bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causes of vertical transmission of hepatitis B virus under the at‐risk prevention strategy in Japan
Authors: Torii Yuka , Kimura Hiroshi , Hayashi Kazuhiko , Suzuki Michio , Kawada Jun‐ichi , Kojima Seiji , Katano Yoshiaki , Goto Hidemi , Ito Yoshinori 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe number of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier babies has decreased markedly since the introduction in Japan of an “at‐risk” strategy for preventing HBV infection. However, elimination of HBV infection from our country appears difficult. To clarify the limitations of the at‐risk strategy for preventing vertical transmission of HBV, causes of vertical transmission in a single hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The following causes were presumed in 17 carrier pediatric cases: five patients had prenatal HBV infection, HBV infection during/after the immunization program was confirmed in five cases, two patients had prenatal infection or infection during the immunization program and three cases were caused by human error (by the patients' guardians). Because their mothers were HBV‐negative at screening and only developed acute hepatitis B in the perinatal period, another two cases (Cases 3 and 10) did not undergo immunization because they were not subjects of the at‐risk strategy. Sequence analyses in ten patients revealed genotype C (subgenotype, C2/Ce) in nine cases and genotype A (subgenotype, A2/Ae) in one case (Case 3). In Japan, HBV subgenotype Ae has recently been found more frequently among sexually active men with acute hepatitis. There are concerns that horizontal transmission of HBV from these men to their pregnant partners could increase. These data suggest clear limitations to the at‐risk strategy in Japan and the possibility that the increase in genotype A may influence vertical transmission of HBV.
Neutralization of bacterial endotoxins by frog antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Schadich Ermin , Mason Drusilla , Cole Anthony L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe ability of skin antimicrobial peptides of the southern bell frog, Litoria raniformis, to neutralize in vitro the endotoxin, proinflammatory lipopolysaccharide (LPS) complex, from two different gram‐negative bacterial pathogens, human pathogen Escherichia coli (0111:B4) and frog pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae, was investigated. The LPS neutralization activity of the natural mixture of skin antimicrobial peptides was measured using chromogenic Limulus amebocyte lysate assays. These skin antimicrobial peptides neutralized the LPSs from both pathogens at physiologically relevant concentrations (IC50 < 100 µg/mL) showing their potential for non‐specific LPS neutralization in vivo in the skin of infected frogs and for development of anti‐endotoxin agents.
Urbanization and wetland communities: applying metacommunity theory to understand the local and landscape effects
Authors: Johnson Pieter T. J. , Hoverman Jason T. , McKenzie Valerie J. , Blaustein Andrew R. , Richgels Katherine L. D. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryUrbanization is a growing threat to ecological communities and has become a leading cause of population extirpations in a wide range of taxa. Because the effects of urbanization are often multifaceted, identifying the pathways through which changes in communities occur has remained a persistent challenge.We draw upon metacommunity theory to evaluate competing explanations for the effects of urbanization, focusing on the relative importance of processes at local (e.g. abiotic and biotic characteristics) and regional (e.g. habitat connectivity and dispersal) scales. Over 4 years, we sampled 201 wetlands in theFrontRange region ofColorado, which is one of the most rapidly developing areas in theUSA.Wetlands embedded within urban areas exhibited significantly lower taxonomic richness and diversity compared to those in agricultural or grassland areas. Relative to grassland wetlands, urban wetlands supported a 60% lower richness of amphibians and aquatic reptiles and a 33% lower richness of aquatic insects, molluscs and crayfish. These patterns were associated with changes in biotic factors (introduced fishes and bullfrogs), abiotic factors (nutrients, conductivity and vegetation) and landscape characteristics (road density and surrounding wetland area).The use of an information‐theoretic approach and structural equation modelling suggested that the effects of urbanization on richness were mainly driven by changes in road density. Analyses of community composition indicated that discrete communities formed along the urban systems gradient, such that actively dispersing predators associated more negatively with urban system relative to herbivores with passive dispersal.Synthesis and applications. These results highlight the importance of considering both local and regional factors in addressing conservation‐related challenges and underscore the benefits of linking conceptual work on metacommunity theory with applied efforts to mitigate the effects of urbanization.
Hepcidin is a Potential Regulator of Iron Status in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Tsuchiya Ken , Nitta Kosaku 
Published: December 2012

AbstractHepcidin is a small defensin‐like peptide produced primarily by hepatocytes, but also by other cells, including macrophages. In addition to hepcidin's antimicrobial properties, it is the main regulator of iron metabolism and controls both the amount of dietary iron absorbed in the duodenum and the iron release by reticuloendothelial cells. Hepcidin expression is upregulated by a variety of stimuli, including inflammation and iron overload, and downregulated by anemia, hypoxia, and iron deficiency. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased serum hepcidin levels, and the increased levels may contribute to the development and severity of anemia and to resistance to erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents (ESAs). Elevated serum hepcidin levels contribute to the dysregulation of iron homeostasis in CKD patients. Although parenteral iron supplementation can bypass some of the iron‐blocking effects of hepcidin in CKD patients with anemia, and free iron and iron stores increase as a result, the anemia is only partially corrected, and the ESA dose requirements remain significantly higher than needed for physiological replacement. Treatment with agents that lower serum hepcidin levels or inhibit its actions may be an effective strategy for restoring normal iron homeostasis and improving anemia in CKD patients. The aim of this article was to review the regulation of hepcidin levels and the role of hepcidin in CKD‐related anemia, and to discuss hepcidin's potential as a clinical biomarker and several investigational treatments designed to lower serum hepcidin levels.
Barcoding Atlantic Canada's commonly encountered marine fishes
Authors: McCusker M. R. , Denti D. , Van Guelpen L. , Kenchington E. , Bentzen P. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractMarine fishes from the northwest Atlantic Ocean were analysed to determine whether barcoding was effective at identifying species. Our data included 177 species, 136 genera, 81 families and 28 orders. Overall, 88% of nominal species formed monophyletic clusters based on >500 bp of the CO1 region, and the average bootstrap value for these species was 98%. Although clearly effective, the percentage of species that were distinguishable with barcoding based on the criterion of reciprocal monophyletic clusters was slightly lower than has been documented in other studies of marine fishes. Eelpouts, sculpins and rocklings proved to be among the most challenging groups for barcoding, although we suspect that difficult identifications based on traditional (morphology based) taxonomy played a role. Within several taxa, speciation may have occurred too recently for barcoding to be effective (e.g. within Sebastes, Thunnus and Ammodytes) or the designation of distinct species may have been erroneous (e.g. within Antimora and Macrourus). Results were consistent with previous work recognizing particularly high levels of divergence within certain taxa, some of which have been recognized as distinct species (e.g. Osmerus mordax and Osmerus dentex; and Liparis gibbus and Liparis bathyarcticus), and some of which have not (e.g. within Halargyreus johnsonii and within Mallotus villosus). The results from this study suggest that morphology‐based identification and taxonomy can be challenging in marine fishes, even within a region as well characterized as Atlantic Canada. Barcoding proved to be a very useful tool for species identification that will likely find a wide range of applications, including the fisheries trade, studies of range expansion, ecological analyses and population assessments.
Preliminary study on ecology of Bulinus jousseaumei in Schistosoma haematobium endemic rural community of Nigeria
Authors: Salawu Oyetunde T. , Odaibo Alex B. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe endemicity of schistosomiasis depends to a large extent on the presence of appropriate freshwater snail species with latent infection, and the quality of the microhabitat of the snails may favour or hinder their development and growth. Monthly in situ determinations of water temperature, pH, total dissolved solid (TDS), conductivity and dissolved oxygen were carried out. Monthly sampling of snails was also conducted. The planorbid snail species morphologically identified were Gyraulus costulatus, Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bulinus globosus, B. senegalensis, B. jousseaumei, Segmentorbis augustus, Ferrisia sp and Lymnaea natalensis. The most abundant snail species was Gyraulus costulatus (62.2%). Snail density correlated positively with dissolved oxygen (r = 0.349; P = 0.266), while a negative relationship occurred between snail density and conductivity (r = −0.064; P = 0.843). None of the B. globosus examined shed cercariae, while 12.5% of B. jousseaumei shed cercariae. The occurrence of B. jousseaumei in this study proves its presence in Nigeria and suggests its combined roles with B. globosus in the transmission of urogenital schistosomiasis in the endemic rural communities of Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Further studies on the geographical distribution of B. jousseaumei are recommended for better understanding of its epidemiological contribution to schistosomiasis in Nigeria.
Corporate Governance Reform and State Ownership: Evidence from China
Authors: Lu Yao , Shi Xinzheng 
Published: December 2012

AbstractUsing a sample of propensity‐score matched overseas and domestically listed firms, we examine whether the effect of corporate governance reform (CGR) in 2001 in China varies among firms with different ownership structures. The positive effect of the CGR is weaker for firms with more state‐owned shares, and product market competition increases the effect of the CGR on such firms. These findings suggest that government regulations on corporate governance and market competition can serve as complementary solutions to agency problems that arise from state ownership.
Maternal and newborn vitamin D status and its impact on food allergy development in the German LINA cohort study
Authors: Weisse K. , Winkler S. , Hirche F. , Herberth G. , Hinz D. , Bauer M. , Röder S. , Rolle‐Kampczyk U. , von Bergen M. , Olek S. , Sack U. , Richter T. , Diez U. , Borte M. , Stangl G. I. , Lehmann I. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundVitamin D levels are known to be associated with atopic disease development; however, existing data are controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate whether corresponding maternal and cord blood vitamin D levels are associated with atopic outcomes in early infancy.MethodsWithin the LINA cohort study (Lifestyle and environmental factors and their Influence on Newborns Allergy risk), 25(OH)D was measured in blood samples of 378 mother–child pairs during pregnancy and at birth. Information about children's atopic manifestations during the first 2 years of life was obtained from questionnaires filled out by the parents during pregnancy and annually thereafter. Cord blood regulatory T cells (Treg) were detected by methylation‐specific PCR using a Treg‐specific demethylated region in the FOXP3 gene.ResultsThe median maternal 25(OH)D3 level was 22.19 ng/ml (IQR 14.40–31.19 ng/ml); the median cord blood 25(OH)D3 10.95 ng/ml (6.99–17.39 ng/ml). A high correlation was seen between maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D3 levels, both showing a seasonal distribution. Maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D3 was positively associated with children's risk for food allergy within the first 2 years. Further, higher maternal 25(OH)D3 resulted in a higher risk for sensitization against food allergens at the age of two. Cord blood 25(OH)D3 levels were negatively correlated with regulatory T cell numbers.ConclusionOur study demonstrates that high vitamin D levels in pregnancy and at birth may contribute to a higher risk for food allergy and therefore argues against vitamin D supplement to protect against allergy.
Topical treatment targeting sphingosine‐1‐phosphate and sphingosine lyase abrogates experimental allergic rhinitis in a murine model
Authors: KleinJan A. , van Nimwegen M. , Leman K. , Hoogsteden H. C. , Lambrecht B. N. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundSphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) plays a crucial role in homeostasis of the immune system by regulating lymphocyte recirculation and inflammatory cell recruitment. The levels of S1P are tightly controlled through regulated production and controlled breakdown by sphingosine‐lyase (SL). The S1P analogue FTY720 has been developed as an immunosuppressant in transplantation and tested as a treatment for various inflammatory diseases. FTY720 exploits S1P biology by acting as a S1P1 and S1P 3 agonist and by inhibiting S1P breakdown by SL.ObjectiveHere, we investigate interfering S1P in allergic rhinitis (AR) and its way of action.MethodsAllergic rhinitis was induced by sensitizing mice to ovalbumin (OVA) and challenging the nose with OVA allergen. At the time of allergen challenge, mice received topical intranasal treatment with FTY720. To address the relative contribution of SL inhibition in mediating its effects, some mice were treated with the SL inhibitor 2‐acetyl‐4‐tetrahydroxybutyl (THI).ResultsFTY720 treatment resulted in significantly fewer eosinophils, mast cells and dendritic cells in the nasal mucosa of AR animals, compared with diluent treatment. Levels of IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10 and IL‐13 produced by lymph node cells fell significantly in FTY720‐treated animals. Moreover, FTY720 proved potent enough to suppress inflammation in a model of persistent AR. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that FTY720 impaired Th2 differentiation and proliferation important in driving eosinophilia and induced apoptosis in mast cells.ConclusionOur results indicate that interfering with S1P metabolism is a powerful and feasible strategy to develop new topical agents that suppress AR.
High‐salt diet increases hormonal sensitivity in skin pre‐capillary resistance vessels
Authors: Helle F. , Karlsen T. V. , Tenstad O. , Titze J. , Wiig H. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAimsRecent data indicate that the skin of rats on a high‐salt diet is able to accumulate Na+without commensurate water. This extrarenal mechanism of Na+homoeostasis could affect skin vasoregulation. We hypothesized that the major resistance vessel of rat skin, the pre‐capillary arterioles, has increased vasoreactivity within the physiological range of circulatingANG II, a hormone relevant to salt‐sensitive hypertension.Methods and resultsSkin arterioles from skin and muscle were isolated using the agar‐infusion technique. Vessels from rats fed high‐salt and low‐salt diet had similar lumen diameter and media area/lumen area ratio. Contractile sensitivity toANG IIwas increased in skin vessels from high‐salt vessels at all doses tested starting at 10−10 m(P < 0.01). Pre‐capillary arterioles from muscle displayed similar contractions toANG II, independent of the diet. AsANG IIand the renin–angiotensin system are strongly involved in salt conservation, we explored whether vasoreactivity for noradrenaline was increased as well, because this is a functionally unrelated hormone. At low doses, contractions were similar, but at 10−5and 10−4 m, noradrenaline produced stronger contractions in skin vessels from high‐salt compared with low‐salt rats (P < 0.01).ConclusionsOur data demonstrate significantly increased hormonal vasoreactivity of skin vessels from rats on a high‐salt diet, which could increase peripheral resistance in many situations and contribute to higher pressure in salt‐sensitive hypertension. As vessels from adjacent muscle were unaffected, we raise the interesting possibility that increased vasoreactivity in the skin could be linked to osmotically inactive Na+accumulation.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), TRPV4, and the kidney
Authors: Kaßmann M. , Harteneck C. , Zhu Z. , Nürnberg B. , Tepel M. , Gollasch M. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractRecent preclinical data indicate that activators of transient receptor potential channels of the vanilloid receptor subtype 1 (TRPV1) may improve the outcome of ischaemic acute kidney injury (AKI). The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but may involve TRPV1 channels in dorsal root ganglion neurones that innervate the kidney. Recent data identified TRPV4, together with TRPV1, to serve as major calcium influx channels in endothelial cells. In these cells, gating of individual TRPV4 channels within a four‐channel cluster provides elementary calcium influx (calcium sparklets) to open calcium‐activated potassium channels and promote vasodilation. The TRPV receptors can also form heteromers that exhibit unique conductance and gating properties, further increasing their spatio‐functional diversity. This review summarizes data on electrophysiological properties of TRPV1/4 and their modulation by endogenous channel agonists such as 20‐HETE, phospholipase C and phosphatidylinositide 3‐kinase (PI3 kinase). We review important roles of TRPV1 and TRPV4 in kidney physiology and renal ischaemia reperfusion injury; further studies are warranted to address renoprotective mechanism of vanilloid receptors in ischaemic AKI including the role of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1 in primary sensory nerves and/or endothelium. Particular attention should be paid to understand the kidneys' ability to respond to ischaemic stimuli after catheter‐based renal denervation therapy in man, whereas the discovery of novel pharmacological TRPV modulators may be a successful strategy for better treatment of acute or chronic kidney failure.
Systematic review: Coca‐Cola can effectively dissolve gastric phytobezoars as a first‐line treatment
Authors: Ladas S. D. , Kamberoglou D. , Karamanolis G. , Vlachogiannakos J. , Zouboulis‐Vafiadis I. 
Published: December 2012

SummaryBackgroundGastric phytobezoars represent the most common bezoars in patients with poor gastric motility. A variety of dissolution therapies and endoscopic fragmentation techniques have been evaluated as conservative treatment so as to avoid surgery.AimTo investigate the effectiveness of Coca‐Cola for gastric phytobezoars dissolution.MethodsWe performed a systematic search to identify publications on gastric phytobezoars to assess the efficacy of Coca‐Cola as a dissolution therapy. Diospyrobezoars, formed after persimmon ingestion, are a distinct type of phytobezoars characterized by their hard consistency. Thus, these two subgroups of bezoars were compared in terms of successful dissolution.ResultsOver a 10‐year period (2002–2012), 24 papers including 46 patients have been published. In 91.3% of the cases, phytobezoar resolution with Coca‐Cola administration was successful, either as a single treatment (50%) or combined with further endoscopic techniques, whereas only 4 patients underwent surgery. Phytobezoars were more likely to dissolve after initial attempt with Coca‐Cola compared with diospyrobezoars (60.6% vs. 23%, P = 0.022).ConclusionsCoca‐Cola alone is effective in gastric phytobezoar dissolution in half of the cases and, combined with additional endoscopic methods, is successful in more than 90% of them.
AJapaneseBlack breeding herd exhibiting low blood urea nitrogen: A metabolic profile study examining the effect on reproductive performance
Authors: Watanabe Urara , Okamoto Koji , Miyamoto Akio , Otoi Takeshige , Yamato Osamu , Tshering Chenga , Takagi Mitsuhiro 
Published: December 2012

AbstractTen reared cows of aJapaneseBlack cattle herd inKagoshima prefecture,Japan, exhibited extremely low blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration (2.6 ± 0.6 mg/dL). Examination of dietary feed nutrition and relevant pastureland soil content suggested a correlation with crude protein (CP) deficiency or unbalanced nutritional dietary feeds. Thirteen months after the introduction of a dietary remedial measure (bean cake supplementation),BUN, total cholesterol and albumin concentration from five of the original 10 cows increased significantly compared with their values of before the dietary remedy. The postpartum day open period was significantly lower after the dietary remedial measure than that before it. The abnormally lowBUNlevels of the cattle herd may be due to inadequate dietary nutritional content, primarily from the imbalance of total digestible nutrient andCPof the feed and far lower han averageCPvalue. In conclusion, routine examination of serum biochemical parameters inJapaneseBlack breeding cattle may be a useful strategy for determining subclinical metabolic failure of cattle herds, and consequently, its effect on reproductive performance of the herd.
Selection for testis size and correlated responses of female reproductive traits in golden hamsters
Authors: Furukawa Tsutomu , Awata Takashi , Satoh Masahiro 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGolden hamsters were selected for large (high selection direction: H) and small (low selection direction: L) testis size, as measured in live males at age 13 weeks over six generations. The selection response and correlated responses in female reproductive traits were evaluated in terms of the divergence between H and L lines for testis size. In males, the differences in testis size at 13 weeks, testis weight at 19 weeks, and body weight at 13 and 19 weeks were significant at the 1% level from generation 1 onward. The realized heritability of testis size, as estimated from regression of the selection responses on effective selection differentials, was 0.29. This was similar to the heritability estimated by using the multiple‐trait animal model restricted maximum likelihood (0.30). In females, significant differences in ovulation rate at the 5% level were detected in generations 5 and 6. Litter size 1 day after birth also diverged between the H and L lines, but the difference was not consistently significant. The realized genetic correlation between testis size and ovulation rate was 0.67.