bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduction of facial wrinkles depth by sleeping on copper oxide‐containing pillowcases: a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel, randomized clinical study
Authors: Baek Ji Hwoon , Yoo Mi Ae , Koh Jae Sook , Borkow Gadi 
Published: September 2012

SummaryBackground  Copper up‐regulates the secretion of extracellular skin proteins and stabilizes the extracellular matrix once formed. As copper can be absorbed through intact skin, we reasoned that sleeping on pillowcases containing copper‐impregnated fibers would reduce skin wrinkles.Objective  Demonstrate that sleeping on pillowcases containing copper‐impregnated fibers reduce facial skin wrinkles.Patients/Methods  An 8‐week, double blind, parallel, randomized study was carried out, in which healthy volunteers, aged 30–60, used either copper oxide‐containing pillowcases (1% weight/weight) (test group, n = 30) or control pillowcases without copper (control group, n = 31). Skin conditions of the subjects were evaluated by visual grading by two expert graders and by 3D Image Analysis GFM PRIMOS® at baseline (before treatment) and following 4 and 8 weeks of sleeping on the pillowcases.Results  The use of the copper oxide‐containing pillowcase resulted in significant decrease of crow’s feet after 4 (P = 0.01) and 8 (P = 0.002) weeks, but none was observed in the control group, as determined by the expert graders. On the basis of the 3D measurements, three roughness (R) parameters were improved after 4 and 8 weeks (P < 0.02) and the Rmax parameter at 8 weeks (P = 0.016) in the test group, but there were no changes in the R‐parameters during the course of the study in the control group. The average reduction per month in the R‐parameters was approximately 9%. No adverse reactions were observed or reported during the 8 weeks study.Conclusions  Sleeping on copper oxide‐containing pillowcases results in reduction of wrinkles depth and overall improvement of skin appearance.
Photo‐damage protective effect of two facial products, containing a unique complex of Dead Sea minerals and Himalayan actives
Authors: Wineman Eitan , Portugal‐Cohen Meital , Soroka Yoram , Cohen Dror , Schlippe Gerrit , Voss Werner , Brenner Sarah , Milner Yoram , Hai Noam , Ma’or Zeevi 
Published: September 2012

SummaryBackground  Skin appearance is badly affected when exposed to solar UV rays, which encourage physiological and structural cutaneous alterations that eventually lead to skin photo‐damage.Aims  To test the capability of two facial preparations, extreme day cream (EXD) and extreme night treatment (EXN), containing a unique complex of Dead Sea water and three Himalayan extracts, to antagonize biological effects induced by photo‐damage.Methods  Pieces of organ cultures of human skin were used as a model to assess the biological effects of UVB irradiation and the protective effect of topical application of two Extreme preparations. Skin pieces were analyzed for mitochondrial activity by MTT assay, for apoptosis by caspase 3 assay, and for cytokine secretion by solid phase ELISA. Human subjects were tested to evaluate the effect of Extreme preparations on skin wrinkle depth using PRIMOS and skin hydration by a corneometer.Results  UVB irradiation induced cell apoptosis in the epidermis of skin organ cultures and increased their pro‐inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis α (TNFα) secretion. Topical applications of both preparations significantly attenuated all these effects. Furthermore, in human subjects, a reduction in wrinkle depth and an elevation in the intense skin moisture were observed.Conclusions  The observations clearly show that EXD and EXN preparations have protective anti‐apoptotic and anti‐inflammatory properties that can attenuate biological effects of skin photo‐damage. Topical application of the preparations improves skin appearance by reducing its wrinkles depth and increasing its moisturizing impact.
Marine‐derived nutrient improves epidermal and dermal structure and prolongs the life span of reconstructed human skin equivalents
Authors: Rietveld Marion , Janson David , Siamari Rachida , Vicanova Jana , Andersen Maja Troest , El Ghalbzouri Abdoelwaheb 
Published: September 2012

SummaryIntroduction  Imedeen™ is a cosmeceutical that provides nutrients to the skin. One of its active ingredients is the Marine Complex™ (MC).Aim  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether MC affects skin morphogenesis differently in female and male human skin equivalents (HSEs).Methods  Human skin equivalents were established with cells obtained from female or male donors between 30 and 45 years of age and cultured for seven or 11 weeks in the presence or absence of MC. Using immunohistochemistry, we examined early differentiation by keratin 10 expression, (hyper)proliferation by keratin 17 and Ki67, and basement membrane composition by laminin 332 and collagen type VII. In addition, the expression of collagen type I and the secretion of pro‐collagen I were measured.Results  Marine Complex strongly increased the number of Ki67‐positive epidermal cells in female HSEs. In the dermis, MC significantly stimulated the amount of secreted pro‐collagen I and increased the deposition of laminin 332 and collagen type VII. Furthermore, MC prolonged the viable phase of HSEs by slowing down its natural degradation. After 11 weeks of culturing, the MC‐treated HSEs showed higher numbers of viable epidermal cell layers and a thicker dermal extracellular matrix compared with controls. In contrast, these effects were less pronounced in male HSEs.Conclusion  The MC nutrient positively stimulated overall HSE tissue formation and prolonged the longevity of both female and male HSEs. The ability of MC to stimulate the deposition of basement membrane and dermal components can be used to combat 2 human skin aging in vivo.
Positive communication moderates the relationship between corporal punishment and child depressive symptoms
Authors: Wimsatt Amber R. , Fite Paula J. , Grassetti Stevie N. , Rathert Jamie L. 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundFindings are few and mixed regarding the moderating influence that supportive parenting might have on the link between corporal punishment and child depressive symptoms.MethodA multiple regression model was estimated to examine proposed relationships in a 1‐year longitudinal community‐recruited sample of 89 children (56% male; 9–12 years).ResultsHigh levels of corporal punishment in tandem with high levels of supportive communication were associated with the highest levels of depressive symptoms.ConclusionsAlthough supportive parenting behaviors have been shown to be beneficial for child outcomes, when considering a stress‐process framework, simultaneous experiences of harsh and positive parenting may yield more negative outcomes.
The Federalization of Iraq and the Break-up of Sudan
Authors: O'Leary Brendan 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn 2005, after the making of the Constitution of Iraq and the making of Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement, many analysts expected the imminent break-up of Iraq, and that the South Sudanese would eventually opt for federalism and power-sharing rather than secede from Sudan. Six remarkable parallels in the histories of Iraq and Sudan suggest that analysts should have predicted that the Kurds and the South Sudanese would have been equally ardent secessionists in the early twenty-first century. Yet Kurdish nationalist leaders chose federalization in and after 2005, whereas South Sudanese nationalists eventually chose secession after a brief federal power-sharing experiment. The different choices of the respective nationalist leaders were therefore critical, but some plausible explanations of their different choices do not withstand scrutiny. The differing outcomes, so far, are necessarily but not sufficiently explained by the different geopolitical neighbourhoods of Iraq and Sudan. The author suggests that secessions are also driven by political parties who are willing to downsize their state rather than modify the existing regime, and by nationalists who calculate that they are unlikely to have political pivotality in a federal democracy. One implication is that federal power-sharing bargains have a better chance of working in deeply divided places when potential secessionists believe that they may have political pivotality within a federation.
Checks or Toothless Tigers? Powers and Incentives of External Officeholders to Constrain the Cabinet in 25 European Democracies
Authors: Sieberer Ulrich 
Published: September 2012

AbstractUnder what conditions and to what extent do external officeholders in parliamentary democracies constrain the cabinet's freedom of action? The article argues that we must analyse both institutional powers and officeholders’ incentives to use them to obtain an unbiased estimate of the expected constraint. It measures the incentives dimension via the selection method of external officeholders and develops an index to capture the likelihood that such officeholders hold preferences deviant from those of the cabinet. Analysing original data on four external constraint institutions in 25 European democracies, the article shows major variation in the incentives to constrain the cabinet across both offices and countries. Furthermore, it demonstrates that institutional powers and incentives for their use are empirically largely independent dimensions.
Radical Right Parties in Office: Incumbency Records and the Electoral Cost of Governing
Authors: Akkerman Tjitske , de Lange Sarah L. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractRadical right parties are becoming increasingly likely candidates to participate in government coalitions in Western Europe. Comparative research on the electoral performance of these parties in government is still scarce. Our overview of the electoral effects of government participation of six parties in national governments shows that they do not run a higher risk of losing votes after government participation than other parties. There is considerable variation, however. Some radical right parties experienced great losses, while others won additional support. Focusing on the ways in which radical right parties conducted themselves in government, we explore why some parties won votes and others lost in post-incumbency elections. We compare their policy achievements with regard to immigration and integration policies, the performance of their ministers, and the party coherence of the six parties in office. Our analysis shows that policy records do not fully explain the variation in post-incumbency electoral results. Weak performance and internal party conflict prevent parties from credibly laying claim to the policy achievements of coalition governments and demonstrate that some of these parties were not ready for office.
Endoplasmic Reticulum stress induces hepatic stellate cell apoptosis and contributes to fibrosis resolution
Authors: De Minicis Samuele , Candelaresi Cinzia , Agostinelli Laura , Taffetani Silvia , Saccomanno Stefania , Rychlicki Chiara , Trozzi Luciano , Marzioni Marco , Benedetti Antonio , Svegliati‐Baroni Gianluca 
Published: September 2012

AbstractBackgroundSurvival of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a hallmark of liver fibrosis, while the induction of HSC apoptosis may induce recovery. Activated HSC are resistant to many pro‐apoptotic stimuli. To this issue, the role of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress in promoting apoptosis of HSCs and consequently fibrosis resolution is still debated.AimTo evaluate the potential ER stress‐mediated apoptosis of HSCs and fibrosis resolutionMethodsHSCs were incubated with the ER stress agonists, tunicamycin or thapsigargin. In vivo, HSC were isolated from normal, bile duct‐ligated (BDL) and bile duct‐diverted (BDD) rats.ResultsIn activated HSC, the specific inhibitor of ER stress‐induced apoptosis, calpastatin, is significantly increased vs. quiescent HSCs. Calpain is conversely reduced in activated HSCs. This pattern of protein expression provides HSCs resistance to the ER stress signals of apoptosis (apoptosis‐resistant phenotype). However, both tunicamycin and thapsigargin are able to induce apoptosis in HSCs in vitro, completely reversing the calpain/calpastatin pattern expression. Furthermore, in vivo, the fibrosis resolution observed in rat livers subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) and subsequent bile duct diversion (BDD), leads to fibrosis resolution through a mechanism of HSCs apoptosis, potentially associated with ER stress: in fact, BDD rat liver shows an increased number of apoptotic HSCs associated with reduced calapstatin and increased calpain protein expression, leading to an apoptosis‐sensible phenotype.ConclusionsER stress sensitizes HSC to apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, ER stress represents a key target to trigger cell death in activated HSC and promotes fibrosis resolution.
In Situ HT‐ESEM Observation of CeO2 Grain Growth During Sintering
Authors: Podor Renaud , Clavier Nicolas , Ravaux Johann , Claparede Laurent , Dacheux Nicolas 
Published: September 2012

The CeO2 sintering and grain growth kinetics were determined from in situ experiments performed using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM) equipped with a hot stage in the temperature range 1000°C–1300°C. Videos were recorded during 8 h at various holding temperatures where the grain growth and grain elimination process were clearly observed at the grain scale with a 2–10 nm resolution. Data were extracted at both sample and grain scales to characterize the microstructural evolution (grain growth and grain elimination). The grain growth kinetic was described using a parabolic law. The activation energy determined using this method for pure CeO2 grain growth (290 ± 40 kJ/mol) was in good agreement with that obtained using the Dorn's method based on dilatometric measurements (330 ± 30 kJ/mol). The microstructural modifications observed using the in situ HT‐ESEM experimental method were compared with computed simulations and revealed a good correlation between the experimental data and the models previously developed.
Understanding the Crystallization Mechanism of a Wollastonite Base Glass Using Isoconversional, IKP Methods and Master Plots
Authors: Pérez Juan M. , Teixeira Silvio R. , Rincón Jesús Ma. , Romero Maximina 
Published: September 2012

The complex development of crystals found in the crystallization of SiO2–Al2O3–CaO–Na2O glass has been explained using Differential Thermal Analysis. The crystal growth process has been studied using isoconversional, invariant kinetic parameters, and master plots methods. The applied kinetic models have revealed activation energy values that are over 360 and 385 kJ/mol by employing the integral and differential kinetic methods, respectively. The crystallization process schedule that was previously observed using scanning electron microscopy has been corroborated in this study using the kinetic methods. The crystallization of wollastonite occurs through a complex two‐stage mechanism, with early three‐dimensional growth of crystals (A3 mechanism) on the surface of glass particles followed by one‐dimensional growth of needles (A3/2 mechanism) toward the interior of grains. The results presented in this article are in agreement with a previous paper that employed the Kissinger non‐isothermal method and the Ligero approximation.
Antimicrobial peptide LL37 promotes vascular endothelial growth factor‐A expression in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Kittaka M. , Shiba H. , Kajiya M. , Ouhara K. , Takeda K. , Kanbara K. , Fujita T. , Kawaguchi H. , Komatsuzawa H. , Kurihara H. 
Published: September 2012

Background and ObjectiveLL37, originally found in the innate immune system, is a robust antimicrobial peptide. LL37 exhibits multiple bio‐functions in various cell types, such as migration, cytokine production, apoptosis, and angiogenesis besides its antimicrobial activity Periodontal ligament (PL) cells play a pivotal role in periodontal tissue regeneration. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that LL37 can regulate PL cell function to promote regeneration of periodontal tissue. To prove this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of LL37 on the potent angiogenic inducer vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cultures of human PL (HPL) cells because neovascularization is indispensable for the progress of tissue regeneration. Moreover, we investigated the signaling cascade associated with LL37‐induced VEGF expression.Material and MethodHPL cells were treated with synthesized LL37 in the presence or absence of PD98059, a MEK‐ERK inhibitor, or PDTC, an NF‐κB inhibitor. VEGF expression levels were assessed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis and an enzyme‐linked immunoassay. Phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 or NF‐κB p65 were determined by Western blotting.ResultsLL37 upregulated VEGF‐A expression at the mRNA and protein levels in HPL cells, while VEGF‐B mRNA expression was not affected. Both ERK and NF‐κB inhibitors clearly abrogated the increase in VEGF‐A levels induced by LL37 in HPL cells. Importantly, LL37 increased phosphorylated levels of ERK1/2 and NF‐κB p65 in HPL cells.ConclusionLL37 induces VEGF‐A production in HPL cells via ERK and NF‐κB signaling cascades, which may result in angiogenesis, thereby contributing to periodontal regeneration.
Drug‐induced lupus erythematosus with emphasis on skin manifestations and the role of anti‐TNFα agents
Authors: Dalle Vedove Camilla , Simon Jan C. , Girolomoni Giampiero 
Published: September 2012

SummaryDrug‐induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) is a lupus‐like syndrome temporally related to continuous drug exposure which resolves upon drug discontinuation. There are currently no standard diagnostic criteria for DILE. Findings include skin manifestations, arthritis, serositis, anti‐nuclear and anti‐histone antibodies positivity. Similarly to idiopathic lupus erythematosus, DILE can be divided into systemic (SLE), subacute cutaneous (SCLE) and chronic cutaneous lupus (CCLE). Systemic DILE presents as a milder version of idiopathic SLE, and the drugs most frequently implicated are hydralazine, procainamide and quinidine. Anti‐TNFα therapies are the latest class of medications found to be associated, although rarely, with a “lupus‐like” syndrome, which is however clinically distinct from classical DILE. Drug‐induced SCLE is the most common form of DILE. It is very similar to idiopathic SCLE in terms of clinical and serologic characteristics. The most commonly implicated drugs are antihypertensive drugs and terbinafine, but in recent years also proton pump inhibitors and chemotherapeutic agents have been associated. Drug‐induced CCLE is very rare and usually caused by fluorouracil agents and NSAIDS, but some cases have induced by pantoprazole and anti‐TNFα agents.
Pathways for Epidermal Cell Differentiation via the Homeobox Gene GLABRA2: Update on the Roles of the Classic RegulatorF
Authors: Qing Lin , Aoyama Takashi 
Published: September 2012

AbstractRecent plant development studies have identified regulatory pathways for epidermal cell differentiation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Interestingly, some of such pathways contain transcriptional networks with a common structure in which the homeobox gene GLABLA2 (GL2) is downstream of the transactivation complex consisting of MYB, bHLH, and WD40 proteins. Here, we review the role of GL2 as an output device of the conserved network, and update the knowledge of epidermal cell differentiation pathways downstream of GL2. Despite the consistent position of GL2 within the network, its role in epidermal tissues varies; in the root epidermis, GL2 promotes non‐hair cell differentiation after cell pattern formation, whereas in the leaf epidermis, it is likely to be involved in both pattern formation and differentiation of trichomes. GL2 expression levels act as quantitative factors for initiation of cell differentiation in the root and leaf epidermis; the quantity of hairless cells in non‐root hair cell files is reduced by gl2 mutations in a semi‐dominant manner, and entopically additive expression of GL2 and a heterozygous gl2 mutation increase and decrease the number of trichomes, respectively. Although few direct target genes have been identified, evidence from genetic and expression analyses suggests that GL2 directly regulates genes with various hierarchies in epidermal cell differentiation pathways.
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[ Takashi Aoyama (Corresponding author)]
Genetic relationships of introduced Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata populations in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Jing‐Jie , Yang Juan , Li Ying‐Chao , Liu Ning , Zhang Run‐Zhi 
Published: September 2012

AbstractThe Colorado potato beetle (CPB), Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is an infamous invasive species worldwide that aggressively attacks potato and other Solanaceae crops. CPB was first found in China in 1993 and has since spread across 2.77 × 105 km2 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. To better understand genetic variation and migration patterns, we used seven polymorphic microsatellite loci to elucidate the genetic relationships and gene flow among 10 CPB populations across Xinjiang. (i) Overall low levels of genetic diversity were detected on the entire population in Xinjiang but most of the diversity was retained among populations during invasion. (ii) The mean pairwise FST was low (0.071 ± 0.043) among populations. The genetic differentiation was little (pairwise FST 0.038 ± 0.016) between the five interior populations (Wusu, Urumqi, Jimsar, Qitai and Mulei) and Tacheng population. The six populations might come from the same genetic group via Bayesian clustering and were closely related on a neighbor‐joining tree. Combining the history data, the five interior populations may have originated from Tacheng. (iii) Gene flow was frequent, especially among the five interior populations. Individuals from the interior populations could be assigned to Tacheng at higher probabilities (means 0.518 ± 0.127) than vice versa (means 0.328 ± 0.074), suggesting that the beetle population has spread from the border to the interior in Xinjiang.
Numerical investigation of the effects of combining sewer junction characteristics on the hydraulic parameters of flow in fully surcharged condition
Authors: Yekani Motlagh Yaser , Nazemi Amir H. , Sadraddini Ali A. , Abbaspour Akram , Yekani Motlagh Saber 
Published: September 2012

AbstractIn this study, the effects of different parameters on flow structure and flow hydraulics for combining sewer junction consisting of manhole and lateral inflow were investigated numerically. For this purpose, the effects of dimension variations, main and lateral pipe slope, angle and the joint position of lateral pipe beside manhole, manhole geometry, and the outflow rate of manhole on flow structure and energy loss coefficients were investigated. Results show that the rate of energy loss decreases by heightening the installation position of lateral pipe beside manhole. In addition, it was shown that the slope variations of main and lateral pipes and outflow rate do not affect the rate of energy loss.