bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do Genetic Modifiers of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels Also Modify Their Response to a Lifestyle Intervention in the Setting of Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus?
Authors: Huggins Gordon S. , Papandonatos George D. , Erar Bahar , Belalcazar L. Maria , Brautbar Ariel , Ballantyne Christie , Kitabchi Abbas E. , Wagenknecht Lynne E. , Knowler William C. , Pownall Henry J. , Wing Rena R. , Peter Inga , McCaffery Jeanne M. 
Published: July 2013

Background—
High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides are cardiovascular risk factors susceptible to lifestyle behavior modification and genetics. We hypothesized that genetic variants identified by genome-wide association studies as associated with HDL-C or triglyceride levels modify 1-year treatment response to an intensive lifestyle intervention, relative to a usual care of diabetes mellitus support and education.

Methods and Results—

We evaluated 82 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, which represent 31 loci demonstrated by genome-wide association studies to be associated with HDL-C and triglycerides, in 3561 participants who consented for genetic studies and met eligibility criteria. Variants associated with higher baseline HDL-C levels, cholesterol ester transfer protein (
CETP
) rs3764261 and hepatic lipase (
LIPC
) rs8034802, were found to be associated with HDL-C increases with intensive lifestyle intervention (
P
=0.0038 and 0.013, respectively) and had nominally significant treatment interactions (
P
=0.047 and 0.046, respectively). The fatty acid desaturase-2 rs1535 variant, associated with low baseline HDL-C (
P
=0.017), was associated with HDL-C increases with intensive lifestyle intervention (0.0037) and had a nominal treatment interaction (
P
=0.035). Apolipoprotein B (rs693) and
LIPC
(rs8034802) single-nucleotide polymorphisms showed nominally significant associations with HDL-C and triglyceride changes with intensive lifestyle intervention and a treatment interaction (
P
<0.05). Phosphatidylglycerophosphate synthase-1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs4082919) showed the most significant triglyceride treatment interaction in the full cohort (
P
=0.0009).

Conclusions—
This is the first study to identify genetic variants modifying lipid responses to a randomized lifestyle behavior intervention in overweight or obese individuals with diabetes mellitus. The effects of genetic factors on lipid changes may differ from the effects on baseline lipids and are modifiable by behavioral intervention.
Cardiac Insulin-Resistance and Decreased Mitochondrial Energy Production Precede the Development of Systolic Heart Failure After Pressure-Overload Hypertrophy
Authors: Zhang Liyan , Jaswal Jagdip S. , Ussher John R. , Sankaralingam Sowndramalingam , Wagg Cory , Zaugg Michael , Lopaschuk Gary D. 
Published: July 2013

Background—
Cardiac hypertrophy is accompanied by significant alterations in energy metabolism. Whether these changes in energy metabolism precede and contribute to the development of heart failure in the hypertrophied heart is not clear.

Methods and Results—
Mice were subjected to cardiac hypertrophy secondary to pressure-overload as a result of an abdominal aortic constriction (AAC). The rates of energy substrate metabolism were assessed in isolated working hearts obtained 1, 2, and 3 weeks after AAC. Mice subjected to AAC demonstrated a progressive development of cardiac hypertrophy. In vivo assessment of cardiac function (via echocardiography) demonstrated diastolic dysfunction by 2 weeks (20% increase in E/E′), and systolic dysfunction by 3 weeks (16% decrease in % ejection fraction). Marked cardiac insulin-resistance by 2 weeks post-AAC was evidenced by a significant decrease in insulin-stimulated rates of glycolysis and glucose oxidation, and plasma membrane translocation of glucose transporter 4. Overall ATP production rates were decreased at 2 and 3 weeks post-AAC (by 37% and 47%, respectively) because of a reduction in mitochondrial oxidation of glucose, lactate, and fatty acids that was not accompanied by an increase in myocardial glycolysis rates. Reduced mitochondrial complex V activity was evident at 3 weeks post-AAC, concomitant with a reduction in the ratio of phosphocreatine to ATP.

Conclusions—
The development of cardiac insulin-resistance and decreased mitochondrial oxidative metabolism are early metabolic changes in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, which create an energy deficit that may contribute to the progression from hypertrophy to heart failure.
Ceruloplasmin and Heart Failure in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Dadu Razvan T. , Dodge Rhiannon , Nambi Vijay , Virani Salim S. , Hoogeveen Ron C. , Smith Nicholas L. , Chen Fengju , Pankow James S. , Guild Cameron , Tang W.H. Wilson , Boerwinkle Eric , Hazen Stanley L. , Ballantyne Christie M. 
Published: July 2013

Background—
Ceruloplasmin (Cp) decreases nitric oxide bioavailability in blood and has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in clinical studies. We assessed the associations between Cp and incident heart failure (HF), death, and CVD in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.

Methods and Results—

Cp was measured at ARIC visit 4 (1996–1998). We studied 9240 individuals without HF or CVD at ARIC visit 4 and followed them for a mean of 10.5 years. Genome-wide association study was performed to identify genetic determinants of Cp levels and evaluate their association with incident HF in ARIC participants. Cp levels (mean±SD) were higher in women versus men (335±79 versus 258±44 mg/L;
P
<0.0001), women on versus not on hormone-replacement therapy (398±89 versus 291±60 mg/L;
P
<0.0001), and African Americans versus whites (299±63 versus 293±74 mg/L;
P
=0.0005). After adjusting for traditional risk factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, higher levels of Cp were associated with HF (hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–1.83) and mortality (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.63). A locus on the ceruloplasmin gene on chromosome 3 was significantly associated with Cp levels (normal 295.56±77.60 mg/L; heterozygote 316.72±88.02 mg/L; homozygote 331.04±85.40 mg/L;
P
=8.3×10
–13
) but not with incident HF. After adjustment for traditional risk factors, Cp levels were also weekly associated with CVD.

Conclusions—
Cp was associated with incident HF, mortality, and CVD in the ARIC population. A single locus on chromosome 3 was associated with Cp levels but not with HF.
Bypassing the Emergency Department and Time to Reperfusion in Patients With Prehospital ST-Segment–Elevation
Authors: Bagai Akshay , Al-Khalidi Hussein R. , Muñoz Daniel , Monk Lisa , Roettig Mayme L. , Corbett Claire C. , Garvey J. Lee , Wilson B. Hadley , Granger Christopher B. , Jollis James G. 
Published: July 2013

Background—
Among patients identified prehospital with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction, emergency medical service transport from the field directly to the catheterization laboratory, thereby bypassing the emergency department (ED), may shorten time to reperfusion.

Methods and Results—

We studied 1687 patients identified prehospital with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction from the Reperfusion in Acute Myocardial Infarction in Carolina Emergency Departments (RACE) project, transported via emergency medical service directly to 21 North Carolina hospitals for primary percutaneous coronary intervention between July 2008 and December 2009. Treatment time intervals were compared between patients evaluated in the ED (ED evaluation) and those transported directly to the catheterization laboratory (ED bypass). Emergency medical service transported 1401 (83.0%) patients to the ED, whereas the ED was bypassed for 286 (17.0%) patients. Overall, first medical contact to device activation within 90 minutes was achieved in 913 (54.1%) patients. Among patients evaluated in the ED, median time (25th–75th percentiles) from ED arrival to catheterization laboratory arrival was 30 (20–41) minutes. First medical contact to device activation occurred faster (75 [59–93] versus 90 [76–109] minutes;
P
<0.001) and was more frequently achieved within 90 minutes (74.1% versus 50.1%;
P
<0.001) among ED bypass patients.

Conclusions—
Among patients identified prehospital with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction and transported directly to a percutaneous coronary intervention hospital, only 1 in 2 achieve device activation within 90 minutes. A median of 30 minutes is spent in the ED, contributing significantly to the failure to achieve timely reperfusion. The strategy to bypass the ED is used infrequently and represents a potential opportunity to improve reperfusion times.
Cerebellar Atrophy in Childhood Arterial Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Mah Sarah , deVeber Gabrielle , Wei Xing-Chang , Liapounova Natalia , Kirton Adam 
Published: July 2013

Background and Purpose—
Crossed cerebellar atrophy is uncommon in childhood arterial ischemic stroke. Acute corticospinal tract diffusion–weighted imaging (CST-DWI) changes occur in stroke of all ages. Contralateral CST-DWI is unexplained but approximates corticopontocerebellar pathways. We hypothesized that cerebellar atrophy can be quantified on clinical neuroimaging in childhood arterial ischemic stroke and is predicted by contralesional CST-DWI.

Methods—
Consecutive children (>28 days–18 years) were included with the following features: (1) acute, unilateral, middle cerebral artery arterial ischemic stroke, (2) DWI <14 days from stroke onset, (3) anatomic T1 MRI >6 months, and (4) Pediatric Stroke Outcome Measure >12 months. Blinded scorers measured cerebellar volumes (left/right/hemisphere/vermis/total) using Osirix software. Cerebellar volumes ratios (nonstroke/stroke) were expressed as asymmetry indices (AI), with chronic/acute ratio <1.0 suggesting crossed atrophy. Acute brain stem and cerebellum (peduncle, hemisphere) DWI ratios were scored. Software measures were compared with visual inspection. Associations between AI, motor outcome (good/poor), and contralesional CST-DWI were sought. Rater reliabilities were assessed.

Results—

Twenty-three children were studied (median age, 6.3±4.4 years; 62% male). Baseline cerebellar volumes were comparable (right=56.9 cm
3
, left=57.1 cm
3
). Cerebellar atrophy was suggested across the sample with overall AI <1.0 (0.973±0.05;
P
=0.009). Visual atrophy detection was specific (≈100%) but insensitive (54%). Children with poor motor outcome did not have lower AI (0.983±0.027 versus 0.965±0.068;
P
=0.40); however, children with acute contralesional CST-DWI did (0.928±0.078 versus 986±0.040;
P
=0.03). Acute cerebellar DWI did not predict atrophy. Rater reliabilities were excellent (>0.92).

Conclusions—
Cerebellar atrophy can be demonstrated on MRI in childhood arterial ischemic stroke. Association with acute contralesional pontine DWI signal suggests early degeneration of corticopontocerebellar connections. The clinical significance of cerebellar atrophy in childhood stroke remains to be determined.
Far and Yet Close: Multiple Viewpoints for the Perfect Portrait
Authors: Perona Pietro 
Published: July 2013

Realistic pictures, whether paintings, photographs or rendered images of models, are traditionally obtained using classical perspective projection. Here I focus on pictures of people and discuss evidence suggesting that, for best results, full-length realistic-looking portraits should be produced by combining multiple viewpoints. I test this prediction experimentally and find that full-length portraits look more compelling if appropriate multiple viewpoints are chosen. I notice that multi-viewpoint portraiture has likely been used since the Renaissance, although no explicit mention of it is found in the literature.
Correlative analysis of social support with anxiety and depression in men undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer for the first time
Authors: Dong Yue-Zhi , Yang Xiao-Xia , Sun Ying-Pu 
Published: July 2013

Objective To explore the correlation between the level of social support and the extent of anxiety and depression in Chinese men undergoing in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) for the first time, in order to provide a basis for male mental health counselling. Methods Self-administered questionnaires covering general health status, anxiety (self-rating anxiety scale), depression (self-rating depression scale) and social support (social support rating scale) were completed by men undergoing their first round of IVF-ET. Results A total of 502 completed questionnaires were considered valid and were analysed. The anxiety, depression and social support scores for men undergoing their first round of IVF-ET were significantly higher than those for Chinese normative data. Social support was inversely correlated with anxiety and depression. Conclusions These findings suggest that health care professionals should provide specific psychological counselling to Chinese men undergoing their first round of IVF-ET, in order to improve their psychological health and to facilitate increased levels of social support.
Expression profiling of TCR-engineered T cells demonstrates overexpression of multiple inhibitory receptors in persisting lymphocytes
Authors: Abate-Daga Daniel , Hanada Ken-ichi , Davis Jeremy L. , Yang James C. , Rosenberg Steven A. , Morgan Richard A. 
Published: July 2013

Key Points
Gene expression in TCR-engineered cells resembles that of virus-reactive cells more than native tumor antigen-reactive cells. Persisting TCR gene–engineered T cells are sensitive to PD-L1–PD-1 interaction but CD160-associated impairment is ligand-independent.
An outbreak of feline infectious peritonitis in a Taiwanese shelter: epidemiologic and molecular evidence for horizontal transmission of a novel type II feline coronavirus
Authors: Wang Ying-Ting , Su Bi-Ling , Hsieh Li-En , Chueh Ling-Ling 
Published: July 2013

AbstractFeline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a fatal disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV) infection. FCoV can be divided into serotypes I and II. The virus that causes FIP (FIPV) is believed to occur sporadically and spread infrequently from cat to cat. Recently, an FIP outbreak from an animal shelter was confirmed in Taiwan. FCoV from all the cats in this shelter were analyzed to determine the epidemiology of this outbreak. Thirteen of 46 (28.2%) cats with typical signs of FIP were identified. Among them, seven cats were confirmed by necropsy and/or histopathological examinations. Despite the fact that more than one FCoV was identified in this multi-cat environment, the eight FIP cats were invariably found to be infected with a type II FCoV. Sequence analysis revealed that the type II FIPV detected from fecal samples, body effusions and granulomatous tissue homogenates from the cats that succumbed to FIP all harbored an identical recombination site in theirSgene. Two of the cats that succumbed to FIP were found to harbor an identical nonsense mutation in the3cgene. Fecal shedding of this type II virus in the effusive form of FIP can be detected up to six days before death. Taken together, our data demonstrate that horizontal transmission of FIPV is possible and that FIP cats can pose a potential risk to other cats living in the same environment.
Genomic characterization provides new insight into Salmonella phage diversity
Authors: Moreno Switt Andrea I , Orsi Renato H , den Bakker Henk C , Vongkamjan Kitiya , Altier Craig , Wiedmann Martin 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background

Salmonella is a widely distributed foodborne pathogen that causes tens of millions of salmonellosis cases globally every year. While the genomic diversity of Salmonella is increasingly well studied, our knowledge of Salmonella phage genomic diversity is still rather limited, despite the contributions of both lysogenic and lytic phages to Salmonella virulence, diversity and ecology (e.g., through horizontal gene transfer and Salmonella lysis). To gain a better understanding of phage diversity in a specific ecological niche, we sequenced 22 Salmonella phages isolated from a number of dairy farms from New York State (United States) and analyzed them using a comparative genomics approach.

Results
Classification of the 22 phages according to the presence/absence of orthologous genes allowed for classification into 8 well supported clusters. In addition to two phage clusters that represent novel virulent Salmonella phages, we also identified four phage clusters that each contained previously characterized phages from multiple continents. Our analyses also identified two clusters of phages that carry putative virulence (e.g., adhesins) and antimicrobial resistance (tellurite and bicyclomycin) genes as well as virulent and temperate transducing phages. Insights into phage evolution from our analyses include (i) identification of DNA metabolism genes that may facilitate nucleotide synthesis in phages with a G+C % distinct from Salmonella, and (ii) evidence of Salmonella phage tailspike and fiber diversity due to both single nucleotide polymorphisms and major re-arrangements, which may affect the host specificity of Salmonella phages.

Conclusions
Genomics-based characterization of 22 Salmonella phages isolated from dairy farms allowed for identification of a number of novel Salmonella phages. While the comparative genomics analyses of these phages provide a number of new insights in the evolution and diversity of Salmonella phages, they only represent a first glimpse into the diversity of Salmonella phages that is likely to be discovered when phages from different environments are characterized.
Conservation of the genes for HC-toxin biosynthesis in Alternaria jesenskae
Authors: Wight Wanessa D , Labuda Roman , Walton Jonathan D 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
HC-toxin, a cyclic tetrapeptide, is a virulence determinant for the plant pathogenic fungus Cochliobolus carbonum. It was recently discovered that another fungus, Alternaria jesenskae, also produces HC-toxin.

Results
The major genes (collectively known as AjTOX2) involved in the biosynthesis of HC-toxin were identified from A. jesenskae by genomic sequencing. The encoded orthologous proteins share 75-85% amino acid identity, and the genes for HC-toxin biosynthesis are duplicated in both fungi. The genomic organization of the genes in the two fungi show a similar but not identical partial clustering arrangement. A set of representative housekeeping proteins show a similar high level of amino acid identity between C. carbonum and A. jesenskae, which is consistent with the close relatedness of these two genera within the family Pleosporaceae (Dothideomycetes).

Conclusions
This is the first report that the plant virulence factor HC-toxin is made by an organism other than C. carbonum. The genes may have moved by horizontal transfer between the two species, but it cannot be excluded that they were present in a common ancestor and lost from other species of Alternaria and Cochliobolus.
Baseline characteristics and prevalence of cardiovascular disease in newly visiting or referred chronic kidney disease patients to nephrology centers in Japan: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Iimori Soichiro , Noda Yumi , Okado Tomokazu , Naito Shotaro , Toda Takayuki , Chida Yoshiko , Kuwahara Michio , Ando Ryoichi , Nishio Yasuhide , Maeda Yoshitaka , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Tamura Teiichi , Kimoto Shigeaki , Kanda Eiichiro , Inoshita Seiji , Yoshikawa Momono , Okutsu Rie , Tajima Masato , Kusaura Takashi , Kobayashi Katsuki , Rai Tatemitsu , Uchida Shinichi , Sasaki Sei 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
About 39,000 patients were newly prescribed renal replacement therapy in Japan in 2011, resulting in a total of more than 300,000 patients being treated with dialysis. This high prevalence of treated end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients is an emergent problem that requires immediate attention. We launched a prospective cohort study to evaluate population specific characteristics of the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this report, we describe the baseline characteristics and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence among this cohort.

Methods
New patients from 16 nephrology centers who were older than 20 years of age and who visited or were referred for the treatment of CKD stage 2–5, but were not on dialysis therapy, were recruited in this study. At enrollment, medical history, lifestyle behaviors, functional status and current medications were recorded, and blood and urine samples were collected. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by a modified three-variable equation.

Results
We enrolled 1138 patients, 69.6% of whom were male, with a mean age of 68 years. Compared with Western cohorts, patients in this study had a lower body mass index (BMI) and higher proteinuria. The prevalence of CVD was 26.8%, which was lower than that in Western cohorts but higher than that in the general Japanese population. Multivariate analysis demonstrated the following association with CVD prevalence: hypertension (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.82-7.02); diabetes (aOR 2.45; 95% CI 1.86-3.23); hemoglobin level less than 11 g/dl (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.21-2.15); receiving anti-hypertensive agents (aOR 3.54; 95% CI 2.27-5.53); and statin therapy (aOR 2.73; 95% CI 2.04-3.66). The combination of decreased eGFR and increased proteinuria was also associated with a higher prevalence of CVD.

Conclusions
The participants in this cohort had a lower BMI, higher proteinuria and lower prevalence of CVD compared with Western cohorts. Lower eGFR and high proteinuria were associated with CVD prevalence. Prospective follow up of these study patients will contribute to establishment of individual population-based treatment of CKD.
Serum calcium and risk of gastrointestinal cancer in the Swedish AMORIS study
Authors: Wulaningsih Wahyu , Michaelsson Karl , Garmo Hans , Hammar Niklas , Jungner Ingmar , Walldius Göran , Lambe Mats , Holmberg Lars , Van Hemelrijck Mieke 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Observational studies have indicated that high calcium intake may prevent colorectal cancer, but as for randomized trials the results are inconclusive. Meanwhile, limited data on the link between serum calcium and cancer risk is available. We investigated the relation between serum calcium and risk of different gastrointestinal cancers in a prospective study.

Methods
A cohort based on 492,044 subjects with baseline information on calcium (mmol/L) and albumin (g/L) was selected from the Swedish Apolipoprotein MOrtality RISk (AMORIS) study. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyse associations between standardised levels, quartiles and age/sex-specific categories of serum calcium and risk of oesophageal, stomach, colon, rectal cancer and also colorectal cancer combined, while taking into account serum albumin and other comorbidities.

Results
During 12 years of follow-up, we identified 323 incident oesophageal cancers, 782 stomach cancers, 2519 colon cancers, and 1495 rectal cancers. A positive association was found between albumin-adjusted serum calcium and risk of oesophageal [HR: 4.82 (95% CI: 2.07 – 11.19) for high compared to normal age-specific calcium levels] and colon cancer [e.g. HR: 1.07 (95% CI: 1.00 – 1.14) for every SD increase of calcium] as well as colorectal cancer [e.g. HR: 1.06 (95% CI: 1.02-1.11) for every SD increase of calcium] in women. In men there were similar but weaker non-statistically significant trends.

Conclusion
The positive relation between serum calcium, oesophageal cancer and colorectal cancer calls for further studies including calcium regulators to evaluate whether there is a true link between calcium metabolism and development of gastrointestinal cancer.