bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dopamine 02 receptor plays a critical role in cell proliferation and proopiomelanocortin expression in the pituitary
Authors: Yamaguchi Hiroo , Aiba Atsu , Nakamura Kenji , Nakao Kazuki , Sakagami Hiroyuki , Goto Kaoru , Kondo Hisatake , Katsuki Motoya 
Published: August 2014

Background:  It has been suggested that the dopaminergic system is involved in the inhibitory control of secretion of pituitary hormones and in the regulation of motor function in the striatum. To elucidate the specific role of the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) in the pituitary and brain, we generated D2R deficient (D2R mutant) mice using the gene targeting method.Results:  Electrophysiological studies as well as ligand binding assays show no functional D2R in mutant mice. The D2R mutant mice display a hypoactivity and a slow, creeping movement. The expression of enkephalin mRNA in the striatum is increased in the mutant mice, but not that of dynorphin and substance P. D2R mutant mice have significantly darker coat colour than their wild‐type littermates and show an elevation of plasma alpha‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (a‐MSH) levels. We found corresponding hyperplastic changes of intermediate lobe of the pituitary and the increased expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) in the pituitary in D2R mutant mice.Conclusion:  D2R plays a critical role in the inhibitory regulation of endocrine cell proliferition and the transcription of POMC mRNA, and consequently in the regulation of a‐MSH in plasma. D2R might be involved in the regulation of enkephalin expression in the striatum, and hence might affect the movement and the behaviour.
Vida PURA: A Cultural Adaptation of Screening and Brief Intervention to Reduce Unhealthy Drinking Among Latino Day Laborers
Authors: Ornelas India J. , Allen Claire , Vaughan Catalina , Williams Emily C. , Negi Nalini 
Published: August 2014

Background Brief intervention is known to reduce drinking in primary care; however, because health care access is limited for Latino immigrants, traditional brief interventions are unlikely to reach this population. Methods Using Barrera and Castro's framework, our study aims to culturally adapt a screening and brief intervention program to reduce unhealthy alcohol use among Latino day laborers, a particularly vulnerable group of Latino immigrant men. We conducted 18 interviews with Latino day laborers and 13 interviews with mental health and substance use providers that serve Latino immigrant men. Interviews were conducted until saturation of themes was reached. Themes from interviews were used to identify sources of mismatch between traditional screening and brief intervention in our target population. Results Unhealthy alcohol use was common, culturally accepted, and helped relieve immigration-related stressors. Men had limited knowledge about how to change their behavior. Men preferred to receive information from trusted providers in Spanish. Men faced significant barriers to accessing health and social services but were open to receiving brief interventions in community settings. Findings were used to design Vida PURA, a preliminary adaptation design of brief intervention for Latino day laborers. Key adaptations include brief intervention at a day labor worker center provided by promotores trained to incorporate the social and cultural context of drinking for Latino immigrant men. Conclusions Culturally adapted brief intervention may help reduce unhealthy drinking in this underserved population.
Inter-species inference of gene set enrichment in lung epithelial cells from proteomic and large transcriptomic datasets
Authors: Hormoz Sahand , Bhanot Gyan , Biehl Michael , Bilal Erhan , Meyer Pablo , Norel Raquel , Rhrissorrakrai Kahn , Dayarian Adel 
Published: August 2014

Motivation: Translating findings in rodent models to human models has been a cornerstone of modern biology and drug development. However, in many cases, a naive ‘extrapolation’ between the two species has not succeeded. As a result, clinical trials of new drugs sometimes fail even after considerable success in the mouse or rat stage of development. In addition to in vitro studies, inter-species translation requires analytical tools that can predict the enriched gene sets in human cells under various stimuli from corresponding measurements in animals. Such tools can improve our understanding of the underlying biology and optimize the allocation of resources for drug development.
Results: We developed an algorithm to predict differential gene set enrichment as part of the sbv IMPROVER (systems biology verification in Industrial Methodology for Process Verification in Research) Species Translation Challenge, which focused on phosphoproteomic and transcriptomic measurements of normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) primary cells under various stimuli and corresponding measurements in rat (NRBE) primary cells. We find that gene sets exhibit a higher inter-species correlation compared with individual genes, and are potentially more suited for direct prediction. Furthermore, in contrast to a similar cross-species response in protein phosphorylation states 5 and 25 min after exposure to stimuli, gene set enrichment 6 h after exposure is significantly different in NHBE cells compared with NRBE cells. In spite of this difference, we were able to develop a robust algorithm to predict gene set activation in NHBE with high accuracy using simple analytical methods.
Availability and implementation: Implementation of all algorithms is available as source code (in Matlab) at http://bhanot.biomaps.rutgers.edu/wiki/codes_SC3_Predicting_GeneSets.zip, along with the relevant data used in the analysis. Gene sets, gene expression and protein phosphorylation data are available on request.
Contact: hormoz@kitp.ucsb.edu
PHOXTRACK–a tool for interpreting comprehensive datasets of post-translational modifications of proteins
Authors: Weidner Christopher , Fischer Cornelius , Sauer Sascha 
Published: August 2014

Abstract
Summary: We introduce PHOXTRACK (PHOsphosite-X-TRacing Analysis of Causal Kinases), a user-friendly freely available software tool for analyzing large datasets of post-translational modifications of proteins, such as phosphorylation, which are commonly gained by mass spectrometry detection. In contrast to other currently applied data analysis approaches, PHOXTRACK uses full sets of quantitative proteomics data and applies non-parametric statistics to calculate whether defined kinase-specific sets of phosphosite sequences indicate statistically significant concordant differences between various biological conditions. PHOXTRACK is an efficient tool for extracting post-translational information of comprehensive proteomics datasets to decipher key regulatory proteins and to infer biologically relevant molecular pathways.
Availability: PHOXTRACK will be maintained over the next years and is freely available as an online tool for non-commercial use at http://phoxtrack.molgen.mpg.de. Users will also find a tutorial at this Web site and can additionally give feedback at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/phoxtrack-discuss.
Contact: sauer@molgen.mpg.de.
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Case of tick‐associated rash illness caused by Amblyomma testudinarium
Authors: Natsuaki Masaru , Takada Nobuhiro , Kawabata Hiroki , Ando Shuji , Yamanishi Kiyofumi 
Published: August 2014

AbstractWe report a case of tick‐associated rash illness (TARI), a new clinical entity of erythema migrans associated with a tick bite without infection of Lyme borreliosis agent. The patient, a 53‐year‐old man, went hiking in a mountainous area of Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture in October 2012. An erythematous macule with itching and a biting tick was found on his left thigh 2 days later, which gradually expanded. On the first visit to our department at the fifth day after hiking, an erythematous macule of 10 cm was recognized around the bite site. He had no systemic symptoms, and laboratory data were within normal limits. The tick was identified as a nymph of Amblyomma testudinarium. Histopathologically, perivascular infiltrates, mainly consisting of T lymphocytes, were seen in the dermis. The skin rash disappeared within 2 weeks with no treatment. Serum antibody titers against Lyme disease borrelial and rickettsial agents on the first visit and 2 weeks later were negative. These results indicate that the skin lesion of TARI was not associated with borrelial or rickettsial infection but a T‐cell‐mediated allergic reaction to salivary gland substances of the tick.
Axillary giant lipoma: A report of two cases and published work review
Authors: Nakamura Yasuhiro , Teramoto Yukiko , Sato Sayuri , Yamada Katsuhiro , Nakamura Yoshiyuki , Fujisawa Yasuhiro , Fujimoto Manabu , Otsuka Fujio , Yamamoto Akifumi 
Published: August 2014

AbstractLipomas are common, benign, small‐sized, soft‐tissue tumors. However, giant lipomas are uncommon and the tumor size can cause pain and nerve compression syndrome. The axilla is an extremely rare location for development of giant lipomas. We report two cases of axillary giant lipoma. A 47‐year‐old man (case 1) and a 42‐year‐old woman (case 2) presented with a large mass in the axillary region. Case 2 had tenderness in the shoulder and numbness in the upper arm. Magnetic resonance imaging of each tumor showed a homogenous soft‐tissue mass in the axillary region, suggestive of lipoma. In case 2, the tumor extended from the axilla to the supraclavicular region and split and compressed the neurovascular bundle. Each lesion was successfully excised surgically without serious complications and recurrence. In case 2, the tenderness and numbness disappeared. Histologically, each lesion was composed of multilobulated, mature adipose cells, which led to a diagnosis of benign lipoma. Axillary giant lipoma is preferably excised surgically to avoid damage caused by tumor compression to the major vessels or nerves, to offer better local control and to establish a correct final diagnosis.
A chalcone with potent inhibiting activity against biofilm formation by nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
Authors: Kunthalert Duangkamol , Baothong Sudarat , Khetkam Pichit , Chokchaisiri Suwadee , Suksamrarn Apichart 
Published: August 2014

AbstractNontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), an important human respiratory pathogen, frequently causes biofilm infections. Currently, resistance of bacteria within the biofilm to conventional antimicrobials poses a major obstacle to effective medical treatment on a global scale. Novel agents that are effective against NTHi biofilm are therefore urgently required. In this study, a series of natural and synthetic chalcones with various chemical substituents were evaluated in vitro for their antibiofilm activities against strong biofilm‐forming strains of NTHi. Of the test chalcones, 3‐hydroxychalcone (chalcone 8) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity, its mean minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC50) being 16 μg/mL (71.35 μM), or approximately sixfold more active than the reference drug, azithromycin (MBIC50 419.68 μM). The inhibitory activity of chalcone 8, which is a chemically modified chalcone, appeared to be superior to those of the natural chalcones tested. Significantly, chalcone 8 inhibited biofilm formation by all studied NTHi strains, indicating that the antibiofilm activities of this compound occur across multiple strong‐biofilm forming NTHi isolates of different clinical origins. According to antimicrobial and growth curve assays, chalcone 8 at concentrations that decreased biofilm formation did not affect growth of NTHi, suggesting the biofilm inhibitory effect of chalcone 8 is non‐antimicrobial. In terms of structure–activity relationship, the possible substituent on the chalcone backbone required for antibiofilm activity is discussed. These findings indicate that 3‐hydroxychalcone (chalcone 8) has powerful antibiofilm activity and suggest the potential application of chalcone 8 as a new therapeutic agent for control of NTHi biofilm‐associated infections.
Immunological basis of anti‐Candida vaccines focused on synthetically prepared cell wall mannan‐derived manno‐oligomers
Authors: Paulovičová Lucia , Paulovičová Ema , Bystrický Slavomír 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe increasing incidence of diseases caused by Candida species and complications in individuals with impaired immunity require new strategies for candidiasis treatment and prevention. The available therapies are often of limited effectiveness in immunocompromised patients, resulting in treatment failures, chronic infections and high mortality rates. Research directed at identifying the composition of an effective vaccine is required. Mannan forms the outermost layer of the Candida cell wall and has an essential role in modulation of anti‐Candida host immune responses. Therefore, Candida cell wall mannan and synthetically prepared manno‐oligomer‐based glycoconjugates are the foci of attention in vaccine candidate development. Almost all of the existing human vaccines mediate protection through neutralizing antibodies. Th1‐based and/or Th17‐based cellular immune responses, rather than antibody‐mediated immunity, mediate protection against candidiasis. Findings of published studies indicate that analysis of cellular immune responses as well as antibody responses is necessary when assessing the immunomodulatory properties of manno‐oligomer‐based glycoconjugates that are potential anti‐Candida vaccine candidates.
The consistency of experts' evaluation of obstetric claims for compensation
Authors: Andreasen S , Backe B , Lydersen S , Øvrebø K , Øian P 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the consistency of experts' evaluation of different types of obstetric claims for compensation.DesignInter‐rater reliability study of obstetric claims for compensation.SettingMedical experts' evaluation in The Norwegian System of Compensation to Patients, a no‐blame system.SampleThe 15 most frequently used medical experts were asked to evaluate 12 obstetric claims applied for compensation.MethodsInter‐rater agreement was assessed by absolute agreement, Fleiss' kappa statistic and Gwet's AC1.Main outcome measuresConsistency in the evaluation of negligence (carelessness without intention to harm) and causality (relation between care and injury) between negligence and patient injury.ResultsThe experts demonstrated moderate consistency in their evaluation of negligence (Fleiss' kappa = 0.53/AC1 = 0.54) and causality (Fleiss' kappa = 0.41/AC1 = 0.54). There was a higher level of agreement in clinical scenarios with well‐documented diagnostic criteria and guidelines, including shoulder dystocia and asphyxia with low Apgar score and metabolic acidosis.ConclusionWe found a moderate level of agreement in experts' evaluation of negligence and causality between the injury and provided health care, the two most important questions to be answered in obstetric claims for compensation.
Hedgehog signaling pathway regulated the target genes for adipogenesis in silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Liang Shuang , Chen Rui‐Ting , Zhang Deng‐Pan , Xin Hu‐Hu , Lu Yan , Wang Mei‐Xian , Miao Yun‐Gen 
Published: August 2014

AbstractHedgehog (Hh) signals regulate invertebrate and vertebrate development, yet the role of the pathway in adipose development remains poorly understood. In this report, we found that Hh pathway components are expressed in the fat body of silkworm larvae. Functional analysis of these components in a BmN cell line model revealed that activation of the Hh gene stimulated transcription of Hh pathway components, but inhibited the expression of the adipose marker gene AP2. Conversely, specific RNA interference‐mediated knockdown of Hh resulted in increased AP2 expression. This further showed the regulation of Hh signal on the adipose marker gene. In silkworm larval models, enhanced adipocyte differentiation and an increase in adipocyte cell size were observed in silkworms that had been treated with a specific Hh signaling pathway antagonist, cyclopamine. The fat‐body‐specific Hh blockade tests were consistent with Hh signaling inhibiting silkworm adipogenesis. Our results indicate that the role of Hh signaling in inhibiting fat formation is conserved in vertebrates and invertebrates.
A missense mutation in melanocortin 1 receptor is associated with the red coat colour in donkeys
Authors: Abitbol M. , Legrand R. , Tiret L. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThe seven donkey breeds recognised by the French studbook are characterised by few coat colours: black, bay and grey. Normand bay donkeys seldom give birth to red foals, a colour more commonly seen and recognised in American miniature donkeys. Red resembles the equine chestnut colour, previously attributed to a mutation in the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R). We used a panel of 124 donkeys to identify a recessive missense c.629T>C variant in MC1R that showed a perfect association with the red coat colour. This variant leads to a methionine to threonine substitution at position 210 in the protein. We showed that methionine 210 is highly conserved among vertebrate melanocortin receptors. Previous in silico and in vitro analyses predicted this residue to lie within a functional site. Our in vivo results emphasised the pivotal role played by this residue, the alteration of which yielded a phenotype fully compatible with a loss of function of MC1R. We thus propose to name the c.629T>C allele in donkeys the e allele, which further enlarges the panel of recessive MC1R loss‐of‐function alleles described in animals and humans.
Does Fear Spill Over?
Authors: Chen Cathy Yi‐Hsuan 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis paper develops a new methodology for analyzing fear spillovers between four implied volatility indices (MVXinCanada,VXJinJapan,VDAXinGermany andVIXin theUnitedStates) using a copula‐based bivariateMarkov‐switching model. We consider a parameterization of theMarkov‐switching model that allows for four possible states (consisting of combinations of either low or high expected volatilities). This model also combines selected copulas to describe the dependence pattern between different markets. The results show that dependencies, contagions and causalities between the four implied volatility index levels are strongly supported by the data in all copulas. From the dynamic and asymmetric analysis, the results indicate that the linkages between implied volatility indices are more pronounced when the indices rise.
Regulation of Na+ excretion and arterial blood pressure by purinergic signalling intrinsic to the distal nephron: consequences and mechanisms
Authors: Mironova E. , Boiko N. , Bugaj V. , Kucher V. , Stockand J. D. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractDiscretionary control of Na+ excretion is a key component of the regulation of arterial blood pressure in mammals. Sodium excretion is fine‐tuned in the aldosterone‐sensitive distal nephron by the activity of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC). Here, ENaC functions as a final effector of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) during negative feedback control of blood pressure. Mutations affecting ENaC activity and abnormal regulation of this channel affect blood pressure through pathological changes to Na+ excretion. Recent evidence demonstrates that powerful signalling pathways function in parallel with the RAAS to modulate ENaC activity and blood pressure. An inclusive paradigm is emerging with respect to regulation of blood pressure where ENaC serves as a critical point of convergence for several important signalling systems that affect renal Na+ excretion. A robust inhibitory purinergic signalling system intrinsic to the distal nephron dynamically regulates ENaC through paracrine ATP signalling via the metabotropic P2Y2 purinergic receptor to properly match urinary Na+ excretion to dietary Na+ intake. This enables blood pressure to be maintained within a normal range despite broad changes in dietary Na+ consumption. Loss of purinergic inhibition of ENaC increases blood pressure by causing inappropriate Na+ excretion. In contrast, stimulation of the P2Y2 receptor promotes natriuresis and a decrease in blood pressure. Such observations identify purinergic signalling in the distal nephron as possibly causative, when dysfunctional, for certain forms of elevated blood pressure, and as a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of elevated blood pressure particularly that associated with salt sensitivity.
Multicentre, randomised clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of alfaxalone administered to bitches for induction of anaesthesia prior to caesarean section
Authors: Metcalfe S , Hulands‐Nave A , Bell M , Kidd C , Pasloske K , O'Hagan B , Perkins N , Whittem T 
Published: August 2014

ObjectiveTo determine the clinical safety and efficacy of alfaxalone in bitches undergoing caesarean section (CS) and their puppies when it is administered for induction of anaesthesia followed by maintenance with isoflurane and oxygen and in conjunction with perioperative pharmaceuticals.DesignA multicentre, randomised, positive‐controlled clinical study.MethodsA total of 74 bitches were enrolled in the study with 48/74 (65%) and 26/74 (35%) receiving alfaxalone and propofol, respectively, for induction of anaesthesia. Bitches were examined prior to induction and monitored during induction, surgery and recovery. Assessments were made for quality of induction, maintenance and recovery from anaesthesia. Assessments were made on pup viability for suction, dorsal flexion, withdrawal and anogenital reflexes.ResultsOf the 48 bitches receiving alfaxalone, 47 (98%) and 39 (81%) scored a top score of excellent for induction and anaesthesia effectiveness, respectively. For the same parameters with propofol in 26 bitches, 23 (88%) and 17 (65%) scored excellent. Average scores for recovery were not different between the two treatment groups with alfaxalone 46/48 (96%) and 25/26 (96%) of propofol induced bitches scoring a good or excellent rating. Bitches tolerated a number of concurrent medications throughout the peri‐operative period. No bitch fatalities were observed in this study. There were no statistically significant differences between treatment groups for the puppy variables. Live puppies born byCSto bitches having been administered alfaxalone or propofol had similar survival rates 24 h after birth (i.e. 205/213 (96%) and 124/131 (95%), respectively).ConclusionThis study confirms the safety and efficacy of alfaxalone for the purpose of anaesthetic induction forCSin the bitch. In addition, alfaxalone had a negligible effect on the neonate with >95% of puppies alive 24 h after the bitch had recovered from anaesthesia with alfaxalone induction.
Clinical review of two fatal equine cases of infection with the insectivorous bat strain ofAustralian bat lyssavirus
Authors: Annand EJ , Reid PA 
Published: August 2014

Case seriesThe first two confirmed cases ofAustralian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) infection in horses are presented. Both cases occurred in the same week inMay 2013 in paddock mates in south‐eastQueensland.Australia has been one of only a few countries considered free from rabies‐like viruses in domestic animal species.ABLVinfection had previously only been confirmed in bats and humans. All three confirmed human cases were fatal, the latest inFebruary 2013. An additional human case of possible abortive infection in 1996 has also been reported. Both equine cases reported here resulted in euthanasia. The risks of infection across other mammalian species are still to be determined.ConclusionsThese two equine cases highlight thatABLVshould be considered as a differential diagnosis in animals with similar clinical presentations inAustralia. There is a need for greater awareness regarding the zoonotic risk, use of personal protective equipment, pre‐ and post‐exposure prophylactic measures and laboratory diagnostic options. The authors recommendABLVtesting for allAustralian cases of progressive equine neurological disease.