bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 attenuates infection of hepatitis C virus
Authors: Matsumura Takuya , Sugiyama Nao , Murayama Asako , Yamada Norie , Shiina Masaaki , Asabe Shinichi , Wakita Takaji , Imawari Michio , Kato Takanobu 
Published: November 2015

AimAlthough recent studies indicate that supplementation with vitamin D (VD) potentiates a sustained viral response by interferon‐based therapy to chronic hepatitis C, detailed mechanisms are not fully defined. The production of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide, has been demonstrated to be part of the VD‐dependent antimicrobial pathway in innate immunity. Cathelicidin is known to directly kill or inhibit the growth of microbial pathogens including mycobacteria and viruses.MethodsWe used a hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture system to clarify the anti‐HCV effects of the human cathelicidin, LL‐37. HuH‐7 cells were administrated with LL‐37 and infected with cell culture‐generated HCV (HCVcc). HCV propagation was estimated by measuring the level of HCV core antigen (Ag).ResultsTreatment with LL‐37 resulted in decreased intra‐ and extracellular levels of HCV core Ag, suggesting inhibition of HCV propagation. To assess the effects of LL‐37 on HCV replication, JFH‐1 subgenomic replicon RNA‐transfected cells were treated with LL‐37. However, inhibition of HCV replication was not detected by this assay. To clarify the effects on HCV infection, we treated HCVcc with LL‐37 and removed the antimicrobial peptide prior to use of the virus in infection. This exposure of HCVcc to LL‐37 diminished the infectivity titers in a dose‐dependent fashion. Iodixanol density gradient analysis revealed that the peak fraction of infectivity titer was eliminated by LL‐37 treatment.ConclusionThe VD‐associated antimicrobial peptide LL‐37 attenuated the infectivity of HCV. This anti‐HCV effect of LL‐37 may explain the contribution of VD to the improved efficacy of interferon‐based therapy.
Diagnostic value of miRNA‐96‐5p/3p in dysplastic nodules and well‐differentiated small hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Hui , Xing Ai‐Yan , Ma Ran‐Ran , Wang Ya‐Wen , Liu Yu‐Hui , Gao Peng 
Published: November 2015

AimHepatocarcinogenesis is a multistep process from cirrhosis through low‐grade dysplastic nodule, high‐grade dysplastic nodule to hepatocellular carcinoma. Differential diagnosis between high‐grade dysplastic nodules and early hepatocellular carcinomas is particularly difficult. The present study aims to identify a novel biological marker for differential diagnosis of the two lesions.MethodsThe expression level of an miRNA pair, miRNA‐96‐5p and 3p, was assessed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in hepatic tissues.ResultsWe showed that mature miRNA‐96‐5p and passenger strand miRNA‐96‐3p were differentially expressed in multistep hepatocarcinogenesis. miRNA‐96‐5p was significantly upregulated from cirrhosis, dysplastic nodules to hepatocellular carcinoma. However, significance of determination of miRNA‐96‐5p expression level for differential diagnosis between high‐grade dysplastic nodule and hepatocellular carcinoma is limited. In contrast, the expression of miRNA‐96‐3p was detectable in cirrhosis and dysplastic nodules. Also, it was completely undetectable in the majority of hepatocellular carcinomas (30/34, 88.2%). The sensitivity and specificity of miRNA‐96‐3p negative expression for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinomas from high‐grade dysplastic nodules were 88.2% and 84.2%, respectively. In addition, a more specific diagnosis could be carried out by combining miRNA‐96‐3p with glypican 3, with the specificity of 100%.ConclusionThese findings demonstrated that miRNA‐96‐3p is a helpful diagnostic biomarker in differential diagnosis between high‐grade dysplastic nodules and well‐differentiated small hepatocellular carcinomas, especially in combination with glypican 3.
Release of bio‐active dentine extracellular matrix components by histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi)
Authors: Duncan H. F. , Smith A. J. , Fleming G. J. P. , Reid C. , Smith G. , Cooper P. R. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimTo characterize dentine matrix component (DMC) release and smear layer removal by histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis).MethodologyDMCs were extracted from powdered human dentine over 14 days using three HDACis, valproic acid (VPA), trichostatin A (TSA) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and compared with a control extractant, 10% (w/v) EDTA. Protein compositions of the resultant extracts were analysed by 1D‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (1D‐PAGE), TGF‐β‐1 and MMP‐9 ELISAs and a high‐throughput growth factor antibody array. Dentine discs with a standardized smear layer were prepared from human molars and treated with EDTA (17% w/v), polyacrylic acid (PA) (20% v/v) and the experimental HDACis prior to analysis by scanning electron microscopy. Parametric ELISA data were analysed using one‐way anova and Tukey's post hoc test, whilst nonparametric smear layer data were analysed by Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U‐test (P < 0.05).ResultsHDACis did not remove smear layer in the presence or absence of PA pre‐treatment (P ≥ 0.478). 1D‐PAGE analysis demonstrated different protein profiles for EDTA and HDACi extracts. All HDACi solutions released TGF‐β‐1 although less effectively than EDTA (P < 0.001), whilst MMP‐9 was extracted in significantly higher concentration by EDTA and VPA compared with TSA (P < 0.012). Antibody array analysis demonstrated the ability of HDACis to extract a complex cocktail of established/novel growth factors from dentine, albeit significantly less efficiently than EDTA for certain cytokines (TGF‐β‐1, PDGF‐AA, VEGF‐A) and significantly more effectively for others (GDF‐15, IGF‐1, EGRF‐1, NGFR, BDNF, SCF‐R).ConclusionsHDACi release a range of bioactive DMCs that could promote dentine repair processes in vivo; however, they are ineffective at removing smear layer.
Effects of electron beam irradiation on microbial inactivation and quality of kimchi paste during storage
Authors: Cheon Seon Hwa , Seo Hye Young , Chung Young Bae , Chun Ho Hyun 
Published: November 2015

SummaryThe effects of electron beam irradiation on microbial inactivation and quality of noninoculated and inoculated (Listeria monocytogenes) kimchi pastes were examined. Kimchi paste samples were irradiated at doses of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kGy and stored for 21 days at 4 °C. Irradiation (10 kGy) reduced the populations of total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast and moulds in the samples by 1.72, 2.24 and 0.86 log CFU g−1, respectively, compared to the control. In particular, coliforms were not detected at 8 and 10 kGy, and the population of L. monocytogenes in inoculated samples was significantly decreased by 2.67 log CFU g−1. Electron beam irradiation delayed the changes in O2 and CO2 concentrations, pH, acidity and reducing sugar content observed in kimchi paste during storage. These results suggest that electron beam irradiation can be used to improve the microbiological safety and shelf life of kimchi paste.
Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome: Clinical and molecular aspects of recently identified kidney cancer syndrome
Authors: Hasumi Hisashi , Baba Masaya , Hasumi Yukiko , Furuya Mitsuko , Yao Masahiro 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBirt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease that predisposes patients to develop fibrofolliculoma, lung cysts and bilateral multifocal renal tumors, histologically hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumors, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, oncocytoma, papillary renal cell carcinoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The predominant forms of Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome‐associated renal tumors, hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumors and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma are typically less aggressive, and a therapeutic principle for these tumors is a surgical removal with nephron‐sparing. The timing of surgery is the most critical element for postoperative renal function, which is one of the important prognostic factors for Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome patients. The folliculin gene (FLCN) that is responsible for Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome was isolated as a novel tumor suppressor for kidney cancer. Recent studies using murine models for FLCN, a protein encoded by the FLCN gene, and its two binding partners, folliculin‐interacting protein 1 (FNIP1) and folliculin‐interacting protein 2 (FNIP2), have uncovered important roles for FLCN, FNIP1 and FNIP2 in cell metabolism, which include AMP‐activated protein kinase‐mediated energy sensing, Ppargc1a‐driven mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and mTORC1‐dependent cell proliferation. Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome is a hereditary hamartoma syndrome, which is triggered by metabolic alterations under a functional loss of FLCN/FNIP1/FNIP2 complex, a critical regulator of kidney cell proliferation rate; a mechanistic insight into the FLCN/FNIP1/FNIP2 pathway could provide us a basis for developing new therapeutics for kidney cancer.
Progreso social y producción mundializada. El caso del sector de los textiles y el vestido
Authors: GIMET Céline , GUILHON Bernard , ROUX Nathalie 
Published: November 2015

ResumenLa especialización vertical generada por la fragmentación de la producción en redes mundiales no solo está motivada por la ventaja comparativa, sino también por las estrategias de deslocalización de las empresas líderes, que determinan el papel y el poder negociador de los productores locales. Este estudio examina las consecuencias de tal especialización en los textiles y el vestido en 26 países con abundante mano de obra de 1990 a 2007. Las regresiones de efectos fijos con datos de panel revelan que el sector no siempre gana con la integración comercial internacional: se observa una correlación negativa entre la especialización vertical y los salarios reales relativos.
Fuera de las sombras: Clasificación de las economías por el grado y la intensidad de la informalización
Authors: WILLIAMS Colin C. 
Published: November 2015

ResumenDado el predominio de la informalidad en el mundo, el autor propone una clasificación de los países según el grado y la intensidad de la misma, y no por la composición de su economía formal. A partir de datos de la OIT de 36 países en desarrollo, muestra que existe una correlación significativa entre el grado y la intensidad de la informalización en los países e indicadores sociales y económicos como el PIB per cápita, la corrupción, la pobreza, los impuestos y las cotizaciones sociales. Concluye destacando las aportaciones teóricas y de políticas del estudio.
Presiones en contra y a favor de la formalización. Regulación y empleo informal en Mozambique
Authors: DIBBEN Pauline , WOOD Geoffrey , WILLIAMS Colin C. 
Published: November 2015

ResumenLa economía informal representa la mayor parte del empleo en muchas economías emergentes. Según la teoría de la regulación, toda actividad económica se regula por un complejo engranaje de mecanismos formales e informales. A partir del caso de Mozambique, este artículo explora las presiones a favor y en contra de la formalización y las formas que puede tomar la regulación, sobre la base de una investigación cualitativa consistente en entrevistas en profundidad a personal directivo y observaciones. Los resultados revelan la ambivalencia del Estado al respecto, con actuaciones «progresistas», centradas en la modernización de normativas e instituciones, y otras «conservadoras» que inhiben el proceso de formalización.
Incumplimiento de la Ley de fábricas de la India. Alcance y pautas
Authors: CHATTERJEE Urmila , KANBUR Ravi 
Published: November 2015

ResumenExisten pocos datos sistemáticos sobre el alcance del incumplimiento de la legislación en los países en desarrollo, que se cree generalizado. Con datos de dos encuestas de empresas, los autores cuantifican el incumplimiento de la Ley de fábricas de la India y observan que las empresas infractoras doblan a las conformes y superan con mucho a las que eluden la ley mediante ciertos ajustes. Analizan las principales tendencias y pautas de incumplimiento y las ponen en relación con la ausencia de empresas de tamaño medio en la India y los debates sobre reglamentación. También destacan cuestiones para investigaciones futuras.
β cell membrane remodelling and procoagulant events occur in inflammation‐driven insulin impairment: a GLP‐1 receptor dependent and independent control
Authors: Gleizes Céline , Kreutter Guillaume , Abbas Malak , Kassem Mohamad , Constantinescu Andrei Alexandru , Boisramé‐Helms Julie , Yver Blandine , Toti Florence , Kessler Laurence 
Published: November 2015

AbstractInflammation and hyperglycaemia are associated with a prothrombotic state. Cell‐derived microparticles (MPs) are the conveyors of active procoagulant tissue factor (TF) and circulate at high concentration in diabetic patients. Liraglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide (GLP)‐1 analogue, is known to promote insulin secretion and β‐cell preservation. In this in vitro study, we examined the link between insulin impairment, procoagulant activity and plasma membrane remodelling, under inflammatory conditions. Rin‐m5f β‐cell function, TF activity mediated by MPs and their modulation by 1 μM liraglutide were examined in a cell cross‐talk model. Methyl‐β‐cyclodextrine (MCD), a cholesterol depletor, was used to evaluate the involvement of raft on TF activity, MP shedding and insulin secretion as well as Soluble N‐éthylmaleimide‐sensitive‐factor Attachment protein Receptor (SNARE)‐dependent exocytosis. Cytokines induced a two‐fold increase in TF activity at MP surface that was counteracted by liraglutide. Microparticles prompted TF activity on the target cells and a two‐fold decrease in insulin secretion via protein kinase A (PKA) and p38 signalling, that was also abolished by liraglutide. Large lipid raft clusters were formed in response to cytokines and liraglutide or MCD‐treated cells showed similar patterns. Cells pre‐treated by saturating concentration of the GLP‐1r antagonist exendin (9‐39), showed a partial abolishment of the liraglutide‐driven insulin secretion and liraglutide‐decreased TF activity. Measurement of caspase 3 cleavage and MP shedding confirmed the contribution of GLP‐1r‐dependent and ‐independent pathways. Our results confirm an integrative β‐cell response to GLP‐1 that targets receptor‐mediated signalling and membrane remodelling pointing at the coupling of insulin secretion and inflammation‐driven procoagulant events.
Improving detection of familial hypercholesterolaemia in primary care using electronic audit and nurse‐led clinics
Authors: Green Peter , Neely Dermot , Humphries Steve E. ,   the Medway FH Audit Steering Committee, Saunders Tanya , Gray Val , Gordon Louise , Payne Jules , Carter Slade , Neuwirth Clare , Rees Alan , Gallagher Hazel 
Published: November 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesIn the UK fewer than 15% of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) cases are diagnosed, representing a major gap in coronary heart disease prevention. We wished to support primary care doctors within the Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to implement NICE guidance (CG71) and consider the possibility of FH in adults who have raised total cholesterol concentrations, thereby improving the detection of people with FH.MethodsUtilizing clinical decision support software (Audit+) we developed an FH Audit Tool and implemented a systematic audit of electronic medical records within GP practices, first identifying all patients diagnosed with FH or possible FH and next electronically flagging patients with a recorded total cholesterol of >7.5 mmol L−1 or LDL‐C > 4.9 mmol L−1 (in adults), for further assessment. After a 2‐year period, a nurse‐led clinic was introduced to screen more intensely for new FH index cases. We evaluated if these interventions increased the prevalence of FH closer to the expected prevalence from epidemiological studies.ResultsThe baseline prevalence of FH within Medway CCG was 0.13% (1 in 750 persons). After 2 years, the recorded prevalence of diagnosed FH increased by 0.09% to 0.22% (1 in 450 persons). The nurse advisor programme ran for 9 months (October 2013–July 2014) and during this time, the recorded prevalence of patients diagnosed with FH increased to 0.28% (1 in 357 persons) and the prevalence of patients ‘at risk and unscreened’ reduced from 0.58% to 0.14%.ConclusionsOur study shows that two simple interventions increased the detection of FH. This systematic yet simple electronic case‐finding programme with nurse‐led review allowed the identification of new index cases, more than doubling the recorded prevalence of detected disease to 1 in 357 (0.28%). This study shows that primary care has an important role in identifying patients with this condition.
Membrane‐bound tetramer and trimer Aβ oligomeric species correlate with toxicity towards cultured neurons
Authors: Jana Metta K. , Cappai Roberto , Pham Chi L. L. , Ciccotosto Giuseppe D. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAmyloid beta (Aβ) peptide is the major constituent of the extracellular amyloid plaques deposited in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients and is central to the pathogenic pathway causing this disease. The identity of the neurotoxic Aβ species remains elusive. We previously reported that Aβ toxicity correlates strongly with its neuronal cell binding leading us to hypothesize that neuronal cell death is caused by the binding of a specific oligomeric Aβ species. To identify the specific oligomeric Aβ species that is associated with cell death, we treated mouse cortical neuronal cultures with synthetic Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides and identified that the cellular Aβ binding and neurotoxicity were time and concentration dependent. We found a significant correlation between the amount of trimer and tetramer species bound to neurons with increasing neurotoxicity. We prepared Aβ40 oligomers (up to tetramers) using photo‐induced cross‐linking of unmodified peptides to confirm this oligomer‐specific neurotoxic activity. Our results identify the Aβ tetramer, followed by the trimer, as the most toxic low‐order oligomers Aβ species.imageOur findings suggested that binding of amyloid‐β (Aβ) tetramer and trimer, not monomer or dimer, to neurons is critical to induce neuronal cell death associated with Alzheimer's Disease. We proposed that Aβ trimer and tetramer are the potential neurotoxic Aβ species. This would provide more specific therapeutic target for Alzheimer's Disease.Read the Editorial Highlight for this article on page 437.
Sex‐Related Differences in Rat Choroid Plexus and Cerebrospinal Fluid: A cDNA Microarray and Proteomic Analysis
Authors: Quintela T. , Marcelino H. , Deery M. J. , Feret R. , Howard J. , Lilley K. S. , Albuquerque T. , Gonçalves I. , Duarte A. C. , Santos C. R. A. 
Published: November 2015

The choroid plexus (CP) epithelium is a unique structure in the brain that forms an interface between the peripheral blood and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is mostly produced by the CP itself. Because the CP transcriptome is regulated by the sex hormone background, the present study compared gene/protein expression profiles in the CP and CSF from male and female rats aiming to better understand sex‐related differences in CP functions and brain physiology. We used data previously obtained by cDNA microarrays to compare the CP transcriptome between male and female rats, and complemented these data with the proteomic analysis of the CSF of castrated and sham‐operated males and females. Microarray analysis showed that 17 128 and 17 002 genes are expressed in the male and female CP, which allowed the functional annotation of 141 and 134 pathways, respectively. Among the most expressed genes, canonical pathways associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions and oxidative phosphorylation were the most prominent, whereas the most relevant molecular and cellular functions annotated were protein synthesis, cellular growth and proliferation, cell death and survival, molecular transport, and protein trafficking. No significant differences were found between males and females regarding these pathways. Seminal functions of the CP differentially regulated between sexes were circadian rhythm signalling, as well as several canonical pathways related to stem cell differentiation, metabolism and the barrier function of the CP. The proteomic analysis identified five down‐regulated proteins in the CSF samples from male rats compared to females and seven proteins exhibiting marked variation in the CSF of gonadectomised males compared to sham animals, whereas no differences were found between sham and ovariectomised females. These data clearly show sex‐related differences in CP gene expression and CSF protein composition that may impact upon neurological diseases.
A bibliometric study of scientific literature in Scopus on botanicals for treatment of androgenetic alopecia
Authors: Rondanelli Mariangela , Perna Simone , Peroni Gabriella , Guido Davide 
Published: November 2015

SummaryBackgroundIn androgenetic alopecia, a number of botanicals are available that can effectively slow or reduce hair loss and inflammation or stimulate partial hair regrowth. The aim of this study was to provide a descriptive overview of the impact and production of literature on botanicals used for androgenetic alopecia and to perform a citation analysis of the related research articles.MethodsWe searched for “alopecia” OR “androgenetic alopecia” OR “hair loss” AND “Camelia sinensis” OR (and other 15 botanicals) in ARTICLE (Title/Abstract/Keyword) in Scopus database.ResultsA total of 29 references, that is, research articles, were retrieved by SCOPUS search, and 93.1% had been published since 2000. The majority (48.3%) describe applications of hair grow stimulants, followed by inhibitors of 5‐alpha‐reductase applications (27.6%), and studies concerning inhibitors of inflammation (24.1%). The citation analysis revealed a growing interest for this topic and the papers on hair grow stimulants are most cited. Citation trend of inhibition of 5‐alpha‐reductase articles is growing in the last years.ConclusionsThis study has highlighted three important aspects: (1) growing interest for this topic; (2) evidences mainly in hair grow stimulants and recently in the inhibition of 5‐alpha‐reductase, as demonstrated by article and citation counts across years; (3) in addition, all major studies have been focused on green tea epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate, Serenoa repens, Citrullus colocynthis and Cuscuta reflexa.
Therapy service use in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: An Australian perspective
Authors: Meehan Elaine , Harvey Adrienne , Reid Susan M , Reddihough Dinah S , Williams Katrina , Crompton Kylie E , Omar Suhaila , Scheinberg Adam 
Published: November 2015

AimThe aim of this study was to describe the patterns of therapy service use for a sample of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy over a 1 year period and to identify factors associated with frequency of therapy and parental satisfaction with therapy frequency.MethodsParents of 83 children completed a survey on their child's use of occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language pathology services over the previous year. Participants were randomly selected from a sample stratified by age and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level.ResultsDuring the year prior to survey completion, 83% of children had received occupational therapy, 88% had received physiotherapy and 60% had received speech and language pathology services. Frequency of therapy was higher for younger children (P < 0.01), those classified at GMFCS levels IV–V (P < 0.05) and those attending schools specifically for children with disabilities.ConclusionsCurrent structures for therapy service delivery for children with cerebral palsy are systems‐based, and age‐based funding systems and the organisation of services around the education system are preventing the delivery of needs‐based therapy. Paediatricians that care for children and young people with cerebral palsy need to pay particular attention to those that may miss out on therapy due to age or school type, and support these families in accessing appropriate therapy.