bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decreased interleukin 27 expression is associated with active uveitis in Behçet’s disease
Authors: Wang Chaokui , Tian Yuan , Ye Zi , Kijlstra Aize , Zhou Yan , Yang Peizeng 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Instruction
Interleukin 27 (IL-27) is an important regulator of the proinflammatory T-cell response. In this study, we investigated its role in the pathogenesis of Behçet’s disease (BD).

Methods
IL-27 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was examined by performing RT-PCRs. Cytokine levels in sera or supernatants of PBMCs, naïve CD4+ T cells, dendritic cells (DCs) and DC/T cells were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We used RNA interference in naïve CD4+ T cells to study the role of interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8) in the inhibitory effect of IL-27 on Th17 cell differentiation. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the frequency of IL-17- and interferon γ–producing T cells.

Results
The expression of IL-27p28 mRNA by PBMCs and IL-27 in the sera and supernatants of cultured PBMCs were markedly decreased in patients with active BD. A higher frequency of IL-17-producing CD4+ T (Th17) cells and increased IL-17 production under Th17 polarizing conditions were observed in patients with active BD. IL-27 significantly inhibited Th17 cell differentiation. Downregulation of IRF8 by RNA interference abrogated the suppressive effect of IL-27 on Th17 differentiation. IL-27 inhibited the production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-23, but promoted IL-10 production, by DCs. IL-27-treated DCs inhibited both the Th1 and Th17 cell responses.

Conclusions
The results of the present study suggest that a decreased IL-27 expression is associated with disease activity in BD patients. Low IL-27 expression may result in a higher Th1 and Th17 cell response and thereby promote the autoinflammatory reaction observed in BD. Manipulation of IL-27 may offer a new treatment modality for this disease.
The effect of prone positioning on mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hu Shu Ling , He Hong Li , Pan Chun , Liu Ai Ran , Liu Song Qiao , Liu Ling , Huang Ying Zi , Guo Feng Mei , Yang Yi , Qiu Hai Bo 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Prone positioning (PP) has been reported to improve the survival of patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, it is uncertain whether the beneficial effects of PP are associated with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) levels and long durations of PP. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate whether the effects of PP on mortality could be affected by PEEP level and PP duration and to identify which patients might benefit the most from PP.

Methods
Publications describing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which investigators have compared prone and supine ventilation were retrieved by searching the following electronic databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science and Elsevier Science (inception to May 2013). Two investigators independently selected RCTs and assessed their quality. The data extracted from the RCTs were combined in a cumulative meta-analysis and analyzed using methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results
A total of nine RCTs with an aggregate of 2,242 patients were included. All of the studies received scores of up to three points using the methods recommended by Jadad et al. One trial did not conceal allocation. This meta-analysis revealed that, compared with supine positioning, PP decreased the 28- to 30-day mortality of ARDS patients with a ratio of partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen ≤100 mmHg (n = 508, risk ratio (RR) = 0.71, 95 confidence interval (CI) = 0.57 to 0.89; P = 0.003). PP was shown to reduce both 60-day mortality (n = 518, RR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.68 to 0.99; P = 0.04) and 90-day mortality (n = 516, RR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.43 to 0.75; P < 0.0001) in ARDS patients ventilated with PEEP ≥10 cmH2O. Moreover, PP reduced 28- to 30-day mortality when the PP duration was >12 h/day (n = 1,067, RR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.54 to 0.99; P = 0.04).

Conclusions
PP reduced mortality among patients with severe ARDS and patients receiving relatively high PEEP levels. Moreover, long-term PP improved the survival of ARDS patients.
Acute kidney injury due to rhabdomyolysis and renal replacement therapy: a critical review
Authors: Petejova Nadezda , Martinek Arnost 
Published: May 2014

AbstractRhabdomyolysis, a clinical syndrome caused by damage to skeletal muscle and release of its breakdown products into the circulation, can be followed by acute kidney injury (AKI) as a severe complication. The belief that the AKI is triggered by myoglobin as the toxin responsible appears to be oversimplified. Better knowledge of the pathophysiology of rhabdomyolysis and following AKI could widen treatment options, leading to preservation of the kidney: the decision to initiate renal replacement therapy in clinical practice should not be made on the basis of the myoglobin or creatine phosphokinase serum concentrations.
The chemical nature of phenolic compounds determines their toxicity and induces distinct physiological responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae in lignocellulose hydrolysates
Authors: Adeboye Peter Temitope , Bettiga Maurizio , Olsson Lisbeth 
Published: May 2014

AbstractWe investigated the severity of the inhibitory effects of 13 phenolic compounds usually found in spruce hydrolysates (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde, homovanilyl alcohol, vanillin, syringic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid, dihydroferulic acid,p-coumaric acid, hydroquinone, ferulic acid, homovanillic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and vanillylidenacetone). The effects of the selected compounds on cell growth, biomass yield and ethanol yield were studied and the toxic concentration threshold was defined for each compound. Using Ethanol Red, the popular industrial strain ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae, we found the most toxic compound to be 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde which inhibited growth at a concentration of 1.8 mM. We also observed that toxicity did not generally follow a trend based on the aldehyde, acid, ketone or alcohol classification of phenolic compounds, but rather that other structural properties such as additional functional groups attached to the compound may determine its toxicity. Three distinctive growth patterns that effectively clustered all the compounds involved in the screening into three categories. We suggest that the compounds have different cellular targets, and that. We suggest that the compounds have different cellular targets and inhibitory mechanisms in the cells, also compounds who share similar pattern on cell growth may have similar inhibitory effect and mechanisms of inhibition.
Screening of liquid media and fermentation of an endophytic Beauveria bassiana strain in a bioreactor
Authors: Lohse Rieke , Jakobs-Schönwandt Desiree , Patel Anant V 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
A novel approach for biological control of insect pests could be the use of the endophytic entomopathogenic Beauveria bassiana isolate ATP-02. For the utilization of the endophyte as a commercial biocontrol agent, the fungus has to be mass-produced. B. bassiana was raised in shake flask cultures to produce high concentrations of total spores (TS), which include blastospores (BS) and submerged conidiospores (SCS). The highest concentration of 1.33×109 TS/mL and the highest yield of 5.32×1010 TS/g sucrose was obtained in the TKI broth with 5% sugar beet molasses which consists of 50% sucrose as a carbon source. In spite of the lower sugar concentration (2.5%) the amount of TS could be increased up to 11-times in contrast to the cultivation with 5% sucrose. The scale-up to a 2 L stirred tank reactor was carried out at 25°C, 200–600 rpm and 1 vvm at pH 5.5. A TS yield of 5.2×1010 TS/g sucrose corresponding to a SCS yield of 0.2×1010 SCS/g sucrose was obtained after 216 h. With regards to the culture medium the cost of 1012 TS amounts to 0.24 €. Plutella xylostella larvae, which were fed with oilseed rape leaves treated with spores from fermentation resulted in 77 ± 5% mortality. Moreover, spores from submerged cultivation were able to colonize oilseed rape leaves via leaf application. This is the first report of fermentation of an endophytic B. bassiana strain in a low-cost culture medium to very high yields of TS.
Peripheral vein infusion of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in Egyptian HCV-positive patients with end-stage liver disease
Authors: Salama Hosny , Zekri Abdel-Rahman N , Medhat Eman , Al Alim Shereen A , Ahmed Ola S , Bahnassy Abeer A , Lotfy Mai M , Ahmed Rasha , Musa Sherief 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Introduction
We have assessed the utility of autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) peripheral vein infusion as a possible therapeutic modality for patients with end-stage liver diseases.

Methods
Forty patients with post-hepatitis C virus (HCV) end-stage liver disease were randomized into two groups: Group 1 (GI): 20 patients who received granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 5 days followed by autologous MSCs peripheral-vein infusion and group 2 (GII): 20 patients who received regular liver-supportive treatment only (control group).

Results
In MSC-infused patients (GI), 54% showed near normalization of liver enzymes and improvement in liver synthetic function. Significant changes were reported in albumin (P = 0.000), bilirubin (P = 0.002), increased international normalized ratio (INR) (P = 0.017), prothrombin concentration (P = 0.029) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels (P = 0.029), with stabilization of clinical and biochemical status in 13% of cases. None of the patients in GII showed any significant improvement. Hepatic fibrosis was assessed in GI by detection of procollagen IIIC peptide level (PIIICP) and procollagen III N peptide level (PIIINP). The pretreatment values of s-PIIICP and s-PIIINP were 9.4 ± 4.2 and 440 ± 189, respectively, with a decrease to 8.1 ± 2.6 and 388 ± 102, respectively, 3 months after MSC therapy. However, the difference was statistically nonsignificant (P = 0.7). A significant correlation coefficient was reported after 3 months between the s-PIIINP and prothrombin concentration (P = -0.5) and between s-PIIICP and ascites (P = 0.550).

Conclusions
First, autologous MSC infusion into a peripheral vein is as effective as the previously reported intrahepatic infusion. Second, MSCs have a supportive role in the treatment of end-stage liver disease, with satisfactory tolerability and beneficial effects on liver synthetic functions and hepatic fibrosis. Third, IV infusion of MSCs after G-CSF mobilization improves s-albumin within the first 2 weeks and prothrombin concentration and alanine Taransaminase after 1 month. According to the data from this current study and those previously reported by our group, we recommend further studies on patients’ infusion with pure CD133 and CD34 followed by IV infusion of in vitro-differentiated MSCs within 1 week and another infusion after 3 months.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01729221. Registered 17 November 2012.
Phagosome maturation in polarized macrophages
Authors: Canton Johnathan 
Published: May 2014

ABSTRACTMacrophages are capable of assuming distinct, meta-stable, functional phenotypes in response to environmental cues—a process referred to as macrophage polarization. The identity and plasticity of polarized macrophage subsets as well as their functions in the maintenance of homeostasis and the progression of various pathologies have become areas of intense interest. Yet, the mechanisms by which they achieve subset-specific functions at the cellular level remain unclear. It is becoming apparent that phagocytosis and phagosome maturation differ depending on the polarization of macrophages. This minireview summarizes recent progress in this field, highlighting developing trends and discussing the molecular mechanisms that underlie subset-specific functions.
TheCebpa+37-kb enhancer directs transgene expression to myeloid progenitors and to long-term hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Guo Hong , Ma Ou , Friedman Alan D 
Published: May 2014

AbstractC/EBPα is expressed preferentially in myeloid compared with lymphoid or erythroid cells and directs myeloid lineage specification. C/EBPα is also expressed at lower levels in HSCs and in several nonhematopoietic tissues. The Cebpa gene has a conserved, 450-bp segment at +37 kb that harbors enhancer-specific epigenetic marks and is activate in a myeloid cell line. Herein, we characterize transgenic C57BL/6 mice, in which the Cebpa enhancer and 845-bp promoter regulate a hCD4 reporter. FACS analysis, in vitro colony assays, and in vivo competitive and secondary transplantation revealed that myeloid but not MEPs or lymphoid progenitors and also functional LT-HSCs are found almost exclusively in the Cebpa-hCD4+ compared with hCD4− marrow population. hCD4+ CMP yielded predominantly myeloid, whereas hCD4− CMP generated mainly Meg/E colonies. Providing insight into control of CMP maturation, Cebpa and Pu.1 RNAs were preferentially expressed in hCD4+ CMP, Scl, Gata2, Gata1, Klf1, Ets1, and Fli1 predominated in hCD4− CMP, and Runx1, Myb, HoxA9, and Erg levels were similar in both. Cebpa-hCD4 transgene expression was lacking in multiple nonhematopoietic tissues. In summary, the +37-kb Cebpa enhancer and promoter are sufficient for marrow myeloid progenitor and LT-HSC-specific expression.
Risk of Hospitalization According to Chemotherapy Regimen in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Authors: Barcenas Carlos H. , Niu Jiangong , Zhang Ning , Zhang Yufeng , Buchholz Thomas A. , Elting Linda S. , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Smith Benjamin D. , Giordano Sharon H. 
Published: May 2014

Purpose To compare the risk of hospitalization between patients with early-stage breast cancer who received different chemotherapy regimens. Patient and Methods We identified 3,567 patients older than age 65 years from the SEER/Texas Cancer Registry-Medicare database and 9,327 patients younger than age 65 years from the MarketScan database who were diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer between 2003 and 2007. The selection was nonrandomized and nonprospectively collected. We categorized patients according to the regimens they received: docetaxel (T) and cyclophosphamide (C), doxorubicin (A) and C, TAC, AC + T, dose-dense AC + paclitaxel (P) or AC + weekly P. We compared the rates of chemotherapy-related hospitalizations that occurred within 6 months of chemotherapy initiation and used multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with these hospitalizations. Results Among patients younger than age 65 years, the hospitalization rates ranged from 6.2% (dose-dense AC + P) to 10.0% (TAC), and those who received TAC and AC + T had significantly higher rates of hospitalization than did patients who received TC. Among patients older than age 65 years, these rates ranged from 12.7% (TC) to 24.2% (TAC) and the rates of hospitalization of patients who received TAC, AC + T, AC, or AC + weekly P were higher than those of patients who received TC. Conclusion TAC and AC + T were associated with the highest risk of hospitalization in patients younger than age 65 years. Among patients older than age 65 years, all regimens (aside from dose-dense AC + P) were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization than TC. Results may be affected by selection biases where less aggressive regimens are offered to frailer patients.
Longitudinal Assessment of Chemotherapy-Induced Alterations in Brain Activation During Multitasking and Its Relation With Cognitive Complaints
Authors: Deprez Sabine , Vandenbulcke Mathieu , Peeters Ronald , Emsell Louise , Smeets Ann , Christiaens Marie-Rose , Amant Frederic , Sunaert Stefan 
Published: May 2014

Purpose To examine whether cognitive complaints after treatment for breast cancer are associated with detectable changes in brain activity during multitasking. Patients and Methods Eighteen patients who were scheduled to receive chemotherapy performed a functional magnetic resonance imaging multitasking task in the scanner before the start of treatment (t1) and 4 to 6 months after finishing treatment (t2). Sixteen patients who were not scheduled to receive chemotherapy and 17 matched healthy controls performed the same task at matched intervals. Task difficulty level was adjusted individually to match performance across participants. Statistical Parametric Mapping 8 (SPM8) software was used for within-group, between-group, and group-by-time interaction image analyses. Results Voxel-based paired t tests revealed significantly decreased activation (P < .05) from t1 to t2 at matched performance in the multitasking network of chemotherapy-treated patients, whereas no changes were noted in either of the control groups. At baseline, there were no differences between the groups. Furthermore, in contrast to controls, the chemotherapy-treated patients reported a significant increase in cognitive complaints (P < .05) at t2. Significant (P < .05) correlations were found between these increases and decreases in multitasking-related brain activation. Moreover, a significant group-by-time interaction (P < .05) was found whereby chemotherapy-treated patients showed decreased activation and healthy controls did not. Conclusion These results suggest that changes in brain activity may underlie chemotherapy-induced cognitive complaints. The observed changes might be related to chemotherapy-induced damage to the brain or reduced connectivity between brain regions rather than to changes in effort or changes in functional strategy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first longitudinal study providing evidence for a relationship between longitudinal changes in cognitive complaints and changes in brain activation after chemotherapy.
Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Women With Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline Focused Update
Authors: Burstein Harold J. , Temin Sarah , Anderson Holly , Buchholz Thomas A. , Davidson Nancy E. , Gelmon Karen E. , Giordano Sharon H. , Hudis Clifford A. , Rowden Diana , Solky Alexander J. , Stearns Vered , Winer Eric P. , Griggs Jennifer J. 
Published: May 2014

Purpose To update the ASCO clinical practice guideline on adjuvant endocrine therapy on the basis of emerging data on the optimal duration of treatment, particularly adjuvant tamoxifen. Methods ASCO convened the Update Committee and conducted a systematic review of randomized clinical trials from January 2009 to June 2013 and analyzed three historical trials. Guideline recommendations were based on the Update Committee's review of the evidence. Outcomes of interest included survival, disease recurrence, and adverse events. Results This guideline update reflects emerging data on duration of tamoxifen treatment. There have been five studies of tamoxifen treatment beyond 5 years of therapy. The two largest studies with longest reported follow-up show a breast cancer survival advantage with 10-year durations of tamoxifen use. In addition to modest gains in survival, extended therapy with tamoxifen for 10 years compared with 5 years was associated with lower risks of breast cancer recurrence and contralateral breast cancer. Recommendations Previous ASCO guidelines recommended treatment of women who have hormone receptor–positive breast cancer and are premenopausal with 5 years of tamoxifen, and those who are postmenopausal a minimum of 5 years of adjuvant therapy with an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen followed by an aromatase inhibitor (in sequence). If women are pre- or perimenopausal and have received 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen, they should be offered 10 years total duration of tamoxifen. If women are postmenopausal and have received 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen, they should be offered the choice of continuing tamoxifen or switching to an aromatase inhibitor for 10 years total adjuvant endocrine therapy.
Effect of the Electron Density of the Heme Fe Atom on the Fe–Histidine Coordination Bond in Deoxy Myoglobin
Authors: Nishimura Ryu , Shibata Tomokazu , Tai Hulin , Ishigami Izumi , Yanagisawa Sachiko , Ogura Takashi , Neya Saburo , Suzuki Akihiro , Yamamoto Yasuhiko 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
The stretching frequency of the coordination bond between the heme Fe atom and proximal histidine (His93) Nε atom (νFe–His), and the NMR shift of the His93NδH proton (His93NδH shift) of the deoxy form of a hemoprotein have been used to determine the electronic nature of the His93 imidazole highly relevant to regulation of heme Fe reactivity. We determined the νFe–His values and His93NδH shifts of the deoxy forms of myoglobins reconstituted with artificial heme cofactors possessing strongly electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl (CF3) group(s) as peripheral side chain(s). The study revealed that the bond between the heme Fe and His93 becomes stronger with increasing number of CF3 substitutions due to an increase in acidity of the His93NδH hydrogen bonded to the carbonyl O atom of Leu89. Thus, the present study demonstrated that the electronic nature of the His93 imidazole in deoxy Mb is affected by electronic perturbation induced by chemical modification of the heme cofactor.
A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study of Affect in Children and Adults With Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
Authors: Nelson Lisa , Moss Jo , Oliver Chris 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Studies of individuals with Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) have described changes in mood and behavior with age, although no empirical or longitudinal studies have been conducted. Caregivers of individuals with CdLS (N  =  67), cri du chat syndrome (CdCS; N  =  42), and Fragile X syndrome (FXS; N  =  142) completed the Mood, Interest and Pleasure Questionnaire (MIPQ) at Time 1 and 2 years later (Time 2). Scores on the MIPQ were significantly lower in the CdLS group compared with the CdCS and FXS groups at Time 1 and Time 2. Lower MIPQ scores were characteristic of older adolescents (&gt; 15 years) and adults with CdLS. However, there were no significant differences in MIPQ scores between Time 1 and Time 2. Age and insistence on sameness predicted MIPQ scores in CdLS.
Three of 7 Hemoglobin A1c Point-of-Care Instruments Do Not Meet Generally Accepted Analytical Performance Criteria
Authors: Lenters-Westra Erna , Slingerland Robbert J 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In 2009, we investigated the conformance of 8 hemoglobin A1c (Hb A1c) point-of-care (POC) instruments. Since then, instruments have improved and new devices are available on the market. In this second study, we evaluated the performance of DCA Vantage, Afinion, InnovaStar, Quo-Lab, Quo-Test, Cobas B101, and B-analyst Hb A1c POC instruments.

METHODS
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols EP-5 and EP-9 were applied to investigate imprecision, accuracy, and bias. We assessed bias using the mean of 3 certified secondary reference measurement procedures (SRMPs). Assay conformance with the National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP) certification criteria was also evaluated. Interference of common Hb variants was investigated for methods that could work with hemolysed material.

RESULTS
The total CVs for all instruments, except for the DCA Vantage at a high Hb A1c value, were ≤3.1% in SI units and ≤2.1% in Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) units. Afinion, DCA Vantage, B-analyst, and Cobas B101 instruments passed the NGSP criteria with 2 different reagent lot numbers. Quo-Test, Quo-Lab, and InnovaStar instruments had a negative bias compared to the mean of the 3 SRMPs and failed NGSP criteria. Most of the common Hb variants did not interfere with the investigated instruments, except Hb AE for the Cobas B101.

CONCLUSIONS
Afinion, DCA Vantage, Cobas B101, and B-analyst instruments met the generally accepted performance criteria for Hb A1c. Quo-Test, Quo-Lab, and InnovaStar met the criteria for precision but not for bias. Proficiency testing should be mandated for users of Hb A1c POC assays to ensure quality.