bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibodies Against Sporothrix schenckii Enhance TNF‐α Production and Killing by Macrophages
Authors: de Lima Franco D. , Nascimento R. C. , Ferreira K. S. , Almeida S. R. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractSporotrichosis is a chronic granulomatous mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. The immunological mechanisms involved in the prevention and control of sporotrichosis suggest that cell‐mediated immunity plays an important role in protecting the host against S. schenckii. Nonetheless, recent data strongly support the existence of protective Abs against this pathogenic fungus. In a previous study, we showed that passive Ab therapy led to a significant reduction in the number of colony forming unit in the organs of mice when the MAb was injected before and during S. schenckii infection. The ability of opsonization to enhance macrophage damage to S. schenckii and subsequent cytokine production was investigated in this work. Here we show that the fungicidal characteristics of macrophages are increased when the fungus is phagocytosed in the presence of inactivated serum from mice infected with S. schenckii or mAb anti‐gp70. Additionally, we show an increase in the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as TNF‐α and IL‐1β. This study provides additional support for the importance of antibodies in protecting against S. schenckii and concludes that opsonization is an important process to increase TNF‐α production and fungus killing by macrophages in experimental sporotrichosis.
Isolation of the floral morph‐related genes in heterostylous flax (Linum grandiflorum): the genetic polymorphism and the transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulations of the S locus
Authors: Ushijima Koichiro , Nakano Ryohei , Bando Mayu , Shigezane Yukari , Ikeda Kazuo , Namba Yuko , Kume Saori , Kitabata Toshiyuki , Mori Hitoshi , Kubo Yasutaka 
Published: September 2011

SummaryHeterostylous species have two types of flowers, thrum and pin morphs, and these are controlled by a single diallelic locus designated the ‘S locus’; fertilization between these two types of flowers is successful. The S gene and the molecular mechanism by which it operates remain to be uncovered, although heterostyly has been studied since the time of Darwin. We compared transcripts and proteins of the thrum and pin flowers of heterostylous flax (Linum grandiflorum) to characterize the molecular differences between them and to elucidate the molecular machinery of heterostyly. Twelve floral morph‐related genes were eventually isolated by an integrated study of subtraction and 2D‐PAGE analyses, and four genes, TSS1, LgAP1, LgMYB21 and LgSKS1, were predicted to be related to heterostyly. TSS1, a thrum style‐specific gene, showed some features suitable for the S gene. Although its biological function is unclear, TSS1 was expressed only in the thrum style and is probably linked to the S locus. LgMYB21, another thrum style gene, would be involved in floral morphogenesis. LgMYB21 was highly expressed in the thrum style, which is shorter than the pin style, and its overexpression in Arabidopsis reduced pistil length. Furthermore, a comparison of transcript and protein accumulations showed no differences in the mRNA accumulation of some thrum‐specific proteins, including LgSKS1, suggesting that these are regulated by floral morph‐specific post‐transcriptional regulation. The Linum S locus regulates not only S specificity but also many floral phenotypes. Dynamic regulation of transcripts and proteins would be necessary for the pleiotropic function of the Linum S locus.
Association of the time course of pulmonary arterial hypertension with changes in oxidative stress in the left ventricle
Authors: Leichsenring‐Silva Fabiano , Tavares Angela Maria Vicente , Mosele Francisca , Berger Bruno , Llesuy Susana , Belló‐Klein Adriane 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. This study investigates the time course of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) due to monocrotaline (MCT) and its association with cardiac function and oxidative stress markers in the left ventricle (LV).2. Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: 7 days, 21 days, and 31 days for both control and MCT groups. Following echocardiographic analysis, the heart was removed. The LV was separated and homogenized to analyze oxidized‐to‐total glutathione ratio and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity as well as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ascorbic acid levels.3. There was significant (P < 0.01) cardiac and right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy and pulmonary congestion in the MCT 21 day and 31 day groups. Echocardiography showed a change in the flow wave of the pulmonary artery at 21 days after MCT treatment. There was an increase in the LV ejection time (P < 0.05) at 31 days after MCT. The LV H2O2 concentration was increased (P < 0.05) in the MCT 21 day and MCT 31 day groups compared with controls. There was a reduction (P < 0.05) in the LV ascorbic acid concentration and an increase (P < 0.05) in TrxR activity in the MCT 31 day rats.4. Our findings showed RV changes due to pulmonary hypertension at 21 days after MCT injection. There was a correlation between the degree of dysfunction and the morphometry of the heart chambers, along with impairment of the antioxidant/pro‐oxidant balance in the LV 31 days after the beginning of the protocol. This study suggests that LV changes follow RV dysfunction subsequent to pulmonary hypertension.
Overexpression of cationic amino acid transporter‐1 increases nitric oxide production in hypoxic human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Cui Hongmei , Chen Bernadette , Chicoine Louis G , Nelin Leif D 
Published: September 2011

Summary1. The endogenous production of and/or the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) is decreased in pulmonary hypertensive diseases. l‐arginine (l‐arg) is the substrate for NO synthase (NOS). l‐arg is transported into cells via the cationic amino acid transporters (CAT), of which there are two isoforms in endothelial cells, CAT‐1 and CAT‐2.2. To test the hypothesis that hypoxia will decrease CAT expression and l‐arg uptake resulting in decreased NO production in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (hPMVEC), cells were incubated in either normoxia (21% O2, 5% CO2, balance N2) or hypoxia (1% O2, 5% CO2, balance N2).3. The hPMVEC incubated in hypoxia had 80% less NO production than cells incubated in normoxia (P < 0.01). The hPMVEC incubated in hypoxia had significantly lower CAT‐2 mRNA levels than normoxic hPMVEC (P < 0.005), and the transport of l‐arg was 40% lower in hypoxic than in normoxic hPMVEC (P < 0.01). In hypoxic cells, overexpression of CAT‐1 resulted in significantly greater l‐arg transport and NO production (P < 0.05).4. These results demonstrate that in hPMVEC, hypoxia decreased CAT‐2 expression, l‐arg uptake and NO production. Furthermore, the hypoxia‐induced decrease in NO production in hPMVEC can be attenuated by overexpressing CAT in these cells. We speculate that the CAT may represent a novel therapeutic target for treating pulmonary hypertensive disorders.
Variations in tissue selectivity amongst insulin secretagogues: a systematic review
Authors: Abdelmoneim A. S. , Hasenbank S. E. , Seubert J. M. , Brocks D. R. , Light P. E. , Simpson S. H. 
Published: September 2011

Aim: Insulin secretagogues promote insulin release by binding to sulfonylurea receptors on pancreatic β‐cells (SUR1). However, these drugs also bind to receptor isoforms on cardiac myocytes (SUR2A) and vascular smooth muscle (SUR2B). Binding to SUR2A/SUR2B may inhibit ischaemic preconditioning, an endogenous protective mechanism enabling cardiac tissue to survive periods of ischaemia. This study was designed to identify insulin secretagogues that selectively bind to SUR1 when given at therapeutic doses.Methods: Using accepted systematic review methods, three electronic databases were searched from inception to 13 June 2011. Original studies measuring the half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for an insulin secretagogue on KATP channels using standard electrophysiological techniques were included. Steady‐state concentrations (CSS) were estimated from the usual oral dose and clearance values for each drug.Results: Data were extracted from 27 studies meeting all inclusion criteria. IC50 values for SUR1 were below those for SUR2A/SUR2B for all insulin secretagogues and addition of CSS values identified three distinct patterns. The CSS for gliclazide, glipizide, mitiglinide and nateglinide lie between IC50 values for SUR1 and SUR2A/SUR2B, suggesting that these drugs bind selectively to pancreatic receptors. The CSS for glimepiride and glyburide (glibenclamide) was above IC50 values for all three isoforms, suggesting these drugs are non‐selective. Tolbutamide and repaglinide may have partial pancreatic receptor selectivity because IC50 values for SUR1 and SUR2A/SUR2B overlapped somewhat, with the CSS in the midst of these values.Conclusions: Insulin secretagogues display different tissue selectivity characteristics at therapeutic doses. This may translate into different levels of cardiovascular risk.
Study of surfactant–skin interactions by skin impedance measurements
Authors: Lu Guojin , Moore David J. 
Published: September 2011

SynopsisThe stratum corneum (SC) plays a very critical physiological role as skin barrier in regulating water loss through the skin and protects the body from a wide range of physical and chemical exogenous insults. Surfactant‐containing formulations can induce skin damage and irritation owing to surfactant absorption and penetration. It is generally accepted that reduction in skin barrier properties occurs only after surfactants have penetrated/permeated into the skin barrier. To mitigate the harshness of surfactant‐based cleansing products, penetration/permeation of surfactants should be reduced. Skin impedance measurements have been taken in vitro on porcine skin using vertical Franz diffusion cells to investigate the impact of surfactants, temperature and pH on skin barrier integrity. These skin impedance results demonstrate excellent correlation with other published methods for assessing skin damage and irritation from different surfactant chemistry, concentration, pH, time of exposure and temperature. This study demonstrates that skin impedance can be utilized as a routine approach to screen surfactant‐containing formulations for their propensity to compromise the skin barrier and hence likely lead to skin irritation.
Identification of drugs and drug metabolites as substrates of multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) using triple‐transfected MDCK‐OATP1B1‐UGT1A1‐MRP2 cells
Authors: Fahrmayr C , König J , Auge D , Mieth M , Fromm MF 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The coordinate activity of hepatic uptake transporters [e.g. organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1)], drug‐metabolizing enzymes [e.g. UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)] and efflux pumps (e.g. MRP2) is a crucial determinant of drug disposition. However, limited data are available on transport of drugs (e.g. ezetimibe, etoposide) and their glucuronidated metabolites by human MRP2 in intact cell systems.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Using monolayers of newly established triple‐transfected MDCK‐OATP1B1‐UGT1A1‐MRP2 cells as well as MDCK control cells, single‐ (OATP1B1) and double‐transfected (OATP1B1‐UGT1A1, OATP1B1‐MRP2) MDCK cells, we therefore studied intracellular concentrations and transcellular transport after administration of ezetimibe or etoposide to the basal compartment.KEY RESULTS Intracellular accumulation of ezetimibe was significantly lower in MDCK‐OATP1B1‐UGT1A1‐MRP2 triple‐transfected cells compared with all other cell lines. Considerably higher amounts of ezetimibe glucuronide were found in the apical compartment of MDCK‐OATP1B1‐UGT1A1‐MRP2 monolayers compared with all other cell lines. Using HEK cells, etoposide was identified as a substrate of OATP1B1. Intracellular concentrations of etoposide equivalents (i.e. parent compound plus metabolites) were affected only to a minor extent by the absence or presence of OATP1B1/UGT1A1/MRP2. In contrast, apical accumulation of etoposide equivalents was significantly higher in monolayers of both cell lines expressing MRP2 (MDCK‐OATP1B1‐MRP2, MDCK‐OATP1B1‐UGT1A1‐MRP2) compared with the single‐transfected (OATP1B1) and the control cell line.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Ezetimibe glucuronide is a substrate of human MRP2. Moreover, etoposide and possibly also its glucuronide are substrates of MRP2. These data demonstrate the functional interplay between transporter‐mediated uptake, phase II metabolism and export by hepatic proteins involved in drug disposition.
Using interviews to construct and disseminate knowledge of oral health policy
Authors: Clovis JB , Brillant MGS , Matthews DC , Cobban SJ , Romanow PR , Filiaggi MJ , McNally ME 
Published: September 2011

To cite this article:

Int J Dent Hygiene 10, 2012; 91–97  DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2011.00520.xClovis JB, Brillant MGS, Matthews DC, Cobban SJ, Romanow PR, Filiaggi MJ, McNally ME. Using interviews to construct and disseminate knowledge of oral health policy.Abstract:Objectives: Policymakers worldwide are challenged by the problem of oral health inequities. The goal of an interprovincial partnership in Canada was to guide policy aimed at improving the oral health of vulnerable populations. Insights regarding barriers and enablers to developing such policy in one province (Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada) were required to enhance collaboration between decision makers and researchers and to contribute to the evidence informing policy development. Methods: Snowball technique identified fourteen key informants. Semistructured audio‐recorded interviews were conducted in person or by telephone. Two researchers independently conducted the analyses of the transcribed interviews, one using NVivo software and the second, manual coding. Triangulation of the analyses confirmed the findings. Results: Agreement between the two approaches showed that most key informants believed that oral health is an important policy issue; however, most felt it was not a high priority among the general public and most were unable to articulate the policy process. Barriers to oral health becoming a governmental priority were related to resource allocation and to poor communication among some groups including dentists and dental hygienists. Current government programmes and initiatives were praised but considered weak in health promotion strategies. Recommendations for enhancing oral health priority varied. Conclusions: Attention to the methodological considerations of qualitative research enhanced the credibility of the method and confidence in the findings. Leveraging of existing programmes and improving communication were recommended to contribute to raising the priority of oral health within the government, thereby increasing their commitment to address oral health care, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Skin cancer screening in Germany – perception by the public
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Stadler Rudolf , Reusch Michael , Schäfer Ines , Kornek Thomas , Luger Thomas 
Published: September 2011

SummaryBackground: In 2008, community skin cancer screening (cSCS) was introduced into routine care of the German statutory health insurances (SHI). In the meantime, more than 13 million individuals have been screened. To date, no data are available on the perception of cSCS by the general public.Aim: Evaluation of public perception of cSCS in Germany.Patients and methods: From 10 to 17th March 2011, a phone survey on a population‐based sample of n = 1 014 German adults with SHI status was conducted by the Forsa Institute, including 12 questions on the use, knowledge and attitude regarding cSCS.Results: Of the interviewees 48 % were concerned about skin cancer, 29 % of all persons and 31 % of those eligible had already undergone cSCS. Of these, a major proportion (80 %) had been screened by dermatologists. Of the interviewees 75 % would (again) consult a dermatologist for the next cSCS, and less than 10 % would consult the general practitioner. Although about 93 % considered health screenings useful, only 44 % were informed about the legal right to undergo free cSCS after the age of 35.Conclusions: In Germany cSCS is highly accepted in the community. Leading care providers are the dermatologists. Knowledge about the right to free cSCS needs better public propagation.
Topical therapy of hand eczema – analysis of the prescription profile from dermatologists in private practice
Authors: Soost Stephanie , Abdollahnia Mandana , Kostev Karel , Worm Margitta 
Published: September 2011

SummaryBackground: Chronic hand eczema (CHE) is a common dermatological disease. Due to different etiologies, severity levels, and high therapy costs, it presents a challenge for dermatologists. Nowadays, it is recommended that treatment be adapted to the severity of the disease. According to the guidelines on the management of hand eczema, topical corticosteroids are the first‐line therapy for hand eczema.Patients and methods: The present study investigated the prescription profile of topical treatments. Data sets from 13 191 patients with hand eczema were analyzed.Results: The results indicate that topical corticosteroids are frequently prescribed for the treatment of hand eczema. Corticosteroid treatment (72.6 %) was most commonly prescribed by private practice physicians. Betamethasone was the most frequently prescribed, but other substances such as mometasone furoate, prednicarbate, clobetasol, and methylprednisolone aceponate were often prescribed as well.Conclusions: The results show that the concept of the risk‐to‐benefit ratio is reflected by the prescription profile of topical corticosteroids (therapeutic index). However, even corticosteroids with a less favorable therapeutic index are sometimes prescribed, perhaps due to economic reasons.
Amplification Methods Bias Metagenomic Libraries of Uncultured Single-Stranded and Double-Stranded DNA Viruses
Authors: Kim Kyoung-Ho , Bae Jin-Woo 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT
Investigation of viruses in the environment often requires the amplification of viral DNA before sequencing of viral metagenomes. In this study, two of the most widely used amplification methods, the linker amplified shotgun library (LASL) and multiple displacement amplification (MDA) methods, were applied to a sample from the seawater surface. Viral DNA was extracted from viruses concentrated by tangential flow filtration and amplified by these two methods. 454 pyrosequencing was used to read the metagenomic sequences from different libraries. The resulting taxonomic classifications of the viruses, their functional assignments, and assembly patterns differed substantially depending on the amplification method. Only double-stranded DNA viruses were retrieved from the LASL, whereas most sequences in the MDA library were from single-stranded DNA viruses, and double-stranded DNA viral sequences were minorities. Thus, the two amplification methods reveal different aspects of viral diversity.
Low-Dissolved-Oxygen Nitrifying Systems Exploit Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria with Unusually High Yields
Authors: Bellucci Micol , Ofiţeru Irina D. , Graham David W. , Head Ian M. , Curtis Thomas P. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTIn wastewater treatment plants, nitrifying systems are usually operated with elevated levels of aeration to avoid nitrification failures. This approach contributes significantly to operational costs and the carbon footprint of nitrifying wastewater treatment processes. In this study, we tested the effect of aeration rate on nitrification by correlating ammonia oxidation rates with the structure of the ammonia-oxidizing bacterial (AOB) community and AOB abundance in four parallel continuous-flow reactors operated for 43 days. Two of the reactors were supplied with a constant airflow rate of 0.1 liter/min, while in the other two units the airflow rate was fixed at 4 liters/min. Complete nitrification was achieved in all configurations, though the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration was only 0.5 ± 0.3 mg/liter in the low-aeration units. The data suggest that efficient performance in the low-DO units resulted from elevated AOB levels in the reactors and/or putative development of a mixotrophic AOB community. Denaturing gel electrophoresis and cloning of AOB 16S rRNA gene fragments followed by sequencing revealed that the AOB community in the low-DO systems was a subset of the community in the high-DO systems. However, in both configurations the dominant species belonged to theNitrosomonas oligotrophalineage. Overall, the results demonstrated that complete nitrification can be achieved at low aeration in lab-scale reactors. If these findings could be extended to full-scale plants, it would be possible to minimize the operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions without risk of nitrification failure.
Ecology and Genetic Structure of a Northern Temperate Vibrio cholerae Population Related to Toxigenic Isolates
Authors: Schuster Brian M. , Tyzik Anna L. , Donner Rachel A. , Striplin Megan J. , Almagro-Moreno Salvador , Jones Stephen H. , Cooper Vaughn S. , Whistler Cheryl A. 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACT

Although
Vibrio cholerae
is an important human pathogen, little is known about its populations in regions where the organism is endemic but where cholera disease is rare. A total of 31 independent isolates confirmed as
V. cholerae
were collected from water, sediment, and oysters in 2008 and 2009 from the Great Bay Estuary (GBE) in New Hampshire, a location where the organism has never been detected. Environmental analyses suggested that abundance correlates most strongly with rainfall events, as determined from data averaged over several days prior to collection. Phenotyping, genotyping, and multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) revealed a highly diverse endemic population, with clones recurring in both years. Certain isolates were closely related to toxigenic O1 strains, yet no virulence genes were detected. Multiple statistical tests revealed evidence of recombination among strains that contributed to allelic diversity equally as mutation. This relatively isolated population discovered on the northern limit of detection for
V. cholerae
can serve as a model of natural population dynamics that augments predictive models for disease emergence.