bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms underlying the renoprotective effect of GABA against ischaemia/reperfusion‐induced renal injury in rats
Authors: Kobuchi Shuhei , Tanaka Ryosuke , Shintani Takuya , Suzuki Rie , Tsutsui Hidenobu , Ohkita Mamoru , Matsumura Yasuo , Ayajiki Kazuhide 
Published: December 2014

AbstractExcitation of the renal sympathetic nervous system is important for the development of ischaemic acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. We reported that intravenous treatment with GABA has preventive effects against ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐induced renal dysfunction with histological damage in rats; however, the mechanisms underlying these effects on renal injury remain unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study was to clarify how GABA mechanistically affects ischaemic AKI in rats. Ischaemic AKI was induced in rats by clamping the left renal artery and vein for 45 min and then reperfusing the kidney to produce I/R‐induced injury. Treatment with the GABAB receptor antagonist CGP52432 (100 nmol/kg, i.v., or 1 nmol/kg, i.c.v.) abolished the suppressive effects of 50 μmol/kg, i.v., GABA on enhanced renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) during ischaemia, leading to elimination of the renoprotective effects of GABA. Intracerebroventricular treatment with 0.5 μmol/kg GABA or i.v. treatment with 1 μmol/kg baclofen, a selective GABAB receptor agonist, prevented the I/R‐induced renal injury equivalent to i.v. treatment with GABA. Conversely, i.v. treatment with 10 μmol/kg bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist, failed to affect the preventive effects of GABA against ischaemic AKI. We therefore concluded that GABAB receptor stimulation in the central nervous system, rather than peripheral GABAB receptor stimulation, mediates the preventive effect of GABA against ischaemic AKI by suppressing the enhanced RSNA induced by renal ischaemia.
Rosiglitazone attenuates indoxyl sulphate‐induced endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Chou Chia‐An , Ng Hwee‐Yeong , Kuo Wei‐Hung , Chiou Ting‐Yu Terry , Pei Sung‐Nan , Li Lung‐Chih , Lee Yueh‐Ting , Lee Chien‐Te 
Published: December 2014

SummaryIndoxyl sulphate is a protein‐bound uraemic toxin that has deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system. Rosiglitazone (RGZ) is an insulin sensitizer used for glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes. Rosiglitazone has been shown to be beneficial for cardiovascular disease because of its pleiotropic effects. Whether RGZ can improve indoxyl sulphate‐induced endothelial damage has not been investigated. In the present in vitro study, we examined the effects of RGZ on indoxyl sulphate‐induced endothelial injury. Endothelial cells were exposed to RGZ (5 and 10 μmol/L) and then treated with indoxyl sulphate (100 and 1000 μmol/L) for 48 h. Indoxyl sulphate upregulated intracellular cell adhesion molecule‐1, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 expression. Indoxyl sulphate also increased the abundance of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB. Both extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways were activated after 48 h treatment with indoxyl sulphate. Pretreatment of cells with both concentrations of RGZ improved indices of endothelial injury. In addition, RGZ attenuated the increase in NOX4 and NF‐κB and prevented the activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signalling pathways. We conclude that RGZ ameliorates indoxyl sulphate‐induced endothelial injury.
Contrasting traits, contrasting environments, and considerations on population dynamics under a changing climate: an ecophysiological field study of two co‐dominant tree species
Authors: Bontempo e Silva Edgard A. , Ono Kiyomi , Sumida Akihiro , Uemura Shigeru , Hara Toshihiko 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe increase in light availability resulting from canopy changes or opening is not always beneficial and can inhibit photosynthesis of tree seedlings already under other environmental stress. Tree seedlings' responses to compounded abiotic stress depend on their life‐history traits, and understanding the variations of such responses is important for understanding population dynamics under a changing climate. In this study we investigate how the photosynthesis of juveniles of two canopy tree species with different life‐history traits, Abies sachalinensis and Betula ermanii, differs in two contrasting sites at a sub‐boreal forest in northern Japan—one under a deciduous canopy (Closed site) and the other at a wide canopy opening (Open site). Seedlings at the Open site had low Fv/Fm (quantum yield of photosystem II) for a longer period than those at the Closed site. Abies sachalinensis at the Closed site showed lower Fv/Fm in spring than those at the Open site, but recovered after the canopy's new leaves flushed, indicating its acclimation to the shaded condition. Mean Pmax (light‐saturated photosynthetic rate at ambient CO2 levels) of A. sachalinensis seedlings was affected by site and air temperature, while B. ermanii seedlings were also affected by precipitation. Only B. ermanii's seedlings presented growth in the period studied, in spite of observed mid‐day drops to Fv/Fm attributed to water‐deficit‐related photoprotection. Results suggest that the climate change predicted for the Hokkaido area may increase the competitive advantage of broad‐leaved deciduous species, such as B. ermanii, in relation to evergreen conifers like A. sachalinensis.
Methodological Considerations When Studying the Association between Patient‐Reported Care Experiences and Mortality
Authors: Xu Xiao , Buta Eugenia , Anhang Price Rebecca , Elliott Marc N. , Hays Ron D. , Cleary Paul D. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectiveTo illustrate methodological considerations when assessing the relationship between patient care experiences and mortality.Data SourceMedical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2000–2005) linked to National Health Interview Survey and National Death Index mortality data through December 31, 2006.Study DesignWe estimated Cox proportional hazards models with mortality as the dependent variable and patient experience measures as independent variables and assessed consistency of experiences over time.Data Extraction MethodsWe used data from respondents age 18 or older with at least one doctor's office or clinic visit during the year prior to the round 2 interview. We excluded subjects who died in the baseline year.Principal FindingsThe association between overall care experiences and mortality was significant for deaths not amenable to medical care and all‐cause mortality, but not for amenable deaths. More than half of respondents were in a different care experience quartile over a 1‐year period. In the five individual experience questions we analyzed, only time spent with the patient was significantly associated with mortality.ConclusionsDeaths not amenable to medical care and the time‐varying and multifaceted nature of patient care experience are important issues to consider when assessing the relationship between care experience and mortality.
Political Incentives to Suppress Negative Information: Evidence from Chinese Listed Firms
Authors: PIOTROSKI JOSEPH D. , WONG T. J. , ZHANG TIANYU 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThis paper tests the proposition that politicians and their affiliated firms (i.e., firms operating in their province) temporarily suppress negative information in response to political incentives. We examine the stock price behavior of Chinese listed firms around two visible political events—meetings of the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party and promotions of high‐level provincial politicians—that are expected to asymmetrically increase the costs of releasing bad news. The costs create an incentive for local politicians and their affiliated firms to temporarily restrict the flow of negative information about the companies. The result will be fewer stock price crashes for the affiliated firms during these event windows, followed by an increase in crashes after the event. Consistent with these predictions, we find that the affiliated firms experience a reduction (an increase) in negative stock return skewness before (after) the event. These effects are strongest in the three‐month period directly preceding the event, among firms that are more politically connected, and when the province is dominated by faction politics and cronyism. Additional tests document a significant reduction in published newspaper articles about affected firms in advance of these political events, suggestive of a link between our observed stock price behavior and temporary shifts in the listed firms’ information environment.
Multicopy integration of mini‐Tn7 transposons into selected chromosomal sites of a Salmonella vaccine strain
Authors: Roos Karen , Werner Esther , Loessner Holger 
Published: December 2014

SummaryChromosomal integration of expression modules for transgenes is an important aspect for the development of novel Salmonella vectors. Mini‐Tn7 transposons have been used for the insertion of one such module into the chromosomal site attTn7, present only once in most Gram‐negative bacteria. However, integration of multiple mini‐Tn7 copies might be suitable for expression of appropriate amounts of antigen or combination of different modules. Here we demonstrate that integration of a 9.6 kb mini‐Tn7 harbouring the luciferase luxCDABE (lux) occurs at the natural attTn7 site and simultaneously other locations of the Salmonella chromosome, which were engineered using λ‐Red recombinase to contain one or two additional artificial attTn7 sites (a‐attTn7). Multicopy integration even at closely spaced attTn7 sites was unexpected in light of the previously reported distance‐dependent Tn7 target immunity. Integration of multiple copies of a mini‐Tn7 containing a gfp cassette resulted in increasing green fluorescence of bacteria. Stable consecutive integration of two mini‐Tn7 encoding lacZ and lux was achieved by initial transposition of lacZ‐mini‐Tn7, subsequent chromosomal insertion of a‐attTn7 and a second round of transposition with lux‐mini‐Tn7. Mini‐Tn7 thus constitutes a versatile method for multicopy integration of expression cassettes into the chromosome of Salmonella and possibly other bacteria.
The Rsm regulon of plant growth‐promoting Pseudomonas fluorescens SS101: role of small RNAs in regulation of lipopeptide biosynthesis
Authors: Song Chunxu , van der Voort Menno , van de Mortel Judith , Hassan Karl A. , Elbourne Liam D. H. , Paulsen Ian T. , Loper Joyce E. , Raaijmakers Jos M. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens SS101 inhibits growth of oomycete and fungal pathogens, and induces resistance in plants against pathogens and insects. To unravel regulatory pathways of secondary metabolite production in SS101, we conducted a genome‐wide search for sRNAs and performed transcriptomic analyses to identify genes associated with the Rsm (repressor of secondary metabolites) regulon. In silico analysis led to the identification of 16 putative sRNAs in the SS101 genome. In frame deletion of the sRNAs rsmY and rsmZ showed that the Rsm system regulates the biosynthesis of the lipopeptide massetolide A and involves the two repressor proteins RsmA and RsmE, with the LuxR‐type transcriptional regulator MassAR as their most likely target. Transcriptome analyses of the rsmYZ mutant further revealed that genes associated with iron acquisition, motility and chemotaxis were significantly upregulated, whereas genes of the type VI secretion system were downregulated. Comparative transcriptomic analyses showed that most, but not all, of the genes controlled by RsmY/RsmZ are also controlled by the GacS/GacA two‐component system. We conclude that the Rsm regulon of P. fluorescens SS101 plays a critical role in the regulation of lipopeptide biosynthesis and controls the expression of other genes involved in motility, competition and survival in the plant rhizosphere.
Double trouble: The importance of reporting chorionicity and amnionicity in twin pregnancy ultrasound reports
Authors: Constantine Sarah , Wilkinson Chris 
Published: December 2014

SummaryAn obstetric ultrasound report in a twin pregnancy that does not unambiguously determine chorionicity and amnionicity in the first trimester is substandard. This article will assist radiologists to understand the importance of reporting the chorionicity and amnionicity in all twin obstetric scans.
Genotyping‐in‐Thousands by sequencing (GT‐seq): A cost effective SNP genotyping method based on custom amplicon sequencing
Authors: Campbell Nathan R. , Harmon Stephanie A. , Narum Shawn R. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractGenotyping‐in‐Thousands by sequencing (GT‐seq) is a method that uses next‐generation sequencing of multiplexed PCR products to generate genotypes from relatively small panels (50–500) of targeted single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for thousands of individuals in a single Illumina HiSeq lane. This method uses only unlabelled oligos and PCR master mix in two thermal cycling steps for amplification of targeted SNP loci. During this process, sequencing adapters and dual barcode sequence tags are incorporated into the amplicons enabling thousands of individuals to be pooled into a single sequencing library. Post sequencing, reads from individual samples are split into individual files using their unique combination of barcode sequences. Genotyping is performed with a simple perl script which counts amplicon‐specific sequences for each allele, and allele ratios are used to determine the genotypes. We demonstrate this technique by genotyping 2068 individual steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) samples with a set of 192 SNP markers in a single library sequenced in a single Illumina HiSeq lane. Genotype data were 99.9% concordant to previously collected TaqMan™ genotypes at the same 192 loci, but call rates were slightly lower with GT‐seq (96.4%) relative to Taqman (99.0%). Of the 192 SNPs, 187 were genotyped in ≥90% of the individual samples and only 3 SNPs were genotyped in <70% of samples. This study demonstrates amplicon sequencing with GT‐seq greatly reduces the cost of genotyping hundreds of targeted SNPs relative to existing methods by utilizing a simple library preparation method and massive efficiency of scale.
Adolescent cannabis and tobacco use and educational outcomes at age 16: birth cohort study
Authors: Stiby Alexander I. , Hickman Matthew , Munafò Marcus R. , Heron Jon , Yip Vikki L. , Macleod John 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimsTo investigate the relationship between cannabis and tobacco use by age 15 and subsequent educational outcomes.DesignBirth cohort study.SettingEngland.ParticipantsThe sample was drawn from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children; a core sample of 1155 individuals had complete information on all the variables.MeasurementsThe main exposures were cannabis and tobacco use at age 15 assessed in clinic by computer‐assisted questionnaire and serum cotinine. The main outcomes were performance in standardized assessments at 16 [Key Stage 4, General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)] in English and mathematics (mean scores), completion of five or more assessments at grade C level or higher and leaving school having achieved no qualifications. Analyses were sequentially adjusted for multiple covariates using a hierarchical approach. Covariates considered were: maternal substance use (ever tobacco or cannabis use, alcohol use above recommended limits); life course socio‐economic position (family occupational class, maternal education, family income); child sex; month and year of birth; child educational attainment prior to age 11 (Key Stage 2); child substance use (tobacco, alcohol and cannabis) prior to age 15 and child conduct disorder.FindingsIn fully adjusted models both cannabis and tobacco use at age 15 were associated with subsequent adverse educational outcomes. In general, the dose–response effect seen was consistent across all educational outcomes assessed. Weekly cannabis use was associated negatively with English GCSE results [grade point difference (GPD), –5.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) = –8.34, –3.53] and with mathematics GCSE results (GPD, –6.91, 95% CI = –9.92, –3.89). Daily tobacco smoking was associated negatively with English GCSE (GPD, –11.90, 95% CI = –13.47, –10.33) and with mathematics GCSE (GPD, –16.72, 95% CI = –18.57, –14.86). The greatest attenuation of these effects was seen on adjustment for other substance use and conduct disorder. Following adjustment, tobacco appeared to have a consistently stronger effect than cannabis.ConclusionsBoth cannabis and tobacco use in adolescence are associated strongly with subsequent adverse educational outcomes. Given the non‐specific patterns of association seen and the attenuation of estimates on adjustment, it is possible that these effects arise through non‐causal mechanisms, although a causal explanation cannot be discounted. © 2015 Society for the Study of Addiction
The (mis)matching of resources and assessed need in remote Aboriginal community aged care
Authors: Bell Di , Lindeman Melissa A , Reid John Binda 
Published: December 2014

AimTo examine processes of aged‐care needs assessment for Aboriginal people in remote central Australia to assist development of appropriate models of aged care.MethodA qualitative study involving 11 semistructured interviews with aged‐care assessors and two focus groups with Aboriginal community members.ResultsThis paper reports four major themes concerning how needs assessments relate to realities of service delivery: cultural perspectives on aged care, context of service delivery, equity and access to services, and program (mis)alignments.ConclusionDisparities exist between assessment recommendations and service availability, with a potential mismatch between Aboriginal understandings of needs, interpretations by individual assessment staff and program guidelines. Incorporating a conceptual framework, such as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, into service guidelines to ensure structured consideration of a person's holistic needs may assist, as will building the capacity of communities to provide the level and type of services required.
Optical density filters modeling media opacities cause decreased SD‐OCT retinal layer thickness measurements with inter‐ and intra‐individual variation
Authors: Darma Stanley , Kok Pauline H. B. , van den Berg Thomas J. T. P. , Abràmoff Michael D. , Faber Dirk J. , Hulsman Caroline A. , Zantvoord Frank , Mourits Maarten P. , Schlingemann Reinier O. , Verbraak Frank D. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPurposeTo assess the effect of media opacities on thickness measurements of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and macular inner retinal layer (mIRL) performed with spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) using a set of filters with known optical density.MethodsSpectral‐domain optical coherence tomography volume scans of the optic disc and the macular area were performed in 18 healthy volunteers, using Topcon‐3DOCT‐1000 Mark II. A set of five filters with optical density ranging from 0.04 to 0.69 was used. The correlation was calculated between the percentage change in thickness measurements (%ΔpRNFL and %ΔmIRL) and the change in optical density. All scans and measurements were performed in duplicate by one operator.ResultsEighteen right eyes of 18 healthy volunteers were included in this study. Percentage decrease in pRNFL and mIRL thickness correlated with change in optical density (Spearman's rho r = 0.82; p < 0.001 and r = 0.89; p < 0.001, respectively). The measured decrease in pRNFL thickness differed from the decrease in mIRL thickness, not only between individuals, but also within the same individual.ConclusionsOptical coherence tomography thickness measurements of both pRNFL and mIRL are influenced by image degradation caused by optical density filters as a model for media opacities. An underestimation of the thickness of these layers was observed, caused by a shift of retinal layer boundary placement due to image quality loss. This underestimation is not the same for each individual and also differed between the pRNFL and mIRL thickness measurements. These individual and interindividual differences demonstrate that an individual approach will be necessary to correct for this underestimation per layer.
A new approach to estimating weight change and its reference intervals during the first 96 hours of life
Authors: Fonseca MJ , Severo M , Santos AC 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAimWe aimed to apply a novel model to estimate weight change and its reference intervals during the first 96 h of life and the time of weight nadir.MethodsThis study involved 1288 full‐term singletons, from the Generation XXI birth cohort. Recruitment occurred between 2005 and 2006 in all five public units providing obstetrical and neonatal care in Porto, Portugal. Birthweight was abstracted from clinical records, and the subsequent newborn anthropometrics were obtained by trained examiners. Longitudinal models to estimate postnatal weight were tested and the weight ratio was calculated as the weight during 96 h of life divided by birthweight.ResultsThe chosen model was (weight(t)~ 3241.442 + (−9.378) × t + 0.119 × t2 + 0.000 × t3 + b0i + b1i × t, where t represented the newborn infant's age in hours and bi represented the random coefficients. The curve inflection point (nadir) was achieved at 52.3 h of life, corresponding to a loss of 218 g and a weight ratio of 0.933. We estimated that at six, 12, 24 and 36 h of life the mean weight ratio and 10th–90th percentiles were 0.978 (0.968–0.988), 0.968 (0.953–0.983), 0.951 (0.928–0.974) and 0.939 (0.909–0.969), respectively.ConclusionThis model allows a more accurate estimate of newborn weight change and its reference intervals, and estimated the nadir at 52.3 h of life, corresponding to a weight ratio of 0.933.
Establishment of major histocompatibility complex homozygous gnotobiotic miniature swine colony for xenotransplantation
Authors: Hwang Jeong Ho , Gupta Mukesh Kumar , Park Chan Kyu , Kim Yoon Berm , Lee Hoon Taek 
Published: December 2014

AbstractTo overcome shortages of human donor organs for organ failure patients, we made a commitment to develop gnotobiotic miniature swine as an alternative organ donor source for xenotransplantation. For this, we have constructed an absolute barrier‐sustained gnotobiotic facility. Pregnant sows of gnotobiotic miniature swine, were procured and germfree piglets were obtained by hysterectomy. These were maintained in germfree isolators for about 4 weeks, deprived of colostrum and were fed sterilized soybean milk. They were associated with di‐flora, anaerobic Lactobacillus sp. and Streptococcus sp. After confirmation of successful associations, gnotobiotic piglets were transferred into the facility aseptically. The piglets are maintained on high‐efficiency particle air‐filtered air in and out; maintaining constant room air pressure of 33 ± 3 mmAq, and sterile water and diet. In 10 sessions of hysterectomy, 18 male and 32 female piglets were obtained of which piglets (M six, F eight) died within 5 days. Among live piglets, piglets (M eight, F 12) were confirmed to be germfree by microbiological monitoring. For research of xenotransplantation, one consistent experimental result was essential. Therefore, major histocompatibility complex class II which related innate immunity, homozygotic gnotobiotic miniature swine was developed. As a result, genotyping revealed 14 individuals to be homozygous for major histocompatibility complex class II (DRB, DQB) as 0301, three individuals were homozygous as 0201 and each of two were homozygous for DQB as 0701 and DRB as 0404, respectively. Genetic modifications and immunological research for ideal alternative organ sources are in progress.