bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lack of β2‐adrenoceptors aggravates heart failure‐induced skeletal muscle myopathy in mice
Authors: Voltarelli Vanessa A. , Bechara Luiz R.G. , Bacurau Aline V.N. , Mattos Katt C. , Dourado Paulo M.M. , Bueno Carlos R. , Casarini Dulce E. , Negrao Carlos E. , Brum Patricia C. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractSkeletal myopathy is a hallmark of heart failure (HF) and has been associated with a poor prognosis. HF and other chronic degenerative diseases share a common feature of a stressed system: sympathetic hyperactivity. Although beneficial acutely, chronic sympathetic hyperactivity is one of the main triggers of skeletal myopathy in HF. Considering that β2‐adrenoceptors mediate the activity of sympathetic nervous system in skeletal muscle, we presently evaluated the contribution of β2‐adrenoceptors for the morphofunctional alterations in skeletal muscle and also for exercise intolerance induced by HF. Male WT and β2‐adrenoceptor knockout mice on a FVB genetic background (β2KO) were submitted to myocardial infarction (MI) or SHAM surgery. Ninety days after MI both WT and β2KO mice presented to cardiac dysfunction and remodelling accompanied by significantly increased norepinephrine and epinephrine plasma levels, exercise intolerance, changes towards more glycolytic fibres and vascular rarefaction in plantaris muscle. However, β2KO MI mice displayed more pronounced exercise intolerance and skeletal myopathy when compared to WT MI mice. Skeletal muscle atrophy of infarcted β2KO mice was paralleled by reduced levels of phosphorylated Akt at Ser 473 while increased levels of proteins related with the ubiquitin‐–proteasome system, and increased 26S proteasome activity. Taken together, our results suggest that lack of β2‐adrenoceptors worsen and/or anticipate the skeletal myopathy observed in HF.
Inhibitory effects of hydrogen sulphide on pulmonary fibrosis in smoking rats via attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Zhou Xiang , An Guoyin , Chen Jianchang 
Published: March 2014

AbstractAccumulating evidence has demonstrated that hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is involved in the pathogenesis of various respiratory diseases. In the present study, we established a rat model of passive smoking and investigated whether or not H2S has protective effects against pulmonary fibrosis induced by chronic cigarette smoke exposure. Rat lung tissues were stained with haematoxylin‐eosin and Masson's trichrome. The expression of type I collagen was detected by immunohistochemistry. Oxidative stress was evaluated by detecting serum levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and measuring reactive oxygen species generation in lung tissue. Inflammation was assessed by measuring serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, including high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6. The protein expression of Nrf2, NF‐κB and phosphorylated mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the pulmonary tissue was determined by Western blotting. Our findings indicated that administration of NaHS (a donor of H2S) could protect against pulmonary fibrosis in the smoking rats. H2S was found to induce the nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 in lung tissue and consequently up‐regulate the expression of antioxidant genes HO‐1 and Trx‐1 in the smoking rats. Moreover, H2S could also reduce cigarette smoking‐induced inflammation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, JNK and p38 MAPKs and negatively regulating NF‐κB activation. In conclusion, our study suggests that H2S has protective effects against pulmonary fibrosis in the smoking rats by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation.
Advances in the cellular immunological pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes
Authors: Li Min , Song Lu‐Jun , Qin Xin‐Yu 
Published: March 2014

AbstractType 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease caused by the immune‐mediated destruction of insulin‐producing pancreatic β cells. In recent years, the incidence of type 1 diabetes continues to increase. It is supposed that genetic, environmental and immune factors participate in the damage of pancreatic β cells. Both the immune regulation and the immune response are involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes, in which cellular immunity plays a significant role. For the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, dendritic cells and other immune cells take part in the damage of pancreatic β cells, which ultimately lead to type 1 diabetes. This review outlines the cellular immunological mechanism of type 1 diabetes, with a particular emphasis to T lymphocyte and natural killer cells, and provides the effective immune therapy in T1D, which is approached at three stages. However, future studies will be directed at searching for an effective, safe and long‐lasting strategy to enhance the regulation of a diabetogenic immune system with limited toxicity and without global immunosuppression.
Gene profile in the spleen under massive partial hepatectomy using complementary DNA microarray and pathway analysis
Authors: Arakawa Yusuke , Shimada Mitsuo , Utsunomiya Tohru , Imura Satoru , Morine Yuji , Ikemoto Tetsuya , Mori Hiroki , Kanamoto Mami , Iwahashi Shuichi , Saito Yu , Takasu Chie 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground and AimIn general, the spleen is one of the abdominal organs connected by the portal system, and a splenectomy improves hepatic functions in the settings of partial hepatectomy (Hx) for portal hypertensive cases or living donor liver transplantation with excessive portal vein flow. Those precise mechanisms remain still unclear; therefore, we investigated the DNA expression profile in the spleen after 90% Hx in rats using complementary DNA microarray and pathway analysis.Methods Messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were prepared from three rat spleens at each time point (0, 3, and 6 h after 90% Hx). Using the gene chip, mRNA was hybridized to Affymetrix GeneChip Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array (Affymetrix®) and pathway analysis was done with Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA®).ResultsWe determined the 3‐h or 6‐h/0‐h ratio to assess the influence of Hx, and cut‐off values were set at more than 2.0‐fold or less than 1/2 (0.5)‐fold. Chemokine activity‐related genes including Cxcl1 (GRO1) and Cxcl2 (MIP‐2) related pathway were upregulated in the spleen. Also, immediate early response genes including early growth response‐1 (EGR1), FBJ murine osteosarcoma (FOS) and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) related pathway were upregulated in the spleen.ConclusionsWe concluded that in the spleen the expression of numerous inflammatory‐related genes would occur after 90% Hx. The spleen could take a harmful role and provide a negative impact during post Hx phase due to the induction of chemokine and transcription factors including GRO1 and EGR1.
Addition of mesalazine for subclinical post‐surgical endoscopic recurrence of Crohn's disease despite preventive thiopurine therapy: A case–control study
Authors: Zabana Yamile , Mañosa Míriam , Cabré Eduard , Bernal Isabel , Marín Laura , Lorenzo‐Zúñiga Vicente , Moreno Vicente , Boix Jaume , Domènech Eugeni 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground and AimThiopurines prevent Crohn's disease (CD) endoscopic recurrence (ER) at least in 50% of patients 1 year after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the value of adding mesalazine in patients with subclinical ER despite preventive thiopurine therapy.MethodsCrohn's disease patients with ileocecal resection treated with thiopurines for postsurgical recurrence prevention in whom mesalazine was added (cases) to treat ER without clinical recurrence (CR) were identified and compared with those in whom no treatment was added to thiopurines (controls). All patients were followed up for at least 1 year from the index endoscopy. Development of CR as well as evolution of mucosal lesions was evaluated.ResultsThirty‐seven patients were included (19 cases and 18 controls). Initial Rutgeerts' score was i2 in 16 patients (9 cases and 7 controls), and i3 in 21 patients (10 cases and 11 controls). After a median clinical follow‐up of 59 months (interquartile range 22–100) from the index endoscopy, six cases (32%) and two controls (11%) developed CR (P = 0.2). After a median time to last endoscopic follow‐up of 23 months (interquartile range 17–71), 18 patients (49%) showed improvement in Rutgeerts' score, 11 patients (30%) demonstrated progression of mucosal lesions, and 8 (22%) had no changes, with no differences between study groups.ConclusionsThe addition of mesalazine seems to be of no benefit in patients with subclinical endoscopic recurrence while on thiopurine prevention. Moderate endoscopic postsurgical recurrence while on thiopurines may even revert with no additional therapy in some patients.
Metallic stent with high axial force as a risk factor for cholecystitis in distal malignant biliary obstruction
Authors: Nakai Yousuke , Isayama Hiroyuki , Kawakubo Kazumichi , Kogure Hirofumi , Hamada Tsuyoshi , Togawa Osamu , Ito Yukiko , Matsubara Saburo , Arizumi Toshihiko , Yagioka Hiroshi , Takahara Naminatsu , Uchino Rie , Mizuno Suguru , Miyabayashi Koji , Yamamoto Keisuke , Sasaki Takashi , Yamamoto Natsuyo , Hirano Kenji , Tada Minoru , Koike Kazuhiko 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground and AimTumor involvement to the orifice of cystic duct (OCD) is a risk factor for cholecystitis after self‐expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement, but its prevention is still difficult. We conducted this multicenter analysis to clarify a type of SEMS or a method to place SEMS which would decrease the incidence of cholecystitis after SEMS placement.MethodsThe incidence of cholecystitis was studied in consecutive patients receiving SEMS for distal malignant biliary obstruction in five tertiary care centers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for cholecystitis.ResultsA total of 376 patients who received SEMS placement for distal malignant biliary obstruction were analyzed. Tumor involvement to OCD was diagnosed in 25.3%. Overall incidence of cholecystitis was 6.9%. Cholecystitis was observed in 8.0% of 300 patients with covered SEMS, 16.8% of 95 patients with tumor involvement to OCD, 10.8% of 234 patients with SEMS of high axial force (AF), and 12.0% of 158 patients with SEMS length ≤ 60 mm. In the multivariate analysis, tumor involvement to OCD (odds ratio [OR] 5.40, P < 0.001), SEMSs with high AF (OR 5.33, P = 0.002), and SEMS length ≤ 60 mm (OR 3.19, P = 0.010) are risk factors. Among patients with tumor involvement to OCD, the incidence of cholecystitis in SEMS with high and low AF was 25.0% and 5.0%, respectively.ConclusionThis study with an expanded cohort reconfirmed tumor involvement to OCD as a risk factor for cholecystitis after SEMS placement. SEMS with low AF might decrease cholecystitis.
He Said What? Guided Cognitive Reframing About the Co‐Resident Father/Stepfather–Adolescent Relationship
Authors: Cookston Jeffrey T. , Olide Andres , Parke Ross D. , Fabricius William V. , Saenz Delia S. , Braver Sanford L. 
Published: March 2014

We studied young adolescents' seeking out support to understand conflict with their co‐resident fathers/stepfathers, and the cognitive and affective implications of such support‐seeking, phenomena we call guided cognitive reframing. Our sample included 392 adolescents (Mage = 12.5, 52.3% female) who were either ofMexican orEuropean ancestry and lived with their biological mothers and either a stepfather or a biological father. More frequent reframing was associated with more adaptive cognitive explanations for father/stepfather behavior. Cognitions explained the link between seeking out and feelings about the father/stepfather and self. Feelings about the self were more strongly linked to depressive symptoms than cognitions. We discuss the implications for future research on social support, coping, guided cognitive reframing, and father–child relationships.
QT and P‐wave dispersions in rheumatic heart disease: Prospective long‐term follow up
Authors: Alp Hayrullah , Baysal Tamer , Altın Hakan , Karataş Zehra , Karaarslan Sevim 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackgroundSimple electrocardiogram (ECG) markers have been used to evaluate conduction times. Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune disease that affects these conduction times. The aim of this prospective long‐term follow‐up study was to evaluate QT, QTc and P‐wave dispersions in children with ARF and chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD).MethodsSixty‐four patients with ARF, 33 patients with CRHD and 41 healthy, age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects were included in the study. The ARF patients were divided into two subgroups: carditis and arthritis. Echocardiographic and ECG measurements at the onset of diagnosis and final evaluation were included.ResultsQT, QTc and P‐wave dispersions were significantly greater in both the ARF carditis and CRHD groups than the ARF arthritis and control subjects during the initial and final analysis (for all, P < 0.001). There was no significant statistical difference in QT, QTc and P‐wave dispersion between the initial and final analysis in each groups. Severity of mitral regurgitation and left atrial enlargement were found to be positively correlated with P‐wave dispersion (r = 0.438, P < 0.001; r = 0.127, P < 0.001, respectively). QT, QTc and P‐wave dispersion greater than 52, 60 and 57 ms, respectively, had higher sensitivity and specificity for predicting ARF carditis.ConclusionThese ECG measurements can be used in the diagnosis of ARF carditis as minor criteria with modified Jones criteria. In contrast, this increase in the dispersions is permanent in patients with ARF carditis.
Sex‐specific reproductive components and pollination ecology in the subdioecious shrubFuchsia microphylla
Authors: Cuevas E. , Jiménez R. , Lopezaraiza‐Mikel M. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractIn subdioecious populations, functional female, male and hermaphrodite individuals coexist. Subdioecy may be a transitional state towards dioecy or a breakdown of dioecy, although lability in sex expression may maintain subdioecy as a stable condition. To better understand the ecological aspects involved in sex ratio dynamics and breeding system evolution, we studied the pollination and female fitness components of female and hermaphrodite individuals of the subdioecious shrubFuchsia microphylla. In two natural populations at the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt we estimated female frequency and several reproductive components of female and hermaphrodite plants under natural pollination and experimental pollination treatments. Average female frequency was 42%, and on average, 42.5% of hermaphrodites produced fruits. Female plants showed a 17‐fold female fertility advantage over hermaphrodites through increased fruit production, as the number of seeds and germination rates did not differ between morphs. Hermaphrodite flowers were larger, with similar nectar production and concentration to female flowers, and pollinators did not show consistent morph preferences. Some hermaphrodites produced fruits autonomously, and female flowers excluded from pollinators produced fruits putatively by apomixis. Fruit production in hermaphrodites, but not in females, was related to height, suggesting increased investment of hermaphrodites in the female function at higher resource status. For sex ratios to be at equilibrium, the female fertility advantage should be reduced about eightfold. However, it may be that hermaphrodites are maintained by producing fruits at no cost to the male function at higher resource status, as the gender plasticity hypothesis proposes.
Hanging Drop Monoculture for Selection of Optimal Antioxidants During In Vitro Maturation of Porcine Oocytes
Authors: Ishikawa S , Machida R , Hiraga K , Hiradate Y , Suda Y , Tanemura K 
Published: March 2014

ContentsWe analysed the effect of three antioxidants that have different functional mechanisms on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. Single oocyte monoculture using the hanging drop (HD) system has some advantages such as improving analysis efficiency brought by the smaller number of samples than the number of oocytes cultured in one drop. Direct effects of ligands on single oocytes could also be detected without considering the effects of paracrine factors from other oocytes. After 22 h of pre‐culture, denuded oocytes were cultured for 22 h with 0.01 and 0.1 μg/ml of L‐carnitine (LC), lactoferrin (LF) or sulforaphane (SF) in the presence/non‐presence of oxidant stress induced by H2O2 supplementation to evaluate the reducing effects against oxidative stress on nuclear maturation. As a result, compared with LC and SF, LF showed effective reduction in oxidative stress at a lower concentration (0.01 μg/ml), suggesting that LF is a more effective antioxidant in porcine oocyte IVM. Additionally, LF also increased maturation rate even in culture without H2O2. Our results clearly suggest that the HD monoculture system is useful for screening the substances that affect porcine oocyte culture.
How to Model a Child in School? A Dynamic Macrosimulation Study for Tanzania
Authors: Schuerenberg‐Frosch Hannah 
Published: March 2014

AbstractUniversal primary education is regarded as one of the key pillars of sustainable development. The positive influence of education on growth is supported by many empirical studies. However, the effects of education on labour supply, poverty reduction and welfare as well as subsistence agriculture are hardly traceable in an econometric set‐up, given the complex interactions and the long‐term nature of education. An economy‐wide dynamic simulation model provides a well‐suited toolkit to analyse the effects of increased school provision in these aspects and provides insights into the intertemporal aspects of the schooling decision of children.We develop a macroeconomic model that explicitly includes education and human capital allocation, and takes into account that the possibility of child labour increases the opportunity costs of human capital formation. In an application for Tanzania, we find that a large‐scale investment programme in education might have a negative effect on both gross domestic product (GDP) growth and high‐skilled labour supply in the short term but leads to higher GDP and welfare as well as significantly reduced child labour supply in the medium to long term.
A block matching‐based registration algorithm for localization of locally advanced lung tumors
Authors: Robertson Scott P. , Weiss Elisabeth , Hugo Geoffrey D. 
Published: March 2014

Purpose:To implement and evaluate a block matching‐based registration (BMR) algorithm for locally advanced lung tumor localization during image‐guided radiotherapy.Methods:Small (1 cm3), nonoverlapping image subvolumes (“blocks”) were automatically identified on the planning image to cover the tumor surface using a measure of the local intensity gradient. Blocks were independently and automatically registered to the on‐treatment image using a rigid transform. To improve speed and robustness, registrations were performed iteratively from coarse to fine image resolution. At each resolution, all block displacements having a near‐maximum similarity score were stored. From this list, a single displacement vector for each block was iteratively selected which maximized the consistency of displacement vectors across immediately neighboring blocks. These selected displacements were regularized using a median filter before proceeding to registrations at finer image resolutions. After evaluating all image resolutions, the global rigid transform of the on‐treatment image was computed using a Procrustes analysis, providing the couch shift for patient setup correction. This algorithm was evaluated for 18 locally advanced lung cancer patients, each with 4–7 weekly on‐treatment computed tomography scans having physician‐delineated gross tumor volumes. Volume overlap (VO) and border displacement errors (BDE) were calculated relative to the nominal physician‐identified targets to establish residual error after registration.Results:Implementation of multiresolution registration improved block matching accuracy by 39% compared to registration using only the full resolution images. By also considering multiple potential displacements per block, initial errors were reduced by 65%. Using the final implementation of the BMR algorithm, VO was significantly improved from 77% ± 21% (range: 0%–100%) in the initial bony alignment to 91% ± 8% (range: 56%–100%;p < 0.001). Left‐right, anterior‐posterior, and superior‐inferior systematic BDE were 3.2, 2.4, and 4.4 mm, respectively, with random BDE of 2.4, 2.1, and 2.7 mm. Margins required to include both localization and delineation uncertainties ranged from 5.0 to 11.7 mm, an average of 40% less than required for bony alignment.Conclusions:BMR is a promising approach for automatic lung tumor localization. Further evaluation is warranted to assess the accuracy and robustness of BMR against other potential localization strategies.
Genome Sequences of Four Italian Streptococcus thermophilus Strains of Dairy Origin
Authors: Treu Laura , Vendramin Veronica , Bovo Barbara , Campanaro Stefano , Corich Viviana , Giacomini Alessio 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

This report describes the genome sequences of four
Streptococcus thermophilus
strains, namely, TH982, TH985, TH1477, and 1F8CT, isolated from different dairy environments from the Campania and the Veneto regions in Italy. These data are aimed at increasing the genomic information available on this species, which is of paramount importance for the dairy industry.
Genome Sequence of the Acute Urethral Catheter Isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa MH38
Authors: Wibberg Daniel , Tielen Petra , Blom Jochen , Rosin Nathalie , Schobert Max , Tüpker Reinhilde , Schatschneider Sarah , Spilker Dominik , Albersmeier Andreas , Goesmann Alexander , Vorhölter Frank-Jörg , Pühler Alfred , Jahn Dieter 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a major nosocomial bacterial pathogen causing complicated catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Here, we present the 6.9-Mb draft genome sequence of
P. aeruginosa
MH38 isolated from an acute nosocomial CAUTI. It exhibits resistance to several antibiotics but revealed low-level production of virulence factors.
Complete Genome Sequence of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1
Authors: Wang Xu , Wang Qing , Zhang Weijia , Wang Yinjia , Li Li , Wen Tong , Zhang Tongwei , Zhang Yang , Xu Jun , Hu Junying , Li Shuqi , Liu Lingzi , Liu Jinxin , Jiang Wei , Tian Jiesheng , Li Ying , Schüler Dirk , Wang Lei , Li Jilun 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

We report the complete genomic sequence of
Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense
MSR-1 (DSM 6361), a type strain of the genus
Magnetospirillum
belonging to the
Alphaproteobacteria
. Compared to the reported draft sequence, extensive rearrangements and differences were found, indicating high genomic flexibility and “domestication” by accelerated evolution of the strain upon repeated passaging.
Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of the Entomopathogenic Bacterium Xenorhabdus szentirmaii Strain DSM16338
Authors: Gualtieri Maxime , Ogier Jean-Claude , Pagès Sylvie , Givaudan Alain , Gaudriault Sophie 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACT

We report the genome sequence of
Xenorhabdus szentirmaii
DSM16338 (4.84 Mb), a symbiont of the entomopathogenic nematode
Steinernema rarum
. This strain produces antimicrobial activity.