bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The survival of multidrug‐resistant bacteria in thermophilic and mesophilic anaerobic co‐digestion of dairy manure and waste milk
Authors: Beneragama Nilmini , Iwasaki Masahiro , Lateef Suraju A. , Yamashiro Takaki , Ihara Ikko , Umetsu Kazutaka 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAnaerobic digestion is considered as a promising method to manage animal waste with antibiotic‐resistant bacteria. Current research was conducted to investigate the survival of multidrug‐resistant bacteria (MDRB) resistant to three groups of antibiotics: (i) cefazolin, neomycin, vancomycin, kanamycin (group 1); (ii) penicillin, oxytetracycline, ampicillin, streptomycin (group 2); and (iii) cefazolin, neomycin, vancomycin, kanamycin, penicillin, oxytetracycline, ampicillin, streptomycin (group 3), in anaerobic digestion of dairy manure and co‐digestion of dairy manure and waste milk at 37°C and 55°C for 22 days, respectively. The population densities of three groups of MDRB on peptone, tryptone, yeast and glucose agar plates incubated at 30°C for 7 days before and after digestion showed 100% destruction in both digestates at thermophilic temperature. Overall reduction of more than 90% of three groups of MDRB was observed in mesophilic digestion with no significant differences (P > 0.05) between manure and milk mixture. Co‐digestion of dairy manure and waste milk always produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher total gas and methane gas than digestion of manure alone at both temperatures. Gas production in each case was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in thermophilic digestion than in mesophilic digestion. The results demonstrate that thermophilic co‐digestion of dairy manure and waste milk offers more benefits in terms of the environment and economy.
The heat shock transcription factor 1 as a potential new therapeutic target in multiple myeloma
Authors: Heimberger Tanja , Andrulis Mindaugas , Riedel Simone , Stühmer Thorsten , Schraud Heike , Beilhack Andreas , Bumm Thomas , Bogen Bjarne , Einsele Hermann , Bargou Ralf C. , Chatterjee Manik 
Published: December 2012

SummaryThe heat shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) has recently been reported to promote malignant transformation and growth. Here we provide experimental evidence for a role of HSF1 in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma (MM). Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that HSF1 was overexpressed in half of the investigated MM samples, including virtually all cases with extramedullary manifestations or anaplastic morphology. HSF1 function was inhibited either by siRNA‐mediated knockdown or pharmacologically through treatment with triptolide. Both approaches caused depletion of HSF1, lowered the constitutively high expression of a multitude of protective HSPs (such as HSP90, HSP70, HSP40 and HSP27), induced apoptosis in human MM cells in vitro, and strongly reduced MM tumour growth in vivo. Furthermore, we observed that treatment‐induced upregulation of HSPs after proteasome or HSP90 inhibition was critically dependent on HSF1. Importantly, the apoptotic effects of the HSP90 inhibitor NVP‐AUY922 or the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib were strongly enhanced in combination with triptolide, suggesting a salvage role of HSF1‐dependent HSP induction in response to drug treatment. Collectively, our data indicate that inhibition of HSF1 affects multiple protective HSPs and might therefore represent a therapeutic strategy – in particular in combination with proteasome or HSP90 inhibitors.
Erythrocyte adenosine deaminase: diagnostic value for Diamond‐Blackfan anaemia
Authors: Fargo John H. , Kratz Christian P. , Giri Neelam , Savage Sharon A. , Wong Carolyn , Backer Karen , Alter Blanche P. , Glader Bertil 
Published: December 2012

SummaryDiamond‐Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is an inherited bone marrow failure syndrome (IBMFS) characterized by red cell aplasia. Mutations in ribosomal genes are found in more than 50% of cases. Elevated erythrocyte adenosine deaminase (eADA) was first noted in DBA in 1983. In this study we determined the value of eADA for the diagnosis of DBA compared with other IBMFS; the association of eADA in DBA with age, gender or other haematological parameters; and the association with known DBA‐related gene mutations. For the diagnosis of DBA compared with non‐DBA patients with other bone marrow failure syndromes, eADA had a sensitivity of 84%, specificity 95%, and positive and negative predictive values of 91%. In patients with DBA there was no association between eADA and gender, age, or other haematological parameters. Erythrocyte ADA segregated with, as well as independent of, known DBA gene mutations. While eADA was an excellent confirmatory test for DBA, 16% of patients with classical clinical DBA had a normal eADA.
Lenalidomide efficacy in activated B‐cell‐like subtype diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma is dependent upon IRF4 and cereblon expression
Authors: Zhang Ling‐Hua , Kosek Jolanta , Wang Maria , Heise Carla , Schafer Peter H. , Chopra Rajesh 
Published: December 2012

SummaryDurable responses with lenalidomide monotherapy have been reported in patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. In relapsed/refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), higher responses were observed in the activated B‐cell‐like (ABC) subtype than in the germinal centre B‐cell‐like subtype. Herein, the molecular mechanisms involved in the differential efficacy of lenalidomide in DLBCL subtypes were investigated. Using DLBCL cell lines, lenalidomide treatment was found to preferentially suppress proliferation of ABC‐DLBCL cells in vitro and delay tumour growth in a human tumour xenograft model, with minimal effect on non‐ABC‐DLBCL cells. This tumouricidal effect was associated with downregulation of interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), a hallmark of ABC‐DLBCL cells. IRF4 inhibition by lenalidomide induced downregulation of B‐cell receptor (BCR)‐dependent NF‐κB. Whereas IRF4‐specific small, interfering RNA mimicked the effects of lenalidomide reducing NF‐κB activation, IRF4 overexpression enhanced NF‐κB activation and conferred resistance to lenalidomide. These findings indicate the crucial role of IRF4 inhibition in lenalidomide efficacy in ABC cells. Furthermore, lenalidomide‐induced IRF4 downregulation required the expression of cereblon, a molecular target of lenalidomide. Taken together, these findings suggest that lenalidomide has direct antitumour activity against DLBCL cells, preferentially ABC‐DLBCL cells, by blocking IRF4 expression and the BCR‐NF‐κB signalling pathway in a cereblon‐dependent manner.
Animal personality: what are behavioural ecologists measuring?
Authors: Carter Alecia J. , Feeney William E. , Marshall Harry H. , Cowlishaw Guy , Heinsohn Robert 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTThe discovery that an individual may be constrained, and even behave sub‐optimally, because of its personality type has fundamental implications for understanding individual‐ to group‐level processes. Despite recent interest in the study of animal personalities within behavioural ecology, the field is fraught with conceptual and methodological difficulties inherent in any young discipline. We review the current agreement of definitions and methods used in personality studies across taxa and systems, and find that current methods risk misclassifying traits. Fortunately, these problems have been faced before by other similar fields during their infancy, affording important opportunities to learn from past mistakes. We review the tools that were developed to overcome similar methodological problems in psychology. These tools emphasise the importance of attempting to measure animal personality traits using multiple tests and the care that needs to be taken when interpreting correlations between personality traits or their tests. Accordingly, we suggest an integrative theoretical framework that incorporates these tools to facilitate a robust and unified approach in the study of animal personality.
An evaluation of a CAMHS outpatient service for adolescent eating disorders
Authors: Fenner Mary , Kleve Liv 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundA CAMHS Eating Disorder (ED) service is presented together with cases referred and treated within a 3‐year period. An outcome evaluation was conducted for restrictive eating disorders.MethodCase files were analysed to investigate service throughput as well as clinical outcomes for discharged cases (n = 39).ResultsHighly positive End of Treatment (EOT) outcomes were achieved for both anorexia nervosa (AN) and Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). Morgan Russell scores, drop‐out and admission rates compared favourably with previous trials. User satisfaction ratings were high.ConclusionThe study offers insight into real‐life clinical practice and as outpatient treatment is usually much less expensive than inpatient treatment, this approach has the potential to be cost‐effective.
The Influence of Grandparents on the Lives of Children and Adolescents
Authors: Dunifon Rachel 
Published: December 2012

AbstractRecent trends such as increased life expectancy, decreases in family size, and the rise of both single‐parent families and maternal employment increase the potential for grandparents to play important roles in the lives of their grandchildren. In this article, I review recent research and discuss directions for research on grandparents' influence on the lives of children and adolescents. I consider the role of nonresidential grandparents in children's lives, grandparents' influence in three‐generational families, and the well‐being of families in which grandparents are raising their grandchildren. Research regarding the influence of nonresident grandparents on children is inconclusive, with several studies indicating no or negligible roles for grandparents in such families. Studies of three‐generational families suggest that children in such arrangements often fare just as well as children in married families, although these patterns vary by race. Finally, new research highlights areas of need and strength in custodial grandparent families and future research seeks to examine how these factors relate to children's well‐being.
Siblings, Theory of Mind, and Executive Functioning in Children Aged 3–6 Years: New Longitudinal Evidence
Authors: McAlister Anna R. , Peterson Candida C. 
Published: December 2012

Longitudinal data were obtained from 157 children aged 3 years 3 months to 5 years 6 months at Time 1. At Time 2 these children had aged an average of 12 months. Theory of mind (ToM) and executive functioning (EF) were measured at both time points. Results suggest that Time 1 ToM scores predict Time 2 EF scores. Detailed examination of sibling influences suggests that benefits—in terms of advanced ToM development—accrue to children with siblings versus without, and to those with a larger number of child‐aged siblings. Any advance in either area (ToM or EF) is likely to benefit the other, and early sibling interaction appears to act as a catalyst.
Statins enhance the effects of corticosteroids on the balance between regulatory T cells and Th17 cells
Authors: Maneechotesuwan K. , Kasetsinsombat K. , Wamanuttajinda V. , Wongkajornsilp A. , Barnes P. J. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBackgroundPlasticity of CD4+ lymphocyte Th17/regulatory T cell (Treg) subsets is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic airway inflammatory diseases, such as asthma. Reversal of Th17/Treg cell balance towards Treg cells may be beneficial for the suppression of chronic Th2 cell‐mediated inflammatory diseases, such as asthma. However, the effect of the combination of corticosteroids and a statin on the ratio of Treg/Th17 cells is unknown.ObjectiveWe investigated the in vitro effects of the combination of simvastatin and fluticasone propionate (FP) on the numbers of Treg and Th17 cells in asthmatic patients after co‐incubation with monocyte‐derived DCs (mDCs), and explored the underlying signalling pathways involved.MethodsUsing flow cytometry, we determined the effects of FP and simvastatin on Treg/Th17 balance after co‐incubation of asthmatic CD4+ T cells with mDCs. We also measured the relevant Treg and Th17‐polarizing cytokines released from mDCs and also investigated the role of indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase (IDO) in this response.ResultsThe combination of simvastatin and FP significantly increased Treg and concomitantly reduced Th17 cell numbers to a greater extent than FP or statin treatment alone. The enhancing effects of simvastatin on FP effects were mediated through the up‐regulation of indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase and interleukin (IL)‐10, together with down‐regulation of IL‐6 and IL‐23 expression in mDCs.ConclusionOn the basis of this in vitro model of asthma, we suggest that the combination of a statin and a corticosteroid could augment the Treg/Th17 cell ratio and thus more effectively suppress airway inflammation in asthma patients. This may be particularly relevant in the treatment of severe asthma where Th17 cells are activated and linked to neutrophilic inflammation.
Factors predicting the presence of small bowel lesions in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Sakai Eiji , Endo Hiroki , Taniguchi Leo , Hata Yasuo , Ezuka Akiko , Nagase Hajime , Yamada Eiji , Ohkubo Hidenori , Higurashi Takuma , Sekino Yusuke , Koide Tomoko , Iida Hiroshi , Hosono Kunihiro , Nonaka Takashi , Takahashi Hirokazu , Inamori Masahiko , Maeda Shin , Nakajima Atsushi 
Published: December 2012

AimTo identify the predictive factors for the presence of small bowel lesions in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB).MethodsA total of 242 patients with OGIB (overt 149: occult 93) were retrospectively included in the present study. Capsule endoscopy (CE) was carried out to investigate the small bowel, and detected lesions were classified according to the P0‐P2 system. Only P2 lesions were defined as significant lesions. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to define the predictive factors for the presence of small bowel lesions.ResultsIn patients with overt OGIB, chronic kidney disease (CKD) ≥stage 4 (odds ratio [OR] 4.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45–11.1, P = 0.007) was identified as an independent predictor of the presence of vascular lesions, and a history of non‐steroidalanti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) use as that of erosive/ulcerated lesions (OR 4.73; 95% CI 1.47–15.2, P = 0.009). However, in patients with occult OGIB, no significant predictors of the presence of vascular lesions were identified, whereas a history of low‐dose aspirin (LDA) (OR 3.57; 95% CI 1.21–10.5, P = 0.02) and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use (OR 3.18; 95% CI 1.02–9.92, P = 0.05) were identified as independent predictors of the presence of erosive/ulcerated lesions.ConclusionsOur results indicated that bleeding pattern and clinical characteristics could contribute to predicting the origin of OGIB.
Classification of patients who experience a higher distress level to transoral esophagogastroduodenoscopy than to transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy
Authors: Miyake Kazumasa , Kusunoki Masafumi , Ueki Nobue , Yamada Akiyoshi , Nagoya Hiroyuki , Kodaka Yasuhiro , Shindo Tomotaka , Kawagoe Tetsuro , Gudis Katya , Futagami Seiji , Tsukui Taku , Sakamoto Choitsu 
Published: December 2012

BackgroundIn Japanese routine clinical practice, endoscopy is generally carried out without sedation. The present study aimed to identify the factors essential for appropriate selection of transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (TN‐EGD) as an alternative to unsedated transoral esophagogastroduodenoscopy (TO‐EGD).Patients and methodsSubjects in this prospective cohort study comprised consecutive outpatients who underwent EGD at a single center. Factors predicting TO‐EGD‐induced distress were evaluated on a visual analog scale (VAS) and analyzed. Patients were classified into a two‐layered system on the basis of these predictive factors, and the severity of distress between the TN‐EGD and TO‐EGD groups was compared using VAS and the change in the rate–pressure product as subjective and objective indices, respectively.ResultsIn total, 728 outpatients (390 male, 338 female; mean age, 63.1 ± 0.5 years; TO‐EGD group, 630; TN‐EGD group, 98)met the inclusion criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that age <65 years (P < 0.01; odds ratio [OR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14–2.52), gender (female; P < 0.01; OR,1.97; 95% CI, 1.34–2.91), marital status (single; P < 0.01; OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.18–3.27), and anxiety towards TO‐EGD (P < 0.001; OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 2.44–5.37) were independently associated with intolerance. Both indices were significantly higher in the TO‐EGD subgroup than in the TN‐EGD subgroup in the high predictive class, but not in the low predictive class.ConclusionPredictive factors for detecting intolerance to unsedated TO‐EGD may be useful to appropriately select patients who transpose unsedated TO‐EGD to TN‐EGD.
Comparison of Right Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Low Risk and Intermediate‐to‐High Risk Pulmonary Embolism: A Two‐Dimensional Strain Imaging Study
Authors: Descotes‐Genon Vincent , Chopard Romain , Morel Mathilde , Meneveau Nicolas , Schiele Francois , Bernard Yvette 
Published: December 2012

Aim: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is key for risk stratification in pulmonary embolism (PE). The goal of this study was to compare RV strain values between low and intermediate‐to‐high risk PE patients assessed by two‐dimensional (2D) strain imaging. Methods: The inclusion criterion was a diagnosis of PE confirmed by thoracic computed tomography scan with contrast medium, or by scintigraphy perfusion lung scan. Risk stratification of PE was defined as high when there was hemodynamic instability; intermediate when there were signs of RV dysfunction on echocardiography; and/or elevated troponin I and/or brain natriuretic peptide and low when none of these criteria were present. All patients underwent echocardiography at admission. Apical four‐chamber images were analyzed off line using both conventional and 2D strain imaging. Results: Sixty‐two patients (mean age 66 years) were prospectively recruited: 33 with low risk PE, 29 with intermediate‐to‐high risk PE. Global 2D RV strain differed significantly between groups (−13.1% vs. −18.7%, P < 0.01), as did free wall (−12.7% vs. −20.2%, P < 0.016) and septal wall (−13.5% vs. −17.2%, P < 0.01). When the RV was divided into segments, we observed a similar reduction in absolute strain value in the mid and apical free wall segments and in the apical septal wall (−20.3 ± −7.6 vs. −11.8 ± 8.9%; P < 0.01 and −19.6 ± 6.9 vs. −7.4 ± 9.1%; P < 0.01, and −17.7 ± 7.0 vs. 9.9 ± 8.0; P < 0.01, respectively). 2D strain and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion were significantly related (r2 = 0.35, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Peak RV longitudinal 2D strain is reduced in patients with intermediate‐to‐high risk PE, especially in the apical and mid segments of the free wall. Global and regional RV longitudinal 2D strain is altered in patients with intermediate‐to‐high risk PE as compared with low risk PE.
Wake‐promoting actions of noradrenergic α1‐ and β‐receptors within the lateral hypothalamic area
Authors: Schmeichel Brooke E. , Berridge Craig W. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractCentral norepinephrine exerts potent wake‐promoting effects, in part through the actions of noradrenergic α1‐ and β‐receptors located in the medial septal and medial preoptic areas. The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), including the lateral hypothalamus, perifornical area and adjacent dorsomedial hypothalamus, is implicated in the regulation of arousal and receives a substantial noradrenergic innervation. To date the functional significance of this innervation is unknown. The current studies examined the degree to which noradrenergic α1‐ and β‐receptor stimulation within the rat LHA modulates arousal. Specifically, these studies examined the wake‐promoting effects of intra‐tissue infusions (250 nL) of the α1‐receptor agonist phenylephrine (10, 20 and 40 nmol) and the β‐receptor agonist isoproterenol (3, 10 and 30 nmol) in rats. Results show that stimulation of LHA α1‐receptors elicits robust and dose‐dependent increases in waking. In contrast, β‐receptor stimulation within the LHA had relatively modest arousal‐promoting actions. Nonetheless, combined α1‐ and β‐receptor stimulation elicited additive wake‐promoting effects. Arousal‐promoting hypocretin/orexin (HCRT)‐synthesising neurons are located within the LHA. Therefore, additional immunohistochemical studies examined whether α1‐receptor‐dependent waking is associated with an activation of HCRT neurons as measured by Fos, the protein product of the immediate–early gene c‐fos. Analyses indicate that although intra‐LHA α1‐receptor agonist infusion elicited a robust increase in Fos immunoreactivity (ir) in this region, this treatment did not activate HCRT neurons as measured by Fos‐ir. Collectively, these observations indicate that noradrenergic α1‐receptors within the LHA promote arousal via actions that are independent of HCRT neuronal activation.
West syndrome caused by ST3Gal‐III deficiency
Authors: Edvardson Simon , Baumann Anna‐Maria , Mühlenhoff Martina , Stephan Oliver , Kuss Andreas W. , Shaag Avraham , He Liqun , Zenvirt Shamir , Tanzi Raimo , Gerardy‐Schahn Rita , Elpeleg Orly 
Published: December 2012

SummaryWest syndrome consists of infantile spasms, hypsarrhythmia, and developmental arrest. Most patients remain mentally retarded and many develop Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome. Using homozygosity mapping followed by exome sequencing we identified an ST3GAL3 mutation in three infants with West syndrome. ST3GAL3 encodes a sialyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of sialyl‐Lewis epitopes on cell surface–expressed glycoproteins. The mutation affected an essential sialyl‐motif and abolished enzymatic activity. Abnormalities in proteins involved in forebrain γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic synaptic growth and function were recently proposed to account for infantile spasms. Dysfunctional ST3GAL3 may thus result in perturbation of the posttranslational sialylation of proteins in these pathways.
Absence of a Context‐General Behavioural Syndrome in a Solitary Predator
Authors: Nyqvist Marina J. , Gozlan Rodolphe E. , Cucherousset Julien , Robert Britton J. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe correlation of seemingly unrelated behaviours into behavioural syndromes has been established in a wide range of species and taxa. However, most studies report on short‐term behavioural correlations without insight into individual consistency or temporal stability of the behavioural syndrome. Here, we examine the individual repeatability of single behaviours, and the presence and temporal stability of a context‐general behavioural syndrome in a solitary piscivorous predator, the pike (Esox lucius). Behavioural measurements on the same individuals were quantified independently through time and across three contexts: activity in the presence of a competitor, exploration of a novel environment and boldness under predation risk. There was no indication of a temporally stable behavioural syndrome, consisting of boldness, activity and exploration, nor were individuals consistent in the separate behaviours, contradicting the general assertion of its taxonomic prevalence. Furthermore, the study did not provide support for size or growth‐dependent behaviour in this size‐dimorphic species in conditions of limited food availability. The study highlights the importance of independent multiple observations of individual behaviour across time or contexts when measuring behavioural repeatability and covariation.