bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal lobe epilepsy patients with severe hippocampal neuron loss but normal hippocampal volume: Extracellular matrix molecules are important for the maintenance of hippocampal volume
Authors: Peixoto‐Santos Jose Eduardo , Velasco Tonicarlo Rodrigues , Galvis‐Alonso Orfa Yineth , Araujo David , Kandratavicius Ludmyla , Assirati Joao Alberto , Carlotti Carlos Gilberto , Scandiuzzi Renata Caldo , dos Santos Antonio Carlos , Leite Joao Pereira 
Published: July 2015

SummaryObjectiveHippocampal sclerosis is a common finding in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies associate the reduction of hippocampal volume with the neuron loss seen on histologic evaluation. Astrogliosis and increased levels of chondroitin sulfate, a major component of brain extracellular matrix, are also seen in hippocampal sclerosis. Our aim was to evaluate the association between hippocampal volume and chondroitin sulfate, as well as neuronal and astroglial populations in the hippocampus of patients with TLE.MethodsPatients with drug‐resistant TLE were subdivided, according to hippocampal volume measured by MRI, into two groups: hippocampal atrophy (HA) or normal volume (NV) cases. Hippocampi from TLE patients and age‐matched controls were submitted to immunohistochemistry to evaluate neuronal population, astroglial population, and chondroitin sulfate expression with antibodies against neuron nuclei protein (NeuN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and chondroitin sulfate (CS‐56) antigens, respectively.ResultsBoth TLE groups were clinically similar. NV cases had higher hippocampal volume, both ipsilateral and contralateral, when compared to HA. Compared to controls, NV and HA patients had reduced neuron density, and increased GFAP and CS‐56 immunopositive area. There was no statistical difference between NV and HA groups in neuron density or immunopositive areas for GFAP and CS‐56. Hippocampal volume correlated positively with neuron density in CA1 and prosubiculum, and with immunopositive areas for CS‐56 in CA1, and negatively with immunopositive area for GFAP in CA1. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that both neuron density and CS‐56 immunopositive area in CA1 were statistically significant predictors of hippocampal volume.SignificanceOur findings indicate that neuron density and chondroitin sulfate immunopositive area in the CA1 subfield are crucial for the hippocampal volume, and that chondroitin sulfate is important for the maintenance of a normal hippocampal volume in some cases with severe neuron loss.
Effect of corticosteroids on articular cartilage: have animal studies said everything?
Authors: Vandeweerd Jean‐Michel , Zhao Yang , Nisolle Jean‐François , Zhang Wenhui , Zhihong Liu , Clegg Peter , Gustin Pascal 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIntra‐articular (IA) corticosteroids (CS) have been used in the treatment of osteoarthritis for many years, although their effects on articular cartilage are not fully understood. To identify whether previous animal studies have provided enough evidence about the effects ofCS, we undertook a systematic review that identified 35 relevant in vivo animal experimental studies between 1965 and 2014 assessing the effects ofCSon either normal cartilage, or in either induced osteoarthritis (OA) or synovitis. The quality of the methodology was assessed. Deleterious effects, both structural and biochemical, have mainly been reported in rabbits and are associated with frequent administration ofCS, sometimes at high dose and with systemic side effects. In dogs, four identified studies concluded that there were beneficial effects with methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) and triamcinolone hexacetonide therapy. In horses,MPAwas mostly deleterious, while triamcinolone acetonide had positive effects in one study highly rated at quality assessment. However, many methodological weaknesses have been identified, such as the lack of pharmacokinetic and pharmocodynamics data and the large variation in doses between studies, the limited selection criteria at baseline, the absence of blinding, and the lack of statistics or appropriate controls for testing the effects of the vehicle of the drug. Those methodological weaknesses weaken the conclusions of numerous studies that assess beneficial or deleterious effects ofCSon articular cartilage. Animal studies have not yet provided definitive data, and further research is required into the role ofCSin articular pathobiology.
Dexmedetomidine attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse through inhibition of MAPK pathway
Authors: Xu Yingzhen , Zhang Ruyi , Li Chunli , Yin Xue , Lv Changjun , Wang Yaoqi , Zhao Wenxiang , Zhang Xiuli 
Published: July 2015

AbstractDexmedetomidine (Dex) is widely used for sedation in intensive care units and can be used as an adjunct to anesthetics. Previous studies have demonstrated that Dex has anti‐inflammatory property. In this study, we aim to explore the potential therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Dex on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. To induce ALI, mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS, while Dex was treated 1 h before LPS injection. The inflammation of lung tissues was evaluated by HE stain, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained after 6 h to measure protein concentrations. We also used an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to detect the secretion levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum. Western blotting method was adopted to observe changes in mitogen‐activated protein kinases and downstream nuclear transcription factors. The results showed that pretreatment with Dex considerably reduced neutrophil infiltration and pulmonary edema, and significantly reduced protein concentrations in the BALF, as well as suppressed LPS‐induced elevation of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐1β) in the serum. In addition, we observed that the molecular mechanism of Dex‐mediated anti‐inflammation is associated with decreasing phosphorylation of MKK4, MMK3/6, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and JNK, and diminishing activation of Elk‐1, c‐Jun, and ATF‐2. Dex could attenuate ALI induced by LPS in mice, and this effect may be mediated through the inhibition of MAPK pathway.
Solution‐driven approaches to generic substitution challenges – a survey among international experts
Authors: Drozdowska Aleksandra , Hermanowski Tomasz 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to explore the perception and understanding of economic, legal, and social barriers that may restrain generic uptake among recognized international experts in health care, and to identify and verify recommendations on how to streamline generic substitution (GS) at no expense of therapeutic safety. A questionnaire survey was devised, and experts with world‐renowned expertise in the field of generic medicinal products were selected. Almost 3/4 of respondents claimed that all drugs that satisfy bioequivalence criteria represent similar efficacy and adverse effects, and 1/4 of respondents believed that some differences could be reported. The majority of experts supported (i) the right of patients to refuse GS, (ii) the right of physicians to veto GS, and (iii) the introduction of a statutory obligation to provide patients with access to the cheapest generics available on the market. The main obstacles to more general uptake of generics were as follows: (i) perception of generics as lower quality products, (ii) absence of a transparent policy governing GS, and (iii) disincentives to pharmacists and physicians. Among the most popular recommendations were as follows: (i) introduction of various measures to aid physicians in generic prescribing, (ii) setting clear guidelines specifying when GS is not advisable, (iii) supporting competition on the generic market. The views of experts and the resulting recommendations were strongly affected by their opinion on the bioequivalence of generics. From this analysis, we have selected several principal recommendations which could help shape successful healthcare policies regarding GS.
Regional changes in the elevational distribution of the Alpine Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta helvetica in Switzerland
Authors: Pernollet Claire A. , Korner‐Nievergelt Fränzi , Jenni Lukas 
Published: July 2015

The Alpine Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta helvetica is considered to be particularly vulnerable to climate change because it lives exclusively above the treeline in alpine habitats and is adapted to cold climates. Its Swiss population index has decreased over the last two decades. A considerable shrinkage in distributional area is predicted with further climate change. We assess whether the Alpine Rock Ptarmigan has moved to higher elevations in recent years in the Swiss Alps, and whether such elevational shifts have differed between regions and seasons, using observations recorded by volunteers over a 29‐year period. The elevational shifts differed greatly between regions. In the Eastern and Southern Alps, Ptarmigans were increasingly recorded at higher elevations, with a mean uphill shift of 6.4–9.4 m/year over the last three decades, a pattern that could not be explained by the yearly variation in weather conditions, whereas there was only a moderate upward shift (1.5–3.2 m/year) in the Northern Alps and almost no shift in the Western Alps. Elevational changes were generally greater than those observed in other bird species. The observed upward shift in the Eastern and Southern Alps is among the fastest observed in animals and plants, and may be caused by an upward shift of the treeline and reforestation of formerly cut or unforested areas. The observed elevational shift of the distribution of the Alpine Rock Ptarmigan has led to a reduction in the range of this subspecies, which is restricted to the Alps and isolated from other populations.
A qualitative thematic review: emotional labour in healthcare settings
Authors: Riley Ruth , Weiss Marjorie C. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimsTo identify the range of emotional labour employed by healthcare professionals in a healthcare setting and implications of this for staff and organisations.BackgroundIn a healthcare setting, emotional labour is the act or skill involved in the caring role, in recognizing the emotions of others and in managing our own.DesignA thematic synthesis of qualitative studies which included emotion work theory in their design, employed qualitative methods and were situated in a healthcare setting. The reporting of the review was informed by the ENTREQ framework.Data sources6 databases were searched between 1979–2014.Review methodsStudies were included if they were qualitative, employed emotion work theory and were written in English. Papers were appraised and themes identified. Thirteen papers were included.ResultsThe reviewed studies identified four key themes: (1) The professionalization of emotion and gendered aspects of emotional labour; (2) Intrapersonal aspects of emotional labour – how healthcare workers manage their own emotions in the workplace; (3) Collegial and organisational sources of emotional labour; (4) Support and training needs of professionalsConclusionThis review identified gendered, personal, organisational, collegial and socio‐cultural sources of and barriers to emotional labour in healthcare settings. The review highlights the importance of ensuring emotional labour is recognized and valued, ensuring support and supervision is in place to enable staff to cope with the varied emotional demands of their work.
Cul4A overexpression associated with Gli1 expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Yang Yi‐Lin , Ni Jian , Hsu Ping‐Chih , Mao Jian‐Hua , Hsieh David , Xu Angela , Chan Geraldine , Au Alfred , Xu Zhidong , Jablons David M. , You Liang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMalignant pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma) is a highly aggressive cancer without an effective treatment. Cul4A, a scaffold protein that recruits substrates for degradation, is amplified in several human cancers, including mesothelioma. We have recently shown that Cul4A plays an oncogenic role in vitro and in a mouse model. In this study, we analysed clinical mesothelioma tumours and found moderate to strong expression of Cul4A in 70.9% (51/72) of these tumours, as shown by immunohistochemistry. In 72.2% mesothelioma tumours with increased Cul4A copy number identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis, Cul4A protein expression was moderate to strong. Similarly, Cul4A was overexpressed and Cul4A copy number was increased in human mesothelioma cell lines. Because Gli1 is highly expressed in human mesothelioma cells, we compared Cul4A and Gli1 expression in mesothelioma tumours and found their expression associated (P < 0.05, chi‐square). In mesothelioma cell lines, inhibiting Cul4A by siRNA decreased Gli1 expression, suggesting that Gli1 expression is, at least in part, regulated by Cul4A in mesothelioma cells. Our results suggest a linkage between Cul4A and Gli1 expression in human mesothelioma.
Recovery, Survival and Transfer of Bacteria on Restaurant Menus
Authors: Alsallaiy Ibtehal , Dawson Paul , Han Inyee , Martinez‐Dawson Rose 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to detect bacteria on restaurant menus, to determine the bacterial transfer from menus to consumers' hands and to determine the survival of bacteria on menu surfaces. Local restaurant menus were sampled at different periods of operation. The average total plate count (TPC) was 28 (0–210) cfu/15 cm2 menu sampling area during “busy” periods and 15 (0–85) cfu/15 cm2 menu sampling area during “less busy” periods. The staphylococcal count averaged 6 (0–83) cfu/15 cm2 during busy periods and 2 (0–25) cfu/15 cm2 menu sampling area during less busy periods. Escherichia coli was transferred to menus at 11.17% of the hand population with a high variability between subjects (10.45% standard deviation). Survival of bacteria in menus was 1.40% after 24 h and 1.34% after 48 h, respectively. Bacterial populations found on randomly sampled menus were low; however, bacteria survived and were transferred from menus to a consumer's hands.Practical ApplicationsWhile many food‐contact surfaces are routinely cleaned and sanitized to minimize the presence of contamination, some surfaces such as restaurant menus are not and thus may be a potential contamination risk. The current study revealed that in the relatively small sample size of menus examined, there were some that were contaminated. Furthermore, there was measurable transfer of bacteria present on menus to consumer's hands and bacteria survived on menus at least 2 days. Therefore, to reduce the chance of illness from menus that are touched by many different people, especially food service workers, menus may be considered to be included as part of a standard sanitation operating procedure.
Shear Bond Strength between Fiber‐Reinforced Composite and Veneering Resin Composites with Various Adhesive Resin Systems
Authors: AlJehani Yousef A. , Baskaradoss Jagan K. , Geevarghese Amrita , AlShehry Marey A. , Vallittu Pekka K. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPurposeThe aim of this research was to evaluate the shear bond strength of different laboratory resin composites bonded to a fiber‐reinforced composite substrate with some intermediate adhesive resins.Materials and MethodsMounted test specimens of a bidirectional continuous fiber‐reinforced substrate (StickNet) were randomly assigned to three equal groups. Three types of commercially available veneering resin composites ‐ BelleGlass®, Sinfony®, and GC Gradia® were bonded to these specimens using four different adhesive resins. Half the specimens per group were stored for 24 hours; the remaining were stored for 30 days. There were 10 specimens in the test group (n). The shear bond strengths were calculated and expressed in MPa. Data were analyzed statistically, and variations in bond strength within each group were additionally evaluated by calculating the Weibull modulus.ResultsShear bond values of those composites are influenced by the different bonding resins and different indirect composites. There was a significant difference in the shear bond strengths using different types of adhesive resins (p = 0.02) and using different veneering composites (p < 0.01). Belle‐Glass® had the highest mean shear bond strength when bonded to StickNet substrate using both Prime & Bond NT and OptiBond Solo Plus. Sinfony® composite resin exhibited the lowest shear bond strength values when used with the same adhesive resins. The adhesive mode of failure was higher than cohesive with all laboratory composite resins bonded to the StickNet substructure at both storage times. Water storage had a tendency to lower the bond strengths of all laboratory composites, although the statistical differences were not significant.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, it was found that bonding of the veneering composite to bidirectional continuous fiber‐reinforced substrate is influenced by the brand of the adhesive resin and veneering composite.
Effect of ammonia‐generating diet on ovine serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels, serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell functions
Authors: Nandi S. , Mondal S. , Pal D. T. , Gupta P. S. P. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThis study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of ammonia‐generating diet on serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels, serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell growth and secretion parameters in ewes (Ovis aries). Ewes were fed with 14% CP diet (control) or ammonia‐generating diet or ammonia‐generating diet plus soluble sugar. The serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea level, serum oestrogen and progesterone levels and granulosa cell (obtained from ovaries of slaughtered ewes) growth parameters and secretory activities were estimated. Ammonia‐generating diet (high‐protein diet) increased the serum ammonia and urea concentration. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the ammonia concentration in serum with comparable levels as in control group; however, the urea level in the same group was higher than that observed in control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the follicular fluid ammonia concentration; however, the level was significantly higher compared to control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar brought down the follicular fluid urea level comparable to that observed in control group. Oestrogen and progesterone levels remained unchanged in ewes fed with different types of diet. Oestrogen and progesterone secretion were significantly lowered from granulosa cells recovered from ewes fed with high ammonia‐generating diet. Low metabolic activity and high incidence of apoptosis were observed in granulosa cells obtained from ovaries of ewes fed with ammonia‐generating diet.
Cumulative exposure to short sleep and body mass outcomes: a prospective study
Authors: Krueger Patrick M. , Reither Eric N. , Peppard Paul E. , Burger Andrew E. , Hale Lauren 
Published: July 2015

SummaryShort sleep duration is associated with excess body mass among adolescents and young adults. The mechanisms theorized to drive that association suggest that persistent exposure to short sleep should be associated with greater accumulations of body mass. We use prospective cohort data from four waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994–2009; n = 14 800) to examine associations between cumulative exposure to short sleep throughout adolescence and early adulthood and obesity and elevated waist circumference outcomes. We compare several clinical and distribution‐based standards of short sleep to assess which measures are associated most strongly with body mass. Cumulative exposure to short sleep exhibits dose–response associations with obesity and elevated waist circumference. Relative to respondents with no instances of short sleep, those who slept −0.50 standard deviations or less than the age and sex‐specific average sleep hours in all four waves had 1.45 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 2.04] times the odds of being obese and 1.45 (95% CI: 1.02, 2.06) times the odds of having an elevated waist circumference. Our findings suggest that cumulative exposure to short sleep during adolescence and young adulthood may play an important role in the etiology of obesity and elevated waist circumference during this important developmental period.
Allelic diversity for neutral markers retains a higher adaptive potential for quantitative traits than expected heterozygosity
Authors: Vilas Ana , Pérez‐Figueroa Andrés , Quesada Humberto , Caballero Armando 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe adaptive potential of a population depends on the amount of additive genetic variance for quantitative traits of evolutionary importance. This variance is a direct function of the expected frequency of heterozygotes for the loci which affect the trait (QTL). It has been argued, but not demonstrated experimentally, that long‐term response to selection is more dependent onQTLallelic diversity than onQTLheterozygosity. Conservation programmes, aimed at preserving this variation, usually rely on neutral markers rather than on quantitative traits for making decisions on management. Here, we address, both through simulation analyses and experimental studies withDrosophila melanogaster, the question of whether allelic diversity for neutral markers is a better indicator of a high adaptive potential than expected heterozygosity. In both experimental and simulation studies, we established synthetic populations for which either heterozygosity or allelic diversity was maximized using information fromQTL(simulations) or unlinked neutral markers (simulations and experiment). The synthetic populations were selected for the quantitative trait to evaluate the evolutionary potential provided by the two optimization methods. Our results show that maximizing the number of alleles of a low number of markers implies higher responses to selection than maximizing their heterozygosity.
Social Construction and Achieving Reference1
Authors: Mallon Ron 
Published: July 2015

AbstractOne influential view is that at least some putatively natural human kinds are actuallysocial constructions, understood as some real kind of thing that is produced or sustained by our social and conceptual practices.Category constructionistsshare two commitments: they hold that human category terms like “race” (and racial terms) and “sex” (and sexual terms) and “homosexuality” and “perversion” actually refer to constructed categories, and they hold that these categories are widely but mistakenly taken to be natural kinds. But it is far from clear that these two commitments are consistent. The sort of mismatch between belief and underlying nature constructionists’ suppose is often taken to indicate a failure of reference. Reliance on acausal‐historicalaccount of reference allows the preservation of reference, but unfortunately, constructionists' appropriation of causal historical accounts of reference is beset by difficulties that do not attend natural kind theorists’ appeals to such accounts. Here, I set out these difficulties, but argue that they can be answered, allowing terms for apparently natural human kinds refer to some sort of social construction about which there is massive error.