bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prediction and characterization of novel microRNAs from brown plant hopper,Nilaparvata lugens(Stål) (Hemiptera:Delphacidae)
Authors: Asokan R. , Rebijith K.B. , Ranjitha H.H. , Roopa H.K. , Ramamurthy V.V. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small, endogenously initiated non‐codingRNAsthat extensively regulate gene expression either by mRNAcleavage or by translational repression, thus playing important roles in the development and physiology of organisms. Experimental identification and characterization of spatially and temporally expressed miRNAs is a monumental task in insects such as the brown plant hopper,Nilaparvata lugens,a major pest of rice and also a vector ofTenuivirus. At this juncture bioinformatics approaches, which primarily depend on sequence homology and secondary structure verification, will be an invaluable tool. A total of nine novel miRNAs were identified inN. lugensusing the computational approaches from 1 13 718ExpressedSequenceTags. The phylogenetic analysis was carried out to compare their level of conservation with respect to other members of the animal kingdom. The functional annotation of these newly identified miRNAs revealed that the majority of them are involved in the transcription regulatory activity and signal transduction pathways. These regulatory impacts are promising towards insect pest management but need further experimental validation and functional analyses. Thus, the outcome of this study will help to carry out the gene knockdown and transgenesis studies for the functional analysis of the newly identified miRNA‐regulated phenotypes inN. lugens.
Why flower visitation is a poor proxy for pollination: measuring single‐visit pollen deposition, with implications for pollination networks and conservation
Authors: King Caroline , Ballantyne Gavin , Willmer Pat G. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe relative importance of specialized and generalized plant‐pollinator relationships is contentious, yet analyses usually avoid direct measures of pollinator quality (effectiveness), citing difficulties in collecting such data in the field and so relying on visitation data alone.We demonstrate that single‐visit deposition (SVD) of pollen on virgin stigmas is a practical measure of pollinator effectiveness, using 13 temperate and tropical plant species. For each flower the most effective pollinator measured fromSVDwas as predicted from its pollination syndrome based on traditional advertisement and reward traits. Overall,c. 40% of visitors were not effective pollinators (range 0–78% for different flowers); thus, flower–pollinator relationships are substantially more specialized than visitation alone can reveal.Analyses at species level are crucial, as significant variation inSVDoccurred within both higher‐level taxonomic groups (genus, family) and within functional groups.Other measures sometimes used to distinguish visitors from pollinators (visit duration, frequency, or feeding behaviour in flowers) did not prove to be suitable proxies.Distinguishing between ‘pollinators’ and ‘visitors’ is therefore crucial, and true ‘pollination networks’ should includeSVDto reveal pollinator effectiveness (PE). Generating such networks, now underway, could avoid potential misinterpretations of the conservation values of flower visitors, and of possible extinction threats as modelled in existing networks.
Inferring dispersal and migrations from incomplete geochemical baselines: analysis of population structure using Bayesian infinite mixture models
Authors: Neubauer Philipp , Shima Jeffrey S. , Swearer Stephen E. 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Geochemical and stable isotope tags are often used to attribute individual animals in a sample of mixed origins to distinct sources, be it spawning, overwintering or foraging habitats. In order for individuals to be uniquely classified to one source, modelling approaches generally assume that all potential sources have been characterized in terms of their geochemical signature. This assumption is rarely met in applications of geochemistry in environments where species distributions and spawning grounds are poorly known; statistical methods that can accommodate this problem are therefore essential.

We develop nonparametric Bayesian mixture models for geochemical signatures that estimate the most likely number of sources represented in a mixed sample, both in the absence and presence of baseline data. We then use a marginal clustering framework to evaluate the probability that a fish comes from a particular source.

Using both simulations and a previously analysed data set, we illustrate the method and highlight the potential merits and difficulties. These examples reveal how our interpretations of geochemistry data sets can change when potentially un‐sampled sources are taken into account.
Rupatadine improves quality of life in mastocytosis: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Siebenhaar F. , Förtsch A. , Krause K. , Weller K. , Metz M. , Magerl M. , Martus P. , Church M. K. , Maurer M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundMastocytosis is frequently associated with mast cell‐mediated symptoms which require relieving medication. While second generation antihistamines (sgAHs) are the first line therapeutic strategy to treat mast cell mediator‐related symptoms, controlled clinical trials on how they improve quality of life have not been performed.MethodsThis randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over trial assessed rupatadine 20 mg daily in the treatment of mastocytosis symptoms in 30 adult patients. Symptoms were assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and symptom specific quality of life questionnaire (ItchyQoL).ResultsThe mean ItchyQoL total score and VAS symptom score were significantly improved in the rupatadine treatment phase compared with placebo. There were also significant reductions from placebo in the severity of itch, wheal and flare, flushing, tachycardia and headache but not gastrointestinal symptoms.ConclusionsIn this first comprehensive trial of a sgAH in mastocytosis, rupatadine 20 mg daily for 4 weeks significantly controlled symptoms and improved patients' quality of life.
Health‐related quality of life in genotype 1 treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis C patients receiving telaprevir combination treatment in the ADVANCE study
Authors: Vera‐Llonch M. , Martin M. , Aggarwal J. , Donepudi M. , Bayliss M. , Goss T. , Younossi Z. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundChronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its treatment impact patients' health‐related quality of life (HRQL).AimTo report on treatment impact and predictors of HRQL among treatment‐naïve patients with genotype 1 chronic HCV infection who received 12‐week telaprevir (T) with 24 (T12PR24) or 48 weeks (T12PR48) peginterferon alpha‐2a/ribavirin (PR), or 48 weeks of PR in the ADVANCE study.MethodsThe EQ‐5D‐3L (EQ‐5D) questionnaire (index range: 0–1) was completed at baseline and weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72. Patients indicated their health state on five dimensions: mobility, self‐care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. Descriptive statistics for the EQ‐5D index and descriptive system and area under the curve from baseline to week 12 were calculated. Predictors of EQ‐5D index were identified using multivariate analyses.ResultsData from 722 patients were included. The mean EQ‐5D index decreased during the first 12 weeks and returned to baseline by week 72 (T12PR24 by week 36) across treatments. In multivariate analysis, sustained virological response (SVR) at week 72 was associated (P < 0.0001) with improved EQ‐5D index [mean; SVR+ (0.90), SVR− (0.86)], a 4% difference, within the published range of minimal clinically important difference.ConclusionsPost hoc analyses of data from ADVANCE suggested that HRQL worsened during the first 12 weeks of therapy and returned to baseline by week 72 across treatments. Improvements were observed early following completion of a 24‐week treatment (T12PR24). Telaprevir combination therapy was associated with slightly higher reductions in HRQL during the first 12 weeks (vs. PR). SVR was a statistically significant and meaningful predictor of HRQL at week 72.
Associations of family meal frequency with family meal habits and meal preparation characteristics among families of youth with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Kornides M. L. , Nansel T. R. , Quick V. , Haynie D. L. , Lipsky L. M. , Laffel L. M. B. , Mehta S. N. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundWhile benefits of family mealtimes, such as improved dietary quality and increased family communication, have been well‐documented in the general population, less is known about family meal habits that contribute to more frequent family meals in youth with type 1 diabetes.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study surveyed 282 youth ages 8–18 years with type 1 diabetes and their parents on measures regarding diabetes‐related and dietary behaviours. T‐tests determined significant differences in youth's diet quality, adherence to diabetes management and glycaemic control between those with and without regular family meals (defined as ≥5 meals per week). Logistic regression analyses determined unadjusted and adjusted associations of age, socio‐demographics, family meal habits, and family meal preparation characteristics with regular family meals.Results57% of parents reported having regular family meals. Families with regular family meals had significantly better diet quality as measured by the Healthy Eating Index (P < 0.05) and the NRF9.3 (P < 0.01), and adherence to diabetes management (P < 0.001); the difference in glycaemic control approached statistical significance (P = 0.06). Priority placed on, pleasant atmosphere and greater structure around family meals were each associated with regular family meals (P < 0.05). Meals prepared at home were positively associated with regular family meals, while convenience and fast foods were negatively associated (P < 0.05). Families in which at least one parent worked part‐time or stayed at home were significantly more likely to have regular family meals than families in which both parents worked full‐time (P < 0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression model, greater parental priority given to family mealtimes (P < 0.001) and more home‐prepared meals (P < 0.001) predicted occurrence of regular family meals; adjusting for parent work status and other family meal habits.ConclusionsStrategies for promoting families meals should not only highlight the benefits of family meals, but also facilitate parents' skills for and barriers to home‐prepared meals.
Interferon‐gamma ELISPOT detecting reactivity of T cells to TSH receptor peptides in Graves' disease
Authors: Côté‐Bigras Sarah , Dionne Audrey , Asselin‐Mullen Patrick , Leblicq Coralie , Rottembourg Diane 
Published: June 2013

SummaryObjectiveWhile thyrotrophin receptor (TSHR) is recognized as the main autoantigen in Graves' disease (GD), the actual antigen specificity of T cells that infiltrate the thyroid and the orbit is unknown. Identifying T cell responses to TSHR peptides has been difficult in the past due to the low frequency of autoreactive T cells and to the diversity of the putative epitopes identified by proliferation assays.MethodsWe used the interferon‐gamma ELISPOT assay to identify T cell reactivity to TSHR peptides in patients with GD. Peripheral blood T cells were exposed in vitro to four pools of 10 overlapping TSHR peptides.ResultsT cells from 11 of 31 (35%) patients with GD and 1 of 22 (4%) healthy controls reacted to at least one peptide pool (P = 0·009). Mean time since diagnosis was 3·2 years in responder patients and 5·6 years in nonresponders (P = 0·07). In two patients, T cell reactivity was observed shortly after radioiodine treatment and not thereafter.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that the ELISPOT assay is effective to test T cell reactivity in patients with GD and that patients with GD have significantly more interferon‐gamma responses towards TSHR peptides than controls. The data suggest that screening for T cell responses in patients with GD might be more efficient in recent‐onset disease or after radioiodine treatment.
The Involvement of Autophagy Pathway in Exaggerated Ischemic Brain Damage in Diabetic Mice
Authors: Wei Ning , Yu Shan‐Ping , Gu Xiao‐Huan , Chen Dong‐Dong , Whalin Matthew K. , Xu Ge‐Lin , Liu Xin‐Feng , Wei Ling 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundPatients with Diabetes are at greater risk for ischemic stroke and usually suffer more severe ischemic brain damage than nondiabetic patients. However, the underlying mechanism of the exaggerated injury is not well defined.AimsMacroautophagy (hereafter called autophagy in this report) plays a key role in cellular homeostasis and may contribute to cell death as well. Our aim was to determine whether autophagy was involved in the enhanced susceptibility of diabetic brain cells to ischemic injury and explore it as a possible target for the treatment of stroke in a diabetic condition.ResultsA type II diabetic mouse model generated by combined administration of streptozotocin and nicotinamide showed enlarged infarct volume, increased cell death and excessive blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption compared with nondiabetic stroke mice. After ischemic stroke, both diabetic and nondiabetic mice showed enhanced autophagosome formation and autophagic flux as demonstrated by increased expression of autophagy signals Beclin 1, microtubule‐associated protein light‐chain II (LC3‐II), and decreased autophagy‐specific substrate p62. The increased autophagic activity was significantly higher in diabetic stroke mice than that in nondiabetic stroke mice. The autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) attenuated the exaggerated brain injury and improved functional recovery.ConclusionsThese data suggest that autophagy contributes to exacerbated brain injury in diabetic condition, and autophagy‐mediated cell death may be a therapeutic target in diabetic stroke.
Resveratrol Protects Vascular Endothelial Cells from High Glucose–Induced Apoptosis through Inhibition of NADPH Oxidase Activation–Driven Oxidative Stress
Authors: Chen Feng , Qian Li‐Hua , Deng Bo , Liu Zhi‐Min , Zhao Ying , Le Ying‐Ying 
Published: June 2013

SummaryIntroductionHyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress has been implicated in diabetic vascular complications in which NADPH oxidase is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol, which has vasoprotective effects in diabetic animal models and inhibits high glucose (HG)–induced oxidative stress in endothelial cells.AimsWe aimed to examine whether HG‐induced NADPH oxidase activation and ROS production contribute to glucotoxicity to endothelial cells and the effect of resveratrol on glucotoxicity.ResultsUsing a murine brain microvascular endothelial cell line bEnd3, we found that NADPH oxidase inhibitor (apocynin) and resveratrol both inhibited HG‐induced endothelial cell apoptosis. HG‐induced elevation of NADPH oxidase activity and production of ROS were inhibited by apocynin, suggesting that HG induces endothelial cell apoptosis through NADPH oxidase–mediated ROS production. Mechanistic studies revealed that HG upregulated NADPH oxidase subunit Nox1 but not Nox2, Nox4, and p22phox expression through NF‐κB activation, which resulted in elevation of NADPH oxidase activity and consequent ROS production. Resveratrol prevented HG‐induced endothelial cell apoptosis through inhibiting HG‐induced NF‐κB activation, NADPH oxidase activity elevation, and ROS production.ConclusionsHG induces endothelial cell apoptosis through NF‐κB/NADPH oxidase/ROS pathway, which was inhibited by resveratrol. Our findings provide new potential therapeutic targets against brain vascular complications of diabetes.
Benefits of a worksite or home‐based bench stepping intervention for sedentary middle‐aged adults – a pilot study
Authors: Mair Jacqueline L. , Boreham Colin A. , Ditroilo Massimiliano , McKeown David , M. Lowery Madeleine , Caulfield Brian , De Vito Giuseppe 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of a low‐volume, vigorous intensity bench stepping programme in sedentary middle‐aged adults. Thirty‐one healthy but sedentary adults (12 men; 55–64 years) took part in the study. Participants accumulated up to 9 min per day of stepping exercise on three days per week over the 4‐week experimental period. Parameters of cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and lower limb muscle strength were measured on three occasions: TS1 (baseline test), TS2 (following a 4‐week control period) and TS3 (following the 4‐week intervention). Data were analysed using a repeated‐measures ANOVA. Adherence to the programme was excellent (96%). Relative to the insignificant changes following the control period, parameters of cardiorespiratory fitness were significantly improved following training. No alterations in body composition or lower limb muscle strength were detected. These results show that less than 30 min per week of bench step exercise, accumulated in short bouts throughout the day, can improve parameters of cardiorespiratory fitness after only 4 weeks in previously sedentary middle‐aged adults. Due to its low‐cost, time‐efficient and discrete aspects, stepping exercise may have important implications for public health initiatives that promote physical activity in a population who commonly report ‘lack of time’ as a barrier to physical activity.
Development of psoriasis in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukaemia during nilotinib treatment
Authors: Nagai Tadashi , Karakawa Masaru , Komine Mayumi , Muroi Kazuo , Ohtsuki Mamitaro , Ozawa Keiya 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) imatinib has been shown to promote psoriasis in some patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), but it remained unclear whether second‐generation TKIs such as nilotinib and dasatinib had a similar potential. Here, we present a patient in whom psoriatic erythema appeared at 26 months after initiation of nilotinib treatment. Topical ointments of activated vitamin D3 derivative and corticosteroid were applied; whereupon, the erythema gradually improved. During the clinical course, nilotinib administration continued without reduction in its dose. This is the first report of psoriasis that developed during nilotinib treatment. We also discuss the mechanisms of nilotinib‐mediated progression of psoriasis.
Paradoxical tolerance to cocaine after initial supersensitivity in drug‐use‐prone animals
Authors: Ferris Mark J. , Calipari Erin S. , Melchior James R. , Roberts David C. S. , España Rodrigo A. , Jones Sara R. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThere is great interest in outlining biological factors and behavioral characteristics that either predispose or predict vulnerability to substance use disorders. Response to an inescapable novel environment has been shown to predict a “drug‐use‐prone” phenotype that is defined by rapid acquisition of cocaine self‐administration. Here, we showed that response to novelty can also predict the neurochemical and behavioral effects of acute and repeated cocaine in rats. We used cocaine self‐administration under a fixed‐ratio 1 schedule followed by fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry in brain slices to measure subsecond dopamine (DA) release and uptake parameters in drug‐use‐prone and ‐resistant phenotypes. Despite no significant differences in stimulated release and uptake, animals with high responses to a novel environment had DA transporters that were more sensitive to cocaine‐induced uptake inhibition, which corresponded to greater locomotor activating effects of cocaine. These animals also acquired cocaine self‐administration more rapidly and, after 5 days of extended access cocaine self‐administration, high‐responding animals showed robust tolerance to DA uptake inhibition by cocaine. The effects of cocaine remained unchanged in animals with low novelty responses. Similarly, the rate of acquisition was negatively correlated with DA uptake inhibition by cocaine after self‐administration. Thus, we showed that tolerance to the cocaine‐induced inhibition of DA uptake coexists with a behavioral phenotype that is defined by increased preoccupation with cocaine as measured by rapid acquisition and early high intake.
The mechanism of competition between two bloom‐forming Microcystis species
Authors: Zhai Chunmei , Song Shuang , Zou Shaohua , Liu Changhong , Xue Yarong 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Cyanobacteria, a phylum of bacteria that obtains energy by oxygenic photosynthesis, can be found in almost every terrestrial and aquatic habitat on Earth and play an important role in global carbon and oxygen cycles and as food sources for fish. However, common bloom‐forming cyanobacteria in the genus Microcystis produce microcystins that are toxic to human beings and aquatic animals and can have disastrous effects in aquatic ecosystems.

Algal species follow seasonal successions of bloom formation and Microcystis spp. have been reported to be more competitive than other algal species in lakes. However, so far there has been no clear demonstration of competition among Microcystis species.

By means of growth experiments, we demonstrate that two common cyanobacterial species Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB‐905 and Microcystis flos‐aquae FACHB‐1028, which are the dominant toxigenic species in Lake Taihu, exhibit a competitive relationship under coculture condition, the former outcompeting the latter.

We show that M. aeruginosa is a superior competitor to M. flos‐aquae regardless of temperature, nutrients and initial abundance ratios. Moreover, both unicultured filtrates of M. aeruginosa and cocultured filtrates of both species strongly inhibit the growth of M. flos‐aquae.

An analysis using gas chromatography mass spectrometry of extracts of filtrates from unicultures and cocultures indicates that some extracellular allelopathic compounds produced by M. aeruginosa, such as D‐limonene and 1‐chlorine heptacosane, might play important roles in competition among the species.