bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The HVCN1 channel conducts protons into the phagocytic vacuole of neutrophils to produce a physiologically alkaline pH
Authors: Levine Adam P. , Duchen Michael R. , Segal Anthony W. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractActivation of the NADPH oxidase (NOX2) of the phagocytic vacuole of neutrophils is essential for innate immunity. Sustained activity of the oxidase requires that charge movements across the membrane are balanced. A role for the proton channel, HVCN1, has been proposed but not proven. Using the ratiometric pH indicator SNARF, introduced into the cytosol and separately into the vacuole coupled toCandida, we used confocal microscopy to measure changes in pH in these two compartments in human and mouse neutrophils. Shortly after phagocytosis by human cells, the vacuolar pH rose to ~9, at which it was maintained for ~20 minutes, while the cytosol showed a small acidification of ~0.25 pH unit. Alkalinisation has important consequences for the microbicidal and digestive functions of vacuolar enzymes. In HVCN1 knock out mouse neutrophils, the phagocytosis induced respiratory burst was halved to ~3 fmols perCandida, the vacuolar pH rose to >11 and the cytosol acidified excessively to pH ~6.75. These changes were prevented by the protonophore CCCP. The rate of extrusion of protons into the extracellular medium following phagocytosis was not significantly different from wild type neutrophils suggesting that cytoplasmic acidification resulted from the loss of the proton sink into the vacuole. HVCN1 phagocytic vacuoles showed considerable swelling, and this was blocked by CCCP and decreased by valinomycin. Stoichiometric considerations indicated that the HVCN1 channel compensates 90–95% of the oxidase-induced charge in normal cells, and in its absence, charge is carried by ions other than protons, including K+.
The Heat Shock Factor A4A Confers Salt Tolerance and Is Regulated by Oxidative Stress and the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases MPK3 and MPK6
Authors: Pérez-Salamó Imma , Papdi Csaba , Rigó Gábor , Zsigmond Laura , Vilela Belmiro , Lumbreras Victoria , Nagy István , Horváth Balázs , Domoki Mónika , Darula Zsuzsa , Medzihradszky Katalin , Bögre László , Koncz Csaba , Szabados László 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHeat shock factors (HSFs) are principal regulators of plant responses to several abiotic stresses. Here, we show that estradiol-dependent induction of HSFA4A confers enhanced tolerance to salt and oxidative agents, whereas inactivation of HSFA4A results in hypersensitivity to salt stress in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Estradiol induction of HSFA4A in transgenic plants decreases, while the knockout hsfa4a mutation elevates hydrogen peroxide accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Overexpression of HSFA4A alters the transcription of a large set of genes regulated by oxidative stress. In yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, HSFA4A shows homomeric interaction, which is reduced by alanine replacement of three conserved cysteine residues. HSFA4A interacts with mitogen-activated protein kinases MPK3 and MPK6 in yeast and plant cells. MPK3 and MPK6 phosphorylate HSFA4A in vitro on three distinct sites, serine-309 being the major phosphorylation site. Activation of the MPK3 and MPK6 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway led to the transcriptional activation of the HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN17.6A gene. In agreement that mutation of serine-309 to alanine strongly diminished phosphorylation of HSFA4A, it also strongly reduced the transcriptional activation of HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN17.6A. These data suggest that HSFA4A is a substrate of the MPK3/MPK6 signaling and that it regulates stress responses in Arabidopsis.
Naringenin attenuates CCl4‐induced hepatic inflammation by the activation of an Nrf2‐mediated pathway in rats
Authors: Esmaeili Mohammad Ali , Alilou Mostafa 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe possible protective effects of naringenin, a naturally occurring citrus flavonone, on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver injury in rats and the mechanism underlying its effects were investigated. Forty rats were divided into five groups. Rats in Groups I and II served as the normal and injured liver groups, respectively; Group III rats were treated with the standard drug silymarin as a positive control; and rats in Groups IV and V (naringenin‐treated groups) were administrated 50 mg/kg, p.o., naringenin for 7 days. Liver samples were collected to evaluate mRNA and protein expression, histological changes and oxidative stress. Naringenin inhibited lipid peroxidation and reduced serum levels of hepatic enzymes induced by CCl4. In addition, naringenin increased the liver content of reduced glutathione and the activity of anti‐oxidant enzymes in rats treated with CCl4. Naringenin attenuated liver inflammation by downregulating CCl4‐induced activation of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclo‐oxygenase (COX‐2) at both the protein and mRNA levels. Naringenin treatment significantly increased NF‐E2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase (HO‐1) expression in injured livers. In rats treated with CCl4 alone, decreases were seen in nuclear Nrf2 expression and in the mRNA levels of its target genes (e.g. HO‐1, NQO1 and glutathione S‐transferase alpha 3 (GST‐a3)). Together, the results suggest that naringenin can protect the liver against oxidative stress, presumably by activating the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 as well as attenuating the TNF‐α pathway to elicit an anti‐inflammatory response in liver tissue.
Age‐ and sex‐related differences in sudomotor function evaluated by the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) in healthy humans
Authors: Lee Jeong Beom , Lee In Ho , Shin Young Oh , Min Young Ki , Yang Hun Mo 
Published: March 2014

SummaryThe aim of the present study was to quantitatively investigate the age and sex‐related differences in sudomotor function in healthy humans. The quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) with iontophoresis (2 mA for 5 min) and 10% acetylcholine (ACh) was performed to determine axon reflex‐mediated (AXR), with and without iotophoresis (AXR(1) and AXR(2), respectively), and directly activated (DIR) sweating. All experiments were conducted under thermoneutral conditions (temperature 24.0 ± 0.5°C; relative humidity 40 ± 3%). In general, men had enhanced values of onset time of AXR, sweat rates, activated sweat gland density (SGD) and activated sweat gland output (SGO) than women, but not in all cases. The onset time of AXR (r2 = 0.567; P < 0.001) was positively correlated with advancing age, whereas sweat rates of AXR(1) and AXR(2) (r2 = 0.571 and r2 = 0.486, respectively; P < 0.0001), DIR (r2 = 0.594; P < 0.0001), SGD (r2 = 0.496; P < 0.0001) and SGO (r2 = 0.551; P < 0.0001) were negatively correlated in both men and women with advancing age. The results demonstrate that an attenuation of sudomotor function occurs with aging in both sexes. Moreover, the findings showed a progressive increase in onset time and a decrease in sweat rates, SGD and SGO with increasing age in both sexes. A variation in sweat function was found between sexes, but not in all age groups.
Disturbed subsurface microbial communities follow equivalent trajectories despite different structural starting points
Authors: Handley Kim M. , Wrighton Kelly C. , Miller Christopher S. , Wilkins Michael J. , Kantor Rose S. , Thomas Brian C. , Williams Kenneth H. , Gilbert Jack A. , Long Philip E. , Banfield Jillian F. 
Published: March 2014

SummaryMicrobial community structure, and niche and neutral processes can all influence response to disturbance. Here, we provide experimental evidence for niche versus neutral and founding community effects during a bioremediation‐related organic carbon disturbance. Subsurface sediment, partitioned into 22 flow‐through columns, was stimulated in situ by the addition of acetate as a carbon and electron donor source. This drove the system into a new transient biogeochemical state characterized by iron reduction and enriched Desulfuromonadales, Comamonadaceae and Bacteroidetes lineages. After approximately 1 month conditions favoured sulfate reduction, and were accompanied by a substantial increase in the relative abundance of Desulfobulbus, Desulfosporosinus, Desulfitobacterium and Desulfotomaculum. Two subsets of four to five columns each were switched from acetate to lactate amendment during either iron (earlier) or sulfate (later) reduction. Hence, subsets had significantly different founding communities. All lactate treatments exhibited lower relative abundances of Desulfotomaculum and Bacteroidetes, enrichments of Clostridiales and Psychrosinus species, and a temporal succession from highly abundant Clostridium sensu stricto to Psychrosinus. Regardless of starting point, lactate‐switch communities followed comparable structural trajectories, whereby convergence was evident 9 to 16 days after each switch, and significant after 29 to 34 days of lactate addition. Results imply that neither the founding community nor neutral processes influenced succession following perturbation.
Macau Metropolis and Mental Life: Interior Urbanism and the Chinese Imaginary
Authors: Simpson Tim 
Published: March 2014

AbstractThis article investigates the tendency towards an interiorized and encapsulated urbanity in Macau and the functional role of this phenomenon in the ‘mental life’ of Chinese consumers. A Portuguese territory for half a millennium, Macau was returned to the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1999; the postcolonial, semi‐autonomous Macau Special Administrative Region has subsequently become the most lucrative casino gaming site in the world, far surpassing casino revenues earned in Las Vegas. This article investigates the manner in which the local government of the city‐state and the central government of the PRC have colluded with transnational capital to effect a remarkable enclosure of the urban commons in Macau. The entire city today may be understood as a biopolitical laboratory of consumption, where the PRC uses a preferential exit visa policy to allow tourists from select, relatively affluent provinces access to Macau. The new built environment of the city naturalizes a radical urban imaginary and corresponding post‐socialist ‘quality’ consumer subject; that subject is crucial to the macroeconomic goals of the PRC and the sustainability of global capitalism.
Management and outcomes of acute appendicitis in pregnancy—population‐based study of over 7000 cases
Authors: Abbasi N , Patenaude V , Abenhaim HA 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo compare outcomes and management practices among pregnant and nonpregnant women with acute appendicitis.DesignPopulation‐based matched cohort study.SettingUnited States of America.SampleA total of 7114 women with appendicitis among 7 037 386 births.MethodsLogistic regression analyses to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for variables and outcomes of interest.Main outcome measuresMaternal morbidities associated with appendicitis; management practices for pregnant and age‐matched nonpregnant women with appendicitis.ResultsThere was an overall incidence of 101.1 cases of appendicitis per 100 000 births. Appendicitis was diagnosed in 35 570 nonpregnant women during the corresponding time frame. Peritonitis occurred in 20.3% of pregnant women with appendicitis, with an adjusted OR of 1.3 (95% CI 1.2–1.4) when compared with nonpregnant women with appendicitis. In pregnancy, there was an almost two‐fold increase in sepsis and septic shock, transfusion, pneumonia, bowel obstruction, postoperative infection and length of stay >3 days. Whereas 5.8% of appendicitis cases among pregnant women were managed conservatively, they were associated with a considerably increased risk of shock, peritonitis and venous thromboembolism as compared to surgically managed cases.ConclusionsCompared with nonpregnant women, pregnant women with acute appendicitis have higher rates of adverse outcomes. Conservative management should be avoided given the serious risk of adverse outcomes in pregnancy.
Religious coping, meaning‐making and stress: perspective of support staff of children with disabilities in residential disability centres in Oman
Authors: Emam Mahmoud , Al‐Bahrani Muna 
Published: March 2014

Staff providing support to children with disabilities in residential disability centres in Oman are exposed to stressful work environments which may put them at an increased risk of burnout. Previous research has examined predictors of stress in disability support staff, but there is little consensus as the findings are inconclusive.Using a cross‐sectional design, a short survey examined religious coping styles, meaning and inner sense of peace, attitude to meaning in life, organisational religiousness practices and stress of 142 female disability support staff from community disability centres in Oman.Multiple regression analyses indicated that positive religious coping was more predictive of stress than negative religious coping. There was an association between meaning‐making and stress in disability support staff. Religious organisation explained most of the variance in stress scores and was the best predictor of stress in disability support staff. Implications of the study are discussed in relation to the role of both culture and religion.
Neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review
Authors: Man Bik Ling , Mok Chi Chiu , Fu Yat Pang 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHerein we summarize the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We performed a systematic review of the neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of SLE reported in the English literature from 1970 to 2010 by a Medline search. The prevalence of neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations is 3.6% in adult and 1.6% in childhood SLE patients. Neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of SLE are highly variable, with the commonest presentation being optic neuritis, followed by myasthenia gravis, visual field defects and pseudotumor cerebri. The underlying pathology was thought to be either SLE activity or its vascular complications. Most neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of SLE are responsive to high‐dose glucocorticoids. Anticoagulation is indicated when there is concomitant antiphospholipid syndrome. SLE‐related neuromyelitis optica is often refractory to treatment and 92% of patients require multiple immunosuppressive protocols. Neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations of SLE are uncommon but heterogeneous. The prognosis of neuro‐ophthalmologic manifestations in SLE is generally good because of their rapid response to glucocorticoids. Relapses of these manifestations may be reduced by the use of maintenance immunosuppression. Cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab can be considered in glucocorticoid‐dependent or refractory cases. Anticoagulation is indicated when there is concomitant antiphospholipid syndrome.
Consensus statement on the investigation and management of non‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‐axSpA)
Authors: Robinson Philip C. , Bird Paul , Lim Irwin , Saad Nivene , Schachna Lionel , Taylor Andrew L. , Whittle Samuel L. , Brown Matthew A. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimNon‐radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr‐axSpA) is axial inflammatory arthritis where plain radiographic damage is not evident. An unknown proportion of these patients will progress to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The increasing recognition of nr‐axSpA has been greatly assisted by the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging. The aim of this article was to construct a set of consensus statements based on a literature review to guide investigation and promote best management of nr‐axSpA.MethodsA literature review using Medline was conducted covering the major investigation modalities and treatment options available. A group of rheumatologists and a radiologist with expertise in investigation and management of SpA reviewed the literature and formulated a set of consensus statements. The Grade system encompassing the level of evidence and strength of recommendation was used. The opinion of a patient with nr‐axSpA and a nurse experienced in the care of SpA patients was also sought and included.ResultsThe literature review found few studies specifically addressing nr‐axSpA, or if these patients were included, their results were often not separately reported. Fourteen consensus statements covering investigation and management of nr‐axSpA were formulated. The level of agreement was high and ranged from 8.1 to 9.8. Treatment recommendations vary little with established AS, but this is primarily due to the lack of available evidence on the specific treatment of nr‐axSpA.ConclusionThe consensus statements aim to improve the diagnosis and management of nr‐axSpA. We aim to raise awareness of this condition by the public and doctors and promote appropriate investigation and management.
Synchrony: quantifying variability in space and time
Authors: Gouhier Tarik C. , Guichard Frederic 
Published: March 2014

Summary

There is growing recognition that linking patterns to their underlying processes in interconnected and dynamic ecological systems requires data sampled at multiple spatial and temporal scales.

However, spatially explicit and temporally resolved data sets can be difficult to analyze using classical statistical methods because the data are typically autocorrelated and thus violate the assumption of independence.

Here, we describe the synchrony package for the R programming environment, which provides modern parametric and nonparametric methods for (i) quantifying temporal and spatial patterns of auto‐ and cross‐correlated variability in univariate, bivariate, and multivariate data sets, and (ii) assessing their statistical significance via Monte Carlo randomizations.

We illustrate how the methods included in the package can be used to investigate the causes of spatial and temporal variability in ecological systems through a series of examples, and discuss the assumptions and caveats of each statistical procedure in order to provide a practical guide for their application in the real world.
Effect of carbon dioxide on cerebral blood flow velocity in preterm infants during postnatal transition
Authors: Noori Shahab , Anderson Michael , Soleymani Sadaf , Seri Istvan 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimHigh arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) and cerebral reperfusion are associated with peri/intraventricular haemorrhage. Our aim was to study the relationship between PaCO2 and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in preterm infants during postnatal transition.MethodsWe prospectively studied ≤30 weeks' gestation haemodynamically stable preterm infants during the first three postnatal days (n = 21; gestational age 25.8 ± 1.4 weeks). We measured middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (MCA‐MV) as a surrogate for CBF at the time of blood gas analysis.ResultsWe obtained 78 PaCO2–MCA‐MV data pairs. The expected positive linear relationship between PaCO2 and MCA‐MV was absent on the first postnatal day, equivocal on the second and present on the third. Using piecewise bilinear regression models, we identified PaCO2 breakpoints at 52.7 and 51.0 mmHg for postnatal days two and three, respectively.ConclusionIn haemodynamically stable preterm neonates, the expected positive linear relationship between PaCO2 and CBF may be absent on postnatal day one. On postnatal day three, and possibly day two, a PaCO2 threshold exists for this relationship, above which CBF becomes reactive to PaCO2. We speculate that the enhanced CBF response to PaCO2 above the threshold contributes to the reperfusion injury and partly explains the association between hypercapnia and peri/intraventricular haemorrhage.
The challenges of caring for children with nephrotic syndrome in a tertiary institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Aloni Michel Ntetani , Sysleyne Létycia Mizèle , Ekulu Pépé Mfutu , Babio Francis Lukebadio , Ngiyulu René Makuala , Gini‐Ehungu Jean Lambert 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAimThe care of children with resistant nephrotic syndrome (NS) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is compromised by resource deficiencies that range from inadequate healthcare budgets, to scarce laboratory facilities and inconsistent drug supplies. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical profile and management of children with nephrotic syndrome in Kinshasa, the country's capital and its largest city.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 62 patients with a diagnosis of NS, who were seen in the Paediatric Nephrology Unit at the University Hospital of Kinshasa between January 1983 and January 2008.ResultsOf the 62 children diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, 33 were boys and 29 were girls, giving a male to female ratio of 1.14:1. Their median age at initial presentation was 7.5 years (range: 1.5–13 years) with a peak incidence at six to nine years of age (38.7%). No cases of plasmodium malariae were isolated in our series. Sixteen (25.8%) of the children had resistant corticoid nephrotic syndrome and six of the children (9.7%) died.ConclusionAge, the prevalence of steroid‐resistant NS and the mortality rate in our series were higher than those reported in Asian and Western countries.
The role of core needle biopsy in the preoperative diagnosis of follicular neoplasm of the thyroid
Authors: Min Hye Sook , Kim Ji‐Hoon , Ryoo Inseon , Jung So Lyung , Jung Chan Kwon 
Published: March 2014

Follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN) can often be challenging to diagnose using core needle biopsy (CNB) specimens. We have developed the histologic criteria for the CNB diagnosis of FN and validated the usefulness of CNB. We retrospectively reviewed 184 CNBs and 224 FNACs diagnosed with FN/SFN. CNBs were histologically classified into four subgroups, based on the histologic features of follicular proliferation, fibrous capsulation, and surrounding parenchyma. Among 184 CNBs, 103 (55.9%) had previous FNAC results of non‐diagnostic or indeterminate. Overall malignancy rates in FNAC (48%) and CNB (46%) were nearly identical (p > 0.05), and the neoplasm rate was higher in CNB (88%) than FNAC (74%) (p = 0.007). There was no significant difference in the malignancy rates among the four histologic subgroups. Among the 40 nodules with simultaneous CNB and FNAC, only nine had the FNAC diagnosis of FN/SFN, and others were non‐diagnostic, benign, or atypia of undetermined significance. Overall, CNB improved specimen adequacy and achieved better sensitivity of the FN/SFN diagnosis in thyroid nodules that were inconclusive by FNAC. In the preoperative diagnosis of FN/SFN, CNB has no advantage over FNAC in predicting the likelihood of malignancy, but helps to reduce the need for repeat biopsy.