bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Benefits of cetalkonium chloride cationic oil-in-water nanoemulsions for topical ophthalmic drug delivery
Authors: Daull Philippe , Lallemand Frédéric , Garrigue Jean-Sébastien 
Published: May 2013

Abstract

Objectives
Topical ocular administration is the most convenient route of administration of drugs for the treatment of eye diseases. However, the bioavailability of drugs following eye instillations of eye drops is very low. Over the past 20 years, extensive efforts have been put into research to improve drug bioavailability without compromising treatment compliance and patients' quality of life.

Key findings
One of the most efficient ways to improve drug bioavailability is to increase the precorneal residence time of the eye drop formulations. As a result, new eye drops, with bioadhesive properties, have been developed based on the cationic oil-in-water (o/w) nanoemulsion technology. These low viscosity eye drop nanoemulsions have improved precorneal residence time through the electrostatic interactions between the positively charged oil nanodroplets and the negatively charged ocular surface epithelium.

Summary
This review is the first to present the benefits of this new strategy used to improve ocular drug bioavailability. The roles of the cationic agent in the stabilization of a safe cationic o/w nanoemulsion have been discussed, as well as the unexpected benefits of the cationic o/w nanoemulsion for the protection and restoration of a healthy tear film and corneal epithelium.
Characterization of a novel collagen‐like protein TrpA in the cyanobacterium Trichodesmium erythraeum IMS101
Authors: Price Simara , Anandan Shivanthi 
Published: May 2013

The collagen protein family is diverse and its membership is continually expanding as new collagen‐like molecules are identified. Identification of collagen in unicellular eukaryotes and prokaryotes has opened discussion on the function of these collagens and their role in the emergence of multicellularity. The previous identification of a collagen gene in Trichodesmium erythraeum raises the question of function of this structural protein in a prokaryote. In this study, we show that this gene is expressed during all phases of growth, indicating that it may be required for all phases of growth. Using immunofluorescence techniques, we demonstrate that the collagen‐like protein is localized in a specific manner between adjacent cells along the trichome of T. erythraeum. Trichomes treated with the enzyme collagenase exhibited fragmentation, supporting our immunofluorescence localization data that this collagen‐like protein is found between adjacent cells. Our data strongly suggest that the collagen‐like protein found in T. erythraeum functions to maintain the structural integrity of the trichome through the adhesion of adjacent cells.
Valuable antiviral therapeutic options for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with thrombocytopenia
Authors: Ogawa E. , Furusyo N. , Murata M. , Ikezaki H. , Ihara T. , Hayashi T. , Toyoda K. , Okada K. , Kainuma M. , Kajiwara E. , Takahashi K. , Satoh T. , Hayashi J. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThrombocytopenia in patients with chronic hepatitis C may represent an obstacle for the initiation of antiviral treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors predictive of successful pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) α2b and ribavirin (RBV) treatment for patients with thrombocytopenia with no history of splenectomy or partial splenic embolization. One hundred and fifty‐one chronic hepatitis C patients (genotype 1: n = 110, genotype 2: n = 41) with TCP (<100 × 109/L) at baseline were enrolled. Pretreatment variables included interleukin 28B (IL28B) genotype (rs8099917) and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance score (HOMA‐IR). The kinetics of haemoglobin and platelets according to the inosine triphosphatase (ITPA) genotype (rs1127354) were investigated. Sustained virological response (SVR) was significantly more frequent in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 (65.9%) than in genotype 1 (34.5%) patients (P < 0.0001). Multiple logistic regression analysis of HCV genotype 1 extracted IL28B TT genotype [odds ratio (OR) 5.97, P = 0.006] and HOMA‐IR <2.5 (OR 7.14, P = 0.0016) as significant independent pretreatment predictors of SVR. The analyses of HCV genotype 2 showed that HOMA‐IR was significantly related to SVR, but IL28B genotype was not. Patients with ITPA CC genotype showed a significant haemoglobin reduction and lower degree of platelets decrease than those with ITPA CA/AA genotypes. The most common reason for premature discontinuation of treatment was the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 8, 5.3%). In conclusion, HOMA‐IR is a useful predictor of SVR for patients with thrombocytopenia infected with HCV genotype 1 or 2 treated with PEG‐IFNα2b and RBV. The inclusion of IL28B, ITPA genotypes and HOMA‐IR adds valuable therapeutic information.
Recognising fuzzy vegetation pattern: the spatial prediction of floristically defined fuzzy communities using species distribution modelling methods
Authors: Duff Thomas J. , Bell Tina L. , York Alan 
Published: May 2013

AbstractQuestionPlant communities are not necessarily spatially exclusive; a point in space can exhibit properties of multiple communities. Such variation can be described using floristically defined ‘fuzzy’ units, however these may not be easily delineated using standard remote sensing methods. Is there value in considering communities as fuzzy? Can species distribution modelling methods be used to represent fuzzy communities spatially?LocationWestern Victoria, Australia.MethodsFuzzy communities were objectively identified from vegetation census quadrats with a cluster analysis of ordinated species data. Boosted regression trees were used to create models that defined relationships between the sampled communities and environmental predictor variables. These were applied to the mapped predictors to create maps of estimated fuzzy community membership for the entire study area.ResultsFour separate fuzzy communities were identified from the sampled vegetation data. Models were created for each community and these were effectively used to generate maps of fuzzy community membership. Individual fuzzy community maps illustrated vegetation variation that could not be discerned on a discretely classified map.ConclusionsFuzzy communities were found to represent a greater proportion of species variation than discretely classified units. Species distribution modelling methods were effective in creating independent spatial maps of each floristically defined fuzzy community; however the interpretation of these maps is more complex than with a single discrete community map.
Bare Numerals and Scalar Implicatures
Authors: Spector Benjamin 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBare numerals present an interesting challenge to formal semantics and pragmatics: they seem to be compatible between various readings (‘at least’, ‘exactly’, and ‘at most’ readings), and the choice of a particular reading seems to depend on complex interactions between contextual factors and linguistic structure. The goal of this article is to present and discuss some of the current approaches to the interpretation of bare numerals in formal semantics and pragmatics. It discusses four approaches to the interpretation of bare numerals, which can be summarized as follows:In the neo‐Gricean view, the basic, literal meaning of numerals amounts to an ‘at least interpretation’, and the ‘exactly n’ reading results from a pragmatic enrichment of the literal reading, i.e. it is accounted for in terms of scalar implicatures.In the underspecification view, the interpretation of numerals is ‘underspecified’, with the result that they can freely receive the ‘at least’, ‘exactly’, or ‘at most’ reading, depending on which of these three construals is contextually the most relevant.In the ‘exactly’‐only view, the numerals' basic, literal meaning corresponds to the ‘exactly’ reading, and the ‘at least’ and ‘fewer than n’ readings result from the interaction of this literal meaning with background, non‐linguistic knowledge.In the ambiguity view, numerals are ambiguous between two readings, the ‘at least’ and ‘exactly’ readings.The article argues that in order to account for all the relevant data, one needs to adopt a certain version of the ambiguity view. But it suggests that numerals should not necessarily be thought of as being lexically ambiguous, but rather as giving rise to ambiguities through their interactions with so‐called exhaustivity operators. According to such a view, the ambiguities triggered by numerals are to be explained in terms of a non‐Gricean theory of scalar implicatures.
Target evaluation of the non‐coding csRNAs reveals a link of the two‐component regulatory system CiaRH to competence control in Streptococcus pneumoniae R6
Authors: Schnorpfeil Anke , Kranz Miriam , Kovács Martá , Kirsch Christian , Gartmann Julia , Brunner Ines , Bittmann Sabrina , Brückner Reinhold 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe two‐component regulatory system CiaRH of Streptococcus pneumoniae controls 25 genes, five of which specify homologous small non‐coding csRNAs (cia‐dependent small RNAs). The csRNAs were predicted to act regulatory as base‐pairing sRNAs, but their targets have not been identified. By csRNA gene inactivations we established that the major phenotypes associated with a hyperactive CiaRH system, enhanced β‐lactam resistance and prevention of genetic competence, are dependent on the csRNAs. Computational target predictions and evaluations by translational fusions identified six genes to be under csRNA control: spr0081, spr0371, spr0159, spr0551, spr1097 and spr2043(comC). Measuring the effect of single csRNAs on three targets indicated that they acted additively. One of the targets, comC(spr2043), encoding the precursor of the competence stimulating pheromone CSP, constitutes a link of CiaRH to competence control. Partially disrupting predicted csRNA‐comC complementarity led to strongly diminished repression by the csRNAs and to transformability in a strain with a hyperactive CiaRH. Thus, a hyperactive CiaRH system prevents competence development by csRNA‐dependent post‐transcriptional repression of CSP production. The csRNAs are also involved in competence regulation in the wild‐type strain R6, but their activity is only apparent in the absence of the protease gene htrA, another CiaRH regulon member.
Random and site‐specific mutagenesis of the Helicobacter pylori ferric uptake regulator provides insight into Fur structure–function relationships
Authors: Gilbreath Jeremy J. , Pich Oscar Q. , Benoit Stéphane L. , Besold Angelique N. , Cha Jeong‐Heon , Maier Robert J. , Michel Sarah L. J. , Maynard Ernest L. , Merrell D. Scott 
Published: May 2013

SummaryThe ferric uptake regulator (Fur) of Helicobacter pylori is a global regulator that is important for colonization and survival within the gastric mucosa. H. pylori Fur is unique in its ability to activate and repress gene expression in both the iron‐bound (Fe‐Fur) and apo forms (apo‐Fur). In the current study we combined random and site‐specific mutagenesis to identify amino acid residues important for both Fe‐Fur and apo‐Fur function. We identified 25 mutations that affected Fe‐Fur repression and 23 mutations that affected apo‐Fur repression, as determined by transcriptional analyses of the Fe‐Fur target gene amiE, and the apo‐Fur target gene, pfr. In addition, eight of these mutations also significantly affected levels of Fur in the cell. Based on regulatory phenotypes, we selected several representative mutations to characterize further. Of those selected, we purified the wild‐type (HpFurWT) and three mutant Fur proteins (HpFurE5A, HpFurA92T and HpFurH134Y), which represent mutations in the N‐terminal extension, the regulatory metal binding site (S2) and the structural metal binding site (S3) respectively. Purified proteins were evaluated for secondary structure by circular dichroism spectroscopy, iron‐binding by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, oligomerization in manganese‐substituted and apo conditions by in vitro cross‐linking assays, and DNA binding to Fe‐Fur and apo‐Fur target sequences by fluorescence anisotropy. The results showed that the N‐terminal, S2 and S3 regions play distinct roles in terms of Fur structure–function relationships. Overall, these studies provide novel information regarding the role of these residues in Fur function, and provide mechanistic insight into how H. pylori Fur regulates gene expression in both the iron‐bound and apo forms of the protein.
A study of pathophysiological factors associated with gastro‐esophageal reflux disease in twins discordant for gastro‐esophageal reflux symptoms
Authors: Iovino P. , Mohammed I. , Anggiansah A. , Anggiansah R. , Cherkas L. F. , Spector T. D. , Trudgill N. J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundDifferences in lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and peristaltic function and in transient LES relaxations (TLESR) have been described in patients with gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, some of these differences may be the result of chronic GERD rather than being an underlying contributory factor.MethodsTwins discordant for GERD symptoms, i.e., only one twin had GERD symptoms, underwent standard LES and esophageal body manometry, and then using a sleeve sensor prolonged LES and pH monitoring, 30 min before and 60 min after a 250 mL 1200 kcal lipid meal.Key ResultsEight monozygotic and 24 dizygotic female twins were studied. Although there was no difference in preprandial LES pressure (symptomatic 13.2 ± 7.1 mmHg vs asymptomatic 15.1 ± 6.2 mmHg, P = 0.4), LES pressure fell further postprandially in symptomatic twins (LES pressure area under the curve 465 ± 126 vs 331 ± 141 mmHg h, P < 0.01). 12/37 (32%) of acid reflux episodes in symptomatic twins occurred due to low LES pressure or deep inspiration/strain and 0/17 in asymptomatic twins (P = 0.01). There was no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic twins in: peristaltic amplitude, ineffective esophageal body motility, hiatus hernia prevalence, or LES length. There was also no difference in TLESR frequency preprandially (symptomatic median 1(range 0–2) vs asymptomatic 0(0–2), P = 0.08) or postprandially (2.5(1–8) vs 3(1–6), P = 0.81).Conclusions & InferencesTwins with GERD symptoms had lower postprandial LES pressure and given the close genetic link between the twins, it is possible that such differences are caused by GERD. Acid reflux episodes associated with a hypotensive LES were seen in symptomatic, but not in asymptomatic twins.
Abdominal pain localization is associated with non‐diarrheic Rome III functional gastrointestinal disorders
Authors: Bouchoucha M. , Fysekidis M. , Devroede G. , Raynaud J. ‐J. , Bejou B. , Benamouzig R. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundAbdominal pain is common in patients with functional bowel disorders (FBDs). The aim of this study was to characterize the predominant sites of abdominal pain associated with FBD subtypes, as defined by the Rome III criteria.MethodsA total of 584 consecutive patients attending FBD consultations in a tertiary center participated in the study. Stool form, abdominal pain location (nine abdominal segments), and pain intensity (10‐point Likert scale) during the previous week were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to characterize the association of abdominal pain sites with specific FBD subtypes.Key ResultsFBDs were associated with predominant pain sites. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation was associated with pain in the left flank and patients were less likely to report pain in the right hypochondrium. Patients with functional constipation reported pain in the right hypochondrium and were less likely to report pain in the left flank and left iliac site. IBS with alternating constipation and diarrhea was associated with pain in the right flank, and unsubtyped IBS with pain in the hypogastrium Patients with functional abdominal pain syndrome reported the lower right flank as predominant pain site. Patients with unspecified FBDs were least likely to report pain in the hypogastrium.Patients with functional diarrhea, IBS with diarrhea, or functional bloating did not report specific pain sites.Conclusions & InferencesThe results from this study provide the basis for developing new criteria allowing for the identification of homogeneous groups of patients with non‐diarrheic FBDs based on characteristic sites of pain.
Stress and antibiotics alter luminal and wall‐adhered microbiota and enhance the local expression of visceral sensory‐related systems in mice
Authors: Aguilera M. , Vergara P. , Martínez V. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundStress leads to altered gastrointestinal neuro‐immune responses. We characterized the interaction between stress and gut commensal microbiota and their role modulating colonic responses to stress, the induction of inflammation, the expression of sensory‐related markers, and visceral sensitivity.MethodsC57BL/6N female mice were treated (7 days, PO) with non‐absorbable‐broad spectrum antibiotics (bacitracin/neomycin, 0.4 mg per mouse per day). Simultaneously, mice were subjected to a 1 h per day (7 days) session of psychological stress (water avoidance stress, WAS). Luminal and wall‐adhered microbiota were characterized by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1/2), tryptophan hydroxylase 1 and 2 (TPH1/2), and inflammatory markers were quantified by reverse transcription–quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐qPCR) and secretory‐IgA (s‐IgA) by ELISA. Visceral sensitivity was assessed after the intracolonic administration of capsaicin.Key ResultsAntibiotics did not affect the defecatory and endocrine responses to stress. However, antibiotics diminished by 2.5‐folds total bacterial counts, induced a specific dysbiosis and favored bacterial wall adherence. Combining antibiotics and stress resulted in further reductions in bacterial counts and a dysbiosis, with enhanced bacterial wall adherence. Luminal s‐IgA levels increased in dysbiotic mice. Nevertheless, no alterations consistent with the induction of colonic inflammation were observed. Dysbiosis upregulated CB2 expression and stress upregulated CB2 and TPH1 expression. Stress enhanced visceral pain‐related responses, an effect prevented by antibiotic treatment.Conclusions & InferencesManipulations of the commensal microbiota and the interaction host–microbiota are able to modulate the local expression of neuro–immune–endocrine systems within the colon, leading to a modulation of visceral sensitivity. These mechanisms might contribute to the pathogenic and protective roles of microbiota in gastrointestinal homeostasis.
Lateral magnification matrix from the dioptric power matrix formalism in the paraxial case
Authors: Espinós Miguel , Micó Vicente 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have highlighted that power matrices fully characterize the concept of dioptric power of any astigmatic surface. Thus, the basic equations in physiological optics can be generalized using the matrix formalism of the dioptric power. Among others, lateral magnification has also been interpreted as a matrix but mainly concerning magnification modification induced by spectacle correction of refractive error.PurposeTo provide a fresh look into a novel paraxial formulation for the assessment of the lateral magnification using power matrices and in presence of astigmatism for thin and thick imaging systems in general.MethodsLinear optics provides the frame to generalize into a matrix the lateral magnification concept. Using the power matrix formalism, a lateral magnification matrix is derived in virtue of the dioptric power matrix and the object's reduced axial object distance for the paraxial case. In addition, two different degrees of approximation (thin lens and distant object approximations) are analyzed to further simplify the calculations.ResultsA general formulation of the lateral magnification matrix is obtained and validated by numerical examples showing its applicability to different examples in geometrical and physiological optics. As particular case of interest, the degree of asymmetry of the lateral magnification matrix has been derived from the degree of asymmetry of the dioptric power matrix when dealing with obliquely crossed astigmatic thick lenses.ConclusionsThe new formulation is applicable under paraxial approximation and is useful for arbitrary thin and thick imaging systems in any media of homogeneous index of refraction (air and others) and including obliquely crossed astigmatic surfaces. The proposed formulation also yields in a novel interpretation of the lateral magnification matrix concept.
A Dispositional Theory of Love
Authors: Naar Hichem 
Published: May 2013

AbstractOn a naive reading of the major accounts of love, love is a kind of mental event. A recent trend in the philosophical literature on love is to reject these accounts on the basis that they do not do justice to the historical dimension of love, as love essentially involves a distinctive kind of temporally extended pattern. Although the historicist account has advantages over the positions that it opposes, its appeal to the notion of a pattern is problematic. I will argue that an account of love as disposition, suitably construed, is superior to the historicist account in that it has the advantages the historicist account has without its problems. In addition, the dispositional account has advantages of its own.
Left ventricular assist device to avoid heart–lung transplant in an adolescent with dilated cardiomyopathy and severely elevated pulmonary vascular resistance
Authors: Yilmaz Betul , Zuckerman Warren A. , Lee Teresa M. , Beddows Kimberly D. , Gilmore Lisa A. , Singh Rakesh K. , Richmond Marc E. , Chen Jonathan M. , Addonizio Linda J. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractOrthotopic heart transplantation remains the definitive treatment of choice for patients with end‐stage heart failure; however, elevated PVRI is a reported risk factor for mortality after heart transplant and, when severely elevated, is considered an absolute contraindication. Use of a ventricular assist device has been proposed as one treatment for reducing pulmonary vascular resistance index in potential heart transplant candidates refractory to medical vasodilator therapies. We report on a teenage patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and severely elevated PVRI, unresponsive to pulmonary vasodilator therapy, who underwent left ventricular assist device implantation to safely allow for aggressive pulmonary vasodilator therapy and to decrease PVRI. The resulting dramatic improvement in PVRI in a relatively short period of time allowed for successful heart transplantation, avoiding the need for heart–lung transplant.