bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score to predict outcome in dogs with newly diagnosed lymphoma
Authors: Fontaine S. J. , McCulloch E. , Eckersall P. D. , Haining H. , Patterson Kane J. C. , Morris J. S. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) assigns a numerical value (0–2) from pre‐treatment serum concentrations of C‐reactive protein (CRP) and albumin to predict patient outcome. CRP and albumin were evaluated in 77 untreated dogs with lymphoma to determine the relationship of mGPS to clinicopathological parameters and whether it could predict progression‐free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in treated dogs. mGPS distribution was significantly associated with clinical stage, substage b, weight loss, gastrointestinal disturbances and lethargy at presentation.On univariate analysis, mGPS was significantly associated with OS and PFS, with shorter median survival times for mGPS 2 compared to mGPS 0 and 1 combined. Hypoalbuminaemia significantly reduced OS and PFS, however increased CRP had no effect. Only clinical stage was significantly associated with OS and PFS on both univariate and multivariate analysis. mGPS has potential prognostic value for canine lymphoma , but further studies are needed.
Reproducibility and repeatability of optical coherence tomography imaging of the optic nerve head in normal beagle eyes
Authors: Bemis Alexandra M. , Pirie Christopher G. , LoPinto Alexander J. , Maranda Louise 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the reproducibility and repeatability of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) device for imaging the optic nerve region of normal canines.Animals studiedTwelve clinically healthy beagles.ProceduresAll animals were anesthetized, and an OCT device was used to image the optic disk region. Total disk area and retinal nerve fiber layer (NFL) thickness in eight segments were obtained from each image. Images were collected by two operators in succession and each operator took five scans, repositioning the device between measurements. B‐scan segmentations and disk outlines were subsequently redrawn to obtain manual measurements, allowing for comparisons between automated measurements.ResultsOperator 1 had a mean (±SD) NFL thickness (automatic) and disk area of 73.38 ± 7.41 μm and 3.69 ± 0.52 mm², while operator 2 had 74.27 ± 7.33 μm and 3.67 ± 0.51 mm², respectively. With manual corrections, operator 1 had a NFL thickness and disk area of 86.19 ± 8.26 μm and 3.74 ± 0.68 mm², while operator 2 had 86.85 ± 6.91 μm and 3.81 ± 0.56 mm², respectively. Operators did not obtain significantly different values for any region. Intraclass correlation ranged from 0.33 to 0.97 (average 0.78). Coefficient of variation ranged from 8.8 to 36.2%.ConclusionThe OCT device demonstrated high inter‐rater reliability. Intrarater reliability was strong for disk area and total NFL; however, the segmental regions demonstrated a higher degree of variability. Manual and automated measurements were significantly different for total NFL and some segmental regions; therefore, users should consistently use one method for longitudinal studies.
Canine acute cervical myelopathy: Hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion or intraspinal discal cysts?
Authors: Falzone Cristian 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo differentiate between hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion and ventral intraspinal discal cysts in dogs.Study designProspective case series.AnimalsTwenty dogs with acute onset of cervical myelopathy due to hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion or ventral intraspinal discal cysts.MethodsClinical and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings, outcome after surgical treatment, cytologic and histologic findings of compressive material were taken into account. Comparisons and considerations were done between findings reported herein and what was previously described as suspected hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion and intraspinal cysts.ResultsAll dogs were presented with acute onset of cervical myelopathy. MR imaging showed compressive cervical myelopathy at C2‐C3 (n = 1), C3‐C4 (n = 6), C4‐C5 (n = 8), and C5‐C6 (n = 5) intervertebral disc spaces, due to extradural material suggestive of either partially hydrated nucleus pulposus extrusion or intraspinal discal cyst, with T2 hyperintense and T1 iso‐hypointense signal and variable contrast enhancement after gadolinium injection. All dogs were treated surgically by ventral slot (n = 15) or dorsolateral hemilaminectomy (n = 5). All dogs had a favorable outcome and regained a normal gait. The extradural material collected at surgery varied from liquid to more obvious gelatinous material. Cytologic or histologic examination of the material revealed similar findings for all dogs, compatible with partially degenerated nucleus pulposus.ConclusionsDogs with acute onset of compressive cervical myelopathy due to extradural material resembling human intraspinal cysts on MR images are most likely to have extrusion of partially degenerated nucleus pulposus and should be treated accordingly.
Hepatitis B Virus-Encoded MicroRNA Controls Viral Replication
Authors: Yang Xi , Li Hongfeng , Sun Huahui , Fan Hongxia , Hu Yaqi , Liu Min , Li Xin , Tang Hua 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, single-stranded, noncoding, functional RNAs. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus with virions and subviral forms of particles that lack a core. It was not known whether HBV encodes miRNAs. Here, we identified an HBV-encoded miRNA (called HBV-miR-3) by deep sequencing and Northern blotting. HBV-miR-3 is located at nucleotides (nt) 373 to 393 of the HBV genome and was generated from 3.5-kb, 2.4-kb, and 2.1-kb HBV in a classic miRNA biogenesis (Drosha-Dicer-dependent) manner. HBV-miR-3 was highly expressed in hepatoma cell lines with an integrated HBV genome and HBV
+
hepatoma tumors. In patients with HBV infection, HBV-miR-3 was released into the circulation by exosomes and HBV virions, and HBV-miR-3 expression had a positive correlation with HBV titers in the sera of patients in the acute phase of HBV infection. More interestingly, we found that HBV-miR-3 represses HBsAg, HBeAg, and replication of HBV. HBV-miR-3 targets the unique site of the HBV 3.5-kb transcript to specifically reduce HBc protein expression, levels of pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), and HBV replication intermediate (HBV-RI) generation but does not affect the HBV DNA polymerase level, thus suppressing HBV virion production (replication). This may explain the low levels of HBV virion generation with abundant subviral particles lacking core during HBV replication, which may contribute to the development of persistent infection in patients. Taken together, our findings shed light on novel mechanisms by which HBV-encoded miRNA controls the process of self-replication by regulating HBV transcript during infection.

IMPORTANCE
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) that can become a long-term, chronic infection and lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. HBV is a small DNA virus that belongs to the hepadnavirus family, with virions and subviral forms of particles that lack a core. MicroRNA (miRNA), a small (∼22-nt) noncoding RNA, was recently found to be an important regulator of gene expression. We found that HBV encodes miRNA (HBV-miR-3). More importantly, we revealed that HBV-miR-3 targets its transcripts to attenuate HBV replication. This may contribute to explaining how HBV infection leads to mild damage in liver cells and the subsequent establishment/maintenance of persistent infection. Our findings highlight a mechanism by which HBV-encoded miRNA controls the process of self-replication by regulating the virus itself during infection and might provide new biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis B.
Computational Prediction of the Heterodimeric and Higher-Order Structure of gpE1/gpE2 Envelope Glycoproteins Encoded by Hepatitis C Virus
Authors: Freedman Holly , Logan Michael R. , Hockman Darren , Koehler Leman Julia , Law John Lok Man , Houghton Michael 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

Despite the recent success of newly developed direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C, the disease continues to be a global health threat due to the lack of diagnosis of most carriers and the high cost of treatment. The heterodimer formed by glycoproteins E1 and E2 within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) lipid envelope is a potential vaccine candidate and antiviral target. While the structure of E1/E2 has not yet been resolved, partial crystal structures of the E1 and E2 ectodomains have been determined. The unresolved parts of the structure are within the realm of what can be modeled with current computational modeling tools. Furthermore, a variety of additional experimental data is available to support computational predictions of E1/E2 structure, such as data from antibody binding studies, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), mutational analyses, peptide binding analysis, linker-scanning mutagenesis, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. In accordance with these rich experimental data, we have built an
in silico
model of the full-length E1/E2 heterodimer. Our model supports that E1/E2 assembles into a trimer, which was previously suggested from a study by Falson and coworkers (P. Falson, B. Bartosch, K. Alsaleh, B. A. Tews, A. Loquet, Y. Ciczora, L. Riva, C. Montigny, C. Montpellier, G. Duverlie, E. I. Pecheur, M. le Maire, F. L. Cosset, J. Dubuisson, and F. Penin, J. Virol. 89:10333–10346, 2015,
https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00991-15
). Size exclusion chromatography and Western blotting data obtained by using purified recombinant E1/E2 support our hypothesis. Our model suggests that during virus assembly, the trimer of E1/E2 may be further assembled into a pentamer, with 12 pentamers comprising a single HCV virion. We anticipate that this new model will provide a useful framework for HCV envelope structure and the development of antiviral strategies.

IMPORTANCE
One hundred fifty million people have been estimated to be infected with hepatitis C virus, and many more are at risk for infection. A better understanding of the structure of the HCV envelope, which is responsible for attachment and fusion, could aid in the development of a vaccine and/or new treatments for this disease. We draw upon computational techniques to predict a full-length model of the E1/E2 heterodimer based on the partial crystal structures of the envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2. E1/E2 has been widely studied experimentally, and this provides valuable data, which has assisted us in our modeling. Our proposed structure is used to suggest the organization of the HCV envelope. We also present new experimental data from size exclusion chromatography that support our computational prediction of a trimeric oligomeric state of E1/E2.
Chapter 12 Inner-arc volcanism: Barren and Narcondam islands
Authors: Bandopadhyay P. C. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Barren and Narcondam are active and now extinct, respectively, volcanic islands that belong to the inner-arc volcanic belt that extends from Java in the east to Burma in the north. Modern eruptions on Barren Island have been exclusively scoria cone-forming Strombolian-type activity in contrast to historic (1787–32) eruptions that witnessed a switch from scoria cone activity to abundant basaltic lava flows. Prehistoric (late Pleistocene) eruptions were alternating effusive and explosive events. The prehistoric events formed a mafic stratovolcano (island) and the associated large eruptions produced a
c.
2.0 km diameter crater at the centre of the stratocone. Barren Island lavas are mainly basalts and basaltic andesites, whereas Narcondam rocks are dacite-andesite-rhyolite and contain evidence of magma mixing of both mantle and crustal material. The types of volcanoes and volcanism associated with Barren and Narcondam have been attributed to differences in tectonic setting and the nature of the basement below the volcanoes. It is likely that continental or transitional crust exists below Narcondam, in contrast to oceanic lithosphere below Barren Island.
Chapter 16 Natural resources
Authors: Bandopadhyay P. C. , Ghosh Biswajit , Carter A. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The natural resources of the Andaman–Nicobar Islands and surrounding seas are discussed. Rocks and minerals found on the Andaman Islands include magnetite, pyrite-chalcopyrite, chromite, gold, nickel, sulphur, coal and limestone, but in most cases their concentrations are sub-economic. Lensoid bodies of algal-biohermal limestones of Palaeogene age on Middle Andaman Island are abundant, accessible and of good grade for cement or foundry work. The Neogene limestones are also suitable for this purpose. Basalts and strongly indurated sedimentary rocks, without any overburden, are quarried for construction work. Limited offshore exploration for oil and natural gas shows great promise, but has yet to be developed.
Chapter 4 Cenozoic rifting, passive margin development and strike-slip faulting in the Andaman Sea: a discussion of established v. new tectonic models
Authors: Morley C. K. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The Andaman Sea evolved from near-pure extension (WNW–ESE) during the Late Palaeogene, to highly oblique extension (NNW–SSE) during the Neogene, to strike-slip-dominated deformation (Late Miocene–Recent). These changes in extension direction and deformation style probably reflect the switch from slab rollback-driven extension to India coupling with Myanmar and driving oblique extension/dextral strike-slip. The East Andaman, Mergui–North Sumatra and Martaban Shelf basins, along with the Alcock and Sewell rises and Central Andaman Basin (CAB), were all involved with this deformation which became increasingly focused on the CAB and the rises with time. Possible revisions to traditional models for the Andaman Sea include: (1) the Alcock and Sewell rises are hyper-extended continental or island arc crust, not Miocene oceanic crust; (2) the East Andaman Basin is predominantly underlain by strongly necked to hyper-extended continental crust, not oceanic crust; or (3) CAB oceanic crust is of Miocene, not Pliocene–Recent age. At present a number of major issues can be addressed but not fully resolved, including: (1) the distribution, timing, volume and origin of magmatism in the basins; (2) the causes and significance of strong crustal reflections imaged on 2D and 3D seismic data; (3) implications for crustal thinning geometries, upper crustal extensional patterns and distribution of igneous intrusions for current models of passive margin development (i.e. volcanic v. non-volcanic margins), and how the back-arc setting modifies these models. Elements of both volcanic and non-volcanic margins are present in the East Andaman Sea, with well-developed necking of continental crust (perhaps due to dry mafic, granulite facies lower crust) and extensive igneous intrusions in the lower and middle crust.
Chapter 6 Geological framework of the Andaman–Nicobar Islands
Authors: Bandopadhyay P. C. , Carter A. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The Andaman–Nicobar archipelago that forms the western margin of the Andaman Sea is a sediment-dominated accretionary wedge (outer-arc island) associated with a convergent margin tectonic setting. The Andaman accretionary ridge consists of two stratigraphically and structurally distinct terranes, juxtaposed and telescoped into a north–south-trending high-relief fold-thrust belt formed along the obliquely subducting eastern margin of the Indo-Australian oceanic lithospheric plate. The geology and structure of the ridge reflect the complexity of the evolving tectonics and stratigraphy of an accretionary wedge. Pre-Cretaceous meta-sedimentary rocks, Upper Cretaceous ophiolites and Palaeogene–Neogene sedimentary formations indicate rapid, spatial and temporal changes in lithology, sedimentology, sedimentary and tectonic environments, and palaeogeographic setting. This chapter outlines the current geodynamic setting, evidence for the history of accretion and regional geology and introduces the regional stratigraphic framework.
Chapter 9 Submarine fan deposits: petrography and geochemistry of the Andaman Flysch
Authors: Bandopadhyay P. C. , Carter A. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
The Andaman Flysch of Oligocene age comprises basinal-scale deposits of marine turbidites from an axially fed submarine fan. It is intermittently exposed across the entire chain of the Andaman–Nicobar Islands from the northernmost tip of North Andaman to the southernmost part of Great Nicobar. This chapter reviews the field and petrographic attributes, heavy mineral assemblages, major and trace elements, and isotope geochemistry of the most accessible outcrops on the main Andaman islands.
Involvement of glycogen synthase kinase-3β in liver ischemic conditioning induced cardioprotection against myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Yang Shuai , Abbott Geoffrey W. , Gao Wei Dong , Liu Jin , Luo Chaozhi , Hu Zhaoyang 
Published: February 2017

Remote ischemic conditioning has been convincingly shown to render the myocardium resistant to a subsequent more severe sustained episode of ischemia. Compared with other organs, little is known regarding the effect of transient liver ischemic conditioning. We proposed the existence of cardioprotection induced by remote liver conditioning. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham-operated control (no further hepatic intervention) and remote liver ischemic conditioning groups. For liver ischemic conditioning, three cycles of 5 min of liver ischemia-reperfusion stimuli were conducted before-(liver preconditioning), post-myocardial ischemia (liver postconditioning), or in combination of both (liver preconditioning + liver postconditioning). Rats were exposed to 45 min of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, followed by 3 h of reperfusion thereafter. ECG and hemodynamics were measured throughout the experiment. The coronary artery was reoccluded at the end of reperfusion for infarct size determination. Blood samples were taken for serum lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase-MB test. Heart tissues were taken for apoptosis measurements and Western blotting. Our data demonstrate that liver ischemic preconditioning, postconditioning, or a combination of both, offered strong cardioprotection, as evidenced by reduction in infarct size and cardiac tissue damage, recovery of cardiac function, and inhibition of apoptosis after ischemia-reperfusion. Moreover, liver ischemic conditioning increased cardiac (not hepatic) glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) phosphorylation. Accordingly, inhibition of GSK-3β mimicked the cardioprotective action of liver conditioning. These results demonstrate that remote liver ischemic conditioning protected the heart against ischemia and reperfusion injury via GSK-3β-dependent cell-survival signaling pathway. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Remote ischemic conditioning protects hearts against ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, it is unclear whether ischemic conditioning of visceral organs such as the liver, the largest metabolic organ in the body, can produce cardioprotection. This is the first study to show the cardioprotective effect of remote liver ischemic conditioning in a rat model of myocardial I/R injury. We also, for the first time, demonstrated these protective properties are associated with glycogen synthase kinase-3β-dependent cell-survival signaling pathway.
A Prodrug of Two Approved Drugs, Cisplatin and Chlorambucil, for Chemo War Against Cancer
Authors: Pathak Rakesh K. , Wen Ru , Kolishetti Nagesh , Dhar Shanta 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
Cancer cells maintain normal mitochondrial glutathione as one of the defense mechanisms to inhibit mitochondrial membrane polarization and hence apoptosis. A combinational therapeutic modality Platin-Cbl, a prodrug of FDA-approved chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin and chlorambucil (Cbl), was synthesized and characterized to explore the potential of this compound to initiate chemo war on cancer cells using the active drugs, cisplatin and Cbl, when delivered to the cellular power house mitochondrion using a targeted nanoparticle designed to get associated with this organelle. Platin-Cbl demonstrated significantly high cytotoxic activity across a number of tumor cell lines as well as in a cisplatin-resistant cancer cell line compared with cisplatin or its mixture with Cbl suggesting its unique potency in cisplatin-resistant tumors. A mitochondria-targeted nanoparticle formulation of Platin-Cbl allowed for its efficacious mitochondrial delivery. In vitro studies documented high potency of Platin-Cbl nanoparticle formulations. Cisplatin-resistant cells upon treatment with Platin-Cbl were still able to manage energy production to a certain extent via fatty acid pathway; the advantage of using T-Platin-Cbl-NP is that this nanoparticle treatment causes impairment of all metabolic pathways in cisplatin-resistant cells forcing the cells to undergo efficient apoptosis. This study highlights a combination of several beneficial effects for a cascade of events to overcome resistance associated with single drug therapy. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(4); 625–36. ©2017 AACR.
Fibrin clot structure - pro-fibrinolytic effect of oral contraceptives in apparently healthy women
Authors: Kluft Cornelis , Krug Andrea , Winkler Ulrich , Jespersen Jørgen , Gram Jørgen , Sidelmann Johannes J. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryFibrin metabolism is influenced by many factors. The velocity of fibrin formation, genetic polymorphisms, fibrinolytic features and the structure of the fibrin clot are determinants of fibrin turnover. Oral contraceptives (OCs) have significant impact on the haemostatic system, by increasing the concentration of coagulation factors, plasminogen and tissue plasminogen activator activity, and decreasing the concentration of haemostatic inhibitors. The present study addresses the influence of OCs on fibrin structure and fibrin metabolism. The study included 70 women treated with seven different OC-formulations. Blood was collected at baseline and after six months of OCs. The plasma concentration of fibrinogen, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), plasminogen, plasmin-antiplasmin complex (PAP), D-Dimer and thrombin generation measures were determined. Fibrin structure measures and fibrin clot lysis not affected by the plasma concentration of plasminogen activators and inhibitors were determined. OCs increased the concentration of fibrinogen, TAT, plasminogen, PAP and D-dimer significantly and affected measures of thrombin generation (p<0.001). The maximal optical density of fibrin (p<0.001), the fibrin fibre density (p=0.03), fibrin fibre diameter (p=0.003), fibrin mass-length ratio (p<0.001) and lysis per hour (p<0.001) increased significantly upon OC-treatment. Lysis per hour was not correlated to the concentration of plasminogen. We conclude that the effect of OCs on the coagulation system is balanced by alterations in fibrin structure, facilitating clot lysis and contributing to the fibrinolytic susceptibility already present in women treated with OC. These alterations may counterbalance the OC-induced increased thrombin generation and reduced coagulation inhibitory potential, contributing to maintenance of the haemostatic balance in women receiving OCs.