bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 as a novel biomarker for disease activity and renal pathology changes in lupus nephritis
Authors: Ding H , Kharboutli M , Saxena R , Wu T 
Published: November 2015

Summary
Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the most serious manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. Invasive renal biopsy remains the gold standard for the diagnosis and management of LN. The objective of this study is to validate serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 (IGFBP-2) as a novel biomarker for clinical disease and renal pathology in LN. Eighty-five biopsy-proven lupus nephritis patients, 18 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and 20 healthy controls were recruited for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing of serum IGFBP-2 levels. Compared to CKD patients of origins other than lupus or healthy controls, serum IGFBP-2 levels were elevated significantly in LN patients. Serum IGFBP-2 was able to discriminate LN patients from the other two groups of patients [area under the curve (AUC) = 0·65, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0·52–0·78; P = 0·043 for LN versus CKD; 0·97, 95% CI = 0·93–1·00; P &lt; 0·0001 for LN versus healthy controls]. Serum IGFBP-2 was a potential indicator of both global disease activity and renal disease activity in LN patients, correlated with serum creatinine levels (r = 0·658, P &lt; 0·001, n = 85) and urine protein-to-creatinine levels (r = 0·397, P &lt; 0·001, n = 85). More importantly, in 19 concurrent patient samples, serum IGFBP-2 correlated with the chronicity index of renal pathology (r = 0·576, P = 0·01, n = 19) but not renal pathological classification. In conclusion, serum IGFBP-2 is a promising biomarker for lupus nephritis, reflective of disease activity and chronicity changes in renal pathology.
Association of intra‐tumoral tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio is an independent prognostic factor in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Dirican Nigar , Karakaya Yeliz Arman , Gunes Sedat , Daloglu Ferah Tuncel , Dirican Ahmet 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundStudies suggest that tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and inflammation markers have independent roles in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the relationship between the two pronostic factors remains unclear. In this study, we investigated TILs and inflammation markers in with patients advanced stage NSCLC and assessed the association of their levels with prognosis.Materials and MethodsTILs were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3) and cluster of differentiation 5 (CD5) and by hematoxylin and eosin staining for non‐specific lymphocyte. We investigated the localisation pattern of TILs in advanced stage NSCLC. We divided all cases into two groups: TILs‐high and TILs‐low groups, by 75th percentile of the population of. In our study, inflammation markers were assessed by C‐reactive protein (CRP) and the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR).ResultsThe results showed that the presence of intra‐tumoral high CD3+ and low CD5+ were an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (respectively, P = 0.022 and P = 0.025). Moreover, the high NLR and serum high CRP levels were associated with poor survival (respectively, P = 0.008; P = 0.027). In multi‐variate survival analysis, the high CD3+, low CD5+, high NLR, tumour node metastasis (TNM) stage, depth of tumour invasion and lymph node metastasis remained independent prognostic factors (respectively, P = 0.018, P = 0.020, P = 0.024, P = 0.038, P = 0.020 and P = 0.047).The high NLR was detected negative correlation with intra‐tumoral CD3+ and positive correlation with intra‐tumoral CD5+ (respectively, r = −0.623, P = 0.012; r = 0.628, P = 0.028).ConclusionsThis study is first report demonstrating the prognostic value of intra‐tumoral low CD5+ with NSCLC. Increased CD3+ and low CD5+ was observed in patients with poor prognosis; the two molecules were correlated with NLR, suggesting that inflammation might be used as improve therapeutic efficacy to immunotherapy for advanced NSCLC.
Immigrants' outcome after a first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Abdel‐Baki Amal , Ouellet‐Plamondon Clairélaine , Medrano Sofia , Nicole Luc , Rousseau Cécile 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimImmigration is a risk factor for psychosis emergence, and previous studies show that immigrants are less likely to engage in treatment for psychosis. However, the literature on outcome is scant and heterogeneous. This study was designed to compare first‐generation (FGI) and second‐generation immigrants (SGI) to non‐immigrants' symptomatic and functional outcomes 2 years after a first‐episode psychosis (FEP).MethodsA 2‐year prospective longitudinal study of 223 FEP patients between 18 and 30 years took place in two early intervention services (EIS) in Montreal, Canada.ResultsForty‐two per cent of the sample were immigrants (FGI (n = 56), SGI (n = 38)). Compared with non‐immigrants, immigrants had similar symptomatic and functioning profiles at baseline, 1 and 2 years, except that fewer SGI had a history of homelessness and more were living with their families. FGI were less likely to have a substance use disorder but more likely to pursue their studies and to present depressive symptoms.ConclusionsEven if immigrants are known to be at greater risk of developing psychosis, probably secondary to stress related to immigration, their symptomatic and functional outcomes, once engaged in EIS treatment, are similar to or sometimes better than non‐immigrants' outcomes. Because immigrants tend to be less engaged in their follow‐up, understanding why they disengage from treatment is crucial to develop better therapeutic approaches to better engage them as EIS treatment can improve their outcomes effectively.
Prognostic significance of forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) expression and antitumour effect of FoxM1 inhibition in melanoma
Authors: Ito Takamichi , Kohashi Kenichi , Yamada Yuichi , Maekawa Akira , Kuda Masaaki , Furue Masutaka , Oda Yoshinao 
Published: November 2015

AimsForkhead box M1 (FoxM1) is a transcription factor that regulates cell‐cycle progression and tumour progression, but limited information is available regarding its clinical significance in melanoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the potency of FoxM1 as a therapeutic target in melanoma.Methods and resultsWe investigated 60 melanoma clinical samples and a melanoma WM266‐4 cell line using immunohistochemical staining and molecular biological approaches. Patients with a FoxM1‐overexpressing melanoma had significantly shorter survival [both for melanoma‐specific survival (MSS) and disease‐free survival (DFS)] than the other patients (P < 0.001, respectively). The FoxM1 overexpression was also an adverse prognostic factor for both MSS and DFS on the Cox multivariate analyses [hazard ratio (HR): 3.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12–14.27, P = 0.032; HR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.08–9.67, P = 0.037, respectively). FoxM1 inhibition using siRNA and an inhibitor (thiostrepton) each suppressed the cell proliferation of the melanoma cell line. Furthermore, FoxM1 inhibition improved chemosensitivity to dacarbazine, whereas it reduced cell migration and invasion. These results suggest that FoxM1 plays important roles in tumour progression and the chemoresistance of melanoma.ConclusionWe have shown the prognostic impact of FoxM1 on melanoma patients. FoxM1 inhibition may be a potential therapeutic option for advanced melanoma.
A novel approach for preparation of the antisera reagent for potency determination of inactivated H7N9 influenza vaccines
Authors: Schmeisser Falko , Jing Xianghong , Joshi Manju , Vasudevan Anupama , Soto Jackeline , Li Xing , Choudhary Anil , Baichoo Noel , Resnick Josephine , Ye Zhiping , McCormick William , Weir Jerry P. 
Published: November 2015

BackgroundThe potency of inactivated influenza vaccines is determined using a single‐radial immunodiffusion (SRID) assay and requires standardized reagents consisting of a Reference Antigen and an influenza strain‐specific antiserum. Timely availability of reagents is a critical step in influenza vaccine production, and the need for backup approaches for reagent preparation is an important component of pandemic preparedness.ObjectivesWhen novel H7N9 viruses emerged in China in 2013, candidate inactivated H7N9 influenza vaccines were developed for evaluation in clinical trials, and reagents were needed to measure vaccine potency.MethodsWe previously described an alternative approach for generating strain‐specific potency antisera, utilizing modified vaccinia virus Ankara vectors to produce influenza hemagglutinin (HA)‐containing virus‐like particles (VLPs) for immunization. Vector‐produced HA antigen is not dependent upon the success of the traditional bromelain‐digestion and HA purification.ResultsAntiserum for H7N9 vaccines, produced after immunization of sheep with preparations of bromelain‐HA (br‐HA), was not optimal for the SRID assay, and the supply of antiserum was limited. However, antiserum obtained from sheep boosted with VLPs containing H7 HA greatly improved the ring quality in the SRID assay. Importantly, this antiserum worked well with both egg‐ and cell‐derived antigen and was distributed to vaccine manufacturers.ConclusionsUtilizing a previously developed approach for preparing vaccine potency antiserum, we have addressed a major bottleneck encountered in preparation of H7N9 vaccine reagents. The combination of br‐HA and mammalian VLPs for sequential immunization represents the first use of an alternative approach for producing an influenza vaccine potency antiserum.
Linear‐time graph distance and diameter approximation
Authors: Machado Raphael C.S. , de Figueiredo Celina M.H. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn this study, we consider the problem of estimating the diameter of a graph, that is, the maximum distance between any two vertices, in linear time. We address a question posed in the literature—whether there exists an interesting graph class with arbitrarily large cycles for which breadth first search (BFS) would always return high‐eccentricity vertices. We answer this question positively, defining a class of graphs that generalizes AT‐free graphs and has no bound on the size of induced cycles, yet BFS always returns a vertex whose eccentricity is within a constant difference from the diameter. In addition, we consider the question—also explicitly stated in the literature—whether some variant of the so‐called multisweep algorithm would always return a high‐eccentricity vertex. We show that the answer is negative by describing a family of graphs for which no variant of multisweep BFS can return a vertex of eccentricity higher than half of the diameter plus a constant.
The significance of structured parental educational intervention on childhood atopic dermatitis: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pustišek N. , Šitum M. , Vurnek Živković M. , Ljubojević Hadžavdić S. , Vurnek M. , Niseteo T. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractBackgroundParental education is important in managing childhood chronic diseases.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a short‐term structured educational programme for parents of children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis ( AD), aged 3 months to 7 years, on the clinical course of AD, parental stress, anxiety and the quality of family life.MethodsOne hundred thirty‐four parents with AD children were recruited in a randomized controlled clinical trial at the Outpatient Unit of Pediatric Dermatology, Children's Hospital in Zagreb. The primary outcome was change in the severity of eczema measured using SCORing AD (SCORAD) and Patient Oriented (PO) SCORAD index, changes of symptom scores for pruritus and sleep disturbance. Secondary outcomes included change in stress level according to the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); change in anxiety level according to State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and change in the quality of family life according to the Croatian version of the Family Dermatology Life Quality Index (FDLQI).ResultsParticipants in the intervention group had a significantly lower SCORAD (P = 0.000), PO SCORAD (P = 0.000) index, pruritus (P = 0.000), sleep disturbance (P = 0.001), level of perceived stress (P = 0.024) and anxiety as a state (P = 0.42) than those in the control group at the second visit. After the educational programme, participants in the intervention group had a significantly lower impact of AD on the total quality of family life (P = 0.006). We found a statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to additional education received between the visits. The control group had acquired significantly more additional education (P = 0.007). There was no significant difference between groups in the amount of corticosteroid used.ConclusionOur structured educational programme had a positive effect on AD severity, quality of family life, parental stress and anxiety.
Neutralizing salivary pH by mouthwashes after an acidic challenge
Authors: Dehghan Mojdeh , Tantbirojn Daranee , Kymer‐Davis Emily , Stewart Colette W. , Zhang Yanhui H , Versluis Antheunis , Garcia‐Godoy Franklin 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAimThe aim of the present study was to test the neutralizing effect of mouthwashes on salivary pH after an acidic challenge.MethodsTwelve participants were recruited for three visits, one morning per week. Resting saliva was collected at baseline and after 2‐min swishing with 20 mL orange juice as an acidic challenge. Participants then rinsed their mouth for 30 s with 20 mL water (control), an over‐the‐counter mouthwash (Listerine), or a two‐step mouthwash, randomly assigned for each visit. Saliva was collected immediately, 15, and 45 min after rinsing. The pH values of the collected saliva were measured and analyzed with anova, followed by Student–Newman–Keuls post‐hoc test (significance level: 0.05).ResultsOrange juice significantly lowered salivary pH. Immediately after rinsing, Listerine and water brought pH back to baseline values, with the pH significantly higher in the Listerine group. The two‐step mouthwash raised pH significantly higher than Listerine and water, and higher than the baseline value. Salivary pH returned to baseline and was not significantly different among groups at 15 and 45 min post‐rinsing.ConclusionsMouth rinsing after an acidic challenge increased salivary pH. The tested mouthwashes raised pH higher than water. Mouthwashes with a neutralizing effect can potentially reduce tooth erosion from acid exposure.
Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Objective Efficacy and Impact of a Chairside Fabricated Mandibular Advancement Device
Authors: Marty Mathieu , Lacaze Olivier , Arreto Charles Daniel , Pierrisnard Laurent , Bour Florence , Chéliout‐Héraut Fawzia , Simonneau Gérald 
Published: November 2015

AbstractPurposeObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been described as a common sleep respiratory disorder. Its prevalence in the adult population has been reported to be high, varying from 3% to 28%. Dental practitioners play a key role in the treatment of this disease, using tailor‐made mandibular advancement devices (MADs). This pilot study assessed the efficacy and compliance of a custom‐fitted thermoplastic MAD for the treatment of moderate to severe OSA syndrome.Materials and MethodsIn this open study without a control group, OSA syndrome sufferers were enrolled by four centers. One specific MAD was custom fitted to the patients. Polysomnography, Epworth, and snoring scales were administered from inclusion to 45 days postinclusion.ResultsThe study population consisted of 33 men and 8 women; 35 patients completed the study. Patient response was high with 69% of them considered as responders, and 60% showing a complete response. Also, 77.3% of patients with moderate OSA syndrome presented a complete response. An improvement was observed in the apnea hypopnea index, which decreased from 34.1 ± 18.9 to 12.8 ± 14.1. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, snoring, and quality of sleep scores decreased with the device (p < 0.0001). Compliance rates were high, with patients wearing the device 6.5 nights a week. Side effects and patient complaints were minor and transient.ConclusionThis custom‐fitted MAD improved respiratory and somnolence parameters, with response rates similar to those published in the literature with other devices.
A Retrospective 2‐Year Clinical Study of Immediate Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Edentulous Jaws with Four Implants and Prefabricated Bars
Authors: Sannino Gianpaolo , Bollero Patrizio , Barlattani Alberto , Gherlone Enrico 
Published: November 2015

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this retrospective investigation was to evaluate the use of a prefabricated bar system for immediately loaded implants placed and restored according to the All‐on‐Four concept with up to 24‐month follow‐up.Materials and MethodsA total of 51 patients (31 males and 20 females; mean age 63.4 years) presented with edentulous or partially edentulous jaws with severe atrophy of the posterior regions. All patients were treated with full‐arch fixed prostheses (28 maxillary, 34 mandibular) each supported by four implants (two vertical, two distally tilted). The implants were immediately loaded with screw‐retained full‐arch restorations. Each prosthesis was supported by a prefabricated metal bar combined with high‐density acrylic resin. Follow‐up visits were scheduled at 6, 12, and 24 months after initial prosthetic loading. Intraoral radiographs were obtained immediately after surgery and at each follow‐up visit by using a custom radiograph holder and parallel technique. Marginal bone levels were assessed using digital image analysis. Implant and prosthetic survival and success rates were evaluated. Patient satisfaction was further assessed using a 100‐mm visual analog scale (VAS). Data were compared by means of the Mantel‐Haenszel test.ResultsNo drop‐outs occurred. The overall implant survival rates were 100% and 98.38% for the vertical and tilted implants respectively. Two of the 62 definitive fixed prostheses were lost during the observation period due to implant failure. Since restoration replacement due to implant failure was not judged a prosthodontic failure according to the survival criteria provided in this study, the overall prosthetic survival rate was 100%. No statistically significant differences in marginal bone levels between vertical and tilted implants were detected at 24‐month follow‐up evaluation in either jaw. All participants were functionally and esthetically satisfied with their definitive restorations after 2 years functioning, as confirmed by the average VAS scores (masticatory function: 99.7; phonetic function: 99.5, esthetics: 99.2).ConclusionsThe preliminary 24‐month results indicate that immediate loading of vertical and tilted implants using the evaluated prefabricated bar system may be a viable solution for edentulous jaw rehabilitation; however, more long‐term prospective clinical trials are needed to affirm the effectiveness of this surgical‐prosthetic protocol.
Symbols of Terror: ‘9/11’ as the Word of the Thing and the Thing of the Word
Authors: Kilby Laura 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThis paper adopts a social representations approach to examine the ‘9/11’ symbol which is argued to be a centrally organising, communication oriented, symbolic resource within contemporary representations of terrorism. Within the context of the events of September 11 2001 as a point of shared history which has come to be understood as a significant world event (Liu et al., ), the ‘9/11’ symbol is argued to fulfil a triple function in contemporary representations of terrorism. Firstly, the ‘9/11’ symbol provides a central anchor for the events of September 11 2001. Secondly the ‘9/11’ symbol acts as a powerful rhetorical resource for objectifying the abstract concept of terrorism. Lastly, alongside the capacity to objectify the abstract, the ‘9/11’ symbol also enables a counter process of transcendentalisation (Billig, ) whereby it transforms the object into the abstract. As a result the ‘9/11’ symbol is highly suited to widespread mobilisation of easily apprehended notions defining what terrorism is, which do not readily provoke contest and are widely constructed as mundane forms of ‘truth’ amongst a community of users.
Cryptic diversity, high host specificity and reproductive synchronization in army ant‐associated Vatesus beetles
Authors: von Beeren Christoph , Maruyama Munetoshi , Kronauer Daniel J. C. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractArmy ants and their arthropod symbionts represent one of the most species‐rich animal associations on Earth, and constitute a fascinating example of diverse host–symbiont interaction networks. However, despite decades of research, our knowledge of army ant symbionts remains fragmentary due to taxonomic ambiguity and the inability to study army ants in the laboratory. Here, we present an integrative approach that allows us to reliably determine species boundaries, assess biodiversity, match different developmental stages and sexes, and to study the life cycles of army ant symbionts. This approach is based on a combination of community sampling, DNA barcoding, morphology and physiology. As a test case, we applied this approach to the staphylinid beetle genus Vatesus and its different Eciton army ant host species at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica. DNA barcoding led to the discovery of cryptic biodiversity and, in combination with extensive community sampling, revealed strict host partitioning with no overlap in host range. Using DNA barcoding, we were also able to match the larval stages of all focal Vatesus species. In combination with studies of female reproductive physiology, this allowed us to reconstruct almost the complete life cycles of the different beetle species. We show that Vatesus beetles are highly adapted to the symbiosis with army ants, in that their reproduction and larval development are synchronized with the stereotypical reproductive and behavioural cycles of their host colonies. Our approach can now be used to study army ant‐symbiont communities more broadly, and to obtain novel insights into co‐evolutionary and ecological dynamics in species‐rich host–symbiont systems.
Insulin Sensitivity Determines Effects of Insulin and Meal Ingestion on Systemic Vascular Resistance in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Woerdeman Jorn , Meijer Rick I. , Eringa Etto C. , Hoekstra Trynke , Smulders Yvo. M. , Serné Erik H. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractObjectiveIn addition to insulin's metabolic actions, insulin can dilate arterioles which increase blood flow to metabolically active tissues. This effect is blunted in insulin‐resistant subjects. Insulin's effect on SVR, determined by resistance arterioles, has, however, rarely been examined directly. We determined the effects of both hyperinsulinemia and a mixed meal on SVR and its relationship with insulin sensitivity.MethodsThirty‐seven lean and obese women underwent a hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp, and 24 obese volunteers underwent a mixed‐meal test. SVR was assessed using CPP before and during hyperinsulinemia as well as before and 60 and 120 minutes after a meal.ResultsSVR decreased significantly during hyperinsulinemia (−13%; p < 0.001) and after the meal (−11%; p < 0.001). Insulin decreased SVR more strongly in insulin‐sensitive individuals (standardized β: −0.44; p = 0.01). In addition, SVR at 60 minutes after meal ingestion was inversely related to the Matsuda index (β: −0.39; p = 0.04) and the change in postprandial SVR was directly related to postprandial glycemia (β: 0.53; p < 0.01).ConclusionsHyperinsulinemia and meal ingestion decrease SVR, which is directly associated with metabolic insulin resistance. This suggests that resistance to insulin‐induced vasodilatation contributes to regulation of vascular resistance.