bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long‐term vaccine‐induced heterologous protection against H5N1 influenza viruses in the ferret model
Authors: Ducatez Mariette F. , Webb Ashley , Crumpton Jeri‐Carol , Webby Richard J. 
Published: August 2012

Please cite this paper as: Ducatez et al. (2012) Long‐term vaccine‐induced heterologous protection against H5N1 influenza viruses in the ferret model. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(4), 506–512.Background  Highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses reemerged in humans in 2003 and have caused fatal human infections in Asia and Africa as well as ongoing outbreaks in poultry. These viruses have evolved substantially and are now so antigenically varied that a single vaccine antigen may not protect against all circulating strains. Nevertheless, studies have shown that substantial cross‐reactivity can be achieved with H5N1 vaccines. These studies have not, however, addressed the issue of duration of such cross‐reactive protection.Objectives  To directly address this using the ferret model, we used two recommended World Health Organization H5N1 vaccine seed strains – A/Vietnam/1203/04 (clade 1) and A/duck/Hunan/795/02 (clade 2.1) – seven single, double, or triple mutant viruses based on A/Vietnam/1203/04, and the ancestral viruses A and D, selected from sequences at nodes of the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase gene phylogenies to represent antigenically diverse progeny H5N1 subclades as vaccine antigens.Results  All inactivated whole‐virus vaccines provided full protection against morbidity and mortality in ferrets challenged with the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain A/Vietnam/1203/04 5 months and 1 year after immunization.Conclusion  If an H5N1 pandemic was to arise, and with the hypothesis that one can extrapolate the results from three doses of a whole‐virion vaccine in ferrets to the available split vaccines for use in humans, the population could be efficiently immunized with currently available H5N1 vaccines, while the homologous vaccine is under production.
Vascular Degeneration in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Guan Jian , Pavlovic Darja , Dalkie Nicholas , Waldvogel Henry J. , O'Carroll Simon J. , Green Colin R. , Nicholson Louise F.B. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractVascular degeneration plays a significant role in contributing to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Our understanding of the vascular components in Parkinson's disease (PD) is however limited. We have examined the vascular morphology of human brain tissue from both PD and the control cases using immunohistochemical staining and image analysis. The degenerative morphology seen in PD cases included the formation of endothelial cell “clusters,” which may be contributed by the fragmentation of capillaries. When compared to the control cases, the capillaries of PDs were less in number (P < 0.001), shorter in length (P < 0.001) and larger in diameter (P < 0.01) with obvious damage to the capillary network evidenced by less branching (P < 0.001). The level of degeneration seen in the caudate nucleus was also seen in the age‐matched control cases. Vessel degeneration associated with PD was, however, found in multiple brain regions, but particularly in the substantia nigra, middle frontal cortex and brain stem nuclei. The data suggest that vascular degeneration could be an additional contributing factor to the progression of PD. Thus, treatments that prevent vascular degeneration and improve vascular remodeling may be a novel target for the treatment of PD.
Potential Chemical Markers for the Identification of Irradiated Sausages
Authors: Kwon Joong Ho , Akram Kashif , Nam Ki Chang , Min Byungrok , Lee Eun Joo , Ahn Dong U. 
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  Hydrocarbons, gas compounds, and off‐odor volatiles were determined for irradiated (0 or 5 kGy) commercial sausages with different fat contents (16% and 29%) during a 60‐d storage period at 4 °C. Total of 4 hydrocarbons (C14:1, C15:0, C16:2, and C17:1) were detected only in irradiated sausages: the amount of C16:2 was the highest, followed by C17:1, C14:1, and C15:0. The concentrations of hydrocarbons decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with storage, but were still detectable at the end of 60‐d storage. Irradiated sausages produced significantly higher amounts of CO than the nonirradiated ones. CH4 was detected only in irradiated sausages. Dimethyl disulfide was detected only in irradiated sausages and its concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with storage. Fat content of sausages showed a significant effect on the production and retention of hydrocarbons, gas compounds, and sulfur volatiles in irradiated sausages during storage. Some hydrocarbons (C16:2, C17:1, C14:1, and C15:0), CH4, and dimethyl disulfide were only found in irradiated sausages indicating that these compounds can be used as potential markers for irradiated sausages.
Incentive Motivation, Cognitive Control, and the Adolescent Brain: Is It Time for a Paradigm Shift?
Authors: Luciana Monica , Collins Paul F. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIt can be argued that adolescents’ decision making is biased more by motivational factors than by cognitively driven calculations of outcome probabilities. Brain‐based models, derived from structural and functional neuroimaging perspectives to account for this bias, have focused on purported differences in rates of development of motivational and regulatory‐control systems. This article proposes a neurochemically based framework for understanding adolescents’ behavioral biases and suggests that there should be an increased focus on the dopaminergic substrates of incentive motivation, which increases into adolescence and decreases thereafter. The article also discusses the manner in which this increase interacts with executive control systems in affecting self‐regulation.
Positive Development of Minority Children: Introduction to the Special Issue
Authors: Cabrera Natasha J. , Beeghly Marjorie , Eisenberg Nancy 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis special issue highlights research that responded to the Society for Research on Child Development's Ethics and Racial Issues Committee's call for articles on the positive development of minority children. The call was motivated by committee's goal of promoting developmental research on ethnic minority children and adolescents. The articles in this issue report on cutting‐edge research that uses dynamic, integrative bioecological, and cultural models to examine the positive development of ethnic minority children. Collectively, they indicate new directions at conceptual, methodological, and empirical levels that can guide further research on the strengths of minority families.
Comparison of expectations of physicians and patients with rheumatoid arthritis for rheumatology clinic visits: a pilot, multicenter, international study
Authors: Wen Hongyan , Ralph Schumacher H. , Li Xiaofeng , Gu Jieruo , Ma Li , Wei Hua , Yokogawa Naoto , Shiroto Katsuaki , Baker Joshua F. , Dinnella Janet , Ogdie Alexis 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAimTo describe and compare expectations of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their physicians with regard to what is most important to achieve during a rheumatology clinic visit.MethodsSubjects were RA patients enrolled in four centers from China, one from Japan and one from the USA, and rheumatologists at those centers. The questionnaires were provided at clinics and patients were asked to list their three top priorities for the rheumatology clinic visit. Physicians were contacted separately and asked to give three general expectations, not for specific visits. We classified clinical expectations into a series of 24 terms for patients and 17 for physicians. We compared physicians' to patients' responses, compared expectations among centers in China, Japan and the USA, and evaluated relationships between patients' responses and age, gender, nationality, disease duration and DAS‐28 (Disease Activity Score‐28).ResultsPatients' clinical expectations for visits focused primarily on control of pain (63.7%), improvement of function (49.3%) and discussion of effects of medication (38.1%). Physicians also included control of pain (59.5%), but also emphasized inquiry about drug side‐effects (47.8%) and objective assessment of disease activity (41.4%). We found no differences related to patients' gender, disease duration and DAS‐28, but there were some differences related to age and nationality.ConclusionWe found some agreement and some discordance of clinical expectations between RA patients and physicians. There appear to be some different expectations in different countries. Findings from this pilot survey may help physicians consider patients' expectations in planning rheumatology clinic visits and may lead to further hypothesis‐driven studies.
Current considerations for the management of musculoskeletal pain in Asian countries: a special focus on cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors and non‐steroid anti‐inflammation drugs
Authors: Pongparadee Chaudakshetrin , Penserga Ester , Lee David Jeng‐Shiang , Chen Shun‐le , Gill Ranjit Singh , Hamid Abdulbar , Kumthornthip Witsanu , Liu Yi , Meliala Lucus , Misbach H Jusuf , Tan Kian Hian , Yeap Swan Sim , Yeo Sow Nam , Lin Hsiao Yi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractChronic pain is a complex problem that eludes precise definition and can be clinically difficult to diagnose and challenging to treat. In the Asia‐Pacific region, prevalence estimates that chronic pain ranges from 12% to 45% of the population, with musculoskeletal, rheumatic or osteoarthritis pain making up the majority of the disease burden. Implementation of current management guidelines into routine clinical practice has been challenging and as a result, patients with musculoskeletal pain are often poorly managed. For these reasons, a multidisciplinary Chronic Pain Advisory Board of leading physicians from various Asian countries was convened to explore ways to improve treatment and compliance, especially among patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. We have identified a number of unmet therapeutic needs and prioritized initiatives with the potential to contribute toward a more integrated approach to chronic pain management. Key priorities included using evidence‐based interventions as recommended by current guidelines, particularly those aspects pertinent to addressing treatment priorities in Asia (e.g., patient compliance), and the incorporation of cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors and non‐steroid anti‐inflammation drugs into the management algorithms for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment must be individualized for each patient based on efficacy, side‐effect profile and drug accessibility. Further studies are required to examine head‐to‐head comparisons among analgesics, combinations of analgesics and long‐term efficacy outcomes. Our increasing understanding of the problem combined with the promise of new therapy options offers hope for improved management of musculoskeletal pain in Asian countries.
Metronidazole alone or with amoxicillin as adjuncts to non‐surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a 1‐year double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Feres Magda , Soares Geisla Mary Silva , Mendes Juliana Alethusa Velloso , Silva Maike Paulino , Faveri Marcelo , Teles Ricardo , Socransky Sigmund S. , Figueiredo Luciene Cristina 
Published: August 2012

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effects of the adjunctive use of metronidazole (MTZ) or MTZ + amoxicillin (AMX) in the treatment of generalized chronic periodontitis (ChP). A secondary aim was to examine a possible added effect of chlorhexidine to these therapies.MethodsOne hundred and eighteen subjects received scaling and root planing (SRP) only or with MTZ [400 mg/thrice a day (TID)] or MTZ+AMX (500 mg/TID) for 14 days. Half of the subjects in each group rinsed with 0.12% chlorhexidine twice a day (BID) for 2 months. Subjects were clinically monitored at baseline, 3, 6 and 12‐months post‐therapy.ResultsThe two antibiotic groups showed lower mean number of sites with probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm and fewer subjects exhibiting ≥9 of these sites at 1‐year post‐treatment. Logistic regression analysis showed that antibiotics were the only significant predictors of subjects presenting ≤4 sites with PD ≥5 mm at 1 year (MTZ+AMX: OR, 13.33; 95%CI, 3.75‐47.39/p = 0.0000; MTZ: OR, 7.26; 95%CI, 2.26‐23.30/p = 0.0004). The frequency of adverse events did not differ between the two antibiotic treatments (p > 0.05). The chlorhexidine subgroups showed a trend (p > 0.05) to present fewer residual sites ≥5 mm compared with the placebo subgroups at 1 year.ConclusionTreatment of generalized ChP is significantly improved by the adjunctive use of MTZ+AMX and MTZ.
Ischemic injury promotes Keap1 nitration and disturbance of antioxidative responses in endothelial cells: a potential vasoprotective effect of melatonin
Authors: Tao Rong‐rong , Huang Ji‐Yun , Shao Xue‐jing , Ye Wei‐feng , Tian Yun , Liao Mei‐hua , Fukunaga Kohji , Lou Yi‐jia , Han Feng , Lu Ying‐mei 
Published: August 2012

AbstractClinical epidemiology has indicated that the endothelial injury is a potential contributor to the pathogenesis of ischemic neurovascular damage. In this report, we assessed S‐nitrosylation and nitration of Keap1 to identify downstream nitric oxide redox signaling targets into endothelial cells during ischemia. Here, oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) exposure initiates the nuclear import of Keap1 in endothelial cells, which interacted with nuclear‐localized Nrf2, as demonstrated through co‐immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemical assay. Paralleling the ischemia‐induced nuclear import of Keap1, increased nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in endothelial cells was also observed. Consistently, the addition of peroxynitrite provoked nuclear import of Keap1 and a concomitant Nrf2 nuclear import in the endothelial cells. Importantly, pharmacological inhibition of nitrosative stress by melatonin partially inhibited the OGD‐induced constitutive nuclear import of Keap1 and subsequently disturbance of Nrf2/Keap1 signaling. Moreover, the effect of melatonin on nitration and S‐nitrosylation of keap1 was examined in endothelial cells with 6 hr OGD exposure. Here, we demonstrated that OGD induced tyrosine nitration of Keap1, which was blocked by melatonin treatment, while there were no significant changes in S‐nitrosylation of Keap1. The specific amino acid residues of Keap1 involved in tyrosine nitration were identified as Y473 by mass spectrometry. Moreover, the protective role of melatonin against damage to endothelial tight junction integrity was addressed by ZO‐1 expression, paralleled with the restored heme oxygenase‐1 levels during OGD. Together, our results emphasize that upon nitrosative stress, the protective effect of melatonin on endothelial cells is likely mediated at least in part by inhibition of ischemia‐evoked protein nitration of Keap1, hence contributing to relieve the disturbance of Nrf2/Keap1 antioxidative signaling.
Apoptotic mechanisms are involved in the death of Strongyloides venezuelensis after triggering of nitric oxide
Authors: Ruano A. L. , López‐Abán J. , Gajate C. , Mollinedo F. , De Melo A. L. , Muro A. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryDespite progress in understanding the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of helminth infections, the role in strongyloidosis is unknown. Firstly, we studied the production of NO in mice infected with Strongyloides venezuelensis as well as in macrophage cultures stimulated with parasite antigens. Somatic larvae 3 (L3) and excretory–secretory female antigens stimulate specific NO production measured by Griess reaction and expression of inducible NO synthase by RT‐PCR and quantitative PCR. Moreover, mice infected with S. venezuelensis produce NO in migration stages. Secondly, we analysed the effect of NO production on L3 and females of S. venezuelensis using NO donors such as diethylenetriamine and 3,3‐bis(aminoethyl)‐1‐hydroxy‐2‐oxo‐1‐triazene. Parasites died after NO donor treatment in a dose‐dependent manner. Finally, apoptotic mechanisms are involved in the death of S. venezuelensis larvae.
Computer‐aided lymph node segmentation in volumetric CT data
Authors: Beichel Reinhard R. , Wang Yao 
Published: August 2012

Purpose:The purpose of this work was to develop and validate a computer‐aided method for the 3D segmentation of lymph nodes in CT images. The proposed method can be utilized to facilitate applications like biopsy planning, image guided radiation treatment, or assessment of response to therapy.Methods:An optimal surface finding based lymph node segmentation method was developed. Based on the approximate center point of a lymph node of interest, a graph is generated, which represents the local neighborhood around the lymph node at discrete locations (graph nodes). A cost function is calculated based on a weighted edge and region homogeneity term. By means of optimization, a surface‐based segmentation of the lymph node is derived. In addition, an interactive segmentation refinement algorithm was developed, which allows the user to quickly correct segmentation errors, if needed. For assessment of segmentation accuracy, 111 lymph nodes of mediastinum, abdomen, head/neck, and axillary regions from 35 volumetric CT scans were utilized. For accuracy analysis, lymph nodes were divided into three test sets based on lymph node size and spatial resolution of the CT scan. The average lymph node size for test set I, II, and III was 1056, 1621, and 501 mm3, respectively. Spatial resolution of test set II was lower than for test sets I and III. To generate an independent reference standard for comparison, all 111 lymph nodes were segmented by an expert with a live wire approach.Results:All test sets were segmented with the proposed approach. Out of the 111 lymph nodes, 40 cases (36%) required computer‐aided refinement of initial segmentation results. The refinement typically required 10 s per lymph node. The mean and standard deviation of the Dice coefficient for final segmentations was 0.847 ± 0.061, 0.836 ± 0.058, and 0.809 ± 0.070 for test sets I, II, and II, respectively. The average signed surface distance error was 0.023 ± 0.171, 0.394 ± 0.189, and 0.001 ± 0.146 mm for test sets I, II, and II, respectively. The time required for locating the approximate center point of a target lymph node in a scan, generating an initial OSF segmentation, and refining the segmentation, if needed, is typically less than one minute.Conclusions:Segmentation of lymph nodes in volumetric CT images is a challenging task due to partial volume effects, nearby strong edges, neighboring structures with similar intensity profiles and potentially inhomogeneous density of lymph nodes. The presented approach addresses many of these obstacles. In the majority of cases investigated, the initial segmentation method delivered results that did not require further processing. In addition, the computer‐aided segmentation refinement framework was found to be effective in dealing with potentially occurring segmentation errors.
Quantification of differences in the effective atomic numbers of healthy and cancerous tissues: A discussion in the context of diagnostics and dosimetry
Authors: Taylor M. L. 
Published: August 2012

Purpose:There are a range of genetic and nongenetic factors influencing the elemental composition of different human tissues. The elemental composition of cancerous tissues frequently differs from healthy tissue of the same organ, particularly in high‐Z trace element concentrations. For this reason, one could suggest that this may be exploited in diagnostics and perhaps even influence dosimetry.Methods:In this work, for the first time, effective atomic numbers are computed for common cancerous and healthy tissues using a robust, energy‐dependent approach between 10 keV and 100 MeV. These are then quantitatively compared within the context of diagnostics and dosimetry.Results:Differences between effective atomic numbers of healthy and diseased tissues are found to be typically less than 10%. Fibrotic tissues and calcifications of the breast exhibit substantial (tens to hundreds of percent) differences to healthy tissue. Expectedly, differences are most pronounced in the photoelectric regime and consequently most relevant for kV imaging/therapy and radionuclides with prominent low‐energy peaks. Cancerous tissue of the testes and stomach have lower effective atomic numbers than corresponding healthy tissues, while diseased tissues of the other organ sites typically have higher values.Conclusions:As dose calculation approaches improve in accuracy, there may be an argument for the explicit inclusion of pathologies. This is more the case for breast, penile, prostate, nasopharyngeal, and stomach cancer, less so for testicular and kidney cancer. The calculated data suggest dual‐energy computed tomography could potentially improve lesion identification in the aforementioned organs (with the exception of testicular cancer), with most import in breast imaging. Ultimately, however, the differences are very small. It is likely that the assumption of a generic “tissue ramp” in planning will be sufficient for the foreseeable future, and that theZ differences do not notably aid lesion detection beyond that already facilitated by differences in mass density.
Human contrast‐detail performance with declining contrast
Authors: Walz‐Flannigan Alisa , Babcock Ben , Kagadis George C. , Wang Jihong , Langer Steve G 
Published: August 2012

Purpose:How do display settings and ambient lighting affect contrast detection thresholds for human observers? Can recalibrating a display for high ambient lighting improve object detection?Methods:Contrast/detail (CD) threshold detection performance was measured for observers using four color displays with varying overall contrast (e.g., differing maximum luminance and ambient lighting conditions). Detailed mapping of contrast detection performance (for fixed object size) was tracked as a function of: display maximum luminance, ambient lighting changes (with and without recalibrating for the higher ambience), and the performance of radiologistsvs. nonradiologists.Results:The initial phase was analyzed with a hierarchical linear model of observer performance using: background gray level, maximum display luminance, and radiologistvs. nonradiologist. The only statistically significant finding was a maximum luminance of 100 cd/m2 display performing worse than a baseline peak of 400 cd/m2. The second phase examined ambient lighting effects on detection thresholds. Background gray level and maximum display luminance were examined coupled with ambient lighting for: baseline at 30, 435 uncorrected, and 435 lx with display recalibration for the ambient conditions. Results showed ambient correction improved sensitivity for small background digital driving level, but not at higher luminance backgrounds.Conclusions:For CD study, nonradiologist observers can be used without loss of applicability. Contrast detection thresholds improved significantly between displays with peak luminance from 100 cd/m2 to 200 cd/m2, but improvement beyond that was not statistically significant for contrast detection thresholds in a reading room environment. Applying a calibration correction at high ambience (435 lx) improved detection tasks primarily in the darker background regions.