bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA demethylating agent 5-azacytidine inhibits myeloid-derived suppressor cells induced by tumor growth and cyclophosphamide treatment
Authors: Mikyšková Romana , Indrová Marie , Vlková Veronika , Bieblová Jana , Šímová Jana , Paračková Zuzana , Pajtasz-Piasecka Elzbieta , Rossowska Joanna , Reiniš Milan 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTMDSCs represent one of the key players mediating immunosuppression. These cells accumulate in the TME, lymphoid organs, and blood during tumor growth. Their mobilization was also reported after CY therapy. DNMTi 5AC has been intensively studied as an antitumor agent. In this study, we examined, using two different murine tumor models, the modulatory effects of 5AC on TU-MDSCs and CY-MDSCs tumor growth and CY therapy. Indeed, the percentage of MDSCs in the TME and spleens of 5AC-treated mice bearing TRAMP-C2 or TC-1/A9 tumors was found decreased. The changes in the MDSC percentage were accompanied by a decrease in the Arg-1 gene expression, both in the TME and spleens. CY treatment of the tumors resulted in additional MDSC accumulation in the TME and spleens. This accumulation was subsequently inhibited by 5AC treatment. A combination of CY with 5AC led to the highest tumor growth inhibition. Furthermore, in vitro cultivation of spleen MDSCs in the presence of 5AC reduced the percentage of MDSCs. This reduction was associated with an increased percentage of CD11c+ and CD86+/MHCII+ cells. The observed modulatory effect on MDSCs correlated with a reduction of the Arg-1 gene expression, VEGF production, and loss of suppressive capacity. Similar, albeit weaker effects were observed when MDSCs from the spleens of tumor-bearing animals were cultivated with 5AC. Our findings indicate that beside the direct antitumor effect, 5AC can reduce the percentage of MDSCs accumulating in the TME and spleens during tumor growth and CY chemotherapy, which can be beneficial for the outcome of cancer therapy.
Morphology Analysis for Effect of the Polymer Cluster Produced from Adamantyl-bearing Trifunctional Monomer on the Stability of Liquid Crystal Alignment
Authors: Mizusaki Masanobu , Nakamura Kimiaki 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Effect on stability of liquid crystal (LC) alignment due to formation of polymer clusters on alignment films produced from the copolymer of 1,3,5-triacryloyloxyadamantane and 4,4′-diacryloyloxybiphenyl was investigated with morphology analysis. Experimental results revealed that the stability of the LC alignment was increased because the polymer clusters effectively held the LC molecules adjacent to the polymer clusters.
Recent Progress in MMX-Chain Complexes: Unique Electronic States and Characteristics Developed by Introducing Binary Countercations
Authors: Iguchi Hiroaki , Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
MMX-Type quasi-one-dimensional iodide-bridged diplatinum complexes (MMX chains) provide various electronic states and attractive physical properties. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in MMX chains consisting of pyrophosphite (pop) ligands. The MMX chains with binary countercations, which have short Pt–I–Pt distance and robust frameworks, form a new electronic state. They show reversible dehydration–rehydration accompanied by the change of electronic states and electrical conductivity. Relatively high electrical conductivity in the MMX chains with binary countercations enables us to investigate the negative differential resistance (NDR) and electrochemical characteristics in the solid state for the first time in MMX chains.
Survey of management of common iliac artery aneurysms by members of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland
Authors: Williams SK , Campbell WB , Earnshaw JJ 
Published: January 2014

Introduction The aim of this study was to determine whether the current management of common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAAs) by vascular surgeons is in tune with existing guidelines for referral. Methods This was a postal survey of members of the Vascular Society of Great Britain and Ireland. The main outcome measures were relative frequency of ruptured CIAA, respondents’ size threshold for surveillance versus intervention, and their management strategies for isolated unilateral CIAAs, bilateral CIAAs and aortoiliac aneurysms. Results Two hundred and eighty-four (anonymous) replies were received (48% response rate). Respondents estimated that a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was 25 times more common than a ruptured CIAA. Most surgeons (64%) would wait until a CIAA reached 4cm in diameter before considering intervention. This threshold was not affected by other scenarios such as the presence of a bilateral CIAA or a small (4cm) AAA. Eighty per cent of surgeons would treat a non-ruptured CIAA by stenting, where possible. The majority of surgeons felt that ultrasonography surveillance should be commenced when a CIAA exceeds 1.5cm, with a surveillance interval of 1 year but with more frequent surveillance for CIAAs wider than 3cm. Conclusions Existing guidelines that recommend referral for possible intervention for non-ruptured CIAAs at a diameter of 3cm are out of tune with current practice. Most surgeons in this survey would wait until the diameter was 4cm.
Assessment of recurrent laryngeal nerve function during thyroid surgery
Authors: Smith J , Douglas J , Smith B , Dougherty T , Ayshford C 
Published: January 2014

Introduction There is disparity in the reported incidence of temporary and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy following thyroidectomy. Much of the disparity is due to the method of assessing vocal cord function. We sought to identify the incidence and natural history of temporary and permanent vocal cord palsy following thyroid surgery. The authors wanted to establish whether intraoperative nerve monitoring and stimulation aids in prognosis when managing vocal cord palsy. Methods Prospective data on consecutive thyroid operations were collected. Intraoperative nerve monitoring and stimulation, using an endotracheal tube mounted device, was performed in all cases. Endoscopic examination of the larynx was performed on the first postoperative day and at three weeks. Results Data on 102 patients and 123 nerves were collated. Temporary and permanent RLN palsy rates were 6.1% and 1.7%. Most RLN palsies were identified on the first postoperative day with all recognised at the three-week review. No preoperative clinical risk factors were identified. Although dysphonia at the three-week follow-up visit was the only significant predictor of vocal cord palsy, only two-thirds of patients with cord palsies were dysphonic. Intraoperative nerve monitoring and stimulation did not predict outcome in terms of vocal cord function. Conclusions Temporary nerve palsy rates were consistent with other series where direct laryngoscopy is used to assess laryngeal function. Direct laryngoscopy is the only reliable measure of cord function, with intraoperative monitoring being neither a reliable predictor of cord function nor a predictor of eventual laryngeal function. The fact that all temporary palsies recovered within four months has implications for staged procedures.
Obesity and recurrent intervertebral disc prolapse after lumbar microdiscectomy
Authors: Quah C , Syme G , Swamy GN , Nanjayan S , Fowler A , Calthorpe D 
Published: January 2014

Introduction The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and recurrent intervertebral disc prolapse (IDP) following lumbar microdiscectomy. Methods A retrospective review of case notes from 2008 to 2012 was conducted for all patients who underwent single level lumbar microdiscectomy performed by a single surgeon. All patients were followed up at two weeks and six weeks following surgery, and given an open appointment for a further six months. Results A total of 283 patients were available for analysis: 190 (67%) were in the non-obese group and 93 (32.9%) in the obese group. There was no statistical difference in postoperative infection, dural tear or length of stay between the non-obese and obese groups. Recurrent symptomatic IDP was seen in 27 patients (9.5%) confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Nineteen (10.0%) were in the non-obese group and eight (8.6%) in the obese group (p>0.8). Conclusions In our study, obesity was not a predictor of recurrent IDP following lumbar microdiscectomy. Our literature review confirmed that this study reports the largest series to date analysing the relationship between obesity and recurrent IDP following lumbar microdiscectomy in the British population.
An Expression QTL of Closely Linked Candidate Genes Affects pH of Meat in Chickens
Authors: Nadaf Javad , Berri Cecile , Dunn Ian , Godet Estelle , Le Bihan-Duval Elisabeth , De Koning Dirk Jan 
Published: January 2014

AbstractGenetical genomics has been suggested as a powerful approach to study the genotype–phenotype gap. However, the relatively low power of these experiments (usually related to the high cost) has hindered fulfillment of its promise, especially for loci (QTL) of moderate effects.One strategy with which to overcome the issue is to use a targeted approach. It has two clear advantages: (i) it reduces the problem to a simple comparison between different genotypic groups at the QTL and (ii) it is a good starting point from which to investigate downstream effects of the QTL. In this study, from 698 F2 birds used for QTL mapping, gene expression profiles of 24 birds with divergent homozygous QTL genotypes were investigated. The targeted QTL was on chromosome 1 and affected initial pH of breast muscle. The biological mechanisms controlling this trait can be similar to those affecting malignant hyperthermia or muscle fatigue in humans. The gene expression study identified 10 strong local signals that were markedly more significant compared to any genes on the rest of the genome. The differentially expressed genes all mapped to a region &lt;1 Mb, suggesting a remarkable reduction of the QTL interval. These results, combined with analysis of downstream effect of the QTL using gene network analysis, suggest that the QTL is controlling pH by governing oxidative stress. The results were reproducible with use of as few as four microarrays on pooled samples (with lower significance level). The results demonstrate that this cost-effective approach is promising for characterization of QTL.
Detecting Structure of Haplotypes and Local Ancestry
Authors: Guan Yongtao 
Published: January 2014

AbstractWe present a two-layer hidden Markov model to detect the structure of haplotypes for unrelated individuals. This allows us to model two scales of linkage disequilibrium (one within a group of haplotypes and one between groups), thereby taking advantage of rich haplotype information to infer local ancestry of admixed individuals. Our method outperforms competing state-of-the-art methods, particularly for regions of small ancestral track lengths. Applying our method to Mexican samples in HapMap3, we found two regions on chromosomes 6 and 8 that show significant departure of local ancestry from the genome-wide average. A software package implementing the methods described in this article is freely available at http://bcm.edu/cnrc/mcmcmc.
Pesticides in the River Ravi and its Tributaries Between its Stretches from Shahdara to Balloki Headworks, Punjab‐Pakistan
Authors: Akhtar Mobeen , Mahboob Shahid , Sultana Salma , Sultana Tayyaba 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACT: The present study investigated the presence and potent source of pesticides and specific pesticide bearing effluent release points on the River Ravi, between the Shahdara and Balloki Headworks. Pakistan has banned the use of organochlorine and nitrogen containing pesticides, yet no attention has been paid to the continuous monitoring and assessment of these banned pesticides to make sure that they are not being used in practice. Levels of selected organochlorine and nitrogen containing pesticide residues were assessed in water collected from 18 sampling sites on the River Ravi and its tributaries using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (GC‐ECD). All water samples were found to be contaminated with varying concentrations of pesticide residues. However, levels of pesticides were below the tolerance limits suggested in national and international standards. Pesticide concentrations in the water of river sites ranged from 0.034 to 0.045μg/L for DDT, 0.033 to 0.046μg/L for DDE, 0.108 to 0.123μg/L for endosulfan and 0.028 to 0.040μg/L for carbofuran. In tributaries, pesticide concentrations ranged from 0.0468 to 0.0685μg/L for DDT, 0.0390 to 0.0637μg/L for DDE, 0.111 to 0.147μg/L for endosulfan and 0.0396 to 0.0631μg/L for carbofuran. The results show pesticide concentrations in river water in the order: endosulfan > DDE > DDT > carbofuran. Pesticide concentrations in tributary waters decreased in the order: endosulfan > DDT> DDE > carbofuran. After Degh Fall and After Hudiara Nulla Fall river sampling sites were severely contaminated while, among the tributaries, Degh Fall and Hudiara Drain were severely contaminated with DDT, DDE, endosulfan and carbofuran. Constant monitoring programs should to be initiated to reform the present situation.
Disseminated tuberculosis in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: Ranganath Sangeetha , Wilson Benjamin , Narasimhan Aarthi , Midturi John 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
A 53-year-old immigrant male patient presented with left scrotal swelling with a draining ulcer on the left hemiscrotum. Patient had intentional weight loss, fever and night sweats, cough, headaches, confusion and difficulty with ambulation. Imaging studies revealed innumerable pulmonary nodules, leptomeningeal enhancement of the brain and bilateral epididymo-orchitis. Acid fast bacilli (AFB) smear was positive from the surgical specimen of bilateral epididymis and left testes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed neutrophilic predominant pleocytosis with low glucose and elevated protein. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed on the CSF and AFB smear of epididymis was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Though the CSF and sputum AFB smears were negative, cultures subsequently grew mycobacterium tuberculosis. Patient was diagnosed with disseminated tuberculosis. Human deficiency virus test was negative. Patient was successfully treated with anti-tuberculosis therapy. Steroid was used as adjuvant therapy due to presence of tuberculous meningitis.
Protective effect of Oroxylum indicum on acetaminophen induced liver injury in rat
Authors: Bharali Manuj Kr. , Konya Hage , Chetry Luk Bahadur 
Published: January 2014

Acetaminophen (APAP) is a common antipyretic drug and leads to liver failure at over dose. In this study, the hepatoprotective effect of Aqueous Methanolic Bark Extract of Oroxylum indicum (L.)Vent. (AMBEOI) has been evaluated in rat model. Rats were treated with 1000 mgkg?1 body weight of APAP alone or with AMBEOI (10, 50 and 100 mgkg?1). Serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Lipid peroxidation (LPO) in liver tissues were estimated 24 hrs after APAP and AMBEOI treatment. AMBEOI administration effectively reduced serum level of ALT and AST released from liver cells when compared to APAP treated group. AMBEOI also inhibited production of LPO in the liver tissues of APAP treated rats. Histopathological examination of liver samples revealed reduced necrotic areas in AMBEOI treated APAP group compared to APAP alone treated group. Together, this study confirmed the hepatoprotective activities of AMBEOI in APAP induced liver damage in rat.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v3i2.17511 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, January 2014, 3(2): 223-227
Formulation and evaluation of potash alum as deodorant lotion and after shaving astringent as cream and gel
Authors: Alzomor Abdulkarim K. , Moharram Ahmad Safe , Al Absi Nahlah Mansour 
Published: January 2014

Potash alum has different traditional application including deodorant and astringent. In order to wide advancement in development of pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries we preferred to work in this field as well as for improvement of safety and efficacy of traditionally used natural products. The aim of the present study was to formulate deodorant potash alum as lotion dosage form and astringent as cream and gel dosage forms. The activity of potash alum against axillaries normal microbiota was tested in vitro using wells diffusion agar method for different concentrations (0.1% to 9%) on Mueller Hinton (MH) agar and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined as 2% and also subculture was done to determine the activity of potash alum as bacteriostatic. Alum powder has wide traditional usage as astringent to prevent bleeding from minor cuts and for its accelerated healing. Therefore, a more appropriate dosage form was designed in a suitable concentration (2% gel) to elongate its astringent activity by its higher retention time due to highly viscous nature of gel. Using suitable excipients, 2% lotion and gel were prepared by dispersion method while emulsification was used for preparation of the potash alum cream of same strength. The above formulations were evaluated by comparing their pH, viscosity, spreadability, contents uniformity and in vitro diffusion. The stability study was carried out at 25°C for 3 months and at 40°C with 75±5% RH for one month. pH, viscosity, spreadability, extrudability and consistency of the products were evaluated at the end of the studies. The results indicated no change in the formulations demonstrating their stable nature as a dosage form and suitability as a commercial product line.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/icpj.v3i2.17512 International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, January 2014, 3(2): 228-233
Mating between Echinacea angustifolia (Asteraceae) individuals increases with their flowering synchrony and spatial proximity
Authors: Ison Jennifer L. , Wagenius Stuart , Reitz Diedre , Ashley Mary V. 
Published: January 2014

• Premise of the study: Although spatial distance is considered the primary factor in determining plant mating patterns, flowering time and synchrony are also likely to be important.• Methods: We quantified the relationships of both distance and flowering phenology to the probability of mating between individual plants. In an experimental plot, we followed daily flowering phenology in Echinacea angustifolia, a self‐incompatible perennial pollinated by solitary bees. We assigned paternity to 832 of 927 seedlings from 37 maternal plants using 11 microsatellite loci. Potential pollen donors included the experiment plot's 202 flowering plants and a nearby plot's 19 flowering plants. For each maternal plant sampled, we examined the pollen pool by quantifying correlated paternity and the effective number of pollen donors.• Key results: Significantly more pollinations occurred between neighboring and synchronous plants than expected under random mating, with distance being more important than flowering synchrony. The distance pollen moved varied over the course of the season, with late flowering plants mating with more distant plants compared to early or peak flowering plants. All maternal plants had a diverse set of mates (mean number of effective pollen donors = 23.7), and the composition of the pollen pools overlapped little between maternal plants.• Conclusion: Both distance and flowering synchrony influenced pollination patterns in E. angustifolia. Our results suggest that pollen movement between incompatible mates and flowering asynchrony could be contributing to the reduced seed set observed in small E. angustifolia remnants. However, we also found that individual plants receive pollen from a diverse group of pollen donors.
Intraspecific ploidy variation: A hidden, minor player in plant–soil–mycorrhizal fungi interactions
Authors: Sudová Radka , Pánková Hana , Rydlová Jana , Münzbergová Zuzana , Suda Jan 
Published: January 2014

•Premise of the study:Genome duplication and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis are ubiquitous in angiosperms. While the significance of each of these phenomena separately has been intensively studied, their interaction remains to be understood.•Methods:Three diploid and three hexaploid populations ofAster amellus(Asteraceae) were characterized in terms of the soil conditions in situ and mycorrhizal root colonization. In a greenhouse experiment, the effects of ploidy level, substrate conditions, and AM fungi on plant performance were then separated by growing noninoculated plants or plants inoculated with AM fungi in substrates native to either the diploids or hexaploids.•Key results:The diploids inhabited nutritionally richer sites but did not differ from hexaploid plants in the level of mycorrhizal root colonization in situ. In the experiment, hexaploids generally performed better than the diploids. This intercytotype growth difference was enhanced by soil fertility, with hexaploids benefiting more from nutritionally richer substrate than the diploids. AM inoculation was crucial for plant growth and phosphorus uptake. The interaction between ploidy level and AM inoculation significantly influenced only dry mass of roots, phosphorus concentrations in shoot biomass, and the length of the extraradical mycelium in the nonsterile substrates.•Conclusions:Our results support the idea that polyploidy can affect the mycorrhizal growth response of host plants. Nevertheless, the effects of the interaction between ploidy and inoculation were weaker than the main effects of these factors.
Diversification times among Brassica (Brassicaceae) crops suggest hybrid formation after 20 million years of divergence
Authors: Arias Tatiana , Beilstein Mark A. , Tang Michelle , McKain Michael R. , Pires J. Chris 
Published: January 2014

• Premise of the study: Cruciferous vegetables, many of which are in the genus Brassica (Brassicaceae), are prized for their nutritive value and have been cultivated for thousands of years. There are numerous wild northwestern Mediterranean species in the tribe Brassiceae, and it is therefore assumed this center of diversity is also the region of origin. Within the tribe, the Nigra and Oleracea clades contain the three diploid Brassica crops, B. oleracea, B. rapa, and B. nigra. These three species hybridized in the past to form the tetraploid crop species B. juncea, B. carinata, and B. napus. Collectively, these crop Brassicas have been thought to be closely related because they can still hybridize.• Methods: Using a combination of molecular phylogenetics, diversification analysis, and historical biogeography, we evaluated the relationships and origins of four nested clades: the tribe Brassiceae, the Nigra‐Oleracea clade, the core Oleracea (includes B. oleracea + B. rapa and their respective wild relatives), and Brassica oleracea and relatives.• Key results: We found evidence that the tribe originated around the intersection forming between the Arabian Peninsula and Saharan Africa approximately 24 million years ago (Mya). Our data also suggest that the maternal genomes of the three diploid crop Brassicas are not closely related and that the Nigra‐Oleracea clade diverged 20 Mya. Finally, our analyses indicate that the core Oleracea lineage giving rise to B. oleracea + B. rapa originated ≈3 Mya in the northeastern Mediterranean, from where ancestors of B. oleracea spread through Europe and B. rapa to Asia.• Conclusions: These results challenge previous hypotheses about the biogeographic origins of the tribe Brassiceae and the crop Brassica species and appear to be correlated with major geological and climatic events in the Mediterranean basin.