bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatocytes in liver injury: Victim, bystander, or accomplice in progressive fibrosis?
Authors: Tu Thomas , Calabro Sarah R. , Lee Aimei , Maczurek Annette E. , Budzinska Magdalena A. , Warner Fiona J. , McLennan Susan V. , Shackel Nicholas A. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractChronic liver disease causes significant morbidity and mortality through progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The classical theory of fibrogenesis has hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) as the principal and only significant source of abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM). Further, HSCs have the major role in abnormal ECM turnover. It is the death of hepatocytes, as the initial target of injury, that initiates a sequence of events including the recruitment of inflammatory cells and activation of HSCs. Following this initial response, the ongoing insult to hepatocytes is regarded as perpetuating injury, but otherwise, hepatocytes are regarded as “victims” and “bystanders” in progressive fibrosis. Recent developments, however, challenge this view and suggest the concept of the hepatocyte being an active participant in liver injury. It is clear now that hepatocytes undergo phenotypic changes, adapt to injury, and react to the altered microenvironment. In this review, we describe studies showing that hepatocytes contribute to progressive fibrosis by direct manipulation of the surrounding ECM and through signaling to effector cells, particularly HSCs and intrahepatic immune cells. Together, these findings suggest an active “accomplice” role for the hepatocyte in progressive liver fibrosis and highlight novel pathways that could be targeted for development of future anti‐fibrotic therapies.
Public Health Control Measures in Response to Global Pandemics and Drug Resistance
Authors: Price Polly J. 
Published: August 2015

These teaching materials explore the specific powers of governments to implement control measures in response to communicable disease, in two different contexts:The first context concerns global pandemic diseases. Relevant legal authority includes international law, World Health Organization governance and the International Health Regulations, and regulatory authority of nations.The second context is centered on U.S. law and concerns control measures for drug-resistant disease, using tuberculosis as an example. In both contexts, international and domestic, the point is to understand legal authority to address public health emergencies.
Analysis of putative mucosal SHIV susceptibility factors during repeated DMPA treatments in pigtail macaques
Authors: Butler Katherine , Ritter Jana , Ellis Shanon , Henning Tara R. , Montague Jeltley , Zaki Sherif , Garber David , McNicholl Janet M. , Kersh Ellen N. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundDepot‐medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) has been associated in some studies with increased HIV susceptibility in women. We used a pigtail macaque model to document the effects of repeated DMPA treatments and their potential contribution to increased SHIV susceptibility.MethodsNine pigtails were administered 2.5, 1.5, or 0.5 mg/kg DMPA in study weeks one and four. Menstrual cycling, vaginal epithelial thickness, and other SHIV susceptibility factors were monitored for a mean of 24 study weeks.ResultsAll DMPA treatments suppressed menstrual cycling and increased vaginal pH. The vaginal epithelium thinned naturally during baseline menstrual cycles (from mean of 351 to 161 μm in late‐luteal phase). Following DMPA, the non‐nucleated layer was temporarily absent. Two weeks post‐second DMPA injection, mean epithelial thickness was 53, 45, and 167 μm for the descending doses, respectively.ConclusionsAll animals showed temporal vaginal epithelial thinning with loss of the non‐nucleated layer, and vaginal pH changes post‐DMPA injections.
Human sperm liver receptor homolog‐1 (LRH‐1) acts as a downstream target of the estrogen signaling pathway
Authors: Montanaro Daniela , Santoro Marta , Carpino Amalia , Perrotta Ida , De Amicis Francesca , Sirianni Rosa , Rago Vittoria , Gervasi Serena , Aquila Saveria 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn the last decade, the study of human sperm anatomy, at molecular level, has revealed the presence of several nuclear protein receptors. In this work, we examined the expression profile and the ultrastructural localization of liver receptor homolog‐1 (LRH‐1) in human spermatozoa. We evidenced the presence of the receptor by Western blotting and real time‐RT‐PCR. Furthermore, we used immunogold electron microscopy to investigate the sperm anatomical regions containing LRH‐1. The receptor was mainly located in the sperm head, whereas its expression was reduced in the neck and across the tail. Interestingly, we observed the presence of LRH‐1 in different stages of testicular germ cell development by immunohistochemistry. In somatic cells, it has been suggested that the LRH‐1 pathway is tightly linked with estrogen signaling and the important role of estradiol has been widely studied in sperm cells. To assess the significance of LRH‐1 in male gametes and to deepen understanding of the role of estrogens in these cells, we investigated important sperm features such as motility, survival and capacitation. Spermatozoa were treated with 10 nm estradiol and the inhibition of LRH‐1 reversed the estradiol stimulatory action. From our data, we discovered that human spermatozoa can be considered a new site of expression for LRH‐1, evidencing its role in sperm motility, survival and cholesterol efflux. Furthermore, we may presume that in spermatozoa the LRH‐1 effects are closely integrated with the estrogen signaling, supporting LRH‐1 as a downstream effector of the estradiol pathway on some sperm functions.
Biological Control of Stem Canker and Black Scurf on Potato by Date Palm Compost and its Associated Fungi
Authors: El Khaldi Rabeb , Daami‐Remadi Majda , Cherif Mohamed 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe suppressive effects of two different types of date palm composts and some of their indigenous microorganisms were evaluatedin vitroand on potato plants inoculated withRhizoctonia solani. Fungi isolated from composts screened againstR. solaniby dual cultural assays onPDAshowed a significant inhibition of pathogen mycelium growth as compared with untreated control. The type of hyphal interactions betweenR. solaniand each tested antagonist was observed by light microscopy. Microscopic observations carried out at the confrontation zone of both agents showed different mechanisms of actions: mycelia lyses, mycoparasitism and/or formation of mycelia cords via anatomosis between mycelia filaments. Unsterilized and sterilized compost extracts were tested for efficacy againstR. solaniusing agar‐well diffusion method or by pouring the extracts onPDA. Two sterilization methods were used: a filtration through a microfilter of 0.22 microns or autoclaving. Results showed that compost extract lost its activity after heating or filtration, confirming that chemical factors in compost had no direct inhibiting effect on the pathogen. The suppressiveness of composts was mainly due to their biotic component. Series of greenhouse trials showed that black scurf and stem canker incidence and severity were significantly reduced in peat–sand amended with compost compared with the untreated control. However, the potential suppressive effect of cattle manure and date palm compost (CMC) was higher than sheep manure and date palm compost (SMC). On potato seed tubers pre‐inoculated with the selected fungal isolates from compost, there was variability in the reduction of disease severity among treatments. Plant growth was unaffected by the application of fungal antagonists or byCMCamendment; however, an increase in the total yield was observed by theSMCpotting mix compared with untreated control.
A new molecular phylogeny of the Laurencia complex (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae) and a review of key morphological characters result in a new genus, Coronaphycus, and a description of C. novus
Authors: Metti Yola , Millar Alan J. K. , Steinberg Peter 
Published: August 2015

Within the Laurencia complex (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae), six genera have been recognized based on both molecular analyses and morphology: Laurencia, Osmundea, Chondrophycus, Palisada, Yuzurua, and Laurenciella. Recently, new material from Australia has been collected and included in the current molecular phylogeny, resulting in a new clade. This study examined the generic delineations using a combination of morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of chloroplast (rbcL) nucleotide sequence. The molecular phylogeny recovered eight (rather than six) clades; Yuzurua, Laurenciella, Palisada, and Chondrophycus showed as monophyletic clades each with strong support. However, the genera Osmundea and Laurencia were polyphyletic. Consequently, the new genus Coronaphycus is proposed, resulting in the new combination Coronaphycus elatus and a description of the new species C. novus.
Life history, excystment features, and growth characteristics of the Mediterranean harmful dinoflagellate Alexandrium pseudogonyaulax
Authors: Zmerli Triki Habiba , Laabir Mohamed , Kéfi Daly‐Yahia Ons 
Published: August 2015

Studies considering the biology and ecology of the toxic bloom‐forming species, Alexandrium pseudogonyaulax, are rare. Our results highlight five features not described before in A. pseudogonyaulax life cycle: (i) A. pseudogonyaulax gametes showed two modes of conjugation, anisogamy and isogamy, (ii) sexual conjugation occurs either in the dark or in the light phase by engulfment or a fusion process, (iii) the presence of planozygote and newly formed cysts in monoclonal culture suggests homothallism, (iv) newly formed cysts have very dark vesicular content and are mostly unparatabulated when observed under light microscope and (v) natural resting cysts are able to give either a planomeiocyte or two vegetative cells. Cyst viability was enhanced after 5 months of cold storage (4°C), with excystment rate reaching 97% after 3 d of incubation. Excystment rate was highest (43%–79%) in Enriched Natural Sea Water diluted culture medium, whereas few germling cells were able to survive without the culture medium (0%–13%). Salinity‐irradiance experiments revealed that the highest cell concentrations occur at high irradiances for all the tested salinities. Vegetative growth rates generally increased with increasing irradiance, and were less dependent on salinity variations. The relatively low growth rate, low cell densities in the laboratory, and the notable capacity of producing cysts along growth phases of A. pseudogonyaulax could explain the occurrence of high resting cysts densities in the sediment of Bizerte lagoon and the relatively low abundances of vegetative cells in the water column.
Examination of the structures of several glycerolipids from marine macroalgae by NMR and GC‐MS
Authors: Logvinov Stepan , Gerasimenko Natalia , Esipov Andrey , Denisenko Vladimir A. 
Published: August 2015

Several classes of glycerolipids were isolated from the total lipids of the algae Saccharina cichorioides, Eualaria fistulosa, Fucus evanescens, Sargassum pallidum, Silvetia babingtonii (Ochrophyta, Phaeophyceae), Tichocarpus crinitus, and Neorhodomela larix (Rhodophyta, Florideophyceae). The structures of these lipids were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, including 1D (1H and 13C) and 2D (COSY, HSQC and HMBC) experiments. All of the investigated algae included common galactolipids and sulfonoglycolipids as the major glycolipids. Minor glycolipids isolated from S. cichorioides, T. crinitus, and N. laris were identified as lyso‐galactolipids with a polar group consisted of the galactose. Comparison of the 1H NMR data of minor nonpolar lipids isolated from the extracts of the brown algae S. pallidum and F. evanescens with the 1H NMR data of other lipids allowed them to be identified as diacylglycerols. The structures of betaine lipids isolated from brown algae were confirmed by NMR for the first time. The fatty acid compositions of the isolated lipids were determined by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry.
Patterns of Care for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Appalachia, and the Clinical, Sociodemographic, and Service Provider Determinants
Authors: Fleming Steven T. , Mackley Heath B. , Camacho Fabian , Yao Nengliang , Gusani Niraj J. , Seiber Eric E. , Matthews Stephen A. , Yang Tse‐Chuan , Hwang Wenke 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundAppalachia has high colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality, at least in part due to screening disparities. This paper examines patterns and determinants of metastatic colorectal cancer care.MethodsCRC patients diagnosed in 2006‐2008 from 4 cancer registries (Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina) were linked to Medicare claims (2005‐2009.) The final sample after exclusions included 855 stage IV and 590 stages I‐III patients with metachronous or synchronous metastases. We estimate bivariate and multivariate analyses for several surgical and chemotherapeutic strategies of care using clinical, sociodemographic, and contextual determinants.ResultsAmong 1,445 CRC patients, 84% had primary tumor resection and 44% received chemotherapy. Of the chemotherapy patients, 44% received newer systemic agents for at least 75% of the cycles. One year survivors with liver or lung metastases were more likely to have their primary tumor resected immediately (86.1% vs 69.5% for liver, and 78.2% vs 64.9% for lung) and have their metastases resected/ablated (15.7% vs 2.6% for liver and 15.0% vs 0.5% for lung). Patients with stages I‐III primary tumors (versus IV) were much more likely to be resected, but they were less likely to receive chemotherapy. Patients with comorbidities (congestive heart failure, dementia, or respiratory disease) had lower odds of chemotherapy. Smaller hospital size and surgical volume had higher odds of immediate versus delayed surgery. The newer chemotherapeutic agents were more common with higher surgical volume.ConclusionsMetastatic colorectal cancer has clinical, sociodemographic, and service provider determinants.
Tungsten isotopes in bulk meteorites and their inclusions—Implications for processing of presolar components in the solar protoplanetary disk
Authors: Holst J. C. , Paton C. , Wielandt D. , Bizzarro M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractWe present high precision, low‐ and high‐resolution tungsten isotope measurements of iron meteorites Cape York (IIIAB), Rhine Villa (IIIE), Bendego (IC), and the IVB iron meteorites Tlacotepec, Skookum, and Weaver Mountains, as well as CI chondrite Ivuna, a CV3 chondrite refractory inclusion (CAI BE), and terrestrial standards. Our high precision tungsten isotope data show that the distribution of the rare p‐process nuclide 180W is homogeneous among chondrites, iron meteorites, and the refractory inclusion. One exception to this pattern is the IVB iron meteorite group, which displays variable excesses relative to the terrestrial standard, possibly related to decay of rare 184Os. Such anomalies are not the result of analytical artifacts and cannot be caused by sampling of a protoplanetary disk characterized by p‐process isotope heterogeneity. In contrast, we find that 183W is variable due to a nucleosynthetic s‐process deficit/r‐process excess among chondrites and iron meteorites. This variability supports the widespread nucleosynthetic s/r‐process heterogeneity in the protoplanetary disk inferred from other isotope systems and we show that W and Ni isotope variability is correlated. Correlated isotope heterogeneity for elements of distinct nucleosynthetic origin (183W and 58Ni) is best explained by thermal processing in the protoplanetary disk during which thermally labile carrier phases are unmixed by vaporization thereby imparting isotope anomalies on the residual processed reservoir.
Indoxyl sulphate and kidney disease: Causes, consequences and interventions
Authors: Ellis Robert J , Small David M , Vesey David A , Johnson David W , Francis Ross , Vitetta Luis , Gobe Glenda C , Morais Christudas 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn the last decade, chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined as reduced renal function (glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2) and/or evidence of kidney damage (typically manifested as albuminuria) for at least 3 months, has become one of the fastest‐growing public health concerns worldwide. CKD is characterized by reduced clearance and increased serum accumulation of metabolic waste products (uremic retention solutes). At least 152 uremic retention solutes have been reported. This review focuses on indoxyl sulphate (IS), a protein‐bound, tryptophan‐derived metabolite that is generated by intestinal micro‐organisms (microbiota). Animal studies have demonstrated an association between IS accumulation and increased fibrosis, and oxidative stress. This has been mirrored by in vitro studies, many of which report cytotoxic effects in kidney proximal tubular cells following IS exposure. Clinical studies have associated IS accumulation with deleterious effects, such as kidney functional decline and adverse cardiovascular events, although causality has not been conclusively established. The aims of this review are to: (i) establish factors associated with increased serum accumulation of IS; (ii) report effects of IS accumulation in clinical studies; (iii) critique the reported effects of IS in the kidney, when administered both in vivo and in vitro; and (iv) summarize both established and hypothetical therapeutic options for reducing serum IS or antagonizing its reported downstream effects in the kidney.
An independent association of prenatal depression with wheezing and anxiety with rhinitis in infancy
Authors: Cheng Tuck Seng , Chen Helen , Lee Theresa , Teoh Oon Hoe , Shek Lynette P. , Lee Bee Wah , Chee Cornelia , Godfrey Keith M. , Gluckman Peter D. , Kwek Kenneth , Saw Seang Mei , Chong Yap‐Seng , Meaney Michael , Broekman Birit F. P. , Chay Oh Moh , Van Bever Hugo , Goh Anne 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundDifferent maternal psychological states during pregnancy have been associated with wheeze–rhinitis–eczema symptoms in children. However, previous studies were limited and it was unclear whether the type of prenatal psychological state was associated with a particular symptom. We examined the association of maternal depression and anxiety during pregnancy with wheeze–rhinitis–eczema symptoms in infancy.MethodsIn a longitudinal birth cohort (GUSTO) of 1152 mother–child pairs, wheeze–rhinitis–eczema symptoms in the infants during the first year of life were collected by parental report. Maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed at 26 weeks of gestation using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Logistic regression analyses were performed with adjustment for potential confounders.ResultsAn increased risk of wheezing was found in infants of pregnant women with probable depression (EPDS ≥ 15) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.85 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10–3.12)], and an increased risk of rhinitis was associated with maternal anxiety [STAI state ≥ 41: OR = 1.42 (95% CI 1.04–1.93); STAI trait ≥ 43: OR = 1.38 (95% CI 1.01–1.88)]. After adjusting for known risk factors for the development of allergic disease, these associations remained significant [EPDS ≥ 15: adjusted OR = 2.09 (95% CI 1.05–4.19); STAI state ≥ 41: adjusted OR = 1.82 (95% CI 1.17–2.82); STAI trait ≥ 43: adjusted OR = 1.70 (95% CI 1.10–2.61)]. However, maternal psychological states were not associated with infantile eczema.ConclusionThis study suggests that there may be an independent effect of prenatal depression on wheezing and anxiety on rhinitis in infancy.
Pharmacodynamic interaction models in pediatric anesthesia
Authors: Hannam Jacqueline A. , Anderson Brian J. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryPharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) models are important tools for summarizing drug dose, concentration, and effect relationships. Co‐administration of drugs may alter PK and PD relationships. Traditional methods of evaluating PD interactions include using isoboles, shifts in dose–response curves, or interaction indices based on parameters of potency derived from separate monotherapy and combination therapy analyses. These methods provide an estimation of the magnitude of effect for dose or concentration combinations, but they do not inform us on the time course of that effect, or its associated variability. A better way to investigate PD interactions is to use modeling, and to take advantage of the benefits of population analyses. A population analysis is a statistical method in which a model describing the typical (or population) response, and the variability between individuals within that population, is developed. Models for monotherapy, derived using a population approach, can be combined and extended to incorporate PD interactions between two or more drugs. The purpose of this article was to provide a general road map for understanding and interpreting PD interaction models, including the ‘response surface’ models. Several types of response surface models exist, and here we review these with examples taken from the literature. We also consider current and future applications for this type of analysis for clinical anesthesia and pediatrics.
Learning to fly with broken wings – forcing a reappraisal of time and space
Authors: Flensner Gullvi , Rudolfsson Gudrun 
Published: August 2015

BackgroundWhen living with a chronic disease, the whole human being is affected and his/her experience of health challenged.AimThis study had a dual aim: to obtain a new understanding of experiences of the body among persons suffering from the chronic neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS) and how they come to terms with such experiences.MethodA total of ten interviews were re‐analysed using a hermeneutic approach.ResultsThe experiences of the body were revealed as ‘Learning to fly with broken wings’, comprising two themes: ‘Getting to know the foreign body’ and ‘Building a new living space’, both requiring reappraisal of time and space.ConclusionLiving with a chronic disease such as MS means learning to fly with broken wings, which involves subordination to the body leading to a higher level of integration in the process of becoming towards health and well‐being.
Minimum Scoring Rule Inference
Authors: Dawid A. Philip , Musio Monica , Ventura Laura 
Published: August 2015

AbstractProper scoring rules are devices for encouraging honest assessment of probability distributions. Just like log‐likelihood, which is a special case, a proper scoring rule can be applied to supply an unbiased estimating equation for any statistical model, and the theory of such equations can be applied to understand the properties of the associated estimator. In this paper, we discuss some novel applications of scoring rules to parametric inference. In particular, we focus on scoring rule test statistics, and we propose suitable adjustments to allow reference to the usual asymptotic chi‐squared distribution. We further explore robustness and interval estimation properties, by both theory and simulations.
Strategic Interactions and Contagion Effects under Monetary Unions
Authors: Canofari Paolo , Di Bartolomeo Giovanni , Piersanti Giovanni 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis paper applies game theory and a cost‐benefit analysis to study voluntary exits and contagion effects in countries joined to a monetary union. The paper looks at two non‐core or periphery countries of a large union and examines the role of structural asymmetries and strategic interactions as determinants of equilibrium outcomes, following both country‐specific and common shocks. The paper finds that under almost symmetry between countries, country‐specific shocks are never associated with multiple equilibria and, if large enough, can spread to other countries leading to contagion. By contrast, common shocks are seen to sustain multiple equilibria if almost‐symmetric countries are considered and to have implications similar to those found in the country‐specific case if large structural asymmetries are admitted.