bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antibodies in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Tsuboi Hiroto , Ohira Hiromasa , Asashima Hiromitsu , Tsuzuki Sayaka , Iizuka Mana , Matsuo Naomi , Kondo Yuya , Matsumoto Isao , Sumida Takayuki 
Published: April 2014

AimM3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3R) is expressed in biliary tracts as well as in exocrine glands. It is reported that some patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) carry autoantibodies against M3R. The aim of this study is to clarify the presence, potential use as diagnostic marker and clinical roles of anti‐M3R antibodies in PBC.MethodsWe synthesized peptides encoding the extracellular domains of human‐M3R, including the N‐terminal region, the first, second and third extracellular loops. Antibodies against these regions were examined by peptide‐based enzyme‐linked immunoassay in sera of 90 patients with PBC and 40 with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), 21 with non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), 10 with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), 14 with obstructive jaundice, 10 with drug‐induced liver injury and 42 healthy controls.ResultsAntibodies to the N‐terminal, first, second and third loop were detected in 90.0% (81/90), 73.3% (66/90), 76.7% (69/90) and 66.7% (60/90) of PBC, in 67.5% (27/40), 10.0% (4/40), 67.5% (27/40) and 27.5% (11/40) of CHC, in 85.7% (18/21), 9.5% (2/21), 4.8% (1/21) and 57.1% (12/21) of NASH, in 60.0% (6/10), 20.0% (2/10), 60.0% (6/10) and 60.0% (6/10) of PSC, in 100.0% (14/14), 0% (0/14), 64.3% (9/14) and 78.6% (11/14) of obstructive jaundice, in 100.0% (10/10), 0% (0/10), 30.0% (3/10) and 10.0% (1/10) of drug‐induced liver injury, and in 4.8% (2/42), 7.1% (3/42), 2.4% (1/42) and 2.4% (1/42) of the controls, respectively.ConclusionA high frequency of PBC carried anti‐M3R antibodies. Anti‐M3R antibodies against the first loop of M3R are a potentially useful diagnostic marker for PBC.
Association of chemokine receptor gene variants with HIV‐1 genotype predicted tropism
Authors: Parczewski M , Urbańska A , Maciejewska K , Clark J , Leszczyszyn‐Pynka M 
Published: April 2014

ObjectivesAs a switch from chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor 5 [CCR5 (R5)] to chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) receptor 4 [CXCR4 (X4)] HIV‐1 tropism is associated with symptomatic and AIDS stages of infection, while chemokine receptor gene variants modify the tempo of HIV disease progression, we aimed to analyse the association between pretreatment HIV‐1 tropism and chemokine polymorphisms known to restrict disease progression.MethodsV3 genotype tropism prediction was performed in a group of 221 treatment‐naïve patients, with subsequent CCR5 Δ32 (rs333), CCR2 V64I (rs1799864), CCR5 promoter (−627 C/T; rs1799988) and CX3CR1 V249I (rs3732378) genotyping performed in 206 patients. Alleles with a protective effect were assigned positive values while risk alleles were assigned negative values to calculate genetic scores. χ2 tests, Mann−Whitney U‐tests and logistic and linear regression models were used for statistical analyses.ResultsR5 tropism was found in 85.5% of patients (n = 189) using a false positive rate (FPR) of 5.75% and in 72.8% of patients (n = 161) using an FPR of 10%. A higher frequency of the 5.75% FPR predicted R5 tropism was associated with the CX3CR1 A allele (P = 0.027). Lower additive genetic scores were associated with an increased frequency of 5.75% FPR predicted R5 tropism (P = 0.0059), with the trend confirmed by logistic regression [odds ratio (OR) 0.5819; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3457–0.9795; P = 0.0416]. Viral load tended to increase with decreasing genetic score in the logistic regression analysis (slope = −0.127 ± 0.076; P = 0.095; r2 = 0.161).ConclusionsThe CX3CR1 A allele and lower genetic scores may restrict the switch of HIV‐1 tropism from R5 to X4. This effect may be associated with the amount of co‐receptor on the cell surface. Chemokine receptor gene polymorphisms influence both disease progression and tropism variability.
Antigen 43/Fcε3 chimeric protein expressed by a novel bacterial surface expression system as an effective asthma vaccine
Authors: Huang Feng‐Ying , Wang Cai‐Chun , Huang Yong‐Hao , Zhao Huan‐Ge , Guo Jun‐Li , Zhou Song‐Lin , Wang Hua , Lin Ying‐Ying , Tan Guang‐Hong 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe IgE Fcε3 domain is an active immunotherapeutic target for asthma and other allergic diseases. However, previous methods for preparing IgE fusion protein vaccines are complex. Antigen 43 (Ag43) is a surface protein found in Escherichia coli that contains α and β subunits (the α subunit contains multiple T epitopes). Here we constructed a novel Ag43 surface display system (Ag43 system) to express Ag43 chimeric proteins to disrupt immune tolerance against IgE. The Ag43 system was constructed from the E. coli strain Tan109, in which the Ag43 gene was deleted and a recombinant plasmid (pETAg43) expressing a partial Ag43 gene was introduced. The Fcε3 domain of the IgE gene was then subcloned into plasmid pETAg43, resulting in a recombinant plasmid pETAg43/Fcε3, which was used to transform Tan109 for Ag43/Fcε3 surface expression. Thereafter, Ag43/Fcε3 was investigated as an asthma vaccine in a mouse model. Ag43/Fcε3 was expressed on and could be separated from the bacterial surface by heating to 60° while retaining activity. Ag43/Fcε3, as a protein vaccine, produced neutralizing autoantibodies to murine IgE, induced significant anti‐asthma effects, and regulated IgE and T helper cytokines in a murine asthma model. Data show that Ag43/Fcε3 chimeric protein is a potential model vaccine for asthma treatment, and that the Ag43 system may be an effective tool for novel vaccine preparation to break immune tolerance to other self‐molecules.
A multiobjective optimization approach for location‐allocation of clinics
Authors: Beheshtifar Sara , Alimoahmmadi Abbas 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIn order to establish new healthcare facilities, their optimal number and locations should be determined. Unsuitable locations for these facilities may result in substandard customer services and increased expenses. To solve this location‐allocation problem, this study applied a multiobjective model that combined geographical information system (GIS) analysis with a multiobjective genetic algorithm. Optimum sites for new clinics were determined by considering four objectives: minimizing total travel cost, minimizing inequity in access to clinics, minimizing the land‐use incompatibility in the study area, and minimizing the costs of land acquisition and facility establishment. Chromosomes of varying lengths were used in the multiobjective optimization process. An important advantage of this is that multiple optimal solutions with different numbers of healthcare facilities can be compared directly. An a posteriori preference method was used in this study. TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) was applied to assess and compare the Pareto‐optimal solutions and to select the best solution according to different weight vectors. Visualization of the best solution according to each weight vector and compromising among different objectives provided valuable possibilities for selection of the best alternative to decision makers.
Genomic predictions across Nordic Holstein and Nordic Red using the genomic best linear unbiased prediction model with different genomic relationship matrices
Authors: Zhou L. , Lund M.S. , Wang Y. , Su G. 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThis study investigated genomic predictions across Nordic Holstein and Nordic Red using various genomic relationship matrices. Different sources of information, such as consistencies of linkage disequilibrium (LD) phase and marker effects, were used to construct the genomic relationship matrices (G‐matrices) across these two breeds. Single‐trait genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP) model and two‐trait GBLUP model were used for single‐breed and two‐breed genomic predictions. The data included 5215 Nordic Holstein bulls and 4361 Nordic Red bulls, which was composed of three populations: Danish Red, Swedish Red and Finnish Ayrshire. The bulls were genotyped with 50 000 SNP chip. Using the two‐breed predictions with a joint Nordic Holstein and Nordic Red reference population, accuracies increased slightly for all traits in Nordic Red, but only for some traits in Nordic Holstein. Among the three subpopulations of Nordic Red, accuracies increased more for Danish Red than for Swedish Red and Finnish Ayrshire. This is because closer genetic relationships exist between Danish Red and Nordic Holstein. Among Danish Red, individuals with higher genomic relationship coefficients with Nordic Holstein showed more increased accuracies in the two‐breed predictions. Weighting the two‐breed G‐matrices by LD phase consistencies, marker effects or both did not further improve accuracies of the two‐breed predictions.
Modulation of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate and apolipoprotein M levels in the plasma, liver and kidneys in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: Nojiri Takahiro , Kurano Makoto , Tokuhara Yasunori , Ohkubo Shigeo , Hara Masumi , Ikeda Hitoshi , Tsukamoto Kazuhisa , Yatomi Yutaka 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAims/IntroductionSphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P), a multifunctional bioactive lipid mediator, is involved in various diseases. Apolipoprotein M (ApoM) carries S1P on high‐density lipoprotein and modulates S1P metabolism to increase the total S1P mass in the body. Both S1P and ApoM are involved in diabetes.Materials and MethodsThe present study examined the modulation of S1P and ApoM levels in the plasma, liver and kidneys in streptozotocin‐induced diabetes (STZ) mice, and the effects of insulin on the S1P and ApoM levels in the plasma and liver in STZ mice and normal mice. We also examined the effects of insulin and glucose on the ApoM levels in HepG2 cells.ResultsIn STZ mice, both the plasma S1P and ApoM levels were higher than those in control mice. The hepatic S1P and ApoM contents were also elevated. The hepatic S1P and ApoM contents were reduced by insulin treatment, whereas high‐dose insulin decreased the plasma S1P and ApoM levels. In mice without streptozotocin treatment, the administration of insulin decreased the plasma S1P and ApoM levels, and the hepatic content of ApoM, whereas the hepatic level of S1P was not altered. Treatment with insulin and incubation under a low glucose level decreased the ApoM levels in HepG2 cells. Regarding the kidney, the renal levels of S1P and ApoM were increased in STZ mice, and insulin treatment partially restored this increment.ConclusionsIn STZ mice, the levels of S1P and ApoM in the plasma, liver, and kidneys were increased. Insulin treatment somehow reversed this modulation in STZ mice.
Role of obesity on the thickness of primary cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Skowron F. , Bérard F. , Balme B. , Maucort‐Boulch D. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundThick primary cutaneous melanoma (PCM) is associated with older age, male sex, being single, a low educational level, self‐detection and general practice detection, nodular melanoma (NM) and acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) types; and are found in the head–neck and lower limb locations. Obesity plays a direct role on melanoma tumour growth, as it has been shown in animal models, but its role in the thickness of PCM remains unknown.ObjectivesWe investigated the impact of obesity on the thickness of invasive PCM.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed in a prospective cohort for which we collected several clinical and histological data already known to be associated with thick PCM and the Body Mass Index from new cases of invasive PCM which were referred to the dermatology department in Valence.ResultsFour hundred and twenty‐seven patients were studied. In an univariate analysis, thick PCM was associated with low educational level, obesity, identification by the patient or the general practitioner (GP), location on the cephalic extremity, in a non‐visible area of the body, the NM and ALM type, and an ulceration. In a multivariate analysis, NM, ulceration, topography of the melanoma and identification of the melanoma by the patient or GP were significantly associated with thick melanoma. When including only clinical features in the model, low educational level, mode of melanoma identification and obesity were significantly associated with a risk of thick melanoma.ConclusionsObesity is a clinical independent risk factor of thick PCM. For health policies, governments should pay greater attention to detect melanoma in obese patients. Our results encourage the basic research on tumoural growth mechanisms due to obesity in melanoma.
Epicardial adipose tissue and coronary artery calcification in psoriasis patients
Authors: Torres T. , Bettencourt N. , Mendonça D. , Vasconcelos C. , Gama V. , Silva B.M. , Selores M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackgroundPsoriasis is a chronic, immune‐mediated disease associated with several cardio‐metabolic comorbidities, accelerated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Other causes beyond systemic inflammation and traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) may be implicated in the increased risk of CVD observed in these patients. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), a type of visceral adipose tissue surrounding the heart and coronary vessels has been implicated in the development of coronary artery disease, by endocrine mechanisms, but particularly by local inflammation.ObjectiveTo compare EAT volumes in psoriasis patients and controls using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to analyse if eventual differences were independent from abdominal visceral adiposity; to determine, within psoriasis patients, its relation with subclinical atherosclerosis and other markers of cardiometabolic risk.MethodsOne hundred patients with severe psoriasis, without CVD underwent MDCT, with EAT and abdominal visceral fat (AVF) assessment and coronary artery calcification (CAC) quantification and were compared with 202 control patients.ResultsEAT volume was increased in psoriasis patients compared to control subjects, independently from age, sex and AVF, being, on average, 15.2 ± 4.41 mL higher (95% CI: 6.5–26.0, P = 0.001) than in controls. Moreover, psoriasis patients had a statistically significant higher risk of having subclinical atherosclerosis (OR 2.52, 95% CI: 1.23–5.16) than controls, after adjusting for traditional CVRF. Within psoriasis patients EAT volume was associated with subclinical atherosclerosis, independently of age, sex, psoriasis duration, classical CVRF and AVF.ConclusionThis study showed that psoriasis was associated with increased EAT volume independently of visceral abdominal fat and with subclinical atherosclerosis. Within psoriasis patients EAT volume was independently associated with CAC. EAT may be another important contributor to the higher cardiovascular risk observed in psoriasis.
The serum proteome of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A multimodal approach to discovery of biomarkers of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Miller Michael H , Walsh Shaun V , Atrih Abdel , Huang Jeffrey T‐J , Ferguson Michael A J. , Dillon John F 
Published: April 2014

AbstractBackground and AimNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common condition affecting up to 25% of the developed world. It is a progressive disease, leading in some to the development of liver cirrhosis. Currently, accurate diagnosis and staging of this condition is only possible with histological examination of a liver biopsy. This gold standard test is neither suitable nor practical for large‐scale use as is necessary for a condition as common as NAFLD. The aim of this study is to describe the proteome of human NAFLD using two distinct shotgun proteomic methods, translating the findings into potential biomarkers of NAFLD.MethodsTwo distinct shotgun proteomic techniques (iTRAQ and label free) were used to describe the proteome of NAFLD. Thereafter, candidate biomarkers were selected for validation by ELISA.ResultsOver 550 protein identifications were made in the description of the NAFLD proteome. Several proteins were found to be significantly up/downregulated in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis compared with control, including apolipoprotein E (fold ratio of 1.67), insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 3 (IGFBP3, fold ratio of 1.642), Vitamin D‐binding protein (fold ratio of 4.587), and lymphocyte cytosolic protein1 (LCP1, fold ratio of 4.356). ELISA validation of a subset of these proteins confirms the validity of the proteomic studies and suggests possible new biomarkers of NAFLD.ConclusionSerum markers are able to distinguish between the stages of disease in NAFLD as well as detect the grade of fibrosis. Ultimately, noninvasive serum markers may replace liver biopsy in the investigation of patients with suspected NAFLD.
Uma cultura atrasada: The Luso‐Baroque Manezinha, Hyper‐Whiteness, and the Modern Middle Classes in Florianópolis, Brazil
Authors: Turner Jimmy 
Published: April 2014

ResumoO presente artigo investiga as opinões da classe média branca em Florianópolis sobre seus vizinhos descendentes da diáspora açoreana, conhecidos em Florianópolis como “manezinhos”. Este último grupo enfrenta preconceitos baseados na sua imagem de pessoas simples, atrasadas e presas na tradição. São rotulados como Luso‐Barrocos – sobras da época colonial, uma lembrança embaraçosa da colonização portuguesa. Pessoas da classe média se auto‐diferenciam dos “manezinhos”, pois estes são vistos como um anacronismo que passou ignorado pela época da democracia racial, e eu sugero que são visto como brancos e europeus demais para serem brasileiros. O artigo também apresenta uma análise de gênero ao investigar a construção das “manezinhas” pelas mulheres de classe média, uma construção que confere às manezinhas o papel de vítimas de sua cultura tradicional. É contra as “manezinhas” que a classe média busca construir uma modernidade brasileira pós‐colonial que melhora sua própria branquitude.
Amphetamine‐induced release of dopamine in primate prefrontal cortex and striatum: striking differences in magnitude and timecourse
Authors: Jedema Hank P. , Narendran Rajesh , Bradberry Charles W. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe psychostimulant amphetamine (AMPH) is frequently used to increase catecholamine levels in attention disorders and positron emission tomography imaging studies. Despite the fact that most radiotracers for positron emission tomography studies are characterized in non‐human primates (NHPs), data on regional differences of the effect of AMPH in NHPs are very limited. This study examined the impact of AMPH on extracellular dopamine (DA) levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and the caudate of NHPs using microdialysis. In addition to differences in magnitude, we observed striking differences in the temporal profile of extracellular DA levels between these regions that can likely be attributed to differences in the regulation of dopamine uptake and biosynthesis. The present data suggest that cortical DA levels may remain elevated longer than in the caudate which may contribute to the clinical profile of the actions of AMPH.
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Using microdialysis probes implanted in the cortex and caudate region of non‐human primate brains, we observed in vivo differences in the magnitude and temporal profile of extracellular dopamine levels in response to intravenous amphetamine administration.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for the relief of post‐partum uterine contraction pain during breast‐feeding: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: de Sousa Ligia , Gomes‐Sponholz Flávia A. , Nakano Ana Márcia S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) used to relieve uterine contraction pain during breast‐feeding in multiparous women.MethodsA controlled and randomized clinical trial was performed with 32 post‐partum multiparous women who were breast‐feeding. The participants were randomized into an experimental (EG, n = 16) and a control group (CG, n = 16). Pain was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale and the descriptors of the Present Pain Intensity (PPI – McGill) during two sequential feeds. In the first assessment, the post‐partum women in the EG and CG were monitored while breast‐feeding and questioned regarding the degree of uterine contraction pain. In the second assessment, which was performed at the next feed, the EG used TENS while the CG was monitored, with pain being reassessed following. In the EG, the TENS electrodes were placed between T10–L1 and S2–S4, with a frequency of 100 Hz, a pulse duration of 75 μs and amplitude adjusted to produce a strong and tolerable sensation for 40 min. A descriptive analysis of the data and comparative intra‐ and intergroup analyses were performed by means of a non‐parametrical test, with a significance level P ≤ 0.05.ResultsThe level of basal pain was 5.56 in the EG and 5.50 in the CG. In the intragroup analysis, the EG (P < 0.0001) and CG (P = 0.04) presented significant pain reduction. In the intergroup analysis, the EG had significant pain reduction (P < 0.01) in comparison to the CG. In the PPI analysis, a non‐significant decrease in pain intensity was observed in the EG.ConclusionTENS was found to be effective in reducing post‐partum uterine contraction pain during breast‐feeding.
Management of squamous cell vulvar cancer: A review
Authors: Deppe Gunter , Mert Ismail , Winer Ira S. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSquamous cell vulvar cancer is a rare gynecologic malignancy. Standard treatment for early stage disease consists of wide radical excision of the primary tumor with inguinal–femoral lymphadenectomy or sentinel lymph node mapping/biopsy. Because of the general paucity of patients with advanced vulvar cancer, there is no standard therapy for advanced disease and therefore treatment should be individualized. Intergroup trials are needed to clarify the value of chemoradiation, neoadjuvant chemotherapy and targeted therapy in patients with advanced squamous cell cancer of the vulva to identify modalities with the best therapeutic index and lowest morbidity.
Associations between the pre‐pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain with pregnancy outcomes in Japanese women
Authors: Tanaka Tomohito , Ashihara Keisuke , Nakamura Michihiko , Kanda Takayoshi , Fujita Daisuke , Yamashita Yoshiki , Terai Yoshito , Kamegai Hideki , Ohmichi Masahide 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimTo examine the associations between the pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) with pregnancy outcomes in Japanese women.MethodsThe medical records of 1883 Japanese women who delivered singleton infants from January 2010 to January 2013 at Osaka‐Minami Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed. We use the BMI classification which the World Health Organization defined for Asian populations and the GWG classified based on the current 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations. The odds ratio (OR) of each of the groups for the different pregnancy outcomes were compared to the recommended group using a logistic regression analysis adjusted by age, gestational weeks, parity, weight gain, mode of delivery, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and gestational diabetes mellitus.ResultsWomen who were obese (BMI, ≥25 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI, 23–24.9 kg/m2) had a higher rate of developing PIH (adjusted OR, 6.68 and 3.21 [95% confidence interval [CI], 3.31–13.3 and 1.29–7.24]). In contrast, GWG exhibited a correlation with the weight of the infant. The inadequate GWG group had a higher rate of small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) infants (adjusted OR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.22–2.46]). The rate of emergency cesarean section was not significantly different between the groups.ConclusionA pre‐pregnancy BMI less than 23 kg/m2 is desirable to prevent Japanese women from developing PIH. GWG within the IOM recommendations also reduced the risk of PIH and SGA.