bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alkaline phosphatase protects against renal inflammation through dephosphorylation of lipopolysaccharide and adenosine triphosphate
Authors: Peters E , Geraci S , Heemskerk S , Wilmer M J , Bilos A , Kraenzlin B , Gretz N , Pickkers P , Masereeuw R 
Published: July 2015

Background and PurposeRecently, two phase‐II trials demonstrated improved renal function in critically ill patients with sepsis‐associated acute kidney injury treated with the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Here, we elucidated the dual active effect on renal protection of alkaline phosphatase.Experimental ApproachThe effect of human recombinant alkaline phosphatase (recAP) on LPS‐induced renal injury was studied in Sprague–Dawley rats. Renal function was assessed by transcutaneous measurement of FITC‐sinistrin elimination in freely moving, awake rats. The mechanism of action of recAP was further investigated in vitro using conditionally immortalized human proximal tubular epithelial cells (ciPTEC).Key ResultsIn vivo, LPS administration significantly prolonged FITC‐sinistrin half‐life and increased fractional urea excretion, which was prevented by recAP co‐administration. Moreover, recAP prevented LPS‐induced increase in proximal tubule injury marker, kidney injury molecule‐1 expression and excretion. In vitro, LPS‐induced production of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐8 was significantly attenuated by recAP. This effect was linked to dephosphorylation, as enzymatically inactive recAP had no effect on LPS‐induced cytokine production. RecAP‐mediated protection resulted in increased adenosine levels through dephosphorylation of LPS‐induced extracellular ADP and ATP. Also, recAP attenuated LPS‐induced increased expression of adenosine A2A receptor. However, the A2A receptor antagonist ZM‐241385 did not diminish the effects of recAP.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese results indicate that the ability of recAP to reduce renal inflammation may account for the beneficial effect observed in septic acute kidney injury patients, and that dephosphorylation of ATP and LPS are responsible for this protective effect.
Anti‐angiogenic effect of ALS‐L1023, an extract of Melissa officinalis L., on experimental choroidal neovascularization in mice
Authors: Roh Young‐Jung , Jee Donghyun , Rho Chang‐Rae , Cho Won‐Kyung , Kang Seungbum 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe effect of ALS‐L1023, an extract of Melissa officinalis L. (Labiatae; lemon balm) leaves, on experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice was evaluated.MethodsC57BL/6 mice were given either vehicle or ALS‐L1023 daily via oral gavage for 3 weeks (days 0–21). CNV was induced by rupturing Bruch's membrane using laser photocoagulation (day 7). Two weeks after laser injury (day 21), the CNV lesions were evaluated by an examination of choroidal flat mounts using fluorescein‐labelled dextran, immunofluorescence staining with isolectin B4 and fluorescence angiography. The effects of ALS‐L1023 on endothelial cell tube formation and the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 were evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells.ResultsThe extent of CNV was reduced by ALS‐L1023. Mice treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg/day of the material exhibited 44.3 and 68.1% reductions in the extent of CNV lesions, respectively, compared to the vehicle group (P < 0.001). The size of the isolectin B4‐labelled area was also significantly decreased in the ALS‐L1023‐treated groups (P < 0.001). On fluorescein angiography, ALS‐L1023‐treated mice exhibited significantly less leakage of fluorescent material than did vehicle‐treated mice. ALS‐L1023 decreased vascular endothelial growth factor‐induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation in a dose‐dependent manner. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 was suppressed by ALS‐L1023.ConclusionsThe laser‐induced CNV in mice can be inhibited by ALS‐L1023. Therefore, it may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diseases involving CNV.
Surfactant proteins A and D are related to severity of the disease, pathogenic bacteria and comorbidity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps
Authors: Uhliarova B. , Kopincova J. , Adamkov M. , Svec M. , Calkovska A. 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundSurfactant proteins (SP) A and D play a critical role in the innate defence of respiratory mucosa. Although numerous studies have focused on the importance of surfactant in the lower airways, relatively little is known about its role in the upper respiratory system.MethodsThe prospective study was conducted with 61 subjects divided into patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and healthy controls. SP‐A and SP‐D were detected in nasal lavage fluid (NALF) by ELISA and in nasal mucosa by immunohistochemical staining. Severity of the diseases assessed by preoperative CT score, presence of comorbidity (allergy and bronchial asthma) and bacterial culture from the middle nasal meatus was evaluated.ResultsIn nasal mucosa, SPs were localised in ciliated cells of the surface epithelium and serous acini of the submucosal glands. Stronger expression of SPs in submucosal glands was observed in CRSwNP and CRSsNP groups in comparison with controls. In patients with CRSsNP and more severe form of the disease, higher levels of SP‐A and SP‐D in NALF and stronger immunoreactivity of these proteins in nasal mucosa were detected. Identification of pathogenic bacteria was associated with higher levels of SP‐A and SP‐D in NALF and nasal mucosa in patients with CRSsNP and control group. Presence of allergy was associated with stronger expression of SP‐A in submucosal glands in all CRS patients and with decreased levels of both SPs in NALF in CRSsNP patients.ConclusionsSurfactant proteins A and D play an important role in innate host defence of upper respiratory tract. Different expression of these proteins in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis indicates possible novel target of therapy in these patients.
A meta‐analysis of literacy and language in children with rolandic epilepsy
Authors: Smith Anna B , Bajomo Omotomilola , Pal Deb K 
Published: July 2015

AimRolandic epilepsy is the most common childhood epilepsy, often presenting with neuropsychological impairments. The aim of the study was to formally assimilate the findings of existing studies varying widely in methodology, thereby confirming the nature and prevalence of impairments in literacy and language.MethodsUsing meta‐analytical techniques, we evaluated 22 studies of literacy and/or language skills in children with rolandic epilepsy, published after 2000, among participants withIQs>70 and in which effect sizes could be acquired. Diagnosis required the presence of classical centrotemporal spikes arising from a normal background on electroencephalograms; a clinical history including at least one seizure; and no additional neurological condition. Overall effect size and heterogeneity were measured for single‐word reading, phonological processing, and expressive and receptive language.ResultsMean effect sizes (Cohen'sd) ranged from 0.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–0.78) for phonological processing, through 0.71 (95%CI0.52–0.90) for word reading and 0.72 (95%CI0.34–1.1) for receptive language, to 0.75 (95%CI0.45–1.05) for expressive language. While group differences for reading measures were consistent, those for language were heterogeneous and varied across studies explained by age andIQof samples.InterpretationThe presence of reading and phonological processing deficits in children with rolandic epilepsy highlights the importance of early literacy and language assessment in this population.
Vitamin D and cardiovascular risk among adults with obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Manousopoulou Antigoni , Al‐Daghri Nasser M. , Garbis Spiros D. , Chrousos George P. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundObesity is a risk factor for both vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease. A link between vitamin D status optimisation and improved cardiometabolic profile among adults with obesity could inform public health initiatives.MethodsPubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched for interventional studies examining the effects of vitamin D status improvement on cardiovascular risk factors (anthropometric measures, lipid profile, blood pressure, glucose tolerance) among nondiabetic adults with obesity.ResultsSeventeen publications reporting results from 11 different studies were included. Number of participants ranged from 34 to 1179 subjects. Duration was between 6 weeks and 4 years. Vitamin D was administered as a supplement in ten studies (1000 IU daily to 120 000 IU fortnightly). In one study, participants were advised to increase sunlight exposure and dietary vitamin D intake. The random and fixed‐effects meta‐analysis showed that vitamin D significantly increased systolic blood pressure and LDL‐C levels. The fixed‐effects model also indicated a significant decrease in triglyceride levels, which was not evident using the random‐effects model. Caution should be given to these results given the small number of studies used and the high heterogeneity between studies for the two latter outcomes. Additionally, a subset of eligible studies with compatible data presentation was included in the meta‐analysis.ConclusionThis systematic review highlights a paucity of interventional studies examining the effects of vitamin D status improvement on cardiovascular risk factors among otherwise healthy adults with obesity. Large‐scale studies at pharmacologically relevant doses and with sufficient duration are warranted.
Upscaling Point Velocity Measurements to Characterize a Glacial Outwash Aquifer
Authors: Schillig P.C. , Devlin J.F. , Rudolph D. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSmall‐scale point velocity probe (PVP)‐derived velocities were compared to conventional large‐scale velocity estimates from Darcy calculations and tracer tests, and the possibility of upscaling PVP data to match the other velocity estimates was evaluated. Hydraulic conductivity was estimated from grain‐size data derived from cores, and single‐well response testing or slug tests of onsite wells. Horizontal hydraulic gradients were calculated using 3‐point estimators from all of the wells within an extensive monitoring network, as well as by representing the water table as a single best fit plane through the entire network. Velocities determined from PVP testing were generally consistent in magnitude with those from depth specific data collected from multilevel monitoring locations in the tracer test, and similar in horizontal flow direction to the average hydraulic gradient. However, scaling up velocity estimates based on PVP measurements for comparison with site‐wide Darcy‐based velocities revealed issues that challenge the use of Darcy calculations as a generally applicable standard for comparison. The Darcy calculations were shown to underestimate the groundwater velocities determined both by the PVPs and large‐scale tracer testing, in a depth‐specific sense and as a site‐wide average. Some of this discrepancy is attributable to the selective placement of the PVPs in the aquifer. Nevertheless, this result has important implications for the design of in situ treatment systems. It is concluded that Darcy estimations of velocity should be supplemented with independent assessments for these kinds of applications.
Endogenous quality choice under upstream market power
Authors: Mesa‐Sánchez Borja 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis paper analyzes the interplay between endogenous quality choice and the market power of trade unions. In a unionized duopoly downstream firms face a trade‐off. They choose either to differentiate production to relax final market competition (this pushes wages up), or to reduce it to induce a fiercer upstream competition (pushing wages down). In this way, the degree of product differentiation becomes a valuable tool for downstream firms. When upstream market power is weak, downstream firms do not care about wages and differentiate their products. But as soon as unions’ bargaining power increases, wages also increase and downstream firms choose less quality differentiation to reduce them. Thus, the higher the bargaining power of trade unions, the lower the quality gap. This result emerges more strongly when downstream firms merge, and it is robust to the type of competition and the nature of costs.
Guanine polynucleotides are self‐antigens for human natural autoantibodies and are significantly reduced in the human genome
Authors: Fattal Ittai , Shental Noam , Ben‐Dor Shifra , Molad Yair , Gabrielli Armando , Pokroy‐Shapira Elisheva , Oren Shirly , Livneh Avi , Langevitz Pnina , Zandman‐Goddard Gisele , Sarig Ofer , Margalit Raanan , Gafter Uzi , Domany Eytan , Cohen Irun R. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryIn the course of investigating anti‐DNA autoantibodies, we examined IgM and IgG antibodies to poly‐G and other oligonucleotides in the sera of healthy persons and those diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma (SSc), or pemphigus vulgaris (PV); we used an antigen microarray and informatic analysis. We now report that all of the 135 humans studied, irrespective of health or autoimmune disease, manifested relatively high amounts of IgG antibodies binding to the 20‐mer G oligonucleotide (G20); no participants entirely lacked this reactivity. IgG antibodies to homo‐nucleotides A20, C20 or T20 were present only in the sera of SLE patients who were positive for antibodies to dsDNA. The prevalence of anti‐G20 antibodies led us to survey human, mouse and Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) genomes for runs of T20 and G20 or more: runs of T20 appear > 170 000 times compared with only 93 runs of G20 or more in the human genome; of these runs, 40 were close to brain‐associated genes. Mouse and fruit fly genomes showed significantly lower T20/G20 ratios than did human genomes. Moreover, sera from both healthy and SLE mice contained relatively little or no anti‐G20 antibodies; so natural anti‐G20 antibodies appear to be characteristic of humans. These unexpected observations invite investigation of the immune functions of anti‐G20 antibodies in human health and disease and of runs of G20 in the human genome.
Implications of the Data Revolution for Statistics Education
Authors: Ridgway Jim 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThere has never been a more exciting time to be involved in statistics. Emerging data sources provide new sorts of evidence, provoke new sorts of questions, make possible new sorts of answers and shape the ways that evidence is used to influence policy, public opinion and business practices. Significant developments include open data, big data, data visualisation and the rise of data‐driven journalism. These developments are changing the nature of the evidence that is available, the ways in which it is presented and used and the skills needed for its interpretation. Educators should place less emphasis on small samples and linear models and more emphasis on large samples, multivariate description and data visualisation. Techniques used to analyse big data need to be taught. The increasing diversity of data usage requires deeper conceptual analysis in the curriculum; this should include explorations of the functions of modelling, and the politics of data and ethics. The data revolution can invigorate the existing curriculum by exemplifying the perils of biassed sampling, corruption of measures and modelling failures. Students need to learn to think statistically and to develop an aesthetic for data handling and modelling based on solving practical problems.
Crecimiento económico, flexibilización laboral y calidad del empleo en Colombia de 2002 a 2011
Authors: FARNÉ Stefano , VERGARA Carlos Andrés 
Published: July 2015

ResumenTras analizar el mercado de trabajo colombiano entre 2002 y 2011, los autores constatan una mejora sustancial de las oportunidades de empleo, junto con el aumento del empleo atípico. Exploran cómo ello afectó a la calidad del empleo mediante un indicador compuesto basado en el método de componentes principales categóricos, y concluyen que hubo una leve mejora generalizada, debida al aumento de los ingresos y de la seguridad social y al menor subempleo por horas, que benefició sobre todo a las trabajadoras independientes. Ello deja todavía un déficit cualitativo importante, que requiere políticas de estímulo de la institucionalidad y la productividad laborales y de la inversión.
Lint Yield Compensatory Response to Main Stem Node Removal in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: Yang S. , Kaggwa R. J. , Andrade‐Sanchez P. , Zarnstorff M. , Wang G. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHail storm damage to the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) plants can destroy vegetative and reproductive structures, modify canopy architecture and impact lint yield. Field studies were conducted at University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center in 2011, 2012 and 2013 to examine cotton plant architecture changes and compensatory growth in response to removal treatments of uppermost nodes on main stem (terminal bud removal, 2 node removal and 4 node removal) as simulation of hail damage at the node 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 growth stages. Main stem node removal caused significant decrease in leaf area and biomass, especially at early growth stages. However, significant lint yield reduction only occurred by removing 2 nodes at the node 4 stage and removing 4 nodes at the node 8 stage in 2011, removing terminal bud at the node 12 stage in 2012 and removing terminal bud, 2 nodes and 4 nodes at the node 8 stage in 2013. The lint yield reduction did not exceed 13 % in all three growing seasons. Yield loss due to main stem node removal was mainly compensated by increased boll number on the vegetative branches at early growth stages and on fruiting branches at late growth stages. Yield compensation from vegetative branches increased with number of main stem nodes removed. This study suggests that the cotton crop has a strong compensatory ability to plant structure damage due to its indeterminate growth and longer growing season in the region.
Optimizing selection with several constraints in poultry breeding
Authors: Chapuis H. , Pincent C. , Colleau J.J. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryPoultry breeding schemes permanently face the need to control the evolution of coancestry and some critical traits, while selecting for a main breeding objective. The main aims of this article are first to present an efficient selection algorithm adapted to this situation and then to measure how the severity of constraints impacted on the degree of loss for the main trait, compared to BLUP selection on the main trait, without any constraint. Broiler dam and sire line schemes were mimicked by simulation over 10 generations and selection was carried out on the main trait under constraints for coancestry and for another trait, antagonistic with the main trait. The selection algorithm was a special simulated annealing (adaptative simulated annealing (ASA)). It was found to be rapid and able to meet constraints very accurately. A constraint on the second trait was found to induce an impact similar to or even greater than the impact of the constraint on coancestry. The family structure of selected poultry populations made it easy to control the evolution of coancestry at a reasonable cost but was not as useful for reducing the cost of controlling evolution of the antagonistic traits. Multiple constraints impacted almost additively on the genetic gain for the main trait. Adding constraints for several traits would therefore be justified in real life breeding schemes, possibly after evaluating their impact through simulated annealing.
Distribution of Ventricular Fibrosis Associated With Life‐Threatening Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients With Nonischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: CHIMURA MISATO , KIUCHI KUNIHIKO , OKAJIMA KATSUNORI , SHIMANE AKIRA , SAWADA TAKAHIRO , ONISHI TETSUARI , YAMADA SHINICHIRO , TANIGUCHI YASUYO , YASAKA YOSHINORI , KAWAI HIROYA 
Published: July 2015

Ventricular Fibrosis in Patients With NICMBackgroundCurrent guidelines recommend the implantation of an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in a subgroup of patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) who have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 30–35%, and are NYHA functional class II or III. However, the majority of patients with an ICD implantation for primary prevention did not receive appropriate ICD therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between myocardial fibrosis detected by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmic events in NICM patients.MethodsOne hundred and seventy‐five NICM patients with an LVEF ≦ 35 % and NYHA functional class II or III, (60 ± 15 years, LVEF 29 ± 5.4%) were studied. Myocardial fibrosis was identified with a late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on CMR. Clinical events were defined as SCD or life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmic events and were followed up for 5.1 ± 3.3 years.ResultsThe presence of an LGE was detected in 122 patients (70%). No life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmia events occurred in patients with the absence of an LGE. A total of 18 ventricular tachycardia and 8 ventricular fibrillation events were found in patients with the presence of an LGE (P < 0.01). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of LGE in predicting life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmia events were 100%, 34%, and 15% and 100%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of both septal and lateral mid‐wall LGE was associated with life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmic events (hazard ratio 23.1 CI; 2.88–184.9, P = 0.003).ConclusionsThe absence of an LGE predicts a low potential risk of SCD and life‐threatening ventricular arrhythmia events in the near future. CMR may be a useful tool for selecting suitable patients for primary ICD implantations in NICM patients.
Pressure and Expertise: Explaining the Information Supply of Interest Groups in EU Legislative Lobbying
Authors: De Bruycker Iskander 
Published: July 2015

AbstractEU politics has long been portrayed as an elite affair in which technocratic deliberation prevails. As a consequence, information supply by interest groups has typically been viewed as part of an expertise‐based exchange with policy‐makers. Less attention has been devoted to whether the supply of information is also used to exert political pressure. In addition to expertise‐based exchanges between interest groups and policy‐makers, can we identify the prevalence of information supply that aims to put pressure on EU policy‐makers? And under what conditions are different modes of information supply likely to occur? My analysis relies on interviews with 143 lobbyists who were active on a set of 78 legislative proposals submitted by the European Commission between 2008 and 2010. The results demonstrate that expertise‐based exchanges are dominant in interactions with civil servants, while political information is predominantly communicated to political officials and often the key substance in outside lobbying tactics.