bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells express several functional sex hormone receptors
Authors: Abdelbaset‐Ismail Ahmed , Suszynska Malwina , Borkowska Sylwia , Adamiak Mateusz , Ratajczak Janina , Kucia Magda , Ratajczak Mariusz Z. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractEvidence has accumulated that murine haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) share several markers with the germline, a connection supported by recent reports that pituitary and gonadal sex hormones (SexHs) regulate development of murine HSPCs. It has also been reported that human HSPCs, like their murine counterparts, respond to certain SexHs (e.g. androgens). However, to better address the effects of SexHs, particularly pituitary SexHs, on human haematopoiesis, we tested for expression of receptors for pituitary SexHs, including follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin (PRL), as well as the receptors for gonadal SexHs, including progesterone, oestrogens, and androgen, on HSPCs purified from human umbilical cord blood (UCB) and peripheral blood (PB). We then tested the functionality of these receptors in ex vivo signal transduction studies and in vitro clonogenic assays. In parallel, we tested the effect of SexHs on human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Finally, based on our observation that at least some of the UCB‐derived, CD45− very small embryonic‐like stem cells (VSELs) become specified into CD45+ HSPCs, we also evaluated the expression of pituitary and gonadal SexH receptors on these cells. We report for the first time that human HSPCs and VSELs, like their murine counterparts, express pituitary and gonadal SexH receptors at the mRNA and protein levels. Most importantly, SexH if added to suboptimal doses of haematopoietic cytokines and growth factors enhance clonogenic growth of human HSPCs as well as directly stimulate proliferation of MSCs.
Apigenin, a potent suppressor of dendritic cell maturation and migration, protects against collagen‐induced arthritis
Authors: Li Xing , Han Yanping , Zhou Qingyou , Jie Hongyu , He Yi , Han Jiaochan , He Juan , Jiang Yong , Sun Erwei 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate whether apigenin (API) suppresses arthritis development through the modulation of dendritic cell functions. Bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and treated with API for 24 hrs; DC functions, including phenotype expressions, cytokine secretion, phagocytosis and chemotaxis, were then investigated. The effects of API on collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) were examined in vivo, and purified DCs from the lymph nodes (LNs) of API‐treated CIA mice were analysed for phenotypes and subsets. In in vitro, API efficiently restrained the phenotypic and functional maturation of LPS‐stimulated BMDCs while maintaining phagocytotic capabilities. Moreover, API inhibited the chemotactic responses of LPS‐stimulated BMDCs, which may be related to the depressive effect on chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). In in vivo, API treatment delayed the onset and reduced the severity of arthritis in CIA mice, and diminished secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the serum and supernatants from the LN cells of the CIA mice. Similar to the in vitro findings, the API‐treated mice exhibited reduced expression of co‐stimulatory molecules and major histocompatibility complex II on DCs. Furthermore, API treatment strongly down‐regulated the number of Langerhans cells, but not plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) in LNs, which may be related to the depressive effect of API on the expression of CXCR4 on DCs of peripheral blood. These data provide new insight into the mechanism of action of API on arthritis and indicate that the inhibition of maturation and migration of DCs by API may contribute to its immunosuppressive effects.
Does evidence‐based practice improve patient outcomes? An analysis of a natural experiment in a Spanish hospital
Authors: Emparanza Jose I. , Cabello Juan B. , Burls Amanda J. E. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractRationale, aims and objectivesEvidence‐based practice (EBP) is widely promoted, but does EBP produce better patient outcomes? We report a natural experiment when part of the internal medicine service in a hospital was reorganized in 2003 to form an EBP unit, the rest of the service remaining unchanged. The units attended similar patients until 2012 permitting comparisons of outcomes and activity.MethodsWe used routinely collected statistics (2004–11) to compare the two different methods of practice and test whether patients being seen by the EBP unit differed from standard practice (SP) patients. Data were available by doctor and year. To check for differences between the EBP and SP doctors prior to reorganization, we used statistics from 2000 to 2003. We looked for changes in patient outcomes or activity following reorganization and whether the EBP unit was achieving significantly different results from SP. Data across the periods were combined and tested using Mann–Whitney test.ResultsNo statistically significant differences in outcomes were detected between the EBP and the SP doctors prior to reorganization. Following the unit's establishment, the mortality of patients being treated by EBP doctors compared with their previous performance dropped from 7.4% to 6.3% (P < 0.02) and length of stay from 9.15 to 6.01 days (P = 0.002). No statistically significant improvements were seen in SP physicians' performance. No differences in the proportion of patients admitted or their complexity between the services were detected. Despite this, EBP patients had a clinically significantly lower risk of death 6.27% versus 7.75% (P < 0.001) and a shorter length of stay 6.01 versus 8.46 days (P < 0.001) than SP patients. Readmission rates were similar: 14.4% (EBP); 14.5% (SP). EBP doctors attended twice as many patients/doctor as SP doctors.ConclusionThe EBP unit was associated with better patient outcomes and more efficient performance than achieved by the same physicians previously or by SP concurrently.
Aeromonas salmonicida infection levels in pre‐ and post‐stocked cleaner fish assessed by culture and an amended qPCR assay
Authors: Gulla S , Duodu S , Nilsen A , Fossen I , Colquhoun D J 
Published: October 2015

AbstractDue to increasing resistance to chemical therapeutants, the use of ‘cleaner fish’ (primarily wrasse, Labridae, species) has become popular in European salmon farming for biocontrol of the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer). While being efficient de‐licers, cleaner fish mortality levels in salmon cages are commonly high, and systemic bacterial infections constitute a major problem. Atypical furunculosis, caused by Aeromonas salmonicida A‐layer types V and VI, is among the most common diagnoses reached in clinical investigations. A previously described real‐time PCR (qPCR), targeting the A. salmonicida A‐layer gene (vapA), was modified and validated for specific and sensitive detection of all presently recognized A‐layer types of this bacterium. Before stocking and during episodes of increased mortality in salmon cages, cleaner fish (primarily wild‐caught wrasse) were sampled and screened for A. salmonicida by qPCR and culture. Culture indicated that systemic bacterial infections are mainly contracted after salmon farm stocking, and qPCR revealed A. salmonicida prevalences of approximately 4% and 68% in pre‐ and post‐stocked cleaner fish, respectively. This underpins A. salmonicida's relevance as a contributing factor to cleaner fish mortality and emphasizes the need for implementation of preventive measures (e.g. vaccination) if current levels of cleaner fish use are to be continued or expanded.
Studying the Effects of Fish Muscle Incorporation on Storage Stability of a Novel Corn‐fish Snack
Authors: Shahmohammadi H.R. , Bakar J. , Russly A.R. , Noranizan M.A. , Mirhosseini H. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTo investigate the effect of minced fish incorporation on storage stability of a puffed corn‐fish snack, treatments including 15% silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) meat and 85% corn (seasoned and unseasoned) were produced by a twin screw extruder. The peroxide values (PVs) of treatments increased (P < 0.05) with storage time and reached a peak in the 12th week, then the values declined following a quadratic model. The fish was the least significant factor (P < 0.05), meaning that incorporation of minced fish slightly affected the PV. Conversely, the seasoning was the most significant factor (P < 0.05) followed by storage time. The total volatile base nitrogen and free fatty acid concentration of treatments increased linearly during storage. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was found for crispiness and color. Also, no microbial growth was observed during storage. The storage stability of the seasoned corn‐fish snack and the control was obtained 28 and 33 weeks, respectively.Practical ApplicationsStarch‐based snacks are widely used. They are high in calories and low in protein. Our previous study has developed a novel extruded puffed corn‐fish snack by incorporation of fish muscle (silver carp) and corn grits using extrusion technology to improve the nutritional properties of the ordinary corn snacks and to add value to silver carp, an underutilized fish species in Iran. To commercialize the product, studying the effect of fish meat incorporation on storage stability of the developed puffed corn‐fish snack and determining the shelf life are required.
Influence of marital status on the survival of patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Zhou Rongping , Yan Shushan , Li Jun 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and Aims:The influence of marital status on gastric cancer (GC) survival is controversial. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between marital status and the survival of GC patients.Methods:The data of current study was from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End‐Results database. We identified 18 815 GC patients between 2004 and 2009, who were categorized into married, never married, widowed, and divorced/separated groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis was performed to compare gastric cancer specific survival (GCSS), and Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the risk factors for different survival outcomes in four groups with diverse marital status.Results:Married patients had better 5‐year GCSS compared with patients who were never married, separated/widowed, or divorced. In stratified analyses by histological type and pathological differentiation, unmarried patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, signet ring cell carcinoma, moderately differentiated caicinoma, and poorly differentiated/undifferentiated carcinoma had an increased risk of cancer mortality. Widowed patients had the highest percentage of women and elderly, and were more susceptible to well and moderately differentiated gastric carcinomars and gastric adenocarcinoma with earlier TNM stage and lowest rate of surgery and radiation therapy. In addition, they also had the worst 5‐year GCSS.Conclusions:Our study suggests that unmarried GC patients, especially widowed patients, are at a high risk of GCSS. Additionally, the survival benefit is more significant among married GC patients in higher malignancy status.
Cost‐effectiveness of treating chronic hepatitis C virus with direct‐acting antivirals in people who inject drugs in Australia
Authors: Scott Nick , Iser David M , Thompson Alexander J , Doyle Joseph S , Hellard Margaret E 
Published: October 2015

AbstractBackground and Aim:Reducing the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) related liver disease will require treating people who inject drugs (PWID), the group at most risk of infection and transmission. We determine the cost‐effectiveness of treating PWID with interferon‐free direct‐acting antiviral therapy in Australia.Methods:Using a deterministic model of HCV treatment and liver disease progression, including a fixed rate of re‐infection, the expected healthcare costs and quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) of a cohort of newly HCV‐infected PWID were calculated for: no treatment; treatment after initial infection (“early‐treatment”); and treatment prior to developing compensated cirrhosis (“late‐treatment”). Incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were used to compare scenarios.Results:Late‐treatment was cost‐effective compared to no treatment, with a discounted average gain of 2.98 (95%confidence interval 2.88–5.22) QALYs per person for an additional cost of $15 132 ($11 246–18 922), giving an ICER of $5078 ($2847–5295) per QALY gained. Compared to late‐treatment, early‐treatment gained a further discounted average of 2.27 (0.58–4.80) QALYs per person for $38 794 ($34 789–41 367), giving an ICER of $17 090 ($2847–63 282), which was cost‐effective in approximately 90% of Monte‐Carlo uncertainty simulations. For every 100 newly HCV‐infected PWID, there were an estimated 40 (39–56) eventual liver‐related deaths without treatment, compared to 7 (6–11) and 8 (7–13) with early‐treatment and late‐treatment available respectively.Conclusions:Treating HCV‐infected PWID with new therapies is cost‐effective and could prevent a significant number of liver‐related deaths. Although late‐treatment was the most cost‐effective option, the cost per QALY gained for early‐treatment compared to late‐treatment is likely to be below unofficial Australian willingness to pay thresholds.
Novel retinoid ester in combination with salicylic acid for the treatment of acne
Authors: Draelos Zoe , Lewis Joseph , McHugh Laura , Pellegrino Arthur , Popescu Lavinia 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundRetinoids (RC), alpha‐hydroxy acids (AHA), and salicylic acid (BHA) treat acne through differing mechanisms of action. It is theorized that optimal improvement can be achieved by combining the RC‐induced normalization of cellular differentiation, AHA‐induced exfoliation in hydrophilic areas, and BHA‐induced exfoliation in lipophilic areas. AHA and RC have been combined in a bioengineered molecule (AHA retinoid conjugate, or AHA‐RC) delivering both lactic acid (AHA) and RC in a manner reducing retinoid‐associated irritation.ObjectivesTo evaluate efficacy and tolerability of a twice‐daily, three‐product skincare regimen using AHA‐RC in combination with BHA for patients with acne.MethodsA total of 27 women (age range 20–58 years, mean 37.81 ± 10.04 years) with mild‐to‐moderate acne used a 3‐product regimen consisting of a twice‐daily cleanser and topical serum (0.1% AHA‐RC, 2% salicylic acid, and 10.4% l‐lactic acid), with broad‐spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen as needed, over an 8‐week period. Counts were made at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of total inflammatory (papules, pustules) and noninflammatory (open comedones, closed comedones) lesions. Dryness, stinging, and other secondary endpoints were rated on a 0–5 scale.ResultsStatistically significant reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion counts (P = 0.006 and P = 0.015, respectively) was noted at 4 weeks. Improvement continued into week 8 with highly significant (P < 0.001) reductions in both lesion counts.ConclusionsThe topical combination of lactic acid, SA, and AHA‐RC produced acne improvement after 4 weeks with continuing cumulative improvement at 8 weeks. AHA‐RC represents a new molecule combining several mechanisms of action to achieve acne improvement.
Acute Brain Imaging in Children: Can MRI Replace CT as a Screening Tool?
Authors: Wagner Matthias W. , Kontzialis Marinos , Seeburg Daniel , Stern Steven E. , Oshmyansky Alexander , Poretti Andrea , Huisman Thierry A.G.M. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSETo determine if axial T2‐weighted imaging can serve as screening tool for pediatric brain imaging.METHODSWe retrospectively evaluated consecutive brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 161 children (74 girls) with a mean age of 7.44 ± 5.71 years. Standard of reference was the final report of neuroradiology attendings. Three readers with different levels of experience were blinded for clinical diagnoses and study indications. First, readers studied only the axial T2‐weighted screening sequence. Second, they studied all available anatomical and functional MRI sequences as performed per standard protocol for each clinical indication. The readings were classified as normal or abnormal. Sensitivity and specificity were measured.RESULTSAxial T2 screening yielded a sensitivity of 77‐88% and a specificity of 92%. The full studies/data sets had a sensitivity of 89‐95% and a specificity of 86‐93%. Nineteen of 167 studies were acquired for acute and 148 of 167 studies for nonacute clinical indication. Twenty‐five false‐negative diagnoses paneled in three groups were made by all readers together. Readers misread four of 19 studies with acute and 21 of 148 studies with nonacute clinical indication. Four of 21 misread studies with nonacute indications harbored unexpected findings needing management.CONCLUSIONSAxial T2 screening can detect pediatric brain abnormalities with high sensitivity and specificity and can possibly replace CT as screening tool if the reading physician is aware of possible limitations/pitfalls. The level of experience influences sensitivity and specificity. Adding diffusion‐weighted imaging and susceptibility‐weighted imaging to a 3‐dimensional T2‐weighted sequence would most likely further increase sensitivity and specificity.
Detection of Right‐to‐Left Cardiac Shunt in the Absence of Transcranial Acoustic Bone
Authors: Perren Fabienne , Kremer Christine , Iwanovski Patricia , Savva Elena , Landis Theodor 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTPURPOSEParadoxical thrombotic embolism via right‐to‐left cardiac shunt (RLS) is a risk factor of cryptogenic ischemic stroke. Transtemporal Doppler (TTD) is a valid method used in the detection of patent foramen ovale (PFO). Temporal acoustic bone windows are missing with increasing age and in some younger subjects. We studied prospectively whether Doppler ultrasound of the cervical arteries (submandibular internal carotid artery [ICA] and vertebral artery [VA]) is an alternative, when compared to TTD, in the detection and quantification of PFO.MATERIAL AND METHODSA total of 94 patients with sufficient temporal bone windows suffering from recent ischemic stroke underwent TTD and ICA (n = 51) or TTD and VA (n = 43). After injection of microbubbles, the numbers of artificial high‐intensity signals (HITS) were recorded at rest and after Valsalva maneuver.RESULTSFor 47 patients in the ICA group, an RLS was found at rest in 23 patients and after Valsalva in 28 patients. At rest, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 96%, positive predictive value (ppv) 95.6%, and negative predictive value (npv) 100%. After Valsalva, sensitivity was 100%, specificity 95%, ppv 96.4%, npv 100%. For 43 patients in the VA group an RLS was found at rest in 14 patients and after Valsalva in 19 patients. At rest, sensitivity was 71.4%, specificity 100%, ppv 100%, and npv 87.8%. After Valsalva, 94.4%, 96%, 94.4%, and 96%, respectively. Pearson's correlations of the number of HITS between TTD and ICA and between TTD and VA were highly significant.CONCLUSIONSWhen transcranial acoustic bone windows are missing, Doppler ultrasound of the cervical submandibular ICA and VAs are valid screening methods to detect RLS due to a PFO.
Psychosocial characteristics and predictors of health‐care use in families of young children with cystic fibrosis in Western Australia
Authors: Douglas Tonia , Green Jennifer , Park Judy , Turkovic Lidija , Massie John , Shields Linda 
Published: October 2015

ObjectiveEarly childhood psychosocial experiences determine future health and health‐care use. Identifying psychosocial predictors in cystic fibrosis may inform intervention strategies that can reduce health‐care utilization.DesignThe study was designed as a prospective cohort study.SettingThe study was set in the only cystic fibrosis clinic in Western Australia.PatientsThe patients were children up to 6 years diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in Western Australia between 2005 and 2011.Main outcome measuresPsychosocial data collected for each year of life were compared with Australian population data and analysed as predictors of annual hospital, emergency and outpatient visits.ResultsCompared with the Australian population, cystic fibrosis families demonstrated lower socio‐economic status and labour supply (P < 0.001), increased residential mobility (P < 0.001) and trends towards increased rates of parental separation (P = 0.066). Marital discord and maternal and child psychological stress significantly predicted increased hospital admissions, emergency and outpatient visits.ConclusionsSocial gradients may exist for families of young children with cystic fibrosis in Western Australia with potential implications for child health. Family psychological and relationship stress predicted increased child cystic fibrosis‐related health‐care use.
Protein interactome mining defines melatonin MT1 receptors as integral component of presynaptic protein complexes of neurons
Authors: Benleulmi‐Chaachoua Abla , Chen Lina , Sokolina Kate , Wong Victoria , Jurisica Igor , Emerit Michel Boris , Darmon Michèle , Espin Almudena , Stagljar Igor , Tafelmeyer Petra , Zamponi Gerald W. , Delagrange Philippe , Maurice Pascal , Jockers Ralf 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIn mammals, the hormone melatonin is mainly produced by the pineal gland with nocturnal peak levels. Its peripheral and central actions rely either on its intrinsic antioxidant properties or on binding to melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors, belonging to the G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) super‐family. Melatonin has been reported to be involved in many functions of the central nervous system such as circadian rhythm regulation, neurotransmission, synaptic plasticity, memory, sleep, and also in Alzheimer's disease and depression. However, little is known about the subcellular localization of melatonin receptors and the molecular aspects involved in neuronal functions of melatonin. Identification of protein complexes associated with GPCRs has been shown to be a valid approach to improve our understanding of their function. By combining proteomic and genomic approaches we built an interactome of MT1 and MT2 receptors, which comprises 378 individual proteins. Among the proteins interacting with MT1, but not with MT2, we identified several presynaptic proteins, suggesting a potential role of MT1 in neurotransmission. Presynaptic localization of MT1 receptors in the hypothalamus, striatum, and cortex was confirmed by subcellular fractionation experiments and immunofluorescence microscopy. MT1 physically interacts with the voltage‐gated calcium channel Cav2.2 and inhibits Cav2.2‐promoted Ca2+ entry in an agonist‐independent manner. In conclusion, we show that MT1 is part of the presynaptic protein network and negatively regulates Cav2.2 activity, providing a first hint for potential synaptic functions of MT1.