bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retracted: Mouse ES cells have a potential to differentiate into odontoblast‐like cells using hanging drop method
Authors: Kawai R , Ozeki N , Yamaguchi H , Tanaka T , Nakata K , Mogi M , Nakamura H 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesWe examined whether mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate into odontoblast‐like cells without epithelial–mesenchymal interaction.Materials and methodsCells were cultured by the ‘hanging drop’ method using a collagen type‐I scaffold (CS) combined with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐4 (CS/BMP‐4). Expression of odontoblast‐related mRNA and protein, and cell proliferation were performed by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR), immunofluorescence staining and WST‐1 assay, respectively.ResultsCells potently expressed odontoblast‐related cell marker mRNAs following induction of odontoblastic differentiation. Dentin sialophosphoprotein, a marker of mature odontoblasts, was strongly expressed in differentiated ES cells. The cells also acquired an odontoblast‐like functional phenotype, as evidenced by the appearance of alkaline phosphatase activity and calcification. The cell‐surface expression of α2, α6, αV and αVβ3 integrin proteins was rapidly upregulated in differentiated cells. Finally, anti‐α2 integrin antibody suppressed the expression of odontoblastic markers in cells grown using this culture system, suggesting that α2 integrin expression in ES cells triggers their differentiation into odontoblast‐like cells.ConclusionsMouse ES cells cultured by the ‘hanging drop’ method are able to differentiate into cells with odontoblast‐specific physiological functions and cell‐surface integrin protein expression.
Expression of oral cytokines in HIV‐infected subjects with long‐term use of antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Nittayananta W , Amornthatree K , Kemapunmanus M , Talungchit S , Sriplung H 
Published: May 2013

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to determine (i) the expression of oral pro‐inflammatory cytokines in HIV‐infected subjects compared with non‐HIV individuals, (ii) the cytokine expression in the subjects with antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared with those without ART, and (iii) factors associated with the expression of the cytokines.Materials and methodsOral examination was performed and saliva samples were collected and analyzed for the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines using ELISA. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between HIV/ART status and the cytokine expression.ResultsOne hundred and fifty‐seven HIV‐infected subjects with and without ART, and 50 non‐HIV individuals were enrolled. TNF‐α and IL‐6 in saliva were significantly decreased, while IL‐8 was significantly increased in HIV infection (P < 0.05). Changes in the expression of IL‐8 were also observed between HIV‐infected subjects who were and were not on ART (P < 0.05). Duration of HIV infection and smoking was significantly associated with the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in saliva (P < 0.05).ConclusionOral innate immunity is affected by HIV infection and use of ART. IL‐8 may be the useful biomarker to identify subjects at risk of infection and malignant transformation due to HIV infection and long‐term use of ART.
Anti tumor Necrosis Factor ‐ Alpha Adalimumab for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS‐I): A Case Series
Authors: Eisenberg Elon , Sandler Ifat , Treister Roi , Suzan Erica , Haddad May 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackground and aimsEvidence suggests tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) mediates, at least in part, symptoms and signs in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Here, we present a case series of patients with CRPS type 1, in whom the response to the anti‐TNF‐α adalimumab was assessed.MethodsTen patients with CRPS type 1 were recruited. Assessments were performed before treatment, at 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months following 3 biweekly subcutaneous injections (40 mg/0.8 mL) adalimumab (Humira®) and included the followings: Pain intensity using a 0–10 cm visual analog scale; the Short Form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire; the Beck Depression Inventory; the SF‐36 questionnaire and mechanical and thermal thresholds (Von frey hair and Thermal Sensory Analyzer, respectively). In addition to the description of individual patient responses, both intention to treat (ITT) and per‐protocol (PP) analyses were performed for the entire group.ResultsThree subgroups of patients were identified (3 patients in each): “nonresponders”, “partial responders”, and “robust responders” in whom improvement in almost all parameters was noted. Both the ITT and PP analyses demonstrated only a trend toward improvement in mechanical pain thresholds following treatment (ITT χ² = 13.83, P = 0.008; PP χ² = 10.29, P = 0.036).ConclusionThese results suggest adalimumab, and possibly other anti‐TNF‐α, can be potentially useful in some (although not in all) patients with CRPS type 1. These preliminary results along with the growing body of evidence which points to the involvement of TNF‐α in the pathogenesis of CRPS justify further studies in this area.
Natural variation in Early flowering1 contributes to early flowering in japonica rice under long days
Authors: KWON CHOON‐TAK , YOO SOO‐CHEUL , KOO BON‐HYUK , CHO SUNG‐HWAN , PARK JOON‐WOO , ZHANG ZHANYING , LI JINJIE , LI ZICHAO , PAEK NAM‐CHON 
Published: May 2013

AbstractNatural variation in heading‐date genes enables rice, a short‐day (SD) plant, to flower early under long‐day (LD) conditions at high latitudes. Through analysis of heading‐date quantitative trait loci (QTL) with F7 recombinant inbred lines from the cross of early heading ‘H143’ and late heading ‘Milyang23 (M23)’, we found a minor‐effect Early Heading3 (EH3) QTL in the Hd16 region on chromosome 3. We found that Early flowering1 (EL1), encoding casein kinase I (CKI), is likely to be responsible for the EH3/Hd16 QTL, because a missense mutation occurred in the highly conserved serine/threonine kinase domain of EL1 in H143. A different missense mutation was found in the EL1 kinase domain in Koshihikari. In vitro kinase assays revealed that EL1/CKI in H143 and Koshihikari are non‐functional. In F7:9 heterogeneous inbred family‐near isogenic lines (HNILs), HNIL(H143) flowered 13 days earlier than HNIL(M23) in LD, but not in SD, in which EL1 mainly acts as a LD‐dependent flowering repressor, down‐regulating Ehd1 expression. In the world rice collection, two types of non‐functional EL1 variants were found in japonica rice generally cultivated at high latitudes. These results indicate that natural variation in EL1 contributes to early heading for rice adaptation to LD in temperate and cooler regions.
Fluence Measurements Employing Iodide/Iodate Chemical Actinometry as Applied to Upper‐Room Germicidal Radiation
Authors: Rahn Ronald O. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractTo measure the fluence distribution in the upper room of a facility equipped with germicidalUVlamps a method has been developed utilizing iodide/iodate chemical actinometry together with spherical (1 cm) quartz irradiation chambers. The use of spherical vessels allows radiation from essentially all directions to be measured. Such a measurement allows an estimate of the radiation flux at a given point in space, i.e. the fluence rate. When a battery of spheres located at various points in a room are simultaneously irradiated, a measure of the fluence distribution can be obtained. The use of the iodide/iodate chemical actinometer is uniquely qualified to measure germicidalUVradiation. The purpose of this report is to provide details on how this system can be used to measure fluence rates. In particular, it describes how a hand‐held colorimeter can be used to measure the absorbance changes in irradiated spheres.
Three school‐age cases of xeroderma pigmentosum variant type
Authors: Ono Ryusuke , Masaki Taro , Takeuchi Seiji , Shimizu Ayako , Tanioka Miki , Kambe Naotomo , Matsue Hiroyuki , Kamide Ryoichi , Nishigori Chikako 
Published: May 2013

SummaryBackgroundXeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a photosensitive genodermatosis with increased susceptibility to skin cancers. Patients are typically diagnosed with XP when they consult a dermatologist for skin cancers.Case/MethodsThe genetic analysis and 2–8 years of follow‐up for three school‐age patients with XP‐V is described. The patients were referred to us because of increased pigmented freckles; they had not experienced abnormal sunburn or developed skin cancer at their first visit. All patients harbored a genetic mutation in the POLH gene. XPV9KO was diagnosed at age 13 with a homozygous del1661A that creates a stop codon in the non‐catalytic domain of POLH. The patient practiced sun protection, effectively preventing the development of skin cancer by age 21. XPV19KO was diagnosed at age 11 with a compound heterozygous mutation of G490T and C1066T, causing POLH truncation in the catalytic domain. This patient developed basal cell carcinoma at ages 12 and 13. XPV18KO was referred to us at age 11 and diagnosed with compound heterozygous variants of c.1246_1311del66 (exon 9 skipping), a novel mutation, and c.661_764 del104 (exon 6 skipping).ConclusionFreckle‐like pigmentation on sun‐exposed skin is sometimes the only sign of XP‐V, and early diagnosis is extremely important for children.
Management of Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears with the Graftjacket Allograft as an Interpositional Graft
Authors: Modi Amit , Singh Harvinder Pal , Pandey Radhakant , Armstrong Alison 
Published: May 2013

Background The management of irreparable rotator cuff tears in younger patients remains challenging. The results achieved using arthroscopic debridement, tendon allograft and muscle transfers have been unpredictable. Methods We report a prospective study of 61 patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears who were treated with open cuff reconstruction using the GraftJacket (i.e. acellular human dermal matrix) (Wright Medical Technology, Inc., Arlington, TN, USA) to bridge the defect. The average age at the time of surgery was 62.6 years (range 47 years to 72 years). All patients were evaluated using the Oxford Shoulder Score pre- and postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 3.6 years (range 1 year to 6 years). Results There was a significant improvement in the Oxford Shoulder Score from 26.4 to 44.6 ( p < 0.01) after surgery, with a similar improvement in pain score from 7 pre-operatively to less than 1 at follow-up. Significant improvements were also seen in the strength and range of movement. This improvement in function was seen even if pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed > 50% fatty changes. Postoperative MRI scans showed the graft to be in continuity with the tendon. Conclusions The results obtained in the present study suggest that the GraftJacket allograft regenerative tissue matrix provides a very good option for bridging irreparable rotator cuff tears in the short to medium term.
Variations in the architecture of hydraulic‐jump bar complexes on non‐eroding beds
Authors: Macdonald Robert G. , Alexander Jan , Bacon John C. , Cooker Mark J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractSediment accumulation downstream of hydraulic jumps can occur in many settings but the architectures of such deposits are poorly documented. Here, three flume runs were used to examine the influence of sediment grain size and transport rate on the characteristics of hydraulic‐jump unit bars. In one of these runs six hydraulic‐jump unit bars formed a hydraulic‐jump bar complex. In another, the same sediment was supplied more quickly and only two unit bars formed. In the third run with the same sediment supply rate, but different grain size, only one large unit bar formed. All unit bars developed in a similar way but their size and internal architecture differed; they all resulted from a reduction in sediment transport capacity at the transition from supercritical flow to subcritical flow in the hydraulic jump. After initial onset of sedimentation and unit bar formation, generation of subsequent unit bars may be: (i) related to small changes in sediment flux; and (ii) independent of changes in the hydraulic jump. Continued sedimentation caused changes from oscillating to weak hydraulic jumps and hydraulic‐jump unit bars formed in both circumstances. The flow of water and suspended sediment becomes shallower over the lee of the bar complex. This leads to flow acceleration and a return to supercritical flow conditions. In turn, a chain of such features can form and generate a chute and pool bed morphology. There is an inherent upper size limit to a hydraulic‐jump bar complex due to the changing flow conditions over the growing deposit as the water above it becomes shallower. There is also an amplitude minimum for the development of foresets and subsequent unit bar growth. Hydraulic‐jump unit bars have architectures that should be recognizable in the rock record and because their size is constrained by the flow conditions, their identification should be useful for interpreting palaeoenvironment.
Current Status and Future Perspectives of Dendritic Cell–Based Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: H. Yi D. , Appel S. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractDendritic cells (DCs) are considered to be the most potent antigen‐presenting cells. Ever since the development of protocols for the in vitro generation of DCs, their application in immunotherapy against various malignancies has been explored. Even though the approach of using tumour antigen–presenting DCs in therapeutic vaccination strategies has been shown to work effectively in mice and look promising in in vitro studies, the actual clinical benefit for patients with cancer has been marginal. There clearly is still room for improvement. In this review, we will summarize recent clinical trials and findings and try to shed some light on the current status and the future of DC‐based cancer immunotherapy.
Enhancement of Intestinal Immune Function in Mice by β‐D‐Glucan from Aureobasidium Pullulans ADK‐34
Authors: Tanioka A. , Tanabe K. , Hosono A. , Kawakami H. , Kaminogawa S. , Tsubaki K. , Hachimura S. 
Published: May 2013

Abstractβ‐Glucans, glucose polymers that are the main constituents of the outer cell walls of micro‐organisms such as fungi and yeast, are known to play an immunostimulatory role. We prepared β‐glucan (β‐(1‐3),(1‐6)‐D‐glucan) from an edible cultured fungus through fermentation techniques using a strain of Aureobasidium pullulans ADK‐34. The purity of this β‐glucan preparation (AP‐FBG) was demonstrated to be high through various instrumental analyses. We then examined the effects of AP‐FBG on intestinal immune systems. We prepared Peyer's patch (PP) cells and measured interleukin (IL)‐5, IL‐6, and IgA production in culture media with AP‐FBG. We found that both cytokines and IgA increased; furthermore, IL‐6 secreted by PP dendritic cells (PPDCs) cultured in the presence of AP‐FBG significantly increased. We tested IgA production after oral administration of AP‐FBG for 2 weeks and found that AP‐FBG tended to promote the production of IgA in the small intestine. Interestingly, we observed a significant increase in IgA production in the small intestines of mice treated with cyclophosphamide (CY; an immunosuppressant) after oral administration of AP‐FBG diet compared with CY‐treated and control diet mice. Production of IL‐6 and IgA by PP cells and IL‐6 production by PPDCs in AP‐FBG‐fed and CY‐treated mice also increased. These results demonstrate that AP‐FBG has the ability to activate PPDC and induce IL‐6 production and IgA secretion in PP cells. These abilities were more clearly expressed when AP‐FBG was orally administered in a CY‐induced immunosuppressed condition. Therefore, AP‐FBG may be a useful ingredient for preparing functional foods with immunomodulatory activities.
Altered mRNA and protein expression of filaggrin in the skin of a canine animal model for atopic dermatitis
Authors: Santoro Domenico , Marsella Rosanna , Ahrens Kim , Graves Thomas K. , Bunick David 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundFilaggrin is a structural protein that has attracted increasing interest over the past decade for its role in the pathogenesis of human atopic dermatitis (AD). Null mutations in its sequence are considered risk factors in the development of AD.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo investigate canine filaggrin mRNA and protein expression in the skin of atopic beagles with experimentally induced AD compared with breed‐matched healthy control dogs.MethodsAll dogs were environmentally challenged for 3 days consecutively with allergens to which the atopic dogs had been sensitized. Skin biopsy specimens were taken from six healthy and seven atopic beagles before and after allergen challenge. Canine filaggrin mRNA was measured using quantitative real‐time PCR. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to localize the filaggrin protein in canine skin. Analysis of variance with Tukey's multiple comparison test (over‐time effect) and unpaired Student's t‐test (treatment effect) were used. Values of P ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.ResultsAnalysis of variance showed a significantly higher expression of filaggrin mRNA in atopic dogs compared with healthy control dogs (P = 0.004 on day 3 and P = 0.01 on day 10) and a decreased mRNA expression on day 3 in healthy control dogs (effect of time, P = 0.006). On blinded evaluation, filaggrin immunofluorescence was distributed homogeneously in the stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum in healthy dogs. Atopic dogs showed a patchy immunofluorescence pattern, which was exacerbated after environmental challenge.Conclusions and clinical importanceAltered epidermal filaggrin mRNA expression and protein distribution was detected in this experimental model.
Crystal Structures of Bifunctional Penicillin-Binding Protein 4 from Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Jeong Jae-Hee , Kim Yi-Seul , Rojviriya Catleya , Ha Sung-Chul , Kang Beom Sik , Kim Yeon-Gil 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), which catalyze the biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan chain of the bacterial cell wall, are the major molecular target of bacterial antibiotics. Here, we present the crystal structures of the bifunctional peptidoglycan glycosyltransferase (GT)/transpeptidase (TP) PBP4 from
Listeria monocytogenes
in the apo-form and covalently linked to two β-lactam antibiotics, ampicillin and carbenicillin. The orientation of the TP domain with respect to the GT domain is distinct from that observed in the previously reported structures of bifunctional PBPs, suggesting interdomain flexibility. In this structure, the active site of the GT domain is occluded by the close apposition of the linker domain, which supports the hypothesis that interdomain flexibility is related to the regulation of GT activity. The acylated structures reveal the mode of action of β-lactam antibiotics toward the class A PBP4 from the human pathogen
L. monocytogenes
. Ampicillin and carbenicillin can access the active site and be acylated without requiring a structural rearrangement. In addition, the active site of the TP domain in the apo-form is occupied by the tartrate molecule via extensive hydrogen bond interactions with the catalytically important residues; thus, derivatives of the tartrate molecule may be useful in the search for new antibiotics to inhibit PBPs.
In Vitro
Efficacies of Clinically Available Drugs against Growth and Viability of an Acanthamoeba castellanii Keratitis Isolate Belonging to the T4 Genotype
Authors: Baig Abdul Mannan , Iqbal Junaid , Khan Naveed Ahmed 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

The effects of clinically available drugs targeting muscarinic cholinergic, adrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic receptors; intracellular calcium levels and/or the function of calcium-dependent biochemical pathways; ion channels; and cellular pumps were tested against a keratitis isolate of
Acanthamoeba castellanii
belonging to the T4 genotype.
In vitro
growth inhibition (amoebistatic) assays were performed by incubating
A. castellanii
with various concentrations of drugs in the growth medium for 48 h at 30°C. To determine amoebicidal effects, amoebae were incubated with drugs in phosphate-buffered saline for 24 h, and viability was determined using trypan blue exclusion staining. For controls, amoebae were incubated with the solvent alone. Of the eight drugs tested, amlodipine, prochlorperazine, and loperamide showed potent amoebicidal effects, as no viable trophozoites were observed (>95% kill rate), while amiodarone, procyclidine, digoxin, and apomorphine exhibited up to 50% amoebicidal effects. In contrast, haloperidol did not affect viability, but all the drugs tested inhibited
A. castellanii
growth. Importantly, amlodipine, prochlorperazine, and loperamide showed compelling cysticidal effects. The cysticidal effects were irreversible, as cysts treated with the aforementioned drugs did not reemerge as viable amoebae upon inoculation in the growth medium. Except for apomorphine and haloperidol, all the tested drugs blocked trophozoite differentiation into cysts in encystation assays. Given the limited availability of effective drugs to treat amoebal infections, the clinically available drugs tested in this study represent potential agents for managing keratitis and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis caused by
Acanthamoeba
spp. and possibly against other meningoencephalitis-causing amoebae, such as
Balamuthia mandrillaris
and
Naegleria fowleri
.
Genomewide Screen for Modulators of Evolvability under Toxic Antibiotic Exposure
Authors: Méhi Orsolya , Bogos Balázs , Csörgő Bálint , Pál Csaba 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Antibiotic resistance is generally selected within a window of concentrations high enough to inhibit wild-type growth but low enough for new resistant mutants to emerge. We studied
de novo
evolution of resistance to ciprofloxacin in an
Escherichia coli
knockout library. Five null mutations had little or no effect on intrinsic antibiotic susceptibility but increased the upper antibiotic dosage to which initially sensitive populations could adapt. These mutations affect mismatch repair, translation fidelity, and iron homeostasis.
Congenic Strains for Genetic Analysis of Virulence Traits in Cryptococcus gattii
Authors: Zhu Pinkuan , Zhai Bing , Lin Xiaorong , Idnurm Alexander 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Cryptococcus gattii
is responsible for a large outbreak of potentially fatal disease that started in the late 1990s on Vancouver Island, Canada. How this fungus and the outbreak isolates in particular cause disease in immunocompetent people is unknown, with differing hypotheses. To explore genetic contributions, a pair of congenic
a
and α mating type strains was generated by a series of 11 backcrosses to introgress the
MAT
locus from a nonoutbreak strain into the background of strain R265, isolated from a Vancouver Island patient. The congenic pair was used to investigate three traits: mitochondrial inheritance, the effect of the
MAT
alleles on virulence, and the impact of a predicted virulence factor on pathogenicity. The two congenic strains show the same virulence in different models of cryptococcosis and equivalent levels of competition in coinfection assays. These results rule out a role of the
MAT
locus and mitochondrial genotype as major virulence factors in the outbreak strains. Disruption of Bwc2, a light-dependent transcription factor, resulted in reduced virulence, consistent with a similar function in the related species
Cryptococcus neoformans
. The
C. gattii
congenic strains represent a new resource for exploring the evolution of virulence in the
C. neoformans-C. gattii
clade.