bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 levels in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Kim Yo Sup , Lee Kang Joon , Kim Hyun 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundNeuroinflammation has been recognized as a feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is believed to share several pathological features with AD. The aim of the present study was to compare serum cytokine levels between patients with AD, subjects with MCI, and healthy controls, and to assess the correlation between cytokine levels and cognitive performance in these subjects.MethodsParticipants included 35 patients with AD, 29 subjects with MCI, and 28 healthy controls from the Department of Psychiatry of IIlsan Paik Hospital in South Korea. Demographic and neuropsychological information were obtained, and peripheral cytokine levels, specifically tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐6 levels, were measured for all subjects.ResultsAfter adjustment for age, a significant difference in IL‐6 levels (P = 0.045), but not in TNF‐α (P = 0.082) levels, was observed among the three groups. IL‐6 levels were higher in patients with AD than in subjects with MCI and healthy controls. TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels negatively and positively correlated with Mini‐Mental State Examination and Global Deterioration Scale scores, respectively. TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels were also positively correlated with each other.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that serum IL‐6 levels of patients with AD might be higher than those of subjects with MCI and healthy controls. Serum TNF‐α and IL‐6 levels might be negatively correlated with cognitive function, and we suspect that serum IL‐6 levels could be biomarkers for AD.
The usefulness of combined brain perfusion single‐photon emission computed tomography, Dopamine‐transporter single‐photon emission computed tomography, and 123I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy for the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Kobayashi Seiju , Makino Kanae , Hatakeyama Shigeki , Ishii Takao , Tateno Masaru , Iwamoto Tomo , Tsujino Hanako , Kawasaki Kazuhito , Mikuni Kouhei , Ukai Wataru , Murayama Tomonori , Hashimoto Eri , Utsumi Kumiko , Kawanishi Chiaki 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundCurrent diagnostic criteria recommend neuroimaging as a diagnostic support tool for the clinical diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Because DLB causes characteristic impairments and disabilities, such as neuroleptic hypersensitivity, which may significantly increase morbidity and mortality, its prompt and correct diagnosis is very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent to which diagnostic accuracy can be increased by using different combinations of brain perfusion single‐photon emission computed tomography (bp‐SPECT), 123
I‐metaiodobenzylguanidine myocardial scintigraphy (MIBG scintigraphy), and DAT‐SPECT. Taking finances and patient burden into consideration, we compared the tests to determine priority.MethodsThirty‐four patients with probable DLB (75.0 ± 8.3 years old; 14 men, 20 women) underwent bp‐SPECT, MIBG scintigraphy, and DAT‐SPECT.ResultsOur comparison of three functional imaging techniques indicated that MIBG scintigraphy (79%) and Dopamine‐transporter (DAT) SPECT (79%) had better sensitivity for characteristic abnormalities in DLB than bp‐SPECT (53%). The combination of the three modalities could increase sensitivity for diagnosis of DLB to 100%. Additionally, the ratio of patients with rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder was significantly higher in the positive finding group on MIBG scintigraphy than in the negative finding group.ConclusionsIn terms of stand‐alone diagnostic means, priority should be placed on MIBG scintigraphy or DAT‐SPECT for the diagnosis of DLB. However, our results suggest that the combination of bp‐SPECT, MIBG scintigraphy, and DAT‐SPECT increased the accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of DLB.
Analysis of inedible substance ingestion at a Japanese psychiatric hospital
Authors: Yayama So , Tanimoto Chie , Suto Shunji , Matoba Kei , Kajiwara Tomomi , Inoue Masue , Endo Yoshimi , Yamakawa Miyae , Makimoto Kiyoko 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundInedible substance ingestion increases the risk of ileus, poisoning, and suffocation. Prevention is especially important in a psychiatric setting. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of inedible substance ingestion in a Japanese psychiatric hospital.MethodsInedible substance ingestion incidents were extracted from an incident report database spanning 2000–2012 at a 400‐bed psychiatric hospital in Japan. We tabulated the frequencies of incidents in accordance with major diagnosis, ingested materials, incident levels, and time of occurrence.ResultsThe incidence rate was 0.09/1000 patient days, and 149 cases in 105 patients were classified as having experienced inedible substance ingestion. The most common diagnosis was dementia (n = 58), followed by schizophrenia (n = 22). Materials ingested by dementia patients were nappies or gauze attached to the patient's body after medical procedures. Materials ingested by schizophrenic patients were liquid soap, detergent or shampoo, and cigarettes. Inedible substance ingestion among dementia patients occurred mostly before or during meals. Among schizophrenic patients, the peak period of incidents was in the evening.ConclusionsDementia patients were overrepresented in the inedible substance ingestion incidents. Items they wore or applied to their bodies were often subject to ingestion, and such behaviours mostly occurred around meal time. Therefore, the nursing staff were able to discover them quickly and treat most of the cases free of serious consequences. In contrast, schizophrenic patients were underrepresented in the incidents, and most cases involved ingestion of detergent powder or cigarettes, resulting in more serious consequences and requiring treatment.
Caregiver burden in older adults with bipolar disorder: relationship to functionality and neuropsychiatric symptoms
Authors: dos Santos Glenda D. , Forlenza Orestes V. , Ladeira Rodolfo B. , Aprahamian Ivan , Almeida Jouce G. , Lafer Beny , Nunes Paula V. 
Published: January 2017

BackgroundThere are few studies addressing caregivers of bipolar disorder (BD) patients, especially patients who are older adults with an increased need for care, often given by a relative. The aim of this study was to describe which factors increase caregiver burden among caregivers of elderly BD outpatients.MethodsPatients were older than 60 years and met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, criteria for BD. They were evaluated for current mood, cognitive and other neuropsychiatric symptoms, functionality, medical comorbidities, quality of life, years since BD diagnosis, and number of psychiatric admissions. The caregiver who spent the greatest time with each patient was evaluated with the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview. The caregivers' global health, mood symptoms, quality of life, and tasks performed for the patient were also assessed.ResultsThirty‐six BD patients and their caregivers were assessed. The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview was positively correlated with patients' neuropsychiatric symptoms (r = 0.508, P = 0.002) and functional impairment (r = 0.466, P = 0.004). The Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview was also correlated with caregivers' own depression (r = 0.576, P < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.360, P = 0.031), quality of life (r = −0.406, P = 0.014), medical comorbidities (r = 0.387, P = 0.020), and number of tasks that they completed for the patient (r = 0.480, P = 0.003).ConclusionsIn this group of elderly BD patients, caregiver burden was more associated with symptoms frequently seen in others diseases as in dementia than with depressive, manic, or anxiety symptoms, which are often used as treatment outcomes measures goals in BD. Potential treatable and modifiable factors associated with caregiver burden could be caregivers' depression, anxiety, and medical comorbidities, as well as support for caregivers in terms of services and social relationships.
Preprocedural platelet transfusion for patients with thrombocytopenia undergoing interventional radiology procedures is not associated with reduced bleeding complications
Authors: Warner Matthew A. , Woodrum David , Hanson Andrew , Schroeder Darrell R. , Wilson Gregory , Kor Daryl J. 
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUNDPlatelet (PLT) transfusion before interventional radiology procedures is commonly performed in patients with thrombocytopenia. However, it is unclear if PLT transfusion is associated with reduced bleeding complications.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis is a retrospective cohort study of adults undergoing interventional radiology procedures between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2013. Baseline characteristics, coagulation variables, transfusion requirements, and procedural details were evaluated. Propensity‐matched analyses were used to assess relationships between PLT transfusions and the outcomes of interest, including a primary outcome of periprocedural red blood cell (RBC) transfusion during the procedure or within the first 24 hours after procedure.RESULTSA total of 18,204 participants met inclusion criteria, and 2060 (11.3%) had a PLT count of not more than 100 × 109/L before their procedure. Of these, 203 patients (9.9) received preprocedural PLTs. There was no significant difference in RBC requirements between those receiving or not receiving preprocedural PLTs in propensity‐matched analysis (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95‐2.21; p = 0.085). PLT transfusion was associated with increased rates of intensive care unit admission (OR [95% CI], 1.57 [1.07‐2.32]; p = 0.022).CONCLUSIONIn patients with thrombocytopenia undergoing interventional radiology procedures, preprocedural PLT transfusion was not associated with reduced periprocedural RBC requirements. These findings suggest that prophylactic PLT transfusions are not warranted in nonbleeding patients with preprocedural PLT counts exceeding 50 × 109/L. Future clinical trials are needed to further define relationships between prophylactic PLT administration and bleeding complications, especially at more severe levels of thrombocytopenia or in the presence of PLT dysfunction.
Methods for counting residual leukocytes in leukocyte‐depleted plasma—a comparison between a routine hematology instrument, the Nageotte chamber, flow cytometry, and a fluorescent microscopy analyzer
Authors: Petersson Annika , Ekblom Kim 
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUNDCounting very low levels of leukocytes is technically challenging but mandatory for quality control of leukocyte‐depleted plasma. Established assays, such as flow cytometry and counting in the Nageotte chamber, are laborious and expensive. The aim of this study was to test two alternative assays, the cerebrospinal fluid program in the routine hematology analyzer ADVIA 2120 and a fluorescence microscopy analyzer, the ADAM‐rWBC.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSLinearity, accuracy, and precision were established for the ADVIA 2120, the ADAM‐rWBC analyzer and the Nageotte chamber with flow cytometry as the reference method. Two hundred consecutive leukocyte‐depleted donor plasma samples were also tested.RESULTSThe ADAM‐rWBC analyzer and the Nageotte chamber fulfilled all quality requirements. Flow cytometry fulfilled the requirements for linearity and precision. The ADVIA 2120 analyzer did not fully reach the quality criteria, and flow cytometry did not reach quality criteria on accuracy. No false‐positive results on donor plasma samples were recorded.CONCLUSIONThe ADAM‐rWBC is suitable for the purpose of quality control of residual leukocytes in leukocyte‐depleted plasma. For the ADVIA 2120, further improvements and studies are needed to reach the quality requirements stated in this study.
Production of high‐quality islets from goettingen minipigs: Choice of organ preservation solution, donor pool, and optimal cold ischemia time
Authors: Steffen Anja , Kiss Thomas , Schmid Janine , Schubert Undine , Heinke Sophie , Lehmann Susann , Bornstein Stefan , Ludwig Barbara , Ludwig Stefan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe transplantation of porcine islets into man might soon become reality for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, porcine islets of high quality and quantity, and a scalable isolation process with strict quality control will be an unconditional prerequisite to enable the best possible transplantation graft. In this study, we provide a comparative study evaluating islet isolation outcome and in vitro survival based upon donor age, organ preservation solution (OPS), and cold ischemia time (CIT).MethodsGoettingen minipigs of younger age (1 year) and retired breeder animals (3.5 years) were studied. Pancreata were harvested according to the standards of human organ retrieval including in situ cold perfusion with either Custodiol®‐HTK or Belzer® UW solution. Pancreatic tissue was characterized by quantification of apoptotic cells. Islet isolations were performed according to a modified Ricordi method, and isolation outcome was assessed by determining islet particle numbers (IP), islet equivalents (IEQ), and isolation factor (IF). Isolated islets were cultured for 24 and 48 h for the assessment of in vitro survival.ResultsIslet viability was significantly higher in Custodiol®‐HTK preserved pancreas organs compared to Belzer® UW. Furthermore, organs harvested from retired breeder preserved in Custodiol®‐HTK resulted in stable islet isolation yields even after prolonged CIT and showed superior survival rates of islets in vitro compared to the Belzer® UW group. Younger porcine donor organs resulted generally in lower islet yield and survival rates.ConclusionsIn summary, Custodiol®‐HTK solution should be preferred over Belzer® UW solution for the preservation of pancreata from porcine origin. Custodiol®‐HTK allows for maintaining islet viability and promotes reproducible isolation outcome and survival even after longer CIT. The usage of retired breeder animals over young animals for islet isolation is highly advisable to yield high quality and quantity.
The TRPM7 channel kinase regulates store‐operated calcium entry
Authors: Faouzi Malika , Kilch Tatiana , Horgen F. David , Fleig Andrea , Penner Reinhold 
Published: January 2017

Key points
Pharmacological and molecular inhibition of transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) reduces store‐operated calcium entry (SOCE).
Overexpression of TRPM7 in TRPM7−/− cells restores SOCE.
TRPM7 is not a store‐operated calcium channel.
TRPM7 kinase rather than channel modulates SOCE.
TRPM7 channel activity contributes to the maintenance of store Ca2+ levels at rest.
AbstractThe transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a protein that combines an ion channel with an intrinsic kinase domain, enabling it to modulate cellular functions either by conducting ions through the pore or by phosphorylating downstream proteins via its kinase domain. In the present study, we report store‐operated calcium entry (SOCE) as a novel target of TRPM7 kinase activity. TRPM7‐deficient chicken DT40 B lymphocytes exhibit a strongly impaired SOCE compared to wild‐type cells as a result of reduced calcium release activated calcium currents, and independently of potassium channel regulation, membrane potential changes or changes in cell‐cycle distribution. Pharmacological blockade of TRPM7 with NS8593 or waixenicin A in wild‐type B lymphocytes results in a significant decrease in SOCE, confirming that TRPM7 activity is acutely linked to SOCE, without TRPM7 representing a store‐operated channel itself. Using kinase‐deficient mutants, we find that TRPM7 regulates SOCE through its kinase domain. Furthermore, Ca2+ influx through TRPM7 is essential for the maintenance of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ concentration in resting cells, and for the refilling of Ca2+ stores after a Ca2+ signalling event. We conclude that the channel kinase TRPM7 and SOCE are synergistic mechanisms regulating intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.
Distinct Growth and Secretome Strategies for Two Taxonomically Divergent Brown Rot Fungi
Authors: Presley Gerald N. , Schilling Jonathan S. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Brown rot fungi are wood-degrading fungi that employ both oxidative and hydrolytic mechanisms to degrade wood. Hydroxyl radicals that facilitate the oxidative component are powerful nonselective oxidants and are incompatible with hydrolytic enzymes unless they are spatially segregated in wood. Differential gene expression has been implicated in the segregation of these reactions in
Postia placenta
, but it is unclear if this two-step mechanism varies in other brown rot fungi with different traits and life history strategies that occupy different niches in nature. We employed proteomics to analyze a progression of wood decay on thin wafers, using brown rot fungi with significant taxonomic and niche distances:
Serpula lacrymans
(Boletales; “dry rot” lumber decay) and
Gloeophyllum trabeum
(order Gloeophyllales; slash, downed wood). Both fungi produced greater oxidoreductase diversity upon wood colonization and greater glycoside hydrolase activity later, consistent with a two-step mechanism. The two fungi invested very differently, however, in terms of growth (infrastructure) versus protein secretion (resource capture), with the ergosterol/extracted protein ratio being 7-fold higher with
S. lacrymans
than with
G. trabeum
. In line with the native substrate associations of these fungi, hemicellulase-specific activities were dominated by mannanase in
S. lacrymans
and by xylanase in
G. trabeum
. Consistent with previous observations,
S. lacrymans
did not produce glycoside hydrolase 6 (GH6) cellobiohydrolases (CBHs) in this study, despite taxonomically belonging to the order Boletales, which is distinguished among brown rot fungi by having CBH genes. This work suggests that distantly related brown rot fungi employ staggered mechanisms to degrade wood, but the underlying strategies vary among taxa.

IMPORTANCE
Wood-degrading fungi are important in forest nutrient cycling and offer promise in biotechnological applications. Brown rot fungi are unique among these fungi in that they use a nonenzymatic oxidative pretreatment before enzymatic carbohydrate hydrolysis, enabling selective removal of carbohydrates from lignin. This capacity has independently evolved multiple times, but it is unclear if different mechanisms underpin similar outcomes. Here, we grew fungi directionally on wood wafers and we found similar two-step mechanisms in taxonomically divergent brown rot fungi. The results, however, revealed strikingly different growth strategies, with
S. lacrymans
investing more in biomass production than secretion of proteins and
G. trabeum
showing the opposite pattern, with a high diversity of uncharacterized proteins. The “simplified”
S. lacrymans
secretomic system could help narrow gene targets central to oxidative brown rot pretreatments, and a comparison of its distinctions with
G. trabeum
and other brown rot fungi (e.g.,
Postia placenta
) might offer similar traction in noncatabolic genes.
Global Transcriptional Responses to Osmotic, Oxidative, and Imipenem Stress Conditions in Pseudomonas putida
Authors: Bojanovič Klara , D'Arrigo Isotta , Long Katherine S. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Bacteria cope with and adapt to stress by modulating gene expression in response to specific environmental cues. In this study, the transcriptional response of
Pseudomonas putida
KT2440 to osmotic, oxidative, and imipenem stress conditions at two time points was investigated via identification of differentially expressed mRNAs and small RNAs (sRNAs). A total of 440 sRNA transcripts were detected, of which 10% correspond to previously annotated sRNAs, 40% to novel intergenic transcripts, and 50% to novel transcripts antisense to annotated genes. Each stress elicits a unique response as far as the extent and dynamics of the transcriptional changes. Nearly 200 protein-encoding genes exhibited significant changes in all stress types, implicating their participation in a general stress response. Almost half of the sRNA transcripts were differentially expressed under at least one condition, suggesting possible functional roles in the cellular response to stress conditions. The data show a larger fraction of differentially expressed sRNAs than of mRNAs with >5-fold expression changes. The work provides detailed insights into the mechanisms through which
P. putida
responds to different stress conditions and increases understanding of bacterial adaptation in natural and industrial settings.

IMPORTANCE
This study maps the complete transcriptional response of
P. putida
KT2440 to osmotic, oxidative, and imipenem stress conditions at short and long exposure times. Over 400 sRNA transcripts, consisting of both intergenic and antisense transcripts, were detected, increasing the number of identified sRNA transcripts in the strain by a factor of 10. Unique responses to each type of stress are documented, including both the extent and dynamics of the gene expression changes. The work adds rich detail to previous knowledge of stress response mechanisms due to the depth of the RNA sequencing data. Almost half of the sRNAs exhibit significant expression changes under at least one condition, suggesting their involvement in adaptation to stress conditions and identifying interesting candidates for further functional characterization.
CcpA and CodY Coordinate Acetate Metabolism in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Kim Jeong Nam , Burne Robert A. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

In the dental caries pathogen
Streptococcus mutans
, phosphotransacetylase (Pta) and acetate kinase (Ack) convert pyruvate into acetate with the concomitant generation of ATP. The genes for this pathway are tightly regulated by multiple environmental and intracellular inputs, but the basis for differential expression of the genes for Pta and Ack in
S. mutans
had not been investigated. Here, we show that inactivation in
S. mutans
of
ccpA
or
codY
reduced the activity of the
ackA
promoter, whereas a
ccpA
mutant displayed elevated
pta
promoter activity. The interactions of CcpA with the promoter regions of both genes were observed using electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase protection assays. CodY bound to the
ackA
promoter region but only in the presence of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). DNase footprinting revealed that the upstream region of both genes contains two catabolite-responsive elements (
cre1
and
cre2
) that can be bound by CcpA. Notably, the
cre2
site of
ackA
overlaps with a CodY-binding site. The CcpA- and CodY-binding sites in the promoter region of both genes were further defined by site-directed mutagenesis. Some differences between the reported consensus CodY binding site and the region protected by
S. mutans
CodY were noted. Transcription of the
pta
and
ackA
genes in the
ccpA
mutant strain was markedly different at low pH relative to transcription at neutral pH. Thus, CcpA and CodY are direct regulators of transcription of
ackA
and
pta
in
S. mutans
that optimize acetate metabolism in response to carbohydrate, amino acid availability, and environmental pH.

IMPORTANCE
The human dental caries pathogen
Streptococcus mutans
is remarkably adept at coping with extended periods of carbohydrate limitation during fasting periods. The phosphotransacetylase-acetate kinase (Pta-Ack) pathway in
S. mutans
modulates carbohydrate flux and fine-tunes the ability of the organisms to cope with stressors that are commonly encountered in the oral cavity. Here, we show that CcpA controls transcription of the
pta
and
ackA
genes via direct interaction with the promoter regions of both genes and that branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), particularly isoleucine, enhance the ability of CodY to bind to the promoter region of the
ackA
gene. A working model is proposed to explain how regulation of
pta
and
ackA
genes by these allosterically controlled regulatory proteins facilitates proper carbon flow and energy production, which are essential functions during infection and pathogenesis as carbohydrate and amino acid availability continually fluctuate.