bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immunopotentiating Effect of Small Peptides on Primary Culture Coelomocytes of Sea Cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Wang Shuxian , Li Tianbao , Xu La , Li Le , Fan Ying , Wei Jianteng 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe in vitro effect of small peptides on the nonspecific immune response of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus, coelomocytes was studied. Coelomocytes were cultured in L‐15 medium containing different concentrations of small peptide (0, 5, 25, and 100 µg/mL). Coelomocytes were incubated with the above immunostimulant for 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. Coelomocytes incubated in the medium without immunostimulants were taken as controls at each incubation time. After exposure to small peptides, the coelomocytes were sampled and immune parameters namely, phagocytosis activity, respiratory burst activity, as well as activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. All immune parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced by small peptides. Both phagocytic capacity and respiratory burst activity were up to maximum values at 6 h, and these values were 1.6 and 1.1 times as high as the control group, respectively. Among the humoral responses, the activities of ACP, AKP, and SOD were also up to maximum values at 6 h. The values were 1.4, 1.3, and 1.4 times as high as the control group, respectively. These results suggest that small peptides can enhance the nonspecific immune response of sea cucumber in vitro.
Alanine aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase have different dose‐response relationships with risk of mortality by age
Authors: Oh Chang‐Mo , Won Young‐Joo , Cho Hyunsoon , Lee Jong‐Keun , Park Bo Young , Jun Jae Kwan , Koh Dong‐Hee , Ki Moran , Jung Kyu‐Won , Oh In‐Hwan 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsIt remains unclear whether the respective dose‐response relationships between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and risk of mortality are consistent by age.MethodsWe used sampled cohort data from the National Health Insurance Corporation to conduct a retrospective cohort study. A total of 313 252 participants who received medical health check‐ups from 2002 to 2008 were assessed for risk of death according to serum ALT and GGT levels over an average of 6 years. The hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality were analysed with Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsThe crude mortality rate increased linearly with increasing serum ALT and GGT levels in adults aged <60 years. However, the all‐cause mortality rate showed a J‐shaped relationship with increasing serum ALT levels whereas all‐cause mortality rate showed a linear relationship with increasing serum GGT levels in adults aged ≥60 years. The HR of death showed U‐shaped relationships with increasing serum ALT levels in adults aged ≥60 years. On the contrary, the HR of death from any cause had a linear association with increasing serum GGT levels among all age groups.ConclusionsIn this study, U‐shaped relationship patterns were demonstrated between serum ALT levels and risk for all‐cause mortality in adults aged ≥60 years while serum GGT levels showed a linear relationship with risk for all‐cause death. Very low levels of serum ALT in elderly patients suggest that they are at high risk of mortality.
Investigating the origin and global dispersal history of hepatitis E virus genotype 4 using phylogeographical analysis
Authors: Nakano Tatsunori , Takahashi Kazuaki , Takahashi Masaharu , Nishigaki Yoichi , Watanabe Naoki , Ishida Satoshi , Fujimoto Shino , Kato Hideaki , Okano Hiroshi , Takei Yoshiyuki , Ayada Minoru , Tomita Eiichi , Arai Masahiro , Okamoto Hiroaki , Mishiro Shunji 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsHepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 4 has mainly been isolated from sporadic hepatitis cases and swine in Asian countries. We analysed the origin and global dispersal history of genotype 4 using a Bayesian phylogeographical approach.MethodsThe 412‐nucleotide sequences of open reading frame 2 of genotype 4 (47 Japanese, 40 Chinese, 1 Indian, 8 Indonesian, 1 Korean, 1 Taiwanese, 2 Danish and 2 Italian), of which sampling date and location were known, were collected. Evolutionary rate, divergence time, demographic growth and phylogeography were co‐estimated in the Bayesian statistical inference framework implemented in the BEAST package to model spatial dispersal on a time‐scaled genealogy.ResultsThe most probable origin of genotype 4 was Japan and the time of origin was 1909 (95% highest posterior density, 1871–1940). Seven lineages of genotype 4 migrated from Japan to China. The analysis also showed the migration of genotype 4 from Japan or China to India and Indonesia and from China to Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea and a few European countries.ConclusionsSwine trade between countries coincided with the migration time and direction of genotype 4 in some cases and was considered the primary cause of dispersal. However, there was no clear cause of dispersal for some cases, for which no records of pig trade were found. Future research should analyse additional nucleotide sequences paired with epidemiological data from various countries to improve our understanding of HEV dispersal.
Histological reversibility of diabetic nephropathy after kidney transplantation from diabetic donor to non‐diabetic recipient
Authors: Harada Shumpei , Ushigome Hidetaka , Nishimura Ayako , Nakao Toshimasa , Nakamura Tsukasa , Koshino Katsuhiro , Suzuki Tomoyuki , Itoh Takashi , Nobori Shuji , Yoshimura Norio 
Published: June 2015

AbstractAimGiven the recent increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, it is not uncommon for kidney transplantation donors to have diabetes. We perform kidney transplantation in our hospital if the diabetic donors are receiving oral hypoglycaemic agents, but not insulin, and their haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) is below 6.5%. There are few reports about histological changes to diabetic nephropathy after transplantation of kidney grafts from donors with diabetes mellitus to non‐diabetic recipients. Therefore, we studied the histological diabetic changes in grafts from diabetic donors at protocol biopsies (1 hour, 1 month, 1 year), and evaluated whether they improved under the recipient's good glycaemic control.MethodsThree cases of kidney transplantation from donors with diabetes mellitus to non‐diabetic recipients were selected. We used a pathological classification established by the Renal Pathology Society for evaluating histological improvements in diabetic nephropathy.ResultsThe results revealed that early diabetic changes found at the 1‐hour and 1‐month protocol biopsies were reversed and improved at the 1‐year biopsy.ConclusionWe concluded that early diabetic changes in grafts from diabetic donors may improve if the graft recipient has good glycaemic control after kidney transplantation.
Biopsy findings on a stable recipient after secondary donor specific antibody (DSA) positive and ABO incompatible kidney transplantation
Authors: Sugitani Atsushi , Takahashi Chihiro , Naka Takuji , Hisamitsu Kazunori , Yamamoto Osamu , Kobayashi Naoto , Kimura Mari , Yoshida Haruhiko , Hanaki Takehiko , Hamazoe Ryuichi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUsing desensitization protocol, we performed a secondary donor specific antibody (DSA) positive and ABO incompatible kidney transplantation. One‐hour biopsy showed no C4d deposition. The protocol biopsy after 2 weeks showed diffuse C4d deposition with peritubulitis. After 12 weeks, however, the protocol biopsy showed disappearance of tubulitis in spite of remaining C4d deposition. The recipient was in stable condition with excellent graft function despite high titer of the DSA. Monitoring of protocol biopsy is critical while antibody titer and the interpretation of the histological findings correlating with clinical markers must be considered.
Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis recurrence with massive proteinuria and anuria immediately after kidney transplantation
Authors: Maruyama Michihiro , Kitamura Hiroshi , Akutsu Naotake , Otsuki Kazunori , Hasegawa Masayuki , Aoyama Hiromichi , Matsumoto Ikuko , Saigo Kenichi , Asano Takehide 
Published: June 2015

AbstractHere, we report a case of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) recurrence immediately (47 minutes) after transplantation. A 1‐hour biopsy specimen showed large periodic acid‐Schiff–positive granules within the cells of the swollen proximal tubule, while electron microscopy revealed podocyte swelling and partial foot process effacement. These findings were worse on day 2 biopsy. Massive proteinuria and anuria were then observed. Two courses (2 × 2 times) of plasmapheresis and rituximab were administered, and the graft function gradually recovered. A day 22 biopsy specimen showed improvement in findings compared to those observed on day 2. One year after transplantation, no signs of FSGS recurrence are evident, and graft function remains good.
Clinical and pathological features of donor/recipient body weight mismatch after kidney transplantation
Authors: Yamakawa Takafumi , Kobayashi Akimitsu , Yamamoto Izumi , Nakada Yasuyuki , Mafune Aki , Katsumata Haruki , Furuya Maiko , Koike Kentaro , Miki Jun , Yamada Hiroki , Tanno Yudo , Ohkido Ichiro , Tsuboi Nobuo , Yokoyama Keitaro , Yamamoto Hiroyasu , Yokoo Takashi 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies have shown that a donor/recipient body weight mismatch affects long‐term graft survival and graft function after kidney transplantation. However, the mechanisms are not fully understood.AimTo address the mechanisms, we compared the pathological and physiological features between patients with a donor/recipient body weight mismatch and those without a mismatch 1 yr after kidney transplantation. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation with the donor/recipient body weight ratio.MethodsWe examined allograft biopsy specimens from 10 recipients with stable kidney function, with body weight mismatch (donor/recipient body weight ratio [D/R BWR] < 0.9), and compared them with samples from 13 patients without mismatch. We measured glomerular volume (GV) using the Weibel–Gomez method and glomerular density (GD) defined by nonsclerotic glomerular number/renal cortical area as pathological findings. The physiological parameters included estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria (mg/day). These data were evaluated to identify a correlation with D/R BWR.ResultsThe pathological features showed that GV and GD were identical in the two groups. However, when glomerular enlargement was defined by ΔGV (GV at the 1‐yr biopsy minus GV at baseline biopsy), ΔGV was higher in mismatch cases compared with that in cases without a mismatch (10.6 ± 4.6 vs. 5.5 ± 7.1 × 105 μm3; P = 0.049). Furthermore, D/R BWR was significantly correlated with ΔGV (P = 0.03, r = –0.436). eGFR values were physiologically identical between the two groups, but the mismatch cases had significantly higher proteinuria levels than that of the cases without a mismatch at 1 yr after kidney transplantation.ConclusionA donor/recipient body weight mismatch could affect glomerular enlargement and increased proteinuria 1 yr after kidney transplantation. How these two features affect long‐term graft survival and function must be addressed in the future.
High‐throughput multiplex cpDNA resequencing clarifies the genetic diversity and genetic relationships among Brassica napus, Brassica rapa and Brassica oleracea
Authors: Qiao Jiangwei , Cai Mengxian , Yan Guixin , Wang Nian , Li Feng , Chen Binyun , Gao Guizhen , Xu Kun , Li Jun , Wu Xiaoming 
Published: June 2015

SummaryBrassica napus (rapeseed) is a recent allotetraploid plant and the second most important oilseed crop worldwide. The origin of B. napus and the genetic relationships with its diploid ancestor species remain largely unresolved. Here, chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) from 488 B. napus accessions of global origin, 139 B. rapa accessions and 49 B. oleracea accessions were populationally resequenced using Illumina Solexa sequencing technologies. The intraspecific cpDNA variants and their allelic frequencies were called genomewide and further validated via EcoTILLING analyses of the rpo region. The cpDNA of the current global B. napus population comprises more than 400 variants (SNPs and short InDels) and maintains one predominant haplotype (Bncp1). Whole‐genome resequencing of the cpDNA of Bncp1 haplotype eliminated its direct inheritance from any accession of the B. rapa or B. oleracea species. The distribution of the polymorphism information content (PIC) values for each variant demonstrated that B. napus has much lower cpDNA diversity than B. rapa; however, a vast majority of the wild and cultivated B. oleracea specimens appeared to share one same distinct cpDNA haplotype, in contrast to its wild C‐genome relatives. This finding suggests that the cpDNA of the three Brassica species is well differentiated. The predominant B. napus cpDNA haplotype may have originated from uninvestigated relatives or from interactions between cpDNA mutations and natural/artificial selection during speciation and evolution. These exhaustive data on variation in cpDNA would provide fundamental data for research on cpDNA and chloroplasts.
Measuring the Physiologic Properties of Oral Lesions Receiving Fractionated Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Gallagher‐Colombo Shannon M. , Quon Harry , Malloy Kelly M. , Ahn Peter H. , Cengel Keith A. , Simone Charles B. , Chalian Ara A. , O'Malley Bert W. , Weinstein Gregory S. , Zhu Timothy C. , Putt Mary E. , Finlay Jarod C. , Busch Theresa M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) can treat superficial, early‐stage disease with minimal damage to underlying tissues and without cumulative dose‐limiting toxicity. Treatment efficacy is affected by disease physiologic properties, but these properties are not routinely measured. We assessed diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for the noninvasive, contact measurement of tissue hemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO2) and total hemoglobin concentration ([tHb]) in the premalignant or superficial microinvasive oral lesions of patients treated with 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA)‐PDT. Patients were enrolled on a Phase 1 study of ALA‐PDT that evaluated fluences of 50, 100, 150 or 200 J cm−2 delivered at 100 mW cm−2. To test the feasibility of incorporating DRS measurements within the illumination period, studies were performed in patients who received fractionated (two‐part) illumination that included a dark interval of 90–180 s. Using DRS, tissue oxygenation at different depths within the lesion could also be assessed. DRS could be performed concurrently with contact measurements of photosensitizer levels by fluorescence spectroscopy, but a separate noncontact fluorescence spectroscopy system provided continuous assessment of photobleaching during illumination to greater tissue depths. Results establish that the integration of DRS into PDT of early‐stage oral disease is feasible, and motivates further studies to evaluate its predictive and dosimetric value.
To remove or not to remove? Removal of the unconditional stimulus electrode does not mediate instructed extinction effects
Authors: Luck Camilla C. , Lipp Ottmar V. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractFollowing differential fear conditioning, the instruction that the unconditional stimulus will no longer be presented (instructed extinction) reduces differential electrodermal responding to CS+ and CS−, but does not affect differential conditional stimulus valence evaluations. Reductions in differential electrodermal responding have been attributed to the provision of verbal instructions; however, during instructed extinction the unconditional stimulus electrode is often removed as well. This removal could reduce the participants’ general arousal levels rendering the detection of differential electrodermal responding difficult. The current study examined this alternative interpretation by comparing the electrodermal responses and conditional stimulus valence evaluations of an instruction/electrode‐on group, an instruction/electrode‐off group, and a control group who were not instructed. Following instructed extinction, differential electrodermal responding was eliminated in both instruction groups, an effect that was not influenced by the attachment/removal of the electrode. Replicating previous findings, conditional stimulus valence was not affected by instructed extinction. The results suggest that verbal instructions, not unconditional stimulus electrode removal, reduce differential electrodermal responding during instructed extinction manipulations.
Cleaved PARP‐1, an Apoptotic Marker, can be Detected in Ram Spermatozoa
Authors: Casao A , Mata‐Campuzano M , Ordás L , Cebrián‐Pérez JA , Muiño‐Blanco T , Martínez‐Pastor F 
Published: June 2015

ContentsThe presence of apoptotic features in spermatozoa has been related to lower quality and functional impairment. Members of the poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerases (PARP) familyare involved in both DNA repair and apoptosis, playing important roles in spermatogenesis. Poly‐ADP‐ribose polymerase can be cleaved by caspases, and the presence of its cleavage product (cPARP) in spermatozoa has been related to chromatin remodelling during spermatogenesis and to the activation of apoptotic pathways. There are no reports on immunodetection of cPARP in ram spermatozoa; thus, we have tested a commercially available antibody for this purpose. cPARP was microscopically detected in the acrosomal ridge of some spermatozoa (indirect immunofluorescence). A preliminary study was carried out by flow cytometry (direct immunofluorescence, FITC). Ram semen was extended in TALP and incubated for 4 h with apoptosis inducers staurosporine (10 μm) or betulinic acid (200 μm). Both inducers and incubation caused a significant increase in cPARP spermatozoa (0 h, control: 21.4±3.3%, inducers: 44.3±1.4%; 4 h, control: 44.3±2.4%, inducers: 53.3±1.4%). In a second experiment, we compared the sperm fractions after density gradient separation (pellet and interface). The pellet yielded a slightly lower proportion of cPARP spermatozoa (28.5±1.2% vs 36.2±2.0% in the interface; p < 0.001), and a 12‐h incubation increased cPARP similarly in both fractions (p < 0.001). cPARP seems to be an early marker of apoptosis in ram semen, although its presence in untreated samples was weakly related to worse quality (pellet/interface). We suggest to study the relationship of PARP and cPARP levels with between‐male differences on sperm fertility.
The Impact of Reproductive Technologies on Stallion Mitochondrial Function
Authors: Peña FJ , Plaza Davila M , Ball BA , Squires EL , Martin Muñoz P , Ortega Ferrusola C , Balao da Silva C 
Published: June 2015

ContentsThe traditional assessment of stallion sperm comprises evaluation of sperm motility and membrane integrity and identification of abnormal morphology of the spermatozoa. More recently, the progressive introduction of flow cytometry is increasing the number of tests available. However, compared with other sperm structures and functions, the evaluation of mitochondria has received less attention in stallion andrology. Recent research indicates that sperm mitochondria are key structures in sperm function suffering major changes during biotechnological procedures such as cryopreservation. In this paper, mitochondrial structure and function will be reviewed in the stallion, when possible specific stallion studies will be discussed, and general findings on mammalian mitochondrial function will be argued when relevant. Especial emphasis will be put on their role as source of reactive oxygen species and in their role regulating sperm lifespan, a possible target to investigate with the aim to improve the quality of frozen–thawed stallion sperm. Later on, the impact of current sperm technologies, principally cryopreservation, on mitochondrial function will be discussed pointing out novel areas of research interest with high potential to improve current sperm technologies.
Contemporary NGO–Journalist Relations: Reviewing and Evaluating an Emergent Area of Research
Authors: Powers Matthew 
Published: June 2015

AbstractLong recognized as key players in international politics, non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) increasingly assume important roles in the provision of news. By hiring photographers, staffing online departments and funding reporting trips, NGOs act in ways that overlap with the actions of professional journalists. This article reviews and evaluates an emerging area of research – the study of NGO–journalist relations – that analyzes these developments. It proceeds in four parts: First, it overviews changes in the NGO and journalism sectors that drive growing scholarly interest in the topic. Second, it summarizes the findings of the available research. Third, it suggests some of the ways in which this research connects with concerns in the sociology of media and communication. Fourth, it evaluates the findings in light of various normative frameworks of public discourse. It concludes by suggesting that NGO–journalism scholarship can benefit from further attention by sociologists working in the areas of media and communication.
Institutional Pluralism, Organizations, and Actors: A Review
Authors: Yu Kyoung‐Hee 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe institutional logics perspective holds the promise of delivering where neo‐institutionalist theory has disappointed – the ability to address key societal problems such as inequality, social discrimination, and economic insecurity – a promise that, as of yet, has been unrealized. In this review, I provide an overview of the body of work within the institutional logics perspective that addresses the co‐existence of multiple institutional logics influencing identities, values, cognitive frameworks, and practices – institutional pluralism. I demonstrate how pluralism diverges from conventional neo‐institutionalist theory in its view of institutional fields as heterogeneous spaces. I then review the implications for organizations and social actors responding to multiple logics in the institutional environment. In the discussion section, I argue that the study of pluralism, in acknowledging human agency, politics, and collective mobilization, opens the door for creative resolutions to societal problems hitherto overlooked in neo‐institutional theory. Despite the promise, I address key research areas that remain unresolved or under‐addressed in the institutional pluralism perspective.
Political Inequality is International, Interdisciplinary, and Intersectional
Authors: Dubrow Joshua Kjerulf 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPolitical inequality refers to the unequal influence over decisions made by political bodies and the unequal outcomes of those decisions. Political inequality is a subtype of power inequality, visible within the political processes of all kinds of political structures. In modern democracies, political inequality is simultaneously a dimension of democracy and a dimension of stratification. Two key theoretical and empirical questions are How much political inequality is there? and is political inequality rising, falling, or staying the same? The answer to these key questions requires us to specify the kind of political inequality – voice, response, and their subtypes – and whether we mean equality of political opportunities or of political outcomes. I argue that we need to understand better the form, duration, and magnitude of political inequality within and across nations. We need to study it systematically, continuously, and diligently, and in an inclusive, open‐minded way, inclining our ears to the varied contributions of the many academic disciplines. We should begin by studying political inequality as an international phenomenon and as an interdisciplinary enterprise, and from an intersectional approach.