bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Swimming performance and ecomorphology of the Iberian barbel Luciobarbus bocagei (Steindachner, 1864) on permanent and temporary rivers
Authors: Alexandre Carlos M. , Quintella Bernardo R. , Ferreira Ana F. , Romão Filipe A. , Almeida Pedro R. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSpatial variability in streamflow characteristics is responsible for a large range of habitat variations to which fish are adapted through life‐cycle strategies and morphological adaptations. In this study, we compared the swimming performance and related morphology of two Iberian barbel populations from permanent and temporary rivers. The permanent river was characterised by its Atlantic influence with higher water availability and a more unstable and turbulent environment, contrasting with the lower discharge setting observed in the southern Mediterranean ecosystem during most of the hydrological year. Barbels from the permanent river exhibited a higher critical swimming speed (Ucrit) associated with a more fusiform body shape, narrower head and caudal peduncle, lower body condition and longer and higher pectoral and dorsal fins, when compared with the population from the temporary watercourse. These results reflect a morphological response in a way to reduce hydrodynamic resistance and energy expenditure during locomotion that we hypothesise here to be related with the different hydrological regimes of the studied systems.
Emergency room access for recurring seizures: when and why
Authors: Balestrini S. , Cagnetti C. , Foschi N. , Buratti L. , Petrelli C. , Luzzi S. , Silvestrini M. , Provinciali L. 
Published: June 2013

Background and purposeTo develop a hypothetical model identifying potentially modifiable predictive factors of Emergency Room (ER) visits by patients suffering from drug resistant epilepsy.MethodsDuring a 1‐year period, all adult drug resistant patients followed by the same epileptologist were recruited after the occurrence of one or more epileptic attacks. They were divided into two groups based on whether they went to the ER after seizures. A prospective comparative analysis of the clinical and social characteristics of the two groups was performed in order to identify independent predictors of ER visits. Logistic regression analysis was used to confirm the potential predictive role of the evaluated variables.ResultsLogistic regression analysis confirmed the potential role in predicting ER visits for these variables: foreign nationality, current psychiatric therapy, current antiepileptic drug polytherapy, comorbidities, more than one episode in the same day and changes in usual seizure pattern. A relevant association was also found between the frequency of ER neuroimaging use and the following variables: occurrence of episodes on holidays or weekends, current antiepileptic drug monotherapy, multiple comorbidities and brain injury after seizure.ConclusionsThe present study evaluated factors, some potentially amenable to change, related to drug resistant epileptic patients' ER visits following a seizure. This information may serve to improve the clinical and therapeutic management of patients, decrease the need for urgent care and reduce subsequent patient stress and related costs.
‘It's a curse!’: coprolalia in Tourette syndrome
Authors: Eddy C. M. , Cavanna A. E. 
Published: June 2013

Background and purposeCoprolalia is a complex socially inappropriate vocal tic most frequently reported in the context of Tourette syndrome (TS) and widely portrayed as a cardinal characteristic of this condition throughout popular culture. This study investigated which clinical factors may predispose some patients with TS to experience coprolalia and the impact of this symptom on quality of life.MethodsParticipants were 60 patients with TS (39 males, mean age 32.15, SD 14.1 years) of whom 50% reported mental coprolalia (urges) and 33% reported actual involuntary swearing as a tic. Relationships between the presence of coprolalia and a range of clinical variables including severity of tics, obsessive−compulsive symptoms, attention problems, anxiety, depression, premonitory urges for tics and quality of life were investigated.ResultsThe presence of urges to utter obscene language was significantly related to non‐obscene socially inappropriate symptoms and self‐reported tic severity. Although experiencing socially inappropriate urges in general was correlated with the presence of mental coprolalia, only the presence of more severe tics was a good indicator of outbursts of obscene vocal tics. Having coprolalia was related to significantly poorer quality of life in TS.ConclusionsAs outbursts of coprolalia exert a specific negative impact on quality of life clinicians should consider improvement in this symptom during evaluation of treatment efficacy.
Consumption of Habenaria sagittifera pollinia by juveniles of the katydid Ducetia japonica
Authors: Suetsugu Kenji , Tanaka Koji 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWhile Habenaria (Orchidaceae) is a species‐rich genus and the orchid diversification is considered to be tightly related to its diverse pollination system, floral visitors of few Habenaria spp. have been studied. Here, we investigated the diurnal floral visitors of Habenaria sagittifera. While Orthoptera have not been considered a regular floral visitor, we observed that juvenile katydid Ducetia japonica (Tettigoniidae) regularly visited and consumed the pollinia and anther caps of H. sagittifera. The relationship between Habenaria and Ducetia would not be a tight mutualism. However, the regular visitation and pollinia consumption may showcase the evolutionary route to Orthoptera–orchid pollination mutualism.
Isolation of Treponema and Tannerella spp. from equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis related periodontal disease
Authors: Sykora S. , Pieber K. , Simhofer H. , Hackl V. , Brodesser D. , Brandt S. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryReasons for performing studyRed complex bacteria, i.e. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia, are involved in the onset and progression of periodontal disease in man, yet seldom inhabit the oral cavity of healthy individuals. Periodontal disease is also encountered in horses, with equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EOTRH) constituting a particular form of disease. However, only little is known about the oral microbiome of healthy and periodontitis‐affected equids.ObjectiveWe aimed to test the hypothesis that red complex bacteria are also associated with EOTRH‐related periodontal disease.Study designControlled cross‐sectional study.MethodsWe screened DNA purified from crevicular fluid derived from 23 EOTRH‐affected and 21 disease‐free horses for the presence of Treponema spp., Tannerella spp. and Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Subsequently, amplified DNA was bidirectionally sequenced and identified via BLAST analysis.ResultsTreponema and/or Tannerella DNA was detected in 100% of periodontitis‐related samples and in 52.2% of DNA derived from healthy horses. Twenty‐six amplicon sequences were 98–100% homologous to published bacterial sequences, which mostly corresponded to Treponema pectinovorum, oral Treponema clones JU025 and OMZ 840, and Tannerella forsythia. P. gingivalis DNA was only found in 3 EOTRH‐related samples. Forty‐three amplicon sequences revealed weaker homologies ranging between 80% and 97% to known Treponema or Tannerella strains, partly because of their heterogeneity, partly because they obviously represented so far unknown types.ConclusionsThis is the first report in which known and novel Treponema and Tannerella spp. were isolated in association with EOTRH‐related periodontal disease.
S100A11 is involved in the regulation of the stability of cell cycle regulator p21CIP1/WAF1 in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells
Authors: Foertsch Franziska , Teichmann Nicole , Kob Robert , Hentschel Julia , Laubscher Ulrike , Melle Christian 
Published: June 2013

The cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p21CIP1/WAF1 is a regulatory factor of the cell cycle. Its transcriptional activation and protein stability are tightly controlled by several distinct mechanisms. S100A11 is a member of the S100 family of Ca2+‐binding proteins involved in several biological processes, including cell cycle progression and signal transduction. In the present study, we show that down‐regulation of S100A11 results in the reduction of p21 protein in human HaCaT keratinocytes. It appears that a ubiquitin‐independent proteasomal degradation process is involved in p21 degradation in S100A11 down‐regulated cells. The application of a proteasome inhibitor stabilized p21 protein in these cells. Analysis of distinct signal transduction pathways revealed a disturbed phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase/Akt pathway after S100A11 knockdown. We determined that the glycogen synthase kinase‐3, which is negatively regulated by phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt, was activated in cells possessing knocked‐down S100A11 and appears to be involved in p21 protein destabilization. The application of a specific inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3 resulted in an increase of the p21 protein level in S100A11 down‐regulated HaCaT cells. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 is able to phosphorylate p21 at T57, which induces p21 proteasomal turnover. Mutation of the glycogen synthase kinase 3 site threonine 57 into alanine (T57A) stabilizes p21 in HaCaT cells lacking S100A11. Beside decreased p21 protein, down‐regulation of S100A11 triggered the induction of apoptosis in HaCaT cells. These observations suggest that S100A11 is involved in the maintenance of p21 protein stability and appears to function as an inhibitor of apoptosis in human HaCaT keratinocyte cells. Thus, the data shed light on a novel pathway regulating p21 protein stability.
Preconditioning of leaves by solar radiation and anoxia affects microbial colonisation and rate of leaf mass loss in an intermittent stream
Authors: Dieter Daniela , Frindte Katharina , Krüger Angela , Wurzbacher Christian 
Published: June 2013

Summary

Seasonal flow intermittence in streams often coincides with early leaf abscission of riparian vegetation due to water stress. When accumulated on dry stream beds or in remaining pools, leaves are exposed to solar radiation or fermentation processes, respectively. However, very little information exists on how these preconditioning processes could affect leaf decomposition when stream flow has recovered.

We simulated natural preconditioning of leaves by irradiation with UV‐VIS fluorescent lamps and incubation under anoxic conditions. Mass loss rates of preconditioned leaf litter from deciduous trees (Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior, Populus tremula and Quercus petreae) were quantified in a temporary stream during base flow conditions. Coarse and fine mesh litter bags were used to study the effect of benthic macroinvertebrates and microorganisms on leaf mass loss.

Preconditioning reduced the concentration of macronutrients such as P, K and Mg and increased the relative cellulose content of the leaves. Preconditioning changed the fungal community structure (analysed by DGGE) depending on leaf species and sampling date. Preconditioning in anoxic conditions also suppressed fungal decomposer biomass (measured as ergosterol) by 42% resulting in 33% lower mass loss rates in fine mesh bags. In contrast, mass loss rates were not affected by preconditioning when macroinvertebrate decomposers had access to the leaf litter.

In streams exhibiting seasonal flow intermittence, preconditioning will influence organic carbon dynamics towards lower rates of microbially mediated turnover and towards poorer quality of downstream‐transported material.
Fiscal Multipliers and Their Relevance in a Currency Union – A Survey
Authors: Illing Gerhard , Watzka Sebastian 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The article reviews the debate on government spending multiplier and provides a detailed discussion of the underlying economic mechanisms, focusing on the role of the state of the business cycle and the monetary policy reaction. Special emphasis is on the effects of fiscal policy within a currency union and its implications for the euro crisis.
Development of nursing research in Jordan (1986–2012)
Authors: Khalaf I. 
Published: June 2013

AimTo provide an overview of nursing research in Jordan based on the topic researched, source and setting of data collection, methodology, theoretical framework used and source of funding.BackgroundNursing research contributes to nursing education, clinical practice, health policy and the establishment of nursing research priorities in Jordan to guide future research.MethodsDatabases such as MEDLINE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed and national sources were searched for published articles related to nursing in Jordan through a range of keywords. Articles were included in the analysis if they were published in English or Arabic through December 2012.FindingsThe search resulted in the identification of 999 publications, from which 462 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The highest percentage of studies (23% of articles) focused on nursing management issues. Forty‐four per cent were conducted in a hospital setting; only six studies used a nursing theory. Seventy‐seven per cent of the studies were quantitative and 29.0% were funded mostly by universities. Twenty‐one per cent were not directly related to improving nursing education or practice in Jordan. A Jordanian Database for nursing research was developed as a result of this review.DiscussionJordanian nurses have slowly started to build nursing research, the real nursing research work in Jordan started with the return of the first PhD graduate to Jordan in 1986.ConclusionJordanian nurses in collaboration with international colleagues were motivated to publish research and build the body of nursing knowledge.
A prospective randomised comparative parallel study of amniotic membrane wound graft in the management of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Zelen Charles M , Serena Thomas E , Denoziere Guilhem , Fetterolf Donald E 
Published: June 2013

AbstractOur purpose was to compare healing characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers treated with dehydrated human amniotic membrane allografts (EpiFix®, MiMedx, Kennesaw, GA) versus standard of care. An IRB‐approved, prospective, randomised, single‐centre clinical trial was performed. Included were patients with a diabetic foot ulcer of at least 4‐week duration without infection having adequate arterial perfusion. Patients were randomised to receive standard care alone or standard care with the addition of EpiFix. Wound size reduction and rates of complete healing after 4 and 6 weeks were evaluated. In the standard care group (n = 12) and the EpiFix group (n = 13) wounds reduced in size by a mean of 32·0% ± 47·3% versus 97·1% ± 7·0% (P < 0·001) after 4 weeks, whereas at 6 weeks wounds were reduced by −1·8% ± 70·3% versus 98·4% ± 5·8% (P < 0·001), standard care versus EpiFix, respectively. After 4 and 6 weeks of treatment the overall healing rate with application of EpiFix was shown to be 77% and 92%, respectively, whereas standard care healed 0% and 8% of the wounds (P < 0·001), respectively. Patients treated with EpiFix achieved superior healing rates over standard treatment alone. These results show that using EpiFix in addition to standard care is efficacious for wound healing.
Open‐label clinical trial comparing the clinical and economic effectiveness of using a polyurethane film surgical dressing with gauze surgical dressings in the care of post‐operative surgical wounds
Authors: Arroyo Ana Abejón , Casanova Pabló López , Soriano José Verdú , Torra i Bou Joan‐Enric 
Published: June 2013

AbstractSurgical site infection (SSI) is a common postoperative complication and can cause avoidable morbidity and excessive costs for the health service. Novel dressings, designed specifically for postoperative wounds, can help to reduce the risk of SSI and other complications such as blistering. This study compared the use of a new polyurethane film surgical dressing (Opsite Post‐Op Visible, Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK) with gauze and tape in the management of postoperative wounds. The results show that the polyurethane film dressing results in a significant reduction in SSI (1·4% versus 6·6%, P = 0·006) as well as a reduction in other postoperative wound complications (e.g. blistering and erythema). Economic analysis conducted alongside the study suggests that these improved outcomes can be achieved at a lower treatment cost than gauze and tape dressings. The modest incremental cost of the polyurethane film surgical dressing is easily offset by the reduction in the costs related to treating SSI and other wound complications associated with gauze and tape dressings.
Crosstalk between hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide in endothelial cells
Authors: Altaany Zaid , Yang Guangdong , Wang Rui 
Published: June 2013

AbstractHydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) are major gasotransmitters produced in endothelial cells (ECs), contributing to the regulation of vascular contractility and structural integrity. Their interaction at different levels would have a profound impact on angiogenesis. Here, we showed that H2S and NO stimulated the formation of new microvessels. Incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs‐926) with NaHS (a H2S donor) stimulated the phosphorylation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and enhanced NO production. H2S had little effect on eNOS protein expression in ECs. L‐cysteine, a precursor of H2S, stimulated NO production whereas blockage of the activity of H2S‐generating enzyme, cystathionine gamma‐lyase (CSE), inhibited this action. CSE knockdown inhibited, but CSE overexpression increased, NO production as well as EC proliferation. LY294002 (Akt/PI3‐K inhibitor) or SB203580 (p38 MAPK inhibitor) abolished the effects of H2S on eNOS phosphorylation, NO production, cell proliferation and tube formation. Blockade of NO production by eNOS‐specific siRNA or nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) reversed, but eNOS overexpression potentiated, the proliferative effect of H2S on ECs. Our results suggest that H2S stimulates the phosphorylation of eNOS through a p38 MAPK and Akt‐dependent pathway, thus increasing NO production in ECs and vascular tissues and contributing to H2S‐induced angiogenesis.
Invasive cancers are not necessarily from preformed in situ tumours — an alternative way of carcinogenesis from misplaced stem cells
Authors: Wang Rui‐An , Li Zeng‐Shan , Zhang Hui‐Zhong , Zheng Ping‐Ju , Li Qin‐Long , Shi Jian‐Guo , Yan Qing‐Guo , Ye Jing , Wang Jing‐Bo , Guo Ying , Huang Xiao‐Feng , Yu Ying‐Hao 
Published: June 2013

AbstractCancers are thought to be the result of accumulated gene mutations in cells. Carcinomas, which are cancers arising from epithelial tissues usually go through several stages of development: atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ and then invasive carcinoma, which might further metastasize. However, we think that the present pathological data are enough to prove that there might be an alternative way of carcinogenesis. We propose that majority of invasive cancers arise in the connective tissue stroma de novo, from the misplaced epithelial stem cells which come to the wrong land of connective tissue stroma by accident. The in situ carcinomas, which are mostly curable, should not be considered genuine cancer, but rather as quasi‐cancer. We design this new theory of carcinogenesis as the stem cell misplacement theory (SCMT). Our SCMT theory chains together other carcinogenesis theories such as the inflammation‐cancer chain, the stem cell theory and the tissue organization field theory. However, we deny the pathway of somatic mutation theory as the major pathway of carcinogenesis.
Non‐apoptotic function of caspases in a cellular model of hydrogen peroxide‐associated colitis
Authors: Poehlmann Angela , Reissig Kathrin , Just Andrea , Walluscheck Diana , Hartig Roland , Schinlauer Antje , Lessel Wiebke , Guenther Thomas , Silver Andrew , Steinberg Pablo , Roessner Albert 
Published: June 2013

AbstractOxidative stress, caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS), is a major contributor to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)‐associated neoplasia. We mimicked ROS exposure of the epithelium in IBD using non‐tumour human colonic epithelial cells (HCEC) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). A population of HCEC survived H2O2‐induced oxidative stress via JNK‐dependent cell cycle arrests. Caspases, p21WAF1 and γ‐H2AX were identified as JNK‐regulated proteins. Up‐regulation of caspases was linked to cell survival and not, as expected, to apoptosis. Inhibition using the pan‐caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD‐FMK caused up‐regulation of γ‐H2AX, a DNA‐damage sensor, indicating its negative regulation via caspases. Cell cycle analysis revealed an accumulation of HCEC in the G1‐phase as first response to oxidative stress and increased S‐phase population and then apoptosis as second response following caspase inhibition. Thus, caspases execute a non‐apoptotic function by promoting cells through G1‐ and S‐phase by overriding the G1/S‐ and intra‐S checkpoints despite DNA‐damage. This led to the accumulation of cells in the G2/M‐phase and decreased apoptosis. Caspases mediate survival of oxidatively damaged HCEC via γ‐H2AX suppression, although its direct proteolytic inactivation was excluded. Conversely, we found that oxidative stress led to caspase‐dependent proteolytic degradation of the DNA‐damage checkpoint protein ATM that is upstream of γ‐H2AX. As a consequence, undetected DNA‐damage and increased proliferation were found in repeatedly H2O2‐exposed HCEC. Such features have been associated with neoplastic transformation and appear here to be mediated by a non‐apoptotic function of caspases. Overexpression of upstream p‐JNK in active ulcerative colitis also suggests a potential importance of this pathway in vivo.
Hydrogen therapy may be an effective and specific novel treatment for Acute Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD)
Authors: Qian Liren , Shen Jianliang 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAllogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been widely used for the treatment of haematological malignant and non‐malignant haematologic diseases. However, acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) is a kind of severe complication of HSCT limiting its application. Cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), IL‐6 play an extremely important role in the formation and development of aGVHD. Besides, the oxidation phenomena and/or the formation of free radicals have been suggested to be causally related to various haematological disorders including aGVHD. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydroxyl radicals, play an important role in the formation and development of aGVHD. Hydrogen has been reported to have the ability to inhibit levels of cytokines such as TNF, IL‐6 in vivo. Our recent studies provided evidence that hydrogen inhalation can selectively reduce cytotoxic oxygen radicals and exert antioxidant effects. Therefore, we suggested that hydrogen may have therapeutic effects on aGVHD. This hypothesis entails many experimentally testable predictions. We propose the experimental study by detecting complete blood counts (CBC) and Clinic signs of aGVHD mice. We also propose to detect the levels of TNF‐α, IL‐2, IL‐1β, IL‐6 which play important roles in the pathogenesis of aGVHD. To discover potential mechanisms of the therapeutic effects of hydrogen on the aGVHD model, we will examine gene‐expression profiles. This study will open a new therapeutic avenue combining the field of therapeutic medical gases and aGVHD. This theory is original and probably of importance, because therapeutic medical gases have never been used for aGVHD previously.