bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Demise of Tax Credits
Authors: Clegg Daniel 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIntroduced in the late 1990s, tax credits grew under successive Labour governments to become a cornerstone of UK social policy. Distinguished from traditional welfare policies by their target group and their mode of administration, and with goals that appeared capable of commanding support across the ideological spectrum, tax credits until recently seemed to hold the key to tackling poverty in a politically popular manner. But since 2010 the tax credit system has been systematically dismantled, initially qualitatively and latterly also quantitatively. This paper discusses the multiple factors that help to explain the rapid fall from grace in the UK of this liberal approach to supporting the incomes of poor working households.
Purification of two bacteriocins produced by Enterococcus faecalis DBFIQ E24 strain isolated from raw bovine milk
Authors: Manzo Ricardo M. , Cardoso María de las Mercedes , Tonarelli Georgina G. , Simonetta Arturo C. 
Published: October 2015

Enterococcus faecalis DBFIQ E24 was formerly characterised as a producer of antibacterial and antifungal substances. This strain is vancomycin sensitive, nonhaemolytic and gelatinase negative. SDS‐PAGE revealed the presence of an active band located between 1060 and 3500 Da. After the application of a three‐step purification procedure, two antimicrobial peptides were isolated. One of them is mostly active against Bacillus cereus with a molecular mass of 1364 Da, and the other one with a molecular mass of 1686 Da is mainly active against Escherichia coli. These results confirm the technological potential of E. faecalis DBFIQ E24 strain as a GRAS food biopreservative.
Can electors combat corruption? Institutional arrangements and citizen behaviour
Authors: XEZONAKIS GEORGIOS , KOSMIDIS SPYROS , DAHLBERG STEFAN 
Published: October 2015

AbstractStudies interested in the cross‐national levels of corruption have concluded that specific institutional characteristics drive the aggregate variation. In countries with high institutional clarity and plurality electoral systems, corruption tends to be lower since increased voter monitoring and clarity of responsibility incentivise politicians to deliver virtuous policies. However, the underlying accountability mechanism has never been tested at the individual level. It is still unclear whether (1) voters do place voting weights on corruption, and (2) whether these weights vary in response to aggregate institutional characteristics. In this article, survey data from 23 democracies is used to put the accountability micro‐mechanism to this test. While there is some evidence that voters do vote on the basis of corruption, the moderating effect of institutional characteristics is not as strong as previously thought.
Molecular Structural Characteristics of Polysaccharide Fractions from Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch and Their Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Zeng Hongliang , Miao Song , Zheng Baodong , Lin Shan , Jian Yeye , Chen Shen , Zhang Yi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the multiple relations between the preliminary molecular structural characteristics and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Canarium album (Lour.) Raeusch (CPS). Three polysaccharide fractions, CPS1, CPS2, and CPS3, were isolated from CPS by column chromatography. CPS1 and CPS3 were mainly composed of neutral polysaccharides linked by α‐ and β‐glycosidic linkages while CPS2 was pectin polysaccharides mainly linked by β‐glycosidic linkages. According to the SEC‐MALLS‐RI system, the molecular weight of CPS1 was greater compared to CPS2 and CPS3, and the molecular weight and radius of CPS did not display positive correlation. The chain conformation analysis indicated CPS1 and CPS2 were typical highly branched polysaccharides while CPS3 existed as a globular shape in aqueous. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of CPS2 was better than that of CPS3, while that of CPS1 was the weakest. The antioxidant activities of polysaccharide fractions were affected by their monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkage, molecular weight, and chain conformation. This functional property was a result of a combination of multiple molecular structural factors. CPS2 was the major antioxidant component of CPS and it could be exploited as a valued antioxidant product.
Genomic Resources Notes Accepted 1 June 2015 – 31 July 2015
Authors:   Genomic Resources Development Consortium, Álvarez P. , Arthofer Wolfgang , Coelho Maria M. , Conklin D. , Estonba A. , Grosso Ana R. , Helyar S. J. , Langa J. , Machado Miguel P. , Montes I. , Pinho Joana , Rief Alexander , Schartl Manfred , Schlick‐Steiner Birgit C. , Seeber Julia , Steiner Florian M. , Vilas C. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis article documents the public availability of (i) microbiomes in diet and gut of larvae from the dipteran Dilophus febrilis using massive parallel sequencing, (ii) SNP and SSR discovery and characterization in the transcriptome of the Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus, L) and (iii) assembled transcriptome for an endangered, endemic Iberian cyprinid fish (Squalius pyrenaicus).
Phenotype, genotype and gender identity in a large cohort of patients from India with 5α‐reductase 2 deficiency
Authors: Shabir I. , Khurana M. L. , Joseph A. A. , Eunice M. , Mehta M. , Ammini A. C. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryDeficiency of the 5α‐reductase 2 enzyme impairs the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and differentiation of external genitalia, seminal vesicles and prostate in males. The present study describes the phenotype, genotype and gender identity in a large cohort of patients with 5αRD2. All patients underwent detailed clinical evaluation, hormonal profile, karyotyping and molecular analysis of the SRD5A2 gene. The molecular analysis of the SRD5A2 gene showed the presence of mutant alleles in 24 patients. We found 6 novel mutations IVS(1‐2) T>C, p.A52T, 188‐189insTA, 904‐905ins A, p.A12T and p.E57X in our patients. All patients had ambiguous genitalia and the degrees of under‐virilization ranged from penoscrotal hypospadias and microphallus to clitoromegaly. The position of gonads was variable in patients with same mutation. All the patients with mutations in the SRD5A2 gene had male gender identity. Those reared as female had gender dysphoria and underwent gender reassignment. Though a specific genotype–phenotype correlation could not be established in our patient but confirming the diagnosis of 5αRD2 with assessment of the SRD5A2 gene may help in appropriate gender assignment.
Retrospective analysis of early outcomes after a single‐armed suture technique for microsurgical intussusception vasoepididymostomy
Authors: Zhao L. , Tu X.‐A. , Zhuang J.‐T. , Chen Y. , Wang W.‐W. , Zeng L.‐Y. , Deng C.‐H. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryLongitudinal intussusception microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (LIVE) increases the patency rate in men with epididymal obstructive azoospermia (EOA). Here, we retrospectively analyzed the early outcomes of our modified single‐armed suture technique for LIVE in men with EOA. From February 2012 to November 2013, 51 men received the modified technique and 39 men provided at least one post‐operative semen sample. The mean age was 31.4 years old for the men and 29.2 years old for their female partners. The mean duration of obstruction was 34.3 months. Patency was noted in 24 (61.5%) men and pregnancy was reported in 15 (38.5%) female partners. Motile spermatozoa in the epididymal fluid were observed intraoperatively in 14 (58.3%) patent men and 3 (20%) non‐patent men, respectively (p < 0.05). In the patent cohort, the mean ages of the pregnant and non‐pregnant female partners were 26.5 and 32.7 years old, respectively (p < 0.05). Our modified technique resulted in favorable patency and pregnancy rates in this study. Sperm motility in epididymal fluid and female partner age were important factors associated with the patency and pregnancy rates.
The measurement properties of the five‐item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF‐5): a Dutch validation study
Authors: Utomo E. , Blok B. F. , Pastoor H. , Bangma C. H. , Korfage I. J. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryErectile dysfunction (ED), affecting men worldwide, is associated with worse mental health. The severity of ED as well as the effect of its treatment can be assessed using valid self‐reported outcome measures. A widely used measure is the International Index of Erectile Function short form (IIEF‐5) which is not yet validated in Dutch. The objective of this study was to translate the IIEF‐5 into Dutch and to investigate its reliability and validity to provide a useful evaluation tool. The IIEF‐5 was translated into Dutch following standardized forward–backward procedures. To conduct this observational study, men with symptoms of ED completed the Dutch IIEF‐5 at inclusion, 1 week later, and 6 months after inclusion. A population‐based sample (reference group) completed the IIEF‐5 once. The quality domains reliability and validity were addressed by testing the measurement properties internal consistency, reliability, measurement error, and content validity. Data of 82 patients and 253 reference group participants were analyzed. Internal consistency was adequate with Cronbach's alpha of 0.94 in both patient and reference group. In patients, the test–retest reliability was adequate with an intra‐class correlation coefficient for agreement of 0.88. A floor effect was present in the patient group (42%), though not in the reference group (3%). There was no ceiling effect in patients (0%), while this was present in the reference group (17%). Analysis of responsiveness was not possible due to the limited number of patients receiving treatment. The Dutch IIEF‐5 is a reliable and valid measure to determine severity of symptoms of ED. This evaluation tool is valuable for clinical use and interpreting results across international clinical studies. The context of a patient's sexual life is, however, indispensable and should be taken into account.
Anti‐Müllerian hormone, a Sertoli cell‐derived marker, is decreased in plasma of male patients in all stages of chronic kidney disease
Authors: Eckersten D. , Giwercman A. , Bruun L. , Christensson A. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryMale patients with terminal renal failure are often infertile and exhibit an abnormal sex hormone pattern in plasma. We studied patients in all chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages to determine plasma levels of anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH), a Sertoli cell‐derived marker, and other sex hormones. Seventy‐eight male patients with CKD stages 1–5 and a median age of 40 years (22–50 years), as well as 20 healthy controls with a median age of 37 years (26–44 years), were enrolled. The CKD patients were evenly distributed; 18 with CKD stages 1–2, 19 with CKD stage 3, 19 with CKD stage 4, and 22 with CKD stage 5. Cystatin C, follicle‐stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, sex hormone‐binding globulin, testosterone, and AMH levels in plasma were analysed. AMH was analysed using the Ansh Labs UltraSensitive AMH assay. Several changes occurred in plasma levels of sex hormones in male patients with CKD. Plasma AMH levels were lower in CKD stages 1–4 by 30% (p = 0.041) and by 70% (p < 0.001) in CKD stage 5 compared with controls. Plasma luteinizing hormone and prolactin levels were higher and testosterone levels were lower compared with controls. The pathophysiological role of this reduction in AMH is unclear, but can be linked to altered Sertoli cell function.
Women with minor menstrual irregularities have increased risk of preeclampsia and low birthweight in spontaneous pregnancies
Authors: Bonnesen Barbara , Oddgeirsdóttir Hanna L. , Naver Klara Vinsand , Jørgensen Finn Stener , Nilas Lisbeth 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIntroductionVery few studies describe the obstetric and neonatal outcome of spontaneous pregnancies in women with irregular menstrual cycles. However, menstrual cycle irregularities are common and may be associated with increased risk, and women who develop pregnancy complications more frequently recollect irregular menstrual cycles before the time of conception in case‐control studies.Material and methodsThis retrospective cohort study compares obstetric and neonatal outcomes in spontaneous singleton pregnancies in 3440 primiparous Danish women stratified according to menstrual cycle regularity. All pregnancies delivered after 22 weeks of gestation and had a nuchal translucency examination at Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010. Menstrual cycle irregularity was defined as more than 7 days' deviation between self‐reported and ultrasound examination‐based gestational age. Outcome measures were gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm premature rupture of membranes, preterm birth, prolonged pregnancy, birthweight, umbilical artery pH <7.1, APGAR <7 after 5 min, admission to neonatal intensive care unit and stillbirth. Women with more than 7 days' deviation between self‐reported and ultrasound examination‐based gestational age were compared with women with a deviation of 7 days or less.ResultsIrregular menstrual cycle before conception increases the risk of preeclampsia (7.9% vs. 5.2%, p < 0.05) and low birthweight (6.0% vs. 3.6%, p < 0.05) in spontaneous pregnancies, but reduces the risk of prolonged pregnancy (1.4% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001).ConclusionIrregular menstrual cycle before conception is associated with increased risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcome.
Autoimmunity against dopamine receptors in neuropsychiatric and movement disorders: a review of Sydenham chorea and beyond
Authors: Cunningham M. W. , Cox C. J. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAntineuronal autoantibodies are associated with the involuntary movement disorder Sydenham chorea (SC) and paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) which are characterized by the acute onset of tics and/or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In SC and PANDAS, autoantibodies signal human neuronal cells and activate calcium calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Animal models immunized with group A streptococcal antigens demonstrate autoantibodies against dopamine receptors and concomitantly altered behaviours. Human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) derived from SC target and signal the dopamine D2L (long) receptor (D2R). Antibodies against D2R were elevated over normal levels in SC and acute‐onset PANDAS with small choreiform movements, but were not elevated over normal levels in PANDAS‐like chronic tics and OCD. The expression of human SC‐derived anti‐D2R autoantibody V gene in B cells and serum of transgenic mice demonstrated that the human autoantibody targets dopaminergic neurones in the basal ganglia and other types of neurones in the cortex. Here, we review current evidence supporting the hypothesis that antineuronal antibodies, specifically against dopamine receptors, follow streptococcal exposures and may target dopamine receptors and alter central dopamine pathways leading to movement and neuropsychiatric disorders.
The last Eurasian ice sheets – a chronological database and time‐slice reconstruction, DATED‐1
Authors: Hughes Anna L. C. , Gyllencreutz Richard , Lohne Øystein S. , Mangerud Jan , Svendsen John Inge 
Published: October 2015

We present a new time‐slice reconstruction of the Eurasian ice sheets (British–Irish, Svalbard–Barents–Kara Seas and Scandinavian) documenting the spatial evolution of these interconnected ice sheets every 1000 years from 25 to 10 ka, and at four selected time periods back to 40 ka. The time‐slice maps of ice‐sheet extent are based on a new Geographical Information System (GIS) database, where we have collected published numerical dates constraining the timing of ice‐sheet advance and retreat, and additionally geomorphological and geological evidence contained within the existing literature. We integrate all uncertainty estimates into three ice‐margin lines for each time‐slice; a most‐credible line, derived from our assessment of all available evidence, with bounding maximum and minimum limits allowed by existing data. This approach was motivated by the demands of glaciological, isostatic and climate modelling and to clearly display limitations in knowledge. The timing of advance and retreat were both remarkably spatially variable across the ice‐sheet area. According to our compilation the westernmost limit along the British–Irish and Norwegian continental shelf was reached up to 7000 years earlier (at c. 27–26 ka) than the eastern limit on the Russian Plain (at c. 20–19 ka). The Eurasian ice sheet complex as a whole attained its maximum extent (5.5 Mkm2) and volume (~24 m Sea Level Equivalent) at c. 21 ka. Our continental‐scale approach highlights instances of conflicting evidence and gaps in the ice‐sheet chronology where uncertainties remain large and should be a focus for future research. Largest uncertainties coincide with locations presently below sea level and where contradicting evidence exists. This first version of the database and time‐slices (DATED‐1) has a census date of 1 January 2013 and both are available to download via the Bjerknes Climate Data Centre and PANGAEA (www.bcdc.no; http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.848117).
Pathophysiology of Hypoperfusion of the Precuneus in Early Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Miners J. Scott , Palmer Jennifer C. , Love Seth 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe earliest decline in cerebral perfusion in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is in the medial parietal cortex (precuneus). We have analyzed precuneus in post‐mortem tissue from 70 AD and 37 control brains to explore the pathophysiology of the hypoperfusion: the contribution of arteriolosclerotic small vessel disease (SVD) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), and of the vasoconstrictors endothelin‐1 (EDN1) and angiotensin II (Ang II), and the association with Aβ. The myelin‐associated glycoprotein:proteolipid protein‐1 ratio (MAG:PLP1) was used as an indicator of oxygenation of the precuneus prior to death. MAG:PLP1 was reduced ∼50% in early AD (Braak stage III–IV). Although MAG:PLP1 remained low in advanced AD (stage V–VI), the reduction was less pronounced, possibly reflecting falling oxygen demand. Reduction in cortical MAG:PLP1 correlated with elevation in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), another marker of hypoperfusion. Cortical MAG:PLP1 declined nonsignificantly with increasing SVD and CAA, but significantly with the concentration of EDN1, which was elevated approximately 75% in AD. In contrast, with reduction in cortical MAG:PLP1, Ang II level and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) activity declined, showing a normal physiological response to hypoperfusion. MAG:PLP1 was reduced in the parietal white matter (WM) in AD but here the decline correlated positively (ie, physiologically) with WM EDN1. However, the decline of MAG:PLP1 in the WM was associated with increasing cortical EDN1 and perhaps reflected vasoconstriction of perforating arterioles, which traverse the cortex to perfuse the WM. EDN1 in the cortex correlated highly significantly with both soluble and insoluble Aβ42, shown previously to upregulate neuronal endothelin‐converting enzyme‐2 (ECE2), but not with Aβ40. Our findings demonstrate reduced oxygenation of the precuneus in early AD and suggest that elevated EDN1, resulting from Aβ42‐mediated upregulation of ECE2, is a contributor.
Knockdown of the small conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels is potently cytotoxic in breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Abdulkareem Zana Azeez , Gee Julia MW , Cox Charles D , Wann Kenneth T 
Published: October 2015

Background and PurposeSmall conductance calcium‐activated potassium (KCa2.x) channels have a widely accepted canonical function in regulating cellular excitability. In this study, we address a potential non‐canonical function of KCa2.x channels in breast cancer cell survival, using in vitro models.Experimental ApproachThe expression of all KCa2.x channel isoforms was initially probed using RT‐PCR, Western blotting and microarray analysis in five widely studied breast cancer cell lines. In order to assess the effect of pharmacological blockade and siRNA‐mediated knockdown of KCa2.x channels on these cell lines, we utilized MTS proliferation assays and also followed the corresponding expression of apoptotic markers.Key ResultsAll of the breast cancer cell lines, regardless of their lineage or endocrine responsiveness, were highly sensitive to KCa2.x channel blockade. UCL1684 caused cytotoxicity, with LD50 values in the low nanomolar range, in all cell lines. The role of KCa2.x channels was confirmed using pharmacological inhibition and siRNA‐mediated knockdown. This reduced cell viability and also reduced expression of Bcl‐2 but increased expression of active caspase‐7 and caspase‐9. Complementary to these results, a variety of cell lines can be protected from apoptosis induced by staurosporine using the KCa2.x channel activator CyPPA.Conclusions and ImplicationsIn addition to a well‐established role for KCa2.x channels in migration, blockade of these channels was potently cytotoxic in breast cancer cell lines, pointing to modulation of KCa2.x channels as a potential therapeutic approach to breast cancer.
Intranasal immunization with heat shock protein 60 induces CD4+CD25+GARP+ and type 1 regulatory T cells and inhibits early atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhong Y , Tang H , Wang X , Zeng Q , Liu Y , Zhao Xi , Yu K , Shi H , Zhu R , Mao X 
Published: October 2015

SummaryAtherosclerosis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease involving both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. Immune tolerance induction may have therapeutic potential for the suppression of atherosclerosis. Current interest is directed towards mucosal tolerance induction, especially nasal tolerance. Previous studies have shown that heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is recognized as an important autoantigen in atherosclerosis, and nasal or oral HSP60 can induce tolerance and ameliorate atherosclerosis by inducing several subsets of regulatory T cells (Tregs) such as latency-associated peptide (LAP)+ and forkhead box transcription factor 3 (FoxP3)+ Tregs. However, little is known regarding the detailed mechanisms of nasal tolerance. Here, we again investigated the impact of nasal HSP60 on atherosclerosis and the mechanisms underlying the anti-atherosclerosis responses. We found that nasal HSP60 caused a significant 33·6% reduction in plaque size at the aortic root in the early stages of atherosclerosis (P &lt; 0·001). Notably, a significant increase in activated CD4+CD25+ glycoprotein A repetitions predominant (GARP)+ Tregs, type 1 Tregs (Tr1 cells), and CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Tregs, as well as a marked decrease in the numbers of type 1 and 17 T helper cells was detected in the spleens and cervical lymph nodes of HSP60-treated mice. Moreover, nasal HSP60 increases the production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and interleukin (IL)-10 and decreases the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17. Interestingly, the atheroprotective role of nasal HSP60 treatment was abrogated partly by the neutralization of IL-10. Our findings show that nasal administration of HSP60 can attenuate atherosclerotic formation by inducing GARP+ Tregs, Tr1 cells and FoxP3+ Tregs, and that these Tregs maintain immune homeostasis by secreting IL-10 and TGF-β.