bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ShenKang injection suppresses kidney fibrosis and oxidative stress via transforming growth factor-β/Smad3 signalling pathway in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Wu Xiaoxiao , Guan Yue , Yan Jiajia , Liu Meiyou , Yin Ying , Duan Jialin , Wei Guo , Hu Tianxin , Weng Yan , Xi Miaomiao , Wen Aidong 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Objectives
The purpose of this study is to investigate the antifibrosis and antioxidation of ShenKang injection (SKI) in vivo and in vitro and to evaluate potential mechanisms involved in the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods
In experimental animal studies, CKD was established by 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6Nx). Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined. Histopathological tests were performed by H&E and Masson trichrome stained. The protein expressions of fibronectin (FN), collagen Ι, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and phosphorylation of Smad3 were measured in 5/6Nx rats. In Human kidney proximal tubular cell line (HK-2) cells, the effects of TGF-β/Smad3 signalling pathway on renal fibrosis and oxidative injury were examined.

Key findings
5/6Nx induced severe renal damages. Treatment of rats with SKI markedly reduced levels of Scr and BUN, alleviated expression of fibrosis-associated signalling molecules and reduced expression of TGF-β and phosphorylated Smad3. Meanwhile, in HK-2 cells, after exposure to TGF-β and H2O2, the protein expression of renal fibrosis was significantly increased. The generation of oxidative stress was also elevated. The severity of fibrosis and oxidative damage appears to be reduced after treatment with SKI.

Conclusion
SKI inhibits renal fibrosis and oxidative stress through downregulation of TGF-β/Smad3 signalling pathway.
Effect of dietary fish oil on the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in liver and skeletal muscle of lactating sows
Authors: Gessner D. K. , Gröne B. , Rosenbaum S. , Most E. , Hillen S. , Becker S. , Erhardt G. , Reiner G. , Eder K. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis study investigated the hypothesis that dietary supplementation of fish oil as a source of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) influences the expression of target genes of sterol regulatory element‐binding proteins (SREBP)‐1 and (SREBP)‐2 involved in triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and fatty acid and cholesterol metabolism in the liver, and moreover activates the expression of target genes of peroxisome proliferation‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐α involved in TAG and fatty acid catabolism in liver and skeletal muscle. Twenty lactating sows were fed a control diet or a fish oil diet with either 50 g of a mixture of palm oil and soya bean oil (4:1, w/w) or fish oil per kg. The diet of the fish oil group contained 19.1 g of n‐3 PUFA (mainly 20:5 n‐3 and 22:6 n‐3) per 100 g of total fatty acids, while the diet of the control group contained 2.4 g of n‐3 PUFA (mainly 18:3 n‐3) per 100 g of total fatty acids. The fish oil group had reduced relative mRNA concentrations of various target genes of SREBP‐1 involved in fatty acid and TAG synthesis in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). Relative mRNA concentrations of target genes of PPARα involved in fatty acid catabolism in both liver and muscle, and mRNA concentrations of target genes of SREBP‐2 involved in cholesterol synthesis and uptake were not influenced by fish oil supplementation. Concentrations of cholesterol and TAG in plasma, fat content of milk and weight gains of litters during the suckling period were not different between the two groups of sows. In conclusion, this study suggests that fish oil has only minor effects on hepatic lipid metabolism, which are non‐critical with respect to milk production in sows.
Procoagulant Microparticles in Dogs with Immune‐Mediated Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Kidd L. , Geddings J. , Hisada Y. , Sueda M. , Concannon T. , Nichols T. , Merricks E. , Mackman N. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundStudies of some human prothrombotic diseases suggest that phosphatidylserine‐positive (PS+) and tissue factor‐positive (TF+) microparticles (MPs) might play a role in the pathogenesis of thrombosis or serve as biomarkers of thrombotic risk.Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo determine if circulating levels of PS+MP and procoagulant activity (PCA) associated with PS+MPs and TF+ MPs are increased in dogs with IMHA.AnimalsFifteen dogs with primary or secondary IMHA and 17 clinically healthy dogs.MethodsProspective case‐controlled observational study. Circulating PS+MPs were measured by flow cytometry. PCA associated with PS+MPs and TF+MPs was measured by thrombin and Factor Xa generating assays, respectively.ResultsCirculating numbers of PS+MPs were not significantly higher in dogs with IMHA [control median 251,000/μL (36,992–1,141,250/μL); IMHA median 361,990/μL (21,766–47,650,600/μL) P = .30]. However, PS+MP PCA [control median 2.2 (0.0–16.8) nM PS eq; IMHA median 8.596, (0–49.33 nM PS eq) P = .01] and TF+MP PCA [control median 0.0, (0.0–0.0 pg/mL); IMHA median 0.0; (0–22.34 pg/mL], P = .04) were increased. Intravascular hemolysis, which we showed might increase PS+ and TF+MP PCA, was evident in 3 of 5 dogs with PS+MP PCA and 2 of 4 dogs with TF+MP PCA higher than controls. Underlying disease in addition to IMHA was detected in 1 of 5 dogs with PS+PCA and 3 of 4 dogs with TF+MP PCA higher than controls.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceTF+ and PS+MP PCA is increased in some dogs with IMHA. Further studies that determine if measuring TF+ and PS+ MP PCA can help identify dogs at risk for thrombosis are warranted.
Gallium Maltolate as an Alternative to Macrolides for Treatment of Presumed Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia in Foals
Authors: Cohen Noah D. , Slovis Nathan M. , Giguère Steeve , Baker Samantha , Chaffin M. Keith , Bernstein Lawrence R. 
Published: April 2015

BackgroundMacrolide‐resistant isolates of Rhodococcus equi are emerging, prompting the search for clinically effective alternative antimicrobials.HypothesisThe proportion of foals with ultrasonographic evidence of pneumonia presumed to be caused by R. equi that had a successful outcome when administered gallium maltolate (GaM) PO would not be more than 10% inferior (ie, lower) than that of foals receiving standard treatment.AnimalsFifty‐four foals with subclinical pulmonary abscesses among 509 foals at 6 breeding farms in Kentucky.MethodsControlled, randomized, prospective noninferiority study. Foals with ultrasonographic lesions >1 cm in diameter (n = 54) were randomly allocated to receive per os either clarithromycin combined with rifampin (CLR+R) or GaM, and followed up for 28 days by daily physical inspections and weekly (n = 1 farm) or biweekly (n = 4 farms) thoracic ultrasound examinations by individuals unaware of treatment‐group assignments. Treatment success was defined as resolution of ultrasonographically identified pulmonary abscesses within 28 days of initiating treatment. Noninferiority was defined as a 90% confidence interval for the observed difference in CLR+R minus GaM that was ≤10%.ResultsThe proportion of GaM‐treated foals that resolved (70%; 14/20) was similar to that of foals treated with CLR+R (74%; 25/34), but we failed to demonstrate noninferiority for GaM relative to CLR+R; however, GaM was noninferior to CLR+R treatment when results from a noncompliant farm were excluded.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceGallium maltolate is not inferior to macrolides for treating foals with subclinical pneumonia. Use of GaM might reduce pressure for macrolide‐resistance in R. equi.
Disturbance and stress gradients result in distinct taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity patterns in a subtropical riparian tree community
Authors: Giehl Eduardo L. H. , Jarenkow João André 
Published: April 2015

AbstractQuestionsWhat are the key environmental variables that influence the structure of riparian forests? Do disturbance (flooding) and stress (soil fertility) gradients result in functionally and phylogenetically different riparian forests? Do patterns of functional and phylogenetic diversity follow patterns of taxonomic diversity?LocationSubtropical riparian tree community, Turvo State Park, Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil.MethodsWe collected data on nine functional traits and assembled a phylogeny for all tree species found in a sample with 100 plots. We then modelled species richness and evenness, and functional and phylogenetic richness, evenness and divergence as functions of flooding frequency and soil fertility. Next, we used a three‐table ordination method to look for associations between environmental conditions, the spatial locations of sampling sites and the distributions of species, trait values and lineages. We conducted these analyses for the entire area and separately for three habitats with different flooding frequencies. Finally, we tested for phylogenetic signal in functional traits.ResultsSpecies richness and evenness were highest under intermediate flooding frequency. In contrast, functional richness was negatively correlated with soil fertility, while phylogenetic richness increased with both flooding frequency and soil fertility (with phylogenetic evenness following a similar trend). Functional evenness was lowest under intermediate flooding frequency, and functional and phylogenetic divergence correlated in a complex quadratic way with both flooding and soil fertility. Functional traits were generally conserved in the phylogeny, although pioneer establishment strategy and resprouting capacity were convergent and strongly associated with frequent flooding. In contrast, the distribution of lineages was not associated with either environmental variables or site location.ConclusionsThere was a mismatch between taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity patterns along disturbance and stress gradients. This mismatch likely occurs because functional traits involved in species sorting were either convergent or conserved in the phylogeny and because disturbance and stress gradients seem to differently affect each of the assessed diversity components. Even though disturbance seems to be the key driver of the structure of riparian tree communities, stress gradients (soil fertility) are the key predictors of important diversity components, especially functional richness. Thus, disturbance and stress gradients result in functionally and phylogenetically different riparian tree communities, leading to differences that cannot be predicted from differences in species richness and composition alone.
Let the concept of indicator species be functional!
Authors: Ricotta Carlo , Carboni Marta , Acosta Alicia T.R. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimsThe identification of diagnostic or indicator species with high fidelity to a given group of sites is an important step for the ecological characterization of habitats or community types. The determination of the degree of fidelity to a target group is traditionally performed by analysing the concentration of species occurrences or abundances in different groups of sites. Surprisingly, although one of the main purposes of indicator species analysis is to give ecological meaning to groups of sites, none of the methods proposed to date take into account the functional ecology of diagnostic species. Therefore, the question we address here is: can we use functional traits of species to improve the diagnostic value of indicator species?LocationSand dune communities in central Italy.MethodsIn this paper we propose a two‐step procedure for incorporating the functional traits of a given species in the evaluation of its diagnostic value. For a given set of plots that are classified into different groups, first the indicator species that best characterize each group of plots are identified with the usual statistical tools based on species occurrences. Next, the functional association between the indicator species and the target groups of plots is tested by measuring the functional distance between the indicator species and the centroids of all plots in the target group. A species is positively associated with a group if its mean functional distance from all plot centroids in the group is significantly lower than expected.ResultsIn this example, we show that the functional association of the indicator species with a given habitat type is represented by less species than the association highlighted solely through species occurrences and/or abundances. This subset of species appears to better characterize the functional ecology of coastal dune plant assemblages and shows a higher diagnostic value in comparison with those obtained through the traditional indicator analysis.ConclusionsAs functional traits are the main ecological attributes by which different species influence ecosystem processes, we believe that the methodology proposed here provides a relevant tool for ecological applications as distinct as vegetation science, conservation biology or landscape management.
Exploring origins, invasion history and genetic diversity ofImperata cylindrica(L.) P. Beauv. (Cogongrass) in the United States using genotyping by sequencing
Authors: Burrell A. Millie , Pepper Alan E. , Hodnett George , Goolsby John A. , Overholt William A. , Racelis Alexis E. , Diaz Rodrigo , Klein Patricia E. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractImperata cylindrica(Cogongrass, Speargrass) is a diploid C4 grass that is a noxious weed in 73 countries and constitutes a significant threat to global biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. We used a cost‐effective genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) approach to identify the reproductive system, genetic diversity and geographic origins of invasions in the south‐eastern United States. In this work, we demonstrated the advantage of employing the closely related, fully sequenced crop speciesSorghum bicolor(L.) Moench as a proxy reference genome to identify a set of 2320 informative single nucleotide and insertion–deletion polymorphisms. Genetic analyses identified four clonal lineages of cogongrass and one clonal lineage ofImperata brasiliensisTrin. in the United States. Each lineage was highly homogeneous, and we found no evidence of hybridization among the different lineages, despite geographical overlap. We found evidence that at least three of these lineages showed clonal reproduction prior to introduction to the United States. These results indicate that cogongrass has limited evolutionary potential to adapt to novel environments and further suggest that upon arrival to its invaded range, this species did not require local adaptation through hybridization/introgression or selection of favourable alleles from a broad genetic base. Thus, cogongrass presents a clear case of broad invasive success, across a diversity of environments, in a clonal organism with limited genetic diversity.
More than one genotype: how common is intracolonial genetic variability in scleractinian corals?
Authors: Schweinsberg Maximilian , Weiss Linda C. , Striewski Sebastian , Tollrian Ralph , Lampert Kathrin P. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIn recent years, a few colonial marine invertebrates have shown intracolonial genetic variability, a previously unreported phenomenon. Intracolonial genetic variability describes the occurrence of more than a single genotype within an individual colony. This variability can be traced back to two underlying processes: chimerism and mosaicism. Chimerism is the fusion of two or more individuals, whereas mosaicism mostly derives from somatic cell mutations. Until now, it remained unclear to what degree the ecologically important group of hermatypic (reef building) corals might be affected. We investigate the occurrence of intracolonial genetic variability in five scleractinian corals: Acropora florida, Acropora hyacinthus, Acropora sarmentosa, Pocillopora species complex and Porites australiensis. The main focus was to test different genera for the phenomenon via microsatellite markers and to distinguish which underlying process caused the genetic heterogeneity. Our results show that intracolonial genetic variability was common (between 46.6% for A. sarmentosa and 23.8% for P. species complex) in all tested corals. The main process was mosaicism (69 cases of 222 tested colonies), but at least one chimera existed in every species. This suggests that intracolonial genetic variability is widespread in scleractinian corals and could challenge the view of a coral colony as an individual and therefore a unit of selection. However, it might also hold potential for colony survival under rapidly changing environmental conditions.
Bus Dwell Time Modeling Using Gene Expression Programming
Authors: Rashidi Soroush , Ranjitkar Prakash 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThis article proposes a gene expression programming (GEP)‐based approach to model and estimate bus dwell time (BDT) as an alternative to the more commonly used multiple linear regression (MLR) model. The proposed model is calibrated and validated using the data collected from 22 bus stops in Auckland and compared against the MLR model based on five different performance measures namely: mean error, mean absolute error, root mean square error, mean absolute percentage error, and R2 value. The proposed GEP‐based approach shows prospects to estimate BDT more accurately and overcome some of the issues associated with the MLR method, including the restrictions to stick with a predefined model form and the need to satisfy assumptions made on multicollinearity, homoscedasticity, and the normality of random error, which are often difficult to satisfy in real world applications.
Stationary‐phase induction of vvpS expression by three transcription factors: repression by LeuO and activation by SmcR and CRP
Authors: Kim Jeong‐A. , Park Jin Hwan , Lee Mi‐Ae , Lee Hyun‐Jung , Park Soon‐Jung , Kim Kun‐Soo , Choi Sang‐Ho , Lee Kyu‐Ho 
Published: April 2015

SummaryAn exoprotease of Vibrio vulnificus, VvpS, exhibits an autolytic function during the stationary phase. To understand how vvpS expression is controlled, the regulators involved in vvpS transcription and their regulatory mechanisms were investigated. LeuO was isolated in a ligand‐fishing experiment, and experiments using a leuO‐deletion mutant revealed that LeuO represses vvpS transcription. LeuO bound the extended region including LeuO‐binding site (LBS)‐I and LBS‐II. Further screening of additional regulators revealed that SmcR and cyclic adenosine monophosphate‐receptor protein (CRP) play activating roles in vvpS transcription. SmcR and CRP bound the regions overlapping LBS‐I and ‐II, respectively. In addition, the LeuO occupancy of LBS‐I and LBS‐II was competitively exchanged by SmcR and CRP, respectively. To examine the mechanism of stationary‐phase induction of vvpS expression, in vivo levels of three transcription factors were monitored. Cellular level of LeuO was maximal at exponential phase, while those of SmcR and CRP were maximal at stationary phase and relatively constant after the early‐exponential phase, respectively. Thus, vvpS transcription was not induced during the exponential phase by high cellular content of LeuO. When entering the stationary phase, however, LeuO content was significantly reduced and repression by LeuO was relieved through simultaneous binding of SmcR and CRP to LBS‐I and ‐II, respectively.
Indoor total volatile organic compounds exposure at 6 months followed by atopic dermatitis at 3 years in children
Authors: Kwon Jung Hyun , Kim Eunjeong , Chang Moon‐Hee , Park Eun Ae , Hong Yun‐Chul , Ha Mina , Park Hyesook , Kim Yangho , Park Choonghee , Ha Eun‐Hee 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundExposure to indoor air pollutants is thought to cause allergic inflammation. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are one of the aggravating factors of asthma and other allergic diseases. However, the influence of VOCs on development of atopic dermatitis is ambiguous in the clinical field. We therefore investigated the associations of indoor total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) and development of atopic dermatitis in young Korean children.MethodsFrom the birth cohort of a MOthers and Children's Environmental Health (MOCEH) study, 257 infants, whose parents agreed with the environmental measurement, were enrolled. Total VOCs were measured in infant's bedrooms at the age of 6 month. A total of 105 parents answered a questionnaire at 36 month. Concentrations of TVOCs were divided into two groups by third quartile (75th). Associations between the high VOCs exposure group and development of atopic dermatitis at the age of 36 months were estimated by multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThe average concentration of TVOCs was 174.7 ± 115.1 ㎍/m3. We defined the high TVOCs exposure group by those with more than 75 percentile of the distribution (242.1 ㎍/m3). An increased risk of atopic dermatitis was observed in the high TVOCs exposure group, after adjustment for parents history of allergy, household income, breast‐feeding longer than 6 month (OR = 3.116, 95% Cl 1.041–9.323). Risk of atopic dermatitis was increased when the family bought new furniture within 1 yr.ConclusionOur results showed that exposure to high concentration of VOCs during infancy, an indoor pollutant, increased the risk of atopic dermatitis at 36 months.
Development of acute pancreatitis after Nissen fundoplication
Authors: Inoue Mikihiro , Uchida Keiichi , Otake Kohei , Okigami Masato , Maji Tomoaki , Kusunoki Masato 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAcute pancreatitis subsequent to Nissen fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is an extremely rare adverse event. We describe a pediatric case of acute pancreatitis resulting from superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) and gas bloat after fundoplication. Gas bloat is one of the known postoperative complications after Nissen fundoplication. Poor nutrition status, which is often associated with severe pediatric GERD, is a risk factor for SMAS. In this case, development of gas bloat and SMAS led to the formation of a closed loop and increased intraluminal pressure of the duodenum and pancreatic duct. Many pediatric patients who need anti‐reflux surgery face the risk of developing this entity. Preventive measures, such as treatment with prokinetics and frequent small‐volume meals, should be considered until improvement of nutritional status after fundoplication.
Opacity, Transparency, and the Paradox of the Accessibility Requirement
Authors: Fontaine Julie 
Published: April 2015

Key issues in epistemology for the most part have to do with epistemic values such as justification, truth, and knowledge—that is, values related to the epistemic status of our propositional attitudes, mental events, and states. However, another important issue that is worth examining is the extent to which a subject is in a position to evaluate the strength of her epistemic position. In this paper, I wish to emphasize two properties of our mental states that play a decisive part in that respect: their opacity and transparency. In the following, I will assume that a mental state is opaque whenever it presents itself with no underlying reason, whereas states that are supported by apparent reasons are transparent.One main argument that I will defend is that even when the opacity and transparency of our mental states are not reliable cues, still they remain highly informative. Notably, I draw some implications relative to the externalist/internalist debate in epistemology. I examine the claim that only mental states that are justified are well grounded or justification conferring and the idea that often stands behind, that is, that only states whose reasons are accessible are justified—namely, the Accessibility Requirement. I also examine the source of a recent debate in epistemology: the epistemic status of our intuitive states, as these are perfect instances of opaque mental states. I conclude that intuitive states in some respect are less misleading than states that are supported by apparent reasons.