bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes in Kupffer cells in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Kim Hyo‐Yeon , Kim Seok‐Joo , Lee Sun‐Mee 
Published: October 2014

Inflammasome activation by danger signals in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is responsible for the sterile inflammatory response. Signals triggering formation and activation of the inflammasome involve the generation of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine the molecular mechanisms of inflammasome activation and the involvement of reactive oxygen species in hepatic I/R. I/R induced the formation of nucleotide‐binding domain leucine‐rich repeat containing family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) inflammasomes and the subsequent serum release of interleukin 1β. Pannexin‐1 inhibitor and anti‐cathepsin B antibody attenuated I/R‐induced inflammasome activation and hepatic injury. The expression of the thioredoxin‐interacting protein gene and the interaction between NLRP3 and the thioredoxin‐interacting protein increased after I/R. Treatment with the antioxidant N‐acetylcysteine significantly attenuated protein conversion of interleukin 1β after hepatic I/R. Moreover, pannexin‐1 protein expression and cathepsin B release were strongly attenuated by N‐acetylcysteine. The depletion of Kupffer cells with gadolinium chloride markedly decreased NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome expression and activation of their signaling pathways, and also reduced the level of caspase‐1 protein in F4/80‐positive cells. Our findings suggest that reactive‐oxygen‐species‐mediated activation of NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes leads to I/R‐induced inflammatory responses in which Kupffer cells play a crucial role.Structured digital abstract

Panx1 physically interacts with Casp1 and asc by anti bait coip (View interaction)

asc physically interacts with Aim2 by anti bait coip (View interaction)
Patients' anxiety and hope: predictors and adherence intentions in an acute care context
Authors: Legg Angela M. , Andrews Sara E. , Huynh Ho , Ghane Arezou , Tabuenca Arnold , Sweeny Kate 
Published: October 2014

AbstractContextGood patient–provider interactions promote satisfaction with health care, adherence to treatment recommendations and improved health. However, little research has examined patients' emotions and how they relate to patients' experiences with health care and their adherence intentions in acute care settings.ObjectiveThis study examined the predictors and consequences of two emotions pertinent to the uncertainty of acute health‐care experiences: anxiety and hopefulness.DesignPatients who arrived at a general surgery clinic for an initial consultation were interviewed before and after the consultation. Prior to the consultation with a physician, patients completed baseline measures of their emotional state. Following the consultation, patients completed measures of understanding of the information provided by the surgeon, perceived control over treatment decisions, adherence intentions and emotional state.ResultsUnderstanding and control predicted less anxiety and greater hopefulness, compared to baseline. Only hopefulness predicted adherence intentions. These relationships remained even after controlling for characteristics of the patients and interactions.DiscussionThese findings identify aspects of psychosocial care that are critical for promoting positive (and mitigating negative) emotional states in patients. Even in a brief consultation in a clinic setting, physicians may be able to improve patients' emotional state by promoting a sense of control and clarifying information they convey, and patients' positive emotional states may be critical for raising adherence intentions.
Defining the doula's role: fostering relational autonomy
Authors: Meadow Sandra L. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundTraining organizations as well as academic and popular literature provide ambiguous or ethically contentious characterizations of the role of the birth doula, a non‐clinical role assisting women in pregnancy and birth with information and physical and emotional support. Doulas have been criticized for attempting to impose their own agendas on their clients and for interfering with the relationship between women and their medical caregivers.ObjectiveTo develop a theoretically grounded model of the birth doula's role to guide constructive practice and refute some training organizations' and doulas' adoption of an active ‘advocacy’ role with clients that can lead to inappropriate practices.DesignApply the theoretical framework of relational autonomy to the components of the work that doulas perform with their clients.Discussion and ConclusionsThe conceptual framework of relational autonomy recognizes the social context in which women make choices about their care in pregnancy and birth, instead of assuming that autonomy is exercised in isolation. To support this understanding of autonomy, a relational model emphasizes women's skills development, self‐confidence and recognition of the social context for decisions. Highlighting these aspects of exercising autonomy reduces the potential for the doula to seek to influence her client. The doula's role is reframed as one of facilitating patient engagement and shared decision‐making.
Knowledge, attitudes and practice of breast cancer screening among female personnel of Walailak University
Authors: Kotepui Manas , Piwkham Duangjai , Chupeerach Chaowanee , Duangmano Suwit 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide.MethodsThis study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness and practice of breast cancer screening for early detection of breast cancer among female personnel at a university. A cross‐sectional descriptive study was administered to female personnel of Walailak University in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Data were analysed by SPSS version 16.ResultsAmong total of 217 female personnel, the lecturers and laboratory scientists and general officers had a significantly higher mean knowledge score about the practice of breast cancer screening than temporary employees (P < 0.0001). The level of education and income of respondents may be involved with this difference in knowledge (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis study concludes that knowledge about the practice of breast cancer screening could be attributed to different career groups, level of education and income of respondents. There is a very urgent need for regular learning courses for personnel concerning knowledge about the practice of breast cancer screening especially for those personnel with less formal education and low income.
The Doctrine of Scripture in the Heidelberg Catechism Revisited: Heidelberg's Relevance for a Postmodern Age
Authors: van Vlastuin Willem 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe debate on the doctrine of Scripture is ongoing. In this article, the use of Scripture is investigated in the Heidelberg Catechism, a catechism in which there is no explicit statement about Scripture, the notion of the Word refers to the preached Word, and the focus is placed on soteriology and God's law. I revisit these subjects, exploring what they mean for Reformed theology in a postmodern context, and finally arguing for a Spirit‐filled functioning of Scripture in which the relationship with Christ is basic and the fulfilment of God's law functions as a first fruit of eschatological reality.
Ladislaus von Bortkiewicz—Statistician, Economist and a European Intellectual
Authors: Härdle Wolfgang Karl , Vogt Annette B. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryLadislaus von Bortkiewicz (1868–1931) was a European statistician. His scientific work covered theoretical economics, stochastics, mathematical statistics and radiology; today, we would call him a cross‐disciplinary scientist. With his clear views on mathematical principles with their applications in these fields, he stood in conflict with the mainstream economic schools in Germany at the dawn of the 20th century. He had many prominent students (Gumbel, Leontief and Freudenberg among them), and he carved out the path of modern statistical thinking. He was a true European intellectual with a career path from St. Petersburg via Göttingen to Straßburg and finally the Berliner Universität, now Humboldt‐Universität zu Berlin. He is known for the precise calibration of insurance claims applying the—at that time hardly known—Poisson distribution to Prussian horse kick and child suicide data. He proposed a simple solution to the Marxian transformation problem and wrote numerous articles and books on the mathematical treatment of statistical (including radiological physical) data. In this article, we sketch his life and work and point out the prominent role that he has in today's statistical thinking.
Heel bone strength is related to lifestyle factors in Okinawan men with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Gushiken Michiko , Komiya Ichiro , Ueda Shinichiro , Kobayashi Jun 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAims/IntroductionAlthough male diabetic patients have an increased risk of fracture, there is little information about this in the literature. The association between heel bone stiffness and the lifestyle of male patients with diabetes was evaluated.Materials and MethodsThe study included 108 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and 168 age‐adjusted, healthy male volunteers. None of the participants had a history of osteoporosis or other severe diseases. Heel bone stiffness was examined by quantitative ultrasound, and each participant completed a health interview survey questionnaire. Bone stiffness was taken as an indicator of bone strength. Stepwise regression analysis was used to investigate associations between bone stiffness and lifestyle‐related factors, such as sunlight exposure, intake of milk or small fish, regular exercise, cigarette smoking, consumption of alcohol, and number of remaining teeth.ResultsBone stiffness showed a significant negative association with cigarette smoking [standardized coefficient (SC) = −0.297, F‐value (F) = 10.059] and age (SC = −0.207, F = 7.565) in diabetic patients. Bone stiffness showed a significant negative association with age (SC = −0.371, F = 12.076) and height (SC = −0.193, F = 7.898), as well as a significant positive association with sunlight exposure (SC = 0.182, F = 9.589) and intake of small fish (SC = 0.170, F = 7.393) in controls.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that cigarette smoking and age are negatively associated with bone stiffness in Okinawan male patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Trust and its effects on the public's perception of flood risk: a social science investigation of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River
Authors: Su Y. , Sun X.‐p. , Zhao F. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractTo explore the public's risk perception and its causes and effects, it would be helpful to understand the basis for the public's disaster alleviation decisions and improve the effectiveness of risk communication. This paper analyses the relationship between the public's trust and risk perception by investigating the motives for trust building and the effects on public's flood risk perception in an area along the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River. The objects of trust are disaster alleviation measures of monitoring and early warning, flood control projects, and disaster event management. The study data were obtained by conducting household interviews. The major conclusions are: (1) Public's trust in monitoring and early warning as well as in flood control projects is greater than the one in disaster event management. Trust has changed the public's assessment of flood risk and enhanced public confidence in disaster handling. Meanwhile, it reduces the propensity to adopt long‐term preparation against disasters. Therefore, the public needs guidance in recognising the limits and validity of scientific and technological capabilities. (2) Public's trust is the product of not only individual psychological processes but also the external regional flood risk and social psychological characteristics. The levels of trust vary in different regions. Therefore, risk communication should be conducted according to regional characteristics.
Quantitative expression of bone‐related cytokines induced by mechanical tension–stress during distraction osteogenesis in a rabbit mandible
Authors: Nuntanaranont Thongchai , Suttapreyasri Srisurang , Vongvatcharanon Surapong 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to investigate the temporal and spatial gene expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)‐2, ‐4, and ‐7, and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), during the distraction process of the rabbit mandible.MethodsTwenty rabbits each had an osteotomy on the left mandibular body, and distraction devices were fixed. After a delay of 3 days, distraction was started at a rate of 0.5 mm/12 h for 10 days, followed by a 3‐week consolidation phase. Four rabbits were killed 5 and 10 days of distraction, and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the completion of distraction. The clinical, histological, and radiographic appearances were evaluated and analyzed with the concomitant BMP expression pattern at each interval.ResultsAfter the distraction was started, the fibrous interzone developed between the osteotomy fragments, where intramembranous ossification was noted. The quantitative expression of BMP‐2, ‐4, and ‐7, and TGF‐β, were increased immediately after active distraction before a gradual decline to normal levels after the third week of consolidation.ConclusionThese results suggest that BMP and TGF‐β play an important role in the induction of bone formation during distraction osteogenesis. The selective expression of each bone‐related cytokine could provide useful insight into accelerated bone maturation and the treatment of poorly‐healing fractures in clinical cases.
Cleaning up after ICH: the role of Nrf2 in modulating microglia function and hematoma clearance
Authors: Zhao Xiurong , Sun Guanghua , Ting Shun‐Ming , Song Shen , Zhang Jie , Edwards Nancy J. , Aronowski Jaroslaw 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAs a consequence of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), blood components enter brain parenchyma causing progressive damage to the surrounding brain. Unless hematoma is cleared, the reservoirs of blood continue to inflict injury to neurovascular structures and blunt the brain repair processes. Microglia/macrophages (MMΦ) represent the primary phagocytic system that mediates the cleanup of hematoma. Thus, the efficacy of phagocytic function by MMΦ is an essential step in limiting ICH‐mediated damage. Using primary microglia to model red blood cell (main component of hematoma) clearance, we studied the role of transcription factor nuclear factor‐erythroid 2 p45‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), a master‐regulator of antioxidative defense, in the hematoma clearance process. We showed that in cultured microglia, activators of Nrf2 (i) induce antioxidative defense components, (ii) reduce peroxide formation, (iii) up‐regulate phagocytosis‐mediating scavenger receptor CD36, and (iv) enhance red blood cells (RBC) phagocytosis. Through inhibiting Nrf2 or CD36 in microglia, by DNA decoy or neutralizing antibody, we documented the important role of Nrf2 and CD36 in RBC phagocytosis. Using autologous blood injection ICH model to measure hematoma resolution, we showed that Nrf2 activator, sulforaphane, injected to animals after the onset of ICH, induced CD36 expression in ICH‐affected brain and improved hematoma clearance in rats and wild‐type mice, but expectedly not in Nrf2 knockout (KO) mice. Normal hematoma clearance was impaired in Nrf2‐KO mice. Our experiments suggest that Nrf2 in microglia play an important role in augmenting the antioxidative capacity, phagocytosis, and hematoma clearance after ICH.image
Microglia/Macrophages (MMφ) utilize the scavenger receptor CD36 to internalize the red blood cells (RBC) during the hematoma cleanup process after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). During RBC catabolism in phagosomes of MMφ, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated causing oxidative stress and injury to the phagocyte and the neurovascular unit. We propose that the treatment of MMφ with Nrf2 agonist (sulforaphane) could:(1) speed up the phagocytosis process by up‐regulating CD36 expression, and (2) improve MMΦ resistant to oxidative damage by up‐regulating the expression of antioxidative enzymes such as catalase (Cat) or superoxide dismutase‐1 (SOD).
Adult Onset‐Hypothyroidism: Alterations in Hippocampal Field Potentials in the Dentate Gyrus are Largely Associated with Anaesthesia‐Induced Hypothermia
Authors: Sánchez‐Huerta K. , Pacheco‐Rosado J. , Gilbert M. E. 
Published: October 2014

Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for a number of physiological processes and is particularly critical during nervous system development. The hippocampus is strongly implicated in cognition and is sensitive to developmental hypothyroidism. The impact of TH insufficiency in the foetus and neonate on hippocampal synaptic function has been fairly well characterised. Although adult onset hypothyroidism has also been associated with impairments in cognitive function, studies of hippocampal synaptic function with late onset hypothyroidism have yielded inconsistent results. In the present study, we report hypothyroidism induced by the synthesis inhibitor propylthiouracil (10 p.p.m., 0.001%, minimum of 4 weeks), resulted in marginal alterations in excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) and population spike (PS) amplitude in the dentate gyrus measured in vivo. No effects were seen in tests of short‐term plasticity, and a minor enhancement of long‐term potentiation of the EPSP slope was observed. The most robust synaptic alteration evident in hypothyroid animals was an increase in synaptic response latency, which was paralleled by a failure to maintain normal body temperature under anaesthesia, despite warming on a heating pad. Latency shifts could be reversed in hypothyroid animals by increasing the external heat source and, conversely, synaptic delays could be induced in control animals by removing the heat source, with a consequent drop in body and brain temperature. Thermoregulation is TH‐ dependent, and anaesthesia necessary for surgical procedures posed a thermoregulatory challenge that was differentially met in control and hypothyroid animals. Minor increases in field potential EPSP slope, decreases in PS amplitudes and increased latencies are consistent with previous reports of hypothermia in naive control rats. We conclude that failures in thyroid‐dependent temperature regulation rather than direct action of TH in synaptic physiology are responsible for the observed effects. These findings stand in contrast to the synaptic impairments observed in adult offspring following developmental TH insufficiency, and emphasise the need to control for the potential unintended consequences of hypothermia in the interpretation of hypothyroid‐induced changes in physiological systems, most notably synaptic transmission.
Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery Vascular Hyperintensities Possibly Indicate Slow Arterial Blood Flow in Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia
Authors: Förster Alex , Kerl Hans U. , Wenz Holger , Mürle Bettina , Habich Sonia , Groden Christoph 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEVertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a dilatative arteriopathy associated with a decreased blood flow velocity. Fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) vascular hyperintensity (FVH) is a phenomenon most likely representing slow arterial blood flow. We sought to examine the frequency and extent of FVH in VBD.METHODSWe analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 77 VBD patients with special emphasis on FVH in relation to the diagnostic MRI criteria of VBD and the etiology in symptomatic patients.RESULTSIn 49 (63.6%) VBD patients, FVH could be detected: in 22 (44.9%) a small hyperintense rim near the vessel wall (grade 1), in 20 (40.8%) a strong hyperintense rim near the vessel wall (grade 2), and in 7 (14.3%) the hyperintense signal filled the complete vessel lumen (grade 3). The diameter of the basilar artery moderately correlated with the extent of FVH. A higher FVH grade (2 and 3) was more common in patients with TIA/stroke related to VBD (9/16 [56.3%]) in comparison to patients with other etiology and asymptomatic patients (18/61 [29.5%]; P = .046).CONCLUSIONSFVH may be useful to demonstrate the decreased blood flow velocity in VBD. More pronounced FVH in patients with posterior circulation TIA/stroke might reflect the underlying stroke pathomechanism.
Genetic Analysis of Resistance to Rice Blast: A Study on the Inheritance of Resistance to the Blast Disease Pathogen in an F3 Population of Rice
Authors: Ashkani Sadegh , Yusop Mohd Rafii , Shabanimofrad Mahmoodreza , Harun Abdul Rahim , Sahebi Mahbod , Latif Mohammad Abdul 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBlast caused by the fungus Magnaporthae grisea (Herbert) Borr. (anamorphe Pyricularia oryza Cav.) is a serious disease of rice (Oryza sativa L.). One method to overcome this disease is to develop disease resistant cultivars. Due to the genetic plasticity in the pathogen genome, there is a continuous threat to the effectiveness of the developed cultivars. Additional studies of the genetics of resistance, virulence stability and functional genomics are required to accelerate research into understanding the molecular basis of blast disease resistance. In this study, individual plants of the F3 population derived from Pongsu Seribu 2 and Mahsuri were used for pathogenesis assays and inheritance studies of blast resistance. The study was performed with two of the most virulent Malaysian M. grisea pathotypes: P7.2 and P5.0. For blast screening, plants were scored based on the IRRI Standard Evaluation System (SES). F3 populations showed a segregation ratio of 3R:1S for pathotype P7.2, indicating that resistance to this pathotype is likely controlled by a single nuclear gene. Chi‐square analysis showed that the F3 families segregated in a 15R:1S ratio for pathotype P5.0. Therefore, locus interactions or epitasis of blast resistance occur against pathotype P5.0 in the F3 population derived from Pongsu Seribu 2 and Mahsuri. This can be explained by the presence of two independent dominant genes that when present simultaneously, provide resistance to the M. gresia pathotype P5.0. These results indicated that blast resistance in rice is due to the combined effects of multiple loci with major and minor effects. The genetic data generated here will be useful in the breeding of local cultivars for resistance to field blast. The methodology reported here will facilitate the mapping of genes and quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying the blast resistance trait.
Late Eocene leaves of Nageia (section Dammaroideae) from Maoming Basin, South China and their implications on phytogeography
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Yan , Gao Qi , Jin Jian‐Hua 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA new species of Nageia, Nageia maomingensis sp. nov., is described from the Late Eocene of Maoming Basin, Guangdong Province, South China. According to its cuticular characteristics, the present fossil species is assigned to N. sect. Dammaroideae, showing the most resemblance to the extant species N. motleyi (Parl.) de Laub. At present, this section is mainly distributed in the Pacific islands region from South Asia to New Guinea. The discovery of N. maomingensis demonstrates that plants of this section inhabited South China at least by the Eocene. The distribution and living habitat of extant N. sect. Dammaroideae imply that South China was warmer during the Late Eocene than today, and may represent one of the centers for early diversification of Nageia and its section Dammaroideae during the Eocene. In addition, we postulate that plants of sect. Dammaroideae migrated southward in response to climate cooling after the Eocene.