bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The regulatory T cell effector soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 induces tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in renal transplantation
Authors: Zhao Zitong , Yang Cheng , Wang Lingyan , Li Long , Zhao Tian , Hu Linkun , Rong Ruiming , Xu Ming , Zhu Tongyu 
Published: January 2014

Acute rejection (AR) hinders renal allograft survival. Tubular epithelial cell (TEC) apoptosis contributes to premature graft loss in AR, while the mechanism remains unclear. Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFGL2), a novel effector of regulatory T cells (Treg), induces apoptosis to mediate tissue injury. We previously found that serum sFGL2 significantly increased in renal allograft rejection patients. In this study, the role of sFGL2 in AR was further investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The serum level of sFGL2 and the percentage of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg in the peripheral blood were measured in renal allograft recipients with AR or stable renal function ( n = 30 per group). The human TEC was stimulated with sFGL2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, or phosphate buffered saline and investigated for apoptosis in vitro. Apoptosis-associated genes expression in TEC was further assessed. Approval for this study was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Fudan University. Our results showed that the serum level of sFGL2, correlated with Treg in the peripheral blood, was significantly increased in the AR patients. In vitro, sFGL2 remarkably induced TEC apoptosis, with a significant up-regulation of proapoptotic genes, including CASP-3, CASP-8, CASP-9, CASP-10, TRADD, TNFSF10, FADD, FAS, FASLG, BAK1, BAD, BAX, and NF-KB1. However, no significant changes were observed in the expression of antiapoptotic genes, including CARD-18, NAIP, BCL2, IKBKB, and TBK1. Therefore, sFGL2, an effector of Treg, induces TEC apoptosis. Our study suggests that sFGL2 is a potential mediator in the pathogenesis of allograft rejection and provides novel insights into the role of Treg in AR.
Fournier’s gangrene: outcome analysis of 62 consecutive cases
Authors: El-Shazly M , Sultan M , Salem S , Alkandari I , Shebl M 
Published: January 2014

Objectives: The objective of this article is to study the outcome of management of 62 consecutive cases of Fournier’s gangrene (FG). Patients and methods: We conducted an observational study of all cases of FG admitted to the Urology and General Surgery departments of Farwaniya Hospital, Kuwait, between 2004 and 2013. We recorded the laboratory and clinical findings on admission. Operative and postoperative data were also recorded. Results: Our study included 62 cases of FG. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (survival) consisted of 55 cases and Group B (mortality) of seven cases. The mean duration of symptoms before admission was significantly longer in the mortality group (3.86 days versus 1.96 days in survival group) ( p < 0.05). The mean duration of symptoms until time of first debridement was also significantly longer in the mortality group (4.39 days versus 2.35 days in survival group) ( p < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the percentage of the affected area in relation to total body surface area (4.6% in Group A versus 8% in Group B) ( p < 0.05). The Fournier Gangrene Severity Index score (FGSI) was significantly higher in Group B (10.26) in comparison to Group A (6) ( p < 0.01). The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly higher in the survival group (22.24 days versus 14.28 days) ( p < 0.01). Diabetes and renal failure were significantly higher in the mortality group (100% and 57.1% in Group B versus 54.5% and 9.1% in Group A, respectively) ( p < 0.05). The number of patients presenting with severe sepsis was higher in the mortality group (71.4% in Group B versus 12.7% in Group A) ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: We concluded that FG is a serious, potentially fatal disease. Higher mortality is related to severe sepsis on admission, renal failure, diabetes, extensive disease involving extra-genital areas and late presentation. A multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis and management of the disease can achieve good outcome with low mortality rate.
Oral D-mannose in recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a pilot study
Authors: Porru D , Parmigiani A , Tinelli C , Barletta D , Choussos D , Di Franco C , Bobbi V , Bassi S , Miller O , Gardella B , Nappi RE , Spinillo A , Rovereto B 
Published: January 2014

Background: In recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) usual prophylactic antibiotic regimes do not change the long-term risk of recurrence. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of D-mannose in the treatment and prophylaxis of recurrent UTIs. Methods: In this randomized cross-over trial female patients were eligible for the study if they had an acute symptomatic UTI and three or more recurrent UTIs during the preceding 12 months. Suitable patients were randomly assigned to antibiotic treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole or to a regimen of oral D-mannose 1 g 3 times a day, every 8 hours for 2 weeks, and subsequently 1 g twice a day for 22 weeks. They received the other intervention in the second phase of the study, with no further antibiotic prophylaxis. The primary endpoint was evaluation of the elapsed time to recurrence; secondary endpoints were evaluation of bladder pain (VASp) and urinary urgency (VASu). Results: The results for quantitative variables were expressed as mean values and SD as they were all normally distributed (Shapiro–Wilk test). In total, 60 patients aged between 22 and 54 years (mean 42 years) were included. Mean time to UTI recurrence was 52.7 days with antibiotic treatment, and 200 days with oral D-mannose ( p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Mean VASp, VASu score, and average numbers of 24-hour voidings decreased significantly. D-mannose appeared to be a safe and effective treatment for recurrent UTIs in adult women. A significant difference was observed in the proportion of women remaining infection free versus antibiotic treatment.
If You Want to Convict a Domestic Violence Batterer, List Multiple Charges in the Police Report
Authors: Nelson Eric L. 
Published: January 2014

Problem: Even though reforms in the past 40 years mandated police response to domestic violence (DV) crime, and in many states also mandated arrest, never-the-less baseline rates of DV prosecution remain low. Background: The nature of prosecution is reviewed, noting that nearly all criminal cases are resolved through plea bargaining in state and federal cases. Thus, the nature of plea bargaining is examined from a perspective of negotiable currency. Past research demonstrates that if multiple crimes are described and listed in the first responding police officer’s written report, there is a substantially greater odds that the suspect will be prosecuted and found guilty. Those extra charges can be dropped by prosecutors in exchange for a plea of guilt. Purpose: This empirical study examines a discretionary best practices crime investigation method that can be operationalized by first responding police officers, in situ, to determine whether its use leads to a significant increase in rates of prosecution and criminal conviction for DV crime. The methodology is the choice to thoroughly investigate each DV crime to uncover concurrent and also past-but-still-chargeable crimes. This optional work is time-consuming because children, neighbors, the 911 caller, and others must be contacted and interviewed. Method: Randomly selected police reports ( n = 366) were found to contain 22 combinations of crime codes listed as violations, for DV and other concurrent crimes. The reports were evaluated on a number of prosecutorial outcomes. Frequency statistics were calculated, and logistic regression was used to confirm key relationships. Results: Only one third of all submitted reports listed more than one crime. For those investigations that did lead to prosecution, 97% resolved through plea bargaining. Most single charge misdemeanor DV police reports were found to be “dead upon arrival” at the prosecutor’s office, with only 29% resulting in any type of criminal conviction. Conversely, reports that list four crimes have a 100% rate of conviction. Three quarters of all “felony” DV, as labeled by police, either resulted in no criminal prosecution or prosecution as a misdemeanor. This replicates a finding of the California State Attorney General who reported a serious problem with police regularly inflating DV charges. Police routinely failed to list children as victims (4% of investigations), even though they could have been listed about 61% to 86% of the time. Conclusions: There is substantial room for investigative improvement by police. A number of easily added crime codes are reviewed in the discussion section. The importance of sergeants sending officers back to the scene of the DV crime, while it is still warm and witnesses and additional evidence are still available is discussed. The article concludes with a prediction: As rates of listing more than one crime in police reports increases, there should follow a significant and permanent increase in rates of prosecution and criminal conviction for DV crime.
Differentiation therapy for the treatment of t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia using histone deacetylase inhibitors
Authors: Bots Michael , Verbrugge Inge , Martin Benjamin P. , Salmon Jessica M. , Ghisi Margherita , Baker Adele , Stanley Kym , Shortt Jake , Ossenkoppele Gert J. , Zuber Johannes , Rappaport Amy R. , Atadja Peter , Lowe Scott W. , Johnstone Ricky W. 
Published: January 2014

Key Points
HDACi-mediated differentiation therapy is a potent and molecularly rational treatment strategy in t(8;21) AML.
Association of the RYR3 gene polymorphisms with atherosclerosis in elderly Japanese population
Authors: Zhao Chenxi , Ikeda Shinobu , Arai Tomio , Naka-Mieno Makiko , Sato Noriko , Muramatsu Masaaki , Sawabe Motoji 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
The Ryanodine receptor 3 gene (RYR3) encodes an intracellular calcium channel that mediates the efflux of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the RYR3 gene have been shown to associate with stroke (rs877087) and carotid intima-media thickness (rs2229116) in two independent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Caucasian. We investigated the effect of these two SNPs as well as the 31.1 kilobases spanning region on atherosclerosis in Japanese population.

Methods
Atherosclerotic severity was assessed by carotid artery (n = 1374) and pathological atherosclerosis index (PAI) (n = 1262), which is a macroscopic examination of the luminal surfaces of 8 systemic arteries in consecutive autopsy samples. 4 tag SNPs in the 31.1 Kb region, rs877087, rs2132207, rs658750 and rs2229116, were genotyped and haplotypes were inferred to study the association with atherosclerotic indices.

Results

rs877087 and rs2229116 were associated with PAI (OR = 2.07 [1.04-4.12] (95% CI), p = 0.038; and OR = 1.38 [1.02-1.86], p = 0.035, respectively). rs2229116 was also associated with common carotid atherosclerosis (OR = 1.45 [1.13-1.86], p = 0.003). The risk allele of rs2229116 was opposite from the original report. The haplotype block of this 31.1 Kb region was different between Caucasian and Japanese. Haplotype analysis revealed that only TAGG haplotype was associated with PAI (OR = 0.67 [0.48-0.94], p = 0.020) and atherosclerosis of common carotid artery (OR = 0.75 [0.58-0.98], p = 0.034).

Conclusion

rs877087 and rs2229116 of RYR3 gene are associated with atherosclerosis severity in Japanese. The functional difference caused by rs2229116 needs to be investigated.
Changes in pulmonary tuberculosis prevalence: evidence from the 2010 population survey in a populous province of China
Authors: Wei Xiaolin , Zhang Xiulei , Yin Jia , Walley John , Beanland Rachel , Zou Guanyang , Zhang Hongmei , Li Fang , Liu Zhimin , Zee Benny CY , Griffiths Sian M 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
This paper reports findings from the prevalence survey conducted in Shandong China in 2010, a province with a population of 94 million. This study aimed to estimate TB prevalence of the province in 2010 in comparison with the 2000 survey; and to compare yields of TB cases from different case finding approaches.

Methods
A population based, cross-sectional survey was conducted using multi-stage random cluster sampling. 54,279 adults participated in the survey with a response rate of 96%. Doctors interviewed and classified participants as suspected TB cases if they presented with persistent cough, abnormal chest X-ray (CXRAY), or both. Three sputum specimens of all suspected cases were collected and sent for smear microscopy and culture.

Results
Adjusted prevalence rate of bacteriologically confirmed cases was 34 per 100,000 for adults in Shandong in 2010. Compared to the 2000 survey, TB prevalence has declined by 80%. 53% of bacteriologically confirmed cases did not present persistent cough. The yield of bacteriologically confirmed cases was 47% by symptom screening and 95% by CXRAY. Over 50% of TB cases were among over 65’s.

Conclusions
The prevalence rate of bacteriologically confirmed cases was significantly reduced compared with 2000. The survey raised challenges to identify TB cases without clear symptoms.
Experience of physical violence and mental health among young men and women: a population-based study in Sweden
Authors: Fridh Maria , Lindström Martin , Rosvall Maria 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
In Sweden mental ill-health has increased among the young, especially among young women. Our aim was to investigate the association between experience of physical violence during the past year and self rated psychological health among young men and women.

Methods
The study population consisted of men (n = 2,624) and women (n = 3,569) aged 18–34 years who participated in the 2008 public health survey study in Skåne. The survey was a cross-sectional stratified random sample postal questionnaire study with a 54.1% participation rate. Associations were investigated by logistic regression models.

Results
The prevalence of poor psychological health was 18.9% among men and 27.7% among women. One in ten men and one in twenty women had experienced physical violence during the past year. Most men were violated in public places, while women were most often violated at home. Women who had experienced violence during the past year showed more than doubled odds of poor psychological health, odds ratio (OR): 2.66 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.00, 3.53). Such an association could not be seen in men OR: 1.12 (95% CI: 0.85, 1.47). Adjustment for covariates (i.e. age, country of birth, socioeconomic status, economic stress, alcohol risk consumption, emotional support, instrumental support and generalized trust in other people) did not change the association found among women.

Conclusion
Violated women, but not men, showed nearly doubled odds of poor psychological health after multiple adjustments. There was also a gender difference regarding location of violence. Awareness of gender differences regarding context and mental impact of violence may assist public health workers in reducing the consequences of violence and to design preventive strategies.
Electronic immunization data collection systems: application of an evaluation framework
Authors: Heidebrecht Christine L , Kwong Jeffrey C , Finkelstein Michael , Quan Sherman D , Pereira Jennifer A , Quach Susan , Deeks Shelley L 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Evaluating the features and performance of health information systems can serve to strengthen the systems themselves as well as to guide other organizations in the process of designing and implementing surveillance tools. We adapted an evaluation framework in order to assess electronic immunization data collection systems, and applied it in two Ontario public health units.

Methods
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems are broad in nature and serve as an organizational tool to guide the development of comprehensive evaluation materials. Based on these Guidelines, and informed by other evaluation resources and input from stakeholders in the public health community, we applied an evaluation framework to two examples of immunization data collection and examined several system attributes: simplicity, flexibility, data quality, timeliness, and acceptability. Data collection approaches included key informant interviews, logic and completeness assessments, client surveys, and on-site observations.

Results
Both evaluated systems allow high-quality immunization data to be collected, analyzed, and applied in a rapid fashion. However, neither system is currently able to link to other providers’ immunization data or provincial data sources, limiting the comprehensiveness of coverage assessments. We recommended that both organizations explore possibilities for external data linkage and collaborate with other jurisdictions to promote a provincial immunization repository or data sharing platform.

Conclusions
Electronic systems such as the ones described in this paper allow immunization data to be collected, analyzed, and applied in a rapid fashion, and represent the infostructure required to establish a population-based immunization registry, critical for comprehensively assessing vaccine coverage.
Process inhomogeneity leads to rapid side product turnover in cultivation of Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Käß Friedrich , Junne Stefan , Neubauer Peter , Wiechert Wolfgang , Oldiges Marco 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundCorynebacterium glutamicumhas large scale industrial applications in the production of amino acids and the potential to serve as a platform organism for new products. This means the demand for industrial process development is likely to increase. However, large scale cultivation conditions differ from laboratory bioreactors, mostly due to the formation of concentration gradients at the industrial scale. This leads to an oscillating supply of oxygen and nutrients for microorganisms with uncertain impact on metabolism. Scale-down bioreactors can be applied to study robustness and physiological reactions to oscillating conditions at a laboratory scale.ResultsIn this study,C. glutamicumATCC13032 was cultivated by glucose limited fed-batch cultivation in a two-compartment bioreactor consisting of an aerobic stirred tank and a connected non-aerated plug flow reactor with optional feeding. Continuous flow through both compartments generated oscillating profiles with estimated residence times of 45 and 87 seconds in the non-aerated plug flow compartment. Oscillation of oxygen supply conditions at substrate excess and oscillation of both substrate and dissolved oxygen concentration were compared to homogeneous reference cultivations. The dynamic metabolic response of cells within the anaerobic plug flow compartment was monitored throughout the processes, detecting high turnover of substrate into metabolic side products and acidification within oxygen depleted zones. It was shown that anaerobic secretion of lactate into the extracellular culture broth, with subsequent reabsorption in the aerobic glucose-limited environment, leads to mixed-substrate growth in fed-batch processes. Apart from this, the oscillations had only a minor impact on growth and intracellular metabolite characteristics.ConclusionsCarbon metabolism ofC. glutamicumchanges at oscillating oxygen supply conditions, leading to a futile cycle over extracellular side products and back into oxidative pathways. This phenomenon facilitates a dynamic and flexible shift of oxygen uptake at inhomogeneous process conditions. There is no loss of process characteristics at oscillation times in the minute range, which emphasizes the robustness ofC. glutamicumin comparison to other industrial microorganisms. Therefore, the metabolic phenotype ofC. glutamicumseems to be particularly well-suited for cultivation at inhomogeneous process conditions for large-scale fed-batch application, which is in good accordance with the respective industrial experiences.
Quality of life impact of mental health conditions in England: results from the adult psychiatric morbidity surveys
Authors: Roberts Jennifer , Lenton Pamela , Keetharuth Anju D , Brazier John 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackgroundThe main objective is to present health state utility estimates for a broad range of mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, long-term depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobia, panic disorder, psychosis, alcohol and drug dependency that can be used in economic models.MethodsThis study uses pooled data from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Surveys carried out in 2000 and 2007 of a representative sample of the general population in England. Health state utility values measured by the SF-6D and EQ-5D indices are the dependent variables. Independent variables include background characteristics, mental health and physical health conditions. Regression models were estimated using OLS for the SF-6D and tobit for EQ-5D. Further regressions were carried out to consider the impact of mental health and physical health morbidities and the impact of severity of conditions on utility values.ResultsMental health conditions tend to have a larger impact on health state utility values than physical health conditions. The mental health conditions associated with the highest decrements in utility are: depression, mixed anxiety and depressive disorders and long-term depression. Interaction terms used to model the effect of co-morbidities are generally found to be positive implying that simply adding the utility decrements for two mental health conditions overestimates the burden of the disease.ConclusionsThis paper presents reliable and representative community based mean SF-6D and EQ-5D estimates with standard errors for health state utility values across a broad range of mental health conditions that can be used in cost effectiveness modelling.
Acute pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice as initial complaints of hepatocellular carcinoma: case report
Authors: Jiang Guo-Qing , Qian Jian-Jun , Yao Jie , Jin Sheng-Jie , Bai Dou-Sheng 
Published: January 2014

Abstract

Background
Patients with cirrhosis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rarely present with acute pancreatitis (AP) and obstructive jaundice as the main clinical features. AP with obstructive jaundice caused by common bile duct embolism (CBDE) is very rare.

Case presentation
A 54-year-old man with CBDE was misdiagnosed with common bile duct stones three times over a 7-month period. Investigations during this time did not identify CBDE. Surgical exploration was performed because of AP, obstructive jaundice, and a tumor in the left lobe of the liver. CBDE from the hepatic tumor was diagnosed by intraoperative biopsy and frozen section examination. The patient underwent left hemihepatectomy, cholecystectomy, and bile duct exploration.

Conclusion
Preoperative diagnosis of CBDE is difficult because of the rarity of the condition, lack of physician awareness, and easy misdiagnosis on imaging examinations. Early and accurate diagnosis of this condition is important.