bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sphingosine kinase‐1 inhibition sensitizes curcumin‐induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Yang Yan‐li , Ji Chao , Cheng Lei , He Li , Lu Chun‐cheng , Wang Rong , Bi Zhi‐gang 
Published: May 2012

Recent published studies suggest that increasing levels of ceramides enhance the chemo‐sensitivity of curcumin. Using in vitro approaches, we analyzed the impact of sphingosine kinase‐1 (SphK‐1) inhibition on ceramide production, and evaluated SphK1 inhibitor II (SKI‐II) as a potential curcumin chemo‐sensitizer in ovarian cancer cells. We found that SphK1 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer patients' tumor tissues and in cultured ovarian cancer cell lines. Inhibition of SphK1 by SKI‐II or by RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown dramatically enhanced curcumin‐induced apoptosis and growth inhibition in ovarian cancer cells. SKI‐II facilitated curcumin‐induced ceramide production, p38 activation and Akt inhibition. Inhibition of p38 by the pharmacological inhibitor (SB 203580), a dominant‐negative expression vector, or by RNAi diminished curcumin and SKI‐II co‐administration‐induced ovarian cancer cell apoptosis. In addition, restoring Akt activation introducing a constitutively active Akt, or inhibiting ceramide production by fumonisin B1 also inhibited the curcumin plus SKI‐II co‐administration‐induced in vitro anti‐ovarian cancer effect, suggesting that ceramide accumulation, p38 activation and Akt inhibition are downstream effectors. Our findings suggest that low, well‐tolerated doses of SKI‐II may offer significant improvement to the clinical curcumin treatment of ovarian cancer. (Cancer Sci, doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2012.02335.x, 2012)
Higher parity and earlier age at first birth are associated with lower risk of death from colon cancer
Authors: Kuo Chao‐Hung , Kuo Chien‐Chun , Wu Hsiu‐Yi , Wu Deng‐Chyang , Yang Chun‐Yuh 
Published: May 2012

This study was undertaken to examine whether there is an association between parity and age at first birth and risk of colon cancer. The study cohort consisted of 1 292 462 women who had a first and singleton childbirth between 1978 and 1987. We tracked each woman from the time of their first childbirth to December 31, 2009, and their vital status was ascertained by linking records with the computerized mortality database. We used the Cox proportional hazards model with time‐dependent covariates to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) of death from colon cancer associated with parity and age at first birth. We limited eligible colon cancer deaths to those who were 45 years old or more to exclude possible heredity colon cancer cases, which usually occur at an early age. There were 670 colon cancer deaths during 34 980 246 person‐years of follow‐up. The colon cancer death rate was 1.96 cases per 100 000 person‐years. The adjusted HR was 2.76 (95% CI = 1.60–4.75) for women who gave birth between 20 and 24 years and 7.35 (95% CI = 4.28–12.62) for women who gave birth after 24 years of age when compared with women who gave birth at younger than 20 years. A rising risk of colon cancer was seen with increasing age at first birth. The adjusted HR were 0.81 (95% CI = 0.65–1.02) among women with two live births, 0.93 (95% CI = 0.74–1.18) among women with three live births and 0.72 (95% CI = 0.51–1.00) for women with four or more births when compared with women who had given birth to only one child. The present study provides evidence that reproductive factors (parity and early age at first birth) may confer a protective effect on the risk of colon cancer. (Cancer Sci, doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2012.02336.x, 2012)
Anaphylaxis admissions to UK critical care units between 2005 and 2009
Authors: Gibbison B. , Sheikh A. , McShane P. , Haddow C. , Soar J. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryAnaphylaxis is a life‐threatening emergency that may necessitate admission to a critical care unit. There are no reports of the frequency of admission to critical care units for patients with anaphylaxis or indeed any description of their demographic characteristics or outcomes. We analysed all physician‐diagnosed cases of anaphylaxis over a 5‐year period in national audit data from critical care units across the UK. Over the period 2005–2009, there were 81 paediatric and 1269 adult admissions with anaphylaxis admitted to UK critical care units (0.1% of admissions to paediatric units and 0.3% of admissions to adult units). Absolute numbers in both children and adults rose year on year. There were comparable proportions of admissions in female and male children (female = 47% and male = 53%; rate ratios (RR) = 0.88, 95% CI 0.64–1.20), but a greater proportion of adult female admissions (female = 65% and male = 35%; RR = 1.83, 95% CI 1.68–1.99). Survival to unit discharge was 95% (77/81) for children, and survival to hospital discharge was 92% (1166/1269) for adults. Each UK critical care unit is likely to see at least one anaphylaxis case per year. The number of admissions has risen in both children and adults. Although admission ratios between the sexes were comparable in children, there was a female preponderance in adult life. Survival rates were high at over 90%.
Extended release formulations for local anaesthetic agents
Authors: Weiniger C. F. , Golovanevski L. , Domb A. J. , Ickowicz D. 
Published: May 2012

SummarySystemic toxicity through overdose of local anaesthetic agents is a real concern. By encapsulating local anaesthetics in biodegradable carriers to produce a system for prolonged release, their duration of action can be extended. This encapsulation should also improve the safety profile of the local anaesthetic as it is released at a slower rate. Work with naturally occurring local anaestheticss has also shown promise in the area of reducing systemic and neurotoxicity. Extended duration local anaesthetic formulations in current development or clinical use include liposomes, hydrophobic based polymer particles such as Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microspheres, pasty injectable and solid polymers like Poly(sebacic‐co‐ricinoleic acid) P(SA:RA) and their combination with synthetic and natural local anaesthetic. Their duration of action, rationale and limitations are reviewed. Direct comparison of the different agents is limited by their chemical properties, the drug doses encapsulated and the details of in vivo models described.
Utility of Nociceptive Flexion Reflex Threshold, Bispectral Index, Composite Variability Index and Noxious Stimulation Response Index as measures for nociception during general anaesthesia
Authors: von Dincklage F. , Correll C. , Schneider M. H. N. , Rehberg B. , Baars J. H. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryMovement and haemodynamic responses to noxious stimuli during general anaesthesia are regarded as signs of nociception. We compared the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex Threshold (NFRT), Bispectral Index (BIS), Composite Variability Index (CVI), Noxious Stimulation Response Index (NSRI) and the calculated propofol/remifentanil effect‐compartment concentrations (Ce) as predictors for such responses in 50 female subjects at laryngeal mask airway insertion and skin incision. The following prediction probabilities (PK‐values) were obtained at laryngeal mask airway insertion and skin incision, respectively. For movement responses: NFRT = 0.77 and 0.72; p = 0.0001 and 0.004, respectively; BIS = 0.41 and 0.56, p = 0.29 and 0.5, respectively; CVI = 0.48 and 0.57, p = 0.76 and 0.88, respectively; NSRI = 0.49 and 0.76, p = 0.92 and 0.0001, respectively; propofol‐Ce = 0.35 and 0.66, p = 0.04 and 0.03, respectively; remifentanil‐Ce = 0.68 and 0.72, p = 0.01 and 0.003, respectively. For heart rate responses: NFRT = 0.68 and 0.75, p = 0.04 and 0.01, respectively; BIS = 0.37 and 0.59, p = 0.15 and 0.41, respectively; CVI = 0.41 and 0.44, p = 0.39 and 0.37, respectively; NSRI = 0.48 and 0.53, p = 0.84 and 0.78, respectively; propofol‐Ce = 0.42 and 0.56, p = 0.39 and 0.53, respectively; remifentanil‐Ce = 0.58 and 0.54, p = 0.35 and 0.73, respectively. We conclude that the NFRT best predicts movement and heart rate responses to noxious stimuli. Effect‐compartment concentrations and NSRI also predict movement (but not heart rate) responses satisfactorily.
Defects in spliceosomal machinery: a new pathway of leukaemogenesis
Authors: Maciejewski Jaroslaw P. , Padgett Richard A. 
Published: May 2012

SummaryProper splicing of pre‐mRNA is required for protein synthesis and therefore is a fundamental cellular function. The discovery of a variety of somatic spliceosomal mutations in haematological malignancies, including myeloid neoplasms and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia has pointed to a new leukaemogenic pathway involving spliceosomal dysfunction. Theoretically, spliceosomal mutations can lead to activation of incorrect splice sites, intron retention or aberrant alternative splicing occurring in patterns generated by mutations of individual spliceosomal proteins. Such events can produce a defective balance between protein isoforms leading to functional consequences including defective regulation of proliferation and differentiation. The observed pattern of occurrence of highly specific missense mutations, coupled with the lack of nonsense mutations and deletions, implies a gain‐of‐function or better gain‐of‐dysfunction mechanism. Incorrect splicing of downstream genes, such as tumour suppressor genes, may result in haploinsufficient expression through nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay. Thus, spliceosomal mutations may, depending on the pattern of affected proteins, lead to similar functional effects on tumour suppressor genes as chromosomal deletions, epigenetic silencing or inactivating/hypomorphic mutations. The prognostic value of the most common mutations and their phenotypic association in the clinical setting is currently under investigation. It is likely that spliceosomal mutations may indicate sensitivity to spliceosome inhibitors applied in the form of a synthetic lethal approach. This review discusses the most current aspects of spliceosomal research in the context of haematological malignancies.
Reciprocal induction of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells and human mesenchymal stem cells: time‐dependent profile in a co‐culture system
Authors: Laranjeira M. S. , Fernandes M. H. , Monteiro F. J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectivesAngiogenesis is closely associated with osteogenesis where reciprocal interactions between endothelial and osteoblast cells play an important role in bone regeneration. For these reasons, the aim of this work was to develop a co‐culture system to study in detail any time‐dependent interactions between human mesenchymal stem cells (HMSC) and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC), co‐cultured in a 2D system, for 35 days.Materials and methodsHMSC and HDMEC were co‐cultured at a ratio of 1:4, respectively. Single‐cell cultures were used as controls. Cell viability/proliferation was assessed using MTT, DNA quantification and calcein‐AM assays. Cell morphology was monitored using confocal microscopy, and real time PCR was performed. Alkaline phosphatase activity and histochemical staining were evaluated. Matrix mineralization assays were also performed.ResultsCells were able to grow in characteristic patterns maintaining their viability and phenotype expression throughout culture time, compared to HMSC and HDMEC monocultures. HMSC differentiation seemed to be enhanced in the co‐culture conditions, since it was observed an over expression of osteogenesis‐related genes, and of ALP activity. Furthermore, presence of calcium phosphate deposits was also confirmed.ConclusionsThis work reports in detail the interactions between HMSC and HDMEC in a long‐term co‐culture 2D system. Endothelial and mesenchymal stem cells cultured in the present co‐culture conditions ensured proliferation and phenotype differentiation of cell types, osteogenesis stimulation and over‐expression of angiogenesis‐related genes, in the same culture system. It is believed that the present work can lead to significant developments for bone tissue regeneration and cell biology studies.
Autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease presenting with cutaneous dermatoses and ocular infection
Authors: Low L. C. M. , Manson A. L. , Hardman C. , Carton J. , Seneviratne S. L. , Ninis N. 
Published: May 2012

Summary
Dermatoses such as eczematous dermatitis and cutaneous infection are recognized presentations of primary immunodeficiency (PID). However, atopic dermatitis affects approximately 10% of infants, and cutaneous infections are not uncommon in children, therefore the challenge for the dermatologist is to distinguish the few patients that have PID from the many that do not. We report on a 6-year-old girl who was ultimately diagnosed with autosomal recessive chronic granulomatous disease (AR-CGD) after presenting to various hospitals with dermatitis, scalp plaques recalcitrant to treatment, and recurrent infections over a 3-year period, and describe some aspects of her diagnosis and management. This report highlights the importance of considering rare disorders such as AR-CGD in the differential diagnosis of recurrent or recalcitrant dermatological infections in children.
Sociality level correlates with dispersal ability in spiders
Authors: Corcobado Guadalupe , Rodríguez‐Gironés Miguel A. , Moya‐Laraño Jordi , Avilés Leticia 
Published: May 2012

Summary1. The evolution of sociality alters the genetic structure of populations, often leading to an increase in the level of inbreeding and a concomitant decrease in the ratio between the benefits and costs of dispersal.2. The association between an absence of dispersal and sociality in spiders has so far been established indirectly from the age distribution of colonies, their genetic structure and their sex ratio. Using a functional and mechanistic approach, we investigated the dispersal tendencies and abilities of individuals of both sexes in species of spiders with different degrees of sociality. We predicted that dispersal tendencies and abilities would decrease when sociality increased.3. In seven species of Anelosimus (Theridiidae), we tested whether there is a sharp transition between dispersing subsocial species and non‐dispersing social ones, or whether dispersal ability decreases more gradually as level of sociality increases and whether both sexes are equally affected. Our assays measured the propensity and ability to bridge, a common aerial locomotion mode in spiders that is especially relevant during pre‐mating dispersal.4. We found that the tendency to disperse by bridging and, at least in males, the ability to disperse, significantly decrease as the level of sociality increases, and that this occurs without a pronounced threshold between subsocial and social species. Additionally, we detected a reduction of leg length relative to body size with increasing sociality and decreasing dispersal abilities in males, which may be mechanistically related to their reduced ability to bridge.5. We propose that the loss of dispersal ability associated with the evolution of sociality in spiders, especially in males, could contribute to the maintenance of their inbred social systems by substantially increasing dispersal costs.
Yeast, not fruit volatiles mediate Drosophila melanogaster attraction, oviposition and development
Authors: Becher Paul G. , Flick Gerhard , Rozpędowska Elżbieta , Schmidt Alexandra , Hagman Arne , Lebreton Sébastien , Larsson Mattias C. , Hansson Bill S. , Piškur Jure , Witzgall Peter , Bengtsson Marie 
Published: May 2012

Summary1.In nature, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is attracted to fermenting fruit. Micro‐organisms like Saccharomyces yeasts growing on fruit occupy a commonly overlooked trophic level between fruit and insects. Although the dietary quality of yeast is well established for D. melanogaster, the individual contribution of fruit and yeast on host finding and reproductive success has not been established.2.Here, we show that baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on its own is sufficient for fruit fly attraction, oviposition and larval development. In contrast, attraction and oviposition were significantly lower if non‐fermented grape juice or growth media were used, and yeast‐free grapes did not support larval development either.3.Despite a strong preference for fermented substrates, moderate attraction to and oviposition on unfermented fruit might be adaptive in view of the fly's capacity to vector yeast.4.Signals emitted by fruit were only of secondary importance because fermenting yeast without fruit induced the same fly behaviour as yeast fermenting on fruit. We identified a synthetic mimic of yeast odour, comprising ethanol, acetic acid, acetoin, 2‐phenyl ethanol and 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol, which was as attractive for the fly as fermenting grape juice or fermenting yeast minimal medium.5.Yeast odours represent the critical signal to establish the fly–fruit–yeast relationship. The traditional plant–herbivore niche concept needs to be updated, to accommodate for the role of micro‐organisms in insect–plant interactions.
Effects of methanolic extract of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) on microbial growth
Authors: Coccia Andrea , Carraturo Antonio , Mosca Luciana , Masci Alessandra , Bellini Andrea , Campagnaro Maurizio , Lendaro Eugenio 
Published: May 2012

SummaryThe antimicrobial activity of a methanolic extract of the common edible fruit Prunus cerasus L. was evaluated. HPLC analysis of the extract revealed the abundant presence of anthocyanins. Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) for Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative pathogenic bacteria was in the range 2–6.6 mg mL−1, whereas the time‐kill assay revealed that the bactericidal effect was exerted only at concentrations higher than 2× MIC. Interestingly, at concentrations lower than MIC, P. cerasus L. extract exerted a stimulating effect on bacterial proliferation and on the ability to form biofilms. In particular, a multidrug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain showed a 30% increase in growth at low concentrations. In the light of this finding, we speculate that the use of berry extracts (rich in anthocyanins) may present some risks to human health when used as preservatives in food and cosmetic products.
The influence of gender on the relationship between dental anxiety and oral health‐related emotional well‐being
Authors: CARRILLO‐DIAZ MARIA , CREGO ANTONIO , ROMERO‐MAROTO MARTIN 
Published: May 2012

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2013; 23: 180–187
Background and aim.  Children’s dental fear and/or anxiety (DFA) has been associated with declines in oral health and quality of life. The influence of gender on the relationship between DFA and oral health‐related well‐being in children is analysed.Design.  The decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) index was obtained from 161 school‐aged children (7–14 years old). Data from children’s self‐assessed oral health, oral health‐related emotional well‐being and dental anxiety were collected using questionnaires.Results.  Low scores of emotional well‐being were associated with negative self‐assessment of oral health and high levels of dental anxiety. Females reported decreased oral health‐related emotional well‐being compared with males. The analysis of possible moderating effects confirmed that gender influenced the relationship between oral health and DFA. The DMFT index was not associated with self‐assessed oral health status, emotional well‐being or DFA.Conclusion.  For girls, high levels of DFA were associated with low levels of oral health‐related emotional well‐being. In contrast, dental fear and/or anxiety did not influence oral health‐related emotional well‐being in boys.
Comparative proteomic analysis of virulent and rifampicin‐attenuated Flavobacterium psychrophilum
Authors: Gliniewicz K , Plant K P , LaPatra S E , LaFrentz B R , Cain K , Snekvik K R , Call D R 
Published: May 2012

AbstractFlavobacterium psychrophilum is the aetiologic agent of bacterial coldwater disease and rainbow trout fry syndrome. In this study, we compared a wild‐type strain (CSF 259‐93) with a rifampicin‐resistant strain and virulence‐attenuated strain of F. psychrophilum (CSF 259‐93B.17). The attenuated strain harboured a mutation in the rpoB gene consistent with resistance to rifampicin. Two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D‐PAGE) and mass spectrometry demonstrated an altered proteome with eight proteins characteristic for the parent strain and six that were unique to the attenuated strain. Immunoblotting with a diagnostic monoclonal antibody (FL‐43) identified a putative antigen (FP1493) that was subsequently cloned, expressed as a recombinant protein and confirmed as recognized by FL‐43. 2D‐PAGE, immunoblotting with rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), convalescent antisera and mass spectrometry of bacterial whole‐cell lysates revealed several uniquely expressed immunoreactive proteins including FP1493. An FP1493 recombinant subunit vaccine was tested, but did not provide protection against challenge with the CSF259‐93 strain. While the exact mechanism responsible for altered protein synthesis and attenuation of CSF 259‐93B.17 is still unknown, the differentially expressed immunoreactive proteins are a valuable resource to develop subunit vaccines and to identify proteins that are potentially involved in disease.
Maternal nutrition among women from Sub‐Saharan Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, and potential implications for pregnancy outcomes among immigrant populations in developed countries
Authors: Lindsay K. L. , Gibney E. R. , McAuliffe F. M. 
Published: May 2012

Lindsay K.L., Gibney E.R. & McAuliffe F.M. (2012) Maternal nutrition among women from Sub‐Saharan Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, and potential implications for pregnancy outcomes among immigrant populations in developed countries. J Hum Nutr Diet.AbstractPregnant women in countries of Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) are at risk of poor nutritional status and adverse outcomes as a result of poverty, food insecurity, sub‐optimal healthcare facilities, frequent infections and frequent pregnancies. Studies from Nigeria, for example, have revealed a high prevalence of both under‐ and over‐nutrition, as well as nutrient deficiencies, including iron, folate, vitamin D and vitamin A. Subsequently, obstetric complications, including hypertension, anaemia, neural tube defects, night‐blindness, low birth weight and maternal and perinatal mortality, are common. Migration patterns from SSA to the Western world are on the rise in recent years, with Nigerians now representing the most prevalent immigrant African population in many developed countries. However, the effect of immigration, if any, on the nutritional status and pregnancy outcomes of these women in their host countries has not yet been studied. Consequently, it is unknown to what extent the nutritional deficiencies and pregnancy complications occurring in Nigeria, and other countries of SSA, present in these women post‐emigration. This may result in missed opportunities for appropriate antenatal care of a potential high‐risk group in pregnancy. The present review discusses the literature regarding nutrition in pregnancy among SSA women, using Nigeria as an example, the common nutrition‐related complications that arise and the subsequent obstetric outcomes. The concept of dietary acculturation among immigrant groups is also discussed and deficiencies in the literature regarding studies on the diets of pregnant immigrant women are highlighted.