bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rise and fall of peptic ulceration: A disease of civilization?
Authors: Roberts‐Thomson Ian C 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHumans and Helicobacter pylori have evolved and adapted over tens of thousands of years. Yet peptic ulcer disease appeared to be rare prior to the 19th century. The prevalence of peptic ulcer disease increased between 1850 and 1900 and culminated in a cohort at high risk that was born at the end of the 19th century. This coincided with the provision of safe water and improvements in sanitation and personal hygiene. One hypothesis for the emergence of peptic ulcer disease focuses on the rate of development of atrophic gastritis induced by H. pylori. The hypothesis developed in this article focuses on delay in the age of acquisition of H. pylori to a time when immune and inflammatory responses to the infection were more mature. Whereas the acquisition of H. pylori in infancy usually resulted in mild pangastritis, hypochlorhydria, and a low risk for peptic ulcer disease, delayed acquisition could cause either more severe pangastritis (predisposing to gastric ulceration) or gastritis largely restricted to the antrum of the stomach (predisposing to duodenal ulceration). The decline in the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease over the past 100 years parallels the decline in the prevalence of H. pylori. The epidemic of ulcer disease in the first half of the 20th century seems likely to be an adverse effect of important public health measures undertaken in the latter half of the 19th century.
Parkinson's disease‐related DJ‐1 modulates the expression of uncoupling protein 4 against oxidative stress
Authors: Xu Shaoqing , Yang Xiaodong , Qian Yiwei , Xiao Qin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLoss of function mutations of DJ‐1 (PARK7) have been linked to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Antioxidative stress is one of the multi‐protective functions of DJ‐1, and oxidation of cysteine 106 has been proposed to regulate the protective activity of DJ‐1. Uncoupling protein 4 (UCP4) is located in the inner membrane of mitochondria and functions to protect against oxidative stress. In this study, we used neuronal (SH‐SY5Y) cells and DJ‐1 knockout mice to elucidate whether DJ‐1 regulated oxidative stress via modulating the expression of UCP4, and the underlying mechanism. The downstream products of oxidative stress, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and cell viability were also investigated. We found that UCP4 was up‐regulated upon 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+) stimulation in SH‐SY5Y cells, which was enhanced by wild type DJ‐1 and alleviated by DJ‐1 knockdown. Expression of UCP4 in DJ‐1 knockout mice was lower compared with wild‐type mice. In addition, up‐regulation of UCP4 was alleviated by inhibition of oxidized DJ‐1, and enhanced by increase in oxidized DJ‐1 under conditions of oxidative stress using western blot analysis. Moreover, over‐expression of UCP4 in DJ‐1 knockdown cells partially reversed the decrease in cell viability, ΔΨm, as well as the increase in products of oxidative stress upon MPP+ stimulation. Furthermore analysis showed that DJ‐1 regulated transcriptional activity of UCP4 partially via Nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) pathway in the presence of MPP+. Together, our results suggested DJ‐1 might regulate the expression of UCP4 by oxidation of DJ‐1 and partially via NF‐κB pathway in its protective response to oxidative stress.
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Mathematical models of human cerebellar development in the fetal period
Authors: Dudek Krzysztof , Nowakowska‐Kotas Marta , Kędzia Alicja 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe evaluation of cerebellar growth in the fetal period forms a part of a widely used examination to identify any features of abnormalities in early stages of human development. It is well known that the development of anatomical structures, including the cerebellum, does not always follow a linear model of growth. The aim of the study was to analyse a variety of mathematical models of human cerebellar development in fetal life to determine their adequacy. The study comprised 101 fetuses (48 males and 53 females) between the 15th and 28th weeks of fetal life. The cerebellum was exposed and measurements of the vermis and hemispheres were performed, together with statistical analyses. The mathematical model parameters of fetal growth were assessed for crown–rump length (CRL) increases, transverse cerebellar diameter and ventrodorsal dimensions of the cerebellar vermis in the transverse plane, and rostrocaudal dimensions of the cerebellar vermis and hemispheres in the frontal plane. A variety of mathematical models were applied, including linear and non‐linear functions. Taking into consideration the variance between models and measurements, as well as correlation parameters, the exponential and Gompertz models proved to be the most suitable for modelling cerebellar growth in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. However, the linear model gave a satisfactory approximation of cerebellar growth, especially in older fetuses. The proposed models of fetal cerebellar growth constructed on the basis of anatomical examination and objective mathematical calculations could be useful in the estimation of fetal development.
Stereological analysis of individual lung lobes during normal and aberrant mouse lung alveolarisation
Authors: Hoang Tuong‐Van , Nardiello Claudio , Surate Solaligue David E. , Rodríguez‐Castillo José Alberto , Rath Philipp , Mayer Konstantin , Vadász István , Herold Susanne , Ahlbrecht Kathrin , Seeger Werner , Morty Rory E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe quantitative assessment of the lung architecture forms the foundation of many studies on lung development and lung diseases, where parameters such as alveoli number, alveolar size, and septal thickness are quantitatively influenced by developmental or pathological processes. Given the pressing need for robust data that describe the lung structure, there is currently much enthusiasm for the development and refinement of methodological approaches for the unbiased assessment of lung structure with improved precision. The advent of stereological methods highlights one such approach. However, design‐based stereology is both expensive and time‐demanding. The objective of this study was to examine whether ‘limited’ stereological analysis, such as the stereological analysis of a single mouse lung lobe, may serve as a surrogate for studies on whole, intact mouse lungs; both in healthy lungs and in diseased lungs, using an experimental animal model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). This served the dual‐function of exploring BPD pathobiology, asking whether there are regional (lobar) differences in the responses of developing mouse lungs to oxygen injury, by examining each mouse lung lobe separately in the BPD model. Hyperoxia exposure resulted in decreased alveolar density, alveoli number, and gas‐exchange surface area in all five mouse lung lobes, and increased the arithmetic mean septal thickness in all mouse lung lobes except the lobus cardialis. The data presented here suggest that – in healthy developing mice – a single mouse lung lobe might serve as a surrogate for studies on whole, intact mouse lungs. This is not the case for oxygen‐injured developing mouse lungs, where a single lobe would not be suitable as a surrogate for the whole, intact lung. Furthermore, as the total number of alveoli can only be determined by an analysis of the entire lung, and given regional differences in lung structure, particularly under pathological conditions, the stereological assessment of the whole, intact lung remains desirable.
Tail reduction process during human embryonic development
Authors: Tojima Sayaka , Makishima Haruyuki , Takakuwa Tetsuya , Yamada Shigehito 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlthough the human tail is completely absent at birth, the embryonic tail is formed just as in other tailed amniotes. Since all morphological variations are created from variations in developmental processes, elucidation of the tail reduction process during embryonic development may be necessary to clarify the human evolutionary process. The tail has also been of great interest to the medical community. The congenital anomaly referred to as ‘human tail’, i.e. the occurrence of a tail‐like structure, has been reported and was thought to represent a vestige of the embryonic tail; however, this hypothesis has not been verified. Accordingly, in this study, we aimed to establish a new method to visualize all somites in an embryo. We used sagittal‐sectioned embryos from Carnegie Stage (CS) 13 to CS23. All samples were obtained from the Congenital Anomaly Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan. Combining photomicroscopy and three‐dimensional reconstruction, we clearly visualized and labeled all somites. We found that the number of somites peaked at CS16 and dramatically decreased by approximately five somites. Tail reduction with a decrease in somites has also been observed in other short‐tailed amniotes; thus, this result suggested the possibility that there is a common mechanism for morphogenesis of short tails in amniote species. Additionally, our findings provided important insights into the cause of the congenital anomaly known as ‘human tail’.
Influence of body mass index on induction of labor: A historical cohort study
Authors: Dammer Ulf , Bogner Roswitha , Weiss Christel , Faschingbauer Florian , Pretscher Jutta , Beckmann Matthias W. , Sütterlin Marc , Kehl Sven 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimWe aimed to determine the influence of body mass index (BMI) on induction of labor.MethodsIn this historical multicenter cohort study, 2122 labor inductions were analyzed. Women were divided into four groups according to their body mass index (BMI): BMI < 30 (normal group [NG]), 30 ≤ BMI < 35 (group 1 [G1]), 35 ≤ BMI < 40 (group 2 [G2]), and BMI ≥ 40 (group 3 [G3]). The primary outcome measure was the induction‐to‐delivery interval. The secondary outcome parameter was, among others, the rate of cesarean section.ResultsA total of 1113 inductions of labor were analyzed in the NG, 610 in G1, 239 in G2, and 160 in G3. The induction‐to‐delivery interval was shorter in the NG compared to G1 (mean values 1550 min vs 1669 min, P = 0.0406), G2 (1745 min, P = 0.0294), and G3 (1899 min, P = 0.0008). The cesarean section rate was significantly higher in G1–G3 (G1: 30.8%, P < 0.001; G2: 30.5%, P < 0.0067; G3: 42.5%, P < 0.0001) compared to the NG (21.8%). There were more vaginal deliveries within 48 h in the NG (84%) compared to G1–G3 (78%, P = 0.0186; 75%, P = 0.0049; 75%, P = 0.0329). However, these findings could mainly be seen in nulliparous women when stratifying for parity. Multivariable analysis showed that high BMI increased the induction‐to‐delivery interval whereas high parity, gestational age, and Bishop score decreased it.ConclusionAn increased body mass index has a negative impact on induction of labor at term, especially in nulliparous women.
Effects of daytime versus night‐time cesarean deliveries on Stage II lactogenesis
Authors: İlhan Gülşah , Atmaca Fatma V. , Çümen Ayşenur , Zebitay Ali G. , Güngör Emre S. , Karasu Ayşe F. G. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAimThe circadian timing system has a rhythm and one of the roles of this system is the mediation of hormonal and metabolic adaptations to lactation. This study was conducted to determine whether the time to stage II lactogenesis differed in women who underwent cesarean section (CS) in the daytime (DT) or night‐time (NT).MethodsThis study was conducted at Süleymaniye Research and Education Hospital between June and December 2016. Two hundred and eighty‐eight mothers who had a cesarean delivery and their healthy singleton neonates were included. Clinical and demographic data of the mothers and neonates, time of initiation of breastfeeding and time to stage II lactogenesis were analyzed according to DT or NT CS groups.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in age, gravida, parity, body mass index, week of gestation at birth, postoperative hemoglobin level, cesarean indications, anesthesia type, previous history of breastfeeding, transfusion need, Apgar scores or birth weight‐height of neonates between the DT and NT CS groups. While the time of initiation of breastfeeding did not differ statistically in terms of DT or NT CS groups, the time to stage II lactogenesis was significantly longer in the NT CS group.ConclusionsNT cesarean delivery is a risk factor for the delayed onset of lactogenesis. The results of this study may be useful to clinical practitioners counseling mothers who undergo NT cesarean delivery.
Salmonella serotypes isolated in geckos kept in seven collections in southern Italy
Authors: Russo T. P. , Varriale L. , Borrelli L. , Pace A. , Latronico M. , Menna L. F. , Fioretti A. , Dipineto L. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesReptiles are considered an important reservoir of Salmonella species. This study evaluated the prevalence of Salmonella species in different species of gecko kept as pets in Italy.
Materials and MethodsFaecal swab samples were collected from 70 clinically healthy geckos and examined for Salmonella species by culture that were then serotyped.
ResultsSalmonella species were isolated from 24 of 70 (34·3%) samples. Eighteen isolates expressed resistance to ceftazidime and four isolates to ampicillin.
Clinical SignificanceSalmonella spp. can be isolated from apparently healthy captive gecko which should be considered as a potential source of infection for humans and other companion animals.
Development of a recombinant murine tumour model using hepatoma cells expressing hepatitis C virus nonstructural antigens
Authors: Young K. G. , Haq K. , MacLean S. , Dudani R. , Elahi S. M. , Gilbert R. , Weeratna R. D. , Krishnan L. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryHepatitis C virus (HCV) chronically infects 2%‐3% of the world's population, causing liver disease and cancer with prolonged infection. The narrow host range of the virus, being restricted largely to human hepatocytes, has made the development of relevant models to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines a challenge. We have developed a novel approach to accomplish this by generating a murine hepatoma cell line stably expressing nonstructural HCV antigens which can be used in vitro or in vivo to test HCV vaccine efficacies. These HCV‐recombinant hepatoma cells formed large solid‐mass tumours when implanted into syngeneic mice, allowing us to test candidate HCV vaccines to demonstrate the development of an HCV‐specific immune response that limited tumour growth. Using this model, we tested the therapeutic potential of recombinant anti‐HCV‐specific vaccines based on two fundamentally different attenuated pathogen vaccine systems—attenuated Salmonella and recombinant adenoviral vector based vaccine. While attenuated Salmonella that secreted HCV antigens limited growth of the HCV‐recombinant tumours when used in a therapeutic vaccination trial, replication‐competent but noninfectious adenovirus expressing nonstructural HCV antigens showed overall greater survival and reduced weight loss compared to non‐replicating nondisseminating adenovirus. Our results demonstrate a model with anti‐tumour responses to HCV nonstructural (NS) protein antigens and suggest that recombinant vaccine vectors should be explored as a therapeutic strategy for controlling HCV and HCV‐associated cancers.
Role of cytochrome P450 2B sequence variation and gene copy number in facilitating dietary specialization in mammalian herbivores
Authors: Kitanovic Smiljka , Orr Teri J. , Spalink Daniel , Cocke Granger B. , Schramm Katharina , Wilderman P. Ross , Halpert James R. , Dearing M. Denise 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTheory postulates that dietary specialization in mammalian herbivores is enabled by a specialized set of liver enzymes that process the high concentrations of similar plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) in the diets of specialists. To investigate whether qualitative and quantitative differences in detoxification mechanisms distinguish dietary specialists from generalists, we compared the sequence diversity and gene copy number of detoxification enzymes in two woodrat species: a generalist, the white‐throated woodrat (Neotoma albigula) and a juniper specialist, Stephens’ woodrat (N. stephensi). We focused on enzymes in the cytochrome P450 subfamily 2B (CYP2B), because previous research suggests this subfamily plays a key role in the processing of PSMs. For both woodrat species, we obtained and sequenced CYP2B cDNA, generated CYP2B phylogenies, estimated CYP2B gene copy number and created a homology model of the active site. We found that the specialist possessed on average ~5 more CYP2B gene copies than the generalist, but the specialist's CYP2B sequences were less diverse. Phylogenetic analysis of putative CYP2B homologs resolved woodrat species as reciprocally monophyletic and suggested evolutionary convergence of distinct homologs on similar key amino acid residues in both species. Homology modelling of the CYP2B enzyme suggests that interspecific differences in substrate preference and function likely result from amino acid differences in the enzyme active site. The characteristics of CYP2B in the specialist, that is greater gene copy number coupled with less sequence variation, are consistent with specialization to a narrow range of dietary toxins.
Bacterial outer membrane constriction
Authors: Egan Alexander J. F. 
Published: January 2018

SummaryThe outer membrane of Gram‐negative bacteria is a crucial permeability barrier allowing the cells to survive a myriad of toxic compounds, including many antibiotics. This innate form of antibiotic resistance is compounded by the evolution of more active mechanisms of resistance such as efflux pumps, reducing the already limited number of clinically relevant treatments for Gram‐negative pathogens. During cell division Gram‐negative bacteria must coordinate constriction of the outer membrane in conjunction with other crucial layers of the cell envelope, the peptidoglycan cell wall and the inner membrane. Coordination is crucial in maintaining structural integrity of the envelope, and represents a highly vulnerable time for the cell as any failure can be fatal, if not least disadvantageous. However, the molecular mechanisms of cell division and how the biogenesis of the three layers is synchronised during constriction remain largely unknown. Perturbations of the outer membrane have been shown to increase the effectiveness of antibiotics in vitro, and so with improved understanding of this process we may be able to exploit this vulnerability and improve the effectiveness of antibiotic treatments. In this review the current knowledge of how Gram‐negative bacteria facilitate constriction of their outer membranes during cell division will be discussed.
Aberrant accumulation of ErbB4 in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Murakami A. , Nakamura M. , Kaneko S. , Lin W.‐L. , Dickson D. W. , Kusaka H. 
Published: January 2018

AimsThe human epidermal growth factor receptor family consists of four members that belong to the ErbB lineage of proteins (ErbB1‐4). Neuregulin‐1 (NRG1)/ErbB signalling regulates brain development and function. Abnormalities in this signalling have been implicated in the aetiology or development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. So, we aimed at investigating whether the expression of NRG1 or ErbB proteins are altered in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).MethodsThe brains of 10 PSP and six control patients were investigated by immunohistochemical analysis.ResultsWhereas C‐terminal ErbB4 immunoreacitivity was partially but distinctly present in the cytoplasm and/or in the nucleus of neurons in control patients, it was rarely observed in the neuronal nuclei in PSP patients. In contrast, neurofibrillary tangles, coiled bodies and threads were robustly immunoreactive for C‐terminal ErbB4 in PSP. Double immunofluorescence for C‐terminal ErbB4 and phospho‐tau revealed co‐localization of these proteins within neuronal and glial inclusions. To the contrary, there was no difference in the subcellular localization of NRG1, ErbB1, ErbB2, and N‐terminal ErbB4 between control and PSP patients. These proteins were localized in the cytoplasm of neurons.ConclusionsOur present results suggest that NRG1/ErbB4 signalling could be an important event in the pathogenesis of PSP.
Association between buccal mucosa ridging and oral or occlusal status among older people
Authors: Morita Koji , Mori Takahiro , Maruyama Mariko , Hiraoka Aya , Higa Chiaki , Kuroki Azusa , Yoshida Mitsuyoshi , Tsuga Kazuhiro 
Published: January 2018

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the association between buccal mucosa ridging and oral or occlusal statuses among older people.Subjects and MethodsThis cross‐sectional study examined 262 independent older people (mean age, 74.2 ± 5.9 years) who participated in the Kyoto Elderly Physical Fitness Measurement Research Project. The predictor variables were oral statuses (number of present teeth and torus palatinus, torus mandibularis, temporomandibular joint noise, clenching, or grinding) and oral functions (occlusal pressure, cheek pressure, oral diadochokinesis, and tongue pressure). The outcome variable was the buccal mucosa ridging status (presence or absence). Additional variables were age, sex, body mass index, grip strength, and wearing dentures. We compared these variables between participants with and without buccal mucosa ridging using a univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsBuccal mucosa ridging was present in 177 (67.6%) people. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a close association of buccal mucosa ridging with torus mandibularis, tooth clenching and grinding and occlusal pressure, and cheek pressure.ConclusionsOver 50% of the participants showed buccal mucosa ridging; this was significantly associated with higher cheek pressure, lower occlusal pressure, torus mandibularis, and tooth clenching and grinding.
Comparison of Xiphophorus and human melanoma transcriptomes reveals conserved pathway interactions
Authors: Lu Yuan , Boswell Mikki , Boswell William , Kneitz Susanne , Hausmann Michael , Klotz Barbara , Regneri Janine , Savage Markita , Amores Angel , Postlethwait John , Warren Wesley , Schartl Manfred , Walter Ronald 
Published: January 2018

SummaryComparative analysis of human and animal model melanomas can uncover conserved pathways and genetic changes that are relevant for the biology of cancer cells. Spontaneous melanoma in Xiphophorus interspecies backcross hybrid progeny may be informative in identifying genes and functional pathways that are similarly related to melanoma development in all vertebrates, including humans. To assess functional pathways involved in the Xiphophorus melanoma, we performed gene expression profiling of the melanomas produced in interspecies BC1 and successive backcross generations (i.e., BC5) of the cross: X. hellerii × [X. maculatus Jp 163 A × X. hellerii]. Using RNA‐Seq, we identified genes that are transcriptionally co‐expressed with the driver oncogene, xmrk. We determined functional pathways in the fish melanoma that are also present in human melanoma cohorts that may be related to dedifferentiation based on the expression levels of pigmentation genes. Shared pathways between human and Xiphophorus melanomas are related to inflammation, cell migration, cell proliferation, pigmentation, cancer development, and metastasis. Our results suggest xmrk co‐expressed genes are associated with dedifferentiation and highlight these signaling pathways as playing important roles in melanomagenesis.
Doing the math: A simple approach to topical timolol dosing for infantile hemangiomas
Authors: Dalla Costa Renata , Prindaville Brea , Wiss Karen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTopical timolol maleate has recently gained popularity as a treatment for superficial infantile hemangiomas, but calculating a safe dose of timolol can be time consuming, which may limit the medication's use in fast‐paced clinical environments. This report offers a simplified calculation of the maximum daily safe dosage as 1 drop of medication per kilogram of body weight.