bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age‐dependent damage of hair cuticle: contribution of S100A3 protein and its citrullination
Authors: Takahashi Toshie , Mamada Akira , Kizawa Kenji , Suzuki Ryosuke 
Published: December 2015

SummaryBackgroundThere are two types of damage pattern of human hair cuticle: type L, where the cell membrane complex is split and the cuticle lifts up, and type E, where the fragile substructure of the cuticle cell (endocuticle) is broken. In our previous paper, it was reported that the dominant damage pattern shifts from type L to E with the subjects' age around the 40s. Loss of the cuticle due to daily grooming stresses increases with the subjects' age and is related to the level of type E damage. It is supposed that deterioration of endocuticle advances the loss of cuticle. S100A3 protein, located at the endocuticle, was found to be citrullinated and transformed into tetramer to improve its Ca2+‐binding ability. It is postulated that this biochemical property affects the maturation of cuticle and contributes to its reinforcement.AimsThis study aims to elucidate the role that S100A3 plays in age‐dependent cuticle damage.MethodsHair fibers collected from Japanese females were evaluated for the content and citrullination rate of S100A3, incidence of type E damage, and resistance of cuticle.ResultsIn the aged hair, the content of S100A3 was positively correlated with the level of type E damage and low resistance to stress. Hair fibers in which S100A3 is highly citrullinated, however, showed low levels of type E damage and high resistance of cuticle, even in the aged hair as well as at younger ages.ConclusionsS100A3 and its citrullination process are related to rigidity of endocuticle of aged hair.
Invention of ultrasonic Doppler fetal actocardiograph and continuous recording of fetal movements
Authors: Maeda Kazuo 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAimsTo enable scientific studies on fetal movements and its relation to fetal heart rate directly detecting fetal chest motion with ultrasonic Doppler method.MethodsA prototype of an ultrasonic Doppler fetal actocardiograph (ACG) was designed and handmade by the author. A 2 MHz ultrasound fetal heart rate (FHR) monitor was remodeled to detect fetal heartbeat and chest movement Doppler signals with a single ultrasound probe. The fetal movement Doppler signal was 20–50 Hz using 2 MHz ultrasound, separated from the fetal heartbeat Doppler signal, which was 100 or more Hz and sent to the autocorrelation FHR meter to record FHR curve, while fetal movement Doppler signals were detected through 20–80 Hz band‐pass filter, and changed to spikes recorded on a cardiotocography chart.ResultsThe spike amplitudes of a moving steel ball expressed fetal movement on the ACG. FHR acceleration synchronized with fetal movement bursts. Fetal resting and active states are separated using the ACG. Fetal hiccupping movements on ACG were regular continuous spikes with 2–3 s intervals.ConclusionFetal movements and hiccups were correctly recorded with the FHR curve. The relation of FHR and movement will be further clarified in future ACG readings.
Non‐Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome‐associated ovarian sex cord tumor with annular tubules: Report of a malignant case
Authors: Han Ying , Li Shumin , Wu Lingying , Zhang Xun , Cao Dengfeng 
Published: December 2015

AbstractA sex cord tumor with annular tubules (SCTAT) is a rare but distinctive subtype of sex cord stromal tumor of the ovary. Its clinical features depend on an association with Peutz‐Jeghers syndrome (PJS). SCTAT associated with PJS typically manifests as bilateral, multifocal, and small lesions and is clinically benign. In contrast, SCTAT not associated with PJS often manifests as a unilateral large mass and 20% of such tumors have malignant potential. Most patients with SCTAT are diagnosed at stage I, and metastasis is rare. Here we present a case of malignant SCTAT of stage III A1(ii) (retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis, largest dimension of metastasis >10 mm) in a 14‐year‐old girl without PJS.
Trend of Cadherin‐11 expression and its impact on cartilage degradation in the temporomandibular joints of guinea pigs with spontaneous osteoarthritis
Authors: Wu Mengjie , Lu Haiping , Yu Fengyang , Zhou Yiqun 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate spatial and temporal changes in cadherin‐11 (CAD‐11) expression and their effects on cartilage degeneration in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of guinea pigs with spontaneous osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsDunkin‐Hartley (DH) and Bristol strain 2 (BS2) guinea pigs at ages of 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were categorized into two groups and analyzed. The bilateral TMJ condyles of DH and BS2 guinea pigs were harvested and fixed. The distribution and expression profiles of CAD‐11, collagen type II, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP‐3) were detected by immunohistological assays. Histological micrographs of the condyle cartilage were obtained and analyzed.ResultsOsteoarthritis can be spontaneously induced by mechanical stress in DH guinea pigs. The main histopathological changes in the TMJ structure and increased expression of MMP‐3 occurred within 6–9 months of ages in DH guinea pigs with spontaneous OA. By contrast, minimal to mild cartilage degradations were observed in the TMJ of BS2 guinea pigs even at the age of 12 months. From as early as 3 months of age, the expression levels of CAD‐11 were upregulated in the TMJ of DH guinea pigs compared with those in BS2 animals. CAD‐11 expression differed between the two groups at 12 months of age.ConclusionsIncreased CAD‐11 expression within cartilage is associated with the development and progression of OA between the two strains of guinea pigs. Therefore, CAD‐11 expression in TMJ could be an important predisposing factor for the development of spontaneous OA.
Aberrant expression of interleukin‐22 and its targeting microRNAs in oral lichen planus: a preliminary study
Authors: Shen Zhengyu , Du Guanhuan , Zhou Zengtong , Liu Wei , Shi Linjun , Xu Hui 
Published: December 2015

BackgroundOral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell‐mediated autoimmune disease involving oral mucosa. Interleukin‐22 (IL‐22) as the signature cytokine of T helper 22 cells is increasingly recognized as a key regulator in various autoimmune diseases. Our previous study reported that IL‐22 immunoexpression in OLP was significantly increased compared with the normal controls.MethodsThe objective of this preliminary study was to compare the IL‐22 expression levels in oral biopsies from patients with OLP (n = 50) against normal oral mucosa (n = 19) using RT‐qPCR and Western blot, identify the potential targeting miRNAs of IL‐22, and examine the miRNA expression levels in OLP.ResultsInterleukin‐22 expression level in OLP was significantly increased compared with the normal controls. The Dual‐Luciferase reporter assay system in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells demonstrated that miR‐562 and miR‐203 were the target miRNAs of IL‐22, which was consistent with predictions from bioinformatics software analyses. Interestingly, miR‐562 expression in OLP was significantly decreased, but miR‐203 expression in OLP was significantly increased compared with the normal controls.ConclusionThis preliminary study for the first time reported that aberrant expression levels of miR‐562 and miR‐203 were associated with high expression of IL‐22 and demonstrated the target relationship between miRNAs and IL‐22 in HEK293 cells. Our data indicated that IL‐22 and its targeting miRNAs contribute to the pathogenesis of OLP. Further studies are required to investigate the regulatory pathways of IL‐22 and miR‐562 and miR‐203 in OLP.
Comparison of the Effect of Addition of Cyanoacrylate, Epoxy Resin, and Gum Arabic on Surface Hardness of Die Stone
Authors: Tripathi Arvind , Gupta Ashutosh , Bagchi Soumyojeet , Mishra Lallan , Gautam Abhina , Madhok Riti 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPurposeTo observe the effects of incorporating cyanoacrylate, epoxy resins, and gum arabic on the abrasion resistance of type IV gypsum die materials.Materials and MethodsForty specimens were prepared and divided into four groups (10 specimens in each group), namely group A (control), group B (die stone mixed with cyanoacrylate), group C (die stone mixed with epoxy resin), group D (die stone mixed with gum arabic). All the specimens were subjected to abrasion testing, wear volume analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis.ResultsAbrasion testing showed maximum wear in the control group and minimum wear in the gum arabic group. Intergroup differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The largest mean difference was between control and gum arabic. The lowest was between cyanoacrylate and the control group. The mean wear volume was lowest in the gum arabic group (4.23 mm3) and highest in the control group (6.78 mm3). The FT‐IR graphs of the gum arabic models showed the presence of CH2, which is responsible for its binding activity. SEM revealed that the irregular particles of gum arabic display an interlocking arrangement. This jigsaw puzzle pattern results in stronger physical bond formation.ConclusionObservations from this study showed that the addition of gum arabic increases resistance to abrasion in type IV gypsum. Cyanoacrylates are good adhesives as well, but a major drawback is that they have very low resistance to chemical action with water and physical actions such as sunlight. Epoxy resins are powerful adhesives, but they attain their full efficiency when cured with heat. Cyanoacrylate and epoxy resin displayed poor physical bonding, primarily because of inhomogeneity.
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Recall and Maintenance of Patients with Tooth‐Borne and Implant‐Borne Dental Restorations
Authors: Bidra Avinash S. , Daubert Diane M. , Garcia Lily T. , Kosinski Timothy F. , Nenn Conrad A. , Olsen John A. , Platt Jeffrey A. , Wingrove Susan S. , Chandler Nancy Deal , Curtis Donald A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPurposeTo provide guidelines for patient recall regimen, professional maintenance regimen, and at‐home maintenance regimen for patients with tooth‐borne and implant‐borne removable and fixed restorations.Materials and MethodsThe American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) convened a scientific panel of experts appointed by the ACP, American Dental Association (ADA), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA) who critically evaluated and debated recently published findings from two systematic reviews on this topic. The major outcomes and consequences considered during formulation of the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were risk for failure of tooth‐ and implant‐borne restorations. The panel conducted a round table discussion of the proposed guidelines, which were debated in detail. Feedback was used to supplement and refine the proposed guidelines, and consensus was attained.ResultsA set of CPGs was developed for tooth‐borne restorations and implant‐borne restorations. Each CPG comprised (1) patient recall, (2) professional maintenance, and (3) at‐home maintenance. For tooth‐borne restorations, the professional maintenance and at‐home maintenance CPGs were subdivided for removable and fixed restorations. For implant‐borne restorations, the professional maintenance CPGs were subdivided for removable and fixed restorations and further divided into biological maintenance and mechanical maintenance for each type of restoration. The at‐home maintenance CPGs were subdivided for removable and fixed restorations.ConclusionsThe clinical practice guidelines presented in this document were initially developed using the two systematic reviews. Additional guidelines were developed using expert opinion and consensus, which included discussion of the best clinical practices, clinical feasibility, and risk‐benefit ratio to the patient. To the authors’ knowledge, these are the first CPGs addressing patient recall regimen, professional maintenance regimen, and at‐home maintenance regimen for patients with tooth‐borne and implant‐borne restorations. This document serves as a baseline with the expectation of future modifications when additional evidence becomes available.
THE EFFECT OF YOUTH POVERTY RATES AND MIGRATION ON ADULT WAGES
Authors: Knapp Thomas A. , White Nancy E. 
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACTWe created a migration and earnings history from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to analyze the effects of youth county poverty rates on the adult earnings of white male migrants. We estimate a log wage equation that includes human capital measures, migration types, county poverty rates, and a rural–poverty rate interaction variable. Growing up in a rural county has a negative impact on adult wages independent of youth county poverty rates, but the rural effect is significantly greater for those who grew up in high poverty counties. Youth county poverty rates indirectly affect wages through the returns to migration.
Diagnostic value of neutrophil–lymphocyte and albumin–globulin ratios in canine soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Macfarlane L. , Morris J. , Pratschke K. , Mellor D. , Scase T. , Macfarlane M. , Mclauchlan G. 
Published: December 2015

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ability of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and albumin‐to‐globulin ratio to differentiate soft tissue sarcoma from benign soft tissue tumours.METHODSA retrospective study of pretreatment haematology and biochemistry in dogs diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma or benign soft tissue tumours. The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and albumin‐to‐globulin ratio were compared between the two groups. In dogs diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma, the relationship of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and albumin‐to‐globulin ratio to histological tumour grade (I toIII) was assessed.RESULTSIn the dogs with soft tissue sarcoma (n=22), the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio was significantly increased and the albumin‐to‐globulin ratio decreased compared to those with benign soft tissue tumours (n=14). The neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and albumin‐to globulin ratio were not useful as predictors of tumour grade in dogs diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEPretreatment neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and albumin‐to globulin ratio may aid with diagnosis and optimal treatment planning. Further investigation into their prognostic implications is warranted.
Curing bacterial infections with protein aggregates
Authors: Ventura Salvador 
Published: December 2015

SummaryA growing number of human diseases seem to be associated with protein misfolding and deposition into aggregates. Bednarska and colleagues exploit the cytotoxic nature of protein aggregates to target bacterial infections. Protein aggregation is at the same time generic and sequence dependent; this allowed the authors to develop novel aggregation‐prone antimicrobial peptides that penetrate bacteria and induce a peptide specific proteostatic collapse that leads to fast bacterial death, without any observable effects on host cells. The applicability of this intriguing strategy was demonstrated by curing animal models from bacterial sepsis. Although the precise mechanisms underlying the bactericidal activity of the peptide aggregates are still not clear, there is no doubt that this approach offers an exciting therapeutic alternative to conventional antibiotics.
The hmsT 3′ untranslated region mediates c‐di‐GMP metabolism and biofilm formation in Yersinia pestis
Authors: Zhu Hui , Mao Xu‐Jian , Guo Xiao‐Peng , Sun Yi‐Cheng 
Published: December 2015

SummaryYersinia pestis, the cause of plague, forms a biofilm in the proventriculus of its flea vector to enhance transmission. Biofilm formation in Y. pestis is regulated by the intracellular levels of cyclic diguanylate (c‐di‐GMP). In this study, we investigated the role of the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) in hmsT mRNA, a transcript that encodes a diguanylate cyclase that stimulates biofilm formation in Y. pestis by synthesizing the second messenger c‐di‐GMP. Deletion of the 3′UTR increased the half‐life of hmsT mRNA, thereby upregulating c‐di‐GMP levels and biofilm formation. Our findings indicate that multiple regulatory sequences might be present in the hmsT 3′UTR that function together to mediate mRNA turnover. We also found that polynucleotide phosphorylase is partially responsible for hmsT 3′UTR‐mediated mRNA decay. In addition, the hmsT 3′UTR strongly repressed gene expression at 37°C and 26°C, but affected gene expression only slightly at 21°C. Our findings suggest that the 3′UTR might be involved in precise and rapid regulation of hmsT expression, allowing Y. pestis to fine‐tune c‐di‐GMP synthesis and consequently regulate biofilm production to adapt to the changing host environment.
Protein–protein interactions indicate composition of a 480 kDa SELMA complex in the second outermost membrane of diatom complex plastids
Authors: Lau Julia B. , Stork Simone , Moog Daniel , Schulz Julian , Maier Uwe G. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryMost secondary plastids of red algal origin are surrounded by four membranes and nucleus‐encoded plastid proteins have to traverse these barriers. Translocation across the second outermost plastid membrane, the periplastidal membrane (PPM), is facilitated by a ERAD‐(ER‐associated degradation) derived machinery termed SELMA (symbiont‐specific ERAD‐like machinery). In the last years, important subunits of this translocator have been identified, which clearly imply compositional similarities between SELMA and ERAD. Here we investigated, via protein–protein interaction studies, if the composition of SELMA is comparable to the known ERAD complex. As a result, our data suggest that the membrane proteins of SELMA, the derlin proteins, are linked to the soluble sCdc48 complex via the UBX protein sUBX. This is similar to the ERAD machinery whereas the additional SELMA components, sPUB und a second Cdc48 copy might indicate the influence of functional constraints in developing a translocation machinery from ERAD‐related factors. In addition, we show for the first time that a rhomboid protease is a central interaction partner of the membrane proteins of the SELMA system in complex plastids.
An orphaned Mce‐associated membrane protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a virulence factor that stabilizes Mce transporters
Authors: Perkowski Ellen Foot , Miller Brittany K. , McCann Jessica R. , Sullivan Jonathan Tabb , Malik Seidu , Allen Irving Coy , Godfrey Virginia , Hayden Jennifer D. , Braunstein Miriam 
Published: December 2015

SummaryMycobacterium tuberculosis proteins that are exported out of the bacterial cytoplasm are ideally positioned to be virulence factors; however, the functions of individual exported proteins remain largely unknown. Previous studies identified Rv0199 as an exported membrane protein of unknown function. Here, we characterized the role of Rv0199 in M. tuberculosis virulence using an aerosol model of murine infection. Rv0199 appears to be a member of a Mce‐associated membrane (Mam) protein family leading us to rename it OmamA, for orphaned Mam protein A. Consistent with a role in Mce transport, we showed OmamA is required for cholesterol import, which is a Mce4‐dependent process. We further demonstrated a function for OmamA in stabilizing protein components of the Mce1 transporter complex. These results indicate a function of OmamA in multiple Mce transporters and one that may be analogous to the role of VirB8 in stabilizing Type IV secretion systems, as structural similarities between Mam proteins and VirB8 proteins are predicted by the Phyre 2 program. In this study, we provide functional information about OmamA and shed light on the function of Mam family proteins in Mce transporters.
Delineating PAS‐HAMP interaction surfaces and signalling‐associated changes in the aerotaxis receptor Aer
Authors: Garcia Darysbel , Watts Kylie J. , Johnson Mark S. , Taylor Barry L. 
Published: December 2015

SummaryThe Escherichia coli aerotaxis receptor, Aer, monitors cellular oxygen and redox potential via FAD bound to a cytosolic PAS domain. Here, we show that Aer‐PAS controls aerotaxis through direct, lateral interactions with a HAMP domain. This contrasts with most chemoreceptors where signals propagate along the protein backbone from an N‐terminal sensor to HAMP. We mapped the interaction surfaces of the Aer PAS, HAMP and proximal signalling domains in the kinase‐off state by probing the solvent accessibility of 129 cysteine substitutions. Inaccessible PAS‐HAMP surfaces overlapped with a cluster of PAS kinase‐on lesions and with cysteine substitutions that crosslinked the PAS β‐scaffold to the HAMP AS‐2 helix. A refined Aer PAS‐HAMP interaction model is presented. Compared to the kinase‐off state, the kinase‐on state increased the accessibility of HAMP residues (apparently relaxing PAS‐HAMP interactions), but decreased the accessibility of proximal signalling domain residues. These data are consistent with an alternating static‐dynamic model in which oxidized Aer‐PAS interacts directly with HAMP AS‐2, enforcing a static HAMP domain that in turn promotes a dynamic proximal signalling domain, resulting in a kinase‐off output. When PAS‐FAD is reduced, PAS interaction with HAMP is relaxed and a dynamic HAMP and static proximal signalling domain convey a kinase‐on output.
Quantitative analysis of CagA type IV secretion by Helicobacterpylori reveals substrate recognition and translocation requirements
Authors: Schindele Franziska , Weiss Evelyn , Haas Rainer , Fischer Wolfgang 
Published: December 2015

SummaryBacterial type IV secretion systems are protein transporters with a remarkable diversity of substrates and substrate recognition mechanisms. Type IV‐secreted proteins often contain C‐terminal secretion signals, but may also require other regions for recognition as secretory substrates, or for full secretion efficiency. For example, type IV secretion of CagA, a major pathogenicity factor of the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori, depends on a C‐terminal signal and on N‐terminal protein regions. To examine the involvement of individual CagA regions for type IV secretion efficiency, we have established and evaluated a β‐lactamase‐dependent reporter system which allows quantitative determination of translocation into host cells. For validation, we used this reporter system to obtain quantitative data for type IV secretion of CagA variants with sequential C‐terminal truncations. Alanine‐scanning mutagenesis of the CagA C‐terminus revealed that none of the characteristic charged residues in this region is necessary for type IV secretion. Translocation rates measured for CagA variants with N‐terminal deletions show that CagA does not have an N‐terminal signal sequence, but requires its N‐terminal domain for efficient secretion. Finally, we provide evidence that only newly synthesized CagA protein is translocated, supporting a model in which type IV secretion is coupled to protein biosynthesis.