bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal therapy of HIV/HCV co‐infected patients with direct acting antivirals
Authors: Rockstroh Jürgen K. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe development of direct acting antivirals (DAAs) against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) has revolutionized treatment paradigms for HCV in HIV co‐infected subjects. In the era of DAAs, HIV/HCV co‐infected patients have the same cure rates of over 90% with interferon (IFN)‐free DAA combinations. Therefore, guidelines no longer separate mono‐ and co‐infected subjects. Indications for HCV therapy and DAA drug selection have become the same for all patients. The only special consideration in HIV/HCV co‐infected subjects is the need to check for drug–drug interactions between HIV and HCV drugs, especially HIV and HCV protease inhibitors which have a high risk of clinically significant drug interactions. Because of the faster progression of fibrosis and the higher risk of hepatic decompensation in co‐infected subjects, even with combination antiretroviral (ART) therapy, the availability of modern HCV treatments needs to be extended and HCV therapy should be discussed in all co‐infected patients.
An intrahepatic transcriptional signature of enhanced immune activity predicts response to peginterferon in chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Jansen Louis , de Niet Annikki , Makowska Zuzanna , Dill Michael T. , van Dort Karel A. , Terpstra Valeska , Bart Takkenberg R. , Janssen Harry L.A. , Heim Markus H. , Kootstra Neeltje A. , Reesink Hendrik W. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsDifferences in intrahepatic gene expression patterns may be associated with therapy response in peginterferon‐treated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.MethodsWe employed gene expression profiling in baseline liver biopsies of 40 CHB patients (19 HBeAg‐positive; 21 HBeAg‐negative) treated with peginterferon and adefovir for 48 weeks, and compared expression patterns of combined responders (HBeAg loss, HBV‐DNA <2000 IU/ml, alanine aminotransferase normalization after 1 year of treatment‐free follow‐up) with non‐responders. Genes identified by transcriptome analysis in 15 biopsies were confirmed in 25 additional biopsies by RT‐qPCR.ResultsTranscriptome analysis demonstrated significant differences in expression of 41 genes between responders and non‐responders. In responders, pathway analysis showed specific upregulation of genes related to the immune response, including chemotaxis and antigen processing and presentation. Genes upregulated in responders exhibited strongest similarity with a set of genes induced in livers of chimpanzees with acute Hepatitis B infection. Differential expression was confirmed for eight selected genes. A 2‐gene subset (HLA‐DPB1, SERPIN‐E1) was found to predict response most accurately. Incorporation of these genes in a multivariable model with HBeAg status, HBV genotype and baseline HBsAg level correctly classified 90% of all patients, in which HLA‐DPB1 and SERPIN‐E1 were independent predictors of response.ConclusionWe identified an intrahepatic transcriptional signature associated with enhanced immune activation which predicts therapy response. These novel associations could lead to better understanding of responsiveness to peginterferon in CHB patients, and may assist in selecting possible responders to interferon‐based treatment.
Effect of pretransplant diabetes on short‐term outcomes after liver transplantation: A National cohort study
Authors: Hoehn Richard S. , Singhal Ashish , Wima Koffi , Sutton Jeffrey M. , Paterno Flavio , Steve Woodle E. , Hohmann Sam , Abbott Daniel E. , Shah Shimul A. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackground & AimsWe sought to analyse the effect of pretransplant diabetes on post‐operative outcomes and resource utilization following liver transplantation.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was designed using a linkage between the University HealthSystem Consortium and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients databases. We identified 12 442 patients who underwent liver transplantation at 63 centres from 2007–2011 and separated cohorts of patients with diabetes (n = 2971; 24%) and without (n = 9471; 76%) at the time of transplant. We analysed transplant related outcomes and short‐term survival.ResultsDiabetic recipients were more likely to be male (70% vs 67%), non‐white (32% vs 26%), older (age ≥60; 41% vs 28%), and have a higher BMI (29 vs 27; P < 0.001). More diabetic patients were on haemodialysis (10% vs 7%), had cirrhosis caused by NASH (24% vs 9%; P < 0.001), and received liver allografts from older donors (≥ 60 years; 19% vs 15%) with a higher donor risk index (>1.49; 46% vs 42%; P < 0.001). Post‐transplant, diabetic recipients had longer hospital length of stay (10 vs 9 days), higher peri‐transplant mortality (5% vs 4%) and 30‐day readmission rates (41% vs 37%), were less often discharged to home (83% vs 87%; P < 0.05), and had inferior graft and patient survival. Liver transplant was more expensive for type 1 vs type 2 diabetics ($105 078 vs $100 624, P < 0.001). Poorly controlled diabetic recipients were less likely discharged home following transplant (75% vs 82%, P < 0.01).ConclusionsThis national study indicates that pretransplant diabetes is associated with inferior post‐operative outcomes and increased resource utilization after liver transplantation.
Early succession of micro‐periphyton communities in kelp bed and barren ground ecological systems
Authors: Uribe Roberto A. , Ortiz Marco , Pacheco Aldo S. , Araya Rubén 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn shallow sublittoral rocky habitats of the Southeast Pacific, two conspicuous ecological systems exist; kelp beds dominated by large Laminariales algae, and barren grounds dominated by crustose coralline algae and sea urchins. The aim of this study was to examine the successional development of micro‐periphyton communities in both ecological systems using a colonization experiment conducted in Northern Chile. In both ecological systems, we installed replicated ceramic plates at 10 m depth and samples were taken after 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 14 days of exposure. Bacteria, diatoms, protozoans and small eukaryotes were identified, quantified and analysed. The succession of micro‐periphyton communities in both ecological systems followed a common pattern consisting of a net accumulation of functional groups and taxa over time; however, the total density of all groups was significantly higher in the kelp beds. In addition, the community structure of the developing micro‐periphytons was different and specific for each ecological system. Although previous studies have suggested that kelp beds and barren grounds are capable of switching from one state to the other without substantial changes in biodiversity, our results show that each of these ecological systems promotes its own successional development, suggesting that they are unique, self‐organized entities. This study is the first step towards an understanding of these ecological systems operating independently at this scale of organization.
The formation and alteration of the Renazzo‐like carbonaceous chondrites III: Toward understanding the genesis of ferromagnesian chondrules
Authors: Schrader Devin L. , Connolly Harold C. , Lauretta Dante S. , Zega Thomas J. , Davidson Jemma , Domanik Kenneth J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractTo better understand the formation conditions of ferromagnesian chondrules from the Renazzo‐like carbonaceous (CR) chondrites, a systematic study of 210 chondrules from 15 CR chondrites was conducted. The texture and composition of silicate and opaque minerals from each observed FeO‐rich (type II) chondrule, and a representative number of FeO‐poor (type I) chondrules, were studied to build a substantial and self‐consistent data set. The average abundances and standard deviations of Cr2O3 in FeO‐rich olivine phenocrysts are consistent with previous work that the CR chondrites are among the least thermally altered samples from the early solar system. Type II chondrules from the CR chondrites formed under highly variable conditions (e.g., precursor composition, redox conditions, cooling rate), with each chondrule recording a distinct igneous history. The opaque minerals within type II chondrules are consistent with formation during chondrule melting and cooling, starting as S‐ and Ni‐rich liquids at 988–1350 °C, then cooling to form monosulfide solid solution (mss) that crystallized around olivine/pyroxene phenocrysts. During cooling, Fe,Ni‐metal crystallized from the S‐ and Ni‐rich liquid, and upon further cooling mss decomposed into pentlandite and pyrrhotite, with pentlandite exsolving from mss at 400–600 °C. The composition, texture, and inferred formation temperature of pentlandite within chondrules studied here is inconsistent with formation via aqueous alteration. However, some opaque minerals (Fe,Ni‐metal versus magnetite and panethite) present in type II chondrules are a proxy for the degree of whole‐rock aqueous alteration. The texture and composition of sulfide‐bearing opaque minerals in Graves Nunataks 06100 and Grosvenor Mountains 03116 suggest that they are the most thermally altered CR chondrites.
Virulence and in planta movement of Xanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii are affected by the diffusible signal factor (DSF)‐dependent quorum sensing system
Authors: Barel Victoria , Chalupowicz Laura , Barash Isaac , Sharabani Galit , Reuven Michal , Dror Orit , Burdman Saul , Manulis‐Sasson Shulamit 
Published: December 2014

SummaryXanthomonas hortorum pv. pelargonii (Xhp), the causal agent of bacterial blight in pelargonium, is the most threatening bacterial disease of this ornamental worldwide. To gain an insight into the regulation of virulence in Xhp, we have disrupted the quorum sensing (QS) genes, which mediate the biosynthesis and sensing of the diffusible signal factor (DSF). Mutations in rpfF (encoding the DSF synthase) and rpfC (encoding the histidine sensor kinase of the two‐component system RfpC/RpfG) and overexpression of rpfF showed a significant reduction in incidence and severity of the disease on pelargonium. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images of inoculated plants with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐labelled wild‐type strain showed that the pathogen is homogeneously dispersed in the lumen of xylem vessels, reaching the apex and invading the intercellular spaces of the leaf mesophyll tissue within 21 days. In contrast, the rpfF and rpfC knockout mutants, as well as the rpfF‐overexpressing strain, remained confined to the vicinity of the inoculation site. The rpfF and rpfC mutants formed large incoherent aggregates in the xylem vessels that might interfere with upward movement of the bacterium within the plant. Both mutants also formed extended aggregates under in vitro conditions, whereas the wild‐type strain formed microcolonies. Expression levels of putative virulence genes in planta were substantially reduced within 48 h after inoculation with the QS mutants when compared with the wild‐type. The results presented indicate that an optimal DSF concentration is crucial for successful colonization and virulence of Xhp in pelargonium.
Potential role of ATP‐binding cassette transporters against acaricides in the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato
Authors: CAFARCHIA C. , PORRETTA D. , MASTRANTONIO V. , EPIS S. , SASSERA D. , IATTA R. , IMMEDIATO D. , RAMOS R. A. N. , LIA R. P. , DANTAS‐TORRES F. , KRAMER L. , URBANELLI S. , OTRANTO D. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters have been shown to be involved in pesticide detoxification in arthropod vectors and are thought to contribute to the development of drug resistance. Little is currently known about the role they play in ticks, which are among the more important vectors of human and animal pathogens. Here, the role of ABC transporters in the transport of fipronil and ivermectin acaricides in the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) was investigated. Larvae were treated with acaricide alone and acaricide in combination with a sub‐lethal dose of the ABC transporter inhibitor cyclosporine A. The LC50 doses and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated by mortality data using probit analysis were 67.930 p.p.m. (95% CI 53.780–90.861) for fipronil and 3741 p.p.m. (95% CI 2857–4647) for ivermectin. The pre‐exposure of larvae to a sub‐lethal dose of cyclosporine A reduced the LC50 dose of fipronil to 4.808 p.p.m. (95% CI 0.715–9.527) and that of ivermectin to 167 p.p.m. (95% CI 15–449), which increased toxicity by about 14‐ and 22‐fold, respectively. The comparison of mortality data for each separate acaricide concentration showed the synergic effect of cyclosporine A to be reduced at higher concentrations of acaricide. These results show for the first time a strong association between ABC transporters and acaricide detoxification in R.sanguineus s.l.
Zonisamide in the early stage of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Maeda Tetsuya , Takano Daiki , Yamazaki Takashi , Satoh Yuichi , Nagata Ken 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBackgroundZonisamide is one of the anti‐parkinsonian agents approved and used in Japan, and it improves motor symptoms and off time in the advanced stage of Parkinson's disease. However, there is no evidence of its efficacy in the early stage of Parkinson's disease.AimTo investigate the effect of zonisamide on the early stage of Parkinson's disease.MethodsWe consecutively recruited patients with less than 3 years of disease duration who were treated with levodopa/dopa decarboxylase inhibitor only or additional small amounts of dopamine agonists. We evaluated motor severities with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, non‐motor severities with the Non‐Motor Symptom scale and health‐related quality of daily life with the 39 items of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire. Patients also evaluated themselves with the Patient Global Impression of Improvement index. Serum zonisamide levels were monitored throughout the study. After the baseline clinical evaluation, patients received 25 mg of open‐label zonisamide, and were evaluated for 28 weeks.ResultsWe recruited 13 patients, and 11 patients completed the study. Adjunctive zonisamide significantly improved the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III score and Patient Global Impression of Improvement after the 12th week. The Non‐Motor Symptom Scale and summary index of the 39‐item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire showed no significant changes. Mean plasma levels of zonisamide were stable throughout the study. Two patients could not complete because of adverse events.ConclusionsZonisamide can be expected to be safe and beneficial to motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease in the early stage as well as the advanced stage.
An Innovative Oat‐Based Sterile Emollient Cream in the Maintenance Therapy of Childhood Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Mengeaud Valerie , Phulpin Chloe , Bacquey Adeline , Boralevi Franck , Schmitt Anne‐Marie , Taieb Alain 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAlthough emollients are recommended in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD), regimens for emollient maintenance therapy are awaiting validation. We conducted an international, multicenter, open‐label trial to assess the effects of a 3‐month maintenance treatment regimen with a sterile, preservative‐free emollient cream containing oat plantlets in children (ages 6 mos–6 yrs) with moderate AD. After a 14‐day run‐in stabilization phase using a topical corticosteroid (TCS) treatment of medium potency, 108 children with a SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index of 20 or less were included in the study. Emollient was applied twice daily for 3 months. Rescue TCS treatment was used only in cases of flare‐ups. The SCORAD index, Patient‐Oriented SCORAD (PO‐SCORAD) index, number of flares, TCS use, and tolerance were assessed at months 1, 2, and 3 (M1, M2, M3). AD severity improved, with a highly significant decrease in the SCORAD and PO‐SCORAD indexes at M2 and M3 (p < 0.001). Changes from baseline to M3 were 48.6 ± 73.6% for SCORAD and 29.6 ± 125.3% for PO‐SCORAD. The number of flares and TCS use significantly decreased by M3 (both p < 0.001). Very good tolerance was recorded in 100% of children at M2 and M3. Notwithstanding the limitations inherent in open‐label trials, twice daily application of the oat‐based sterile emollient cream led to a significant improvement of clinical symptoms, evidenced by parallel changes in the SCORAD and PO‐SCORAD indexes and fewer flare‐ups. Clinical benefit and less TCS use were maintained at M3. Tolerance was very good.
Ovarian Follicular Activity During Late Gestation and Postpartum in Guanaco (Lama guanicoe)
Authors: Riveros JL , Schuler G , Urquieta B , Hoffmann B , Bonacic C 
Published: December 2014

ContentsThis study evaluated ovarian activity in late gestation and post‐partum in guanacos in captivity. Follicular dynamics was monitored every second day from 40 days before and other 40 after delivery by transrectal sonography and by plasma steroids concentrations. Seven out of eight (87.5%) of gestating females presented ovarian follicular activity under progesterone levels >3 nmol/l with maximum follicular size of 8.42 ± 0.83 mm from days 23 to 1 before delivery. After delivery, all females have follicular wave development from day 0 to 38, with larger follicular size and longer follicular wave phases and interwave interval when compared with pre‐partum data. During post‐partum period, there was a close relationship between follicle size and estradiol‐17β concentration, with r = 0.69 at the beginning of growth phase and r = 0.86 in association with the largest dominant follicle. Plasma estradiol‐17β concentration varied from 11.92 to 198.55 pmol/l. Plasma estrone sulfate, free estrone and progesterone returned to baseline concentrations during peripartal period and remained basal thereafter. The results described follicular activity during late gestation and early post‐partum period. These findings provide relevant information to understand physiological changes occurring during this reproductive key period in seasonal breeders with long gestation duration as New and Old World camelids.
Clarifying the Relationship of Parental Bonding to Suicide Ideation and Attempts
Authors: Saffer Boaz Y. , Glenn Catherine R. , David Klonsky E. 
Published: December 2014

Suicide and suicidal behavior are major public health problems, especially among adolescents and young adults. Previous research has established links between parental bonding and suicidality; however, it remains unclear whether parental bonding is associated with suicide ideation, the progression from suicide ideation to suicide attempts, or both. This study examined the relation of parental bonding to suicide ideation and suicide attempts in adolescents from two settings: (1) acute psychiatric care (n = 172) and (2) high school (n = 426). All participants were administered validated measures of parental bonding, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts, as well as emotion dysregulation, loneliness, and self‐worth. In the psychiatric sample, lower parental care significantly differentiated adolescents with a history of suicide attempts from those with suicide ideation only or without histories of suicidality. This pattern remained even after controlling for other known correlates of suicidality (i.e., emotional dysregulation, loneliness, and low self‐worth). Similar effects were found in the community sample, although these findings failed to reach statistical significance. In both samples, parental overprotection was not associated with suicide ideation or suicide attempts. Results suggest that parental care may be an important risk factor for youth suicidal behavior and may help differentiate suicide attempters from suicide ideators.
Cognitive, Cultural, and Linguistic Sources of a Handshape Distinction Expressing Agentivity
Authors: Brentari Diane , Renzo Alessio Di , Keane Jonathan , Volterra Virginia 
Published: December 2014

AbstractIn this paper the cognitive, cultural, and linguistic bases for a pattern of conventionalization of two types of iconic handshapes are described. Work on sign languages has shown that handling handshapes (H‐HSs: those that represent how objects are handled or manipulated) and object handshapes (O‐HSs: those that represent the class, size, or shape of objects) express an agentive/non‐agentive semantic distinction in many sign languages. H‐HSs are used in agentive event descriptions and O‐HSs are used in non‐agentive event descriptions. In this work, American Sign Language (ASL) and Italian Sign Language (LIS) productions are compared (adults and children) as well as the corresponding groups of gesturers in each country using “silent gesture.” While the gesture groups, in general, did not employ an H‐HS/O‐HS distinction, all participants (signers and gesturers) used iconic handshapes (H‐HSs and O‐HSs together) more often in agentive than in no‐agent event descriptions; moreover, none of the subjects produced an opposite pattern than the expected one (i.e., H‐HSs associated with no‐agent descriptions and O‐HSs associated with agentive ones). These effects are argued to be grounded in cognition. In addition, some individual gesturers were observed to produce the H‐HS/O‐HS opposition for agentive and non‐agentive event descriptions—that is, more Italian than American adult gesturers. This effect is argued to be grounded in culture. Finally, the agentive/non‐agentive handshape opposition is confirmed for signers of ASL and LIS, but previously unreported cross‐linguistic differences were also found across both adult and child sign groups. It is, therefore, concluded that cognitive, cultural, and linguistic factors contribute to the conventionalization of this distinction of handshape type.
The family of K2P channels: salient structural and functional properties
Authors: Feliciangeli Sylvain , Chatelain Frank C. , Bichet Delphine , Lesage Florian 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPotassium channels participate in many biological functions, from ion homeostasis to generation and modulation of the electrical membrane potential. They are involved in a large variety of diseases. In the human genome, 15 genes code for K+ channels with two pore domains (K2P). These channels form dimers of pore‐forming subunits that produce background conductances finely regulated by a range of natural and chemical effectors, including signalling lipids, temperature, pressure, pH, antidepressants and volatile anaesthetics. Since the cloning of TWIK1, the prototypical member of this family, a lot of work has been carried out on their structure and biology. These studies are still in progress, but data gathered so far show that K2P channels are central players in many processes, including ion homeostasis, hormone secretion, cell development and excitability. A growing number of studies underline their implication in physiopathological mechanisms, such as vascular and pulmonary hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, nociception, neuroprotection and depression. This review gives a synthetic view of the most noticeable features of these channels.