bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative study of IgA VH3 gene usage in healthy TST− and TST+ population exposed to tuberculosis: deep sequencing analysis
Authors: Chin Siang Tean , Ignatius Joshua , Suraiya Siti , Tye Gee Jun , Sarmiento Maria E. , Acosta Armando , Norazmi Mohd Nor , Lim Theam Soon 
Published: August 2014

SummaryThe acquired immune response against tuberculosis is commonly associated with T‐cell responses with little known about the role of B cells or antibodies. There have been suggestions that B cells and humoral immunity can modulate the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the mechanisms involving B‐cell responses in M. tuberculosis are not fully understood, in particular the antibody gene preferences. We hypothesized that a preferential use of V genes can be seen associated with resistance to infection mainly in the IgA isotype, which is of prominent importance for infection by pathogens via the mucosal route. We studied healthy individuals with long‐term exposure to tuberculosis, infected (TST+) and uninfected TST−) with M. tuberculosis. From a total of 22 V genes analysed, the TST− population preferred the VH3‐23 and Vκ1 genes. The VH3‐23 genes were subsequently subjected to 454 amplicon sequencing. The TST− population showed a higher frequency of the D3‐10 segment compared with the D3‐22 segment for the TST+ population. The J segment usage pattern was similar for both populations with J4 segment being used the most. A preferential pairing of J4 segments to D3‐3 was seen for the TST− population. The antibodyome difference between both populations suggests a preference for antibodies with VH3‐23, D3‐3, JH4 gene usage by the TST− population that could be associated with resistance to infection with M. tuberculosis.
c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase and Akt signalling pathways regulating tumour necrosis factor‐α‐induced interleukin‐32 expression in human lung fibroblasts: implications in airway inflammation
Authors: Li Dagen , Chen Dapeng , Zhang Xuemei , Wang Hong , Song Zixin , Xu Wenchun , He Yujuan , Yin Yibing , Cao Ju 
Published: August 2014

SummaryAirway inflammatory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are associated with elevated expression of interleukin‐32 (IL‐32), a recently described cytokine that appears to play a critical role in inflammation. However, so far, the regulation of pulmonary IL‐32 production has not been fully established. We examined the expression of IL‐32 by tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in primary human lung fibroblasts. Human lung fibroblasts were cultured in the presence or absence of TNF‐α and/or other cytokines/Toll‐like receptor (TLR) ligands or various signalling molecule inhibitors to analyse the expression of IL‐32 by quantitative RT‐PCR and ELISA. Next, activation of Akt and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) signalling pathways was investigated by Western blot. Interleukin‐32 mRNA of four spliced isoforms (α, β, γ and δ) was up‐regulated upon TNF‐α stimulation, which was associated with a significant IL‐32 protein release from TNF‐α‐activated human lung fibroblasts. The combination of interferon‐γ and TNF‐α induced enhanced IL‐32 release in human lung fibroblasts, whereas IL‐4, IL‐17A, IL‐27 and TLR ligands did not alter IL‐32 release in human lung fibroblasts either alone, or in combination with TNF‐α. Furthermore, the activation of Akt and JNK pathways regulated TNF‐α‐induced IL‐32 expression in human lung fibroblasts, and inhibition of the Akt and JNK pathways was able to suppress the increased release of IL‐32 to nearly the basal level. These data suggest that TNF‐α may be involved in airway inflammation via the induction of IL‐32 by activating Akt and JNK signalling pathways. Therefore, the TNF‐α/IL‐32 axis may be a potential therapeutic target for airway inflammatory diseases.
In Vitro Degradation and Conversion of Melt‐Derived Microfibrous Borate (13‐93B3) Bioactive Glass Doped with Metal Ions
Authors: Liu Xin , Rahaman Mohamed N. , Day Delbert E. 
Published: August 2014

Microfibrous melt‐derived bioactive glasses based on a borate 13‐93B3 composition are showing a considerable capacity to heal chronic soft tissue wounds in humans and animals. Metal ion dopants in borate 13‐93B3 microfibers can be beneficial for healing soft tissue wounds and bone defects but their role and delivery have received little attention. In this study, the effect of selected metal ion dopants on the degradation and conversion of 13‐93B3 microfibers in simulated body fluid at 37°C was investigated. Two groups of microfibers (diameter = 0.2–3 μm) composed of 13‐93B3 glass (composition 6 Na2O, 12 K2O, 5 MgO, 20 CaO, 4 P2O5, 53 B2O3, wt%) doped with (1) CuO (0.4 wt%) + ZnO (1.0 wt%); and (2) CuO (0.4 wt%) + ZnO (1.0 wt%) + Fe2O3 (0.4 wt%) + SrO (2.0 wt%) were studied. The metal ion dopants had little effect on the degradation of the parent 13‐93B3 glass microfibers and their conversion to an amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) product but they inhibited the crystallization of the ACP to HA. The release of Cu and Sr ions from the glass into the medium was considerably higher than Zn and Fe ions which were retained mainly in the ACP or HA product. These results are pertinent to the design of borate bioactive glasses for optimum healing of soft tissue wounds and bone.
Poor Agreement Between Dialysis Unit Blood Pressure and Interdialytic Ambulatory Blood Pressure
Authors: Liu Wenjin , Niu Jing , Dai Chunsun , Yang Junwei 
Published: August 2014

Although ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring (ABPM) is often considered to have an advantage over dialysis unit blood pressure (BP) in dialysis patients, the exact relationship between these two measurements of BP has not been well determined. In a cohort of 90 Chinese dialysis patients, agreement between dialysis unit BP (predialysis and postdialysis BP) and interdialytic ABP was evaluated using Bland‐Altman plots and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient for quantitative analysis, and inter‐rater agreement (κ) for qualitative analysis. Limits of agreement between dialysis unit BP and ABP were wide (predialysis systolic BP: −33.5 to 20.9 mm Hg; predialysis diastolic BP: −22.2 to 11.9 mm Hg; postdialysis systolic BP: −25.4 to 26.5 mm Hg; postdialysis diastolic BP: −18.4 to 12.3 mm Hg). Lin's concordance correlation coefficient exhibited a poor agreement with concordance correlation coefficients of 0.75, 0.81, 0.64, and 0.75 for predialysis systolic BP, postdialysis systolic BP, predialysis diastolic BP, and postdialysis diastolic BP, respectively. When BP level was classified into quartiles, an increasing trend for incorrect classification rate was observed with deleterious hypertension, with the highest value in grade 3 hypertension (100% and 75.0% for predialysis and postdialysis BP, respectively). Therefore, these data suggest that agreement between dialysis unit BP and interdialytic ABP is poor in Chinese dialysis patients, and the bias for patients with higher degree of hypertension is more prominent.
From a non‐target to a target: identification of a fermentation volatile blend attractive to Zaprionus indianus
Authors: Cha D. H. , Gill M. A. , Epsky N. D. , Werle C. T. , Adamczyk J. J. , Landolt P. J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus Gupta, is rapidly spreading through the New World and is a new potential pest for numerous fruit crops. Methods are needed to detect and monitor Z. indianus. A recent study shows that Z. indianus can be attracted with a mixture of wine and vinegar, but there are no chemical attractants yet identified. This fly was captured incidentally as a non‐target insect in experiments to develop chemical lures, based on wine and vinegar fermentation volatiles, for Drosophila suzukii Matsumura and Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. We then generated testable hypotheses on what combination of these volatiles was involved in Z. indianus attraction to wine and vinegar. We determined through a series of trapping experiments that the blend of ethanol, acetic acid, acetoin, isoamyl acetate, methionol and ethyl hexanoate constitutes a strong attractant for Z. indianus and accounts for its attraction to the combination of wine and vinegar. These results and findings provide the first opportunity to develop a long‐lasting and consistent chemical lure for trapping of Z. indianus. Such a lure in a suitable trap should provide a good means to document the spread of the fly and determine its seasonality and abundance in new areas and crops.
Dairy product consumption, dietary nutrient and energy density and associations with obesity in Australian adolescents
Authors: O'Sullivan T. A. , Bremner A. P. , Bremer H. K. , Seares M. E. , Beilin L. J. , Mori T. A. , Lyons‐Wall P. , Devine A. , Oddy W. H. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBackgroundDairy intake is likely to influence dietary energy density (ED) and nutrient density (ND), which are factors representing aspects of dietary quality. Although evidence suggests dairy intake is unlikely to contribute to obesity, intake tends to decrease over adolescence, potentially as a result of concerns around weight gain. We examined associations between dairy intake, ED and ND, and investigated relationships with obesity in adolescents.MethodsThe present study comprised a cross‐sectional study of 1613 14‐year‐olds in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Adolescents completed a 212‐item food frequency questionnaire. Nutrient Rich Food index 9.3 (NRF9.3) was used to estimate ND. Age‐specific body mass index (BMI) and waist–height cut‐offs were used to categorise obesity risk.ResultsMean (SD) dairy intake was: 2.62 (1.51) servings daily; ED was 4.53 (0.83) (food and beverage) and 6.28 (1.33) (food only); ND was 373 (109). Dairy intake was inversely associated with ED and positively associated with ND. The odds of being overweight (as assessed by BMI) increased by 1.24 (95% confidence interval = 1.09–1.42) with each 100‐point increase in ND, after adjustment for potential confounders and energy intake. ED measures and dairy intake were inversely associated with obesity after adjustment for confounders; associations became nonsignificant after energy adjustment.ConclusionsThe NRF9.3 was originally designed to assess foods, not diets. Further research in other cohorts to determine whether similar findings exist, or investigations into alternate measures of dietary ND, may prove useful. Our findings may be the result of factors such as an excess consumption of refined but fortified foods. Although higher dairy intakes were associated with higher ND, intakes were not associated with higher obesity risk.
In vitro investigation on extensively destroyed vital teeth: is fracture force a limiting factor for direct restoration?
Authors: Schwindling F. S. , Hartmann T. , Panagidis D. , Krisam J. , Rues S. , Schmitter M. 
Published: August 2014

SummaryTo evaluate the in vitro fracture load of extensively damaged vital teeth after either direct or indirect restauration, severe tooth substance loss was simulated for 96 molars. Subsequently, two cavities were prepared with little (design 1) or more substantial (design 2) residual tooth support. All molars were provided with a 2‐mm ferrule design and then divided into 12 test groups based on their occlusal surface size. They were restored with composite or with either of two types of single crown (cast metal or milled zirconia). After thermal ageing (10 000 cycles at 6·5 and 60 °C), 1·2 million cycles of chewing simulation were applied (64 N). Maximum fracture load was determined with a loading angle of 45°. Statistical analysis was performed by use of Kaplan–Meier modelling, Student's t‐tests, one‐way anova, post hoc Tukey's HSD tests and linear regression analysis. Regarding mean fracture load without ageing, the indirect restorations outperformed composite (design 1: direct: 508 ± 123 N, indirect: 741 ± 248 N; design 2: direct: 554 ± 167 N, indirect: 903 ± 221 N). After artificial ageing, however, these differences were no longer significant (design 1: direct: 328 ± 189 N, indirect: 506 ± 352 N; design 2: direct 399 ± 208 N, indirect 577 ± 292 N). Instead, the fracture load of the aged composite restorations was comparable with that for zirconia (design 1) and cast metal (design 2) crowns. Fracture loads of direct composite restorations after artificial ageing might fulfil clinical requirements.
The role of p300 in the tumor progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Cho Young‐Ah , Hong Ji‐Soo , Choe Eun‐Jin , Yoon Hye‐Jung , Hong Seong‐Doo , Lee Jae‐Il , Hong Sam‐Pyo 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundEP300 gene encoding p300 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene. This study investigated p300 expression and gene alteration in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) specimens to assess its role in OSCC development.MethodsGenomic DNA extracted from 13 human OSCC cell lines and 40 OSCC patient specimens was subjected to methylation‐specific PCR and exon sequencing. Immunohistochemical staining with primary antibodies against p300 and p53 was performed in 48 patients with OSCC. We analyzed the association between the data and clinicopathological factors of OSCC patients.ResultsMethylation‐specific PCR revealed that the EP300 promoter region was not hypermethylated in OSCC. Only one cell line demonstrated a point mutation at exon 31. On immunohistochemical examination, patients with metastatic lymph nodes (P = 0.009) and advanced clinical stage (P = 0.046) tended to show increased expression of p300. There was no statistically significant relationship between p300 expression and p53 accumulation in OSCC tissue samples. Patient survival was not correlated with p300 expression.ConclusionsEP300 is not a tumor suppressor gene because there was neither epigenetic inactivation of the gene nor a mutation resulting in functional impairment. Based on p300 overexpression and its association with clinical factors in patients with OSCC, it is likely that p300 itself or one of its target genes plays a key role in the aggressive phenotypes of OSCC.
Association of JARID2 polymorphisms with non‐syndromic orofacial clefts in northern Chinese Han population
Authors: Hao Yanru , Mi Na , Jiao Xiaohui , Zheng Xudong , Song Tao , Zhuang Deshu , Tian Subao , Feng Dongfei 
Published: August 2014

ObjectivesNon‐syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOC) are the most common human craniofacial malformation in all worldwide populations. Recently, the jumoji AT‐rich interaction domain 2 (JARID2) had been reported to be a novel candidate gene for non‐syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P). The SNPs rs2076056, rs2237138 and rs2299043 in JARID2 were highly significant in Italian families.Material and MethodsIn the current research, a case–control study was conducted to examine the association between these three SNPs and NSOC in a northern Chinese Han population. Genotyping of the three SNPs were performed using SNaPshot minisequencing technique.ResultsDistribution of rs2237138 genotypes in CL/P group was different from those in the control group (P = 0.04), but significant results did not persist after Benjamini and Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple tests. Further logistic regression analysis showed that rs2237138 GG genotypes were associated with decreased CL/P susceptibility (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.13–0.84), compared with the AA wild‐type homozygote. For the haplotype CGT, a statistically difference was identified between the CL/P group and controls (P = 0.04). And carriers of GAT haplotype were considered to be less frequent among cleft palate only group as compared to controls (P = 0.02). However, both of the haplotypes association did not remain statistically significant after Benjamini and Hochberg FDR correction.ConclusionWe got a weak association between these polymorphisms and NSOC in both single‐marker and haplotype analyses. Our data further strengthen the conclusion that JARID2 polymorphisms are associated with NSOC susceptibility.
Body Mass Index Self‐Perception and Weight Management Behaviors During Late Adolescence
Authors: Yang Kyeongra , Turk Melanie T. , Allison Virginia L. , James Khara A. , Chasens Eileen 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThis study examined the relationship between actual body weight and self‐perceived weight, and how perception of one's weight affects weight management behaviors among US adolescents.METHODSAdolescents ages 16‐19 years with objectively‐measured weight and height and self‐reported perception of weight, weight‐loss efforts, and health‐related behaviors (N = 642) from the 2009‐2010 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Sociodemographic variables, body mass index percentile, weight perception, weight‐loss efforts, and health‐related behaviors were examined using Wald chi‐square, Student's t test, analysis of variance, and logistic regression.RESULTSApproximately 15% were overweight, and 20% were obese; 26% inaccurately perceived their weight. Ethnic minority groups displayed higher rates of overweight and obesity. Overweight adolescents had a higher rate of inaccurate weight perception than obese adolescents. More girls correctly perceived their weight status than boys. Nearly 25% had tried to lose weight during the past year. Among overweight and obese adolescents, accurate weight perception was significantly and positively related to weight‐loss efforts after controlling for sociodemographic variables and actual weight.CONCLUSIONSAccurate body weight perception is a significant factor in adolescents' weight‐loss efforts. Targeting counseling for body weight perception and weight management toward boys and overweight adolescents may impact obesity in this age group.
Exploration syndromes in the frog Xenopus (Silurana) tropicalis: correlations with morphology and performance?
Authors: Videlier M. , Bonneaud C. , Cornette R. , Herrel A. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractExploration behaviour is a complex trait that may have strong implications for the fitness of individuals and the persistence of populations. Understanding the different exploration strategies is necessary to understand how animals may adapt to changes in their environment including human‐induced habitat fragmentation. Behavioural syndromes are often thought to characterize exploration behaviour, and within a population, individual strategies may vary from ‘bold’ to ‘shy’. Although our understanding of behavioural syndromes has increased enormously over the past decade, little is known about the presence of such syndromes in frogs. Yet, frogs are particularly sensitive to changes in their environment because of their ectothermic physiology and low mobility. Here, we investigate the exploration behaviour of wild‐caught male frogs under laboratory conditions to test whether distinct behavioural strategies exist. We demonstrate the presence of different behavioural syndromes with two of the syndromes that can be categorized as ‘bold’ and ‘shy’, and a third one that is clearly intermediate. These behavioural strategies are, however, independent of variation in morphology and locomotor performance indicating that these two components of mobility (i.e. behaviour and locomotor capacity) are decoupled and could thus respond differentially to selection on mobility.
Geography and Spatial Analysis in Historical Linguistics
Authors: Haynie Hannah J. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractSpatial patterns associated with language contact, language spread, and isolation have been included, albeit peripherally, in traditional theories of historical linguistics. The development of mapping and spatial analysis tools, combined with innovations in quantitative approaches to diachronic linguistics, has introduced a new era in linguistic geography. Geographic research in historical linguistics, however, is largely carried out in the separate traditions of various linguistic subfields. Many commonalities exist between the questions asked and the methods applied in each of these subfields, and increased interaction across dialectometry, phylogenetics, and areal linguistics has the potential to reinvigorate linguistic geography and accelerate progress on questions about geography and the spatial outcomes of language change and language expansion.
Caught in the act: RNA‐Seq provides novel insights into mRNA degradation
Authors: Gerwig Jan , Stülke Jörg 
Published: August 2014

SummaryRNA degradation is a major mechanism of post‐transcriptional control of gene expression. Moreover, the rapid turnover of bacterial mRNAs is central to the fast adaptation of these organisms to changing environmental conditions by the regulation of transcription initiation. In most bacteria, RNA processing and degradation require the concerted action of endo‐ and exoribonucleases. In Molecular Microbiology, Liu et al. (2014) have analysed RNA processing by polynucleotide phosphorylase, the major 3′–5′ exonuclease in Bacillus subtilis. For the first time, they were able to study RNA degradation by this enzyme at single nucleotide resolution. The work provides novel insights into the mechanism by which RNA degradation acts in B. subtilis. Moreover, Liu et al. demonstrate that the post‐transcriptional control of central regulators affects the expression of whole regulons.
Anaemia management in patients with chronic kidney disease: Taiwan practice guidelines
Authors: Hung Szu‐Chun , Kuo Ko‐Lin , Tarng Der‐Cherng , Hsu Chih‐Cheng , Wu Mai‐Szu , Huang Tung‐Po 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe introduction of erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs) markedly improved the lives of many anaemic patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In Taiwan, the strategy of management of anaemia in patients with CKD was different from many other parts of the world. In 1996, the National Health Insurance Administration of Taiwan applied a more restrictive reimbursement criteria for ESA use in patients with CKD. ESA is to be initiated when non‐dialysis CKD patients have a serum creatinine >6 mg/dL and a hematocrit <28% to maintain a hematocrit level not exceeding 30%. The maximal dose of epoetin‐α or β was 20 000 U per month. The target haemoglobin range and dose limitation for ESAs were the same for dialysis CKD patients. Thus, long before randomized controlled trials showing an increased risk for cardiovascular events at nearly normal haemoglobin concentrations and higher ESA doses in CKD, nephrologists in Taiwan had avoided the use of disproportionately high dosages of ESAs to achieve a haemoglobin level of 10–11 g/dL. Moreover, intravenous iron supplementation was encouraged earlier in Taiwan in 1996, when we reached consensus on the diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency (serum ferritin <300 ng/mL and/or transferrin saturation <30%). The experience of CKD anaemia management in Taiwan demonstrated that a reasonable haemoglobin target can be achieved by using the lowest possible ESA dose and intravenous iron supplementation.