bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BASI, A Potent Small Molecular Inhibitor, Inhibits Glioblastoma Progression by Targeting microRNA‐mediated β‐Catenin Signaling
Authors: Shi Zhen‐Dong , Qian Xiao‐Min , Zhang Jun‐Xia , Han Lei , Zhang Kai‐Liang , Chen Lu‐Yue , Zhou Xuan , Zhang Jian‐Ning , Kang Chun‐Sheng 
Published: May 2014

SummaryBackground and AimsThe nuclear localization of β‐catenin, a mediator of canonical Wnt signaling, has been indicated in a variety of cancers and is frequently related to tumor progression and metastasis. Therefore, targeting β‐catenin is an attractive therapeutic strategy for cancers.MethodsHerein, we identified a natural, small molecule inhibitor of β‐catenin signaling, BASI, and evaluated its therapeutic efficacy both in vitro and in orthotopic mouse models of glioma.ResultsBASI significantly suppressed proliferation and invasion and induced apoptosis in glioblastoma cells and resulted in the remarkable attenuation of orthotopic tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, we found that BASI altered the expression of several microRNAs, which mediated the posttranscriptional silencing of β‐catenin expression either directly or indirectly through a von Hippel‐Lindau (VHL)‐mediated β‐catenin degradation pattern.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings offer preclinical validation of BASI as a promising new type of β‐catenin inhibitor with a mechanism of inhibition that has broad potential for the improved treatment of glioblastoma.
Tumour repopulation and the role of abortive division in squamous cell carcinomas during chemotherapy
Authors: Marcu L. G. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectivesIn head and neck cancers, tumour cell repopulation during chemotherapy is one reason for treatment failure. Some of the mechanisms responsible for this repopulation are cell recruitment and abortive division. Due to lack of quantitative data in the literature regarding these mechanisms, the aim of this study was to investigate the interplay between recruitment and abortive division during cisplatin chemotherapy and to quantify the impact of these mechanisms on tumour control.Materials and methodsAn in silico Monte Carlo tumour model was developed to simulate tumour behaviour during chemotherapy. The virtual tumour had the composition and kinetic properties of a biological tumour. Effect of cisplatin on cell cycle and repopulation mechanisms were simulated and interpreted.ResultsAbortive division contributed to cell production within the tumour during chemotherapy. There was a strong relationship between recruitment and tumour growth due to abortive division. This observation was supported by the value of proliferative/stem ratio, which increased from 1.3 to 36, even when using small recruitment parameters.ConclusionsWhile abortive division contributed towards tumour repopulation during chemotherapy, this mechanism could be controlled by daily doses of cisplatin. On the other hand, stem cells require an additional cytotoxic agent to overcome repopulation due to cell recruitment. Consequently, repopulation via abortive division during chemotherapy did not entail alterations in treatment schedule, nor dose escalation, to control the tumour.
Differential characteristics and in vitro angiogenesis of bone marrow‐ and peripheral blood‐derived endothelial progenitor cells: evidence from avian species
Authors: Shah Q. A. , Tan X. , Bi S. , Liu X. , Hu S. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectivesThis study was conducted to compare phenotypes and in vitro angiogenic capacity of putative endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB), from an avian species.Materials and methodsMononuclear cells were isolated from chicken BM and PB (BMMNCs and PBMNCs) and cultured in EGM‐2 medium. Cells at days 7–14 were used for the experiments. Expression of progenitor and endothelial markers, number of Dil–ac–LDL/lectin dual‐positive cells and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation were determined. Migration and in vitro angiogenic ability between BMMNC‐ and PBMNC‐derived cells were compared.ResultsPBMNCs developed typical EPC appearance, with initial spindle shape followed by a cobblestone form, whereas BMMNC‐derived cells retained their constitutive spindle‐like morphology throughout the study. Cells derived from both sources expressed CD133, CD31 and VEGFR‐2, although PBMNCs‐derived cells had lower CD133 expression. Nevertheless, number of Dil–ac–LDL/lectin dual‐positive cells did not differ between groups. Adipogenic and osteogenic lineages were verified in BMMNC‐ but not in PBMNC‐derived cells. PBMNC‐derived cells formed tubular networks on Matrigel. However, BMMNC‐derived cells formed few tube‐like structures, which were not morphologically comparable to those developed by their counterparts.ConclusionOur results suggest that so called EPCs derived from BMMNCs are not ‘true’ EPCs, supporting previous findings on mammals that BM may not serve as an optimal isolation source of EPCs.
Hypermethylation of p15 Gene in Diffuse – Large B‐Cell Lymphoma: Association with Less Aggressiveness of the Disease
Authors: Krajnović Milena , Jovanović Maja Peruničić , Mihaljević Biljana , Anđelić Boško , Tarabar Olivera , Knežević‐Ušaj Slavica , Krtolica Koviljka 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn this study, methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate the potential prognostic significance of the methylation status of p15, p16, MGMT, and DAPK genes in 51 specimens of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Hypermethylation of p15 gene was significantly more prevalent in patients without relapse (p = 0.001) and there was a trend toward more frequent presence of p15 methylation in patients without death outcome within 5‐year follow‐up period (p = 0.086) Also, there was a trend toward accumulation of p15 methylation with favorable clinicopathological parameters including: age ≤ 60 years (p = 0.091), normal levels of lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.090), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status < 2 (p = 0.095), and low/intermediate low International Prognostic Index (p = 0.076). In the female group and group of the patients without bulky tumor mass, treated with chemotherapeutic regimens including rituximab, methylation of p15 was significantly related to longer overall survival (p = 0.036 and 0.027, respectively). Our results suggest that promoter methylation of p15 gene could have prognostic value in DLBCL patients treated with rituximab when used in combination with gender and tumor size.
Amphibians over the edge: silent extinction risk of Data Deficient species
Authors: Howard Sam D. , Bickford David P. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimTo apply mathematical models to the task of predicting extinction risk for species currently listed as ‘Data Deficient’ (DD) by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We demonstrate this approach by applying it globally to amphibians, the vertebrate group recognized as being most extinction threatened and having the largest proportion of DD species. We combine model predictions with current extinction risk knowledge to highlight regions of greatest disparity between known and predicted risk, where potential species extinctions may be overlooked.LocationGlobal.MethodsUsing global amphibian distribution data obtained from the IUCN and species trait data, we apply machine learning randomForest models to predict extinction risk of DD species from life history traits, environmental variables and habitat loss. These models are trained using data for species that have been assigned to an extinction risk category (other than DD) by the IUCN. We then combine predictions for DD species with IUCN assessment data in a GIS framework to highlight anomalies between current knowledge of amphibian extinction risk and our model predictions.ResultsWe show that DD amphibian species are likely to be more threatened with extinction than their fully assessed counterparts. Regions in South America, central Africa and North Asia are particularly at risk due to lack of species knowledge and higher extinction risk than currently recognized.Main conclusionsApplication of predictive models ranking regions and species most in need of primary research allows prioritization of limited resources in an informed context, minimizing risk of unnoticed species' extinction.
Diffusion tensor imaging in pediatric Chiari type I malformation
Authors: Eshetu Tadesse , Meoded Avner , Jallo George I , Carson Benjamin S , Huisman Thierry AGM , Poretti Andrea 
Published: May 2014

AimChiari type I malformation (C1M) may be symptomatic or asymptomatic as an incidental finding. In this retrospective study, we applied diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to study the brainstem and cerebellar white matter tracts in C1M.MethodDiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were acquired on a 1.5T MR‐scanner using balanced pairs of diffusion gradients along 20 non‐collinear directions. Measurements from regions of interest in each pontine corticospinal tract, medial leminscus, and middle cerebellar peduncle (MCP) and in the lower brainstem were obtained for fractional anisotropy and mean, axial, and radial diffusivity. Values in symptomatic and asymptomatic children, and children with and without hydromyelia were compared using analysis of variance.ResultsFifteen children with C1M (10 males, five females; six symptomatic [four with hydromyelia] and nine asymptomatic) were included. Median age was 6 years 5 months (range 2y 10mo–15y 4mo). No significant differences in DTI scalars were found in the lower brainstem. In both MCPs, axial diffusivity values were lower in symptomatic than in asymptomatic children (p=0.049 and p=0.035 respectively) and higher in children with hydromyelia versus without hydromyelia (p=0.018 and p=0.006 respectively). In the left MCP, mean diffusivity values were lower in symptomatic than in asymptomatic children (p=0.047).InterpretationOur results show that microstructural tissue alterations may be present in C1M. Additionally, our study suggests a specific role for the MCPs in C1M. Further large‐scale studies are warranted.
High prevalence in Malawi of sight‐threatening retinopathy and visual impairment caused by diabetes: identification of population‐specific targets for intervention
Authors: Burgess P. I. , Allain T. J. , García‐Fiñana M. , Beare N. A. V. , Msukwa G. , Harding S. P. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimsTo report the prevalence of all grades of diabetic retinopathy and associations with demographic, clinical and biochemical variables in people with diabetes in Southern Malawi.MethodsWe report baseline data from a 24‐month prospective cohort study. Subjects were systematically sampled from two hospital‐based, primary care diabetes clinics. Visual acuity, glycaemic control, systolic blood pressure, HIV status, urine albumin–creatinine ratio, and haemoglobin and serum lipid levels were assessed. Retinopathy was graded at an accredited reading centre using modified Wisconsin grading of four‐field mydriatic photographs.ResultsA total of 357 subjects were studied. Of these, 13.4% subjects were HIV‐positive and 15.1% had anaemia. The overall prevalence rates of any retinopathy, sight‐threatening diabetic retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy were 50.1% (95% CI 44.9–55.3), 29.4% (95% CI 24.7–34.1) and 7.3% (95% CI 4.6–10.0), respectively. In multivariate logistic analysis the presence of sight‐threatening retinopathy was associated with duration of diabetes (odds ratio 1.11, 95% CI 1.05–1.17), HbA1c (odds ratio 1.31, 95% CI 1.13–1.50), systolic blood pressure (odds ratio 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.04), haemoglobin (odds ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.96–0.99) and LDL cholesterol (odds ratio 1.63, 95% CI 1.18–2.25). No significant association with HIV status was observed. In all, 3.6 and 1.4% of people in our study cohort had visual acuity worse than 6/18 and 6/60 in the better eye, respectively.ConclusionsThe present study found a prevalence of sight‐threatening retinopathy in diabetes clinics in one Sub‐Saharan African country of approximately four times that reported in recent European studies and a prevalence of proliferative retinopathy approximately 10 times higher. The association of sight‐threatening retinopathy with lower haemoglobin level is a new finding. Our results highlight the urgent need for provision of services for retinopathy detection and management to avoid a large burden of vision loss.
Hypoglycaemia symptoms and impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia in adults with Type 1 diabetes: the association with diabetes duration
Authors: Olsen S. E. , Åsvold B. O. , Frier B. M. , Aune S. E. , Hansen L. I. , Bjørgaas M. R. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimsTo examine the association between diabetes duration and hypoglycaemia symptom profiles and the presence of impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was performed, using validated methods for recording hypoglycaemia symptoms and assessing hypoglycaemia awareness. The associations between symptom intensity, hypoglycaemia awareness and diabetes duration were examined, and the prevalence of impaired awareness was ascertained for Type 1 diabetes of differing durations.ResultsQuestionnaires were mailed to 636 adults with Type 1 diabetes, of whom 445 (70%) returned them. A total of 440 completed questionnaires were suitable for analysis. Longer diabetes duration was associated with lower intensity of autonomic symptoms (P for trend <0.001), but no association was observed with neuroglycopenic symptoms. The overall prevalence of impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia in this cohort was 17% (95% CI 14–21%) and increased with diabetes duration, from 3% for duration 2–9 years to 28% for duration ≥30 years (P for trend <0.001). Low autonomic symptom scores were not associated with a higher prevalence of impaired awareness.ConclusionsLonger diabetes duration was associated with lower intensity of autonomic symptoms and a higher prevalence of impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia, suggesting that subjective symptoms of hypoglycaemia change over time. These observations underline the need for regular patient education about hypoglycaemia symptomatology and clinical screening for impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia.
Polypharmacy in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is justified by current guidelines—a comprehensive assessment of drug prescriptions in patients needing inpatient treatment for diabetes‐associated problems
Authors: Bauer S. , Nauck M. A. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimsOur aim was to assess the number of medications prescribed to people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus and to compare these to recommendations by guidelines.Patients and methodsData from 155 and 154 people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, respectively, were analysed. Prescribed medications (glucose‐lowering drugs, blood pressure medications, drugs to treat cardiovascular risk or diseases, etc.) were counted as compounds per day, tablets per day, injections per day, or other modes of administration.ResultsPeople with Type 2 diabetes were prescribed 8.4 ± 3.0 different drug compounds per day (maximum, 16), 8.6 ± 3.9 tablets per day (maximum, 22), 2.6 ± 1.6 injections per day (maximum, 7), in total 11.6 ± 4.5 doses of any medication per day (maximum, 27). The numbers for people with Type 1 diabetes were 5.5 ± 3.4 compounds per day (maximum, 15), 4.5 ± 4.3 tablets per day (maximum, 18), 3.9 ± 2.2 injections per day (maximum, 8), in total 8.5 ± 5.1 doses of any medication per day (maximum, 22). Over 97% of the prescriptions corresponded to recommendations by guidelines.ConclusionsThe number of prescribed drugs is high in people with diabetes mellitus, and higher for those with Type 2 than with Type 1 diabetes. The compatibility of prescriptions with guideline recommendations suggests that even this high number of prescriptions will provide a clinical benefit. The current analysis could provide a basis for a realistic judgement of the burden imposed by polypharmacy in people with diabetes mellitus.
Correlation of adherence to the 2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America practice guidelines with patient outcomes in the treatment of diabetic foot infections in an outpatient parenteral antimicrobial programme
Authors: Pence L. M. , Mock C. M. , Kays M. B. , Damer K. M. , Muloma E. W. , Erdman S. M. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate adherence to the 2012 Infectious Diseases Society of America practice guidelines for the management of patients with diabetic foot infections and to determine an association between adherence and clinical outcome.MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed to evaluate the management and clinical outcomes of patients with diabetic foot infections treated with outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy between 1 January 2011 and 30 June 2012 at Wishard Health Services/Eskenazi Health. Adherence to individual Infectious Diseases Society of America diabetic foot infection treatment guideline recommendations was measured, and then assessed in relation to clinical outcome.ResultsA total of 57 patients (61% male, mean age 54 years) with moderate to severe diabetic foot infection met the inclusion criteria. None of the treatment courses of these patients adhered to all the Infectious Diseases Society of America guideline recommendations. The recommendations most frequently adhered to were consultation of appropriate multidisciplinary teams (n=54, 94.7%) and performance of diagnostic imaging (n=52, 89.5%). The recommendations least frequently adhered to were diabetic foot wound classification scoring on admission (n=0, 0%), appropriate culture acquisition (n=12, 21.2%), surgical intervention when indicated (n=32, 46.2%) and appropriate empiric antibiotic selection (n=34, 59.7%). Of 56 patients, 52 (92.9%) experienced clinical cure at the end of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy compared with 34 of 53 patients (64%) at 6 months after the completion of therapy. Adherence to individual guidelines was not associated with clinical outcome. Patients who experienced treatment failure were more likely to have severe diabetic foot infection or peripheral neuropathy.ConclusionsAdherence to the Infectious Diseases Society of America diabetic foot infection guideline recommendations was found to be suboptimal in the present study. The effect of adhering to individual Infectious Diseases Society of America diabetic foot infection recommendations on clinical outcome needs to be investigated.
Vegetative substrates used by larval northern pike in Rainy and Kabetogama Lakes, Minnesota
Authors: Timm Anne L. , Pierce Rodney B. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractOur objective was to identify characteristics of aquatic vegetative communities used as larval northern pike nursery habitat in Rainy and Kabetogama lakes, glacial shield reservoirs in northern Minnesota. Quatrefoil light traps fished at night were used to sample larval northern pike in 11 potential nursery areas. Larval northern pike were most commonly sampled among floating‐leaf burreed Sparganium fluctuans, common burreed Sparganium eurycarpum, sedges Carex spp., hybrid cattail Typha × glauca and wild rice Zizania palustris. A negative binomial model of light‐trap catches using the presence/absence data for 2012 from all 11 bays included water elevation and the presence of cattail as significant variables. Ultimately, the species of vegetation may not be as important as the physical quality or form of the vegetation in supplying feeding and hiding cover. The aquatic plant species and structural forms encountered by larval northern pike suggest they use nearly any vegetated cover available in early spring. Water‐level regulations that change availability of aquatic vegetation are likely to influence recruitment of northern pike to larger sizes.
Characterization of the alimentary canal of the aphidophagous ladybird,Adalia bipunctata(Coleoptera:Coccinellidae): anatomical and histological approaches
Authors: Borges Isabel , Nóia Marlene , Camarinho Ricardo , Rodrigues Armindo S. , Soares António O. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractThe alimentary canal of the two‐spot ladybirdAdalia bipunctata(Linnaeus) (Coleoptera:Coccinellidae) presents the foregut (stomodeum), the midgut (mesenteron) and the hindgut (proctodeum). The shortest region is the foregut and the longest is the midgut. The relative proportions of the main regions were found to be similar for males and females. In the foregut it was possible to distinguish the pharynx, the esophagus and the proventriculus but no crop. The hindgut is composed of the ileum, rectum and rectal canal. Generally the organ width is similar for males and females, but females presented a wider proventriculus. The epithelium of the foregut varied from squamous to simple cuboidal and columnar. In the midgut the epithelium is simple columnar with goblet and regenerative cells. The epithelium of the hindgut varied from simple cuboidal to squamous. Females presented thicker midgut epithelium whereas males presented thicker epithelium in the esophagus. The anatomy of the alimentary canal ofA. bipunctataseems to conform to its carnivorous and recent phylogenetic status within the familyCoccinellidae.
Origins of formation waters in the Llanos foreland basin of Colombia: geochemical variation and fluid flow history
Authors: Gonzalez‐Penagos Felipe , Moretti Isabelle , France‐Lanord Christian , Guichet Xavier 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWells located in the Colombian Andean foreland often produce biodegraded hydrocarbons and relatively fresh water (total dissolved solids concentrations of 2000 mg l−1 dominate across most of the basin). The ratio of water to hydrocarbon in the produced fluids is high and has often been interpreted by explorationists and simulation engineers as being due to massive meteoric water invasion. To challenge this hypothesis, previously published and existing data are compiled here, along with 68 new water samples collected from both the surface (rivers) and subsurface (production wells), which are analyzed for major elements, salinity, and stable isotope compositions. The data indicate a mixed origin for the water, which involves formation water, meteoric water, and a third source that we interpret as being related to diagenetic processes (such as clay dehydration). Analyses of the variation of the parameters from north to south and west to east allow us to define the mixtures as coming from waters of different origins and make it possible to determine the relative contribution of each source.
Berreman Revisited; Caste and the Comparative Method
Authors: Sharma Ursula 
Published: May 2014

In a series of articles and books published in the ‘60s and 70s, Gerald Berreman argued that the institution of caste is not confined to Hindu India. In particular he drew attention to the similarities between caste in India and race in the United States of America, and drew specific attention to the processes by which deference was exacted by high caste/whites and by which untouchables/blacks devised ways of dealing with demands for deference. The dominant trend in the ethnography of caste (and in ‘Indianist’ ethnography in general) is away from comparison, towards a Dumontian emphasis on the sui generis nature of Hindu society. This is in line with a tendency in western anthropology to stress the specific and incommensurable nature of particular cultures. It is argued that despite this fragmenting trend, comparison is nonetheless a useful tool. While we may reject Berreman's grand schema for classifying different kinds of social inequality as representing a totalising enterprise which anthropologists have rightly discarded, his use of comparison is valuable on two counts: a) it permits sociological generalisation about the micro processes by which domination is both attempted and resisted, b) it acts as valuable rhetorical device (used by ‘modernists’ and ‘post modernists’ alike) through which juxtaposition of the unexpected can surprise the reader into examining the implicit preconceptions and values which they bring to the analysis of other cultures.