bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association between the leptin gene 2548G/A polymorphism, the plasma leptin and the metabolic syndrome with psoriasis
Authors: Abdel Hay Rania M. , Rashed Laila A. 
Published: May 2011

Abstract:  Background:  Psoriasis is a disorder with genetic and immunologic background. Leptin can regulate the T‐helper response.Objective:  Our primary goal is to study the functional polymorphism (G‐2548A) of the leptin (LEP) gene in the genetic predisposition of psoriasis, and our secondary goal is to examine factors affecting plasma leptin levels in psoriasis and to compare patients with and without metabolic syndrome (MS).Methods:  The study involved 94 patients with psoriasis and 100 healthy controls. Analysis of G‐2548A polymorphism of the LEP gene was made by the PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique. The relationship between LEP gene polymorphism and the clinical features of the patients was analysed. Plasma leptin levels and proportions of comorbidities in patients vs controls were compared.Results:  In controls, the GA, AA and GG frequencies were 50%, 30% and 20%, respectively, while in patients, the distribution of genotypes was 42.5%, 20.2% and 38.3%, respectively, with significant difference (P = 0.014) between patients and controls. In patients with MS, the GG, GA and AA frequencies were 61.5%, 23.1% and 15.4%, respectively, while in patients without MS, the distribution of genotypes was 29.4%, 50% and 20.6%, respectively, with significant difference (P = 0.014) between both groups. Plasma leptin showed a significant higher levels in the patients versus the controls (P < 0.001), and among the different LEP genotypes (P < 0.001) in the patients’ group.Conclusion:  LEP G‐2548A polymorphism could be a predictor for higher plasma leptin and increased risk of psoriasis and could be used as a marker for psoriasis‐related comorbidity risk.
Determinants of Mental and Motor Development at 12 Months in a Low Income Population: A cohort study in northeast Brazil
Authors: Lima MC , Eickmann SH , Lima ACV , Guerra MQ , Lira PIC , Huttly SRA , Ashworth Ann 
Published: May 2011

Aim: To identify biological and environmental factors associated with poorer mental and motor development at age 12 mo in urban communities in northeast Brazil. Methods: A cohort of 245 infants born during January‐August 1998 in six hospitals in the interior of Pernambuco was followed twice weekly from birth until 12 mo of age. Socio‐economic, demographic and environmental data were collected, together with daily information on morbidity and feeding patterns. Gestational age, birth anthropometry and nutritional status at 12 mo were measured. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify variables that had independent effects on mental and motor development assessed at 12 mo of age with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Results: Environmental factors explained about 21% and 19% of the variance in mental and motor development, respectively. Of these, the most important were poverty‐related. Significant biological factors associated with mental development were birthweight and infant sex. For motor development, the biological factors were weight‐for‐age and haemoglobin concentration. Biological factors explained only 6% and 5% of the variance in mental and motor development, respectively. Conclusion: Of the variables examined, environmental factors had a greater detrimental effect on child development than biological factors in this population. Interventions that enhance social capital and alleviate poverty are advocated.
Recurrent abdominal pain in 200 children: somatic causes and diagnostic criteria
Authors: Gijsbers CFM , Kneepkens CMF , Schweizer JJ , Benninga MA , Büller HA 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  To establish to what extent somatic causes can be found in children referred to secondary care with recurrent abdominal pain.Methods:  For 2 years, all consecutive patients (age 4–16 years) fulfilling Apley criteria, referred to secondary care, were included. After a diagnostic work‐up, stepwise therapeutic interventions were performed. A diagnosis was considered to be the cause of the pain when the patient became pain free following therapeutic intervention and remained so for at least 6 months.Results:  Two hundred and twenty children (128 F, 92 M; mean age 8.8 years) were enrolled, of which 20 were lost to follow‐up. Spontaneous recovery was seen in 54 patients, (occult) constipation in 92 patients (of whom 18 also had a somatic cause), gastrointestinal infections in 40, food allergy in five, miscellaneous disorders in seven and uncertain diagnosis in 13. In five patients, stress most likely caused the pain. A total of 198 patients became pain free and remained so during follow‐up (mean 18, range 6–60 months).Conclusion:  In 200 children with recurrent abdominal pain, somatic causes were found in 26%. Laxative therapy was successful in 46%, resulting in nearly all patients with functional abdominal pain to become pain free. Eventually, 99% became pain free using a therapeutic intervention protocol.
Salivary cortisol and melatonin levels in children with frequent episodic tension‐type headache do not differ from healthy children
Authors: Rivas‐Martínez Inés , Ambite‐Quesada Silvia , Fernández‐de‐las‐Peñas César , Arroyo‐Morales Manuel , Fernández‐Mayoralas Daniel M , Linares‐García‐Valdecasas Rafael , Palomar‐Gallego Maria A 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  To investigate the differences in cortisol and melatonin concentrations between children with frequent episodic tension‐type headache (FETTH) and healthy children.Methods:  Forty‐four children, 12 boys/32 girls (age: 9 ± 2 years) with FETTH associated to peri‐cranial tenderness and 44 age‐ and sex‐ matched healthy children participated. Both salivary cortisol and melatonin concentrations were collected from non‐stimulated saliva following standardized guidelines. A headache diary for 4 weeks was used for collecting intensity, frequency and duration of headache.Results:  No significant differences for cortisol (t = −0.431; p = 0.668), and melatonin (z = −1.564; p = 0.118) concentrations and salivary flow rate (z = −1.190; p = 0.234) were found between both groups. No significant effect of age or gender was found. In addition, no significant association between cortisol‐melatonin concentrations and between cortisol‐melatonin concentrations and headache clinical parameters were found.Conclusion:  These results suggest that children with FETTH, at first instance, do not present deficits in the secretion of these cortisol and melatonin. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to further elucidate the direction of current findings, particularly the synchronism of cortisol and melatonin and the course of the headache.
Risk factors for behavioural problems in foetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Authors: Fagerlund Åse , Autti‐Rämö Ilona , Hoyme H Eugene , Mattson Sarah N , Korkman Marit 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  To examine risk and protective factors associated with behavioural problems of children and adolescents following prenatal alcohol exposure.Methods:  A total of 73 children and adolescents with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) were assessed for internalizing, externalizing and total behavioural problems using the Child Behavior Checklist. Linear regression models were used to determine the effects of diagnostic and environmental risk and protective factors on behaviour, while controlling for age, sex and IQ.Results:  Length of time spent in residential care was the most pervasive risk factor associated with internalizing, externalizing and total behavioural problems. A low dysmorphology score was related to more internalizing and total problems.Conclusions:  Children and adolescents prenatally exposed to alcohol faced greater risk of substantive behavioural problems (i) if they were less visibly alcohol affected and (ii) the longer time they had spent in residential care. The results underscore the clinical importance of appropriate services and care for less visibly affected children with FASD and highlight the need to attend to children with FASD being raised in institutions.
Haemorrhagic bullous lesions in a 3‐year‐old girl with Henoch–Schölein purpura
Authors: Park Sung Eun , Lee Jun Ho 
Published: May 2011

AbstractHenoch–Schönlein purpura (HSP) is the most common vasculitis in children and is characterized by cutaneous purpura, arthritis, abdominal pain and nephritis. We report a case involving a 3‐year‐old girl with HSP who displayed rapidly evolving haemorrhagic bullae from primary purpuric lesions during systemic corticosteroid therapy.Conclusion: The bullae disappeared within 7 days of systemic corticosteroid therapy, although some scarring of the skin occurred. Also, bullae should not be considered as a poor prognostic factor of renal outcome in HSP.
Effectiveness of multifunction paediatric short‐stay units: a French multicentre study
Authors: Najaf‐Zadeh A. , Hue V , Bonnel‐Mortuaire C , Dubos F , Pruvost I ,   the GFRUP study group, Martinot A 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  To describe the characteristics of the activities of multifunction paediatric ‘short‐stay units’ (SSU) including observation unit (OU), medical assessment and planning unit (MAPU) and holding unit (HU), to evaluate their effectiveness and to explore predictors of inappropriate admissions for OU patients.Methods:  Admissions to nine French paediatric SSUs were analysed. The main outcome measures were SSU length of stay with associated outcome for all patients and appropriate admission rate for OU patients.Results:  Of 1084 patients included in the study, 66% were OU patients (n = 718), 21% MAPU patients (n = 225) and 13% HU patients (n = 141). The OU patients constituted the majority of the SSU admissions. The appropriate OU admission rates ranged from 52% to 86%. Head trauma and seizure were the conditions with the highest appropriate OU admission rates (82%). Age <1 year, and need for IV fluids or medications, CT‐Scan or MRI and cardiorespiratory monitoring were associated with an increased risk of inappropriate OU admission. Eighteen per cent of the MAPU patients and 5% of the HU patients were discharged home within 24 h.Conclusion:  By providing extended and easily available facilities for diagnostics and early treatment for a wide range of sick children, the French paediatric SSU is an effective model for ‘observation medicine’ in emergency department‐managed units. The experience and principles may be applicable to similar units in other health care systems.
Deliberate self‐harm by Taiwanese adolescents
Authors: Tsai Mei Hua , Chen Yi Hua , Chen Chih Dao , Hsiao Chih Yin , Chien Chia Huei 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAim:  Prevalence rates for deliberate self‐harm (DSH) are unusually high among Taiwanese high school students. Several models have been advanced to explain the occurrence of DSH. One, the experiential avoidance model suggests that self‐mutilation helps the individual escape from unwanted emotional experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine the demographic, health and behavioral correlates of DSH in a population (Taiwanese adolescents) known to have a high rate of DSH.Method:  A structured, self‐administered questionnaire survey was completed by a sample of 742 vocational high school students in Taiwan.Results:  Eighty‐four students (11.3%) acknowledged DSH behavior. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that female students were 3.47 times as likely as male students to be in the DSH group. Avoidance behaviors of running away from school [odds ratio (OR) = 3.45] and suicide attempt (OR = 13.05), a history of headache (OR = 8.96), a history of sexual abuse (OR = 4.26) and drinking (OR = 4.12) were also significantly associated with DSH.Conclusions:  Gender and a history of headaches, a history of sexual abuse, drinking, running away from school, or suicidal attempts were factors associated with DSH among Taiwanese adolescents. School personnel should be aware of these to formulate appropriate and timely interventions.
Factors influencing vegetation cover change in Mediterranean Central Chile (1975–2008)
Authors: Schulz Jennifer J. , Cayuela Luis , Rey‐Benayas José M. , Schröder Boris 
Published: May 2011

AbstractQuestions: Which are the factors that influence forest and shrubland loss and regeneration and their underlying drivers?Location: Central Chile, a world biodiversity hotspot.Methods: Using land‐cover data from the years 1975, 1985, 1999 and 2008, we fitted classification trees and multiple logistic regression models to account for the relationship between different trajectories of vegetation change and a range of biophysical and socio‐economic factors.Results: The variables that most consistently showed significant effects on vegetation change across all time‐intervals were slope and distance to primary roads. We found that forest and shrubland loss on one side and regeneration on the other often displayed opposite patterns in relation to the different explanatory variables. Deforestation was positively related to distance to primary roads and to distance within forest edges and was favoured by a low insolation and a low slope. In turn, forest regeneration was negatively related to the distance to primary roads and positively to the distance to the nearest forest patch, insolation and slope. Shrubland loss was positively influenced by slope and distance to cities and primary roads and negatively influenced by distance to rivers. Conversely, shrubland regeneration was negatively related to slope, distance to cities and distance to primary roads and positively related to distance from existing forest patches and distance to rivers.Conclusions: This article reveals how biophysical and socioeconomic factors influence vegetation cover change and the underlying social, political and economical drivers. This assessment provides a basis for management decisions, considering the crucial role of perennial vegetation cover for sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
An unusual plant triterpene synthase with predominant α‐amyrin‐producing activity identified by characterizing oxidosqualene cyclases from Malus × domestica
Authors: Brendolise Cyril , Yauk Yar‐Khing , Eberhard Ellen D. , Wang Mindy , Chagne David , Andre Christelle , Greenwood David R. , Beuning Lesley L. 
Published: May 2011

The pentacyclic triterpenes, in particular ursolic acid and oleanolic acid and their derivatives, exist abundantly in the plant kingdom, where they are well known for their anti‐inflammatory, antitumour and antimicrobial properties. α‐Amyrin and β‐amyrin are the precursors of ursolic and oleanolic acids, respectively, formed by concerted cyclization of squalene epoxide by a complex synthase reaction. We identified three full‐length expressed sequence tag sequences in cDNA libraries constructed from apple (Malus ×domestica‘Royal Gala’) that were likely to encode triterpene synthases. Two of these expressed sequence tag sequences were essentially identical (> 99% amino acid similarity; MdOSC1 and MdOSC3). MdOSC1 and MdOSC2 were expressed by transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and by expression in the yeast Pichia methanolica. The resulting products were analysed by GC and GC‐MS. MdOSC1 was shown to be a mixed amyrin synthase (a 5 : 1 ratio of α‐amyrin to β‐amyrin). MdOSC1 is the only triterpene synthase so far identified in which the level of α‐amyrin produced is > 80% of the total product and is, therefore, primarily an α‐amyrin synthase. No product was evident for MdOSC2 when expressed either transiently or in yeast, suggesting that this putative triterpene synthase is either encoded by a pseudogene or does not express well in these systems. Transcript expression analysis in Royal Gala indicated that the genes are mostly expressed in apple peel, and that the MdOSC2 expression level was much lower than that of MdOSC1 and MdOSC3 in all the tissues tested. Amyrin content analysis was undertaken by LC‐MS, and demonstrated that levels and ratios differ between tissues, but that the true consequence of synthase activity is reflected in the ursolic/oleanolic acid content and in further triterpenoids derived from them. Phylogenetic analysis placed the three triterpene synthase sequences with other triterpene synthases that encoded either α‐amyrin and/or β‐amyrin synthase. MdOSC1 and MdOSC3 clustered with the multifunctional triterpene synthases, whereas MdOSC2 was most similar to the β‐amyrin synthases.Database
The sequences reported in this article have been deposited in the DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank databases under the accession numbers FJ032006 (MdOSC1), FJ032007 (MdOSC2) and FJ032008 (MdOSC3)
A mammalian monothiol glutaredoxin, Grx3, is critical for cell cycle progression during embryogenesis
Authors: Cheng Ning‐Hui , Zhang Wei , Chen Wei‐Qin , Jin Jianping , Cui Xiaojiang , Butte Nancy F. , Chan Lawrence , Hirschi Kendal D. 
Published: May 2011

Glutaredoxins (Grxs) have been shown to be critical in maintaining redox homeostasis in living cells. Recently, an emerging subgroup of Grxs with one cysteine residue in the putative active motif (monothiol Grxs) has been identified. However, the biological and physiological functions of this group of proteins have not been well characterized. Here, we characterize a mammalian monothiol Grx (Grx3, also termed TXNL2/PICOT) with high similarity to yeast ScGrx3/ScGrx4. In yeast expression assays, mammalian Grx3s were localized to the nuclei and able to rescue growth defects of grx3grx4 cells. Furthermore, Grx3 inhibited iron accumulation in yeast grx3gxr4 cells and suppressed the sensitivity of mutant cells to exogenous oxidants. In mice, Grx3 mRNA was ubiquitously expressed in developing embryos, adult tissues and organs, and was induced during oxidative stress. Mouse embryos absent of Grx3 grew smaller with morphological defects and eventually died at 12.5 days of gestation. Analysis in mouse embryonic fibroblasts revealed that Grx3−/− cells had impaired growth and cell cycle progression at the G2/M phase, whereas the DNA replication during the S phase was not affected by Grx3 deletion. Furthermore, Grx3‐knockdown HeLa cells displayed a significant delay in mitotic exit and had a higher percentage of binucleated cells. Therefore, our findings suggest that the mammalian Grx3 has conserved functions in protecting cells against oxidative stress and deletion of Grx3 in mice causes early embryonic lethality which could be due to defective cell cycle progression during late mitosis.Structured digital abstract
MmGRX3 and ScGRX3 colocalize by fluorescence microscopy (View interaction)
TEMPERATURE MAPPING OF FRESH FISH SUPPLY CHAINS – AIR AND SEA TRANSPORT
Authors: MAI NGA THI TUYET , MARGEIRSSON BJÖRN , MARGEIRSSON SVEINN , BOGASON SIGURDUR GRÉTAR , SIGURGÍSLADÓTTIR SJÖFN , ARASON SIGURJÓN 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTTemperature history from three air and three sea freights of fresh cod loins and haddock fillets in expanded polystyrene boxes from Iceland to the U.K. and France were analyzed to find out the effect of different factors on the temperature profile and predicted remaining shelf life (RSL) of the product. It was also aimed to pinpoint hazardous steps in the supply chains. Significant difference (P < 0.001) was found in: the temperature at different locations inside a certain box; mean product temperature between boxes of a certain shipment; and the boxes' surface temperature at different positions on a pallet for the whole logistics period. The predicted RSL depends on the time and temperature history of the product, shortest for sea transportation and longest for an air shipment with precooled product. Several critical steps were found in air freighting: the flight itself, loading/unloading operations and holding storage at unchilled conditions.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONThe paper strengthens fundamental understandings on logistics of fresh fish by air and sea in EPS boxes using ice or gel mats as coolants, with particular contribution of information related to mode of transportation, box–pallet arrangement and location, time–temperature and precooling effects. It is proposed to precool products before packing to better stabilize the temperature of product during abusive period(s). It is also suggested to group the products based on the time–temperature history and/or positions on the pallets for better management in further handling of the fish.
Calculation of Singlet Oxygen Dose Using Explicit and Implicit Dose Metrics During Benzoporphyrin Derivative Monoacid Ring A (BPD‐MA)‐PDT In Vitro and Correlation with MLL Cell Survival
Authors: Weston Mark A. , Patterson Michael S. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) oxygen consumption, clonogenic cell survival, fluorescence photobleaching and photoproduct formation were investigated during benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid (BPD‐MA)‐PDT of MAT‐LyLu cells in vitro. Cells were incubated with BPD‐MA concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5 μg mL−1 for 2 h and then treated with 405 nm light under oxygenated and hypoxic conditions. Fluorescence spectra were acquired during treatment, and photobleaching and photoproduct generation were quantified using singular value decomposition of the spectra. Cell survival was measured at set times during the treatment using a colony‐forming assay. The amount of oxygen consumed by PDT per photon absorbed decreased with BPD‐MA intracellular concentration. Survival was correlated with the total amount of oxygen consumed by PDT per unit volume, which is assumed to be equivalent to the amount of singlet oxygen that reacted. A photobleaching‐based singlet oxygen dose metric was also found to predict survival independent of intracellular BPD‐MA concentration. The BPD‐MA photoproduct was bleached during the treatment. Two singlet oxygen dose metrics based on photoproduct kinetics could not be correlated with cell survival over the full range of intracellular BPD‐MA concentrations used.
Aminolevulinic Acid‐Photodynamic Therapy Combined with Topically Applied Vascular Disrupting Agent Vadimezan Leads to Enhanced Antitumor Responses
Authors: Marrero Allison , Becker Theresa , Sunar Ulas , Morgan Janet , Bellnier David 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe tumor vascular‐disrupting agent (VDA) vadimezan (5,6‐dimethylxanthenone‐4‐acetic acid, DMXAA) has been shown to potentiate the antitumor activity of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using systemically administered photosensitizers. Here, we characterized the response of subcutaneous syngeneic Colon26 murine colon adenocarcinoma tumors to PDT using the locally applied photosensitizer precursor aminolevulinic acid (ALA) in combination with a topical formulation of vadimezan. Diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), a noninvasive method for monitoring blood flow, was utilized to determine tumor vascular response to treatment. In addition, correlative CD31‐immunohistochemistry to visualize endothelial damage, ELISA to measure induction of tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) and tumor weight measurements were also examined in separate animals. In our previous work, DCS revealed a selective decrease in tumor blood flow over time following topical vadimezan. ALA‐PDT treatment also induced a decrease in tumor blood flow. The onset of blood flow reduction was rapid in tumors treated with both ALA‐PDT and vadimezan. CD31‐immunostaining of tumor sections confirmed vascular damage following topical application of vadimezan. Tumor weight measurements revealed enhanced tumor growth inhibition with combination treatment compared with ALA‐PDT or vadimezan treatment alone. In conclusion, vadimezan as a topical agent enhances treatment efficacy when combined with ALA‐PDT. This combination could be useful in clinical applications.