bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cigarette smoke condensate promotes pro‐tumourigenic stromal–epithelial interactions by suppressing miR‐145
Authors: Pal A. , Melling G. , Hinsley E. E. , Kabir T. D. , Colley H. E. , Murdoch C. , Lambert D. W. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundExposure to factors released from tobacco during chewing or smoking is recognized as a major risk factor for oral carcinogenesis and influences the phenotype of oral epithelial cells and fibroblasts within the underlying stroma. Micro(mi)RNA can regulate the expression of genes within cells, and previous studies show that tobacco products can alter the miRNA profiles in lung epithelial cells. However, the molecular alterations occurring in oral fibroblasts exposed to tobacco constituents remain to be elucidated.MethodsOral fibroblasts were exposed to cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) and miRNA expression compared to untreated controls using tiling low‐density arrays (TLDA). Expression of miRNA‐145 was confirmed by quantitative (q)RT‐PCR. The effect of CSC on fibroblast cell viability, motility and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 expression was measured using MTS, a wound scratch assay and qRT‐PCR, respectively. Oral cancer cell migration in response to culture supernatants from mock, control or pre‐miR‐145‐transfected CSC‐treated fibroblasts was analysed by chemotaxis assay.ResultsTLDA analysis identified widespread changes in the miRNA expression profile of fibroblasts exposed to CSC. Pri‐, pre‐ and mature miRNA‐145 were significantly down‐regulated in response to CSC, and this was accompanied by up‐regulated expression of MMP‐2 and increased migration of fibroblasts compared to untreated controls. Re‐expression of miR‐145 abrogated the ability of fibroblasts to promote oral cancer cell chemotaxis in response to CSC.ConclusionThese findings suggest that tobacco constituents influence the expression of miRNA within oral fibroblasts promoting a phenotype that increases oral cancer migration and sheds new light on the mechanisms underlying oral cancer pathogenesis.
Rumen‐protected methionine supplementation and fibre production in alpacas (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Moore K. E. , Maloney S. K. , Vaughan J. L. , Milton J. T. B. , Blache D. 
Published: November 2012

SummarySulphur‐containing amino acids are a crucial requirement for fibre production and may be supplemented in the diet of fibre‐producing animals to stimulate fibre growth. The alpaca fibre industry is a developing industry in Australia with high variability in fibre production. To date, there is no evidence whether supplementing the diet of alpacas with sulphur amino acids improves fibre production. We hypothesised that supplementation with the rumen‐protected sulphur amino acid, methionine would increase fibre growth in alpacas. Three groups of eight huacaya alpaca wethers were fed daily a maintenance diet supplemented with 0, 2 or 4 g of rumen‐protected methionine for 7 weeks. Fibre samples were taken at the beginning and end of the study with a blood sample taken by jugular venipuncture prior to feeding on the first day of each week. Methionine supplementation had no effect on fibre diameter (p = 0.92), fibre length (p = 0.91) or fibre yield (p = 0.33). The change of season over the study affected plasma glucose (p < 0.001), plasma urea nitrogen (p < 0.001) and fibre diameter (p < 0.001). The indifference between groups may be due to the maintenance diet supplying sufficient levels of methionine, the lack of genetic potential of the experimental animals to respond to additional methionine or that the supplemental methionine was not protected in alpacas and deaminated for glucose production.
Korean red ginseng extract prevents APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity through metabolic enzyme regulation: The role of ginsenoside Rg3, a protopanaxadiol
Authors: Gum Sang Il , Cho Min Kyung 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundInappropriate use of acetaminophen (APAP) can lead to morbidity and mortality secondary to hepatic necrosis.AimsWe evaluated the beneficial effect and molecular mechanism of Korean red ginseng (KRG) on the APAP‐mediated hepatotoxicity and identified a major component of KRG for hepatoprotection.MethodsSurvival test, liver function test, histopathological study, APAP‐metabolic profiling and gene expression were examined in mice. We determined the enzyme expression and upstream signalling in H4IIE cells analysed by RT‐PCR, immunoblotting, siRNA gene knockdown and promoter‐luciferase assay.ResultsHigh doses of KRG reduced mortality at the LD50 of APAP. APAP increased AST and ALT activities, which were abrogated by low doses of KRG. These protective effects were consistent with the results from histopathological examinations. KRG altered APAP metabolic profiles through inhibition of cytochrome P450 2E1 and induction of glutathione S‐transferase A2 (GSTA2). Knockdown of GSTA2 catalyses the conjugation of glutathione reversed KRG‐mediated protection against N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinone imine in H4IIE cells. The nuclear Nrf2 and C/EBPβ, which are essential transcriptional factors for GSTA2 were increased by KRG. These effects were downstream of multiple signalling, including PI3K, JNK or PKA. Ginsenoside Rg3 but not Rb1, Rc and Rg1 significantly increased GSTA2 protein expression. Rg3 resulted in the transcriptional activation of GSTA2 downstream of the multiple cellular signalling.ConclusionsThese results demonstrate that KRG is efficacious in protection against APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity and mortality through metabolic regulation and that Rg3 is a major component of KRG for the GST induction, implying that Rg3 should be considered to be a potential hepatoprotective agent.
Population genomics based on low coverage sequencing: how low should we go?
Authors: Alex Buerkle C. , Gompert Zachariah 
Published: November 2012

AbstractResearch in molecular ecology is now often based on large numbers of DNA sequence reads. Given a time and financial budget for DNA sequencing, the question arises as to how to allocate the finite number of sequence reads among three dimensions: (i) sequencing individual nucleotide positions repeatedly and achieving high confidence in the true genotype of individuals, (ii) sampling larger numbers of individuals from a population, and (iii) sampling a larger fraction of the genome. Leaving aside the question of what fraction of the genome to sample, we analyze the trade‐off between repeatedly sequencing the same nucleotide position (coverage depth) and the number of individuals in the sample. We review simple Bayesian models for allele frequencies and utilize these in the analysis of how to obtain maximal information about population genetic parameters. The models indicate that sampling larger numbers of individuals, at the expense of coverage depth per nucleotide position, provides more information about population parameters. Dividing the sequencing effort maximally among individuals and obtaining approximately one read per locus and individual (1 × coverage) yields the most information about a population. Some analyses require genetic parameters for individuals, in which case Bayesian population models also support inference from lower coverage sequence data than are required for simple likelihood models. Low coverage sequencing is not only sufficient to support inference, but it is optimal to design studies to utilize low coverage because they will yield highly accurate and precise parameter estimates based on more individuals or sites in the genome.
The role of selection in driving landscape genomic structure of the waterflea Daphnia magna
Authors: Orsini Luisa , Mergeay Joachim , Vanoverbeke Joost , De Meester Luc 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe combined analysis of neutral and adaptive genetic variation is crucial to reconstruct the processes driving population genetic structure in the wild. However, such combined analysis is challenging because of the complex interaction among neutral and selective processes in the landscape. Overcoming this level of complexity requires an unbiased search for the evidence of selection in the genomes of populations sampled from their natural habitats and the identification of demographic processes that lead to present‐day populations' genetic structure. Ecological model species with a suite of genomic tools and well‐understood ecologies are best suited to resolve this complexity and elucidate the role of selective and demographic processes in the landscape genomic structure of natural populations. Here we investigate the water flea Daphnia magna, an emerging model system in genomics and a renowned ecological model system. We infer past and recent demographic processes by contrasting patterns of local and regional neutral genetic diversity at markers with different mutation rates. We assess the role of the environment in driving genetic variation in our study system by identifying correlates between biotic and abiotic variables naturally occurring in the landscape and patterns of neutral and adaptive genetic variation. Our results indicate that selection plays a major role in determining the population genomic structure of D. magna. First, environmental selection directly impacts genetic variation at loci hitchhiking with genes under selection. Second, priority effects enhanced by local genetic adaptation (cf. monopolization) affect neutral genetic variation by reducing gene flow among populations and genetic diversity within populations.
Genetic basis of male colour dimorphism in a Lake Tanganyika cichlid fish
Authors: Takahashi T. , Sota T. , Hori M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPhenotypic polymorphisms can be applied to study the micro‐evolutionary forces that maintain genetic variation and can mediate speciation, but it can be difficult to determine the genetic basis of polymorphisms. Recently, restriction‐site‐associated DNA (RAD) sequencing has become popular, which can easily produce multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms from whole genomes. Here, we combined RAD sequencing, allele‐specific PCR and Sanger sequencing to determine the genetic basis underlying male colour dimorphism of a Lake Tanganyika cichlid fish, Cyprichromis leptosoma. Our analyses using both a cross‐family (two parents and 12 F2 males) and 64 wild individuals do not contradict a hypothesis that two alleles of one‐locus control male colour dimorphism. Also, the locus may be located on a genome region that experiences reduced levels of recombination. Although more analyses will be needed to conclude these findings, this study is the first to suggest the genetic basis of a colour polymorphism using RAD sequencing.
Senescence, ageing and death of the whole plant
Authors: Thomas Howard 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThis review considers the relationship between the lifespan of an individual plant and the longevity of its component cells, tissues and organs. It begins by defining the terms senescence, growth, development, turnover, ageing, death and program. Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms regulating phase change from juvenility to maturity influence directly the capacity for responding to senescence signals and factors determining reproduction‐related patterns of deteriorative ageing and death. Senescence is responsive to communication between sources and sinks in which sugar signalling and hormonal regulation play central roles. Monocarpy and polycarpy represent contrasting outcomes of the balance between the determinacy of apical meristems and source–sink cross‐talk. Even extremely long‐lived perennials sustain a high degree of meristem integrity. Factors associated with deteriorative ageing in animals, such as somatic mutation, telomere attrition and the costs of repair and maintenance, do not seem to be particularly significant for plant lifespan, but autophagy‐related regulatory networks integrated with nutrient signalling may have a part to play. Size is an important influence on physiological function and fitness of old trees. Self‐control of modular structure allows trees to sustain viability over prolonged lifespans. Different turnover patterns of structural modules can account for the range of plant life histories and longevities.

Contents

Summary
696

I.
Endgame theory
697

II.
Terms and conditions
697

III.
Juvenility and maturity
699

IV.
Sources and sinks
700

V.
Monocarpy and polycarpy
703

VI.
Longevity and ageing
704

VII.
Last words
707

Acknowledgements
708

References
708
Assessing the potential effectiveness of food and beverage taxes and subsidies for improving public health: a systematic review of prices, demand and body weight outcomes
Authors: Powell L. M. , Chriqui J. F. , Khan T. , Wada R. , Chaloupka F. J. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryTaxes and subsidies are increasingly being considered as potential policy instruments to incentivize consumers to improve their food and beverage consumption patterns and related health outcomes. This study provided a systematic review of recent U.S. studies on the price elasticity of demand for sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSBs), fast food, and fruits and vegetables, as well as the direct associations of prices/taxes with body weight outcomes. Based on the recent literature, the price elasticity of demand for SSBs, fast food, fruits and vegetables was estimated to be −1.21, −0.52, −0.49 and −0.48, respectively. The studies that linked soda taxes to weight outcomes showed minimal impacts on weight; however, they were based on existing state‐level sales taxes that were relatively low. Higher fast‐food prices were associated with lower weight outcomes particularly among adolescents, suggesting that raising prices would potentially impact weight outcomes. Lower fruit and vegetable prices were generally found to be associated with lower body weight outcomes among both low‐income children and adults, suggesting that subsidies that would reduce the cost of fruits and vegetables for lower‐socioeconomic populations may be effective in reducing obesity. Pricing instruments should continue to be considered and evaluated as potential policy instruments to address public health risks.
Why do few food‐allergic adolescents treat anaphylaxis with adrenaline? – reviewing a pressing issue
Authors: Marrs Tom , Lack Gideon 
Published: November 2012

AbstractFood allergic adolescents are at higher risk of fatal anaphylaxis than other children. Both allergen avoidance and maintaining access to adrenaline auto‐injectors (AAI) are key goals in effective food allergy management, for which written guidance is often supplied. However, adolescents are rarely sufficiently prepared to use adrenaline during anaphylaxis. It is likely that further didactic education would bring limited improvement in management in this population. Focused discussion of each adolescent's perspectives and current management practice may allow more effective behavioural strategies to be adopted. Key areas for appraisal include subjects' experiences after previous allergen exposure with reference to worst response, recognising specific symptoms requiring AAI administration, and appropriate priority being given to timeliness of administering adrenaline. Behavioural strategies should be discussed to increase AAI accessibility. Rigor of allergen avoidance should not be compromised by false reassurance of proximity to emergency medication or medical services. Food allergic adolescents are motivated by the psychological impact of their condition, which often makes them feel different to their peers and may result in bullying. Methods of appropriately empowering adolescents may be considered, such as involvement of close friends and lay organisations to support appropriate management. Open discussion is crucial in engaging with adolescents' reasoning for adopting their chosen management strategies. Further research is warranted to identify cognitive patterns associated with high‐risk behaviour, and to design appropriate interventions for the augmentation of adolescent self‐management skills.
Plasma‐mediated immune suppression: a neonatal perspective
Authors: Belderbos Mirjam E. , Levy Ofer , Meyaard Linde , Bont Louis 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPlasma is a rich mixture of immune regulatory factors that shape immune cell function. This immunomodulatory role of plasma is especially important in neonates. To maintain in utero feto‐maternal tolerance and to allow for microbial colonization after birth, the neonatal immune system is biased against pro‐inflammatory responses while favoring immune suppression. Therefore, the neonatal period provides a unique opportunity to study the physiologic mechanisms regulating the immune system. Several recent studies in neonates have identified plasma factors that play a key role in immune regulation. Insight into immune regulation by neonatal and adult plasma may have clinical implications, because plasma is easily accessible, affordable, and widely available. Herein, we review plasma‐mediated immune regulation, with specific focus on neonatal plasma. We discuss how immune suppression is a key function of plasma and provide a systematic overview of the published literature regarding plasma‐derived immune suppressive proteins, lipids, purines, and sugars. Finally, we outline how immune regulation by these factors, which are particularly abundant in neonatal plasma, may eventually be used to treat immune‐mediated diseases, such as autoimmune, allergic, and inflammatory diseases.
Factors Influencing Stillbirth in Bangladesh: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Nahar Shamsun , Rahman Atiya , Nasreen Hashima E. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundStudies on a limited scale in urban settings of Bangladesh report stillbirth rates that do not specifically provide information on the situation of underprivileged slum populations. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of, and risk factors associated with, stillbirth in a developing population.MethodsA case–control study was conducted on women having a singleton birth between November 2008 and April 2009 in 34 slum areas in Dhaka. Data were collected on 231 women with stillbirth (cases) and 464 women having livebirth (controls). This study utilised the records of the Manoshi programme and supplemented it with data obtained through interview of the women.ResultsThe stillbirth rate was 26 per 1000 total births, of which 62% occurred during the intrapartum period. Obstetrical complications contributed to 61.4% of stillbirths. Illiterate women [odds ratio (OR) 1.6 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1, 2.2]], women aged ≥35 years (OR 2.9 [95% CI 1.5, 25.5]), preterm delivery (OR 5.2 [95% CI, 3.2, 8.5]), prolonged labour (OR 2.8 [95% CI 1.6, 4.6]) and failure of labour progress (OR 2.4 [95% CI 1.1, 5.5]) were significant maternal risk factors, while decreased fetal movement, fetal malpresentation and fetal distress were the fetal risk factors associated with stillbirth.ConclusionsRisk factors associated with stillbirths are amenable to intervention. There is an urgent need to educate pregnant women about risk factors for stillbirths during antenatal visits. Encouraging women to deliver at health facilities and better management of obstetrical complications may help reduce the burden of stillbirths in Bangladesh.
Dentin decalcification during lithium treatment: case report
Authors: Eduardo Carlos de P. , Simões Alyne , de Freitas Patricia M. , Arana‐Chavez Victor E. , Nicolau José , Gentil Valentim 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTSevere dental decay and changes in tooth structure have been reported in association with the use of lithium in Psychiatry, but lithium effects on tooth inorganic composition remain unknown. A 30‐year‐old woman with bipolar disorder, treated with lithium carbonate presented severe dental decay. Dentin samples from lithium and healthy volunteers were collected and submitted to ionic and ultrastructural analysis. Samples from the lithium patient exhibited irregular peritubular walls and the mineral crystals were irregularly arranged in the intertubular dentin. In addition, a decrease in Mg/P/Ca and an increase of Zn concentrations were detected. These data suggest that the severe dental decay and changes in the tooth structure observed for the lithium‐treated patient are related to dentin mineral loss and that this pathological condition is different from caries lesions.
Age Should Be Considered in the Allocation of Deceased Donor Kidneys
Authors: Shapiro Michael E. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractOrgan allocation is a specific example of the allocation of scarce resources in a pluralistic society. As such, it is subject to both governmental and public scrutiny. It must follow the requirements of the federal legislation and regulations regarding “equitable allocation of organs.” An ideal allocation system should balance the ethical concepts of equity, or fairness, and utility, or usefulness. The current kidney allocation system has been in place, with some modifications over time, since the mid‐1980s. It suffers from the changing demographics in ESRD, notably the aging of these groups, and in the growing length of the kidney waiting list. The current algorithm is thus imbalanced and requires reexamination. In particular, the system fails to match kidneys with long‐projected function to recipients with long‐projected lifespans, and vice versa. To improve the utility of kidney transplantation and lengthen the useful lifespan of these organs, a system that better matches kidneys and recipients is necessary, and this will require the use of recipient age in those calculations. The ethical questions and justification of such a system are presented.
Optimal Hemodialysis Vascular Access in the Elderly Patient
Authors: Moist Louise M. , Lok Charmaine E. , Vachharajani Tushar J. , Xi Wang , AlJaishi Ahmed , Polkinghorne Kevan R. , Vazquez Miguel , Lee Timmy C. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe optimal vascular access for elderly patients remains a challenge due to the difficulty balancing the benefits and risks in a population with increased comorbidity and decreased survival. Age is commonly associated with failure to mature in fistula and decreased rates of primary and secondary patency in both fistula and grafts. In the elderly, at 1 and 2 years, primary patency rates range from 43% to 74% and from 29% to 67%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at 1 and 2 years range from 56% to 82% and 44% to 67%, respectively. Cumulative fistula survival is no better than grafts survival when primary failures are included. Several observational studies consistently demonstrate a lower adjusted mortality among those using a fistula compared with a catheter; however, catheter use in the elderly is increasing in most countries with the exception of Japan. Both guidelines and quality initiatives do not acknowledge the trade‐offs involved in managing the elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions and limited life expectancy or the value that patients place on achieving these outcomes. The framework for choice of vascular access presented in this article considers: (1) likelihood of disease progression before death, (2) patient life expectancy, (3) risks and benefits by vascular access type, and (4) patient preference. Future studies evaluating the timing and type of vascular access with careful assessments of complications, functionality, cost benefit, and patients’ preference will provide relevant information to individualize and optimize care to improve morbidity, mortality, and quality of life in the elderly patient.
Advance Care Planning in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Davison Sara N. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractPoor communication and failure to establish goals of care result in unnecessary admissions to hospital, invasive procedures, suffering, and prolongation of the dying process for many CKD patients. Comprehensive CKD care requires systematic integration of advance care planning (ACP). This report describes an approach to ACP for patients with CKD, discusses essential aspects of how to facilitate these conversations, and briefly reviews the empirical evidence supporting the value of ACP.