bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Apo Lipoprotein A1 Gene Polymorphisms Predict Cardio-Metabolic Risk in South Asian Immigrants
Authors: Dodani Sunita , Henkhaus Rebecca , Dong Lei , Butler Merlin G. 
Published: June 2013

Objectives: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death globally with increasing burden in South Asians in the US. Specific genetic variants that influence CAD have not been fully assessed in South Asian Immigrants. The goal is to identify Apo lipoprotein A1 (APOA1) gene polymorphisms and their association with CAD risk factors, metabolic syndrome and dysfunctional HDL (Dys-HDL).Methods: A community-based study on South Asians aged 35-65 years without CAD was conducted.APOA1gene sequencing was performed and genotypes compared with cardiovascular findings.Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome and dysfunctional-HDL was 29.7% and 26%, respectively. Six novelAPOA1gene single nucleotide peptides (SNPs) were analyzed. Three of the six SNPs (G2, G3, and G5) were found to be associated with metabolic syndrome; G2 (T655C) (p=0.044), G3 (T756C) (p=0.037) and G5 (T1001C) (p=0.037).APOA1gene SNP G1 (T319C) was highly correlated with low HDL levels (p=0.001). In our study, both associations ofAPOA1SNPs with metabolic syndrome and low HDL remained after age-adjustment.Conclusion: Discovery of novel gene polymorphisms will help to understand further the causes of excess CAD risk in South Asians so that preventative strategies targeted to high-risk group can be developed.
Multivariate Analysis Approach to the Serum Peptide Profile of Morbidly Obese Patients
Authors: Agostini M. , Bedin C. , Enzo M.V. , Molin L. , Traldi P. , D'Angelo E. , Maschietto E. , Serraglia R. , Ragazzi E. , Prevedello L. , Foletto M. , Nitti D. 
Published: June 2013

Background: Obesity is currently epidemic in many countries worldwide and is strongly related to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Mass spectrometry, in particular matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) is currently used for detecting different pattern of expressed protein. This study investigated the differences in low molecular weight (LMW) peptide profiles between obese and normal-weight subjects in combination with multivariate statistical analysis.Materials: Serum samples of 60 obese patients and 10 healthy subjects were treated by cut-off membrane (30000 Da) to remove the most abundant proteins. The filtrates containing the LMW protein/peptides were analyzed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Dataset was elaborated to align and normalize the spectra. We performed cluster analysis and principal component analysis to detect some ionic species that could characterize and classify the subject groups.Results: We observed a down-expression of ionic species atm/z655.94 and an over-expression of species atm/z1518.78, 1536.77, 1537.78 and 1537.81 in obese patients. Furthermore we found some ionic species that can distinguish obese patients with diabetes from those with normal glucose level.Conclusion: Serum peptide profile of LMW associate with multivariate statistical approach was revealed as a promising tool to discriminate and characterize obese patients and it was able to stratify them in relation to comorbidity that usually are associated with this disease. Further research involving a larger sample will be required to validate these findings.
Salivary Markers of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status: Influence of External Factors
Authors: Kamodyová Natália , Tóthová L’ubomíra , Celec Peter 
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND: Salivary markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status represent promising tool for the research of oral diseases. One of the criteria is the validation of these biomarkers from the perspective of the confounding and modifying factors.AIM: To examine the effect of circadian rhythm, tooth-brushing and ascorbic acid treatment on selected salivary markers of oxidative and carbonyl stress, and antioxidant status.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Whole unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 19 healthy participants three times during a day, before and after tooth-brushing, and before and after the administration of vitamin C (250 mg). Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), advanced glycation end products (AGEs), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured.RESULTS: Salivary AGEs levels varied significantly during the day (p< 0.05) with the highest concentrations in the morning. FRAP levels varied during the day (p< 0.01) with the highest concentrations in the afternoon. Tooth-brushing decreased AGEs (p< 0.05) and TBARS levels (p< 0.01) and increased FRAP levels (p< 0.05). Single intake of vitamin C significantly decreased AGEs (p< 0.001) and increased both FRAP (p< 0.01) and TAC (p< 0.01) concentrations.CONCLUSION: Significant daily variations were observed in salivary AGEs and FRAP levels. Tooth-brushing and treatment with vitamin C decreased carbonyl stress and increased the antioxidant status. These results are important from the perspective of using saliva for the research of oral diseases.
Association between Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Polymorphisms and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Liu Chiu-Shong , Huang Ru-Jiun , Sung Fung-Chang , Lin Cheng-Chieh , Yeh Chih-Ching 
Published: June 2013

BACKGROUND: Previous studies inferring that theNOS3gene was associated with the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) had inconsistent findings. We investigated the role of threeNOS3polymorphisms (T-786C, intron 4b/a, and G894T) in the risk of MetS using a hospital-based case-control study.METHODS: We recruited 339 MetS cases and 783 non-MetS controls at a central Taiwanese hospital. Information on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Genotypes ofNOS3polymorphisms were compared between cases and controls. Effects of interactions between gene polymorphisms and smoking and between gene polymorphisms and drinking on the risk of MetS were also determined.RESULTS: The T-786C TC+CC genotype was significantly associated with a decreased risk of MetS (odds ratio (OR), 0.63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43–0.91), compared to the T-786C TT genotype, according to a logistic regression analysis. This beneficial effect was much greater for those who had ever smoked cigarettes (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.26–0.87) or those who had not consumed alcohol (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.26–0.77). In addition, the intron 4b/a variant genotype was marginally associated with a reduced risk of MetS (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47–1.00), compared to the intron 4b/a bb genotype, particularly for never alcohol consumers (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.33–0.95). In the haplotype analysis, there was a 53% decrease in the MetS risk among C4bG haplotype carriers (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.25–0.90), compared to those with the most common T4bG haplotype.CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that theNOS3T-786C and intron 4b/a polymorphisms may contribute to the risk of MetS. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings.
Predictive Utility of NT-pro BNP for Infarct Size and Left Ventricle Function after Acute Myocardial Infarction in Long-Term Follow-Up
Authors: Kleczyński Paweł , Legutko Jacek , Rakowski Tomasz , Dziewierz Artur , Siudak Zbigniew , Zdzienicka Joanna , Brzozowska-Czarnek Agata , Surdacki Andrzej , Dubiel Jacek S. , Dudek Dariusz 
Published: June 2013

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the utility of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP, pg/ml) assessment to predict infarct size and left ventricle function after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at long-term follow-up.METHODS: In 45 patients with first STEMI less than 3 hours from symptom onset treated with mechanical reperfusion NT-pro BNP was assessed early (at admission) and at 6 months. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters (delayed enhancement infarct size (IS, %), left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDVI, ml/m2) and end-systolic (LVESVI, ml/m2) volume indexes) were assessed at 6 months.RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between baseline NT-pro BNP assessment and IS and left ventricle function after 6 months. There was a significant correlation between 6-month NT-pro BNP and IS (r= 0.65,p< 0.001) and left ventricle remodeling at 6 months (LVEDVI,r= 0.53,p= 0.001; LVESVI,r= 0.51,p= 0.002).CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of NT-pro BNP level 6 months after STEMI remains a good indicator of infarct size and left ventricle function at long-term follow-up.
Interactions between Cigarette Smoking and Polymorphisms of Xenobiotic-Metabolizing Genes: The Risk of Oral Leukoplakia
Authors: Li Yu-Fen , Sung Fung-Chang , Tsai Ming-Hsui , Hua Chun-Hung , Liu Chiu-Shong , Huang Yao-Te , Yeh Chih-Ching 
Published: June 2013

Background: This case-control study investigates the role of xenobiotic-metabolizing genes, including glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and 2E1 (CYP2E1), in the susceptibility to oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs).Methods: The genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, CYP1A1∗2C, and CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI polymorphisms were determined for 217 OPMD cases and 492 age- and sex-matched controls from a Taiwanese penitentiary.Results: Compared to the GSTM1-present genotype, the GSTM1-null genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of leukoplakia (odds ratio [OR]=1.46, 95% l [CI]=1.01–2.10). Similarly, compared to the CYP1A1∗2C A/G+G/G genotype, the CYP1A1∗2C A/A genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of leukoplakia (OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.12–2.40), particularly for smokers consuming > 13 pack-years of cigarettes (OR=2.40, 95% CI=1.40–4.11) (Interaction P=0.039). In addition, participants with 4–5 risk genotypes (OR > 1) experienced higher risks for leukoplakia than those with 0-1 risk genotypes (OR=3.19, 95% CI=1.65–6.15) (Trend test P=0.001).Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the CYP1A1∗2C A/A genotype may increase the risk of leukoplakia, especially for heavy smokers. Xenobiotic-metabolizing genes may simultaneously modulate this disease risk. These observations require further confirmation with larger samples.
Canonical Wnt Signaling Is Required for Pancreatic Carcinogenesis
Authors: Zhang Yaqing , Morris John P. , Yan Wei , Schofield Heather K. , Gurney Austin , Simeone Diane M. , Millar Sarah E. , Hoey Timothy , Hebrok Matthias , Pasca di Magliano Marina 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Wnt ligand expression and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway have been associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but whether Wnt activity is required for the development of pancreatic cancer has remained unclear. Here, we report the results of three different approaches to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in a established transgenic mouse model of pancreatic cancer. First, we found that β-catenin null cells were incapable of undergoing acinar to ductal metaplasia, a process associated with development of premalignant pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia lesions. Second, we addressed the specific role of ligand-mediated Wnt signaling through inducible expression of Dkk1, an endogenous secreted inhibitor of the canonical Wnt pathway. Finally, we targeted the Wnt pathway with OMP-18R5, a therapeutic antibody that interacts with multiple Frizzled receptors. Together, these approaches showed that ligand-mediated activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is required to initiate pancreatic cancer. Moreover, they establish that Wnt signaling is also critical for progression of pancreatic cancer, a finding with potential therapeutic implications. Cancer Res; 73(15); 4909–22. ©2013 AACR.
Platelet lysates stimulate angiogenesis, neurogenesis and neuroprotection after stroke
Authors: Hayon Yael , Dashevsky Olga , Shai Ela , Varon David , Leker Ronen 
Published: June 2013

SummaryPlatelets contain chemo-attractants and mitogens that have a major role in tissue repair. Therefore we hypothesised that tissue regeneration secondary to activation of endogenous neural stem cells (eNSC) can be enhanced by delivering platelets to the ischaemic brain. To examine these potential therapeutic effects we injected platelet-poor plasma (PPP), fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and platelet lysate (PLT) to the lateral ventricles after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (PMCAO) in rats. The animals were tested with the neurological severity score, and infarct volumes were measured at 90 days post–PMCAO. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the fate of newborn cells and to count blood vessels in the ischaemic brain. Platelets significantly increased eNSC proliferation and angiogenesis in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and in the peri-lesion cortex. Functional outcome was significantly improved and injury size was significantly reduced in rats treated with PLT suggesting additional neuroprotective effects. In conclusion, local delivery of PLT to the lateral ventricles induces angiogenesis, neurogenesis and neuroprotection and reduces behavioural deficits after brain ischaemia.
Impact of apixaban on routine and specific coagulation assays: a practical laboratory guide
Authors: Chatelain Christian , Chatelain Bernard , Douxfils Jonathan , Dogné Jean-Michel , Mullier François 
Published: June 2013

SummaryApixaban does not require monitoring nor frequent dose adjustment. However, searching for the optimal dose for the individual patient may be useful in some situations. Moreover, there is a need for clinicians to know whether coagulation assays are influenced by apixaban use. The aim of this study was to determine which coagulation assay could be used to assess the impact of apixaban on haemostasis and provide good laboratory recommendations for the accurate interpretation of haemostasis assays. Apixaban is spiked at concentrations ranging from 5 to 500 ng/ml in platelet-poor plasma. Routinely used or more specific coagulation assays are tested. Results show a concentration dependent prolongation of aPTT, PT and dilute PT. The sensitivity mainly depends on the reagent, but none of these tests is sensitive enough to ensure an accurate estimation of the pharmacodynamic effect of apixaban. FXa chromogenic assays show high sensitivity and a linear correlation depending on the reagent and/or the methodology. Immunological assays and assays acting below the FXa are not influenced by apixaban. In conclusion, PT and/or dilute PT cannot be used to assess apixaban pharmacodynamic properties. More specific and sensitive assays such as chromogenic FXa assays using specific calibrators are required. In case of thrombophilia or in the exploration of a haemorrhagic event, immunological assays should be recommended, when applicable. Standardisation of the time between the last intake of apixaban and the sampling is mandatory.
Clinical utility of kallikrein-related peptidases (KLK) in urogenital malignancies
Authors: Dorn Julia , Bayani Jane , Yousef George M. , Yang Feng , Magdolen Viktor , Kiechle Marion , Diamandis Eleftherios P. , Schmitt Manfred 
Published: June 2013

SummaryKallikrein-related peptidases (KLK), which represent a major tissue-associated proteolytic system, stand for a rich source of biomarkers that may allow molecular classification, early diagnosis and prognosis of human malignancies as well as prediction of response or failure to cancer-directed drugs. International research points to an important role of certain KLKs in female and male urogenital tract malignancies, in addition to cancers of the lung, brain, skin, head and neck, and the gastrointestinal tract. Regarding the female/male urogenital tract, remarkably, all of the KLKs are expressed in the normal prostate, testis, and kidney whereas the uterus, the ovary, and the urinary bladder are expressing a limited number of KLKs only. Most of the information regarding KLK expression in tumour-affected organs is available for ovarian cancer; all of the 12 KLKs tested so far were found to be elevated in the malignant state, depicting them as valuable biomarkers to distinguish between the normal and the cancerous phenotype. In contrast, for kidney cancer, a series of KLKs was found to be downregulated, while other KLKs were not expressed. Evidently, depending on the type of cancer or cancer stage, individual KLKs may show characteristics of a Janus-faced behaviour, by either expanding or inhibiting cancer progression and metastasis.
Microcomputed Tomography Provides High Accuracy Congenital Heart Disease Diagnosis in Neonatal and Fetal Mice
Authors: Kim Andrew J. , Francis Richard , Liu Xiaoqin , Devine William A. , Ramirez Ricardo , Anderton Shane J. , Wong Li Yin , Faruque Fahim , Gabriel George C. , Leatherbury Linda , Tobita Kimimasa , Lo Cecilia W. 
Published: June 2013

Background—
Mice are well suited for modeling human congenital heart disease (CHD), given their 4-chamber cardiac anatomy. However, mice with CHD invariably die prenatally/neonatally, causing CHD phenotypes to be missed. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of noninvasive microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) to screen for CHD in stillborn/fetal mice. These studies were performed using chemically mutagenized mice expected to be enriched for birth defects, including CHD.

Methods and Results—

Stillborn/fetal mice obtained from the breeding of
N
-ethyl-
N
-nitrosourea mutagenized mice were formalin-fixed and stained with iodine, then micro-CT scanned. Those diagnosed with CHD and some CHD-negative pups were necropsied. A subset of these were further analyzed by histopathology to confirm the CHD/no-CHD diagnosis. Micro-CT scanning of 2105 fetal/newborn mice revealed an abundance of ventricular septal defects (n=307). Overall, we observed an accuracy of 89.8% for ventricular septal defect diagnosis. Outflow tract anomalies identified by micro-CT included double outlet right ventricle (n=36), transposition of the great arteries (n=14), and persistent truncus arteriosus (n=3). These were diagnosed with a 97.4% accuracy. Aortic arch anomalies also were readily detected with an overall 99.6% accuracy. This included right aortic arch (n=28) and coarctation/interrupted aortic arch (n=12). Also detected by micro-CT were atrioventricular septal defects (n=22), tricuspid hypoplasia/atresia (n=13), and coronary artery fistulas (n=16). They yielded accuracies of 98.9%, 100%, and 97.8%, respectively.

Conclusions—
Contrast enhanced micro-CT imaging in neonatal/fetal mice can reliably detect a wide spectrum of CHD. We conclude that micro-CT imaging can be used for routine rapid assessments of structural heart defects in fetal/newborn mice.
On Religiosity and Super-religiosity (II): The Case of Jewish Ultra-orthodoxy
Authors: Aran Gideon 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
This is part two of my essay on super-religiosity. Though the two parts systematically relate to each other and are complementary, they can be read independently of one another. The first part, printed in the previous issue of Numen (vol. 60, issue 2–3, 2013) presented the analytic model of super-religiosity. The following presents a case study that is an illustration and test of the formerly published conceptual discussion and theoretical argument. The present part applies the idea of super-religiosity to the peculiar instance of Jewish ultra-orthodoxy. It is a comprehensive, methodic, and updated exposition of a particular super-religious society and culture. It focuses on the contemporary Israeli ultra-Orthodox known as Haredim. More precisely, this paper describes and analyzes the hard core of the Haredi group that manifests religious extremism. This examination of the Haredi case in terms of super-religiosity is applied towards an attempt at deconstructing and reevaluating the prevalent concepts of tradition, extremism, and fundamentalism.
Pseudovertical Temperature Profiles Give Insight into Winter Evolution of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer over the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica
Authors: Zawar-Reza Peyman , Katurji Marwan , Soltanzadeh Iman , Dallafior Tanja , Zhong Shiyuan , Steinhoff Daniel , Storey Bryan , Cary S. Craig 
Published: June 2013

AbstractMeasuring routine vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature is critical in understanding stability and the dynamics of the boundary layer. Routine monitoring in remote areas such as the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica is logistically difficult and expensive. Pseudovertical profiles that were derived from a network of inexpensive ground temperature sensors planted on valley sidewalls (up to 330 m above valley floor), together with data from a weather station and a numerical weather prediction model, provided a long-term climatological description of the evolution of the winter boundary layer over the MDV. In winter, persistent valley cold pools (VCPs) were common, lasting up to 2 weeks. The VCPs were eroded by warm-air advection from aloft associated with strong winds, increasing the temperature of the valley by as much as 25 K. Pseudovertical datasets as described here can be used for model validation.
Connections between the Spring Breakup of the Southern Hemisphere Polar Vortex, Stationary Waves, and Air–Sea Roughness
Authors: Garfinkel Chaim I. , Oman Luke D. , Barnes Elizabeth A. , Waugh Darryn W. , Hurwitz Margaret H. , Molod Andrea M. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
A robust connection between the drag on surface-layer winds and the stratospheric circulation is demonstrated in NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry–Climate Model (GEOSCCM). Specifically, an updated parameterization of roughness at the air–sea interface, in which surface roughness is increased for moderate wind speeds (4–20 m s−1), leads to a decrease in model biases in Southern Hemispheric ozone, polar cap temperature, stationary wave heat flux, and springtime vortex breakup. A dynamical mechanism is proposed whereby increased surface roughness leads to improved stationary waves. Increased surface roughness leads to anomalous eddy momentum flux convergence primarily in the Indian Ocean sector (where eddies are strongest climatologically) in September and October. The localization of the eddy momentum flux convergence anomaly in the Indian Ocean sector leads to a zonally asymmetric reduction in zonal wind and, by geostrophy, to a wavenumber-1 stationary wave pattern. This tropospheric stationary wave pattern leads to enhanced upward wave activity entering the stratosphere. The net effect is an improved Southern Hemisphere vortex: the vortex breaks up earlier in spring (i.e., the spring late-breakup bias is partially ameliorated) yet is no weaker in midwinter. More than half of the stratospheric biases appear to be related to the surface wind speed biases. As many other chemistry–climate models use a similar scheme for their surface-layer momentum exchange and have similar biases in the stratosphere, the authors expect that results from GEOSCCM may be relevant for other climate models.