bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The rational design of biomimetic skin barrier lipid formulations using biophysical methods
Authors: Bulsara P. A. , Varlashkin P. , Dickens J. , Moore D. J. , Rawlings A. V. , Clarke M. J. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractObjectiveThe focus of this communication was to study phospholipid‐structured emulsions whose phase behaviour is modified with monoalkyl fatty amphiphiles. Ideally, these systems would mimic key physical and structural attributes observed in human stratum corneum (SC) so that they better alleviate xerotic skin conditions.MethodsPhosphatidylcholine‐structured emulsions were prepared, and their phase behaviour modified with monoalkyl fatty amphiphiles. The effect of molecular volume, acyl chain length and head‐group interactions was studied using a combination of physical methods. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) was used as a primary test to assess occlusive character. Changes in the vibrational modes observed in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and bilayer spacing measured by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) were then applied to elucidate the lateral and lamellar microstructural characteristics in the systems.ResultsWater vapour transmission rate demonstrated that as the phosphatidylcholine acyl chain length increased from C14, to C18, to C22, there was a corresponding increase in occlusive character. The addition of monoalkyl fatty amphiphiles such as behenic acid, behenyl alcohol or cetostearyl alcohol to a base formulation incorporating dipalmitoyl and distearoylphosphatidylcholine (C18) was seen to further increase barrier characteristics of the emulsions. FTIR methods used to probe lipid‐chain conformational ordering demonstrated that as phosphatidylcholine acyl chain lengths increased, there was a corresponding improvement in acyl chain ordering, with an increase in thermal transition temperatures. The addition of a monoalkyl fatty amphiphile resulted in conformational order and thermal transition temperature improvements trending towards those observed in stratum corneum. FTIR also demonstrated that systems containing behenic acid or behenyl alcohol exhibited features associated with orthorhombic character. X‐ray diffraction data showed that addition of monoalkyl fatty amphiphile also resulted in thicker lamellar structures than when those agents are not present.ConclusionThe generalized approach described herein is shown to mechanistically describe the occlusive character of phospholipid‐structured formulations in the presence of long‐chain fatty acids or alcohols and that they exhibit characteristics mimicking those found in human SC lipids.
An investigation of cytochrome p450 (CYP) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) isoenzyme protein expression and related interactions with phototherapy in patients with psoriasis vulgaris
Authors: Karadag Ayse S. , Uzunçakmak Tuğba K. , Ozkanli Seyma , Oguztuzun Serpil , Moran Busra , Akbulak Ozge , Ozlu Emin , Zemheri Itir E. , Bilgili Serap G. , Akdeniz Necmettin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractOxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) make up a group of antioxidant enzymes. Cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes can influence oxidation and reduction reactions. We investigated the potential effects of GST and CYP enzymes in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. The study included 32 psoriasis patients and 22 healthy subjects. Psoriasis patients were administered 20 sessions of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy. Expressions of GST and CYP enzymes were assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Expression levels of GSTK1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 were significantly higher in psoriasis than in control tissues (P = 0.022, P = 0.001, and P = 0.006, respectively). Pre‐ and post‐treatment expression was similar. Expression of CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 was significantly higher in pre‐ (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively) and post‐treatment (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001, respectively) psoriatic tissues than in control tissues. No significant differences in CYP1B1 levels between the study and control groups were detected before treatment (P > 0.05). However, CYP1B1 levels were higher in post‐treatment psoriatic tissue than in control tissue (P = 0.045). The significant increases in expression of GSTK1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 in psoriasis may reflect the increased activation of GST in response to excessive free radical formation from activated neutrophils or ultraviolet exposure to maintain antioxidant capacity in psoriasis. Furthermore, expressions of CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 represent important enzymatic systems in psoriasis. These findings suggest that psoriasis is an oxidative stress condition, although phototherapy does not affect these enzymatic systems. Further investigation is required.
Onychomycosis in children. A review
Authors: Solís‐Arias Martha Patricia , García‐Romero Maria Teresa 
Published: September 2016

AbstractOnychomycosis is considered an age‐related infection with increasing prevalence in the older age groups. It is rare in the pediatric population, except in children with Down syndrome and with immunodeficiencies, who are more likely to have fungal nail infections. The number of reports about onychomycosis in children is relatively small, and the epidemiologic data vary, but a rise in prevalence has been demonstrated. In this article, we review the most up‐to‐date literature and summarize the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of onychomycosis in children, as well as the differences with the disease presenting in adults. Dermatologists must consider onychomycosis in the differential diagnosis of nail alterations in children and always perform a mycological study to confirm the diagnosis.
The Green Tetrahymena utriculariae n. sp. (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) with Its Endosymbiotic Algae (Micractinium sp.), Living in Traps of a Carnivorous Aquatic Plant
Authors: Pitsch Gianna , Adamec Lubomír , Dirren Sebastian , Nitsche Frank , Šimek Karel , Sirová Dagmara , Posch Thomas 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe genus Tetrahymena (Ciliophora, Oligohymenophorea) probably represents the best studied ciliate genus. At present, more than forty species have been described. All are colorless, i.e. they do not harbor symbiotic algae, and as aerobes they need at least microaerobic habitats. Here, we present the morphological and molecular description of the first green representative, Tetrahymena utriculariae n. sp., living in symbiosis with endosymbiotic algae identified as Micractinium sp. (Chlorophyta). The full life cycle of the ciliate species is documented, including trophonts and theronts, conjugating cells, resting cysts and dividers. This species has been discovered in an exotic habitat, namely in traps of the carnivorous aquatic plant Utricularia reflexa (originating from Okavango Delta, Botswana). Green ciliates live as commensals of the plant in this anoxic habitat. Ciliates are bacterivorous, however, symbiosis with algae is needed to satisfy cell metabolism but also to gain oxygen from symbionts. When ciliates are cultivated outside their natural habitat under aerobic conditions and fed with saturating bacterial food, they gradually become aposymbiotic. Based on phylogenetic analyses of 18S rRNA and mitochondrial cox1 genes T. utriculariae forms a sister group to Tetrahymena thermophila.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is associated with a state of betaine‐insufficiency
Authors: Sookoian Silvia , Puri Puneet , Castaño Gustavo O. , Scian Romina , Mirshahi Faridodin , Sanyal Arun J. , Pirola Carlos J. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackground and AimsNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) develops from a complex process, which includes changes in the liver methylome. Betaine plays a pivotal role in the regulation of methylogenesis. We performed a two‐stage case–control study, which included patients with biopsy‐proven NAFLD to explore circulating levels of betaine and its association with the histological spectrum. We also explored the association between a missense rs1805074, p.Ser646Pro variant in DMGDH (dimethylglycine dehydrogenase mitochondrial) and NAFLD severity (n=390).ResultsIn the discovery phase (n=48), betaine levels were associated with the disease severity (P=.0030), including liver inflammation (Spearman R:−0.51, P=.001), ballooning degeneration (R: −0.50, P=.01) and fibrosis (R: −0.54, P=.0008). Betaine levels were significantly decreased in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in comparison with nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). Further replication (n=51) showed that betaine levels were associated with advanced NAFLD (P=.0085), and patients with NASH had a 1.26‐fold decrease in betaine levels compared with those with NAFL. The rs1805074 was significantly associated with the disease severity (P=.011).ConclusionNAFLD severity is associated with a state of betaine‐insufficiency.
Midodrine and tolvaptan in patients with cirrhosis and refractory or recurrent ascites: a randomised pilot study
Authors: Rai Nitish , Singh Baljinder , Singh Akash , Vijayvergiya Rajesh , Sharma Navneet , Bhalla Ashish , Singh Virendra 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundSplanchnic arterial vasodilatation and subsequent sodium and water retention play an important role in cirrhotic ascites. Midodrine and tolvaptan have been used separately in these patients. However, there are no reports on the use of combination of midodrine and tolvaptan in the control of ascites. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of midodrine, tolvaptan and their combination in control of refractory or recurrent ascites in cirrhotics.MethodsFifty cirrhotic patients with refractory or recurrent ascites were randomised to receive midodrine (n=13), tolvaptan (n=12) or both (n=13) plus standard medical therapy (SMT) or SMT alone (n=12).ResultsA significant increase in urinary volume and urinary sodium at 1 and 3 months (P<.05) was observed in all groups except SMT. There was no worsening of renal or hepatic function in any group. There was deterioration of model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) in SMT. Midodrine as well as combination of midodrine and tolvaptan but not tolvaptan alone was superior to SMT in control of ascites at 3 months (P<.05). The combination therapy was also superior to midodrine in the control of ascites at 1 month. The morbidity and mortality were similar in all the groups except SMT.ConclusionsThe results of this pilot study suggest that midodrine and combination with tolvaptan better controls ascites without any renal or hepatic dysfunction. The combination therapy rapidly controls ascites as compared to midodrine or tolvaptan alone.
Demographic modelling with whole‐genome data reveals parallel origin of similarPundamiliacichlid species after hybridization
Authors: Meier Joana I. , Sousa Vitor C. , Marques David A. , Selz Oliver M. , Wagner Catherine E. , Excoffier Laurent , Seehausen Ole 
Published: September 2016

AbstractModes and mechanisms of speciation are best studied in young species pairs. In older taxa, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish what happened during speciation from what happened after speciation. Lake Victoria cichlids in the genusPundamiliaencompass a complex of young species and polymorphic populations. OnePundamiliaspecies pair,P. pundamiliaandP. nyererei, is particularly well suited to study speciation because sympatric population pairs occur with different levels of phenotypic differentiation and reproductive isolation at different rocky islands within the lake. Genetic distances between allopatric island populations of the same nominal species often exceed those between the sympatric species. It thus remained unresolved whether speciation intoP. nyerereiandP. pundamiliaoccurred once, followed by geographical range expansion and interspecific gene flow in local sympatry, or if the species pair arose repeatedly by parallel speciation. Here, we use genomic data and demographic modelling to test these alternative evolutionary scenarios. We demonstrate that gene flow plays a strong role in shaping the observed patterns of genetic similarity, including both gene flow between sympatric species and gene flow between allopatric populations, as well as recent and early gene flow. The best supported model for the origin ofP. pundamiliaandP. nyerereipopulation pairs at two different islands is one where speciation happened twice, whereby the second speciation event follows shortly after introgression from an allopatricP. nyerereipopulation that arose earlier. Our findings support the hypothesis that very similar species may arise repeatedly, potentially facilitated by introgressed genetic variation.
How far did feedback between biodiversity and early diagenesis affect the nature of Early Palaeozoic sea floors?
Authors: Wright V. Paul , Cherns Lesley 
Published: September 2016

AbstractLatest Precambrian to Early Palaeozoic biosphere evolution triggered changes in early diagenesis and carbonate precipitation which fed back to biodiversity through colonization of hard substrates. Progressive increase in the depth and intensity of bioturbation and bio‐irrigation lowered the zone of early carbonate cementation in the uppermost sediment column. This firstly led to a decline in the abundance of the flat‐pebble conglomerates which had been a common feature of Cambrian and Early Ordovician successions, replaced by the peak and subsequent decline in the Palaeozoic abundance of submarine hardgrounds. The availability of very widespread lithified sea floors in shallow subtidal settings during the Ordovician promoted a rapid expansion in sclerobiont diversity and contributed to the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event.
Targeted mutagenesis of a conserved anther‐expressed P450 gene confers male sterility in monocots
Authors: Cigan A. Mark , Singh Manjit , Benn Geoffrey , Feigenbutz Lanie , Kumar Manish , Cho Myeong‐Je , Svitashev Sergei , Young Joshua 
Published: September 2016

SummaryTargeted mutagenesis using programmable DNA endonucleases has broad applications for studying gene function in planta and developing approaches to improve crop yields. Recently, a genetic method that eliminates the need to emasculate the female inbred during hybrid seed production, referred to as Seed Production Technology, has been described. The foundation of this genetic system relied on classical methods to identify genes critical to anther and pollen development. One of these genes is a P450 gene which is expressed in the tapetum of anthers. Homozygous recessive mutants in this gene render maize and rice plants male sterile. While this P450 in maize corresponds to the male fertility gene Ms26, male fertility mutants have not been isolated in other monocots such as sorghum and wheat. In this report, a custom designed homing endonuclease, Ems26+, was used to generate in planta mutations in the rice, sorghum and wheat orthologs of maize Ms26. Similar to maize, homozygous mutations in this P450 gene in rice and sorghum prevent pollen formation resulting in male sterile plants and fertility was restored in sorghum using a transformed copy of maize Ms26. In contrast, allohexaploid wheat plants that carry similar homozygous nuclear mutations in only one, but not all three, of their single genomes were male fertile. Targeted mutagenesis and subsequent characterization of male fertility genes in sorghum and wheat is an important step for capturing heterosis and improving crop yields through hybrid seed.
Patterns of CRISPR/Cas9 activity in plants, animals and microbes
Authors: Bortesi Luisa , Zhu Changfu , Zischewski Julia , Perez Lucia , Bassié Ludovic , Nadi Riad , Forni Giobbe , Lade Sarah Boyd , Soto Erika , Jin Xin , Medina Vicente , Villorbina Gemma , Muñoz Pilar , Farré Gemma , Fischer Rainer , Twyman Richard M. , Capell Teresa , Christou Paul , Schillberg Stefan 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThe CRISPR/Cas9 system and related RNA‐guided endonucleases can introduce double‐strand breaks (DSBs) at specific sites in the genome, allowing the generation of targeted mutations in one or more genes as well as more complex genomic rearrangements. Modifications of the canonical CRISPR/Cas9 system from Streptococcus pyogenes and the introduction of related systems from other bacteria have increased the diversity of genomic sites that can be targeted, providing greater control over the resolution of DSBs, the targeting efficiency (frequency of on‐target mutations), the targeting accuracy (likelihood of off‐target mutations) and the type of mutations that are induced. Although much is now known about the principles of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, the likelihood of different outcomes is species‐dependent and there have been few comparative studies looking at the basis of such diversity. Here we critically analyse the activity of CRISPR/Cas9 and related systems in different plant species and compare the outcomes in animals and microbes to draw broad conclusions about the design principles required for effective genome editing in different organisms. These principles will be important for the commercial development of crops, farm animals, animal disease models and novel microbial strains using CRISPR/Cas9 and other genome‐editing tools.
Citrulline for urea cycle disorders in Japan
Authors: Tanaka Kenichi , Nakamura Kimitoshi , Matsumoto Shirou , Kido Jun , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Ohura Toshihiro , Endo Fumio 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe amino acid l‐citrulline is used as a therapeutic agent for urea cycle disorders (UCD) including ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD), carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I deficiency (CPSD), and N‐acetylglutamate synthase deficiency. There are few reports, however, on the use of l‐citrulline in Japan and little consensus regarding the effects of l‐citrulline.MethodsWe conducted a questionnaire survey of patients undergoing l‐citrulline treatment for a UCD to evaluate the current status of this therapy. The survey included patient background, details of l‐citrulline treatment, clinical examination data, treatment, frequency of vomiting, and liver transplantation.ResultsWe retrospectively investigated 43 questionnaire respondents (OTCD, n = 33; CPSD, n = 10). The weight of male OTCD patients improved by +0.79 SD, and the ammonia level decreased by a mean of 44.3 μmol/L in all patients. The protein intake of all patients and of male OTCD patients increased by 0.14 g/kg/day and 0.17 g/kg/day, respectively.Conclusionsl‐Citrulline effectively reduced ammonia level, increased protein intake, and improved weight gain in UCD patients. l‐Citrulline should be considered a standard therapy in OTCD and CPSD patients.
Amelioration by glycine of brain damage in neonatal rat brain following hypoxia–ischemia
Authors: Mori Hiroko , Momosaki Ken , Kido Jun , Naramura Tetsuo , Tanaka Kenichi , Matsumoto Shirou , Nakamura Kimitoshi , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Endo Fumio , Iwai Masanori 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundGlycine protected adult brains against injury in an experimental model of stroke, but, because the ischemic response of neonatal brains differs from that of adult brains, we examined the neuroprotective efficacy of glycine and associated mechanisms in an experimental model of neonatal hypoxic–ischemic (HI) encephalopathy.MethodsNeonatal (postnatal day 7) Wistar rats were randomly divided into an untreated group (non‐HI) and two HI groups that were treated with left common carotid artery ligation and saline control or glycine. After recovery, pups that received surgery were injected i.p. with saline or glycine (800 mg/kg; optimal dose determined in pilot experiments) and were placed in a controlled 8% O2 chamber for 120 min. Brains were harvested at various times after return to normoxia (several hours–days after HI) for analysis of infarct area, glial activation, cell apoptosis, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) expression on histology and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.ResultsGlycine injections induced large (approx. 15‐fold) but brief (approx. 2 h) increases in cerebrospinal fluid concentrations. In particular, the glycine group had a >70% decrease in infarct areas compared with controls at 7 days after HI. Glycine also significantly reduced astrocyte reactive transformation, microglia activation, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling‐positive (apoptotic) cell numbers in peri‐lesional areas at 3 days after HI, and TNF‐α mRNA expression in the injured hemisphere at 12 and 24 h after HI.ConclusionGlycine protected neonatal rat brains against HI, in part by inhibiting TNF‐α‐induced inflammation and gliosis. Hence, systemic glycine infusions may have clinical utility for the treatment of HI injury in human newborns.
Identification and characterization of a plastidial phosphatidylglycerophosphate phosphatase in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zhou Yonghong , Hölzl Georg , vom Dorp Katharina , Peisker Helga , Melzer Michael , Frentzen Margrit , Dörmann Peter 
Published: September 2016

SummaryPhosphatidylglycerol (PG) is the only phospholipid in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts of plants, and it is also found in extraplastidial membranes including mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. Previous studies showed that lack of PG in the pgp1‐2 mutant of Arabidopsis deficient in phosphatidylglycerophosphate (PGP) synthase strongly affects thylakoid biogenesis and photosynthetic activity. In the present study, the gene encoding the enzyme for the second step of PG synthesis, PGP phosphatase, was isolated based on sequence similarity to the yeast GEP4 and Chlamydomonas PGPP1 genes. The Arabidopsis AtPGPP1 protein localizes to chloroplasts and harbors PGP phosphatase activity with alkaline pH optimum and divalent cation requirement. Arabidopsis pgpp1‐1 mutant plants contain reduced amounts of chlorophyll, but photosynthetic quantum yield remains unchanged. The absolute content of plastidial PG (34:4; total number of acyl carbons:number of double bonds) is reduced by about 1/3, demonstrating that AtPGPP1 is involved in the synthesis of plastidial PG. PGP 34:3, PGP 34:2 and PGP 34:1 lacking 16:1 accumulate in pgpp1‐1, indicating that the desaturation of 16:0 to 16:1 by the FAD4 desaturase in the chloroplasts only occurs after PGP dephosphorylation.
Inhibition of B‐cell activation and antibody production by triggering inhibitory signals via the PD‐1/PD‐ligand pathway
Authors: Buermann Anna , Römermann Dorothee , Baars Wiebke , Hundrieser Joachim , Klempnauer Jürgen , Schwinzer Reinhard 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe development of donor‐reactive antibodies is regarded to be an important barrier limiting long‐term outcome of allo‐ and xenografts. We asked whether enhanced signaling via the co‐inhibitory receptor programmed cell death‐1 (PD‐1; CD279) can downregulate human B‐cell activation.MethodsProliferation of human purified CD19+ B cells was induced by in vitro stimulation with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG‐B). To induce antibody production, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were co‐cultured with the porcine B‐cell line L23. Triggering of inhibitory signals via the PD‐1 receptor was obtained either using a recombinant agonistic soluble ligand (PD‐L1.Ig) or L23 transfectants overexpressing membrane‐bound human PD‐L1 (CD274; L23‐PD‐L1 cells).ResultsStimulation of purified CD19+ B cells with CpG‐B resulted in upregulation of PD‐1 and strong proliferation. Addition of PD‐L1.Ig significantly reduced B‐cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. A great proportion (~1%) of human circulating B cells recognizes the epitope galactose‐α1,3‐galactose‐β1,4‐N‐acetylglucosamine‐R (α‐gal). Thus, when B cells—in the presence of T cell help—were cocultured with α‐gal‐expressing L23 cells, anti‐gal and anti‐L23 antibodies could readily be detected in the culture supernatant. The level of induced antibodies was significantly reduced when stimulation was performed by L23‐PD‐L1 cells.ConclusionsEnhancing inhibitory signals may be part of future protocols to better control humoral immunity to allo‐ and xenografts.