bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chondrogenic Gene Expression Differences between Chondrocytes from Osteoarthritic and Non-OA Trauma Joints in a 3D Collagen Type I Hydrogel
Authors: Jeyakumar Vivek , Halbwirth Florian , Niculescu-Morzsa Eugenia , Bauer Christoph , Zwickl Hannes , Kern Daniela , Nehrer Stefan 
Published: July 2016

Objective The purpose of the current study was to compare the donor age variation of chondrocytes from non-OA (osteoarthritic) trauma joints in patients of young to middle age (20.5 ± 3.7, 31.8 ± 1.9, 41.9 ± 4.1 years) embedded in matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte transplantation (MACT) grafts (CaReS). The chondrocyte-specific gene expression of CaReS grafts were then compared to chondrocytes from OA joints (in patients aged 63.8 ± 10 years) embedded in a collagen type I hydrogel. Design OA chondrocytes and articular chondrocyte-laden grafts were cultured over 14 days in chondrogenic growth medium. We performed reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to evaluate the mRNA expression levels of chondrocyte-specific and hypertrophic markers. Results Gene expression analysis with RT-qPCR revealed no significant difference in chondrocyte-specific genes ( COL2A1, ACAN, SOX9, SOX5, SOX6) among 3 different age group of patients with CaReS grafts. In a comparative analysis of OA chondrocytes to articular chondrocytes, chondrogenic markers ( COL2A1, SOX6) exhibited higher expression in OA chondrocytes ( P < 0.05). Hypertrophic or OA cartilage pathogenesis marker ( MMP3, MMP13) expression was higher and COL1A1 had significantly lower expression ( P < 0.05) in OA chondrocytes than articular chondrocytes when cultivated in collagen type I hydrogels. Conclusion In summary, we identify that donor age variation does not influence the chondrogenic gene expression of the CaReS system. We also identified that freshly isolated OA chondrocytes embedded in collagen type I hydrogels can exhibit chondrogenic gene expression as observed in articular chondrocytes on the CaReS grafts. Transforming OA chondrocytes to articular chondrocytes can be regarded as an alternative option in the MACT technique.
Prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma survival after radiofrequency ablation: A US population‐based study
Authors: El‐Fattah Mohamed Abd , Aboelmagd Mohamed , Elhamouly Mohammed 
Published: July 2016

ObjectiveTo determine the survival outcome and prognostic factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival in patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA).MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was queried: There were 2588 HCC patients from 2004 to 2012 who underwent RFA. The Kaplan‐Meier curves and the multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to assess the prognostic factors.ResultsWith a median follow‐up of 20 months, the 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival (OS) rates were: 83%, 51% and 33%. Patients with a tumor size ≤5 cm in diameter had a better 5‐year OS, as compared to patients with a tumor size >5 cm. The 5‐year OS was significantly higher among patients with a normal level of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), compared with those having elevated AFP. In an adjusted multivariate Cox regression analysis, those with ≥60 years of age (HR: 1.19; 95% CI 1.05–1.36), non‐Asian race (HR: 1.53; 95% CI 1.30–1.81), tumor size >5 cm (HR: 1.43; 95% CI 1.24–1.65), elevated AFP (HR: 1.42; 95% CI 1.22–1.64), American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stages II‐III (HR: 1.30; 95% CI 1.14–1.48) and the year of diagnosis from 2004–2007 (HR: 1.22; 95% CI 1.07–1.40) were significantly associated with a poor prognosis.ConclusionsAge, race, tumor size, AFP level, AJCC stage and year of diagnosis were prognostic factors for OS in HCC patients who underwent RFA.
Hyperinsulinaemic, hypoglycaemic syndrome due to acquired nesidioblastosis in a cat
Authors: Hambrook Lydia E , Ciavarella Amanda A , Nimmo Judith S , Wayne Julie 
Published: July 2016

Case summary A 6-year-old, neutered female British Shorthair cat presented with acute-onset weakness and mental dullness. Initially the cat was mildly hyperglycaemic (9.9 mmol/l; reference interval [RI] 3.3–6.7 mmol/l). Over the following 12 h the cat developed central blindness, tremors, intermittent seizures and opisthotonus. Repeat blood sampling revealed a marked hypoglycaemia (0.8 mmol/l). Insulin level (performed on a serum sample collected while the cat was hypoglycaemic) was inappropriately elevated (1575 mIU/l; RI 10–80 mIU/l). An abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a firm and erythematous left limb of the pancreas. Following surgical resection of the left limb of the pancreas, the cat returned to a euglycaemic state after a brief rebound hyperglycaemia. Histopathology revealed pancreatic fibrosis with marked multifocal micronodular hyperplasia of exocrine and endocrine cells. Synaptophysin immunohistochemistry confirmed nodular β-cell hyperplasia. Relevance and novel information Nesidioblastosis describes a syndrome of acquired hyperinsulinaemia and associated hypoglycaemia secondary to focal or diffuse (non-neoplastic) β-cell hyperplasia within the pancreas. Acquired nesidioblastosis has been reported in humans, where β-cell dysregulation is thought to occur in response to pancreatic injury. This is the first reported case of clinically significant hypoglycaemia due to acquired nesidioblastosis in an adult domestic cat. While this condition is rare, nesidioblastosis is being increasingly recognised in humans and it is an important differential diagnosis to consider when investigating hypoglycaemia as it cannot be distinguished from insulinoma without histopathological evaluation. While recurrence has been occasionally reported in humans, the prognosis is considered good.
Tele-monitoring of ventilator-dependent patients: a European Respiratory Society Statement
Authors: Ambrosino Nicolino , Vitacca Michele , Dreher Michael , Isetta Valentina , Montserrat Josep M. , Tonia Thomy , Turchetti Giuseppe , Winck Joao Carlos , Burgos Felip , Kampelmacher Michael , Vagheggini Guido 
Published: July 2016

The estimated prevalence of ventilator-dependent individuals in Europe is 6.6 per 100 000 people. The increasing number and costs of these complex patients make present health organisations largely insufficient to face their needs. As a consequence, their burden lays mostly over families. The need to reduce healthcare costs and to increase safety has prompted the development of tele-monitoring for home ventilatory assistance.A European Respiratory Society Task Force produced a literature research based statement on commonly accepted clinical criteria for indications, follow-up, equipment, facilities, legal and economic issues of tele-monitoring of these patients.Many remote health monitoring systems are available, ensuring safety, feasibility, effectiveness, sustainability and flexibility to face different patients' needs. The legal problems associated with tele-monitoring are still controversial. National and European Union (EU) governments should develop guidelines and ethical, legal, regulatory, technical, administrative standards for remote medicine. The economic advantages, if any, of this new approach must be compared to a “gold standard” of home care that is very variable among different European countries and within each European country.Much more research is needed before considering tele-monitoring a real improvement in the management of these patients.
Only severe COPD is associated with being underweight:results from a population survey
Authors: Eriksson Berne , Backman Helena , Bossios Apostolos , Bjerg Anders , Hedman Linnea , Lindberg Anne , Rönmark Eva , Lundbäck Bo 
Published: July 2016

Low body mass index (BMI) and malnutrition in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with a poor prognosis. The prevalence of underweight, as well as overweight, in severity grades of COPD is sparsely investigated in studies of the general population and the associated patterns of risk factors are not well established. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between severity grades of airflow limitation in COPD, and both underweight and obesity when corrected for possible confounding factors.The study is based on pooled data from the OLIN (Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden) studies. Complete records with lung function, BMI and structured interview data were available from 3942 subjects (50.7% women and 49.3% men). COPD and severity grading were defined using the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. In sensitivity analyses, the lower limit of normal was used.The prevalence of underweight was 7.3% in severe COPD (grades 3 and 4)versus2.0% in those with normal spirometry. The prevalence of obesity increased from 9.7% in grade 1, to 16.3% in grade 2 and 20.0% in severe COPD,versus17.7% in those with normal spirometry.In adjusted analysis, of the COPD severity grades, only severe COPD was associated with underweight (OR 3.24, 95% CI 1.0004–10.5), while the COPD severity grades tended to be inversely associated with overweight.
GCORE-sib: An efficient gene-gene interaction tool for genome-wide association studies based on discordant sib pairs
Authors: Sung Pei-Yuan , Wang Yi-Ting , Hsiung Chao A. , Chung Ren-Hua 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Background
A computationally efficient tool is required for a genome-wide gene-gene interaction analysis that tests an extremely large number of single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) interaction pairs in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Current tools for GWAS interaction analysis are mainly developed for unrelated case-control samples. Relatively fewer tools for interaction analysis are available for complex disease studies with family-based design, and these tools tend to be computationally expensive.

Results
We developed a fast gene-gene interaction test, GCORE-sib, for discordant sib pairs and implemented the test into an efficient tool. We used simulations to demonstrate that the GCORE-sib has correct type I error rates and has comparable power to that of the regression-based interaction test. We also showed that the GCORE-sib can run more than 10 times faster than the regression-based test. Finally, the GCORE-sib was applied to a GWAS dataset with approximately 2,000 discordant sib pairs, and the GCORE-sib finished testing 19,368,078,382 pairs of SNPs within 6 days.

Conclusions
An efficient gene-gene interaction tool for discordant sib pairs was developed. It will be very useful for genome-wide gene-gene interaction analysis in GWAS using discordant sib pairs. The tool can be downloaded for free at http://gcore-sib.sourceforge.net.
Interpreting outcome following foot surgery in people with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Backhouse Michael R. , Vinall‐Collier Karen A. , Redmond Anthony C. , Helliwell Philip S. , Keenan Anne‐Maree 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundFoot surgery is common in RA but the current lack of understanding of how patients interpret outcomes inhibits evaluation of procedures in clinical and research settings. This study aimed to explore which factors are important to people with RA when they evaluate the outcome of foot and ankle surgery.Methods and ResultsSemi structured interviews with 11 RA participants who had mixed experiences of foot surgery were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Responses showed that while participants interpreted surgical outcome in respect to a multitude of factors, five major themes emerged: functional ability, participation, appearance of feet and footwear, surgeons' opinion, and pain. Participants interpreted levels of physical function in light of other aspects of their disease, reflecting on relative change from their preoperative state more than absolute levels of ability. Appearance was important to almost all participants: physical appearance, foot shape, and footwear were closely interlinked, yet participants saw these as distinct concepts and frequently entered into a defensive repertoire, feeling the need to justify that their perception of outcome was not about cosmesis.Surgeons' post‐operative evaluation of the procedure was highly influential and made a lasting impression, irrespective of how the outcome compared to the participants' initial goals. Whilst pain was important to almost all participants, it had the greatest impact upon them when it interfered with their ability to undertake valued activities.ConclusionsPeople with RA interpret the outcome of foot surgery using multiple interrelated factors, particularly functional ability, appearance and surgeons' appraisal of the procedure. While pain was often noted, this appeared less important than anticipated. These factors can help clinicians in discussing surgical options in patients.
Piet Mondrian’s Broadway Boogie Woogie: non invasive analysis using macro X-ray fluorescence mapping (MA-XRF) and multivariate curve resolution-alternating least square (MCR-ALS)
Authors: Martins Ana , Albertson Cynthia , McGlinchey Chris , Dik Joris 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
Piet Mondrian’s Broadway Boogie Woogie (1942–1943) was examined using Macro X-Ray Fluorescence mapping (MA-XRF) to help characterize the artist’s materials and understand his creative process as well as the current condition issues of the painting. The presence and distribution of key chemical elements was used to identify the main pigments in the different paint layers and under-layers, namely titanium white/barium sulfate, zinc white, bone black, cadmium yellow and/or cadmium-zinc yellow, cadmium red and/or cadmium-barium red and ultramarine. The XRF data was also examined using a multivariate curve resolution-alternating least square (MCR-ALS) approach to virtually separate and help characterize the different paint layers. Results suggest that Broadway Boogie Woogie was originally conceived as an asymmetrical grid of interlacing red and yellow bars. Mondrian then reworked the composition extensively breaking the bars by painting small squares in red, blue and gray and repainting them over and over again changing their size, color or tonality, and by adding and reworking large colored shapes in the background. Mondrian scraped off the paint in some areas before making adjustments to the composition but did not do it consistently throughout the painting. The yellow paint on the surface is severely cracked. Wherever red paint has been covered with yellow paint, it has oozed through the cracks in the top layer. The results illustrate how the MA-XRF / MCR-ALS approach can complement the examination of a painting and contribute to the understanding of the artist’s process and choice of materials in a non-invasive way.
Epidemiology of autism in adults across age groups and ability
levels
Authors: Brugha Traolach S. , Spiers Nicola , Bankart John , Cooper Sally-Ann , McManus Sally , Scott Fiona J. , Smith Jane , Tyrer Freya 
Published: July 2016

BackgroundThe epidemiology of autism in adults has relied on untested projections
using childhood research.AimsTo derive representative estimates of the prevalence of autism and key
associations in adults of all ages and ability levels.MethodComparable clinical diagnostic assessments of 7274 Adult Psychiatric
Morbidity Survey participants combined with a population case-register
survey of 290 adults with intellectual disability.ResultsThe combined prevalence of autism in adults of all ages in England was
11/1000 (95% CI 3–19/1000). It was higher in those with moderate to
profound intellectual disability (odds ratio (OR) = 63.5, 95% CI
27.4–147.2). Male gender was a strong predictor of autism only in those
with no or mild intellectual disability (adjusted OR = 8.5, 95% CI
2.0–34.9; interaction with gender, P = 0.03).ConclusionsFew adults with autism have intellectual disability; however, autism is
more prevalent in this population. Autism measures may miss more women
with autism.
AβPP processing results in greater toxicity per amount of Aβ1-42 than individually expressed and secreted Aβ1-42 inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Bergkvist Liza , Sandin Linnea , Kågedal Katarina , Brorsson Ann-Christin 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTThe aggregation of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide into fibrillar deposits has long been considered the key neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ peptides are generated from proteolytic processing of the transmembrane Aβ precursor protein (AβPP) via sequential proteolysis through the β-secretase activity of β-site AβPP-cleaving enzyme (BACE1) and by the intramembranous enzyme γ-secretase. For over a decade, Drosophila melanogaster has been used as a model organism to study AD, and two different approaches have been developed to investigate the toxicity caused by AD-associated gene products in vivo. In one model, the Aβ peptide is directly over-expressed fused to a signal peptide, allowing secretion of the peptide into the extracellular space. In the other model, human AβPP is co-expressed with human BACE1, resulting in production of the Aβ peptide through the processing of AβPP by BACE1 and by endogenous fly γ-secretase. Here, we performed a parallel study of flies that expressed the Aβ1-42 peptide alone or that co-expressed AβPP and BACE1. Toxic effects (assessed by eye phenotype, longevity and locomotor assays) and levels of the Aβ1-42, Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-38 peptides were examined. Our data reveal that the toxic effect per amount of detected Aβ1-42 peptide was higher in the flies co-expressing AβPP and BACE1 than in the Aβ1-42-expressing flies, and that the co-existence of Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 in the flies co-expressing AβPP and BACE1 could be of significant importance to the neurotoxic effect detected in these flies. Thus, the toxicity detected in these two fly models seems to have different modes of action and is highly dependent on how and where the peptide is generated rather than on the actual level of the Aβ1-42 peptide in the flies. This is important knowledge that needs to be taken into consideration when using Drosophila models to investigate disease mechanisms or therapeutic strategies in AD research.
Gait in ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and chickens (Gallus gallus) – similarities in adaptation to high growth rate
Authors: Duggan B. M. , Hocking P. M. , Clements D. N. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTGenetic selection for increased growth rate and muscle mass in broiler chickens has been accompanied by mobility issues and poor gait. There are concerns that the Pekin duck, which is on a similar selection trajectory (for production traits) to the broiler chicken, may encounter gait problems in the future. In order to understand how gait has been altered by selection, the walking ability of divergent lines of high- and low-growth chickens and ducks was objectively measured using a pressure platform, which recorded various components of their gait. In both species, lines which had been selected for large breast muscle mass moved at a slower velocity and with a greater step width than their lighter conspecifics. These high-growth lines also spent more time supported by two feet in order to improve balance when compared with their lighter, low-growth conspecifics. We demonstrate that chicken and duck lines which have been subjected to intense selection for high growth rates and meat yields have adapted their gait in similar ways. A greater understanding of which components of gait have been altered in selected lines with impaired walking ability may lead to more effective breeding strategies to improve gait in poultry.
Probing extracellular Sonic hedgehog in neurons
Authors: Eitan Erez , Petralia Ronald S. , Wang Ya-Xian , Indig Fred E. , Mattson Mark P. , Yao Pamela J. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACT
The bioactivity of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) depends on specific lipid modifications; a palmitate at its N-terminus and a cholesterol at its C-terminus. This dual-lipid modification makes Shh molecules lipophilic, which prevents them from diffusing freely in extracellular space. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that Shh proteins are carried by various forms of extracellular vesicles (EVs). It also has been shown, for instance, that in some tissues Shh proteins are transported to neighboring cells directly via filopodia. We have previously reported that Shh proteins are expressed in hippocampal neurons. In this study we show that, in the hippocampus and cerebellum of postnatal day (P)2 rats, Shh is mostly found near or on the membrane surface of small neurites or filopodia. We also examined cultured hippocampal neurons where we observed noticeable and widespread Shh-immunolabeled vesicles located outside neurons. Through immunoelectron microscopy and biochemical analysis, we find Shh-containing EVs with a wide range of sizes. Unlike robust Shh activity in EVs isolated from cells overexpressing an N-terminal Shh fragment construct, we did not detect measurable Shh activity in EVs purified from the medium of cultured hippocampal neurons. These results suggest the complexity of the transcellular Shh signaling mechanisms in neurons.
A Novel Abnormal Michael Reaction of 2-Acylmethyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolines with Acetylenic Ketones and Esters
Authors: Tohda Yasuo , Yanagidani Takeshi , Asaka Noriko 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe first example of abnormal Michael reaction of an active methylene compound, 2-acylmethyl-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline with acetylenic ketone in acetonitrile is reported. The reaction accompanies 1,3-migration of the acyl group of the substrate to give 2-(3-acyl-1-buten-4-on-1-yl)-2-oxazoline, which was easily cyclized to 5-acyl-2-pyridone derivatives by treatment with silica gel. Selectivity of the reaction depends on bulkiness of all the substituents of both the substrate and the reagent. The selectivity is interpreted in terms of reduced kinetic acidity of an initial anionic adduct intermediate by both steric and electronic factors.
The Northwick Park Examination of Cognition: A brief cognitive assessment tool for use in acute stroke services
Authors: Williams Paul M , Johnson Caroline , Swan Sarah , Barber Caroline , Murphy Patrick , Devine Joseph , Bathula Raj , Cohen David , Crutch Sebastian J 
Published: July 2016

Background/Aims: Assessment of cognitive impairment following stroke forms an important part of diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation planning. However, none of the available and widely used tools were developed specifically for use in stroke services. Most screening tools were developed for dementia, and consequently are biased toward an evaluation of memory function, provide inadequate assessment of executive function and are mainly verbally administered, limiting their utility in aphasic patients. Methods: One hundred and sixty-six stroke patients admitted to a hyper acute stroke unit and a control sample of 100 healthy participants completed the Northwick Park Examination of Cognition (NPEC). The NPEC includes 22 sub-tests in the domains of reasoning, episodic memory, language, perception and attention/executive function. Multiple input (verbal, visual) and output (spoken, written, gesture) modalities increase accessibility to patients with various deficits/lesion locations. Findings: Mean time from stroke to assessment was 5.6 days (SD=7.9). Seventy five percent of patients gained impaired scores (mild, moderate or severe impairment), which was evident at the group level on all subtests. Left and right cortical stroke patients differed significantly (P<0.05) on specific verbal (R>L) and spatial attention (L>R) subtests. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of cognitive impairment (sensitivity=0.90; specificity=0.80; area-under-curve [AUC]=0.93) were equivalent or superior to data reported for established cognitive screening tools (AUC=0.53–0.89). Patients were disproportionately impaired on high vs low attentional demand cancellation tasks (P<0.0001). Conclusions: The NPEC is brief, freely available and has good sensitivity and specificity for differentiating stroke patients from controls in terms of cognitive functioning. The inclusion of timed executive function measures and comparable verbal and non-verbal sub-tests permits characterisation of cognitive dysfunction in different stroke subtypes.