bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Johan Turi’s animal, mineral, vegetable cures and healing practices: an in-depth analysis of Sami (Saami) folk healing one hundred years ago
Authors: DuBois Thomas A , Lang Jonathan F 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe healing knowledge of a Sami (Saami) hunter and reindeer herder was surveyed as a window into the concepts of health, healing, and disease in early twentieth-century Sapmi (Northern Sweden). The two books of Johan Turi (1854–1936)—An Account of the Sami(1910) andLappish Texts(1918–19) were examined to determine the varieties of recorded zootherapeutic, mineral, chemical, and ethnobotanical lore, as well as the therapeutic acts, identified conditions, and veterinary knowledge included.MethodsTabulation of the materials and species mentioned in Turi’s descriptions (n = 137) permitted analysis of the relative frequency of differing types of healing in Turi’s overall therapeutic repertoire, his relative attention to chronic vs. acute ailments, and the frequency of magic as a component of healing. A qualitative appraisal was made of the degree to which outside influences affected Sami healing of the period. A further assessment of the possible clinical efficacy of the recorded remedies was undertaken.ResultsTuri’s remedies consist most often of zootherapeutics (31%), followed by physical acts such as massage, moxibustion, or manipulation (22%). Ethnobotanical cures make up a significantly smaller portion of his repertoire (17%), followed by mineral and chemical cures (12%). Magic rituals (including incantations and ritual acts) make up a significant portion of Turi’s repertoire, and could be used alone (17%) or in conjunction with other types of healing (38%). Turi’s healing aimed primarily at acute ailments (65%), with chronic conditions addressed less often (35%). A literature review revealed that Turi’s remedies held a marked frequency of likely efficacy, at least in cases in which it was possible to ascertain the precise species, conditions, or substances described. Although it is possible at times to recognize foreign sources in Turi’s repertoire, it is clear that Turi understood all his healing methods as distinctively Sami.ConclusionThe research illustrates the variety and depth of a single informant’s healing knowledge, and demonstrates the value of both historical sources and in-depth data collection with single experts as useful means of assessing and characterizing an indigenous population’s healing traditions.
Identification of neglected cestode Taenia multicepsmicroRNAs by illumina sequencing and bioinformatic analysis
Authors: Wu Xuhang , Fu Yan , Yang Deying , Xie Yue , Zhang Runhui , Zheng Wanpeng , Nie Huaming , Yan Ning , Wang Ning , Wang Jiahai , Gu Xiaobin , Wang Shuxian , Peng Xuerong , Yang Guangyou 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Worldwide, but especially in developing countries, coenurosis of sheep and other livestock is caused by Taenia multiceps larvae, and zoonotic infections occur in humans. Infections frequently lead to host death, resulting in huge socioeconomic losses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in the post-transcriptional regulation of a large number of animal genes by imperfectly binding target mRNAs. To date, there have been no reports of miRNAs in T. multiceps.

Results
In this study, we obtained 12.8 million high quality raw reads from adult T. multiceps small RNA library using Illumina sequencing technology. A total of 796 conserved miRNA families (containing 1,006 miRNAs) from 170,888 unique miRNAs were characterized using miRBase (Release 17.0). Here, we selected three conserved miRNA/miRNA* (antisense strand) duplexes at random and amplified their corresponding precursors using a PCR-based method. Furthermore, 20 candidate novel miRNA precursors were verified by genomic PCR. Among these, six corresponding T. multiceps miRNAs are considered specific for Taeniidae because no homologs were found in other species annotated in miRBase. In addition, 181,077 target sites within T. multiceps transcriptome were predicted for 20 candidate newly miRNAs.

Conclusions
Our large-scale investigation of miRNAs in adult T. multiceps provides a substantial platform for improving our understanding of the molecular regulation of T. multiceps and other cestodes development.
Autophagy is involved in oligodendroglial precursor-mediated clearance of amyloid peptide
Authors: Li Wenxia , Tang Yifen , Fan Zhiqin , Meng Ya , Yang Guang , Luo Jia , Ke Zun-Ji 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Accumulation of β-amyloid peptides is an important hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Tremendous efforts have been directed to elucidate the mechanisms of β-amyloid peptides degradation and develop strategies to remove β-amyloid accumulation. In this study, we demonstrated that a subpopulation of oligodendroglial precursor cells, also called NG2 cells, were a new cell type that can clear β-amyloid peptides in the AD transgene mice and in NG2 cell line.

Results
NG2 cells were recruited and clustered around the amyloid plaque in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice, which is Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. In vitro, NG2 cell line and primary NG2 cells engulfed β-amyloid peptides through the mechanisms of endocytosis in a time dependent manner. Endocytosis is divided into pinocytosis and phagocytosis. Aβ42 internalization by NG2 cells was mediated by actin-dependent macropinocytosis. The presence of β-amyloid peptides stimulated the autophagic pathway in NG2 cells. Once inside the cells, the β-amyloid peptides in NG2 cells were transported to lysosomes and degraded by autophagy.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest that NG2 cells are a new cell type that can clear β-amyloid peptides through endocytosis and autophagy.
Differential proteomic analysis of the secretome of Irpex lacteus and other white-rot fungi during wheat straw pretreatment
Authors: Salvachúa Davinia , Martínez Angel T , Tien Ming , López-Lucendo María F , García Francisco , de los Ríos Vivian , Martínez María Jesús , Prieto Alicia 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Identifying new high-performance enzymes or enzyme complexes to enhance biomass degradation is the key for the development of cost-effective processes for ethanol production. Irpex lacteus is an efficient microorganism for wheat straw pretreatment, yielding easily hydrolysable products with high sugar content. Thus, this fungus was selected to investigate the enzymatic system involved in lignocellulose decay, and its secretome was compared to those from Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Pleurotus ostreatus which produced different degradation patterns when growing on wheat straw. Extracellular enzymes were analyzed through 2D-PAGE, nanoLC/MS-MS, and homology searches against public databases.

Results
In wheat straw, I. lacteus secreted proteases, dye-decolorizing and manganese-oxidizing peroxidases, and H2O2 producing-enzymes but also a battery of cellulases and xylanases, excluding those implicated in cellulose and hemicellulose degradation to their monosaccharides, making these sugars poorly available for fungal consumption. In contrast, a significant increase of β-glucosidase production was observed when I. lacteus grew in liquid cultures. P. chrysosporium secreted more enzymes implicated in the total hydrolysis of the polysaccharides and P. ostreatus produced, in proportion, more oxidoreductases.

Conclusion
The protein pattern secreted during I. lacteus growth in wheat straw plus the differences observed among the different secretomes, justify the fitness of I. lacteus for biopretreatment processes in 2G-ethanol production. Furthermore, all these data give insight into the biological degradation of lignocellulose and suggest new enzyme mixtures interesting for its efficient hydrolysis.
Occipital lobe epilepsy secondary to Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) during a post-partum eclampsia in Mali (West Africa)
Authors: Youssoufa Maïga , Callixte Kuate Tegueu , Christian Napon 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Eclampsia is known to cause posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) that is often associated with an extensive neurovascular damage affecting preferably posterior regions, often leading to reversible cortical blindness. In spite the magnitude of these lesions, post eclamptic symptomatic epilepsy is rare. We therefore report a case of symptomatic occipital lobe epilepsy secondary to PRES.

Case presentation
A 39-year-old female right handed teacher who presented with headache of progressive onset, phosphenes, rapid decline of visual acuity to blindness, vomiting, repeated generalized tonic-clonic seizures followed by altered consciousness and very high blood pressure (HBP) of 240/120 mmHg, all of which started about 12 hours following a normal delivery. Nine months later, the patient presented with paroxysmal visual symptoms predominating in the right visual field followed by partial tonic clonic seizures with secondary generalization and recurrence of partial occipital lobe seizures. The pathophysiologic mechanism of irreversible tissue damage during PRES syndrome could result from a combination of events including the delay for early treatment, inadequate antihypertensive drugs that could worsen the brain damage by hypo perfusion, inadequate or delayed treatment for seizures or status epilepticus.

Conclusion
Despite its high incidence in the third world, eclampsia is not a usual cause of epilepsy. Our case is the first description of post eclamptic occipital lobe epilepsy in Africa. With this report, we draw practitioners’ attention on this rare complication.
Comparison of whole genome amplification and nested-PCR methods for preimplantation genetic diagnosis for BRCA1 gene mutation on unfertilized oocytes–a pilot study
Authors: Michalska Danuta , Jaguszewska Kinga , Liss Joanna , Kitowska Kamila , Mirecka Agata , Łukaszuk Krzysztof 
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Background
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) remains nowadays a valid alternative for couples at high-risk of having a child with a genetic disease and for women older than 37–40 years with the high risk of chromosomal aneuploidies in the embryos. However the use of PGD for high penetrance recessive, dominant and X-liked disorders occurring in early life is documented, debate exists regarding its appropriateness in lower penetrance and late-onset cancer susceptibility syndromes. The data regarding the efficacy of different molecular techniques used in PGD are still lacking. We therefore sought to assess the different molecular techniques used in PGD for detecting three most frequent BRCA1 gene mutations: 5382insC, 185delAG and C61G.

Methods
Anonymous donors of the oocytes and control healthy blood samples were extracted and analyzed in the Fertility and Reproductive Center Invicta in Gdansk. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis for the most frequent mutations: 185delAG, 5382insC, C61G in BRCA 1 gene was carried out on single, unfertilized oocytes, in metaphase of second meiotic division, not qualified to IVF. Positive mutation controls were represented by cell lines from the Coriell Institute for Medical Research: GM14090 (185delAG), GM14097 (C61G), GM13715 (5382insC).

Results
Repeatability of the results acquired from the WGA analysis for the mutation 5382insC was 38%. The repeatability of the nested-PCR analysis in the second round of the amplification was labile for the mutation 5382insC and 185delAG and was ranged from 47% to 57%. However, the repeatability for the mutation C61G was 100%.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that the nested-PCR technique remains more sensitive and specific method as compared to WGA. WGA performed on the single cells did not reflect expected results. The repeatability of the WGA methodology remains questionable, and any analysis attempt does not guarantee reliable results.
Further evaluation is strongly needed to propose the most accurate molecular technique used in PGD for detecting three most frequent BRCA1 gene mutations: 5382insC, 185delAG and C61G.
Polyvinyl alcohol:starch:carboxymethyl cellulose containing sodium montmorillonite clay blends; mechanical properties and biodegradation behavior
Authors: Taghizadeh Mohammad Taghi , Sabouri Narges , Ghanbarzadeh Babak 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The focuses of this study were to investigate the effect of sodium montmorillonite clay (MMT-Na) content on the physical properties and extent of enzymatic hydrolysis Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA): Starch (S): Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) nanocomposites using enzyme <alpha>−amylase. The results of this work have revealed that films with MMT-Na content at 5 wt% exhibited a significantly reduced rate and extent of starch hydrolysis. The results suggest that this may have been attributed to interactions between PVA:S:CMC and MMT-Na that further prevented enzymatic attack on the remaining starch phases within the blend. The total solids that remained after 4320 min were 65.46 wt% (PVA:S:CMC); 67.91 wt% (PVA:S:CMC:1% MMT-Na); 78.43 wt% (PVA:S:CMC:3% MMT-Na); 80.24 wt% (PVA:S:CMC:5% MMT-Na). The rate of glucose production from each nanocomposite substrates were decresed significantly as the MMT-Na percentage increased from 0 to 5% (W/W). At the level of 5% (W/W) MMT-Na, the films showed the lowest rate of glucose production values (18.95 μg/ml h). With the increase of the MMT concentration from 0 to 5%, the UTS increased 5 from 18.36 to 20.38 MPa, however, the strain to break (SB) decreased noticeably from 35.56 to 5.22%.
Dietary polyphenols as potential nutraceuticals in management of diabetes: a review
Authors: Bahadoran Zahra , Mirmiran Parvin , Azizi Fereidoun 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn recent years, there is growing evidence that plant-foods polyphenols, due to their biological properties, may be unique nutraceuticals and supplementary treatments for various aspects of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this article we have reviewed the potential efficacies of polyphenols, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, lignans and polymeric lignans, on metabolic disorders and complications induced by diabetes. Based on several in vitro, animal models and some human studies, dietary plant polyphenols and polyphenol-rich products modulate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, attenuate hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance, improve adipose tissue metabolism, and alleviate oxidative stress and stress-sensitive signaling pathways and inflammatory processes. Polyphenolic compounds can also prevent the development of long-term diabetes complications including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. Further investigations as human clinical studies are needed to obtain the optimum dose and duration of supplementation with polyphenolic compounds in diabetic patients.
G protein-coupled receptor kinase-3-deficient mice exhibit WHIM syndrome features and attenuated inflammatory responses
Authors: Tarrant Teresa K , Billard Matthew J , Timoshchenko Roman G , McGinnis Marcus W , Serafin D Stephen , Foreman Oded , Esserman Denise A , Chao Nelson J , Lento William E , Lee David M , Patel Dhavalkumar , Siderovski David P 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTChemokine receptor interactions coordinate leukocyte migration in inflammation. Chemokine receptors are GPCRs that when activated, are phosphorylated by GRKs to turn off G protein-mediated signaling yet recruit additional signaling machinery. Recently, GRK3 was identified as a negative regulator of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling that is defective in human WHIM syndrome. Here, we report that GRK3−/− mice exhibit numerous features of human WHIM, such as impaired CXCL12-mediated desensitization, enhanced CXCR4 signaling to ERK activation, altered granulocyte migration, and a mild myelokathexis. Moreover, GRK3−/− protects mice from two acute models of inflammatory arthritis (K/BxN serum transfer and CAIA). In these granulocyte-dependent disease models, protection of GRK3−/− mice is mediated by retention of cells in the marrow, fewer circulating granulocytes in the peripheral blood, and reduced granulocytes in the joints during active inflammation. In contrast to WHIM, GRK3−/− mice have minimal hypogammaglobulinemia and a peripheral leukocytosis with increased lymphocytes and absent neutropenia. Thus, we conclude that the loss of GRK3-mediated regulation of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling contributes to some, but not all, of the complete WHIM phenotype and that GRK3 inhibition may be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis.
Histologic and Clinical Characteristics Can Guide Staging Evaluations for Children and Adolescents With Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee
Authors: Weiss Aaron R. , Lyden Elizabeth R. , Anderson James R. , Hawkins Douglas S. , Spunt Sheri L. , Walterhouse David O. , Wolden Suzanne L. , Parham David M. , Rodeberg David A. , Kao Simon C. , Womer Richard B. 
Published: August 2013

Purpose To simplify the recommended staging evaluation by correlating tumor and clinical features with patterns of distant metastasis in newly diagnosed patients with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) or alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). Patients and Methods Patient data from the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group and the Children's Oncology Group over two periods were analyzed: 1991 to 1997 and 1999 to 2004. We used recursive partitioning analyses to identify factors (including histology, age, regional nodal and distant metastatic status, tumor size, local invasiveness, and primary site) that divided patients into subsets with the most different rates of metastatic disease. Results Of the 1,687 patients analyzed, 5.7% had lung metastases, 4.8% had bone involvement, and 6% had bone marrow (BM) involvement. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) without local invasion (T1) had a low rate of metastasis for all distant sites, especially ERMS (0% bone, 0% BM). ARMS with local invasion (T2) had a higher rate of metastasis for all distant sites (13% lung, 18% bone, 23% BM). ERMS, T2 also had a higher rate of metastatic lung involvement (9%). The likelihood of bone or BM involvement increased in the presence of lung metastases (41% with, 6% without). Regional nodal metastases (N1) predicted a high rate of metastasis in all distant sites (14% lung, 14% bone, 18% BM). A staging algorithm was developed. Conclusion Staging studies in childhood RMS can be tailored to patients' presenting characteristics. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy and bone scan are unnecessary in at least one third of patients with RMS.
Ten-Year Survival in Patients With BRCA1-Negative and BRCA1-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Huzarski Tomasz , Byrski Tomasz , Gronwald Jacek , Górski Bohdan , Domagała Pawel , Cybulski Cezary , Oszurek Oleg , Szwiec Marek , Gugała Karol , Stawicka Malgorzata , Morawiec Zbigniew , Mierzwa Tomasz , Janiszewska Hanna , Kilar Ewa , Marczyk Elzbieta , Kozak-Klonowska Beata , Siołek Monika , Surdyka Dariusz , Wiśniowski Rafal , Posmyk Michal , Sun Ping , Lubiński Jan , Narod Steven A. 
Published: August 2013

Purpose To estimate 10-year overall survival (OS) rates for patients with early-onset breast cancer, with and without a BRCA1 mutation, and to identify prognostic factors among those with BRCA1-positive breast cancer. Patients and Methods A total of 3,345 women with stage I to III breast cancer, age ≤ 50 years, were tested for three founder mutations in BRCA1. Information on tumor characteristics and treatments received was retrieved from medical records. Dates of death were obtained from the vital statistics registry. Survival curves for the mutation-positive and -negative subcohorts were compared. Predictors of OS were determined using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results Of the 3,345 patients enrolled onto the study, 233 (7.0%) carried a BRCA1 mutation. The 10-year survival rate for mutation carriers was 80.9% (95% CI, 75.4% to 86.4%); for noncarriers, it was 82.2% (95% CI, 80.5% to 83.7%). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) associated with carrying a BRCA1 mutation was 1.81 (95% CI, 1.26 to 2.61). Among BRCA1 carriers with a small (< 2 cm) node-negative tumor, the 10-year survival rate was 89.9%. Among BRCA1 mutation carriers, positive lymph node status was a strong predictor of mortality (adjusted HR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.8 to 8.9). Oophorectomy was associated with improved survival in BRCA1 carriers (adjusted HR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.75). Conclusion The 10-year survival rate among women with breast cancer and a BRCA1 mutation is similar to that of patients without a BRCA1 mutation. Among women with a BRCA1 mutation, survival was much improved after oophorectomy.
Explicit Prognostic Information and Reassurance About Nonabandonment When Entering Palliative Breast Cancer Care: Findings From a Scripted Video-Vignette Study
Authors: van Vliet Liesbeth M. , van der Wall Elsken , Plum Nicole M. , Bensing Jozien M. 
Published: August 2013

Purpose When discussing the transition to palliative care for patients with breast cancer, oncologists have to find a balance between giving explicit information while not overwhelming patients and being realistic while remaining hopeful. It is unclear whether patients prefer more or less explicit prognostic information, and reassuring patients that they will not be abandoned may provide realistic hope. We assessed the effect of explicit prognostic information and reassurance about nonabandonment at the transition to palliative care. Patients and Methods An experimental 2 × 2 study was used. Four scripted videos of a bad news conversation were created that differed only in the level of “explicitness of prognosis” and “reassurance about nonabandonment” (high v low). Patients with and survivors of breast cancer (n = 51) and healthy women (n = 53) watched the video-vignettes. The effects of the different communications on participants' anxiety, uncertainty, self-efficacy, and satisfaction were assessed by using multilevel analyses that explored the moderating influences of monitoring/blunting scores. Results The highly explicit/highly reassuring video yielded the most positive outcomes, and the less explicit/less reassuring video, the most negative (P ≤ .05 for all outcome measures except anxiety). The main effects found were that explicitness and reassurance decreased participants' uncertainty (P < .001 and P = .002, respectively) and anxiety (only after reassurance; P = .001) while increasing self-efficacy (P = .004 and P < .001, respectively) and satisfaction (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). High monitors seemed least positive, mainly following explicitness. Conclusion Explicit prognostic information may lead to better outcomes than general information. In addition, reassurance about nonabandonment might provide realistic hope but should be lived up to. More research is needed to translate these findings into clinical care.