocytopenia, mild to moderate leukopenia, hyperlactatemia, moderately increased serum phosphate, and triglyceride concentrations, and moderately decreased total serum protein concentrations.
Hepatitis B virus: new therapeutic perspectives
Authors: Lin Chih‐Lin , Yang Hung‐Chih , Kao Jia‐Horng 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCurrent antiviral therapies have dramatically improved the long‐term outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Both interferon (IFN) and nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatments have been shown to reduce the progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, persistent covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) can result in a viral relapse after discontinuation of antiviral treatment. On the basis of extensive research on the HBV lifecycle and virus–host interactions, several new agents focusing on viral and host targets are under development to cure HBV. New polymerase inhibitors, tenofovir alafenamide and besifovir provide effective and safer treatment for CHB patients. Agents targeting cccDNA, such as engineered site‐specific nucleases and RNA interference therapeutics could eliminate cccDNA or silence cccDNA transcription. Inhibitors of HBV nucleocapsid assembly suppress capsid formation and prevent synthesis of HBV DNA. The HBV entry inhibitor, Myrcludex‐B, has been shown to effectively inhibit amplification of cccDNA as well as the spread of intrahepatic infection. Agents targeting host factors that enhance innate and adaptive immune responses, including the lymphotoxin‐β receptor agonist, toll‐like receptor agonist, immune checkpoint inhibitors and adenovirus‐based therapeutic vaccine, could play a critical role in the elimination of HBV‐infected cells. With all of these promising approaches, we hope to reach the ultimate goal of a cure to HBV in the near future.