bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DOES FOREIGN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION AFFECT US EXPORTS AND FDI?
Authors: Awokuse Titus O. , Gu Weishi Grace 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTSeveral previous studies have examined the relationship between intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, exports, and FDI independently. However, very few prior analyses jointly examined the linkages between IPR protection and multiple modes of international transactions. This paper investigates how foreign IPR protection affects how US firms jointly serve overseas markets through exports and FDI. Using both static pooled regressions and a dynamic panel GMM estimator on a panel data of 53 countries, we examine whether stronger foreign IPR protection stimulates US international transactions. The empirical results suggest that foreign countries that strengthen their IPR protection, especially those with strong imitative ability, can attract more international transactions from the USA.
Imbalance of different types of CD4+forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)+ T cells in patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Ma L , Zhao P , Jiang Z , Shan Y , Jiang Y 
Published: August 2013

SummaryThe aim of this study was to examine the numbers of CD4+CD25−forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)+, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ and CD4+CXCR5+FoxP3+ T cells in patients with new-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The numbers of CD4+CD25−FoxP3+, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ and CD4+CXCR5+FoxP3+ T cells and the concentrations of serum interleukin (IL)-10 in 23 patients and 20 healthy controls (HC) were measured. The potential correlations between CD4+FoxP3+ T cells, serum IL-10 and clinical measures in SLE patients were analysed. In comparison with that in the HC, significantly reduced numbers of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ and CD4+CXCR5+FoxP3+ T cells, but increased numbers of CD4+CD25−FoxP3+ T cells, were detected, accompanied by significantly lower levels of serum IL-10 in the patients. Stratification analysis indicated the numbers of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ and CD4+CXCR5+FoxP3+ T cells and serum IL-10 levels in the patients with seropositive anti-dsDNA were significantly less than that in those with seronegative anti-dsDNA. Treatment with the anti-SLE therapy, particularly with prednisone, leflunomide and methotrexate, significantly improved the imbalance of these types of FoxP3+ T cells and increased the concentrations of serum IL-10 in the drug-responding patients. The numbers of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells were correlated negatively with the values of SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), whereas the numbers of CD4+CD25−FoxP3+ T cells were correlated positively with the values of SLEDAI, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum C3. In addition, the concentrations of serum IL-10 were correlated positively with the numbers of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ T cells, but negatively with the values of SLEDAI, serum C3, CRP and ESR in these patients. Our data indicate that the imbalance of different types of FoxP3+CD4+ T cells may contribute to the development of SLE in Chinese patients.
Inhibition of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signalling pathway in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts using small molecule compounds
Authors: Migita K , Izumi Y , Torigoshi T , Satomura K , Izumi M , Nishino Y , Jiuchi Y , Nakamura M , Kozuru H , Nonaka F , Eguchi K , Kawakami A , Motokawa S 
Published: August 2013

Summary
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have been developed as anti-inflammatory agents and have demonstrated clinical efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated if JAK-3-selective inhibition alone could disrupt cytokine signalling in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. In-vitro studies were performed using synovial fibroblasts isolated from patients with RA. Levels of activated JAK and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins were detected by immunoblot analysis. Target-gene expression levels were measured by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) or real-time PCR. The JAK inhibitors CP-690,550 and INCB028050 both suppressed activation of JAK-1/-2/-3 and downstream STAT-1/-3/-5, as well as the expression levels of target proinflammatory genes (MCP-I, SAA1/2) in oncostatin-M (OSM)-stimulated rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. In contrast, the JAK-3-selective inhibitor, PF-956980, suppressed STAT-1/-5 activation but did not affect STAT-3 activation in OSM-stimulated rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. In addition, PF-956980 significantly suppressed MCP-1 gene expression, but did not block SAA1/2 gene expression in OSM-stimulated rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts. These data suggest that JAK-3-selective inhibition alone is insufficient to control STAT-3-dependent signalling in rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts, and inhibition of JAKs, including JAK-1/-2, is needed to control the proinflammatory cascade in RA.
A New Motif in the N‐Terminal of Acetylcholinesterase Triggers Amyloid‐β Aggregation and Deposition
Authors: Hou Li‐Na , Xu Jian‐Rong , Zhao Qing‐Nan , Gao Xiao‐Ling , Cui Yong‐Yao , Xu Jun , Wang Hao , Chen Hong‐Zhuan 
Published: August 2013

SummaryBackground and purposeAs a molecular chaperone, acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The peripheral anionic site (PAS) ofAChEhas been indicated as the amyloid‐β (Aβ) binding domain. The goal of this study was to determine other motifs inAChEinvolved inAβ aggregation and deposition.Methods and resultsThe β‐hairpin in monomericAβ is the key motif of nucleation‐dependentAβ self‐aggregation. AsAChEcould induceAβ aggregation and deposition, we searchedAChEfor β‐hairpin structures. InA11‐specific dot blot assay,AChEwas detected by an oligomer‐specific antibodyA11, implying the existence of β‐hairpin structures inAChEas β‐hairpin was the core motif of oligomers. A molecular superimposing approach further revealed that the N‐terminal region, from Glu7 to Ile20, inAChE(AChE7–20) was similar to the β‐hairpin domain inAβ. The results of further dot blot assays, thioflavin T fluorescence assays, and electron microscopy imaging experiments, indicated that the N‐terminal synthetic peptideAChE7–20had nearly the same ability asAChEwith regard to triggeringAβ aggregation and deposition.ConclusionsAChE7–20, a β‐hairpin region inAChE, might be a new motif inAChEcapable of triggeringAβ aggregation and deposition. This finding will be helpful to design new and more effective Aβ aggregation inhibitors forADtreatment.
Temporal Analysis of Genetic Structure to Assess Population Dynamics of Reintroduced Swift Foxes
Authors: CULLINGHAM CATHERINE I. , MOEHRENSCHLAGER AXEL 
Published: August 2013

AbstractReintroductions are increasingly used to reestablish species, but a paucity of long‐term postrelease monitoring has limited understanding of whether and when viable populations subsequently persist. We conducted temporal genetic analyses of reintroduced populations of swift foxes (Vulpes velox) in Canada (Alberta and Saskatchewan) and the United States (Montana). We used samples collected 4 years apart, 17 years from the initiation of the reintroduction, and 3 years after the conclusion of releases. To assess program success, we genotyped 304 hair samples, subsampled from the known range in 2000 and 2001, and 2005 and 2006, at 7 microsatellite loci. We compared diversity, effective population size, and genetic connectivity over time in each population. Diversity remained stable over time and there was evidence of increasing effective population size. We determined population structure in both periods after correcting for differences in sample sizes. The geographic distribution of these populations roughly corresponded with the original release locations, which suggests the release sites had residual effects on the population structure. However, given that both reintroduction sites had similar source populations, habitat fragmentation, due to cropland, may be associated with the population structure we found. Although our results indicate growing, stable populations, future connectivity analyses are warranted to ensure both populations are not subject to negative small‐population effects. Our results demonstrate the importance of multiple sampling years to fully capture population dynamics of reintroduced populations.Análisis Temporal de la Estructura Genética para Evaluar la Dinámica Poblacional de Zorros (Vulpes velox) Reintroducidos
Providing Habitat for Native Mammals through Understory Enhancement in Forestry Plantations
Authors: SIMONETTI JAVIER A. , GREZ AUDREY A. , ESTADES CRISTIÁN F. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) expects forestry plantations to contribute to biodiversity conservation. A well‐developed understory in forestry plantations might serve as a surrogate habitat for native species and mitigate the negative effect of plantations on species richness. We experimentally tested this hypothesis by removing the understory in Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) plantations in central Chile and assessing changes in species richness and abundance of medium‐sized mammals. Frequency of occurrence of mammals, including kodkods (Leopardus guigna), culpeo foxes (Pseudalopex culpaeus), lesser grisons (Conepatus chinga), and Southern pudu deer (Pudu puda), was low in forest stands with little to no understory relative to stands with well‐developed undergrowth vegetation. After removing the understory, their frequency of occurrence decreased significantly, whereas in control stands, where understory was not removed, their frequency did not change. This result strongly supports the idea that facilitating the development of undergrowth vegetation may turn forestry stands into secondary habitats as opposed to their containing no habitat for native mammals. This forestry practice could contribute to conservation of biological diversity as it pertains to CBD targets.Proporcionando Hábitat para Mamíferos Nativos Mediante el Mejoramiento del Sotobosque en Plantaciones Forestales
Could plant lectins become promising anti‐tumour drugs for causing autophagic cell death?
Authors: Liu Z. , Luo Y. , Zhou T.‐T. , Zhang W.‐Z. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPlant lectins, a group of highly diverse carbohydrate‐binding proteins of non‐immune origin, are ubiquitously distributed through a variety of plant species, and have recently drawn rising attention due to their remarkable ability to kill tumour cells using mechanisms implicated in autophagy. In this review, we provide a brief outline of structures of some representative plant lectins such as concanavalin A, Polygonatum cyrtonema lectin and mistletoe lectins. These can target autophagy by modulating BNIP‐3, ROS‐p38‐p53, Ras‐Raf and PI3KCI‐Akt pathways, as well as Beclin‐1, in many types of cancer cells. In addition, we further discuss how plant lectins are able to kill cancer cells by modulating autophagic death, for therapeutic purposes. Together, these findings provide a comprehensive perspective concerning plant lectins as promising new anti‐tumour drugs, with respect to autophagic cell death in future cancer therapeutics.
In silico analysis and experimental validation of molecular mechanisms of salvianolic acid A‐inhibited LPS‐stimulated inflammation, in RAW264.7 macrophages
Authors: Huang J. , Qin Y. , Liu B. , Li G. Y. , Ouyang L. , Wang J. H. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to explore mechanisms by which salvianolic acid A (SAA) revealed its anti‐inflammatory activity, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells.Materials and methodsNitric oxide (NO) concentration was determined by the Griess reaction and cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Interleukin‐6, TNFα and interleukin‐1β were determined by ELISA. The RAW264.7 cells were transfected with siRNA against p38 or HO‐1. Expressions of COX‐2, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), NF‐κB, HO‐1, p‐p38 and phosphorylation of IκB kinase α/β were detected by western blotting. Potential targets of SAA were analysed by homology modelling, target prediction, protein–protein interaction prediction and docking studies.ResultsSalvianolic acid A suppressed LPS‐triggered production of NO, TNFα and Interleukin‐6. It also reduced protein expression of inducible NO synthase and COX‐2, and reduced translocation of NF‐κB to nuclei. Moreover, SAA promoted expression of phosphorylated p38, and downstream HO‐1. Zn (II) protoporphyrin IX, a specific inhibitor of HO‐1, or siRNA against HO‐1 could effectively increase transfer of NF‐κB. SAA was predicted to target amyloid‐beta protein‐like protein and arachidonate 5‐lipoxygenase, that could regulate p38 and HO‐1.ConclusionsIn silico analysis and experimental validation together demonstrated that SAA exhibited its anti‐inflammatory effect via the p38‐HO‐1 pathway in LPS‐stimulated RAW264.7 cells, reduced transfer of NF‐κB to the nuclei and thus reduced production of inflammatory mediators.
Aboriginal people in remote communities inArnhemLand (NorthernTerritory) restrict their smoking in some environments: Implications for developing and implementing interventions to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke
Authors: Stevenson Leah C. , Bohanna India , Robertson Jan A. , Clough Alan R. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIntroduction and AimsIn Arnhem Land's remote Aboriginal communities [Northern Territory], very high smoking rates and overcrowding mean high exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke. This study compared smokers who restrict their smoking in these environments with those who do not.Design and MethodsIn 2008–2009, 258 smokers (137 males and 121 females) aged ≥ 16 years, provided information permitting categorisation of those who ‘RESTRICT’ their smoking in the house, car or workplace from those who do ‘NOT RESTRICT’. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions compared ‘RESTRICT’ and ‘NOT RESTRICT’ groups by gender, age group, daily use, tobacco consumption, time‐to‐first‐cigarette and quit intentions. Those in the ‘RESTRICT’ group explained their motivations, summarised using qualitative data analysis.ResultsMen were almost twice as likely to ‘NOT RESTRICT’ their smoking (odds ratio = 1.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.14–3.08,P = 0.013). Time‐to‐first‐cigarette was the strongest predictor to ‘NOT RESTRICT’ in women (odds ratio = 3.48, 95% confidence interval = 1.44–8.41,P = 0.006) with daily consumption the strongest predictor in men (odds ratio = 3.15, 95% confidence interval = 1.39–7.18,P = 0.006). Men and women shared similar motivations for restricting smoking.Discussion and ConclusionsSmoke‐free homes and workplaces are important opportunities to reduce exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in remote Indigenous communities.[Stevenson, LC, Bohanna I, Robertson, JA, Clough, AR. Aboriginal people in remote communities in Arnhem Land (Northern Territory) restrict their smoking in some environments: implications for developing and implementing interventions to reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.Drug Alcohol Rev2013;32:627–630]
New insights into the molecular mechanism of intestinal fatty acid absorption
Authors: Wang Tony Y. , Liu Min , Portincasa Piero , Wang David Q.‐H. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundDietary fat is one of the most important energy sources of all the nutrients. Fatty acids, stored as triacylglycerols (also called triglycerides) in the body, are an important reservoir of stored energy and derived primarily from animal fats and vegetable oils.DesignAlthough the molecular mechanisms for the transport of water‐insoluble amphipathic fatty acids across cell membranes have been debated for many years, it is now believed that the dominant means for intestinal fatty acid uptake is via membrane‐associated fatty acid–binding proteins, that is, fatty acid transporters on the apical membrane of enterocytes.ResultsThese findings indicate that intestinal fatty acid absorption is a multistep process that is regulated by multiple genes at the enterocyte level, and intestinal fatty acid absorption efficiency could be determined by factors influencing intraluminal fatty acid molecules across the brush border membrane of enterocytes. To facilitate research on intestinal, hepatic and plasma triacylglycerol metabolism, it is imperative to establish standard protocols for precisely and accurately measuring the efficiency of intestinal fatty acid absorption in humans and animal models. In this review, we will discuss the chemical structure and nomenclature of fatty acids and summarize recent progress in investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the intestinal absorption of fatty acids, with a particular emphasis on the physical chemistry of intestinal lipids and the molecular physiology of intestinal fatty acid transporters.ConclusionsA better understanding of the molecular mechanism of intestinal fatty acid absorption should lead to novel approaches to the treatment and the prevention of fatty acid–related metabolic diseases that are prevalent worldwide.
Preference of an exotic wood borer for stressed trees is more attributable to pre‐alighting than post‐alighting behaviour
Authors: FLAHERTY LEAH , QUIRING DAN , PURESWARAN DEEPA , SWEENEY JON 
Published: August 2013

Different mechanisms mediate host selection by insects before (pre‐alighting) versus after (post‐alighting) landing on potential hosts, but few studies distinguish pre‐ and post‐alighting behaviour, particularly for wood borers.
This study evaluates pre‐ and post‐alighting host selection by Tetropium fuscum (F.) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), a Palearctic wood borer that was recently introduced to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
We evaluate whether T. fuscum select stressed (i.e. girdled) over healthy red spruce, Picea rubens Sarg. (Pinaceae), trees for oviposition, as predicted by the preference–performance hypothesis (PPH). The landing rates of the native congener, Tetropium cinnamopterum Kirby (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), and parasitoids of Tetropium spp. were also quantified.
Tetropium fuscum consistently preferred girdled over healthy trees. Adults landed more than 10 times more frequently (11.0 ± 1.5 versus 0.6 ± 0.2 adults per tree), and females laid more than 3 times as many eggs (130 ± 23 versus 38 ± 13 eggs per bolt), on girdled compared with healthy trees. As T. fuscum survival and rate of development is greater on girdled than on healthy trees, these results support the PPH.
Tetropium fuscum rarely made maladaptive choices pre‐alighting, but post‐alighting oviposition on hosts on which performance is relatively lower was more common. Selection of high‐quality (e.g. girdled) hosts by female T. fuscum is therefore more attributable to pre‐alighting than post‐alighting behaviour.
Cyproheptadine‐induced myeloma cell apoptosis is associated with inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling
Authors: Li Jie , Cao Biyin , Zhou Shunye , Zhu Jingyu , Zhang Zubin , Hou Tingjun , Mao Xinliang 
Published: August 2013

AbstractRecent studies revealed that the anti‐allergic cyproheptadine displays anti‐blood cancer activity. However, its mechanism is still elusive. In this study, cyproheptadine was found to decrease the expression of anti‐apoptotic proteins, including Bcl‐2, Mcl‐1, and XIAP. More importantly, cyproheptadine‐induced apoptosis was accompanied by suppressing AKT activation in myeloma cells. In the subsequent study, cyproheptadine was found to inhibit insulin‐like growth factor 1‐triggered AKT activation in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Specifically, cyproheptadine blocked AKT translocation from nuclei for phosphorylation. This inhibition led to suppressed activation of p70S6K and 4EBP1, two key downstream signaling proteins in the PI3K/AKT pathway. However, cyproheptadine did not display inhibition on activation of IGF‐1R or STAT3, possible upstream signals of AKT activation. These results further demonstrated that cyproheptadine suppresses the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which is probably critical for cyproheptadine‐induced MM cell apoptosis.
Visual cortex organisation in a macaque monkey with macular degeneration
Authors: Shao Yibin , Keliris Georgios A. , Papanikolaou Amalia , Fischer M. Dominik , Zobor Ditta , Jägle Herbert , Logothetis Nikos K. , Smirnakis Stelios M. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe visual field is retinotopically represented in early visual areas. It has been suggested that when adult primary visual cortex (V1) is deprived of normal retinal input it is capable of large‐scale reorganisation, with neurons inside the lesion projection zone (LPZ) being visually driven by inputs from intact retinal regions. Early functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in humans with macular degeneration (MD) report > 1 cm spread of activity inside the LPZ border, whereas recent results report no shift of the LPZ border. Here, we used fMRI population receptive field measurements to study, for the first time, the visual cortex organisation of one macaque monkey with MD and to compare it with normal controls. Our results showed that the border of the V1 LPZ remained stable, suggesting that the deafferented area V1 zone of the MD animal has limited capacity for reorganisation. Interestingly, the pRF size of non‐deafferented V1 voxels increased slightly (~20% on average), although this effect appears weaker than that in previous single‐unit recording reports. Area V2 also showed limited reorganisation. Remarkably, area V5/MT of the MD animal showed extensive activation compared to controls stimulated over the part of the visual field that was spared in the MD animal. Furthermore, population receptive field size distributions differed markedly in area V5/MT of the MD animal. Taken together, these results suggest that V5/MT has a higher potential for reorganisation after MD than earlier visual cortex.
Autoreactive T cells in the immune pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Amber Kyle T. , Staropoli Patrick , Shiman Michael I. , Elgart George W. , Hertl Michael 
Published: August 2013

AbstractPemphigus vulgaris is a life‐threatening autoimmune blistering disease caused by anti‐desmoglein IgG autoantibodies that finally lead to acantholysis presenting clinically as progressive blistering. Whilst the production of pathogenic antibodies is key to the development of pemphigus vulgaris, many immunological steps are required prior to autoantibody induction. We review advances in the understanding of these immunologic processes with a focus on human leucocyte antigen polymorphisms and antigen recognition, epitope spreading, central and peripheral tolerance, T helper differentiation, induction of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines and T‐cell regulation of B cells. Targeting autoaggressive T cells as regulators and stimulators of B‐cell antibody production should allow for more specific therapeutic immune interventions, avoiding the global immunosuppression seen with many commonly used immunosuppressants in pemphigus vulgaris.
Human skin melanocyte migration towards stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α demonstrated by optical real‐time cell mobility assay: modulation of their chemotactic ability by α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone
Authors: Yamauchi Akira , Hadjur Christophe , Takahashi Tadahito , Suzuki Itaru , Hirose Kunitaka , Mahe Yann F. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTo identify potential regulators of normal human melanocyte behaviour, we have developed an in vitro human melanocyte migration assay, using the optically accessible, real‐time cell motility assay device TAXIScan. Coating of the glass surface with an extracellular matrix that served as scaffolding molecule was essential to demonstrate efficient melanocyte migration. Among several chemokines tested, stromal cell‐derived factor (SDF)‐1α/CXCL12 was the most effective driver of human normal skin melanocytes. Incubation of melanocytes with α‐melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (MSH) before the assay specifically enhanced CXCR4 expression and consequently chemotaxis towards SDF‐1α/CXCL12. These results suggest that α‐MSH acts on melanocytes to produce melanin as well as stimulates the cells to migrate to the site where they work through CXCR4 up‐regulation, which is a new dynamic mode of action of α‐MSH on melanocyte physiology.