bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between TNFα gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in an ethnic Kashmiri population: relationship with disease activity and severity markers
Authors: Shafia Syed , Sofi Fayaz A. , Dilafroze  , Rasool Roohi , Javeed Sheikh , Shah Zafar A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of our study was to determine the genetic associations between polymorphisms of the TNFα gene (‐308G/A and ‐238G/A) with disease susceptibility and severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in an ethnic Kashmiri population.MethodsAllele and genotype frequencies of TNFα‐308G/A and TNFα‐238G/A polymorphisms were compared between 150 RA patients and 200 healthy controls by using polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Demographic, clinical and serological data were prospectively evaluated. Disease activity score (DAS28) was also assessed.ResultsWe did not find any significant association between TNFα‐308G/A and TNFα‐238G/A polymorphism and RA risk (P > 0.05), but TNFα‐308GG genotype was associated significantly with rheumatoid factor seropositivity (P < 0.01) and TNFα‐238GA genotype was associated with swollen joint count < 5 (P = 0.04) as well as with less severe disease activity as measured by DAS28 score (P = 0.02).ConclusionOur findings suggest the possible roles of TNFα‐308GG and TNFα‐238GA as important determinants for the development of certain manifestations and disease severity in RA in ethnic Kashmiri population.
Expression and significance of squalene epoxidase in squamous lung cancerous tissues and pericarcinoma tissues
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Yan , Li Hong‐Mei , Yu Zhuang , Yu Xiao‐yun , Guo Kang 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundA high expression of squalene epoxidase (SQLE) is related to tumor occurrence, development, and prognosis in a variety of cancers. In this study, the expression and significance of SQLE was analyzed in patients with squamous lung cancer and pericarcinoma tissues.MethodsThe SQLE mRNA and protein expression were separately examined by semi‐quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot in 65 cases of squamous cell lung carcinoma tissues and adjacent non‐cancerous lung tissues.ResultsThe expression of SQLE mRNA and protein in lung squamous cancerous tissues was significantly higher than in pericarcinoma tissues (63.07% vs. 44.61%, P = 0.0348; 67.69% vs. 38.46%, P = 0.0008). The positive expression rate of SQLE mRNA was not associated with gender, age, smoking, or tumor size (P > 0.05). The expression of SQLE mRNA was closely correlated with poor differentiation, clinical stages, and lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05). The expression of SQLE mRNA was negatively associated with overall survival rate (P < 0.05).ConclusionA high expression of SQLE was found in squamous lung cancer tissues. The high expression of the SQLE gene may be closely related to the occurrence and development of squamous cell lung carcinoma. SQLE expression predicts a poor prognosis and may serve as a novel lung carcinoma molecule marker.
Three‐dimensional conformal reirradiation for locoregionally recurrent lung cancer previously treated with radiation therapy
Authors: Huh Gil Ja , Jang Seong Soon , Park Suk Young , Seo Jae Hyuk , Cho Eun Youn , Park Ji Chan , Yang Young Jun 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of reirradiation using three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D‐CRT) in symptomatic patients with locoregionally recurrent lung cancer.MethodsBetween 2005 and 2012, 15 patients with locoregionally recurrent lung cancer were retreated with 3D‐CRT after previously receiving thoracic radiotherapy. The median interval between the initial irradiation and reirradiation was 12 months (range, five to 41 months). The median initial radiotherapy dose was 63 Gy (range, 45–70 Gy), and reirradiation doses ranged from 25.2 to 45.2 Gy (median, 36 Gy), with daily fractions of 1.8–4 Gy (median, 2 Gy).ResultsAfter reirradiation, 80% of the patients experienced resolved or diminished symptoms for one or more of their symptoms, with an 83% improvement in a total of 24 symptoms. The overall tumor response rate to reirradiation was 46.7%, with progressive disease occurring in only one patient. The median overall survival (OS) time was 11 months (range, one to 27 months), and the one‐year OS rate was 47%. The progression‐free survival time ranged from one to 10 months (median, five months). In univariate analysis, the use of combined chemotherapy and a higher reirradiation dose showed a trend toward improved survival after reirradiation. Treatment‐induced toxicity included grade 2 radiation pneumonitis in only one patient, and there were no other complications, such as radiation esophagitis or myelopathy.ConclusionsReirradiation using 3D‐CRT with moderate doses for locoregionally recurrent lung cancer can provide palliative benefits without severe complications to the majority of selected patients with symptoms as a result of a regrowing tumor.
Human stem cell aging: do mitochondrial DNA mutations have a causal role?
Authors: Baines Holly L. , Turnbull Douglass M. , Greaves Laura C. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryA decline in the replicative and regenerative capacity of adult stem cell populations is a major contributor to the aging process. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations clonally expand with age in human stem cell compartments including the colon, small intestine, and stomach, and result in respiratory chain deficiency. Studies in a mouse model with high levels of mtDNA mutations due to a defect in the proofreading domain of the mtDNA polymerase γ (mtDNA mutator mice) have established causal relationships between the accumulation of mtDNA point mutations, stem cell dysfunction, and premature aging. These mtDNA mutator mice have also highlighted that the consequences of mtDNA mutations upon stem cells vary depending on the tissue. In this review, we present evidence that these studies in mice are relevant to normal human stem cell aging and we explore different hypotheses to explain the tissue‐specific consequences of mtDNA mutations. In addition, we emphasize the need for a comprehensive analysis of mtDNA mutations and their effects on cellular function in different aging human stem cell populations.
Extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic fields enhance the survival of newborn neurons in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: Podda Maria V. , Leone Lucia , Barbati Saviana A. , Mastrodonato Alessia , Li Puma Domenica D. , Piacentini Roberto , Grassi Claudio 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIn recent years, much effort has been devoted to identifying stimuli capable of enhancing adult neurogenesis, a process that generates new neurons throughout life, and that appears to be dysfunctional in the senescent brain and in several neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. We previously reported that in vivo exposure to extremely low‐frequency electromagnetic fields (ELFEFs) promotes the proliferation and neuronal differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) that functionally integrate in the dentate gyrus. Here, we extended our studies to specifically assess the influence of ELFEFs on hippocampal newborn cell survival, which is a very critical issue in adult neurogenesis regulation. Mice were injected with 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label newborn cells, and were exposed to ELFEFs 9 days later, when the most dramatic decrease in the number of newly generated neurons occurs. The results showed that ELFEF exposure (3.5 h/day for 6 days) enhanced newborn neuron survival as documented by double staining for BrdU and doublecortin, to identify immature neurons, or NeuN labeling of mature neurons. The effects of ELFEFs were associated with enhanced spatial learning and memory. In an in vitro model of hippocampal NSCs, ELFEFs exerted their pro‐survival action by rescuing differentiating neurons from apoptotic cell death. Western immunoblot assay revealed reduced expression of the pro‐apoptotic protein Bax, and increased levels of the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2, in the hippocampi of ELFEF‐exposed mice as well as in ELFEF‐exposed NSC cultures, as compared with their sham‐exposed counterparts. Our results may have clinical implications for the treatment of impaired neurogenesis associated with brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Lake shoreline in the contiguous United States: quantity, distribution and sensitivity to observation resolution
Authors: Winslow Luke A. , Read Jordan S. , Hanson Paul C. , Stanley Emily H. 
Published: January 2014

Summary

Quantifying lake biogeochemical processing at broad spatial scales requires that we scale processes along with physical metrics. Past work has primarily scaled lentic processes using estimates of lake surface area. However, many processes important to lakes, such as material, energy and biological fluxes and biogeochemical cycling, scale with lake perimeter.

We estimate the total lake perimeter for the contiguous United States (U.S.) and examine the sensitivity of this estimate to measurement resolution. At the original mapping resolution, lakes in the contiguous U.S. have a total perimeter of over 1.8 million km.

The change in measured perimeter versus measurement resolution for the contiguous U.S. had a log‐log slope (also known as the fractal dimension) of −0.21, generally less than previously reported estimates. With changing observation resolution, total measured perimeter was most sensitive to the inclusion or exclusion of small lakes, not shoreline complexity.

The total aquatic–terrestrial interface in lakes is less than one‐tenth that of streams and rivers, which collectively account for over 21 million km of shoreline in the contiguous U.S. This study further describes the distribution of lake perimeter and proposes a technique that can contribute to understanding continental‐scale processes.
Plant morphology, genome size, and SSR markers differentiate five distinct taxonomic groups among accessions in the genus Miscanthus
Authors: Chae Won Byoung , Hong Sae Jin , Gifford Justin M. , Rayburn A. Lane , Sacks Erik J. , Juvik John A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractInformation on genome size, ploidy level, and genomic polymorphisms among accessions of the genus Miscanthus can assist in taxonomic studies, help understand the evolution of the genus, and provide valuable information to biomass crop improvement programs. Taxonomic investigation combining variation in plant morphology, genome size, chromosome numbers, and simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker polymorphisms were applied to characterize 101 Miscanthus accessions. A total of 258 amplicons generated from 17 informative SSR primer pairs was subjected to cluster and principal coordinate analysis and used to characterize genetic variation and relationships among 31 Miscanthus accessions, including four interspecific Miscanthus hybrids created from controlled pollinations, and four Saccharum, six Erianthus, and one Sorghum bicolor accessions. Miscanthus accessions were distinct from accessions in the genera Erianthus and Saccharum. Miscanthus accessions fell into five taxonomic groups, including the existing taxonomic section Miscanthus, diploid and tetraploid Miscanthus sacchariflorus, and a fourth (M. × giganteus) and fifth group (Miscanthus ‘purpurascens’); the last two being intermediate forms. In contrast to previous work, our findings suggest diploid and tetraploid M. sacchariflorus are taxonomically different, the latter more closely related to M. sacchariflorus var lutarioriparius. We also suggest that Miscanthus ‘purpurascens’ accessions are interspecific hybrids between Miscanthus sinensis and diploid M. sacchariflorus based on DNA content and SSR polymorphisms. The evolution of Miscanthus and related genera is discussed based on combined analysis and geographical origin.
Progranulin promotes tumour necrosis factor‐induced proliferation of suppressive mouse CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Hu Ya , Xiao Haitao , Shi Tingchen , Oppenheim Joost J. , Chen Xin 
Published: January 2014

SummaryProgranulin (PGRN) is a pleiotropic growth factor with immunosuppressive properties. Recently, it was reported that PGRN was an antagonist of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, preferentially for TNFR2. However, we and others showed that TNF–TNFR2 interaction was critical for the activation and expansion of functional CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. We therefore examined the effect of PGRN on the proliferation of naturally occurring murine suppressive Treg cells induced by TNF. Consistent with our previous reports, TNF overcame the hyporesponsiveness of highly purified Treg cells to T‐cell receptor stimulation. Furthermore, in the presence of interleukin‐2, TNF preferentially stimulated proliferation of Treg cells contained in unfractionated CD4 cells. These effects of TNF on suppressive Treg cells were markedly increased by exogenous PGRN. TNF and TNFR2 interactions are required for this effect of PGRN, because the PGRN by itself did not stimulate Treg cell proliferation. The effect of PGRN on Treg cells was abrogated by antibody against TNFR2, and Treg cells deficient in TNFR2 also failed to respond to PGRN. Furthermore, PGRN also enhanced the proliferative responses of effector T cells to TNF, but to a lesser extent than that of Treg cells, presumably caused by the different levels of TNFR2 expression on these two subsets of CD4 cells. Hence, our data clearly show that PGRN promotes, rather than inhibits, the functional consequence of TNF–TNFR2 interaction on Treg cells.
The effect of a structured adolescent health summer programme: a quasi‐experimental intervention
Authors: Lee R.L. , Hayter M. 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundIt is important to integrate adolescent health domains into pre‐service nursing education in order to enhance undergraduate nursing students' competencies in promoting adolescent health.AimTo determine the effectiveness of a structured adolescent health summer programme for Chinese undergraduate nursing students.MethodsA quasi‐experimental design was used to evaluate differences in the Chinese undergraduate nursing students' perceived competency in promoting adolescent health. A stand‐alone adolescent health course was implemented as an intervention with pre‐ and post‐tests of a 2‐week intensive summer programme in 2010. The questionnaire included demographics, adolescent health competency checklist and programme evaluation. Descriptive statistics with the Wilcoxon signed‐ranks test and the Mann–Whitney U‐test were used for data analysis.ResultsOf the 113 nursing students, seniors perceived higher adolescent health competence mean scores than the juniors in the post‐test phase. Majority of nursing students revealed the increasing awareness of the importance in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and psychosocial well‐being after attending the summer programme. They agreed that nurses do have a role to play.LimitationsThis 2‐week summer programme may only have short‐term impacts on students' perception.ConclusionsA stand‐alone adolescent health summer programme can prepare nursing students to respond to the health issues of adolescents by enhancing their competence in health need assessment and service delivery.Implications for nursing and health policyNurses serve in a leadership role for health policies and programmes. In nursing education, it is important for students to understand how to put in place policies to resolve adolescent health issues.
Estimating influenza outpatients' and inpatients' incidences from 2009 to 2011 in a tropical urban setting in the Philippines
Authors: Tallo Veronica L. , Kamigaki Taro , Tan Alvin G. , Pamaran Rochelle R. , Alday Portia P. , Mercado Edelwisa S. , Javier Jenaline B. , Oshitani Hitoshi , Olveda Remigio M. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectivesAlthough the public health significance of influenza in regions with a temperate climate has been widely recognized, information on influenza burden in tropical countries, including the Philippines, remains limited. We aimed to estimate influenza incidence rates for both outpatients and inpatients then characterized their demographic features.DesignAn enhanced surveillance was performed from January 2009 to December 2011 in an urbanized highland city. The influenza‐like illness (ILI) surveillance involved all city health centers and an outpatient department of a tertiary government hospital. The severe acute respiratory infection (sARI) surveillance was also conducted with one government and four private hospitals since April 2009. Nasal and/or oropharyngeal swabs were collected and tested for influenza A, influenza B, and respiratory syncytial virus.Results and ConclusionsWe obtained 5915 specimens from 13 002 ILI cases and 2656 specimens from 10 726 sARI cases throughout the study period. We observed year‐round influenza activity with two possible peaks each year. The overall influenza detection rate was 23% in the ILI surveillance and 9% in the sARI surveillance. The mean annual outpatient incidence rate of influenza was 5·4 per 1000 individuals [95% confidence interval (CI), 1·83–12·7], and the mean annual incidence of influenza‐associated sARI was 1·0 per 1000 individuals (95% CI, 0·03–5·57). The highest incidence rates were observed among children aged <5 years, particularly those aged 6–23 months. Influenza posed a certain disease burden among inpatients and outpatients, particularly children aged <5 years, in an urbanized tropical city of the Philippines.
Seroprevalence of antibody to influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 attributed to vaccination or infection, before and after the second (2010) pandemic wave in Australia
Authors: McVernon Jodie , Laurie Karen , Faddy Helen , Irving David , Nolan Terry , Barr Ian , Kelso Anne 
Published: December 2013

ObjectivesHistorical records of influenza pandemics demonstrate variability in incidence and severity between waves. The influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic was the first in which many countries implemented strain‐specific vaccination to mitigate subsequent seasons. Serosurveys provide opportunity to examine the constraining influence of antibody on population disease experience.DesignChanges in the proportion of adults seropositive to influenza A(H1N1)pdm09over the 2009/10 (summer) interepidemic period and 2010 (winter) influenza season were measured to determine whether there was a temporal relationship with vaccine distribution and influenza activity, respectively.SettingAustralia.SamplePlasma samples were collected from healthy blood donors from seven cities at the end of the first wave (November 2009), and before (March/April 2010) and after (November 2010) the subsequent influenza season.Main outcome measuresHaemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays were performed to assess reactivity of plasma against A(H1N1)pdm09, and the proportion seropositive (HI titre ≥ 40) compared over time, by age group and location.ResultsBetween the 2009 and 2010 influenza seasons, the seropositive proportion rose from 22% to 43%, an increase observed across all ages and sites. Brisbane alone recorded a significant rise in seropositivity over the 2010 influenza season – from a baseline of 35% to 53%. The seropositive proportion elsewhere was ≥40% pre‐season, and did not rise over winter.ConclusionsA vaccine‐associated increase in seropositive proportion preceding the influenza season correlated with low levels of disease activity in winter 2010. These observations support the role of immunisation in mitigating the ‘second wave’ of A(H1N1)pdm09, with timing critical to ensure sustained herd protection.
Efficient estimation of distance‐dependent metrics in edge‐failing networks
Authors: Cancela Héctor , Robledo Franco , Rubino Gerardo , Sartor Pablo 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis article introduces a method for estimating performability metrics built upon non‐binary network states, determined by the hop distances between distinguished nodes. The estimation is performed by a Monte Carlo simulation where the sampling space is reduced using edge sets known as d‐pathsets and d‐cutsets. Numerical experiments over two mesh‐like networks are presented. They show significant efficiency improvements relative to the crude Monte Carlo method, in particular as link failures become rarer events, which is usually the case in most real communication networks.
Effect of Tm3+ Ions on the White Light Emission of Dy3+–Tm3+ Codoped SrMg2La2W2O12 Phosphors
Authors: Pavani K. , Suresh Kumar J. , Rama Moorthy L. 
Published: January 2014

Dy3+–Tm3+ ions codoped SrMg2La2W2O12 (strontium magnesium lanthanum tungstate) phosphors were synthesized by conventional high‐temperature solid‐state reaction method. X‐ray analysis of the end products revealed the well‐crystallized phases with orthorhombic structure. The functional groups present in the phosphors were studied by the Fourier transform infrared measurements. To know the potential applicability of these phosphors for white light emission, the excitation and emission spectra were recorded. The excitation spectra exhibited an intense broad band at 313 nm, pertaining to the O → W ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer state (LMCT) of the host. With the excitation of LMCT band (313 nm), the decay curves of singly doped SrMg2La2W2O12:Dy phosphors exhibited single exponential, where as the codoped SrMg2La2W2O12:DyTm phosphors exhibited double exponential nature. The luminescence colors of these phosphors were estimated from Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates using the photoluminescence data. The color of singly doped SrMg2La2W2O12:Dy phosphor has been tuned by codoping with Tm3+ ions. It has been noticed that the CIE chromaticity coordinates (x,y) determined from the luminescence spectrum of singly Dy3+ doped SrMg2La2W2O12 phosphor shifted toward the white light region, when codoped with Tm3+ ions. The increase in correlated color temperatures (Tcct) has been noticed with the increase of Tm3+ ions concentration in SrMg2La2W2O12:DyTm phosphors.
Improvement of Physical Properties for KNN‐based Ceramics by Modified Two‐Step Sintering
Authors: Zhang Jialiang , Qin Yalin , Gao Yong , Yao Weizeng , Zhao Minglei 
Published: January 2014

A modified two‐step sintering (MTSS) technique was attempted to fabricate dense (K,Na)NbO3‐based lead‐free ceramics through the solid‐state reaction route. (K0.50Na0.50)0.98Li0.02(Nb0.795Ta0.18Sb0.025)O3 and (K0.45Na0.55)0.98Li0.02Nb0.77Ta0.18Sb0.05O3 were chosen as the test chemical compositions, and high relative density values over 97.5% were successfully obtained in their corresponding ceramics. Consequently, the d33 values were enhanced considerably and reached 353 and 436 pC/N, respectively. The latter d33 value is a record one ever achieved in the (K,Na)NbO3‐based ceramic materials so far. Furthermore, observation analyses of microstructure and domain patterns were carried out and showed that partial depoling occurs more easily in large grains than in small ones. In particular, it was found that the (K0.50Na0.50)0.98Li0.02(Nb0.795Ta0.18Sb0.025)O3 ceramic densified by MTSS has a quite uniform grain‐size distribution with comparatively small grains and exhibits the very excellent time‐aging stability. The study results suggest that microstructure with high relative density and suitably suppressed grain sizes is desirable for further acquiring the superior KNN‐based ceramics of both excellent piezoelectric properties and good depoling stabilities.