bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart failure symptom clusters and functional status – a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Herr Janet K. , Salyer Jeanne , Flattery Maureen , Goodloe Lauren , Lyon Debra E. , Kabban Christine Schubert , Clement Dolores G. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimTo identify symptom clusters in individuals with heart failure and evaluate the relationship of the identified clusters to functional status.BackgroundHeart Failure is a global health problem affecting approximately 1–2% of the adult population in developed countries worldwide. Individuals with heart failure may experience as many as nine symptoms and may limit activities that worsen their symptoms or adjust the way they engage in activities.DesignCross‐sectional.MethodsA convenience sample of individuals (n = 117) with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure was recruited from an academic medical centre during 2011–2012. Prevalent heart failure symptoms and functional status outcomes (functional limitations and mobility) were evaluated. Factor analysis using the principal components method was used to extract symptom clusters. Regression analysis using a backwards stepwise model‐building approach was used to examine the effects of the symptom clusters, age and co‐morbidity on functional limitations and mobility.ResultsThree symptom clusters, sickness behaviour, discomforts of illness and gastrointestinal distress were extracted. When sickness behaviours and discomforts of illness were both present, functional limitations were more sensitive to sickness behaviours. Sickness behaviour and co‐morbidity were related to limited mobility.ConclusionsIndividuals with heart failure may be helped to improve their functional status by managing sickness behaviour and discomforts of illness symptoms. Identification of symptom clusters may lead to the development of interventions focusing on a cluster of heart failure symptoms.
The multiple functional roles of mesenchymal stem cells in participating in treating liver diseases
Authors: Liu Wei‐hui , Song Fu‐qiang , Ren Li‐na , Guo Wen‐qiong , Wang Tao , Feng Ya‐xing , Tang Li‐jun , Li Kun 
Published: December 2014

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a group of stem cells derived from the mesodermal mesenchyme. MSCs can be obtained from a variety of tissues, including bone marrow, umbilical cord tissue, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood and adipose tissue. Under certain conditions, MSCs can differentiate into many cell types both in vitro and in vivo, including hepatocytes. To date, four main strategies have been developed to induce the transdifferentiation of MSCs into hepatocytes: addition of chemical compounds and cytokines, genetic modification, adjustment of the micro‐environment and alteration of the physical parameters used for culturing MSCs. Although the phenomenon of transdifferentiation of MSCs into hepatocytes has been described, the detailed mechanism is far from clear. Generally, the mechanism is a cascade reaction whereby stimulating factors activate cellular signalling pathways, which in turn promote the production of transcription factors, leading to hepatic gene expression. Because MSCs can give rise to hepatocytes, they are promising to be used as a new treatment for liver dysfunction or as a bridge to liver transplantation. Numerous studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of MSCs on hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and other liver diseases, which may be related to the differentiation of MSCs into functional hepatocytes. In addition to transdifferentiation into hepatocytes, when MSCs are used to treat liver disease, they may also inhibit hepatocellular apoptosis and secrete various bioactive molecules to promote liver regeneration. In this review, the capacity and molecular mechanism of MSC transdifferentiation, and the therapeutic effects of MSCs on liver diseases are thoroughly discussed.
Pretransplant replacement of donor liver grafts with recipient Kupffer cells attenuates liver graft rejection in rats
Authors: Endo Kosuke , Hori Tomohide , Jobara Kanta , Hata Toshiyuki , Tsuruyama Tatsuaki , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground and AimRejection of liver grafts is a difficult issue that has not been resolved. Preoperative replacement of liver cells in the graft with cells from the intended recipient may attenuate rejection. We investigated whether preoperative transplant of recipient bone marrow cells (BMCs) to the donor replaced liver allograft cells and attenuated rejection.MethodsWe used a rat model of allogeneic liver transplant (LT) from Dark Agouti (DA) to Lewis (LEW) rats. In BMC group, DA rats received BMC transplants from LacZ‐transgenic LEW rats at 1 week before LT. In the control group, DA rats received no preoperative treatment. We evaluated graft damage at 7 days after LT and the survival of the recipient rats.ResultsRats in the BMC group experienced prolonged survival that was abrogated by the administration of gadolinium chloride to donors at 24 h before LT. Serum concentrations of total bilirubin and hyaluronic acid on day 7 were significantly lower in the BMC group, and histopathological analyses revealed that rejection of the liver graft was attenuated. X‐gal staining and immunohistostaining of the liver graft revealed that BMCs engrafted in the sinusoidal space differentiated into Kupffer cells.ConclusionsPreoperative transplant of recipient BMCs to LT donors replaced donor Kupffer cells and attenuated post‐LT rejection, indicating that this strategy may increase the success of LT.
Combining age and HBsAg level predicts post‐treatment durability of nucleos(t)ide analogue‐induced HBeAg seroconversion
Authors: Yao Chih‐Chien , Lee Chuan‐Mo , Hung Chao‐Hung , Wang Jing‐Houng , Hu Tsung‐Hui , Lu Sheng‐Nan , Changchien Chi‐Sin , Hsu Mei‐Chin , Chen Chien‐Hung 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground and AimsPrevious studies have indicated that lamivudine‐induced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion may not be durable in the Asian population. We investigated the useful predictors of post‐treatment hepatitis B virus (HBV) relapse in patients with nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)‐induced HBeAg loss/seroconversion.MethodsA total of 157 non‐cirrhotic patients with NA‐induced HBeAg loss/seroconversion (78, lamivudine; 68, entecavir; 11, telbivudine) were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had at least 12 months of post‐treatment follow‐up and consolidation therapy duration.ResultsThe cumulative rate of post‐treatment HBV relapse at 5 years was 57.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed that age and baseline hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels independently predicted post‐treatment HBV relapse. The post‐treatment HBV relapse rate was significantly higher in patients aged > 40 years than in those < 40 years (P < 0.001). A baseline HBsAg level of 2000 IU/mL was the optimal cut‐off value for predicting post‐treatment HBV relapse (P = 0.002). The post‐treatment HBV relapse risk further increased with the presence of both risk factors (age ≥ 40 years and baseline HBsAg level ≥ 2000 IU/mL; P < 0.001). A prolonged consolidation therapy period of ≥ 18 or 24 months had no positive effect on sustained viral suppression. There was no significant difference in post‐treatment HBV relapse rates between patients with lamivudine‐ and entecavir‐induced HBeAg loss/seroconversion during the off‐treatment follow‐up (P = 0.31).ConclusionThe combination of an age of 40 years and a baseline HBsAg level of 2000 IU/mL was a useful marker for predicting post‐treatment HBV relapse in patients with NA‐induced HBeAg loss/seroconversion.
Comparison of chemiluminescence and toluidine blue in the diagnosis of dysplasia in leukoplakia: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chaudhry Astha , Manjunath Muniraju , Ashwatappa Deepak , Krishna Sowmya , Krishna Annaji Gopal 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimsThe early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer at a potentially‐malignant stage would reduce morbidity and improve the survival rates and quality of life of patients. Leukoplakia is the most common potentially‐malignant disorder. Clinical examination alone cannot differentiate between dysplastic and non‐dysplastic leukoplakia. Chemiluminescence and toluidine blue are adjuncts to conventional examination for the early detection of dysplasia. The present study was conducted to compare the efficacies of chemiluminescence and toluidine blue for the diagnosis of dysplasia in leukoplakia.MethodsOne hundred patients with leukoplakia were subjected to conventional oral examination, chemiluminescent examination with ViziLite and toluidine blue test, followed by histopathological confirmation of dysplasia.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of chemiluminescence was 84.84%, 41.17%, 73.68%, 58.33%, and 70%, respectively. For toluidine blue it was 42.4%, 88.23%, 87.50%, 44.11%, and 58% respectively.ConclusionsBoth the techniques have adjunctive utility in the diagnosis of dysplasia in leukoplakia, but toluidine blue was more effective in identifying the more severe grades of dysplasia, and thus it effectively discriminated high‐risk from low‐risk lesions.
Fine motor and self‐care milestones for individuals with Down syndrome using a Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Frank K. , Esbensen A. J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundDevelopmental milestone markers for fine motor and self‐care skills among children with Down syndrome (DS) are either minimal, anecdotal or out‐of date. Our goal was to produce normative expectations for the development of fine motor and self‐care milestones specific to children with DS.MethodA cross‐sectional retrospective chart review was completed on 274 children with DS seen at a specialty clinic that ranged in age from 4 months to 18 years. Specific skills were assessed at occupational therapy assessments as either present or absent, including fine motor, handwriting, scissor usage, self‐feeding and clothing management.ResultsFine motor milestones describing when 10–30% (‘early achievers’) and 75–95% (‘representative achievement’) of children with DS had mastered each skill were developed based upon descriptive review. As the fine motor and self‐care skills advanced in complexity, the range of ages for documented skill acquisition was observed to increase.ConclusionsAge ranges for the mastery of fine motor developmental milestones for early and representative achievement were developed based upon descriptive analysis of cross‐sectional retrospective clinical chart reviews. That the age range for mastering fine motor and self‐care skills broadens as children with DS get older is in agreement with what is identified in the DS behavioural phenotype with regard to variable motor skills overall. These fine motor and self‐care developmental milestone markers contribute to the field by informing parents, caregivers and healthcare providers of potential fine motor and self‐care outcomes and describing normative development for children with DS.
The role of cytosolic phospholipase A2α in amyloid precursor protein induction by amyloid beta1‐42: implication for neurodegeneration
Authors: Sagy‐Bross Chen , Kasianov Ksenia , Solomonov Yulia , Braiman Alex , Friedman Alon , Hadad Nurit , Levy Rachel 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAmyloid‐β peptides generated by proteolysis of the β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The present study aimed to determine whether cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) plays a role in elevated APP protein expression induced by aggregated amyloid‐β1‐42 (Aβ) in cortical neurons and to elucidate its specific role in signal events leading to APP induction. Elevated cPLA2α and its activity determined by phosphorylation on serine 505 as well as elevated APP protein expression, were detected in primary rat cortical neuronal cultures exposed to Aβ for 24 h and in cortical neuron of human amyloid‐β1‐42 brain infused mice. Prevention of cPLA2α up‐regulation and its activity by oligonucleotide antisense against cPLA2α (AS) prevented the elevation of APP protein in cortical neuronal cultures and in mouse neuronal cortex. To determine the role of cPLA2α in the signals leading to APP induction, increased cPLA2α expression and activity induced by Aβ was prevented by means of AS in neuronal cortical cultures. Under these conditions, the elevated cyclooxygenase‐2 and the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were prevented. Addition of PGE2 or cyclic AMP analogue (dbcAMP) to neuronal cultures significantly increased the expression of APP protein, while the presence protein kinase A inhibitor (H‐89) attenuated the elevation of APP induced by Aβ. Inhibition of elevated cPLA2α by AS prevented the activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) as detected by its phosphorylated form, its translocation to the nucleus and its DNA binding induced by Aβ which coincided with cPLA2α dependent activation of CREB in the cortex of Aβ brain infused mice. Our results show that accumulation of Aβ induced elevation of APP protein expression mediated by cPLA2α, PGE2 release, and CREB activation via protein kinase A pathway.
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Amyloid‐β (Aβ) peptides generated by proteolysis of the β‐amyloid precursor protein (APP) play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. We show here that cytosolic phospholipase A2α has a profound role in APP over‐expression induced by Aβ both in vitro and in vivo via PGE2 production and CREB activation through cAMP/PKA pathway and thus may serve as a therapeutic target. AS, oligonucleotide antisense against cPLA2α; cAMP, cyclic adenosine monophosphate; COX‐2, cyclooxygenase‐2; cPLA2α, cytosolic phospholipase A2α; CREB, cAMP response element binding protein; EP, E‐prostanoid receptors; H89, a PKA inhibitor; PGE2, prostaglandin E2; PKA, protein kinase A.
Alterations in microRNA Expression in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Vasculogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Barbery Carlos E. , Celigoj Frank A. , Turner Stephen D. , Smith Ryan P. , Kavoussi Parviz K. , Annex Brian H. , Lysiak Jeffrey J. 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACT

Introduction
MicroRNAs (miRs) are noncoding, endogenous RNA molecules that regulate gene expression and play roles in response to vascular injury.

Aim
The aim of this study was to identify miRs expressed in corporal tissue (CT) and to determine whether miRs demonstrate differential expression in a mouse model of diet-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods
RNA was isolated from the CT from control mice and mice with diet-induced ED. A quantifiable miR profiling technique (NanoString) was used to determine the expression of over 600 miRs.

Main Outcome Measures
Differential expression analysis was performed using a negative binomial regression model for count-based data. Mean expression levels, fold change, and false discovery-corrected P values were determined. Candidate miRs were validated via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR).

Results
In control mice, NanoString analysis revealed that 181 miRs were expressed above background levels and 5 miRs were expressed at high levels. Diet-induced ED resulted in the up-regulation of 6 miRs and the down-regulation of 65 miRs in the CT compared with mice on control diet. Focusing on the upregulated miRs, we chose five for Q-PCR validation. Of these five, two (miR-151-5p and miR-1937c) demonstrated significance via Q-PCR, whereas the other three (miR-720, miR-1937a, miR-205) trended in the correct direction.

Conclusions
MiRs may play a significant role in mRNA regulation in CT and specific miRs may be involved in diet-induced vasculogenic ED. Future studies are aimed at determining the mRNA targets of these miRs.
PCR‐based techniques to determine diet of the Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea): a comparison with morphological analysis
Authors: Peters Kristian J. , Ophelkeller Kathy , Herdina   , Bott Nathan J. , Goldsworthy Simon D. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractComprehensive dietary information for the endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) is currently limited by the deficiency and poor quality of identifiable prey remains recovered from regurgitate and faeces and the difficulty of observing feeding in the wild. In this study, we investigated DNA‐based prey detection methods using conventional (end‐point) and quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) on faeces collected from two captive Australian sea lions fed experimental diets of whole teleost fish, squid and shark tissue. PCR prey detection methods using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S genes combined with clone sequencing were compared with prey identified using traditional hard part analysis. The molecular results indicated that prey DNA was degraded. However, prey amplification was successful by targeting short (71 bp) DNA fragments. Both conventional PCR and qPCR techniques significantly increased prey detection compared with analysis of hard parts. For both sea lions, the hard part analysis was constrained by sporadic and extremely low recovery of fish otoliths (<2%), and cephalopod beaks were not recovered from the 116 squid fed. Comparisons between PCR techniques indicated comparable prey detection frequencies for all species tested; however, the sensitivity and greater resolution of qPCR improved prey detection by ~25% in one sea lion fed the experimental squid and perch. The detection of squid DNA ≤ 6 day post‐ingestion by qPCR further exhibits the ability and potential of this method to detect low concentrations of infrequent or pulse prey. This study highlights the use of DNA‐based analysis to detect prey taxa in the absence of identifiable hard prey remains.
Diet strongly influences the gut microbiota of surgeonfishes
Authors: Miyake Sou , Ngugi David Kamanda , Stingl Ulrich 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIntestinal tracts are among the most densely populated microbial ecosystems. Gut microbiota and their influence on the host have been well characterized in terrestrial vertebrates but much less so in fish. This is especially true for coral reef fishes, which are among the most abundant groups of vertebrates on earth. Surgeonfishes (family: Acanthuridae) are part of a large and diverse family of reef fish that display a wide range of feeding behaviours, which in turn has a strong impact on the reef ecology. Here, we studied the composition of the gut microbiota of nine surgeonfish and three nonsurgeonfish species from the Red Sea. High‐throughput pyrosequencing results showed that members of the phylum Firmicutes, especially of the genus Epulopiscium, were dominant in the gut microbiota of seven surgeonfishes. Even so, there were large inter‐ and intraspecies differences in the diversity of surgeonfish microbiota. Replicates of the same host species shared only a small number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), although these accounted for most of the sequences. There was a statistically significant correlation between the phylogeny of the host and their gut microbiota, but the two were not completely congruent. Notably, the gut microbiota of three nonsurgeonfish species clustered with some surgeonfish species. The microbiota of the macro‐ and microalgavores was distinct, while the microbiota of the others (carnivores, omnivores and detritivores) seemed to be transient and dynamic. Despite some anomalies, both host phylogeny and diet were important drivers for the intestinal microbial community structure of surgeonfishes from the Red Sea.
Vertical distribution of the soil microbiota along a successional gradient in a glacier forefield
Authors: Rime Thomas , Hartmann Martin , Brunner Ivano , Widmer Franco , Zeyer Josef , Frey Beat 
Published: December 2014

AbstractSpatial patterns of microbial communities have been extensively surveyed in well‐developed soils, but few studies investigated the vertical distribution of micro‐organisms in newly developed soils after glacier retreat. We used 454‐pyrosequencing to assess whether bacterial and fungal community structures differed between stages of soil development (SSD) characterized by an increasing vegetation cover from barren (vegetation cover: 0%/age: 10 years), sparsely vegetated (13%/60 years), transient (60%/80 years) to vegetated (95%/110 years) and depths (surface, 5 and 20 cm) along the Damma glacier forefield (Switzerland). The SSD significantly influenced the bacterial and fungal communities. Based on indicator species analyses, metabolically versatile bacteria (e.g. Geobacter) and psychrophilic yeasts (e.g. Mrakia) characterized the barren soils. Vegetated soils with higher C, N and root biomass consisted of bacteria able to degrade complex organic compounds (e.g. Candidatus Solibacter), lignocellulolytic Ascomycota (e.g. Geoglossum) and ectomycorrhizal Basidiomycota (e.g. Laccaria). Soil depth only influenced bacterial and fungal communities in barren and sparsely vegetated soils. These changes were partly due to more silt and higher soil moisture in the surface. In both soil ages, the surface was characterized by OTUs affiliated to Phormidium and Sphingobacteriales. In lower depths, however, bacterial and fungal communities differed between SSD. Lower depths of sparsely vegetated soils consisted of OTUs affiliated to Acidobacteria and Geoglossum, whereas depths of barren soils were characterized by OTUs related to Gemmatimonadetes. Overall, plant establishment drives the soil microbiota along the successional gradient but does not influence the vertical distribution of microbiota in recently deglaciated soils.
Occurrence and social structure of Baird's beaked whales,Berardius bairdii, in the Commander Islands, Russia
Authors: Fedutin Ivan D. , Filatova Olga A. , Mamaev Evgeny G. , Burdin Alexandr M. , Hoyt Erich 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe social structure of Baird's beaked whales is completely unstudied, and it is unknown if either females or males form long‐term social associations or occur in stable groups. In this paper we summarize our observations of individually identified animals over the span of 6 yr to provide insight on their long‐term social structure. We have identified 122 whales, with 28 of them encountered three times or more and thus included in the analysis of social structure. We found that the whales exhibited nonrandom patterns of social associations with some individuals preferentially associating with each other. Whales with more scarred skin had higher maximum association coefficients, which indicates that older animals and/or males were more inclined to form stable associations. Cluster analysis with a modularity test for gregariousness divided the whales into four clusters. Whales from the same clusters did not always occur together, but some individuals retained stable associations over several years. The strength of social relationships decayed over periods of months, with between‐year relationships showing little deviation from what would be expected if association was random. Generally these findings do not correspond to a stable society with fixed groups but instead suggest a fission‐fusion society with some stable alliances.
The Doctrine of ‘Divine Indwelling’ in Elizabeth of the Trinity and Caryll Houselander
Authors: Meszaros Julia 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe present article examines the perspectives of two understudied, female spiritual writers, Elizabeth of the Trinity and Caryll Houselander, on the doctrine of ‘divine indwelling’. After a brief discussion of classical elaborations of this doctrine, the paper gives an account of Elizabeth's and Houselander's respective Trinitarian and Incarnational readings of God's indwelling of the human soul. This discussion shows that a given interpretation and experience of the divine indwelling is inevitably shaped by – and shapes – the particularity of one's concrete life context, as well as the doctrinal prism through which it is approached. It furthermore demonstrates that such different accounts nonetheless converge on key, and at times surprising issues, such as the reciprocal nature of divine indwelling, and its interdependency on the separation between God and the human being.