bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated serum adenosine deaminase levels in secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Chen W. , Zhang S. , Zhang W. , Yang X. , Xu J. , Qiu H. , Zhang X. , Li J. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryIntroductionHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a severe hyperinflammatory condition caused by activated T cells and macrophages. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) plays an important role in immune regulation, especially in the proliferation, maturation, and differentiation of lymphocytes. Its role has been studied in inflammation and malignancy. Here, we present for the first time the alteration of ADA in secondary HLH (sHLH).MethodsSerum ADA levels were measured in 20 cases with lymphoma‐associated hemophagocytic syndrome (LAHS), 15 with infection‐associated hemophagocytic syndrome (IAHS), six with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) as experimental group. Additionally, we enrolled 20 cases with lymphoma, 15 with infection, six with autoimmunity who were all not associated with HLH as conditional control group and 20 healthy subjects as blank group. We also demonstrated the ADA levels in 20 LAHS cases and 21 benign disease‐associated HLH cases (IAHS and MAS).ResultsSerum ADA levels were significantly higher in patients with LAHS, IAHS, and MAS compared to the healthy subjects (P < 0.001) and conditional control group (P < 0.05). Serum ADA levels of patients with LAHS were significantly higher than benign disease‐associated HLH cases (P < 0.05). The optimum ADA cutoff point for LAHS was 89.25 U/L, with a sensitivity and specificity of 85.0% and 76.2%, respectively.ConclusionSerum ADA levels were increased in sHLH suggesting a partial role of activated T‐cell response in the disease pathophysiology. Serum ADA levels were particularly higher in LAHS and probably be a potential indicator of underlying lymphoma in sHLH patients.
An updated survey for the 2007–2013 period of randomized controlled trials for psoriasis: treatment modalities, study designs, comparators, outcome measures and sponsorship
Authors: Manalo I.F. , Gilbert K.E. , Wu J.J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractBackgroundTwo reports from the European Dermato‐Epidemiology Network psoriasis project have analysed randomized controlled trials for psoriasis published during the periods of 1977–2000 and 2001–2006.ObjectiveWe sought to update the analysis of randomized controlled trials for the 2007–2013 period from 10 high‐impact dermatology and medical journals.MethodsThis survey was conducted by electronic search on the PubMed database for eligible papers. We assessed and compared results to the two aforementioned published reports.ResultsIn total, 84 studies were evaluated. Over half of the total trials studied novel therapeutics: 40 (47.6%) trials examined biologics and five (6.0%) examined novel oral agents. Proportion of trials studying more than one treatment modality increased from 7.1% in 2001–2006 to 25.0% in 2007–2013, with a decreased proportion of placebo‐controlled studies from 69.3% to 47.1%.ConclusionThe proportion of trials on novel therapies, including novel oral and biologic agents, has increased. The quality of trials has improved in the aspects of increased active treatment comparisons, including between biologics and conventional agents, and increased study size. Further insight into the influence of pharmaceutical companies can be studied by extending analysis to extension studies and subanalyses.
Life Cycle Assessment Software: Selection Can Impact Results
Authors: Speck Ricky , Selke Susan , Auras Rafael , Fitzsimmons James 
Published: March 2015

SummaryWhen software is used to facilitate life cycle assessments (LCAs), the implicit assumption is that the results obtained are not a function of the choice of software used. LCAs were done in both SimaPro and GaBi for simplified systems of creation and disposal of 1 kilogram each of four basic materials (aluminum, corrugated board, glass, and polyethylene terephthalate) to determine whether there were significant differences in the results. Data files and impact assessment methodologies (Impact 2002, ReCiPe, and TRACI 2) were ostensibly identical (although there were minor variations in the available ReCiPe version between the programs that were investigated). Differences in reported impacts of greater than 20% for at least one of the four materials were found for 9 of the 15 categories in Impact 2002+, 7 of the 18 categories in ReCiPe, and four of the nine categories in TRACI. In some cases, these differences resulted in changes in the relative rankings of the four materials. The causes of the differences for 14 combinations of materials and impact categories were examined by tracing the results back to the life cycle inventory data and the characterization factors in the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods. In all cases examined, a difference in the characterization factors used by the two programs was the cause of the differing results. As a result, when these software programs are used to inform choices, the result can be different conclusions about relative environmental preference that are functions purely of the software implementation of LCIA methods, rather than of the underlying data.
Does feeding frequency, independent of total energy consumption, affect lizard digestive efficiency or growth?
Authors: Moeller K. T. , Elms R. , Sampson S. , Jackson M. L. , Seward M. , DeNardo D. F. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractDown‐regulation of the digestive system between large meals is thought to afford energetic benefits to animals that feed infrequently. However, this idea has not been thoroughly tested. Thus, we assessed the realized benefits of infrequent feeding by examining how the timing of meal consumption influenced digestive efficiency and whole‐body growth of juvenile Gila monsters, a binge‐feeding lizard. All animals in our study received the same total energy intake for each feeding cycle, but meals were distributed differently over time among groups. One group had a 10–14‐day period of down‐regulation between meal sets while the other group had a constantly activated digestive system. The groups did not show differences in growth; however, differences in digestive efficiency for a specific meal indicate that feeding regime may have caused digestive adjustments (e.g. more efficient digestion) in one treatment group. Overall, our findings show that the energetic benefits of down‐regulation may depend more on species, extent of digestive regulation, or duration of fasting than previously supposed.
Landscape of chromosomal copy number aberrations in gangliogliomas and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours
Authors: Prabowo Avanita S. , van Thuijl Hinke Foka , Scheinin Ilari , Sie Daoud , van Essen Hendrik F. , Iyer Anand M. , Spliet Wim G.M. , Ferrier Cyrille H. , van Rijen Peter C. , Veersema Tim J. , Thom Maria , Schouten‐van Meeteren Annetteke Y.N. , Reijneveld Jaap C. , Ylstra Bauke , Wesseling Pieter , Aronica Eleonora 
Published: March 2015

AimGangliogliomas (GGs) and dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumours (DNTs) represent the most common histological entities within the spectrum of glioneuronal tumours (GNTs). The wide variability of morphological features complicates histological classification, including discrimination from prognostically distinct diffuse low‐grade astrocytomas (AIIs). This study was performed to increase our understanding of these tumours.MethodsWe studied chromosomal copy number aberrations (CNAs) by genome‐wide sequencing in a large cohort ofGNTs and linked these to comprehensive histological analysis and clinical characteristics. One hundred fourteenGNTs were studied: 50GGs and 64DNTs. Also, a data set ofCNAsfrom 38 diffuseAIIs was included.ResultsThe most frequentCNAsin bothGGs andDNTs were gains at chromosomes 5 and 7, often concurrent, and gain at chromosome 6. None of theCNAswas linked to histological subtype, immunohistochemical features or to clinical characteristics. Comparison ofAIIs and diffuseGNTs revealed that gain at whole chromosome 5 is only observed inGNTs.CNApatterns indicative of chromothripsis were detected in threeGNTs.ConclusionWe conclude thatGNTswith diverse morphologies share molecular features, and our findings support the need to improve classification and differential diagnosis of tumour entities within the spectrum ofGNTs, as well as their distinction from other gliomas.
Modern disposable hydrogel contact lens removal has a minimal effect on intraocular pressure
Authors: Hamilton‐Maxwell Kirsten , King Nicole 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPurposeTo determine whether the removal of modern disposable hydrogel contact lenses may influence intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, and if so, how long the effect may last.MethodsTwenty‐five healthy experienced contact lens wearers aged 19–25 inserted their lenses at least 30 min prior to the study. Each participant was asked to remove a contact lens from one eye (control eye, selected at random) upon commencement of the study, and then to remove the lens in the other eye (lens‐wearing eye) after a 30 min washout period. IOP was measured immediately in both eyes using non‐contact tonometry, then repeated every 3 min for 12 min. To determine the change in IOP due to lens removal, the IOP in the lens‐wearing eye was compared to the control eye using paired t‐tests at each time point.ResultsThe IOP was significantly higher in the lens‐wearing eye immediately following lens removal (0.7 ± 1.0 mmHg, t(24) = 3.46, p < 0.01), but was within baseline values at 3 min (0.2 ± 1.0 mmHg, t(24) = 0.84, p = 0.41), 6 min (0.3 ± 1.1 mmHg, t(24) = 1.39, p = 0.18), 9 min (0.3 ± 1.2 mmHg, t(24) = 1.14, p = 0.27) and 12 min (−0.1 ± 0.9 mmHg, t(24) = −0.49, p = 0.63, paired t‐test).ConclusionsThere was a slight statistically significant increase in IOP following contact lens removal, with a maximum duration of 3 min. Given the small magnitude of the change in IOP, and its transient nature, there appears to be no clinical reason to delay IOP measurements following the removal of modern disposable hydrogel contact lenses.
Infection of the brown alga Ectocarpus siliculosus by the oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii induces oxidative stress and halogen metabolism
Authors: Strittmatter Martina , Grenville‐Briggs Laura J. , Breithut Lisa , Van West Pieter , Gachon Claire M. M. , Küpper Frithjof C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPathogens are increasingly being recognized as key evolutionary and ecological drivers in marine ecosystems. Defence mechanisms of seaweeds, however, have mostly been investigated by mimicking infection using elicitors. We have established an experimental pathosystem between the genome brown model seaweed Ectocarpus siliculosus and the oomycete Eurychasma dicksonii as a powerful new tool to investigate algal responses to infection. Using proteomics, we identified 21 algal proteins differentially accumulated in response to Eu. dicksonii infection. These include classical algal stress response proteins such as a manganese superoxide dismutase, heat shock proteins 70 and a vanadium bromoperoxidase. Transcriptional profiling by qPCR confirmed the induction of the latter during infection. The accumulation of hydrogen peroxide was observed at different infection stages via histochemical staining. Inhibitor studies confirmed that the main source of hydrogen peroxide is superoxide converted by superoxide dismutase. Our data give an unprecedented global overview of brown algal responses to pathogen infection, and highlight the importance of oxidative stress and halogen metabolism in these interactions. This suggests overlapping defence pathways with herbivores and abiotic stresses. We also identify previously unreported actors, in particular a Rad23 and a plastid–lipid‐associated protein, providing novel insights into the infection and defence processes in brown algae.
Expression of Caenorhabditis elegans PCS in the AtPCS1‐deficient Arabidopsis thaliana cad1‐3 mutant separates the metal tolerance and non‐host resistance functions of phytochelatin synthases
Authors: Kühnlenz Tanja , Westphal Lore , Schmidt Holger , Scheel Dierk , Clemens Stephan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPhytochelatin synthases (PCS) play key roles in plant metal tolerance. They synthesize small metal‐binding peptides, phytochelatins, under conditions of metal excess. Respective mutants are strongly cadmium and arsenic hypersensitive. However, their ubiquitous presence and constitutive expression had long suggested a more general function of PCS besides metal detoxification. Indeed, phytochelatin synthase1 from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPCS1) was later implicated in non‐host resistance. The two different physiological functions may be attributable to the two distinct catalytic activities demonstrated for AtPCS1, that is the dipeptidyl transfer onto an acceptor molecule in phytochelatin synthesis, and the proteolytic deglycylation of glutathione conjugates. In order to test this hypothesis and to possibly separate the two biological roles, we expressed a phylogenetically distant PCS from Caenorhabditis elegans in an AtPCS1 mutant. We confirmed the involvement of AtPCS1 in non‐host resistance by showing that plants lacking the functional gene develop a strong cell death phenotype when inoculated with the potato pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Furthermore, we found that the C. elegans gene rescues phytochelatin synthesis and cadmium tolerance, but not the defect in non‐host resistance. This strongly suggests that the second enzymatic function of AtPCS1, which remains to be defined in detail, is underlying the plant immunity function.
Effects of PAR and UV Radiation on the Structural and Functional Integrity of Phycocyanin, Phycoerythrin and Allophycocyanin Isolated from the Marine Cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. A09DM
Authors: Rastogi Rajesh Prasad , Sonani Ravi Raghav , Madamwar Datta 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAn in vitro analysis of the effects of photosynthetically active and ultraviolet radiations was executed to assess the photostability of biologically relevant pigments phycocyanin (PC), phycoerythrin (PE) and allophycocyanin (APC) isolated from Lyngbya sp. A09DM. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiances significantly affected the integrity of PC, PE and APC; however, PAR showed least effect. UV radiation affected the bilin chromophores covalently attached to phycobiliproteins (PBPs). Almost complete elimination of the chromophore bands associated with α‐ and β‐subunit of PE and APC occurred after 4 h of UV‐B exposure. After 5 h of UV‐B exposure, the content of PC, PE and APC decreased by 51.65%, 96.8% and 96.53%, respectively. Contrary to PAR and UV‐A radiation, a severe decrease in fluorescence of all PBPs was observed under UV‐B irradiation. The fluorescence activity of extracted PBP was gradually inhibited immediately after 15–30 min of UV‐B exposure. In comparison to the PC, the fluorescence properties of PE and APC were severely lost under UV‐B radiation. Moreover, the present study indicates that UV‐B radiation can damage the structural and functional integrity of phycobiliproteins leading to the loss of their ecological and biological functions.
Photodegradation of Hydrophobic Pyridineketoximes in Toluene and Heptane
Authors: Wieszczycka Karolina , Zembrzuska Joanna 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe goal of the research was to study the reactivity of the hydrophobic 2‐ and 3‐pyridineketoximes under exposure to UV‐VIS light. The photodegradation was conducted in both toluene and heptane for 10 h under atmosphere of argon. Ten‐hour irradiation experiments demonstrated that the pyridineketoximes underwent the facile E‐Z photoisomerization, photo‐Beckmann rearrangement, and to a lesser extent, the photosubstitution to the pyridine ring. From LC‐MS and NMR analysis of the irradiated solutions, it was found that the photosubstitution proceeded to give the corresponding 6‐substituted 2‐ or 3‐pyridylketoxime via the replacement of the ring hydrogen by the benzyl or heptyl group. The photo‐Beckmann rearrangement led to the formation of the corresponding amides, but also other products formed in the photo‐decomposition reaction.
Disability Benefits in an Age of Austerity
Authors: Beatty Christina , Fothergill Steve 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThis article takes a long‐view of the huge rise in disability claimant numbers in the UK since the early 1980s and looks ahead to the trends that can now be expected to emerge in an era of fiscal austerity and welfare reform. The article's central thesis is that disability numbers are best understood as part of a triangular relationship between levels of employment, unemployment and sickness. In particular, the big decline of industrial employment in many places has often resulted in large‐scale ‘hidden unemployment’ on disability benefits, especially among low‐skilled workers. Looking ahead, the UK's welfare reforms are set to reduce disability claimant numbers but principally by restricting access to Employment and Support Allowance, the new disability benefit. The main effect will be to divert substantial numbers of men and women with ill health or disability onto unemployment benefits instead or, more often, out of the benefits system altogether.
Effect of Grain Size on the Spall Fracture Behaviour of Pure Copper under Plate‐Impact Loading
Authors: Chen T. , Jiang Z. X. , Peng H. , He H. L. , Wang L. L. , Wang Y. G. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe effects of grain size on the spall response were investigated for high purity copper materials by plate‐impact experiments including real‐time measurements of the free surface velocity profiles as well as post‐impact fractography studies on the soft‐recovered samples. High purity copper plates were cold rolled and heat treated to produce recrystallized samples with average grain sizes of 78, 273 and 400 μm, respectively. The spall strength estimated from the free surface velocity profile is nearly constant with no significant effect on the grain size. However, differences are observed in the acceleration rate of velocity rebound beyond the minima. This may be attributed to the effect of grain size on the growth rate of damage. Metallographic analyses of the fracture surface show that the characteristic feature of the fracture surface clearly depends on the grain size. In the 78‐ and 273‐μm samples, the fracture surfaces are decorated with large, high‐density ductile dimples suggesting that the preferential failure mode is ductile intergranular fracture. In the 400‐μm samples, the fracture surfaces have a rock candy appearance with small, high density brittle dimples as well as large ductile dimples suggesting that the fracture mode is a mix of both brittle intergranular fracture and ductile transgranular fracture.
In vivo human cardiac shortening and lengthening velocity is region dependent and not coupled with heart rate: ‘longitudinal’ strain rate markedly underestimates apical contribution
Authors: Stöhr Eric J. , Stembridge Mike , Esformes Joseph I. 
Published: March 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Regulation of cardiac function is typically achieved by changes in heart rate (HR) and cardiac shortening velocity (strain rate; SR), but their interdependence in vivo remains poorly understood.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Using resistance exercise to increase heart rate and arterial resistance physiologically in humans and measuring regional cardiac SR (at the base and apex), we found that HR and SR were not strictly coupled because SR at the base and apex responded differently, despite the same HR. Importantly, our data show that the region‐averaged ‘longitudinal’ SR, which is currently popular in the clinical setting, markedly underestimates the contribution of the apex.

The fundamental importance of cardiac shortening and lengthening velocity (i.e. strain rate; SR) has been demonstrated in vitro. Currently, the interdependence between in vivo SR and HR is poorly understood because studies have typically assessed region‐averaged ‘longitudinal’ strain rate, which is likely to underestimate the apical contribution, and have used non‐physiological interventions that may also have been influenced by multicollinearity caused by concomitant reductions in arterial resistance. Resistance exercise acutely raises HR, blood pressure and arterial resistance and transiently disassociates these cardiovascular factors following exercise. Therefore, we measured SR, HR, blood pressure and arterial resistance in nine healthy men (aged 20 ± 1 years) immediately before, during and after double‐leg‐press exercise at 30 and 60% of maximal strength. Resistance exercise caused a disproportionate SR response at the left ventricular base and apex (interaction effect, P < 0.05). Consequently, associations between HR and regional peak SR were inconsistent and mostly very weak (r2 = 0.0004–0.24). Likewise, the areas under the curve for systolic and diastolic SR and their relationship with systolic and diastolic duration were variable and weak. Importantly, region‐averaged ‘longitudinal’ SR was identical to basal SR, thus, markedly underestimating the apical contribution. In conclusion, in vivo HR and SR are not strictly coupled in healthy humans, which is explained by the region‐specific responses of SR that are not captured by ‘longitudinal SR’. This novel observation emphasizes the independent role of in vivo SR in overall cardiac function during stress and may cause a ‘revival’ of SR as a marker of regional left ventricular (dys)function.
Laboratory and Clinical Aspects of Human Herpesvirus 6 Infections
Authors: Agut Henri , Bonnafous Pascale , Gautheret-Dejean Agnès 
Published: March 2015

SUMMARYHuman herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a widespread betaherpesvirus which is genetically related to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and now encompasses two different species: HHV-6A and HHV-6B. HHV-6 exhibits a wide cell tropismin vivoand, like other herpesviruses, induces a lifelong latent infection in humans. As a noticeable difference with respect to other human herpesviruses, genomic HHV-6 DNA is covalently integrated into the subtelomeric region of cell chromosomes (ciHHV-6) in about 1% of the general population. Although it is infrequent, this may be a confounding factor for the diagnosis of active viral infection. The diagnosis of HHV-6 infection is performed by both serologic and direct methods. The most prominent technique is the quantification of viral DNA in blood, other body fluids, and organs by means of real-time PCR. Many active HHV-6 infections, corresponding to primary infections, reactivations, or exogenous reinfections, are asymptomatic. However, the virus may be the cause of serious diseases, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. As emblematic examples of HHV-6 pathogenicity, exanthema subitum, a benign disease of infancy, is associated with primary infection, whereas further virus reactivations can induce severe encephalitis cases, particularly in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Generally speaking, the formal demonstration of the causative role of HHV-6 in many acute and chronic human diseases is difficult due to the ubiquitous nature of the virus, chronicity of infection, existence of two distinct species, and limitations of current investigational tools. The antiviral compounds ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir are effective against active HHV-6 infections, but the indications for treatment, as well as the conditions of drug administration, are not formally approved to date. There are still numerous pending questions about HHV-6 which should stimulate future research works on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapy of this remarkable human virus.