bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vaccarin administration ameliorates hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling in renovascular hypertensive rats
Authors: Zhu Xuexue , Zhou Zhou , Zhang Qingfeng , Cai Weiwei , Zhou Yuetao , Sun Haijian , Qiu Liying 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSympathetic overdrive, activation of renin angiotensin systems (RAS), and oxidative stress are vitally involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling. We recently identified that vaccarin protected endothelial cell function from oxidative stress or high glucose. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether vaccarin attenuated hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling. Two‐kidney one‐clip (2K1C) model rats were used, and low dose of vaccarin (10 mg/kg), high dose of vaccarin (30 mg/kg), captopril (30 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administrated. Herein, we showed that 2K1C rats exhibited higher systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), left ventricular mass/body weight ratio, myocardial hypertrophy or fibrosis, media thickness, and media thickness to lumen diameter, which were obviously alleviated by vaccarin and captopril. In addition, both vaccarin and captopril abrogated the increased plasma renin, angiotensin II (Ang II), norepinephrine (NE), and the basal sympathetic activity. The AT1R protein expressions, NADPH oxidase subunit NOX‐2 protein levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were significantly increased, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were decreased in myocardium, aorta, and mesenteric artery of 2K1C rats, both vaccarin and captopril treatment counteracted these changes in renovascular hypertensive rats. Collectively, we concluded that vaccarin may be a novel complementary therapeutic medicine for the prevention and treatment of hypertension. The mechanisms for antihypertensive effects of vaccarin may be associated with inhibition of sympathetic activity, RAS, and oxidative stress.
A shared comparison of diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Morsi Mahmoud , Maher Ahmed , Aboelmagd Omnia , Johar Dina , Bernstein Larry 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common diseases in the world population, associated with obesity, pancreatic endocrine changes, cardiovascular disease, renal glomerular disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, neurodegenerative disease, retinal disease, sleep apnea, some of which are bundled into the metabolic syndrome. The main characteristic of this disease is hyperglycemia, and often with albuminuria. Nevertheless, the classic features, with ketoacidosis in the extreme, are only a first layer of description of this condition. The description of the islet cells of the endocrine pancreas was first described by Opie, and the discovery of insulin by tying off the exocrine pancreatic ducts followed. We later find that the β‐cells secrete insulin and glucagon, which synchronously stimulate or suppress glycogenolysis, and that insulin is essential for glucose intake into the cell. There are yet two other layers for our understanding of diabetes and the effects of its dysfunction, which is the basis for understanding the system‐wide expression of the disease. We describe the molecular basis for the central nervous system neuropathic diseases that are associated with both Type 1 DM (T1DM) and Type 2 DM (T2DM), but more so with T2DM. T2DM is an autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin secreting islet cells. T2DM is the diabetes that is associated with an imbalance in the glucagon/insulin homeostasis that leads to the formation of amyloid deposits in the brain, pancreatic islet cells, and possibly the kidney glomerulus.
Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs reduce the incidence of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Lin , Han Zhen , Yuan Heming , Zhang Guozheng , Jia Yuliang , He Chiyi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundSeveral recent studies suggested that nonsteroidal anti‐inflammation drugs (NSAIDs) could prevent the pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, the routes of administration, the dosages of NSAIDs and the potential efficacy in reducing the severity of pancreatitis remain controversial. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of NSAIDs for post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) prophylaxis.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, Elsevier and Web of Science databases up to 1 October 2016 for relevant studies.ResultsA total of 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. Compared to the controls, the risk of pancreatitis was much lower in the NSAIDs group (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.48–0.67, P < 0.0001). However, NSAIDs were not effective in reducing the risk of moderate to severe pancreatitis compared with placebo (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.57–1.00). In the subanalyses, rectal administration was the only effective route (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.42–0.62), and the risk of PEP was reduced in both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.52–0.76) and case–control articles (C–Cs) (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.28–0.58).ConclusionsProphylactic administration of NSAIDs reduced the incidence of PEP in both RCTs and C–Cs, especially when rectally administered, but was not effective in reducing the risk of moderate to severe pancreatitis.
Understanding Organised Violence and Crime in Political Settlements: Oil Wars, Petro‐Criminality and Amnesty in the Niger Delta
Authors: Schultze‐Kraft Markus 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe relationship between political settlements and organised violence and crime in the contemporary developing world is little understood. Analysing the oil wars and massive oil theft in the Niger delta of Nigeria in the first decade after the transition to civilian‐electoral rule in 1999, this article shows that (i) organised violence is not exogenous to political settlements and their (re)production and does not always destabilise them; and (ii) organised criminal activities associated with the generation of natural resource rents, such as the massive theft of crude oil, can contribute to violence mitigation and the stabilisation of a contested political settlement. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dominant atmospheric circulation patterns associated with abnormal rainfall events over Rwanda, East Africa
Authors: Ngarukiyimana Jean Paul , Fu Yunfei , Yang Yuanjian , Ogwang Bob Alex , Ongoma Victor , Ntwali Didier 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTThe study investigated the dominant atmospheric circulation patterns associated with abnormal rainfall over Rwanda during the March–May (MAM) rainfall season in 1981–2010. The data sets used in this study include: rainfall, wind, sea surface temperature (SST), and humidity. Correlation and composite analysis and Percent of Normal Index (PNI) were deployed in this study. In the wet years (1987, 1988, and 1998), the country was dominated by moisture convergence, which is in line with wind anomalies that exhibits strong westerly winds from the Atlantic Ocean and southeasterly winds originated from the Indian Ocean. These winds carry moist air mass passing over Congo to the study area, leading to wet events. On the other hand, easterly winds were noted over the study area during the dry years (1984, 2000, 2007, and 2008). The observed wet years coincided with the El Niño events, while the dry years are noted during the La Niña episodes. The dry years exhibited a wide spread of moisture divergence anomaly at the low level and were characterized by the sinking motion as opposed to the wet years with the rising motion. The anomalies of velocity potential/divergence further showed that the wet (dry) years were characterized by convergence (divergence) at the low level. The results also show that there exists a low positive correlation between mean MAM rainfall and SST over the Indian Ocean, which shows minimum influence of the Ocean. On the other hand, it was noted that rainfall amounts is significantly correlated at 95% confidence level with the elevation (altitude) of a given station. This study improves the understanding of the occurrence of wet and dry events in Rwanda, which is helpful in future monitoring of these events.
Barriers to early detection of cognitive impairment in the elderly despite the availability of simple cognitive screening tools and the pharmacist's role in early detection and referral
Authors: Abed Howraa , Ball Patrick , Morrissey Hana 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of this review is to identify a suitable cognitive screening tool that can be used by the pharmacist during home medication review in addition to calculating the medications’ total anticholinergic burden (ACB).Data sourcesA search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Medline and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies using the following keywords: ‘cognitive impairment’, ‘cognitive impairment AND diagnosis’, ‘cognitive scales’, ‘dementia’, ‘delirium’, ‘pharmacist role’, ‘mini‐mental state examination (MMSE)’, ‘the Rowland dementia assessment scale (RUDAS)’, ‘the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale ‐ Cognition (ADAS‐Cog)’ and ‘barriers and problems’. Only informational websites, clinical trials and review articles were included.ResultsThe MMSE, RUDAS, ADAS‐Cog, Psychogeriatric Assessment Scale (PAS) and Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (KICA‐Cog) require specialist training. The anxiety and depression checklist (K10) and ‘worried about your memory’ (WAYM) can be self‐administered without prior training. The ACB scoring system can also be used to determine the total medications ACB.ConclusionThe K10 and WAYM can be used by the pharmacist during medication reviews to detect cognitive impairment early and refer the elderly for further medical care supported by the calculated score for the patient‘s total medications‘ ACB.
Development of a UHPLC–MS/MS method for the quantitation of bioactive compounds in Phyllanthus species and its herbal formulations
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Singh Awantika , Bajpai Vikas , Singh Bikarma , Kumar Brijesh 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPhyllanthus species are extensively used in traditional medicines for the treatment of hepatic diseases due to their bioactive hypophyllanthin and phyllanthin. This work describes the development and validation of an ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method in polarity switching multiple reaction monitoring mode for the simultaneous detection and quantitation of 23 compounds using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray‐hybrid triple quadrupole‐linear ion trap mass spectrometer. The validated parameters showed good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.996), limit of detection (0.05–1.62 ng/mL), limit of quantitation (0.15–4.95 ng/mL), precisions (intra‐day: RSD ≤ 2.11%), (inter‐day: RSD ≤ 2.91%), stability (RSD ≤ 2.56%) and overall recovery (98.22–104.48%; RSD ≤ 2.93%). The validated method was successfully applied in ethanolic extracts of P. amarus, P. niruri, P. emblica, P. fraternus, fractions of P. amarus and their herbal formulations for quantitation. The maximum content of hypophyllanthin (29.40 mg/g) and phyllanthin (56.60 mg/g) was detected in ethyl acetate fraction of P. amarus. The total content of 23 compounds was abundant in the ethanolic extract of P. emblica fruit. Principal component analysis was used to differentiate the selected Phyllanthus species and their herbal formulations. The results indicated that the present method could be used for quality control of Phyllanthus species and its herbal formulations.
Comparison of ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography, ultra high performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography for the separation of synthetic cathinones
Authors: Carnes Stephanie , O'Brien Stacey , Szewczak Angelica , Tremeau‐Cayel Lauriane , Rowe Walter F. , McCord Bruce , Lurie Ira S. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA comparison of ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography, ultra high performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography for the separation of synthetic cathinones has been conducted. Nine different mixtures of bath salts were analyzed in this study. The three different chromatographic techniques were examined using a general set of controlled synthetic cathinones as well as a variety of other synthetic cathinones that exist as positional isomers. Overall 35 different synthetic cathinones were analyzed. A variety of column types and chromatographic modes were examined for developing each separation. For the ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography separations, analyses were performed using a series of Torus and Trefoil columns with either ammonium formate or ammonium hydroxide as additives, and methanol, ethanol or isopropanol organic solvents as modifiers. Ultra high performance liquid chromatographic separations were performed in both reversed phase and hydrophilic interaction chromatographic modes using SPP C18 and SPP HILIC columns. Gas chromatography separations were performed using an Elite‐5MS capillary column. The orthogonality of ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography, ultra high performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography was examined using principal component analysis. For the best overall separation of synthetic cathinones, the use of ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography in combination with gas chromatography is recommended.
Large‐scale isolation of high‐purity anthocyanin monomers from mulberry fruits by combined chromatographic techniques
Authors: Chen Yao , Du Fang , Wang Wei , Li Qian , Zheng Daheng , Zhang Weijie , Zhao Ting , Mao Guanghua , Feng Weiwei , Wu Xiangyang , Yang Liuqing 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAnthocyanins have attracted attention over the past several decades because of their beneficial health effects. In this research, a strategy combining column chromatography and high‐speed countercurrent chromatography was developed for the separation of high‐purity anthocyanin monomers from mulberry fruits. After purification using Amberlite XAD‐7HP column with 80% ethanol (0.1% HCl), a fraction of anthocyanins mixtures with a purity of 68.6% was obtained. High‐speed countercurrent chromatography with a biphasic solvent system of n‐butanol/methyl tert‐butyl ether/acetonitrile/water/trifluoroacetic acid (30:10:10:50:0.05, v/v) was used to separate the anthocyanin monomers. Three monomers of delphinidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, and cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside were obtained, and identified by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry. The method developed in this work can be used to conduct large‐scale separations of anthocyanin monomers from mulberry fruits and other plants.
Single‐run capillary electrophoresis method for the fast simultaneous determination of amoxicillin, clavulanate, and potassium
Authors: Marra Mariana C. , Cunha Rafael R. , Muñoz Rodrigo A. A. , Batista Alex D. , Richter Eduardo M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe report a new fast method for the simultaneous determination of amoxicillin, clavulanate, and potassium by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection. Samples containing potassium as the cation, and both amoxicillin and clavulanate as anions were determined simultaneously in a single run (in less than 45 s) using 10 mmol/L of both 2‐amino‐2‐hydroxymethyl‐propane‐1,3‐diol and 3‐{[2‐hydroxy‐1,1‐bis(hydroxymethyl)ethyl]amino}‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (pH 8.4) as the background electrolyte. Limits of detection were 25.0, 5.0, and 4.0 μmol/L for amoxicillin, clavulanate, and potassium, respectively. The proposed method is inexpensive, simple, fast (75 injections h−1), environment friendly (minimal waste generation), and accurate (recovery values between 98 and 103%). The results obtained with the proposed method were statistically similar (95% confidence level) to those obtained by using high‐performance liquid chromatography (amoxicillin and clavulanate) and flame photometry (potassium).
Capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection method development and validation for the determination of azithromycin, clarithromycin, and clindamycin
Authors: Paul Prasanta , Duchateau Tom , Sänger‐van de Griend Cari , Adams Erwin , Van Schepdael Ann 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection based method for the assay of azithromycin, clarithromycin and clindamycin was optimized and validated in this study. A buffer solution of 20 mM 2‐(N‐morpholino) ethane sulfonic acid, 40 mM l‐histidine and 0.6 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (pH 6.39) was used for the electrophoresis. An uncoated, bare‐fused silica capillary (total length 60 cm, effective length 32 cm, 75 μm id) was used at 25°C. The sample was injected hydrodynamically at 0.5 psi for 5 s. The electrophoresis was conducted at 30 kV in reverse polarity for 6 min with 3 and 2 min of in‐between sodium hydroxide (0.1 M) and background electrolyte rinsing, respectively. Ammonium acetate was used as internal standard. This simple and robust method showed reasonable limit of detection and limit of quantitation for azithromycin (0.0125/0.03 mg/mL), clarithromycin (0.017/0.03 mg/mL), and clindamycin (0.038/0.06 mg/mL), with good selectivity, precision both intraday (relative standard deviation ≤ 1.0%) and interday (relative standard deviation < 3.7%), linearity (R2 > 0.999) and recovery (99 – 101.7%). The method was successfully applied for the determination of azithromycin, clarithromycin and clindamycin in formulations.
Treatment effectiveness for aging changes in the larynx
Authors: Sachs Aaron M. , Bielamowicz Steven A. , Stager Sheila V. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivesTo compare the effectiveness of injection augmentation and bilateral thyroplasty surgery in managing age‐related changes of the larynx.Study DesignRetrospective chart review of patients treated with bilateral thyroplasty and/or injection augmentation.MethodsWe evaluated 22 patients before and after treatment using: 1) normalized glottal gap area and normalized true vocal fold width from endoscopic images; 2) patient self‐rating questionnaires; and 3) acoustic and aerodynamic measures.ResultsThyroplasty surgery resulted in 38% of patients demonstrating less bowing compared to 33% after injection, and 63% demonstrated less supraglottic activity compared to 43% after injection (P = 0.09). Change in mean Voice‐Related Quality of Life (V‐RQOL) scores was 25.5 after thyroplasty compared to −16.4 after injection (P < 0.05). Those exhibiting a greater than 20 change in V‐RQOL after treatment were significantly more likely to report swallowing symptoms pretreatment.ConclusionPatients postinjection did not rate themselves on any questionnaires as significantly better compared to pretreatment, whereas patients post‐thyroplasty rated themselves as significantly improved on all questionnaires. Patients post‐thyroplasty rated their voices as significantly closer to their best voice than patients postinjection. Likewise, 64% of patients who had thyroplasty surgery reported a significant treatment effect compared to 33% for injection augmentation.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:2572–2577, 2017
Outcomes and patterns of failure of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the larynx: The Mayo Clinic experience
Authors: Gamez Mauricio E. , Jeans Elizabeth , Hinni Michael L. , Moore Eric , Young Geoffrey , Ma Daniel , McGee Lisa , Buras Matthew R. , Patel Samir H. 
Published: July 2017

Objectives/HypothesisSarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. No consensus exists on its management. Our aim was to present our outcomes.Study DesignRetrospective study. Median follow‐up 45 months.MethodsThere were 38 patients with pathologically confirmed sarcomatoid carcinoma of the larynx treated at the Mayo Clinic from 1990 to 2014. Statistical analysis of overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), and local control (LC) were conducted using the Kaplan‐Meier method.ResultsThe majority of patients were elderly males (92%) with a smoking history (74%) presenting with early‐stage disease (71%). Surgery alone was the primary treatment in 27 patients (71%). Nine patients (25%) were treated with adjuvant radiation due to initial stage or high‐risk pathologic features. Median radiation dose to the primary/surgical bed was 65 Gy (range, 60.3–75.0 Gy). A total of 15 patients (39%) had tumor recurrence, majority being local (n = 12). Sixty percent (n = 9) had multiple local recurrences. Five‐year OS, PFS, and LC were 63%, 46%, and 72%, respectively. Subgroup analysis by stage I versus higher stages (II–IV) showed an OS of 80% versus 43% (P = .030), PFS of 65% versus 18% (P = .003), and LC of 84% versus 57% (P = .039).ConclusionsSarcomatoid carcinoma of the larynx is rare, and frequently presents at an early stage in older men with history of smoking. Based on our outcomes and patterns of failure, it appears early‐stage tumors are treated appropriately with single‐modality therapy, whereas more advanced tumors require multimodality therapy. Validation in a larger cohort is warranted.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 128:373–377, 2018
Hyaluronan/Collagen Hydrogels with Sulfated Hyaluronan for Improved Repair of Vascularized Tissue Tune the Binding of Proteins and Promote Endothelial Cell Growth
Authors: Rother Sandra , Galiazzo Vanessa D. , Kilian David , Fiebig Karen M. , Becher Jana , Moeller Stephanie , Hempel Ute , Schnabelrauch Matthias , Waltenberger Johannes , Scharnweber Dieter , Hintze Vera 
Published: July 2017

AbstractInnovative biomaterial‐based concepts are required to improve wound healing of damaged vascularized tissues especially in elderly multimorbid patients. To develop functional hydrogels as 3D cellular microenvironments and as carrier or scavenging systems, e.g., for mediator proteins or proinflammatory factors, collagen fibrils are embedded into a network of photo‐crosslinked acrylated hyaluronan (HA), chondroitin sulfate (CS), or sulfated HA (sHA). After lyophilization, the gels show a porous structure and an improved stability against degradation via hyaluronidase. Gels with CS and sHA bind significantly more lysozyme than HA/collagen gels and retard its release. The proliferation and metabolic activity of endothelial cells are significantly increased on sHA gels compared to CS‐ or only HA‐containing hydrogels. These findings highlight the potential of HA/collagen hydrogels with sulfated glycosaminoglycans to tune the protein binding and release behavior and to directly modulate cellular response. This can be easily translated into biomimetic biomaterials with defined properties to stimulate wound healing.
Assessments of plasma ghrelin levels in the early stages of parkinson's disease
Authors: Song Ning , Wang Weiwei , Jia Fengjv , Du Xixun , Xie Anmu , He Qing , Shen Xiaoli , Zhang Jing , Rogers Jack T. , Xie Junxia , Jiang Hong 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundGastrointestinal symptoms are early events in Parkinson's disease (PD). The gastrointestinal hormone ghrelin was neuroprotective in the nigrostriatal dopamine system. The objective of this study was to assess ghrelin levels in the early stages of PD.MethodsPlasma was collected in the fasting state in 291 PD patients in stages 1‐3 and 303 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Additional samples were taken in the glucose response test to assess nutrition‐related ghrelin levels in 20 PD patients and 20 healthy controls. The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure total and active plasma ghrelin levels.ResultsWe reported that total and active plasma ghrelin levels were decreased in PD, although there was no difference across progressive PD stages. Postprandial ghrelin suppression and preprandial peak responses were both attenuated in PD.ConclusionsPlasma ghrelin levels were decreased in PD; however, this event might be irrelevant to PD progression. Ghrelin responses to meals were also impaired in PD. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society