bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Computed Tomographic Coronary Angiography
Authors: Rossi Alexia , Papadopoulou Stella-Lida , Pugliese Francesca , Russo Brunella , Dharampal Anoeshka S. , Dedic Admir , Kitslaar Pieter H. , Broersen Alexander , Meijboom W. Bob , van Geuns Robert-Jan , Wragg Andrew , Ligthart Jurgen , Schultz Carl , Petersen Steffen E. , Nieman Koen , Krestin Gabriel P. , de Feyter Pim J. 
Published: November 2013

Background—
Coronary lesions with a diameter narrowing ≥50% on visual computed tomographic coronary angiography (CTCA) are generally considered for referral to invasive coronary angiography. However, similar to invasive coronary angiography, visual CTCA is often inaccurate in detecting functionally significant coronary lesions. We sought to compare the diagnostic performance of quantitative CTCA with visual CTCA for the detection of functionally significant coronary lesions using fractional flow reserve (FFR) as the reference standard.

Methods and Results—

CTCA and FFR measurements were obtained in 99 symptomatic patients. In total, 144 coronary lesions detected on CTCA were visually graded for stenosis severity. Quantitative CTCA measurements included lesion length, minimal area diameter, % area stenosis, minimal lumen diameter, % diameter stenosis, and plaque burden [(vessel area−lumen area)/vessel area×100]. Optimal cutoff values of CTCA-derived parameters were determined, and their diagnostic accuracy for the detection of flow-limiting coronary lesions (FFR ≤0.80) was compared with visual CTCA. FFR was ≤0.80 in 54 of 144 (38%) coronary lesions. Optimal cutoff values to predict flow-limiting coronary lesion were 10 mm for lesion length, 1.8 mm
2
for minimal area diameter, 73% for % area stenosis, 1.5 mm for minimal lumen diameter, 48% for % diameter stenosis, and 76% for plaque burden. No significant difference in sensitivity was found between visual CTCA and quantitative CTCA parameters (
P
>0.05). The specificity of visual CTCA (42%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31%–54%) was lower than that of minimal area diameter (68%; 95% CI, 57%–77%;
P
=0.001), % area stenosis (76%; 95% CI, 65%–84%;
P
<0.001), minimal lumen diameter (67%; 95% CI, 55%–76%;
P
=0.001), % diameter stenosis (72%; 95% CI, 62%–80%;
P
<0.001), and plaque burden (63%; 95% CI, 52%–73%;
P
=0.004). The specificity of lesion length was comparable with that of visual CTCA.

Conclusions—
Quantitative CTCA improves the prediction of functionally significant coronary lesions compared with visual CTCA assessment but remains insufficient. Functional assessment is still required in lesions of moderate stenosis to accurately detect impaired FFR.
Tersilochinae of Western Amazonia (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Genus Stethantyx Townes, part 1
Authors: KHALAIM ANDREY I. , SÄÄKSJÄRVI ILARI E. , BORDERA SANTIAGO 
Published: November 2013

Sixteen species of the genus Stethantyx Townes having first and second sections of radius meeting at obtuse angle are recorded from Peru and Ecuador in Western Amazonia. Ten species, S. amazonica Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov., S. aurantia Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov., S. juninensis Khalaim & Bordera, sp. nov., S. loretosa Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov., S. neopropodeator Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov., S. orellana Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov., S. sinuata Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov., S. tiputinia Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov., S. trepida Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov. and S. voluptaria Khalaim & Sääksjärvi, sp. nov., are described as new. Six species, previously known only from Costa Rica, S. alajuela Khalaim & Broad, S. heredia Khalaim & Broad, S. orosia Khalaim & Broad, S. propodeator Khalaim & Broad, S. puntarenasa Khalaim & Broad and S. sanjosea Khalaim & Broad, are recorded from South America for the first time. A partial key to Western Amazonian species of Stethantyx is given.
A replacement name for Macrobrachium aemulum madhusoodani Pillai &amp; Unnikrishnan, 2013, a junior homonym of Macrobrachium madhusoodani Unnikrishnan, Pillai &amp; Jayachandran, 2011 (Decapoda: Palaemonidae)
Authors: PILLAI P. M. , UNNIKRISHNAN V. 
Published: November 2013

Macrobrachium aemulum madhusoodani Pillai & Unnikrishnan (2013) was recently described based on material from the Neyyar River, Kerala, India as a new subspecies of M. aemulum (Nobili, 1906). As however, both species and subspecies names are considered part of the species-group for nomenclatorial purposes (ICZN, Art. 45.1), the name is a junior homonym of Macrobrachium madhusoodani Unnikrishnan, Pillai & Jayachandran (2011) and requires a replacement name.
Characterization of Plp, a phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase and hemolysin of Vibrio anguillarum
Authors: Li Ling , Mou Xiangyu , Nelson David R 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background

Vibrio anguillarum is the causative agent of vibriosis in fish. Several extracellular proteins secreted by V. anguillarum have been shown to contribute to virulence. While two hemolysin gene clusters, vah1-plp and rtxACHBDE, have been previously identified and described, the activities of the protein encoded by the plp gene were not known. Here we describe the biochemical activities of the plp-encoded protein and its role in pathogenesis.

Results
The plp gene, one of the components in vah1 cluster, encodes a 416-amino-acid protein (Plp), which has homology to lipolytic enzymes containing the catalytic site amino acid signature SGNH. Hemolytic activity of the plp mutant increased 2-3-fold on sheep blood agar indicating that plp represses vah1; however, hemolytic activity of the plp mutant decreased by 2-3-fold on fish blood agar suggesting that Plp has different effects against erythrocytes from different species. His6-tagged recombinant Plp protein (rPlp) was over-expressed in E. coli. Purified and re-folded active rPlp exhibited phospholipase A2 activity against phosphatidylcholine and no activity against phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, or sphingomyelin. Characterization of rPlp revealed broad optimal activities at pH 5–9 and at temperatures of 30-64°C. Divalent cations and metal chelators did not affect activity of rPlp. We also demonstrated that Plp was secreted using thin layer chromatography and immunoblot analysis. Additionally, rPlp had strong hemolytic activity towards rainbow trout erythrocytes, but not to sheep erythrocytes suggesting that rPlp is optimized for lysis of phosphatidylcholine-rich fish erythrocytes. Further, only the loss of the plp gene had a significant effect on hemolytic activity of culture supernatant on fish erythrocytes, while the loss of rtxA and/or vah1 had little effect. However, V. anguillarum strains with mutations in plp or in plp and vah1 exhibited no significant reduction in virulence compared to the wild type strain when used to infect rainbow trout.

Conclusion
The plp gene of V. anguillarum encoding a phospholipase with A2 activity is specific for phosphatidylcholine and, therefore, able to lyse fish erythrocytes, but not sheep erythrocytes. Mutation of plp does not affect the virulence of V. anguillarum in rainbow trout.
High incidence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitansinfection in patients with cerebral infarction and diabetic renal failure: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Murakami Minoru , Suzuki Jun-ichi , Yamazaki Satoshi , Ikezoe Masaya , Matsushima Rintaro , Ashigaki Norihiko , Aoyama Norio , Kobayashi Naho , Wakayama Kouji , Akazawa Hiroshi , Komuro Issei , Izumi Yuichi , Isobe Mitsuaki 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Recent epidemiological studies suggest that periodontitis is a major risk factor for renal failure and cerebral infarction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association among periodontitis, renal failure, and cerebral infarction, focusing on microbiological and immunological features.

Methods
Twenty-one patients treated with hemodialysis (HD) were enrolled in this study. They were 8 with diabetic nephropathy and 13 with non-diabetic nephropathy. Blood examination, periodontal examination, brain magnetic resonance image (MRI), and dental radiography were performed on all patients. Subgingival plaque, saliva, and blood samples were analyzed for the periodontal pathogens, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), and Prevotella intermedia (P. intermedia) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results
We found that the patients with diabetic nephropathy had more A. actinomycetemcomitans compared with non-diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.038) in dental plaque. Furthermore, the patients with diabetic nephropathy showed a significantly higher incidence of cerebral infarction compared with those with non-diabetic nephropathy (P = 0.029). Clinical oral and radiographic scores tended to be higher among patients in the diabetic nephropathy group than in the non-diabetic nephropathy group.

Conclusions
Periodontal pathogens, particularly A. actinomycetemcomitans, may play a role, at least a part, in the development of cerebral infarction in Japanese HD patients with diabetic nephropathy.
Method of quasilinearization for a nonlocal singular boundary value problem in weighted spaces
Authors: Agarwal Ravi P , Ahmad Bashir , Alsaedi Ahmed 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
This paper studies the existence and uniqueness of solutions for a nonlocal singular boundary value problem of second-order integro-differential equations in weighted spaces. The method of quasilinearization is applied to obtain monotone sequences of approximate solutions converging uniformly and quadratically to a unique solution of the problem at hand. An illustrative example is presented.

MSC:34A45, 34B16, 45J05.
Impaired Noradrenaline Homeostasis in Rats with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy as a Target of Duloxetine Analgesia
Authors: Kinoshita Jun , Takahashi Yukari , Watabe Ayako M , Utsunomiya Kazunori , Kato Fusao 
Published: November 2013

Background Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus that affects a large number of patients in many countries. The molecular mechanisms underlying the exaggerated nociception in PDN have not been established. Recently, duloxetine (DLX), a serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor, has been recommended as one of the first-line treatments of PDN in the United States Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and the Japanese Guideline for the Pharmacologic Management of Neuropathic pain. Because selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors show limited analgesic effects in PDN, we examined whether the potent analgesic effect of DLX contributes toward improving the pathologically aberrant noradrenaline homeostasis in diabetic models. Results In streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg, i.v.)-induced diabetic rats that exhibited robust mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, DLX (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly and markedly increased the nociceptive threshold. The analgesic effect of DLX was nullified by the prior administration of N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4) (50 mg/kg, i.p.), which drastically eliminated dopamine-beta-hydroxylase- and norepinephrine transporterimmunopositive fibers in the lumbar spinal dorsal horn and significantly reduced the noradrenaline content in the lumbar spinal cord. The treatment with DSP-4 alone markedly lowered the nociceptive threshold in vehicle-treated non-diabetic rats; however, this pro-nociceptive effect was occluded in STZ-treated diabetic rats. Furthermore, STZ-treated rats exhibited a higher amount of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase- and norepinephrine transporterimmunopositive fibers in the dorsal horn and noradrenaline content in the spinal cord compared to vehicle-treated rats. Conclusions Impaired noradrenaline-mediated regulation of the spinal nociceptive network might underlie exaggerated nociception in PDN. DLX might exert its analgesic effect by selective enhancement of noradrenergic signals, thus counteracting this situation.
A modified VMAT adaptive radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer patients based on CT-CT image fusion
Authors: Jin Xiance , Han Ce , Zhou Yongqiang , Yi Jinling , Yan Huawei , Xie Congying 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
To investigate the feasibility and benefits of a modified adaptive radiotherapy (ART) by replanning in the initial CT (iCT) with new contours from a repeat CT (rCT) based on CT-CT image fusion for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients underwent volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT).

Materials and methods
Nine NPC patients underwent VMAT treatment with a rCT at 23rd fraction were enrolled in this study. Dosimetric differences for replanning VMAT plans in the iCT and in the rCT were compared. Volumetric and dosimetric changes of gross tumor volume (GTV) and organs at risk (OARs) of this modified ART were also investigated.

Results
No dosimetric differences between replanning in the iCT and in the rCT were observed. The average volume of GTV decreased from 78.83 ± 38.42 cm3 in the iCT to 71.44 ± 37.46 cm3 in the rCT, but with no significant difference (p = 0.42).The average volume of the left and right parotid decreased from 19.91 ± 4.89 cm3 and 21.58 ± 6.16 cm3 in the iCT to 11.80 ± 2.79 cm3 and 13.29 ± 4.17 cm3 in the rCT (both p < 0.01), respectively. The volume of other OARs did not shrink very much. No significant differences on PTVGTV and PTVCTV coverage were observed for replanning with this modified ART. Compared to the initial plans, the average mean dose of the left and right parotid after re-optimization were decreased by 62.5 cGy (p = 0.05) and 67.3 cGy (p = 0.02), respectively, and the V5 (the volume receiving 5 Gy) of the left and right parotids were decreased by 7.8% (p = 0.01) and 11.2% (p = 0.001), respectively. There was no significant difference on the dose delivered to other OARs.

Conclusion
Patients with NPC undergoing VMAT have significant anatomic and dosimetric changes to parotids. Repeat CT as an anatomic changes reference and re-optimization in the iCT based on CT-CT image fusion was accurate enough to identify the volume changes and to ensure safe dose to parotids.
Presurgical therapy with axitinib for advanced renal cell carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Koie Takuya , Ohyama Chikara , Okamoto Akiko , Yamamoto Hayato , Imai Atsushi , Hatakeyama Shingo , Yoneyama Takahiro , Hashimoto Yasuhiro 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors has been shown to reduce tumor volumes and prolong the survival of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, particularly sunitinib, have recently been used in neoadjuvant and presurgical settings. Axitinib is a promising second-line therapy option for advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Herein, we report a patient with advanced renal cell carcinoma who received presurgical treatment with axitinib.

Case presentation
A 73-year-old man was transported by ambulance to a community hospital with chief complaints of high fever and a gait disorder. Computed tomography screening revealed a hypervascular tumor (size, 9 × 8.5 cm) in the lower pole of the left kidney. Upon admission to our hospital, his general condition was poor and his performance status was judged as 3, based on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status criteria. After biopsy for the renal tumor, he received 5 mg of axitinib twice daily for 3 months. No serious adverse events were reported during this treatment. The tumor diameter shrank by 56%. Left radical nephrectomy was performed, and there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Pathological examination indicated a pT3aN0M0, Furman grade 3, clear cell renal cell carcinoma with necrosis, hyaline degeneration, and hemosiderosis. The patient was asymptomatic and disease-free at 1 year post-diagnosis.

Conclusion
This case study demonstrate that presurgical therapy with axitinib is feasible and might have several potential advantages for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.
Molecular dynamics simulation of the specific heat capacity of water-Cu nanofluids
Authors: Rajabpour Ali , Akizi Farrokh Yousefi , Heyhat Mohammad Mahdi , Gordiz Kiarash 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
This paper presents molecular dynamics (MD) modeling for calculating the specific heat of nanofluids containing copper nanoparticles. The Cu nanoparticles with 2-nm diameter were considered to be dispersed in water as base liquid. The MD modeling procedure presented and implemented to calculate the specific heat of nanofluids with volume fractions of 2 to 10%. Obtained results show that the specific heat capacity of Cu-water nanofluids decreases gradually with increasing volume concentration of nanoparticles. The simulation results are compared with two existing applied models for prediction of the specific heat of the nanofluid. The obtained specific heat results from the MD simulation and the prediction from the thermal equilibrium model for calculating specific heat of nanofluids exhibit good agreement and the other simple mixing model fails to predict the specific heat capacity of Cu-water nanofluids particularly at high volume fractions.
Nanoparticulate flurbiprofen reduces amyloid-β42 generation in an in vitro blood–brain barrier model
Authors: Meister Sabrina , Zlatev Iavor , Stab Julia , Docter Dominic , Baches Sandra , Stauber Roland H , Deutsch Mordechai , Schmidt Reinhold , Ropele Stefan , Windisch Manfred , Langer Klaus , Wagner Sylvia , von Briesen Hagen , Weggen Sascha , Pietrzik Claus U 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Introduction
The amyloid-β42 (Aβ42) peptide plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting the elderly. Over the past years, several approaches and compounds developed for the treatment of AD have failed in clinical studies, likely in part due to their low penetration of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Since nanotechnology-based strategies offer new possibilities for the delivery of drugs to the brain, this technique is studied intensively for the treatment of AD and other neurological disorders.

Methods
The Aβ42 lowering drug flurbiprofen was embedded in polylactide (PLA) nanoparticles by emulsification-diffusion technique and their potential as drug carriers in an in vitro BBB model was examined. First, the cytotoxic potential of the PLA-flurbiprofen nanoparticles on endothelial cells and the cellular binding and uptake by endothelial cells was studied. Furthermore, the biological activity of the nanoparticulate flurbiprofen on γ-secretase modulation as well as its in vitro release was examined. Furthermore, the protein corona of the nanoparticles was studied as well as their ability to transport flurbiprofen across an in vitro BBB model.

Results
PLA-flurbiprofen nanoparticles were endocytosed by endothelial cells and neither affected the vitality nor barrier function of the endothelial cell monolayer. The exposure of the PLA-flurbiprofen nanoparticles to human plasma occurred in a rapid protein corona formation, resulting in their decoration with bioactive proteins, including apolipoprotein E. Furthermore, luminally administered PLA-flurbiprofen nanoparticles in contrast to free flurbiprofen were able to modulate γ-secretase activity by selectively decreasing Aβ42 levels in the abluminal compartment of the BBB model.

Conclusions
In this study, we were able to show that flurbiprofen can be transported by PLA nanoparticles across an in vitro BBB model and most importantly, the transported flurbiprofen modulated γ-secretase activity by selectively decreasing Aβ42 levels. These results demonstrate that the modification of drugs via embedding in nanoparticles is a promising tool to facilitate drug delivery to the brain, which enables future development for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like AD.
Direct repression of MYB by ZEB1 suppresses proliferation and epithelial gene expression during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer cells
Authors: Hugo Honor J , Pereira Lloyd , Suryadinata Randy , Drabsch Yvette , Gonda Thomas J , Gunasinghe N P A Devika , Pinto Cletus , Soo Eliza TL , van Denderen Bryce JW , Hill Prue , Ramsay Robert G , Sarcevic Boris , Newgreen Donald F , Thompson Erik W 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promotes cell migration and is important in metastasis. Cellular proliferation is often downregulated during EMT, and the reverse transition (MET) in metastases appears to be required for restoration of proliferation in secondary tumors. We studied the interplay between EMT and proliferation control by MYB in breast cancer cells.

Methods
MYB, ZEB1, and CDH1 expression levels were manipulated by lentiviral small-hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown/overexpression, and verified with Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and qRT-PCR. Proliferation was assessed with bromodeoxyuridine pulse labeling and flow cytometry, and sulforhodamine B assays. EMT was induced with epidermal growth factor for 9 days or by exposure to hypoxia (1% oxygen) for up to 5 days, and assessed with qRT-PCR, cell morphology, and colony morphology. Protein expression in human breast cancers was assessed with immunohistochemistry. ZEB1-MYB promoter binding and repression were determined with Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Assay and a luciferase reporter assay, respectively. Student paired t tests, Mann–Whitney, and repeated measures two-way ANOVA tests determined statistical significance (P < 0.05).

Results
Parental PMC42-ET cells displayed higher expression of ZEB1 and lower expression of MYB than did the PMC42-LA epithelial variant. Knockdown of ZEB1 in PMC42-ET and MDA-MB-231 cells caused increased expression of MYB and a transition to a more epithelial phenotype, which in PMC42-ET cells was coupled with increased proliferation. Indeed, we observed an inverse relation between MYB and ZEB1 expression in two in vitro EMT cell models, in matched human breast tumors and lymph node metastases, and in human breast cancer cell lines. Knockdown of MYB in PMC42-LA cells (MYBsh-LA) led to morphologic changes and protein expression consistent with an EMT. ZEB1 expression was raised in MYBsh-LA cells and significantly repressed in MYB-overexpressing MDA-MB-231 cells, which also showed reduced random migration and a shift from mesenchymal to epithelial colony morphology in two dimensional monolayer cultures. Finally, we detected binding of ZEB1 to MYB promoter in PMC42-ET cells, and ZEB1 overexpression repressed MYB promoter activity.

Conclusions
This work identifies ZEB1 as a transcriptional repressor of MYB and suggests a reciprocal MYB-ZEB1 repressive relation, providing a mechanism through which proliferation and the epithelial phenotype may be coordinately modulated in breast cancer cells.