bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human neutrophil peptide 1–3, a component of the neutrophil extracellular trap, as a potential biomarker of lupus nephritis
Authors: Cheng Fa‐Juan , Zhou Xu‐Jie , Zhao Yan‐Feng , Zhao Ming‐Hui , Zhang Hong 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectiveHuman neutrophil peptides (HNP) were recently implicated in the neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) complex, the impaired degradation of which has been associated with lupus nephritis (LN).MethodsForty LN patients, 40 SLE patients without kidney injury, 63 immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients, 20 minimal change disease (MCD) patients and 33 healthy controls were included in the present study. LN, IgAN and MCD patients were diagnosed with renal biopsy. LN patients were followed for a median period of 5.5 years. Clinical and laboratory data at the time of renal biopsy and follow‐up were collected for each LN patient. Serum levels of HNP1–3 were measured with enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsSerum HNP1‐3 levels in LN patients were significantly higher than for SLE patients without kidney injury (P < 0.001), IgAN patients (P = 0.012), MCD patients (P = 0.010) and healthy controls (P = 0.022). Serum HNP1–3 levels were an independent indicator of LN (P = 0.006, OR = 7.5, 95% CI, 1.782–31.842), were statistically correlated with urinary protein excretion (P = 0.009) and activity index (P = 0.042) and were only marginally correlated with neutrophils (P = 0.054) and white blood cell counts (P = 0.051). Serum levels of HNP1–3 were a predictor of proteinuria remission after correction for multiple parameters (multivariate hazard 0.209; 95% CI 0.046–0.951; P = 0.043).ConclusionsThe data from this study indicated that HNP1–3, one component of the NET, is a potential biomarker for LN.
Sleep quality in patients with Behçet's disease
Authors: Yazmalar Levent , Batmaz İbrahim , Sarıyıldız Mustafa A. , Yıldız Mehmet , Uçmak Derya , Türkçü Fatih , Akdeniz Dicle , Sula Bilal , Çevik Remzi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to evaluate sleep quality and the related variables in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).MethodOne hundred and twelve patients diagnosed with BD and 67 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used for the evaluation of sleep disturbance in all participants. The quality of life (QoL) of all patients were evaluated by Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and anxiety and depression which were assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).ResultsThe patients with BD had significantly higher scores in subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, sleep disorder, functional disorder in the morning and total PSQI score compared to the healthy control group. According to Pearson's analysis, there was a significantly higher correlation between the anxiety, depression and all components of NHP scores and the total PSQI score. Logistic regression analyses indicated that genital ulcer and arthritis were predictors for poor sleep quality.ConclusionSleep quality is disturbed in patients with BD. The lower quality of sleep is greatly associated with anxiety, depression, QoL, genital ulcers and arthritis.
Does Bosentan Protect Diabetic Brain Alterations in Rats? The Role of Endothelin‐1 in the Diabetic Brain
Authors: Demir Recep , Cadirci Elif , Akpinar Erol , Cayir Yasemin , Atmaca Hasan Tarik , Un Harun , Kunak Celalettin Semih , Yayla Muhammed , Bayraktutan Zafer , Demir Ilknur 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a major problem all over the world, affecting more people in recent years. Individuals with diabetes are more prone to disease than non‐diabetics, especially vascular complications. The aim of this study was to examine the roles of the endothelin (ET)‐1 in brain damage formed in a streptozocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes model, and the effect of bosentan, which is the non‐specific ET1 receptor blocker in the prevention of the diabetes‐induced brain damage. To examine the effects of bosentan (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) in this study, the rats were given the drug for 3 months. The rats were divided into four groups: the sham group (n = 10), the diabetic control group (n = 10), the group of diabetic rats given bosentan 50 mg/kg (n = 10) and the group of diabetic rats given bosentan 100 mg/kg (n = 10). Diabetes was induced in the rats by STZ (60 mg/kg i.p.). On day 91, all rats were killed. Brain tissues of the rats were measured by molecular, biochemical and histopathological methods. Antioxidant levels in the therapy groups were observed as quite near to the values in the healthy group. In this study, while the brain eNOS levels in the diabetic groups decreased, the ET1 and iNOS levels were found to be increased. However, in the diabetes group, hippocampus and cerebellum, pericellular oedema and a number of neuronal cytoretraction were increased in neuropiles, whereas these results were decreased in the therapy group. Based on all of these results, ET1 will not be ignored in diabetes‐induced cerebral complications.
Targeted therapy with MXD3 siRNA, anti‐CD22 antibody and nanoparticles for precursor B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Authors: Satake Noriko , Duong Connie , Chen Cathy , Barisone Gustavo A. , Diaz Elva , Tuscano Joseph , Rocke David M. , Nolta Jan , Nitin Nitin 
Published: September 2014

SummaryConventional chemotherapy for precursor B‐cell (preB) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) has limitations that could be overcome by targeted therapy. Previously, we discovered a potential therapeutic molecular target, MDX3 (MAX dimerization protein 3), in preB ALL. In this study, we hypothesize that an effective siRNA therapy for preB ALL can be developed using antiCD22 antibody (αCD22 Ab) and nanoparticles. We composed nanocomplexes with super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO NPs), αCD22 Abs and MXD3 siRNA molecules based on physical interactions between the molecules. We demonstrated that the MXD3 siRNA‐αCD22 Ab‐SPIO NP complexes entered leukaemia cells and knocked down MXD3, leading the cells to undergo apoptosis and resulting in decreased live cell counts in the cell line Reh and in primary preB ALL samples in vitro. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effects of the MXD3 siRNA‐αCD22 Ab‐SPIO NP complexes were significantly enhanced by addition of the chemotherapy drugs vincristine or doxorubicin. We also ruled out potential cytotoxic effects of the MXD3 siRNA‐αCD22 Ab‐SPIO NP complexes on normal primary haematopoietic cells. Normal B cells were affected while CD34‐positive haematopoietic stem cells and non‐B cells were not. These data suggest that MXD3 siRNA‐αCD22 Ab‐SPIO NP complexes have the potential to be a new targeted therapy for preB ALL.
The universal in the social: Universalism, universality, and universalization in Canadian political culture and public policy
Authors: Prince Michael J. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis article provides a conceptual analysis of universalism, universality, and universalization in the Canadian context, important for students, activists, and practitioners of social policy for better understanding the content of debates and examining the ever‐shifting balance between universal programs and other types of social provisions. Three perspectives are evident in public opinion and political discourse in social policy making: the anti‐universalists, administrative universalists, and the active universalists. This article also identifies several kinds of universality: symbolic, tenuous, stalled, restrictive, and expansive. In a society of growing diversity, the relationship between the plural and the universal has led to theorizing about new notions of universalism. The social is a political space of multiple jurisdictions, governance relations, policies and citizen identities. The article argues that while retrenchment and austerity politics are present realities, the community values associated with universalism and the policy techniques linked with universality have not been abandoned.
Expression profile of Nanos2 gene in dairy goat and its inhibitory effect on Stra8 during meiosis
Authors: Yao X. , Tang F. , Yu M. , Zhu H. , Chu Z. , Li M. , Liu W. , Hua J. , Peng S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractObjectivesNanos2, an RNA‐binding protein, belongs to the Nanos gene‐coding family and contains two CCHC zinc‐finger motifs. In mouse, it plays a pivotal role in male germ cell development, and self‐renewal of spermatogonial stem cells. However, little is known of its expression pattern and functions in dairy goat testis.Materials and methodsImmunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) were used to generate the expression profile of Nanos2 in dairy goat testis. Furthermore, its overexpression effects on male germline stem cells (mGSCs) were studied using qRT‐PCR, immunofluorescence, dual‐luciferase reporter assay and western blotting.ResultsNanos2 is a conservative gene expressed widely in various tissues, especially in pancreas, and it displays higher expression in adult testes than in other age groups. Overexpression of Nanos2 significantly downregulated meiosis‐related genes, including Stra8 and Scp3, which induced inhibition of meiosis. Results from dual‐luciferase reporter assay and western blotting indicated that Nanos2 directly downregulated Stra8 in goat GmGSCs.ConclusionsTaken together, these results suggest that Nanos2 plays an important role in spermatogonia and that its overexpression restrained meiosis in the dairy goat.
Benefits and limitations of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis and classification of leprosy in primary and secondary healthcare settings
Authors: Ray R. , Mondal R. K. , Pathak S. 
Published: September 2014

ObjectivesThe goal of the World Health Organization (WHO) is to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem. This will only be possible when all patients are detected and cured using multidrug therapy, which requires accurate diagnosis prior to treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the diagnosis of leprosy lesions by fine needle aspiration cytology according to a modification of the Ridley–Jopling scale, as it can be used in primary and secondary healthcare centres, especially in low‐resource settings in which leprosy is prevalent.MethodsA prospective study comprising 54 cases with cardinal features of leprosy was performed. Among the 54 cases, 27 patients consented to a histopathological biopsy procedure. The slides were stained with Giemsa, modified Ziehl–Neelsen, Papanicolaou and haematoxylin and eosin methods.ResultsAmong the 54 cases, 34 were reported as tuberculoid leprosy, five as mid‐borderline (BB), three as borderline lepromatous (BL) and eight as lepromatous leprosy (LL); four were unsatisfactory. Histopathological study was performed in 27 cases, which showed cyto‐histological correlation in 21 cases (78%). Agreement between histological and cytological diagnosis was achieved in 12 of the 15 tuberculoid cases, one of the three BB cases, one of the two BL cases and all seven LL cases.ConclusionWith the implementation of the WHO classification based on patch counting, there is the possibility of the over‐treatment of paucibacillary cases and under‐treatment of multibacillary cases. Cytology in terms of cellular type morphology and bacteriological study can complement the WHO classification.
Predicting road culvert passability for migratory fishes
Authors: Januchowski‐Hartley Stephanie R. , Diebel Matthew , Doran Patrick J. , McIntyre Peter B. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimOur goal was to predict road culvert passability, as defined by culvert outlet drop and outlet water velocity, for three fish swimming groups using remotely collected environmental variables that have been shown to influence the passability of road culverts.LocatioLaurentian Great Lakes Basin, north‐eastern North America, on the Canada–USA border.MethodsWe generated four boosted regression tree models, one for road culvert outlet drop and one each for the three culvert outlet water velocities, and predicted the probability of impassable road culverts on low‐order streams (Strahler 1‐4) based on the models. Independent variables in the models included the upstream area draining to the culvert, slope at the culvert, stream segment gradient and stream reach gradient.ResultsGradient of the stream segment was the most important predictor in the outlet drop model, while upstream drainage area was the most important predictor in the three water velocity models. A majority of road culverts on low‐order streams are estimated to be passable even for weaker swimming fishes. Moderate to highly impassable road culverts are distributed across many low‐order streams throughout the basin, but particular regions are predicted to have higher densities than others due to topography.Main conclusionsPredicted passability of road culverts by migratory fish is related to natural gradients in topography and stream size. While the probability of any particular culvert being impassable is low, the vast number of culverts in the basin means that, together, they could pose a greater challenge to migratory fish than dams. Our modelling framework could be used in any region where culverts are prevalent in the riverscape. The resulting estimates of passability to fishes can guide surveys towards the most problematic hydrological regions and structures and contribute to broad‐scale prioritization of barrier removals to restore ecological connectivity.
Using real‐world data to evaluate the association of incretin‐based therapies with risk of acute pancreatitis: a meta‐analysis of 1 324 515 patients from observational studies
Authors: Wang T. , Wang F. , Gou Z. , Tang H. , Li C. , Shi L. , Zhai S. 
Published: September 2014

AimTo investigate the real‐world incidence of acute pancreatitis (AP) associated with incretin‐based therapy (IBT).MethodsWe carried out a systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies using Medline, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Database, ClinicalTrials.gov and conference proceedings. We included: those studies in which AP was a pre‐defined clinical outcome; longitudinal studies (case–control, cohort); studies that adjusted for confounders; studies that reported on a population exposed to IBT; studies in which non‐IBT users or past users (who received IBTs >90 days before the index date) were used as the control group; studies that reported risk estimates [relative risks, odds ratios (ORs) or hazard ratios] with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for AP event with IBT use, or that reported sufficient data to estimate these; and publications in the English language. Data were extracted by two independent investigators, and a consensus was reached with involvement of a third. Study‐specific ORs from seven cohort studies and two case–control studies were meta‐analysed using random‐effects models. Associations were tested in subgroups representing different patient characteristics and study quality.ResultsA total of nine studies that included 1 324 515 patients and 5195 cases of AP were included in our meta‐analysis. The summary estimate of OR for an association between IBT and AP was 1.03 (95% CI 0.87–1.20).ConclusionsThe present meta‐analysis of real‐world data does not suggest that IBT is associated with AP. Although we should continue to remain vigilant, IBTs should be regarded as reasonable options to consider adding to the regimen of a patient with type 2 diabetes.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for sickle cell disease: state of the science
Authors: Talano Julie‐An , Cairo Mitchell S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractSickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder secondary to a point mutation at the sixth position of the beta chain of human hemoglobin resulting in the replacement of valine for glutamic acid. This recessive genetic abnormality precipitates the polymerization of the deoxygenated form of hemoglobin S inducing a major distortion of red blood cells (S‐RBC), which decreases S‐RBC deformability leading to chronic hemolysis and vaso‐occlusion. These processes can result in severe complications including chronic pain, end‐organ dysfunction, stroke, and early mortality. The only proven curative therapy for patients with SCD is myeloablative conditioning and allogeneic stem cell transplantation from HLA‐matched sibling donors. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances in allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with SCD including more novel approaches such as reduced toxicity conditioning and the use of alternative allogeneic donors, including matched unrelated donors (MUDs), unrelated cord blood donors (UCBT), and familial haploidentical (FHI) donors. The results to date are very encouraging regarding allogeneic stem cell transplantation for patients with SCD including high survival rates and enabling a greater number of patients suffering from this chronic and debilitating condition to receive curative allogeneic stem cell therapies. However, we still have several areas to investigate and barriers to overcome to successfully cure the majority of patients with severe SCD through allogeneic stem cell therapies.
Move for Change Part III: a European survey evaluating the impact of the EPDA Charter for People with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Bloem B. R. , Stocchi F. 
Published: September 2014

Background and purposeMove for Change is an online pan‐European patient survey based on the European Parkinson's Disease Association (EPDA) Charter for People with Parkinson's Disease (PD), which states that all PD patients have the right to: be referred to a doctor with a specialist interest in PD; receive an accurate diagnosis; have access to support services; receive continuous care; and take part in managing their illness.MethodsThis part of the survey focuses on the final two elements of the Charter. It was administered online through the EPDA website and through affiliated patient associations’ websites. A total of 1591 questionnaires were received and 1546 were analysed (97.2%).ResultsApproximately half of the patients (53.0%) consulted a neurologist regularly (every 4–6 months). Consultations were usually arranged as part of a follow‐up process (65.5%) and lasted for 15–30 min (63.2%), with 16.1% lasting <10 min and 17.9% lasting >30 min. Patients were largely satisfied with the attention they received (63.2%) but just 11.6% of patients were involved in treatment decisions, and 39.1% prepared a list of symptom changes for discussion. Two hundred caregivers also took part in the survey, and 71.4% felt included in the treatment plan by the doctor.ConclusionsThese results highlight that PD disease‐management is driven by the clinician; he/she arranges consultations and makes the majority of management decisions, rather than patients being included in the process. This survey can be used to raise awareness for PD patients, encouraging greater involvement in the management of PD.
The vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) score: a promising tool for evaluation of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Gabelić T. , Krbot Skorić M. , Adamec I. , Barun B. , Zadro I. , Habek M. 
Published: September 2014

Background and purposeConcerning the great importance of brainstem involvement in multiple sclerosis (MS), the aim of this study was to explore the role of the newly developed vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) score as a possible marker of brainstem involvement in MS patients.Patients and methodsThis was a prospective case−control study which included 100 MS patients divided into two groups (without and with clinical signs of brainstem involvement) and 50 healthy controls. Ocular VEMP (oVEMP) and cervical VEMP (cVEMP) measurements were performed in all participants and analyzed for latencies, conduction block and amplitude asymmetry ratio. Based on this the VEMP score was calculated and compared with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration and magnetic resonance imaging data.ResultsMultiple sclerosis patients with clinical signs of brainstem involvement (group 2) had a statistically significant higher percentage of VEMP conduction blocks compared with patients without clinical signs of brainstem involvement (group 1) and healthy controls (P = 0.027 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Similarly, the VEMP score was significantly higher in group 2 compared with group 1 (P = 0.018) and correlated with EDSS and disease duration (P = 0.011 and P = 0.032, respectively). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that the VEMP score has a statistically significant influence on the EDSS score (P < 0.001, R2 = 0.239).ConclusionsInterpretation of the oVEMP and cVEMP results in the form of the VEMP score enables better evaluation of brainstem involvement than either of these evoked potentials alone and correlates well with disability.
Comparing ischaemic stroke in six European countries. The EuroHOPE register study
Authors: Malmivaara A. , Meretoja A. , Peltola M. , Numerato D. , Heijink R. , Engelfriet P. , Wild S. H. , Belicza É. , Bereczki D. , Medin E. , Goude F. , Boncoraglio G. , Tatlisumak T. , Seppälä T. , Häkkinen U. 
Published: September 2014

Background and purposeThe incidence of hospitalizations, treatment and case fatality of ischaemic stroke were assessed utilizing a comprehensive multinational database to attempt to compare the healthcare systems in six European countries, aiming also to identify the limitations and make suggestions for future improvements in the between‐country comparisons.MethodsNational registers of hospital discharges for ischaemic stroke identified by International Classification of Diseases codes 433–434 (ICD‐9) and code I63 (ICD‐10), medication purchases and mortality were linked at the patient level in each of the participating countries and regions: Finland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Scotland and Sweden. Patients with an index admission in 2007 were followed for 1 year.ResultsIn all, 64 170 patients with a disease code for ischaemic stroke were identified. The number of patients registered per 100 000 European standard population ranged from 77 in Scotland to 407 in Hungary. Large differences were observed in medication use. The age‐ and sex‐adjusted all‐cause case fatality amongst hospitalized patients at 1 year from stroke was highest in Hungary at 31.0% (95% confidence interval 30.5–31.5). Regional differences in age‐ and sex‐adjusted 1‐year case fatality within countries were largest in Hungary (range 23.6%–37.6%) and smallest in the Netherlands (20.5%–27.3%).ConclusionsIt is feasible to link population‐wide register data amongst European countries to describe incidence of hospitalizations, treatment patterns and case fatality of ischaemic stroke on a national level. However, the coverage and validity of administrative register data for ischaemic stroke should be developed further, and population‐based and clinical stroke registers should be created to allow better control of case mix.