bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bromoderma mimicking pyoderma gangrenosum caused by commercial sedatives
Authors: Oda Fumiko , Tohyama Mikiko , Murakami Akiko , Kanno Kazuhisa , Sonobe Naomi , Sayama Koji 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBromoderma is a rare skin disorder caused by bromide intake. It presents as single or multiple papillomatous nodules or plaques, and ulcers studded with small pustules on the face or limbs. The clinical features of bromoderma are similar to those of pyoderma gangrenosum. A 41‐year‐old Japanese woman was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum 11 years prior to presentation. Pyoderma had repeatedly appeared over her entire body despite treatment. She also frequently complained of syncopal episodes. She was admitted to our hospital after loss of consciousness and an episode of generalized convulsion. Laboratory tests revealed a negative serum anion gap and hyperchloremia. Her serum bromide level was significantly elevated, suggesting bromide intoxication. The patient had a 10‐year history of high serum bromide levels. After the intake of bromide‐containing sedatives was stopped, there was no recurrence of pyoderma in the absence of treatment. In conclusion, this case was diagnosed as bromoderma with commercial sedative‐induced bromide intoxication. Although the US Food and Drug Administration have banned the use of bromides, over‐the‐counter (OTC) treatments containing bromides are still used in Japan and other countries. Long‐term use of OTC medicines containing bromvalerylurea may result in the development of bromoderma. If unclarified neurological or psychiatric symptoms are associated with pyoderma, we propose measurement of the patient's serum chloride concentration. Determination of hyperchloremia is helpful for the diagnosis of chronic intoxication with bromides.
Prognosis of 234 rosacea patients according to clinical subtype: The significance of central facial erythema in the prognosis of rosacea
Authors: Lee Woo Jin , Lee Ye Jin , Lee Mi Hye , Won Chong Hyun , Chang Sung Eun , Choi Jee Ho , Lee Mi Woo 
Published: October 2015

AbstractRosacea has a wide spectrum of clinical features, which include persistent facial redness, flushing, telangiectasia, inflammatory papules/pustules, hypertrophy and/or ocular features. The prognosis of rosacea according to clinical subtype has not been evaluated. We analyzed the prognosis of rosacea in 234 patients, which included 120 patients with mixed subtype, 75 with the erythematotelangiectatic rosacea subtype and 39 with the papulopustular rosacea (PPR) subtype. The prognosis of rosacea was classified as: (i) no improvement; (ii) partial remission; and (iii) complete remission. The frequencies of complete remission, time to complete remission and 1‐year complete remission rate were compared between subtypes. Follow‐up periods ranged 2–72 months (median follow‐up, 17.5). Aggravation of the disease was found in 50.4% of patients during follow up. Partial or complete remission was noted in 61.5% and 20.9% of patients, respectively. The median time to complete remission was 56.0 months. The prognosis of disease was more favorable for patients with the PPR subtype than for patients with other subtypes with respect to the frequency of complete remission, median time to complete remission and the 2‐year complete remission rate. In conclusion, papulopustular rosacea without remarkable centrofacial erythema showed a more favorable prognosis than other subtypes. Erythematotelangiectatic lesions in rosacea patients present a challenge for the treatment of rosacea.
Possible paraneoplastic syndrome case of bullous pemphigoid with immunoglobulin G anti‐BP180 C‐terminal domain antibodies associated with psoriasis and primary macroglobulinemia
Authors: Maki Nobuki , Demitsu Toshio , Umemoto Naoka , Nagashima Kazutaka , Nakamura Toshinobu , Kakurai Maki , Nakamura Satoshi , Yamada Tomoko , Ishii Norito , Hashimoto Takashi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA 61‐year‐old Japanese man developed bullous skin lesions during topical therapy for psoriasis vulgaris. Physical examination demonstrated numerous tense bullae and scaly erythemas on the trunk and extremities. Histopathology of the skin biopsy demonstrated subepidermal bullae and lymphocytic infiltration with eosinophils in the dermis. Direct immunofluorescence revealed linear deposits of immunoglobulin (Ig)G, IgA and C3 along the basement membrane zone. Indirect immunofluorescence of 1 mol/L NaCl‐split skin showed IgG reactivity with both epidermal and the dermal sides. IgM reactivity with both the epidermal and dermal sides was also detected. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays showed negative results for both BP180 and BP230. Immunoelectrophoresis of serum and bone marrow aspiration revealed underlying primary macroglobulinemia with M‐proteinemia of IgM‐κ type. Immunoblot analysis revealed IgG, but not IgM, antibodies to recombinant protein of BP180 C‐terminal domain. We diagnosed the present case as bullous pemphigoid with IgG anti‐BP180 C‐terminal domain autoantibodies associated with primary macroglobulinemia and psoriasis vulgaris. Systemic administration of prednisolone 30 mg/day resulted in dramatic improvement of both bullous and psoriatic skin lesions. When the bullous and psoriatic lesions relapsed, DRC chemotherapy (dexamethasone, rituximab and cyclophosphamide) for macroglobulinemia was performed. Then, the psoriatic lesions improved and the bullous lesions disappeared. We suggested that the present case may be paraneoplastic syndrome of bullous pemphigoid associated with primary macroglobulinemia and psoriasis vulgaris.
Enhanced CCR9 expression levels in psoriatic skin are associated with poor clinical outcome to infliximab treatment
Authors: Koga Aiko , Kajihara Ikko , Yamada Saori , Makino Katsunari , Ichihara Asako , Aoi Jun , Makino Takamitsu , Fukushima Satoshi , Jinnin Masatoshi , Ihn Hironobu 
Published: October 2015

AbstractInfliximab is an anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α antibody drug that suppresses TNF‐α and its associated inflammatory responses. Although infliximab therapy generally results in a 75% or greater improvement in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index from baseline in psoriasis patients, there is the heterogeneity of therapeutic efficacy in psoriasis patients among patients of a similar PASI baseline score. However, there are few published reports about the predictors of the clinical response among psoriasis patients who undergo biologic therapies. We thus evaluated the possible existence of biologic markers that would indicate poor prognosis of infliximab using skin biopsy specimens. This was because we assumed that the inhibitors for upregulated chemokine/chemokine receptors in non‐responders may have the ability to reduce the occurrence of psoriatic eruptions. PCR array analyses identified that the levels of various chemokines and chemokine receptors were increased in non‐responders in comparison to responders. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that upregulation of the CCR9 protein levels was not associated with the pretherapeutic PASI score, but with poor response to infliximab. Our results indicated that the expression levels of CCR9 in lesional skin may be a useful biologic marker of the clinical efficacy of infliximab therapy in psoriasis patients.
Cushion plant morphology controls biogenic capability and facilitation effects of Silene acaulis along an elevation gradient
Authors: Bonanomi Giuliano , Stinca Adriano , Chirico Giovanni Battista , Ciaschetti Giampiero , Saracino Antonio , Incerti Guido 
Published: October 2015

Summary

The stress‐gradient hypothesis (SGH) predicts that the balance of plant–plant interactions shifts along abiotic environmental gradients, with facilitation becoming more frequent under stressful conditions. However, recent studies have challenged this perspective, reporting that positive interactions are, in some cases, more common at the intermediate level of environmental severity gradients. Here, we test whether and how neighbour effects by Silene acaulis cushions vary along a 700 m wide altitudinal transect, in relation to cushion morphological traits and environmental severity.

Field measurements along the gradient, within and outside cushions, included (i) species richness and cover of coexisting vascular plants; (ii) cushion morphology; (iii) above‐ and below‐ground microclimate; and (iv) soil quality. We used the relative interaction index to decouple neighbour trait effects and environmental severity effects on plant diversity at different elevations.

The ability of the cushion plant to facilitate heterospecifics shifts considerably along the elevation gradient, being greatest at the intermediate level. On the other hand, Silene morphological traits steadily change along the gradient, from lax, soft and flat‐shaped cushion habits at low elevation to tightly knit and dome‐shaped habits at high elevation.

Cushion morphological changes are associated with mitigating effects on microclimate, indicating that cushions effectively act as a heat‐trap at medium and high elevations, while at low elevations the soft and flat cushions avoid excessive heat accumulation by tight coupling with the surrounding atmosphere. At the upper end of the gradient, cushion cespitose–pulvinate compactness and high stem density appear to be critical traits in modulating the net effect of plant–plant interaction, since the space available for hosting other vascular species is considerably reduced.

In conclusion, this work provides a mechanistic link between plant morphological traits, associated biogenic microclimate changes and variation in net plant–plant interactions along the explored severity gradient. Our findings support an alternative conceptual model to SGH, with plant facilitation collapsing at the upper extreme of the abiotic stress gradient.
Seed source impacts germination and early establishment of dominant grasses in prairie restorations
Authors: Gallagher M. Kate , Wagenius Stuart 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Land managers choose seed from a variety of provenances for restoration projects. By selecting seed of the local ecotype, managers can increase establishment in the short term and prevent the disruption of local adaptations and genetic swamping in the long term. However, local seed may be disadvantageous if populations are inbred or maladapted to managed restoration environments. Seed selection may be further confounded by propagation methods.

Three dominant C4 grasses, Andropogon gerardii, Bouteloua curtipendula and Sorghastrum nutans, from three types of seed provenances (remnant, restoration and nursery) were planted as seeds and plugs into experimental plots at three established tallgrass prairie restorations in western Minnesota, USA. Using a common garden design, we tested whether (i) provenance and (ii) site of planting influence germination and first‐season survival and growth both (iii) for seeds directly planted in the field and for transplants (plugs).

Seed provenance impacted germination and seedling survival in all cases, except S. nutans seeded directly in the field. Andropogon gerardii and B. curtipendula nursery seedlings were consistently taller than those of the other provenance types.

When directly seeded, germination, survival and vigour differed among restoration sites; however, the results were species specific. Sorghastrum nutans germination varied among sites depending on provenance, indicating that this species may be particularly sensitive to environmental conditions.

Germination was 3–12 times greater for plugs than for seeds directly planted in the field in summer, but mortality after planting in the field was low for both groups.

Synthesis and applications. Provenance and restoration site had varying effects among species, indicating that the dominant C4 grasses used in this study ought not to be considered ecological equivalents. While we found little evidence of local adaptation, use of local remnant seeds diminishes the risk of spreading maladapted genotypes. Germination limited establishment when sowing seeds directly in summer. Supplemental use of plugs may increase species diversity in restorations.
Oxidation resistance 1 (OXR1) participates in silkworm defense against bacterial infection through the JNK pathway
Authors: Su Li‐De , Zhang Qiao‐Ling , Lu Zhiqiang 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBacterial infection causes enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in insects. Oxidation resistance 1 (OXR1) plays an antioxidant role in eukaryotic organisms, including insects. In this report, we demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus infection and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) injection induced the expression of specific transcriptional isoforms of OXR1 in larval silkworms. We further showed that a Jun kinase (JNK) pathway inhibitor, SP600125, down‐regulated expression of OXR1 during infection, leading to elevated H2O2 levels in the hemolymph, resulting in lower viability of the injected bacteria inside the silkworm larvae. Our study suggests that OXR1 participates in protecting larval silkworms from oxidative stress and bacterial infection through the JNK pathway.
Transport Mechanisms and Quality Changes During Frying of Chicken Nuggets—Hybrid Mixture Theory Based Modeling and Experimental Verification
Authors: Bansal Harkirat S. , Takhar Pawan S. , Alvarado Christine Z. , Thompson Leslie D. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHybrid mixture theory (HMT) based 2‐scale fluid transport relations of Takhar coupled with a multiphase heat transfer equation were solved to model water, oil and gas movement during frying of chicken nuggets. A chicken nugget was treated as a heterogeneous material consisting of meat core with wheat‐based coating. The coupled heat and fluid transfer equations were solved using the finite element method. Numerical simulations resulted in data on spatial and temporal profiles for moisture, rate of evaporation, temperature, oil, pore pressure, pressure in various phases, and coefficient of elasticity. Results showed that most of the oil stayed in the outer 1.5 mm of the coating region. Temperature values greater than 100 °C were observed in the coating after 30 s of frying. Negative gage‐pore pressure (pw < pg) magnitudes were observed in simulations, which is in agreement with experimental observations of Sandhu and others. It is hypothesized that high water‐phase capillary pressure (pc > pg) in the hydrophilic matrix causes pw < pg, which further results in negative pore pressure. The coefficient of elasticity was the highest at the surface (2.5 × 105 Pa) for coating and the interface of coating and core (6 × 105 Pa). Kinetics equation for color change obtained from experiments was coupled with the HMT based model to predict the color (L, a, and b) as a function of frying time.
Unhealthy Alcohol Use is Associated with Monocyte Activation Prior to Starting Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Carrico Adam W. , Hunt Peter W. , Emenyonu Nneka I. , Muyindike Winnie , Ngabirano Christine , Cheng Debbie M. , Winter Michael R. , Samet Jeffrey H. , Hahn Judith A. 
Published: October 2015

BackgroundAlcohol use may accelerate HIV disease progression, but the plausible biological mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated.MethodsHIV‐positive persons who were not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) completed the baseline assessment for a longitudinal study examining the association of alcohol use with HIV disease markers. Oversampling drinkers, baseline samples were tested for markers of monocyte activation (soluble CD14 [sCD14]), inflammation (interleukin‐6 [IL‐6]‐6), and coagulation (d‐dimer). We defined “unhealthy alcohol use” as testing positive using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test—Consumption (≥3 for women and ≥4 for men) in the past 3 months or testing positive using a biomarker of heavy drinking, phosphatidylethanol (≥50 ng/ml). Multiple linear regression was used to examine the associations of unhealthy alcohol use with sCD14, log10 IL‐6, and d‐dimer.ResultsCompared to those who were abstinent from alcohol, unhealthy drinkers had significantly higher sCD14 levels (mean = 1,676 vs. 1,387 ng/ml; mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 289 [83, 495], p < 0.01). In analyses adjusted for demographic factors, current cigarette smoking, and HIV disease markers, unhealthy drinkers continued to display significantly higher sCD14 levels compared to those who were abstinent from alcohol (adjusted mean = 1,670 vs. 1,406 ng/ml; adjusted mean difference [95% CI] = 264 [47, 480], p = 0.02). Unhealthy alcohol use was not significantly associated with IL‐6 or d‐dimer levels.ConclusionsUnhealthy alcohol use was independently associated with a marker of monocyte activation (i.e., higher sCD14) that predicts mortality in treated HIV infection. Longitudinal research should examine whether unhealthy alcohol use predicts changes in sCD14 prior to and following ART initiation.
The prevalence of exfoliation syndrome in Turkey
Authors: Kılıç Raşit , Karagöz Naim , Çetin Abdi Bahadır , Çakmak Yasin , Sezer Hafize , Özay Yusuf , Çomçalı Sebile Üstün , Dursun Ayhan 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the prevalence of the exfoliation syndrome and its relationship with ocular and cardiovascular diseases in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey.MethodsThis cross‐sectional and population‐based study was conducted at the Sivas Province among the population aged 40 years and over. The diagnosis of XFS was made when exfoliative material was found on the anterior lens capsule or iris on slit‐lamp examination. The subjects were divided into an XFS group and a non‐XFS group according to the presence of exfoliative material, and the groups were compared for the presence of glaucoma, cataract, age‐related macular degeneration, phacodonesis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, smoking and alcohol‐use frequency.ResultsXFS was present in 63 subjects consisting of 42 males (8.0%) and 21 females (3.6%) for an overall rate of 5.7% (95% CI: 0.054–0.060). Once we adjusted the values for age, we found a statistically significant relationship of increased age and male gender with the presence of XFS (p = 0.001, p = 0.027, respectively). The relationship between XFS and glaucoma, cataract and phacodonesis was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.001). No relationship was found between exfoliation syndrome and hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease.ConclusionThe prevalence of exfoliation syndrome was 5.7% in this population‐based study. There was a statistically significant relationship between XFS and advancing age and male gender.
β‐Arrestin 2 dependence of δ opioid receptor agonists is correlated with alcohol intake
Authors: Chiang T , Sansuk K , van Rijn R M 
Published: October 2015

Background and Purposeδ Opioid receptor agonists are being developed as potential treatments for depression and alcohol use disorders. This is particularly interesting as depression is frequently co‐morbid with alcohol use disorders. Yet we have previously shown that δ receptor agonists range widely in their ability to modulate alcohol intake; certain δ receptor agonists actually increase alcohol consumption in mice. We propose that variations in β‐arrestin 2 recruitment contribute to the differential behavioural profile of δ receptor agonists.Experimental ApproachWe used three diarylmethylpiperazine‐based non‐peptidic δ receptor selective agonists (SNC80, SNC162 and ARM390) and three structurally diverse δ receptor agonists (TAN‐67, KNT127 and NIH11082). We tested these agonists in cAMP and β‐arrestin 2 recruitment assays and a behavioural assay of alcohol intake in male C57BL/6 mice. We used β‐arrestin 2 knockout mice and a model of depression‐like behaviour to further study the role of β‐arrestin 2 in δ receptor pharmacology.Key ResultsAll six tested δ receptor agonists were full agonists in the cAMP assay but displayed distinct β‐arrestin 2 recruitment efficacy. The efficacy of δ receptor agonists to recruit β‐arrestin 2 positively correlated with their ability to increase alcohol intake (P < 0.01). The effects of the very efficacious recruiter SNC80 on alcohol intake, alcohol place preference and depression‐like behaviour were β‐arrestin 2‐dependent.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur finding that δ receptor agonists that strongly recruit β‐arrestin 2 can increase alcohol intake carries important ramifications for drug development of δ receptor agonists for treatment of alcohol use disorders and depressive disorders. © 2015 The British Pharmacological Society
Wildlife Recovery During Tropical Forest Succession: Assessing Ecological Drivers of Community Change
Authors: Pinotti Bruno T. , Pagotto Camilla P. , Pardini Renata 
Published: October 2015

AbstractDespite the high proportion of secondary forests in the tropics, their conservation value remains poorly understood, particularly with regard to animals. Most theoretical studies of succession have focused on plants, linking life history trade‐offs to well‐known patterns of community change. However, the same trade‐offs proposed for plants should apply to animals, and indeed, animal studies show a change in community dominance from habitat generalist to forest specialist species during succession. Focusing on the diverse terrestrial small mammals of the endangered Atlantic Forest, we assessed which ecological drivers (habitat structure and food availability) affect community changes during succession. If the change in community dominance is driven by trade‐offs between productivity and efficiency, it should be mainly associated with a decrease in food availability. As expected, from younger to older forest, habitat generalists decreased in richness and total abundance, concurrent with a decrease in arthropod biomass. By contrast, the increase in richness and total abundance of forest specialists was not clearly supported by the data; however, this group was not affected by food availability. These results are congruent with a trade‐off between competitive ability and ability to use abundant resources, and indicate that the major community change during succession involves habitat generalists. Secondary forests may thus be valuable for conservation, at least where habitat loss and fragmentation are not high, and old growth forest is available.
Unraveling the Complexity of Critical Consciousness, Political Efficacy, and Political Action Among Marginalized Adolescents
Authors: Diemer Matthew A. , Rapa Luke J. 
Published: October 2015

This research examines the complex patterns by which distinct dimensions of critical consciousness may lead marginalized adolescents toward distinct forms of political action. Structural equation modeling was applied to nationally representative data from the Civic Education Study (2,811 ninth graders; Mage = 14.6), first establishing the measurement invariance of constructs across samples of poor or working class African American and Latino/a adolescents. Perceptions of societal inequality and aspirational beliefs that society ought to be more equal differentially predicted expected voting, conventional political action, and social action—while controlling for civic achievement and with nuances between ethnic and racial groups. Contrary to hypotheses and extant scholarship, political efficacy did not mediate or moderate relations between critical reflection and disparate forms of political action.