bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angiopoietin‐like protein 2 contributes to pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: ITO Y , OIKE Y , TANIHARA H 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPurpose Recent studies show that angiopoietin‐like protein 2 (Angptl2) contributes to chronic inflammation in diabetes, tumor, rheumatoid arthritis and dermatomyositis, Angptl2 is expressed in endothelial cells, and increased by hypoxia and endoplasmic reticulum stress in HUVEC, and serum level of Angptl2 is increased in diabetes. However, the function of Angptl2 in diabetic retinopathy is still unknown. In this study, we investigate the Angptl2 concentration in vitreous fluid and expression in fibrovascular membrane of PDR patients to evaluate the role of Angptl2 in pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.Methods We collected vitreous samples at the time of vitreous surgery from 33 PDR and 29 nondiabetic patients. The concentration of Angptl2 in vitreous samples was measured by using the human Angptl2 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and we examined Angptl2 protein expression in fibrovascular membrane from PDR patients by immunohistochemistry using both anti‐Angptl2 and anti‐CD31 or anti‐Mac2 antibody. Next, we examined Angptl2 expression under the hypoxic condition, and ICAM‐1 expression induced by Angptl2 in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs).Results The vitreous concentration of Angptl2 significantly increased in patients with PDR compared with controls (P< .001). Double immunofluorescent staining showed that Aangptl2 was expressed in endothelial cells and macrophages in fibrovascular membrane. In vitro study, we found that Angptl2 expression was increased under 2% hypoxic condition in HRECs, and Angptl2 promoted ICAM‐1 expression in HREC through the activation of NFkB signaling.Conclusion Aangptl2 may play an important role in the pathology of diabetic retinopathy by causing the chronic inflammation in retinal endothelial cells.
Association of serine racemase gene variants with type 2 diabetes in the Chinese Han population
Authors: Zhang Simin , Xiao Jianzhong , Ren Qian , Han Xueyao , Tang Yong , Yang Wenying , Zhou Xianghai , Ji Linong 
Published: November 2013

AbstractA genome‐wide association study in the Chinese Han population has identified several novel genetic variants of the serine racemase (SRR) gene in type 2 diabetes. Our purpose was to systematically evaluate the contribution of SRR variants in the Chinese Han population. rs391300 and rs4523957 in SRR were genotyped respectively in the two independent populations. A meta‐analysis was used to estimate the effects of SRR in 21,305 Chinese Han individuals. Associations between single‐nucleotide polymorphisms and diabetes‐related phenotypes were analyzed among 2,615 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients and 5,029 controls. Neither rs391300 nor rs4523957 were associated with type 2 diabetes in populations. Furthermore, meta‐analysis did not confirm an association between type 2 diabetes and SRR. In the controls, rs391300‐A and rs4523957‐G were associated with higher 30‐min plasma glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test. The present study did not confirm that SRR was associated with type 2 diabetes.
Golgi protein 73, not Glypican‐3, may be a tumor marker complementary to α‐Fetoprotein for hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis
Authors: Wang Yichen , Yang Huayu , Xu Haifeng , Lu Xin , Sang Xinting , Zhong Shouxian , Huang Jiefu , Mao Yilei 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackground and AimThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of serum Golgi protein 73 (GP73) and Glypican‐3 (GPC‐3) as tumor markers for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsA total of 257 subjects were enrolled and consisted of 61 healthy controls, 32 hepatitis B virus carriers, 80 cirrhosis patients, and 84 HCC patients. Diagnosis was performed based on established clinical procedure. Serum GP73, GPC‐3, and α‐fetoprotein were measured. Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to determine the sensitivity and specificity of each serum marker and their combinations.ResultSerum GP73 levels were significantly increased in HCC patients. No significant differences were observed between GP73 and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) as markers for HCC diagnosis. However, GP73 was more sensitive than AFP in the diagnosis of small HCC. A combination of GP73 and AFP tests increased the sensitivity and specificity for HCC diagnosis. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of combined test was 0.93 compared with 0.88 for GP73 and 0.90 for AFP alone. GPC‐3 tests were negative in all 84 HCC patients. The AUC for GPC‐3 is 0.43, indicating that serum GPC‐3 was not an effective tumor marker for HCC diagnosis.ConclusionSerum GP73 is a potential tumor marker for HCC diagnosis, especially for differential diagnosis of small HCC and cirrhosis. The combination of GP73 and AFP is more sensitive than AFP alone. Serum GPC‐3 does not appear to be an effective tumor marker for HCC diagnosis.
Masticatory muscle sleep background electromyographic activity is elevated in myofascial temporomandibular disorder patients
Authors: Raphael K. G. , Janal M. N. , Sirois D. A. , Dubrovsky B. , Wigren P. E. , Klausner J. J. , Krieger A. C. , Lavigne G. J. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryDespite theoretical speculation and strong clinical belief, recent research using laboratory polysomnographic (PSG) recording has provided new evidence that frequency of sleep bruxism (SB) masseter muscle events, including grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep, is not increased for women with chronic myofascial temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The current case–control study compares a large sample of women suffering from chronic myofascial TMD (n = 124) with a demographically matched control group without TMD (n = 46) on sleep background electromyography (EMG) during a laboratory PSG study. Background EMG activity was measured as EMG root mean square (RMS) from the right masseter muscle after lights out. Sleep background EMG activity was defined as EMG RMS remaining after activity attributable to SB, other orofacial activity, other oromotor activity and movement artefacts were removed. Results indicated that median background EMG during these non‐SB event periods was significantly higher (P < 0·01) for women with myofascial TMD (median = 3·31 μV and mean = 4·98 μV) than for control women (median = 2·83 μV and mean = 3·88 μV) with median activity in 72% of cases exceeding control activity. Moreover, for TMD cases, background EMG was positively associated and SB event‐related EMG was negatively associated with pain intensity ratings (0–10 numerical scale) on post‐sleep waking. These data provide the foundation for a new focus on small, but persistent, elevations in sleep EMG activity over the course of the night as a mechanism of pain induction or maintenance.
A Francisella virulence factor catalyses an essential reaction of biotin synthesis
Authors: Feng Youjun , Napier Brooke A. , Manandhar Miglena , Henke Sarah K. , Weiss David S. , Cronan John E. 
Published: November 2013

SummaryWe recently identified a gene (FTN_0818) required for Francisella virulence that seemed likely involved in biotin metabolism. However, the molecular function of this virulence determinant was unclear. Here we show that this protein named BioJ is the enzyme of the biotin biosynthesis pathway that determines the chain length of the biotin valeryl side‐chain. Expression of bioJ allows growth of an Escherichia coli bioH strain on biotin‐free medium, indicating functional equivalence of BioJ to the paradigm pimeloyl‐ACP methyl ester carboxyl‐esterase, BioH. BioJ was purified to homogeneity, shown to be monomeric and capable of hydrolysis of its physiological substrate methyl pimeloyl‐ACP to pimeloyl‐ACP, the precursor required to begin formation of the fused heterocyclic rings of biotin. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that distinct from BioH, BioJ represents a novel subclade of the α/β‐hydrolase family. Structure‐guided mapping combined with site‐directed mutagenesis revealed that the BioJ catalytic triad consists of Ser151, Asp248 and His278, all of which are essential for activity and virulence. The biotin synthesis pathway was reconstituted reaction in vitro and the physiological role of BioJ directly assayed. To the best of our knowledge, these data represent further evidence linking biotin synthesis to bacterial virulence.
Radiation of the Nod‐independent Aeschynomene relies on multiple allopolyploid speciation events
Authors: Arrighi Jean‐François , Chaintreuil Clémence , Cartieaux Fabienne , Cardi C. , Rodier‐Goud M. , Brown Spencer C. , Boursot Marc , D'Hont Angélique , Dreyfus Bernard , Giraud Eric 
Published: November 2013

Summary

The semi‐aquatic legumes belonging to the genus Aeschynomene constitute a premium system for investigating the origin and evolution of unusual symbiotic features such as stem nodulation and the presence of a Nod‐independent infection process. This latter apparently arose in a single Aeschynomene lineage. But how this unique Nod‐independent group then radiated is not yet known.

We have investigated the role of polyploidy in Aeschynomene speciation via a case study of the pantropical A. indica and then extended the analysis to the other Nod‐independent species. For this, we combined SSR genotyping, genome characterization through flow cytometry, chromosome counting, FISH and GISH experiments, molecular phylogenies using ITS and single nuclear gene sequences, and artificial hybridizations.

These analyses demonstrate the existence of an A. indica polyploid species complex comprising A. evenia (C. Wright) (2n = 2x = 20), A. indica L. s.s. (2n = 4x = 40) and a new hexaploid form (2n = 6x = 60). This latter contains the two genomes present in the tetraploid (A. evenia and A. scabra) and another unidentified genome. Two other species, A. pratensis and A. virginica, are also shown to be of allopolyploid origin.

This work reveals multiple hybridization/polyploidization events, thus highlighting a prominent role of allopolyploidy in the radiation of the Nod‐independent Aeschynomene.
Nitrate reductase‐mediated early nitric oxide burst alleviates oxidative damage induced by aluminum through enhancement of antioxidant defenses in roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: Sun Chengliang , Lu Lingli , Liu Lijuan , Liu Wenjing , Yu Yan , Liu Xiaoxia , Hu Yan , Jin Chongwei , Lin Xianyong 
Published: November 2013

Summary

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule involved in the physiological processes of plants. The role of NO release in the tolerance strategies of roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum) under aluminum (Al) stress was investigated using two genotypes with different Al resistances.

An early NO burst at 3 h was observed in the root tips of the Al‐tolerant genotype Jian‐864, whereas the Al‐sensitive genotype Yang‐5 showed no NO accumulation at 3 h but an extremely high NO concentration after 12 h. Stimulating NO production at 3 h in the root tips of Yang‐5 with the NO donor relieved Al‐induced root inhibition and callose production, as well as oxidative damage and ROS accumulation, while elimination of the early NO burst by NO scavenger aggravated root inhibition in Jian‐864.

Synthesis of early NO in roots of Jian‐864 was mediated through nitrate reductase (NR) but not through NO synthase. Elevated antioxidant enzyme activities were induced by Al stress in both wheat genotypes and significantly enhanced by NO donor, but suppressed by NO scavenger or NR inhibitor.

These results suggest that an NR‐mediated early NO burst plays an important role in Al resistance of wheat through modulating enhanced antioxidant defense to adapt to Al stress.
Diacapitular fracture of the mandibular condyle: the current thinking
Authors: Udeabor S.E. , Braimoh B.O. , Obiechina A.E. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractDiacapitular fracture of the mandibular condyle occurs quite commonly following trauma to the jaws. However, many surgeons shy away from its surgical treatment because of the technical difficulties involved and would rather manage it conservatively. The difficulties range from surgical access and proper repositioning of the fractured segments to the application of mini‐ or micro‐plates. Inadequate treatment can result in limitations in mouth opening, among other complications. Over the years, no clear‐cut guidelines and common ground have been agreed upon across the surgical world with regard to the treatment of this very challenging fracture. Different surgeons at different times have put forward their experiences in the management of diacapitular fractures, and the controversy seems to linger despite advances in surgical techniques and armamentarium. This review article, therefore, is an overview of current thought on the management of diacapitular fractures of the mandibular condyle that is intended to harmonise some of the views in the literature.
Low Mortality and Low Rate of Perceived and Documented Arrhythmias after Cox Maze III Surgery for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: JOHANSSON BIRGITTA I. , VÄÄRT OSKAR , EDVARDSSON NILS , NYSTRÖM BRITTA , SCHERSTÉN HENRIK , KARLSSON THOMAS , BERGLIN EVA 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundTo report a long‐term single‐site experience of the cut‐and‐sew Cox maze III procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF).MethodsA total of 232 consecutive patients underwent the Cox maze III procedure for symptomatic therapy‐refractory AF, with concomitant surgery in 34 patients. Follow‐up data were obtained from electrocardiograms, patient visits, questionnaires, and medical files.ResultsThere were 103 patients (44%) with paroxysmal AF during 8.8 ± 6.5 years and 129 patients (56%) with nonparoxysmal AF for 7.3 ± 6.7 years. The preoperative New York Heart Association class was better in patients with paroxysmal AF (P < 0.0001); the left ventricular ejection fraction was 59 ± 7% versus 56 ± 8%, P = 0.003, and the left atrial area 24 ± 6 versus 27 ± 6 cm2, P = 0.01. Early and late postoperative adverse events occurred at similar rates. Four patients from each group died of reasons unrelated to surgery. The mean follow‐up was 66 ± 42 (5–155) months. In total, 184/229 (80%) patients were free of documented AF/atrial flutter/atrial tachycardia (AF/AFl/AT) off antiarrhythmic drugs (AA) and 189/229 (83%) on or off AA. The hazard ratio (HR) for paroxysmal versus nonparoxysmal AF patients regarding documented AF/AFl/AT was 0.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4–1.4; P = 0.40). For patients without versus with concomitant surgery, the corresponding HR was 0.4 (95% CI 0.2–0.8; P = 0.008). Of 197 patients (89%) responding to the questionnaire, 41 had sought care for symptoms of arrhythmia, 29 of whom had documented AF/AFl/AT, whereas another six had other arrhythmias.ConclusionCut‐and‐sew Cox maze III surgery provided long‐lasting high efficacy, also in patients with nonparoxysmal AF of long duration and/or concomitant surgery, and was associated with low rates of subsequent adverse events.
Effects of promethazine or dexamethasone pretreatment on mivacurium‐induced histamine release in children
Authors: Xiang Zhou , Yan‐Liang Qu , Xiao‐Yang Song , Yan‐Hui Zhang , Min Chen , Guo‐Shen Gan , Ming‐Chun Wu , Zhong‐Bing Luo , Qing‐li Wang , Guang‐Jun Hu , Ming‐Zhe Qin , Jun Tao 
Published: November 2013

SummaryObjectiveTo determine the effects of pretreatment with either promethazine or dexamethasone on mivacurium‐induced histamine release in children.MethodsEighty ASA I–II children (4–10 years of age) scheduled for tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 20 per group) designated as either the rocuronium, mivacurium, dexamethasone (DXM), or promethazine group. Children in the DXM and promethazine groups were treated separately with intramuscular DXM 0.2 mg·kg−1 or promethazine 0.5 mg·kg−1 injections 60 min before operation. Radial artery blood samples were collected to quantify plasma histamine concentrations 1 min before and 1, 3, and 5 min after administration of the relaxant. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and skin flushing were recorded at the same time.ResultsNo significant decreases in plasma histamine concentrations were observed between groups; however, more stable MAP and HR and less skin flushing were observed in DXM group participants compared with individuals in the mivacurium group (P < 0.05). By contrast, children in the promethazine group had significantly decreased plasma histamine concentrations and stable MAP and HR (without a significant increase in HR) compared with patients in mivacurium group. In addition, skin flushing was significantly decreased compared with that observed in the rocuronium group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsPretreatment with promethazine significantly decreased mivacurium‐induced histamine release in children and provided stable hemodynamics during administration of anesthesia.
Phenology of Paralemanea mexicana (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) in a high‐altitude stream in central Mexico
Authors: Jiménez Javier Carmona , García Miriam Guadalupe Bojorge , Rodríguez Rocío Ramírez 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThe morphology and phenology of Paralemanea mexicana (Kützing) Vis et Sheath was evaluated seasonally in a fifth order high‐altitude stream in central Mexico. The gametophytes grew during oligotrophic and eutrophic conditions, and during particular microhabitat conditions: high current velocity (40–240 cm s−1), low to medium irradiance (5–973 μmol photons m−2 s−1), and shallow depth (1–30 cm). The abundance of gametophytes was positively correlated with low temperature, high current velocity and concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus. Interestingly, monoecious gametophytes formed two types of branches, true branches with sympodial pattern originating from meristematic cells in variable number, and abundant false branches produced during the development of the ‘Chantransia’ stage in the surface of the gametophyte or by uniseriate filaments arising within the thallus lumen. These filaments generally produce gametophytes and suggest that they could support the germination of carpospores. The frequently whorled branches are the result of a false branching pattern and are exclusive to P. mexicana. These morphological and reproductive characteristics appear to be biomechanical adaptations to avoid detachment and increase reproductive success. Efficient reproductive strategies of P. mexicana observed in this study can be interpreted as adaptations to successfully colonize streams; however, these features may not have been common in the study region due to restricted microhabitat conditions and geographic isolation.
Resolution enhancement of lung 4D‐CT via group‐sparsity
Authors: Bhavsar Arnav , Wu Guorong , Lian Jun , Shen Dinggang 
Published: November 2013

Purpose:4D‐CT typically delivers more accurate information about anatomical structures in the lung, over 3D‐CT, due to its ability to capture visual information of the lung motion across different respiratory phases. This helps to better determine the dose during radiation therapy for lung cancer. However, a critical concern with 4D‐CT that substantially compromises this advantage is the low superior‐inferior resolution due to less number of acquired slices, in order to control the CT radiation dose. To address this limitation, the authors propose an approach to reconstruct missing intermediate slices, so as to improve the superior‐inferior resolution.Methods:In this method the authors exploit the observation that sampling information across respiratory phases in 4D‐CT can be complimentary due to lung motion. The authors’ approach uses this locally complimentary information across phases in a patch‐based sparse‐representation framework. Moreover, unlike some recent approaches that treat local patches independently, the authors’ approach employs the group‐sparsity framework that imposes neighborhood and similarity constraints between patches. This helps in mitigating the trade‐off between noise robustness and structure preservation, which is an important consideration in resolution enhancement. The authors discuss the regularizing ability of group‐sparsity, which helps in reducing the effect of noise and enables better structural localization and enhancement.Results:The authors perform extensive experiments on the publicly available DIR‐Lab Lung 4D‐CT dataset [R. Castillo, E. Castillo, R. Guerra, V. Johnson, T. McPhail, A. Garg, and T. Guerrero, “A framework for evaluation of deformable image registration spatial accuracy using large landmark point sets,” Phys. Med. Biol. 54, – (2009)]. First, the authors carry out empirical parametric analysis of some important parameters in their approach. The authors then demonstrate, qualitatively as well as quantitatively, the ability of their approach to achieve more accurate and better localized results over bicubic interpolation as well as a related state‐of‐the‐art approach. The authors also show results on some datasets with tumor, to further emphasize the clinical importance of their method.Conclusions:The authors have proposed to improve the superior‐inferior resolution of 4D‐CT by estimating intermediate slices. The authors’ approach exploits neighboring constraints in the group‐sparsity framework, toward the goal of achieving better localization and noise robustness. The authors’ results are encouraging, and positively demonstrate the role of group‐sparsity for 4D‐CT resolution enhancement.
Complete Genome Sequences of Helicobacter pylori Clarithromycin-Resistant Strains
Authors: Binh Tran Thanh , Suzuki Rumiko , Shiota Seiji , Kwon Dong Hyeon , Yamaoka Yoshio 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTWe report the complete genome sequences of twoHelicobacter pyloriclarithromycin-resistant strains. Clarithromycin (CLR)-resistant strains were obtained under the exposure ofH. pyloristrain 26695 on agar plates with low clarithromycin concentrations. The genome data provide insights into the genomic changes ofH. pyloriunder selection by clarithromycinin vitro.
Draft Genome Sequence of Loktanella cinnabarina LL-001
T
, Isolated from Deep-Sea Floor Sediment
Authors: Nishi Shinro , Tsubouchi Taishi , Takaki Yoshihiro , Koyanagi Ryo , Satoh Nori , Maruyama Tadashi , Hatada Yuji 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

This report describes the draft genome sequence of
Loktanella cinnabarina
LL-001
T
, which was the first isolated strain from deep-sea floor sediment of the genus
Loktanella
. The draft genome sequence contains 3,896,245 bp, with a G+C content of 66.7%.
The Rhizobacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp.
plantarum
NAU-B3 Contains a Large Inversion within the Central Portion of the Genome
Authors: Wu Huijun , Qiao Junqing , Blom Jochen , Rueckert Christian , Reva Oleg , Gao Xuewen , Borriss Rainer 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

The genome of rhizobacterium
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
subsp.
plantarum
strain NAU-B3 is 4,196,170 bp in size and harbors 4,001 genes. Nine giant gene clusters are dedicated to the nonribosomal synthesis of antimicrobial lipopeptides and polyketides. Remarkably, NAU_B3 contains a large inversion within the central portion of the genome.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium, Serratia fonticola Strain AU-P3(3)
Authors: Devi Usha , Khatri Indu , Kumar Navinder , Kumar Lalit , Sharma Deepak , Subramanian Srikrishna , Saini Adesh K. 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), found in the rhizospheric region of plants, not only suppress plant disease, but also directly improve plant health by improving the availability of nutrients and by providing phytostimulants. Herein, we report the high-quality genome sequence of
Serratia fonticola
strain AU-P3(3), a PGPR of the pea plant, which confers phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid production, ammonia production, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production, and siderophore production and also confers activity against
Rhizoctonia
species. The 5.02-Mb genome sequence contains genes related to plant growth promotion and biocontrol activities.