bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased expression of the interleukin‐36 cytokines in lesions of hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Thomi R. , Kakeda M. , Yawalkar N. , Schlapbach C. , Hunger R.E. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackgroundHidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a recalcitrant chronic skin disease with poorly understood immunopathogenic mechanisms. Previous studies reported that the interleukin‐36 (IL‐36) cytokines [IL‐36α, IL‐36β, IL‐36γ and IL‐36 receptor antagonists (IL‐36RA)] are important players in the pathogenesis of psoriasis (PS).ObjectiveWe aim to determine whether the IL‐36 cytokines are upregulated in patients with HS. For this purpose, we analysed local expression and systemic levels of the IL‐36 cytokines in patients with HS and compared the results to healthy donors and patients with PS.MethodsSkin biopsies from healthy donors and HS and PS patients were analysed for expression of the IL‐36 cytokines by immunohistochemistry and semiquantitative real‐time PCR. The enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure systemic levels of the IL‐36 cytokines in the serum of the three donor groups.ResultsThe agonists IL‐36α, IL‐36β and IL‐36γ were found to be upregulated in HS both systemically and lesionally, while the IL‐36RA was not differently regulated in comparison to healthy donors.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the agonistic IL‐36 isoforms are upregulated in HS. The relevance of the enhanced production of IL‐36 cytokines in HS pathogenesis remains to be determined.
Compression therapy for venous leg ulcers: risk factors for adverse events and complications, contraindications – a review of present guidelines
Authors: Andriessen A. , Apelqvist J. , Mosti G. , Partsch H. , Gonska C. , Abel M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIntroductionThe adequate use of compression in venous leg ulcer treatment is equally important to patients as well as clinicians. Currently, there is a lack of clarity on contraindications, risk factors, adverse events and complications, when applying compression therapy for venous leg ulcer patients.MethodsThe project aimed to optimize prevention, treatment and maintenance approaches by recognizing contraindications, risk factors, adverse events and complications, when applying compression therapy for venous leg ulcer patients. A literature review was conducted of current guidelines on venous leg ulcer prevention, management and maintenance.ResultsSearches took place from 29th February 2016 to 30th April 2016 and were prospectively limited to publications in the English and German languages and publication dates were between January 2009 and April 2016. Twenty Guidelines, clinical pathways and consensus papers on compression therapy for venous leg ulcer treatment and for venous disease, were included. Guidelines agreed on the following absolute contraindications: Arterial occlusive disease, heart failure and ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI) <0.5, but gave conflicting recommendations on relative contraindications, risks and adverse events. Moreover definitions were unclear and not consistent.ConclusionsEvidence‐based guidance is needed to inform clinicians on risk factor, adverse effects, complications and contraindications. ABPI values need to be specified and details should be given on the type of compression that is safe to use. Ongoing research challenges the present recommendations, shifting some contraindications into a list of potential indications. Complications of compression can be prevented when adequate assessment is performed and clinicians are skilled in applying compression.
Endocannabinoid system in neurodegenerative disorders
Authors: Basavarajappa Balapal S. , Shivakumar Madhu , Joshi Vikram , Subbanna Shivakumar 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMost neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are characterized by cognitive impairment and other neurological defects. The definite cause of and pathways underlying the progression of these NDDs are not well‐defined. Several mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to the development of NDDs. These mechanisms may proceed concurrently or successively, and they differ among cell types at different developmental stages in distinct brain regions. The endocannabinoid system, which involves cannabinoid receptors type 1 (CB1R) and type 2 (CB2R), endogenous cannabinoids and the enzymes that catabolize these compounds, has been shown to contribute to the development of NDDs in several animal models and human studies. In this review, we discuss the functions of the endocannabinoid system in NDDs and converse the therapeutic efficacy of targeting the endocannabinoid system to rescue NDDs.
image
Effect of different levels of copper nanoparticles and copper sulphate on performance, metabolism and blood biochemical profiles in broiler chicken
Authors: Scott A. , Vadalasetty K. P. , Łukasiewicz M. , Jaworski S. , Wierzbicki M. , Chwalibog A. , Sawosz E. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryA study was conducted to investigate the influence of copper administration in ovo to chicken embryos and/or supplied in drinking water to growing chickens in the form copper nanoparticles (Cu‐NP) or copper sulphate (CuSO4). The fertilised eggs were assigned to three groups (n = 50 per group): control (not injected), injected with 50 mg/kg Cu‐NP or with 50 mg/kg CuSO4 at day 1 of incubation. Thereafter, 126 one‐day‐old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to seven post‐hatched groups: control not injected and not provided with Cu in the drinking water, injected with 50 mg/kg Cu‐NP + 20 mg/kg in water, not injected + 20 mg/kg Cu‐NP in water, injected with 50 mg/kg CuSO4 + 20 mg/kg in water, not injected + 20 mg/kg CuSO4 in water, injected with 50 mg/kg Cu‐NP and injected with 50 mg/kg CuSO4. The experiment was carried out from day 1 to 35 post‐hatching. The in ovo injection of Cu improved the final body weight, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio in relation to the control group. Conversely, the provision of Cu in the drinking water had less of an effect on growth performance in comparison with the injected groups. A significant improvement was shown in energy and nitrogen utilisation, being better for Cu‐NP than CuSO4. The cholesterol, urea and glucose levels in the blood were reduced by Cu‐NP treatment in relation to the other groups. The relative weight of the liver was decreased, while bursa of Fabricius was increased in Cu groups in relation to the control group. Cu excretion was only reduced in chickens injected with 50 mg/kg Cu‐NP + 20 mg/kg in water. The immune‐related genes were not affected by the treatments. The in ovo injection of Cu‐NP might improve broiler performance more efficiently than the injection of CuSO4 or the provision of Cu‐NP and/or CuSO4 in drinking water.
Feeding value of whole raw soya beans as a protein supplement for beef cattle consuming low‐quality forages
Authors: Arelovich H. M. , Lagrange S. , Torre R. , Martinez M. F. , Laborde H. E. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryExperiments (Exp) I and II were conducted to compare raw whole soya beans (WSB), roasted (rWSB) or other protein sources as supplements of low‐quality forages fed ad libitum to beef cattle, upon DM intake (DMI), ruminal and blood parameters, and animal performance. Exp I: treatments for wheat straw fed to four ruminally cannulated steers were (i) Control‐WS: no supplement; (ii) WSB‐WS: whole soya beans; (iii) rWSB‐WS: roasted WSB; and (iv) SBM‐WS: soybean meal–wheat midds mixture; all fed at 1.4 kg DM/day. Exp II: 12 steers grazed deferred grain sorghum (DS) receiving these treatments: (i) Control‐DS: no supplement; (ii) WSB‐DS: 1.26 kg DM/day whole soya beans; and (iii) SFM‐DS: 1.35 kg DM/day of sunflower meal. In Exp I, WS DMI resulted 47, 52 and 41% greater for WSB‐WS, rWSB‐WS and SBM‐WS, respectively, than Control‐WS (p < .05). In Exp II, the DMI of DS was unaffected by supplementation; a substitution of DS by supplement was found for WSB‐DS (p < .05); however, total diet and digestible DMI increased with supplementation (p < .05). Rumen pH in Exp I remained unaffected by supplementation, but N‐NH3 as well as blood urea‐N in Exp II increased (p < .05). In Exp II, average daily weight gains improved similarly with both supplements compared with Control‐DS. Additionally, feed‐to‐gain ratio decreased (p < .05), being lower for WSB‐DS (8.3) vs. SFM‐DS (9.9). Roasting effects of WSB as a supplement for low‐quality forages were not detected, and all protein sources increased total diet DMI and forage utilization. Only moderate cattle weight gains could be expected for unsupplemented DS.
Transcriptomic and histopathological analysis of cholangiolocellular differentiation trait in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Rhee Hyungjin , Ko Jung Eun , Chung Taek , Jee Byul A , Kwon So Mee , Nahm Ji Hae , Seok Jae Yeon , Yoo Jeong Eun , Choi Jin‐Sub , Thorgeirsson Snorri S. , Andersen Jesper B. , Lee Hye Sun , Woo Hyun Goo , Park Young Nyun 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBackground & AimsIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a heterogeneous entity with diverse aetiologies, morphologies and clinical outcomes. Recently, histopathological distinction of cholangiolocellular differentiation (CD) of iCCA has been suggested. However, its genome‐wide molecular features and clinical significance remain unclear.MethodsBased on CD status, we stratified iCCAs into iCCA with CD (n=20) and iCCA without CD (n=102), and performed an integrative analysis using transcriptomic and clinicopathological profiles.ResultsiCCA with CD revealed less aggressive histopathological features compared to iCCA without CD, and iCCA with CD showed favourable clinical outcomes of overall survival and time to recurrence than iCCA without CD (P<.05 for all). Transcriptomic profiling revealed that iCCA with CD resembled an inflammation‐related subtype, while iCCA without CD resembled a proliferation subtype. In addition, we identified a CD signature that can predict prognostic outcomes of iCCA (CD_UP, n=486 and CD_DOWN, n=308). iCCAs were subgrouped into G1 (positivity for CRP and CDH2, 7%), G3 (positivity for S100P and TFF1, 32%) and G2 (the others, 61%). Prognostic outcomes for overall survival (P=.001) and time to recurrence (P=.017) were the most favourable in G1‐iCCAs, intermediate in G2‐iCCAs and the worst in G3‐iCCAs. Similar result was confirmed in the iCCA set from GSE26566 (n=68).ConclusionsCD signature was identified to predict the prognosis of iCCA. The combined evaluation of histology of CD and protein expression status of CRP, CDH2, TFF1 and S100P might help subtyping and predicting clinical outcomes of iCCA.
A transgenic strategy for controlling plant bugs (Adelphocoris suturalis) through expression of double‐stranded RNA homologous to fatty acyl‐coenzyme A reductase in cotton
Authors: Luo Jing , Liang Sijia , Li Jianying , Xu Zhongping , Li Lun , Zhu Bangqin , Li Zhe , Lei Chaoliang , Lindsey Keith , Chen Lizhen , Jin Shuangxia , Zhang Xianlong 
Published: June 2017

Summary

Plant bugs (Miridae species), which are sap‐sucking insects, have emerged as major pests of cotton in China. Most Miridae species are not sensitive to commercial Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton, resulting in significant economic losses and an increased application of insecticide, which eventually may compromise the future of Bt cotton.

We demonstrate that FATTY ACYL‐COA REDUCTASE (AsFAR) plays an essential role in the reproduction of the bug Adelphocoris suturalis. Down‐regulation of AsFAR expression by injection of double‐stranded RNA suppresses ovarian development and female fertility, resulting in females producing few viable offspring.

To determine the viability of an RNA interference approach to limit FAR expression and reproductive ability in A. suturalis, a dsRNA targeting the AsFAR gene (dsAsFAR) of A. suturalis was expressed in transgenic cotton plants. AsFAR transcription levels were significantly downregulated in A. suturalis feeding on the transgenic plants. In contained field trials, the transgenic cotton lines significantly suppressed the development of A. suturalis populations and were resistant to damage caused by plant bug infestation.

These results suggest a new strategy for the management of plant bug pests of cotton.
Comparative evaluation of efficacy and safety of calcipotriol versus tacalcitol ointment, both in combination with NBUVB phototherapy in the treatment of stable plaque psoriasis
Authors: Dua Ishita , Aggarwal Kamal , Jain Vijay K. 
Published: June 2017

SummaryBackgroundVitamin D analogues and NBUVB phototherapy are both well‐established modalities of treatment in psoriasis. The objective of this open label, intraindividual, left right study was to compare two different vitamin D analogues, calcipotriol and tacalcitol, in combination with NBUVB phototherapy in chronic stable plaque psoriasis.MethodsThirty patients with stable plaque psoriasis were enrolled for a 12‐week clinical trial. The target lesion on left side was treated topically with tacalcitol ointment once daily, while that on the right side was treated with calcipotriol ointment twice daily. NBUVB phototherapy was given thrice weekly. Efficacy was assessed by target plaque scoring.ResultsBoth therapies resulted in statistically significant reduction in erythema, scaling, thickness and target plaque score, seen as early as 2 weeks into therapy. However, calcipotriol combination led to an earlier clearance of plaques and a lesser relapse rate than tacalcitol combination. The number of treatment sessions and cumulative NBUVB doses were significantly lower in the calcipotriol‐treated group.ConclusionBoth vitamin D analogues appear to be safe, effective and cosmetically acceptable, calcipotriol being more efficacious, well tolerated with a rapid onset of action and a better maintenance of response.
Network Structure, Strength of Relationships, and Communities’ Success in Project Implementation
Authors: Shrestha Manoj K. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractStudies of network effectiveness in the collaborative public program setting commonly have found that actors with more organizational partners, more indirect (bridging) ties to other partners, and more cohesive relationships among partners have greater success in implementing projects. This article contributes to this literature by developing and testing hypotheses about how strength of relationships, measured by frequency of contacts, moderates these results. In the context of community water supply projects in Nepal, the article shows that greater frequency of contacts between communities and organizational partners enhances the impact of having more partners and more cohesive relationships among partners but decreases the impact of having more indirect connections. For practitioners and network theorists, these findings highlight the importance of strength of relationships in the link between networks and performance.
Ultrapure versus standard dialysate: A cost‐benefit analysis
Authors: Upadhyay Ashish , Susantitaphong Paweena , Jaber Bertrand L. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractLow‐level bacterial and endotoxin contamination of water used to generate dialysate propagates chronic inflammation in patients with a wide‐range of potential adverse consequences, including erythropoietin hyporesponsiveness. Advancements in hemodialysis systems now allow for the generation of ultrapure dialysate that has lower bacterial and endotoxin levels than the standard dialysate. The cost associated with ultrapure dialysate is thought to be a major barrier to its widespread adoption. In this report, we conduct a cost‐benefit analysis examining the excess cost of generating ultrapure dialysate and the potential cost saving from a lower erythropoietin dose requirement. Our analysis suggests a potential cost saving of approximately $371 to $425 million per year with full adoption of ultrapure dialysate in the United States.
A descriptive single‐centre experience of the management and outcome of maternal alloantibodies in pregnancy
Authors: Chatziantoniou V. , Heeney N. , Maggs T. , Rozette C. , Fountain C. , Watts T. , Harrison C. , Pasupathy D. , Sankaran S. , Kyle P. , Robinson S. 
Published: June 2017

SUMMARYBackgroundHaemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) occurs when maternal IgG alloantibodies to fetal red blood cell antigens cross the placenta, causing haemolysis in the fetus and/or neonate. After delivery, the main concern is hyperbilirubinaemia, which can cause neurological damage.ObjectivesTo summarise our current management and outcome data to inform health‐care professionals counselling women whose pregnancies are at risk of HDFN and to compare these data with relevant studies.MethodsThis is a retrospective descriptive study of all high‐risk pregnancies at risk of HDFN at Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT) Maternity Unit over a 7‐year period. We defined high‐risk pregnancies as those in whom anti‐D, anti‐c, anti‐K or high (>32 or doubling strength) titres of all other antibodies were identified.ResultsA total of 130 pregnancies in 112 women were followed up. A single alloantibody was found in 93 pregnancies (71.5%) and multiple alloantibodies in 37 pregnancies (28.5%). Anti‐D was most commonly encountered (n = 48, 36.9%), followed by anti‐c (n = 31, 23.8%) and anti‐E (n = 15, 11.5%).In 65 of 130 pregnancies (50%), antibody concentrations triggered scans to screen for fetal anaemia. Of 130 pregnancies, 6 (4.6%) required intrauterine transfusions, and 31 of 130 (26%) neonates required post‐natal intervention. Overall, morbidity was 0.1% and mortality 0.002%.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that morbidity and mortality caused by HDFN is minimal. These results are reassuring for women at risk of HDFN as even severely affected cases are successfully managed in most instances. Further studies are needed to identify predictors of disease severity.
A photo‐responsive F‐box protein FOF2 regulates floral initiation by promoting FLC expression in Arabidopsis
Authors: He Reqing , Li Xinmei , Zhong Ming , Yan Jindong , Ji Ronghuan , Li Xu , Wang Qin , Wu Dan , Sun Mengsi , Tang Dongying , Lin Jianzhong , Li Hongyu , Liu Bin , Liu Hongtao , Liu Xuanming , Zhao Xiaoying , Lin Chentao 
Published: June 2017

SummaryFloral initiation is regulated by various genetic pathways in response to light, temperature, hormones and developmental status; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between different genetic pathways are not fully understood. Here, we show that the photoresponsive gene FOF2 (F‐box of flowering 2) negatively regulates flowering. FOF2 encodes a putative F‐box protein that interacts specifically with ASK14, and its overexpression results in later flowering under both long‐day and short‐day photoperiods. Conversely, transgenic plants expressing the F‐box domain deletion mutant of FOF2 (FOF2ΔF), or double loss of function mutant of FOF2 and FOL1 (FOF2‐LIKE 1) present early flowering phenotypes. The late flowering phenotype of the FOF2 overexpression lines is suppressed by the flc‐3 loss‐of‐function mutation. Furthermore, FOF2 mRNA expression is regulated by autonomous pathway gene FCA, and the repressive effect of FOF2 in flowering can be overcome by vernalization. Interestingly, FOF2 expression is regulated by light. The protein level of FOF2 accumulates in response to light, whereas it is degraded under dark conditions via the 26S proteasome pathway. Our findings suggest a possible mechanistic link between light conditions and the autonomous floral promotion pathway in Arabidopsis.
Implications of the corrosion index for the quality of flowing tap water and the effects of added alkalinity on corrosion control
Authors: Kim Yeong‐Kwan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThree corrosion indices, Langelier saturation index (LSI), Ryznar index (RI) and calcium carbonate precipitation potential (CCPP), were determined to find whether the corrosive index of flowing tap water could indicate the quality of the water that corresponded to the calculated index value. Water samples were collected from tap water distribution pipe in buildings of Kangwon National University, Korea. Correlations among the LSI, RI and CCPP were also investigated. The effects of alkalinity addition using lime and carbon dioxide on the progress of corrosion were examined in a laboratory‐scale simulated water distribution system (SWDS) for 5 months. In the SWDS study, corrosion rate in flowing tap waters was retarded by 12% with the alkalinity addition. The results of the current study confirmed that the corrosion indices are not always the best indicators to predict the quality of the flowing tap water.
Statistical modelling anaerobic digestion for process optimisation and bench‐marking: a case study of E. coli inactivation across all Thames Water conventional sewage sludge treatment sites
Authors: Liu Jin , Gao Yun , Pearce Peter , Shana Achame , Smith Stephen R. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractUntreated sewage sludge potentially contains a wide range of enteric pathogens that present a risk to human health. Mesophilic anaerobic digestion (MAD) is the most‐favoured process for sewage sludge treatment in the United Kingdom. It is a well‐established approach to sludge stabilisation, but the mechanisms responsible for pathogen removal are poorly understood. Operational data collected by Thames Water from conventional MAD sites were statistically scrutinised to examine the effects of primary and secondary digestion on the removal of the enteric indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli, by using the IBM SPSS statistical software package for ANOVA, post‐hoc and multiple regression analysis. The results showed that the process temperature conditions at the MAD plants were equivalent to or exceeded the minimum estimated by the analysis necessary to comply with the 2 log10 removal standard for E. coli. The results also showed that primary digestion conditions (specifically temperature) sublethally damaged E. coli and increased decay in secondary digestion and therefore over the whole digestion process.
A large‐scale experimentation of the smart sewage system
Authors: Abbas O. , Abou Rjeily Y. , Sadek M. , Shahrour I. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis paper presents a large‐scale experimentation of the smart sewage system, which is conducted at the Campus of Lille University. The campus stands for a town of about 25 000 users with 150 buildings and 100 km urban networks. The experimentation is carried out within a large‐scale demonstrator of the Smart City, which includes a smart monitoring of the drinking water, sewage, electrical and district heating networks. The originality of this paper lies in the integrated approach, which includes smart monitoring as well as data collection and analysis. The monitoring of the drinking water and sewage networks allows the use of numerical modelling of and the detection of eventual connection between the sewage and storm water systems. The paper shows how the smart technology could be implemented and used to enhance our understanding of the sewage system and to improve its management.