bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Positive immunostaining for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in a Sphinx cat with cutaneous lesions and bilateral panuveitis
Authors: Bauer Bianca S. , Kerr Moira E. , Sandmeyer Lynne S. , Grahn Bruce H. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractFeline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a common, fatal, systemic disease of cats. This case report describes the antemortem diagnosis ofFIPin a 2‐year‐old spayed female Sphinx cat that presented with a bilateral panuveitis and multiple papular cutaneous lesions. Histopathologically, the skin lesions were characterized by perivascular infiltrates of macrophages, neutrophils, with fewer plasma cells, mast cells, and small lymphocytes in the mid‐ to deep dermis. Immunohistochemistry for intracellular feline coronavirus (FeCoV) antigen demonstrated positive staining in dermal macrophages providing an antemortem diagnosis of a moderate, nodular to diffuse, pyogranulomatous perivascular dermatitis due toFIPinfection. Obtaining an antemortem diagnosis ofFIPcan be a challenge and cutaneous lesions are rare in the disease. Recognition and biopsy of any cutaneous lesions in cats with panuveitis and suspectedFIPcan help establish an antemortem diagnosis of the disease.
A modified collagen gel enhances healing outcome in a preclinical swine model of excisional wounds
Authors: Elgharably Haytham , Roy Sashwati , Khanna Savita , Abas Motaz , DasGhatak Piya , Das Amitava , Mohammed Kareem , Sen Chandan K. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractCollagen‐based dressings are of great interest in wound care. However, evidence supporting their mechanism of action is scanty. This work provides first results from a preclinical swine model of excisional wounds, elucidating the mechanism of action of a modified collagen gel (MCG) dressing. Following wounding, wound‐edge tissue was collected at specific time intervals (3, 7, 14, and 21 days postwounding). On day 7, histological analysis showed significant increase in the length of rete ridges, suggesting improved biomechanical properties of the healing wound tissue. Rapid and transient mounting of inflammation is necessary for efficient healing. MCG significantly accelerated neutrophil and macrophage recruitment to the wound site on day 3 and day 7 with successful resolution of inflammation on day 21. MCG induced monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 expression in neutrophil‐like human promyelocytic leukemia‐60 cells in vitro. In vivo, MCG‐treated wound tissue displayed elevated vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Consistently, MCG‐treated wounds displayed significantly higher abundance of endothelial cells with increased blood flow to the wound area indicating improved vascularization. This observation was explained by the finding that MCG enhanced proliferation of wound‐site endothelial cells. In MCG‐treated wound tissue, Masson's trichrome and picrosirius red staining showed higher abundance of collagen and increased collagen type I:III ratio. This work presents first evidence from a preclinical setting explaining how a collagen‐based dressing may improve wound closure by targeting multiple key mechanisms. The current findings warrant additional studies to determine whether the responses to the MCG are different from other collagen‐based products used in clinical setting.
Effect of Three Drugs against Encephalitozoon cuniculi Infection in Immunosuppressed Mice
Authors: Lallo Maria Anete , da Costa Lidiana F. Vidoto , de Castro João Manoel 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Microsporidia comprise a large group of obligate intracellular parasites. The microsporidian
Encephalitozoon cuniculi
causes disseminated infection in immunosuppressed patients with HIV, cancer, or transplants and in the elderly.
In vivo
and
in vitro
studies on the effectiveness of drugs are controversial. Currently, there is no effective treatment. We tested albendazole, albendazole sulfoxide, metronidazole, and cyclosporine in mice immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide and inoculated by the intraperitoneal route with 10
7
E. cuniculi
spores. One week after experimental inoculation, the mice were treated with albendazole, albendazole sulfoxide, metronidazole, and cyclosporine. Histological and morphometric analyses were performed to compare the treated groups. The state of immunosuppression was evaluated by phenotyping CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells by flow cytometry. Nontreated mice showed acute disseminated and fatal encephalitozoonosis. The treatment with benzimidazoles significantly reduced infection until 30 days posttreatment (p.t.), but at 60 days p.t., the infection had recurred. Metronidazole decreased infection by a short time, and cyclosporine was not effective. All animals were immunosuppressed by all the experiments, as demonstrated by the low number of CD4
+
and CD8
+
T cells. We conclude that no drug was effective against
E. cuniculi
, but the benzimidazoles controlled the infection transiently.
Changes to Its Peptidoglycan-Remodeling Enzyme Repertoire Modulate β-Lactam Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Cavallari Joseph F. , Lamers Ryan P. , Scheurwater Edie M. , Matos Andrea L. , Burrows Lori L. 
Published: April 2013

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections and is resistant to many antibiotics. Among its primary mechanisms of resistance is expression of a chromosomally encoded AmpC β-lactamase that inactivates β-lactams. The mechanisms leading to AmpC expression in
P. aeruginosa
remain incompletely understood but are intricately linked to cell wall metabolism. To better understand the roles of peptidoglycan-active enzymes in AmpC expression—and consequent β-lactam resistance—a phenotypic screen of
P. aeruginosa
mutants lacking such enzymes was performed. Mutants lacking one of four lytic transglycosylases (LTs) or the nonessential penicillin-binding protein PBP4 (
dacB
) had altered β-lactam resistance.
mltF
and
slt
mutants with reduced β-lactam resistance were designated WIMPs (wall-impaired mutant phenotypes), while highly resistant
dacB
,
sltB1
, and
mltB
mutants were designated HARMs (high-level AmpC resistant mutants). Double mutants lacking
dacB
and
sltB1
had extreme piperacillin resistance (>256 μg/ml) compared to either of the single knockouts (64 μg/ml for a
dacB
mutant and 12 μg/ml for an
sltB1
mutant). Inactivation of
ampC
reverted these mutants to wild-type susceptibility, confirming that AmpC expression underlies resistance.
dacB
mutants had constitutively elevated AmpC expression, but the LT mutants had wild-type levels of AmpC in the absence of antibiotic exposure. These data suggest that there are at least two different pathways leading to AmpC expression in
P. aeruginosa
and that their simultaneous activation leads to extreme β-lactam resistance.
The Effects of Social Support and Having a Partner on Sleep Quality in Dementia
Authors: Eshkoor Sima Ataollahi , Hamid Tengku Aizan , Nudin Siti Sa’adiah Hassan , Mun Chan Yoke 
Published: April 2013

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effects of social support and having a partner on sleep quality in the elderly patients with dementia. Methodology: This research was conducted on 1210 noninstitutionalized elderly Malaysian individuals with dementia. The effects of age, ethnicity, educational level, marital status, sex differences, social support, and having a partner on sleep quality were evaluated in the respondents. The multiple logistic regression analysis was used to predict the risk of sleep disturbances among the participants. Results: Approximately, 41% of the participants experienced sleep disruption. Further findings showed that ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.62), social support (OR = 1.35), marital status (OR = 2.21), educational level (OR = 0.65), and having a partner (OR = 0.45) significantly affected sleep quality ( P < .05). Sex differences and age were unrelated predictors of sleep disturbances ( P > .05). Conclusion: It was concluded that social isolation and being single increased sleep disruption among respondents, but having a partner and ethnic non-Malay decreased the rate of sleep problems.
Progressive balloon dilatation following hepaticojejunostomy improves outcome of bile duct stricture after iatrogenic biliary injury
Authors: Luo Zhu-lin , Cheng Long , Ren Jian-dong , Tang Li-jun , Wang Tao , Tian Fu-zhou 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Iatrogenic biliary stricture (IBS) is a disastrous complication of cholecystectomy. Although the endoscopic treatments are well accepted as initial attempts for IBS, surgical hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is often necessary for a considerable proportion of patients. However, the anastomotic stricture after HJ also occurs.

Methods
In the present study, a new procedure, progressive balloon dilation following HJ (HJPBD), was designed and utilized in the IBS treatment. We retrospectively compared HJPBD with the traditional HJ in term of the outcomes when used for IBS treatment.

Results
Between January 1997 and December 2009, 112 patients with IBS attributed to cholecystectomy enrolled in our hospital were treated with surgical reconstruction with either HJ (n=58) or HJPBD (n=54). Of the 58 patients in HJ group, 48 patients (82.8%) had a successful outcome, while 52 out of 54 patients (96.3%) in HJPBD group achieved success. The successful surgical reconstruction rates were significantly different between these two groups, with a further improved outcome in patient undergone progressive balloon dilation following HJ. Additionally, 8 of the 10 failure cases in HJ group were successfully rescued by HJPBD procedure.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that the new procedure of HJPBD could be successfully applied to IBS patients, and significantly improve the outcome of IBS reconstruction.
Exposure to indoor tanning in France: a population based study
Authors: Benmarhnia Tarik , Léon Christophe , Beck François 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundTanning lamp sessions have increased in Europe in recent years. Recent epidemiological studies have confirmed a proven link between melanoma and artificial UV exposure. However, in France, little information is available to determine the exposure of the population. This article presents the results from the ‘Baromètre cancer 2010’ concerning the proportion of users exposed to artificial UV radiation in France, their characteristics and level of information on the risks associated.MethodsA two stage random sampling telephone survey assisted by CATI system (household, individual) was performed from 3 April 2010 to 7 August 2010 on a sample of 3,359 people aged 15 to 75 years old.ResultsIn 2010, 13.4% of the French population reported to have tanning lamp sessions at least once in their lifetime and 3.5% of the total population reported the use of artificial UV radiation over the last twelve months. Exposure over the last twelve months is most commonly seen among females (5.0%) and young population between 20–25 years old (9.6%). In addition, 3.5% of those under 18 years report having attended UV booths at least once during their lifetime even though they are forbidden to minors. Moreover, more than one the third of users reported more than 10 exposures within a year. The places of exposure cited most often were beauty salons (50%) and tanning centers (46%). Only 49.2% of those surveyed felt that they were well informed on the risks of cancer associated with UV booths. Furthermore, the population was found to have misconceptions about artificial UV radiation. One quarter of the population, believe that artificial UV radiation use before vacation protects the skin from sunburn.ConclusionsThis first study on artificial UV radiation exposure in France has better quantified and characterized the users. It has also defined the state of knowledge and the perception of risk by the general French population. This work will contribute to determine actions of prevention to reduce cancer risk related to artificial UV radiation.
TRPV1-mediated UCP2 upregulation ameliorates hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Sun Jing , Pu Yunfei , Wang Peijian , Chen Sijiao , Zhao Yu , Liu Chan , Shang Qianhui , Zhu Zhiming , Liu Daoyan 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Diabetic cardiovascular complications are characterised by oxidative stress-induced endothelial dysfunction. Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is a regulator of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and can antagonise oxidative stress, but approaches that enhance the activity of UCP2 to inhibit ROS are scarce. Our previous studies show that activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) by capsaicin can prevent cardiometabolic disorders. In this study, we conducted experiments in vitro and in vivo to investigate the effect of capsaicin treatment on endothelial UCP2 and oxidative stress. We hypothesised that TRPV1 activation by capsaicin attenuates hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction through a UCP2-mediated antioxidant effect.

Methods
TRPV1-/-, UCP2 -/- and db/db mice, as well as matched wild type (WT) control mice, were included in this study. Some mice were subjected to dietary capsaicin for 14 weeks. Arteries isolated from mice and endothelial cells were cultured. Endothelial function was examined, and immunohistological and molecular analyses were performed.

Results
Under high-glucose conditions, TRPV1 expression and protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation were found to be decreased in the cultured endothelial cells, and the effects of high-glucose on these molecules were reversed by the administration of capsaicin. Furthermore, high-glucose exposure increased ROS production and reduced nitric oxide (NO) levels both in endothelial cells and in arteries that were evaluated respectively by dihydroethidium (DHE) and DAF-2 DA fluorescence. Capsaicin administration decreased the production of ROS, restored high-glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction through the activation of TRPV1 and acted in a UCP2-dependent manner in vivo. Administration of dietary capsaicin for 14 weeks increased the levels of PKA phosphorylation and UCP2 expression, ameliorated the vascular oxidative stress and increased NO levels observed in diabetic mice. Prolonged dietary administration of capsaicin promoted endothelium-dependent relaxation in diabetic mice. However, the beneficial effect of capsaicin on vasorelaxation was absent in the aortas of UCP2 -/- mice exposed to high-glucose levels.

Conclusion
TRPV1 activation by capsaicin might protect against hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction through a mechanism involving the PKA/UCP2 pathway.
Temporal evaluation of commitment to sexual development in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Peatey Christopher L , Dixon Matthew WA , Gardiner Donald L , Trenholme Katharine R 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
The production of gametocytes is essential for transmission of malaria parasites from the mammalian host to the mosquito vector. However the process by which the asexual blood-stage parasite undergoes commitment to sexual development is not well understood. This process is known to be sensitive to environmental stimuli and it has been suggested that a G protein dependent system may mediate the switch, but there is little evidence that the Plasmodium falciparum genome encodes heterotrimeric G proteins. Previous studies have indicated that the malaria parasite can interact with endogenous erythrocyte G proteins, and other components of the cyclic nucleotide pathway have been identified in P. falciparum. Also, the polypeptide cholera toxin, which induces commitment to gametocytogenesis is known to catalyze the ADP-ribosylation of the αs class of heterotrimeric G protein α subunits in mammalian systems has been reported to detect a number of Gα subunits in P. falciparum- infected red cells.

Methods
Cholera toxin and Mas 7 (a structural analogue of Mastoparan) were used to assess the role played by putative G protein signalling in the commitment process, both are reported to interact with different components of classical Gαs and Gαi/o signalling pathways. Their ability to induce gametocyte production in the transgenic P. falciparum line Pfs16-GFP was determined and downstream effects on the secondary messenger cAMP measured.

Results
Treatment of parasite cultures with either cholera toxin or MAS 7 resulted in increased gametocyte production, but only treatment with MAS 7 resulted in a significant increase in cAMP levels. This indicates that MAS 7 acts either directly or indirectly on the P. falciparum adenylyl cyclase.

Conclusion
The observation that cholera toxin treatment did not affect cAMP levels indicates that while addition of cholera toxin does increase gametocytogenesis the method by which it induces increased commitment is not immediately obvious, except that is unlikely to be via heterotrimeric G proteins.
Existence and approximation of solutions for system of generalized mixed variational inequalities
Authors: Thakur Balwant Singh , Khan Mohammad Saeed , Kang Shin Min 
Published: April 2013

AbstractThe aim of this work is to study a system of generalized mixed variational inequalities, existence and approximation of its solution using the resolvent operator technique. We further propose an algorithm which converges to its solution and common fixed points of two Lipschitzian mappings. Parallel algorithms are used, which can be used to simultaneous computation in multiprocessor computers. The results presented in this work are more general and include many previously known results as special cases.MSC:47J20, 65K10, 65K15, 90C33.
Long-term RNA persistence in postmortem contexts
Authors: Fordyce Sarah L , Kampmann Marie-Louise , van Doorn Nienke L , Gilbert M Thomas P 
Published: April 2013

AbstractRibonucleic acids (RNA) are generally considered fragile molecules that are readily degraded. However, there is growing documentation of long-term (from days to centuries) RNA persistence in a variety of contexts and tissue types, and as such a number of academic disciplines are beginning to exploit degraded RNA. While the reasons for its survival are not fully understood, there are several plausible mechanisms that would safeguard this molecule against degradation. However, after examining the literature available on the postmortem instability and decay mechanisms of RNA, it has become clear that limited experimental studies and no reviews offer an overview of these mechanisms. Hence in this review we outline molecular reasons for RNA surviving long-term postmortem, and provide specific examples of RNA survival in forensic, archival and archaeological contexts. A better understanding of the mechanisms of RNA decay will be crucial for developing expectations on its long-term survival.
Importance of His192 in the Human Thyroid Hormone Transporter MCT8 for Substrate Recognition
Authors: Groeneweg Stefan , Lima de Souza Elaine C. , Visser W. Edward , Peeters Robin P. , Visser Theo J. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractMonocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) facilitates cellular uptake and efflux of thyroid hormone (TH). So far, functional domains within MCT8 are not well defined. Mutations in MCT8 result in severe psychomotor retardation due to impaired neuronal differentiation. One such mutation concerns His192 (H192R), located at the border of transmembrane domain (TMD) 1 and extracellular loop (ECL) 1, suggesting that this His residue is important for efficient TH transport. Here, we studied the role of different His residues, predicted within TMDs or ECLs of MCT8, in substrate recognition and translocation. Therefore, we analyzed the effects of the His-modifying reagent diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) and of site-directed mutagenesis of several His residues on TH transport by MCT8. Reaction of MCT8 with DEPC inhibited subsequent uptake of T3 and T4, whereas T3 and T4 efflux were not inhibited. The inhibitory effect of DEPC on TH uptake was prevented in the presence of T3 or T4, suggesting that TH blocks access to DEPC-sensitive residues. Three putative DEPC target His residues were replaced by Ala: H192A, H260A, and H450A. The H260A and H450A mutants showed similar TH transport and DEPC sensitivity as wild-type MCT8. However, the H192A mutant showed a significant reduction in TH uptake and was insensitive to DEPC. Taken together, these results indicate that His192 is sensitive to modification by DEPC and may be located close to a putative substrate recognition site within the MCT8 protein, important for efficient TH uptake.
Functionalized BINOL-mono-PHOS for Multinuclear Cu-Catalysts in Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Organozinc Reagents
Authors: Endo Kohei , Yakeishi Sayuri , Hamada Daisuke , Shibata Takanori 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Functionalization of BINOL-mono-PHOS achieved the Cu-catalyzed highly asymmetric conjugate addition of organozinc reagents to enones. The incorporation of a bulky hydroxy group at the 3′-position of BINOL-mono-PHOS dramatically improved the yield and enantioselectivity. The present novel BINOL-mono-PHOS ligands are effective in the Cu-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of organozinc reagents in both acyclic enones and cyclohexenone.
Potential NIR Reflecting Yellow Pigments in (BiV)1−x(YNb)xO4 Solid Solutions
Authors: Sameera Saithathul Fathimah , Rao Padala Prabhakar , Kumari Leela Sandhya , James Vineetha , Divya Saraswathy 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
New yellow inorganic pigments, (BiV)1−x(YNb)xO4 with high NIR reflectance were synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The effect of isovalent dopants, namely, Y3+ and Nb5+ on BiVO4 samples was characterized using powder X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, UV–vis–NIR diffuse reflectance spectrometer, and CIE 1976 L*a*b* color scales. The prepared pigments exhibit brilliant yellow colors with significant enhancement of NIR reflectance to 90.8% when compared to undoped BiVO4 at the 1100 nm range. Further, the solid solutions allow fine tuning of the band gap displaying various yellow colors. The lattice distortion and reduction in particle size are responsible for the enhancement of the pigment characteristics. The above results indicate that these yellow pigments have potential to be used as cool colorants for roofs and automotives as energy-saving coatings.
Variation in candidate genes CLOCK and ADCYAP1 does not consistently predict differences in migratory behavior in the songbird genus Junco
Authors: Peterson Mark P , Abolins-Abols Mikus , Atwell Jonathan W , Rice Rebecca J , Milá Borja , Ketterson Ellen D 
Published: April 2013

Recent studies exploring the molecular genetic basis for migratory variation in animals have identified polymorphisms in two genes (CLOCK and ADCYAP1) that are linked to circadian rhythms and correlate with migratory propensity and phenology among individuals and populations. Results from these initial studies are mixed, however, and additional data are needed to assess the generality and diversity of the molecular mechanisms that regulate the biology of migration. We sequenced CLOCK and ADCYAP1 in 15 populations across the two species of the avian genus Junco, a North American lineage in which multiple recently diverged subspecies and populations range from sedentary to long-distance migrants. We found no consistent associations between allele length and migratory status across the genus for either CLOCK or ADCYAP1. However, within two subspecies groups, populations that migrate longer distances have longer CLOCK alleles on average. Additionally, there was a positive relationship between ADCYAP1 allele length and migratory restlessness (zugunruhe) among individuals within one of two captive populations studied—a result similar to those reported previously within captive blackcaps (Sylvia atricapilla). We conclude that, while both ADCYAP1 and CLOCK may correlate with migratory propensity within or among certain populations or species, previously identified relationships between migratory behavior and sequence variants cannot be easily generalized across taxa.