bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endovascular repair of a ruptured subclavian artery aneurysm in a patient with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome using a sandwich technique
Authors: Desai Sapan S , Codreanu Maria , Charlton-Ouw Kristofer M , Safi Hazim , Azizzadeh Ali
Published: January 2014

We present the case of a type IV Ehlers–Danlos syndrome patient with a ruptured right subclavian artery aneurysm and associated arteriovenous fistula who underwent successful endovascular repair requiring simultaneous stent graft repair of the innominate artery using a sandwich technique. A 17-year-old man with known type IV Ehlers–Danlos syndrome developed right neck and shoulder swelling. CTA study demonstrated a 17 × 13-cm ruptured subclavian artery aneurysm with an associated internal jugular vein arteriovenous fistula. In the hybrid suite, a 7 mm × 15-cm stent graft (Viabahn, WL Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) was advanced from the right brachial approach into the innominate artery. A separate wire was placed into the right carotid artery via the right femoral approach (7 Fr), and a 7 mm × 10-cm stent graft (Viabahn) was advanced into the innominate artery. An additional 8 mm × 10-cm stent graft (Viabahn) was placed from the right brachial approach to obtain a distal-landing zone in the axillary artery. Complex vascular anatomy, in which graft seal creation may be challenging, does not exclude endovascular approaches as the sandwich technique can be utilized as a suitable alternative to open repair.
A method to measure retro-reflectance and durability of retro-reflective materials for building outer walls
Authors: Yuan Jihui , Emura Kazuo , Farnham Craig
Published: January 2014

A method of determining the retro-reflectance of retro-reflective materials used for building coatings is proposed in this article. In addition, the durability of retro-reflective materials over long-term outdoor exposure is also estimated. Retro-reflective materials are currently limited to use in specific purposes, such as road traffic signs in Japan. To consider their application as a building coating, it is also necessary to examine the thermal performance and durability of retro-reflective materials. We proposed a method of determining the retro-reflectance of retro-reflective materials (capsule retro-reflective material and prism retro-reflective material were used in this experiment) by experiment. To explore the durability of retro-reflective materials over long-term outdoor exposure, we measured the changes in solar reflectance and retro-reflectance of retro-reflective materials exposed to the outdoors over about 25 months. The solar reflectance of capsule retro-reflective material decreased from 0.69 to 0.51 and that of prism retro-reflective material decreased from 0.83 to 0.81. The retro-reflectance of capsule retro-reflective material decreased from 0.18 to near 0 (0.0072) and that of prism retro-reflective material decreased from 0.44 to 0.42. At the end of the test period, we cleaned the surface of the retro-reflective materials. Both of the retro-reflective materials recovered about 50% of the lost solar reflectance by cleaning. The retro-reflectance of capsule retro-reflective material increased by about 0.08 (46% recovered) by cleaning and that of prism retro-reflective material increased by only 0.01 (with 50% recovered) by cleaning. We concluded that the durability of prism retro-reflective material is better than that of capsule retro-reflective material for use on building coatings.
The F-BAR protein PSTPIP1 controls extracellular matrix degradation and filopodia formation in macrophages
Authors: Starnes Taylor W. , Bennin David A. , Bing Xinyu , Eickhoff Jens C. , Grahf Daniel C. , Bellak Jason M. , Seroogy Christine M. , Ferguson Polly J. , Huttenlocher Anna
Published: January 2014

Key Points

PSTPIP1 regulates the transition from podosomes to filopodia in macrophages by modulating WASP activity. The novel PSTPIP1-R405C mutant induces filopodia formation, increases matrix degradation, and is associated with severe pyoderma gangrenosum.
Generalized "Equation missing" -expansive mappings and related fixed-point theorems
Authors: Karapınar Erdal , Shahi Priya , Kaur Jatinderdeep , Bhatia Satvinder Singh
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we introduce a new class of expansive mappings called generalized

(
ξ
,
α
)

-expansive mappings and investigate the existence of a fixed point for the mappings in this class. We conclude that several fixed-point theorems can be considered as a consequence of main results. Moreover, some examples are given to illustrate the usability of the obtained results.

MSC:46T99, 54H25, 47H10, 54E50.
Transcriptome profiling of granulosa cells of bovine ovarian follicles during growth from small to large antral sizes
Authors: Hatzirodos Nicholas , Irving-Rodgers Helen F , Hummitzsch Katja , Harland Margaret L , Morris Stephanie E , Rodgers Raymond J
Published: January 2014

Background

At later stages of folliculogenesis, the mammalian ovarian follicle contains layers of epithelial granulosa cells surrounding an antral cavity. During follicle development granulosa cells replicate, secrete hormones and support the growth of the oocyte. In cattle, the follicle needs to grow > 10 mm in diameter to allow an oocyte to ovulate, following which the granulosa cells cease dividing and differentiate into the specialised cells of the corpus luteum. To better understand the molecular basis of follicular growth and granulosa cell maturation, we undertook transcriptome profiling of granulosa cells from small (< 5 mm; n = 10) and large (> 10 mm, n = 4) healthy bovine follicles using Affymetrix microarrays (24,128 probe sets).

Results

Principal component analysis for the first two components and hierarchical clustering showed clustering into two groups, small and large, with the former being more heterogeneous. Size-frequency distributions of the coefficient of variation of the signal intensities of each probe set also revealed that small follicles were more heterogeneous than the large. IPA and GO enrichment analyses revealed that processes of axonal guidance, immune signalling and cell rearrangement were most affected in large follicles. The most important networks were associated with: (A) Notch,SLIT/ROBOandPI3Ksignalling, and (B)ITGB5and extracellular matrix signalling through extracellular signal related kinases (ERKs). Upstream regulator genes which were predicted to be active in large follicles includedSTATandXBP1.By comparison, developmental processes such as those stimulated byKIT,IHHandMESTwere most active in small follicles.MGEA5was identified as an upstream regulator in small follicles. It encodes an enzyme that modifies the activity of many target proteins, including those involved in energy sensing, by removal of N-acetylglucosamine from serine and threonine residues.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that as follicles enlarge more genes and/or pathways are activated than are inactivated, and gene expression becomes more uniform. These findings could be interpreted that either the cells in large follicles are more uniform in their gene expression, or that follicles are more uniform or a combination of both and that additional factors, such as LH, are additionally controlling the granulosa cells.
Spatial gradients in cell wall composition and transcriptional profiles along elongating maize internodes
Authors: Zhang Qisen , Cheetamun Roshan , Dhugga Kanwarpal S , Rafalski J Antoni , Tingey Scott V , Shirley Neil J , Taylor Jillian , Hayes Kevin , Beatty Mary , Bacic Antony , Burton Rachel A , Fincher Geoffrey B
Published: January 2014

Background

The elongating maize internode represents a useful system for following development of cell walls in vegetative cells in the Poaceae family. Elongating internodes can be divided into four developmental zones, namely the basal intercalary meristem, above which are found the elongation, transition and maturation zones. Cells in the basal meristem and elongation zones contain mainly primary walls, while secondary cell wall deposition accelerates in the transition zone and predominates in the maturation zone.

Results

The major wall components cellulose, lignin and glucuronoarabinoxylan (GAX) increased without any abrupt changes across the elongation, transition and maturation zones, although GAX appeared to increase more between the elongation and transition zones. Microarray analyses show that transcript abundance of key glycosyl transferase genes known to be involved in wall synthesis or re-modelling did not match the increases in cellulose, GAX and lignin. Rather, transcript levels of many of these genes were low in the meristematic and elongation zones, quickly increased to maximal levels in the transition zone and lower sections of the maturation zone, and generally decreased in the upper maturation zone sections. Genes with transcript profiles showing this pattern included secondary cell wall CesA genes, GT43 genes, some β-expansins, UDP-Xylose synthase and UDP-Glucose pyrophosphorylase, some xyloglucan endotransglycosylases/hydrolases, genes involved in monolignol biosynthesis, and NAM and MYB transcription factor genes.

Conclusions

The data indicated that the enzymic products of genes involved in cell wall synthesis and modification remain active right along the maturation zone of elongating maize internodes, despite the fact that corresponding transcript levels peak earlier, near or in the transition zone.
Cut throat injuries at a university teaching hospital in northwestern Tanzania: a review of 98 cases
Authors: Gilyoma Japhet M , Hauli Kiyeti A , Chalya Phillipo L
Published: January 2014

Background

Cut throat injuries though rarely reported in literature pose a great therapeutic challenge because multiple vital structures are vulnerable to injuries in the small, confined unprotected area. A sudden increase in the number of cut throat patients in our centre in recent years prompted the authors to analyze this problem. This study was conducted in our local setting to describe the etiology, patterns and treatment outcome of these injuries.

Methods

This was a combined retrospective and prospective study of cut throat injury patients who were managed at Bugando Medical Centre between February 2009 and January 2013. Statistical data analysis was done using SPSS software version 17.0.

Results

A total of 98 patients with cut throat injuries were studied. Males outnumbered females by a ratio of 2.4: 1. The median age of patients was 26 years (range 8 to 78 years). Majority of patients (79.6%) had no employment and most of them (65.3%) came from rural community. Homicide was the commonest (55.1%) cause, followed by suicidal attempts (34.7%) and accidental (10.2%) injuries. Interpersonal conflict (24.4%) was the most common motivating factor for homicidal injury whereas psychiatric illness (16.2%) and road traffic accidents (9.2%) were the most frequent motivating factors of suicidal attempt and accidental injuries respectively. The majority of injuries were in Zone II accounting for 65.3% of cases and most of them had laryngeal (57.1%) injury. Surgical debridement, laryngeal/hypopharynx repair and tracheostomy were the most common surgical procedures performed in 93.9%, 73.5% and 70.4% of patients respectively. Postoperative complication rate was 57.1%, the commonest being surgical site infections in 28.1% of patients and it was significantly associated with late presentation and anatomical zones (P < 0.001). The overall median duration of hospitalization was 12 days. Patients who had postoperative complications stayed longer in the hospital and this was statistically significant (p = 0.011). Mortality rate was 11.2% and was significantly associated with co-morbidities, delayed presentation and presence of complications (p < 0.001). The follow up of patients was poor.

Conclusions

Cut throat injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among young adult males in our setting. Addressing the root causes of violence such as poverty, unemployment, and substance abuse will reduce the incidence of these injuries in our environment.
Plasma uric acid level indicates tubular interstitial leisions at early stage of IgA nephropathy
Authors: Zhou Jingjing , Chen Yuqing , Liu Ying , Shi Sufang , Li Xueying , Wang Suxia , Zhang Hong
Published: January 2014

Background

Hyperuricemia appeared to be a common symptom in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), even in those with normal eGFR. IgAN was characterized by variation of pathological features, especially variable tubulointerstitial lesions. Since tubular reabsorption and excretion appeared to be more important in determination of plasma uric acid levels in persons without obvious decrease of glomerular filtration rate, we took advantage of our IgAN cohort to investigate whether plasma uric acid level associated with tubular interstitial lesions, and could be considered as a maker for tubular interstitial lesions, especially at early stage with normal eGFR.

Methods

623 IgAN patients were involved in the present study. Morphological changes were evaluated with Oxford classification scoring system as well as Beijing classification system of IgAN. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 13.0.

Results

We found that plasma uric acid level associated with percentage of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy. Higher plasma uric acid levels indicated higher tubulointerstitial scores, either with Oxford system (P = 0.012) or with Beijing classification system (P = 4.8*10-4) in the whole cohort. We also found that in the subgroup of 258 IgAN cases with normal baseline eGFR (eGFR > =90 ml/min/1.73 M2), higher plasma uric acid associated with more severe tubulointerstitial lesions with Beijing scoring system (P = 3.4*10-5). The risk of having more than 10% tubulointerstitial lesions in patients with hyperuricemia increased 58% compared with normal uric acid level. In subgroup with normal eGFR, only hyperuricemia predicted tubulointerstitial leisions, and the risk of having more tubulointerstitial changes increased 100%. Among these patients, hyperuricemia was associated with more tubulointerstitial lesions with a specificity of 60.3%. Specificity increased to 65% among those patients with eGFR > =90 ml/min/1.73 m2.

Conclusions

Plasma uric acid levels indicate tubular interstitial lesions in IgAN and hyperuricemia may be considered as a marker for tubulointerstitial lesions.
Associations of GSTM1*0 and GSTA1*Agenotypes with the risk of cardiovascular death among hemodialyses patients
Authors: Suvakov Sonja , Damjanovic Tatjana , Pekmezovic Tatjana , Jakovljevic Jovana , Savic-Radojevic Ana , Pljesa-Ercegovac Marija , Radovanovic Slavica , Simic Dragan V , Pljesa Steva , Zarkovic Milos , Mimic-Oka Jasmina , Dimkovic Nada , Simic Tatjana
Published: January 2014

Background

The presence of glutathione transferase (GST) M1 null genotype (GSTM1-null) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients is associated with lower overall survival rate in comparison to those withGSTM1-active variants. We examined association betweenGSTM1andGSTT1deletion polymorphisms as well as SNPs inGSTA1/rs3957357 andGSTP1/rs1695 genes with overall and cause-specific cardiovascular mortality in ESRD patients.

Methods

Total of 199 patients undergoing hemodialysis were included in the study. Median value of time elapsed from dialysis initiation until the death, or the end of follow-up was 8 ± 5 years. The effect ofGSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1andGSTA1gene polymorphisms on predicting overall and specific cardiovascular outcomes (myocardial infarction, MI or stroke) was analyzed using Cox regression model, and differences in survival were determined by Kaplan-Meier.

Results

GSTM1-null genotype in ESRD patients was found to be independent predictor of overall and cardiovascular mortality. However, after false discovery rate and Bonferroni corrections this effect was lost. The borderline effect modification by wild-typeGSTA1*A/*Agenotype on associations betweenGSTM1-null and analyzed outcomes was found only for death from stroke. Homozygous carriers of combinedGSTM1*0/GSTA1*Agenotype exhibited significantly shorter time to death of stroke or MI in comparison with carriers of eitherGSTM1-active or at least oneGSTA1*Bgene variant. The best survival rate regarding cardiovascular outcome was found for ESRD patients with combinedGSTM1-active and mutantGSTA1*B/*Bgenotype.

Conclusions

CombinedGSTM1*0/GSTA1*Agenotypes might be considered as genetic markers for cardiovascular death risk in ESRD patients, which may permit targeting of preventive and early intervention.
Labouring women who used a birthing pool in obsteric units in Italy: prospective observational study
Authors: Henderson Jane , Burns Ethel E , Regalia Anna L , Casarico Giovanna , Boulton Mary G , Smith Lesley A
Published: January 2014

Background

For women at low risk of childbirth complications, water immersion during labour is a care option in many high income countries. Our aims were (a) to describe maternal characteristics, intrapartum events, interventions, maternal and neonatal outcomes for all women who used a birthing pool during labour who either had a waterbirth or left the pool and had a landbirth, and for the subgroup of women who had a waterbirth in 19 obstetric units, and (b) to compare maternal characteristics, intrapartum events, interventions, and maternal and neonatal outcomes for women who used a birthing pool with a control group of women who did not use a birthing pool for whom we prospectively collected data in a single centre.

Methods

Prospective observational study in 19 Italian obstetric units 2002-2005. Participants were: (a) 2,505 women in labour using a birthing pool in 19 obstetric units; and (b) 114 women in labour using a birthing pool and 459 women who did not use a birthing pool in one obstetric unit. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the sample as a whole and, separately, for those women who gave birth in water. Categorical data were compared using Chi square statistics and continuous data by T-tests.

Results

Overall, 95.6% of women using a birthing pool had a spontaneous vertex delivery, 63.9% of which occurred in water. Half of nulliparas and three quarters of multiparas delivered in water. Adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were rare. There were two cases of umbilical cord snap with waterbirth. Compared with controls, significantly more women who used a birthing pool adopted an upright birth position, had hands off delivery technique, and a physiological third stage. Significantly fewer nulliparas had an episiotomy, and more had a second degree perineal tear, with no evidence of a difference for extensive perineal tears.

Conclusions

Birthing pool use was associated with spontaneous vaginal birth. The increase in second degree tears was balanced by fewer episiotomies. Undue umbilical cord traction should be avoided during waterbirth.
High-incidence of PTEN mutations in Chinese patients with primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Authors: Zhang Zhimin , Xiao Hualiang , Xie Fei , Zhang Hui , Chen Chuan , Xiao He , Yang Zhenzhou , Wang Dong , Li Zengpeng , Wang Ge
Published: January 2014

Background

Primary small cell carcinoma of the esophagus (PSCCE) is a rare and aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the existence of EGFR, KRAS, PIK3CA and PTEN mutations in PSCCE.

Methods

Clinical–pathological data and paraffin-embedded specimens were collected from 38 patients. Exons 18 to 21 of EGFR, KRAS and PIK3CA status were analyzed by real-time PCR based on ARMS and Scorpion technology in all patients, and the PTEN gene was also screened using real-time PCR and high-resolution melting curve analysis (HRMA).

Results

Only 1 (2.63%) out of 38 patients had EGFR mutations in L858R missense, and KRAS and PIK3CA were not found in the mutational spot in all patients. However, PTEN mutations presented in 14 (36.84%) out of 38 patients, including exon 5 coding for PTEN missense mutation (n =4, 10.53%), exon 6 (n =7, 18.42%), concurrent exon 5 and exon 6 (n =2, 5.26%), and exon 8 (n =1, 2.63%). Concurrent mutations of these genes were not detected in all samples. No statistically significant associations were found between the clinicopathological features and the mutation status of PTEN.

Conclusions

The incidence of PTEN mutations in Chinese patients with PSCCE was higher than that of previous reports in other histological subtypes of esophageal cancer.
Treatment compliance and effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural intervention for low back pain: a complier average causal effect approach to the BeST data set
Authors: Knox Christopher R , Lall Ranjit , Hansen Zara , Lamb Sarah E
Published: January 2014

Background

Group cognitive behavioural intervention (CBI) is effective in reducing low-back pain and disability in comparison to advice in primary care. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the impact of compliance on estimates of treatment effect and to identify factors associated with compliance.

Methods

In this multicentre trial, 701 adults with troublesome sub-acute or chronic low-back pain were recruited from 56 general practices. Participants were randomised to advice (control n = 233) or advice plus CBI (n = 468). Compliance was specified a priori as attending a minimum of three group sessions and the individual assessment. We estimated the complier average causal effect (CACE) of treatment.

Results

Comparison of the CACE estimate of the mean treatment difference to the intention-to-treat (ITT) estimate at 12 months showed a greater benefit of CBI amongst participants compliant with treatment on the Roland Morris Questionnaire (CACE: 1.6 points, 95% CI 0.51 to 2.74; ITT: 1.3 points, 95% CI 0.55 to 2.07), the Modified Von Korff disability score (CACE: 12.1 points, 95% CI 6.07 to 18.17; ITT: 8.6 points, 95% CI 4.58 to 12.64) and the Modified von Korff pain score (CACE: 10.4 points, 95% CI 4.64 to 16.10; ITT: 7.0 points, 95% CI 3.26 to 10.74). People who were non-compliant were younger and had higher pain scores at randomisation.

Conclusions

Treatment compliance is important in the effectiveness of group CBI. Younger people and those with more pain are at greater risk of non-compliance.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN54717854
3,4-Dihydroxytoluene, a metabolite of rutin, inhibits inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages by reducing the activation of NF-κB signaling
Authors: Su Kang-Yi , Yu Chao Yuan , Chen Ya-Ping , Hua Kuo-Feng , Chen Yi-Lin Sophia
Published: January 2014

Background

Saussurea involucrata (Kar. et Kir.) (S. involucrate), is a rare traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Rutin and hispidulin as well as their metabolites are flavonoids of the flavonol type that abound in S. involucrata, which has been reported to inhibit nonoxidative advanced glycation end products which was involved in physiological inflammation. This study aims to investigate the role of 3,4-dihydroxytoluene (DHT), a metabolite of rutin, in inflammatory inhibition and its involved mechanism.

Methods

This study utilized lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 as inflammatory model. The inhibitory effects of DHT were evaluated by the expression level of several inflammation markers such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in RAW264.7 after LPS treatment. In addition, underlying mechanisms, the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and NF-κB, were also investigated.

Results

Our results showed that DHT significantly suppressed the LPS-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), iNOS, and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. DHT also reduced the generation of proinflammatory cytokines majorly in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and minor in interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. In addition, LPS-stimulated I-κBα phosphorylation and degradation followed by translocation of the nuclear factor κB (NF-kB)-p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus were attenuated after DHT treatment.

Conclusions

Combined, the results suggest that DHT might exert anti-inflammatory effects in vitro in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and is potential in adjuvant treatment in inflammation disease.
Compound danshen tablet ameliorated aβ25-35-induced spatial memory impairment in mice via rescuing imbalance between cytokines and neurotrophins
Authors: Teng Yan , Zhang Meng-Qi , Wang Wen , Liu Li-Tao , Zhou Li-Ming , Miao Shi-Kun , Wan Li-Hong
Published: January 2014

Background

Compound Danshen Tablet (CDT), a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has recently been reported to improve spatial cognition in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. However, in vivo neuroprotective mechanism of the CDT in models of spatial memory impairment is not yet evaluated. The present study is aimed to elucidate the cellular mechanism of CDT on Aβ25-35-induced cognitive impairment in mice.

Methods

Mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: the control group (sham operated), the Aβ25-35 treated group, the positive drug group, and large and small dosage of the CDT groups, respectively. CDT was administered at a dose of 0.81 g/kg and 0.405 g/kg for 3 weeks. The mice in the positive drug group were treated with 0.4 mg/kg of Huperzine A, whereas the mice of the control and Aβ25-35 treated groups were administrated orally with equivalent saline. After 7 days of preventive treatment, mice were subjected to lateral ventricle injection of Aβ25-35 to establish the mice model of Alzheimer’s disease. Spatial memory impairment was evaluated by Morris water maze test. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) contents in hippocampus and cortex were quantified by ELISA. The levels of cytokines, receptor of activated protein kinase C1 (RACK1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampus were measured by RT-PCR and ELISA.

Results

The results showed that Aβ25-35 caused spatial memory impairment as demonstrated by performance in the Morris water maze test. CDT was able to confer a significant improvement in spatial memory, and protect mice from Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity. Additionally, CDT also inhibited the increase of TNF-α and IL-6 level, and increased the expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), receptor of activated protein kinase C1 (RACK1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain as compared to model mice.

Conclusion

These findings strongly implicate that CDT may be a useful treatment against learning and memory deficits in mice by rescuing imbalance between cytokines and neurotrophins.
The use of annual physical examinations among the elderly in rural China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Sun Xi , Chen Yingchun , Tong Xuetao , Feng Zhanchun , Wei Li , Zhou Donghua , Tian Miaomiao , Lv Benyan , Feng Da
Published: January 2014

Background

Periodic physical examination is considered helpful in preventing illness and promoting health among the elderly. Limited information is available about the use of annual physical examinations among the elderly in rural areas, however. This research explores the distribution characteristics of annual physical examination use and its determinants among people aged 60 or over in rural China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to estimate distribution characteristics of annual physical examination use and to collect data of sociodemographic characteristics, health knowledge level, and health communication channels. Participants were 1128 people aged 60 or over, randomly selected from four different provinces in the East, Mid-East, Mid-West, and West China. Logistic regression determined the predictors of annual physical examination use.

Results

Participants were predominantly aged 60–79 (44.1%) and 70–79 (42.0%). A total of 716 (63.5%) participants underwent annual physical examinations. Those who reported acquiring health knowledge via bulletin boards and village doctors had a higher probability of using annual physical examinations (OR = 3.15 and 1.53). The probability for civil servants/retired having annual physical examinations was 2.16 times higher than for farmers. Those who had an average level of health knowledge had a higher probability of using annual physical examinations than those at the below-average level (odds ratio: 2.07).

Conclusion

The government and public health institutions should assist farmers to acquire the habit of having annual physical examinations. Traditional channels, such as bulletin boards, should be used to deliver health information. Village doctors should be supported in delivering health information to the elderly in rural areas.
Lower skeletal muscle index and early complications in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for bladder cancer
Authors: Wan Fangning , Zhu Yao , Gu Chengyuan , Yao Xudong , Shen Yijun , Dai Bo , Zhang Shilin , Zhang Hailiang , Cheng Jingyi , Ye Dingwei
Published: January 2014

Background

Radical cystectomy (RC) is the standard treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BC), and it is also a valid option for selected patients with high-risk non-muscle-invasive BC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect on the lower skeletal muscle index (SMI) of short-term postoperative complications of radical cystectomy (RC) in patients with bladder cancer (BC).

Methods

A total of 247 patients who received RC for BC and 204 age-matched healthy population-based controls were retrospectively assessed. SMI was measured by preoperative computed tomography scans at the L4 to L5 level. Early complications were graded by Clavien-Dindo classification; severity of grade III or greater was identified as a severe complication. Logistic regression was utilized to determine the relationships between covariables and severe complications.

Results

A total of 125 (50.61%)/19 (7.69%) patients exhibited overall/severe complications during the early postoperative period. SMI was strongly associated with gender (P <0.01), but not age and body mass index (BMI), among patients with BC. Compared with the matched control group, BC patients exhibited lower SMI. The difference was statistically significant in the subgroup of male patients (P = 0.03). In the multivariate analysis, SMI was an independent predictor of developing severe complications. Each 1 cm2/m2 increase in SMI was associated with a decrease in the odds of morbidity by 4.8%.

Conclusions

A lower SMI is frequently observed in bladder cancer patients undergoing RC and is shown to be strongly associated with early complications following surgery.
On required accuracy of mixed noise parameter estimation for image enhancement via denoising
Authors: Abramova Victoriya V , Abramov Sergey K , Lukin Vladimir V , Egiazarian Karen O , Astola Jaakko T
Published: January 2014

Characteristics of noise (type, statistics, spatial correlation) are nowadays exploited in many image denoising and enhancement methods. However, these characteristics are often unknown, and they have to be extracted from an image at hand. There are many powerful and accurate blind methods for noise variance estimation for the cases of additive and multiplicative noise models. However, more complicated noise models containing a mixture of signal-independent (SI) and signal-dependent (SD) components are often more adequate in practice. Parameters of both components have to be automatically estimated to be used in image enhancement. This paper addresses a question of required accuracy of such estimation. Analysis is carried out for color images processed by a filter based on discrete cosine transform. The influence of errors in mixed noise parameters estimation is studied in terms of filtering efficiency. This efficiency is characterized by the conventional criterion peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and two visual quality metrics, PSNR human visual system masking (PSNR-HVS-M) and multi-scale structural similarity (MSSIM). If a reduction of filtering efficiency exceeds 0.5 dB (in terms of PSNR and PSNR-HVS-M) or 0.005 (in terms of MSSIM), mixed noise parameters estimation is assumed to be unacceptable. As the result, it is shown that SI and SD noise parameters have to be estimated with a relative error not exceeding 20%…30%.
Efficient yeast cell-surface display of exo- and endo-cellulase using the SED1 anchoring region and its original promoter
Authors: Inokuma Kentaro , Hasunuma Tomohisa , Kondo Akihiko
Published: January 2014

Background

The recombinant yeast strains displaying the heterologous cellulolytic enzymes on the cell surface using the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring system are considered promising biocatalysts for direct conversion of lignocellulosic materials to ethanol. However, the cellulolytic activities of the conventional cellulase-displaying yeast strains are insufficient for the hydrolysis of cellulose. In this study, we constructed novel gene cassettes for the efficient cellulose utilization by cellulase-displaying yeast strains.

Results

The novel gene cassettes for the cell-surface display of Aspergillus aculeatus β-glucosidase (BGL1) and Trichoderma reeseii endoglucanase II (EGII) were constructed using the promoter and the GPI anchoring region derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae SED1. The gene cassettes were integrated into the S. cerevisiae genome, then the β-glucosidase activity of these recombinant strains was evaluated. We revealed that simultaneous utilization of the SED1 promoter and Sed1 anchoring domain in a gene cassette enabled highly-efficient enzyme integration into the cell wall. The β-glucosidase activity of recombinant yeast cells transduced with the novel gene cassette was 8.4-fold higher than that of a conventional strain. The novel EGII-displaying strain also achieved 106-fold higher hydrolysis activity against the water-insoluble cellulose than a conventional strain. Furthermore, direct ethanol production from hydrothermally processed rice straw was improved by the display of T. reeseii EGII using the novel gene cassette.

Conclusions

We have developed novel gene cassettes for the efficient cell-surface display of exo- and endo-type cellulolytic enzymes. The results suggest that this gene cassette has the wide applicability for cell-surface display and that cellulase-displaying yeasts have significant potential for cost-effective bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass.
The relationship between survival and socio-economic status for head and neck cancer in Canada
Authors: McDonald James Ted , Johnson-Obaseki Stephanie , Hwang Euna , Connell Chris , Corsten Martin
Published: January 2014

Background

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is emerging as the primary cause for some head and neck cancers. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between head and neck cancer (HNC) survival and socioeconomic status (SES) in Canada, and to investigate changes in the relationship between HNC survival and SES from 1992 to 2005.

Methods

Cases were drawn from the Canadian Cancer Registry (1992–2005), and were categorized into three subsites: oropharynx, oral cavity, and “other” (hypopharynx, larynx, and nasopharynx). Demographic and socioeconomic information were extracted from the Canadian Census of Population data for the study period, which included three census years: 1991, 1996 and 2001. We linked cases to income quintiles (InQs) according to patients’ postal codes.

Results

Overall survival, without controlling for smoking, for oropharyngeal cancer increased dramatically from 1992–2005 in Canada. This increase in survival for oropharynx cancer was eliminated by the introduction of controls for smoking. Survival for all head and neck cancer subsites was strongly correlated with SES, as measured by income quintile, with lower InQ's having lower survival than higher. Lastly, the magnitude of the difference in survival between the highest and lowest income quintiles increased significantly over the time period studied for oropharynx cancer, but did not statistically significantly change for oral cavity cancer or other head and neck cancers.

Conclusions

These data confirm a significant impact of socioeconomic deprivation on overall survival for head and neck cancers in Canada, and may provide indirect evidence that HPV-positive head and neck cancers are more common in higher socioeconomic groups.
An efficient approach to cathode operational parameters optimization for microbial fuel cell using response surface methodology
Authors: Hosseinpour Mohammadreza , Vossoughi Manouchehr , Alemzadeh Iran
Published: January 2014

Background

In the recent study, optimum operational conditions of cathode compartment of microbial fuel cell were determined by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with a central composite design to maximize power density and COD removal.

Methods

The interactive effects of parameters such as, pH, buffer concentration and ionic strength on power density and COD removal were evaluated in two-chamber microbial batch-mode fuel cell.

Results

Power density and COD removal for optimal conditions (pH of 6.75, buffer concentration of 0.177 M and ionic strength of cathode chamber of 4.69 mM) improve by 17 and 5%, respectively, in comparison with normal conditions (pH of 7, buffer concentration of 0.1 M and ionic strength of 2.5 mM).

Conclusions

In conclusion, results verify that response surface methodology could successfully determine cathode chamber optimum operational conditions.
Clinical Utility of a Plasma-Based miRNA Signature Classifier Within Computed Tomography Lung Cancer Screening: A Correlative MILD Trial Study
Authors: Sozzi Gabriella , Boeri Mattia , Rossi Marta , Verri Carla , Suatoni Paola , Bravi Francesca , Roz Luca , Conte Davide , Grassi Michela , Sverzellati Nicola , Marchiano Alfonso , Negri Eva , La Vecchia Carlo , Pastorino Ugo
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Recent screening trial results indicate that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) reduces lung cancer mortality in high-risk patients. However, high false-positive rates, costs, and potential harms highlight the need for complementary biomarkers. The diagnostic performance of a noninvasive plasma microRNA signature classifier (MSC) was retrospectively evaluated in samples prospectively collected from smokers within the randomized Multicenter Italian Lung Detection (MILD) trial.

Patients and Methods

Plasma samples from 939 participants, including 69 patients with lung cancer and 870 disease-free individuals (n = 652, LDCT arm; n = 287, observation arm) were analyzed by using a quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction–based assay for MSC. Diagnostic performance of MSC was evaluated in a blinded validation study that used prespecified risk groups.

Results

The diagnostic performance of MSC for lung cancer detection was 87% for sensitivity and 81% for specificity across both arms, and 88% and 80%, respectively, in the LDCT arm. For all patients, MSC had a negative predictive value of 99% and 99.86% for detection and death as a result of disease, respectively. LDCT had sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 81% with a false-positive rate of 19.4%. Diagnostic performance of MSC was confirmed by time dependency analysis. Combination of both MSC and LDCT resulted in a five-fold reduction of LDCT false-positive rate to 3.7%. MSC risk groups were significantly associated with survival (χ12 = 49.53; P < .001).

Conclusion

This large validation study indicates that MSC has predictive, diagnostic, and prognostic value and could reduce the false-positive rate of LDCT, thus improving the efficacy of lung cancer screening.
Ototoxicity in Children With High-Risk Neuroblastoma: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Concordance of Grading Scales—A Report From the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Landier Wendy , Knight Kristin , Wong F. Lennie , Lee Jin , Thomas Ola , Kim Heeyoung , Kreissman Susan G. , Schmidt Mary Lou , Chen Lu , London Wendy B. , Gurney James G. , Bhatia Smita
Published: January 2014

Purpose

Platinum-based therapy is the mainstay for management of high-risk neuroblastoma. Prevalence of platinum-related ototoxicity has ranged from 13% to 95% in previous reports; variability is attributable to small samples and disparate grading scales. There is no consensus regarding optimal ototoxicity grading. Furthermore, prevalence and predictors of hearing loss in a large uniformly treated high-risk neuroblastoma population are unknown. We address these gaps in our study.

Patients and Methods

Audiologic testing was completed after administration of cisplatin alone (< 400 mg/m2; exposure one) or after cisplatin (400 mg/m2) plus carboplatin (1,700 mg/m2; exposure two). Hearing loss was graded using four scales (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; Brock; Chang; and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3 [CTCAEv3]).

Results

Of 489 eligible patients, 333 had evaluable audiologic data. Median age at diagnosis was 3.3 years. Prevalence of severe hearing loss differed by scale. For those in the exposure-one group, prevalence ranged from 8% per Brock to 47% per CTCAEv3 (Brock v CTCAEv3 and Chang, P < .01; CTCAEv3 v Chang, P = .16); for those in the exposure-two group, prevalence ranged from 30% per Brock to 71% per CTCAEv3 (all pair-wise comparisons, P < .01). In patients requiring hearing aids, hearing loss was graded as severe in 49% (Brock), 91% (Chang), and 100% (CTCAEv3). Risk factors for severe hearing loss included exposure to cisplatin and carboplatin compared with cisplatin alone and hospitalization for infection.

Conclusion

Severe hearing loss is prevalent among children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Exposure to cisplatin combined with myeloablative carboplatin significantly increases risk. The Brock scale underestimates severe hearing loss and should be used with caution in this setting.
Sodium Deficiency Regulates Rat Adrenal Zona Glomerulosa Gene Expression
Authors: Nishimoto Koshiro , Harris Ruth B. S. , Rainey William E. , Seki Tsugio
Published: January 2014

Aldosterone is the primary adrenocortical hormone regulating sodium retention, and its production is under the control of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). In vitro, angiotensin II can induce aldosterone production in adrenocortical cells without causing cell proliferation. In vivo, a low-sodium diet activates the RAAS and aldosterone production, at least in part, through an expansion of the adrenal zona glomerulosa (zG) layer. Although these mechanisms have been investigated, RAAS effects on zG gene expression have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we took an unbiased approach to define the complete list of zG transcripts involved in RAAS activation. Adrenal glands were collected from 11-week old Sprague-Dawley rats fed either sodium-deficient (SDef), normal sodium (NS), or high-sodium (HS) diet for 72 hours, and laser-captured zG RNA was analyzed on microarrays containing 27 342 probe sets. When the SDef transcriptome was compared with NS transcriptome (SDef/NS comparison), only 79 and 10 probe sets were found to be up- and down-regulated more than two-fold in SDef, respectively. In SDef/HS comparison, 201 and 68 probe sets were up- and down-regulated in SDef, respectively. Upon gene ontology (GO) analysis of these gene sets, we identified three groups of functionally related GO terms: cell proliferation-associated (group 1), response to stimulus-associated (group 2), and cholesterol/steroid metabolism-associated (group 3) GO terms. Although genes in group 1 may play a critical role in zG layer expansion, those in groups 2 and 3 may have important functions in aldosterone production, and further investigations on these genes are warranted.
Thyroid Hormone, Thyromimetics, and Metabolic Efficiency
Authors: Yehuda-Shnaidman Einav , Kalderon Bella , Bar-Tana Jacob
Published: January 2014

Thyroid hormone (TH) has long been recognized as a major modulator of metabolic efficiency, energy expenditure, and thermogenesis. TH effects in regulating metabolic efficiency are transduced by controlling the coupling of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and the cycling of extramitochondrial substrate/futile cycles. However, despite our present understanding of the genomic and nongenomic modes of action of TH, its control of mitochondrial coupling still remains elusive. This review summarizes historical and up-to-date findings concerned with TH regulation of metabolic energetics, while integrating its genomic and mitochondrial activities. It underscores the role played by TH-induced gating of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) in controlling metabolic efficiency. PTP gating may offer a unified target for some TH pleiotropic activities and may serve as a novel target for synthetic functional thyromimetics designed to modulate metabolic efficiency. PTP gating by long-chain fatty acid analogs may serve as a model for such strategy.
Central Regulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid Axis Under Physiological and Pathophysiological Conditions
Authors: Fekete Csaba , Lechan Ronald M.
Published: January 2014

TRH is a tripeptide amide that functions as a neurotransmitter but also serves as a neurohormone that has a critical role in the central regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Hypophysiotropic TRH neurons involved in this neuroendocrine process are located in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and secrete TRH into the pericapillary space of the external zone of the median eminence for conveyance to anterior pituitary thyrotrophs. Under basal conditions, the activity of hypophysiotropic TRH neurons is regulated by the negative feedback effects of thyroid hormone to ensure stable, circulating, thyroid hormone concentrations, a mechanism that involves complex interactions between hypophysiotropic TRH neurons and the vascular system, cerebrospinal fluid, and specialized glial cells called tanycytes. Hypophysiotropic TRH neurons also integrate other humoral and neuronal inputs that can alter the setpoint for negative feedback regulation by thyroid hormone. This mechanism facilitates adaptation of the organism to changing environmental conditions, including the shortage of food and a cold environment. The thyroid axis is also affected by other adverse conditions such as infection, but the central mechanisms mediating suppression of hypophysiotropic TRH may be pathophysiological. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about the mechanisms that contribute to the regulation of hypophysiotropic TRH neurons under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Absence of Central Circadian Pacemaker Abnormalities in Humans With Loss of Function Mutation in Prokineticin 2
Authors: Balasubramanian Ravikumar , Cohen Daniel A. , Klerman Elizabeth B. , Pignatelli Duarte , Hall Janet E. , Dwyer Andrew A. , Czeisler Charles A. , Pitteloud Nelly , Crowley William F.
Published: January 2014

Context:

Loss of prokineticin 2 (PROK2) signaling in mice disrupts circadian rhythms, but the role of PROK2 signaling in the regulation of circadian rhythms in humans is undetermined.

Objective:

The aim of the study was to examine the circadian rhythms of humans with a complete loss-of-function PROK2 mutation using an inpatient constant routine (CR) protocol.

Design and Setting:

We conducted a case study in an academic medical center.

Subjects and Methods:

Two siblings (one male and one female, ages 67 and 62 y, respectively) with isolated GnRH deficiency (IGD) due to a biallelic loss-of-function PROK2 mutation were studied using an inpatient CR protocol. Historical data from inpatient CR protocols conducted in healthy controls (ages 65–81 y) were used for comparison.

Main Outcome Measures:

We measured circadian phase markers (melatonin, cortisol, and core body temperature) and neurobehavioral performance (psychomotor vigilance task [PVT] and subjective alertness scale).

Results:

Circadian waveforms of melatonin and cortisol did not differ between the IGD participants with PROK2 mutation and controls. In both IGD participants, neurobehavioral testing with PVT showed disproportionate worsening of PVT lapses and median reaction time in the second half of the CR.

Conclusions:

Humans with loss of PROK2 signaling lack abnormalities in circadian phase markers, indicating intact central circadian pacemaker activity in these patients. These results suggest that PROK2 signaling in humans is not required for central circadian pacemaker function. However, impaired PVT in the PROK2-null participants despite preserved endocrine rhythms suggests that PROK2 may transmit circadian timing information to some neurobehavioral neural networks.