bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality in the Czech Republic, Russia, Poland and Lithuania in the 2000s: findings from the HAPIEE Study
Authors: Vandenheede Hadewijch , Vikhireva Olga , Pikhart Hynek , Kubinova Ruzena , Malyutina Sofia , Pajak Andrzej , Tamosiunas Abdonas , Peasey Anne , Simonova Galina , Topor-Madry Roman , Marmot Michael , Bobak Martin 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundRelatively large socioeconomic inequalities in health and mortality have been observed in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the former Soviet Union (FSU). Yet comparative data are sparse and virtually all studies include only education. The aim of this study is to quantify and compare socioeconomic inequalities in all-cause mortality during the 2000s in urban population samples from four CEE/FSU countries, by three different measures of socioeconomic position (SEP) (education, difficulty buying food and household amenities), reflecting different aspects of SEP.MethodsData from the prospective population-based HAPIEE (Health, Alcohol, and Psychosocial factors in Eastern Europe) study were used. The baseline survey (2002–2005) included 16 812 men and 19 180 women aged 45–69 years in Novosibirsk (Russia), Krakow (Poland), Kaunas (Lithuania) and seven Czech towns. Deaths in the cohorts were identified through mortality registers. Data were analysed by direct standardisation and Cox regression, quantifying absolute and relative SEP differences.ResultsMortality inequalities by the three SEP indicators were observed in all samples. The magnitude of inequalities varied according to gender, country and SEP measure. As expected, given the high mortality rates in Russian men, largest absolute inequalities were found among Russian men (educational slope index of inequality was 19.4 per 1000 person-years). Largest relative inequalities were observed in Czech men and Lithuanian subjects. Disadvantage by all three SEP measures remained strongly associated with increased mortality after adjusting for the other SEP indicators.ConclusionsThe results emphasise the importance of all SEP measures for understanding mortality inequalities in CEE/FSU.
Is behind armour blunt trauma a real threat to users of body armour? A systematic review
Authors: Carr Debra J , Horsfall I , Malbon C 
Published: November 2013

IntroductionBehind armour blunt trauma (BABT) has been defined as a non-penetrating injury caused by the rapid deformation of body armour. There has been an increasing awareness of BABT as an injury mechanism in both the military and civilian worlds; whether BABT results in serious injuries is debatable.MethodA systematic review of the openly accessible literature was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method to investigate those injuries classified as BABT and their severity.Results50 sources were identified that included pertinent information relevant to this systematic review on BABT injuries. Typical injuries reported included skin contusion, laceration and penetration, rib fracture and contusions to lungs, kidneys, spleen and (rarely) the heart. No evidence of fatal injuries due to BABT was identified.ConclusionsWhether BABT can lead to life-threatening injuries when small-arms ammunition impacts body armour components designed to stop that ammunition is debatable. It should be emphasised that other data may be available in government reports that are not openly available. Further research should be considered that investigates developments in body armour, including initiatives that involve reducing burden, and how they affect BABT.
Influence of single nucleotide polymorphisms on thrombin generation in factor V Leiden heterozygotes
Authors: Segers Olivier , Simioni Paolo , Tormene Daniela , Castoldi Elisabetta 
Published: November 2013

SummaryCarriership of the factor V (FV) Leiden mutation increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) ~4-fold, but the individual risk of each FV Leiden carrier depends on several co-inherited risk and protective factors. Under the hypothesis that thrombin generation might serve as an intermediate phenotype to identify genetic modulators of VTE risk, we enrolled 188 FV Leiden heterozygotes (11 with VTE) and determined the following parameters: thrombin generation in the absence and presence of activated protein C (APC); plasma levels of prothrombin, factor X, antithrombin, protein S and tissue factor pathway inhibitor; and the genotypes of 24 SNPs located in the genes encoding these coagulation factors and inhibitors. Multiple regression analysis was subsequently applied to identify the (genetic) determinants of thrombin generation. The endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) showed a striking inter-individual variability among different FV Leiden carriers and, especially when measured in the presence of APC, correlated with VTE risk. Several SNPs in the F2 (rs1799963, rs3136516), F10 (rs693335), SERPINC1 (rs2227589), PROS1 (Heerlen polymorphism) and TFPI (rs5940) genes significantly affected the ETPAPC and/or the ETP+APC in FV Leiden carriers. Most of these SNPs have shown an association with VTE risk in conventional epidemiological studies, suggesting that the genetic dissection of thrombin generation leads to the detection of clinically relevant SNPs. In conclusion, we have identified several SNPs that modulate thrombin generation in FV Leiden heterozygotes. These SNPs may help explain the large variability in VTE risk observed among different FV Leiden carriers.
Transcriptome sequencing and microarray design for functional genomics in the extremophile Arabidopsis relative Thellungiella salsuginea (Eutrema salsugineum)
Authors: Lee Yang Ping , Giorgi Federico M , Lohse Marc , Kvederaviciute Kotryna , Klages Sven , Usadel Björn , Meskiene Irute , Reinhardt Richard , Hincha Dirk K 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundMost molecular studies of plant stress tolerance have been performed withArabidopsis thaliana, although it is not particularly stress tolerant and may lack protective mechanisms required to survive extreme environmental conditions.Thellungiella salsugineahas attracted interest as an alternative plant model species with high tolerance of various abiotic stresses. While theT. salsugineagenome has recently been sequenced, its annotation is still incomplete and transcriptomic information is scarce. In addition, functional genomics investigations in this species are severely hampered by a lack of affordable tools for genome-wide gene expression studies.ResultsHere, we report the results ofThellungiella de novotranscriptome assembly and annotation based on 454 pyrosequencing and development and validation of aT. salsugineamicroarray. ESTs were generated from a non-normalized and a normalized library synthesized from RNA pooled from samples covering different tissues and abiotic stress conditions. Both libraries yielded partially unique sequences, indicating their necessity to obtain comprehensive transcriptome coverage. More than 1 million sequence reads were assembled into 42,810 unigenes, approximately 50% of which could be functionally annotated. These unigenes were compared to all availableThellungiellagenome sequence information. In addition, the groups of Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins, Mitogen Activated Protein (MAP) kinases and protein phosphatases were annotated in detail. We also predicted the target genes for 384 putative miRNAs. From the sequence information, we constructed a 44 k Agilent oligonucleotide microarray. Comparison of same-species and cross-species hybridization results showed superior performance of the newly designed array forT. salsugineasamples. The developed microarrays were used to investigate transcriptional responses ofT. salsugineaandArabidopsisduring cold acclimation using the MapMan software.ConclusionsThis study provides the first comprehensive transcriptome information for the extremophileArabidopsisrelativeT. salsuginea. The data constitute a more than three-fold increase in the number of publicly available unigene sequences and will greatly facilitate genome annotation. In addition, we have designed and validated the first genome-wide microarray forT. salsuginea, which will be commercially available. Together with the publicly available MapMan software this will become an important tool for functional genomics of plant stress tolerance.
Study protocol: rehabilitation including social and physical activity and education in children and teenagers with cancer (RESPECT)
Authors: Thorsteinsson Troels , Helms Anne Sofie , Adamsen Lis , Andersen Lars Bo , Andersen Karen Vitting , Christensen Karl Bang , Hasle Henrik , Heilmann Carsten , Hejgaard Nete , Johansen Christoffer , Madsen Marianne , Madsen Svend Aage , Simovska Venka , Strange Birgit , Thing Lone Friis , Wehner Peder Skov , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Larsen Hanne Baekgaard 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundDuring cancer treatment children have reduced contact with their social network of friends, and have limited participation in education, sports, and leisure activities. During and following cancer treatment, children describe school related problems, reduced physical fitness, and problems related to interaction with peers.Methods/designThe RESPECT study is a nationwide population-based prospective, controlled, mixed-methods intervention study looking at children aged 6-18 years newly diagnosed with cancer in eastern Denmark (n = 120) and a matched control group in western Denmark (n = 120). RESPECT includes Danish-speaking children diagnosed with cancer and treated at pediatric oncology units in Denmark. Primary endpoints are the level of educational achievement one year after the cessation of first-line cancer therapy, and the value of VO2maxone year after the cessation of first-line cancer therapy. Secondary endpoints are quality of life measured by validated questionnaires and interviews, and physical performance. RESPECT includes a multimodal intervention program, including ambassador-facilitated educational, physical, and social interventions. The educational intervention includes an educational program aimed at the child with cancer, the child’s schoolteachers and classmates, and the child’s parents. Children with cancer will each have two ambassadors assigned from their class. The ambassadors visit the child with cancer at the hospital at alternating 2-week intervals and participate in the intervention program. The physical and social intervention examines the effect of early, structured, individualized, and continuous physical activity from diagnosis throughout the treatment period. The patients are tested at diagnosis, at 3 and 6 months after diagnosis, and one year after the cessation of treatment. The study is powered to quantify the impact of the combined educational, physical, and social intervention programs.DiscussionRESPECT is the first population-based study to examine the effect of early rehabilitation for children with cancer, and to use healthy classmates as ambassadors to facilitate the normalization of social life in the hospital. For children with cancer, RESPECT contributes to expanding knowledge on rehabilitation that can also facilitate rehabilitation of other children undergoing hospitalization for long-term illness.Trial registrationClinical Trials.gov: file.NCT01772849andNCT01772862
Wilms’ tumour suppressor gene 1 (WT1) is involved in the carcinogenesis of Lung cancer through interaction with PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Wang Xi , Gao Ping , Lin Fang , Long Min , Weng Yuanyuan , Ouyang Yongri , Liu Li , Wei Junxia , Chen Xi , He Ting , Zhang Huizhong , Dong Ke 
Published: November 2013

AbsractAlthough studies have shown the oncogene WT1 is overexpressed in lung cancer, there is no data showing the implication of WT1 in lung cancer biology. In the present study, we first demonstrated that isotype C of WT1 was conservely overexpressed in 20 lung cancer patient specimens. Knockdown of WT1 by small interference RNA (siRNA) transfection resulted in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest at G1phase, and the expression change of BCL-2 family genes in WT1+A549 cells. Furthermore, we found that DDP treatment could decrease the WT1 mRNA expression level by 5% and 15% at a dose of 1 μg/ml, by 25% and 40% at a dose of 2 μg/ml for 24 and 48 h, respectively. In the mean time, DDP treatment also reduced the PI3K/AKT pathway activity. Further analysis by using siRNA targeting the AKT-1 and the PI3K pathway inhibitor Ly294002 revealed that the AKT-1 siRNA reduced the WT1 expression effectively in A549 cells, and the same result was observed in Ly294002 treated cells, indicating that DDP treatment could down regulate WT1 expression through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Of particular interest, knockdown of WT1 also inhibited the AKT expression effectively, Chip assay further confirmed that WT1 is a transcription factor of AKT-1. We thus concluded that there is a positive feedback loop between WT1 and AKT-1. Taken together, DDP treatment downregulates the WT1 expression through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and there is a feedback between WT1 and AKT-1; WT1 is involved in cellular proliferation in A549 cells, WT1 inhibition in combination with DDP will provide a new light for lung cancer therapy.
3-D aluminum nanostructure with microhole array synthesized by femtosecond laser radiation for enhanced light extinction
Authors: Mahmood Abdul Salam , Venkatakrishnan Krishnan , Tan Bo 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
This article presents 3-D aluminum micro-nanostructures for enhanced light absorption. Periodic microhole arrays were created by firing a train of femtosecond laser pulses at megahertz pulse frequency onto the surface of an aluminum target at ambient conditions. The laser trains ablated the target surface and created microholes leading to the generation of deposited nanostructures inside and around the microholes. These micro-nanostructures showed enhanced light absorption, which is attributed to surface plasmonics induced by the generation of both nano- and microstructures. These micro-nanostructures may be promising for solar cell applications.
Quantification of calcium content in bone by using ToF-SIMS–a first approach
Authors: Henss Anja , Rohnke Marcus , Knaack Sven , Kleine-Boymann Matthias , Leichtweiss Thomas , Schmitz Peter , El Khassawna Thaqif , Gelinsky Michael , Heiss Christian , Janek Jürgen 
Published: November 2013

The determination of the spatially resolved calcium distribution and concentration in bone is essential for the assessment of bone quality. It enables the diagnosis and elucidation of bone diseases, the course of bone remodelling and the assessment of bone quality at interfaces to implants. With time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) the calcium distribution in bone cross sections is mapped semi-quantitatively with a lateral resolution of up to 1 μm. As standards for the calibration of the ToF-SIMS data calcium hydroxyapatite collagen scaffolds with different compositions were synthesized. The standards were characterised by loss of ignition, x-ray diffractometry (XRD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The secondary ion count rate for calcium and the calcium content of the standards show a linear dependence. The obtained calibration curve is used for the quantification of the calcium content in the bone of rats. The calcium concentration within an animal model for osteoporosis induction is monitored. Exemplarily the calcium content of the bones was quantified by XPS for validation of the results. Furthermore a calcium mass image is compared with an XPS image to demonstrate the better lateral resolution of ToF-SIMS which advances the locally resolved quantification of the calcium content.
Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion presenting with head and neck fibrosclerosing lesions and orbital pseudotumors: a case report
Authors: Kusaka Soichi , Nishimura Sho , Kawakami Fumi , Ohbayashi Chiho , Shibuya Yasuyuki , Iwata Kentaro 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion is an idiopathic fibrosclerosing disorder occurring in the head and neck region. It is one of a broad spectrum of entities named inflammatory pseudotumors and, as the name suggests, it mimics a lot of diseases such as malignancies or infections. Combined with its rarity, tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion can be a tremendous diagnostic challenge. This case report describes a case of tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion, which was initially thought to be peri-orbital and mandibular osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus. A lengthy work up ensued and was required to reach the final diagnosis.

Case presentation
A 64-year-old Asian man with a history of diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease who was on hemodialysis presented with worsening exophthalmos and relapsing trismus. He was diagnosed as “mandibular osteomyelitis” about 20 years ago. Since then he had suffered chronic relapsing exophthalmos and jaw pain with numerous medical treatments. In 2011 he was diagnosed as peri-orbital and intramandibular aspergillosis because a serum Aspergillus galactomannan assay was positive. He was treated with multiple antifungal medications to no avail. A biopsy of his orbital lesions was not revealing. After repeated biopsies, we finally concluded that the patient was suffering from tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion. Corticosteroid therapy was initiated with prompt response.

Conclusions
Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion is a rare inflammatory benign tumor, which mimics many inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. Conventional work up including biopsy may not lead to the diagnosis without understanding this entity. Awareness of this disorder will aid early diagnosis and treatment.
Effects of tea saponin on glucan conversion and bonding behaviour of cellulolytic enzymes during enzymatic hydrolysis of corncob residue with high lignin content
Authors: Feng Yue , Jiang Jianxin , Zhu Liwei , Yue Linyan , Zhang Junhui , Han Shijie 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Recently, interest in the utilization of corncob residue (CCR, with high lignin of 45.1%) as a feedstock for bioethanol has been growing. Surfactants have been one of the most popular additives intended to prevent the inhibitory effect of lignin on cellulolytic enzymes, thereby improving hydrolysis. In this study, the effects of biosurfactant tea saponin (TS) on the enzymatic hydrolysis of CCR and the bonding behavior of cellulolytic enzymes to the substrate were investigated. The surface tension in the supernatant was also detected to obtain information about the characteristics and stability of TS.

Results
The glucose concentration was 17.15 mg/mL at 120 hours of hydrolysis with the low loading of cellulolytic enzymes (7.0 FPU/g cellulose and 10.5 BGU/g cellulose) and 5% CCR. The optimal dosage of TS was its critical micelle concentration (cmc, 1.80 mg/mL). The glucose yield was enhanced from 34.29 to 46.28 g/100 g dry matter by TS. The results indicate that TS can promote the adsorption of cellulolytic enzymes on the substrate and mediate the release of adsorbed enzymes. Meanwhile, TS improves the recovery of the cellulolytic enzymes after a hydrolysis cycle and prevents deactivation of the enzymes during the intense shaking process. The surface tension in supernatants of digested CCR with TS remained at 50.00 mN/m during the course of hydrolysis. It is interesting to note that biosurfactant TS can maintain the surface tension in supernatants, despite its digestibility by cellulolytic enzymes.

Conclusions
Serving as an accelerant of lignocellulose hydrolysis, TS can also be degraded by the cellulolytic enzymes and release glucose while retaining stability, which reduces the cost of both the cellulolytic enzymes and the additive. As the glucose from the TS could be utilized by yeast, further efforts will investigate the mechanism of function and the application of TS in the production of ethanol by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF).
A mammosphere formation RNAi screen reveals that ATG4A promotes a breast cancer stem-like phenotype
Authors: Wolf Jonas , Dewi Dyah Laksmi , Fredebohm Johannes , Müller-Decker Karin , Flechtenmacher Christa , Hoheisel Jörg D , Boettcher Michael 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Breast cancer stem cells are suspected to be responsible for tumour recurrence, metastasis formation as well as chemoresistance. Consequently, great efforts have been made to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer stem cell maintenance. In order to study these rare cells in-vitro, they are typically enriched via mammosphere culture. Here we developed a mammosphere-based negative selection shRNAi screening system suitable to analyse the involvement of thousands of genes in the survival of cells with cancer stem cell properties.

Methods
We describe a sub-population expressing the stem-like marker CD44+/CD24-/low in SUM149 that were enriched in mammospheres. To identify genes functionally involved in the maintenance of the sub-population with cancer stem cell properties, we targeted over 5000 genes by RNAi and tested their ability to grow as mammospheres. The identified candidate ATG4A was validated in mammosphere and soft agar colony formation assays. Further, we evaluated the influence of ATG4A expression on the sub-population expressing the stem-like marker CD44+/CD24low. Next, the tumorigenic potential of SUM149 after up- or down-regulation of ATG4A was examined by xenograft experiments.

Results
Using this method, Jak-STAT as well as cytokine signalling were identified to be involved in mammosphere formation. Furthermore, the autophagy regulator ATG4A was found to be essential for the maintenance of a sub-population with cancer stem cell properties and to regulate breast cancer cell tumourigenicity in vivo.

Conclusion
In summary, we present a high-throughput screening system to identify genes involved in cancer stem cell maintenance and demonstrate its utility by means of ATG4A.
Surface Structures and Electrochemical Activity of Palladium–Niobium Binary Alloy Electrodes, and Glucose Biosensor with Palladium–Niobium Binary Alloy Electrode
Authors: Matsumoto Toru , Sata Naoaki , Kobayashi Kiyoshi , Yamabe-Mitarai Yoko 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The electrochemical activities of binary metals in a Pd–Nb system were investigated as a function of their compositions, crystal structures, using a hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid redox reaction. High activities for the redox reaction of hydrogen peroxide were observed when an alloy of composition 75 atom % Pd–25 atom % Nb (Pd–25Nb) with Pd3Nb phase was used. Tests on six electrodes showed that at a constant potential of 0.7 V, the Pd–25Nb electrode had the best hydrogen peroxide detection capability (Pd–25Nb: 3.2 µA mm−2; Pd: 2.4 µA mm−2; Pt: 2.2 µA mm−2; Pd–10Nb: 1.8 µA mm−2; Pd–30.8Nb: 2.4 µA mm−2; Pd–54.4Nb: 0.6 µA mm−2 for 2 mM hydrogen peroxide). And then, Pd–25Nb gave the best performance in terms of preferential hydrogen peroxide oxidation against ascorbic acid. Subsequently, the Pd–25Nb electrode which had excellent hydrogen peroxide detection capability, Pd and Pt were used for the fabrication of amperometric glucose sensors. To fabricate the glucose sensors, we coated the three electrodes first with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and then with crosslinked bovine serum albumin and glutaraldehyde containing glucose oxidase. Tests on the Pd–25Nb, Pd, and Pt electrode glucose sensors showed that the Pd–25Nb glucose sensor had a better glucose detection capability than the Pd and Pt glucose sensors: 0.468 µA mm−2 mM−1 for the Pd–25Nb sensor, 0.307 µA mm−2 mM−1 for the Pd sensor, and 0.276 µA mm−2 mM−1 for the Pt sensor with 1.67 mM glucose. We discuss the relation between electrode responses to both hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid and electrode surface structures.