bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of amino acid metabolism and α‐cell proliferation by glucagon
Authors: Hayashi Yoshitaka , Seino Yusuke 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBoth glucagon and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) are produced from proglucagon through proteolytic cleavage. Blocking glucagon action increases the circulating levels of glucagon and GLP‐1, reduces the blood glucose level, and induces the proliferation of islet α‐cells. Glucagon blockade also suppresses hepatic amino acid catabolism and increases the serum amino acid level. In animal models defective in both glucagon and GLP‐1, the blood glucose level is not reduced, indicating that GLP‐1 is required for glucagon blockade to reduce the blood glucose level. In contrast, hyperplasia of α‐cells and hyperaminoacidemia are observed in such animal models, indicating that GLP‐1 is not required for the regulation of α‐cell proliferation or amino acid metabolism. These findings suggest that the regulation of amino acid metabolism is a more important specific physiological role of glucagon than the regulation of glucose metabolism. Although the effects of glucagon deficiency on glucose metabolism are compensated by the suppression of insulin secretion, the effects on amino acid metabolism are not. Recently, data showing a feedback regulatory mechanism between the liver and islet α‐cells, which is mediated by glucagon and amino acids, are accumulating. However, a number of questions on the mechanism of this regulation remain to be addressed. The profile of glucagon as a regulator of amino acid metabolism must be carefully considered for glucagon blockade to be applied therapeutically in the treatment of patients with diabetes.
Evolution of morphology and locomotor performance in anurans: relationships with microhabitat diversification
Authors: Citadini J. M. , Brandt R. , Williams C. R. , Gomes F. R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe relationships between morphology, performance, behavior and ecology provide evidence for multiple and complex phenotypic adaptations. The anuran body plan, for example, is evolutionarily conserved and shows clear specializations to jumping performance back at least to the early Jurassic. However, there are instances of more recent adaptation to habit diversity in the post‐cranial skeleton, including relative limb length. The present study tested adaptive models of morphological evolution in anurans associated with the diversity of microhabitat use (semi‐aquatic arboreal, fossorial, torrent, and terrestrial) in species of anuran amphibians from Brazil and Australia. We use phylogenetic comparative methods to determine which evolutionary models, including Brownian motion (BM) and Ornstein‐Uhlenbeck (OU) are consistent with morphological variation observed across anuran species. Furthermore, this study investigated the relationship of maximum distance jumped as a function of components of morphological variables and microhabitat use. We found there are multiple optima of limb lengths associated to different microhabitats with a trend of increasing hindlimbs in torrent, arboreal, semi‐aquatic whereas fossorial and terrestrial species evolve toward optima with shorter hindlimbs. Moreover, arboreal, semi‐aquatic and torrent anurans have higher jumping performance and longer hindlimbs, when compared to terrestrial and fossorial species. We corroborate the hypothesis that evolutionary modifications of overall limb morphology have been important in the diversification of locomotor performance along the anuran phylogeny. Such evolutionary changes converged in different phylogenetic groups adapted to similar microhabitat use in two different zoogeographical regions.
Application of lipidomics to reveal differences in facial skin surface lipids between males and females
Authors: Cui Le , He Cong‐fen , Fan Lin‐na , Jia Yan 
Published: January 2018

SummaryPurposeTo analyze and compare differences in facial skin surface lipids (SSL) between 18‐ to 25‐year‐old males and females.MethodsUltra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) technology was used to measure the facial SSL composition of 18‐ to 25‐year‐old males and females. Measurement results were combined with the orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA) model for analysis and comparisons, and differences in lipids with significance were selected.ResultsThere were significant differences in facial SSL composition between 18‐ to 25‐year‐old males and females. Under selected conditions, 37 types of lipids with significant differences were obtained (P ≤ .05). All of them had higher content in females, and primarily included ceramides (Cers), glucosylceramide (GlcCer), phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylcholine (PC), and others.ConclusionsThere are significant differences in facial SSL between 18‐ to 25‐year‐old males and females.
Evaluation of carboxytherapy and platelet‐rich plasma in treatment of periorbital hyperpigmentation: A comparative clinical trial
Authors: Nofal Eman , Elkot Reham , Nofal Ahmad , Eldesoky Fatma , Shehata Shymaa , Sami Maha 
Published: January 2018

SummaryBackgroundManagement of periorbital hyperpigmentation (POH) is still a therapeutic challenge. Although different therapeutic modalities are available, the outcomes of most of them are unsatisfactory.ObjectivesTo investigate and compare the efficacy and safety of two new modalities in the treatment of POH; the platelet rich plasma (PRP) and the carboxytherapy.Subjects and MethodsThe study included 30 patients with POH. Every patient was subjected to seven intradermal injections of PRP on the left periorbital area with 2 week intervals between sessions and carboxytherapy on the right area with 1 week interval apart. Assessments were done by investigators' assessment, visual analogue scale by both patients and doctors, and patients' satisfaction. Side effects were reported.ResultsAll patients completed the sessions in the carboxy‐treated side. In the PRP‐treated side, 10 patients refused to complete all sessions because of intolerable side effects. Significant improvement in POH was achieved in both sides (P ≤ .0001). The improvement was comparable with no statistically significant difference between both modalities. Side effects in the carboxy treated side were mild and well tolerated by all patients while they were relatively severe, and persisted for days after sessions in the PRP‐treated side.ConclusionsBoth PRP and carboxytherapy are relatively effective and their efficacy is comparable in treatment of POH. Carboxtherapy is simple and slightly more effective modality and well tolerated than PRP. We believe that both modalities are promising but not the ideal solutions of the POH problem which is caused by multifactorial etiology.
CREDIBLY IDENTIFYING SOCIAL EFFECTS: ACCOUNTING FOR NETWORK FORMATION AND MEASUREMENT ERROR
Authors: Advani Arun , Malde Bansi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractUnderstanding whether and how connections between agents (networks) such as declared friendships in classrooms, transactions between firms, and extended family connections, influence their socio‐economic outcomes has been a growing area of research within economics. Early methods developed to identify thesesocial effectsassumed that networks had formed exogenously, and were perfectly observed, both of which are unlikely to hold in practice. A more recent literature, both within economics and in other disciplines, develops methods that relax these assumptions. This paper reviews that literature. It starts by providing a general econometric framework for linear models of social effects, and illustrates how network endogeneity and missing data on the network complicate identification of social effects. Thereafter, it discusses methods for overcoming the problems caused by endogenous formation of networks. Finally, it outlines the stark consequences of missing data on measures of the network, and regression parameters, before describing potential solutions.
Study of the utility and problems of common iliac artery balloon occlusion for placenta previa with accreta
Authors: Ono Yoshihisa , Murayama Yoshihiko , Era Sumiko , Matsunaga Shigetaka , Nagai Tomonori , Osada Hisato , Takai Yasushi , Baba Kazunori , Takeda Satoru , Seki Hiroyuki 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimsWe investigated whether common iliac artery balloon occlusion (CIABO) was effective for decreasing blood loss during cesarean hysterectomy (CH) in patients with placenta previa with accreta and was safe for mothers and fetuses.MethodsOf the 67 patients who underwent CH for placenta previa with accreta at our facility from 1985 to 2014, 57 patients were eligible for the study. The amount of intraoperative bleeding during CH was compared between three groups: surgery without blood flow occlusion (13 patients), internal iliac artery ligation (15 patients) and CIABO (29 patients). Additionally, multivariate analysis was performed to assess risk factors for massive bleeding during CH.ResultsThe mean blood loss in the CIABO group (2027 ± 1638 mL) was significantly lower than in the other two groups (3787 ± 2936 mL in the no occlusion, 4175 ± 1921 mL in the internal iliac artery ligation group; P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that spontaneous placental detachment during surgery (odds ratio [OR] 49.174, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.98–1763.67), a history of ≥ 2 cesarean sections (OR 9.226, 95% CI 1.07–231.15) and no use of CIABO (OR 26.403, 95% CI 3.20–645.17) were significantly related to massive bleeding during surgery. There was no case of necrosis resulting from ischemia. The mean radiation dose during balloon placement never exceeded the threshold value for fetal exposure.ConclusionBleeding during CH for placenta previa with accreta can be decreased by CIABO. This study also confirmed the safety of CIABO in regard to maternal lower limb ischemia and fetal radiation exposure during balloon placement.
The Effect of Sintering Time on the Marginal Fit of Zirconia Copings
Authors: Khaledi Amir Ali Reza , Vojdani Mahroo , Farzin Mitra , Pirouzi Sudabeh , Orandi Sepideh 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPurposeThis study analyzed the effect of different sintering times on the marginal adaptation of zirconia ceramic copings.Materials and MethodsThirty copings of pre‐sintered 3Y‐TZP blanks were milled and subsequently sintered in a special furnace for three different durations (n = 10 per group). The sintering time was 1 hour, 15 minutes for IPS e.max ZirCAD, 4 hours 20 minutes for Speed ZrO2, and 7 hours 20 minutes for the conventional ZrO2 group. The marginal gaps of specimens were measured at 18 spots on the master die by employing a digital microscope. One‐way ANOVA test compared the mean differences among the 3 groups (α = 0.05).ResultsThe mean values for the marginal gap of the IPS e.max ZirCAD, Speed ZrO2, and conventional ZrO2 groups were 41.06 ± 14.03, 43.03 ± 11.67, and 39.88 ± 15.23 μm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference among the groups regarding the marginal gap.ConclusionDifferent sintering times did not alter the marginal fit of the zirconia copings. The mean values of the marginal gap were within the clinically acceptable level for all three groups.
The flavours of love: A cross‐cultural lexical analysis
Authors: Lomas Tim 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLinguists have often remarked upon the polysemous nature of love, whereby the term encompasses a wide diversity of emotional relationships. Several typologies have been constructed to account for this diversity. However, these tend to be restricted in scope, and fail to fully represent the range of experiences signified by the term ‘love’ in discourse. In the interest of generating an expanded typology of love, encompassing its varied forms, an enquiry was conducted into relevant concepts found across the world's cultures, focusing on so‐called untranslatable words. Through a quasi‐systematic search of published and internet sources, 609 relevant words were identified. These were organised through a version of grounded theory into 14 categories, representing 14 different forms or ‘flavours’ of love. The result is an expanded theoretical treatment of love, allowing us to better appreciate the nuances of this most cherished and yet polysemous of concepts.
Prognostic scoring systems and outcome of endovascular radiological intervention of chronic Budd‐Chiari syndrome in children
Authors: Singh Sumit K. , Sen Sarma Moinak , Yadav Rajanikant , Kumar Sheo , Prasad Raghunandan , Yachha Surender K. , Srivastava Anshu , Poddar Ujjal 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground and AimPrognostic scoring systems (PSS) have not been validated in children with chronic Budd‐Chiari syndrome (BCS). We aimed to analyse the long‐term outcome of radiological intervention (RI) and validate the PSS in children.MethodsChronic BCS children were analysed in four subgroups: (i) SI: successful intervention (primary or secondary stent patency) (ii) PO: poor outcome (refractory stent block or requirement of liver transplantation), (iii) NU: naïve unintervened (awaiting RI) and (iv) DBI: died before intervention. PSS analysed included Paediatric end‐stage liver disease (PELD), Rotterdam, BCS‐Transjuglar intrahepatic Portosystemic shunt (BCS‐TIPS) index, Zeitoun, Child‐Pugh and Model for end‐stage liver disease.ResultsOf 113 BCS children, 48 children underwent 53 successful primary RI. Actuarial probability of vascular patency was 87% at 1 year and 82% at 5 years follow‐up. Four groups (SI: n = 40, PO: n = 7, NU: n = 13, DBI: n = 6) were analysed. Univariate analysis showed pre‐intervention PELD score [PO: 11 (−1‐23) vs SI: 2 (−8‐25), P = .009] with a cut‐off of 4 (AUC: 0.809, 86% sensitivity, 75% specificity) determined PO following intervention. In unintervened group (NU vs DBI), multivariate analysis demonstrated that Zeitoun score predicted death independently (OR 15.4, 95% CI: 1.17‐203.56, P = .04) with a cut‐off of 4.3 (AUC: 0.923, 83% sensitivity and 77% specificity).ConclusionsChildren with BCS have a favourable long‐term outcome. Among those undergoing RI, pre‐intervention PELD score determines the outcome. Survival is determined by Zeitoun score in those unintervened.
Clinical characteristics and treatment of pyrrolizidine alkaloid‐related hepatic vein occlusive disease
Authors: Zhuge Yu Z. , Wang Yi , Zhang Feng , Zhu Cheng K. , Zhang Wei , Zhang Ming , He Qibin , Yang Jian , He Jian , Chen Jun , Zou Xiao P. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsHematopoietic stem cell transplantation related hepatic vein occlusive disease (HSCT‐HVOD) has been researched extensively; however, little is known about the clinical features and treatment of pyrrolizidine alkaloid‐induced HVOD (PA‐HVOD). This retrospective single centre study examined the clinical and laboratory characteristics of 108 patients with acute PA‐HVOD and explored the efficacy of anticoagulation and TIPS therapy.MethodsThe study included 108 consecutive patients with PA‐HVOD between July 2008 and June 2016. The clinical manifestations and the results of laboratory and imaging tests were evaluated. The survival rates of patients treated with different approaches were recorded.ResultsSerum total bilirubin was <34.2 μmol/L (2 mg/dL) in approximately 40% of patients. More than 90% of patients were presented with hepatomegaly, uneven liver perfusion in the balance phase, compressive stenosis of the hepatic segmental inferior vena cava and decreased peak velocity of portal vein blood flow. Severe portal hypertension was observed in all patients undergoing HVPG examination or TIPS operation. Anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin combined with warfarin was significantly more effective than liver protection and supportive therapy, and TIPS further improved the prognosis of patients who did not respond to anticoagulation therapy. The total effective rate of the anticoagulation‐TIPS ladder therapeutic strategy was 91%.ConclusionsPatients with PA‐HVOD had different characteristics than those with HSCT‐HVOD. Anticoagulation and TIPS treatment may be effective for patients with PA‐HVOD.
Ledipasvir‐sofosbuvir for treating Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 2 infection
Authors: Asahina Yasuhiro , Itoh Yoshito , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Matsuzaki Yasushi , Takikawa Yasuhiro , Yatsuhashi Hiroshi , Genda Takuya , Ikeda Fusao , Matsuda Takuma , Dvory‐Sobol Hadas , Jiang Deyuan , Massetto Benedetta , Osinusi Anu O. , Brainard Diana M. , McHutchison John G. , Kawada Norifumi , Enomoto Nobuyuki 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground & AimsJapanese patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 infection have high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) following 12 weeks of treatment with the nucleotide polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir in combination with ribavirin, which was the standard of care at the time this study was undertaken. We assessed the efficacy of 12 weeks of treatment with a ribavirin‐free regimen of ledipasvir‐sofosbuvir.MethodsIn an open‐label, Phase 3 trial we enrolled Japanese patients with chronic HCV genotype 2 infection, with or without compensated cirrhosis. In Cohort 1, participants were randomized 1:1 to receive ledipasvir‐sofosbuvir (n = 106) or sofosbuvir + ribavirin (n = 108) for 12 weeks. In Cohort 2, 25 ribavirin‐intolerant or ‐ineligible patients received ledipasvir‐sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was SVR 12 weeks after therapy (SVR12). In Cohort 1 non‐inferiority was assessed with a prespecified margin of 10%.ResultsOne‐third (33%) of patients were treatment experienced, and 14% had cirrhosis. In Cohort 1, SVR12 rates were 96% (95% CI, 91% to 99%) with ledipasvir‐sofosbuvir and 95% (95% CI, 90% to 98%) with sofosbuvir plus ribavirin, thus achieving non‐inferiority. Among ribavirin‐intolerant/ineligible patients in Cohort 2, SVR12 was 96% (95% CI, 80% to 100%) with ledipasvir‐sofosbuvir. Overall, the most common adverse events were nasopharyngitis, anaemia, and headache; anaemia was only observed in patients receiving ribavirin. The percentage of patients who discontinued treatment because of an adverse event was low (1%).ConclusionsAmong Japanese patients with HCV genotype 2, 12 weeks of treatment with ledipasvir‐sofosbuvir resulted in high rates of SVR12 that were non‐inferior to sofosbuvir + ribavirin.
Validation and comparison of seventeen noninvasive models for evaluating liver fibrosis in Chinese hepatitis B patients
Authors: Dong Minhui , Wu Jingwen , Yu Xueping , Li Jing , Yang Sisi , Qi Xun , Mao Richeng , Zhang Yongmei , Yu Jie , Zhu Haoxiang , Yang Feifei , Qin Yanli , Zhang Jiming 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackground & AimsTo avoid liver biopsy, many noninvasive models comprised of serum markers for liver fibrosis assessment have been developed. Given that most of them were developed in hepatitis C cohorts and few of them have been validated in Chinese hepatitis B patients, we aim to conduct this validation and compare their diagnostic accuracies in such a population.MethodsA total of 937 HBV‐infected patients who underwent liver biopsy were included in this single‐centre retrospective study. The diagnostic accuracies of the 17 noninvasive models were assessed by areas under the receiver‐operating characteristic curves (AUROCs), using histologically evaluated fibrotic stages of the biopsy specimens as standards. To compare efficiencies of the models, a grading system based on AUROC levels was developed.ResultsFor discriminating significant fibrosis in all patients, the best three noninvasive models were King's score (AUROC = 0.756), Virahep‐C model (AUROC = 0.756) and GPR (AUROC = 0.744); and for diagnosing cirrhosis, Lok index (AUROC = 0.832), FI (AUROC = 0.820) and FIB‐4 (AUROC = 0.818) got the first three places. AUROCs in HBeAg‐positive group were generally higher than those in HBeAg‐negative group. In addition, based on the grading system, Virahep‐C and GPR outstood others in evaluating liver fibrosis in all patients.ConclusionsIn Chinese HBV‐infected patients, Virahep‐C models and GPR had high accuracies in diagnosing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, while the most discussed models like APRI and FIB‐4 did not outstand. Assessment should take into account the HBeAg sero‐status, since these noninvasive models were more appropriate for HBeAg‐positive patients than HBeAg‐negative ones.
Victims' Stories of Human Rights Abuse: The Ethics of Ownership, Dissemination, and Reception
Authors: Meyers Diana Tietjens 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis paper addresses three commentaries on Victims' Stories and the Advancement of Human Rights. In response to Vittorio Bufacchi, it argues that asking victims to tell their stories needn't be coercive or unjust and that victims are entitled to decide whether and under what conditions to tell their stories. In response to Serene Khader, it argues that empathy with victims' stories can contribute to building a culture of human rights provided that measures are taken to overcome the implicit biases and colonialist interpellations she identifies. In response to Andrea Westlund, it proposes a taxonomy of types of narrative closure and offers some arguments to strengthen her view that empathy with victims' stories endows audience members with a new reason and new motivation to support human rights.
Isolation and characterization of a salt stress‐responsive betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase in Lycium ruthenicum Murr
Authors: Liu Yongliang , Song Yanli , Zeng Shaohua , Patra Barunava , Yuan Ling , Wang Ying 
Published: January 2018

As compatible solute, glycine betaine (GB) plays a significant role in salinity tolerance in GB accumulating plants. Solanaceous crops such as tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) are salt sensitive and naturally GB non‐accumulators. In Solanaceae, only the Lycium genus has been recorded as halophytes in China, and several Lycium species have been reported as GB accumulators. The last biosynthetic step of GB is catalyzed by aminoaldehyde dehydrogenase (AMADH) with betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) activities. Failure of GB synthesis in tomato and tobacco was attributed to lack of BADH activity. Here, by comparing the BADH functional residues of AMADHs between the Lycium genus and solanaceous crops, we predict that all studied AMADH1s have low BADH activities while only LbAMADH2 from L. barbarum has high BADH activity. For two AMADHs in L. ruthenicum, results from substrate enzyme assays confirmed low BADH activity of LrAMADH1 and no BADH activity of LrAMADH2. Despite the very low GB contents in L. ruthenicum seedlings (< 0.5 μmol g−1 fresh weight), GB contents in fruits are up to 150 μmol g−1 FW, inferring fruits of L. ruthenicum as good GB sources. In NaCl treated seedlings, accompanied by elevated GB accumulation, expression of LrAMADH1 was up‐regulated, indicating response of LrAMADH1 to salt stress in L. ruthenicum. Virus‐induced silence of LrAMADH1 leads to less GB accumulation than control, revealing that LrAMADH1 participates in GB synthesis in planta. Collectively, our results show that LrAMADH1 is the bona fide BADH, which responds to salt stress in L. ruthenicum.