bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The balance of kinin receptors in the progression of experimental focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Pereira Rafael Luiz , Felizardo Raphael José Ferreira , Cenedeze Marcos Antônio , Hiyane Meire Ioshie , Bassi Ênio José , Amano Mariane Tami , Origassa Clarice Sylvia Taemi , Silva Reinaldo Correia , Aguiar Cristhiane Fávero , Carneiro Sylvia Mendes , Pesquero João Bosco , Araújo Ronaldo Carvalho , Keller Alexandre de Castro , Monteiro Renato , Moura Ivan Cruz , Pacheco-Silva Alvaro , Câmara Niels Olsen Saraiva 
Published: April 2014

AbstractFocal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most important renal diseases related to end stage renal failure. Bradykinin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal inflammation whereas the role of its receptor 2 (B2RBK) in FSGS has not been studied. FSGS was induced in wild type and B2RBK KO mice by a single intravenous injection of Adriamycin (ADM). In order to further modulate the kinin receptors, animals were also treated with B2RBK antagonist HOE-140, and DALBK, B1RBK antagonist. Here, we show that the blockage of B2RBK with HOE-140 protects mice from FSGS development, including podocyte foot process effacement and reestablishment of slit diaphragm-related proteins. However, B2RBK KO mice were not protected from FSGS. These opposite results were due to B1RBK expression. B1RBK was up regulated after ADM injection and it was exacerbated in B2RBK KO animals. Further, HOE-140 treatment down regulated B1RBK receptor. The blockade of B1RBK in B2RBK KO animals promoted FSGS regression, with a less inflammatory phenotype. These results indicate a deleterious role of both kinin receptors in FSGS model and suggest a possible crosstalk of them in disease progression.
Reproductive status, endocrine physiology and chemical signaling in the Neotropical, swarm-founding eusocial wasp,Polybia micansDucke (Vespidae: Epiponini)
Authors: Kelstrup Hans C. , Hartfelder Klaus , Nascimento Fabio S. , Riddiford Lynn M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn the evolution of caste-based societies in Hymenoptera, the classical insect hormones, juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysteroids, were co-opted into new functions. Social wasps, which show all levels of sociality and lifestyles, are an ideal group to study such functional changes. Virtually all studies on the physiological mechanisms underlying reproductive division of labor and caste functions in wasps have been done on independent-founding paper wasps, and the majority of these studies have focused on species specially adapted for overwintering. The relatively little studied tropical swarming-founding wasps of the Epiponini (Vespidae) are a diverse group of permanently social wasps, with some species maintaining caste flexibility well into the adult phase. We investigated the behavior, reproductive status, JH and ecdysteroid titers in hemolymph, ecdysteroid content of the ovary and cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles in the caste-monomorphic, epiponine wasp Polybia micans Ducke. We found that the JH titer was not elevated in competing queens from established multiple-queen nests, but increased in lone queens that lack direct competition. In queenless colonies, JH titers rose transiently in young potential reproductives upon challenge by nestmates, suggesting that JH may prime the ovaries for further development. Ovarian ecdysteroids were very low in workers but higher and correlated with the number of vitellogenic oocytes in the queens. Hemolymph ecdysteroid levels were low and variable in both. Profiles of P. micans CHCs reflected caste, age and reproductive status, but were not tightly linked to either hormone. These findings show a significant divergence in hormone function in swarm-founding wasps compared to independent-founding ones.
Level locomotion in wood ants: evidence for grounded running
Authors: Reinhardt Lars , Blickhan Reinhard 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn order to better understand the strategies of locomotion in small insects, we have studied continuous level locomotion of the wood ant species Formica polyctena. We determined the three-dimensional centre of mass kinematics during the gait cycle and recorded the ground reaction forces of single legs utilizing a self-developed test site. Our findings show that the animals used the same gait dynamics across a wide speed range without dissolving the tripodal stride pattern. To achieve higher velocities the ants proportionally increased stride length and stepping frequency. The centre of mass energetics indicated a bouncing gait, in which horizontal kinetic and gravitational potential energy fluctuated in close phase. We determined a high degree of compliance especially in the front legs, as the effective leg length was nearly halved during the contact phase. This leads to only small vertical oscillations of the body, which are important in maintaining ground contact. Bouncing gaits without aerial phases seem to be a common strategy in small runners and can be sufficiently described by the bipedal spring-loaded inverted pendulum model. Thus, with our results, we provide evidence that wood ants perform "grounded running".
Feather corticosterone reveals developmental stress in seabirds
Authors: Will Alexis P. , Suzuki Yuya , Elliott Kyle H. , Hatch Scott A. , Watanuki Yutaka , Kitaysky Alexander S. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
In nest-bound avian offspring food shortages typically trigger a release of the stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). Recent studies indicate that CORT is passively deposited in the tissue of growing feathers and thus may provide an integrated measure of stress incurred during development in the nest. The current hypothesis predicts that, assuming a constant rate of feather growth, elevated CORT circulating in the blood corresponds to higher levels of CORT in feather tissue, but experimental evidence for nutritionally stressed chicks is lacking. Here we examine how food limitation affects feather CORT content in the rhinoceros auklet (Cerorhinca moncerata). We i) used captive chicks reared on control vs. restricted diets, and ii) applied this technique to free-living chicks with unknown nutritional histories that fledged at three separate colonies. We found that i) feather growth was not affected by experimentally-induced nutritional stress; ii) captive chicks raised on a restricted diet had higher levels of CORT in their primary feathers; iii) feather CORT deposition is a sensitive method of detecting nutritional stress; and iv) free-living fledglings from the colony with poor reproductive performance had higher CORT in their primary feathers. We conclude that feather CORT is a sensitive integrated measure revealing the temporal dynamics of food limitations experienced by rhinoceros auklet nestlings. The use of feather CORT may be a powerful endocrine tool in ecological and evolutionary studies of bird species with similar preferential allocation of limited resources to feather development.
Lateral line analogue aids vision in successful predator evasion for brief squid Lolliguncula brevis
Authors: York Carly A. , Bartol Ian K. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Cephalopods have visual and mechanoreception systems that may be employed to sense and respond to an approaching predator. While vision presumably plays the dominant role, the importance of the lateral line analogue for predator evasion has not been examined in cephalopods. To test the respective roles of vision and the lateral line analogue, brief squid Lolliguncula brevis were observed in the presence of summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus under light and dark conditions with their lateral line analogue intact and ablated. Hair cell ablation was achieved through a pharmacological technique used for the first time on a cephalopod. Proportion of predator-prey interactions survived was significantly higher in the light non-ablated and light ablated groups compared to the dark ablated group. The mean number of interactions survived varied across treatment groups with the light non-ablated group having significantly more success than the light ablated, dark non-ablated and dark ablated groups. These findings demonstrate that although vision is the primary sense, the lateral line analogue also contributes to predator evasion in squid.
Crystal Structure of a Hydrogen-bond-assisted Coaxially π-Stacked Dimer of a Hexadehydrotribenzo[12]annulene ([12]DBA) Derivative
Authors: Hisaki Ichiro , Osaka Keisuke , Shigemitsu Hajime , Tohnai Norimitsu , Miyata Mikiji 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
We present the crystal structure of a coaxially π-stacked discrete dimer of a [12]DBA derivative possessing six peripheral (tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino groups. The dimer has a significantly short interplanar distance (3.25 Å), which is achieved by the sixfold intermolecular hydrogen bonds formed among the peripheral amide moieties. The adjacent dimers are isolated by bulky peripheral tert-butyl groups.
Efficient Hydrodeoxygenation of Ketones, Phenols, and Ethers Promoted by Platinum–Heteropolyacid Bifunctional Catalysts
Authors: Itagaki Shintaro , Matsuhashi Naoki , Taniguchi Kento , Yamaguchi Kazuya , Mizuno Noritaka 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
A Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40-supported platinum catalyst (Pt/CsPW) could act as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for hydrodeoxygenation of various types of oxygen-containing compounds such as ketones, phenols, and ethers. The observed catalysis was truly heterogeneous, and the retrieved Pt/CsPW could be reused.
Attribute-Level Heterogeneity
Authors: Ebbes Peter , Liechty John C. , Grewal Rajdeep 
Published: April 2014

Modeling consumer heterogeneity helps practitioners understand market structures and devise effective marketing strategies. In this research we study finite mixture specifications for modeling consumer heterogeneity where each regression coefficient has its own finite mixture—that is, an attribute finite mixture model. An important challenge of such an approach to modeling heterogeneity lies in its estimation. A proposed Bayesian estimation approach, based on recent advances in reversible-jump Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, can estimate parameters for the attribute-based finite mixture model, assuming that the number of components for each finite mixture is a discrete random variable. An attribute specification has several advantages over traditional, vector-based, finite mixture specifications; specifically, the attribute mixture model offers a more appropriate aggregation of information than does the vector specification facilitating estimation. In an extensive simulation study and an empirical application, we show that the attribute model can recover complex heterogeneity structures, making it dominant over traditional (vector) finite mixture regression models and a strong contender compared to mixture-of-normals models for modeling heterogeneity. This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Intramuscular fat accumulation and muscle atrophy in the absence of muscle retraction
Authors: Uhthoff H. K. , Coletta E. , Trudel G. 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesAlthough many clinical and experimental investigations have shed light on muscle atrophy and intramuscular accumulation of fat after rotator cuff disruption, none have reported on their onset in the absence of muscle retraction.MethodsIn 30 rabbits, we detached one supraspinatus (SSP) tendon and repaired it immediately, thus preventing muscle retraction. The animals were killed in groups of 10 at one, two and six weeks. Both shoulders of 15 non-operated rabbits served as controls. We measured the weight and volume of SSP muscles and quantified the cross-sectional area of intramuscular fat (i-fat) histologically.ResultsThere was significant loss of muscle weight and volume after one week (p = 0.004 and 0.003, respectively), and two weeks (both p < 0.001) in the experimental group; which recovered to control values after six weeks. I-fat accumulated one week after immediate repair, greater than in the control group and statistically significant at the mid-part of the muscle (mean 2.7% vs 1.5%, p = 0.008). I-fat continued to accumulate up to six weeks at all sites of the SSP muscle (all 3, p < 0.001). More fat accumulated closer to the musculotendinous junction than at the mid-part after two and six weeks (p = 0.012 and 0.019, respectively).ConclusionMuscle atrophy and i-fat accumulation occur early after SSP tendon tear and immediate repair. While early repair benefitted muscle recovery, it did not prevent fat accumulation. SSP muscle retraction was not essential to the muscle alterations. The divergent evolution of muscle and fat points to different pathophysiologies. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2014;3:117–22.
Pregnancy outcomes in women with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Abood Ali , Vestergaard Peter 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveTo study pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes in women with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and in controls.DesignRegister-based retrospective cohort study of women aged 16–44 years with a diagnosis of PHPT with age- and gender-matched non-exposed controls in Denmark.MethodsThe patients and controls were identified using the Danish National Hospital Discharge Register for the period 1977–2010. The outcomes were determined using the Birth Register, the Abortion Register and the LPR (National Hospital Discharge Register). The primary outcome was the relative risk of abortions in patients compared with controls.ResultsA total of 1057 women with PHPT and 3171 controls were identified. The number of women giving birth and experiencing abortions did not differ between the two groups (live births, P=0.21 and abortions, P=0.12). Also birth weight, length, Apgar score, and gestation length at abortion did not differ. Within the first year after the diagnosis was made, gestation length was lower in women with PHPT than that in controls. However, this was linked to more deliveries by caesarian sections.ConclusionsA diagnosis of PHPT did not seem to increase the rate of abortions in our study. Reducing the abortion risk may therefore not be an indication for parathyroidectomy during pregnancy in patients with mild PHPT. The PHPT diagnosis does not seem to affect birth weight, length and Apgar score. The higher number of deliveries by cesarean section after the diagnosis was made may be associated with lower gestation age. The strategy for delivery should be carefully considered in pregnant women with PHPT.
The diagnostic performance of urinary free cortisol is better than the cortisol:cortisone ratio in detecting de novo Cushing's syndrome: the use of a LC–MS/MS method in routine clinical practice
Authors: Ceccato Filippo , Antonelli Giorgia , Barbot Mattia , Zilio Marialuisa , Mazzai Linda , Gatti Rosalba , Zaninotto Martina , Mantero Franco , Boscaro Marco , Plebani Mario , Scaroni Carla 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveThe Endocrine Society Clinical Guidelines recommend measuring 24-h urinary free cortisol (UFF) levels using a highly accurate method as one of the first-line screening tests for the diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome (CS). We evaluated the performance of UFF, urinary free cortisone (UFE), and the UFF:UFE ratio, measured using a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method.Subjects and methodsThe LC–MS/MS was used to analyze UFF and UFE levels in 43 surgically confirmed CS patients: 26 with Cushing's disease (CD, 16de novoand ten recurrences), 11 with adrenal CS and six with ectopic CS; 22 CD patients in remission; 14 eu-cortisolemic CD patients receiving medical therapy; 60 non-CS patients; and 70 healthy controls. Sensitivity and specificity were determined in the combined groups of non-CS patients, healthy controls, and CD in remission.ResultsUFF>170 nmol/24 h showed 98.7% specificity and 100% sensitivity forde novoCS, while sensitivity was 80% for recurrent CD patients, who were characterized by lower UFF levels. The UFF:UFE and UFF+UFE showed lower sensitivity and specificity than UFF. Ectopic CS patients had the highest UFF and UFF:UFE levels, which were normal in the CD remission patients and in those receiving medical therapy.ConclusionsOur data suggest high diagnostic performance of UFF excretion measured using LC–MS/MS, in detectingde novoCS. UFF:UFE and UFF+UFE assessments are not useful in the first step of CS diagnosis, although high levels were found to be indicative of ectopic CS.
Telomere length analysis in Cushing's syndrome
Authors: Aulinas Anna , Ramírez María-José , Barahona María-José , Valassi Elena , Resmini Eugenia , Mato Eugènia , Santos Alicia , Crespo Iris , Bell Olga , Surrallés Jordi , Webb Susan M 
Published: April 2014

IntroductionHypercortisolism in Cushing's syndrome (CS) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Hypercortisolism also occurs in chronic depressive disorders and stress, where telomere length (TL) is shorter than in controls. We hypothesized that shortening of telomere might occur in CS and contribute to premature aging and morbidity.AimTo investigate TL in CS patients compared with controls.MethodsSeventy-seven CS patients (14 males, 59 pituitary, 17 adrenal, and one ectopic; 21 with active disease) were compared with 77 gender-, age-, and smoking-matched controls. Fifteen CS were evaluated longitudinally, during active disease and after remission of hypercortisolism. Leukocyte TL was measured by telomere restriction fragment–Southern technique. Clinical markers were included in a multiple linear regression analysis to investigate potential predictors of TL.ResultsMean TL in CS patients and controls was similar (7667 vs 7483 bp, NS). After adjustment for age, in the longitudinal evaluation, TL was shorter in active disease than after remission (7273 vs 7870, P<0.05). Age and dyslipidemia were negative predictors (P<0.05), and total leukocyte count was a positive predictor for TL (P<0.05). As expected, a negative correlation was found between TL and age (CS, R=−0.400 and controls, R=−0.292; P<0.05). No correlation was found between circulating cortisol, duration of exposure to hypercortisolism or biochemical cure and TL.ConclusionEven though in the cross-sectional comparison of CS and controls no difference in TL was found, in the longitudinal evaluation, patients with active CS had shorter TL than after biochemical cure of hypercortisolism. These preliminary results suggest that hypercortisolism might negatively impact telomere maintenance. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Serum negative autoimmune thyroiditis displays a milder clinical picture compared with classic Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Authors: Rotondi Mario , de Martinis Luca , Coperchini Francesca , Pignatti Patrizia , Pirali Barbara , Ghilotti Stefania , Fonte Rodolfo , Magri Flavia , Chiovato Luca 
Published: April 2014

BackgroundDespite high sensitivity of current assays for autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase (TPO) and to thyroglobulin (Tg), some hypothyroid patients still present with negative tests for circulating anti-thyroid Abs. These patients usually referred to as having seronegative autoimmune thyroiditis (seronegative CAT) have not been characterized, and definite proof that their clinical phenotype is similar to that of patients with classic chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (CAT) is lacking.ObjectiveTo compare the clinical phenotype of seronegative CAT (SN-CAT) and CAT as diagnosed according to a raised serum level of TSH with negative and positive tests for anti-thyroid Abs respectively.MethodsA case–control retrospective study enrolling 55 patients with SN-CAT and 110 patients with CAT was performed. Serum free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), TSH, Tg Abs, and TPO Abs were measured in all patients.ResultsPatients with SN-CAT displayed significantly lower mean levels of TSH (6.6±3.4 vs 10.2±9.8 μU/ml; P=0.009), higher mean FT4 levels (1.1±0.2 vs 0.9±0.2 ng/dl; P=0.0002), and similar FT3 levels when compared with CAT patients. Mean thyroid volume was significantly greater in patients with CAT when compared with SN-CAT patients (11.2±6.5 vs 8.1±3.7 ml; P=0.001). Logistic regression demonstrated that FT4 (0.123 (0.019–0.775); (P=0.026)) and thyroid volume (1.243 (1.108–1.394); (P=0.0002)) were significantly and independently related to the diagnosis (CAT/SN-CAT). Patients with SN-CAT had a similar prevalence of thyroid nodules and female gender but a lower prevalence of overt hypothyroidism (5.4 vs 20.9%; P=0.012) as opposed to patients with CAT.ConclusionsThese results suggest an autoimmune etiology of SN-CAT, which, however, seems to have a milder clinical course when compared with CAT.
AUTONOMY: The First Randomized Trial Comparing Two Patient-Driven Approaches to Initiate and Titrate Prandial Insulin Lispro in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Edelman Steve V. , Liu Rong , Johnson Jennal , Glass Leonard C. 
Published: April 2014

OBJECTIVE
To compare two self-titration algorithms for initiating and escalating prandial insulin lispro in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on basal insulin.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The trial was designed as two independent, multinational, parallel, open-label studies (A and B), identical in design, to provide substantial evidence of efficacy and safety in endocrine and generalist settings. Subjects were 18–85 years old (study A: N = 528; study B: N = 578), on basal insulin plus oral antidiabetic drugs for ≥3 months, and had an HbA1c 7.0% to ≤12.0% (&gt;53.0 to ≤107.7 mmol/mol). Once optimized on insulin glargine, subjects were randomized to one of two self-titration algorithm groups adjusting lispro either every day (Q1D) or every 3 days (Q3D) for 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in HbA1c from baseline. The primary and secondary objectives were evaluated for the overall population and subjects ≥65 years old.

RESULTS
Baseline HbA1c was similar (study A: Q1D 8.3% [67.2 mmol/mol] vs. Q3D 8.4% [68.3 mmol/mol], P = 0.453; study B: Q1D 8.3% [67.2 mmol/mol] vs. Q3D 8.4% [68.3 mmol/mol], P = 0.162). Both algorithms had significant and equivalent reductions in HbA1c from baseline (study A: Q3D –0.96% [–10.49 mmol/mol], Q1D –1.00% [–10.93 mmol/mol], Q3D–Q1D 0.04% [0.44 mmol/mol] [95% CI –0.15 to 0.22 (–1.64 to 2.40)]; study B: Q3D –0.92% [–10.06 mmol/mol], Q1D –0.98% [–10.71 mmol/mol], Q3D–Q1D 0.06% [0.66 mmol/mol] [95% CI –0.12 to 0.24 (–1.31 to 2.62)]). The incidence and rate of hypoglycemia were similar for Q3D and Q1D in both studies. In general, no clinically relevant differences were found between the two algorithms in subjects ≥65 years old in either study.

CONCLUSIONS
Prandial insulin lispro can effectively and safely be initiated, by either of two self-titrated algorithms, in a variety of practice settings.