bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intratracheal exposure to Fab fragments of an allergen‐specific monoclonal antibody regulates asthmatic responses in mice
Authors: Yoshino Shin , Mizutani Nobuaki , Matsuoka Daiko , Sae‐Wong Chutha 
Published: December 2013

SummaryFab fragments (Fabs) maintain the ability to bind to specific antigens but lack effector functions due to the absence of the Fc portion. In the present study, we tested whether Fabs of an allergen‐specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) were able to regulate asthmatic responses in mice. Asthmatic responses were induced in BALB/c mice by passive sensitization with anti‐ovalbumin (OVA) polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) (day 0) and by active sensitization with OVA (days 0 and 14), followed by intratracheal (i.t.) challenge with OVA on day 1 and days 28, 29, 30 and 35. Fabs prepared by the digestion of an anti‐OVA IgG1 (O1‐10) mAb with papain were i.t. administered only once 30 min before antigenic challenge on day 1 or day 35. The results showed that i.t. administration of O1‐10 Fabs with OVA markedly suppressed the early and/or late phases of asthmatic responses caused by passive and active sensitization. Similar results were obtained when Fabs of anti‐OVA IgG2b mAb (O2B‐3) were i.t. administered. In contrast, neither i.t. injection of intact 01‐10/O2B‐3 nor systemic injection of O1‐10 Fabs suppressed the asthmatic responses. In vitro studies revealed that the capture of OVA by O1‐10 Fabs prevented the subsequent binding of intact anti‐OVA pAbs to the captured OVA. These results suggest that asthmatic responses may be down‐regulated by the i.t. exposure to Fabs of an allergen‐specific mAb via a mechanism involving the capture of allergen by Fabs in the respiratory tract before the interaction of intact antibody and allergen essential for the induction of asthmatic responses.
Role of miR‐155 in the regulation of lymphocyte immune function and disease
Authors: Seddiki Nabila , Brezar Vedran , Ruffin Nicolas , Lévy Yves , Swaminathan Sanjay 
Published: December 2013

SummaryMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression within cells. One particular miRNA, miR‐155, is highly expressed within lymphocytes (both B and T cells) and mediates a number of important roles. These include shaping the transcriptome of lymphoid cells that control diverse biological functions vital in adaptive immunity. The use of mice engineered to be deficient in miR‐155, as well as the identification of endogenous targets of miR‐155 in T cells by transcriptome‐wide analysis, has helped to unravel the crucial role that this miRNA plays in fine tuning the regulation of lymphocyte subsets such as B cells, CD8+ and CD4+ T cells ranging from T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cells. In this review, we summarize what we have learned about miR‐155 in the regulation of lymphocyte responses at the cellular and molecular levels and in particular, we focus on the recent findings showing that miR‐155 shapes the balance between tolerance and immunity.
Newborns with lower levels of circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are abdominally more adipose
Authors: Sanz N. , Diaz M. , López‐Bermejo A. , Sierra C. , Fernández A. , de Zegher F. , Ibáñez L. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryBackgroundMaternal nutrition is the main source of Poly‐Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) for the fetus. PUFA may influence the accumulation of fat in early life.Objectives & MethodsIn 33 breastfed infants born appropriate‐for‐gestational‐age, we studied whether body composition (judged by absorptiometry at 2 wk and 4 mo) relates to PUFA levels (assessed by gas chromatography) in the maternal or fetal circulation at birth.ResultsAbdominal fat at 2 wk associated negatively to umbilical‐cord levels of separate PUFA (linoleic, arachidonic, eicosapentanoic and docosahexaenoic acid; all P between 0.001 and 0.015). Collectively, the assessed n‐6 PUFA on one hand and the n‐3 PUFA on the other hand associated negatively to the absolute amount of abdominal fat (in grams; P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) and to the relative amount of abdominal fat (fraction of total fat; P = 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). No other significant associations were observed.ConclusionIn conclusion, newborns with lower levels of circulating PUFA were found to be abdominally more adipose. The mechanisms underpinning these associations remain to be determined.
Risk of hospitalization for diabetic macrovascular complications and in‐hospital mortality with irregular physician visits using propensity score matching
Authors: Nishi Takumi , Babazono Akira , Maeda Toshiki 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the risk of diabetic macrovascular complications and in‐hospital mortality among diabetic patients with irregular physician visits.Materials and MethodsWe carried out a health insurance‐based retrospective cohort study using claims data from diabetic patients who were newly hospitalized between April 2010 and September 2010 among beneficiaries of the Fukuoka National Health Insurance Organization. Regular visits were defined as physician visits for diabetes mellitus at least every 3 months between April 2009 and March 2010, whereas other visits or no visits were defined as irregular visits. We assigned 5,940 patients to the regular visit or the irregular visit groups using propensity score matching. We compared in‐hospital mortality and hospitalization for diabetic macrovascular complications between the two groups by multiple logistic regression models.ResultsThe irregular visit group had a significantly higher risk of hospitalization for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) except AMI, all IHDs, all strokes and diabetic macrovascular complications than did the regular visit group. Adjusted odds ratios for AMI, IHDs except AMI, all IHDs, all strokes, and diabetic macrovascular complications were 3.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79–6.96), 1.25 (95% CI 1.02–1.54), 1.37 (95% CI 1.12–1.66), 1.29 (95% CI 1.04–1.60), and 1.28 (95% CI 1.10–1.48), respectively.ConclusionsThe present study shows that the irregular visit group had significantly higher risks of hospitalization for IHD and stroke among diabetic patients. Insurers need to motivate diabetic beneficiaries to make regular visits to physicians.
Fasting serum insulin levels and insulin resistance are associated with colorectal adenoma in Koreans
Authors: Kim Eun Hee , Kim Hong‐Kyu , Bae Sung Jin , Chang Hye‐Sook , Park Hye Won , Do Mi Young , Kim Kyung‐Jo , Jung Chang Hee , Lee Woo Je , Park Joong‐Yeol , Choe Jaewon 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAims/IntroductionInsulin has been associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, few studies have evaluated the association between insulin and colorectal adenoma. We investigated the relationship between fasting serum insulin levels or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and colorectal adenoma.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively enrolled 15,427 participants who underwent both fasting serum insulin measurement and colonoscopy for a routine health examination at Asan Medical Center from January 2007 to December 2008. Participants with a history of any cancer, previous colectomy or polypectomy, those taking antidiabetic medications, and inflammatory bowel disease, non‐specific colitis, non‐adenomatous polyps only or CRC on colonoscopic findings were excluded. Finally, 3,606 participants with histologically confirmed colorectal adenoma and 6,019 controls with no abnormal findings on colonoscopy were included. Participants were categorized into quartiles (Q) based on fasting serum insulin levels and HOMA‐IR.ResultsFasting serum insulin and HOMA‐IR were significantly higher in participants with colorectal adenomas compared with controls. Multivariate regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, smoking habits, drinking habits and family history of CRC showed that participants with higher quartiles of fasting serum insulin levels (odd ratio [OR] 1.17 for 2nd Q, 1.19 for 3rd Q, and 1.42 for 4th Q, P < 0.05) or HOMA‐IR (OR 1.18 for 2nd Q and 1.45 for 4th Q, P < 0.05) showed significantly increased ORs of colorectal adenoma compared with the lowest quartiles.ConclusionsThese findings showed that increased serum insulin levels and insulin resistance were significantly associated with the presence of colorectal adenoma.
Sorption Kinetics, Thermodynamics and Regeneration for Lipid Feedstock Deacidification Using a Mixed‐Bed Ion‐Exchange Resin
Authors: Jamal Yousuf , Luo Guofan , Kuo Charles Hung , Rabie Ahmed , Boulanger Bryan O. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis research investigated adsorptive deacidification of lipid feedstocks using Dowex monosphere MR‐450 UPW mixed‐bed resin (Sigma‐Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). The impact of temperature, mixing and feedstock moisture content on deacidification kinetics is reported. Resin reusability and deacidification of multiple feedstocks was examined. Our results demonstrated that deacidification using the resin followed Lagergren's pseudo first‐order reaction kinetics with a rate constant of 1.352/min under the most favorable reaction conditions (50C, 0% moisture content and 550 rpm mixing rate). Gibb's free energy of the reaction increased from −2.81 kJ/mol at 298 K to −12.17 kJ/mol at 323 K, demonstrating the impact of temperature on deacidification. Resin regeneration with methanol‐based rinses resulted in at least 40% feedstock deacidification after three wash cycles. Collectively, our research results demonstrate the promise of using heterogeneous gel‐type resins for deacidification of a wide range of feedstocks and edible oils with a high percentage of free fatty acid and/or impurities.Practical ApplicationsDowex monosphere MR‐450 UPW mixed‐bed gelular ion‐exchange resin is effectively used for adsorptive deacidification of high fatty acid oils in the absence of alcohol at low reaction temperatures (<60C). The ion‐exchange resin surfaces are regenerated with solvent washing and reused for deacidification over multiple cycles.
Detection ofToxoplasma gondiiin two southernWooly spider monkeys (Brachyteles arachnoides–Geoffroy, 1806) from theRio deJaneiro primate center,Brazil
Authors: Santos S.V. , Strefezzi R.F. , Pissinatti A. , Kanamura C.T. , Takakura C.F.H. , Duarte M.I.S. , Catão‐Dias J.L. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundToxoplasmosis led to the death of twoBrachyteles arachnoides,an endangered atelid.MethodsThe diagnosis was established by necropsy, histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural changes.ResultsThe analysis confirms the presence ofToxoplasma gondii.ConclusionsThis report contributes to the development of protocols for health surveillance on maintenance and conservation of southern muriquis.
Public Expenditures, Growth, and Distribution in a Mixed Regime of Education with a Status Motive
Authors: TOURNEMAINE FREDERIC , TSOUKIS CHRISTOPHER 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis paper tackles the issue of growth, distribution, and the provision of public services in a growth model with human capital accumulation where heterogeneous individuals decide whether to attend a publicly funded education regime or a privately funded one. Heterogeneity of individuals is introduced via their status‐motivation which is shown to affect their choice of education. In such a framework, we obtain an inverted‐U shaped relationship between growth and the size of the public education sector. In contrast with the general wisdom, we show that a larger public education sector is compatible with both a reduction of inequalities and an increase of long‐term growth. Although we demonstrate that in a majoritarian system all individuals agree on a lower size of the public education regime than that which maximizes growth, our analysis also highlights the tension between the direct beneficiaries and nonbeneficiaries from the public regime.
Bartering Games in the Kolm Triangle
Authors: ESSEN MATT VAN 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe study a public good mechanism that possesses several attractive properties. In particular, the mechanism always produces feasible allocations, induces a game where the Nash equilibria are all individually rational, and, in contrast to the voluntary contribution mechanism, supports the Lindahl allocation as a Nash equilibrium allocation. The geometric framework of the Kolm triangle is employed to illustrate the workings of the mechanism and provide intuition for the main results.
Government Opportunism in Public‐Private Partnerships
Authors: VALERO VANESSA 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis paper analyzes the contracting out of public services through public‐private partnerships (PPP) subject to government opportunism. In PPP, the building of public infra‐structure and the provision of related services are procured through only one contract. On the one hand, such bundling of tasks provides incentives to invest in the infrastructure to minimize the cost of providing public services over the long term. On the other hand, it creates incentives for the government to behave opportunistically, by not respecting the terms of the long‐term contractual agreement. Contrarily, in the traditional procurement (TP), the public service provision tasks are contracted out separately. The purpose of this paper is two fold. First, we show that government commitment not to engage in opportunistic behavior is the key factor determining the cost efficiency of PPP. Second, we specify the economic determinants of government's choice between PPP and TP under government opportunism.
Molecular Cloning, Characterization, and Expression of Two Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 (Myd88) in Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas
Authors: Du Yishuai , Zhang Linlin , Huang Baoyu , Guan Xudong , Li Li , Zhang Guofan 
Published: December 2013

AbstractMyeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is a universal adaptor protein and plays an important role in the signal transduction of Toll/interleukin‐1 receptor (TIR/IL‐1R) family. In this study, two novel molluskan MyD88 family members (named as CgMyD88‐1 and CgMyD88‐2) were identified from the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. The full‐length cDNA of CgMyD88‐1 was of 2453 base pairs (bp), with an open reading frame (ORF) of 1077 bp encoding 358 amino acids. The cDNA of CgMyD88‐2 consists of 1374 bp ORF encoding 457 amino acids. Both CgMyD88s contain death domain (DD) and TIR domain which are typical features of MyD88 family proteins. Three conserved boxes were also found in the two CgMyD88s which were similar to MyD88s in vertebrates. The expression level of both CgMyD88 mRNAs in selected tissues was measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Both CgMyD88 transcripts were constitutively expressed in all tested tissues. Gill and hemocytes were shown with highest expression levels while adductor muscle and gonad were with lower levels. The CgMyD88 transcripts in hemocytes after ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV‐1) challenge were also determined by qRT‐PCR. Both CgMyD88s were significantly upregulated in hemocytes after OsHV‐1 challenge and had significant differences (P < 0.05) at some time points compared with the control. Our results as previously reported suggest that MyD88‐dependent pathway exists in C. gigas, and its critical adaptor CgMyD88 plays important roles in oysters' innate immune defense against OsHV‐1 infection.
Effects of Taurine Supplementation on Growth Performance and Antioxidative Capacity of Chinese Soft‐shelled Turtles, Pelodiscus sinensis, Fed a Diet of Low Fish Meal Content
Authors: Hou Jinliang , Jia Yanju , Yang Zhencai , Li Yujuan , Cheng Fuxing , Li Dan , Ji Fangshuo 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis experiment examined the effects of taurine supplementation on the growth performance and antioxidative capacity of Chinese soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, fed diets of low fish meal content. The base diet (with 0.31% taurine) consisted of low fish meal level and had an animal : plant protein ratio of 2:1. Six experimental diets were supplemented with various taurine levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.25%) for 8 wk. There were significant quadratic regression relationships between the taurine supplementation level and specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER). All taruine supplemented groups showed higher SGR and PER and lower FCR than the group fed diet without taurine supplementation. Significant quadratic regressions were also showed between the supplemented taurine level and the total superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde content, and total antioxidant capacity. The results indicate that taurine supplementation in a diet with low fish meal level can improve the growth of turtles. With comprehensive analysis on the effects of taurine supplementation on the growth performance and antioxidative capacity of turtles, the optimal taurine supplementation level was suggested to be 0.9% in the diet with an animal : plant protein ratio of 2:1.
Effect of Water Exchange and Mechanical Aeration on Grow‐out of the Amazon River Prawn in Ponds
Authors: Kimpara Janaina M. , Santos Alexandre A. O. , Valenti Wagner C. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractExchange and aeration of pond water are common practices in semi‐intensive freshwater prawn culture, but there is lack of scientifically based information on the results. We evaluated the effects of water flow through the ponds and mechanical aeration in semi‐intensive cultures of Macrobrachium amazonicum. A total of 40 juveniles/m2 were stocked for 4 mo in 12 earthen ponds. Four randomly assigned treatments were applied: no aeration + no water exchange (NN), diurnal aeration + no water exchange (DA), nocturnal aeration + no water exchange (NA), and continuous water flow (CF). Temperature, pH, total suspended solids, and soluble orthophosphate in the water column did not differ among treatments. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in ponds with nocturnal aeration were significantly higher than in other treatments. The concentration of inorganic nitrogen was significantly higher in the CF treatment, whereas organic nitrogen was higher in treatments NN, DA, and NA. This suggests that primary production is higher in static ponds. Thermal stratification started at 0900 h, and the maximum difference between surface and bottom temperature varied from 1.5 (CF) to 2.8 C (NN). The difference between DO levels in the surface and bottom water of the ponds began to appear at 0800 h and varied from 0.50 (CF) to 5.23 mg/L (NN). Diurnal aeration and high continuous water flow were efficient in disrupting the stratification. No significant difference was found for survival, mean weight, apparent feed conversion rate, and productivity among treatments. Thus, disrupting water stratification, aerating ponds at night, or exchanging the pond water are ineffective in Amazon River prawn farming in semi‐intensive systems, at least for stocking densities lower than 40 individuals/m2. About 1000 kg of Amazon River prawn can be produced in static ponds with no aeration in approximately 4 mo. This management strategy saves water and energy and reduces production costs.
Temporal and Spatial Variability of Limnological Characteristics in Areas under the Influence of Tilapia Cages in the Chavantes Reservoir, Paranapanema River, Brazil
Authors: Ayroza Daercy Maria Monteiro Rezende , Nogueira Marcos Gomes , da Silva Ayroza Luiz Marques , Carvalho Edmir Daniel , Ferraudo Antonio Sergio , Camargo Antonio Fernando Monteiro 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe influence of tilapia cages on limnological characteristics of the Chavantes Reservoir, Paranapanema River, Brazil, was investigated in March and June 2007. Principal components analysis was used to compare the transparency; dissolved oxygen; temperature; total organic nitrogen, phosphorus, and dissolved solids; chlorophyll a and electrical conductivity of fish farm 1 (239.3 m.t.), 2 (461.5 m.t.) and areas without cages, in the lacustrine and river‐reservoir transition regions. The variables differentiated the regions and areas with and without cages. In March, in the lacustrine region, there was a thermal and chemical stratification, and in the transition region, there was a temperature and oxygen reduction gradient between the surface and bottom that was also observed in June in fish farm 1. The higher transparency confirmed the increased light penetration in the lacustrine region. In the transition region, there were higher turbidity, total dissolved solid, and conductivity values that are likely related to allochthonous material flow and transport. In fish farms, lower oxygen and pH values indicate intense decomposition and respiration. The generally higher total dissolved solid and nutrient values, turbidity, and conductivity and the lower transparency in one or both fish farms indicate their contribution to eutrophication, demonstrating the need for careful monitoring.
Phytic Acid‐Induced Inhibition of Digestive Protease and α‐Amylase in Three Indian Major Carps: An in vitro Study
Authors: Khan Argha , Ghosh Koushik 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAntinutritional effects of phytic acid (myoinositol hexaphosphate, IP6) on growth and digestibility in fish have been reported. However, specific effect of IP6 on the digestive enzymes in fish has not been addressed. In this study, inhibitory effect of synthetic IP6 (Phytic acid sodium salt, 90% purity) on the activity of the digestive protease and α‐amylase in rohu, Labeo rohita; catla, Catla catla; and mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala has been investigated in vitro. Graded levels (12.5, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 µg/mL) of IP6 were added to the reaction mixtures containing enzyme extracts and substrate solution in triplicate to detect any change in enzyme activity. Results of the experiment revealed that IP6 significantly inhibit/lower activities of the digestive enzymes in a dose‐dependent manner, as evident from the regression equations (F values significant at P < 0.001 level). Apparently, irrespective of the fish species studied IP6‐induced inhibition of α‐amylase activity was greater than protease activity. Among the three fish species studied, C. mrigala appeared to be more sensitive to IP6 for both α‐amylase and protease activity. Enzyme activity was least affected in C. catla. Results of the study might raise concern while incorporating IP6 rich plant‐derived feed ingredients in aqua feed preparation.
An unusual mass in the palate of a 13‐year‐old girl: a case report of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Eltahlah D. , Smart K. , Moran N. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractRhabdomyosarcomas are rare neoplasms derived from primitive mesenchymal tissue expressing skeletal muscle differentiation. They often present with vague symptoms that can easily mimic other diseases. Rhabdomyosarcomas of the oral cavity are extremely rare and account only for 0.04% of all the head and neck malignancies. We report a rare case of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in the soft palate of a 13‐year‐old girl.