bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of Sex, Drinking History, and Omega‐3 and Omega‐6 Fatty Acids Dysregulation on the Onset of Liver Injury in Very Heavy Drinking Alcohol‐Dependent Patients
Authors: Vatsalya Vatsalya , Song Ming , Schwandt Melanie L. , Cave Matthew C. , Barve Shirish S. , George David T. , Ramchandani Vijay A. , McClain Craig J. 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundHeavy alcohol consumption frequently causes liver inflammation/injury, and certain fatty acids (FAs) may be involved in this liver pathology. In this study, we evaluated the association of heavy drinking and the changes in the FA levels involved in the ω‐6 (pro‐inflammatory) and ω‐3 (anti‐inflammatory) state in alcohol‐dependent (AD) patients who had no clinical manifestations of liver injury. We aimed to identify sex‐based differences in patients with mild or no biochemical evidence of liver injury induced by heavy drinking.MethodsA total of 114 heavy drinking AD female and male patients aged 21 to 65 years without clinical manifestations of liver injury, who were admitted to an alcohol dependence treatment program, were grouped by the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels: ≤40 IU/l, as no liver injury (GR.1), and >40 IU/l, as mild liver injury (GR.2). Patients were actively drinking until the day of admission. Comprehensive metabolic panel, comprehensive FA panel, and drinking history data were evaluated.ResultsElevated ALT and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed close association with markers of heavy alcohol intake. In the patients with mild biochemical liver injury (GR.2), females showed significantly higher AST level than males. Significant association of AST and total drinks in past 90 days (TD90) in females, and AST and heavy drinking days in past 90 days (HDD90) in males was observed. The ω‐6:ω‐3 ratio showed a significant pro‐inflammatory response only in females with mild liver injury (GR.2) when adjusted by drinking history marker, TD90. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were increased in males with liver injury, while females did not show any comparable rise in EPA; and DHA levels were lower.ConclusionsMeasures of heavy drinking, TD90 and HDD90, predicted changes in liver injury. Changes in the ω‐3 and ω‐6 FA levels and the ω‐6:ω‐3 ratio showed a pro‐inflammatory shift in patients with biochemical liver injury with a significant effect in females. Changes in FAs involved in the inflammatory state may represent one mechanism for liver inflammation/injury in response to heavy alcohol drinking.
Effect of swine leukocyte antigen‐DQA gene variation on diarrhea in Large White, Landrace, and Duroc piglets
Authors: Yang Q. L. , Huang X. Y. , Zhao S. G. , Liu L. X. , Zhang S. W. , Huang W. Z. , Gun S. B. 
Published: September 2016

SummaryPiglet diarrhea is one of the most common factors that affects the benefits of the swine industry. Although recent studies have shown that exon 2 of SLA‐DQA is associated with piglet resistance to diarrhea, contributions of genetic variation in the additional exon coding regions of this gene remain unclear. Here, we investigated variation in exons 1, 3 and 4 of the SLA‐DQA gene and evaluated their effects on diarrheal infection in 425 suckling piglets. No variation was identified in exon 1. In exon 3, there were eight alleles detected, generated by 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and three nucleotide deletions, eight SNPs being newly identified. Four allele sequences and three SNPs were identified in exon 4, only one SNP being newly identified. Statistical analysis showed that the genotypes of exon 3 are significantly associated with piglet diarrhea; indeed, genotypes DQA*wb01/wb02 and wb04/wb05 are clearly associated with resistance to piglet diarrhea, as they have the lowest probabilities of infection (P < 0.05). However, no significant association was found between the genotypes of exon 4 and diarrhea (P > 0.05). These results provide important new information concerning the level of genetic diversity at the SLA‐DQA locus and suggest that further genetic association studies of piglet diarrhea resistance should include analyses of both exons 2 and 3 of this locus.
Human serum substitution by artificial sera of scalable allergen reactivity based on polyclonal antibodies and chimeras of human FcγRI and IgE domains
Authors: Offermann N. , Plum M. , Hübner U. , Rathloff K. , Braren I. , Fooke M. , Spillner E. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHuman sera are the first choice as controls for diagnostic applications such as immunoassays, but are limited regarding availability, varying quality, and high costs. In this study, we aimed to circumvent these limitations by the use of a chimeric adaptor molecule comprising the extracellular domains of the human FcγRI (CD64) fused with human IgE Fc domains (CD64‐IgE Fc). Allergen‐specific antibodies were produced in rabbits using eight different allergens, extracts, and allergen mixtures including mites, pollen, drugs, and food. Preincubation of polyclonal IgG with CD64‐IgE Fc established allergen‐specific artificial sera that showed comparable results for more than 20 allergens and allergen extracts in three diagnostic systems for the determination of specific IgE. The agreement for these artificial sera is within ±1 radioallergosorbent test (RAST) class. Hence, rabbit IgG complexed with the IgG‐specific CD64‐IgE Fc adaptor molecule could provide a substitute for human reference sera with specificity for virtually any protein of interest.
Mid‐pregnancy fetal growth, uteroplacental Doppler indices and maternal demographic characteristics: role in prediction of stillbirth
Authors: Familiari Alessandra , Scala Carolina , Morlando Maddalena , Bhide Amar , Khalil Asma , Thilaganathan Basky 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroductionTo evaluate the relative value of mid trimester fetal growth, uterine artery Doppler indices and maternal demographics in prediction of stillbirth.Material and methodsRetrospective cohort study; 23 894 singleton pregnancies routinely scanned between 19 and 24 weeks’ gestation. Maternal characteristics included age, body mass index, ethnicity and medical history. Fetal biometry indices, birthweight and uterine artery pulsatility index values were converted to percentiles and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. The predictive accuracy was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves analysis. The main outcome was prediction of preterm and term stillbirths.ResultsNon‐Caucasian ethnicity, femur length centile and uterine artery pulsatility index were significantly associated with the risk of stillbirth (all p < 0.01). The detection rate of screening by maternal factors alone was 19% for all stillbirths, and 12 and 14% for term and preterm stillbirth at a 10% false positive rate, respectively. Using femur length centile alone, the detection rates were 27 and 23%, respectively. Uterine artery pulsatility index alone was able to predict 24 and 31% of term and preterm stillbirths. Screening by combining maternal factors, femur length centile and uterine artery Doppler detected 27 and 35% of term and preterm stillbirths at a 10% false positive rate.ConclusionsSecond trimester ultrasound assessment offers an opportunity to identify pregnancies at the highest risk of stillbirth occurring as a consequence of placental dysfunction. This information may be useful to improve pregnancy outcome by identifying women who may benefit from increased ultrasound surveillance and/or timely intervention.
Retinal oximetry in patients with ischaemic retinal diseases
Authors: Rilvén Sandra , Torp Thomas Lee , Grauslund Jakob 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe retinal oximeter is a new tool for non‐invasive measurement of retinal oxygen saturation in humans. Several studies have investigated the associations between retinal oxygen saturation and retinal diseases. In the present systematic review, we examine whether there are associations between retinal oxygen saturation and retinal ischaemic diseases. We used PubMed and Embase to search for retinal oxygen saturation and retinal ischaemic diseases. Three separate searches identified a total of 79 publications. After two levels of manual screening, 10 studies were included: six about diabetic retinopathy (DR) and four about retinal vein occlusion. No studies about retinal artery occlusion were included. In diabetes, all studies found that increases in retinal venous oxygen saturation (rvSatO2) were associated with present as well as increasing levels of DR. Four of six studies also found increased retinal arterial oxygen saturation (raSatO2) in patients with DR. In patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), all studies found that rvSatO2 was reduced, but raSatO2 remained unchanged. Branch retinal vein occlusion was not associated with changes in retinal oxygen saturation, but this was based on a single study. In conclusion, DR is associated with increased rvSatO2 and might also be related to increased raSatO2. Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is correlated with increased rvSatO2 but unrelated to raSatO2. Prospective studies are needed to expand these findings. These would tell whether retinal oximetry could be a potential tool for screening or a biomarker of treatment outcome in patients with ischaemic retinal diseases.
Inhibition of melatonin metabolism in humans induced by chemical components from herbs and effective prediction of this risk using a computational model
Authors: Wang Chao , Huo Xiaokui , Tian Xiangge , Xu Min , Dong Peipei , Luan Zhilin , Wang Xiaobo , Zhang Baojing , Zhang Bo , Huang Shanshan , Deng Sa , Ma Xiaochi 
Published: September 2016

Background and PurposeHerbs which are widely used as food and medicine, are involved in many physiopathological processes. Melatonin is a human hormone, synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland, with a range of biological functions. Here, we have evaluated the potential influences of components extracted from common herbs on melatonin metabolism in humans.Experimental ApproachAn in vivo pharmacokinetic study involving 12 healthy subjects, in vitro incubations with human liver microsomes (HLMs) and recombinant human cytochrome P (CYP) isoenzymes and an in silico quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model analysis using comparative molecular field analysis and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis methods were employed to explore these interactions.Key ResultsAfter systematic screening of 66 common herbs, Angelica dahurica exhibited the most potent inhibition of melatonin metabolism in vitro. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study indicated inhibition of melatonin metabolism, with approximately 12‐ and 4‐fold increases in the AUC and Cmax of melatonin in human subjects. Coumarins from A. dahurica, including imperatorin, isoimperatorin, phellopterin, 5‐methoxypsoralen and 8‐methoxypsoralen, markedly inhibited melatonin metabolism with Ki values of 14.5 nM, 38.8 nM, 6.34 nM, 5.34 nM and 18 nM respectively, through inhibition of CYP 1A2, 1A1 and 1B1 in HLMs. A QSAR model was established and satisfactorily predicted the potential risk of coumarins for inhibition of melatonin metabolism in vivo.Conclusion and ImplicationsCoumarins from A. dahurica inhibited melatonin metabolism in vivo and in vitro. Our findings provide vital guidance for the clinical use of melatonin.
Germline PMS2 mutation screened by mismatch repair protein immunohistochemistry of colorectal cancer in Japan
Authors: Sugano Kokichi , Nakajima Takeshi , Sekine Shigeki , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Saito Shinya , Takahashi Masahiro , Ushiama Mineko , Sakamoto Hiromi , Yoshida Teruhiko 
Published: September 2016

Germline PMS2 gene mutations were detected by RT‐PCR/direct sequencing of total RNA extracted from puromycin‐treated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analyses of Japanese patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) fulfilling either the revised Bethesda Guidelines or being an age at disease onset of younger than 70 years, and screened by mismatch repair protein immunohistochemistry of formalin‐fixed paraffin embedded sections. Of the 501 subjects examined, 7 (1.40%) showed the downregulated expression of the PMS2 protein alone and were referred to the genetic counseling clinic. Germline PMS2 mutations were detected in 6 (85.7%), including 3 nonsense and 1 frameshift mutations by RT‐PCR/direct sequencing and 2 genomic deletions by MLPA. No mutations were identified in the other MMR genes (i.e. MSH2, MLH1 and MSH6). The prevalence of the downregulated expression of the PMS2 protein alone was 1.40% among the subjects examined and IHC results predicted the presence of PMS2 germline mutations. RT‐PCR from puromycin‐treated PBL and MLPA may be employed as the first screening step to detect PMS2 mutations without pseudogene interference, followed by the long‐range PCR/nested PCR validation using genomic DNA.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel dasatinib analogues as potent DDR1 and DDR2 kinase inhibitors
Authors: Liu Lu , Hussain Muzammal , Luo Jinfeng , Duan Anna , Chen Chaonan , Tu Zhengchao , Zhang Jiancun 
Published: September 2016

Novel dasatinib analogues as DDR1 and DDR2 inhibitors were designed and synthesized. The synthesized compounds were screened for DDR1 and DDR2 kinase inhibitory and cancer cell proliferation inhibitory activities. Some of the compounds showed the potent inhibitory activities against both DDR1 and DDR2, as well as anticancer activity in low nanomolar range against K562 cell line; especially, compound 3j demonstrated significantly better inhibitory potency than the parental dasatinib against both DDRs and also demonstrated the potent inhibitory activity against K562 cell lines (IC50 values of 2.26±0.46 nm for DDR1, 7.04±2.90 nm for DDR2, and 0.125±0.017 nm for K562 cell line).
Risk stratification for the early diagnosis of borderline personality disorder using psychiatric co‐morbidities
Authors: Shen Cheng‐Che , Hu Li‐Yu , Tsai Shih‐Jen , Yang Albert C. , Chen Pan‐Ming , Hu Ya‐Han 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAimTo develop a risk stratification model for the early diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective case–control study of 6132 patients (292 BPD patients and 5840 control subjects) who were selected from the National Health Insurance Research Database. Psychiatric co‐morbidities including depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, substance‐use disorder, personality disorders other than BPD, sleep disorder, eating disorder, autistic spectrum disorder, mental retardation and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, which were diagnosed within 3 years before enrolment, were collected. A logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio of psychiatric co‐morbidities between subjects with and without BPD. The classification and regression tree method was used to generate a risk stratification model.ResultsThe odds ratios for depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, substance‐use disorder, personality disorders other than BPD, sleep disorder, eating disorder, mental retardation and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder were greater for BPD patients than for the control subjects. Furthermore, the risk of BPD can be reliably estimated using age and psychiatric co‐morbidities including bipolar disorder, substance‐use disorder and depressive disorder.ConclusionsMost psychiatric disorders were more common in BPD patients than in the control subjects. Using psychiatric co‐morbidities, we identified four variables as significant risk predictors of BPD and permitted identification of subjects with low, intermediate or high risk for BPD. The accuracy of the risk stratification model is high and can be easily applied in clinical practice.
A New Rapid Method for Measuring the Vertical Head Profile
Authors: Keller Carl 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis study describes a new technique for measuring the head profile in a geologic formation. The technique provides rapid, low cost information on the depth of water‐producing zones and aquitards in heterogeneous aquifers, yielding estimates of hydraulic heads in each zone while identifying any potential for cross contamination between zones. The measurements can be performed in a typical borehole in just a few hours. The procedure uses both the continuous transmissivity profile obtained by the installation (eversion) of a flexible borehole liner into an open borehole and the subsequent removal (inversion) of the same liner from the borehole. The method is possible because of the continuous transmissivity profile (T profile described by Keller et al. 2014) obtained by measuring the rate of liner eversion under a constant driving head. The hydraulic heads of producing zones are measured using the reverse head profile (RHP) method (patent no. 9,008,971) based on a stepwise inversion of the borehole liner. As each interval of the borehole is uncovered by inversion of the liner, the head beneath the liner is allowed to equilibrate to a steady‐state value. The individual hydraulic heads contributing to each measurement are calculated using the measured transmissivity for each zone. Application of the RHP method to a sedimentary bedrock borehole in New Jersey verified that it reproduced the head distribution obtained the same day in the same borehole instrumented with a multilevel sampling system.
Current Understanding of Structure–Processing–Property Relationships in BaTiO3–Bi(M)O3 Dielectrics
Authors: Beuerlein Michaela A. , Kumar Nitish , Usher Tedi‐Marie , Brown‐Shaklee Harlan James , Raengthon Natthaphon , Reaney Ian M. , Cann David P. , Jones Jacob L. , Brennecka Geoff L. 
Published: September 2016

As part of a continued push for high permittivity dielectrics suitable for use at elevated operating temperatures and/or large electric fields, modifications of BaTiO3 with Bi(M)O3, where M represents a net‐trivalent B‐site occupied by one or more species, have received a great deal of recent attention. Materials in this composition family exhibit weakly coupled relaxor behavior that is not only remarkably stable at high temperatures and under large electric fields, but is also quite similar across various identities of M. Moderate levels of Bi content (as much as 50 mol%) appear to be crucial to the stability of the dielectric response. In addition, the presence of significant Bi reduces the processing temperatures required for densification and increases the required oxygen content in processing atmospheres relative to traditional X7R‐type BaTiO3‐based dielectrics. Although detailed understanding of the structure–processing–property relationships in this class of materials is still in its infancy, this article reviews the current state of understanding of the mechanisms underlying the high and stable values of both relative permittivity and resistivity that are characteristic of BaTiO3‐Bi(M)O3 dielectrics as well as the processing challenges and opportunities associated with these materials.
THE EFFECTS OF REGULATORY COMPLIANCE FOR SMALL BANKS AROUND CRISIS‐BASED REGULATION
Authors: Cyree Ken B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn this article I investigate the regulatory burden for small U.S. banks around major crisis‐based regulatory programs using measures of profit, cost, and productivity from 1991 to 2014. After the passage of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act, there is little evidence consistent with increased regulatory burden. After the passage of the USA PATRIOT Act, the percentage change in employees was positive, and average pay was higher for small banks. After the passage of the Dodd–Frank Act, five of six regime‐shift indicators were consistent with increased regulatory burden, with lower pretax return on assets, lower loans per employee, lower technology and fixed‐asset expenditures, and higher percentage change in employees and salaries‐to‐assets in panel regressions.
Environmental and behavioural factors associated with school children's sleep in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: Muller Diane , Signal Leigh , Elder Dawn , Gander Philippa 
Published: September 2016

AimTo collect objective and subjective sleep data on 6‐ to 8‐year‐old children across the week and to identify factors within the family environment associated with sleep differences.MethodsData were collected (n = 52) using actigraphy and diaries for 7 consecutive days and nights and a questionnaire incorporating the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire was completed by parents.ResultsChildren's actigraphic sleep periods averaged 10 h on school nights and 9.5 h on non‐school nights and parents over‐estimated children's sleep compared with actigraphy. One third (37%) of children had potential sleep problems. Children who shared a bedroom (31%) had shorter sleep onset latencies and those who consumed caffeinated drinks (33%) went to sleep and awoke later. Increased screen time was associated with later bedtimes on school nights and children with screens in bedrooms (12%) went to bed later and slept less on school nights, and had higher Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire scores. Children living with a shift‐working adult (27%) slept longer on non‐school nights and had shorter sleep onset latencies on school nights.ConclusionsIt is important to consider children's sleep within the wider family context and to be aware that parents may over‐estimate their children's sleep. Simple strategies to promote sleep health in clinical settings or education programmes include regular weekend bedtimes that align with those on school nights, removing technology from bedrooms and minimising caffeine consumption. An awareness of potential sleep differences associated with shift‐working adults may ensure children are supported to have consistent sleep routines that promote adequate sleep.
Macrophage alterations within the mesenteric lymphatic tissue are associated with impairment of lymphatic pump in metabolic syndrome
Authors: Zawieja Scott D. , Wang Wei , Chakraborty Sanjukta , Zawieja David C. , Muthuchamy Mariappan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe intrinsic lymphatic pump is critical to proper lymph transport and is impaired in models of the MetSyn. Lymphatic contractile inhibition under inflammatory conditions has been linked with elevated NO production by activated myeloid–derived cells. Hence we hypothesized that inhibition of the MLV pump function in MetSyn animals was dependent on NO and was associated with altered macrophage recruitment and polarization within the MLV.MethodsWe used a high fructose‐fed rat model of MetSyn. Macrophage polarization was determined by whole mount immunofluorescence in mesenteric neurovascular bundles based on expression of CD163, CD206, and MHCII. We also utilized isolated vessel isobaric preparations to determine the role for elevated NO production in the inhibition of MLV contractility. Both LECs and LMCs were used to assess the cytokines and chemokines to test how the lymphatic cells response to inflammatory conditions.ResultsData demonstrated a greater accumulation of M1‐skewed (CD163+MHCII+) macrophages that were observed both within the perivascular adipose tissue and invested along the lymphatic vessels in MetSyn rats when compared to control rats. LECs and LMCs basally express the macrophage maturation polarization cytokines monocyte colony‐stimulating factor and dramatically up regulate the M1 promoting cytokine granulocyte/monocyte colony‐stimulating factor in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation. MetSyn MLVs exhibited altered phasic contraction frequency. Incubation of MetSyn MLVs with LNAME or Glib had a partial restoration of lymphatic contraction frequency.ConclusionThe data presented here provide the first evidence for a correlation between alterations in macrophage status and lymphatic dysfunction that is partially mediated by NO and KATP channel in MetSyn rats.