bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory effect of IL-17 on neural stem cell proliferation and neural cell differentiation
Authors: Li Zichen , Li Ke , Zhu Lin , Kan Quancheng , Yan Yaping , Kumar Priyanka , Xu Hui , Rostami Abdolmohamad , Zhang Guang-Xian 
Published: April 2013

AbstractBackgroundIL-17, a Th17 cell-derived proinflammatory molecule, has been found to play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). While IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) is expressed in many immune-related cells, microglia, and astrocytes, it is not known whether IL-17 exerts a direct effect on neural stem cells (NSCs) and oligodendrocytes, thus inducing inflammatory demyelination in the central nervous system.MethodsWe first detected IL-17 receptor expression in NSCs with immunostaining and real time PCR. We then cultured NSCs with IL-17 and determined NSC proliferation by neurosphere formation capability and cell number count, differentiation by immunostaining neural specific markers, and apoptosis of NSCs by flow cytometry.ResultsNSCs constitutively express IL-17R, and when the IL-17R signal pathway was activated by adding IL-17 to NSC culture medium, the number of NSCs was significantly reduced and their ability to form neurospheres was greatly diminished. IL-17 inhibited NSC proliferation, but did not induce cytotoxicity or apoptosis. IL-17 hampered the differentiation of NSCs into astrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). The effects of IL-17 on NSCs can be partially blocked by p38 MAPK inhibitor.ConclusionsIL-17 blocks proliferation of NSCs, resulting in significantly reduced numbers of astrocytes and OPCs. Thus, in addition to its proinflammatory role in the immune system, IL-17 may also play a direct role in blocking remyelination and neural repair in the CNS.
Ten-year results of quality assurance in radiotherapy chart round
Authors: Taghavi Bayat Bardia , Gill Suki , Siva Shankar , Tai Keen Hun , Joon Michael Lim , Foroudi Farshad 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) initiated a unique instrument to audit the quality of patient notes and radiotherapy prescriptions. We present our experience collected over ten years from the use of the RANZCR audit instrument.

Methods
In this study, the results of data collected prospectively from January 1999 to June 2009 through the audit instrument were assessed. Radiotherapy chart rounds were held weekly in the uro-oncology tumour stream and real time feedback was provided. Electronic medical records were retrospectively assessed in September 2009 to see if any omissions were subsequently corrected.

Results
In total 2597 patients were audited. One hundred and thirty seven (5%) patients had one hundred and ninety nine omissions in documentation or radiotherapy prescription. In 79% of chart rounds no omissions were found at all, in 12% of chart rounds one omission was found and in 9% of chart rounds two or more omissions were found. Out of 199 omissions, 95% were of record keeping and 2% were omissions in the treatment prescription. Of omissions, 152 (76%) were unfiled investigation results of which 77 (51%) were subsequently corrected.

Conclusions
Real-time audit with feedback is an effective tool in assessing the standards of radiotherapy documentation in our department, and also probably contributed to the high level of attentiveness. A large proportion of omissions were investigation results, which highlights the need for an improved system of retrieval of investigation results in the radiation oncology department.
MicroRNA-32 (miR-32) regulates phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) expression and promotes growth, migration, and invasion in colorectal carcinoma cells
Authors: Wu Weiyun , Yang Jingfang , Feng Xiao , Wang Hao , Ye Shicai , Yang Pengchun , Tan Wenkai , Wei Guoli , Zhou Yu 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) play important roles in carcinogenesis. MiR-32 has been shown to be upregulated in CRC. In this study, we identified the potential effects of miR-32 on some important biological properties of CRC cells, and clarified the regulation of PTEN by miR-32.

Methods
The effect of miR-32 on PTEN expression was assessed in CRC cell lines with miR-32 mimics/inhibitor to increase/decrease miR-32 expression. Furthermore, the roles of miR-32 in regulating CRC cells biological properties were analyzed with miR-32 mimics/inhibitor-transfected cells. The 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of PTEN combined with miR-32 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay.

Results
Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies showed that overexpression of miR-32 promoted SW480 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, reduced apoptosis, and resulted in downregulation of PTEN at a posttranscriptional level. However, miR-32 knock-down inhibited these processes in HCT-116 cells and enhanced the expression of PTEN protein. In addition, we further identified PTEN as the functional downstream target of miR-32 by directly targeting the 3′-UTR of PTEN.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrated that miR-32 was involved in tumorigenesis of CRC at least in part by suppression of PTEN.
Pretransplant dyslipidaemia determines outcome in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Wenger Urs , Cottini Silvia R , Noll Georg , Arndt Stefan , Stehberger Paul A , Klinzing Stefanie , Schuepbach Reto A , Béchir Markus 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
There is little knowledge about the effect of dyslipidaemia on the outcome after lung transplantation. Thus, the aim of this retrospective single centre study was to analyse the impact of the plasma lipid profile on mortality in lung transplant recipients. From January 2000 to December 2008 the charts of 172 consecutive lung transplantation recipients were analysed. At baseline and after one year lipid profiles were routinely collected. During the follow-up major cardiovascular events (MCE; beginning of dialysis, cerebrovascular insult or myocardial infarction) were recorded. The follow-up period ended December 2010.

Findings
Over all total cholesterol (4.3 ± 1.6 vs. 5.4 ± 1.3 mmol/l, p < 0.0001), triglycerides (1.2 ± 0.7 vs. 2.4 ± 1.3 mmol/l, p < 0.0001), HDL (1.5 ± 0.6 vs. 1.7 ± 0.6 mmol/l, p = 0.003) and TC/HDL ratio (3.0 ± 1.0 vs. 3.6 ± 1.2, p = 0.002) increased significantly after 1 year.
During the observational period 6.9% (10 patients) suffered a major cardiac event. In univariate analysis MCE was associated with baseline TC: on average the event-group had a 33% higher baseline TC (5.6 vs. 4.2 mmol/l, OR 1.6, CI 1.1 – 2.2, p = 0.02). The total mortality in the observational period was 25% (36 patients overall). In univariate analysis mortality was associated with increased TC/HDL ratio. The non-survivors had on average a 22% higher baseline TC/HDL ratio (3.6 vs. 2.8, HR 2.8, CI 1.2 – 3.5, p = 0.001). There was no association between mortality and TC (p = 0.33), triglycerides (p = 0.34), HDL (p = 0.78) and creatinine (p = 0.73). In a multivariate model the hazard ratio was 1.5 (1.2 – 1.9, p = 0.001) per increase of 0.4 TC/HDL ratio.

Conclusions
This study shows that the total cholesterol before transplantation is associated with the incidence of MCE and the cholesterol/HDL ratio with mortality in lung transplanted recipients.
Serum biomarkers for neurofibromatosis type 1 and early detection of malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumors
Authors: Park Su-Jin , Sawitzki Birgit , Kluwe Lan , Mautner Victor F , Holtkamp Nikola , Kurtz Andreas 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a hereditary tumor syndrome characterized by the development of benign nerve-sheath tumors, which transform to malignant peripheral nerve-sheath tumors (MPNST) in about 8 to 13% of patients with NF1. MPNST are invasive sarcomas with extremely poor prognosis, and their development may correlate with internal tumor load of patients with NF1. Because early identification of patients with NF1 at risk for developing MPNST should improve their clinical outcome, the aim of this study was to identify serum biomarkers for tumor progression in NF1, and to analyze their correlation with tumor type and internal tumor load.

Methods
We selected candidate biomarkers for NF1 by manually mining published data sources, and conducted a systematic screen of 56 candidate serum biomarkers using customized antibody arrays. Serum from 104 patients with NF1 with and without MPNST, and from 41 healthy control subjects, was analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U-test, followed by Bonferroni correction.

Results
Our analysis identified four markers (epidermal growth factor receptor, interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) for which significantly different serum concentrations were seen in patients with NF1 compared with healthy controls. Two markers (insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)) showed significantly higher concentrations in patients with NF1 and MPNST compared with patients with NF1 without MPNST. A correlation with internal tumor load was found for IGFBP1.

Conclusion
Our study identified two serum markers with potential for early detection of patients with NF1 at risk for developing MPNST, and four markers that could distinguish between patients with NF1 and healthy subjects. Such markers may be useful as diagnostic tools to support the diagnosis of NF1 and for timely identification of MPNST. Moreover, the data suggest that there is a systemic increase in inflammatory cytokines independently of tumor load in patients with NF1.
Forced virus evolution reveals functional crosstalk between the disulfide bonded region and membrane proximal ectodomain region of HIV-1 gp41
Authors: Khasawneh Ashraf I , Laumaea Annemarie , Harrison David N , Bellamy-McIntyre Anna K , Drummer Heidi E , Poumbourios Pantelis 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
The disulfide-bonded region (DSR) of HIV-1 gp41 mediates association with gp120 and plays a role in transmission of receptor-induced conformational changes in gp120 to gp41 that activate membrane fusion function. In this study, forced viral evolution of a DSR mutant that sheds gp120 was employed to identify domains within gp120-gp41 that are functionally linked to the glycoprotein association site.

Results
The HIV-1AD8 mutant, W596L/K601D, was serially passaged in U87.CD4.CCR5 cells until replication was restored. Whereas the W596L mutation persisted throughout the cultures, a D601H pseudoreversion in the DSR partially restored cell-free virus infectivity and virion gp120-gp41 association, with further improvements to cell-free virus infectivity following a 2nd-site D674E mutation in the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of gp41. In an independent culture, D601H appeared with a deletion in V4 (Thr-394-Trp-395) and a D674N substitution in the MPER, however this MPER mutation was inhibitory to W596L/K601H cell-free virus infectivity. While cell-free virus infectivity was not fully restored for the revertant genotypes, their cell-to-cell transmission approached the levels observed for WT. Interestingly, the functional boost associated with the addition of D674E to W596L/K601H was not observed for cell-cell fusion where the cell-surface expressed glycoproteins function independently of virion assembly. The W596L/K601H and W596L/K601H/D674E viruses exhibited greater sensitivity to neutralization by the broadly reactive MPER directed monoclonal antibodies, 2F5 and 4E10, indicating that the reverting mutations increase the availability of conserved neutralization epitopes in the MPER.

Conclusions
The data indicate for the first time that functional crosstalk between the DSR and MPER operates in the context of assembled virions, with the Leu-596-His-601-Glu-674 combination optimizing viral spread via the cell-to-cell route. Our data also indicate that changes in the gp120-gp41 association site may increase the exposure of conserved MPER neutralization epitopes in virus.
Psychosocial and cognitive function in children with nephrotic syndrome: association with disease and treatment variables
Authors: Manti Panagiota , Giannakopoulos George , Giouroukou Elena , Georgaki-Angelaki Helen , Stefanidis Constantinos J , Mitsioni Andromahi , Stergiou Nikolaos , Mihas Constantinos , Chrousos George P , Magiakou Maria Alexandra , Kolaitis Gerasimos 
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Background
To investigate possible differences in emotional/behavioral problems and cognitive function in children with nephrotic syndrome compared to healthy controls and to examine the effect of disease-specific and steroid treatment-specific characteristics on the abovementioned variables.

Methods
Forty-one patients with nephrotic syndrome (23 boys, age range: 4.4-15.2 years) and 42 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects (20 boys, age range: 4.1-13.4 years) were enrolled in the study. Disease (severity, age of diagnosis, duration) and steroid treatment (total duration, present methylprednisolone dose and duration of present dose) data were collected. In order to assess children’s emotional/behavioral problems, the Child Behavior Checklist was administered. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Third Edition was administered to assess Full-Scale, Verbal, and Performance intelligence quotient (IQ) scores.

Results
The patients presented with more internalizing problems (P = 0.015), including withdrawal (P = 0.012) and somatic complaints (P = 0 .011), but not more anxiety/depression or externalizing problems. A significant association was found between severity of disease and somatic complaints (P = 0.017) as well as externalizing problems (P = 0.030). Years of illness were significantly more in those presenting with abnormal anxiety/depression (P = 0.011). Duration of steroid medication was significantly higher among those presenting with abnormal anxiety/depression (P = 0.011) and externalizing problems (P = 0.039). IQ was not associated significantly with disease or steroid treatment variables.

Conclusions
Psychosocial factors and outcomes may be important correlates of children’s nephrotic syndrome and potential targets of thorough assessment and treatment.
Distribution of tick-borne diseases in China
Authors: Wu Xian-Bo , Na Ren-Hua , Wei Shan-Shan , Zhu Jin-Song , Peng Hong-Juan 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
As an important contributor to vector-borne diseases in China, in recent years, tick-borne diseases have attracted much attention because of their increasing incidence and consequent significant harm to livestock and human health. The most commonly observed human tick-borne diseases in China include Lyme borreliosis (known as Lyme disease in China), tick-borne encephalitis (known as Forest encephalitis in China), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (known as Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever in China), Q-fever, tularemia and North-Asia tick-borne spotted fever. In recent years, some emerging tick-borne diseases, such as human monocytic ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and a novel bunyavirus infection, have been reported frequently in China. Other tick-borne diseases that are not as frequently reported in China include Colorado fever, oriental spotted fever and piroplasmosis. Detailed information regarding the history, characteristics, and current epidemic status of these human tick-borne diseases in China will be reviewed in this paper. It is clear that greater efforts in government management and research are required for the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of tick-borne diseases, as well as for the control of ticks, in order to decrease the tick-borne disease burden in China.
Vascular-targeted therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Ennen James P , Verma Mayank , Asakura Atsushi 
Published: April 2013

AbstractDuchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common muscular dystrophy and an X-linked recessive, progressive muscle wasting disease caused by the absence of a functional dystrophin protein. Dystrophin has a structural role as a cytoskeletal stabilization protein and protects cells against contraction-induced damage. Dystrophin also serves a signaling role through mechanotransduction of forces and localization of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which produces nitric oxide (NO) to facilitate vasorelaxation. In DMD, the signaling defects produce inadequate tissue perfusion caused by functional ischemia due to a diminished ability to respond to shear stress induced endothelium-dependent dilation. Additionally, the structural defects seen in DMD render myocytes with an increased susceptibility to mechanical stress. The combination of both defects is necessary to generate myocyte damage, which induces successive rounds of myofiber degeneration and regeneration, loss of calcium homeostasis, chronic inflammatory response, fibrosis, and myonecrosis. In individuals with DMD, these processes inevitably cause loss of ambulation shortly after the first decade and an abbreviated life with death in the third or fourth decade due to cardio-respiratory anomalies. There is no known cure for DMD, and although the culpable gene has been identified for more than twenty years, research on treatments has produced few clinically relevant results. Several recent studies on novel DMD therapeutics are vascular targeted and focused on attenuating the inherent functional ischemia. One approach improves vasorelaxation capacity through pharmaceutical inhibition of either phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Another approach increases the density of the underlying vascular network by inducing angiogenesis, and this has been accomplished through either direct delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or by downregulating the VEGF decoy-receptor type 1 (VEGFR-1 or Flt-1). The pro-angiogenic approaches also seem to be pro-myogenic and could resolve the age-related decline in satellite cell (SC) quantity seen inmdxmodels through expansion of the SC juxtavascular niche. Here we review these four vascular targeted treatment strategies for DMD and discuss mechanisms, proof of concept, and the potential for clinical relevance associated with each therapy.
Prospective Study of the Efficacy of Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Mammographic Screening in Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Ng Andrea K. , Garber Judy E. , Diller Lisa R. , Birdwell Robyn L. , Feng Yang , Neuberg Donna S. , Silver Barbara , Fisher David C. , Marcus Karen J. , Mauch Peter M. 
Published: April 2013

Purpose Current guidelines recommend breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an adjunct to mammography for breast cancer screening in female cancer survivors treated with chest irradiation at a young age, beginning 8 to 10 years after treatment. Prospective data evaluating its efficacy in female cancer survivors are lacking. This study sought to compare the sensitivity and specificity of breast MRI with those of mammography in women who received chest irradiation for Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Patients and Methods We enrolled 148 women treated with chest irradiation for HL at age ≤ 35 years who were > 8 years beyond treatment. Yearly breast MRI and mammogram were performed over a 3-year period. Sensitivity and specificity of the two screening modalities were compared. Results With the screening, 63 biopsies were performed in 45 women; 18 (29%) showed a malignancy. All but one of the screen-detected malignancies were preinvasive or subcentimeter node-negative breast cancers. After excluding first-screen MRI and mammogram, mammogram sensitivity was 68% as compared with 67% for MRI (P = 1.0). Sensitivity increased to 94% using both screening modalities. The specificities of mammogram alone, MRI alone, and both were 93%, 94%, and 90%, respectively. Conclusion In contrast to women with genetic or familial risk, in HL survivors breast MRI was not more sensitive than mammogram for breast cancer detection. However, the two screening modalities complement each other in the detection of early cases of disease. Early diagnosis is particularly important in these patients, given the breast cancer treatment challenges in patients who have received prior cancer therapy.
Creation of Fibrous Nanotubes of Green Fluorescent Protein by Conjugation with pH-Responsive Polymer, Poly(2-vinylpyridine), and Use of Microfluidic Synthesis
Authors: Okiyama Naoya , Ota Eriko , Sumino Ayumi , Noji Tomoyasu , Yamamoto Katsuhiro , Oku Jun-ichi , Dewa Takehisa , Tanaka Toshiki , Mizuno Toshihisa 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
We succeeded in preparing a fibrous nanotube of green fluorescent protein by conjugation with poly(2-vinylpyridine) and use of a microfluidic synthesis technique. By inducing a sudden pH change in the acidic solution (pH 4.5) by injection into a neutral buffer using a microsyringe, the fibrous nanotube could be selectively formed. Its diameter and length were about 200 nm and 1–10 µm, respectively.
Nickel-catalyzed [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Isocyanates with 1,3-Dienes
Authors: Morimoto Masao , Nishida Yui , Miura Tomoya , Murakami Masahiro 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Two molecules of an isocyanate react with one molecule of a 1,3-diene in the presence of a nickel(0) catalyst to give a 6-substituted dihydropyrimidine-2,4-dione. A five-membered azanickelacyclic intermediate is initially generated through oxidative cyclization of a hetero-pair of the isocyanate and the 1,3-diene onto nickel(0). Another molecule of the isocyanate is subsequently incorporated therein and reductive elimination follows.
Convenient Preparation of Primary Amides via Activation of Carboxylic Acids with Ethyl Chloroformate and Triethylamine under Mild Conditions
Authors: Noguchi Takuya , Sekine Masahiro , Yokoo Yuki , Jung Seunghee , Imai Nobuyuki 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Primary amides were easily prepared in 22–99% yields from the corresponding carboxylic acids 1 or 5 with NH4Cl via activation with ClCO2Et and Et3N. The enantiomers of the corresponding primary amides of Cbz-, Boc-, or Fmoc-α-amino acids can be separated by using a chiral column.
Strained and Fluxional Macrocyclic Framework of Anthracene–Diacetylene Cyclic Pentamers
Authors: Yoshikawa Manami , Imigi Sakiko , Wakamatsu Kan , Iwanaga Tetsuo , Toyota Shinji 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Macrocyclic oligomers with five 1,8-anthrylene units and five diacetylene linkers were synthesized by successive coupling reactions. DFT calculations and variable temperature NMR measurements revealed that the cyclic framework is stained and fluxional, and each anthracene unit moves rapidly around all possible orientations.
Oxidation States of [5]Radialene with Five 1,3-Dithiol-2-ylidenes and Its Oxygen Adduct
Authors: Ueda Masafumi , Shirahata Takashi , Misaki Yohji 
Published: April 2013

Abstract
Spectroelectrochemistry of [5]radialenes with five 1,3-dithiol-2-ylidenes (DTs) (1) was carried out. The UV–vis–NIR spectra of 12+ suggest delocalization of two positive charges over three DT units. X-ray structure analysis of an oxygen adduct (2)2+(AsF6−)2(PhCl)1.5 reveals that 22+ has a cyclopentadienide structure in the central five-membered ring.