bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anion exchanger 3 in dorsal root ganglion contributes to nerve injury-induced chronic mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia
Authors: Pérez-Rodríguez Marian J , Velazquez-Lagunas Isabel , Pluma-Pluma Alejandro , Barragán-Iglesias Paulino , Granados-Soto Vinicio 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Objective
To determine the role of anion exchanger 3 (AE3) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in nerve injury-induced chronic nociception in the rat.

Methods
Spared nerve injury (SNI) was used to induce neuropathic pain. Von Frey filaments and Hargreaves test were used to assess tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, respectively. Drugs were given by intrathecal administration. Western blotting was used to determine AE3 expression in DRG.

Key findings
SNI produced long-lasting mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. AE3 was found in DRG of sham-operated rats. SNI enhanced baseline AE3 expression in L4 and L5 DRGs at days 7 and 14, respectively. In contrast, SNI did not affect AE3 expression in L6 DRG. AE3 expression returned to baseline levels 21 days after SNI. Intrathecal 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) (5–50 μg) pretreatment prevented SNI-induced allodynia and, at a lesser extent, hyperalgesia. Moreover, DIDS (50 μg) reduced SNI-induced AE3 upregulation in L4, but not L5, DRGs. Intrathecal DIDS (5–50 μg) or anti-AE3 antibody (1 μg), but not vehicle, post-treatment (6 days) partially reversed SNI-induced allodynia and hyperalgesia. DIDS or anti-AE3 antibody post-treatment diminished SNI-induced AE3 upregulation in L4 and L5 DRGs.

Conclusions
Data suggest that AE3 is present in DRG and contributes to mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in neuropathic rats.
Lansoprazole prevents the progression of liver fibrosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis model rats
Authors: Nishi Toshio , Yamamoto Yuta , Yamagishi Naoko , Iguchi Mikitaka , Tamai Hideyuki , Ito Takao , Tsuruo Yoshihiro , Ichinose Masao , Kitano Masayuki , Ueyama Takashi 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Objectives
We previously demonstrated that lansoprazole provided hepatoprotection in a drug-induced hepatitis animal model partially through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Here, we examined whether lansoprazole could also provide hepatoprotection in a rat model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Methods
Six-week-old rats were fed a normal chow or a choline-deficient amino acid-defined (CDAA) diet to establish a rat model of NASH. The groups fed a CDAA diet for 5 weeks were subcutaneously administered either a vehicle or a lansoprazole suspension for 4 weeks beginning the second week of the experiment.

Key findings
Bridging fibrosis was observed in the livers of almost all the NASH model rats (six of seven), but it was not always observed in NASH model rats (one of seven) continuously administered lansoprazole. The serum aspartate aminotransferase level elevated by the CDAA diet was significantly decreased following lansoprazole administration. Lansoprazole also increased the expression of Nrf2, but not HO-1, in the liver of NASH model rats. Lansoprazole decreased the level of activated TGF-β protein. Furthermore, interleukin-6 gene and protein expression were decreased.

Conclusions
Lansoprazole inhibits hepatic fibrogenesis, at least during the early stages, in CDAA diet-induced NASH model rats. The mechanisms might be associated with cytokine suppression but not the inhibition of reactive oxygen species.
Antigastritis effects of Armillariella tabescens (Scop.) Sing. and the identification of its anti-inflammatory metabolites
Authors: Lee Seulah , Lee Dahae , Park Jun Yeon , Seok Soonja , Jang Tae Su , Park Hyun Bong , Shim Sang Hee , Kang Ki Sung , Kim Ki Hyun 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Objectives
This study demonstrates the biological and chemical analysis of the mushroom Armillariella tabescens (Scop.) Sing. (Tricholomataceae).

Methods
Chemical structures of the isolates were determined by 1D and 2D NMR, and ESI-MS, as well as comparison with previously reported data. All isolates were tested for anti-inflammatory effects based on their ability to inhibit LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cells.

Key findings
We found that the MeOH extract of the fruiting bodies of A. tabescens showed antigastritis activity against ethanol-induced gastric damage in rats and notably reduced the gastric damage index compared to control in a concentration-dependent manner. Chemical investigation of the MeOH extract led to the isolation of four steroids (1–4), three alkaloids (5–7), two nucleic acids (8–9) and four fatty acids (10–13). This is the first study to report the identification of all isolates, except for compound 7, from A. tabescens. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4 and 10 showed inhibition on LPS-stimulated NO production. Treatment with compound 10 inhibited expression of iNOS, COX-2, phospho-IKKα, IKKα, phospho-IκBα, IκBα and NF-kappa B in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

Conclusions
Compound 10 likely contributes to the health benefits of A. tabescens as an antigastritis agent through its anti-inflammatory effects.
Dysphagia secondary to focal inflammatory myopathy and consequent dorsiflexion of the tongue in a dog
Authors: Strøm P. C. , Marks S. L. , Rivera J. A. , Shelton G. D. 
Published: January 2018

A 14‐month‐old female pitbull terrier mix was presented for evaluation of dysphagia of 8 months’ duration secondary to intermittent dorsiflexion of the tongue apex. Physical and neurological examinations were unremarkable with the exception of the dorsiflexed tongue. Serum creatine kinase activity was increased (703 IU/L, reference interval: 55 to 257 IU/L), and electromyography of the tongue demonstrated areas of fibrillation potentials. Histopathology of the tongue showed myopathic changes with excessive variability in myofibre size and endomysial fibrosis. Cytochemical stains verified mixed mononuclear cells throughout the endomysium and perimysium consistent with a chronic inflammatory myopathy. No improvement was reported following prednisone administration; although the dog was able to prehend kibble, it needed assistance when drinking water. This is the first report documenting a focal lingual myopathy in a non‐corgi breed and highlights the utility of determining creatine kinase activity and obtaining tongue biopsies when warranted in dysphagic animals.
Familial Congenital Methemoglobinemia in Pomeranian Dogs Caused by a Missense Variant in the NADH‐Cytochrome B5 Reductase Gene
Authors: Shino H. , Otsuka‐Yamasaki Y. , Sato T. , Ooi K. , Inanami O. , Sato R. , Yamasaki M. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundIn veterinary medicine, congenital methemoglobinemia associated with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)‐cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) deficiency is rare. It has been reported in several breeds of dogs, but little information is available about its etiology.ObjectivesTo analyze the NADH‐cytochrome b5 reductase gene, CYB5R3, in a Pomeranian dog family with methemoglobinemia suspected to be caused by congenital b5R deficiency.AnimalsThree Pomeranian dogs from a family with methemoglobinemia were analyzed. Five healthy beagles and 5 nonrelated Pomeranian dogs without methemoglobinemia were used as controls.MethodsMethemoglobin concentration, b5R activity, and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration were measured, and a turbidity index was used to evaluate Heinz body formation. The CYB5R3 genes of the affected dog and healthy dogs were analyzed by direct sequencing.ResultsMethemoglobin concentrations in erythrocytes of the affected dogs were remarkably higher than those of the control dogs. The b5R activity of the affected dogs was notably lower than that of the control dogs. DNA sequencing indicated that this Pomeranian family carried a CYB5R3 gene missense variant (ATC→CTC at codon 194) that resulted in the replacement of isoleucine (Ile) by leucine (Leu).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis dog family had familial congenital methemoglobinemia caused by b5R deficiency, which resulted from a nonsynonymous variant in the CYB5R3 gene. This variation (c.580A>C) led to an amino acid substitution (p.Ile194Leu), and Ile194 was located in the proximal region of the NADH‐binding motif. Our data suggested that this variant in the canine CYB5R3 gene would affect function of the b5R in erythrocytes.
Serum Cytokine Profiling in Cats with Acute Idiopathic Cystitis
Authors: Parys M. , Yuzbasiyan‐Gurkan V. , Kruger J.M. 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundFeline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is a common lower urinary tract disorder of domestic cats that resembles interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) in humans. Diagnosis ofFICis based on clinical signs and exclusion of other disorders because of a lack of specific pathologic findings or other objective biomarkers. Cytokines are potential noninvasive biomarkers to define the presence, severity, and progression of disease, and response to treatment.ObjectivesThe objective of this pilot study was to determine concentrations of selected cytokines in serum from healthy cats and cats with acuteFIC.AnimalsSerum samples from 13 healthy cats and from 12 cats with nonobstructive acuteFICwere utilized.MethodsMultiplex analysis of 19 cytokines (CCL2,CCL5,CXCL1,CXCL12,CXCL8, Flt3L,GM‐CSF,IFN‐γ,IL‐12 (p40),IL‐13,IL‐18,IL‐1β,IL‐2,IL‐4,IL‐6,PDGF‐BB,SCF,sFas, andTNF‐α) was performed with a commercially available feline‐specific multiplex bead‐based assay.ResultsMean serum concentrations ofIL‐12 (p40;P< 0.0001),CXCL12 (P= 0.002),IL‐18 (P= 0.032), and Flt3L (P= 0.0024) were significantly increased inFICcats compared to healthy cats.GM‐CSF,IL‐1b,IL‐2, andPDGF‐BBwere undetectable or detected in an insufficient number of cats to allow meaningful comparisons.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceWe have identified increased serum concentrations of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokinesCXCL12,IL‐12,IL‐18, and Flt3L inFIC‐affected cats. These findings suggest potential candidates for noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosis, staging, and therapeutic outcome monitoring of affected cats and provide additional insight into the etiopathogenesis ofFIC.
Indeterminacy and fundamental reduced form representations of DSGE models
Authors: Sorge Marco Maria 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models are known to exhibit indeterminacy—that is, equilibrium nonuniqueness—under realistic parameterizations. This paper studies how the potential for indeterminacy impacts on the possibility of recovering a DSGE model's structural shocks via empirical vector autoregressions (VARs), which in turn requires the model's reduced form representation to be fundamental. By means of a simple example, we first establish that indeterminacy is neither necessary nor sufficient for (non)fundamental representations to arise. We then investigate the relationship between indeterminacy and nonfundamentalness in the context of a general class of linearized DSGE models, which nests the New Keynesian framework as a special case. It is shown that an indeterminate equilibrium model may generically admit a fundamental moving average representation, even when its determinate counterpart always involves nonfundamentalness. As a main implication, checking for existence of a VAR representation of a DSGE model's equilibria cannot be regarded as an indirect test for the indeterminacy hypothesis.
Understanding the determinants of adolescent nutrition in Bangladesh
Authors: Leroy Jef L. , Ruel Marie , Sununtnasuk Celeste , Ahmed Akhter 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEvidence on the nutritional status and diets of adolescents in low‐ and middle‐income countries is scant. We characterized the nutritional status (body mass index Z‐scores (BMIZs)) and nutrient intakes of adolescent boys and girls in rural areas in Bangladesh using the 2011–2012 BIHS data, used regression models to identify the socioeconomic determinants of these outcomes, and household fixed effects models to assess whether the gap between boys and girls changed with women's education and empowerment and household wealth. The adolescents’ BMIZ and adequacy of their nutrient intakes were suboptimal. Gender differences varied by outcome and were not systematically in favor of boys. Household wealth was associated with higher BMIZ and probability of adequate energy and micronutrient intakes. Women's education and empowerment were mostly not associated with the study outcomes and did not modify gender differences. There is an urgent need to invest in improving the diets of adolescent boys and girls in Bangladesh. The limited role of women's education and empowerment in improving adolescent nutrition suggests that resources may be too constrained. It may also reflect deeply rooted beliefs about adolescent nutrition and differences between boys and girls that would need to be addressed to improve their nutrition.
Acetylcholine receptor antibody–mediated animal models of myasthenia gravis and the role of complement
Authors: Kusner Linda L. , Sengupta Manjistha , Kaminski Henry J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBecause of the failure of many promising therapeutics identified in preclinical evaluation, funding sources have established guidelines for increased rigor in animal evaluations. The myasthenia gravis (MG) community of scientists has developed guidelines for preclinical assessment for potential MG treatments. Here, we provide a focused summary of these recommendations and the role of complement in disease development in experimental models of MG.
Pediatric patient with end‐stage kidney disease secondary to Eagle‐Barrett syndrome and metastatic unresectable hepatoblastoma treated successfully with chemotherapy and liver‐kidney transplant
Authors: Ortiz Daniel , Harden Avis , Corrales‐Medina Fernando F. , Saigal Gaurav , Tekin Akin , Garcia Jennifer 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHBL is the most common malignant liver neoplasm in children. The etiology of HBL is largely unknown but there are certain syndromes, such as Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome, that have been clearly associated with an increased incidence of this malignancy. EBS, also known as prune belly syndrome, is a congenital anomaly characterized by lax abdominal musculature, bilateral cryptorchidism requiring, in some cases, hemodialysis due to significant kidney and urinary tract dysfunctions. Despite an improvement on the survival rates of patients with advanced‐stage HBL, the presence of concomitant end‐stage renal disease that occurs in patients with EBS constitutes a therapeutic challenge for the clinician not only due to the use of nephrotoxic chemotherapy but also due to the potential need for multi‐organ transplant. We report case of a 2‐year‐old male patient with EBS diagnosed with stage IV, metastatic HBL successfully treated with multi‐agent chemotherapy while on dialysis whom then underwent a simultaneous liver‐kidney transplant followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Ultimately, the patient achieved cancer remission with normalization of his renal function. Our report emphasizes that patients with HBL in the setting of EBS will not only require careful kidney function monitoring while receiving chemotherapy, but they might also need to undergo multi‐organ transplantation in order to achieve adequate cancer control and also normalization of their kidney function. Awareness of this unusual association calls for further investigation to potentially establish a genetic association between these two disease processes.
Effects of iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies on peripheral blood colony‐forming unit capacity
Authors: Zabun Merve M. , Köksal Yasin , Çelik Bülent , Özgüner Meltem , Özbek Namık Y. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIron and vitamin B12 deficiencies are two of the most common diseases in the childhood group. Deficiencies of iron and vitamin B12 affect many systems in the body. In this study, to discover the effects of iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies on the hematopoietic stem cells, we studied CFU assay from peripheral blood. One hundred and two children were included in our study and were evaluated in five categories: iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, iron and vitamin B12 deficiency, and controls. As a result of statistical analysis, no significant difference was detected between five groups in terms of CFU assays. The results of our study suggest that, in emergent situations, stem cell samples can be collected before treatment with B12 or iron which are common deficiencies in donors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We conclude that we could reach more accurate results by designing a study which contains more patients and includes in vivo results.
Morphology, morphometry and chromatin distribution in llama sperm nuclei
Authors: Giuliano S , Cisale H , Ferrari MR 
Published: January 2018

ContentsThe objectives of this study were as follows: (i) to describe and evaluate the frequencies of different morphologies of llama sperm nuclei, (ii) to determine morphometric values of nuclear parameters, (iii) to describe and estimate the frequencies of different classes of chromatin distribution and (iv) to measure haploidDNAcontent and analyse its nuclear distribution. The study was performed using ejaculates collected from seven males, and sperm nuclei were stained with the Feulgen reaction. Normal morphology ranged from 78.36% to 93.92%, and abnormalities included short, small, large, pyriform, narrow, micro and round nuclei. Important differences in nuclei considered normal were found between some males. The following average values were obtained for each sperm nuclear morphometric parameter analysed: area 11.64 μm2, perimeter 13.16 μm, length 5.12 μm, width 2.81 μm, ellipticity 1.85 and form 0.83. Differences between males were significant for all the parameters (p < .01). Light microscope observations and cytophotometric determinations allowed discriminating between three classes of chromatin distribution: homogeneous, diffuse and showing a clear band. Significant differences between males were found for the frequencies of the three classes (p < .01). Cluster analysis methods were used to estimate the resemblance between males according to the characteristics of their sperm nuclei. A great intermale variability was found for morphological, morphometric and chromatin distribution data. These parameters would have low dependence between them.
Exceptional Laguerre Polynomials
Authors: Bonneux Niels , Kuijlaars Arno B.J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to present the construction of exceptional Laguerre polynomials in a systematic way and to provide new asymptotic results on the location of the zeros. To describe the exceptional Laguerre polynomials, we associate them with two partitions. We find that the use of partitions is an elegant way to express these polynomials and we restate some of their known properties in terms of partitions. We discuss the asymptotic behavior of the regular zeros and the exceptional zeros of exceptional Laguerre polynomials as the degree tends to infinity.
Lack of ACTPK1, an STY kinase, enhances ammonium uptake and use, and promotes growth of rice seedlings under sufficient external ammonium
Authors: Beier Marcel P. , Obara Mitsuhiro , Taniai Akiko , Sawa Yuki , Ishizawa Jin , Yoshida Haruki , Tomita Narumi , Yamanaka Tsuyoshi , Ishizuka Yawara , Kudo Syuko , Yoshinari Akira , Takeuchi Shiho , Kojima Soichi , Yamaya Tomoyuki , Hayakawa Toshihiko 
Published: January 2018

SummaryAmmonium influx into plant roots via the high‐affinity transport system (HATS) is down‐modulated under elevated external ammonium, preventing ammonium toxicity. In ammonium‐fed Arabidopsis, ammonium transporter 1 (AMT1) trimers responsible for HATS activity are allosterically inactivated in a dose‐dependent manner via phosphorylation of the conserved threonine at the carboxyl‐tail by the calcineurin B‐like protein 1‐calcineurin B‐like protein‐interacting protein kinase 23 complex and other yet unidentified protein kinases. Using transcriptome and reverse genetics in ammonium‐preferring rice, we revealed the role of the serine/threonine/tyrosine protein kinase gene OsACTPK1 in down‐modulation of HATS under sufficient ammonium. In wild‐type roots, ACTPK1 mRNA and protein accumulated dose‐dependently under sufficient ammonium. To determine the function of ACTPK1, two independent mutants lacking ACTPK1 were produced by retrotransposon Tos17 insertion. Compared with segregants lacking insertions, the two mutants showed decreased root growth and increased shoot growth under 1 mm ammonium due to enhanced ammonium acquisition, via aberrantly high HATS activity, and use. Furthermore, introduction of OsACTPK1 cDNA fused to the synthetic green fluorescence protein under its own promoter complemented growth and the HATS influx, and suggested plasma membrane localization. Root cellular expression of OsACTPK1 also overlapped with that of ammonium‐induced OsAMT1;1 and OsAMT1;2. Meanwhile, threonine‐phosphorylated AMT1 levels were substantially decreased in roots of ACTPK1‐deficient mutants grown under sufficient ammonium. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay further confirmed interaction between ACTPK1 and AMT1;2 at the cell plasma membrane. Overall, these findings suggest that ACTPK1 directly phosphorylates and inactivates AMT1;2 in rice seedling roots under sufficient ammonium.
Unraveling the Metabolic Routes of Retapamulin: Insights into Drug Development of Pleuromutilins
Authors: Sun Feifei , Zhang Huiyan , Gonzales Gerard Bryan , Zhou Jinhui , Li Yi , Zhang Jinzhen , Jin Yue , Wang Zhanhui , Li Yanshen , Cao Xingyuan , Zhang Suxia , Yang Shupeng 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACT

Retapamulin, a semisynthetic pleuromutilin derivative, is exclusively used for the topical short-term medication of impetigo and staphylococcal infections. In the present study, we report that retapamulin is adequately and rapidly metabolized
in vitro
via various metabolic pathways, such as hydroxylation, including mono-, di-, and trihydroxylation, and demethylation. Like tiamulin and valnemulin, the major metabolic routes of retapamulin were hydroxylation at the 2β and 8α positions of the mutilin moiety. Moreover,
in vivo
metabolism concurred with the results of the
in vitro
assays. Additionally, we observed significant interspecies differences in the metabolism of retapamulin. Until now, modifying the side chain was the mainstream method for new drug discovery of the pleuromutilins. This approach, however, could not resolve the low bioavailability and short efficacy of the drugs. Considering the rapid metabolism of the pleuromutilins mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes, we propose that blocking the active metabolic site (C-2 and C-8 motif) or administering the drug in combination with cytochrome P450 enzyme inhibitors is a promising pathway in the development of novel pleuromutilin drugs with slow metabolism and long efficacy.