bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum models accurately predict liver‐related clinical outcomes in chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Huang Yi , Adams Leon A , MacQuillan Gerry , Speers David , Joseph John , Bulsara Max K , Jeffrey Gary P 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackground and AimThis study developed liver outcome scores in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) that directly predict liver‐related death, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver decompensation.MethodsSix hundred seventeen CHC patients were followed up for a mean of 6 years and randomized into a training set (n = 411) and a validation set (n = 206). Clinical outcomes were determined using a population‐based data linkage system.ResultsIn the training set, albumin, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, hyaluronic acid, age, and sex were in the final model to predict 5‐year liver‐related death (area under receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC] 0.95). Two cut points (4.0 and 5.5) defined three risk groups with an incidence rate for liver‐related death of 0.1%, 2%, and 13.2%, respectively (P < 0.001). Albumin, gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase, hyaluronic acid, age, and sex were used to predict 5‐year liver decompensation (AUROC 0.90). A cut point of 4.5 gave a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 84% to predict 5‐year decompensation and defined two groups with an incidence rate for decompensation of 0.2% and 5.8%, respectively (P < 0.001). Alkaline phosphatase, α2‐macroglobulin, age, and sex were used to predict 5‐year HCC occurrence (AUROC 0.95). A cut‐point of eight had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 88% to predict 5‐year HCC occurrence and defined two groups with an incidence rate for HCC of 0.2% and 5.6%, respectively (P < 0.001). Similar results were obtained using the validation set.ConclusionsAll three liver outcome scores had excellent predictive accuracy and were able to stratify risk into clinical meaningful categories for CHC patients.
Effects of low‐fat milk consumption on metabolic and atherogenic biomarkers in Korean adults with the metabolic syndrome: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Lee Y. J. , Seo J. A. , Yoon T. , Seo I. , Lee J. H. , Im D. , Lee J. H. , Bahn K.‐N. , Ham H. S. , Jeong S. A. , Kang T. S. , Ahn J. H. , Kim D. H. , Nam G. E. , Kim N. H. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundPrevious studies of the health effects of low‐fat milk or dairy consumption on the metabolic syndrome have yielded inconsistent results. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low‐fat milk consumption on traits associated with the metabolic syndrome, as well as inflammatory and atherogenic biomarkers, in Korean adults with the metabolic syndrome.MethodsOverweight Koreans with the metabolic syndrome (n = 58) were recruited and randomly assigned to either the low‐fat milk or control group. The low‐fat milk group was instructed to consume two packs of low‐fat milk per day (200 mL twice daily) for 6 weeks, and the control group was instructed to maintain their habitual diet. Clinical investigations were conducted during the screening visit, on study day 0, and after 6 weeks.ResultsNo significant differences in changes in body mass index, blood pressure, lipid profile and adiponectin levels, as well as levels of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers and atherogenic markers, were found between the low‐fat milk and control groups. However, compared to the controls, significant favourable decreases in serum soluble vascular adhesion molecule‐1 and endothelin‐1 levels were found in the 12 subjects with high blood pressure and in the 18 subjects with hypertriglyceridaemia in the low‐fat milk group.ConclusionsThe present study did not demonstrate an overall beneficial effect of low‐fat milk consumption in subjects with the metabolic syndrome. However, low‐fat milk consumption may have a favourable effect on atherogenic markers in subjects with high blood pressure or hypertriglyceridaemia.
pH-dependent complexation of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin with chlorin e6: effect on solubility and aggregation in relation to photodynamic efficacy
Authors: Paul Shubhajit , Heng Paul Wan Sia , Chan Lai Wah 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Objectives
The activity of chlorin e6 (Ce6) in photodynamic therapy of cancers is significantly reduced by its propensity to form aggregates. It was postulated that disaggregation of Ce6 could be achieved with the use of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) through solubility enhancement.

Methods
An initial phase solubility study of Ce6 was conducted with various concentrations of HP-β-CD at three different pH conditions, i.e. pH 3, pH 5 and pH 7. Solubility-induced disaggregation of Ce6 was illustrated by fluorescence spectroscopy and singlet oxygen generation studies. Interaction between Ce6 and HP-β-CD was further demonstrated by solid-state characterization techniques. Inclusion complex formulations were tested for improved efficacy on squamous cancer cell lines.

Key findings
Increase in Ce6 solubility was observed, especially at pH 7, indicating the formation of inclusion complex between Ce6 and HP-β-CD. This resulted in disaggregation of Ce6 aggregates illustrated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The mode of binding was predominated by H-bonding supported by temperature-dependent binding studies and molecular simulation work. The inclusion complex demonstrated improved photodynamic efficacy through enhanced singlet oxygen generation and phototoxicity on human oral squamous carcinoma cells.

Conclusions
pH-dependent complexation between Ce6- and HP-β-CD-induced disaggregation of Ce6 aggregates and the resultant formulations facilitated improved PDT efficacy on tested cancer cell lines.
HLA‐C and KIR combined genotype as new response marker for HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients treated with interferon‐based combination therapy
Authors: Stelma F. , Jansen L. , Sinnige M. J. , van Dort K. A. , Takkenberg R. B. , Janssen H. L. A. , Reesink H. W. , Kootstra N. A. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryCurrent treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) consists of interferon‐based therapy. However, for unknown reasons, a large proportion of patients with CHB do not respond to this treatment. Hence, there is a pressing need to establish response markers to select patients who will benefit from therapy and to spare potential nonresponders from unnecessary side effects of antiviral therapy. Here, we assessed whether HLA‐C and KIR genotypes were associated with treatment outcome for CHB. Twelve SNPs in or near the HLA‐C gene were genotyped in 86 CHB patients (41 HBeAg positive; 45 HBeAg negative) treated with peginterferon alfa‐2a + adefovir. Genotyping of killer immunoglobin‐like receptors (KIRs) was performed by SSP‐PCR. One SNP in HLA‐C (rs2308557) was significantly associated with combined response in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients (P = 0.003). This SNP is linked to the HLA‐C group C1 or C2 classification, which controls KIR binding. The combination of KIR2DL1 with its ligand HLA‐C2 was observed significantly more often in HBeAg‐positive patients with a combined response (13/14) than in nonresponders (11/27, P = 0.001). Patients with the KIR2DL1/C2 genotype had significantly higher baseline ALT levels (136 vs 50 U/L, P = 0.002) than patients without this combination. Furthermore, KIR2DL1‐C2 predicted response independent of HBV genotype and ALT at baseline. HLA‐C and KIR genotype is strongly associated with response in HBeAg‐positive CHB patients treated with interferon‐based therapy. In combination with other known response markers, HLA‐C/KIR genotype could enable the selection of patients more likely to respond to interferon‐based therapy.
Mechanical and Thermal Sensory Testing in Normal Chondrodystrophoid Dogs and Dogs with Spinal Cord Injury caused by Thoracolumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniations
Authors: Gorney A.M. , Blau S.R. , Dohse C.S. , Griffith E.H. , Williams K.D. , Lim J.‐H. , Knazovicky D. , Lascelles B.D.X. , Olby N.J. 
Published: March 2016

BackgroundIntervertebral disc herniation is a common cause of spinal cord injury (SCI) causing paralysis and sensory loss. Little quantitative information is available on the loss and recovery of sensation in dogs with SCI.ObjectivesTo determine whether quantitative sensory testing (QST) can be used to establish thermal and mechanical sensory thresholds in chrondrodystrophoid dogs and compare thresholds among normal dogs and dogs with different grades of SCI.AnimalsThirty‐three client‐owned chondrodystrophoid dogs: 15 normal and 18 SCI dogs.MethodsThermal testing was performed by placing a hot (49°C) and cold (5°C) probe on the dorsal metatarsus and mechanical thresholds were tested using calibrated forceps to apply force to the lateral digit. Stimuli were applied until acknowledged, and response rate, latency, and force applied to response were recorded. Test‐retest repeatability was determined by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients. Response rates were compared using logistic regression and thresholds were compared using Kaplan–Meier Survival curves.ResultsTesting was feasible with moderate repeatability. Thresholds and response rates were significantly different between normal and SCI dogs for all modalities (P < .001). When dogs were grouped by their clinical grade, each grade was significantly different from normal dogs, and cold stimuli differentiated among all grades.Conclusion and clinical importanceSensory thresholds can be measured reliably in chondrodystrophoid dogs and are altered by SCI. The differences in sensation among neurologic grades indicate that these techniques can be used to further characterize recovery of SCI dogs.
Vaccination of Full‐sib Channel Catfish Families Against Enteric Septicemia of Catfish with an Oral Live Attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri Vaccine
Authors: Peterson Brian C. , Flora Corrin , Wood Monica , Bosworth Brian G. , Quiniou Sylvie M. , Greenway Terrence E. , Byars Todd S. , Wise David J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis study evaluated the efficacy of an oral live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine against enteric septicemia of catfish in 20 full‐sib fingerling channel catfish families. The vaccine was delivered orally by feeding fish a diet coated with an attenuated E. ictaluri isolate. Sixty‐nine days postvaccination, control and vaccinated fish were challenged with virulent E. ictaluri and mortality was examined for 21 d postchallenge. Vaccinated fish had significantly lower mortality than nonvaccinated fish following challenge (P < 0.001). Mortality of vaccinated fish was 1.7 ± 1.4% as opposed to 47.8 ± 28.7% in nonvaccinated fish. Relative percent survival ranged from 87.7 to 100% with an average of 95.2 ± 4.0% (±SE) among the 20 families of fish. There were significant differences in mortality among families in nonvaccinated fish (P < 0.01) while there were no differences among vaccinated families of fish. Results indicate that the live attenuated E. ictaluri vaccine is effective at reducing mortality in channel catfish exposed to virulent E. ictaluri. These data demonstrate that genetic differences among healthy families of channel catfish are not major considerations in developing an effective vaccination program utilizing the oral vaccination platform described in this study.
Effects of Dietary DHA/EPA Ratios on Fatty Acid Composition, Lipid Metabolism‐related Enzyme Activity, and Gene Expression of Juvenile Grass Carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus
Authors: Lei Caixia , Ji Hong , Zhang Jianlu , Li Jie 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTo determine the effects of docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA) ratios on grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, a 38‐d feeding trial was conducted using six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic semi‐purified diets containing constant n‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC‐PUFA) (0.5% of dry matter), but varying ratios of DHA to EPA and a control diet (no n‐3 LC‐PUFA was included). The results revealed higher final weight and specific growth rate in the DHA/EPA 0.21 group. The n‐3 LC‐PUFA content increased in the CK (control) groups compared with that in the control diet. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity increased in the treatment groups. Malate dehydrogenase showed lower activity in the DHA/EPA 1.08 group, as well as to the change in the level of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). The gene expressions of LPL increased in the treatment groups and that of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α gene showed higher expressions in DHA/EPA 1.08, 0.49, and 0.21 groups. However, no remarkable differences were found among the six groups in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ gene expression. Our findings indicated that dietary n‐3 LC‐PUFA affected fatty acid composition and lipid metabolism of grass carp. Further, fish achieved the best effect in decreasing the lipid accumulation when dietary DHA/EPA ratio was not greater than 1.
Species discovery and validation in a cryptic radiation of endangered primates: coalescent‐based species delimitation in Madagascar's mouse lemurs
Authors: Hotaling Scott , Foley Mary E. , Lawrence Nicolette M. , Bocanegra Jose , Blanco Marina B. , Rasoloarison Rodin , Kappeler Peter M. , Barrett Meredith A. , Yoder Anne D. , Weisrock David W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractImplementation of the coalescent model in a Bayesian framework is an emerging strength in genetically based species delimitation studies. By providing an objective measure of species diagnosis, these methods represent a quantitative enhancement to the analysis of multilocus data, and complement more traditional methods based on phenotypic and ecological characteristics. Recognized as two species 20 years ago, mouse lemurs (genus Microcebus) now comprise more than 20 species, largely diagnosed from mtDNA sequence data. With each new species description, enthusiasm has been tempered with scientific scepticism. Here, we present a statistically justified and unbiased Bayesian approach towards mouse lemur species delimitation. We perform validation tests using multilocus sequence data and two methodologies: (i) reverse‐jump Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling to assess the likelihood of different models defined a priori by a guide tree, and (ii) a Bayes factor delimitation test that compares different species‐tree models without a guide tree. We assess the sensitivity of these methods using randomized individual assignments, which has been used in bpp studies, but not with Bayes factor delimitation tests. Our results validate previously diagnosed taxa, as well as new species hypotheses, resulting in support for three new mouse lemur species. As the challenge of multiple researchers using differing criteria to describe diversity is not unique to Microcebus, the methods used here have significant potential for clarifying diversity in other taxonomic groups. We echo previous studies in advocating that multiple lines of evidence, including use of the coalescent model, should be trusted to delimit new species.
Characterization of pollen and bacterial community composition in brood provisions of a small carpenter bee
Authors: McFrederick Quinn S. , Rehan Sandra M. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMany insects obtain gut microbes from their diet, but how a mother's foraging patterns influence the microbes found in her offspring's food remains an open question. To address this gap, we studied a bee that forages for pollen from multiple species of plants and may therefore acquire diverse bacteria from different plants. We tested the hypothesis that pollen diversity correlates with bacterial diversity by simultaneously characterizing these two communities in bee brood provisions for the first time. We used deep sequencing of the plant RBCL gene and the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to characterize pollen and bacterial diversity. We then tested for associations between pollen and bacterial species richness and community composition, as well as co‐occurrence of specific bacteria and pollen types. We found that both pollen and bacterial communities were extremely diverse, indicating that mother bees visit a wide variety of flowers for pollen and nectar and subsequently bring a diversity of microbes back into their nests. Pollen and bacterial species richness and community composition, however, were not correlated. Certain pollen types significantly co‐occurred with the most proportionally abundant bacteria, indicating that the plants these pollen types came from may serve as reservoirs for these bacteria. Even so, the overall diversity of these communities appears to mask these associations at a broader scale. Further study of these pollen and bacteria associations will be important for understanding the complicated relationship between bacteria and wild bees.
MET immunolabelling is a useful predictive tool for MET gene amplification in glioblastoma
Authors: Burel‐Vandenbos F. , Ngo‐Mai M. , Dadone B. , Di Mauro I. , Gimet S. , Saada‐Bouzid E. , Bourg V. , Almairac F. , Fontaine D. , Virolle T. , Pedeutour F. 
Published: March 2016

AimsMET gene amplification is rare in glioblastoma (GBM) and represents a potential target for MET inhibitors. An immunohistochemical screening may be useful to identify MET amplification. The aim of our study was to establish how MET immunolabelling correlates with MET amplification.MethodsThree cohorts including 108 GBM (cohort 1, prospective), 104 GBM (cohort 2, retrospective) and 52 GBM (cohort 3, prospective) were investigated for MET expression by immunohistochemistry. MET amplification was assessed by comparative genomic hybridization on microarray (CGH‐array) in all cohorts and by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) in cohorts 2 and 3. Active form of MET was assessed using p‐MET (Y1349) immunohistochemistry.ResultsDiffuse MET amplification detectable by CGH‐array was associated with diffuse, strong MET immunolabelling (four cases in cohort 1 and one case in cohort 2). Focal MET amplification detectable only by FISH was observed in small foci of strongly immunopositive cells in two GBM (cohort 2). In both cohorts, MET amplification was never detected in GBM devoid of strongly immunopositive cells. MET overexpression, observed in 23% of unamplified GBM, was associated with a predominant weak‐to‐moderate staining intensity and with necrosis (P < 0.005). p‐MET was detected in all MET‐amplified GBM and in perinecrotic areas of nonamplified GBM. A strong MET immunostaining intensity, at least focal and distant from necrosis, showed 100% sensitivity and 84% specificity for predicting MET amplification in cohort 3.ConclusionsMET amplification is characterized by strongly immunopositive cells. Only GBM showing strong MET immunostaining is appropriate for the assessment of MET amplification.
National narratives and the Oslo peace process: How peacebuilding paradigms address conflicts over history
Authors: Khoury Nadim 
Published: March 2016

AbstractNational narratives are an essential part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Little is said, however, on how the Oslo Peace Process sought to address these narratives. Conventional wisdom argues that the peace process initiated in the 1990s largely ignored the matter. This article challenges this view, arguing instead that the peace process was and continues to be actively engaged in solving the narrative wars that divide Israelis and Palestinians. To shed light on these solutions, this article looks beyond the agreements of the Oslo Peace Process and focuses on the peacebuilding paradigms that informed it, more specifically, the national partition and the liberal peace paradigms. These prescribe two solutions to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict over history: narrative partition and evasion. In their implementation, the article concludes, these solutions imposed greater identity costs on the Palestinian narrative than on the Israeli one.
Developing the “Skippu‐Mama” program for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Niinomi Kazuteru , Asano Midori , Kadoma Akiko , Yoshida Kumiko , Ohashi Yukimi , Furuzawa Ayako , Yamamoto Mami , Yamakita Naoko , Mori Akiko 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe “Skippu‐Mama” peer support program was developed to improve quality of life and reduce parental stress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders. The program was designed to improve these variables by refreshing and healing participants’ minds and bodies. Twenty‐four mothers of 26 children diagnosed with ASD in Japan were included in the study and completed measures of quality of life and parental stress before, during, and after participation in the Skippu‐Mama program. Our results demonstrated that time was a significant main effect. Further, multiple comparisons with Bonferroni corrections indicated a significant increase in World Health Organization Quality of Life 26 scores three months into the program and at its conclusion six months after commencement. Overall, the Skippu‐Mama program improved the quality of life of mothers of children with ASD, and we believe that the intervention's focus on both individual and family variables may be especially effective in this population.
Evaluation of Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and Perinatal Extension II and Clinical Risk Index for Babies with additional parameters
Authors: Asker Hüseyin Selim , Satar Mehmet , Yıldızdaş Hacer Yapıcıoğlu , Mutlu Birgül , Özyurt Banu Mutlu , İpek Mehmet Şah , Sivaslı Ercan , Taviloğlu Şafak , Çelik Yalçın , Özcan Kenan , Burgut Refik , Ünal İlker 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to determine mortality risk by calculating Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology and Perinatal Extension II (SNAP‐PE‐II) and Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score, and evaluate prediction of the effects of antenatal corticosteroid and surfactant treatment on mortality.MethodsThis multicenter study was conducted simultaneously in five different centers in four different provinces in Southern Turkey between July 2012 and July 2013. A total of 1668 inborn subjects hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit within the first 12 h of delivery, and meeting the selection criteria, were included in the study, and CRIB and SNAP‐PE‐II were used to determine mortality.ResultsThe SNAP‐PE‐II scoring system was applied to all patients, and the CRIB scoring system was used for 310 newborns with gestational age <32 weeks and weighing <1500 g. Of the 1668 patients, 188 died (mortality rate, 11.3%). Cut‐off was found to vary with center, which changed specificity and sensitivity of the mortality scores. SNAP‐PE‐II significantly predicted mortality (P < 0.05) compared with CRIB. SNAP‐PE‐II also successfully predicted mortality in the group receiving antenatal corticosteroid compared with the group not receiving antenatal corticosteroid.ConclusionSNAP‐PE‐II was a significant predictor of mortality in newborns with birthweight <1500 g compared with CRIB, and assessment of antenatal corticosteroid use in conjunction with SNAP‐PE‐II increased the accuracy of the prediction of mortality.