bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extract of metabolic products of Bacillus subtilis AK augments natural killer cell cytotoxic activity
Authors: Takeda Kazuyoshi , Sasaki Katsumi , Okumura Ko 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACTAimNatural killer (NK) cells play an important role in immune surveillance against viral diseases and cancer. Probiotics, live bacteria beneficial to human health, and some bacterial metabolic products are reported to augment NK cell activity and possibly result in the prevention of tumor development. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an extract of metabolic products of
Bacillus subtilis AK
(EMBSAK), a selected clone of
Bacillus subtilis natto, on NK cell activity in human volunteers and mice.MethodsIn the human study, healthy volunteers ingested an EMBSAK‐containing commercially available product, SARABAGAN, for 7 days. In the mice study, BALB/c wild‐type (WT), interferon (IFN)‐γ‐deficient (
IFN‐γ−/−) and RAG 2‐deficient (
RAG
−/−
) mice were given oral SARABAGAN 80 mg/kg/day for 7 days. Cytotoxic activity and NK cell number were then examined on
51Cr release assay and flow cytometry, respectively.ResultsOral EMBSAK frequently increased NK cell cytotoxicity, but not NK cell population, in human volunteers in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, oral EMBSAK augmented NK cell cytotoxicity, but not NK cell number and population, in WT and RAG 2‐deficient, but not IFN‐γ‐deficient, mice. This suggests that supplemental intake of EMBSAK enhances NK cell cytotoxic activity, but not cell number, depending on IFN‐γ but not on acquired immune cells.ConclusionEMBSAK may be useful to prevent infectious and malignant disease via activation of NK cell cytotoxicity.
Psychological, Relational, and Biological Correlates of Ego-Dystonic Masturbation in a Clinical Setting
Authors: Castellini Giovanni , Fanni Egidia , Corona Giovanni , Maseroli Elisa , Ricca Valdo , Maggi Mario 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Introduction
Attitudes toward masturbation are extremely varied, and this practice is often perceived with a sense of guilt.

Aim
To evaluate the prevalence of ego-dystonic masturbation (EM), defined as masturbation activity followed by a sense of guilt, in a clinical setting of sexual medicine and the impact of EM on psychological and relational well-being.

Methods
A series of 4,211 men attending an andrology and sexual medicine outpatient clinic was studied retrospectively. The presence and severity of EM were defined according to ANDROTEST items related to masturbation, determined by the mathematical product of the frequency of masturbation and the sense of guilt after masturbation.

Main Outcome Measures
Clinical, biochemical, and psychological parameters were studied using the Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction, ANDROTEST, and modified Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire.

Results
Three hundred fifty-two subjects (8.4%) reported any sense of guilt after masturbation. Subjects with EM were younger than the remaining sample (mean age ± SD = 51.27 ± 13.43 vs 48.31 ± 12.04 years, P &lt; .0001) and had more psychiatric comorbidities. EM severity was positively associated with higher free-floating (Wald = 35.94, P &lt; .001) and depressive (Wald = 16.85, P &lt; .001) symptoms, and subjects with a higher EM score reported less phobic anxiety (Wald = 4.02, P &lt; .05) and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (Wald = 7.6, P &lt; .01). A higher EM score was associated with a higher alcohol intake. Subjects with EM more often reported the partner's lower frequency of climax and more problems achieving an erection during sexual intercourse. EM severity was positively associated with worse relational and intrapsychic domain scores.

Conclusion
Clinicians should consider that some subjects seeking treatment in a sexual medicine setting might report compulsive sexual behaviors. EM represents a clinically relevant cause of disability, given the high level of psychological distress reported by subjects with this condition, and the severe impact on quality of life in interpersonal relationships.
Long Non-Coding RNA Databases in Cardiovascular Research
Authors: Rühle Frank , Stoll Monika 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
With the rising interest in the regulatory functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in complex human diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, there is an increasing need in public databases offering comprehensive and integrative data for all aspects of these versatile molecules. Recently, a variety of public data repositories that specialized in lncRNAs have been developed, which make use of huge high-throughput data particularly from next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches. Here, we provide an overview of current lncRNA databases covering basic and functional annotation, lncRNA expression and regulation, interactions with other biomolecules, and genomic variants influencing the structure and function of lncRNAs. The prominent lncRNA antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL), which has been unequivocally associated with coronary artery disease through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), serves as an example to demonstrate the features of each individual database.
Uso de los MeSH: una guía práctica
Authors: Fernández-Altuna María De los Ángeles , Martínez del Prado Alejandra , Arriarán Rodríguez Elizabeth , Gutiérrez Rayón Diego , Toriz Castillo Héctor Armando , Lifshitz Guinzberg Alberto 
Published: April 2016

Introducción: Ante la gama de fuentes de información electrónicas es difícil encontrar la información pertinente. Si bien PubMed es uno de los recursos más eficientes y utilizados por la comunidad de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, aún resulta complicado acotar los resultados. Este trabajo propone el uso de los MeSH como herramienta alterna de búsqueda.
Objetivo: Identificar estrategias de búsqueda a través del uso de los MeSH; aplicar esas estrategias mediante un ejemplo para recuperación eficiente y más específica de información, usando como vía de acceso la Biblioteca Médica Digital.
Método: Se realizó un resumen del uso de los MeSH; se revisaron algunas propuestas de estrategias de búsquedas a partir de una pregunta de investigación e hicieron búsquedas y recuperación efectiva de información utilizando los MeSH disponibles, a través de la Biblioteca Médica Digital. Se analizaron los resultados determinando cuáles estrategias fueron más efectivas y útiles. También se realizó una búsqueda general en PubMed con la misma estrategia con base en la pregunta PICO cuyos resultados se compararon con los obtenidos con las búsquedas con MeSH. Se propone una guía práctica de búsqueda utilizando los MeSH. Resultados: Mediante el planteamiento de tres estrategias de búsqueda de información utilizando los MeSH, se obtuvo una cantidad reducida de material, que fue útil por ser más específica. A través de la Biblioteca Médica Digital se obtuvo entre el 75 y el 87% del material en texto completo. La búsqueda con MeSH resultó más eficiente que la búsqueda general con PubMed.
Conclusiones: Conocer y utilizar las tres estrategias de búsqueda con MeSH permitió una recuperación efectiva de información. Se consideró relevante aportar una serie de recomendaciones sobre el uso de los MeSH para hacer búsquedas más precisas en menor tiempo, aprovechando las ventajas del vocabulario controlado y normalizado.
Orthostatic Circulatory Disorders: From Nosology to Nuts and Bolts
Authors: Gutkin Michael , Stewart Julian M. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
When patients complain of altered consciousness or discomfort in the upright posture, either relieved by recumbency or culminating in syncope, physicians may find themselves baffled. There is a wide variety of disorders that cause abnormal regulation of blood pressure and pulse rate in the upright posture. The aim of this focused review is 3-fold. First, to offer a classification (nosology) of these disorders; second, to illuminate the mechanisms that underlie them; and third, to assist the physician in the practical aspects of diagnosis of adult orthostatic hypotension, by extending clinical skills with readily available office technology.
Attenuated Heart Rate Recovery After Exercise Testing and Risk of Incident Hypertension in Men
Authors: Jae Sae Young , Bunsawat Kanokwan , Fadel Paul J. , Fernhall Bo , Choi Yoon-Ho , Park Jeong Bae , Franklin Barry A. 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Although attenuated heart rate recovery (HRR) and reduced heart rate (HR) reserve to maximal exercise testing are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes, their relation to incident hypertension in healthy normotensive populations is unclear. We examined the hypothesis that both attenuated HRR and reduced HR reserve to exercise testing are associated with incident hypertension in men.

METHODS
A total of 1,855 participants were selected comprising of healthy, initially normotensive men who underwent peak or symptom-limited treadmill testing at baseline. HRR was calculated as the difference between peak HR during exercise testing and the HR at 2 minutes after exercise cessation. HR reserve was calculated as the percentage of HR reserve (peak HR − resting HR)/(220 − age − resting HR) × 100.

RESULTS
During an average 4-year follow-up, 179 (9.6%) men developed hypertension. Incident hypertension was associated with HRR quartiles (Q1 (&lt;42 (bpm)) 12.5%, Q2 (43–49 bpm) 8.5%, Q3 (50–56 bpm) 9.3%, and Q4 (&gt;57 bpm) 8.3%; P = 0.05 for trend). The relative risk (RR) of the incident hypertension in the slowest HRR quartile vs. the fastest HRR quartile was 1.78 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14–2.78) after adjustment for confounders. Every 1 bpm increment in HRR was associated with a 2% (RR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99) lower risk of incident hypertension after adjusting for potential confounders. In contrast, reduced HR reserve did not predict the risk of incident hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS
Slow HRR after exercise testing is independently associated with the development of hypertension in healthy normotensive men.
Low parental melatonin levels increases autism spectrum disorder risk in children
Authors: Braam Wiebe , Ehrhart Friederike , Evelo Chris T. , Maas Anneke P.H.M. , Smits Marcel G. , Curfs Leopold 
Published: April 2016

AbstractLow melatonin levels are a frequent finding in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients.
Melatonin is important for normal neurodevelopment and embryonic growth and highly effective in protecting DNA from oxidative damage. Melatonin deficiency, possibly due to low CYP1A2 activity, could be an etiologic factor. As the fetus does not produce melatonin, low maternal melatonin levels should be involved. We measured 6-sulfatoxymelatonin in urine of 60 mothers of a child with ASD that attended our sleep clinic for people with an intellectual disability (ID), and asked for coffee consumption habits, as these are known to be related to CYP1A2 activity. 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin levels were significantly lower in mothers than in controls (p = 0.005), as well as evening coffee consumption (p = 0.034).AbbreviationsASDAutism spectrum disorderIDintellectual disability6-SM6–sulfatoxymelatonin
Allosteric inhibition of Aurora-A kinase by a synthetic VNARnanobody
Authors: Burgess Selena G. , Oleksy Arkadiusz , Cavazza Tommaso , Richards Mark W. , Vernos Isabelle , Matthews David , Bayliss Richard 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe vast majority of clinically-approved protein kinase inhibitors target the ATP binding pocket directly. Consequently, many inhibitors have broad selectivity profiles and most have significant off-target effects. Allosteric inhibitors are generally more selective, but are difficult to identify because allosteric binding sites are often unknown or poorly characterized, and there is no clearly preferred approach to generating hit matter. Aurora-A is activated through binding of TPX2 to an allosteric site on the kinase catalytic domain, and this knowledge could be exploited to generate an inhibitor. However, it is currently unclear how to design such a compound because a small molecule or peptide mimetic of TPX2 would be expected to activate, not inhibit the kinase. Here, we generated an allosteric inhibitor of Aurora-A kinase based on a synthetic, VNARsingle domain nanobody scaffold, IgNARV-D01. Biochemical studies and a crystal structure of the Aurora-A/IgNARV-D01 complex show that the nanobody overlaps with the TPX2 binding site. In contrast with the binding of TPX2, which stabilizes an active conformation of the kinase, binding of the nanobody stabilizes an inactive conformation, in which the αC-helix is distorted, the canonical Lys-Glu salt bridge is broken, and the regulatory (R-) spine is disrupted by an additional hydrophobic side chain from the activation loop. These studies illustrate how nanobodies can be used to characterize the regulatory mechanisms of kinases and provide a rational basis for structure-guided design of allosteric Aurora-A kinase inhibitors.SignificanceProtein kinases are commonly dysregulated in cancer and inhibitors of protein kinases are key therapeutic drugs. However, this strategy is often undermined by a lack of selectivity since the ATP binding pocket that kinase inhibitors usually target is highly conserved. Inhibitors that target allosteric sites are more selective but more difficult to generate. Here we identify a single domain antibody (nanobody) to target an allosteric pocket on the catalytic domain of Aurora-A kinase and demonstrate that the mechanism is antagonistic to a physiologically-relevant allosteric activator, TPX2. This work will enable the development of allosteric Aurora-A inhibitors as potential therapeutics, and provide a model for the development of tools to investigate allosteric modes of kinase inhibition.
Spontaneous Blink Rate Correlates With Financial Risk Taking
Authors: Sherman Emily , Wilson Robert C 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDopamine has long been thought to play a role in risky decision-making, with higher tonic levels of dopamine associated with more risk seeking behavior. In this work, we aimed to shed more light on this relationship using spontaneous blink rate as an indirect measure of dopamine. In particular we used video recording to measure blink rate and a decision-making survey to measure risk taking in 45 participants. Consistent with previous work linking dopamine to risky decisions, we found a strong positive correlation between blink rate and the number of risky choices a participant made. This correlation was not dependent on age or gender and was identical for both gain and loss framing. This work suggests that dopamine plays a crucial and quite general role in determining risk attitude across the population and validates this simple method of probing dopamine for decision-making research.
Lethal Gene Drive Selects Inbreeding
Authors: Bull J J 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe use of ‘selfish’ gene drive systems to suppress or even extinguish populations has been proposed on theoretical grounds for almost half a century. Creating these genes has recently become possible with CRISPR technology. One seemingly feasible approach, originally proposed by Burt, is to create a homing endonuclease gene (HEG) that inserts into an essential gene, enabling heterozygote viability but causing homozygote lethality. With 100% segregation distortion in gametes, such genes can cause profound population suppression if resistance does not evolve. Here, population genetic models are used to consider the evolution of inbreeding (specifically selfing) as a possible response to a recessively lethal HEG with complete segregation distortion. Numerical analyses indicate a rich set of outcomes, but selfing often evolves in response to the HEG, with a corresponding partial restoration of mean fitness. Whether selfing does indeed evolve and its effect in restoring fitness depends heavily on the magnitude of inbreeding depression. Overall, these results point toward an underappreciated evolutionary response to block the harmful effects of a selfish gene. They raise the possibility that extreme population suppression may be more difficult to achieve than currently imagined.
Oral Conditioned Cues Can Enhance or Inhibit Ethanol (EtOH)‐Seeking and EtOH‐Relapse Drinking by Alcohol‐Preferring (P) Rats
Authors: Knight Christopher P. , Hauser Sheketha R. , Deehan Gerald A. , Toalston Jamie E. , McBride William J. , Rodd Zachary A. 
Published: April 2016

BackgroundConditioned cues can elicit drug‐seeking in both humans and rodents. The majority of preclinical research has employed excitatory conditioned cues (stimuli present throughout the availability of a reinforcer), but oral consumption of alcohol is similar to a conditional stimuli (presence of stimuli is paired with the delivery of the reinforcer) approach. The current experiments attempted to determine the effects of conditional stimuli (both excitatory and inhibitory) on the expression of context‐induced ethanol (EtOH)‐seeking.MethodsAlcohol‐preferring (P) rats self‐administered EtOH and water in standard 2‐lever operant chambers. A flavor was added to the EtOH solution (CS+) during the EtOH self‐administration sessions. After 10 weeks, rats underwent extinction training (7 sessions), followed by a 2‐week home cage period. Another flavor was present during extinction (CS−). Rats were exposed to a third flavor in a non‐drug‐paired environment (CS0). EtOH‐seeking was assessed in the presence of no cue, CS+, CS−, or CS0 in the dipper previously associated with EtOH self‐administration (no EtOH available). Rats were maintained a week in their home cage before being returned to the operant chambers with access to EtOH (flavored with no cue, CS+, CS−, or CS0).ResultsThe results indicated that the presence of the CS+ enhanced EtOH‐seeking, while the presence of the CS− suppressed EtOH‐seeking. Similarly, adding the CS− flavor to 15% EtOH reduced responding for EtOH while the CS+ enhanced responding for EtOH during relapse testing.ConclusionsOverall, the data indicate that conditional stimuli are effective at altering both EtOH‐seeking behavior and EtOH‐relapse drinking.
Melatonin intake since weaning ameliorates steroidogenic function and sperm motility of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: da Costa C. F. P. , Gobbo M. G. , Taboga S. R. , Pinto‐Fochi M. E. , Góes R. M. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryMelatonin may be used as an antioxidant in therapy against systemic sequelae caused by oxidative stress in diabetes. However, as melatonin has a major role in regulating reproductive activity, its consequence on reproductive parameters under diabetes needs to be better clarified. We have studied whether prior and concomitant treatment of juvenile Wistar rats with low doses of melatonin interferes in reproductive damage induced by experimental diabetes after 1 and 8 weeks. The consequences of melatonin administration since weaning on reproductive parameters of healthy rats at adulthood were also evaluated. Melatonin was provided in drinking water (10 μg/kg b.w./day) after weaning (5‐week‐old). Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (4.5 mg/100 g b.w.) at 13‐week‐old rats, and rats were euthanized 1 and 8 weeks after disease onset. Diabetes decreased circulating testosterone levels (~35% to 1 week; ~62% to 2 months; p < 0.01) but did not affect testes sperm counts. Two months of diabetes reduced the sperm reserve and led to atrophy of epididymal cauda. Both 1‐week and 2‐month diabetes impaired sperm motility, decreased the number of spermatozoa with progressive movement, and increased the number of immotile sperm. Melatonin intake reduced serum testosterone levels ~29% in healthy 14‐week‐old and ~23% in 21‐week‐old rats and reduced daily testicular sperm production ~26% in the latter disease stage, but did not interfere in sperm reserves and transit time for both experimental periods. Exogenous melatonin prevented the serum testosterone decrease and damage to sperm motility in diabetic rats and attenuated reduction in sperm counts and transit time induced by 1‐week diabetes but did not avoid this decrease at 2‐month diabetes. Low doses of melatonin administered prior to and during experimental diabetes attenuated damage to testicular steroidogenic activity and preserved sperm motility, but not sperm reserves in the rat. Our data indicated a differential action of melatonin in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic conditions, particularly in sperm motility and testosterone production by Leydig cells.
The importance of high‐quality algal food sources in stream food webs – current status and future perspectives
Authors: Guo Fen , Kainz Martin J. , Sheldon Fran , Bunn Stuart E. 
Published: April 2016

SummaryWhile many streams and rivers are dominated by terrestrial inputs of organic carbon, algae are an important trophic base for stream food webs. However, the nutritional importance of algae for stream invertebrates only recently has been highlighted. Algae are acknowledged as higher quality food than terrestrial organic matter for the growth and reproduction of invertebrates. In part, this is because of higher algal polyunsaturated fatty‐acid (PUFA) content. Here, we review the important influence of algal food quality, as assessed byPUFA, in stream food webs.Current field investigations have mainly focused on the fatty‐acid dynamics of macroinvertebrates, and indicate that algal eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), α‐linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acids (LIN) are present in all macroinvertebrates. However, fungal and bacterial tracers have also been observed in a range of macroinvertebrates. The omega‐3 (ω3)/omega‐6 (ω6) ratio >1 in most macroinvertebrates strongly indicates that dietary energy of algae is highly retained in stream food webs. Interspecific differences inPUFAcomposition seem to be affected by dietaryPUFAand consumer physiology.Some studies have suggested that besides dietaryEPA, the shorter chain C18PUFA LINandALAalso can improve growth and reproduction of stream invertebrate consumers. Some macroinvertebrates may preferentially retain or synthesise long‐chainPUFAfrom C18PUFAwhen experiencing low‐quality food. However, this process is controversial since other species have shown very limited ability to synthesise long‐chainPUFA.AlgalPUFAcomposition is strongly influenced by abiotic factors, particularly light, nutrients, and temperature. Human disturbance (i.e. riparian vegetation removal and nutrient inputs) on algalPUFAcontent and their consequent effects on macroinvertebrates and fish clearly warrant further scientific attention. Controlled feeding trials and manipulative studies are required to measurePUFAconversion capacities and reproductive investment of stream macroinvertebrates under different food quality conditions, which will provide insights into how freshwater species can cope with different nutritional food conditions due to human disturbance and climate change.
Gene Expression and Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in Liver of Hybrid Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus, Under Acute pH Stress
Authors: Han Chun‐Yan , Zheng Qing‐Mei , Sun Ze‐Tao 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGene expression levels and enzymatic activities of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn‐SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver of hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus were analyzed after 12–72 h exposure to acidic and alkaline pH. Results showed that, compared with the control pH (pH 6.8), acidic pH exposure (pH 4.8 and 5.8) induced the expression levels and enzymatic activities of antioxidant enzymes. Slight alkaline exposure (pH 7.8) increased the transcript levels of CAT and GPx and the activity of GPx. Strong alkalization (pH 8.8) presented an inhibition on the antioxidant enzyme system, suggesting alkaline exposure may be more harmful to antioxidant activity in liver of hybrid tilapia than acidic exposure. Moreover, under acidic and slight alkaline exposure, mRNA expressions and activities of Cu/Zn‐SOD were significantly induced after 12 h exposure, whereas CAT and GPx reached the highest levels later, indicating Cu/Zn‐SOD play the dominant role at the initial stage, whereas CAT and GPx work later.