bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tools for mass screening of G6PD deficiency: validation of the WST8/1-methoxy-PMS enzymatic assay in Uganda
Authors: De Niz Mariana , Eziefula Alice C , Othieno Lucas , Mbabazi Edith , Nabukeera Damalie , Ssemmondo Emmanuel , Gonahasa Samuel , Tumwebaze Patrick , DiLiberto Deborah , Maiteki-Sebuguzi Catherine , Staedke Sarah G , Drakeley Chris 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The distribution of the enzymopathy glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is linked to areas of high malaria endemicity due to its association with protection from disease. G6PD deficiency is also identified as the cause of severe haemolysis following administration of the anti-malarial drug primaquine and further use of this drug will likely require identification of G6PD deficiency on a population level. Current conventional methods for G6PD screening have various disadvantages for field use.

Methods
The WST8/1-methoxy PMS method, recently adapted for field use, was validated using a gold standard enzymatic assay (R&D Diagnostics Ltd ®) in a study involving 235 children under five years of age, who were recruited by random selection from a cohort study in Tororo, Uganda. Blood spots were collected by finger-prick onto filter paper at routine visits, and G6PD activity was determined by both tests. Performance of the WST8/1-methoxy PMS test under various temperature, light, and storage conditions was evaluated.

Results
The WST8/1-methoxy PMS assay was found to have 72% sensitivity and 98% specificity when compared to the commercial enzymatic assay and the AUC was 0.904, suggesting good agreement. Misclassifications were at borderline values of G6PD activity between mild and normal levels, or related to outlier haemoglobin values (<8.0 gHb/dl or >14 gHb/dl) associated with ongoing anaemia or recent haemolytic crises. Although severe G6PD deficiency was not found in the area, the test enabled identification of low G6PD activity. The assay was found to be highly robust for field use; showing less light sensitivity, good performance over a wide temperature range, and good capacity for medium-to-long term storage.

Conclusions
The WST8/1-methoxy PMS assay was comparable to the currently used standard enzymatic test, and offers advantages in terms of cost, storage, portability and use in resource-limited settings. Such features make this test a potential key tool for deployment in the field for point of care assessment prior to primaquine administration in malaria-endemic areas. As with other G6PD tests, outlier haemoglobin levels may confound G6PD level estimation.
Incidence and risk factors for postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome after laparoscopic and open radical gastrectomy
Authors: Meng Hongbo , Zhou Donglei , Jiang Xun , Ding Weixing , Lu Liesheng 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the differences and influencing factors for postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome incidence after laparoscopic and open radical gastrectomy.

Methods
Clinical data were collected for 563 patients who underwent open radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer and 72 cases receiving laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. We retrospectively analyzed the incidence of postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome, clinical features, course of disease, and risk factors of these two groups.

Results
There was no statistical difference for the incident rate of postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome between laparoscopic and open radical gastrectomy (6.9% vs. 3.7%, P > 0.05). Preoperative outflow tract obstruction and Billroth II anastomosis were the two risk factors for postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome in the open radical gastrectomy group and the laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer group. The same results were obtained from logistic regression statistical analysis. Age greater than 70 years was also one of the risk factors for postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome in the open radical gastrectomy group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions
Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer does not increase the incident rate of postsurgical gastroparesis syndrome.
Single-crystalline δ-Ni2Si nanowires with excellent physical properties
Authors: Chiu Wen-Li , Chiu Chung-Hua , Chen Jui-Yuan , Huang Chun-Wei , Huang Yu-Ting , Lu Kuo-Chang , Hsin Cheng-Lun , Yeh Ping-Hung , Wu Wen-Wei 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
In this article, we report the synthesis of single-crystalline nickel silicide nanowires (NWs) via chemical vapor deposition method using NiCl2·6H2O as a single-source precursor. Various morphologies of δ-Ni2Si NWs were successfully acquired by controlling the growth conditions. The growth mechanism of the δ-Ni2Si NWs was thoroughly discussed and identified with microscopy studies. Field emission measurements show a low turn-on field (4.12 V/μm), and magnetic property measurements show a classic ferromagnetic characteristic, which demonstrates promising potential applications for field emitters, magnetic storage, and biological cell separation.
Cellular re- and de-programming by microenvironmental memory: why short TGF-β1 pulses can have long effects
Authors: Tan Ariel Bing-Shi , Kress Sebastian , Castro Leticia , Sheppard Allan , Raghunath Michael 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Fibrosis poses a substantial setback in regenerative medicine. Histopathologically, fibrosis is an excessive accumulation of collagen affected by myofibroblasts and this can occur in any tissue that is exposed to chronic injury or insult. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a crucial mediator of fibrosis, drives differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. These cells exhibit α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and synthesize high amounts of collagen I, the major extracellular matrix (ECM) component of fibrosis. While hormones stimulate cells in a pulsatile manner, little is known about cellular response kinetics upon growth factor impact. We therefore studied the effects of short TGF-β1 pulses in terms of the induction and maintenance of the myofibroblast phenotype.

Results
Twenty-four hours after a single 30 min TGF-β1 pulse, transcription of fibrogenic genes was upregulated, but subsided 7 days later. In parallel, collagen I secretion rate and α-SMA presence were elevated for 7 days. A second pulse 24 h later extended the duration of effects to 14 days. We could not establish epigenetic changes on fibrogenic target genes to explain the long-lasting effects. However, ECM deposited under singly pulsed TGF-β1 was able to induce myofibroblast features in previously untreated fibroblasts. Dependent on the age of the ECM (1 day versus 7 days’ formation time), this property was diminished. Vice versa, myofibroblasts were cultured on fibroblast ECM and cells observed to express reduced (in comparison with myofibroblasts) levels of collagen I.

Conclusions
We demonstrated that short TGF-β1 pulses can exert long-lasting effects on fibroblasts by changing their microenvironment, thus leaving an imprint and creating a reciprocal feed-back loop. Therefore, the ECM might act as mid-term memory for pathobiochemical events. We would expect this microenvironmental memory to be dependent on matrix turnover and, as such, to be erasable. Our findings contribute to the current understanding of fibroblast induction and maintenance, and have bearing on the development of antifibrotic drugs.
Sequencing and validation of housekeeping genes for quantitative real-time PCR during the gonadotrophic cycle of Diploptera punctata
Authors: Marchal Elisabeth , Hult Ekaterina F , Huang Juan , Tobe Stephen S 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Quantitative RT-PCR (q-RT-PCR) is a powerful tool that allows for the large scale analysis of small changes in gene expression. Accurate and reliable results depend on the use of stable reference genes for normalization. However, the expression of some widely used housekeeping genes can vary under different experimental setups. To our knowledge, no validation studies have been reported for reference genes in cockroaches. The aim of the current study is the identification and validation of a set of eight housekeeping genes during the first gonadotrophic cycle of the cockroach, Diploptera punctata. This study made use of two different algorithms (geNorm and Normfinder) to evaluate the stability of gene expression.

Results
Candidate housekeeping genes were sequenced: β-actin (Actin), elongation factor 1 alpha (EF1a), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), armadillo (Arm), ribosomal protein L32 (RpL32), succinate dehydrogenase (SDHa), annexin IX (AnnIX) and α-tubulin (Tub). The expression of these eight genes was analyzed in corpora allata (CA) and ovaries of adult female D. punctata. Both geNorm, as well as Normfinder characterized SDHa, EF1a and Arm as being the most stably expressed in the corpora allata. In the ovary, the geNorm calculation showed Tub, EF1a and RpL32 to be most stable, whereas Normfinder identified Tub, EF1a and Arm as the best. In ovary, the least stable gene was Actin, challenging its usefulness in normalization. As a proof of principle, the expression of follicle cell protein 3c and CYP15A1 was monitored during the first gonadotrophic cycle.

Conclusion

Arm and EF1a form the most stably expressed combination of two reference genes out of the eight candidates that were tested in the corpora allata. Our results show that the combined use of Tub, EF1a and RpL32 ensures an accurate normalization of gene expression levels in ovary of D. punctata. Our study has indicated that neither Actin nor AnnIX should be used for normalization of transcript levels when studying the first gonadotrophic cycle in CA or ovary of D. punctata. The results stress the necessity for validation of reference genes in q-RT-PCR studies in cockroaches.
Unusual cerebral vascular prion protein amyloid distribution in scrapie-infected transgenic mice expressing anchorless prion protein
Authors: Rangel Alejandra , Race Brent , Klingeborn Mikael , Striebel James , Chesebro Bruce 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
In some prion diseases, misfolded aggregated protease-resistant prion protein (PrPres) is found in brain as amyloid, which can cause cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Small diffusible precursors of PrPres amyloid might flow with brain interstitial fluid (ISF), possibly accounting for the perivascular and intravascular distribution of PrPres amyloid. We previously reported that PrPres amyloid in scrapie-infected transgenic mice appeared to delay clearance of microinjected brain ISF tracer molecules.

Results
Here we studied distribution of PrPres amyloid on capillaries, arteries and veins to test whether vascular specificity of PrPres corresponded to distribution of ISF tracer molecules. To distinguish PrPres-positive arteries from veins and capillaries, scrapie-infected mouse brains were studied by immunodetection of alpha smooth muscle actin. ISF was studied using fluorescein-labeled ovalbumin microinjected into brain as a tracer. In infected preclinical or clinical mice, PrPres was found mostly on capillaries (73-78%). Lower levels were found on arteries (11-14%) and veins (11-13%). Compared to PrPres, ISF tracer was found at higher levels on capillaries (96-97%), and the remaining tracer was found at a skewed ratio of 4 to 1 on arteries and veins respectively.

Conclusions
PrPres association with blood vessels suggested that ISF flow might transport diffusible PrPres precursor molecules to perivascular sites. However, the different vascular specificity of PrPres and ISF tracer indicated that ISF flow did not alone control PrPres dissemination. Possibly blood vessel basement membrane (BM) components, such as glucosaminoglycans, might concentrate small PrPres aggregates and serve as scaffolds for PrP conversion on multiple vessel types.
Development, inheritance and breeding potential of a recessive genic male sterile line D248A in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Yang Minmin , Wu Kun , Zhou Xinan , Zhao Yingzhong 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Genic male sterility (GMS) has great potential for heterosis exploitation in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Two spontaneous male-sterile plants were discovered in a Chinese sesame cultivar (Zhuzhi 4) in 2006. By consecutive sib mating with fertile plants from Zhuzhi 4, a new sterile line, D248A, was developed. Anatomy studies showed that D248A has thin, small and greenish anthers on which there are no or little pollen grains. The pollens are irregularly shaped and completely aborted, resulting in no germination and no formation of pollen tubes as revealed by acetocarmine stain or semi-solid suspension culture. Furthermore, D248A has a better performance in growth vigor, bloom duration and yield per plant than the other GMS lines (i.e. 95 ms-2A and 95 ms-5A). To investigate the inheritance mode of fertility, D248A was crossed and backcrossed with six varieties, and a segregating ratio of 3:1 and 1:1 for fertile and sterile plants was observed in F2 and BC1 populations, respectively. These results suggested that D248A is controlled by a recessive GMS gene. The average yield of four D248A-derived F1 hybrids is as high as 1695 kg·ha-1, which is almost twice of that of 95 ms-5A-derived F1 hybrids. These results indicated that this newly developed recessive GMS line has great potential in sesame hybrid breeding.
The mechanisms of the widespread production of phosphorylated HSP25 after fatiguing muscle stimulation
Authors: Jammes Yves , Steinberg Jean G. , Olivier Marine , Brerro-Saby Christelle , Condo Jocelyne , Ravailhe Sylvie , Guieu Regis , Delliaux Stephane 
Published: June 2013

SummaryWe already showed a widespread heat shock protein (HSP) response to fatigue of a single hindlimb muscle, responsible for a global adaptive response to an acute localized stress. We also demonstrated that the HSP response resulted from the activation of nerve afferents from the stimulated muscle. However, we did not examine the role played by the different muscle afferents as well as the efferent arm of HSP response. We here measured the changes in phosphorylated HSP25 (pHSP25) levels in resting hindlimb muscles, the diaphragm, kidney, and brain in response to a fatiguing stimulation of one tibialis anterior (TA) muscle which was repeated in five series of experiments: 1) intact muscle innervation, 2) during the selective procaine block of conduction in group IV muscle afferents, 3) after muscle nerve transection to suppress all the sensory messages, under pharmacological blockade of the 4) alpha adrenergic or 5) glutamatergic neurotransmission. The data showed that: 1) the pHSP25 response in hindlimb muscles resulted from the stimulation of both the groups III and IV muscle afferents while the pHSP25 response in the diaphragm, kidney, and brain resulted from the sole activation of the group IV fibres, 2) the blockade of alpha adrenergic, but not that of glutamatergic neurotransmission, suppressed the pHSP25 response in all the explored tissues except the brain. The present study highlights the role played by the groups III and IV muscle afferents in the fatigue-induced pHSP25 response and shows that the sympathetic nerve supply to the muscles and kidney represents the efferent arm of the pHSP25 activation. However, the pHSP25 changes in the brain cannot be explained by the pathways investigated here.
Gabapentin Versus Chlordiazepoxide for Outpatient Alcohol Detoxification Treatment
Authors: Stock Christopher J , Carpenter Lindsay , Ying Jian , Greene Tom 
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND Benzodiazepines are used to treat alcohol withdrawal (AW) but cause cognitive impairment, sedation, and ataxia, and interact with alcohol. Nonbenzodiazepine anticonvulsants are promising and possibly safer alternatives for the treatment of AW. OBJECTIVE To compare follow-up measures of Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS), ataxia rating, and Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol revised (CIWA-Ar) symptoms between alcohol-dependent individuals randomized to treatment with gabapentin or chlordiazepoxide. METHODS A randomized, double-blind study was conducted in US veterans with alcohol withdrawal (DSM-IV criteria). Subjects requiring hospitalization or taking benzodiazepines or nonbenzodiazepine anticonvulsants were excluded. Twenty-six participants were randomized: 17 received gabapentin and 9 received chlordiazepoxide. Gabapentin doses were 1200 mg orally for 3 days, followed by 900 mg, 600 mg, and 300 mg for 1 day each. Chlordiazepoxide doses were 100 mg orally for 3 days, followed by 75 mg, 50 mg, and 25 mg for 1 day each. CIWA-Ar, ESS, PACS scales and evaluation for ataxia were administered daily. RESULTS Follow-up mean ESS and PACS scores did not differ significantly between treatment groups in the early treatment period (days 1–4) but were lower (mean difference −3.70; 95% CI −7.21 to −0.19; p = 0.04) and (mean difference −6.05; 95% CI −12.82 to 0.72; p = 0.08), respectively, at the end of the treatment period (days 5–7) in gabapentin-treated subjects. CIWA-Ar scores were reduced similarly in both groups. Ataxia was not observed. No significant adverse events were noted. Limitations include our small sample size and 35% loss to follow-up at the end of the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS In ambulatory veterans with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, gabapentin treatment resulted in significantly greater reduction in sedation (ESS) and a trend to reduced alcohol craving (PACS) by the end of treatment compared to chlordiazepoxide treatment. Although limited by the small sample size, the suggestion of reduction in sleepiness and less craving warrants replication of the study with a larger sample.
Changes in Cholesterol-Lowering Medications Use Over a Decade in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Lo-Ciganic Wei-Hsuan , Boudreau Robert M , Gray Shelly L , Zgibor Janice C , Donohue Julie M , Perera Subashan , Newman Anne B , Simonsick Eleanor M , Bauer Douglas C , Satterfield Suzanne , Hanlon Joseph T 
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND The impact of evidence-based guidelines and controlled trial data on use of cholesterol-lowering medications in older adults is unclear. OBJECTIVE To examine whether utilization patterns of cholesterol-lowering medications in community-dwelling older adults changed following the release of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines and results from the Prospective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk in 2002. METHODS Community-dwelling elderly individuals who were enrolled in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study in 1997–1998 were followed for up to 11 years. An interrupted time series analysis with multivariable generalized estimating equations (GEEs) was used to examine changes in level and trend in cholesterol-lowering medication use before and after 2002, adjusting for sociodemographics, health-related behaviors, and health status. RESULTS Cholesterol-lowering medication use increased nearly 3-fold from 14.9% in 1997–1998 to 42.6% in 2007–2008, with statins representing the most common class used (87–94%). Multivariable GEE results revealed no significant difference in the level of cholesterol-lowering medication use after 2002 (adjusted OR 0.95; 95% CI 0.89–1.02). Multivariable GEE results revealed that trend changes in the rate of increase in cholesterol-lowering medication declined after 2002 (adjusted ratio of ORs 0.92; 95% CI 0.89–0.95). CONCLUSIONS The use of cholesterol-lowering medication increased substantially over a decade in community-dwelling elderly individuals but was not related to a change in level or trend following the release of the guidelines and evidence-based data.
Solipsism, self-indulgence and circular arguments: Why autoethnography promises much more than it delivers
Authors: Freeman John 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The dominance of autoethnography has obscured a measured evaluation of the compatibility of autoethnographic research with its subject matter, and also of the research value of predominantly personal narratives – those stories by researchers who locate and regard themselves as the research subject and who then write evocative stories of their experiences. These are often the most difficult forms for autoethnography to accommodate, relying as they do on experience reading as its own analysis and diary-like description of the researcher/writer’s life standing for a retelling that provides an adequate informing of our understanding of a particular cultural context. It can be hard to distinguish these stories from autobiography. In these cases, autoethnography often appears to be used as little more than a relatively research-friendly term, as something that sounds more academically legitimate than autobiography but which has more in common with drawing the reader into the researcher’s own life than using one’s culturally located experiences as something that opens a door onto wider understanding.
A rare cause of neonatal hydrocephalus
Authors: Davidson Sarah Louise , Theodoulou Angela , Kempley Stephen Terence , Pasi John 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
A term male infant was delivered by normal vaginal delivery following an uneventful pregnancy. He presented at 3 days of age with jaundice, weight loss, and poor feeding. He rapidly deteriorated with hypotonia, seizures, a tense fontanelle, and depressed conscious level. A cranial ultrasound scan showed moderate lateral and third ventricular dilatation, with no visible fourth ventricle. Doppler measurements showed absent diastolic flow, confirming markedly raised intracranial pressure. Cerebrospinal fluid pressure was markedly elevated and coagulation profile showed a specific prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time. Factor VIII assay confirmed haemophilia and a computed tomography scan showed a posterior fossa haemorrhage that was effacing the fourth ventricle and causing an acute hydrocephalus. He was managed with cerebrospinal fluid drainage and recombinant factor VIII concentrate. Posterior fossa haemorrhage is an unusual cause of acute high pressure hydrocephalus in the term neonate. Haemophilia should be considered as a cause of unusual intracranial haemorrhage in term neonates.
Regulation of apoptosis in adipocytes and breast cancer cells by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3: a link between obesity and breast cancer
Authors: Sergeev Igor N. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Modulation of apoptosis is emerging as a promising strategy for prevention and treatment of breast cancer and obesity because removal of mammary cancer cells and mature adipocytes through this process will result in decreasing tumor size and produce long-term reduction in adipose tissue mass. The hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) triggers apoptosis in breast cancer cells and adipocytes via the induction of the apoptotic Ca2+ signal – a sustained increase in concentration of intracellular Ca2+. This signal acts as an apoptotic initiator that directly recruits Ca2+-dependent apoptotic effectors, calpain and caspase 12, in breast cancer cells and adipocytes. Normal mammary epithelial cells are resistant to 1,25(OH)2D3-induced, Ca2+-mediated apoptosis because the mechanisms regulating Ca2+ in these cells do not sustain Ca2+ increase at the apoptosis-inducing level. Induction of apoptosis with 1,25(OH)2D3 in adipose tissue, particularly in the tumor-surrounding adipose tissue involved in tumor progression, can contribute to the anticancer effects of the hormone. The 1,25(OH)2D3-Ca2+ link between obesity and breast cancer supports the rationale to include Ca2+-dependent apoptotic proteases as molecular targets for the discovery of new therapeutic and preventive agents for breast cancer and obesity; it also supports the recommendation to maintain adequate or increased vitamin D and calcium intakes as one of the possible ways to protect against breast cancer and decrease adiposity.