julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Elevated intrathoracic CO2 pressure during thoracoscopic surgery decreases regional cerebral oxygen saturation in neonates and infants—A pilot study
2017-05-24

Summary Background Intraoperative hypercapnia and acidosis are risk factors during thoracoscopy in neonates and infants. Methods In a prospective pilot study, we evaluated the effects of thoracoscopy in neonates and infants on cerebral microcirculation, oxygen saturation, and oxygen consumption. Regional cerebral oxygen saturation and blood flow were measured noninvasively using a new device combining laser Doppler flowmetry and white light spectrometry. Additionally, cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction and approximated oxygen consumption were calculated. Fifteen neonates and infants undergoing thoracoscopy were studied using the above‐mentioned method. The chest was insufflated with carbon dioxide with a pressure of 2‐6 mm Hg. Single lung ventilation was not used. As control group served 15 neonates and infants undergoing abdominal surgery. Results Data are presented as median and range. The 95% confidence intervals for differences of means (95% CI ) are given for the mean difference from baseline values. We observed a correlation between intrathoracic pressure exceeding 4 mm Hg and transient decrease in regional cerebral oxygen saturation of 12.7% (95% CI : 9.7–17.2, P &lt;.001). Peripheral oxygen saturation was normal at the same time. Intraoperative increase in arterial pa CO 2 (median maximum value: 48.8 mm Hg, range: [36.5‐65.4]; 95% CI : −16.0 to −3.0, P =.002) and decrease in arterial pH (median minimum value: 7.3, range: [7.2‐7.4]; 95% CI : 0.04‐0.12, P =.008) were observed during thoracoscopy with both parameters recovering at the end of the procedure. Periods of regional cerebral oxygen saturation below 20% from baseline were significantly more frequent during thoracoscopy as compared to the control group (median maximum value: 1.3%min/h, range: [0.0‐66.2] vs median maximum value: 0.0%min/h, range: [0.0‐4.0]; 95% CI : −16.6 to −1.1, P =.028). Conclusion We suggest that thoracoscopic surgery in neonates and infants, although generally safe, may be associated with a decrease in regional cerebral oxygen saturation correlating with the applied intrathoracic pressure. According to our data an inflation pressure &gt;4 mm Hg should be avoided during thoracoscopic surgery.
A fragment of the alarmin prothymosin α as a novel biomarker in murine models of bacteria-induced sepsis
2017-05-24

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent care. Thus, the identification of specific and sensitive biomarkers for its early diagnosis and management are of clinical importance. The alarmin prothymosin alpha (proTα) and its decapeptide proTα(100-109) are immunostimulatory peptides related to cell death. In this study, we generated bacterial models of sepsis in mice using two Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (L-78 and ATCC 43816) and monitored sepsis progression using proTα(100-109) as a biomarker. Serum concentration of proTα(100-109) gradually increased as sepsis progressed in mice infected with L-78, a strain which, unlike ATCC 43816, was phagocytosed by monocytes/macrophages. Analysis of splenocytes from L-78-infected animals revealed that post-infection spleen monocytes/macrophages were gradually driven to caspase-3-mediated apoptosis. These results were verified in vitro in L-78-infected human monocytes/macrophages. Efficient phagocytosis of L-78 by monocytes stimulated their apoptosis and the concentration of proTα(100-109) in culture supernatants increased. Human macrophages strongly phagocytosed L-78, but resisted cell death. This is the first report suggesting that high levels of proTα(100-109) correlate, both in vitro and in vivo, with increased percentages of cell apoptosis. Moreover, we showed that low levels of proTα(100-109) early post-infection likely correlate with sepsis resolution and thus, the decapeptide could eventually serve as an early surrogate biomarker for predicting bacteria-induced sepsis outcome.
Minimal Invasive Cystometry and Intra-Abdominal Pressure Assessments in Rodents: A Novel Animal Study
2017-05-24

BACKGROUND The abdominal straining pattern can act as a novel parameter for improving the prediction of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). To preserve detrusor function in the early stage of urinary system impairment, such as BOO, we establish a novel method for cystometry and Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) assessments in rodents without cystostomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty mice and rats were divided into three groups (control, sham-operated and BOO group) respectively. The cystometry and IAP assessments were measured by the pediatric venous indwelling sheath and coronary dilatation catheter connected to Laborie urodynamic system on postoperative day 7. Data was collected simultaneously through urethra and rectum in each group. In addition, bladder histology was assessed to confirm BOO. RESULTS The novel method can collect the urodynamic parameters successfully, including the BLPP, IAP, MBC, etc. IAP was elevated in BOO rats, but no significantly difference was found between the sham-operated rats and the control rats. The hypertrophy of detrusor muscle in bladder section was observed by Masson trichrome staining in BOO group compared with other groups. CONCLUSIONS Our novel method based on innovative research implement for cystometry and IAP assessments in rodents is a reliable and replicable approach for evaluating the lower urinary tract function. Especially it provides detailed information to evaluate lower urinary tract structures and function in the early stage of BOO.
The NTCP‐inhibitor Myrcludex B: Effects on Bile Acid Disposition and Tenofovir Pharmacokinetics
2017-05-25

Myrcludex B acts as a hepatitis B and D virus entry inhibitor blocking the sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (SLC10A1). We investigated the effects of myrcludex B on plasma bile acid disposition, tenofovir pharmacokinetics, and perpetrator characteristics on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A. Twelve healthy volunteers received 300 mg tenofovir disoproxil fumarate orally and 10 mg subcutaneous myrcludex B. Myrcludex B increased total plasma bile acid exposure 19.2‐fold without signs of cholestasis. The rise in conjugated bile acids was up to 124‐fold (taurocholic acid). Coadministration of tenofovir with myrcludex B revealed no relevant changes in tenofovir pharmacokinetics. CYP3A activity slightly but significantly decreased by 29% during combination therapy. Myrcludex B caused an asymptomatic but distinct rise in plasma bile acid concentrations and had no relevant impact on tenofovir pharmacokinetics. Changes in CYP3A activity might be due to alterations in bile acid signaling. Long‐term effects of elevated bile acids will require critical evaluation.
Macular Sensitivity Measured With Microperimetry in Stargardt Disease in the Progression of Atrophy Secondary to Stargardt Disease (ProgStar) Study
2017-05-25

We provide an extensive analysis of macular sensitivity parameters in STGD1 and demonstrate their association with demographic characteristics and vision. These data suggest microperimetry testing provides a more comprehensive assessment of retinal function and will be an important outcome measure in future clinical trials.
Antigen delivery to dendritic cells shapes human CD4+ and CD8+ T cell memory responses to Staphylococcus aureus
2017-05-25

Intracellular persistence of Staphylococcus aureus favors bacterial spread and chronic infections. Here, we provide evidence for the existence of human CD4+ and CD8+ T cell memory against staphylococcal antigens. Notably, the latter could provide a missing link in our understanding of immune control of intracellular S. aureus. The analyses showed that pulsing of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDC) with native staphylococcal protein antigens induced release of Th2-associated cytokines and mediators linked to T regulatory cell development (G-CSF, IL-2 and IL-10) from both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, thus revealing a state of tolerance predominantly arising from preformed memory T cells. Furthermore, G-CSF was identified as a suppressor of CD8+ T cell-derived IFNγ secretion, thus confirming a tolerogenic role of this cytokine in the regulation of T cell responses to S. aureus. Nevertheless, delivery of in vitro transcribed mRNA-encoded staphylococcal antigens triggered Th1-biased responses, e.g. IFNγ and TNF release from both naïve and memory T cells. Collectively, our data highlight the potential of mRNA-adjuvanted antigen presentation to enable inflammatory responses, thus overriding the existing Th2/Treg-biased memory T cell response to native S. aureus antigens.
Investor Pessimism and the German Stock Market: Exploring Google Search Queries
2017-05-25

Abstract We analyze the relationship of retail investor sentiment and the German stock market by introducing four distinct investor pessimism indices (IPIs) based on selected aggregate Google search queries. We assess the predictive power of weekly changes in sentiment captured by the IPIs for contemporaneous and future DAX returns, volatility and trading volume. The indices are found to have individually varying, but overall remarkably high explanatory power. An increase in retail investor pessimism is accompanied by decreasing contemporaneous market returns and an increase in volatility and trading volume. Future returns tend to increase while future volatility and trading volume decrease. The outcome is in line with the conjecture of correction effects. Overall, the results are well in line with modern investor sentiment theory.
Multiline balanced SSFP for rapid functional imaging at ultrahigh field
2017-05-25

Purpose The goal of this study is to develop and evaluate a multiline balanced steady‐state free‐precession (bSSFP) sequence for passband functional MRI at ultrahigh field. Methods Passband bSSFP functional MRI experiments using a visual task were performed on a 9.4 T system with echo trains ranging from one up to seven echoes. We analyze the acquisition efficiency, temporal and thermal signal‐to‐noise ratio, as well as the observed blood oxygen–level‐dependent (BOLD) signal changes. Results With increasing repetition time and echo train length, the BOLD‐related signal change as well as the thermal and temporal noise were improved. Activation patterns and signal changes were stable and reproducible across subjects. Conclusions We propose a multiline bSSFP for functional BOLD imaging that approaches the speed of echo‐planar imaging and that shows an increased BOLD sensitivity compared with single‐line bSSFP. Magn Reson Med 79:994–1000, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Genetic determination of body fat distribution and the attributive influence on metabolism
2017-05-25

Objective Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have identified single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with estimates of body fat distribution. Using predefined risk allele scores, the correlation of these scores with precisely quantified body fat distribution assessed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques and with metabolic traits was investigated. Methods Data from 4,944 MR scans from 915 subjects of European ancestry were analyzed. Body fat distribution was determined by MR imaging and liver fat content by 1 H‐MR spectroscopy. All subjects underwent a five‐point 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. A total of 65 SNPs with reported genome‐wide significant associations regarding estimates of body fat distribution were genotyped. Four genetic risk scores were created by summation of risk alleles. Results A higher allelic load of waist‐to‐hip ratio SNPs was associated with lower insulin sensitivity, higher postchallenge glucose levels, and more visceral and less subcutaneous fat mass. Conclusions GWAS‐derived polymorphisms estimating body fat distribution are associated with distinct patterns of body fat distribution exactly measured by MR. Only the risk score associated with the waist‐to‐hip ratio in GWAS showed an unhealthy pattern of metabolism and body fat distribution. This score might be useful for predicting diseases associated with genetically determined, unhealthy obesity.
Perceptions of Patient Engagement Applications During Pregnancy: A Qualitative Assessment of the Patient’s Perspective
2017-05-26

eHealth and mHealth applications are a highly frequented source of information. Expectations and usability requirements for those applications are also high, thus posing a challenge to interdisciplinary service providers. Patients' attitude toward integrating apps in routine care settings was positive with a favorable influence on patient empowerment. Health care professionals should guide pregnant women toward a successful integration of these educational tools in pregnancy care.
The role of genetic testing in epilepsy diagnosis and management
2017-05-26

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. More than 500 epilepsy-associated genes have been described in the literature. Most of these genes play an important role in neuronal excitability, cortical development or synaptic transmission. A growing number of genetic variations have implications on diagnosis and prognostic or therapeutic advice in terms of a personalized medicine. Area covered: The review presents the different forms of genetic epilepsies with respect to their underlying genetic and functional pathophysiology and aims to give advice for recommended genetic testing. Moreover, it discusses ethical and legal guidelines, costs and technical limitations which should be considered. Expert commentary: Genetic testing is an important component in the diagnosis and treatment of many forms of epilepsy.
Condensed versus standard schedule of high-dose cytarabine consolidation therapy with pegfilgrastim growth factor support in acute myeloid leukemia
2017-05-26

The aim of this cohort study was to compare a condensed schedule of consolidation therapy with high-dose cytarabine on days 1, 2 and 3 (HDAC-123) with the HDAC schedule given on days 1, 3 and 5 (HDAC-135) as well as to evaluate the prophylactic use of pegfilgrastim after chemotherapy in younger patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission. One hundred and seventy-six patients were treated with HDAC-135 and 392 patients with HDAC-123 with prophylactic pegfilgrastim at days 10 and 8, respectively, in the AMLSG 07-04 and the German AML Intergroup protocol. Time from start to chemotherapy until hematologic recovery with white blood cells >1.0 G/l and neutrophils >0.5 G/l was in median 4 days shorter in patients receiving HDAC-123 compared with HDAC-135 (P<0.0001, each), and further reduced by 2 days (P<0.0001) by pegfilgrastim. Rates of infections were reduced by HDAC-123 (P<0.0001) and pegfilgrastim (P=0.002). Days in hospital and platelet transfusions were significantly reduced by HDAC-123 compared with HDAC-135. Survival was neither affected by HDAC-123 versus HDAC-135 nor by pegfilgrastim. In conclusion, consolidation therapy with HDAC-123 leads to faster hematologic recovery and less infections, platelet transfusions as well as days in hospital without affecting survival.
Self‐esteem development in the school context: The roles of intrapersonal and interpersonal social predictors
2017-05-27

Abstract Objective When considering that social inclusion is a basic human need, it makes sense that self‐esteem is fueled by social feedback and the sense of being liked by others. This is particularly true with respect to early adolescence, when peers become increasingly important. In the current article, we tested which components of social inclusion are particularly beneficial for the development of self‐esteem by differentiating between intra personal components (i.e., self‐perceptions of social inclusion) and inter personal components (i.e., perceiver and target effects of liking). Method Using longitudinal data from 2,281 fifth graders and 1,766 eighth graders (TRAIN; Jonkmann et al., 2013), we tested mean‐level self‐esteem development and the role of intrapersonal components in this development. Using classroom round‐robin data on liking from subsamples of 846 (689) fifth‐(eighth‐)grade students nested in 46 (39) classes, we tested effects of interpersonal relationship components on self‐esteem development in the classroom context. Results The three major findings demonstrated, first, no consistent trends in mean levels of self‐esteem in early to middle adolescence; second, constant positive effects of intrapersonal components between students and within students across time; and third, no stable effects of interpersonal components. Conclusions The discussion highlights the role of intrapersonal components and the methodological challenges of our study.
Significance of Frequencies, Compositions, and/or Antileukemic Activity of (DC-stimulated) Invariant NKT, NK and CIK Cells on the Outcome of Patients With AML, ALL and CLL
2017-05-27

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT)/natural killer (NK)/cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are important for immune surveillance. (I) Novel combinations of antibody 6B11 (targeting the Vα24-Jα18-invariant T-cell receptor) with CD4/CD8/CD1d/Vα24 for iNKT subset detection and “T/NK cell-like”-iNKT subsets were defined. Compared with healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) (significantly) lower proportions of iNKT cells (6B11 + /6B11 + CD3 + /6B11 + CD161 + ), NK cells (CD3 − CD56 + /CD3 − CD161 + ), and CIK cells (CD3 + CD56 + /CD3 + CD161 + ) were found in peripheral blood MNC from acute myeloid (AML)/acute myeloid, lymphoid (ALL)/chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL) patients in acute disease stages. Subtyping of iNKT cells revealed (significantly) higher proportions of CD3 + T cells and CD161 + NK cells in AML/ALL/CLL expressing 6B11 compared with healthy MNC. Prognostic evaluations showed higher proportions of iNKT/NK/CIK cells in favorable AML subgroups (younger age, primary, no extramedullary disease, achievement/maintenance of complete remission) or adult ALL and CLL patients. (II) iNKT/NK/CIK cell frequencies increased after (vs. before) mixed lymphocyte cultures of T-cell–enriched immune reactive cells stimulated with MNC/whole blood with or without pretreatment with “cocktails” (dendritic cells generating methods/kits inducing blasts’ conversion to leukemia-derived dendritic cells from AML patients). Individual “cocktails” leading to “highest” iNKT cell frequencies could be defined. Antileukemic blast lytic activity correlated significantly with frequencies of iNKT/NK/CIK cells. In summary healthy MNC show significantly more iNKT/NK/CIK cells compared with AML/ALL/CLL MNC, a shift in the iNKT cell composition is seen in healthy versus leukemic samples and iNKT/NK/CIK cell-proportions in AML/ALL/CLL MNC samples correlate with prognosis. “Cocktail”-treated AML blasts lead to higher iNKT/NK/CIK cell frequencies and samples with antileukemic activity show significantly higher frequencies of iNKT/NK/CIK cells. Proportions of iNKT/NK/CIK cells should regularly be evaluated in AML/ALL/CLL diagnosis panels for quantitative/prognostic estimation of individual patients’ antileukemic potential and their role in dendritic cells/leukemia-derived dendritic cells triggered immune surveillance.
Facies and integrated sequence stratigraphy of an Epeiric Carbonate Ramp Succession: Dhruma Formation, Sultanate of Oman
2017-05-28

Abstract As an example of an epeiric carbonate ramp depositional system, the world‐class outcrops of the Middle Jurassic Dhruma Formation were studied in the Oman Mountains (Sultanate of Oman). An integrated approach was followed: facies analyses were combined with quantitative sequence‐stratigraphic methods as well as bio‐ and chemostratigraphy. Depositional environments range from peritidal to lagoonal and ‘shoal‐like’ environments. A conspicuous four‐level hierarchy of cyclicity was identified. This is substantiated by facies trends and specific cycle indicators such as various types of discontinuity surfaces, biofacies changes, and a suite of quantitative‐ and semi‐quantitative sequence‐stratigraphic methods like facies stacking pattern plots, facies percentage, bed‐thickness and bio‐component diversity plots, as well as diagrams representing the environmental range and facies belt width per high‐frequency sequence. Potential reservoir facies are present in the form of peloidal and oolitic grainstones; potential baffle/seal facies as vastly extensive mudstones and marls. A transition from peritidal to low‐energy lagoonal deposits to increasingly high‐energy deposits can be observed towards the top of the Dhruma Formation representing a landward shift of the depositional environment. This study may be useful as outcrop analogue for the hydrocarbon‐bearing parts of the Dhruma in the subsurface of the Arabian Plate and for similar epeiric carbonates elsewhere.
Targeting JAK/STAT signalling in inflammatory skin diseases with small molecule inhibitors
2017-05-29

For most inflammatory skin diseases topical glucocorticosteroids and traditional oral immunosuppressive drugs remain the principle treatment choices, but this has started to change. A deeper understanding in individual disease pathogenesis, basic immune mechanisms and molecular signalling pathways, together with advances in pharmaceutical drug development, allow us to interfere more precisely with disease‐related factors. Some examples of inflammation‐controlling interventions include antibodies neutralizing disease‐associated cytokines, and small molecules targeting intracellular pathways relevant to cytokine production or cytokine signalling. So far, this is best established for psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease dominated by Th17 cytokines. In this review, we focus on chronic inflammatory skin diseases where cytokines using type I/II cytokine receptors play a dominant role in disease pathogenesis and where novel treatments with inhibitors of the JAK/STAT pathway are already under clinical investigation. To better understand the rationale of using JAK/STAT inhibitors in the discussed skin diseases, we give an overview of important genetic and immunological associations with the JAK/STAT pathway and summarize the stage of clinical development of small molecular inhibitors. JAK/STAT inhibitors will presumably find wide application in dermatology, since they can be applied not only systematically but also topically for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.
A Synchronous Motor Imagery Based Neural Physiological Paradigm for Brain Computer Interface Speller
2017-05-29

Brain Computer Interface (BCI) speller is a typical BCI-based application to help paralyzed patients express their thoughts. This paper proposed a novel motor imagery based BCI speller with Oct-o-spell paradigm for word input. Furthermore, an intelligent input method was used for improving the performance of the BCI speller. For the English word spelling experiment, we compared synchronous control with previous asynchronous control under the same experimental condition. There were no significant differences between these two control methods in the classification accuracy, information transmission rate (ITR) or letters per minute (LPM). And the accuracy rates of over 70% validated the feasibility for these two control strategies. It was indicated that MI-based synchronous control protocol was feasible for BCI speller. And the efficiency of the predictive text entry (PTE) mode was superior to that of the Non-PTE mode.