bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of parnaparin in atherosclerosis
Authors: Bonomini Francesca , Taurone Samanta , Parnigotto Pierpaolo , Zamai Loris , Rodella Luigi F. , Artico Marco , Rezzani Rita 
Published: February 2017

SummaryAtherosclerosis is characterized by a proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and their migration to the intima, which induces thickening of the intima itself, but the mechanism remains poorly understood. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) inhibits the proliferation of VSMCs. Previous studies have shown that a LMWH, parnaparin (PNP), acts on the processes of atherogenesis and atheroprogression in experimental animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of oxidative stress, inflammation and VSMCs in the regulation of vascular wall homeostasis. We also considered the possibility of restoring vascular pathological changes using PNP treatment. In order to evaluate vascular remodelling in this study we have analysed the morphological changes in aortas of an animal model of atherosclerosis, apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice (ApoE−/−) fed with a normal or a western diet without treatment or treated with PNP. We also analysed, by immunohistochemistry, the expression of proteins linked to atherogenesis and atheroprogression – an enzyme involved in oxidative stress, iNOS, examples of inflammatory mediators, such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukins 1 and 6 (IL‐1 and IL‐6), and markers of VSMC changes, in particular plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 and thrombospondin‐1 (PAI‐1 and TSP‐1). Our results could suggest that PNP downregulates VSMC proliferation and migration, mediated by PAI‐1 and TSP‐1, and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress in vessels. These data suggested that LMWH, in particular PNP, could be a theoretically practical tool in the prevention of atherosclerotic vascular modification.
Total proximal ureter substitution using buccal mucosa
Authors: Fahmy Omar , Schubert Tina , Khairul‐Asri Mohd Ghani , Stenzl Arnulf , Gakis Georgios 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe surgical treatment of a long proximal ureteral stricture is a challenging situation for reconstructive surgeons. Despite the underlying morbidities, ileal interposition and autotransplantation are the options available to treat complex cases of long segment ureteral stricture. Buccal mucosa has shown excellent results in urethroplasty. However, its use in ureteral reconstruction is infrequent. We report on a 64‐year‐old female patient with multiple comorbidities and prior abdominal surgeries for Crohn's disease who underwent a successful total substitution of a long segment of the proximal ureter using buccal mucosa. Regular postoperative isotope scans showed improvement in renal function. Based on the pleasant outcome of this case and review of the literature, buccal mucosa might be a viable option with low morbidity in selected cases.
Functionally dissimilar neighbors accelerate litter decomposition in two grass species
Authors: Barbe Lou , Jung Vincent , Prinzing Andreas , Bittebiere Anne‐Kristel , Butenschoen Olaf , Mony Cendrine 
Published: February 2017

Summary

Plant litter decomposition is a key regulator of nutrient recycling. In a given environment, decomposition of litter from a focal species depends on its litter quality and on the efficiency of local decomposers. Both may be strongly modified by functional traits of neighboring species, but the consequences for decomposition of litter from the focal species remain unknown.

We tested whether decomposition of a focal plant's litter is influenced by the functional‐trait dissimilarity to the neighboring plants. We cultivated two grass species (Brachypodium pinnatum and Elytrigia repens) in experimental mesocosms with functionally similar and dissimilar neighborhoods, and reciprocally transplanted litter.

For both species, litter quality increased in functionally dissimilar neighborhoods, partly as a result of changes in functional traits involved in plant–plant interactions. Furthermore, functional dissimilarity increased overall decomposer efficiency in one species, probably via complementarity effects.

Our results suggest a novel mechanism of biodiversity effects on ecosystem functioning in grasslands: interspecific functional diversity within plant communities can enhance intraspecific contributions to litter decomposition. Thus, plant species might better perform in diverse communities by benefiting from higher remineralization rates of their own litter.
Dental development in Down syndrome and healthy children: a comparative study using the Demirjian method
Authors: van der Linden M. S. , Vucic S. , van Marrewijk D. J. F. , Ongkosuwito E. M. 
Published: February 2017

Structured AbstractObjectiveIn children with Down syndrome, the timing of dental eruption is important for orthodontics treatment planning. Aim of this study was to determine whether tooth eruption and development of the dentition in children with Down syndrome are impaired.Material and MethodsDental development was scored on orthopantomograms (OPTs) of 95 children with Down syndrome. The dental age was determined at the left mandibular side according to the Demirjian method and by converting the assigned scores to the dental maturity score. Dental development scores of control children and DS children were compared with a mixed model linear regression analysis.ResultsThe model showed statistically significant changes relating to increasing age (P<0.001) and gender (P<0.05). In this comparison, the total DS group (with and without hypodontia) was not statistically significantly different from the control group. There was also no significant difference between the total sample of DS children and the control group after using the Nyström imputation (with and without hypodontia).ConclusionThe findings showed that dental development in DS children is similar to the development of control children and that a relationship exists between hypodontia and dental development. The clinically observed late eruption is probably not due to late dental development but due to the other processes that take place during eruption, such as the possible impaired processes at the apical side and the occlusal side of an erupting element.
Soft tissue keratocyst of the cheek mucosa associated with a cluster of epithelial nests: a case report
Authors: Ghazali N. , Faulkner M. , Chandrasekaran L. , Newman L. , Barrett A.W. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe vast majority of odontogenic keratocysts (keratocystic odontogenic tumour) (OKC) are intra‐osseous, but a rare variant has been documented in the mucosa of the cheek. Despite its extra‐osseous location, the source of this variant is assumed to be remnants of the dental lamina. We describe a keratocyst which was situated in the buccal space of a 76 year‐old man. Microscopically, a cluster of epithelial nests was present in the cyst wall. Basal palisading and reversed nuclear polarity were features of both the nests and the cyst lining. Some nests had lumina. The epithelial cluster was adjacent to small nerves. The nests and the cyst lining were strongly positive for cytokeratin (CK) 5 and p63, and negative for CK18 and 20. CK7‐positive cells were present in the centre of the nests, but the cyst lining was entirely negative. CK8 and CK19 were strongly expressed by the epithelial nests, but only focally by the cyst lining. Whereas the nests were negative for Ki67, the cyst lining showed the pattern of basal and parabasal positive nuclei seen in OKC. The origin of these nests is uncertain; the most likely candidates are ectopic remnants of dental lamina, salivary glands, isthmus of the cutaneous hair follicle and the juxta‐oral organ of Chievitz. On the basis of immunophenotype, we were unable to determine whether their presence was coincidental, or whether the epithelial nests were the source of the cyst. The cyst has not recurred in 34 years.
Effect of Postnatal HIV Treatment on Clinical Mastitis and Breast Inflammation in HIV‐Infected Breast‐feeding Women
Authors: Zadrozny Sabrina , Westreich Daniel , Hudgens Michael G. , Chasela Charles , Jamieson Denise J. , Martinson Francis , Zimba Chifundo , Tegha Gerald , Hoffman Irving , Miller William C. , Pence Brian W. , King Caroline C. , Kourtis Athena P. , Msungama Wezi , van der Horst Charles ,   the BAN Study Team
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between mastitis and antiretroviral therapy among HIV‐positive, breast‐feeding women is unclear.MethodsIn the Breastfeeding, Antiretrovirals, and Nutrition (BAN) study, conducted in Lilongwe, Malawi, 2369 mother‐infant pairs were randomized to a nutritional supplement group and to one of three treatment groups: maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART), infant nevirapine (NVP) or standard of care for 24 weeks of exclusive breast‐feeding and 4 weeks of weaning. Among 1472 HIV‐infected women who delivered live infants between 2004 and 2007, we estimated cumulative incidence functions and sub‐distribution hazard ratios (HR) of mastitis or breast inflammation comparing women in maternal ART (n = 487) or infant nevirapine (n = 492) groups to the standard of care (n = 493). Nutritional supplement groups (743 took, 729 did not) were also compared.ResultsThrough 28‐weeks post‐partum, 102 of 1472 women experienced at least one occurrence of mastitis or breast inflammation. The 28‐week risk was higher for maternal ART (risk difference (RD) 4.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.9, 8.1) and infant NVP (RD 3.6, 95% CI 0.3, 6.9) compared to standard of care. The hazard of late‐appearing mastitis or breast inflammation (from week 5–28) was also higher for maternal ART (HR 6.7, 95% CI 2.0, 22.6) and infant NVP (HR 5.1, 95% CI 1.5, 17. 5) compared to the standard of care.ConclusionsMastitis or breast inflammation while breast‐feeding is a possible side effect for women taking prophylactic ART and women whose infants take NVP, warranting additional research in the context of postnatal HIV transmission.
Endurance capacity and neuromuscular fatigue following high‐ vs moderate‐intensity endurance training: A randomized trial
Authors: O'Leary T. J. , Collett J. , Howells K. , Morris M. G. 
Published: February 2017

High‐intensity exercise induces significant central and peripheral fatigue; however, the effect of endurance training on these mechanisms of fatigue is poorly understood. We compared the effect of cycling endurance training of disparate intensities on high‐intensity exercise endurance capacity and the associated limiting central and peripheral fatigue mechanisms. Twenty adults were randomly assigned to 6 weeks of either high‐intensity interval training (HIIT, 6‐8×5 minutes at halfway between lactate threshold and maximal oxygen uptake [50%Δ]) or volume‐matched moderate‐intensity continuous training (CONT, ~60‐80 minutes at 90% lactate threshold). Two time to exhaustion (TTE) trials at 50%Δ were completed pre‐ and post‐training to assess endurance capacity; the two post‐training trials were completed at the pretraining 50%Δ (same absolute intensity) and the “new” post‐training 50%Δ (same relative intensity). Pre‐ and post‐exercise responses to femoral nerve and motor cortex stimulation were examined to determine peripheral and central fatigue, respectively. HIIT resulted in greater increases in TTE at the same absolute and relative intensities as pre‐training (148% and 43%, respectively) compared with CONT (38% and −4%, respectively) (P≤.019). Compared with pre‐training, HIIT increased the level of potentiated quadriceps twitch reduction (−34% vs −43%, respectively, P=.023) and attenuated the level of voluntary activation reduction (−7% vs −3%, respectively, P=.047) following the TTE trial at the same relative intensity. There were no other training effects on neuromuscular fatigue development. This suggests that central fatigue resistance contributes to enhanced high‐intensity exercise endurance capacity after HIIT by allowing greater performance to be extruded from the muscle.
Does increased physical activity in school affect children's executive function and aerobic fitness?
Authors: Kvalø S. E. , Bru E. , Brønnick K. , Dyrstad S. M. 
Published: February 2017

This study seeks to explore whether increased PA in school affects children's executive function and aerobic fitness. The “Active school” study was a 10‐month randomized controlled trial. The sample included 449 children (10‐11 years old) in five intervention and four control schools. The weekly interventions were 2×45 minutes physically active academic lessons, 5×10 minutes physically active breaks, and 5×10 minutes physically active homework. Aerobic fitness was measured using a 10‐minute interval running test. Executive function was tested using four cognitive tests (Stroop, verbal fluency, digit span, and Trail Making). A composite score for executive function was computed and used in analyses. Mixed ANCOVA repeated measures were performed to analyze changes in scores for aerobic fitness and executive function. Analysis showed a tendency for a time×group interaction on executive function, but the results were non‐significant F(1, 344)=3.64, P=.057. There was no significant time×group interaction for aerobic fitness. Results indicate that increased physical activity in school might improve children's executive function, even without improvement in aerobic fitness, but a longer intervention period may be required to find significant effects.
Muscle stiffness of posterior lower leg in runners with a history of medial tibial stress syndrome
Authors: Saeki J. , Nakamura M. , Nakao S. , Fujita K. , Yanase K. , Ichihashi N. 
Published: February 2017

Previous history of medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a risk factor for MTSS relapse, which suggests that there might be some physical factors that are related to MTSS development in runners with a history of MTSS. The relationship between MTSS and muscle stiffness can be assessed in a cross‐sectional study that measures muscle stiffness in subjects with a history of MTSS, who do not have pain at the time of measurement, and in those without a history of MTSS. The purpose of this study was to compare the shear elastic modulus, which is an index of muscle stiffness, of all posterior lower leg muscles of subjects with a history of MTSS and those with no history and investigate which muscles could be related to MTSS. Twenty‐four male collegiate runners (age, 20.0±1.7 years; height, 172.7±4.8 cm; weight, 57.3±3.7 kg) participated in this study; 14 had a history of MTSS, and 10 did not. The shear elastic moduli of the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, soleus, peroneus longus, peroneus brevis, flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and tibialis posterior were measured using shear wave elastography. The shear elastic moduli of the flexor digitorum longus and tibialis posterior were significantly higher in subjects with a history of MTSS than in those with no history. However, there was no significant difference in the shear elastic moduli of other muscles. The results of this study suggest that flexor digitorum longus and tibialis posterior stiffness could be related to MTSS.
sgs1: a neomorphic nac52 allele impairing post‐transcriptional gene silencing through SGS3 downregulation
Authors: Butel Nicolas , Le Masson Ivan , Bouteiller Nathalie , Vaucheret Hervé , Elmayan Taline 
Published: February 2017

SummaryPost‐transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) is a defense mechanism that targets invading nucleic acids from endogenous (transposons) or exogenous (pathogens, transgenes) sources. Genetic screens based on the reactivation of silenced transgenes have long been used to identify cellular components and regulators of PTGS. Here we show that the first isolated PTGS‐deficient mutant, sgs1, is impaired in the transcription factor NAC52. This mutant exhibits striking similarities to a mutant impaired in the H3K4me3 demethylase JMJ14 isolated from the same genetic screen. These similarities include increased transgene promoter DNA methylation, reduced H3K4me3 and H3K36me3 levels, reduced PolII occupancy and reduced transgene mRNA accumulation. It is likely that increased DNA methylation is the cause of reduced transcription because the effect of jmj14 and sgs1 on transgene transcription is suppressed by drm2, a mutation that compromises de novo DNA methylation, suggesting that the JMJ14‐NAC52 module promotes transgene transcription by preventing DNA methylation. Remarkably, sgs1 has a stronger effect than jmj14 and nac52 null alleles on PTGS systems requiring siRNA amplification, and this is due to reduced SGS3 mRNA levels in sgs1. Given that the sgs1 mutation changes a conserved amino acid of the NAC proteins involved in homodimerization, we propose that sgs1 corresponds to a neomorphic nac52 allele encoding a mutant protein that lacks wild‐type NAC52 activity but promotes SGS3 downregulation. Together, these results indicate that impairment of PTGS in sgs1 is due to its dual effect on transgene transcription and SGS3 transcription, thus compromising siRNA amplification.
Septic transfusion case caused by a platelet pool with visible clotting due to contamination with Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Loza‐Correa Maria , Kou Yuntong , Taha Mariam , Kalab Miloslav , Ronholm Jennifer , Schlievert Patrick M. , Cahill Michael P. , Skeate Robert , Cserti‐Gazdewich Christine , Ramirez‐Arcos Sandra 
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUNDContamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) with Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most significant ongoing transfusion safety risks in developed countries.CASE REPORTThis report describes a transfusion reaction in an elderly patient diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, transfused with a 4‐day‐old buffy coat PC through a central venous catheter. The transfusion was interrupted when a large fibrous clot in the PC obstructed infusion pump flow. Shortly afterward, a red blood cell (RBC) unit transfusion started. After septic symptoms were developed, the RBC transfusion was also interrupted. While the RBC unit tested negative for bacterial contamination, the PC and the patient samples were found to be contaminated with a S. aureus strain that exhibited the same phenotypic and genome sequencing profiles. The isolated S. aureus forms biofilms and produces the superantigen enterotoxin‐like U, which was detected in a sample of the transfused PCs. The patient received posttransfusion antibiotic treatment and had her original central line removed and replaced.DISCUSSIONAs the implicated PC had been tested for bacterial contamination during routine screening yielding negative results, this is a false‐negative transfusion sepsis case. Using a point‐of‐care test could have prevented the transfusion reaction. This report highlights the increasing incidence of S. aureus as a major PC contaminant with grave clinical implications. Importantly, S. aureus is able to interact with platelet components resulting in visible changes in PCs.CONCLUSIONVisual inspection of blood components before transfusion is an essential safety practice to interdict the transfusion of bacterially contaminated units.
Fertiliser subsidy and agricultural productivity in Senegal
Authors: Seck Abdoulaye 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper tackles one of the most complex and multifaceted agricultural policy decisions faced by African governments; that is, whether it makes sense to subsidise fertilisers. It combines a data envelopment analysis to compute efficiency scores and regression analyses that deal with self‐selectivity and endogeneity issues to examine the productive efficiency of farmers who benefited from the subsidy programme in the very atypical irrigated system of the Senegal River Valley. The results based on farm‐level data indicate that the subsidy programme seems to be working, as it appears to be associated with increased efficiency; hence, providing empirical support to the political will to revamp subsidy programmes. The results also suggest various ways to improve the effectiveness of the subsidy programme in conjunction with additional policy options to further unlock the agricultural potentials of the region.
Oxidative stress and immunosenescence in spleen of obese mice can be reversed by 2‐hydroxyoleic acid
Authors: Gheorghe Alina , Pérez de Heredia Fátima , Hunsche Caroline , Redondo Noemí , Díaz Ligia Esperanza , Hernández Oskarina , Marcos Ascensión , De la Fuente Mónica 
Published: February 2017

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Evidence is growing for the link between obesity, immune dysfunction and oxidative stress, but it is still not known how the properties and functions of the spleen and splenic leucocytes are affected.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Obesity led to premature immunosenescence, manifested as oxidative stress and changes in leucocyte functions in mouse spleen. The oleic acid derivative 2‐hydroxyoleate and, to a lesser extent, a combination of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids could reverse most of the observed alterations, suggesting a potential therapeutic tool for obesity‐related immune dysfunction and redox imbalance.

We aimed to investigate the effects of obesity on oxidative stress and leucocyte function in the mouse spleen and to assess whether supplementation with 2‐hydroxyoleic acid (2‐OHOA) or n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could reverse those effects. Female ICR/CD1 mice (8 weeks old, n = 24) received an obesogenic diet (22% fat for 4 weeks and 60% fat for 14 weeks). After 6 weeks, mice were divided into the following three groups (n = 8 per group): no supplementation; 2‐OHOA supplementation (1500 mg kg−1 of diet); and n‐3 PUFA supplementation (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, 1500 + 1500 mg kg−1 of diet). Eight mice were fed the standard diet for the whole duration of the study (control group). At the end of the experiment, the following variables were assessed in spleens: levels of reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), GSH/GSSG, xanthine oxidase activity, lipid peroxidation, lymphocyte chemotaxis, natural killer activity and mitogen (concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide)‐induced lymphocyte proliferation. Obese animals presented higher GSSG levels (P = 0.003), GSSG/GSH ratio (P = 0.013), lipid peroxidation (P = 0.004), xanthine oxidase activity (P = 0.015) and lymphocyte chemotaxis (P < 0.001), and lower natural killer activity (P = 0.003) and proliferation in response to concanavalin A (P < 0.001) than control mice. 2‐Hydroxyoleic acid totally or partly reversed most of the changes (body weight, fat content, GSSG levels, GSH/GSSG, lipid peroxidation, chemotaxis and proliferation, all P < 0.05), whereas n‐3 PUFAs reversed the increase in xanthine oxidase activity (P = 0.032). In conclusion, 2‐OHOA or, to a lesser extent, n‐3 PUFAs could ameliorate the oxidative stress and alteration of leucocyte function in the spleens of obese mice. Our findings support a link between obesity and immunosenescence and suggest a potential therapeutic tool for obesity‐related immune dysfunction.