bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Venom production, venom gland cell fine structure and complementary DNA cloning of a novel cysteine‐rich secretory venom protein of the parasitoid wasp Cotesia glomerata (L.) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Arakawa Toru , Tanaka Hiromitsu , Ishibashi Jun , Fujii‐Muramatsu Rika , Murakami Ritsuko , Nakashima Nobuhiko 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn host‐parasitoid interactions, the venom fluid of a female wasp (Cotesia glomerata) is considered to play a role in regulation of the host immune response to protect her offspring. In this study, we detected a rapid increase in protein content in the female C. glomerata venom reservoir just after eclosion, at which time the venom gland cell exhibited fine structures typical of secretory function. We isolated a protein from the venom, termed C. glomerata venom protein 1 (CgVP1). After N‐terminal amino acid sequencing analysis of CgVP1, the complementary DNA (cDNA) encoding this protein was cloned and sequenced. Two cDNAs (CgVP1‐a and CgVP1‐b) were obtained whose nucleotide sequences differed at two positions, resulting in putative substitutions of amino acid residues at two positions in the mature protein. The following features were indicated by cDNA sequence analysis and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis: (1) CgVP1 consists of 81 amino acid residues, eight of which are cysteine; (2) CgVP1 is preceded by a putative secretory signal consisting of 18 amino acids; (3) the molecular masses of mature CgVP1‐a and CgVP1‐b are 9316.2 and 9302.0, respectively; (4) the eight cysteines of CgVP1 form four pairs of intramolecular disulfide bonds; and (5) BLAST searching indicated that CgVP1 has no similarity to previously reported proteins.
Electrohysterography of labor contractions: propagation velocity and direction
Authors: Mikkelsen Eva , Johansen Peter , Fuglsang‐Frederiksen Anders , Uldbjerg Niels 
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectiveElectrohysterographic assessment of the propagation velocity of uterine depolarization has been introduced as a promising predictor of preterm labor. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to characterize the uterine electrohysterographic signals during labor and to determine the propagation velocity and propagation direction of electrohysterographic signals.DesignDescriptive study.SettingDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.PopulationEight women in active labor at term.MethodsElectrohysterograms (three channels) were recorded using surface electrodes placed abdominally along the vertical median axis with an inter‐electrode distance of 6.5–11.2 cm. In total, 89 contractions were analyzed.ResultsElectrohysterographic characteristics: The duration of the contractions was 61.0 ± 18.0 s (mean ± SD). The median frequency of the power spectrum density was 0.51 (0.44; 0.51) Hz (median; 10th; 90th percentile). The greatest signal magnitude was obtained by the electrode in the centermost position. The propagation velocity: 2.15 (0.66; 13.8) cm/s in the upper part and 1.53 (0.58; 6.7) cm/s in the lower part of the uterus. Propagation direction: Both downward (58%) and upward (42%) propagation of the electrohysterographic signals occurred. Moreover, downward and upward propagations were recorded simultaneously in the upper and lower part of the uterus, suggesting a multidirectional propagation pattern.ConclusionsLabor contractions, expressed by electrohysterographic signals, propagate both in the downward and upward direction, a phenomenon that must be taken into account when determining the propagation velocity for preterm labor diagnostics.
The effect of concrete supplements on metacognitive regulation during learning and open‐book test taking
Authors: Ackerman Rakefet , Leiser David 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that when reading texts, lower achievers are more sensitive than their stronger counterparts to surface‐level cues, such as graphic illustrations, and that even when uninformative, such concrete supplements tend to raise the text's subjective comprehensibility.AimsWe examined how being led astray by uninformative concrete supplements in expository texts affects achievement. We focused on the mediating role of metacognitive processes by partialling out the role of cognitive ability, as indicated bySATscores, in accounting for the found differences between higher and lower achievers.Sample and methodUndergraduate students studied expository texts in their base versions or in concrete versions, including uninformative supplements, in a within‐participant design. The procedure had three phases: Studying, open‐book test taking, and reanswering questions of one's choice.ResultsOverall, judgements of comprehension (JCOMPs) were higher after participants studied the concrete than the base versions, and the participants benefited from the open‐book test and the reanswering opportunity. An in‐depth examination of time investment,JCOMP, confidence in test answers, choice of questions to reanswer, and test scores indicated that those whose metacognitive processes were more effective and goal driven achieved higher scores.ConclusionsThe effectiveness of metacognitive processes during learning and test taking constitutes an important factor differentiating between higher and lower achievers when studying texts that include potentially misleading cues.
Ki67 is an independent predictor of oncological outcomes in patients with localized clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Gayed Bishoy A. , Youssef Ramy F. , Bagrodia Aditya , Darwish Oussama M. , Kapur Payal , Sagalowsky Arthur , Lotan Yair , Margulis Vitaly 
Published: June 2013

Objective
To validate the impact of Ki67 expression on oncological outcomes of patients treated for clinically localized clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).
Patients and Methods
Immunohistochemistry for Ki67 was performed on tissue microarray constructs of patients treated with radical or partial nephrectomy for clinically localized (M0) ccRCC and Ki67 expression >10% was considered abnormal.
Clinical and pathological data elements were entered into an institutional review board‐approved database.
The Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression models were used to analyse disease‐free survival (DFS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) probabilities.
Results
Of 401 patients, 59.6% were males. The median (range) age was 58 (17–85) years, follow‐up was 22 (0–150) months and time to death was 27 (0–150) months. A total of 20.2% of patients had advanced stage (pT3–T4) and 31% had advanced grade (3–4) disease.
Abnormal expression of Ki67 was seen in 6.5% of our cohort and was associated with adverse pathological features (P < 0.05).
Patients with high expression of Ki67 were found to have 5‐year DFS and CSS rates of 67 and 84%, respectively, vs 87 and 95%, respectively, in those with normal expression (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively).
In multivariable analyses, adjusting for stage and grade, abnormal Ki67 expression was an independent predictor of DFS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.77, P = 0.011, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–10.52), but not of CSS (HR 3.51 P = 0.137, 95% CI 0.671–18.35).
Conclusions
Our findings support the role of Ki67 as a powerful independent predictor of inferior oncological outcomes in patients with ccRCC.
Further prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical applicability of these findings.
Baked egg food challenges – clinical utility of skin test to baked egg and ovomucoid in children with egg allergy
Authors: Tan J. W.‐L. , Campbell D. E. , Turner P. J. , Kakakios A. , Wong M. , Mehr S. , Joshi P. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundMany children with IgE‐mediated egg allergy can tolerate products containing extensively heated (baked) egg. Aside from food challenge, there are no tests which reliably predict tolerance to baked egg in egg‐allergic individuals.ObjectivesTo determine if skin prick test (SPT) to baked egg (muffin) and ovomucoid can predict the outcome of baked egg challenges in egg allergic patients.MethodsIn this prospective study, children with a recent history of immediate allergic reactions to egg [and corroborative positive SPT or serum‐specific IgE (ssIgE) to egg] or those with SPT/ssIgE > 95% PPV for egg allergy were invited to undergo an open standardized baked egg (muffin) challenge. SPT to egg white, ovomucoid, and fresh muffin were performed immediately prior to challenge.ResultsOne hundred and forty‐three egg allergic children underwent baked egg challenge and of these, 90 (63%) tolerated 1 g of egg protein in a baked muffin. Of the 53 positive challenges, eight (15%) had respiratory and/or cardiovascular symptoms. The median SPT diameters in positive challenges compared with negative challenges were baked muffin – 6.0 mm/4.0 mm and ovomucoid 7.5 mm/5.0 mm respectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for SPT to baked egg and ovomucoid. The area under the curve was 0.68 for baked egg, and 0.67 for ovomucoid. A muffin SPT of < 2 mm had a negative predictive value of 88% and an ovomucoid SPT ≥ 11 mm had a positive predictive value of 100%.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceA SPT of < 2 mm to muffin had a high negative predictive value to baked egg challenge. Ovomucoid SPT ≥ 11 mm was very likely to predict a reaction to baked egg. In these children, deferring the challenge would be appropriate.
Glucose impairs B-1 cell function in diabetes
Authors: Jennbacken K , Ståhlman S , Grahnemo L , Wiklund O , Fogelstrand L 
Published: June 2013

SummaryB-1 lymphocytes produce natural immunoglobulin (Ig)M, among which a large proportion is directed against apoptotic cells and altered self-antigens, such as modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Thereby, natural IgM maintains homeostasis in the body and is also protective against atherosclerosis. Diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing certain infections as well as atherosclerosis compared with healthy subjects, but the underlying reason is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate whether diabetes and insulin resistance affects B-1 lymphocytes and their production of natural IgM. We found that diabetic db/db mice had lower levels of peritoneal B-1a cells in the steady state-condition compared to controls. Also, activation of B-1 cells with the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 agonist Kdo2-Lipid A or immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae led to a blunted IgM response in the diabetic db/db mice. In-vitro experiments with isolated B-1 cells showed that high concentrations of glucose, but not insulin or leptin, caused a reduced secretion of total IgM and copper-oxidized (CuOx)-LDL- and malondialdehyde (MDA)-LDL-specific IgM from B-1 cells in addition to a decreased differentiation into antibody-producing cells, proliferation arrest and increased apoptosis. These results suggest that metabolic regulation of B-1 cells is of importance for the understanding of the role of this cell type in life-style-related conditions.
The effect of mandibular 2‐implant overdentures on oral health–related quality of life: an international multicentre study
Authors: Awad Manal A. , Rashid Faahim , Feine Jocelyne S. ,   Overdenture Effectiveness Study Team Consortium
Published: June 2013

AbstractObjectivesTo determine the difference in oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients who received mandibular 2‐implant overdentures and conventional dentures in a pragmatic international study.Materials and methodsIn this prospective study, data were gathered from 203 edentulous patients (mean age, 68.8; SD: 10.4 years) at eight centres in North America, South America and Europe. The patients were provided with new mandibular conventional dentures or implant overdentures supported by 2 implants and ball attachments and opposed by conventional dentures. At baseline and at 6 months post‐treatment, patients rated their oral health–related quality of life using the OHIP‐20.ResultsA significantly higher proportion of the participants in the implant group in North America reported improvement in both the psychological and the handicap domains, compared to those who received conventional dentures (93% vs. 52%; P < 0.05). In South America, 100% of participants who received implant overdentures reported improvement in physical pain, compared to 66% in the conventional group (P < 0.05). Differences in mean change scores among those who expressed improvement were not significantly different between sites or treatments.ConclusionMandibular 2‐implant overdentures are more likely than conventional dentures to improve OHRQL for edentulous patients. Cultural differences were also observed in the impact of implant overdentures on the different domains of the OHIP‐20.
The Suppressive Effect of IL‐27 on Encephalitogenic Th17 Cells Induced by Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Reduces the Severity of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Moraes Adriel S. , Paula Rosemeire F.O. , Pradella Fernando , Santos Mariana P.A. , Oliveira Elaine C. , von Glehn Felipe , Camilo Daniela S. , Ceragioli Helder , Peterlevitz Alfredo , Baranauskas Vitor , Volpini Walkyria , Farias Alessandro S. , Santos Leonilda M.B. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryBackgroundBoth Th1 and Th17 cells specific for neuroantigen are described as encephalitogenic in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model.AimThe proposal of this study was to investigate how carbon nanotubes internalized by antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) affect the development of encephalitogenic CD4+ T cells.MethodsTherefore, we stimulated encephalitogenic T cells in the presence or not of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). After the incubation, we analyzed the expression profile of the encephalitogenic T cells and their capacity to induce EAE.ResultsEncephalitogenic CD4+ T cells cultured with APCs that were previously incubated with MWCNTs do not express IL‐17. The adoptive transfer of these cells causes less severe EAE than the transfer of both Th1 and Th17 cells that are not incubated with MWCNTs. These results suggest that the increased IL‐27 level produced by the APCs incubated with the carbon nanotubes inhibits the development of Th17 cells. This observation is confirmed by the concomitant reduction in the level of RORγt, which is a transcription factor essential for the development of Th17 cells. Moreover, the incubation of encephalitogenic T cells devoid of Th17 cells with neutralizing anti‐IL‐27 antibodies restored the production of IL‐17.ConclusionThis finding confirms the suppressive effect of IL‐27 on encephalitogenic Th17 cells. The results presented suggest that the stimulation of APCs with carbon nanoparticles prior to neuroantigen presentation affects the development of the Th17 subset of encephalitogenic CD4+ T lymphocytes and results in less severe EAE.
Efficacy of video capsule endoscopy with flexible spectral imaging color enhancement at setting 3 for differential diagnosis of red spots in the small bowel
Authors: Maeda Mitsunori , Hiraishi Hideyuki 
Published: June 2013

BackgroundRed spots on the small bowel mucosa are observed in patients with angioectasia and enteritis. The present study investigated the effectiveness of capsule endoscopy (CE)–flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) as a method for differential diagnosis of the two conditions.Patients and MethodsThe subjects were 30 patients who underwent CE and double‐balloon endoscopy at Dokkyo Medical University Hospital between February 2007 and January 2013. Of these 30 patients, those diagnosed with angioectasia were assigned to Group A (n = 13) and those diagnosed with enteritis were assigned to Group E (n = 17).ResultsUsing FICE at setting 3 and comparing the color intensity of the red spots on a four‐step scale (0–3), no statistically significant (P = 0.712) difference was found between the twogroups (Group A: 2.69 ± 0.48, Group E: 2.76 ± 0.56). Subjects were considered to show a positive blue sign when areas of blue were observed against the yellow‐green background and surrounding the red spots. A comparison of the ratio of positive blue sign for both groups (Group A: 15.4% ± 37.6%, Group E: 94.1% ± 24.2%) showed a statistically significant increase in the ratio in Group E (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe results of the present study suggest that blue sign may be effective in the differential diagnosis of angioectasia and enteritis in patients with red spots.
Overwinter survival, energy storage and reproductive allocation in the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) from a river system
Authors: Houston Brianna E. , Rooke Anna C. , Brownscombe Jacob W. , Fox Michael G. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe dynamic nature of population density during the invasion process may compromise how a population is able to cope with challenging environmental conditions within their non‐native range. In temperate regions, one of the greatest seasonal environmental challenges is winter. We assess overwinter survival, changes in body condition and lipid content, and reproductive allocation of round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) from the point of introduction and the leading edges of an expanding invasive population in a tributary of Lake Ontario. Autumn lipid content was highest in round goby from the downstream edge and lowest at the centre of the invasive range, likely due to lower population density and reduced intraspecific resource competition at the expanding edges of its distribution. After 142 days of starvation under simulated winter conditions, round goby exhibited 96% survival. Despite the extended starvation period, the majority of females were able to allocate energy into ovarian development, with 60% of females having a gonadosomatic index of >5% at the end of the overwintering period. Individuals originating from the downstream edge allocated significantly more energy towards reproduction compared with individuals from the upstream and centre locations. The results suggest that the position within an expanding invasive range can influence the autumn energy content and consequently the reproductive effort of round goby in early spring. High overwinter survival and greater allocation of energy to reproduction at the expanding edge of an invasion may contribute to the highly successful expansion of the round goby in the Great Lakes Basin.
Differential responses of circadian Per2 rhythms in cultured slices of discrete brain areas from rats showing internal desynchronisation by methamphetamine
Authors: Natsubori Akiyo , Honma Ken‐ichi , Honma Sato 
Published: June 2013

AbstractChronic methamphetamine (MAP) treatment desynchronises the behavior rhythms of rats from light–dark cycles. Our previous study (Masubuchi et al., 2000) demonstrated the phase reversal of circadian rhythms in clock gene expression in several brain areas of rats treated with MAP. However, for technical reasons, it was not clear whether the phase shifts were the consequence of phase‐shifted behavior rhythms or reflected phase shifts of extra‐suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) oscillators in these areas. In the present study, circadian gene expression rhythms in discrete brain areas were continuously monitored in slice cultures of MAP‐treated rats. Methamphetamine was given to rats carrying a Period2‐dLuciferase reporter system via the drinking water for more than 2 weeks. When behavior rhythms were completely phase reversed, the brain was sampled for slice cultures and circadian bioluminescence rhythms were measured for 5 days in the SCN and four areas of the dopaminergic system, the olfactory bulb, caudate putamen, parietal cortex and substantia nigra. The circadian rhythms in the SCN and caudate putamen were not significantly phase shifted, whereas those in the parietal cortex and substantia nigra showed significant phase‐delay shifts of 6–8 h and that in the olfactory bulb showed phase‐advance shifts of ca. 8 h. Neither the period nor the amplitude of the circadian rhythm was changed by MAP treatment. These findings indicate that the extra‐SCN oscillators in several brain areas are desynchronised from the SCN circadian pacemaker by MAP treatment in parallel with the desynchronisation of behavior rhythms in rats. As the direction and extent of phase shifts of circadian rhythms were different among the areas examined, the brain extra‐SCN oscillators responded differentially to MAP.
Does the Centrality of Values in the Lisbon Treaty Promise More Than It Can Actually Offer? EU Biometrics Policy as a Case Study
Authors: Gonçalves Maria Eduarda , Gameiro Maria Inês 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe Treaty of Lisbon introduced the term ‘values’ in EU primary law. This development coincided with the granting to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the same legal force as the Treaties. The question remains, though, how the prominence of values is actually shaping EU law and policy. This paper critically appraises the ways that certain values translated into the Charter's principles and rights are being construed under the EU policy for biometrics, a security technology whose use is being actively promoted by the EU. We conclude that the balancing of pertinent values, namely security and liberty, owe to a great deal to political and economic considerations that shape EU politics. Research priorities, combined with those of EU security policy, in particular, the fight against terrorism, then tend to prevail over ethically or morally based legal claims in respect of biometrics.
MicroRNA‐503 suppresses proliferation and cell‐cycle progression of endometrioid endometrial cancer by negatively regulating cyclin D1
Authors: Xu Yan‐Ying , Wu Hui‐Juan , Ma Hong‐Da , Xu Li‐Ping , Huo Yan , Yin Li‐Rong 
Published: June 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post‐transcriptional inhibitor regulators of gene expression that act by directly binding complementary mRNA and are key determinants of cancer initiation and progression. In this study, we revealed a role for the tumor‐suppressor miRNA miR‐503 in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) cells. The miR‐503 expression level gradually decreases across normal endometrial tissues, endometrial tissues with complex atypical hyperplasia, and EEC tissues. A relatively high level of miR‐503 in EEC tissues indicates a longer survival time in EEC patients. The expression of a cell cycle‐associated oncogene encoding cyclin D1 (CCND1) was inversely correlated with miR‐503 expression in EEC tissues and cell lines. CCND1 has a binding sequence of miR‐503 within its 3′ untranslated region, and was confirmed to be a direct target of miR‐503 by the fluorescent reporter assays. Increasing the miR‐503 level in EEC cells suppressed cell viability, colon formation activity and cell‐cycle progression, and the inhibited oncogenic phenotypes induced by miR‐503 were alleviated by ectopic expression of CCND1 without the untranslated region sequence. Furthermore, in vivo studies also suggested a suppressive effect of miR‐503 on EEC cell‐derived xenografts. miR‐503 increased in cell cycle‐arrested EEC cells, and was restored to a normal level in EEC cells after cell cycle re‐entry, while CCND1 displayed the opposite expression pattern. Collectively, this study suggested that miR‐503 plays a tumor‐suppressor role by targeting CCND1. Abnormal suppression of miR‐503 leads to an increase in the CCND1 level, which may promote carcinogenesis and progression of EEC.