bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Immune activation in HIV/HCV-infected patients is associated with low-level expression of liver expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2)
Authors: Shata Mohamed Tarek M , Abdel-Hameed Enass A , Hetta Helal F , Sherman Kenneth E 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundImmune activation is one of the main features of HIV/Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and has been linked to the disturbance of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). In chronic HIV infection, loss of GALT integrity results in translocation of microbial products and chronic immune activation. We explored the relationship between bacterial translocation and specific colonic proteins, including liver expressed antimicrobial peptide (LEAP 2) which may play a role in modulating the bacterial translocation process.MethodsA total of 40 subjects (10 HIV/HCV, 10 HIV, 10 HCV-infected patients and 10 controls) were enrolled and underwent serum and colonic tissue sampling. The levels of immune activation were evaluated by measuring plasma sCD27, and the levels of selected proinflammatory, Th2 and regulatory cytokines in both the plasma and supernatant of CD3-stimulated intraepithelial lymphocytes. We also evaluated LEAP-2 expression in the colon biopsies using Affymetrix Human Gene 1.0 ST (HuGene) and fluorescent immunohistochemistry.ResultsIncreased levels of sCD27 were observed in HIV/HCV coinfected (p=0.03) and HIV monoinfected (p=0.04) patients compared with controls consistent with the presence of immune activation. The chip array identified LEAP-2 expression as a key marker associated with immune activation. LEAP-2 expression in HIV, HCV and HIV/HCV-infected patients was significantly lower compared with controls, and was significantly negatively correlated (p=0.03, r=−0.44) with sCD27.ConclusionsOur data suggests that HCV and HIV infections are associated with decreased expression of LEAP-2 in colonic tissue. This may represent a key mechanism for enhanced microbial translocation and immune activation in HIV/HCV-infected patients.
What is the point of tips?
Authors: Adamczyk L , Simpkin A , Oxley J 
Published: August 2013

AimsTo look at the incidence of tip margin involvement in skin excisions for basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and to examine if any factors might be used to predict margin involvement.Methods and resultsAll reports of BCCs by a single dermatopathologist were reviewed and 793 excisions were included from 642 patients. Whether there was BCC in the tip and whether this tip was involved were recorded together with macroscopic and microscopic factors based on the Royal College of Pathologists’ (RCPath) dataset. Statistical analysis was carried out to determine associations between these factors and tip involvement. In 43 (5%) specimens the tip margin was involved and in 35 (4%) cases the peripheral lateral margin was involved. Risk factors for tip margin involvement were a lesion that was non-discernible macroscopically and most importantly, involvement of a peripheral lateral margin.ConclusionsThe incidence of tip margin involvement is small and it appears unnecessary to embed the tips unless the lesion is non-discernible macroscopically or if the peripheral lateral margin is involved.
Progressive changes in cerebral perfusion after carotid stenting: a dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion weighted imaging study
Authors: Piñero Pilar , González Alejandro , Moniche Francisco , Martínez Eva , Cayuela Aurelio , González-Marcos José-Ramón , Mayol Antonio , Gil-Peralta Alberto 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundWe aimed to assess baseline inter-hemispheric perfusion differences, before carotid artery stenting (CAS), of severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, and to evaluate perfusion changes over time after CAS by means of perfusion weighted imaging (PWI).MethodsDynamic susceptibility contrast PWI was performed in 33 patients with severe ICA stenosis 1 day before and 1 day after CAS, and repeated in 23 patients 30 days after CAS. Cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, arrival time (T0), mean transit time, and time to peak (TTP) relative values comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic hemispheres before CAS were obtained. Pre- and post-CAS values were also compared in the treated hemisphere and middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories. The influence of collateral circulation and contralateral ICA stenosis were evaluated.ResultsBefore CAS, TTP was significantly increased in the affected hemisphere and MCA territory in all patients (p=0.007 and p=0.021, respectively). After treatment, normalization was observed for TTP and T0 30 days after CAS in all patients, mainly in patients with any grade of contralateral stenosis and with one or both functioning communicating arteries (42.4% of patients had both, and 42.4% showed only one—anterior communicating artery=11 patients (78.6%) and posterior communicating artery=3 patients (21.4%)).ConclusionsInter-hemispheric perfusion differences in patients with severe ICA stenosis normalize after CAS in the long term, up to 30 days after the procedure.
Nm23-H1 Binds to Gelsolin and Inactivates Its Actin-Severing Capacity to Promote Tumor Cell Motility and Metastasis
Authors: Marino Natascia , Marshall Jean-Claude , Collins Joshua W. , Zhou Ming , Qian Yongzhen , Veenstra Timothy , Steeg Patricia S. 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Nm23-H1 has been identified as a metastasis suppressor gene, but its protein interactions have yet to be understood with any mechanistic clarity. In this study, we evaluated the proteomic spectrum of interactions made by Nm23-H1 in 4T1 murine breast cancer cells derived from tissue culture, primary mammary tumors, and pulmonary metastases. By this approach, we identified the actin-severing protein Gelsolin as binding partner for Nm23-H1, verifying their interaction by coimmunoprecipitation in 4T1 cells as well as in human MCF7, MDA-MB-231T, and MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells. In Gelsolin-transfected cells, coexpression of Nm23-H1 abrogated the actin-severing activity of Gelsolin. Conversely, actin severing by Gelsolin was abrogated by RNA interference–mediated silencing of endogenous Nm23-H1. Tumor cell motility was negatively affected in parallel with Gelsolin activity, suggesting that Nm23-H1 binding inactivated the actin-depolymerizing function of Gelsolin to inhibit cell motility. Using indirect immunoflourescence to monitor complexes formed by Gelsolin and Nm23-H1 in living cells, we observed their colocalization in a perinuclear cytoplasmic compartment that was associated with the presence of disrupted actin stress fibers. In vivo analyses revealed that Gelsolin overexpression increased the metastasis of orthotopically implanted 4T1 or tail vein–injected MDA-MB-231T cells (P = 0.001 and 0.04, respectively), along with the proportion of mice with diffuse liver metastases, an effect ablated by coexpression of Nm23-H1. We observed no variation in proliferation among lung metastases. Our findings suggest a new actin-based mechanism that can suppress tumor metastasis. Cancer Res; 73(19); 5949–62. ©2013 AACR.
Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Beijing Urban Heat Island Intensity
Authors: Yang Ping , Ren Guoyu , Liu Weidong 
Published: August 2013

AbstractAn hourly dataset of automatic weather stations over Beijing Municipality in China is developed and is employed to analyze the spatial and temporal characteristics of urban heat island intensity (UHII) over the built-up areas. A total of 56 stations that are located in the built-up areas [inside the 6th Ring Road (RR)] are considered to be urban sites, and 8 stations in the suburban belts surrounding the built-up areas are taken as reference sites. The reference stations are selected by using a remote sensing method. The urban sites are further divided into three areas on the basis of the city RRs. It is found that the largest UHII generally takes place inside the 4th RR and that the smallest ones occur in the outer belts of the built-up areas, between the 5th RR and the 6th RR, with the areas near the northern and southern 6th RR experiencing the weakest UHI phenomena. On a seasonal basis, the strongest UHII generally occurs in winter and weak UHII is dominantly observed in summer and spring. The UHII diurnal variations for each of the urban areas are characterized by a steadily strong UHII stage from 2100 local solar time (LST) to 0600 LST and a steadily weak UHII stage from 1100 to 1600 LST, with the periods 0600–1100 LST and 1600–2100 LST experiencing a swift decline and rise, respectively. UHII diurnal variation is seen throughout the year, but the steadily strong UHII stage at night is longer (shorter) and the steadily weak UHII stage during the day is shorter (longer) during winter and autumn (summer and spring).
The costs and effects of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography and digital substraction angiography on quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease
Authors: Bosma Jan , Dijksman Lea M , Lam Kayan , Wisselink Willem , van Swijndregt Alexander D Montauban , Vahl Anco 
Published: August 2013

BackgroundContrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) both have a high diagnostic performance in the imaging of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). However, little is known about the effects of initial, preoperative imaging using MRA or DSA on quality of life (QoL) in relation to costs (cost-utility).PurposeTo compare cost-utility of treatment strategies using either MRA or DSA as the principal imaging tool, related to QoL, in patients with PAOD.Material and MethodsIn a prospective subgroup analysis of patients randomized between MRA and DSA ( n = 79) for preoperative imaging, QoL questionnaires (SF-36) were obtained at randomization and at 4-month follow-up. Cost-effectiveness from hospital perspective was subsequently compared between groups and the difference in gained or lost QoL per € spent assessed using bootstrap analysis.ResultsNo difference in quality of life was found. A treatment trajectory employing MRA as the principal imaging modality was almost 20% cheaper, leading to a better cost-utility ratio in favor of MRA.ConclusionA treatment plan for peripheral arterial occlusive disease employing MRA versus DSA as the principal imaging modality yields a better cost/QoL ratio for MRA.
Coverage of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Femoral Footprint Using 3 Different Approaches in Single-Bundle Reconstruction
Authors: Robert Henri E. , Bouguennec Nicolas , Vogeli Denis , Berton Eric , Bowen Mark 
Published: August 2013

Background: Performing a single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction within the femoral footprint is important to obtain a functional graft and a stable knee. Hypothesis: There will be a significant difference in the ability of 3 ACL reconstruction techniques to reach and cover the native femoral footprint. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: The percentage of the ACL footprint covered by the femoral tunnel was compared after 3 different techniques to target the footprint: transtibial (TT), inside-out/anteromedial (IO), and outside-in/transfemoral (OI). Fourteen cadaveric knee specimens with a mean age of 67.5 years were used. For each knee, the TT technique utilized a 7.5-mm offset guide, the IO technique was performed through an accessory anteromedial portal, and the OI technique was carried out through the femur from the external wall of the lateral condyle. Entry points in the footprint were spotted with markers, and orientations (sagittal and frontal) of each drill guide were noted. The distal femurs were sawed and scanned, and 3-dimensional image reconstructions were analyzed. The virtual drilled area (reamer diameter, 8 mm) depending on the entry point and the sagittal/frontal orientation of the drill guide was calculated and reported for each of the 3 techniques. The distance from the tunnel center to the ACL center, percentage of the femoral tunnel within the ACL footprint, and percentage of the ACL footprint covered by the tunnel were calculated and statistically compared (analysis of variance and t test). Results: The average distance to the native femoral footprint center was 6.8 ± 2.68 mm for the TT, 2.84 ± 1.26 mm for the IO, and 2.56 ± 1.39 mm for the OI techniques. Average percentages of the femoral tunnel within the ACL footprint were 32%, 76%, and 78%, and average percentages of the ACL footprint covered by the tunnel were 35%, 54%, and 47%, for the TT, IO, and OI techniques, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the IO and OI techniques ( P = .11). The TT approach gave less satisfactory coverage on all testing criteria. Conclusion: The IO and OI techniques allowed for creation of a tunnel closest to the ACL femoral footprint center. Despite this fact and even if the average percentage of the drilled area included in the femoral footprint was close to 80% for these 2 techniques, the average percentage of the ACL footprint covered by the tunnels was <55% for all 3 techniques. Coverage of the ACL footprint depended on the entry point, orientation, and diameter of the drilling but also on the size of the footprint. Clinical Relevance: To improve the coverage of the native femoral footprint with a single-bundle graft, in addition to the entry point it may also be necessary to consider the orientation of the drilling to increase the dimensions of the area while respecting the anatomic constraints of the femoral bone and graft geometry.
Parties in the Public Eye
Authors: Wolak Jennifer , McAtee Andrea 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTo what degree do people distinguish the partisan divisions of national politics from the partisan battles within their state? We explore why people hold favorable views of the political parties in their state, investigating the degree to which such evaluations are simply an artifact of national considerations, or responsive to the political performance and ideological leanings of the state political parties. Using a national survey from 2007, we consider why people like or dislike the Democratic and Republican Parties in their states. While ratings of the state political parties carry the imprint of national political considerations, they are also responsive to the character of state parties. As the liberalism of state parties increases, liberals offer increasingly favorable evaluations of the Democratic Party, while conservatives offer increasingly negative party evaluations. Under Republican state legislatures, better economic performance translates into greater support for the party. Popular support for state political parties rests in part on the policy positions these parties take and the party's performance in office.
Egress of CD19+CD5+ cells into peripheral blood following treatment with the Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor ibrutinib in mantle cell lymphoma patients
Authors: Chang Betty Y. , Francesco Michelle , De Rooij Martin F. M. , Magadala Padmaja , Steggerda Susanne M. , Huang Min Mei , Kuil Annemieke , Herman Sarah E. M. , Chang Stella , Pals Steven T. , Wilson Wyndham , Wiestner Adrian , Spaargaren Marcel , Buggy Joseph J. , Elias Laurence 
Published: August 2013

Key Points
MCL cells are mobilized into the peripheral blood of patients treated with the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib. Ibrutinib dose-dependently inhibits BCR- and chemokine-mediated adhesion and migration of MCL cells.
Clonal genetic and hematopoietic heterogeneity among human-induced pluripotent stem cell lines
Authors: Mills Jason A. , Wang Kai , Paluru Prasuna , Ying Lei , Lu Lin , Galvão Aline M. , Xu Dongbin , Yao Yu , Sullivan Spencer K. , Sullivan Lisa M. , Mac Helen , Omari Amel , Jean Jyh-Chang , Shen Steve , Gower Adam , Spira Avi , Mostoslavsky Gustavo , Kotton Darrell N. , French Deborah L. , Weiss Mitchell J. , Gadue Paul 
Published: August 2013

Key Points
Normal induced pluripotent stem cells exhibit donor-specific gene expression signatures and the capacity for hematopoietic development. CNVs acquired during reprogramming or selection of rare CNVs present in the starting cell population may alter iPSC developmental potential.
Evaluation of the taxonomic status of populations assigned to Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis (Anura, Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae) based on molecular, chromosomal, and morphological approach
Authors: Bruschi Daniel Pacheco , Busin Carmen Sílvia , Toledo Luís Felipe , Vasconcellos Gilda Andrade , Strussmann Christine , Weber Luiz Norberto , Lima Albertina Pimentel , Lima Jucivaldo Dias , Recco-Pimentel Shirlei Maria 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
The taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships of the genus Phyllomedusa have been amply discussed. The marked morphological similarities among some species hamper the reliable identification of specimens and may often lead to their incorrect taxonomic classification on the sole basis of morphological traits. Phenotypic variation was observed among populations assigned to either P. azurea or P. hypochondrialis. In order to evaluate whether the variation observed in populations assigned to P. hypochondrialis is related to that in genotypes, a cytogenetic analysis was combined with phylogenetic inferences based on mitochondrial and nuclear sequences.

Results
The inter- and intra-population variation in the external morphology observed among the specimens analyzed in the present study do not reflect the phylogenetic relationships among populations. A monophyletic clade was recovered, grouping all the specimens identified as P. hypochondrialis and specimens assigned P. azurea from Minas Gerais state. This clade is characterized by conserved chromosomal morphology and a common C-banding pattern. Extensive variation in the nucleolar organizing region (NOR) was observed among populations, with four distinct NOR positions being recognized in the karyotypes. Intra-population polymorphism of the additional rDNA clusters observed in specimens from Barreiras, Bahia state, also highlights the marked genomic instability of the rDNA in the genome of this group. Based on the topology obtained in the phylogenetic analyses, the re-evaluation of the taxonomic status of the specimens from the southernmost population known in Brazil is recommended.

Conclusions
The results of this study support the need for a thorough revision of the phenotypic features used to discriminate P. azurea and P. hypochondrialis. The phylogenetic data presented here also contribute to an extension of the geographic range of P. hypochondrialis, which is known to occur in the Amazon basin and neighboring areas of the Cerrado savanna, where it may be sympatric with P. azurea, within contact zones. The misidentification of specimens may have led to inconsistencies in the original definition of the geographic range of P. azurea. The variability observed in the NOR of P. hypochondrialis reinforces the conclusion that these sites represent hotspots of rearrangement. Intraspecific variation in the location of these sites is the result of constant rearrangements that are not detected by classical cytogenetic methods or are traits of an ancestral, polymorphic karyotype, which would not be phylogenetically informative for this group.
De novo characterization of Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr. transcriptome and analysis of its gene expression induced by jasmonates
Authors: Men Lina , Yan Shanchun , Liu Guanjun 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background

Larix gmelinii is a dominant tree species in China’s boreal forests and plays an important role in the coniferous ecosystem. It is also one of the most economically important tree species in the Chinese timber industry due to excellent water resistance and anti-corrosion of its wood products. Unfortunately, in Northeast China, L. gmelinii often suffers from serious attacks by diseases and insects. The application of exogenous volatile semiochemicals may induce and enhance its resistance against insect or disease attacks; however, little is known regarding the genes and molecular mechanisms related to induced resistance.

Results
We performed de novo sequencing and assembly of the L. gmelinii transcriptome using a short read sequencing technology (Illumina). Chemical defenses of L. gmelinii seedlings were induced with jasmonic acid (JA) or methyl jasmonate (MeJA) for 6 hours. Transcriptomes were compared between seedlings induced by JA, MeJA and untreated controls using a tag-based digital gene expression profiling system. In a single run, 25,977,782 short reads were produced and 51,157 unigenes were obtained with a mean length of 517 nt. We sequenced 3 digital gene expression libraries and generated between 3.5 and 5.9 million raw tags, and obtained 52,040 reliable reference genes after removing redundancy. The expression of disease/insect-resistance genes (e.g., phenylalanine ammonialyase, coumarate 3-hydroxylase, lipoxygenase, allene oxide synthase and allene oxide cyclase) was up-regulated. The expression profiles of some abundant genes under different elicitor treatment were studied by using real-time qRT-PCR.
The results showed that the expression levels of disease/insect-resistance genes in the seedling samples induced by JA and MeJA were higher than those in the control group. The seedlings induced with MeJA elicited the strongest increases in disease/insect-resistance genes.

Conclusions
Both JA and MeJA induced seedlings of L. gmelinii showed significantly increased expression of disease/insect-resistance genes. MeJA seemed to have a stronger induction effect than JA on expression of disease/insect-resistance related genes. This study provides sequence resources for L. gmelinii research and will help us to better understand the functions of disease/insect-resistance genes and the molecular mechanisms of secondary metabolisms in L. gmelinii.
Warfarin use in hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation: decisions based on uncertainty
Authors: Juma Salina , Thomson Benjamin KA , Lok Charmaine E , Clase Catherine M , Blake Peter G , Moist Louise 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Warfarin prescribing patterns for hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation vary widely amongst nephrologists. This may be due to a paucity of guiding evidence, but also due to concerns of increased risks of warfarin use in this population. The literature lacks clarity on the balance of warfarin therapy between prevention of thrombotic strokes and the increased risks of bleeding in hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation.

Methods
We performed a survey of Canadian Nephrologists, assessing warfarin prescribing practice, and measured the certainty in making these choices.

Results
Respondents were consistently uncertain about warfarin use for atrial fibrillation. This uncertainty increased with a history of falls or starting hemodialysis, even when a high CHADS2 or CHA2DS2VASc score was present. The majority of respondents agreed that clinical equipoise existed about the use of oral anticoagulation in hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation (72.2%) and that the results of a randomized controlled trial would be relevant to their practice (98.2%).

Conclusions
A randomized controlled trial of warfarin use in hemodialysis patients with atrial fibrillation would clarify the risks and benefits of warfarin use in this population.