bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conjugated Linoleic Acids Attenuate LPS‐Induced Pro‐Inflammatory Gene Expression by Inhibiting the NF‐κB Translocation Through PPARγ in Buffalo Granulosa Cells
Authors: Yenuganti Vengala Rao , Ravinder Ravinder , Singh Dheer 
Published: May 2014

ProblemIn granulosa cells, TLR4‐mediated LPS‐induced immune response interferes with ovarian granulosa cell function.Method of studyLPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory gene expression was monitored by real‐time PCR and NF‐κB was determined by the immuno‐blotting and immuno‐staining in granulosa cells in vitro.ResultsThe LPS (1 μg/mL) increased pro‐inflammatory gene expression which was reverted back by treatment with TLR4 signaling inhibitor. Cotreatment of CLA (10 μm) with LPS did not show any effect on LPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory gene expression but granulosa cells pre‐treated with CLA for 24 hr, attenuated LPS‐induced pro‐inflammatory gene expression and nuclear NF‐κB. GW9662, a PPARγ‐inhibitor, further increased the expression of pro‐inflammatory genes.ConclusionThe present findings reiterated that pre‐treatment with CLA can prevent LPS‐induced granulosa cells dysfunction.
Refractory asthma: mechanisms, targets, and therapy
Authors: Trevor J. L. , Deshane J. S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAsthma is a common medical condition affecting 300 million people worldwide. Airway inflammation, smooth muscle bronchoconstriction leading to airflow obstruction, and mucous hypersecretion are clinical hallmarks of asthma. The NHLBI Expert Panel Report 3 recommends inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) target gene transcription through their interactions with the glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR) at the glucocorticoid response element (GRE). The GC/GR complex enhances anti‐inflammatory but inhibits pro‐inflammatory mediator production. Classically, asthma has been described as a Th2‐associated eosinophil‐predominant disease, but recently alternative models have been described including a Th17‐mediated neutrophil‐predominant phenotype resulting in patients with more severe disease who may be less responsive to steroids. Additional mechanisms of steroid resistance include increased activity of GR phosphorylating kinases which modify the interactions of GR with transcription factors to inhibit the ability of GR to bind with GRE, leading to an increase in pro‐inflammatory gene transcription. Oxidative stress also affects the balance between pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory gene transcription through the modification of transcription factors and cofactors (such as PI3K) leading to the inhibition of histone deacetylase 2. Continued investigations into the mechanisms behind glucocorticoid resistance will lead to novel treatments that improve control of severe refractory asthma.
Neutrophils from allergic asthmatic patients produce and release metalloproteinase‐9 upon direct exposure to allergens
Authors: Ventura I. , Vega A. , Chacón P. , Chamorro C. , Aroca R. , Gómez E. , Bellido V. , Puente Y. , Blanca M. , Monteseirín J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundAsthma is characterized by airway inflammation and remodelling in which matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role. MMP‐9 is the major MMP found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and bronchial biopsies from patients with allergic asthma after allergen challenge, where it correlates with the count of neutrophils and macrophages. However, the cellular sources of MMP‐9 in this inflammatory condition have not yet been clearly identified. This work was undertaken to analyse whether neutrophils may be a source of MMP‐9 in the allergic asthma condition upon allergen challenge.MethodsNeutrophils from allergic asthmatic patients were in vitro stimulated, and the levels of MMP‐9 release were measured in the cell culture supernatants using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and zymography.ResultsWe show that MMP‐9 is released by neutrophils, but not by eosinophils from allergic asthmatic patients in response to allergens to which the patients were sensitized. Neutrophils also released MMP‐9 in response to anti‐IgE Abs, and agonist Abs against FcεRI, FcεRII/CD23 and galectin‐3. Inhibitors of transcription and translation, actinomycin D and cycloheximide, partially cancelled this process, suggesting that MMP‐9 is also de novo synthesized in response to stimuli. We also show evidence that the MAPKs, p38 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, as well as the transcription factor NF‐κB, are involved, as specific chemical inhibitors of these cell‐signalling pathways abolished the anti‐IgE/allergen‐dependent MMP‐9 release.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate that the exposure of neutrophils to allergens leads to generation of MMP‐9, which may then lead to remodelling in asthma.
Reconstruction of the maxilla by submental flap
Authors: Rahpeyma Amin , Khajehahmadi Saeedeh 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundPalate separates the oral and nasal cavities, hence its reconstruction after pathologic resections or trauma avulsions is important for speech, degulation, mastication and aesthetic facial results.MethodsIn a retrospective study, the cases that were treated by submental flap for palatomaxillary reconstruction during 2007–2012 were selected from the archive files. Size of the skin paddle, type of the flap and the pathology responsible for resection were recorded.ResultsIn the search of the files, there were 10 patients in which submental flap were used for palatomaxillary reconstruction. The most common complication was fistula at the junction of the palate (20%). All flaps survived and donor site healed without any complication. Treatment for dental rehabilitation was performed in 80% of the patients (60% with conventional removable prostheses, 20% with implant‐supported dentures).ConclusionSubmental flap in pedicled form (orthograde or retrograde) can be used for reconstruction of the maxilla in Brown class 2a maxillectomy.
Learning curve for fetoscopic laser surgery using cumulative sum analysis
Authors: Peeters Suzanne H.P. , Van Zwet Erik W. , Oepkes Dick , Lopriore Enrico , Klumper Frans J. , Middeldorp Johanna M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo identify a learning curve and monitor operator performance for fetoscopic laser surgery for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome using cumulative sum analysis.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingNational tertiary referral center for invasive fetal therapy.PopulationA total of 340 consecutive monochorionic pregnancies with twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome treated with fetoscopic laser coagulation between August 2000 and December 2010.MethodsA learning curve was generated using learning curve cumulative sum analysis and cumulative sum methodology to assess changes in double survival across the case sequence. Laser surgery was initially performed by two operators, joined by a third and fourth operator after 1 and 2 years, respectively.Main outcome measuresIndividual operator performance, double perinatal survival at 4 weeks.ResultsOverall survival of both twins occurred in 59% (201/340), median gestational age at birth was 32.0 weeks. Cumulative sum graphs showed that level of competence for double survival for the operators was reached after 26, 25, 26, and 35 procedures, respectively. Two operators kept their competence level and continued to improve after completing the initial learning process; two others went out of control at one point in time, according to the cumulative sum boundaries. A difference in learning effect was associated with number of procedures performed annually and previous experience with other ultrasound‐guided invasive procedures.ConclusionsThis study shows that all operators reached a level of competence after at least 25 fetoscopic laser procedures and confirms the value of using the cumulative sum method both for learning curve assessment and for ongoing quality control.
1 Introduction: Inalienability, Value, and the Construction of Social Difference
Authors: Kovacevich Brigitte , Callaghan Michael G. 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTAnnette Weiner's concept of “inalienable wealth” is a powerful theoretical construct that can help archaeologists understand how artifacts gained value, were used to foster group identity, and created social difference. In this chapter we first review the concept of inalienable wealth as conceptualized by Weiner for use in understanding cultural practices of contemporary societies in Melanesia. We then discuss why inalienable wealth holds potential for archaeological datasets, how archaeologists have used it in the recent past, and how contributors to this volume employ the concept.
5 Cultivated Landscapes as Inalienable Wealth in Southeastern Mesoamerica
Authors: Wells E. Christian 
Published: April 2014

ABSTRACTAnnette Weiner's theory of inalienable possessions, while bridging important gaps between meaning and materiality in archaeological studies of labor, gives short shrift to the potential role of landed property in constituting regimes of value. This chapter responds by exploring how archaeologists can study the social, political, and economic consequences of the inheritance of cultivated landscapes from estate ancestors. Drawing on Weiner's framework for “keeping‐while‐giving” and Parker Shipton's notion of “ideologies of attachment,” the chapter examines the ways and extent to which Maya families deployed agrarian rituals to embed identity in wealth and secure its intergenerational transmission. An archaeological case from pre‐Hispanic Honduras is used to evaluate these ideas with data on settlement, land use, and ritual economy.
Evaluating marker‐guided treatment selection strategies
Authors: Matsouaka Roland A. , Li Junlong , Cai Tianxi 
Published: April 2014

SummaryA potential venue to improve healthcare efficiency is to effectively tailor individualized treatment strategies by incorporating patient level predictor information such as environmental exposure, biological, and genetic marker measurements. Many useful statistical methods for deriving individualized treatment rules (ITR) have become available in recent years. Prior to adopting any ITR in clinical practice, it is crucial to evaluate its value in improving patient outcomes. Existing methods for quantifying such values mainly consider either a single marker or semi‐parametric methods that are subject to bias under model misspecification. In this article, we consider a general setting with multiple markers and propose a two‐step robust method to derive ITRs and evaluate their values. We also propose procedures for comparing different ITRs, which can be used to quantify the incremental value of new markers in improving treatment selection. While working models are used in step I to approximate optimal ITRs, we add a layer of calibration to guard against model misspecification and further assess the value of the ITR non‐parametrically, which ensures the validity of the inference. To account for the sampling variability of the estimated rules and their corresponding values, we propose a resampling procedure to provide valid confidence intervals for the value functions as well as for the incremental value of new markers for treatment selection. Our proposals are examined through extensive simulation studies and illustrated with the data from a clinical trial that studies the effects of two drug combinations on HIV‐1 infected patients.
Peripheral blood cells chimerism after unrelated cord blood transplantation in children: kinetics, predictive factors and impact on post‐transplant outcome
Authors: Elkaim Elodie , Picard Christophe , Galambrun Claire , Barlogis Vincent , Loundou Anderson , Curtillet Catherine , Oudin Claire , Thuret Isabelle , Chambost Hervé , Michel Gérard 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThis study aimed to describe kinetics of complete donor chimerism occurrence (cDC, >99·9% donor) after unrelated cord blood transplantation (UCBT), to identify its predictive factors and its impact on post‐transplant outcome. Ninety‐four children who received single UCBT after a myeloablative conditioning regimen had blood chimerism evaluation at predefined post‐transplant dates, using a real‐time polymerase chain reaction method with 0·1% sensitivity. Cumulative incidence of cDC at 1 year post‐transplantation was 61·8%. Three predictive factors were identified in multivariate analysis: history of malignant disease (P = 0·03), older age (above 2·16 years, the first quartile of age, P = 0·0055) and higher level of cord/recipient human leucocyte antigen mismatch (4/6 vs. 5‐6/6, P < 0·001) increased the probability of post‐transplant cDC. Although graft cell dose had a strong impact on haematological recovery, it did not apparently influence cDC occurrence. Early cDC (i.e. more than 99·9% donor chimerism on days 15–30 post‐transplant) appeared useful to predict engraftment (P = 0·003) as well as acute and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD). Severe acute or chronic GvHD never occurred in patients with DC ≤99·9%, suggesting than even minimal residual host haematopoiesis is associated with a very low risk of GvHD after UCBT.
Mapping the Trajectory of Socioeconomic Disparity in Working Memory: Parental and Neighborhood Factors
Authors: Hackman Daniel A. , Betancourt Laura M. , Gallop Robert , Romer Daniel , Brodsky Nancy L. , Hurt Hallam , Farah Martha J. 
Published: April 2014

Working memory (WM) is positively correlated with socioeconomic status (SES). It is not clear, however, if SES predicts the rate of WM development over time or whether SES effects are specific to family rather than neighborhood SES. A community sample of children (n = 316) enrolled between ages 10 and 13 completed four annual assessments of WM. Lower parental education, but not neighborhood disadvantage, was associated with worse WM performance. Neither measure of SES was associated with the rate of developmental change. Consequently, the SES disparity in WM is not a developmental lag that narrows or an accumulating effect that becomes more pronounced. Rather, the relation between family SES and WM originates earlier in childhood and is stable through adolescence.
The Impact of Neighborhood, Family, and Individual Risk Factors on Toddlers’ Disruptive Behavior
Authors: Heberle Amy E. , Thomas Yolanda M. , Wagmiller Robert L. , Briggs‐Gowan Margaret J. , Carter Alice S. 
Published: April 2014

Disadvantaged neighborhoods confer risk for behavior problems in school‐aged children but their impact in toddlerhood is unknown. Relations between toddlers’ disruptive behavior and neighborhood disadvantage, family disadvantage, violence or conflict exposure, parent depressive symptoms, and parenting behavior were examined using multilevel, multigroup (girl–boy) models. Participants were 1,204 families (mean child age = 24.7 months). Unique associations between disruptive behavior and all risk factors were observed, but the effect of neighborhood disadvantage was negligible when all of the more proximal factors were accounted for. The results suggest both that children in disadvantaged neighborhoods are at greater risk of behavior problems than children in nondisadvantaged neighborhoods and that optimal prevention/intervention work with these children will attend to proximal risk factors.
Conversation and Object Manipulation Influence Children's Learning in a Museum
Authors: Jant Erin A. , Haden Catherine A. , Uttal David H. , Babcock Elizabeth 
Published: April 2014

The effects of parent–child conversation and object manipulation on children's learning, transfer of knowledge, and memory were examined in two museum exhibits and conversations recorded at home. Seventy‐eight children (Mage = 4.9) and their parents were randomly assigned to receive conversation cards featuring elaborative questions about exhibit objects, the physical objects themselves, both, or neither, before their exhibit visits. Dyads who received the cards engaged in more elaborative talk and joint nonverbal activities with objects in the first exhibit than those who did not. Dyads who received objects engaged in the most parent–child joint talk. Results also illustrate transfer of information across exhibits and from museum to home. Implications for understanding mechanisms of informal learning and transfer are discussed.
Do Children Who Experience Regret Make Better Decisions? A Developmental Study of the Behavioral Consequences of Regret
Authors: O'Connor Eimear , McCormack Teresa , Feeney Aidan 
Published: April 2014

Although regret is assumed to facilitate good decision making, there is little research directly addressing this assumption. Four experiments (N = 326) examined the relation between children's ability to experience regret and the quality of their subsequent decision making. In Experiment 1 regret and adaptive decision making showed the same developmental profile, with both first appearing at about 7 years. In Experiments 2a and 2b, children aged 6–7 who experienced regret decided adaptively more often than children who did not experience regret, and this held even when controlling for age and verbal ability. Experiment 3 ruled out a memory‐based interpretation of these findings. These findings suggest that the experience of regret facilitates children's ability to learn rapidly from bad outcomes.
Prospective cohort study on change in weight status and occurrence of habitual snoring in children
Authors: Anuntaseree W. , Sangsupawanich P. , Mo‐suwan L. , Ruangnapa K. , Pruphetkaew N. 
Published: April 2014

ObjectiveTo determine the association between the change in weight status and newly developed snoring in children.DesignThis was a prospective cohort study.SettingStructured interviews were conducted at participants' homes, and physical examinations were performed at The‐pa Community Hospital in Southern Thailand.ParticipantsCohort subjects (n = 1076) were recruited from children born over a 1‐year period between November 2000 and October 2001 in The‐pa District of Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand. Data collection was performed when the child was 5 and 8.5 years old.Main outcome measuresThe child's snoring, weight, height and tonsillar size were examined. The change in weight status was categorised into four groups: not obese, became not obese, became obese and persistently obese.ResultsOf 1076, 983 subjects (91.4%) completed both surveys. The overall prevalence of habitual snoring decreased from 13% at age 5 to 10.9% at age 8.5 years. Of the 855 children who reported not snoring in the first survey, 61 (7.1%) had become habitual snorers. After adjusting for tonsillar size, children who had become obese or were persistently obese had a significant association with becoming a new snorer with an odds ratio of 5.8 (Confidence interval, CI, 1.3–25.8) and 11.7 (CI, 2.5–54.9), respectively.ConclusionsChildren with newly developed obesity at 8.5 years old were strongly associated with new snoring occurrence, which is similar to the findings of long‐term follow‐up studies in adults. Our findings support the idea that the patterns of changes in weight status and snoring development in adults begin as early as the primary school years.
The Complementary Niches of Anthropocentric and Biocentric Conservationists
Authors: HUNTER MALCOLM L. , REDFORD KENT H. , LINDENMAYER DAVID B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA divergence of values has become apparent in recent debates between conservationists who focus on ecosystem services that can improve human well‐being and those who focus on avoiding the extinction of species. These divergent points of view fall along a continuum from anthropocentric to biocentric values, but most conservationists are relatively closer to each other than to the ends of the spectrum. We have some concerns with both positions but emphasize that conservation for both people and all other species will be most effective if conservationists focus on articulating the values they all share, being respectful of divergent values, and collaborating on common interests. The conservation arena is large enough to accommodate many people and organizations whose diverse values lead them to different niches that can, with good will and foresight, be far more complementary than competitive.Los Nichos Complementarios de los Conservacionistas Antropocéntricos y Biocéntricos
Defining the Impact of Non‐Native Species
Authors: JESCHKE JONATHAN M. , BACHER SVEN , BLACKBURN TIM M. , DICK JAIMIE T. A. , ESSL FRANZ , EVANS THOMAS , GAERTNER MIRIJAM , HULME PHILIP E. , KÜHN INGOLF , MRUGAŁA AGATA , PERGL JAN , PYŠEK PETR , RABITSCH WOLFGANG , RICCIARDI ANTHONY , RICHARDSON DAVID M. , SENDEK AGNIESZKA , VILÀ MONTSERRAT , WINTER MARTEN , KUMSCHICK SABRINA 
Published: April 2014

AbstractNon‐native species cause changes in the ecosystems to which they are introduced. These changes, or some of them, are usually termed impacts; they can be manifold and potentially damaging to ecosystems and biodiversity. However, the impacts of most non‐native species are poorly understood, and a synthesis of available information is being hindered because authors often do not clearly define impact. We argue that explicitly defining the impact of non‐native species will promote progress toward a better understanding of the implications of changes to biodiversity and ecosystems caused by non‐native species; help disentangle which aspects of scientific debates about non‐native species are due to disparate definitions and which represent true scientific discord; and improve communication between scientists from different research disciplines and between scientists, managers, and policy makers. For these reasons and based on examples from the literature, we devised seven key questions that fall into 4 categories: directionality, classification and measurement, ecological or socio‐economic changes, and scale. These questions should help in formulating clear and practical definitions of impact to suit specific scientific, stakeholder, or legislative contexts.Definiendo el Impacto de las Especies No‐Nativas
On Uncertain Sightings and Inference about Extinction
Authors: SOLOW ANDREW R. , BEET ANDREW R. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe extinction of many species can only be inferred from the record of sightings of individuals. Solow et al. (2012, Uncertain sightings and the extinction of the Ivory‐billed Woodpecker. Conservation Biology 26:180–184) describe a Bayesian approach to such inference and apply it to a sighting record of the Ivory‐billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis). A feature of this sighting record is that all uncertain sightings occurred after the most recent certain sighting. However, this appears to be an artifact. We extended this earlier work in 2 ways. First, we allowed for overlap in time between certain and uncertain sightings. Second, we considered 2 plausible statistical models of a sighting record. In one of these models, certain and uncertain sightings that are valid arise from the same process whereas in the other they arise from independent processes. We applied both models to the case of the Ivory‐billed Woodpecker. The result from the first model did not favor extinction, whereas the result for the second model did. This underscores the importance, in applying tests for extinction, of understanding what could be called the natural history of the sighting record.Sobre Avistamientos Inciertos e Inferencia de la Extinción