bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Helical tomotherapy for cancer treatment: a rapid health technology assessment
Authors: Yang Zong Xia , Shen Jian Tong , Li You Ping , Zhao Kun , Shi Cheng Hu , Xiao Yue , Yu Jia Jie , Guo Wu Dong , Li Cui Cui , Wang Ying Qiang , Li Xiang Lian ,   on behalf of the Rapid Health Technology Assessment Working Group of Chinese Evidence‐Based Medicine Centre
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectivesHelical tomotherapy (HT) can be applied to treat complex malignant cancer with high‐precise radiotherapy, and it can reduce the damage to normal tissues and improve treatment effects. But the procurement of HT must be approved by relevant departments of administration affairs. This study, appointed by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China and undertook by the National Health Development Research Center and the Chinese Evidence‐Based Medicine Centre, was aimed to rapidly assess the effectiveness, safety, costs, and applicability of HT, so as to provide currently available best evidence for decision‐makers of health policies.MethodsWe electronically searched databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, CBM, and other professional websites. Two reviewer independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, assessed quality, and then performed descriptive analysis.Results(i) We finally included 150 studies, encompassing 5 HTAs, 18 CCTs, and 127 observational studies. (ii) The included HTAs were published during 2006–2009, providing fairly less evidence of low quality and the results of 145 primary studies showed that: HT had been used mainly in the treatments of 14 kinds of cancer, with low total toxicity and high survival rates. Although the quality of the included studies was poor, there was much evidence about prostate cancer, head and neck cancer, nasopharynx cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer and liver cancer, with enough sample and fairly reliable results in HT efficacy and safety. And (iii) a total of 56 clinical trials were registered in Clinicaltrials.gov, most of which were registered by the occident. Among them, 9 were completed but the results had not been published yet.ConclusionsThe evidence of this study showed that, HT is safe and effective in clinic. But the abovementioned conclusion needs to be verified by conducting more high‐quality studies with long‐term follow‐up. The costs of HT in procurement, maintenance, and application are high; and the skills, training, and qualification of operators are required. We suggest that the procurement of HT should be reduced; it should be allocated rationally and effectively used after comprehensive assessment in China's cancer epidemiology characteristics, health resource allocation, disease burden, medical service level, etc.; and also high‐quality studies with long‐term follow‐up should be financially supported on the basis of establishing projects, so as to provide local evidence and consistently guide and improve scientific decision‐making.
C
ymbopogon martinii essential oil and geraniol at noncytotoxic concentrations exerted immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory effects in human monocytes
Authors: Murbach Teles Andrade Bruna Fernanda , Conti Bruno José , Santiago Karina Basso , Fernandes Ary , Sforcin José Maurício 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Objectives
In traditional medicine, plants have formed the basis of sophisticated systems that have been in existence for thousands of years and still provide mankind with new remedies. Cymbopogon martinii, known as palmarosa, has been used in aromatherapy as a skin tonic due to its antimicrobial properties. It has also used in Ayurvedic medicine for skin problems and to relieve nerve pain. The immunomodulatory action of C. martinii essential oil (EO) and geraniol was evaluated regarding the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-10, respectively) by human monocytes in vitro.

Methods
Monocyte cultures were incubated with EO or geraniol. After 18 h, cytotoxicity assays were performed using 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method, and cytokine production was determined by ELISA.

Key findings
The variables showed no cytotoxic effects on monocytes. TNF-α production was not affected by C. martinii and geraniol, and only the concentration of 5 μg/ml of C. martinii stimulated its production. On the other hand, all concentrations of C. martinii and geraniol increased IL-10 production by human monocytes.

Conclusions
Data showed that noncytotoxic concentrations of EO and geraniol exerted an anti-inflammatory action by increasing IL-10 production; moreover, geraniol seemed to be probably responsible for EO immunomodulatory activity in our assay condition.
The immunomodulatory effect of propolis on receptors expression, cytokine production and fungicidal activity of human monocytes
Authors: Búfalo Michelle Cristiane , Bordon-Graciani Ana Paula , Conti Bruno José , de Assis Golim Marjorie , Sforcin José Maurício 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

Objectives
Propolis is a beehive product and its immunomodulatory action has been documented; however, little is known concerning its mechanisms of action on human cells. Propolis influence on the initial events of the immune response was assessed, evaluating cell markers, cytokine production and the fungicidal activity of human monocytes.

Methods
Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, human leukocyte antigen-DR and cluster of differentiation (CD)80 expression by human monocytes was assessed using a FACSCalibur flow cytometer, cytokine production (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10) was determined by ELISA and the candidacidal activity was investigated after monocytes incubation with propolis and challenged with Candida albicans. The role of TLR-2 and TLR-4 on propolis action was assessed as well.

Key findings
Propolis upregulated TLR-4 and CD80 expression and affected TNF-α and IL-10 production, depending on concentration. Propolis also increased the fungicidal activity of monocytes. Cytokine production was decreased by blocking TLR-4, whereas the fungicidal activity was affected by blocking TLR-2.

Conclusions
Propolis exerted an immunomodulatory action on cell receptors, cytokine production and fungicidal activity of human monocytes without affecting cell viability and depending on concentration. TLR-2 and TLR-4 may be involved in its mechanism of action.
Nothing About Us Without Us: Does Action Research in Developmental Disabilities Research Measure Up?
Authors: Stack Erin , McDonald Katherine E. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAction research—research collaborations between professional researchers and community members to address community concerns—has become increasingly popular in developmental disability research. Advocates of these approaches argue that they reflect the value of including people with disabilities in matters that affect them and generate benefits for people with disabilities and for research. However, it is not clear how well action research with adults with developmental disabilities reflect core action research principles. The authors identified 21 action research projects with adults with developmental disabilities in English‐language referred journals. The authors found that the majority of these projects took place in the UK or the United States, with individuals with intellectual disabilities, were published in or after 2005, and used qualitative methods to examine research aims on social issues important to adults with developmental disabilities. They reviewed common challenges, facilitators, and indicators of success described by authors and found that relatively few projects can be classified as high on the continuum of shared power. Based on these findings, the authors recommended a continued focus on the accurate understanding and application of action research models, building our knowledge of and evidence base for effective tools, strategies, resources, and personal characteristics for action research with adults with developmental disabilities, adequately funding this research, and pursuing a broader array of research methods. The projects studied herein provide evidence for the promise and possibility of action research with adults with developmental disabilities.
Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation Severity by Doppler Color Flow Mapping of the Vena Contracta in Dogs
Authors: Di Marcello M. , Terzo E. , Locatelli C. , Palermo V. , Sala E. , Dall'Aglio E. , Bussadori C.M. , Spalla I. , Brambilla P.G. 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundQuantitative and semiquantitative methods have been proposed for the assessment of MR severity, and though all are associated with limitations. Measurement of vena contracta width (VCW) has been used in clinical practice.ObjectiveTo measure the VCW in dogs with different levels of MR severity.AnimalsTwo hundred and seventy‐nine dogs were classified according to 5 levels of MR severity.MethodsThis was a retrospective study. EROA and regurgitant volume calculated by the PISA method, were measured and indexed to BSA. Descriptive statistics were calculated for VCW and VCW index for all categories of MR severity. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (ρs) were calculated to compare the results of the different methods (VCW and VCW index vs RV PISA, RV PISA index, EROA, EROA index), and between VCW and VCW index versus MR severity.ResultsAll Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were significant (P < .001). The median values of VCW resulted of 2.9 mm (IQR 3.4–2.5) and of 4.6 mm (IQR 5.4–4.1) in the groups previously classified as mild‐to‐moderate and moderate‐to‐severe, respectively. The median values of VCW index resulted of 4.4 mm/m2 (IQR = 5.5–4.2) in mild‐to‐moderate MR and of 10.8 mm/m2 (IQR = 12.8–9.4) in moderate‐to‐severe MR.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceThis is not a validation study against any previously validated invasive gold standard, the VCW method has proved easy to employ and it might be an additional tool in quantifying disease severity that supports, rather than replace, data coming from other techniques in daily clinical practice and research.
Cognitive function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Relationship to global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease 2011 categories
Authors: Tulek Baykal , Atalay Nart Bedin , Yildirim Gulfem , Kanat Fikret , Süerdem Mecit 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBackground and objectiveRecently, comorbidities such as impaired cognitive function have been attracting more focus when considering the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Here we investigated the relationship between cognitive function and the categories given in the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines in 2011. Specifically, after controlling for non‐COPD covariates, we assessed the clinical features that may be predictive of cognitive impairment in patients with COPD.MethodsWe recruited 119 stable patients with mild to very severe COPD. We administered a broad array of standardized neuropsychological tests that assessed cognitive functions in the domains of attention, memory, psychomotor coordination and language.ResultsCognitive scores were significantly different between patients falling within GOLD 2011 categories. Scores were lower in patients with high future risk compared with low future risk. In parallel, there were significant differences in cognitive function between COPD patient subgroups when patients were grouped according to the forced expiratory volume in 1 s, exacerbation history and C‐reactive protein levels. After controlling for non‐COPD predictors, only exacerbation history remained a significant predictor of cognitive scores.ConclusionsThe number of exacerbation events in a year may be used as a predictor of cognitive impairment in patients with COPD.
Computational Validation of the Motor Contribution to Speech Perception
Authors: Badino Leonardo , D'Ausilio Alessandro , Fadiga Luciano , Metta Giorgio 
Published: June 2014

AbstractAction perception and recognition are core abilities fundamental for human social interaction. A parieto‐frontal network (the mirror neuron system) matches visually presented biological motion information onto observers' motor representations. This process of matching the actions of others onto our own sensorimotor repertoire is thought to be important for action recognition, providing a non‐mediated “motor perception” based on a bidirectional flow of information along the mirror parieto‐frontal circuits. State‐of‐the‐art machine learning strategies for hand action identification have shown better performances when sensorimotor data, as opposed to visual information only, are available during learning. As speech is a particular type of action (with acoustic targets), it is expected to activate a mirror neuron mechanism. Indeed, in speech perception, motor centers have been shown to be causally involved in the discrimination of speech sounds. In this paper, we review recent neurophysiological and machine learning‐based studies showing (a) the specific contribution of the motor system to speech perception and (b) that automatic phone recognition is significantly improved when motor data are used during training of classifiers (as opposed to learning from purely auditory data).
Canine Rabies inAustralia: A Review of Preparedness and Research Needs
Authors: Sparkes J. , Fleming P. J. S. , Ballard G. , Scott‐Orr H. , Durr S. , Ward M. P. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryAustralia is unique as a populated continent in that canine rabies is exotic, with only one likely incursion in 1867. This is despite the presence of a widespread free‐ranging dog population, which includes the naturalized dingo, feral domestic dogs and dingo‐dog cross‐breeds. ToAustralia's immediate north, rabies has recently spread within the Indonesian archipelago, with outbreaks occurring in historically free islands to the east includingBali,Flores,Ambon and theTanimbarIslands. Australia depends on strict quarantine protocols to prevent importation of a rabid animal, but the risk of illegal animal movements by fishing and recreational vessels circumventing quarantine remains. Predicting where rabies will enterAustralia is important, but understanding dog population dynamics and interactions, including contact rates in and around human populations, is essential for rabies preparedness. The interactions among and betweenAustralia's large populations of wild, free‐roaming and restrained domestic dogs require quantification for rabies incursions to be detected and controlled. The imminent risk of rabies breachingAustralian borders makes the development of disease spread models that will assist in the deployment of cost‐effective surveillance, improve preventive strategies and guide disease management protocols vitally important. Here, we critically reviewAustralia's preparedness for rabies, discuss prevailing assumptions and models, identify knowledge deficits in free‐roaming dog ecology relating to rabies maintenance and speculate on the likely consequences of endemic rabies forAustralia.
Comparison of Daclatasvir Resistance Barriers on NS5A from Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes 1 to 6: Implications for Cross-Genotype Activity
Authors: Wang Chunfu , Jia Lingling , O'Boyle Donald R. , Sun Jin-Hua , Rigat Karen , Valera Lourdes , Nower Peter , Huang Xin , Kienzle Bernadette , Roberts Susan , Gao Min , Fridell Robert A. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

A comparison of the daclatasvir (DCV [BMS-790052]) resistance barrier on authentic or hybrid replicons containing NS5A from hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1 to 6 (GT-1 to -6) was completed using a replicon elimination assay. The data indicated that genotype 1b (GT-1b) has the highest relative resistance barrier and genotype 2a (GT-2a M31) has the lowest. The rank order of resistance barriers to DCV was 1b > 4a ≥ 5a > 6a ≅ 1a > 2a JFH > 3a > 2a M31. Importantly, DCV in combination with a protease inhibitor (PI) eliminated GT-2a M31 replicon RNA at a clinically relevant concentration. Previously, we reported the antiviral activity and resistance profiles of DCV on HCV genotypes 1 to 4 evaluated in the replicon system. Here, we report the antiviral activity and resistance profiles of DCV against hybrid replicons with NS5A sequences derived from HCV GT-5a and GT-6a clinical isolates. DCV was effective against both GT-5a and -6a hybrid replicon cell lines (50% effective concentrations [EC
50
s] ranging from 3 to 7 pM for GT-5a, and 74 pM for GT-6a). Resistance selection identified amino acid substitutions in the N-terminal domain of NS5A. For GT-5a, L31F and L31V, alone or in combination with K56R, were the major resistance variants (EC
50
s ranging from 2 to 40 nM). In GT-6a, Q24H, L31M, P32L/S, and T58A/S were identified as resistance variants (EC
50
s ranging from 2 to 250 nM). The
in vitro
data suggest that DCV has the potential to be an effective agent for HCV genotypes 1 to 6 when used in combination therapy.
First Detection of TR
46
/Y121F/T289A and TR
34
/L98H Alterations in Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates from Azole-Naive Patients in Denmark despite Negative Findings in the Environment
Authors: Astvad K. M. T. , Jensen R. H. , Hassan T. M. , Mathiasen E. G. , Thomsen G. M. , Pedersen U. G. , Christensen M. , Hilberg O. , Arendrup M. C. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

Azole-resistant
Aspergillus fumigatus
harboring the TR
34
/L98H or TR
46
/Y121F/T289A alterations is increasingly found in Europe and Asia. Here, we present the first clinical cases of TR
46
/Y121/T289A and three cases of TR
34
/L98H outside the cystic fibrosis (CF) population in Denmark and the results of environmental surveys. Four patients (2012 to 2014) with 11
A. fumigatus
and 4
Rhizomucor pusillus
isolates and 239 soil samples (spring 2010 and autumn 2013, respectively) with a total of 113
A. fumigatus
isolates were examined.
Aspergillus
isolates were screened for azole resistance using azole-containing agar. Confirmatory susceptibility testing was done using the EUCAST microbroth dilution EDEF 9.1 reference method. For relevant
A. fumigatus
isolates,
CYP51A
sequencing and microsatellite genotyping were performed. Three patients harbored TR
34
/L98H isolates. Two were azole naive at the time of acquisition and two were coinfected with wild-type
A. fumigatus
or
R. pusillus
isolates, complicating and delaying diagnosis. The TR
46
/Y121F/T289A strain was isolated in 2014 from a lung transplant patient. Genotyping indicated that susceptible and resistant
Aspergillus
isolates were unrelated and that no transmission between patients occurred. Azole resistance was not detected in any of the 113 soil isolates. TR
34
/L98H and TR
46
/Y121F/T289A alterations appear to be emerging in the clinical setting in Denmark and now involve azole-naive patients. Two recent soil-sampling surveys in Denmark were unable to indicate any increased prevalence of azole-resistant
A. fumigatus
in the environment. These findings further support the demand for real-time susceptibility testing of all clinically relevant isolates and for studies investigating the seasonal variation and ecological niches for azole-resistant environmental
A. fumigatus
.
Elongation Factor P and Modifying Enzyme PoxA Are Necessary for Virulence of Shigella flexneri
Authors: Marman Hannah E. , Mey Alexandra R. , Payne Shelley M. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

Elongation factor P (EF-P) is a universally conserved bacterial translation factor. In many bacteria, EF-P is posttranslationally modified by PoxA, which covalently attaches a β-lysine to a conserved lysine residue of EF-P. Here we show that both EF-P and PoxA are necessary for virulence of the human diarrheal pathogen
Shigella flexneri
. Loss of either EF-P or PoxA leads to an impaired ability of
S. flexneri
to invade epithelial cells and form plaques in an epithelial cell monolayer. Proteomic analysis of
efp
and
poxA
deletion mutants revealed decreased levels of several virulence effector proteins, including IpaA, -B, and -C and IcsA. Additionally, mRNA levels of
virB
and
virF
, which encode master virulence regulators, were decreased in the
efp
mutant. The reduction in
virF
transcription was at least partially due to decreased levels of CpxA, which activates
virF
through the response regulator CpxR. The role of CpxAR in reduced synthesis of VirF and its downstream effectors was indicated by restoration of invasion when a mutation resulting in constitutively activated CpxR was introduced into the
efp
mutant. Thus, modified EF-P is required for appropriate synthesis of proteins involved in the virulence of this bacterial pathogen.
Distinct Regions of NLRP1B Are Required To Respond to Anthrax Lethal Toxin and Metabolic Inhibition
Authors: Neiman-Zenevich Jana , Liao Kuo-Chieh , Mogridge Jeremy 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT
Pattern recognition receptors monitor for signs of infection or cellular dysfunction and respond to these events by initiating an immune response. NLRP1B is a receptor that upon activation recruits multiple copies of procaspase-1, which promotes cytokine processing and a proinflammatory form of cell death termed pyroptosis. NLRP1B detects anthrax lethal toxin when the toxin cleaves an amino-terminal fragment from the protein. In addition, NLRP1B is activated when cells are deprived of glucose or treated with metabolic inhibitors, but the mechanism by which the resulting reduction in cytosolic ATP is sensed by NLRP1B is unknown. Here, we addressed whether these two activating signals of NLRP1B converge on a common sensing system. We show that an NLRP1B mutant lacking the amino-terminal region exhibits some spontaneous activity and fails to be further activated by lethal toxin. This mutant was still activated in cells depleted of ATP, however, indicating that the amino-terminal region is not the sole sensing domain of NLRP1B. Mutagenesis of the leucine-rich repeat domain of NLRP1B provided evidence that this domain is involved in autoinhibition of the receptor, but none of the mutants tested was specifically defective at sensing activating signals. Comparison of two alleles of NLRP1B that differed in their response to metabolic inhibitors, but not to lethal toxin, led to the finding that a repeated sequence in the function to find domain (FIIND) that arose from exon duplication facilitated detection of ATP depletion. These results suggest that distinct regions of NLRP1B detect activating signals.
New optimal asymmetric quantum codes from constacyclic codes
Authors: Zhang Guanghui , Chen Bocong , Li Liangchen 
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we construct two classes of asymmetric quantum codes by using constacyclic codes. The first class is the asymmetric quantum codes with parameters [[q2 + 1, q2 + 1 - 2(t + k + 1), (2k + 2)/(2t + 2)]]q2 where q is an odd prime power, t, k are integers with [Formula: see text], which is a generalization of [J. Chen, J. Li and J. Lin, Int. J. Theor. Phys. 53 (2014) 72, Theorem 2] in the sense that we do not assume that q ≡1 ( mod 4). The second one is the asymmetric quantum codes with parameters [Formula: see text], where q ≥ 5 is an odd prime power, t, k are integers with 0 ≤ t ≤ k ≤ q - 1. The constructed asymmetric quantum codes are optimal and their parameters are not covered by the codes available in the literature.