bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis following liver transplantation is enhanced by immunosuppressive agents
Authors: Lim E. J. , Chin R. , Nachbur U. , Silke J. , Jia Z. , Angus P. W. , Torresi J. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryIn recurrent hepatitis C (HCV) post‐liver transplantation (OLT), the combination of immunosuppressants and HCV is postulated to increase hepatocyte apoptosis and liver fibrosis. We evaluated hepatocyte apoptosis within the liver tissue of patients with postOLT HCV recurrence compared to HCV‐negative individuals and correlated these findings with the effects of immunosuppressants on HCV‐induced cell death and its inhibition in primary mouse hepatocytes (PMoH). Liver biopsies from patients with and without HCV were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for markers of apoptosis M30 CytoDEATH (M30) and cleaved PARP (clPARP). PMoH from C57BL/6 mice were infected with recombinant adenoviruses (rAdHCV) that expressed HCV proteins in hepatocytes. Infected cells were treated with cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus and/or MMF with or without pan‐caspase inhibitor Q‐VD‐Oph. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using crystal violet assays and Western immunoblots probed for cleaved caspase‐3 (clCas3) and clPARP. Both M30 and clPARP were increased in the liver biopsies of patients with postOLT HCV recurrence compared to HCV‐negative individuals. Treatment of rAdHCV‐infected PMoH with cyclosporine, tacrolimus or sirolimus reduced cell viability and increased clCas3 and clPARP compared to rAdHCV infection alone. Addition of MMF to cyclosporine, tacrolimus or sirolimus further reduced cell viability and increased clCas3 and clPARP. Q‐VD‐Oph improved cell viability in HCV‐infected PMoH treated with immunosuppressants alone and in combination and reduced clCas3 and clPARP by approximately 90%. Immunosuppressive agents, especially in combination, enhanced apoptosis in HCV‐infected hepatocytes. The finding that Q‐VD‐Oph reversed hepatocyte death suggests that treatments utilizing apoptosis inhibition might reduce liver injury in postOLT HCV recurrence.
Impact of virus eradication in patients with compensated hepatitis C virus‐related cirrhosis: competing risks and multistate model
Authors: Petta Salvatore , Di Marco Vito , Bruno Savino , Enea Marco , Calvaruso Vincenza , Boccaccio Vincenzo , Rossi Sonia , Craxì Antonio , Cammà Calogero 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackground & AimsNo published study to date has provided a careful analysis of the effects of a sustained viral response (SVR) on the outcomes of patients with compensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related cirrhosis in relation to the degree of portal hypertension. Therefore, we estimated the impact of achieving SVR on disease progression, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and mortality in a large cohort of HCV patients with cirrhosis with or without oesophageal varices (OVs) at the start of antiviral therapy.MethodsA total of 535 Caucasian patients were prospectively recruited to this study. All patients had a clinical or histological diagnosis of compensated HCV‐related cirrhosis and underwent interferon‐based therapy. Competing risks and a multistate model were analysed according to the presence or absence of OVs at baseline.ResultsCompared to patients without SVR, a greater proportion of patients who achieved SVR showed no liver disease progression after 10 years (36.3% vs. 61.3% of patients without baseline OVs; 29.6% vs. 64.3% of patients with baseline OVs). Achievement of SVR was significantly associated with reduced occurrence rates of de‐novo OVs, hepatic decompensation and HCC. Compared to patients without SVR, patients with SVR had lower likelihoods of liver‐related death at 10 years (20.6% vs. 10.3% of patients without baseline OVs; 50.5% vs. 21.8% of patients with baseline OVs).ConclusionsIn patients with compensated HCV‐related cirrhosis with or without OVs at baseline, SVR is associated with reduced disease progression and liver‐related mortality.
Transcriptome and proteome analyses and the role of atypical calpain protein and autophagy in the spliced leader silencing pathway in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Hope Ronen , Egarmina Katarina , Voloshin Konstantin , Waldman Ben‐Asher Hiba , Carmi Shai , Eliaz Dror , Drori Yaron , Michaeli Shulamit 
Published: May 2016

SummaryUnder persistent ER stress, Trypanosoma brucei parasites induce the spliced leader silencing (SLS) pathway. In SLS, transcription of the SL RNA gene, the SL donor to all mRNAs, is extinguished, arresting trans‐splicing and leading to programmed cell death (PCD). In this study, we investigated the transcriptome following silencing of SEC63, a factor essential for protein translocation across the ER membrane, and whose silencing induces SLS. The proteome of SEC63‐silenced cells was analyzed with an emphasis on SLS‐specific alterations in protein expression, and modifications that do not directly result from perturbations in trans‐splicing. One such protein identified is an atypical calpain SKCRP7.1/7.2. Co‐silencing of SKCRP7.1/7.2 and SEC63 eliminated SLS induction due its role in translocating the PK3 kinase. This kinase initiates SLS by migrating to the nucleus and phosphorylating TRF4 leading to shut‐off of SL RNA transcription. Thus, SKCRP7.1 is involved in SLS signaling and the accompanying PCD. The role of autophagy in SLS was also investigated; eliminating autophagy through VPS34 or ATG7 silencing demonstrated that autophagy is not essential for SLS induction, but is associated with PCD. Thus, this study identified factors that are used by the parasite to cope with ER stress and to induce SLS and PCD.
‘Scientific’ nationalism
Authors: Maly Ico 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis paper investigates how the discursive battle for the Flemish nation is waged in the Flemish mass media by politicians of the Flemish nationalist party, the New Flemish Alliance (N‐VA). I focus on the ‘new nationalism’ that N‐VA politicians advocate as a means to ‘banalise’ a hot Flemish nationalism. I establish that N‐VA spokespeople and especially their chairman Bart De Wever invoke discursive alliances with established scholars such as Anderson, Hroch, Calhoun and Billig. On the one hand, these alliances are used to sell their nationalism as a non‐ideological or non‐discursive project. On the other hand, the analyses of these intellectuals are used as manuals to ‘banalise’ a hot nationalism. The concept of ‘scientific’ nationalism refers to the entextualisation of scientific discourses in order to legitimate and banalise the nationalist project of the party as ‘in line with science’.
RETRACTED: Role of mesenchymal stem cells versus angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in kidney repair
Authors: Ahmed Hanaa H , Toson Elshahat A , El‐mezayen Hatem A , Rashed Laila A , Elsherbiny Eslam S 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAimThe current study sought to clarify the role of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) and adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD‐MSCs) in repressing nephropathy in the experimental model. Moreover, the aim of this work was extended to compare between stem cells role and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in kidney repair.MethodsIsolation and preparation of MSCs culture, flow cytometry using CD34, CD44 and CD105 cell surface markers, biochemical analyses for determination of serum creatinine, urea, transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β), cystatin C (CYS‐C) and urinary N‐Acetyl‐ß‐D–Glucosaminidase (UNAG), and histopathological investigation of kidney tissue sections were performed.ResultsThe results of the present study revealed that single intravenous infusion of MSCs either derived from bone marrow or adipose tissue was able to enhance renal reparative processes through significantly decreased serum creatinine, urea, TGF‐β and CYS‐C levels as well as UNAG level and significantly increase glomerular filtration rate. Additionally, the histopathological investigations of kidney tissues showed that MSCs have significant regenerative effects as evidenced by the decrease in focal inflammatory cells infiltration, focal interstitial nephritis and congested glomeruli as well as degenerated tubules.ConclusionThe current data provided distinct evidence about the favourable impact of AD‐MSCs and BM‐MSCs in attenuation of cyclosporine‐induced nephropathy in rats through their ability to promote functional and structural kidney repair via transdifferentiation.
The Effect of Oil Prices on Field Production: Evidence from the Norwegian Continental Shelf
Authors: Mauritzen Johannes 
Published: May 2016

AbstractI use detailed field‐level data on Norwegian offshore oil production and a semi‐parametric additive model to control for the production profile of fields to estimate the effect of oil prices on production. I find no significant evidence of a concurrent reaction of field production to oil prices, though a modest lagged effect is found of the magnitude of approximately 2% to 7% for a $10 per barrel increase in the real price of oil.
Narrowing down the single homoeologous FaPFRU locus controlling flowering in cultivated octoploid strawberry using a selective mapping strategy
Authors: Perrotte Justine , Gaston Amèlia , Potier Aline , Petit Aurélie , Rothan Christophe , Denoyes Béatrice 
Published: May 2016

SummaryExtending the period of fruit production is a way to substantially increase crop yield in many fruit or ornamental species. In the cultivated octoploid strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), the most consumed small fruit worldwide, fruit production season can be extended by selecting the perpetual flowering (PF) cultivars. This trait is of considerable interest to growers and to the food industry. Four homoeologous loci controlling a single trait can be expected in such a complex octoploid species. However, we recently showed that the PF trait is under the control of the single dominant FaPFRU locus (J. Exp. Bot., 2013, 64, 1837), making it potentially amenable to marker‐assisted selection (MAS). Here, we report the successful use of a strategy, based on a selective mapping using a reduced sample of individuals, to identify nine markers in close linkage to the FaPFRU allelic variant. Thus, this strategy can be used to fine map the target homoeologous loci in other complex polyploid crop species. Recombinant analysis further enabled us to reduce the locus to a region flanked by two markers, Bx083_206 and Bx215_131, corresponding to a 1.1 Mb region in the diploid F. vesca reference genome. This region comprises 234 genes, including 15 flowering associated genes. Among these, the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) is known to be a key activator of flowering. The close association between the PF trait and the FaPFRU flanking markers was validated using an additional segregating population and genetic resources. This study lays the foundation for effective and rapid breeding of PF strawberry cultivars by MAS.
Remitted epilepsy with dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor involving the thalamus
Authors: Nishikura Noriko , Takano Tomoyuki , Ryujin Fukiko , Yoshioka Seiichiro , Maruo Yoshihiro , Takeuchi Yoshihiro , Tamura Kentaro , Sakakibara Takafumi , Ito Masayuki 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors (DNT) are benign hamartomatous tumors characterized by intractable epilepsy and common localization in the supratentorial cortex, but thalamic involvement in DNT is extremely rare. A 2‐year 4‐month‐old boy presented with intractable epilepsy due to a tumorous lesion in the frontal lobe expanding to the thalamus. Under chronic intracranial electrocorticography guidance, partial lesionectomy with adjacent cortical resection was performed, and the lesion was pathologically diagnosed as DNT, complex form. Subsequently, the seizures completely disappeared without any neurological deficits despite the presence of full residual thalamic lesions. The epileptogenicity of DNT is closely associated with various clinicopathological factors, and the thalamic contribution to the seizure activity remains unclear. Due to the essential epileptogenic characteristics of DNT, the residual thalamic lesions and associated clinical features should be strictly observed in the future in the present case.
Psychometric properties of startle and corrugator response in NPU, affective picture viewing, and resting state tasks
Authors: Kaye Jesse T. , Bradford Daniel E. , Curtin John J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe current study provides a comprehensive evaluation of critical psychometric properties of commonly used psychophysiology laboratory tasks/measures within the NIMH RDoC. Participants (N = 128) completed the no‐shock, predictable shock, unpredictable shock (NPU) task, affective picture viewing task, and resting state task at two study visits separated by 1 week. We examined potentiation/modulation scores in NPU (predictable or unpredictable shock vs. no‐shock) and affective picture viewing tasks (pleasant or unpleasant vs. neutral pictures) for startle and corrugator responses with two commonly used quantification methods. We quantified startle potentiation/modulation scores with raw and standardized responses. We quantified corrugator potentiation/modulation in the time and frequency domains. We quantified general startle reactivity in the resting state task as the mean raw startle response during the task. For these three tasks, two measures, and two quantification methods, we evaluated effect size robustness and stability, internal consistency (i.e., split‐half reliability), and 1‐week temporal stability. The psychometric properties of startle potentiation in the NPU task were good, but concerns were noted for corrugator potentiation in this task. Some concerns also were noted for the psychometric properties of both startle and corrugator modulation in the affective picture viewing task, in particular, for pleasant picture modulation. Psychometric properties of general startle reactivity in the resting state task were good. Some salient differences in the psychometric properties of the NPU and affective picture viewing tasks were observed within and across quantification methods.
Double dissociation of configural and featural face processing on P1 and P2 components as a function of spatial attention
Authors: Wang Hailing , Guo Shichun , Fu Shimin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFace recognition relies on both configural and featural processing. Previous research has shown that P1 is sensitive to configural face processing, but it is unclear whether any component is sensitive to featural face processing; moreover, if there is such a component, its temporal sequence relative to P1 is unknown. Thus, to avoid confounding physical stimuli differences between configural and featural face processing on ERP components, a spatial attention paradigm was employed by instructing participants to attend an image stream (faces and houses) or an alphanumeric character stream. The interaction between attention and face processing type on P1 and P2 components indicates different mechanisms of configural and featural face processing as a function of spatial attention. The steady‐state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) results clearly demonstrated that participants could selectively attend to different streams of information. Importantly, configural face processing elicited a larger posterior P1 (approximately 128 ms) than featural face processing, whereas P2 (approximately 248 ms) was greater for featural than for configural face processing under attended condition. The interaction between attention and face processing type (configural vs. featural) on P1 and P2 components indicates that there are different mechanisms of configural and featural face processing operating as functions of spatial attention. While the P1 result confirms previous findings separating configural and featural face processing, the newly observed P2 finding in the present study extends this separation to a double dissociation. Therefore, configural and featural face processing are modulated differently by spatial attention, and configural face processing precedes featural face processing.
Empowerment in critical care – a concept analysis
Authors: Wåhlin Ingrid 
Published: May 2016

ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper was to analyse how the concept of empowerment is defined in the scientific literature in relation to critical care. As empowerment is a mutual process affecting all individuals involved, the perspectives of not only patients and next of kin but also staff were sought.MethodA literature review and a concept analysis based on Walker and Avant's analysis procedure were used to identify the basic elements of empowerment in critical care. Twenty‐two articles with a focus on critical care were discovered and included in the investigation.FindingsA mutual and supportive relationship, knowledge, skills, power within oneself and self‐determination were found to be the common attributes of empowerment in critical care. The results could be adapted and used for all parties involved in critical care – whether patients, next of kin or staff – as these defining attributes are assumed to be universal to all three groups, even if the more specific content of each attribute varies between groups and individuals.ConclusionEven if empowerment is only sparsely used in relation to critical care, it appears to be a very useful concept in this context. The benefits of improving empowerment are extensive: decreased levels of distress and strain, increased sense of coherence and control over situation, and personal and/or professional development and growth, together with increased comfort and inner satisfaction.
It is not just a Minor Thing – A Phenomenological‐Hermeneutic Study of Patients’ Experiences when afflicted by a Minor Heart Attack and Participating in Cardiac Rehabilitation
Authors: Simonÿ Charlotte P. , Dreyer Pia , Pedersen Birthe D. , Birkelund Regner 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundTo improve cardiac care, especially cardiac rehabilitation, patients’ perspectives should be better addressed. In Denmark, patients afflicted by a minor heart attack in terms of unstable angina pectoris or non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction are treated in fast‐track programmes with subacute treatment in hospital, early discharge and follow‐up specialised outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. Knowledge of these patients’ experiences of their life situation is essential to develop sufficient care protocols.AimTo gain in‐depth understanding of how patients afflicted by a minor heart attack experience their life situation when following cardiac rehabilitation.MethodsFocus group interviews and individual interviews were conducted with 11 patients enrolled in the cardiac rehabilitation programme. Data consisted of text in the form of transcribed interviews. A three‐phased interpretation inspired by Paul Ricoeur's theory of interpretation was applied.FindingsAs an overall concept, the patients experienced being forced into a demanding life shaking journey. Three themes emerged: Difficulty accepting the disease: facing the disease is a difficult challenge for the patients, leading to vulnerability and helplessness; Understanding that life has become frail: patients feel shaken as they realise that the disease is chronic and life‐threatening; and An altered life: patients must adjust to new limitations in their everyday lives.ConclusionsPatients experience an overall demanding transition when they are afflicted by a minor heat attack, whereby their lives are sweepingly changed. Supporting patients’ integrity, which becomes vulnerable during the various stages of transitions, is essential to ensure a healthy outcome. Being together with fellow patients during cardiac rehabilitation is a facilitating factor in the course of transition.
A ‘European Migrant Crisis’? Some Thoughts on Mediterranean Borders
Authors: Lendaro Annalisa 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis paper addresses the ongoing ‘European Migrant Crisis’ by, first, discussing the return of internal borders within the European Union as zones for controlling and sorting migrants, and then both internal and external borders as areas in which policing and national policy choices deeply challenge international law, which was designed to protect all human beings regardless of their country of departure. The primary argument developed here is that some EU countries neglect to abide by the European and international regulations on migration, asylum seekers, and human rights, with unprecedented consequences. Border policies are presented here as paradoxical governmental tools, which are not applied equally and uniformly. The main consequence is the growing gap between rights guaranteed under the law and their selective application within a border management where the state of exception is increasingly visible.
Development of Organic Agriculture in Bulgaria (1990–2012): Actors, Relations, and Networks
Authors: Slavova Petya , Moschitz Heidrun , Georgieva Zdravka 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThis article analyses the development of organic agriculture (OA) in Bulgaria. It especially examines the actors, relations, and structures that shape organic sector policies. The Bulgarian case shows that sectorial agricultural policies can originate without the direct representation of farmers. Due to the dominance of consultancy NGOs and academic institutions in the policy network, OA first appeared as a political rather than as an economic or social and agricultural topic. However, this specificity contributed to the weak development of the organic sector in the country. Ultimately, farmers became engaged in the policy network for the benefit of the sector when the EU implemented organic subsidies. The article is based on both qualitative and quantitative data and applies the policy network approach as the analytical framework. Our analysis contributes to enriching this approach by exploring the role of the state in terms of both political willingness and administrative capacity and shows that in a post‐socialist context, the policy outcome also depends on the synchronisation of these two roles of the state.
The combined use of surgical debulking and diode laser photocoagulation for limbal melanoma treatment: a retrospective study of 21 dogs
Authors: Andreani Valentina , Guandalini Adolfo , D'Anna Nunzio , Giudice Chiara , Corvi Roberta , Di Girolamo Nicola , Sapienza John S. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate effectiveness and safety of debulking and diode laser photocoagulation (DPC) for the treatment of limbal melanoma (LM).ProcedureRetrospective multi‐institutional case series. Medical records of animals diagnosed with LM at the Centro Veterinario Specialistico (CVS) and at the Long Island Veterinary Specialists from 1994 to 2014 were retrieved. Signalment, location, extent of tumors, recurrence rate, and early and late complications were reported. Patient follow‐up information was obtained from veterinary ophthalmologists, primary care veterinarians, and where appropriate, owners.ResultsTwenty‐one eyes of 21 dogs (13 females and 8 males) were included in this study. The dogs' average age was 6 years (range: 7 months–11 years). The follow‐up period ranged from 1–108 months (median 48 months) after the last DPC procedure. Long‐term follow‐up was obtained by telephone interviews in 6 of 20 cases and by clinical re‐evaluations in 14 of 20 cases. The most common early complications were a moderate anterior uveitis and peripheral corneal edema (21/21 eyes). Late complications included corneal fibrosis and/or pigmentation (20/21). In one case, a severe bullous keratopathy associated with extensive corneal fibrosis was observed (1/21). One case was blind due to concurrent Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration (SARD). However, after surgery 2 of 20 eyes lost vision and one of these was enucleated.ConclusionsDebulking, in addition to diode laser photocoagulation, was technically straightforward to perform, minimally invasive, well tolerated, and highly successful in this case series.