bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age‐dependent decline of β‐cell function in type 1 diabetes after diagnosis: a multi‐centre longitudinal study
Authors: Barker A. , Lauria A. , Schloot N. , Hosszufalusi N. , Ludvigsson J. , Mathieu C. , Mauricio D. , Nordwall M. , Van der Schueren B. , Mandrup‐Poulsen T. , Scherbaum W. A. , Weets I. , Gorus F. K. , Wareham N. , Leslie R. D. , Pozzilli P. 
Published: October 2013

AimsC‐peptide secretion is currently the only available clinical biomarker to measure residual β‐cell function in type 1 diabetes. However, the natural history of C‐peptide decline after diagnosis can vary considerably dependent upon several variables. We investigated the shape of C‐peptide decline over time from type 1 diabetes onset in relation to age at diagnosis, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and insulin dose.MethodsWe analysed data from 3929 type 1 diabetes patients recruited from seven European centres representing all age groups at disease onset (childhood, adolescence and adulthood). The influence of the age at onset on β‐cell function was investigated in a longitudinal analysis at diagnosis and up to 5‐years follow‐up.ResultsFasting C‐peptide (FCP) data at diagnosis were available in 3668 patients stratified according to age at diagnosis in four groups (<5 years, n = 344; >5 years < 10 years, n = 668; >10 years < 18 years, n = 991; >18 years, n = 1655). FCP levels were positively correlated with age (p < 0.001); the subsequent decline in FCP over time was log‐linear with a greater decline rate in younger age groups (p < 0.0001).ConclusionsThis study reveals a positive correlation between age at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and FCP with a more rapid decline of β‐cell function in the very young patients. These data can inform the design of clinical trials using C‐peptide values as an end‐point for the effect of a given treatment.
Calmodulin‐like skin protein level increases in the differentiated epidermal layers in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Donovan Mark , Ambach Andreas , Thomas‐Collignon Agnés , Prado Cecilia , Bernard Dominique , Jammayrac Odette , Gollnick Harald , de Lacharriere Olivier 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn atopic dermatitis (AD), the skin barrier is disturbed, and the expression of calcium‐dependent S100 proteins and the calcium gradient is also altered in the epidermis. The calmodulin‐like skin protein (CLSP), which is expressed in the differentiated epidermis, is believed to modulate the function of calcium‐dependent proteins involved in barrier formation and is significantly increased in the epidermis of psoriatic patients. We, therefore, investigated the CLSP level in skin biopsies taken from patients with acute exacerbated and non‐exacerbated AD as well as from healthy control subjects. Immunohistochemical, Western blot and ELISA analyses showed significant increases (P < 0.03) in CLSP level in the epidermis from patients with acute exacerbated AD as compared to that from patients with non‐exacerbated AD and from control subjects. Such increased expression of CLSP may help re‐establish a functional epidermal barrier in acute AD.
Effluent syntaxin3 from dying cells affords protection against apoptosis in epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Miyazaki Takafumi , Kadono Nanako , Konishi Yoshihiro , Hagiwara Natsumi , Maekubo Kenji , Hirai Yohei 
Published: October 2013

AbstractUltra‐violet B (UVB)‐induced oxidative stress crucially perturbs the epidermal homeostasis, and the skin is endowed with protective mechanisms to take action against such damage. Here, we show the possible involvement of t‐SNARE protein syntaxin3, a membrane fusion mediator of cytoplasmic vesicles, and which is released from dying keratinocytes, to play a role in this response. UVB irradiation, which generates reactive oxidative stress in cells, was shown to lead to the keratinocyte cell death accompanied by a release of cytoplasmic syntaxin3. We found that such extracellularly sourced syntaxin3 completely blocked the processing of a crucial effector for apoptotic cell death, caspase‐3, and thus facilitated the survival of keratinocytes damaged by oxidative stress. These results demonstrate the latent prosurvival function of syntaxin3 and underline the importance of intracellular molecular elements for the maintenance of homeostasis in epidermal keratinocytes.
The relative importance of viral lysis and nanoflagellate grazing for prokaryote mortality in temperate lakes
Authors: Ram Angia Sriram Pradeep , Palesse Stephanie , Colombet Jonathan , Thouvenot Antoine , Sime‐Ngando Telesphore 
Published: October 2013

Summary

We explored the factors that potentially affect viral abundance, viral life strategies (lytic versus lysogenic cycle) and the relative importance of viral lysis and heterotrophic nanoflagellate grazing for prokaryote mortality in the euphotic zone of 19 freshwater lakes in a single geographical region (the French Massif Central).

Flow cytometry indicated that viral abundance ranged from 0.5 to 26.3 × 107 viruses mL−1, exceeding prokaryote abundance by c. 16‐fold on average. Multiple regressions revealed that prokaryotic abundance was the best predictor of viral abundance (r2 = 0.74), suggesting that the prokaryotes were the major hosts for viral proliferation in these lakes.

Viral life strategies varied with month of sampling (June, July, August 2010). Lytic infection was the prominent mode of viral infection in June and August, whereas lysogenic infection was more evident in July in the majority of sampled lakes. This temporal shift in viral strategy was controlled by the availability of phosphate and chlorophyll concentration via host cell growth, with high concentrations favouring lytic infection and low concentrations favouring lysogenic infection. Such antagonistic interactions between viral life strategies support the hypothesis that lysogeny may represent a survival strategy for viruses in harsh nutrient/host conditions.

The dominance of viruses over flagellates, or vice versa, as prokaryotic mortality factors differed between the lakes. By taking into account both forms of mortality, our study indicates that viruses and flagellates are likely to act additively in their effects on prokaryotes by regulating the proportion of the most active members of the prokaryotic community. Such a combined effect of viruses and flagellates may strongly influence the planktonic food web and whole‐ecosystem functioning.
Optimisation of Novozym‐435‐catalysed esterification of fatty acid mixture for the preparation of medium‐ and long‐chain triglycerides (MLCT) in solvent‐free medium
Authors: Yang Kaizhou , Bi Yanlan , Sun Shangde , Yang Guolong , Ma Sumin , Liu Wei 
Published: October 2013

SummaryNovozym‐435‐catalysed esterification of caprylic acid, capric acid and oleic acid with glycerol for the synthesis of medium‐ and long‐chain triglycerides (MLCT) in vacuum and solvent‐free system was investigated in this study. Response surface methodology with a three‐level, four‐factorial design was applied to optimise the enzymatic esterification for the synthesis of MLCT. The optimum conditions were as follows: reaction temperature 90 °C, 4.80 wt% enzyme load (relative to the weight of total substrates) and substrate molar ratio (fatty acids/glycerol) of 3:1 and 12.37 h. Under above‐mentioned conditions, Triglycerides (TG) yield, MLCT and the residual free fatty acids (FFA) content in the product were 93.54%, 72.19% and 4.21%, respectively. The content of caprylic acid, capric acid and long‐chain fatty acids of TG was 24%, 10% and 66%, respectively. Novozym 435 in the study showed no selectivity for the different fatty acids and also could be used 14 times without obvious loss of enzyme activity.
Interleukin‐17 increases the expression of Toll‐like receptor 3 via the STAT3 pathway in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes
Authors: Lee Seon‐Yeong , Yoon Bo‐Young , Kim Ju‐In , Heo Yang‐Mi , Woo Yun‐Ju , Park Sung‐Hwan , Kim Ho Youn , Kim Sung‐Il , Cho Mi‐La 
Published: October 2013

SummaryWe examined the effect of interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) on the expression of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated the region downstream of IL‐17 for TLR expression. We also investigated the downstream signals responsible for the effect of IL‐17 in TLR expression. Levels of IL‐17 protein in the serum and synovial fluid of RA and OA patients were measured by ELISA. The IL‐17 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and synovial fluid mononuclear cells was measured by RT‐PCR. RA and OA FLS were incubated with IL‐17 and/or IL‐23 for 24 hr. To block the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, FLS were treated with S3I‐201 before incubation with IL‐17 and IL‐23. Synovial tissue samples from RA and OA patients were stained with antibodies to IL‐17, TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, STAT3 and phospho‐STAT3. Levels of IL‐17 protein were higher in the serum and synovial fluid from RA patients compared with those from OA patients. The IL‐17 mRNA expression in synovial fluid monocytes was also higher in RA than in OA patients. Immunohistochemical staining showed greater expression of IL‐17, TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 in synovial samples from RA compared with OA patients. Interleukin‐17 increased the expression of TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 in RA FLS; IL‐23 augmented the IL‐17‐induced expression of TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4 in RA FLS. Blocking STAT3 with S3I‐201 reduced IL‐17‐induced TLR3 expression in RA FLS. Our results suggest that IL‐17 is a major cytokine in pathogenesis on RA. The IL‐17 influences the innate immune system by increasing the synovial expression of TLR2, TLR3 and TLR4. We may control TLR3 expression via the STAT3 pathway in RA FLS.
Mental health and learning disability nursing students' perceptions of the usefulness of the objective structured clinical examination to assess their competence in medicine administration
Authors: Hemingway Steve , Stephenson John , Roberts Bronwyn , McCann Terence 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate mental health and learning disability nursing students' perceptions of the usefulness of the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in assessing their administration of medicine competence. Learning disability (n = 24) and mental health (n = 46) students from a single cohort were invited to evaluate their experience of the OSCE. A 10‐item survey questionnaire was used, comprising open‐ and closed‐response questions. Twelve (50%) learning disability and 32 (69.6%) mental health nursing students participated. The OSCE was rated highly compared to other theoretical assessments; it was also reported as clinically real and as a motivational learning strategy. However, it did not rate as well as clinical practice. Content analysis of written responses identified four themes: (i) benefits of the OSCE; (ii) suggestions to improve the OSCE; (iii) concern about the lack of clinical reality of the OSCE; and (iv) OSCE‐induced stress. The themes, although repeating some of the positive statistical findings, showed that participants were critical of the university setting as a place to conduct clinical assessment, highlighted OSCE‐related stress, and questioned the validity of the OSCE as a real‐world assessment. The OSCE has an important role in the development of student nurses' administration of medicine skills. However, it might hinder their performance as a result of the stress of being assessed in a simulated environment.
Is glycosylated haemoglobin associated with psychosocial stress in non‐diabetic 6‐year‐olds?
Authors: Price Anna MH , Maayan Talia , Wake Melissa A , Hiscock Harriet 
Published: October 2013

AimGlycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), a marker of diabetic glycemic control, is associated with chronic psychosocial stress in non‐diabetic adults. This study aimed to determine whether HbA1c also acts as a biomarker of psychosocial stress in healthy 6‐year‐olds.MethodsDesign and participants: Eligible participants were 326 children recruited from 6 socio‐economically diverse areas in Melbourne, Australia, who took part in an earlier randomised trial for sleep problems at age 7 months. At 6 years, they participated in a follow‐up assessment. Outcome: HbA1c collected by finger‐prick. Exposures (collected simultaneously): proxy measures of child stress including: (i) child mental health; (ii) maternal mental health (depression, anxiety, stress), negative life events in the preceding year, life stresses and coping; and (iii) family socioeconomic status and financial stress. Analyses: linear regressions, adjusted for original randomisation status and clustering.ResultsSixty percent (134/225) of children retained at 6 years provided HbA1c data, which ranged from 3.9%–5.8% (SD 0.3%). No child or family variable was associated with HbA1c. Of the maternal variables, only anxiety predicted HbA1c (adjusted difference per point increase: −0.01, 95% CI: −0.003 to 0.02, P = 0.01); this association was in the opposite direction to that hypothesised and clinically insignificant.ConclusionHbA1c was not associated with psychosocial stress in healthy 6‐year‐olds. This suggests that any link between HbA1c and psychosocial stress emerges after this age, and that HbA1c is unlikely to be a reliable biomarker for stress in early childhood or over the transition to school.
Insomnia as a risk factor for ill health: results from the large population‐based prospective HUNT Study in Norway
Authors: Sivertsen Børge , Lallukka Tea , Salo Paula , Pallesen Ståle , Hysing Mari , Krokstad Steinar , Øverland Simon 
Published: October 2013

SummaryInsomnia co‐occurs with many health problems, but less is known about the prospective associations. The aim of the current study was to investigate if insomnia predicts cumulative incidence of mental and physical conditions. Prospective population‐based data from the two last Nord‐Trøndelag Health Studies (HUNT2 in 1995–97 and HUNT3 in 2006–08), comprising 24 715 people in the working population, were used to study insomnia as a risk factor for incidence of physical and mental conditions. Insomnia was defined according to the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐IV). Insomnia at HUNT2 was a significant risk factor for incidence of a range of both mental and physical conditions at HUNT3 11 years later. Most effects were only slightly attenuated when adjusting for confounding factors, and insomnia remained a significant risk factor for the following conditions in the adjusted analyses: depression [odds ratio (OR): 2.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.91–2.98], anxiety (OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.63–2.64), fibromyalgia (OR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.51–2.79), rheumatoid arthritis (OR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.29–2.52), whiplash (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.21–2.41), arthrosis (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.43–1.98), osteoporosis (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.14–2.01, headache (OR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.16–1.95, asthma (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.16–1.86 and myocardial infarction (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.06–2.00). Insomnia was also associated significantly with incidence of angina, hypertension, obesity and stroke in the crude analyses, but not after adjusting for confounders. We conclude that insomnia predicts cumulative incidence of several physical and mental conditions. These results may have important clinical implications, and whether or not treatment of insomnia would have a preventive value for both physical and mental conditions should be studied further.
The more the better – polyandry and genetic similarity are positively linked to reproductive success in a natural population of terrestrial salamanders (Salamandra salamandra)
Authors: Caspers Barbara A. , Krause E. Tobias , Hendrix Ralf , Kopp Michael , Rupp Oliver , Rosentreter Katrin , Steinfartz Sebastian 
Published: October 2013

AbstractAlthough classically thought to be rare, female polyandry is widespread and may entail significant fitness benefits. If females store sperm over extended periods of time, the consequences of polyandry will depend on the pattern of sperm storage, and some of the potential benefits of polyandry can only be realized if sperm from different males is mixed. Our study aimed to determine patterns and consequences of polyandry in an amphibian species, the fire salamander, under fully natural conditions. Fire salamanders are ideal study objects, because mating, fertilization and larval deposition are temporally decoupled, females store sperm for several months, and larvae are deposited in the order of fertilization. Based on 18 microsatellite loci, we conducted paternity analysis of 24 female‐offspring arrays with, in total, over 600 larvae fertilized under complete natural conditions. More than one‐third of females were polyandrous and up to four males were found as sires. Our data clearly show that sperm from multiple males is mixed in the female's spermatheca. Nevertheless, paternity is biased, and the most successful male sires on average 70% of the larvae, suggesting a ‘topping off’ mechanism with first‐male precedence. Female reproductive success increased with the number of sires, most probably because multiple mating ensured high fertilization success. In contrast, offspring number was unaffected by female condition and genetic characteristics, but surprisingly, it increased with the degree of genetic relatedness between females and their sires. Sires of polyandrous females tended to be genetically similar to each other, indicating a role for active female choice.
The Dynamic Changes of Capillary Permeability and Upregulation of VEGF in Rats Following Radiation‐Induced Brain Injury
Authors: Jin Xuelong , Liang Bin , Chen Zequn , Liu Xingju , Zhang Zhiwen 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the dynamic changes of capillary permeability and the expression of VEGF in cerebral cortex after RIBI.MethodsMale SD rats were randomly divided into the RIBI group and control group, and the RIBI group was randomly subdivided into five groups for analysis on day 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28, respectively. We established an RIBI model, and then evaluated BBB permeability by EB. We also measured the expression of VEGF with IHC stain and western blot.ResultsEB extravasation in injured cortex of RIBI group was increased at five time points compared with the control group. The western blot results and IHC revealed that the levels of VEGF expression in the RIBI groups was significantly increased at day 1 compared with the control group, then rose to a maximum at day 7, and subsequently the levels of expression recovered from day 14 to 28.ConclusionsThe increases in both BBB permeability and VEGF expression in the brain cortex of RIBI groups at same time period confirmed the possibility of brain injury following irradiation of 6 Gy.
The widespread crucifer species Cardamine flexuosa is an allotetraploid with a conserved subgenomic structure
Authors: Mandáková Terezie , Marhold Karol , Lysak Martin A. 
Published: October 2013

Summary

The origin of Cardamine flexuosa (Wavy Bittercress) has been a conundrum for more than six decades. Here we identify its parental species, analyse its genome structure in comparison to parental genomes and describe intergenomic structural variations in C. flexuosa.

Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) and comparative chromosome painting (CCP) uncovered the parental genomes and the chromosome composition of C. flexuosa and its presumed diploid progenitors.

Cardamine flexuosa is an allotetraploid (2n = 4x = 32), originating from two diploid species, Cardamine amara and Cardamine hirsuta (2n = 2x = 16). The two parental species display almost perfectly conserved chromosomal collinearity for seven out of the eight chromosomes. A 13 Mb pericentric inversion distinguishes chromosome CA1 from CH1.

A comparative cytomolecular map was established for C. flexuosa by CCP/GISH. Whereas conserved chromosome collinearity between the C. amara and C. hirsuta subgenomes might have promoted intergenomic rearrangements through homeologous recombination, only one reciprocal translocation between two homeologues has occurred since the origin of C. flexuosa. The genome of C. flexuosa demonstrates that allopolyploids can maintain remarkably stable subgenomes over 104–105 yr throughout a wide distribution range. By contrast, the rRNA genes underwent genome‐specific elimination towards a diploid‐like number of loci.
Transferring Gracilaria irregularis (Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta) from Thailand to Gracilariopsis based on morphological and molecular analyses
Authors: Muangmai Narongrit , Yamagishi Yukimasa , Zuccarello Giuseppe C. , Chirapart Anong , Lewmanomont Khanjanapaj 
Published: October 2013

SummaryGracilaria irregularis, endemic to Thailand, was originally described from Ao Len, Trat peninsula, Thailand, and was characterized by a short, succulent thallus with irregular branching, verrucosa‐type spermatangia (a taxonomic criterion for Gracilaria) and the absence of nutritive filaments (a taxonomic criterion for Gracilariopsis). Due to the combination of characters diagnostic of both the genera Gracilaria and Gracilariopsis, the taxonomic status of this species is unclear. This present study reassesses the identity of G. irregularis based on morphological features and the large subunit of ribulose‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase gene sequences. Newly collected samples from the type locality and KU collection were investigated. Our morphological re‐examinations were relatively similar to the original type description, except that the male plants showed superficial chorda‐type spermatangia, an important characteristic recognized in Gracilariopsis. Molecular analysis placed G. irregularis in the Gracilariopsis clade, forming a well‐supported clade with Gracilariopsis bailiniae. Detailed morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses clearly showed that G. irregularis is congruous with the generic concept of Gracilariopsis, and consequently the new combination of Gracilariopsis irregularis is proposed. We believe that in the original description a heterogeneous holotype was used. Our data also shows the problems that can occur when collections are made of multiple plants, of similar external morphology, to describe new species.
Modelling Spatial Variability in Concentrations of Single Pollutants and Composite Air Quality Indicators in Health Effects Studies
Authors: Powell Helen , Lee Duncan 
Published: October 2013

SummaryThe health impact resulting from a few days of elevated air pollution concentrations has been the focus of much recent research, most of which assesses the effects of single pollutants rather than composite air quality indicators. The average concentrations of these pollutants across the study region are typically estimated by averaging the measurements from the available network of monitors, and this simplistic approach has several deficiencies. Firstly, it is unlikely to be the average concentration across the region under study, owing to the likely non-random placement of the monitoring network. Secondly, the true spatial average is an unknown quantity, and hence the uncertainty in any estimate should be allowed for when estimating its health effects. This paper proposes a novel Bayesian hierarchical framework for addressing these problems, which consists of statistical models for estimating spatially representative measures of single pollutants and composite air quality indicators, and the health effects of these pollution measures while correctly allowing for their uncertainty. This methodological development is motivated by an epidemiological study of the effects of air pollution on respiratory mortality in Greater London, England, between 2003 and 2005. The key findings from this study are that traditional approaches are likely to underestimate the uncertainty in the health effects of air pollution compared with the approach proposed here and increased risks of between 1.4% and 3.1% are associated with 1-standard-deviation increases in the concentrations of ozone, particulate matter (PM10) and the composite air quality indicator that is adopted here.