bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac muscle wasting in individuals with cancer cachexia
Authors: Barkhudaryan Anush , Scherbakov Nadja , Springer Jochen , Doehner Wolfram 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimsCachexia is a severe complication of cancer that adversely affects the course of the disease and is associated with high rates of mortality. Patients with cancer manifest symptoms, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and impaired exercise tolerance, which are clinical signs of chronic heart failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac muscle wasting in cancer individuals.Methods and resultsWe retrospectively analysed 177 individuals who died of cancer, including 58 lung, 60 pancreatic, and 59 gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, and 42 cancer‐free controls who died of other, non‐cardiovascular reasons. Cancer cachexia (CC) was defined based on clinical and/or pathological diagnosis, body mass index (BMI) <20.0 kg/m2 and/or oedema‐free body weight loss of 5.0% during the previous year or less. The pathology reports were analysed for BMI, heart weight (HW), and left and right ventricular wall thicknesses (LVWT and RVWT, respectively). The analysis of clinical data included recording of biochemical parameters and medication data of study patients. CC was detected in 54 (30.5%) subjects. Individuals with CC had a significantly lower HW than non‐cachectic subjects (363.1 ± 86.2 vs. 447.0 ± 128.9 g, P < 0.001) and control group (412.9 ± 75.8 g, P < 0.05). BMI correlated with HW in cases with GI cancer (r = 0.44, P < 0.001), lung cancer (r = 0.53, P < 0.0001), and pancreatic cancer (r = 0.39, P < 0.01).ConclusionsBody weight loss in individuals with lung, pancreatic, and GI cancers is accompanied by a decrease in HW. In patients with CC who receive cancer treatment, screening for cardiac muscle wasting may have clinical importance.
A Novel Cerium Tungstate Nanosheets Modified Electrode for the Effective Electrochemical Detection of Carcinogenic Nitrite Ions
Authors: Vinoth Kumar J. , Karthik R. , Chen Shen‐Ming , Balasubramanian P. , Muthuraj V. , Selvam V. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn this present scenario, for the first time, we propose a facile and simple wet chemical approach for the fabrication of two‐dimensional (2D) cerium tungstate (CeW2O9;CeW) nanosheets and evaluated as an electrochemical sensor for the detection of nitrite ions. The successful formation of CeW2O9 nanosheets was confirmed by various physicochemical techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, Scanning electron microscope, Transmission electron microscope and Energy dispersive X‐ray studies. The electrochemical properties of the CeW nanosheets were studied by using cyclic voltammograms (CV) and chronoamperometric techniques. As an electrochemical sensor, the CeW nanosheets modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) showed superior electrocatalytic activity in the oxidation of nitrite in terms of higher anodic peak current and lower oxidation potential when compared with unmodified GCE. CeW nanosheets based electrochemical sensor has been fabricated which detect nitrite in wide linear response range, good sensitivity and very low detection limit of 0.02–986 μM, 2.85 μA μM−1 cm−2 and 8 nM, respectively. Moreover, the CeW nanosheets modified GCE exhibited excellent selectivity even in the presence of common metal ions and biologically co‐interfering compounds. For the practical viability of the prepared amperometric sensor has been utilized in various water samples such as tap, lake and drinking water and the obtained recoveries are appreciable.
Generation of Hydrogen through the Reaction between Plasma‐Modified Aluminum and Water
Authors: Urbonavicius Marius , Varnagiris Sarunas , Milcius Darius 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOne of the main challenges related to hydrogen energy technologies is hydrogen storage in a safe and economically reasonable way. A promising solution could be related to the use of aluminum or its alloys to reduce water to form hydrogen when needed. The aluminum–water reaction is thermodynamically favorable, but does not proceed due to the passivation of the aluminum surface by the protective aluminum oxide layer, which prevents water molecules from coming into direct contact with metal particles. Herein, the surface of aluminum particles was modified by using a low‐temperature plasma‐activation approach. Such a modification induces a hydrophilicity effect and the modified aluminum powder sinks instantly in water, whereas unmodified powder floats on the top of the water. The plasma‐based activation technology is also discussed in detail. The structure and morphology of the samples were characterized by using SEM, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and XRD. BET surface area analyses were also performed. The elemental composition on the nanoscale level and formation of polar groups were experimentally investigated by using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Amounts of oxygen/hydrogen were measured by using the inert‐gas fusion method. Tests show that hydrogen production starts after 1 min of aluminum powder immersion into slightly alkaline water and continues for up to 20 min. The reaction by‐product is environmentally friendly and could be used for the production of aluminum oxide.
Alkaline Phosphatase: Discovery and Naming of Our Favorite Enzyme
Authors: Siller Alejandro F , Whyte Michael P 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

Alkaline phosphatase can be considered “our favorite enzyme” for reasons apparent to those who diagnose and treat metabolic bone diseases or who study skeletal biology. Few might know, however, that alkaline phosphatase likely represents the most frequently assayed enzyme in all of medicine. Elevated activity in the circulation is universally recognized as a marker for skeletal or hepatobiliary disease. Nevertheless, the assay conditions in many ways are nonphysiological. The term alkaline phosphatase emerged when it became necessary to distinguish “bone phosphatase” from the phosphatase in the prostate that features an acidic pH optimum. Beginning in 1948, studies of the inborn-error-of-metabolism hypophosphatasia would identify the natural substrates and establish the physiological role of alkaline phosphatase, including in biomineralization. Here, we recount the discovery in 1923 and then eventual naming of this enzyme that remains paramount in our field. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A novel splice site variant in CYP11A1 in trans with the p.E314K variant in a male patient with congenital adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Lara‐Velazquez Montserrat , Perdomo‐Pantoja Alexander , Blackburn Patrick R. , Gass Jennifer M. , Caulfield Thomas R. , Atwal Paldeep S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe CYP11A1 gene encodes the cytochrome P450 side‐chain cleavage enzyme, which is essential for steroid formation. Recessive variants in this gene can lead to impairment of sexual differentiation caused by a complete or partial loss of steroid hormone production. The phenotypic spectrum in affected 46XY males may vary from surgically repairable defects including cryptorchidism and hypospadias to complete feminization of external gonads, accompanied by symptoms of adrenal dysfunction.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing (WES) of a 12‐year‐old male proband and his parents was performed after a protracted diagnostic odyssey failed to uncover the cause of his primary adrenal insufficiency. Of note, the proband had early symptomatology and corrective surgery for hypospadias, raising suspicion for a disorder of steroidogenesis.ResultsWES identified compound heterozygous variants in CYP11A1 including a novel canonical splice site variant (c.425+1G>A) and a previously reported p.E314K variant, which were consistent with a diagnosis of congenital adrenal insufficiency with partial 46XY sex reversal.ConclusionCongenital adrenal insufficiency with 46XY sex reversal is a rare disorder that is characterized by dysregulation of steroid hormone synthesis, leading to adrenal and gonadal dysfunction. In this report, we describe a patient with adrenal insufficiency, hypospadias, and skin hyperpigmentation who was found to have a novel c.425+1G>A variant in trans with the p.E314K variant in CYP11A1. We performed structural analyses to examine the effect of the p.E314K variant on protein function and show that it falls in the core of the protein may disrupt cholesterol binding in the active site.
MD2 Blockage Protects Obesity‐Induced Vascular Remodeling via Activating AMPK/Nrf2
Authors: Wang Lintao , Han Jibo , Shan Peiren , You Shengban , Chen Xuemei , Jin Yiyi , Wang Jingying , Huang Weijian , Wang Yi , Liang Guang 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveObesity and increased free fatty acid (FFA) levels are tightly linked with vascular oxidative stress and remodeling. Myeloid differentiation 2 (MD2), an important protein in innate immunity, is requisite for endotoxin lipopolysaccharide responsiveness. This study shows that palmitic acid (PA) also bonds to MD2, initiating cardiac inflammatory injury. However, it is not clear whether MD2 plays a role in noninflammatory systems such as obesity‐ and FFA‐related oxidative stress involved in vascular remodeling and injury. The aim of this study is to examine whether MD2 participates in reactive oxygen species increase and vascular remodeling.MethodsMale MD2−/− mice and wild‐type littermates with a C57BL/6 background were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) to establish obesity‐induced vascular remodeling. Rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were treated with PA to induce oxidative stress and injury.ResultsIn vivo, MD2 deficiency significantly reduced HFD‐induced vascular oxidative stress, fibrosis, and remodeling, accompanied with AMP‐activated kinase (AMPK) activation and nuclear factor erythroid (Nrf2) upregulation. In VSMCs and RAECs, inhibition of MD2 by neutralizing monoclonal antibody to MD2 or small interfering RNA knockdown significantly activated the AMPK/Nrf2‐signaling pathway and reduced PA‐induced oxidative stress and cell injury.ConclusionsIt was demonstrated that the deletion or inhibition of MD2 protects against HFD/FFA‐induced vascular oxidative stress and remodeling by activating the AMPK/Nrf2‐signaling pathway.
Oral Contraceptive Pill Alters Acute Dietary Protein‐Induced Thermogenesis in Young Women
Authors: Duhita Maharani Retna , Schutz Yves , Montani Jean‐Pierre , Dulloo Abdul G. , Miles‐Chan Jennifer L. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveThere is much interest in the role of dietary protein for weight control. However, there remains a need to characterize individual determinants of the thermogenic effects of protein. This study aimed to investigate the influence of menstrual cycle phase and the combined, monophasic oral contraceptive pill on the thermogenic response to a standardized high‐protein (HP) versus normal‐protein (NP) meal.MethodsFollowing an overnight fast, resting energy expenditure (EE) was measured in 16 healthy young women (8 taking and 8 not taking the pill) and 8 men for 30 minutes pre ingestion and 3 hours post ingestion of a NP (11%) or HP (24%) meal.ResultsThere was no effect of menstrual phase or contraceptive pill use on fasting EE or NP response. However, HP increased EE significantly more than NP in women not taking the oral contraceptive pill and in men, but not in women taking the pill.ConclusionsThis study shows an absence of the greater thermic effect of HP versus NP in women taking the oral contraceptive pill and has important implications regarding the effectiveness of HP for body weight regulation in women. With current obesity treatment/prevention strategies remaining largely ineffective, understanding the relationship between oral contraceptive pill use and protein‐induced thermogenesis may enable the successful recalibration of existing dietary recommendations.
Routine surveillance imaging after end of therapy for pediatric extracranial tumors: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Lakkis Farah , Alaiwi Sarah Abou , Naffaa Lena , Atweh Lamya , Khoury Nabil , Abboud Miguel , Muwakkit Samar , Tarek Nidale , El Solh Hassan , Saab Raya 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFrequent surveillance imaging is routine practice for pediatric patients after cancer therapy. This retrospective study evaluated the follow‐up of 301 children with extracranial tumors diagnosed between 2002 and 2012, at a tertiary pediatric cancer center in Beirut, Lebanon. Recurrence occurred in 15% of patients, at a median of 12 months after end of primary therapy. Outcome was not different comparing patients with recurrence detected via imaging surveillance versus clinically. False positive findings in 55 patients led to further interventions. These results raise important questions regarding benefit of current surveillance practices as standard care, especially in countries with limited resources.
Computational design of a specific heavy chain/κ light chain interface for expressing fully IgG bispecific antibodies
Authors: Froning K. J. , Leaver‐Fay A. , Wu X. , Phan S. , Gao L. , Huang F. , Pustilnik A. , Bacica M. , Houlihan K. , Chai Q. , Fitchett J. R. , Hendle J. , Kuhlman B. , Demarest S. J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe use of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) to treat human diseases is on the rise. Increasingly complex and powerful therapeutic mechanisms made possible by BsAbs are spurring innovation of novel BsAb formats and methods for their production. The long‐lived in vivo pharmacokinetics, optimal biophysical properties and potential effector functions of natural IgG monoclonal (and monospecific) antibodies has resulted in a push to generate fully IgG BsAb formats with the same quaternary structure as monoclonal IgGs. The production of fully IgG BsAbs is challenging because of the highly heterogeneous pairing of heavy chains (HCs) and light chains (LCs) when produced in mammalian cells with two IgG HCs and two LCs. A solution to the HC heterodimerization aspect of IgG BsAb production was first discovered two decades ago; however, addressing the LC mispairing issue has remained intractable until recently. Here, we use computational and rational engineering to develop novel designs to the HC/LC pairing issue, and particularly for κ LCs. Crystal structures of these designs highlight the interactions that provide HC/LC specificity. We produce and characterize multiple fully IgG BsAbs using these novel designs. We demonstrate the importance of specificity engineering in both the variable and constant domains to achieve robust HC/LC specificity within all the BsAbs. These solutions facilitate the production of fully IgG BsAbs for clinical use.
Human placenta extract ameliorates memory dysfunction and dendritic atrophy in a 5XFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kogure Chisato , Tohda Chihiro 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTAimIn this study, we investigated the effects of a human placenta‐derived drug, Laennec (Japan Bio Products), on memory improvement and neuritic regeneration in Alzheimer's disease model mice, to evaluate the potential of Laennec as a new candidate for anti‐Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapy.MethodsThe anti‐AD effects of Laennec were evaluated using amyloid β (Aβ)‐treated cortical neurons and the 5XFAD mouse model of AD.ResultsLaennec significantly improved the dendritic density in normal cortical neurons but not the axon density. Exposure to the peptide fragment Aβ(25–35) for 3 days resulted in significant atrophy in the axons and dendrites of cortical neurons (ddY mice, E14). Laennec significantly improved the density and dendritic length of the Aβ‐treated cortical neurons but did not affect axon atrophy. Synaptic loss induced by Aβ(25–35) was also completely reversed by Laennec treatment. The Laennec‐treated 5XFAD mice (for 15 days, i.p. or p.o.; 5–7 months old, female) showed significant improvement in object recognition memory, but had no reduction in amyloid plaques in the perirhinal cortex, although the reduced dendritic density in the amyloid plaque‐associated sites was significantly increased by Laennec treatment. Furthermore, the components of Laennec were separated based on their molecular weights using ultrafiltration. The Laennec fraction >2 kDa contained the active compounds for dendrite extension.ConclusionLaennec improved object recognition memory and dendritic growth in a model of AD.
Paleomires of Eocene Lignites of Bhavnagar, Saurashtra Basin (Gujarat), Western India: Petrographic Implications
Authors: Singh Prakash K. , Singh Vijay K. , Singh M. P. , Rajak P. K. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT
The Tertiary basins of Gujarat have always been a potential target for their hydrocarbon resources. The lignite resources of the region have also been an important field of research. The present paper presents the results of the petrological study carried out on the lignites of the Saurashtra basin. For this purpose samples were collected from lower and upper lignite seams from the Surkha lignite mine of Bhavnagar, Saurashtra. These samples were subjected to detailed petrographic analysis (both maceral and microlithotype). The study reveals that these lignites are dominantly composed of huminite group macerals while liptinite and inertinite group macerals occur in subordinate amounts. These lignites have attained a thermal maturity up to 0.28-0.30 percent vitrinite reflectance (VRr) which classifies them as ‘low rank C’ coals. Moreover, Bhavnagar lower lignite seam shows relatively less gelification as compared to the upper seam which suffered relatively more biochemical degradation. These lignites are characterized by high gelification index (GI) and low tissue preservation index (TPI). With the help of petrography based facies models an attempt has been made to reconstruct the environment of the paleomire of these lignites.
Delineation of Rajmahal Basaltic Flows, Inter-trappeans and Associated Coal Layers using Audio-magneto-telluric Method
Authors: Priyam Piyush , Pal S. K. 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT
The extensive volcanic activity of Rajmahal occurred during early Cretaceous (∼117 Ma). Potentially perspective Gondawana sediments containing coal seam is partially covered by these basalts. Basalts as well as coal are already known to be of immense economic importance over Rajmahal traps. The present study mainly deals with delineation of basaltic lava flows and associated coal layers using the Audio-magneto-telluric (AMT) study in the south central region of Rajmahal traps near Suri, West Bengal, India. Initially, the field situations have been simulated using forward model with top alluvium cover followed by basaltic lava flows, a wedge shaped inter-trappean sedimentary formation with second basaltic lava flows and basement at the bottom. The model was constrained using available litholog. The model study reveals the presence of moderately resistive basalts, relatively conductive inter-trappeans and the basement, except the top alluvium layer and thin inter-trappeans. Subsequently, three AMT sounding have been carried out over Cholaguria, Hatgacha and Pachami, Suri, West Bengal. The field AMT study reveals three basaltic lava flows with varying thickness from ∼40m to ∼350m and composite thickness of ∼620m to ∼640m, which match well with the published borehole litholog. The inter-trappeans have been identified at 500m to 620m, 310m to 400m and 500m to 640m depths over Cholaguria, Hatgacha and Pachami, respectively. It is interesting to mention that the identified inter-trappeans are inferred to be coal/shaly-coal which are matching very well with the published borehole lithologs.
Sleep quality and emotional reactivity cluster in bipolar disorders and impact on functioning
Authors: Etain B. , Godin O. , Boudebesse C. , Aubin V. , Azorin J.M. , Bellivier F. , Bougerol T. , Courtet P. , Gard S. , Kahn J.P. , Passerieux C. ,   FACE-BD collaborators, Leboyer M. , Henry C. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjective:Bipolar disorders (BD) are characterized by sleep disturbances and emotional dysregulation both during acute episodes and remission periods. We hypothesized that sleep quality (SQ) and emotional reactivity (ER) defined clusters of patients with no or abnormal SQ and ER and we studied the association with functioning.Method:We performed a bi-dimensional cluster analysis using SQ and ER measures in a sample of 533 outpatients patients with BD (in remission or with subsyndromal mood symptoms). Clusters were compared for mood symptoms, sleep profile and functioning.Results:We identified three clusters of patients: C1 (normal ER and SQ, 54%), C2 (hypo-ER and low SQ, 22%) and C3 (hyper-ER and low SQ, 24%). C1 was characterized by minimal mood symptoms, better sleep profile and higher functioning than other clusters. Although highly different for ER, C2 and C3 had similar levels of subsyndromal mood symptoms as assessed using classical mood scales. When exploring sleep domains, C2 showed poor sleep efficiency and a trend for longer sleep latency as compared to C3. Interestingly, alterations in functioning were similar in C2 and C3, with no difference in any of the sub-domains.Conclusion:Abnormalities in ER and SQ delineated three clusters of patients with BD and significantly impacted on functioning.
Educational intervention on physical restraint use in long‐term care facilities – Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lan Shao‐Huan , Lu Li‐Chin , Lan Shou‐Jen , Chen Jong‐Chen , Wu Wen‐Jun , Chang Shen‐Peng , Lin Long‐Yau 
Published: July 2017

Abstract“Physical restraint” formerly used as a measure of protection for psychiatric patients is now widely used. However, existing studies showed that physical restraint not only has inadequate effect of protection but also has negative effects on residents. To analyzes the impact of educational program on the physical restraint use in long‐term care facilities. Design: A systematic review with meta‐analysis and meta‐regression. Eight databases, including Cochrane Library, ProQuest, PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science, Ovid Medline and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), were searched up to January 2017. Eligible studies were classified by intervention and accessed for quality using the Quality Assessment Tool for quantitative studies. Sixteen research articles were eligible in the final review; 10 randomize control trail studies were included in the analysis. The meta‐analysis revealed that the use of physical restraint was significantly less often in the experimental (education) group (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.78, p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Meta‐regression revealed the period of post education would have decreased the effect of the restraint educational program (β: 0.08, p = 0.002); instead, the longer education period and more times of education would have a stronger effect of reducing the use of physical restraint (β: −0.07, p < 0.001; β: −0.04, p = 0.056). The educational program had an effect on the reduced use of physical restraint. The results of meta‐regression suggest that long‐term care facilities should provide a continuous education program of physical restraint for caregivers.