bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating white blood cell counts in captive and wild rodents are influenced by body mass rather than testes mass, a correlate of mating promiscuity
Authors: Tian Jundong , Courtiol Alexandre , Schneeberger Karin , Greenwood Alex D. , Czirják Gábor Á. 
Published: January 2015

Summary

Comparative studies of captive primates and carnivores have shown a positive correlation between total white blood cell (WBC) counts and the level of inferred mating promiscuity (e.g. using testes mass). This correlation has been interpreted to support the ‘sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)’ hypothesis, which states that differential spread of STDs is caused by variation in mating behaviour which shapes baseline aspects of the immune system in mammals.

In the present study, we tested the STDs hypothesis in rodents using 28 species from free‐ranging and 9 species from captive populations. We compiled data set for the 9 studies of captive rodent populations from the International Species Information System (ISIS) and gathered 136 studies of wild populations from the literature.

Using phylogenetic generalized least‐squares statistical models considering non‐independence resulting from shared ancestry, we confirmed that species with greater adult body mass averaged across sexes had elevated total WBC and differential WBC (neutrophils and lymphocytes) counts and that captive animals presented higher lymphocyte counts than free‐ranging ones.

However, we found that the total and differential WBC counts did not covary with the residual testes mass – a correlate of mating promiscuity. The results suggest that selection pressures caused by STDs may strongly vary among taxonomic groups. In order to determine the drivers of immunological variation among mammals, further comparative immunological studies including a wide range of taxonomic groups and socio‐ecological variables should be performed and we recommend doing so by primarily focusing on free‐ranging animals.
Formal asymmetries between the Romance synthetic future and conditional in the Occitan varieties of the Western Languedoc
Authors: Esher Louise 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMost varieties of Occitan (Gallo‐Romance) present a synthetic future and conditional derived from Latin periphrases cantare habeo/habebam ‘I have/had to sing’, etc. In contrast to cognate forms in other Romance languages, and the expected pattern in Occitan, the future and conditional of many varieties do not invariably share a stem. In this study, I present a typology of cases of stem asymmetry between the future and conditional recorded in a linguistic atlas survey of the western Languedoc. I argue that asymmetry initially arises through regular sound change acting differentially on the future and conditional, and is later morphologised as a novel morphomic template for paradigmatic stem distribution.
Confessional Calvinism and Evangelical Assurance:IsaacNelson,Ulster Revivalism and the Assurance Controversy in thePresbyterian Church inIreland,c.1859–1867
Authors: Ritchie Daniel 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe issue of the relationship between Calvinism and assurance is one that has vexed historians and theologians alike.DavidW.Miller, a distinguished historian of religion, once argued that Calvinism and assurance of personal salvation were wholly incompatible. This article seeks to use a biographical case study of one ofUlsterPresbyterianism's most significant figures in order to illuminate our understanding of a much wider historiographical debate. The 1859 Revival was supposed to have furthered the cause of evangelicalism, whileIsaacNelson's denomination (thePresbyterian Church inIreland) was its main beneficiary.Nelson, however, did not believe that the Revival was congenial to the orthodoxy of evangelicalPresbyterianism. In particular, he took exception to views of assurance popularized during this movement, which appeared to be more in line with Methodist Arminianism than with Reformed orthodoxy. In the years subsequent to the Revival, debate raged within the IrishPresbyterian Church as to whether or not revivalist notions of assurance were compatible with the Westminster Confession. The anti‐revivalistWilliamDobbin charged the revivalistRobertCrawford with holding heterodox opinions, only for the latter to be acquitted by the General Assembly. Most existing scholarship on the Assurance Controversy has concentrated on the debate betweenDobbin andCrawford; this tendency has unhelpfully obscured both important nuances and the wider significance of the debate. By concentrating on the arguments ofNelson, the broader issue of confessionalCalvinism's fraught relationship with popular evangelical conceptions ofChristian assurance can be understood more clearly.
A Comparative Study of the Characteristics of French Fries Produced by Deep Fat Frying and Air Frying
Authors: Teruel Maria del Rocio , Gordon Michael , Linares Maria Belen , Garrido Maria Dolores , Ahromrit Araya , Niranjan Keshavan 
Published: January 2015

AbstractAir frying is being projected as an alternative to deep fat frying for producing snacks such as French fries. In air frying, the raw potato sections are essentially heated in hot air containing fine oil droplets, which dehydrates the potato and attempts to impart the characteristics of traditionally produced French fries, but with a substantially lower level of fat absorbed in the product. The aim of this research is to compare: (1) the process dynamics of air frying with conventional deep fat frying under otherwise similar operating conditions, and (2) the products formed by the 2 processes in terms of color, texture, microstructure, calorimetric properties, and sensory characteristics. Although, air frying produced products with a substantially lower fat content but with similar moisture contents and color characteristics, it required much longer processing times, typically 21 min in relation to 9 min in the case of deep fat frying. The slower evolution of temperature also resulted in lower rates of moisture loss and color development reactions. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies revealed that the extent of starch gelatinization was also lower in the case of air fried product. In addition, the 2 types of frying also resulted in products having significantly different texture and sensory characteristics.
Comparison of invertebrate herbivores on native and non‐native Senecio species: Implications for the enemy release hypothesis
Authors: Harvey Kerinne J. , Nipperess David A. , Britton David R. , Hughes Lesley 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe enemy release hypothesis posits that non‐native plant species may gain a competitive advantage over their native counterparts because they are liberated from co‐evolved natural enemies from their native area. The phylogenetic relationship between a non‐native plant and the native community may be important for understanding the success of some non‐native plants, because host switching by insect herbivores is more likely to occur between closely related species. We tested the enemy release hypothesis by comparing leaf damage and herbivorous insect assemblages on the invasive species Senecio madagascariensis Poir. to that on nine congeneric species, of which five are native to the study area, and four are non‐native but considered non‐invasive. Non‐native species had less leaf damage than natives overall, but we found no significant differences in the abundance, richness and Shannon diversity of herbivores between native and non‐native Senecio L. species. The herbivore assemblage and percentage abundance of herbivore guilds differed among all Senecio species, but patterns were not related to whether the species was native or not. Species‐level differences indicate that S. madagascariensis may have a greater proportion of generalist insect damage (represented by phytophagous leaf chewers) than the other Senecio species. Within a plant genus, escape from natural enemies may not be a sufficient explanation for why some non‐native species become more invasive than others.
The Pediatric Cataract Register (PECARE): analysis of age at detection of congenital cataract
Authors: Haargaard Birgitte , Nyström Alf , Rosensvärd Annika , Tornqvist Kristina , Magnusson Gunilla 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPurposeTo analyse and discuss screening for the detection of congenital cataract in two Nordic countries, Denmark and Sweden.MethodsUntil 2011, in Denmark, no guideline concerning screening for congenital cataract existed. Since 2011, Danish guidelines regarding eye examination include examination with a pencil light at age 5 weeks, whereas newborn red reflex examination using a handheld ophthalmoscope is routine protocol in Swedish maternity wards. Data regarding age of referral were derived from the Pediatric Cataract Register (PECARE). All children operated on before 1 year of age between January 2008 and December 2012 were included. Statistical comparison of the different screening strategies was made.ResultsThe number of children undergoing surgery for congenital cataract before 1 year of age was 31 (17 bilateral cases) in Denmark and 92 (38 bilateral cases) in Sweden. The proportion was 14 per 100.000 children in Denmark and 16 in Sweden (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between Denmark and Sweden in the percentage of children referred within 42 days of birth (p < 0.0001) and within 100 days (p < 0.001).ConclusionDue to the screening procedure with red reflex examination, congenital cataract in Swedish children is detected significantly earlier than in Danish children.
Pharmacokinetic study between a bilayer matrix fentalyl patch and a monolayer matrix fentanyl patch: single dose administration in healthy volunteers
Authors: Zecca Ernesto , Manzoni Andrea , Centurioni Fabio , Farina Alberto , Bonizzoni Erminio , Seiler Dan , Perrone Tania , Caraceni Augusto 
Published: January 2015

AimsTransdermal fentanyl is a well established treatment for cancer pain. The aim of the present study is to assess the relative bioavailability of fentanyl from two different transdermal systems by evaluating plasma drug concentrations after single administration of Fentalgon® (test), a novel bilayer matrix type patch, and Durogesic SMAT (reference), a monolayer matrix type patch. In the Fentalgon patch the upper 6% fentanyl reservoir layer maintains a stable concentration gradient between the lower 4% donor layer and the skin. The system provides a constant drug delivery over 72 h.MethodsThis was an open label, single centre, randomized, single dose, two period crossover clinical trial, that included 36 healthy male volunteers. The patches were applied to non‐irritated and non‐irradiated skin on the intraclavicular pectoral area. Blood samples were collected at different time points (from baseline to 120 h post‐removal of the devices) and fentanyl concentrations were determined using a validated LC/MS/MS method. Bioequivalence was to be claimed if the 90% confidence interval of AUC(0,t) and Cmax ratios (test: reference) were within the acceptance range of 80–125% and 75–133%, respectively.ResultsThe 90% confidence intervals of the AUC(0,t) ratio (116.3% [109.6, 123.4%]) and Cmax ratio (114.4% [105.8, 123.8%] were well included in the acceptance range and the Cmax ratio also met the narrower bounds of 80–125%. There was no relevant difference in overall safety profiles of the two preparations investigated, which were adequately tolerated, as expected for opioid‐naïve subjects.ConclusionsThe new bilayer matrix type patch, Fentalgon®, is bioequivalent to the monolayer matrix type Durogesic SMAT fentanyl patch with respect to the rate and extent of exposure of fentanyl (Eudra/CT no. 2005‐000046‐36).
Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokine Production by MKP‐5 in Macrophages
Authors: Hömmö Tuija , Pesu Marko , Moilanen Eeva , Korhonen Riku 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) include p38 MAPKs, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinases (JNKs) and Extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERKs), and they regulate many cell processes, such as cell division, differentiation and release of inflammatory mediators. MAPK activity is controlled by mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphatases (MKPs), a phosphatase family with 11 members. MKP‐1 is the most studied member of MKP family, and it is one of the anti‐inflammatory factors induced by glucocorticoids. Less is known about the other MAPK phosphatases although they hold a promise as anti‐inflammatory drug targets. In this study, we investigated the effect of MKP‐5 on MAPK phosphorylation and cytokine production in J774 mouse macrophages. We used MKP‐5 siRNA and an MKP‐5 inhibitor (AS077234‐4) to modulate MKP‐5 function. We found that MKP‐5 controlled p38 MAPK phosphorylation, but not that of JNK or ERK. In addition, the production of IL‐6 and TNF was suppressed by MKP‐5 in macrophages. Our results introduce a novel concept that compounds able to enhance MKP‐5 expression and/or activity hold anti‐inflammatory potential, because MKP‐5 down‐regulates the release of inflammatory mediators by controlling p38 MAPK activity.
Testing the Mean Matrix in High-Dimensional Transposable Data
Authors: Touloumis Anestis , Tavaré Simon , Marioni John C. 
Published: January 2015

Summary
The structural information in high-dimensional transposable data allows us to write the data recorded for each subject in a matrix such that both the rows and the columns correspond to variables of interest. One important problem is to test the null hypothesis that the mean matrix has a particular structure without ignoring the dependence structure among and/or between the row and column variables. To address this, we develop a generic and computationally inexpensive nonparametric testing procedure to assess the hypothesis that, in each predefined subset of columns (rows), the column (row) mean vector remains constant. In simulation studies, the proposed testing procedure seems to have good performance and, unlike simple practical approaches, it preserves the nominal size and remains powerful even if the row and/or column variables are not independent. Finally, we illustrate the use of the proposed methodology via two empirical examples from gene expression microarrays.
Outcome of Planned Home and Hospital Births among Low‐Risk Women in Iceland in 2005–2009: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Halfdansdottir Berglind , Smarason Alexander Kr. , Olafsdottir Olof A. , Hildingsson Ingegerd , Sveinsdottir Herdis 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundAt 2.2 percent in 2012, the home birth rate in Iceland is the highest in the Nordic countries and has been rising rapidly in the new millennium. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of planned home births and planned hospital births in comparable low‐risk groups in Iceland.MethodsThe study is a retrospective cohort study comparing the total population of 307 planned home births in Iceland in 2005–2009 to a matched 1:3 sample of 921 planned hospital births. Regression analysis, adjusted for confounding variables, was performed for the primary outcome variables.ResultsThe rate of oxytocin augmentation, epidural analgesia, and postpartum hemorrhage was significantly lower when labor started as a planned home birth. Differences in the rates of other primary outcome variables were not significant. The home birth group had lower rates of operative birth and obstetric anal sphincter injury. The rate of 5‐minute Apgar score < 7 was the same in the home and hospital birth groups, but the home birth group had a higher rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission. Intervention and adverse outcome rates in both study groups, including transfer rates, were higher among primiparas than multiparas. Oxytocin augmentation, epidural analgesia, and postpartum hemorrhage rates were significantly interrelated.ConclusionsThis study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests that planned home birth for low‐risk women is as safe as planned hospital birth.
Phase I pilot study of Wilms tumor gene 1 peptide‐pulsed dendritic cell vaccination combined with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Mayanagi Shuhei , Kitago Minoru , Sakurai Toshiharu , Matsuda Tatsuo , Fujita Tomonobu , Higuchi Hajime , Taguchi Junichi , Takeuchi Hiroya , Itano Osamu , Aiura Koichi , Hamamoto Yasuo , Takaishi Hiromasa , Okamoto Masato , Sunamura Makoto , Kawakami Yutaka , Kitagawa Yuko 
Published: January 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of and immune response to Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) peptide‐pulsed dendritic cell vaccination combined with gemcitabine (DCGEM) as a first‐line therapy among patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Ten HLA‐A*2402 patients were treated with WT1 peptide‐pulsed DC vaccination (1 × 107 cells) on days 8 and 22 and gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) on days 1, 8 and 15. Induction of a WT1‐specific immune response was evaluated using the delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin test, interferon‐γ enzyme‐linked immunospot and HLA tetramer assays, along with assays for various immunological factors. DCGEM was well‐tolerated, and the relative dose intensity of gemcitabine was 87%. Disease control associated with a low neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was observed in all three patients with DTH positivity; it was also correlated with a low percentage of granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells in the pretreatment peripheral blood (P = 0.017). Patients with liver metastases and high levels of inflammatory markers such as C‐reactive protein and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) showed poor survival even though a WT1‐specific immune response was induced in them. WT1 peptide‐pulsed DCGEM is feasible and effective for inducing anti‐tumor T‐cell responses. Our results support future investigations for pancreatic cancer patients with non‐liver metastases and favorable immunological conditions. This trial was registered with the University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ number: UMIN‐000004855).
Citrate modulates lipopolysaccharide-induced monocyte inflammatory responses
Authors: Ashbrook M J , McDonough K L , Pituch J J , Christopherson P L , Cornell T T , Selewski D T , Shanley T P , Blatt N B 
Published: January 2015

SummaryCitrate, a central component of cellular metabolism, is a widely used anti-coagulant due to its ability to chelate calcium. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-citrate lyase, which metabolizes citrate, has been shown to be essential for inflammation, but the ability of exogenous citrate to impact inflammatory signalling cascades remains largely unknown. We hypothesized that citrate would modulate inflammatory responses as both a cellular metabolite and calcium chelator, and tested this hypothesis by determining how clinically relevant levels of citrate modulate monocyte proinflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a human acute monocytic leukaemia cell line (THP-1). In normal medium (0·4 mM calcium), citrate inhibited LPS-induced tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-8 transcripts, whereas in medium supplemented with calcium (1·4 mM), TNF-α and IL-8 levels increased and appeared independent of calcium chelation. Using an IL-8–luciferase plasmid construct, the same increased response was observed in the activation of the IL-8 promoter region, suggesting transcriptional regulation. Tricarballylic acid, an inhibitor of ATP-citrate lyase, blocked the ability of citrate to augment TNF-α, linking citrate's augmentation effect with its metabolism by ATP-citrate lyase. In the presence of citrate, increased histone acetylation was observed in the TNF-α and IL-8 promoter regions of THP-1 cells. We observed that citrate can both augment and inhibit proinflammatory cytokine production via modulation of inflammatory gene transactivation. These findings suggest that citrate anti-coagulation may alter immune function through complex interactions with the inflammatory response.
Clinical associations of host genetic variations in the genes of cytokines in critically ill patients
Authors: Belopolskaya O B , Smelaya T V , Moroz V V , Golubev A M , Salnikova L E 
Published: January 2015

Summary
Host genetic variations may influence a changing profile of biochemical markers and outcome in patients with trauma/injury. The objective of this study was to assess clinical associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes of cytokines in critically ill patients. A total of 430 patients were genotyped for SNPs in the genes of pro- (IL1B, IL6, IL8) and anti-inflammatory (IL4, IL10, IL13) cytokines. The main end-points were sepsis, mortality and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We evaluated the dynamic levels of bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, creatine kinase, creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase in five points of measurements (between 1 and 14 days after admission) and correlated them with SNPs. High-producing alleles of proinflammatory cytokines protected patients against sepsis (IL1B −511A and IL8 —251A) and mortality (IL1B −511A). High-producing alleles of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL4 —589T and IL13 431A (144Gln) were less frequent in ARDS patients. The carriers of IL6 —174C/C genotypes were prone to the increased levels of biochemical markers and acute kidney and liver insufficiency. Genotype-dependent differences in the levels of biochemical indicators gradually increased to a maximal value on the 14th day after admission. These findings suggest that genetic variability in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines may contribute to different clinical phenotypes in patients at high risk of critical illness.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles inhibit murine photoreceptor‐derived cell proliferation and migration via reducing TGF‐β and MMP‐9 expression in vitro
Authors: Guo Da Dong , Li Qing Ning , Li Chun Min , Bi Hong Sheng 
Published: January 2015

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate behaviour and expression of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐9) in murine photoreceptor‐derived cells (661W) after incubation with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles.Materials and methodsWe explored effects of ZnO nanoparticles on 661W cells using a real‐time cell electronic sensing system, flow cytometry, multiple function microplate reading, real‐time quantitative PCR detection system and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay respectively.ResultsOur results indicate that ZnO nanoparticles induced overload of calcium and reactive oxygen species within cells, causing formation of apoptotic bodies, disruption of cell cycle distribution, and reduction in expression of TGF‐β and MMP‐9, to suppress cell proliferation and migration. Our findings show that disruption of intracellular calcium homoeostasis and overproduction of reactive oxygen species were closely associated with reduction of TGF‐β and MMP‐9 in 661W cells under ZnO nanoparticle treatment.ConclusionsResults of our study indicate that ZnO nanoparticles suppressed cell proliferation and migration, and reduced production of TGF‐β and MMP‐9 at both gene and protein levels. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that reduced TGF‐β and MMP‐9 levels inhibit cell proliferation and migration under ZnO nanoparticle influence.