bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carcasses increase the probability of predation of ground‐nesting birds: a caveat regarding the conservation value of vulture restaurants
Authors: Cortés‐Avizanda A. , Carrete M. , Serrano D. , Donázar J. A. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractCarcasses not only recruit carrion‐eaters, but can also attract facultative scavengers which could predate on species living in the surroundings. At supplementary feeding stations (‘vulture restaurants’) carcasses are available permanently, posing a conservation dilemma: enhancing populations of endangered scavengers might introduce a predation pressure on non‐target species. Here, we test if nest predation risk on ground‐nesting birds increases near carcasses in Fuerteventura Island (Canary Archipelago). This is an optimal scenario for performing this study because there is a simple community of ground‐nesting birds and facultative scavengers; carrion‐eaters feed regularly in a unique vulture restaurant but also exploit scattered carcasses of goats. We placed artificial nests along different lines located at variable distances (200 m to 34 km) from the vulture restaurant or from single carcasses. Sixty‐seven per cent of lines and up to 90% of nests within lines were predated. Predation risk was higher in lines near carcasses, that is single carcasses or the vulture restaurant. Thus, our study alerts that choosing the location for vulture restaurants may be the key not only for scavengers but also for the conservation of the species living nearby.
Hyponatremia complicating labour—rare or unrecognised? A prospective observational study
Authors: Moen V , Brudin L , Rundgren M , Irestedt L 
Published: January 2009

Objective  The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of hyponatraemia following delivery, with a hypothesis that hyponatraemia has a high prevalence in labouring women.Design  Prospective observational study.Setting  Consultant‐led delivery suite in County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden.Sample  A total of 287 pregnant women at term (37 full gestational weeks).Methods  Oral fluids were allowed during labour. Blood samples were collected on admission, after delivery, and from the umbilical artery and vein.Main outcome measure  Hyponatraemia defined as plasma sodium ≤130 mmol/l after delivery.Results  Hyponatraemia was found in 16 (26%) of the 61 mothers who received more than 2500 ml of fluid during labour. Two‐thirds of fluids were orally ingested. Decrease in plasma sodium concentration during labour correlated with duration of labour and the total fluid volume administered. Analysis by multivariate logistic regression showed that hyponatraemia was significantly correlated with fluid volume (P < 0.001) but not with oxytocin administration or epidural analgesia. Hyponatraemia correlated significantly with prolonged second stage of labour, instrumental delivery, and emergency caesarean section for failure to progress (P = 0.002).Conclusions  Hyponatraemia is not uncommon following labour. Tolerance to a water load is diminished during labour; therefore, even moderate fluid volumes may cause hyponatraemia. Women should not be encouraged to drink excessively during labour. Oral fluids, when permitted, should be recorded, and intravenous administration of hypotonic fluids should be avoided. When abundant drinking is unrecognised or intravenous fluid administration liberal, life‐threatening hyponatraemia may develop. The possibility that hyponatraemia may influence uterine contractility merits further investigation.
Hepatitis C virus, steatosis and lipid abnormalities: clinical and pathogenic data
Authors: Negro Francesco , Sanyal Arun J. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractAbnormal accumulation of fat in the liver (steatosis) is commonly observed in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and the severity of steatosis has been well correlated with the degree of hepatic fibrosis. In patients with chronic HCV infection, steatosis may occur in conjunction with other metabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. This was observed primarily in patients infected with non‐genotype 3 virus. Otherwise, in HCV‐infected patients, especially those infected with genotype 3a, reductions in total cholesterol as well as high‐density lipoprotein and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol are observed compared with matched controls, and the normalization of these parameters appears to be an important correlate of the response to antiviral therapy. In that setting, the pathogenic mechanisms involved in HCV‐induced steatosis are mediated in large part by the HCV core protein, whose expression is associated with lipid droplet accumulation, changes in lipogenic gene expression and/or the activity of lipogenic proteins, and effects on mitochondrial oxidative function. The importance of genes such as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α and the proteasome activator PA28‐γ in HCV‐mediated steatosis has been elucidated from studies in genetically altered mice, and the manipulation of these and other pathways may provide an avenue for therapeutic intervention.
Hepatitis C, insulin resistance and diabetes: clinical and pathogenic data
Authors: Serfaty Lawrence , Capeau Jacqueline 
Published: January 2009

AbstractEpidemiological data indicate a strong risk for development of insulin resistance (IR), and, ultimately, overt diabetes mellitus (DM) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Steatosis, or fatty liver, is closely linked with IR in persons without HCV, such as those with metabolic syndrome, primarily due to increased visceral fat leading to altered adipokine production and increased free fatty acid (FFA) release. Moreover, there is evidence that liver fat can have an impact on the development of hepatic IR independently of changes in adipose tissue. Multiple mechanisms can account for the development of IR in patients with chronic HCV. In particular, there is evidence for a triangular interaction between steatosis, inflammatory processes and IR. In patients infected by the genotype 1 virus, steatosis is strongly related to IR, leading to a metabolic steatosis, while, in genotype 3 patients, steatosis is related to viral load in the context of a viral steatosis. Chronic inflammatory processes in the liver may be mediated by persistently activated macrophages and other immune cells, with concomitant overproduction of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor‐α. Activation of inflammatory pathways, together with increased levels of FFAs, can disrupt hepatocyte intracellular pathways and inhibit insulin signalling, leading to IR. Molecular studies have also shown that the HCV core protein can directly inhibit the insulin signalling pathway and increase reactive oxygen species production, both of which can further exacerbate IR. The available data provide an understanding of chronic HCV whereby chronic inflammatory processes, steatosis and IR contribute to each other, leading to an increased risk of DM, and its associated poor outcomes, in persons with chronic HCV.
Schistosoma mansoni coinfection could have a protective effect against mixed cryoglobulinaemia in hepatitis C patients
Authors: Abbas Omaima M. , Omar Nabil A. , Zaghla Hassan E. , Faramawi Mohammad F. 
Published: January 2009

AbstractBackground/Aim: The association between mixed cryogloblinaemia and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been established. However, the factors underlying its great geographical heterogeneity of prevalence have not yet been identified. Concomitant HCV and Schistosoma mansoni infections are common in Egypt. Chronic helminthic infections have been found to decrease the incidence and manifestations of immune‐related diseases. To date, no study has focused on the influence of S. mansoni coinfection on the risk of cryoglobulinaemia in hepatitis C patients.Methods: A cohort of 119 consecutively recruited chronic hepatitis C‐infected patients was studied. Patients' sera were assessed for S. mansoni antibodies and cryoglobulins (CGs) were determined and characterized.Results: Cryoglobulins were detected in 18 of 119 patients (15.1%) included in this study. They were detected in 12 of 45 hepatitis C (26.7%) and six of 74 coinfected patients (8.1%), which was statistically significant, P=0.01. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were also found to be significantly lower in the CG‐positive group compared with the CG‐negative group, P=<0.01. CGs were detected in seven of 21 (33.3%) and in 11 of 98 (11.2%) hepatitis C female and male patients, respectively, indicating a significantly positive association with the female gender, P=0.02. A logistic regression adjusted for gender, AST and ALT showed that hepatitis C patients without schistosomal coinfection are more likely to have cryoglobulinaemia, odds ratio=4.12, 95% confidence interval=1.42–11.95.Conclusion: There is an apparent protective effect of S. mansoni coinfection against mixed cryoglobulinaemia in chronic hepatitis C patients.
Hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in young men with treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Yun Jung Won , Cho Yong Kyun , Park Jung Ho , Kim Hong Joo , Park Dong Il , Sohn Chong Il , Jeon Woo Kyu , Kim Byung Ik , Son Byung Ho , Shin Jun Ho 
Published: January 2009

AbstractObjectives: The clinical significance of liver steatosis has been studied because steatosis plays a role in the progression of liver fibrosis. Nevertheless, the impact of steatosis in the early stage of fibrosis in non‐obese young men with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is poorly understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatic steatosis, assess the relationship between hepatic steatosis and fibrosis and to assess the laboratory parameters for predicting clinically significant liver fibrosis in non‐obese young men with CHB.Methods: We prospectively evaluated liver biopsies in young male patients with CHBwith a serum alanine aminotransferase level of more than two times the upper limit of normal for at least 3 months before enrollment. Patients were excluded when they had co‐infection with another virus and prior antiviral treatment. Demographical, anthropometric and laboratory parameters were analysed. Liver steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis were also assessed.Results: A total of 86 young male patients with CHB were included in this study. The median age was 21 years (range, 20–26 years) and the median body mass index was 23.0 kg/m2 (range, 18.0–28.3 kg/m2). Steatosis was present in 44 patients (51.2%). Significant fibrosis (beyond periportal fibrosis) was present in 50 patients (58.1%). Steatosis was associated with insulin, homeostasis model for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), total cholesterol and triglycerides. On multiple regression analysis, steatosis was independently associated with triglyceride and HOMA‐IR. Significant fibrosis was independently associated with γ‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) and necroinflammation activity. However, there was no significant association between significant fibrosis and the presence of steatosis.Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatic steatosis is a common finding in young male patients with CHB. Hepatic steatosis in CHB patients seems to be associated with insulin resistance, but it is not associated with hepatic fibrosis. GGT levels can provide useful information on the stage of CHB.
A novel histone deacetylase inhibitor prevents IL‐1β induced metabolic dysfunction in pancreatic β‐cells
Authors: Susick Laura , Senanayake Thulani , Veluthakal Rajakrishnan , Woster Patrick M. , Kowluru Anjaneyulu 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) has recently been shown to inhibit deleterious effects of cytokines on β‐cells, but it is unable to protect β‐cells from death due to its own cytotoxicity. Herein, we investigated novel HDAC inhibitors for their cytoprotective effects against IL‐1β‐induced damage to isolated β‐cells. We report that three novel compounds (THS‐73–44, THS‐72–5 and THS‐78–5) significantly inhibited HDAC activity and increased the acetylation of histone H4 in isolated β‐cells. Further, these compounds exerted no toxic effects on metabolic cell viability in these cells. However, among the three compounds tested, only THS‐78–5 protected against IL‐1β‐mediated loss in β‐cell viability. THS‐78–5 was also able to attenuate IL‐1β‐induced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and subsequent NO release. Our data also indicate that the cytoprotective properties of THS‐78–5 against IL‐1β‐mediated effects may, in part, be due to inhibition of IL‐1β‐induced transactivation of nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) in these cells. Together, we provide evidence for a novel HDAC inhibitor with a significant potential to prevent IL‐1β‐mediated effects on isolated β‐cells. Potential implications of these findings in the development of novel therapeutics to prevent deleterious effects of cytokines and the onset of autoimmune diabetes are discussed.
The ubiquitin specific protease 4 (USP4) is a new player in the Wnt signalling pathway
Authors: Zhao Bin , Schlesiger Claudia , Masucci Maria G. , Lindsten Kristina 
Published: January 2009

AbstractThe canonical Wnt signalling pathway is essential for cell fate determination during embryonic development and for the maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. Deregulation of Wnt signalling leads to developmental defects and is associated with various types of cancer. Here we have used an RNA interference (RNAi) library specifically targeting human deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) to screen for new regulators of the canonical Wnt signalling pathway. We found that suppression of the ubiquitin specific protease 4 (USP4) activates β‐catenin dependent transcription. We also show that USP4 is a DUB with dual hydrolysing activity for K48‐ and K63‐conjugated polyubiquitin chains and interacts with two known Wnt signalling components: the Nemo like kinase (Nlk) and the transcription factor (T‐cell factor 4 [TCF4]). Overexpression of a catalytically active Nlk promotes nuclear accumulation of USP4 whereas a subpopulation of TCF4 is a substrate of USP4‐dependent deubiquitination. Thus, modulation of USP4 expression may provide a new means to interfere with canonical Wnt signalling in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions.
Stimulation of protein kinase C‐α suppresses colon cancer cell proliferation by down‐regulation of β‐catenin
Authors: Gwak Jungsug , Jung Soo‐Jin , Kang Dong‐II , Kim Eun‐Young , Kim Dong‐Eun , Chung Young‐Hwa , Shin Jae‐Gook , Oh Sangtaek 
Published: January 2009

AbstractWe reported previously that protein kinase C‐α (PKC‐α) negatively regulates Wnt/β‐catenin signalling pathway. The current study explores the role of PKC‐α in the regulation of proliferation of colon cancer cells, which contain aberrant up‐regulation of intracellular β‐catenin. In colon tissue and cells, an inverse correlation was observed between the expression levels of PKC‐α and intracellular β‐catenin. Activation of PKC‐α inhibited β‐catenin response transcription by down‐regulation of intracellular β‐catenin and induced phosphorylation of the N‐terminal serine and threonine residues (Ser33/Ser37/Thr41) of β‐catenin, marking it for proteasomal degradation, in colon cancer cells. Pharmacological inhibition or depletion of PKC‐α‐abrogated PKC‐α‐mediated β‐catenin down‐regulation and phosphorylation in colon cancer cells. Notably, the Ser45 residue of β‐catenin was essential for PKC‐α‐induced β‐catenin down‐regulation in colon cancer cells. Moreover, PKC‐α activation repressed the expression of cyclin D1 and c‐myc, which are known β‐catenin target genes, and thus inhibited the growth of colon cancer cells. These findings suggest that PKC‐α negatively regulates colon cancer cell proliferation viaβ‐catenin phosphorylation/down‐regulation and may facilitate the development of new strategies to treatment of colon cancer.
Is a low content in atranol/chloroatranol safe in oak moss‐sensitized individuals?
Authors: Nardelli Andrea , Giménez‐Arnau Elena , Bernard Guillaume , Lepoittevin Jean‐Pierre , Goossens An 
Published: January 2009

Background:  Chloroatranol and atranol are degradation products of chloroatranorin and atranorin, respectively, and have been identified as important contact allergens in oak moss absolute (Evernia prunastri).Objectives:  To investigate whether chemically modified extracts of oak moss produce positive patch test reactions in previously sensitized subjects.Methods:  A sample of oak moss was treated by a polymer‐based method to reduce the content of the two main allergens, namely atranol and chloroatranol, from 3.4% to less than 75 p.p.m. and from 1.8% to less than 25 p.p.m., respectively. Fourteen subjects with positive reactions to oak moss from Trolab and/or Chemotechnique were patch tested to this sample, diluted 1% in petrolatum.Results:  The chemically modified sample reacted negatively in six but gave still positive reactions in eight subjects, with the same intensity as the commercially available oak moss patch test materials.Conclusions:  Polymer‐based treatment of oak moss extract reduces the allergenic elicitation potential in previously sensitized individuals only to a minor extent. The residual concentrations of atranol and chloroatranol being less than 75 p.p.m. and 25 p.p.m., respectively, are unsafe for the consumer.
Occupational allergic contact dermatitis from cinnamon including one case from airborne exposure
Authors: Ackermann Leena , Aalto‐Korte Kristiina , Jolanki Riitta , Alanko Kristiina 
Published: January 2009

Background: The bark of the cinnamon tree is used as a spice; its flavour is from an essential oil containing mainly cinnamal.Objective: To report new cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) from cinnamon and a novel case of airborne cinnamon contact allergy.Methods: We examined the patient material of two dermatological clinics in Helsinki to find cinnamon contact allergic patients and review their clinical records.Results: We found six patients with delayed contact allergy to cinnamon. In four patients, cinnamon was the main cause of occupational ACD. Three of them had dermatitis on their hands and one patient on the face and neck. In the latter case, the exposure was shown to be airborne. In addition, the fifth patient was occupationally sensitized to cinnamon, but it was not the main cause of his hand dermatitis. In the sixth patient, cinnamon allergy was considered to derive from cross‐allergy to fragrances. Five of the patients reacted to cinnamal separately and in fragrance mix I. None of the six patients had immediate‐type cinnamon allergy.Conclusions: Occupational contact allergy to cinnamon is rare but needs to be considered in workers handling foods. Cinnamal is possibly the main allergen in cinnamon.
Children’s clothing fasteners as a potential source of exposure to releasable nickel ions
Authors: Heim Katherine E. , McKean Bruce A. 
Published: January 2009

Background:  Cutaneous nickel allergy in the very young is not well documented or characterized. A significant number of individuals are nickel sensitized by their mid‐teenage years. Recent studies suggest that children may become sensitized to nickel at an early age.Objectives:  The purpose of this study was to investigate nickel release from children’s clothing fasteners as one potential route of exposure of pre‐school age children to nickel ions.Patients/Methods:  Fasteners from new and used children’s clothing purchased in the USA were tested using the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) and EN1811 tests for nickel ion release.Results:  Of 173 fasteners tested, 10 (6%) tested positive using the DMG test for nickel release. EN 1811 standardized nickel release testing of these 10 items demonstrated that 70% (4% of all fasteners tested) released nickel in excess of the European Nickel Directive release limit (0.5 μg/cm2/week). Ten randomly selected DMG‐negative fasteners were also EN 1811 tested, of which 30% of fasteners exceeded the European Nickel Directive release limit. Therefore, not less than 6% of the fasteners tested released excessive nickel.Conclusion:  This study concluded that clothing fasteners purchased in the USA could be a source of early childhood exposure to releasable nickel.
Analysis of cell cycle phases and proliferative capacity in mice bearing melanoma maintained on different dietary proteins
Authors: Castro Georgia A. , Maria Durvanei A. , Rodrigues Consuelo J. , Sgarbieri Valdemiro C. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Diet seems to represent, directly or indirectly, 35% of all cancer reports. In this study, the influence of dietary protein on the growth of melanoma B16F10 was evaluated through analyses of cell cycle phases and proliferative capacity.Methods: Flow cytometry and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) technique were applied in mice bearing B16F10 melanoma cells fed on different dietary proteins. All data were submitted to statistical analyses.Results: The G0/G1 phase increased for the animal groups fed bovine collagen hydrolysate (BCH) or BCH‐P1 + whey protein isolate (WPI), compared with mice receiving only WPI, for all dietary groups treated and nontreated with paclitaxel. Mice that received BCH + WPI treated with paclitaxel showed the highest percentage of apoptosis compared with WPI group. AgNORs, total nucleolar organizer regions (NORs)/cells and dot number/cell for all dietary protein groups nontreated with paclitaxel were higher than for the WPI. The only two dietary protein groups treated with paclitaxel that presented higher total NORs and dot number/cell than the WPI group were BCH + WPI and BCH‐P1 + WPI.Conclusions: A significantly lower proliferative capacity and larger number of cells in the G0/G1 phase were observed for the dietary protein groups combining the two collagen hydrolysates, BCH or BCH‐P1 with WPI, treated with paclitaxel.
Melanocytic nevi with features of Spitz nevi and Clark’s/dysplastic nevi (“Spark’s” nevi)
Authors: Ko Christine J. , McNiff Jennifer M. , Glusac Earl J. 
Published: January 2009

Background: Nevi with cytologic characteristics of Spitz nevus and architectural features of Clark’s/dysplastic nevus are not well recognized in the literature.Methods: Twenty‐seven nevi with characteristics of Spitz nevus and Clark’s/dysplastic nevus are reviewed.Results: The patients’ mean age was 33 years, and 17/27(63%) patients were female. Lesions were most frequent on the trunk and lower extremities. Histopathologically, these nevi were composed of large, monomorphous spindled and/or epithelioid melanocytes. Spindle cells were often oriented parallel to the epidermis, with fused rete and lamellar fibroplasias. Lateral extension of the junctional component was a feature of compound lesions. An average of 10 years of clinical follow up in 12 patients revealed no recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions: Recognition of this type of nevus is important to avoid confusion with malignant melanoma.