bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterium avium Biofilm Attenuates Mononuclear Phagocyte Function by Triggering Hyperstimulation and Apoptosis during Early Infection
Authors: Rose Sasha J. , Bermudez Luiz E. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTMycobacterium aviumsubsp.hominissuisis an opportunistic human pathogen that has been shown to form biofilmin vitroandin vivo. Biofilm formationin vivoappears to be associated with infections in the respiratory tract of the host. The reasoning behind howM. aviumsubsp.hominissuisbiofilm is allowed to establish and persist without being cleared by the innate immune system is currently unknown. To identify the mechanism responsible for this, we developed anin vitromodel using THP-1 human mononuclear phagocytes cocultured with establishedM. aviumsubsp.hominissuisbiofilm and surveyed various aspects of the interaction, including phagocyte stimulation and response, bacterial killing, and apoptosis.M. aviumsubsp.hominissuisbiofilm triggered robust tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) release from THP-1 cells as well as superoxide and nitric oxide production. Surprisingly, the hyperstimulated phagocytes did not effectively eliminate the cells of the biofilm, even when prestimulated with gamma interferon (IFN-γ) or TNF-α or cocultured with natural killer cells (which have been shown to induce anti-M. aviumsubsp.hominissuisactivity when added to THP-1 cells infected with planktonicM. aviumsubsp.hominissuis). Time-lapse microscopy and the TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling) assay determined that contact with theM. aviumsubsp.hominissuisbiofilm led to early, widespread onset of apoptosis, which is not seen until much later in planktonicM. aviumsubsp.hominissuisinfection. Blocking TNF-α or TNF-R1 during interaction with the biofilm significantly reduced THP-1 apoptosis but did not lead to elimination ofM. aviumsubsp.hominissuis. Our data collectively indicate thatM. aviumsubsp.hominissuisbiofilm induces TNF-α-driven hyperstimulation and apoptosis of surveilling phagocytes, which prevents clearance of the biofilm by cells of the innate immune system and allows the biofilm-associated infection to persist.
A systematic review of eculizumab for atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS)
Authors: Rathbone John , Kaltenthaler Eva , Richards Anna , Tappenden Paul , Bessey Alice , Cantrell Anna 
Published: November 2013

ObjectiveTo determine the efficacy and safety of eculizumab for patients with atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS), compared with current treatment options.DesignA systematic review was performed according to the general principles of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. All study designs were included, except case histories.ParticipantsAll patients diagnosed with aHUS were included; no age restrictions were used.InterventionsEculizumab compared with current treatment options.Identification of studies12 databases were searched. Additional searches were performed through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Electronic Medicines Compendium websites, Google internet searches and contacting clinical experts. Reference lists of relevant articles were checked for additional studies.Results2 small, uncontrolled prospective multinational, multicentre studies and one small uncontrolled multinational, multicentre retrospective study were included. No meta-analyses were performed. Compared with baseline measures, thrombotic microangiopathy event-free status was achieved in 84% of patients in the prospective studies. Adverse events, as documented by enrolling investigators were frequent, with upper-respiratory tract infection affecting a third of patients. No deaths or episodes of meningitis or meningococcal septicaemia occurred in the prospective studies. Results of the study extension phases up to 114 weeks indicate that the benefits of the treatment are sustained.ConclusionsEculizumab is clinically effective for the treatment of aHUS. Further research is needed to evaluate eculizumab, ideally using patient-related clinical outcomes. If randomised studies are not feasible, study investigators should ensure that the threat of bias is minimised in future studies of eculizumab with respect to the reporting of patient recruitment and selection.
Arctic Ocean Circulation Patterns Revealed by GRACE
Authors: Peralta-Ferriz Cecilia , Morison James H. , Wallace John M. , Bonin Jennifer A. , Zhang Jinlun 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Measurements of ocean bottom pressure (OBP) anomalies from the satellite mission Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE), complemented by information from two ocean models, are used to investigate the variations and distribution of the Arctic Ocean mass from 2002 through 2011. The forcing and dynamics associated with the observed OBP changes are explored. Major findings are the identification of three primary temporal–spatial modes of OBP variability at monthly-to-interannual time scales with the following characteristics. Mode 1 (50% of the variance) is a wintertime basin-coherent Arctic mass change forced by southerly winds through Fram Strait, and to a lesser extent through Bering Strait. These winds generate northward geostrophic current anomalies that increase the mass in the Arctic Ocean. Mode 2 (20%) reveals a mass change along the Siberian shelves, driven by surface Ekman transport and associated with the Arctic Oscillation. Mode 3 (10%) reveals a mass dipole, with mass decreasing in the Chukchi, East Siberian, and Laptev Seas, and mass increasing in the Barents and Kara Seas. During the summer, the mass decrease on the East Siberian shelves is due to the basin-scale anticyclonic atmospheric circulation that removes mass from the shelves via Ekman transport. During the winter, the forcing mechanisms include a large-scale cyclonic atmospheric circulation in the eastern-central Arctic that produces mass divergence into the Canada Basin and the Barents Sea. In addition, strengthening of the Beaufort high tends to remove mass from the East Siberian and Chukchi Seas. Supporting previous modeling results, the month-to-month variability in OBP associated with each mode is predominantly of barotropic character.
Response of a Strongly Eddying Global Ocean to North Atlantic Freshwater Perturbations
Authors: Toom Matthijs den , Dijkstra Henk A. , Weijer Wilbert , Hecht Matthew W. , Maltrud Mathew E. , van Sebille Erik 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The strongly eddying version of the Parallel Ocean Program (POP) is used in two 45-yr simulations to investigate the response of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) to strongly enhanced freshwater input due to Greenland melting, with an integrated flux of 0.5 Sverdrups (Sv; 1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1). For comparison, a similar set of experiments is performed using a noneddying version of POP. The aim is to identify the signature of the salt advection feedback in the two configurations. For this reason, surface salinity is not restored in these experiments. The freshwater input leads to a quantitatively comparable reduction of the overturning strength in the two models. To examine the importance of transient effects in the relation between AMOC strength and density distribution, the results of the eddy-resolving model are related to water mass transformation theory. The freshwater forcing leads to a reduction of the rate of light to dense water conversion in the North Atlantic, but there is no change in dense to light transformation elsewhere, implying that high density layers are continuously deflating. The main focus of the paper is on the effect of the AMOC reduction on the basinwide advection of freshwater. The low-resolution model results show a change of the net freshwater advection that is consistent with the salt advection feedback. However, for the eddy-resolving model, the net freshwater advection into the Atlantic basin appears to be unaffected, despite the significant change in the large-scale velocity structure.
Two scripts of madness
Authors: Garcia-Quiroga Juan 
Published: November 2013

Objective: The purpose of this article is to illustrate the concept of transient mental illness (TMI) as defined by Ian Hacking by way of two texts: Sybil by Flora Rhetta Schreiber and The Adventures of Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Conclusions: Psychiatric symptoms tend to follow, in varying degrees, a pre-determined script resulting from a collaborative effort between patient and therapist. They both work in a historical and cultural environment that supports and supplies the background and general lines of the script. Charcot’s hysterics and the multiple personality disorder epidemic provide good examples of this phenomenon. Most recently, the controversy around DSM5 suggests that there is growing concern that diagnostic manuals might be used as “scripts” that could lead to the creation of a string of new disorders. The concept of TMI helps explain the genesis and protean nature of psychiatric symptoms, while acknowledging the pain and disability of the sufferer.
Determining information for inclusion in a decision-support intervention for clinical trial participation: A modified Delphi approach
Authors: Gillies Katie , Skea Zoë C , MacLennan Sara J , Ramsay Craig R , Campbell Marion K 
Published: November 2013

Background The use of decision-support interventions in the context of decisions about trial participation is an emergent field. There is a lack of evidence about what information is deemed important to support decisions about informed consent for clinical trials, and whether different groups agree on the information for inclusion. Purpose The overall objective was to determine the items which different stakeholder groups viewed to be important for inclusion in a decision-support tool when making decisions about clinical trial participation, with a view to use these as a framework for developing decision-support tools in this context. This is the first study to have addressed this issue. Methods A modified Delphi method was used to determine agreement on importance of items. The ‘stakeholder’ panel was made up of 49 individuals from 5 groups: 11 trialists, 6 research nurses, 7 ethics committee chairs, 9 decision-support experts, and 16 patients (9 trial experienced and 7 trial non-experienced). Two rounds of rating were completed. Items with a median of 7–10 with ≥65% of any one group (from aggregate ratings) in agreement were considered important for inclusion. Results The stakeholder panel achieved consensus on the majority of items included (60/66), agreeing that these were important for inclusion in a decision-support tool for trial participation. These included items covering information about trial participation and standard care, information on the likelihood of receiving different treatments, information to help patients determine what matters most to them, ensuring that the information is balanced, guidance on how to make a decision, disclosure of any conflicts of interest, using plain language in the tool, and guidance on the decision-support development process. Some areas of divergence among the panel were also identified relating to the use of patient stories. Limitations Selection bias may be a limitation in this study due to the manner in which the participants were invited to take part, and therefore, the representativeness, and reproducibility with another group of stakeholders, may differ. Conclusions Agreement was obtained on a number of items, which we recommend should be used as a framework to develop useful tools to support decision-making about participation in clinical trials.
Concussion History and Knowledge Base in Competitive Equestrian Athletes
Authors: Kuhl Heather N. , Ritchie David , Taveira-Dick Angela C. , Hoefling Katie A. , Russo Stephen A. 
Published: November 2013

Background: Head injuries are responsible for the majority of serious equestrian sports injuries and deaths. Because of significant health risks to equestrians, education regarding the prevention of head and brain injuries is essential. Hypothesis: A significant number of riders have experienced a concussion, and few have knowledge of concussion. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Level of Evidence: Level 2. Methods: Ninety-four riders competing, riding, or attending equestrian events at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, Florida, from January to April 2010 were surveyed. Measures of central tendency were utilized to evaluate response patterns. Results: Almost half of equestrian riders (44%) experienced concussions during their careers. Those riders who suffered a brain injury were likely to return to riding without seeking medical clearance. Almost 40% of riders were never educated regarding concussions, while 15% received education from their trainers. Conclusion: Education of riders, parents, and horse trainers is needed to raise awareness of concussions and reduce the likelihood of subsequent injuries.
Effect of lansoprazole on the epigastric symptoms of functional dyspepsia (ELF study): A multicentre, prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Suzuki Hidekazu , Kusunoki Hiroaki , Kamiya Takeshi , Futagami Seiji , Yamaguchi Yasuharu , Nishizawa Toshihiro , Iwasaki Eisuke , Matsuzaki Juntaro , Takahashi Shinichi , Sakamoto Choitsu , Haruma Ken , Joh Takashi , Asakura Keiko , Hibi Toshifumi 
Published: November 2013

Background:Since the publication of the Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia (FD), the evidence about the efficacy of half‐dose of proton pump inhibitors for dyspepsia symptoms have been limited.Objective:To examine the efficacy of lansoprazole for functional dyspepsia (FD) diagnosed with the Rome III criteria by the multicentre, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study in Japan.Methods:A total of 54 FD participants were randomized to lansoprazole 15 mg once daily or placebo for a 4‐week double‐blind treatment period. The primary efficacy endpoint was an overall dyspeptic symptom relief rate evaluated by 5‐point Likert scale scores. The alteration of dyspeptic symptom scores during the study period was also assessed.Results:At week 4, the overall dyspeptic symptom relief rates were higher in the lansoprazole group (30.4%) than in the placebo group (6.7%) (p  = 0.045). The scores for epigastric pain (p  = 0.045) and epigastric burning (p  = 0.03) were significantly improved in the lansoprazole group compared to the placebo group, whereas the improvement of the scores for postprandial fullness (p  = 0.81) and early satiation (p  = 0.33) was not different between lansoprazole and placebo groups.Conclusions:Lansoprazole 15 mg ameliorates dyspeptic symptoms, particularly the epigastric pain syndrome‐related symptoms of FD.
CRIMALDDI: platform technologies and novel anti-malarial drug targets
Authors: Vial Henri , Taramelli Donatella , Boulton Ian C , Ward Steve A , Doerig Christian , Chibale Kelly 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe Coordination, Rationalization, and Integration of antiMALarial drug Discovery & Development Initiatives (CRIMALDDI) Consortium, funded by the EU Framework Seven Programme, has attempted, through a series of interactive and facilitated workshops, to develop priorities for research to expedite the discovery of new anti-malarials. This paper outlines the recommendations for the development of enabling technologies and the identification of novel targets.Screening systems must be robust, validated, reproducible, and represent human malaria. They also need to be cost-effective. While such systems exist to screen for activity against blood stagePlasmodium falciparum, they are lacking for otherPlasmodiumspp. and other stages of the parasite’s life cycle. Priority needs to be given to developing high-throughput screens that can identify activity against the liver and sexual stages. This in turn requires other enabling technologies to be developed to allow the study of these stages and to allow for the culture of liver cells and the parasite at all stages of its life cycle.As these enabling technologies become available, they will allow novel drug targets to be studied. Currently anti-malarials are mostly targeting the asexual blood stage of the parasite’s life cycle. There are many other attractive targets that need to be investigated. The liver stages and the sexual stages will become more important as malaria control moves towards malaria elimination. Sexual development is a process offering multiple targets, even though the mechanisms of differentiation are still not fully understood. However, designing a drug whose effect is not curative but would be used in asymptomatic patients is difficult given current safety thresholds. Compounds active against the liver schizont would have a prophylactic effect andPlasmodium vivaxelimination requires effectors against the dormant liver hypnozoites. It may be that drugs to be used in elimination campaigns will also need to have utility in the control phase. Compounds with activity against blood stages need to be screened for activity against other stages.Natural products should also be a valuable source of new compounds. They often occupy non-Lipinski chemical space and so may reveal valuable new chemotypes.
Prognostic significance of XIAP and NF-κB expression in esophageal carcinoma with postoperative radiotherapy
Authors: Zhou Suna , Ye Wenguang , Shao Qiuju , Qi Yuhong , Zhang Mingxin , Liang Jun 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
X-chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) are frequently overexpressed and correlate closely with chemoradiotherapy resistance and poor prognosis in many cancers. However, the significance of XIAP and NF-κB expression in radiotherapy sensitivity and its effect on the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are still unknown. The aim of this study was to examine XIAP and NF-κB status in ESCC patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy after radical surgery, and to evaluate their clinical significance.

Methods
A total of 78 ESCC patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy after radical surgery were enrolled in this study. We immunohistochemically investigated the expression of XIAP and NF-κB in tissues from enrolled patients with specific antibodies. Then, the correlations among XIAP, NF-κB expression, clinicopathological features and its prognostic relevance in ESCC were analyzed.

Results
The increased expression of XIAP and NF-κB in ESCC tissues were clearly correlated with the tumor differentiation and p-TNM stage. Significant positive correlations were found between the expression status of XIAP and NF-κB (r = 0.779, P = 0.000). Overexpression of XIAP and NF-κB and metastasis were significantly associated with shorter overall survival times in univariate analysis (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis also confirmed that XIAP expression was an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.005).

Conclusions
XIAP and NF-κB are intensively expressed in ESCC. The level of XIAP is positively correlated to progression and prognosis of ESCC.
Hand posture recognition using jointly optical flow and dimensionality reduction
Authors: Boughnim Nabil , Marot Julien , Fossati Caroline , Bourennane Salah 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Hand posture recognition is generally addressed by using either YC

b

C

r
(luminance and chrominance components) or HSV (hue, saturation, value) mappings which assume that a hand can be distinguished from the background from some colorfulness and luminance properties. This can hardly be used when a dark hand, or a hand of any color, is under study. In addition, existing recognition processes rely on descriptors or geometric shapes which can be reliable; this comes at the expense of an increased computational complexity. To cope with these drawbacks, this paper proposes a four-step method recognition technique consisting of (i) a pyramidal optical flow for the detection of large movements and hence determine the region of interest containing the expected hand, (ii) a preprocessing step to compute the hand contour while ensuring geometric and illumination invariance, (iii) an image scanning method providing a signature which characterizes non-star-shaped contours with a one-pixel precision, and (iv) a posture classification method where a sphericity criterion preselects a set of candidate postures, principal component analysis reduces the dimensionality of the data, and Mahalanobis distance is used as a criterion to identify the hand posture in any test image. The proposed technique has been assessed in terms of its performances including the computational complexity using both visual and statistical results.
Transcranial sonothrombolysis using high-intensity focused ultrasound: impact of increasing output power on clot fragmentation
Authors: Ahadi Golnaz , Welch Christian S , Grimm Michele J , Fisher David J , Zadicario Eyal , Ernström Karin , Voie Arne H , Hölscher Thilo 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
The primary goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between increasing output power levels and clot fragmentation during high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)-induced thrombolysis.

Methods
A HIFU headsystem, designed for brain applications in humans, was used for this project. A human calvarium was mounted inside the water-filled hemispheric transducer. Artificial thrombi were placed inside the skull and located at the natural focus point of the transducer. Clots were exposed to a range of acoustic output power levels from 0 to 400 W. The other HIFU operating parameters remained constant. To assess clot fragmentation, three filters of different mesh pore sizes were used. To assess sonothrombolysis efficacy, the clot weight loss was measured.

Results
No evidence of increasing clot fragmentation was found with increasing acoustic intensities in the majority of the study groups of less than 400 W. Increasing clot lysis could be observed with increasing acoustic output powers.

Conclusion
Transcranial sonothrombolysis could be achieved in vitro within seconds in the absence of tPA and without producing relevant clot fragmentation, using acoustic output powers of <400 W.
Significant Influence of Distance between Amine Groups on Intrinsic Fluorescence Properties
Authors: Cao Lei , Jia Dandan , Wang Shaofei , Rong Yunlong , Liu Chun , Wang Dongjun 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Distances between amine groups were varied through three different approaches, which were found to play a crucial role in influencing the intrinsic fluorescence properties. Experimental data confirmed that the short distance between amine groups favored the intense emission and red shift of the maximum wavelength. It is probable that the fluorescence centers were perturbed by the interinfluence between the amine groups.
DEVELOPMENT OF GRADES SYSTEM FOR A COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION
Authors: Глушко  , Glushko S. , Богослов  , Bogoslov M. , Дружинин  , Druzhinin E. 
Published: November 2013

Methodology for designing the grades system for a fast-growing business
organization is presented and the results of such system implementation
are analyzed. Such challenging task has been completed due to more
thorough and creative comprehension of the grading method. Basics and
approaches of grading, especially in its social aspect were applied on
order to ingrain and maintain the proper system of measurements within
the personnel and social policies of the organization. The authors argue
the necessity to develop and implement the grading system on the growth
stage so that this system could be expanded beyond the existing positions and embrace prospective positions to be set up and fi lled in the near
future.