bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous determination of four components in Baige capsule by HPLC: application to pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of normal and middle cerebral artery occlusion rats
Authors: Wang Yuanji , Wang Nan , Wu Lei , Lu Wen , Zhang Yanmin 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTA sensitive and specific high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and applied to the pharmacokinetics for simultaneous identification and quantification of four components – puerarin, daidzein, imperatorin and isoimperatorin – in the plasma and tissues of normal and middle cerebral artery occlusion rats after oral administration of Baige capsule. Ferulic was used as the internal standard. The extraction procedure was composed of two independent steps. The plasma was prepared by liquid–liquid extraction with light petroleum–acetic ether (1:1, v/v) first and then protein was precipitated with methanol. The tissue samples were weighted and homogenated with normal saline, then the homogenate was prepared by liquid–liquid extraction and protein precipitation. The parameters of pharmacokinetics were calculated using DAS 2.1.1 software. The calibration curves of all four components in the plasma and tissue homogenates were in good linearity in the measured range with R2 ≥ 0.9921. The relative standard deviation of the intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy at different levels was less than ±18.0%. In conclusion, the established method was a simple and effective one to simultaneously detect all four components in the plasma and tissues of rats, and was successfully applied in the pharmacokinetics of Baige capsule. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction processes during multiple object tracking (MOT): involvement of dorsal and ventral premotor cortices
Authors: Atmaca Silke , Stadler Waltraud , Keitel Anne , Ott Derek V. M. , Lepsien Jöran , Prinz Wolfgang 
Published: October 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe multiple object tracking (MOT) paradigm is a cognitive task that requires parallel tracking of several identical, moving objects following nongoal‐directed, arbitrary motion trajectories.AimsThe current study aimed to investigate the employment of prediction processes during MOT. As an indicator for the involvement of prediction processes, we targeted the human premotor cortex (PM). The PM has been repeatedly implicated to serve the internal modeling of future actions and action effects, as well as purely perceptual events, by means of predictive feedforward functions.Materials and methodsUsing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), BOLD activations recorded during MOT were contrasted with those recorded during the execution of a cognitive control task that used an identical stimulus display and demanded similar attentional load. A particular effort was made to identify and exclude previously found activation in the PM‐adjacent frontal eye fields (FEF).ResultsWe replicated prior results, revealing occipitotemporal, parietal, and frontal areas to be engaged in MOT.DiscussionThe activation in frontal areas is interpreted to originate from dorsal and ventral premotor cortices. The results are discussed in light of our assumption that MOT engages prediction processes.ConclusionWe propose that our results provide first clues that MOT does not only involve visuospatial perception and attention processes, but prediction processes as well.
Enhancing the Credibility of Reporting on Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe
Authors: De Beelde Ignace , Tuybens Sanne 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThis paper studies variables that have an effect on the choice of whether or not reports on corporate social responsibility are assured and who is selected to provide assurance. Such assurance reports increase the credibility of environmental and social reporting. In a European sample we observe some differences from previous research. Overall, industry effects seem small, but size and media visibility have a significant impact on assuring CSR reports. It seems that companies differentiate less between auditors and consultants. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Symptom burden and splenomegaly in patients with myelofibrosis in the United States: a retrospective medical record review
Authors: Mitra Debanjali , Kaye James A. , Piecoro Lance T. , Brown Jennifer , Reith Kelly , Mughal Tariq I. , Sarlis Nicholas J. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMyelofibrosis (MF) is a clonal hematopoietic malignancy characterized by constitutional and localized symptoms, progressive splenomegaly, bone marrow fibrosis, and cytopenias. Although MF is well studied, few studies exist regarding its symptomatic burden in routine clinical practice. This study aimed to characterize symptoms and other clinical features of MF among patients in the United States. We conducted a retrospective medical record review of adult patients with an MF diagnosis between 1 January 2005 and 31 March 2010, stratified by the presence of palpable splenomegaly. Eligible patients had 12 months or more of follow‐up after diagnosis (or after detection of splenomegaly, if present) unless death occurred. Demographic and clinical characteristics, MF‐related symptoms, and treatments were reported by treating physicians. We report on 180 MF patients: 102 with splenomegaly, 78 without. Median age was 66 years, 63% were male, and 82% had intermediate‐2 or high‐risk MF (International Prognostic Scoring System). Fatigue was reported by ~85% of patients; weight loss, night sweats, and fever (any grade) were each reported by 50% or more of patients. Generalized abdominal pain, left subcostal pain, and early satiety occurred more frequently among patients with splenomegaly. Multiple symptoms were reported by 95% of patients. Common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, and chronic pulmonary disease. Symptoms are common in MF patients, regardless of the presence of palpable splenomegaly. Careful assessment of symptom burden is an important aspect of the clinical evaluation of patients with MF.
Differential impact of the expression of the androgen receptor by age in estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer
Authors: Tokunaga Eriko , Hisamatsu Yuichi , Taketani Kenji , Yamashita Nami , Akiyoshi Sayuri , Okada Satoko , Tanaka Kimihiro , Saeki Hiroshi , Oki Eiji , Aishima Shinichi , Oda Yoshinao , Morita Masaru , Maehara Yoshihiko 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe evaluated the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) to determine its significance in breast cancer. AR expression levels were analyzed in 250 invasive breast cancers by immunohistochemistry and any association with the clinicopathological features was evaluated. AR expression was higher in estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive cases than in ER‐negative cases (P < 0.0001). AR expression was associated with ER level, and it increased with age in ER‐positive cases. The cut‐off value was determined to be 75% (Cancer Res. 2009;69:6131–6140), and AR expression was considered to be high in 155 (62%) cases. High AR expression significantly correlated with lower nuclear grade (P < 0.0001), ER and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0022), HER2 negativity (P = 0.0113), lower Ki67 index (P < 0.0001) and a longer disease‐free survival (DFS) and distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) (P = 0.0003 and 0.0107). This association between a high AR expression and a good DFS and DMFS was significant for ER‐positive tumors (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0018); however, no association existed between AR expression and prognosis for ER‐negative tumors. In patients ≤51 years old, a high AR expression level significantly correlated with a better prognosis, but this was not significant in patients who were 50 or younger. Multivariate Cox hazard analyses revealed AR expression to be independently associated with a good prognosis in overall patients (HR 0.46, P = 0.0052) and in the ER‐positive cohort (HR 0.34, P = 0.0009). AR expression is associated with a less aggressive phenotype and a good prognosis in patients with ER‐positive breast cancer. This is considered to be a specific phenomenon for postmenopausal breast cancer patients.
Ipilimumab and radiation therapy for melanoma brain metastases
Authors: Silk Ann W. , Bassetti Michael F. , West Brady T. , Tsien Christina I. , Lao Christopher D. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIpilimumab, an antibody that enhances T‐cell activation, may augment immunogenicity of tumor cells that are injured by radiation therapy. We hypothesized that patients with melanoma brain metastasis treated with both ipilimumab and radiotherapy would have improved overall survival, and that the sequence of treatments may affect disease control in the brain. We analyzed the clinical and radiographic records of melanoma patients with brain metastases who were treated with whole brain radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery between 2005 and 2012. The hazard ratios for survival were estimated to assess outcomes as a function of ipilimumab use and radiation type. Seventy patients were identified, 33 of whom received ipilimumab and 37 who did not. The patients who received ipilimumab had a censored median survival of 18.3 months (95% confidence interval 8.1–25.5), compared with 5.3 months (95% confidence interval 4.0–7.6) for patients who did not receive ipilimumab. Ipilimumab and stereotactic radiosurgery were each significant predictors of improved overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.43 and 0.45, with P = 0.005 and 0.008, respectively). Four of 10 evaluable patients (40.0%) who received ipilimumab prior to radiotherapy demonstrated a partial response to radiotherapy, compared with two of 22 evaluable patients (9.1%) who did not receive ipilimumab. Ipilimumab is associated with a significantly reduced risk of death in patients with melanoma brain metastases who underwent radiotherapy, and this finding supports the need for multimodality therapy to optimize patient outcomes. Prospective studies are needed and are underway.
Human motion reconstruction from sparse 3D motion sensors using kernel CCA‐based regression
Authors: Kim Jongmin , Seol Yeongho , Lee Jehee 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a real‐time performance animation system that reproduces full‐body character animation based on sparse three‐dimensional (3D) motion sensors on a performer. Producing faithful character animation from this setting is a mathematically ill‐posed problem, because input data from the sensors are not sufficient to determine the full degrees of freedom of a character. Given the input data from 3D motion sensors, we select similar poses from a motion database and build an online local model that transforms the low‐dimensional input signal into a high‐dimensional character pose. A regression method based on kernel canonical correlation analysis (CCA) is employed, because it effectively handles a wide variety of motions. Examples show that various human motions are naturally reproduced by the proposed method. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cell‐Permeable Caged Phosphates that Can Be Photolyzed by Visible Light or 800 nm Two‐Photon Photolysis
Authors: Herbivo Cyril , Omran Ziad , Revol Julia , Javot Hélène , Specht Alexandre 
Published: October 2013

AbstractWe report the synthesis and photolytic properties of caged inorganic phosphates (Pi compounds) based on the 2‐(4′‐{bis[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethyl]amino}‐4‐nitro‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐3‐yl)propan‐1‐ol (EANBP) and 7‐(diethylamino)coumarin‐4‐yl]methyl (DEACM) protecting groups. The EANBP‐Pi showed unprecedented photolysis efficiency at 405 nm, with 95 % release of free phosphate and a quantum yield of 0.28. Thanks to the high two‐photon sensitivity of the EANBP chromophore, Pi release through two‐photon photolysis is also possible, with an action cross section of 20.5 GM at 800 nm. Two bioactivatable acetoxymethyl protection groups were added to the “caged‐Pi” compounds. The resulting triesters of phosphoric acid were able to diffuse through the cellular membranes of plant cells. Once inside a cell, the cleavage of these biocleavable motifs by intracellular esterases allows intracellular accumulation of EANBP‐Pi. Bis(AM)‐EANBP‐Pi therefore represents a very attractive tool for study of the Pi signal transduction cascade in living cells.
Therapeutic effects of hepatocyte growth factor‐overexpressing human umbilical cord blood‐derived mesenchymal stem cells on liver fibrosis in rats
Authors: Seo Kyoung‐Won , Sohn Suh‐Young , Bhang Dong‐Ha , Nam Myeong‐Jin , Lee Hee‐Woo , Youn Hwa‐Young 
Published: October 2013

AbstractFibrosis is a common end stage for a variety of liver diseases, including most chronic liver diseases, and results from an imbalance between collagen deposition and degradation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to migrate into fibrotic livers and differentiate into hepatocytes. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has potent anti‐apoptotic and mitogenic effects on hepatocytes during liver injury and plays an essential role in the development and regeneration of the liver. In this study, human HGF‐overexpressing human umbilical cord blood‐derived MSCs (hHGF‐HUCB‐MSCs) were prepared using the pMEX Expression System, and the upregulation of hHGF expression was confirmed by RT‐PCR and ELISA. HGF expressed by hHGF‐HUCB‐MSCs exerted a stimulatory effect on hepatocyte proliferation in vitro. hHGF‐HUCB‐MSCs were transplanted to investigate the therapeutic effects of these cells on carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)‐induced liver fibrosis in a rat model. After 4 weeks of cell treatment once per week with 2 × 106 cells, biochemical analysis of the serum and histopathological analysis of the liver tissue were performed. The results of the biochemical analysis of the serum show that the hHGF‐HUCB‐MSC‐treated group had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase, indicating the improvement of liver function. Histopathology showed that the hHGF‐HUCB‐MSC‐treated group had reduction in the density of collagen fibres. Thus hHGF‐HUCB‐MSCs can enhance liver regeneration and could be useful for the treatment of patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.
Expression of embryonic stem cell markers and osteogenic differentiation potential in cells derived from periodontal granulation tissue
Authors: Ronay Valerie , Belibasakis Georgios N. , Attin Thomas , Schmidlin Patrick R. , Bostanci Nagihan 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study was to identify if cells obtained from periodontal granulation tissue possess embryonic stem cell properties and osteogenic capacities in vitro. Periodontal granulation tissue was removed from one furcation and one infrabony defect (FGTC/IGTC‐furcation/infrabony defect derived granulation tissue cells) of six patients. The extracted tissues were treated with collagenase/dispase solution, cultured and passaged twice, while a fraction of them was bacteriologically analyzed. Upon reaching confluence, total RNA was extracted, followed by cDNA synthesis and real‐time PCR analysis. Gene expression levels of collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the embryonic stem cell markers Nanog, Oct‐4, Rex‐1 and Sox‐2 were measured, calibrated against the housekeeping gene GAPDH. Further, osteogenic differentiation was induced. Mineralized matrix formation was confirmed by von Kossa staining, and ALP activity was measured colorimetrically. The total bacterial load amounted to 9.4 ± 14.6 × 106 counts/mg of tissue for IGTC, and 11.1 ± 6.1 × 106 counts/of tissue for FGTC. Among the embryonic stem cell markers (FGTC/IGTC), Nanog was most highly expressed (3.48 ± 1.2/5.85 ± 5.7), followed by Oct‐4 (1.79 ± 0.69/2.85 ± 2.5), Sox‐2 (0.66 ± 0.3/1.26 ± 1.4) and Rex‐1 (0.06 ± 0.0/0.04 ± 0.0). The osteogenic differentiation process was positive in both FGTC and IGTC, judged by increased von Kossa staining, and elevated ALP activity and gene expression. This study provides evidence that infected periodontal granulation tissue harbors cells expressing embryonic stem cell markers, and exhibiting osteogenic capacities when in culture in vitro.
Development of interspecies nuclear transfer embryos reconstructed with argali (Ovis ammon) somatic cells and sheep ooplasm
Authors: Pan Xiaoyan , Zhang Yanli , Guo Zhiqin , Wang Feng 
Published: October 2013

AbstractInterspecies nuclear transfer has already achieved success in several species, which shows great potential in recovery and conservation of endangered animals. The study was conducted to establish an efficient system for in vitro argali (Ovis ammon)‐sheep embryo reconstruction via interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer (iSCNT). The competence of domestic sheep cytoplasts to reprogram the adult argali fibroblast nuclei was evaluated, and the effects of enucleation methods and donor cell passage and cell state on the in vitro development of argali‐sheep cloned embryos were also examined. Sheep oocytes could support argali and sheep fibroblast cell nuclei transfer and develop to blastocysts in vitro. Oocytes matured for 21–23 h and enucleated by chemically assisted enucleation (CAE) had a higher enucleation rate than blind enucleation (BE), but the development rate of iSCNT embryos was the same (P > 0.05). Moreover, passage numbers of fibroblast cells <10, as well as the cell cycle stages did not affect the development rate of iSCNT reconstructed embryos. Thus sheep cytoplasm successfully supports argali nucleus development to blastocyst stage after optimising the nuclear transfer procedure, which indicates that iSCNT can be used to conserve endangered argali in the near future.
Role of microRNA‐27a in myoblast differentiation
Authors: Chen Xiaoling , Huang Zhiqing , Chen Daiwen , Yang Ting , Liu Guangmang 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous non‐coding RNAs that are critically involved in roles in various aspects of skeletal myogenesis. microRNA miR‐27a promotes myoblast proliferation by targeting myostatin, a critical inhibitor of skeletal muscle development, but its mode of action in myoblast differentiation remains unclear. We have found that expression of miR‐27a and myostatin were upregulated and downregulated, respectively, during myoblast differentiation. Overexpression of miR‐27a increased the number of myosin heavy chain (MHC)‐positive cells and upregulated mRNA and protein of MyoD and myogenin. These findings indicate that miR‐27a plays a role in enhancing myoblast differentiation.
Comparing the effect of equiaxial cyclic mechanical stimulation on GATA4 expression in adipose‐derived and bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Amin Susan , Banijamali Seyede Elnaz , Tafazoli‐Shadpour Mohammad , Shokrgozar Mohammad Ali , Dehghan Mohammad Mehdi , Haghighipour Nooshin , Mahdian Reza , Bayati Vahid , Abbasnia Pegah 
Published: October 2013

AbstractMyocardium is prone to mechanical stimuli among which pulsatile blood flow exerts both radial and longitudinal strains on the heart. Recent studies have shown that mechanical stimulation can notably influence regeneration of cardiac muscle cells. GATA4 is a cardiac‐specific transcription factor that plays an important role in late embryonic heart development. Our study aimed at investigating the effect of equiaxial cyclic strain on GATA4 expression in adipose‐derived (ASCs) and bone marrow‐derived (BMSCs) mesenchymal stem cells. For this reason, both ASCs and BMSCs were studied in four distinct groups of chemical, mechanical, mechano‐chemical and negative control. According to this categorisation, the cells were exposed to cyclic mechanical loading and/or 5‐azacytidine as the chemical factor. The level of GATA4 expression was then quantified using real‐time PCR method on the first, fourth and seventh days. The results show that: (1) equiaxial cyclic stimulation of mesenchymal stem cells could promote GATA4 expression from the early days of induction and as it went on, its combination with chemical factor elevated expression; (2) cyclic strain could accelerate GATA4 expression compared to the chemical factor; (3) in this regard, these results indicate a higher capacity of ASCs than BMSCs to express GATA4.
Incidence and implications of idiopathic thrombocytopenia following transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the Edwards Sapien© valves: A single center experience
Authors: McCabe James M. , Huang Pei‐Hsiu , Riedl Lauren A. , Devireddy Srikanth R. , Grondell Jennifer , Connors Annie C. , Davidson Michael J. , Eisenhauer Andrew C. , Welt Frederick G. P. 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesTo determine the incidence and etiology of thrombocytopenia following transcatheter Aortic valve replacement (TAVR).Backgroundthe use of TAVR in the United States has grown rapidly. Anecdotally, thrombocytopenia following TAVR with the Sapien valves has been observed, though little is known about this phenomenon.MethodsAll patients treated with TAVR using a Sapien valve or who underwent isolated balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) at Brigham and Women's Hospital from October 2009 through November 2012 were analyzed. Post‐procedure thrombocytopenia severity was stratified as none (>150,000 cells/μL), mild (100–150,000), and moderate to severe (<100,000). Summary statistics and simple comparisons were evaluated. Linear regression models were used to identify patient or procedural factors associated with platelet count nadir.Results112 TAVR and 105 BAV patients were analyzed. Following TAVR the prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 69% and the incidence of new thrombocytopenia was 45% compared to 37% and 17% respectively following BAV (P < 0.01). Similar results were found across all strata of thrombocytopenia severity. Post‐TAVR platelet nadirs were greater by 1,840 cells/μL for each 1% increase in STS score (P = 0.03) and 670 cells/μL greater for each 1 mmHg increase in pre‐TAVR mean aortic stenosis gradient. Among TAVR patients, thrombocytopenia appears to spontaneously resolve an average of 8 days post‐procedure. No differences in clinical outcomes based on thrombocytopenia severity were observed except for an increased use of blood products (P = 0.05).ConclusionsThrombocytopenia following TAVR with the Edwards' Sapien valves is a frequent but generally self‐limited process. The etiology of this phenomenon is unknown. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Working through complexities of radial and brachial vasculature during transradial approach
Authors: Patel Tejas , Shah Sanjay , Pancholy Samir , Radadiya Rajnikant , Deora Surender , Vyas Chirayu , Hamon Martial , Gilchrist Ian C. 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesThe aim of this review is to discuss different methods of working through radial artery (RA) and brachial artery (BA) vascular complexities to increase the success rate of transradial approach (TRA).BackgroundAnatomical complexities of RA and BA vasculature are an important reason for failure of TRA. There are few current data describing methods to overcome these challenges and reduce TRA failure.MethodsA series of the primary RA and BA anatomical complexities are identified and management techniques to overcome these variants are discussed.ResultsRA and BA vascular complexities can be divided into three subsets including (1) radial artery spasm (RAS); (2) variant anatomy including tortuosity, loops, and anomalous origin of RA; (3) acquired abnormalities including perforations, atherosclerotic lesions, and calcification of RA. In‐depth discussion with supportive examples for the identification and management of these challenges are provided. A classification of RAS and perforations is shown and simple algorithms that have been developed for management of RAS, perforations and loops are explained.ConclusionsDespite lower rates of bleeding and vascular complications as compared to transfemoral approach (TFA), the adoption has been relatively slow particularly due to higher failure rates. Anatomical complexities of RA and BA vasculature play an important role for TRA failure cases. Using a simply framework to classify the anatomical or functional problem, and then approach these challenges in a logical sequence should facilitate management and increase success rate for TRA. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.