bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti-melanogenic effects of Aster spathulifolius extract in UVB-exposed C57BL/6J mice and B16F10 melanoma cells through the regulation of MAPK/ERK and AKT/GSK3β signalling
Authors: Hwang Ga Yeon , Choung Se-Young 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Objectives
Pharmacological studies of Aster spathulifolius Maxim(AS) have demonstrated its anti-allergy, anti-viral and anti-obesity effects, however, its anti-melanogenic effects is still unclear. In this study, the effects of AS extract (ASE) on the inhibition of melanin synthesis were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

Methods
To perform this study, the contents of melanin and tyrosinase activity were analysed in B16F10 melanoma cells. Western blotting was carried out to determine the underlyling mechanism. Additionally, we investigated the effect of this extract on hyperpigmentation in C57bL/6J mice induced by 3, 6 and 9 weeks of UVB irradiation.

Key findings
AS extract led to reduced melanin synthesis through the regulation of MITF and its downstream signals. Furthermore, ASE increased the phosphorylation of MAPK/ERK and Akt/GSK3β signalling pathway components. In vivo study, hypopigmentation effects were also observed. The melanocyte activity and the distribution of melanin granules were decreased in UVB-irradiated mice treated with ASE.

Conclusions
These results suggest that the ASE may be promising as an active anti-melanogenic component, and further investigations should be performed regarding its potential as a whitening agent in the field of cosmetics.
Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) permeates ovine ruminal and jejunal epithelia, mainly by passive diffusion
Authors: Rackwitz R. , Gäbel G. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryGamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) represents the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. GABA is also produced in plants and/or by the microbial conversion of amino acids. Thus, ruminants may be forced to take up significant amounts of GABA from their diet. However, it is not known whether exogenously acquired GABA might permeate the gastrointestinal barrier in such quantities as to induce systemic alterations. Thus, this study pursues the question of where within the ruminant's GI tract and by which pathways GABA may be taken up from the ingesta. The jejunal and ruminal epithelia of sheep were mounted in Ussing chambers under short‐circuit conditions. The flux rates of radiolabelled GABA from the mucosal to the serosal side (Jms) and vice versa (Jsm) were measured. GABA was applied in various concentrations with adjustment of the mucosal pH to 6.1 or 7.4. Furthermore, beta‐alanine or glycine was used as a competitive inhibitor for GABA transport. In both the jejunal and ruminal epithelium, the Jms of GABA was linearly correlated to the mucosal GABA concentration. However, Jms across the jejunal epithelium was approximately 10‐fold higher than Jms across the ruminal epithelium. When 0.5 mmol/l GABA was applied on both sides of the epithelium, no net flux could be observed in the jejunal epithelia. Additionally, there was no effect of decreased mucosal pH or the application of glycine or beta‐alanine under these conditions. The Jms and Jsm of GABA were linearly correlated to the transepithelial conductance. Our results suggest that GABA is taken up from the small intestine rather than from the rumen. Due to the lack of influence of pH and competitive inhibitors, this uptake seems to occur primarily via passive diffusion.
Low parental tolerance for infant crying: an underlying factor in infant sleep problems?
Authors: Sadeh Avi , Juda‐Hanael Michal , Livne‐Karp Efrat , Kahn Michal , Tikotzky Liat , Anders Thomas F. , Calkins Susan , Sivan Yakov 
Published: March 2016

SummaryParenting behaviours play a major role in the evolution of infant sleep. Sleep problems in infancy have been associated with excessive parental involvement at night‐time, and with shorter delays in response to infant night wakings and signalling. Infant crying and sleep problems are linked, yet little is known about the impact of parental responses to crying on infant sleep patterns. This study examined the hypothesis that lower parental tolerance for crying is associated with infant sleep problems. We studied 144 married couples divided into three groups: parents of infants suffering from night‐waking problems (i.e. the clinical group), parents of infants without sleep problems and childless couples. Crying tolerance was assessed using questionnaires, audio recordings of crying infants and using a novel paradigm, in which participants were shown a video of a crying infant and asked when they would intervene. Parents in the clinical group demonstrated shorter intervention delays in the crying infant clip (group effect: P < 0.0001), and tended to attribute more distress to the crying infants compared to parents in both control groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, women demonstrated lower tolerance for infant crying on most measures compared to men. Our results suggest that parents of sleep‐disturbed infants appear to have lower tolerance for infant crying, which may be a predisposition underlying their excessive involvement in soothing their infants to sleep which may lead to the development of sleep problems. These preliminary findings should be explored further to assess their clinical validity and utility.
Blue tales of a blue‐tailed lizard: ecological correlates of tail autotomy in Micrablepharus atticolus (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in a Neotropical savannah
Authors: Sousa H. C. , Costa B. M. , Morais C. J. S. , Pantoja D. L. , de Queiroz T. A. , Vieira C. R. , Colli G. R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTail autotomy and regeneration are perhaps the most dramatic adaptations to enhance survival among lizards. In spite of much work on the subject, the ecological significance of tail autotomy rates in natural populations remains elusive, due to difficulties in controlling several confounding factors and the paucity of accurate demographic data. On the basis of a capture–recapture study, we investigate the ecological determinants of tail autotomy rates in Micrablepharus atticolus, a blue‐tailed lizard from the South American Cerrado. We tested whether habitat (as a proxy of predation intensity), seasonality (as a proxy of intensity of social interactions), ontogeny and sex affected autotomy rates, and also whether autotomy rates affected body condition. We found that tail autotomy rates in M. atticolus are lower than in many other species with brightly colored tails, likely resulting from a small body size and fossorial habits. Autotomy rates were lower than expected by chance in the plot with lower mortality rates, suggesting a more prominent role of predation intensity instead of predator efficiency, and increased with age, suggesting cumulative effects of predation attempts along the ontogeny or age‐specific differences in predation intensity. We also found no intersexual differences or any effect of breeding activity on autotomy rates. Our results indicate that energetic costs of tail autotomy are low, or that animals compensate tail loss with increased foraging rates. These characteristics of M. atticolus seem tightly associated with its small body size, fossorial lifestyle and very short life span, and suggest that the costs of tail regeneration should be low.
Cytokeratin 18‐based cell death markers indicate severity of liver disease and prognosis of cirrhotic patients
Authors: Waidmann Oliver , Brunner Friederike , Herrmann Eva , Zeuzem Stefan , Piiper Albrecht , Kronenberger Bernd 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsHepatocyte death is an important factor in development and progression of cirrhosis. Cytokeratin 18‐based serum markers reflecting apoptotic (M30) and overall epithelial cell death (M65 and M65EpiDeath) have been used as prognostic parameters for survival in patients with acute liver failure. However, there has been no trial investigating M30, M65 and M65EpiDeath as survival parameters in patients with cirrhosis and acute‐on‐chronic liver failure.MethodsPatients with cirrhosis were enrolled and followed until death, liver transplantation or last contact. M30, M65 and M65EpiDeath serum levels were quantified in patient's sera.ResultsThree hundred and thirty‐one patients were screened and 211 patients could be included in this study. The median duration of follow‐up was 322 days with a range of 1–1382 days. All three cell death parameters correlated with the extent of the severity of the disease. However, M65EpiDeath was the only of the three parameters which was associated with the severe complications of cirrhosis including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and hepatorenal syndrome. Additionally, M65EpiDeath was the only cell death parameter which was independently from liver function and its surrogate parameter such as Child‐Pugh score and the model of end‐stage liver disease associated with overall survival.ConclusionsEpithelial cell death reflected by M65EpiDeath serum levels is an indicator for the severity of cirrhosis and a prognostic survival parameter in cirrhotic patients.
Tpd3‐Pph21 phosphatase plays a direct role in Sep7 dephosphorylation in Candida albicans
Authors: Liu Qizheng , Han Qi , Wang Na , Yao Guangyin , Zeng Guisheng , Wang Yanming , Huang Zhenxing , Sang Jianli , Wang Yue 
Published: March 2016

SummarySeptins are a component of the cytoskeleton and play important roles in diverse cellular processes including cell cycle control, cytokinesis and polarized growth. In fungi, septin organization, dynamics and function are regulated by phosphorylation, and several kinases responsible for the phosphorylation of several septins have been identified. However, little is known about the phosphatases that dephosphorylate septins. Here, we report the characterization of Tpd3, a structural subunit of the PP2A family of phosphatases, in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. We found that tpd3Δ/Δ cells are defective in hyphal growth and grow as pseudohyphae under yeast growth conditions with aberrant septin organization. Western blotting detected hyperphosphorylation of the septin Sep7 in cells lacking Tpd3. Tpd3 and Sep7 colocalize at the bud neck and can coimmunoprecipitate. Furthermore, we discovered similar defects in cells lacking Pph21, a catalytic subunit of the PP2A family, and its physical association with Tpd3. Importantly, purified Tpd3‐Pph21 complexes can dephosphorylate Sep7 in vitro. Together, our findings strongly support the idea that the Tpd3‐Pph21 complex dephosphorylates Sep7 and regulates morphogenesis and cytokinesis. The tpd3Δ/Δ mutant is greatly reduced in virulence in mice, providing a potential antifungal target.
Simple renal cysts in the solitary kidney: Are they innocent in adult patients?
Authors: Tatar Erhan , Ozay Emine , Atakaya Mehmet , Yeniay Pinar Kezban , Aykas Ahmet , Okut Gokalp , Yonguc Tarik , Imamoglu Cetin , Uslu Adam 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn patients with a solitary kidney; residual renal volume is an important prognostic factor for kidney survival. At present, the impact of renal cysts on solitary kidney survival is not clear. The aim of this study is to examine the association of cysts on progression of renal failure in patients with a solitary kidney.MethodsThis study included sixtyfive solitary kidney patients. The remaining kidneys after indication nephrectomy (IN) were evaluated with urinary system ultrasound. The primary outcome of the study is the progression of kidney failure during follow‐up which was defined as: 25% decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and / or the need for renal replacement therapy (RRT).ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 55 ± 14 years and mean follow‐up was 53 ± 27 months. Renal cysts were present in 30.7% of patients. 33.8 percent of patients had kidney disease progression and 10.7 % required RRT. Those with progressive disease were older (61 ± 13, 52 ± 14; P = 0.011), had lower baseline GFR (30 ± 11, 39 ± 18; P = 0.035), higher proteiuria (2.84 ± 0.58, 2.47 ± 0.57; P = 0.031) and frequently harboring cysts in the solitary kidney (52.3%, 20.4%; P = 0.006). Progression to kidney failure and RRT requirement in cases with or without renal cysts was (60% vs. 22%; P = 0.004) and (20% vs. 6.6%; P = 0.123), respectively. Acquired cysts in solitary kidney was independently associated with progression to kidney failure and RRT respectively (Exp(B) 3.173; P = 0.01 and Exp(B) 12.35; P = 0.04).ConclusionSimple renal cysts in solitary kidney patients with impaired renal function is associated with poor renal outcome. Large‐scale studies are needed to clarify this issue.
Contextual influence of Taiwanese adolescents' sexual attitudes and behavioral intent
Authors: Chen Angela Chia‐Chen , Neilands Torsten B. , Chan Shu‐Min , Lightfoot Marguerita 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis study examined parental, peer, and media influences on Taiwanese adolescents' attitudes toward premarital sex and intent to engage in sexual behavior. Participants included a convenience sample of 186 adolescents aged 13–15 recruited from two middle schools in Taiwan. Parental influence was indicated by perceived parental disapproval toward premarital sex and perceived peer sexual behavior was used to measure peer influence. Media influence was measured by the adolescents' perception of whether the media promotes premarital sex. We conducted structural equation modeling to test a hypothesized model. The findings suggested that the perceived sexual behavior of peers had the strongest effect on Taiwanese adolescents' sexual attitudes and behavioral intent, while parental disapproval and media influence also significantly contributed to adolescents' sexual attitudes and intent to engage in sex. School nurses are in an ideal position to coordinate essential resources and implement evidence‐based sexually transmitted infection and HIV/AIDS prevention interventions that address issues associated with the influence of parents, peers, and media.
Arabidopsis CLAVATA1 and CLAVATA2 receptors contribute to Ralstonia solanacearum pathogenicity through a miR169‐dependent pathway
Authors: Hanemian Mathieu , Barlet Xavier , Sorin Céline , Yadeta Koste A. , Keller Harald , Favery Bruno , Simon Rüdiger , Thomma Bart P. H. J. , Hartmann Caroline , Crespi Martin , Marco Yves , Tremousaygue Dominique , Deslandes Laurent 
Published: March 2016

Summary

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most destructive bacterial plant diseases. Although many molecular determinants involved in R. solanacearum adaptation to hosts and pathogenesis have been described, host components required for disease establishment remain poorly characterized.

Phenotypical analysis of Arabidopsis mutants for leucine‐rich repeat (LRR)‐receptor‐like proteins revealed that mutations in the CLAVATA1 (CLV1) and CLAVATA2 (CLV2) genes confer enhanced disease resistance to bacterial wilt. We further investigated the underlying mechanisms using genetic, transcriptomic and molecular approaches.

The enhanced resistance of both clv1 and clv2 mutants to the bacteria did not require the well characterized CLV signalling modules involved in shoot meristem homeostasis, and was conditioned by neither salicylic acid nor ethylene defence‐related hormones. Gene expression microarray analysis performed on clv1 and clv2 revealed deregulation of genes encoding nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha (NF‐YA) transcription factors whose post‐transcriptional regulation is known to involve microRNAs from the miR169 family. Both clv mutants showed a defect in miR169 accumulation. Conversely, overexpression of miR169 abrogated the resistance phenotype of clv mutants.

We propose that CLV1 and CLV2, two receptors involved in CLV3 perception during plant development, contribute to bacterial wilt through a signalling pathway involving the miR169/NF‐YA module.
The homeodomain transcription factor TaHDZipI‐2 from wheat regulates frost tolerance, flowering time and spike development in transgenic barley
Authors: Kovalchuk Nataliya , Chew William , Sornaraj Pradeep , Borisjuk Nikolai , Yang Nannan , Singh Rohan , Bazanova Natalia , Shavrukov Yuri , Guendel Andre , Munz Eberhard , Borisjuk Ljudmilla , Langridge Peter , Hrmova Maria , Lopato Sergiy 
Published: March 2016

SummaryHomeodomain leucine zipper class I (HD‐Zip I) transcription factors (TFs) play key roles in the regulation of plant growth and development under stresses. Functions of theTaHDZipI‐2gene isolated from the endosperm of developing wheat grain were revealed.Molecular characterization of TaHDZipI‐2 protein included studies of its dimerisation, protein–DNAinteractions and gene activation properties using pull‐down assays, in‐yeast methods and transient expression assays in wheat cells. The analysis ofTaHDZipI‐2gene functions was performed using transgenic barley plants. It included comparison of developmental phenotypes, yield components, grain quality, frost tolerance and the levels of expression of potential target genes in transgenic and control plants.TransgenicTaHDZipI‐2lines showed characteristic phenotypic features that included reduced growth rates, reduced biomass, early flowering, light‐coloured leaves and narrowly elongated spikes. Transgenic lines produced 25–40% more seeds per spike than control plants, but with 50–60% smaller grain size.In vivolipid imaging exposed changes in the distribution of lipids between the embryo and endosperm in transgenic seeds. Transgenic lines were significantly more tolerant to frost than control plants.Our data suggest the role ofTaHDZipI‐2in controlling several key processes underlying frost tolerance, transition to flowering and spike development.
BODYGUARD is required for the biosynthesis of cutin in Arabidopsis
Authors: Jakobson Liina , Lindgren Leif Ove , Verdier Gaëtan , Laanemets Kristiina , Brosché Mikael , Beisson Fred , Kollist Hannes 
Published: March 2016

Summary

The cuticle plays a critical role in plant survival during extreme drought conditions. There are, however, surprisingly, many gaps in our understanding of cuticle biosynthesis.

An Arabidopsis thaliana T‐DNA mutant library was screened for mutants with enhanced transpiration using a simple condensation spot method. Five mutants, named cool breath (cb), were isolated.

The cb5 mutant was found to be allelic to bodyguard (bdg), which is affected in an α/β‐hydrolase fold protein important for cuticle structure. The analysis of cuticle components in cb5 (renamed as bdg‐6) and another T‐DNA mutant allele (bdg‐7) revealed no impairment in wax synthesis, but a strong decrease in total cutin monomer load in young leaves and flowers. Root suberin content was also reduced. Overexpression of BDG increased total leaf cutin monomer content nearly four times by affecting preferentially C18 polyunsaturated ω‐OH fatty acids and dicarboxylic acids. Whole‐plant gas exchange analysis showed that bdg‐6 had higher cuticular conductance and rate of transpiration; however, plant lines overexpressing BDG resembled the wild‐type with regard to these characteristics.

This study identifies BDG as an important component of the cutin biosynthesis machinery in Arabidopsis. We also show that, using BDG, cutin can be greatly modified without altering the cuticular water barrier properties and transpiration.
Aneurysmal bone cyst of the zygomatic bone
Authors: Surej Kumar L.K. , Varun Menon P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare haemorrhagic, non‐neoplastic lesion, most commonly seen involving the long bone and spine. It is characterised by its expansile nature, high vascularity and multi‐cystic appearance. It is a rare lesion in the maxillofacial region with its occurrence more in the mandible than in the maxilla. So far only four cases of ABC in the zygoma have ever been reported in the English literature. Here we report a rare case of ABC of zygomatic bone with a short review.
Patient monitoring with Google Glass: a pilot study of a novel monitoring technology
Authors: Drake‐Brockman Thomas F. E. , Datta Amitava , von Ungern‐Sternberg Britta S. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryBackgroundHead‐mounted devices (HMDs) are of significant interest for applications within medicine, including in anesthesia for patient monitoring. Previous devices trialed in anesthesia for this purpose were often bulky, involved cable tethers, or were otherwise ergonomically infeasible. Google Glass is a modern HMD that is lightweight and solves many of the issues identified with previous HMDs.AimTo examine the acceptance of Google Glass as a patient monitoring device in a pediatric anesthesia context at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Australia.MethodsWe developed a custom‐designed software solution for integrating Google Glass into the anesthesia environment, which enabled the device user to continuously view patient monitoring parameters transmitted wirelessly from the anesthesia workstation.ResultsA total of 40 anesthetists were included in the study. Each anesthetist used the device for the duration of a theater list. We found 90% of anesthetists trialing the device agreed that it was comfortable to wear, 86% agreed the device was easy to read, and 82.5% agreed the device was not distracting. In 75% of cases, anesthetists reported unprompted that they were comfortable using the device in theater. Anesthetists reported that they would use the device again in 76% of cases, and indicated that they would recommend the device to a colleague in 58% of cases.ConclusionGiven the pilot nature of this study, we consider these results highly favorable. Anesthetists readily accepted Google Glass in the anesthetic environment, with further enhancements to device software, rather than hardware, now being the barrier to adoption. There are a number of applications for HMDs in pediatric anesthesia.
Pediatric transport medicine and the dawn of the pediatric anesthesiology and critical care medicine subspecialty: an interview with pioneer Dr. Alvin Hackel
Authors: Mai Christine L. , Ahmed Zulfiqar , Maze Aubrey , Noorulla Fatima , Yaster Myron 
Published: March 2016

SummaryDr. Alvin ‘Al’ Hackel (1932‐) Professor Emeritus of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, and Pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, has been an influential pioneer in shaping the scope and practice of pediatric anesthesia. His leadership helped to formally define the subspecialty of pediatric anesthesiology (‘who is a pediatric anesthesiologist?’) and the importance of specialization and regionalization of expertise in both patient transport and perioperative care. His enduring impact on pediatric anesthesia and critical care practice was recognized in 2006 by the American Academy of Pediatrics when it bestowed upon him the profession's highest lifetime achievement award, the Robert M. Smith Award. Of his many contributions, Dr. Hackel identifies his early involvement in the development of pediatric transport medicine as well as the subspecialty of pediatric anesthesiology as his defining contribution. Based on a series of interviews held with Dr. Hackel between 2009 and 2014, this article reviews the early development of transportation medicine and the remarkable career of a pioneering pediatric anesthesiologist.