bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Roles of Knowledge Ascriptions in Epistemic Assessment
Authors: Gerken Mikkel 
Published: April 2013

AbstractKnowledge norms of action are sometimes said to be motivated by the fact that they align with natural assessments of action in ordinary language. Competent and rational speakers normally use ‘knowledge’ and its cognates when they assess action. In contrast, competing accounts in terms of evidence, warrant or reliability do not straightforwardly align with ordinary language assessments of action. In response to this line of reasoning, I argue that a warrant account of action may explain the prominence of ‘knowledge’ in epistemic assessments better than the knowledge account. If this explanation is successful, it undermines a central rationale for the ‘knowledge first’ program in epistemology. Moreover, the explanation provides an insight into the social functions of knowledge ascriptions as well as a methodological lesson about the relationship between folk epistemology and epistemological theorizing.
Wing dimorphism in the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria: differentiation of wing morph and phase polyphenism
Authors: Nishide Yudai , Tanaka Seiji 
Published: April 2013

AbstractA short‐winged morph was recently discovered in the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria. It is different from the normal, long‐winged morph not only in forewing length but also in hind femur length, displaying a dimorphism. To understand the significance of this dimorphism, other morphological characters were compared between the two morphs, and the time of differentiation of wing‐pad length was investigated. Wing weights were heavier in the long‐winged morph than in the short‐winged morph. This result showed that the short‐winged morph is not formed by a failure of wing expansion. No obvious morph‐specific differences were observed in wing venation, but wing allometry studies indicated that the distal areas of the fore‐ and hindwings were disproportionally reduced in the short‐winged morph compared to the long‐winged morph. The morphological differentiation of the wing pad between the two morphs was observed at the penultimate nymphal stage. The flight muscle was well developed in the two morphs, and no sign of flight muscle histolysis was detected in either morph after adult emergence. An analysis of adult body dimensions suggested that the density‐dependent phase shifts known for the long‐winged morph of this locust were also exhibited by the short‐winged morph, demonstrating that these shifts are not specific to the migratory long‐winged morph.
Multimodal therapy including electroacupuncture for the treatment of facial nerve paralysis in a horse
Authors: de Fourmestraux C. , Tessier C. , Touzot‐Jourde G. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryThis Case Report describes a 5‐year‐old Standardbred gelding that was referred to the Equine Hospital of ONIRIS Veterinary School of Nantes, France for a surgical procedure under general anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained intravenously and the horse was placed in left lateral recumbency with a padded halter. On post operative Day 1, a post anaesthetic distal facial nerve branch paresis was diagnosed based on clinical signs. The horse was discharged on post operative Day 2 with medical treatment based on anti‐inflammatory drug administration locally and systemically. The horse was re‐examined 2 weeks after the surgery; the left partial facial paralysis was still present and associated with amyotrophy of the muscles supplied by the buccal branches of the facial nerve. In accordance with the owner, the horse was hospitalised to start an electrostimulation treatment. The horse was treated every day for the first 4 days, then every 2 or 3 days during the following 3 weeks, for a total of 11 sessions. At the end of the second week of treatment, the horse was able to normally prehend the food and atrophy seemed reduced. The horse was discharged from hospitalisation at the end of the third week of treatment with specific recommendations. One month after discharge from the hospital just a slight asymmetry could be noticed at rest. Six months later, the training season began and the horse was able to perform. Facial paralysis due to nerve compression is a well‐known complication of anaesthesia. Gradual recovery of function over the weeks of treatment suggests that electroacupuncture may promote recovery and may hasten time of recovery.
Sp1 and c‐Myc regulate transcription of BMI1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Wang Hong‐Bo , Liu Gui‐Hong , Zhang Hua , Xing Shan , Hu Li‐Juan , Zhao Wei‐Feng , Xie Bo , Li Man‐Zhi , Zeng Bo‐Hang , Li Yingqiu , Zeng Mu‐Sheng 
Published: April 2013

B‐lymphoma mouse Moloney leukemia virus insertion region 1 (Bmi1), a member of the polycomb group, has elevated expression and is involved in the pathogenesis of various aggressive cancers, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). To date, the mechanisms underlying the high expression of Bmi1 in NPC remain obscure. To gain new insights into the transcriptional regulation of BMI1, we cloned and characterized the promoter region of BMI1. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that the region from −783 to +375 showed significant promoter activity. With the use of a series of 5′‐deletion and 3′‐deletion promoter constructs in luciferase reporter assays, the +167/+232 and −536/−134 regions were found to be sufficient for full promoter activity. Transcriptional activity of the BMI1 promoter was dependent on the Sp1 binding site cluster (+181/+214) as well as the E‐box elements (−181), and was abolished after mutation of the two cis‐elements. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that Sp1 bound to the region from +181 to +214 within the BMI1 promoter. In addition, gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function analyses revealed that Sp1 augmented Bmi1 expression. Further investigations using immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT‐PCR disclosed a significant positive correlation between the expression of Sp1 and Bmi1 in normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, NPC cells, and NPC tissue specimens. In addition, Myc, the known transcription factor for BMI1 in neuroblastomas, also activated the transcription of BMI1 through binding to the E‐box element (−181) within its promoter, and showed a positive correlation with the mRNA level of BMI1 in NPC. In conclusion, these findings provide valuable mechanistic insights into the role of Sp1 and c‐Myc in BMI1 transcription in NPC, and suggest that targeting of Sp1 or c‐Myc may be a potential therapeutic strategy for NPC.
Comparison of fermentation quality and ruminal degradability between two different harvest timings of forage soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) ensiled with the corn‐silage system
Authors: Kawamoto Hidenori , Touno Eiko , Uchino Hiroshi , Uozumi Sunao 
Published: April 2013

AbstractWe evaluated soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Ryuho) silage that was harvested at two growth stages by the direct cutting system used for corn‐silage production. R6 (full‐size green beans) and R7 (pods and 50% of leaves yellowed) growth stages of grain‐type soybean were compared after being harvested with a corn harvester and ensiled with a round baler for chopped material. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber contents were higher for R7 silage than for R6 silage. The silage of both stages exhibited lactic‐acid dominant fermentation, with no significant difference in ruminal effective DM degradability. R6 silage had higher volatile basic nitrogen in total nitrogen (P < 0.01) and a higher ruminal soluble CP fraction (P < 0.01) than R7 silage. In conclusion, although well‐preserved silage was obtained from harvesting soybean at both R6 and R7 stages using the direct cutting system, R7 stage harvesting appeared to result in better conservation of protein quality.
The Role of ExbD in Periplasmic pH Homeostasis in Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Marcus Elizabeth A. , Sachs George , Scott David R. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundHelicobacter pylori, a neutralophile, colonizes the acidic environment of the human stomach by employing acid acclimation mechanisms that regulate periplasmic and cytoplasmic pH. The regulation of urease activity is central to acid acclimation. Inactive urease apoenzyme, UreA/B, requires nickel for activation. Accessory proteins UreE, F, G, and H are required for nickel insertion into apoenzyme. The ExbB/ExbD/TonB complex transfers energy from the inner to outer membrane, providing the driving force for nickel uptake. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the contribution of ExbD to pH homeostasis.Materials and MethodsA nonpolar exbD knockout was constructed and survival, growth, urease activity, and membrane potential were determined in comparison with wildtype.ResultsSurvival of the ΔexbD strain was significantly reduced at pH 3.0. Urease activity as a function of pH and UreI activation was similar to the wildtype strain, showing normal function of the proton‐gated urea channel, UreI. The increase in total urease activity over time in acid seen in the wildtype strain was abolished in the ΔexbD strain, but recovered in the presence of supraphysiologic nickel concentrations, demonstrating that the effect of the ΔexbD mutant is due to loss of a necessary constant supply of nickel. In acid, ΔexbD also decreased its ability to maintain membrane potential and periplasmic buffering in the presence of urea.ConclusionsExbD is essential for maintenance of periplasmic buffering and membrane potential by transferring energy required for nickel uptake, making it a potential nonantibiotic target for H. pylori eradication.
Serum transferrin as a predictor of prognosis for hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zaitsu Junichi , Yamasaki Takahiro , Saeki Issei , Harima Yohei , Iwamoto Takuya , Harima Yumiko , Matsumoto Toshihiko , Urata Yohei , Hidaka Isao , Marumoto Yoshio , Ishikawa Tsuyoshi , Takami Taro , Yamamoto Naoki , Kaino Seiji , Uchida Koichi , Terai Shuji , Sakaida Isao 
Published: April 2013

AimWe recently reported that the iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) is efficacious in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Iron regulation may thus have an important impact in HCC therapy. Because transferrin is a native chelator that regulates iron homeostasis, it may act as an anticancer agent in a similar manner as DFO. The objective of this study was to evaluate serum transferrin as a prognostic predictor in advanced HCC patients undergoing hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC).MethodsWe retrospectively studied 44 patients receiving HAIC and analyzed various parameters for their possible use as prognostic predictors.ResultsThe 1‐, 2‐ and 3‐year cumulative survival rates were 36.4%, 18.2% and 8.5%, respectively, and the median survival time (MST) was 7.0 months. The survival rates of patients who had serum transferrin of 190 mg/dL or more (MST, 12.0 months) were significantly better than those of patients who had serum transferrin of less than 190 mg/dL (MST, 4.9 months). Multivariate analysis identified serum transferrin of 190 mg/dL or more (hazard ratio [HR], 0.282; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.132–0.603; P = 0.001) and Child–Pugh score B (HR, 1.956; 95% CI, 1.034–3.700; P = 0.039) as independent prognostic predictors. There was a significant correlation between serum transferrin level and therapeutic effect (P < 0.001).ConclusionSerum transferrin could be useful as a prognostic predictor in advanced HCC patients before HAIC treatment.
Carvedilol improves ethanol‐induced liver injury via modifying the interaction between oxidative stress and sympathetic hyperactivity in rats
Authors: Hakucho Ayako , Liu Jinyao , Liu Xu , Fujimiya Tatsuya 
Published: April 2013

AimOxidative stress is a major pathway mediating ethanol hepatotoxicity and liver injury. We previously found that carvedilol, which can block the sympathetic nervous system via β1‐, β2‐ and α1‐adrenoreceptors, modifies ethanol‐induced production of lipogenesis‐ and fibrogenesis‐related mediators from hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In the present study, we assessed the effects of carvedilol on ethanol‐induced liver injury, hepatic insulin resistance, and the interaction between oxidative stress and sympathetic hyperactivity in rats with alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD).MethodsMale Wistar rats were pair‐fed for 49 days and divided into four groups: control and ethanol liquid‐diet‐fed rats with and without 7‐day carvedilol treatment. Rats' sympathetic activity, hepatic oxidative stress, hepatic insulin resistance and liver injury were evaluated based on biochemical analysis, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, fluorescence immunohistochemistry, western blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.ResultsForty‐nine days of ethanol consumption induced the increases in circulating noradrenaline metabolite (3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol), hepatic noradrenaline and 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG) levels, the downregulation of hepatic insulin receptor substrate‐1 gene expression, and the accumulation of fatty droplets within hepatocytes with the increased hepatic triglyceride and blood alanine aminotransferase levels. All of these changes were modified by carvedilol treatment. 8‐OHdG was detected in activated HSC and suppressed by carvedilol treatment based on fluorescence immunohistochemical double‐staining analysis.ConclusionCarvedilol may modify the interaction between the oxidative stress and the sympathetic hyperactivity, and then contribute to attenuating the development of AFLD in rats. Additionally, oxidative stress may be responsible for the activation of HSC during the early stage of alcoholic liver disease.
Improving the standard of lymph node retrieval after gastric cancer surgery
Authors: Hanna George B , Amygdalos Iakovos , Ni Melody , Boshier Piers R , Mikhail Sameh , Lloyd Josephine , Goldin Robert 
Published: April 2013

AimsTo examine factors that influence lymph node count and to study the relationship between nodal size and metastatic involvement in gastric cancer.Methods and resultsObservational study comparing lymph node retrieval by manual nodal dissection (MND) and systematic fat blocking (SFB) from 114 gastrectomy specimens. The influence of lymph node retrieval method, patient characteristics, oncological factors and surgical approach on lymph node count were examined using regression models. The risk‐adjusted cumulative sum chart method was also used to analyse lymph node count. The lymph node count increased during the course of this study (P < 0.005). Both pathologist and lymph node retrieval method were independent predictors for lymph node count. MND yielded lower lymph node counts than SFB (58 versus 66, P < 0.05). The pathologist influenced lymph node retrieval by MND (R2: 0.297–0.518, P < 0.0001), but not SFB (R2: 0.340–0.344, P > 0.05). The percentage of positive lymph nodes below 5 mm was 24.2% and 44.1% for MND and SFB, respectively, resulting in cancer upstaging (P = 0.037).ConclusionsSystematic fat blocking is associated with a higher total and positive lymph node yield compared to MND and is independent of the pathologist. Ignoring small lymph nodes can be a major cause for missing positive nodes, leading in turn to cancer down‐staging.
Farmland versus forest: comparing changes in Odonata species composition in western and eastern Sweden
Authors: Koch Kamilla , Wagner Christine , Sahlén Göran 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDespite the loss of natural ecosystems in the developed world during the past millennia, anthropogenic landscapes still sustain much biodiversity. Our question was, whether ten year changes in regional Odonata faunas are comparable between farmland and forested areas, or if the species pool of farmland areas respond in other ways than that of forest.We used data of dragonfly larvae collected from 16 lakes in a farmland area in south‐western Sweden in the years 2002 and 2011/12, and compared these to data from 34 lakes in a forest area in south‐eastern Sweden in the years 1996 and 2006.The species‐richness in the agricultural region increased by 17% but decreased by 13% in the forested region. The changes in occurrence and regional distribution were similar in both areas, affecting 71% and 69% of the species pool. Average extinction rates were comparable between the agricultural and the forested region (38% and 43%) while colonisation rates differed greatly (64% and 114%).The species composition differed between the regions; the forest lakes harboured a 29% larger species pool. It is possible that in the forested region, the regional species pool in areas surrounding the study sites could stabilise the extinction and have a positive effect on changes in species composition. We assume that the different habitat structures of the waters in the agricultural and the forest regions and changes in temperature are the main driving forces behind the shifts. The mean seasonal air temperature has increased by circa 0.5 °C in both regions, when comparing ten‐year periods before each sampling year.
Evaluation of ICSH schistocyte measurement guidelines in France
Authors: Lesesve J.‐F. , El Adssi H. , Watine J. , Oosterhuis W. , Régnier F. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryIntroductionThe schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells mainly observed in the setting of hemolytic anemias where they remain an important criterion for the diagnosis. As the identification of these cells is still problematic, the International Council for Standardization in Hematology (ICSH) set up a consensus report in November, 2011. The French Group of Cellular Hematology (GFHC) aimed to collect the opinion of French biologists directly confronted to schistocytes measurements, about these guidelines.MethodsAmong the 578 professionals, 169 (29%) answered to the 10 questions dealing with the identification and measurements of schistocytes as proposed by the ICSH.ResultsA consensus was reached for the urgent need of such guidelines documents, especially in the current background of the European accreditation EN ISO 15189 rules. A traduction in native (French) language was warmly wished in order to facilitate the diffusion of the information. The pathologic threshold for the diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathic anemia (TMA) (>1%) remained questionable. For half of the biologists, the new fragmented red blood cell (FRC) parameter recently provided by two manufacturers of automated blood cell counters was still doubtfull for routine use.ConclusionThis survey assessed the impact of international ‘guidelines’ on the French biological community. The will to implement validated recommendations was strong, reflecting the awareness of the biologists to standardize the laboratory investigations.
Posterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver: A clinical test to diagnose intrinsic sphincter deficiency in women suffering from genuine urinary stress incontinence
Authors: Thubert Thibault , Deffieux Xavier , Jousse Marylène , Guinet‐Lacoste Amandine , Ismael Samer Sheikh , Amarenco Gerard 
Published: April 2013

ObjectivesTo assess the predictive value of a simple clinical test (posterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver) in the diagnosis of intrinsic sphincter deficiency.MethodsThe present prospective study included 62 women suffering from stress urinary incontinence. Every patient underwent a urogynecological examination including multichannel urodynamic testing (cystometry, urethral pressure profile, Valsalva Leak Point Pressure measurement) and a clinical examination including posterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver. Posterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver was carried out with the bladder filled with 400 mL of saline in a supine position, and was obtained by means of a split speculum allowing gentle pull down traction of the posterior vaginal wall. Posterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver was considered as positive when a urine leak was observed during the manoeuvre. Intrinsic sphincter deficiency was urodynamically defined by maximum urethral closure pressure ≤20 cmH2O. Correlations between positive/negative posterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver and urodynamic intrinsic sphincter deficiency were calculated.ResultsThere was a statistical correlation between age and low maximum urethral closure pressure (P < 0.0001), and between low maximum urethral closure pressure and positive posterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver (P < 0.0001). Regarding the intrinsic sphincter deficiency diagnosis, the posterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver positive predictive value was 94.67% and the negative predictive value was 95.4%, with a specificity of 97.6% and sensitivity of 90%.ConclusionPosterior vaginal wall pull down maneuver is a reliable clinical test, easy to carry out, inexpensive and without significant risk. This test allows the diagnosis of intrinsic sphincter deficiency in women suffering from stress urinary incontinence, thus avoiding further invasive urodynamic testing (urethral pressure profile, Valsalva Leak Point Pressure measurement) in women with genuine stress urinary incontinence. Furthermore, it is helpful when choosing the type of sling procedure (retropubic vs transobturator) when a surgery is planned.
Transcriptional network of androgen receptor in prostate cancer progression
Authors: Takayama Ken‐ichi , Inoue Satoshi 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe androgen receptor belongs to the nuclear receptor superfamily and functions as a ligand‐dependent transcription factor. It binds to the androgen responsive element and recruits coregulatory factors to modulate gene transcription. In addition, the androgen receptor interacts with other transcription factors, such as forkhead box A1, and other oncogenic signaling pathway molecules that bind deoxyribonucleic acid and regulate transcription. Androgen receptor signaling plays an important role in the development of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cells proliferate in an androgen‐dependent manner, and androgen receptor blockade is effective in prostate cancer therapy. However, patients often progress to castration‐resistant prostate cancer with elevated androgen receptor expression and hypersensitivity to androgen. Recently, comprehensive analysis tools, such as complementary DNA microarray, chromatin immunoprecipitation‐on‐chip and chromatin immunoprecipitation‐sequence, have described the androgen‐mediated diverse transcriptional program and gene networks in prostate cancer. Furthermore, functional and clinical studies have shown that some of the androgen receptor‐regulated genes could be prognostic markers and potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of prostate cancer, particularly castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Thus, identifying androgen receptor downstream signaling events and investigating the regulation of androgen receptor activity is critical for understanding the mechanism of carcinogenesis and progression to castration‐resistant prostate cancer.