bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dioscin Derived from Solanum melongena L. “Usukawamarunasu” Attenuates α‐MSH–Induced Melanogenesis in B16 Murine Melanoma Cells via Downregulation of Phospho‐CREB and MITF
Authors: Nishina Atsuyoshi , Ebina Kodai , Ukiya Motohiko , Fukatsu Makoto , Koketsu Mamoru , Ninomiya Masayuki , Sato Daisuke , Kimura Hirokazu 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to chemically isolate and explore an antimelanogenesis inducer in extracts of Solanum melongena L. “Usukawamarunasu” eggplant. We successfully identified dioscin ([25R]‐Spirost‐5‐en‐3β‐yl) 2‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐α‐l‐mannopyranosyl) ‐ 4‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐α‐l‐mannopyranosyl)‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside] in the plant, and examined the effects of α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (MSH)–induced melanogenesis in B16 murine melanoma cells by this plant‐derived dioscin. Immunoblot analysis suggested that dioscin reduced the expression of tyrosinase, tyrosinase‐related protein‐1 (TRP‐1), and TRP‐2, resulting in inhibition of intracellular production of melanin. In addition, dioscin caused reduction of phosphorylated cAMP‐responsive element binding protein 1 transcription factors (CREB), which led to a reduction of microphthalmia‐related transcription factor (MITF) in α‐MSH‐stimulated cells, but did not affect phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase. Furthermore, dioscin significantly downregulated the expression of tyrosinase, TRP‐1, and TRP‐2, which led to the reduction of α‐MSH–induced melanogenesis in B16 cells. These results suggest that dioscin may decrease the level of MITF via inhibition of phosphorylation of CREB in α‐MSH–induced melanogenesis in B16 cells.
How we diagnose and treat essential thrombocythaemia
Authors: Alimam Samah , Wilkins Bridget S. , Harrison Claire N. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryThe approach to the diagnosis and management of essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is steadily changing, influenced by advances in molecular biology, data from clinical trials and retrospective analyses of patient cohorts. In the past decade options for clinical management largely remain unchanged, but who we treat, and with what target in mind, is evolving. A further area of change is recognition of symptoms that may be associated with ET, as well as other myeloproliferative neoplasms, and that potential options for their management are becoming available. Judicious and careful diagnosis is increasingly a fundamental key to successful management followed by cytoreductive therapy in a subset of patients. In this review we demonstrate our management strategies for ET using a case‐based format.
Towards an understanding of adult judgments of synergistic health benefits
Authors: Dawson Ian G. J. , Dohle Simone 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveNumerous scientific studies show that certain combinations of dietary and/or lifestyle factors produce health benefits which are greater than the sum of the benefits associated with each factor alone. To address an existing knowledge gap, we assessed the extent to which individuals understand that certain combinations present these ‘synergistic health benefits’.DesignHealth benefit judgments were obtained from lay adults for a range of dietary and/or lifestyle combinations that have been found to present synergistic benefits. Association between these judgments and socio‐cognitive characteristics such as numeracy, education, and health interest (HI) were examined.MethodsThree hundred and fifty‐two Swiss adults were presented with a description of one of eight synergistically beneficial combinations. Each participant provided a categorical benefit judgment (i.e., subadditive, additive, or synergistic) for the combination and explained the cognitive reasoning underlying their judgment. Participants completed measures of numeracy and HI.ResultsThe proportion of combinations judged to present a synergistic benefit was modest for ‘macro‐level’ combinations (e.g., diet and exercise), but low for ‘micro‐level’ combinations (e.g., two phytochemicals). Cognitive reasoning data showed that a higher proportion of judgments for micro‐level (cf. macro‐level) combinations were based on greater subjective epistemic uncertainty. Higher interest in health was associated with a better understanding of synergistic benefits, but numeracy and education level were not.ConclusionsThere is considerable scope to improve the extent to which lay adults understand that specific combination of diet and lifestyle behaviours can synergistically benefit their health. Our results enable us to make informed recommendations for public health interventions.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Combining certain dietary and/or lifestyle factors can result in synergistic health benefits.

People could maintain/enhance their health by combining these synergistic combinations.

No previous studies have assessed the extent to which people understand that certain factors produce synergistic health benefits.

What does this study add?

This is the first study to identify that lay awareness of synergistic health benefits could be substantially improved.

Neither education level nor numeracy moderate judgments of synergistic benefits, but health interest does.

Individuals better understand that broad lifestyle behaviours (cf. specific foods and phytochemicals) are synergistic.
Cisplatin and Paclitaxel Alter the Expression Pattern of miR‐143/145 and miR‐183/96/182 Clusters in T24 Bladder Cancer Cells
Authors: Papadopoulos Emmanuel I. , Scorilas Andreas 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAlthough cisplatin‐based chemotherapy is considered to be the treatment of choice for metastatic bladder cancer, its efficacy and tolerability has proven to be limited. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs, whose genes are frequently organized in clusters. These molecules constitute posttranscriptional regulators of mRNA expression and are claimed to be deregulated in cancer. miR‐143/145 and miR‐183/96/182 clusters have been extensively studied in bladder cancer cells. Herein, we tried to add up to this knowledge by assessing the expression levels of the five mature microRNAs derived from the aforementioned clusters in T24 bladder cancer cells exposed to either cisplatin or paclitaxel. For both compounds, the viability of treated T24 cells was estimated via the MTT colorimetric assay and the Trypan Blue exclusion method, while a fraction of the cells was left to recover. The expression levels of all mature microRNAs were finally quantified both in treated and in recovered cells by performing real‐time PCR. According to our data, cisplatin and paclitaxel strongly decreased T24 cells' viability, showing in parallel the ability to significantly down‐regulate miR‐143 levels, and up‐regulate the expression levels of miR‐145, miR‐183, miR‐96, and miR‐182, which, in their total, demonstrated case‐specific variations after recovery period.
The influence of power and reason on young Maya children's endorsement of testimony
Authors: Castelain Thomas , Bernard Stéphane , Van der Henst Jean‐Baptiste , Mercier Hugo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTwo important parenting strategies are to impose one's power and to use reasoning. The effect of these strategies on children's evaluation of testimony has received very little attention. Using the epistemic vigilance framework, we predict that when the reasoning cue is strong enough it should overcome the power cue. We test this prediction in a population for which anthropological data suggest that power is the prominent strategy while reasoning is rarely relied on in the interactions with children. In Experiment 1, 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children from a traditional Maya population are shown to endorse the testimony supported by a strong argument over that supported by a weak argument. In Experiment 2, the same participants are shown to follow the testimony of a dominant over that of a subordinate. The participants are then shown to endorse the testimony of a subordinate who provides a strong argument over that of a dominant who provides either a weak argument (Experiment 3) or no argument (Experiment 4). Thus, when the power and reasoning cues conflict, reasoning completely trumps power.
From induced resistance to defence in plant‐insect interactions
Authors: Poelman Erik H. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPlant–insect interactions typically take place in complex settings of interactions among multiple trophic levels as well as multiple species in each trophic level. The complex interaction network may strongly impact on extrapolations of resistance traits to have a defensive function. For example, the induced response plants express to their current attacker often enhances resistance to that attacker, but may make a plant more susceptible to attack by another herbivore. Hence, the defensive function or plant fitness benefit of the response to a single attacker may be misinterpreted from pairwise interactions. Moreover, plant physiological responses to a first stress by herbivory may hamper the response to a second stress and lead to conclusions of maladaptation in plant defence responses. In light of the entire community of attackers and beneficial organisms the plant interacts with, the susceptibility to some attackers may be a consequence of adaptations that reduce fitness costs of herbivory when considering the full sweep of species that affect plant fitness. A similar argumentation may apply for indirect resistance in which predators or parasitoids dampen the effect of herbivores on plants. Plant volatiles that attract third trophic level organisms such as parasitoids may at the same time attract enemies of the parasitoids in the fourth trophic level, hyperparasitoids, which again dampen the effect of parasitoids on herbivores. In addition, the effectiveness of predators and parasitoids may be dependent on habitat complexity. Here, I plea for studies on the full plant‐associated community to understand the fitness outcome of an (induced) plant trait and hence coin it induced direct or indirect plant defence.
Responses of adult Hydrellia lagarosiphon to a revised diet: implications for life cycle studies and laboratory culturing techniques
Authors: Mangan Rosie , Dirilgen Tara , Baars Jan‐Robert 
Published: September 2015

AbstractPreservation of an insect culture under laboratory conditions is essential for its study. Numerous diets have been developed for entomophagous insects undergoing screening as biological control agents in attempts to improve the nutritional quality of food provided in laboratory settings. However, less emphasis has been given to developing a more effective laboratory diet for phytophagous insects with the adult life stage not dependant on the target species. The larvae of Hydrellia lagarosiphon Deeming (Diptera: Ephydridae) mine the leaves of Lagarosiphon major (Ridl.) Moss ex Wager (Hydrocharitaceae). This species is currently under consideration as a biological control agent of this aquatic invasive. Rearing techniques for the adult stage of other Hydrellia species have been developed but current diets are not ideal as they result in relatively low reproduction rates. We compared alternative nutritional regimes and quantified their impact on life history attributes of H. lagarosiphon. The diets included the previously developed yeast‐sugar diet, a newly developed insect‐derived diet, and a diet that combined the two. Total fecundity was significantly higher for females on an insect‐derived diet compared with the traditional carbohydrate diet and the net reproductive rate (Ro) was also higher. Population doubling time (Td) was lower, decreasing by 30% compared to the traditional laboratory diet developed for Hydrellia species. Adult females fed the combination diet, including both insect and non‐insect foods, laid 30% fewer eggs than those reared on an insect diet alone. Consequently, insect‐derived nutritional regimes could improve culturing techniques significantly and if permission to release the agent is granted, this diet may benefit mass rearing efforts potentially saving time and reducing associated costs.
Differential survival and reproduction in colour forms of Philaenus spumarius give new insights to the study of its balanced polymorphism
Authors: SILVA SARA E. , RODRIGUES ANA S. B. , MARABUTO EDUARDO , YURTSEVER SELÇUK , BORGES PAULO A. V. , QUARTAU JOSÉ A. , PAULO OCTÁVIO S. , SEABRA SOFIA G. 
Published: September 2015

1. Colour polymorphisms are common across animals and are often the result of complex selection regimes. Philaenus spumarius (Linnaeus) (Hemiptera, Aphrophoridae) shows a widely studied dorsal colour polymorphism with several described phenotypes whose variation in their occurrence and frequency, as well as their maintenance across time, have been reported. Several selective influences have been suggested to play a role, but the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of this polymorphism are still poorly understood.2. To explore the adaptive significance of the colour polymorphism of P. spumarius, an experiment was conducted in captivity under semi‐natural conditions to measure survival, reproductive success, and duration of egg maturation.3. It was found that there was higher longevity, a higher number of oviposition events, and a higher number of eggs laid by trilineatus phenotype females than by typicus and marginellus, supporting previous reports of an increase in trilineatus frequency during the season. The duration of egg maturation did not differ among phenotypes.4. The higher longevity and fertility of the trilineatus phenotype may compensate, for example, the higher rate of attack by parasitoids and/or higher solar radiation reflectance in this phenotype, which have already been reported in previous studies, constituting a possible mechanism for the maintenance of this polymorphism.
Differential contribution of Ih to the integration of excitatory synaptic inputs in substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Masi Alessio , Narducci Roberto , Resta Francesco , Carbone Carmen , Kobayashi Kazuto , Mannaioni Guido 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe selective vulnerability of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic (DA) neurons is an enigmatic trait of Parkinson's disease (PD), especially if compared to the remarkable resistance of closely related DA neurons in the neighboring ventral tegmental area (VTA). Overall evidence indicates that specific electrophysiological, metabolic and molecular factors underlie SNc vulnerability, although many pieces of the puzzle are still missing. In this respect, we recently demonstrated that 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the active metabolite of the parkinsonizing toxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), alters the electrophysiological properties of SNc DA neurons in vitro by inhibiting the hyperpolarization‐activated current (Ih). Here, we present an electrophysiological investigation of the functional role of Ih in the integration of synaptic inputs in identified SNc and VTA DA neurons, comparatively, in acute midbrain slices from TH‐GFP mice. We show that pharmacological suppression of Ih increases the amplitude and decay time of excitatory postsynaptic potentials, leading to temporal summation of multiple excitatory potentials at somatic level. Importantly, these effects are quantitatively more evident in SNc DA neurons. We conclude that Ih regulates the responsiveness to excitatory synaptic transmission in SNc and VTA DA neurons differentially. Finally, we present the hypothesis that Ih loss of function may be linked to PD trigger mechanisms, such as mitochondrial failure and ATP depletion, and act in concert with SNc‐specific synaptic connectivity to promote selective vulnerability.
Kick with the finger: symbolic actions shape motor cortex excitability
Authors: Betti Sonia , Castiello Umberto , Sartori Luisa 
Published: September 2015

AbstractA large body of research indicates that observing actions made by others is associated with corresponding motor facilitation of the observer's corticospinal system. However, it is still controversial whether this matching mechanism strictly reflects the kinematics of the observed action or its meaning. To test this issue, motor evoked potentials induced by single‐pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation were recorded from hand and leg muscles while participants observed a symbolic action carried out with the index finger, but classically performed with the leg (i.e., a soccer penalty kick). A control condition in which participants observed a similar (but not symbolic) hand movement was also included. Results showed that motor facilitation occurs both in the observer's hand (first dorsal interosseous) and leg (quadriceps femoris) muscles. The present study provides evidence that both the kinematics and the symbolic value of an observed action are able to modulate motor cortex excitability. The human motor system is thus not only involved in mirroring observed actions but is also finely tuned to their symbolic value.
Testing the effects of diversity on ecosystem multifunctionality using a multivariate model
Authors: Dooley Áine , Isbell Forest , Kirwan Laura , Connolly John , Finn John A. , Brophy Caroline 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMost ecosystems provide multiple services, thus the impact of biodiversity losses on ecosystem functions may be considerably underestimated by studies that only address single functions. We propose a multivariate modelling framework for quantifying the relationship between biodiversity and multiple ecosystem functions (multifunctionality). Our framework consolidates the strengths of previous approaches to analysing ecosystem multifunctionality and contributes several advances. It simultaneously assesses the drivers of multifunctionality, such as species relative abundances, richness, evenness and other manipulated treatments. It also tests the relative importance of these drivers across functions, incorporates correlations among functions and identifies conditions where all functions perform well and where trade‐offs occur among functions. We illustrate our framework using data from three ecosystem functions (sown biomass, weed suppression and nitrogen yield) in a four‐species grassland experiment. We found high variability in performance across the functions in monocultures, but as community diversity increased, performance increased and variability across functions decreased.
Improvement of lipoatrophy by switching from efavirenz to lopinavir/ritonavir
Authors: Rojas J , Lonca M , Imaz A , Estrada V , Asensi V , Miralles C , Domingo P , Montero M , del Rio L , Fontdevila J , Perez I , Cruceta A , Gatell JM , Arnedo M , Martínez E 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveTo assess whether changes in antiretroviral drugs other than thymidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) may have a body fat impact in HIV‐infected patients with lipoatrophy.MethodsNinety‐six‐week phase IV, open‐label, multicentre, pilot randomized trial. HIV‐infected patients with moderate/severe lipoatrophy at one or more body sites despite long‐term thymidine NRTI‐free therapy were randomized to continue their efavirenz (EFV)‐based antiretroviral regimen or to switch from EFV to lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r). The primary endpoint was the absolute change in limb fat mass measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry from baseline to 96 weeks. Changes in other body fat measurements, subjective perception of lipoatrophy, subcutaneous fat gene expression and plasma lipids were also assessed.ResultsThirty‐three patients (73% men, median age 52 years) were recruited. At 96 weeks, absolute limb fat mass increased in the LPV/r arm vs. the EFV arm (estimated difference +1082.1 g; 95% CI +63.7 to +2103.5; P = 0.04); this difference remained significant after adjustment by gender, age, fat mass, body mass index and CD4 cell count at baseline. Subjective lipoatrophy perception scores also improved in the LPV/r arm relative to the EFV arm. Adipogenesis, glucose and lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial gene expression increased in the LPV/r arm compared with the EFV arm at 96 weeks. HDL cholesterol decreased in the LPV/r arm relative to the EFV arm.ConclusionsSwitching from EFV to LPV/r in HIV‐infected patients with lipoatrophy may offer further limb fat gain beyond thymidine NRTI discontinuation, although this strategy decreased plasma HDL cholesterol and caused changes in subcutaneous fat gene expression that may be associated with increased insulin resistance.
Agreement between 2D and 3D radiographic outcome assessment one year after periapical surgery
Authors: von Arx T. , Janner S. F. M. , Hänni S. , Bornstein M. M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAimTo compare 2D with 3D radiography in assessing the treatment outcome 1 year after periapical surgery.MethodologyIn this prospective study, periapical radiographs (PA) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were performed 1 year after periapical surgery. Three calibrated observers independently evaluated the radiographs for the presence and type of periapical radiolucencies. Ratings in PA were compared to those in bucco‐lingual and mesio‐distal CBCT images (coronal and sagittal planes), and the ratings of the latter two were also compared between each other. Further, maximum size diameters of radiolucencies were measured on CBCT scans, and the calculated means were correlated with the types of radiolucency. Statistical analysis was completed using Friedman rank sum tests, the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Pearson correlation coefficient.ResultsA total of 61 roots in 54 patients were eligible for the final assessment. On average, the intra‐observer ratings were identical in 59.6% when comparing PA and CBCT (kappa 0.112 to 0.192). A very high intra‐observer agreement (93.4%) was noted when comparing bucco‐lingual and mesio‐distal CBCT ratings (kappa 0.797 to 1). Interobserver agreement was higher for PA (68.8%) than for CBCT (bucco‐lingual 45.9%, mesio‐distal 47.5%), but without reaching significant differences. The calculated mean size of persistent radiolucencies in CBCT scans correlated well with the assigned types of radiolucency.ConclusionCBCT images showed in nearly a third of the evaluated cases a worse situation than PA. There is a need to define criteria to assess the ‘radiographic healing’ in CBCT following periapical surgery.