bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultraviolet irradiation promotes FOXP3 transcription via p53 in psoriasis
Authors: Zhang Dongmei , Chen Yang , Chen Ling , Yang Riyao , Wang Li , Liu Wenying , Zhai Zhifang , Shen Zhu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe decrease of forkhead box P3‐positive (FOXP3 + ) regulatory T cells (Tregs) causes an immune imbalance with effector T cells in psoriasis. Previous studies have demonstrated that in addition to its known effects on keratinocytes and effector T cells, ultraviolet (UV) irradiation alleviates psoriasis via the upregulation of FOXP3 + Tregs. However, the mechanism is unclear. Here, we found that FOXP3 + T cells were increased in psoriatic lesions after UVB irradiation (t' = 3.7006, P < 0.01), as determined by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, the levels of FOXP3 and p53, one of the downstream targets of UV irradiation, showed accordant changes after UV irradiation. Experiments that used a MAPK inhibitor, p53 mutant cell lines, p53 inhibitor and p53 shRNA showed a decrease in FOXP3 levels, suggesting that p53 is required for UV‐induced FOXP3 transcription. Next, we demonstrated that there are two binding sites for p53 on FOXP3 by informatics tools, a dual‐luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. One binding site (−1771 to −1583) is located at the promoter region and is adjacent to a previously reported p53‐binding region in breast cancer cells. The other (+3845 to +4042) is located within the first intron and has not been previously reported. Our study demonstrated that FOXP3 is regulated, at least in part, by the binding of p53 to several binding sites in the promoter and intron regions following UV irradiation in psoriasis. It will be helpful to further clarify the regulatory mechanism of FOXP3 transcription and to provide new insights into the mechanisms that mediate the effects of UV irradiation in autoimmune skin disorders.
Structural basis for olivetolic acid formation by a polyketide cyclase from Cannabis sativa
Authors: Yang Xinmei , Matsui Takashi , Kodama Takeshi , Mori Takahiro , Zhou Xiaoxi , Taura Futoshi , Noguchi Hiroshi , Abe Ikuro , Morita Hiroyuki 
Published: January 2016

In polyketide biosynthesis, ring formation is one of the key diversification steps. Olivetolic acid cyclase (OAC) from Cannabis sativa, involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis, is the only known plant polyketide cyclase. In addition, it is the only functionally characterized plant α+β barrel (DABB) protein that catalyzes the C2–C7 aldol cyclization of the linear pentyl tetra‐β‐ketide CoA as the substrate, to generate olivetolic acid (OA). Herein, we solved the OAC apo and OAC–OA complex binary crystal structures at 1.32 and 1.70 Å resolutions, respectively. The crystal structures revealed that the enzyme indeed belongs to the DABB superfamily, as previously proposed, and possesses a unique active‐site cavity containing the pentyl‐binding hydrophobic pocket and the polyketide binding site, which have never been observed among the functionally and structurally characterized bacterial polyketide cyclases. Furthermore, site‐directed mutagenesis studies indicated that Tyr72 and His78 function as acid/base catalysts at the catalytic center. Structural and/or functional studies of OAC suggested that the enzyme lacks thioesterase and aromatase activities. These observations demonstrated that OAC employs unique catalytic machinery utilizing acid/base catalytic chemistry for the formation of the precursor of OA. The structural and functional insights obtained in this work thus provide the foundation for analyses of the plant polyketide cyclases that will be discovered in the future.Data depositionStructural data reported in this paper are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 5B08 for the OAC apo, 5B09 for the OAC–OA binary complex and 5B0A, 5B0B, 5B0C, 5B0D, 5B0E, 5B0F and 5B0G for the OAC His5Q, Ile7F, Tyr27F, Tyr27W, Val59M, Tyr72F and His78S mutant enzymes, respectively.
The structure and catalytic mechanism of human sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase like 3a – an acid sphingomyelinase homologue with a novel nucleotide hydrolase activity
Authors: Lim Sing Mei , Yeung Kit , Trésaugues Lionel , Ling Teo Hsiang , Nordlund Pär 
Published: January 2016

Human sphingomyelinase phosphodiesterase like 3a (SMPDL3a) is a secreted enzyme that shares a conserved catalytic domain with human acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase), the enzyme carrying mutations causative of Niemann–Pick disease. We have solved the structure of SMPDL3a revealing a calcineurin‐like fold. A dimetal site, glycosylation pattern and a disulfide bond network are likely to be conserved also in human aSMase. We show that the binuclear site of SMPDL3a is occupied by two Zn2+ ions and that excess Zn2+ leads to inhibition of enzyme activity through binding to additional sites. As an extension of recent biochemical work we uncovered that SMPDL3a catalyses the hydrolysis of several modified nucleotides that include cytidine 5′‐diphosphocholine, cytidine diphosphate ethanolamine and ADP‐ribose, but not the aSMase substrate, sphingomyelin. We subsequently determined the structure of SMPDL3a in complex with the product 5′‐cytidine monophosphate (CMP), a structure that is consistent with several distinct coordination modes of the substrate/product in the active site during the reaction cycle. Based on the structure of CMP complexes, we propose a phosphoryl transfer mechanism for SMPDL3a. Finally, a homology model of human aSMase was constructed to allow for the mapping of selected Niemann–Pick disease mutations on a three‐dimensional framework to guide further characterization of their effects on aSMase function.DatabaseStructural data are available in the PDB database under the accession numbers 5EBB and 5EBE.
Nonlinear deformation behaviour of auxetic cellular materials with re‐entrant lattice structure
Authors: Brighenti R. , Spagnoli A. , Lanfranchi M. , Soncini F. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRecent frontiers in material development are represented by a class of so‐called auxetic metamaterials that, thanks to their structure rather than composition, are characterized by a negative Poisson's ratio. In the present paper a two‐dimensional auxetic plate, made by structural straight elements forming a lattice periodic structure with re‐entrant cells, is considered. A thorough discussion on the linear and geometrically nonlinear deformability of the auxetic plate is presented. The key geometric parameters governing the deformability of the plate are identified, and some analytical expressions for calculating the Poisson's ratio, as a function of the applied strain, are given. Numerical (finite element) analyses and experimental tests on 3D printed specimens are carried out to verify the theoretical findings. For the latter ones, full field strain maps are obtained by means of a suitable interpolation of the sampled displacement field measured by digital image techniques.
Terrestrial carbon balance in a drier world: the effects of water availability in southwestern North America
Authors: Biederman Joel A. , Scott Russell L. , Goulden Michael L. , Vargas Rodrigo , Litvak Marcy E. , Kolb Thomas E. , Yepez Enrico A. , Oechel Walter C. , Blanken Peter D. , Bell Tom W. , Garatuza‐Payan Jaime , Maurer Gregory E. , Dore Sabina , Burns Sean P. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractGlobal modeling efforts indicate semiarid regions dominate the increasing trend and interannual variation of net CO2 exchange with the atmosphere, mainly driven by water availability. Many semiarid regions are expected to undergo climatic drying, but the impacts on net CO2 exchange are poorly understood due to limited semiarid flux observations. Here we evaluated 121 site‐years of annual eddy covariance measurements of net and gross CO2 exchange (photosynthesis and respiration), precipitation, and evapotranspiration (ET) in 21 semiarid North American ecosystems with an observed range of 100 – 1000 mm in annual precipitation and records of 4–9 years each. In addition to evaluating spatial relationships among CO2 and water fluxes across sites, we separately quantified site‐level temporal relationships, representing sensitivity to interannual variation. Across the climatic and ecological gradient, photosynthesis showed a saturating spatial relationship to precipitation, whereas the photosynthesis–ET relationship was linear, suggesting ET was a better proxy for water available to drive CO2 exchanges after hydrologic losses. Both photosynthesis and respiration showed similar site‐level sensitivity to interannual changes in ET among the 21 ecosystems. Furthermore, these temporal relationships were not different from the spatial relationships of long‐term mean CO2 exchanges with climatic ET. Consequently, a hypothetical 100‐mm change in ET, whether short term or long term, was predicted to alter net ecosystem production (NEP) by 64 gCm−2 yr−1. Most of the unexplained NEP variability was related to persistent, site‐specific function, suggesting prioritization of research on slow‐changing controls. Common temporal and spatial sensitivity to water availability increases our confidence that site‐level responses to interannual weather can be extrapolated for prediction of CO2 exchanges over decadal and longer timescales relevant to societal response to climate change.
Efficacy of the treatment of transarterial chemoembolization combined with radiotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: A propensity score analysis
Authors: Li Xiao‐Long , Guo Wei‐Xing , Hong Xiao‐Dong , Yang Liang , Wang Kang , Shi Jie , Li Nan , Wu Meng‐Chao , Cheng Shu‐Qun 
Published: January 2016

AimThe survival outcome of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) who received transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiotherapy (RT) remains unclear.MethodsA total of 112 and 735 HCC patients with PVTT undergoing TACE combined with RT and TACE alone, respectively, were evaluated. One hundred and eight pairs of matched patients were selected from each treatment arm by using a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.ResultsOf the whole study population, TACE combined with RT showed significant survival benefits compared with TACE in all patients (median survival, 11.0 vs 4.8 months; P < 0.001), especially in patients with PVTT involving the right/left portal vein (median survival, 12.5 vs 5.2 months; P < 0.001) and main portal vein trunk (median survival, 8.9 vs 4.3 months; P < 0.001). After one‐to‐one PSM, 108 pairs of matched patients were selected for further analysis. In the propensity model, the median survival time was 10.9 versus 4.1 months (P < 0.001) in all patients, 12.5 versus 4.4 months (P = 0.002) in patients with PVTT involving the right/left portal vein and 8.9 versus 4.0 months (P < 0.001) in patients with PVTT involving the main portal vein trunk. The treatment, maximum lesion diameter and main trunk PVTT were the independent prognostic factors for survival at uni‐ and multivariate analysis.ConclusionTACE combined with RT provides a significantly better survival outcome than TACE for unresectable HCC patients with PVTT, especially for patients with PVTT involving the right/left portal vein or main trunk.
Activities of daily living and oral hygiene status of older Korean patients in a long‐term care facility
Authors: Seo H‐Y , Jeon J‐E , Chung W‐G , Kim N‐H 
Published: January 2016

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigated the relationship between oral hygiene conditions, activities of daily living (ADL) and cognitive ability in older Korean patients in long‐term care facilities.MethodsNinety older persons (65+) were randomly sampled from a possible 112 residents in a single facility. They participated in a 2‐month‐long survey. The Korean Modified Barthel Index was used to measure the ADL, and cognitive ability was measured using the Mini‐Mental State Examination, Korean version. Oral hygiene status was measured using the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index and the Tongue Coating Index (TCI).ResultsOlder participants with complete dependence manifested significantly poorer oral hygiene (P < 0.05). Scores on the TCI were significantly higher in participants who were dentulous with partial dependence (P < 0.05). A multiple regression analysis showed that dependence and being dentulous significantly predicted poorer oral hygiene (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis study suggests that older participants with complete dependence had poor oral hygiene on tooth surfaces, while participants with partial dependence had poor tongue hygiene. In addition, dentulous older participants had poorer tongue hygiene than edentulous ones. This indicates the need to assess tooth status and provide oral care services via ADL in long‐term care facilities.
Work assignments, delegation of tasks and job satisfaction among Danish dental hygienists
Authors: Hach M , Aaberg KB , Lempert SM , Danielsen B 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIntroductionRecent legislation in Denmark has made it possible for dentists to delegate their tasks to dental hygienists. Previous studies have shown that Danish dental hygienists primarily were performing assignments within their own work field. These assignments include prophylaxis or instructing patients in oral health care. However, studies have also shown that Danish dental hygienists performed dental nurse assignments such as chair‐side assistance, unit cleaning and disinfection of instruments.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to investigate (i) the range of work assignments performed by Danish dental hygienists, (ii) the types of dentist tasks performed by Danish dental hygienists and (iii) job satisfaction among Danish dental hygienists.DesignDental hygienists graduating in 2004–2007 were invited to participate in this study.MethodsParticipants answered an email‐distributed questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding job satisfaction, assignments performed, postgraduate course attendance, receiving assistance from a dental nurse and which work assignments Danish dental hygienists wish to perform in the future.ResultsThe results of this study showed that 90% of Danish dental hygienists were satisfied with their job and 52% were performing dentists' tasks. Among dentists' tasks performed by Danish dental hygienists, invasive caries therapy was the most frequently performed task.ConclusionThe type of assignments performed by Danish dental hygienists today appears to be changing compared to previous studies. From initially performing prophylaxis and chair‐side assistance for the dentist, Danish dental hygienists today are performing a wider range of tasks which includes dentists' tasks.
Microencapsulation of bioactive compounds from mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf extracts by protein–polysaccharide interactions
Authors: Peanparkdee Methavee , Iwamoto Satoshi , Borompichaichartkul Chaleeda , Duangmal Kiattisak , Yamauchi Ryo 
Published: January 2016

SummaryMulberry leaf extracts were generated using four concentrations of ethanol (50%, 60%, 70%, and 95% v/v). A 60% ethanolic mulberry leaf extract (60E) yielded a high total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity using 1, 1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and a ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Coating materials were derived using a combination of soy protein isolates (SPI) and low methoxyl (LM) pectin in a 1:1 ratio. The effect of various parameters on microencapsulation, such as pH (3.5, 4.0, and 4.5) and the concentration of coating materials (2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% w/v), was studied. Microcapsules produced using 60E as a core material at pH 4.0 with 7.5% of coating material showed a high encapsulation yield, encapsulation efficiency, TPC and antioxidant activity.
Childhood obesity patterns and relation to middle‐age sleep apnoea risk: the Bogalusa Heart Study
Authors: Bazzano L. A. , Hu T. , Bertisch S. M. , Yao L. , Harville E. W. , Gustat J. , Chen W. , Webber L. S. , Shu T. , Redline S. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryBackgroundObese adults have a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA); however, the relationship between childhood obesity and adult OSA risk is unclear.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine overweight/obesity (OW) in childhood and risk of OSA in middle age.MethodsChildhood OW status was classified as never OW, weight cycling, persistent OW and incident OW. After 35 years of follow‐up, high risk for OSA was determined by a positive score in ≥2 domains on the Berlin Questionnaire with obesity removed from scoring.ResultsAt initial assessment, mean (SD) age was 9.9 (2.9) years, and 23.9% were OW. Overall, 25.7% had scores indicating a high risk for OSA. Compared with participants who were never OW, those with persistent OW and incident OW were 1.36 (95%CI: 1.04–1.77) and 1.47 (1.11–1.96) times more likely to be high risk for OSA, after adjustment for multiple risk factors and adult OW status. Participants with an OW duration of 1–4 years, 5–8 years, and 8+ years were 0.96 (0.44–2.09), 1.20 (0.70–2.04) and 1.52 (1.22–1.90) times more likely to be high risk for OSA compared with those who were never OW (P for trend: 0.0002).ConclusionsThese results suggest that childhood OW is associated with a high risk of OSA in middle age.
Net Migration as a Target for Migration Policies: A Review and Appraisal of the UK Experience
Authors: Cangiano Alessio 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe impact of migration on population growth has become a ubiquitous argument in UK immigration debates, leading to the introduction of immigration restrictions to reduce net migration and prevent the UK population from reaching 70 million. Taking the UK as a case study, this article assesses the rationale for setting a national net migration target as a pivotal point for migration policies and the feasibility of limiting net migration using immigration controls. A framework for analysing the effects of migration policies on net migration is proposed and applied to UK official migration data. The results show that, due to various policy constraints, competing objectives and unintended feedbacks, it is neither optimal nor entirely feasible to prioritize a reduction of net migration as a target for migration policies. Nevertheless, factoring net migration into the migration policy debate provides useful insights on the long‐term implications of migration policies in the context of broader demographic changes.
Nurses' hospital orientation and future research challenges: an integrative review
Authors: Peltokoski J. , Vehviläinen‐Julkunen K. , Miettinen M. 
Published: January 2016

AimThis study aimed to describe the research on registered nurses' orientation processes in specialized hospital settings in order to illustrate directions for future research.BackgroundThe complex healthcare environment and the impact of nursing shortage and turnover make the hospital orientation process imperative. There is a growing recognition regarding research interests to meet the needs for evidence‐based, effective and economically sound hospital orientation strategies.MethodsAn integrative literature review was performed on publications from the period 2000 to 2013 included in the CINAHL and PubMed databases. English‐language studies were included. Themes guiding the analysis were definition of the hospital orientation process, research topics, data collection and instruments and research evidence. Narrative synthesis was used.ResultsEleven papers met the inclusion criteria. The conceptualization of orientation process reflected the complexity of the phenomenon. Less attention has been paid to designs to establish correlations or relationships between selected variables and hospital orientation process. The outcomes of hospital orientation programmes were limited primarily to retention and job satisfaction. The research evidence therefore cannot be evaluated as strong.ConclusionThe lack of an evidence‐based approach makes it difficult to develop a comprehensive orientation process. Further research should explore interventions that will enhance the quality of hospital orientation practices to improve nurses' retention and job satisfaction.Implications for nursing and health policyTo provide a comprehensive hospital orientation process, hospital administrators have to put in place human resource development strategies along with practice implications and research efforts. Comprehensive hospital orientation benefits and outcomes should be visible to policy makers.
Statistical Arbitrage with Pairs Trading
Authors: Göncü Ahmet , Akyıldırım Erdinç 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe analyze statistical arbitrage with pairs trading assuming that the spread of two assets follows a mean‐reverting Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process around a long‐term equilibrium level. Within this framework, we prove the existence of statistical arbitrage and derive optimality conditions for trading the spread portfolio. In the existence of uncertainty in the long‐term mean and the volatility of the spread, statistical arbitrage is no longer guaranteed. However, the asymptotic probability of loss can be bounded as a function of the standard error of the model parameters. The proposed framework provides a new filtering technique for identifying best pairs in the market. Backtesting results are given for some of the pairs of stocks that are studied in the literature.
Divergent seasonal patterns of influenza types A and B across latitude gradient in Tropical Asia
Authors: Saha Siddhartha , Chadha Mandeep , Shu Yuelong ,   Group of Asian Researchers on Influenza (GARI)
Published: January 2016

IntroductionInfluenza circulation in tropics and subtropics reveals a complex seasonal pattern with year‐round circulation in some areas and biannual peaks in others.MethodsWe analyzed influenza surveillance data from nine countries around southern and southeastern Asia spanning latitudinal gradient from equatorial to temperate zones to further characterize influenza type‐specific seasonality in the region. We calculated proportion of positives by month out of positives during that year and adjust for variation in samples tested and positivity in these countries.ResultsInfluenza A epidemics were identified between November and March during winters in areas lying above 30°N latitude, during monsoon months of June–November in areas between 10° and 30°N latitude, and no specific seasonality for influenza A virus circulation in areas lying closer to the equator. Influenza B circulation coincided with influenza A circulation in areas lying above 30°N latitude; however, in areas south of 30°N Asia, influenza B circulated year round at 3–8% of annual influenza B positives during most months with less pronounced peaks during post‐monsoon period.ConclusionEven though influenza B circulates round the year in most areas of the tropical regions of southern and southeastern Asia, the most appropriate time for influenza vaccination using the most recent WHO recommended vaccine would be prior to the monsoon season conferring protection against influenza A and B peaks.