bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic hydroxyapatite augmentation for patulous eustachian tube
Authors: Vaezeafshar Reza , Turner Justin H. , Li Gang , Hwang Peter H. 
Published: June 2013

Objectives/HypothesisTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic calcium hydroxyapatite injection in patients with patulous Eustachian tube.Study DesignRetrospective case series.MethodsFourteen patients diagnosed with patulous Eustachian tube (PET) underwent endoscopic hydroxyapatite injection under general anesthesia. All patients had at least two of three major PET symptoms including voice autophony, breathing autophony, or aural fullness/pressure. Patients were evaluated postoperatively with nasal endoscopy and a symptom questionnaire.ResultsEndoscopic Eustachian tube injection was performed in a total of 23 sides in 14 patients with an average volume of 2.1 cc injected per side. Mean follow‐up was 17.5 months. The most common symptoms reported preoperatively were voice autophony (96%), breathing autophony (91%), and ear fullness (83%). A complete or significant response to treatment was noted in 13/22 sides with voice autophony (59%), 12/21 sides with breathing autophony (57%), and 12/19 sides with ear fullness (63%). All complete or significant symptom improvements remained durable through the entirety of the follow‐up period. Four sides that had temporary or no improvement with treatment underwent repeat injection but did not achieve additional improvement. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed.ConclusionEndoscopic hydroxyapatite injection of the Eustachian tube is a minimally invasive procedure that provided significant or complete relief of autophony and ear fullness in 57% to 63% of sides treated. The procedure is well tolerated and can be performed safely under endoscopic visualization. Hydroxyapatite injection may be a satisfactory alternative to more invasive treatments for PET.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 124:62–66, 2014
Radical Copolymerization Reactivity of N‐Substituted Maleimides with α‐Substituted Styrenes with Various N‐ and α‐Substituents and the Thermal and Optical Properties of the Resulting Copolymers
Authors: Hisano Miki , Takashima Tsutomu , Jin Zhengzhe , Shiibashi Akira , Matsumoto Akikazu 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe radical alternating copolymerization of N‐substituted maleimides (RMIs) with N‐methyl, n‐butyl, and 2‐ethylhexyl groups and styrene derivatives with various α‐substituents (RSs) is carried out. The yield and the molecular weight of the obtained copolymers significantly decrease with an increase in the size of the α‐substituent of RSs, but are independent of the N‐substituents. The glass‐transition temperature of the copolymers increases on the introduction of the large substituents into the RS repeating units. The high‐molecular‐weight poly(RMI‐alt‐RS)s are soluble in organic solvents and provide flexible and transparent films with excellent transparency by casting the solutions.
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The −1195G allele increases the transcriptional activity of cyclooxygenase‐2 gene (COX‐2) in colon cancer cell lines
Authors: Pereira Carina , Sousa Hugo , Silva Joana , Brandão Carla , Elgueta‐Karstegl Claudio , Farrell Paul J. , Medeiros Rui , Dinis‐Ribeiro Mário 
Published: June 2013

AbstractUp‐regulation of cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is an early and key event in human colorectal carcinogenesis (CRC). Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms leading to this over‐expression are largely unknown. We previously reported an association between the −1195G allele and higher predisposition for CRC in a Caucasian population. The biological explanation for the involvement of this polymorphism in CRC remains elusive. We aimed to functionally characterize the influence of the −1195A>G promoter region polymorphism on COX‐2 transcription activity in colon cancer cell lines. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to assess whether the −1195A/G alleles influenced COX‐2 transcription. The COX‐2 promoter's region containing either the −1195A or −1195G alleles was cloned into pGL3‐basic reporter vector. The reporter vectors were transiently co‐transfected with the pGL4.73 control plasmid to HCT‐116 and HCA‐7 colon cancer cell lines. The levels of reporter gene expression driven by the −1195G allele‐containing COX‐2 promoter were significantly higher in both colon cancer cell lines. A 2.2‐fold increase in promoter activity was observed in the HCT‐116 cell line (P < 0.001), and this over‐expression was even more noticeable in the HCA‐7 COX‐2 expressing cell line with a threefold higher transcriptional activity (P = 0.001). The −1195G allele appeared to enhance COX‐2 transcription, providing a molecular basis underlying the increased susceptibility for CRC and potentially a new mechanism for COX‐2 overexpression. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and visual hallucinations in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Lee Jee‐Young , Kim Jae Min , Ahn Jeeyun , Kim Han‐Joon , Jeon Beom S. , Kim Tae Wan 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTDefective visual information processing from both central and peripheral pathways is one of the suggested mechanisms of visual hallucination in Parkinson's disease (PD). To investigate the role of retinal thinning for visual hallucination in PD, we conducted a case‐control study using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. We examined a representative sample of 61 patients with PD and 30 healthy controls who had no history of ophthalmic diseases. General ophthalmologic examinations and optical coherence tomography scans were performed in each participant. Total macular thickness and the thickness of each retinal layer on horizontal scans through the fovea were compared between the groups. In a comparison between patients with PD and healthy controls, there was significant parafoveal inner nuclear layer thinning, whereas other retinal layers, including the retinal nerve fiber layer, as well as total macular thicknesses were not different. In terms of visual hallucinations among the PD subgroups, only retinal nerve fiber layer thickness differed significantly, whereas total macular thickness and the thickness of other retinal layers did not differ. The retinal nerve fiber layer was thinnest in the group that had hallucinations without dementia, followed by the group that had hallucinations with dementia, and the group that had no hallucinations and no dementia. General ophthalmologic examinations did not reveal any significant correlation with hallucinations. There were no significant correlations between retinal thicknesses and duration or severity of PD and medication dosages. The results indicate that retinal nerve fiber layer thinning may be related to visual hallucination in nondemented patients with PD. Replication studies as well as further studies to elucidate the mechanism of thinning are warranted. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Early Diagnosis of Complex Diseases by Molecular Biomarkers, Network Biomarkers, and Dynamical Network Biomarkers
Authors: Liu Rui , Wang Xiangdong , Aihara Kazuyuki , Chen Luonan 
Published: June 2013

AbstractMany studies have been carried out for early diagnosis of complex diseases by finding accurate and robust biomarkers specific to respective diseases. In particular, recent rapid advance of high‐throughput technologies provides unprecedented rich information to characterize various disease genotypes and phenotypes in a global and also dynamical manner, which significantly accelerates the study of biomarkers from both theoretical and clinical perspectives. Traditionally, molecular biomarkers that distinguish disease samples from normal samples are widely adopted in clinical practices due to their ease of data measurement. However, many of them suffer from low coverage and high false‐positive rates or high false‐negative rates, which seriously limit their further clinical applications. To overcome those difficulties, network biomarkers (or module biomarkers) attract much attention and also achieve better performance because a network (or subnetwork) is considered to be a more robust form to characterize diseases than individual molecules. But, both molecular biomarkers and network biomarkers mainly distinguish disease samples from normal samples, and they generally cannot ensure to identify predisease samples due to their static nature, thereby lacking ability to early diagnosis. Based on nonlinear dynamical theory and complex network theory, a new concept of dynamical network biomarkers (DNBs, or a dynamical network of biomarkers) has been developed, which is different from traditional static approaches, and the DNB is able to distinguish a predisease state from normal and disease states by even a small number of samples, and therefore has great potential to achieve “real” early diagnosis of complex diseases. In this paper, we comprehensively review the recent advances and developments on molecular biomarkers, network biomarkers, and DNBs in particular, focusing on the biomarkers for early diagnosis of complex diseases considering a small number of samples and high‐throughput data (or big data). Detailed comparisons of various types of biomarkers as well as their applications are also discussed.
The relationship between BMI and urinary incontinence subgroups: Results from EpiLUTS
Authors: Khullar Vik , Sexton Chris C. , Thompson Christine L. , Milsom Ian , Bitoun Caty Ebel , Coyne Karin S. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and urinary incontinence (UI) in adults ≥40 from the United States, United Kingdom, and Sweden.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of EpiLUTS—a population‐representative, cross‐sectional, Internet‐based survey conducted to assess the prevalence and HRQL impact of urinary symptoms. UI was evaluated by the LUTS Tool and categorized by subgroups: no UI, urgency urinary incontinence (UUI), stress urinary incontinence (SUI), mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) (UUI + SUI), UUI + other UI (OI), SUI + OI, and OI. Descriptive statistics were used. Logistic regressions examined the relationship of BMI to UI controlling for demographics and comorbid conditions.ResultsResponse rate was 59%; 10,070 men and 13,178 women were included. Significant differences in BMI were found across UI subgroups. Obesity rates were highest among those with MUI (men and women), SUI + OI (women), UUI and UUI + OI (men). Logistic regressions of each UI subgroup showed that BMI ≥ 30 (obese) was associated with UI in general and MUI (women) and UUI + OI (men). Among women, being obese increased the odds of having SUI and SUI + OI. Women with BMI 25–29.9 (overweight) were more likely to have UI in general and SUI with and without other incontinence (SUI, MUI, and SUI + OI). Being overweight was unrelated to any form of UI in men.ConclusionsResults were consistent with prior research showing BMI is associated with higher risk of UI. These findings indicate substantial differences in obesity by gender and UI subtype, suggesting different mechanisms for UI other than purely mechanical stress on the bladder. Neurourol. Urodynam. 33:392–399, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid Quantitation of Furanocoumarins and Flavonoids in Grapefruit Juice using Ultra‐Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: VanderMolen Karen M. , Cech Nadja B. , Paine Mary F. , Oberlies Nicholas H. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTIntroductionGrapefruit juice can increase or decrease the systemic exposure of myriad oral medications, leading to untoward effects or reduced efficacy. Furanocoumarins in grapefruit juice have been established as inhibitors of cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A)‐mediated metabolism and P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp)‐mediated efflux, while flavonoids have been implicated as inhibitors of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)‐mediated absorptive uptake in the intestine. The potential for drug interactions with a food product necessitates an understanding of the expected concentrations of a suite of structurally diverse and potentially bioactive compounds.ObjectiveDevelop methods for the rapid quantitation of two furanocoumarins (bergamottin and 6′,7′‐dihydroxybergamottin) and four flavonoids (naringin, naringenin, narirutin and hesperidin) in five grapefruit juice products using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).MethodsGrapefruit juice products were extracted with ethyl acetate; the concentrated extract was analysed by UPLC using acetonitrile:water gradients and a C18‐column. Analytes were detected using a photodiode array detector, set at 250 nm (furanocoumarins) and 310 nm (flavonoids). Intraday and interday precision and accuracy and limits of detection and quantitation were determined.ResultsRapid (< 5.0 min) UPLC methods were developed to measure the aforementioned furanocoumarins and flavonoids. R2 values for the calibration curves of all analytes were >0.999. Considerable between‐juice variation in the concentrations of these compounds was observed, and the quantities measured were in agreement with the concentrations published in HPLC studies.ConclusionThese analytical methods provide an expedient means to quantitate key furanocoumarins and flavonoids in grapefruit juice and other foods used in dietary substance–drug interaction studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of Antidepressant and Atypical Antipsychotic Use with Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in a Veteran Population
Authors: Acharya Tushar , Acharya Sabeena , Tringali Steven , Huang Jian 
Published: June 2013

Study ObjectivesTo determine the patterns of antidepressant and atypical antipsychotic use in a veteran population with depression, and to determine if an association exists between specific antidepressant classes and atypical antipsychotics and the occurrence of cardiovascular events and all‐cause mortality.DesignRetrospective, cross‐sectional study.SettingPrimary care clinic at a Veterans Affairs hospital.PatientsA total of 1136 patients diagnosed with depression who were receiving antidepressant monotherapy (664 patients) or no antidepressant therapy (472 patients [controls]) between June 2009 and December 2010.Measurements and Main ResultsData on patient demographics, disease diagnoses, laboratory data, and drug therapy profiles were collected through medical record review. Of the 1136 patients, the mean patient age was 61 years, 90% were men, and 77% were smokers. Mean body mass index was 30.4 kg/m2, blood pressure 126/73 mm Hg, hemoglobin A1c 6%, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol level 106.7 mg/dl, and Framingham score 17. Patients receiving antidepressant monotherapy were grouped according to antidepressant class; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were most common. Concomitant use of atypical antipsychotics was more common with the serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (venlafaxine), SSRI, and serotonin receptor antagonist (trazodone) classes (p=0.0067). After adjusting for demographics, concomitant drugs, and comorbidities, SSRI use was significantly associated with lower all‐cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.19–0.71, p=0.0028). Notably, noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (mirtazapine) use was significantly associated with higher prevalence of heart failure (OR 3.26, 95% CI 1.029–10.38, p=0.0445). Use of atypical antipsychotics was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of cerebrovascular events (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.29–3.83, p=0.0036) and all‐cause mortality (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.03–4.1, p=0.04).ConclusionOur results favor treatment of depression with SSRIs among patients at increased cardiovascular risk due to the potential mortality benefit of this class of drugs. Atypical antipsychotics should be used with caution in the elderly population. Mirtazapine use in patients with heart failure and depression deserves further investigation.
Increased bisecting N‐acetylglucosamine and decreased branched chain glycans of N‐linked glycoproteins in expressed prostatic secretions associated with prostate cancer progression
Authors: Nyalwidhe Julius O. , Betesh Lucy R. , Powers Thomas W. , Jones E. Ellen , White Krista Y. , Burch Tanya C. , Brooks Jasmin , Watson Megan T. , Lance Raymond S. , Troyer Dean A. , Semmes O. John , Mehta Anand , Drake Richard R. 
Published: June 2013

PurposeUsing prostatic fluids rich in glycoproteins like prostate‐specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), the goal of this study was to identify the structural types and relative abundance of glycans associated with prostate cancer status for subsequent use in emerging MS‐based glycopeptide analysis platforms.Experimental designA series of pooled samples of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and exosomes reflecting different stages of prostate cancer disease were used for N‐linked glycan profiling by three complementary methods, MALDI‐TOF profiling, normal‐phase HPLC separation, and triple quadropole MS analysis of PAP glycopeptides.ResultsGlycan profiling of N‐linked glycans from different EPS fluids indicated a global decrease in larger branched tri‐ and tetra‐antennary glycans. Differential exoglycosidase treatments indicated a substantial increase in bisecting N‐acetylglucosamines correlated with disease severity. A triple quadrupole MS analysis of the N‐linked glycopeptides sites from PAP in aggressive prostate cancer pools was done to cross‐reference with the glycan profiling data.Conclusion and clinical relevanceChanges in glycosylation as detected in EPS fluids reflect the clinical status of prostate cancer. Defining these molecular signatures at the glycopeptide level in individual samples could improve current approaches of diagnosis and prognosis.
Development of a fluorescent monoclonal antibody‐based assay to measure the allosteric effects of synthetic peptides on self‐oligomerization of AGR2 protein
Authors: Gray Terry A. , Murray Euan , Nowicki Matthew W. , Remnant Lucy , Scherl Alexander , Muller Petr , Vojtesek Borek , Hupp Ted R. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractMany regulatory proteins are homo‐oligomeric and designing assays that measure self‐assembly will provide novel approaches to study protein allostery and screen for novel small molecule modulators of protein interactions. We present an assay to begin to define the biochemical determinants that regulate dimerization of the cancer‐associated oncoprotein AGR2. A two site‐sandwich microtiter assay (2SMTA) was designed using a DyLight800‐labeled monoclonal antibody that binds to an epitope in AGR2 to screen for synthetic self‐peptides that might regulate dimer stability. Peptides derived from the intrinsically disordered N‐terminal region of AGR2 increase in trans oligomer stability as defined using the 2SMTA assay. A DSS‐crosslinking assay that traps the AGR2 dimer through K95‐K95 adducts confirmed that Δ45‐AGR2 was a more stable dimer using denaturing gel electrophoresis. A titration of wt‐AGR2, Δ45‐AGR2 (more stable dimer), and monomeric AGR2E60A revealed that Δ45‐AGR2 was more active in binding to Reptin than either wt‐AGR2 or the AGR2E60A mutant. Our data have defined a functional role for the AGR2 dimer in the binding to its most well characterized interacting protein, Reptin. The ability to regulate AGR2 oligomerization in trans opens the possibility for developing small molecules that regulate its' biochemical activity as potential cancer therapeutics. The data also highlight the utility of this oligomerization assay to screen chemical libraries for ligands that could regulate AGR2 dimer stability and its' oncogenic potential.
Testing the functionality and contact error of a GPS‐based wildlife tracking network
Authors: Davis Melanie J. , Thokala Sravan , Xing Xinyu , Hobbs N. Thompson , Miller Michael W. , Han Richard , Mishra Shivakant 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTTelemetry is a fundamentally important tool for studying animal movements. Traditional telemetry systems have provided time‐specific information on locations of individuals; however, recent developments in instruments allow for the tracking of networks of interactions among individuals. Currently, these devices rely on very high frequency (VHF) radio technology, and cannot precisely gauge where interactions occurred without on‐site triangulation. Furthermore, although commercially available devices can log successful communication attempts between collars as little as 1 m apart, researchers cannot accurately determine distances within the pre‐set detection (contact) threshold of these units. Data loss from proximity‐logging devices, and even traditional telemetry devices that are lost or damaged in the field, poses another obstacle to monitoring wildlife social networks. We have developed a prototype proximity‐logging Global Positioning System (GPS) collar that offers greater spatial resolution of social interactions, and reduces probability of data loss. In this study, we used captive bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) to test the GPS capabilities, contact rates, and contact distance error of our prototype collars. The GPS fix success rate of our collars was >97.93% (n = 95,041; 95% CI = 97.84–98.02%). The collars were communicating with each other about 98% (n = 22,253; 95% CI = 98.50–98.81%) of the time and reciprocal communication occurred 9% of the time. Contact distance error was 9.5 m, which is what would be expected taking into account a baseline GPS spatial error of ±5 m in open environments. The high GPS fix success, low GPS error, and ability to log accurate social interactions with low contact distance error by our prototype collars suggest that the implementation of GPS with proximity‐logging technology has the potential to improve currently available social network data. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Recurrence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Noncirrhotic Liver After Hepatectomy
Authors: Chiche Laurence , Menahem B. , Bazille C. , Bouvier V. , Plard L. , Saguet V. , Alves A. , Salame E. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic liver (HCCNC) is rare. This tumor has a particular epidemiology and presentation, and it requires specific treatment, compared with HCC in cirrhotic liver. The aims of this study were to determine the survival and recurrence rates, prognostic factors, and optimum treatment of HCCNC and to propose a follow‐up protocol for patients who have undergone surgery for HCCNC.MethodsThis study included 131 patients who underwent surgical treatment for HCCNC from January 1992 to December 2010. Survival and recurrence rates were evaluated, and the prognostic factors and characteristics of recurrence were analyzed. Pathologic characteristics of the tumors and the nontumoral liver were examined.ResultsThe mean survival time was 67.9 months. The 5‐ and 10‐year overall survival rates were 72.9 and 36.7 %, respectively. In all, 54 patients (41.2 %) developed recurrence at a median interval of 30.96 months. Of these recurrences, 31.5 % occurred during the first year, and 24.1 % occurred more than 5 years after surgery. Macro‐ or microvascular invasion and tumor size >5 cm were significantly associated with a poor survival rate. The predictive factors for recurrence were multiple tumors, tumor diameter >5 cm, and satellite nodules. Patients who underwent surgical treatment for recurrence had a significantly longer survival time than those who did not (p < 0.0292).ConclusionsRecurrence is the most common cause of death after hepatectomy for HCC, and patients should undergo careful, long‐term follow‐up. Early detection and treatment of recurrence with curative intent should improve the prognosis of these patients.